A Brave New World

Chapters

Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Extra story - A Rival Appears
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Extra Story - What it Means to be Strong
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Side Story - Mercenary Madness
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Bonus Chapter - Getting to know the folks
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty One
Chapter Forty Two
Chapter Forty Three
Chapter Forty Four
Chapter Forty Five
Chapter Forty Six
Chapter Forty Seven
Chapter Forty Eight
Extra Chapter - A little bit of Magic
Extra Chapter - What was lost, is now found.
Chapter Forty Nine - Intermission
Chapter Fifty
Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Two.

Seth groaned as he put a hand, (oh, wait. It was a paw now) to his head, a mild throbbing pain echoing in his mind.

“Well I’ve certainly slept better,” He was laying on his back and a weight on his chest forced his eyes open to find the cause. But when they did eventually open, all he could see was green.

“What the?”

It took a few moments for his brain to wake up and once it did, he realised that he was hugging something that lay on top of him. Said something stirred and Apple Fritter opened her eyes, staring straight into Seth’s.

“Hmm? Oh! G’morning Luxray!” she chirped happily. Seth groaned as she rolled off of him and onto the floor. She stretched like a Meowth, extending her front hooves until a satisfying ‘crack’ was heard. “Ah, that’s better. You make a nice pillow~”

Had she slept with him all night!? Seth fought back a small blush as he stretched himself out. Once he felt a little more limber, he slid off of the couch as Fritter had already made her way into the kitchen to cook.

“I don’t about you, but I’m starving,” Fritter called out. “Y’all seemed to like those fritters last night, so how about another delicious apple dish?”

“Sure,” Seth called out, right before another problem hit.

He seriously had to use the bathroom.

He walked into the kitchen and poked at Fritter to get her attention.

“Huh? What’s up?” It became pretty obvious when he trotted in place and looked around fervently. “Ooh, bathroom?”

Seth nodded and Fritter giggled. “Upstairs, second door on the right.” The words barely left her mouth before he raced upstairs, tripping over himself a few times in the process, leaving Fritter to giggle again.

“Okay, second door? Must be this one.” He nudged the door open and looked around. It was a pretty big room actually. A large claw-foot tub was against one wall, with a shower head hanging overhead. A sink with a medicine cabinet was against the connecting wall and in the opposite corner was what he assumed was the toilet. It was more like a ceramic trough on the floor, with a pull chain flush next to it.

“This would be awkward as hell to use as a human, but now… guess I just gotta go with it I suppose.”

***

As Seth finished upstairs, the water pipes gave a loud rattle causing Apple Fritter to frown. She had only called a plumber last week about those. But it looks like that moustachioed jerk had done a dodgy job.

“Looks like I’ll have to call that other one,” she muttered. “That one with the green hat…”

The oven gave a cheerful ding and Fritter carefully pulled the tray out, setting the miniature apple pies on a cooling rack.

She already prepared some cinnamon toast and apple juice for breakfast, but she still had to replace all the stock that spoiled yesterday. That was going to eat into her profits a bit; perhaps she could offer what she had today at a small discount? At least try to sell everything and cut her losses to a minimum.

“Well, provided that it’s calmed down out there anyway.”

Seth descended the staircase, only stumbling once, a new personal record.

“Heya Lux!” Fritter said. “I put yer breakfast on the table, so help yourself.”

Seth nodded and as he sat, what Apple Fritter had said, or more like how she had said it, actually clicked. On instances, her accent seemed to change from a Southern drawl, to a slightly more refined speech pattern, he wondered why as he munched on a piece of toast.

After a few minutes, Apple sat down to eat her own breakfast. “I gotta go to market today, try and make up what I lost yesterday.” Her eyes suddenly went wide as she waved a hoof and smiled. “Oh! Ah’m not blamin’ you Sugarcube, ah’m glad ya saved me.”

There it was again, only much more prominent. It seemed her accent only appeared when she got excited or emotional. He highly doubted she was doing it on purpose.

“You’re wondering about my accent… aren’t you?” The timing of that question made him cough, he wondered if she could read his mind as well.

“It’s nuthin really,” she dropped the refined accent completely as she explained. “When ah first moved on up here, those stinkin’ nobles wouldn’ buy from me, simply cause mah accent made me sound like an ‘unrefined hick’” she said, making quotes in the air with her hooves. “So ah adopted a more,” her accent shifted again, flawlessly. “A more refined sense I suppose.”

Seth nodded, taking a sip of juice. It seemed that Apple Fritter had to go through a lot, just to live here.

“It’s hard, but ah don’t mind.” She sighed and drained her glass, “Ah get ta be mahself inside these four walls, or anywhere else really, just not at market.”

Gods! It was so annoying that he couldn’t hold a proper conversation. At least if he was a psychic-type, he might have been able to use telepathy. He felt jealous of any human that was in that situation right now.

Elsewhere, a Gallade sneezed.

He settled for sitting next to her and patting her on the back, eliciting a smile from the mare.
“Thanks Lux, yer alright, ya know?”

Seth smiled, and then a thought occurred to him. He might not be able to speak, but what about writing? He found a piece of paper on the coffee table and brought it over to the mare. Seeing what he was trying to do, she fetched a quill and inkpot for him. Seth stared at the quill for a moment, wondering how on earth he was going to use it, then he had another idea.

After a few moments of experimentation, he figured out how to extend his claws. Dipping one claw into the inkpot he began scrawling on the page. Once he was done, Fritter leaned over his shoulder and her eyes scanned the letters he had written. He admitted that his claw-writing was a little messy, but the more Fritter read, the more her brow furrowed. Maybe the written language was different too?

After she read it, and then re-read it, she turned to him.

“What the hay is a human?”

It worked!? She could read it? Seth beamed widely and scrawled down some more info, like that his name was actually Seth and he had no idea where he was.

Apple Fritter glanced at her clock and nodded, “I gotta get to market, gotta sell a lot of apples…” She paused and put a hoof to her chin. “How about it Seth, you wanna come?” That giant blue alligator from yesterday might still be hanging around, and she didn’t feel right just letting Luxray wander the city alone. Plus it looked like they had a lot to talk about, or rather, she had a lot to explain to the lost Pokémon.

Seth nodded, he wanted to learn more about this place anyway. He could also use the opportunity to gather information about his lost Pokémon.

***

“So the name of the country you’re in is Equestria, one of the largest nations on Equus.” He had forgotten to bring something to write on, but he had a good memory. Apple Fritter paused for a second and waited for him to nod as a sign to continue.

“Well, ya got three types of ponies. First are Earth ponies like me. Second are Pegasi, they have wings and are in in charge of the weather. Third are the Unicorns, the have magic and it’s what most of the population of Canterlot are.”

She waited for another moment and decided she wanted to know a few things. “Can ah ask you some stuff? I’ll keep it to simple yes and no answers.” Seth nodded and Apple Fritter asked away.

“Okay, so in yer writings before, you said you were looking for friends of yours. Are they Pokémon too?” Seth nodded and Fritter smiled. “Okay, when we get home, if give me some detailed descriptions and ah’ll do what I can to help.” She thought for a moment and asked her second question.

“So are you really from another world?” Seth pondered on this for a second. He was pretty well versed in Earths geography, and if a place like this existed, then he’d know about it. Seth nodded again.

“That’s… well that’s really something.” Apple Fritter couldn’t believe that she was talking with a creature from another world. Wait until cousin Applejack heard about this.

They continued to talk but as they walked further into the city centre, something seemed… off. Seth good a decent look around yesterday and he could tell that it was a big city, Apple Fritter told him it was the capital city of all of Equestria.

So why did it look so deserted?

“Land’s sakes, if the whole city is like this, how the heck am I supposed to sell my apples?” Fritter and Seth got to the market, only to see that it too was almost empty, a few vendors had shown up, but it was pretty quiet none the less.

A tall, slender mare approached them, a worried expression on her face. “Hey there Fritter, pretty quiet day huh?”

“Y’all can say that again,” given her accent, Seth figured that this new pony must have been a friend of Apple Fritter.

“Oh, lemme introduce ya to mah new friend,” Fritter beamed. She motioned to Seth, “This is Seth, he saved my from a pretty bad situation yesterday.” Seth bowed his head politely and the mare returned the gesture.

“This is Mocha Latte, she runs the best coffee shop in all of Equestria.” Mocha blushed at the praise and rubbed her foreleg. Two more ponies approached, one had a pinkish cream coat, almost the same colour as a humans skin tone. She had a vibrant pink mane pushed back with a headband and her tail was tapered at the base with cloth while the rest was done up with dreadlocks.

The second mare was a banana yellow colour, very similar to Apple Fritter’s. Her mane and tail was streaked with cream and caramel tones. She really looked like she was Fritter’s sister, her manestyle was even the same.

“Berry Smoothie!” Apple Fritter greeted the first one, “And this is her little sister, Banana Smoothie. They run a juice bar called the ‘Daily Punch’ here in the market, and are probably my biggest customers.”

“Unfortunately, today doesn’t seem like a good day for business.” Berry sighed, but Banana seemed in high spirits regardless. It hadn’t taken her long to move next to Seth and promptly hug him tightly.

“Oh my Celestia! He’s sooooo fluffy~” Berry sighed and proceeded to try and pry her sister from the surprised Pokémon.

“Sorry,” Berry said. “My little sister can get a bit excited sometimes… I think she spends too much time with Pinkie.”

Mocha gave a brief shudder when Pinkie’s name was mentioned. “So if I may ask Fritter dear,” Mocha said, wanting a change of subject. “Just what is your friend here? I’ve never seen anything quite like him.”

“Well his name is Seth but he can’t talk like us, all he can say is Luxray. He saved me yesterday, I gave him some food and now we’re friends.”

“That’s it?” Mocha asked.

“Naw, he’s something called, er… oh yeah, a Pokémon. And that he’s a critter from another world.”

Berry and Banana stared at their friend for a second before bursting at laughing.

“Oh wow Fritter,” Berry giggled. “A creature from another world? Have you been staying up reading those sci-fi novels again?”

“It’s true, Seth said so himself!” Apple Fritter pouted. “Why don’t you believe me?”

“Well because it sounds ridiculous.”

Apple Fritter just poked out her tongue. “Well I believe him, so pbbtthh!”

Mocha just laughed and shook her head; Fritter was absolutely adorable when she acted like this. After the giggles died down, the four mares looked around the market, noticing that not a single pony had come by the whole time.

“Um, did we miss a public service announcement or something?” Banana wondered. The clatter of hooves resounded on the cobblestone as several armoured Solar Guard ran into the market place.

“Over there!” One of them shouted, pointing right at Seth. “There’s one!”

As they got closer, Seth prepared to run like hell, except that he didn’t know what these new ponies would do to Fritter. But when the mare stepped in between them and himself, he then wondered what she’d do to them.

“Now jus’ hold yer horses, what in tarnation do ya’ll think yer gonna do ta mah friend!” Fritter glared at the guard, but they didn’t back down.

“We are taking these creatures into custody,” the captain announced. “They are causing disturbances all around the city, so stand aside Miss.”

“Ah’ll do no such thang!” Apple Fritter said, standing tall and puffing out her chest. “Seth here is mah friend. He has done nothing but help me and ah’ll defend him with everything ah have!”
Well the captain certainly wasn’t expecting this. Everypony they had met thus far had been grateful for their efforts. As he was weighing his options, a messenger pegasus arrived to deliver orders from the palace.

Though the strangest thing was that she was running instead of flying.

“Sir, Miss Dizzy Punch reporting. I have an important message from the palace!” Berry and Banana Smoothie raised their eyebrows. What the hay was Dizzy doing, running messages for the palace?

The captain waved a hoof dismissively. “It can wait; I have a dangerous creature to capture!”
“B-but, it’s from-“

“Men! Get ready to deploy the nets!” the captain ordered. “I want this creature bagged and tagged!”

“An’ ah said you’ll do no such thing!” Apple Fritter yelled. “An’ ah reckon I could buck you right into next week iffn’ ya’ll try!”

They butted heads and Seth was worried that they really would come to blows, all because of him. Luckily, Dizzy Punch was quite fed up and her eyes flared with anger.

“WILL YOU BOTH CALM DOWN!” The captain and Fritter suddenly sat down and blinked in confusion, fear and surprise. “Right,” Dizzy took a breath and calmed herself down before continuing. “This message comes from Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia, herself. The message is as such. To all Royal Guard and citizens of Canterlot, the creatures otherwise known as Pokémon, are not to be harmed or captured, unless they enact a violent act first. The Pokémon are currently under Royal Protection Protocols until their reasons for being here have been confirmed.”

The captain’s eyes widened as that sunk in. If he had captured this creature, he may have been severely punished, maybe even discharged from his duties.

“Talks have begun between ambassadors from the world these Pokémon hail from, and myself and Princess Twilight Sparkle. We ask that all citizens please be patient for a solution to be found.

From the office of HRH Princess Celestia!”

Dizzy finished reciting the message and nodded, “And that’s it.”

The captain nodded, “Alright, orders received. Well shall release the crea- er… Pokémon, that we have captured thus far.” He turned to the rest of his squad and waved his hoof. “Alright men, let’s get to it.”

The squad left and Apple Fritter huffed in annoyance. “How do ya like them apples? Not even a single apology!”

Berry sighed, before in relief and disdain. “Thanks for the save Dizzy, I didn’t want to have to pay for that guys hospital bills.”

Dizzy nodded happily and Seth tilted his head in confusion. “Lux?” He said, wanting to know what she meant by that.

“If you’re asking why,” Mocha Latte responded. “It’s because our dear Apple Fritter here is stronger than she looks.”

Fritter blushed and waved a hoof. “I’m not that strong…”

Mocha smiled and shook her head, “Fritter dear, we all remember that purse snatcher that robbed me that one time, and that you bucked him clear across the street.”

“It was awesome!” Banana said. “He sure flew for a pony that didn’t have wings!”

Apple Fritter just buried her head in her hooves and groaned. “Okay, okay ah get it. Ah’m a freakishly strong pony. Ah tend to break stuff by accident and no stallion likes a mare that’s stronger that he is.”

“Oh come now, we didn’t mean it like that.” Mocha felt bad though, she didn’t mean to hurt her friend’s feelings. Berry and even Banana looked down at their hooves, muttering apologies.

Fritter raised her head and after a second, poked her tongue out.

“Gotcha!”

Mocha frowned and bonked her on the head with a hoof. “You are a very mean pony Miss Fritter.” She looked around the empty market and shrugged. “Well it seems pointless to stay here, I bet most ponies are probably hiding in their homes, so I think the marketplace may be a bit quiet for the next few days.”

Everypony groaned, they knew that was gonna hurt their sales pretty badly.

“Guess we have little choice,” Berry said. “Well, I guess a little impromptu holiday never hurt anypony-“

“Ooh, ooh can we go to Neighagra Falls?” Banana asked hopefully. “I wanna go there!”
Berry just shook her head and sighed. “…Maybe, but we need to ask Vanilla first.” Banana bounced up and down with glee as they headed off. “See you later girls,” Berry called out as they left.

Mocha and Fritter waved goodbye and Mocha decided she should head out too. Apple Fritter knew exactly what the older mare would be doing with her time off.

“Gonna go find that big, strapping stallion of yours huh?” Mocha turned bright red and decided that the ground offered a great view. “Well, have fun~” Fritter giggled and Mocha trotted off, a slight spring in her step.

“Well what should we do Seth?” Fritter asked the quiet Pokémon.

He had been thinking on that for a while now, and he decided that looking for his partners would be the best idea, if they were even here in the city. He scratched that out onto a dirt patch and once Apple Fritter read it, she nodded in agreement.

“Alrighty then, let’s go find yer kin.”

***

Rika was not having a good day. She had remembered going to sleep next her beloved Seth, only to wake up in the middle of a park.

And she had no freakin idea where she, or anyone else from her team, even was.

Oh, but it got better. As she wandered around the strange city, some strange creature nabbed her right off the street and had spent yesterday and today taking photographs of her and a poor Flaffy.

But it got better still. The Flaffy, one who had been near her when the Sylveon first woke up…

Well she had been claiming for the last day that she was the Gym Leader, Elesa.

***

Once Seth and Fritter had dropped her cart back at home, they wandered aimlessly around the massive city, searching for anything that might lead them to Seth’s missing companions. He had come across several Pokémon, but after asking them, none of them had seen the ones Seth was looking for.

“I wonder if they’re even in the city.” Seth wondered aloud as they walked. “Or maybe they got captured by those guards from earlier… nah, if Ignis got captured then there wouldn’t be much of a city left.”

Fritter remained silent as the Luxray just continued to mutter to itself. Between last night and now, it was pretty obvious to the mare that he missed his friends like crazy.

“Don’t worry Seth, we’ll find them, ah just know it!”

Seth nodded, Fritter made him feel a lot better about the situation at least. He turned his head back and suddenly found himself staring into the face of another pony, this one was wearing large purple sunglasses and a black and white striped dress.

“Oh?.. OH! I can feel it, ze magicks!” The mare suddenly grabbed Seth’s paw and began to drag him off. “Come, we must create!”

Seth couldn’t react, this mare wanted to do what now? He shot a glace to Fritter, who just offered a helpless shrug in return as she followed them. Yeah, great help she was.

Whoever this mare was, her grip was like iron. “If I could use Thunderbolt, you’d be doing a great impression of a bug zapper right now,” Seth muttered.

They eventually arrived at a rather gaudy looking building. The lobby held various pieces of artworks, abstract paintings and statues and most prominently, dozens of photographs. Several ponies waited inside, all had rather unique senses of fashion. Apple Fritter suddenly felt very underdressed for some reason and hung back from the group.

“So you found another?” One of the mares asked.

“Its black coat will contrast nicely with the other two,” One of the stallions added.

Photo Finish puffed out her chest proudly, “Exactly vhat I vas thinking. I, Photo Finish vill become even greater thanks to zese strange creatures!”

“Um, they’re called Pokémon.” Apple Fritter said from behind them. Photo Finish turned, only now realising that the farmer was even there.

“Who are you?”

Fritter pointed to Seth. “I’m with him. His name is Seth and he’s currently staying with me.”

“I see,” Photo pondered for a moment, “Okay, I, Photo Finish have decided… she shall be allowed to stay. Now come, we have to perform… ze magicks!”

Seth just groaned as he was dragged off again. “What the actual fuck is going on here?”

Past the lobby was a large studio, where even more photographs and artworks adorned the walls. A section at the back must have been where she took these photos, a white backdrop with those reflector-thingies. Seth didn’t know what the heck they were called.

“Are ze other two ready yet?” Photo asked her stylist, an Asian-looking mare with heavy eye shadow and a short blue mane. The simply nodded and Photo smiled widely. “Excellent! Bring zhem out. We begin!”

Seth was pushed in front of the backdrop by another of her assistants, a brown mare with a sharp gaze. There didn’t seem to be any way of getting out of this so Seth just figured he’d roll with it. As he sat there, a hesitant looking Sylveon and a Flaffy came out from another room, the stylist from before adding some touch ups as they walked.

The Sylveon swatted at the mare with one of her prehensile ribbons, clearly annoyed over the total lack of respect for personal boundaries. As they got closer, she laid eyes on the bored-looking Luxray sitting there.

“Oh wonderful, that madmare pokénapped another one.” She sat near him and looked him over, he seemed a little larger than a normal Luxray, and his eyes… there was something she couldn’t quite lay her paw on.

The Flaffy walked over and Photo immediately started to take photograph the sheep Pokémon, who was more than happy to pose for the camera. Seeing as how the mare would be busy for the moment, the Sylveon tried to get a few words out of the Luxray.

“So how did she get you?” The fairy Pokémon asked, only to get total silence as a response. She frowned and tried again, maybe he didn’t hear her despite his huge ears. “Hey? You okay?” It wasn’t until she tried poking the Pokémon that he flinched and looked at her.

“H-huh? Wha?” Seth had actually dozed off for a second there, until to be roused by an adorable Sylveon…

Wait a minute?

“I said, are you okay? She asked again. “Or are you totally insane like little bo sheep over there.”
Seth just blinked, though he’d spoken to that Feraligatr yesterday, it was still weird to actually hear a Pokémon speak. “Uh, sorry. I think I dozed off for a second.”

“It’s fine, you seem sane enough.” Rika smiled softly, “Or do you think you’re a human too?”
…
…
“What?”

Sylveon nodded and pointed to the Flaffy, “That one over there. She swears that she’s the Gym Leader, Elesa. And she knew my name too, so I don’t know what to think right now.” Ever since she had woken up yesterday, Rika had been more concerned with finding her beloved trainer, but she’d been forced to deal with near endless levels of crazy instead. “I just wanna find Seth and go home,” she whined.

She certainly didn’t expect the Luxray to tackle her to the ground as he hugged her. “Rika!? It’s you?”

Rika flushed bright red, “W-w-w-w-what are you DOING?!” She blasted the clingy Pokémon with her Hyper Voice, causing everypony in the room the clutch their ears. Only Photo Finish seemed unfazed as she continued to snap away.

Seth on the other hand was sent spiralling through the air and landed several feet away. “It is you!” He shouted once he had hit the ground.

“What the hell? Why are you trying to get fresh with me!?” Rika yelled as she stomped over to him. She was gonna string this bastard up with her ribbons and beat him to death.

“Rika, it’s me… Seth!” Okay, that was at least enough to cause the Sylveon to stop.

“W-what?”

Seth got to his feet and nodded. “It’s really me, well sort of. I’m a Luxray now, not sure why but hey, whatever.”

“Enough!” Rika shouted. Tears were stinging her eyes now and she’d reached her breaking point. “I’ve gone through a lot and now a Luxray that seems to be touched in the head claims to be my beloved?” Forget the beating; she was going to murder him.

“When I first caught you, I named you Blitz cause I thought you were a male.”

Rika paused.

“And you like spicy Poképuffs, but eat sweet ones when you think no-one is looking.”

Rika began to tear up again.

“And there was that one time you kissed me on the cheek, but used Draining Kiss instead…”

The words faded as Rika tackled him, gently wrapping her ribbons around him as she embraced her trainer.
“It really is you!” she cried. “No one else could know all that… I don’t care how, and I don’t care why you’re a Pokémon, I’m just so happy you’re alright!” She sobbed loudly as Seth rubbed her head, smiling as his own tears fell.

“I’m glad I found you Rika.” They stayed like that for a few moments, nopony daring to ruin the mood that was going on. Even Photo Finish was still, the camera sitting unused.

“But how did this happen?” Rika asked. “Why are we here, and why are you a Pokémon?”

“I’m a Pokémon too y’know!” The Flaffy huffed and Seth looked up. The pink sheep stood there, pouting. But the first thing he noticed were the headphones she wore, large circular ones with long cords hanging from them.

“Is that you Elle?” he asked.

“Well duh, I’ve been telling Dumbeon there for the last day and a half, but she wouldn’t believe me.” She paused and smirked. “Though if you’re really Seth, then I know a way to prove it.” She got closer until she could whisper in his ear, “Remember that night we got stuck on the Ferris wheel?”

Seth suddenly turned a very bright shade of red under his dark fur, his mouth opening and closing as he failed to form words, or even basic sounds.

“I’ll take that as a yes~” Elesa grinned, leaving Rika to wonder what the heck she had said to him. “But Rika does have a point, what the hell happened to us?”

Seth shook his head to clear his mind from ‘distracting’ memories and shrugged. “I have no idea, I remember falling asleep, and then I woke up here.”

“Same for us,” Rika replied. “And what about the others? Ignis, Selene, the newbie?”

“You’re the first one I found,” Seth informed her. “I haven’t met many other Pokémon at all yet, but I collapsed yesterday and Apple Fritter’s been taking care of me since then.”

As he motioned to the apple farmer, the mare could swear that the two new Pokémon were giving her dirty looks. Did she do something wrong?

“Well… what do we do now?” Rika asked. She didn’t really care as long as it wasn’t here.

“We can go with Fritter-“ Seth’s words were cut off as a powerful voice rang inside his head, and judging from the looks on everyone’s faces, Pokémon and ponies, then he wasn’t the only one hearing it.

“Greetings citizens of Equus, both old and new. I am Lord Arceus, creator of the Pokémon realm. You have no reason to fear me, I come in peace.”

Chapter Three

Chapter Three.

”I am Lord Arceus, creator of the Pokémon realm. You have no reason to fear me, I come in peace.”

Needless to say, all the Pokémon and former humans present at the photo studio were experiencing various emotions. Dread, fear, respect, confusion and from the looks on the ponies faces, they could hear the voice too.

“I have revealed myself to inform you that I am the one responsible for the Pokémon’s presence in this world, for the citizens of Equus, the Pokémon are the beings who have appeared over the past few days.”

There was a pause and Seth mulled over what that statement truly meant. Arceus himself had brought them all to this place, Equus was it? Why? What possible goal could he achieve by doing this?

“I have my reasons for bringing them here, and to the leaders I will reveal them in time, but for now a warning, the Pokémon, while some may not seem it, are just as intelligent as any race who calls Equus home, and, seeing as how they are my subjects, I will not tolerate them being treated any differently than you would treat your fellow Pony, Griffin, Minotaur, Diamond Dog, Changeling, Deer, Hippocampus, Zebra, Horse, Buffalo, Cow, Donkey, or Dragon depending on whichever race you belong to.”

Seth looked at Apple Fritter, they were actually called ponies? And what the hell were those other species that Arceus mentioned?

“To my Pokémon, I say this, I brought you, all of you, here so that you could live in peace, do not seek to harm the natives of this world, for I am the one responsible for your displacement. And to the Pokémon who went through changes when I brought you here I say this. You are the ones who proved themselves worthy, those who were fair, kind and good in the old world, consider this your reward. And to all of you, as sapients the laws of Equus, and the varying countries, now apply to you, and only the laws of Equus.”

Wait? The laws of Equus? What the hell were the laws around here? His head began to ache slightly, trying to process all this information. Rika had an odd look on her face and then looked at Seth with a worried expression, what was she so concerned about?

“That is all for now, but just to be clear, the Pokémon are not to be harmed simply out of spite, if you have a problem with what I’ve done, feel free to contact me, I currently reside in an ancient temple deep in the Everfree Forest, or a pocket dimension outside of the space time continuum, so if any of you wish to face the sheer power of a god, feel free to come by.” Seth could almost feel the smirk Arceus probably had on his face.

“Goodbye for now, though I doubt this will be the last you hear of me, and peace to you all.”

Their minds fell silent, but only until they collected their thoughts and the thousands of possible questions flooded in.

“Wait! So this is all Arceus’s fault!?” Rika was flipping out and begun to hyperventilate. Elesa simply sat there, completely dumbfounded by the revelation.

“Well now ain’t that sumthin!” Apple Fritter was the first to speak, before realising that she was in the company of some Canterlot elites and slipped into her formal accent. “Well I suppose it answers where you all came from.”

“Well zat was interestink!” Photo Finish exclaimed. “But we are done for now.” The mare nodded and one of her assistants pushed a hefty bag of bits in front of Rika and Elesa. “Zat is for bringing such wunderbar magicks! I look forward to vorking with you again!”

The mare flicked her head and she and her entourage left quickly and abruptly, leaving the three Pokémon and the mare alone. With the revelation made by Arceus, or something claiming to be Arceus at least, Seth, Elesa and Rika weren’t really in the best way for thinking too heavily.

“Well,” Apple Fritter broke the silence and smiled. “It looks like you found some of yer friends huh?”

Seth blinked and then looked at Rika and Elesa, oh, yeah, there was that huh? Seth smiled and nodded softly. “I’m glad I was able to find you girls.”

Rika wasted little time in hugging her former trainer. “What about the others? Ignis… Selly?”

“I don’t know, and we should look for Elesa’s Pokémon too.” He was surprised that he’d found at
least one of his partners so quickly, and he never expected to find Elesa here. Given what Arceus had said, there were probably other humans here too. Just trying to think about it made his head hurt.

“I don’t really know what y’all have planned,” Apple Fritter took the opportunity to speak up when the Pokémon fell quiet again. “But my door is always open. If y’all still need a place to stay that is?”

Seth nodded and smiled, revealing his pointy teeth. And this reaction got Elesa and Rika thinking, just who was this mare!?

“Seth? Who is this?” Rika asked all too sweetly. “And how does she know you?”

“Ah?” with all the stuff that just happened in the last fifteen minutes, he’d totally forgotten. “This is Apple Fritter, she helped me out yesterday after I passed out.

“You passed out!?” Rika flipped out and pressed her forehead against his. “Are you alright? Do you still feel sick?”

“I’m fine,” Seth smiled, pushing the concerned Pokémon away. “I was just really hungry and maybe being transformed like this made it worse, I dunno.”

“Now that you mention it, I was really hungry after waking up,” Elesa patted her stomach. “Still kinda hungry actually.” The photographer had given them much in the way of food. But as a model, Elesa was used to not eating a great deal, but the energetic Sylveon on the other hand.

A loud grumble from the fairy’s tummy pierced the empty room.

“Well I guess that answers that!” Fritter laughed, “Let’s head back for some lunch.”

Seth nodded once more and Elesa and Rika followed the two of them out, a million thought racing through their minds.

***

When they stepped outside, the group soon realised that getting home might be a tad difficult. Ponies and Pokémon alike ran through the streets and all of them were in a panic. The Pokémon had just heard that not only their god exists, but he was the reason that they were here in Equestria. The ponies had just heard a voice in their head that wasn’t the Princess and the default setting was panic.

“Ah hope nopony gets hurt in all this ruckus,” Fritter sighed, weaving through the crowd. “And ah believe that this situation probably coulda been handled better. That Arceus fella mustn’t have put a whole lotta thought into what would happen after his speech.”

Seth silently nodded and tried to follow Fritter, only to be roughly shoved about by the hectic crowd. A pair of ribbons suddenly wrapped around his waist and lifted him up and out of the busy street.

“Oof, you’re heavier than you look!” Rika grunted as she lifted him over to the side of the street where she was standing. “Until you can walk better on all fours, I’d avoid big crowds… and probably large flights of stairs.”

“This is so embarrassing,” Seth muttered, “I feel like a baby, I can’t talk, can’t walk…” A small smiled crossed his muzzle, “At least I have no toilet troubles.”

Rika scrunched up her face and groaned. “That. Was waaay too much information.”

Seth laughed at her reaction and nodded, “I suppose, but at this point I’ll take what I can get.” He looked at Elesa and knew that he wasn’t the only one in this particular Pokémon predicament.
“How about you Elle, are you hanging in there okay?”

“Well it’s not like I have any say in the matter is it?” Elesa was a bit torn about the whole thing. On one hand, being able to talk to Pokémon and being her favourite type of Pokémon was pretty awesome. And though she missed her human form, it wasn’t her biggest concern. “I honestly have no idea what I should be doing,” she said. “I was a Gym Leader, a supermodel and I honestly thought I’d be doing those forever… well the Gym stuff anyway.”

“And now we’re stuck here, permanently it seems…” Seth hadn’t thought about that until now.

“And what about you Seth? Now that you no longer have your crusade to worry about?” Rika asked gently.

The Luxray paused and looked back at his Pokémon. “What do you mean?”
…
…
There was an awkward silence as Rika realised that Seth hadn’t completely understood what Arceus had said. “Oh no…”

“Rika!” Seth narrowed his eyes. “Just what the heck are you talking about?”

Rika sighed, it seems that there was no avoiding it now. Her and her big mouth.

“Lord Arceus said, and I quote; “And to all of you, as sapients the laws of Equus, and the varying countries, now apply to you, and only the laws of Equus.”

“And?” Seth clearly wasn’t getting the picture and Rika didn’t want to spell it out for him, but the dense former human wasn’t leaving her with much choice.

“What do you suppose the laws regarding human and Pokémon relationships are here?”
…
…
Seth’s legs gave out and he fell to the cobblestone ground. Apple Fritter turned out and saw her friend fall. “Landsakes!” She rushed back and caught his head before it could strike the hard stone. “What happened, are y’all hungry again?”

Seth just lay there and suddenly reached for Fritter’s saddlebag, causing the mare to yelp in surprise. He fished out a small inkpot and some paper and hastily scrawled something for her to read.

“What is the law on interspecies relationships?” Fritter read it aloud and gave him a funny look. “What, y’all mean like… if a pony and say, a gryphon wanted to get married or something?”

Seth nodded and Fritter wondered why the heck he suddenly wanted to know something like that. “Well, it’s not all that common, but they’re no laws against it.”

That wasn’t the answer Seth was hoping to hear. And the fact was that if every human in Equestria was now a Pokémon…

“I… I think I need to go for a walk…” Seth got up and stumbled down the street, Rika went to stop him, but he raised a paw and just left silently.

Fritter looked confused and Elesa glared at Rika. “Good job girl, good job.”

***

Seth lay in a park that he’d come across and just stared at the grass. Several ponies had seen him there, but chose to leave the strange creature be. Other Pokémon came and went, giving up trying to talk to the Luxray when he didn’t respond.

“Nothing,” he muttered softly. “Seven years and now it’s all for goddam nothing!” he didn’t realise it, but his body began to crackle with lightning, scaring several nearby critters. He got to his paws and continued his tirade as his anger and frustration grew.

“Oh look at me, I’m a high and mighty god who can whatever the hell he wants and not give a damn about the mortals he toys with!” The lightning grew angrier as errant bolts lashed out around him. “Let’s not worry about whether or not they had lives, friends and family. Let’s just throw them into a world of colourful little ponies and turn them into Pokémon!!” A patch of flowers was suddenly fried to a crisp and he was nowhere near done. Some ponies had run off to fetch the guard and other Pokémon were just staying the hell away.

“Cyrus wanted to re-write the universe, but he was a bad guy. Arceus just moves us to a friggen new one and we’re supposed to lay down and just FUCKING LIKE IT!?!?” The sky turned black as he dropped a Thunder attack on a nearby tree, splitting the tree in two and setting it alight.

“Someone has a bit of a temper huh?” Seth spun around, still riding his anger high, but it utterly diffused at who stood there.

“Selena…?”

The Absol nodded and walked over to him. “You might want to turn off the light show though… a lot of Pokémon and ponies are getting spooked.”

Seth looked around, no longer blinded by his rage and nodded. “I have no idea how I just did that.”

Selena sighed and put a paw on his shoulder, “I figured as much. Don’t worry, we’ll get you trained up in no time.”

“How did you find me?” and after Selena just gave him a deadpan stare and looked at the fried tree. “Oh, yeah.” Then he thought some more, “How did you know it was me?”

“I recognised your voice, despite some Pokémon, I can understand human speech, just not speak it.” Seth blinked in surprise; no wonder Selena had better reaction time to his commands in battle compared to the rest of his team. “Have you found the others yet?” Selena asked.

Seth snapped out of his surprised daze. His emotions were all over the place right now that it took a moment before he could respond. “Yeah, I found Rika and Elesa this morning, still don’t know where Ignis and Heath are though.”

“We’ll find them, if the rest of us are here in this city, then the others are probably here too.”

“ATTENTION CITIZENS OF CANTERLOT!”

The booming voice though distant, could be heard pretty clearly.

“Sounds like it’s coming from the castle,” Selena observed. “Maybe it’s about Arceus’s little speech.”

Just hearing Arceus’s name caused Seth to growl. But what came next brought that fury back in full force.

“I am Lord Arceus.”

It wasn’t as clear as before, maybe he wasn’t projecting as far.
Was he at the castle right now? Seth suddenly bolted for the massive palace, with Selena hot on his heels.

“Now I realize that this has been somewhat of an inconvenience, and I would like to thank the princesses for putting up with me. And as such, I would like to present them with a gift, a show of goodwill if you would.”

“A present?” Just what the hell was he planning now?

“I present to you, the Eternal Sundial.”

There was a flash of light and the massive pink crystal suddenly appeared over the city. Seth stopped and looked at the device. “He- He just ups and pulls this?” He thought that some stupid crystal would make up for this shit? “You have got to be kidding me!?” That was that, he was going to that castle, kicking down the doors and shoving a thunderbolt right up his godly-

“Seth, that’s enough!” Selena suddenly pounced on him and pinned the Luxray to the ground. “I know what you’re thinking and it’s a really bad idea!”

“You are welcome to return it if you wish but for now,” The sundial disappeared in a flash and reappeared in a field behind the hedge maze. “Thank you once again, princesses and if you have further need of me, you know where I can be found.”

Seth gave one last glare at the castle before letting out a defeated sigh. “He transports who-knows-how many Pokémon and humans to this world, and now pulls a fifty ton crystal out of thin air like it’s nothing…” Seth wouldn’t stand a chance against a Pokémon like that and it sucked, seriously. “So I guess we really are supposed to just lie down and take it huh?”

Selena stood next to him and shook her head. “Well storming the castle probably isn’t a good idea, you’ll probably get arrested or something then I’ll have to bail you out.”

“So what then?” Seth wanted, no needed, to hit Arceus really, really hard.

“Well he said that he was going to be in some place called the Everfree Forest right? So it’s simple, we go there and talk with him. If that fails we go on the plan B.”

“Plan B huh?” Only several times in Seth’s life, had he and his team had to resort to Plan B.

“I love Plan B,” Selena grinned wickedly.

***

“Thish ish gud!” Rika said happily as she stuffed her face with apple pie, spraying crumbs across the table, Seth just shook his head as Elesa scolded the indulgent Pokémon.

“Have some manners dear, a lady does not speak with her mouth full.”

Rika swallowed and poked out her tongue. “Well excuse me! But this food is delicious, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything this good!”

Elesa certainly wasn’t going to argue that fact. This Apple Fritter could certainly whip up some great food.

The front door creaked open as Seth stepped carefully inside, Rika’s head turned to see who had entered. A small smile crossed her face to see her beloved trainer walk in, and then that smile threatened to slit her face when Selena waltzed in behind him.

“SELLY❤~❤!!” the fairy Pokémon leapt across the room, glomping the Disaster Pokémon to the floor, giggling madly.

“Gah!? What the hell?” Selena could swear that she could see the love hearts floating from the Sylveon. Rika paid no heed as she snuggled the flustered Absol. Seth just ignored the two of them and greeted Elesa and Fritter.

“Well it looks like you’re feeling better then?” Fritter asked and Seth nodded. “Well okay then, but try not to do that too often.” Fritter gave him a stern stare and smiled. “Cause y’all had friends that were worried ‘bout ya!”

Elesa agreed on that one. “Don’t think we’ll go easy on you!”

When they were all seated, Apple Fritter cleared the table and put some more food out for Seth and Selena before leaving to put a pot of tea on. She was so used to living alone, and now she had a houseful of friends, the Earth Pony mare couldn’t help but smile. Once he had gotten home, Seth had written down an explanation on who the new Pokémon were, the pink and white ones one being members of his team, whatever that meant. And the sheep one was a friend of his he had known for a long time.

Fritter flicked through calendar while she waited for the teapot to boil and saw that she had something coming up in Ponyville the day after tomorrow. “Now ah remember, Cousin Applejack needed help planting a new field…” That mare usually called Fritter when a new barn needed to be put up (which happened more often than you’d think), or for family reunions and gatherings. But this time, an entire field needed to be tilled and new trees planted, and Apple Fritter was the closest pony that could pull a plough as well as Big Macintosh.

“Ah suppose it beats having to rely on Caramel…” Fritter gave a slight shudder at the accident prone stallion. He was a good pony and a hard worker, but wherever Caramel went, disaster followed.

She went back out into the living room to serve the tea soon enough, all the Pokémon were having fun writing stuff down for their new friend to read. She was enthralled by tales of Pokémon battles, Elesa’s life as a supermodel and Seth’s quest to right what he considered a great injustice. As Rika listened in, idly sipping her tea, it reminded her that she needed to have a chat with her trainer.

***

Apple Fritter had left to do some grocery shopping, for as good as apples were, they could not supply a balanced diet. Selena was taking a power nap and Elesa was fiddling with her headphones, seeing if she could pick up anything on them.

Seth sat on the back porch of Fritter’s home, taking in the scent of apples and fresh mountain air.

“All in all, I suppose things could be worse.” He said to himself. “I’m okay for the most part, my partners seem to be fine and we’ve made some new friends.” He still wanted to talk to Arceus, that much was certain.

“I see you still talk to yourself when you’re thinking.” Seth jumped slightly as Rika snuck up behind him.

“It helps get my thoughts in order,” Seth defended himself. “What about you, you hanging in there okay?”

“Well this is a pretty unique situation…” Rika sat down next Seth and sighed contently. “But as you said, we’re all okay and that’s what’s important.” She really didn’t want to bring up the next topic on her mind, but she figured that it would be important to get it all out in the open.

“And what about you? And the, well… you know.”

“That my life’s work being a complete and total waste of time?” Seth said dryly. “Not really much I can do about it huh?” His fur bristled as it sparked a little, causing Rika to involuntarily move back a bit. It stopped as soon as it started though and Seth calmed down, looking at Rika apologetically. “Sorry, I still can’t control this stuff yet… well more like I have no idea how I’m doing it in the first place.”

Rika moved closer and then wrapped a ribbon around him, wincing as the collected electricity in his fur shocked her slightly. “So what are we going to do now? There’s no Gyms, no Pokémon League, contests, Ranger Union… nothing.”

“I honestly don’t know, I have a few goals for the immediate future, but nothing long term yet… if this little move is long term.” Rika made a good point, what would they do if this was permanent?

“I want to find Ignis and Heath and then talk to Arceus about a few things… but after that?”

“Well how about Selly and I train you?” Rika suggested. “You really need to get those electrical powers under control before someone gets hurt by accident. And it’ll be fun for the Pokémon to train the trainer,” Rika giggled. Seth nodded and looked at Rika, who simply blinked and stared back until she gave a defeated sigh. “Fine, we’ll help Elesa as well.”

The two Pokémon got up and headed back inside, Selena was still asleep on the couch while Elesa had given up on her headphones and was now playing with a bolt of lightning that arced between her paws.

“Guess you don’t need help after all huh?” Seth mused as Elesa nodded.

“Well I was an Electric-type trainer, and getting the hang of this was pretty easy.” She showed off by lighting the orb on the tip of her tail. “I’m now a walking nightlight apparently~”

Seth just chuckled as Selena woke up with an annoyed groan. “Can’t a Pokémon get a little sleep around here?” She gave the others an annoyed glare before stretching, her forelegs giving a satisfied crack.

Apple Fritter returned soon enough, her saddlebags bulging with groceries. “Ah’m back everypony!” she greeted her new houseguests cheerfully. “And ah bought a butt load o’ food!”

Seth watched her put the overladen bags in the kitchen and frowned. Her scrawled something on some paper and showed her.

“You should have told me and I would have helped carry it?” Fritter read aloud and laughed. “Ah wouldn’t worry about it, ah’m stronger than ah look after all.”

After the shopping was put away, Fritter started on dinner with Rika helping. They prepared a nice feast, with Fritter having gone through the trouble of getting fish from a Gryphon market just for Seth and Selena.

“What did you guys have planned for tomorrow?” Fritter asked them, but a few shrugs told her that they had nothing. “Well, I was invited to help some family in a nearby town. Did y’all want to come? Maybe you might even find some of yer friends?”

Seth took a moment to think, perhaps Ignis and Heath could be found elsewhere. Writing again, he asked the mare where this town was.

“Where? Well, it’s called Ponyville a little to the southeast of here. It sits right on the border of the Everfree Forest-“

The dishes on the table rattled as Seth slammed a paw on it. The Everfree!? That’s where Arceus said he would be. That settled it; tomorrow they would head for Ponyville!

***

Later that night, Rika, Selena and Elesa all slept in the guest bedroom that they shared. Fritter had already retired to bed, staying up well past her usual bedtime already. Seth had opted to take the couch downstairs, leaving the spacious spare room for the girls.

“So what do you think Seth will say to Arceus?” Rika wondered aloud. “And what do you suppose Arceus will do in response?”

“I don’t know, I don’t think Seth will pick a fight with Arceus… but there will be yelling.” Selena replied. “The real problem is how Arceus will respond, I certainly don’t want my trainer blinked out of existence.”

Elesa sat up and groaned, with these two it seemed that sleep would elude her.

“Do you really think that after going through the trouble of bringing us all here, Arceus would do something like that?” Elesa’s argument did make a good point and it eased the disturbing mental images floating around Selena’s and Rika’s heads.

“Regardless, I’ll protect Seth, just as I always have!” Selena said adamantly. Rika silent agreed and after a little bit of small talk, the three Pokémon eventually drifted off to sleep.

***

The next morning, Apple Fritter and her Pokémon companions were up early and waiting at the train station. Seth looked around the platform, noticing several other groups of ponies and Pokémon together. It would seem that despite a terrible first impression, ponies and Pokémon were getting along. He sighed a little, hoping to see his Charizard or Sandshrew, but all he could see were some Lucario’s and a Vaporeon.

Then, what was possibly the most ridiculous-looking train ever pulled into the station. The whole thing was bright pink with countless heart designs all over it. The carriages looked like they were made of gingerbread and Seth could feel his masculinity slipping away just looking at the thing.

“Please tell me this is some kind of amusement park ride and not a legitimate form of transportation,” he muttered.

Rika on the other hand, thought the Friendship Express was the greatest thing ever. “It’s sooo cute~” she squealed.

“Nope, I’m with Seth on this one.” Selena nodded. “I’m a girl and even I’m embarrassed to set foot on this thing.”

Apple Fritter was already getting on, “C’mon y’all, let’s get a move on!”

“I am going to need to do something really stupid and excessively manly after this.” Seth closed his eyes as he got onboard, followed closely by his friends. Elesa was the only one not to comment, as she was too absorbed trying to get her headphones working.

“I need my wubs…”

Author's Note

This chapter was fun to write, and Seth's epic freak out was double teh fun.

And so yeah, to Ponyville they go...

Chapter Four

Author's Note

Whoo, I got this one out fast. Enjoy everypony.

Chapter Four

It was midmorning by the time the Friendship Express pulled into Ponyville. The sudden jolt as the train stopped was enough to rouse Seth from the light sleep he had fallen into.

“Huh? Wha?” He rubbed at his eyes, still half-asleep. He tried to get off of his seat, only to fall face first to the floor. “Ow!”

Selena shook her head as she helped him up. “I present to you, our fearless and professional Pokémon Trainer!”

“Har, har!” Seth replied sarcastically. He was seriously getting sick of falling all the time. “I want to be a biped again!”

“It could be worse,” Elesa said as they got off of the train. “You could have been stuck as a Galvantula, or an Arbok.”

“More than four legs or none at all? No thanks!” He glanced at the twin Lucario that exited the carriage in front of them, along with a Vaporeon that struck up some small talk with a grey pegasus. Maybe it was one of those rare Pokémon that could actually talk? That must be nice…

“Hey, some Pokémon can learn to talk right?” Seth as his Pokémon and Elesa nodded.

“I’ve seen one that could, not telepathically like some Ghost and Psychic types, but actually speak like a human.”

“Then maybe I could learn?” he had to learn to walk properly and since he could talk before, the knowledge was still there. Maybe it was simply a matter of training his vocal chords to make the sounds.

“Sorry ta interrupt,” Apple Fritter spoke up, “But ah’d like to welcome y’all to Ponyville!” She waved a hoof towards the town that lay before them.

The town was a lot smaller than Canterlot, and the buildings were designed a lot differently. It was very medieval in design, even older looking than some of the rural towns in Johto. One building in the distance stood out in particular, a tall tree that seemed to have a house built into it. Seth fell in love at first sight, being a real sucker for weird and clever architecture.

“I figured we’d head straight fer the farm,” Apple Fritter explained as they walked through town.

“Ah can find out what needs doing so we’ll know how long we’ll be here for.” She just hoped that cousin AJ would mind her showing up with a bunch of Pokémon.

Seth had taken to wearing a small writing pad around his neck so he could make little notes for Fritter to read. He scrawled something down and tore the page off for her to read.

“Where is the Everfree Forest?” Apple Fritter shuddered slightly at the mention of that Tartarus-damned place, but Seth and his fellow Pokémon had powerful abilities, so she wasn’t too concerned for their safety. But still…

“Ah’m mighty worried about you going in there. Is it alright if we all go to the farm first? It sits on the border of the forest anyhow.”

Seth nodded and the group made their way south.

Ponyville was a delightful little place. Aside from the tree-house, Seth also saw a building made of gingerbread, one that looked like a carnival carousel, another that had a giant hat with bells for a roof… Ponyville was great!

There was a sudden weight on his back and before he could react, it got heavier until he was knocked to the ground. Twisting his head, he was about a half dozen foals perched on him, petting him and nuzzling his soft fur.

“It’s sooo fluffy~” One filly with a pink coat and a wavy mane cooed.

“And it’s feels all tingly!” Another grey glasses-wearing filly added.

There was also a light purple unicorn, a painted colt, a small yet boisterous pegasus filly and a pegasus colt with grey fur and a dark mane.

Seth didn’t really mind as he lay there, allowing to kids to play, while Rika look fit to burst.

“Who put a Beedrill in your butt?” Selena asked. “It’s not like they’re hurting him or anything.”

“I know that!” Rika replied and then in a more hushed tone, “I’m just jealous of them is all.”

Selena shook her head as Seth got to his feet, the foals on his back squealing with delight. He pretended to roar and then lightly jumped around, the colts and fillies giggling and laughing.

“Aw, would ya look at that~” Apple Fritter cooed. “Ah never woulda guessed that he was good with kids.”

Elesa was surprised as well, this was a side of Seth that she’d never seen before, but his Pokémon knew otherwise. Seth would sometimes go to the day-care centres of the towns and cities they’d visit, letting the kids there play with his Pokémon. It was all part of his plan to bring Pokémon and humans closer together, but Rika and Selena knew that he also just liked kids.

“Children? Where are you?” A voice called out that made the kids fall silent. They were sooo busted. A cerise hued mare with a pink mane approached them. “What the-?” She saw the

Luxray giving the children a ride and didn’t know whether to be worried or amused. Seeing the children unharmed and appearing to be having a ball, she settled on amused.

“The big kitty is rilly fun!” Dinky said and everypony nodded. Cheerilee snorted and gave Seth an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, the children have been really excited ever since you Pokémon showed up.” Seth gave her a toothy grin and nodded. He roared again and gave the kids another ride before setting them back down next to their teacher.

“Maybe my daddy will get me a Pokémon?” Diamond Tiara wondered aloud, but Dinky shook her head.

“Nuh-uh! Mommy will get me one first!” she said and soon all the kids were bickering about who was going to get a Pokémon first. Cheerilee just gave an exasperated sigh, having heard this argument more than once. Bidding Seth and his friends a farewell, she herded the kids away.

Seth turned back to the others to see them all sporting wide grins. “What?” he asked.

“That. Was so stinkin’ cute!” Rika exclaimed, hugging Seth tightly. “Daddy Seth is adorable~”

“I’ll agree that it was pretty cute,” Selena grinned. After his little rage yesterday, is was good to see Seth in high spirits again.

“You’d make a great daddy!” Apple Fritter said. “Those kids looked like they were having the time of their lives!”

Seth just blushed profusely beneath his dark fur. “Yeah well…” He was a bit embarrassed, but he had fun regardless.

The group headed off once more and by mid-morning, they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. The scent of apples was a lot stronger here than it was back at Fritters place, but compared to the dozen or so trees that Fritter possessed, there were thousands here.

“Whoa, this place is huge!” Seth said as they walked down the dusty trail. “And those apples smell so good~”

“Try as I might, I just can’t get the apples on my farm to taste as good as the one here,” Apple Fritter explained as they walked. “The trees I have come from this farm, but I think it’ due to the soil conditions and the fact that I use potions to speed up the growing process.”

Having a small amount of trees due to land restrictions was Fritters biggest problem. But a solution came in the way of special potions that made her apples grow quickly and she could harvest every few weeks all year round! The downside that was that the quality suffered somewhat and the apples produced didn’t have seeds, which meant no new tees could be grown from them.

It didn’t stop her from labelling them as ‘Diet Apples’ and having the snobby elite of Canterlot snap them up like they were going out of style. Fritter used to buy the potions she needed at first, but that got expensive fast, so she learned how to brew them herself. Ingredients were a lot cheaper than the potion itself, but it meant that if she screwed it up, her crops suffered.

“I can’t wait to introduce y’all to Cousin Applejack!” Fritter said excitedly. “She’s the best farmer this side o’ Canterlot and a world hero!”

Okay, that got Seth’s attention. How the heck was an apple farmer also a world hero?

“Ah’d explain, but AJ would do it a lot better so you’ll hafta wait.” The rounded a corner and passed the gate that led to the farmhouse. An elderly pony sat on the front porch, swinging back and forth on an old rocking chair.

“Howdy Granny Smith!” Fritter called out, gaining the matriarch’s attention.

“Huh? Whazzat- Ooh, Fritter dear, good to see ya!” She got onto her hooves and came to greet the group. “And who might ya friends be?”

Apple Fritter smiled widely, “Well this is Seth and his friends Rika, Selena and Elesa.” She paused for a second as each Pokémon greeted the elderly mare.

“So they’re more o’ them Pokeymans?” Fritter was surprised that Granny knew what they were, even if she got the name a little wrong.

“That’s right, you know about them Granny Smith?”

Granny nodded and pointed towards one of the nearby paddocks. “Sure as sure do. We got a bunch o’ giant bee ones that’ll make some good honey fer us in th’ near future!”

“Must be Combee or Vespiquen, given the description,” Seth thought. Beedrill could also make honey, but it tasted nasty so no-one bothered to produce it, well aside from the ones with weird senses of taste.

“Well I’ll be,” Apple Fritter whistled. “Is Applejack around? I got her letter ‘bout that field y’all need a helpin’ hoof with.”

Granny shook her head as she got back into her chair. “Sorry sprout, but ah aint’ seen her since she left fer Canterlot yesterday with her friends.” Apple Fritter expression fell, she was in Canterlot!? What the hay!

“Big Mac’s inside, you could always ask ‘im whut needs doin’” Apple Fritter sighed and nodded.

“Okay, thanks Granny.” Fritter headed inside to find her cousin while Seth looked towards the forest in the distance. There was something about it, something… ominous. Was that the Everfree Forest? Apple Fritter had told him a little about it on the train before he dozed off. She had said that almost everypony steered clear of it due to the dangerous creatures that inhabited it and that the plants grew and the weather moved all on their own.

Seth scoffed at that last part, having that being the norm for the world he was born in. And it too had its fair share of dangerous places, a few being forests. There was Viridian Forest, Santalune Forest, Eterna Woods and the worst of them all, Ilex Forest.

Plus he’d have Rika and Selena with him, so he was sure he’d be fine. Granny Smith had fallen asleep and Seth and the other waited on the front porch as Fritter talked with somepony inside. They soon emerged and Seth laid eyes on the biggest stallion he’d seen so far. This guy was friggen huge!

“Everypony, this is mah cousin Big Macintosh Apple. Big Mac, these are mah new friends, Seth, Rika, Selena and Elesa.”

“Eeyup,” the stallion gave a deep baritone response and Elesa felt her knees go weak at the sound. His voice was gorgeous.

Seth shook his raised hoof with his paw and nodded. Big Mac remained silent for a second before he spoke again. “Ah’m guessin’ none ‘o you are Psychic Types like Miss Belle? Or Miss Korrina?”

“Korrina?” Seth had heard that name before, but where?... Ah, whatever. Seth shook his head and sighed, learning to talk got a significant bump up his to-do-list.

“Well maybe once Miss Sparkle comes back, she might cast that there translation magic on y’all fer a spell…” Fritter groaned at the bad pun while Seth was shocked, there was a translation spell?

“So the story is, cousin Applejack is outta town right now an’ ah gotta wait till she gets back.”
Apple Fritter was a bit annoyed that AJ would call her out here, only to disappear. But the sudden appearance of Pokémon threw a lot of schedules out of whack she guessed. “We can stay here while we wait, but ah’m afraid that there’s no room in the main house. This family is pretty big and they already have some guests, but the barn is plenty comfortable, and ah can vouch for that seeing as ah helped build it!”

Seth looked at the massive barn. Apple Fritter helped build that!? He had a whole new level of respect for the mare. Seth was actually pretty lousy with his hands, well not that that mattered anymore, but the former human couldn’t even build a decent Secret Base, let alone an entire barn.

Well if they would be here for a while, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to look around. He scrawled a note and passed it to Fritter.

“Gonna look around town? Okay then, just ask somepony iffn’ y’all get lost.” Seth nodded and smiled. He’d noticed that ever since they left Canterlot, Fritter had used her accent all the time. He found her southern twang to be utterly adorable. He decided to write as such and pawed the note over before running towards town. If he had looked back, he’d notice a visible blush cross the mare’s face.

He decided to run the whole way, wanting to get used to his new legs as soon as possible. Elesa was riding on his back, unable to keep up with the three quadrupeds. On their way into town, the four Pokémon passed two Lucario, Elesa offered a friendly wave as they passed, the male responded, but the female was too lost in thought to bother replying, if she’d even noticed them at all.

***

“So, where do, we go first?” Seth panted as they reached Ponyville. The run was harder than it looked and the added weight didn’t help.

“Probably to get something to drink?” Rika puffed as well, unused to running so far. Selena on the other hand was fine, scoffing at the Intertwining Pokémon.

“If you stuffed less Poképuffs in your face, then you wouldn’t be so out of shape.” Selena prodded at her pink tummy, eliciting a small growl from Rika.

“And not all of us are a Machamp in a fur coat!” Rika retorted. Selena snarled and flexed her claws.

“Alright, calm down!” Seth said calmly and the two Pokémon stopped. Despite appearances, the two of them were friends. But their types and personalities sometimes caused problems.

“Sorry for calling you fat,” Selena mumbled.

“And I’m sorry I called you a muscle head… you can’t help it if you’re a tomboy~” Rika smirked as Selena started to chase her around, nearly knocking over a frizzy-maned pink pony that was hopping around.

“Seriously girls, settle down already.” Elesa laughed, still perched on his back.

“Your fatherly side is showing again,” She chuckled, and Seth just hung his head in defeat.

“Well when they act like that, what else am I supposed to do?” His stomach rumbled, showing he was more than just thirsty. “Let’s go find something huh?”

Their search of the town eventually led them to the building made from gingerbread, but it just looked like gingerbread, Rika having found out the hard way when she tried to take a bite from it.
The fairy was still rubbing her sore mouth as they walked inside. A blue Earth Pony with a pink mane greeted them cheerfully.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner how may I…help… you?” Her greeting petered out as she saw her customers weren’t ponies, but some of those Pokémon creatures. Seth decided to nip this in the bud as quick as possible by scrawling out a note requesting food and drink and placed the note on the counter as well as a small pile of bits.

“You, have money? Oh, where are my manners. My name is Cup Cake and it’ll be my pleasure to serve you.” She counted the bits and smiled, “Well how about four house specials? You have enough here with change to spare. The special is a fruit slice of your choosing, a slice of cake, also of your choosing and a milkshake. Sound good?”

The four Pokémon nodded and after pointing to various cakes and slices, took a seat as the mare prepared their order.

“So when do you want to go and find Arceus?” Selena asked Seth as they waited. “It’ll be a good idea to plan it soon.”

“Tomorrow is probably best,” Seth said. “I’m still a bit angry at him and it’ll be best to go with a clear head. Plus it’s nearly noon already and I’d like to get an early start on it. We don’t know how deep this temple of his is in the forest, so I’d like to have as much time as possible.”

Their order arrived, brought out to them by a lanky stallion wearing an apron. “Here’s your order,” he said with a chipper tone. “And I think you might be the first Pokémon we’ve served that didn’t have a pony escort. Please let us know if the food isn’t to your liking.”

Seth doubted that it would be a problem. The cake looked moist and delicious, the slice glistened with the fresh fruit used to make it and the milkshakes were topped with fluffy whipped cream and the glass was ice-cold.

“I think my tongue just exploded with happiness~” Rika purred. Selena said nothing but the wide smile on her face spoke tomes of what she thought.

Seth looked at his milkshake and realised an important fact. With his wide muzzle and thick paws, he couldn’t drink it! He was almost gonna cry when Elesa sighed and put a straw in it.

“Oh, right!” Seth sipped at his drink and his next sigh was one of content. After they finished and the euphoria of the delicious food wore off, the group headed outside and wondered where they should head next. Then Seth saw a sight that he’d never expected to see, four Legendary Pokémon walked down the street. Virizion, Terrakion, Cobalion and Keldeo, and they seemed to be headed for the carousel-shaped building.

“So then there are other Legendary Pokémon here besides Arceus?” Seth wondered aloud. “I wonder if all of them are here, or just a few?”

“Isn’t that place a boutique?” Elesa asked. She’d seen the sign the last time they’d walked past it. “Why would Legendary Pokémon require clothes? Now that I think about it…” She looked around at the various ponies walking and flying about. “Why do ponies need clothes?”

Seth thought about that for a moment, but just simply shrugged when he came up with no real answer. “I’ve seen a few in Canterlot, so I guess there’s a market somewhere?”

“And why are we standing around talking about clothes?” Selena asked. “C’mon, let’s do something fun!”

“Well what do you suggest?” Seth replied. “We’ve never been here, so it’s not like we have a regular hangout like we did in Nimbasa…”

Bringing up their old hometown like that made everyone fall silent. They missed it a lot, the friends they had made, the family that was left behind.

“Sorry,” Seth said softly. “I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

Elesa shook her head, “No, it’s fine. I just wish we knew what to do.”

“How about we find some information on the Everfree?” Rika suggested. “You think there’s a library around here?”

***

After a little bit of searching, they came across Seth’s favourite building, the tree house.

“Golden Oaks Public Library?” Seth read the sign aloud. “So this place is actually a library? That’s cool!”

“It kinda reminds me of Fortree City!” Selena was born in the Hoenn region and quite close to the city. But at this point, it was just another reminder of home.

“Well, we came here for a reason, so let’s go!” Seth pushed on the door, but it didn’t budge. “What the?”

He looked closer, and a note tacked to the door explained that it would be closed for the next few days. “Well that’s just great!” Seth muttered. “Who closes a public library in the middle of the day!?”

A mint green unicorn passing by looked over Seth’s shoulder, causing the Pokémon to jump in surprise.

“Huh? Did Twilight close the library again?” She sighed and looked at the Pokémon. “I’m guessing you guys wanted to use it?”

Seth nodded and Lyra whistled in surprise. “I didn’t know Pokémon liked to read, but yeah, this happens more often than you’d think. Twilight’s a great mare, but she lives here you see, and she often forgets that it’s a public library.”

Seth just groaned, there went their best lead for getting info on the Everfree. Lyra offered an apologetic smile and left them. Elesa pouted and folded her arms, a scowl on her face.

“This Twilight sounds like a rather irresponsible mare!” She said.

Rika had another idea though. “Well, how about we ask the Apple family?”

Seth tilted his head, why them in particular?

“Look, they live right on the edge of the Everfree right? So maybe they have some info on it. Maybe a map?”

“Alright, let’s head back to the farm then.”

***

The sun was already setting by the time they got back. The foals from earlier had managed to ambush Seth again and he’d spent about a half hour playing with them.

Rika had gotten another brilliant idea, but she decided to keep it to herself for now. Seth needed to get this thing with Arceus out of the way first.

When they passed the gate, Apple Fritter was waiting for them on the front porch. She ran over to them and greeted her friends.

“Y’all are back, I’ve been waiting fer ya!”

Seth nodded and wrote down a few notes explaining what they had been doing. After she read them Fritter smiled, wishing she’d been there when Seth played with the kids. She also made a mental note to bring them to the next family reunion.

“Whoee! Sounds like y’all had a real good time today? But you had no luck finding out anything ‘bout the Everfree huh?” She tapped her chin with a hoof, maybe Granny Smith had something or perhaps Applejack? She knew her cousin had been in the forest a few times.

“Well we’ll ask ‘em later, how ‘bout we go inside and get some grub huh?”

Seth stomach gave a loud agreeable rumble in response and the group headed inside.
What the Pokémon didn’t expect was to find two Lucario sitting at the dinner table. Were they the ones that they passed by earlier this morning?

“Greetings!” the male Lucario responded. “I didn’t know you’d be here for dinner.”

What had sent Seth for a loop was that Lucario wasn’t speaking in PokéSpeak, but rather the same tongue that humans and ponies used. Was it that translation spell that was mentioned earlier?

“Where are my manners, I am Lucario and my quiet friend here is Korrina.” Seth noticed the split second glance the male Lucario gave her, one of deep concern.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you guys. My name’s Seth and these are my friends, Rika, Selena and Elesa.”

Korrina’s ears perked up when she heard Elesa’s name. It sounded familiar, but where had she heard it before. It was like deja’vu, it the fact that the knowledge was there, but her current crisis clouded her mind somewhat.

Lucario’s feelers on his head twitched and he looked at Seth. “Given your name and your aura, I take it you used to be human too?”

Seth nodded, he’d never seen the aura powers of a Lucario before, but he’d always wanted to catch one.

“Yeah, same with Elesa here, and Rika and Selena are my teammates and best friends.” The Apple family had already been subjected to a one sided conversation like this before, they could understand Lucario thanks to the spell that Celestia had cast on him and Korrina, but Seth and the others had no such luxury.

“Well met then,” Lucario smiled while Granny Smith and Big Macintosh set the table. The front door suddenly opened with a loud bang and Applebloom charged into the room, a Bulbasaur hot on her hooves.

“Granny, Granny. You’ll never guess whut ah found!” Applebloom rattled on excitedly, not even noticing the extra house guests.

“Alright, slow down sprout. Why don’t y’all say hello to yer cousin an’ her friends first?” Applebloom turned and when she saw Fritter, leapt through the air to hug her.

“Cousin Fritter! Yer visitin’ from Canterlot?”

“Eeyup,” Fritter grinned, hugging her little cousin. “AJ wanted help with the north field, so here ah am! Oh? Almost forgot,” Fritter pointed to Seth. “This here is mah new friend Seth an’ his friends Selena, Rika and Elesa!”

“Howdy y’all!” Applebloom greeted cheerfully and Seth could feel his heart imploding from the adorableness of the little filly. “Ooh, ah made a friend too! Everypony… and everymon. This here is Bulbasaur!”

The Grass type waved a vine shyly and Rika cooed at him. “Aww, he’s adorable.”

“M’not adorable,” Bulbasaur muttered, blushing at the pretty Sylveon.

“So can ah keep him?” Applebloom begged Granny Smith. “Ah’ll look after him, feed him, ah’ll take real good care of him so , pleasepleasepleaseplease!!”

Granny thought about this. She still thought that some Pokémon might be dangerous, but she saw the way Miss Belle had defended them, so maybe if Applebloom had one for a friend…

“Well… alright, but you kin bet yer backside that if yer don’t look after him good an’ proper…?” she just let the threat hang in the air, but Applebloom got the idea as she gulped audibly.

“Thanks Granny, ah promise ah won’t let you down!”

“That’s go to hear Sprout, now go an wash yer hooves and well eat some vittles!” Applebloom nodded and headed upstairs to the bathroom, Bulbasaur following closely behind her.

“Oh, my Arceus!” Rika exclaimed once she left. “That filly is the cutest thing EVER!!”

Seth just facepawed.

***

After dinner, Seth and his team retreated to the barn, eager to get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow. He didn’t expect Korrina to be waiting for him.

“So is it true?” she asked him, her tone was curt and precise. “You’re going to see Arceus tomorrow, why?”

He motioned for the others to head inside and once they were gone, he spoke. “I want answers,” he replied. He walked away from the barn and into the orchard with Korrina following him. “I want to know why Arceus did what he did and I won’t settle for anything less than the absolute truth.”

“We can’t be human again,” This statement caught him a bit off guard. “I’ve met with Arceus already, and he said he won’t turn us back.”

Well… that sucked. “Won’t or can’t?” Seth answered.

“I don’t really know,” Korrina responded. “He just skirted around the question and kept using another trainer as an excuse to not tell the whole truth.” She clenched her paw and sighed.

“Just… don’t get your hopes up for a meaningful heart to heart with him… for your own sake.” With that she left, leaving Seth to mull over her words.

Tomorrow would prove to be interesting indeed.

Chapter Five

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Six

Elesa was waiting for them as Seth and his friends exited the forest and once they emerged, she ran straight over to them.

“Where have you guys been?” She cried worriedly. “You’ve been gone all day!”

“Well I didn’t think the walk there was going to take so long,” Seth replied. “But, I did bring back a little souvenir for you~”

Before Elesa could ask what the hell he was talking about, Zebstrika and Emolga stepped out from the trees and Elesa’s eyes widened.

“Is… is that?” She couldn’t believe her eyes, it was her precious Pokémon. The Zebstrika and the Emolga looked a little dubious at first, but on the walk back, Seth had explained that their trainer was now a cute little Flaffy. In exchange for taking care of their trainer, Zebstrika had offered to teach Seth how to control his electric attacks better.

“It’s good to see you Miss Elesa,” Zebstrika said. “I was worried that you weren’t here.”

“Which was why we were on our way to meet Arceus!” Emolga butted in, the little electric/flying type was as hyper as ever. “We were gonna ask ‘im if he knew where you were, then we met Sethy’s Charizard and then Seth appears out of nowhere and now he’s a smexy Luxray and I nearly had a heart attack and then he told us you were okay and then-“

“OKAY! I think they get the idea Emolga.” Zebstrika interrupted. He’d had to deal with this for days now and his nerves were beginning to feel the stain.

“Heh heh, it’s alright.” Elesa wiped the tears from her eyes as she hugged her Pokémon. “I missed you guys too!”

“Well aint that sweet~” Apple Fritter cooed. “But ah reckon that little flyin one’s a bit of a chatterbox.”

Elesa agreed. “Yeah, Emolga’s always been a bit excitable but I think a lot of that is because she’s an electric type. You’d be surprised how much a type will affect a Pokémon’s personality.”

“Really?” Apple Fritter was interested in hearing more. “It’s pretty common to think that Pegasi have rather… flighty natures, Unicorns are snooty and Earth Ponies are stubborn.”

“I guess you get that sort of thing… every…where?” It took a moment, but Elesa realised that Apple Fritter could understand her. “Wait, what?”

“We were a bit surprised too,” Seth explained. “At first we thought that Arceus cast some translation spell on us Pokémon, but it would seem that he used it on Fritter instead.”

“And ah intend to enjoy this while it lasts!” Fritter smiled. “Oh yeah, don’t we all have some shindig to get to?”

“Can we go back to the farm first?” Seth said. “I’m feeling a little tired…” As he headed off towards Sweet Apple Acres, Rika and Selena watched him leave and sighed.

“I guess he’s more upset than we thought huh?” Rika knew that having Ignis leave him was hard, but he had seemed okay on the walk back.

“Seth’s always worn his heart on his sleeve,” Selena said. “It’s a rather admirable trait of his, but it leaves him open to get hurt easily.”

“Which is why we should get him to the party!” Apple Fritter replied. “It might be just what he needs to unwind and relax.”

“And if it a Pinkie Pie Party, then there ain’t no way he won’t leave smilin’.” The unknown voice caused everyone to turn and see an orange Earth Pony mare wearing a Stetson hat.

“Cousin Applejack!” Apple Fritter ran over to her and hugged her. “Y’all are back?”

“Got back this morning, when ah got home, ah heard that ah only just missed ya!” Applejack winced under the bone crushing embrace. Little Apple Fritter was the only mare in the Apple family whose strength out matched AJ’s.

“To be honest, with all this here Pokémon stuff goin’ on, ah didn’t expect you to still show up Fritter.”

Fritter snorted and shook her head. “What sorta kin would I be if I didn’t help out family?”

“True enough,” Applejack laughed. “Well c’mon, let’s go get your friend and drag his flank to that party!”

*~*

Seth slowly walked down the dusty path to Ponyville. He had just wanted to spend to night by himself, but his friends were going to have none of that it would seem and Apple Fritter had threatened to hogtie him and drag him by force if need be. Well there was no way he was going to turn up trussed up like a Christmas dinner, and he did say that he would meet Gene and Belle there.

He could already hear the music from what must be a massive party, and they had seen dozens of Pokémon, probably hiding in the Everfree, making their way there also.

“Ah reckon this is gonna be one doozy of a party!” Applejack laughed. She looked at their Pokémon companions and smiled. “Seein’ as how none o’ y’all ain’t ever have been to a Pinkie Party, yer in fer one heck of a night!”

Rika looked at her master, whose eyes hadn’t really left the ground in front of him. She walked next to him, draping a ribbon over his shoulder. “Hey, try and cheer up okay? Who knows, maybe Ignis will be at the party too?”

“Yeah, maybe,” Seth muttered. Seeing Ignis right now would probably only make him feel even more frustrated though. He had bumped into Korrina again, back at the farm. But when the Lucario had tried to talk to him, Seth had simply ignored her. He felt bad about it now though, and he figured that it would be best to find her and apologise.

As it turns out, Applejack may have been wrong. The party itself was huge, but there weren’t too many guests present. Maybe most Pokémon just weren’t the partying type.

As Seth looked around, he saw Gene and Belle, accompanied by a Houndoom and a Flygon… more of gene’s Pokémon perhaps? The Gallade offered a friendly wave when he saw Seth, who returned the gesture.

Korrina showed up not too long after Seth and his friends did, greeted by a Vaporeon and a Delphox. More friends of hers perhaps? Seth figured now was as good a time as any so he walked up to the former Gym Leader, clearing his throat to make his presence known.

“Hmm?” The Delphox was the first to notice. “Friend of yours Korrina?”

Korrina turned and after a moment’s pause, nodded slightly. “We only met the other day, his name is Seth Crescent, a former trainer like us.”

“Nice to meet you,” Seth bowed his head.

“Nice to meet you as well,” The Delphox smiled. “My name is May, and this here is Misty.”

“Misty?” Where had he heard that name before…? Oh? Right! “You’re the Cerulean Gym Leader!”

“Former Gym Leader,” Misty sighed. “But yeah, that’s me.”

“So what did you want?” Korrina asked curtly, causing Seth to flinch and May to shake her head.

“Oh, well. I just wanted to, apologise for earlier,” Seth said quietly. “The talk with Arceus was… well, some things didn’t go as I expected.”

“Let me guess, you wanna be human and he said no?” Just thinking about that made Korrina’s fur bristle with irritation.

Seth shook his head, “No, nothing like that. I’m kinda getting used to being a Luxray…” He sighed and looked down at the ground. “As I left, I bumped into one of my old partners, a Charizard named Ignis.” Tears stung the corner of his eyes as the sadness he had been feeling came flooding back. “But he didn’t come back with me, I’m a Pokémon now… and no longer his trainer… I guess he thinks that I can’t fulfil our dream of becoming stronger together anymore.”

Korrina’s expression softened and she bowed her head. “Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” Being stuck like this was hard enough, but if she didn’t have Lucario with her? Korrina doubted that she could handle it.

May leaned down, offering Seth a hug. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“S’alright, we’re still friends and I’m sure I’ll meet him again one day… It’s hard though.”

Before Korrina or the others could respond, Pinkie burst out of nowhere and grabbed Seth.
“I’m sensing a Level 5 sadness field in this vicinity! We have to apply cupcakes and upside-down frowns to this patient. STAT!” And without another word, she dragged Seth deeper into the party.

Misty tilted her head. “Um…wat?”

*~*

Soon enough, the party was really rocking with dozens of Pokémon showing up, some with other ponies while others had come from deep within the Everfree. Though Ignis was nowhere to be seen, Arceus had appeared, along with several other Legendary Pokémon.

He had been talking with a winged unicorn, who Apple Fritter said was someone named Princess Twilight Sparkle, and the princess seemed to be having some heated words with the god Pokémon. Once they had parted, he watched some smaller legendary Pokémon fly off, but he didn’t know their names. Arceus spotted Seth and walked over, offering a nod and a greeting.

“So you came after all?” he smiled. “Enjoying yourself?”

Seth gave a small nod, but it would probably be a while before he would bounce back. “What about you? That princess seemed to be a little hostile.”

“Princess Twilight? Oh, I wouldn’t worry. It’s just me in particular that she seems to distrust.”

“Well, best of luck with that.” Seth replied, taking a sip of apple juice. He had dearly wished that the bartender had brought something stronger… ah well.

“I heard about your friend Ignis… I could have a word with him if you want to?”

Seth shook his head, “No, he made his decision and we parted on good terms…”

“As you wish.” Arceus sighed inwardly as the bartender suddenly got drenched with her own beverages… it had Hoopa written all over it. “So what are your plans after tonight?”

“Well, the whole reason we came here was that Apple Fritter wants to help her family with something tomorrow, and we’ll be returning to Canterlot the day after… After that? Well, I don’t really know.” He still had to find Heath, but he didn’t have the slightest clue on where to start.

“Lord Arceus?”

“Hmm?”

“Should you come across a Sandshrew named Heath, I don’t suppose you could mention where I am to him?”

Arceus nodded and Seth smiled, for the first time in a while. “Thank you.”

Selena and Rika sat at the bar a few feet away, sipping at their own drinks and listening in on the conversation.

“So, why don’t you go for it?” Selena asked.

“Go for what?” Rika replied, sipping her drink.

“Ask Seth out.” That reply caused Rika to have a violent coughing fit, spraying her drink with an impressive spit-take. Pinkie, Hoopa and Discord appeared behind the bar, holding up cardboard signs with the number ten written on them, but a quick glare from Selena made them run for it.

“I-I-I don’t k-know what you’re talking about!” Rika replied after recovering. “Why would I do something like that!?”

“Oh c’mon, you’ve only been pining after him since, forever!” Selena said, calmly taking another drink. “And now he’s a Pokémon, what’s stopping you? You’re even in the same egg group; lots of little Eevees could be in your future.”

Rika turned a stunning shade of crimson as ‘those’ kinds of thoughts entered her head. “B-but I… I don’t know if I…” She wished that she could just melt away, Vaporeon’s ability to meld with water would be great right now.

“Or perhaps you’d let the competition move in?” Okay, now that comment caught Rika’s attention.

“What competition? You don’t mean you-“

“Oh hells no!” Selena paused as she thought about the Pokémon that made her heart flutter… not that she’d admit it. She pointed towards Seth, and the green-maned mare that was dragging him to the dance floor. “I’m talking about her.”

Rika followed her gaze and her mouth fell open wide enough to catch Mothim.

“Apple Fritter!?”

True enough, the Earth Pony had taken Seth and was dancing with him amidst a group of Pokémon and ponies… and they seemed to be having fun.

Selena closed the fairy Pokémon’s mouth. “Well, they could just be friends… but who knows? She is pretty cute, has a reliable business and income, and from what I’ve heard, Earth Ponies have pretty impressive stamina…

“Ahhh I don’t wanna hear it!” Rika cried. “B-but, she’s still a pony and I’m a Pokémon.”

“So?” Selena took another swig on her drink and ordered another. “Neither of you are human. And it’s not like he’d have a great deal of choice now. Pony or Pokémon, that’s it.”

Rika shook her head and a look of determination crossed her face. “I’m not going to lose!”
Selena just nodded as Berry served her another drink. “This should entertain me for a while.”

*~*

Seth had to admit, Apple Fritter was a pretty good dancer. Though in comparison to his dancing, which looked more like he was having a seizure, standing still would’ve looked better.

“Years of line dancin’ at the family reunions!” Fritter said. “One tends to get pretty good after a while.”

Seth hit the ground once again and Fritter laughed. “Buuut, maybe we should stop fer a while, til yer face stops kissin’ the ground.”

“Very funny!” Seth snarked. “I’ve only been a quadruped for a few days and I happen to think I’m doing pretty well.”

“Okay, okay. You wanna get something to eat?”

Seth nodded and as they made their way to the food tables, Seth picked up a scent that he thought he’d never smell here in Equestria.

“Is, is that… bacon!?” Turning to look at where the smell was coming from, he saw a table full of meaty foods. “Oh. My. Arceus… MEAT!”

Fritter could only watch as the Luxray dived at the table, his eyes gleaming at the prospect of eating bacon once more. And as it turned out, bacon was indeed delicious as the Pokémon made nomming noises.

“Ah, sooo gooooood~” Seth was in meaty heaven as he devoured bacon, steak and chicken. Given that ponies were sapient, he’d figured that other possibly edible creatures would be too. And the fact that he was a Pokémon now, he wasn’t fond of the idea of eating something that talked back.

He was really going to miss Basculin.

“Er, wow…” Apple Fritter had no words for what she witnessed. She had guessed that his sharp teeth were made for eating meat, but since he hadn’t tried before, she just guessed that he wasn’t fond of it.

“Well, lotsa critters eat meat. Dragons, Gryphons, even Pegasi eat fish…” The fact that he ate meat didn’t bother her… but he still looking pretty predatory right now. What if he wanted to eat her? Sneaking into her bedroom at night, wanting to nibble at her, get a taste for warm Apple Fritter?

WHOA! Okay, where the heck was that train of thought heading?

Apple Fritter shook her head and stomped her hoof. “Eenope, ain’t gonna go there.”

“Go where?” Seth asked, causing the mare to yelp with surprise. She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t seen him sneak up on her.

“Ah, nowhere…” She lied about as well as the rest of the Apple Family, lucky Seth was denser than lead.

“Oh, well, sorry ‘bout that,” he smiled, licking his chops. “I guess I got a little carried away. Wanna get something a little more… palatable for you?”

“That’d be nice,” Fritter smiled back, slowing her rapidly beating heart.

Seth gave her a puzzled look. “Are you okay? I didn’t freak you out by eating meat did I? Oh, I really don’t hope that I’ll eat you. Cause I won’t, please believe me!”

Apple Fritter watched his panicked flailing and suddenly burst out laughing. If he’d know what she was really thinking about, well an unmarried mare shouldn’t have thoughts like that. Heck, Fritter wondered if married mares had thought like that.

“Aw don’t worry about it; ah’m jus’ being a silly pony. C’mon, let go grab some grub!”

Despite how he’d felt previously, Seth found himself having a lot of fun at the party. He’d gotten to speak to Gene and Belle again, and Gene introduced him to the rest of his team, including a Mismagius that he’d reunited with only a few minutes ago. Seth spotted Korrina, who seemed to be perking up a bit, and a group of small foals running around with the starter Pokémon one would receive in the Kanto region.

Arceus also introduced him to his children, Mew was positively adorable, like sugar and rainbows given form. And the Pokémon he’d failed to recognise earlier turned out to be the Lake Trio, Azelf, Mesprit and Uxie.

It was nearly midnight by the time the party started to wrap up. A lot of ponies had left already, mostly the ones who had foals to look after.

Applejack had Applebloom and a Bulbasuar asleep on her back, while Rarity and Rainbow Dash had already left, taking their own little sisters home. It had turned out to be a good night after all, but Seth wondered why Rika was constantly shooting strange glances at Apple Fritter.

Seth yawned and stretched. “Phew, I’m pretty tired.”

“Ye~ah” Rika yawned herself, it was way past her usual bedtime. “But I had fun though.”

“Same here,” Selena agreed. “It was too bad Elesa didn’t come though.”

“She wanted to catch up with her Pokémon…” He tried not to think about it, but Ignis couldn’t help but pop up in his memories. But, they didn’t make him as sad anymore.

Apple Fritter leaned against him, her eyes drooping. “Well ah’m plum tuckered out, an’ a gotta get up early too…” Oh right, there was that farm thing she had to help with tomorrow.

“Well, I could help out if you want?” Seth offered, earning a tired smile from the Earth Pony.

“That’d be real nice of ya, thanks Seth.”

The Luxray nodded and the group of friends walked back to the farm in silence. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

*~*

The sound of a rooster crowing was enough to send some angry sparks coursing through Seth’s fur.

“Too. Damn. Early!” He muttered, noting that the sun was only just peeking over the horizon. “Whose big idea was it to get up so early?”

“Shut uuuup~” Elesa groaned, lying not too far away. “Some people are trying to sleep.”

Seth stood up, shaking the hay from his fur. The Apple Family barn was actually quite comfortable to sleep in. And the fact that it was housing quite a few Pokémon now was something else. Along with Seth and his Pokémon, you also had Elesa and her two partners and a Vespiquen hive, which mostly stuck to sleeping in the rafters. Apple Fritter had also slept out here, since Korrina and Lucario had taken the guest room in the main house. Korrina had offered to give up the room to the Earth Pony, but Apple Fritter refused, insisting she was fine with the barn and that she wouldn’t be here long anyway.

Seth looked around the spacious barn, but he couldn’t see Fritter anywhere. Did she get up already? He quietly made his way out of the barn and headed towards the farmhouse, but it occurred to him that they may not be awake yet, having stayed at that party so late.

“Well now what, everyone else is asleep.” A sound caught his sensitive ears and he headed around the farmhouse to the south fields. It was there that he saw Apple Fritter pulling a large plough, its gleaming steel blade shone in the morning light. Along with Big Macintosh pulling a second one, they paced back and forth along a massive section of land.

“Phew, ah think that’d might do it fer now Maccy!” Fritter said, wiping her brow. “What’a ya say to some breakfast?”

“Eeyup!” the huge stallion replied. He noticed Seth watching them and gave a polite nod.

“Huh?” Fritter turned around and saw her friend. “Oh, heya Seth!”

“Hey yourself, working hard already?”

“Yep, oh hey, that translator spell is still workin!” She gazed out at the field. “Mac an’ I thought that we’d get a bit of an early start.” She unhitched herself from the plough and shook herself off. “You still wanna help out?”

Seth nodded, “Yeah, of course I do.”

“Sounds good ta me!” Big Mac talking was always something that caught everypony off guard.
“Ah welcome any help ya want to give.”

“Thanks Mac!” Seth blushed when his stomach gave a loud rumble, causing the two Earth Ponies to laugh.

“Well then, breakfast it is!”

*~*

After breakfast, Granny had sent Applejack into Ponyville to pick up some supplies and lunch. Meanwhile, Fritter and Mac headed back to the field to continue their work, some of the Pokémon offering to help.

“Can I try the plough?” Seth asked, causing Apple Fritter to stare at him.

“Um, you sure about that?”

Seth nodded and against the better wishes of Fritter, he hitched himself up to the heavy device.

“Alright! Here I go!!” And as he tried to pull the blade, it stuck firmly in the earth and Seth’s face soon joined with the ground. “Ow.”

“Look, Sugarcube. Ah appreciate the help but-“

Seth jumped back to his paws and pulled with all his might, but the plough refused to move. He grunted and after a few minutes of going nowhere, he gave up and collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

“What…hah… the hell?” Seth looked back at the offending object as Fritter burst out laughing.

“Well, you tried anyway.” Fritter said, wiping away a tear. “How about ah do this and you can help with the planting?”

“Yeah,” Seth removed the harness and sighed. “You’re pretty strong if you can pull this thing Fritter.”

“That I am!” Fritter thumped her barrel. “Strongest mare in the Apple Family!”

“Eeyup!” Big Mac nodded, but somepony else disagreed.

“Nuh-uh, Applejack is waay stronger!” Applebloom replied, Bulbasuar by her side. “No way and no how is anypony stronger than Applejack!”

To be truthful, Applejack and Apple Fritter had never ‘officially’ competed to see who was stronger, Applejack always said that Fritter was the stronger one, but she was also a pretty modest mare, nothing like her rainbow-maned friend.

It wasn’t too long before they’d finished. With Big Mac and Fritter ploughing, the Pokémon followed closely behind, planting small trees in the freshly upturned earth. It was actually quite relaxing; stick a paw in the ground to make a hole, plant the tree and then pat down the soil. Rinse and repeat.

“SOUP’S ON EVERYPONY!!” Granny shouted from the main house, ringing a loud bell.

Rika planted the final tree and wiped her brow. “Phew! It’s finally finished.”

“An in record time too,” Elesa swooned as Big Mac spoke. He may have been a pony, but he had the voice of an Adonis.

“Oh, I bet he could sing like nothing else!” Elesa giggled to herself, imagining the broad stallion singing a wonderful ballad with that deep, baritone voice of his.

“Hey Ellie, you coming?” Seth waved a paw in front of the spaced out sheep.

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

*~*

As it turns out, there was going to be a race between some mare named Rainbow Dash and Latias after lunch.

“So who do you think will win?” Rika asked. “Cause I highly doubt any pony could beat Latias in a race.”

“Hmm, taking bets are we?” Selena had a slightly crazed smile. It was a little known fact that she liked to gamble… because she usually won. “I’m interested.”

“Except none of us have any money,” Seth pointed out. “So what do we bet?”

Selena thought for a moment. “Well, how about… well first, who’s gonna place a bet?”

“I’m in,” Seth responded first. “Um, I guess I’ll bet on Latias, I don’t really see a pony outracing a Pokémon that can fly as fast as a jet.”

“Well it looks like none ‘o you know Rainbow Dash,” Apple Fritter said. “Ah’ll put mah bits on her.”

“Hmpf, I’m going with Seth,” Rika huffed. “Place my bet on Latias!”

Elesa raised a paw, “Count me out, I’m not a gambling woman.”

“Well, alright then. I’ll bet on Rainbow Dash.” Selena nodded. “So two on the pony and two on the Pokémon. “This should prove to be interesting.”

“So what’s the bet?” Seth asked, “You haven’t told us yet.”

“That’s a secret~” Selena grinned. If everything turned out right, then she was going to have a lot of fun with this.

*~*

“There are… a lot of ponies here.” Seth whistled. The turnout was pretty impressive, over half the town must have been here.

“It’s a pretty big event when Dash races somepony!” Applejack waved at the group from her stand. “Ah’m real sorry that ah wasn’t able to help y’all at the farm… I feel bad about it.”

“Don’t worry about it cousin,” Fritter smiled. “The Pokémon showing up have kinda thrown everypony’s schedule. But all the Pokémon here chipped in an’ the whole fields already been planted!”

“The whole field!?” Applejack was impressed. She’d only needed Fritter help with ploughing, she hadn’t expected the planting to be done too.

“Yeah, we did what we did during Winter Wrap Up,” Fritter explained.“A line of ploughers, planters and waters. Applebloom was a big help as well, that filly’s really grown up.”

“Yeah, ah’m really proud of her, Cutie Mark or not.” Applejack turned to serve a customer, “Well this race should be a good one, but Dash’ll win, no doubt!”

She gave them each a helping of apple chips on the house and they took their seats in the stands. Seth spotted Mist and May, giving the ladies a polite wave.

Soon enough the race was about to begin. Seth watched Latias, having never seen the Legendary Pokémon before. Now that he thought about it, most people would go a lifetime without ever seeing one, now the Pokémon seemed to be as common as Rattata.

“Well I suppose when you don’t have to hide from Pokéballs, that’ll happen.”

Discord appeared, wearing a uniform that reminded Seth of a Pokémon battle referee. “Alright ladies, wanted to put booby traps along the path, and cotton candy clouds, but Pinkie and Fluttershy urged me to just set up the markers.” Dash rolled her eyes. “Anyway, blah, blah, blah, good clean race, no shoving, pushing, biting, burning, or vaporizing.”

He vanished, before re-appearing wearing a race starter’s uniform, a female one Seth noted. “On your marks, get set…”

The Pegasus and Pokémon readied themselves; the anticipation in the air was so thick that one didn’t even need the special ability to feel it. Seth glanced behind him to see an Eevee vibrating across the seat.

“GO!” Discord waved his flag as Rainbow and Latias shot forward like bullets, their speed was incredible.

“And they’re outta the gates!” Discord was now wearing a snappy suit and holding a microphone and a pair of binoculars. “Looks like they’re neck and neck folks!”

“Whoa! I had no idea Pegasi were so fast!” Seth said with an awed tone. “Can all Pegasi fly like that?”

“Naw, aside from her and the Wonderbolts, ah ain’t ever seen a Pegasus fly that fast.” Apple Fritter explained. “We should go to the next Wonderbolts Derby in Canterlot, it’ll blow yer mind!”

The two racers were swapping between first and second, until Rainbow shot forward with a burst of speed, taking the lead.

“Well I’ll be damned,” Seth whistled. “Will Rainbow Dash actually win this?”

Latias suddenly began to glow and her body changed, from her cute red and white body, to a slightly larger form, with bigger wings and she was now a navy blue colour.

“No way!” Selena cried. “She Mega-evolved! How the hell did she Mega-evolve?!”

“That’s a Mega-evolution?” Seth asked. “But I thought you needed a trainer with a Keystone for that?”

“Apparently not,” Selena said. Was it possible that she could attain Mega-evolution once more?

“Um, has anyone noticed that we have two flyers approaching at Mach speeds?” Rika asked. Seth and Selena blinked and then panicked.

They didn’t even have time to move as the two racers blasted past the finish line, wiping out spectators and even the stands toppled. Seth and Selena caught several of the smaller Pokémon before they fell and hit the ground.

“Owie!” Rika whined, rubbing her backside. “What the heck? That was dangerous!”

“But, who won?” Seth said, crawling out from under his seat.

Meanwhile, the two fliers struggled to stop, having been going a bit too fast to control. It was only when they were halfway back to town that Latias and Rainbow Dash managed to stop... Only to immediately zoom back to the clearing... which was little more than a wreck now as both Ponies and Pokémon were crawling out from under the overturned seats. Amongst the wreckage, Pinkie Pie stood.

The party Pony saw the two arrive and gulped. “And the winner is...”

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven.

“And the winner is...” Pinkie looked between the Latias and Rainbow Dash, both were obviously expecting her to say their name.

Pinkie began to sweat, her legs wobbled, and as she fell to the ground, she shouted the winner. “I DON’T KNOW!!!!”

“....What!?” Dash asked.

Pinkie sniffled. “You guys were moving too fast, I couldn’t see and... I’m sorry.”

“What!?” Selena yelled. “Well that totally sucks; my plans are totally shot to hell now.” She was suddenly very aware of three sets of eyes staring at her rather intently.

“Selena dear,” Seth said with an icy calm tone. “What do you mean by that?”

“Ah’m mighty curious about that too!” Fritter said.

“Yeah Selly,” The one Pokémon around that had a Type advantage against her. Rika curled a ribbon around the dark Pokémon. “What plans are we talking about here?”

“Heh, um, well… the losers, might have had to one thing the winners asked of them…” She gulped when the ribbon curled a little tighter around her midsection. “Within reason of course.”

Seth tried to keep up the angry face, but teasing Selena was too much fun. “Ah, we’re not mad, don’t worry about it.”

“Whew, dodged a Bullet Seed there,” Selena smiled to herself, despite losing a great chance.
“Well, there’s always next time.” What Selena was really interested though, was how Latias Mega-evolved. Selena herself used to be able to, and she missed it. “Perhaps Arceus might know how… but I can’t make it all the way out to the temple now.”

Discord later revealed that the race actually was a tie.

“Well that was interesting and all, but maybe we should get an early night?” Rika said. “We have an early train to catch tomorrow, right?”

“Eeyup, there’s one that arrives a little before dawn,” Apple Fritter explained. “It’s a cargo train from down south, past Hollow Shades. If we get that one, we can be in Canterlot just after breakfast.”

Seth nodded, "Let me guess, you plan to get back to work right away?”

Fritter nodded, “Ah’ve lost enough business already. Cousin Applejack’s given me a little t’compensate fer comin’ out here, but Ah’d rather be making my own.”

“Understandable, and commendable.” Seth smiled and nodded his head. “And I’ll be right here to help out as well.”

“Ah appreciate that,” Fritter smiled. For so long, she had been on her own, and now she had a whole bunch of friends. She really was lucky.

“Well, wanna walk around the town for a bit?” Rika suggested. “It’s still a little early for bed, and I want to see what else this place has to offer.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Seth agreed. He really wanted to go back to Sugarcube Corner and sate his sweet tooth with sugary, succulent sustenance.

*~*

Ponyville was as sleepy as ever, even with Pokémon being thrown into the mix. It had been almost a week now, and ponies and Pokémon seemed to be getting used to each other, well at least they seemed to around town. Perhaps that Pinkie Party helped out somewhat?

“Well, we’ve seen Sugarcube Corner, twice!” Rika shot a glance at Seth, who was still busy licking cake crumbs from the corner of his mouth. “What else is there to do around here?”

“Well, y’all have the library, run by a bonafide Princess!” Fritter explained. “There’s also the Spa, a fashion boutique if that’s interesting to y’all… um, a bowling alley…” Apple Fritter suddenly realised that she didn’t know the town quite as well as she thought.

“Well, I suppose I wouldn’t mind seeing the library,” Selena replied. “From what Seth told me, Equestrian script and human script are the same, and I can read human words.”

“Well now ain’t that somethin’!” Fritter whistled. Even Rika was always impressed by Selena’s knowledge of humans, knowing their language had given her knowledge that a lot of Pokémon didn’t have. They decided that the library was the best place to visit and headed for the giant tree near the centre of town.

Seth couldn’t wait to see the inside of this place, he loved the fact that tree was used to house books… it was treeception.

Apple Fritter walked up to the door and knocked, earning a look of confusion from Rika.

“Uh, isn’t this a public library?” she questioned. “Why are you knocking?”

“Ah’m jus’ being polite,” Fritter responded. “An’ besides, the librarian here is not only a Princess, but she also lives here.”

“So the Princesses in Canterlot get a humongous castle and the Princess of Ponyville gets a treehouse?” Rika snorted at the nonsense of it all. “Talk about getting gypped.”

“Ah suppose,” Fritter said as the door swung open, revealing a Beheeyem and scaring the crap out of the Earth Pony.

“Ah! I’m sorry to scare you,” The Beheeyem said. “Can I help you all with something?”

“Yes, we were just curious about this place.” Seth stepped forward and smiled, “My name is Seth Crescent.” He gave the Beheeyem an odd look, why the heck was it wearing a little lab coat?

“That, sounds like a human name?” The Beheeyem said, and a voice called out from within the building.

“Professor, who is it?”

“Some visitors,” she called back. “Shall I let them in?”

“Of course!” The ‘Professor’ hovered to one side, allowing Seth and the others into the library. Seth almost immediately gasped in surprise.

“Wow, this place is amazing. I’d love to have a home like this!”

“I’m glad to hear somepony say that,” Seth turned to see the pony behind the voice, a cute purple alicorn. “Welcome to Golden Oaks Library, my name is Twilight Sparkle.”

Seth looked at her for a moment, she looked familiar… oh! “You were at the party last night!” Seth said. “I believe you were talking with Lord Arceus.”

“That’s right, I’m keeping both my eyes on him,” Twilight replied dryly. “But that aside, who might you be? A Pokémon or perhaps a former human?”

“Human, My name is Seth Crescent, Your Highness.” Seth bowed politely, only to have Twilight blush slightly and wave a hoof.

“Oh, please. Just call me Twilight… I’ve never cared for the title and I don’t honestly know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

Seth nodded, “Well, as I said, my name is Seth.” He motioned towards his Pokémon. “This is Rika, a Sylveon and Selena, an Absol and Elesa, also a former human, now a Flaaffy.”

Twilight smiled and nodded, right before levitating a book over to her. “Absol, Sylveon and Flaffy. Got it!” She tapped the page with her quill, “Do you mind if I ask you some questions? I’d like to know as much as I can about Pokémon.”

Seth nodded, “That’s fine, and should I go first?”

“Yes, for starters, what kind of Pokémon are you?” the Professor left the room to fetch everyone some tea as they sat on cushions on the floor.

“Well, I’m a Luxray, an Electric-type Pokémon.” He waited as Twilight wrote that down and then she furrowed her brow.

“Electric-type? You can use electricity, like lightning?”

Seth nodded, “Yeah, but I can’t control it just yet. It sort of comes and goes.” He closed his eyes and scrunched up his face, and after a second or two, several bolts of electricity arced across his fur.

“Amazing!” Twilight whispered. “What else can you do?”

“Nothing really.” Seth looked a bit disappointed at his ineptitude. “I’ve found that Luxray’s have sensitive hearing, and I’m supposed to be able to see in the dark and even through walls.”

“Incredible!” Twilight said, writing all of that down. “And how about you Miss Selena?”

“I’m what you call a Dark-type.” Selena flexed her claws and grinned. “My primary role on Seth’s team was battle, so I’m quite strong if I do say so myself.” She really needed to get back to training too, she may not have battles like she used to, but that was no reason to slack off. "Due to my ability, I can strike at an opponent’s weak points more easily and I can also predict natural disasters.”

“It’s a longstanding myth that Absol’s caused natural disasters, rather than predict them.” The professor floated back into the room, carrying a tea tray. “And a lot of people unfortunately still believe that.”

Selena frowned, that was a particularly sore subject for her, considering what Seth had to save her from. “Yeah, let’s drop that subject shall we?”

“Oh? Um, I’m sorry.” Twilight bowed her head.

“Ah, don’t worry about that!” Rika beamed, patting Selena on the head. “She’s just a grumpy pants! Oh yeah, I’m Rika and the most adorable one on Seth’s team!”

“Sylveon right?” Twilight thought for a moment, “that sounds a lot like Vaporeon, and you seem to share a similar body structure.”

“That’s a good eye Twilight,” the professor remarked. “Sylveon is the evolved form of Eevee, as is Vaporeon.”

“Really, so the same Pokémon can have multiple forms?” Twilight started getting excited again.

“Some can, Eevee is rather unique and has an unstable genetic makeup that allows it to adapt to almost any environment. They have a total of eight documented evolutions, though it’s possible that they might be capable of more.”

“Okay, who are you?” Seth asked. “You know a heck of a lot about Pokémon and Princess Twilight called you Professor.”

“I haven’t introduced myself yet? Sorry, my name is Professor Aurea Juniper, perhaps you might have heard of me?”

Upon hearing that, Elesa leapt across the room and glomped the startled Psychic-type. “OHMYGOD!! JUNIE!!”

“I, ah… what?” Then she remembered what Seth had said earlier. “What! You’re Elesa? As in, Nimbasa City Gym Leader Elesa?”

The little sheep Pokémon nodded, happy that she finally found another one of her human friends. “Yeah, I’m so happy that you’re here…” And then she smirked, “and that you’re a creepy little Beheeyem.”

“Yeah, because this is what I totally wanted to be!” Juniper pouted, “I mean seriously, who picked our forms?” She looked over at Seth, “And you seem familiar too, have we met before?”

Seth nodded, “Of course we have, we spoke about… a month or so ago. You were helping me arrange a meeting with Lady Cynthia!”

Juniper’s eyes widened. “You’re that Seth!? Oh my gosh, I thought your name sounded familiar.”

“You two know each other?” Twilight asked. “What was that about a meeting?”

“Well, it’s a long story.” Seth sighed and shifted his position as Elesa resumed her spot on the floor. “There was something I wished to accomplish back on Earth, and both Elesa and Professor Aurea here were helping me.”

“And what were you trying to accomplish?” Twilight asked, taking a sip of her tea. It caused Apple Fritter and the rest to suddenly get an uncomfortable look on their face. “Um, did I touch a sore subject?”

Seth sighed and shook his head; perhaps talking about it would be good? “No, well it was, argh! Okay, do over!” He rubbed the fur on his head and it crackled with static electricity. “Back on Earth, there was a massive problem regarding human/Pokémon relationships.”

“Yes, my friends Gene and Belle have explained that to me,” Twilight interjected, earning a look of surprise from Seth.

“You know Gene and Belle?”

Twilight smiled and nodded. “Yes, they’re staying here with my friend Rarity actually.”

“Oh, awesome!” Seth smiled; he’d love to meet them again before he left. “Well it was because of them that I started what I did, a crusade to abolish the laws forbidding the coupling of a Pokémon and a human.”

“You were really doing that!?” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m surprised that this is the first I’ve heard of it. I wonder why Gene and Belle never mentioned it.”

“Because they didn’t know,” Seth answered. “I’ve actually spoken with them for the first time only yesterday, when I came to have a few words with Lord Arceus.” The look on Twilight’s face spoke volumes, “Yeah, I’ll tell you about that too.”

“Anyway, though the story of Gene and Belle were a big inspiration, they weren’t the only ones. A good friend of mine named Jayce had a thing with his Meowstic, Nao. Cute lil thing, but a bit sassy. I wonder if they made it here too. I really hope they did, they deserve to be happy.”

“Getting off topic again,” Seth smiled sheepishly. “I was on this mission for years and I believed I was making a little headway. My best bet was to convince the Pokémon Champions, the most powerful and influential trainers on the planet. I was all lined up to meet with Miss Cynthia, one such Champion, when we were whisked away to Equestria.”

Twilight eagerly wrote away, but paused when he did. She already predicted what he was going to say next. “And when you came here, where no such law exists…”

“Yeah,” Seth became a lot quieter. “I was pretty angry, so much work and just like that, it didn’t matter anymore. I was furious and was willing to tear Lord Arceus himself a new one. But when I got here and spoke with him, along with Gene and Belle…”

“Yesterday?” Twilight tried to remember what happened. “There was a span of about 15 minutes or so when I couldn’t find them anywhere.”

“Yeah, cause Arceus just upped and teleported them.” Seth grinned as he recalled the surprised looks on their faces. “But then I realised that I’d gotten what I wanted, they were happy and no longer fugitives from the law. In the end, I set aside my anger and now I just want all the best for them.”

Twilight nodded and closed her book. “Well, I think that’s very noble of you… but you shouldn’t set aside your feelings like that. You spent a lot of time and hard work right?”

“Yeah, but like I said, everyone is happy now. That’s what’s important.” Twilight was going to argue the point more, but decided to drop it.

“Well, alright then.” She re-opened her book and looked at Rika, “I believe we were talking about you? What Type are you Miss Rika?”

“Just call me Rika, and I’m a Fairy-type!”

“Fairy?” She didn’t look like a fairy. “We have Fairies here, Breezies too. You don’t look like them.”

“Well Elle’s an Electric type and you wouldn’t think so. I’ve always thought Flaaffy’s looked like a Normal-type. So to answer, Book, Cover, don’t judge.”

“Fair enough,” Twilight giggled. “And Elesa, you’re also an Electric-type?”

“Yeah, and I’m the only former human that seems to have a pre-evolved form… lucky me.” A confused look from the princess told Elesa she should elaborate. “What I mean is that Flaffy can still evolve, into a Pokémon called Ampharos. I just hope human Pokémon can still evolve.”

“Ooh, I wish I could see a Pokémon evolve!” Twilight had been curious ever since she heard that Pokémon could undergo a process that should normally take tens of thousands of years, and do it instantaneously.

“We’ll discuss that at a later date,” Aurea said. “Have you found anyone else we know Elle?”

Elesa shook her head, “No, I really want to find Skyla… I hope that she’s here.” Elesa and Skyla were best friends and the thought that she might not be in Equestria hurt.

“Well, we’ve come across quite a few Gym Leaders so far, so the chances are good.” Twilight gave her a warm smile. As she looked across Seth’s group, she noticed Apple Fritter, who had been quiet ever since they got here.

“You’re Apple Fritter right? One of Applejacks’ cousins?”

Fritter jumped when the Princess addressed her. “Yes Your Highness.” She had put her Canterlot accent back on, Seth noted. Was she nervous about meeting Twilight?

“As I said, just call me Twilight,” the little alicorn said. “What brings you here today? Are you friends with Seth?”

“Yes, I found him when he was starving in Canterlot.” She still remembered that day and smiled. “He and his friends have been staying with me ever since. They’re my friends.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.” Twilight wondered why she didn’t have the Apple Family accent, though she knew some didn’t, Fritter sounded like she’d lived in Canterlot her whole life.

There was awkward silence before Twilight thought of a topic. “Did you happen to see the race? Or at least know who won?”

Seth nodded, a bit confused why the conversation just died. “Yeah, we watched the whole thing. It turned out to be a tie.”

“A tie?” Twilight was surprised, “Well nuts, now I owe Pinkie 20 Bits. But to tie with Rainbow Dash, Latias sure must be fast.”

“I’m more surprised that she Mega-evolved!” Selena huffed. “How did she even do that? You need a human with Keystone to go Mega.”

“Mega evolution?” Twilight pouted over missing a chance to see Mega Evolution. There was so much to learn, just on one aspect of Pokémon. Evolution, battles, types, contests… So. Much. To learn!!

“To put it briefly, it’s something rather unique to the Kalos region, though I heard reports from Hoenn as well.” Aurea sorted through her thoughts, “It’s when a Pokémon that thought wasn’t capable of evolution, evolves. It’s immensely powerful, but after a short amount of time, they revert back. And only certain Pokémon can do it. Miss Selena here is just one species that is capable.”

“I used to, but since moving here, Seth and I lost our Mega stones, our precious bond…” That was what really bugged her about it. Not that she couldn’t evolve but because Seth’s Keystone and her Absolite were a symbol of their bond. And now they were gone.

“I could speak to Arceus about it?” Twilight offered. “Perhaps he could create some for you?” She’d seen him do grander things than create some stones out of thin air.

“I would appreciate that Twilight, thank you.” Seth bowed his head again.

As Seth looked around the library, he suddenly noticed that they weren’t the only Pokémon there. A Plusle, Minun, Medicham and Hitmontop were sitting in one of the corners. The two fighting types looked deep in thought, while the little electric types had worried expressions on their faces.

“Um, are we interrupting anything here?” Seth asked Twilight, motioning towards them.

“Oh, well… it’s just that a few things have come to light and I guess those guys have a little thinking to do. We were giving them a moment before Juniper talks with them.”

“I see,” Looks like trouble and confusion was the flavour of the week.

“I should get started actually,” if the Rangers overheard the conversation, though the lack of reaction told the Professor that they didn’t. She could imagine that Seth was on the ranger’s short list of people that needed arresting.

“Well, we should probably get going anyway; we have an early day tomorrow.” Seth stood up and smiled at Twilight. “It was a pleasure meeting you Twilight.”

“And you, come back anytime.” Twilight returned the smile as she showed them to the door. “I’d love to talk more with you.”

Seth nodded, “Please give my regards to Gene and Belle too, I really hope their wedding goes off without a hitch this time!” The Hitmontop shot a glance in his direction, before returning back to Juniper.

“Of course, I’ll pass the message along,” Twilight said and the group left, heading for Sweet Apple Acres.

*~*

When they eventually returned, Seth and Elesa were almost immediately accosted the moment they stepped foot on the farm. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had pounced them, dragging the two hapless trainers towards their treehouse. Selena, Rika and Fritter just smiled and waved.

For some reason, the tiny trio had spent hours asking them all about what it was like being a Pokémon Trainer. Elesa and Korrina regaled them tale of being a Gym Leader while Seth told them about travelling, Pokémon Contests and of course, Pokémon battles.

It was almost dusk by the time they were finished and even then, it was due to supper being ready, rather than the fillies running out of questions.

“Where do they get that energy?” Seth groaned as they headed back to the farm house. “I wasn’t that hyper as a kid.”

“You were probably a boring child, sitting inside and reading books all day,” Elesa laughed and when Seth didn’t reply, she gasped. “What, you did?”

“Well excuse me for being concerned about my education.” Seth retorted. “I didn’t know how much school I would miss after becoming a trainer, so I studied as hard as I could to pass anything once I came back.”

“You were from Kanto originally, right?” Elesa asked, getting a confirming nod from Seth. “So you got a year off school to become a Trainer?”

“Eehh, not quite.” Seth said. “I… kinda left school before that.”

“You never finished school!?” Korrina said, shocked by that.

“I didn’t say that!” Seth snapped back. “I just said I left, I never said I didn’t finish.”

Elesa tilted her head, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

They climbed the stairs into the house and walked towards the kitchen. “What I mean…” Seth explained. “Is that I finished school, when I was only eleven.”

“WHAT!?” the combined cry of Elesa and Korrina caught everyone by surprise when they walked in. “Y-you finished a school education by age eleven?”

Seth nodded; he didn’t often tell people that he did that, mostly because people often misinterpreted that as that he abandoned his studies. It fact he sped through advanced classes and finished a high school education when he was only eleven years old. That way, he could spend as long as he wanted on his Pokémon journey and not have to worry about playing catch-up on school work.

“That’s… wow, that’s impressive!” Elesa said. “How come you never told me?”

“Because it wasn’t that big a deal,” Seth said, sitting down at the table.

“Well, it’s still really cool.” She said, stuffing her face with corn. “I had to juggle school, training and a modelling career… gods it was hard.”

“That’s even more impressive,” Seth pointed out. “The whole reason I sped through school was so I wouldn’t have to multitask like that.”

“Understandable,” Korrina said. “Unlike us girls, guys cannot multitask to save their life.”

“Eeyup!” Applejack laughed from the other end of the table.

After dinner was done, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had bolted up to Apple Bloom’s room to discuss their next steps. Rika and Selena retired to the barn to get some sleep, while Seth and Apple Fritter sat in the kitchen drinking coffee.

“You have a very interesting family,” Seth said, sipping his drink. “I like them.”

“Thank you,” Fritter smiled back. “What about you? Do have any family?”

There was a silent pause as Seth put the cup down. “In a way, I suppose I do.” He craned his neck to look in the direction of the barn. “The only family I have is in that barn. Rika, Selena… they’re like sisters to me, Ignis and Heath are my brothers.” He looked back to the Earth Pony mare, who had a sad look on her face. “Hey now, don’t look so sad, I never said I was unhappy. My Pokémon have made me very happy and now here in Equestria, I have even more friends.”

He finished the rest of his drink and sighed happily, coffee was pure bliss. “I never knew my parents actually; I’ve been living in an orphanage ever since I could remember. It’s probably why I became so immersed in my studies. I would often think that becoming a powerful Pokémon trainer would lead me to the answers that I wanted.”

His brow furrowed as he stare at the table. “But on that day, everything changed.”

“What changed?” Fritter asked. “Did something happen?”

Seth shook his head to clear his mind. “Don’t worry about it, it’s in the past and that’s where it’ll stay.” He stood up and stretched his cramped muscles. “Let’s get some sleep okay?”

Apple Fritter nodded, “He’s only known me a few days and now I’m grilling him about his past… some friend I am.” She watched Seth leave and was about to head off to bed herself, only to be stopped by Applejack. “Oh, uh… hey cousin.”

“Hey yerself,” Applejack said, fetching herself a glass of water. “I bet that little chat coulda gone better.”

“You, overheard that?” Apple Fritter lost what little perkiness she had, but maintained a false smile. “I shouldn’t have done that, it must be hard to be taken away from yer life, and I jus’ went an’ reminded him of it!” Apple Fritter was furious with herself.

“Hey now, it ain’t yer fault.” Applejack pulled her into a hug. “There ain’t nuthin wrong with wantin’ to get to know yer friends a little better.” Applejack recalled the time when Twilight had asked about her parents and the farm pony had taken it the wrong way… it was not a pretty conversation and in the end, the two friends hadn’t spoken to each other for days.

“So am I just supposed to pretend that the conversation never happened?” Fritter asked. “Cause that doesn’t sound right either!”

“Look, jus’ calm down and stop bein’ so dramatic… ah get enough o’ that from Rarity.” Applejack smiled and petted her on the head. “The way ah see it, Seth cares about his friends a whole bunch, an’ that includes you. Just give him time okay?”

“Alright, thanks Applejack.” Apple Fritter smiled, a genuine one this time. “G’night.”

“Night Fritter,” Applejack said and watched her had for the barn. “I hope you get what you want.” she whispered.

*~*

It was still dark when Apple Fritter and the six Pokémon that accompanied her waited at the train station. Despite saying otherwise, Applejack and Big Macintosh had gone with them to see them off. Korrina, Lucario and a sleeping Apple Bloom were also there.

“Y’all come back soon, ya hear!” Applejack grinned.

“Eeyup!” Mac gave his usual response.

“It was nice meeting you guys!” Korrina said. “And it was good to meet another fellow Gym Leader.”

And it was great meeting you guys too!” Seth said, before Rika yawned loudly.

“What?” She huffed, “It’s too early to be awake!”

“You can sleep on the train,” Selena sighed. “But yeah, it was nice meeting all of you as well.”

A sharp whistled pierced the night air as the train pulled up. Seth groaned as he saw that it bore the same girlish design as the Friendship Express. It only had a single passenger car, along with several boxcars.

“Urgh, I bet it has a stupid name like Hopes and Dreams Cargo or something?” He muttered as Apple Fritter gasped.

“How did you know that?” She said, surprised. Seth just slowly turned her head.

“Are you kidding me?” He just groaned when she burst out laughing.

“Hah, I totally got you!” She laughed, leaning on the Pokémon. “There is no way that we’d call a train something so ridiculous.”

“And yet you have the Friendship Express,” Seth replied.

Rika and Selena just looked at the two of them. “What in the heck is going on here?” Rika whispered to her friend. “When did they get so close?”

“Beats me!” Selena whispered back. “But I’m not complaining, this could be fun~”

After a final round of goodbyes, they boarded train and were on their way to Canterlot.

Hopefully life would slow down a bit….

Extra story - A Rival Appears

A Rival Appears.

Co.Written by: xBUBBA1995x

Sounds of rushing wind filled the Charizards’ ears as he soared through the sky. An ocean of cloud below him obscured the ground and made it impossible to tell just how far he’d flown. After leaving his brother, Seth behind in the Everfree Forest, the fire Pokémon had simply flown around, not having a goal in mind.

“Perhaps I should get some food though,” his stomach rumbled loudly in agreement and Ignis began his descent.

The sight that awaited him below the cloud ocean was breathtaking. A city of gleaming crystal spread out on the ground below and from his vantage point, Ignis could see that it was shaped like a giant snowflake.

“You’d never find something like this back on Earth,” Ignis said to himself. “Simply amazing.”

Over the last few days, ponies and Pokémon had seemed to be settling down and getting used to one another, but that said, Ignis chose to land just outside the city so he wouldn’t startle anyone. Folding his wings over his shoulders like a cape, he walked into the city and began looking for a place to eat.

Several ponies had been shocked to see a tall dragon walking the streets, but seeing as how their national hero was a dragon, most gave him a polite smile or a friendly wave. One particularly courageous filly even ran up to him, latching onto his thick tail and hugging it.

“I’m terribly sorry about her Mr. Dragon,” A young mare, presumably her mother said. “She’s a real hooffull.”

Ignis just nodded and after waving goodbye to the pair, ducked into the café. Everypony fell silent when the little bell rang and the dragon stepped inside. He was curious as to why the top of the door frame was scorched though.

Ignis ducked his head and gazed at the menu, it was a good thing this this particular café included pictures with their menu, cause he’s be damned if he could read it. When a nervous-looking waiter came over to take his order, Ignis pointed to a few things and dropped some gems on the counter.

“A-are you quite sure? This is way too much,” the waiter said, staring at enough jewels to buy everything on the menu twice over.

Ignis just nodded and pointed to what he wanted, and then held up three fingers.

“Okay, so triple portions then, right away sir!” the waiter vanished into the kitchen to oversee the order personally as Ignis waited patiently at the counter. He had found the gems while exploring some mountains, they had been surprisingly easy to dig up actually and apparently they could be used as currency.

“Beats have to forage for my own food,” he chuckled. The waiter soon emerged, Ignis’s order in his telekinetic grasp.

“Thank you for your patronage sir! Have a marvellous day!” He stutted.

Ignis simply nodded and took the large paper bag with his food in it. Walking back outside and into the bright sunlight, he spread his large wings and took off once again to the skies. After a few minutes, he came across a large lake just outside of town and landed near it.

“This looks like a nice spot,” he mused and sat down on the grass. Opening the bag, he pulled out the first of his treats, steamed buns filled with vegetables and chicken. Turns out that the café chef was a griffon and there were some menu items that catered towards a more carnivorous diet. And with Pokémon appearing, their business should prove quite profitable.

“Mmm,” he had a bun pierced on each claw and popped them one by one into his mouth, finishing off his food with record time. “Ah, I am o hitting that place back up before I leave.”

As he got up to stretch, he ‘felt’ something, something he hadn’t felt in a while. A smirk crossed his face as he gazed across the lake and saw what he was looking for; a large Blastoise was sitting on the other side,

“A strong opponent.”

*~*

Eclipse had decided to take a break from life in the castle. Between the kissy faces John and Holy Heart were making at each other and Joltik being… Joltik, the stoic Water-type needed to relax, and a day swimming in the near by lake was just what he needed.

A thudding sound nearby caught his attention though and he looked up to see a large Charizard land nearby.

“How may I help you?” he asked, perhaps the Pokémon was simply lost?

“You’re strong, fight with me!” Well, so much for relaxing.

“I do not see why I should,” Eclipse’s gaze met Ignis’s. Something in his eyes told him why, and he knew that this was something that he shouldn’t back out of. Whoever this Charizard was, he was powerful. But there was something that the fire lizard seemed to be forgetting. “Ah… now I see. You do know I have a rather severe type advantage,” Eclipse pointed out.

“And if that’s all it took to win, why does anyone fight at all?” The Charizard’s answer made Eclipse smile, it was a good answer.

“You have my interest Charizard,” The Blastoise got to his feet and produced his water cannons. “My name is Eclipse and I shall do battle with you!”

“I am Ignis Crescent, brother to Seth Crescent!” His wings flared open and he flexed his razor-sharp claws.

“That sounds like a human name,” Eclipse said, as the two Pokémon began to slowly circle one another.

“I am a Charizard, born a Charmander. My trainer and I are brothers and I took his last name as my own!” The two Pokémon had an unwavering gaze that never left each other. They both knew that a foolish first move could end in disaster.

“It is rare to see such camaraderie these days,” Eclipse replied, this Ignis was good. In a flash, Eclipse aimed his cannons and fired a Hydro Pump. With luck, this fight was already done.

No such luck existed however as Ignis ducked the attack and then dashed forward, closing the gap between them. As long as he stayed close, Eclipse couldn’t aim his cannons, but he had to watch out for a point blank shot from Eclipse. Moving in close, Ignis readed a Power-Up Punch.

As his fist slammed into Eclipse's face, Ignis was surprised that the Blastoise didn’t move. He just stood there and took it. Then he gave Ignis an excited grin. As if he knew this battle would be great!

Ignis’ eyes widened as Eclipse grabbed his arm. Flapping his wings, he began to lift Eclipse up into the air. Only for Eclipse to give him a hard yank, and lifting his became harder and harder, as he continued to do it.

He’s stronger than I thought! Good! Ignis told himself.

“You know the thing about getting close to me is,” Eclipse started, before giving one last yank. Bringing Ignis to a hard landing on the ground. “Is that I,” Lifting Ignis to his feet, Eclpise gave him one hell of a headbut. “Know what I,” Still holding onto Ignis’ arm, Eclipse pulled him close again, only to hit him with another headbut. “What I am doing!” Again, Eclipse brought Ignis in, but this time he delivered a punch that knocked the wind out of him, as well as knocking him a good ten feet back.

‘Alright then… it seems close range fighting isn’t go to work.’ Ignis told himself as he pulled himself to his feet.

‘He’s stronger than he looks...’ Eclipse told himself, as he rubbed his jaw around. ‘That almost dislocated my jaw.’

Ignis decided that it was time to switch tactics, he spread his wings and flew straight at Eclipse.

“Again? Have you not learned anything?” Maybe Eclipse was wrong about this one. Ignis just smiled as he raced right past Blastoise and before the water pokemon could wonder why, the tailwind that Charizard was dragging behind him caught up, knocking Eclipse off balance.

“Clever, but not clever enou-” Ignis suddenly made a sharp turn and fired a point-blank Flamethrower at the off-kilter Blastoise.

“Time to roast!” The attack bathed the area around Eclipse with searing flames, but it too failed as Eclipse withdrew into his shell and used Rapid Spin to disperse the attack.

“Heh, nice try but fire won’t work against me!” Now that Ignis was at a distance once more, Eclipse aimed his cannons and fired a barrage of Hydro Pumps.

Flying around like an aerial acrobat, Ignis easily dodged all of the attacks. Then fired out a massive ball of flame at Eclipse. Retreating in his shell, the attack hit point blank. A massive explosion rang out, making a lot of smoke.

Then, from within the smoke a single blast of water whizzed out. Moving to the side Ignis effortlessly dodged the attack. Then the ball of water exploded. Turning around, Ignis saw storm clouds start to form. Eclipse had used Rain Dance...

‘Clever...’

“Come on down, and fight like a real Pokémon!” Eclipse taunted. Knowing that the Charizard could not resist, he readed himself for the attack to come with an Iron Defense.

In an instant, Ignis’ wings started to glow. And before Eclipse could react, he was hit dead on. The Air Slash struck dead center, blades of hardened air knocking Eclipse back several yards. He even crashed through a tree or two, before landing in the near by lake.

“I need to take care of this storm first,” Ignis landed and his right hand began to glow a burning red before he released the energy into the sky, activating his Sunny Day attack. The water that Eclipse had disappeared under barely rippled, making it impossible to predict where the next attack would come from.

“Then I suppose I should force his hand!” Ignis took to the skies once more and opened his mouth. “Dragon Pulse!” He roared as the blast of draconic energy arced towards the lake. It never hit as a ball of blue energy erupted from the water, shattering the attack, and leaving Ignis open to be struck by another Pulse move, Water Pulse.

“Grah!” the dragon had no time to recover after using Dragon Pulse and was hit in the chest by the explosive water move. He fell from the sky, hitting the ground hard.

“Water Pulse, and that last attack was Aura Sphere... perhaps he has experienced too?” Ignis’s moveset was tailored towards his Mega Evolution, and judging from the way Eclipse fought, the turtle had also had some experience with Mega evolving.

“This just got a lot more fun~”

“Yes,” Eclipse yelled out, as he shot out of the water. Taking a massive amount of water with him, which seemed to follow his movements. “It is! Now taste my Waterfall!” Spinning in the air, the water then fired itself at Ingis. Ignis jumped to the side, and the attacked missed. Only for Eclipse to slam into him, knocking him back.

Now it was Ignis’s turn to obliterate the foliage as the water move sent him flying. Despite being weakened by Sunny Day, it was still a super effective hit by a powerful pokemon and it took most of the dragon’s strength just to get back up.

“Not bad,” he panted. “I called it right after all, you’re damned powerful and you make a worthy opponent!” One more time, Ignis took to the skies and began to formulate his counter-attack. Once he reached his target height, he suddenly split into a bunch of copies as he used Double Team.

“You’re a fool! Do you think raising your evasion is going to help you?” His cannons clicked and he aimed into air. “Now try this one! Rapid fire Aura Sphere!” The sounds of cannonfire filled the air as Eclipse fired dozens of spheres at the clones. By sacrificing power, Eclipse could increase his rate of fire, useful for fighting multiple targets.

The clones stood no chance as the attacks homed in on them, annihilating the clones one by one until none remained. The problem was... that the original was gone too.

“Where did he go?” Eclipse wondered, scanning the skies for his adversary.

“You’re looking in the wrong place bub!” Eclipse looked down and saw Ignis flying straight at him, the dragon’s belly mere inches off of the ground and moving at an incredible speed. There was no time to counterattack, but he wasn’t concerned. Right before Ignis struck, Blastoise crouched ever so slightly and then jumped, but that’s what Ignis was hoping for.

As the Charizard flew under him, his tail wrapped around Eclipse’s leg and then Ignis slammed his claws into the ground to stop, catching Eclipse with the whiplash of his tail and slamming him hard into the ground.

“You aren’t the only one who can modify attacks!” Ignis roared and inhaled a huge lungful of air. “Searing Flamethrower!” By cutting the range and allowing a brief charge up, Ignis could double the power of his flames and blast the enemy with a white hot inferno.

Even after withdrawing into his shell and using Iron Defense, the flames beating down on him were intense, a weaker pokemon would be done in by this attack for sure.

It was a real good thing that Eclipse wasn’t a weak pokemon.

He began to spin and use Hydro Pump to beat back the flames, the area erupting with a hissing cloud of steam as fire clashed with water. It was enough for Eclipse to escape and put some distance between them.

“Hah.. not, bad!” Eclipse said, dousing his overheated shell with water. “I was actually worried for a second there.”

“And I thought I may have had the upper hand for a second there.” Ignis’s goal was to beat Legendary Pokémon, so there was no way he’d lose to a Blastoise. “I think it’s about time to wrap this up!”

“I couldn’t agree more!” Eclipse nodded. “Time to end this. One attack, one Pokémon left standing!”

The air itself seemed to stand still as the two Pokémon once again stared each other down. A replay of their first move that was now going to be their last. A single leaf floated down from a tree, dancing softly in the air until it hovered above the lake. A few seconds later, the leaf touched the water, sending small ripples along it’s mirror like surface.

They struck.The two pokemon unleashing their most powerful attacks, Eclipse firing both barrels of his Hydro Cannon, while Ignis unleashed his Solar Beam, it’s power bolstered by his Solar Power Ability.

The two titanic attacks collided and then passed by one another, striking their intended targets with full force, resulting in a massive explosion that could be seen and heard for miles around, but was most noticeable by the nearby Crystal Castle.

*~*

As Eclipse and Ignis sat at the edge of the lake, the both of them just stared at the now half empty lake. The energy was drained out of them, and both of them could not move that well. It was apparent to them that they were equally strong, and would not be able to ‘one up’ the other for a long time. Yet this did not stop them from smiling. It had been a long time since they fought someone as strong as themselves.

“Through the years that I had fought Team Rocket, as well as anyone that go in John’s way,” Eclipse started. “You are the only one that I would love to fight again.”

“I don’t think that will be anytime soon,” Ignis told me, with a smile on his face. “By the way, who is John.”

“My partner. We have been together for more than ten years,” Eclipse smiled. “You know, with all this noise we made, he should be here soon. He is helping the ponies in the area deal with Pokémon.”

It was at that moment, a large group appeared at the other end of a lake. Several large Ponies branding armor stood ready to fight, as well as one without armor. With them was three Pokémon. An Infernape, small Joltik, and a… rather odd looking Luxray. They then made a ‘bee-line’ for them

‘Why is that Luxray black and yellow?’ Ingis thought.

“Eclipse,” The Infernape spoke. “What,” He sounded mad. “In the,” Very mad… “Hell are you doing out here, and what was that explosion?”

“I was training, John,” Eclipse started. “Considering we don’t know what is going to happen in this world, it would be wise for me to stay at the top of my game.”

“What happened to the water in the lake?” A green unicorn mare asked. “And why are there so many craters around here?”

“The craters were made as we fought,” Ingis spoke up. “As for the water, most of it was blown out of the lake as our last attacks struck.”

“And, who might you be?” The Infernape known as John asked, in a cold calculating voice.

“I am Ignis Crescent, brother to Seth Crescent!” Ignis introduced himself, still tired from all the battle.

“Well Ignis,” John then gave Eclipse a cold calculated look, as if sizing up the situation. “I take it from the area around here, too the way you and Eclipse look, that you were the one that started the battle? And that you are about the same level in power?”

“Yes, John,” Eclipse spoke up. “We are equal, in battle,” Eclipse game John a big smile. “And I must say, I could not be happier.”

“Yes,” Ingis added in. “Eclipse and I are equal... for now, and I now consider him a rival. One that I must best, before I can become stronger that the Legendary Pokémon.”

John let out a long sight. “So let me get this straight,” John asked. “The two of you engaged in a Pokemon battle, one that caused a massive explosion, and ended in a tie?’

“Yes.” Both Eclipse and Ignis said at the same time.

“Damn, I wish I could have seen it,” John stated. His tone of voice turning around. He then smiled. “The next time you two fight, we have to have it set up for ponies to see. They would love it.”

“I don’t think having a crowd near suck a massive explosion would be wise,” An orange pegasus intervened. “John, what are you orders on the situations?”

“Well, Flash Sentry. The rest of the guards may return to the Crystal Empire,” John placed his hands behind his back. “As far as I can see it, the threat has passed. This was just an ordinary Pokémon battle between two pokemon. When I return, I shall give Princess Cadance and Sir Shining Armor my report on the whole situation.”

The Pegasus named Flash Sentry nodded. “You heard him, the rest of you, move out!” Shor of the green mare that has yet to be named and Flash Sentry, the rest of the ponies started to head out.

“I do not think I formally Introduced myself,” John started. “I am John, once a part of the International police, and am now helping the Crystal Empire with Pokémon affairs,” He moved his hand to the mare next to him. “This is Holy Heart,” He gestured to the ball of yellow fur that was Joltik. “And this is Joltik.”

“I am not Joltik anymore, John! I am the king of all Pokemon, and I demand that you call me as such,” The small child called out. “Don’t make me throw Holy Heart into the dungeon!”

“...” John didn’t have anything to say to that.

“It is nice to meet you, John,” Ignis stood up, and flapped his wings. “But I must go.”

“Wait,” Joltik intervened. Everyone looked at him. “On second thought, I take it back! if I just threw Holy Heart in the dungeon John would enjoy it too much!”

This brought a laugh out of Eclipse, but John just facepalmed. “I’m afraid to asked.” Holy said.

“I’ll tell you later,” John said to her, his face blushing mad. “As for you Ignis, if you really must go, then you are welcome here anytime. It has been a long time since I have seen anyone fight Eclipse to the point of exhaustion,” John smiled. “Not even the rest of my pokemon together can that.”

Holy Heart’s eyes went wide. “What, John, you’re joking, right?”

“I did say he was my strongest Pokémon, when I introduced you to him, didn’t I?

“Well, yes, but…” Holy just shook her head, still not surprised.

“Ignis,” Eclipse started, turning to the Charizard. “Keep getting stronger,” He lifted his fist for Ignis to bump it. “Because next we meet, I am going to win.”

“You can try,” Ignis fist bumped Eclipse then took into the sky. “Until next time, Eclipse. Don’t get soft.”

Ignis began to take to the sky. His body was weak, but he had to keep moving on. If he was going to best the legendaries, he had to keep pressing on. Find those who are strong, and becoming strong in turn. But he could not help but feel sad as he left. Eclipse was a worthy Rival, and he could not wait for the rush of battle he would have to face with him next.

“You know, I think I’m on the wrong plane. Do you think you can go back down there, and drop me off?” Ignis jumped at the sudden voice. Looked to his back he saw Joltik sitting there.

He then let out a long sight, as he turned around.

Author's Note

Bubba’s note to Ausbrony’s readers~

Got to say I loved this little crossover we did with our stories. I’m looking forward to working with Ausbrony in the future, and for those of you who want to know more about John, Eclipse, Holy, and Joltik, just come over and read “A New World, Burning an Old Way.” And Yes, that is some shameless self advertising, but we’re all friends here right?

Ausbrony - This was actually pretty fun to write. I wonder who else Ignis could fight?

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight.

Dawn was beginning to break as the train pulled into Canterlot Station. Seth, Fritter and the others had gotten a little sleep, but the Luxray had always found it difficult to fall asleep on any kind of transport. Rika on the other hand was dead to the world, snoring gently while Seth carried her on his back.

“Talk about missing a golden opportunity,” Selena mused.

“Once we get home, I’ll have to get straight to work,” Fritter explained. “Seth? Y’all mind givin’ me a hoof today?”

“Of course,” Seth nodded. “I said that I‘d help any way that I can and I meant it.” He shifted as Rika began to slip, “What is it you need help with?”

“Well, I’ll need to prep the kitchen for baking, so do y’all could harvest some fresh apples?”

“Sounds easy enough, how much will you need?”

“Hmm, ‘bout four bushels should be enough. One fer bakin, one fer making some fancy deserts and two fer sellin’ by themselves.” It was miniscule compared to what Applejack dealt with, but it was enough to make money that Apple Fritter could live off of.

Elesa though, had a thought that could throw a wrench in that plan. “I have to ask, but is that what you would usually make?”

Apple Fritter nodded, “Eeyup, it makes enough fer what I usually sell… why?”

“Well, I don’t want to question your methods… but with us staying with you, will you have enough money still?”

Apple Fritter paused and frowned, “Oh Horseapples!”

“As I thought,” Elesa nodded. “That’s why I’m making this proposal. It would be most shameless for us to continue living with you and not help out financially,” Elesa pointed at the other Pokémon dramatically. “And that is why we should go out and find jobs!”

To her surprise, Seth and Selena nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing,” Seth said. “I just hope that there’s a place that would actually hire a creature that cannot talk with the general public.”

“Well I was thinking of finding that Photo Finish mare, perhaps she could use another model?” Elesa wondered aloud. “And if that turns out to be a bust, well… I have other skills.”

Apple Fritter wiped a tear from her eye. “Y’all don’t have to worry ‘bout that…”

“But we do,” Elesa said adamantly. “It’s not fair to you and I feel bad just sitting around doing nothing.”

Seth wondered what he could do. He had a decent education, but what he learned back on Earth meant squat here in Equestria. There was no need for Trainer skills either, with no League, no Contests... What else did he have? Well, he was sure he’d figure something out eventually.

“Well, we had better get home first,” Fritter said. “We gotta lot ‘o work to do and not a lot of time to do it.”

*~*

Once they had gotten back, a new problem presented itself to Seth.

How the heck was he supposed to get the apples from the trees? Despite being a large Luxray, he still couldn’t reach the apples that lay in the high branches.

“Hey Fritter? How do I do this?” he called out. The Earth Pony mare walked outside and without a word, she turned her back to the tree and gave it a swift buck, knocking several apples loose and into the buckets at the base of the tree.

“An that’s how y’all buck apples!” Fritter smiled and went back inside to continue cooking. Seth watched her leave and then looked back to the trees.

“Okay, seems simple enough…” Mimicking Apple Fritters’ move, he raised his back legs and slammed them against the tree trunk. There was a painful moment of silence before a shiver went up Seth’s body and he collapsed to the ground, howling in pain.

“Owowowowwww, goddammit!” That hurt like hell and not a single apple had fallen. Selena laughed while Rika had rushed out from the kitchen to see if he was alright.

Zebstrika on the other hand, seemed to have no problem in knocking the apple free of their leafy confines.

“Are you okay?” Rika asked. “You didn’t hurt yourself too badly did you?”

“Naw, I’m cool.” Seth groaned as he got to his feet. “But I did it exactly as Fritter showed me, so why?” He stretched until the tingling in his legs disappeared. He gave a softer kick this time, but the tree just refused to give. “Oh come on!”

Selena laughed again, “What’s up boss? Haven’t figured it out yet?”

“Figured it out? What aren’t you telling me Selly?” Seth grumbled.

“Look at your feet.” Seth looked at his furry black paws. “And what do you see?” Selena asked.

“Uh, fluffy black paws?” Seth responded.

Selena nodded, “And now think of Fritter, what sort of feet does she have?”

It took the Luxray a moment and then he realised what Selena was getting at. “She has hooves, while I have squishy pawpads.”

Selena nodded once more, “Hooves are designed for striking, while paws absorb impacts, like when you make large jumps.”

Seth just groaned and decided that bringing the bushels inside was a suitable enough task to do. Zebstrika continued to fill a few more while Fritter and Rika hummed away as they cooked.

“So where do we start?” Rika asked the mare. Apple Fritter had asked Rika if she could help out in the kitchen and she’d teach the fairy Pokémon how to make apple pie.

“Well, first we need that ingredients list over there,” Fritter explained, pointing at a book laying on the countertop. Rika reached up with her prehensile ribbons and took a look, forgetting that she couldn’t actually read.

“Um, what does it say?”

“Oh right,” Fritter took the list and read it aloud for her.

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups (260g) plain flour
1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour
(185g) unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces1/3 cup (75g)
caster sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
Demerara or caster sugar, to sprinkle

Filling

8 large Granny Smith apples
Juice of 1 lemon
45g unsalted butter
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

“Okay, that’s a lot of stuff for just one pie,” Rika said. With Fritter’s directions, the Sylveon sorted out the various ingredients. “So what’s first?”

“Sift flours and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Add butter and rub lightly into flour with your ribbon thingies.” Rika snorted at the description for her ribbons. “Lift mixture high above the bowl as you rub, to incorporate air into the pastry and make it lighter. Continue until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, and then stir through the sugar.”

As Fritter explained what Rika needed to do, she lightly beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon chilled water, and then drizzled it over flour mixture. “Alright, start to bring the dough together by cutting the liquid into the dough with a blunt knife, then form into a smooth ball with your hooves, adding a little more water if necessary. Divide the dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap in plastic wrap, and then we have to chill it for 30 minutes.”

“30 minutes? What do we do until then?” Rika asked, Fritter repeated that process until they had enough for a dozen pies and then proceeded to the next step.

“Step Two! In order to make the filling, we’ll peel and core the apples, and cut each into 8 pieces.” Fritter’s foreleg was a blur as she sliced the apples with surgical precision and tossed immediately with lemon juice in a large bowl, “This will prevent apples from discolouring.” She explained. “Next, place the butter and sugar in a large frypan over medium-low heat. When butter has melted, add apples and spices, then stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the apples have softened. Then set them aside to cool.”

By the time they repeated this step, the dough had chilled long enough to begin crafting the pie.

“Step Three, Roll out the larger pastry ball on a floured workbench to a 30cm circle and around about 2mm thick. Roll the pastry around a rolling pin, and then unroll over a 22cm metal pie dish.” Apple Fritter hummed happily as rolled the pastry, this step was the most fun. “Gently press into corners and allow excess to overhang. Place filling in base with a slotted spoon. Roll the small pastry piece to a 25cm circle. Beat remaining egg with milk, brushing some on rim of the base. Top with small pastry.”

“Alright, we’re almost done!” Apple Fritter smiled. “Lift the pie dish and cut excess pastry from edges with a sharp knife. Crimp edges of pastry together, and then they need to chill for another 30 minutes.” They used this time to catch up with the other pies. The oven had been preheated to 180°C (356°F),

“Alrighty, now place the pie dish on a baking tray and brush top of pie with more beaten egg, and sprinkle with Demerara or caster sugar.” Using her knife, Fritter cut four small air vents in the centre of the pies and placed them in the ovens to bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

“And we’re done!” Apple Fritter smiled as the scent of baking apples filled the room. “You did really well Rika, I may just have to keep you around as my assistant!”

The Sylveon blushed at the praise and rubbed one leg with the other. “Well you’re a really good teacher, I can’t believe you do this every day.” Rika looked around at the kitchen, which was so large that it took up half of the first floor. The mare had four ovens, which had about four or five racks in each, as well as three refrigerators and a massive chest freezer. “And this is the biggest kitchen I’ve ever seen.”

“It does what ah need it to do,” Fritter smiled. This kitchen had cost a fortune to remodel, but it made her job a lot easier. “But thank you fer the compliment.”

Seth, Selena and the others walked inside, humming happily at the delicious smell.

“Ooh, that smells great!” Seth murmured, right as an excited Sylveon pounced on him.

“Seth! I did it, Apple Fritter said I did well!” Rika bounced excitedly, stopping only when Selena pinned her tail to the ground.

“Have you been eating raw sugar again?” Selena asked, earning a pout from Rika. Elesa just laughed but that was cut short as her stomach rumbled loudly, Seth’s own tummy quickly echoed.

“Well, everything’s done, so how about we go and get some breakfast?” Fritter said.

*~*

Even though it was still early, the streets of Canterlot were already bustling. A lot more Pokémon were wandering around too, it seems that ponies were slowly starting to get used to them. It didn’t stop almost every pony that passed to give a second glance at Apple Fritter and her entourage.

“I wish they’d stop staring,” Fritter whispered, using her Canterlot accent once more. Haven’t they seen a pony fetch breakfast before?”

“I think it’s more that they haven’t seen a single pony travel with so many Pokémon.” Elesa waved at a few ponies, and even got a response from a few of them. “I think it’s going to take quite a while before everything settles.”

They eventually got to the marketplace where Fritter sold her apples. Berry Smoothie was already at work, running orders to the tables outside her roadside café.

“Hey Berry!” Fritter waved, getting the mares attention. “Got some spare tables?”

Berry squealed and promptly glomped her friend. “Why don’t you tell your friends when you disappear for a few days? We were worried!”

“Sorry,” Fritter laughed, returning the hug. “I was in Ponyville visiting family.”

Berry gave her a stern look and nodded, “Well alright, I have three tables over there you can use. Just take a seat and my little sis will be with you shortly.”

“Heya Friter! Mr. Fluffy~” Banana Smoothie ran over them. “What can I get you guys today?”

Seth glanced at the menu and looked it over for a moment. “Um, hmmm. Oh? Waffles! I want waffles!”

Banana giggled. “We don’t have Luxluxlux Luxrays.”

What the what? He looked over to Fritter and then slapped his forehead. He’d gotten so used to having been able to talk to her he forgot that other ponies couldn’t. Apple Fritter also joined in on the giggles and pointed at the menu. “He said he’ll have waffles.”

Banana nodded and Fritter translated the rest of their orders.

“Well that was embarrassing,” Seth muttered. “I wonder why that spell Arceus cast hasn’t worn off yet?”

“And y’all are complaining?” Fritter pouted, causing Seth to wave a paw frantically around.

“What? No, I mean, I just-” Seth stopped when he saw the mare laughing and folded his forelegs. “Oh, real funny Miss Fritter!”

“Ah’m jus’ teasin you,” she wiped a tear from her eye and smiled. “I feel sorta special that ah can talk to y’all...”

Banana soon returned with their orders, a large stack of waffles for Seth, some coffee and toast for Fritter and pancakes for everyone else.

“Um, what about the pies?” Rika asked. “Don’t we have to take them out of the oven soon?”

“Ah set the timer, so the ovens’ll just switch off.” Fritter sipped her coffee and sighed contently. It was nice coffee, not as good as Mocha’s, but still good.

Some idle conversation was passed back and forth as they ate, garnering some attention from nearby ponies as they witnessed a mare that seemed to be able to understand the pokemon she was with.

“Alright, time to get to work!” Apple Fritter placed the empty coffee mug on the table. “What about the rest of you?”

“I’ll try and track down Photo Finish,” Elesa replied. “How about it Rika, want to be a model again?”

Rika thought about it for a moment. It was pretty easy work, but she also wanted to work with Seth. What to do?

“I think we should also get Seth trained up in his new body,” Selena pointed out. “I don’t expect us to be having Pokemon battles anytime soon, but we don’t him to accidently shocking anyone.”

“But how do you plan on training him Selena?” Elesa asked. “Do you know how to use electric moves?”

“Well, no... do you?” Selena asked the other former human. Elesa frowned and stared at the Absol.

“So what should we do, just find some random Electric-type to help him?” Selena glared back. “Cause I don’t really see that happening!”

“It’d beat a Pokemon that has no idea how Electric attacks even work!” Elesa shouted.

“I’ve been a Pokemon my whole life, you’ve been one for what, a week? What the hell do you know!?” Selena raised her own voice. This shouting match continued back and forth for a few more minutes before Berry Smoothie came over to sort things out.

“Um, excuse me?” Both Elesa and Selena turned to face the mare that dare interrupt them, Berry didn’t flinch though. “Could you please keep it down, you are disturbing the other patrons... oh, and Fritter and the others already left.”

The Absol and Flaaffy turned to see that the others had indeed left, already halfway down the street.

“Hey, wait up!” they both cried, chasing after them.

*~*

Fritter had loaded up her cart and headed for the marketplace. Selena and Elesa were still mad at one another, Seth deciding that it was better for his health to just stay out of it. The Luxray instead, had gone to the park with Elesa’s Zebstrika, who offered to teach him how to control his powers.

“The first step, is getting a feel for them,” Zebstrika explained. “You need to learn how to charge and discharge your electricity effectively and safely.”

Seth closed his eyes, trying to ‘feel’ his lightning powers. A lot of pokemon differed in how their power was created. The Pikachu evolutionary line for instance, had sacks in their cheeks that generated the power. Jolteon and Manectric used their fur and he had no idea how Magnemite worked.

Seth placed one paw over his leg and began to rapidly rub the fur, until static power built up. “Hah! I did it!”

“Congratulations, you have the power of dryer lint,” Zebstrika deadpanned. “DO try and get serious about this.”

“I’m trying, but I have no idea how I even use lightning.”

Zebstrika motioned to a tree that was split in two, it’s trunk was scorched black. “You did that, correct? Try and repeat the process.”

“That... was an accident.” Seth had been totally pissed at Arceus at the time, he wasn’t fond of moves he could only use in anger. “I dunno, can I even learn how to do this? Maybe because I used to human, I’ll never get this right.”

“Nonsense, I can feel the power within you, you simply need to figure out how it’s released.” This time, Zebstrika motioned towards a large rock. “Try zapping that.”

“Maybe I should try something a little different, change my way of thinking.” He stared at his enemy, a mighty... uh, Gigalith, yeah, that sounded like a badass opponent. “Alright, select attack, Luxray! Use Thunderbolt!”

He squeezed his eyes shut as he concentrated with all his might, but nothing, not even a little spark. “Oh, come on!”

“A valiant effort, but futile.” Zebstrika stamped the ground with a hoof. “Try again!”

This time, Seth got on his hind paws, striking a sort of kung-fu pose and imagined himself shooting great arcs of lightning. All he accomplished was falling on his back.

“Again!” Zebstrika simply said once more.

“I am a mighty Thunder Cat!” Seth roared, “Thunder HOOOOO!!” Surprise, surprise, still nothing.

“... I don’t even... Again!”

“RRRAAAAARGGGHHHHHHHH!!” So screaming loudly to build power sounded good in his head, but all it did was give him a sore throat.

“AGAIN!” Zebstrika ordered.

“Again, again, again! That’s it!?” Seth was getting pissed, not noticing the sparks arcing across his fur. “Try actually providing some useful, goddamn advice!” He blasted a bolt of electricity at Zebstrika without thinking, but the Pokemon’s Lightning Rod ability just absorbed it.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, are you okay?” Seth said, worried that he’d injured the Pokemon

“Not bad,” Zebstrika smiled faintly. “Now... Do it again!”

*~*

Elesa finally tracked down the studio where she and Rika had met that eccentric mare, Photo Finish. She didn’t get far though, as a sign on the door caused her to stop.

“I have gone to vitness, ze magicks! at Ponyville.

Be back, vhenever I vill be back

The Great, Photo Finish!”

“I, can’t believe she even wrote the accent...” Elesa sighed. She wasn’t about to travel all the way back there for work, assuming the mare would even give her some. “What do I do now?”

She’d passed some Unicorn Royal Guard earlier, casting translation spells on Pokemon wandering about the city. Whoever came up with that idea was a genius.

“I guess I’ll have to find something, it’ll look bad if I show up empty pawed after all my boasting.” Elesa had left Fritter’s residence, claiming to that insufferable Absol that she’d have work by the end of the day.

It turns out that though ponies were indeed beginning to get used to pokemon, none were willing to give them work just yet. Her next choices were to try the local fashion boutiques, her sense of style was second to none after all, even the great champion, Cynthia, came to her for fashion advice.

But these prissy shop owners wouldn’t even give her the time of day, sayings things like ‘If you don’t wear clothes, how do you expect to sell them?’

“Says the practically naked pony,” Elesa muttered as she was ejected from a store named, ‘Polimare’. “Her dresses were ugly anyway.”

She wandered around aimlessly after that. Though a once powerful Gym Leader and fashion queen, Elesa hadn’t the faintest idea on how to perform manual labour, a weakness that she was a tad embarrassed about. She passed by a hole in the wall club when a peculiar sound caught her attention.

It was the powerful, rhythmic beat of music.

She nudged the door open and was almost blown back by the sheer force of the sound that pulsated from beyond that blue door. Treading softly down the stairs, she eventually came to a modest-sized bar with a dozen or so ponies in it. Some were just mingling, or drinking the day away.

What really nabbed her attention though, was the DJ that was performing on the stage. He was a pale-green Unicorn, wearing large aviator shades and a black shirt with a white tie. He held a pair of headphones to one ear as his head bobbed in time with the deafening dubstep music he was playing.

Elesa found herself drawn to the stage, weaving through the dancing ponies until she was front and centre, staring up at the stage, mesmerised by the music.

It stopped all too soon and though, and the DJ peered over his turntables to see the little pink sheep staring back.

“Whoa, you like, one of those Pokemon?” he asked.

She nodded back, “Yes, my name is Elesa.”

“Rising Star,” he returned the gesture. “Didn’t think I’d see one of you in my club.”

“I’m just passing through,” Elesa replied. “Those were some pretty sick beats though. I’m impressed, and a little glad that dubstep music exists here.”

“And I see you also have great taste in music,” Star grinned. Then a thought occurred to him, one that should it work, would really get the party pumping. “You know how to work a turntable?”

“I’ve been known to spin a disc or two,” Elesa smiled coyly. “Are you offering what I think you're offering Mr. Star?”

“Whoa, Mr. Star is my pops, but yeah, why don’t you come on up and show me what you got!”

Elesa could barely contain her glee as she climbed the staircase and walked around to the other side of the equipment, it was a nice setup.

She placed a paw on the controls and was soon pumping out a solid beat that had a few ponies in the bar bobbing their heads and tapping their hooves.

“Not bad, not bad at all!” Rising whistled. “A nice steady beat, the pitch and tone are just right too, you got some talent there Miss Elesa.”

“That was awesome!” Elesa smiled, her grin as wide as it would go. “I wish I could do this as a job.”

“You looking for work?” Rising Star tapped his chin and adjusted his shades. “Hmm, tell you what, why don’t you come back tonight, put on a bit of a show?”

“Really!?” Elesa bounced up and down, giggling. “Thanks so much Star~”

“No problem, it’d be cool I think, you could be the very first Pokémon DJ. Swing by around eight, okay?”

The Flaaffy nodded and with a final wave, Elesa skipped out of the door, looking forward to what the night was going to bring.

*~*

Selena sat on her bed back at Fritter’s place. She was still irritated over the fight with Elesa, and even more irritated that she got so wound up in the first place.

“I know everyone’s on edge, but what makes her think she know more than me on how a Pokémon works?” Sure, she’d been a somewhat decent Gym Leader back on Earth, but when Seth had battled her, Selena had made short work of of her team. Zebstrika had been the only one to even land a hit.

“But fighting like that was something a hatchling would do, I’m supposed to be better than that, I’m supposed to be the reasonable one.” This was messed up, since coming here, the familial bonds that their team had seemed to crumble. Ignis, a Pokémon like a brother to Seth, had just upped and left. Rika had always harboured a small crush on the human, but the fact that he was human always prevented her from acting on it… until now.

And Selena was the voice of reason, she often prevented her trainer from doing foolish things and had saved his life on a few occasions.

But with him being a Pokémon now, it seemed like that was all in the past. Ignis was gone, Rika was starting to get more active in her advances… and Selena, what was she supposed to do? What was her role now?

She laid her head in her paws and sighed. “What do I do?”

*~*

It had taken a while, but Seth was starting to get the hang of things. It was still a hit or miss when it came to using electrical attacks, but he did manage to get Bite, Roar and Scary Face down pat.

“You’ve done well today, tomorrow I should teach Mistress Elesa as well.” Zebstrika stretched and sighed. “But we missed lunch, so perhaps we should go back home and remedy that?”

Seth shook his head, “Naw, I want to keep practicing, just have Selena bring me something later okay?”

“As you wish, just don’t push yourself too hard.” Zebstrika nodded his head and headed back to Fritter’s house.

“Okay, now let’s see if I can get Spark to work.” Spark was one of the weakest Electric moves a Luxray could learn naturally, so it made sense to start there. He concentrated and tried building up his energy. It was slow, but surely enough he began to build up power, until his coat coursed with sparking electricity.

“Well, I seem to have this part down.” Taking a deep breath, the built up power dissipated. His stomach grumbled loudly and he sighed. Perhaps he should have gone with Zebstrika after all.

*~*

By the time Zebstrika arrived back home, Apple Fritter, Rika and Elesa were also returning.

“Good afternoon Miss Elesa, Miss Fitter, Miss Rika.”

“Hey Zeb!” Elesa sang, “Guess who might have found a job~”

“Already?” Fritter exclaimed as they walked inside. “That was awful fast.”

“I’m just that good,” Elesa said proudly. “Well, I have to go back tonight before I actually get the job, but I have a good feeling about it.”

Selena came downstairs, wondering what all the ruckus was. “What was that? You actually found a place to work?”
“That’s right!” Elesa snapped. She wasn’t going to let that snooty Absol ruin her good mood. Selena just looked down, an abashed look on her face.

Look, I did mean what I said earlier, it’s just that-” She stopped as a cold chill ran down her spine. It was a chill that she’d felt a few times before.

“Just what?” Elesa asked, but Selena was already heading for the door. “Wait, where are you going?”

“Seth’s in trouble!” she shouted back as she bolted out the door at top speed.

*~*

Seth panted as he practiced building up electricity, dispersing it and building it up again. It still took nearly a minute to gather enough power for an attack, way too slow.

As he built up more power, a strange scent tickled his nose, causing him to sneeze and discharge the energy with a bolt of lightning, almost hitting a nearby Pokémon.

“Whoa, sorry about that!” He ran over to the fallen Pokémon, seeing that it was a Florges. “Did I hit you? I’m still trying to get the hang of this whole ‘being a Pokémon’ thing.”

“I am unharmed, but you should be more careful!” Her tone was sharp and curt, like that of a noble or something. “And what do you mean by that? Are you a former human?”

“Yeah, my name is Seth Crescent. Nice to meet you!” He held out a paw, but the fairy Pokémon didn’t take it, in fact, her whole demeanour seemed to change. Her eyes narrowed and a small sneer appeared on her face.

“Seth Crescent you say? I have heard that name before.”

“R-really?” Seth suddenly had a real bad feeling about this.

“Indeed, not too long ago in fact.” She hovered slightly in the air and loomed over him. “It was on a report all about you, along with the orders to kill you.”

Chapter Nine

The Florges looked at the Luxray curiously. “Seth Crescent you say? I have heard that name before.”

“R-really?” Seth suddenly had a really bad feeling about this.

“Indeed. Not too long ago in fact.” She hovered slightly in the air and loomed over him. “It was on a report all about you, along with the orders to kill you.”

Seth took another step back, this seriously wasn’t happening was it? He knew that he’d made some enemies back on Earth, but someone actually wanted him dead!?

The park seemed to go deathly silent, even the gentle breeze was little more than a whisper. And yet neither the Florges nor the Luxray heard the Absol rush past, her scythe-like horn pressed against the Fairy Pokémon’s throat.

Her ebony blade glinted in the sunlight and her ruby-red eyes were as cold as ice.

“If you so much as touch him, I will end you!” Selena’s voice was cold, calm and filled with murderous intent. Her tail began to glow with a pale light as she activated her Iron Tail attack. “I will show you why our Type is feared, Fairy!”

If the Florges was afraid, she did a flawless job of hiding it. “And if you would allow me to finish, I have no interest in that mission, in fact, our organization turned down the job immediately after we did some research on the…person of interest.”

“Organization?” Seth asked, Selena refused to move but she was curious as well.

“Checkmate,” Was all the Florges had to say, eliciting surprised gasp from both Pokémon. If this Florges was indeed part of ‘that’ team, then Selena alone probably wasn’t enough to stop her. The Absol jumped back, landing next to Seth, but kept her attack active nethertheless.

“I take it that you know of us?” The Florges said, amused by the reaction. “My name is Titania, proud member of the Checkmate Mercenaries.”

Seth nodded, keeping his gaze on her. “Well, I don’t quite know what to do in this situation Miss Titania, but threatening my life is a pretty poor first impression.”

“A joke that seemed funny at the time,” Titania responded. “I will apologise this one time, as a token of good faith.”

Selena visibly twitched, “A-a token of GOOD FAITH!? You are lucky I didn’t kill you on the spot!”

“You would have tried,” Titania pointed out. “Whether you would have succeeded, that is doubtable. My Type alone gives me quite the advantage.”

“I wouldn’t underestimate Selena,” Seth cautioned. “Type alone doesn’t always decide a battle.” Truth be told, he wasn’t a hundred percent positive that Selena could take this Pokémon on alone. But she didn’t seem to want to attack them… yet.

“Why don’t you ask our own fairy, a Sylveon named Rika?” Selena said, still on edge. “She’ll be more than happy to tell you how strong I am.”

“A Sylveon, oh how precious~” Titania giggled mockingly. “I’m sure the little pet is such a threat,” she laughed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Seth and Selena suddenly took a step back, both wide-eyed and shaking. “Um, y-you really shouldn’t say that…”

“Say what?” Titania continued, “That they are just like every other evolution of Eevee, overrated and underpowered. They are little more than a pretty face, what was that saying again..? Ah, yes, all bark and no bite.”

A cold shiver suddenly went down Titania’s spine, like the temperature suddenly nosedived. Seth and Selena now clung to one another as they stared at Titania, or rather, what was standing behind Titania.

The Garden Pokémon turned to see Rika standing a few feet behind her, her gaze cast to the ground as she shook, not with fear, but pure, unadulterated rage.

“I’m little more than a pet huh,” her voice was so quiet that one would have to strain themselves to hear it. But those present before her? The Sylveon might as well have been screaming like an Exploud.

“An overrated pretty face?” She took a step forward, as everyone else took a step away.

“All bark and no bite?” Rika lifted her head to show the sadistic, twitching grin on her face. “All because I’m cute, pink and covered in ribbons, you think I can’t BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!?”

“Well, I’d say it was nice knowing you Miss Titania… but I’d be lying.” Selena closed her eyes, not wanting to see the gorefest that was to come. Rika was always such a bundle of sugar and sweetness… until you called her a pet. Then you were dead.

“Y-you think you can scare someone of my stature and power?” Titania readied a Flower Shield and Grassy Terrain. “I shall cru-!” She never got to finish as Rika opened her mouth and used Hyper Voice, tearing the ground apart and sending Titania crashing into a nearby tree.

Titania groaned, not expecting the attack to be so powerful. “A lucky hit, now prepare to-“ She was silenced once more as Rika slammed her with a Shadow Ball, before waiting for Titania to pick herself up before hitting her again and again and again. The tree was obliterated now as Titania lay amongst the shattered remains. A pinkish haze had covered the area as Rika approached her, her soft footfalls sounding like thunder in the Florges’ ears.

“You threaten my trainer, you mock me and my friends…” Titania tried to get up, only to be pinned down by Rika’s ribbons. The Sylveon leaned in close, the look in her eyes shaking Titania to her core. A slight smile crossed Rika’s face as she whispered into Titania’s ear.

“From now on, you’re going to be a good little fairy… understand?” She punctuated her demand by pressing her lips against Titania’s, the Draining Kiss stealing what little energy she had left.

After a moment, she pulled away, leaving the Garden Pokémon lying there with a dead look in her eyes. “Well, you seem to get the picture.” As if a switch was flipped, Rika bounced over to Selena and Seth, hugging the both of them. “Are you guys okay? She didn’t hurt you did she?”
Selena and Seth said nothing, as the entire scene that just played out was sent to the deepest recesses of their minds.

*~*

Everyone sat around the dining table, eating a hearty lunch that Apple Fritter prepared. They seemed happy as they ate, Elesa telling Seth all about the gig she had tonight, totally unable to contain her excitement. Rika and Fritter had finished their lunch earlier and now the former was braiding the tail of the latter. Selena was the only one who sat at the table, scowling as she stared at the Florges that sat across from her.

“IS EVERYONE TOTALLY INSANE!?” she slammed her paws on the table with a loud thud, rattling the plates and cups. “Why is she here, eating with the rest of us?”

“Well, she can’t find her family,” Rika said like she didn’t have a care in the world. “I feel kinda bad for her.”

“You are most generous Lady Rika,” Titania bowed. “To think I would find such a caring Pokémon here.”

“Aw, you flatterer you,” Rika blushed. “I bet your teammates are searching super hard for you.”

“Indeed, I’m sure Shredder and Weiss are looking for me, well at least I hope they are.” She sipped at her tea and frowned. “Servant, pass the sugar!” She barked an order at Seth, but a quick glare from Rika made her reiterate. “Uh, please pass the sugar, servant?”

“Better,” Rika nodded and resumed braiding Fritter’s tail.

“I still say this is weird,” Selena muttered as Seth passed the sugar jar across the table.

After the ‘incident’ at the park, Titania had explained herself and that she had no idea where the rest of her friends could be. She’d been hopeful, saying that they had a way of using satellites and GPS to find members no matter where they were… until Seth pointed out that such things didn’t exist in Equestria.

Rika felt bad, since she herself had been in a similar position not too long ago. For some reason, the Florges seemed to be a tad jittery around the Sylveon for some reason… Rika wondered why. So she asked Seth if they could let Titania stay with them.

Selena did not like that plan… not one freaking bit. However, she was still shaken up over the return of ‘Sadisteon’ and figured that agreeing with Rika was more beneficial to her innocence. And now their little family had grown by one overly pretentious member. Apparently Titania saw herself as some sort of royalty or nobility, something that irked Selena to no end.

“So do y’all have any idea where yer friends might be Miss Titania?” Fritter asked. Rika had finished her tail and was starting to put a small braid in her mane, it was actually quite relaxing.

“I have searched most of this city over the past few days,” Titania explained. “If they were here, then I would have found them, or vice versa, by now.”

Elesa put a paw on her shoulder and smiled. “Well don’t give up, I’m sure that your friends are here somewhere. If not in Canterlot, then perhaps they might be in Ponyville?”

Titania groaned and put a hand to her head. “Ugh, these Ponyta puns are just too much.”

“And we’re no better?” Rika pointed. “We have an entire region of cities and towns named after colours.”

“True enough Lady Rika,” Titania sipped at her tea and sighed contently. “I must say, this tea is divine, I have never tasted anything quite like it.”

“It’s an Apple Family recipe,” Fritter explained. “Taint nothing special.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Selena said. “To us, you’ve been nothing but special. You took us in, despite not knowing a thing about us.” She cast her gaze at the ground as some memories replayed in her mind. “It’s hard to find that kind of trust these days…”

Apple Fritter nodded, appreciating the feelings of her Pokémon friends. Beyond her family and the few friends that she had here in Canterlot, Apple Fritter didn’t have any. The nobility snubbed her, just because she was a farmer. She had tried several times in the past to snag herself a stallion, but they’d all been scared off when they found out how strong she was.

Rika finished the braiding and admired her handiwork. Apple Fritter looked absolutely adorable. A mischievous smirk crossed her face as she hopped off of the lounge and headed upstairs.

“And where might you be going?” Selena asked coyly, causing the Fairy to freeze in her tracks.

“W-well, Seth still hasn’t gotten the hang of his new body, he might need help scrubbing down.” It wasn’t a complete lie.

“Good luck girl~” Selena simply said, causing Rika to erupt in a fierce blush and nod meekly.

Once she left, Fritter tilted her head as she resumed her relaxed position on the couch. “What in the hay was that all about?”

Titania had a guess as to what, “Is she involved with her trainer?” she asked Selena. “My reports only had speculations and rumours.”

Apple Fritter put a hoof to her mouth and a sharp sting pierced her chest. Seth and Rika were an item?

Selena paused, if she said that were then it could take Fritter out of the race and leave a clear shot for her fairy friend. On the other paw, she still held a small grudge for her own encounter with ‘Sadisteon’, and she was having way too much fun with this.

“No, she does have feelings for him though… but my dearest brother is a bit dense.”

Apple Fritter nodded, somehow she was relieved to hear that. Then another thought occurred, one that made her face burst into a massive blush as she gasped.

“Um, you said that he’s like your brother… right?”

Selena nodded, not quite sure where she was going with this.

“Well, if Rika thinks she’s Seth’s sister, and yet has feelings for him… isn’t that like… well…”

“Incest?” Selena said with no tact whatsoever, causing Fritter to squeak and hide her face in her hooves. “Not really, since we aren’t related, hell, before coming here we weren’t even the same species. But that aside, even if it was, what of it?”

“W-w-what of it?” Apple Fritter got to her hooves, her voice raised slightly. “Well, ah’m not against love or anythin, but getting into a relationship with a member of yer kin is… well its wrong!” She’d dealt with this particular subject many times as an Apple. Being the largest Earth Pony clan in Equestria, they’d been plagued by rumours of inbreeding for generations.

Despite the fact that some purist noble families still did that to keep the bloodlines pure.

Selena nodded, surprisingly calm about it. “Okay, yeah I think I know where you’re coming from. Tell me one thing, does inbreeding among ponies cause genetic defects?”

“It can,” Fritter replied. “The longer it goes on, the more probability of a defect occurring increases. Some places allow marriage of family members as long as the blood relation is miniscule or non-existent though.”

“Okay, so it’s a matter of different social norms then.” Selena drained the rest of her teacup and poured a refill. “You see, unlike humans, and as it would appear, ponies, Pokémon don’t suffer genetic mutations. In fact, the polar opposite happens. Hereditary skills, strengths and even natures are passed from parent to child. I myself was in a relation with my twin brother before Seth… saved me.” Selena’s lecture suddenly went silent for a second as more memories were stirred up, unpleasant memories.

She shook her head and gulped down her tea again. “Anyway, it’s quite common and Pokémon. But I can see your point of view as well, just try to see ours hmm?”

Apple Fritter nodded, she was actually curious by what Selena meant by Seth ‘saving’ her, but she’d learned that lesson back on AJ’s farm when she talked to Seth the other night.

There was a sudden crash from upstairs and the sound of spilling water.

“RIKA? WHAT THE HELL!?” Seth’s shouts rattled the windows as the Sylveon raced down the stairs and hid behind Selena.

“Heh, I think I made him mad~” she giggled innocently. A second later, a soaking wet Luxray bounded down the stairs, glaring daggers at her.

“Riiiikaaaa!”

“Eep!” Rika bolted out the front door as Selena sighed, wishing the drink in front of her was stronger. Titania silently shared that wish.

*~*

“Ah hope y’all know, clubs really aint mah thang!” Fritter said as the group headed for the ‘Hole in the Wall’ club, owned by Rising Star. “But iffn y’all want me to come, then what sorta friend would ah be if ah declined.”

“Thanks Fritter,” Elesa said. “It means a lot that you can all come.”

“A question,” Titania said. “What exactly is… dubstep? Did I say that right?”

“Well, I don’t really know how it started here in Equestria,” Elesa said. “But from where we were from, it’s a genre of electronic dance music originating from Sinnoh about a decade ago. Dubstep rhythms are usually syncopated, and often shuffled or incorporating tuplets. The tempo is nearly always in the range of 138–142 beats per minute, with a clap or snare usually inserted every third beat in a bar. One characteristic of certain strands of dubstep is the wobble bass, often referred to as the "wub", where an extended bass note is manipulated rhythmically…”

Seth and the others just stared wide-eyed at the Flaffy as she lectured everyone on the subject.

Elesa noticed everyone’s stares and blinked. “What?”

“Wow Elle, I didn’t know you knew so much about this stuff.” Seth was genuinely impressed, even if he had no idea what the hell she was talking about. For all his skill as a trainer, his intuition and academic skills, when it came to music, he was a total dunce. He couldn’t read sheet music, had no clue on how to play even the simplest of instruments and couldn’t sing to save his life.

Elesa just blushed, running a paw through her woolly hair, “Yeah well… oh? We’re here!”

She bobbed her head as the muted bass could be heard from the other side of the door, and as they approached, a massive Earth Pony blocked their passage.

“And who might you be?” His deep voice rumbled. “You want in, you gotta wait like everypony else.” He motioned towards a line of ponies that somehow everyone had failed to notice.

“But I have an appointment with Rising Star,” Elesa explained. “My name is Elesa.”

The bouncer checked his list and then muttered something into his earpiece. “Alright, you’re clear to go in.” Elesa passed by him, but he blocked off everyone else, “But you aint… back of the line!”

Titania stepped forward and leered at him, “You dare block my path you plebeian?” All the bouncer heard was Pokéspeak, but he didn’t like the tone of it.

“You gotta problem flower-head?”

“F-flower-head!?” Titania recoiled and then smirked. A subtle shake of her flowers caused a faint pink mist to waft from it and once the guard inhaled it, it was all over. The Sweet Scent took effect and a dopey looked crossed his face.

“Oh ye~eah, go on in Miss, and yer friends too!”

“Thank you for changing your mind,” Titania smiled and the group headed in, all them offering a concerned look at the bouncer.

“Uh, was that necessary?” Apple Fritter asked. “You didn’t hurt him did you?”

“I simply put him in a better mood, he was much too surly and sour for my delicate tastes,” Titania sniffed. “I must say, that music is frightfully loud.”

Selena’s scowl didn’t leave her face, it was threatening to be a permanent fixture at this point.
“Using Sweet Scent to manipulate him like that was uncalled for!”

“And I suppose you had a better idea?” Titania headed for the bar to see what they had in the way of drinks. Seth just shrugged and headed for the dance floor. He wanted a good view for Elesa’s performance.

Selena sat alone against one of the far walls, pondering her next move.

“What do I do? Seth is just so hopeless that he doesn’t realise that two girls want his affections.” She knew that Rika wanted him, but she was still on the fence about Apple Fritter. They got along well enough and Selena had caught the mare sneaking a peek a few times at him... but she had yet to show any blatant interest.

“Interspecies romance is nothing new here. Pony, Griffon, Minotaur... but Pokemon? Pokemon are something completely unknown to them and a lot of them think we’re little more than animals.” But she saw things from both perspectives as well, “Ponies, though they resemble Pokemon in a way, their personalities, the way they talk and even the things they create... it’s all very human-like, so the possibility of a human falling for a pony is probably higher than a human falling for a Pokemon.”

Rika had the advantage of knowing Seth longer and knowing more about him, his personality, his likes and dislikes, as well as all his little quirks. But Seth didn’t like Pokemon, not romantically anyway. It’s a pretty significant hurdle for Rika to overcome.

Fritter on the other hand, she has left only positive impressions on Seth as well as becoming a fast friend to him. . Plus her cooking was amazing!

“I want Seth to be happy. He’s spent so much time trying to make sure others could be happy, he sacrificed his own.” Selena watched as he tried dancing a bit, if you could call his sporadic jerking, dancing.

The music fell silent as Rising Star stood on the stage. He tapped the microphone on his ear and nodded.

“Alright music fans, are you all having a blast?” He asked the crowd, receiving a cacophony of cheers. “Sweet, because I got a real treat for all of you. As you know, somethin totally awesome happened a few days ago, with all the Pokémon showing up?”

There were a few confused murmurs going around the room, just where was Rising going with this. Seth and his friends had knowing smiles though. This was going to be good.

“Well, enough beating around the bush. Tonight, I present to you the very first Pokémon DJ. ELECTRIC ELESAAAA!!” Rising stepped to the side to reveal the Flaaffy, she still had her old headphones and now sported a pair of pink wrap-around shades.

“Okay everyone,” She shouted and pumped her paw in the air. “Let’s amp it up!”

The massive speakers vibrated the entire room as the music blasted out of them. Elesa closed her eyes as she worked the turntables, bobbing her head to the beat. The club patrons had been apprehensive at first, but the dance floor soon became a mass of writhing bodies as the danced the night away.

Titania merely ordered another drink, complaining about the music being unrefined as Seth, Rika and Fritter all danced together. Selena just smiled, content to watch.

For now anyway.

*~*

“That! Was! Epic!!” Elesa bounced up and down as the group headed home. She was totally unable to contain the euphoria that flooded her. “They liked me. No, they were freaking LOVING ME!”

“Well you were really good,” Seth grinned, Elesa’s excitement was contagious. “I had no idea that you were that awesome.”

“Yeah,” Rika agreed. “And you got a permanent job out of it too!”

“I’m sorry,” Selena said. “I was acting like an idiot earlier…” Elesa just grinned and hugged the Dark type.

“I was a moron too. Still friends?”

Selena nodded, returning the embrace. “Of course.”

“I require aspirin,” Titania said bluntly. “I agree that you are quite skilled, but that music is atrocious.”

Elesa just laughed and nodded her head. “Thank you-?” She suddenly pitched over, clutching at her chest with her paws. “Ahh, urgh… I don’t- I feel weird.”

“Elesa!?” Seth ran over to her as her body erupted with a brilliant light. “W-what’s going on!?” He knew the answer already, but he just couldn’t believe it.

“Guys!?” Elesa sounded scared. “What’s happening to me!?”

Apple Fritter was worried. What was going on? Why was she glowing? And why was Seth the only other one freaking out?

“Keep calm!” Selena said sharply, pinning Seth’s tail to the ground to stop his panicked movements. There was only one thing this light could mean. “Take a deep breath and calm yourself. It just so happens that you’re evolving!”

“E-evolve? I can do that?” Elesa grunted, trying to keep the energies at bay. “What the hell do I do?”

“Well, you can let it happen, or you can fight it!” Rika said. “But should you choose to remain as you are, it won’t stop the evolution from happening again.”

Elesa nodded, so deal with this Arceus-knows how many times… or let it happen and become an Ampharos. She smiled and nodded. She knew what she wanted to do. Elesa closed her eyes and let the energies building up inside her surge forth. The street filled with a gentle blue light as her body shimmered and shifted. It felt like nothing she’d ever experienced as she could feel herself grow taller, her body twisting and changing, and surprisingly, it didn’t hurt. A pull there or a tug here, it was almost pleasant.

After a half a minute, the light faded and in place of the cute Flaaffy, a tall and dazed-looking Ampharos now stood.

“Woo, I feel- I feel good!” Elesa raised her tail as a shower of electrical sparks shot forth like a fountain. “I feel awesome actually!”

“It happens,” Titania explained. “You get a rush of energy after evolution, but be careful. It takes a lot out of you, despite how you feel now it’ll wear off pretty quickly.”

Elesa went to take a step forward, and promptly fell over, caught at the last minute by Rika.

“Whoof! You’re a lot heavier now~” she giggled. “And I bet the sudden change in height is a little disorientating.”

“A little,” Elesa replied dizzily. “Why do Pokémon make this look easy?”

“It is most likely genetic,” Titania explained once more. “Deep down, we know how our evolved bodies work. But humans grow slowly over several years, not in the span of a few seconds.”

“I’m shocked that human Pokémon could even evolve.” Seth replied. “A couple Professors I know would give anything to experience that. Seeing evolution is one thing, but actually doing it? What was it like?”

“Weird,” Elesa replied. “It didn’t hurt, it felt pretty good actually. But it’s also scary, I can see why some Pokémon don’t like evolving.” She knew that some Pokémon had drastic personality changes when they evolved too, but she still felt like herself. But just to be on the safe side…

“Would you guys mind keeping an eye on me for the next few days? I don’t know if evolving will make me do weird things.” She tried to get up, but all the energy had just left her body, and she sat on the cold cobblestone. “And then there’s that.”

Seth chuckled and knelt down next to her. “Hop on, I’ll carry you home Princess.”

“Such a gentleman,” Elesa giggled, climbing into his back. “It’s a good thing you’re so big.”

Seth grunted as he got back to his paws. “I should send a letter to Professor Juniper and Princess Twilight. I bet they’d be really surprised to hear about this.”

“We’ll do that in the mornin’~” Apple Fritter yawned. “Ah think it’s time fer bed though.”

The group agreed and headed back to Fritter’s home, wondering just what excitements and mysteries tomorrow would bring.

Chapter Ten

It was a little after midnight and Seth found he was unable to sleep. The night was pretty warm and he wondered what summer would be like, if it wasn’t summer already. He was covered in very thick and very warm fur… hot weather was going be a nightmare.

“And I think the strangest things at night,” he muttered into his teacup. He’d written out the letter he wanted to send to Aurea but highly doubted that the post office would be open this late at night. He’d prepared a pot of Fritter’s apple tea and now sat alone on the couch, sipping at it every now and then.

“Equestria… I can still hardly believe that we’re in a whole other world, I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

He sipped at his tea again. “But now that we’re here, what am I supposed to do? No Leagues, no more prejudice against Pokémon/Trainer love… well, no law against it anymore anyway. My goal before I started my ‘crusade’ was to win the League with Ignis and Selene… and now that plan’s pretty much impossible now.”

He sighed as he laid his head on the table. His thoughts wandered to his past, before he left on his journey… how long had it been since he thought about those days?

*~*

A young Seth Crescent sat on his bed, stacks of books piled up around him as he studied one after the other. From math, foreign languages (Kalosian and Kantonese were his favourites), as well as economics and even survival guides.

The sound of someone clearing their throat next to him finally garnered his attention and he looked up to see an older woman standing next to his bed.

“How did I ever guess I’d find you here?” she giggled, earning a deadpan stare from Seth.

“Because I’m always here?” he replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Yes, well…” She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “There’s someone here to meet you… if you want to?”

“Someone wants to adopt me, again?” Seth groaned and closed his book. He stood up and followed the woman into a meeting room. It was a very warm-feeling room, lots of landscape paintings, a comfortable couch and even a mini-fridge!

A young couple sat on the couch, the woman was nervously fiddling with her fingers while the man just placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“We’re back,” The woman with Seth announced. “Sorry to keep the both of you waiting.”

“I-It’s okay, thank you for seeing us Mrs. Haleth,” the nervous-looking woman replied. “And… you must be Seth?”

Seth nodded, he already knew how this conversation was going to go, he’d had gone through it dozens of times by now.

“Look,” he said, taking a breath. “I’m sure you’re wonderful people… but I’m not interested in being adopted. There are a ton of kids here who’d like to be, I’m just not one of them.” He gave the couple a polite bow and left the room before they could reply. The reactions he’d gotten from potential parents in the past had been quite varied, from disappointment to actual anger at being disrespected. He’d seen it all.

About twenty minutes later, Mrs. Haleth, the woman who ran the orphanage came back into Seth’s room, sitting on the end of his bed and sighing.

“Well, they decided to adopt little Alice… so I guess that’s a plus.” Seth just nodded in response, his eyes never leaving his book. A slight smile crossed his face though, happy that someone got a chance at a family life. He liked Alice too, she made him smile.

“So you’re really set on this aren’t you?” Kimberley Haleth said. “You want to find out about your real parents?”

Seth nodded, closing his book. He had been left at the orphanage at only two years old, the whereabouts of his biological parents unknown. His last name, Crescent, came from the blanket that he’d been wrapped in, one covered in stars and a large crescent moon.

“I have my school exams tomorrow, followed by my Pokémon Trainer licence test next week… Once I have that, then maybe I can…?”

Kim nodded, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I know how much you want to find your parents, but you needn’t sacrifice your own happiness.”

“M’not sacrificing anything,” Seth mumbled as Kim hugged him. “I’m happy enough here and soon I’ll get to be a Pokémon Trainer, so I’ll have that too.”

“Well, it’s getting late so pack up your books and I’ll go and get dinner ready,” Kim put him down and walked towards the door. “We’ll have your favourite tonight hmm?” Seth just grunted a response and nodded. Kim closed his door and soon the young boy was left alone… again.

His solitude didn’t last as his door opened and three other boys walked in, the lead one had a wide sneer on his face.

“Well, so the ‘golden boy’ turned down another lot of parents huh?” He kicked a stack of books over, spilling them onto the floor. “What, they weren’t good enough for you?” This had become something of a regular occurrence, some of the kids at the orphanage didn’t like that Seth was a popular adoption candidate, despite the fact that he would always turn them down.

“I didn’t ask to be adopted and at least someone did, so leave me alone.” Seth cringed as the kid booted another stack of books across the room.

“Look at little Mr. Perfect, all the adults wanna adopt him, but he just keeps crying for his Mommy! He’s even Mrs. Haleth’s favourite!” A third stack of books received punishment. “Why don’t you do us all a favour and just LEAVE!”

The three left, leaving Seth to pick up the scattered books. “I plan on it,” he muttered softly.

***

The exams had gone as well as expected, Seth had aced them with flying colours and now at age ten, had a higher school education. He could now take as long as he wanted on his Trainer journey without having to worry about school work.

His good mood suddenly fell when he saw Mrs. Haleth standing outside the orphanage, a concerned expression on her face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, and the woman looked like she was about to cry. She led him to his room to find it completely trashed, most of his books had been torn or utterly destroyed, and lying amongst it all, was his blanket, the one link he had to his parents. It was cut into tiny pieces, beyond any hope of repair.

He tried to be strong, without his parents and with Kim’s attention divided up amongst all the orphan kids, he would often have to rely only on himself… but this, for some reason he just couldn’t stop the tears.

“Why?” he said, his voice hitching. “It’s only a stupid blanket, so why can’t I stop crying?”

Kimberley hugged the child, the one responsible had already been punished… but it would undo what had already been done. “I’m sorry, I should have locked your door, or kept a better eye on them…”

“S’not your fault,” Seth said, sniffing. “I should have told you what they were like…” That answer got a gasp of surprise and a little bit of shock from the woman.

“This-this isn’t the first time?”

“It’s the worst they’ve done,” Seth began to pick up pieces of the blanket, holding the shredded strips of cloth. “But it’s the last time they’ll do something like this because I’m leaving tomorrow. I have no doubt that I’ll pass my Trainer exam and I’ll leave immediately.”

“Seth, please…” Kim looked down at the floor. “You should give it a little thought, put a little more planning into it.”

“I’m only causing you trouble, I’m making the other kids angry as well as potential parents. It’s better for everyone if I just go as soon as possible.”

Seth was as stubborn as a Rhyhorn when he set his mind to something. It was an admirable trait most of the time and Kimberley Haleth knew that changing his mind was impossible. But there was something that she could still do, but she didn’t have much time.

“Just, make sure that you come and see me before you go, okay?”

Seth was silent for a moment, before nodding and made a quiet promise to do so. The two soon began to clean the room together, not a single word was uttered.

***

True to his word, the young boy passed the exam and received his licence to officially train Pokémon and compete in League sanctioned events, such as the Gym challenge and Contests.

The nearby laboratory in Nuvema Town was fair walk from where the orphanage in Striaton City, at least three days. Seth figured that if he travelled during the day, and stuck to main roads then he should be able to avoid wild Pokémon and get there safely.

Despite how he was feeling, he wanted to keep his promise to Mrs. Haleth and after he packed a few trinkets, he headed for her office. When he got there though, not only was she waiting for him, but an elderly gentleman was there as well.

Kim hugged the boy when he entered and spied the Trainer card sticking out of his pocket. “So you passed? Not that I had any doubt.”

“Yup,” Seth nodded, a wide smile on his face. “Though I wouldn’t have without all the tutoring you gave me.”

“You’ll accomplish something great one day… I can feel it.” She motioned towards the man standing next to her desk. “I’d also like to introduce you to someone, he’s an old friend of mine. Seth, say hello to Cedric Juniper.”

“Well, so this is the bright young man you told me about.” Cedric crouched down, looking him in the eye. “You’d be a little younger than my daughter I think, perhaps you might become friends?” Was this man here to adopt him? A last ditch attempt to find a home for him?

“Look, Mr. Juniper, I know you mean well but I’m not looking for a family, I’m looking for my family-” Seth was cut off as Cedric laughed heartily.

“Oh, no. I don’t think I could handle another child, little Junie is a handful as is.” He reached into his pocket and produced some items that Seth had only seen in books and on television, a Pokédex and Pokéballs, three of them to be precise.

“I run the Pokémon Lab in Nuvema Town and Mrs. Haleth here told me that a promising young man would become a Pokémon Trainer today. So I thought that I’d save you a walk and bring your Pokédex and starting Pokémon to you.”

Seth had no idea what to say. This was Professor Juniper!? Why didn’t he make that connection? “Y-you came to give me a Pokémon?”

“Yup!” Kim smiled at Seth’s surprised face. Such an attentive boy was difficult to get the drop on, in fact, the recent birthday parties she’d tried to throw for him had been a total failure.

“Now, I’m a little low on what I had available at the lab, but I’m still able to give you the choice of a Fire, Water or Grass type Pokémon.” He pressed the buttons and released three Pokémon, a Charmander, A Snivy and a Totodile. “So tell me young Seth, which one would you like?”

It was an easy decision as Seth knelt down in front of Charmander, “This one for sure.”

“Hah, a fiery Pokémon for a fiery kid! I should’ve guessed.” He recalled the Pokémon and handed Seth the Pokéball. “He’s a wild one, but has a good sense of honour. Did you want to give him a nickname?”

A nickname? Yeah, he had one in mind. “I think I’ll call him… Ignis!”

“A fine name if ever I heard one,” Cedric said, patting Seth on the head. “And I think Kimmy’s right too, I bet you’ll do something great.”

Kim stepped forward and handed Seth a parcel, he opened it to reveal a backpack and a jacket… as well as a neckerchief with the same pattern as his blanket. When he looked closer he saw it had a patchwork stitch to it. He realised that it was made from the scraps of his blanket.

And once more, he found that he couldn’t stop the tears that flowed down his cheeks. He almost leapt at the woman embracing her in a tight hug.

“Thanks so much… Mom,” That simple little sentence soon had Kim crying along with him. For him to call her that, she knew it was truly something special.

“I mean it,” he added. “You’ve looked after me this whole time, and even when I was acting like a spoiled brat and turning down all those potential homes, you still stuck by my side. Even if I find my real parents, you’ll still be Mom to me.”

“I’d be proud… to call you my son,” she replied happily. “So very, very proud.”

*~*

Seth suddenly awoke with a start, he didn’t even realise that he’d fallen asleep. Groaning as a mild headache from sleeping on the table began to form, he realised that a blanket had been draped over him. He looked towards the couch, where Apple Fritter was nodding in and out of sleep. He smiled and walked over to the mare, prodding her gently with his paw.

“Hey, time for bed don’t you think?”

She looked at him sleepily and nodded, “Sounds like y’all had a nice Mom.” Those words threw him for a loop.

“W-what? How do you know that?”

Fritter smiled, “Y’all talk in yer sleep. Ah didn’t hear the whole story, but it sounds like you loved her a lot.”

Seth closed his eyes and smiled. “Yeah, I reckon I did.” A hopeful thought that she was also brought to Equestria crossed his mind, did Arceus even bring humans that weren’t trainers? “I want to meet her again, to tell her that I’m doing alright.” His gaze wandered back to Apple Fritter as she rummaged around in a washbasket, filled with all sorts of things like towels and aprons. “Uh, Fritter… what are you doing?”

“Ah’m looking, umph, fer sumthin’,” She tossed a few things here and there until she let out a triumphant whistle. In her mouth was a blue piece of cloth, one was a starry pattern and a patchwork stitch.

“Y’all had this around yer neck when I found you. It looked dirty so ah thought ah’d wash it for you…” Seth sat down very suddenly, his legs refusing to work. “But with all that’s happened in the last few days, ah plum forgot to return it to you.”

“That… that’s my…” Apple Fritter walked back over to him, placing the small garment in his paws.

“Is it somethin’ special to you?”

“More special than anything else I ever owned.” He held the neckerchief close to his chest and then pulled a surprised Apple Fritter into a hug. She yelped in surprise, but suddenly looked up when she felt something wet drip onto her coat. Seth had tears streaming down his face as he smiled, “Thank you for returning it.”

She wrapped her forelegs around the big Luxray and nodded, smiling back up at him. “Anytime.”

*~*

Author's Note

So what did everyone this of this one? I know it's a little short, but I really wanted to show some of Seth's history.

I wanted a lot of emotion in this chapter, lots of heartwarming feels and whatnot. I hope I achieved that goal.

Chapter Eleven

Despite having gone to bed only a few hours ago, Seth was already awake and heading into the heart of Canterlot. After the conversation with Apple Fritter last night, all the memories that had been dragged to the surface of his mind left him in a weird place. He didn’t quite know how to feel and so he decided to take an early morning walk to clear his mind.

“Does this city ever sleep?” he wondered aloud as he watched countless ponies, griffons and other species he didn’t recognise go about their business. It was about then that he witnessed something odd, a small group of armoured ponies, presumably royal guard, were gathered around a business. As Seth got closer and he overheard a mare sounding quite furious.

“Who breaks into a store by digging!?” The mare in question had a light pink coat and a purple mane. A simple-looking scarf hung around her neck and the mark on her butt was one of three buttons. Seth made a mental note to ask Fritter what those marks were one day. The poor guard that was on the receiving end of the shouting looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but there.

As Seth walked past, he could see inside the building, which appeared to be a fashion boutique. In the middle of the floor was a large hole, a familiar-looking hole. He walked over to the unicorn guard that the mare was still shouting at. The guy looked quite relieved at Seth’s arrival, he had prayed to Celestia for a distraction.

“Can I help you, sir?” He hoped that the Pokémon he was addressing was male. Seth nodded and motioned to his mouth, indicating that he wanted a translation spell cast on him. The guard nodded and adjusted his glasses as his horn lit up, casting the practiced spell. A few days ago, the Princess had ordered all Unicorn guards to learn the spell until a more permanent solution could be found.

“Ah, much better!” Seth said as the spell took hold. Several times he had tried to talk with other ponies, forgetting that Fritter was the only one that could understand him. “So might I ask what happened here?”

“What happened,” the mare spat in anger. “Is that some rotten little thief broke into my store by digging holes right in the middle of the floor. They made off with every last Bit and jewel in the place. And so now, I have several dozen orders to fill, all of which were paid in advance, with no materials or money to buy more!”

“We’re currently investigating the crime scene and looking for witnesses.” The guard decided it was just best to tune the mare out. “Did you see anything? The estimated time of the robbery was a little after midnight.”

Seth shook his head, “No, I was at home by then…” He walked past the Unicorn and closer to the store. “May I see the hole, I have some sneaking suspicions about it.”

The guard shrugged and nodded, “Sure, if you think you can help.” This was one of the stranger robberies he’d seen. He could understand tunnelling into a bank, but why a boutique?

Seth was allowed inside and once he could see the hole clearly, he nodded. There was no doubt about it now, “This was caused by a Pokémon,” he said. “One that knows a move called Dig.”

“How can you be so sure?” The guard asked.

“I seen the move used dozens of times, the holes are always similar in shape but it’s the size that can vary.” He looked at the hole once more, it was only a few feet in diameter, so it couldn’t have been a large Pokémon like Rhydon or Tyranitar, but still bigger than a Diglett or Durant.

“Hmm, I suppose if I had to hazard a guess, I could name maybe half a dozen or so Pokémon that would make a hole this size.” The guard nodded and pulled out a quill and notepad. Seth rattled of the names and brief descriptions of who he thought the culprit might be. Sandslash, Pupitar, Dugtrio, Excadrill, Gabite… “The problem is that those are only Ground-type Pokémon, but others can learn Dig and there are dozens more that could do this.”

“So we’re back at square one more or less,” the guard frowned and sighed. “Hopefully forensics can turn up some evidence that’ll narrow down the list. Still…” He saluted Seth and smiled.

“You’ve been a big help Mr…?”

“Seth Crescent,” Seth introduced himself.

The guard nodded. “Well thank you Seth for you help in this investigation. Like I always said, there is always a clue… But it looks like you found it. Thank you.” After taking a few more notes, Seth headed off, leaving the poor guy at the mercy of that excessively loud mare once more.

*~*

Once Seth returned home, everyone else was already up and eating breakfast. Fritter was the first to notice him walk in the door.

“Howdy there Seth, enjoy yer walk?” She greeted him, filling a plate with delicious-looking pancakes for him.

“Yeah, I found something to help clear my head.” He walked over to a spare spot on the table and sat down. The one thing about a quadruped race is that there wasn’t a great demand for chairs, instead, the table was low enough that if you sat down at it, the tabletop was a little below Seth’s chest height.

“Clear your head?” Rika scooted over next to him. “Is everything alright?”

“Mmhm,” Seth nodded, his cheeks puffed out as he stuffed his face with syrupy goodness. He swallowed with a loud gulp and smiled softly. “A lot of old memories got dragged up last night and I didn’t sleep very well, so I decided to take a brisk morning walk, that’s all.”

It didn’t sound like much, but Selena and Rika suddenly stopped eating and just stared at him. What on earth had brought all this up? The two Pokémon suddenly looked at Apple Fritter, who was serving up another pancake stack.

“What… what did the two of you talk about last night?” Selena’s words were slow and calm, but there was enough tension in there to tie up a Steelix.

“Not much,” Fritter replied. “He jus’ told me ‘bout his family is all, after I heard him talkin’ in his sleep.” Rika and Selena could hardly believe their ears. Seth actually told her about that? He never told anyone about that. Rika suddenly gasped when she saw what was wrapped around Seth’s leg, his old scarf.

“Yeah, Fritter said I had it when she found me, but I don’t remember. She washed it and gave it back to me last night.” Seth looked at the scarf fondly for a moment before tucking into his breakfast.

Once everyone was done, Seth decided to head for the Post Office, he wanted to get that letter sent off to Ponyville as quickly as possible. From what he heard, Princess Twilight didn’t spend a great deal of time at home lately.

“Hey Seth, can I come with you?” Rika asked hopefully and grinned ecstatically when he nodded.
He fetched his bags that held the letter, some lunch for later and a map of Canterlot.

“So what about the rest of you, any plans?” Seth asked as he finished getting ready.

“Well I should go and see Rising Star, he’ll want to know why I look completely different.” She took a step forward and fell flat on her face with a loud thump. “Oww, now I need to get used to suddenly being taller.”

“I know those feels,” Seth cringed as he recalled the sheer amount of time it took just to get used to walking on four legs. And he still tripped every now and then. “What about you Selly, wanna tag along as well?”

“Hmm, no…” Selena sighed. The subtle glare from Rika was enough to tell the Absol that that would be a bad idea. “Perhaps I’ll just stay home and read. I haven’t had any time to really relax since this whole trans-dimensional shift happened.” She punctuated that last part with a wave of her paws.

“Alright then, and what about you Titania?” Seth said tentatively. He still had reservations about that Pokémon, but Rika seemed able to keep her in line.

“That’s Lady Titania to you peasant, and no I think I shall search for my comrades again. I can’t be the only one to wind up here in Canterlot.” She really hoped she wasn’t, she needed to be saved from these savages.

“Suit yourself,” Seth shrugged. “Shall we get going Rika?”

“Yup!”

*~*

Rika was enjoying herself immensely as she strolled through the streets of Canterlot with her trainer. It reminded her of the days that they’d just walk around Nimbasa or Castelia, just for the sake of because they could. She snuck a peek when she figured Seth wasn’t looking, ogling at the powerful muscles in his legs that stretched and ripped with each step he took. The sleek black fur that ran along his body, and his round, fluffy ears that twitched on occasion.

Seth failed to notice the blatant ogling as he turned the corner and into the post office. It was still early and the place didn’t have many ponies in it so far, but the ones that were here offered a confused stare at the two Pokémon.

“Pft, anyone would think that they’d never seen Pokémon post a letter before,” Rika snipped and Seth shook his head.

“They probably haven’t,” Seth chuckled. He walked up to the front desk and placed the letter he had written to Twilight and Juniper on it. Deciding that it was better safe than sorry, he opened it and checked over it one last time.

To Professor Aurea Juniper and Princess Twilight Sparkle

This is Seth Crescent, we met the other day after the party in Ponyville. Firstly, I hope that this letter finds you both well. I hope we Pokémon aren’t causing you too much trouble~

I have sent this letter because something happened last night that I didn’t think was possible. I know Aurea will know her, but my friend, Elesa, well…

She evolved!

(What I would give to see your faces now)

But yes, she has evolved from a Flaaffy to an Ampharos. I wasn’t entirely sure if Pokémon could evolve here in Equestria, much less if former humans could do so. But after she put on an amazing concert with a pony by the name of Rising Star, she evolved into an Ampharos.

It was spectacular and Elesa was probably the most surprised out of all of us. She described the process as one of the most terrifying yet, amazing things she’s ever felt.

Too bad I’m already fully evolved and have no Mega Evolution… I wanna know what it’s like for myself.

Well, I suppose that’s enough of my prattling, I just thought that you’d want to know.

Yours sincerely

Seth Crescent.

“Okay, that looks good.” He folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope, a task that was quite difficult with paws, and pushed it towards the clerk.

“Good morning!” Seth greeted with a chipper tone. “Could I please have this delivered to Golden Oaks Library in Ponyville?”

“Uh, o-of course,” The mare took the letter and gave it the once over before waving small gem over it. Giving a satisfied nod she looked back to Seth, “Would you like it sent express? Or standard?”

“Express please,” Seth replied. “And what was the gem for?”

“This?” She held up the small gem she had waved over the letter. “It’s standard issue since the failed Changeling invasion. This is a gem that detects dark magic that can be enchanted onto scrolls and letters. If it detects such magic, then it glows.”

“Like swabbing for drugs or explosives,” Seth muttered. “That’s cool.”

The mailmare nodded once more and stamped the letter with a ‘Priority’ mark. “Okay, that will be sent later today by Express Pegasus and should arrive this evening.” She pressed a few buttons on the cash register in front of her, “One small envelope with express delivery… it should come to 30 Bits… buuuut, since your our very first Pokémon customer, 15 should cover it!”

“Why thank you,” Seth said as Rika pulled out the pouch of money Fritter had given them and handed the money over. The mailmare thanked them once more and the two Pokémon headed out of the post office and into the bright sunlight.

“Well, what do you suppose we do now?” Rika said. “That didn’t take very long, and I don’t feel like moping around the house with Selene.”

“Speaking of her, do you know why she’s been quiet lately? She’s normally pretty chipper.” Seth gave the fairy a puzzled look when she giggled and nodded her head.

“It’s obvious silly, you know why-” Rika trailed off when Seth’s puzzled expression remained and she gasped. “Seriously? You don’t know!?”

“Well perhaps if someone would stop beating around the bush and tell me,” Seth growled.

“Because of Ignis, that’s why.” Rika stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Well, I suppose. Ignis leaving sucked, but he said he’d come back.” Seth scratched his head.

“Yeah, but it’s because-” Rika suddenly squeaked and zipped her lips. She almost blurted out a secret that would probably cause her untimely demise if Selene found out. “Yeah, she’s just bummed out. That’s all!”

Seth gave her a dubious look and sighed, he probably wasn’t going to get it out of her. “Well, whatever.” His stomach rumbled loudly and he grinned. “Wanna grab an early lunch?”

Rika’s eyes lit up as her brain processed that last part. Rika, plus Seth, and they were alone…

He was asking her ON A DATE!?

“YES!” Rika suddenly said a little too loudly, causing several nearby ponies to turn and look. “Um, yeah… sound cool.”

Seth just laughed again and they headed off to find a restaurant.

*~*

“And so Fritter decided to use my breakfast idea,” Rika explained as they sat at a modest-looking café near Main Street. “Turns out that these ponies really like oatmeal.”

“Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, that does sound nice,” Seth said wistfully. They were still waiting on their order and his stomach rumbled loudly, causing a few patrons of the café to give worried glances at the large Pokémon. Those worried glances turned into full-blown panic when he yawned and revealed rows of razor sharp teeth.

The waiter had heard a clatter from outside and when he took a look, he saw that the two Pokémon were the only ones sitting there, everypony had seemingly disappeared in quite a hurry.

“Ce qui s'est passé?” The waited just blinked at the recently cleared café. Looks like a lot of orders would have to be cancelled, he simply sighed and headed back into the kitchen.

Soon enough, Seth and Rika’s orders arrived and the Luxray wasted no time in chowing down on his toasted sandwiches. Rika watched as he practically inhaled the food, while she took more delicate bites.

“Geez Seth, you weren’t kidding when you said you were hungry,” Rika said as he finished with a loud belch.

Seth blushed slightly as he took a gulp of his water. “Sorry about that, but ever since I became a Pokémon, I’ve been hungry a lot more.”

“Comes with the territory,” Rika replied, remembering the feasts they would have when Seth won a particularly tough battle or Contest. “You’re still training with Zebby right? Well using a lot of attacks can really take it out of you, and the best way to recharge all that lost energy is to eat.”

“That explains it,” Seth replied, ordering another plate of sandwiches.

About half an hour later, the two Pokémon finished and decided to walk off lunch by taking a look around town, more specifically, the entertainment district. Being a winner of multiple Contests, Rika had an affinity for the theatre and performing. They’d even tried the Pokémon Musical in Nimbasa a few times and had even met Yancy and Curtis, two famous stars in the Unova Region.

“Is it just me?” Rika asked, looking around at the theatres and movie cinemas, “Or is Equestria’s technology a bit all over the place?”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed it too, especially when we went to Ponyville,” Seth agreed. “They have technology that should be considered archaic, yet still widely used, like scrolls steam trains. Right next to places like Hospitals that have what we would consider ‘modern’ tech.”

“Magic,’ Rika simply said as she watched a Unicorn put up a poster with levitation magic. “I bet that’s the reason.”

“Maybe… but Pokémon abilities are sort of similar, yet our technology is decades maybe centuries ahead of what Equestria has. “I’m not really complaining, but damn I miss my XTransceiver and Pokédex.”

Rika chuckled and Seth joined in, until they heard a whistling sound and what appeared to be someone yelling from a distance.

“Look out beloowwwWWW!!” Seth didn’t even have time to react as a blue blur slammed into him like a bullet, lifted the large cat off of the ground and sent him tumbling down the street until they collided with a mailbox with a loud crash.

Rika ran over to Seth, only to find the Luxray sprawled out on is back, his eyes swirling. What was more surprising was the Swellow laying on his chest, looking equally as dazed.

“But Mommy, I dun wanna go to school~” Seth twitched.

“Lookit me, Imma pretty birdy~” The Swellow giggled.

“Oh for the love of Arceus,” Rika sighed. “What next?”

There was movement behind her as two more Pokémon made their presence known. Rika could have sworn they weren’t there a second ago. A pair of Gardevoir stood behind her, one of them was a variant colouration, or ‘shiny’ as the humans had labelled them. The shiny Gardevoir wore a simple white scarf and a round pair of sunglasses, whilst the other one had a gold necklace.

“That looked like a nasty spill,” the shiny one said. “May we assist you?”

Rika nodded and the green one stepped forward, a pink, pulsing light emanating from her hands as the Heal Pulse washed over Seth and the Swellow. Seth blinked and suddenly jumped to his feet, wondering why he was on the ground in the first place.

“Um, thank you,” Rika said and the shiny Gardevoir just smiled and gave a polite nod.

“It was our pleasure, take care dear,” and with that simple sentence, the two Psychic-types teleported off, leaving a dazed and confused Seth and an equally as confused Rika.

“Normal, why can’t our days ever be normal?” Rika complained as she lifted the Swellow up.

“Okay Miss Crashy Bird, can you explain why you just dive-bombed my beloved?”

“Huh? Wha?” Seth shook his head and rubbed his ears. “You say something Rika?”

“I wanna know why she just slammed you with a Brave Bird attack,” Rika steamed as she shook the poor Swallow Pokémon. “C’mon, wake up!”

“Uwa-wa-wa-wa,” The bird stammered as she was shaken. “I-I-I didn’t mean iittt~”

“Rika, you’re gonna give her brain damage,” Seth scolded, getting the fairy to put her victim down. “Okay, what the hell just happened? My head feels like an angry Beedrill’s nest.”

“Well for starters,” Rika snipped. “Captain Crash-A-Lot here ploughed into with a Brave Bird attack, thank Arceus you have Flying resistance… And after that, two Gardevoir appeared and healed the both of you. They’re gone now.”

“I…see.” Seth shook his head and turned to the dazed Swellow, “Are you alright Miss? It seemed that that fall was… unintentional.”

“Ye~ah…” The Swellow nodded, and quickly decided that was a bad idea. “Sorry, not used to having real wings.”

“Real wings?” Seth’s eyes widened. “You used to be human too?”

The Swellow nodded, more slowly and carefully this time. “Yes, yes I did.” She pulled out a small blue, flower-shaped ribbon and attached it to some feathers on her head. “My name is Skyla, nice to meet you.”

There was an awkward silence as a distant Kricketune chirped. “Um, I think this is the part where you guys introduce yourselves?” Skyla said.

“Is-Is it really you Skyla?” Seth asked, earning another nod from the bird and she winced again. She suddenly yelped as Rika and Seth scooped her up into a group hug. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay!”

“W-what the? Who are you?” Skyla squawked.

Seth suddenly realised that she wouldn’t recognise him. He put the bird down and coughed, “Oh, right. Um, it’s me Seth Crescent.”

Skyla blinked as that piece of information sunk in. “Sethy?” She looked over the large and adorably fluffy Luxray, and a rather familiar Sylveon. “And you must be Rika then?” She suddenly squealed with delight and wrapped the two of them up in a feathery hug. “OhmigoshOhmigoshOhmigoshOhmigosh! I’ve been trying to find someone I know for days!”

“Heh, well I guess you found some… oh, and Elle’s with me too!”

Skyla suddenly gasped loudly, making her feathery chest puff up. “ELESA!? YOU FOUND ELLY!?!?”

“Ahh, not so loud,” Seth cringed. “But yeah, not too long after we arrived actually. Wanna go and find her?”

Skyla nodded vigorously, her headache all but forgotten.

*~*

“Well this was certainly… different.” Titania said dryly as she visited Apple Fritter for a small break for lunch.

Apple Fritter laughed as she handed the fairy Pokémon a fritter. “And can I ask what you were expecting?”

“Certainly not a full musical number!” Titania exclaimed. “And it’s not the first time either. Ever since I woke up in this city, you ponies seem to sing about anything at the drop of a hat.”

“Yeeahh, we do seem to do that a lot,” Fritter admitted. “But don’t lie, I saw your head bobbing a few times~”

“Because I was trying to stay awake!” Titania snapped, her cheeks turning a little pink. “Honestly, why did I think this was a good idea?”

“You don’t have to stay,” Fritter said. “If you’re bored that is.”

Titania sighed and shook her head. “No, it’s alright. I still have had no luck finding my comrades, I am beginning to think I am the only one in the city.”

“Well, I know Seth’s family got separated with quite some distance in between them. If they’re not here in Canterlot, then they will definitely be somewhere else, safe and sound.”

“I am not concerned for their safety, my comrades can take care of themselves!” Titania scoffed.
“Though, I am curious as to what Pokémon my fearless leader has become.”

“Well I’m sure you’ll find them eventually,” Fritter finished the last of her lunch and got to her hooves. “Well, I got hungry ponies to feed, let’s get to work Miss Titania?”

“That’s Lady Titania,” The proud fairy snipped and Fritter chuckled as she turned to greet her next customer with a wide smile.

*~*

Seth, Rika and Skyla were heading back to Fritter’s house, swapping stories of their time in Equestria while they walked.

“So you wound up in a forest somewhere?” Seth asked, “That must have sucked.”

“Yeah, at least you woke up somewhere civilised,” Skyla replied. “But at least my team was with me, so it wasn’t so bad.”

“Speaking of them, where are your Pokémon?” Rika asked. “I don’t see them anywhere.”

“Oh? They’re living in the park right now. Swanna seems to have taken a liking to the huge pond there and Unfezant and Swoobat like the area enough.” Apparently, it’s where all four Flying-types had been living until now.

“I’m surprised that Seth’s training went unnoticed,” Rika said offhand. Skyla paused and looked down at the Luxray she was currently perched on.

“That was you!?” She said. “Oh man, the ponies that take care of that park are pissed!”

“Okay, okay, so I fired a few trees.” Seth sighed and suddenly winced as Rika pounced on his back as well, draped across him. “Rika… what are you doing?”

“Whaaat? Sky gets to have a Luxxy-back ride, I want one too~”

Seth sighed again, but didn’t bother complaining. The two of them weren’t all that heavy and soon the two giggling girls were perched comfortably on his back. They continued their trek, earning a few glances from the ponies they passed, and perhaps a few jealous ones from the little colts and fillies that wanted a ride.

A sudden, shrill scream broke the silence as a brown, spiky ball raced past them, a fancy dressed noble yelling at it.

“That-That THING stole my purse!” She screamed, throwing a horseshoe at it, missing spectacularly and beaning a waiter at a nearby café in the head. Skyla took off after it and Seth and Rika soon followed, but whatever they were chasing was fast and turned to a narrow alley, the three Pokémon following behind it.

“Any idea what we’re chasing… or why we’re chasing it?” Rika yelled out.

Seth didn’t answer as they turned into the alley, and saw a Sandslash tunnelling into the ground, trying to get away. An expensive-looking purse was slung over its shoulder.

“Rika! Use Hyper Voice!” Seth commanded. The fairy nodded and opened her mouth, sending the concussive blast down the alley, rattling bricks and cobblestones as it travelled towards the Sandslash. The Pokémon stopped digging and suddenly swept it claws upwards, send a Sandstorm attack to counter it. The two attacks collided and exploded, blanketing the alley with a cloud of sand and dust.

Rika coughed as Skyla flapped hard, flying upwards to escape. Seth squinted and then blinked as he realised that he could see right through the cloud as still see the Sandslash. Oh, Luxray’s had that x-ray vision thingy didn’t they?

“Priorities, thieving Pokémon first, then cool x-ray vision later!” Seth leapt through the dust and latched onto the Sandslash’s arm, tearing the strap of the purse as it fell to the ground. Seth’s grip suddenly weakened when he locked eyes with the Pokémon. The Sandslash’s eyes had a glazed, glossy look, and held no emotion whatsoever.

“Seth!” Rika called from the other side of the cloud. The Sandslash’s eyes seemed to gleam for a split second before he tore his arm free and escaped underground. The dust cloud cleared and Skyla landed next to Seth as Rika walked up to his other side.

“Okay… that was weird,” Rika said as she picked up the purse. “Why the hell did that Sandslash steal a bag?”

Seth thought back to this morning, and the burgled shop that he came across. “I don’t know, but I think that this isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last…”

*~*

A stallion sat on plush couch, a roaring fireplace behind him as he sipped his wine. A sudden thump signalled the return of his newest ‘recruit’.

He sighed when he saw that the Pokémon was empty-clawed however.

“So… I take it that you failed, a simple purse-snatching was beyond your capabilities?”

The Sandslash walked closer and reached into the quills on his back, producing some Bits and gems. “I took the contents before I escaped,” he replied, his voice was monotone.

“Well, it’s better than nothing I suppose,” The stallion said with a hint of annoyance, picking up the gems in a pink aura. “We have another target tonight, do you think you can possibly not fail this one?”

“Yes Master,” The Sandslash simply said.

“One last question… why did you fail?”

“Some Pokémon interfered, but I escaped.”

“Get in the pen with the others!” The Sandslash nodded and headed past the stallion, walking towards a large enclosure that held about a dozen Pokémon, all sitting perfectly still and remaining completely silent.

A Malamar floated next to the stallion, moving the stolen goods into a larger pile. It turned towards the enclosure and raised its tentacles, its eyes glowing with an ominous light as all the Pokémon in it fell asleep.

“So some of these monsters want to get in my way hmm?” The stallion sipped at his wine again. “Perhaps I should do something about this.”

Author's Note

Ausbrony - Sorry this took so long, I've been a bit uninspired lately and had a massive case of writer's block. Well regardless, I hope you all enjoyed this latest installment. A threat has reared its face, but as to how big it will be? Only time will tell.

Zeus’ Note- This just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser, can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

tdnpony’s Note- This got interesting fast. What karmic fate will befall this new sucker of a pony.

Bubba Was Here

Chapter Twelve

Control was a simple stallion. He had a taste for the finer things in life and he knew how to get them. Sure, his job was difficult at the best of times and there were times when the payoff wasn’t worth the effort to obtain it in the first place.

But then these wonderful creatures called Pokémon arrived and a whole new world of possibilities opened up to him. These creatures were strong, resourceful and most importantly… easy to manipulate.

A little Persuasion spell here, a small Memory Replacer there and these poor saps would steal anything his heart and whims desired. And best of all, he had a partner Pokémon that thought just like him. A creature by the name of Malamar, he could also control other Pokémon through psychic hypnosis.

Now, he had Pokémon that could fly, dig, teleport and even turn invisible! In a mere week, he had amassed a fortune thrice the size of one that took several months to ‘collect’.

Control stretched out onto his couch, smiling broadly. Things were certainly looking up!

*~*

As Elesa returned home, she smiled as she remembered the talk with Rising Star. He had been very surprised at first, that the same little sheep he had given a chance yesterday now looked completely different. He’d also asked her something, something that might make the others upset…

She let herself in, only to find Selena sitting alone on the couch reading a book.

Elesa looked around, but she did see or hear anyone else. “Where is everyone?”

Selena shrugged, not bothering to look up from her book. “Beats me, I know that Fritter’s at work, but I don’t know where everyone else is.” The Dark-type stretched and groaned at the stiffness in her legs. “How’d it go with Rising Star?”

“It went well, the look on his face was pretty funny,” Elesa giggled. “He had a business proposition for me actually.”

This perked Selena’s attention. “A business proposition? What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll tell everyone once they get home,” Elesa waved a paw and smiled. “Are you hungry? I’ll fix us some lunch.” Selena frowned and nodded, just what was the Gym Leader hiding?

*~*

Skyla flew high above Seth and Rika, apparently never having grown tired of having wings of her own. Seth didn’t pay much attention though, the memory of that Sandslash was weighing down on him.

“Why would a Pokémon resort to purse-snatching?” Rika wondered aloud. “Do you think it was a former human?” What had unsettled Rika the most was that she had a feeling that she knew that Sandslash from somewhere, she just couldn’t place a paw on where.

Seth frowned as she stared at the sky. “I don’t know, something seemed off about him.” All he could think about was the dead look in his eyes, and that brief flicker of light right before he had fled. Just what in the hell was going on around here?

It was a little around noon when they got home, and as Seth walked up to the door, he could smell something nice wafting from within it. Was someone cooking? He nudged open the door and walked in, hearing someone humming away in the kitchen. Selena was still lying on the couch, reading her book, looking up once Seth stepped through the door.

“Hey there,” she greeted him. “Have a good morning?”

“Well, I have good and bad news,” Seth replied, placing his bag on the floor next to the door. “It was certainly busy though.”

Selena tilted her head and blinked. “It seems that everyone’s had a crazy morning… well, except for me.” She stretched and sighed as her bones gave a satisfying crack. “Elesa’s in the kitchen preparing some lunch-” At the drop of Elesa’s name, a Swellow that was perched on Seth’s back suddenly flared up her wings.

“ELLY!?” Seth motioned towards the kitchen and Skyla shot off like a bullet. Selena just looked even more confused as Seth, Rika and Selena sat there as the crazed bird flew into the kitchen.

There was the sound of a plate breaking as Elesa fired off a few choice profanities, followed by a moment of silence and then three Pokémon plugged their ears as high pitched shrieks of joy emanated from the kitchen.

The noise eventually died down as Elesa waddled back into the living room, a crying Swellow latched around her waist.

“I can’t believe you guys found Sky!” Elesa said, wiping tears from her eyes.

“More like she found us,” Seth winced, the Brave Bird attack he received still ached slightly.

“Regardless, I’m glad that we’re all together again.” Elesa pried Skyla from her and placed her on the table. “Have you found all your Pokémon Sky?”

Skyla nodded, “I woke up with my whole team next to me, why?” She glanced as Elesa and Seth dipped their heads. “Did you guys… not?”

Elesa nodded, “Yeah, I still haven’t found Tynamo, and Seth is missing a Pokémon he caught not too long before all of this happened.”

“Oh man, that sucks.” Skyla looked at them apologetically. “I wish I could help out… hmm, maybe I can. I’ll get my guys to fly around, see if they spot them anywhere.” She looked at the Luxray, “What was the Pokémon you were missing?”

“A Sandshrew named Heath.” That caused Skyla to gasp and Selena narrowed her eyes.

“You said you had good and bad news,” The Absol quoted him from earlier. “And I’m guessing that Skyla was the good news?”

“Yeah, the bad news is that some Pokémon around town seem to be stealing from ponies… and one of them is a Sandslash.” Seth really hoped it wasn’t what he was thinking.

“And you think it might be Heath?” Selena pondered on this for a moment. The ground type was still missing and none of Seth’s family had known him very well. So the idea wasn’t totally impossible… but still, a Pokémon wouldn’t do something like that for no reason. Meowth and Murkrow would often steal shiny objects, but that was in their nature.

She looked Seth and even though he was of a different species now, he still wore the same expression whenever he was lost in deep thought.

“You’re thinking that a human or a pony might be behind it?” Selena asked and Seth nodded in response.

“That’s one theory, the other is that the Sandslash itself is a former human… but for a brief moment when we were fighting, I could swear that he recognised me… if only for a second.” What Seth needed right now was more information. Ever since this morning, the robbery that he’d helped investigat lingered on the forefront of his mind. “We didn’t stick around afterwards, but perhaps I should go and see the Guard I met today… I think his name was Grissom?”

Selena’s expression shifted, this time to one that was a mix of worry and annoyance. “Seth? Please tell me you don’t plan on playing detective? You do remember what happened last time you did that?”

Seth remembered, it had caused his team a great deal of trouble and had pissed off the Rangers a great deal. But this time was different, and the Guard wouldn’t know how to deal with a Pokémon threat.

“This won’t be like last time, but I do need more information first.” He rummaged around in his bag until he found what he was looking for, a piece of paper with a name on it. “Officer Grissom, head of Forensics for the Canterlot Guard. He said if I knew anything else, I was to go to the castle and inform him.”

Selena sighed, but nodded regardless. Seth was as adamant as you could get and he wasn’t going to change his mind about this. “Alright, but I’m sticking with you on this one. The last thing we need is for you to get into trouble… again!”

“Thanks Selly… besides, what could go wrong?”

Everyone else present just groaned and applied their appendages to their faces.

*~*

Upon deciding to head to the palace, the group bumped into Fritter and Titania on the way, the latter deciding to accompany them as well. After returning home to drop off the cart, the large group once again headed for the palace.

“Sound like y’all had an interesting day,” Fritter chuckled. “Ah’ll tell ya, mah life has gotten a lot more interesting since y’all showed up.”

Skyla tilted her head and suddenly hopped from Seth’s back and onto Fritter’s, the mare letting out a surprised yelp as the birds’ talons pinched her skin.

“Ah, sorry about that,” Skyla apologised. “But I want to ask you a question.”

Fritter frowned, wincing at the sudden shock. “Well alright, shoot.”

“How come you accent changes? First you have this adorable Southern accent, then you seem to shift into a fancier one when anyone other than us are around.”

Fritter nodded, “It’s cause the ponies in this city won’t buy from a ‘country hick’ as they put it.”

She shifted into her Canterlot tone. “It wasn’t difficult to learn, and now I can shift between them pretty easily.”

“It sucks that you have to do that,” Skyla remarked.

Seth agreed. “Yeah, I think her accent is much better.” Fritter blushed and smiled softly.

“Well, it’s only while ah’m at work, so ah think of it as jus’ part of the job.” She smiled more widely. “And thank you fer sayin so. Ah appreciate it.”

It wasn’t long before the group reached the castle and the Pokémon just looked at it with a sense of wonder. Titania had been in this general area before while searching for her team, but had never been inside the castle. Seth was drooling, wondering how the castle just sat on the mountainside like that.

Skyla watched Seth and giggled. “So I see he hasn’t lost his love for architecture then?”

“Nope,” Rika responded. “You should have seen him when we went to Ponyville. He practically foamed at the mouth when we went to the tree library.”

“It’s a library inside a tree! How is that not awesome?” Seth huffed. “Everything about this world is awesome so far!”

The group shared another laugh as they crossed the massive drawbridge and headed towards the castle gate. A pair of stoic-looking Solar Guard, one Pegasus and a Unicorn, looked towards them, crossing their spears together to block the entrance.

“Halt! State your business!”

Rika puffed herself up as was about to yell at them for their rudeness but Seth placed a paw on her shoulder.

“They’re just doing their job, let me handle this okay?” He stepped forward, placing himself between the guards and the rest of the group. “My name is Seth Crescent, I’m here to see a guard by the name of Grissom.”

The guards blinked for a moment, not used to having Pokémon approach that weren’t here to see the Princesses or that Arceus god of theirs. The horn lit up on the Unicorn guard and after a moment, he nodded.

“Very well, but the castle is in a state of high security for an upcoming Summit. I’m afraid I cannot permit all of you to enter.”

Seth nodded and smiled. “That’s alright. Fritter, would you mind accompanying me?”
Fritter nodded, but she was a bit confused as to why he picked her. “Well alright, but why me?”

“As the gentlemen here just stated, the castle is on high alert so having a pony with me might be the best choice,” Seth explained. “Otherwise I might be explaining myself to everypony that I come across.”

Selena nodded, that was probably the most sensible idea. “Alright, we’ll wait here. But try not to keep us waiting too long, hmm?”

“No worries, I just have to pass along some information.” Seth turned to the guards, Apple Fritter at his side. “Well gentlemen, could please tell me where I can find Mr, Grissom?”

On that cue, an elderly-looking Unicorn stallion wearing glasses and a snazzy red waistcoat emerged from the castle. He approached Seth and offered a friendly smile.

“Good afternoon, my name is Kibitz, I’ll be your guide to the castle today.”

“A pleasure to meet you Mr. Kibitz,” Seth replied, offering a polite nod of his head. “I am Seth Crescent, here to see a Mr. Grissom.”

“Ah, that fellow.” Kibitz’s voice had a tone of slight amusement. “He’s a bit of an odd fellow, but very good at his job. Come along, I shall show you to his office.”

As they walked through the castle, Kibitz explained that he was in charge of the day to day schedules of the Princesses, and that job alone kept him immensely busy. But after the arrival of the Pokémon, and with all of Equus thrown into chaos, Princess Celestia had given the stallion a well-deserved rest, but he still helped out around the castle, insisting that the place would fall apart otherwise.

“Well here we are,” Kibitz announced, stopping in front of a wooden door. “I shall wait until your business is concluded and escort you back out again.”

“Thank you,” Seth responded. He knocked on the door and a muffled voice inside replied for him to enter. Seth nudged the door open and both he and Fritter entered the room, gasping slightly at what they saw. It was organised chaos, with dozens of displays filled with insects of all kinds. Reference books were piled high and there was a refrigerator filled with rather questionable-looking objects. The pony that Seth had met before sat behind a large desk, which was also stacked with all sorts of books, scrolls and a map of Canterlot that had various locations marked off.

“Ah, the Pokémon I met this morning, Mr. Seth Crescent was it?”

“That’s right,” Seth nodded. “And this is my friend, Apple Fritter.”

Grissom nodded, smiling at Fritter. “Ah, Miss Fritter. I do so enjoy your apple cinnamon tea. But if I may ask, why are the two of you here? I get the feeling that this isn’t a social visit.”

Seth sat down on the floor, still tall enough to look over the desk. “Unfortunately you are right. I… discovered a lead to that theft case of yours.”

“Oh?” Gris pulled out his notepad and pen. “And what might that be?”

“A little around noon today, myself and one of my Pokémon witnessed a purse-snatching in the Theatre District. The culprit was a Sandslash, a Ground type Pokémon. We weren’t able to capture him though, he tunnelled away.”

“I see,” Grissom wrote that down. “And you believe that it might be the same Pokémon from this morning?”

Seth nodded, “Yeah, it’s just too much of a coincidence… but, there’s something strange about it that’s bothering me.”

Grissom glanced up from his notepad, taking a look at Seth’s worried expression. “Something strange?”

“That Sandslash, he didn’t look… I’m not sure how to put it, but he didn’t look right. His eyes had an odd, glassy look to them.” Seth sighed as he rubbed his temples. “Well that, and a Pokémon just doesn’t commit crimes like that. No Pokémon is inherently bad, they have to be trained to do something like steal material objects. If they were stealing food, then I’d chalk it up to instincts…”

“But you think somepony is telling it to steal?” Grissom finished the sentence and Seth nodded.

Grissom tapped his chin as he thought. “Well, I have a few theories, but none of them are pretty.” He pointed to the map on the table. “The robbery this morning wasn’t the first one. In the last week, several other high-profile stores and residences have been hit. And everything that has been stolen is something that can be easily resold on the black market. Whoever is doing this is in it for the money… but it’s his methods that are still unclear.”

A frown crossed the stallions face as he looked over the map. “As I said before, I have a few suspects in mind, but without evidence, we can’t act.” He gave a small nod, like he was agreeing with himself. “Okay then, I have formal request. I would like it if you could lend your assistance.” Seeing the confused look on Seth’s face, Grissom decided to elaborate.

“Currently, we have no Pokémon in the Guard...aside from that sword Pokemon, Aegislash, but it always stays close to the Princess, and generally acts more like a personal bodyguard than an actual member of the Royal Guard, so...investigating what appears to be a Pokémon problem could be… problematic. But you, you seem like an intelligent fellow. So my question is this.” Grissom extended his hoof. “Would you be willing to lend us your aid?”

Seth thought for a moment. He could see the point Grissom was trying to make, a pony running around asking questions to other Pokémon could raise some alarm bells with whomever is in charge. But if another Pokémon were to investigate…

“That seems like the most logical conclusion.” Seth took Grissom’s hoof and shook it. “I’ll help out any way I can.”

“Then I thank you,” Grissom replied. “We’ll keep going from our end here, so just drop by if you discover anything else.”

“Will do, good luck on your end.”

With that, Fritter and Seth left the castle, Kibitz escorting them out just as he said. Selena, Rika, Elesa, Skyla and the other Pokémon were all waiting for them, but Selena and Rika looked much more impatient than the rest.

“Took you long enough!” Selena said as they emerged, Seth just chuckled.

“Calm down Selly, we weren’t gone that long. Oh, and it looks like I have a temporary job by the sounds of it.”

“But are you sure you’ll be alright?” Apple Fritter spoke up for the first time in a while. “Ah think this might be a bit dangerous.”

“Yeah, it might be… but I don’t want ponies thinking that Pokémon are nothing but thieves and a danger that they don’t want around.” Whoever this bastard was, he chose the wrong city to do it in.

“Um,” Elesa suddenly spoke up, getting everyone’s attention. “I just wanted tell you all something, while we’re on the topic of jobs.”

“Hm? Did that Rising Star guy not want you back?” Seth asked.

“N-No, it’s not that… quite the opposite really.” Elesa looked towards the setting sun and sighed softly. “He wants to take me to meet a friend of his, some DJ in Manehatten to work on making a record.”

Seth’s eyes widened as a broad smile crossed his face. “Whoa! That’s totally awesome Elle!”
“Yeah, who’d have thought you’d be popular again,” Rika smirked. “But seriously, that’s pretty cool.”

“That’s my Elly~” Skyla giggled, wrapping her friend up in a feathery hug.

But Seth’s smile faded when he noticed that Elesa wasn’t sharing everyone’s enthusiasm.
“Elle, when do you have to leave?”

Elesa sighed, hiding anything from Seth was almost impossible. “In about an hour actually. Rising wants to take the next possible train as his friend in kinda flighty, so there’s a chance we’ll miss her if we leave it for too long.”

The joyous feelings of everyone present suddenly evaporated. Selena frowned as she put two and two together. “That was the bad news you had at lunch, wasn’t it?”

Elesa nodded, looking down at the ground. Seth took a breath and then put his smile back on.
“Well, I think it’s a great opportunity.” Everyone turned to look at the Luxray like he’d grown a second head. “Well I’m right, aren’t I? I think this is something you should do. Besides, it’s not like you’re going away forever. We’ll see each other again soon enough.”

After mulling over it for a bit, Elesa wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded. “Yeah, this is something I want to do. You sure you’re okay with me just taking off like this?”

“Pft, It’s not like you need my permission to do anything.” Seth reached up and bopped her on the nose. “Just make sure you write okay?”

“Yeah, and you try and stay out of trouble, I know how much you seem to like getting into it.”
“Hey!” Seth replied with an indignant huff. “I’ll have you know that trouble finds me, I have nothing to do with it.”

The two old friends shared a laugh and the walk to the train station was filled with conversations of the past, tales of adventures and just everyday life. But it ended all too quickly was they reached the station, Rising Star and his entourage were already waiting.

“Glad you could make it Elesa!” Rising greeted her. “I’m sorry that we have to leave so quickly though, Vinyl is nothing if unpredictable.”

“It’s alright Star, just let me say goodbye to my friends okay?” The Unicorn nodded and boarded the train, leaving Elesa to say her farewells.

“Don’t party too hard,” Rika laughed. “You’ll need all that partying mojo for when you get back.”

“Stay safe,” Selena simply said, but gave the Ampharos a hug.

“An’ remember, y’all are welcome back at my home any time!” Apple Fritter added. “Yer family now, that’ll never change.”

Elesa nodded, tears gleaming in the corners of her eyes. She got to Seth, who didn’t say anything, but smiled gently when she hugged him. His expression suddenly changed to one of shock when she lowered her head and lightly pressed her lips against his.

“I meant what I said, take care of yourself okay?” She whispered as she broke the kiss. She eyed Rika, who was glared daggers at the Gym Leader, whilst Apple Fritter just blushed and looked away bashfully. “One last piece of advice,” Elesa said. “Try not to keep them waiting too long okay?” Seth simply nodded and Elesa gave her friends one last look and boarded the train, Skyla and her bird Pokémon following close behind.

“What?” Skyla said, when everyone looked at her. “You think I’m just gonna leave my best friend go off alone?” Elesa sighed, but didn’t bother arguing, Skyla could be extremely stubborn about things like this.

Zebstrika gave Seth a nod as he followed his mistress. “Keep up your training alright? I don’t want to see you slacking off.”

“Well, catch you guys once I come back famous okay?” With that, the train gave a shrill whistle as the doors closed and it pulled out of the station. Elesa leant out of the window as everyone gave them a final round of waves and cheers, and soon, the train disappeared from view.

Seth sighed and turned around to face his friends, only to yelp in surprise when two Gardevoir teleported in front of him.

“W-what the? Who the heck are you?” Seth narrowed his eyes, hoping the newcomers were friendly enough.

The blue Gardevoir gazed over eh group with her golden eyes and chuckled lightly. “Oh! I didn’t mean to startle you, I’m still getting used to these abilities I’m afraid.”

Rika gasped as she recognised the two of them. “Wait a minute! You’re the two Gardevoirs that helped me and Seth out earlier today.”

“Ah, that’s right. A pleasure to meet you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“And what circumstances are those?” Seth asked dubiously, his fur crackling with electricity.
“And you have yet to introduce yourselves.”

“That is true, my deepest apologies.” The shiny Gardevoir bowed her head and smiled. “My name is Diantha, former Champion of the Kalos region. And unless I am mistaken, you are Seth Crescent, former activist and now currently assisting the Canterlot Guard with a rather peculiar case.”

Seth just blinked, did she just say she was Diantha?! “Uh, yeah… that’s right.” This evening just got a whole lot stranger.

*~*

Control frowned as Malamar told him of the persistent Solar Guard that pursued him and that they’d now roped in a group of Pokémon to help them.

“Tch! Are they going to be a problem?” he asked.

“I doubt it,” Malamar sneered. “They have no idea who is tugging the puppet strings, and even if one of our tools gets captured, your spells ensures that no information will be leaked.” He looked towards the cages that held the Pokémon that were under their control. A little over a dozen, all with skills that would enable the two partners to pull off greatest of heists.

The theft of the Equestrian Crown Jewels.

And with the World Leaders Summit right around the corner, all the Guards will be expecting a threat to come from outside the city.

“Well, I don’t like it anyway. Be a friend and take care of it alright?”

Malamar laughed, one that would have chilled any normal creature to the bone. He glanced towards the cages and wondered what they could do if they added a Sylveon or a Luxray to their… collection.

“Oh but of course, friend~”

Author's Note

Alrighty, so this one's finally out, I hope you guys and girls enjoyed it~

Editor’s Notes.

Zeus - Oh boy, that escalated quickly, let’s see how this plays out.

TDN - Awesome chapter. The plot got VERY interesting VERY fast

Extra Story - What it Means to be Strong

What it means to be Strong.

The silence that surrounded the desolate mountain peak was deafening as Ignis stared out at the world. It had been almost two weeks now, since Arceus brought them all to Equus, and since Ignis abandoned his family.

“Tch! What am I supposed to do? I told them that I wouldn’t come back until I was the strongest… and I now realise what a lofty goal that is.”

A few days ago, Ignis had fought and made a worthy rival out of a Blastoise by the name of Eclipse. And he’d also remembered the embarrassing battle he had given a spry Noivern named Edge. He’d battled a few other Pokémon here and there, but those two battles in particular had been ones that really stuck in his mind.

Then yesterday, he had made the biggest mistake of his life. Overconfident of his own strength, he’d picked a fight that had left him utterly outclassed and now his blazing spirit was just a few dying embers. So he’d taken wing to this desolate mountain peak, but after getting here, he wondered why he’d even come in the first place.

So colour him surprised when the sound of powerful wingbeats brought him out his introspection and he glanced at the Pokémon that landed in the soft snow next to him. It was a fellow Charizard, but he was a little taller and his skin was a dark grey, almost black. The insides of his wings were a blood red, but most notably, was the intense pressure of someone powerful. It was almost suffocating.

The newcomer said nothing, beyond giving Ignis a courteous nod and the two dragons simply sat and watched the clouds roll by.

It took about a half hour, but Ignis finally got impatient and spoke up.

“So uh… come here often?”

The other Charizard gave him an incredulous look before bursting out laughing.

“No, can’t say that I have,” he replied, taking note of Ignis’ lingering injuries. “So what happened to you? You look pretty beat up.”

Ignis frowned and winced, the temporarily forgotten wounds still stung, even though they were a few days old now.

“Haaahh… I picked a fight that I shouldn’t have. Got a little too confident in my own abilities.”

The black Charizard nodded, “I see, pride before the fall huh? Mind if I asked what happened?”

If Ignis was right about this guy, then who knows, maybe he could help with his current dilemma. He shifted and burned away the snow at his feet, leaving slightly glowing stone beneath him. He sat down and sighed as the hot rock eased his wounds somewhat.

“Well, it was about three days ago now. I had just left the Crystal Empire, a place far to the north of here. I wanted to test my new strength and what I have learned since being in Equus so I decided to fight someone strong.” Ignis looked out at the rolling clouds, “So I picked a fight with Moltres.”

“The Legendary Pokémon Moltres!?” the other Charizard exclaimed. “That’s a pretty gutsy move, is that the reason for your current appearance?”

“Hah! Hardly!” Ignis chuckled, before wincing again and deciding that laughing was a bad idea. “No, I beat Moltres, barely, but still beat her.” It was a spectacular fight, though Manaphy and Suicune had to douse a good deal of the area that they fought in. “I couldn’t believe it, I’d finally beaten a Legendary Pokémon!” Ignis felt his blood boiling and jumped to his feet, just remembering that fight gave him a rush!

“But then…” Ignis deflated and sat back down with a pained groan. “I got cocky, and made a huge mistake.”

“What happened?”

Ignis leaned his head back to stare at the clear, blue sky above them. “I thought I could take one any of them, and I fought against Lady Reshiram…”

The black Charizard’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Reshiram?”

“In a dominating performance, I was flattened, rolled up and tossed aside!” Ignis said dramatically. “She was ruthlessly strong. I think it was all over in about two or three minutes, that’s all I could handle… in fact, if it wasn’t for Shaymin and Celebi’s Synthesis healing, I doubt I’d have walked away alive.”

“That… sounds intense,” Charizard replied. “I’ve gone up against all sorts of Pokémon, but never against Reshiram… she’s really that powerful?”

“Like nothing I’ve ever come up against… and yet there’s ones that still outclass her. Gods forbid if I’d gone up against Zekrom, or perhaps Dialga or Palkia.”

“Heh, even Arceus himself?”

Ignis thought for a moment and then grinned wildly, “Psh, naw… I could totally take him.”

The Charizard laughed with him and then held out a claw. “My name’s Red, what’s yours?”

“Red?” Ignis pondered for a moment, why did that name sound so familiar. “Wait! You mean the Kanto Champion, Red!?” The black Charizard nodded and Ignis realised why he felt that pressure coming from him.

“Well then, My name’s Ignis Crescent, nice to meet you, Red.”

*~*

Red offered to assist Ignis with his training, specifically, on how to perfect Dragon Bullet.

“So this Noivern could use this attack, without sacrificing speed or power?” Red had to admit, that was pretty impressive. The timing needed for that was incredible.

“So where am I going wrong?” Ignis growled in frustration. “I either make it powerful, but too slow, but if I try and fire it faster, it becomes too weak.”

“The problem is with the timing, it’s all about condensing the energy and firing it at just the right moment.” Red frowned as he finished his sentence, “But if you condense the energy too much and wait too long…”

“It blows up in your face,” Ignis concluded as he rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, I found that out the hard way.”

“Y’know, the easiest way would be to just ask this Noivern to teach you,” Red suggested, but Ignis crossed his arms in an ‘X’ pattern and shook his head.

“Ye~ah, that’s not gonna happen.” That mark on his neck had finally healed, and he wasn’t looking forward to seeing the dragoness’s reaction, though it would pale in comparison if ‘she’ found out.

“Well, I’ve never seen the attack used like that before, so I’m afraid I won’t much help to you.”
Red scratched an itch on his wing. “But, I can offer some advice.”

“And that is?”

“Well, there’s no need to mimic the attack perfectly, if you want a re-match with her, then it’d probably be best not to use an attack that she herself created. You seem to have the basics down from what you’ve described, so now make it your own.”

Ignis tilted his head, “Make it my own… what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, try and put your own unique spin on it. Rumours have it that that’s how half the current known attacks were born. Flame Burst was from someone messing with an Ember attack, Bubble Beam is essentially a more powerful Bubble. You understand?”

Ignis nodded, at least, he think he got it. “Put my own spin on it huh?”

“The next question,” Red continued, “Is what do you think it means to be strong?”

“That’s an easy one, to be on top, stronger that everyone else around.” Ignis said proudly, puffing up his chest.

“Are you sure that’s it?” Red said, letting out a small sigh. “And what then? What happens when you’re the strongest?”

Ignis opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. He had no answer.

“Well,” the black Charizard said. “Let’s see if we can find the answer together.”

*~*

The two dragons trained and talked through the night, only stopping to eat and sleep. Ignis told Red about his family and the battles he had won and lost. In turn, Red had told him what he had accomplished in his life, saying that Ignis was impressed would have been a massive understatement. But unfortunately dawn brought about a new day all too soon.

“Have you figured it out yet?” Red asked his new friend. “What does it mean to be strong?”

“I still don’t know,” Ignis replied. “But… I guess that’s just one more goal to achieve.”

“Becoming stronger in order to discover what it means to be strong? I guess that’s one way to do it.”

“I’ve been wrong up until now, fighting only for myself when I have a family that needs me. When I fight next, it will be for them, and for me.”

“That’s a good answer, so what’s next for you?” Red asked, stretching his wings.

“I think… I think I’ll go home, back to my family.” Ignis replied. “I think I have accomplished all that I could on my own, and I owe them an apology.”

Red nodded. “Best of luck then, and say hello to your brother and give him my best wishes.”

“I will, thank you for the training and the advice. I’ll put it to good use.”

Red smiled as he spread his wings. “Good to hear, and maybe we could have a battle one day?”

“After you’ve trained yourself up a bit,” Ignis grinned cockily. “We wouldn’t want the fight to be too one-sided.”

“Indeed we wouldn’t,” Red said, shaking his head in amusement. “Well, good bye for now Ignis. May your Flame Burn as Bright as the Sun.”

That caught Ignis off guard, when and how the heck did a human learn a traditional Fire Pokémon saying?

“And May Water never Dampen your Spirits!” Ignis finished, clasping Red claw in his. “I’ll pass on the message, good luck to you as well.”

The two dragons shook hands and then flew off in different directions, both happy for the friend and possible rival that they both made.

“I’ll see you soon, brother!” Ignis said, his words carried off into the wind.

Little did he realise that his help was already needed, though he might not make it in time.

Author's Note

Soooo... this is a thing that happened. I got the idea in my head the other day and wanted to write it, but I couldn't really fit in with my next chapter.

So it got its own little addition. I hope everyone enjoy's it.

Chapter Thirteen

A little later that night, Seth and the other Pokémon all sat around Fritter’s dining table as Diantha explained what she had been doing the last few days. Aside from ‘roughing it’ in the park, as she put it with a smile. Diantha and her Gardevoir had also been investigating the strings of Pokémon-related thefts.

They’d discovered that a dozen or so Pokémon had also gone missing in the same time-frame, one of which had been a Sandslash.

“Well that can’t be a coincidence,” Seth said.

“Indeed, I’ve tried looking into it further, but whoever is behind this covers their tracks quite well I’m afraid.” Diantha sighed and crossed her arms. “I have no idea when or where they’ll strike next either.”

Selena placed a paw on the table and cleared her throat. “What I would like to know, and as wonderful as it is to see you again Lady Diantha, is why you come to us for help?”

“Selena!” Seth said with an exasperated tone, but she did have a point. “I would like to know as well, why us instead of the Guard, or the Princesses, or even Arceus?”

Diantha nodded, taking a sip of her tea. “Something is happening in Canterlot soon, a meeting of the World Leaders as well as several representatives of the Pokémon community. The guard and Equestrian royalty have their hands full with that, and as for why I do not go to Arceus…” She placed her cup down as she put one of her hands over her pendant, something she did whenever she was nervous.

“A few days ago, I heard that Arceus himself intervened in a…’incident’ in a city called Las Pegasus. Apparently some ponies were trying to sedate and remove Pokémon from the city, Arceus did not take well to that news. What do you suppose he might do upon hearing Pokémon being used to steal?”

Seth gulped as several apocalyptic scenarios played out in his head. “Yeah, I think I prefer this city to remain in one piece.”

Apple Fritter nearly dropped the tray of food she was bringing in from the kitchen. “Y’all think that Arceus fella would destroy Canterlot?”

Diantha laughed airily. “Oh, I don’t think he’d do something so drastic, though it wouldn’t be anything subtle either, given his previous actions.”

Elsewhere, the Alpha Pokémon’s ears burned, someone, somewhere was talking about him and it irritated him slightly.

“I would like to keep this to ourselves for now,” Diantha continued. “At least until we know what we are dealing with.”

Fritter placed the food on the table, some delicious vegetable soup and fried fish for Selena and Seth, a fruit salad and juice for Rika, herself and Titania, and a mixture of both for Diantha and Gardevoir.”

“Sorry if it’s not to yer liking,” Fritter said to the Kalosian Champion. “Ah wasn’t sure what you’d eat.”

“Nonsense dear, it looks absolutely delicious,” Diantha smiled warmly. “I dare say I haven’t eaten this well since arriving in Equestria.”

“Fritter here is one hell of a cook,” Seth grinned, taking a huge bite from his fish. He paused to savour the flavour and hummed happily. “Ooh, this is good~”

“Ah’m glad you like it,” Fritter said happily. “It’s a good thing that there’s a place that caters to Griffons and Diamond Dogs here in Canterlot.”

“Meat,” Selena sighed with euphoric bliss. “It’s not a fresh Carvanha, but it’s still pretty good.”
Rika agreed that the food was delicious as she nibbled on her fruit salad, letting the mixture of sweet and citrus just melt in her mouth.

Diantha took small bites from all of her dishes, sampling each one. She had been correct in her previous assumption, each and every one was utterly divine. “My compliments to the chef,” Diantha said telepathically as she ate, it would have been unladylike to talk with your mouth full.

“Aw, thank you kindly,” Apple Fritter blushed. “Ah’m glad y’all like it!”

*~*

After dinner, Seth and Diantha decided to catch up, wanting to know what the other had been up to for the last few months.

“Undefeated since we last met,” Diantha replied when Seth asked about her work as Champion. “But, I am sad that I will never get to complete that movie I was working on. It was shaping up to be my best work yet.”

“Best work? You mean you could do better than you already have?” It was a little known fact that Seth was a huge fan of Diantha’s movies, having watched them to the point where he’d probably memorised them. “But that is a shame, I was looking forward to it too.”

“And what about you?” Diantha asked. “I haven’t seen you since you finished your Mega Evolution training with me, though you have been in the news quite a bit.”

“Yeah, I tend to do that…” Seth laughed awkwardly. “Well, I just continued to do what I thought I needed to do. I had a few minor wins and more than a few losses. Convinced a bunch of people that the law was stupid, made a few friends and a lot of enemies… same old, same old.”

“If it’s any consolation, what I thought you were trying to accomplish was wonderful and I did support you as best I could.” Diantha sighed, “I just wish I could have done more…”

Seth shook his head and smiled at his old friend. “No, like I told Elesa, I couldn’t risk you losing your position and dealing with the social stigma, just for the sake of assisting me.”

“Without sacrifice, change will never happen.” Diantha countered. “Listen, a great deal of League figures supported you, myself, Cynthia, Iris, more than a dozen Gym Leaders… you may not have seen it, but the differences you made were not unnoticed.”

Seth was silent as he tried to process that. He never knew, never would have thought that he’d had so much support. “W-why?”

“Because you wanted to make the world a better place, to be rid of a prejudice that made no sense. You cannot place a human law on the heart, the heart won’t listen, and it doesn’t care about something like that!” Diantha clenched her fist, “Never ever think that you didn’t make a difference, okay?”

Seth nodded and Rika and Selena snuggled against him. “I’m just happy that those I was fighting for can finally be happy.”

Diantha smiled in agreement as Fritter brought out another batch of tea. “But now that begs the question, what about you?”

That caught Seth off guard and he tilted his head in confusion. “Me?”

“Yes, what about your happiness? You have spent so long fight for others, that you took no time to find it for yourself.” Diantha pointed out. “I know you and Elesa were an item at some point…”

“That was a long time ago, she and I moved on,” Seth said quietly. It would be a blatant lie to say that he still didn’t have some feelings for the Gym Leader, but as he said, they were over a long time ago.

Diantha looked at the Sylveon that watched her trainer with a hint of sadness in her eyes, and the occasional glance of their Earth Pony host didn’t go unnoticed either. ‘Hmm, it seems that happiness has found you yet my friend, I wonder how it will play out though.’

“Well, we have all the time in the world now. I’m sure a new way will open itself up to you in the future.” She finished off her tea, floating the empty cup to the tray on the table. “It’s getting late though, shall I see you all tomorrow?”

Apple Fritter suddenly stepped forward and spoke up. “And where might you be staying Miss Diantha?”

Well that was subtle. “The park has been kind to me lately, so most likely there.”

Apple Fritter shook her head and Seth knew what she was about to stay. “Ah ain’t having no friend of Seth sleep outside in th’ elements. You both can stay here fer the night.”

“I cannot impose on you like that,” Diantha replied. “And isn’t your home full enough as is?”

“No use arguing,” Seth laughed. “Fritter will not take no for an answer.”

In the end, Diantha relented and Apple Fritter gave her and Gardevoir her bed, opting to sleep on a roll out bed in the living room. Everyone retired to bed, but the large Luxray lay awake on the couch, thinking about what Diantha had said.

“That’s the problem, what am I supposed to do now?” He growled in frustration, causing Apple Fritter to wake up with a soft moan.

“Ungh, what’s wrong Seth?” She rubbed at her eyes sleepily. “You feeling alright?”

“Yeah, sorry if I woke you.” Seth replied.

Apple Fritter propped herself up so she could look at him. The moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the room in a gentle light. When Seth returned her gaze, his eyes caught the light and seemed to shine a bright gold, Fritter thought it looked pretty cool.

“So I take it yer still tryin’ to figure out what to do with yerself?” Seth let out a small sigh and nodded. Fritter could understand his plight to an extent. Before moving to Canterlot, she had no idea what to do with her life. Bouncing back and forth between Ponyville and Appleloosa was pretty much her routine.

“Well ah’m sure you’ll figure it out. You have a good head on yer shoulders, and a good heart in yer chest! T’aint nothin that can compete with that!”

“Thanks Fritter,” Seth smiled. That mare seemed to have a knack for making him feel better, he was glad to call her a friend.

~~~

Sleep had eluded a few other Pokémon as well, as Rika also lay awake, thinking on Diantha’s words.

“Happiness huh? Y’know what makes me happy?”

“Letting others get some sleep?” Selena snarked.

“Oh hah, hah!” Rika shot back. “Guess again.”

“Bringing defeat to your enemies, and doing so in a refined manner?” Titania suggested.

“Well, winning a fight is better than losing one.” Rika agreed, “And I always look cute, no matter what. But no, that’s not it either.”

“Then just tell us so I can sleep!” Selena growled. A sleep-deprived Absol was not something anyone wanted to deal with.

“Performing in Contests!” Rika said. “C’mon Selly, I know you miss it too~”

Titania was surprised, nothing in the bio that Checkmate was given indicated that Seth and his team had entered Contests. Ooh, Weiss would be pissed that they had incomplete information.

“So you two used to be in Contests?” she inquired. No time like the present to gather intel.

“Yep!” Rika replied. “All three of us, myself, Miss Grumpy there and Ignis all competed, but Ignis only did the battle parts. Selena and I were pretty good at the Tag Team Appeal portion of them. We were known as the Fairy Sisters.”

“Fairy Sisters?” That name sounded a little odd. “But, Miss Selena is a Dark type.”

“Thank you Lady Obvious,” Selena muttered from the end of the bed. “It wasn’t because of my type, but because of my abilities and the way I used them.”

“And that would be?” Titania was very curious now. Dark types were weak to Fairy, so how did she use that to an advantage?

“That would be giving telling,” Selena replied. She still didn’t trust Titania completely, and she seemed pretty nosey on how Rika and Selena used their attacks. Rika pouted as she looked at her friend, but the sharp glare she received in return caused her to stop pretty quickly.

“It still would be nice to compete again,” Rika sighed wistfully.

Selena sighed and closed her eyes. The obnoxious fairy had a point, while battling was her main love, there was no denying the thrill of the stage as well. “Fine, I’ll admit that much,” she relented as Rika squeed. “But what about it? It’s not like we can just enter a Contest here…”

The room fell into an awkward silence before Rika inhaled sharply.

“Ideeeeaaaa~ Oh, oh. Ohoohohohoh I have the best IDEA EVER!!!”

Selena groaned as she buried her head under a pillow. Sleep was but an ephemeral dream now. “Alright, I’ll bite… what’s your big idea?”

“We could hold our own Contest!” Rika grinned like a madmon. “We could raise the money to hire a small venue, or even just hold one in the park or something. I bet heaps of Pokémon and their Trainers would come!”

“That…” Selena couldn’t believe she was about to say this. “That’s actually a pretty good idea. Seth has natural talent as a leader, so I bet organising a Contest would be right up his alley.”

“But what of the battle portions?” Titania pointed out. “Pokémon Centres no longer exist, so if anyone got hurt…”

Rika thought for a moment. “Well, I could ask Lord Arceus, he did say to come to him if I had any questions. Maybe one of the Legendaries can provide healing or something?”

She suddenly jumped out of bed and bolted downstairs, leaping from the top of the staircase and right on top of Seth, who let out a pained groan when the Sylveon landed on his chest, knocking the wind out of him.

“SETH, SethSethSethSethSeth!! I have the bestest idea ever!!”

The Luxray narrowed his eyes as they glowed blood red. “Let me guess, is it a profuse apology for leaping on her trainer at one o’clock in the morning? Because if it isn’t, then we’ll be having Extra Crispy Sylveon for breakfast!”

“Uh ehehee!” Rika hugged him anyway. “Aw don’t be mad, and I’m sorry… I just got a little excited. But, hey, listen! You know how you wanted something to do?”

Seth groaned as Selena shot him a sympathetic look from the top of the stairs. “Yes, what of it?”

“Well, Selly and I got the best idea, well, mostly me. Selly had some input but it was my genius-“

“Get. To. The. Point!” Seth growled, his body crackling with lightning.

“WhatifwehostedaPokemonContest!” Rika said very quickly. Seth blinked, rubbed his tired eyes and blinked again.

“What?”

“She thinks it might be a good idea to hold our very own Pokémon Contest,” Selena explained more slowly as she descended the stairs. Apple Fritter lit a small candle, and soon they sat around the coffee table as Rika explained her idea.

Once she was finished, Seth mulled over what she had said. “Well…”

“Weeell?” Rika leaned over the table in anticipation.

“I think idea is… well…”

Selena just applied her paw to her face as Rika practically vibrated on the spot. Seth was just milking this now and Rika was biting better than a hungry Magikarp.

Seth smiled and nodded. “I think it’s a good idea!”

“Really!?” Rika squealed, drawing the attention of Titania and Gardevoir, Diantha was the only one still asleep now.

“Well, yeah.” Seth replied. “I’m not quite sure how I’m going to pull it off, but I’d love to be in another Contest… but there’s a lot of details that I-eeeahhhhh!” His sentence went unfinished as he yawned loudly. “And I think that’s a good cue to go back to bed.”

“Fine,” Rika pouted. “But tomorrow is going to be so awesome!” she bounced up the stairs and into their room, Titania following close behind.

“So are you sure about this Seth?” Selena asked. “It sounds like a pretty tall order.”

Seth nodded, “Yeah, I’ve kind of been at a loss as to what I should be doing here on Equus for a while now. I don’t know if this is the right answer, but it’s better than nothing… Plus, it’ll be a ton of fun at least.”

“True enough,” Selena smiled. “Well I’ll help out anyway I can, G’night Seth.”

“Night Selly,” Seth replied and after a quick hug, the Dark-type headed off to bed herself. Gardevoir also gave a polite bow and vanished, teleporting back upstairs.

“Looks like you’ll have your hooves full huh?” Apple Fritter said, blowing out the candle and settling down on her bedding.

“Yeah,” Seth yawned. “Should be interesting…”

*~*

The next day, Seth, Rika and Diantha were headed for the castle. Apparently, if one wished to use a venue in Canterlot, they could either speak to the owner of the venue, or petition to the Crown. Seeing as none of them knew which venue would be suitable, asking a Princess was the easiest option.

After what seemed like an eternity standing in line, along with a mouthy noble that constantly gave them the stink eye, they were finally granted an audience.

“Announcing Mr. Seth Crescent, Miss Rika and Grand Duchess Diantha!” the page said as they walked into the throne room. When Seth laid eyes on the white Alicorn sitting upon her throne, he felt something completely different from when he met Princess Twilight.

Honestly, it was like meeting Lord Arceus.

“Welcome,” Celestia said softly and calmly.

Seth bowed respectfully before lifting his head. “Thank you for seeing us Your Highness.”

Celestia waved a hoof and two Guards closed the massive throne room doors. “It is no trouble, but please, allow us to drop the formalities Mr. Crescent.”

Well, this was unexpected. “Then just call me Seth, Your Highness.”

“And just Celestia will also be fine.” She stepped down from her throne to get a better look at her guests. Seth himself was quite tall, just a few hairs short of being able to look
Celestia in the eye. To his right was a pretty, pink Pokémon that she had never seen before, while Diantha seemed to resemble Belle, only she was a different colour.

“Would it be alright to talk for a while?” she asked. “I have been made aware that you are assisting our Guard with a little problem, I’d like to ask a few things about that, oh, but first.” She nodded to a maid, who quickly scampered off to fetch some refreshments. “Perhaps some proper introductions are in order?”

Seth nodded, “Well as you know, my name is Seth Crescent, I am a former human. This here is Rika, a Sylveon and one of my oldest partners.”

Diantha stepped forward. “I am Diantha, the former Champion of the Kalos region. It is a pleasure to finally meet you Celestia.”

“A Champion? Ah, like Miss Iris and this ‘Red’ character that Twilight mentioned.” Celestia smiled as the maid re-appeared with a tray of tea and biscuits.

“Iris? So she has shown up somewhere?” Diantha had met the spunky little girl a few times, and Iris had always made a comment about Diantha’s use of a Fairy type, but always changed her tune when she showed her Tyrantrum.

“So, what is it that you came to see me for?” Celestia asked as she poured some tea.
“Well,” Seth replied. “I was hoping that you’d permit me to hire a venue that could hold a few hundred ponies and Pokémon, and one with a sizable stage.”

“Oh?” This piqued Celestia’s interest. What on Equus could he be planning? “May I inquire as to what for?”

“We want to hold a Pokémon Contest!” Rika said excitedly, unable to stay quiet. “And it’s going to be amazing!”

“A Pokémon Contest? Is that he one where Pokémon battle each other!?” Celestia said, her voice holding a hint of worry.

“No, it’s more like a…” Seth tried to find the right comparison. “I suppose you could liken it to a talent show. Pokémon and their Trainers perform to show off their bonds with a routine of moves, displayed in various ways, like beauty, cuteness or toughness.”

“A second round follows after that, which does involve battles,” Diantha explained further. “But they are very different to actual Pokémon battles, these Contest battles are more… showy. Judges focus more on the timing of the moves and appearance, rather than just pure power.”

Celestia had to admit, she was certainly intrigued, but she still had some concerns. “That may be, but a battle is still a battle. But then, I suppose you thought about that already.”

“Actually,” Rika said. “I was hoping I could speak to Arceus about that. I think some of the Legendary Pokémon could assist with healing, or perhaps a Nurse Joy or two could be found to assist.”

“Hmm, well you could visit Arceus right from this very castle, he has a door set up that leads straight to his temple in the Everfree. Would you like to go later?”

“That would be wonderful Miss Celestia!” Rika nodded. “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem, and yes, I believe I know of the perfect venue. I’ll have a document drawn up and you can begin preparations as early as tomorrow.”

“Wow,” Seth whistled. “Talk about efficient. Thank you very much Celestia.”

“It is my pleasure, but I do have one favour?”

“And that is?”

“An invitation for me and my sister, I’d love to see this Contest for myself.”

“Consider it done,” Seth grinned. “VIP seats for you and your sister…?”

“Princess Luna,” Celestia informed him. “I’m sure you’ll meet her at some point or another. Otherwise, she runs the Night Court, I’m sure she’d love a visit from time to time.”

“Of course!” Seth said. “I’d be glad to.”

Diantha sipped her tea, before delicately placing the cup back down with a soft ‘clink’, her gaze steeled itself as she looked to Celestia. “So, what did you want to know about the investigation?”

“Ah, straight to the point then,” Celestia said.

“I’m curious to learn what you know,” Diantha replied. “As it appears that you have knowledge that we do not.”

“True enough,” Celestia nodded. “We have a good indication of where the thief will strike next, and we’d like you to assist with their apprehension.”

“Of course,” Seth nodded. “I gave my word that I would assist, and the fact that Pokémon are stealing has me pretty concerned.”

“Then I thank you, all of you.” Celestia bowed her head and then stood. “Now I’m afraid that I have many other duties to attend to, but Grissom will have all the details about tonight. She bowed her head once more and left the room, her aide following close behind her.

“Well that sure was something else,” Rika commented. “And I can’t believe how pretty she is,”

“She’s certainly different from the other ponies,” Seth said. “Maybe she’s the equivalent of a Legendary Pokémon?”

“Don’t let Ignis hear you say that! Rika giggled. “He’d probably pick a fight with her!”

“Ignis versus Princess Celestia, I wonder who’d win that?” Seth laughed back.

“Well, let us go see our Guard friend, we should find out what’s happening.” Diantha said.

“Yeah, the sooner we can get this whole thing over and done with, the better!” Rika muttered, her ribbons twitching slightly. “I want to get started on organising this Contest.”

Seth put a paw on her shoulder and nodded “And we will, don’t worry okay?”

Rika gave a small half-smile. She couldn’t help but feel that something about this whole thief business was wrong.

*~*

“Ah, I’ve been expecting you,” Grissom said as the trio entered his strange office. “Things always feel more serious once the Princess gets involved.”

“She said you had some information?” Diantha asked, not wasting any time.

“Yes, yes… I believe that we know where they will strike next.” Grissom said, pulling out the map from yesterday. “Ever since the robberies began, the targets have been varying not only in profile, but also in method, which was why we thought it was multiple criminals at first.”

“It’s not?” Seth asked. “Because I only ever encountered the Sandslash…”

“Yes, the digging one,” Grissom replied. “But we have also had reports of items stolen with teleportation, despite magical security.”

“That would make sense, since Pokémon don’t use magic,” Diantha explained.

“Exactly!” Grissom said, almost excitedly. “None of our current magical wards can prevent their abilities from being used. While magic has some degree of effect, it takes a much greater amount.” He pointed at a picture on the table, showing some really fancy jewellery. “Do you know what this is?”

“No, but it looks expensive.” Seth said.

“These are the Equestrian Crown Jewels, otherwise known as the Friendship Collection.” Grissom informed them. “When Princess Celestia formed peace treaties with several races, the Zebra, Griffons, Hippocampi and Deer. Each race presented our Princess with a special, one of a kind piece of jewellery. This collection soon became known as the Friendship Collection. As it goes, these are the rarest and most sought after jewels on all of Equus…”

“And what self-respecting criminal with a few new… helpers… would pass up on stealing these.” Seth said tersely.

“Indeed,” Grissom replied. “But as it stands, these pieces cannot be stolen, not while they remain in the castle.”

“Why do I get the feeling that that’s about to become a problem?” Diantha spoke. Grissom frowned as he nodded.

“Yes, due to the World Summit, the Friendship Collection will be moved to the museum for public display, and though the museum has the some of the most advance security in Canterlot, it is not the Castle Vaults…”

“So what’s the plan?” Seth asked.

“Simple really, the move will go on as planned, though we have a few measures in place. One, we will place magical tracking on the jewels. If a Pokémon steals them, they won’t be able to detect the magic like a Unicorn could. Second, we will have the museum security replaced with our own Guard in disguise. And third…”

“And third?” Seth asked, though he had a rough idea.

“Our third are you guys, our ace in the hole.” Grissom grinned. “The thief doesn’t know we have our own Pokémon helping out. We’re going to the museum soon to put our plan into action. I’d like you to… pay a social visit, get a feel of Equestrian history, grab some lunch and maybe point out where a Pokémon could enter and exit the building?”

“I think I can do that,” Seth said with a confident grin. This was actually getting pretty exciting.

“Good, good. I’ll meet you there in a few hours, so until then my friends!” Seth shook his hoof and soon the three Pokémon were making their way back to Apple Fritter’s place. Tonight was going to be very interesting indeed.

*~*

Malamar had done his homework by now, well... his spy in the Guard had done his homework. Spread on the table in front of him and his friend were pictures. Aside from the Luxray, which seemed to be a former human, there was also a Sylveon, Absol, Florges and two Gardevoir. The Earth Pony was of little consequence.

“The human could prove useful… they are quite easy to manipulate.” Malamar said, but Control had his eyes on something totally different.

“The white one here… what is it?” he asked.

“Absol, a Dark type Pokémon like myself.” Malamar explained. “She seems to be quite feisty, and powerful.”

“And beautiful…” Control murmured. He had never laid eyes on such a magnificent creature, the way her fur shone in the light, and her eyes seemed to exude confidence… Confidence that Total Control would take great pleasure in breaking and bending to his will. He chuckled as he stroked the picture with a hoof. “This is the one… I’ll make her mine!”

Author's Note

Well this was fun to write and look, plot devices!

Editors Notes -

Zeus - Right... keep Control away from... just about everyone actually. I can’t wait to see them get zapped.

TDN - And the plot thickens. I’m really gonna look forward to when these two get those smug grins wiped off.

Karmic justice may come... we'll see.

Chapter Fourteen

While Seth, Rika and Diantha were visiting the castle, Fritter had work to do. Selena had opted to help her this time, while Diantha’s Gardevoir had vanished to parts unknown. Titania was left to her own devices and to be honest, she was tired of searching the city for her comrades. It had been over a week now and she’d seen neither hide nor hair of them.

“So it would seem that I am the only Checkmate member in this whole city… figures.” She bet that the other members had already met up and were resuming work, and she wondered if they were looking for her.

“What am I supposed to do?” Titania wondered aloud as she fixed herself some coffee. “I simply can’t go searching blindly across Equestria… what I wouldn’t give for a phone, or a messenger Pidgey…” That was it!

“Why did I not think of it before?” she exclaimed as she rummaged around for some parchment and a quill. If she couldn’t find them, she would have them find her. She wrote a message that only Checkmate would understand and soon wrote more than a dozen copies.

*~~~*

The Fairy Queen of Roses waits

From the Apple on the Hill

Look in the Mountain City

*~~~*

“There, I think that should do it,” Titania smiled to herself. It was suitably subtle enough that someone from her team should understand, without tipping off their enemies. “Now all I have to do is send this message to every major city on Equus.” A jar of Bits sat on the writing desk she was using, and Titania eyed them dubiously.

“I’ll pay her back… eventually,” she reasoned with herself as she took it. And soon she was making her way to the Post Office, eager to send her message, and hopefully find her friends at long last.

*~*

As they worked, Selena had been a little lost in thought, Apple Fritter having to poke at the mon a few times to get her attention.

“Huh? Wha…” Selena absentmindedly passed her a few apples, to which Fritter laughed.

“Thank you, but that’s not why I wanted your attention,” Fritter giggled. “You seem pretty out of it today, is something wrong?”

Selena sighed as she stared at the ground. “I just have a lot on my mind…”

“Do you want talk about it?” Fritter asked. Selena looked at the mare and after a moment of contemplation, shrugged her shoulders.

“Sure, why not?” She fell silent for a moment and then spoke again, “But you have to promise not to tell anyone else, especially Rika, got it?”

Apple Fritter nodded her head.

“Good, now… I have a question.” Selena poked at the ground with a claw. “Have you… ever, been in love?” she said quietly.

That question caught Fritter off guard. “W-well, uh…” She stammered and shook her head to clear away the errant thoughts that buzzed around inside of it. “Sorry, ah wasn’t expecting that.
Uh, well kinda, ah think? Maybe it was love, but it didn’t really pan out.” Selena looked a bit disappointed at that response.

“Oh, well… nevermind then.”

“No, ask what you wanted, you need some advice right?” Selena fell silent and nodded.

“Yeah, well… I kinda, well there’s someone that I like… but I don’t know if he likes me back, if he could like me back.”

“…Seth?” Apple Fritter asked, her voice holding a hint of caution, but Selena recoiled and poked out her tongue.

“What!? Oh, no. No way!” she shook her head, looking like she’d eaten something sour. “He’s my Trainer, my brother and my best friend… but I never have and never will consider him a mate.”

Apple Fritter breathed a sigh of relief… wait, why was she relieved? “W-well, uh, who is it then? Another Pokémon?”

“Mhmm,” Selena nodded. “But, I don’t know if I should tell him or not. What if it ruins our friendship? What if he never speaks to me again!?”

To be honest, Apple Fritter didn’t know how to respond. She was not well versed in manners of the heart and the one pony she had dated, however briefly, was not a positive experience. But she would at least try her best, as any good friend would.

“Well, ah’ll be honest, ah don’t know what you should do. But, what would be harder, living with the pain of rejection, or the regret of never knowing at all?”

Selena mulled over that, it was definitely something to think about. “Thanks for the advice Fritter, I think I know what I have to do.”

“Ah’m jus’ glad I could help,” Apple Fritter smiled.

Selena smiled back, and soon that smile turned cheeky. “So, when do you plan on telling Seth that you like him?” she asked coyly.

Apple Fritter flushed crimson as she opened and closed her mouth a few times, but no sound came out. The Canterlot Clock Tower chimed in the distance, signalling that it was noon. “Well lookit that, lunch time.” She said hastily, “Let’s get ready, we’re gonna get some real hungry ponies soon.”

Selena sighed, but she wasn’t going to give up. Both Rika or Fritter would be good for him and as his best friend and big sister, it was up to her to help him find happiness.

*~*

By the time Selena and Fritter returned home, Seth, Diantha and Rika were waiting for them.

“Welcome back!” Seth greeted them. “How was work today?”

“It’s been picking up slightly,” Fritter replied, placing her money chest in her safe. “Ah’ve even been selling to a few Pokémon.”

“It’s too bad we can’t make Poffins or PokéBlock,” Rika said with a wistful sigh. “I bet you’d make a killing if we could.”

“Why can’t we?” Fritter asked. “Does it use some kinda special ingredients?”

Rika nodded, “Yeah, berries, well ones that you can’t find here on Equus.”

Seth’s stomach gave a slight rumble, gods how he missed Pecha berries.

“So were you successful?” Selena asked. “What did the Princess say about holding a Contest?”

Seth would have answered, but Rika’s shrieking seemed to do that for him.

“♪SHE SAID YES~ ♥♫” Rika sang at the top of her lungs.

“Ah, yeah…” Seth said, rubbing his highly sensitive ears. “Apparently Princess Celestia is going to see to it personally, ponyally? What is the correct vernacular here?”

“I think personally will be fine,” Diantha said with a small giggle.

Seth cleared his throat and continued. “Well anyway, we should get the venue details tomorrow but we have something to do tonight.”

“Tonight?” Fritter asked curiously. “Y’all have plans?”

“The Guard we met yesterday wants us to visit the museum, and point out where or how a Pokémon might be able to break in. But I figure we could enjoy ourselves in the meantime, maybe learn a little about the world we live in now.

Apple Fritter had visited the museum once before, when she first moved to Canterlot from Appleloosa. “That sounds like fun.”

Seth looked around and blinked, “Where’s Titania? I figured that this is something that she might like.”

“I still don’t trust her,” Selena spat, and Seth gave her a despairing look.

“I think that she’s alright, just let it be Sel.”

“Let it be!?” She glared back at her Trainer. “She said that her team, her, friends, want you and us dead!”

“And she also said that her team chose to ignore that contract,” Seth reminded her. “Besides, if she were serious about that, she would’ve tried something by now.”

“Or she’s waiting for her friends to come and then overwhelm us with numbers!” Selena argued. “Sorry Seth, but I don’t trust her. End of story.”

Apple Fritter sighed, she didn’t like seeing friends fight one another and from the look on Rika’s face, neither did she.

“Look, it seems that there might be some things that need airing out,” Fritter said. “But fer now, while y’all are under mah roof, ah won’t allow fightin’ amongst yerselves.” She stamped her hoof to get her point across. “We’re all family here, and we’ll treat each other like family!”

“Yes Ma’am!” the Pokémon chorused. Apple Fritter nodded and smiled.

“Well, let’s wait fer Miss Titania to get back and then we’ll head to the museum.” She glanced at her writing desk, and to the jar of Bits that was no longer there. “And perhaps she might explain that too.”

*~*

After about an hour, Seth had decided to go looking for the wayward fairy, but had so far been unsuccessful.

“Where the hell did she go?” he muttered, “Is she searching the city again?” He passed through the food court where Fritter worked and headed into the Theatre District, soon coming across the alley where they had encountered that Sandslash.

“Why did I come here?” he wondered aloud. He looked around, but the dimming light made it somewhat difficult. “I wonder…” He closed his eyes for a second and then re-opened them, the world as bright as the middle of the day. “Luxray Super Eyes, so cool!”

He looked around the narrow alley, but aside from some sand that coated the cobblestones, he could find no other clues, nothing that would point as to where that Sandslash came from or where he went. The hole he escaped in had caved in, so there was no way to follow him that way.

“How would tunnelling work here anyhow?” he wondered. “The entire city is on the side of a mountain, too much digging would result in the city falling…” Was that way the hole was caved in? To prevent that?

“Alright, Number of known culprits, one. Motive, unknown. Method, Digging, others may be possible if more culprits make themselves known.” Seth paused as he caught a scent, one that seemed to stand out in the alley. “Is that… cologne?” He was a bit distracted last time, with the battle and all. But he still remembered the scents that filled the alley that day. The subtle yet sweet scent from Rika, Skyla, who smelled faintly of jet fuel and then the Sandslash… that was it, it was the Sandslash that the cologne seemed to be wafting from.

Now that was odd, why would a Pokémon wear that? The answer, they wouldn’t. Was it possible that a pony was involved? Seth began to formulate a theory, it was highly unlikely that a Pokémon would steal material goods for the sake of gaining wealth. That left two options for him, either a former human was involved, or a denizen of Equus was using Pokémon to steal.

“The former has the problem of being contradictory to Arceus’s screening of humans. Though, they could be confused or scared. The second, well the question is how said denizen is getting Pokémon to obey them.”

“Oh? That’s quite simple really!” Seth turned and his vision was filled with colourful lights. All he could hear was a condescending voice. “It because I make them…”

*~*

When Titania returned home, she saw everyone aside from Seth waiting for her. She looked around, but he didn’t seem to be home. Selena was glaring at her, but that was nothing unusual. Diantha and her Gardevoir were sharing some tea and Rika was bouncing about, clearly excited about something.

Apple Fritter on the other hand, looked at Titania with an odd expression, one she didn’t recognise. It was one of disappointment.

“Where is the Luxray?” she asked, “I do not see him here.”

“Seth,” Selena growled. “Left over an hour ago to look for you, you didn’t see him?”

“No,” Titania replied, unfazed by the Absol’s tone. “We must have missed each other, though it is a large city so perhaps we-“

The door opened and Seth suddenly walked in, sparing a quick glance at Titania, but said nothing.

“He looks upset,” Selena thought. “Maybe we shouldn’t go anywhere tonight.”

Well, since everyone is present, are you all ready to go?” Seth asked.

“Where were you?” Rika asked, “Did you get lost?”

“No, it seemed that I was looking in the wrong direction.” Seth simply replied. “Now let’s go, the guard are expecting us.”

Selena had a bad feeling, one that hadn’t left her for a while now. “I’d better keep an eye out tonight.”

Everyone followed Seth out, but Apple fritter paused and motioned to Titania. The fairy nodded, “Is something wrong Miss Fritter?”

The mare took a small breath and stared at her. “I’m not sure, is there?”

Titania paused and then sighed. “I-I know, that I should not have taken that money, but I needed to send a message to my friends, I don’t know what else to do anymore!”

Titania expected Apple fritter to be angry about the theft, and she had every right to be. So imagine the fairy’s surprise when Fritter smiled.

“All ah wanted was the truth, ah aint mad about you taking the money, it wasn’t much and if you just asked, I would have let you use it.” She put a hoof on Titania’s hand, “If you ever need help, just ask alright?”

Titania couldn’t believe it, nor would she believe that tears were stinging the corners of her eyes. “Yes, thank you…”

“Well now, ah believe that we have a museum to visit, let’s be off… Lady Titania.”

*~*

The walk to the museum was a quiet one, Seth didn’t say a word and neither did Titania.

“Is everything alright Seth?” Fritter asked, but the Luxray only offered a nod in return, his pace picking up slightly.

“What’s the matter with him?” the mare asked as Selena walked next to her. “Is he really that mad at Miss Titania?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen him like this before.” While it was true that Seth had a tendency to get rather quiet when he was mad, he was acting kind of peculiar, though the last nine days had been rather stressful.

“Maybe we should keep an eye on him?” Fritter suggested as she watched Seth ignore whatever it was that Rika had been talking to him about and walk ahead.

“Yeah…” Selena replied.

~~~

Eventually, they reached the museum, which only had a few visitors, but several staff members were running here and there, hanging large banners announcing the Crown Jewels display. Some Solar Guard were also present, expecting some form of trouble.

The group took in some of the sights, having been to the museum in Nacrene City a few times, as well as the Gallery in Lumious City, Rika and the rest weren’t expecting such a massive building.

“Wow!” Rika exclaimed, looking at the massive pillars in front of the building, then to the enormous iron hinged doors at the entrance “It’s huge!”

“Indeed, I can’t wait to see what treasures it holds,” Diantha said.

~~~

The inside was just as impressive. Artefacts, paintings, sculptures, and objects that seemed to defy description filled its halls. One section was filled with ancient Pegasopolian artefacts, while another held a section dedicated to just one Unicorn by the name of Starswirl the Bearded.

As the group looked around, Apple Fritter bumped into a lanky Unicorn stallion, one that glared daggers at her for it.

“Heh, sorry bout that,” Apple Fritter apologised, but the stallion just raised his nose like he’d smelt something awful.

“Feh, dirty Mud Stomper! Watch where you’re going!” he snorted, walking out the front door as Apple Fritter steamed silently. She’d had to deal with all sorts of ponies living here in Canterlot, but ones like him… Oh she didn’t like them one bit. As she watched him leave, one thing caught her attention. His Cutie Mark, it was a serpent that seemed to be eating its own tail. What on Equus could that mean?

Seth also watched the stallion leave, remaining silent.

“So what do we have to do here?” Fritter asked, mildly irritated now. “Ah mean, other than taking in the sights.”

“We have to find holes in security that Pokémon could exploit,” Seth explained. “To make sure the jewels don’t get stolen.”

“What if that Sandslash tries to Dig in?” Rika suggested, but someone answered that question for her.

“I doubt they’d try that method, the tiles here have a strength enchantment, it would be possible to dig through them, but it would be loud and it would take time.” Grissom said, walking up behind them.

“Teleportation then?” Diantha suggested. “Silent and efficient.”

“That could work, but we’re currently putting up wards that will prevent that,” Grissom replied as he looked around. “These new wards should work against Pokémon teleportation and should be completed within the hour.”

Selena looked around, noticing windows high near the ceiling, which stood around 40 feet above them. “Maybe they could Fly in? The windows could probably be Cut through and a small Flying type like Zubat could easily manoeuvre through the defences.”

“We would like to reinforce the glass too, but something like that has to be woven in during the window’s creation… we can place aerial troops on the roof though, and I’ll see about getting some Night Guard in on it.”

Grissom showed them through until they reached the display, and the beautiful jewellery that lay within. “These here are the most valuable gems in all of Equestria, possibly all of Equus… and it’s our job to see that they stay in that case.”

“It sounds a bit unlikely,” Seth said, walking closer to the case. “But what’s to stop a Pokémon from simply walking through the front doors, posing as a guest, smash the case and run outside, past all the wards?”

“Well we’ll have plenty of trained Guards here during the exhibition, and I doubt that the thief would really be so crass as to try a method like that.”

Seth placed a paw against the glass, “It would be crass, but… what’s the harm in adding a little bang to a performance?”

A shout suddenly rang out from the entrance to the museum as a cloud of smoke filled the building. A Weezing floated through the halls, spreading a thick, choking layer of smog. Several windows shattered as Zubat swarmed in, blasting Supersonic around at anything that moved.

“What’s going on!?” Grissom yelled, “Get a squad in here ASAP!”

Ponies screamed and ran as Confusion set in, while the few guards present tried to round up the attacking Pokémon.

“Seth?” Selena suddenly growled, something didn’t sit right with her, and it’s what saved her when Seth unleashed a powerful Discharge attack, knocking everypony and every Pokémon off of their feet. Selena had erected a Protect at the last second, saving her.

“SETH!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” She yelled over the sound of screaming ponies as they tried to flee the indoor thunderstorm. A display showing how clouds were made reacted to the lightning, turning black and suddenly began to fire errant bolts of their own. Several Pegasi guards and museum staff tried to get it under control, but to no avail.

Seth in the meantime, had shattered the glass around the Jewels and scooped them into his bag before bolting for the nearest window. Selena gave chase, knowing that she could outrun the large Luxray, well, she thought she could. Seth made several well-timed jumps off of some statues and leapt through a broken window about fifteen feet off of the ground.

“How the?” She stared in disbelief. Running back towards the others, they had started to recuperate from the attack.

“C’mon! Seth just jumped out of that window, we need to catch him!”

“Allow us,” Diantha said, her Gardevoir appearing at her side. She teleported outside, just in time to see an Alakazam appear, and Seth running was straight towards it.

“Gardevoir! Use Imprison!” Diantha ordered. Her partner reacted as soon as the words left her mouth, stopping the shocked Alakazam in its tracks. Seth growled and ran past it, Diantha tried to catch him with Psychic, but she still wasn’t used to her powers and Seth broke free, ducking into a side alley.

Several Thestrals flew after him, but a flash of light told the Champion that they had met an electrifying fate. She chased as well, readying a Protect just in case, but the only sight that greeted her was a few shocked bat ponies and a hole in the ground.

Seth had escaped, along with the jewels.

“Well… bollocks!” Diantha muttered.

~~~

When she returned to the front of the museum, her Gardevoir was still keeping the Alakazam contained in a barrier, his moves sealed by Imprison. The Weezing and Zubat had already fled, the Guard still trying to contain the chaos inside the building. Selena and the others had also come out from the museum, the two Pokémon searching frantically for their master and brother.

“Where is he?” Selena yelled, “And why the hell did he just steal the jewels?”

“He ran into that alley,” Diantha explain calmly, “But I’m afraid that I was unable to catch him. I truly am sorry.”

“Well sorry isn’t going to get him back now is it!?” Selena yelled, baring her fangs at the shiny Gardevoir. “You told us to leave it to you and look where that got us!” She stopped however, when Rika placed a paw on her shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Selena growled. “Aren’t you worried?” The Dark type paused when she saw the tears streaming down Rika’s face.

“You think I’m not worried!? Seth just attacked us and stole those stupid jewels! Why? Why would he do such a thing!?”

“I don’t know, none of this makes any sense!” Selena yelled.

Diantha motioned towards the captured Alakazam, “Perhaps our new friend here can tell us?”

“I am trying My Lady,” Gardevoir spoke telepathically. “But his mental defences are very strong, and there’s something else blocking me, something I’ve never encountered before.”

“It’s magic,” Grissom replied, exiting the museum and walking over to them. “It’s faint, but I can sense some kind of malevolent magic emanating from him.” And it was magic hat he’d felt before, Grissom really hoped he was wrong though.

“Did anypony see somepony suspicious?” he asked, “Aside from the attacking Pokémon.”

No-one said anything, until Apple Fritter cleared her throat. “Well, ah saw a really rude Unicorn just after entering.”

“A rude Unicorn?” Grissom asked.

“Yeah, one of those racist noble-types. Had a real weird Cutie Mark too!”

Grissom’s eyes narrowed, “Was that Cutie Mark an Ouroboros?” When Fritter tilted her head in confusion, he explained further. “It looked like a snake eating its own tail.”

“Yeah, that’s the one!” she nodded. “Y’all know ‘im?”

“Unfortunately,” Grissom sighed. “When Seth first described the Sandslash that you encountered, I had my suspicions, but tonight events have confirmed it. We’re dealing with a stallion named Total Control, a Unicorn who specialises in the Dark Arts.”

“What kind of dark arts?” Diantha asked, though she had a feeling that she already knew the answer.

“Mind Control magic,” Grissom confirmed. “Extremely dangerous and very much forbidden. Even without these thefts, practicing that art alone is enough to warrant life imprisonment.”

“So, Seth didn’t steal those jewels because he wanted to?” Rika asked hopefully. “Someone was controlling him?”

“But when…?” Selena suddenly gasped, when Seth had gone looking for Titania, he’d come back acting funny. It must have been then. “So how do we get him back?”

Grissom nodded, “About that actually, tonight has gone rather well, wouldn’t you agree Lady Diantha?”

“I’d say so, I just hope our luck holds up. Now let’s get our friend here back to the castle for a proper interrogation.”

“Gone well!?” Selena was about to blow a blood vessel. “You think tonight has gone well? Seth is in the hooves of a madman, the jewels were stolen and we have no idea where either of them are!”

“We will soon enough,” Grissom chuckled. “Now let’s get back to the castle. We have plans to make and a friend to rescue.”

*~*

“So what did you mean ‘all according to plan’?” Selena shouted, like she had been since they’d gotten to the castle. “Just what the hell is going on?”

Grissom motioned towards the map on his desk, which had three glowing points on it. “This whole thing is a setup,” he explained. “I’ve had a feeling for a while now that Control was behind all this, but I didn’t have solid proof. So we rigged the one thing that he was desperate to steal, the one thing that he’s desired for years!”

“The Crown Jewels.” Rika said.

“Exactly!” Grissom exclaimed. “Control has been trying to steal those gems for nearly a decade now, and he’s finally gotten sloppy. And it was thanks to Seth that we now have a lead to go on.”

“What did Seth do?” Selena asked. “He’s been brainwashed as well.”

“Not quite, but I have to commend his acting skills,” Grissom smirked. “He almost had me fooled.”

“Wait! He’s jus’ pretending?” Fritter asked.

“Yes, when we came to visit this morning, Mr. Grissom explained his theory to us,” Diantha explained. “And thanks to a counter spell performed by Princess Celestia, Seth used himself as bait to lure out the enemy.”

“We have a mole in our Guard. I have yet to determine who… but just knowing is enough to sow the seeds of deceit. We simply leaked the information about Seth being ‘alone’ tonight and the enemy took the bait.”

“So when Seth left to look for Titania?” Selena said.

“Yes, that was when the plan took effect.” Grissom’s smile vanished. “But I didn’t expect three locations; we now have quite the predicament on our hands.”

“Well?” Diantha asked her partner. “Have you any luck on our brainwashed friend here?”

Gardevoir stood in front of the captive Alakazam. The problem was that she had to expend part of her power to perform an upkeep on the Imprison move, so he couldn’t escape. That, and the combination of the mental and magical defenses around his mind were quite strong.

“If only I had access to my Mega form, this would require little effort.” she said to her Mistress. “I just don’t know if I can breach his mind on my own.”

“That is a problem,” Grissom said. “The tracking spells we left on the Jewels are coming from three different locations, we need to know if we’re walking into a trap and we need to know quickly.”

“It would be easier if I had another Psychic to assist me,” Gardevoir continued. “But you are still inexperienced in this technique Mistress, it might cause permanent damage to the Alakazam.”

“And we don’t want that,” Diantha replied tersely. “But Mr. Grissom is right, time is not on our side right now...”

“Then perhaps I can be of assistance?” A powerful voice resonated in their heads. The group turned to see a large white and purple feline Pokémon standing in the doorway. “If you require someone to breach his mental defenses, then I can do it.”

“And who might you be?” Diantha asked. “I’ve never seen a Pokemon like you before.” The pressure she felt emanating from him was almost overpowering. It was like nothing she’d ever faced before... was he a Legendary Pokémon? Or something... more.

“I am not surprised, I am the only one of my kind. My name is Mewtwo...” He walked over to the Alakazam as his eyes shone with an azure hue. “Now let us see what sort of fight you can put up.” He entered the mindscape of the Alakazam, which appeared to be well fortified. It took the form of a massive castle, its walls looked nigh impregnable.

“Humph, such a weak defense...” Mewtwo raised his hand as the entire castle shook under his might, the enormous stone walls crumbling like dust and scattering in the wind. A magic circle appeared, manifesting in the form of a steel gate bound in thick chains.

“So this is magical defense... not bad, but not good enough!” Mewtwo raised his hand once more, placing it on the gate as it began to groan and creak, before the chains snapped, thrashing like angry snakes as the gate imploded. “Pitiful, I had hoped for a challenge.”

Once he was past that layer, all that remained as a steel cage with a terrified Alakazam hidden within. A small part of Mewtwo’s own mind flared up in anger, feeling some sort of sympathy towards the bound Psychic type. “The one who did this will pay, now be still.” He raised his hand once more as the cage warped and vanished, freeing the Alakazam’s mind and restoring it once more.

Something was wrong though. As Mewtwo was about to leave, the scenery suddenly vanished and he was forcefully removed from the mindscape.

“Hmm, very clever...” Now back in reality, he looked at the others. “It would seem that a failsafe spell activated once I freed his mind. It wiped the memories of what happened to him... I may be able to restore them, but they appeared to be painful ones... so perhaps it might be best not to.”

“But what about finding Seth!?” Rika yelled. “He’s in danger!”

“The... three... guarded....” The Alakazam said, his voice barely a whisper. “Champion... in the south... Deceiver to... the north.” he paused to take a shallow breath. “And... the Master, in the east...” That was all he said before passing out.

“Well that was ominous,” Selena said. “What do you suppose it meant?”

Grissom’s eyes widened as he stared at a glowing map. “The three places we’re getting readings from, they are coming from warehouses in the South, East and North Districts.”

“The Champion, the Deceiver and the Master...?” Selena muttered. “So what should we do?”

“We split up, take all three at the same time.” Titania said. “The Lux- I mean, Seth, is bound to be at one of those locations.”

“That might be our best option,” Grissom said. “But there are still so many variables, like the unknown number on enemies, Control may have already discovered the trackers and all of this is a trap.”

“But we have to try!” Selena said. “So who goes where then?”

“I’ll take this ‘Deceiver’,” Titania said.

“I’m curious about this ‘Champion’,” Diantha replied. “Surely he can’t have a former Champion under his command.”

“Then Fritter, Rika and I will take the ‘Master,” Selena said. “I have a bad feeling about that one.”

“Alright, give me a few minutes to get a contingent of Guards ready, you will all take a squad with you.” Grissom said. “And I suppose I don’t have to tell you all to be careful?”

“What about you Mewtwo?” Diantha asked, “Will you assist us?”

Mewtwo shook his head, “If I get involved, then the cleanup could get... expensive. Holding back is not a strong suit of mine.” His eyes flashed once more. “I have set up a mental link with everyone and will stay here with Mr. Grissom to help co-ordinate this mission. Should things go wrong, I can teleport straight to the problem and... Rectify the situation.”

“Okay then everypony,” Grissom said. “We leave in ten minutes, so let’s go over the plan once more.”

Apple Fritter gulped as she looked out a window and into the starry sky. “Ah hope yer safe Seth... and ah’ll save you. Ah promise.”

Author's Note

So, what did everyone think of this chapter?

Editors Notes.

Zeus - (Awaiting Input)

TDN - Oooh, nice setup. And now that Mewtwo is in on the plan...Control is now officially screwed.

I wanted to write something witty and/or funny here... but I got nuthin.

Chapter Fifteen

The plan was to split up and attack the three locations simultaneously. Everyone had been given the counter-spell that would block Total Control’s attempts at hypnotising them, but it was just a single defense. There was no knowing if he had other tricks up his sleeve.

“Just hold on Seth,” Selena said as they headed out. “We’re coming.”

~~~

Seth himself was safe… for now anyway. After escaping the alley via a Sandslash’s tunnel, he wound up in a large warehouse, somewhere in Canterlot. Being unable to go outside meant he couldn’t confirm where he was, though he didn’t know enough of the city to figure that out anyway.

Once he’d arrived, several Zubat had taken the Jewels and flown off somewhere, and that was something that didn’t sit right with Seth. Was the Control pony planning something?
Well, he was about to find out. He’d been following the Sandslash this whole time and now that they’d finally emerged into this warehouse, Seth got a good look at just who they were dealing with.

He was a tall, but rather skinny Unicorn stallion. His fur was a light beige colour and his mane and tail were as black as night. His eyes locked onto Seth the moment he had walked into the room and a small smirk crossed his lips. So this was the Pokemon that was trying to interfere with his plans. He certainly was an imposing-looking creature, and that would work perfectly for his plans. What could be better than turning this creature on the Royal Guards?

“Well then, let’s get started shall we?” he said in a low tone. “Soon enough, your mind will be an open book... one I may enjoy reading.”

Seth kept the blank look on his face, and prayed to every deity that Celestia’s spell would work as well as advertised...

*~*

Titania slowly approached the area that had been designated, ‘Deceiver’. What awaited her here was unknown and she sorely missed the back up of her comrades right now.

“What I wouldn’t give for one of Xavier’s strategies...” she muttered under her breath. Well, she had some of the Royal Guard with her, but she had the feeling they wouldn’t amount to much. None of them had faced a Pokemon before, if that’s what was here.

“The others will be in position shortly,” Grissom's voice came through loud and clear, thanks to Mewtwo’s mental link. “So don’t go jumping the hurdle just yet.”

“Feh, who do you think I am?” Titania scoffed. “I am a professional.”

“Indeed,” came the amused reply. “I’ll give the signal when it’s time to go.”

Titania looked at her surroundings. It was in the North Quarter, where most of the noble houses were situated. The building in particular was an abandoned mansion, it’s derelict appearance and boarded up windows making a striking contrast against the other houses.

“What do you suppose waits inside for us?” She asked nopony in particular. “Powerful Pokemon? Dastardly thieves? A combination of both perhaps?”

“We have just finished a scan,” One of the Unicorn guards approached her. “We detect only one life sign.”

“Just one?” Now that was interesting. “Either they are very confident or hopelessly delusional. Or perhaps they thought they would only be going up against ponies?” Titania wasn’t a firm believer in luck though. This was a trap and she wouldn’t be so foolish as to get caught in it.

Or maybe... what did Weiss used to say? Make out you’re going left, then go right? Something like that... she never really listened to him half the time.

So, set off the trap and get it out of the way? Or take the time to go around and try to catch the enemy off guard? Decisions, decisions.

“Okay, we’re all set. GO!”

Titania grinned, she knew what she had to do.

*~*

Malamar had just one wish, a very simple and pure wish.

That every Pony, Pokemon and all the little creatures on Equus be under his control. See, simple right? But there was one little, teensy wensy problem... THAT THEY WEREN'T!!

Why!? Why weren’t they all bowing before him? Because you’re not like that!

Why did he even desire control? Because you’re not you.

What should he do? Help, not hurt.

“SHUT UP!! Shut up shut up, shut up!!” Malamar raged, thrashing about and destroying furniture. “Get out of my head me! I don’t want you, I don’t like you!!”

“Well, is someone having a temper tantrum? That’s quite childish!” Malamar turned when he saw a Florges standing in the doorway, a small smirk on her face.

“A child?” Malamar’s voice dropped and became eerily calm. “I am no child little Miss.”

“The greater the denial, the bigger the child,” Titania retorted.

“I. AM. NO. CHILD!!” Malamar raged, unleashing a Superpower attack at the Garden Pokemon. She deftly avoided the attack, but it obliterated the wall, causing the whole house to shake.

“Oh my,” Titania giggled. “You really should play nice. “Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?”

Malamar’s gaze went blank for a second, as he tried to process information that simply wasn’t there. “M-my parents... I... what?”

Titania frowned, what was wrong with this Pokemon? How did somthing so... off kilter, even make it to Equestria.

“Are you alright?” she asked, a little concerned. Perhaps he was being controlled by this pony as well?

“I’m... FINE!” he grinned as he unleashed a powerful Psycho Cut at point blank range. Titania barely had time to guard with Flower Shield as the attack launched her across the room, throwing her slender form through a wall.

Once she picked herself up, she narrowed her eyes at the Pokemon in front of her. “Apparently so...” Something was very wrong with this Pokemon.

“Heh, so the little baby has some bite,” she taunted. “But a Baby Pokemon’s attacks don’t really hurt much~”

“If attacks don’t work...” A manic grin spread across Malamar’s face as several pieces of furniture begun to float. “Then how about we clean house?”

“Oh dear, this may not be good.” She suddenly had to duck and weave as he threw chairs, tables and even paintings on the wall at her. “Well that’s one way to do it,” she muttered, “But I have another!” She powered up a Moonblast and fired, sending the hollering Malamar through another wall.

“Aw, did the little baby get a boo-boo?” She said out loud and then screamed as a freaking piano came soaring through the gap.

“Heh, classic,” Malamar laughed as he surveyed the damage, “Did that hit the right ‘note’? Was my attack on key’? Perhaps you’d like another ‘lesson’?”

“Even your jokes are childish,” Titania groaned. This Malamar was clearly unhinged, so how was she supposed to deal with him?

“Do you require assistance?” Mewtwo’s voice rang out.

“No, I can handle this myself.” Titania replied, her pride would not allow her to lose this battle. She focused her mind to the stallions and mares waiting outside. “Alright listen up! I have a plan but it all hinges on you lot being competent enough to pull it off, so listen closely...”

Malamar danced around the room, Flinging various bits and pieces around the mansion, the building creaked and groaned under the assault. Titania tuned it all out as she focused her mind, calming herself.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that!” Malamar growled, before his voice rose a few octaves and he giggled. “What fun is life unless you make it Topsy-Turvy!?”

Rather than getting stronger, Titania found herself getting weaker. “Oh right, they can do that, reverse stat growth.” No matter, she still had her type advantage and she was still sane. “So why are you here by yourself?” she goaded, “Didn’t Control trust you enough to play with him?”

“My FriEnD?” Malamar said with strangled speech, his face twisting. “This is a trap and he trusts me to do it by myself!!” Using Superpower, he ripped a beam out of the wall and swung it like a bat, Titania barely ducked in time, narrowly avoiding having her head removed. And to make matters worse, Malamar’s special Ability made it so he got stronger every time he used that attack.

“Aw, poor little dear, that just means he doesn’t trust you with the important things.” Titania cooed. “After all... who’d trust a little child to do anything important?”

That was the final straw, Malamar snapped, slamming the beam down on the floor and shattering both, sending the Pokemon crashing to the bottom floor of the mansion. Once he picked himself back up, Malamar rubbed his eyes and squinted through the cloud, hoping to see a broken Florges. Instead, he saw dozens of them, floating around the room, posing on broken furniture, playing pattycake in the corners of the room...

“Weak.”

“Child.”

“Fool.”

“Broken.”

“Can’t be trusted.”

“Shutup!” Malamar growled, lashing out at the illusions, “Shut up, Shut up!” He struck again and again, hitting the Florges images and shattering them one after another, the constant chanting in the back of his mind. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UUUPPP!!”

Only one remained, sitting comfortably in a high-backed armchair. “Oh my, done already?” She stood up and thrust her hands forward, sending out a wave after wave of Petal Blizzards. Malamar swung his tentacles about, trying to clear the blinding petals. But for all his brute strength, he lacked speed and the attack kept pushing him back, until he was forced to flee through a window and out into the courtyard at the rear of the mansion.

“I’ll kill you, I’ll break you and then I’ll-” he stopped as he realised that he couldn’t move, his whole body was paralysed. “W-what did you do to meeeeee?”

“I didn’t do anything dear,” Titania said, stepping through the broken window. “It’s what these lovely little ponies did.” She motioned to the squad of Guard surrounding the courtyard, their horns glowing as they held a Spellbinding Circle.

“It seems you activated my trap dear Malamar, and that’s where I will call ‘Check’!”

The psychic squid strained his powers, trying to break free. But his mind raced at a mile a second, unable to concentrate even on a basic Confusion attack.

Titania leapt into the air, Luna’s moonlight bathing her body. “You are a broken Pokemon, and I will do my best to help you... but you must sleep now, so this is ‘Checkmate’, my dear Malamar.” She fired a double handed Moonblast straight down, hitting the Malamar dead on and exploding powerfully.

“And that as they say is tha-?” She noticed a dark circle underneath her and chuckled. “Oh! clever boy,” she whispered as the Destiny Bond took effect, and her world fell into darkness.

“Alright men, move it!” The Captain of the unit assisting Titania called. “We have two down, get the evac unit to get them to the hospital, double time! Move it!!” He looked at the two fallen Pokemon, and then to the crumbling mansion. “Just how are we supposed to deal with this if it becomes a regular occurrence?”

*~*

Diantha and her Gardevoir arrived at their chosen location, that of the ‘Champion’. It was a shipping yard, used for large freight airships. It was very similar to the ones back on Earth, with dozens and dozens of metal shipping containers littering the area. She gazed at one of the logos on the containers.

“PegasusAir, a fitting name I suppose.” she mused. “Well Gardy, do you sense anything?”

“Nothing yet Mistress, though something here feels... off.” Though her voice was merely a telepathic projection, it failed to hide the worry in her tone.

When her Gardevoir was worried, then it was cause for concern. Just what the heck was waiting for them here? Who was this ‘Champion’?

“Okay, we’re all set. GO!”

That voice was drowned out as a container screeched as metal tore against metal and then exploded, as a deafening roar filled the air...

It was only due to Gardy’s quick response that both she and Diantha teleported out of the way as a shipping container exploded and an enraged Tyrantrum emerged. One that was very familiar to the Champion and her Pokemon.

“T-that’s, it’s Tyra!” Diantha exclaimed. It wasn’t a ‘Champion’ they were fighting, but a Champion’s Pokemon, her Tyrantrum. “Tyra, please listen!”

The Tyrantrum responded with another roar, using Dragon Tail to send a massive container flying at the two gardevoir and their Guard escort. Gardy once again Teleported, along with Diantha and as many Guard as she could take, but some were not so lucky and the container slammed into them.

“Tyra! NO!” Diantha screamed, but by the luck of the gods themselves, nopony had been killed. Some had broken limbs and countless cuts and bruises though.

“Mistress, if we do not fight back, more will get hurt.” Gardy stated, but Diantha shook her head.

“He doesn't know what he’s doing, that awful Control must have done something to him.”

Gardevoir sighed and looked at the remaining Guards. “Please keep Tyrantrum distracted for a few moments, I’ll see if I can get him under control.” The Guards gulped, but nodded. The Pegasi flew at him, buzzing past his head as she snapped at them while the Unicorns fired blasts of magic bolts, but they seemed to have almost no effect.

Gardy focused her mind on Tyrantrum’s. She didn’t like hacking straight into another living being’s mind, but this was somewhat of a special case. She was silent for a moment before she screamed in pain, clutching her head.

“Gardevoir, what happened? Please tell me you’re still you!” Diantha didn’t want to have to fight two of her Pokemon.

“Guh, s-something is blocking me, like the Alakazam only much more powerful.” Gardevoir shook her head as it throbbed in pain. “I don’t know if I can help him right now.”

Tyra roared again, now flinging around Ancient Power at the flyers. The magic users were no threat, due to the anti magic wards that Control had placed on him. The flyers were annoying though and then there were the ones that betrayed him, the ones he thought he trusted. He would crush them all!!

Mewtwo!” Diantha cried, We need your help!” There was a moments pause before the Legendary Pokemon responded.

“I see, it is like the Alakazam, but his memories have been replaced, overwritten by new ones. I can help fix it... but it would take time. Render the creature unconscious, that will make it easier.”

“Knock him out?” Diantha replied, that was easier said than done. Perhaps if she had Hawlucha or Goodra...

“Do you doubt my power Mistress?” Gardy said, sounding a little hurt.

“What? No, of course I don’t... it’s just, well...”

“Mistress, if you have reservations about fighting your own Pokemon, keep in mind that we are trying to help him.”

“No, it’s not that... A few weeks before we arrived in Equestria I-” She was cut off as the last Pegasus went sailing above their heads, courtesy of a Dragon Tail. Now that the distractions had been dealt with, he looked at Gardevoir and Diantha and his massive jaw opened, his razor-sharp teeth dripping with poison as he activated Poison Fang.

Gardy sighed and gave her Mistress a deadpan stare. “You taught him anti-Fairy moves didn’t you?”

“Yes, Diantha smiled sheepishly as she and Gardevoir Teleported out of the way again.

“Of course you did,” muttered the Psychic type. Well, nothing she could do about it now... but having her Mega form would have been a boon. “I will try my best to defeat him, like old times Mistress?”

“We’re really calling ten days ago ‘Old times’?” she chuckled. “And yes, Use Moonblast!:

Gardevoir nodded, seeing the familiar fire in her trainers eyes. She focused her power and fired the ball of Fairy energy at Tyrantrum. The dragon opened his massive jaws and bit down on the attack, shattering the ball like it was nothing.

“W-what?” Diantha was shocked. How the heck was that even possible? He should have taken a lot of damage from that attack.

“He used Poison Fang to weaken it’s power, but I don’t know how it did nothing,” Gardevoir said. Then it clicked, his body had shone for a second when the attack struck, like it did when the Unicorns were attacking him. Were her Fairy moves being regarded as magic? And that caused his antimagic coating to activate? That was just plain unfair.

“I think we might be in trouble,” Diantha said as the Tyrantrum stomped closer, licking his lips as he stared hungrily at the two morsels.

Gardy tried Psychic, Shadow Ball and even Hidden Power, but they all had the same reaction, doing little to no damage at all.

“Alright, let’s try indirect then!” She flicked her wrist and flung a shipping container at him. Rather than just taking it like her previous attacks, he used Dragon Tail to knock it aside, the metal knocking off a few scales when he struck it.

But the wards didn’t activate.

“Interesting,” Gardevoir smirked and Diantha noticed it too.

“So either those wards block all Pokemon attacks, or just Special Attacks. Physical moves might work...”

“Except that I don’t know any Physical Moves,” Gardy finished. “Unless...” She raised her hands and used Psyshock, raining dozens of conjured stones down upon Tyrantrum, the attack causing him to roar in pain.

“Finally! Something that works!” Gardevoir cheered, a cheer that quickly died when Tyra opened his maw, building up dark purple energy. “EVERYONE TAKE COVER!” She screamed as Tyrantrum dug his claws in and fixed his tail as a counter-weight for the recoil, and then fired a massive Hyper Beam attack.

The beam ripped apart the ground as it blasted away the area where Diantha and her Pokemon had stood only seconds ago, several Unicorn’s banded together to shield their comrades, barely holding up against it with their combined might.

“Attack now, while he’s recharging!” Diantha called out, and then looked on in horror as the ancient Pokemon turned towards her, already charging another attack.

“Tyra... no...” She closed her eyes as everything seemed to move in slow motion, the previous attack had stunned Gardevoir monetarily, she would be unable to Teleport in time. This was it, this would be the end of them, no-one would be able to save them in time...

“DRAGON BULLET!” A high velocity ball of energy struck Tyrantrum back, causing him to stumble and lose concentration, the Hyper Beam attack petering out. Something heavy landed on the ground near Diantha and she opened her eyes, praying that it wasn’t another enemy.

Her vision was filled with the sight of gentle flames and large, orange wings. The Charizard they belonged too glared at Tyrantrum and then looked down at Diantha.

“Are you alright?” he asked, rather gently. “You’re not hurt are you?”

“N-no, we’re fine... but-” The Charizard smiled and nodded.

“Good, my brother would have my head if something happened to his friends.” He looked at the Tyrantrum, who was stunned by the last attack, but was getting to his feet, the wards having lessened the damage he would have taken.

“Tch! I thought that would have knocked him out.”

“He’s protected, against Special Attacks,” Diantha explained, helping Gardevoir to her feet. “Who are you?”

The Charizard smiled, “I’m Ignis, brother to Seth!” he declared. “Now stand back, I’ll handle this one.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Gardy snapped. “You’re a Fire/Flying type, you stand no chance against a Rock/Dragon like Tyrantrum!”

Ignis didn’t speak, instead he opened his mouth and roared, one so powerful that it shook the ground and pushed Diantha back with just force alone.

Tyrantrum responded with a far less impressive roar, but still terrifying to those still conscious. Charizard rocked forward, propelling himself using his wings and uppercutted the Dragon right in the jaw, sending him sprawling across the ground.

“D-did he just punch a Tyrantrum... in the face?” Gardy asked.

“I believe he did,” Diantha replied, equally as stunned. “Come on, let’s help the ponies while Ignis deals with Tyra.” Gardevoir nodded and the two of them backed away from the clashing titans.

Tyrantrum was confused, who was this new Pokemon? Why was he protecting those traitors? Well no matter, Tyrantrum was stronger and Tyrantrum would win.

‘CRACK!’ the dragon went down again as Ignis slammed him with his tail. Mewtwo had given him the rundown the second he had gotten close enough to Canterlot. It had been a bit surprising to hear a voice in his head like that out of the blue. But Mewtwo informed him of what was happening, and directed him on where he was needed most. Igis was worried about Seth, but right now he needed to stop this Tyrantrum.

“Rraagghhhh!!” Tyrantrum roared, getting to his feet once more. This Charizard will fall! Tyra slammed his head into the ground and large spires of stone erupted forth as he used Stone Edge, though Ignis simply took to the skies to avoid the attack.

“And here I thought a Champion’s Pokemon would actually be a challenge,” he sighed. He opened his mouth and fired a barrage of Dragon Pulse attacks, weaker than a normal one, but the numerous blows took their toll. Tyrantrum’s wards held their own, lessening the damage but the force of the impacts impeded his movements.

As Diantha helped heal the Guards, she also kept an eye on Ignis, noting that he was battling differently compared to the last time she saw him. He expertly avoided attacks, quite gracefully actually, before unleashed a well-timed counter attack. Whereas when she was training him to get used to Mega evolution, his tactic would be ‘Burn it till it stops moving’.

“So you want to explain why you’re attacking your trainer?” Ignis asked his opponent. “Just because Rock-types are generally stupid, doesn’t mean you have to prove it.”

“They are traitors and I will crush them!” Tyrantrum roared and opened his maw. Power could be seen building and Ignis’s eyes widened, was he really going to do that?

“Draco Meteor!” he roared, sending the draconic attack soaring into the sky. Ignis had to do something, he could easily avoid it, but the ponies and Pokémon on the ground? Not so lucky. His Dragon Bullet still wasn’t powerful enough to counter it, but he still had a few tricks up his metaphorical sleeve.

He held an item that he received from Red, a small red jewel. Crushing it in his claw, it vanished and he felt an infusion of power as the Fire Gem kicked in, ready to bolster the strength of his next fire move.

“Heat Wave!” He opened his mouth and fired a stream of white-hot flames, then flapped his wings and fuelled the attack with air, until it looked like the sky itself was on fire. The meteors incinerated upon impact, Ignis gave a weary sigh as the Fire Gem wore off, leaving feeling a little drained. That was probably the reason he didn’t avoid the incoming Ancient Power attack…

Well, that hurt Ignis grunted as he hit the ground as Tyrantrum buried him under a Rock Slide attack.

“Hah! And you thought you had a chance,” Tyrantrum roared triumphantly.

The rock pile exploded outwards, revealing a bored-looking Charizard, caressing one of his shoulders until it gave a satisfying ‘pop’. “Whoa, all that training with Eclipse did wonders with resisting my weaknesses.” He looked at the Tyrantrum and narrowed his eyes. “You’re a bit more dangerous than I thought, so I’m afraid I’ll have to end this little game.”

He flew into the air as he began to power up a Dragon Pulse. Tyrantrum merely smirked. That wouldn’t work, his wards would protect him. And Diantha noticed that too.

“Ignis, what are you doing? Special Attacks won’t work, even super effective ones!”

“I know,” Ignis replied. He had an idea, once, many years ago, he and Seth had visited the Sinnoh region. At some small town they had come across, there was a local festival that had proven to be quite fun as well as the most outrageous battle they’d ever seen. A Battle Frontier trainer named Palmer had been up against some young teen boy and his Grotle. The Grotle had swallowed its own Energy Ball to bolster its attack power!

So that’s exactly what he did. Once the Dragon Pulse was charged, he bit down on it… and the effect was quite interesting. Draconic energy surrounded his head, taking the shape of a dragons’ mouth.

“Dragon Fang!” Ignis roared as he swooped at Tyrantrum, biting down on him as the wards lit up, before failing completely as the attack overwhelmed them, and drove Tyra into the ground with a massive thud.

“Ignis! Tyra!?” Diantha ran over to them, concerned about their safety, only to find Ignis sitting atop the fallen dragon with a satisfied smirk on his face.

“I’m fine… Tyrantrum? Not so much. What do we do with him now?”

“A section of a local hospital has been set up to take care of any Pokémon and ponies that have been injured or subjected to magical alteration.” Mewtwo’s voice rang in their heads. “I have sent the directions to Gardevoir, do you require assistance in transporting the injured?”

“We have it under control, thank you Mewtwo.” Diantha responded. She looked back at her unconscious Pokémon and sighed. “Why did this have to happen?”

“The unexpected happens,” Ignis shrugged as he hopped down. “You just have to do your best to deal with it and make the best of the outcome.” He flexed his wings a few times to make sure he had no lingering injuries, but Gardevoir used Heal Pulse on him anyway, earning a thankful nod from him.

“Okay, I’m going to help Seth, you ladies will be fine here?”

“Yes, and now that those wards on Tyra have worn off, even if he does wake up, I can put him back down if necessary.” Gardevoir confirmed, Diantha just looking at the ground.

“The one who did this, make sure they face justice,” she said quietly and Ignis nodded.

“Yeah, this bastard won’t get away with this. Count on it.” He gave a resolute nod and took to the skies, heading for Seth’s location and praying that he wasn’t too late.

*~*

This was it, this would be the moment that Control’s world would come tumbling down around him. A low growl escaped Selena’s throat as she stared at the warehouse that presumably held Total Control, and Seth.

“So what do we do?” Apple Fritter asked. “Just charge in and rescue Seth?”

“That… you’ve never done this before, have you Fritter?” Selena said with a deadpan tone.

“Go up against fruit bat crazy Unicorns that’r brainwashin’ mah friends… can’t say that ah have,” Fritter snarked back.

“To be fair, neither have we,” Rika added. “First time for everything huh?”

“Well, the Princess’s spell should protect Seth from being brainwashed, but given that magic is what got us into this mess…” Selena groaned. Arceus had brought them to this world for an easier life... how was this easier exactly? “I’m not banking on it working forever. We need to come up with something.”

“Okay, we’re all set. GO!”

There was a sudden flash from the windows and the tell tale crack of thunder told them that time was probably up.

“Okay, Fritter’s plan sounds good now, Let’s go!!” Selena said and the three charged into the warehouse, not expecting what they saw…

Chapter Sixteen

“The memories of this one… they’re so…boring!” Control muttered as he sifted tough the mind of the Luxray. His life appeared to be the same thing, day in and day out. He lived in a forest, waking up in the morning to hunt, did almost nothing during the day, hunted at night and then went to bed. Rinse and repeat, day in and day out.

“I can’t work with this, there are no memories to manipulate to make him loyal… Perhaps Malamar can do something, but for now…” He pointed to a cell at the far end of the warehouse. “Go there and wait for further instructions.”

Seth nodded and headed for the cell. It seems that Celestia’s spell worked, allowing him to give false memories through lucid dreaming. Once he got to the cage, he could see exactly what he was dealing with. There were more than a dozen Pokémon here, and most looked half-starved and weary.

“Are you seeing this Mewtwo?” Seth’s eyes had a slight blue tinge to them, as the Psychic type saw what he saw. It made the feline emanate a low growl.

“Yes, and while I would take great pleasure in removing this stallion from existence, I am needed here for the moment. Your comrades should be in place in about ten minutes, and then the operation will start.”

Seth turned as Control walked over to the cage, slamming to door shut with a loud clang. “Now Sleep!” he commanded and all the Pokémon fell to the floor, closing their eyes. Seth followed suit, noting that Control seemed to use keywords to control the Pokémon.

“Even getting them to sleep on command, this guy is good, I’ll give him that much.” While having their eyes closed would prevent most beings from getting a look at their surroundings, Seth had Luxray Super Eyes, and x-ray vision was just so damned cool.

Using it to look past his own eyelids, he tilted his head ever so slightly to get a look at the warehouse. It seemed to be divided into three sections, the one where Seth was housed the Pokémon in a single, massive cage against the wall. To the left and right, each wall had a single door that led to another room. The left appeared to be where Control was keeping all the stolen goods he had acquired, and it was a considerable amount. The right held a furnished room, and Control himself was in there, gazing at the stolen Jewels. There had been a debate over using the real or counterfeit Jewels, but Seth had said he wanted this as realistic as possible. If Control was as smart as he thought he was, he’d probably spot a fake before the plan could be executed.

Lastly, he turned to the Pokémon in the cage with him. Rapidash, Durant, Ariados, Ekans, Shuppet, Sneasel, Linoone, Aipom, Weezing and the Zubat from before soon returned as well.

“Five minutes,” Mewtwo said. “Do you understand what needs to be done?”

Seth sighed inwardly, “Yes, but it’s difficult… they didn’t do anything to deserve this after all.”

“If you do not, then the coming tussle would become more dangerous, a pre-emptive strike is the best solution.” Seth knew that Mewtwo had a point, but why did it have to come to this?

“An emergency ward in the hospital has been sectioned off to receive any injured Pokémon and Ponies,” Grissom said over the link. “And retrieving the Jewels isn’t the priority, rescuing those Pokémon and arresting Total Control are... The Jewels would be a nice bonus though.”

Seth nodded slightly as power began to build in his body, slowly and subtly, just as it had since he stole the Jewels. Being slower at using Charge had its advantages.

Control sat in his office, the most valuable jewellery in all of Equus lay at his hooves. And it had been so remarkably easy too, these Pokémon were a gift from the gods themselves… well, the Pokémon God anyhow. He chuckled as he lost himself in the jewels lustre, before a small frown creased his brow. It had been easy, and that was the entire problem.

“The Guard are up to something, and I know that the Luxray’s friends will come for him soon.” He levitated his wine over and took a tentative sip. He had set up measures of course, the tracking gems had been an obvious ploy, but the Guard would have no choice. They couldn’t risk Control fleeing Canterlot with the Jewels.

“Just wait until they see what I have waiting for them,” Control chuckled. “All that remains is for me to finish my little ‘conversion’ of the lightning lion and then the stage will be set.” He finished his wine and got to his hooves. “All too easy…”

Walking over to a small cabinet, he pulled out a jar of white candies. One of the Pokémon he had enthralled used to be formerly human, fascinating creatures actually, and had known a recipe for a special candy that could make Pokémon stronger. Control managed to synthesise a few using alchemy and discovered something rather interesting. Not only had they made Pokémon stronger, but when Control tried one, he’d gotten a boost in magical power, though only a temporary one.

He took out the last one and popped it into his mouth, feeling his magical power increasing. It was a rather addicting feeling really.

He suddenly got the strangest sensation as his fur stood on end and he could smell something odd, it smelled a bit like rain or a thunderstorm.... As he reached for the door handle leading to the centre room of the warehouse, a loud buzz, followed by and even louder crack filled the air and the whole building shook. He flung the door open to see the bars of the cage crackling with residual electricity as Seth stepped out into the open, his eyes gleaming in the low light.
Control’s mouth fell open as the massive Luxray turned his gaze to the Unicorn and his eyes narrowed.

“Sorry about the noise,” Seth said calmly as he took a step forward. “I had to put the others to sleep for a bit… hope you don’t mind.”

Control slowly closed his mouth and gritted his teeth, had Malamar’s hypnosis worn off already?

“I’ll make you a deal,” Seth said. “Give yourself up, and I promise I won’t turn you into charcoal.” His body crackled with azure lightning for emphasis. Control’s reaction was one he wasn’t expecting though, as the Unicorn laughed loudly.

“Hehehehahaha!! You honestly think I’ll give up? Just like that!?” The stallion tapped a hoof on the ground and chuckled again. “I still have you beat, you just don’t know it yet!”

The ground beneath Seth’s paws cracked and then exploded as the Sandslash erupted forth as his claws narrowly missed taking Seth’s eyes out.

“Always have a Plan B,” Control said. “Scanning minds of these Pokémon, I’ve garnered quite a bit of information on how battling works. And I know that you have quite the disadvantage to Ground element Pokémon.”

“Tch!” Seth couldn’t believe that he’d missed seeing the Sandslash, he must have been hiding underground the whole time. Seth jumped back as Sandslash made another sweeping attack with his claws, but the Luxray failed to dodge the Rapid Spin attack that followed. As the two Pokémon battled, something didn’t sit right with Total Control. Why was the Luxray doing this? How had he broken Malamar’s hypnosis?

Using the fact that Seth was distracted by battle, Control lit up his horn and sifted through his memories again, and was surprised to find them completely different than before. They involved a human this time, and from the looks of it, this Luxray used to be one… and he looked familiar for some reason. But how had he fed him false memories before? A bit of prodding showed the reason, a Geas had been cast on him, an extremely powerful one at that. Control found that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t alter the Luxray’s memories.

“…Celestia…” he cursed under his breath. It was the only explanation for the sheer strength of the counterspell.

Now he remembered, he’d seen this human in the memories of another, the Sandslash that he was currently fighting! Said Sandslash was cornered, and though he was tired, Seth was about to deal a knockout blow when Control called out.

“Do you want to do that Mr. Crescent? Heath there is your beloved partner is he not?”
Seth’s eyes widened as he looked from the Sandslash, to Control and then back to the Pokémon identified as Heath. It was really him? And how did Control know who Seth was? Heath took the pause to counter attack, slamming into Seth with another Rapid Spin.

The main door to the warehouse suddenly burst open as Selena, Rika, Fritter and some Royal Guard stormed in. The first thing they saw was Seth trying to hold back a Sandslash that was attacking him with a barrage of Rapid Spin attacks. Rika wasted no time in using Hyper Voice to blast Heath and Control, the Unicorn erected a shield to block the attack, but Heath wasn’t as lucky as he went spiralling across the warehouse floor. Seth jumped back and was quickly surrounded by his friends.

“Are you alright?” Selena asked, glaring at Control. “It seems we got here just in time.”

“Yeah… thanks,” Seth replied, wincing in pain. “That Sandslash, it’s Heath!” That got a reaction from his team as they looked at the fallen ground type.

“It’s really him?” Rika asked, as Seth nodded in response.

“Yeah, according to that horned bastard it is,” Seth spat. “How else would he know that name and who I am?”

“It’s quite true,” Control said, fixing his mane that was blown out of place by Rika’s attack. “Both yours and his memories confirm it. Such a touching reunion no?” He looked at the Sylveon and Absol, “Ah, and you must be Rika and the lovely Selena… a true pleasure to meet you.”

“The feeling isn’t mutual,” Selena growled. “I hope you’re ready, because I’m going to hurt you now!”

“Oh, feisty~” Control sneered. “I like that in a mare.”

Selena shivered in disgust. Just what the hell was this guy getting at? “You’ll be eating those words in just a moment!” Her horn lit up with a dark purple light as she rushed at him, her Night Slash would end this in one stroke.

But then Control’s horn ignited with a red light and Selena found herself unable to move. Try as she might, her body wouldn’t listen as she stood there like a statue.

“W-what did you do?” she growled, apparently she could still talk. Control just laughed as he walked closer to her.

“Oh, nothing much,” he purred. “Just a little spell I designed myself.” He saw Seth get to his feet and Control waved a hoof, Selena suddenly found herself pointing her razor sharp claws at her own throat.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you Mr. Crescent. We wouldn’t want anything… unfortunate, to happen to Selena here, would we?” He forced the claws closer until a small droplet of blood stained her white fur. “I for one, would be most upset.”

Seth growled, but didn’t make a move. What the hell was he supposed to do? Control smiled as he lowered Selena claw and stood next to her. Leaning close, he took a deep sniff of her mane around her neck and smiled. “Ah, delightful. I knew I liked you the moment I saw your picture. Simply beautiful~”

“I am going to tear out you spleen and feed it to you!” Selena said through gritted teeth. She wanted to throw up after that, but her body was stuck fast.

“You shall change your mind soon enough,” Control said, unfazed by the threat. “I will have to remove that pesky Geas first, then you shall be utterly devoted to me.”

“How are you doing this?” Selena said, “The Princesses spell should protect me from your mind control, and I’m a Dark Type!”

“Such curiosity, beautiful and smart!” Control beamed. “It’s quite simple really, I’m not controlling your mind, but rather, the electrical signals your brain sends to your muscles. I call it ‘Marionette Magic’ and as you can see, it’s quite effective.” His horn shone and Selena suddenly dashed forward as her tail glowed with a white light.

“Rika!? Look out!” Selena cried, but it was too late as her Iron Tail connected with the side of Rika’s head and sent her tumbling across the ground. A few silent moments passed and Rika made no signs of getting up again.

“Rika? Wake up!” Selena cried, but the fairy didn’t respond. “You bastard! I’m going to fucking kill you!!”

“And you’re also powerful? You just get more and more beautiful!” Control sighed. “Those Rare Candies make my magic so much stronger, you have no chance of resisting.”

“Rare Candy?” Seth’s eyes widened, how had he gotten those? He didn’t have time to respond as Selena ran straight at him, her claws glowing with a pink light.

“Seth, dodge!” Selena cried, but someone intercepted her, Apple Fritter tackled the Pokémon from the side, sending her sprawling across the ground.

“Ah’m sorry Selena!” Fritter cried.

“Don’t be, keep me away from Seth!” Selena responded, that tackle had hurt quite a bit, but she couldn’t even flinch. “You guys have to take Rika and run!” She found her mouth opening and a dark energy began to build. Control was making her use Hyper Beam!?

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that,” Control said and at the last moment, made Selena aim to the right and blasted the squad of Guards with her attack. “And that takes care of that little problem, now for the other loose ends.” He suddenly threw up a shield as Seth’s Discharge attack bounced off of it. “Ah, ah, ahh~” Control waved a hoof, “That’s very naughty. I’ll have to punish you for that!”

Selena, exhausted from Hyper Beam, was forced to lift her weary body and face her Trainer, her blade shining with Psychic power as Control activated her Psycho Cut attack. “I’m afraid your head will have to roll Mr. Crescent, and the look on Selena’s face as she does just that should be delicious~”

Tears streamed from Selena’s eyes as she ran at her master, her blade shining as her Ability aimed it at a weak point on his body. She was stopped however, as something large appeared out of thin air, clutching her blade and holding her still. Her eyes panned up to see Ignis standing there, his claws holding her blade as a trickle of blood ran down it. Where had he come from? Why was he, of all Pokémon here to see her like this?

“What the hell are you doing?” Ignis said calmly. “Wanna explain why you’re attacking our brother?” When Mewtwo had told him there was a problem and teleported him here, Selena trying to kill Seth was something he wasn’t expecting.

“Because she does what I make her!” Control yelled, wondering just where in the hell this beast had come from. “And you will not stop her. Selena, kill that dragon and take your Trainer’s head!”

“And you’re going to obey him? Just like that?” Ignis said, ignoring the loud stallion. “I thought you were stronger than that Selly? Didn’t think a wimpy little toothpick like that could push you around.”

“He’s using magic on me, I can’t stop!” Selena cried as her body took a step forward. Tears streamed down her eyes as she felt her blade press deeper into his hands. “Please, make me stop!”

“No, make him stop yourself!” Ignis roared. “You are Selena, our sister and the Dark Fairy Queen, he’s just a nobody! So stop letting him push you around!”

“She can’t!” Control yelled. “I have total command of her body, she cannot disobey me!!”

“Yes. I. FUCKING CAN!!” Selena roared as she dug her claws into the ground. Ignis was right, this was going to end here and now, even if it killed her. Red strings to light appeared, that seemed to attach her body to Control’s horn. With another roar as her body became engulfed with dark light, the strings suddenly snapped, causing her to fall as the magical backlash caused Control to yelp in pain as he stumbled back.

“I-impossible!” Control groaned, “How did she break free?” It just wasn’t possible, with his boosted magic, he should have been able to control an alicorn! So how did a lowly Pokémon break free? He wheezed as he felt the downside to taking the Rare Candy, the boost suddenly had the opposite effect and he suddenly felt very drained. He took the last candy from his bag and ate it, he needed to get out of here!

Ignis caught Selena and held her close as her eyes began to close. “You did it, I knew you could,” he whispered. Selena smiled back softly and her eyes closed as she lost consciousness. Ignis held his sister close and hugged her. And then placed her on the ground as he stared at the Unicorn that was getting to his hooves.

“I am going to burn you to ashes!” he growled, but then something caught his attention and looked at this brother.

Seth’s body crackled with lightning as his eyes narrowed to slits as he glared at Control. “Ignis, Fritter?” he said, his voice holding back the unbearable rage he was feeling. “Get all the Pokémon out of here… I will deal with Control!”

“You, but-” Ignis was cut off as Seth turned his glare on him.

“The safety of the other’s comes first. We need to get the Guard, Rika, Selena and the other Pokémon out of here! So get to it Ignis!”

“R-right…” Ignis scooped up Selena and Rika. “Can you handle this?” He got his answer when a massive bolt of lightning shot forth which Control only barely managed to deflect. His shield shattered like glass as a second bolt was being charged.

“Yeah,” Seth replied darkly. “I got this!”

Apple Fritter took a step back as the charged electricity caused her mane to stand on end. “I’ll ah, Ah’ll give you a hand Mr. Ignis,” she stammered, placing Rika on her back.

“You think I’m just going to let you walk away!?” Control shouted and then yelped as another bolt shot at him, narrowly missing him, but still scorching the fur on his left side.

“Like you have a choice,” Seth replied. “You’re going to pay for what you did. I’ll make sure of that!” Lightning arced across his body, this Thunder attack would finish him for good.

“We shall see…” Control said quietly as he got to his hooves as he began to multicast one last time. Like he had said before… always have a Plan B!

*~*

Ignis and Fritter had barely made it outside when a massive bolt of lightning ripped through the roof, lighting up the night sky like the sun itself. The noise was deafening and every window close by shattered from the concussive force.

All was silent before a figure passed through the warehouse doors and out into the open. Seth looked tired and his eyes just stared at the ground as he emerged. Fritter ran over to hug him, but the Pokémon drew away from her.

“Let’s get the other Pokémon and get them to the hospital,” he said quietly.

“What about that Unicorn?” Ignis said and Seth flinched.

“He’s – I didn’t mean to…” he hadn’t meant to utterly vaporise him, he only wanted to make him pay for what he had done. Ignis nodded and placed a claw on Seth’s shoulder.

“It’s alright,” Seth didn’t want to guy dead, he wanted him to pay for what he did, but not like this. His sensitive ears were suddenly filled with noise as the warehouse exploded, the blast throwing everyone to the ground.

“The hell?” Ignis shielded everyone behind him, the flames not having much effect on him, until Seth ran around him and towards the warehouse.

“SETH!?” Fritter cried, drawing back from the roaring flames. “NO!”

“What the hell are you doing?” Ignis roared, trying to hold the mare back from running after him. A quick glance at the rescued Pokémon told him the reason why... Heath was still inside the building!

Seth coughed as he searched through the flickering flames, trying to find his missing brother. It took what felt like a painfully long time, as the flames burned his fur and smoke filled his lungs, but he eventually found the Sandslash against one of the walls, pinned by a wooden beam.

“Come on!” Set groaned as he tried to shift the beam. “We need to get the hell out of here!”

“Why did you come back?” Heath coughed. His mind had begun to clear and he realised what he had been doing. “I don’t deserve it.”

“We’re family,” Seth replied as the beam shifted slightly. “I don’t leave family behind, you got that!”

Heath groaned as the heavy beam was finally shifted, but both Pokémon were so weak, they couldn’t move. Heath chuckled slightly before coughing on the smoke that filled the warehouse.

“Great rescue there ‘brother’,” he said, placing a hand on Seth.

“Yeah well it’s the thought that counts right?” Seth replied, he was starting to get sleepy, every fibre in his being was telling him not to, but he just wanted to sleep…

Both Pokémon were already unconscious when a blue light filled the room…

*~*

“I’ll go and get them!” Ignis said, putting Apple Fritter down. “They won’t last long in those flames!”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry,” The dragon turned to see an armoured stallion standing next to him, one that hadn’t been there before. Grissom nodded towards the warehouse, “Our friend has it under control.”

“Friend?” Fritter and Ignis echoed. The warehouse was engulfed in light as the flames parted, a sphere of azure light floated out, the silhouettes of three Pokémon inside of it. The sphere floated over to the group and vanished, revealing Mewtwo, along with a rather singed-looking Seth and Heath.

“I believe these belong to you,” Mewtwo said. “They have superficial wounds and smoke inhalation, we should transport them and everyone else to the hospital.”

Ignis nodded and stared at the smouldering warehouse, how had it exploded in the first place? A faint popping sound caught his ears and he turned to see a sight that made his blood boil. It was that damned Unicorn, Total Control!

Control coughed as he gained his bearings. Those self-destruct runes had been a bit more powerful than he anticipated, he would have died if he hadn’t teleported in time. Well, at least all of his problems were taken care of in one fiery explosion… His eyes widened when he realised where he was, he was just outside the warehouse… but that wasn’t right, he should have been miles away, hidden away in one of his safe houses.

His horn throbbed in pain and suddenly knew what went wrong, the Rare Candy had worn off much sooner than expected. The sound of hooves galloping across the cobblestones caught his attention and he looked up to see an Earth Pony mare only a few feet away. She looked familiar somehow and then his pupils shrank when he recalled. He tried to cast a spell, but his horn just fizzled out.

“The mud stomper…” he muttered and Apple Fritter spun on her hooves, facing away from him as she raised her back legs.

“Mud ain’t the only thing they’re good fer stompin’!” she said as her hooves connected with his chest with a solid thump… Total Control was already unconscious before he struck the side of the building with a sickening crunch and his limp form fell to the ground, the Crown Jewels spilling out of his bag.

“Nopony messes with mah kin,” Fritter spat and then fell to the ground, her energy spent.

Grissom walked over to Control, slipping hoofcuffs and an Inhibitor Ring on him. “You have the right to remain unconscious. Anything you say or do makes no difference, as you are royally screwed.”

Mewtwo nodded and with a wave of his hand, they were all transported to the hospital to recover. Once everyone had been settled, he left for the Hall of Legends, he had a trio of Pokémon to speak to.

*~*

Memories flashed through Seth’s mind, like watching a movie and hitting the skip button few times. He remembered the first time he left on his Pokémon journey, the first Gym Battle he’d ever won and the moment he decided to stand up for those that couldn’t. He recalled the tender night he shared with Elesa on the Ferris wheel, and then when he awoke in Equestria and met Apple Fritter. He remembered all the new friends that he had made, like meeting Gene and Belle, as well as all of his new pony friends…

But it was time to wake up…

And what a sight it was when he did. At first, the plain, white ceilings of the hospital room he was in greeted his tired eyes. But when he felt something stir next to him, he looked to his left and then to his right to see Apple Fritter and Rika sleeping on either side of him.

‘This is a pretty damned nice way to wake up,’ he thought to himself. He just lay there for a moment, before gently prodding the two girls. “Hey, rise and shine,” he said softly, his voice was raspy and a sudden coughing fit caused the girls to stir.

“Seth?” Rika leant over him, her bright eyes staring into his. “You’re awake!?”

“S’bout time,” Fritter mumbled sleepily. “Ah was worried about ya.”

Rika nodded in agreement and then frowned before pounding his chest with her paws. “How could you do something so stupid!? Running into a burning building? You could have been killed! You almost were killed!!”

“S-sorry,” Seth coughed with each hit, “Won’t happen again… promise.”

“Darn tootin’ it won’t happen again, idgit!” Fritter said, feeling more awake now. “But yer safe an’ so is everypony else, I reckon that’s the most important fact.”

Seth nodded, wincing as his whole body was racked with pain. Yeah, he defiantly won’t run into a burning building anytime again soon. “So what happened, I remember trying to save Heath… and then I woke up here. How long have I been out?”

Rika glanced at a wall clock. “About thirteen hours, give or take,” she replied. “It’s a little after noon now, so I think that might be about right. Everyone else is okay… Diantha and Gardevoir are downstairs healing everyone. They’ve been up all night doing it too.”

Seth nodded, slowly this time and tried to get to his feet, but Rika and Fritter held him down.
“Whoa there partner, y’all aint getting out of this here bed,” Fritter said sternly. “You took in a lot of smoke last night an’ yer burns are still healing. So yer jus’ gonna lay here and let Rika and I take care of you!”

“Seems I have little choice,” Seth chuckled. “At least my carers are cute~” That comment got the two girls to turn bright red and they suddenly found the ceiling very interesting. A cough coming from the doorway got their attention and the three looked to see Selena standing there.

“Are you done flirting? I’d like to see how you’re doing,” Selena smirked, her bravado quickly died though as her eyes watered. Seth motioned for her to come over and the Dark Pokémon wasted no time in walking over to the bed and nuzzling her trainer, tears running down her face.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that. I should have been stronger, not let him-” Her tirade was cut off when Seth put a paw over her mouth and then pulled her into a hug.

“Enough of that, it wasn’t your fault and I certainly don’t blame you for anything.” He ran his paw through her silky fur. “And I know Rika doesn’t hold a grudge either, so none of that alright. You’ll stain your fur and I don’t have a grooming kit on me.”

Selena gave a weak chuckle and leant into the embrace. Rika hugged her as well and Fritter smiled at the tender scene in front of her, until someone else cleared their throat to garner some attention. Set opened one eye to see Ignis standing there, his arms folded and a small grin on his face.

“Can’t leave you alone for a moment, can I?” he said, walking into the room. “Maybe I should have stayed with you, you seem to attract all sorts of excitement.”

“It’s excitement that I could do without,” Seth replied dryly. Fritter brought a cup of water over to him, which he gladly drank. “Ahh, that’s much better~”

Selena hopped off of the bed and wiped her face with her foreleg. “So what are you doing here anyway?” she said with a curt tone. “Shouldn’t you be off picking fights with Legendary Pokémon?”

“Selena…” Seth started, but Rika shook her head.

“Well, I wanted to come see you guys, tell you what I’ve been up to and it looks like you needed my help after all,” Ignis said, walking closer.

“Maybe if you’d been here in the first place, we wouldn’t even be in this mess!” Selena raised her voice.

“Well I’m not a Psychic type!” Ignis yelled back. “How was I supposed to know something like this would happen?!” He pressed his snout against hers and narrowed his eyes.

Selena suddenly leapt at him, pinning the surprised dragon to the floor and staring into his eyes. “So what are you going to do now? Just up and leave me again!?”

“Leave you? Don’t you mean all of you?” Ignis said and Rika facepawed, was he really that stupid… oh yeah, he totally was.

“I know what I goddam said!” Selena yelled in his face and then pressed her lips against his, her face burning bright red. Ignis’ eyes went as wide as they could and his heart nearly stopped. After a moment, Selena finally pulled away and the two Pokémon panted as they caught their breath.

“You get it now, stupid flamebrain!” Selena said quietly, her still blushing face looking away from his. She squeaked when he gently cupped her cheek with his bandaged paw and turned her face to look at him directly.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I think I get it,” he brought his lips to press gently against hers and the two Pokémon just melted into each-others embrace.

Rika squealed with glee and the grin she wore was enormous. Fritter just smiled and leant a little closer to Seth without thinking.

Seth on the other hand was seriously confused. Ignis and Selena were making out on the floor and his brain just could not process that fact.

“So uh, how long has his been a thing?” he asked.

“For a while now,” Rika stated as she munched on some grapes she pilfered from Seth’s fruit basket. “But Ignis was too dumb to pick up on Selly’s feeling and Selly was too damned tsundere to actually admit it outright. Guess she finally grew a pair and the end result is this!”

“I… see…” Seth said. “Well, good for them!” He really was happy for them, but the whole family dynamic between them was changed forever now.

“Yup,” Rika giggled. “Incest is Wincest!”

“I can’t believe you just said that,” Seth groaned, smushing her head under his paw.

Once the happy new couple settled down, Seth was finally able to get some answers about last night. All the brainwashed Pokémon had been brought to the hospital they were currently staying in, and Gardevoir had been working around the clock to repair the mental damage that Control had inflicted upon them. Removing false memories had proven to take quite some time and Gardevoir was guessing at best on how to do it. Several Pokémon had already recovered and would be discharge later today. There were only a few Pokémon left, including Diantha’s Tyrantrum and the Malamar.

Heath was doing alright, his wounds were healing and he wouldn't suffer any lasting effect from the smoke. But he was still unconscious and would probably remain so for another day or two at least.

“Tyra will take a bit longer, the mental damage was pretty severe, plus I kinda beat the crap out of him,” Ignis said. “But Malamar… Gardy said that his mind is broken, she isn’t sure if she can fix him.”

“I see,” Seth said quietly. How could one pony have done all of this? And for what, a few shiny trinkets? “At least it’s over…”

There was a knock on his door and Seth nodded to Ignis for him to open it. When he did, a Rapidash and a Garchomp stepped inside.

“You… you’re Seth right?” The Rapidash said and the Luxray nodded. “Well, my name is Flare Blitz, and… I’d like to thank you. You saved me, saved all of us from that madman…”

The Garchomp walked over to him and placed arm over the fire pony’s withers. “You saved my mate and for that, I owe you. If you ever need anything, just ask! I’m Sapphira, by the way.”

“You’re welcome,” Seth replied and lowered his head in an apologetic manner. “Sorry about having to zap you though…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Flare grinned and nudged his dragon. “Having her as a mate means I’m used to the rough stuff~”

“I-idiot!” Sapphira blushed. “Don’t say that!” She took a breath and smiled though. “C’mon, we should get out of here, it’s crowded enough already.”

Seth chuckled and returned the smile. “You take care of each other now, and perhaps we’ll meet again?”

Flare Blitz nodded, “Yeah, we should catch up some time. Thanks again!” And with a chorus of farewells, the duo left. Seth’s smile refused to leave even after they were gone.

“Well that was nice of them,” Fritter said. “Y’all should be proud Seth.”

“And you guys too,” Seth sad. “You really helped out, I couldn’t have done it without you.” The group shared another hug and spent the rest of the day sitting around the room talking. After the sun had set, Grissom paid them a visit, explaining that the Princess wanted to meet Seth at his next convenience. Once his injuries had healed, Total Control was facing life imprisonment for his crimes against Equestria and the Pokémon. The news of the battles that had raged around Canterlot last night had been suppressed, with the Summit around the corner they could not afford the negative publicity from this event.

Night eventually fell and Ignis and Selena left to let Seth get some rest. Rika and Fritter refused to leave though, even when the nurse asked them to. Seth didn’t mind the company, it felt pretty nice actually. So with the two on either side of him, the Luxray drifted off the sleep wondering just what surprises the next day would bring...

Author's Note

Well, so this arc is finally wrapped up. I hope you guys enjoyed it.

Editors Notes -
Zeus- Glad Control got his comeuppance, loved the chapter, and your little cameo.
tdnpony- Perfect end to this arc. I just love it when the villain gets what’s coming.

Chapter Seventeen

Author's Note

The first of three parts of a crossover I have done with Thadius0 and his fic - A New World, A New Mind. This should prove to be fun and if you have read his versions, then don't skip mine, I will have segments that aren't in his, especially in the third part.

I hope you enjoy^^

Editor’s Note -

Zeus: Oooh! Crossovers, fun.

Chapter Seventeen

Seth groaned as bright sunlight pierced the windows and his sensitive eyes. “Urgh! Turn off the sun…” He rolled over to turn away, and found his muzzle pressed up against Fritter’s.

The Earth Pony mare was having a good dream and then her entire body was filled with an indescribably warm feeling. She hummed happily and opened her eyes to see Seth… kissing her…

Her reaction may have been a bit dramatic, but with a surprised squeak and a shove of her hooves, Seth and Rika, whom had been lying behind him, suddenly found themselves in a pile on the floor.

“Ow…” Seth moaned, rubbing his head. There was a muffled shout and he rolled over, revealing a squished Sylveon beneath him.

“That was not a cool way to wake up!” Rika pouted, she glanced at the bed and saw Fritter with a hoof pressed to her mouth and her face was bright red. The Sylveon turned her venomous glare to Seth and narrowed her eyes. “What did you do?”

“Nothing… much,” Seth said, backing away slowly. His room door opened and Selena, along with an exhausted-looking Gardevoir and Diantha. “Perfect timing,” Seth said. “How are you girls doing this morning?”

Rika pouted and looked at Fritter again, who still looked slightly stunned. “Well, I suppose I can let her have this one,” Rika thought to herself.

Gardevoir sighed and flopped into a chair. “I have never been so exhausted. My head is pounding and I still don’t know what to do about Malamar… Mewtwo said he was looking into something, but it’s been over a day now-” She suddenly put a hand to her head as a wave of Psychic energy washed over her. Diantha seemed to notice it too, but didn’t know what to make of it. Gardy knew though, it was a pulse designed to collect information and determine locations of people and Pokémon. But who in the hell was trying to get her attention?

Deciding that it was best to just find out, she scryed the city and quickly found the individual responsible. His Psychic power was concealed, but the pulse had lit him like a lighthouse. It was some upstart Kadabra, along with a small group consisting of a Lucario, Scizor and A Porygon-Z.

Tapping into his mental link, she decided to find out just what he was after. The last thing they needed was trouble…

Vincent and his family had stepped off of the train and after a brief moment to discuss what to do and a quick wardrobe change, Vincent pinged the city to gather information.

There was a moment’s pause and a very irate Gardevoir replied.

“And what in the name of Arceus do you want!?” she snapped. “I have been up all night, re-organizing hundreds of memories... this had better be important!”

Vincent blinked at that before executing a portion of his training. Deepening the links between his family and himself and then shielding their minds and the links from detection, he carefully responded to the sound of an angry female.

“Eheh. Actually, this couldn’t be more UNimportant, and I apologize for disturbing you. I’m new in town, you see, and wasn’t planning on staying long. So I sent out a wave of psychic energy to gather loose thoughts about what there was to do in town from the ponies who live here. Once again, sorry.”

Gardevoir paused, he had done a remarkable job of concealing the rest of his group. So he was just a tourist? Great, now she felt bad for yelling. She sighed and calmed herself before continuing. “I… sorry for snapping, it’s been a rough couple of nights.” She remembered that they had a Lucario in their group, “Do you have a healer on you by chance? I could really use the help...”

Vincent shook his head before replying to the voice. “My apologies, no. While in theory I could know Recover, that wouldn’t help you. My family... actually. There may be a roundabout answer in Bit, but not an easily accessible one. It would involve somehow getting at the list of moves the Simulator room had, then finding Heal Pulse, if it existed there, and teaching it to Lucy. Not an easy order.”

Gardevoir sighed at the long-winded explanation that made absolutely no sense. Well at least to her tired brain it didn’t. “I have no idea what you are talking about, but the answer seems to be no... “Ah, wait.” She needed coffee, and was about to just cut the link when her Mistress grabbed her attention. It would seem that helped had arrived. “Well, it would seem the cavalry has just arrived. Thank you for considering anyway. Oh! I haven’t introduced myself, I am Gardevoir, or just Gardy for short.” She was roused from her conversation when Diantha asked who she was conversing with. It seems that Mewtwo had brought back Azelf, Mesprit and Uxie to assist with healing Malamar.

Mewtwo waved a hand and a powerful Heal Pulse washed over Gardevoir, revitalising her lost stamina.

“Why don’t you invite them to lunch?” Diantha asked as the Legendaries left to help the remaining Pokémon. “I would like to know who has your attention.”

“Of course, My Mistress has invited you and your family for lunch. Would you care to join us Mr...?”

“In order, yes, I figured you were a Gardevoir. You remind me of Luke...or Gene, or Belle.” Vincent chuckled at the memories. “Ah, the ones who cared, and... I’m not certain it would be wise to tell you my name, especially my last one, as it has a few negative connotations, but if you insist…” The Kadabra trailed off as he mentally prepared himself for either extreme reaction.

“Well then, Mr. Kadabra,” Gardevoir chuckled at his attempt to be all mysterious. “Should you decide to join us, we will be eating here.” The vision of a cafe appeared in Vincent’s mind, a large cafe called ‘The Daily Grind’. “It’s a rather laid back little place with excellent coffee. Hopefully we shall see you there~” And with that, the connection was severed. She sighed and eased back into her chair.

“So we’re going out then?” Seth said with a hopeful tone. He had been stuck in this bed for way too long and needed to stretch his legs.

“Yes, I believe we are,” Selena said. “Let’s leave a note for Ignis and Titania, and then we’ll head out.

*~*

Seth groaned slightly as he sat down, his body was still feeling a little tender. The walk from the hospital had taken a while and his legs were burning. He was covered in bandages that covered his burn marks and smaller wounds.

“Are you alright?” Rika asked, her voice filled with concern. “Should we go back to the hospital?”

“No way!” Seth shook his head, and instantly discovered that was a bad idea. “The food there was horrible, and after Fritter’s cooking, I doubt that much could really compare.” All other food was ruined for life now, between Fritters and Rika’s dishes, he could die happily. He looked at the cafe that they had chosen. “So what is this place?” It was a olden-style place, with a high ceiling and a lot of wooden construction. A bar sat near the entrance and held a large display case with lots of delicious-looking baked goods. The rear of the café had most of the tables as well as a small stage with a few instruments, including a cello, harp and piano.

“It’s ‘The Daily Grind’!” A cheerful-looking mare replied. Seth looked up to see Mocha Latte, Fritter’s friend that he’d met once before. “I own and run this little place all by myself.”

“Well I happen to think this place is quite lovely,” Diantha responded. She turned to her Pokémon, a rather exhausted Gardevoir. “I’m sorry that I could not help you, though you have done a simply amazing job helping those poor Pokémon recover.”

“Yeah, it was pretty awesome Gardy!” Seth smiled, causing the Pokémon to blush slightly.

“I did what I could, but Azelf, Mesprit and Uxie did most of the work.”

Seth shook his head slowly, “Don’t sell yourself short, you help almost all of the inflicted Pokémon by yourself. It’s nothing short of amazing!”

Gardevoir thought her face was on fire. She closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself and a presence made itself known. “Ah, it seems that our guests should be here any moment now...”

“Guests?” Seth asked.

Near the front door, a Scizor with a black bow tie, a Lucario with a cream sunhat, a Porygon-Z wearing a monocle, and a Kadabra with a black top hat had gathered. Once the smell of coffee hit their noses, the Scizor and Lucario turned to the Kadabra and said one word in unison.
“No.”

“...Never let me have any of that stuff...I swear, one of these days, I WILL have a cup of coffee! Anyways, we’re looking for a Garde- oh hello, we just found one…” The fact that the Kadabra hadn’t actually opened his mouth and was still ‘heard’ didn’t pass by anyone.

“And here they are, the mysterious, nameless Kadabra and his friends,” Gardy giggled. “Mr Kadabra, this is my Mistress, Lady Diantha and our friends.”

The Kadabra grumbled a bit. “I would have given you my first name to chew over, if only to avoid that introduction, had you stayed connected a moment more, you know. I’ll still do it now, but I’ll withhold my last name for the time being. I’m Vincent. The one floating behind me is Bit, the Lucario is Lucy, and the Scizor is Sam. And we’re not just friends.”

“Indeed not,” Lucy said. “We’re family. Brothers and sister. We’re there for one another, no matter what.”

Apple Fritter smiled and then walked up to Vincent, shaking his hand rather vigorously. “Well howdy Mr. Vincent, ah’m Apple Fritter and this here as mah kin.” She pointed around the table,

“The moody-lookin’ Absol is Selena.”

“I’m not moody...” Selena grumbled.

“The little pink one is Rika,”

The Sylveon smiled before locking eyes on Lucy’s hat. “That... that hat is simply adorable~”

“Should have seen me in it as a Riolu, then,” She retorted. Rika pictured and squeed at the adorableness of it.

“An’ the banged up Luxray is Seth. Jus’ go easy on im, he’s had a rough couple o’ days.”

“That’s an understatement,” Seth groaned. “But regardless, hello to all of you.”

Vincent sighed at the sight. “I am sorry that I can do nothing. Like I said, we have no real ‘healer’ in this family. In theory, if I could somehow access the list of moves from the Simulator room that’s still stored in Bit’s head and use that to teach Heal Pulse to Lucy, we’d have an answer.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Seth replied. “These injuries are mostly muscle pains and over exposure to magic, Heal Pulse wouldn’t do a whole lot. The doctor’s say I should recover in a few days.”
Vincent nodded and looked to Gardevoir then before smiling softly. “So. Still want that last name? Or do you think you can guess it?”

“I could pull the information from your mind,” she said aloud, rather than using telepathy. “But that is a rather severe breach of privacy and my personal ethics. Should you refrain from telling us, that is your own choice and one we will not force...”

“I withhold telling my name for a simple reason: I know not how everyone will react to the one that bore it before me.”

“Everyone has a secret or two,” Seth replied, sipping at his coffee. He gave a content sigh and smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”

Vincent nodded again and the family of Pokémon sat down at a table. Well, those that had legs. Bit opted to hover and observe. “It’s just...the last time I shared my name, it turned a peaceful situation sour real fast. However, my visit to a certain God has done much for my anger, so unless any of you are Rangers, I think I can do so without too much anguish.”

“No Rangers here, just a League Champion and a Human/Pokémon Rights activist,” Seth mused at that thought. No Ranger would want to drink coffee with him, well, aside from the one with that shiny Arcanine he met once, she seemed pretty cool. “So, I take it you used to be a human as well then?”

Vincent gave off a strangled laugh at that. “Not wholly. Not completely. And it’s all thanks to what he did.” The Kadabra waved a hand to encompass Lucy and Sam in his next statement.
“You’re looking at my broken little family of the ones who survived. The family of Nurem.”

“Nurem?” Seth frowned as he racked his mind, but nothing came up. “Sorry kid, never heard of him before. What about you Diantha?”

The shiny Gardevoir set down her teacup and sighed. “Unfortunately, I have heard that name before. Nurem was the name of a scientist whose experiments were... ghastly to say the very least. You were survivors of his? I can only speculate at what horrors you must have endured.”

Sam winced at the thought of his experiment again. “Yeah...but we’ll give you two hints for free. We all evolved in this world, yet our issues from his experiments remain.”

“And,” Lucy chipped in, “One of us has lasted longer than the others. Bit confirmed it. Care to guess?”

“And it was for a very good reason,” Vincent mused, thinking over his visit with Lady Xerneas.

“Well, I’m going to guess that’s it’s you Mr. Vincent,” Seth said. “Though it makes me wonder what your role in all this is.”

“Oh that’s easy!” Vincent said in a slightly-too-chipper tone. “Madam Diantha, what do you know of the Doctor’s first experiment?”

“Not much I’m afraid, I only know of the name and what his experiments were like. I know nothing of the actual details.” She had an inkling that she wasn’t going to like what Vincent had to say next.

“Oh, details were easy to retrieve. Bit was in the mainframe for eight years, after all. He’s got records. But there’s a very good reason I was called Subject thirty-seven all my life. Before... when Rupert Nurem had a heart and actually cared, he tried something daring. Something bold. Something I think quite a few would love to have had. He tried to bridge the gap between man and ‘mon.”

“Bridge the gap?” How does one ‘bridge a gap’ between two utterly different lifeforms, well, aside from Arceus’s method. Seth drank from his mug and decided that he’d probably need something stronger soon. “Okay, I’ll bite, but I think the answer isn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows.”

“Indeed not. Genetic manipulation. He was rather good at such things. Somehow he got volunteers for it, hale of mind and body. They practically threw themselves at the chance. He wanted to create humans with not only the ability to understand Pokémon, but use their powers as well. Think on it... on what such a world would have been.”

“That... would have been both a good and a bad thing, power is a double edged sword after all.” Seth shuddered at the thought, then a random thought occurred to him and he chuckled. “I wonder if you could catch ‘em in a Pokeball?”

“We’ll never know,” Vincent solemnly replied, this kid could not take a joke huh? “For the gap is too great to be bridged by man. Only a Legendary has that power. However, it was a... delayed reaction. After his test subjects didn’t die, he tested me. And after I didn’t die, he tried to do what he set out to do: save his ailing, comatose, brain-dead mother...just as the first thirty-six test subjects self-destructed.”

Seth just went wide-eyed as he dropped his mug, shattering all over the floor. Rika looked like she was going to be sick and Selena just remained silent. Diantha’s reaction was the most unique... she moved over to where Vincent and his family sat and pulled them into a hug.

Bit picked up the narrative. “Rupert Nurem then became convinced that the answer he sought lay within his son, and proceeded to run as many tests as he could think of to extract an answer before his mother died. Sadly, he didn’t before he ran out of time, and the lady died, truly and completely, on the next Halloween night. And thus, the moniker of Subject Thirty-Seven was attached to Vincent, and the doctor never referred to him by name, so as to make it easier on himself.”

Seth moved off of his chair as Mocha cleaned up his broken mug. He needed air and quietly excused himself, leaving the cafe.

“Seth...” Selena said. “He never even knew his parents. They passed away not long after he was born and the Ranger’s covered up the whole thing.” She looked out the window at the Luxray sitting on the grass. “Perhaps this topic should be put away for now...”

“More than willing to,” Vincent replied. “If, uh...you could help free us?” Indeed, Diantha hadn’t let go, nor did it look like she was going to anytime soon.

“Yeah... if I did that...” Selena looked at Rika, whose ribbons were twitching, fighting the urge to hug them as well. “That’s a fate that you will just have to deal with,” the Absol said with a smile.

Seth sat on the front lawn, staring up at the clouds that passed by overhead. He didn’t even hear Ignis approach, landing gently in the grass next to him.

“Something up?” he asked and Seth looked at his brother.

“Just remembering the past… I needed some air.” Seth said quietly. Ignis had been the only Pokemon with him when he discovered the truth, that his parents were Ranger’s that had died on a mission... and that the Pokemon Ranger Corps had covered the whole thing up.

Ignis peeked through a window and saw an unfamiliar group sitting with Selly and the others. “Someone you know?” he asked.

“No, never met them before today…” Well Seth was sure they’d explain it better. “C’mon, let’s go inside. I need to apologise for breaking a mug.”

Diantha eventually let go, and Rika quickly replaced her as Seth walked back inside, a large Charizard behind him. Mocha eyed the fiery dragon warily, but just smiled and greeted him anyway.

“Sorry about that,” Seth replied, sounding a lot better. “Oh, and this is Ignis, the best brother one could ask for.”

Sam glared at the Sylveon holding his family captive as well as he could before leaning in and whispering two sentences. “I know Steel Wing. Please stop for now.”

Rika turned and smiled, almost sadistically. “And I have a Fire element Hidden Power, but alright, you get extra hugs later though~” she giggled and bounced to the other side of the table.
Ignis sighed and shook his head. Suddenly he caught a faint scent and looked at Vincent’s group. “This will sound a bit strange,” he said with a deep voice. “But have you encountered a Noivern called Edge?”

Selena visibly flinched at that. When she noticed a faint mark on Ignis’s neck yesterday, she had grilled him about it. Turns out that he’d fought a Noivern that proceeded to ‘Mark’ him once the fight was over. She now owed that dragon a beatdown…

Vincent nodded as he recalled the events of days previous. “Checkmate... they were okay. After their initial ‘greeting’ anyways. Someone needs to put them through some form of therapy until their first reaction to everything isn’t ‘Punch it.’ Heck, we could all use it, but good luck finding a starting point with us!” His strangled laugh did nothing to ease the sudden tension.

“I see...” Ignis replied. Seth had given him a brief rundown when they’d met outside. “Well, I owe her a rematch at some point.”

“And I owe her a beating...” Selena muttered under her breath. “Stupid, fight-happy flame brain!”

“You say something?” Ignis asked his mate, who simply shook her head.

“Nope, not plotting the death of a dragon, not at all...” Ignis shuddered, females were scary.

Vincent’s reaction, however, was worse, as he turned to Selena and growled. “I consider them one step away from friends, and I’ve precious few of those. So, care to rephrase that sentence?” The Kadabra’s eyes were glowing blue, and the ‘pressure’ around him had increased drastically.

Where did this little punk get off on telling her what to do, she had quite enough of that to last a lifetime, but picking fight wasn’t going to make Seth look like a good Trainer, so she decided to back off… for now. “Well, I could have said that better, but she did ‘mark’ my mate, so I owe her some... remuneration.” Selena replied. Being a Dark type, so Vincent wasn’t coming across as too threatening, but she was sorry, given the context of their previous conversation. “I do apologise however.”

“Xavier, their Metagross tactician, put me through a psychic battle’s paces and tried to crush me and my sister during their ‘hellos’,” Vincent deadpanned. “And like I said, though their first instinct was to ‘punch it’, we eventually walked away nearly friends. “So...once more, with feeling?”

‘Don’t push it you little brat!’ Selena thought, gritting her teeth. She took a breath and pushed her anger down. “I said I apologise, and ‘technically’ Ignis wasn’t my mate at the time... So yes, I’m sorry.” Vincent’s little story amused her though, it reminded her of Titania’s first appearance. “It would seem our own little Checkmate member acts no different though. The first words from her mouth were that her team wished Seth dead... Rika here, persuaded her otherwise.”

Seth shuddered at that memory. Sadisteon was a scary Pokémon indeed, one he was glad didn’t show up often. Lucy and Sam had finally finished off their own cups of coffee by this point in time, and Lucy spoke up next. “Eh, I could have handled it, I’m sure.”

“Lucy,” Sam replied, “You can take a hit, sure. But I’m pretty sure a Metagross dropping from the sky isn’t something you should be eager to test yourself with.”

Bit dinged next. “The odds of you surviving the impact as calculated were less than ten percent.”

“This Xavier sounds tough!” Ignis grinned, his tail flame flaring slightly. “I want to fight him!”
Selena sighed and poked him, “Really? Can’t you just be satisfied with beating Moltres?”

“Until I defeat Arceus himself... NEVER!” Ignis roared, spooking several customers and causing Seth to growl, putting a paw on his head.

“Not. So. Loud,” he hissed and glared at Ignis, earning a sheepish look from the dragon. “So... how do you like Equestria so far?” Seth asked.

“What we’ve seen so far is enjoyable,” Vincent said. “Even if it has been merely Las Pegasus, Manehatten, and Ponyville. We’ve seen plenty of sights and met quite a few new faces. Including Xerneas,”

“Xerneas!?” Diantha exclaimed, “You actually met Xerneas?”

Seth smiled, “I’ve met Arceus, Mewtwo and a bunch of other Legendary Pokémon... and I kinda attacked Arceus when I met him.”

“I can’t believe he let you get away with that,” Fritter sighed. “Y’all are crazy Seth. But I do appreciate that gift he gave me.” That translation spell still hadn’t worn off and it didn’t seem like it was ever going to, not that Fritter minded.

Lucy held up a paw and began ticking off names, making her smaller spikes suddenly evident to anyone who cared to look. “Regirock, Regice, Registeel…”

“Vincent said he met with Xerneas and Arceus,” Sam pitched in.

Bit dinged once before adding the last name. “As well, advice was exchanged between the family of Nurem and Lord Genesect.”

“But in my eyes,” Vincent finished, “none come before Xerneas. Hell, even invited her to look me up in Las Pegasus someday. My door’s always open to her.”

“It’s funny huh?” Seth grinned. “Meeting a Legendary back on Earth almost never happened, and now they’re like our next door neighbours.” Mocha came over to them, all smiles despite a broken mug and spooked customers.

“You guys want anything else?” she asked. “I sell lunches here too! Just tell me what you want and I’ll try and make it.”

Lucy and Sam exchanged a look and a nod before looking at Vincent, who sighed. “Fiiine...three of your best pasta dishes. Gonna need more bits though…”

A flexing of his will brought a piece of luggage from their apartment to sit nearby, and the Kadabra muttered as he rummaged through it.

“Don’t worry about it,” Diantha said. “We invited you so it’s our treat, okay?”

Vincent blinked a few times before smiling and taking a few coins out anyways. “Should still give the mare something for her quick,” he looked over at Ignis before continuing, “And courteous service, despite everything.”

“It’s fine,” Mocha giggled. “You should meet my friend Silvermane, he’s much more rowdy than your dragon friend here. Though I do need to replace that mug...” She smiled and took a single Bit. “Now I’ll get started on lunch, it so happens I’m quite good at pasta dishes... and for you and your friends Fritter?”

Seth gave the Apple mare his best puppy dog eyes and it took a full two seconds to cave in. “Yeah, yeah.” She got up and headed to the kitchen, “C’mon Mocha, ah’ve got a few new recipes to teach you.”

“Apple Fritter is the best cook in Canterlot, probably all of Equus.” Seth said. “Once you’ve had something made by her, then no other meal can compare.”

“I beg to disagree,” Sam said. “A shiny Sandslash down in Las Pegasus does a mean pizza, and just loves to cook dishes that will make anyone’s mouths water. She might have some trouble changing her recipes to be more pony-friendly, but I think the griffons will eat it right up as-is.”

“You’ll have to take me back there when we return,” Lucy mused. “Which one did you say she was?”

“Twenty-nine, third of five escapees,” Sam replied.

“Meat~” Seth drooled. As good as Fritter’s cooking was, he missed bacon. He remembered the meat feast he had at Pinkie’s party in Ponyville, which caused his stomach to rumble loudly.
“Well, I guess we have to visit Las Pegasus at some point huh?”

“And Ponyville again, along with a bunch of other places.” Rika counted. “Plus we still have the Pokémon Contest to organise-” She quickly put a paw to her mouth. “Oops, that was supposed to be a secret.”

The family exchanged a look before shrugging. Bit dinged once. “We are good at keeping secrets,” He replied. “In fact, I essentially am information given form. I can assure you, should you desire for this to not be known, it will not.”

“Thank you,” Rika sighed. “It’s hush hush right now, but we plan on holding a Pokémon Contest...” she recalled their story. “Do you know what they are?”

The family shook their heads in unison. “We were captives of a madman,” Vincent replied. “And Bit was second in command in keeping us where we were meant to be. I was given what was deemed pertinent information through a screen. Contests weren’t one of those things.”

Sam spoke up next then. “While I had the most time outside of the walls, my experiences...let me leave it at ‘a dirty old man adopted me’.”

“And I was taken when I was still a Riolu,” Lucy replied.

Bit came down a short ways before replying. “They were merely being talked about before I was...taken.”

“So no,” Vincent summed up, “None of us know.”

“Oh...” Rika’s ears drooped. “Sorry...” Then she picked herself right back up again. She just had the most brilliant idea. “Seth? SethSethSethSethSeth-”

The Luxray clamped a paw over her mouth. “I already know what you’re going to ask and yes, I’ll send them an invitation and tickets once the Contest is finalised.”

“Yay~” Rika cheered.

“Heh,” Vincent laughed. “The most I can offer in exchange is aid in meeting any number of my ‘contacts’. Though I do seem to be accruing them. Checkmate, Abby, Gene...and of course, we can’t forget Mary, who does the best pizza.”

“Don’t worry, we have the... announcement... all planned out,” Seth grinned. Arceus did say he owed Seth a favour.

~~~

Meanwhile, Fritter and Mocha were cooking away in the kitchen, Mocha was preparing her pasta dishes, while Fritter handled Seth’s and the others.

“So,” Mocha said, “How long until you tell Seth you like him?” Fritter flinched and dropped the knife she was holding.

“H-h-how do you know about that?” she stammered and Mocha giggled.

“Because you just told me silly~” Fritter groaned, she couldn’t believe she fell for that.

“T’aint that simple,” she muttered, washing the knife and continuing the cooking. “Rika likes him too, probably even more than me… how can ah stand in th’ way of that?”

Mocha sighed, staring into her bubbling pot. “Well, that’s for you to work out dear, but putting your happiness aside for someone else? Is that really what you want?”

“Ah… ah don’t know,” Fritter said quietly. “Ah’ve only known him fer a few days… she’s known him fer years, how am ah supposed to compete with that?”

“Perhaps competing isn’t the only solution,” Mocha replied as he served the dishes. “C’mon, let’s get this food out.”

“…Sure,” Fritter said and followed her friend.

Mocha came out with the pasta dishes Vincent and his family had requested, and they all eagerly dug in. “Mmm! Bright side of psychic powers: talking while your mouth is full!”

“True words, well thought,” Gardy replied. Seth tried to reply too, dropping crumbs everywhere.

“Very classy,” Diantha deadpanned.

Fritter just chuckled and dug into her own food, opting to have a pasta dish like Vincent. She hummed happily, letting the savoury flavours fill her mouth and belly.

“Hmm... better than Manehatten’s, but not better than Mary’s. Sorry Mocha, but Mary’s had a few years and a lot of practice with her claws as culinary instruments. A solid second.”

“Well thank you for the praise Vincent,” Mocha smiled. She would need to practise and blow his metaphorical socks off next time. “I may have to visit your friend Mary and see if she’ll impart some tips and tricks.”

Sam swallowed his mouthful before saying a simple word. “Meat.”

Lucy nodded and cleaned her mouth before expounding on it. “Quite a few Pokémon are at the very least omnivores, with even more carnivores. Mary will have a bit of work making her foods pony-friendly. But in that department, take heart, Mocha, for you’ve a lifetime of experience over her.”

“You think I can’t handle meat?” Mocha laughed. “I serve Griffons too, so I’ve made a meal or two that most ponies would lose their lunch over.” Maybe she’d tag along if Seth and Fritter went to Las Pegasus.

“I’ll be back later for one of those dishes,” Seth said, licking his bowl clean. The door rang as another patron walked, or rather, floated in. A lovely-looking Florges. And she also looked pretty pissed off…

Vincent shrugged at the thought. “Just take care in how you ask. From what we gathered, she managed to supplant a griffon chef in his own restaurant by sheer stubbornness. It’s only when she showed off her skills that they started to get along, and afterwards it was very clear that she was the one in charge.” He then turned and looked at the new arrival. “Ah... greetings. Might we inquire as to your name?”

The Florges gave a single look at the Kadabra and decided to ignore him, his presence was irrelevant. The source of her ire sat on the opposite side of the table. “So you’ve been here the whole time?” she said with a haughty tone. “I have searched half of Canterlot for you lot.”

“I left a note,” Seth replied. “And don’t be so rude, introduce yourself to our guests here.”

Titania turned back to Vincent, how was this over-dressed little Kadabra? “Humph, very well. I am Lady Titania, Queen of the Checkmate Guild. You are?”

Bit beeped and turned his disconnected head in her direction. “Bit.”

Sam nodded as he pushed his empty bowl forward. “Sam.”

Lucy shrugged as she wiped the last of the sauce from her mouth. “Lucy.”

And Vincent merely smiled. “Oh well hello there. Perhaps we should be on guard, my family.” At the eye-rolls of the others, Vincent laughed slightly and continued. “My name, dear wayward Queen, is Vincent. Vincent Nurem.”

Selena and Seth sighed, this wasn’t going to end well. “Nurem...?” Titania tapped her chin. “That name strikes a chord...” She pondered for a moment. “Oh! That rather demented human scientist. How is it you know him?”

Seth and his group suddenly backed away from the table. Titania was a dead ‘mon and they were not going to save her.

“Well that’s rather simple,” Vincent said in his too-sweet tone. “I’m only his son.”

Titania paused, she had heard that the Doctor had a son, so he’d survived and made it to Equestria? “Well, how interesting,” she replied. It was interesting, but still irrelevant now. She was certain that a person of Doctor Nurem’s... character, would have never made it to Equestria. She looked over at her friends, “And what’s wrong with all of you?”

“Just wondering how much longer you’ll be a colossal idiot,” Seth replied as-a-matter-of-factly.

“Humph, how rude!” Titania scoffed. And after all she’d done for them too.

“To be fair to him, you are picking at fifteen years’ worth of pain and anger and hate in a Psychic shell,” Vincent pitched in, and that familiar ‘pressure’ around him started to grow again. “Tell me, how well do you know the stories? Cause if you knew them well enough, you’d know what I’ve seen.”

Titania paused, this was one of those moments where she’d made some kind of error wasn’t it? That dapper-looking Kadabra was quite upset. “I’ve heard as much as any other member of my team. And I seem to have struck a nerve, so I think I’ll take my leave.”

“That is the best thing you’ve said today,” Seth called out, now on the other side of the room.

“I’ll make you a deal, little Queen. We both get ourselves under control and act like sane ‘mon for one day, and at the end, I’ll tell you about my time with Weiss and the other members of Checkmate I ran into.” The Kadabra breathed deeply a few times, and the pressure vanished from the room.

Titania paused, she’d recognised Xavier’s training when she saw it, and was thankful for it too. This little Kadabra seemed to possess a great deal of power and she’d only just gottn out of the hospital. And Weiss, he’d met Weiss? “Well,” she coughed. “I appear to have acted rashly and ill-becoming of a Queen. Please accept my heartfelt apologies and let us talk.” She suddenly recalled why she’d come here in the first place and turned to Diantha. “Ah, also, your Tyrantrum is awake and wishes to see you.”

“Tyra’s awake!?” Diantha raised her hand to teleport. “Ah, sorry to duck out like this, but something rather important has come up. It was nice to meet you friends, let’s do it again soon.”

Vincent chuckled and motioned for Seth and his friends to come closer from their places on the other side of the room. “Very well then, let’s talk. Specifically, where’s the Sundial? Or anything else worth seeing while my family and I are here? Weiss mentioned it, and my curiosity has only grown between then and now.”

“Arceus’s crystallized ego?” Seth chuckled, remembering when he summoned that thing. “Yeah, we can take you there... hmm, and other places?”

“There’s the Palace?” Fritter suggested. “Afternoon Court is in an hour or so. Maybe we could take them to meet the Princess?”

“That could work too,” Seth nodded. Vincent thought about the matter, but shook his head.

“We’ve already seen to it that the logs of what happened... there... were passed on to the Regi Trio, and from there, to Arceus and Genesect. That’s the only reason I could see us needing to see any authorities in this land. Though I’ll not say no to a simple tour of the palace, assuming they give those…”

Seth wasn’t sure. That Summit was supposed to start soon, and he noticed a lot more Guards around town than usual on his walk over here. “Maybe, I’ll ask Grissom later. How long will you be in town?”

“Today, at least,” Lucy said. “Longer if necessary, but we’ve a home back at Las Pegasus we’d like to get back to sooner rather than later. Think of us as tourists, if it helps.”

“Honestly, I haven’t seen much of the town myself, despite waking up here.” Seth laughed dryly.

“The museum is closed due to... problems. Same for the Airship yards.” Grissom had said that cleanup would take a while for those locations, but Mewtwo said that there might have been a faster way.

“Well there’s the theatre district,” Rika suggested. “Or Artists Alley, you get to see a lot of street performers, painters, musicians, that sort of thing. It’s also the place a musical number is most likely to take place.”

The family of Pokémon blinked a few times at that before sharing a glance. “Riiiiiight,” Vincent drew out. “Well, just keep the location of any libraries away from Bit. He tends to...not literally, consume information, and then we end up with him quoting books for the rest of the day.”

“Libraries?” Fritter said, tilting her head “Y’all mean like the Canterlot Royal Archives? It’s the biggest library in Equestria.”

Bit’s head was suddenly very close to Fritter, and after a moment, the rest of his body followed. “Please enlighten this unit as to the location of the Canterlot Royal Archives.”

“I warned you,” Vincent said.

“R-right...” Fritter said, slightly unnerved. The little floating duck was a bit creepy. “It’s right next to the castle... can’t miss it.”

And with that, Bit was gone, almost as though he knew Teleport. Lucy and Sam sighed, but Lucy spoke up faster. “Not it.”

“Oh come on! I dragged him out of Ponyville’s library!” The Scizor waved his claws around in agitation.

“Yeah, and now you can track him down and drag him out of this one too.” Lucy was ever so slightly smug.

Sam grumbled and stalked off out the door, muttering under his breath, but giving a wink to the Lucario as he passed her.

Rika looked at the two, were they...? No, they’d said they were family... but still, her shipping senses were tingling. “So um, are you and Sam...?” Couldn’t hurt to ask, right?

Lucy gagged and shook her head violently. “No! We’re not like that. Arceus’ sake, he’s like an older brother to me and Vincent!”

“Oh! My mistake,” Rika giggled. But there was something there, if not Sam then maybe... She looked at the Kadabra and then realised all those subtle glances that the Lucario had been giving him. “I see...”

Lucy looked over to Vincent, who was apparently engaged in negotiation with Titania at the moment, before leaning in a bit towards Rika. “Yes, but he’s thicker than lead. Which is why I’m looking forward to the Sundial. I’m thinking there...I might be able to talk about it with him.”

Rika nodded, placing a sympathetic ribbon over Lucy’s shoulder. “I know your pain,” she muttered, looking at Seth chatting with Fritter. “At least you don’t have competition.” She suddenly perked up as she remembered a particular fact about the Dial. “Sunset! We have to go to the Dial at sunset!!”

Vincent turned to the talking duo at that, his eyebrows perked. “Well, that’s one plan made: the Sundial at sunset. Seems... fitting, I suppose. Anything else?”

Plans had to be made. True love was at stake here! Rika laughed, a laugh that was borderline maniacal. “Alright, so the Sundial is set, but we need something...” She thought for a moment before Mocha offered a suggestion.

“What about visiting Canterlot Falls? They can be quite the sight this time of year.”

“Sounds inviting,” Lucy said with a nod. “How about a museum and a dinner restaurant, to round out our trip?”

“Like I said, the museum is closed unfortunately.” Seth replied. “But if you don’t mind a few broken windows, I might be able to get you in.” Luckily the damages to actual artefacts were kept to a minimum. But most of the stained glass windows were completely destroyed.

Vincent shot Seth a deadpan look before replying. “I’ve already been on the wrong side of the law in Equestria, I’ve no desire to repeat the experience. We’ll skip the museum. Music, then. Perhaps directions to the theatre district?”

Seth gave him a confused look before he realised what he’d implied. “What! Oh, no! I didn’t mean like that. I know a few of the Royal Guard, and I could probably ask them if we could look around. But a busted up museum isn’t fun, so music is a good idea.”

“Pity,” Lucy mused. “We come to town right after…” Her eyes widened as she made the connection between Seth’s injuries and the museum’s state. “Oh. Is...that what happened?”

“Yeah...” Seth sighed, figuring this would come up at some point. “Some Unicorn got it in his head that it was a good idea to brainwash Pokémon and get them to steal for him... confronting him was...less than pleasant.”

Selena hung her head, “Son of a Beedrill used me to attack my friends...” She still felt bad about it, but Seth was having none of it.

“Yup, shouldn’t have trained you so well,” Seth chuckled and pulled Selena into another hug. “And we didn’t think he had magic like that either. He controlled the brain’s electrical signals to the muscles, rather than the mind. ‘Marionette Magic’ he called it.”

While Lucy growled in the back of her throat at the thought, Vincent’s reaction was more profound for a simple reason:

He’d lived under such a madman and seen what he did to his less than useful ‘tools’. The thought of that, coupled with someone being forced to attack their friends and the memory of Xavier doing something similar to Sam triggered a slight surge in his psychic strength. Briefly, until the Kadabra got his self under control again, there was the incredible sensation of even the air having far more weight to it than usual. Of power hanging in the air.

“Too bad we didn’t have a powerhouse like you two nights ago,” Seth replied tersely, feeling the pressure come off of him. He needed to calm this kid down, before someone got hurt. “Well, we had Mewtwo... but if he’d gotten involved, then I doubt there’d be much of Canterlot left.”

“My apologies,” Vincent said. “My emotions and my memories, when coupled with my new powers...are not always the best combination. What you just said triggered...something from our past. Control comes faster these days, but there will still be surges.” He shook his head a few times and smiled. “Anyways. Plans?”

“Of course,” Seth said. “So Canterlot Falls, then the Sundial. Followed by a nice dinner and a night at the theatre... sound good?”

Lucy looked to Rika with a raised brow, seeking advice on the matter. The Sylveon nodded, that sounded quite romantic actually. The Lucario nodded in turn before voicing her agreement. “It sounds agreeable to me,” she stated.

“So it’s a date.” Seth smiled, missing the small squeak from Rika and Fritter turning her head, a small blush gracing her cheeks. “But should we wait for Mr. Sam and Bit?”

“If we do, we’ll be waiting all day. Nothing gets between him and more knowledge except operating hours. He even traded for information with the Regis while I was seeing Arceus and Xerneas.” Vincent sighed at the Porygon-Z’s antics. “I think he misses being a part of the mainframe…”

“Well I suppose you could tell our plans via telepathy anyhow,” Seth said. “Well then, let’s get underway shall we?” He moved to the front door, holding it open for the girls. “Ladies first.”
Lucy nodded at the others, letting them go first, though she quickly caught up to Rika once they were all out.

“Why do men do that? Do you know?” Vincent mused. “I’m aware it’s a custom, but not of the reason behind it…”

“To be honest, I don’t really know myself,” Seth chuckled. “I was taught to be polite by my adoptive mother, and it just stuck I suppose. Maybe Bit could tell you? I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d picked up trivia like that.” Maybe he should ask somepony at some point?

“He did get into an ‘information-off’ with Xavier in Manehatten,” the Kadabra mused. “Plus there was Ponyville’s library.”

“How awesome was that place!?” Seth grinned ear to ear. “I mean, a library inside a tree? Irony at its finest!”

“My brother has a love of strange and unusual architecture,” Ignis explained.

“Ah. Two words, then,” the Kadabra said while smirking. “Sugarcube. Corner.”

“Utterly brilliant!” Seth laughed. “Ponyville was delightfully quirky.”

Meanwhile, Lucy and Rika were exchanging tips, tidbits, and most important of all, tricks that the Lucario would need to know.

“So please enlighten me how we’re going to get it through Vincent’s head what I see him as,” she groused as the enormity of the task settled back in her head.

“You could just do what I did,” Selena said. “Seeing as how I actually have a mate and Rika here... does not.”

“Hey!” Rika pouted, but it was true. “All you did was pin Ignis to the ground and kiss him!”

“It worked didn’t it?” Selena argued.

“At this point,” Lucy sighed, “I’m not sure there’s a lot else that’ll get through that...thick stubborn head of his! He said Hastings could teach mountains about not moving due to his stubborness. Vincent could teach anyone to be invisible by just not noticing them!”

“Yeesh, is he really that bad?” Rika looked at the Kadabra. “Now even I’m thinking you should just grab him by the moustache and kiss him... but that’ll probably just confuse and even scare him off. It worked on Ignis cause he’s an idiot.” The Sylveon thought for a moment, Vincent didn’t seem to be able to read a mood that wasn’t hostile. Maybe they should enlist Seth’s help as well?

“Well, okay. We’ll use the Falls as an experiment, see if Vinny’s good at picking up on subtle romance or at least the mood. If that fails, we may need to resort to more drastic measures.”

She gave Lucy a firm look, “But I swear by the time the night ends, that Kadabra will be all yours~”

Lucy blushed, but held up a paw. “Answer me one question. Are the falls known to be relaxing? Soothing, even?”

“I... have no idea,” Rika confessed. “Hey Fritter? What are the Falls like?” she called out.
Apple Fritter paused at the sudden question. “Um, Ah know that some Unicorns use it fer meditation, and that a lot of painters will sit there fer hours just staring at em.”

Lucy nodded at the meditation line and turned back to Rika. “Five bits says he’ll use this as a chance to take a nap.”

“Seriously?” Rika sighed. This was gonna be one of those days wasn’t it?

“I know Vincent,” Lucy replied. “And while he likes to blame that whole ‘being fused with Abra DNA for most of my life’ for it, I think he’s just lazy. So if you’re gonna try anything, you’ll have to keep him from napping first and foremost. I’ve tried, it doesn’t work.”

So he liked to nap, when a beautiful Lucario was right there? What was wrong with this guy? “Well, with Ignis around, being quiet is all but impossible... but then he’d probably nap too.” Rika growled slightly. “Okay, so we need to liven things up... let’s see what’s there when we get there. Maybe there’s something I can work with.”

Seth looked at the girls chatting away ahead of them. “What do you suppose they’re planning?” he asked aloud.

“I don’t ask,” Vincent replied. “If I can’t hear it with my ears, then when it comes to my family, I don’t pry. I keep links active with them, yes. But I don’t pry into their minds. It’s not my place.”

“Well, I can respect that,” Seth nodded. “But when Rika gets involved... just, be on your guard.”

The Kadabra looked at the Luxray before slowly extending one hand. “Hello, perhaps I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Vincent fucking Nurem, on guard is my default state thanks to what I’ve been through!”

“Okay, okay,” Seth chuckled wryly. Yeah, this kid could not take a joke… Perhaps Rika was just making friends? Yeah... right.

So Ignis, if I understood Seth correctly, you beat up Moltres?

“Hell yeah I did!” Ignis thumped his chest. “Though I did a lot of training beforehand. Fought against a flirty Noivern and a hard-headed Blastoise. Had a lot of smaller, less intense battles too, but the one against Moltres was intense.” He chuckled at the memory, “Shaymin and Celebi sure as hell didn’t appreciate the area of forest we turned to ash though.”

“I see,” Vincent mused. “What can you tell me about the Legendries you’ve met? They were treated as just that at the facility: Legends, nothing more. So my knowledge about them is somewhat…lacking.”

“Well, Moltres was pretty gracious about her loss, and it sure as hell didn’t stop Reshiram from utterly curb stomping me.” He winced at the beat down he got from her. “Meloetta healed me up after the fight and I stayed for a bit, but honestly, I didn’t talk to that many of them.”

“Ignis only tends to remember Pokémon that give him a good fight,” Seth said.

“Heh, with his personality, I can understand that.” The Kadabra looked to the sky and sighed wistfully. “Whereas I...do you know what Alakazams are famed for?”

“IQ greater than a supercomputer and they never ever forget, thanks to continuously multiplying brain cells,” Seth replied, quoting the Pokédex. “Am I right?”

“Close”, Vincent replied. “The line I recall reading said they can remember everything that happened to them from the time they hatched as an Abra.”

“Well, you weren’t born an Abra right, maybe it won’t be the same?” Honestly, remembering everything would suck. “But look on the bright side, if you ever got married, you’d never forget an anniversary.”

“...That would require someone to want this broken little psychic-type…” Vincent quietly said. “I don’t think the demand is high for those that ought to be seeing a psychiatrist.”

“There’s always someone... just gotta keep your eyes and ears open,” Seth replied, earning a laugh from Ignis. “What?”

“Nothing, just thinking you should practice what you preach sometime,” he laughed loudly.

Vincent perked a bit at that. “Wait...what? Someone is interested in both of us?”

“Like my brother said, there’s always someone.” Ignis replied. “Sometimes they’ll be strangers at first, or they could be ones that have been beside you all this time. It’s all a matter of perspective and just going for it. You may not find ‘the one’ right off the bat, but life is nothing if a harsh teacher. Learn and grow, and eventually...” Ignis trailed off as he gazed at Selena.

“That... was pretty deep,” Seth said, amazed.

“Hidden depths lie to everyone, it would seem. And as to the words themselves...I’ll keep them nearby should such a matter arise. I doubt it, though. I really do.”

“Like I said,” Ignis smiled, poking Vincent on the forehead. “Keep your eyes, ears... and your mind open.” He turned to his brother and frowned, “And that goes double to you. Just how long are you going to drag your feet? You have some beautiful girls that adore you, you know.”

Seth just sighed. “I... I know, I just... I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to hurt them.”

“Deciding to do nothing isn’t a decision,” Ignis said.

“Actually,” Vincent chipped in. “It is. The worst decision. The decision to do nothing is the equivalent of saying ‘Oh I hope this blows over without me doing anything, because I’m scared that if I do anything, I’ll only make it worse.’ It’s the cowards’ decision. And you don’t strike me as a coward, Mister Seth.”

Well, that was something. “I guess I have some things to think about then.” Seth replied with a soft smile. This kid was abit different to anyone he had met before, but perhaps…?

“I’m glad to have met you Vincent. I think you and I will be good friends.”

Chapter Eighteen

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Nineteen

Mocha hummed happily as her guests from yesterday returned. She had only just opened when they showed up and she wasn’t going to complain with early morning business.

“Okay, so we have a mocha latte for Seth, hot chocolate for Rika and Fire Brew for Ignis.” She set the mugs down in front of their owners while she brewed more behind the counter and wiped down the empty tables. She may not have been one for learning much magic, but her Telekinesis was quite powerful and extremely dexterous.

After a moment, a familiar form snuck its way in through the front door. The form of Vincent sans his top hat or spoons. He cast a quick glance around the room before nodding. “Excellent, they’re still not up…” The Kadabra caught sight of Mocha and attempted to gain her eye. “Miss Mocha, could I ask you for a favor?”

“Oh, good morning... um, Vincent right?” she asked, hoping she’d remembered his name correctly. “What can I do for you?”

“Yes I am, and I would like to ask you for your finest cup of coffee, ma’am. It’d be my first.”

“Your first cup of coffee?” Mocha said, how could anyone have gone this long without drinking a cup? But, she’d overheard some of his conversation from yesterday, so it may have been understandable.

“It’s not his only first~” Rika giggled.

“Indeed. I would appreciate a nice introduction to the drink I’ve not yet had.”

“Alright, we’ll start you off slow. No need to give a greenhorn a triple expresso.” She laughed as she prepared a standard flat white. “If you like it, I’ll make you some other types to go.”

“My thanks. Luke said something about how I should take care around things that altered how the mind works...but I should at least try it once before forming an opinion.” Vincent had settled himself in at one of the tables and kept a wary eye on the front door.

After a minute or two, Mocha brought over a small cup with the liquid, as well as a separate jar of cream and sugar. “This particular type is usually served black, but if you find it too bitter, then add some of these okay?”

The psychic-type nodded and took a sip of the drink before making a face. “Goodness, that is bitter.” He then put a spoonful of sugar into the drink and stirring before trying again. This time, he nodded. “Ah, much better. And I don’t see why others have tried to stop me from having any before now...”

Seth watched with a bemused expression, this should be interesting…

The Kadabra polished off the cup before nodding once. “My thanks for the experience. Any others you would recommend?”

“Well, you could try my namesake, a mocha latte?” she suggested. “It’s topped with chocolate powder and is a lot sweeter than a standard coffee.”

“That sounds quite delicious,” Vincent replied. “I wouldn’t say no to such a drink...though I could also do with something to eat…”

“Alrighty, one mocha and what would you like to eat? Any preferences?”

“You think he’s even noticed that we’re sitting here yet?” Seth asked out loud.

“Something that would go with it,” he said with a hint of cheek before it vanished. “I trust your judgement.”

“Alrighty then!” she said chipperly and disappeared into her kitchen, delicious scents soon wafting out from it.

“Hey Vincent!” Seth finally called out. “Having a good morning thus far?”

“Indeed I am,” the Kadabra said without turning. “And to answer your earlier question, I did notice, but in case you don’t remember yesterday when we first arrived, my family’s kept me from trying coffee ever since I had free access to it. This is one of the few times I’ve been up before them, so I am bound and determined to try it today. Thus, Mocha came before you. I would apologize, but I am still trying to keep watch as well. For all I know, Sam or Lucy will come in any second now and stop Mocha from giving me any more.”

“Never!” Mocha called out. “Discovering coffee for the first time is a magical experience and I will let nopony come in between that!”

“There’s your answer,” Seth chuckled. “So, how did you sleep?”

“Wonderfully,” Vincent sighed as he recalled the night previous. “Though the hotel was curious as to why we no longer needed one of our rooms. Waking up with Lucy there was...I’d trade nothing for it.”

Rika’s eyes widened and sparkled like the stars. “You already did ‘that’? Ooh~” she giggled as she bounded across the room to hug him. “I’m so proud~”

“...It was just us sharing a bed, and just that,” Vincent said as he tried to move against his captor. “While I may have an understanding as to the...mechanics...I’m not ready for something like...that, yet. So...why are you so huggy?”

“She’s always been like that!” Selena said, peeling the ribbons off of Vincent and shooing the Fairy away. “Sorry, personal space isn’t in her dictionary. But I do think a congrats is in order though. It sounds like you took a big step forward.”

“From a know-nothing lab-rat, to a Kadabra needing context for the images in his head, to having a girlfriend I love and know like no other beside me? I think that’s more than one step,” the Kadabra in question chuckled. “But yes, my eyes are open, my heart is hers. And I thank you all for your ‘interference’,” he finished.

“So we ‘interfered’ huh?” Seth smirked. “Well I always did have a habit of sticking my nose into other peoples’ buisness.”

Mocha soon emerged, a slightly larger cup of coffee this time, along with a plate of sunny-side eggs, lettuce, tomatoes and some hash browns.

“There we are, a meal fit for a Princess,” she giggled. The psychic type nodded at her and began to dig into the breakfast.

“Mmm...okay, point to you. You’re good at this breakfast thing. I’m not sure if Mary knows any such recipies.”

“I’m very glad to hear that!” Mocha beamed. “If you need anything else, just give me a shout,” she said before returning to her cleaning.

“Will do,” Vincent noted. “Mmm...so how about you lot? How goes your recovery, Seth? Any better today?”

Seth showed his lack of bandages. “Yup, I’m doing a lot better now. Just needed a good night’s sleep.”

“Yeah,” Rika muttered. “In Apple Fritter’s bed.”

“And she took the couch,” Seth replied. “You heard her, she wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Sounds like you either need to hash out who shares what bed,” Vincent pitched in, “Or you need more of them. I’m not sure which option would hurt less.”

“I’m fine with the couch, just as I have been.” Seth replied. “My fur is so plush, I think I could sleep comfortably anywhere. But Fritter said I needed a proper bed last night and ordered me to use hers.”

“We sleep in the guest room, Selena, Titania and I.” Rika explained. “We got a reward for helping return the Crown Jewels, and we’re gonna add an extension to the house.” She sipped her hot chocolate before continuing. “We were originally going to get our own place, but then Fritter would have been all alone... and none of us wanted that. So in the end, we moved in with her.”

By now, the psychic had polished off his meal and moved on to the coffee, sipping slowly and savoring the taste. “Oh that’s good coffee...And your explanation gives me some ideas for what to do back at Las Pegasus...plus it explains how you intend to house Ignis, for when he decides to stop looking for a fight for a few days at a time.”

Ignis not looking for a fight? Seth and Selena burst out laughing. “Oh, that’s never gonna happen. But he has promised to stay in Canterlot with us.”

“...Why do I suddenly get the feeling that switching my ideal career from ‘detective’ or ‘private eye’ to ‘insurance salesman’ would be a more lucrative move?”

Seth thought about the warehouse they destroyed, and the mansion.. and a shipping yard. “You want a partner? That sounds like a solid plan,” Seth mused. “So how long do you think until your buzz is killed by some siblings of yours hmm?”

“Well, I never took down my communications link with them, so I can still passively obser- oh dear. Lucy just woke up. Aaaand I think I’m in trouble.”

Ignis paled, “You... you snuck off...?”

“Without telling your new girlfriend?” Rika concluded. “Well... while we have the time. What would you like on your tombstone?”

“Yes, I snuck off. She and Sam have kept me from having any coffee since we got here, and I still don’t...see…” At that moment, the Kadabra’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh...dear. What is...is this what coffee does?”

“You think Mocha has good insurance?” Selena wondered as she watched the caffeine kick in.

“And I just got out of the hospital,” Seth muttered. “Now I’m gonna go back, from either a pissed off Lucario, a caffeine crazed Kadabra or a furious, yet adorable Unicorn...”

Sparks of eldritch blue energy buzzed around Vincent’s form, and for a moment, the Kadabra merely watched the spectacle. “I feel...so awake, so alive now. Though, the extra energy could be a problem…as well as Lucy coming here in the next two minutes...”

“So what should we do?” Seth asked, watching the light show.

“This may have been a bad idea,” Ignis said.

“Maybe Lucy will save us?” Rika asked hopefully.

“You’re all a bunch of friggen idiots,” Selena muttered, going back to her coffee.

“While I don’t agree with the strength of the statement, Selena has the gist of it. Just...one moment...have to do this right.” With that, the Kadabra summoned his Twisted Spoon and held it to his head, his eyes shut. “Strengthening psychic seal.”

With those simple words, the lightshow vanished. Vincent shook his head a few times to clear the sudden feeling of dizziness, but then smiled and set his Spoon down. “And that’s another trick I have to thank Xavier for,” he said as he leaned back in his chair.

“Impressive,” Seth whistled as his ears twitched, hearing some irritated muttering that was growing closer. “But I believe that you still might be screwed.”

Indeed, an irritated female Lucario burst into the shop, her eyes landing on Vincent’s form near-instantly. “YOU!” She shouted. “Do you have any IDEA the panic I felt when I woke up to you MISSING?!”

She’d rapidly closed the gap and was now shaking the Kadabra back and forth as she continued to berate him. “You don’t just wake up and walk off! You never do that! I was worried for you! Why would you do that to me?!”

Seth stood up, he considered Vincent a friend now and bros stood up for bros. “I’m sure Vincent is very sorry Lucy. He is new to the whole relationship thing and I’m sure that it won’t happen again... will it Vincent!!”

“Indeed not. I am sorry Lucy. I merely awoke first and took this chance to finally try something that I have been denied for far too long.”

The Lucario took in those words, realized where she was standing, and slowly let go of the Kadabra before taking a few steps back. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

She then turned to Seth and his friends and said, in a very even tone, “And why did none of you stop him from having any?”

“We didn’t think there was any harm,” Rika shrugged. “Unless he’s allergic to coffee... are you allergic to coffee Vincent?”

Allergic to coffee!? Mocha almost fainted when she heard that. That would be the most horrible thing imaginable…

“No. Sam and Bit merely took my mentor Luke’s, a Gallade, advice far too seriously when I mentioned it once. He said I should avoid adding such a thing to my system until I was used to how my new form worked. They then told Lucy, and together have kept me from trying any.”

“Ah, is that all?” Seth said. “I wouldn’t worry Lucy, he seems to be perfectly fine, despite having two cups already.”

Lucy took another, closer look at Vincent, and nodded slowly. “Very well...but if anything happens to make me think otherwise, while I’ll blame him first, I’ll blame all of you second.” She then took a seat and looked at the Kadabra’s empty plate. “So, what do you recommend for breakfast?”

Already having prepared in advance, Mocha floated out four plates of the same dish she served Vincent. “I have one for your buggy friend when he arrives too,” she tittered.

“Wow, thanks Mocha!” Seth grinned before digging in.

“Another point in your favor: customer service. Mary is an excellent chef, but if you aren’t a friend of hers and try to enter ‘her’ kitchen? She doesn’t take kindly to that…”

“A kitchen to a chef is like their home,” Mocha said. “Intruding uninvited is often considered a great insult.”

“Cilan said the same thing to me once,” Seth replied. He wondered if that trio of brothers were in Equestria somewhere. “Well, thank you for the food though. It’s delicious.”

“A fair point,” Vincent said with a slight laugh. “After all, we all have those little places where we like to consider ourselves safe. Those places that are truly ours. Now that I find myself in possession of such places, I find myself eager to return to them…”

“That’s a nice answer,” Rika said. “All these little ‘hiccups’ aside, Equestria really is a nice place huh?”

“Far nicer than anything I’ve experienced,” Vincent said, which caused a slight wave of wincing throughout the room as Rika remembered who she’d been talking to. “But in all fairness, yes. What little information I have regarding Earth places it as second to Equestria.”

Lucy nodded and talked, her food already gone. “If this is a place without your father and anyone like him likely to have come with us, then yes, this world is already better for it.”

“...Did you even taste your food?”

“I like this girl,” Ignis grinned, patting Lucy on the back. “Platonically of course,” he added when Selena and Vincent glared at him.

“So is there anything else you’d like to do today?” Seth asked. “Canterlot is a big city, there’s probably still a lot to see.”

“In which case, we can make a return trip,” the Kadabra said while smirking. “And while I would like to see the Museum, if it’s still likely to be closed, then a quick trip through... Artist’s Alley, was it? Will have to do for today. I already miss Las Pegasus, and we’ve only been gone five days.”

“Actually, I got word that the museum re-opened today,” Seth grinned. “They still hadn’t fixed the windows, saying they’d take months to repair...”

“But then Sethy got the brilliant idea of asking Dialga to help.” Rika exclaimed. “He simply wond time back on the museum to before the attack. And hey presto! All is well.”

Vincent blinked a few times before turning to Lucy. “Note: do not mess with time or those that control it. That’s scary powerful right there.”

Lucy nodded her agreement as Sam calmly walked into the room. He eyed Lucy and Vincent, Vincent’s empty cups, and Seth’s group before saying anything. “...And how is there still a building?”

“Because it seems you were concerned over nothing,” Seth replied. “Vincent here is cool, aside from a small light show earlier and possible enlightenment...”

“It wasn’t like I could see forever,” the psychic said with a wave of his hand. “Though I was definitely picking up on more minds than usual. Had it gone on any longer, yeah, I would have been concerned.”

“So…” The Scizor began. “All that worrying and keeping you away from caffeine?”

“Oh don’t get me wrong, before it was probably a good idea, especially when I was an Abra. But now that I can handle it properly, I may take a cup in the morning to aid my brain in starting up.”

Right on cue, Mocha came back over to the table and passed Vincent a piece of parchment with some instructions on it.

“Theses are recipes for three of my personal blends,” Mocha said. “Flat White, Mocha Latte and Mint blend, most of my others are a bit of a secret and would require me to personally teach you. Oh, and I also wrote down decaf variants~” The list contained specific brands and types of coffee beans to use, as well as preparation instructions. The psychic picked the list up and scanned it a few times before nodding at the mare.

“My thanks. How much do I owe you for this fine morning?” At those words, Vincent picked up his Twisted Spoon again in preparation to summon what he needed.

“Hmm, 25 bits should cover the cost of the meals,” Mocha said. “The coffee’s on the house today, well for you anyway.”

Seth looked at the spoon, “Why don’t you just carry around a small pouch?” he asked. “It must be easier than having to Teleport money all the time.”

“First, it helps me burn off power. A Gallade helped me when I was an Abra to refine all that I had been into someone who could come to terms with what had happened. Just recently, Xavier and I exchanged notes, and I learned quite a bit from that Metagross. And secondly,” at this moment the required bits flashed onto the table, “We happen to have quite a bit of bits. I might tell you the story later, but carrying them all around everywhere would be cumbersome.”

“Fair enough,” Seth replied, fishing around in his bag for his own money. “I wish I could levitate things... would make life so much easier.”

“Tell me, what do you recall of a Kadabra’s power...and what happens if they don’t watch themselves?” Vincent’s ‘voice’ had gone sickly sweet again.

“I know, I know,” Seth responded. “But until you find out, you Psychic’s and Unicorns still make it look easy.” Seth looked at Mocha, who was cleaning a small stage at the back of the cafe. Several large instruments floated around her, including a cello and a small piano while she hummed happily, sweeping up the dust with a levitating broom and dustpan.

“Powers of the mind are not to be taken lightly. How do you think I feel knowing that if I don’t watch myself, my family will be in pain because of me? And thus I ‘talk’ constantly, I Teleport our money in when we need it. I do half a dozen things to burn off the power I have...to keep those I hold dear safe from me. You should be thankful you are not a Psychic type.”

“I wonder if Gardy has to do the same stuff?” Rika wondered.

“In a way,” aforementioned Pokémon teleported into the cafe. “We Gardevoir also manipulate gravity, but most of my excess power goes into telepathy and floating.” She raised the hem of her skirt slightly, showing that her pointed feet weren’t actually touching the ground. “I am surprised you do not do it also Mr. Vincent. A good deal of power can be burnt off with self-levitation.”

Vincent smiled at that. “I would, but I know that the less physically active I am, the worse it will be for me. While I have power, to rely on it to even move, much less hold up my head as Alakazam are said to need to do, is a terrible place to find ones’ self. I’d like to be able to walk around without needing to propel myself with my mind, thank you kindly. I didn’t need to do so in the facility while I was human, and I’ll try my hardest to thwart that from ever happening. Besides which, what if I encounter a particularly physically-minded foe? I’d like to be able to move and run fast enough to get away or deal with them. Cover all my bases, as it were.”

Gardy nodded and she seemed to stumble for a second as she switched on her personal gravity, allowing herself to stand under her own strength. “I too can stand just fine, but...”

“Ten bits says she does it to look all mystical,” Rika giggled, but Gardevoir remained silent as Rika’s eyes widened. “Uh, I wasn’t actually being serious...”

Gardy cleared her throat and spoke verbally. “Regardless, I have come to inform you that the last of the victims have been cured and most of them are awake or have even been discharged by now.”

“And Heath?” Seth asked, his tone filled with concern.

“Also doing fine,” Gardy responded. “He was awake for a while, but has resumed sleep again. Injuries aside, he suffered severe smoke inhalation, it will still take a few days for him to recover.”

“Alright, thanks Gardevoir,” Seth said and with a nod, the Psychic vanished as quickly as she arrived.

“Well that’s good news,” Selena said. “We should go and see him later.” Seth simply nodded in response.

A steadily growing ticking noise could be heard, and Vincent merely rolled his eyes and pointed one hand at the door. “Bit, we’re in here, cut out the cheesy noises.”

Indeed, the Porygon-Z floated into the room and dinged a few times. “Apologies. Some sounds are simply associated with certain actions. Though why the action of searching for you causes this unit to play a ticking noise is unknown at this time.”

“Fair enough, perhaps you’ll untangle the reason with time. Now... someone said something about the museum possibly being open again?”

“A ticking when you search?” Seth pondered. “Maybe it works like the Itemfinder device? Well, whatever... onwards to adventure and whatnot!”

“I think all of our lives could do with a little less adventure thank you,” Selena muttered.

A chorus of “Agreed!” came from Vincent’s table. “Besides which, didn’t you just get done with an adventure at the museum?” Lucy questioned.

“Yeah, let’s use the museum for what it’s actually for: teaching life-forms that aren’t Bit about things. I’m sure he already knows a good deal about what’s in there.” Sam pitched in as he pushed his empty plate a few inches forward.

Bit ticked for a moment before letting out a beep. “Incorrect. While a good deal of information was filed and cross-referenced, I do not currently possess up-to-date information on what lies within the local museum.”

“Fancy that, Bit not knowing something.”

“Ooh, oooh!!” Rika bounced up and down in a very Pinkie-esque manner. “I have an idea on something we could do as well~”

“First, sit down, you’re giving me motion sickness,” Selena said. “And second, I know I’m going to regret this but what is your idea?”

“We could show them our routine!” Rika exclaimed. “We need to practise it anyway.”

“Urgh, I knew I was going to regret it,” Selena sighed. “Fine... I suppose we could do that.”

“She protests, but she really does enjoy it,” Ignis laughed. “She’s really adorable when she gets all tsundere like that.”

“W-what the hell, moron!” Selena blushed. “Don’t go spouting stuff like that!”

Vincent looked at Ignis, then at Selena, and then at Lucy. She herself had done something similar, starting at Selena, then going to Ignis, and then ending with Vincent. “I’m going to put it down to ‘love is blind,’” Lucy said.

“I was going to put it down as ‘different strokes for different folks’,” Vincent countered.

“And I’m going to say you two couples are perfect for each other, and I don’t care what we do, so long as it’s no longer here,” Sam chipped in. “No offense to you, Mocha.”

“None taken,” Mocha smiled. The couples were quite cute, but she couldn’t help but feel a slight pang of jealousy. Well, that was in the past and that’s where it would stay.

“Well let’s get going then,” Seth said. “First stop, the museum!”

*~*

The museum had been interesting, especially seeing Vincent’s face when they hit the weather section. Physics in Equestria were seriously nerfed.

They ended up meeting with Fritter and then they all headed back to the Sundial one last time; it was also a nice spot for Rika and Selena to do their routine.

“Okay, you guys ready for a treat?” she asked. “You’ll be the first ones in Equestria to see this!”

A quick shared glance amongst the family brought on a wave of slight nods between them. “Ready,” Lucy said.

“Do show us,” Vincent added.

Seth had retrieved a gramophone from Fritter’s place and put a record on it. A jaunty little classical tune began to play, specifically, a song titled ‘Dance of the Sugarplum Breezie’. He was quite surprised to find an Equestrian variant of the song he would use in Contests.

“Alright, Rika use Misty Terrain. Selena, Razor Wind!”

Rika hummed as the ground around her with a blanket of pale, pink mist. Selena then used a weak Razor Wind, causing the mist to swirl and ripple like the sea.

“Now use Will-o-Wisp, and Rika, you use Swift!

Selena let out a haunting low howl as ethereal wisps of flames danced around her and then shot towards Rika. The fairy activated her Swift, and Pixelate turned it into a Fairy Type move as golden stars rained down on the wisps, shattering them into sparkling embers, which then fell into the mist, causing it to take on an azure hue. The mist swirled and then enshrouded Selena.

“This part is where i would Mega-evolve her, but I can’t do that right now.” Seth explained. “Rika, use Moonblast!

The Sylveon nodded as she aimed into the sky and fired several of the attacks, the orbs of lunar light hanging in the air like lanterns.

“And for the finale, Selena, Play Rough!” The mist burst as Selena leapt from it, her legs sparkling with a pink light as she leapt from one orb to the other, her movements were precise and stunningly beautiful, like she was dancing in midair. She finally landed near Rika, and both Pokémon took a bow as the Moonblasts shattered, raining down like countless tiny stars.

“Well?” Selena panted. “What did you think?”

Bit was, for once, speechless and not making any sounds. Sam likewise just stood there, his jaw slightly agape at the spectacle he’d just been witness to. Vincent blinked a few times and smiled softly while putting a hand on his chest. Lucy’s reaction was the most telling, however.

She merely turned to Vincent and said a simple phrase. “We need to come up with one.”

He turned to Lucy and stared for a moment before replying. “I’m fairly certain a routine like that isn’t something you just ‘come up with’. And while I agree that was a splendid performance, it would likely take us quite some time to do anything near their level.”

“Sooner started…” Lucy led, which prompted Vincent to sigh before he finished it.

“Sooner finished. Fine, it’ll go on my list of things to do.”

“It took a really long time to perfect, I wish we could have done it properly though.” Rika sighed.

“The hardest part was that last bit, where I dance on the Moonblasts,” Selena explained. “Being weak to Fairy type moves, just one missed step resulted in a lot of pain.” She spoke from experience and a lot of time spent in the Pokémon Center. “But I think it was totally worth- Yip!” She yelped as Ignis scooped up the Absol and placed a deep kiss on her lips.

“You are my beautiful Dark Fairy Queen,” he smiled. “I think I fall even more in love with you every time I see it.”

Seth chuckled at her protests as Ignis lavished her with kisses. “Well I’m glad you guys liked it, something unique for your vacation huh?”

“Indeed, something that I will hold dear for quite some time. I’ve precious few good memories, but each one added is a beauty.”

Lucy nodded at Vincent’s words and hugged the Kadabra from behind. “Thank you all for a lovely time in Canterlot,” the Lucario said. “But I think it’s high time we caught a ride home.”

“Indeed, one will be leaving within the hour. We should just about catch it if we were to leave within the next few minutes.”

Seth nodded, he was quite sad to see them leave actually. Rika just teared up and leapt at Lucy, hugging her tightly. Selena and Ignis were a little more reserved, but they still looked a little upset.

“Alright, but you four better believe that we’ll come and visit as soon as possible!” Seth said adamantly. The Kadabra chuckled and pointed at the Sylveon hugging Lucy.

“Was already counting on it. Or perhaps you’d like to come with right now? It certainly seems one of you wants to.”

“I am really tempted to take you up on that offer,” Seth replied as they walked, Rika having switched to hugging Sam and Bit. “But there’s still a lot of loose ends to tie up here in Canterlot.”

“And you lot have given me an idea of something to try in Las Pegasus, one that might be necessary depending on the local’s stance on certain issues. But hopefully when the time comes that we do meet again, my schedule will be clear.”

“I gave you ideas?” Seth replied inquisitively. He wondered what he meant by that. “I get the feeling that my life is not going to be quiet anytime soon, but I can’t wait regardless.” He pried his overly affectionate Sylveon away from a grateful Scizor and placed her on his back.

“Sometimes it’s not about whether or not you can take the time, but whether or not you can make the time,” the Kadabra replied, looking first Seth, then Rika in the eyes, hoping that they both took to heart his advice regarding certain matters.

His subtlety wasn’t over-looked by Rika and she hopped down and stood in front of Seth. “I want to make something clear,” she said. “And while my new best friend Lucy is here as a witness, I’m going to say it.” She took a deep breath, held it for a moment and released it as her face flushed a deep crimson hue.

“I’m not going to lose to Apple Fritter, understand! I will fight, not actual fighting, but you get my drift, to win your heart!”

Seth sat down very quickly as he blushed. Well this was certainly sudden.

“I think I have a few things to discuss later, with both you and Fritter,” Seth replied. He regained his composure and nodded, “I owe you two at least that much.”

Lucy, meanwhile, drew up next to Rika and laid a paw on her head. “While you didn’t hear our confessions,” the Lucario whispered, “There are three words that are the most important that you haven’t said to him in this context. They’re scary and will change quite a lot of things once said, but you should at least make the effort if you mean it.”

Rika nodded, a huge grin on her face. She told Seth all the time that she loved him... when he was a human and couldn’t understand her... oh? She opened and closed her mouth a few times, but no sound came out. Why? Why couldn’t she say it?

She looked at Lucy and Vincent, two that once considered the other a dear sibling, and now they were lovers. Selena and Ignis were in the same boat, and now they too were together. She swallowed and after a reassuring nod from Lucy, she spoke.

“I-I...” She looked at the Luxray that sat before her, waiting patiently for her to speak. If he refused her, surely he would have cut her off by now, or changed the subject. Was he? Could he?

“It’s because you care that they’re so hard to say,” Lucy mused. “Vincent and I had some similar problems... but then we realized the important thing. The other one cared just as much as we did and would never hurt us, intentional or otherwise. Then the words came free and clear.

Rika nodded, “With all my heart, I couldn’t feel this way about anyone else...” She looked at Seth, tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “I love you, so, so much!”

Seth nodded, taking a step forward and holding his precious Sylveon tightly against his chest. “I know, I think I might have always known... but-”

“I know, you don’t feel that way about Pokémon,” Rika whispered. “But, I can’t change how I feel and I know I’m being a little selfish... but all I want is a chance.”

Seth nodded, holding her and closing his eyes. “I’ll give you that chance, with our new friends, our new family as my witnesses. I promise you that much. We’ll start over okay?”

“Thank you,” Rika whispered. “I’ll do my best~”

Apple Fritter just watched silently, when Rika had said soon, she didn’t think the very next day. She felt a tightness in her chest as she sat there, watching the confession. What was this feeling?
“Out of respect for both of you,” Sam stated, “I’ll not pass on any of the advice the old man would have given me. Though you can be sure I’m going to ask plenty of questions when we next see one another.”

Bit beeped a few times before chipping in his two bits as well. “Suggestion: Relationship is already founded on trust. While a gradual attitude re-adjustment may be necessary for Seth to see Rika in a romantic light, she must not over-exert herself in trying to hurry the process along. That is doomed to fail. She must simply be herself.”

“And when did you get so world-wise about romance?”

“Canterlot Archives have quite the selection of romance novels. Reasons unknown,” the Porygon-Z responded.

“Yeah, thanks you guys,” Rika sniffed, pulling away from Seth. “I’ll do my best and bag my sexy kitty~”

Seth just groaned and shook his head. At least she was in high spirits. “Well we still have a lot to discuss, but our friends have a train to catch and we’re holding them up.”

“Alright,” Rika waved a ribbon dismissively. “It’s not the end of the world if they miss it anyway.”

“Rika... are you holding us up so they’ll stay longer?” Seth asked dubiously.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Rika said, whistling innocently.

“...Okay, didn’t work on Luke, isn’t gonna work on me. That’s one of the go-to phrases for trying to fib. Not only am I a Psychic and could therefore simply know if you’re lying, I know Teleport as well. The only reason we haven’t flashed away is because we enjoy your company.”

“Aw, I love you guys too~” Rika cooed, hugging them again.

“C’mon, let’s go,” Seth chuckled, dragging her off of them and resuming their walk to the station. It felt no time had passed at all once they arrived, the absurdly feminine-looking train already at the station.

“I feel my masculinity slipping away just looking that thing,” Seth said dryly.

“We dislike it for other reasons,” Sam said simply.

Lucy nodded as they approached the ticket booth. “While it’s a comfortable moving box, it’s still a box which we can’t safely leave for hours at a time.”

“Something to look forward to when Vincent here becomes an Alakazam then,” Seth replied. “I’ll bet he’ll be powerful enough to simply teleport to another city.” he knew that Diantha’s Gardevoir was at least strong enough to get to Ponyville from here.

“I’ll be happy when I learn how to Teleport another without causing motion sickness in either of us,” the Kadabra replied as he came back with four tickets in his grasp. He gave one to each of his family members and nodded once. “A moment more while I give our luggage to the stallion in charge of such things.”

Seth had also bought them a few trinkets, like a replica of the Sundial. Considering what happened there, it made for a very sentimental gift. “So what’s the plan once you get home?” he asked Sam.

“I’m going to ask the griffon who owns the restaurant Mary works in if I can become a waiter there. She’s good when she’s in the kitchen, but she’s not the easiest ‘mon to get along with. Her spiky exterior is more than physical,” the Scizor replied.

“Sounds like a good plan,” Seth nodded. “And if you guys ever need any help, were only a letter away.” What he wouldn’t give for somepony to invent the Holocaster... he missed technology.

Bit dinged a few times before replying. “While the letter is an effective means of communication in Equestria, I still contain information. I am hoping to get a rudimentary computer functioning within the next year for my own useage. I predict an even fifty-fifty odds of success to failure.”

Seth looked at his large and fluffy paws. “I used to dabble in basic programming, but I can’t type with these anymore. Ah well.”

The Porygon-Z looked Seth over and ticked while he considered the situation. “Plausible solution to former humans dilemma, for those that lack hands: Voice commands.”

“That might work, but one would need to program a voice command system and construct an interface first.” His body sparked momentarily, “Plus I run the risk of blowing a computer up until I have control of this first.”

At that moment, Vincent returned and sighed. “The second issue, I cannot help with...though, were you to arrive in Las Pegasus and still be having issues, I could look up Luke. As to the first, well...father solved that one, didn’t he, Bit?”

“Indeed he did. And as per societal interaction protocols this unit has observed: you get three guesses as to what he used it for, and the first two don’t count.”

A guessing game huh? Bit really was a funny little Pokémon. “Hmm, I’m guessing it involves you in some way Bit?”

The program dinged once. “Correct so far.”

“Well I’m guessing you must have voice command systems installed, you could copy those. All you would need is a microphone as an interface.”

“There would be a grave weakness in any voice command system based on the one embedded in Bit. All I would have to do is say one line…” the Kadabra trailed off there and let the sentence hang.

“Do you know what the Doctor used those commands for now, Mister Seth?” The Porygon-Z actually hung his head at that question.

Seth’s eyes widened, “Oh crap, I-I didn’t think... I’m so sorry,” he apologised.

“Not your fault,” Vincent said, brushing off the Luxray’s concerns. “You didn’t know, couldn’t have known. And we’ve already exploited the system to do some good for Bit. But he trusts me with such power over him, and I keep hoping to prove myself worthy of that trust.”

Seth nodded, they certainly were an interesting bunch. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine. You have family and a lot of new friends to pick you back up should you fall.”

Lucy nodded and hugged Vincent again, this time pecking him on the cheek. “Yup. He’s here for us, and we’re here for him. I just wish we could be there for the other survivors... or even knew where they were…”

Sam waved one claw. “Eh, they preferred their isolation, and I can’t blame ‘em. The only ones who might know them well enough to identify them are Vincent and Bit. If they seek us out, I’ll change my tune, but as is, I think we should let them be, wherever they are.”

“Besides,” Seth said. “You and I, we’re magnets for trouble so they’ll probably find you at some point. And if I come across any who are looking for guidance, I’ll do what I can to help.”

“Quite frankly, that’s all I could ask, and I’m grateful. But for now, I think we should board.” As if on cue, a stallion shouted “All aboard” at that moment.

Seth stopped Vincent as the rest boarded, “If you’re not adverse to it, can I offer one last piece of advice?”

“I promise to listen until I have to get on,” the Kadabra replied.

“It’ll be brief,” Seth replied. “Just this, The past is what shapes you, it made you who you are... but you are the one who shapes your future. If you keep that in mind, I have no doubts that you’ll be just fine.”

“Just because I saw what I did and bear his name, it does not mean I am my predecessor, or that I will act in such a manner. He ruined the name of Nurem to those that knew. I intend to take it back. I heard every one of their screams, you know. That’s more than enough to motivate me. Eight hundred and fourteen. Someone must atone for the ones that passed. If not me, who?”

“What I simply meant was that infinite futures lay open to you. I know you are not your father, but shouldering that burden alone, I don’t think anyone could bear such a weight.” He looked at Sam, Bit and Lucy, watching them through a window. “They are as much a part of it as you, and I know that they won’t let you go at it alone. Neither will I.” Seth placed a paw on his shoulder and nodded. “I promise you that I won’t forget what you told me. I’ll remember them and I promise you that I won’t let something like that happen again. Not now and not ever!”

Vincent actually smiled at that and placed a hand on the paw. “I...thank you. I needed that. Just...be on the lookout for subject thirty-four, also known as the final escapee. She was a Gible, but once she Evolved into a Gabite, she managed to break free of the containment systems. And she always was angry before, but after her operation…” here Vincent shuddered. “It took me to calm her down even a touch. For some reason, she only liked me. Probably because I was still a kid then. Her name was Christine, at least, I called her that. NEVER call her by her number. You’ll know it’s her if she’s not only constantly angry, but also if her colors have been...altered. Father dabbled in genetic manipulation with her, and it sort of worked…”

The stallion called “All aboard” again, and Vincent hopped on the train, but turned to look at Seth. “Just be very very careful! She was spliced with another pokemon’s DNA, and this time, it worked to an extent!”

“Wait, what Pokémon?” Seth called out, but his voice was drowned out by the whistle. The group waved their goodbyes as the train pulled away from the station as Seth sighed.

“Just great, and seeing as how fate hates me, that dragon will show up too...” He smiled though, having made some wonderful new friends. “See you guys on the flip side then.”

After that, two final words eked their way into his head. Apparently, Vincent either thought Seth really needed to know, or was trying this for the first time. “Kecleon...ability…”

Seth turned pale under his dark fur. “Oh... fuck me...”

“Gladly~” Rika called out, utterly derailing his train of thought.

“Goddamnit Rika!” Seth frowned as he watched the train leave. Ah well, Equus was a big place, what were the odds of that Gabite actually showing up? He looked at his group, and noticed that Apple Fritter had been pretty quiet for a while now.

“Hey,” he said, causing her to flinch when he spoke to her. “Is everything alright?”

“Wha, ah. Yes!” Fritter said a little too quickly. “Everything’s perfectly okay! What wouldn’t it be?” she chuckled nervously.

Rika just shook her head, she knew what the mare was stressing about, but in the end, it had to be her decision to move forward. “What do you say we head home for the rest of the day?” she said. “It’s been a busy day and I’m feeling a little tired.”

Seth nodded, recalling what he had said earlier. “Alright, let’s go then.”

Apple Fritter just nodded and the group headed back. They spent the time talking about the new friends they had made.

“Well I thought they were alright,” Selena said. “Though they seriously need to lighten up a bit. For having such a tragic life, Vincent really did seem to bring it up an awful lot.”

“Some people are like that,” Seth replied. “It’s a coping mechanism, but one they must overcome. Some people won’t take well to having the subject being brought up that frequently... I just hope that Vincent doesn't do anything rash. He doesn’t strike me as the type to lash out without reason, and he sees to have his power in check... perhaps we should pay them a visit sooner, rather than later.”

“So what’s our plan for the days to come?” Ignis asked. “Just taking it easy?”

Seth shook his head, “I honestly wish I could, but there’s still the aftermath of that Control problem to deal with, and Grissom wants to discuss something important, but said he wanted me to rest up first.” He paused as he thought for a moment. “There’s also this ‘Royal Summit’ that will have the city guard on edge, and we can’t rule out the possibility of one of the delegates doing something reckless... I doubt it, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

“And here I thought Equestria was supposed to be peaceful,” Rika moaned. “Can’t we go back to doing normal, family things?”

“That would be nice,” Seth replied. “Well hopefully life is done throwing surprises at us.”

“Y’all might wanna hold that thought,” Fritter said as they got closer to her home. “Ah think life is only just getting started.”

Seth wondered what she meant by that, until he followed her gaze and saw an Umbreon sitting on Fritter’s front porch. She was a slender, female one. Her rings glowed gently in the moonlight as her piercing red eyes locked onto the group walking towards her.

While the group seemed a little curious as to their new guest, it was Seth and Rika who recognised her.

“Wait... is that-?” Seth started, causing Rika to nod slowly.

“It is, but... how?” The Sylveon stammered as the Umbreon got up and headed towards them.

“Who is that?” Selena said, preparing to attack at a moments notice. “Trouble?”

“Mommy!” Rika cried out, causing Selena to falter and stumble as the Sylveon ran straight at the Umbreon, tackling her into a bonecrushing hug. “Mommy, it really is you!”

“Of course it is,” Umbra said, returning her daughters embrace. “I finally found you.”

Author's Note

Editor’s Notes:
tdnpony - Well, nice end to the crossover, and nice plot twist at the end. Also, considering that bonus thing you and the other authors were working on, I can see the implications.

Oh yes... things will happen... and it will be GLORIOUS!!

Chapter Twenty

So today had been… interesting.

That was about the best way to describe today’s events as far as Seth was concerned. It had started out innocently enough, wake up, go to café and eat breakfast…

Then the day jumped ship and it was a rollercoaster of emotion and surprises. Vincent had almost blown up the café from a caffeine-induced high. He gotten to perform a Contest routine for the first time in months, Vincent warned him of a temperamental, invisible Gabite! Oh and his Pokémon confessed her love to him and now her mother had shown up out of nowhere…

So yeah… interesting.

“Seth?” a voice called out. “Are you even listening?” The mentally exhausted Luxray looked up to see Rika’s bright blue eyes only a few scant inches from his own. He let out a surprised yelp and jump back, banging his head on a standing lamp next to the couch.

“I am now,” he groaned, rubbing his head. “What were you saying?”

Umbra, the Umbreon mother of Rika chuckled and shook her head. “I was merely commenting on what a fine job you did of raising my girl. It seems I chose well in allowing you to take care of her.”

“He did okay I guess,” Rika smirked, and Seth leaned over to noogie her until she squealed out a surrender.

“So have you mated with him yet?” Umbra asked casually and the room became deathly quiet. The Umbreon tilted her head and looked at the blushing Luxray. “What? It’s a simple question.”

“T-that’s… something rather private don’t you think?” Seth stuttered, trying to get his racing heart under control.

“When it comes to my daughter, nothing is private,” Umbra stated. “Her well being is second to none in my book and if she is being taken advantage of, then I shall eliminate the one responsible for hurting her.”

“E-eliminate!? Mom! I have enough people trying to kill Sethy, don’t you dare start!” Rika protested, her ribbons flailing around.

“Well, you seem to be treated well,” Umbra smiled, unfazed by Rika’s reaction. “And you’re being targeted? Shall I kill the ones responsible?”

“Nobody is killing anybody!” Seth yelled, slapping his forehead with a paw. “Can we please just have a civilised conversation for once!?”

“Very well, what would you like to discuss?” Umbra asked, her demeanour unchanged.
“How did you find us?” Selena asked.

“Well, your exploits from the other night caused quite a stir,” Umbra explained. “Quite a few Pokémon around the city spoke of a Luxray, Sylveon and Absol rescuing them from a nefarious stallion. It’s quite the tale really. Want to hear about the three-headed Mega Houndoom you supposedly fought?”

“Wow,” Seth deadpanned. “That escalated quickly.”

“No mention of me?” Ignis pouted, genuinely upset. “I beat a Champions Tyrantrum for crying out loud!”

“And you are?” Umbra lifted an eyebrow.

Ignis just snorted and folded his arms. “No respect, I seriously get no freaking respect!”

“Well I think you’re perfect~” Selena purred, causing the dragon’s mood to falter and eventually fade altogether.

The front door creaked open as Titania floated in, looking rather weary and more than a little irritated. She gave one look at Umbra and snorted.

“What, did we pick up another stray?” she said flatly. “Well I suppose I’m not really surprised at this point.”

Seth explained. “Titania, this is Umbra… Rika’s mother.” Titania’s face showed the slightest hint of emotion, though it was one that Seth couldn’t place. “Umbra, this is-“

“Titania, A member of the Queen’s Guild of Checkmate.” Umbra finished. “I am well aware of who she is.” Umbra hopped down from the couch and walked over to the fairy. “I’ve noticed you a few times, running about the city, looking for your missing comrades.” The Umbreon stepped closer, but Titania refused to budge. “I also know that you had threatened by daughter and her Trainer, something that I should by all rights, kill you for.”

Titania tensed up and prepared to attack, she wouldn’t let another Eeveeloution get the jump on her.

“M-Mom!?” Rika begun to protest, but Umbra raised a paw to silence her.

“Relax, both of you. I know that you were… persuaded otherwise, so that’s enough for me.” She reared up onto her hind legs and put her paws on the fairy’s chest. “You seem to be good friends with Rika, and that makes me quite happy.” Titania just remained silent as Umbra got back down and walked back over to the couch. “So tell me Miss Titania, have you found your companions yet?”

Titania gritted her teeth and shook her head ever so slightly. “No, but I see Seth doesn’t seem to have that problem…” she glanced around the room and mentally sighed. “If you’ll excuse me, I have things to attend to.” With that, the Florges turned and left their home, disappearing into the dark streets.

“Is she okay?” Rika asked, “She looked… a little sad.”

Seth watched the door and then nodded to himself. “I’ll go after her, be back soon okay.”

“Try not to have a repeat performance of last time,” Selena said dryly. Seth just chuckled and nodded, following the fairy out into the cool night air.

*~*

Titania grumbled to herself as she floated down the street. In fact, she was so preoccupied that it took a full three minutes before she even noticed the Luxray walking next to her.

“What do you want?” she said sharply, refusing to meet his gaze.

“I want to know what’s bothering you,” he replied. “Despite appearances Titania, I consider you a friend, and I care for my friends.”

“Oh, we’re friends now?” she replied with a forced laugh. “When did that happen?”

“When you offered to assist us with that incident.” Seth replied truthfully. “Plus, Rika seems to like you.”

“Whatever, you’re not my friend, no-one is. Now buzz off!” she snapped again and floated a bit faster, but Seth merely kept pace with her.

“Something is bothering you, now tell me, maybe I can help?”

“It’s none of your business!” Titania said forcefully.

“C’mon, don’t be like that, tell me.”

“No!” Titania moved faster again, but Seth still hounded her.

“Tell me.”

“No!!” She growled, this Luxray was starting to piss her off.

“Tell me?” Seth said inquisitively.

“No!!!” she yelled, moving towards the Sundial, they had come this far already?

“C’mon, tell meeee~” Seth sang. That was it, Titania snapped. She whirled around, a pink light building up in her hands.

“Say it… just one more time,” she warned, levelling the Moonblast straight at him.

Seth paused as Titania smirked, he’d finally given up… And then he smirked back.

“Tell m-” he didn’t get to finish as the Moonblast collided with him, exploding on contact and sending him flying. By the time he hit the ground, Titania gasped as she realised what she’d done… and that Rika was going to do so much worse that simply kill her. She rushed over to the fallen Luxray.

“Please, oh please tell me you’re not dead!” she murmured as she checked him for a pulse. She suddenly pulled back as Seth opened his eyes and chuckled.

“Oh, that stung quite a bit. But I get the feeling that you were holding back,” he pointed out, a toothy grin on his face.

She frowned, raised a hand and swatted him on the nose. “Hate! So. Much. HATE!”
“Feel better now?” he asked and he sat up, wincing as he did. That Moonblast had hurt, a lot. But he wasn’t going to tell her that… or Rika.

“…A little,” Titania admitted. “Wait! Did you do that on purpose?”

“Maybe,” Seth said.

“You’re crazy,” Titania smiled, a real one this time. “I’m glad you’re not dead though, then I’d be dead.”

“Yeah… most likely,” Seth agreed. “So, you gonna tell me now?”

“You do not give up, do you?” Titania sighed. Seeing Seth shake his head, she decided that it would be best to just say it, and then maybe he’d leave her alone.

“A few days ago, I sent a message to every major city in Equestria, in the hopes that my teammates would read it and come find me. But it seems that it was in vain, I have yet to hear anything and then, just yesterday, that annoying little Kadabra tells me that he met Weiss, my Trainer and leader… and he doesn’t even realise that I’m missing!” The fairy screamed that last part, scaring away a few ponies that had come to see the giant crystal.

“Well, you did only send the message a few days ago,” Seth argued. “Maybe they just haven’t seen it yet?”

“It has been twelve days since we arrived, and if Vincent is to be believed, then Weiss has seemed to have found everyone… everyone except me…” Titania’s anger was spent as she fell to the ground. “They, they just forgot about me… they don’t care about a huffy little fairy who just holds them all back. Why would they-” She was cut off and yelped in surprise as Seth embraced her. The fairy turned a deep crimson as she tried to shove him off. “W-w-w-what the hell!?”

“It’ll be fine,” Seth replied, eventually letting go. “They’re still your family right? I’m sure they’re out looking for you. Maybe that’s why they came to Equestria in the first place.”

“…Maybe…” Titania said softly. “But what if it’s not? What if they really have forgotten me?” She grabbed Seth by the shoulders and shook him, tears streaming down her cheeks. “What am I supposed to do!?”

“S-s-stop-p-p, S-shaking-g-g, m-meee for a start!” Seth replied. Once she let him go, he smoothed some of his fur down and breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, for starters… you aren’t alone on this city. You have Rika, me and everyone else. Don’t give up on this Weiss fellow either, if he’s any sort of person that you would call family, I’m positive that he’s searching for you.” Titania just nodded meekly as Seth continued. And I’m sure there’s something you’re good at, other than being a mercenary.”

Titania just shrugged, “I don’t know…”

“Do you have any hobbies?” Seth asked, “What sort of things do you like to do?”

Titania blushed again and mumbled something under her breath, so quiet that even Seth’s enhanced hearing didn’t catch it.

“What was that?” he asked, causing Titania to flinch. She mumbled it again and Seth made out a word or two, but not enough to make sense. “Come again?”

“I SAID I LIKE TO DRESS UP!” she shouted, causing the Luxray to backpedal, holding his ears.

“Ah, no need to yell,” he said with a pained hiss. “So, dressing up huh?” He sat on his rump and thought for a moment. “Hmm, okay. I think I have an idea!”

“Oh? Care to share?” Titania asked, but Seth just shook his head and grinned.

“Nope, but it’ll be fun~”

“Tease,” Titania giggled. “Have it your way then. I look forward to your little surprise.” She glanced up at the shimmering crystal and sighed. “I’ll come back… home, soon okay? Do you mind if I stay here for a bit. I need to think.”

Seth nodded and got up. “Alright, but don’t stay out too late young lady.”

“Yes Dad,” Titania giggled again. “I’ll be home soon.”

Seth smiled and left the fairy to think in peace. Once he was gone, she turned her attention back to the Sundial and closed her eyes. Could she really do this? Could she start a new life outside of mercenary work? It had been all that she had known for so long. And what would Weiss say? Would he just let her leave like that?

For a moment, she remembered her life back on Earth, how she became the team’s ‘bodyguard’ alongside Alice, how she had been through countless exercises from perhaps the more extravagant characters such a wrecked world had ever seen, how she had been so close to death countless times, and yet she wouldn’t change such past for anything in the world. As she too remember how she joined the mercenary guild by her own free will.

After all, it was them who gave her life a purpose.

But now, now she was on her own, they seemed to be casually strolling around this new world and didn’t seem to bother about coming back to pick her up. “If they had forgotten me then, so be it, I can go and make a guild of my own!” She proclaimed, “I am sure I can use this bunch if I can convince Lady Rika to join me, with her in we would be unstoppable” she began to think, but quickly give up on such endeavour. “No, I couldn’t do such a thing to them, but what do I do now?”

“Do I even want to leave?” she asked herself as she stared at the great crystal. “Oh Arceus… what should I do?”

*~*

Meanwhile, Umbra was enjoying herself immensely. The food and drink that Apple Fritter had prepared was amazing, arguably the best thing she had ever eaten.

“Rika has been eating like this for the last two weeks? I must say, I’m quite jealous.”

“Thank you kindly,” Fritter said, clearing away the empty plates and mugs. “Ah’m glad you liked it.”

“So what have you been doing since I left?” Rika asked. “Are you still looking for father?”

“Yes and no,” Umbra replied. “I don’t honestly know how I still feel about him… or even if he still remembers me.” The Umbreon closed her eyes as she remembered the night of passion that led to Rika’s creation. “I wonder if a Pokémon like him even made it to this world?”

“A Pokémon like him?” Rika tilted her head. Her mother had told her very little about her father, other than his type and that he was quite eccentric. “What do you mean?”

“Your father… wasn’t the most…” Umbra paused as she tried to find the right words. “Stable of Pokémon.”

“That explains sooo much,” Selena chuckled, earning a glare from Rika.

“Oh?” Umbra raised an eyebrow.

Rika hung her head, her ribbons falling to the floor. “I um, tend to get… carried away sometimes.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Selena laughed. But Umbra wasn’t laughing.

“Ah… let me guess, you like to make your enemies… suffer a bit?” Okay, how the hell did she know that?

Rika just blinked, “Um… yes? I guess?” She looked at Selena and pouted. “Selena calls me Sadisteon!”

“Oh, well that has nothing to do with your father… you get that from dear old mommy dearest~” Umbra cooed, sending a look to Selena that made her fur stand on end. “You father was just plain nuts. He was adorably sweet and protective to a fault, but nuts all the same.” To be honest, it was why she fell for him in the first place. She liked a male with a lot of personality.

“So who is my father anyway?” Rika asked. “You never even told me his name!”

“I didn’t?” Umbra asked, honestly surprised. “I could have sworn I told you all about him. Well, whatever. His name is-”

At that moment, Seth returned home. It was a little after midnight, but everyone was still up waiting for him. Rika pounced on the Luxray the second he stepped through the door, the previous conversation already forgotten.

“How did it go? Are you brainwashed again? Why is your fur so messy?”

“I’m fine,” Seth responded, putting the excitable fairy back down. “We had a talk and there’s something I need to do to help her out. She just misses her family, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see…” Rika had no idea that Titania felt that way. And when she saw that Seth had found his whole family… That Florges was getting a big hug when she got home. Then that idea pinged in the Sylveon’s mind. “She is coming back… right?”

“Yeah, she just wanted to think for a bit.” Seth informed her. “And I believe that we have something to discuss as well?”

Rika almost squealed with delight. So he hadn’t forgotten after all?

Umbra pricked her ears up when she heard that. What was the topic that would get Rika so excited like that?

“Yeah, we do… And Fritter too!” Rika said, as she turned to the Apple mare and beckoned for her to come over, but the stubborn mare refused.

“Nu-uh, ‘taint mah place to get involved…” she muttered, she had no chance against the history that Rika had built with Seth, besides, the mare wasn’t even sure of her feelings yet… But Rika was having none of that and decided that drastic measures needed to be taken. She was going to win Seth’s heart and she was going to do it fairly.

“Didn’t I say that it wasn’t a sure thing?” she said, reminding Fritter of an earlier conversation.

“Don’t ignore your feelings just because I’ve known him longer. Aren’t you Earth Ponies supposed to be stubborn?”

“W-what?” Fritter blushed. Was that crazy fairy going to spill the beans in front of everyone?
“Y-Y’all can’t just say nonsense like that!”

“Nonsense?” Rika was about to blurt everything when her brain caught up with her heart. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass poor Fritter in front of everyone. “I think we should take this upstairs… okay?”

Seth just tilted his head, what the hell was going on?

“A-alright,” Fritter said quietly, and headed up to her room. Rika gave an apologetic glance to the other Pokémon and followed her. Tonight was going to be a loooong night.

Umbra frowned as she watched her daughter lead her Trainer upstairs. “Alright, will somemon tell me what in blue blazes is going on!” She turned her glare to the last remaining Pokémon, Selena and Ignis.

“There’s just some private stuff they need to work out,” Ignis replied. “And I’m sure they’ll tell us in good time.” He looked at the small barn out back that held Fritter’s farming equipment. “Why don’t we head out back for a drink, let them talk in peace?”

“Seriously?” Selena said. She wanted some alone time with her snuggle-dragon. But Rika’s mother just had to show up… “Fine, I’m not tired anyway.”

“We’ll have plenty of alone time later,” Ignis whispered. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you’ve promised.”

Selena just blushed under her fur and nodded.

Umbra watched the proceedings and nodded. “Well, I believe that I’ve outstayed my welcome for this evening.” She got up and smoothed some fur down. “Please give Rika my love. And that I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Before Selena could protest, the Umbreon disappeared through the front door, only to have Titania come through a few seconds later.

“Everyone’s gone already?” she asked as she walked in. “Nice to see I’m so loved.”

“It is getting late,” Selena replied. “Oh, and don’t go upstairs, Seth, Rika and Fritter are having a private conversation.”

“Oh, are they finally getting that love triangle sorted out?” Titania asked, relaxing on the couch. “It’s about time.”

“Tell me about it,” Selena said, leaving Ignis’ side and sat next to the fairy. The dragon just blinked and realised that he was not going to get any tonight. He snorted and headed out to the barn to sleep.

“So?” Titania asked as she poured herself a drink of spiced apple wine. “Which one do you think he’ll pick?”

“Honestly, I don’t really know.” Selena said, having not even noticed Ignis’ departure. “Rika is a safe bet since she’s known Seth longer…”

“And yet he seems to open up to Apple Fritter quite easily,” Titania pointed out. “And here I was told that he doesn’t often talk about himself.”

“He doesn’t,” Selena confirmed. “So yes, that’s why I can’t rule her out either.” The dark Pokémon stared up at the ceiling, and the three individuals that were in the room above them. “I really wish I knew what they were talking about…”

Selena got up and headed towards the backdoor. “Well, I think Ignis is pouting now, so I need to rectify the situation. G’night Lady Titania.”

Titania blinked in surprise, that was the first time that Selena had called her that. “Yes, good night, Miss Selena.”

*~*

Once the three had entered Fritter’s room, Rika closed the door and Fritter let out a small, surprised ‘meep’. Seth merely sat near the bed with an expression that seemed to sit between bemusement and worry. Yeah, he had said that he would talk about this, but now the time had actually come… and why did Fritter need to be present… oh…

“Well, we’re alone now and I think this has been put off for long enough,” Rika said. “Do you remember our conversation in the restaurant Fritter? You promised to try your best. Are you gonna deny that!?”

“Ah know what ah said!” Fritter shouted back. “But sayin’ that ah think ah’m in love with Seth just like that…” She suddenly put a hoof to her mouth, only now realising that Seth was present in the room. “Oh mah stars, did ah jus’ say that out loud?”

“You did,” Seth finally said something. “And I take it that Rika has been aware of this for a while now?”

“Well, we have been kinda obvious about it,” Rika sighed. She couldn’t believe that Seth was so dense. “It’s not our fault your blind.”

“Not blind… just a coward.” Seth’s comment caused both girls to suddenly look at him.

“W-what do you mean by that?” Rika asked cautiously.

“Ah’d like to know that too!” Fritter agreed.

Seth looked at the floor, unable to meet their gaze. “It’s exactly how it sounds. I’ve had an… inkling, of what you both have been feeling. I’m not one of those stereotypical anime protagonists. I wasn’t a hundred percent sure, but I had a basic idea of what you both felt… yet I still…”

“You ignored it!?” Rika screeched. “You mean my confession, our being here is all for nothing because you don’t fucking CARE!?”

“NO!” Seth yelled over her. He took a breath to calm down, this was supposed to be a talk about love, not a shouting match. “It’s just… I don’t know. I-I just can’t…”

“You don’t have feelings for us, do you?” Fritter asked. It was an outcome she hadn’t completely ruled out, but it still hurt a bit.

“The opposite actually,” Seth said quietly. Rika blinked, then frowned and shook her head.

“What? What the heck does that mean?”

“It means… that,” Seth paused as his throat tightened up and the words refused to come. “C’mon, both of them had the courage, why can’t you say it?”

“Whatever you have to say,” Fritter suddenly said. “Ah won’t hold it against you. You can only feel what yer heart tells you after all.” She smiled softly and then winked, “Though ah wouldn’t mind if yer heart tells you that y’all like me~”

“Ah, you beat me to it dammit!” Rika giggled. “She’s right though Sethy. I love you a whole bunch, but even if you say no, I’ll still stay with you.”

Seth nodded and sighed, “Thanks… but that’s the problem.”

“Us liking you is a problem?” Okay, Apple Fritter was a very confused pony now.

“Yeah, cause it doesn’t make my decision any easier.” Seth let out a much longer sigh now. “The thing is… I, I like both of you.” He squeezed his eyes shut as Rika gasped in surprise.

“Yeah, I know it’s stupid.” Seth continued. “But you’re both great and I can’t stomach the thought of hurting either of you. I know I’m being selfish and a coward… but I-”

He was cut off when Rika and Fritter hugged him. “It’s alright,” Rika said. “There’s no rush, so you can take your time with it.”

Fritter suddenly pulled away. “Well ah… Ah do have a suggestion that might make the decision easier…” she said

“Oh no, you are out backing out of this!” Rika said adamantly. “We’ve gone over this already.”

Fritter shook her head, “N-no, that’s not what ah was gonna suggest.” Her face erupted with a fierce blush as she pawed at the floorboards with a hoof. “Y-you see, can ah… ask you a question Rika?”

Seriously, at least Fritter and Seth had that in common, they never got to the freaking point.
“Alright, I’ll bite. What do you want to know Fritter?”

“What, do you think of mares?” she asked in a voice that could be called a whisper at best. Seth’s hearing barely caught it. Rika’s confused look told Fritter she needed to explain further. “Well, what ah mean is. Are you… attracted to females?”

“Are you trying to get me interested in girls so you’d have Seth all to yourself?” Rika asked with a cheeky smirk.

“W-what? NO!?” Fritter replied, her blush deepening. “Can you just answer the question? It’s important.”

“Alright, alright.” Rika said, waving a ribbon. “Well, if we’re all gonna be perfectly honest, and I wanna hear something embarrassing from the two of you, well… Me and Selena may have… experimented, at one point.” This time it was the Sylveon’s turn to blush. “It was nice, I still prefer guys… but I didn’t exactly hate what she and I did.”

Apple Fritter listened patiently and nodded. “Well alright then, that should make what ah’m going to say a little easier to swallow.” She nodded and looked at the fairy, “Y’all could say that ah don’t particularly dislike the idea of being with a mare…”

Seth’s brain just shut down at the addition of this new information.

“W-what are you saying Fritter?” Rika stammered, her red face refusing to look up and meet the apple mare’s gaze. “”A-are you suggesting that we… that you and I… ahhh~” her poor brain couldn’t handle it.

“Well ah, something like that, but not quite.” Fritter said. “You see, there’s a certain rule here in Equestria, when multiple ponies want to form a family.”

Seth suddenly blinked and shook his head. He thought back to his time here in Equestria and a sudden realisation dawned on him. “Fritter? Can I ask, why do I see a lot more mares around than stallions?”

Apple Fritter smiled, he sure was a smart cookie. “Y’all catch on quick. Yeah, there’s a bout four or five mares fer every stallion. It’s always been that way.”

“Herds,” Rika snapped out of her frazzled stupor. “Like Ponyta or Blitzle, you guys form herds to make up for the gender ratio.” She stopped as what Fritter suggested dawned on her. “Wait! Are you saying… that you, Seth and myself… should form a herd?”

Apple Fritter nodded and lowered her ears. “Y-yeah, ah know it’s stupid and not a whole lotta ponies do it anymore, but, in a way, we all get what we want. Ah know that it might not work and that I’m a stupid pony fer even thinking about it-”

Fritter squeaked mid-sentence as Rika hugged her. “Hey, you’re not stupid! You’re thinking of all of our feelings and I think it’s really sweet.”

Seth smiled and nodded. “Well… I guess it can’t hurt to try.”

Rika and Apple Fritter stopped, put each other down and turned slowly to stare at him.

“What?”

Seth nodded once more. “I can’t promise that it will work, and that this is probably a really bad idea. But, I really like you both and if this is a way that I can make both of you happy, then I’m willing to give it a shot.”

Rika looked like she was about to cry, nope, scratch that. The fairy bawled her eyes out as she hugged her trainer. She didn’t care about the finer details, all that mattered was that Seth was giving her a chance at romance, something she’d been waiting for a very long time.

Fritter could help but have tears sting the corners of her eyes too. She wasn’t alone anymore and she would try her damned hardest to make sure it stayed that way. Her family was in for one heck of a surprise though~

“So, where do you suppose we go from here?” Seth asked as the three of them shared a hug.
“I’ve never been in a situation quite like this before.”

“Well,” Fritter said. “Ah think it’s clear as crystal that you and Rika get along, and you and I haven’t had any troubles so far… so ah propose that Rika and I go out on a date tomorrow. If we can’t find a way fer this to work, then the whole thing will jus’ fall apart.”

“That, makes sense I suppose,” Rika agreed. “W-well, okay then. I guess you and I go out on a date tomorrow…” Okay, that was really weird to say out loud. “But there’s something we have to do, something to commemorate the step we’ve taken tonight.”

“And what’s that?” Seth asked as Rika blushed and smiled bashfully.

“Well, we should kiss.”

Seth and Fritter just stared at one another. Well, okay. That was… something.

“W-well, y’all confessed first, so y’all can go first then,” Fritter stammered. Honestly, she needed time to dig deep and find the courage to do this. Talking about it was one thing, but actually doing it? Hoo boy!

Rika nodded and positioned herself in front of Seth, the Luxray towering over her. Now that she was here, she realised just how big he was, almost twice her height. It was a little intimidating.

“W-well... here we are huh?” she giggled nervously.

“Yup... here we are,” Seth echoed. To be honest, he was nervous as well. This would be the first time he’d kissed a Pokémon for romantic reasons. Okay, nothing to it, she’s just a girl and he’d kissed girls before… nothing to it right?

Then why would the heart in his chest not stop beating like a war drum?

Rika inched closer, her eyes were closed and her face was bright red. This was it, was it really going to happen?

Sudden warmth filled her body as she dared to open one eye and squeaked when she was and felt, Seth’s lips pressed against hers. It was such a simple kiss, just two sets of lips pressed lightly together, but it was the most wonderful thing Rika had ever experienced. She sighed happily as the kiss deepened a little and soon broke apart, much to the Sylveon’s disappointment.

“That was…” Rika could think of a word that described how magical that felt, to finally feel the love of someone she loved with all of her heart.

“It was… nice?” Seth said faintly, his brain still trying to wrap around the fact that he’d kissed his Pokémon.

“It was nice,” Rika agreed. She looked at Apple Fritter, who was attempting to hide behind her mane. The mare had taken her hairbands out and let her mane down.

“Wow, you look really cute like that,” Rika commented, causing the mare to retreat further.

“T-taint nuthin special,” Fritter whispered. She was getting embarrassed now and the sound of blood rushing to her face and her heart pounding in her ears meant that she hadn’t heard Seth approach.

He placed a paw on her cheek, causing the mare to flinch in surprise.

“I think you look pretty cute also,” he smiled. Fritter opened and closed her mouth a few times, but no sound came out.

Only the smallest of contented sighs escaped when Seth kissed her, the mare pressing against him and snuggling into his embrace. She’d only ever been this close to him once before, when she’d fallen asleep with him on their first day. Even now, the soft texture of his fur had never left her mind and she hummed happily.

Seth eventually broke the kiss, and smacked his lips together a few times, like he’d sampled a fine wine. “Mm, appley~” he grinned.

“Really?” Rika giggled. “The Apple mare tastes like apples? Who would have thought?”

“Oh hush you,” Fritter giggled also and soon the three were sharing a good laugh, until Fritter yawned loudly.

“Oh mah stars, what time is it?” she asked, lazily glancing at her clock. The face said that it was a little after one in the morning. ‘An’ ah gotta work tomorrow…” she groaned.

“You can’t take the day off?” Rika asked. “Surely, current circumstances would allow…”

“And that’s the problem with dating a farmer,” Fritter said. “T’aint no such thing as a ‘day off’. The crops won’t wait to be harvested during their prime and the buyers won’t wait either. Don’t worry though, we’ll still have our date tomorrow night.”

“Well, I guess this will just have to do for a start,” Rika smiled salaciously as she kissed Apple Fritter, the mare’s eyes widened as she did so, but soon closed as she leaned into this kiss.

Seth just watched and a small smile crossed his face. He was so going to need a cold shower tomorrow.

The two girls finally parted, panting slightly as they caught their breath. “W-well, ah suppose that’s one way of doing it.” Fritter commented.

“That it is, but we should get some sleep…” Rika yawned and the three decided that snuggling together tonight was a fine idea.

A short while later, Seth lay awake as the two girls, the ones that had stolen his heart lay either side of him, sleeping peacefully.

“Will this even work?” he thought to himself. “No! No matter what, I’ll make it work. These girls deserve to be happy and by Arceus, I’ll make sure of it… I just hope I don’t screw this up…” His thoughts trailed off as he too, drifted into Luna’s realm.

~~~

Titania lay on the couch, several wine glasses lay on the floor next to her.

“When will they be done talking? I wanna go to bed…”

Author's Note

Editors and Pre-readers Notes -

Zeus - Hurray for Polygamous solutions!
TDN- This was a cute little chapter. Also, anyone who has a much access as me can already tell who Rika’s father is.
Bubba - Bubba was here.

Well, this is it, time to see if that chapter gets me some followers and loses you all. I hope for the former personally...

Chapter Twenty One

The morning sun peeked through the closed curtains, causing Seth to tilt his head slightly. He took a deep breath as the scent of apples and cotton candy filled his nostrils. Apple Fritter snuggled against his chest, sighing contently as the Sylveon laying on his side snored lightly.

“So here I am huh?” Seth thought to himself. Last night had been a whirlwind of emotion and he almost passed it off as a dream until he awoke with the two girls he was now in a relationship with. He opened one eye to look at his new family and smiled. “I hope we can make this work, but only time will tell I guess.”

Apple Fritter was the next one to wake up, she always woke up at the same time every day without fail. As she opened her eyes, a wall of soft black fur greeted her.

“So it wasn’t a dream, it really happened…” she murmured, burying her face into the plush fur.

“I thought the same thing,” Seth chuckled. “Are you really okay with this Fritter?”

Apple Fritter nodded, moving her forehooves up to rest in between them. “Ah’m the one that suggested it after all, so yeah…” It hadn’t been her first choice, but after seeing Rika pour her heart out yesterday, all that emotion and love that had to be held back... “Ah think we all deserve a little happiness.”

Seth smiled as he hugged her, but a small frown creased his brow. “Still, if this is going to work, something needs to be done about this.”

“About what?” Fritter asked.

Seth wiggled his back legs, which were hanging off of the end of the bed. Even with Fritter pressed up against his chest and Rika literally sleeping on top of him, the bed was still waaaay too small.

“We are so going to need a bigger bed…”

Fritter’s alarm clock suddenly began to ring loudly, but the Earth Pony just ignored it and hugged Seth, she wanted to stay like this a little longer.

Seth growled as the incessant ringing from Apple Fritter’s alarm clock refused to let up… until a large, black paw came down on it, smashing it into small pieces.

“…Was that really necessary?” The Earth Pony asked, still held against his chest like a teddy bear.

“Justice has been done,” a sleepy Sylveon said, perched across his side.

“I’ll buy a new one later, snuggle time now,” Seth yawned as his eyes closed once more, only to have his cuddlemare pull away and get up. She stretched not unlike a cat until several joints gave a satisfying crack.

“That’s all well and good, but ah still have work t’do,” Fritter smiled brightly, sounding rather chipper for someone awake at 6am. Seth and Rika groaned.

“Ahh, she’s one of those ‘cheery morning types’,” Rika shielded her eyes as Fritter flung the blinds open, letting the morning sun stream in.

Seth grumbled. “I prefer sleeeeeeep~”

“Sleeping Mon’s don’t get pancakes then~” Fritter sang as she headed for the shower. Seth and Rika wasted no time in getting up after that.

“Is it that late already? Seth exclaimed rather vigorously. He rolled off the bed and in the process, dumped Rika rather unceremoniously on the floor. The fairy grumbled, but at least she was awake now.

“Fine, I guess I’ll go and get the others up then,” she gave Seth a kiss on the cheek and headed out the door, a light skip in her step.

*~*

Selena woke up with a jolt, her breathing was heavy and her fur was damp with sweat. Groaning, she put a paw to her head, trying to forget the reason she had woken.

“That dream again…” she sighed. Ever since that night, her dreams had been plagued with nightmares… what if scenarios if Ignis hadn’t stepped in. Her friends and family lay lifeless on the floor as that stallion… he…

She suddenly flinched when she felt a paw on her shoulder and turned to face whomever it was that dared touch her, her sharp horn glowing with dark energy. Her face fell when she saw that it was only Ignis, and that she was aiming a Night Slash at him.

The dragon removed his claw and shrugged. “Not much of a morning mon, are you?”

“S-sorry,” Selena said. “I, I didn’t mean-” Any excuse she was about to make was cut off when her mate kissed her softly, holding her close.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “It was the same yesterday too, and the day before. I think that poor nurse couldn’t run fast enough.”

“It’s… it’s just a stupid nightmare,” Selena dismissed, but melted into his embrace. “It’ll go away eventually.”

Ignis sighed, he knew something was bothering her. Selena was unfortunately the type to bottle these sorts of things up, and getting her to talk about it was nigh impossible. Maybe it was an Absol thing?

“Well, I’m here if you ever want to talk about it, okay?”

The barn door opened as Rika peeked in, her blinding smile caused Selena to hiss.

“Wakey-wakey, or are you two already up?” she giggled. When she saw Selena’s glare though, the fairy wisely backed off and ran back inside.

“I see you get along as well as ever,” Ignis chuckled. “And she seemed awfully chipper, you think things went well last night?”

Oh, right, there was that too. “Well, I suppose there’s only one way to find out. Though Titania owes me fifty Bits if he chose Rika.”

*~*

Once Fritter had finished her shower, Seth was next in line. He gave the large tub a wary look as he walked in. This abomination had been nothing but trouble ever since he arrived. You think slipping in a tub was bad as a human? Well try having two extra feet and limbs that bend opposite to what you spend years getting used to.

Yeah, he had fallen in this bloody thing every. Single. Time! But not today, oooh no!

He had a weapon to fight against this great evil.

He had a sticky mat!!

Once Apple Fritter had heard that he fell in the tub, she’d gone out and bought a safety mat to stand on. Honestly, he had no idea how something with hooves stood in a bathtub without falling.

He felt for any poor sap that became an equine Pokémon.

He turned the lever and stood there as the warm water washed over him, flattening his fur and the sound of residual electricity crackled loudly. Once that died down, he looked around for the soap and sighed.

Apple-scented soap.

Apple-scented body wash

Apple-scented shampoo

The shower curtain had an apple print on it, the taps the bath had looked like apples, a green glass one for cold water and a red one for the hot.

“So. Many. Apples.” Seth groaned. Even though he’d bought the sticky mat for the bath, it still had apples on it. He’d been living with Fritter for two weeks and he was already Apple-mad.

“Ah well, I’m even dating an apple,” he chuckled at his own joke. “I wonder what would happen if I bought an orange or a pear home?”

Down in the kitchen, Apple Fritter shuddered as she chopped an apple with a heavy thud from her large knife. Somepony was playing with dark forces…

~~~

It always amused him when he stepped out of the shower. In Fritter’s bathroom was a full length mirror and a wet Seth resembled a drowned Meowth, he looked half his size due to his fur being held down by water. Now, he could have spent the next hour towelling himself down, like he did when he first bathed in this new form… or he had option number two, one that Selena showed him.

He wrapped a towel around his waist, so he wouldn’t drip too much in the house and headed downstairs. As he made his way through the living room and out into the backyard, Fritter had just placed a plate of pancakes on the dining table. She gave her new special somepony a strange look and turned to Rika.

“Uh, what the heck is he doin’?”

Rika paused, and a malicious smile crossed her face. “Well, why don’t you go find out? I have no idea what he’s up to.”

Apple Fritter nodded and followed Seth outside. Rika only had to wait a few seconds before she heard a surprised yelp and she burst out laughing.

Selena looked up from her spot on the couch and frowned. “That was mean Rika, just because you lost…”

Rika turned and looked at her sister. “Oh? I didn’t lose.”

“Then, what?” Selena blinked. The sliding door slammed open and Apple Fritter waked back in, soaked with all the water that Seth had gone outside to shake off.

“That… wasn’t very nice dear,” Fritter said, her expression was blank for a moment before she smiled wickedly. “Ah believe ah should share the love.” Rika’s eyes widened as Fritter closed the gap and pulled the Sylveon into a sopping wet embrace, smothering the top of her head with small kisses.

“Ahh, nuuu! Stahp!” Rika giggled under the merciless assault. Selena just stared from the couch, her mouth open slightly, but no sound came out.

There was a loud buzzing sound outside that lasted a moment or two, before Seth walked back in. Best way to dry off ever! Just shake off the water and then use electricity to evaporate what was left. It left him nice and fluffy afterwards too~

Selena growled as the scene played out. Just what the hell had happened last night?

“Okay, spill it!!” she said as a sleepy Titania floated downstairs. “What happened?”

Seth, Rika and Fritter shared a knowing smile and it only served to frustrate the Dark-type even more.

“Oh, for the love of-” Titania sighed as she poured herself a cup of tea. “All three of them are together, because somehow, that insufferable Luxray is that that fucking lucky.”

Selena just gaped as she stared at them. “Is… is she telling the truth?”

“Yeah,” Seth replied. “It was Fritter’s idea actually, and we’re not sure if it will work… but we’re gonna try, at the very least.”

Selena took a moment to process this. So her trainer had bagged two females? That sounds about right.

Wait, that means she lost the bet… sonofabit-!

There was a knock at the door and Seth opened it to reveal Grissom on the other side.

“Ah, so I was able to catch you here,” he said with a sigh. “I must say, you’ve been quite difficult to get a hold of in the last few days.”

Seth blinked, “Why didn’t you ask Diantha or Gardevoir to contact me telepathically?”

Grissom blinked twice, frowned and then facehooved. “Because that would have been easy and I am not a clever pony.”

“Ah don’t sweat it,” Seth invited the stallion in. “So what’s up?”

“Quite a bit actually,” Grissom thanked Fritter as she poured him some coffee. “I thought you might like to be caught up with a few things.”

Seth nodded, he had been wondering about a few things, namely, what was to become of Total Control.

“Well, let’s get to the nitty-gritty end of things.” Grissom wore a serious expression. “The punishment of Total Control.”

Selena suddenly stiffened at the mention of the name, while a low growl emanated from Seth’s throat, though he didn’t realise he was actually doing it.

Grissom reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a thick folder. “The official report is that the Unicorn known as Total Control, has been charged with multiple counts of abuse, theft, assault on civilians, assault on members of the Royal Guard, resisting arrest, destruction of public and private property, arson, kidnapping and abuse of dark magic.” Grissom read the report he held in his hooves. “For the heinous crimes against Equestria and its citizens, he will receive a total of one hundred and seventy five years imprisonment as well as the removal of his ability to cast magic... permanently.”

“Removal of his magic?” Seth asked.

Grissom nodded, “It is the most severe form of punishment for a Unicorn, one that has not been delivered for over three hundred years. It means that his horn will be surgically removed, and sealed with a spell that will prevent any attempts at regrowth, via magical or other means.”

Grissom sighed as Seth took the folder to give it a read. “In a way, Control got his wish. He wanted to be known around the world… and now he will, as the first Unicorn in recorded history since King Sombra to receive such a harsh punishment.”

“He deserves it,” Selena spat. “I don’t see why he simply isn’t executed.”

“Because execution was outlawed two hundred years ago,” Grissom replied. “Still, he will be a powerless Unicorn for the rest of his days… we are essentially taking away the very thing that makes him… him.” He thought for a moment for a comparison, “It would be like taking away your dragon friends’ fire.”

Ignis growled, but let it slide. “Well, enough of this, do you have something cheerier to tell us.” Seth gave a small nod as he looked at a report on the stolen goods that were recovered and being sorted to be returned to their rightful owners. Including a certain fashionista... well now, that was certainly interesting.

Grissom smiled broadly, more than eager to change the subject. “Indeed I do, Miss Fritter?”

“Yes?” the Apple mare replied.

“None of you were aware, but there was a hefty Bounty on Control’s head. And for assisting in his capture and successful arrest, as well as services to the Crown and Equestria… a reward has been granted to all of you.” Grissom pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to Fritter. “Now, as the recognised caretaker of these Pokémon, and the only individual with a bank account, the reward was deposited into it, but you may divide it as you see fit.”

Apple Fritter said nothing, as her mouth refused to work as she stared at the number on the bank slip. Seth peered over her shoulder and blinked.

“Ah… is that right?” He asked the officer. “That’s… that’s a lot of zeroes…”

“Yes, well the Princess was highly grateful and there’s also a little incentive to keep this whole incident on the quiet side... at least for now. We can’t have anything disrupt the World Summit, not while tensions are so high.”

“B-b-but, Ah… ah can’t accept…” Fritter suddenly sat down very hard. “W-w-what are we gonna do with one million Bits?!”

“One million!?” Rika exclaimed. “What?”

Grissom shrugged. “The Princesses were quite adamant about it. I may have a suggestion or two though?”

Fritter just looked at him, Grissom taking that as his cue to continue. “Well, you seem to have quite a full house here, and there is a vacant block of land next door…”

“We could buy it and extend the house and mah orchards!” Fritter finished.

“Perhaps we could also donate some into helping out the Pokémon that still have no place to go?” Seth suggested.

“That might work,” Rika said… “And we could use the leftovers for the Contest, we still have that to plan as well.”

Seth nodded. “Okay, so renovations, donations and Contest funds. That sounds like a solid plan.”

“Ah still can’t believe all this,” Fritter said.

“I still have other news as well,” Grissom said, grabbing their attention.

“Well, okay then,” Seth replied.

“First, the remaining Pokémon that were admitted to the hospital are doing fine. Even that Malamar character has made quite the recovery. And your friend Heath? I believe he is getting discharged today.”

“That’s good to hear,” Seth breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll head to the hospital shortly.”

“The last thing… well, it’s about you Seth.” Grissom cleared his throat and then drained the rest of his coffee cup. “I have a job offer for you.”

“A job?”

“Yes, you have a lot of knowledge about Pokémon and your leadership skills are quite impressive. Not to mention that those eyes, ears and nose of yours can sniff out a crime-scene like nopony’s business.”

“So what’s the job then?” Seth was interested.

“I want to put together a task force, one that specifically deals with Pokémon-related crimes…” he had to stop as Seth and his Pokémon were all busting a gut laughing. Grissom frowned and even Fritter looked a bit confused at the reaction. Titania tilted her head, until the joke became apparent to her and even she chuckled a little.

“Well, I’m glad to see you’re all in high spirits,” Grissom said tersely. “But perhaps you wouldn’t mind sharing the joke?”

It took a moment before Seth calmed down enough to actually speak. “Hahahaa, ohh… My stomach hurts now. Ahh, sorry about that, but what you just suggested sounds an awful lot like something we already had back on Earth. They were called Pokémon Rangers and well, they and I weren’t exactly on… the best of terms. The irony of me becoming one was a bit too much.”

“I… see…?” Grissom was still a tad confused. “So, the answer is no then?”

“Hmm, well…” Seth thought about it. It was a good chance to make a fresh start and the idea didn’t sound too bad. “Can I think about it and get back to you?”

Grissom nodded, “That will be fine, but don’t wait too long. I’d like to get things organised as soon as possible.”

Seth nodded and after an exchange of thanks and farewells, Grissom headed off.

Once he’d left, Selena gave her trainer the widest grin he’d ever seen. “So?” she began. “You’re gonna take him up on that offer? Mr. Pokémon *snerk* Ranger… Pftt, hahahahaa!”

“Oh shut it,” Seth said, but he laughed as well. Fritter didn’t really get it, so she just decided to clear the table. Her mind was still on the ridiculous amount of cash she now possessed.

“Well, I’ll think about it. But right now I wanna head to the hospital to see Heath and then…” he looked at Titania. “I’ll need you to come with me today.”

That caused everyone to stop laughing. Selena in particular looked really confused.
“What the hell do you want with her?” she asked.

“As loathing as I am to do so,” Titania said. “I must agree with her. Why do you want me to accompany you for?”

“I promised you something remember?” Seth said. “And I’ll need you to come with me so I can make good on that promise.”

Titania squeaked and put a hand to her mouth in surprise. Was he really going to help her? Was she even ready to say goodbye to the mercenary life?

Seth walked over to her and stood next to her. “Look, even if you’re still undecided, what I have planned… You could always just consider it a hobby until you do decide.”

Titania sighed and nodded. “Alright, I’ll trust you… let me down though or I’ll put you down!”

“Just try it!” Selena growled, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. “You touch one hair on him and I will end your life myself, Fairy!”

“Selena!” Seth snapped. “It’s fine okay. What’s the matter, you seem… snappy today.”

Selena’s eyes widened, she hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “It’s nothing… didn’t get enough sleep.” She hopped off of the couch and headed out back to the barn, leaving Seth to wonder what was bugging her.

Plans were made, with Fritter and Rika going off to start dividing the money up and organise the purchase of the block next door. A bigger bed was also on the agenda.

But as Seth left, Ignis stopped him, a concerned look on his face. “Seth? Can we talk for a second?”

Seth nodded and Titania went on ahead to give them some space. Once she was out of earshot, Ignis continued.

“So, you noticed Selena’s little… episode back there huh?” Ignis sighed.

“And I take it that you know something about that?”

“She’s… ever since that night, Selly’s been having nightmares. I don’t know what has her mind so troubled, she refuses to tell me. But it has me worried, I’ve never seen her so jumpy before.”

Seth thought for a moment, ever since the move to Canterlot, things had been so hectic, and he felt that no-one really had time to just sit back and adjust. He needed to fix that somehow.

“Maybe I should spend a little time with her. We haven’t done that since the move… just, spend time as a family.”

“Considering I’m mated to her now, and you to Rika… are we still a family?” Ignis laughed.

Seth paused, he hadn’t really thought of that until now. “Not the way we used to be… but we’ll always be together, no matter what.”

Ignis nodded, “Yeah, we haven’t seen Drake in a while either huh? You think he’s here somewhere?”

“I have no doubt he’s here somewhere, being as fabulous as always.” Seth thought about the one member of his family that had left a long time ago. “And I’ll bring back Heath too, so there’ll be that.”

Ignis nodded as an impatient Titania called out to Seth and the dragon motioned for him to go. Selena was his mate, and Ignis would do his best to help her.

*~*

Once Seth and Titania reached the hospital, Diantha, Gardevoir and Heath were already waiting outside for them, as well as Tyra, the Champion’s Tyrantrum. But when Seth approached the Sandslash, the spiky Pokémon shied away from him, a remorseful look in his eyes.

“Hello again Seth,” Diantha greeted him with a brief hug. “How have you been?”

“Busy,” Seth replied. “A lot has happened in the last few days.” Titania snorted and suppressed a laugh.

“That’s putting it lightly,” she scoffed.

“Oh my, is something wrong?” Diantha asked, concerned that something bad happened. All she knew about was that Vincent fellow, a Pokémon that had had her Gardevoir deeply concerned.

“Just the usual,” Seth shrugged it off. “And how about you Heath? Are you feeling better now?”

The Ground-type just nodded slightly, but refused to meet the Luxray’s gaze.

“He’s been… feeling bad about what he did while under Control’s influence,” Diantha explained.

“I have tried to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, but he still shoulders the blame.”

Heath shot a glare at the woman who spilt his secret, but quickly turned his gaze back downwards again.

“I wish I could just dig a hole and bury myself in it,” he sighed, earning a deadpan stare from Titania.

“Um, you’re a Ground type you moron, you can Dig a hole!”

“Titania… Be nice,” Seth sighed. “Look Heath, I-” Seth paused. What should he say?

“It’s all my fault, I’m the reason you all got hurt,” Heath said. “I’ll… I’ll just go somewhere… I don’t know where, just somewhere other than here.”

“It’s not your fault Heath,” Seth said quietly. “Look, I’m not gonna lie… I have no idea how I’m supposed to talk to you. We’ve barely been a family for two weeks before all this mess happened, and to be honest, I’m still getting used to the fact we can even have a conversation…”

“Wow, some pep talk there,” Titania said.

“If you feel guilty, then what would it take to make you feel better?” Seth asked.

“I-I don’t know,” Heath replied.

“Well,” Seth said with a smile. “I know that the Guards recovered quite a bit of what was stolen by Control… I’m sure that being as overworked as they are right now… a little help in returning said goods might be appreciated.”

Heath’s eyes widened and he nodded. “Yeah… okay, that might work.”

“Look Heath, I have no right to tell you what to do, no-one does. But… you’re still family, regardless of how much time you’ve been a part of it, okay?”

“Thanks,” Heath teared up slightly. “Huh? Oh, uh, I have sand in my eye…”

“Yeah, it’s pretty dusty out here huh?” Seth agreed, his own eyes stinging a bit. Titania just rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

“Are we done here?” she asked impatiently.

Seth just shook his head, “Yes Titania, I believe we are.” He turned to the former Champion, “So what about you? Any plans?”

“I’ll take Heath here to the palace, and then I must find a place for my dear Tyra here.” She looked over at her beloved dragon, to see that he was taking a nap in the bright sun. She giggled and placed a hand on Heath’s shoulder.

“Thanks again Diantha,” Seth replied, giving the Champion a quick hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’d be lost, I’m sure,” she giggled as Seth frowned in mock annoyance.

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.” He glanced over at Heath, “Would you mind showing him home once you’re done?”

Diantha nodded and Seth bid them farewell, as Titania paced irritably.

“Can we go now?” she asked. “I’m getting tired of all this dilly dallying.”

“Of course, you have my apologies Lady Titania,” Seth bowed and Titania clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“Hmph, now you’re just being sarcastic. I swear, at this rate I think I’d rather try holding an intelligent conversation with Scylla... which is utterly impossible I assure you.”

Seth just shrugged and beckoned for her to follow him. After about a half hour of silent walking, she saw that he had led her to some pony clothing store, Belle’s Button Boutique.

“Okay, so why are we here?” Titania asked.

“Well, you said that you liked to dress up right? Well I have a plan... just follow my lead.” He strode inside and Titania was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Seth kind of reminded her of Weiss in a way, always looking to help others at the drop of a hat. She followed him in as the proprietor of the business, Miss Button Belle, greeted them.

“Hello... oh?” she saw Seth and recognised him right away. “Are you the same one from before?”

Seth nodded, he’d gotten a top up of a translation spell on the walk here, so he could respond to her. “That’s right Miss Belle, or.. do you prefer Miss Suri Polomare?”

Suri flinched at the mention of that name. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. My name is Button Belle...”

Seth just smiled. “It’s alright, I saw the report regarding the Bits and materials that were stolen from here a few nights ago.. oh, and they’ll be returned to you in the next few days as well.”

“I see, you’re with the Guard then?” Button Belle questioned him.

“As of today, yes.” Seth nodded. Titania blinked, she didn’t recall him accepting the job... wait, was he lying?

“That doesn’t explain why you know that name,” the mare said angrily.

“As I said, I saw it in a report, but if you prefer Button Belle, then I’ll honour that wish. Your private life is none of my concern after all.”

“No, it isn’t!” Button replied. “Now, what do you want here?”

“I have a... proposition actually.” Seth beamed. “My friend here, her name is Titania and she requires a job.”

“That’s rather straight to the point.” Button said as she looked Titania up and down. “But why would I hire her? I barely make enough to keep this store.”

“Ah, now that’s the interesting part,” Seth said. “One, an entirely new world of business opportunities has opened up to you, and you could be the very first to pioneer it... all you have to do is try.”

“Explain,” Button Belle snapped.

“Pokemon. You think ponies are the only ones that wear attire? A plethora of Pokemon wear clothing as well, especially ones involved in Contests and ones that used to be human, like myself.” He pointed out the window at a group of Pokemon walking down the street, the one in front wearing a tattered vest. “And it so happens that my friend Titania here is quite gifted with fashion-related work.”

Titania blinked, all she had said was that she liked to dress up, not make clothes. He was talking out of his ass here and this mare was eating it up. No wonder he was a public speaker back on Earth.

“So what you’re saying is, I should hire this walking flowerbed to make clothes for Pokemon?” Button scoffed, her old personality flaring up. Titania narrowed her eyes. Seth wanted her to work for this mare? She’d kill her by the days end.

“And make a fortune in the process, not to mention fame and a positive reputation amongst the social elite.” Seth put a paw on her shoulder and stared off into the distance. “Imagine this, Pokemon coming to you in droves, for the fashion you design for them. And after that, well... I’m sure that the nobles would want a piece of that. They wouldn’t want the common riffraff outshining them. Pokemon-themed fashion for ponies?” Seth smiled, and went for the kill. “Why, you would become the most famous and respected fashionista in the world.”

Button Belle’s mind wandered. She could get her reputation back, the one she herself destroyed in the first place. She’d lost her business, her home and her best friend, the one she had treated like dirt. Suri Polomare had fled to Canterlot and assumed a new name and business, hoping for a fresh start, and now that chance had just walked through the door with the offer of a lifetime.

She smiled as she took Seth’s paw and shook on it. “I’ll take you up on that offer... uh?”

“Crescent, Seth Crescent.” the Luxray replied. “And thank you Miss Belle, this means a lot to me.”

“We'll, be here first thing in the morning Miss Titania,” Button said. “You start then.”

“O-of course,” Titania replied, shocked at what had just transpired. The two Pokemon left as Titania’s head was still swimming. “I can’t believe that,” she said once they were a few blocks away. “Just how the hell did you know all that?”

“I didn’t,” Seth laughed. “All I saw was that the business owner was named Suri Polomare. Her body language and reactions told me the rest.” He’d just bluffed his way through that entire thing.

“Unbelieveable,” Titania laughed. “There may be hope for you yet Mr. Crescent.”

“Hey, we’re friends now,” Seth replied. “Just call me Seth, okay?”

Author's Note

Editor's Notes

ZeusDemiGod - Quite a gruesome punishment but not one Control didn’t deserve, very interesting bit with Suri/Button, can’t wait to see what’s next.

TDNPony - A fitting punishment. I look forward to what happens next. Also Zeus, what happened to Control barely counts as gruesome to me, since it was SURGICALLY removed. Gruesome would have been if someone yanked to horn out forcefully.

Bubba - I have no idea what I am doing here.

Aus - Agreed, the next chapter should be a lot of fun. Seth and Selena investigate some tremors coming from the Crystal Caves of Canterlot... But something's up with Selena, can she get her head in the game in time to protect her Trainer, or will disaster strike?

Chapter Twenty Two

It had been an amusing day for Apple Fritter. She had gone to the real estate offices to look into purchasing the land next to hers for the extension, and like the rest of Canterlot’s snooty elite, had looked down at her because of her rural origins.

“Didja see the look on their faces when ah flashed that check?” Fritter laughed. “Ah reckon their eyes dang near fell outta their heads.”

“It was pretty funny,” Rika giggled. “And I can’t believe you haggled a discount like that. You made it look so easy.”

“When y’all wanna ride the bull, ya gotta take the horns!” Fritter said. She’d dealt with their type before when she first moved to Canterlot and if it wasn’t for Applejack helping her out, those Diamond Dogs disguised as ponies would have taken the mare for every Bit she owned.

As the pair returned home a little around noon, Seth was already waiting for them. After an exchange of hugs, he’d explained how Heath and Diantha were doing as well as what happened with Titania and Miss Polomare. In return, he asked the pair how it had gone with the real estate agents.

“It went well,” Apple Fritter responded. “The paperwork will take a few days to draw up and then ah gotta sign them whatnot… Ah went through the same thing when ah bought this place.” She poured herself some tea and sat on the couch. “It should take about two or three weeks before we can actually do anything with the property.”

“Well that’s good, I think the next week or so will be pretty hectic,” Seth replied.

“And another thing,” Fritter added with a sip of her drink. “Ah added all of yer names to the deed, so we all own it… not jus’ me.”

Seth was shocked, “R-really!? You didn’t have to do that Fritter.”

“But ah did,” she said adamantly. “Ya’ll are mah family now-” She didn’t get to finish her sentence as Seth hugged her, pulling her into his fluffy embrace.

“Seriously, what did I ever do to deserve somepony like you,” he whispered.

“Ah could say the same,” Fritter smiled, leaning into the hug. “Both you and Rika… ah couldn’t ask fer anyone better.”

The two were suddenly tackled out of nowhere as Rika had walked into the room, saw her beloveds hugging and decided that she wanted in as well.

Selena walked in to see the cuddlefest and just shrugged, it was most likely going to be a daily occurrence around here from now on. Seth noted the Absol’s entrance and broke away from the hug.

“Selena? Good timing. I was actually about to go looking for you.”

“What for?” she responded. “You want to hug me as well?”

“Well hugs from my Pokémon are never unwanted,” Seth smiled. “But no, I was actually wondering if you wanted to come to the castle with me?”

Selena blinked, “Huh? Why do you want me to come?”

“Because moping around the house won’t do you any good, so quit complaining and get your butt in gear.” Seth gave Fritter and Rika peck on the cheek and dragged a protesting Selena out of the door. Rika tilted her head and looked at her marefriend.

“Um, what the heck was that about?”

“Ah have no idea,” Fritter replied, equally confused.

*~*

Selena marched behind Seth, a small scowl on her face. She knew that Ignis would have put him up to this and Seth was always happy to meddle in everyone else’s affairs. He really was sweet and caring, but it did get a little annoying when Selena just wanted to be left alone.

She suddenly yelped when the ground shook, a small earthquake rumbled throughout the city, causing quite a panic amongst its residents.

“Well, I’m guessing that an earthquake in a mountainside city isn’t a good thing.” Selena glanced at Seth, who was looking around himself.

“Well that was a tad unsettling,” Seth said. “What do you suppose that was?”

“I have no idea, could have been any number of Rock or Ground types in the mountain,” Selena replied, her previous frustrations taking a backseat in her mind. “Maybe a visit to the castle might not be such a bad idea?”

Seth nodded and the two Pokémon hastened their journey.

At the castle, Solar Guard were running about all over the place. It would seem that the earthquake was a serious event and Seth winced as a Unicorn mare ran straight into him, sending the papers she was levitating scattering over the hallway.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” she apologised as she tried to pick herself up. Seth offered a paw and she accepted. The mare had a pristine white coat and a chocolate-coloured mane and tail, both done up in a bun. She wore a pair of thick-framed black glasses and a white collar with a ruffled red ribbon.

“It seems that the tremor has everyone a bit startled,” Seth pointed out as the mare nodded.

“In all my years, I’ve never felt an earthquake here in Canterlot,” she replied. Her horn lit up with a pink hue as he gathered her papers, sorting them back into a neat stack. “My apologies for running into you Mr…”

“Seth Crescent,” the Luxray introduced himself. “And this is my partner Selena.”

“A pleasure, my name is Raven, personal aide to Princess Celestia…” her eyes widened as she realised who Seth was. “Oh! You’re that Seth Crescent, the one who helped apprehend that terrible criminal.”

“That’s me,” Seth confirmed. “Might you know where Mr. Grissom is? I have to talk to him about something.”

“Hmm, he may be hiding in his office or meeting with the Princess,” she replied. With all the delegates due to arrive in two days… The arrival of the Pokémon, a criminal mastermind and the first Royal Summit in years all happening within two weeks, well it would have done in a regular pony. But having been Celestia’s trusted aide for so long, Raven was far from a normal mare and today was just another stress-filled day.

“I am headed to the throne room myself, why don’t you and Miss Selena come with me?” Raven offered, Seth gladly accepting. He had only been to the Castle a few times and still didn’t know his way around.

During their walk, Raven asked few questions about what Seth had actually done during the whole ‘Control Incident’ is it had been dubbed. It would seem that a significant portion of the details had been quashed, as bad publicity would have been exactly that.

Once the trio had arrived, the two Solar Guard standing at the massive throne room doors opened them. And once they were inside, Seth found that Grissom was indeed there, talking with both Princess Celestia and another Alicorn. She was slightly smaller than Celestia and had a dark blue coat. Her mane shimmered like the night sky as her teal eyes instantly fell on the large Luxray as he drew closer to the three.

“Ah, I wasn’t expecting you so soon,” Grissom said. “And I take it that you felt that little rumble earlier as well?”

“A bit hard not to,” Seth replied. He turned to the solar Alicorn and bowed his head respectfully. “Good afternoon Princess Celestia.”

“A good afternoon to you as well Mr. Crescent,” Celestia smiled. “Oh and might I introduce my little sister? This is Princess Luna. Luna, this is Seth Crescent, the Pokémon we were just discussing.”

The Alicorn stepped forward, her steely gaze never leaving Seth’s. “GOOD DAY TO YOU LORD CRESCENT!” Her voice shook the room as Seth yelped, covering his sensitive hearing as his ears rung. Even Selena had backed away, thanking Arceus that fur covered her own ears.

Luna gasped and put a hoof to her mouth, “Oh! We art terribly sorry about Our outburst. We hath gone to great lengths to not use the Royal Canterlot Voice like that, but t’would appear that old habits die hard.”

“Aahh, it’s no problem,” Seth winced, rubbing his ringing ears. A small smile crossed his face when Luna spoke, her accent and way of talking was really cute.

“My sister is rather stuck in her ways, but she is learning,” Celestia giggled. “And as I said, we were just discussing you Seth, or rather, the offer made by Captain Grissom here.”

“About joining the Guard?” Selena interjected. “Why do you want him to do that?”

“Not just him,” Celestia said. “I would like his precious partners to assist him as well. From what I hear, the four of you make quite the team.”

“Well,” Selena blushed slightly at the compliment. “We’ve been together for a long time, so that’s to be expected.”

“So have you given it some thought?” Grissom asked.

“I have,” Seth nodded. “Honestly, I’m still wondering why you chose me. I’m not really qualified for this sort of thing and I’m sure recruiting an Officer Jenny or a former Ranger would be a much better choice…”

“Allow me to interrupt,” Celestia spoke. “I am aware of the Pokemon Rangers, as well as members of your worlds law enforcement. I have yet to be approached by them, but that will probably happen sooner or later. As for recruiting an officer from your world, while they have law enforcement experience, they do not know the laws of Equus. They would have to unlearn what they have learned so to speak… but you…”

“I have no such training, so learning the laws here would be easier for me,” Seth finished and Celestia smiled and nodded.

“He does learn quickly,” Luna noted and looked at Grissom. “I second the vote for this request, Captain.”

“So Seth Crescent?” Celestia asked. “What do you say?”

“Ever since I arrived here in Equus, I’ve been at a loss as to what I should do with my life.” Seth’s brow creased a little as he frowned. “While things keep happening, I still don’t know what I’ll do… but this? Working for the Royal Guard? Well, that certainly wasn’t on my agenda.”

Grissom’s expression turned to one of disappointment. “So that means you won’t-” Seth raised a paw to cut off the stallion.

“While it was something I never considered, it’s a rather enticing offer.” Seth smiled broadly. “So yes, I’ll gladly accept. I may not succeed, but I’ll certainly try my best.”

Grissom put a hoof to his chest, “Just cut the theatrics next time,” he sighed. He let out a whistle as a skinny Pegasus zipped into the room and in one swift motion, measured Seth up and down with a tape measure before leaving just as quickly.

“Okay… that was strange,” Seth said, bewildered.

“Just getting you fitted for your uniform,” Grissom said. “I’d say this is quite the occasion, the first in Equus to have Pokémon in their Guards ranks.”

“Actually…” Celestia said. “Both the Crystal Empire and Griffin Empire have Pokémon in their military. Mostly the Griffins anyway, my niece has one as an advisor.”

“Well…” Grissom deflated somewhat. “It’s still something that should warrant celebration, but it’ll have to wait I’m afraid.”

Raven, who had been rather quiet the whole time, stepped forward with the stack of paperwork she held in her magical grip.

“This report indicate that the tremor we felt definitely came from the Crystal Caves, and if they continue to happen…”

“The Canterlot could face irreparable damage,” Celestia finished.

“Selena and I think that a Pokémon may be involved,” Seth spoke up. “There are quite a few that tunnel underground and could quite easily cause an earthquake…”

Selena suddenly shuddered, “Everyone hold on to something!” she shouted and a few seconds later, the room shook with a tremor, one more powerful than last time. Luna took to the air as everypony else grabbed the nearest objects, Celestia grabbed her throne as everyone else grabbed Celestia!

After a moment or two, the shaking stopped as everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Celestia blinked as her eyes narrowed.

“Who’s touching my flank?”

Raven, Seth, Selena and Grissom all let go at the same time, blushing profusely as Luna let a small giggle escape her lips.

“This appears to be getting worse, and we can’t have delegate turn up to a city no longer attached to the mountain.” Celestia looked to Grissom, “I want you to contact Captain Adamant Shield and Captain Swift Strike immediately. If the worst comes to pass, then we’ll need to evacuate Canterlot as quickly possible.”

“Yes Highness!” Grissom saluted and ran from the room, Celestia turned to Seth and nodded.

“I hate to ask this of you so suddenly, but if a Pokémon is truly behind this, then you are the closest one we can turn to right now.”

Seth frowned, “What about Mewtwo? Isn’t he still at the castle…?” Seth trailed off as Celestia fell rather silent and she shook her head.

“I’m afraid that something has come up, and Mewtwo won’t be available for a while. Do you have anyone else you can ask for assistance? I will provide whatever you need.”

“If it really is the actions of a Ground or Rock type Pokémon, a Water or Grass would be useful, wish I had Drake still…” Seth though for a moment, none of his Pokémon even knew Grass moves aside from Ignis, and he’d be no good inside a cave.

“Fighting in tight spaces is my specialty,” Selena said. “And though I don’t have moves that are effective against Rock-types, I can penetrate their defences more easily with my Special Ability. We should be plenty to deal with this.”

“Are you sure?” Seth asked worriedly. “Especially since you’ve been-”

“It’ll be fine!” Selena snapped suddenly. She knew it, that stupid, loud-mouthed dragon had blabbed about her nightmares. “Let’s just get done before the city decides to take the express elevator down.”

“Are you certain you will be fine?” Luna spoke. “We shall lend you any aid you require.”

“We’ll be just grand!” Selena replied and stormed out of the room. Seth watched her leave and then looked at his paw, wishing he had fingers to count.

“Three, two… one,” Selena came back into the room, but refused to meet anyone’s gaze.

“Well? I have no idea where this bloody cave is!”

“And there we have it,” Seth chuckled. “I think we should be alright, but send a message to our home for Ignis and Rika. If we run into trouble, then their help would not go unwanted.”

“I’ll send our fastest Pegasus,” Celestia nodded. “You’ll find an entrance to the mines near Canterlot Falls… Luck be with you, Seth and Selena.”

“I have Super Luck, should be a cake-walk,” Selena huffed. “Now let’s go.”

*~*

The walk to the cave was painfully silent. Seth tried asking what that was all about back at the castle, but Selena refused to answer.

“Did you really need to snap at the Princess like that?” Seth sighed.

“Well then maybe she shouldn’t have said that we couldn’t do a simple job like this!?” Selena finally snapped. “Ignis, me and Rika. It only took the three of us to reach the Pokémon League Championships and if it wasn’t for those pinheaded idiots in charge kicking us out, we would’ve won the whole fucking thing!”

Seth’s eyes went wide. He had a feeling that his Pokémon had been upset about that, and it was all his fault too… but he never knew just how mad they were.

“I’m sorry Selena, I-I know that I let you all down…” Selena swore internally and put her paw to her face.

“No, that came out wrong… look. I don’t understand all this magic nonsense, Unicorns, Pegasi, everything about this world seems to revolve around it and I just don’t get it. But this here is a Pokémon problem, and those high and mighty princesses don’t trust us to deal with it… It just pisses me off you know.”

“Were here aren’t we?” Seth argued. “They would not have told us where to go if they didn’t trust us to deal with the problem right?” Seth walked next to her, nuzzling her lightly. “What really going on Selly?”

Selena swore under her breath, why her trainer had to be so damned perceptive was beyond her.

“It’s… look, just don’t worry about it alright. Let’s just get this done and go home already!” Her tone had some bite, but not as much as before. Seth just sighed and followed his Pokémon, wishing she would just tell him what’s wrong.

The inside of the cave was stunningly beautiful. Massive, shining crystals jutted out of the walls, and some were covered in sheets of a reflective glass-like substance. It reminded Seth a lot of Reflection Cave in the Kalos region. The tunnel they were currently in was narrow and Seth often had to duck and weave through the crystals to avoid hitting his head.

“Do you sense anything?” Seth asked his Absol, who shook her head in response.

“No, nothing that smells like a Pokémon anyway… however…” Selena shuddered as her skin crawled. It was a huge mistake to come in here, but there was no way she could bail on her trainer now.

“However?” Seth repeated. “What do you feel?”

“…Magic,” Selena replied quietly. “It’s everywhere in here.”

Seth saw her shake once more, looking like she’d swallowed something awful. It didn’t take long for him to put two and two together. She been having nightmares since the Control Incident, the nasty look she’d given the Princesses and now that he thought about it, she’d given that same look to several Unicorns that they’d walked past today. And then there was the outburst in front of the cave and now this?

“Selena…?” Seth spoke cautiously, hoping he wouldn’t upset her anymore then she already was. “Are you afraid of magic?”

Selena froze, a reaction that told Seth he was right on the money. She snorted and shook her head, “What? No! I am not afraid of magic! Don’t be stupid.”

“Selena-”

“I SAID DROP IT!” she yelled, her voice echoing throughout the narrow tunnels. “I don’t care if Ignis put you up to this, but I am done talking about it!” She stormed off further into the cave, Seth just watched, wondering if he could do anything to help her…

~~~

“Stupid Equestria, stupid trainers, stupid, bullshit, FUCKING MAGIC!!” Selena’s muttering increased in volume as she walked aimlessly through the tunnels. She didn’t even notice when the cramped, enclosed space opened up into a massive cavern… one filled with Carbink.

She only stopped when she bumped into one of the little rock fairies, said Fairy was sent tumbling across the ground while Selena rubbed the spot on her head where it had struck.

“Ow, the hell?” Selena finally took a look at her surroundings, “Where am I?”

“You just happen to be in the New Diamond Kingdom!” the Carbink that she’d bowled over picked himself up and bounced over to her. The first thing she noticed was a large fluffy beard that covered most of the Carbink’s body. “My name is Dace, and I am the one in charge around here until her Highness returns to us.”

Selena nodded, “Yeah, sorry about that… I guess I got a little lost in thought and in body.” She looked around as dozens upon dozens of Carbinks worked to place massive crystal spires against the walls of the room. “What are you all doing down here? Wait! Are you the ones causing the earthquakes!?”

Dace looked down, his pompous attitude deflating almost instantly. “Yes and no… while we are not causing the earthquakes directly, they are in a way… our fault.”

“What do you mean?” Selena asked, forgetting about her anger and her expression softened. “What happened here?”

“It’s quite the tale,” Dace sighed. “The short version is that we awakened here almost two weeks ago. After we heard Lord Arceus’ tale, I sent three scouts out into the world to discover if there was truth to those words. They say that strange creatures inhabit a city attached to the side of this mountain?”

“That’s right,” Selena confirmed. “It goes by the name Canterlot.”

“I see,” Dace replied. “Our Princess Diancie is missing and now a Pokémon that was helping us has gone mad… he is the one responsible for the tremors.”

“So it is a Pokémon?” Selena asked, she knew she was right.

“Yes, an Onix that helped extend out tunnels in exchange for a place to live and rocks to eat.” Dace sighed wearily as he looked out at his little Carbink. “Yesterday, he ate a crystal that was rich with a strange power… and it drove him mad. He has been on a constant rampage ever since.”

“Magic,” Selena muttered, “Yet another problem it’s caused, rather than solved. Okay Dace, what can we do to help that Onix?”

“Simply defeating him in battle should suffice,” Dace replied. “We Carbink could use our Fairy power to cure him, but that would take time…”

“Seems simple enough,” Selena said, as a shout rang out through the cavern. Selena looked around to see Carbink running everywhere, panicking and crying. “What’s going on?”

Her answer came soon enough as the ground underneath her erupted as she barely dodged to one side as a massive Onix burst out from the earth, roaring loudly.

His appearance was something unusual however, an Onix normally had a slate grey body, or a rusty gold in the case of a colour variant. This Onix however, was comprised entirely of crystal.

“What the?” Selena shouted, dodging some rocks falling from the ceiling. “Did eating the crystal turn him into one!?”

“He’s always looked like that,” Dace said, throwing up a Protect to deflect some falling rubble.

Selena nodded, that was a bit weird, but he was still just an Onix right? Albeit a crazy, enraged Onix hopped up on magical power. Selena guessed that would explain the green glow coming from Onix’s body…

She launched herself forward, one Night Slash would end this fight. The attack went to strike a critical point on the rock snakes body, except something deflected the attack and Selena found herself on the receiving end of a painful recoil. She hit the ground hard and Onix lashed out with its tail, intending to flatten the one that dared attack him, but Selena suddenly found being tackled out of the way by something quite soft instead. Her pillow grunted from the blow and Selena realised that it was Seth who had caught her.

“You seem to be having fun,” he groaned as he fell back, Selena on top of him.

“Define fun,” she replied with a groan of her own.

Anything that doesn’t involve a Crystal Onix kicking your ass,” Seth chuckled before frowning. “Why did you run off like that? If I hadn’t gotten here when I did…”

“I would have been fine!” Selena snapped. “You could have gotten yourself killed doing that!”

Seth suddenly rolled to the side as the Onix slammed his tail down, almost crushing the two Pokémon. It roared and opened its maw, charging up a Flash Cannon.

“We’ll talk about that later, what’s going on?”

“Magic Onix, need to stop it!” Selena gave the abridged version as she threw up a Protect shield. “See, magic is nothing but goddam trouble!”

“I do see what you mean,” Onix fired his attack, but Selena’s Protect held on… barely. “So how do we stop it?”

“I just need to defeat it… and my attacks seem to bounce off…” Selena powered up a Psycho Cut and launched the attack, only to have it fizzle out against the Onixs’ crystal body. “Dammit! How do I stop this blasted thing!?”

Seth leapt forward and fired a Discharge attack, wondering if its crystal body meant a different typing, but the attack had no effect.

“Well that was a bust,” Seth muttered but Selena’s eyes widened and she shook her head.

“No, your attack actually hit it, whereas mine bounced off…” And was it just her, or did the green glow coming from that Onix look a fraction weaker? “Hit it again.”

Seth nodded, laughing mentally at the fact that he was being ordered around by him Pokémon. He fired Discharge once more, but this time the Onix erected a magical barrier to protect himself.

“Oh! C’mon!!” Seth yelled. “That’s cheating!” he ducked as another Flash Cannon swept above him and collided with a crystal wall, dispersing and multiplying the attack, causing dozens of smaller beams to rain down like a disco of death. The Carbink screamed as they tried to avoid the beams, several of them using Protect, but many were hit.

Selena tried to attack again, this time with Play Rough, but it was the same as before, with her attack being cancelled and redirected back at her. She tumbled back as Seth caught her and ran back from the Onix to give them some breathing space.

“Stop doing that!” Selena said, pushing herself away. “You’re not a Pokémon, stop acting like one!”

Seth paused, and then frowned as he stood over her. “What. The. Hell? What do you mean I’m not a Pokémon? Last time I checked, I have fur and shoot fucking lightning!”

“You’ve been one for two weeks!” Selena retorted. “What makes you think you can handle a fight like this?”

“I’m trying to keep you safe!” Seth yelled back.

“I’M THE ONE SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU SAFE!” Selena screamed over all the noise. “I’m… I’m supposed to protect you…”

Seth stopped as he suddenly realised what Selena was so upset about, why magic was now such an issue for her.

“This world is all wrong,” she said more quietly. “I took a vow, to matter what happens, I was supposed to protect you from harm. Ignis and Rika feel the same, and yet I…”

“Selena…”

“I almost killed you! I took a vow and then nearly ended your life myself!!” Tears streamed down Selena’s face. “What if Ignis hadn’t shown up? What if he couldn’t stop me… what if I had stopped him instead?”

Seth reached out and pulled the Absol into a hug. “Hey now… none of that happened, okay? I’m alright, Ignis is alright and so are you.”

“But, *sniff* but I-”

“I love all of you okay? And we’ll always be there for each other… but you know me, I’m a real trouble magnet and you know what? No matter what happens, I never have to worry.”

*hic* “Why’s that?”

“Because I know that I’ve always got you three watching my back. Arceus himself could come at me, and I know that we’d somehow come out on top.” Seth delicately ran his claws through her fur, brushing down some loose strands. “So don’t worry so much, okay?”

Selena nodded and leaned in to hug him. “I just wish things would be a little less hectic.”

“You and me both, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon,” Seth chuckled. “So can this idiot count on you to watch my back some more?”

“I suppose,” Selena smiled back. “At least your flanks are nicer to look at now~”

“You need to stop hanging out with Rika so much,” Seth deadpanned. “And another thing? I know we’re having a nice little moment here… but why aren’t we being attacked?”

“That’s… a good point.” Selena replied and both Pokémon looked up to see a wall of Carbinks had formed in front of them, creating a massive, single Protect to shield them against Onix’s attacks.

Dace stepped forward, along with three other Carbink. “The others will try their best to buy us some time, but I am not certain this will work… we are not as strong as Princess Diancie.”

“What?” Selene questioned. Just what were these little fairies up to? “What might not work?”

“I have sensed the bond the two of you share, it is powerful and unwavering.” Dace said with a sage-like tone. “But you currently lack the ability to bring that power forth. Myself, along with Merrick, Knight and Joke here, we will attempt to unlock that power for you, even if it is for a brief moment.”

Selena was confused, she was still feeling emotional and could make heads or tails out of what the old Carbink was saying. “What power? Why are we trying this?”

“We need to beat that Onix,” Seth said, staring at the wall of Carbink. It wouldn’t be long before they fell. “This will make us more powerful right? Let’s get it done then!”

Dace nodded and the four Carbink took a position around Selena and Seth, their crystals glowing with fairy light. Selena was understandably worried about this situation.

“Wait a minute! I’m a Dark-type, just what the hell are you guys doing!?” The world suddenly melted away as she stared into a deep void, as well as Seth’s determined gaze. “W-where are we?”

“I have no idea,” Seth said. “It’s pretty dark though, you feeling okay?”

“I’m a Dark type, I’m not afraid of the Dark,” Selena muttered, only to be hugged by Seth again.

“What?”

“Do you know why I wanted you to learn a Fairy-type move?”

Selena blinked, “Uh, so I had an advantage against other Dark-types?”

Seth smiled, “Partly… but because I also wanted to prove something to you.”

“Prove? Prove what?” Selena was really confused now.

“That even the darkness can walk in the light,” Seth said as the void vanished in a flash of white light and Selena found herself back in the cavern, her body emanating a warm glow. The light she felt was familiar somehow and it wasn’t until Seth uttered his next words that she understood.

“Dance in the Light, my Fairy of Darkness! Selena, MEGA SHINKA!”

A brilliant light erupted from Seth’s body, along with Selena’s and met, filling the dark Pokémon with overwhelming warmth and power. A small smile crossed her face as that light grew brighter, a light that could create miracles…

Smash them all! That’s the single, simple thought that ran through Onix’s mind. He was brimming with such power, so he should smash them all. Once he smashed them… well… then this day would be just perfect. That thought still ran, even as a massive blade of darkness slammed into him, causing the crystal snake to crash into a wall, the cavern shaking from the impact.

It was the white one, the one he wanted to smash… but it was different somehow, and a new feeling welled up inside the berserk beast…

Fear.

Selena let out a breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding. Somehow, she’d managed to Mega Evolve without a mega stone and keystone. Was that what Dace and the others did? Allowed them to Mega Evolve?

Well, the details didn’t matter… she had an Onix to beat.

“Selena, it looks like every time you hit it, some of the magic surrounding him fades,” Seth pointed out. So he had noticed it as well, even as a Luxray, he was still an exemplary Trainer. “It might be best to forget powerful attacks and just hit him as fast as you can and as often as you can. Use your Quick Attack!”

Selena nodded, her body erupted with white light and she used her wings to propel herself forward, unleashing her Quick Attack. The Onix had barely had time to recover from the Night Slash before Selena slammed him again, his magical shields doing nothing to repel the move. He roared as Selena hit him again and again, until the snake slammed the ground causing a Rock Slide.

Selena stopped her assault as she dodged and weaved through the move. Just one false move would give Onix the chance to counterattack. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough as a stone clipped her wingtip, causing her to stumble and then take the full brunt of a Flash Cannon.

…Or she would have if Seth hadn’t jumped in the way, taking the attack instead.

“Seth!?” Selena ran over to her fallen trainer, who coughed and held his side.

“Oww, that smarts… good thing I resist Steel huh?” he winced as Selena hit him with her paw.

“You idiot!” she said, “We just talked about this didn’t we?”

“Yeah, so don’t worry about me. Just help get that Onix back to normal, okay?” Seth smiled.

“You’re impossible,” Selena sighed. She turned and launched into another Quick Attack, but the Onix countered with Rock Tomb, causing huge slabs of stone and crystal to ran down. “Tch, I can’t dodge and attack at the same time. I’m just not fast enough.”

She gritted her teeth and glared at the Onix, “Why can’t you just calm down already!?”

“RRRAAARRGGHHHHH!” Onix fired another Flash Cannon, aiming for the crystals on the walls again, but a group of Carbink intercepted it, but they didn’t fare as well as Seth did, being much weaker to the Steel attack.

“Night Slash!” Selena cried, as her horn turned into a massive blade of dark energy, but one again, a Rock Tomb attack caused her to fall back. “This is getting ridiculous!” she used Quick Attack again, this time she charged headlong onto the attack, taking few hits even as the move scored one on the Onix.

“At this rate, I won’t win this battle. I need speed, I need to attack faster than him!” She repeated the mantra in her head over and over as she attacked with Quick Attack again and again. “Faster, faster, I have to move faster!” She was so focused on attacking Onix, that she didn’t even notice as time itself seemed to slow down. Water droplets hung in the air, along with the stones dropped by Onix. She used the rocks like she did in her Contests with Rika, jumping from stone to stone as she struck Onix.

To Seth, his beloved Pokémon had become a blur, a shadow that seemed to strike from anywhere and everywhere. Selena was moving impossible fast.

“Unreal,” he whispered, even as Selena struck the Onix body, the massive snake unable to keep up with the ferocious shadow. The magic within him was draining, trying to defend against attacks that were relentless was a losing battle and soon the Onix fell, the angry green glow dissipating from his body, returning it to it’s beautiful clear crystal state.

Everything seemed to happen at one as Selena stopped attacking. Stones fell and the noise that had disappeared into the background resumed. To her, it was like starting a paused video. She collapsed to the ground, her Mega form wearing off and she suddenly felt incredibly tired.

“Urgh, what happened?” she moaned as Seth limped over to her.

“I’m not sure,” he replied, as the remaining Carbink moved to Onix, using their power to purge the last of the dark magic from its body. “But I think you created a new attack.”

“A new move?” Selena asked. “What move did I learn?”

“Not learn,” Seth corrected her. “Create. I have never seen an attack like that. I think you may have created an entirely new attack.”

“Oh,” Selena simply said as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. “That’s cool…”

*~*

By the time Selena awoke, she noticed that the sun was setting on the horizon and the she was currently laying across Seth’s back. She flushed a bright red and in the scramble, she fell to the ground with a solid thump.

“Ow, that hurt,” she hissed as Seth laughed.

“Morning sleepy head. Enjoy your nap?”

“How long was I out?” Selena asked, brushing some dust from her fur and blushing from embarrassment.

“About an hour or two,” Seth replied. “I already spoke with Princess Celestia, told her what happened in the caves.”

“And the Carbink and Onix?” Selena asked, “Are they alright?”

“Yeah, they made me promise that if I saw Diancie, to tell her where they are. And Onix is fine now. He says sorry and he won’t eat weird, glowing rocks anymore.” Princess Celestia had investigated the caves and found a batch of crystals contaminated by a familiar dark magic.
Said crystals were teleported to the sun.

“And the Carbink have even offered to help keep the Crystal Mines running,” Seth continued.

“So it’s pretty much a win-win for everyone.”

Selena nodded, and leaned against Seth, sighing lightly. “I can’t believe we got to Mega Evolve again… Ignis is gonna be so jealous.”

“You were awesome Selly,” Seth hugged her. “And whatever is troubling you, you know you can count on me right?”

“Yeah I-” Selena stopped as a strange sight caught her attention. It was a Gabite, only with was a rich purple colour and its markings were different. It kinda reminded her of a Keckleon… Oh no!

“Is that?” Seth searched his memories, “One of Nurem’s experiments?”

Seth instantly regretted his words as the Gabite suddenly turned towards them, it seem that it had heard him…

And it looked pissed.

Author's Note

Well this one was fun to write. After a scene I did the other for my upcoming Xover with Thadius again, Selena is pretty much my favourite character. I just want to hug her so damn much.

On the next episode; Our heroes fight an outraged, invisible Dragon who can change it's type... Should be fun.

Edtor’s Notes -

Zeus - Awesome battle, and I’m really glad to see the Crystal Onyx again. Oh and one more thing... aw shit.

TDN - Interesting interlude, and nice use of elements from the Cocoon of Destruction movie. Also, I hope Canterlot has lots of insurance, cause shit just hit the fan...again.

Chapter Twenty Three

Selena and Seth had been through a pretty rough day. The Dark type had been suffering nightmares and a blossoming fear of magic, while Seth had accepted a job he still wasn’t confident he could do. Then the pair had fought a magic-crazed Crystal Onix and Selena had gotten to Mega-evolve again.

All in all it had been a busy day.

And now a genetically altered Gabite was stomping over to them and her eyes and fierce snarl told the pair that she was freaking pissed off!

“How do you two know that name?” she all but growled at them. “Don’t lie, I heard you say it.”

“We were warned about you,” Seth replied. He needed to play this right, there was no way he could take a Ground/Dragon type and Selena was in no condition to battle again. “By an old friend of yours, Vincent Nurem?”

Recognition flashed across her eyes then. “Vincent is here? Well...at least someone I know is here. But wait, if he’s here, then…” She trailed off and started to growl.

“He?” Seth questioned, trying to keep his voice as calm as possible. First rule when dealing with an agitated Pokémon, stay calm and avoid eye-contact.

“What of any of my oh-so-loving tormentors?” she hissed, the tip of her tail starting to go red. It would appear when she got very emotional, she could lose control of her ability.

“If you mean the Doctor, he is not here, from what I have gathered anyhow,” Seth replied. “Did you hear Arceus’s message when we all arrived? I highly doubt that the Doctor would be deemed ‘worthy’.”

“Worth depends on the judge,” she replied, though it seemed that the words were working. “Fine. So Vincent made it. Whoop de doo. Still haven’t found what I’m after, but at least that’s a lead as to him being here. So if you’ll excuse me,” she said, turning towards the palace.

Seth tilted his head and blinked. “You aren’t after Vincent? That’s odd, he said you would be pleased to find him. I know Lucy and Sam were...”

If the Gabite could have turned faster, there would have been whiplash. “He’s here!? Where!? Where is my Sam?” she all but demanded.

“Sam’s the one you’re after?” Seth backed up a step. “Uh, as far as I’m aware, they’re in a city named Las Pegasus, though I don’t know if they are there currently. They might still be travelling around.”

Christine growled. “Fine, we’ll do it that way then. Off to Las Pegasus, wherever the hell that is, and nothing better get in my way.” She stood up and looked around for a moment, then blinked twice. “Crap, I don’t know where that is either…”

“Well, I promised I’d visit him soon,” Seth said as Selena’s eyes widened. Was her Trainer insane? That Gabite was bad news waiting to happen.

“And this helps me how?” Christine questioned.

“No-one ever lets me finish,” Seth said with a sigh. “If you can be a bit patient for a few days, then I will be more than happy to take you to him. I can’t leave now due to a few pressing matters that cannot be put off. About four days, a week tops and you’ll be in Sam’s presence once more.”

“I don’t do patient,” the Gabite hissed, her arms flaring red for a second. “And nobody ever does things for me without a catch. If, if, I agreed to your plan, what would yours be?”

“Catch?” the word sounded almost foreign to the large Luxray. “There’s no catch, why would I want something to help someone?” Selena facepawed.

“Look at my ability, wiseass, and maybe you’ll catch on,” Christine deadpanned. “I’ve either been shunned or hunted because of it, so yeah, I’m suspicious as hell when someone offers to solve a problem of mine outta the blue.”

Ah, so that’s what she meant. “Okay, yeah. But I’m telling the truth,” Seth replied with a toothy smile. “I promised Vincent that I’d help out any Numbers that I came across. And I’m a man... well ‘Mon now I suppose, of my word.”

The Gabite looked up at the Luxray, a look of disbelief on her face. “Really. Just like that. All I would have to do is listen to you, be patient, and you’d help me get back to Sam.”

“That’s correct,” Seth replied. “If you want to help out with some of the things I have to do, then by all means... but if you don’t want to, then that’s fine as well.”

The ground/dragon looked to the horizon and sighed, weighing her options. “You sure you can’t just give me a map or something? Like I said, I don’t do patient very well.”

“Well I could do that too,” Seth said. Selena sat down, still exhausted, but her sharp gaze never left the dragon. “But unless you take a train, run by ponies that you can’t communicate with... the trip could take weeks on foot.”

“Okay, point,” Christine muttered. “Fine, fine. You win this round. It’d be faster if I just...waited. Wow, that’s a sentence I never thought I’d say.” She looked back at Seth and tilted her head. “I...think we skipped introductions. I’m Christine. At least, that’s the name Vincent gave me.”

“Then it’s nice to meet you Christine,” Seth nodded. “My name is Seth Crescent and this is one of my partners, Selena.” He motioned towards the Absol, who gave a curt nod, but said nothing.

“Right... D’you want a rundown of what I can do, or would you rather lead the way, mister trainer?” Christine snarked. Honestly, she was guessing on that last word, but it was a pretty good guess. Hopefully, she’d get over her animosity about them...maybe.

“While I was once a Trainer, you can just call me Seth,” the Luxray said. “As for what you can do, from the ‘brief’ and I use that word generously, info I got from Vincent. You have the Colour Change Ability correct?”

“Yeah,” the dragon said, lifting an arm and willing it into invisibility. After a second, she made it reappear. “Still can’t do anything about this,” she said, pointing at the red line going across her middle, “But it’s proved handy. Still not worth the damn price tag.”

Selena had a joke, but dealing with Vincent the first time taught her that making light of their past was a very bad idea. Then Seth said the one thing she hoped he wouldn’t.

“So did you have somewhere to stay? Or would you like to stay with us for the time being?”

Christine looked at Seth with an expression that all but screamed ‘really?’ “Does it look like I have any pockets or local currency? Heck, I’ve been tromping around the wild, then up to this place once I realized ‘hey, that might be the capitol’, so no, I don’t have a plan or money. I had planned to go up to the ones in charge and ask... demand, let’s be honest, to know where Sam is or if they could find him.”

“Hmm, that would have been a bad idea,” Seth informed her. “You might have wound up in a small cell for that, and then we would have met under much worse circumstances... I work for the ones in charge you see, so we would have met eventually.”

“Except we would have fought,” Selena said with a yawn. “And you’d have lost.”

“Think what you want, Selena,” Christine growled. “I didn’t survive outside of the lab by my invisibility alone.”

“Trust me, you wouldn’t last five minutes against me,” Selena growled back. “But I feel like crap right now so I don’t feel like starting anything today-”

“Hello Seth, Absol!” A voice said from behind them, a very irritating voice.

“Oh goddammit,” Selena muttered as a familiar Florges approached them. Christine was instantly on guard; understandable, given how Fairy and Dragon matched up.

“Seth, who is that and should I be worried?” she whispered.

“My name is Lady Titania!” the Florges huffed. “You shall refer to me as such you sapling!”

“When you earn my respect and not a moment sooner, you overgrown, overinflated rose bush,” Christine fired back. “Seriously, is she with you, or does she just know you?” she asked Seth.

“She is with us,” Seth sighed. “Tani, please calm down. This is Christine, one of Vincent’s friends. You remember Vincent yes? The Kadabra you made rather angry?”

“Yes, yes, I remember that little windbag,” Titania sighed. “So what does this one do? Other than a fascinating imitation of a kaleidoscope?”

“She does this,” Christine snarked, causing everything but the red line to disappear. Said red line then appeared to launch itself into the air and was on a trajectory to roughly above the Florges...

Seth moved to push Titania out of the way, only to take the blow himself. He grunted as the dragon slammed him.

“Seth!?” Selena moved to help, but her legs were racked with pain and she fell to the pavement. Christine shimmered back into visibility and appeared actually worried.

“Oh crap. Seth, I didn’t mean to hit you. Was my aim off? Here, lemme help you up.” She reached down to help the Luxray to his paws.

“Why did you push me out of the way?” Titania said.

“Because,” Seth groaned as Christine helped him up. “Friends don’t fight friends. Good thing I’m pretty tough...”

“Tough my ass!” Selena yelled from her spot on the cobblestone path. “You already took several blows from an Onix today. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I’m thinking he wasn’t,” Christine deadpanned before looking over to Selena. Upon seeing her plight, the dragon sighed and moved over to assist. “Seen than before as well, people that act with their heart rather than their head.”

“That is the very definition of Seth,” Selena sighed as Christine helped her up. “Geh! I can’t walk like this and neither can Seth now. Titania, could you go and get Ignis please?” Selena was utterly full of it, but it would get Titania out of the way.

“Fine, but I’m doing this to help Seth,” the Fairy muttered and floated off with a huff.

“She really is nice when you get to know her,” Seth chuckled weakly.

“Yeaaah, and I know a Snorlax that can fly,” the landshark returned. “So which one of you needs help more? Willing to help one of you... but I doubt I could help both.”

“I hate having to need help,” Selena muttered. “Well, I doubt you could lift Seth, so I guess you can help me. Ignis should be here shortly, leave the heavy lifting to him.”

“Gotcha,” Christine said, moving to stand next to Selena and act like a crutch for her. “I doubt I could pick you up either, really. I mean, let’s face it, either way, it’s a load I couldn’t carry for long. You’re closer to what I can lift, but I’ve not had to carry another ‘mon, so I don’t know. Hope this helps enough, though.”

“Sorry,” Selena apologised as she accepted Christine’s help. “I guess I was wrong about you. You seem pretty nice Christine.”

“I’m not so bad once you get to know me. Or so Vincent kept telling me,” she muttered. “I mean, I have trust issues, anger issues, and I’m separated from Sam, but you two have promised to help with that last one, so I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt... for the time being, anyways.”

“If there’s one thing I can safely tell you,” Selena smiled as she looked at her Trainer. “Seth will never, ever betray your trust. He would gladly put his life at risk to protect those he considers friends. And if he makes you a promise...” Selena closed her eyes as she recalled what Seth had told her earlier. “You can be damn sure he’ll keep them.”

“Yeah, words are nice and all,” Christine said, “But words and deeds are different. I’ll let what you all do be the judge of that. If I trusted in the words of everyone I ran across, I’d be captured fifty times over, likely killed ten, or even back in that fucking lab.”

“I can respect that,” Selena nodded. “But when, not if, when, I am proved right. I’ll let Rika do the ‘I told you so’ dance. Just a heads up.”

There was a loud roar as Ignis landed very suddenly near Seth. “Sup guys?” he asked. “Titania said you needed help?”

“...Seth, how many unfamiliar ‘mon am I going to be introduced to?” Christine said, forcing herself back into visibility. “Cause this startle reflex of mine is seriously getting old.”

Seth nodded, “Ah, sorry about that. This is Ignis, my oldest partner and best friend. There’s also Rika, a Sylveon and my girlfriend, as well as Apple Fritter, an Earth pony mare and my other girlfriend.”

“Fairy,” Christine hissed before shaking it off. “Well, as long as they’re more pleasing than that Titania blowhard, then I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.” She cast a gaze up at Ignis and looked away, sighing. “Hello Ignis.”

“So who’s this?” Ignis asked as he lifted Seth onto his back, draping the Luxray’s paws over his shoulders.

“Christine, a friend of Vincent’s,” Seth informed the dragon.

“Oh, okay.” Ignis shrugged. “Nice to meet you Christine. And... Why are your colours weird?”

“Ignis also has no tact sometimes,” Selena sighed.

“I noticed,” the Gabite deadpanned. “Okay, here’s a bit of a clue, mister dragon.” She held up one arm and made it disappear. “Got it?”

“Cool,” Ignis grinned. “That is really damned cool. So I’m guessing Kecleon, or do you have the Camouflage attack?”

“First one,” she said with a nod. “It’s caused me my fair share of trouble, but it’s useful getting out of it as well. If the price of getting it wasn’t agony, I might actually choose to do it the same way all over again.”

“So what happened to you two?” Ignis asked. “A Solar Guard came by earlier, but didn’t say what you were doing beyond exploring a cave and investigating those earthquakes.”

“Long story,” Selena groaned.

“At least I get to avoid the hospital this time,” Seth added. “I am so sick of that place.”

Selena noticed Christine actually shiver at the mention of the hospital. “A-Agreed,” she stammered. Actually stammered.

“And we learn not to mention that place around you,” Selena noted.

“Yeah... not a fan of it or the things inside it,” the Gabite muttered. “But yeah, I, uh, may have had something to do with Seth’s last injury, Ignis. Though to be fair, I hadn’t been aiming for him.”

“Seth did a Seth thing, didn’t he?” Ignis said dryly.

“Eeyup,” Selena nodded.

“I’m right here you know!” Seth argued.

“And you wouldn’t be if you hadn’t pushed that Florges out of the way,” Christine fired back. “Honestly, I still want to smack her.”

“Get in line,” Selena muttered. “But, she did help us out of a jam, despite the fact that her team wants to murder my Trainer. And she’s tolerable... Rika keeps her inline anyhow.”

“...So a Fairy watches a Fairy? How the hell does that work?” the Gabite muttered. “Anyways, no hard feelings Ignis?”

“Never had any to begin with,” Ignis replied truthfully. “As for how Rika does what she does...” All three Pokémon shuddered. “Don’t ever get on Rika’s bad side. You think you have mental scarring now? Wait till you piss off Sadisteon.”

“...I am missing context for that statement, but am suddenly totally okay with it,” Christine said. “Just... keep her as far away from me as possible, and I’ll be good.”

*~*

As they drew closer to Fritter’s house, Selena’s ‘Disaster Sense’ went off and she suddenly flung herself in front of Christine as a little pink blur tackled the Absol to the ground.

“Huh?” Rika questioned the unintended target. “Why’m I hugging Selly? And why is she unconscious?”

“...How did she move that fast when injured?” Christine questioned nobody in particular. “Seriously, she could barely walk, how did she manage to do that?”

“Better me than you,” Selena groaned. “Rika... don’t hug her okay?”

“Why not?” Rika asked as she lifted up Selena carefully with her ribbons. “And why are you and Sethy hurt!?” She turned her stare to Christine. “Did you do this?”

“While I would just love to take credit for injuring the first few ‘mon I’ve given the shadow of the doubt to in a few years,” the Gabite said with no small amount of sarcasm, “They were like that when I found them. Except for Seth’s latest injury, but that was partially his fault as well as mine. Shouldn’t have saved that Florges, in my opinion, but he did.”

“And I should bury you, but I guess we all can’t have our own way,” Titania snarked from the doorway.

“Well, that’s fine,” Rika said, lowering the ribbon she had ready to strike. “So you’re Christine huh? Nice to meetcha!”

“Oh good, the pompous ambulatory flower garden is here,” Christine said with an eye roll. “Look, as much as I would love to burn you to ash, I’m pretty sure Seth would take offense to it, so if you just leave me be, I’ll leave you be.”

“Gladly, I have to get back to work anyhow. Take care Seth, Rika... Absol.”

“Oh, I got a mention this time,” Selena groaned. “I’m moving on up in the world.”

“Yeah, Selly’s fine,” Rika chuckled. “What about you Sethy?”

“I’ll live,” he said as Ignis put him down. “Diantha may call around later. She can hit me with a Heal Pulse when she does.”

“Oh goody, more unfamiliar ‘mon,” Christine said. “My life is a constant revolving door of joy.”

“It’s a sarcasm sandwich,” Rika giggled from in-between the two ‘mon.

“Gah!” Christine said upon seeing how close Rika had gotten. “How did you…I’m just gonna stop questioning things.” She then turned to Ignis. “You got any place around here that I could use to work out my frustrations?”

“You wanna fight!?” Ignis grinned. “I’m always up for a good battle!”

“Yeah, I believe that,” Christine said, giving Ignis another examination, “But I also know you’re way outta my league. I was thinking if there were a forest around here that nobody would miss, I could burn it. It’d make me feel better.”

“Sorry, there’s only a park and Fritter orchard... neither of which would end well for you if you tried to burn them.” Ignis answered.

“What about pie?” Rika suggested. “Apple Fritter’s desserts are simply the best thing EVER!!”

The Dragon cast an eye over to the Fairy and snorted. “I haven’t exactly had the luxury of pie,” Christine stated. “More or less wild for the last few years. I know about it, but I haven’t ever had any.”

Rika looked like she was about to cry- nope, scratch that, she actually was crying.

“That’s so sad, and will be rectified.”

“...I get the feeling that if I mentioned other things I never had, I’d end up gaining fifty pounds by the time we left for Sam. Am I more or less on the mark, Seth?”

“Seems about right,” Seth chuckled as he stepped inside and into a hug from Fritter.

“Goodness, y’all seem to have had a rough day.” The mare helped him over to his couch and laid him down. “Ah’ll make you some tea... oh?” She turned to see Christine, “So who’s this?”

“Christine,” Selena replied.

“And she needs pie!” Rika exclaimed.

“Please ignore the Fairy,” Christine said with an eye roll. “I do not need pie. I merely need shelter, food, and water until I am taken to Sam. I assume you are Apple Fritter?”

“That’s right,” Fritter smiled. “Come on inside and I’ll fetch you some food and drink.”

“Well so far, so good, Mister Seth,” Christine commented. “At the very least, nobody’s attacked me or called me any names, so it’s a step up from what I’ve been through.” With that, she followed the Earth Pony’s advice and walked inside.

Soon enough, Apple Fritter, along with Rika, had prepared quite a feast. Apple Pie, salads, bread and other fruits.

“Ah, what I wouldn’t give for some Berries,” Rika sighed as she ate.

Christine slowly munched on her salad, while also nibbling on some bread, and studiously avoided the pie, if only to spite Rika. “Not bad,” she commented. “Better than wild fare, that’s for sure. And these fruits, while different, are no less pleasant.”

“Eat the piiieeee~” Rika said, while Seth just shook his head in amusement.

“Yeah...no. Not gonna work,” Christine replied. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Fine,” Rika pouted. “But you’re missing out!” she helped herself to a modest slice and hummed happily as she ate it.

Once he had finished his food, Seth slowly got up, stretching out his sore limbs. “Ahh, who’d have thought an Onix would hurt that much.”

“Anyone who’s ever fought one?” Christine commented. “Seriously, you versus an Onix? How did you walk away from that?”

“Well,” Seth replied. “Selena going Mega helped out a lot,” Seth replied as Ignis suddenly choked on his bread.

“W-what?” he coughed. “How the hell did you do that?”

“Aw, what’s up stud?” Selena cooed. “Jealous~”

“Huh,” Christine said while tilting her head to the side. “Still, without an advantage...ah, that’s why you two were so injured,” she said, finally connecting the dots. “Me, I prefer type advantages when dealing with things like that. Or traps. Or a combination.”

“Well, when you have a Crystal Onix that’s gone berserk with dark magic, you try thinking clearly.” Selena said.

“But why didn’t you just end it with Iron Tail?” Ignis asked.

“Iron Tail? Because I...” Selena just remembered that she knew Iron Tail. “Fuck me...”

“Not it,” Christine replied instantly.

“Did you just make a joke?” Selena was caught off guard with that. Two could play at that game. She gave the dragon a half-lidded stare. “Well, I doubt you could keep up anyway~”

“Please, I have eyes for one ‘mon, and you’re not him. Plus, I don’t swing that way,” the dragon paused to take a drink of water before continuing. “I mean, not unless you’re actually a guy, in which case, my first answer still stands.”

“Did... did she just say I look like a guy!?” Selena spluttered. Burned twice in one conversation, this dragon was good.

“Aw, I still love you,” Ignis replied, kissing the top of her head.

“So, question. Where do I bunk down?” Christine asked as she made to stand up from the table.

“Hmm, well you could bunk with Titania in the spare room,” Apple Fritter suggested, but Seth shook his head and made a slicing gesture across his neck. “O-Oh, well... um, the couch here is pretty comfy too.”

“Yeah, I’ll take the couch over miss high and mighty any day. Seriously, put us with each other, one of us is going to die,” Christine commented before making her way to the couch and falling onto it, causing it no small amount of distress.

“Better than caves, so it’s good in my book,” was her muffled appraisal.

“How long until she realises that she’s lying on Sethy’s tail?” Rika asked.

In response, the Gabite rolled so that her mouth was free. “I was quite aware, thank you. And if he wants his tail back, all he has to do is ask.”

“If you would then?” Seth asked with a small chuckle as the dragon relinquished it. “I still have to make a report to Princess Celestia. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“Are you sure?” Selena asked. “I’m sure her Highness can wait until you feel better.”

“I’m fine,” Seth replied. “And I want to see how Heath is getting on.”

The door swung open as Umbra strode in, a small smile on her face. “So, how is my little girl... doing?” She trailed off when she saw Christine, but shrugged it off. “Well, did you bag this big Luxray yet?”

“Mom!?” Rika blushed at the brazenly asked question. “But yes, yes I did.”

The Umbreon looked back at the dragon-shaped lump on the couch. “So, pick up another stray did you?”

“Seth, I feel like I should be insulted. Should I be insulted? I tend to burn things that insult me.” Christine commented idly, with only a hint of actual hostility to her words.

“I honestly have no idea,” Seth replied with a tired sigh. “This is Umbra, Rika’s mother and I only met her yesterday for the first time in years.”

“If I insult you, you’ll know,” Umbra chuckled darkly. “Relax child, I only jest with you. So what’s your story?”

In response, Christine brought her tail around and caused it to fade out for a moment. Once she brought it back into the visible spectrum, she tilted her head to the side. “That answer enough for you?”

“An unusual ability for a Gabite,” Umbra noted. “But it answers little as to why you’re here?” She paused, “Seth said he’d help you with something, didn’t he?”

“Yup,” Christine nodded. “I practice being patient and he’ll take me with to see Sam when he goes to Las Pegasus.”

“I see, well best of luck with that then,” Umbra smiled. “So what has happened since last night? How did it go my darling?”

“It was perfect,” Rika sighed. “Though... things turned out a little... different to how I imagined.”

Umbra frowned as she stepped closer to Seth, her rings glowing a dangerous yellow colour. “Different how?”

“Well, we got a little extra,” Rika giggled as she pulled Fritter closer. Umbra blinked, looked at Seth and then burst out laughing.

“Oh, Oh Arceus, that is just too much!”

“Well, I can certainly say that I didn’t see it coming,” Seth said. He looked at Rika and Fritter and smiled warmly. “But I’m not complaining. It’ll take some getting used to, but I think we’ll manage.”

Christine felt a pang then, which she attributed to being separated from Sam. “Yeah, alright, fair enough, point made,” she mumbled. “Gah! Some families have all the luck.”

Rika took one look at the dragon and walked over to her. She simply stood there, her eyes begging to let the dragon be hugged.

“No,” Christine said. “There is nothing you can do or say that will make me comfortable enough for a hug right this moment.”

“Awww, fine. But it’ll be okay. I bet Sammy misses you a whole bunch too!”

“I know he does,” Christine replied. “But still, no. I do not desire or need a hug from you at this time. I don’t do well when hugged by most ‘mon.”

“Fine, but I’ll wear you down eventually,” Rika said adamantly. “If I can hug a fusspot like Vincent into submission, then I can hug anyone!”

“You haven’t hugged the Princesses yet,” Seth said out loud, and then realised what he’d just said. Rika’s eyes went wide with realisation and she bolted from the room in an instant.

“She went to hug the Alicorn princesses, didn’t she?” Umbra said.

“...Y’know, I may just give her a hug to make sure she doesn’t do that to me later on.” Christine mused. “It’d...probably be easier if I saw it coming, anyways.”

“It’s like a bandaid,” Seth said as he headed out. “Better to rip it off than go slowly and painfully.” He gave the dragon a smile. “Hugging can be nice too, think of Sam.”

“Not exactly built for hugging,” was Christine’s reply. “But if she promises to stop at one unless given permission otherwise, then I’ll stand one. Y’know, when she comes back.”

“She’ll be back, probably with me. Do you think you’ll be alright until I return?”

“Unless Madame Titania decides to grace us with her appearance,” came the snarky, fake-accented response, “Then yeah, I’ll be good.”

“Heh, I’ll try and get back before her,” Seth laughed. “I’ll be back soon, okay Fritter?”

The mare nodded and shared a kiss with him. “Be safe alright?”

Seth glanced down at his lingering injuries. “Yeah, no worries.”

*~*

It took a little longer than usual, but Seth managed to limp his way to the castle. Truth be told, he was already feeling a little better by the time he got there. There was certainly something to be said for a Pokémon’s healing factor.

Some of the guards gave him a polite nod as he walked inside after introducing himself. He headed to the throne room after questioning one guard about the Princesses whereabouts, and once he walked in, he groaned and put his paw to his face.

Both Celestia and Luna were quite busy being hugged by Rika.

“Mr. Crescent?” Celestia asked, trying to keep her tone as neutral as possible. “May I ask what this is about?”

“Because Rika is Rika,” Seth replied dryly. “C’mon, let the Princesses go.”

“Fine,” Rika pouted as she untangled her ribbons from the Alicorn sisters and walked over to Seth, flopping onto his back. “I’ll just hug you instead.”

“She reminds me of one of Twilight’s friends,” Celestia chuckled.

Seth groaned from the added weight to his exhausted body, but smiled none-the-less. He turned back to Princess Celestia and Luna and bowed his head. “I thought I’d come and deliver a report about the Crystal Mines.”

“We heard the one you gave the guards at the scene,” Celestia said as she took a seat on her throne. “But we would appreciate your input as well.”

Seth nodded and recalled the events in the mines, and Celestia informed him that the magic that had corrupted the Onix was some residual dark magic from a failed invasion of Canterlot. The solar princess apologised for not having done a proper check of the mines, but one was being done now.

“Ah, well at least no-one was seriously injured,” Seth said. “Is there anything else you need to discuss?”

“Starting tomorrow, we will be receiving delegate from all over Equus,” Celestia said. Though she looked unfazed, Seth’s sensitive hearing could pick up her slightly hastened heartbeat and his eyes saw her withers shift ever-so-slightly. She was worried about the outcome of this meeting. “So until it is resolved, I won’t be able to talk with you much I’m afraid.”

“That’s alright, something’s come up that requires my attention… Oh, how are the preparations for the Contest coming? Were you able to procure a venue?”

“Not as yet I’m afraid,” Celestia sighed. “I do apologise, but I have been quite busy with a great many things lately.”

“No, don’t apologise!” Seth said. “I should be thanking you for wanting to help in the first place. Take all the time you need for this, I’m in no rush.”

Princes Celestia nodded, truth be told, she had completely forgotten about it. She did feel bad, but at least Seth was alright with it. “Thank you for your report Mr. Crescent, shall we meet again soon?”

Seth nodded and bowed his head. “Until next time, Princess Celestia, Princes Luna.”

“Farewell Seth the Luxray!” Luna beamed enthusiastically while Celestia merely nodded. Rika waved from her spot on Seth’s back

“I can’t believe you actually came all the way here to hug the Princesses,” Seth sighed as they walked home. “What’s going on Rika? You’ve always liked hugs, but you were never this obsessed.”

Rika was silent for a moment, and then spoke. “Well… I just thought, that if I could show everypony how friendly Pokémon could be, then there’d be less problems between us all.”

Seth stopped as she said that. He’d been told by the Princesses and Grissom that other cities, like Las Pegasus and Baltimare have had much more difficulty adjusting to the arrival of an entire species. Aside from the Control Incident, Canterlot has been pretty chill about the whole thing. At least on the surface.

~~~

“I don’t trust the nobility,” Grissom said as the two spoke when Seth had awoken in the hospital. “Everything seems fine on the surface, but the enemies that smile at you are much more dangerous than the ones that don’t.”

“So what’s this about a Summit?” Seth asked. “Something to do with the world leaders?”

“Yeah, Griffin, Changeling, Minotaur, Hippocampi and even Diamond Dog and Zebra. It’s going to be the largest gathering of royalty and ministry in several hundred years.” Grissom sighed as he looked out the window. “I don’t like it though, something just doesn’t sit right in my gut.”

Someone might try an attack?” Seth queried.

“I doubt it, unless they were very confident, or very, very stupid.” Grissom chuckled. “We have four Alicorns, a Changeling Emperor, who would be almost equal in magical might. A God of Chaos and your God, so I think we’re good. Security will still be at maximum, just in case.”

“Well if you need my help, just ask,” Seth said and Grissom smiled.

“Well... now that is good news...”

~~~

Little did Seth think that Grissom’d actually ask him to join their guard. But until this Summit was over, he wouldn’t have all the job details.

As they got home, a Pegasus messenger was just landing. She gave Seth the once over and nodded to herself.

“Are you Mr. Seth Crescent?” she asked.

“That’s right,” Seth answered. “Did you have a message for me?”

“Something like that,” she reached into her bag and pulled out a rather decorative envelope. “This is addressed to you.”

“Message received,” Seth smiled. He handed over a few Bits as a tip and the mare gave him a bright smile and thanked him before taking to the air once more.

“What’s it say?” Rika asked, peering over his shoulder.

Seth opened the letter and after he scanned it quickly, a small tear formed in his eye. Rika looked puzzled and looked at the letter.

Dear Mister Seth Crescent,

Your presence is cordially requested at the wedding of Gene and Belle, we would love if you and your friends could find the time to attend. The wedding will take place in Canterlot Castle on the Eighteenth of this month. We hope you are able to attend.

~Gene and Belle

“Well,” Rika said with a happy smile, though for once, it couldn’t compare to Seth’s. “This is pretty awesome.”

“Yeah,” Seth said softly as he re-read the invitation. “It really is.”

Author's Note

Editor’s Notes -

Zeus - Well, good to finally meet the infamous Christine. Also, Yay! Wedding again!
TDN - Plot is moving, and it is moving nicely.

This was pretty fun to write and I'm really liking Christine as a character...

Chapter Twenty Four

It had been a few days since Seth and his family received the invitation to Gene and Belle’s wedding at Canterlot Castle. The World Summit had started and most of the towns citizens were hard at work, making the whole city run like clockwork. Even Apple Fritter had pulled out all the stops with her business. She’d brought out a premium crop of Zap Apples that she’d been keeping in magical stasis for a few months and had been hard at work, creating dish after dish made from the delicious fruit.

Seth had tried to visit the castle a few times, but both the Princesses and Grissom had been far too busy to meet with him. It looked pretty hectic in there though, and Seth saw creatures he’d never seen before. Large Miltank’s walking on two legs, black-bug-like ponies and ponies that looked like Blitzles. And so many Pokémon...

Christine had been… well, it was touch and go a few times. The family had quickly learned to never mention Sam or anything to do with her past, talking about either caused her emotions to spike dramatically, one time she had almost gotten into an actual battle with Selena. Titania and Christine didn’t see eye to eye either, both refusing to be in the same room as the other.

And there was the wedding coming up tomorrow. Seth had spent the better part of two days, just trying to find a suitable wedding gift. Back on Earth, one would usually get household goods or if either of them was a Trainer, then expensive items like Max Revives and Custom Pokéballs were also accepted.

Well that wasn’t really an option now. Ponies didn’t have much in the ways of white goods and Trainer items didn’t exist anymore. But when Seth had paid a visit to the Carbinks in the Crystal Mines, they gave him something that was simply perfect.

Now, along with Pokémon and Humans, Arceus seemed to have brought… more. The Carbinks had discovered a small cavern in the mines that held a variety of Evolution Stones, along with a particularly lustrous Dawn Stone. Upon seeing it, Seth got the most wonderful idea and the Carbink had no problem in giving him the stone. He’d saved their lives and they were more than happy to assist the Luxray.

Seth took the stone to a jeweller, one that cut and set the stone into matching silver lockets. When placed together, they formed a heart and they bore an inscription on the back.

‘Together Forever, no matter how long

From Now until the end of Time’

He just hoped that they’d like them. A guy with his reputation didn’t get invited to many weddings, so he was pretty much making this stuff up as he went along. After showing the pendants to Rika and Fritter, the two had assured him that they were beautiful and that Gene and Belle would absolutely love them. Doubts still plagued Seth’s mind, but he at least hoped they would.

The next item on the agenda was outfits. Fritter and Rika had the ones they bought during their little shopping spree when Vincent was in town, but they decided that something new was in order for the wedding. Seth had pointed out that the dresses they had bought were new... but the girls insisted. Seth just didn’t get females sometimes. So while they discussed to go to Buttonbelle’s Boutique, Seth kept an eye on Christine and also had a lengthy conversation with Umbra, until a messenger Pegasus from the Castle arrived for him.

“I have a message from Princess Celestia, for a Mr. Seth Crescent?” the Pegasus asked and Seth offered a polite nod.

“That would be me, what can I do for you?”

“The message is as such,” the Pegasus cleared her throat. “I have located a suitable venue for your little project. It is located at the far end of the Theatre District, this messenger can take you there if you want. Once you have decided if it is suitable or not, let me know and we’ll start organising the event itself…” The Pegasus nodded, “I believe that was all, she was a little pre-occupied chasing somepony named Sev…”

Seth nodded, “Thank you for that message… one moment.” He disappeared and then came back a moment later, handing the mare a few Bit’s for her troubles. “Would you please mind showing me the building the Princess was referring to?”

“Of course!” The mare replied with a smile as Seth turned back to his two houseguests.

“Are you ladies up for a little walk?”

“I suppose,” Umbra replied with a yawn. “I was starting to get a little sleepy.”

“Well, I’d rather not be here if Flowers-for-brains shows up… I’d feel bad if I burned down your house,” Christine pointed out. “I’m somewhat curious as to what it is you have planned.”

Once Seth bid goodbye to his girlfriends, the three Pokémon followed the messenger into one of the largest Districts in Canterlot. Seth had been here a few times during his wanderings of the city but had never been inside any of the buildings before. He made a mental note to ask Fritter and Rika if they liked musicals…

“Well, here we are!” the messenger mare, who had identified herself as Swift Wind said, stopping in front of a fancy-looking hall. It reminded Seth of the old-style Musical Halls in Unova, before they were renovated into the newer ones. Personally, Seth preferred the older-style architecture, and if he could host his Contest here? That would be perfect!

“Look at all the posters,” Christine said, pointing at several posters lined with gold trimming on the front entrance. Upon closer inspection, Seth saw that they were advertisement posters for past and future events. A re-occurring one was of a beautiful grey mare named Octavia Melody.

“That’s Octavia, First Chair Cellist for the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra,” Swift informed them. She’s really famous and has played here many times. She also plays at the Grand Galloping Gala and other prestigious events.”

“Wow,” Seth said. He wished he could hear her play sometime. He liked classical music quite a bit.

The doors to the hall opened at a portly-Unicorn stepped outside.

“Welcome!” he said with a chipper tone. “I take it that you are the esteemed Mr. Crescent?”

“That’s right, and you are?”

“Oh, my name is Show Stopper. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Is it just me,” Christine whispered to Umbra. “Or do these ponies all have names that relate to their jobs?”

“Hmm, perhaps they have some sort of pre-cognitive abilities when naming their children?” Umbra agreed. “Or perhaps they simply change their name when they get their Cutie Mark?”

“Pony land is confusing,” Christine muttered.

Seth ignored the banter behind him and smiled at Show Stopper. “May I take a look inside?” he asked.

“Of course, of course!” Show said. Swift Wind gave the Luxray a small salute and flexed her wings.

“My job here is complete so I must return to the castle. Best of luck Mr. Crescent.”

“Thanks for the help Swift, and give the Princesses my regards.”

Swift Wind nodded and flew off, leaving the three Pokémon to look around the massive hall.

“Now, what are the specifics you are looking for for you event?” Show asked Seth.

“Well, most important is a large stage, and one that can support a lot of weight. Some Pokémon can weigh hundreds of pounds.”

“Well, no problem there,” Show beamed. “My stage once held the Neighlands River Dance Troupe. Imagine several dozen draft ponies all tap dancing across my stage. While we haven’t pushed her yet, she can hold at least 950 kilograms in a distributed area, and around 550 kilos in a concentrated area. Though we can temporarily reinforce it with magic. As for size… well, see for yourself.” The doors to the main theatre opened as Seth was greeted by a simply massive room.

“The stage dimensions are around 19.50 metres from wall to wall, and 21 metres from the front of the stage to the back of the wall. The orchestra pit in front can hold up to 70 musicians.”

Seth whistled, “Okay, that’s pretty impressive. What about seating arrangements?”

“We can hold precisely 1507 individuals,” Show boasted. “883, along with 4 disabled positions in the stalls. 466, plus 10 standing will fit in the upper level and 158 can be seated in the Boxes, including the Box reserved for the Princesses.”

“That’s a decent amount, not big enough for a Grand Festival, but I don’t expect a huge turnout for this first Contest, especially from Equus residents. So I believe that should be enough.”

“The acoustics are quite marvellous,” Show said. “You can hear a pin drop, even from the furthest seats. We have hosted enormous arias and more intimate concerts.”

“One last thing,” Seth said. “We’ll also need a spacious dressing room, how about that?”

“Hmm, while not as large as I’d like… it should tailor to your needs,” Show replied. “Also, in the event of an emergency, we have state-of-the-art fire extinguishers and a well-planned escape route. The happiness and safety of our patrons is one of our top priorities.”

While Seth and Show talked, Christine had made her way to the stage and once she stood on it, decided that it was a very bad idea. Just imagining all those faces staring at her made her want to run, or want to burn the whole place down… she couldn’t decide.

“Well, I’d say that this place is just about perfect,” Seth smiled, shaking Show’s hoof. “Send the necessary information to Princess Celestia and I’ll need a layout of the hall, so I can figure out what modifications are needed.”

“Of course, and I look forward to our future venture. This Contest of your sounds like an exciting event. One for the ages!”

“If all goes well, it won’t be the last one either,” Seth said. After an hour or so, the three Pokémon left and returned home, while Seth explained to Christine what a Contest actually was.

“And they enjoy that?” Christine said, bewildered. “I could not do that. Ever!”

“It’s not for everyone,” Seth said. “Though with your abilities, I bet you could be an amazing Contest star.”

“Pass, no way and no how am I ever getting on a stage!” Christine crossed her arms.

Seth chuckled and once they had returned home, Rika and Fritter had dragged him out the door and off to Buttonbelle's Boutique. They had to pick up their dresses for the wedding...

That had led to a whole world of trouble. Checkmate-sized trouble, but that was a tale for another time. Sorting out that problem had taken the rest of the day and after Diantha had teleported them all home, there was little time left to get ready.

The Champion, as expected, had chewed him out quite thoroughly about running headlong into danger and Seth was exhausted by the time he walked inside, just in time to see Fritter and Rika in their dresses.

And all Seth could think was how beautiful they looked.

Fritter looked a little bashful, she’d never dressed up like this before, even at Princess Cadence’s wedding. And knowing that Seth’s piercing gaze was locked onto her? She felt her face heat up as she looked down at her hooves.

“Ah feel silly,” she said quietly.

“And like I said before,” Seth said as he crossed the room and pulled the mare into a deep kiss. “You look beautiful.” She let out a surprised squeak, but soon closed her eyes and kissed him back. All too soon, he broke the embrace and did the same with Rika, the little Fairy more than happy to reciprocate.

“Wow,” Seth said as he looked at them. “I can’t believe how amazing you two look.”

“We are pretty great huh?” Rika said, doing a little twirl. She wore a similar dress to the one she had bought a few days ago, but this one was a regal blue and the flower pins had been replaced with pink cubic zirconias.

Fritter on the other hand, her mane had been tied into a long, single braid, tied at the end with one of her trademark ribbons and her tail was puffed out a bit with some extensions added to it. The dress she wore was bottle green in colour with long sleeves that covered her front legs. It had a short lace train and had a white corset around the waist and to accentuate, it had a shining red apple brooch just below the neck.

“I must say, you two look divine,” Umbra cooed as she nuzzled her daughter. “I bet even the bride herself will be jealous of your beauty.”

“S’not bad I suppose,” Christine said, wondering if Sam would like her more if she dressed up like that.

“What about Selena?” Seth asked. “Is she wearing something?”

“Pft, like you could get that fusspot into a dress,” Rika sighed. “She gave me some crap about looking perfect the way she was. Ignis was no damned help either, he’s still sulking about Selly getting to Mega-Evolve.”

Yeah, the orange dragon had spent the better part of four days pouting, all because Selena had gotten to mega Evolve and fight a very rare Pokémon. Needless to say, the dragon was rather green with envy right now.

The large grandfather clock in Fritter’s living room chimed, signalling that it was nearly time to go. Every chime resonated in Seth’s heart as he felt his nerves kick in. What if he wasn’t welcome there? He was never able to help out Gene and others like him back on Earth, so what if-?

His trail of self-destructive thoughts disappeared as Rika’s ribbons emanated a gentle glow. She knew Seth was starting to freak out, the hyperventilating was a pretty obvious clue. Tapping into her unique power as a Sylveon, she sent out a soothing pulse from her ribbons and the panicking Luxray soon calmed down.

“Better?” Rika asked.

“Yeah… thanks” Seth sighed. Why did he keep having thoughts like that?

“Okay, what in the hay was that?” Fritter said. Seth acting like that had seriously freaked her out

“Sethy just had a little panic attack, so I used my fairy magic to calm him down” Rika explained.

“Oh?” Fritter moved next to Seth and hugged him. “What happened?”

“Just me being stupid,” Seth said, returning the hug. “I guess I’m still a bit concerned about the past, that’s all.”

“That, was more than a little concerned,” Fritter said. “If you ever feel like that again, Rika and I will be here for you, okay?”

Seth nodded, a weak smile on his face. “Okay. Let’s go! We really shouldn’t be late.”

“I’ll stay here, keep an eye on things if you want?” Umbra said. Seth nodded, he was still uneasy about leaving Christine by herself and suddenly put a paw on Rika’s tail, as she had tried to make her way over to the dragon, still intent on hugging her.

“Let’s get Selena and Ignis and go,” Seth said. Fritter left some Bits and arranged for some food to be delivered to the Pokémon remaining behind. She’d contacted the Griffin place they ate at before, remembering to add some meat to the order for Umbra and Christine. Once everyone was ready, they headed out.

*~*

Seth had expected a decent turnout at this wedding, but he no idea it would be this big.

Alongside a plethora of Pokémon he didn’t recognise, there were some ponies from Ponyville, he at least knew Princess Twilight and that crazy pink one. There was a fourth Alicorn he didn’t know, a light pink one standing near an Infernape and a Unicorn stallion. He saw a few of Gene’s Pokémon and a lot of Legendary Pokémon, including Arceus himself. The Alpha Pokémon saw Seth and his group enter and offered a polite nod. Seth spied Princess Celestia and Luna, alongside a Griffin female and what appeared to be a Bug-type male Alicorn.

Seth checked his invitation, but it didn’t say where they should sit. After a brief moment, he saw that there were some spare seats next to a green Unicorn mare, who introduced herself as Holly Heart as they sat down. The Infernape that was conversing with the pink Alicorn took the aisle seat next to her.

There was something that Seth was also thinking about, aside the wedding. Apparently Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion was going to officiate the occasion, and given the Shiny Milotic that was perched up on the podium next to Gene and two of his Pokémon, Seth guessed that the Milotic was the former Champion.

As for the groom, well he looked pretty nervous, as was to be expected. This was pretty much history in the making, the first official marriage between a human and a Pokémon for a very, very long time and probably the first marriage between two Pokémon ever in Equus history. Seth couldn’t help but have a wide smile on his face

Seth noticed Cynthia give Gene a small nod and then music started to play. The doors opened and a Delphox and Vaporeon walked down the aisle, wearing beautiful flower wreaths and spreading rose petals along the ground. Not long after, a Houndoom trotted down the aisle, a pillow in his mouth holding two beautiful rings and his tail wagged happily.

Then, just as the music begun to repeat, the bride entered the room. Even Seth had to admit that the Gardevoir was absolutely stunning. The wedding dress she wore complimented her normal gown quite nicely. And apparently Gene thought so as well, the Gallade’s eyes were glued to his soon-to-be wife and Seth got the feeling that they currently saw no one else but each other in that moment.

That moment was utterly shattered however, when a pompous-looking Unicorn stallion burst into the room, threatening his way past the Guards at the door and standing in the aisle with a look of utter contempt in his eyes. Belle had dropped her bouquet and looked like she was about to cry, but the stallion didn’t seem to care one bit.

“You!” He snapped, pointing at Gene. “It’s about time I gave you a piece of my mind.”

While Blueblood marched up the aisle, he failed to notice that several beings, including Twilight, Luna, Cadence and Carapace had lit up their horns, while Arceus and Mage’s eyes had begun to glow menacingly. Seth’s eyes were already glowing a golden yellow, Gene and Belle did not deserve this and he would be damned if he didn’t do something about it.

But somepony beat him to the punch as a white Unicorn with an elegantly-styled indigo mane stepped into the aisle, blocking his path to the altar.

“Oh,” he said. “It’s you,” he grunted in annoyance.

Rarity never lost her calm appearance. “Yes it is,” she said. “And just what do you think you’re doing?”

Blueblood scoffed. “That beast humiliated me and this... wedding is the perfect opportunity to put those two in their proper place.”

Rarity glared at Blueblood, and through gritted teeth said. “Surely you’re not serious. You can’t possibly be that... petty.”

The Prince glared at Rarity. “Petty?” He asked. “Ever since these creatures showed up, I haven’t been able to go an hour without seeing one of these things running around, making a mess of things, acting as if they belong here!” As he spoke, everyone in the room glared daggers at the arrogant stallion, especially Arceus, who at this point was contemplating in what way he was going to destroy the arrogant bug. Seth’s body gave a sharp crackle with lightning as the green mare next to him flinched. Rika and Fritter put their arms around him to try and keep him calm.

Throughout all of this, Rarity’s smile had never left her face. Instead it had become colder, more... sadistic. Rika suddenly felt a kindred spirit with this mare. “Well Blueblood,” she began. “I don’t think anyone here cares how you feel, and there is no way in Tartarus I’m letting you ruin this wedding.”

Blueblood scoffed. “You’re going to stop me?” He asked with a laugh. “And just how do you plan on doing that? Going to sick one of your monsters on me?”

“No,” Rarity said, surprising everyone. “I’m just going to do this.”

Rarity’s horn lit up and Blueblood rolled his eyes. “Oh please, what are you-”

*flash*

And just like that, he was gone. Seth’s x-ray vision picked up that he’d been teleported outside, and several feet above the ground, before plummeting all the way into a sewer… what happened to him after that was a scene that Seth could not ever unsee, but felt that it was justified all the same.

Belle had given up on trying to be strong and sobbed quietly from the aisle, Gene wasting no time in rushing to her side to comfort her.

“Why?” She whimpered as Gene pulled his bride into a gentle embrace. “Why does this keep happening?”

“I’m so sorry love,” Gene said, kissing Belle on the forehead. “I wish I knew, but I don’t.” He pulled away slightly and smiled at her. “But I still want to marry you, no matter how many times the wedding doesn’t work out, I will always be willing to try again. So Belle,” He got down on one knee and, still holding her hands, asked something he’d asked two times before and would ask as many times as it took. “Will you marry me?”

Despite what had just transpired, Belle smiled. “Gene,” She said. “You know I’ll always say yes.”

“Awww,” Cresselia and the pink Princess cooed at the same time. Rika nearly vibrated out of her seat, her grin beamed across her face.

Gene smiled and pointed to the band, and the music started up again.

Arms interlocked, Belle and Gene walked down the aisle together, Belle leaning her head on Gene’s shoulder. Her eyes still watery, but a smile on her face.

Upon reaching the altar, the couple separated and the music stopped. Gene nodded to Cynthia, and the Champion began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to play witness to the union of Gene, and Belle,” She paused for a moment. “I think I’ll skip over asking if anyone objects to be safe.” This brought forth a few laughs from the gathered beings. “I know you two have been waiting a long time for this,” Cynthia continued. “Your vows?”

“I’ll start,” Gene said.

“Belle,” He began, reciting from memory. “I’ve known you for a long time now. When I first met you, my intention was to become a trainer, but I could never stand to see you hurt, even before I fell in love with you. And as time passed, and as we grew, our bond started to grow. And when you confessed your love to me, I knew right then and there that I was in love with you too. I had been for some time now, I just didn’t realize it.”

“Belle…” Gene took Belle’s hand in his. “Meeting you was the best thing that could ever have happened to me. Spending time with you each and every day, made me happier and happier. Seeing you smile, even when I’m feeling down, puts a smile on my face. And… in this new world, we can finally live our lives in a new way. The way we always wanted. I love you Belle, and no matter what happens, I will always love you. Through life and death, nothing will ever change that, not even Arceus can change that. So thank you, Belle. Thank you for being the love of my life. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for loving me, and for all that you have done for me. Belle… I love you.” Tears started to fall all throughout the room.

Belle smiled. “Gene…” She began. “When you asked me to join you on your adventure, I was taken back... I didn’t know what to think, even though you were being truthful when you said it was up to me whether to go with you or not. And when I answered yes, I didn’t know that it was going to be the best decision I ever made. I didn’t know that I was going to fall in love with you. I didn’t know that I was going to marry you. All I knew was that you seemed different.”

“And as time moved on, and as I grew closer to you, my feelings for you grew. You were kind, gentle, you never yelled, or blamed me for anything I did wrong. You were my best friend, and soon you became something more. When I first told you that I loved you, I expected you to hate me. To think it was wrong. To think… the love I felt for you was wrong. But I was wrong. You loved me too. You always did. And when you accepted my love, I knew I was going to be happy. I was going to be happy that I found my place in the world. Beside you. And no matter what happens, you will always be my mate. You will always be my love.”

Seth hadn’t realised, but tears had formed in the corners of his eyes, as Fritter and Rika placed their paws and hooves over his own.

Cynthia used her tail to wipe the tears from her eyes. “Fang,” She said. “The rings.”

The Houndoom stepped forward and held the pillow out to Gene and Belle. “Are these...?” Gene asked, eyes wide as he picked up the ring with the green and red gem.

“Courtesy of Lord Arceus and Lady Diancie,” Fang said with a smile.

Cynthia cleared her throat and continued. “Do you, Gene, take Belle to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do you part?”

“I do,” Gene answered immediately, slipping Belle’s Mega Stone onto her ring finger

“And do you Belle, take Gene to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do you part?”

“I do,” Belle answered, sliding the Mega Ring onto Gene’s finger.

“Then by the power vested in me by the sovereign nation of Equestria, with Arceus as my witness,” Cynthia smiled. “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the-”

Cynthia didn’t get to finish her sentence before Gene and Belle had thrown their arms around each other and locked lips.

The applause from the audience, despite its small size, was tremendous, but Gene and Belle didn’t hear any of it. Off in their own little world, where the only thing they knew was each other. They didn’t even notice the light spark from their wedding rings. Or the fact that, for an instant, Belle’s dress split and expanded, and her chest split into two. Or that Gene’s blades expanded while his spike shrunk and a cape unfurled from his shoulders.

The transformation was quick and lasted only for an instant before they returned to normal, most of the attendees didn’t even notice, but Seth? His eyes told a different story, a story that said that this wedding was just one surprise after another.

“Was that? I know that Gardevoir could, but Gallade? Hmm... Interesting…”

The two broke the kiss after a moment and turned to the crowd, both of them smiling. Belle noticed her bouquet still on the ground and floated it back over to her. They still had their reception after all.

*~*

The reception was quite lively, and it didn’t take long for his group to separate and find some others to talk with. Fritter had gone to look for Applejack, eager to catch up with her favourite cousin. Ignis had gone off to see if he could challenge any Legendary Pokémon and Selena had gone to put a quick stop to those shenanigans.

Rika had stayed behind, still worried about her beloved and the fact that he might freak out again. But ever since the wedding, he’d had an odd feeling about him, one the Sylveon couldn’t quite place her paw on.

“So how come you haven’t said hello?” Rika said. “I’m sure that they’d like to see you.”

“I don’t know. I just feel like I’d be interrupting them,” Seth replied. Rika frowned and the wrapped a ribbon around his waist.

“Nonsense, they liked you enough to invite you, so come on!” Seth had no room to refuse as the surprisingly strong Fairy led his across the room and over to Gene and Belle.

The couple had just finished talking to the Infernape from earlier when Seth and Rika approached.

“Hey there lovebirds~” Rika grinned, “Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” Belle smiled. “And thank you for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Seth said. “You guys really deserve this!” He reached into his bag and pulled out a small present. “Sorry it’s not much, I’ve been laid up for the last few days and didn’t have a lot of time to get everything organised.”

Gene thanked him as he took it and noted the bandages on the Luxray. “What happened?”

“Ah, I wouldn’t worry about it.” Seth didn’t want to ruin their day with what he’d just gone through. “It’s all been sorted anyway.”

Gene just nodded before opening the gift, revealing a pair of silver lockets with blue gemstones set in them, placed together so that they looked like a heart.

"Seth, these are beautiful," Belle said, smiling at the Luxray.

"I had a jeweller custom set a Dawn Stone in them," he said with a sheepish grin. "There's an engraving on the back too."

Gene looked at the lockets for a moment more before pulling them out of the box and turning them over and reading the inscription and smiling. “It’s perfect, thank you so much!” Gene said happily. “So what have you been up to since we saw you last? Anything interesting?”

“Well…” Seth smiled coyly. “After talking with Princess Celestia, I’m going to host a Pokémon Contest here in Canterlot.”

“You’re bringing back Contests?” Belle asked, but Seth quickly glanced around to see if anyone heard.

“That’s right, but I’m keeping it a surprise for the moment. I’m going to make an announcement about it once it’s all set up.”

“Well, best of luck then Seth!” Gene said, shaking his paw. “I hope it goes well.”

Seth nodded and bid the couple another round of congratulations before leaving them to other guests that were waiting to talk to them.

“See?” Rika said once they were out of earshot. “I told you everything would be fine.”

“Yeah,” Seth said with a smile as he kissed his little Pokémon. “Thanks Rika.”

“Eheh~” Rika giggled as she sneaked in her own little kiss. “Ooh, have you met with Cynthia yet?”

“No, honestly, I have no idea what I’m supposed to say even if I did,” Seth replied. “Hey there Cynthia, let’s discuss a law that doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Wouldn’t it be funny if she was right behind you?” Rika joked.

“So are you laughing yet?” A voice asked, causing Rika to whirl around and come face-to-face with the Milotic-shaped Champion.

“Cynthia?” Rika asked, and the Shiny Milotic gave her a small nod. She looked at the Luxray, who looked like he’d seen a ghost.

“And you must be the infamous Seth Crescent, we finally meet after all this time.”

“Y-yeah,” Seth said quietly. He was here, he was finally meeting Cynthia... and he had no idea what to say.

“Well, I guess that our main point of meeting is invalid,” the Champion said, looking at the married couple. “I’m so glad to see them happy.”

“Yeah, me too,” Seth agreed. “Though I bet the Rangers would have been a bit more hesitant the last time if Arceus was present.”

“The ones I know?” Cynthia chuckled. “Hmm, they would have tried anyway. They can be stubborn like that.” She slid over next to Seth and looked down at him. “And what about you hmm? What will you do now?”

Seth let out a short laugh. “Ironically enough, I have a job with the Royal Guard here in Canterlot actually. I spend a quarter of my life against the law, and now I work for them...”

“Life can be funny like that,” Cynthia said. “You seem adaptable though, I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”

“Thank you,” Seth smiled. “And how about you? How have you been after the transfer?”

“I’ve been well thank you,” Cynthia replied. “I awoke in an underwater city named Marelantis... And while I have Milotic by my side, the rest of my precious partners have proven to be elusive...” The sea serpent sighed, and for the first time in a while, her confident look faltered. “Not having legs has also been... difficult.”

“I can relate in a way,” Seth said. “I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve tripped, fallen or just stumbled around like I’m drunk. I really am envious of those humans that got a bipedal form.”

“I will certainly have to agree with you Mr. Crescent,” Cynthia nodded. “Also, I heard a rumour about you and Elesa... are you...?”

Seth shook his head, “That ended some time ago actually... amicably though. We’re still friends however.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Cynthia said softly.

“My... pursuits,” Seth closed his eyes as he remembered the day he broke it off with her. “It caused her so much trouble, I couldn’t let her career be destroyed, all because of my reputation.”

“A touchy subject I see, sorry to bring it up.”

“It’s fine,” Seth smiled. “Like I said, we’re still good friends. I actually met her not long after we arrived here.”

“And how’s she doing?” Cynthia asked. She really did miss a lot of her friends. What she wouldn’t give for those days spent at her Undella beach house. Shauntal, Iris, Elesa and Skyla...

“Well, she’s currently off pursuing her career as a DJ,” Seth smiled. “Along with Skyla and a stallion named... hm, I can’t quite remember. Shining Star or something.”

“Sky’s with her as well?” Cynthia perked up. Now she really wished she could have seen them again. “And what Pokémon did they wind up as?”

“Elly was a Flaaffy, but evolved into Ampharos not long before she left. And Skyla’s a Swellow.”

Cynthia laughed arily, “Suitable forms for the both of them, I bet Skyla loves having wings of her own now.”

“Yep!” Seth said as he looked over her form. “I hope they come back soon though, I do miss them.”

“As do I,” Cynthia replied with a sigh. Seth looked at her, and he expected to see an indomitable Champion, one that even the end of the world was just another day. But what he saw was a completely different story. Cynthia was just as lost as everyone else...

“I think... It’ll be a good long while before anyone can adjust to this place.” Seth said, looking over the room filled with Pokémon and Equus residents. “It won’t happen overnight and it certainly won’t be easy... but it’ll happen. We humans and Pokémon are stubborn like that.”

“I believe so too,” Cynthia nodded. “And... it’s a pity that our meeting never happened back on Earth, we could have changed much I believe.”

“As do I,” Seth agreed. “But what’s done is done. So let’s do our best in this world okay?”

“Indeed,” she held out her tail fin and smiled. “Friends?”

Seth’s eyes widened, before he too smiled. He took her fin gently with his paw and nodded. “Friends.”

The two parted and Seth sat down on the floor, taking a deep breath. Rika looked at him and smiled.

“See? That wasn’t so bad was it?”

“Yeah, I guess not...” he turned to his head towards his Pokémon and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks Rika.”

“Hm, well,” Rika cooed. “I’m not complaining, but for what?”

“For being there for me, all of you really. Selly, Ignis, Fritter all of my friends.”

“We have made quite a few since coming here huh?” Rika noted. She spotted Pinkie Pie near the buffet table and after excusing herself from Seth, ran over to the pink mare.

Seth just sat there, listening to the music and just relaxing. Rika was off raiding the sweets table with Pinkie, and Selena and Ignis were dancing. The two looked a little awkward, with Selena having to stand on her hind legs as the two rocked back and forth.

“You ain't much of a dancer huh?” The voice caused Seth’s head to snap up as he saw Apple Fritter standing in front of him. He couldn’t believe how lovely she looked, and as she looked at him with those big, bright eyes, it brought a smile to his face.

“What?” she asked him, wondering if her mane was messed up or something.

“Nothing, just admiring how beautiful you are,” he smiled.

Apple Fritter blushed deeply and looked away. “Y-y’all shouldn’t say stuff like that!”

“If it gets a cute reaction like that, then I’ll say it more often.” Seth laughed and answered her original question. “As for dancing, well I still trip on occasion. Can you imagine the disaster if I tried to dance?”

“Aw fiddlesticks, ah bet you’d pick it up in no time!” Fritter smiled as she grabbed his paw. “Now c’mon!”

Seth just sighed as he was dragged out onto the dance floor, just in time for a slow song to start. He noticed a lot of other couple getting closer, like a Zoroark and a Lucario, and a Blaziken with a Delphox. he also spied two familiar Lucario, wait... was that Korrina?”

“Hey, eyes down here Mister!” Fritter bopped him on the nose. “Now, we’ll take it nice and slow alright? Put yer head over my shoulder like this.” Seth nodded, leaning forward and placing his head over her right shoulder.

“Alright, now ah’m gonna start moving like so. Just mover yer hooves... er, paws like so.” she motioned with her hooves on what to do and Seth followed her lead. Soon, the pair was swaying from side to side in a slow rhythm.

“That’s it, pretty easy right?” Fritter smiled. “Yer a natural.”

“I’m a natural at dancing on four legs? Never thought I’d hear someone say that,” Seth laughed. Though he had to admit, it felt nice. Apple Fritter wore a light perfume, which was of course, apple scented. He just closed his eyes and let the music control his movements.

Fritter hummed along with the music, she was so happy right now. The only dancing she’d done up until now was at the hoedowns at the family reunions. Well... except for that one time with him, but we don’t talk about him, it would just ruin her mood. She never thought that she could like a non-pony, well, maybe except for a Griffin, they were kinda cute, especially that one that visited Appleloosa that one time...

The two barely even noticed the song ending, or Rika watching from the sidelines, feeling both happy, and a little jealous.

*~*

The Dj soon announced the final dance, the bride and groom’s waltz. Everyone took a position around the dance floor as Vinyl placed the specially selected song on the turntable. As it started to play, Seth’s ears perked up. he knew this song.

The dance was flawless, both Gene and Belle were stepping perfectly in time with one another, though Seth figured that a little psychic power was in play for that. What happened next was something totally unexpected.

As the two danced, a pale glow began to surround their bodies, glowing brighter and brighter, but the two Pokémon didn’t even seem to notice.

“It can’t be,” Seth whispered to himself as Gene and Belle begun to transform, and when the two paused in a dip, the transformation was complete.

“Mega evolution?” Seth wondered, “So I wasn’t mistaken during the wedding, Gene really did Mega evolve.”

Ignis was rather jealous, first Selena got to, and now this? But one desire overpowered that as he laid eyes on the Mega Gallade.

“I totally want to fight the Gallade,” he said in an excited whisper, his mate just applying her paw to her face.

The dance started again, with renewed vigour. The two Mega Pokémon provided and stunning and amazing show and once the dance ended, they were showered with thunderous applause.

The time had come for the tossing of the bouquet. Rika happily lined up amongst the plethora of females, while Selena and Fritter opted not to. Some of those girls had a rather crazy look in their eyes and Selly and Fritter wanted no part of that.

Once the flowers were tossed, Rika tried to subtly trip most of her competitors, but wound up underneath Rarity as the bouquet was intercepted by a Dragonair.

“Mwne!” the Dragon mumbled and smiled, looking at a Flygon standing on the sidelines.

“Awwahh...” Rika groaned from under the pile...

*~*

Christine opened an eye lazily as the group walked inside, exhausted, but happy.

“So, you all had a good time I take it?” she asked, before sidestepping a hug from Rika.

“It was perfect,” Seth smiled. “I’m sorry you couldn't come, but you can go to the Gala with us tomorrow if you’d like?”

“With all those unfamiliar faces?” Christine deadpanned. “Yeah, sounds like a blast. Not.”

Ignis gave a powerful yawn and headed to his and Selena’s little place in the barn. “Man, and I still didn’t get to fight that Gallade... I’m goin’ to bed.”

“Fight a Gallade?” Christine questioned.

“A Gallade at the wedding, the groom actually,” Selena muttered.

“He wanted to fight the groom?... At his own wedding?"

“It’s Ignis,” Selena replied dryly, like it was the most obvious answer in the world. “I’m off too, though I won’t be sleeping~”

“To much info Selly,” Seth muttered. Fritter and Rika had already disappeared upstairs, but the Luxray wasn’t all that tired yet. He fetched a pot of coffee, pouring some for himself and for the dragon on the couch, enjoying some idle conversation before bed...

Author's Note

Well, this chapter was fun to write.

tdn - Nice rendition of the wedding. Also, Christine is funny awkward.

The Gala's next... oooh boy.

Side Story - Mercenary Madness

While Seth and the others prepared for the upcoming wedding, Titania, member of the infamous guild Checkmate, had better things to do. The last few days had been quite enjoyable to say the least. Seth had gotten her a job at a clothing boutique and truth be told, she was enjoying herself quite a bit.

Well, that or she’d gone totally mad from sitting at home all day with nothing to do.

She made her way through the streets of Canterlot, eventually arriving at the small establishment. The owner, Button Belle, also known as Suri Polomare, was already hard at work with new designs.

“Ah, morning Titania,” the Earth Pony mare greeted. “Just in time actually. Could you pass me that fabric over there?”

“This one?” the fairy took the roll and handed it to the mare. “So what are we doing today?”

“We have just two orders to fill, and I’m nearly done with the first.” Suri placed the simple dress on the clotheshorse. “Then the real fun can start. We can begin on our Pokemon designs.”

The two began to hum as they worked, and it eventually turned into a full-blown song. Turns out that Titania had quite a lovely singing voice.

♫Piece by piece, snip by snip
Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip
Thread by thread, primmed and pressed
Yard by yard, never stressed
And that's the art of the dress!♪

Finally, something to really look forward to. Heh, nothing could ruin the day at this point!

As she was looking forward for her fun, a couple voices could be heard walking into the store.

“Come one, you will look lovely!” A sassy voice said while trying to convince her companion, which was more relentless of the idea despite wearing a skirt already.

“I will not, Bisharps are supposed to look intimidating and strong, not lovely!” Refuted the companion, although she didn’t seemed to try to run away from her fate.

The insistent one was about to try to convince her once again when she suddenly caught the tune currently being sung.

“Well, it seems it is true, Ponies do like to sing at the drop of the hat” She said.

“I can’t believe such report was true…” admitted the recent one as they walked toward the source of the song.

Titania pirouetted out into the shop front, so utterly lost in the song that she didn’t even see just who had walked in.

♫And that’s the art of the drrreessssss!!♪ She sang and opened her eyes to see who was here.

The silence was utterly deafening…

“Isn’t this a small world?” One of the clients asked with comprehensible surprise.

Titania strained a smile. Maybe they didn’t recognize her? Yeah, that was it. No way they would be here. “W-welcome to B-Buttonbelle Boutique,” she stammered. “W-what can I get you?”

“... long time none seen Fairy Queen,” the other one deadpanned, although a smile started to form on her features while her companion giggled beside her.

“F-Fairy Queen? Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Titania bluffed. Of all the members of Checkmate, why? Why did it have to be these two!?

Before her stood a Pokemon couple, one looked like a kangaroo-like bunny and an armored humanoid creature. The bunny wore a small white handkerchief around the neck and a huge smile on her face while the armored one had what seemed to be a skirt made out of metal and a sword hanging on her hip, a red bandana resting on her left arm.

The Lopunny began to laugh hysterically as the Bisharp raising a hand in salute for the Fairy Queen.

“How have you been Titania?” she friendly asked while holding her mate from hitting the ground out of laugh.

“Titania? I don’t know that name,” the Florges huffed.

“Titania?” Suri called, walking into the room. “Do we have customers?”

“Arceus damn it!”

As the Bisharp noticed Suri, she give her a serious but elegant salute.

“Good evening ma’am, we apologize for our sudden intrusion.”

“This… is… is just gold!” The Lopunny added on her end as she continued to laugh.

“Would you shut up cotton brain!” Titania snapped, blushing a furious red. She was never gonna live this down. “What are you two doing here? Did Weiss send you or something?”

“Hey! Is that way to say hello to your team after so long!?” Replied the Lopunny with a very well acted hurt pride.

“Actually, we are here because of the Summit, we are currently contracted by the Griffin Empire.” The Bisharp explained with a bit of shame. “But hasn’t Weiss passed through here already?”

Titania blinked, and the two mercenaries could see her rage build. “He passed through... and didn’t even bother to look for me? That insufferable, little... GAH!!”

Both females took a step away of the comprehensibly angry fairy.

“A report did mention that he passed through here at a rather hastened pace… and Xavier wasn’t available at the time.” Explained the Bisharp.

“By report we meant the princess of this land, she said something about him assaulting her in her chambers.” Added the Lopunny.

“Seriously?” Titania facepalmed. “That child has no decor whatsoever. Would it kill any member of our guild to show a little elegance sometimes?”

“Some of us do have some elegance, mind you. But not all of us can have the grace you have, like the one you used during your performance a minute ago?” teased the Lopunny, causing her companion to smile.

“Drop it, rabbit,” Titania growled. “If you tell anyone what you saw, I will turn your ears into a fancy scarf.” Titania took a deep breath and sighed. “Okay, so let’s begin again. How have you two lovebirds been?”

“I would like to see you try bouquet” replied the Lopunny with a sinister grin, only to receive a gentle touch from her mate.

“We have been fine, as I said we appeared in the empire and we managed to impress the Empress to the point we now work for her,” replied the Steel-type.

“Are these friends of yours?” Suri asked. Titania nodded and motioned towards them. “This is Shredder, a Bisharp and leader of the Queens rank, while Roll here is a Lopunny and leader of the Bishop rank.”

“Oh, so guildmates of yours hmm?” Suri looked them over and nodded. “Well, I think they'll make wonderful test subjects don’t you think Lady Titania?”

Titania had a wicked smile across her face. “Oh yes, that is a wonderful idea Miss Polomare.”

“... Okay, it's good to have found you after so long but look at the time! We have to go,” stammered Shredder, but suddenly Roll reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Now we're talking Bouquet, what do you two have in mind?”

“Oh! We have so much to discuss darling, do stay and tell me what you’ve been up to. My life has been quite exciting as well.”

“I will love to hear all of it!” Said Roll as she pulled Shredder by the arm further inside the store.

A livid color adorned the fierce warrior as she tried in vain to break free.

“So, have I told you just ‘who’ i have been living with these last few weeks?” Titania said as she took Shredder’s measurements.

“O-oi! what are you doing you cur?” Exclaimed Shredder.

“And who would that be?” Asked Roll with sincere curiosity as she make sure her mate keep still.

“Just a former human by the name of... Seth Crescent,” the Florgess chuckled. Then she took a swatch of colours and begun to match them up against the Bisharp.

“Crescent… Crescent…” Roll began to say as she tried to remember the owner of the name. “Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.” Meanwhile she began to move towards Shredder’s skirt.

“Seth C-Crescent…? As in the one who promoted human/Pokemon relationship-Kyaaaa!” The mercenary tried to explain but ended in a cute scream as her mate removed her battle skirt and sword with one swift move, leaving her waist, legs and rear completely exposed.

Is needless to say she was now red(er) with embarrassment.

“That’s the one,” Titania giggled at the Bisharp’s plight. “You should have seen his face when I said that we were to kill him... well, until the point I was handed a sound defeat at the paws of his Sylveon...” Suri fetched some fabric while Titania begun to draw up some basic designs.

“You lost to a cute little Sylveon!” exclaimed Roll as she laugh.

Shredder on her end was very silent, and red, and steaming.

“But you know…” continued Roll as she clean a tear from her eye. “You totally looked for that one. I mean, I didn’t remember the name so that meant we declined the job right?” Shred nodded. “So why did you pick a bone on him in such way?”

“I wanted to see his reaction,” Titania mused. “I didn’t expect his Pokemon to rival a Champion’s... but that is the past. We are friends now... to an extent.” Titania’s hand brushed up against Shredder’s leg. “Why must you always wear those skirts when you have such lovely legs?”

“Kyaaa! I-i-i-its none of your business!” The Bisharp stammered once again. “And will you please restrain your need to touch me?”

“Well, I guess there isn't much to be said then.” Replied Roll. “You're a bodyguard after all, there wasn’t much you could have done… but do not let Simon know. He wouldn’t let you go without a day of his training.” She then teased her mate by brushing a paw by her legs as she said. “And you know she has gorgeous legs, with all that training she does is impossible for to be this sexy!”

Shredder was becoming more and more like a Voltrob ready explode, she was even steaming as if she would.

“True enough, not exactly my taste... I like mine a little more... submissive,” Titania purred. “Now, let’s see about adding a little style to that armour of yours hmm?”

She took several articles of clothing off of the wall, each more elegant than the last. “Okay, how about this dress to start with?” It was a vibrant crimson and black dress, one that complimented her colours nicely, plus it was sleeveless, so it wouldn’t get hooked on her blades.

At the sight of the picture, Shredder finally released a huge amount of steam, filling the room with it. As soon as she did this she make a run for it. Only to be caught right away by Roll.

“Oh no you don’t lady! You need to diversify your wardrobe a bit more!” The Rabbit Pokemon pull her back into the store as she also added. “Besides, you wouldn’t like to go outside without your skirt right?”

Shredder then looked frantically for her garment, only to find the floor empty. “Where did you put my sk-armor!?” she asked.

“You blinked,” was all Roll gave for an answer. “Now will you do this by the easy way, or will you like me to use the hard way.” and then whispered, “and you know how good I am at tying you up.”

Finally, and utterly red, Shredder admit defeat. “D-do as you like…!”

“Good!” She then turned to Titania and Suri, “you know, we should use something on her neck as well, so her elbows show a bit more.”

“Hmm, I have a choker that matches that dress,” Suri replied. “I also have this dress, it has a short, pleated skirt, so you can still wear that metal one underneath as an extension.” Suri admired the skirt that the Bisharp had been wearing, it was very well made, though quite heavy. Did she really wear this all the time? Wait! Was this Orichalcum!?

“Oh look at it, it will fit your figure just perfectly!” Roll admitted while Shredder just keep her blush under check. “But how come you have these kinds of clothing designs? I don’t see many ponies wearing clothes, let alone this kind.” Although Roll have to admit that Canterlot ponies did seem to wear more clothing than the average pony.

“I, um,” Titania blushed heavily as she placed the dress down. “I... made these myself...” And there it was, her big secret was out that that rabbit was just gonna laugh in her face again.

“... Say again?” asked Roll with an astonished voice. Shredder seemed impressed as well, although her current embarrassment didn’t let her say anything.

“I made these,” Titania confirmed with a little more vigor. “This is the job that Seth found for me. I design and make clothes for ponies and Pokemon now.”

“...” Now was Roll who didn’t say a thing. She slowly took a look at the other designs, examining each and every one of them. Finally she looked up at her comrade and asked. “Since when did you like designing these?”

“For a while now,” Titania replied quietly. “The life of a mercenary doesn’t allow flights of fancy like these though... they aren’t even that good...”

“Nonsense,” Suri replied. “Your designs are beautiful, right ladies?”

Shredder nodded slowly, not too convinced herself, though Roll on her end didn’t seemed to be impressed, but wasn't disgusted either.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” She asked as she continued to look through the designs, there weren't many but they surely showed much care for style and details without losing functionality or commodity. Certainly, there was love for the craft.

“I don’t know...” Titania admitted. “Why doesn’t Edge ever tell anyone it’s her that steals everyone’s Berries in the middle of the night?”

“... I knew it!” Proclaimed Shredder, who seemed to start getting over her embarrassment. “And she told me Berries just vanished after a while, but those things couldn’t just disappear… although they do grow in a flash...”

“Did you think we wouldn’t like you doing this?” Asked Roll again with a similar tone. “That we will make fun of you?”

“Probably,” Titania replied as she took measurements to adjust the dress to fit Shredder. The truth was, she was scared that the others would reject her for it. She knew she had a ‘slight’ attitude, and didn’t really want to fuel the flames anymore than necessary.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Roll coldly asked. “We joke with one another, we make fun of one another, heck! Simon has broken more of our bones than all our missions combined!” She then make Titania look at her directly as she continued. “I am ashamed to think we would shun you for this! We have fought together, bled together and even fought ourselves for the most stupid and silly of things but still we managed to stay together!” And then, without any notice, she hugged the Florges tightly. “We are family you fool!”

At the same moment, Shredder placed a hand over the Fairy-type’s head. “There is no way we would hate you for who you are, especially when you seem to try your best for it.” She joked. “And as girly as these designs are… the-they are quite...pretty.” She said at the end with a small voice.

Titania smiled, returning the hug and pulling Shredder into it as well. “Thank you, that means a lot to me.” she laughed arily, “That said, I guess I was only really worried about a few of you... the rest, not so much. Simon wouldn’t know good fashion if it jumped up and bit them.” She sent a smile towards Shredder, “Now let’s see about getting you into that dress~”

“...So I will still be put into that dress?” Asked Shredder with little excitement.

“Aw, that’s cute,” Titania cooed. “You thought I forgot? Sorry darling, but dressing you up has been on my long term goals list. And I’m sure your little bunny here isn’t going to complain either~”

“You can bet your shiny ass on it!” Proudly replied the little bunny, and then they began to laugh, although Shredder wasn’t laughing.

It took a little around half an hour to make the necessary adjustments to the dress. She just had to shorten the skirt ever-so-slightly and tighten the waist, Titania wondered if she had Shredder in mind when she made it in the first place.

Soon enough, the Bisharp was given the completed article and shown the change rooms.

“...What if I ‘accidentally’ cut it with my blades?” Asked Shredder in a last attempt to break free of the fashion they were planning to put on her.

“Then I will be forced to do unspeakable things to you,” Titania replied dryly. “So you best be careful...”

With nothing else to say, Shredder make her way into the changing room.

“...But why do I have to change here? I am already naked…” she said to herself, only to burst into more steam. “BY ARCEUS! I BEEN NAKED ALL THIS TIME!” Without her armor skirt, she had no other choice but to use the clothes Titania had made for her.

“...This is… surprisingly easy to wear…” she admitted as she began to place it over her body, been as careful as possible to not scratch the silk with the blades on her chest.

Meanwhile outside, Roll decided to catch up with the fairy queen. For real this time.

“And how is life with that former human?” She asked.

“Not too bad,” Titania admitted. “It was a little rough to begin with, and that Sylveon terrifies me... not to mention the troubles that seem to follow that human around like a lost Growlithe. Life with the Guild was more... excitable, to say the least.”

“That doesn’t sound bad.” Roll admitted. “I would say you seem to have enjoyed your time so far. But tell me; is this Sylveon really that strong? I mean beat you is one thing, but to make you afraid of it?”

“Lady Rika is not to be trifled with,” Titania replied with a serious tone. “It wasn’t that she defeated me... she... well she did it in two moves! I had no chance of survival. And yet, she is considered to be the weakest of Seth’s Pokemon, should we have carried out our job against him, well, we would have won, but not without loss.”

“Okay, you can think that.” Replied Roll with a chuckle, “but you also need to work out a bit more. In fact, I could go and get even with her if you want.” She proposed. “What do you think?”

“It would be a shame to our guild not to do so.” Come Shredder’s voice from inside the changing room.

“No, we’re friends now,” Titania replied. Besides, she didn’t want them hearing that she was defeated by a kiss. “H-how’s that dress coming along dear Shredder?”

“A-almost done… the ch-chest is a bit tight though…” She commented from inside with a bit of shame, Roll on her end seemed to blush at the thought, she even bleed a little from the nose.

“Do you need any help then!?” Roll promptly asked.

“I can make any adjustments that are necessary,” Titania said as Suri walked back in with Shredder’s skirt and a camera around her neck. It wasn’t everyday you got to see Griffin work as fine as this.

“I-I AM FINE!” Shredder quickly replied, but then gave up just as quickly, “but I think some adjustments are needed.”

“Well, step out here so I can see,” Titania said irritably. “Honestly, you’re acting like a hatchling. you’re worse than Edge about this.”

“Okay then…!” Said Roll way to happy to help take the dress off, I mean, to properly adjust it.

“You seem, quite enthusiastic,” Titania chuckled. “It’s good to see the move hasn’t affected your relationship.” She saw Shredder’s look and shrugged, “Sorry darling, but she’s your mate, not mine.”

Roll properly cleaned the drool coming from her mouth and replied, “Why will it change?” She asked as enter the changing booth, devilishly grinning as she did so. “It's not like we were the ones who changed or anything, besides we never had a physical place to call our home.” As she talk, there were moans coming from the changing room and slowly growing in intensity. “But, I guess we do have one now, in the empire I mean.”

Roll then come out while Shredder hold her bust with both arms, a slightly frustrated look on her face.

Titania frowned and tilted her head as she took the dress and looked it over. “Do i really want to know what you two did in there?”

“I just ‘adjusted’ the chest.” Replied Roll with a innocent smile.

“You were supposed to adjust the dress’ chest!” Shredder shouted back with a blushing expression.

“Honestly,” Titania sighed as she took the dress to a sewing machine and begun to make the adjustments to the bust size. “I love you girls, but can you not molest one another in my workplace?”

“Jealous?” Suri teased as Titania blushed bright red, and had to unpick several misplaced stitches.

“H-hardly, I have little interest in love! It’s such a bother.”

“And I didn’t molest her!” Proclaimed Roll, “I just fondled her.”

“~ahem~” Once the ~~arousal~~ embarrassment was over, Shredder calmed down and said. “As annoying as some love can be, there is nothing wrong to find the happiness meant just for oneself.” She then placed herself in front of Titania and continued, “So you shouldn't be afraid of looking for that special someone for yourself.”

“And yet the one male in my life is taken... by more than one,” Titania muttered. “Well, you’re advice has been heard and I’ll take it into consideration.” She finished the final adjustments and held out the dress. “There, all done.”

Less restless than before, Shredder took the gown and once again put it over her body.

“Well look at you, you look so gorgeous!” Said Roll as she took her mate to a nearby mirror.

“It is quite well made” Shredder admitted, “But I still think it’s quite girly…”

Then the couple froze in place as they seemed to realize something yet they were slow to process, finally and at perfect unison they jumped beside their friend and exclaimed.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN TAKEN BY MORE THAN ONE!?” They both shout.

Titania yelped and covered her ears. “Ladies, while it doesn’t often look like it, I have ears and they work quite well.” She sighed as she sat back down and straightened her flowers. “And yes, Mr. Crescent is not only involved with his Sylveon, but the mare we are staying with as well. As it turns out, polygamous relationships are both legal and encouraged here in Equestria.”

The couple needed another moment to process the information.

“You mean the same Crescent of before? The former human? The man who always said he was fighting for the rights of every mon in the world despite not being into that himself, that Seth Crescent? ...That man has some guts.” Finally said Roll.

“Well, I- we are sorry to hear about this, but I have to inquire; how’d that happened?” Asked Shredder.

“It’s not like I like him or anything,” Titania blushed. “He’s human for crying out loud, but... well I didn’t take into account that Seth is so insufferably nice... I said I’d kill him, and he spends most of his free time trying to be my friend! What the hell is up with that!?”

“Well, for starters, I know of a relationship which began just like that, if not worse.” Replied Shredder, and for the first time that morning, it was Roll who looked embarrassed, frustrated and silent. “It’s precisely because of that kindness one can get to see not only how good that person is, while also” she then gave Roll a quick glance, “you get to know just how good oneself really is. I presume that is what made you interested in him.”

“I never said I was interested,” Titania blushed. “And he already has two females, how that beautiful Adonis of a Luxray got so lucky is beyond me...” She saw the looks that Roll and Shredder were giving her. “I’m just going to shut up now...”

“Oh no you won't!” Proclaimed Roll as she pulled a chair and sat beside her friend.

Shredder standing beside her as both of them had the same look on their faces ‘Now you are going to tell us everything.’

“Nope! Not gonna happen!” Titania folded her arms. Suri just chuckled as she continued to sew.

“Oh come on! I wanna know more about this ‘beautiful Adonis of a Luxray’ of yours.” Teased Roll. “Is he the meek type? No that can’t be, he was a rights fighter after all, Oh I know! He is the oh so gentle knight in shining armour?”

“I said we’re friends, so drop it,” Titania said, seriously? Why it it have to be these two!?

“I am wearing a dress because of you, your dress mind you, so I think we deserve something in exchange.” Said Shredder with a very adamant tone. “I deserve to know!”

“Urgh, fine!” Titania sighed and got up to fetch some tea. She could feel the headache coming already. “What do you want to know?”

“How about the start?” Roll chirped in. “How did you notice you were attracted to him?”

“I am not attracted to him, he’s cute and we’ll leave it at that. But...” Titania sighed as she sipped her tea. “If you hadn’t noticed, I sometimes have trouble relating to others...”

The looks she received could have stripped paint from the walls.

“But no matter how I acted, he always tried his hardest to make me feel welcome...” She sipped at her tea again, “I ran off at some point and the idiot tried to follow me... mind you, he got brainwashed by some Malamar and that led to all sorts of trouble...”

“Wow, wow! Brainwashing! Girl, you don’t sit idly by here. What happened?” Asked Roll with excitement and curiosity, or as Ness liked to call it: gossipneed.

Titania chuckled, “Alright, alright. Some Unicorn stallion got it into his head that he could brainwash Pokemon and help him steal stuff. The Malamar was helping him with that. A lot of things went down and Seth’s group and I split up to tackle three different locations. I handled some mansion, while the Champion Diantha went to the airship docks... Seth’s Pokemon were left to rescue him.” She paused to take a sip of her tea and poured some for Roll and Shredder. “I had to fight the Malamar... took a freaking piano to the face, but I eventually crushed him... right before he used Destiny Bond.” Titania was still sore about that.

“Cheap trick.” Commented Shredder as she took a seat beside them girls and a sip of her tea.

“A piano?” Said Roll, “Are you sure you aren’t working for other guild? Because this sounds like OUR daily basis.”

“I know right,” Titania moaned. “And it turns out that Seth had set the pony up from the word go. He was just pretending to be controlled so he’d be taken right to him. But now that pony bastard is rotting in prison and all the controlled Pokemon have been healed, even the Malamar.”

“That sounds like quite adventure and all, but we still want to know how did this flower of yours bloom.” Explained Roll while Shredder nodded over her tea.

“...When he visited me in the hospital after that, I was the first one he came to see apparently. But afterwards...” She wasn’t sure how they were gonna take this next part. “It was when I was considering on leaving the Guild...’ He talked with me, listened to what I had to say and offered sound advice... I guess, that might have been it.”

Shredder let out a sigh, “So you have you have your doubts as well?” She asked.

“Is it wrong to look for happiness with one’s beloved?” Roll asked back.

“This is not the place for that…” Replied the Bisharp while adding, “and what did you think that moment to figure such thing out?”

“I’m... content where I am right now,” Titania replied. “I like doing what I’m doing and if there’s trouble in Canterlot, then I can assist with that too.” She sighed as she put down her teacup. “When you see Alexander again... tell him sorry, but I’m handing in my resignation as a member of Checkmate.”

“You will need a good explanation for him…” Answered Shredder as she placed her hand at her head, as if she could foresee a future pain. “You know how he is.”

“The 'I found my valiant knight' works on him.” Suggested Roll.

“You’re kidding?” Titania deadpanned. “How about, we just don’t tell him where I am and we’ll be peachy...” Then a thought occurred to her, a dreaded thought. “Except I sent that bloody letter to every city on the continent...”

“I presume that will be your responsibility if he suddenly appears in your door.” Joked Roll.

“...You really need to get that mon by then or he isn’t letting you go.” Not joked Shredder.

“But I still don’t know how did you fall for him, what did he tell you?” Returned Roll to the previous topic.

“It’s not really any particular one thing that he said,” Titania replied. “I left Parfum Palace because the life there was stifling and boring, Checkmate offered the complete opposite of that, a life of adventure, excitement... and one that my hobby didn’t seem to fit into.” The Florges sighed as he drained her teacup, “I should have told you sooner I guess, but like I said, I don’t love Seth... not like Ms. Fritter and Lady Rika do. I do respect him however.”

“Respect him enough to look this sad when talking about him.” Added Shredder with a surprisingly suggestive tone. “What? I can see things like this too you know?” She replied to the other two.

“Yes, well, let’s say my tastes are not so... closed in terms of options either,” Titania replied as she thought about another that often occupied her thoughts. “Now, I have two outfits to alter for you Shredder... but you Roll, you will need something as well, something more... intimate~”

They had seen what garments Titania could create, and had no idea what Titania had in mind yet and Shredder already spít her tea once.

“This sounds promising already.” Commented Roll at her mate’s mere reaction.

Titania pulled out her sketchbook and begun to quickly draw up some designs. “I haven’t been here long, so Shredder’s dress is the only garment I have actually made...” After a few minutes, she showed off three designs, all of which were sketches of Roll.

“The first is some everyday wear,” It consisted of a loose, sleeveless top and a short ruffled skirt. “Roll never sits still and something that would prevent her movements would be ruined in moments, so this I think, should suffice.”

She flipped the page and let the second image sink in. One of Roll in some elaborate and very risque lingerie. “Second is some evening wear... one that I trust that Shredder here would approve of hmm?”

Then one of the cups hit the ground, breaking into several pieces while Shredder just turn into a statue, a very red and steaming statue.

“... I think she likes it,” was all Roll said. “So I will ask you for three of those, also; do happen to had something more comfortable? To wear around children and alike.” She asked.

Titania nodded and begun to draw once again. She soon showed them a design that had a long skirt with slits up either side so movement wouldn’t be restricted. A shirt with long sleeves and a large apron to finish the ensemble.

“Will this work?” she asked.

“It doesn’t look bad…” Roll admitted, “But… can it be a bit more resistant and ease to clean?”

“I can use a fabric that is both durable and can be cleaned quite easily....” Titania voice trailed off as a thought came to mind. “Roll dear, may I ask why you want something that will be used with children?” A small smirk crossed her face, “I don’t suppose the two of you have something to tell me hmm?”

A cracking sound could be heard coming from the statue which was Shredder, yet it remained still.

“I wish there was something like ‘that’ I could tell you. No, what is happening is that I am currently working on an orphanage, so I tend many children everyday. So I was looking for something comfortable, ease to wear and endurable for a bunch of cute little but energetic Griffon chicks.” She explained.

“Well, perhaps someday then?” Titania sighed as she idly flipped the page, showing Roll in a beautiful, full length wedding dress.

Before Titania or Roll could react, the notebook was snatched from their hands and was currently been gazed at lovingly by Shredder.

“So… so beautiful…” She quietly said, while she also began to make a few realizations and ideas as she imagined Roll in said wedding dress, Roll with the apron on from before while also sporting a slightly bigger tummy and finally Roll and her playing with a small Bunnery. “That… would be quite nice…” She said still to herself while also using a free arm to hug the Lopunny sitting beside her.

“Hmm, I drew that on a whim, but I guess you approve that it as well?” Titania hummed. “It’s a rough sketch, but should this little event ever occur, I do hope you’d allow me the pleasure of designing your dress, dear Roll.”

“Only if you give us a discount,” Teased the rabbit as she enjoyed the sight of her mate simply lost on happy thoughts. “But I have to thank you.” She added.

“I would do it for free dear,” Titania said with a slight huff. “But thank me for what exactly?”

“For this,” Roll replied while still looking at the still smiling and dreaming face of her girlfriend. “This is the first time I feel completely sure I will convince her of quitting as well.” She explained.

“Just do whatever makes you two happy,” Titania said. Suri walked over and placed a hoof on Titania’s shoulder. “You three can go for lunch if you like, it’s probably going to be a slow day today.”

Titania nodded and as she got up, the door bell chimed as two Pokemon and a pony walked in. A large Luxray, a petite Sylveon and a yellow Earth Pony with an emerald green mane and tail.

“Seth!?” Titania blurted out.

“Hey Tani!” Seth waved back and spied the Lopunny and Bisharp. “Friends of yours?”

As soon as the name ‘Seth’ was said, two blurs moved around the shop, one being Roll who moved around the trio of newcomers while the other was Shredder, who frantically looked around for her skirt armor and hide inside the changing room as soon as she had found it.

“Well, I can start with the obvious: he IS very large!” Commented Roll as she looked at the Luxray more properly and still this time.

Seth blinked, he’d seen the Bisharp and Lopunny one moment, then they blurred and the Lopunny was standing next to him all of a sudden. They were fast.

“Uh, can I help you Miss...?” Seth asked, not sure on what to make of this situation.

“Roll.” Roll replied with a rather gentle tone, although she didn’t offer her hand or anything, at all she was still looking at the Gleam Eyes Pokemon with scrutiny. “You could say I am her friend, family and former comrade.”

Seth processed that sentence for a moment. “So, you’re a member of Checkmate then?” Those words caused the Sylveon to flinch and she took a defensive stance. Even the Earth Pony tensed up slightly.

“Oh how cute!” She sarcastically added. “They are worried of you…” And then her body itself blinked for less than a second, only to reappear right before Seth, mere centimeters of him.

Seth whistled and nodded his head, “Ooh, you’re good. If Ignis were here, he’d probably want a match with you, and the Bisharp in the changing room who has her skirt on backwards.”

“...You do realize you just touched a very sensible topic right?” Roll asked with surprise as a look of ‘it was nice meeting you’ could be seen in her eyes.

At the same time the changing room’s doors opened in a single yet slow motion while the whole shop was filled with could only be described by a killing intent so thick, one could almost see it as the whole place turned slightly darker.

“Um, have I said something I should not?” Seth inquired as Rika stood in front of him, readying a Protect.

Roll didn’t said a thing as she let her mate explain herself.

Shredder on her end just walked from the changing room towards Seth, finally stopping right in front of him while not seeming to care about Rika. She then raised her hand in one swift move and aimed toward the only male in the room.

Rika’s Protect flared to life, the green barrier could deflect any attack coming at him.

Still ignoring Rika and her construct, Shredder hand continued to move towards Seth, inevitably hitting the Protect on the way. Sparkles shone from the collision and continued to do so as Shredder’s claw continued to push it. Soon the sparkles were joined by sparks coming by the mere friction as the wall of pure energy began to retreat under Shredder hand and imposing gaze, both determined to reach their target. Finally the unthinkable happened.

The Protect broke.

As a small shower of green sparkles showered the trio, Shredder hand finally reached its destination right before the Luxray’s chest, and then…

“Shredder… pleased to meet you.” Politely but very seriously said the female Bisharp.

“S-she... she broke... what?” Rika just stood there blinking. “H-how...?”

“I appear to have insulted you and for that, I am sorry.” Seth bowed his head respectfully. “My name is Seth Crescent, a pleasure to meet both of you.” He took Shredder’s hand in his paw and kissed it gently.

“I suppose I should have shown some restraint as well.” Shredder replied with the same tone of before while her claws closed around Seth’s paw, although Roll didn’t take the kissing part. “After all, is not like you just happen to be some peeping tom who likes to put pure maidens in shame while looking at their bodies with those inquisitive lewd eyes of yours.” At each word, Shredder hands continued to close her grip over the soft paw. “But I digress, I am sure you have known better by now and will more likely remember not to do such a deranged thing ever again on the rest of your life. Specially before such adorable ladies… am I right?” She asked with a cold tone, her claws still closing.

“You are most correct and you do have my deepest apologies,” Seth replied. He hoped that she would also remember that she was literally holding onto a living thundercloud as well. “Any friends of Tani’s are friends of mine as well.”

“Oh, yes, there is also that.” Another wave of pressure came to her grip, almost to the point one could start to hear something cracking, but she finally let go of her prey. Very slowly. “We are thankful that you have taken care of our comrade for now, giving her food and shelter even after all she has done and how she normally acts.” Halfway through, Roll on her end was doing her best not to burst out laughing. “So I am happy to inform you that your time having to tend her are over, now that we have properly come to bring her back with us that’s it.” She finally let go of his paw.

“Now then, weren’t we going to talk about that?” Shredder inquired while looking at Roll, her mate caught on right away and pulled the Fairy-type away and out of the story.

“Right you are, now, its been a pleasure knowing you all, see ya!” She quickly added while leaving the place with her ‘comrade’ in tow and her mate besides her while soundlessly saying, ‘just play along!’

“You’re leaving?” Seth asked, looking a little down. “Just like that?”

“Well I uh...” Titania was so damned confused. What the hell were Roll and Shredder playing at?

“You can’t take Tani away!” Rika said adamantly, standing in the doorway. “I won’t let you!!”

A fury and shame powered Glare come from Shredder as she looked upon the Sylveon, which she proceeded to pick up like a puppy and then place to the side.

“I am sorry, but we have a very tight schedule.” Was all she said as the mercenary ‘trio’ left the place. Just as they give them their backs, Shredder began to motion a silent count. ‘Three, two, one!’

And as soon as they left, the door swung open as the other trio followed them. “Now just hold on a second. I want an explanation dammit!” he ran past them and blocked their path. “Titania? Are you really leaving with them?”

“W-well, they are my family,” she replied. Roll and Shredder had a good deal of explaining to do after this debacle.

“And we’re not?” Seth asked. “I thought that you’d say good bye at the very least...”

“And you don’t just pick me up like that!” Rika shouted. “I’m not some sort of pet you carry around!”

Another Glare was shot at Rika’s way.

“Well, I don’t remember her being of your domain to decide young man, besides…” She looked at both her companions, “don’t you have enough ladies already?”

“Whether Titania goes with you is up to her, I’m not stopping her, I just want to hear the words from her mouth,” Seth replied calmly, though a small blush graced his cheeks. “Titania is my friend, and I only wish for her happiness.”

“Seth...” Titania replied.

“So tell me,” he said. “Is this really goodbye?”

“I... I don’t know,” Titania replied quietly. “I don’t know what I should do anymore!”

“This seem to be quite troublesome for her indeed…” Began Shredder. “More the reason for us to leave before this becomes a hinder on her performance, so if you excuse us.”

“Performance?” Seth questioned.

Without anything else to say, the female trio walk passed the Luxray. Seth raised a paw and put it on the hem of Shredder’s skirt. “I don’t believe we’re done here yet Miss Shredder.” Yet as soon as he finished her sentence, Seth found himself upside down on the ground and a few feet away of them.

“Please excuse my rudeness, but as I said we have a schedule to follow.” And left.

Roll took this chance, when everyone where looking at Shredder and Seth, to fill Titania in the best she could given the circumstances. “You wanna see what he thinks about you?” was the best she could say in the short amount of time.

“You have got to be kidding me?” Titania groaned as she was dragged off by the Lopunny.

Rika helped her Luxray up as he shook his head. “Okay, they’re pretty good...” he groaned as he sniffed the air, catching the potent scent of Titania’s perfume. “But so are we.”

“Should I help?” Fritter asked and Seth nodded.

“Just be careful, these two are a lot stronger than Titania... maybe I should send for Ignis and Selena?”

“Ah’ll go and get them,” Fritter nodded. “Stay safe Seth, you too Rika.”

“They just kidnapped Tani! I’m gonna turn that Bisharp into a toaster!” Rika growled. The Glare had worn off thanks to her Heal Bell, and she had a Moon Blast with Shredder’s name on it. “Let’s hunt us some Chess pieces!”

A fair distance away, Titania finally slowed down. “For the love of... Would you two stop already!”

“We are away enough so I think the charade is no longer useful.” Replied Shredder but she didn’t stop while making her way through the city.

“Come on, even you have to admit this is exciting?” Teased Roll to the Fairy-type. “And I am sure your heart fluttered for a second back there!” She joyfully added.

“Do you honestly think I would admit that...” Titania sighed as she facepalmed. “And I just did...” She looked back down the street and sighed. “You realise you probably made them mad right?” Then a thought occurred to her and she looked at them, “I will warn you now though... please do not treat that Sylveon as a pet anymore either... I do not want to design funeral clothing for you.”

“I don’t know, she looks great in black,” Said Roll nonchalantly as she points at Shredder while they finally made their way to their destination: Canterlot’s palace. “Now let’s see how much does he care for you for real!”

“This will be a nice first trial for my own team.” Added Shredder as they were greeted by a different guard, these were Griffon guards from Griffienhiem’s empire and members of the newly formed Pokemon troops. “By the way, you mentioned Mister Crescent's family is big, so I presume he has more than his Sylveon right now. So what else should we be waiting for?” She said while greeting the guards.

“Selena, an Absol with a few unique tricks, and Ignis, his Charizard.” Titania informed them as they walked. “Ignis is the most powerful and has defeated both a Champion’s Pokemon and even a Legendary... I’d not underestimate them.”

Somewhere else, a certain Noivern felt the need to dig her fangs on a certain couple.

“An interesting team.” Said Shredder as she give a few orders to the Griffin. “I guess I should have brought my whole army, ah well, I presume Alberich’s group will receive their fire baptism another day.”

“I am sure they can handle them, and even if they can’t, there is still us.” Proclaimed Roll, but didn’t seemed as confident as before a few moments later. “But, we may end causing more ill than good. At least for you.” She said to Titania, “I mean, this will turn hectic and all, but I have no doubt you will get the guy in the end.” She admitted.

Meanwhile Seth had tracked the scent of his friend all the way to Canterlot Castle. “Why here?” he muttered. “Well, we have to save her anyhow! Selly, Rika, Ignis, you all ready!”

“To fight a member of Checkmate?” Ignis questioned. “This should be fun!”

“Why am I even here?” Selena muttered. “Well, whatever. Let’s just get her back already.” She shot a glance at Seth, “Is she ready to go if we need the help?”

“I explained the situation and who we’re up against, if things go south she’ll bail us out,” Seth replied. Though the woman hadn't been ahppy about it one bit. The timing for this charade couldn't have been worse...

Seth nodded and walked up to the Griffin guard standing there. “Excuse me Sir? I’m looking for a Bisharp named Shredder and a Lopunny named Roll, might they have come through here?”

The guard didn’t say a thing, he simply look at the group and then moved to the side, letting them in.

“That... was easier than I thought,” Seth remarked as the four Pokemon and one earth Pony walked inside. “Now, her scent is coming from... this way,” he followed his nose as everyone else followed him.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Titania muttered as they walked into the indoors training ground.

“Why is that?” Asked Roll from their podium in a sort of a roofed arena, waiting for the ‘event’ to start.

“Are you seriously going to do this?” Titania asked Roll. “He’s a friend, this is just going to make things awkward!”

Meanwhile the imperial guards made sure to close the doors of said arena, as soon Seth and company walked inside.

Seth flinched as the doors behind them closed. “Well... that’s not ominous or anything...” The area was closed off and looked similar to an arena. It may have the place they trained the Guards. He spotted the three females at the other end and narrowed his eyes. He would give diplomacy one last try.

“Are you ready to return our friend yet?” he called out as he got closer. His Pokemon taking defensive positions, Seth having warned them about Roll and Shredder’s speed.

“Are you willing to fight for her?” Calmly asked the Bisharp as she made a single gesture with one of her hands, the place suddenly being filled with at least fifteen Griffin.

“Really?” Ignis asked. “You’re giving us a roast chicken buffet?”

“I don’t want to fight,” Seth replied. “But if you refuse to see reason, then we will defeat you in battle if we must.”

“How about we just fight already?” Selena asked irritably.

“You want her back, I need to see my if troop’s have properly train, I would say its a victory for both sides.” Properly said Shredder, but added a bit sarcastically. “That is if you can make it.”

“But let us be fair.” Added Roll, “You have five…” she looked at Apple Fritter for a moment and then re phrased herself “four capable fighters, so how about a little tournament? Five of our guys against each of you.”

“You sure you want that handicap?” Ignis smirked. “Well, if you don’t want to embarrass yourselves too badly, then I suppose that’s fine.”

“So one on one fights then?” Seth questioned. Were they that confident that the Griffin's could win against Pokemon?

“Those birds are toast,” Titania muttered.

“Maybe.” Replied Shredder to Titania, “but even the smallest of preys can turn and fight with enough incentive, and Mister Ignis here seems to be happy to supply it.”

Roll on her side replied to Seth, “That’s how will go. You guys impress us, and you can talk with her, we win and is goodbye.” And so she sat back and waited for Seth to choose who will go first.

Selena stepped forward. “Can we please get this nonsense over with? We have a wedding to prepare for.” She looked her Griffin opponent, “I hope you’ll apologise, but we have little time to waste with this farce.”

“...You didn’t tell us we were interrupting a wedding!” Inquired Roll under her breath to Titania.

“Whoops?” The fairy shrugged.

Meanwhile the first group of Griffin walked into the battleground, all of them sporting heavy armor and shields save for one who where using a lighter set of armor and a couple of gauntlets.

“Begin.” Was all Shredder said.

The Heavy armored Griffin moved around, without losing Selena off their sight while the lighter one kept a defensive stance as she also kept a quick paw work, ready to jump at either side.

In an instant, Selena was already above her, her tail glowing with white light. “IRON TAIL!” she called out, slamming down on the Griffin with tremendous force.

A cloud of dust come from the sheer force of the impact, yet the Griffin didn’t feel as neither did Selena. The imperial guard was surprised by the Absol’s speed, but that was nothing compared with the speed the troop’s Lucario had put them through.

A soon as she appeared above her, the Griffin had thrown her armored claws up and had caught the glowing tail between her gauntlets, stopping the attack and resisting the impact with her own strength, next and making use of what little surprise the Pokemon was going through, she hurled her body around, gaining momentum with flaps from her wings, and finally threw it to the edge of the arena where one of the more armored guards receive her with its shield. The armored guard them proceeded to slam her to the ground and finished with a hit from the thick shield’s side.

Selena grunted as she rolled onto her back, catching the shield with her paws. The Guard had the advantage of weight and surprise on his side... until a pink beam of destructive energy collided with him, allowing Selena to get back to her feet.

“Two against one?” Rika shouted after firing the Moon Blast, “Is this your idea of a fight?”

The ground suddenly trembled as Ignis let loose a mighty roar, he took to the skies and grinned like a madmon. “Then let’s even the odds!” he yelled out. “DRAGON BULLET!”

The arena was chaos as the rapid-fired attacks rained down. Selena and Rika raising Protects, while Seth covered Fritter.

“If you clearly remember,” Began Shredder with a tired tone, “I said it was five of my guys against each of you. After all my guys can’t shot volleys of dragonic energy!” She emphasized. “So that doesn’t break our agreement. What did break it was your intervention good sir, which I am afraid disqualifies you immediately.”

Before anyone could say something about it, specially Ignis, a voice sounded behind him. Which happens to be right above him.

“That attack sounds familiar from somewhere.” Said Roll from the roof as she launched herself from it at the Charizard, both ears enveloping her arms while lighting come out of them and hit the Flame Pokemon right between the wings with a double Thunder Punch, yet she wasn’t over.

As soon as she landed on Ignis, Roll sprang back into the ceiling with a high jump and propel herself right back at the Fire/Flying-type. And then she did the same, and again, and again and again in mere instants, she did this until Ignis hit the ground and was no longer moving.

“I will ask you from where did you get that attack latter.” Roll said as she walked away of the downed dragon. “Once he can of course.”

As she returned to her position, the Griffin guards give her a proper military salute. The guards themselves seemingly unharmed thanks to their already large protection while the female one used her own agility to dodge most of the attacks, although she seemed tired.

“So, shall we continue then?” Asked Shredder once Roll was back besides her.

“Ignis?” Seth said as he walked over to him, he never seen the dragon take a beating like that. “You okay there buddy?”

Ignis coughed as he lay in the dirt, his body glowing a pale white colour as his Roost attack took effect. “That... really fucking hurt,” he admitted. “The cute little rabbit can fight...”

“Rika, use Heal Bell to cure Ignis’s Paralysis, Selena?”

The Absol was deathly quiet, but when she looked up , her crimson eyes screamed murder.

The armoured Griffin standing over her had no chance, as the Psycho Cut tore through his shield like a hot knife through butter. She switched to a Play Rough attack, the pink fairy light covering her body as a cloud of dust covered her and the Griffin.

By the time the dust cleared, there was one Griffin that would not be moving for a while, his thick armour in tatters as the Absol literally tore it from his body. She turned and faced the female Griffin, dark light surrounding her horn as she activated her Night Slash.

“You’re next...” she whispered. “Then the rabbit who injured my mate!”

Shredder simply let out a sigh.

As the beaten guard looked at the ceiling the voice of his mentor rang in his head.

‘Pokemon are strong, I am sure you have learned this already, but strength itself is a very exploitable weakness. That will blind them, worse if they are angry. They will only look to do as more damage as possible yet they will ignore that which they think is defeated. The moment a Pokemon goes rampant is the moment they become the more dangerous beings in existence, but also the more blind.’

Before Selena could launch her attack, the Griffin threw his very sore body toward her and grabbed one of her legs, he knew that was just a minor delay for her and that even so he wouldn't stay conscious for long. But a single moment was all he needed.

As the Absol wasted a couple of seconds to look at the downed nuisance, the Griffin in light armor dashed at Selena whom looked back at her with her blood lust filled eyes. The Griffon felt a hint of fear growing on her body but she as well, began to remember her academy’s class.

‘Absol, the Disaster Pokemon. Normally calm and reserved, but a very dangerous fighter. They have very good strength and an even better agility, but what makes them so dangerous is the fear they can cause on others as well the ability to connect very critical impacts. If any of these make you feel fear, then the fight can be considered over.’

Clenching her beak, the light armored Griffin dashed forward, throwing an uppercut before Selena could stare her into submission, of course she wasn’t strong enough to take her out with just that. But the show wasn’t just done.

“An indestructible horn capable of cutting through almost anything…” the Griffin said as she jumped around Selena just a she had done to her a few minutes back while also holding into her scythe like horn, “but just as indestructible as it is…” she then landed behind her while pulling her head from the horn. “It can be used to steer the head!” sliding her arm around her neck as her other claw take hold of her free paw and her wings of her body.

Yet, she knew her strength wasn’t enough to bring the frenzied creature into submission, but again she remembered the first thing they were told ‘Never, and I repeat, never fight a Pokemon on your own without assistance.’ and so she did one last thing; clench her beak once more. “This sure is going to hurt!”

As she said this, the other armored Griffin had caught with them, two of them slammed their shields as soon as they arrived, pulling their air out of their lungs and keeping them in place while they were at it, the third one threw his shield and helped to keep Selena restrained.

They continued to struggle for almost a minute, until finally the female guard shout.

“Okay, okay, okay! Let go you brutes! We don’t want to kill her!”

The armored guards did as told and stepped back. Leaving a very dizzy and breathless Griffin and a knocked out Selena.

“And with that, those are two.” Commented Shredder as she let the guards attend to Selena. They did mean the ‘not killing’ part after all.

“Selena...” Seth sighed. She’d never fought a battle like that before, and Ignis jumping in like that hadn’t helped.

There was movement next to him Apple Fritter stepped forward.

“Y’all think that this is right?” she asked. “Iffn’ you do, then ah’m afraid ah won’t tolerate it.” Of the five Griffins selected to fight her, there was a loud ‘CLANG’ as Fritter’s powerful hind hooves connected with his breastplate. The Griffin the smacked the ceiling of the arena with a resounding crash and was unconscious before he even hit the ground. The second followed suit, promptly embedded into the wall next to Roll and Shredder, a large dent in his armour and the wind completely knocked out of him.

“Ah made mah point,” Fritter said, walking away from the other three...

“I... had no idea she could do that,” Titania admitted, poking at the Guard.

“I stand terribly corrected…” acknowledged Roll. “She so can fight.”

“OBJECTION!” Exclaimed the guard who landed besides the mercenaries.

“What is it corporal Phönex?” Calmly asked Shredder.

“We were never trained to fight over powered mares!” Promptly replied the Griffin. “Ma’am.”

“You do have a point there, for which I apologize.” The fallen Griffin seemed to smile at this small victory. “I will properly add a more arduous training regime to our daily session once we return in order to make up for it.” And now he felt like crap.

Seth stepped forward, he was going to put an end to this nonsense. “Can we just stop this foolishness?” he pleaded. “What is the point in all of this? You want to fight for Titania, then do it yourself! You and me!”

“...He really wants to die?” Asked Phöenex as he moved out of the wall and back into formation.

“If that is your wish then…” Said Shredder as she stood up her seat and into the arena. As she did, Rika ran over to Seth, her healing of Ignis complete.

“You can take the bunny, the talking toaster is mine!” she growled.

“Aaaand things just got real,” Titania muttered. She looked the crestfallen Phöenex and sighed. “I hope you all brought bodybags...”

“No offence ma’am, but you should trust your comrades a bit more.” Replied Phönex as he began to carry one of the heavy shields, many of the guards began to do the same.

“Wait… so I can join too?” Asked Roll from her seat, only to join her mate a moment later. “I don’t mind but, you know you can properly take care of them don’t you?”

Roll only got a ‘That is not the point of this’ look as a reply.

“Shall we begin then?” Asked Shredder.

“Thunder!” Seth cried as a collection of clouds formed below the ceiling of the dome and a large bolt of lightning rained down on Roll, while Rika used the flash as cover to close the gap with Shredder, firing a Moon Blast at close range.

As soon the thunderclouds appeared, Shredder dug one of her legs on the ground and moved one arm to cover Roll meanwhile Roll moved toward Shredder as if she was going to cover her from the blast. Then the Flash happened and three sonorous explosions covered the place.

Once the dust from the electric attack had calmed down, it revealed that the other explosions didn’t come from the same spot, but from far in the back.

“Ma’am! If you don’t mind, we are trying to learn from this experience, not getting blasted on it!” Shouted one of the shield carrying Griffin, another group seemingly having gone through a similar event.

At the middle of the thunder blast, both mercenaries were still standing and unharmed.

“Not a bad combo” Admitted Shredder as she dug her feet out of her feet.

“But relies too much on luck,” Added Roll as she returned Shredder her sword. “I mean a Thunder in a closed place.”

“Okay, that was pretty damned impressive,” Seth mused to himself, once again, even his eyes were barely able to follow the movements of the swift rabbit, and the way she cut the Moon Blast like that?

What had happened was rather simple, Shredder turned herself into a living ground conductor and dispelled the electric charge while covering Roll, meanwhile Roll took her mate’s sword and sliced the fairy attack with one strong swing.

“Are you okay?” Asked Roll as her mate dusted some sparks off her.

“I am fine.” She calmly replied. “It was a strong Thunder, but nothing compared to Red’s Pikachu’s Thunderbolt.”

Ignis had slowly made his way around the battlefield, over to where Selena was lying. After growling at the Griffin near her to back away, if the guards were scared, they did a good job hiding it while giving the couple some space. He leant down next to her, groaning slightly.

“You feeling okay?” he asked, slowly stroking her fur.

There was a moment of silence, before Selena responded. “Not really,” she muttered. “I acted out of pure impulse and made Seth look like a total amateur trainer. He trained me better than that, but when you got hurt... I just lost my cool...”

“Yeah, love can be a pain in the butt,” Ignis chuckled as he helped his mate up. “But it’s worth it in the long run.”

“It is,” Selena smiled, leaning against him. “I guess I need to retrain myself... Even Fritter showed me up for crying out loud!”

“Yeah, I don’t think normal rules apply to these ponies though...” Ignis watched his brother and sister square off against Shredder and Selena. “You think we should help them?”

“It’d be a tad unfair if all of us fought, and Seth did tell us to take it easy on them...”

Meanwhile, Seth’s eyes widened as a sudden spark of inspiration struck him. Rika caught his glance and tilted her head. What got him so excited all of a sudden?

“Miss Shredder?” he called out. “Can you cut a Moon Blast like that again?”

Shredder only arched an eye. “Why would you want to know?” She asked.

“Rika, fire a Moon Blast at Shredder, but use a pulse this time!” Seth ordered. Rika blinked, shrugged and did as she was told. She focused the energy into a sphere and fired at the Dark/Steel type.

The Bisharp smiled and did as they expected her to, she cut the ball of fairy energy in two. The blast exploded in a shower of sparkles, raining down like fairy dust. Seth blinked and smiled widely.

“I knew it, that’ll totally work! Rika, Selena, I think I just came up with a new Contest routine for the both of you!”

Rika just blinked as Selena laughed loudly, almost coughing in the process. Only her idiot trainer would come up with something like that in the middle of a serious fight.

“Really?” Rika blinked. “Not really the time don’t you think?”

“...” Shredder needed a few minutes to process what just had happened, and finally replied “DON’T USE ME FOR YOUR SILLY EXPERIMENTS!!”

On her side, Roll couldn’t stop joining Selena on the laughing, choking included.

“Seriously, are you really worried about Titania that little, that you just go and start working on your next project instead?” Asked Shredder. “If you want, we can finish this so you can go and work on your contest instead.” She added, slightly pissed off as Seth really seemed to have forgotten what they were doing in the first place.

“Sorry,” Seth apologised. “Your move was really cool and it gave me a great idea. I couldn’t see it properly before, so I just needed to confirm it.” Rika jumped away from her trainer as his body exploded with lightning and his glare turned deadly serious. “Look, we have an extremely important event to get to and your little game is starting to wear thin. Give me back Titania and I promise I won’t have to make you look bad!”

“So finish things up it is…” Proclaimed Shredder as she unsheathed her sword, very slowly as she also spread her legs to have a better grounding. Her gaze looked on the Sylveon across the arena as she swung the blade above her head and said. “Fling.”

She stood still for a second. And then!

She threw her scabbard with her left hand, hitting Rika right on the forehead with a sonorous bell-like sound. The metal scabbard rebounded from the fairy’s head and landed back on Shredder’s hand, which proceeded to sheath her sword while saying.

“And so one was left.”

Rika rolled around on the ground, clutching her head in pain.

“Owwwww! She hit me in the face! With a sword! Who the FUCK DOES THAT!?” she hollered.

“Yeah... That was... I don’t really know,” Seth replied. His body crackled as the Charge he used before finished. “Leave the rest to me Rika,”

As he finished those words, there was a flash of light as Rika, Selena, Ignis and Fritter vanished into thin air. A second flash swept away Titania as well, leaving Seth alone with the two remaining Checkmate members. The Champion turned Gardevoir had impeccable timing as always, but she was going to chew him out later for this, he just knew it.

“Keep your trump card hidden until it’s needed hmm?” he said with a small smirk. He wasn’t going to win this fight alone and he knew it...

“But I am going to make damn sure that you two women would pay for messing with my family! And that includes Titania!!” He let out a powerful Roar as he unleashed his Discharge attack, it’s power doubled by Charge! The bolts of lightning tore up the ground as they lashed out at everything around him!

“I must admit I didn’t expect this.” Admitted Shredder, not seeming to mind much about the lightning show. “That was quite impressive.”

“I presume he did it in the end.” Added Roll, and then noticed Seth while nimbly dodging one of the electric attacks. “He seems to be giving his all though, shall we stop him?”

“I doubt he can hear us if we try to talk to him…” Shredder pointed out. “Let me get close,” she said as she walked toward the Luxray, not seeming to care about the lightning blasting the ground, even when some of them struck her.

Seth finally stopped his attack, only when Shredder’s face was a few scant inches from his own. The Luxray let out a surprised shout, wondering how the hell she’d gotten that close.

“Is your tantrum done?” Calmly asked the mercenary as she looked at Seth, a few electric sparkles still arcing around her metallic body.

“Given that those three attacks are the only ones I know... yes, I believe I am done,” Seth sighed. “Well, at least I rescued Titania before I died huh?”

“Died?” Inquired Shredder with curiosity. “Unless you are willing to sacrifice your very self, I don’t see why this day has to end in such a tragic way.”

“Huh? Well, no offense, but you kinda give off that vibe,” Seth answered. “But I retract my previous statement none the less.” He got the feeling the fight was over and sat down, his heart was still beating a mile a minute though. “Okay, so what happens now?”

“Really?” Shredder commented, “I was willing to oblige if that was your desire.” She said with enough seriousness to dispel any kind of doubt. “But I suppose it would be too cruel for Titania, specially when you got to call her part of your family.”

“Even though she didn’t hear you.” Added Roll as she joined the talk, from behind Seth. “You do seem to care for her though.”

“Well of course I do!” Seth replied. “She can be stubborn, Tauros-headed and pompous, but she’s also kind, sweet and tries her hardest at everything she does. She’s very dear to me... to all of us.” Seth took a breath and calmed himself down. Then realised what the heck was going on here. “And all of this was to find that out, wasn’t it?”

“Do you really think we will waste all of this time, guards and effort just to take her with us?” Roll asked while leaning on Seth, then she thought for a second and added. “Okay, maybe she did that so her troops could taste a real battle, but if we wanted to end this, well, I am sure you know either of us could have done it right?”

“My troops did prove that their training is giving results.” Answer Shredder, not seeming to care for the ‘she did think that!’ looks she was receiving yet she continued. “But I would also like to return those words to you Mister Crescent.”

“She has being our comrade for years, and even when we know just how insufferable, pompous, egocentric piece of work she can get to be, we consider her our family just as much as you do.”

She smiled at this words, a rare thing coming from her always serious face.

Yet, she wasn’t done, “That’s why…” in a millisecond, she had her sword out and pressed against Seth’s back, so he couldn't back away of her as she got close to him and spoke to him. “There was no way we would let one of our own to go follow someone she has meet for barely fifteen days.”

“More like twelve...” Seth automatically corrected her, but a jab from her sword and a scowl told him to shut up and listen. “But I understand, continue?”

“Good,” Shredder replied with a low growl, “so I expect you to continue to treat her as she deserves… let me rephrase that, you better treat her better than she deserves.”

“She can be quite the pain on the rear, something I am sure you may know about, but she can be quite devoted when she wants to.” Added Roll from beside Seth.

“You seem to be a good influence for her, and she did beg us a couple of times about sparing you and your family.” She lied. “But we had to make sure whatever you felt for her was something worthy of us letting her stay with you.”

She removed her blade from his back, only to place its tip right before his sharp eyes.

“So if we ever hear that you hurt her in any way possible we will finish the job we once dropped. Am I clear Mister Crescent?”

“Clear as the Crystal Bells,” Seth replied. “And if you think that I would mistreat anyone, then your information on me is rather lacking... “ He leaned in close this time, rearing to his full height and looming over the two females, his golden eyes gleaming.

“But allow me to make one thing clear with you, I understand that actions speak louder than words sometimes, and that you were worried about your friend... but if you drag my family into something like this again...” He let the threat hang in the air before settling back down and smiling. “Let’s just settle things over a nice cup of tea next time hmm?”

The female Bisharp took her sword and swung it as if she were cleaning it, only for the whole arena to be torn with a gigantic gash. Deeper and larger than any of the cracks caused by Seth’s lightning.

“I will love to have a more calmer talk in the future.” Shredder admitted as she put her sword in her scabbard.

A bead of sweat ran down Seth’s forehead. Just how ridiculously powerful was this Checkmate Guild?

A Shiny Gardevoir teleported in next to Seth and gave him a disappointed look. “I can’t believe you did something like this again, do you have any idea how hard Gardy and I will have to work to heal you lot for the wedding, which starts in two hours I might add?” She glanced at Roll and Shredder, giving them a look like a mother would when scolding her children. “And you two, shouldn’t foreign dignitaries know better than this? Starting a fight with someone from Princess Celestia’s Guard... in her own castle? Right before a wedding!?”

“We didn’t know about the wedding… until this all started.” Said Roll in her defense.

“You don’t have to worry about that Ma’am.” Politely added Shredder on her side. “These facilities were provided by the princess so we could made us of them for training and things alike.”

“Well, that’s fine I suppose...” Diantha looked at the carnage left by the battle. Seth nodded at the two Griffin that Fritter had clobbered.

“Those two have cracked ribs, you might want to get them checked out,” he replied.

The Gardevoir bowed her head as she placed a hand on Seth’s back. “Where are my manners, my name is Diantha, former Champion of the Kalos region. You are members of the guild, Checkmate, yes?”

“I will have that done right away.” Shredder said as she motioned her troops, which relaxed at her command while a couple of them went to take the injured to receive medical attention. “Currently employed by the Griffin empire, my name is Shredder of Checkmate.” She said while taking the Champion's hand.

“Not an employee of anyone, name is Roll and I am her mate.” Added the Lopunny without taking or offering any hand.

“By the way,” Remembered Shredder. “One of your members, Ignis I think is called, made use of a rather unique move; may I inquire where did he learn it?”

“Oh, that,” Seth chuckled. “He says he hasn’t gotten the technique perfected yet, and that he copied it from a flirty Noivern, a blind one at that.”

“Well, isn’t that surprising.” Admitted Shredder. “Would, by any chance, that Noivern be wearing a red bandana around her neck? Something like this.” She asked while showing Seth a piece of cloth around her arm, the mark of her guild on it.

“Not sure,” Seth replied. “He’d just picked a fight with her after we parted ways, but lost because he was too emotional during the fight and underestimated his opponent. Do you have a Noivern as a member?”

“A blind one as well.” Replied the mercenary.

“We could assume is Edge,” added Roll, “I mean, how many blind dragons you know with the same attack?”

“That seems to be the case.” Admitted Shredder. “But in any case, I am sure she will make her way with the rest.”

“We are not precisely hard to miss when we want to make noise.” Added Roll and then turned to Seth and Diantha. “So you have been tested and approved for temporal hold of one of our members. Congratulations!” She said.

“Um, thanks?” Seth blinked, not sure on how to process that. Diantha put a hand to her forehead and sighed. “No, we’re fine... what? Tell Tyra to spit that poor Guard out... I don’t care if he tastes like Farfetch’d!” She sighed louder and looked at Shredder apologetically. “One of your guards will need a shower... my deepest apologies for my Tyrantrum’s behaviour. Also, Titania would like a few words with you.” She turned to Seth and nodded. “We have to go or we’ll be late.”

“Okay,” Seth nodded. “It was nice meeting you,” she said to the two female Pokemon in front of him.

“Likewise.” Commended Shredder.

“Just be careful when our ‘dad’ comes to pay you a visit!” Teased Roll. “He may not be as strong as us but he can still crush your skull!” And with a wave they left to tend to their former comrade.

“I suddenly fear for my future,” Seth shuddered as Diantha teleported him home.

~~~

Somewhere else, a dark clothed Bisharp had the sudden need of crushing some Luxray’s skull.

~~~

Outside, Titania waited patiently as her two comrades approached her.

“Well?” she replied with a small hint of irritation. “Satisfied now?”

“Aplenty.” Admitted Shredder. “He is indeed an honest person, worthy of your affection, as lost as the cause may be.”

“And don’t give us that look! You know you enjoyed the show!” Added Roll.

“It was interesting to watch, though I kind of feel bad. Seth and his Pokemon have never been in that sort of fight,” Titania said. “Even after being kicked from the League, he still followed League-official rules in battles...” Then, a most terrible idea entered her head. “I guess I’ll have to retrain them~”

“You go and made that sacrifice, I am sure he will appreciate it.” Replied Roll with a mocking tone.

“They do need some instruction though,” Shredder said.

Titania really hoped Alex would not turn up anytime soon, she feared that Seth probably wouldn’t survive that little encounter alive without training. “I have a few idea’s already,” she suddenly said out loud. “Though Seth needs to get better control of his lightning.” She wiped some dust from Shredder’s helmet and sighed. “Well, shall we go and get some lunch? I am positively famished. Oh, and you’ll be buying of course.”

“I don’t mind.” Said Roll.

“It would be only fair for us to make up for this line of events.” Added Shredder, none of them minding much since both had paid jobs as a orphanages attendant and a military instructor respectively.

“Well in that case, if you have all this money, I guess I shouldn’t discount your dresses either~” Titania sang as she floated down the street toward her favourite restaurant.

The couple stand in confusion for a second as both think a same thing ‘Did we anger her in some way?’

Either way they follow her to the restaurant.

“So, is it true Ponies only eat green stuff?” Asked Roll as they enter the place.

“Pretty much,” Titania replied as they entered the cafe. It had a rustic feel to it, with the wooden furniture and candle lighting. “There are some places you can get meat, like a Griffin restaurant near here.”

The owner of the cafe, a slender Unicorn mare with a mottled coat greeted the Fairy Pokemon. “Hey there Titania, new friends of yours?”

“Old friends actually,” Titania replied. “Are you well today Miss Mocha?”

“Can’t complain,” the mare smiled. “You can have your usual seat.” Titania nodded and led the two girls to a small booth near the back of the establishment.

“I still can’t believe how fitting the names of these Ponies are with their role in life. I mean, the stamp on her flank I can understand, she seems to like coffee, but the name as well?”

“We went over that before didn’t we?” Roll pointed out while picking her menu. “So what else can you tell us about your life here, besides that crush of yours that’s it.” She teased.

“It’s easygoing,” Titania said as she ordered her usual salad. “Not like it was at Parfum Palace, we still see our share of excitement... though Seth’s latest houseguest is a little strenuous on the nerves.”

“Oh yeah, you mention something about him taking people like stray Skittys.” Remembered Roll. “So who is there now?”

“There is really no meat in this menu…” Said Shredder to herself as she looked at the menu, luckily for her, there was pasta, although without meat balls.

“Well it’s an establishment run by herbivores, so yes, I’d imagine not,” Titania replied. Mocha waved the Fairy off though and smiled.

“If you want the pasta, I can place an order with the Gilded Feather for something to be delivered to be added to it if you like. It will cost a little extra though.”

“As for his latest... guest,” Titania used that word very generously. “Some genetically-enhanced Gabite. She has the Ability and camouflage powers of a Kecleon, and the temper of a Gyarados...”

“Quite an interesting ability,” mentioned Shredder as she picked the pasta from the menu, since she didn’t wanted to be rude to the matron running the place.

“Well, we know your relation with Scylla wasn’t all that good so this isn’t that surprising.” Roll pointed out as she ordered a club sandwich with fries, hoping those were potato fries. “But what was that part about being genetically modified?”

“She’s the result of an experiment from Doctor Nurem,” Titania explained. “I’ve met a few more of them since I started living with Seth, he seems to have a knack for making friends with just about anyone, though... I doubt he had many back on Earth.” Mocha took their orders and disappeared into the kitchen, the faint sound of her singing wafted back to them.

The couple stiffened for a second at the name of the Doctor, but relaxed right after.

“Is that so, he sure is quite a nice man if he admit such a character in his house… and that experiment,” joked Shredder.

“Oh hah hah hah,” Titania snarked. “But that's just how he is, thinks there’s good in everyone.” Mocha emerged with three mugs and a pot of fresh tea before trotting off to resume her cooking. Titania poured three cups and sighed contently. “He’s going to Las Pegasus later in the week to return her to Vincent Nurem, the doctor’s son, though nothing like his father luckily enough”

“It's good to know that.” Admitted the Bisharp as she took the cup while letting a sigh, “they deserve a better life.”

“But enough melancholy! Are you going with them?” Roll asked.

“And be stuck on a cramped train for hours on end with that lizard, I think not,” Titania huffed. “No, I will be staying here as I have work to do, plus someone needs to keep an eye on the house.”

“So bad, I heard this Las Pegasus is a very neat place, kinda like Black City, ah! I would like to go!” Pouted Roll.

“But I can understand, traveling in a very tight space for hours alongside so many mons can be a bit stressing after some time.” Added Shredder.

Again somewhere else, the same Bisharp as before sneezed out loud. Daring gave him a curious look.

"You coming down with a cold or something?"

The meals that Mocha had served were delicious as always, though Shredder had to chuckle a little at the horseshoe-shaped fries she was served. Titania quite enjoyed spending time with her friends, but they eventually had to depart, the Griffin Empress waited for no-one.

“We’ll stay in touch though yes?” Titania asked hopefully. “And I’ll finish these dresses... and other articles, as soon as I can and have them shipped to you.”

“Ah! It would be good to know of you and your own adventures.” Admitted Shredder.

“Be sure to keep making those lovely creations of yours okay?” Cheered Roll.

“Just be careful when Alexander comes by.” advised Shredder. “You know how… persistent he can be.”

“And do remind this Luxray of yours to keep an eye for him and Weiss.” Added Roll.

“I will,” Titania said as she threw her arms around the two, hugging them tightly. “And I expect to hear reports of the pitter-patter of little Buneary feet soon, okay?”

“I will see what can be done,” joked Roll, even though she knew such was impossible. Yet it was a nice thought.

It was so good it actually turned Shredder into a statue again…

She eventually returned to normal in due time, the couple wanted to spend some time with their ‘sister’ after all. They talked and chatted for the rest of the evening, sharing stories from the old world and catching up with their experiences on the new one. But the time of part ways inevitable arrived.

The sun was beginning to set by the time Titania saw her friends off, Seth and the others would be at the reception by now, and the only one at home would be that dragon...

“I guess I have time,” Titania hummed as she walked down the street. This wasn't goodbye... just goodbye until next time.

Author's Note

Author's notes.

Ausbrony - Well this was fun to write... except for the part my team got their asses handed to them... that sucked.

Aaaanyway, I hope you guys and girls enjoyed this chappy. V was fun to write with and thanks to him, I got a few new ideas for Seth and the gang.

V - I am honored to have been able to work with Aus on this, I enjoy it from start to finish and let me write a bit more of my favorite couple in my story for a change. I specially liked the possibilities this little paralogue created, specially for whenever Weiss and Alexander come to pay a visit. FInally, a huge thanks to Ausbrony, who has done a brilliant job with Titania, to the point I can’t no longer call her my character, but that is something I feel more than happy to do. Keep the great job Aus!

Also - A lovely pic of Roll in her wedding dress, drawn by the beautiful SnowdustDragon on Deviantart

Chapter Twenty Five

The wedding and reception had been spectacular, and now a Gala to celebrate the end of the World Summit was being held today and Seth was invited, along with anyone he wanted. Christine had flat out refused, the idea of being surrounded by so many unknown faces was not a desirable situation.

Titania also refused, as she had a lot of work to do with Suri.

Now Umbra on the other hand, something she had heard yesterday had gotten her curious, and the Gala was the perfect place to find out.

Rika and Fritter had changed into the first outfits they had bought with Lucy, while Seth had gotten a dose of Heal Pulse from Diantha and Gardy, his injuries now non-existent.

“Okay ladies, are we ready to go?” he asked. There was chorus of cheers and one half-hearted yay from Umbra. Even she had decided to dress up, opting for a black lace that still allowed the glow of her rings to be seen underneath.

“Soon, I’ll find him... and then...? Hehhehheh~”

*~*

Seth had thought that the wedding had a lot of attendants... the Gala blew that number out of the water. Along with everyone that had been at the wedding, the Gala was also host to the entirety of the World Summit, along with quite a few nobles and a lot more guards.

“Hooey! This here is a real fancy party!” Fritter whistled. “Ah reckon that there’s more ponies here than there was at Princess Cadenza’s wedding!”

“That sure is a lot of people,” Rika agreed. “Sethy, hold my paw? I don’t wanna get lost!”

Seth chuckled as she looped a ribbon around his foreleg. “Okay Rika, and I’ll make sure that I get a dance with you tonight as well.” That brought a small cheer from the Sylveon. Seth turned to talk to Umbra, but the enigmatic Umbreon was already gone.

“I swear she’s part Ghost type,” Seth said. So instead he, along with his two beloveds and Diantha, headed inside together wondering just what the night would bring...

*~*

Once inside, Diantha spotted Cynthia and headed straight over to her friend, eager to catch up and discuss recent events. Selena and Ignis said they’d be arriving later, so it once again left Seth alone with Rika and Fritter... though he didn’t mind that one bit.

Grissom was the first the greet them, and was enthusiastic about something, but refused to tell the Luxray what it was, saying that it would spoil the surprise. He led Seth over to Celestia and Arceus, who had just finished a discussion about something.

“Ah, I’m glad you could make it tonight Seth,” Celestia greeted him. She noticed Rika and Fritter and gave them a warm smile. “Might you introduce these lovely ladies here?”

Seth nodded and beamed brightly. “Princess Celestia, might I introduce Apple Fritter and Rika, my lovely girlfriends...” Rika waved back and giggled while Fritter just stood there blushing. She couldn’t believe it, here she was, with Princess Celestia! And Seth was talking like they were old friends.

“Girlfriends?” Celestia repeated the word, making sure she’d heard that right. “As in, both of them?”

Seth nodded, “We’re what you ponies would call a herd. It’s a bit of a long story, but this is the end result and I couldn’t be happier.”

Celestia blinked for a moment and Fritter wondered if the Princess would be angry... until she gave the trio a wide smile.

“Goodness me, it has been a while since that old tradition was used. I am glad for the three of you though. However, Mr. Crescent?”

“Yes?” Seth asked.

“You’d better take good care of these girls,” The Solar Princess smiled. “That’s an order.”

“”Of course, I’ll do everything in my power to keep them happy. They deserve that much at the very least.”

Celestia nodded, “And you as well, take care Seth. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow, so don’t party too hard.”

Seth laughed and nodded, “Yes Princess.” Once the Alicorn left, Arceus let out a small chuckle of his own.

“She’s been rather worried about the outcome of this Summit, and though it was successful, there are still some issues that need addressing...”

“I can imagine,” Seth replied. “Oh, and something else... Do you remember that translation spell you cast on Fritter way back when?”

“I do,” Arceus replied. “Was there a problem?”

“Not so much a problem... but more like it never wore off,” Seth answered. surprising Arceus. “She still has the ability to talk to Pokémon.”

“Well, I certainly didn’t expect that to happen... I can fix it if you like?”

“NO!” Apple Fritter suddenly blurted out. “Ah, sorry.. ah mean, ah like being able to talk to Seth and the others. So please, ah’d like to keep it... iffin y’all don’t mind?”

“It is fine by me,” Arceus smiled. “Oh, there is something I’ve been meaning to do and since I have you here, you might as well be the first...” The Alpha Pokémon reached into his pocket dimension for a moment, fishing around for a certain object. “Hm, no, not that... That’s not it either... ah, there you are.” There was a small flash of light and Seth suddenly found a familiar object on the floor in front of him.

“Sethy, is that?” Rika whispered.

“My bag...” Seth finished as he wasted no time in opening it and looking at the contents inside. Everything was in there, from his Potions and held items, to the TM’s and Berries had accumulated. And he soon found what he was searching for the most. he pulled out a shining gem, along was two others of similar design.

“Your Keystone and Mega Stones,” Rika said. “Oh my gosh Sethy! That’s awesome!”

“I know, Ignis and Selena are gonna be... oh? Ah... Arceus?”

“Yes?”

Seth fished out another set of items, a collection of nut-like things. “You ah, may want to get rid of these...”

“What are-” Arceus didn’t even finish his sentence before eyes flashed and the Apricorns imploded, promptly being erased from existence.

“Thank you for informing me,” Arceus said with a hard tone. He proceeded to erase every other one from his dimension and made a note to talk with Shaymin later...

Seth looked back at the Mega stones and a wide smile crossed his face. Ignis and Selena were gonna flip!

*~*

Umbra stalked the main lobby, the countless ponies, griffins and other creatures meant little to her. She’d picked up on his scent the moment she’d entered the building, he was here somewhere and she’d find him. Ponies steered clear of the imposing Dark-type, while some Pokémon actually tried to hit on her... they failed spectacularly.

And it didn’t take long at all. The object of her search was not an inconspicuous one.

She cleared her throat as she took a deep breath.

“SEV!” she yelled out at the loud Seviper nearby. “I found you~”

Sev tensed up at that. “Found me? Well, whoever you are...strangely familiar sounding person, your findings mean nothing…..” He turned around and the rest of his words died in his throat.

Umbra’s eyes glowed a murderous red as stalked closer to him, pushing her way past an orange-maned Pegasus and straight up to Sev.

“You have been a very hard Pokémon to track down dear Sevvy~” her voice was ice-cold. “Care to tell me what you’ve been up to all these years?”

“....Umbra?” Sev was at a loss for words. “You’re here?...And you’ve been looking for me?”

“Not long after we... after I left,” Umbra’s rage vanished in an instant. “My Trainer abandoned me in a distant region... and I couldn’t remember how to get back to you. I heard stories, ones that sounded crazy and downright terrifying... that you had an army that slaughtered humans for their crimes against Pokémon kind... so, I guess I was a little scared of finding you again... and days turned to weeks, months... years...”

“You were...scared of me?” Sev gulped as he looked away in shame. “...It’s true. The army part that is. I am Commander of the PLA, the glorious Pokémon Liberation Army….The being that did those horrors was none other than my father, but you needn’t worry about him...ever again.” Sev hissed in anger.

“I had a feeling, that that might have been the case,” Umbra sat down, her legs suddenly not wanting to work. “There was no way, that the silly snake I fell in love with was a murderer. But... there was... another reason I couldn’t risk it... why that life seemed terrifying.”

“Whatever it is,” Sev smiled, happier than he had ever felt in a long time. “We can deal with it...together. Ah, it’s been so long since I truly felt that. Come on, you can tell me, Umbra. I have an army! I can take on the world if I wanted to.”

“Don’t!” the nearby King Trotankhamun yelled. Sev childishly stuck his tongue out at him.

“You haven’t changed,” Umbra chuckled as she spied Lightning from the corner of her eye. “And tell me dear Sevvy, just who is that delightfully adorable Pegasus glaring at me?”

“Lightning Dust,” the Pegasus stated, snorting in agitation. “I’m his….companion of sorts...Nothing major, he’s an idiot. He’s lucky I stick around.” She blushed a little through her glare.

Umbra chuckled, oh, this mare had it bad. “Well then my dear Lightning, I am most pleased to meet you. My name is Umbra, Sev’s former lover~”

“I got that,” Lightning rolled her eyes and muttered in agitation.

“Former isn’t the right word,” Sev put out. “More like ‘put on hold’. Yes, that’s a much better term...Has anyone said it before?...Well, if they had, SCREW THEM! I’m patenting that phrase.”

“Hm, we shall see Sevvy.” Umbra shrugged. “Much has changed in these last few years, much indeed. Oh, and don’t get your coils in a knot, I haven’t taken another since you.” Umbra walked over to Lightning and stared into her eyes for a moment, sending shivers down the mare’s spine.

“Hm well, You are cute... so I guess you’ll do.” She looked around and then back to Sev, “And where is darling little Lia? I haven’t seen her cute face in so long?”

Suddenly, something clattered to the ground. It was Lia’s plate and she stared wide-eyed at Umbra. “...Miss Umbra? Is that really you?”

“Lia!” Umbra completely forgot her current train of thought and glomped the Kirlia. “Oh look at you, you’re all grown up! Such a big girl now!”

Lia giggled as she hugged her back. “Yeah, I did get big, but I’m not as big and pretty as Miss Belle…” She looked between her and her big brother. “Did you come back for my big brother? Are you getting married? Can I be the best mon? Can I? Can I? Can I?” She squealed in excitement. “I got a dress that’s really pretty for it.”

“Just as excitable as always,” Umbra giggled. “Hmm, well... we’ll see. I still have a lot to talk about with him.”

Then Umbra remembered what it was that she needed to tell Sev. “Oh, I almost forgot. Oh Sevvy~” Her sing song tone could send shivers down even Gard’s back.

Sev was busy splashing himself with punch. “This is a dream... A very nice dream, but a dream!” He told himself. “I’m hallucinating...She wouldn’t come back for a wretch like me.” He splashed another cup into his face. “PUNCH! YOU ARE FULL OF FAIL!”

“Sevvy, calm down, you’re acting like a hatchling,” Umbra scolded him. “And I haven’t come back for you, not yet anyhow. I have someone a little more important in my life right now.”

Sev slowly turned back to her, a hurt expression on his face. “Oh yes...Of course you do...Who is it?”

Umbra smiled and waved her tail. “Come with me... I want to introduce you. You too Lia honey.” And with that she headed into the crowd.

Sev quickly trailed after her, intent on never letting her out of his sight again….or for however long she’d allow him anyways. Lia skipped on after, humming in excitement over what could be a new friend and her big brother’s girlfriend. She giggled as she thought of little ways to ‘help’ them.

*~*

Seth was still rummaging through his bag. He’d already found Rika’s Wise Glasses and Selena’s Scope Lens. And his Pokedex and XTransceiver... oh, he’d missed those little pieces of technology. Rika just hummed as she stood nearby. He’d probably be at this for a while.

Apple Fritter just looked at the assortment of foreign objects, wondering just what all of them did. A shout from the crowd got their attention as she turned to see Miss Umbra walking towards them, and a very big snake right behind her.

“Ah, Seth... w-what the hay is that?”

The Luxray looked up from his spot on the floor. “A Seviper... why is Umbra bringing a Seviper over to us?”

Umbra smiled as she walked closer. “Hello, I’d like to introduce you to someone. This here is Sev, a rather crazy yet adorable acquaintance of mine. Sevvy, say hello.”

“I am not Sevvy,” Sev pouted, before pulling off an epic pose. “I am the great and powerful Commander Sev, leader of the infamous. PLA. You may all bask in my grandiose presence.”

“I have the strangest urge to Thunder him,” Seth groaned. Apple Fritter still gave a polite bow anyway. Seth nodded and introduced himself. “Well, my name is Seth Crescent and former human. This is Apple Fritter, my marefriend and Rika, one of my Pokémon and my other girlfriend.”

“Nice to meet you!” Rika waved.

“Nice to meet you as well,” Sev half heartedly waved back and turned his attention to Seth. “A former human, hmm? I trust you have been good in your stay here. I’d hate to have to end you on our first meeting.” He sent him a small glare.

Rika’s eyes flashed, but Umbra beat her to it. She leaned in close to Sev, her eyes flashing a powerful Mean Look. “Sev. Be nice! Understand?”

Sev hissed in anger and agitation, looking away. “Yes, Umbra...I understand.” He cast his gaze over the three. “May I ask who these individuals are to you? I was in the middle of discussing a brilliant strategy to flush out the Hyena Dogs with molten cheese.” He flashed Seth a mean Glare, before casting his gaze away.

“Ah, well I was getting to that.” Umbra smiled and rubbed his scales with a paw. “While I have only recently met Apple Fritter here, I have known Seth for quite some time. In fact, I entrusted him with something most precious to me.”

“Oh he must be something special,” Sev hissed, twitching in anger. “To receive such an honor.” He cast his gaze over Seth. “Tell me, what did he do to earn that right...MY RIGHT!” He huffed, trying to keep his fangs in order.

“Ever since I was abandoned, I had a deep distrust of humans... but Seth here proved to be pure of heart, willing to put himself at great risk to keep even a complete stranger safe... So I knew...” She cast her gaze to Rika and smiled gently. “So I entrusted him with my... with our precious daughter...” She looked back at the snake, “Sev... meet Rika, you daughter. Rika... this is your Papa.”

Sev’s rage left him instantly. His jaw opened and closed a few times before he caught his voice again. “My...daughter?” He squeaked out. “...I had a daughter all this time and...I did nothing….” He leaned in closer to Rika. “She’s...so beautiful.” His eyes started to water. “She can’t be mine. She’s too perfect.” His crying started to get worse.

Rika’s reaction though... was a little different.

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?” She glared at the sobbing Seviper with surprise, shock and anger. “You never told me he was a Seviper, and one that has a screw loose at that. He just threatened to kill my beloved for crying out loud!”

Sev looked at Umbra. “Yes...This is probably a joke….I...am screw loose. She must have found someone more deserving to have you then me….” He tried to contain his sobs and looked away.

“Oh for the love of... Sev, she’s yours, I can guarantee that. And Rika, I’m ashamed of you. I raised you better than that and I know Seth sure as hell did!”

Seth nodded, but stopped when Umbra glared at him too.

“Look, I know it’s difficult to believe and I should have told the both of you a lot sooner, the fault is mine and mine alone.”

“Momma...” Rika said, her anger dissipating.

“But we all have a new chance here and I want to make a fresh start. We will probably never be one of these storybook families... But, I want my daughter to have what I could not have...”

Rika sighed and looked back to Sev. “Well, I’m not gonna say that Momma’s a liar, but I don’t know if I can call you Papa right away either Mr. Sev... but,” Rika swallowed the lump in her throat and continued. “I can at least give you that chance.”

“I don’t deserve it,” Sev sniffed, trying to collect himself. “All these years...I had a daughter...All these years, I did nothing to find you. It is my fault and my fault alone that’s true. I’ve just been gallivanting around on my crusade that….” Sev huffed. “I am a fool. I don’t deserve to be a father. I’d probably be terrible at it anyways-”

He was cut off as Umbra stuck his face with an Iron Tail. “Enough of this pathetic pity party! Sev, you didn’t know because I never told you. You are not a Psychic type. And Rika, I appreciate that you’ll give us a chance.”

Seth and Fritter just sat back, having obtained popcorn at some point and watched the drama unfold.

Umbra sighed as she licked the spot she hit. “Sorry, didn’t mean to hit you so hard. Joy will probably chew me out for that. But regardless, she is your beautiful daughter, only a being ordained by Arceus himself could have one as such, is that not right, Great Commander Sev?”

Sev chuckled. “Yes…” He snorted. “And you're not sorry.” He smirked, leaning in to nuzzle her. “I needed that anyway. I was acting out of character. I am not a tear shedder. I am a commander!”

Rika giggled a little, at the very least, Sev was pretty funny. “And to think, you also got a daughter and a son-in-law with the deal as well~”

“We aren’t married,” Seth answered.

“Yet~” Rika cooed back.

Sev happily nodded. “Yes….” His eyes turned to pinpricks. “Son in law?”

Umbra frowned, “Did.. did you not hear the part where I said that Rika, Fritter and Seth were in a relationship?” Oh dear…

“Truthfully I tuned you out at that point,” Sev said. “Other random people don’t interest me, so I decided to think of better things, such as you in lingerie…” He glared at Seth. “But that’s not important right now.”

Umbra spluttered, for once, she was actually speechless.

“Wow, you’re good,” Rika said. “I don’t think anyone has ever gotten a word in edgewise with Momma...”

“Because Sev seems to be beyond normal sensibilities.” Seth replied. That said, the image of Rika and Fritter in lingerie was not an unwelcome one either...

“You touched my daughter?” Sev hissed, baring his fangs. “You little worm! You touched my daughter!” He coiled into a striking pose.

Seth stood up to his full height and walked over to Sev, now he was about as tall as an Arcanine at this point. “Until five minutes ago, you didn’t even have a daughter, so your opinion is irrelevant... but I will offer you this courtesy. I care for Rika very much, and Fritter too. I will never and have never done anything to hurt them...”

Sev stared at Seth for a moment. “You really are giving me confidence with pouring salt into the wound,” Sev rolled his eyes. “The fact remains. I am her father. It is my duty to protect her and since I’ve done a lousy job of that the last few years, I think I can make up for that well enough now. So, for the next few moments, I’m going to be dense and ignore every word you say because that’s what fathers do...Okay, some fathers...A few...Oh, just let my daughter do the talking, you worm.” He snorted. “Let’s hear what she has to say. I’ll listen to her.”

Seth shrugged and looked to Rika, who nodded in response. Truth be told, she was happy that Seth said he cared for her... now if only she could get him to say the ‘L’ word.

“Look... Papa,” she gave thought to that word. It felt... strange, but she’d also wanted to say it for a long time. “I love Sethy a lot, I have for a very long time. And, it’s very sweet for you to care about my wellbeing so much. But... if you hurt Sethy, or Fritter...” A sadistic smile crossed her face, one very much like Sev when he was feeling murderous. “I will hurt you in so many ways...” And just like that, her smile was replaced with a sugary one. “So everyone should get along kay?”

“That smile….” Sev’s smile nearly broke his face. “And you called me Papa...You called me PAPA!” He laughed. “She called me Papa!” He said to Umbra. He then turned to everyone else. “Everyone! I’m the father of the best daughter in the world!

“Congratulations!” One person shouted.

“NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR OPINION!” Sev shouted. “I’M A FATHER!”

“WHY?!!!!” Another voice shouted. “I ALREADY HAD ONE TO DEAL WITH! WHY TWO?!!” Sev just laughed maniacally in response.

“I wonder just what I have unleashed upon the world,” Umbra said idly.

“Beautiful Chaos,” A voice whispered, causing the Umbreon to glance around, but saw nothing.

“Our lives just got a lot stranger,” Seth muttered. He looked up and saw a small Kirlia standing behind them. “Hello little one, who might you be?”

“Hi,” the Kirlia chirped happily as she munched on a cookie. She waved at them. “I’m Lia! I’m his sister.” She nodded at Sev, who was dancing a victory dance.

“Sister?” Rika looked at the adorable Kirlia. “Then... that makes you, my aunt?”

“I believe so,” Umbra nodded, “Even if you are older.”

“I’m an aunt?” Lia fistpumped. “Yes, I’m a grown up now...Wait, my big brother had a kid? When did that happen?”

“A long time ago,” Umbra said, petting her on the head. “You should ask your Mommy about it, she’ll tell you how that works.”

“NO SHE WON'T!” Sev shouted. Lia pouted and crossed her arms.

“Psst, big sis Rika’ll totally tell you later,” Rika whispered.

“Big sis?” Lia pouted even harder. “Awww, I wanted to be the older sibling...er Aunt for once.”

Rika couldn’t do it, she couldn’t disappoint a face that was too cute to be considered fair. “Fine... I’ll tell you later, Aunty Lia.”

“YAY~” Lia glomped Rika.

“Seth?” Fritter asked. “Whut the heck is going on?”

“I have no idea,” the Luxray replied.

“I know,” Sev triumphantly stopped before them. “This is the start of a grand reunion, the sort that is the stuff of legends! Fitting for a being, such as I, who is close as to a Legendary as you can get.”

“And I’m assuming that you have some grand idea?” Seth deadpanned.

“We shall do what I always do,” Sev chuckled. “We shall tail it!!”

“Don’t you mean wing it, big brother?” Lia asked.

“I DON’T HAVE WINGS!” Sev shouted in irritation.

“Thanks Arceus for small miracles,” Seth muttered under his breath. Could you imagine if this nut could fly!?

A voice called out to him and he glanced over his shoulder to see Ignis and Selena approach. Oh... this should be fun.

“SELLY!” Rika detached herself from Lia and launched herself at the Absol, tackling her into a hug.

“MORE FRIENDS!” Lia giggled and glomped the Absol as well. “She’s so fluffy, I’m gonna die.”

“What the hell?” Selena shouted as she was assailed by the two Fairies. “Oh sweet Arceus, there’s two of them!”

Ignis chuckled and looked at the two new Pokémon. “Don’t tell me you picked up more stray’s brother,” he laughed. “We’ll run out of room at this point.”

“Hey, this is Umbra’s fault this time!” Seth protested. “I have nothing to do with this.”

“You have everything to do with this,” Sev glared at the Luxray. “You are human...were human, but not human, but essentially kind of sort of still human, in a way that is Pokémon, but not. However! That does not mean that you're not human, ACTUALLY HUMAN traits now linger in you now Pokémon body. Therefore, meaning you are the essence of all faults.” Sev nodded as he finished his rant. “I think I made my point.”

Seth and Ignis just blinked.

“I... see?” Ignis was just going to pretend he understood that. “Well, who are you anyhow?” Seth would have introduced the snake... if said snake wasn’t already on a long-winded introduction of his own…

“You do not know who I am?” Sev looked shocked. “I am the great and powerful Commander Sev, leader of the glorious PLA, blessed by she, Princess Luna and cohort to the King of Zebrica.”

“He who is long winded and pompous I see,” Ignis laughed. “Well then little Sevvy, how do you know my brother and sister here?”

“I AM NOT SEVVY!” Sev shouted, pointing a bladed tail at Ignis. “No one calls me Sevvy!”

“What was that Sevvy?” Umbra cooed, sliding a paw delicately down his scales with a feather-like touch. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

Sev blushed and looked in pure bliss. “I’m Sevvy….”

Ignis laughed heartily, “Oh boy, she has you whipped good huh?” But that raised a bigger question, “Why is Umbra taming a Seviper?”

“Because,” Rika said from her spot on Selena’s back. “He’s my father apparently...”

You could have heard a pin drop from the silence that emanated from Ignis and Selena... Until both Pokémon burst out laughing.

“Yeah, good one Rika,” Selena wiped a tear from her eye. “He’s your Dad?”

Rika nodded, “I’m not lying.”

“She really isn’t,” Seth and Fritter confirmed. “According to Umbra anyway, and I don’t see why she’d make this up... and it also explains quite a bit about Rika too.”

Selena paused. “...Sadisteon?”

“Sadisteon,” Seth nodded.

“Arceus-damn it!” the Absol swore.

“Are you people quite done with my name!?” A voice rang out from across the hall.

“I’M DONE WITH IT, JERK!” Sev shook his tail defiantly towards Arceus. “You just wish you were as cool as Luna!” He smiled, proud of himself for saying that.

“Princess Luna is pretty awesome,” Seth nodded. “And sorry Arceus, won’t happen again!”

The Alpha Pokémon just turned back to Celestia, “These. Insufferable. Mortals...”

“So, Rika found her Daddy,” Selena said. Honestly, she wasn’t fazed by anything at this point. “Now what?”

“Now what?” Seth echoed. “Actually... I have no idea. Do you live here in Canterlot, Sev?”

“I live in Zebrica,” he stated. “It’s a rural nation plagued by strife…” He sighed. “A new world, a new conflict.”

“That... sounds pretty bad,” Rika said quietly. “Are you alright over there? I thought Arceus brought us here because it was peaceful?”

“Compared to Hoenn, it’s paradise.” Sev rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what I’d do in a peaceful world anyway.” He shrugged. “I’ve been fighting a war for most of my life, probably die in one. That’s how life goes.”

“Sev...” Umbra said quietly. “If you die in one of those wars, I will revive you and kill you myself. Alright?”

“Yeah, I just found out I had a Dad, please don’t die so soon!” Rika’s stunning blue eyes watered.

Sev couldn’t resist those eyes. Never. “I’ll do my best, but seriously you need not ask. None can best the sheer awesomeness that is I! My hide is indestructible.”

“Unless you get hit by Ground, Psychic...” Seth rattled off a Poison Types weaknesses. “Other than that, you should be golden.”

“Pft, I could take him,” Ignis said. “He’s no Moltres, that’s for sure.”

“Is that so?” Sev eyed him up and down. “I have thrown Tyranitars to the ground. I am invincible! Did you not hear me before? I fight in the name of the moon...not Arceus anymore….No one calls my army ‘Team Plasma’ mark 2 and gets away with it.” Sev grumbled the last part to himself.

“You got guts, I’ll give you that,” Ignis nodded. “And I’d be glad to fight you anytime... just not tonight.”

Seth’s eyes widened as he suddenly turned and threw his forelegs around Selena in a tight hug. “Seth what are you-?” And just like that, he let her go, but Selena noticed that when he left there was something around her neck. Seth turned and gave Ignis the same treatment, leaving a metal ornament around the dragon’s neck, a shining stone in the centre.

Ignis blinked as he looked at the familiar neckpiece. “Seth... are- are these...?”

“Your Mega Stones,” Seth said, holding his Keystone. “Arceus returned them to me.”

Ignis couldn’t help but let out a happy roar, scaring the crap out of several nearby party-goers. “This. Is. AWESOME!!”

“Mega Stones?” Sev jolted in surprise. “You have Mega Stones. I demand you share!”

Seth shook his head, “Sorry Mr. Sev, I have a few Mega Stones, but I’ll be hanging on to them. They don’t exactly grow on trees after all.”

“Seth!” Ignis roared excitedly. “Let’s do it! Mega Evolve me!!”

“Not yet,” Seth chuckled. “We’ll scare the crap out of everyone here. Tomorrow, I promise.”

“Big brother,” Lia looked up at him. “What’s crap?”

“........” Sev frowned. “I hate humans.”

Seth put a paw to his mouth as Rika giggled. he didn’t realise how young Lia was.

“Eheh, sorry?” Seth said. “And it’s grown up stuff... uh, Lia was it?”

“Oh, like fuck?” Lia said, tilting her head to the side in curiosity. Sev grumbled, rubbing his forehead. She nodded. “And I’m Lia. You’re my littlest niece’s special someone?”

“M’taller than you,” Rika grumbled as Seth laughed.

“That’s right,” he replied, rubbing Rika’s head. “Apple Fritter here is also our special somepony.”

“Nice to meet you Lia,” Fritter smiled.

“Nice to meet you too,” Lia smiled. “So you have two special someones? That’s a lot.”

“It’s less common lately,” Fritter said. “But Seth didn’t want to hurt either of us, so I came up with this solution.”

“It’s a good thing I think Fritter is adorable,” Rika nodded. “What about you Lia? Do you have a special someone?”

“She doesn’t!” Sev shouted, slashing at the ground in anger.

Lia shook her head. “Nope, not yet. I’m looking though.”

Seth saw Sev visibly twitch and smiled at the snakes plight. “Well I hope it goes well little Lia. Though as adorable as you are, I wouldn’t be worried.”

Umbra had been sitting quietly for a while now. Many things were running through her mind and she knew a decision had to be made. She turned to Sev, a small smile on her face.

“So what happens now?” she asked. “Will you head back to this Zebra place?”

“After a small trip to Las Pegasus,” Sev hissed in anger. “We have heard of reports of a ‘doctor’ there. After he has been dealt with….” Sev paused and sighed. “I owe the King much. I must help him...Yes.”

“I see,” Umbra smiled again, though it was a sadder one. “Well... I hope you have a safe trip Sevvy, try to stay out of trouble hmm?” She looked back at Lightning Dust and beckoned for her to come closer.

“I can stay longer!” Sev shouted in desperation.

“What are you guys talking about?” Lightning huffed as she walked closer.

Umbra closed her eyes for a moment, “When exactly are you leaving Sevvy?” She had an idea, but hoped that the snake would be sticking around for a day or so.

“Well,” Sev started. “We aren’t leaving ‘now’ now. More later. Perhaps a few days.” Umbra’s eyes lit up and she smiled.

“Excellent, then tomorrow, you, Rika and I will spend the day as a family. No excuses or exceptions. Got it?”

“That sounds like it could be fun, maybe,” Rika replied. “At least I could get to know Se... Papa here a bit better.”

“Yes….” Sev’s smile nearly split his face. “Know papa...I’m a papa!” He laughed and turned to Rika. “Oh there are so many things I have to teach you, my future little commander.”

“Commander?” Seth frowned. “You better not fill my Rika’s head with weird stuff Mr. Sev!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them,” Umbra laughed as she turned back to Lightning. “Sorry, now... your name was Lightning Dust, correct?”

“Yes,” Lightning snorted. “Thank you for noticing. For a moment, I thought you guys forgot about me.”

“Who could forget a cute little thing like you?” Umbra cooed, before her expression turned serious. “Now, as I understand it, you’ve been taking care of Sevvy here. Is that right?”

“More like keeping him alive,” Lightning said. “And even that’s hard. I mean, how can you stand the guy? He’s a lunatic.”

“Because he’s so cute,” Umbra giggled. “And the feeling of being wrapped on those strong coils is an incredible turn on~”

“Mom! Too much! Waaaay too much!” Rika said, blushing bright red.

“Oh?” Umbra shrugged. “Where was I? Ah yes, I have a small favour to ask of you dear Lightning.”

Lightning was blushing herself, looking really agitated. “Yeah, what is it?”

“Well... when Sev leaves...” she looked at her snake and gave him a small smile. “I won’t be accompanying him I’m afraid.” She sighed and looked back to the Pegasus, “You seem to be quite fond of him... so I want to ask you to keep looking out for him. I know he can be brash, loud and somewhat arrogant... but he needs others, he needs ones that care for him. Can I count on you for that Miss Dust?”

“I am none of those things,” Sev snorted.

“Yeah,” Lightning nodded. “I will.”

“Good girl,” Umbra smiled and then a salacious smirk crossed her face. She leaned in close and whispered into the mare’s ear. “If you ever want Sevvy to do something, simply run your feathers along his back when you ask. Turns him into a rather adorable, yet agreeable puddle of cute~”

“Really?” Lightning smirked, glancing at the snake.

Sev frowned. “Oh no, what did she tell you. Whatever it is, it is not true….unless it is something that is true then yes...yes it is.”

“What else? Oh, he enjoys having his tail blade polished... and has a thing for strong girls,” Umbra smiled.

“I wish you the best of luck Mr. Sev,” Seth said, his sensitive hearing having heard every word. “It would appear that you are quite popular.”

Sev smiled. “Yes I am.” He then frowned. “Yes I am.”

“My big brother’s the most popular thing ever,” Lia hugged him. “That’s a fact.”

Rika sided up next to Seth and purred, “Sethy~ I believe I was promised a dance tonight, since Fritter hogged all your time yesterday.”

A cold shiver went down Seth’s spine. Not because he didn’t want to dance with Rika... he just got a feeling that he was about to die... And then despite being more than twice her size, was dragged off to the dance floor by Rika.

“Ah, isn’t young love wonderful~” Umbra said wistfully.

“It also can be quite short,” Sev’s deadly grin bore on his face as he gazed at Seth. A drop of lethal venom dripped from his fangs. “Very short.”

“Sev, what did I say about threatening our son-in-law?” Umbra’s eyes glowed with Psychic power. “And you're setting a bad example for Lia.”

“Yeah,” Lia crossed her arms and glared at him. “Big brother, don’t be a meany. I wanna have little Eevee to cuddle. Eevees big brother.” She grinned as she imagined cuddling them.

Sev’s eyes widened. “Eevees?...My little girl?”

Umbra gave a small squeal, “Grandchildren? Oh, I can just picture their cute, little faces~”

Fritter gave a half-hearted smile. Well, that was something she wouldn’t be able to provide... “Foals huh...?”

Umbra heard the quiet comment and her eyes widened, “Oh.. oh dear, I’m sorry,” she hugged the mare.

“It’s alright,” Fritter replied. “Ah suppose there’s other ways... an we ain’t even that far in our relationship yet...”

“I’m sure it’ll work out, Miss Fritter.” Lia poked her big brother who was frozen in shock. “...Did you break him?”

Umbra walked over and then she got another brilliant idea. She looked at Lightning and chuckled darkly. “Oh Lightning dear? Why don’t you try and wake him up?”

Lightning walked over to him, turned around, and then bucked him. Sev went flying into a table. “That’ll do it.”

“GAH!” Sev looked around himself. “What happened? Are we under attack? YOU WILL FALL TO MY BLADE!” He powered up a Poison Tail and looked around himself.

Umbra blinked, then groaned and facepalmed... in that order. “I meant you should kiss him dear... and not with your hoof.”

“Kiss him?” Lightning’s face turned red. “That...that’s stupid. You’re stupid.” She pointed her hoof at Umbra. “I am not kissing him, ever!”

“She’s even more tsundere than you Sel,” Ignis chuckled as Selena frowned.

“I am not tsundere!” she pouted, blushing lightly. “Moron.”

“She has it bad,” Lia said.

“I DON’T!” Lightning shouted. “Shut up!”

Sev rushed back over. “Why are you screaming? Do you know what happened?” Lightning punched him. “Apparently you do.” Sev grumbled and rubbed his snout.

Umbra leaned over and kissed his little booboo, “Aw, don’t cry Sevvy, she loves you, I’m sure of it.”

“Some love,” Sev hissed. “Why must the ones in my life always hurt me?”

“Now that I don’t know...” Umbra turned to Lightning, “Perhaps Lightning was merely surprised by you and didn’t mean it. I’m sure she wants to give you a nice hug...” Umbra’s eyes narrowed. “Doesn’t she?”

Lightning scowled. “...Yes.” She quickly gave him a hug and pulled back. “That’s all you’re getting...idiot.” She snorted in anger.

“There we go, so adorable!” Umbra smiled. “Hmm, have we introduced these two yet?” She motioned towards Selena and Ignis.

“I know enough,” Sev snorted. “They are probably background mons or something. Yet….” He narrowed his eyes at Selena. “Have we met before?”

Selena paused and stared at Sev. “Does the name PLA ring any bells?” she asked the snake hesitantly. Who knows... it could be a different Seviper.

“I am Commander Sev of the PLA,” he hissed. “I think we have. Yes, most definitely.”

Selena twitched, “I remember you now... you and your little thugs tried to recruit me. ‘An Absol that can use Fairy moves is rare’, I believe that was the line you tried to feed me.” Selena huffed, “Plus, I didn’t like the way this one oggled my flanks.”

“Really?” Ignis looked at Sev hungrily. “You know... I always wondered what roasted Seviper tastes like...”

“Ignis, please don’t eat Sev,” Umbra sighed. “You’ll get indigestion.”

“None can eat me,” Sev stared down Ignis. “I eat them and they will know not to trifle with me….or die. Don’t really care really.”

“And yet a certain rock dinosaur almost ate you,” Luna chuckled as she walked past, catching the last part of the conversation.

“Princess Luna!” Sev shouted in surprise, looking at her. “You’re here?...You have a body?”

Luna stopped, blinked and then remembered who she was talking to. “Yes Sev, I have a body.” She gave the snake a small wink. “And quite a nice one if I do say so myself.”

Sev’s mouth went ajar. “I…….Can’t argue with that…..So...nice bo I MEAN, nice to meet you in the flesh,” he quickly bowed his head. Lightning grumbled.

“And you as well Sev,” Luna smiled. She gave a polite nod to Ignis, Selena and Fritter. “Oh, could one of you please tell Seth to come to the castle first thing tomorrow? I have something special I want to give him.”

“Sure,” Selena nodded. “I think he was planning on coming anyway.”

“Special….Give….HIM!” Sev turned to Seth. “WHAT?!!” He turned back to Luna. “But you took me under your wing. Don’t I get something?”

Luna smiled, that really annoying enigmatic one that seemed to come naturally to Celestia and Luna. “Of course Sev, would you like something in particular?”

“.....” Sev was lost in her eyes. “.....Yes.”

“An excellent answer!” Luna cheered. “I’ll have our artisans craft one for you as well. It should be done before you leave.” the Alicorn smiled and nodded, “Now I must go and ‘mingle’ as my sister puts it. And perhaps I shall find something fun to do. Until then my little Pokémon!” The lunar mare gave them a final wave and disappeared into the crowd.

“What was that about?” Umbra asked.

“...She left?” Sev blinked in surprise. He turned and pointed at Seth. “I blame you!”

Seth didn’t hear a thing as he danced slowly with Rika. The size difference made that somewhat difficult, but Rika had her ribbons wrapped around his neck and waist, while he had his head leaning over her shoulder.

“Yeah... I don’t think he heard you,” Selena said. “And what’s the deal with Luna? How come you know her?”

“She helps me…” Sev looked away. “She comes to me in my dreams. She actually took the time to help me see and understand me….She actually cared, unlike Arceus.” He snorted. “That’s why I decided to lead the PLA under her name for now on. We fight for Luna.”

“So, Pokémon Luna Alliance?” Selena guessed. “What is it that you’re doing now?”

“Fighting for glory,” Sev announced. “For freedom in Zebrica and the moon’s splendor!”

Selena nodded, she tried to recall the other PLA member that tried to recruit her. She believed it was an Aggron.

“I remember you had an Aggron with you, a really loud one at that.” Selena tried to remember that day. She’d gone into the forest for some solo training when they were visiting the Hoenn region. “Something about a pudding bomb...”

“Pudding bomb?” Umbra looked at Sev. “Really?”

“It was a work in progress,” Sev snorted. “It would have been rice pudding. No one likes that.”

All the Pokémon present, plus the two ponies shuddered in disgust.

“That is pure evil,” Ignis said.

Fritter dashed off, returning quickly with several Apple family pies. “Ah need something to wash that though outta mah head. Anyone else want some pie?”

Ignis took one, swallowing the whole pie in one bite. “Ahh, I do believe ah am satisfied,” he said with a surprisingly good Apple family accent. Good enough to make Fritter giggle.

“That was pretty good,” Selena said, poking her mate in the belly. “Too bad Seth’s accent is terrible.”

Fritter nodded, Seth tried her accent out once and the end result was him promising to never, ever do that again. The mare looked at the Luxray and Sylveon and trotted off to be with them, the three forming an awkward three-way dance.

Luna eventually made her way back over to them, looking rather bored. “Urgh, politics. We just had a solid week of that. Why is this party not more of a... party. Perhaps friend Pinkie Pie could arrange something? Or you Sev! Could you entertain your Princess?”

Sev bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty. Anything for you.” He turned to his soldiers nearby. “YOU! Gather the instruments,” he turned to some more. “You grab some Pokémon with actual talent this time to play them.” He turned to Lia. “You, be cute and adorable!”

“Okay,” Lia smiled.

Umbra held back a laugh. What was that crazy snake up to now?

“Alright,” Sev said to the now presented musicians. One of them gave him a baton. “Follow my lead. One, two three….” He was then blasted by such a horrible note that is sent him flying back into the wall. “.....I said talented!” He shouted out from the hole.

Luna’s laugh rang like clear crystal. “Ahhaa, such merriment. You are doing well Sev, but perhaps the music should be left for the professionals.”

“I have noticed that ponies seem quite talented in that area,” Umbra noted. She looked at Lightning, “What about you? Can you play or sing?”

“All ponies can sing,” Lightning snorted. “I just don’t. I’m too cool to sing.”

All of a sudden, Rika was right in front of them. “I can sing! Ooh, Ooh! Lia, Let’s sing something!”

“Yes!” Lia bounced up and down in excitement. “I can sing really good. My mommy taught me. She’s the bestest.”

Rika nabbed several Pokémon from the crowd and gave them instruments. “Okay, ready?” What followed was a bright, bubbly song that soon had everyone’s toes, hooves, etc tapping away. Rika’s voice was like that of an angel, pure and innocent. Lia’s little voice harmonised perfectly and soon several ponies were singing away too, turning the Gala into a giant musical number.

“She’s pretty good huh?” Seth said to Sev, having followed his little Fairy.

“My sister is the greatest singer that has ever sang in existence,” Sev nodded. “Gard would dispute that, however. He always thought his ‘trainer’ was the greatest.”

“I see,” Seth nodded. He looked around, seeing that Diantha was still conversing with Cynthia. Ignis was poking at his Mega stone, Seth reckoned that he wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

Fritter leaned against him and sighed. “Mah life has certainly gotten more interesting with you around, you know?”

“Join the line,” Seth agreed. “I think mine went straight past ‘interesting’ and well off into something that I can’t quite describe. If you’d told me a month ago that I’d be in another world, dating a pony and learning that Rika’s father was the leader of some Pokémonmilitia... I’d have said good day and be done with it.” He leaned against his mare as he watched the two Fairies launch into an encore. “Honestly, my life is pretty hectic now... but I wouldn’t change a thing about it.” He spared a glance at Sev, “Well... almost nothing.”

“So,” Umbra said to Sev, “Can you believe it now? That you have a very beautiful and talented daughter?”

“I am the happiest mon in the world,” Sev sighed blissfully. He then glared at Seth. “Well, almost anyways.”

“Boys will be boys I suppose,” Umbra sighed. She looked at Lightning, “At least they have us girls to keep them in line... are you singing?”

Lightning clamped her mouth shut. “Nope.”

“You are just the most adorable thing~” Umbra cooed. Luna on the other hoof, had joined the Pokémon up on stage, her melodious voice ringing out across the room.

“Luna appears to be having fun now,” Seth said. “Seriously, why is every pony such a good singer?” he looked at Fritter, “I’d like to hear you sing sometime.”

“Nope!” Fritter blushed. “Not how and not ever!”

“Yes, let’s.” Sev said, gazing up at Luna. “Our glorious goddess sings. She would be disappointed if you didn’t join in.”

Umbra nodded and she too begun to sing, and it became quite clear where Rika got her talent from. Umbra’s dulcet tones were stunningly beautiful and soon her and Luna begun a power ballad duet together.

“Wow!” Rika whistled. “I had no idea Momma could sing like that.”

“She could,” Sev nodded. “I can sing as well, but I prefer war tunes...or songs of home.” He frowned. “Never really had that.”

“A home?” Seth inquired. “Did you not have one?”

“Yes,” Sev nodded slowly. “But I was never there for long periods of time...I was busy.”

“I suppose I can relate in a way,” Seth replied. “I never knew my parents, they died while I was still a baby, so I grew up in an orphanage.” Seth sighed, “I never really became tied to one place until I met Elesa.”

“...An orphan?” Sev blinked a few times. “Yes...I was once that. Not for long though. My mother soon found me in that hell hole.”

“Well what do you know, we have something in common at last,” Seth chuckled. “Well, other than the fact we both care for Rika.”

Sev put the edge of his blade against Seth’s throat. “You are trying to bond with me, aren’t you?” He snorted. “Silly little mon, you think I’m just okay with my daughter, who I’ve never seen before, already in the arms of another?”

“Papa...!” the chill of death itself went down the snakes spine as Rika stood behind him. Her cute blue eyes filled with unprecedented rage. Her tone was as still as the night air and just as chilly. “What did I say about playing nice?”

Sev hissed in anger. “For you….” He slowly pulled away. “I will play nice.” He patted Seth’s head. “As nice as any father to the one who ‘steals’ his daughter’s heart.”

“I stole nothing.” Seth defended himself. A small pink Pokémon just defended him, he needed to reassert his masculinity. Stat. “Up until a week ago, I had no interest in Pokémon romantically... but Rika wore me down I suppose. And I’ll play nice too... for her sake.”

“....Wait, my daughter was the one who pursued you?” Sev blinked in surprise. He then looked at Rika. “Him? This guy?”

“Whaaaat?” Rika replied. “He was cute, and sweet, and nice and now he’s a fluffy, and incredibly sexy Luxray!”

“Sexy?” Seth raised an eyebrow as Rika nodded, even Fritter had a small blush.

“Do you have to call him sexy?” Sev groaned. “Really? Come on, it’s like you want me to hate him.”

“Okay, then how about physically and hormonally attractive?” Rika suggested.

“Rika, just stop,” Seth sighed, ignoring Sev’s glares and decided a change in subject was in order. “So what’s happening tomorrow?”

“Well, Princess Luna wants you here at the castle for some reason,” Selena said. “And I believe that Rika and her parents are having a family day?”

“Well, I want to anyhow,” Umbra replied. “I want the three of us to have some time before Sevvy has to leave. And just the three of us.”

Sev happily nodded. “Yes, just the three of us...As a family….” His eyes started to water. “I made a family.” And just like that, he was shedding tears. Again.

“Aw, don’t cry Papa,” Rika said and just like that, for the first time, the little Sylveon hugged her father.

Sev hugged her back, but his crying got worse. “S-sorry, my little one. I shouldn’t cry….” He tried to wipe away his tears.

“Yup, Papa’s gotta be manly!” Rika giggled. “Isn’t that right Aunt Lia?”

Lia rushed over and hugged him tightly. “Don’t cry, big brother. It’ll be okay. We’re together now and it’ll stay that way.”

“Hugs on Sevvy~” Umbra giggled as she dragged Lightning Dust over for a massive group hug.

“Let me go,” Lightning growled. “Fine, one!” She quickly gave the Seviper a hug. “Just one.”

Most ponies had been a bit confused by the sudden cuddle-fest, especially when Pinkie suddenly started hugging everyone in sight. Soon the Pokémon split up and Seth chuckled lightly.

“Well, that was strange...”

“What do you mean ‘strange’?” Sev piped up.

“Not used to sudden cuddle piles, even when Rika’s involved,” Seth said. Even Luna had flown off, surprising her sister with a flying hug. “Equestria man, this place will rob you of all masculinity.”

“I need none of whatever that thing is,” Sev puffed out his chest. “I am far better than it.”

“Did you hear that Lia?” Rika said with a smirk. “Papa says he’ll have a tea party with you whenever you want~”

“He already does that,” Lia pointed out. “He’s the bestest big brother ever!”

“Wow, you really are a cool Papa,” Rika said. “You get a gold star!” Pinkie popped out of the crowd and placed a gold star sticker on the Seviper’s head.

“In case of sticker emergencies,” she explained before running off with Hoopa.

“...what?” Even Rika could not comprehend what just happened.

“I have received a gold star,” Sev smiled. “For I am the greatest….Who was that mare and why do I feel the urge to make her a General?”

Elsewhere, General Gard paused and frowned. “I’m getting a migraine... Sev is thinking something fantastically stupid right now...”

The party was starting to wind down, and Seth yawned, showing of his sharp teeth. “Whew... I’m getting a bit sleepy...”

Fritter would have responded, but the mare was snoozing happily, laying across Seth’s back. Rika nodded and rubbed one of her eyes. “Me tooooo, sleepy Rika is sleepy.”

“Rika,” Sev said. “A Commander is above sleep….” He yawned. “But it would be nice to talk with Luna some more.”

“Well, then we should get going for the evening.” Seth shifted slightly, putting Fritter into a more comfortable position. “Tonight has been... strange.”

“And interesting,” Rika mumbled. “An’ I got to meet daddy...”

“I can’t believe you’re all so sleepy,” Umbra said, with Selena nodding in agreement. “Night time is the best time!”

“Agreed!” Luna nodded. “But We understand now that some mortals require sleep during the night... as to why, well that continues to elude Us. Hmm, maybe We should swap with Tia and become the sun Princess. She can raise the moon, how hard can it be to raise the sun?”

“I don’t need to sleep,” Sev smirked. “I shall enjoy the glory of the night in all of it’s splendor. There is no better time to be awake.”

“Says the snake that is making me seasick from his rocking,” Umbra smiled. “Well, I shall procure some coffee for us night dwellers, I take it that you’re off home then Seth?”

“Yeah, poor Fritter has never stayed up this late. And Rika looks like she’s about to fall asleep standing.”

“M’not sleepyyyyy~” Rika mumbled from her spot on the floor. “Just resting my eyesss.”

“That is the spirit, young one.” Sev chuckled. “Don’t give it, fight! That is the Commander way. Ah, and what a fine one you shall make. The world will shake in your very presence.”

“Mmm, milkshake~” Rika snored, the realm of sleep had claimed another victim.

“Aaaand she’s gone,” Seth chuckled. “Well, I’d best go before I wind up carrying my whole team home.” he turned to Sev and nodded his head. “It was... nice to meet you Sev.”

Sev bowed his head. “Maybe one day I shall say the same.”

“Hopefully,” Seth agreed, though his tone a bit more forced. “I won’t give up you realise. I can be stubborn like that.”

Fritter mumbled something in her sleep and hugged Rika a bit tighter, the Sylveon making a noise similar to a squeaky toy.

“What was... never mind, not even gonna question that,” Seth muttered. “So, until tomorrow then?”

“Until tomorrow Seth,” Umbra nodded. “Have a good night.” The small group left, with only Umbra remaining behind. “Well Sevvy, Seth is still alive, so I guess you don’t hate him that much.”

“Maybe I just want him to suffer?” Sev asked, carrying a sleeping Lia on his back.

“Or maybe you are a terribly nice snakey sometimes, and that’s why I love you so much,” she stated, kissing his cheek. “Honestly, so much could be resolved if everyone could just admit their feelings, like that Pegasus girl.”

Sev huffed, glancing at Lightning who was also sleeping on his back. “I very much doubt….” Sev blushed and looked at her. “You still love me so?”

“I never stopped,” Umbra said. “But it has been a long time, things have changed... we have changed. What we had, it’s gone forever Sevvy.” Umbra sighed and her rings glow faded. “We ended because of my foolish ex-trainer, who abandoned me when I had Rika... I spent many years living with hate in my heart Sev, and if it wasn’t for Rika...” She shuddered when she recalled an old memory, of a human she almost killed out of pure hate. “Rika was what kept my heart intact. But yes Sev, I still love you, even now.”

Sev twitched in anger. “It always comes to humans….Ruining everything.” He hissed in anger. “I….never even got to hold her egg, or hear her first word...even an argument over what dress she wants to wear out. Anything,” he tapped the ground relentlessly in his agitation. “I have been absent her whole life till now.”

“And you have the rest of your days to make up for that,” Umbra said softly, stroking Lia’s head as she stirred. “Nobody is blaming you Sev and we are all fine. Rika has grown into a confident and powerful young Pokémon. Heh, did you know she could go toe-to-toe with a Champion’s Pokémon?”

“Really?” Sev grinned. “With a champion? Oh, I’m sure our baby girl was victorious!”

“Well I don’t know, the League kicked Seth out before the championships... or so I’ve been told. They were never given the chance to prove themselves.” The Umbreon spotted Diantha leaving the Gala, a shining Keystone around her neck. “Perhaps... they may still get that chance.” She turned back to the snake and with a flick of her tail, nabbed his PLA hat and put it on her head.

“Heehee, General Umbra of the PLA, how do I look, O’ Great Commander?”

“All hail Umbra!” Sev cheered.

“As well you should,” The Umbreon chuckled. “I wonder what your other Generals would say, taking a former lover as a General? Ooh, such scandal~”

“Gard can do it,” Sev huffed. “So can I!...Well, not really the ‘former’ part, my sweet. We can leave that behind.”

“Ah, but your little marefriend there might get jealous,” Umbra replied. “Though... she is cute, and if Rika can learn to share...”

“And thus We return with the nectar of life!” Luna’s shout nearly caused Umbra to jump out of her skin as the Alicorn walked back to them, floating several pots of coffee. “Our sister thinks she can keep this liquid from Us? I say Nay!”

“I am above coffee,” Sev grinned. “But if you insist, I shall have one that is prepared by our great goddess of the night.”

“Excellent!” Luna clapped her hooves. “We prepared this brew Ourselves, and We hope it is too your liking!”

The brew in question was potent... to say the least. This was coffee meant to keep an Alicorn awake... Sev would stand no chance.

Sev took a cup and drank it. “Tis most excellent,” he chimed. “Though it might not work all at once. Reptilian you know.”

Umbra sniffed the coffee and pushed it away. Drink that vapourised your nose hairs was not meant for consumption. “Yes, well... you can keep that one. I think I’ll be fine.”

“A pity,” Luna shrugged, simply drinking from one of the pots. “Now Sev, let us talk...”

*~*

“Well, that was certainly an interesting evening,” Seth mused as he walked slowly so he wouldn’t disturb his sleeping passengers.

“Interesting it putting it mildly,” Selena groaned. “I can’t believe that scaled fruitcake is Rika’s father.”

“Mega. I get to Mega Evolve!” Ignis repeated to himself. “And then I’ll re-challenge Reshiram and it will be awesome....

“And I guess I’m sleeping alone tonight,” Selena muttered. She looked at her own Mega stone and smiled. “But I do understand somewhat, it’s like the feeling of being home again.”

Seth nodded, glancing at his bag full of stuff. “Too bad half of it is useless now... like my Holocaster and XTransceiver.”

Once they arrived home, Titania and Christine were in the middle of yet another argument.

“Eh, I’m too tired for this crap,” Seth muttered as he headed upstairs. he flicked the lights off as he did, plunging the arguing Fairy and Dragon into darkness.

“Well... um, bedtime then?” Titania shrugged.

“Might as well,” Christine shrugged. “Just do me a favour and don’t wake up again.”

Author's Note

Yeah... so... this is now a thing. Evo and I cooked it up quite some time ago and were planning on keeping it a secret.... turns out we suck a secrets.

Stay tuned for more soon. What happens next is quite interesting, cause every chapter will be crossovers with almost everyone. It'll be a blast!

tdn - And that concludes the wedding and world summit. Also, took it long enough for the (obvious) reveal of Rika’s father.

Chapter Twenty Six

Even after everything had happened, Seth had slept like a log. And waking up next to Rika and Apple Fritter was now one of his new favourite things to do. Their new, bigger bed was much more suitable, but it still didn’t stop the two girls from falling asleep atop of him.

he lay there for a while, simply enjoying the peace and quiet... until Apple Fritter’s Arceus-damned alarm clock rang again, only the mare put it out of Seth’s reach this time.

The mare yawned and gave Seth a light kiss once she awoke. “Mm, mornin sugarcube! Ya’ll sleep okay?”

“I slept fine,” Seth smiled, kissing her back. “And you did too, on my back, all the way home.”

Fritter blushed and squeaked. “W-well, I ah...”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it,” Seth replied. “I can carry you and Rika just fine. I kinda like it actually. Being a quadruped is kinda cool sometimes.”

“Ngh! No big words this earlyyyyy~” Rika groaned as she stirred. “I want a smooch and then some food.”

Seth just chuckled as he and Fritter kissed their little Fairy, who happily cooed in response. The trio lay there for a moment more before getting up, already finding Titania and Christine awake, as well as Umbra.

“Morning ladies,” Seth greeted them. Titania and Christine both returned the greeting, before scowling at one another. Umbra merely nodded as she drank her coffee. She hadn’t gotten home until early this morning. So either she got caffeinated, or someone dies.

“So what’s the plan for today?” Rika asked as she poured some cereal that had a sugar content so high it should be illegal.

“We have our family day remember?” Umbra said. “It should be quite interesting.”

“Sure, that’s one way of putting it,” Rika mumbled as she ate her cereal.

“Rika...” Umbra warned. “You said you would at least try.”

“Well then he needs to stop threatening Sethy,” she defended her mate. “Or I will get mad at him.”

“That’s fine, we’ll tell him as such when we meet up with him,” Umbra sipped at her coffee and sighed contently. She’d definitely need another before dealing with Sev.

Seth, meanwhile, had already gotten his bags on and was heading for the door. Fritter frowned as she watched him.

“You’re leaving already?” she asked. “What about breakfast?”

“Princess Luna said to be at the castle as early as possible,” Seth explained. “I’ll get something from Mocha’s along the way. Don’t worry, I shouldn’t be too long.”

Selena and Ignis must have been still asleep, so after giving a kiss to Rika and Fritter, and a goodbye to the other three, Seth was on his way to storm the castle.

Even this early, the streets of Canterlot were already bustling. A few Pokemon and Ponies offered a friendly wave to the Luxray as he ran down the street, stretching his muscles like this felt really good. He wasn’t sure why, but ever since becoming a Luxray, he liked running a whole lot more.

That said, he was still out of breath once he reached the cafe, and Mocha blinked in surprise as he entered.

“Well now Seth, what’s got you in such a hurry?” she asked as he walked in, taking a seat at his usual table.

“Nothing much, just wanted to run for some reason... though I guess even after the transformation, I’m still a little out of shape.” The Luxray took a few deep, slow breaths.

“I’ll get you some water,” Mocha giggled.

“Thanks Mocha,” The Luxray beamed and greedily gulped the liquid down once she brought it to him. “Could I have my usual breakfast please?”

“Three pancakes, a mocha latte and a hash brown,” Mocha rattled off. “Also, could ya take a seat at the back? I haven’t had a chance to clean the front tables yet.”

“No problem,” Seth replied. He grunted as his sore muscles protested to the movement, but he made his way to a booth near the stage at the back of the cafe.

He took a seat and sighed as he got comfortable. “Phew, note to self, run more often.” his mind wandered to the Summit, and what that meant for the Pokemon and Ponies of Equus. “I certainly hope things calm down at least, the last thing I need is another incident like the last.”

“And now that you said it, it’ll probably happen,” a voice chuckled from the seat behind him. “Murphy’s law and all that.”

Turning around, he saw what looked like an Earth Pony mare with a blue coat and brown mane, and a cutie mark showing a cavalier hat behind a misty vale.

“I suppose I just did, it’s somewhat of a habit of mine,” Seth chuckled. Oh, my name is Seth Crescent, might I have yours?” He was surprised to hear a pony reference Murphy, was that a thing her as well?

“Alice,” she simply said. “And I’ve heard of you. Didn’t expect to see another former human here,” she said, smiling slightly.

“Another?” Seth blinked at this information, and it didn’t really make sense. “Um... you’re a human too? But you’re a pony.”

At his words, the pony’s form suddenly faded away, revealing a large Fox-like Pokemon with a bright red mane of fur. A Zoroark, and one wearing a pair of reading glasses. “I prefer it when ponies don’t stare,” she explained.

“Understandable,” Seth replied. He had to admit, she was pretty cute wearing those glasses, then his mind wandered to what Fritter and Ria might look like with them.

“So Mr. Crescent, how is Equus treating you? Better than Earth I hope, considering humanity is more or less extinct...physically at least,” she asked, as she took a sip of her coffee.

“That’s a morbid way of looking at it Miss Alice,” Seth replied with a dry tone. “But yes, certain things have gone well, but I suppose a new set of problems simply replaced the old ones a the same time.”

“Considering what our ancestors pulled on Arceus and the other Legendaries, and not to mention the crap the bad parts of humanity have done over the years, I personally think humanity got off easy,” she shrugged. “As for problems, its unavoidable. Especially since Arceus seems to have good intentions, but...well...he doesn’t think things through if this exodus was any indication,” she chuckled at that.

“Perhaps he lost his ‘Performing a Rapture’ instruction book?” Seth laughed. “Still, I am glad for one thing in particular. That those who could not find love in the old world, can finally have it in this new one.”

At his statement, Alice laughed cutely. “Maybe someone should write him a book called ‘Raptures for Dummies’, in case he tries again. As for love...I’m glad for them too. That was one law that I think went a BIT too far,” she chuckled.

“Understatement of the year right there,” Seth replied. he turned in his seat so he could talk more comfortably. “So what brings you to Canterlot Miss Alice? Seeing the sights?”

“Friends of mine. They have some business here, and since they’ve been so kind to me since I got here, I’m doing what I can to help them,” she smiled. “That’s another thing I like about this world. Aside from a few...unsavory spots, its a very beautiful world,” she said. Then a thought crossed her mind. “How did you know I was from out of town? I doubt you memorize EVERY Pokemon in this city.”

“Magic!” Seth replied, but smiled when Alice gave him an amused, yet deadpan stare. He tapped his nose and nodded, “This actually. The ponies and Pokemon living here all have a rather unique scent, one I noticed that ponies and Pokemon from Ponyville didn’t have, and one you do not have. It may sound silly, but my nose has never been wrong.”

For a moment, unseen to him, Alice’s smile dropped, but it quickly came back. “Well then, maybe I should bathe in the scent a bit more so that I don’t give it away so easily,” she chuckled. “So, any recommendations? I’d have gone for the castle, but...I would think that’s not exactly a tourist spot.”

“The castle is generally open to the public, for those that wish an audience with the Princesses, or want to tour the Gardens. Other than that, I’ve had little time for sightseeing myself.” He paused for a moment as he thought. “We do have the Sundial that Arceus dumped here, and the Falls are quite nice as well, oh, and the Crystal Caves if the Carbink living there will let you.”

“Ah yes, the Sundial. Maybe I’ll visit it later. It would be nice to feel like I’m back home again,” Alice smiled, a slightly nostalgic look on her face.

“You’re from Kalos?” Seth asked. “I visited the region a few times, but it was mostly to visit Diantha for training or simply to catch up... plus the odd hunt for a Mega Stone or two.”

“Yeah, I heard about that. You’re Diantha’s unofficial apprentice, weren’t you? As for me...I’m actually from Hoenn, but I moved to Kalos for my college degree a little over 5 years ago. I’m a little disappointed I never got to finish my degree before we were sent here, since it wasn’t easy working to be a researcher,” she sighed a little glumly.

“A researcher?” Seth asked. “And I wasnt aware I was known in the Kalos region...” He sighed, “At least not for that reason. I hope no one thought ill of Diantha because of it.”

“Don’t worry. It wasn’t common knowledge. Let’s just say I know a few people, and leave it at that, so I know a few things the public doesn’t usually know,” Alice laughed.

“So mysterious,” Seth chuckled. “But I’m glad. I would’ve hated to learn that I brought scorn upon yet another of my friends, simply because they were my friends.”

“Honestly, I thought it was kinda dumb. I mean, your only real ‘crime’ was speaking out against what you thought was an unfair law. Last I heard, you never did anything illegal... except your supposed ‘abuse’ of your Pokemon, but if you really did do that, then you’d have been convicted long ago. Sides, its not like you did anything like those evil teams did,” she sighed. “You would think the authorities had better things to do than chase people who LOVE their Pokemon. Last I checked, the crazy guy with the doomsday weapons is a bigger threat than the guy doing ‘it’ with his Pokemon,” she ranted, a small part of her ‘other’ side showing.

Seth blinked, but that didn’t stop the wide smile he was wearing. It was nice to see that someone else could see the skewed priorities that Earth law enforcement seemed to possess.

“Heh, I think the only person that liked to aggravate the law more that me was that ‘Phantom Fox’,” Seth replied. “Now there’s someone I’d happily share a drink with, though I doubt a thief would have passed Arceus’s little screening...” he sipped at his water and sighed. “Pity.”

“Not exactly,” Alice chuckled as she took another sip. Seth coughed into his cup as he looked at her.

“W-what?” he spluttered.

“My friends are traveling magicians. We’ve been to a few towns, and some of them had one thing in common. Fox hit them,” she simply said, secretly enjoying the look on his face.

Seth blinked, before he chuckled... which turned into gut-busting laughter. He wiped a tear from his eyes as he beamed widely. “Well I’ll be damned, I may yet get that drink.” Mocha gave him an odd look as she brought out his breakfast.

“Someone tell a good joke?” she asked.

“Something like that,” Seth giggled. “I should read the paper more often from the sounds of it.” He took a sniff of his breakfast and hummed appreciatively. “This smells delicious Mocha~”

“I sure hope so,” she replied. “Would you like anything else Miss...? Huh? Where’d that pony from before go? She didn’t pay for her coffee yet.”

Alice just chuckled at her expression. “You’re looking at her. I’m a Pokemon known as Zoroark, the Illusion Fox Pokemon. I think you can guess the rest. And just to avoid a fuss, here ya go,” she said, before placing some bits on the table. “I promise they’re real.”

“So, you’re like a Changeling?” Mocha blinked as she took the Bits. “You Pokemon sure are full of surprises, next thing you know, you’ll tell me that there’s talking ice-cream and walking cupcakes.”

Seth and Alice remained conspicuously quiet, only for Mocha to facehoof. “Really?” she asked as the two nodded. “I need a drink...”

Seth munched on his hash brown and sipped at his latte while the two girls spoke. He was really getting the hang of gripping things with his paws now. He quickly inhaled his pancakes and his coffee, feeling the pleasant buzz from the caffeinated beverage.

“While you're at it, could I order something more. I’ll have a cheese omelette, with some hashbrowns on the side,” Alice ordered.

“Can do,” Mocha smiled. She noticed Alice’s sharp teeth and decided she’d at least ask. “Just an omelette? Or would you like some diced bacon added to it?”

“You serve bacon here? I’ll have some,” Alice smiled.

“I live in the most multicultural city in Equestria,” Mocha winked. “You gotta adapt if you want to succeed here. I’ll be back with your order soon.” She trotted off, whisking Seth’s empty plate away as well.

“Mmm, that was good,” Seth hummed happily. “Mocha makes the second-best food in Equestria, no doubt.”

“Oh? Is it really smart to say a chef’s food is second best in front of the chef?” Alice chuckled.

“Unfortunately, my lovely marefriend has to take precedence,” Seth smiled, the smallest of blushes gracing his cheeks.

“Fair enough,” Alice smiled, just as her food came...until she realized what he said. “Wait...marefriend?”

Seth nodded, “Her name is Apple Fritter, she owns the local orchards here in Canterlot and provides most of the city with them...” Seth trailed off as he thought about the cute, little mare. “Her desserts are nothing short of ammmmazzingg~”

Alice took a moment to process this. “Alright, I guess if humans can fall in love with Pokemon, Ponies shouldn’t be too much of a stretch,” she sighed, before deciding to take a bite of her food. When she did, she she smiled widely. “Delicious! One thing I love about this world is how delicious the food is.”

“It is pretty amazing,” Seth agreed. He probably shouldn’t mention he was also dating one of his Pokemon. “I try to remember the things I would eat back home... they pale in comparison.”

“Its true. My family was quite wealthy back home, yet even the food I was able to eat pales in comparison to this,” she smiled as she ate with gusto.

The distant bell tower chimed and Seth’s eyes widened as he realised the time. He was so bucking late! He jumped to his paws and hastily grabbed his bags.

“I’m really sorry Miss Alice, but I have a rather urgent appointment to get to... well, more like the pony I’m meeting is not one you want to keep waiting.” He bowed his head apologetically and ran from the cafe, leaving a small pile of Bits on the table for Mocha.

Said mare came out from the kitchen and blinked. “Wha? Where’d Seth go?”

“He ran off. He had some important meeting. Why?”

“”Just wondering why he ran off like his tail was on fire,” Mocha replied. She scooped up the bits and then blinked. “Oh, he left his wallet behind.”

Alice blinked at that, before quickly scarfing up the remainder of her meal and placing some bits on the table. “I’ll bring it to him. I can still catch him if I hurry,” she said, picking up the bag.

“Thankyou,” Mocha called out as the fox ran off and smiled. “Such a nice girl.”

After receiving the notice, Princess Celestia immediately called upon Grissom and Captain Ironside. This problem had to be addressed immediately.

“You rang your Highness?” Grissom asked as he entered the throne room. He had worked for the Princess for many years, and could tell she was upset about something. And once Grissom saw the bold letter, explaining that the theft of the Canterlot Crown Jewels was imminent... again, he could understand why.

“So just who is this Phantom Fox?” Ironside bellowed. “And who does he think he is? Making such a bold claim up front like this?”

“It’s a good thing Seth Crescent decided to join us when he did then,” Grissom said. “His skills will come in useful for protecting the Jewels and-”

“And lose them like last time?” Ironside replied with a tone of disdain. “That creature failed to protect the Jewels last time and was even brainwashed by the enemy. No, this is now a Guard problem and we will handle it.”

“Now look here,” Grissom was starting to lose his temper. “Problems like these are exactly what we enlisted Seth and his team for! We have no idea who this Phantom is and what they are capable of-”

“And like I said,” Ironside cut the stallion off again. “We will handle it! We can stop this pesky, low born thief, no matter where they hail from! he will rue the day he made such a bold declaration!”

Celestia sighed, while Ironside was good at his job, it was always such a joy to have to deal with him. “I would have to agree with Mr. Grissom,” Celestia said calmly as Grissom mentally pumped his hoof in the air victoriously. “He, or she, claims to be a thief from Earth, we have no idea what trickery might be involved.”

“While I would love to agree with you Princess, this Seth Crescent has already failed once and the council cannot afford to risk the Jewels again.” Celestia swore under her breath, the Council simply loved to undermine her authority, despite the fact she had personally known their great ancestors, they always thought they knew better...

“The Council?” Grissom was a little more vocal with his displeasure. “Those idiots couldn’t find their own flanks with all four hooves! What do they know about catching a notorious thief?”

“They know not to leave to an alien creature that has already proven his ineptitude,” Ironside replied. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have a petty thief to capture!” And with that closing statement, the pompous Captain strode from the room. Grissom blinked and then stomped his hoof before calming himself down.

“I am sorry for my attitude Princess Celestia, that was unprofessional of me.”

“It’s quite alright,” Celestia said with her ever-calm tone, but to the keen observer, her ethereal mane flickered a little quicker than usual. “While I could overrule the Council’s decision, they would see that move as an abuse of power...” Her stoic expression then turned a little cheeky as she gave the smallest of grins to her old friend. “I trust I can leave a contingency plan to you then?”

“Of course Highness,” Grissom smiled back. Make a note Council, never play political chess with Celestia. You will lose... badly.

Ironside stomped a hoof over a map of the palace as his men all sat around the large table.

“Okay boys, this will be a simple job. I want a squadron of Pegasus guard on the roof, nothing gets in and nothing gets out! Am I clear?”

“SIR, YES SIR!” the Pegasi cheered.

“I want Earth’s on every entrance and exit. No blind spots! This thief won’t be able to set foot, claw or hoof inside this Palace without one of you knowing. Clear?”

“”CRYSTAL, SIR!”

“And Unicorn’s,” Iron concluded. “I want four of you at the vault, all armed with anti-sleep and paralysis wards, along with illusion diffusion spells. The rest will make periodic sweeps of the halls and gardens!”

“SIR!” the Unicorns saluted.

“An even if, by some small grace, he actually makes it to the Vault, only the Princess can open it anyway... he’s screwed eight ways to Sunday,” Ironside chuckled. “I dare this thief to even try!”

Seth walked into the Palace, hoping that the Princess would be too mad that he was running late.

The one thing he noticed was that the Guards were buzzing with activity, running here and there, some giving Seth an odd look. Seth decided it was best to ignore them and head straight for the throne room, though he found the door barred by two huge Earth Ponies.

“I have an appointment with Princess Luna,” Seth replied. “Can you let me past please?”

“All Court sessions have been postponed for the next few days,” one guard explained. “Come back then!”

Seth was about to retort when the doors opened and Luna poked her head through. “Ah Friend Seth, please come in!”

As childish as it was, Seth poked his tongue out at the guards as he walked in. Once inside, he also found Grissom waiting as well.

“You’re here,” Grissom greeted him. “Did you have any trouble?”

“A little,” Seth replied, looking back at the door. “What’s going on?”

“We shall explain in a moment, but first,” Luna’s horn lit up as she presented something to the Pokemon. It was a gleaming silver torc, one similar to those worn by the Princesses. On the front, it bore the Cutie Marks of Celestia and Luna, as well as a small, round indentation.

“Your badge of office,” Luna said proudly. “Our favoured silversmith worked quite hard to get this done in time, and we believe his work is as exemplary as always.”

“It’s really cool,” Seth said as he looked over it. “And this is really for me?”

Yep,” Grissom replied. “You’ll need something so that the citizens of Equestria will recognize your authority, and it has a few extras as well.”

“Extras?” Seth said as he slipped on the torc. It was pretty comfy to wear actually, and barely weighed anything.

“Press my Cutie Mark,” Luna said, but blushed when Seth wiggled his eyebrows and smiled. “The one on your torc Seth!!”

“Heh, I know, couldn’t help it,” Seth smiled. “So what does it do?”

“An enchantment to amplify your voice,” Grissom explained as Seth pressed the mark and activated the spell.

“SO HOW DOES IT- WHOA!!” Seth’s voice boomed through the hall. “THIS IS LOUD!”

“HUZZAH!” Luna thundered back with her own Royal Canterlot Voice. “TIS GOOD TO SEE OUR SPELLCRAFT WORK THUSLY!”

“THIS IS PRETTY COOL,” Seth replied. “I WISH I HAD THIS BACK ON EARTH, WOULDA GIVEN MY SPEECHES MORE IMPACT!”

“WE ARE GLAD YOU LIKE IT,” Luna smiled. “I WAS WORRIED THAT THE ENCHANTMENT WOULD NOT WORK ON A POKEMON!”

“WELL, IT SEEMS TO WORK JUST FINE,” The windows rattled at this point as the throne room door flung open and a disheveled Celestia stood there.

“FOR THE LOVE OF ME, WOULD THE TWO OF YOU SHUT UP!!” Her voice sent even Luna flying as the Solar Alicorn snorted and teleported from the room.

“Eheh, whoops?” Seth smiled as he deactivated the enchantment.

“WHAT?” Grissom shouted, quite deaf from the conversation.

“Now, there’s no need to shout,” Luna chided him. Grissom groaned in response and sighed.

“Anything else I need to know about this thing?” Seth asked.

“Indeed,” Luna nodded. “Touching my mark will activate the Canterlot Voice, whilst Tia’s is a passive enchantment. As long as you wear it, you will have a higher resistance to magic.”

“Resistance to magic?” Seth questioned, and without warning, Luna’s horn lit up and she fired a blast of magic at him. While it normally would have made him stumble, the magic simply dissipated in a shower of sparkles.

“Whoa!? Okay, that was cool, but a little warning next time would have been nice,” Seth muttered.

“My apologies, but it answered your question did it not?” Luna stated.

“Well, yes, I suppose.” Seth sighed and noticed the indentation. “And what’s this for?”

“That’s a more recent addition,” Luna stated. “It is so you can mount that Key Stone of yours.” Seth’s eyes widened and he wasted no time in digging around in his bag until he found his old Mega Ring. He removed the stone and placed it inside the torc, the stone fitting snugly inside.

“I... wow, I don’t really know what to say,” Seth said quietly.

“One would usually express their thanks,” Luna smiled and Seth nodded.

“Of course, thank you so much Princess Luna!”

“You’re welcome,” Luna smiled. “While you’re here, we have something to ask you.”

“Of course, what is it,” Seth beamed happily.

Grissom handed him a letter, and Seth’s elated mood fell somewhat as his eyes scanned the page.

Stuck on the page was a black card-shaped note, with the other side revealing a white area that had writing on it. ‘In my travels through this new world, I have heard tales of jewels whose radiance can only be outdone by the very Elements of Harmony themselves, and in those tales, all of them pointed to this fine city atop the mountain. Therefore I have decided. Tomorrow night at 10, The Equestrian Crown Jewels shall be mine.’ With a symbol that looked like a Zoroark’s head next to it at the bottom.

Seth re-read the letter a few times to be sure, but it definitely looked familiar. “Phantom Thief Fox,” he said. “Yeah... I’ve heard of her alright.” Just this morning in fact, as he recalled his conversation with Miss Alice.

“Her?” Grissom, “Well, that’s more info than what we had.”

“I don’t know much myself,” Seth replied. “But I do know about Fox. Heck, anyone who’s dealt with international, or even widely public issues would know of them.”

“So what else can you tell us Friend Seth?” Luna asked.

“Just that Fox has never failed to steal a target. Ever! And that there’s more that one. Fox isn’t a solo act, they use a variety of Pokemon and illusions to steal. It’s quite spectacular actually.” Seth wasn’t about to admit he liked reading about her exploits, watching the police fall over themselves was always amusing.

“So what can we do?” Grissom sighed. “Especially since you can’t ‘officially’ help us on this one?”

“What?” Seth exclaimed. “Um, no offense, but isn’t this why you hired me in the first place?”

“YES!” Grissom shouted, “But those pompous, bullheaded, flankholes in the Council don’t trust you, especially after the Control Incident.” He suddenly realised that he’d insulted the Council in front of a Princess.

“My apologies Majesty,” he said, but Luna dismissed him.

“Fret not my little pony, we too think this ‘Council’ of ours are more useless than the brain in Nephew Blueblood’s head,” Luna sighed. “In my day, little ponies didn’t question Tia and I, we could care for them quite well on our own, and even so, they only really spoke up when they had something ACTUALLY important to say. The council just keeps running their mouths.”

“To bad we can’t make them look like the idiots they are, without risking the Crown Jewels,” Grissom said.

“That could be taken as treason,” Luna smiled. “Fortunately, it seems my hearing as a little off today, must be the altitude.”

“What risk?” Seth replied. “The jewels’ll just get returned anyway...”

Both ponies blinked as they looked at the Luxray like he had just grown a second head.

“Um, come again?” Grissom said.

“Fox steals, that’s true, and she always succeeds, that is also true,” Seth said. “But she almost always returns what she has stolen, with the only times she didn’t return them being when said item was...smashed when the police tried to get it back from her. Not just that, many of her heists have also uncovered some sort of criminal element in the process.”

This little piece of information ticked over in Grissom’s mind as he formulated a plan of sorts, and a wide smile crossed his face. “I think I have the most wonderful idea, but I need to make sure of a few things first.”

“Wonderful, he’s being all cryptic again,” Luna sighed. “Regardless, I can trust this matter to the two of you?”

“Leave it to us Your Majesty!” Grissom saluted, along with Seth. “The Crown Jewels will be kept safe!”

“Very well,” Luna yawned. “I believe we shall retire to bed, it has been a most exhausting night.”

“Sleep well Princess,” Seth waved as the tired Alicorn smiled back in response, before leaving the two alone to formulate a strategy. “So...what do you have in mind, Grissom? Remember, we’re about to try doing what’s basically been deemed impossible back on Earth.”

“The plan?” Grissom grinned widely. “Is that there is no plan!”

“...” Seth blinked and stared hard at the stallion. “That... makes no sense.”

“Of course it does,” Grissom beamed. “The Jewels will be returned yes? So when Fox inevitably steals them, and Ironside and the Council fail, we will be all the better for it.”

“That... sounds like it’s a tad too convenient to work,” Seth replied. “No doubt the Council would still just blames us anyway, for not assisting in the first place.”

“Hmm,” Grissom’s mood deflated somewhat. “I hadn’t thought of that.” he rubbed the back of his head with his hoof and sighed. “This is what we get for letting Blueblood decide who’s on the Council.”

“That... explains a lot actually,” Seth replied. “Hmm, how about we get posted as Guards? Even if Fox steals the jewels, then even if we fail, we can’t be singled out.”

“That could also work,” Grissom said. “Who knows, you might even catch her?”

“That would be a nice bonus, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Seth had had quite enough of woefully underestimating his opponents. His teams shockingly easy defeat at the hands of Checkmate being at the forefront of his mind.

“It’ll be tough to convince Ironside to let us in, but I should be able to manage it. Until then, take the day off and relax. I’ll send a messenger once I have more information.”

“Will do, I have a few things to do today and Ignis will get impatient if I don’t hurry.” Seth gave the Thestral a smile and the two shook paw/hooves. “Until then my friend.”

Once he’d left, Grissom headed off to draw up his plans for tonight... And hoped to hell it would work.

On the way out of the castle, Seth was about to head home when a certain voice caught his attention. “There you are, I was waiting for a while here,” came Alice’s voice, sounding slightly annoyed.

“Alice? What are you doing here?” Seth asked in surprise.

“You ran off after leaving your money that you forgot your wallet. I figured I’d give it back to you, but I didn’t expect you to be going into the castle, and into the deeper parts at that,” she explained. She then added, “So...how was it? You seem to have friends in high places if you can go in there of all places.”

“Ah, well thank you for returning my money,” he took his money pouch and placed it back into his bag before shooting a glance at the castle. “As for having friends in high places, well it’s something like that,” Seth replied. “I work for the Princesses you see, as part of the Royal Guard that covers Pokemon-related incidents.” His gaze narrowed as he recalled what had just transpired. “Though I feel a little left out of the loop now...”

Unseen to him, Alice developed a sympathetic look, but quickly changed it back to a normal expression. “I see...This is probably classified, but...wanna talk about it? Maybe I can give you some advice,” she offered.

Seth smiled and nodded, it wouldn’t hurt to tell her about it right? If Fox was indeed involved, then the news would be anything but private. Still...

“As long as you can keep it a secret, at least for now.”

“Sure. Not like I know anyone who’d want to know about anything going on here. I’m only going to be here for a day or 2 more. Depending on how long Sleight’s show takes,” she shrugged.

Seth nodded and a small smile crossed his face. “Well, it looks like you were right about Fox being here in Equestria. She’s after the Crown Jewels here in the capitol... but the ponies here are convinced that they can handle it themselves, and I think they severely underestimate her skills. Their treating her like a common thug, not the skilled Phantom Thief that she is.”

“That IS a problem. As someone who’s lived in Kalos when she was active, I know how things usually go down. If they don’t take Fox seriously well...let’s just say they’re about to get the biggest serving of humble pie in their lives,” Alice idly commented. “Actually...considering its Fox...that might not be such a bad thing.”

“Yeah, we’re kinda banking on that actually,” Seth chuckled. “Though the way my luck’s been running lately, the Crown Jewels will either be damaged, failed to be stolen or she’ll decide to keep them...”

“Oh, don’t be so pessimistic. Just be careful. You won’t be able to go through life if you keep expecting the worst. Sure, you should plan for it, but don’t expect it to happen,” Alice said, patting him on the shoulder. “Sides, this is Fox we’re talking about. Her track records pretty good if you ask me.”

“I’m plenty optimistic,” Seth replied. “But Murphy has been quite active in pursuing to prove me wrong at every step. Between a power-mad Unicorn, Checkmate, the PLA and Arceus-knows what else...” Seth cut off his own rant and looked a little abashed. “Sorry, I’m kinda dumping all this on you and you’re just trying to help.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it,” she smiled. “I did ask after all,” she said. “Anyway, I think I’d better get going. I’ve got some stuff to do, not to mention I wanted to at least sightsee a little,” she said. “You take care now.”

“I will, and thanks for hanging out with me for a while,” Seth smiled. “Maybe next time you can meet my family? Rika will positively adore you... be warned, she a hugger though.”

“Maybe I will next time. Next time I come to Canterlot that is,” she smiled, before walking off.

Later that afternoon, once Princess Luna had awoken, both Princesses were gathered in the throne room, along with Grissom to discuss their strategy for when Fox attempted her heist tonight.

“”It’s quite simple really,” Grissom smirked. “We make a show of stopping the heist, and Ironside should not be able to resist trying to upstage us, the more so the better.”

“You play a dangerous game Night Guard,” Luna spoke. “Should things not go exactly as we plan, then Seth is the one that will suffer the consequences.”

“I have hunch,” Grissom said with a smile. “Trust me, it’ll work out just fine.”

“We are still uncertain. Too much is banking on chance. We do not feel comfortable with risking it, especially if the council suddenly decides to pin the blame on him...even if THEY’RE the ones who did not want him to help,”Luna sighed.

“Oh, we’ll just have to have a counter for that,” Grissom said.

Before they could discuss further, the doors opened as two more guards stepped in, with a Lucario following them. A Lucario wearing a guard badge.

Celestia seemed interested, now what was a Pokemon doing with a Guard badge? And why had she or Luna not been informed of this?

“STATE THY NAME!” Luna bellowed in the Canterlot Voice, causing the Lucario to stumble back from it’s force.

The Lucario quickly got back on its feet, before saluting. “Officer Jonathan Trace, Baltimare Guard, and formerly of the Kalos Police Force,” he stated, his voice disciplined and respectful.

“Baltimare?” Celestia echoed. “They always did enjoy not filing their paperwork correctly... or at all.” She looked at the Lucario and nodded. “Very well then Mr. Trace, what may we do for you today?”

“I heard that Fox is planning a heist on this castle. Requesting permission to join the defense,” he stated.

“That’s... quite abrupt,” Celestia said and Grissom nodded as well.

“With all due respect, ma’am, sir. I was in charge of the Fox case back on Earth, and have been pursuing her for the last 5 years. I have a better idea of how she will likely act, and I am proud to say that I am one of the few officers to have come close to apprehending her,” Jonathan stated.

“And in five years, thou hath yet to catch her... even once?” Luna stated with a dry tone. “Your resume is less than impressive Officer.”

Jonathan’s stoic expression cracked a bit at the statement. “Understood. However, I have intel on Fox’s likely movements, and have been tracking her since she resumed her crime spree on Equus. And for all its worth, I did manage to catch her once on Earth....unfortunately she had already planned for that too that time…” he groaned at the last part.

“What do you think?” Luna whispered.

“Perhaps this was the ‘counter’ we were hoping for?” Grissom smiled. Celestia shook her head and sighed. What on Equus was she going to do with this stallion?

“Very well Officer Trace,” Celestia replied with her usual regal tone. “As a Princess of Equestria, not only do I recognise your station, I also grant you permission to assist with this case. You will need to find Captain Ironside, the stallion in charge of this endeavour.”

“Much appreciated, your highness,” Jonathan smiled and saluted, before adding, “If I may suggest, assuming you already have a perimeter secured, have guards ready to shift from location to location if necessary. Unfortunately, Fox’s Pokemon form, a Zoroark, has only made her more efficient in terms of her ability to sneak into locations. I wouldn’t put it past her to send out decoys and tricks to confuse the guards before she moves in on her target.”

“Those details are being left up to Ironside,” Celestia said, the smile disappearing from her face. “I’m afraid our hooves are tied this time.”

“Understood. I will report to Captain Ironside immediately,” Jonathan nodded.

“Also,” Grissom said with a small smile, his fangs glinting. “You will be working with our own Pokemon division on this case, do try and get along with them okay? They may be your best bet.”

“At this point, I’ll take anyone. We need as many able bodies as we can if we want even a CHANCE of catching Fox. We’re going up against 5 centuries worth of refined techniques,” Jonatan sighed.

“That’s quite the tall order, I do hope you succeed,” Grissom smiled a little too widely.

“Why do I get a bad feeling about this? Like I’m suddenly dancing to one of Fox’s scripts?” Jonathan mentally groaned when he saw the smile. However, he simply nodded, and went off to find Captain Ironside.

“This is going to be fun~” Grissom grinned as the Lucario left.

“I pray no-one gets injured tonight,” Celestia added.

“Should I bring popcorn?” Luna asked. The other two turned and looked at the Alicorn, looks of shock on their face.

“It’ll be buttered!” Luna defended.

“Not if Tartarus freezes,” Ironside replied, once Jonathan had stated his request. “I’ve already said no to you creatures, and yet you keep asking. Is ‘no’ a word you simply do not understand, or is there nothing but air between your ears?”

Jonathan looked almost...stunned at the response, but quickly recomposed himself. “But sir, all I’m asking is that you arrange the guards to be able to quickly respond and adapt to the situation if needs be,” he explained. “Fox works via tricks and confusion. A rigid approach to her just won’t work.”

“A thief is a thief,” Ironside replied. “My guards have never failed and nor will they tonight.”

“Totally wish Shining was still here,” one of them whispered to another.

Jonathan for his part resisted the urge to groan. “Not every thief is the same, sir,” he tried to reason. “Fox...every Fox that ever appeared on Earth has never been caught before. And even now, after 5 CENTURIES of gathered knowledge and expertise, they still continue to evade the law.” he sincerely hoped that could make Ironside see reason…

“Then it simply goes to show how truly incompetent your law enforcement is,” Iron smirked. “If it were me, that thief would be rotting in a cell by now.” Ironside thumped his hoof on the table and the map that was on it. “Tell you what, you can help out. I kind of feel sorry for you at this point, and maybe seeing real stallions catch a thief might make you a better Officer.”

Jonathan REALLY wanted to groan at this point. This stallion was full of himself, and for all it was worth, he HOPED he could deliver. But after years of dealing with Fox, he had a pretty good idea how someone like him would end up, and it wasn’t with Fox behind bars. Despite that he forced himself to push down his ire. “Understood. Thank you very much, sir,” Jonathan said insincerely, though Ironside never noticed.

“Good,” he snorted as Jonathan walked outside. “Maybe there’s hope for your kind yet!” he grunted as Jonathan walked away. Ironside looked over his plans and smiled. Tonight was going to go off without a hitch

Once he was outside, Jonathan slammed his fist into a nearby wall, cracking it. “Real stallion my ass. That idiot isn’t even taking her seriously. All he’s done is made this a whole lot easier for Fox,” he grumbled. “That moron is lucky Fox returns what she steals, or I’d hate to be in his shoes when this is over.”

Seth stood in the open training field of Canterlot Palace. Since that debacle with Checkmate, he had decided that a little training was in order. Plus Ignis had been itching to practice his Mega evolution. So along with himself and his dragon, Selena, Fritter, Titania and Christine were also here.

Ignis stood there, idly scratching his belly. He looked back to Seth and sighed. “You know,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about that fight ever since, and I’ve been wondering...”

“Wondering what?” Seth asked as he rummaged through his bag.

“Why you told us to take a dive before we went in.” The dragon walked over to his trainer and sat on the ground. “We looked like a bunch of amateurs... so why?”

Selena nodded and Titania blinked in confusion. He’d told his Pokemon to lose? Why?

Seth looked up, he figured that this question would come up sooner or later. “Okay, well... a few reasons really. One, what would have happened to you both if you’d fought seriously?”

“We might have actually won?” Selena deadpanned.

“And you would have been too exhausted to attend the wedding after,” Seth pointed out. “You would have sustained serious injuries which could take days to heal and some of those Gryphon’s might have been badly wounded or worse.”

“I’m pretty sure the one Selly ripped to shreds is scarred for life,” Ignis chuckled. “Well, I suppose I could live with that reason, but what’s the other?”

“Checkmate strike me as the type to hold a grudge,” Seth replied and looked at Titania. “Uh, no offense?”

“None taken,” the Fairy smiled. “We really do like to get even.”

“And if he had beaten those two,” Seth replied. “Then the rest of the guild may have come looking for some payback... and that’s a headache I really don’t want to deal with.”

Titania just laughed out loud. She thought that his Pokemon’s movements seemed a tad sluggish at the time, but had chalked it up to tiredness. If Roll and Shredder ever found out... Oh boy, Shredder at least would be freaking pissed.

Selena gave his reasons some thought. “Yeah, alright. I guess I can live with that.” The Dark type put a paw on his shoulder and gave the Luxray a stern look. “But if there is a next time, I will crush them! Understood?”

“Perfectly,” Seth nuzzled his beloved Pokemon. He looked to his dragon and smiled. “Now, what say we let Ignis have a little fun?”

“Oh sweet Arceus yes!” Ignis cheered as he took a spot on the battlefield. “LET”S DO THIS!!”
Christine was looking forward to this, though she wouldn’t tell anyone. She’d never seen Mega evolution before.

Ignis and Seth took a deep breath as they got in sync. Breathing practise was the first thing that Diantha had taught them, and the two spent a few minutes just meditating.

Christine tapped a foot, wondering when the two were actually going to get around to doing anything, while Selena waited patiently. Titania and Fritter stood off to the side, eager to see what would happen.

Seth and Ignis finally opened their eyes as the Luxray pressed a paw against the shining stone on the torc around his neck.

“Let your flames rage across the battlefield. Ignis, MEGA SHINKA!”

It didn’t respond at first, but then a brilliant light erupted from it, as the stone around Ignis’s neck replied in kind. The tendrils of light met in the middle and soon both Pokemon were engulfed by their brilliance.

As soon as it had begun, the light dissipated and Ignis now stood taller, his wingspan was much larger and his long, whip-like tail lashed around. His horns had split into three and small fins now protruded from his arms.

Titania looked over his new form, while Selena just blatantly oggled it, a small line of drool coming from her mouth.

“Well,” Christine said. “That’s... certainly new.” Were it not for her laser-like focus on Sam, she might honestly be tempted, Selena be damned. Stupid sexy dragon...

“Why did he say it in Kantonese?” Titania asked Selena.

Selena nodded, but her eyes remained glued to her sexy dragon. “He likes the way sounds, rolls off the tongue better...” Oh, she knew something that she wanted to tongue~

“Oh yeah!” Ignis chuckled as the sun seemed to grow harsher. “I’ve missed this!”

“Alright Ignis,” Seth said as he pointed to some targets at the end of the range. “Let’s start out nice and slow. Use Flamethrower!”

Ignis grinned as he took to the sky and roared. A stream of white-hot flames poured from his mouth and one of the targets became naught but ash in the wind.

“A nice start,” Seth smiled. Ignis nodded and decided that he was done taking in easy. He slammed his claws into the ground.

“BLAST BURN!!”

The earth under the targets exploded in a massive ball of superheated flame. Titania threw up a Protect, but the heat from the flames still made her sweat. Fritter and Christine yelped and jumped back and Selena just sighed as she stared wistfully at her mighty dragon.

The target on the other hand? Well, if you could call the mound of molten earth targets anymore...

“Well, you could also do that,” Seth said with a light chuckle. “But now we don’t have a target anymore.”

“Hey! Is everyone alright? I heard an explosion…” came a voice. Turning towards it, they saw a Lucario wearing a Guard Badge running towards them. However when he got close, he stopped short. “...and suddenly I think I know where the explosion came from,” he deadpanned when he saw Ignis.

“Yeah, just getting in a little practice,” Ignis chuckled. He walked over to his Absol and scooped her up into his arms.

“How about a little joy ride?” he grinned salaciously and Selena just nodded, blushing like mad. The dragon looked to Seth, who gave a light smile.

“Just be back soon okay?”

“No promises!” Ignis grinned as he took off. The Luxray turned back to the Lucario and offered a paw.

“My name is Seth Crescent, former trainer and current employee to the Princesses Guard.”

The Lucario blinked before taking the paw. “Its a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Crescent. I’m Jonathan Trace, formerly of the Kalos Police and currently of the Baltimare Guard,” he said, before grabbing Seth’s leg. “I’m afraid you’re also under arrest, for charges including Pokephilia, apparent abuse of your Pokemon, and a whole other pile of Taurus Crap charges,” he laughed, before letting go, getting a kick out of the look Seth had when he said he was under arrest.

It took Seth a few seconds to process what the Officer had said and powered down the Discharge he had been building.

“I am so very glad Selena wasn’t here to overhear that,” he sighed. “I would really hate to explain to Celestia why my Absol be-headed a Lucario on her lawn...”

“She probably wouldn’t have got far. Isn’t that right, Heat?” Jonathan simply said, as a Combusken walked into the clearing, followed by a Mightyena and a Noibat.

“Of course not. If she even tried, she’d be kissing Quick Attack, followed by a Sky Uppercut to LEO,” the Combusken, Heat, chuckled.

“LEO?” Fritter asked, confused by the term.

“Lower Earth Orbit... or Equus Orbit in this case,” Seth explained. He’d sent a few persistent Ranger’s there...

“You can tell when someone goes to LEO by the little ding in the sky that happens every time,” Jonathan chuckled. “Anyway, all jokes aside, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Crescent. I always like to see the so-called ‘Most wanted’ when it comes to cases like Pokephilia. You wouldn’t believe how many of those charges are just plain crap.”

Seth scratched the back of his head while Fritter looked away, blushing.

“Well... there might be some truth to those charges now...” he replied with a small smile. “Regardless, it’s nice to meet an Officer that doesn’t have a Braxien stick up his ass.”

“Well...dunno what to say about that. I mean, as long as it’s consensual, I don’t really see the problem,” Jonathan shrugged.

“It is, don’t worry about that... besides, we’re all Pokemon now. It’s not like we really have a choice.”

“Well, unless you go native,” Fritter grinned.

“...Yeah...I think I’ll stick to my own kind,” Jonathan commented.

“Anyway, seeing as you’re working for Princess Celestia, I assume you’re the Pokemon division that Grissom told me about,” Jonathan started.

“That’s right, well I am anyway. My Pokemon are included by default it seems.” Seth looked to the sky, but doubted Ignis would be back anytime soon. He then glanced at the trio of Pokemon that accompanied the officer. “So these are your partners I take it?”

“Yep. These guys have stuck with me through thick and thin for years now. Wouldn’t find any more loyal or dependable Pokemon anywhere,” Jonathan grinned. “Let me introduce you. This is Heat,” he motioned to the Combusken. “Howl,” he gestured to the Mightyena. “And Echo,” he pointed at the Noibat.

“Yo,” Heat greeted.

“Its nice to meet you,” Howl nodded.

“Let’s get along,” Echo smiled.

“Nice to meet all of you,” Seth nodded. “They look pretty strong too.” The trainer in him suddenly had the urge for a battle... except he had none of his Pokemon. “Wish I could introduce my team... they’re all a bit indisposed though. The Charizard from before was Ignis, and the Absol was Selena. I also have a Sylveon, Rika.”

“And I’m Apple Fritter,” the Earth Pony mare spoke up. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Though... do try and refrain from arresting my Seth again hmm?”

“As long as he doesn’t do anything that would force me to, we’re all good,” Jonathan waved her off. “So...not to be abrupt or anything, but...I do believe we have bigger things to worry about now.”

“Yeah... Fox.” Seth sighed. “And yet that idiot stallion is just going to let her take the Jewels from the way he’s carrying on... not to mention that my team and I can’t even help.”

“Yeah...that guy didn’t even listen to my when I was suggesting how to better anticipate Fox. Jerk even had the gall to call our world’s law enforcement incompetent when he doesn’t even KNOW how much we sometimes invest in trying to catch a Fox,” Jonathan grumbled.

“Well,” Seth replied. “I’m in no position to question the laws... priorities anymore,” he said. “But is there a specific reason you can’t catch her after all this time. One person surely can’t be that good. Even a Champion can be defeated...”

“Yeah. In a fight. But Fox just plain doesn’t work that way. Every Fox that has ever existed knows the tricks his or her predecessor knew, so they’ve been...refining their techniques over the centuries. What more, even though we know one is coming, there is no way to tell HOW they’ll do it. Especially with this Fox. She’s a frikkin magician. I have to second guess everything I saw whenever I chase her, and the one time I DID manage to catch her...well, let’s just say there was a puff of smoke, and suddenly I was handcuffed to the railings,” Jonathan groaned.

“That... sounds like tonight is going to be a massive pain in the ass,” Seth replied with a groan of his own. “Like I haven’t had enough of those already...”

“Well...if its any consolation, at least Fox’s heists are usually entertaining...if you get to see what she does,” Jonathan said almost feebly.

“Maybe I’ll grab takeout,” Seth mused. “So at least we’ll get dinner and a show.”

“Do they have curry? That always helps me stay up,” Jonathan idly commented.

“Get some for us too while you’re at it,” Howl chuckled.

“Curry for four,” Seth nodded. “I’ll remember.”

Grissom chose that moment to fly from the castle, landing neatly in front of them.

“Hey there Seth, I was hoping to find... you.. here?” He looked at the carnage that Ignis had wrought and sighed. “Well, guess where our tax dollars are going now...”

“Sorry bout that Griss,” Seth chuckled. “I did tell him to take it easy... and, well the castle is still standing sooo, silver lining?”

“...I don’t know how I’m to respond to that,” the Thestral sighed. “Anyway, I got you and your team on the case tonight. so here’s hoping for a successful mission hmm?”

“Sweet, I knew I could count on you,” Seth grinned.

“Oh and I see you’ve met Mr. Trace as well,” Grissom replied. “I hope you gentlestallions can get along.”

“I don’t think we have a problem here,” Seth smiled. “Unless Mr. Trace disagrees?”

“No problems here. I’d rather work with Mr. Crescent any day. At least we’d actually be able to get something done,” Jonathan snorted as he gave another glare at the castle where Ironside was.

“Amen to that,” Seth agreed. “I almost hope Fox wins at this point.”

“Crescent. With how the current person in control is acting...she’d be able to win with her hands tied behind her back,” Jonathan deadpanned.

“Well, paws in you wanna get technical,” Seth replied. “Still, Fox has never dealt with us before, that that should put a nice spin on things.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Still…” Jonathan sighed. “I had high hopes that in Canterlot, I’d be able to coordinate something that could finally catch her. Now though….” he shook his head. “Either way, if you don’t mind, I’d like us to go over the plans I had. I’ll have to adapt it, but I should be able to come up with something workable for us…”

Bonus Chapter - Getting to know the folks

Author's Note

Okay, fair warning in advance. Be prepared for a good deal of insanity. And I mean A LOT.

You. Have. Been WARNED!!!

Bonus Chapter - Getting to know the folks

It was the day after the Gala and Seth, Rika and Umbra headed back to the Royal Palace. Seth had a few things to discuss with Princess Celestia and had left before them, while Rika and her mother had a vastly different mission…

Rika was going to meet the Seviper that was supposedly her father.

“Are you still doubting your mother?” Umbra sighed. “Honestly, there is no other Pokemon quite like him. There is no way I am mistaken or being deceived. He truly is your father.”

“Yeah well,” Rika sighed and looked at her mother. “I’m not gonna be all “Daddy’ and stuff, especially since it seems he didn’t even know I existed until last night.”

“You know that was my fault more than anything,” Umbra replied. “And you became Seth’s partner Pokemon at quite an early age. So it’s understandable that you never met him.”

“Just… as long as he isn’t expecting too much,” Rika said softly.

Umbra nodded, she could understand how she felt at least. She still noticed the large bruise on Rika’s forehead. “How’s your head?”

“Still a bit sore,” she winced, rubbing it with a ribbon lightly. “I still can’t believe she did that. I mean, who the hell throws something like that in a Pokemon battle? She’d totally be disqualified for a cheap shot like that. I don’t think they’d have the first clue on how to battle to League rules,” Rika complained which also garnered Umbra’s attention.

“If I may ask, why do you still adhere to those rules? The League doesn’t exist anymore, and your opponents don’t seem to play by them either…”

“All the more reason why we have to,” Rika replied. “The Pokemon League format was created to protect both Trainer and Pokemon from serious harm. Sure, accidents still happened on occasion, which is why a Trainer signs the Nuzlocke Contract when they become a trainer, in case an accidental death occurs. Honestly, it’d take half the day to explain it.”

“Hmm, it still sounds interesting, so I’ll keep it in mind,” the Umbreon mused as they approached the Castle. It was rather quiet, despite the sizable population the caste had at the moment. “I don’t like it…”

“Don’t like what?” Rika asked.

“Sev is here, yet it is quiet,” Umbra stated. “I’ll admit that I didn’t know him all that long, but if there is one thing that I learned, he is anything but quiet.”

“So…” Rika said once he left. “What now Momma?”

“Hmm, well I haven’t the faintest idea where Sev might be. I suppose we could ask someone…” Umbra looked around, but didn’t see anyone that she thought would be particularly useful. “Which might be a little harder than I thought…”

Rika walked up to one guard and prodded him. “Excuse me mister?” she asked in a sweet tone. “Have you seen a Seviper around here? Uh, it’s a big, black snake. Probably talks a lot and is really loud?”

The guards eye gave a slight twitch and Umbra chuckled. “Oh, he’s met him alright. Do you know where he is at the moment sir?”

“Left wing, with the Zebra clan,” he stated. “Follow this corridor all the way down and you can’t miss it. Believe me.”

“Thankyou,” Rika and Umbra echoed before heading in that direction. It didn’t take too long to reach where they needed to go, as they heard a rather loud conversation behind one of the closed doors.

“And I believe we found the room,” Umbra chuckled as she raised her tail and rapped on the thick door using Iron Tail. Soft pawpads were not made for knocking after all.

A zebra soldier opened the door. She quirked an eyebrow as she stared at the strange foxcats. “Can I help you?” She asked moreso to be safe. Quite a lot of mon look like regular animals and she didn’t want to be blasted again for being rude.

“Ah, yes,” Umbra coughed lightly. It’d been a while since she had to use the human language again. “We’re looking for somemon named Sev. Is he here perchance?”

“I DON’T NEED YOU TO WATCH ME!” Said Seviper’s voice roared. “I AM COMMANDER SEV! A COMMANDER WATCHES HIMSELF FOR ONLY THEY CAN TRULY VIEW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM!”

“Yes,” the zebra mare frowned, rubbing her ear.

Umbra chuckled, mirroring the zebra’s actions. “So I see. Mind if we come in and see him? Tell him that his family is here.”

“Family?” The mare’s eyes widened. “There are more of him running around?”

“Oh, we’re slightly more normal,” she looked at Rika and shrugged. “For the most part…”

“Hey!”

“So, may we come in? He might even quieten down a little.”

“Well,” the mare nervously looked back into the room. The shouting had evolved into more harsh whispers, since the others knew someone was listening. “The Commander isn’t exactly in the best mood right now, given the whole suicide watch, but I think some family could do him some good. So yeah, I’ll let you in.”

“Excellent,” Umbra smiled as the zebra mare stepped to one side and the two fox-like Pokemon stepped into the room. “Oh Sevvy~” she sang out. “Come out and play~”

Of course, said snake couldn’t resist such a voice. In a blur, Umbra was wrapped up in his large coils and he nuzzled her. “Ah-HA! You have come back to me. Of course. I knew it to be so, because I am never wrong.”

“Hmm, well, we’ll see about that,” Umbra chuckled, returning his nuzzle. “Still, you sure you want to continue that train of thought in front of your daughter?” The Umbreon tilted her head to the Sylveon standing to one side, looking around the room.

Sev’s smile nearly broke his face. Which is a tad bit creepy when it’s a snake doing so. “My Daughter!” He brought the rest of his tail around her and nuzzled her. “It is great to see you once again. I just knew you couldn’t keep away from me as well. Who could with a father such as I?”

“Ow, watch the bruise,” she said, pushing his head back from hers with a ribbon. “And yeah, I said I’d at least give you a chance right.” The fact that a Poison-type was touching her was just a tad unnerving… but her Mom seemed to be alright.

“A chance that I will….” Sev froze up. “Bruise?...Someone bruised you? Someone dared to bruise the daughter of Sev!”

“Meh, they got lucky… and they cheated,” Rika pouted as she folded her forelegs in an adorable pout. “I mean, she threw a sword at me! Who the hell does that!?”

Sev’s vision turned red and a sinister smile crept on his face. “I will be happy to show them the same. Perhaps Twenty five-fold, for that is far greater than ten and when thrown by me, it is impossible to dodge. I just need to get Loom to build me a slingslot I can wield with sword in it.”

“Slingshot? Hmm, I figured a cannon might work better,” Rika mused, imaging the look on that Bisharp’s face.

“You two are so related,” Umbra giggled to herself.

“And I love it,” Sev proclaimed. “A true family of my own.” He sniffed. “She’s already thinking up battle plans. Truly the start of the greatest commander to ever command!”

“I don’t think I’m ‘Commander’ material,” Rika replied as she made air quotes with her ribbons. She looked around at some of the zebra’s and Pokemon present and shrank back a little. “Why’s everyone staring?”

“Well it’s kind of scary to think he’s reproducing,” King Trot quipped, chuckling. He walked on up and bowed. “King Trotankhamun of Zebrica, at your service. I honestly can’t help but envy Sev. Having such a wondrously beautiful lady for a bride and a daughter of such caliber is something to admire.”

“Oh, we’re not married,” Umbra stated as a matter of factly. “Pokemon don’t really do that sort of thing.” She tapped her chin and hummed. “Hmm, marriage huh?”

“Planning on a wedding?” Rika asked, if only to see Sev blush adorably at the thought.

Which he did, looking nervous all of a sudden. “Marriage...I am to be married?” He looked around himself. “But I haven’t proposed. I haven’t got a ring. Oh no, I have ruined it! Quick, someone get me a ring, some candles, and several of the cheesiest love songs that you can find.”

“How cheesy?” One soldier asked.

“I want you to actually make them out of cheese.” Sev seriously said.

“Simmer down lover-snake,” Umbra sighed and booped his nose. “No-one is getting married today, unless my daughter here has plans for her Luxray~”

Now it was Rika’s turn to devolve into a blushing mess as she mumbled to herself. Umbra giggled and shook her head.

“Well, I’m sure they’d have to make many more plans first. Besides…” She turned and looked at Sev. “What about that adorably defiant pegasus mare of yours?”

“Sev!” Lightning’s voice hollered from the next room. “If you keep shouting, I’ll help throw that hide of yours off that balcony for you!” She stomped into the room. “I’m trying to get some beauty sleep.”

“Why?” Sev asked curiously, missing the point. “You already have enough of that.”

Lightning blushed and fidgeted. “Shut up or I’ll throw you out now!”

“Tsun, tsun, dere, dere~” Rika sang, giggling madly.

“Ugh,” Lightning rubbed her face with a hoof. “First Lia, now her...Wait, is that your daughter?”

Sev proudly nodded. “Of course. Can you not see her magnificence?”

“I can see something alright,” Lightning deadpanned. “Why are they here?”

“This is Rika’s first time meeting her father,” Umbra explained as she untangled herself from Sev and walked closer to the mare. She got close enough so she could whisper into her ear. “Do not worry dear, I don’t intend to steal Sevvy away from you~”

“I don’t want the snake!” Lightning shouted, blushing and throwing a hoof to gesture at Sev. “I don’t! You can have him and make more kids. I don’t care! It’s not like I really like him or anything. He’s a complete idiot!”

“Idiotically handsome and intelligent,” Sev smiled, using his tail to push his chin up in a proud fashion.

“UGH!” Lightning groaned into her hoof, red as a tomato.

“Flawless victory,” Rika said in a serious tone before giggling. This was actually quite a bit of fun. Still…

“Do we have an actual plan besides teasing Miss Dust, as fun as that is,” Rika asked.

“Absolutely not,” Sev said. “I...got a bit too excited and spent most of it trying out outfits, but none could handle my greatness or I found to be unpleasing to my beloved’s eyes.”

“I think you look just fine in that adorable little hat,” Umbra giggled as she straightened his cap. “How about we go out for some lunch and see a few sights around the city? And you and Rika can just talk, get to know one another?”

“As always, your intelligence matches the splendor of your beauty,” Sev grinned.

“Of course,” Umbra nodded. “Who do you think I am?”

“Yup, now I see it,” Rika nodded. “You sure your friends here will be fine with us kidnapping you for a bit?”

“Yeah,” Lightning snorted and looked away. “You can have him.”

“He honestly does need a break,” Trot nodded. “He’s been rather...tense as of late. Perhaps I should have a word with Miss Umbra before you depart.”

“Hmm, sounds serious,” Umbra nodded. “Very well, I’ll meet you outside.” Her eyes lit up with a blue hue as she floated the snake and the Sylveon out of the room using Psychic, closing the door behind them. “Now Mr. King. What can I do for you?”

“Well,” Trot sighed. “Ever since Arceus denounced him, in front of every major nation, Sev’s been a bit…” He rubbed his head. “A bit more broken, if I had to put words to it. It got so bad that he...tried to...Well he’s on suicide watch for a reason, but the snake’s too stubborn to admit it.”

“I see,” Umbra replied, her rings darkening a little. She didn’t really know much about his life as a Commander, but she knew he had held Arceus in high regard. “So, you’d like to see if I have better luck with him then?”

“I just want my friend to be happy,” Trot smiled. “You should have seen him after you left. He was like a kid going on and on about you. Rather a puppy in love, or something akin to it. I know Sev will turn around soon enough. I just thank Celestia that Cynthia was there to talk some sense into him when he tried to do...it…I’m actually not sure if throwing himself off a cliff really would work though. He’s survived quite a bit already.” He tapped his chin in idle thought.

“Hmm, perhaps,” Umbra said as she looked at the closed door. She was going to have words with that snake and was going to make damned sure he listened. “And it now seems I owe that woman my thanks for talking him down. Still, I’ll do what I can for him. And I think I have some ideas already.”

“Good,” Trot smiled. “I need my friend in tip top shape. Can’t fight a war without him. Not that I just want his army. He’s a good friend, even though I don’t know how that happened. He just grew on me.”

“He has that effect on people,” Umbra chuckled and looked at Lightning Dust for a moment. “Anyway, we’ll have him back before you have to leave. Try not to get too bored without him around.”

“I’ll have the time of my life without that snake around,” Lightning huffed, before frowning. “...Just make sure he comes back okay.”

“Of course dear,” Umbra said and nuzzled the mare lightly. “And when I return, I’ll regale you with all the details of what those marvelous coils can do~”

Lightning blushed and huffed. “Now I can see why he’s so gaga over you. Wouldn’t shut his trap about his ‘soulmate’.” She stuck out her tongue. “Well you’re going to have to work hard to enter this herd...not that I’d ever want a herd with Sev. That would mean I like him like that...and I don’t...and I’m kind of tired of sounding like a mocking bird.” She groaned and rubbed her forehead.

“It can be scary to admit your feelings,” Umbra nodded and smiled warmly. “But I know that Sevvy would return them a hundredfold. Besides,” she whispered a few things to the mare. A few ways she could turn the teasing back on the snake. “And remember, he has a little weak point at the base of his tail blade~”

Lightning grinned mischiefly. “Oh really? I’ll remember that one.”

“Lucky snake…” Trot grumbled. “Getting all the girls.”

“A fine King such as yourself, I’m sure you’ll have a nice mare or Pokemon in no time,” Umbra winked at him. “Now I’ll be off. Take care loves.” She turned and exited the room to see Rika and Sev just sitting there, looking as awkward as all get out. “Oh my, you two are just…” She chuckled and shook her head. “Well, let’s be off shall we?”

“Not yet,” Sev said. “I was winning our game of silence….DARN IT!” He slammed his tail on the ground in frustration. “You win this round, Rika.”

“Mwahahaaa! Never go up against the best,” she giggled and pumped her paw into the air.

“...” Umbra just settled for a flat stare. This was going to be a looooong day. “Well, let’s be off shall we. We’re burning daylight here.”

“Hai!” Rika replied as she fell into step next to her mother. “Let’s go… Papa.”

“I will never get enough of hearing that,” Sev smiled and slithered on over to Umbra. “We shall depart for our grandest venture!”

“Yep, we can—” Rika paused and sniffed the air. She could smell…

“SETHY~!” she yelled gleefully and leapt at thin air as a Luxray rounded the corner and received a faceful of Sylveon.

“Gah!” he cried out as he stumbled back, a batpony behind him sidestepped to avoid getting squashed.

“And now my day is ruined,” Sev said, a smile still on his face. He then thought up something. “Let’s see, I can’t kill you...I’ll just send you to the mare’s barricade. They will take care of you and it will be humiliating. Thus you will die from it and I will not be blamed.”

“That would be… problematic,” the Thestral replied. “I’d rather not have most of the female Guard after him when Spring rolls around.” He looked the snake over and hummed. “So who might you be again?”

“I am Commander Sev!” Sev formed a dramatic pose he often used for speeches. “Greatest leader the world has ever known. Which is obvious when you witness me.”

“Ah, of course,” Grissom rubbed his temple. “You’re the one that nearly got eaten at the meeting.”

Sev frowned. “I would have made it out myself, one way or another. I am difficult to kill.”

“Unfortunately,” Seth muttered, which earned him a whack from Umbra.

“Seth, Sev, play nice,” she warned them. “Or I will punish you both.”

“Nu-uh, Sethy’s all mine to punish,” Rika cooed and nuzzled him. “Well, I suppose Fritters can help as well~”

“Very well,” Sev snorted. “I will play nice for Rika’s sake...wait, Fritter?!! My daughter wasn’t enough for you?!!”

“Oh? So Momma isn’t enough for you either?” Rika pointed out. “What about Miss Dust?”

“You have my wit,” Sev smirked. “I shall need to bring some ice with me from now on.” He nuzzled her head affectionately. “That is true. I love both and miss Cynthia isn’t bad either and then Lucy…” He frowned. “Huh...this is getting a bit carried away.” He shrugged. “I’m sure it won’t get too much. To put it short, I shan't kill you over this for I am no hypocrite.”

“How very generous of you,” Seth replied flatly as he placed Rika on the floor and lightly kissed her muzzle. “I have to get to a meeting, so have fun okay?”

“I always do,” she giggled and blushed as Seth and Grissom took their leave.

“Well that was fun,” Umbra mused and she kissed Sev’s cheek. “You were quite well behaved. Good Sevvy.”

“I am always well behaved,” Sev kissed her forehead. “Perhaps a bit more so with you here.”

“Hmm, is that so?” she hummed as the trio left the castle and headed out into the city. Several ponies looked a little wary at the giant snake slithering down the street, but they’d seen stranger already.

“I know the bestest place for lunch as well,” Rika said, turning so she was walking backwards in front of them. “And she even cooks bacon~”

“What is bacon?” Sev asked. “It sounds like a strange beacon, but one that is edible.”

“You…” Rika paused and stared at him. “You… have never had bacon?”

“Oh my,” Umbra giggled. “It seems our dear Sevvy is in need of some education.”

“Time to educate!” Rika cheered as she snared him with her ribbons and dragged him off. Quite the feat for a ‘mon half his size.

“Whaa!” Sev wasn’t used to being dragged along like this. “I don’t see what the importance of a food is...Unless they have tacos. I haven’t had tacos since two days ago. That’s two days too many.”

“Tacos are… okay I guess,” Rika replied as she stopped out front of a cafe.

“...Okay?” Sev looked at her as though she had grown a second head. “Okay?!! They are magnificence in food form! No one can withstand their great taste. This is heresy. HERESY!”

“Oh calm down,” Umbra chastised him as she nudged the door open. Inside, a unicorn mare was giving them an odd look.

“Um, was there a reason you were screaming outside my door?” she asked.

“Difference of opinion,” Rika said as her ribbons lifted Sev off of the ground as she carted him inside. “Sorry for the noise Mocha. But we need some bacon. Stat!”

“Ah, very well,” she responded. She was a rather lovely unicorn too, long slender legs, a graceful neck and eyes you could just lose yourself in. “Want some drinks as well.”

“Hmm, I could use some coffee,” Umbra nodded and looked at Sev. “And how about you, my serpentine pinata?”

“I am not a pinata,” Sev grumbled. “I will have coke...They serve that in this world, correct? If not, water.” He was rubbing his chin in thought, looking the mare up and down. “Does the nature of being single afflict you?”

“I..um, what?” Mocha did a double-take and she stared at the snake. “Come again?”

“Do you have a partner in life bondage?” Sev asked, quirking an eyebrow and tilting his head in question. “What am I saying? Do you have a boyfriend? Why am I being cryptic?” He bopped his head. “My head isn’t on right today, but one can’t comprehend how right it is because of how great I am.”

“Uh, no… I’m quite single,” Mocha said uneasily as she looked at Rika and Umbra.

“Dear, I think you have quite enough already hmm?” Umbra replied.

Sev just beamed and raced over to the entrance. He somehow pulled a blowhorn out from behind a table and shouted: “TROT! GET YOUR FLANK IN HERE AND STOP BEING SINGLE!”

“IT’S NOT BY CHOICE, YOU IDIOT!” Trot angrily replied.

“GET OVER HERE! SHE HAS LEGS FOR DAYS!”

“YOU DON’T HAVE LEGS, SO HOW CAN YOU KNOW?!!”

“STOP BEING A WIMP!”

“I AM NOT A WIMP! I’M A KING! I’LL SEE IF SHE’S ALL THAT SO THAT’LL SHUT YOU UP!”

“I...wat?” Mocha tilted her head, her ears flat against her head to block out the yelling.

“I honestly have no idea,” Umbra groaned. She fixed Sev with ‘The Look’ and sighed. “What are you doing?”

“I am mastering my shipyard,” Sev grinned. “Soon, everyone will be shipped and I shall be the king of forefront of it all!” He laughed maniacally with a bolt of lightning flashing outside. A Raichu walked past sniffled and bowed his head in apology before leaving.

“Now I see where Rika gets it from,” Umbra sighed and looked at Mocha. “I am terribly sorry about all this.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it, he seems like a funny fellow,” Mocha giggled as she prepped their order. Her telekinetic ability was always impressive to watch, as multiple plates flew about the kitchen, she prepared Umbra’s coffee, as well as Sev’s soda. All the while holding a conversation with Rika about something.

“Okay,” Trot stormed in. He wasn’t wearing much, just a simple army suit. “What is it now, Sev? I can tell you now, I don’t need your help finding a mare.”

“Says the single stallion to the snake with two waifus,” Sev smirked.

“I can’t believe you went there,” Umbra sighed. “I’m going to go and sit over here and see if my headache goes away.”

“Nah, I think Papa want’s to stick around,” Rika giggled.

“...Did I say something wrong?” Sev blinked in confusion. “I was just stating a fact.”

Trot opened his mouth to speak, before he look at Mocha and froze. “Uhhhh…..”

“Hello,” the unicorn mare winked at him and smiled. “Welcome to ‘The Daily Grind’, home of the best coffee in Canterlot.”

Rika looked from one pony to the other and nodded. Yeah, she’d ship it. Sev nodded sagely beside her, grinning in victory.

Trot straightened himself up and bowed. “I am glad to have entered such a fine establishment. I am King Trotankhamun of Zebrica. May I know the name of the mare before me?”

“King?” Mocha looked at Rika, who nodded to confirm it. “Ah, well ah. I’m Mocha Latte, the owner of this establishment.” She’d honestly never expected a King to walk in here. Provided he actually was one.

“I am honored to make your acquaintance,” Trot smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job with the place.” He took a look around. Most of the building was made from hoof-carved oak, quite a difference from most of the other buildings around here, which were made of stone. The lighting was dimmed, giving the place a nice intimate atmosphere. And the rich scent of coffee seemed to permeate everything.

“Thank you for the compliment,” Mocha nodded. “Would you like something as well?” She finished with a flourish of her magic, as a plate of bacon and lettuce sandwiches appeared in front of Sev, along with a glass of ice-cold cola.

“A soft drink and the company of a beautiful mare will suffice,” Trot answered with a wink.

“Well, I guess I could do that,” Mocha nodded as she made him a soda as well, before whipping up a brew of odd-coloured coffee for herself. He was far from the first that would ask for her company, but he was the first Zebra. And she had to admit that he was handsome…

“Ohh,” Rika took a seat near Umbra and watched, sipping at her milkshake. She was banned from having coffee after that one particular incident. Honestly, you trash one Pokemon Centre and no-one ever lets you forget it.

“So is this some sort of family bonding experience?” Umbra mused. “We’re are such a weird family.”

“I am Sev, nothing is normal with me.” Sev grinned. “Everything is much greater than normal.”

“Normal is overrated,” Rika nodded. She looked at Sev and smiled. “You know what, you’re pretty fun.”

“So are you, my daughter.” Sev grinned and patted her head. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time. Well, I’ve been happy. My friends and family are great, but it’s always nice to have a little family of your own.”

“Yup, family is the best,” Rika nodded. “I do wish you’d get along with Sethy though. Seeing as how I want to spend the rest of my life with him and all.”

Sev frowned. “I am your father, Rika. It is my duty to hate him and...I mayhaps be a bit jealous. He has known you for years, yet I, your flesh and blood, have only known you for a day or two.” He looked down. “I am ashamed of my weakness, but I will strive to make it up to you. I just don’t feel comfortable with the idea of someone already trying to take you for themselves when I haven’t yet begun to know my daughter. I feel...useless in a way.”

“Oh Papa,” Rika sighed and leaned against him. “I know that we don’t know each other all that well. But, I can tell you mean well at least. And it’s not like I’ll stop talking to anyone now that I’m with Sethy. Heck, I still can’t believe that that actually happened. I thought for sure he’d go back to Elesa…”

“He’d be a fool to think anyone better than my daughter,” Sev hissed in anger.

“Well, as a human, he didn’t have romantic feelings for Pokemon,” Rika explained. “I knew that, but still hoped anyway. And since coming here… well it was either a Pokemon or go native… hee, so Sethy did both.”

“He really is hopelessly sweet,” Umbra agreed. “And trust me dear Sev, I have already given him ‘The Talk’ so you needn't worry there.” She hummed and leaned against his other side, sandwiching the Seviper in between the Eeveeloutions. “And think, at least this way, you’ll get grandchildren one day~”

“MOM!”

Sev’s eye twitched. “Grandchildren? That would imply he has his way with our daughter...I think my ire just grew a tad. Yes, yes it did.” He snorted. “As for his being human, I don’t see why that would be a problem...anymore. I mean, Rika, your grandmother, the one who raised me as her own, is human.”

“Oh? I have a gramma?” she asked and Umbra nodded.

“Ah, Joy… how is she by the way? Did she make it to Equus as well?”

Sev deadpanned. “Need you ask such a question, my love? My mother is far more worthy than I was. I honestly think she’d race to this very spot when she finds out she’s a grandmother. You won’t believe how much she wishes to be so.”

“Well then you can look forward to giving her the good news,” Umbra chuckled. “Hm, perhaps I should look into visiting, when it’s not so dangerous over there.” Yeah, she looked into Zebrica last night. She wasn’t overly joyed at what she found out. “I trust you’re being careful over there.”

“As careful as always,” Sev nodded, but frowned. “As for the dangerous part, well...that’s going to take some time....Far too much time, but I can assure you that whenever you do wish to come over, you will be safe.”

“I know, I can trust you there,” she smiled and kissed his cheek again. “Perhaps when I do, we can… get to know one another again~”

“Ick, don’t do that when I’m here,” Rika poked her tongue out. “Those are mental scars I do not need.”

Sev blushed and grinned, ignoring his daughter’s proceeding mental scarring. “I would love to, my dear Umbra. It has been far too long...No really, it has. You are honestly the only female I’ve ever really...you know.” He awkwardly tapped his tail. “I’m probably rusty and such.”

“Ohh, then I get to have fun reeducating you~” Umbra giggled and nuzzled him again. “Ohh, the things I could teach you and that little mare of yours~”

“Lalalala, I’m not listening~” Rika sang loudly as she plugged her ears with her ribbons.

“Rika, this is how you came to be.” Sev stated. “Soon enough, there will be several little yous running around for their big sister to play with.”

“If you’re lucky,” Umbra mused. “I don’t know if I want more children. Rika was more than enough for several lifetimes.”

“I wasn’t that bad,” Rika pouted and sipped her milkshake.

“Very well,” Sev said. “Then I will get one of those magic spells of the unicorns to prevent that, even if I fill you to the brim again and again...I don’t know where I’m getting all this jargon from. I’ve been hanging around the king too long.” Sev looked to Rika, realizing where the conversation had gone. He blushed in embarrassment. “IGNORE US!”

“Trust me, I’m trying,” Rika sighed as Umbra actually blushed a little.

“Do I want to know what’s going on over there?” Mocha asked from her place behind the counter. “Your snake friend is… well…”

“Insane?” Trot nodded. “Yes he is. Still, he’s a great friend once you get to know him. It’s just that you’ll want to pull your mane out half the time and the other half you can’t follow what he’s saying.”

“Ah, i was wondering why your mane was so short,” Umbra called out. “You have suffered much my dear King.”

“Wow, you seriously cannot catch a break, huh Pops.” Rika giggled and poked his side.

“Most of the time,” Sev grumbled then kissed Umbra’s cheek. “But some things make up for it.”

“Mmm, such a sweetheart.” She motioned to the table. “Now eat your sandwich before it gets cold, then we’ll go and explore the town a bit.”

Sev rolled his eyes and bit into the sandwich. He rolled it around in his mouth. “Interesting taste this bacon. Not something I can really put words to it.”

“Delicious, tasty, food of the gods?” Rika mused. “Well, I guess it’s no cake. But it’s still pretty tasty.”

Sev swallowed the rest of it and smirked. “It’s...okay.”

“Hmm, well I guess not everyone is pleased,” Umbra mused. “How about we have tacos for dinner? And some wonderful desserts?”

“YES!” Rika cheered at the thought of tasty, sugary goodness.

“If my daughter wants it to be so, it shall be so.” Sev proclaimed. “So let us be off and leave our fellows on their ship.”

“Good luck~” Rika waved at the equine pair as the trio left the restaurant. Mocha rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless. At least her present company was charming and easy on the eyes~

Trot could honestly say the same for himself. “I’m surprised your place is still standing. Pleasantly surprised, I might add. Things tend to get out of hoof easily with him around, friend or not.”

“I can probably guess,” she giggled and bat her eyes at him. “So, what brings a King to my humble abode anyway?”

“Other than my friend’s antics, boredom.” Trot sighed. “I can honestly say that’s been cured post haste though.”

“Oh, is that so?” Mocha giggled. “Well, glad to hear I’m not boring then~”

“Oh you most certainly are not,” Trot chuckled. “Just gazing at you just melts my angst away. Helps that you’re quite the clever mare as well.”

“Such a charmer,” Mocha giggled. “But surely a King must have his own harem of pretty mares. Why bother with me?”

Trot frowned. “Well, I could have a harem. It’d be easy, you know. It wouldn’t be ‘real’ though. Just some random mares who want royal perks or doing it out of necessity. I’d rather find a mare or two that would love me for me on a personal level. A harem would be fun, but it wouldn’t be nice. Do you follow?”

“More than you know,” Mocha sighed and leaned against the counter. “Still, after what happened last time, I’m afraid I swore off of love.” She looked up at him with her doe-like eyes. “Unless you think you can change that Mr. King?”

Trot grinned. “I think I can make something work, Mocha. I’m quite the stallion, if I do say so myself.”

“Hmm, well at least your confidence isn’t lacking,” she said as her horn lit up and she switched her ‘Open’ sign to ‘Closed’. “Well, let’s talk then~”

“Isn’t this place pretty?” Rika said as they looked up at the Crystal Sundial that Arceus had bestowed on the city. “This used to be one of my favourite places in all of Kalos.”

“I only lived in Hoenn,” Sev snorted, looking at the sundial. “Never gave the other lands much thought.”

“Really?” Rika blinked. “I never visited Hoenn. I was born in Kanto and mostly lived in Unova with Sethy. And we visited Kalos a lot when we trained with Lady Diantha.”

“Hoenn was the region I was going to look next,” Umbra said. “I should have known you’d still be there. Ah well.”

“I was tied to Hoenn and I miss it dearly,” Sev sighed. “But this is our home now and I make the most of it. It has it’s perks, such as friendship and gave me the chance to find my lost family.”

“Yes, I suppose Arceus didn’t do too badly,” Umbra nodded. “Still could have thought things through a little better. He was rather impetuous about all of this.”

“Of course he was,” Sev clenched his jaws, glaring at the sundial. “The impertinent…” He took a few breaths to steady himself. “No, this is about our family. Not him. What makes this sundial so special anyway?”

“I can’t remember,” Rika replied as she looked at it. “I think Sethy would know… ah well.”

“I believe he means why it’s here,” Umbra mused. “And it was all because Arceus was showing off really. It’s a rather pretentious gift, but still a lovely sight all the same.”

“True, pretty is pretty,” Rika nodded and turned to look at Sev. “On another topic. How strong are you Papa? I’ve been a little curious about that.”

Sev grinned. “I am the strongest of the entire PLA. I am the Commander of course. I have to be and so will you one day. I have never lost...besides to that Cynthia girl, but that doesn’t matter. The point it, I have much in the way of power. I can wrestle a Tyranitar with ease.”

“Hmm, they aren’t that difficult to beat, but then I have type advantage as well,” Rika mused and flexed her ribbons. “I’m pretty tough as well. Hell, I once made a Salamence cry.”

“Well to be fair, his trainer had taught him nothing but Dragon-type moves. So what did he expect?”

“Was still a little sad,” Rika giggled.

Sev nuzzled his daughter. “I can imagine. To go against my blood is to invite woe. Perhaps one day you will be even stronger than I.” He chuckled. “Maybe.”

“Hmm, I think I can beat you in a battle,” Rika said with a cocky grin. “I may be weak to Poison, but Sethy trained a few tricks into me for dealing with it.”

“Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer one day,” Sev grinned. “Until then, I’ll happily watch you beat any opponent that crosses your path.”

“Ohh, now I kinda wanna get into a battle just so I can show off a little,” Rika giggled, looking around for an opponent.

“Can’t we just have a nice, normal family outing?” Umbra sighed, rubbing her temple.

Sev just stared at her. “Umbra, me and normal don’t mix. I don’t think we ever did mix. You can thank my father for that.” He growled.

“I know, I’m sorry,” she replied, wilting a little at that. She hadn’t meant to bring that topic up.

“I feel as though there’s a story there,” Rika said, not wanting them to fight. “Um, sorry if I got a little carried away. I tend to do that a lot and not realise it.”

“My father was a homicidal maniac who led a bunch of mon, slaughtered some humans, and waged a small war.” Sev growled. “That’s the base sum of it. So yeah, he wasn’t exactly a great father with the beatings and words because that ‘makes me stronger’ I guess. That makes sense...somehow.”

Rika just stared with wide eyes, her ribbons limp at her sides as Umbra looked away.

“O-Oh…” Rika stammered slowly. “Well, um… he kinda sounds like a jerk.”

“And now I scarred my daughter for life about her lineage,” Sev slammed his tail into his face. “Typical Sev.”

“It’s alright,” Rika said slowly, pulling his tail away carefully. “It sounds like you had a pretty sucky Dad. I’m glad… that I have a pretty cool one.”

“I’m not exactly the type of mon you would boast for having a father,” Sev grumbled. “I know I’m breaking my character mold in saying this, but that’s the truth Rika. I’m still great, but…” He sighed. “In some ways, I think I take after him no matter what I try.”

“Trust me, you will be anything but that… thing,” Umbra spat that last word. “You are a kind and gentle soul Sev. Of that much I am dead certain.”

“And Momma’s always right,” Rika agreed. “I may not have known you for long, but I am glad that I got to meet you.”

Sev sniffed. “i...I…” He pulled the two of them into a tight hug. “I’M SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU TWO HERE! WAHAHA!” He burst into tears.

“Uh, Pops… can’t… breathe…” Rika tapped his coils.

“Just roll with it,” Umbra sighed and smiled. At least he was in a better mood now.

Sev sniffed and let them go. “I am sorry. I know not my own strength for it is limitless. None know it for I have not the will to show it off for they might die from overexposure and when I first strike—” He was promptly cut off as Rika turned the hug back on him, basically mummifying him in her ribbons as she hugged him with mad glee.

“Rika, dear, don’t kill your father,” Umbra stated. “I’m not done playing with him yet.”

“Yes Momma,” Rika said and released her bonecrushing grip.

Sev blinked in confusion. “You inherited so much from me, it’s scary.” He grinned. “I love it.”

“Everything now makes a scary amount of sense,” Umbra groaned. “Well, should we visit a few more places?” she asked. “Or perhaps you could introduce us to some of your little friends?”

“Ohh, I wanna see Aunty Lia again,” Rika giggled.

“Whatever you two wish,” Sev smiled. “I may not return to Canterlot, for I may be struck down…” He laughed. “As if someone could do so. The others would love to see you, but not many of them were brought on the blimp.” He tapped his chin. “However, Loom has been working on a stable teleporter.”

Umbra raised an eyebrow. “Really now? One that would work across the sea? Though, you have a Gardevoir friend yes?”

Sev nodded. “Nothing is impossible when I’m involved. That’s a scientific fact.”

“Well, if you brought the Gardevoir with you, could you not have simply used him or her to Teleport back when needed?” Umbra reminded him. “They can bend space and gravity. Distance is nothing for their species.”

Sev blinked a few times. “Oh yeah, he can do that. I honestly forget sometimes, since he just likes being so emo.”

“That’s not a nice way to talk about your friends Papa,” Rika scolded him cutely.

“Oh dear, you’re in trouble now,” Umbra giggled.

“But he is,” Sev said. “You’ll know it when you see him.”

“Hmm, maybe he needs a hug and some cupcakes,” Rika mused. She gasped and looked at her mother. “Mom, we need to go and give Papa’s friends cupcakes!”

“And now they’re all doomed,” Umbra chuckled. “I’d best prepare them Sevvy. Your friends might not know what’ll hit them.”

“They are always prepared,” Sev stated. “It’s the question of how so that we shall find out. So what shall we do? Depart for them or more sight seeing. I could go for either, so long as you stay by my grandiose side.”

“Up to you really,” Rika giggled. “Though, I wouldn’t mind meeting some more friends.”

“The looks on their faces would be interesting enough,” Umbra chuckled. “So how about a little meetup and then dinner?”

“Brilliant as always, my lovely Umbra.” Sev smirked. “We shall do as you suggest.”

“Naturally,” Umbra said. “As the wife of the great Commander Sev, naturally I must be just as brilliant and powerful.”

“Oh gods,” Rika groaned and rolled her eyes. “Now you’ve got her doing it.”

“Truly we are the greatest family to have ever graced any world,” Sev laughed. “I’m astounded that any such world can contain our sheer awesomeness but that is a question saved for later. For now, to the meeting and cupcakes.”

“Hmm, I think i saw some at home,” Rika tapped her chin. “A quick pitstop then! For Cupcakes!!”

All was quiet on the homefront. Seth was still at work, as was Titania. And Selena and Ignis seemed to be out as well.

“Anyone here?” Rika called out as they entered the abode. It was a very warm and inviting place. Very homely.

“Could use more lasers and guards...probably a rocket launcher/pie thrower.” Sev commented.

“And why in the hay would ah need all that in mah home?” a voice asked as a green-maned mare walked out from the kitchen. Rika squealed and launched herself at the mare, giving her a kiss.

“This is Apple Fritter!” she said once she broke it. “Fritts, this is Sevvy, my Papa.”

“Yer Pops huh?” Fritter looked the snake over. “Well, yer certainly not whut as was expectin’.”

“I am honestly not what anyone would expect,” Sev smirked. “I am always far greater than what they picture for none can truly imagine one such as I.”

“Quite the ego on this one huh?” Fritter chuckled and Rika shrugged.

“Not really that much worse than Ignis,” she replied as she released the mare and headed into the kitchen. “Now where are those cupcakes…?”

“Third fridge, second shelf,” Fritter called back. She turned her attention back to Sev. “So, ya’ll are really her Pops?”

“That is who I am, there is no doubt.” Sev grinned in triumph. “I am the only male to have ever laid claim to Umbra and I shall always be so.”

“Oh, is that so?” Umbra mused. She felt like teasing him again. “And you’re positive there has been no other for me?”

Sev growled in pure anger, slashing his tail blade through the air. “I’d make sure of that. I love you more than I am great. That should sum it up and my ire to anyone who would challenge it would reach thricefold.”

“Don’t worry you silly snake, there’s only ever been you,” she placed a small kiss on his nose and giggled. Rika soon returned with a tray of cupcakes in her ribbon’s grasp.

“Okay, I got the goods,” Rika nodded and Fritter cleared her throat. “Oh, um, may I please take these cupcakes Fritter?”

“Hmm, ah dunno,” Fritter tapped her chin. “Y’all jus’ waltz in here and raid mah fridge…”

“Pleeeeaase!” Rika begged. “I love you?”

“And ah you, you silly ‘mon.” Fritter booped her nose and giggled. “Now go an’ have fun with yer family.”

“Yupyup!” Rika nodded and turned to her parents. “You guys done being embarrassing?”

“NEVER!” Sev picked Umbra up in his coils and kissed her nose. “I shall endeavor to make up for lost time. That includes embarrassing my daughter….I think that’s what I’m supposed to do. I’ve been studying fathering guides and I think we’ve moved past the baby talk stage.”

“Oh gods,” Rika groaned and Umbra got a marvelous idea. Her eyes glowed as she used Psychic to pull an item out of Seth’s bag from upstairs. His Holocaster.

“I believe this is full of pictures of Rika,” she mused. “Including little Eevee Rika~”

“Don’t you dare!” Rika said, but her mother kept the device out of reach.

Sev eagerly took the device and started viewing the pictures. He chuckled. “My daughter was the most adorable thing I have ever seen.” He frowned. “Should have seen it in person really.” He mumbled to himself. “I’ll be sure to show this off to everyone so they might behold her cuteness.”

“I’m not cute,” Rika pouted and Fritter pinched her cheek.

“Aww, yer the most cutest Pokemon ever,” she giggled. “Now go on, have yer fun and ah’ll see you later.”

“Mkay,” Rika said and suddenly snatched the device away from Sev. “Ha! Victory!’ And with that, she ran off towards the Castle.

“Oh dear, she means to beat you there,” Umbra mused.

“No likely,” Sev took off in a flash, carrying Umbra on his back. The Umbreon yelped at the sudden snakey-back ride, clinging to Sev for dear life.

A little know fact about the Umbreon, she was terrified of most transports, and this included riding other Pokemon.

“Do not worry,” Sev laughed, not noticing her discomfort. “I shall be there in no time.”

“You’re insane!” she hollered, still hugging his neck as she saw them overtake Rika. The Sylveon paused when she saw her mother’s expression, tilting her head slightly before trotting after them.

“As always,” Sev laughed, before coming to a stop before their destination. “Rika, you have learned that none can best my speed.”

“Dangit, and you were even carrying Momma,” she panted as she finally caught up. “I now wish I was a Jolteon…”

“I’m...going...to kill you,” Umbra panted, still gripping Sev for dear life. “I’ll turn you into a fancy belt!”

Sev ‘hmm’d. “Oh really? Well if that’s the case,” Sev turned his head around and kissed her on the lips. Pulling back, he smirked. “I think a last kiss is in order.”

“Sneaky little…” Umbra grumbled as she finally let go, her claws have left small indentations in his scales. She sighed and gave the marks a lick before regaining her composure. “Well, after that excitement, I think I’m ready to relax a little.”

“Well,” Sev shrugged. “Relaxation may or may not come to you soon, but I assure you that you shall be relaxed come nightfall.”

“Hmm, sounds lovely,” Umbra sighed as they once again walked the Palace halls. Rika paused to see if she could sniff out her Luxray, but some distant explosions told her where he might be.

“Commander on sight!” Some of the guards shouted, before they stiffened up and took their places.

“At ease,” Sev gave them a salute and dismissed them. “Now shall-”

“MISS UMBRA!” Umbra was thus on the receiving end of a furious glomp from Lia. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Gah!” Umbra stumbled back from the sudden hug. She was used to it from Rika, but from somemon else? She powered down the Dark Pulse and sighed. “Well if it isn’t little Lia. You scared the Pokeballs out of me dear.”

Lia frowned and pulled back. “I’m sorry, Miss Umbra. I just got excited.”

“It’s fine, and revenge comes swiftly,” she smiled enigmatically as Rika suddenly tackled Lia.

“Little Lia!” she cheered, nuzzling the Kirlia.

“I am not little,” Lia pouted, but hugged the Sylveon close to her.

“Hmhm, still taller than you squirt,” Rika giggled. “Older too, yet you’re still my aunt… weird.”

“Such is life,” Umbra nodded. “So, we met lia last night, as well as that terribly adorable pegasus. Do you have any other friends here Sevvy?”

“Let me call them up,” Sev took out a shellphone from his pocket. He dialed a few numbers into it and raised it to his earhole. “Hello? Ah yes, can you patch me to Gard….Thank you….Gard! I need you…..Yes, I could contact you via telepathy but this is far better….Just get over here.”

With that, Gard warped into the room. The soldiers shivered in fright from his menacing aura and presence. “A family reunion and you wanted to bring me along?”

Umbra stalked her way forward, her red eyes staring into his. “Hello Gard~ It’s been a while hmm?”

Gard looked down at Umbra with a raised eyebrow. “Ah, it’s you. I honestly thought Sev was doomed to die alone given his luck. Color me surprised.”

“You have no faith in me,” Sev deadpanned.

Gard smirked. “I have every bit of faith in you, my friend. I just don’t see the need to voice it often.”

That was about when his field of view was obscured by pink and blue, as Rika dangled from his shoulders, her face only an inch from his own.

“Hi, I’m Rika!” she greeted loudly.

“Gah!” Gard teleported out of her hold. “Two...Two...No...this cannot be.” His eyes were as wide as saucers and then he looked to Umbra. “Why?!!”

Umbra just shrugged as Rika looked at Sev with a cute head tilt. “Wow, he really is emo. You need a cupcake and a hug!”

“I shall have neither,” Gard narrowed his eyes. He was surprised she wasn’t cowering in fear like so many others. However, she was Sev’s daughter….he had the sudden urge to rip a hole in reality and run back to Earth.

“Aww, he thinks he has a choice~” Rika giggled as he suddenly found her wrapped around his shoulders again. Wait, what? When did she?

And why was cupcake in his mouth? Gard did the sensible thing to do...He warped Inquisitor Char into the room.

The teenage inquisitor blinked in confusion as he looked around. The Charmeleon quickly pulled out his swords. “Why have I been summoned? Is there heresy about? If there is, I shall vanquish it.” Gard pointed to Rika. Char’s eyes widened. “That’s a little too cute to be heretical, or is it the other way around?”

“Silly Charmeleon, I’m not a heretic~”

“Indeed, she is Commander Sev’s only daughter,” Umbra nodded. This day was turning out to be quite fun. Watching Gard freak the hell out was amusing~

Char quickly bowed before Rika. “Then my sword is yours as it is your father and the lord above us all. Blessed be your steps and I shall follow if need be. Say the word and your will will be done.”

“Ohh, fancy,” Rika nodded. “See Gardy, why can’t you loosen up and be like Chary here?”

Gard gulped down the cupcake and teleported again. “I am as loose as I need to be, young mon. I would think it wise to cease this foolishness.”

“I rather like her foolishness,” Sev chuckled.

“You would,” Gard glared at Sev.

“Yup, Papa knows fun when he sees it and now I have my first mission.” She looked into Gard’s eyes and smiled. “I will see you smile~”

“Oh dear,” Umbra sighed. “Seems you’re in for it now Gard. Good luck.”

“I’m done,” Gard deadpanned. “I’m not going to deal with this.” He opened up a portal...only to be run over by a rather large Goodra.

“Hey everybody!” Felicia the Goodra waved about. “Sorry,” she pulled Gard up and brushed him off. “Joy wanted me to get her here so I ran as fast as I could through the portal.”

“Joy?” Gard asked, before turning to see said Audino with crossed arms and a glare. “Oh.”

“You forgot to bring me,” she said.

“Someone’s in trouble~” Rika sang. “Wait, Joy?” She sat there staring for a moment… then begun to vibrate?

“Gramma!” She yelled and launched herself at the Audino.

Said Audino nimbly caught her, doing her best to keep her ribbons at bay. “I wasn’t a nurse for nothing you know….wait...Gramma?” She froze in place. “Did you call me gramma?”

“Yup, cause you are,” Rika smiled and looked at Sev. “Right, Papa?”

Sev nodded. “Of course and there has never been a finer grandmother in the history of ever.”

“I’m...a grandmother?” Joy sniffed and looked at Rika with a smile. “You look so lovely and...YES!” She pulled Rika into a tight hug. “Yes.” She pulled back. “Oh you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment.”

“Ack!” For the second time today, Rika was pulled into a hug that threatened to turn her bones to powder.

“And like Sev, you won’t have a graddaughter if you keep that up,” Umbra chuckled. “And it’s nice to meet you again Joy.”

Joy released Rika with a slight ‘sorry’. She looked over at Umbra and smiled. “I knew it. I knew I saw something special in you. Oh you made my boy so happy and now...now you gave me a granddaughter.” She pulled Umbra into a soft hug. “Thank you.”

“Yes well…” Umbra remembered she wasn’t so amused over the examination room they used to… ahem, examine one another. “It only cost me my Trainer and very nearly my life. No big deal in the grand scheme of things hmm?”

“Oh you poor dear,” Joy frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. Well the second one. That trainer of yours was hard to deal with in some ways. I just hope it didn’t hurt too much.”

“Humph, I’m glad that imbecile got what he deserved,” she huffed. “Still, a dark tale for another day I suppose. No sense in belittling this occasion with the past.”

Rika was once again trying to get Gard to smile, the Gardevoir was rather stubborn though. “I’ll admit I had my doubts about this little meeting. It’s good to see that those fears are unfounded.”

“You have your father’s habits of annoyance,” Gard sighed. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”

“Well, if you smile then I’ll leave you alone...hmm,” Rika had an idea and smirked. “General Char! Front and centre!”

Char quickly walked over to her and saluted. “Yes ma’am.”

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it. Is to make sure Mr. Gard here smiles at least once a day in my absence!”

“I shall endeavor to do what the goddess’ chosen has instructed,” Char said. “But that will be most difficult.”

“Fret not if it is impossible dear Char, but I have no doubt that you can succeed…” She sniffed and suddenly looked at Gard. “I smell… the scent of… yes, you’re in love with someone!”

“My wife, Ag.” Gard simply stated. “You’re very observant for one so young.”

“I can tell,” Rika flexed her ribbons. “These let me feel emotions, and love is one that is very hard to hide… YOU’RE MARRIED!?” She turned and looked at Sev. “Someone actually married him?”

Sev nodded. “Of course. She is a very stubborn creature and one of the few that can stand him.”

“Thank you,” Gard rolled his eyes.

“Aww, that’s so cute,” Rika cooed. “I bet she’s a real cutie pie as well~”

“She’s an Aggron ballerina,” Gard said. “General of our land units.”

“A-An A-Aggron?” Rika stammered and shuddered. Okay, yeah, not looking forward to that meeting. “I’ll ah… stop bothering you now. Yeah.” She turned and briskly walked away, a cupcake left at his feet.

Gard snorted and picked up the cupcake. “Such irrational fears. Of course, fear itself is irrational in a sense.” He bit into the cupcake and swallowed. It was a treat like none other, an explosion of appley flavour that may or may not have ruined apple treats forever for him.

Meanwhile, Rika had found a Goodra and was staring up at her.

“I feel… a kindred spirit in the art of hugging,” she said slowly.

Felicia squealed. “Yes!” She picked up the little Sylveon and gave her a gooey hug. “I love hugs, especially from the Commander but he isn’t that good at hugging yet.”

“Aww, I’ll teach him about hugging,” Rika giggled as she returned the embrace with her ribbons. “The hug life has chosen him, and it won’t do for the Commander to be bad at something.”

“Exactly!” Felicia said. “Oh I can’t believe I found a hugging buddy. Oh Lia loves to hug too, but you’re extra extra huggy.”

“Yay for hugging buddies,” Rika cheered. It was odd to see a dragon that wasn’t scared of her.

“You have quite the collection of friends dear,” Umbar said to Sev and smiled. “It seems Rika will fit in quite nicely.”

“As she should,” Sev nodded. “She is my granddaughter.”

“And you have to tell me all about her,” Joy squealed. “I’m a grandmother. I thought I wasn’t going to get any kids out of you, my little snake.”

“I did my best to prove you wrong on that account,” Sev grinned triumphantly.

“And you didn’t even have to try,” Umbra chuckled. “Hmm, I fear that Miss Abby is a terrible influence on my train of thought.” She shook her head and sighed. “Well, regardless. I’m happy you accepted her so readily. And me as well.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Joy asked, pulling her son into a soft hug. “I accepted Sev as my son without a second though. Lia the same. There is always room in my family for more...besides, he was due to get some for all the things he’s been put through.”

“I just… after leaving so suddenly, then springing this on you…” Umbra sighed and looked away. “I’d fear that you’d hate us.”

“Anything but,” Joy said. “I’m just wondering if you have anymore on the way. My son is a rather eager being and he can be a bit hasty.”

“Hah, no,” Umbra said with a dismissive wave of her paw. “Honestly, I think I’m far too old to be dealing with more children.”

Joy shrugged. “One’s enough I suppose. I’m just glad to have that.”

“But do not worry,” Sev smiled. “She will leave most satisfied, mother. That I can assure you.”

“Well, whatever happens, I’m glad to have you as one of us, dear.” Joy stated.

“And that was embarrassing,” Umbra said as Joy left to dote on her granddaughter… only to find her covered in Goodra goop. “I fear this day is not good for my heart dear Sevvy.”

“It isn’t?” Sev frowned. “Then I shall do something to help it. Hmm,” he rubbed his chin. “The heart aches so therefore love must be applied. However, I do not have on me love donuts, so therefore I shall have to do it the old fashioned way.” He pulled her close and kissed her once more on the lips. “I am sure you are better now.”

“...Love donuts?” Umbra giggled and booped his nose. “You truly are a silly snake. But at least you are my silly snake.”

“And I’ll always be yours,” Sev’s smile softened. “That you can be assured of. My word is an everlasting law of the universe.”

“Oh? So you are greater than Arceus now?” she hummed. “Actually, on that topic, do you mind if we speak privately for a moment?”

Sev quirked an eyebrow. “If you insist.” He let her out of his coils. She led him to an adjoining room and closed the door behind them. Sealing it with her Psychic, she turned and glared at him. “Now what is this foolishness I hear about you trying to leave our Rika fatherless?”

Sev frowned. “That was an accident that happened two nights ago before we found each other again. Just some meaningless incident.”

“You trying something stupid like that is not meaningless!” Umbar retorted. “And what if you had succeeded? You’d have passed without ever meeting her! Without seeing me again! Is that what you wanted?”

Sev grit his teeth, his tail fidgeting behind him as he let out agitated hisses. “That was a moment of weakness that will not come again. A small blip on the radar of my life. I’m still here. We don’t have to talk about it anymore because it didn’t mean anything.”

“Well it must have meant something at the time,” Umbra said more softly. She took a deep breath and curbed her flaring anger. “What happened Sevvy. Doing something like that… it’s not like you.”

“Well maybe you just don’t know me that well,” Sev said. “Maybe no one does. Maybe not even myself. How can you? I’m just some broken toy to be cast away. A being with true purpose but his own blithering insanity. I’ll tell you what happened. I broke from the last straw and I saw how...empty I am. I am nothing.”

Umbra frowned as her tail glowed for a moment, ready to slap up upside the head with her Iron Tail, but that wouldn’t solve the problem. She opened the door slightly and beckoned him closer.

“Do you see that Sylveon out there?” she asked. “She didn’t come from ‘nothing’. She has a father that she can be proud of. One full of love, courage and fearless determination.”

“Can she be proud of a father who came an inch from skewering her aunt?” Sev hissed in anger. “Can she be proud of a father who forgone looking for her mother because of a mission that never was? Following some dream that was just that? Is there any pride to have when you’re father is broken such as I?”

“Of course there is,” Umbra nodded, not having realised just how bad this was. “So you have no mission? Then find a new one. Your God is a false one? Then find someone deserving of your respect.” Umbra nodded and smiled wryly. “You could never fail. You are the great Commander Sev, no?”

“...Yes,” Sev sighed. “I just feel...tired sometimes. Tired of it all. Of the heartache. Losing you was probably one of the biggest cracks in my psyche and now...now I know I could have found you if I had just looked. If I had been smarter, less deranged. I know I did good, but…” He nuzzled the top of her head. “I am sorry.”

“After I fled from my ex-Trainer, I prided myself on being very difficult to locate,” Umbra replied. “Trust me my love, you’d have not found me even if you sent your whole army to find me… and in the end. I was glad when Seth did so.” She smiled at the memory. “Did you know he saved our lives? We’d have been sold off to the highest bidder if not for him.”

“I respect Seth,” Sev hissed. “I respect and trust him with our daughter. I’m just frightened is all. Frightened if something happens to her if I’m not there. If I….snap once again.”

“Nothing will happen except that she will continue to live a life of happiness,” Umbra smiled. “And I’m glad to hear that from you, even if your tail is twitching.” She leaned against him and closed the door. “So tell me, what has happened since you arrived? Do you still have those nightmares?”

Sev twitched. “Princess Luna has been dealing with them well enough.”

“Oh, Princess Luna hmm?” Umbra smiled knowingly, that really annoying enigmatic one that she sometimes got. “Sounds like you owe her a bit then?”

Sev nodded. “Oh yes, I very much do. She is quite the dependable mare. Fierce, loyal, almost as beautiful as you, but there’s nothing really I can think of that tops your looks.” He shrugged. “Wouldn’t want to think of something either. Impossible to do so.”

“Relax dear Sev, I’m quite sure there are many a lady that are much prettier than this old Umbreon. Still, I thank you for the compliment nonetheless.” She tapped her chin as she opened the door. “Well, it’s good to see you’re doing better at least. And no more of that foolishness alright?” She paused and looked up, “You know… I feel sorry for Luna really. The pony guards are… lacking a little, both in drive and competence. It’s too bad she doesn't have somemon like you under her banner...”

Sev glanced outside and quietly shut the door. “Are you saying that I switch entirely over to Luna? That is quite bold.”

“Well, who you follow is entirely up to you,” Umbra said. “It’s just a suggestion really. But Arceus is clearly unworthy of your continued reverence.”

Sev chuckled. “That is heretical and I love it. Let it be known we follow the goddess of the night from here on out and to commemorate….” Sev frowned as he looked at his tail and the small lock. “Curse my limbless form. How am I supposed to have my way with you if I can’t lock it...Okay, I have this...” He pointed his tail blade at the lock. “The great and powerful Commander Sev commands you to be close and not allow anyone in here to be awkward….No?....I’m going to have to wait….I will slay your entire family, lock!”

The door glowed a pale blue and the lock clicked shut, with Umbra whistling innocently. “Oh, look at that. It seems to have listened to you.”

Sev tapped his chest and stood proudly. “Truly it knows who is the superior being here.”

“Of course my love, but one must wonder why you locked the door in the first place. Surely a gentlesnake such as yourself isn’t planning something… untoward to this innocent little Umbreon~”

Sev’s grin turned maniacal as he wrapped his coils around her. “Perhaps this gentlesnake does indeed plan so. The question goes to what the fair maiden does next, hmm?”

“I see a locked door and a sexy snake, so what do you think~” Umbra said huskily.

Outside the room, Rika just sat there with a fierce blush and groaned. “Most. Embarrassing. Parents. EVER! Do they not realise that room isn’t soundproof!?”

Joy laughed. “Oh this reminds me of the times they got at it when they were about your age. Oh the messes they made. Kept me up late in the night too.”

“Lalalala, I can’t hear ANYTHING!” Rika sang as she faced away from the room. This was going to be a looooong day. She paused and looked at Joy.

“Do I have a grandpa?”

Joy shook her head. “I never married. I was too busy dealing with my job and raising my kids to really try the dating scene.”

“Hmm, we have to change that at some point,” Rika nodded. “Moma has Papa now… and maybe Dusty as well. And I have Sethy and Fritters.” Then she paused as her brain ground to a screeching halt. All these soldiers that worked for her father…

So.

Much.

Shipping!!

“Nope,” Gard spoke up and ripped hole in reality in the air. “I am not dealing with this.” He grabbed hold of a beautiful Vaporeon. “You. Talk sense into your kin. I’m going to cuddle Ag and forget that sugarland mind.”

“Uhhh….” The Vaporeon blinked in confusion as the Gardevoir left. “What just happened?” She looked to Char. “Char? You’re here?”

Char blushed upon seeing her naked and looked away. “Yes, Vapora.”

“Char, we’re usually naked. You don’t have to get embarrassed.” Vapora rolled her eyes.

“Ohh, pretty Vaporeon,” Rika giggled and bounded up to her. She paused and looked to Char, then to Vapora… and then she gasped and smiled widely.

“Yes, we’re a thing.” Vapora nodded. “Only recently though,” she frowned. “He was too thick headed to admit he liked me more than a friend.”

“I didn’t want to shred you purity,” Char stated.

“Yeah, well, you failed miserably at abstaining.” Vapora giggled as he shuffled about nervously. “So who are you?”

“Me?” Rika blinked. “Oh, I’m Rika Crescent, and I’m also Commander Sev’s long lost daughter.”

Vapora’s jaw dropped. “He...had a kid?”

“Yep and this kid is me! Well, I’m twenty five, so kid is probably not the right word to use.” She paused and looked around the room. “And so many new friends~ Today really is a good day—” The door that Umbra and Sev were on the other side of gave a loud knock. “Well, mostly a good day,” Rika blushed.

“Well someone’s having fun,” Vapora chuckled, causing Char to blush even harder. “Still, I’m surprised Sev had a kid. He isn’t...that talented when it comes to the opposite sex.”

“Well, when a Mommy Pokemon and Daddy Pokemon get together…” Rika started.

“We know,” Char grumbled and walked off. “Females.”

“Aww, he’s adorable,” Rika cooed. “No wonder you like him.”

Vapora giggled. “Oh like you wouldn’t believe. It took me years to get him, frustratingly enough. I just had enough and jumped him one day. Now he’s all mine.”

“How bold,” Rika gasped. “Well, it took me quite a while to get mine as well. And I got a pony as part of the deal as well.”

Vapora nodded. “Char was the thick headed type. Subtlety didn’t work on him and I wasn’t going to wait forever for it to get through his dogma. A direct approach was in order and it paid off. Can’t say that I envy the wrath your guy’s going to get from Commander Sev.”

“Oh, Papa want’s to murder him, but Sethy’s tough,” Rika giggled. “And maybe part of your problem was the fact that he’s a Charmeleon? I have a friend who’s dating a Charizard, and she pretty much had to do the same thing.”

“I don’t have to worry about that,” Vapora stated. “Char isn’t willing to evolve.”

“Ah, so he’s one of those Pokemon?” Some just didn’t like to evolve, or at least reach their final evolution. “Well that’s fine. Glad to see you have your mon though. Love is the best~”

“Yeah, it’s great.” Vapora sighed with a contentful smile. “Though he does it moreso out of his fear of flying though. He can’t stand being up in the air.”

“Oh, really?” Well that was unusual. Most Pokemon that evolved into Flying-types generally couldn’t wait to get airborne. “And he seems so fearless.”

“It’s a personal thing,” Vapora said. “I would love to explain it, but I think it would be better if he told you it. Would be kind of rude just displaying it out like that and yes, you wouldn’t guess it if you looked at him. He really does try to be the strong guy.”

“Ah, Sethy tells me I shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of others,” she said in a mock-tone of his voice. “Too bad he isn’t around. I wish you could all meet him…”

“I bet he’s quite handsome if he managed to sway you so,” Vapora said. “What species is he?”

“Well, he was a dashing human, now he’s a totally smexy Luxray~” Rika may have been drooling slightly as she thought of her fluffmon.

“I prefer scales myself,” Vapora stated. “The feel of them rubbing against me is…” She shivered. “But fur is good too.”

“Wow…” Rika blushed a little. “Char is a very lucky mon… I think.”

“Of course he is,” Vapora grinned. “I’m the leading model of the PLA. Temptation and lust are highly required.”

“Ah, I see,” Rika nodded. She wondered what that had to do with an army but… well, she figured that her Papa needed some eyecandy for his little group. “It sucks you guys are going home tomorrow though.”

Vapora frowned. “Yeah and I really wanted to explore here.” She shrugged. “Oh well, I’ll find some other time to try that. Whatever conflict that comes can’t last that long.”

“True enough,” Rika nodded. “And you guys have to be careful okay? I just made a bunch of new friends. So you are forbidden from dying anytime soon.”

Vapora chuckled. “We’’ll try, Commander.”

“Hmm, Commander Rika… I dunno,” she hummed and mulled the thought over in her head. “I don’t think I’m the fighting sort…”

“You don’t have to fight all the time,” Vapora said. “I don’t and there are plenty of others in the PLA who don’t either.”

“Hmm, I wonder what i could do then?” Rika mused. She could sing… “OH, I could totally be the PLA’s Number One Idol!”

Vapora frowned. “In what way?”

Rika beamed brightly as music started to play from… somewhere. She leapt up onto one of the tables and then started to sing. A few spotlights shone down and a fine mist rolled in. Well at least that part could be explained with her Misty Terrain. She hoped they didn’t mind her singing in Kantonese, but it was what she preffered.

The soldiers were silent as Rika sang. Even Char was speechless, until the very end. The lot of them clapped for all that was worth. “That was one of the most adorable things I’ve ever heard,” Felicia said.

Rika took a bow once she finished and smiled brightly. “Thank you~” she giggled. That had been a lot of fun. “I love singing more than anything. Even more than my Contest performances.”

“I’m sure you knocked them dead,” Vapora smiled.

“I came close when my Hyper Voice misfired,” Rika giggled, remembering when she obliterated the front row. Ah well, they were warned of splash damage after all~

“Oh dear,” Vapora chuckled. Rika just giggled and shrugged. She looked at the room her parents were in and walked over to the door. She coughed and suddenly banged loudly on the door.

"Will you two hurry up in there!!"

“They’re just catching up on lost time,” Vapora commented. “I don’t think that’s the best move to make, even if you’re his daughter.”

"Fine," Rika rolled her eyes. "Sorry!" She called out through the door and turned back to the others. "So what should we do while they're... occupied?"

Vapora smiled. “Well I know just the-”

“Shopping,” Char deadpanned.

“I was not going to suggest shopping.”

“Okay, what else do you usually drag me to do?”

“Umm...modeling?”

Char folded his arms. “Uh-huh. Perhaps we can go and meditate for a while and cleanse the soul of sin.”

“As ‘riveting’ as that sounds,” Vapora rolled her eyes. “I do believe-”

“Shopping isn’t the answer to everything.”

“Did you just cut me off?!!”

Joy sighed and facepalmed. “Young couples and their arguments.”

"Are they always like this?" Rika asked.

Joy shook her head. “No, not always. Char’s just been a bit more...on edge since coming here and this whole relationship. He’s not exactly the most social mon, so...he can start things like this.”

"Hmm, well for one, shopping pretty much is the answer to everything," Rika nodded and gasped. "We totally need to get you a cute outfit Vappy. One to really get Char worked up~"

“Oh I have several,” Vapora smiled as she turned away from the aggravated Charmeleon. “It’s just that he keeps tearing them up. He’s not a patient mon.”

“Vapora,” Char blushed. “That isn’t something you talk about with others.”

"Hmm, I should introduce you to Titania. She could whip up something nice. Maybe something smexy for Charry as well."

“Oooh, I like.” Vapora nodded. “I think that’s a splendid idea.”

“Eeveelutions,” Char sighed to himself. “Of all the types, why did I fall for an eeveelution?”

"Don’t complain. Eevee's are sexy," Rika giggled. "Be glad you didn't wind up with a moody Absol..."

Elsewhere, Selena had the sudden urge to bite Rika for some reason…

Char sighed. “If the lord’s chosen child is wanting to go, I shall follow.”

"Ohh, anyone else gonna come?" Rika asked.

“Oooh, oooh,” Felicia started jumping up and down, waving her hand in the air. Of course, given her size, she did shake the room a bit. “Pick me. Pick me.”

"Yup, I got goop dragon on my team," Rika nodded. "I'd never abandon a fellow hugmon."

“I want to go to,” Lia gumped up and down beside the Goodra. “I want to pick a dress to be as pretty as Miss Belle.”

"Hmm, I'd say you're plenty cute already. But okay!" Rika clapped her paws and Char suddenly realised that he was the only male in horde of girls with shopping on the brain.

“Lord, watch my steps for they are to be cast upon a sea of woes.” Char muttered.

Rika led the group to Button Belle's Boutique, where Titania and Button Belle, aka, Suri Polomare worked. Rika held the door open for the group and were immediately greeted by the earth pony.

"Welcome to my boutique. How may I help... oh? Hello Rika."

"Heya Belle." Rika replied. "I brought friends... who might also be customers."

“Glad to meet you,” Vapora bowed her head. “I am Vapora, the Pokemon Liberation Armies leading model of grandeur.”

"A model hmm?" Button glazed over the whole army bit and nodded. "Yes, I believe this might be more of Titania's thing." She turned and called out for her, and a moment later, a grumbling Florges emerged.

"What is it? I'm rather busy... oh, Lady Rika is here?"

"And this ball of perfume and grump is Tani. Tani? Meet my new friends."

"They made friends with you? So I take it that they’re touched in the head as well?"

"Waaah, you’re so mean."

“Do not insult the lord’s chosen like so,” Char stepped forward. A hand on one of his swords and a glare directed at her. “Lest you incur Hell’s flames.”

"Hmm, how adorable," Titania chuckled. She looked at Rika. "This a relative of that other flamebrain?”

"No, he's Vappy's squeeze toy," Rika nodded. "Speaking of. We need cute outfits. Stat!"

Char paled. “The fires of the lord whither in dire times. Perhaps I shall ignite it elsewhere...Like with the pony while you do your thing. I can take care of myself after all.”

“Aww,” Vapora pouted, gently rubbing her tail against him causing a small shiver. “Is that so? I think it would be fun to do this together.”

“I...I think I can manage this,” Char gulped.

"Hmm, there is a small project I'm working on," Titania mused as she looked over Vapora. "And you look about the right size... Yes, you will follow me now."

“Very well then,” Vapora nodded. “See you later, Char.”

Char sighed and rubbed and forehead. “This relationship thing is more aggravating than I thought it would be.”

"Hmm, I wonder what she's up to," Rika mused as she looked at some outfits. "Ohh, this ribbon would look so cute on you Aunt Lia."

“Really?” Lia looked it over. “You think so?”

It was a similar design to the ones that Champion Cynthia wore, only they were a light pink.

"Hmm, a good choice," a voice spoke, as a Shiny Gardevoir peered over their shoulders.

Lia blinked in confusion. “It is, Miss…umm..What’s your name?” She tilted her head in an adorable way only children can.

"Oh my, I forgot how adorable Kirlia are," the psychic cooed. "But you're right, I forgot my manners also. My name is Diantha."

"She's the Champion of the Kalos region," Rika explained further. "And one of our bestest friends."

Lia curtsied, bowing her head. “Hello Miss Diantha. I’m Lia of the PLA.”

"PLA?" Diantha hummed and her eyes widened a little. "Oh, well... that's a little surprising."

Lia frowned. “Is something wrong with that?”

Diantha had to stop and think. She knew the group wasn't as... fierce as they once were, not like when she was a child. "Not at all dear, just recalling darker times is all. Happens when you get as old as I."

“Oh…” Lia looked to the ground. “I’m sorry big brother’s daddy scared you. He scared a lot of people.”

"That he did little one," Diantha smiled wryly and rubbed her head. She took the ribbons and tied them just under Lia's horns. "Mmm, Rika was right, they really do look cute on you."

Lia looked to the mirror smiled. “It does. Thank you.” She tilted her head about to get different looks at the ribbon.

"It needs a cheerleader outfit or something," Rika said aloud.

"How about this white skirt?" Dia suggested. "She'd look like a little Gardevoir~"

"Oh my gosh, that would be adorable♡" One could almost see the hearts in Rika's tone.

Lia clapped her knuckles twice and grinned. “Yes! I can’t wait to be a Gardevoir, but I’m not strong enough yet. My big brother says I don’t need to change, but I think he just likes me being small so he can protect me like always.”

"Hmm, I doubt you'd need much training, the Kirlia line tends to evolve quickly," Diantha stated. "If you wish to evolve, I'm sure you will before you know it."

“That’s what mommy says and she's super smart,” Lia stated. “I think she’d like you.”

"She's a Joy," Rika explained and Diantha nodded.

"I think we would little one," Siantha nodded. She looked at the others and her eyes lingered on Felicia for a little longer than necessary.

Said Goodra was scarfing down a few muffins, before she stopped. “Uhh…” She gulped and smiled nervously. “Hello?”

"Ah!" Diantha hadn't realised she'd been staring. "Sorry, yes, hello..."

“...Is it because of the slime?” Felicia asked. “I’ll make sure not to get your dress dirty. Ooh, is it the dragon part because I don’t breathe fire except when I eat spicy salsa but that’s just a thing that happens then.”

"Oh, no... it's not that," the Champion replied. "It's just, one of my precious partners is a Goodra... one I have yet to find..."

“Oh,” Felicia frowned. “I’m sorry if I made you sad?” She quickly brought Diantha into a slimey hug. The Gardevoir didn't seem bothered in the slightest and returned the hug.

"Aww, my new friends are now friends with my old friends," Rika smiled as someone cleared their throat. Titania had returned and there was someone hiding behind her.

"Hm, quit stalling," Titania grumbled and pushed the Vaporeon out into the room. The rather beautiful Water pokemon who was now wearing a mostly complete wedding dress.

Vapora strutted out across the floor. Her footwork was impeccable and each move was calculated to be beautiful and appealing. She fluttered her eyes at Char, who was frozen in awe. “I have to thank you, Titania. This dress fits just right.”

"Well, I did design it to fit an Eeveeloution," Titania nodded. "It is far from complete, and just a test for various patterns and the like. Still, if you like it and you two are planning on a wedding... then I could make a proper one."

“Oh that is a tempting offer,” Vapora stopped to stand in front of Char. “What say you?” Char lifted up a talon and then fell backwards. “...I think it’s a bit too much for him.” She put a paw to her lips and giggled.

"Typical male," Titania scoffed. "Still, while I can't give you that dress, I have plenty of others to choose from, or you can place a custom order and I'll ship it free of charge."

Vapora nodded. “I think that would be best. Though, perhaps I should just browse a tad bit more of your work before making the final choice.”

"As you wish," the Florges nodded. "Everything on that and that rack are Pokemon-friendly. The species they are designed for is on the tag, but I have a few things for Eevee's."

"And that is mostly my fault," Rika giggled. "I'm something of a dress up doll for her. And now I have Lia to dress up. Best day EVER!"

Char jumped back to his feet and growled to himself. He marched on over to the wall and took up a spot, leaning against it. He started to relax, but his eyes locked on Diantha and he tense up. A quick snarl was all he said to her.

“Quit being a meanie, Char.” Lia huffed. “She’s not a bad human.”

“I don’t feel comfortable with you near her though,” Char said. “She is not one of us in the sense as the lord wishes it to be.”

“Just ignore him,” Vapora sighed. “He gets like that around humans.”

"It's quite alright," Diantha nodded. "Besides, he could not harm me, even if he wanted to."

"Yeah... you shouldn't pick a fight with her Charry," Rika nodded. "I don't think Papa would like it if you got hurt while on vacation."

Char huffed. “The lord wills the just to succeed. If a fight broke out, the one who walks the right path will be victorious.”

"Belief can be a powerful motivator," Diantha agreed. "But there is much to be said for skill and experience."

Rika looked between the two, and then to Vapora. "He really wouldn't pick a fight... right?"

“Not unless you rile him up too much,” Vapora stated. “He can be hard headed and rash, but...well yeah, he isn’t a maniac looking for a fight. That’s more General Rio’s thing.”

"Please oh please say he isn't here," Rika begged. "If he meets Ignis..."

"Oh my, that could be a problem," Diantha agreed.

“Big brother wouldn’t do something stupid like that,” Lia said. “Rio isn’t allowed to come, but Mr. Gard might drop by earlier.” She looked around for a bit to make sure the coast was clear. “He secretly love to dress up in fancy suits like pop stars.” She whispered aloud.

Rika burst out laughing and Diantha just looked lost.

"Well, amusing as that sounds, I must be off." She gave Rika and Lia a hug and a polite nod to the rest. "Do take care okay? Rika is quite the handful~"

“She’s more of an armful,” Lia said. “Though I wish she was smaller so I really could put her in my arms. I guess I’m going to have to grow-up first.”

"Yes, she is quite huggable. But, you could ride on her back?" Diantha suggested as a second Gardevoir teleported on, linking her arm with Diantha's.

"Are you ready to depart Mistress?"

"Nearly, my dear Gardy," Diantha replied. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you all."

“Same here with us,” Vapora waved as did the other PLA present. With a florish of her free arm, Gardevoir teleported herself and Diantha from the room.

"We seem to be bumping into everyone today," Rika said. "Hmm, speaking of bumping into one another, think Momna and Papa are done yet?"

Vapora cringed. “I...have no idea and I really don’t want to know. I’m sure they’ll be done soon if they’re not done now...you know, to spend time with you...This is kind of awkward to think about.”

“What are they doing?” Lia asked.

"Getting to know one another, grown up stuff... we'll tell you when your older," Rika said quickly.

Lia grumbled and crossed her arms. “That’s what everyone always tells me.”

"How old are you anyway?" Rika asked as she rummaged through the clothes. "10 or so?"

“Kind of,” Lia said. “I know Umbra before you were born, but I’m younger than you. I kind of met Celebi once and...a bunch of strange time things happened.”

"Wibbly, wobbly, timey-wimey stuff huh?" Rika rubbed her head. "Sounds confusing. Hmm, wonder why Mom never mentioned it. Oh well, not important. Wait, does that technically make you older than me?"

Lia grinned and nodded. “Uh-huh, I’m your elder so you have to respect my authority.” Well as as much authority as a ten year old can muster.

"Yes Ma'am," Rika saluted and giggled. "Shall we begin our conquest of Equestria? The world shall bow to our cuteness!!"

“Mwuahahaha….yes.” Lia smiled.

"Oh sweet Arceus," Titania groaned. "They'd probably do it to. Still, that would mean fighting Seth, Lady Rika."

"Okay, I give up," Rika folded instantly.

“Awww,” Lia pouted. “We already lost?”

"I can't fight against my Sethy," Rika nodded. "Sorry Commander Lia."

“Happens every time,” Lia shrugged. “Oh well. I’ll rule the world one day.”

"Hmm, if we can convince Sethy to join us instead," Rika mused. "I'll need a harem once we're Princesses."

“Oh, like one of those animes?” Lia asked. “The ones with the weird stuff in them that mommy says are grown up stuff?”

"Hmm, I guess so?" Rika shrugged. "It just means we'll have a bunch of boys to worship us. I bet Vappy has a few~"

“I have plenty of admirers,” Vapora glanced over at Char, who had both of his fire swords out. The blazing swords glowed as bright as the sheer rage in his eyes and the fierceness of his snarl. “I don’t think they’ll take me up on the offer.” She chuckled.

"Don't you dare set fire to my shop!!" Suri yelled at the Fire pokemon. "Don’t make me get the hose!"

Char yelped and quickly put out the fire. Fire types generally hated water, but his lineage feared it. He sheathed his swords. “Sorry.”

Suri snorted and nodded before returning to her sewing machine. Rika giggled and filed that info under 'Useful'

"Coincidentally, Charry isn't allowed in our harem," Rika said. "Ohh, speaking of, do you have any boys you like Lia?"

Lia tapped her chin. “I have a friend who is a boy, but I don’t think he’d want to play harem...I think.”

"Well, baby steps," Rika chuckled. "So who is this lucky little gentleman?"

“His name is Lu,” Lia said. “He’s a Riolu and my bestest friend.”

"A Riolu huh?" Rika rubbed her chin with one ribbon as she paid for Lia's ribbons and dress. "Fighting type, evolves via Happiness..." She frowned slightly, not having meant to go into training mode like that. "Well, he sounds nice. He is nice yeah?"

Lia nodded. “He saved me from a bunch of mean Hyena Dog slavers. He’s really brave and he likes to make me smile.”

"A hero type..." Rika looked around, she knew she saw one before... Aha! She grabbed something from a shelf and bought that too before giving it to Lia. A long, strikingly red scarf.

"Give him that as a present," Rika said. "He'll be putty in your paws~"

“Why would I want him to be putty?” Lia asked. “He’s my friend.”

"Figure of speech," Rika said with a soft sigh. "I mean he'll really like you for it."

“Okay,” Lia took the scarf. “I’ll make sure he gets this. Thank you.”

"That's alright," Rika smiled and nuzzled her. "Now, let's get out of Suri's mane before she really does turn the hose on us." Rika turned back to Vapora and Felicia. "You ladies done shopping yet?"

Vapora nodded. “Oh yes. These dresses just sing to me. It’s so easy to find one that sings the right tune.”

Felicia shrugged. “Eh, as best as it can be.”

“Well then ladies, make your purchases, loadup the pack-Gogoat,” Here she motioned towards Char. “And then we’ll hit the road.”

“I hate my fate sometimes,” Char sighed.

“You’re a male that agreed to accompany females on a shopping trip, you really should have expected as much,” Rika smiled sweetly. After a bit more looking around, the group shuffled off and headed back to the Castle. Rika at least wanted to see if her mother would be staying the night.

Sev and Umbra were taking a break for the time being and the Umbreon was taking a shower to clean herself up.

Too bad the same could not be said for the room they practically destroyed…

“Honestly Sev,” the Dark Pokemon winced as she walked back into the room, her hind legs having a slight limp to them. “Hmm, now where is everyone?”

“They must have departed,” Sev huffed. “They couldn’t yet handle that which happens, I suppose.”

“Too bad, and I was going to see if little Dusty wanted to play with us next,” Umbra mused, licking her lips.

“...And here’s the...did everyone leave already?!!” Lightning huffed, growling as she held up a few drinks. “Seriously, I will strangle them.”

“Oh, don’t be like that dear,” Umbra giggled and took one of the drinks, downing it with one shot. “I guess they were giving us some privacy. Hmm, speaking off…” She eyed the Pegasus like a predator.

“Uhhhh…” Lightning blinked in confusion. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Oh nothing, just wondering what pegasus tastes like,” Umbra chuckled and licked her lips. “You are curious too, right Sevvy?”

Sev chuckled as well. “Oh yes. Incredibly curious. She has a delectable scent.” His tongue flickered out of his mouth, tasting the air.

“Okay, you two are getting at something.” Lightning gulped. “Do I want to know?”

“Perhaps,” Umbra stated. “You see, I said I had no problems with you and Sevvy. I am more than willing to… share~”

“Sh-Share?” Lightning laughed nervously. “In what way?”

“Hmm, surely a smart mare like you can figure that much out on your own,” Umbra chuckled.

“Heh,” Lightning shuffled about nervously. Her wings twitched about. “Well...I’ve never actually done anything like that before.”

“Really now? That’s surprising,” Umbra smiled as she advanced on her. “Then we can teach you so much~”

“Well...uhh…” Lightning didn’t know what do now. This wasn’t something she was expecting to happen, so she froze in place.

“Uhoh, I think I broke her Sevvy,” Umbra giggled and placed a chaste kiss on the mare’s muzzle, just to get her point across if it wasn’t clear enough. And that was when the door burst open and Rika and co. strode in.

“Honey, wee’reee hoooome!” she sang out.

Sev looked to Lightning and then his daughter. He sighed, before chuckling. “Your timing is marvelous, Rika. I probably would have done the same in your case….Well, add in a Flamethrower to Seth’s face.” His chuckling turned dark until it turned into full blown evil laughter.

“Um, wat?” Rika and Lia tilted their heads adorably.

“N-nothing,” Lightning was as red as a tomato. “H-he’s just rambling on as usual.”

“Yup, nothing going on at all,” Umbra replied, turned as her tail brushed under Lightning’s chin. “How was your little trip out with all these fine Pokemon?”

“It was fun,” Rika nodded. “We met Diantha, Charry is as grumbley as Gardy and Lia is both older and younger than me.”

“Oh, the Celebi thing?” Umbra asked the Kirlia.

Lia nodded. “I still don’t know what happened, really. It was too confusing.”

“Oh, did Sethy come back?” Rika asked. “Aunt Lia and I wanna recruit him and take over the world. Sorry Daddy, we’ll also have to mutiny and take your army.”

“Your ambition is admirable,” Sev said. “But mine is grander, so my army stays by my side. The world can still be yours, perhaps if you were to be as grand as I.”

“I am the daughter of Commander Sev, and she is the glorious Little Sister. Our cuteness knows no equal!”

“Look at what you’ve done Sev,” Umbra sighed. “She will be utterly impossible to live with now.”

“I AM THE IMPOSSIBILITY!” Sev shouted. “Impossibility is what surrounds that which we are, so everything is actually possible in the way that it can be done even in ways you thought were wrong in the sense of impossible.”

“...” Rika and Lia just stared at him and Umbra laughed at the blank expressions on their faces.

“Oh my dear Sevvy, you seem to have lost them somewhere.”

“Oh, wanna show Papa our cute outfits?” Rika suggested.

Lia eagerly nodded. “Yeah, Miss Diantha said I looked really cute on them, big brother. So did Rika.”

Sev pursed his lips. “Very well. You may show me the outfits, but I will be judging them silently.”

“Aww, don’t be like that Papa~” Rika scolded him cutely as she dragged Lia off to get changed. Luckily they avoided the other room and disappeared into another. They returned a moment later, the Kirlia in her long skirt and ribbons, while Rika wore a cute little blue dress that complimented her colours nicely.

Sev smiled and tapped his tail on the ground in a sort of applause. “I say they look fine on you both. My lovely daughter and sister. Truly there are none more beautiful...except for you Umbra.” He quickly put in. “That’s a different sort of beautiful as one would put beauty to a flower of several hues.”

“Ever the wordsmith,” Umbra smiled and nuzzled him. “And yes, they look very lovely indeed.”

“Lia even got a present for her boyfriend~” Rika teased. “I wish i could be there when you go back.”

“...Boyfriend?” Sev’s face was neutral, but you could see how he was shaking in silent rage. “Boyfriend?!!”

“Well yes,” Lia said. “He’s a boy and a friend.”

“Oh…” Sev sighed in relief. “Very well. That’s one less being I have to ponder their deaths.”

Speaking of death to certain males… The door opened and Seth poked his head inside, looking quite weary.

“Rika… you here?”

“SETHY!” Rika’s ribbons snared him and dragged the hapless Luxray inside. She snuggled him once she hauled him over and smiled at Vapora. “This is my Sethy~”

“Charmed,” he wheezed out, her ribbons were… rather tight.

“Oooh~” Vapora cooed. “You caught yourself quite the catch.”

“I know right!” Rika nuzzled the large Luxray again, her ribbons finally allowing him to breathe. She noticed the metal accessory around his neck and cooed. “Ohh, what’s this?”

“A gift from the Princesses,” Seth explained. “It has a few neat enchantments and my Keystone.”

Sev tapped the metal collar. “Why don’t I have a princess gift? I am higher on the food chain and I have even kissed one of them as we shared a dream.” He tapped his chin. “Perhaps it’s less a kiss and more a driss. Let it be known I came up with that word. Patent it!” he shouted outside to a few of his soldiers who ran to write it down.

“...You did what?” Lightning narrowed her eyes. A dark aura seemed to surround the Umbreon...

“I wanted to know if she was real,” Sev stated. “My father was slicing me to ribbons. I am entitled to do strange things to concur the reality of dreams. Besides, that does not mean I don’t love you nor Umbra. That would be suicidal and I would deserve it.”

“Don’t use that ‘s’ word,” Lightning said. “We already went through that and I don’t need that headache again.”

“Agreed,” Umbra said, her murderous intent leaving. “And thank you for being there for him all this time Miss Dust. I don’t believe I have done that yet.”

“I’ve only known him a couple of weeks,” Lightning stated. “An aggravating two weeks if you ask me.”

“Did anyone else feel a dark presence when I said ‘kiss’?” Sev asked curiously. “Is the word cursed here in this castle? If it is, I will break it. I just need a hammer, chisel, and ten tons of dynamite blessed in holy cheese water.”

“Oh trust me dear Sevvy, it is a darkness you cannot hope to defeat,” Umbra said in a chilly tone. “Now,” her mood brightened and she looked at Seth and Rika. “What will the two of you be doing?”

“Well,” Seth said. “I actually need Rika’s help with something tonight, so I’m going to have to steal her away from you.”

Sev was too busy thinking to pay attention. “Of course, the darkness is Luna. With the darkness that is her, I need something greater than dynamite. Something potent. Something ingenious….Put Felicia into a catapult and launch her at the princess. Show her that I mean to honor her.”

“Umm...sir?” One of the soldiers asked. “Maybe it was your mate getting angry at the kiss.”

“That’s silly,” Sev stated. “You're being silly. She wouldn’t do that. Obviously Luna is getting angry because her moonbutt isn’t praised enough and needs gooey hugs prompto. The connection between, darkness, Luna and hugs is obvious.”

“Is he… okay?” Seth tilted his head. “He knows I won’t let him do that right? Aside from being incredibly dangerous for this ‘Felicia’ individual. I’m pretty sure Lulu doesn’t want Pokemon flung at her from a catapult. On that note, where would he even get one—”

“Try not to think about it too hard,” Umbra smiled at him.

“Let me do all the thinking,” Sev said. “I’m great at that.”

They could all hear Gard cough. “Bullfeathers.” Cough.

“Mhm…” Seth shrugged. “Anyway, so I’ll be taking Rika in a bit. Have you had fun today?”

“Tons!” Rika nodded. “It’s been superfun! And I heard that Gardy! Just for that, you get more hugs Mr. Grumpyskirt!”

“This is simply a mental projection,” Gard chuckled, which sounded quite scaringly wrong. “I’m all the way over in Zebrica right now so I hardly think you can follow up on that threat.”

“Soon…” Rika whispered darkly and smiled.

“Back up a few sentences,” Sev said. “You want to do what with my daughter?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m taking her soon. Need to borrow her for tonight,” Seth explained. “I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

Sev frowned and sagged. “Tonight? Tonight Tonight? Not any other?”

“Well, your King is scheduled to depart in a few hours no?” Seth asked. “Where is King Trot anyway? I think Princess Celestia wanted a few words before he left.”

“He was talking with some mare,” Sev grinned. “Mocha, I believe her name was. It was a grant sight, seeing Mochot sail...Trocha…” He tapped his chin. “I shall name that ship one day.”

“You set him up… with Mocha?” Seth blinked. Well, she was a very pretty mare. “Well, good for him.”

“We have done ALL the shipping!” Rika cheered. She looked at Felicia and nodded. “You’re in charge of shipping on my behalf when you go home.”

Felicia put on a seaman’s hat and nodded. “Ai, ai, el kapitan.”

“I feel as though the point has been missed,” Rika deadpanned.

“As do I,” Seth nodded. “What do you mean by shipping?”

“...See what I deal with?” Rika groaned to her fellow Eeveeloution. “He’s cute, but he has the brains of a Geodude sometimes.”

“Tell me about it, sister.” Vapora chuckled. “We Eevee’s got to tough it out when it comes to our lovers. No matter how thickheaded they are.”

“Hmm, not yet in that title,” Rika smiled and looked at Seth, licking her lips. “Soon though. Hehehehe~”

“I feel a chill,” Seth remarked under his breath. That look of Rika’s was… He took a nice, long deep breath.

“Just jump him,” Vapora said. “I know I already said that, but it really worked wonders for me. If you don’t, it’s going to take forever to get a good dicking.”

“It will take forever for that to happen,” Sev hissed in anger, glaring at Seth. His tail lashed about dangerously.

“Whoa! Okay, I have no plans for that yet!” Seth said, taking a step back from that poisonous tail. He was under no illusions that Sev would utterly destroy him in a fight. Hell, he still tripped over his own paws half the time. “Don’t worry Sev, your daughter’s purity is well and truly safe for the time being.”

Rika turned and that dark aura was back. “Papa… what did I tell you about threatening my mate?”

“To do so with impunity,” Sev smiled. “I may have taken a few liberties in tweaking the message, but I believe it has been made stronger.”

“Rika, don’t Moonblast your dad,” Seth said and Rika sighed and stepped back. “It’s alright, he’s just getting in all the dad stuff he’s missed out on. I doubt he’d actually kill me… right Sev?”

Sev stared at Seth and chuckled. “I don’t know. Can you honestly tell with a mon as mad as I?” He grinned deviously.

“No… because you won’t want to make Rika cry,” Seth replied with his own smirk.

“Oh, while we’re all here, Sethy? Can Lia and I take over the world with cute?”

“Huh? uh, sure, I guess,” Seth replied absently, continuing his staring contest with Sev.

The group heard someone knocking at the door frame. “Am I interrupting something?” Joy asked.

“Hey Gramma!” Rika waved. “Sethy and Papa are having a staring match. Or Seth is using his xray vision again.”

“Already did,” Seth chuckled. “I wanted to see if Sev’s head really was hollow.”

“Now, now,” Joy sighed. “Let’s not fight. Who are you anyway and why is my granddaughter calling you ‘Sethy’?”

“Oh that’s because—”

“Because Sethy is one of the loves of my life!” Rika cut him off, causing him to frown. “He’s totally the bestest Luxray and Trainer that a Sylveon could ask for!”

Without a second though, Joy pulled him into a bone crushing hug. “Oh aren’t you a cutie. You’re going to fit perfectly into this family….” She stopped the hug. “Wait, great grandchildren already? Not that I’m complaining but...am I that old?”

“No, as I said, Rika, Fritter and I haven’t taken that particular step yet. So no little Eevee, Shinx or foals in your life yet. Though, I may ask who you might be, though given your last statement… Either Umbra or Sev’s mother?”

“She’s my mommy,” Lia said. “And my big brother’s too, so she’s the oldest one of us.”

“Thank you, sweetie.” Joy deadpanned. “Yes, I am their mother and yes, I really am a Joy. Well, was.”

“You were human as well?” Seth asked. “Quite the change huh? Though I guess being a Pokemon has it’s perks.”

“A few,” Joy nodded. “But I never had a problem raising my children back home. I was born with the ability to understand pokemon, so no real problems there.”

“Seems you got a well-fitting form then,” Seth smiled. “And so lovely as well. I’m sure your beauty has only grown.”

Joy blushed and chuckled. “I bet you say that to all the elder ladies. I know I’m no beaut. Still, thank you for the compliment.”

“I only speak the truth,” Seth nodded. “You’re lucky though, I do miss having hands…”

“Ahh, your scritchies were the best~” Rika sighed. “You knew just where to touch me~”

“R-Rika!” Seth blushed, imagining something quite different. “Watch what you say…” He turned slowly and looked at the Seviper behind him. “Uh… hi?”

“I’m one strike away from a goodbye,” Sev stated, flexing his fangs.

“I should start carrying around some Pecha berries,” Seth muttered, eyeing those fangs wearily. “Well, I don’t need Rika until later tonight. So be sure to head home once the moon rises okay?”

“I can do that,” Rika nodded. “That still gives me a few hours with these guys.”

Seth nodded and smiled. “I’m glad you found your family…” he looked at Joy and Sev and his smile seemed… sadder. “Hopefully I’ll find my own someday.”

“They will find you,” Sev stated. “Your idiocy is hard to miss.”

“One can hope,” Seth replied, not bothering to argue. He’d gladly admit he was an idiot if it brought them back.

“Indeed, it’s what led me back to my Sevvy,” Umbra giggled.

Sev opened his mouth, but closed it. “Well, at least I had sex. Yes, I”m being blunt.”

Lia looked up at him. “Big Brother… what’s sex?”

“It’s Xes backwards, which is a secret handshake one does in order to corroborate the plans to which we must plan for the moon cannon that will further said plan,” Sev smiled.

“Oh,” Lia blinked as she processed that. “That makes sense.”

“It does?” Rika and Seth asked at the same time.

“And i don’t think Lulu would approve of a moon cannon,” Seth deadpanned.

“I shall have my moon cannon,” Sev snorted. “She is on good terms with me. I can talk her into one.”

“And if that happened, I would have to intervene with my Sun Cannon. And yes, it’s capitalized because it’s stronger.” Seth smiled proudly as Umbra and Rika applied her paws to their faces.

“But then you will face my dark shield!” Sev shouted. “Bouncing your attack back at you.”

“Fool, you have activated my trap! Shield of Justice!” Seth declared. “That attack is dissipated!”

“Ah, but there is the manner of my Spear of Longinus that can pierce your shielding.”

“Then I will counter with my Lightning of—” That was all he got before Rika muzzled the both of them with her ribbons.

“And that is quite enough of that,” she said. “Honestly, boys!”

“Yeah, I mean firing energy based weaponry without first corroborating their stats is awful….” Lightning blinked in realization she had said that out loud. “Umm...yeah. NEEEEEEEERDS!”

Everyone turned and looked at Lightning Dust for a moment in awkward silence.

“Riiiight,” Rika said, removing her muzzles. “Well, that interesting bit of information aside. Don’t you have a job to do Sethy?”

“Unfortunately,” Seth replied. He turned and gave the males of the room a nod, and then kissed the hands, paws, hooves… etec, of the rooms females and took his leave.

“Well he certainly is a gentlemon,” Joy said. “I approve.”

“Whoo!” Rika cheered. “I knew it. Sethy is Best Human!”

“Debatable,” Sev stated.

“Heretical,” Char said.

“It’s 50/50 over here,” Gard’s smug voice resounded about.

“I’ll take it!” Rika giggled. “Mr. Grumpyskirts goes up on the rung of popularity. Sorry Charry and Papa, your votes are nosediving.” She looked at the ladies of the room. “And you?”

“Approve,” they said.

“Debatable,” Lia happily chimed. “What? I’m sticking with my big brother no matter how silly he is.”

“Dang, and I thought you had my back,” Rika sighed. “Oh well, Sethy still proves he’s a ladiesmon without realising it. That makes me both proud, and a little worried about the future.”

“I like him,” Lia said.

“You like everyone,” Sev retorted.

“...Not everyone,” Lia rubbed her neck, where faint scars were.

Sev cringed and nuzzled her head. “Sorry.” She hugged him back. Joy quickly gave the two of them a hug.

Rika figured that there was a story there, but didn’t want to bring the mood down. Still, if someone had hurt Lia…

There was a ‘crunch’ sound as a metal wastebasket was crushed like a tin can in her ribbons grasp.

Lia jumped at the sound, before asking: “Is something wrong, Rika?”

“Huh?” she looked at the bin she destroyed and smiled nervously. “Ahah, n-no, everything is fine,” she lied and put the basket down. “Sorry about that, these things have a mind of their own sometimes.”

Joy pursed her lips as she looked at Rika. She shook her head. “Well just be careful with them so they don’t get hurt.”

“Actually, they don’t have nerve endings, so I don’t feel pain with them.” She flexed them and cracked them like whips. “And if I channel my Fairy power, I can extend them as well.” Her ribbons glowed a bright pink and she performed a small dance with them.

“Rika, I’m a Nurse Joy.” She pointed out. “I know very well about them, dear.”

“Oh… right,” Rika blushed with embarrassment.

“Hmm, an idea occurs,” Umbra spoke up. “We still need to have dinner yes? Why not have the castle staff bring us something. That way, we can eat what we want and eat together.”

“Splendid,” Joy smiled. “I rather like that idea.”

“Excellent, then I’ll leave the orders to my darling Sevvy. He is ever so good at giving them~”

Sev grinned. “I am Commander. I am supposed to do such. It helps I am blessed by Princess Luna.”

“Wait, Luna?” Lia asked. “Since when?”

“Since forever, yet I didn’t know it.” Sev proclaimed. “I am blessed of the goddess of the moon, grandest of her champions. We fight in the name of the moon. We shall be forever known as her Sailor Scouts……...No that’s dumb. Erase that.” he told the mon writing it down.

“How about…. Lunar Vanguard?” Rika suggested.

“Heavens Lance?” Umbra decided to throw her two bits in.

“Polar Liberating Armada?” Sev tapped his chin.

“Ohh, you still wanna keep the PLA acronym?” Rika paused and rethought her submission. “Hmmm, Pokemon Lunar Armada?”

“I want to keep the first two for usage,” Sev said. “But that could work.”

“A work in progress then?” Umbra smiled. “Now Sevvy, be a dear and order us up some dinner… and not just tacos. We need a little more sustenance than that.”

“Very well,” Sev said. “I shall order us something hearty. Bring in the Book of Rules.” A Typhlosion brought in a big book and Sev scrolled through it. He pulled out his shellphone. “Yes, this is Commander Sev. I would like to order….Yes, I know this is the warp….You can tell Tzeentch he can geek out later….Oh, very well then. A family matter….Fine, I’ll try someone else.” He grumbled and called it off. “Get some of the locals, because I know Giratina is on vacation right now.” The soldiers nodded and walked out.

“Dear… do I honestly want to know what you just did?” Umbra asked hesitantly.

“No, because warp scum are jerks.” Sev snorted. “Next to ice giants. Remember daughter, never trust chaos….or door to door salesmen. The second is worse.”

“Yes, I don’t think I want to know,” Umbra nodded. “And why didn’t you just call up a maid and get room service in the first place?”

“Because that would be too easy and not cool enough?” Rika replied.

“.....I didn’t think about that.” Sev stated. “Huh, that would have been easier. Well I best do that.” The soldiers came back in, carrying a startled maid. “Or not.” Putting the maid down in front of him, he smiled. “Hello.”

“AHHHH!” She screamed.

“I get that a lot around here,” Sev quirked an eyebrow. “Apparently ponies are afraid of snakes.”

“Or the fact that she was dragged all the way up here,” Joy groaned.

“No, that’s not it.” Sev shook his head. “I would know. I get dragged about and all I get is angry, not scared.”

“Should I drag Papa around the castle?” Rika asked. “I’m really good at it~”

“No one drags the great and powerful Commander Sev,” he snorted. “Maid.”

“AHHHHHHHH!”

“She has a mighty lung,” Sev put his tail in front of her mouth, silencing her. “We are going to order and you’re going to stop screaming needlessly.” She glared at him. “What? I’m not the ones who decided to drag you up here.” He glared at the soldiers, who shifted around nervously.

“W-we thought it would be quicker?” One put in.

“Your soldiers are silly Papa,” Rika giggled as she walked over to the maid and pulled her into a gentle hug. “There, there. The scary Pokemon didn’t mean to scare you.” Her ribbons glowed again and the gentle light calmed the mare down right away.

“They are silly enough to earn a one way ticket to the front lines,” Sev hissed in anger.

“Uhh...the war hasn’t started yet.” One gulped. “It might not even start.”

“Well you’ll be the first ones to know,” Sev huffed. “Now apologize.”

“We’re sorry,” they mumbled.

“See?” Rika giggled. “Now do you think you could take an order to the kitchen for us?”

“O-Okay,” the maid nodded. “What would you like?”

“Strawberry sundae!” Lia said.

“She’ll have an assorted berry salad,” Joy said. “I don’t want you spoiling your dinner.” Lia pouted. “I’ll have the same.”

“Catfish,” Sev answered.

“Trout,” Vapora said.

“Just a plain salad,” Char stated.

“CAKE!” Rika cheered, but withered when Umbra glared at her. “Urgh, fine, I’ll have an apple salad if you don’t mind.” Time to see if they could match her beloved Fritter.

“And I shall have some trout as well. I haven’t had fish in a while.”

The maid nodded and took the orders down well enough, taking the orders as well as she could. “And will that be all?” From Sev’s nod, she breathed a sigh of relief as she trotted out. “We’ll send someone up soon.”

The King also made his grand reappearance before the food arrived, Rika waving at him as he all but sauntered inside. He had a big grin plastered on his face.

“I see you had a good time,” Sev smiled.

“The best in a while,” Trot happily sighed. “That mare is certainly something else.”

“Ohh,” Rika giggled and poked at him with a ribbon. “Use your kingly charm to woo the pretty mare?”

“I think we both did a bit of the wooing,” Trot chuckled. “It was...nice talking to a mare who saw me for me for a change.”

“Aww, you’re so adorable,” Rika giggled. “Soo, gonna try a long distance relationship or something?”

Trot frowned and laid his head down on the table. “Possibly. I don’t know if she would want such a thing and to go ages without seeing that beautiful face of hers would be heartbreaking.”

“Ever the drama queen,” Sev chuckled.

“You’re one to talk,” Trot smirked.

“You’re as bad as eachother,” Umbra stated. “From my observations anyhow. Still, do not fret dear King. I’m sure you will see her again before long.”

“If I don’t find some assassin’ blade in my neck,” Trot grumbled, before sighing. “Yes, I’m going a bit overboard on this. I shall see her again. If it is to be, it is to be. If not, then I wish her the best of luck with someone better.”

“FOOL!” Sev shouted, thrusting his tail blade into the air dramatically. “There is no-one greater, except for myself of course, for non is greater than I Sev! But you are equal in my greatness by… three, yes Three places! That will be more than enough!!”

“Well...thank you for the encouragement Sev,” Trot smiled. “Maybe I can even sneak a quick kiss before we depart.”

“Ah young love,” Joy smiled. “Never felt it, but it always looks so divine...and foolhardy at times.”

“Love is the best,” Rika nodded. “Oh! maybe King Trot could date Gramma Joy as well! Kings do that right. A sexy harem?”

Trot blushed. “Well...it is a custom for Zebrican kings to take many wives, but...I never gave it much thought.”

“Whoo! Royal harem is go!” Rika shouted and pumped her paw in the air.

“I’m not just going to pick random women,” Trot said. “I want to feel a special connection with them. Actual love.”

“Awww,” several of the girls all cooed. “So romantic.”

Umbra rolled her eyes as she sat on the couch to get comfortable. The maid soon returned, pushing a cart laden with food.

“H-here’s your f-food,” she said and when she laid eyes on the dashing King, she blushed fiercely and looked away.

“Thank you for the assistance and I do have to apologize for their antics,” Trot smiled reassuringly. “They can get ahead of themselves.”

“I-It’s okay,” she blushed harder. “U-um… I’m Sunny Daze.”

“I’m Trotankhamun, but you can call me Trot.” He nodded in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Sunny.”

The mare swooned and fainted on the spot.

“...Wow,” Rika said with a hushed whisper.

“My lady!” Quick as a whip, Trot was holding her up. He put his ear to her chest and sighed in relief. “Well, she appears to be knocked unconscious. BY what, I do not know. I’ll bring her to the infirmary.”

“Oh, we know what did it, you sly pony you,” Rika chuckled at him. “Quite the ladykiller huh?”

“So it would seem,” Umbra joined in on the teasing. “Guess the royal line is secure after all~”

“It seems we are matched,” Sev said. “Two for two.” He smirked. “Well done matching my greatness.”

“But…” Trot blinked in confusion. “I know I’m handsome, but…You think it would work out?”

“With random mares you just met?” Sev nodded. “Yes!”

“Works for me!” Rika nodded.

“At least ask the poor dear,” Umbra sighed. “No kidnapping the maids. I would think the Princesses would be most displeased.”

“I’m not kidnapping anypony,” Trot said, looking shocked. “My mother taught me better...I mean, Princess Celestia taught me better than that.”

Several Pokemon looked at him. Celestia was his mother?

“Can Alicorn’s do that?” Rika blinked. “Just, spit out a random species. Or is it like us Pokemon and they can be from the mother or the father…” She gasped. “Are you an Alicorn in disguise. Or become one in your Mega Evolution form!?”

“No, no,” Trot shook his head. “I...never knew my mother. She died during childbirth and my father...wasn’t himself for much of my early years. Celestia stepped up to give me a childhood I needed to be a great king. That’s why I respect her.”

“Well, I’d say you succeeded,” Rika giggled. “A handsome stallion with great friends? I’d say you turned out pretty great.”

Trot grinned and gently put the mare on his back. “Well, I best be off. I don’t want her to get hurt or anything.”

“Try not to pull of any infirmary anime cliches,” Rika giggled. “You do have to leave soon. No time for a quickie with the cute maid~”

“Anime cliche?” Trot blinked in confusion. “Quickie? I have no idea what you’re talking about...Wait, are you…? No, I would never take advantage of a poor maid.”

“I don’t think she means it in such a poor way,” Sev said. “But, if you were to perhaps bed her, there is time for a few rounds.”

Trot was blushing bright red. “No...I...Is your family seriously going to try and ship me with several mares?”

“Seems that way,” Umbra chuckled. “Well, best of luck dear King.”

Trot snorted. “I assure you, nothing is going to happen. She’ll go off cleaning and Mocha will probably go after some other stallion. I’ll be stuck with the leeches again.” He grumbled and started off.

Sad violin music could be heard...which was being played by Sev.

“Ohh, Papa’s good at that,” Rika clapped.

“How… are you playing that?” Umbra felt another headache coming on. “Lightning dear… best of luck with him. You are a strong mare for having to deal with this all the time.”

“Well you put up with Rika,” Lightning pointed out. “It’s a bit like that, except moreso and strange stuff keeps happening around him.” She put a hoof to her chest and smiled. “Luckily I’m there to bail him out.”

“Glad to hear it,” Umbra smiled. “Also, watch yourself on the trip back. Sevvy is somewhat… inspired now.”

“Is that why you were walking funny?” Lightning asked.

“Yes… that is most definitely why,” Umbra smiled, a small hint of red under her black fur. “So, as I said… good luck~”

Lightning blushed and looked to Sev. He was still playing but winked at her as he did. She glared at him. “No can do. Nu-uh. That’s….ugh.” She face planted on the table and covered her head. “Why me?”

“Why indeed,” Umbra laughed at her plight.

“Really guys?” Rika groaned and gagged. “Ick!”

“I bet your own kids are going to say the same thing to you,” Joy chuckled.

“Ehh, I got no plans for that anytime soon,” Rika said and shrugged. She sighed and muttered under her breath. “And not for lack of trying either…”

A bell chimed in the distance, as several zebra’s rushed around, getting the airship ready for departure. The Griffon’s and Minotaur’s had already left, and the Hippocampi were also getting ready to leave. Canterlot Castle was bustling with activity at the moment.

“Sir,” one of the pokemon soldiers spoke up. “Time to depart.”

“Impossible,” Sev hissed in anger. “I have not deemed it time to be so and thusly it is not time. I am the Commander here, which makes me out to be above time itself. So either stop it or get Loom to build a crank and reverse it!”

“I think only Dialga and Celebi can mess with time Papa,” Rika giggled. And then imagined her father with Dialga’s power. Okay, that was mildly terrifying.

“Sev with time powers… does make one’s fur stand on end doesn’t it?” Umbra chuckled.

Lightning’s eye twitched. “We’d be doomed.”

“Doomed to greatness!” Sev proclaimed and laughed maniacally once more.

“And thus, Sev goes to show that anything can be trumped with endless enthusiasm and blind optimism,” Umbra mused and kissed his cheek. “Never change Sevvy. The world would be far less for it.”

Sev grinned. “I know. I am a gift to any world, as you are a gift to me.” He kissed her nose.

“Hmm, I’d have called you out on that ego if you didn’t follow up with a complimet… you’re learning,” Umbra smiled. “And what is taking that king of yours so long? Did he truly seduce that maid after all?”

“All the romance!” Rika cackled. “Now, all we need is for Lia to confess to her cute little boyfriend… Oh, and we need someone for my cuddlebuddy Felicia.”

“Hmm?” Felicia poked her head out from eating a large cake. She swallowed, using her tongue to wipe away some of the gooey bits of cake on her face. “Someone for me?”

“Everyone must experience love at some point, and who would want to snuggle you?” Rika said with a wide smile.

“Everyone wants to snuggle me, they just don’t know it.” Felicia giggled. “Though…” She tapped her fingers together. “I don’t know if anyone wants to be more than a friend.”

“There is someone for everyone,” Rika nodded. “That is something I truly believe.”

“Go for the king,” Sev said. “He needs a pokemon in his roster and even numbers are best. Four is a good number.”

“Four?” Joy asked.

“The cute zebra guard,” Sev said.

“That’s a bit random,” Joy said.

“Shipping is random!” Sev shouted with a mad grin. “Or we could find someone else. I’ll have to think on it.”

“Well, he might be the only one that could afford to change the sheets constantly,” Rika giggled. “No offense Felly. But Goodra goop gets everywhere.”

“I know that very much,” Sev snorted in agitation.

Felicia giggled and patted his head. “He’s just a bit grumpy from all the hugs.”

“I am not,” Sev said. “I just can’t be seen looking so slimey in front of my soldiers. You should slime the king more often than I.”

Rika had hugged Felicia from behind and got all gooped up, then cackled madly as she hugged Sev and a hapless Lightning Dust that was standing next to him. “Don’t be mad, share the slime!” she giggled.

“GAH!” Lightning tried to flap out of the embrace as best as she could. But her wings were now wet and sticky, she was groundbound.

Sev just stood still with a stony expression. He calmly wrapped Rika in his tail and put her on his head. “Just for that, you are demoted to hat status.”

“Aww,” Rika pouted and folded her ribbons. “At least I’m a cute hat.” When she pouted, it was also around then that every male noticed the cute female Sylveon that had a clear, sticky substance on her face and body…

They also took notice of the deathly gaze of the Seviper and wisely averted their gazes.

“So are we really going to ship Felicia with Trot and ship him with a bunch of other people?” Lia asked, obviously confused. Of course, since she was only a little girl, that was understandable.

“Ah, I think we’re just messing around,” Rika hummed and licked her lips out of curiosity. She tilted her head at the taste. “Hmm…” It, actually wasn’t too bad.

“Messing around with romance, which means we have control of the situation, which makes me on board the shipping ship, which means I am the love captain!” Sev said and patted Rika. “Rika is proof of my success.”

“No, it means I never bothered to tell you I was in heat,” Umbra smiled and winked at Joy.

“I got a granddaughter out of it all, so I don’t care which one of you is right.” Joy smiled. “I just wish we could have done this sooner. I had so many tiny little outfits for my grandchildren. Still have them, oddly enough. Seems like a few other items were brought from out world.”

“Hmm, keep them,” Rika nodded. “And when I have little Shinx’s or Eevee, I’ll let you dote on them as much as you like.”

Joy grinned. “Oh I will. It’s been too long since I’ve had a baby in the family. Lia’s almost fully grown.”

“I’m a big girl,” Lia nodded, sipping out of a little apple juice box.

“One does not claim that while cutely sipping at a juice box,” Rika nodded as she hopped off of Sev’s head and shook herself off, flinging slime everywhere.

“Watch it!” Lightning shook the slime off of herself. “Didn’t your mother tell you not to spray it?!”

“Eh,” Rika shrugged and giggled. She may or may not have done that on purpose.

“We have a half hour before we have to go!” A zebra guard said as they rushed about.

“Awwww,” Rika pouted, her ribbons drooping.

“That’s plenty enough time for a new Zebrican heir to be made,” Sev nodded. “As for I, well….only half an hour?” He frowned. “Did I hear that correctly? That is how much more time I get to see my family?”

“We knew it would only be for the day, though…” Umbra sighed. “And I was just getting used to having you around as well. I regret not spending last night with you now.”

“That can’t be helped,” Sev sighed. “We should get our things ready.”

Lia sniffed. “I don’t want to leave our family behind. I just met them, big brother.”

Joy sighed and stroked the little one’s head. “We’ll see them again soon enough.”

“Yeah, cause Gardy can totally do that portally thing... “ Rika said with a smile. “So just pester him if you wanna visit… maybe I’ll drag Dia along so she can do the same thing?” She paused and then gasped loudly. “CONTEST!”

“CONTEST?!!” Sev shouted. “What sort of contest?”

“A Pokemon Contest,” Rika said with a wide smile. “I totally forgot. Sethy is gonna try and revive Pokemon Contests and Selly and I are gonna be in it. Ahh, you should totally come and see me be super pretty and awesome and stuff!!!”

Sev narrowed his eyes. “I will judge this ‘contest’ harshly when you are not on stage.”

“He means we’ll be there,” Joy said. “Hopefully all that nonsense back in Zebrica will have lessened.”

“I hope so,” Rika nodded. “And please be careful with that. Absolutely none of you are allowed to die okay? That is an express order from the Commander of Cute.”

Joy gave the little sylveon a sad smile and patted her head. “We’ll do our best.”

“Nope, we gotta hear that cute song again,” one zebra guard nodded and then looked at the Pokemon. “What? it was a cute song.”

Sev quirked an eyebrow. “You sang and I wasn’t here to hear it?”

“You were…” Rika looked at Umbra and blushed. “Ah, busy…”

Sev beamed in pride. “And a good ‘busy’ it was, but I shall hear my daughter sing once more before I go. Perhaps I shall offer some tips on my own. I have sung a few tunes on occasion.”

“Well, okay then,” Rika nodded. “I guess I could sing another song… hmm, what to sing…?” She thought for a moment and nodded. “Well, it’s in Kantonese, but that’s my preferred style.” She hummed a few bars and started to sing once again.

Sev listened in rapt attention at his daughter’s singing right up to the end. He wrapped her in a hug and cried tears of joy. “You’re voice is beautiful and I never got to teach you to sing! WAAA!”

“Uhh… there, there?” she said, patting his back. “Wait, you can sing?” she asked dubiously. “Mama said I got my singing voice from her.”

Sev stopped crying and turned to Umbra. “I can sing, Umbra. I’m not that bad.”

“I know,” Umbra smiled. “I’m just better.”

Sev narrowed his eyes. “I shall accept this challenge.” He tapped his tail in a set way. The group was teleported to the plaza and Sev was...wearing a snazzy suit that one could actually find him suave and handsome in, even if he was a snake. He cleared his throat and started . The band, which was almost as snazzy as him, played in succession.

Rika stared with wide eyes. One, how the heck did they teleport. Two, where the heck did that band come from? And three…

“He can sing!?”

“It runs in the family,” Joy beamed with pride. “When I wasn’t teaching him how to heal, I taught him out to sing on occasion. I can tell you enjoyed it, right?”

“He’s really good,” Rika nodded. “I… never expected this.”

“Mmm, I’d forgotten how smooth his voice was,” Umbra sighed, maybe fangirling just a little inside. “What about you Lightning dear? Isn’t he marvelous?”

Lightning’s wings were outstretched and she had a bright blush on her face. Her eyes were half lidded and her tongue was slightly outside. She shook her head at Umbra’s voice. “Wha? Huh? What did you say?”

“Oh, nothing, you gave me the correct answer,” she giggled, turning her attention back to her snake. “So yummy~”

“Ick,” Rika poked out her tongue. “But yeah, not bad Dad. Not bad at all.”

“I try,” Sev slithered off from the stage. “It has been too long since I’ve last sang to anyone. I thought I was a bit rusty.”

“That was flawless darling,” Umbra smiled and gave him a kiss, before turning his head so he could see Lightning. “I think we’ve come to an agreement.”

“It was alright,” Lightning shrugged and did her best not to show her face.

“Heh, those wings say otherwise,” Umbra giggled and booped her nose.

“You should sing Mama,” Rika suddenly said. “Show everyone how it’s done.”

“No, I’m much too tired for something like that,” Umbra nodded. “Perhaps another time.”

Sev held up his tail proudly. “That is my fault. Totally mine. I accept all the blame, but I would have loved to hear you sing. I shall hear it again when I return.”

“If you’re good,” Umbra nodded.

Several zebra’s ran around, one shouting that they couldn’t find the King anywhere. And soon Celestia poked her head inside the room, which they’d somehow reappeared in.

“Perhaps Rika has more family traits than she realised,” Umbra muttered.

“Hmm, Trot isn’t here?” Celestia asked. “Aren’t you leaving soon? I was hoping I’d get to say goodbye.”

“He should be finishing up with the maid soon enough,” Sev said. “His bad luck streak with the opposite sex is over. That is my doing. PRAISE MY SHIPPING MASTERPIECES!”

“Maid?” Celestia blinked, wincing slightly at the volume. Seth and Luna had already given her a headache as is. “Do I really want to know?”

“Alright,” Trot came trotting in, failing to notice Celestia. His face was a little wet. “She’s fine and resting in the infirmary. Sorry it took so long. There was some complications.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. He took a hoofkerchief out from his pocket and dabbed the wetness away.

“Did you just dive right in?” Rika asked. “I know about giving head, but that’s just ridiculous.”

Trot looked at her incredulously. “It’s just water. I do believe you have a dirty mind.”

“Look, when you’ve been pining after the same guy for ten years, you start to get a little frustrated,” Rika said with a pout. “I am so sick of being a vir—”

“And so what have you been doing?” Celestia decided to speak up. “Ensuring that I get some grandfoals?” she said with a hint of mirth in her voice.

Trot nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned around. “Mom? I mean, Princess Celestia.” He quickly bowed, glancing at the others. “I’m ever so sorry for what happened to the maid. I’ve ensured she’s safe and secure.”

“I have no doubt that you’d do nothing untoward,” she nodded and leaned in close. “Though, the opposite would please me as well~’ She smiled and leaned back, humming lightly. “I hope you all enjoyed your stay in Canterlot.”

“Of course we did,” Trot said, shutting up Sev from shouting with a glance. He smiled up at her. “As always, you’ve gone far and beyond to make everyone feel welcome. I’m honored to have walked these halls.”

“If only everyone was as easily pleased,” the alicorn sighed. The Minotaurs were a difficult bunch on the best of days… Golden Horn was… “And now this thief is throwing her two bits in. I need a vacation…” Celestia, normally a paragon of the poker face, looked very tired now. The Summit had exhausted her and sleep had eluded her.

Trot frowned. His mother was usually so calm and happy and to see her like this nearly broke his heart. She was the mare who went out of her way to make him smile. He growled and put a hoof to his sword. “Show me the way to these troublemakers, mother. I’ll show them what happens when they dare to mess with you. They’ll think twice next time after I’m done.”

“I appreciate the thought, but violence begets violence,” Celestia said, putting her smile back on for his sake. “Besides, aside from a few hiccups… and Sev nearly getting eaten, this Summit went quite well.”

“I was in no danger,” Sev snorted. “None can eat me. Not truly, for I am me and thus I shall not wish there to never be me.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Trot ignored Sev’s comment and sighed. He knew she was just trying to brush off his concerns and he had quite a few already on his own plate. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with you. Things have been hectic lately. Life threateningly so.”

“I have been keeping an ear open on your troubles,” Celestia said. “It… I’ll not lie Trot. I have had several sleepless nights due to being worried for you. But, you have some fine friends here… quirky as they are. I have no doubt that they’ll keep you safe. And, you’ve inspired me to start my own little team of Pokemon.”

“I’m glad I was of some use,” he bowed his head. “And...I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ve been trying to get things under control but…” He sighed. “I seem to have failed in some way. I guess I haven’t exactly lived up to your example all that well.”

“Trot,” Celestia put a wing over him. “I am an alicorn with a millennia of experience and am blessed with a country full of happy ponies.” She smiled and nuzzled him. “Where as you must deal with some very traditional zebra’s. Change can be scary to many, and you have the difficult job of dealing with that.” She hummed and removed her wing. “Honestly, I don’t think I’d do much better. Just remember that your friends have your back, and you’ll do fine… my beloved son.”

Trot sniffed and nuzzled her. “Thank you, mother. I’ll do my best. Heh, maybe it’ll all blow over in a year's time. Best case scenario, but I’ll be hoping for it. I have quite a few plans,” he started gushing, keeping himself close to her as he once did as a small colt, telling her all of his little ‘epic battles’ he had in her garden. “I’m going to do you proud.”

“My dear Trot, you have never done anything but,” Celestia said, nuzzling him again. “I always have, and always have been proud of you…” She smiled and nudged him. “But I still want those grandfoals. I’m not getting any younger mister.”

Trot blushed in embarrassment. “Mom, it takes time and I seem to be having the most terrible luck until today. I have no idea why though. Learned everything I know from my father.”

“That… explains a lot actually,” Celestia deadpanned. “To this day, I have no idea how he managed to woo your mother.” She chuckled and shook her head. “Mind you, we shall have words if I find one of my maids asking for maternity leave in a few months.”

“We did not go that far,” Trot said. “Mom! I…” he facehooved, covering his blush. “Ugh.”

“Hahah, much too easy,” Celestia tittered. “Don’t worry dear, you’ll find someone deserving of your love. Be it pony, zebra… even Pokemon. As long as you care for one another, then I’ll be happy alright.”

“Alright,” Trot nodded and nuzzled his head against her chest. “Thanks for the support. Though, maybe you can cut down on the teasing just a bit.” He chuckled.

“It’s a mother’s prerogative to tease,” Celestia smiled and nodded smugly. “And I will until you’re married and with foal. Then I get to switch to doting grandmother~”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Trot smirked. “You might end up a grandmother several times over, if I play my cards right.” He rubbed his chest in pride.

“Hmm, this pleases me,” Celestia smiled and nudged him with her nose. “Still, politics aside, it’s good to see you’re doing well.” She looked up and saw Rika, who waved cheerfully. “Oh, you know Miss Rika here?”

“Apparently she’s Sev’s daughter,” Trot still couldn’t fully grasp that Sev had kids yet. It would take some time.

Celestia coughed and looked at the pair. “You must be joking…”

Sev smirked. “I am the greatest father to have ever lived!”

“I’m still deciding on that,” Rika pointed out. “But the results look promising. At least until I can finally get under Sethy’s fluff~ He’ll be such a great Daddy~’

“Urge to kill….RISING!” Sev hissed in uncontrollable anger.

“Bad Papa!” Rika pointed at him and bared her teeth. “Don’t make me Psyshock you.”

Sev muttered angrily to himself. “I’ll let him live for now.”

“Good,” Rika nodded and smiled. “Silly Papa. Sethys are for loving, not for eating.”

“We shall see, my beloved daughter.” Sev’s eyes narrowed. “We shall see.”

“Their next meeting should be interesting,” Umbra chuckled to Lightning, seeing as she was the closest. “And do let me know on how you progress with Sevvy.”

“It’ll be slow,” Lightning snorted. “I love being fast, but with that snake? I don’t know.” She shook her head.

“Being fast is nice, but taking your time to enjoy it is much better~” she purred into the pegasi’s ear and nibbled it.

Lightning yelped. “Okay, are you seriously going to try and seduce me too?”

“Mmm, I don’t have the time I’m afraid,” Umbar shrugged. “And honestly dear, try? There is no try in that sentence.” She left it at that and rejoined her daughter, just leaving the implications in the pegasis head.

“So when will I see you again?” Celestia asked Trot. “It would be nice to visit without politics being the main reason we do.”

“I don’t know when I can come over to visit,” Trot frowned. “A lot is going on and I’ll try and make it to the contest. However, you can come over whenever you want. You’ll receive the finest of everything and no expense is too great for my mother.” He puffed out his chest in pride. “You’ll be impressed with our accommodations.”

“Then perhaps I’ll visit soon,” the alicorn nodded and kissed his forehead. “Seth and his group can operate outside my guards jurisdiction, so maybe I’ll have them tag along with me.”

Trot grinned. “Great,” his eyes shimmered with anticipation, like a colt on Hearth’s Warming Eve. Of course, he coughed in his hoof to regain himself. “Yes, well. Everything will be in order shortly. The nobles can’t stay so stubborn forever and the Hyena Dogs aren’t that smart. We can outwit them.”

“Of course, and if you need anything, you’ll let me know yes?” Celestia asked, not noticing Rika creep up behind her. She was gonna hug herself an alicorn.

“Of course I will,” Trot said. “You’ll be the first to know, just like that new train I need since the last one...exploded. Blasted dogs.”

“I liked that train too,” Celestia replied with a small pout. “Still, I’ll do what I can. Perhaps you should look into public airships instead. Much harder for a tunnelling species to attack.”

“I’ll run it by the nobles, but they’ll probably ignore it.” Trot snorted.

“Nobles are fun to deal with, much like squabbling foals really,” Celestia chuckled. “The trick, my little apprentice, is to get them to think it was their idea all along. Do that, and they’ll agree to whatever you want, yipe!” The solar goddess shrieked as Rika pounced her from behind, nuzzling the back of her neck.

“Heehee, I caught a wild Tia,” she giggled as the alicorn rolled her eyes.

“And hello to you too little Rika. Enjoying yourself there?”

“Mhmm, your mane is like being surrounded by warm fuzzies, hugs and kisses,” she giggled. “Hey Trot, have you tried this? It’s amazing!”

Trot coughed into his hoof. “I may have felt her mane on occasion and only in passing.”

Celestia giggled as she leaned down to nuzzle him, her ethereal mane flowing over him. “No need to be shy dear. You used to play in my mane as a wee foal. It was the cutest thing~”

“Mom!” Trot blushed in embarrassment. “That’s private.”

“Aww, that’s so cute~” Rika giggled as she pounced on the zebra and hugged him as well. Though being much smaller than Celestia, the Sylveon’s ribbons basically mummified him. “Baby Trotty must have been adorabubbles!”

Trot pulled the ribbons off from around his face and glared at her. “I was not adorable. I am a king!”

“The most adorable king,” Celestia giggled and kissed his forehead. “But, it seems that you’re almost ready to go.” She pulled the stallion into a hug and smiled softly. “Promise me you’ll take care.”

Trot returned the hug. “I’ll be back before you can say ‘cake’.” He chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about me. You taught me everything I know.”

“Plus he has Papa to look out for him,” Rika nodded, now standing on Sev’s head… somehow. “And Papa is pretty darned strong, along with all his friends to. I’d say Trotty is pretty safe.”

“He shall not come to harm for I have deemed him harm proof,” Sev said.

“If it were only so easy,” Umbra said quietly. “Come now Rika,” she lifted the Sylveon over to her side with Psychic. “If you keep that up then they’ll never leave.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Rika asked.

“I don’t think Canterlot could stay on the mountainside under the weight of Sev’s massive ego,” Umbra chuckled.

“If it falls under my weight, it does not deserve to be called a mountain city.” Sev scoffed. “A true mountain city can hold anything up to the gods themselves and my greatness pierces the veil between mortal and god.”

“Ohh, I can already feel the city shaking,” Rika giggled as a small tremor rocked the castle. “Wait, it really is shaking!”

“Hmm, I believe Seth is training in the Courtyard,” Celestia nodded. “He seems to make quite the racket when he does.”

“I must train with him one day,” Trot said. “If he can shake the entire castle, it’ll certainly be interesting to spar with him.”

“Seth can throw lightning bolts!” Rika offered her advice. “I’d avoid those.”

“I’ve had enough practice avoiding arrows to know how to dodge,” Trot smirked.

“Hmm, Seth’s overall skill in combat is minimal,” Umbra noted. “But his skills as a Pokemon trainer are quite fearsome. I allowed him to be mine for a few months when I first entrusted Rika to him.”

“So he was ordering you around too, eh?” Sev hissed in anger. “I shall have even more words to say to him. Words upon words upon words of anger that I shall pile onto his back until it breaks.”

“Hmm, Sethy’s pretty strong,” Rika said. “It would have to be a lot of words.”

“Mhmm,” Umbra nodded as her lips brushed up against his ear. “And perhaps I discovered that I like taking orders… just a little tip for next time~”

Sev grubbed and rubbed his tail along her side. “I shall endeavor to remember, my everlasting love.”

“Urgh, get a room,” Rika said, blushing from embarrassment.

“We don’t have time for that I’m afraid,” Umbra shrugged and sighed. She looked at Lightning and a cheek smile crossed her face. “At least I know that Sevvy won’t be completely bored on the way home.” She may or may not have been riling him up on purpose~

Lightning blushed and her wings fidgeted about. “Uhhhh...Like that’s going to happen.”

Umbra just chuckled again and shrugged.

“Aww,” Rika pouted and she sat on Sev’s back. “Maybe I should sneak aboard with you guys… though, Sethy might get worried if I did that.”

Sev rumbled happily, pleased that his daughter felt comfortable enough to lie on his back. “Let him worry. It would be needless because you are safe with me. None would dare to even try to harm you.”

“I know, but Sethy worries a lot, even if he thinks noone else knows that he is.”

“He does have a terrible habit of bottling up his feelings,” Umbra nodded. “Well my daughter, shall we go and see them off then. I’d like to see this flying ship of theirs.”

“Unfortunately, I have to go,” Celestia said sadly. “Others seem to be revelling in making my life difficult. So now I have a chess game to play.” She leaned down and nuzzled Trot again. “Goodbye my little king. Take care.”

Trot sniffed and his lower lip trembled a bit. “Goodbye, Princess Celestia.” He bowed his head and wiped his eyes. “Sorry, got something in my eye.”

“Goodbye, my son,” she replied as she turned, none noticing the glistening in her own eyes. She paused as she reached the door and gave the zebra one last look before leaving.

“Psst!” Rika whispered to Felicia. “Somepony needs a hug.”

Felicia picked up the sniffling king in a big, slimey hug. “No frownie faces, Mister King.”

Trot sniffed. “I’m not frowning. This is my neutral face.”

“Nope, gotta cheer up,” Rika nodded. “You have to be a strong King right. I bet Papa wouldn’t cry.”

“No, he’d bawl his eyes out,” Joy replied. “He’s such a momma’s snake.”

“I would never bawl,” Sev snorted. “I am a Commander!”

“Then why do I remember you wrapping yourself around my leg whenever I went to the grocery store?” Joy smirked. Sev didn’t say anything. “I know I shouldn’t bring that up, but it’s the past, Sev. You’re not scared of being alone anymore.”

“...For the most part,” Sev snorted.

“Aww, I’m here for you Papa,” Rika giggled and nuzzled him. “As well as Mommy, Sethy and all my friends. You ever need help or just don’t wanna be alone. Call us okay?”

Sev nuzzled her. “I will.”

“I have some quick scroll spell charms,” Trot spoke up, having freed himself from the slimey hug. “For emergencies. Celestia will get them in quick succession.”

“We really need to re-invent the telephone,” Rika nodded. “Sethy’s Holocaster might as well be a paperweight! Wait!” she grabbed the device, almost forgetting she had it with her. “Bunch up! I want a photo!”

Most of them, besides Lightning, bunched up next to Rika. Sev used his tail to snag Lightning and, ‘accidently’, Umbra. “Say, Hail Sev!”

“Screw you!” Lightning yelled as Umbra just rolled her eyes. Rika held the camera out with one of her ribbons and snapped the massive group selfie.

“Yay~” she giggled. “And as soon as we have the tech, Imma print everyone a copy.”

“Yes, get Loom to build a printer,” Lia nodded. “I want this photo.”

“We shall print it on the sky itself for the sky is the only place big enough to hold the combined grandeur of it,” Sev said.

“Hmm, I think Equestria miiiiiight have a little problem with that,” Rika said. But the thought was nice.

“Ten minutes!” a zebra shouted as they ran past. “Please get on the airship your highness.”

“I will,” Trot nodded. “My country needs me and I shall never abandon it. Never I say. Ne-” He tried to take off after Celestia, before one of the PLA pokemon grabbed him and carried him off. “Unhoof me. I am a king!...Mommy!”

Joy facepalmed and giggled. “Certainly brings back memories.”

“Mhmm,” Umbra nodded. She still recalled the pained look at Sev had when her trainer took her away. “Seems you’re in for an interesting ride home. Good luck with that Joy.”

“There’s still so much to do!” Rika ran around. “We need to have a massive party, well, we kinda did that last night I guess. But I don’t know anyone’s birthdays. I still haven’t heard childhood stories. I haven’t told my childhood stories. I haven’t gotten to show Papa how strong I am. I HAVEN’T SHIPPED PAPA AND DUSTY YET!!!”

“Oh dear,” Umbra sighed.

“No one’s shipping me,” Lightning growled, flaring her wings and stomping the ground. “Just cause I tolerate him, doesn’t make that a thing. Yeah he’s kind of funny and all that and he’s not always annoying. That doesn’t mean I like like him.”

“Aww, okay then,” Rika said. Shipping was fun, but she also knew when others said no as well. “Still, search your feelings. You know it to be true.”

“She’ll say it in no time,” Joy giggled at Lightning’s blushing glare. “It’s adorable, deary, but it’s a bit tiring how much you deny it.”

“I-idiots!” Lightning shouted. “I don’t like him. Okay, I like him but not all that much, you know. Yeah, that’s it.”

“You’re really trying a bit too hard,” Joy stated.

“N-no I’m not,” Lightning stuttered.

“Life will find a way,” Rika nodded with a sage-like tone. “But still, you shouldn’t listen to others too much, just go at your own pace okay?”

“I know, I know.” Lightning nodded. “Maybe I’ll give him a chance. He’s kind of mucked up the first couple of dates though.”

“Ah, but that was then.” Sev said, scooping her and Umbra up together. “This is now and now is twice as lovely as then.”

“Someone is getting ahead of themselves,” Umbra said, loosening his coild with Psychic and leaping free. “Still, you know I must stay here right? Rika needs me.”

Sev sighed, looking, for a split second, much older. “Yes, of course. Her father must be elsewhere for the world needs me to be there.” He let go of Lightning and motioned for the others to depart. “This is goodbye. It shall not be for the last time, but...if it is. I have two things I want to say. I’m sorry I can’t be here for you both as of now. I would if i could, but that is not to be so. I am truly and utterly sorry for that.”

“It’s okay, I’m kind of a big girl now,” Rika said, before realising she shouldn’t have brought up exactly how much the snake had missed. “Besides, this isn’t really goodbye. Just… goodbye until next time.”

Sev nodded. “Of course, but as a Commander, I must admit when I have failed. I shall not fail again, nor shall we ever truly be parted.” He put his tailblade into his pocket and pulled out a little, fange pendant. He handed it to Rika. “Take this. If you’re ever in danger, hold it and call my name. I’ll appear. Don’t ask me how I was able to forge a magic crystal that connect to me. I have found a way and it nearly broke Loom.”

“Hmm, so I got the Summoner job class?” Rika said. “Well, I suppose I have a few points to sink into it. Most went on White mage and Berserker.”

“Berserker?” Felicia tilted her head and Umbra actually panicked a little.

“No, don’t ask… just, don’t,” the Umbreon said hastily and held her daughter close. The last thing her father needed to see was Sadisteon.

“Ah Berserker mode,” Sev smiled and closed his eyes. “I remember going into said mode a few times. It always ends up with me covered in blood and gore….good times.”

“Yeah…” Rika said with a wistful sigh. “There’s nothing quite like the feeling of bending someone to your will, their screams and begging playing like the sweetest symphony. It just turns me on so—”

“OKAY!” Umbra said loudly as she dragged the Sylveon out of the room. “Let’s go and see these lovely Pokemon off on their flying ship.”

Sev chuckled. “Poor Umbra. Perhaps I gave our daughter a bit too much of myself. Well, that can’t be helped. I mean, I gave my sweet Umbra a lot of myself.” He spoke to himself out loud. He did wonder what this other side was. Perhaps he’d see it someday.

“Did not need to hear that idiot,” Lightning grumbled as she followed the pair of Eeveelutions.

“Aunty Rika is funny,” Lia giggled, daintily stepping out of the room as well.

It didn’t take them long to make it to the airship. It looked like a large, golden combination of a wooden ship and blimp. “And it feels like only yesterday I found the rest of my family.” Sev sighed.

“It was only yesterday,” Umbra sighed and applied her paw to her face. “But I know what you mean. I feel as though we’ve always been together.”

Sev gingerly took her paw in his tail. “Umbra,” he gulped in nervousness. “I have to say that you bring joy to me the likes of which I have never known. Just seeing you makes me know that I truly am the blessed warrior that I shout to the heavens. You raised Rika right, better than I could have. I...I love you Umbra. I do, even if I ramble on with crazy ravings that give you headaches.”

“Oh Sevvy,” Umbra sighed and leaned against him. “All these years, I’ve never once forgotten about you. The reason I trained with Seth? It was because I could be strong enough to be useful to you.” She leaned up and kissed him gently. “I love you as well, my dashing Sev. You’ve become such a fine gentlemon, and I’m glad to see you have so many friends supporting you.”

“Useful?” Sev blinked in confusion. “My dear Umbra, you just being here is all I need.” He nuzzled her. “I don’t say ‘I love you’ lightly. I say what I mean and your love is all I ever wanted.”

“Well, that’s very sweet of you,” Umbra smiled and nuzzled him again. “Still, you’d be surprised how powerful I’ve gotten. I bet I could wipe that smug smile right off Gard’s face.”

Sev chuckled. “I know you would. You are my mate and thus are the amongst the strongest beings in the world.”

“Of course, even Arceus himself must bow to my greatness,” Umbra nodded smugly.

“Ohh, me too?” Rika asked. “Acknowledge my greatness as well!”

Sev laughed and patted her head. “Of course you are. You are my daughter and one day surpass even I. There shall be nothing that can stop you.”

“One day?” she said and raised an eyebrow. “Well, if you say so…”

“Get your butts on board, or we’re leaving you behind!” A zebra officer yelled from the airship.

Sev growled. “I shall have words with him, until then…” He pulled Umbra close to him, heart beating next to one another and kissed her. This wasn’t like the others. This was filled with passion. His tongue snaked its way into her mouth, toying and dominating her own. He held her tightly to him, but not so much that it would hurt.

She eagerly returned it, showing just as much passion as the other Pokemon boarded the ship, but not before getting one last hug from Rika.

Once Umbra broke the kiss, she smiled softly as she lifted Sev onto the ship with Psychic.

“Take care, my silly snake,” she said, wiping a tear from her eye.

Sev waved his tail in parting. “Take care, my lovely fox. The same to my wondrous daughter. We shall see each other soon, for none can get in my way.”

The mooring lines were cast and the grand ship started to pull away from the harbour. Rika gasped.

“I forgot!” she yelled and like that, she was suddenly beside Sev. “Take care Daddy~” she smiled and kissed his cheek, before re-appearing beside Umbra, the Umbreon just not questioning that.

Sev gently touched his cheek, smiling. “Daddy...I’m never going to get tired of that. NEVER! I shall take care as you shall do the same.”

“Of course,” Rika nodded. “Nothing can stop me!!”

The two Eevee’s waved goodbye to their family and new friends. They knew they’d see them again soon after all, so they weren’t too sad…

Aboard the mighty ship, King Trot finally relaxed. I mean, did they really have to lock him in his room until they took off?

Also, get Sev to look into constructing these ‘hang glider’ things he heard about.

A knock came at his door, followed by a voice.

“R-Room service,” a mare’s voice came through. Why did…. why did it sound familiar?

Trot snorted, pushing that thought aside. He had heard a lot of voices through the day and...he was a bit miffed by two things. Yes, he had met a couple nice mares, but he didn’t think he’d get a chance to really get anywhere with them. Given the situation he had, that put his lineage in jeopardy. The second...he missed his mommy, but he was going to have to keep a lid on that. He trotted to the door and unlocked it. “Yes?” He said as he opened it up.

That maid, that lovely pegasus maid from Celestia’s castle was standing there. “H-Hello milord,” she said meekly. “Room service?”

Trot blinked in shock. “Well...I didn’t expect to see you here. I have to say this is a pleasantly beautiful surprise.”

“I um, kinda ran away from the castle,” she stammered. “I left a note! And Princess Celestia is super nice to work for but…” She looked up at him bashfully. “I’ve always dreamed of being swept away by a prince, like in the fairy tales.”

Trot blushed softly, not exactly expecting this. He grinned, chuckling. “Sorry if I’m not a prince. Will you accept a king instead?”

“Well,” the maid said as she stepped inside and closed the door, taking a moment to lock it. “Mom always did say to aim as high as I could~”

“Well that is good advice,” Trot snorted with mirth. He was getting excited. If he was correct, perhaps he wouldn’t have to worry about his legacy right as of now….perhaps he was reading a bit too much into this. “Still, are you sure? I don’t want to force you into anything you don’t want.”

“Well, it is a little rash of me to do this… I only just met you,” she giggled. “Still, you seem like such a nice stallion, and so incredibly handsome…” Then she realised that she might have forgotten one teensy detail. “You already have a marefriend huh?”

Trot shook his head. “Let’s just say that I haven’t met the ‘right’ mare yet that didn’t grate on me.” He smiled warmly at her. “I’m pleasantly surprised to find such welcoming ponies in Equestria. Well, not that surprised, but the company is assuredly beautiful.”

“Oh? I’m beautiful?” she asked, turning slowly and batting her eyes at him. “It’s not kind to tease a mare young king.”

“Tease?” Trot smirked and moved ever so close to her. His face was a hair’s breath from her own. Lips ever so close. “I’ll have you know I am no tease. I mean what I say.”

She held her breath and gulped, a blush gracing her cheeks. “Oh… my…”

It turns out that she got room service instead… all the way back to Zebrica.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Twenty Eight

The next morning, when Seth woke up, as expected, the morning paper came and on the headlines was the news of last night’s incident.

“So...how bad is it?” Seth sighed as he sipped some coffee.

“See for yourself,” Selena said as she passed him the paper. Seth scanned the headlines and sighed, this was going to be trouble...

‘Crown Jewels Stolen!’

‘Corruption in the Government!’

‘Get the full story on page two!’

“...You know, I wonder how they got word of this so fast, considering it was...just last night...and pretty late at night at that,” Seth couldn’t help but deadpan.

“Two worlds, and the press is still as ruthlessly efficient,” Selena replied as she sipped her coffee.

Seth nodded, “Rika and Fritter are still asleep, I need to head to the Castle. It’s likely that there’s an uproar over there at the moment.”

“Need Ignis or I to help with crowd-control?” Selena asked.

“I think the Guard can handle that, you guys just relax today.” Seth got up and stretched. He wolfed down a few small rolls of bread and drained his coffee cup. “I’ll be back as soon as I can okay?”

“I wonder if they find the Crown Jewels yet?” Seth asked... and as if to answer his question, another paper suddenly slid under the door just before he opened it, this time showing the headlines of the Crown Jewels being found.

“I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond,” Seth said dryly. “I’ll be back Selly.”

Selena nodded as Seth left, just as Christine came downstairs.

“He’s off early,” the dragon muttered.

“Work-related stuff,” Selena replied. “Oh, and duck.” The dragon lowered her head as Rika sailed right over the top of her, crashing into a wall.

“Dang! I was so close that time!”

By the time Seth arrived at the Palace, it was already teeming with reporters, guards and concerned citizens. After making his way past them and dodging annoying reporters and their questions, Seth made his way to the throne room, where Celestia and Jonathan were waiting.

“As I said,” Celestia smiled. “He’s quite punctual no?”

“Yeah he is. Speaking of which, I came here to say that I need to be going as soon as possible,” Jonathan said.

“So the jewels were already recovered?” Seth asked. “Seems Fox is a morning person too.”

“So it would seem,” Celestia replied. “Though the citizens seem upset, given that this is the second time they have been stolen.”

“Once by ponies, once by Pokemon,” Seth said, “We’re even now.”

“I do not think that will sate the citizens concerns though,” Celestia added.

“Speaking of Fox, I got word from one of the guards that they saw a suspicious figure in black sneak out of Canterlot this morning. I’m almost positive it’s Fox, and I doubt she would stick around after she’s done what she came to do. She went through the southern exit, and if I hurry, I might be able to catch her in the next town,” Jonathan explained.

“Then you may have your leave,” Celestia nodded. “I thank you and your team for your assistance last night Officer Trace. Also, I give you clearance to operate under the Canterlot Pokemon Special Forces. Your jurisdiction has been extended to cover all of Equestria.” Her horn shone for a moment as her Cutie Mark appeared on his badge.

“Thank you, your majesty,” Jonathan saluted. “Until we meet again.” And with that, he was out the door, once more chasing after the elusive thief.

“He was a nice guy,” Seth said as the Lucario left. “It must suck to try and catch someone you love though...”

Celestia tilted her head. “Oh? What makes you say that?”

“Hmm, just a hunch I suppose,” Seth smiled, remembering the banter the two had exchanged, as well as the blush on their faces when they kissed. “So, what are my orders for today?”

Celestia thought for a moment. “First, I’d like to introduce your team to the general public. The recent Heist will actually work out for us with this. A Pokemon-related problem that ponies couldn’t solve? Sounds like a good time to introduce a Pokemon team no?”

“You... are quite devious you know that?” Seth chuckled as the throne-room doors opened, letting the swarm of ponies in.

“Moi? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Celestia feigned innocence.

So Court had been an absolute nightmare. So many ponies, so many complaints. In the end though, the announcement of Seth’s team had gone down well, as well as the decision for a public vote for the next Council.

Three names had been decided so far, Fleur De Lis, Fancy Pants and surprisingly enough, Captain Grissom.

“So why me?” Grissom asked once Court cleared out, save for the three ponies, Seth and Princess Celestia.

“Because I want someone that I can truly trust,” Celestia said. “Fancy and Fluer are well-respected members of Canterlot society, and I’d like one more, perhaps chosen by the citizens. But I also need somepony that I know can make the hard calls when necessary.” She gave her long-time friend a warm smile. “There is almost no-one in this city I trust more than you Captain.”

“Well, I can’t really say no after that, can I?” Grissom chuckled. “And here I was, thinking of retiring soon. Ah well, I guess I can assist you in this manner Your Majesty.”

“Wonderful,” Celestia allowed herself a small giggle. “And what say the two of you, Lady De Lis, Lord Fancy?”

“We would be most honoured,” Fancy Pants bowed.

“Indeed, we shan’t fail you like the last ones,” Fleur agreed. “We will do our upmost to make this city a warm and welcome one.”

“You have my thanks,” Celestia bowed her head. “It will take some time for the necessary arrangements to be completed. I should also have our fourth member by then as well. Until then my little ponies.”

Fancy and Fleur bowed and took their leave. Celestia turned to Seth and with her magic, summoned a scroll.

“I have something to ask of you, Seth.”

“What is it?” The Luxray questioned. He was still curious as to what he was actually going to do with his position. His confused look came across loud and clear to the Princess.

“Well, I’d best explain everything in detail. First, you will be given the rank of Captain, however... that rank only applies to your team. You will hold no command over the Solar Guard and Night Watch, nor will you over the Guards from other provinces.”

“That seems fair,” Seth replied. “I have neither the training nor the qualifications.”

“You are free to recruit whomever you see fit into your team, though I will step in if I believe they prove to be inadequate or too dangerous.”

“Also fair, but even the smallest Pokemon can be quite dangerous. There is the chance I will need to recruit powerful Pokemon in response,” Seth said.

“An acceptable term,” Celestia nodded. “Very well, I will trust in your better judgement. But the responsibility will be yours if something goes wrong.” The mare floated the scroll over to him, and the Luxray unfurled it on the floor to read it.

“I would like you to go to Las Pegasus, to evaluate the situation there.” Celestia’s horn flashed and summoned a scroll. It was a report she had received from Captain Ace and her husband. It was quite lengthy too, which was unusual for the normally paperwork-phobic mare.

“It seems that Pokemon have had... trouble adjusting to the citizens in Las Pegasus, with Arceus himself having to step in at one time.” Seth looked over the report as Celestia spoke, and he noticed Vincent’s names pop up more than a few times. So this was the trouble he had mentioned.

“I never expected the integration of an entire species to go smoothly,” Seth said. “But still... Aren’t things getting a little out of hand?”

“That is why I want you to go there,” Celestia said. “If your group proves successful, then I would like to start up other groups in other cities. And Las Pegasus seems to be the one in need most of all... that and Trottingham.”

“What happened there?” Seth asked as Celestia brought forth another report. He scanned it quickly and nodded. “Xenophobic ponies... that’ll do it. Will this Paranoia be any trouble?”

“I don’t know, he appears to be harmless for now.” Celestia replied.

Seth nodded, “Well, this works out anyway. I had been planning a trip to Las Pegasus soon. Will that be all Your Majesty?”

“I believe so, Ironside will be joining your team once you return. We still have the Council to worry about, as well as integrating the new one... Ah, could you also deliver this letter to your marefriend?”

“A letter for Fritter?” Seth questioned as he took the envelope. “Sure.”

The Luxray gave a polite bow and left the throne room, and as he exited the palace, he passed by a Ninetales and a Shiny Arcanine, though he paid them little attention. He was more concerned with how Christine would react to going to see Vincent again...

“I’m home,” Seth called out as he entered Fritter’s cottage, though almost no-one seemed to be home. Christine was on the couch, and... well that was it.

“What the?” Seth blinked. “Where the heck is everyone?” he passed by the table and noticed a note, several different forms of handwriting were on it.

‘My dear Seth - Had to go work, I should be back later. Love, Fritter.’

‘Sethy! I have a job with Photo Finish to earn some money for what I owe Vincent. He’d better appreciate the hell I’m about to go through for this... Also dragged Selly along for the ride. Love Rika~’

‘At work, be back later. Titania’

“Well, aside from Ignis, that explains that,” Seth mused. “And how are you feeling Christine?”

“Bored and nervous,” the dragon responded. “I’ve never been in one place this long without something happening. I keep expecting some random trainer to show up, and I’m disappointed nobody has.”

“Please don’t jinx us,” Seth sighed. “Oh, I have some good news though.”

“You could tell me that Ignis found someone to fight right here and I’d accept it for being interesting,” she responded. “What is this news?”

‘Please don’t have some random challenger for Ignis to turn up,’ Seth pleaded to the gods. “Well, I just spoke with princess Celestia, and she’s funding a trip for us to go to Las Pegasus, you know, where Vincent and Sam are?”

At this, the dragon perked up a bit. “Oh really?” She began to stretch, making sure her joints weren’t sore from sitting on her butt for so long. “So when are we going?”

“A few days at most, probably as early as tomorrow,” Seth replied. “I have some time on my hands right now. Would you like to go out somewhere?”

“Ehhhh...why not. You’ve proven mostly trustworthy,” the landshark said with a shrug.

“Glad to be of assistance Milady,” Seth chuckled. “I need to go and check up on the Carbink, then how about I show you a few places around town?”

At the mention of the colony of ‘mon under Canterlot, Christine stiffened for a moment before giving him a jerky nod. “Don’t expect me to come in with you,” she said, “And I make no promises about me staying in a good mood along the way. Depends on how many think I can’t hear them talk about me behind my back.”

“You can wait outside if you want,” Seth nodded as they left. “I just need to see how they’re coming along. It should only take a few minutes, then you have me for the rest of the day.”

Elsewhere, a mare and a Sylveon felt a pang of jealousy.

“You sure you should be offering that to me?” Christine said with a wink. “Pretty sure you have a pair of females that’d take offense to that.”

“Huh? Offer what?” Seth blinked. What did he say that was so amusing?

“...You...DO know how Eggs are made, right Seth?” The dragon deadpanned.

“Of course I know,” Seth replied. “I aced my Pokemon breeding course, and I have every Egg Group memorised...” Seth paused, as his mind ticked back a minute or two. “Oohhhh...” Then he turned a very nice shade of crimson.

“And so the great light dawns,” the dragon snarked. “Seriously, with Selena around, how does it STILL take you this long to catch on?”

“So subtle flirting is not my forte, sue me,” Seth grumbled.

“I’m starting to wonder if you pursued females as a human, or if they had to walk up and kiss you for you get a clue,” Christine mused.

Seth recalled the night Elesa confessed to him, and that she had trapped them atop the Ferris Wheel and kissed him. “You... may have a point there,” he chuckled.

“Ah. That explains a few things,” the landshark said with a nod. “Be thankful that Rika and I aren’t the best of friends. Otherwise I’d teach her everything I know, and you would hate me for it. Might still teach that Fritter mare, if only to see how red she can turn.”

“While Fritter is adorable as all get out when she blushes...” Seth forgot what he was going to say as he thought of his mare.

“Wouldn’t know about that,” the dragon said. “She’s not mine, nor do I swing that way. I just like seeing others react to the things I talk about sometimes. Like how some Pokemon have weirdly shaped-”

“Okay! Looks like we’re here!” Seth decided to interrupt. “I’ll be just a minute...”

“Sure thing. Oh, and you’ve got red on you right about here,” the mutated dragon said, using one claw to indicate her whole face.

“Funny,” Seth grumbled as he entered the cave. He didn’t have to go far before Dace greeted him, along with Joke.

“Greetings Sir Seth!” Dace smiled. “How fare you?”

“I’m fine, just thought I’d stop by and see what you guys have been up to?” Dace smiled at that and motioned for Joke to step forward, the Carbink carrying a box on his head.

“We found some items that might be of interest to you Sir Seth,” Dace said. “They are useless to us, and we owe you a great deal for saving us.”

“You guys don’t owe me anything, I’m just glad you’re okay and doing well.”

“Regardless,” Dace said. “Please take these with you, perhaps you could do some good with them?”

Seth looked inside the box, and gasped at what he saw. Three Keystones and several Mega Stones, still in their uncut form.

“Incredible,” Seth whispered. “I’ve never seen this many uncut Mega stones before. Where did you find them?”

“A deep vein buried past that tainted stone,” Dace replied. “Once Onix was pacified and the Alicorn Princess removed the taint, we were able to go deeper. We discovered all manner of stones from our home, including these.”

“And you’re sure I can take them?” Seth asked, earning a nod from the Carbink.

“If you can return our Princess to us, then we would be eternally grateful... and besides,” Dace looked into the distance. “We fear that a darkness is coming, and that you, and many like you, will require all the help you can get...”

“Well, that’s not ominous or anything,” Seth muttered. “Still, thank you Dace, I will see to it that these get put to good use. I already have a few ideas in mind.” Seth bid the Carbink farewell and returned to Christine, hoping she hadn’t set anything on fire in her boredom.

“Huh,” the dragon said as Seth came back into her line of sight. “What’s with the box?” She raised a non-existent eyebrow as she looked at it.

“A gift from some new friends,” Seth opened the box and revealed its contents. “These are Keystones and Mega Stones... hmm, I think that might be Garchompite...”

“Fought more than my fair share of Megas,” the dragon said, eyeing the stones. “Still...I’m interested, but there’s not a whole lot of guys I’d trust with the other half of that equation.”

“Trust is a deciding factor,” Seth nodded. “Tell you what, if or when you ever evolve, we could always try it out.”

“...Maybe,” she said. “Maybe. So...now what?”

“Well, we have the whole day to ourselves,” Seth pondered. “What would you like to do?”

“...Something not boring,” Christine supplied. “Something other than sitting on my behind. I mean, now that I don’t have to run and hide, I’d like to see what these cities are all about.”

“What the city has to offer?” Seth thought on this... and made a note to tour the city himself sometime. “Hmm, something not boring... Well, would you like to go somewhere and work out those frustrations you have?”

“That’d be nice, yeah,” the dragon said, before sighing. “But this place doesn’t have a lot of areas that won’t be missed due to being set on fire.”

“We can use the Training Hall at the Palace,” Seth said.

“And they would be...okay with that?” the landshark asked.

“I used them before to train with Ignis,” Seth said. “So I don’t see why not. Plus, I’ve been curious as to how strong you actually are.”

“Ah, well, lemme give you an idea as we walk over,” she said, as she let Seth lead the way. “Y’know Bit, right? I find it hard to believe that Vincent wouldn’t have mentioned him.”

“I know him, very literal Porygon Z,” Seth nodded.

“Huh, he’s a Z now? Good on ‘im,” Christine commented. “Anyways, yeah, he ran most of the systems there, to include security. Think about that for a moment.”

“You broke out,” Seth remembered. “Yeah... I’m starting to get an idea now. Still, actions speak louder than words. So let’s go have a little fun.”

“You’re gonna regret that in about two minutes,” she said with a smirk. “I mostly snuck out, but when the final door slammed shut in front of me, I blasted it open, and spent the next while in the wild getting stronger so that I could outdo Bit at every possible turn and bring everyone out. But hey, your funeral if you want me to show off.”

“Now you’re sounding a little like Ignis,” Seth smirked as they walked. Several Pokemon and ponies offered the Luxray a greeting as they passed, and passed that greeting along to Christine as well, though Seth could tell she was unaccustomed to that. Before they reached the arena though, a Rapidash and Garchomp stopped them. It took a moment for Seth to recognise them... he had saved that Rapidash from Total Control.

“So we meet again,” the Garchomp replied with a small smile. “And who’s your interesting, little friend here?”

“This is Christine,” Seth replied. “Christine, this is... uh? I forgot.”

“Seriously?” the Rapidash sighed. “Not cool... nah, it’s fine. I’m Flare Blitz and this is my mate Sapphira. How do you do Miss Christine.”

“Eh, I’m mostly bored,” the Gabite replied honestly. “Fluff-boy here wants to see if I’m as strong as I keep claiming to be, so he’s offered up the training grounds as a sacrifice. I’d advise getting about fifty feet back just in case.” She’d embellished what was about to happen just a little...but it was usually worth it.

“HAH! This kid has spunk,” Sapphira laughed. “Maybe I’d believe that once you're all grown up like me.”

“Sapphira here spoils for fights whenever she can,” Flare sighed. “It’s quite exhausting trying to keep up with her.”

“I have a Charizard who’s the same,” Seth nodded. “I can relate.”

“Hmm, never fought a Charizard before,” Sapphira mused. She leant down and kissed Flare on the cheek. “Imma find this guy and beat him down. Be back later love.” And with that, she soared off into the sky.

“I seriously don’t get the physics behind how a Garchomp flies,” Seth said as she took off.

“She claims it’s powered by pure awesome, I chalk it up to hinkey dragon magic,” Flare nodded. “Well, I’ll be off as well. Better make sure she doesn’t get herself hurt... again. later guys.”

As he galloped off, Seth smiled at Christine as they walked into the Training Field. “See? Not everyone is a bad person, Pokemon... whatever.”

“...Two does not a case make,” she retorted. “But it’s starting to look bad for my worldview, yes,” Christine admitted. “Maybe Arceus did do something right then. It’d be a first.”

“I’ll agree to that,” Seth nodded. A stallion gave the Luxray a nervous look as he walked in. The damage Ignis had caused the other day had been repaired, and now he was bringing another dragon? This wasn’t gonna end well.

Seth pressed a button as several targets popped out of the ground, cast from thick iron and stone. “Okay Christine. Go nuts.”

With that, she was off. The first one, made of thick stone, suffered a powerful Rock Smash attack. The dragon turned as she finished it, looking to the next. Metal? “FLAMETHROWER!” she screamed, as a jet of fire leapt from her mouth and impacted the target...twenty feet away.

“Good range and attack power,” Seth noted as he tapped a few entries into his Pokedex. “Accuracy and Special attack is good too.” He pressed another button as two more targets appeared and begun to spin around the circumference of the arena. “Let’s try speed next.”

Christine smirked, speed? Speed she had. After a few slow steps, she all but bolted and instinctively disappeared save for her red line, impacting one of the targets where she thought it would show up. A brutal Take Down later, and it had been reduced to rubble. The next one, however… “Fire Blast!” she said, taking aim at it before it crossed paths with her, shimmering back into view as she did. A gob of flame left her mouth and impacted the metal thing, reducing it to slag like the last one.

“Awesome!” Seth cheered. “Your control is impeccable and your reaction time for a wild Pokemon... I’ve never seen such refined skill.” He nodded as he put his Pokedex away. “I’ll be honest, if I were still a Trainer, I’d love to have you on my team. You’re versatile, powerful and skilled. Those that wanted you, just because of your colouration? What a bunch of idiots...” He suddenly stopped as he realised what he was saying.

“Ah, oh... I’m sorry! I... guess I got a little carried away there.” He really hoped he hadn’t scared her.

“Just a little,” Christine snarked, getting her breathing back under control from both the workout and Seth’s words. “But seeing as it’s you, you get a pass. One. Singular. Be glad you aren’t human at the moment, otherwise you’d be eating a Dragon Claw right about now.”

“Dragon Claw? You can use Dragon moves as well?” Seth asked. “You seem to stick to Fire-type moves a lot.”

“Cause I hung around wooded areas a lot. Fire’s the thing that got humans moving away from me, so it’s like a reflex,” the landshark elaborated. “I fell back on Dragon when I actually got in fights.”

“So what Dragon moves can you use?’ he asked.

“Dragon Claw and Dual Chop,” she said honestly. “Kept hoping that maybe I could pick up on Dragon Breath, but no dice so far. Guess neither of my parents knew it.”

“Yeah, you can still learn Egg moves naturally, but it requires a butt ton of training,” Seth replied. “Hmm, I think I have an idea. A wonderful and terrible idea~”

“You might want to rephrase that before my twitchy claws kick in,” the Gabite said.

“Heh, sorry. Watching you fight has me super pumped. So Christine... you feeling up for being taught how to use Draco Meteor?”

The dragon blinked a few times. “Okay, even I’ve heard of that move,” she said, suitably impressed. “That’s like...the mother of all non-Legendary Dragon moves. How the hell do you think you’re going to teach me that?”

“It is the strongest Dragon attack in terms of power, as for teaching it... it’s quite simple.” Seth pulled his Pokedex back out and scrolled through it. “All Dragon’s have the innate ability to learn Draco Meteor. It comes from the draconic energy that resides in you. I simply have to teach you how to reach that energy and wield it properly.” He gave her a smile, “While it might be easier to learn Dragon Pulse, I think this attack suits you better.”

“Overwhelming power, about as subtle as a brick to the face, and leaving nothing standing if it doesn’t outright resist Dragon?” she asked with more than a bit of snark. “Whatever gave you that idea, puffball?”

“It just came to me,” Seth replied with a wide smirk. “Okay dragonlady. Let’s get to work...”

By the time the sun was setting, the Training Field was littered with craters, as well as an obliterated garden shed and the hedge maze was on fire... aside from that, it had been a successful day.

“I should be worried about the ramifications of teaching you such a skill,” Seth puffed, the training had been hard on him too. Dodging flaming meteors sucked. “But... oh well.”

“Don’t be so pessimistic!” Christine said, smiling. Actually smiling. “It’s not my usual style anyways, so I’ll only need it on special occasions. Unlike fire-for-brains, I don’t make it my mission to fight everyone I meet. Speaking of, do you think he met up with that Garchomp from earlier?”

“Maybe,” Seth replied. “And while we’re on the topic, Do not tell him I taught you that move. He’d want to fight you for sure.” He recalled the day he taught Ignis Blast Burn... that was not a fun day for anyone, well, except for Ignis.

“Like I said, special occasions only. I’ll not tell him...I’ll let it be a surprise if he does try to fight me, though,” the landshark said, still smiling.

“Hey, you’re smiling,” Seth beamed back. “It suits you, you know.”

Christine brought a claw to her face as she felt it, before nodding and drawing close to Seth. She laid a claw across his shoulders...or where his shoulders would be if he were still human. “This...is the first time in a long time I’ve felt like a dragon, and not some freak or escaped mutant,” she said softly. “So thank you for this.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Seth replied as the Quartermaster in charge took one look at the arena... and burst into tears. “Still, keep working on it. You can summon a little more than half a dozen meteors now, but I know Cynthia’s Garchomp could produce more that twenty with a single burst.”

“Eh, like I said, not my style. Might work on it, might not,” she replied, waving one claw at the Luxray. She was silent for a few moments, thinking about something, before she spoke up again. “Earlier? When you said we could try the Mega thing if I ever evolved? I think I know who I’d trust with the other half of that equation now. You’re not number one on the list...but you are on that list now.”

Seth blushed at the praise. “I’m honoured, thank you Chrissie.” He was about to say something else when a messenger Pegasus flew up to him in a hurry.

“Seth Crescent?” she asked.

“That’s me, what’s up?” he replied, placing himself between Christine and the sudden arrival.

“Princess Celestia needs to see you right away,” she reported. “Can you come to the castle right now?”

Seth looked at Christine. “It shouldn’t be a problem, tell the Princess I’ll see her soon.” The Pegasus nodded and flew off, leaving the two Pokemon alone once more.

“You okay?” he asked. “She didn’t spook you too bad...ly...” he looked around, but the dragon was gone... until he noticed a red stripe against one of the walls. “I see you~” he sang with a small chuckle.

“Yeah, just...one moment,” the dragon’s voice came, before she shimmered back into visibility. “Darn startle reflex. And really, you shoulda been worried about her. I know Stone Edge and Rock Slide...but at least I didn’t go for those first…” the dragon trailed off. “Huh...that’s not my normal reaction.”

“That’s a good thing isn’t it?” Seth inquired. He’d really hate to explain to the Princess why one of her messengers was impaled by stones, or crushed... or both.

“Yeah, it’s just...weird for me. I blame you,” the landshark said. “You and your family. Getting me used to this whole civilized life thing...the wilds were easier on me. Punch it, burn it, or ignore it.”

“True, but having friends you can trust and count on is a good thing as well right?” Seth nuzzled her with his head. “You like us, admit it~”

“You, yes. Selena, I like to outdo in our verbal duels. Ignis isn’t hard on the eyes, but I’ve eyes for only one, and besides, fire-head’s taken anyways. Rika’s...enthusiastic, and Fritter cooks well. Titania, I could do without.” Christine started to leave the field, having more than caught on that she needed to get back home now.

“I’ll take what I can get,” Seth mused. “Would you like to come and meet the Princesses with me?”

“I’ll let you think about that question again,” Christine said in a deadpan while elaborating. “Do I want to meet someone who’s massively powerful, in charge of these ponies, and has powers the likes of which I can’t quite understand? Besides which, I don’t think authority and I get along well.”

“Alright,” Seth nodded. Baby steps it was then. “I’ll walk you home and then find out what the Princess wants.” He gave his shoulders a shrug and tilted his head. “Are you feeling up to walking? I can give you a lift if you’re tired.”

The Gabite waved him off. “Eh, I know the way back, and from the sounds of things, she wants you yesterday.”

“It’s hard, everyone wants me,” Seth sighed dramatically.

“Oh, the puffball catches on!” Christine chuckled lewdly, before continuing in a more normal voice. “So g’on, see the pretty pony Princess. I’ll be waiting back at home.” She turned and paused for a moment. “And Seth? Thanks again. Seriously.”

“Anytime, my friend.” Seth smiled back. “Tell the others I’ll be back soon okay?” Seth gave her one last nuzzle and ran off to the palace…

“Friend,” the landshark mused. “Got a nice ring to it.” With that, she was off to the home of Fritter.

By the time Seth arrived, Celestia was sending Raven off with a few reports. She looked up to see Seth walk in and greeted him.

“Thank you for coming so suddenly,” she said. “I have another assignment for you. Should you be willing to accept of course.”

“What do you want me to do?” Seth asked. “Something urgent?”

“We had a small... incident,” Celestia said. “That’s been resolved, but something interesting has occurred as well.”

“Go on,” Seth said slowly. What was this ‘incident’ and why was she hiding it from him?

“I have authorised a branch of Pokemon Rangers to be started up, in Ponyville.” Celestia explained. “I’m getting a few things organised for them and I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind stopping off on your way to Las Pegasus? I’d like to see how they’re coming along from someone outside their ranks.”

“Rangers...” Seth said quietly. He hadn’t dealt with Pokemon Rangers for a long time now... well, a few weeks anyway, but it’d felt like forever since they arrived in Equestria. “Do you have details?”

“The Ranger in question was a Miss Abby Trombley. She made an excellent case and has given me her word that a certain law will not be enforced ever again, and seeing that she was with her mate, I believe as such.”

Wait, there was a Pokemon Ranger that was in a relationship with her Pokemon!? Well... that was certainly interesting news indeed.

“I have to draw up some paperwork, would you be able to leave tomorrow?”

“Consider it done, Princess!” Seth bowed.

“Thank you, I’ll send the documents via Pegasus messenger. Leave when you are able. While there is no real rush, I would like it done as soon as possible.”

Seth nodded and with one last bow, headed off for home. They’d need to start packing.

He didn’t get very far though, as something large and squealing tackled him to the ground, smothering his face in kisses.

“Gah! What the fu... ELLY!?” Seth exclaimed as he saw the Ampharos sitting on top of him in a very compromising position. Not that she cared.

“I just got back,” She giggled. “A guard told me where to find you.”

“I see,” Seth smiled as he hugged the Ampharos. “I’ve missed you a lot Elly. So much has happened, I wish you’d been here.”

“I know, I heard about the thefts. It’s partly the reason why I’m back. Seems you get into too much trouble when I’m not around Mister.”

“I do not,” Seth huffed. “...Okay... yeah. I kinda do.” Once the woman let him get back up, he got a good look at her. She wore a thick, fluffy yellow coat and had swapped her old headphones out for a new pair, these ones had a pink visor that covered her eyes.

“You look great,” he said. “How was it?”

“Amazing, these ponies really know how to party,” Elesa giggled. “I recorded my first LP as well, that was a ton of fun.”

“I’ll bet,” Seth smiled as they walked back to Fritter’s house. “Where’s Skyla and the rest?”

“At our new apartment,” Elesa informed him. “The recording company I’m contracted to got me an apartment here in Canterlot, so I’m here to stay now.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she smirked. “And what about you? What new in your life? Did that Sylveon of yours finally get her man? Or maybe the cute Earth Pony?”

“Well...” Seth chuckled nervously. “About that...”

Elesa’s reaction after that could be heard clear across the city.

By the time Christine had gotten home, the sun was setting and the moon made it’s way into the sky. Everyone was already home, and offered the dragon a warm welcome.

“Howdy Christine,” Apple Fritter smiled as she and Rika set the table. “Er, was Seth with you by chance?”

Christine smirked a bit before replying. “Yeah, but Celestia needed him to fulfill some of her Royal Duties,” she said, dropping emphasis where necessary to turn it from an innocent statement into one that’d keep the puffball on his pawpads. “He might not be back for a while.”

Apple Fritter dropped a plate and squeaked as Rika bristled with rage.

“What? He’s getting some from the Princess!?” she shrieked. “And didn’t invite us!?!?”

“N-not the point,” Fritter replied.

“And you do realise that the dragon is probably just joking?” Selena sighed from her spot on the couch.

“The only thing that’s a joke are your little nightly sessions with flame-brain,” Christine fired back. “I’ve heard Zubats that moaned louder.”

Selena stopped as her gaze slowly turned towards Christine, her blade humming with power. “I am going to pretend that you didn’t say that... because Seth might be upset if I murdered you!”

“Calm down,” Ignis chuckled. “I think your little moans are really cute~”

Selena suddenly turned bright red as she switched her glare to Ignis. “D-d-d-d-don’t say that! Idiot!!”

“Yup, cause that’s her defining trait,” Christine pitched in as she took her usual couch spot. “Cuteness and blind, murderous rage. The two of you are a perfect couple.”

“I don’t know if I should kill you or not,” Selena growled. “Ignis, can I kill her. Please?”

“Ignis, can I set her on fire? Please?” Christine asked immediately afterwards.

Ignis was sitting between the two and sighed. There was no winning in this situation. Because the two would actually follow up on those threats...

“Well, Selly’s moans are kinda cute,” Rika agreed. “Sorry Selly...” Rika thought for a moment, “But Chrissie has a cute little scratchy voice. I bet she sounds adorable as well.”

Ignis raised an eyebrow as he kept Selena and Christine apart. “Rika, do I even want to know how you know what Selena sounds like?”

“NO!” Selena said suddenly. “No you really do not! Drop it Ignis!”

“Nor do I want to know why she wants to know what I’d sound like,” Christine said with a shudder before raising one claw. “All agreed that Rika’s too knowledgeable for something that looks as cute as her?”

Everyone present raised an appendage, causing Rika to pout. The door opened up and Seth chose that moment to walk in, seeing everyone with a raised arm. His guest waited just outside, wondering what the holdup was.

“Um... do I want to know what’s going on?” he asked.

“Have fun with the Princess!did you?” Rika suddenly shouted. “Is she better than me?”

“Seth,” Fritter sighed. “Am... is the Princess really preferable over me?” The look on her face was like Seth had just murdered a sack full of kittens.

“I... WHAT?” Seth backpedaled. “I didn’t do anything! Celestia just had an assignment for me.”

“So you’re on a first name basis now?” Rika yelled. “How long has this been going on for?”

“Do you like mares with bigger flanks?” Fritter asked quietly. “Ah don’t mind putting on a little...”

“For the love of Arceus...” Seth groaned. “The Princess, the mare I work for, wants me to go to Ponyville. That is all. There is no relationship of the romantic or sexual kind of any sort! Where in the holy hell would you even get.. that... ideeaaaa...” He looked to Christine and narrowed his eyes. “You...”

She couldn’t keep a grin off of her face; with two sentences, she got dinner and a show! “Yes puffball?” the dragoness said in a sing-song voice.

“You certainly have a way with the ladies huh Seth?” Elesa said from the doorway, getting Rika’s attention as the Sylveon leapt across the room and tackle-hugged the Ampharos.

“ELLY~” she giggled. “You’re back!?”

“A short while ago, yes.” Elesa hugged the little Fairy. “And I’ve been told that you’ve been very busy~”

“Welcome back Elesa,” Selena said from her spot on the couch. Ignis still had a hold of Christine, so the dragon was unable to flee.

“Who’s that you have there Iggy?” Elesa asked. “She’s a little cutie.”

Seth’s reaction... was different. A small smile crossed his face, a very dangerous and disturbing smile. “She is, isn’t she?” His eyes flickered towards Ignis...

“What are you up to, Seth?” Christine questioned.

“Nothing really,” Seth crossed the room, nuzzling his girls along the way. “I just hope Selena didn’t misunderstand when you said you liked Ignis?”

Ignis and Selena looked at Christine, the dragon wearing a look of amusement while Selena just radiated an aura of death.

“...Oh crud,” Christine muttered, now very aware that if she got up, an Absol would be on her in five seconds flat...both wanting to get up and get away from the, admittedly, not bad looking hunk of Charizard, and wanting to stay put so he could keep them separated. She looked up to Seth then and narrowed her eyes. “I’ll get you for this one,” she vowed.

Elesa gave Seth an odd look. Since when was he so perceptive about others feelings? Did he level up?

Selena whispered something to Ignis and the dragon’s eyes widened before nodding. He cupped Christine’s cheek in his paw and stared into her eyes with a soft gaze.

“Why did you not tell me your feelings?” he said, his voice as smooth as silk.

“Ah, well,” she stammered, starting to turn pink. “While you aren’t bad to look at, I kinda had somemon in mind already…”

“There’s no need to be shy,” Ignis smiled, his warm breath could be felt on her neck. “Love is a wondrous thing, you should embrace it.”

“And, uh, what about miss dark and broody and stabby right THERE?” One of the Gabite’s claws pointed towards Selena.

“What of it?” Selena shrugged. “Ignis can do what... and who, he wants. Like you said, it’s not like I can keep him totally satisfied.”

Christine’s entire body had turned pink and was slowly shifting to red the longer this went on. “Someone got awfully mad about that Mark on his neck just the other day,” the Gabite pointed out. “Or were you making that up?”

“I don’t know that Noivern,” Selena shrugged cooly. “She sounded selfish and rude. At least you’re tolerable.”

Seth and the rest just watched. Just how long would they keep this up? Elesa and Rika had somehow produced popcorn and were munching away.

“There you have it, little lady,” Ignis purred. “Don’t worry... I don’t bite, not too hard anyway~”

Christine seemed to be turning back to her normal coloration. Either she’d caught on, or…”Fine then, you, me, a bed that’s sturdy enough. Assuming there is one in this place. Some experience before I get to Las Pegasus wouldn’t be terrible.” One of her claws had snagged one of Ignis’ as she started to get up from the couch.

“Are you lot quite done?” Seth said, deciding to put a stop to this. Ignis sighed and nodded, she was a tough one to crack, that’s for sure.

“Well, her previous expression was great... then she called the bluff,” Selena pouted. “I concede Christine. Your skills in verbal banter are unmatched.”

“Oh, so you were bluffing?” the Gabite said seriously, still not letting go. “Too bad. I could probably do with some real-life experience before we make the trip, and Ignis is someone I wouldn’t mind using to get it.”

“Yeah... no,” Selena replied. “Plus I go where Ignis goes, we’re a package deal. You want his package, you get me too~”

“Eh,” Christine said. “I was really only after him, but if you insist…”

“You are impossible!” Selena moaned, dragging her dragon away from her. “That’s it. I’m done.”

“As is this conversation,” Seth said. “Pity, it was pretty funny though.” Then he remembered what he was going to say in the first place. “Christine? This is my good friend Elesa, the former Gym Leader of Nimbasa City.”

“A pleasure to meet you miss Christine,” Elesa said. “You’re quite entertaining I must say. I get the feeling I’ve missed out on a lot of great stuff.”

“This is just the latest in a long line of losses on their side,” Christine said, putting a claw to her chin. “Nimbasa...I want to say I’ve heard of it…”

“Unova region,” Seth explained. “Lotsa bright lights, big ass Ferris Wheel?”

“Ah yeah!” the dragon crowed. “I remember now! Couldn’t get to sleep around there unless I found a deep enough cave, that place was so bright.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Elesa pouted.

“So Sethy?” Rika asked, “How did you come across your ex-girlfriend? At the Palace maybe? With a Princess as well!?”

“Oh would you drop that?” Seth said, squishing her under one of his paws. “I already said nothing happened!”

“I know, just teasing,” Rika teased as she and Fritter looked back at the dragon, already plotting their revenge. The dark looks on their faces caused her to back up a step and laugh nervously.

“Uh...heh. No...hard feelings, right girls?”

“Sure,” Fritter replied with an eerily calm tone. “No hard feelings at all...”

“Can we just have dinner and pack our things?” Seth sighed, “We have to leave early tomorrow.”

“Yeah, no problem,” Christine said. She blinked and then smirked at the Luxray. “Well, I’m done with my packing.”

“Funny,” Seth deadpanned. “We have to stop by Ponville first, and then we’ll head to Las Pegasus after.” He turned to Christine, “Will you be alright on long train trips?”

“I guess we’ll find out,” she replied. “Never been on one.”

“Fair enough,” Seth replied. “And you two?” he looked to Selena and Ignis, “No teasing like that unless you actually mean it, alright?”

“Fine,” Selena nodded. “And for the record... It’s not like I’m totally against it or anything...” She added quietly.

“Yeah, Selly’s totally into girls,” Rika giggled. “I should know~”

Ignis looked at his mate and raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? Thats interesting.”

Selena just turned bright red and refused to answer at around the same time a pink flush overtook Christine’s form again...

“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Elesa asked. “So soon?”

“I work for the Princess now,” Seth explained. “Sorry Elle, it was a last minute thing.”

“Aw, I was hoping to catch up some more,” the Electric ‘mon pouted. But that just sparked something else with Seth’s girls.

“Like how you ‘caught up’ before you left?” Rika said slyly. “That was some kiss you gave him.”

“Ah, well.. ahh,” Elesa had no response for that.

“Elesa and Seth used to be lovers,” Ignis explained to Christine. “I can only imagine how things are going to be from here on out.”

“I’m guessing she was the dom and initiator in their relationship,” the dragon snarked. “Puffball notices other’s feelings about as well as Snorlax Fly.”

“Heehee, pretty much,” Elesa giggled. “But Seth is just so cute when he’s all embarrassed. So it’s fine.”

“What is it with everyone tonight?” Seth grumbled. “You’re all picking on me.”

“Rika, Seth needs an infusion of cute and caring, stat,” the dragon said, only trembling lightly at the words she was using.

Rika blinked as she gave Christine the strangest look. That was something she didn’t expect to hear from her mouth. But it was good advice! The Sylveon immediately snuggled her Luxray, as the big cat purred lightly.

“Wow, you already have him that whipped huh?” Elesa chuckled.

“Whipped like butter,” Fritter nodded as she cuddled him too. Selena huggled her dragon and sighed happily. Elesa just laughed at that the cuteness.

“So you’re a thing too?” she asked, earning a nod from Ignis. The Gym leader turned to Christine, “And how do you fit into all this? You someone’s mate as well?”

“They’re taking me to Las Pegasus,” the Gabite responded. “And then I’m getting my Sam...assuming he’s still there.”

“Well good luck then, I’ll be rooting for you okay?” The Ampharos kissed Seth on the cheek and winked. “Let me know when you get back okay?”

The Luxray just nodded as Elesa left, and Rika and Friter stared at the soon empty doorway.

“We’re gonna have to deal with that too huh Apples?” Rika asked her marefriend.

“Ah reckon so,” Fritter nodded.

“This trip is going to be far from quiet...” Seth predicted, though a smile crossed his face regardless. “Oh well...”

Extra Scene: After the heist

Total Control was not a happy pony. If anything, he was downright miserable. He had gone from his perfect life to rock bottom in literally a day, and what’s more, they just HAD to sentence him to this living death as a unicorn without a horn.

“Oh well, at least they’ll never forget me now. After all, who else can say they managed to steal the CROWN JEWELS!” he laughed to himself, at least he’d go down in history as the pony who managed to steal the crown jewels.

At that moment, the daily paper was slid into his cell. That was another thing he didn’t like. The paper always came late here. Peering down at it, he saw something that made his blood freeze, his good mood evaporate, and his pride die screaming.

‘Crown Jewels Stolen’

The moment he read those words, everything stopped. And when he saw the full story, his legs fell out from under him. Someone did it. Someone actually stole the Crown Jewels...from OUT OF THE CASTLE VAULT.

“I... what?” This... this couldn’t happen. Haha, yes, it was a joke, an ill conceived joke. “GUARD!” he called out. “What sort of nonsense is this? I asked for the paper. Not some foal’s prank!”

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” the Guard responded to his charge. “That is the paper, you don’t want it, then hoof it back. I wasn’t done with the funny pages.”

“This is a joke! The Crown Jewels couldn’t have been stolen right out of the Celestia-damned Vault! It’s impossible!!”

“That’s what yer harping on about?” the Guard yawned. “They were taken alright, and returned gift-wrapped the next day as I understand it.”

Control’s eyes widened as he scanned the newspaper, and discovered what the Guard said was true. The Jewels had been returned, no worse for wear.

‘After the previously failed Heist of the Jewels last time, the second theft saw them returned just hours after they were stolen. Are the Jewels cursed? Are they magic?’

A footnote added said something else. After questioning the Pokemon supposedly chasing after the thief, a Pokemon calling himself ‘Jonathan Trace’, had this to say. “This fits Fox’s M.O. Perfectly. She never cared about getting the Jewels for herself. All she wanted was to show to everyone that she could take them, she would take them, and as you can see, she did take them. After that, she always returned what she stole, and this is no different. If anything, I think it was all a game to her again.”

The sound of the paper falling to the floor could be heard, followed by Control’s inequine screams of pure, unadulterated rage. It wasn’t enough that those damn lowly Pokemon put him here, but now one had the gall to steal his greatest accomplishment from under his hooves.

“Oh will you just SHUT UP already?!” came the annoyed shout of the guards, before Control was unceremoniously punted in the face with a rock the guard had found on the ground. “Finally, I thought he was never gonna shut up,” one of the guards huffed, not caring the least bit about the now unconscious stallion. “Maybe now we can finally play that game of Poker. I’m feeling lucky today.”

“Yeah, just a minute,” the other guard said, before taking the newspaper back. “I would like to get back to my funny pages, thank you very much,” he snorted, before turning away, Control completely ignored.

Author's Note

tdn - A nice chapter as always. The plot is moving along, and things are gonna get interesting. Also, love the extra scene.

Aus - Seeing as how you wrote it~

Thadius - Writing Christine is so much fun~ And I feel bad for Ignis, he doesn’t know what he missed out on by not taking Christine up on her offer. :P

Aus - Dammit! Why does this ship have to be so cute~ And sorry Terra and Cadence, Imma take your shipping master titles.

Thad - We should open a harbor!

Zeus- In your face Control! Loved that scene, and all the ships. So many ships.

Ausbrony - So yeah, Elesa's back, I have a new ship I wanna sail... Life is good. :twilightsmile:

Chapter Twenty Nine

The next morning, when Rika finally awoke with the sun shining in her tired eyes, she discovered that not only was Fritter not in bed, but Seth was gone as well, leaving the Sylveon alone in bed..

“Whaaa, where’d everyone gooo,” she whined as she looked around. She got up and after rubbing the sleep from her eyes and doing a quick stretch, she headed downstairs. Titania must have still been asleep and neither Selena nor Ignis were there as well. Christine was snoring peacefully on the couch. As much as she wanted, Rika resisted the urge to cuddle the cute dragon, opting to find her herdmates instead.

So when she took a look out the back, she finally found them. The two were covered in dirt and grass stains and dozens of small sprouts were emerging from the earth. There were several rows of them, all looked similar and Rika knew what they were almost instantly.

“Berries!” Rika giggled, startling Seth and Fritter.

“Whoa! Oh, hey there Rika,” Seth smiled. “Yeah, we kinda planted all the Berries that were in my bag. We should have a pretty decent crop in a week.”

“Ah can’t believe how low maintenance these things are,” Fritter said. “Heck, even apples need more attention than this, and they’re one of our main crops.”

“Berries are great, plus even if you don’t harvest them, they’ll just grow back...” Seth said. “It’s like they have the will to live.”

“So you two woke up before dawn, just to plant Berries?” Rika asked. “Well you better go get a shower, don’t we have to leave soon?”

“Rika being the responsible one? The world has gone mad!” Seth chuckled as the three went inside. As the pair headed upstairs, Rika looked at Christine... nothing was stopping her now~

She tiptoed closer to the sleeping dragon, she would get her hug or die trying! Though, it wouldn’t be fair if Rika didn’t give her a fighting chance.

“Chrissie~ Snore once if you want a hug,” Rika whispered.

In hindsight, the fact that she normally woke herself up, or was in another room when she did, should have been a big clue. The dragon’s eyes snapped open, and without even really thinking, she reacted to somemon being so close to her.

“TAKE DOWN!”

Rika squealed as she ducked at the last second, as Christine sailed straight through a wall.

“Whut in the hay was that!?” Fritter called out from upstairs.

“Um... nothing?” Rika shouted back. Okay, no problem, she just needed to repair a wall in less than a minute. “Uh, you okay Chrissie?”

“Anyone get the name of the Graveler that hit my head?” the dragon moaned from outside.

“You crash-tackled a wall and it may or may not have been partially my fault,” Rika said quickly.

“Startle reflex?” The dragon asked as she picked herself up and surveyed the damages.

“I tried to hug you in your sleep. Lesson learned,” Rika said as she stared at the hole. “Ah man, Fritter’s gonna be pissed.”

A chill went down the fairy’s spine as a voice from behind her spoke up. “Yer darn right ah’m pissed. What the hay Rika!?”

“Oh, ahh, hey Fritter...”

“Okay, look, blame her all you want,” Christine said, “But I’m fairly sure this hole is me-sized for a reason.”

“Y’all already made it perfectly clear ya ain’t the huggin’ type. Rika shoulda known better,” Fritter sighed. “Still, ah was planning on renovations anyway... ah guess ah can start with that wall...”

Selena and Ignis came in from their room in the barn, Selena took one look at the wall and gave Christine and Rika a stare.

“She tried to hug you again huh?”

“Oh Come on!!” Rika yelled.

“Nah, I decided to imitate a wrecking ball,” Christine replied with no small amount of sarcasm. “I figure I’ll save the kitchen for after breakfast.”

Ignis looked at another wall and Selena blinked, “Ignis? No!’

“She got to break something,” he pouted. “Not fair.”

“Oh grow up,” Selena sighed. “Seriously Christine, be glad you don’t deal with him on a regular basis. It’s like looking after a hatchling sometimes.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, should I ever decide to have any,” the landshark replied.

“Go get the spare wood Ignis,” Fritter said. “I’ll plug this hole and then we’ll get something to eat.”

“I didn’t know Seth was into females with wood,” Christine said with a small smile. There was a crash from upstairs and the sound of Seth cursing.

“All the females want is our wood,” Ignis grumbled, and earned a glare from Selena. “Fine, be back in a moment. Wanna help Christie?”

“I oughta, seeing as how it’s my hole,” the Gabite said with a snicker. “Though I’m starting to wonder if we’re having the same conversation here.”

“Just get it done,” Selena groaned. “I swear, you people...”

“You love me anyway,” Ignis grinned as he headed out to the barn.

“Sometimes I wonder,” Selena smiled. “I’ll go wake the other Fairy.”

“And I’ll help Fritter with breakfast,” Rika bounced into the kitchen, gravity not impeding her movements in the slightest.

“You really don’t have to wake her,” Christine muttered as she followed Ignis out. “So she wants us done quick, eh?” the landshark said, still not quite out of ‘lewd’ mode yet.

“Heh, sorry, but I like to take my time. Enjoy the journey.” Ignis laughed at his own joke. “Still... all jokes aside, I really am quite flattered you think that way. Sam really must be something to earn that affection of yours.”

“One of, if not the, first one to care about me back there. It’s sorta a jumble, it was either him or the kid, can’t quite remember. Guy raised me on stories of the outside world, and I learned lots from him and Bit...and Vincent deciphering Bit when I got fed up with ‘im.” By this point, they’d reached the spare wood pile in the barn. “Least I can do is return that attention.”

“Fair enough, and I mean this too, any mate you choose would be a lucky ‘mon indeed.” Ignis lifted up several planks as Christine fetched the toolbox once Ignis pointed it out. She also couldn’t help but notice several blankets strewn about the place and scorch marks on the roof. “Alrighty,” Ignis smiled. “Let’s go stuff this wood in your hole!”

“Looks like you did plenty of that already,” Christine said, softly whistling at the carnage in the barn. “Does...Fritter know about this?”

“Not yet and I intend to keep it that way,” Ignis chuckled. “Fire-type are... enthusiastic at times.” Ignis said with a rare blush. “Selly may be small, but she knows which buttons to press.” Ignis finally decided he’d said too much and headed back to the house with a little more haste than necessary.

“So I guess the bug was right. Size doesn’t have to be everything,” Christine mused. Then she snickered. “Bet Selena’s never said that to you though.”

“...I refuse to answer that question,” Ignis blushed harder. “Let’s just get this wall fixed already.”

From the house, Fritter and Rika watched the smaller dragon, as a smile crept its way onto their lips.

“You think she knows what’s coming?” Rika asked.

“Not a clue,” Fritter smirked.

Christine opened the toolbox and drew out the hammer, smirking all the more and not letting up on Ignis for a second. “So which of us is doing the hammering?” she questioned oh-so-innocently.

“Me,” Ignis replied without thinking... until his brain caught up. “Oh. Sweet. Arceus. Do you have an off switch?”

“Maybe,” she said with a smirk, before passing the hammer over to him and rooting around in the toolbox for the nails.

Selena decided to play as well, it wasn’t often Ignis would get so flustered and she had to admit... he was cute as hell when he was. She poked her head out of the hole and smirked.

“So Ignis, finished hammering and nailing yet?”

“OH NOT YOU TOO!” Ignis cried.

“Get your mouth outta my hole, he’s gotta fill it!” Christine said in mock-anger.

“Oh, but my mouth is ever so skilled,” Selena said with a half-lidded gaze. “I’m sure Ignis can attest to that, can’t you... dear?”

“I-uh... wha?” Ignis’s higher motor skills and cognitive thought processes just failed, the dragon was nothing more than a sexy statue at this point.

“Aww, you broke him. Now how am I supposed to get my hole filled in?” Christine pouted. “Plus now he can’t agree with you about your mouth being skilled.” Here she paused for a moment before giving Selena a gaze of her own. “Maybe you could show me personally?”

Christine was playing with fire now as Selena leant forward, so her lips lightly brushed the dragon’s for a brief second. “Hmm, perhaps later~ We really should get this hole repaired though.”

The mental images running through the dragon’s mind were well beyond the rating limits, that said...

“This is really hot,” he murmured.

“Ah, uh, yeah,” Christine said, slowly turning pink. “Hey, are you implying my hole needs repairs? I’ll have you know it’s as hale as ever!”

“Hmhm,” Selena chuckled. “I’m sure it is, and after giving it some thought last night, you really aren’t that bad, so later...” She slowly ran a claw down the dragon’s scales on her chest. “I’m going to show you how I ‘Play Rough’, but until then, we have work to do.”

Christine just turned more pink as her cheeks took on a hint of red, joining Ignis in his non-functioning state.

“Is that wall getting fixed?” Fritter called out from the kitchen.

“I broke the repairmon,” Selena said, her voice had a triumphant tone. “Seth and I will fix it in a moment.” ‘And I finally win one of these bloody things!’

Ignis just gave a small, broken chuckle.

“...Wow...”

Christine turned to him and managed one last observation before her brain really gave up. “Okay, new observation. You’re the lucky ‘mon for having her.”

After the wall had been repaired and a Discharge got Ignis and Christine moving again, the family was ready to go. Titania agreed to watch the house and Elesan and Diantha agreed to stop by every now and then to keep the fairy company.

Then came time for Seth to introduce Christine to their mode of transport, a very pink, candy-themed train called the Friendship Express!

“Behold,” Seth said, with sarcasm so thick you’d need a chainsaw to cut it. “The most masculine train to ever exist.”

“...That’s it, I’m done,” Christine said, pulling a 180 and walking back towards Canterlot, but she was halted by Seth.

“Unfortunately, if you want to see Sam, then you gotta ride this abomination. I hate it as much as you do, looking at this thing makes me physically ill, let alone riding it... But it’s sacrifice we have to make. For the ones we love, this is just a challenge we overcome!”

“I would rather walk,” Christine said, pausing for a moment. “Scratch that, I would rather have that Garchomp...Saph-something….Sapphire, Sapphria? I’d rather see if she can teach me to fly, or if she’d be willing to carry me there.”

“I don’t even know where she is,” Seth said and Ignis coughed.

“A Garchomp named Sapphira... yeah, ahh... she isn’t going anywhere for a while.”

“You beat the ever-loving tar out of her, didn’t you Ignis?” Seth deadpanned.

“Something along those lines,” Ignis nodded.

“Look, time to suck it up Christine!” Seth said, walking towards her. “Are you gonna let some pussy-looking train beat you!?”

The Gabite turned back to Seth and half-lidded her eyes. “I’m gonna give you two seconds to think about your phrasing…” she stated, trailing off deliberately.

“I could, or I could keep you distracted like this so you won’t notice we’re already on the train.”

Christine blinked and looked around, shocked slightly by the sudden scene shift. “Okay, point. What’d you use, Extreme Speed?”

Seth waved out of the window at the two Gardevoir on the platform, both smiling suspiciously.

“Teleport, a ‘mon’s best friend.”

Elsewhere, a Kadabra wondered why his ears were burning…

The Dragoness sighed and looked around, noticeably on edge from the cramped conditions...and the fact that they were the only ones there. “Okay, there’s like...space for twenty of those ponies, easy,” she pointed out. “So what’d you do to get us our own compartment, puffball?”

“Perks of working for the Princess,” Seth smiled. “I figured that you’d have... concerns about the cramped space. So I asked Celestia if I could use the Royal Carriage.”

“That’s... really sweet actually,” Rika smiled. “I think I love you all over again.”

“Admittedly, ah’d have to agree,” Fritter smiled. “Y’all got a heart of gold Seth.”

“Not really,” Seth nodded. “I also did it so I could snuggle with you in peace. So I did have some ulterior motives.”

“For all the crap flower-head and I have put you through, you deserve it,” Christine said, looking for a good spot to claim as ‘hers’ for the trip...if anything in a moving, rattling box travelling at high speeds could really be called ‘good’.

“I wouldn’t thank me just yet,” Seth replied cryptically. “Your trials have just begun...”

“...Okay, if this morning was any indication, Seth, then I don’t handle surprises well. And you’re helping one happen?” the dragon asked with a raised brow.

“Last night,” Seth simply replied as he pulled out a newspaper.

“What abou-” Christine was about to finish her question when she caught sight of Rika and Fritter’s faces.

“Y’all prepared fer this?” Fritter smiled, a rather unsettling one.

“Yup,” Rika giggled slowly and with a monotone pitch. The Gabite slowly took one step back, suddenly not thankful for the cramped spaces at all.

“This is a time honoured amongst girls,” Rika explained as she waved some ribbons around. “Makeovers are something every girl should experience.”

“Ah must agree Miss Rika,” Fritter said, pulling out a makeup kit and some glitter. “Y’all are gonna make such a purdy dragon~”

“Oh no you don’t,” Christine said, taking another step back and mentally reaching for her invisibility. “Either put that stuff down right now, or I’m not going to be held responsible for my reactions.”

“Play nice you lot,” Seth said without looking up from his paper.

“We will~” Rika sang. “Now hold still Chrissie, this won’t hurt a bit...”

“Like hell!” Christine said, vanishing as much as she could and darting away from the crazies as quickly as she dared.

It was a futile attempt. In the pale colours that decorated the carriage, her stripe stood out more than Celestia’s wingboner. What followed was a cacophony of shouts, crashes, cursing and mad giggling that bordered on insane.

And in the end?

“Such a pretty princess dragon~” Rika giggled, looking over her handiwork. They had applied some makeup, like eyeshadow and lipstick. Several sparkly ribbons and bows were also attached. She looked like the end result of one of the godawful Contests from Sinnoh.

“Your deaths will be long and painful,” Christine vowed. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“Then y’all have learned yer lesson about teasing a mare about their coltfriend cheating on them?” Fritter said. There was something behind those words, like a hint of annoyance.

“Considering he’s seeing both of you, I didn’t think hinting at him seeing a third would be that bad,” the dragon replied. “Wild ‘mon do it a lot...but if you insist, I’ll stop teasing Seth and you two... at least about that.”

“Ah’ll take it,” Fritter nodded as a soft ‘click’ could be heard as Rika put away Seth’s Holocaster.

“And now I will too,” Rika smiled. Christine looked at the device slipping back into Seth’s bags and turned on the Sylveon.

“Oh no you did not,” she stated as though it were a law of the land.

“I did and it will be blackmail for the rest of time,” Rika giggled.

“Assuming you live that long,” the Gabite said, her expression now truly murderous even through the makeup and sparkly glitter.

“Alright, that may be a bit too far,” Rika pulled the device out and deleted the image. “But I’ll still remember.”

“Now that you’re done,” Seth said, still reading. “Go and help Christine clean off so she can plot her inevitable revenge.”

“Yes Seth,” Rika and Fritter droned.

“...Is this stuff supposed to itch?” the dragon asked, idly scratching at the new coat she’d been given.

“No...?” Fritter looked at the makeup kit. It was one for ponies though. “Hmm, maybe this ain’t suppos’d to be used on Pokemon?”

“So she might be allergic to something in it?” Selena asked.

“If this gets much worse, only Ignis will survive once I recover,” Christine vowed. “I’ll goddamn Evolve if I have to. Gah, I feel like I need to find sandpaper and rub it on my back already!”

“There’s a bathroom in the back,” Ignis said. “C’mon Selly, we’ll help her. While Seth and his girls repent and pray their deaths are swift and painless.”

Selena nodded as she led the very pretty dragon away. Once they were gone, Seth sighed and looked at the two females.

“Really?” he sighed. “I think all my work to get her to be our friend just went down the toilet.”

“We’re sorry,” Fritter and Rika said quietly.

In the bathroom, Selena scrubbed the makeup away, cursing under her breath. “What were those idiots thinking, using you to test if the makeup was Pokemon-safe?”

“Sorry about this Christine,” Ignis said. “I’ll go and give them a talking to. You have this handled Selly?”

“Yeah,” Selena nodded. “I got this.”

“Alright” Ignis stepped out of the room as Selena continued her cleaning.

“I’d be doing more, but these claws of mine,” Christine said while waving one, “Aren’t good for much in the way of cleaning, and I can only reach so far around myself. I’m better at making a mess than picking one up.”

“I’ll bet,” Selena replied as she scratched the dragon’s back at a spot she couldn’t reach by herself. “I hope you aren’t too angry with them, and I doubt Seth was made aware of all the.. details...” Selena sighed. “I’m sure they didn’t mean anything malicious by it, and hey! Now we know that pony makeup is not good for Pokemon.”

“And the only thing that was lost was a portion of my dignity,” the dragon snarked. “At least Rika deleted that picture...she, did delete that picture, right?”

“I hope so,” Selena sighed as she got the last of the makeup off and washed her scales with a wet cloth. “There! Back to your pretty, purple self~”

Christine blushed a little bit at being called pretty, before nodding. “Wanna help me come up with ways to torment those other two while we’re here?” she asked.

“I can do that,” Selena nodded. “But answer something for me first... you’re good at dishing out the talk, but why do you get all shy when someone compliments you?”

“Because I’m a freak, a mutant?” the dragon idly responded, raising one arm and making it vanish. “No normal Gabite can do this, and I’ve looked at myself in a lake. Face it, compared to the rest of my kind, I’m a hideous aberration.”

Selena frowned as she suddenly reared up and pushed Christine against the wall. “That is utter bullshit!” she snapped. “I happen to think you’re quite pretty... for a girl. And maybe enough that I’m a little jealous... I know Ignis has snuck a peek or two and honestly, I don’t blame him.”

“Someone finding me attractive?” Christine replied with an eye-roll. “Yeah, and Magikarp can use a move besides Splash.”

“They also learn Tackle and Flail,” Selena informed her. “And someday, you are going to find a ‘mon that will truly love you, for you!” Selena smiled. “But Ignis is mine okay?”

“Fine, flame-brain is yours,” Christine commented. “And I already have eyes on one ‘mon, remember?”

“I know, your dashing knight in shining chitin,” Selena smiled as she dropped back down to all fours. “Hmm, I know,” Selena purred. “How about I tell you a few tricks that will make even that perverted bug bend backwards?”

“...Why do I feel like I need an adult?” the Gabite asked.

“We’re both adults here~” Selena smiled as she locked the door with her hind leg.

“I wonder what’s taking so long in there?” Seth asked idly as he looked at the back of the carriage.

“You don’t have scales,” Ignis said. “These things are a bitch to clean sometimes.”

“You have Xray vision,” Rika mused. “Just use that!”

Seth pondered on that thought. He’d learned that abuse of his superpower could lead to very bad things.

“Yeah... no.”

“What’s the harm?” Fritter asked, “They might need help.”

“If being friends with Checkmate, Vincent and general experience has taught me anything. I would regret doing that with every fibre of my being.”

Meanwhile, Ignis was listening in through the door, but couldn’t hear a thing. Were the walls soundproofed? “They’re just cleaning the makeup off of her, it shouldn’t be an issue, bro...and I think these walls are soundproof, I can’t hear a thing in there,” the dragon said.

Seth turned to the room as his eyes flashed gold... and then chuckled lightly. The look on Christine’s face was absolutely priceless.

“Yeah... they’re fine...”

Much to Fritter and Rika’s surprise, Christine seemed to be in a much better mood afterwards. She even said she wouldn’t set them on fire... yet. Seth smiled, she seemed to be getting along pretty well with everyone. He had no idea why Vincent sounded so concerned when he mentioned her.

Eventually, the train pulled up and once their luggage had been retrieved, the family stepped out onto the platform and into Ponyville.

“Welcome to Ponyville Christine,” Seth smiled. “Possibly the friendliest town I have ever come across.”

The dragon breathed in the air and sighed. “Man, even the air is different here...no pollution, no smoke, none of the smells you’d associate with a town of humans. It was a little sweeter out in the wilds, but to have it stay the same even here? Unreal.”

“I think pollution is pretty much non-existent here,” Seth nodded. “Wait til you see the farm we’ll be staying at... Oh, and I’ll warn you now, there may be quite a few ponies and Pokemon there. None of them will mean you any harm though. You have my word on that.”

“Yeah...I can believe you...but maybe so we don’t have another ‘hole in the wall’ incident, have them announce their presence before they get too close?” the Gabite said, rubbing the back of her head with one claw and smiling sheepishly.

“I’ll make sure of it,” Seth nodded. Fritter meanwhile, was going through her bag to make sure she had all the Berries she needed. While she and Seth and planted most of them, she kept a few to show Applejack. One of the spare Oran Berries rolled out of her grasp and bounced along the ground, coming to a stop at Christine’s foot.

The dragon carefully picked it up with one claw and salivated. “Is...this is an Oran Berry. How?” While she wanted, oh how she wanted, to eat it right now, she didn’t really need to, so she could control herself. Somewhat.

“Huh? Didn’t you notice all the berry sprouts Fritter and I planted this morning?” Seth inquired.

“Little busy with a wall,” Christine replied. “That and the trauma afterwards.”

“Oh, right!” Seth chuckled. “Well, I got a lot of my stuff back from Arceus, and that included all my berries... but I think he put extra in there.” He looked at the hungry gleam in her eyes and smiled. “You really want that berry huh?”

“Understatement of the year,” the Gabite responded...before giving it back to Fritter. “Still, want is not need. You probably brought it along for a reason, and it probably wasn’t to feed me.”

Fritter smiled and held it out, “Seth had a bunch of this particular berry, so ah brought a few with me. Go ahead, take it as an apology fer earlier.”

“Ah, well then!” The berry vanished instantly into her maw, the only thing remaining to signifiy it existed at all a small squirt of juice as she chomped down. “Mmm. Okay, like, ten more of these later, and you’re forgiven,” she muttered around the fruit.

“Tell you what, when you come visit next, ah make you a whole buffet of Oran deserts an’ stuff. Sound good?”

“Sounds delicious,” the dragon said, drooling slightly at the thought, before closing her mouth and swallowing her victim. “...I’d ask for another, but that’d be greedy.”

“Maybe later,” Fritter chuckled. Selena poked them and pointed to the others, “Um, shouldn’t we be catching up to them?”

“You need to catch up, maybe,” Christine said with a smirk as she all but bolted down the road. “See you later, grandma!” she taunted.

Selena shot off like a bullet, easily passing the Gabite. “Like you stand a chance... or even know where we’re going.”

Christine put on another burst herself. “Oh give up already! My ability to run is only second to my ability to attack!”

Selena and Seth shared a nod as he tapped his Mega Stone, and Selena Mega-evolved, before racing towards Sweet Apple Acres at tremendous speeds, leaving the rest of the group in the dust.

“Well at least I know where I’m going,” Christine mused. “Buuut I’d be stupid to think I can keep up with her like that.”

“Interesting indeed...” Seth chuckled.

By the time they got there, Selena was already waiting for them.

“About time you slowpokes got here,” Selena said. “I thought I’d be waiting around forever.”

“Yeah, yeah...” Seth replied and turned to Apple Fritter. “So you sure Applejack won’t mind us staying here?”

“Ah don’t think so,” Fritter said. “lemme go and see.” The mare trotted up to the farmhouse and knocked on the door, right before she was accosted by an orange Earth Pony. There was some animated talking before she waved the group over.

“Ah don’t mind iffn y’all stay fer a while.” Applejack said. “So long as ya’ll don’t make a mess of the place.”

“We’ll be on our best behaviour Miss Applejack,” Seth nodded. “We’ll even take separate rooms if that’s what you prefer.”

“Separate rooms?” AJ tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“NOTHING!” Fritter said quite suddenly. “Ah, it’s just... Ignis and Selena are mates.. and well...”

“Ah understand,” AJ smiled. “Ah wouldn’t break up a couple, just ah, do y’all mind keeping ‘those’ activities on the old backburner? Ah don’t want Apple Bloom seein’ stuff like that.”

“You have our word,” Ignis smiled. Seth on the other hand, gave Fritter a curious look. What was wrong? Did she not want Applejack to know about their relationship?

“Thank you kindly,” Applejack smiled. “Now let’s go get y’all settled in.”

“I need to head off to the Hall of Legends,” Seth said. “If I go now, I can be back a little after lunch.” He gave a look to Christine, “How about you? Wanna meet some Legendary Pokemon? Like God?”

“Walking into the den of a Legendary,” Christine deadpanned. “That sounds like a fine idea! Like the time any trainer walked into my latest lair without knowing just what the hell they were getting into! Pass.”

“You’d be perfectly safe,” Seth sighed. “Alright, I’ll be back soon. Be good okay?”

The rest nodded and Seth left, and only then did they realise that he didn’t say why he was going...

“That puffball is doing something stupid again, isn’t he?” the Gabite said flatly.

“Well, I did beat up Moltres a while back... and tried to fight Reshiram,” Ignis pointed out. “And last time Seth met Arceus, he Thunder’ed him in the face... he may not be coming back at all.”

“You think he’d do Fritter and Rika if he weren’t planning on coming back,” Christine commented.

AJ spun on her hooves, “Y’all should get a translation spell while yer here,” she said. “Ah can’t understand a darn thing y’all are saying.”

Fritter and Rika were blushing like nothing else though.

“Ah’m so glad she didn’t hear that,” Fritter said quietly. “Can, y’all not mention my current, relationship status?”

Selena and Ignis nodded, while Rika pouted. Restraining herself would be difficult.

“Thank you,” Fritter smiled.

Seth ran through the Everfree, taking in the sights, scents and sounds. It was something else to observe a forest with senses like these.

And before he knew it, the massive Temple was in sight, and Seth hoped the Pokemon he wished to speak to was actually here. He saw the Regi Trio guarding the door, just like last time. Seth chuckled as he wondered if they’d even moved since then.

“Hello,” Seth greeted once he was close enough. “My name is Seth Crescent, I come seeking an audience with Lord Arceus and Princess Diancie!”

The trio blinked in succession, and slowly the doors to the temple slid open. Seth thanked them and walked inside. The architecture of this temple always impressed him and more than a few times he ‘oohh’d’ & ‘aahh’d’ at a piece of art or painting.

Admittedly, he took a little longer to reach the central room than needed, but... cool stuff!

“Hello?” Seth called out once he reached the room. “Is anybody home?”

“Someone’s always here,” Arceus said, appearing in the center of the room. “Problem is, this place is huge.” The Alpha Pokemon smiled. “Hello Seth, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Well, I’d like to thank you for the return of my Pokedex and such, I don’t remember doing so properly at the Gala, and it really means a lot to me.” Seth smiled and scratched the back of his head. “So uh, yeah. Thank you very much Arceus.”

Arceus chuckled and landed in front of Seth. “After all the trouble I cause you... and a lot of other people, it really is the least I could do.”

“Still, I mean it,” Seth replied. “My ‘Dex in particular has the diary of my journey in it, so having that alone back means a lot to me. The other reason I called by was to see Princess Diancie, I have some news for her especially.”

Arceus shut his eyes for a moment, and the next, there was a pink, crystal doorway in the middle of the room. “One moment,” he walked up to the door and knocked, producing a high pitched ringing sound as the crystals reverberated.

A few seconds later, Diancie peeked out. “Hi dad!” She looked around and spotted Seth. “Hi... um... I know I saw you at the wedding.”

“Hello princess,” Seth bowed his head. “My name is Seth Crescent, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Diancie smiled and floated out of her room. “Likewise Mr. Crescent,” she giggled. “Sorry, most people don’t call me Princess outside of my kingdom.”

“A lady as beautiful as you?” Seth replied with a smile. “You shouldn’t be called anything less.”

Diancie smiled and blushed pinker. “Ooh, I like you,” she played with her gem hair. “So what are you doing here cutie?”

Seth blushed a little, “Well, I have some good news for you actually. The reason I know your title? It’s because I’ve found the Carbink from your kingdom.”

Diancie gasped. “Really?” She asked in disbelief. “Where are they?”

“Inside the gem mines in Mount Canterlot.” Seth replied, wondering why Arceus was looking at him like that. “I came across them after an incident involving a Crystal Onix. Don’t worry, no-one was hurt. But Dace hopes that you might visit them soon. They miss you a great deal.”

Diancie smiled at Seth before she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Seth. "Thank you so much!" She said happily. "I've been wondering where they got off to and... thank you."

“You’re very welcome Princess,” Seth said as he returned the hug. They stayed that way for a moment, before Seth coughed as Diancie didn’t let go. “Uh, Princess? I think your father is going to kill me if you don’t let go...”

"Oh... sorry," Diancie said sheepishly, pulling away from the Luxray and turning towards her father. "I'm just gonna get some stuff, then can you send me to Canterlot dad?"

"Sure thing sweetie," Arceus watched as Diancie went back to her room, then turned to Seth and smirked. "You're quite a lady's 'mon aren't you Seth?'

“Maybe a little,” Seth smiled sheepishly. “Don’t worry, I’m quite happy with the two girls I have. I’m just glad Diancie gets to see her family again.”

"She is quite fond of those little Carbinks," Arceus said with a sigh. "It'll be nice to see them moving out I suppose, really see them come into their own here."

“The legendary Pokemon?” Seth asked. “Since they had to hide away from humans all the time... sorry about that by the way. Even I’m a little guilty of wishing I had a Legendary Pokemon partner.”

"Mmm... I don't think I would've minded you all that much actually," he admitted. "I know you wouldn't have tried to brainwash or abduct them or-" Arceus stopped and shook his head. "Sorry, old habits, I'm... still getting over everything that happened."

“I can imagine,” Seth nodded, having gone through a brainwashing situation himself. “At least they have a chance at a better life here. We all do really. So despite what anyone says... or what I said in the past. I think you made the right decision.”

Arceus chuckled. "Thank you Seth... that's all I wanted to do. Give everyone a fresh start."

The Luxray gave a single nod. “Well, I have to return to my own family, lest Chrissie tries to burn down Sweet Apple Acres. You take care my friend.”

"And you as well," Arceus nodded.

Seth nodded and headed off. His promise to Dace was complete and now he had a Ranger Union to check on. That was going to be an adventure in and of itself. He passed a few more Legendary Pokemon on the way out, and smiled when he realised how jaded he was to seeing them now. He treated Arceus himself like an old friend, hugged cute, little Diancie and was now high-fiving Groudon, very carefully.

“My life is weird,” Seth mused.

“So, yer sure y’all don’t mind sleeping in the barn?” Applejack asked the small group of Pokemon. Apple Fritter had been given the guest room, but the Pokemon would have to stay in the family’s massive barn.

“We don’t mind,” Igins said, having flown into town to get a translation spell from somepony. “Thank you for putting up with us again Ms. Applejack.”

“Ah, t’aint no trouble,” AJ smiled. “The more the merrier, that’s the Apple Family way!”

“Fritter seems to be taking that quite literally,” Christine smirked, causing Rika to squeak and blush.

“Christine,” Selena sighed as Ignis laughed. AJ looked quite confused.

“Did she say sumthin’ funny?”

“Yeah, she’s quite the practical joker,” Ignis chuckled. Then a devious idea popped into his head. “You know, I think I have an idea. I bet Christine would love to hang out with your little sister and her friends~”

“Bloom? Well, ah can’t see the harm,” AJ smiled. “Ah’ll let ‘em know that they have a new friend to play with.” Applejack headed off to find her sister while Selena broke down into ritorious laughter.

“Nice knowing you Chrissie,” Selena smiled.

From outside, a deafening cheer could be heard. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, DRAGON CATCHERS! YAY!!”

“Oh c’mon,” Christine said with an eye-roll. “D’you seriously think any kids are gonna be able to do to me what all those trainers failed to do back on Earth?”

“Imagine Rika, smaller, Ponyta-shaped and ten times more hyper... Oh, and there’s three of them,” Selena informed the dragon.

“...And on that note, see ya!” the Gabite said, instinctively vanishing and running into the orchard.

“Godspeed, purple dragon!” Ignis saluted.

It was late afternoon by the time Seth returned, limping slightly. Christine, still trying to avoid three extremely persistent fillies was the first to encounter the Luxray.

“Ah, hey Chrissie,” Seth waved with his good paw. “How’s it going?”

“You fool,” she hissed. “You just gave away my position!” With that, she was invisible and off again, hoping it wasn’t too late to continue avoiding the trio of terror.

“That was... new,” Seth blinked. He limped over to the barn, as he could smell Ignis and Selena’s scents. The couple were rearranging some large haybales. Since AJ was letting them stay for free, they decided to help out around the place.

“Hey you two,” Seth said.

“Hey yourself, you took your sweet time-” Ignis saw the way Seth limped. “What happened to you?”

“High-fived Groudon... he’s just as strong as he looks,” Seth smiled and Selena facepawed.

“Aw man, I wanna high-five Groudon,” Ignis pouted. “So did you do whatever it was you went there to do?”

“Yeah, and Diancie is kinda awkward to hug,” he replied. “She’s cute, but, well... she’s a rock.”

“So now you’re hitting on Diancie?” Selena asked. “And I bet you didn’t even realise you were doing it too.”

“I didn’t hit on Diancie,” Seth confirmed her theory.

“Case and point,” Selena shrugged. “I wonder about you sometimes. I swear you have the Oblivious Ability.”

“Jokes aside,” Seth deadpanned. “I wonder what Ability I do have? It either has to be Intimidate, Rivalry or Guts.”

“It’s not Intimidate, I’d have felt it if it was,” Ignis confirmed. “Well, I could use Inferno, burn you and see if you have Guts?”

“I don’t like that idea,” Seth replied. “Not one bit.”

“I figured as much,” Ignis nodded. “I could flirt with Fritter, see if you have Rivalry?”

“You wanna die!?” Selena and Seth echoed.

“Okay, scratch that idea as well,” Ignis grinned. “Well, all those Abilities kinda suck anyway. So does it really matter?”

“Why can’t I have something awesome...” Seth pouted, “Like Wonder Guard?”

“Why are we even talking about this?” Selena asked. “Are we seriously that bored?” It suddenly occurred to the trio, that without Christine or Rika around... it really was boring.

“Oh. My. Arceus,” Selena facepawed. “I actually miss the crazy ones!”

“Not to mention the vow of celibacy we had to take for the duration of our visit,” Ignis groaned. “And I’ll bet every bit I own that Christine is just gonna rub that in.”

“Better than you rubbing one out and the little ones catching you,” Christine’s voice came from above.

All three looked up to see the purple dragon hiding in the rafters of the barn. Seth blinked and was the first to speak up.

“Um, Chrissie... what the hell are you doing?”

“Hiding,” she replied. “I ran in one direction, used Double Team, went invisible, and came here. All three of those little monsters and their Pokemon friends are chasing illusions of me.”

“Clever,” Ignis nodded. “At least that’ll keep ‘em off your tail... until I call them~”

“Considering that they’re currently trying to catch a ‘dragon’ and you’re more like the local ones than myself,” Christine pointed out, “That would not be the wisest move on your part.”

Ignis processed this information for about two seconds, before spreading his wings and took off into the afternoon sky. He figured that a distant mountaintop needed to be visited.

“Great...” Selena muttered. “Thanks Christine.”

“Think about it like this,” she said. “Now you won’t be tempted to jump his bones.”

“Now I’m just tempted to break yours,” She muttered. “I’m gonna go see what Rika’s doing, I think she’s helping cook or something.” Selena brushed some fur from her eyes and left the barn, leaving Seth and Christine to their own devices.

“Provided nothing major happens, we should be outta here in a day or two,” Seth mentioned. “Still, Ponyville seems like a peaceful little town, I bet it’s boring as all heck here most of the time.”

Christine just face-clawed. “Have. You. Learned. Nothing?” she asked. “I’m gonna go see if there are any bomb shelters in the vicinity. I might need one now that you’ve called the wrath of Murphy’s Law down from on high upon us.”

“Seriously?” Seth deadpanned. “I’m all for Murphy jokes, but I hardly doubt that every time I say it, something will happen.”

“...That forest looks wonderful,” Christine said. “I’m just gonna go hide in it until the apocalypse stops being tempted by your words.” With that, the dragon was off at a remarkable clip towards the treeline.

“Aw, but I have so many more!” Seth called out. “Like, I bet nothing could go wrong. Sure hope these peaceful days will last. I’m positive that everything will be just fine. What’s the worst that could happen? I bet no matter what I say, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN!”

“WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP ALREADY?!” the Gabite roared as the Luxray’s words kept spilling forth. Unfortunately, the volume along with the fact that without a translation spell, it sounded like “GABITE GAB GABITE!” got the attention of three small little ponies.

“Ah found it girls!” Apple Bloom cried, carrying a large net.

“Oh hell no, not again!” Christine moaned as she went mostly invisible and began the chase all over again. Seth’s response? He just laughed as he watched the fierce dragon flee in the face of cuteness.

“Oh, how bad could it be?” he called out.

“YOU’RE NOT HELPING!” she screamed. “Either shut up or go away! I don’t need fate to be tempted any more!”

“Ah well, I can’t think of any more anyway,” Seth chuckled. “That was kinda fun though.”

Inside the farmhouse, Apple Fritter and Rika were preparing dinner. While Granny Smith and AJ usually did that, Fritter insisted on helping out, and the rest of the family didn’t complain. The meal of choice? A slow-cooked vegetable stew.

“Mmm, that smells amazing!” Applejack whistled. “Ah must say cuz, yer cookin’ skills are somethin’ else!”

“Thanks,” Fritter blushed. “Ah still can’t get Granny’s Apple Pie recipe right though.”

“Aw, I bet your pie’s plenty tasty~” Rika cooed as Fritter dropped her spoon and blushed redder than Big Macintosh. Applejack tilted her head and blinked.

“Uh, y’all okay there Fritter?”

“F-fine,” Fritter replied quietly. “And that’s enough outta you!” she whispered at Rika, who just giggled in response.

“Oh, kay?” Applejack said hesitantly. “Well, if y’all need help, jus hollar alright?”

“Will do,” Fritter nodded, trying to get her red face under control, and failing miserably. Her current train of mental images wasn’t helping either...

Applejack’s ears pricked up as she heard Apple Bloom yell something about setting a trap. “Consarn it! Ah told that girl not t’bother the Pokemon. Ah’ll be right back.” She headed outside to wrangle her sister and her friends, and save Christine from their incessant chasing.

“Rika!” Fritter swatted at her with a spoon. “Ah can’t believe you! Don’t y’all have an ‘off’ switch?”

“Yes, but you’ll have to hit it with your tongue~” she giggled and Fritter looked like she was about to die from the blood rushing to her face. “And what’s the harm in AJ finding out? I highly doubt that she’d be upset or anything. Isn’t herding a pony thing anyway?”

“W-well...” Fritter replied. “It is... but...”

“There’s a but?” Rika was getting a little worried now. “It’s not illegal is it?”

“No, nothing like that,” Fritter waved a hoof. “It’s just... not quite as common as ah said it was...?”

Rika’s mouth made a little ‘o’ shape. “Well, still... AJ doesn't strike me as the type to be mean or anything. I think we can tell her.”

“An’ ah will,” Fritter said. “Jus’... when ah’m ready is all.”

Applejack came back inside, dragging three protesting fillies with her. “Ah can’t believe you had a net like that! And where in the hay did you get a catapult!?”

“We built it!” Applebloom said with more than a hint of pride.

“You built it...?” Applejack sighed. “Ah outta tan yer hide fer tryin’ to use that on a Pokemon, or any critter fer that matter.”

“But...”

“No buts!” Applejack said. “Now go an’ wash up fer supper. Ah hafta find that dragon and try an’ apologise to ‘er. Just as you three will as well. Got it!?”

“Yes Applejack,” the trio echoed and trudged upstairs.

“Family...” Applejack sighed again. She turned to the duo cooking, “Y’all know how ta find that dragon?”

“An invisible dragon?” Fritter said, spying a red stripe right behind Applejack. “Eenope!”

“You ponies really need to work on your perception,” Christine’s voice came from behind the local Apple mare.

“LANDSAKES!” Applejack jumped a foot into the air as she whirled around. “Don’t sneak up me like that, y’all will give me a heart attack.”

“Considering that you,” the Gabite said, pointing at Applejack, “Set them,” here she pointed at the stairs where the trio of terror had gone, “On me in the first place? Be glad all you’re getting is a scare.” Christine’s eyes were half lidded in irritation as she finished.

“R-right, lesson learned then,” AJ gulped. “Ah didn’t think they’d get so... excited.”

“Really?” a deep voice came from the doorway as Big Macintosh Apple stood there.

“Well, ah hoped that they wouldn’t,” Applejack smiled sheepishly. Big Mac’s brow furrowed as AJ sighed. “Alright, ah’m sorry Ms. Dragon.”

Christine considered for a moment before turning to Apple Fritter. “Just checking, but you’d be pretty upset if any of them even slightly caught on fire, right?”

“Ah reckon ah might be,” Apple Fritter nodded. “Don’t set mah family on fire please.”

“You being upset means no Oran desserts for me, so no, they won’t be set on fire. She’d better get used to me pranking her, though,” the dragon clarified. “Cause that little one has earned it, but this orange one will be paying for it.”

“Ah don’t like the sound of that tone,” AJ gulped, “Should ah be worried?”

“Prolly a little,” Apple Fritter nodded. “She said she’s gonna prank you.”

“Wonderful,” AJ grimaced. “As if Pinkie and Rainbow ain’t enough...”

“DId somepony call me?” A chipper voice replied from atop Christine’s head.

“...Fritter, please tell me what’s on my head before I set it on fire,” the dragon said, eerily calm. Though there was a trickle of smoke coming from her mouth even now...

“That’s cousin Pinkie Pie,” Fritter explained while Rika waved.

“Hey bestie!” Rika giggled.

“Back at you!” Pinkie giggled back and looked down at Christine. “Who’s Smokey the Dragon here?”

“Chrissie!” Rika giggled. “And... you may wanna move.”

“...Is she actual family? One you’d be upset about me hurting?” the dragon asked.

“She’s family,” Fritter replied. “But uh... ah don’t think you could hurt her.”

Pinkie was now standing right in front of Christine. “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie. You’re new in Ponyville right? Do you know what that means?”

“I’m guessing she’s the welcome wagon,” Christine said, slowly getting her heart and breathing under control.

“You could say that...” Fritter said, but Pinkie drowned her out.

“A PARTY!” Pinkie cheered, throwing confetti everywhere. “It’s a little short notice, can I borrow the barn AJ?”

“Uh...”

“Thanks, be riiiight back!” Pinkie bounced out of the door, humming a little tune.

Christine looked from the door to Rika, back to the door, and back to Rika. “...I’m not sure which of you came first,” The dragon finally commented, “But I’m not hanging around both of you.”

The door opened as Pinkie bounced back in... backwards. It was like someone had just hit rewind on her. “Let’s go!” she giggled and the next thing Christine knew, she was in the barn, which was decorated with streamers, balloons and a giant cake.

“This is only a small one,” Pinkie said sadly as she put a party hat on the dragon’s head. “So I could only get this much set up. I’ll totally throw a much bigger one next time!”

“GAH! What the-” The dragon looked around, bemused and confused. “How in the…” She then turned back towards the pink pony and if you listened, you could actually hear her mind breaking. “Okay, you’re not a ‘mon, you don’t know Teleport, and yet somehow you got this all set up and got me here within a few seconds...I...I need a minute.”

“The hell?” Seth looked around the barn as he came in. “Where did...? What?”

“Awesome!” Rika cheered. “You’re the best, Bestie!”

“I am pretty good,” Pinkie giggled. “And your Gabite friend is pretty gabby huh?”

Rika and Pinkie shared another giggle as Seth’s eyes widened. Was this the mare that Rika said she made friends with at the wedding?

“Sweet Arceus, there’s two of them!” he gasped. “I... I was only kidding when I taunted Murphy! I-I didn’t know!”

“Oh I get gabby when I encounter things I don’t understand,” Christine commented. “Helps me analyze them a bit more. And...wait, did she just understand you, Rika?” The Gabite turned to the Sylveon, eyes wide. “Oh please tell me that someone besides Fritter can understand us.”

“I dunno what you’re saying,” Pinkie giggled. “Buuut, I get the feeling that you said, ‘I want some of that delicious cake!’”

“Don’t... just, don’t try to understand Pinkie Pie,” Fritter said. “Just accept it and move on.”

“I highly doubt that cake has any Oran Berries in it anywhere, considering they’re native to Earth,” Christine said with a smirk while crossing her arms. “Which would be the only way I would eat it.”

“This Oran cake is delicious!” Rika giggled as she stuffed her face.

“It’s your favourite right?” Pinkie said. “Eat up alrighty!”

Christine’s jaw just dropped as her mind gave up the ghost. “How...what...when…” she muttered.

Pinkie suddenly vibrated across the floor and her jaw dropped. “I gotta go see Abby, like now! Enjoy the party guys. Later!” and just like that, the mare vanished in a cloud of dust.

“What the fuck just happened?” Selena said, not really knowing how she got here.

“A Pink Pony Rika happened,” Christine replied, her brain replying automatically.

“There’s two of them, there’s two them, there’s two of them,” Seth just rocked back and forth. Rika just giggled and hugged her broken Luxray.

Applejack just chuckled as she replaced her party hat with her Stetson. “Well, ah guess we could have dinner in here tonight. Big Mac, y’all wanna get everypony else?”

“Eeyup,” the stallion rumbled as Rika and Selena swooned at his voice. Seth’s eyes snapped back into focus as she glared at Mac’s retreating form. He had placed a paw around Rika and a low growl was in his throat.

“Mine,” he stated.

Dinner was something else. With quite a few Pokemon, like Korrina and Lucario, Seth’s group and the Apple family. Once the barn filled up, Christine took to the rafters, avoiding all the new faces that suddenly showed up. Seth beckoned for her to come back, but there was no way the dragon was gonna have that many eyes on her.

Night had fallen and most ponies and Pokemon had retreated to bed. Fritter had sighed more than once, knowing her herdmates would be in the barn, whilst she was inside the house all by herself. Sleep would not come easy to the mare tonight.

Ignis was sitting on the roof of the barn, staring up at the bright night sky. He wasn’t really tired yet, despite the fact Selena was already snoozing peacefully, at least for now.

He held a Mega stone up in front of him, it’s dark colourations of the Charizardite shining all the more in the pale moonlight.

“Still no good,” he muttered. “I’m still not strong enough...”

“What’s eatin’ you, flame-brain?” Christine called from across the roof. She hated it when others snuck up on her, so she’d extend the same courtesy...to those that had earned it.

Ignis was so deep in thought, the voice still caught him off-guard as he fumbled with the stone. “Huh? Oh, ah... nothing much really. What’s up? Can’t sleep?”

“I caught a nap on the train,” the dragon said with a wave. “I’m good for a few hours yet. ‘sides, I didn’t have the most regular sleep cycle in the wilds. So spill,” she finished by prodding him in the ribs with one claw.

“Heh,” Ignis chuckled as she struck his ticklish spot. “Yeah... well,” he held up the Mega stone so she could see. “Just this old thing.”

“Huh,” she said, giving it a look. “That your Mega stone?”

Ignis motioned to the one in his neckpiece. “No, this is my other one... and my curse.” The stone he held was Charizardite X. “The one I can’t control...”

“Okay, stupid question time. If you know you can’t control it, then why are you keeping it around?” the Gabite asked.

“Because I want to control it!” Ignis replied. “With my current stone, my type doesn’t change, I just become a stronger, faster version of me... But this one?” he glared at the stone like it was an old enemy, hell, it might as well have been. “With this, I become a Dragon-type, and it’s because of that type change that I can’t control it.”

Christine sighed and drew a little closer to the Charizard. “Let me ask you another silly question then, Ignis.” She raised an arm and willed it to become invisible. “Do you think I was BORN this way?”

“I get the general idea of your story,” Ignis nodded. “Vincent brought it up... a lot. Where are you going with it?”

“Do you think I got the manual as to how to control my invisibility overnight?” she deadpanned. “I had to learn how to understand how my startle reflex affected my new powers, and then I had to learn how to reach for it willingly. And even then, doing tricks like this, just one part at a time? Lots of focus and willpower.”

“I’ve had this stone for over five years,” Ignis said. “And in that five years, I’ve tried to use it a total of three times... and in all three of those cases?” Ignis paused as he tried to remember, the problem was that he couldn’t. All he had to go by was what his Trainer and friends would tell him.

“Did you know that last time I used it, I almost killed Seth. I almost killed my brother!”

“Okay, yeah, going to admit that that sounds bad,” Christine said with a nod. “Still, correct me if I go off-course, yeah? You can’t control it, right?”

“More like I can’t control my Dragon half,” Ignis admitted. “All that power, that energy? It consumes me. I can’t even remember what I do when I’m in that form.”

“And if I understand how a Mega stone works, it does so by unlocking all of a ‘mon’s hidden potential,” Christine commented. “Right so far?”

“Yes,” Ignis responded. “I can use Dragon-type moves in my current state, but for some reason... I don’t know.”

“Well then,” the dragon commented. “Options as I see them. One, you throw the stone away. Likely?”

“I’ve thought about it,” Ignis replied. “But honestly, do you think I’d stand for losing against an inanimate rock?”

“Fair enough,” Christine said with a nod. “Option two, you find a Psychic that can help you with this little...dispute your Dragon side and you seem to be having.”

“Tried that too,” Ignis sighed. “Diantha’s Gardevoir attempted that, since as a Fairy, she could try while I was Evolved... that... didn’t go well for either of us.” He wondered if they’d fixed the section of the Battle Mansion they’d obliterated.

“And then we have option three,” here Christine looked over at Ignis. “We get you used to your Dragon side.”

Ignis snorted, “Oh, and pray tell, how do we do that?”

“Well,” she said, thinking for a minute. “I know you don’t seem the meditating type, but that’s the first thing that comes to mind.”

“I can be pretty chill if I need to be,” Ignis laughed.

“Fair enough,” the Gabite said with a shrug. “It’s just...being chill with your own self is going to be hard. After all,” she swung her tail around and made it vanish. “This is a part of me. I can’t run from it, hide it, or cut it out of myself. It’s me, and I’m it. And in a similar way, your Dragon side is a part of you. You both have something in common, anyways.”

“That we can appreciate cute dragon-butt?” he chuckled, getting a full view now that her tail was invisible.

“You both hate to lose,” she replied, bopping him on the nose with a claw. “He just hates to lose to anyone or anything, from the sound of it. You need to strike a middle ground. He brings the power, you bring the restraint. Otherwise that little stone there might as well be an Everstone.”

Ignis nodded, he wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of such insightful advice. “You’re pretty wise for someone so young. Thanks Christine.”

“Yeah, well, when I start following that advice, you can call me that,” she said with a scowl before turning around and making to leave.

“What’s the rush?” Ignis said, pulling her back down. “Stay and enjoy the stars with me for a while...” he paused and then added, “As friends.”

“Yeah, was about to say,” Christine commented with an eye-roll. “Selena’s made it quite clear I’m not to make a move on you. Plus even if I were, there’s that whole ‘not on the farm’ rule in play.”

“Funny thing is, I’m the one that prefers one mate only,” Ignis chuckled. “Did you know that Rika and Selena were together for a while?”

“That’d explain her comments at the house,” the Gabite said, putting a few things together. “Bet those ribbons were pretty useful.”

“Didn’t ask for details,” Ignis replied. “But I guess so?”

“Though one would think the horn would also be quite stimulating,” the dragon commented idly. “That is, if it were used right.”

“That horn is razor sharp, I doubt that,” Ignis winced. “Ouch...”

“Eh, they could probably just cover it with something thick enough if they wanted to use it,” Christine observed. “Plus it’d leave her mouth open.”

“Why are we discussing this?” Ignis blushed slightly. “You really need to get a mate.”

“Got a ‘mon in mind and until then, I’m pretty pent up,” the dragon observed with a huff. “Not allowed to touch anyone cause of your views on how it all should work. Not the best of times for me, especially with the rules in place on the farm preventing me from relieving myself.”

“Too bad you can’t fly, there’s a nice secluded mountaintop near here,” Ignis trailed off.

“Why Ignis, are you offering me a rendezvous?” the younger dragon asked shamelessly.

“Hardly,” Ignis snorted in amusement. “You couldn’t handle me anyway kid.”

“Oh please,” the Gabite said with a wave. “One Rock Slide and you’d be mine to deal with as I saw fit.”

“One Dragon Bullet and you’d spend the rest of our trip dreaming about it instead,” Ignis said with a light chuckle.

“That would be assuming you could find me,” she replied with an invisible nose-swat. “I’m pretty good at hiding until the last moment, which is usually when I pounce with a super-effective move.”

Ignis gave his wings a slight twitch. “Gotta fly if you wanna dance with this dragon, little lady,” Ignis retorted. “Selena’s the only ‘mon to ever keep me grounded.”

“Aww,” she pouted as she let her claw fade back in as it trailed up his ribs. “You’re no fun. All look and no touch.”

“Sorry,” Ignis replied. He did feel a little bad, Christine was awfully cute. “You’ll find someone soon, and they’ll treat you the way you should be treated, like something rare and precious.” Ignis placed a claw on her shoulder and smiled. “Who knows if Sam is that ‘mon or not, love is a fickle thing after all. But you can bet if they don’t treat you right, I’ll have something to say about it.”

“You’re sweet,” Christine said with only a light blush. “And really, I wouldn’t mind getting a little actual experience about the more physical aspects...especially if it were you doing it.”

“And I’m flattered,” Ignis replied. “But, I can’t... I’m sorry.”

“Figures,” the Gabite sighed. “The one male that’s actually tempted me away from my Sam, and you have to be the forbidden fruit.”

“That’s the way the Poffin crumbles,” Ignis nodded. “Sorry I’m so irresistibly sexy.”

“Oh no you’re not,” Christine said with a wicked smile. “After all, the teasing has only just begun. And since you think my butt is cute, why don’t you get a good eyeful?”

With that, she jumped down from the roof, but on the way, Ignis swore he could see more than a decent ‘mon should be able to.

“That girl is going to be the death of me,” he sighed. And then jumped when Selena leapt up onto the roof from the other side. “Oh, ah... how long have you been there?”

“Somewhere around the time you mentioned your Mega stone,” she replied. “And... her butt is kinda cute I suppose.” She sighed as she sat next to her mate and nuzzled him. “I wouldn't blame you, you know... after all... she can give you what I can’t.”

A lump formed in Ignis’s throat. “It’s... that’s really bothering you isn’t it?”

“That I can’t give you a child?” Selena snorted. “What gave you that idea?” She frowned as she flexed her claws. “It’s not fair...”

“Life sucks sometimes,” Ignis nodded, holding her close. “And don’t worry about things like that. I don’t love you any less because of it.”

“Yeah, just go to sleep,” Selena said, shoving her mate. “I’ll be down in a minute. Night is kinda my thing after all.”

“The nightmares again?” Ignis asked, and Selena paused.

“...No, just... don’t worry alright. Go to bed Ignis. You know what you’re like if you don’t get enough sleep.”

“Yeah, fine.” Ignis yawned. “Don’t be too long alright?”

Selena nodded and watched him leave. Once he was gone, she stared back up at the moon as she curled up, sighing gently at the night sky.

“I don’t deserve someone like you,” she whispered.

Author's Note

Author’s notes -

Bubba- I made three edits. That’s about it. I also just helped by giving company… Sweet, sweet company. Oh, wait, I made the “Fritter’s got wood joke.” And now that’s about it...

Thadius0 - The original version of this chapter was WAY more raunchy. Aus toned it down. Forcibly. I might keep the original scenes hanging around in my memory to taunt Aus with.~

Aus - You would too. And... I fear for Fritter’s future sanity with what you threatened.

Thad - Hey, I’m just the little imp on your shoulder. The fact that what I suggest happens to wind up coming out of somemon’s mouth is all you.

tdnpony - Oh dear, I smell trouble.

Zeus- I’m honestly wondering how the CMC’s are still alive at this point... great chapter as usual

Thad - Christine wouldn’t hurt a kid, no matter how annoying they are! She has some limits.

Chapter Thirty

Selena woke with a start, panting heavily as sweat dripped from her forehead. She took a few moments to calm down as she sighed.

“At least I wasn’t screaming that time,” Selena chuckled weakly to herself. Everyone else seemed to be sleeping, but then the sun hadn’t risen yet either.

“Great... yeah, not like I need sleep anyway,” Selena sighed. She got up from her spot next to Ignis, the dragon stirring slightly as his fluffy pillow left.

The Absol padded her way outside, surprised to see Applejack standing on the front porch, yawning while she stretched. The Apple mare spotted the Dark type and offered a friendly wave.

“Nice ta see not everypony here is a sleepyhead,” AJ smiled, but upon seeing Selena’s tired expression, she changed her own.

“Rough sleep?” she asked. Selena paused, and then nodded.

“Ah’m sorry t’hear that,” AJ replied. “And ah’m guessing y’all don’t have a spell on you to talk about it huh?” Again, Selena nodded as she found herself walking next to Applejack as the mare trotted towards the west orchard.

“It’s not like I’d tell you anything anyway,” Selena muttered. “And why am I following you?”

“Y’all feel like giving me a hoof with the chores huh?” AJ smiled. “Ah appreciate it.”

“...Seriously? We’re actually doing this?” Selena deadpanned. She watched as Applejack reared up and slammed a nearby tree with her hind hooves, knocking down about a dozen or so apples.

“Yeah... this looks more like a Fritter thing,” Selena said to herself. “Randomly hitting trees... I bet Christine would love this job as well...”

Selena didn’t do all that much, beyond helping Applejack move the buckets for collecting apples and picking up the ones that missed. It was boring as anything, and Selena made the odd motion or nod when Applejack asked her a question... but the work was still enough to keep her mind off of things.

Eventually, the sun had risen and Granny Smith was ringing on the bell to inform them that breakfast was ready...

“So what do y’all have planned fer today?” AJ asked after they’d had breakfast.

“I have to meet someone in town,” Seth replied. “Some Pokemon Ranger by the name of Abby Trombley...”

“I know her,” Korrina spoke up. “Nice enough girl... waaaay to friendly with her Arcanine though.”

“Interesting,” Seth mused. He noticed a few other things as well, like how close Korrina was sitting to her Lucario. Guess they were finally getting used to Equestria.

As Apple Fritter put the dishes in the sink, AJ saw Rika nuzzling Seth and chuckled.

“Aw, y’all lookin’ real close there Seth,” the mare cooed. “Is that yer ‘Special Somepony’?”

“Ah, well...” Seth blushed a little as Rika nodded. Fritter on the other hoof, she nearly broke the plate she was holding. That wasn’t fair, Rika could cuddle up to Seth, but she couldn’t!

“One of them, anyways,” Christine said with a smirk, “And believe me, they’re not nearly as close as they could be.”

Korrina’s ear flicked. She never would have thought that Seth Crescent of all people would be involved with his Pokemon. “What do you mean by that?” she asked.

“About which part?” the Gabite asked. “The part where he’s got multiple girls, or the part where the only thing going on at night is when Ignis thinks we can’t hear him from the house?”

Had the dragon been present, he might have blushed. So Selena filled that position for him instead. Korrina gave Seth an amused smirk and raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, is that so Mr. Crescent? And here I thought you were involved with Elesa...”

Seth refused to answer that one. She knew damn well that the two had broken it off. Fritter had now switched to muttering under her breath as she continued the dishes, opening and closing drawers with a little more force than necessary.

“Aww, lighten up, Fritter,” Christine called. “After all, I’m sure the day will come when you and Rika get to play with puffball here.”

Korrina’s jaw suddenly dropped as she put two and two together. Seth’s second girl was the Apple mare over there? Fritter suddenly squeaked and dropped a plate, the ceramic dish shattering on the floor. Applejack trotted over to her, placing a hoof on her withers.

“Y’all okay sugarcube?” she asked. “Yer just a bundle of nerves this mornin’ huh?”

“S-sorry,” Fritter replied.

Korrina leant across the table and grinned. “Well done Mr. Crescent, I didn’t think you had it in you!”

“Don’t. Tell. Anyone!” he replied with a harsh whisper.

“Aw, but that’s no fun~” Korrina giggled. If looks could kill right now, Korrina and Christine would be six feet under.

“Well I don’t see the problem,” Seth replied. “You seem awfully cozy with Lucario over there.” This time it was Korrina’s turn to blush and look away, while Seth looked genuinely surprised. “Wait... you that you’re actually-”

“Whoa hey! Look at the time!” Korrina suddenly shouted. She grabbed her Aura Pokemon and headed for the door. “We gotta go train. Let’s go Lucario.” And then she couldn’t have possibly left any quicker.

“What the? Is everypony actin’ weird this mornin’? Or is it jus’ me?” Applejack said.

“With that Pink Pony around, you don’t get to define weird,” Christine deadpanned.

“Point,” Seth nodded. “Pinkie Pie is really strange.”

“Y’all need to get a spell, it’s confusing having only part of a conversation,” Applejack said.

“Do you really want me to get a spell?” Christine said with a raised eyebrow at Seth.

“Christine is fine, you don’t really need to understand her,” Seth replied. “She says that she really enjoyed playing with Apple Bloom yesterday though.”

“Really?” Applejack said with disbelief. “And here ah thought that they caused her nothing but trouble.”

“No, she likes to ‘Play Rough’,” Selena giggled. Even Apple Fritter snorted in amusement at that one.

“If the next words out of your mouth are not the honest truth, puffball, then you can join this orange mare in being pranked by me,” the Gabite growled. “And my last prank involved a trainer, his Snorlax, and one of them being launched into Lower-Earth-Orbit.”

“Fiiiine,” Seth replied. “Oh, did you want to come into town with us today?”

“Considering all the taunting you did of fate yesterday? I’m going to look for a good place to lay low.” The dragon snorted a little, some smoke coming out of her nose. “I have no idea what you were thinking.”

Applejack decided to ignore the one sided conversation and turned back to her cousin. “So Fritter? How’s Canterlot been treatin’ ya?”

“Busy,” Fritter said. “Keeping the orders for the local businesses filled, all the Pokemon-related incidents and now ah have a new type of plant to worry about...” Fritter knew that if she didn’t corner the market with Berries soon, then somepony else might and take a lot of her business away.

“Those Berries are sumthin’ else alright. But ah wouldn’t worry too much. Apples will just do their best! No if’s, and’s or but’s about it!”

Fritter nodded and then AJ switched to a more personal topic. Her cousin had been antsy ever since she got here, and she’d only ever acted like that once before.

“So cuz, you got yerself a special somepony?”

Fritter’s face went bright red as she stood there stammering. Deciding to take a note from Korrina’s strategy, she grabbed Seth and Rika, before running towards the door.

“Well lookit th’ time, We really oughtta git goin’,” she said and bolted from the room.

Applejack blinked and looked at Christine. “Whut in the hay was that all about?”

The Gabite smirked slightly and pointed at the door the trio had just exited from, before raising and lowering one claw three times, hoping the mare would catch on to what she was trying to say, before bringing both her claws together.

“Uh, ain’t you supposed to wave goodbye, before they leave?” she asked. “You should go to Twilight and get one of those spells. Ah gotta get some chores done today.”

“Are we playing Charades?” Apple Bloom said from the doorway. Applejack just shrugged and headed off, leaving the dragon with the filly and her Bulbasaur.

“Hello!” Bulbasaur said to the Gabite.

“Oh great, you two again,” the dragon groused, before perking up. “Say kid, how well does she understand you?”

“It’s touch and go sometimes,” Bulbasaur said. “Though she’s learned we shouldn’t battle Voltorb.”

“Good enough,” Christine said. “The message is simple: That Luxray, that Sylveon, and that Apple family member that just left? They’re together together.”

“Like a family?” Bulbasaur asked. “That’s kinda sweet~”

“A little more than that, but good enough. See if you can’t get your friend there to understand and pass it on to the older one,” the dragon smirked. And with this, her vengeance was complete.

“You have a scary smile on yer face, Ms. Dragon,” Apple Bloom gulped. Bulbasaur made a few motions with his vines, trying to pass along Christine’s message.

Apple Bloom understood completely, so great was the bond with her Pokemon.

“She’s GONNA EAT US!?” the filly shrieked and bolted from the room, Bulbasaur sighed and apologised before following slowly behind her...

After being dragged away, they’d fetched Ignis and Selena had caught up with them a moment later. Seth decided that he was going to leave Fritter be for a bit, the mare seemed to have a lot on her mind, so he had taken the lead and led his little group to the hotel where this Pokemon Ranger was supposed to be staying. She was a Ninetales, according to Celestia, and had an Arcanine accompanying her. They weren’t there for very long before he spotted them crossing the street and walking towards them.

“Well, here goes nothing,” Seth gulped. We’ll either have a nice conversation, or they’ll try to arrest me... should be fun for the whole family.”

As it turned out, the Ninetales and the Arcanine had also spotted him. “Hello,” the Arcanine greeted with an easy smile. “Looking for us?”

Seth nodded, though it didn’t stop Selena and Rika taking a defensive position on either side of him. “Are you the resident Pokemon Ranger here in Ponyville?”

“Well, technically Luny and Sol were here before us, and my mother is probably the one who’s going to be in charge, but sure, let’s go with that,” the Ninetales said with a smile. “Top Rangers Abby Trombley and Kasai at your service.” She glanced at Selena and Rika. “And I hope you’re not criminals looking to settle an old score... you’re kinda out gunned.” She nudged Kasai with one of her hips.

“Pft! I could so take him,” Ignis puffed indignantly, but Seth just gave him a warning glare.

“Nothing of the sort,” Seth replied and showed to silver collar around his neck. It was similar to the ones worn by Celestia and Luna, and bore both their Cutie Marks. “My name is Seth Crescent, Captain of the Canterlot Pokemon Special Forces and I’m here by order of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia of the kingdom of Equestria.”

“That’s a real mouthful huh?” Rika giggled.

Abby blinked. “Crescent... Crescent where have I heard that surname before...” she frowned and trailed off. “Oh! I remember now!”

Seth gave a slight chuckle. “Yes, I had a... reputation, back on Earth. But I did what I thought was right and now it is neither here nor there... unless you have a problem with it?”

Abby and Kasai exchanged a look and then they both began to chuckle, Kasai’s deep and bassy while Abby’s was lighter. It took them a moment to get it together before shaking their heads. Seth just blinked at the odd response. Did he say something funny?

“No, no we don’t have a problem with people who spoke out against the hypocrisy that was the Pokephilia system,” Kasai said, leaning down to lick Abby’s cheek. “Trust me.”

Seth’s ear gave a small flick, what did they mean by that?

“No indeed,” Abby agreed before she leaned up and licked Kasai on the lips. “See, we weren’t exactly ‘honest supporters’ of it ourselves.”

Seth’s eyes widened as it finally dawned on him. No wonder the Ninetales smelled a lot like the Arcanine next to her. “So you two are-”

“I thought it was pretty obvious,” Rika deadpanned.

“I do kind of smell a lot like him, especially around the important areas,” Abby added with a small smirk as she leaned up to nuzzle Kasai. “So, Mister Crescent, what can I do for you and my dear supporters Princess Celestia and Luna?”

Seth took a second to compose himself, a Pokemon Ranger that was with her Pokemon? It threw him for a bit of a loop. “Ah, well.*ahem* I am here to see how the Ranger’s are coming along here in Ponyville, as well as introducing myself, as the newest, and first, member of the Canterlot Royal Guard, Pokemon Special Forces Division.”

Abby raised an eyebrow before smiling. “Well then congratulations on becoming a Special Forces member,” she said before her tone turned a bit more serious. “As for how we’re ‘coming along’, we haven’t gotten anywhere just yet. We haven’t even met with any contractors yet to set the Union’s new base of operations up. I’ve been hoping that they’d arrive but they haven’t shown up yet. We have four ex-human rangers here counting myself and nine pokemon who can be counted as either Rangers themselves or parts of Teams. I’m not sure how that’s going to work just yet.”

Seth nodded, “I’m afraid I can’t really help you there. But I still have much travelling to do, so I’ll pass the word along to any Rangers should I come across them.” He paused as he reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. “Here, from Princes Celestia.”

Abby closed her eyes for a moment before the piece of parchment floated out of his jaws and slowly, very slowly, floated over to them, opening up for her to see.

It was a Royal Decree, for Abby Trombley and the Pokemon Rangers to have use of Ponyville Town Hall as a temporary base of operations.

“She figured you at least might need a more suitable place than a hotel to run things from for now.” Seth said.

Abby’s eyes widened and she smiled. “Wonderful!” she exclaimed. “Thanks Celestia!” She glanced at Kasai for a moment. “Wait here, I’m going to run this inside to mom so she can start getting things going.”

“Alrighty,” Kasai said, the Ninetales darting back into the hotel. He then shook his head and glanced up at the Charizard. “As for you taking me, eh, I don’t know, I’ve fought bigger,” he said with a playful grin on his lips, tongue lolling to the side of his mouth.

Ignis folded his arms and grinned back, “Well I’ll tell you what puppy. When you can beat Moltres, like I did, then we’ll chat about who can take who!”

“I swear,” Selena muttered. “If you had pants, I’d tell you to keep it inside.”

Kasai just chuckled. “Normally I’d challenge ya, but I’ve got eggs to look after right now and I don’t want get put in bed for a while for nothing,” he said with a small chuckle. “On the off chance that you’re actually capable of making true on that little boast of yours.”

“You’re a father?” Ignis said, as Selena stiffened and looked away. “Congrats. They belong to that cute Ninetales?”

“Yep,” Kasai replied with a nod of his head, glancing slightly at Selena before looking back to the Charizard. “A certain someone went into Heat without realizing it and we’re calling it a happy accident, heh.”

“Well, congratulations none-the-less,” Seth said.

“Thanks,” Kasai said with a smile on his muzzle. “So, other then give us that decree, what are you guys in town for?”

“Well, a mare named Applejack wanted a family meeting regarding the growing of Berries and various techniques. Apple Fritter here is her cousin and already has a nice crop going in Canterlot, so there’s that... among other things.”

“And we just want to visit some friends,” Rika added.

Kasai nodded. “Ah, I gotcha, we’ve mostly been in the middle of ‘egg frenzy’ for the last couple days so we haven’t had time to do much looking around town,” he told them with a small frown. “Hmm, anything you’d like from Abby and I specifically? We are Top Rangers after all.”

Seth nodded, “Actually... I was hoping if I could get some basic training off of you. My Pokemon form is still new to me and any help I could get would be greatly appreciated.”

Kasai grinned an evil grin as Abby returned. She took one look at his face and glanced at Seth. “Who signed up for an afternoon long training match?” she inquired, her voice deadpan.

“That would be me,” Seth said with a confused tone. And why did he not like the look in that Arcanine’s eyes?

“Ooooh this is going to be fun,” Abby said before glancing at the others, blinking. “And I’m so sorry for ignoring the rest of you, mind giving us some introductions?”

“My name is Rika~” the Sylveon giggled, wrapping Abby up in a hug.

“I’m Selena,” The Absol stated half-heartedly.

“Ignis is my name, nice to meet you!” the Charizard roared.

“And I’m Apple Fritter,” the Earth Pony finally said, using her Canterlot tone. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Same to all of you, and man you are way more touchy then Lex is,” Abby said as she looked down at Rika, leaning down to lick the Sylveon on the cheek.

“I just like hugs~” Rika giggled, returning the lick. “Hee, you taste like vanilla.”

“That she does,” Kasai agreed, licking Abby’s cheek.

“And you taste like hmmm...” Abby frowned for a moment as she thought about the taste. “... rain, I want to say rain.”

Kasai sniffed. “Yeah, rain sounds about right,” he agreed, glancing down at the Sylveon before carefully placing a paw on her chest and gently pushing her away from Abby. “Mind letting go of my mate now?”

“Sure!” Rika giggled and latched onto the Arcanine instead. “Your turn now.”

“Ack!” he exclaimed playfully before smirking and bringing his head down to sniff at her ears, exhaling on her. “Hmmm, and you smell like Seth does up close, along with Miss Fritter as well.” He glanced up at Seth and Fritter wryly. “Any particular reason for that, Mister Crescent?”

‘Well, we’re busted,’ Seth chuckled nervously. “Well ah, it’s kind of a long story...”

“No it’s not,” Rika interrupted. “Seth, Fritter and I are together. How long does it take to say that?”

“To a Pokemon Ranger?” Seth queried.

The color drained from Rika’s face. “Oh.”

“A Pokemon Ranger who has been mating with her Arcanine since she was ohhhh eighteen,” Kasai said dryly. “I think you’re safe.”

Abby chuckled. “Yeah, please, don’t worry about it.” She glanced over him and Seth felt those red eyes searching him deeply. Then she did the same thing with Rika. “I’m not seeing any signs of abuse on her, no scarring, bruising or otherwise, nor is she latched onto your waist or holding onto you the way that many do. I think you’re more than likely a nice guy who ‘lucked out’ and happened to bag two beautiful ladies.”

When Abby had spoken, Rika had immediately let go of Kasai and run to Seth’s side, while Selena had a low growl filling her throat. Even Apple Fritter seemed confused by their reactions. She’d never seen them act like this before as she hugged her little Sylveon.

“Sorry,” Seth apologised. “They don’t mean anything by it... just, they way you sounded... it was a lot like every visit we made to a Pokemon Center. They’d constantly check for ‘signs of abuse’ whenever we visited them, all because of reputation.”

Abby blinked and then shook her head. “Oh, oh I’m so sorry,” she said, moving up to give Rika a lick. “I didn’t mean anything by it other than the fact that you three look like you’re fine together. Really cute together actually.”

“Thanks Abby,” Rika said softly. “We are really happy, right?” Seth and Fritter nodded as the three shared a brief hug. Selena just shrugged and powered down the Night Slash she had been building up. Kasai for his part untensed his back and a bit of a glow left his fangs.

“Right then, you signed up for a crash course of training, Kasai style?” Abby asked Seth, getting them onto a hopefully less touchy subject.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Seth agreed. Rika jumped up, already back to being bright and bubbly.

“New plan!’ she shouted. “We’re all gonna be friends and it’s gonna be awesome.” she looked at Selena. “First, Selly. You need to say sorry for being so bitchy!”

“What!?” Selena grabbed the fairy. “What did you call me?”

“Oh for the love of Celestia,” Seth sighed. “Don’t worry, these two are often like this... sisters will be sisters after all. But Rika has a point. Friends?”

“Hell yes,” Abby replied with a casual grin. “You can never have too many friends right? Especially the type that won’t mind when I do this.” So saying, she leaned up and gave Kasai the best approximation of a kiss she could with a muzzle. Kasai simply smiled and kissed her back.

“She’s kinda frolicking in this whole ‘unrestricted love’ thing,” Kasai told Seth once the Ninetales had stopped kissing him.

“Ooh, oh!” Rika bounced. “I can do that too~” she suddenly pounced on Seth and gave him a deep kiss, humming happily.

“Your mate isn’t the only one,” Selena smiled.

“I can tell,” Abby said, chuckling softly as she looked between her and the Charizard. “So, are you two going to stick around and watch Seth here get beat into the dirt, or do you have other plans for the day?” she inquired, sniffing the air around the two of them for a moment before jumping to a conclusion. “Fun plans.” She smiled slyly.

“Perhaps,” Selena replied with a salacious smirk.

Seth finally got Rika off of him, only to have Fritter help him up and get her own kiss in.

“Wow, and I thought I was a ‘stud’,” Kasai commented with a smirk as he looked at the ongoing kiss before he glanced at Ignis. “Though, you mentioned you wanted a good fight right?”

“Yeah?” Ignis was intrigued as Selena just blinked and sighed.

“My team mate Axle, who is a Haxorus and a mighty strong one at that, is off in the woods over in that direction-’” Kasai used a paw to point. “-so-”

Kasai didn’t even finish before Ignis took to the skies and roared. Selena watched her mate fly away, along with her plans for a romantic day out.

“Couch, forever!” she muttered at the retreating dragon before sending death glares at Kasai.

“... I didn’t think he’d do it now...” Kasai said, blinking blankly before he glanced at her. “Sorry.”

“That idiot is fight happy, but I suppose it’s just one more thing I love about him,” Selena sighed. “And Seth, can you stop making out already? We have things to do... like the insane Gabite we left behind.”

Seth’s eyes widened as he realised he’d left Christine at the farm. “Oh crap...”

“Insane Gabite?” Abby inquired, glancing at Seth with a raised eyebrow.

“An experiment of one Doctor Nurem,” Seth explained. “She’s a Gabite with the powers of a Kecleon and a very short fuse. I just hope the farm hasn’t burned down yet.”

The Ninetales frowned for a moment. “A friend of Vincent’s?”

“You know Vincent?” Seth exclaimed. “Well, yeah... though more of a friend of Sam, a Scizor. She has a... fascination, with him. We’re headed to Las Pegasus after we’re done here actually.”

“We know him,” Kasai answered the first question. “Though not very well personally. That was more of Luke who went to see him yesterday. Hmmm, if you’re going to go to Las Pegasus, mind saying hi to them for us?”

“And maybe we should train you after you deal with the insane Gabite,” Abby added dryly.

“That would be nice, thank you Miss Trombley,” Seth said. “And I’ll be happy to say hello to this ‘Luke’ for you. What Pokemon is he?”

“A sensitive Gallade,” Abby answered before glancing at Rika. “A warning in advance... don’t hug him unexpectedly. He’ll either have a panic attack or he’ll stab you.”

Rika gulped. “Noted, no huggy the Gallade.”

“Thanks,” Abby told her with a smile, looking over at Seth. “So, mind if we tag along on this little ‘job’ of yours? We could probably save time and train on the farm.”

“Hmm, that might work. Just leave Christine to me and Selena though. We’ve already got experience with her, and I fear she’d relapse if someone else tried something. Just, don’t make eye contact, at least for very long and use threatening tones. And don’t ever call her a Number or experiment. Name only.”

“We can manage that...” Kasai looked down. “Trust me, we’ve seen the type before. You’re her ‘handlers’ for the time being.”

“Well then, let’s be off!” Seth said and headed for Sweet Apple Acres. Too bad that Apple Fritter really didn’t want to go.

Seth and Co. lead them towards the Apple Family farm, Abby Trombley grinned as did Kasai, their tails twining together as they walked. After a bit they arrived on the farm and Fritter headed off to find a suitable place for them to train.

Meanwhile, Christine was observing from a distance and wondered if the two lovepuppies that were with Seth were the Ranger’s he had gone to meet.

“She should be around here,” Seth stated, casting his gaze from left to right across the Apple Family’s not-insignificant orchards. “At least, she was when I left this morning. Kinda hard to find her when she doesn’t want to be found.”

“I’m still surprised that you left her here unguarded. Kinda seems like a mistake in my mind,” Abby mused as she looked around as well.

Kasai for his part just sniffed the air. “Na, she’s around here somewhere, there’s a definite ‘Gabite’ smell in the air.”

“Well for all the arguing she and Titania did, she’s really taken well to us...once she got to know us anyway,” Seth admitted. “She...probably won’t trust you right off the bat. But at least with you being Fire-types, she probably won’t threaten to set you on fire.” Which only means she’ll get creative, he mused afterwards.

“Eh, we’re friendly enough that I don’t think she’ll have any reason to set us on fire anyways,” Abby said with a chuckle. “After all, we’re just a pair of happy canines, hah.”

“‘Happy’ is an understatement,” A voice said from the tree above them. “Geeze, could you two smell any more like each other? It’s called a bath.”

“Kinda hard to wash it off, we kinda sleep together,” Abby replied, glancing up. “And walk together, and eat together, along with pretty much everything else, with a few exceptions of course.”

The form of the Gabite jumped down and tilted her head at the trio. “Seth, I assume these two are the ones you went out to see?”

“You’d be right,” he confirmed with a nod. “Abby, Kasai, this is Christine. Christine, these two are the Rangers I went to see, Abby and her mate Kasai.”

“Hey there,” Kasai said with a doggy grin, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

“Hello,” Abby said as well, smiling up at her.

“Hey,” she said to both of them before turning to more completely face Seth. “Hey, in case it comes up, I did NOT threaten to eat the filly or the Bulbasaur.”

“...I’m going to have to smooth things over between you and the Apple family, aren’t I,” the Luxray deadpanned.

“Maybe?” Christine said with a scratch behind her head. “If it helps any, I wouldn’t eat a Pony, and the kid’s too small for me yet.”

Abby just raised an eyebrow. “Well, try and avoid it, I’ve heard from Rill that Bulbasaur don’t taste very good, too ‘green’.”

“It’s why I said he’s too small,” the Gabite said with a small nod. “Ivysaur at least is my preference. Small fire to cook over, they aren’t too bad.”

“Magikarp for me personally... with lots of butter,” Kasai said with a grin trailing off for a moment before he shook his head. “Haven’t had it since I got here.” He pouted adorably causing Abby to shake her head and chuckle, nuzzling him.

“Eh, I’m pretty sure there’s a river in those woods,” the dragon said with a shrug of her shoulders. “If you have time, you might make a trip of it.”

Kasai frowned. “I just might do that...”

Seth shuddered, the thought of eating Pokemon... no... just, no...

“So!” Christine said with a bit more volume behind it. “What are you all here for? I doubt it was just to see little ol’ me.”

“I’m here to teach Seth how to fight,” Kasai said, a grin on his doggy lips. “I’m going to enjoy it.”

“...Puffball here needs help in that aspect?” the Gabite said with a wicked smile. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy watching that.”

“Maybe from out of sight, it’s going to be bad enough for him to have it happen in front of his team as it is,” Abby said with a wicked smirk of her own.

“Aww,” Christine pouted. “But then how will they see that I’m enjoying it if I have to keep myself invisible?”

“You can make rude gestures without having to worry about anyone seeing?” Kasai hazarded.

“True,” the Gabite admitted. “Plus I’ll be able to ogle all I want and nobody will know.”

Abby smirked and bumped Kasai’s hip with hers. “I just do it out in the open, hehe.”

“Do any of you have an off switch?” Seth asked in a drained tone.

“After I mount her she usually stays quiet for a few hours,” Kasai said.

“Not what I had in mind,” Seth said, his cheeks flushing a bit. “Besides which, there’s foals around here, so none of my team can relieve themselves at the farm.”

“Eh, I’m sure they can find somewhere to do it,” Abby said, a smirk on her lips. “I mean there is a big wooded area over there, trust me, you can do a lot in the woods.”

“Ignis said something about a mountain last night,” Christine mused. “Wonder if he’d be willing to take Selena up there with him next time...Pity I can’t fly yet, otherwise I might ambush him up there.”

Abby chuckled. “If you really want to piss off a Herald of Disaster by stealing her mate from her, you go right ahead, just don’t be too surprised if something bad happens.”

Seth made to reply, but the Gabite cut him off. “Pretty sure she’d only be mad that I excluded her from the festivities.”

“I can see that,” Kasai said before leaning down and nuzzling Abby. “Abby’s the only vixen in my life though.”

“Hah, that I am,” Abby agreed, nuzzling him back and nibbling at one of his ears.

“I am surrounded by horny perverts,” Seth moaned and covered his eyes with one paw. “What did I do to deserve this?”

“Invite us?” Abby said with a raised eyebrow. “And hey, I spent the last oh... twelve or so years being sexually repressed around other people, not my fault it’s all leaking out now without the old system in place.”

“Plus your stupid rules around the farm are preventing me from seeking any release on my own,” Christine bluntly commented. “Well, that and Ignis being a stupid noble sexy dragon.”

“Eh, go looking for Axle if you want a hard fucking... I don’t think he cares too much about who you are,” Abby mused. “Then again, he has been spending a lot of time around Iris so I don’t know.”

“And I don’t know him nearly as well as I know Ignis and Selena,” Christine commented. “So no.”

Abby shrugged. “Just giving you the option if you really needed to get plowed, I know I do sometimes.”

“And I’m always happy to help,” Kasai agreed, licking her cheek. “You have a lovely field.”

“So Puffball, what did you tell these two about me?” the Gabite inquired with a raised brow of Seth.

“Just that you were related to Vincent Nurem, and that you had unique skills.” Seth answered. “Nothing invasive or personal.”

“Ah good, so everything else is a mystery,” Christine said, looking at the pair before her. “Gotta admit, never ran into a Ranger back on Earth, though not for a lack of trying.”

Abby sighed a little. “Yes, sorry about that... there were only so many of us and there was just so much ground to cover.” She shook her head. “It just hurts me that you guys had such a shitty time... especially when one of my key specialties was rescuing Pokemon from abuse, and what happened to you was definitely abuse.”

“Eh, if you’d have given me another few months to train, I’d have busted them out, no problem,” the dragon said before jerking her head at Seth. “Tell ‘em how impressed you were with my ‘skills’ the other day, mister Crescent.” Apparently, no, she didn’t have an ‘off’ switch for that behavior.

Seth leaned in close, barely a hair’s breadth from Christine. “Well, I can certainly attest to those skills,” he purred with a half-lidded, mesmerising gaze. “Though, you finished a little quickly. Perhaps we could work on your stamina later, hmm?”

“Hah,” Kasai laughed. “I don’t know Seth, I’ve always heard that dragons flare out early, I wouldn’t hold it against her too much.”

“Since when were you good at this?” Christine said, slightly shocked. “And in any case, you’re assuming you could keep up with me. I can tell you right now, were we to do anything like that, I’d be the one in control.” She lidded her eyes as well before finishing her reply. “And I’m not sure your current females would appreciate it anyways, but if you insist…”

Seth blinked. “Why wouldn’t Fritter and Rika appreciate me training you? I train with Ignis and Selena all the time.”

“Well Seth, you know, there’s training and then there’s training her for a pony ride,” Abby said with a smirk. “Or in this case... a kitty ride. And I think you’re only allowed to ‘drive’ Fritter and Rika places.”

Seth sighed and looked at his new ‘friends’. “We’re talking about perverted things again... aren’t we?”

“When aren’t we?” the dragon asked bluntly. “I mean, heck, have you listened to some of the conversations Selena and I get into?”

“In that last three days, its all I’ve heard,” Seth replied. “I think I’ve forgotten what a real conversation is like...” He sighed again, “And it’s not like I can do any of that stuff myself...”

“Boring,” Abby supplied with a grin.

“Well, not really, Abby and I do more snuggling than anything else,” Kasai said, leaning over to nuzzle her. “She sleeps on my chest and it’s adorable.”

“How can I help that you’re so fluffy?” Abby asked, looking up at him with love in her eyes. “And so warm.”

“You know, I wonder how we became what we are... I mean, how did Arceus choose what Pokemon we became.” Seth looked over his form and nodded, “I’m not really complaining mind you. Luxray are pretty cool.”

“Though it must have been quite a shock to you,” the dragon pitched in with a smile.

“I’m sure it must have caused quite a bit of static with your team,” Abby said, smirking at him. “But at least you’ve managed to discharge it over time eh?”

“...I hate you all,” Seth muttered. “But by all means, keep going. I can take it out on Kasai soon enough.”

Kasai threw back his head and let out a bellowing laugh in response to that.

“I hope you prefer to be on the bottom Seth, because Kasai likes topsies,” Abby said.

“Oh, now I’m definitely not missing this,” Christine said, looking between the two. “I mean, canines aren’t my thing, but you’d have to be crazy to think I was gonna miss something like this.”

“I think Kasai’s assets can be pretty convincing,” Abby said with a smirk. “Have you seen him?”

Seth looked Kasai in the eyes, the two Pokemon staring each other down until Rika finally let out an exasperated sigh.

“If you two are gonna start making out, can I at least get the popcorn first?”

“Gah!” Christine commented. “When did you get here?!”

Kasai just shrugged. “Na, it’s hard to make out with muzzles, trust me, Abby and I figured out that licking is better... I miss her human lips.” He leaned over and nuzzled her. “Or I miss the top pair.”

Abby rolled her eyes. “I think both sets are great personally.”

“One,” Rika said to Christine and pointed at Selena. “We’ve been here the whole time. And two,” here she pointed at Abby and Kasai. “Well... I’m not sure how I can respond to that. I do miss sexy, human Sethy though. He had the most wonderful emerald eyes~”

Seth just blushed and looked away.

“Question for you Rika,” Kasai said. “Did you ever watch him when he came out of the shower and you pretended to be asleep? It got me a lot of milage as a Growlithe.”

“Well,” Rika blushed a little. “Seeing as how Seth wasn’t attracted to Pokemon, he wasn’t afraid of getting naked around us. We didn’t wear clothes so why should he? We used to bathe together when we travelled in the wild and stuff...”

Seth blushed even harder and wondered if he could learn Dig...

Kasai just sniggered. “Right then, when are we going to train?”

“Sometime before your victim self-combusts, I hope,” Christine commented.

Seth wished Ignis was here, to set him on fire to cool him down. Maybe Christine would use Flamethrower on him if he asked?

A tapping sound caught his attention and he looked up to see Fritter tapping a hoof, and grinding a stone beneath her into dust.

“So... y’all having fun?” she asked in a low tone.

“You...heard all that too?” the Gabite questioned, slowly backing up.

“Just the parts where y’all were teasin’ mah stallion,” Fritter said and looked at Christine. “Also, remember who cooks fer ya... just sayin’.”

“Right...say, would you look at the time, I have hiding from you to be doing.” With that, the dragon was mostly invisible, and the red line showed that she was off, fast.

“Heh, right, time for training Sethy,” Kasai singsonged, a dark smirk on his face.

Fritter smiled, satisfied that she’d paid the dragon back for her earlier comments to Applejack. The mare nodded and led them to a completely clear section of the Orchards, the ground covered with freshly laid dirt.

Abby and Kasai smirked as they walked to the other side of it and turned back to him. “Ah, recruit Crescent, you managed to lead us here without incident, gold star,” Abby said, giving him a wink. “Now, are you ready for Ranger Training?”

“I get the distinct feeling you’re patronising me,” Seth replied, dryly. “But regardless, I will give this my best effort. My parents were Rangers afterall.”

“Thanks, and I’m only patronizing you a little because it’s fun to be on the dishing end rather than the receiving end for once,” Abby replied with a lopsided grin. “So, how much do you know about actual fighting?”

“I learned a little to defend myself, but seeing as how I’m a quadruped now... It’s kinda redundant.”

“I taught him a few things,” Selena spoke up. “But his experience as a Pokemon is zip, zilch and nada!”

Kasai let out a deep laugh as he stepped forwards. “Well then, I’d be happy to teach him a few things, you all stretched out Crescent?” The Arcanine had one of the most maliciously playful expressions on his muzzle that Seth had ever seen.

Rika blinked at the Arcanine’s grin. “You mentioned teaching and stretching with that face... my mind is going places and I am not complaining~”

Seth turned bright red as he sparked in surprise. “Oh? OH! Goddammit Rika! I cannot unsee that now!!”

Kasai snorted as Abby snickered. “You know, I get that from her too whenever Fang and I roughhouse, I don’t get it,” the Arcanine grumbled, glancing back at Abby. “Can’t two males roll around naked in the dirt without shippers eyeing their butts?”

“OH FOR THE LOVE OF-!!” Seth was burning at this point. “Can we just train please or may I pray that Arceus drops out of the sky to smite me?”

Kasai shook his head. “Sure, first rule of Ranger combat, you don’t always yell out your attacks, sometimes it’s better to just do a good Quick Attack!” The Arcanine blitzed forwards and slammed into Seth, sending him rolling. “Rather than actually proclaim it, mix it into the wording so that people don’t notice the Bite coming!” In another blur, Kasai had his jaws around Seth’s neck.

“Good to know,” Seth groaned as a small smirk crossed his face. “But didn’t your trainer teach you not to bite a Thunder cloud?” And with that, bolts of lightning arced from his body, with Kasai in direct contact... or so Seth thought. By the time the first word had left Seth’s lips, Kasai had already leapt clear, the thunder smashing into the ground.

“Good try, but the second big rule is ‘don’t wait around next to your opponent,” Kasai said with a small chuckle. “It’s just asking to be haymaker-ed, move in fast and then leap away.”

Seth nodded. “So what’s the best way to utilise my attacks? I only have four. Thunder, Roar, Discharge and Charge.”

“Well, basically it’s pretty simple for you then,” Kasai answered with a small smile. “First, scare the crap out of them with Roar, even if it doesn’t make them flee a good ROOOOAAAAR!-” Kasai’s below all but blew Seth off his paws with its deep bassy, intensity and ferocity. “-will stun them. Show me what you’ve got.”

“RROOOAAARRRRRR!!” It was an alright effort, but nowhere near as good as Kasai.

Kasai nodded his head. “Good, if I was a Bellsprout I’d be pissing myself in fear,” he said with a chuckle. “In all seriousness, very nice. Next, follow that up with a Charge to get you electricity good and powerful, after that, it really depends on the situation. I’d try and learn Thunder Fang as soon as possible. At the moment all you’ve got is Discharge, which is dangerous if you’ve got more then yourself fighting on your side and Thunder is... well... imprecise, especially if your opponent sees it coming.”

“I’d like to learn Thunderbolt... too bad TM’s don’t exist anymore.” Seth made a note to learn both as soon as he could. “Well okay, what about moves that aren’t actually attacks?”

Kasai was on top of him again, this time pressing his back into the dirt as he stood over him. “Those you have to condition yourself into being able to do.” He leapt back. “And that means that you need to get your body used to battle. Axle’s right when he says that it’s ‘a river of motion’, it really is. You’ve got to learn how to ‘swim’ in that river, and the best way to do that is to fight.”

Seth nodded as the Arcanine let him back up. “Okay then Sensei... teach me!”

Kasai smiled, that malicious smile was back. “Sensei eh? Okay, I like that. When you can pin me to the ground and hold me for ten seconds, then you graduate.” He smiled again. “Until then, we fight without moves.”

Seth narrowed his eyes as he accepted the challenge. “Bring it, puppy dog!”

What followed was two hours of Seth mostly eating dirt as Kasia pinned him again and again. His pristine black fur now stained chocolate brown by the dirt. Selena cheered from the sidelines, while Rika sat next to Abby.

“They really know how to put on a show huh?” Rika mused, enjoying the view everytime Seth was flipped onto his back.

“Yeah, Kasai’s kind of an expert at this,” Abby said with a nod, wincing as Seth’s face was pressed face first into the dirt, redirecting static electricity and anger into the ground. “Ouch.”

Seth was getting frustrated, they had been at this for a while now and he had gotten no closer to pinning Kasai for more than a second or three. The slightly larger dog was stronger and far more experienced. He had tried to shock his prosthetic leg at one point, but it seemed to be insulated quite well.

“This... is harder than I thought,” Seth groaned as Kasai sat on his back.

“You won’t get anything out of it if it isn’t,” Kasai replied indifferently swatting Seth’s flank with his tail. “Now are you going to get me off of you or am I going to be making you my new chair forever?”

Seth twisted his neck around and grabbed Kasai’s tail with his mouth. There was a faint buzzing noise as jagged lightning in the shape of a giant pair of fangs sunk into the Arcanine’s fur.

“Yip!” Kasai barked in surprise, launching himself into the air in surprise at the sudden shock. Of course, what goes up must come down, and come down he did, landing directly on top of Seth with all of his weight.

Seth coughed, still reeling from using Thunder Fang, that he failed to avoid the falling Arcanine. The air was forced out of his lungs and once the dust cleared, he lay there with swirling eyes, utterly out cold from the impact. Kasai lay atop of him, head spinning, limbs spread out to either side of the electric lion.

“Yesh, that looked painful,” Selena groaned, putting her paw to her face.

“You okay Kasai?” Abby called in concern.

“That was... shocking,” Rika giggled, Selena just groaned more as she swatted at the Fairy.

“I’m good... I’m good,” Kasai said, groaning as he leaned his weight forwards and half fell off of Seth’s back, waist straddling the lion for a moment before he pushed himself off. “Oww... that Thunder Fang went places that it shouldn’t have,” he grunted, pushing himself fully to his paws. Then he trotted around in front of Seth and sat down, Seth’s head between his forelegs. He cleared his throat and then moved his head down beside Seth’s. “WAKE UP SETH!” He Roared.

“GGAAAHHHHH!!” Seth’s very sensitive hearing rang like church bells as the Roar echoed around his head. “What the hell man!?”

“Sorry, you were out cold,” Kasai replied, taking a step back before bending down to nose his face. “You okay?” He then licked him once. “Up and attem Seth. The Guard is going to give you worse.”

“Dude! Breath mint!” Seth snorted, but still grinned anyway. “Have to give you credit, your aren’t Top Ranger’s for nothing. I’m kinda glad I didn’t get on your bad side back on Earth.”

“If Ignis were here, he’d probably say something like,” Selena lowered her voice to a pretty decent impression of her mate. “‘Pfft, I could totally take him!’”

“In my defense, Ignis is a bit out of my ‘weight class’,” Kasai said as he stepped back. “And my breath smells great, I don’t know what you’re talking about Seth.” He grinned.

“Your breath smells like dead fish and kibble!” Seth couldn’t help but get some teasing in. Call it petty revenge if you will, but he ached all over and this dirt would take forever to get out.

“Well, I do love a buttered Magikarp,” Kasai commented with a chuckle. “So that makes sense, course, Abby seems to like it too so that’s all that really matters.”

“You put up with some immense pains when you’re in love with a giant dog,” Abby murmured to Rika. “Of course, that tongue comes in handy soooo I can’t complain too much,” she snickered.

“Oh gods. You’re as bad as Rika,” Seth facepawed.

“It’s only bad sometimes, like ‘experiment nights’,” Kasai replied, shaking dirt out of his fur. “The rest of the time... I can’t really complain.”

“Experiment nights?” Rika tilted her head. “Ooh, details!”

Seth shook his fur, a cloud of dust flying everywhere. His own smirk crossed his face. “Guess I’m just used to the scent of candied apples~”

“Heh,” Kasai chuckled. “I’d imagine you would be, though I’m sure there have been a few ‘adjustments’ here and there for her thanks to you. Hope she was expecting it.”

“Eh, we’re working on it,” Seth replied, shaking his head.

“... and that’s how you properly secure an Arcanine with rope,” Abby finished telling Rika. “Probably work well for you guys if you wanted to show the lion who’s really king of the jungle... or Queen in this case, heh.”

“Ehehe, oooh, I like you~” Rika giggled. “Now the only problem is actually getting that far...”

Seth finished brushing his fur and his whole body sparked as he charged himself. “Alright, now what’s the next step?”

“Take a break for lunch,” Kasai replied with a shrug, licking his golden paw. “I mean, it’s one o'clock or so Seth, you were chasing my tail for the last two hours or so.”

At that moment, Seth’s stomach gave a louder roar than the Luxray did. “Ah, well... I guess that settles that then.”

“To that one cafe I still don’t know the name of!” Abby said with a grin before she looked down at herself. “Kasai and I will have to go grab some of our remaining bits, completely forgot about that when we were coming out here. The place is at the center of town, it’s pretty easy to tell which one it is.”

“Just look for the snooty waiter,” Kasai added.

“Don’t worry about Bits, I can treat you guys,” Seth replied. “Consider it thanks for the training and congrats for the eggs!”

Abby grinned. “Why thank you Seth, though I don’t know if you should really ‘thank’ Kasai for making you eat dirt all morning.”

“He got some of my tail fur, so that should have helped a little,” Kasai added playfully, nudging Seth with his shoulder. “Way to learn a new move too by the way.”

“A new move?” Seth blinked. “What did I do?”

“Shocked my balls with a Thunder Fang,” Kasai replied with a small wince. “Please don’t do it again, knowing Abby she doesn’t want to stop with two and I don’t want to go to Arceus begging him to ‘fix my genitals’.”

“I’m sure he’d take it with grace,” Abby snickered before glancing at Seth, eyes glowing a slight blue. “But PLEASE refrain from doing it again,” she requested, the message hitting both his ears and his mind.

“Ah. Okay!” Seth backed away from the scary Fire-type. “Please don’t curse me.”

At that, Abby’s ears dipped and she let out a small sigh. “Don’t worry, I won’t curse you Seth.” To Seth’s surprise, she actually sounded a little hurt by the accusation.

“Must be a story there, not my place to ask though.”

Seth cleared his throat and nodded. “It’s fine, let’s go an get something to eat before I fall over though... or eat Rika.”

“Oh, now that sounds like a plan~” Rika purred.

“Wow, she’s ALWAYS on isn’t she?” Kasai asked Seth with a small smirk.

“That.” Seth replied tersely. “Is a complete and total understatement.”

“Oh you know you love me,” Rika giggled as Seth sighed and kissed her.

“I do indeed, still figuring out why though.” Seth smiled, “One of the many mysteries of life.”

FWSHOOOOOOOM

An earth shattering explosion filled their ears and a wave of energy slammed into the group, knocking them off of their collective paws.

“What did you do this time Ignis,” Seth groaned.

Author's Note

Author’s Comments

ZeusDemiGod: See, this is why I shouldn’t let you guys write in the same chapters anymore.

Thadius0 - Oh man, Aus, Ed, TDN and I should never write a chapter together again. Things might happen. Horrible, wonderful, sexy things.

Ed2481: Eh, I think we’re good... besides we’ve already broken that rule by the time this comes out haven’t we? Though, I guess the ‘horrible’ part is up to your tolerance for crude humor and sex jokes *shrugs*

Thadius: Just because it hasn’t happened yet...

Aus: ...I just don’t know what went wrong... Oh, yes I do, I invited them...

Bubba: Bubba was here.

So yeah, I push the ratings boundaries of my fic again... I may have to add a tag or two though now. Someone let me know if I should okay?

Chapter Thirty One

At the epicentre of the disaster, two simultaneous flashes of purple and gold, a panicked looking Twilight, and a worried looking Arceus appeared in the clearing the two had made. Well, more like wasteland...

Arceus groaned as he looked over the devastation Not again!

Twilight was much more concerned at the loss of half of the forest. “There used to be... what the heck?!”

Axle and Ignis were snoring happily beside each other, fists still bumping together and wearing stupid grins on their faces.

Arceus looked down at Twilight, the urge to facehoof was rising. I’m going to go talk to Seth and Abby, you... He gave Twilight a sheepish look. Um... make sure they don’t start again if they wake up, he said before teleporting off.

Twilight yelled at the empty space where Arceus used to be. “How am I suppose to do that?!!?”

Before Arceus could return, Axle’s eyes blinked open, his wounds having healed from his Rest. He smacked his lips together twice and stretched. “Ahhh, much better.”

Ignis on the other hand just rolled over. “Five more minutes...” he mumbled.

Axle leant over and smacked Ignis in the shoulder. “Hey, Ignis, get up, that Princess Pony is here and she looks scared or something.”

Ignis opened his mouth and yawned, showing off his sharp fangs. “Huuh... Who’re you? Another Princess?”

Twilight smiled nervously and waved. “H-hi, I’m Princess Twilight...” She looked around at the demolished woods, then back at Axle and Ignis. “So um... did you do this?”

Axle looked around at the decimated forest land for a moment before shrugging. “Yeah? What it’s just a forest.” He got to his feet and walks over to a flame cooked squirrel, reaching down and popping it into his mouth. “MMmmm, hey, Ignis, you should try these!”

Ignis on the other hand, looked more apologetic. “Uh... yeah, sorry about that. You should ask Lady Shaymin and Celebi to help restore it...” Those girls were gonna be so pissed at him... again. A good deal of the Everfree was wrecked during his and Moltres’ fight. He looked at Twilight and tilted his head. “How come you’re so much shorter than Celestia?”

Twilight watched Axle for a moment, as he munched on the squirrel. “I am so glad Fluttershy isn’t here to see this,” she mumbled. The young Alicorn turned to Ignis and answered his question. “Uh... I was made an Alicorn, Celestia and Luna were born Alicorns... at least I think they were.”

Axle grabbed another well cooked squirrel and munched on it as he walks back over and pulled Ignis to his feet. “Sorry bout the forest, Newt here kind of torched it, and then I blew it up... and then we exploburned it. It was AMAZING!

Ignis huffed, “Newt? You say something you Furret-in-a-can?” So it wasn’t a great retort, he was still sore.

Axle just laughed and slapped him hard on the back. “That I did Newt!”

Ignis snorted as his tail-flame flared. “Sounds like you want Round Two?”

Twilight’s eyes went wide in shock. “PLEASE NO!”

Axle literally pouted, it was almost adorable. “Aww, why not? We’re both fully healed and it’s not like there’s anything left to destroy”

Ignis nodded in agreement. “I am sorry we wrecked the forest, but he has a point, we can’t really make things worse... oh, where'd that black Haxorus go?”

Twilight’s eyes widened even more! “Iris?”

“Aww, she left before it got good... pity, I was going to challenge her to a mating duel after this...” he pouted again and shook his head. “I’ll ask later then.”

Ignis looked a little worried. “I hope we didn’t incinerate her... that would suck.”

Axle shook his shakes his head. “Na, she’s a trooper. IRIS? ARE YOU OUT THERE? IF YOU'VE DIED SO HELP ME I WILL STRANGLE ARCEUS WITH HIS OWN INTESTINES UNTIL HE BRINGS YOU BACK?” he shouted at the top of his lungs.

After a moment, Iris wanders back, a look of complete confusion on her face. “That’s... sweet of you, I guess...” She looked around the clearing. “Wow, that’s a lot of damage.”

The Haxorus ran up to her to Iris’ surprise, he licked her face. “Indeed it is! No one is better than me at creating DAMAGE TO RIVAL THE GODS!” He roared before glancing at Ignis. “And Ignis helped too I guess.”

“It was my Blast Burn that did most of this.” Ignis said proudly as he ate a squirrel. “Hmm, these are good.”

“Told you so,” Axle said, beaming.

Twilight’s eye gave a dangerous-looking twitch, her mane becoming more frazzled. “Where is that God!?”

Iris rubbed at her cheek where Axle licked her in surprise. “Arceus?”

Twilight nodded, “He’s suppose to be getting Mr. Crescent and Abby...”

Axle and Ignis looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. “Shit.”

At Sweet Apple Acres, Seth panted as he pulled himself to his paws. “...Ignis...”

Apple Fritter watched the plume of smoke rise into the air, her eyes widening in shock and surprise. “Landsakes! Did Ignis do that?”

“Most likely,” Seth groaned.

Abby’s jaw tightened. “I hope he hasn’t damaged too much...”

“Yeah, last time he was at the center of an explosion like that he nearly destroyed an entire airship dock.” he grunted as Fritter checked him for any serious injuries from his training session.

Indeeda voice said from behind them as Arceus teleported in.

Seth turned to face the Alpha Pokemon. “Oh, hey Arceus... sup?” He had a bad feeling about this.

“I’m still really angry at you... but how much of that anger should I be directing at Axle?” Abby said sourly.

He and Ignis just leveled a large portion of a forest, he informed them. I left Princess Twilight to watch over them.

Seth blinked at that information. “The little purple Princess? Oh, that might not be a good idea... Wait, A forest!?”

Kasai shook his head. “Wonderful...” he let out a groan as he worked out a kink in his back.Would you mind taking us us there?”

Arceus nodded I was planning to he shut his eyes and the scenery around them melted and shifted, before changing into the burnt clearing where he’d left Twilight and the unconscious Pokemon. They were both up and about and Iris was there as well.

Abby took one look around her before narrowing her red eyes, tails flaring as blue overtook them. “AXLE TROMBLEY! JUST WHAT IN THE FLYING FUCK WERE YOU THINKING YOU OVERGROWN LIZARD!?”

Ignis laughed as he taunted the now flinching Haxorus. “You’re in trouble,” he sang, before meeting the vicious glare of his mate. “Uhh, hey Selly?”

Selena gave her mate the evil eye, one that caused the large dragon to shrink back. “You. Couch. FOREVER!”

Axle was now cowering in a very un-Axle like way, cowed by Abby’s voice. “I-um-uhh-...” he blinked twice. “I have absolutely nothing to say that will get me out of this.”

The Ninetales glared harshly at him. “Damn right you don’t!” she shouted the blue leaving her eyes at least. “Now shut your trap.” she glanced up at Arceus. “Send us to the hotel please.”

Arceus nodded Very well, have a safe trip A single blink and Abby, Kasai, and Axle vanished with a flash of light.

Ignis sighed as he looked at his trainer. “Okay, how much trouble am I in?”

Seth stared back at him, a neutral expression on his face. “Well, that depends...” his expression changed as he smirked. “Did you have a good battle?”

Ignis beamed widely. He knew his brother would understand. “The best yet!”

Seth nodded, “And did you learn anything new or important?”

“Status buffs suck, Protect is a cheap move and forests are too flammable.” Ignis replied, making a note to have Selena or Rika teach him Protect, and maybe learn Dragon Dance was well.

“Well then, I guess that’s all I have to say.” The Luxray turned to his Absol. “Selena can handle your punishment.”

Ignis good mood vanished in an instant. “... crud.” He wasn’t going to get any for quite a while.

Seth turned to Arceus and Twilight, bowing his head apologetically. “I’m really sorry about this, is there anything I can do to make up for it?”

Twilight sighed. “Not unless you can-”

She was interrupted by a faint flash from Arceus, she turns to see him decked out with his Meadow Plate, his chest and golden ring changing to a verdant green. He turned to the group and nodded. Unless anyone has any better ideas, I can fix this right up.

Seth shook his head. “No objections here. Just glad you aren’t sending Ignis to the Distorted Realm or something.”

Arceus chuckled at that. No, that’s just where I send my children for time outs... now stand back He planted his hooves on the ground and closed his eyes, and after a moment the ground rumbled and what trees and bushes were still planted began to regenerate, while new trees and even more plants took the place of the ones that had been burnt away.

And after a few minutes, the forest was as vibrant and green as it had been before the battle.

Arceus sighed contently as he craned his neck. Feels good to stretch the plates again.

Seth stared in amazement, his mouth open slightly. “Okay, that was pretty damned impressive.”

Ignis shrugged, trying not to look as impressed as he was. “Eh, not bad I guess.”

Seth narrowed his eyes, He knew what his brother was trying to do. “Ignis... do not pick a fight with Arceus.”

Ignis gave up all pretense as he looked back to the Luxray with puppy dog eyes. “But... I could totally take himmmm~”

Arceus overheard this and raised an eyebrow and switched to his Splash Plate. The green hue on his body changing to a cobalt blue. As I said before, haven’t been able to stretch in five millenias... and I don’t hold back.

Ignis was so excited that he practically vibrated. He looked at Seth with a massive grin on his face. “I wanna, please Seth. How many Trainers can say the fought Arceus in a Pokemon battle?” This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. A chance to fight without holding anything back.

Seth stared with a deadpan expression. “No. You’ll die...”

Ignis pouted, “But it would be awesome! My epitaph would be the stuff of legends!”

Seth sighed. He wasn’t going to win this and if he didn’t agree, a whining Ignis would be utterly insufferable to deal with. “Y’know what. Fine.”

“I’m so gonna own a god!” Ignis howled triumphantly.

Seth gave Arceus an exasperated look. “I’m sorry about this Arceus... please don’t kill him.”

Arceus chuckled. I won’t, but we may want to move the battle, I tend to level mountains when I fight in earnest.

“Take whatever advantage you want,” Ignis said with the upmost confidence. “I’ll still win and become the strongest Pokemon EVER!!”

Seth just groaned. This will not end well...

Arceus smiled. I like your enthusiasm Ignis, he stamped his hoof and the group found themselves in a barren wasteland of a desert. PREPARE TO BATTLE!!

Seth nodded and he placed a paw against his torc, and his Keystone.

“Let your unstoppable flames of rage wash across the battlefield! IGNIS! MEGA SHNKA!”

Ignis roared as his Mega stone shone with a brilliant light as he shifted into Mega Charizard Y, the glaring sun growing even brighter under his ‘Drought’ Ability. He looked at the Alpha Pokemon, and fired off an attack straight away.

“SOLARBEAM!” The attack fired off without charging, the beam of solar energy soaring straight towards Arceus

Arceus prepared himself, then smirked. Extreme Speed! The Alpha Pokemon became a blur and dodged the attack before racing towards Ignis.

“Bring it,” Ignis roared as he braced himself, but the Alpha Pokemon hit like a freight train and sent the Mega dragon hurtling into the sky.

Seth smiled as he watched his brother. “Is it just me, or does Arceus look like he’s having fun?”

“Dunno.” Selena panted, the heat of the desert was murder on her thick fur. “Too hot. Don’t care.”

Ignis roared and raced back through the clouds, his maw blazing with white-hot flames. “Try this one on for size then, SEARING FLAMETHROWER!” the stream of white-hot fire arced through the air towards his target.

Arceus’ Splash Plate lessened the damage from the attack, and as the torrent ceased he chuckled. You and Seth are the first beings to actually harm me with an attack in over five thousand years... I dare say, your family might be more insane than mine!

Seth sighed at those words. “I don’t know how I feel about that...”

This was great, he was having an absolute blast, not to mention he was fighting an opponent that no-one had fought for over five thousand years!! Ignis just grinned madly as he fell into a spiralling dive. He’d been working on this move for a while, ever since he met Red. He let loose flames that spun around him until he looked like a giant fiery drill.

“I don’t have a name for this yet, but take it all the same!” he yelled as he dove at Arceus, the heat coming from his was intense.

Arceus looked up at Ignis, watching him curiously as he closed in Interesting... haven’t seen a new attack in centuries, he mused as the Charizard impacted with him.

The attack exploded and sent Ignis spiraling into the sand, the dragon soon discovered that it packed some serious recoil, his body felt like it was going to be ripped apart. “Argh, damn that hurts.” But what about Arceus, did he actually win against a god?

Arceus shook himself off as he stood up, even through his current Water-typing, that attack had hurt a bit, I’ll talk to Mew about that one later, he thought to himself before turning to the currently downed Ignis. Hehe, recoil, Arceus began to trot towards him, but broke into a gallop halfway, just before he reached the Charizard he slid to a stop and shouted. HYPER VOICE!!!! The air molecules seemed to vibrate as the attack slammed into Ignis.

The Charizard thought he hurt before, try having a God trying to literally shout you apart. He tumbled across the sand, finally coming to a stop a few dozen feet away as his body glowed, the Mega Evolution wearing off as he fell unconscious.

“And that’s that,” Seth said with a small smile. “I thought he did pretty well, all things considered.” And where did Ignis pull that last attack from? Even Seth had never seen it before. First Selena and now Ignis?

Indeed he did, Arceus said with a smile, trotting over to Ignis. Heal Pulse.

Ignis groaned as he got up, “Ah, owowow. Okay, I lose this time...” he grinned at Arceus. “If it takes Arceus himself to defeat me, I can be satisfied with that.” His ears were ringing something fierce though.

Arceus chuckled You actually did rather well, especially for a battle with me.

“I still get the feeling you were holding back,” Ignis grinned. “But it was fun. First Moltres, then Reshiram and now Arceus... Legendaries are fun to fight~”

“That’s all well and good,” Selena said, panting heavily.”But can we leave this desert already!?”

Arceus chuckled again and a moment later the group found themselves back in Ponyville While this has been refreshing, I must take my leave, family matters and world crisis’ and what not.

“Take care Arceus, and thank you.” Seth said. “Give my regards to your children.”

Arceus simply nodded before vanishing in a flash of gold

Seth turned to see a shell-shocked Twilight standing there. Had she been with them the whole time? “Oh, did you see all that too?”

Twilight stared at the Luxray for a moment. “You.... he just... and Arceus...” she shook her head. “I... I’m going back to the library.”

Seth watched her leave, wondering what the penalty was for breaking a Princess. “Well, what do we do now?”

“Sugarcube Corner!” Rika cheered. “I want cupcakes!”

“We should probably head back to the farm for now,” Fritter said. “You and Ignis have had a rough afternoon.”

“Agreed,” Seth replied. “Plus there’s no telling if Christine is still alive or not. Especially if Applejack has got ahold of her.”

“Ah don’t think so,” Fritter replied, before her voice got quiet. “And what about... us? Should we tell her?” They’d had some close calls today, but to be honest? Fritter was tired of keeping it quiet.

“Well, she’s your family, so we’ll do what you think is best. If you think she’ll be okay with it...” Seth nuzzled her as Rika snuggled up on her other side. “We’ll be right by your side okay?”

“Thanks,” Fritter smiled, returning the embrace.

Apple Fritter stood at the door to the Apple Family house, her legs shaking something fierce.

“Nope, ah changed mah mind!” she said. “Ah can’t do this!”

Seth placed a paw on her back and smiled. “Hey, if you really don’t want to, then that’s okay. But Rika and I are right here okay? No matter what happens, or what she says... we’ll always be with you.”

Apple Fritter nodded, but her legs still shook. “It’s just... Applejack is mah hero. She’s a farmer, jus’ like me, cept she’s saved the whole world, more than once! And she’s best friends with a Princess, owns the biggest Apple Farm in the world... How do ah compete with that? Ah’m just some freakishly strong mare who owns a dinky little farm in the big city an-”

Seth promptly cut her off with a kiss and bopped her on the nose. “Hey! Don’t ever sell yourself short like that. You don’t have to compete with her, you are your own mare and one that I care for a lot. You are an amazing mare Fritter and one that I am glad to have found...”

“Yeah, we love you, not Applejack, “Rika agreed. “Now let’s get in there, cause admitting this to her will be nothing compared to your parents!”

Fritter stopped as her heart dove off a cliff, caught fire and exploded. “Great... thanks fer that Rika. Ah feel just grand now!” And while she had said all that about Applejack, it wasn’t the main reason she was concerned.

“Glad I could help~” Rika giggled and pressed her ribbons against Fritter flank, shoving her through the door... and straight into Applejack.

“Rika! consarn it...? Oh... hey AJ...”

"Howdy Fritter," Applejack replied, smiling at her cousin. "So, did ya'll find who you were lookin' fer?"

“Oh, ah, yeah... Ms. Abby turned out to be pretty nice.” Fritter said nervously as Seth and Rika walked inside. “Sorry ‘bout mah quick exit before.”

"Oh, it's alright," Applejack said, waving off the notion. "Things've been perty hectic as of late," she smirked, then added. "And do ya’ll know where that dragon friend o’ yours is? Apple Bloom made an interestin’ accusation.”

“Yeah, she wasn’t going to do anything,” Seth sighed. “I’m afraid your little sister simply misunderstood her. Sorry again...” He gave a polite nod of his head. “But there’s also something else we’d like to discuss.”

Fritter stiffened up as her eyes went wide. Oh Celestia, she wasn’t ready for this. What if Applejack hated her, what if she kicked them off of the farm and never invited her back to a family reunion. What if she told her parents and they disowned her! At this point, she didn’t even realise that she was hyperventilating.

"Fritter?" Applejack asked worriedly, waving a hoof in front of her cousins face. "Fritter?" When she didn't respond, Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder and started shaking her. "Snap out of it!"

“AH!” Fritter shrieked and jumped back, only to be caught by Seth.

“Okay, you are definitely not okay about this,” He rubbed a paw through her mane to try and calm her down. “Would you like me to tell her?”

Fritter’s heart beat a mile a minute, but she had to do this. It wasn’t fair to Seth and Rika to let them take all the blame. “N-no. Ah gotta do this!” She picked herself up and took a deep breath.

“Okay, sorry. Ah’m better now.”

Meanwhile, Applejack was looking back and forth between the two, a look of confusion on her face. "Uhh... alright, someone want to tell me what's goin' on?"

Fritter nodded and cleared her throat. “Ah wanted to tell you... that ah’m.. well,” she looked to Seth who gave her a warm smile and nodded. “That ah’m in a relationship now!”

Applejack stared at Fritter in shock for several seconds before a smile crept onto her face. "Well ah'll be darned," she said with a chuckle. "Is that what's got ya all worked up?"

“Sorta,” Fritter responded, her face a brilliant red colour. “It’s more like, who ah’m in a relationship with...” She glanced at Seth and Rika. “Well, relationship might be the wrong word... more like, herd?” Well, this was it. “Pleasedon’thateme!”

Applejack blinked in surprise and opened her mouth, attempting to form a proper response to what she'd just been told. "So you and..." she looked at Seth and Rika and pointed at them.

“What my dear mare here is trying to explain,” Seth chuckled. “Is that myself, Fritter and Rika are in a relationship together, a herd I believe you ponies call it.” Seth gave Applejack an earnest smile, “She respects you a great deal, and she’s been quite nervous about this little chat.” Seth smiled as Apple Fritter was trying her best to hide behind her hooves at this point.

“But I want you to know, that... that I love Apple Fritter and Rika very much, and I’ll do everything in my power to make them both happy.”

Rika teared up, it was the first time that Seth had actually said that he’d loved them out loud. Even Apple Fritter blushed profusely from behind her hooves.

"Well ah," Applejack began, she looked between the three and sighed at Fritter's attempts to hide. "Sorry, just a bit of a shock," she smiled at Fritter. "Oh come on now, ah ain't gonna bite."

“You mean, you’re not mad?” Fritter said, sitting up and she blinked in confusion. “B-But ah was always told that Apples are picky on who they marry. We are a mostly Earth Pony clan after all.”

“Heh,” Rika giggled. “Picky Apples...”

"Ta be fair," Applejack began. "Ah think that was mostly the older generations, and besides," she said with a smile. "Yer m'ah cousin, and one of m'ah best friends, if you found someone," she stopped herself and looked at Seth and Rika again. "Er, someones, who make you happy, ah ain't gonna be mad at ya fer it."

Tears stung the corners of Fritter’s eyes as she pulled Applejack into a bonecrushing hug. “Ah’ve been working myself up like a silly-filly, yer the best cousin a pony could ask fer Applejack!”

“Ah, Fritter?” Seth poked his mare and motioned at Applejack, how was now a few shades bluer than Rainbow Dash. “I think she’s dying.”

Fritter squeaked and dropped her cousin, “Sorry AJ.”

"'S alright," Applejack wheezed, rubbing her side. Apple Bloom, who had walked in on the last part of the conversation, poked at her sister.

“Applejack?” She asked with her big, bright eyes. “What’s a herd?”

After the drama, and assuring Christine that Applejack wasn’t going to rip out her spine. Seth was sitting out in the night air, just meditating on his thoughts and running the training he had done through his mind.

Which was why he flinched when Applejack tapped him on the shoulder. The startled Luxray turned to see Applejack giving him a sheepish look.

“Heh, sorry ‘bout that. Ah didn’t take you fer the nervous type.”

“No, I was just thinking,” Seth replied. “What can I do for you Miss Applejack?”

“Applejack or AJ will be fine,” the mare smiled. “And... ah’d like to talk about earlier, if that’s alright?”

Seth nodded as he sat back down. “Sure, but I’ll tell you this now. I don’t intend to end things with Fritter. So don’t even try to make me do so.”

“Whoa! Ah was gonna do nothing of the sort!” AJ waved her hooves. “But, ah’m glad t’hear that. Especially after last time.”

“Last time?” Seth frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well... t’aint really my place to say,” AJ said with a low tone. “But Fritter’s been in a relationship before, one that... didn’t work out so well.”

Seth paused, that was something he didn’t know. “Define, not so well.”

“Ah’ve said too much already,” AJ replied. She was gonna turn into Rarity if she kept gossiping like this.

“It’s alright,” another voice spoke up, causing AJ and Seth to flinch this time. Apple Fritter stood there, Rika laying across her back, hugging the mare affectionately. “I was going to tell them sooner or later.”

She sat down next to them as Rika let go, allowing Applejack to slide up against her cousin.

“It was a few years ago now,” Fritter began. “Not long after I moved to Canterlot, ah had just set up mah farm with the help of mah family and Applejack here. My little sister stayed with me for the first few weeks, help me get settled and find a few clients for business.”

“You have a sister?” Rika asked.

“Mmhmm, her name is Apple Cider, you’ll meet her eventually,” Fritter said. “Now, where was I? Hmm, well it started about a week or so after Cider left. Ah was selling mah wares from mah stand, when ah met him.” Fritter paused as a wave of emotion washed over her. “He was so kind and didn't judge me because of mah family or my accent. We met almost every day and just talked. It didn’t really take me long to fall in love I suppose...”

Seth remained silent while she spoke. There was a certain fondness in her voice, but at the same time, there was also something else. Something he’d never felt from Fritter before, but couldn’t quite place a finger in it.

“When we started going out, it was magical,” Fritter continued. “He’d buy me all sorst of gifts and shower me with sweet words and caring gestures... but then, that all changed. He started getting a little strange, possessive and demanding. And ah assumed that maybe he was under a lot of stress, being a noble and all.”

“And I get the sinking feeling that that was not the case?” Seth replied.

“Yeah... ah found out... that because ah wasn’t ‘giving’ him what he wanted, he had been seeing another mare... a few mares actually.”

Seth had heard this story before, it wasn’t an uncommon one back on earth, but unfortunately, Fritter was far from done.

“Ah got home one day, and found a note from him... in what was left of mah home anyway. He’d sent somepony around to ‘retrieve’ all the gifts he had given me, and didn’t care one way or the other on what they broke to find them. Not only that, he’d started circulating rumours that ah poisoned mah apples...”

A low growl emanated from Seth throat. he was going to find that stallion, and even Arceus wouldn’t be able to save him.

“What did the note say?” Rika asked hesitantly.

“That... ah was a dirty mud crawler and should have considered myself lucky that a ‘fine upstanding noble’ like himself even considered that I was worthy of him,” Fritter replied with a bite in her tone. “Ah know... ah know that ah shouldn’t have let it get to me, that he was a jerk that didn’t need to have time wasted on him.” Fritter sniffed back the tears, “But, ah was barely a mare, almost a filly really. And... ah really did care for him. Those words, they hurt...”

Rika hugged the crying mare as Applejack stroked her mane.

“She came here not long after,” Applejack spoke. “It took weeks before she was anything like her old self. And even longer before she could set hoof in Canterlot again.”

Seth sparked. The look in his eye was rare for him, one of pure, unadulterated rage. “When I find him...”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Fritter replied, wiping her eyes. “Ah removed him from mah life and mah mind years ago. Especially after ah punted him across the street~”

Seth suddenly paused as that mental image washed over his mind, causing him to snicker. “Yeah, okay... that’s an amusing thought.”

“It’s also why ah’m so self-concious about mah strength,” Fritter said. “Ah shouldn’t have done something like that, no matter what he did.”

“Ah reckon he got exactly whut he deserved,” Applejack said softly. “Do you know how many times ah had to stop Big Mac from marchin’ on the city to find that rattlesnake?”

Big Macintosh, the one pony in the Apple family that was stronger that Apple Fritter. Seth gulped at the thought of being kicked by him.

“Ah washed mah hooves of him a long time ago,” Fritter said. “So don’t ya’ll worry yer head none. Ah have you two now, and ah couldn’t be happier.”

Applejack moved to one side as both Pokemon hugged their mare.

“And we’re lucky to have such a wonderful mare,” Seth said as he kissed her head. “I may have been... apprehensive about this relationship at first. But, I can say with absolute certainty that I don’t regret the decision in the least. Apple Fritter? Rika? I love you both so very much.”

Applejack wasn’t crying at the display, not in the slightest. She had dust in her eyes, yeah, that was it.

Fritter and Rika nodded, sharing the warm embrace. But it was starting to get late and there was a lot to do tomorrow. After one last hug and kiss, Seth and Rika got up to head to the barn, only to be stopped by Applejack clearing her throat.

“And where do y’all think yer going?”

“Uh, the barn?” Seth questioned. Was Applejack not done talking?

“Wrong answer,” AJ smiled. “Ah believe Fritter’s room was the one upstairs.” It took a second for both Pokemon to realise what the mare was getting at, before Fritter squealed happily and hugged her cousin again, albeit a less bonecrushing one.

“Just... no hankey pankey alright!” AJ said. “Apple Bloom’s room is next door and ah just finished one awkward explanation. Ah don’t need to explain the birds and the breezies to her just yet.”

“Snuggles then~” Rika grinned. “And Fritter’s getting all the snuggles tonight!”

Fritter and Rika giggled as they headed upstairs, leaving Seth alone with Applejack once more. The Earth pony turned to the Luxray and gave him a sincere look.

“Promise me that you’ll look after her?” she said.

“As long as I draw breath, the happiness of those two is my highest priority,” Seth said. “I promise you that Miss Applejack...”

Thank you,” AJ smiled.

The next morning, Seth, Rika and Selena met up with Abby and Kasai once again. They’d been too tired after the events of yesterday and agreed to a brunch instead. The Ninetales and Arcanine were already waiting for them at the small cafe.

“Good morning,” Seth greeted them. “I hope we didn’t keep you waiting too long?”

“Not really,” Abby replied with a small chuckle before glancing at Kasai’s already fish stained muzzle. “Someone is just a bit of a pig and can’t learn to wait.” Seth’s eyes drifted to the frankly huge buttered fish that Kasai was currently chomping his way through, bones snapping between his teeth before going down his throat.

“I’mn a caninenth,” Kasai replied, his mouth half full.

“It’s fine,” Seth chuckled. “Fire-types tend to have large appetites. Because their internal fire consumes life energy. Even those that don’t battle tend to expend quite a bit of energy in their day-to-day life...” Seth blushed as he realised he was ranting. “Ah, sorry about that. Old habits.”

“Not a problem, heh,” Abby replied with a smile. “I already knew that buuuuut...” she glanced at Kasai’s filthy, butter stained muzzle. “I think Kasai’s just a pig who can’t control himself.”

Kasai swallowed. “Hey, if I couldn’t control myself you wouldn’t be walking,” he pointed out with a doggy grin before returning to his meal.

“Ignis would probably be the same,” Selena chuckled lightly.

Once everyone was seated, Abby was sitting beside Rika and Selena on one half of the rounded table while Kasai and Seth sat on the other.

“So, just how long have you, Fritter, and Seth been together Rika?” Abby asked curiously.

“Um,” Rika put down her milkshake. “Let’s see... almost two weeks now?”

“That sounds about right,” Seth agreed. “Though the way things have been lately, we haven’t had time to simply sit back and adjust...”

“Hmm, I recommend doing that so that you guys can ‘figure stuff out’,” Abby mused. “After all... relationships are tough and I know for a fact that it took Kasai and I years to get to the point that we’re completely comfortable, and you guys have three people to worry about.”

“I will,” Seth said as the steak he’d ordered arrived. “But I still have to go to Las Pegasus and the Crystal Empire after this...” A lot had happened very fast, he just hoped he could deal with it.

“Hmm, whenever you get to Las Pegasus, tell my Gallade Luke that even though it’s just been a day we miss him, he’s probably staying at Vincent’s with Mage.”

“Mage? Oh, one of Gene’s Pokemon?” Seth recalled a Mismagius by that name. “Well, I’ll be sure to do so.”

“Thanks,” Abby said with a small smile. Kasai meanwhile continued to scarf down his fish with barely a pause for breath again.

“Y’know, you could try breathing there puppyboy!” Selena said as she ate a sandwich.

Kasai looked up from his fish at last, butter dripping down his facial fur, a grin on his lips as his large pink tongue darted down at a bit of fish flesh. “I’m breathing, heh, I’m mostly just inhaling.” He licked himself again. “This is good, but nothing compared to what I do to a good Magikarp...”

“He’s right,” Abby agreed with a nod and a small chuckle. “I have to worry about him taking the whole thing at once.”

“You ever been to Canterlot?” Seth asked the Arcanine. “The park there has a lake that’s full of Magikarp.”

Kasai’s eyes sparked. “We’ve been to Canterlot but we didn’t have time to take in the sights...” he glanced at Abby, a pout on his lips.

“Fine,” Abby replied with a smirk. “But we’ll only take two, you know for a fact what happens if you have more than that.”

The Arcanine grunted. “Yes, yes I do...”

“What happens if you eat more than two?” Seth asked out of curiosity.

“Great amounts of a terrible thing,” Kasai replied, shaking his head. “I really don’t want to talk about it while I’m eating.”

“Fair enough,” Seth grunted, getting the general idea. “I wonder if Ignis plans on waking up anytime soon?”

“He did fight Arceus yesterday...” Selena mentioned. “So it’s understandable that he’s tired.”

“He fought Arceus?” Abby asked, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t think he’d be fighting anyone after the thrashing that him and Axle gave each other yesterday... let alone Arceus.”

“That idiot will fight anything with a pulse,” Selena spoke. “But yes, he challenged Arceus and the god of all creation actually accepted. Ignis did a few hits in too, until that new attack of his recoiled on him and he took a Hyper Voice to the face.”

“Despite getting healed,” Seth added. “Ignis was deaf for three hours after that.”

“Yeah, a Hyper Voice from Arceus would do that I’d think,” Kasai mused with a nod before he lowered his muzzle, apparently deciding that he’d had enough breathing for the moment, and got back to scarfing down fish.

“Actually, that brings up something I’ve been wondering about,” Abby said, glancing at Selena. “Feel free to ignore this question completely, but how do you two... ‘work’. I know that Kasai and I had enough trouble when I was still a human and well... the size difference wasn’t nearly as bad.”

Selena blushed furiously as everyone at the table stared at her, waiting for an answer. “Ah, well.. ahhh. I guess, we just... try our best?” She had no idea how to respond to this. “I’m usually on top though...”

“Ah, I gotcha, set the pace,” Abby said, nodding her head. “Keep him from getting too ‘enthusiastic’ about things.” She glanced over at Kasai. “I trust him to keep from hurting me so he gets to be on top.” Kasai glanced up and leaned over to lick the side of her face before getting back to his meal. Selena tapped the side of her head and motioned at Abby. Abby blinked for a moment before nodding and closing her eyes, concentrating. Yes?

That said, until you’ve been bent over and utterly dominated by a ferocious dragon... oohhh Abby could feel the Absol smirk.

Oh trust me, I’ve been utterly and completely dominated by Kasai... the fiery climaxes are the best, hehe, Abby replied with a mental smirk of her own.

I know right? Fire-types are so passionate, yet caring and sweet, I must say, Kasai is pretty cute too~ She giggled out loud, causing Rika to raise an eyebrow.

Abby grinned. Yes, yes he is... my favorite thing is the way he sleeps, he’s like a big adorable log. The only way I’ve found to reliably wake him is whisper ‘buttered Magikarp’ into his ear.

Ignis is the same, though I have... other means of stirring him.

Elsewhere, a certain Charizard grinned in his sleep...

Abby snickered and then winced. One sec... still getting used to doing this. She was silent for a moment before she rejoined the conversation. Yes... I do that with Kasai sometimes, he’s always very... befuddled as to why his hips are slamming up and down, hehe.

Selena suddenly burst out laughing, as Rika just folded her ribbons in front of her.

“Okay, what’s so funny?”

“Mental conversations that will forever taunt you,” Abby replied with a snicker, causing Rika to pout adorably. Heheh, this is fun.

Indeed, though I’m surprised you could link with me so easily. Maybe because you’re not a Psychic-type?

Search me, I’m still getting used to the idea of being able to do this... guess my hard work earlier with Belle yesterday paid off, Abby replied. Anyways... yeah, Kasai’s my big adorable dog, and my big handsome stud at the same time... and I do mean big in the best way.

Selena nodded as she sipped her water. I envy you though, being able to have what I cannot

Ah, right, Abby nodded and sipped her own water. Sorry.

Not your fault Selena chuckled weakly. “I don’t know... maybe Arceus will bring me one in a little bundle?”

Seth’s eyes widened as he realized what Selena was talking about. She’d mentioned it the other day, it must still be weighing on her mind.

“I’m sure you’ll figure out something,” Seth said.

“What? What are we talking about!?” Rika cried, flailing her ribbons.

“We’re talking about me not being able to be a mother, that’s what!” Selena snapped. Rika stopped and gasped slightly, before hugging her sister.

“Sorry...”

“It’s fine, no-one’s to blame... other than the idiot who came up with the concept of Egg groups. Seriously, if it fits, it should impregnate it!” She said that last part a little loud, causing several ponies to gasp in surprise.

Kasai glanced up. “Then Abby would have gotten pregnant a looooong time ago... not that I blame you for the sentiment.”

“I didn’t know it was bothering you so much,” Rika said. “So... we just need to find a Field group Poke... mon...?” Her gaze shifted over to Seth, who suddenly choked on his lunch.

“OH HELL NO!!” Seth and Selena yelled, blushing redder than a Tamato Berry and scaring away other customers.

Abby winced at the volume. “I mean, I think it’s kinda common among Pokemon isn’t it?”

“Sometimes,” Selena said awkwardly. “Especially at breeding ranches and the like.” She gave an apology to the waiter and finished her food. “Let’s move on shall we?”

Seth nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. “On a more, professional note. Do you have an estimate for when the Ranger’s going to be fully operational?”

“We don’t really know yet, and at the moment I’m serving maternity leave,” Abby replied with a small shrug. “So I don’t exactly know what reports Mom has got about things. What I do know is that we’re hoping to get the building itself set up within a month or two.”

“Okay, and we’ll need to find a way of setting up instant communications as well. Carrier Pegasus just won’t cut it...” Seth reached into his bag and pulled out his XTransceiver... utterly useless now. “Too bad these don’t work anymore.”

Abby glanced down at it and nodded. “I’ll bring that up with Arceus next time I see him... he destroyed a lot of old systems when he brought us here... not all for the better.”

“Long distance telepathy is one way... too bad it requires a Legendary to do so.” Seth pondered for a moment. “I wonder if Mewtwo is up for being the worlds only cell phone?”

Kasai and Abby both frowned deeply at that. “I’d prefer not to talk to him,” Abby stated flatly.

“And I’ve already threatened to rip his ass off if I see him again,” Kasai added with a low growl.

“Um, okay?” Well that was unexpected. What the hell did Mewtwo do to these people? “I’m gonna guess the less said the better? Well...” Seth tried to think of something, but came up short.

“Yes, I’d say so,” Abby agreed before frowning. “Hmm...” she trailed off for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Thankfully, Kasai came to her ‘rescue’. “So Seth, by the end of yesterday’s session, did you start to get the flow of combat a bit better?”

“I learned that it’s uncomfortable when an Arcanine sits on you,” Seth chuckled. “But yes, I think I understand a lot more now. I just need to train... but ponies are so squishy...”

“Fritter could help?” Rika suggested.

“Fritter would put me on the moon,” Seth replied.

“At least there’s lower gravity there,” Kasai snickered. “Might help you get up from underneath her, if you wanted to be anyways,” he added, waggling a bushy eyebrow at Seth.

“Aaaand the conversation goes right back into the gutter,” Seth facepawed, but blushed slightly.

“Personally, if the conversation ISN’T in the gutter at a gathering like this then everything is deadly serious or something horrible is happening... in my experience anyways,” Abby said with a small shrug. “Personally, I like it this way.”

Seth nodded, “It is a nice change of pace, I’ll admit.”

“Sethy is liking dirty talk!?” Rika gasped. “Where is my Trainer? What have you done with him?”

“Hey, I’ll have you know that Elesa and I used to talk like this when we were alone...”

“Elesa... as in the celebrity and gym leader Elesa?” Abby inquired curiously. “The one who Kasai is 85% convinced is doing things with her Zebstrika?”

Seth chuckled, “Sorry to burst your bubble Kasai, but back on Earth, Elesa and I were a thing for a while. We spent quite a few nights together...” His mind wandered to his friend. “She’s an Ampharos now, and currently a DJ for the dubstep genre.”

Kasai shrugged. “Not really a ‘bubble’, I was always just curious on how she managed to not get split in half is all, I mean... I’ve seen Rapidash and Zebstrika at their full ‘height’... it’s kind of terrifying to imagine someone using that on a human,” he mused, glancing at Abby with clear concern.

“Which is why I had you, knot boy,” she replied with a smirk.

“Y’know, I wonder what Sethy’s is like,” Rika mused as she ducked under the table, only for Seth to bop her on the head her lightly.

“Rika, not now...” he sighed.

Abby snickered but shook her head. “Sorry, I’ll admit I was never THAT much like this on earth where I had to hide it all for so long... I guess my mind has been holding back the gutter for so long that now I can talk about it... it just keeps bubbling up.”

“It’s fine, I’m just glad you two are so happy,” Seth smiled. He really meant it too. “You two are just so adorable together... I just wish it could have been like this back on Earth.” He sighed as he ordered a coffee. “I tried... I really did...”

“Hey, you did a fine job,” Kasai said, leaning over to give the electric lion’s cheek a lick.

“Besides... that made it more fun sometimes, a bit of risk goes a long way,” Abby said with a smirk. “Like the time I spoke to Hastings through the front door while feigning a cold as a certain someone was ‘occupied’ with that tongue.”

Despite the sombre mood he was in, it just disappeared as Seth burst out laughing. “O...oh gods, that is just the funniest damn thing ever...”

“Yeah, he was REALLY worried about me,” Abby said, a small smile on her face. “Poor man thought I was on the verge of death from all the ‘coughing’ and ‘gasping’ I was doing.”

Kasai just shook his head. “If I’d known who was at the door I wouldn’t have... but well... we were already in the middle of things and I knew she wasn’t anywhere near ‘close’ so I figured we’d risk it.”

“The head of the Rangers... talking to his Top Ranger while she’d sexxing up her Pokemon...” Seth chuckled again. “The old coot’d have a heart attack if he knew.”

“Don’t call him that please...” Abby said with a sigh. “He’s a good man... just stubborn and set in his ways after seeing a lot of bad examples.”

“Yeah, sorry then,” Seth apologised. True, he wasn’t a fan of Hastings... but the guy had never done anything to him directly. “So, Kasai... can I ask something... private?”

Kasai nodded and got up from the table. “Sure, let’s go for a walk.” Seth nodded and followed the Arcanine outside. If Rika hadn’t been there, then he could have asked then and there. Once they were out of earshot, Seth spoke up.

“When you were first ‘with’ Abby... did you ever worry about... burning her?”

“Yeah, I did all the time she was human,” Kasai answered honestly. “I had to make sure that I was always in control of myself, I didn’t want the person I loved most of all to end up with third degree burns because I got ‘trigger happy’.”

Seth nodded, “That’s my problem... When I get... emotional... I lose control of my electricity.” He glanced back at the restaurant. “I want to show my girls that I love them... but I don’t want to risk electrocuting them. Especially since Fritter isn’t as resistant as a Pokemon...”

Kasai was silent for a long moment before he glanced down at Seth. “Then burn it up ahead of time. Spend an hour or two beforehand unleashing as much of your electricity as you possible can. After that, start slow, get them to stroke you, nuzzle them, lick them. Get a feel for yourself you know? No reason to shove it all in and go to town in the first few minutes.”

Seth chuckled. “Yeah, I guessed that much. But there’s a problem. When I use a lot of electricity, my body sort of... stops before I can drain myself. Unless I get really angry first, just ask Arceus about that.”

“Well then, drain as much as you can, then...” he glanced at Seth. “If you really love and care about them then you’ll be able to avoid hurting them.”

Seth nodded, “I hope so... I’ll give our idea a try... just don’t be too alarmed if you see fireworks coming from Sweet Apple Acres.” He laughed dryly at that.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kasai agreed with a nod and a chuckle. “Also... and this just between us guys... but experiment on your own with the amount of electricity you give off when you’re ‘pleasured’. You’ve got the ability to lick your crotch for a reason, you know?”

Seth just stared blankly. “You’re kidding... right?” Being a Pokemon was one thing, but was not gonna lick his own junk.

“I’m a dog, Seth. You’re a cat,” Kasai replied with a small shrug though his tone was serious enough. “It’s no different than a human using his hand.”

“I’ll ah... I’ll think of something...” Seth nodded, his eyes still wide. “Right, so... experiment first, then learn how to Discharge all my electricity.” This was going to be some interesting homework.

“Yep, or get Rika some rubber gloves to dispel the electricity and have her use her ribbons, I know that Lex uses them when he’s with Rill, and she’s a Flygon so it should work for you,” he said with a small frown.

Seth suddenly pictured Rika and Fritter in nurses outfits. “Yeah... that sounds like a rigid- I MEAN solid plan.”

“You could always try a little Roleplay too, I know that Abby and I get into it,” he commented, ignoring that little freudian slip. “It spices things up and you can set a good pace through it... and start to get REALLY invested once it turns... fun.”

“I like the way you think Sensei,” Seth smiled. “And I know a good dressmaker too~”

Kasai grinned. “You know, I think I might make everyone call me Sensei, I like the sound of it,” he said, smiling widely.

“I think it suits you,” Seth said honestly.

“Thanks man,” Kasai said, leaning over and giving his friend another lick on the cheek. “So, need any more help with girls? I’m kind of an expert at this point.”

“What is it with you and the cheek licking?” Seth said. “But no, I think I’m good from here on out. Need to figure things out for myself you know?” The Luxray stretched himself and shook some more dirt from his fur.

“Yeah, I getcha,” Kasai said with a nod. “And I’m a dog, I lick faces, deal with it.” He smiled, tongue lolling to the side a bit.

“Yeah, alright then,” Seth smiled. “Shall we get back to our ladies? I shudder to think what they’re saying about us while we’re gone.”

“That, is a very good point,” Kasai agreed, chuckling as he turned back in the direction of the girls. “Still, glad I could help you out Seth.”

“And I’m glad you could help Sensei,” Seth replied with a grin. “I think I’ve learned quite a bit in the last two days.”

“Heh, come back around if you ever want another day of eating dirt while your mate has dirty thoughts,” Kasai told him with a snicker. “Or you know, for hanging out.”

“You are so eating the dirt next time!” Seth said as he sparked. “But yeah, we should definitely hang out again soon. I’d love to meet your pups when they’re born.”

Kasai smiled proudly. “Thanks, and I can’t remember, can you breed with Rika?” he inquired, cocking his head to the side. “Because if you can, then I’d love to meet your pups too... or kittens, whichever it is, heh.”

“Well, Luxray’s and Sylveon’s do are in the same group, so an Eevee or a Shinx is possible.” Seth said. “And, I don’t think I’m quite ready for that step yet... perhaps one day. I’d ah... I’d actually like to get married first.”

The Arcanine nodded his head sagely. “Better to wait till you’re stable before starting a family,” he agreed. “I know that Abby and I have been together for years now... we ‘work’ right for it even if we hadn’t been expecting it.” He smiled. “I’m sure you and Rika will be good too, so I’ll still say I look forwards to meeting your kids.”

“Thanks, and next time you’re in Canterlot, we should go Magikarp fishing. Never had them before, so you could show me why you love them so much.”

“Sounds like a great idea,” Kasai said as they got back to the table to find the ladies talking amongst themselves. “So, is everyone ready to leave?”

“More or less,” Abby said with a smile. “I think we’ve said pretty much everything we could for a while.”

“Yup, and driving Rika totally insane with telepathy,” Selena grinned as the Fairy pouted.

“You’ll get yours,” Rika grumbled. “I know your tickle spots!”

Kasai chuckled and glanced at Seth. “Well then, this is where we part ways for now I guess,” he said, giving the Luxray a little half-bow. “We probably won’t be in the hotel much longer, we’re kinda running short on bits so try Gene and Belle’s place for us.”

“Yeah, we do need to go over and ask them about that...” Abby said with a small frown. “Anyways, it was great having lunch with you guys!”

“And it was great meeting you as well,” Seth agreed. “I must admit, it was a little nerve-wracking meeting a Ranger though, but you guys are cool... Oh, I almost forgot. Is Axle alright? Restraint isn’t in Ignis’s vocabulary.”

“He’s fine, from the way he told it he and Ignis could have matched any of the Legendaries and then some which is all he really cares about,” Abby said, rolling her eyes. “Plus he just used Rest to recover quickly.”

“That’s good, Ignis is still laid up after fighting Arceus... poor guy is deaf as a doornail after taking that Hyper Voice attack...”

“And THAT is why you don’t fight Arceus,” Kasai said with a small snicker.

“True,” Abby agreed before getting up and giving everyone a smile. “Well, we’re off to talk to Gene and Belle, have a good rest of your day.”

With that, the two walked off. Seth watched them leave before turning back to his Pokemon.

“Let’s head back to the farm.”

Meanwhile...

Ignis lay in the large barn, wincing when he tried to sit up. Despite being healed by Arceus after the fight, he still ached all over. At least the ringing in his head had lowered to a droning buzz.

“So. Much. Ow... Still. Totally. Worth it!”

Christine was sitting outside the barn, leaning up against the massive door and idly tapping her claw in the dirt. “So why’s flame-brain laid up anyways?” she questioned Selena, who had just gotten back from their lunch with Abby and Kasai.

“He fought an overly battle-happy Haxorus, followed up by a bout with Arceus,” Selena explained as she sipped on an apple juice. “Plus he used a move that he created himself, turns out it has pretty harsh recoil.”

The Gabite found herself thankful she wasn’t drinking anything, otherwise she was certain she would have performed a spit-take. “He did what?!”

“I battled Arceus!” Ignis said from his haypile. “It. Was. AWESOME!!”

“You know,” Christine said, turning thoughtful. “It’s a shame we don’t have anything to wear to tease him with. What with him being laid up like that, he’s stuck with looking.”

Rika popped up out of a nearby haybale, a wide smirk on her face. “Pst! Hey ladies... wanna buy somethin’?”

Selena just blinked. Her big sister was getting weirder and weirder. “Rika... what the hell are you talking about?”

Rika produced two nurse uniforms... ones tailored perfectly for the Gabite and Absol.

“Chrissie was just talking about these, I had a feeling you’d want them.”

“...And how did you get these to match our bodies so perfectly in such a short amount of time?” Christine asked, backing up a touch from the slightly stranger Sylveon. “Where’d you even get them to begin with?”

“I made them in town, at Carousel Boutique,” Rika explained. “Don’t bother asking, the fancy Unicorn in charge was confused enough.”

“I cannot wait for Vincent to meet you again,” Selena smirked.

“You know, out of all the things you’ve done lately, that explanation actually made some semblance of sense,” Christine commented as she picked up, quite carefully, the uniform for herself. “Now all I have to do is figure out how you got here so quickly after I mentioned the idea to Selena.”

“It’s a part of the Pink Code, just accept it and move on,” Rika said. “Now... I have other things to do, later ladies.” And with that she bounced merrily from the barn.

“I am so done,” Selena muttered.

“Not sure what’s weirder, her new abilities, or the fact that she had access to nurse outfits on such short notice and didn’t think to snag one for herself and Fritter for the next time Puffball gets hurt,” the Gabite commented as she slipped her coat on and carefully put the hat atop her head. “You gonna help me or am I doin’ this myself?”

Selena looked at the outfit, which was a perfect mirror of a Nurse Joy uniform.

“Okay, I get mine... but why are you helping?”

“Cause if that dragon is gonna be so noble as to stick to just you, then I’m gonna milk these chances to tease him from here to Las Pegasus,” Christine retorted. “You helpin’?”

“I suppose,” Selena sighed, putting on her own outfit. It was quite comfortable actually. “Oh Ignis~”

The dragon looked up, having dozed off at some point. But when he opened one eye, he knew he must have been dreaming.

“Ready for your checkup, big boy?” Christine asked with a half-lidded gaze as the uniform she was wearing made the line simultaneously cheesy and hot as hell. “It’s not everyday that somemon fights Arceus and lives to tell about it, after all. We’re going to have to give you a very thorough checkup.”

“In my professional opinion...” Selena purred as she ran a claw along his chest. “The patient has acute sexytimes withdrawal. The cure is pretty straightforward.”

Ignis was far too stunned to move... or speak... or think coherent thoughts.

“It’s too bad his other health problems are keeping him on strict bed rest until he recovers, Nurse Selena,” the Gabite commented as she too drew close. “Otherwise he’d be able to do more than look…”

Ignis’s eyes went wide. Were they serious!? Forget dreams, he was in hell...

“Tis a shame, though, we can put on a show for him, I think he at least deserves that much...”

“Mmm, I think we can do that,” Christine smirked back. “To test his blood pressure and reaction times, of course.”

“Oh, I couldn’t agree more~” Selena purred as she stalked closer to Ignis, the dragon wondering if he should escape or submit....

“It’s too bad we left our equipment inside,” Christine mused. “We’ll have to take these readings manually.”

Selena flexed her claws and licked her lips. “I like the sound of that~”

A banging on the barndoor got their attention though as Applejack popped her head in. “An’ whut did ah tell you!?”

“Goddammit...” Selena muttered, while Ignis breathed a steady sigh of relief.

“You are no fun,” the Gabite deadpanned at the orange mare. “That’s what I’m calling you now. Miss No Fun.”

Applejack just pointed out at the fields with one hoof, and Selena and Christine bowed their heads, muttering as they left the recovering Charizard to his solitude.

A small tear fell from his eye as they left. “Nurses are hot...”

Author's Note

Authors Notes -

Aus: So much awesome fight scenes! Ignis has a new bro and he got to beat up God. It was a good day.

Bubba- Do you feel the love tonight? I’m sure as hell that Aus did as he wrote this chapter…
(As a side, this gives a whole nother meaning to Holly Heart taking care of John when he was in the hospital.)

Aus: I wasn’t, then a Wild Thadius appeared…

Thadius: You invited me, that’s kith and kin to an eldritch summoning ritual - shit always goes down after one.

Chapter Thirty Two

Seth was rummaging through his bag. He decided to take inventory while he had the chance, and set aside a few important items. He also hadn’t taken a good look at what Arceus had returned to him yet...

“Let’s see, I have my TM/HM collection, I had my Berries until I planted most of them. My supply of Potions... hmm, I should see about getting these replicated somehow. And my held items... well, most of them.”

He also had his extra Keystones and Mega Stones he got from the Carbink. So three Keys including his own, along with Mega stones for Charizard, Absol, Lucario, Ampharos. The ones from Carbink were one for Garchomp and one unknown one. It had shades of cream, orange and red. And it was nice of the Carbink to cut them for him. Raw stones were a pain to lug around.

“I wonder what this one is?” he mused. “Maybe the Carbink or Diancie could tell me.” As he looked over the stones, an idea occurred and he grabbed some before heading downstairs to find a certain gym leader.

It didn’t take long to find the girl. She wasn’t exactly the subtle type. She was sparring with Lucario and Seth just watched the two for a moment. He recalled the time he battled for her Gym Badge... a fight he had barely won at that. Mega Lucario was tough as hell.

Once the two looked like they could be interrupted, Seth cleared his throat to garner some attention.

“Excuse me? Korrina?” Seth asked.

“Oh, hey Seth," Korrina said once she noticed him. "What's up?"

“Nothing much,” Seth said. “I guess... Well I want to apologise for my earlier teasing. Applejack told me about you and Lucario. I wanted to say that I’m really happy for the two of you.”

Korrina blushed and looked away, but smiled softly, while Lucario chuckled. “Thank you Seth,” he said with a grin. “It hasn’t been easy... but it’s been well worth it.”

Seth nodded and smiled widely. “Actually... I have something for you. I’ve promised them to someone else already, but I wouldn’t mind you borrowing them for a bit.” Seth said as he reached for his bag. “I know we butted heads a few times back on Earth, because of our varied... opinions. So I hope we can be friends from now on.”

He opened his paw, revealing a Keystone and Lucarionite. “You can borrow these until I have to leave.”

Korrina’s eyes widened once she saw the stones. “But... how did you get those?”

“The Lucarionite I had from Earth, Arceus returned a few personal objects of mine.” Seth explained. “Your Grandpa helped me get it actually. The Keystone is a gift from some Carbink I saved the other day.”

“That’s... wow,” Korrina picked up the Lucarionite and examined it. “I’ve gotta remember to talk to Arceus about getting mine back.”

“You should, but isn’t there something else you’d like to do right now?” Seth smiled, tapping his own Keystone.

Korrina smiled and snatched the Keystone from Seth. “Alright Lucario,” she said with a smile, tossing him the Lucarionite. “Let’s do this.”

Lucario smiled and held the stone tightly in his paw as Korrina looked down at the Keystone. “Lucario,” she began, a grin creeping onto her face. “It’s time to MEGA EVOLVE!”

Squeezing the Keystone in her paw, Lucario’s body was engulfed in energy, fading to reveal him in his Mega Form.

“I almost forgot how good this feels,” he said with a smirk. He raised a paw as a blast of Aura washed over them. You could feel the power emanating from him. “Ohh yeahhh...”

Seth smiled, he didn’t fail to notice the ogling Lucario was getting from his Trainer. Seth chalked it up to the fluff, ladies could never resist the fluff~

“You should have seen Ignis when he finally went Mega again... I wonder if they’ve fixed those training grounds yet?”

Korrina smiled and laughed, then tore her eyes away from Lucario and looked back at Seth. "Thanks Seth."

“It’s no problem,” Seth smiled before his eyes glinted. “Now I’ll leave you two alone to ’appreciate’ one another. Have fun kids~” He let that insinuation hang as he left.

Korrina was about to ask what he meant by that, but stopped before she said anything, her mouth hanging open and a bright blush lighting up her face.

Lucario had to stop himself from laughing.

Life was bustling on Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Fritter and Seth were teaching Applejack about Berries and various planting methods.

“If certain Berries are planted in the same vicinity, mutations can also occur,” Seth informed the mare. “And with the magic that permeates the land here in Equus, along with the unique placement of Sweet Apple Acres, I wouldn’t be surprised to see entirely new Berries be born.”

“Well ah’ll be, but are the mutations dangerous?” Applejack asked with a hint of concern.

“It’s how a lot of new Berries have been discovered.” Seth replied. “If a new type is discovered, one not even known to us humans, you might be best consulting Lady Shaymin to see if they’re safe, before you cultivate them.”

“That’s a fine plan, and ah can’t believe y’all have already started on this in Canterlot.” AJ gave her cousin a warm smile. “You’ve really come into yer own Fritter. Ah’m mighty proud of you!”

Apple Fritter squeaked and blushed. Applejack... was proud of her? This made her more happy then you could imagine. Absolutely nothing could ruin this day now...

A bit later, the family was sitting down for a snack, while Fritter and Rika were teaching granny Smith a few Berry recipes. A distant sound caught Seth’s ear and he gave it a small flick.

“Hmm, that sounds...” He excused himself from the table and headed outside, and quickly caught a foul stench. He saw trails of smoke and hoped Christine hadn’t set anything on fire, but a closer investigation found a group of Poison-type Pokemon.

“Hey!” Seth called out. “What are you doing on Miss Applejack’s farm?”

A Toxicroak sporting a red scarf turned towards him and his eyes narrowed. “That... is none of your concern... we will be gone momentarily.”

“What are you sneaking about for?” Seth said, stepping closer. He didn’t know what it was about this group, but something about them unsettled him greatly. And that scarf looked familiar somehow...

“We have some... business in town,” the Toxicroak continued, his tone never changing and his eyes never leaving Seth. “That we would prefer to complete as stealthily as possible.”

Yeah, Seth totally wasn’t buying that for a minute. There was a shout as Apple Fritter and Rika caught up with him, the Sylveon eyeing the Poison types wearily.

“Sethy? Are these friends of yours?”

“I have yet to see about that,” Seth replied. “Care to introduce yourself, Mr. Toxicroak?”

He was silent for a moment before he said, barely loud enough to be heard. “My name... is Koga.”

“Koga?” Seth’s breath paused. “As in, Koga of the Kanto Elite Four?”

“Whut’s an ‘Elite Four’?” Fritter asked.

“A collection of some of the most powerful trainers in the world,” Seth explained. “Remember how Diantha is a Champion, while Elesa’s a Gym Leader? Well these guys are higher than a leader, but lower than a Champion.”

He turned his gaze back to Koga. “And what business do you have in a little town like Ponville Mr. Koga? If you’re looking for Red, you won’t find him there.”

Koga smirked. “While finding the Champion would be a rather pleasant surprise... that is not why we came,” he looked back at the rest of his team. A Weezing, an Ariados, and a Crobat. “We are hunting a... quarry of ours that has escaped us for far too long.”

“That’s... yeah, that’s pretty ominous,” Seth sighed. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Seth Crescent, Captain of the Canterlot Guard, Pokemon Division. If you’re here to start trouble, then I’m afraid that I cannot permit that.”

Koga scoffed. “There will be no trouble,” he said, turning away from Seth. “We will be in and out with our quarry before anyone even knows we’ve been there.”

“To my knowledge, no-one in Ponyville has committed any illegal acts,” Seth said. “And even if they had, it would be up to myself or Ranger Trombley to apprehend them.”

“Master,” the Ariados spoke up. “Doesn’t his name sound familiar?”

Koga closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Yes... yes I know who you are Mister Crescent,” he opened his eyes again. “But you are not the prey for whom I hunt today.”

“As I said,” Seth replied. “By Equestria law, you have no power or authority here. If you choose to act, then as a member of the Royal Guard, I will be forced to apprehend you.” A slight shiver ran up his spine. It was kinda fun to deliver a line like that.

“Ooh, Sethy’s being all cool,” Rika giggled, kissing him on the cheek.

“Rika, not in front of the bad guys,” Seth sighed.

The Weezing chuckled, though it sounded more like a cough. “Please Master, may we handle them?” The two heads asked in perfect sync. “We are certain that we can take them,” both heads smirked. “Especially the Fairy.”

“You’d be surprised,” Rika smiled sadistically, her ribbons cracking like whips. Seth put his paw up and shook his head. “I will not resort to violence. You can come with me into town and plead your case with princess Twilight Sparkle.”

“I have... met the Princess,” Koga said calmly. “She and I do not exactly... see eye to eye.”

“Well, that’s a shame, but it’s either that or you turn back and return to where you came from.” he smirked slightly as he decided to say something else. “I’m afraid you lack the necessary Gym badges to proceed.”

Koga glared at Seth, but said nothing to him, instead, he turned to his Ariados and said. “Pin Missile.”

The Bug type grinned and turned to face Seth before firing several of the projectiles from the spikes on its back. The missiles never reached their target, as Rika jump forward and erected a Protect barrier.

“You dare attack my beloved!?’

Seth looked at Fritter, “Go and get Ignis and Selena. NOW!”

Fritter nodded and she galloped away, leaving Seth and Rika to defend themselves.

“You’ve started a fight with a Guard member,” Seth said. “Note that I will now place you under arrest by the authority vested in me by the Crown of Equestria. I will take you by force if necessary!”

“He’s not gonna listen,” Rika replied. “So just say the word Sethy!”

“What will it be Koga?” Seth said. “Last chance to walk away peacefully.”

Koga simply rolled his eyes, unimpressed. “Leech Life, and Sludge.”

Koga’s two other Pokemon sprang into action. The Crobat opening its mouth wide and shooting towards Seth, fangs exposed, while the Weezing spat an unsanitary orb of poison spit at Rika.

“Rika, dodge and use Psyshock!” Seth said as he ducked the swooping Crobat and fired a blast of lightning at it.

Rika stepped to one side as the gunk splattered against the ground. She glared at the Weezing as her eyes shone with blue light as several stones levitated around her, before firing at the Poison Pokemon with extreme prejudice.

Crobat managed to dodge Seth’s attack, while Weezing took the full force of Rika’s, sending the Poison type reeling backwards in the air momentarily.

Selena bolted into the barn, causing Ignis to look up from his haypile.

“What, no outfit this time?” he mused. “I was expecting a maid this time.”

“Not now!” Selena said. “Seth’s in trouble, south orchard. NOW!”

“This is why we can never go anywhere,” Ignis muttered as he got up and took to the skies, leaving through the loft window. Selena raced into the farmhouse and upstairs. It took a moment to find Fritter’s room, but once she had, she grabbed Seth’s bag, only to be stopped by Applejack at the door.

“Now whut in tarnation has you runnin’ around like this?” she asked. “Y’all nearly took mah head off with the front door.”

“There’s trouble in the south orchard,” Selena hastily explained. “We could use your help.”

Applejack nodded and followed the worried Pokemon, rounding up the rest of her kin while she was at it.

“I’ll admit, you have skill,” Koga said to Seth. “But you’ll find that I do as well. Crobat, Supersonic.”

The Bat Pokemon righted itself in the air in front of Seth before opening its mouth and uttering an unearthly screech.

The Luxray had no time to dodge as the blast of sound hit him dead on, now, being on the receiving end as a human was loud and painful, but as a Pokemon?

Seth saw red as his body exploded with lightning, firing errant bolts everywhere. Rika shrieked as she tossed up another Protect. Her Heal Bell didn’t work on confusion status, so all she could do was guard and try not to get hit.

Relief quickly came as a fist smacked Seth right on the head, knocking the Luxray to the ground as Ignis waved the tingling feeling of striking an Electric type.

“Well that’s annoying,” he said as he turned his gaze to Koga. “So... who’s first to the forge?”

Koga took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He might not be a Pokemon by birth, but he was a ninja by choice, having trained his body for years to the peak of human fitness, one thing he’d found, it had translated over somewhat.

“Poison Jab,” Koga sprang forward, his arms glowing purple for Poison energy, prepared to strike the Charizard with all he had.

Ignis hadn’t expected the sudden move and stepped to dodge, but the ninja was faster than he expected as the Poison Jab grazed his side. While the damage wasn’t that high, Ignis could already feel the poison setting in.

“Damn!” he growled as he twisted his head and fired a burst of Flamethrower at the ninja frog.

Koga sprang upwards and landed on a tree branch looking down at Ignis, then he smiled. “Ariados, use Venoshock.”

Ariados, having gone mostly unnoticed after the initial attack, fired a spray of purple liquid at Ignis.

Where were these guys coming from? Ignis had utterly failed to notice the spider as the attack struck, doubling in power due to him being poisoned. He roared in pain as he doubled over...

The tree that the Ariados was clinging to was suddenly severed, and the spider leapt away, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the toppling tree. Behind said tree was an Absol, her horn-blade humming with Psychic power from a Psycho Cut attack.

“Your deaths will be quick, but painful,” she murmured. Meanwhile, Rika had moved away from the flailing Weezing and over to Ignis, her Heal Bell going to work and curing the Poison.

Seth got to his paws, rubbing his head. In the brief moment he had been out, things had really gone to hell in a handbasket. “Okay, we need a plan, fast!”

Koga, noticing Rika’s Heal Bell, frowned. I’m going to have to take her out first... “Crobat! Use Poison Fang! Weezing! Use Sludge Bomb! Ariados, keep the Absol busy with Fell Stinger!”

While Ariados attempted to strike Selena with one of its stingers, Crobat and Weezing simultaneously attacked Rika with their Poison type moves. Crobat once again prepared to sink his fangs into something, while Weezing fired a Sludge Bomb at the Sylveon.

Dammit... no choice! Seth flung himself in front of Rika and Ignis, “Use Wish to heal Ignis, Ignis! Give us a Smokescreen! Selena evade and use Psycho Cut again!” he just finished his orders as the Sludge Bomb nailed him, causing him to stumble and Crobat crashed into his side, sinking the venomous fangs into Seth’s thick fur.

“Seth!” Rika cried, but used Wish regardless. Ignis opened his maw as a thick blanket of smoke covered the area, while Selena parried Ariados’ attacks with Psycho Cut.

Koga peered down into the black smoke from his perch. “Crobat, use Defog.” The Ninja smiled as the fog began to dissipate, revealing Rika, Ignis, and Seth. “Well Mister Crescent,” Koga said with a grin, jumping down from the tree. “Perhaps it’s my turn to ask you if you’d like to surrender.”

“I’ll admit,” Seth coughed. “You’re no slouch, the Elite Four really know their stuff...” He placed a paw against his chest, “Still, we’re not without our own tricks!” He activated the charm on his torc, as he felt the magic of the night imbue him. He took a deep breath and then...

“RROOAAARRRRR!” his attack, strengthened by the Royal Canterlot Voice, was ungodly loud, it sounded like some primal beast from the Everfree. Windows in Ponyville rattled and several trees in Sweet Apple Acres dropped their apples.

“Ahhhh! Warn us next time,” Rika said as she clutched her ears.

Likewise, Koga had his hands over his ears, and watched as his Crobat spiraled out of control before slamming face first into a tree and slumping to the ground.

Once his ears stopped ringing, Koga looked around, Weezing was floating by his side, while Ariados was still parrying attacks with Selena. Crobat may be down, but we’re not out yet.

Seth wasn’t done yet though. “I trained under Champion Diantha, so don’t think you have it easy today! Selena, dance in the light and strike from the shadows! Mega Shinka!”

“This will be fun~” the Dark type giggled as her form erupted with light, her Mega evolution complete.

“Yo, Puffball!” an unfamiliar voice said as a Gabite came in from the farm and stood by the Luxray’s side. “You called?”

“So?” Seth said, “You still game ninja boy?”

Koga eyed Ariados, who was currently surrounded by the Gabite and Mega Absol, then looked at Weezing, then nodded. “Ariados! Cross Poison!”

The Bug type spun around, both its front legs glowing purple as it slash at Christine and Selena.

“Too slow,” Selena said as she leapt into the air. Oh crap! She’d left Christine there... Oh dear...

The not-very effective hit caused the dragon to flinch, thankfully not poisoning her, but it still changed her type. The forcible change and purple flash was punctuated by her glare at the arrogant Bug. “You LITTLE INSECT!” She screamed, smoke coming out of her mouth. “I ATE bigger bugs than you in the wilds! NOW TASTE FLAMETHROWER!”

Koga watched in mostly concealed horror as the Fire attack engulfed his Pokemon, the first real emotion he’d shown since the fight began. “Weezing,” he said, clenching a fist. “HIT HER WITH EXPLOSION!!”

“Get down!” Ignis yelled as he gave a powerful flap of his wings, tackling Christine to the ground as the Weezing detonated. The dragon howled as his body took the brunt of the attack, Rika’s Wish kicking in at the same time. Being hurt and healed at the same time was a really, really weird feeling...

“Ignis!” Selena yelled, diving down and throwing up a Protect to block any further damage, though Ignis would be feeling this for a while...

“Oowwwww,” Ignis moaned. “That... that really hurt.”

Christine slowly wormed her way out from under his form and looked at both him, then Selena, before glaring at the Toxicroak that had ordered the Weezing to explode. “You hurt Ignis,” she stated simply, her every move sending tremors through the earth as she prepared Bulldoze. “I hurt you.”

“Christine! Stop!” Seth yelled. “You’ll injure everyone else here too!”

A claw grabbed her ankle as Ignis gave a cough. “Y-yeah... s’cool, barely felt a thing.”

Koga looked around the clearing for his Pokemon, Crobat appeared fine, and Weezing, despite having blown himself up, had looked worse for wear, but Ariados... Koga gulped as he finally spotted the Bug type, his exoskeleton appeared to have been fried, and had melted in a few places.

“... it... it can’t end like this,” he said, holding back his emotions. “He... deserved better than this.”

“Rika, use Wish on Ariados. Now!” Seth coughed, the poison still coursing through his system. “Selena, go and fetch my bag, and I want it here yesterday.” He looked at Ignis, “Can you hang in there for a moment?”

“M’cool,” Ignis said. “Just... owww...”

“Christine, take care of Ignis!’ Seth said. “And don’t kill anyone please... *cough, hack!*” He doubled over as a few spots of red appeared on the ground in front of him. “Oohh, that’s not good...” He collapsed, his breathing becoming more shallow.

“No promises,” the Gabite said as she stood between Ignis and the Toxicroak. “It takes a minute or two for me to change my Type back, and this little arrogant frog ordered these ‘mon around to hurt us. He steps out of line, I’ve got a Bulldoze with his name on it.” With that, she sat down near the Charizard and pulled his head into her lap.

Selena bolted as fast as she could to the farmhouse, almost knocking over Applejack as she raced upstairs to find Seth’s bag. In the meantime, Rika had crouched near the Ariados, first using Heal Bell to cure the burns and then following up with Wish.

“It takes a moment to set in, just hang on until then okay?” she whispered.

Fritter had run off as well, grabbing all the Berries she brought for Applejack and hurrying back. But upon seeing Seth, and the specks of blood that dotted his muzzle, she started to panic. She tripped as she reached Seth, spilling the assorted fruit all over the place. “Nononononoo which one is poison heal again!” she panicked, trying to remember what Seth had taught her.

“Pecha,” Christine absently replied. “Lum if you have any. Also if you have any Oran or Sitrus, they’d be good for getting their energy back. Could use a few over here...assuming flame-brain opens his mouth.”

“I suppose,” he groaned. “And you never close yours...” He could make jokes, he was fine.

Names didn’t help Fritter much. Which berry was which again!?

Selena returned, along with several members of the Apple family. She pulled items from Seth’s bag and handed them out, barking orders to who got what. Rika’s Wish kicked in as a pale light shone on Ariados, his wounds slowly recovering. It would be days before he was back to full strength, but at least he wasn’t at Yveltal’s door anymore.

Applejack hurried to Seth’s side, calming Fritter as she held a small vial filled with a yellow liquid.

“This here is an Antidote!” she said. “Selly says to give him this.”

Fritter nodded and she tried to give it to him, but the Luxray was out. “No, what do I do?” Then she got an idea. She placed the vial against her lips and drank the liquid. Holding it in her mouth, she pressed her lips against Seth’s and forced the liquid inside.

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom had brought a square container to Christine, filled with a bright blue liquid.

“Give Mr. Ignis this,” she said, hoofing over the Full Restore.

“Y’hear that, hothead? Open wide~” the Gabite sing-songed as she pried open the container with one claw, revealing the liquid within.

“In front of everyone?” Ignis coughed. “That’s pretty bold scales~”

“While I normally wouldn’t mind your teasing,” She returned, bringing the open Full Restore closer, “I think you’d rather drink a different fluid right now.”

Big Macintosh and Rika were tending to the Ariados, using potions and Wish to heal him as best they could. Applejack had moved over to Weezing, placing a green herb in its mouth, the Poison type’s face scrunching up in disgust at the sour Revival Herb.

Seth eventually opened his eyes and despite Fritter’s protest, got to his feet. “Well that sucked,” he groaned. “I hate poison...” He looked at Koga, who had been silent until now.

“And what about you?” he said. “Has this foolishness gone on long enough?”

Koga looked at Seth for a long moment before he finally moved, unwrapping the scarf from around his neck and placing it at Seth’s feet as he kneeled to the ground. “I surrender.”

“...You mean I don’t get to teach this arrogant frog why you don’t attack me?” Christine commented as Ignis drank the miraculous healing liquid.

“Ah wouldn’t mind kickin this varmit all the way to the Frozen North,” Fritter growled.

“He surrendered,” Seth said with a calm, yet stern voice. “His Pokemon are unable to battle and he himself is greatly outnumbered.” Seth sighed as he sat, standing was hard right now. “Let me rest for a moment, then I will escort you and your Pokemon to Ponyville. They are in need of medical attention and you yourself will be placed under the Ranger’s care.”

“I accept my fate,” Koga said calmly, still kneeling at Seth’s feet.

“Oh good. Me, him, five minutes in the forest…” Christine trailed off with a growl.

“Christine, be a good girl and cuddle Ignis for me while I help Seth,” Selena said. Ignis blinked, but was in no position to argue right now. Selena helped Seth get back to his feet, the Luxray leaning on the Absol and Fritter.

“Koga, answer me this,” Seth replied. “Who is this ‘prey’ you are after?”

“I was going to apprehend the fugitive Gene Phillips,” he said, his tone never changing.

Seth’s eyes widened, this was really not good. “We need to get to Ponyville, NOW!” Seth said. “Rika! I need you to run ahead, in case anyone is hurt or needs protection. We’ll catch up with you shortly.”

The Sylveon paused for a moment, but she saw that Seth was serious, much more so than usual. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried down the road towards Ponyville.

“Stay safe, we’ll be there soon,” Seth said. He turned to his draconic brother and nodded. “Ignis? You up for a little flight?”

Ignis groaned as he got to his feet, much to Christine’s protest.

“What the hell furball? He’s in no condition to go flying!”

Ignis closed his eyes as his wings folded against his back, his Roost healing a good portion of his physical wounds. He was still exhausted though.

“Alright, what do you need me to do?”

Seth motioned towards the injured Ariados. “I need you to take this one to Ponyville hospital. He needs a place to recover with professionals that can assist should things take a turn for the worse. I can’t guarantee that Sweet Apple Acres will remain a safe place, especially if whoever is attacking knows that I’m here.” Actually, while he was on that topic... He turned to Koga. “Just who is a part of this little assault anyway?”

“A few Gym Leaders, Professor Rowan, some Top Rangers and Professor Hastings.”

“Hastings!?” Seth exclaimed. “Oh for the love of- Alright.” He turned back to his Pokemon, “Ignis I need any injured at that hospital, Christine? Can you protect this area?”

“You’re stupid and this plan is stupid...” She glared at Koga, “”You’re lucky that I think that these idiots are stupider though.”

“Thanks Christine,” Seth nodded. “Can someone inform Korrina? She’d be a big help here as well.”

“Eeyup,” Mac nodded and cantered off towards the farmhouse.

“The rest of us will head for Ponyville, and hope that all hell hasn’t broken loose yet.”

“One question,” Ignis said. “Where is the hospital?”

“Ah can show you!” Apple Bloom said.

“Like hay you are!” AJ replied. “Y’all are gonna stay right here!”

“But ah know the way, and ah’m the lightest, unless y’all think Ignis can carry Big Macintosh on his back.”

“At full strength, most likely,” Ignis smiled.

“Ah forbid it,” Applejack said. “It’s too dangerous fer a little filly!”

“Ah handled that swamp and Chimera jus’ fine didn’t I?” Apple Bloom retorted. “Ah’m not a little filly anymore! Ah’m a Pokemon Trainer!”

Seth laughed, then coughed. “Heh! I like you kid, maybe once things have calmed down, I’ll teach you a thing or two about training Pokemon.”

“Y’all mean that!?” Apple Bloom bounced. “Awesome!”

“Miss Applejack,” Ignis said. “I promise on my very life that nothing will happen to your sister.”

“See?” Apple Bloom said smugly. “Besides, we do waaay more dangerous stuff with our Crusadin’.... Uh, ah mean... Ah got this!”

Applejack sighed, choosing wisely to ignore that last part. Plus, with her sister’s puppydog eyes and Ignis being all noble and cool, there really wasn’t much room for argument. “Alright, but y’all better be careful alright?”

“Always,” Apple Bloom nodded, before climbing carefully onto Ignis’s back. “Ah get to ride a dragon! This is so cool, Scoots is gonna be sooo jealous~”

Ignis chuckled as he picked up the Ariados gently. It was a lot lighter than he thought it was. Seth handed him a satchel of Berries and a potion, before the dragon gave a grunt and took off into the sky.

“Alright everyone, let’s move out!” Seth said, as he headed towards town with Selena and several Apples in tow...

Apple Bloom watched in quiet awe as she soared on Ignis’s back. A small part of her was envious of every Pegasus, being able to see this sight whenever they wanted.

“Hey kid!” Ignis called out, snapping Apple Bloom out of her daydream. “Where’s this hospital?”

“Oh, um...” She peered over Ignis’s shoulder and pointed to the northwest. “Over that way.”

“Righto,” Ignis said. “Hang on tight everyone.”

Apple Bloom gripped the dragon's neck as he held the Ariados firmly. With a powerful flap of his wings, the dragon surged forward in the direction that Bloomy had pointed out.

*~*

Doctor Stable sipped at his coffee, it was a slow day today. No new patients and his rounds had been fairly orderly.

So one could only imagine that he nearly jumped out of his skin when a large, orange dragon burst through the doors, little Apple Bloom astride it’s back and it was holding a massive spider.

One would also have to give the stallion credit for his professionality. For after recovering from his brief fright, he cleared his throat and looked at the odd couple.

“Can I.. help you?” he asked.

“We got an emergency doc!” Apple Bloom said. “This here buggy is hurt real bad. Can y’all help it?”

“Young Apple Bloom, this is a hospital for ponies... not Pokemon,” Stable started to say, but one look at the giant, watering eyes of the little filly and all hope of resistance crumbled to dust and scattered in the wind.

“Alright, let’s take a look then,” Stable said as the filly beamed brightly. He examined the spider, a little spooked but he was a Doctor, one of Ponyville no less. No giant bug was going to get to him, no siree! It was a giant bug, and Doctor Stable’s training recently covered Changeling anatomy, so hopefully that would apply here in some way.

“It’s covered in third-degree burns and scarring. I can see several cracks and fissures in the carapace and it’s breathing is laboured.” Stable waved over a nurse and ordered a stretcher. “How were these injuries inflicted? We have received no word of a fire nearby.”

“Point blank Flamethrower,” Ignis said. “And this is an Ariados, a Bug-type Pokemon, They have a weakness to Fire in particular.”

“This Flamethrower must be quite powerful indeed,” Stable replied.

“I think the only reason Ariados survived in the first place was that the move was used by a non-Fire-type and Rika’s quick healing.”

“Rapid healing? That explains the scarring,” Stable noted on a pad. “What else can you tell me about the patient?”

“It’s also a Poison type, so be wary of it’s mandibles and the two legs on it’s back,” Ignis stated. “You may want to wrap it’s fangs just in case it bites by accident.”

“Thank you, that helps us a lot,” Stable replied. “You seem to have injuries also, do you require aid of some kind?”

Ignis looked over his wounds. He hurt like hell, but Rika’s healing and the Potions closed all the open ones. “I’m good for now, but you may want to prepare for a sudden influx of patients. Something is happening in town and I don’t think it’s good.”

Stable frowned, he was never, ever going to complain about a quiet day again. “Alright, I’ll call all my staff in. Thank you for the advanced warning Mister...?”

“Ignis Crescent,” the dragon nodded. “Alright Little Apple, let’s get you somewhere safe and then I gotta help my brother.”

“But Bulbasaur and ah can fight as well,” AB replied. “We’re getting pretty tough!”

Ignis laughed, “Ha, is that so? Well here’s a little tip from a pro. You gotta pick your fights wisely. Don’t charge into one that seems way too dangerous. You and your Pokemon could get seriously hurt. Look at that Ariados, would Bulbasaur have survived that?”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened as that image flashed through her head. “...No, he wouldn’t.”

“You have great instincts Little Apple, you already seem to know yours and Bulbasaur’s limitations, but this battle will be full of Trainers just as strong, if not stronger than Koga and Christine.”

“So, we wouldn’t stand a chance...” Apple Bloom sighed, as Ignis lifted into the air.

“Not yet anyhow,” Ignis said. “You’ll get there someday, just not today.”

“Story of mah life,” Bloom sighed, staring at her blank flank. “Ah got no Cutie mark and ah’m a weak Trainer.”

“There is no weakness that I can see here,” Ignis corrected her. “You have instinct, guts and heart... you’re just lacking experience. That’s all.”

“Can we really do it?” Apple Bloom asked him. “Can me and Bulbasaur become as strong as you and Mr. Seth?”

“Hmm, well no-one is as strong as me!” Ignis boasted. “But I reckon so, you’re gonna be a great trainer Little Apple, and a fine mare one day.”

Apple Bloom blushed a little at the praise and hugged the dragon’s neck. “Thanks Mr. Ignis.”

“Just call me Ignis for now,” he replied. “But you’ll call me ‘Teacher’ when we start training!”

“Sir yes Sir!’ Apple Bloom giggled as they flew back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Rika raced through town, the dragon on her back holding on for dear life as he spat out directions on where this Fluttershy mare lived. Turns out that Twilight wasn’t kidding, the mare lived in some cottage a good ten minutes outside of town. Before she even got close, she could already hear the sounds of what could be dozens upon dozens of Pokemon and Equestrian critters.

“We she’s certainly not short of friends huh?” Rika mused to herself as she drew closer to the hut. She was stopped by something though, and she couldn’t help but coo at the sight.

A few under evolved Dragon-types barred her path. A Gible, Axew, Bagon and Dratini stood before her, wearing adorably menacing glares.

“No-one passes without our permission!” Gible said, raising her chubby little arms.

“Um, guys?” Dratini said in a timid voice. She knew what the Pokemon that stood before them was.

“Yeah! We’ll protect this place from anymon!” Axew agreed.

“Guys?”

“Fear our Dragon Rage!” Bagon puffed out his little chest.

“Seriously. Guys!?”

Rika stood there and blinked, before bursting out laughing. “Oh, My. Arceus! You little guys are the cutest things EVER!”

“C-cute!?” Gible spluttered. “We’re not cute... okay, maybe Dratini is, but the rest of us are fierce Dragons!”

Dratini had no idea whether to blush or be insulted.

“I’m sure you adorable little guys are,” Rika giggled. “But I need to see this Fluttershy mare.”

“Yeah, it’s serious guys,” Spike said, still clinging to the Fairy’s back.

“Oh, hey Spike!” Dratini waved her tail at him, but the rest of the Dragon Clan had other ideas.

“Well you gotta get through us first!” Bagon said.

“Yeah, this is our turf! and no-one messes with Fluttershy!” Axew added.

Dratini sighed, they were so dead. She just slithered out of the way and waited for the inevitable. Spike sensed the danger and hopped off his crazy pink ride, hoping that his friends wouldn’t get hurt too badly.

“You little guys need to move, this is super important,” Rika said. She’d just run from the farm, then clear across town. She was in no mood to deal with this, no matter how cute it was.

“Last chance!” Gible said. When Rika tried one last time, the dragon ordered the attack.

“Okay guys, Combined Dragon Breath!”

All three Dragons nodded and unleashed a torrent of azure flame. You can imagine the look of horror on their face when it did absolutely nothing to Rika.

“What the what!?” Gible cried. “Is she invincible!?

“I tried to warn you!” Dratini called out. “She’s a Fairy-type!”

Rika smiled sadistically as the three Dragon’s begun to sweat bullets.

Gible gulped as she took a tentative step back.

“Oh fangs...”

Fluttershy sipped at her Darjeeling tea, as the Eevee played tag with some of the other Pokemon. A sudden knock at her door caused her to almost drop her cup in surprise.

She went to the door, opening it ever-so-slightly. “H-hello?”

She shrieked when Rika popped into view, “Hello! Are you Miss Fluttershy?”

“EEEK!” Fluttershy slammed the door in the face of the intruder. There was a pained groan from the other side.

“Oww...”

“Fluttershy?” A more familiar voice called out. “It’s alright. She’s a friend.”

“S-Spike?” she stammered, her heart had almost leapt out of her chest. “Um, one moment,” she said as she opened her door again, to see a small pink Pokemon rubbing her snout. “O-oh my! I’m so sorry!”

“It’s alright,” Rika said, her nose was a little sore though. “May we come in? Princess Twilight sent me and it’s pretty important.”

“Twilight did?” Fluttershy’s attitude brightened. She opened the door fully and motioned for the Pokemon to enter. “Please come in.”

Rika nodded and walked inside, three little dragons were caught in the grip of her ribbons, while Dratini followed close behind. Fluttershy blinked at the sight.

“Oh my, what happened to these little ones?”

“They bit off waaaay more than they could chew,” Dratini said. “Serves them right too.”

“Now, now,” Rika smiled as she deposited them into a pile. “Perhaps they’ll have better manners from now on hmm?”

The three dragons nodded and bowed their heads. “We’re sorry Lady Rika! We’ll be good from now on!”

“Good,” Rika smiled, “Now where was I? Oh yeah!” She turned back to Flutters, who was still trying to figure out what happened.

“As I said, Princess Twilight sent me to help you out. There’s possibly going to be a battle in town, and I was sent to help protect this place, just in case.”

“A battle!?” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Oh my!”

“Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, these little ones will be safe,” Rika responded.

“Yeah,” Gible said. “Lady Rika is crazy strong! So don’t worry Miss Fluttershy!”

“O-okay?” Fluttershy replied. “But what about the others in town? Will they be alright?”

“I gave the Princesses a heads up, so I think they’ll evacuate anyone who could get hurt,” Rika said. “There may not even be a battle, this is all just a precautionary measure.” She smiled warmly at everyone. “Plus, my Sethy is there, and he’ll protect everyone. I can guarantee that!”

“Well I’m glad you’re here,” Fluttershy smiled. “Would you like some tea Miss, Rika was it?”

“That’s right,” Rika smiled. “And I will, thank you Miss Fluttershy.”

“Please, just call me Fluttershy,” the mare replied with a gentle smile as she poured the tea. Rika blinked and nodded. Holy crap this mare was cute!

“Same here,” Ria smiled.

“Big sis?” one of the Eevee said, poking at Rika’s leg. “Can you play with us?”

“Big sis?” Rika’s heart nearly exploded. This whole house was adorable~

“Cause you’re evolved,” the Eevee nodded. “I wish I could evolve too!”

“You will one day,” Rika nodded. “So what do you want to play?”

Chapter Thirty Three

Seth panted heavily as his group made their way closer to Ponyville. While the Antidote that Fritter had used on him had taken effect, he still felt incredibly drained and short of breath. The Earth Pony mare holding him up looked at him with concern.

“Are y’sure y’all should be doing this?” she asked. “You could get hurt in the condition y’all are in.”

“It’s... better... that doing... nothing,” Seth replied. They were getting closer, but Seth couldn’t hear the sounds of fighting... until the earth rumbled and a vicious Sandstorm picked up in the distance.

“Whut in the hay is that!?” Applejack exclaimed. “Is... is that a sandstorm?”

“Looks like one,” Fritter nodded. Having grown up in Appleloosa, she’d seen her fair share. “But... why is one happenin’ in Ponyville.”

“There’s... a move... called Sandstorm,” Seth responded, even injured, his desire to teach still kicked in. “S’prolly that.”

“As well as anything that have Sand Stream,” Selena replied. “Doesn’t Gene have a Flygon? I think I saw one at the wedding.”

“I believe so,” Seth paused for a moment to catch his breath. As he did, a powerful gust of wind washed over them as Ignis landed nearby, Apple Bloom clinging to his neck.

“Bloomy!” Applejack rushed, checking the filly for any injuries, but was pushed away.

“Ah’m fine!” Apple Bloom frowned as Applejack continued to fret over her. “Ah can take care o’mahself!”

“She’s right,” Ignis nodded.

“Ah know,” Applejack replied as she stepped away from her sister. “Ah jus’ worry y’know. Yer the only sister ah got...”

Koga decided to speak up as he looked at the Charizard. “And what of Ariados?”

Everyone fell silent as Ignis glared at the ninja frog. He stepped forward and without warning, threw a Power-Up Punch right into the ninja’s face. Koga stumbled as Seth glared at his Pokemon.

“Ignis!”

“Sorry,” the dragon said half-heartedly. “But maybe his precious partners wouldn’t have even been hurt if he wasn’t such a damned fool!”

Seth went to argue the point, but Koga stood up and raised a hand.

“It’s fine, perhaps I even deserved that... but please, what of Ariados?”

Ignis nodded and looked at him. “He should be fine. Between the Potions and Rika’s healing, he’s through the worst of it. But his recovery will probably take a long time.”

Koga breathed a sigh of relief and slumped to the ground. “Thank you...”

Everyone was silent again, until the ground shook again and an explosion erupted from the sandstorm.

“That... does not bode well,” Seth muttered. He looked at Ignis and decided on something. “Ignis, I want you to head back to Sweet Apple Acres.”

“What!?” the Charizard yelled. “No way, you can barely stand! You need my-”

“Ignis Crescent, the last battle you fought, you destroyed a significant area of forest. And it still would be had Arceus not interfered.”

“But-” Ignis tried to argue, but when Seth used his full name, it always usually meant he was mad.

“No buts!” Seth replied harshly. “You will return and protect the farm with Christine.”

The Charizard looked down at the Luxray. Gone was the unfamiliar Pokemon, his eyes burning with the same determination that his Trainer once had. The same Trainer that had led him to so many victories.

“Fine,” Ignis replied quietly. “Just... stay safe alright?”

“Yeah, you too brother,” Seth nodded and the Charizard flew off, taking Apple Bloom with him at AJ’s request. Once he’d left, Apple Fritter sighed as she looked to her Luxray.

“Don’t y’all think you were a little hard on ‘im?”

“Maybe, but he still had a lot of injuries. He could barely even fly straight and we have no idea what we're up against,” Seth replied. He was a little concerned about Ignis’s new lack of concern for collateral damage, but he was more concerned for his life. Seth shook his head of the tirade of thoughts that swam in it and looked to his group.

“Come on, we need to hurry!”

By the time Seth arrived in the heart of Ponyville, it was... surprisingly quiet. No rampaging Pokemon, no screaming ponies and a platoon of Solar Guard.

“Why are the Guard here?” Seth wondered aloud as they approached Twilight’s library. It was the most likely place they would find Gene. Apple Fritter raised a hoof and rapped on the door lightly. Hopefully somepony would be here...

After a moment, the door opened and Seth was quite surprised to see Princess Celestia there.

“P-Princess... Celestia?” Seth blinked. “What are you doing here?”

The Alicorn chuckled as she let the small group in, “Well a fine hello to you as well Seth.” The Luxray winced and nodded.

“Sorry, just wasn’t expecting you to be here.” Apple Fritter led him to a spot on the floor where he all but collapsed. “Whew.. that’s better.”

The Princess took note of Seth’s condition, “What happened?” she asked worriedly. “Did someone from the Professor’s group attack you?”

“Ah, so you already know about that?” Seth smiled. “Save’s time, but yeah... ran into a guy named Koga. Former member of the Kanto Elite Four and Poison-type specialist...” The Luxray paused to take a few breaths.

“Poison...? You’re poisoned!?” Celestia begun to cast an all-purpose antidote spell, but Seth waved a paw.

“Don’t worry, flushed it out already, just feeling a little fatigued. Never been on the receiving end of Poison moves before... not fun. Not fun at all...”

Celestia cancelled her spell and cast a rejuvenation spell instead, restoring Seth’s lost energy and healing his fatigue. “How’s that?” she asked.

“So much better,” Seth sighed contently as he stretched his limbs. “Thank you Celestia.” The Alicon nodded and returned his smile. The Luxray still decided that the floor was the best place to be right now. “So, what’s going on right now? Aside from a distant Sandstorm, it seems a little too quiet in town.”

“Honestly, I don’t know as much as I would like to,” Celestia sighed. “Twilight left with one of Gene’s Pokemon to warn the couple being targeted, and Abby and Kasai left only a short while before you arrived. I believe they’re on the main road right now.”

“Not a good plan,” Seth muttered. “Everyone’s split up and that makes them easy to pick off. Did Rika make it here already?”

“Yes, she and Spike went to protect the baby Pokemon that Fluttershy is caring for,” Celestia answered him as she poured over the papers she had.

“Good girl,” Seth smiled. Celestia smiled as well as she cast her gaze over the others that had come with the Luxray. She recognised his Absol, Selena. Apple Fritter and Applejack and some blue frog creature, presumably another Pokemon.

“Who’s your friend there?” the Princess asked and Seth realised that he’d completely forgotten that he’d dragged him along.

“Oh, that’s Koga,” he said nonchalantly.

Celestia on the other hand, was not so calm about it. “The one that poisoned you?’ she asked, almost in disbelief. “The one that wishes to attack Gene and Belle?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry. He doesn’t have his Pokemon with him anymore, and I think he’s sworn allegiance to me,” Seth replied with a befuddled expression. “Some weird ninja-code-thing. Don’t worry, he won’t cause anymore trouble.”

“Unbelievable,” Celestia sighed and shook her head. “Your faith in others continues to astound me Seth Crescent.”

“I try,” the Luxray smiled. He looked around the library and nodded his head. “Sorry for being a layabout. Give me a few more minutes and I’ll be up and helping.” The Alicorn wanted to tell him to just stay there, that he’d done enough as is. But she also knew that the stubborn cat would never listen to an order like that.

“I heard your roar,” she smiled. “It was quite impressive.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Koga muttered. His ears were still ringing from that. “May I ask how you did that?”

“Magic amplification,” Seth smiled. “Pretty effective. I should use it on Sensei next time~” His ear flicked as he looked around the library. It was awfully quiet in here...

“So where’s everyone else?” he asked. “Are you the only one here Princess?”

Celestia nodded as she sorted the files she was looking over. “For the time being. But I doubt it will remain so for too much longer.”

Seth nodded as he got up. “I’ll head over to where Gene is as well, do you know where he is?”

“Miss Rarity’s boutique I believe,” Celestia nodded. Seth thanked her and turned to his group.

“Selena? Can you stay here and watch Koga and the Princess for me?”

“Didnt you just say that splitting up is a bad idea?” she retorted. “The Princess said that Twilight already went to fetch him. We should just stay here.”

“I can watch Mr. Koga here, should you wish to find Twilight and Gene,” Celestia suggested. The ninja frog said nothing, aside from a very quiet cough that didn’t go unnoticed by Seth.

“Do you have a suggestion Koga?”

The ninja was surprised that Seth had heard him, but he decided to respond regardless.

“If, you would allow it,” he replied. “I would like to go and see Ariados...”

“You cannot be serious?” Selena said when she saw the look in her trainers eye. She knew him, all too well and Seth would say-

“Do you promise not to cause any more trouble?” Seth asked, causing his Absol to facepaw. Koga nodded and Seth smiled. “Well that’s fine then.”

“Are you kidding me!?” Selena yelled. “What if he attacks Gene, or Twilight? Or anyone else we know!?”

“He won’t, because he cares more about the safety of his Pokemon that some stupid grudge or misguided sense of justice,” Seth said sternly. “Besides, Ignis and Christine are only a magically-empowered shout away. So you’ll be good, won’t you Koga?”

The ninja nodded and once Seth gave him the okay, he vanished in a puff of smoke. Selena sighed, but Seth had this way of talking people around, so she figured it’d be alright.

Seth in the meantime, had curled up in a corner and closed his eyes. “And while he’s off doing his thing, Imma take a quick nap. Still feeling a little weak...”

Selena just shook her head as Applejack snorted.

“He’s jus’ like an overgrown cat, ah still wonder jus’ how y’all wound up in a relationship with ‘im Fritts.”

“It’s simple,” Apple Fritter smiled as she lay next to him. “He’s smart, caring and just amazing... what’s not to like?”

Granny Smith Apple just watched, as an impatient Charizard paced up and down near the farm house. All of Koga’s Pokemon were hiding in the barn, afraid that either he, or the crazed Gabite would incinerate them too.

“That boy’s more wound up than an ornery rattlesnake!” Granny noted to said Gabite. “Reckon y’all can talk to ‘im?”

“Meh, to, at, same thing,” Christine said as she got up and cracked her neck. She knew the old pony likely wouldn’t understand her, but she nodded once, grimly, and started walking over towards the Fire/Flying type.

“Hey, Flame-brain!” Christine yelled at the pacing Charizard.

Ignis paid no attention, still grumbling to himself and pacing around. He’d already worn a small track into the dirt and his lashing tail left small scorch marks in the grass.

Christine started to grumble a bit as well before drawing closer and speaking again. “Oi, hothead!”

Ignis growled as he turned to look at the small Gabite.

“What?” he snapped, his long tail cracking like a whip.

“Fight’s over, so unless you intend to burn down the orchard, stand down,” the landshark said.

“That’s the problem, it’s not over!” he replied. “Seth’s gone off to face whoever else might be waiting in Ponyville, and I’m stuck here warming the benches!” This was the first time Seth had really put Ignis on the backburner. He was the vanguard, the frontlines of Seth’s team. Selena would have his back and Rika was the invincible wall. They were a team and now they were all split up. He hated it.

His line of thought was interrupted by the feeling of a claw backhanding him. Christine looked at up at his face and growled slightly.

“I said. Stand. Down,” she reiterated. “The fight here’s over unless you go looking for another one, in which case I will happily oblige you. But none of the other ponies or ‘mon here have done anything to freakin’ deserve a natural disaster like you wrecking their property. So take a breath for a moment and get your head on straight, you damn hothead.”

Ignis had recoiled, not expecting the slap and rubbing his cheek. If she had been any other Pokemon, she’d be heading for the nearest Pokemon Centre by now...

He just growled again as he sat down and folded his arms. “S’not like you’d be a decent challenge anyway,” he muttered under his breath.

“Stone edge, Rock slide,” she listed off, apparently having heard him. “I could hold my own against you for a little bit, and there’s always Dig to rely on if you got serious enough that I needed a minute to think. Now that you are thinking, what’s the real problem? Because I seriously doubt missing out on a fight is the reason why you decided to do some landscaping work.” At the end of her statement, the Landshark indicated the damage Ignis had already done to the farm.

Ignis sighed, staring at the ground, rather than facing the young dragon that clearly had more sense than him right now.

“That I’m stuck here, unable to help my Trainer? That you and Seth got hurt in that pointless battle, because I wasn't strong enough? The fact this crap is even happening in the first place? Take your pick.” He snorted a small flame in annoyance.

“Okay, let’s start at the back and work our way forward,” Christine said, poking him in the chest with one of her claws. “Unless you’re Dialga or Celebi in disguise, I’m not gonna expect you to be capable of predicting or changing the future. So hey, this happening ain’t your fault at all.”

“I should have been strong enough,” Ignis muttered. “That damned duck is prolly still laughing at me...”

“Hey, I chose to fight,” Christine defended herself. “I jumped into that battle knowing full well what might happen, as did Seth. Yeah, we both got hurt. But y’know what else happened? We slowed him down. And that was the real objective. The fact that he surrendered and told us what was goin’ on? Icing on the poffin. Getting injured in a fight is gonna happen...the best you can do is train your trainer in how to avoid taking a few blows in case he sticks his damn fool head into another fight.”

Dammit, stop making sense! Ignis wanted to brood in peace and this dragon was poking holes in his logic. He decided to quit while he was behind and said nothing, just pouting and folding his arms. Christine, on the other hand, apparently wasn’t done.

“And if Seth sent you here, it was probably for a very good reason, like defending me, this place, or the ponies and ‘mon here,” she said, nodding a few times. “So really, your job is only done if you let it be, considering the size of this place and the fact that there are most likely more of them out there. Instead you choose to pout and pace because…”

“...Because I’m an idiot,” Ignis sighed. His frustration had petered out, and he was left feeling like a complete fool. He knew Seth would be fine, he had Selena with him, and Fritter was no slouch when she chose to be. He grunted and got back to his feet.

“Fine, I’m done now.” He felt her claw again, only this time it was only lightly poking his chest.

“I find ‘idiots’ are just ‘mon who don’t think first and follow their hearts when their brains say something else later,” she observed. “Your heart’s in the right place, hothead. Which is a good trait to have.”

“Y’know, I think this is the longest conversation we’ve had without you saying something lewd,” he chuckled, rubbing the top of her head with a large paw. “Still, thanks for the pep talk Chrissie. I needed that.”

“Oh well if you wanted lewd all you had to do was ask,” she said, slipping into the version of herself Ignis knew all too well. “Still, now that you’re feeling better, I’m more than willing to encourage you in other ways as well…”

“I’m sure you would,” Ignis chuckled. But he now had an advantage... he knew her weakness. He leaned in close and smiled. “And such a pretty little dragon too~ I’m really glad to have a friend like you.”

Christine blushed a little and turned away at the praise. “Quitit,” she muttered. “‘m not.”

Ignis could have pushed it further, but he just shrugged. “I never lie,” he replied. “Well, not about the things that matter anyway.”

“You’re just being nice,” the Gabite brushed off the compliment, still not meeting his eyes. “G’on, don’t you have a heart and brain to be listenin’ to?”

“I suppose a fly around the farm wouldn’t hurt,” Ignis nodded. He leaned in close and kissed the top of her head and winked. “I’ll be back soon.” And with that, he beat his powerful wings and took to the skies.

“...stupid flame-brain,” Christine mock-groused, slowly turning back to normal from the blush that had overtaken her head. “...At least he’s reasonable enough.”

After a quick power nap, Seth and his ragtag team headed for Carousel Boutique. Even now, with what appeared to be a rather dramatic confrontation on the horizon... Ponyville was still rather quiet.

“Ah don’t like it,” AJ muttered, tugging on her Stetson. “It’s too quiet... and Ponyville aint ever this quiet...”

“Especially with Pinkie Pie around~” Fritter giggled.

Seth yawned and stretched his back in a low arch. “Well, let’s deal with Hastings and bring the liveliness back to Ponyville!” Everyone gave a small cheer of agreement as they drew closer to their destination. With Applejack leading them, since the rest didn’t even know where the Boutique was, the Luxray glanced up at it once they arrived, gushing over the unique architecture.

“I hope Gene and Belle are still here, not off doing something reckless,” Seth muttered to himself as he knocked on the door.

The door opened, seemingly on its own, and revealed the two of them sitting in the front room, Gene sitting next to a rather beaten looking Flygon. Gene offered the Luxray a weary smile.

“Hey Seth,” he said softly. Seth took one look at the Flygon and nodded to Fritter. The mare moving over to the opposite side of the dragon and begun to apply a Super Potion to his more serious wounds.

“Things are never boring when you’re involved huh?” Seth replied lightly as he walked in. “I take it you heard about the town’s newest guest?” He’d have been quite surprised if he hadn’t.

Gene sighed and rubbed Draco’s head. “Jackass has had it out for me for years... seriously, it’s like I’m his white Wailord or something,” he shook his head. “But this is going to far.”

Seth nodded as he took a seat next to the couch, wincing slightly as he sat. That last battle was proving to be a literal pain in the ass. “I have to agree with you there. And it’s a pity really, the man has accomplished a great deal of good in his life...” The Luxray sighed as Applejack placed a hoof on his shoulder. “But he’s just so damned set in his ways, it’s blinding him to the truth.”

“... I didn’t want this to happen,” Gene said sadly. “I just wanted to be with Belle... why is the universe so against that?”

“Gene,” Belle put a hand on her husband's shoulder. “It’s gonna be okay, we’ve dealt with Rangers before.”

“They never tried to kill my family though,” he said coldly.

“And they won’t, I won’t let anything happen to you guys,” Seth said adamantly. Surely Hasting’s wouldn’t resort to something so drastic, but one look at the Flygon made the smallest feelings of doubt enter his mind. “I’m sure Hastings isn’t beyond the point of reason, even Koga listened eventually...”

“After he poisoned you and Chrissie nearly fried that bug ‘o his,” Apple Fritter responded as she finished treating Draco.

“That too,” Seth replied with a sigh. Thanks for that reminder love.

For a moment, Gene was silent. “I’m so tired of everyone risking themselves for me,” he said with a sigh. “Cynthia and Iris back on Earth, they could’ve been arrested. I didn’t even know HALF of what Abby and Kasai were up to, and you...” he locked eyes with Seth. “You gave up on your dreams to try and help people like me... and what was I doing? Hiding in the woods like some coward.”

“Gene, don’t say that,” Belle tried to calm him down.

“I’m so tired of feeling useless...”

Seth frowned as he got up and crossed the space between him and Gene, before placing a large paw on his chest. “You wanted nothing but happiness for Belle and yourself. It’s not a crime to want that, and I have never regretted my life choices. I don’t know Abby and Kasai all that well, but I’m positive that they’d say the same.” He removed his paw but never broke eye contact. “No matter what happens, I would never accuse you of being a coward, and neither would anyone else here. I have faith that things will work out for the best.”

Gene smiled at Seth. “Thanks, I needed a pep talk,” the Gallade stood up and smiled widely. “Cause otherwise I probably wouldn’t be able to say this but... Belle? Let’s go beat up Professor Hastings.”

Seth’s eyes widened and he applied his paw to his face. This was not the intended result. Still... “Well, I guess I’ll come help then. I do owe him a smack for a couple of things myself.” And hopefully talk the two parties out of a pointless battle.

Belle chuckled and formed a Shadow Ball in her hand. “You’ll have to get in line.” She said darkly.

“Perfect, that’s me, Belle, Seth, and... anyone else wanna come?”

Selena nodded as she moved up next to her trainer. “I guess I have to, if only to make sure my idiot trainer doesn’t get himself killed.”

“Ah reckon ah should find the others,” Applejack added. “We may not have the Elements of Harmony anymore, but me an’ mah friends can still kick flank.”

“This one still has a few injuries that need patching,” Fritter replied, motioning to Draco. “I’ll bandage him up and catch up with you guys.”

Seth nodded and gave his marefriend a brief, but passionate kiss. “Thanks Fritter.”

“Great,” Gene said, still smiling. “AJ, Rarity is upstairs, tell her we’ll be back soon with an unconscious Conkeldurr.”

“Sounds like fun,” Applejack smiled. “Just, don’t do anything rash y’hear? Ah don’t want mah friends gettin’ hurt.” She spared a glance at Seth and Fritter. “Any of mah friends.”

“We’ll try our best,” Seth smiled. It made him a little happy to hear Applejack say that. Fritter offered a wide smile as well.

“We’ll be fine,” Gene said with certainty. “Belle has a double type advantage on him, plus,” he smiled rubbed his wedding ring/Mega Stone. “I’ll have a little surprise ready for him.”

Seth spied the stone, remembering the events of the wedding. “Good thing I’m packing as well,” he smiled, touching his own Keystone. “Now, let’s go take a Professor to school!”

“Okay, I’ll admit my plan my have had a little hiccup,” Gene admitted. “But I’m still feeling optimistic about this.”

Belle pursed her lips and put a hand on his shoulder. “Gene, honey,” she said gently. “I’m really glad you’re not feeling upset anymore, and I love that you’re taking charge... but we’ve been looking for Hastings for almost forty minutes now, and we have no idea where he is... you think maybe it’s time to head back? Make sure the others don’t start to worry.”

Gene frowned. “But I don’t want to give up...”

“Running around like headless Farfetch’d won’t get us anywhere either,” Seth replied. He’d been trying to sniff out the Professor, but without a scent to go by, it could have been one of the hundreds of smells he’d already picked up. “And a thought occurs, if Hastings is gunning for you so bad, wouldn’t the better plan be to let him come to you?” They could always try laying a trap. Seth felt a little inspired by Phantom Fox now, as several elaborate and flashy traps filled his mind.

“That would involve a concrete column carrying colossus coming into Ponyville... this seemed like a better idea at the time,” Gene shrugged.

“Nice alliteration,” Seth chuckled. “But between our Pokémon, his typing alone isn’t much of a threat, plus if the rest of us are to go by, then I doubt that he’d be any good at actual combat.”

“But that makes him more dangerous,” Selena pointed out. “Especially if there are ponies around. They could get hurt by accident.” Conkeldurr were a pretty powerful Pokemon, they couldn’t risk a bystander taking a hit from one. Ponies just weren’t as durable as Pokemon.

“Suddenly sending Rika away doesn’t seem like a good idea,” Seth muttered, wishing he had the cute Fairy by his side, for more than one reason. “Wait... I have Koga back at the library. I bet he could tell us where Hastings is!”

“Um... about that,” Gene said, rubbing the back of his head nervously. “Draco said they all kinda... scattered, when he started that Sandstorm.”

“Of course they did,” Seth groused and frowned. This was turning into a serious pain. “Still, he’s bound to turn up eventually and us wasting effort like this will just tire us out. Seriously, it’s not like he’s gonna just walk around that corner.”

Gene frowned, then perked up and snapped his fingers. “Belle can find him,” he said, smiling again. “You can psychic... scan... sense him... right?”

Belle thought on that, and fought the urge to facepalm. Seth didn’t bother and applied his paw to his face. “That would’ve saved so much time.” she sighed and clasped her hands together. Belle closed her eyes and expanded her psychic reach over to clearing, then further, searching until she pinpointed him. “Got him.” She said with a smile.

Once Belle had his location, the group quickly headed for a section in a nearby forest. Seth’s nose quickly picked up a scent that didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the surroundings. The smell of concrete...

They soon heard someone muttering irritably. And a Conkeldurr quickly fell into view.

“Stupid Arceus,” he muttered. “Interfering with humanity... how big headed must one be to label themselves a god?” He shook his head and sighed. “I just need to focus on finding the boy right now.”

“Looking for me?” Gene called out, causing the Pokemon to turn towards the source of the voice.

“Gene Phillips,” he said as he narrowed his eyes, his voice filled with contempt. “What an unpleasant surprise.”

Gene frowned at the Conkeldurr. “That’s not my name Hastings,” Gene took a few steps forward, still glaring at Hastings. “And we need to talk.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve seen the error of your ways, and have decided to turn yourself in for your disgusting crim-OW!” Hastings rubbed his right eye, having just been hit with a rock.

“No.” Gene said firmly, floating a few stones in a circle above his hand. “You’re not going to insult me, or my friends, and unless you want me to take out your other eye, don’t you DARE insult my relationship with my wife.”

Hastings scoffed as he pulled his hand away from his face. “Relationship my-OW!” Hastings rubbed his forehead.

“I warned you,” Gene said with a smirk. Pity, he had aimed for his other eye...

Professor Hastings took another step towards Gene, and suddenly found himself struggling to stay upright as his cane was yanked away from him.

“Please refrain from insulting my husband,” Belle said, stepping out from behind a tree. “Or I’ll be forced to do something much worse than this.”

Incredibly, Hastings glare actually softened when he saw Belle. “So,” the Professor said softly, turning his gaze back to Gene. “You brought your Gardevoir to protect you?” He smirked.

Belle chuckled. “No, I just tagged along,” she said with a smile. “He knows he’d be lost without me.” Belle shoved Hastings’ cane back at him and walked over to Gene, planting a kiss on his cheek as she stopped next to him.

“I can take care of myself,” Gene mumbled.

“I’m still waiting for proof of that,” Belle said jokingly.

Gene frowned while Belle laughed, and Hastings appeared to be getting visibly sicker.

Seeing this, Belle frowned. “You know, I’ve never understood people like you,” she admitted. “You act like you treat Pokémon as equals, and yet, in every way it counts, you don’t. You don’t think I can feel love on the same level you do, so you say that people like Gene, people like Abby, corrupted and brainwashed me, when in truth,” her eyes glowed blue and Hastings felt a something pressing down on his skull. “It’d be MUCH easier for me to do it to you.”

Hastings shuddered as the feeling began to increase. “Belle,” Gene said, worry in his voice. “That’s enough.”

Selena looked at her trainer, as they remained out of sight for the moment. “Shouldn’t we step in?” she asked, “Before this gets out of hand?” That Gardevoir looked ready to kill.

“Not yet,” Seth whispered back. “I want to see if he’ll stand down. Gene isn’t an unreasonable person and won’t attack unless provoked. I just hope that Albert is just as reasonable.”

Almost reluctantly, Belle withdrew her powers. “I want you to understand one thing Hastings. I. Love. Gene. That is it. He didn’t brainwash me, he’s never ONCE hurt me, and the truth of the matter is that you’ve done more damage to me emotionally than he ever has.” The Gardevoir took a deep breath and leaned against her husband, happy that for once she had managed to shut up a-

“Do you?” Hastings said. “Do you really love him?” A smug grin appeared on his face. “Or is it only because of what you are that you feel connected to him?”

“Nope, I love him,” Belle said, wrapping Gene’s arms around her. “He’s the light of my life.”

Gene smiled at Belle, then looked back at Hastings. “What are you even getting at? You’ve never tried to blame the Pokémon in a relationship before.”

“And I’m not,” Hastings assured them. “I’m saying this is why Pokémon need to be protected from people like you. She obviously doesn’t know any better.”

Seth frowned, was this what her really thought? Did he think Pokemon were so stupid and animalistic?

Belle gritted her teeth. It seemed that she wasn’t too happy about that answer either.

Hastings didn’t seem to care. “You see, Gardevoir’s are especially open to emotions, even more so when they spend a large amount of time around a single person.”

Oh he did not just say that.

“And thus, they bond with their trainers rather easily,” Hastings looked at Gene as if he were something revolting. “Even when they shouldn’t.”

‘Quit while you behind Albert...’

“So it’s obvious that well Belle sensed the... unnatural attraction you had towards her, she latched onto it, grew up with it, and eventually, it grew into... this.” He gestured towards Gene, who was holding Belle tightly in his arms. Belle was shaking. “But I promise, Belle, if you come with me, if you leave him behind, I can find a way to help you,” he smiled at her. “I can make you well again.”

Belle’s shaking stopped and she opened her eyes. Seth backed away a little, he could almost feel the rage pouring from her.

Hastings had stopped, while the Gardevoir hovered over him. Seth couldn’t hear the psychic breating that the Embrace Pokemon was giving the old man, but he imagined it was a small slice of hell judging by the look on his face.

It was ironic really, that for all his talk about protecting Pokemon, he seemed to understand so very little about them.

Belle turned away from him and released him from her power. “... Abby and Seth are wrong about you, you’re not a good man, you’re just... nothing.”

“Seth?” Selena said with an increasingly worried tone. “Now might be a good time!” Her words had fallen on empty space, the Luxray already bolting for the pair.

Hastings gritted his teeth. “Why you...” he grabbed his cane and swung it around, but was interrupted by a large black paw, stopping the cane from striking the hysterical Gardevoir.

“Belle, you need to calm down,” Seth said gently, not even sparing a glance at Hastings for the moment. “While you have made some valid points, you need to stop before you takes things too far and do something you’ll regret.” The Luxray took a breath as he looked down at the Conkeldurr and his gaze hardened. “And you, striking at a Pokémon out of anger. Is that what the head of the former Ranger Union has become? If you keep this up, I will be forced to place you under arrest!”

Hastings blinked once, then frowned. “And who the heck are you then?” He asked, standing himself up and leaning heavily on his cane.

Oh! This was going to be interesting. The Luxray stared back at him, and a small smile crossed his muzzle. “Me? I am Captain Seth Alexi Crescent, of the Crescent Division of the Royal Canterlot Guard.” Oh goddamn that felt good to say!

Hastings blinked once, then shook his head. “Of course, the misled Poképhiles rights activist,” he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Why wouldn’t you show up now, with the way things are going, I should’ve expected this... and did they really make you an officer?”

“Stopped an insane unicorn that was mind-controlling Pokémon, almost foiled a Phantom Fox heist, built better relations between Pokémon and Ponies in Canterlot... but, who’s counting right?” The Luxray chose to ignore Hasting’s little jab, it wasn’t as though he hadn’t heard it all before. “But seriously... don’t you think enough is enough? What will this accomplish? What do you get out of breaking up two Pokémon that love one another?”

The Professor huffed. “This isn’t about species anymore, it’s about upholding our laws, I will not allow criminals to go unpunished simply because some big-headed Pokémon decided to mess up humanity!”

“Oh just accept that Arceus is a God,” Belle said with a sigh. “Or is your sense of human superiority so high you can’t accept that a Pokémon created the universe?”

Seth sighed as he looked at the former Professor. “It doesn’t matter what you think of Arceus, end result is that he did what he did, we’re here now. Our laws no longer apply, and if you really want to get technical...” Seth cleared his throat and stared at him. “Since the individuals known as Gene Phillips and Belle Phillips were married in Equestria, they are recognised as Equestrian citizens. They are bound by Equestria laws and thus your argument is invalid. Should you wish to apply your laws, then they would have to be returned to the place of the crime... Earth.” He smiled at that last part. “So yeah, best of luck with that~”

C’mon, just stand down already...

Hastings tightened his grip on his cane. “I’ve devoted my life to helping Pokémon,” he said through gritted teeth. “To stopping people like him, it’s how I was raised, and now... now I’m just suppose to stop?”

“You’ve done a lot of good Albert,” Seth said, not once raising his tone. “You invented the Capture Styler, a device that harmlessly calms an enraged Pokémon. You created the Ranger’s, that have saved countless lives of both Pokémon and humans. But think, I mean stop and really think. Why are you doing this? Are you doing what you think is best for them? Or what you think is best for you? Does anyone really have the right to make a decision like that?”

“I.... heh, this is suppose to be simple,” Hastings said, shaking his head. “The Union was supposed to arrest you, rehabilitate your Pokémon... that was suppose to be it,” his eyes fell on Gene. “You weren’t suppose to avoid us for so long, you certainly weren’t suppose to get the Champions on your side... and that wedding,” he scoffed. “I had Regional law agencies and the International Police on my case for weeks after that, and somehow, you even turned some of my top Rangers against me.”

“Actually, Abby and Kasai were together before we met them,” Gene corrected him. “And we didn’t know they were Rangers until we got here, so you can’t blame me for that.”

He glared at Gene for a second before continuing. “I ended up working on your case personally, first case I’ve worked in decades. I tried to piece everything together, find something, anything that proved you’d abused your team... but as reports and interviews came in... I. Got. Nothing.” He stamped the ground with his cane angrily. “Oh sweet Arceus, that was that Gene? But... he seemed so nice,” he said in a mocking voice. “I’m sorry sir, but the Gardevoir just seemed so... normal.” He growled and stamped the ground again. “NOTHING!”

Gene tapped his chin contemplatively. “Hmm... did you ever consider that might be because I DIDN’T abuse my team... my family?”

“Four,” Belle said with a smirk. “And it would’ve been longer, but someone was too dense to realize I liked him.”

“I thought you were just being clingy and protective,” Gene defended.

“STOP IT!” Hastings shouted, slamming the ground again. “You may have fooled everyone else, with your cute little act, with that sweet facade you put up, but you won’t fool me, I’ve seen what you people are capable of, I know how you work. It’s why I’ve devoted so much time into stopping sicko’s like you... no Pokémon should ever have to suffer like that... like she did.”

“She?” Gene asked in confusion.

Seth mirrored his confused look. This was news to him as well.

Hastings gritted his teeth. “My partner... my dear little Mienshao,” he looked away for a second and wiped his eyes before turning back to Gene. “But that doesn’t matter now,” he said with a smile. “I’m calling it, if I can take you out, if I can bring you to justice... then I can finally retire.” The Conkeldurr laughed and glared at Gene. “So... will you turn yourself in?”

Gene glared back at Hastings and his arm blades extended. “I’m NOT leaving my wife.”

Hastings sighed, as if he’d been expecting something like that. “Very well.” The Conkeldurr shifted his cane from one hand to the other, as if testing its weight before swinging it at Gene and Belle.

It bounced off of Belle’s force field, much to Hastings surprise, and Gene stepped forward. “You know, Abby asked me not to hurt you... well, I think it was more aimed at Belle, but now I’m thinking,” his eyes flashed blue. “That she should've been more worried about me.”

Belle stepped forward and stood next to her husband. “Because let me tell you something Professor, I will not be separated from Belle. In case you didn’t hear her before, I’m going to be a father soon... and I will not let you keep me from my children,” Gene smiled and rubbed his wedding ring... his Key Stone. “So let me show you something Hastings,” he grabbed Belle’s hand. “Let me prove to you just how strong our bond really is.”

He grabbed Belle and pulled her into his arms. “Belle, my love,” he said gently, leaning in close before whispering in her ear. “It’s time to Mega Evolve.” He closed the last few inches between his lips and hers and kissed her deeply as a sphere of energy so bright that everyone else in the area had to look away enveloped the couple.

When the light show finally faded, the sight left Hastings staring, and while Seth smirked at the dumbfounded look on his face, he really wished it hadn’t come to this. And he also had the feeling that he’d been completely forgotten about...

“Get ready,” Gene, now in his Mega form alongside Belle in her own, said. “Cause here we come!”

Chapter Thirty Four

Hastings held up his walking cane just as Gene threw the first strike. The glowing blade of the Gallade left a shallow scar in the cement, the Leaf Blade dealing little damage and Hastings was unharmed... for now.

The elderly Pokemon swung his club around, the powerful Hammer Arm nearly taking Gene’s head off, had the Gallade not ducked at the last second. His Mega form offered such power, Gene felt as light as air as he danced around the wild swings, a small smile on his face. Seth watched Gene fight, he seemed to be able to do so quite naturally.

“Send me in,” Selena said. “I’d end this fight in an instant!”

“I know you could,” Seth replied. “But this is their fight. We’ll step in if something goes wrong, but they both have an overwhelming advantage.”

Gene’s blades shone with a magenta hue, as he slashed with the Psycho Cut attack in a vertical arc. Hastings heaved his heavy body backwards, to avoid being cut in two. And while he was able to dodge it, it was apparent that he wouldn’t win this battle should it continue. He... didn’t like his odds. Both of his opponents were Psychic types, and Mega Evolved at that. I didn’t even know Gallade could Mega Evolve, he thought to himself. Not to mention that the other three Pokemon present had yet to make a move.

One soon did however, Belle took the opportunity to launch a Shadow Ball into his gut while he was distracted,the Professor wheezed as he doubled over and fell to the ground, the wind knocked from him.

“You wanna just surrender?” Gene asked with a smirk. “I wouldn’t blame you.”

Hastings gritted his teeth as he stood up. “A Ranger never surrenders... Hammer Arm!” The Conkeldurr swung his cane downward, trying to hit one of them, but failed as Belle Teleported them out of the way.

“Oh please,” Belle scoffed, as psychic power built up in her right hand. “You’re just the Union’s director, not a Ranger.”

Hastings growled. “I was once,” he said, squeezing his cane. “Until I lost my partner to a man like you!” He thrusted his cane at Gene once more and Belle switched her attack to a Protect, blocking the pillar as sparks showered from the collision.

“What?” Gene asked in confusion. “She fell in love and left you or something?”

“No,” Hastings said coldly. “We were... separated while we were investigating a possible attempt by Team Rocket to expand in Almia... one of the grunts caught her,” Hastings’ look was now one of sadness, his cane held at his side. “I spent years tracking her down, almost got kicked out of the Union more than a few times... and when I finally found her,” Hastings eyes hardened and he glared at Gene. “She had her arms wrapped around some perverted monster who claimed to have ‘rescued’ her... I tried to arrest him but she resisted and... when I called for backup... something went wrong. He got away and my dear Mienshao... didn’t.”

Seth’s eyes widened, so, was this where all that hatred had come from? Sure, that was sucky, Seth didn’t know what he’d do if he lost one of his Pokemon like that. But still, it was a flimsy excuse to pull crap like this.

The old Professor was actually crying now. “My fault... all my fault.”

Gene looked at Belle, who shook her head. He looked back at Hastings and sighed before stepping forward. “Hastings I... I’m sorry that happened... but you’ve been letting that cloud your judgement for your entire life... please... I love Belle with all my heart, just... stop this. I can talk to Princess Celestia, I promise she won’t be too hard on you... what do you say?”

Gene held out a hand to the Conkeldurr, a soft smile on the Gallade’s face. Hastings... frowned. “Get. AWAY FROM ME!” He swung his cane as hard as he could and slammed Gene across the clearing where he collided with a tree.

“GENE!!” Belle shouted. Seth ran over to the fallen Gallade, his eyes flashing to check for any broken bones, and sighed in relief when he didn’t find any. He still had a few nasty scrapes though.

“You alright?” Selena asked as she walked over. Belle seemed to have everything under control. She was hovering over Hastings, her body blazing with psychic energy. The elderly Pokemon seemed too scared to move.

“I’m fine,” Gene groaned. “These new bodies of ours a pretty durable huh?”

“Yeah, small blessings,” Seth chuckled. His ear flicked as he turned back to the fight and his eyes widened at the sight.

Hasting’s was on his knees, his eyes wide in shock and his appeared to be barely breathing. Belle stood back, a small smile on her face and she poured hundreds of memories into his head.

‘Belle, what did you do?’ Seth wondered, as the Gardevoir turned her head to look at him.

‘He ignored the truth... I showed it to him,” she simply said.

The woods were eerily silent, as the Conkeldurr finally collapsed, he was muttering something over and over, as Seth sighed and stepped closer to him, his eyes filled with pity.

“Albert Hastings,” he said softly. “You are under arrest...”

Once Gene recovered, the group headed back to the library, where Princess Celestia would be waiting for them. The Fighting Pokemon was far too heavy for Seth to carry, so Belle simply floated him with Psychic.

Eventually, the treehouse came into view, with quite the gathering of ponies and Pokemon waiting for them. Applejack and her friends had run over to check on Gene and Belle, while several armed members of the Royal Guard took Hastings into custody.

“So is that it?” Selena asked her trainer as the two Psychic pokemon were ushered inside. It appeared to be quite cramped in there as is, but Seth needed to speak with Celestia.

“I guess so,” Seth nodded. It wasn’t the way he’d wanted it to end, and he was wondering if Belle’s methods were the right thing to do...

“I know that look,” Selena replied, staring into her Trainer’s eyes. “You aren’t satisfied with this ending are you?”

“I just hate it when things end on a sour note like this. But, we stopped people with misguided intentions, and hopefully they can come to see that things aren’t always so black and white.” Seth poked his head through the door as Celestia spoke a few words.

“Thank you all for coming,” Princess Celestia said, addressing the beings gathered before her. “Now I know you all are very tired and probably just want today to end, but before that can happen we need to discuss the... misguided individuals whom we currently have in custody.”

“How many of them are there again?” A cyan-coated mare asked. Seth couldn’t remember her name, Rainbow Connection or something. “I’m confused on who we actually arrested.”

Celestia sighed. “Professor Hastings, Grimsley, Lt. Surge, Brandon and Koga are all in custody with various assault charges.”

“Did we miss any of ‘em?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.

Celestia shook her head. “No, but-”

“Then ship ‘em ta Canterlot and lock ‘em in the dungeon,” the farmpony said, crossing her front legs. “They threatened our town.”

“While that is true... it’s a bit more complicated,” Celestia said, obviously deep in thought. It seems that Seth wasn’t the only concerned about how to proceed with this.

“What’s the problem?” Gene asked, holding Belle close to him.

“I’m... I’m afraid two of them may be mentally disturbed,” Celestia said with a sigh.

No one spoke for a moment. “Uh, Princess?” the rainbow one said again. “They tried to force their laws on others and arrest people cause of love, I think they’re all a little disturbed.”

“Or the byproduct of a society that demonized that kind of love since they were born,” Aurea said angrily, crossing her arms.

Once again, everyone fell silent. “Oookay,” Dash said, giving the Beheeyem an odd look. “Not sure what that was about.”

“Mental health issues are no laughing matter back on Earth,” Belle said, rubbing her head. “At least three people with them tried to destroy the world.”

Seth remembered some of those incidents. More than once, he had run into Team Rocket and Plasma.

“...You were saying Princess?” Twilight asked, hoping to get back on track.

“Yes, well, I spent a short time talking with each of them, and while Koga seems penitent about his actions, Brandon is... very hard to read, even in a prison cell, and Grimsley at least realizes that what he did wasn’t entirely appropriate, his words, not mine, Hastings and Surge are... worrisome,” Celestia shook her head. “Surge almost certainly has war related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Hastings...” The Alicorn turned to look at Belle. “... is apparently going through some sort of existential crisis. And as Professor Juniper said, they’ve all been raised to hate people like Gene and Abby simply due to their sexuality and life choices.”

“Sexuality?” Gene asked quietly.

“So what are you going to do with them Princess?” Twilight asked.

Celestia sighed. “Take them back to Canterlot I suppose, try and get Surge and Hastings the help they need. It’s the best I can do at this point.”

“And what about everyone who was part of his group, but didn’t attack?” A Delphox asked worriedly.

Celestia smiled. “The others are under arrest for assault... I can’t arrest people for public speech.”

The Delphox let out a sigh of relief, she was happy her father wasn’t going to end up in prison.

“So... is that it?” Korrina asked. “We won?”

“It was easier than some of the other things that’ve happened recently,” Pinkie pointed out. “Buuut, this means I can throw us all a victory party!”

Several of the others groaned as Pinkie pulled out her Party Cannon.

“Maybe wait until tomorrow Pinkie?” Twilight suggested. “It’s been a long and stressful day for all of us.”

Pinkie paused for a moment, then slid the cannon away. “Alright... but it’ll be a double party then!”

Seth waited until most of them had left. Abby was upstairs talking with Belle and Gene, so that left the Luxray alone to speak with Celestia.

“What a day,” she sighed, levitating her crown off and rubbing her temples.

“Agreed,” Seth nodded. “I apologise about being so inefficient today. This is the kind of thing you hired me for, and I really didn’t do anything.”

“You stopped Koga, and I’m sure you provided valuable assistance to Belle and Gene...”

“But I didn’t,” Seth replied. “I did nothing. Gene and Belle handled the entire thing by themselves. My presence accounted to absolutely squat.” He frowned as he sat on the hardwood floor. “I mean, I’m glad that it all ended without any major incidents, I just wish that...”

“That it could have ended without incident at all?” Celestia finished and the Luxray nodded.

“Is it really such an impossible task?” Seth said.

“I don’t know,” Celestia replied. “But as long as there are those that wish for it, it can happen.”

Seth nodded, he didn’t really feel all that great, but still...

“So what now?” he asked. “Did you need help escorting them back to Canterlot?”

“No, I have all the assistance that I need,” Celestia replied. “I still want you to go to Las Pegasus. The rumours that I’ve heard don’t sit well, and the last time something happened, Arceus himself intervened. I do not want that happening again.” Her horn flashed and she summoned a scroll bearing her seal. “This should convince Captain Ace to let you poke about. Assess the situation there and decide if they require a Pokemon Task Force of their own.”

“Vincent lives there, and is a trouble-magnet like myself... problems are bound to arise,” Seth chuckled. And I’m taking Christine there... the trouble will be doubled!”

Celestia allowed herself a small smile. “Do you have an estimate for your return to Canterlot? You have your Contest soon yes?”

“I plan on it for the 31st,” Seth nodded. “With any luck, I should be back on the 26th or so, but I tend to lose track when with Vincent. The little guy’s kinda fun to hang with.”

“Well then I wish you well Seth,” Celestia turned her head as Abbey, Gene and Belle were coming downstairs. “Oh, what about announcing your Contest? We put flyers up around Canterlot... but as for other regions...”

“Well, I want to ask Arceus, so prepare for that,” Seth grinned. Celestia sighed and shook her head as the Luxray took his leave. He offered a wave to the others, but they didn’t seem to notice, so he slipped out quietly and headed back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Fritter and Rika met up with him along the way, Seth nuzzling his loves as they discussed what had happened. It seems that Rika had quite a bit of fun while she was out. And Fritter had tended to all of Draco’s injuries, and had left to find Seth, but didn’t know where he’d went.

“I just hope Ignis and Christine haven’t burned the farm down,” Seth muttered as they got closer. There were no plumes of smoke, or anypony running and screaming.

In fact, it was quiet... too quiet.

“I think I’m even more concerned now,” Selena said. “That snarky lizard better not have seduced my dragon!”

“Pft, Ignis’d be too dense to realise if she was,” Seth chuckled as Rika and Fritter stared at him with deadpan looks.

“Now that’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black if ah ever heard one,” Fritter said. Seth just blinked as he looked back at them.

“What?”

All three girls looked at him and sighed. Seth shrugged as he turned... and saw Christine hiding behind a tree, her form shimmered slightly and his eyes flashed, making out her form a little better.

“Uh, Chrissie... what are you doing?”

“Playing hide-and-seek with three little ponies and their just as easily excitable friends,” the Landshark hissed. “Better than them trying to get cute-whatever by helping you guys.”

“Ah!” Seth nodded. Applebloom had been quite adamant about helping them, so this is what they were doing.

“Aw, so cute,” Selena cooed. “You’d make such a good Mommy Christine~”

“Chrissie’s gonna be a mom?” Rika gasped. “When did that happen? Why am I never told these things? WHY CAN’T I HUG YOOUUUU!!!???”

“...Hey girls, Rika wants to play too!” Christine said before jumping into a sturdy tree and all but vanishing from sight.

“What?” was all rika got to say before a half-dozen fillies piled on top of her, giggling madly. Seth and Fritter laughed as Selena was already bolting. No way was she getting caught up in this.

A voice sounded from behind Christine as warm breath washed over the back of her neck.

“Found you~” Ignis smirked, grabbing the Gabite around the waist and taking off into the air.

“And now that you have me, whatcha gonna do with me, big boy?” Christine asked with as sultry a voice as she could manage.

“Just this,” he purred, as he put her right next to Rika. “Hey girls, I found her~”

“DRAGON HUG!!” they cried, half of the group splitting off from their Rika assault to tackle-hug Christine. Ignis gave a deep, belly laugh at the look of pure indignation on her face and flew off.

“...I have no words,” Seth sighed. The antics still made him smile though.

“You just lost points, hothead,” Christine sighed as she resigned herself to the hugs the foals were giving her.

Later that day, Seth finished recounting what had happened to Christine and Ignis, along with the Apple family.

“Well, at least y’all are okay,” Applejack smiled. “And those dragons did a fine job of protectin’ our farm and keeping those foals outta trouble.”

“That was a distraction!?” Applebloom cried out as she looked at the two lizards, who just shrugged. “Tain’t fair.”

“Well, my offer still stands as well,” Ignis said. “Should you ever find yourself in Canterlot, Seth and I will be happy to train you and Bulbasaur up.”

“You’re gonna train them?” Korrina said, as she reluctantly handed back the Keystone and Lucarionite. “Arceus help us....”

“Not even he can save you once we’re done!” Ignis roared, waking up a dozing Granny Smith.

“Dagnabbit!” she said, clocking the dragon on the head with a ladle. “Keep yer voice down whippersnapper!”

“..Yes Ma’am,” Ignis groaned, rubbing his head.

“So what’s next fer y’all?” AJ asked them. “Staying in Ponyville fer a spell?”

“We have plans in Las Pegasus tomorrow,” Seth replied. “We gotta return Christine home to her family, and i have some work for the Princess to do there.”

Christine frowned, she was excited to finally find Sam again, but at the same time, she was enjoying her time with this mob. Seth wasn’t so bad once you got to know him, and Ignis was great fun to mess with. Those memories were pushed aside, as thoughts of her Scyther replaced them. Soon, they would be together again.

Applejack did her best to withstand the huge, watery eyes of her sister. But even Applejack could only take so much.

“Fine! Once Seth and his friends return to Canterlot, we’ll plan a trip there... BUT! Only if it’s alright with them.”

Seth didn’t even try, Applebloom’s begging would have destroyed his resolve in an instant. “Once the Contest is done, I should have quite a bit of free time. So that’s fine.”

Applebloom cheered and bounced around with Bulbasaur. The extended family spent one last feast together, as Korrina and other Sweet Apple residents soon discovered the life-changing greatness of a Fritter Feast. With AJ and Granny Smith also helping, the food was something that even the gods couldn’t hope to produce.

***

Arceus stared at the mountain of sugary confections. He was never letting Mew design the dinner menu again...

***

Ignis found himself unable to sleep again, and perched on the roof of the barn, staring at the stars.

He raised his tail, staring into the flickering flame and emptying his mind. He wondered, if he’d had a more... reserved fighting style, if he could have been more help. he’d already started to practice more direct attacks, Dragon Tail and Flame Charge to start, plus that fight with Axle the other day had given him a lot of ideas and pointers. Dragon Dance shouldn’t be too hard to learn now.

“If only I could master this stupid stone,” he muttered, holding up the Charizardite X. “Maybe I should ask Seth for help...”

He looked back at the sky, half-expecting an answer to just fall from it. Yeah, as if life was that easy.

“Drake’d laugh his ass off if he heard me talk like this...”

“Isn’t it a little late for philosophical introspection?” a voice asked, causing the dragon to flinch slightly. He looked over his shoulder as Christine stared irritably at him.

“Did I wake you again?” Ignis asked. “Sorry about that.”

“I’m used to sleeping odd hours, but you could at least keep some yourself,” the landshark replied tersely. “So what’s up, hothead?”

“The usual, me questioning my usefulness,” he replied, resuming his staring at his tail-flame. “On earth, it was easy. I had an opponent, I defeated them. Simple and clean. But here...?” He motioned out over the farm. “I only seem to cause damage and destruction. The enemy that stood before me doesn't fight fair anymore. Hell, if today is any indication, I don’t know who the enemy even is.”

He gave his tail a flick, scattering embers into the night sky. “I dunno, just wondering what my place is in this world I suppose...”

“I’ve been there,” Christine said as she sat next to Ignis. “Maybe not exactly there, but I’ve been in the neighborhood of where you are.” The Gabite looked up at the stars for a moment before sighing.

“This world is not kind to fighters like us,” Ignis agreed. “Honestly, I don’t know if I can ever get used to it.”

“Or,” a third voice spoke up as Selena climbed up onto the roof. “You two simply find a new way. If a path doesn’t exist, make one. If a wall gets in your way, knock it down. You two should be used to that at least.”

“Hey fluffy,” Christine said without looking. “Mind if I share my tale with Ignis before you dispense any more sage advice?”

“Go ahead,” Selena replied. “Didn’t mean to interrupt storytime.”

“It was a night like this one, clear skies. I’d just broken out and found a clear, uninhabited lake.” The Gabite waved one claw to the skies. “I caught sight of what I looked like, and just sat there for a minute, looking up, wondering what the hell I was supposed to do now. All my life, I’d been hoping for that one moment of freedom...and then I had no purpose. So yeah, I get what you’re going through, Ignis.”

Ignis nodded, he moved his tail so the glow caught her scales, causing the purple to shine like glittering amethysts.

“I think this world will be a little kinder to you,” he smiled. “You fought because you had to yes? Against a world that couldn’t accept someone as special as you. Equestria is quite accepting for the most part.”

“At the very least,” Selena spoke up, placing a paw on her side. “You’ll always have a place in this family, no matter what.”

“Thanks,” Christine said with a smile. “But yeah...both there and here, when I woke up and realized my purpose had been taken or fulfilled? I made a new one.” The Landshark looked at the stars a moment longer, but snorted and looked away after. “On Earth, my new purpose was to train up so that I could break back in and save everyone. And here?...while Sam would be a nice bonus, I mostly want to find Vincent again and keep the kid safe.”

“Heh, with you as a guard dog, no-one’d be stupid enough to go against him,” Ignis chuckled. “Arceus forbid if you ever evolve.”

“Meh, I’d still take her,” Selena shrugged.

“Invisible. Garchomp!” Ignis countered. “Even I’m dreading that encounter. But yeah, so make a new purpose huh?” The dragon’s mind wandered to what he could do, what he should do.

“For now,” he said. “I’ll do what I can. I’ll keep protecting my friends and being the best mate to Selena that I can be.”

Selena cooed and nuzzled her mate, planting a small kiss on her neck. Ignis reached out and pulled Christine into the hug as well, content to just lay like that for a while.

“Good enough for me,” Christine said as she enjoyed the warmth.

The next morning, everyone milled around the station as they waited for Seth. He’d gone to visit Arceus about something and waited for him to return. Rika tilted her head at Ignis and Selena, the two seemed especially huggy today. She looked at Christine, who glared back.

“Just try it Fairy,” she growled.

“Aww,” Rika pouted, choosing to hug Fritter instead, who took little notice as she spoke with her cousin.

“So plantin’ Berries is as simple as that?” she questioned.

“Yup, jus’ water ‘em regularly and they sprout in a matter of days, some in just hours.” Fritter held a basket of assorted berries that they’d grown in the last two days. “Ah mean, we got this many in such a short time, imagine what we’d have in a year?

Applejack just stared at the fruit, with Christine eyeing the bounty of Oran Berries that Fritter held.

A shout garnered their attention as they saw Seth running towards them. Once he got there, he panted lightly and held up a paw.

“What took you-” Ignis started to say.

“Wait... for it,” he panted.

***

To All the inhabitants of Equus.

On the last day of the month, Canterlot, the shining capitol of Equestria will be host to something truly special.
The Canterlot Contest Spectacular!

That's right, the very first Pokemon Contest in all of Equus. It will be open to all ages and all species. If you and your Pokemon partner think you have what it takes. Then come!

***

Arceus’ voice rang out in their minds, causing more that a few Pokemon and Ponies to stop whatever they were doing and stared at the sky.

“You seriously convinced him?” Selena blinked. “I’m surprised... but not as much as them,” she motioned towards the crowd that murmured amongst themselves. Mostly ponies questioning what a Contest was, and Pokemon wondering if the news was true or not.

“Well, I believe I’ve caused enough trouble for one day,” Seth smirked. Ignis just facepalmed as the train pulled into the station. “Thanks for bearing with us Miss Applejack.”

“T’aint no problem,” AJ smiled. “Y’all are family now,” she said, causing Fritter and Seth to blush. “Yer welcome to come back anytime!”

Apple Fritter gave her cousin one last bonecrushing hug before Rika dragged her onto the train. Seth and Christine shuddered, wondering if walking to Las Pegasus was still an option.

“There aren’t any teleporters around... I can still make a break for it,” Christine blinked as her vision blurred and she found herself staring out of the train window, Pinkie Pie waving happily from outside. “H-How? What...? I just.... WHAT?”

Seth just chuckled, figuring that he’ll just deny what he saw, and chalk it up to the sun getting in his eyes. He wondered what happened to Abby and Kasai, as well as Gene and Belle. He hadn’t seen them since yesterday, after Celestia had left.

“Well, I guess I’ll meet them again. Let’s go and return a lost little dragon.”

“Don’t patronise me!!” Christine yelled. She was going to eat that pink anomaly!

“Right...” Seth turned to Pinkie. “Think you can say goodbye to the others for me?”

“Will do Sethy!” Pinkie saluted. “Also, when’s your birthday?”

“Uh, January 3rd,” he responded.

“Hmm, still quite a ways off,” Pinkie hummed. “Well, no problemo! Take care okay?” Applejack nodded in agreement and Seth boarded the train.

Las Pegasus and a whole new set of dramas awaited him.

Chapter Thirty Five

Author's Note

Okay, so I finally get to post these chapters. Those of you that have read them already on 'New Mind' will find that they are quite familiar. But I do have small scenes that aren't in the other and vice-versa. I do hope you'll give it a read, but understand if you don't want to.

Chapter Thirty Five

The train whistled loudly as it pulled into the station, Ignis already having arrived a few minutes earlier. Seth and his crew emerged from the last carriage, their latest trip much less uneventful. Ignis had said he wanted to think for a while and decided to fly to Las Pegasus. The dragon landed just a few moments after the train arrived.

“Well, at least that trip was quieter,” Selena yawned, having slept the whole way. The Gabite grumbled in response, not exactly a morning ‘mon before breakfast. Or at any other time of the day, really. Both could really use some coffee...

“Can we please do what we came here to do with a minimum of fuss?” she groused.

“Someone isn’t a morning ‘Mon huh?” Rika giggled, and glanced at Seth. “At least you two have that in common.”

“That they do,” Fritter giggled. She looked around at the bright buildings of Las Pegasus and whistled. “Hoowey! This here is really somethin’ even bigger that Canterlot ah reckon!”

“Do you even know where they are?” Christine questioned. “I’m all for seeing sights, really, but I want to be reunited with Sam as soon as possible.”

“Not a clue,” Seth smiled. “But I do know we have to meet somepony named Captain Ace, perhaps he might know?”

“But we don’t know where he is either.” Selena said.

“I have an idea!” Ignis grinned and inhaled deeply. Letting out an earth-shattering roar, he unleashed a stream of flames into the sky. “Let’s get their attention instead~”

“Only you...” Seth groaned.

...I assume there’s a good reason that- oh hey Ignis! Fancy seeing you all here! Vincent’s voice was unmistakable as it rang out among the group. Still, you’re interrupting something at the moment...

“Ah, sorry ‘bout that,” Seth replied. “It’s just...”

“Where. Is. SAM!?!” Christine was getting irritated.

Oh heya Christine. Don’t you remember little ol’ Vincent? I see you still remember big bro.

Christine blinked. “Vincent doesn't have telepathy...”

“Actually, he kinda does now,” Seth replied out loud. “Remember? I told you he was a Kadabra now.”

“Being told is one thing. Actually seeing it is another. Or in this case, hearing it.”

Yeah, her distrust is kinda understandable. So! You lot here for me then? Cause it’d be...let’s go with better, if I came to you instead of the other way ‘round.

“Is there a problem?” Seth asked. “I could help if you need me to, it’s kinda my job now.”

...If you knew, you wouldn’t have said that. You really wouldn’t have. I just got done having Luke teach me Hypnosis, so I can amscray for a few hours if need be. Or would you rather wander the city on your own?

Just what the hell was he up to? Every time this kid was involved, Seth got a headache. “I suppose, Fritter and Rika want to spend some time with me and I think Ignis and Selena could use a little ‘alone time’. Oh, and I’ll keep an eye on Christine as well.”

Works for me. Just, uh… at this, the image of a restaurant floated into Seth’s mind, along with directions to it. Try to avoid this for a bit until I warn Sam at least? It’s where he works.

“So don’t tell Christine then? Got it.” Seth looked at the others and nodded, “It seems Vinny’s a bit busy now. Care to walk around the city for a bit?”

“Sounds good,” Selena replied with a yawn. “Though this place is a bit bright for my liking.”

“And hooooot,” Rika complained, hiding underneath Seth, using the mon as shade “I want ice-cream.”

“We’d be lucky to find that here,” Christine said. “Though this place suits me fine. I could run around for days and feel right at home...once I find my dashing swordsman, that is.”

“Swordsman?” Seth questioned. “You know Sam’s a Scizor right?”

Christine actually stopped for a moment before turning to look at Seth. “What. Did. You. Just. Say?”

“Yeah, Sam, Vincent and Lucy all evolved a short while after coming to Equestris apparently,” Seth answered. “I’d assume he’s still the same guy underneath though.”

The Gabite twitched a second time before letting off an inarticulate scream of rage and vanishing from sight...all save her red band, which was even now vanishing down the road.

“...Fuck.” Seth bolted after her, his eyes following her but he still had trouble as she got further away. “Vincent is going to fucking kill me...”

After a short while, the band stopped near one building before jumping on top of it and vanishing out of sight on the rooftops.

“So... I just unleashed a mentally damaged, invisible Gabite upon Las Pegasus...” Seth said aloud.

“Yeah, prolly not the best idea,” Selena said. “But you couldn’t know how she’d react.”

“And Vincent is busy with... something,” Seth muttered. “You think after the effort he went to to warn me about her, he’d pop right on over...”

Luke’s being protective of me ever since that thing I did in Canterlot with...anyways! Plus, Christine is wily; she has a Kecleon’s ability in every sense of the word. You’d have to outthink her to take her down successfully. He’s only just now agreed that you might need me. I can pop over if you’d like, or if Ignis is really spoiling for a fight...

Ignis sighed, “I’m kinda tired after flying from Ponyville... and that battle with Arceus has had me thinking lately...”

“Yeah, if you wouldn’t mind,” Seth replied. “I’d come to you, but I have no idea where you are...”

Like I said, better that I come to you. Just got out of the shower, so hold still!

With a blue flash, a familiar Kadabra popped into existence in front of Seth, holding his signature spoon. “I believe this is the point where I ask which way she went?” he stated.

Seth’s nose twitched and he recoiled slightly. No, nope, he was not gonna ask why his friend reeked of sex. “She uh, disappeared over that building there. Couldn’t you just use your Ping to find her?”

“Like I said, every sense.” Vincent idly twirled his spoon while continuing to answer. “I do that once, it’ll probably count as a Psychic-type move...and her typing will change to reflect that. Meaning the next one wouldn’t be as effective, and so on.”

“I’m aware of what she’s capable of,” Seth responded. “We’ve spent a great deal of time together, even trained her a bit.” Seth tried to find Christine’s scent, having memorised it over the last week in case this happened, but...

“You know, you’re rather distracting at the moment Vincent,” Seth replied as delicately as he could.

Vincent blushed while muttering something about underpriced shampoos. “I tried, I really did. But I had to take a quick shower, had to once I heard her roar. I’d have made it a little more inclusive, but there’s only so much you can do in one minute. Add to that that your nose is probably more sensitive than it ever was back on Earth…”

Seth reached into his bag and pulled out his Pokedex, one item he had received from Arceus at the Gala. It pinged as he scanned himself, curious about his nose.

The Pokedex pinged and responded in a mechanical tone. “The sense of smell in Luxray are well developed. Like all feline Pokemon, they possess a special olfactory organ on the roof of the mouth called a Jacobson’s organ.The Luxray grimaces (called Flehman) after smelling something, which passes the scent over this organ. Reproductive status is assessed using this method.”

“Well, there you have it,” Seth replied, quite surprised.

“Called it,” Vincent said. “So am I going alone because I reek, then, or are one of you willing to accompany me so we can properly strategize and bring her back to being level-headed? Come to think of it, what triggered this?”

“Seth here mentioned to that dragon that Sammy is a Scizor now,” Fritter responded. “Apparently, she didn’t take that very well.”

“...No, no it wouldn’t,” Vincent replied. “She liked him because he was her dashing swordsman who made all sorts of promises about what we’d do when we got out while she was a Gible. I think she had an unhealthy fixation with her idea of him - a shining knight -, rather that what he actually was - a subject like the rest of us. So...now I don’t know where she would go. Hmm...Selena, Rika, I’ve just had a wonderful thought about how to bring her in, care to help?”

Selena was in mid-yawn when Vincent asked, causing her to cough. “Huh? What? What kind of help?” She poked at the jewel around her neck.

“I Ping, looking for her, most likely changing her to the Psychic type. Once I find her, I ought to be able to keep track and direct you to her, and well, I’m pretty sure two super-effective hits from you two ought to be able to knock her down a peg or three.” Vincent’s smirk was back, as well as a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Selena pondered. “Alright, I can do this myself, Rika’s been hitting the cake recently, might not be able to keep up.”

Rika spluttered and poked her tongue out. “S-shut up!, while as true as it may be, shut up!”

Selena nodded to Seth, who wore a smirk of his own. “Alright, will you need a little boost Selena?”

“She’s fast, so most likely...” Selena took a breath as Seth touched the gem around his own neck.

“When two hearts beat as one, out true power is unveiled! Selena! Mega Shinka!” Seth cried out as a ribbon of light erupted from the two, joining and becoming brighter. Once the light died down, Selena stood proudly in her Mega form.

“Alright Vincent, where is she?”

Vincent smiled and closed his eyes, holding his spoon up and speaking ‘aloud’ as he composed his Ping. Search parameters, Las Pegasus...or as much as I can, anyways. Bring up Dragon-types, especially if the type changes, aaaaand...PING!

The wave of blue erupted from the Kadabra’s cranium and rapidly swept out of view. A few seconds passed in silence as the energy did as its master bid.

“Oh, I see we aren’t the only one’s with new tricks either,” Ignis said with a bemused tone.

“So where am I headed? Selena asked, flexing her wings. The wave of blue light finished rebounding as she finished talking, and Vincent spun to face the south, holding his spoon up and looking at the skyline.

She’s on top of the shops of Seventh Street, heading south, still cloaked at the moment. At this rate, she’ll be...oh dear. On top of the Crown Jewel casino in no time. I’d suggest heading that way to intercept right about...now!

Selena gave a single nod as she took off with blinding speed, the inertia causing everyone to stumble a bit. It took very little time for the Absol to spot the mentioned Casino, and a slight shimmer standing atop it. The type change had caused her invisibility to drop a little, the shining sun doing the rest. Selena’s horn shone with a dark purple light as she dove at the dragon.

“Night Slash!”

The impact caused the invisibility to flicker even more, and the super-effective hit both lifted it and drove the slightly-crazed dragon to her knees. Christine hissed at the Absol as she found she could see herself again. “Get...LOST! Flamethrower!”

The attack bounced harmlessly off of Selena’s Protect. “I’m in my Mega form and thrice as strong as before. Stop this foolishness and return with me.”

“Let me BE!” the Gabite roared. “What I do is not really your business! Stone Edge!”

Selena dodged the attack, her body becoming a blur as she closed the gap and stared Christine straight in the eyes. “And I thought you agreed to stay with us until we found your beloved Sam. Vincent is with us and he can guide you to him. But you need to calm down or Seth will be forced to take you into custody.” She closed her eyes and smiled. “Please Christine, just trust us a little longer okay?”

“My swordsman is lost,” she grumbled. “So is your leverage. I’d rather just leave, but if you intend to make this interesting, then fine. Interesting is what it will be. Sand Attack!”

Selena growled, she couldn’t believe that she let her guard down like that. The blinding sand struck her, stinging her eyes as she jumped away. “You stubborn idiot! You think he’s changed that much? You won’t even see past your own delusion?” Her body shone with a pink light, small sparks falling off of her like embers from a dying flame. “Fine, you wanna play rough? Let’s Play Rough!!” She shot forwards, ignoring the pain in her eyes as she launched the super effective attack.

The dragon cried out in pain as the attack connected, causing her to fall more fully to the ground. “Oh you are going to regret doing that, you annoying...EARTHQUAKE!” Christine lifted her other arm, the one not supporting her, and slammed it into the ground even as her typing changed again.

“You idiot! There are innocent ponies around here!” Selena jumped from the building, her tail glowing with white light. “IRON TAIL!”

The final attack was too much for the mutated dragon, and she fell before the Absol, her body flashing as it returned to both her ‘normal’ color and type now that she had been knocked out.

Selena sighed as she returned to normal herself, but the damage had already been done. The street was a mess and several ponies, ones that had been caught in the attack were either crying out or staring at Selena and Christine.

“Well this is just fucking great,” Selena muttered. “She’s down... but we have a problem.”

I felt it from here...I assume you’re at the Casino?

Selena looked at the building... or what was left of it. The doorframe had collapsed and every window had shattered. The neon lights were broken and the sign was hanging on for dear life.

“Yeah... we are in so much trouble...”

Any victims besides her?

Selena looked around, “Some ponies with bruising and cuts. A lot of them a scared though and I think they’re starting to form a mob...”

I can be there in two seconds...a one and a-

The voice cut out as Vincent appeared in a flash of blue, floating serenely in the air before landing and placing one foot on top of the knocked out dragon. “My thanks for taking care of my wayward...what would be the best word to describe her?” He idly stroked his mustache as he pondered the question.

“A pain in the ass?” Selena suggested.

“It works,” Vincent said. “So...ponies, what is your issue? Bring your grievances forward, let me hear them.”

“And how’d I figure you’d be behind this?” One mare stepped forward. “Everytime there’s a disaster here, you seem to be front and centre!!”

“To be fair, Ace,” Vincent riposted, “I was helping to clean up the mess this time. I didn’t even start it. Heck, I’d be willing to bet that the Crown Jewel still has bits from my little redistribution packed away, labeled as ‘management retirement funds’ that they could use to fix this mess.”

There was a shout from the crowd as a Luxray leapt over them, landing near Vincent. “This... ah, this is actually my fault Ma’am.”

“And you are?” Ace redirected her anger at the new Pokemon.

“Seth Crescent, Special Operative for her Royal Highnesses, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” Seth parted the fur on his chest to show a silver collar with a sun and moon emblem on it. “I am supposed to report to a Captain Ace, have you seen him-”

“Seth,” Vincent said. “Yes. We have. She’s right there. Glaring at you and me now.”

“She? Ooh...” Seth bowed his head. “I am very sorry Captain, it would seem that my superior, Officer Grissom, failed to give me certain information.”

“Grissom... I should have known...” Ace gritted her teeth. “Well, you found me Mr. Crescent, and you appear to have brought quite a hoof-full of trouble with you as well.” This was going to be a PR nightmare, they’d only just started to smooth over the Pegasus Air incident. “We should continue this at the station, lest you feel like being lynched?”

Vincent looked at the angry ponies and snorted. “I could take ‘em. Don’t want to, but could. I’d rather see if Recover works on them, though. Most likely won’t, but it’s the thought that counts. And if you think I’m letting you take - ah there we go! - my ‘sister in captivity’ away, well, just look at what happened. I’d rather she wake up with familiar faces. Failing that, Luke could help me keep her subdued.”

“We could use a Heal Pulse user,” Seth said. “Is Lucy available?”

The Kadabra paused for a moment at the question before answering with no small degree of awkwardness. “While I did figure out how to get Bit to ‘teach’ moves...more like bloody write moves into our brains like they were hard drives...and she does know Heal Pulse now, she’s a bit...tied up at the moment.”

Seth suddenly put two and two together, remembering Vincent’s... peculiar scent. “Ah... well, ah, okay then.” He turned to the mob that was forming and touched his collar, activating one of the enchantments.

“Attention citizens of Las Pegasus!”The voice amplifier spell worked perfectly. “Medical treatment will be arriving shortly. You have the deepest apologies from Princess Celestia herself, this was an accident involving an unwell Pokemon. Your treatments will be fully paid for by the Crown, so may I please have some order?”

The crowd was understandably shocked, but their anger petered out none-the-less. Seth turned back to Ace and tapped the collar again to remove the enchantment. “Sorry about that, can we get some ponies from the local hospital here ASAP?”

Vincent raised a blue, glowing hand and quirked an eyebrow at the captain, as if to ask ‘should I?’ He did, after all, have access to Teleport.

“Go ahead,” Ace sighed. “Do try and keep our headaches to a minimum however, I have the feeling mine will grow exponentially soon enough.”

The line seemed to strike a chord in Vincent, as half-a-dozen ponies appeared between him and Ace. “Take your bloody help, I’m taking Christine home to those that can actually help her, you insensitive mare. I’ve been good about keeping myself and my powers in check…”

With that, the two former lab rats vanished, this time to Vincent’s home in the city.

Ace blinked, “Did I say something?”

“It’s a Kadabra thing, and he may have taken it the wrong way,” Seth explained. “Should we head to the station? I think we have some things to discuss?” The doctors and nurses got over their sudden surprise at being Teleported and went to work on the injured ponies. Ace nodded and motioned for Seth to follow her.

“We’ll hang around the city if you don’t mind?” Rika said. “You’re just gonna talk about boring stuff anyhow.”

“Alright, have fun then!” Seth replied. “See if you can find Vincent as well, I don’t think Captain Ace meant to insult him.”

“Will do,” Rika saluted. And with that, Seth headed off, leaving his Pokemon and marefriend to tackle the big city.

Seth had followed Captain Ace silently back to the station, the mare hadn’t said anything yet, but Seth could tell she was less than happy. Once they were inside the modest-sized building, Seth finally spoke.

“For what it’s worth Ma’am, I do apologise for all of this. I knew Christine was... unstable, but I thought it would be best for her to be with family.”

Ace let out a small, aggravated sigh and shook her head. “I’m not going to lie to you Crescent, things here are still on the very edge of chaos and we don’t even have Discord dicking around,” she stated flatly. “While I’m very grateful to the Princess for my recent bonus, along with Abby for requesting for me to get more, I’ve had my fill of Pokemon related disasters.”

“Which is why I’m here,” Seth replied. “I don’t know how much you were told, if you were even told anything...” Seth was going to have a serious talk with Grissom later. “I am now the head for a special task force created specifically to deal with Pokemon-related incidents. The reason I am here is one, for training purposes and two, to evaluate which towns need their own team. Setting this up is going to take time and money, so we will have to prioritise based on the urgency required.” He placed a paw on his nose, really missing the ability to pinch the bridge of it. “And given that this city is now home to over half a dozen of the Nurem clan... you need one pretty damned urgently.”

“Tell me about it,” the mare said with a stallion like grunt. “Right then, tell me exactly what you need to hear and I’ll do my best to get you the information that’s required to keep my city from devolving into a bunch of violent children every time a Pokemon steps outside a door.”

Seth nodded as he took a file from his bag. “Okay, well, we require a detailed report on any incidents that have occurred since we Pokemon have arrive, no matter how small or trivial. Also we need an expense report that covers said incidents, as well as how much ponypower has gone into resolving them, if they have been resolved.”

“Right...” Ace trailed off and ran a hoof through her mane, closing her eyes. “Of course, I can do that. Just give me a day or so, my files are excellent but things have been chaotic here, to say the very least.” She opened them. “Would you prefer one huge report or three smaller ones for bureaucracy's sake?”

“Whichever is easier for you Captain,” Seth smiled.

“Hah,” she laughed once. “Okay, come back tomorrow morning and either my husband or I will be on duty with the report ready.” She frowned. “And you said you needed training? What type?”

“Anything would be useful, I have the Pokemon way of doing things, but I’d like to see how a Pony handles the less law-abiding citizens.”

Ace nodded and then frowned faintly, clearly thinking about the request. “So you’d like to go through basic and then get some street experience?” she asked. “Or did you already get the basic training in Canterlot?”

“Hah, Grissom basically said, ‘best of luck’ and shoved me in your direction.”

A long suffering sigh left Ace’s lips. “Elitist Canterlot prick,” she grumbled before shaking her head. “But I’m not surprised really. Right then, I’ll give you the evening to get settled in either in our barracks or find your own accommodations. If you’re staying here you can have Abby and Kasai’s room, don’t worry, we got the stains out. At any rate, regardless of where you end up sleeping you’re to report here tomorrow morning at 6 AM for your first day of basic. Get here on time or you fail.”

“I really don’t want to know about those stains,” Seth replied dryly. “I met Abby and Kasai... and short of torching the room, I doubt I could sleep there. Don’t worry, I think we have a place lined up with Vincent, though that might be problematic as well, if his scent is anything to go by.”

“No offense to the kid, but everything he does is problematic,” Ace said, shaking her head. “But I do respect that he’s trying to do good work. Anyways, is there anything else you’d like to talk about before I get back to my work?”

“You have a lot to do, and I appreciate you taking to time out to assist me,” Seth replied honestly. “I’ll see you at 5:45 tomorrow Ma’am!” He punctuated the sentence with a salute.

“Good lion,” Ace replied with a small nod, returning the salute. “Dismissed.”

The Luxray saluted once more and then excused himself. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day...

Rika and Fritter walked side-by-side, taking in the sights of the big city. While it wasn’t quiteas big as Canterlot, it was certainly brighter.

“This place reminds me of Nimbasa or Lumiose,” Rika commented. “But I think I like Canterlot a whole lot better.”

“Why’s that?” Fritter asked.

“Cause it’s where we met you,” Rika smiled. Fritter paused as her cheeks flushed red.

“That’s... thank you Rika,” Fritter moved up against her, pulling the small Pokemon close to her.

Rika cooed, then her ribbons suddenly tensed up as they passed a large apartment building. Noticing it, Fritter paused as well. “What’s wrong?”

“This place,” Rika stared at the building. “There are a lot of Pokemon in there, I can feel them... feel their need to be hugged.” And with that, she marched straight up to the front door, right past the nearby plaque that proclaimed they were walking into The Unity Building.

Upon opening the door, the Sylveon and Earth Pony females were met by a Leavanny with larger-than-normal arm-blades. She looked up at them from her book and blinked a few times. “Oh, visitors? Or tenants?” she asked.

Rika paused when the Leavanny greeted them. She had an aura that seemed... familiar. It was one like Titania gave off when she first showed up.

“Visitors,” Fritter replied, she adopted her noble accent before continuing. “My name is Apple Fritter and this is my beloved, Rika.”

The Leavanny nodded once before putting her book down. “I am Lala, and behind you by the door is-”

“WOBBUFFET!” the psychic nearly screamed at being mentioned.

Fritter suddenly lashed out in surprise, and stopped her hoof only a few millimeters from Wobbuffet’s face. The force behind the blow still gave off a gust of wind as it stopped, enough to tell the experienced Pokemon that he narrowly avoided being put through the wall.

“Ah- Ah’m so sorry!” Fritter quickly apologised, her accent dropping. “Ah didn’t mean to!”

“Wobbuffet likes sneaking up on ponies and ‘mon alike, and he’s a defensive powerhouse. I keep telling him not to, but he never listens. Though I get the feeling he will after this one. Won’t you?” The Leavanny smirked over to the blue blob, who was wiping off his forehead.

“Wobbuffet,” he said with a slight nod before retreating back to the door.

“Ah really didn’t mean to scare him,” Fritter said quietly, her ears flat against her head. If it wasn’t for her stupid, freaky strength...

“Hey, it’s alright,” Rika said, wrapping Fritter up in a hug. “No-one’s blaming you and no-one got hurt. Honestly, I nearly Moonblasted him myself.”

“Like I said, defensive powerhouse. He’d probably walk it off. So!” The Leavanny sat up a bit more straight behind the receptionist desk and looked over it at the guests. “You’ve met me and Wobbuffet. Are you here to see Jessie, James, Meowth, or any of the Nurem family?”

“VINNY’S HERE!?” Rika cried happily. “Lucky~”

“While we weren’t looking for him at the moment,” Fritter said, “We were coming to meet him eventually.”

“Mm. Floor three then. And take care, I think the family is going through something. Sam mentioned something about a Heat when he tried flirting with me this morning on his way to work.”

“You and Sam are an item?” Rika asked earnestly. “How’d he score a cutie like you?”

Despite the slight pause the Sylveon’s words had on her, Lala responded. “I am merely intrigued by him at this moment. It is not every day one finds one trained by their own father, after all. And despite his thicker chitin, he appears to have no difficulty dodging my attacks in the morning as retribution for his...cheesy lines. Such a feat is not easy for anyone. For most, it is downright impossible.”

“I’m so glad Ignis isn’t here,” Rika said with a sigh of relief. She paused and gave the Leavanny a hard stare. “Can I ask something strange? Do you know a Florges named Titania?”

“A fellow guild member, yes. How many have you run into?” To say that Rika had Lala’s interest would be akin to saying Arceus could be kind of a jerk.

“Quite a few, including a jerk named Weiss,” Rika said with a huff. “But Tani was the first one we met, waaaaay back when we first arrived on this world.”

Despite the insult to the guildmaster, Lala decided to ask the two in front of her a question relating to her father. “And did you happen to meet a Scizor named Char?”

Rika closed her eyes as she thought, a small habit she picked up from Seth. “Char... oooh, the one that called himself, ‘The Red Comet’?”

“So father is doing well, then,” the Leavanny said, sitting back down in her chair. “I thank you for the news, but I would ask that you refrain from insulting them in my presence.”

Rika nodded, “Well, he punched my Sethy for no reason, but sorry anyway.”

“Much appreciated. Like I said, the Nurem family is on floor three at the moment, apartment 301. Do take care, I’m not sure which member is afflicted with the Heat, but it’s something to keep in mind anyways.”

“Thanks for the tip Miss Lalah,” Rika smiled. And with that, the two girls headed upstairs to see their friends. It didn’t take too long to find the room and knock on the front door.

A familiar face answered the knock. A blue and pink form with a disconnected head opened the door and poked said head out of it. “Ah, Miss Fritter, Miss Rika, hello. Is there a reason behind your visit?”

“Itty Bitty~” Rika giggled, grabbing the head and hugging it. “We came to visit like we promised.”

“S’good to see y’all again,” Fritter agreed.

The program ticked a few times as his eyes focused on the Sylveon holding his head. “...I suppose I did something to deserve this,” he grumbled, pulling the rest of his body out and closing the door behind him. “Still, your timing could only have been worse if you arrived some weeks later. Did Lala inform you?”

Rika thought for a second, “Something about a Heat? She didn’t know much herself.” Rika poked at the Porygon’s head with a ribbon, “And what’s got you all pouty? Did you get locked out of a library or something?”

“I could be assembling my rudimentary computer right now, but the family is busy helping Subject Thir- I mean, Christine. Well, those that can are helping her, anyways. So I am on door duty, as Jeanne cannot reach the doorknob.” The program had hastily corrected himself from slipping back into the way he used to refer to the former subjects.

“Ah, so you can’t tinker?” Rika nodded. “Don’t worry Bitty, when Sethy gets here, you’ll prolly be free to do whatever. He had to go see the Town Guard about something.” A peculiar scent suddenly caught Rika’s nose... Oh, so that’s what they meant.

Bit dinged a few times before beeping in a negative manner. “Not advised. Luxray and Lucario share an egg group, and it is currently Lucy who is afflicted by a Heat. None of the family would take it well if something were to happen.”

Rika and Fritter paused and their expressions darkened. “If Sethy were to try anything...”

“That boy wouldn’t walk straight fer a month!” Fritter finished. “Seth is ours, an’ ah think he knows that.” A sly grin made its way onto her face. “An’ ah’d be more worried about Rika, she does like to tease after all~”

“Ooh! I hadn’t thought of that,” Rika giggled.

Bit looked between the two females before performing his version of a shrug; waving his arms up quickly before returning them to their normal state. “Still, the scent is likely to afflict him in some manner. I must remain on guard until Luke, Mage, or Vincent are free, or until Sam returns from work. And seeing as how there is delicate work going on, I doubt they would appreciate you entering at this juncture.”

“So we can’t come inside?” Rika giggled, causing Fritter to groan and facehoof. “Well, what should we do until then?”

“Jeanne is still free,” Bit clarified. “And I think she would not mind giving you a tour of our facilities...assuming one of you gave her a ride. She is a Bellossom, after all.”

“Ah don’t mind,” Fritter said. “One question... what’s a Bellossom?”

“I can show you in a moment,” Bit said before looking at the ribbon around his horn. “Assuming I am free to leave.”

“Ah, whoops?” Rika let Bit go and smiled. “Sorry Bitty.”

Bit did his version of a smile, something you’d have to look at his eyes for, as he briefly altered the eyes to show off small smiles instead of interlocked rings. “Forgiven. One moment…”

With that, the program opened the door and closed it again, and a stretch of time passed for the fairy and the mare.

“Ah’m surprised that he didn’t comment on the fact that we’re both dating Seth,” Fritter mentioned. Hasn’t stopped everyone else from doing so.

“Well, it’s not like we outright mentioned it,” Rika responded. “Could be he doesn’t know, or just doesn’t care.”

“True enough, he’s still a cute little feller though, kinda like those little toy ponies with the bobbly heads.”

The door opened again, and an elderly Bellossom walked out, looking up at the mare and the Sylveon. “Oh, hello there, dears. I’m Jeanne, and if I’m not mistaken, you know the others?”

Rika nodded, “Yes, my name is Rika Crescent and this is Apple Fritter. We met Vinny and the others when they visited Canterlot last week. We might also be responsible for his lovey-dovey-ness with Lulu.”

Jeanne blinked a few times before smiling and making to hug Rika. “And good on you for doing it, they love one another so much that I’m sure they’ll pull through even this with no more sanity lost among them.”

Rika gladly hugged the Bellossom, she knew she was right. Many Pokemon here needed hugs.

“So I take it you’ll be our guide while they’re... intertwined?” Fritter asked, her Canterlot accent back in front of the new Pokemon.

Jeanne giggled a bit before disentangling herself from Rika and responding to Fritter. “While Lucy is a bit...tied up at the moment, Luke, Mage, and Vincent are helping a very strange Gabite. Which is why Bit’s on door duty, normally it’d be Mage. I can guide you around the place, there’s plenty to see. Most of it is in the basement, though there is the garden on the roof.”

Fritter’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Y’all have a garden of the roof!?”

“Well that didn’t last long,” Rika giggled, chuckling at the record speed that Fritter dropped her accent. “Mention farming and she’s in her element.”

“She’ll like it up there, but let’s save that for later, then. James is probably still making sure the plants have water at this time of day, now that I think about it.” The plant looked from the pony to the Eevolution, a spark of mischief in her eye as she asked the next question.

“Sooo...which one of you do I get to ride?”

“Oh my, so forward~” Rika giggled. “You’d never be able to keep up though.”

“Ah’ll be yer method of transportation,” Fritter sighed. This was going to be one of those days wasn’t it? As if Abby wasn’t bad enough…

“I just can’t help myself, dear,” the Bellossom said as she drew closer to the mare. “I’ve been trying to compete with Luke as to who can make more dirty jokes, so as to effect Vincent, and sometimes it slips out without my noticing around others.”

“Rika’s the same, ‘cept she just does it cause she’s Rika,” Fritter said, leaning down so Jeanne could climb up.

“Oh hush,” Rika said. “You don’t mind when I talk like that in bed.”

Apple Fritter said nothing, but her red face spoke volumes.

“The basement, then,” the elder of the three said as she settled in on the pony’s back. “There’s a few things down there, and as long as you two promise not to touch, we might be able to look at what Bit’s been up to as well.”

“Fii~nee,” Rika said when Fritter looked at her. “I won’t touch the shiny things.”

“Well then,” Fritter got back up. “Let’s go!”

The trip down was four stories of stairs that, thankfully, were still pony-friendly. Once the small party arrived in the basement, the heater and air-conditioner were obvious, as well as the fact that they’d been modified from anything that could be considered normal.

Fritter looked at the modern conveniences. “Wha? What is half of this stuff?”

“Air con, a heater... ohh, you totally teched out this apartment!” Rika exclaimed. “Aw, I wish we had air-con...”

“It only works because of Bit’s Ice Beam, dear,” Jeanne explained while slipping off the pony. Walking over and opening up a compartment in the side, she continued to explain. “While they have a backup that runs off the generator in the next room, they’d work better if we had an Ice-type to chill the air in here. And the heater,” she continued, walking over to the next one, “Works off of similar principles with Fire-types. Assuming Jessie ever learns how to control her fires, this one won’t be an issue either.”

“Pokemon power huh?” Rika commented. “Well, as long as Bitty doesn’t try and use Sethy as a battery...”

“Ah doubt Bit would do that,” Fritter giggled. “But this is pretty ingenious.”

“He might ask for a quick charge from Seth, but not a whole lot - he doesn’t like using his Charge Beam for the generator. Says something about how he’s just putting power in to take it out later when he needs it again. And the others did ask him to stop siphoning electricity from the city grid for himself as well.” The plant looked into the next room and nodded. “Right, the generator is in here, as well as Bit’s workspace. I’m trusting you two!”

“Hai, we won’t touch!” Rika saluted.

“We promise,” Apple Fritter agreed. “Ah hate it when somepony messes up mah farm tools.”

In the next room, a generator was hooked up to a capacitor, along with a fuse box for the whole building. In another corner…

...Well, it looked like a very primitive computer had exploded and had a few magical additions made to it along the way. Chalk had been used to write out calculations or circle some parts, and wires connected nearly every part of the whole mess.

“This looks... messy,” Rika commented.

“Mah brain hurts,” Fritter said, looking at the mathematical equations. “Wait, are those magic crystals?”

“It’s probably best not to question how he makes his computer, dear. Only that it’s something for him to focus on with all the knowledge Genesect traded with him. Let’s just hope he succeeds, otherwise he’ll be sulky about not understanding magic for days.”

“Seth tried to explain compu-thingies when he showed me his Pokedex... ah still don’t get them.”

“And I find that adorable for some reason,” Rika giggled. “But a magic computer? That would really be something. I know Sethy wants to get phones working more than anything.”

“Bit probably has information on that as well,” Jeanne said with a shrug. “Nobody’s asked because he’s oh-so-busy on his computer.”

Apple Fritter looked at the cluttered workshop, but couldn’t make hooves or tails of anything that was in here. She just wanted to see the rooftop garden, and how these Pokemon grew their Berries.

Rika gave one last look around, “Well, we should probably leave. I think I can feels Bit’s pressure for us to get out from here.”

Jeanne nodded and drew close to Apple Fritter. “A wise idea. So long as nobody touches anything, he’s merely peeved that others enter his workspace. I think his time outside of a computer is negatively effecting him.”

“Heh, well let’s go then!” Apple Fritter said excitedly and trotted cheerfully out of the room. The mare narrowly avoided knocking over a toolbox on her way out, the heavy case caught by Rika at the last second.

“Watch it Appleflank,” she giggled. “That would not have ended well.”

“Eheh, sorry bout that,” Fritter replied sheepishly.

Jeanne sighed and wiped a hand over her forehead at the aversion of the near disaster. Then she took note of where the two had gotten to and jogged after them. “Wait a moment, you forgot about me!”

Apple Fritter paused as Rika lifted the elderly Bellossom up and placed her on the mares back.

“Sorry Jeannie~” the Sylveon giggled.

The plant settled back in on the mare’s back and nodded. “At least you stopped. Right then, to the roof?”

The Bellossom suddenly had to grab on tightly as Fritter practically raced up the stairs, a large grin on her face. Rika just trailed behind, grinning at her mare’s antics.

Once they’d reached the top, Fritter practically squeed with excitement when she laid eye on the beautiful garden.

“It’s... amazing!” she whispered.

The noise had drawn the attention of a nearby Roserade, and he stepped out from between two flowering plants. “Ah, hello again Jeanne...and who are they?” he questioned while pointing one bouquet at her companions.

Jeanne hopped down and walked over to the other plant-type. “The mare is Apple Fritter, and the Sylveon is Rika. They’re here to visit and see the things we do and how we do them, James dear.”

Apple Fritter was getting over her initial excitement and was now taking a more professional eye to the garden. “Let’s see, ya’ll have a nice set up here. This glass provides some excellent shade and the layout of the garden itself is good. Not too much space between each plant and... hmm... do y’all have irrigation? Watering this many plants by hoof would be quite the chore.”

“Not yet I’m afraid,” James said with a bit of a slump. “And despite the water tower on that corner,” he pointed it out while continuing, “We have no Water-types in residence to help keep it filled, so at the moment it runs off the city. Had we a sprinkler system like we keep looking for, this would be easy, but Bit’s a bit busy today. Said something about being shanghaied into being a door guard.”

“Vincent and Luke and Mage are trying to help one of the subjects, James,” Jeanne explained. “He was the only one they could ask.”

“Well, why don’t ah help out?” Fritter offered. “Ah know what kinda system would be perfect fer this place. As long as y’all have the Bits that is.”

James blinked a few times before looking at Fritter slowly. “That...would be perfect. I just got done checking for weeds and seeing which ones needed watering, so as long as Miss Jeanne and Miss Rika stay here to keep watch for any Bug-types, I would be willing to look with you. Vincent has given us a few leftover funds, not a lot, to purchase a system that catches our eye. I can go get those and meet you in the lobby if you’d like.”

Rika flexed her ribbons and grinned sadistically. “Oh don’t worry rose-boy, no little buggies will touch these berries.”

Jeanne merely smiled and touched one of the flowers on her head. “I might not be one for combat, but I do know a few incapacitating moves myself.”

Rika tilted her head, “You don’t know any attacking moves?” She was suddenly standing in front of the small plant Pokemon. “Heehee, let’s change that shall we?”

Fritter shuddered and grabbed James. “Okay, we better leave.” She gave her beloved a worried look. “ByeRikahaveagreattimeandtrynottokillher!”

Jeanne looked up and smiled. “Dear, you really shouldn’t have gotten that close. Maybe when you wake up, you’ll be more reasonable. Sleep Powder.”

Rika jumped back and grabbed a nearby Chesto berry, crunching down on it as the sleep begun to take hold.

“Ooh, that’s naughty~” she giggled. “Safeguard!” the aura surrounded her, protecting her from further status effects. “Don’t be like that, I just want to teach you an attack or two.”

“Pity,” Jeanne said. “Status moves like that are all I know. And I’m of the opinion that you’re a bit too enthusiastic in your approach. But there’s one thing that I have over you still.” The Bellossom was still smiling, even as she described her situation.

“Yeah, sorry... I get a bit...” Rika hung her head as she trailed off. She didn’t like getting like that, Titania still flinched on occasion around her. “Nevermind, I’ll just... stand over there...”

Jeanne drew close and laid a tiny hand on Rika’s leg. “Dear, you just need to calm down a bit when you get like that. I didn’t say I didn’t want to know, I merely didn’t want to be subject to more pain than I’ve felt before. Which would be an achievement, by the way, considering who I was married to.” She then huffed and crossed her arms while muttering.

“Wha? NO! Nononononoo! I wasn’t going to hurt you!” Rika gasped as tears stung the corner of her eyes. Jeanne wordlessly opened her arms, the universal signal for ‘hug.’

Rika nodded and hugged the little Grass-type. “Sorry, I’ll try to be... calmer in the future.” She nodded, of all the traits she inherited from her parents, it had to be their insanity. She stayed for a minute or two before breaking the hug. “Okay, moves... I can do that.” She closed her eyes as she thought, what could a Bellossom learn that she could teach.... oh? A small grin crossed her face. “Yeah... that’ll do nicely~”

“Let’s not forget to keep watch as well. I’m not sure how many Bugs James has to fend off, but it’s not a few.”

Jeanne and Rika were rudely interrupted by a new voice that came from above them, with a droning wingbeat accompanying it. “Oh, you know, just a Ledyba or two a day tend to wander up here, but that was then.”

Rika glanced upwards, a small scowl on her face. “Now what?”

The next thing either of them saw was a small swarm of Ledyba, and in front of them were half-a-dozen Ledians as well. The one in front spoke up next. “That’s mostly because the others can’t fly up here as easily...oh, and did I happen to mention I’m tired of hearing my little brothers and sisters cry about not getting any of the largest garden in the city?”

Rika sighed, okay let’s try Seth’s way first. “This is a private garden, but once it’s harvested I’m sure it’s owners would share should you ask. Vinny wouldn’t be so heartless as to turn away starving children.”

He seemed to think about it for a moment, even humming, before shaking his head. “Nah, this way is easier, gets more food in their bellies. And hey, thanks for telling us that the usual defender is out. This’ll be a snap.” He raised his right arms to the sky before pointing them at the garden below. “Go for it!”

With those words, the swarm descended.

There was a blur from Rika, as one of her ribbons snapped like a whip and a nearby cinderblock fell, neatly cleaved in two.

“Last. Chance.” she said, taking a breath and trying to remain calm. At her display, the swarm had stopped, but the Ledians landed around the pair of Rika and Jeanne, apparently not impressed.

“Okay, so you know a move or two,” the original leader stated. “Just means we need to get you out of the way before we get at the Berries.”

Rika shuddered. “Calm, calm... must remain calm. Jeannie? I’m finding this most difficult at the moment. Please let these gentlebugs know that I’m trying my very best not to embarrass them in front of their kids.”

“Shh dear. I think I can get them to back off.” The elderly Bellossom walked forward to the de facto leader and smiled. “Now I’m going to tell you two things, two very small things. And then I’m going to let you judge how to best handle the situation,” she said calmly.

“And what’s that?” he questioned.

“First, this garden is property of Vincent Nurem.”

At that statement, silence descended on the roof, save for the droning wings from above. The Ledian in front of her gulped thickly before daring to speak up again. “And...second?”

Jeanne actually glared before replying. “And second, he’s my son. So which is worse? The situation you were just in, or the situation you’re in now?”

After another moment, the Ledian on the roof took off like shots, leading the swarm up and away. “We’ll be back!” was the sentiment, though whether it would be in peace or with a larger swarm was unknown. Jeanne sighed and slumped a little, thankful her bluff had worked.

“Seriously!?” Rika said, “How often does that actually work?”

“More often than you’d think, considering who I was once married to,” Jeanne said sadly. “He used to be so nice, so devoted...and then…” This time it was the Bellossom who was nearing tears.

Rika didn’t ask, she just hugged. “It’ll be alright, you have your son back at least, and from the looks... and smells, I’m guessing you’ll have grandkids before long.”

Jeanne hiccuped before nodding. “I hope they’re as good as their father...and I hope Lucy returns to rationality soon, I can’t wait to hug her again for making my boy so happy.”

“The first Heat for a canine or feline Pokemon is always the worst, you should have seen mine...” Rika remembered that night. “It shouldn’t last too long.” She cast a glance at the retreating bugs, well at least they wouldn’t be a problem... for now.

“So. You were planning a thing, am I right? Something about teaching me a move, maybe?”

“Yeah, I’m thinking... Solar Beam!”

“Sounds involved…” Jeanne said. “Are you sure you can do that?”

“Well, the concept should be similar to Moonblast, and if I were a Leafeon, then I could learn it.” She looked around, “It’s nice and sunny out, so absorbing sunlight shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Just remember dear, I’ve no practice with offensive moves…” Jeanne made sure she wasn’t standing under any of the glass and looked back to the Sylveon.

“Well, you’re not gonna be using it right off of the bat... unless you’re some sort of savant,” Rika motioned for Jeanne to stand in the sun. “First you need to practice absorbing sunlight.”

“Easy enough,” the Bellossom said while making sure that her skirt was still clean enough from the earlier altercation. “I could stand in the sun all day.”

“Easier said than done,” Rika replied. “Absorb too much and you run the risk of exploding!”

The elder of the pair blinked before looking at Rika with an expression that just screamed ‘I do not believe you.’ “You’re joking, right?”

“Wow... you are a tough nut to crack,” Rika smiled. “Yes, I am kidding, but just standing there won’t do anything. You need to focus and absorb the solar power... umm...” She tried to think of how best to explain it. “Sorry, this is the first time I’ve had to instruct a human before.”

“Bet it’s novel, doing things the other way around, isn’t it?” Jeanne couldn’t quite contain the snickers. “Imagine the number of Pokemon teaching their Trainers on the first day. Oh, the irony!”

“It is pretty funny,” Rika giggled. “You should have seen Seth back then. He really wasn’t used to having four feet, and he constantly fell over... still does on occasion.” She smiled at those memories, she really did love him, no matter what form he took. Seth was still Seth after all.

“Okay, let’s continue. First, close your eyes and tell me what you feel, standing in the sun like that.”

Jeanne did as she was bid and hummed a little before responding. “Warm...happy, for some reason...oooh, and it tingles a bit. I’d put it down to just being a Grass-type, but I would have to have some basis for comparison.”

“Okay, that tingling is good,” Rika grinned. “It means that you’re absorbing small amounts of solar energy. Focus on that feeling, see what happens.”

Unconsciously, the Bellossom stretched out her arms and did a small turn so she was more directly facing the sun, sighing as she did. “You’ll tell me when something starts happening, right?”

“Like your flowers lighting up like a Christmas tree?” Rika mentioned, staring at the glowing flowers. She couldn’t believe how easy this woman was making it look.

“Yes, something like th-...it’s already happening, isn’t it?”

“Okay, this is happening a lot faster than I thought it would,” Rika said calmly. “You already seem to be building up a Solar Beam... now you need to discharge that energy. I’d say stop, but you have too much already, so you’ll need to use it.” She thought for a second, “Hmm, okay! I want you push the energy down, kinda like... taking a wizz.”

“Dear, you need to work on your analogies,” Jeanne said with a wince. “And if it went ‘down,’ wouldn’t it hit the roof? Or are you merely telling me to harmlessly release it?”

“Release, yeah, that sounds better,” Rika nodded. “You should feel a warm, fuzzy feeling all over if you do it right.”

The glow on Jeanne’s body continued to accumulate for a moment more, before starting to lessen and dissipate. “Done,” she said, opening her eyes at last. “That felt...very rewarding, for some reason.”

Rika nodded and sighed, “That’s because instead of learning Solar Beam, I have no idea how, but you used Synthesis instead.”

“Just my luck,” the Bellossom said with a sigh. “I tried to use things like Magical Leaf and Vine Whip when I first got this body, but all I managed to do was things like Stun Spore and Sleep Powder. I got very good at those, though.”

“Well, Bellossom can’t learn Vine Whip,” Rika pointed out. “But you seem to have an affinity for status and healing. Maybe you could learn Protect or Safeguard?”

“Maybe,” Jeanne said with a shrug. “Still not giving up on Solar Beam, though. I’d like to have at least one move in my repertoire should I need it. So...while I sit over here and practice, anything else you want to know, Miss Rika?”

“Hmm, well you have the energy absorption down, maybe Giga Drain might be an option as well?” Rika sat down, yelping when she sat on a particularly hot section of concrete. “Owwie, um, well... how did you find Vinny?”

“No idea,” Jeanne said, slowly turning in place. “Went to sleep in a jungle one night, woke up on their front door the next morning. Was quite a surprise when my son was the one who woke me up, but I’ve stuck by his side ever since...except when he took after his father and went up to Canterlot on his own, but that’s another story.”

“Vinny came back to Canterlot?” Rika tilted her head. “He never came and saw us, what was he doing there?”

“Saying ‘hello’ to a certain ambassador for breaking his replacement father figure,” Jeanne said blandly. “He also used something he calls Total Recall. Go on, guess why he didn’t say hi.”

Rika pondered, Vincent went to see an ambassador... the only one of those she knew of was Mewtwo... he didn’t did he? And Total Recall? Wasn’t that some really bad movie?

“Did he go to see Mewtwo?” Rika asked, “Cause after the incident with those mind-controlled Pokemon, I didn’t think Mewtwo would want to see anyone for a while.”

“He certainly took interest in Luke, a Gallade, and the first one Vincent met who actually cared about him. Enough of an interest that the poor dear was a broken shell of a ‘mon. Vincent went out to correct that. As said by both him and Bit, you don’t hurt a member of our family and not expect some form of payback.” Jeanne’s face now had a scowl on it. “The boy is as headstrong as Rupert, and it’s probably only thanks to the others that he’s still sane.”

“But why would Mewtwo...?” Rika was confused as to why Mewtwo would attack an innocent Pokemon... oh no! “This Luke... did he have particularly strong mental defenses?”

Jeanne turned back to Rika and nodded. “At least, when he was normal, or so Vincent tells me. Vincent’s run into two psychic tutors, and he holds Luke dear to his heart. Apparently, Luke could stand toe-to-toe with a normal Metagross, and the Metagross Vincent met, one Xavier....it’s likely only a Legendary could do the same with him. He just keeps running into gifted teachers, my boy. It’s almost enough to make me wonder what he’ll be like as an Alakazam.”

Rika gulped, “A few days ago... there was, an incident. A Unicorn brainwashed a bunch of Pokemon, up to and including an Alakazam. He used magic that replaced the victim’s memories, and also applied strong mental defenses to stop his work from coming undone.” Rika’s ribbons lost their life as they drooped to the ground, her glossy gaze just staring off into the distance. “Mewtwo offered to help us, and it was thanks to him tearing down the mental walls of the Alakazam we captured that we were able to discover Control’s plans... but that was a trap and some of us almost died. But, if Luke was wandering around the castle... there’s a chance that Mewtwo mistook him for another victim, and Mewtwo himself became a victim of his own curiosity...”

“Well, he got that curiosity cured, that pesky cat,” Jeanne said, grinning sharkishly. “Unless Vincent was lying about how far back through his memories his move went, then I can’t see Mewtwo being curious ever again.”

“Sweet Arceus,” Rika sighed. “You know, I think I’m going to leave this topic alone. What about you? Any questions for this now terrified Sylveon?”

“Hmm, just a few, dear. See, it’s been a long time since my last, ahem, encounter, so I need to brush up on my lexicon if I’m to stand any chance in that apartment. Luke and Sam have histories, but I’m mostly stuck with what little I knew before Rupert. Any chance you could help?”

“Um, let’s pretend I have no idea what you’re talking about?” Rika replied dryly. “What kind of help?”

“That little joke when we met? That’s about the limit of my double-entendre skills. It’s been a while.” Jeanne finished her small dance and looked to the Sylveon with a sigh. “It’s no fair that the males in the apartment are better at that than me...I need something to fight back with.”

“Um, well...” To be honest, Rka had nothing. “I don’t really know any...”

“So what was that with Apple Fritter, then?” The Bellossom tilted her head to one side in curiosity.

“Did I say something weird?”

“I quote, ‘You don’t mind when I talk like that in bed.’ I figured that meant you knew something.”

“Oh, ah, I just say stuff like how beautiful she is and that she tastes like apples and ah...” Rika blushed furiously. She was too embarrassed to say anything else. Jeanne merely chuckled and hugged the cherry-red Sylveon.

“Oh, you’ve got it bad, don’t you? Well then, when you calm down, why don’t you tell me which of your family would be better suited to this, if not you?”

“Selena, definitely Selena,” Rika squeaked. She recalled the conversation that Absol had with Abby. “She looks tsundere on the outside, but she a real perv.”

“Mmm. How will I recognize her?” Jeanne still hadn’t let go, thinking that Rika might need the comfort for the moment.

“Huh? Oh, Selly’s an Absol and the one that beat Christine... twice.” Now that she thought about it, Ignis and Selena had some impressive wins under their belt since coming to Equestria, Rika had none.

“Ah, excellent. Well then, I should probably meet her for a few reasons.” At that point, the Bellossom slipped up onto Rika’s back and patted her a few times. “So why don’t you show me where she is, dear?”

“I don’t know where she is,” Rika said, “Her and Ignis went off to find something to do before we came here. Maybe Vincent could spare a moment to find them?”

“They’re a wee bit busy working on fixing Christine as much as they can. The two main issues are her obsession with Sam’s Scyther form and her out-of-control anger...individually, Vincent could handle either, but together?...Still, a ride back to the lobby at least, that way I can ambush them as they come in, would be appreciated.”

“Righto then, off to the lobby!” Rika was feeling a bit better, but her cheeks were still a touch pink. She headed downstairs just as the front door opened, revealing a tired-looking Luxray.

“SETHY!!” Rika forgot all about her passenger as she leapt forward, hugging her beloved Luxray. Said Bellossom found herself a victim of physics, as holding on tighter to her ride only ended up with her on Seth’s back once it came to a sudden end.

“Oh dear, terribly sorry about this,” she said from her new perch. “Some days I wonder what Arceus was thinking, turning me into a Bellossom.”

Seth nodded, “Turning a lovely lady into a lovely flower... I think it’s fitting. Oh, my name is Seth Crescent, might I ask yours?”

“I’m Jeanne, and I think I got that much from Rika here. Rika, darling, I don’t think Seth wanted to be mummified just yet.”

“Mmnope, wanna hug~” Rika cooed. Seth sighed, but didn’t bother prying her off.

“Well, I can tell from here that Vincent is still... busy,” Seth commented. “Is there somewhere we can go until it’s safe to return?”

“Bit’s on door duty, dear. Unless you have a penchant for ignoring those interested in you and going after the female in Heat, you should be fine. And even if you do, I’m sure Rika and Fritter will catch you before you get too far.”

“I-what!?” Seth took a step back. “I would never do such a thing!”

“Seth’s pretty loyal,” Rika agreed. “I know I don’t have to worry about him, but we should find Selly and Iggy, they still don’t know where we are.”

Jeanne giggled and put a hand over her mouth. “Oh, apparently you didn’t know. This is Las Pegasus, dear. You can find anything for the right price. How long ago was it that you lost track of them?”

“Shortly before we separated... so about an hour or so?” Seth replied. “Ignis wouldn’t be too hard to find, he’s not exactly subtle.”

“As that roar proved,” Jeanne deadpanned before brightening up. “Bet you five bits they found a bar already~”

“None of us drink, so I doubt it.” Seth thought for a moment, “Selena’s been feeling out of sorts lately, so Ignis is probably trying to cheer her up. Hmm...” Seth tapped his chin with his paw as Rika finally let go of him. “Is there a bakery around here?”

“None that I know of, but there is a place that does remarkable Italian food, thanks to their chef. Does that help?”

“Yep, that might do it,” Seth nodded, “Would you like a ride Mrs Jeanne?”

“To Fredrick’s and Sam and your friends, hopefully, then?” She inquired semi-sarcastically as she settled in on top of the Luxray.

“Lucky, Sethy’s fur is simply divine~” Rika cooed. “I love riding him.”

Seth smirked as he leaned in close, “And maybe soon, I’ll ride you?”

That did it, Rika’s face erupted red and she nearly fainted on the spot. Jeanne merely chuckled and leaned over so that both of them could hear her. “You sure I need to go all the way to Selena to get tutored in how to best make a double-entendre? I think I could pick up a few things on the walk over, dear.”

“Hm, what’s that?” Seth asked. He looked to Rika for an explanation, but the Sylveon just stood there, her mouth slightly open and her face bright red.

“I’ll explain on the way over. That is, assuming we’re all going, and that’s not just an impressive sculpture designed to look like the cutest Sylveon ever.” Saying that Jeanne was enjoying teasing Rika would be a slight understatement.

“She is pretty adorable,” Seth agreed. He leaned down and placed his head under her belly, hoisting her onto his back. “Okay, please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for take off. This is the express route to find our acquaintances, bathroom breaks will be permitted. Get comfy and enjoy your ride~”

Jeanne gulped audibly and tightened her grip on Seth’s fur. She hoped it would be enough to keep her attached for the ride...

Chapter Thirty Six

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Back with the others, Seth finally reached the apartment building, but he'd already spotted Ignis diving onto the roof. The two brothers had decided on racing, but Ignis had the clear advantage with his wings. “That has got to be some form of cheating,” he muttered as he walked inside. Rika and Selena were still missing, but he wasn’t too worried, they could take care of themselves.

As he walked in, he was greeted by a Leavanny with very large arm blades. “Ah, and you must be Miss Lalah,” he smiled. “My name is Seth Crescent, a pleasure to meet you.”

“The correct pronunciation is ‘Lala’,” she emphasized. “And likewise. I assume you’re related to the others that have paid a visit today?”

“My apologies Miss, and yes, if you’re referring to the Sylveon and Earth Pony that were here before.” His mind wandered to his little Fairy. “I hope she was able to find her.”

“Mm. Well, you are the first one back by foot, mister Seth,” Lala commented as she returned to her book. “Call me if you need me for anything.”

“I will, thank you Miss Lala,” Seth replied and headed up the stairs. He got to the third floor and his nose twitched. “Well, no prizes for guessing which room is Vincent’s...” He sniffed again, and could smell Christine, as well as three unknowns. “Hmm, I think one is Bit, and one smells a little like Abby...” he smiled a bit, this whole scent thing was pretty awesome. “Speaking of Christine...”

He raised a paw and knocked on the door. “I wonder how she’s doing?”

Recovering from our impromptu mental surgery, Vincent’s voice came from beyond the door. She’ll be a better ‘mon for it.

“A better... Vincent! What did you do!?” Seth’s mental tone sounded a little concerned.

Toned down her anger issues. Helped her see the truth about Sam, rather than her idealized version. All in all, made sure she would be healthier in the days to come.

“...Vincent, let me inside please.” This was something that Seth would rather discuss face-to-face, rather than through a wall.

Iiiiii’d really rather not, the Kadabra thought back. Seriously, you had to deal with her. Do you think it’d be good for, oh, the world in general if we didn’t intervene?

Seth frowned. “Vincent. Door. Now.” he paused for a moment. “Please.”

Silence reigned for several moments more, before the door clicked. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Vincent softly said as it swung open. Seth walked inside, wondering just what lay beyond that threshold. The smell hit him the moment he walked in.

“Ah,” *cough” “Well... that’s a thing...” Seth grunted. He spied Bit near the door, and near the unconscious Gabite on the couch was a Gallade and a Mismagius. “That must be Luke and Mage,” Seth noted. Vincent was there too, but he already guessed that much.

“Okay Mr. Nurem,” Seth said. “Can you explain why you Psychically lobotomized Chrissy?”

“I did no such thing,” Vincent said, softly stroking her neck. “She refused to see Sam as anything but her shining swordsman and defender. One who would always be there for her. I merely helped her see the truth. That he was just another captive.”

“And this was your go-to plan? Rather than talking to her first?” Seth sighed as he ran a paw through his fur. “I promised her that nothing would happen to her, then I have to attack her with Selena and now you go and do this?” He closed his eyes as he tried to filter out the scent coming from the other room. “And how do you suppose she’ll react to your, ‘help’?”

She was not a happy ‘mon, mister Crescent, Luke stated from his position on the couch. Nobody with that much anger could be. All that rage and frustration...a small amount is understandable, given their shared histories...but unless something was done, she would be incapable of living in society for very much longer after learning about Sam’s Evolution.

Was she really that bad? He thought he’d come to know her over the last week. But Vincent had known her for much longer...

“Look, I’m still a little uneasy about what you’ve done and until she wakes up, I’m withholding a final verdict. But you had best give me your word now that she’ll be fine from here on out.”

“Of course she will,” Vincent said, as though offended. “I defend those that seek shelter here. But,” here he turned back to Christine and sighed. “She has to not be a danger to others or herself. She has to be able to control herself. Otherwise, I couldn’t in good conscious house her here.”

“She was fine when she stayed with us though, well... she hated Titania, but Titania has that effect on some people.” Seth shook his head and then a bolt of lightning rippled across his body, the smell of slightly singed fur overpowering the other scent. “Ah, better. Anyway, she was actually quite pleasant most of the time. Except on the train... she did not like the train.”

“We still don’t,” Vincent said. “Tight, confined cubes that you cannot leave. Just a wee bit too familiar for us to be at ease.”

Seth nodded and looked at the Gallade, “I take it that your name is Luke?”

That is...correct, Mister Crescent, Luke said, opening his eyes and fidgeting a bit. And while I...did not initially approve of my...son’s plan, once we looked a bit deeper...I saw it was necessary, but that the lightest of touches….would be required.

Seth nodded, “Well, I don’t know how you know my last name, but I will trust you, if only because Abby gave you such high regards. Oh, she and Kasai say ‘Hi’ by the way.”

Thank you for the message, Luke thought.

“And it’s really rather easy when the kiddo shares his stories about who he spends his time with with us,” the Mismagius snickered.

“Plus, two of us are Psychic,” Vincent pointed out.

“Please don’t read my mind without asking...” Seth looked down at the silver collar around his neck. “I guess it doesn’t block Psychic power... I’ll need to get that fixed.”

He snorted as the scent overpowered him once more. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. There’s only so much I can take of this, and I highly doubt you want me here tasting your girlfriend all night.”

Vincent blinked a few times as he processed that statement. “I...have nothing to say to that. You go ahead,” he stated blandly.

“I really should have worded that better,” Seth groaned. “Could you tell me when Christine wakes up please. I’d like to see her.”

It will be only...a short while now, Luke said. Indeed, Christine started to twitch as she came back to consciousness.

“But, we should do this elsewhere,” Vincent stated dryly. “Preferences?”

“Anywhere is fine,” Seth said. “I’ve only been to the Guard Station and the place Sam works.”

“Vacant room on another floor, coming up,” Vincent stated, both his hands aglow. One rested on the dragon while the other pointed at the Luxray.

Seth braced himself for a Teleport, and after a second, he blinked the spots out of his eyes and shook his head. “I will never get used to that,” he muttered.

“I said the same thing,” Vincent commented as the dragon began to rouse more the more she recovered.

Seth walked over to the dragon and placed a paw on her shoulder. “Hey there sleepy-head,” he said gently.

“Five more minutes,” she grumbled. “Don’t wanna put up with flower-head.”

Seth chuckled and smiled. “She hasn’t changed one bit.” he leant in close with a small smirk on his face. “Rika’s gonna hug you if you don’t get up~”

“I’M UP!” Christine shouted, bolting upright. Eventually she realized she wasn’t where she last remembered being before adopting a look of confusion.

“...Okay, what happened? Last thing I remember is falling asleep on the train.”

Seth wondered just how much he should say, but, truth was always something he believed in. “We’re in Las Pegasus, to see Sam remember? You got upset though, and Selena had to stop you...” He sighed, “Some ponies got hurt though. Nothing serious, so don’t worry okay?”

Christine took the news in blankly before turning to the Kadabra next to her. “Aaaand you are?”

“Heya Christine,” Vincent said. “How are you?”

After placing the voice, the Gabite picked the Kadabra up and gave him a gentle hug. “Okay, hearing about it, one thing. Actually hearing you here? Much better.” She then put the psychic back down and glared at him. “That’s your only freebie, though.”

“Rika’s gonna be jealous,” Seth chuckled. He swallowed the lump in his throat and prepared for the worse. “So... how do you feel?”

Christine tilted her head at the Luxray. “I don’t get it. I feel fine, but you’re asking that question, which means I probably shouldn’t...so what am I missing?”

“Nothing,” Seth said a little too quickly. “Just wondering if you were still anxious to meet Sam again.”

“Guy practically raised us,” Christine said. “Granted, it wasn’t exactly the best of upbringings, but between him and Bit, we got enough to live. Yeah, where is this brat’s older brother?”

“Still here,” Vincent said, only slightly miffed.

“Not now, the grownups are talking,” Seth said with a small smirk. “He’s here in the city, but he’s working right now. He should be home later.”

“Cool,” Christine said. “So...maybe I should learn where I am more specifically and what I’ve missed? Just an idea.”

“Well, as I said, you’re in Las Pegasus and Selena did a good job of wiping the floor with you.” Seth looked at Vincent, “I believe he can tell you what happened after.”

“I thought it would be best to bring you here to recover,” Vincent said, carefully stating the truth without going too far into it. “So I did, and Mage, Luke, and I monitored your recovery. At some points it was touch and go, but we did manage to return you to health. And while we were doing that, we did help adjust your anger issues just a touch.”

“...You did what.” she stated rather than asked.

“Your anger getting out of control is sort of what caused you to go off once you arrived,” Vincent dryly commented. “You can still get mad, but I’d rather you not get so mad you use Earthquake in a populated area ever again.”

Arceus bless, but the dragon actually looked sheepish at the accusation in the boy’s tone. “Okay, yeah, if I did that, then yes, I agree that my anger was out of control.” She scratched the back of her head as she observed something in her head. “Huh...Selena musta pulled out all the stops...I don’t remember much of the fight at all.”

“Selena. Mega-evolved. Iron Tail to the noggin.” Seth recapped. “That’s probably why.”

“Yup,” Vincent said, holding up one glowing hand. “There wasn’t much left of the day for us to play around with in your head, so it is so not my fault. You should probably be thankful that you don’t remember the fight.”

“Yeah,” the Gabite muttered. “I’d rather forget losing to her altogether.”

“Selena isn’t the type to rub it in,” Seth replied. “I may have gone a bit overboard by Mega-evolving her, sorry about that.” Then he remembered a conversation he had with Ignis a few days ago. “Also, Ignis wants to train you.”

“I think she should get settled into here, that is, if she wants to live here, before any major training takes place,” Vincent commented.

“Yeah, and no offense Seth, but if Vincent’s living here with other survivors...well, I already know the kid’ll do what he can for us. If he’s offering me a place to stay, I’m staying.” The Gabite nodded a few times to cement her statement.

Seth fell silent. Honestly, he knew this was coming... but still...

“Yeah, I’ll miss you though. I kinda got used to yours and Titania’s fighting.” He laughed weakly.

“I’ll miss you too, you puffball,” Christine commented with an eyeroll. “In fact, you know what? You get a freebie too. C’mere.” She spread her arms slightly in preparation.

Seth hugged the crazy dragon, he would indeed miss his new friend, but she would be better off here with her family. “Well, you can always visit I suppose. I’ll make sure there’s some pie waiting for you~”

“Only if rose-head is sick,” Christine fired back. “That way I won’t have to do much to avoid her.”

“I’ll send you a message,” Seth chuckled. Christine tapped him on the back with one claw, and he dropped down to end the hug.

“Just don’t tell Rika. I swear, sometimes I see her ribbons twitch towards me, and it’s all I can do to not Flamethrower her.” Christine shuddered a bit. There was no way Seth was going to tell her how often he had stopped the Fairy from getting in a sneaky hug.

“Speaking of, I hope she comes back soon... Selena looked so upset.”

Vincent perked up and looked down to the entryway. “Well, while I can’t feel the mind she’s with, she did just enter the building, which are clues enough, I think. Want to go meet them, Seth?”

Seth nodded and opened the door, hoping for a piece of good news today.

He was so not getting his wish.

The three Pokemon headed for the ground floor, and soon discovered Selena and Rika.

Both of which looked like they’d been dragged through hell itself. Countless injuries covered their bodies and the two looked like they could barely stand.

“...What?” Seth just asked. Vincent’s reaction was less verbal, as he quickly controlled his breathing as best he could, but there was still a slight surge in blue light around him.

“Who...did this to you?” he less asked and more intoned.

Selena and Rika shared a look as they leaned against one another. “Huh? Ooh... we did.”

Christine snickered at the thought. “Finally try to hug her one too many times, Miss ribbon?”

“Not quite,” Rika groaned. “Sethy... Iron Tail and Shadow Flash really, really hurt.”

“Un. Goddamn. Believable.” Seth sighed, his mind briefly wondering what Shadow Flash was. “I sent you to find her, not beat the crap out of each other! What the hell happened?”

“Selly had issues... I helped air them out a bit,” Rika replied. Selena was already on the floor and Rika soon joined her. “Sorry Sethy... nap time... nowww...”

Vincent just snickered. “Is it me, or is this scene, even with them being all banged up, quite adorable?”

Selena muttered in her sleep, something about adorable and death. Seth just nodded and smiled. “Well, at least its better than Selena crying like that. I really wish I knew what Jeanne had said to her.”

“While I could peek, it’d be rude,” Vincent said with a quick flash of blue. “And Lucy’s still...yeah, otherwise we’d have this fixed up. We do have a few Berries they can have...once they wake up, of course.”

“That would be nice,” Seth said as he draped Rika and Selena on his back. “I should fetch Fritter and Ignis too. I think they’re on the roof, plus we have a small selection of Berries ourselves.”

Vincent raised an eyebrow, as if to say, ‘Are you serious?’ and waited for the Luxray to catch on.

“Oh, right. Teleporter and telepath...” Seth groaned. Today was not his day, and he still had that training tomorrow. This trip was not boding well for his physical and mental health. “If you wouldn’t mind Vincent?”

“Not an issue at all. You can stay in 203, opposite the Pony landlord, for as long as you need the room, even if it’s just for the hour,” Vincent replied before sending a quick pulse of thought to the roof.

“Hey, Ignis, you up there?”

There was a brief pause before a voice lazily replied. “Hmmm? huh, oh... yeah?”

“Seth’s looking for you and Fritter, she up there as well?”

“Ah’m here,” Apple Fritter responded. “Just. Gotta fix... this darn water chute.... oh snap.”

“Aaaand she just broke said water chute,” Ignis chuckled. Vincent let out a sigh before smirking and looking over to Seth.

“Apparently Ignis is watching your marefriend get all wet up on the roof,” Vincent commented blandly.

There was a shuffling sound as a low growl emanated from Selena’s throat. She had one eye open and it was enough to make even a Cofagrigus wet themselves. “That had better.. be a joke Vincent...”

“The fact that she seems to have accidentally broken some part of our water tower isn’t,” Vincent grumbled. “Either Bit’s going to have to fix it or we’re going to have to pay someone to.”

“You do realise I’m pretty much a blowtorch with wings right?” Ignis replied. “And it was stuck, Fritter’s just a bit too strong for her own good sometimes. I’ll fix it in a jiffy.”

“Ah,” Vincent blinked before shrugging. “Well, you or the mobile arc welder, either one works for me. And thanks. I’m putting Seth, Rika, and Selena in 203, that is, if he decides to stay for longer than ten minutes. More than welcome to come down when you’re done.” Vincent said this one ‘aloud’ so as to get feedback from both parties.

“Will do, Fritter’s gotta dry out though, she got a bit excited~”

“IGNIS!!”

“Heh heh heh.”

“Do I even want to know?” Seth asked.

“Maybe,” Vincent shrugged. “And who just bragged about being a blowtorch with wings? I’m pretty sure you could find a light enough setting or a move without too much burninating to dry off Fritter in an instant.” The last bit he sent to both Fritter and Ignis, in the hopes that doing so would speed up both the repairs and the reunion.

“You want Ignis... to set me on fire?” Fritter felt the greatest urge to break another solid object with her bare hooves. “We’ll be down in a moment...”

“Depends, does he know Heat Wave? If so, I’m pretty sure that move, by definition, would not set you on fire. Dry you out like a giant hairdryer, certainly. But you’d survive.”

“I hope you like dried fruit, cause that’s all that’ll be left of your garden,” Ignis replied. “I wouldn’t worry, it’s pretty hot up here so she’s pretty much done already.... aaand, okay. That’s fixed too. We’re on our way.”

“Ah, forgot about that...James woulda killed me if that had happened…” The Psychic scratched his head sheepishly as he bowed in front of the stairs up. “Shall we then, Seth? I might even be able to snag a few Berries from the garden that might help. Pretty sure I saw some Sitrus and Oran in there.”

“Yeah, thanks Vince,” Seth nodded and followed the Kadabra. “And I was hoping to finally relax for once...”

“Depending on your definition, I think Selena and Rika are very relaxed! I’ve never seen them so still!” Vincent said with a roll of his eyes. “So where did you go while you were out and about?”

“Well, after my meeting with Captain Ace, we visited a small restaurant where Sam works. Ate some great food and then came here.” Seth tilted his head until his neck gave a satisfying crack. “So, we haven’t seen much of the city.”

“Eh,” Vincent said with a shrug as they reached the second floor. “I live here and I can honestly say that if your intention is to not gamble or drink, then you came to the wrong town.” With a soft click, the door to 203 opened. “That being said, there are some good spots around still.” Vincent smiled as he tapped his head with one hand. “Just have to know where and how to look.”

“I see,” Seth said as the group walked in. There was a thud and a grumble about low ceilings as Ignis and Fritter made their way downstairs, the dragon holding a clawful of Berries.

“I think Ignis beat me to the punch,” Vincent muttered, making a note to either get some signs or see about making certain ceilings not so low.

Ignis looked at his mate and sighed. “I figured something like this would’ve happened. Didn’t think Rika would get involved though.” And it was unusual to see the both of them so beat up. He was kind of annoyed he’d missed such an awesome fight.

“Sisters will be sisters I suppose,” Seth shrugged as he nuzzled Fritter. “Mmm, you smell nice~”

“Ah smell like a wet pony,” Fritter grumbled, but blushed none-the-less. “So what happened to these two?”

“Beat the tar out of each other for some reason,” Seth said. “I’ll know once they wake up.”

Vincent pointedly looked away, remaining silent as Selena was the first to wake up again, groaning softly as Ignis helped her sit upright.

“Urgh... damn that hurts. I forgot how powerful Rika is when she’s not holding back.”

“All three of you are Champion level, probably stronger,” Seth said. “And what hell happened? Why were you fighting?”

“Not really fighting... per say,” Selena replied. “Just, blowing off steam I guess? Rika was helping me out with something personal, that’s all.”

“And it led to this?” Seth said sternly, motioning towards her multitude of injuries. “Selena, is this about you-know-what?”

“A little,” the Dark Pokemon replied, her voice lowering a little “Talking with Jeanne... it made me remember a few things, things I thought I forgot...or at least came to terms with a long time ago. I’m feeling frustrated alright, just.... let me deal with them in my own way.”

“Mom’s a meddler,” Vincent spoke up, reminding the others that he hadn’t left yet. “She likes to try to steer everyone to the ‘best’ path, but sometimes what she thinks is best and what others want...conflicts. Sometimes she’s subtle, other times, not so much. Guessing this was one of those times, then.”

“You could say that,” Selena replied and winced as Ignis tended to a large bruise on her back. “Ah! Oh? that’s where that Moonblast hit.”

Rika stirred and reached out with her ribbons. Seth dodged but Fritter was too late as the Fairy grabbed her and pulled the mare over to where she was, kissing her lightly on the lips.

“Ahh, now I feel better~” Rika cooed, right before she winced and scrunched up her face. “Ooh, wait, no, scratch that. Selena’s claws hurt like a bit-”

“So,” Seth cut her off. “Thanks for letting us stay here Vincent.”

“Not a prob- Oh for Xerneas’s sake! Were she in control, I’d swear she was doing this on purpose!” Vincent groaned and held a hand to his head, shaking it in irritation. “Oh, and by the way? So long as she isn’t shoving her opinion on Pokephillia down your throat,” Vincent snorted, before finishing, “then mom’s usually right. Usually.”

With that, he vanished in a flash of blue, leaving behind very few doubts as to where he’d gone.

“Well... that happened,” Seth said blankly. “So, what do we do now?”

“I’m going back to sleep,” Ignis muttered, having been woken up by Vincent’s mental telegram. “C’mon Sel, you could use some rest too.”

“Yeah,” Selena replied quietly. “I have a few things I want to talk to you about.” The two Pokemon disappeared into an adjoining room... and Ignis hit his head again.

“So the three of us are finally alone,” Rika sighed happily. “I know what I want to do~”

“And I said that I’m not ready for that yet,” Seth replied with a tired sigh. “Not until I have better control.” He was also exhausted after the long trip and running around all day.

Fritter nodded, truth be told, she wasn’t quite ready to take that step yet either. It wasn’t something that needed to be rushed. “So how did yer meeting go?”

“Pretty well actually, and things have been harder here than in Canterlot. At least we didn’t have to deal with a near civil war.”

“War?” Fritter was shocked. “You must be joking!?”

“Nope, I agree with Ace, her job doesn’t pay enough to deal with something like that.” he snorted and shook his head. “Yeeesh, I can still smell it from here. What the hell are they doing up there?” He paused and looked at a grinning Rika. “Don’t answer that!”

“Aww...”

“I will, then. The serious answer is: It’s called a Heat for a reason, and check your Pokedex if you’re so curious. Whereas the answer I’m sure Rika was about to give was ‘each other.’”

“Spoilsport,” Rika muttered.

“Are you seriously listening in on us... while having sex?” Seth replied. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or not.”

“First of all, she’s tied up. So I can spare some concentration. And second, I’m working on cribbing a new technique together. For most, it’s just a coincidence that their ears are burning. I’m working on making the sensation something to pay attention to: if my ears are burning, someone within my ‘sphere of awareness’ is actually talking about me. It’s...got some fine tuning to go through yet. That smoke smell is not going to wash away…”

“...Your ears... actually burn?” Seth just blinked and tentatively touched one of his round ears. “I don’t know who’s stranger... you or Sev.”

“It was just once! ...Though the fact that this time they smoked isn’t much of an improvement. And having met the snake, I can say he’s stranger. Did you know he installed lasers in the front of the building? Ah, but you have a family to get back to. My regards to the rest of them. Do take care...and watch out, I think Bit’s on his way.”

“Hmmm, nah, your Dad is still nuttier,” Seth said to Rika. “Vince is a very close second... wait. lasers!?”

The sound of rapid knocking came from the door to the rest of the apartment house. Fritter opened the door, finding a familiar disconnected head on the other side of it. “Ah, Miss Fritter. Salutations. Did this unit hear correctly? Does Seth Crescent now possess his gear again?”

“Hey! Me and Fritter get first dibs on his gear!” Rika shouted as Seth just groaned.

“Goddammit Rika... just, come in Bit.” There was a nice blank wall that Seth felt like repeatedly applying his face to.

The Porygon-Z nodded and floated in past the mare in the doorway, coming to a halt in front of the familiar Luxray. “I was informed you possessed no small amount of technology from Earth, including but not limited to a Pokedex,” he stated.

The look in the Porygon’s eyes was... unsettling. “That would be correct Bit, I was given back my inventory at the time of the transfer. My Pokedex, TM’s and other such items.”

Bit then did something he wasn’t exactly known for: He locked up. It was a disturbing thing, seeing a floating program come to a screeching halt in all his processes save the hovering one.

Rika hopped up and poked the Pokemon with a ribbon. “Um... Sethy? I think you broke him.”

“Vincent?” Seth thought. “I broke Bit...”

“Huh...last time he did this, he was less than sane...Oh I see now! He has so many things he wants to work on, he’s having trouble choosing. They’re all labeled as ‘High’ priorities, he literally can’t pick one, so he’s locked up. My suggestion is to offer him a suggestion, see if that snaps him out of it.”

Seth nodded and paused as he thought, what would be best...? “Hmm... AH! Hey Bit!” Seth reached into his saddlebag and took out the False Swipe TM. “How about deconstructing this and learning how to create your own TM’s? Would save on the headaches your teaching method causes.”

At this, Bit resumed moving as though he never locked up, his eyes riveted to the TM that Seth was holding. “That sounds acceptable, Seth. Though I would still appreciate looking at your Pokedex at a later time time to compare relative data values.”

As long as you don’t damage it,” Seth replied. “To me, it’s more than data... it has the memories of my journey with my family.” He reached into his bag and pulled out the device, along with his XTransceiver. The erratic program Pokemon put one of his arms over his chest with no small amount of difficulty.

“I would never,” he stated. He then tapped his beak to the AC port, causing a small spark to jump between them. “Connection established. Comparing data values. This should only take a moment.” Images flashed across the screen as the program spoke, data being called up and dismissed once the program had finished with it.

It was quite interesting to watch, images flickered through Bit’s eyes, but they passed too quickly for Seth to watch.

‘Beginning Voice Journal Playback’

‘Entry 001 - We finally started our journey! Just Ignis and me! You just watch, I’ll become Champion easy!

Entry 004 - We caught our first Pokemon today! It was a Psyduck, I named him Drake, after that funny cartoon I like~

Entry 020 - We have our next travelling partner. She’s a little Eevee named Rika. And you wouldn’t believe it, but her mother, an Umbreon named Umbra, she could talk! I saved her from a poacher and she entrusted Rika for me to raise. I’ll do my best!

Entry 042 - We have a few Gym Badges now and we’re taking a break in the Hoenn region. I came across an Absol that was being tormented by a small village. Those uneducated idiots actually think Absols cause disasters, rather than just predict them. I saved her and she just kept following me. Guess I have a new partner.

Entry 100 - This is it. We have eight Gym Badges and we’re ready for the Pokemon league in few months. Our dreams will finally happen.

Entry 132 - So I was in the city and saw someone getting arrested, just because they were kissing their Pokemon? What kind of idiot law is that!? Sure it’s a little strange, but I’m positive that the Scolipede looked like it was enjoying it.

Entry 150 - So it’s official. Even without evidence, those blind, arrogant fools in the League kicked me out. I’m forbidden from taking the League Challenge and obtaining any more Badges... I-I’ve failed my Pokemon, my family...

Entry 187 - I met this cute girl in Nimbasa today, she’s a Gym Leader and apparently supports my fight to change the Pokephilia laws. She wants to meet me at the Ferris Wheel tonight. Wish me luck.

Entry 204 - This law is so ridiculous! The Rangers spend so much time and resources on something so pointless... Hopefully, if I can accomplish what I aim to do, then maybe they can focus on real crimes...

Entry 222 - We completed our training with Diantha today. It was so hard, she may look pretty, but she is ruthless in her teaching. Oh, and Rika evolved into a Sylveon~

Entry 286 - Well, I had to break it off with Elesa. People stopped coming to her Gym and even the League threatened to take her license, simply because she was dating someone of my... reputation. It’s hard you know... sometimes I wonder... nevermind.

Entry 323 - So many people. So many innocent Pokemon and humans have been hurt by this law. Jayce, Gene, and countless others, all living in fear of this stupid, unbalanced law. Well that’ll change soon. Elly contacted me, she’s arranged a meeting with Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion. Once we have enough public support, then they'll have no choice but to revise these laws.... It’ll happen. I know it...

{Further Entries Corrupted...}

Bit blinked a few times as he compared what few archives he had from the rare instances he’d been able to sneak onto the wider Internet to Seth’s entries. Considering the...activities going on upstairs, along with those that truly loved one another before the shift, such as Gene and Belle, Bit found himself thankful for the one in front of him. “Data comparison complete.” Turning his head around to look around at Rika and Apple Fritter before continuing his reply. “Take care of him. It would be a shame if one such as him were to befall any misfortune.”

“You don’t have to tell me that,” Rika giggled, hugging her Luxray, Fritter nodding as well.

“Eeyup, count on it Bitty!”

Bit turned his head back around to face Seth, and if you looked at his eyes, they seemed to be...somber, somehow. “Perhaps, had you succeeded,” he whispered, before trailing off and shaking his head. “No matter. I will be taking this,” the program snagged the TM with one arm, “To my lab, or what serves as one. Thank you for the time and information. If there is anything you desire to know in return, all you have to do is ask.”

“Sure thing... oh, you can borrow this as well.” Seth placed the XTransceiver on the table. “It used to be a communications device, so it doesn’t exactly work here. Perhaps you could use it somehow? I know having phones again would be really handy.”

Bit seemed to lock up again, but there was a subtle difference. He actually appeared to be trembling, and before anyone could point it out or ask if Bit needed more help…

Seth was suddenly the victim of the rare, endangered, Bit-full-body-hug.

“Wha? Whoa... heh, okay. I take it you like it then?” Seth chuckled, placing an arm around the Pokemon.

“This...if I am incapable of rebuilding a computer by the end of the week after looking at this, then I do not deserve to be called a Porygon! This is a gift without measure! This will speed up all my projects!” Bit pulled his head back, the eyes visibly altered to resemble smiles.

“Glad I could help, truly, I really am.” Seth smiled. “I have something for the rest of you as well, but Lucy’s may have to wait until she’s more... presentable.”

“Sethy is like Santa Claus, only more sexy,” Rika giggled. Fritter tilted her head and blinked.

“Um.. what’s a ‘Santa’?”

“Human folklore. At the moment, unimportant.” Bit finally released Seth and tilted his head in curiosity. “Queries: Will you be leaving the XTransceiver here with your other gifts, or will you be taking it with you?”

“Without the wireless communications network that supported it, the device is a paper weight,” Seth said. “You can borrow it as long as you need to, here’s the solar-powered charger as well.”

“Appreciated,” the program said. “I will endeavor to return it to you in as good a condition as it currently is in, along with bringing some form of infrastructure to Equus so that such things might work again.” After moving the charger to be next to its device, Bit turned back to the Luxray. “Second query: what other gifts?”

Seth beamed widely and pulled out a box. He placed on the table and opened it. “Okay, so first, I have this for Sam. He mentioned about how his exoskeleton was heavier than normal? Well, this little item is called a Float Stone. All he has to do is wear it and his weight will be halved.”

Bit considered the stone and nodded once. “Logical. Should help counteract the negative side-effects of ESS-010. What else?”

“Next, something for you,” Seth pulled out a small black box. “It’s not a Pokemon item, but still useful. A Hard Disk Drive with about two terabytes of storage.” He used to use it for storing legal documents and whatnot. He knew that Porygons needed to dump excess data on occasion, and this would mean that Bit wouldn’t have to delete anything too valuable.

“I…” Were Bit capable of crying in gratitude, he would be. With something like this, he feared no longer for his memory or mind degrading. “That means more to me than you will ever know, Mister Crescent.” The program felt the need to hug something again.

“And lastly... well, I couldn’t think of something for the remaining three members of your family. But, just before I left Canterlot, some Carbink I befriended gave me the answer.” He took a smaller box out and opened it carefully. Three shining stones were inside, one gleamed a brilliant white, while the others were quite different.

“A Keystone, Lucarionite and Garchompite.”

“That…” Bit considered the stones. “Correct this unit if it is in error, but those help a Pokemon realize all of their energy, Mega-Evolving, correct?”

“You are a ‘mon of science yes? How about a physical demonstration?” Then... an evil thought crossed his mind. He wondered if Vincent would like a demonstration as well.

“Not necessary. It is just...considering the alterations Sub- Christine underwent, it is dubious as to what effects, if any, the stone would have on her.” Bit ticked as he stared at nothing in particular while working out some calculations. “As well, should Lucy be exposed to that stone while Vincent is holding that Keystone, there is no doubt she could trigger a Mega-Evolution. Whether Vincent would survive it at this time is another matter altogether.”

“Dang,” Seth muttered. “Well, alright. A very controlled environment for Christine, once she evolves anyhow. And yeah, I suppose we should wait for Lucy’s little ‘predicament’ to end, no matter how funny it might be.”

“Quoting: Comedy is tragedy plus time. A shattered pelvis would only be funny long after the fact,” the program stated bluntly.

“But it would be funny,” Seth stated. “Ah well, we can always show you Ignis or Selly’s tomorrow. So, are these okay?”

“More than okay,” Bit said. “I will take them all to my lab, if that is okay with you, and once the conditions are met, such as Lucy being out of her Heat, or Christine Evolving, I will distribute them. Sam, I will give his as soon as possible. Perhaps I’ll fashion it into a pin for his tie.”

“Very dapper,” Seth agreed. “So, the most obvious aside, how has everyone been? I understand that you had a run in with Rika’s estranged father. Emphasis on strange.”

“Sev was...easily excitable,” Bit conceded. “Vincent’s reply to having a wall knocked in was for him to unleash his strength. Unstoppable insanity met immovable object.”

“Papa...” Rika groaned. Was there no end to his zaniness?

Elsewhere, Sev felt a little proud for some reason. Well, of course he should Sev was Sev!

“That... would have been something alright,” Seth said. “Oh, I met that Sandslash, uh, Mary was it? She seems nice.”

Bit didn’t stop his old habits from reasserting themselves in time. “641, subject 29. Claw modification on a shiny Sandshrew. Claws ended up being sharp enough to cut through most objects, but subject possessed no cont-” He eventually shook his whole form a few times and looked away, ashamed that his old programming had come to the fore. “I...apologize.”

“It’s alright,” Seth nodded. “I didn’t know she could cut through metal, that’s pretty intense. Sam must worry about pissing her off.”

“It is my understanding that she helps ‘train’ him in how to use his armor by attacking him with her modification,” Bit replied, still slightly embarrassed. If he had cheeks that could flush, they would be right now. “It is also my understanding that now that she is a Sandslash, she possesses the control she once lacked over her claws’ sharpness.”

“So she couldn’t before?” Seth shuddered. “Well, I’m sure glad she can now. Still, if she’s training Sam, maybe I should send Heath down sometime? He’s never met another Sandshrew before.”

“Ill-advised,” Bit said. “Mary apparently returned to her old trainer once she escaped from the lab, and with her modification and Evolution from her time there...there has rarely been a more determined and easily-irritated Pokemon chef than somemon who can replace all her kitchen cutlery as easily as her. Were you to introduce the two, it would have to be after work-hours, and for the love of Cresselia, do not have him criticize her cooking unnecessarily if you like him intact.”

“Pft, I doubt that.” Seth smiled, “You see, Heath was a Sandshrew when we got here. Remember that little incident my family had to deal with just before you guys arrived in Canterlot?” Bit nodded and Seth continued. “Well the stallion responsible somehow created Rare Candies using Alchemy. Heath was forcefully evolved, but he still has the mind of a child. Honestly... I just don’t know how to train him as he is.”

“Ah,” Bit said, whirring as he considered the situation. “It is sad that this unit was told to delete the Simulator Room from active memory, otherwise I might be able to help. Then again, it was dragging down my performance quite a bit, and there was that...incident here.” He looked away and muttered something about how he didn’t ‘rage-shift,’ more like he had a case of ‘multiple partition disorder.’

“That’s alright. Diantha is helping at the moment, but perhaps when we visit next?” Seth stretched his cramped leg out. “Ahh, there we go. So, how’s Chrissie doing?”

“Christine is adjusting well to having a stable home that does not promise horror on a regular basis,” the Porygon-Z stated bluntly. “I assume from the time she escaped to now, she has quite a few stories to tell. Moreover, she seems to have lost her fascination with Sam thanks to what Vincent and Luke did. Overall, I project her future as cautiously optimistic.”

“Honestly, the time I spent with her was quite enjoyable. She is sarcastic like all get out, but I consider her to be a good friend of mine.”

“Cept she wouldn’t let me hug her,” Rika pouted.

“I got one,” Seth said and then clamped his paw over his mouth. Rika’s eye went wide as she raced from the room. “Uh-oh...”

“HUUGGSSSS!” Rika yelled from the hallway.

“I really hope Vincent has insurance,” Seth sighed.

Christine was settling in nicely in her new home. The last tenants of this place had cleaned it out, but not cleaned it up at all. And now that she had a place of her own, she wanted to be able to find everything easily. The bathroom and bedroom had been handled with ease, she was now on the kitchen, going over the silverware they’d missed.

“Forks, spoons, knives, serrated knives...huh. Y’know, I’d think if I were leaving, even in a hurry, I’d take my eating implements with…”

Her door opened with a silent click as Rika made her way inside. No-one escaped the snugglefairy. No-one.

“And-Oh Arceus, that reeks! Guess they forgot something in the fridge! Gah, it’s like a Weezing died, a Muk was born from that, then died on his own fumes!” Christine rapidly backed away from her now-a-health-hazard fridge, waving one arm in front of her face to try and get some clean air.

A shadowed whisper sang throughout the building.

“Fee, Fi, Foe, Fum... Imma hug me a silly dragon!”

The mutated Gabite’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks at not only the voice, but what it was saying. “Oh no,” she muttered, looking at both her fridge and silverware drawer, a plan percolating in the back of her mind.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly... stick a cupcake in my eye. You cannot run, you cannot hide. You’re gonna hug me, that’s no lie!”

“All right, Christine. On the one claw, you’ve not been in a real fight for some time, that little brawl with Selena not counting. On the other claw, crazy fairy. Time to put some tricks to work in a more urban environment.” The Gabite breathed deeply once, twice, and on the third time, she said two words.

“Double Team.”

Three images of the dragon appeared in the kitchen, turning it from ‘cozy’ to ‘cramped’ in a second.

There was a sound, like something scratching at the walls before two pink ribbons pierced the illusions as Rika dropped down in front of Christine.

“Gotcha!”

“Not bad,” Christine said, honestly impressed. “But you’re missing one key factor, little fairy.”

The dragon then pointed at her waist. Her lineless waist. “You stopped at two.”

“Aw poop,” Rika cursed. She then found herself flying towards the open, smelly fridge, as the illusion faded, revealing the real dragon behind her, launching Rika with her tail.

Rika grabbed a cupboard with a free ribbon and pivoted in the air as she aimed at the fridge. She opened her mouth and at point-blank range, fired a Moonblast at the offending object, removing it, and the wall behind it from existence…

“Aw come on! I’m sure a Flamethrower or three or five would have cleaned it out! No need to go blasting it that hard!” the dragon groused. “What’m I gonna store my food in now, huh?”

“Eheh, whoops?” Rika giggled. “Um, well... I guess we could go shopping for a new one...!?” she suddenly gasped. “That’s it! Shopping. Just us girls! It’ll be AWESOME!”

The Gabite gave the fairy a half-lidded deadpan stare. “Let’s review. I’ve been wild for a while. You seem intent on hugging me. Even coming in here and trying to do so while I’m just getting settled. And when I try to contain you, you vaporize my fridge. And your solution is to take me out on the town to get a new one?”

Rika smiled, before it slowly faltered... “Yeah... I guess you’re right. I’ve been... not a very good friend. Sorry about your fridge too, at least it’s gone, that sludge looked sentient...”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one,” Christine said with a chuckle. “And hey, it’s not all bad,” the dragon tacked on, actually taking a step closer. “You just have to understand that not everymon has as few boundaries as you do towards others. Plus, I have...a slight...okay, major, aversion to Fairies. You, not so bad, even if you are...enthusiastic. Titania, though?” She shuddered and made a ‘bleh’ sound.

“Titania is... special,” Rika nodded. “But yeah, I just thought... that you looked kinda sad sometimes. And, I wanted to show you that there can be people that can love you... you just gotta let them in sometimes.”

The dragon stopped for a moment, tilting her head in confusion. “Who are you and what have you done with Rika? Seriously, you’re serious right now, and it’s weirding me out.”

“I’m allowed to be serious sometimes,” Rika pouted. Christine laughed a little and drew close enough to ruffle the fairy between her ears.

“Okay, yeah, point. And I’ll think about what you’ve said, I promise you that much at least. But first, new fridge. To the town?”

“Yay!” Rika leapt up to embrace the dragon, only to pause in midair and float gently back down to the floor. “Sorry...”

The landshark rolled her eyes and picked Rika up before giving her a hug. “This is your only freebie, understand? From here on out, you ask first.”

Rika squeed and nodded vigorously. “I knew it, you really are warm to huggle~”

“...We do have to go out to get a fridge...and tell someone about the wall, you know. We’re not Vincent, we can’t do it all from in here.”

“Truuuue, or we run like hell and let them figure it out,” Rika suggested... and saw the look on Christine’s face. “Eh, fiiine...”

The dragon set the Sylveon down and the pair made their way to the main door of her apartment, hoping that nobody had heard the sounds of the scuffle.

When the door opened, Seth, Fritter and Bit stood there.

“So uh... who blew something up?” Seth queried.

“I did,” Rika beamed, sounding a little proud. “I destroyed a possible threat to national security.”

Seth looked to Christine, hoping for a sensible explanation. “Eh, to be fair, that thing was definitely a threat to my security, and I’m a citizen of this nation, if that decree from that world Summit thing is right, so I’m willing to give her this one,” the dragon said with a smirk. “Now, Rika?”

“Yes Chrissie- YEEP!?” Suddenly the Sylveon found herself playing the role of a hat.

“Onwards, to shopping!” Christine proclaimed, holding one claw high. Seth watched the two leave...

“Um... what?”

Bit ticked a few times. “It would appear that the two of them have bonded.”

“Vincent?” Seth asked out-loud, a not-so-small amount of concern in his voice. “Christine and Rika have bonded... should we be worried about this?”

Nah...they’re on a vector away from us, so we’ll be safe, was the Kadabra’s reply. Now as for the rest of Las Pegasus...I have no idea.

Seth peered inside the apartment and shuddered. “Oh, and Rika blew up a wall. Just FYI.”

Blew up or knocked down? One’s more fixable than the other.

“...Vapourised? Yeah... that sounds about right.”

Oh for the love of- CHRISTINE, RIKA! Get some two-by-fours while you’re out so I can fix the wall someone disintegrated!

“Roger-Doger Vinny~” Rika’s enthusiastic reply came.

“But first we need a fridge for me, that also vanished under some mysterious show-pony’s hat!” Christine tacked on.

...Seth, be afraid. Be very, very afraid.

The fear Seth felt that day was unfathomable. All of existence would quake in the wake of this newfound alliance... Or not.

Author's Note

Okay, I have to say, I loved this chapter. The scene with Bit was so heartwarming and oh, yeah, Seth backstory stuff! That was also fun!

So yeah, Rika and Christine have bonded and the end of Equestria is nigh.

Chapter Thirty Eight

“So uh?” Rika questioned from her perch atop Christine’s head. “Where do we go first?”

Christine hummed and tapped one of her feet a few times. “We’ve got options. We could look in the local junkyard for one that’s only slightly damaged and have Bit repair it, or we could look for a housewares store.”

“Eh, used is a guys thing. Us girls need chic, unique and magnifique!” Rika looked around the sprawling metropolis and scratched her head. “I wonder where the shops are?”

“You’ve got options there, too. This looks like the touristy kinda place,” the dragon grumbled. “Meaning everything’s gonna be overpriced unless you find an honest shopkeeper.”

Rika flexed her ribbons and grinned. “Oh, I can be very persuasive~”

“Consider who you’re sitting on,” Christine said with a grin. “I’ve got twice as many tricks as I do moves. Maybe I’ll share a few stories to get a better price myself...

Every shopkeeper in Las Pegasus suddenly felt that honesty was the best policy today...

“Now, do you see a housewares shop from up there?”

Rika looked around, “Hmm, I see... casinos, a liquor store... Chrysie? What does ‘XXX Mares’ mean?”

“You don’t want to know,” Christine said seriously. “Or rather, I think Seth wouldn’t forgive me if I let you go there. Nothing selling anything like toasters or light bulbs?”

Rika hummed as she gave the area a second look. “There’s a big department store down that way... I think. Let’s go see.”

“And which way is that way?” The dragon groused. “Not Vincent, can’t read your mind.”

“Well that’s a relief, I’m so much cuter than Vinny... and be honest, would you really want to read my mind?” She motioned down the street with a ribbon. “That way.”

“Sometimes the answer is no,” Christine replied as she turned and started to practice her best ‘I am not a terrifying dragon’ walk.

“Um, why do you have this look on your face that seems to say, ‘I’m trying my best not to eat you’?” Rika queried, looking at several ponies that did their best to cross the street when Christine walked towards them.

“Trying to show that I’m not a terrible monster?” Christine replied. “It’s...been a while since I willingly went out in public, after all. Not wanting to ruin my...second, impression,” she finished with a note of sadness as she recalled that there was more of the day she couldn’t recall.

“Ah, yeah... that wasn’t your finest moment,” Rika admitted. “But hey, they aren’t running and screaming so, progress!” At least until one pony who had been at the scene where Christine and Selena fought recognized her... and ran away screaming.

“Oh goddammit!” Rika muttered.

Christine’s reaction was better than it could have been, seeing as how the worst on the scale was apparently Earthquake. However, her stopping and sighing wasn’t much better. “Told you,” she muttered, the tip of her tail turning blue-ish.

“Look, ponies seem to be easily frightened,” Rika consoled her. “Don’t let it get you down. Keep your head up, cause I’ll fall if you don’t, and keep looking forward!”

“Yeah, and what of the other ‘mon?” Christine muttered, waving a claw at the Pokemon who were also crossing the street, or stopping and staring. “I’m not normal in their eyes, so apparently that gives them license to stare and whisper. And dammit, words hurt.”

Rika didn’t know what to say. Words were Seth’s department, she just had to look cute and blow stuff up on occasion. Hey... that was an idea. She jumped down from Christine’s head and stalked towards the Pokemon, a sadistic smile on her face.

“Well now,” she cooed in a voice that could freeze a Magmar. “Do we have a problem here?” She picked up one of those newspaper dispensers with her ribbons and promptly crushed it like an egg, before dropping the mangled hunk of metal on the ground.

The Pokemon suddenly shook their head and bolted from the the pair like their life depended on it. Rika nodded and returned to Christine’s head. “Well, now we’re both monsters...”

“Heh...well, better together than suffering alone,” the dragon said, going back on her way to the department store.

The store was pretty big, a multi-level building with every store known to pony kind. Rika checked a map and quickly located a household good store. “Okay, we gotta go to the second level, and then down a bit.”

“At once, I’m reminded of some of the caves I’ve been in, with those sorts of directions,” the dragon mused while looking at the same map. “Seriously, unless you already know where to go, it looks like a labyrinth in here.”

“It’s a bit like that,” Rika giggled as she walked alongside the dragon. “Don’t worry though, I went to these sorts of places all the time.” Then a thought occurred to her. “Uh, did you remember to get a top up of the translation spell?”

Christine blinked a few times before swearing. “Dammit. They’re not gonna understand a thing I say, are they?”

“Nope...” Rika sighed. “Now what do we do? I dunno if the Guard here dishes out the spell like they do in Canterlot.”

“...Oh don’t tell me you forgot to get one as well,” the landshark said, eyes widening. “Without one of us to translate the other, we came here for nothing!”

“Well, with Fritter being the only pony I really talk to, there’s no reason for me to get one constantly cast!” Rika replied. “It’s no problem, we’ll just find a friendly Unicorn, and try to see if we can get them to cast the spell. Just might require a little imagination.”

“My charades skill is non-existent, just so you know. With Vincent being the only human I really ever talked with back on Earth, I never needed it.” Christine was now scanning the pony customers, looking for one with a horn that wouldn’t bolt at first sight of her. A difficult prospect, to be sure.

Meanwhile, Seth relaxed on the couch with Fritter, enjoying some quality alone time. Rika and Christine would be out for a while and...

“Vincent? Did you happen to extend your translator thingy to Christine?” he thought idly.

...Y’know, I knew I was forgetting to do something...And when I do it, I like to have the ones I’m doing it to right in front of me, in case I need to make any adjustments. Sooo...we might have a slight situation there...

“Ah, I’m sure they’ll be fine... what’s the worst that could happen?”

...My time with Checkmate taught me one thing, Seth. You’ve just doomed us all.

“What the heck?” Rika muttered as the tenth Unicorn just trotted away, shaking his head. “Are these ponies that stupid? All we need is one simple spell!!”

“We shouldn’t need a translation spell to get a translation spell,” Christine agreed with a slight nod, mindful of the Sylveon on her head. “That’s like saying you need to know Dig to get at the secret cave where the TM for it is located.”

“Urge. To Moonblast. Rising,” Rika muttered. “I wish I could use magic, that would make life so much easier.”

“...I’m curious as to what might happen if I were hit with magic, now,” Christine said. “I mean, not curious enough to make the ponies angry enough to hit me with it, but I’d like to know. Maybe then I’d be able to cast a translation spell?”

“Magic type?” Rika tilted her head. “Heh, Pretty Magic Dragon, Chrissie-chan~”

“Aaaaand just as suddenly, you’ve killed my curiosity,” the dragon replied. “Seriously, is there not one non-racist Pony here?”

A petite Unicorn slowly approached the pair. “Um... excuse me? Are you lost?” she asked with a timid voice.

“Rika, this one’s you,” Christine said, picking the Sylveon off her head and putting her in front of the mare. “Seriously, if I ask, she’ll run away screaming. You are far more approachable.”

“Aw, don’t be like that.” Rika petted the dragon on the head. She looked at the mare, well, more of a filly really and nodded her head. She motioned towards her neck and yipped a few times.

“Aw, so cute!” the filly cooed. “Um, Oh? You can’t talk with me can you?”

Rika shook her head.

“Um, okay um...” the Unicorn closed her eyes and focused her magic. After a moment or two, her horn sparked and Rika’s body emitted a pale glow. “There we go,” the Unicorn smiled. “Did that work?”

“Um, I dunno?” Rika shrugged, but the mare smiled.

“It did! And that was my first time casting it too!”

“Well at least one of us can talk with the natives,” Christine said with a small smile, before returning Rika to her role as a hat. “Shall we go shopping, then, now that you can translate for me?”

The dragon felt a small tingle as Twinkleshine cast it on her too. “Or...that could happen. Thanks kid,” she said, looking down and giving her best non-toothy smile.

“You’re welcome Miss Dragon,” Twinkle smiled. “Um, your colours are really pretty too!”

“Heh...thanks again. But if you don’t mind, me and my hat need to go get a new fridge for my apartment.”

“Oh, yeah... sorry.” Twinkle smiled. “My name’s Twinkleshine, by the way.”

“I’m Rika, and this is my ‘totally not a scary dragon friend’ Chrissie!” Rika rubbed Christine’s head. “Do you wanna be friends with us Twinkle?”

The Unicorn blinked and nodded happily. “Yeah, I love meeting new friends!”

“Awesome, then we should hang out sometime... well, you and Christine anyway. I hafta go home soon.” The Sylveon waved goodbye to their new, suddenly made friend before turning back to Christine. “See... thats how you make friends.”

“...It’s like she was another, smaller version of you,” the dragon said. “Are they all like that when they aren’t being judgemental of Pokemon as a whole?”

“Pretty much,” Rika shrugged. “You really should have looked around Ponyville when we were there, instead of hiding on Applejack’s farm the whole time. I bet you would have made a ton of friends.”

“That I would have left behind when we came here,” the dragon countered. “That sound like a fair thing to do to either me or them?”

“It’s called mail and a train,” Rika sighed as they got to the stairs. Christine and elevators did not mix very well. “What about when I go home? Won’t we be friends anymore?”

“...Okay, fine, I’ll bully Vincent into writing you for me. You at least I can get along with. Flower-head, though…”

“You really don’t like Titania huh?” Rika shrugged. “Well, that’s alright, you can’t make friends with everyone after all.”

“Arceus knows you’ll probably try anyways,” the dragon said with a slight smile. “So, we there yet?”

They stopped in front of a store, one called Fridges and Furnishings.

“I’m guessing that they sell fridges here,” Rika deadpanned.

“Along with other house furnishing items,” the dragon replied. “If I had gotten through more than half my home before I was assaulted by a Fairy intent on hugging me, I might have a more comprehensive list than ‘a fridge.’”

“Eheh,” Rika giggled as she hopped down from her head. “Well... I regret nothing!”

“You might in a minute, depending on their prices,” Christine replied before stepping inside the shop.

The shop owner, a rather portly Earth Pony was quite surprised to see two of those Pokemon creatures walk into his store. Did they come in by accident?

“Hello?” he greeted none-the-less. “May I help you with something?”

“Yeah, this little gal here,” Christine said, motioning to her hat with one claw, “Destroyed my fridge. Granted, it was probably a lost cause anyways, but now I need a new one.”

“Destroyed you say?” the shopkeep raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, that’ll probably do. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Finest refrigerators in all of Las Pegasus! Tell me what you need and I can supply it!”

Christine blinked slowly a few times. “Something affordable, that can hold plenty of food, and won’t break down in two weeks’ time.” She thought it was fairly obvious that was what she was looking for. “Basically a straight-up replacement for my old one, minus the decaying food that the last ponies left in it.”

“Hm yes, sorry, Fresh out of the ones with decaying food until Tuesday,” the stallion joked. “So a simple fridge... well, we have our ‘Neverwinter’ models, they range from bedside to “El Grande’ size.”

“I’d prefer it if it fit in my apartment as well. I get the feeling I’m barely going to fit in there once I Evolve again, so not much bigger than myself if you don’t mind,” the dragon further clarified.

“Okay then,” The pony led them to a row of fridges along the side wall. “We have a variety of designs and features. This one here is a basic model, but why settle for basic right?” He displayed a stunning silver model, “This one here packs an ice dispenser for those hot summer days, as well as a freezer with ‘Crystal Freeze’ technology. Stick your food you want frozen in here and it’ll outlast the apocalypse, guaranteed.”

“...Do you often get apocalypses enough to warrant that guarantee?” the dragon asked with a slight head tilt. “Rika, I don’t want to be in pony-land anymore. Can we go ask Arceus to throw me back?”

“Sorry babe, it was a one-way trip. Think of it this way, if Arceus brought all the ‘good’ with him, what do you suppose is left behind?”

“Point taken,” Christine replied with a shiver. “So back to you,” she continued by returning to looking at the stallion. “Just for future reference, Ice and Dragons do not share a loving relationship. Still, those features sound useful.”

“What did I say,” The stallion grinned like a Cheshire cat. “You have made an excellent choice today Miss. This one can be yours for the low, low price of seven thousand Bits!”

“...I’m just gonna let Rika deal with you on that one,” She said, picking the Sylveon up and placing her in front of the stallion.

“Really?” Rika asked. “Is this gonna be a thing now?” She sighed and looked at the Earth Pony. “That’s a pretty steep price mister, considering that the next model down is only twelve hundred bits.”

“This one is top of the range, you want the best, then you gotta pay for it.”

“Surely we can’t come to some sort of a deal?” Rika pouted adorably. “I bet you’ve never sold to a Pokemon before?”

“Nope, but as long as you have the Bits, then you could be Princess freaking Celestia for all I care.”

Rika frowned, this guy was gonna be a tough nut to crack. She could use Attract on him, but that was something she did not condone. Then she had another idea.

“What about in bulk?”

The stallion tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“Well, my friend here lives in an apartment building that needs serious renovations in the way of white goods. Fridges, ovens, etcetera. Perhaps we could make you our... exclusive client?”

The stallion crunched some numbers in his head. If he could get exclusive rights, he might be able to afford that expansion he’d been dreaming of. Not to mention the first white goods seller in the city to deal with Pokemon.

“Well, that’s certainly something to consider. Who’s the owner of this here apartment?”

“Vincent Nurem,” Rika stated and the stallion paled. The one that took down PegasusAir? The one that freed him from those rotten extortionists?

“Deal. You two ladies definitely got yourselves a deal!”

“Now what does that do for my current situation?” the dragon spoke up. “Stillll fridgeless here.”

“Oh, right. Well, after taking certain considerations into account, along with the current inflation of Equestria currency... two thousand bits for this one. Deal?”

“Depends. Rika, think it’s a fair price? It’s your bits, after all.”

“My Bits? Oh right, I blew the other one up...” She took out her purse and pulled out a slip of paper. “That should be fine. You can charge it to this account.”

The stallion took the slip and read it over. “A Canterlot account? You ladies important or something?”

“Something like that,” Rika grinned. “That has the Royal stamp of authenticity, but you can check it if you want.”

“It looks legit, I’ll file the paperwork and send it through later. You ladies have an address I can send this here fridge to?”

Rika wrote down the address of the apartment and the stallion nodded. “Alrighty, once the paperwork is complete and the account verified, I’ll have the fridge delivered, no extra charge.”

“Thanks Mister,” Rika giggled.

“Outta curiosity,” the dragon prodded, “Why’d you react so strongly to Vincent’s name?”

“Oh, that.” the stallion sighed as he placed the papers on the counter. “There was a mob called PegasusAir, bunch crooks that the cops couldn’t touch. They extorted money from a lot of smaller establishments, like my own, for the simple reason of ‘you pay us to do business in our city’.” He rubbed a foreleg and frowned. “But then that Vincent fellow came along and wiped them out... so yeah, a lot of us little guys owe him quite a bit.”

“Vincent?” Christine laughed. “I know the kid, we were basically captives together. Yeah, he did what he could for us, but he’s no fighter, even if he’s a ‘mon now. You must have your wires crossed or something.”

Rika shook her head, “Uh, you don’t know huh? Vincent is like, crazy powerful.”

He’s also listening.

“GAH!” Christine jerked her head back in reflex before recognizing the voice. “For the love of-!”

“Stop doing that!” Rika yelled back.

Just testing my new technique out! This time there was only a little smoke, so I’m narrowing it down quite a bit! I’ll leave you be now if it disturbs you so much.

The sound of a phone hanging up punctuated the end of his statement, and Christine half-lidded her eyes in irritation. “Okay, crazy powerful, check. But still, I know the kid. He’s not the sort to go charging into battle. More the sort to defend others by throwing himself in the way.”

“He took on Mewtwo,” Rika stated. “So yeah, he’s either powerful or really, really crazy.”

“What the hell did Mewtwo do to make him think challenging a Legendary was good idea?!” Christine shook her head and then put Rika back on top of it. “C’mon, we can walk while we talk. My thanks for the fridge,” she said to the stallion before they left.

“So yeah,” Rika continued her story. “apparently Mewtwo hurt someone close to Vincent, so Vincent decided that a little payback was in order... apparently Vincent won.”

“...So apparently, give a kid some power and something to fight for, and that’s what he does,” Christine said. “Seriously, what and how? That’s...not the Vincent I knew.”

“I have no idea, I only know this Vincent, the one that fights for those he cares about with everything he’s got. But... he can be a little scary sometimes.”

“As his little peek proved,” the dragon said, glancing upwards. “Let’s just be glad he’s on our side.”

“Eeyup,” Rika giggled. “So shall we go home? Or would you like to hang out more?”

“I’d like to actually see the city, actually,” the dragon mused. “Well, see it and remember it this time. You up for a little exploration?”

“Sure,” Rika giggled. “Where to first, oh fearless leader?”

“Wherever looks fun!” the dragon replied eagerly. “Though...hopefully not anywhere I’ve ‘already been,’” she clarified.

“Yeeahhh, let’s avoid that particular street,” Rika agreed. She looked around, “Hey there’s one of those ‘XXX’ stores again, but for stallions this time.”

“And once again, Seth wouldn’t forgive me if you walked into any store like that,” the landshark said dryly. “I may be immune to Electric, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try.”

“Fine, I don’t get them anyway,” Rika said. “Hmm, I wonder if this place has...” then she spied one, a colourful little store a few doors down. “ICE CREAM!”

“...Just so you know, if this ends up hurting me, I blame you in advance,” the dragon said, maneuvering around in search of the shop. “Which way?”

“Silly Chrissie, you can eat ice-cream. I’ve seen Tyra, Diantha’s Tyrantrum devour several gallons of it.” The placed her ribbons on the dragon’s head and turned it. “Thattaway!”

“Oh. How did I not see that before?” She advanced on the shop while still grousing a bit. “I mean it has ice in the name, if that’s not a warning sign I don’t know what is…”

“It’s just frozen yogurt or milk really. I dunno, its just delicious and you need to try it.” She petted the dragons head again. “You’re weak to me, and yet wear me like a cute accessory.”

“Because you fit up there, and with you up there the ponies don’t seem as inclined to run away screaming. Works for both of us.” They’d reached the shop and Christine eyed the door warily. “I’m...not sure about this…”

“It’ll be fine,” Rika assured her. “C’mon, you’ve been a brave girl up until now. You gonna let a little frozen milk beat you?”

“Only ‘cause you lot hammered it into my head that burning things that annoyed me was a bad idea. If only because someone has to pay for the property damage.” The landshark sighed. “Fine, fine. I’ll give it a shot.”

With that, she clumsily used her claws to open the front door and ducked a little to make sure the both of them got in okay.

A mare working behind the counter blinked as the duo entered, but wasn't entirely worried. This wasn’t the first time a Pokemon had entered her establishment, in fact.

“Vanillish!” the ice-type Pokemon chirped happily as it floated behind her. She’d found this one sleeping in the freezer and first thought that some joker Unicorn had animated one of her desserts. Now he helped keep stock and made for a cute mascot as well. Christine tensed a little bit at the sight of the Ice-type, but kept herself under control. Not a combat situation, not a combat situation...

“Ah, sorry, Chrissie has a slight aversion to your floating mascot there,” Rika said as the mare nodded. Vanillish smiled regardless and floated out back to the freezer, he was getting a bit warm anyway.

“So what can I get for you folks?” the mare asked.

“To alleviate a small problem, can you tell us how ice-cream is made?” Rika asked. The mare blinked, but she got this question a lot from foals.

“Well, In its most basic form, ice cream is a mixture of cream and/or milk, sugar and sometimes eggs that is frozen while being churned to create a frozen product. In commercial ice-cream making, stabilizers, such as plant gums, are usually added and the mixture is pasteurized and homogenized.” She smiled after the brief explanation. “Does that help?”

“...So it’s just cold. Not actual ice at all?” Christine asked with more than a hint of disbelief.

“That’s right,” the mare smiled. “There might be miniscule amounts of frozen condensation, but my ice-cream is one hundred percent natural creamy goodness. If you want a frozen drink, I have a slushie machine here as well.”

“Eh, it’s just, this little pink hat of mine was trying to convince me to try some, and you’ve essentially confirmed that I will likely survive the experience. Ice and Dragons from our world...don’t exactly mix.” the Gabite said. “So what would either of you recommend?”

“How about a simple vanilla one?” the mare suggested. “And a strawberry for you little friend there?”

“How did she know my favourite flavour?” Rika gasped. “Is she Psychic?”

“You are pink,” Christine deadpanned. “Plus with the way you act around sugar, I find it hard to believe that every flavor isn’t your favorite one.”

“Trueeee,” Rika glanced at the cabinet. “Ooh, you have apple flavour!” She wondered if it would taste like Fritter...

The mare glanced at the drooling Sylveon. “Uh, is your friend alright?”

“She’s seeing a member of the Apple family,” the Gabite replied. “I’m...not sure how you should react to that.”

The mare decided wisely that she would not pursue that line of questioning any further. “W-well then. I’ll prepare your order, one moment.” She levitated a scoop over as well as two cones. She scooped up the sweet treats and in a moment, had them ready. “That’ll be five Bits,” she said.

Rika snapped out of her daydream and produced the coins. “Thankies~” she chirped happily as she took her dessert.

Christine awkwardly grabbed hers and tilted her head, examining it from all sides. “Oh-kay…how does one eat this?”

“Well, you can lick it, suck on it or just chomp it down, pretty much however you like.” Rika pressed the treat against her lips, moaning happily as she swallowed some of it, a small amount running down her chin…

“Huh.” Christine brought the odd thing close to her mouth and gave it a clumsy lick, the temperature transferring quickly enough. The taste and sensations…

“Creamy, smooth...bit bland, but not bad,” she commented out loud. “Then again, I assume that the other flavors besides Vanilla offer more in the taste department.”

“Yup,” Rika nodded. “You should try chocolate next, I really recommend that one.”

“Eh...one more, otherwise dinner will be ruined,” the dragon said, eyeing the cone she was holding again. “Say, this cone thing looks edible too. Is it?”

Rika answered that by crunching down on hers. “I love ice-cream, even the container is edible and delicious!”

The dragon merely shrugged before tossing her treat, cone and all, into her mouth and chomping on it. “Okay, point to you, I probably shoulda tried sweets sooner than this.”

“And you have yet to eat Fritters pie,” Rika pouted. “Ah well, maybe when you visit next, or when we do... whichever come first.”

“...Sometimes I wonder about the things you say,” The Gabite said while giving the opposite wall the thousand-yard stare.

“What?” Rika smirked. “All I said what that you have to try Fritter’s Apple pie... what did you think I meant?”

“Considering the things Sam taught me?” Christine shuddered. “You...don’t want to know.”

“Hmmm, no, I’m curious,” Rika giggled, leaning in close. “What did that pervy bug teach my little Chrissie?”

“What he got taught by the old man who adopted him, probably in an effort to get me to leave him be,” Christine commented, looking at the chocolate tub of ice cream. “And more than that, I’m not sayin’. I like my hide on my bones, thank you.”

“Fine,” Rika pouted. “So, speaking of... what will you do when you meet Sam again?”

“Thank him for caring...and apologize,” Christine said sadly. “I...still remember. I’ve been a terrible Pokemon, haven’t I?”

“Not terrible,” Rika said, hugging her friend. “Just... confused, I suppose. In a life like that, you would want to cling to anything good. Don’t blame yourself okay. I’m sure Sam doesn’t.” She grit her teeth and scowled a bit. At least, he better not!

“Yeah, but I clung a bit too hard, didn’t I? I wouldn’t blame him if he did.” Were anyone looking, they would have seen the entirety of Christine’s tail turn dark blue.

“Well, sometimes I wonder if I’m too clingy of Sethy,” Rika said quietly. “But, we are who we are I suppose. Seth loves me because I’m me. And I think Sam is the same...”

“I...don’t think he likes me like Seth likes you or Fritter,” Christine said. “At best, he might see me like a younger sister. At worst...I don’t want to imagine. Do you know that I was the one who always wanted to see him?”

“I had a feeling,” Rika replied, remembering Sam’s comments at the restaurant. That was the other reason she wanted to go shopping, to keep Christine away until Vincent could talk with Sam. “But hey, you’re a different ‘mon now, and someone as cute as you? How could he resist?”

“Simple, I’m going to apologize, and if he still says no, I’m going to accept that answer. But...it won’t be easy.” Christine looked up then and weakly smiled at the mare behind the counter. “So how about that chocolate? I could do with a pick-me-up.”

“One ‘Heart-Broken’ coming right up,” the mare smiled warmly, filling a double scoop with rich chocolate and red velvet ice cream. “This one’s on the house ‘kay?”

“That’s mighty nice of you,” the Gabite commented as she gave the ice cream a lick, her eyes visibly widening at the taste. “Okay, maybe you were really on to something with your love of sweets,” she commented to Rika.

“And thus the chosen one is awakened to the greatness of sugar,” Rika giggled. “See what happens when you take my advice?”

“Yeah…” Christine commented, still stunned by the sensation. “Do...all sweet things taste this way?”

“No, that’s the best part!’ Rika sighed. “Some Sweets are just an explosion of sugar, while some can have a nice tart or even sour flavour that can compliment them them quite well.” Her eyes widened and she had the best idea. “You have Berries at home. I should teach you how to make Poke-puffs!”

“...This sounds like a good idea,” the landshark replied. “Okay, back home then?”

“Yeah,” and we’ll get Fritter to help as well,” Rika said as she hopped back on her new favourite perch. “Hmm, maybe we could get Selly and Jeanne, make it a girls night in!”

“That’s assuming little miss dark and broody wants to help,” the dragon snarked as she nodded at the mare. “Thank you for the service,” she commented before leaving, once more taking care with her new hat.

“Please come again,” the mare called out as they left...

“So yeah, we’re both pretty fast,” Sam commented as he dodged yet another of Lala’s welcoming blows, “But I promise you, I know how to take my time with a beautiful lady like yourself.”

“And yet you so quickly assumed I wanted anything to do with you,” Lala replied as she sat back down, a small smirk playing around her lips. Yes, he’d dodged the frontal blows, but the one on his back should start stinging any moment now…

“YAH!”

“And there we go,” Lala said as she pulled open her book again. “Balance has been restored.”

“Oh geeze, that smarts! Attacking me from behind? How does that restore any balance?” Sam reached around with his claws, trying to feel the size and shape of the wound.

“You have been flirting with me non-stop, and dodging my attempts to reprimand you. Finally you are punished for it again.”

Sam’s gaze switched back to the Leavanny as he smirked. “Well then, I’m just gonna have to work extra-hard for you, really build up my speed.”

“Focusing on speed alone will only hamper you,” Lala said, turning the page. “You must also have the stamina to keep going, otherwise I will simply outlast you.”

“Oh I have plenty of stamina,” Sam said in a tone that couldn’t be mistaken for anything but a poor attempt at seduction. “You’d just have to let me show it to you.”

“Show her what Sammy?” a quiet voice inquired from behind him.

Sam turned to see something that he would ordinarily classify as adorable in other circumstances...or with other participants. Rika was being worn as a hat by a familiar Gabite. Christine. And she wasn’t looking too happy at the moment...

“So you were saying?” Rika continued the questioning. “I’d love to hear it, as would Chrissie here.”

“I...ah...that is to say…” He knew better than to say one word. Lala, on the other hand…

“He has been attempting to either woo or bed me for some time now,” she said bluntly while reading her book. “Futile, I might add, but he keeps coming back to try.”

“Well, isn’t that nice,” Rika said. “How about you Christine, how do you feel about that particular turn of events.”

She stood still for a moment or two, before reaching up and removing her hat. “Can you two...give us a minute or two?” The Gabite asked softly.

“Um sure,” Rika replied. This was the worst possible thing!

“I can be absent for a time,” Lala said, getting up and heading to her room on the ground floor. “Oh, and while he is someone I abuse on a regular basis, I would prefer it if Sam remained alive. As would Vincent, I’m sure.”

Rika gave her friend one final look and went upstairs, hoping that Christine was gonna be okay. They would need a lot of ice-cream…

Christine looked at Sam and softly smiled. “So. Scizor now, huh?”

Sam blinked a few times before nodding and flexing his claws. “Yeah, pretty nice. I mean, there have been a few stumbling blocks, like tripping over my own feet, plus, now I can’t ever fly again, I don’t think. But on the whole, I like it.”

“That’s...good,” Christine said. “Listen, Vincent and Luke showed me, quite forcibly, that what I was doing...was wrong. Obsessing, that is.”

Sam blinked again and narrowed his eyes. “And?”

“And I want to say sorry. It...can’t have been easy, putting up with me.”

Okay, this was new. She appeared to be genuinely sorry for what she’d done. “Really? Just like that?”

“Just like that. I realize you probably don’t like me like that...especially if what your crush there just said is true, but I would like for us to be friends still.”

Sam was glad for his red armor when the Gabite referred to Lala as his crush. “Ah, heh…” He awkwardly rubbed the back of his head with one claw. “Friends...like Bit and the family?”

“Bit’s here too?” Christine questioned. “Good thing. Some of the other survivors really hated him. Thought he was just acting insane.”

“Ah...and you?”

“Vincent told me,” Christine deadpanned. “I don’t blame him for a damn thing. So...friends?”

The Scizor considered her outstretched claw for a moment. She seemed to have made peace with her past, and wasn’t promising to return to her ways in the slightest. He gently grasped it with his own and smiled. “Friends. I must say, you’re taking this all very well.”

“Oh make no mistake, I’m probably going to order an entire tub of Ice-cream and binge-eat on the sweetness for a little bit while crying about what the hell I forced you through, or my own unreturned feelings, or the like,” Christine said with a faint smile of her own. “But I am glad we’re friends, Sam.”

The two of them felt a pair of eyes on their bodies and turned to look at the stairwell up. Sitting there was Rika, her ribbons twitching wildly. Christine backed up a step towards the front door, never taking her eyes off the Fairy.

“Sam?”

“What?”

“Run.”

They tried, and their valiant efforts would be recorded for future generations on how to avoid a snuggefairy, but as for right now? The dragon and bug found themselves ensnared in pink ribbons as she dragged them together for a group hug~

“This happen often?” Sam groused. “I mean, you were with her for a while before this, right?”

“Nah, not once while I was there. Dunno why,” Christine replied with an equally annoyed tone.

“Just accept the hugs,” Rika said with a sage-like tone. “Only then can your spirit be truly free~”

“...As long as you promise to let us go,” Sam said, settling back into the hug.

“Eventually,” Rika agreed, but released them shortly after, Sam’s hard armour was no fun to hug. “So Chrissie? Ice-cream?”

“Ice-cream,” she agreed. “But, um...didn’t get any extra while we were there, and don’t have a fridge myself, so….”

“We’ll order and camp out in our room. After we kick the boys out of course.”

“I should have a problem with this plan, but I don’t,” Christine said, placing Rika back on her head. “Which way, my new hat?”

“Room 203,” Rika replied. “Right below yours now that I think about it.” She smiled at the Gabite and rubbed her head. “I guess you like being on the bottom huh?”

Sam was grateful for his armor again while Christine just blinked and stared for a moment. “Like I said,” she replied, “Sometimes I wonder about you.”

“Don’t wonder, just accept it,” Rika giggled. “Now, let’s go interrupt Sethy’s snuggle time with Fritter. They’ve been cosy together long enough!”

“Fine,” the Gabite muttered with a roll of her eyes as she ascended the stairs. Sam blinked and ran a claw over his chest while he considered the situation. Still alive, still breathing, and he’d had a good talk with the crazy dragoness.

All in all, it could be worse.

Seth was happy, laying on the couch as he idly ran his paw through Fritter’s mane while she slept next to him. Rika and Christine were out, Ignis and Selena were taking a nap. Life was good...

Until the door burst open and a pink blur attached herself to his head.

“Hey Sethy~” Rika cooed, nuzzling him.

“Hello Rika,” Seth chuckled. He spied a familiar Gabite in the doorway and waved. “And hello to you too.”

“Hey Seth.” Christine replied with a nod. “So how’ve you been?”

“Content,” Seth replied as he nudged Fritter awake.

“Hmm~ Whut?” the Apple mare was then huggled by the fairy and the three shared a brief moment together... until Seth was lifted up and pushed out the front door.

“It’s a girls night tonight!” Rika declared as she barged into Ignis and Selly’s room. There were sounds of a scuffle and a some shouting, before the fairy dragged the dragon out by his tail. “Now, you two can kindly remove yourselves from this room, and send some of the others, like Ms. Lala and Jeanne. Maybe Mage if she wants to as well.”

“The hell?” Seth replied as the door was slammed shut in his face. “Well... now what?”

“Bug Vincent?” Ignis offered.

“Eh, why not,” Seth replied. And with that, the two headed for Vincent’s room.

Bit answered the door when the two of them knocked, looking at both the Luxray and the Charizard. “Ah, greetings, Seth and Ignis. Might I inquire as to your purpose in coming here?”

“Rika and the girls kicked us out,” Seth replied. “We’re here to extend that invite to Mage and Jeanne, then spend the night doing whatever... probably bug Vincent and Luke.”

“...Have you forgotten about Lucy already?” Bit replied. “I can assure you, unless she is forcibly knocked out, that is unlikely to happen.”

“Vincent knows Hypnosis right?” Seth replied with a smile. “So s’all good little Bit.”

“Ah. I was not aware...yes, that could work. If I am not required, then I leave door duty to the ones here, then, while I go below to work.” Bit seemed almost eager to leave, now that Seth had given him his gifts.

“Excited to start working then?” Seth chuckled.

“Affirmative,” Bit replied, floating out the door, pausing as he hit the stairs. “And thank you, again.”

“I’m glad to have helped Bit, now... let’s see what Vinny’s up to~” Seth mused as he walked inside.

That familiar smell was present almost instantly, once again, even through the closed door. Vincent was sitting on the couch, surprisingly not smelling anything like the activities he’d had to have just engaged in, reading the paper and sipping his coffee.

Seth tilted his head as he and Ignis walked in. “That’s some deodorant you’ve got Vincent, if you’re able to mask your scent like that.”

“Yes, well, a certain Luxray told me that I smelled, so I went out and got some better soaps and actually took a shower this time. Plus this round was all hands-off for me, as I had a hunch you and yours might actually want to see me again.” Vincent folded the paper and set it to one side, a slightly amused smile on his face.

“Oh har har,” Seth chuckled. “But yeah, Rika and Christine kicked us out. Oh,” he looked around, but didn’t see the Mismagius. “Have you seen Mage, she’s got an invite to the girls night, along with Jeanne, Jessie and Lala.”

At those words, a certain Grass-type walked in from the kitchen, along with Mage drifting through one of the walls. “What’s that, dear?” Jeanne asked.

“Apparently,” Seth answered. “Rika, Christine and I presume Selena and Fritter are having some sort of Girls Night in our room, you ladies have all received an invitation as well.”

“My, that sounds wonderful,” the elderly Bellossom said, smiling softly. “What about you, Mage?”

“I...Hmm...well, Vincent, promise to look out for Luke?” The Ghost looked over to the Kadabra sitting on the couch.

“Of course,” Vincent replied. “Like you even needed to ask.”

“Then alright then! Let’s go see how quickly they catch on to some of my tricks.”

The Mismagius picked up the Bellossom and the two left the room with no small amount of haste to join the girl’s night one floor below.

“And thus the boys are left to their own devices,” Seth mused. “Oh, did Bit show you what I gave him earlier?”

“He wouldn’t stop talking about it,” Vincent said. “Seriously, thanks. That hard drive will be so useful for a Porygon like him.” The Kadabra got up and stretched slightly, working out a few kinks. “So, what did you have planned?”

“...I knew I was forgetting something,” Seth replied as Ignis facepalmed. “What, normally I’d say to veg out in front of the TV... but we don’t have that.” Seth sighed as he looked at Vincent. “You got any?”

“I’ve been sort of busy,” Vincent said, only tilting his head at the closed door. “Couldn’t exactly form a plan longer than a few hours at most, and that was to keep her sated enough that I didn’t feel bad.”

“You look a bit rough,” Ignis chuckled. “Well, how about we find Luke and James and come up with a plan.”

I am...here, Mister Crescent, the familiar Gallade said as he walked out of the master bedroom. I do hope you come up with a plan...in the time it takes for us to walk one floor, he finished with a slight smile.

“I shall try my best Luke,” Seth smiled. “And please, just call me Seth. We’re all friends here.” Wait, why was he walking out of the room that Lucy’s scent was coming from? Actually, nope. he did not want to know.

Before we go, though...Vincent? The Gallade looked over to the Kadabra, and Vincent looked puzzled for a moment, before nodding and pulling a spoon out of thin air.

“Ah, right. If leaving the apartment for any extended length of time…” His arm and spoon glowed blue as he focused a technique through them.

...knock Lucy out so she doesn’t end up missing you, Luke finished. A soft ‘thump’ came from the room that was a no-go for most of the males there.

“Done,” Vincent said. “Onwards to James and adventure, then?”

Presumably.

“Shenanigans it is then,” Ignis roared. “It’s just us guys now...”

“Ignis,” Seth warned. “Don’t.”

“What could possibly go wrong?” Ignis smirked and Seth sighed.

“Did you learn nothing from when we were all together last time? Or when Checkmate decided to involve themselves with us?”

“Of course I did,” Ignis smiled. “But something interesting always happens...”

“There’s such a thing as tempting fate and doing too much of it,” Vincent idly commented as the loose party of ‘mon ascended a floor. “Seriously, we seem to be trouble magnets individually. Putting us together is asking for it, and saying the magic words? Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t have any plans tonight…”

“Well,” Seth sighed as he looked out a window at the shining city. “It was a nice city...”

“Gah, you lot are such pesimists, you make Luke look cheery,” Ignis offered a look to the Gallade. “Uh, no offense?”

I am quite aware of my own...gloomy attitude, Ignis. Luke said with a slight quirk of his mouth that could almost resemble a smile. However, spending time here...amongst my newfound family...has done much to mend that which was broken. So...none taken.

“Ah, well, glad to hear it!” Ignis beamed. Seth would have to give him a lecture later on thinking before speaking.

At that particular moment, Mage floated past, dragging a protesting Jessie behind her, who was attempting to hang on to the floor and scratching it something fierce. Said Pyroar was shooting a glare that all but said ‘speak on this and I will maim you’ to the boys.

“Who was that?” Seth asked as he watched the struggling cat float away. “She looked kinda pissed.”

“Jessie,” Vincent answered. “Bit’s assistant. And I’m guessing she didn’t want to go, but that Mage wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

To be fair...it will take them time to readjust to...this new life you have given them, son.

“New life?” Seth asked, still lost on what they were talking about. “Does she have a past?”

“Yeah, but unless it comes up, I’m not poking ‘em about it.” The party had arrived at the apartment Mage had just departed from, a Roserade in the doorway thereof. He looked rather...befuddled.

“Vincent, why did that Mismagius carry Jessie off?” he asked.

“Girls night in my apartment, us boys have to entertain ourselves,” Seth replied and introduced himself. “Seth Crescent by the way, you?”

“Ah, the name is James,” the Grass-type said, taking a small bow while running the name through his head. It sounded familiar...very familiar...

“Jessie, James... where do I know those names?” Seth said idly as he closed his eyes to think.

Vincent merely shrugged, while Luke raised a hand and ‘whispered’ two names. Meowth. Wobbuffet.

“Yeah, they usually stay up here with those two as well,” Vincent tacked on in response to his ‘father’s’ words.

The clues being so blatantly dropped caused the Roserade to sweat just a bit more. He’d recalled where he knew Seth’s name from, and if half of it was true...

“...I remember now,” Seth sparked, arcs of lightning coursed across his body as he turned to the Roserade, his eyes glowing a golden yellow. “I remember when you lot tried to steal my Rika from me...”

“Seth, because I care about my home standing and you, I’m going to give you a chance to tell me what the hell is going on before I act,” Vincent said, a spoon being pulled out of nowhere as his form briefly surged with blue light.

Seth ignored the words as he stalked closer to James, “Fortunately, you failed to take into account my Sylveons power, and she escaped.” He was standing over him now, his powerful gaze never leaving the Grass-types. It was deathly silent for a moment, save for the crackles of electricity and the humming from Vincent’s growing power.

“However,” Seth suddenly stepped back, his electricity vanishing. “I am not a foolish individual who would go seeking revenge for something that happened a long time ago. Also, the fact that you are here in Equestria and living with Vincent, tells me that you aren’t truly a villainous person.”

Luke had positioned himself between Ignis and Vincent, on the off chance the Charizard would react to his son’s mannerisms towards the Luxray. Vincent was confused, but powered himself down and sent the spoon back to wherever he kept pulling it from.

James sighed a deep sigh of relief. “Yes, well, thank you for that...it has been a while, a long while coming, but seeing as how we’re here, we decided to formally break all ties with our former boss, and take up new jobs here. I’m the gardener now, and no longer a member of…” James’ eyes darted over to the Kadabra, “them,” he finished, not wanting to take the chance his benefactor knew of Team Rocket.

Seth blinked, so Vincent wasn’t aware that they were members... well, former members of Team Rocket? “You’re playing a dangerous game Mr. James, but you seem to be telling the truth.” The whole time, Seth’s powerful vision had kept check on his heart rate and several tells to see if he was lying. “That must have taken a great deal of courage, to go against something like that. I suppose I can relate in a way, so you have my respect at the very least.”

“Meowth didn’t help,” he muttered. “I was the first one to want to truly make something here, and it took Jessie siding with me to get him to realize that there was a chance here. Even then, it might have gone south had Misses Jeanne not showed up.”

“...Okay, I’m lost and still being polite here,” Vincent commented. “And both sensations are starting to annoy me.”

Seth nodded and turned to Vincent. “Do you promise not to get angry?”

“...I...can’t promise that. But I can promise I won’t act on my anger.” Vincent said with a soft sigh. “I’ve been told by father over there that I seem to be a wee bit too emotional from time to time, so I can’t promise I won’t get angry. The heart is a fickle thing. But I won’t act on my anger.”

A wise promise indeed, son. And if your actions a few days ago aren’t you being emotional, then I don’t know what qualifies. The Gallade smirked just a little as he commented on Vincent’s promise.

“Well, I suppose that’s as good as I’ll get,” Seth looked at James, how may of been thinking if he could get to the train station before Vincent. “Do you trust me to resolve this?” he whispered to him.

“I trust you’ll try,” James said. “I’ve seen more than enough schemes go haywire to trust that everything will work out perfectly, so I do hope you have an evacuation plan if you fail.”

“Hmm, Discharge and pray we can outrun a teleporter?” Seth chuckled. He turned back to Vincent with a serious expression. “Jessie, James and their friends were once part of a criminal organisation that used Pokemon as a means to make monetary profit and I suppose take over the world, a goal that never seemed plausible to me.” Seth let that sink in for a moment before continuing. “But, if what I am to understand is correct, then these three have made a significant change to break away from that life and make a better one, well, a more legal and morally correct one at least.”

Vincent seemed to go calm. Almost too calm as he turned the information over in his head. “And...if what I’ve managed to pull from Bit’s maze of a mind is correct, there were significantly more than a few organizations on Earth...which one did they belong to?”

“Team Rocket,” Seth replied. “While they were one of the longer lasting organisations, they were also one of the least.... drastic,” Seth added. “They were in it for the profit, rather than Plasma’s lofty goal or Team Galactic... I have no idea what those idiots were thinking.”

Vincent breathed deeply a few times as he tried to reign himself in. “Rocket were also responsible for the Mewtwo incident, essentially creating a Legendary,” the Kadabra pointed out, before scoffing. “One which really doesn’t deserve his title.”

Son… Luke nearly put a hand on Vincent’s shoulder, before the younger psychic shot a glare that could melt steel at his elder. After a moment, it softened.

“No. Until he atones, he is no Legend of mine.”

“Actually,” James pointed out, “It was only Giovanni who was responsible for that. Well…” the Roserade looked away and gulped thickly before saying the next bit, “The only one who survived the incident, anyways.”

Team Rocket caused Mewtwo? That was certainly news to Seth. Ignis huffed as he tapped his foot.

“You know, I understand that we may be having a moment here,” he said, waving a claw. “But how much longer to we intend to stand in a cramped hallway, chatting like females about our feelings?”

“Your eloquent words never fail to strike a chord in my heart Ignis,” Seth replied dryly.

“Where would you suggest, oh living blowtorch, for us to go?” Vincent fired off no small amount of snark in his reply.

“Cute,” Ignis replied. “This, coming from a Lucario’s sextoy?” he pondered for a moment, “Well... I have no idea.”

Technically, with the amount of bindings on her- Luke started.

“Dad, shush. They don’t need to know how we keep her occupied,” Vincent cut the Gallade off before turning back to the Charizard. “Preferences, then?” One arm lit up blue as the boy prepared himself for another Ping.

“Somewhere fun,” Ignis said. “And a place we can leave the emotional baggage at the door for a few hours.” When Luke had started to mention it, Seth idly looked down out of pure reflex... he kinda wished he hadn’t.

“Gonna be a while before I unsee that,” he muttered under his breath.

“That doesn’t exactly narrow down the ‘where’,” the Kadabra said. “Las Pegasus is home to more bars, nightclubs, and casinos than anywhere else, but I get the feeling that they may not hold as much interest to a ‘mon so fond of battle like yourself.”

“Liquor doesn’t do it for me, internal body heat burns off the alcohol, so I can't get drunk.” Ignis offered a look to Seth, “And I’d hate to see what he’d be like... well, more like two parts worried, one part curious as to how hilarious it would be.”

“So bars are out. Clubs, maybe if they’re entertaining without alcohol needing to be involved. What about Casinos?” Vincent idly started composing his Ping, narrowing down the search terms one-by-one.

“Clubs? Naw, I won’t dance unless it’s with Selly, and strip clubs are no good since pony plot just doesn't do it for me.” Ignis scratched at his chin, “Why am I the one deciding anyway?”

“Because you were the most vocal about going somewhere,” Seth replied.

“You also seem to be the most picky,” James offered.

“I’m just glad to get out of the house for a few hours at a time,” Vincent said with a nod.

And I will accompany my son...if only so the city is still standing when all is said and done.

“Oh har de har har, dad. You know I wouldn’t level the city. All my stuff is here.” Vincent rolled his eyes as he replied to the Gallade’s surprisingly sarcastic comment.

“I could level it?” Ignis offered. “My stuff isn’t here and I already leveled an airship dock, a large section of forest and reduced a large section of desert to glass when I fought Arceus.”

The other ‘mon just stared at Ignis before Vincent spoke up again. “Don’t think it’s me you’re gonna need to protect the city from.”

Agreed, Luke said with a sigh.

“Does he have an off switch for that fight-happy attitude of his?” James questioned Seth. “Ever?”

“Selena,” Seth simply replied. “Without her, restraint isn’t in his vocabulary.”

“You used to be the same,” Ignis pouted. “Man, you’ve mellowed out...”

“The solution appears simple, then,” Vincent said with a smirk. “Either behave, or we tell Selena on you.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Ignis growled. He didn’t want the couch, the couch sucked.

“And thus the girl-talk has degraded into child-like banter,” Seth sighed. “So to avoid someone literally ‘spitting the dummy’ can we just all agree to do something!”

“I’m up for anything,” Vincent said. “I just need something to look for.”

“You’re always ‘up’ at this point,” Ignis chuckled. “And usually you find it between her legs.”

“...Man was not made to satisfy a female five times in quick succession in one session,” Vincent replied, his eyes half-lidded. “Anything short of another Lucario probably wasn’t.”

As if to answer his question, Seth’s Pokedex pinged.

“The average, single mating session of Lucario can last between 7 and 14 hours. And may engage several times a day. While heat for a Lucario female will occur for about one week. The only other Pokemon with mating times that outlast this is Luxray and Pyroar. The females are polyestrous and mating sessions can last several days, with the couple mating between 20 and 40 times a day. The couple will often go without food or water for the entire time.”

Seth just blinked. “..... I’ll be honest here. I have no idea how I’m supposed to respond to that.”

Everyone else appeared to be equally broken for a moment, before Vincent eyed the pack holding the Pokedex. “Okay, correct me if I’m wrong, but that was your Pokedex, right?”

“I seriously regret installing that voice-activation app now,” Seth sighed. “And yes, that is my soon to be destroyed Pokedex.”

“Are you sure it’s reacting properly to the magic of this world?” Vincent arched an eyebrow as he continued his sentiment. “I don’t recall you asking any sort of question...either time you pulled it out, yet it knew what you wanted. Sure it’s not becoming self-aware instead of it being one app?”

“Maybe Bit should look into it, or the app has several key words that activate it.” Seth looked at the device and shook his head. “It was a beta version, so maybe it has a few bugs?”

James coughed then, regaining their attention, before looking at Ignis pointedly. “Have you picked out a theme for where you want to go or do, or will we stand around and talk about random things all night?”

“If random leads to more of that,” Ignis laughed while pointing at the offending device. “Then I’m up for random. Other than that...” Ignis pondered for a second. “We could go get some dinner? I’m getting kinda hungry.”

“Food’s easy enough to search for, especially the sort we all enjoy,” Vincent smiled as he raised a glowing blue arm. “Mary might not take it well, us going to somewhere other than her place, but variety is the spice of life, no? PING!”

Saying the last word verbally and mentally, a wave of blue erupted from his form and quickly vanished from view in the close confines. Luke frowned for a moment as the boy performed his vast mental skimming, before replacing it with his standard neutral expression.

“You alright there Luke?” Seth asked, catching the facial expression. The Gallade looked over and whispered to the Luxray while Vincent performed his skim.

He does not quite...understand how to prevent this technique...from being traced back to him. Which will only invite disaster down the road...unless I teach him.

“Ah,” Seth nodded. “Diantha’s Gardevoir used it to find him in Canterlot. She was a little pissed at first and I think Vincent narrowly avoided having his brain lobotomised... but still, we all became friends because of it.”

Thrice, then. Once for Checkmate finding him, once for Gene and Belle, and once for you. A case is made...he must be taught how to best hide his presence and techniques from those that would do him harm. Luke’s expression hardened a touch by the end of his statement.

“Then I pity the fool that tries that,” Seth replied. “Vincent is not an opponent I’d battle lightly, especially now that you and Mage have joined his ranks.” Until now, Seth had been studying the Gallade, the way he held himself, and Seth could tell he was a powerful Pokemon.

This is a temporary situation, Luke said sadly. I wish, oh how I wish, I could remain...and I will visit, frequently, but Abby may require my help in the future, so when I am...recuperated, from Canterlot, I shall go to Ponyville and await her there.

“Yeah, I bet her cubs will keep her plenty busy soon,” Seth replied. The wave of blue bounced back into view and impacted Vincent, who shook his head a few times to keep it clear of excess clutter as he took in the information.

“Always interesting, seeing what this brings up,” he muttered. “Okay, we’ve got options, even when I discount a few of them out of hand. Option 1, 2, or 3, Ignis? All of them serve meat dishes and have a pleasing enough atmosphere that the rest of us will join you.”

“Hmm, so pick a door huh?” Ignis pondered his choices. “I’m feeling lucky tonight, I pick number two!”

“Party of five to the first floor, then I’ll lead us to our destination,” Vincent said with a soft smile. “I am so not teleporting this many ‘mon of such girth across the city.”

“I think he just burned you two,” James chuckled.

“Vincent, do not tease the Pokemon that could make you resemble what we are about to go eat,” Ignis warned.

“Hey, teleporting Edge across Manehatten ended up with us upside down. And that was one mon of your size,” Vincent said, giving Ignis a quick glance. “It’s only because of her quick thinking and the fact that we were over a beach that I’m here, I’m sure. Five ‘mon, across a city? We’d be lucky to arrive level with the ground, much less right side up. I’m sure I’ll figure out multi-mon teleportation soon. Just not while I’m...occupied.” With his small explanation finished, Vincent started on down the stairs.

Chapter Thirty Nine

“A thought occurs,” Seth said as they walked. “You used Hypnosis on Lucy, yes?”

“A rather powerful one at that, yes,” Vincent said. “Why?”

“It’s just, isn’t Steel resistant to Psychic?”

“She’s half Fighting too,” Ignis replied. “I wouldn’t worry about it wearing off early.”

Lucarios are affected normally by Psychic-type moves, Seth, Luke replied to his worries. Plus, the amount of straps on her are enough to restrain a teenaged drake, if need be.

“So I noticed,” Seth replied idly. “Well, so what’s this place we’re headed to Vince?”

“It’s in the Gryphon ‘section’ of the city,” Vincent said as they hit the second floor, where the sounds of merriment from behind the door to 203 were present. “So naturally it serves meat, but they’ve co-opted quite a few recipes from across the globe and put their own twist on them. Whereas Fredrick deals in pasta and pizzas mostly, this place has a little bit of everything.”

“That sounds good,” Seth drooled a little. Ignis just chuckled and shook his head. He’d heard that first part of Seth’s reply though and wondered if there was a magical enchantment to make walls impossible to see through. The last thing he wanted was Seth accidently seeing his and Selena’s alone time.

“Mmhmm. Apparently it started as a butcher’s shop for all the other gyphons, and over time, morphed into a restaurant. Which is why it’s called The Chop Shop to this day. And don’t worry, you two,” Vincent said, eyeing Luke and James with a small laugh of his own, “they have a salad section as well, since occasionally a pony is brave enough to come in.”

Ah, I was about to ask, Luke said with a soft smile.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that this body doesn’t seem to handle it very well,” James said with a sigh. “But thank you Vincent.”

“Too bad,” Ignis replied. “You two could use a little more meat on your bones...” He looked at Luke and tilted his head. “I don’t want to come across as insulting... but is there a reason you're sticking to telepathy?”

“Multiple reasons relating to his past,” Vincent said dryly. “And seeing as how Abby rescued him, I’ll let you connect the dots on that one.”

“Past issues, I’ll drop it,” Ignis replied. He may have been ignorant and fight happy, but asking someone about a past they did not want to discuss was just plain rude. “Sorry Luke.”

No harm, Ignis. I am...getting better about dealing with it. By then, the party had nearly reached the lobby.

“And he is dealing with it this time, rather than just walling it up,” Vincent said with a bit of bite to his voice. Luke sighed and rolled his eyes.

Sometimes I wonder which one of is is the father and which one of us is the son.

“Yeah, well, let’s see who can act more mature about their pasts and how much it actually affects us,” Vincent said with more snark than normal. “One would think that when you get advice about dealing with your past from several sources, you’d listen, but it takes Mage checking up on you and asking before you do.”

“Everyone has their own pace and means Vincent,” Seth replied. “And take your time, you don’t want those walls burying you.”

“As for who’s the son, Vinny is sporting that impressive moustache,” Ignis said with a light chuckle.

“I’d trim it, but then I’d look like a girl Kadabra, and that would get annoying very quickly,” Vincent groused. “So I groom it regularly.” Ignis made a note to prank Vincent by trimming his moustache...

And as for your advice, Seth...that is true, but some walls need to stay down this time. Pretending that the past didn’t happen to me...isn’t going to help anymore. Or so everyone keeps saying. Luke sighed as they finally made their way out onto the city at large.

James stretched a bit and smiled. “I don’t go ‘out’ nearly often enough,” the Roserade commented before returning to following Vincent’s lead. “There’s the garden, true, but that hardly counts.”

“Huh, I would’ve thought you and your girlfriend Jessie went out all the time,” Seth replied. James blushed and stammered a few times before gathering himself up for a rebuttal.

“That hardly counts, she was my work-partner first and foremost. Those missions were professional before they were personal. Plus she can barely stand me sometimes. Honestly, your allegation is absurd. If she wanted anything to do with me in such a fashion, she would have asked long before now.”

“Okay,” Seth was going to point a few things out here. “If business was first, did she ever request a new partner, even after your past... blunders? Two, would she still stick with you, even now? If there was more to it than that. Three, from what I saw back on Earth... it was pretty damned obvious man.”

“True that,” Ignis replied, remembering that day now. “You’d have been barbequed alive if it wasn’t for her Wobbuffet.”

“And you’re the expert on seeing the obvious all of a sudden?” Vincent asked with a smirk while James fell into silent contemplation.

Seth refused to give Vincent the pleasure of an answer. “If you like her, and I think you do... give it a shot. What have you got to lose?”

James idly answered out loud. “True, the Meowth-balloon isn’t here now, so I can’t be interrupted by it exploding for the umpteenth time…”

Elsewhere, a cap-wearing Pikachu sneezed...

“Well, let’s get some food, you could get some flowers that aren’t attached to your arms and we’ll give it a shot!” Seth replied. “As someone once told me, you don’t wait for the moment, you make it happen!”

“Really?” Ignis said. “You’re going with the advice, that you were told yourself only a few hours ago?”

“Shut up,” Seth replied with all the maturity he possesed.

“Food first,” Vincent said. “Romantic subplot later. And speaking of the food, the place should be coming into view around this corner.”

As the party turned down the road, their destination came into view in the distance. It was modeled in the same fashion as Fredricks was, but it looked...drastically different. Whereas his was meant to only subtly stand out and make it plain that it was a restaurant, this place pulled no punches. Whatever bold statement it wanted to make, it had succeeded and then some. The clearest indication that it was what they were looking for was the sign out front, of a large butcher’s cleaver going through a ham, with the words THE CHOP SHOP put into an arch below them.

“Subtle,” Seth remarked.

“Like a Hyper Beam to the face,” Ignis agreed. “But it smells A-freaking-mazing!!”

“Agreed,” Seth replied, a small puddle of drool already forming at his paws. Vincent and Luke lightly chuckled at their reactions to the restaurant, while James inhaled and sighed as well.

“Yes, this place does smell of quite the feast,” the Grass-type agreed.

“Now let’s get inside before we have to put up ‘floor may be wet’ signs around these two,” Vincent urged.

“Maybe there’s some in Lucy’s room?” Seth asked with total sincerity.

Actually, I had to put down a tarp under her be-

“Aaaand that’s enough of that,” Vincent said flatly.

“True, we have all night,” Seth winked. “Now let’s get some grub!”

The party of Pokemon were greeted by a Gryphon behind a podium once the stepped in. Actually, that’s a lie, that’s what they noticed second. What they were actually greeted with was an even more intense blast of the smells of a gryphon-run restaurant, from the meats to the cheeses and starches, and somehow they even managed to make their salads smell appetizing...though probably not to Ignis. And they were left to wonder that if this was how they smelled, then the taste...

“Imma eat it!” Ignis said.

“Eat what?” Seth asked as he looked at a wall-mounted menu.

“EVERYTHING!” Ignis roared. The gryphons merely laughed at his antics.

“A fine roar, warrior,” the greeter said. “But sadly for you, you cannot eat everything we stock. We need to serve others beyond yourself. Party of five, then?”

“That’s correct,” Seth replied. “We don’t need a reservation?”

“Only if we are exceptionally overbooked do you require one. Today is a relatively normal day, so…” The gryphon checked something behind his podium and clicked his beak once in satisfaction. “You have a choice, booth or table?”

Luke might prefer the privacy... “Well take the booth please, provided they’re large enough.”

“They should be,” he said, eyeing Ignis before continuing, “So long as your large, hungry friend sticks to an edge should he require room for his wings or tail.”

“Thank you,” Seth nodded. They were shown to the private booth and Set offered the inner seats to Luke and Vincent and James, with Ignis and himself taking the outer ones. They were then passed five menus, and the gryphon bowed once, explaining that their actual server would be here shortly before vanishing.

“Steeaaaakkk!” Ignis stomach rumbled as he gazed at the menu. “I want the biggest slab of meat they have!”

“The pork schnitzel with salad sounds nice,” Seth said. “Hmm, oh, they have apple cider here? I have to try that!”

“I’ll have the chef’s salad,” James said, eyeing it and licking his lips. “Oh, their dressings sound absolutely divine…”

Caesar salad for myself...and I may have to confer with you to work out the best dressings for our dishes, Luke said with a glance to James.

Vincent, meanwhile, was caught in a dilemma:

There was too much that he wanted to try. He kept looking from one thing to the next, not actually making any decision at all, before he just dropped the menu, and his head, onto the table with an explosive sigh.

“Having trouble dear Vincent?” Seth replied, poking the defeated Kadabra with a paw.

“Too many options,” the Kadabra mumbled into the table. “Not enough time.”

“Nor enough stomach capacity,” Seth muttered, looking at every delicious-looking item on the menu... aka, the whole menu. “But, you hardly live that far from it, bring Lucy here on a date or something.”

At the mention of a date with Lucy, Vincent’s mind couldn’t help but flash back to the last time he and Seth had gone out for dinner...and how that had ended up embarrassing for everyone concerned. His cheeks flushed red, visible even through his fur, and he quickly picked the menu up in an effort to hide behind it.

“Without the show I’d imagine,” Ignis snickered. “Though that was pretty damned funny.”

“Well I know what I’m not having at least,” Vincent muttered, glaring at the burgers in particular. “No need for a total repeat…”

The party of ‘mon were interrupted in their banter once a gryphoness came around. “Hello, I’m Wendi, I’ll be taking your orders, starting with what you’d like to drink!” she chirped happily.

“A cider for me and...” he looked at Ignis.

“Uh, I’ll have this one,” he said, pointing to a rather potent spirit.

“If you’re sure, sir,” she said, only hesitating slightly before turning to the others. “And yourselves?”

Water for myself, Luke stated.

“Non-alcoholic cider for myself, please,” James asked.

“Same here,” Vincent chipped in.

“Right, those simple drinks will be out in a minute, and your spirit,” here Wendi looked over to Ignis, “Might take a bit more time to dredge up from where it’s stored.”

“Need some help?” Ignis offered on reflex.

“It’ll be fine, we keep it down there for a reason,” she emphasized. “If that’s all, I’ll be right back! You all take a moment and look over the menu if you need to, okay?”

With that, she was off to the kitchen.

“What the heck was that about?” Ignis replied. “Ah well, part of the fun I suppose.” He opened his mouth and blew a few small smoke rings into the air.

Vincent idly looked over at the menu and smirked at what he saw Ignis had ordered, but elected not to tell him. More fun that way, plus it’d be getting the pair of them back for earlier. He then looked back at the rest of the menu and sighed, before perking up at something he saw in the seafood menu. “Coconut...popcorn...shrimp? What in the world?”

“The hell is that?” Seth asked, looking at the item. “Do... do those ingredients even work together?”

Vincent cleared his throat before reciting. “Dipped in our special batter and rolled in shaved coconut, our popcorn shrimp is then deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served on a bed of spaghetti. A sensation that must be experienced to be believed.”

“Try it~” Seth dared him.

Vincent turned the thought over a few times before nodding. “Yeah, I think I will. Wouldn’t be on the menu if it wasn’t good.”

Wendi came out then with four glasses. She set the mug of cider with two straws in it down in front of Seth first, then the water went to Luke, and James and Vincent got their non-alcoholic ciders. “Do we need a few minutes still, or do you all know what you want to order?”

“I think we’re good,” Seth replied. “I’ll have the schnitzel with salad and Ignis wants the biggest cut of meat you provide.”

“Ah, the T-bone it is, then,” the gryphoness said with a nod. “There is a challenge on that one. Eat our largest cut of the day in three minutes or less, and your meal is free...only a dozen gryphons have managed it, though.”

“Challenge accepted!” Ignis roared with a flare of his wings. Wendi smirked as he did his little display.

“Had a feeling you’d say that,” she replied before looking at the more vegetarian-minded.

I will be having the Caesar salad with a light oil dressing, Luke said with a nod.

“And I’ll take your chef’s salad, with a nice creamy ranch dressing,” James said before folding up his menu.

“And I have been dared to try this ‘Coconut popcorn shrimp’,” Vincent finished, before snagging all the menus with a quick burst of power and floating them over to the waitress.

“Oh, thank you! And you’ve made an excellent choice, sir. One of my favorites. So if that’s all, then I’ll bring your food out in a little bit, along with your drink, sir. Our of curiosity, how did you want that steak cooked? Rare, medium, well-done?”

“Let the chef decide,” Ignis replied. “It won’t stay on the plate long enough to make a difference anyhow!”

“I can believe that,” Seth replied and looked at the waitress. “You sure you want to keep that free meal challenge?”

“It’s a tradition,” she said. “An old one, but one we adhere to. So chef decides on the temperature, then? Very well, but I’ll let you know right now, this one plays dirty.” With that, she vanished back into the kitchen.

“Raw or charcoal, it’ll be in my belly all the same,” Ignis chuckled. “Oh, but no onion, it doesn’t agree with me.” A warning to all, you do not want to be in the same city when Ignis had wind…

“So besides tracking down Christine and bringing her here, what’ve you been up to, Seth?” Vincent posed before taking a sip of his cider.

“Well, I joined the Equestrian Guard, and my Pokemon Contest is finally coming along,” Seth sipped at his cider. “I have to leave here by the 28th at the latest to get the final preparations done. Oh, and some guy named Sev of the PLA is Rika’s father...”

Vincent was not a practitioner of the spit-take. Instead of spewing his drink all over the person opposite him, which was James, he instead reacted by being startled, having his cheeks bulge, slightly choking, and then clearing his airway by gulping the cider down and coughing a few times.

All in all, a spit-take might have been easier.

“You mean to tell me mister madness incarnate is the father of that cute little Sylveon?!”

Elsewhere, Discord swore he felt his ears burning...

“Yup, I hate him, he hates me and we both love Rika... it’s a work in progress.” Seth shrugged. “But still, other smaller things happened. Selena fought a Crystal Onix, I got my inventory and Mega Stones back, oh and the strangest thing happened today.”

“You mean besides you turning up with a mutated Gabite? Do tell.” The Kadabra had learned and idly swirled his cider with a straw instead of drinking it before Seth said anything.

“Bit hugged me,” he replied.

“Considering all that you’ve given him, I’m not surprised,” Vincent said. “Seriously, one of the reasons he wants a computer or any hard drive again is so that he can perform regular self maintenance. To include mental check-ups.”

“I’m just glad I could help,” Seth replied.

“I totally want to fight Lucy once she gets the hang of Mega Evolving!” Ignis added. “That should be fun!”

Vincent blinked for a few seconds before shuddering and voicing his thoughts out loud. “Lucy...Mega-Evolving...in her current state…”

I believe there have been mountains that have suffered because of a pair of Lucarios doing such a thing, Luke commented while drinking his water. Emphasis on have been.

“Seth?” Ignis asked idly. “Can you Mega-Evolve Selena tonight? I’m curious about something.”

“Not. Gonna. Respond,” Seth muttered as he drained his cider and ordered another.

James merely blushed and said, “Oh my,” before taking a large gulp of his cider as well.

“Plus, you lot break anything in your room, you’re gonna end up paying for it,” Vincent said. “For you, the stay is free. Anything you break, I have to fix, and it isn’t cheap.”

“I won’t break anything,” Ignis huffed, “Unlike a certain fairy.”

“I cannot believe she did that,” Seth replied. “Or how the hell she and Christine became friends like that. I was about the only one she even talked to before coming here. Hell, I even got her to go outside with me when I went to visit the location for the Contest.”

“I’m gonna put it down to a combination of Luke and I doing excellent work, along with Rika finally wearing her down,” Vincent said, draining his glass.

It helps that she always was what she currently is...it was just buried beneath her anger and frustration. You got glimpses of it, Seth, but hopefully she’ll be more...amenable, more often, now. Luke drank a sip of his water during his statement as well.

“I hope so,” Seth replied. “I will miss her when we go home though, she was fun to be around when she wasn’t pissed off all the time.”

“I’d like to see her become a Garchomp,” Ignis said. “Now that will be interesting.”

“Or apocalyptic,” Seth added. And at that moment, their food arrived.

Placed in front of Vincent with a flourish was a plate of spaghetti, topped by puffed-up shrimp with what looked like whiskers jutting out of them at random angles. Luke and James got a large bowl of salad each, one topped with a creamy white sauce, the other shining thanks to the oil dressing. Ignis had a plate that seemed to take up a fifth of the table, and a T-bone steak sitting on it, barely, that seemed to be covered in herbs and traces of sauces, smelling heavenly to the dragon.

Seth’s meal was a large piece of pork, coated in breadcrumbs and roasted to be a delicious golden brown. The salad was crisp and fresh enough that Seth could think that they were just harvested. Wendi hadn’t come back alone, though. One gryphon was wearing the typical chef’s hat, and another seemed to be handling a bottle and a shotglass.

“So you are the one that thinks he can handle our challenge, eh?” the behatted gryphon asked, pointing a talon at Ignis.

“That’s right,” Ignis smiled. “You think you got the skills to beat the Great and Powerful Ignis Crescent?”

“We shall see,” the gryphon said before waving at the, frankly huge, cut before them. “This is a tradition dating back to when this was a butcher shop. The ponies were not fond of us and attempted to ‘raid’ our establishment many times. If a customer could eat their meal quickly and still get away from the incoming guard, then that customer did not need to pay that day. Over time it has morphed from that to this, as the ponies no longer hate or fear us. Let us see if you can stand up to our traditions, Ignis Crescent!” At this, the chef bowed before returning to the kitchen himself.

“Well then,” Ignis cracked his knuckles and looked at the steak. To be honest, the smell alone was almost enough to make him want to savour this meal, but his pride as a dragon was on the line here.

“Just to be clear,” Wendi said, “The challenge starts once you take your first bite, whether you use silverware or not. Meat entering the mouth is when the countdown starts. Also,” and here she waved at the other gryphon, who placed a shotglass on the table.

“Your drink, sir,” he said, before pouring out a tiny portion from the bottle he carried. The smell of nearly-pure alcohol hit everyone at the table, causing three noses to wrinkle up before Luke put a small barrier around them.

What...is in that?

“Oh, there’s never anything in minotaur brews,” Wendi said. After a pause, she continued. “Then again, minotaur brews are always 150 proof at least, so...are we good here, gentlemen?”

“And so I looked into the abyss...” Ignis said solemnly, before a wide grin appeared on his face. “And then kicked it’s freaking ass!”

“That... makes no sense,” Seth replied as Ignis lifted his steak and tore a huge chunk out of it, the sound of flesh tearing and bone crunching was enough to make any herbivore in the area shiver with uncertain fear.

But to Ignis...? He stopped as the taste of the meat hit his tongue and pure, unadulterated flavour exploded in his mouth. This was heaven, pure and simple. It took a solid thirty seconds before he snapped out of his dreamlike state and begun chewing.

“Thirty-two,” Wendi said with a smirk as she observed the proceedings. She leaned in to Seth and whispered in his ear, “Like I said, our chef fights dirty.”

Seth flinched, having not noticed the Gryphon and her sudden whisper caught him unawares. “Yeah... but so does Ignis.”

The dragon continued to eat, until a little less than a minute remained and more than a third of the steak remained. “Whew, this is a pretty good feed, I’ll give you that much. I could eat this thing forever!”

“Fifty-five remaining, sir. Sure you don’t want to forfeit now?” Wendi was more than a little cheeky at this point, sure that the restaurant was going to win.

“Quit?” Ignis asked oh so innocently as Seth just groaned and applied his paw to his face. Ignis chuckled lightly as he looked at the monster steak. “This is a fine meal and I give my highest regards to your chef, he has truly managed to impress me. But still...” he lifted the steak and opened his maw and with two massive bites, the steak ceased to exist.

“I never lose!”

Wendi blinked a few times as her worldview rebooted itself. “That...may just be a record,” she said softly.

Ignis smiled and lifted the shot glass to his lips, downing the drink in a celebratory shot...

Then the world stopped...

“Uh, Ignis?” Seth waved a paw. “You okay buddy?”

Ignis’s cheeks bulged and he suddenly belched very loudly! A large gout of azure flames erupted from his mouth, singing a few feathers off of Wendi’s head in the process.

“WHOO! Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Ignis cheered. Wendi reached up and felt the singed feathers before sighing.

“Note to self, include warning before serving alcohol to any dragon, and stand at least ten feet away when they take some,” she muttered.

“Ah, sorry about that Miss,” Ignis apologised. “My compliment though, that steak was quite delicious and this drink pack a little bit of a kick.”

“I... I don’t even...” Seth just shook his head. “I’m done.”

“Aw, don’t be done,” Vincent said, before chomping on one of his shrimp. “These are quite good, you should finish your meal before saying you’re done!”

Seth leant down and picked up a leaf of lettuce and begun to nibble on it, it was quite possibly the saddest, yet most adorable thing ever.

“Dude,” Ignis said, picking at his teeth with a claw. “You shouldn’t look so cute. It ain’t manly.”

Vincent swallowed his shrimp before looking over to Luke, who shook his head. Vincent then looked over at Ignis and smiled before shaking his head as well. “There are so many ways to make you eat those words. Be glad we’re being nice.”

Wendi quickly excused herself so that the others wouldn’t hear her highly unprofessional squeal at Seth’s display.

“I dunno Vinny, I’m still a little hungry.” Ignis smirked as Seth started on another leaf. “So entertain me, how exactly would I eat said words? With some seasoning? Or perhaps lightly toasted with a little butter?”

“Just because something looks cute, doesn’t mean said ‘mon can’t act manly,” Vincent said as he chomped on a shrimp. “For example, Snubbull eventually becomes Granbull. Cute to much more manly.”

“While Gardevoir and Florges can still be male,” Ignis replied. Seth finished his lettuce and stole a piece of shrimp while Vincent wasn’t looking, purring as he ate the delicious seafood.

Vincent swallowed his shrimp and fired up a comeback. “Get a sufficiently angry Clefairy or Clefable using Metronome, and a cute little puffball can suddenly be the thing that kicks your ass.”

Seth went for another shrimp, but a look from Luke changed his mind. “Well, I can do this,” he said, just as Wendi was coming back with an order of drinks. His eyes went wide as they sparkled and the most adorable little meow escaped his lips. Wendi nearly dropped their refills before she hastily composed herself and dished them out before taking a few minutes off to really recompose herself. Stupid sexy lion…

Vincent picked up the last shrimp on his plate and popped it into his mouth. “Fine. One word, then, just one. Rika. Tell me that girl is not as adorable and manly as all get-out.”

“First, that’s my girlfriend you’re talking about,” Seth replied. “But yes... you are also correct.”

“Cheater,” Ignis pouted.

“Told you,” Vincent said with a smirk as he chewed.

“Says the guy that uses restraints made for dragons on his,” Ignis said.

The training she has undergone would likely render anything less useless, Luke stated. Plus, in her current state of mind, she would only think twice about riding Vincent when he started passing out due to dehydration.

“And now we go right back into TMI Town,” Seth replied. “You are definitely one of Abby’s partners, no doubt about that.”

“Then you’ll learn not to ask one of these days,” Ignis replied as he downed another shot and blew a few rings of blue flames.

James eventually came back down from being red all over and complained out loud. “I’m not sure I want a girlfriend anymore, much less Jessie, if it’ll make me anything like you guys. I just know she’d slap me, repeatedly, if I talked like that around her.”

“She’s a Fire-type, so she’d prolly just Flamethrower you,” Ignis replied offhandedly.

“And this is also why we don’t talk like this around the girls,” Seth added.

“I’ll be sure to make a note of that for when Lucy’s out of her Heat,” Vincent commented, spearing some spaghetti with his fork.

“That would be wise,” Seth said as he finished off the rest of his food and downed his third cider. “Ooh, that’s nice~”

“...Ignis, something tells me letting Seth get as drunk as that was a bad call on our parts,” Vincent commented before munching his forkful of noodles.

“Those are alcoholic ciders?” Ignis replied as Seth poured another, his body sparking on occasion.

“Not that they would do anything for you,” James commented as he looked the scene over, “But yes, they are. Oh dear.”

Seth leaned over to James and took a deep sniff. “You smell pretty!” he giggled.

It might be wise to knock him out at this juncture, Luke mused. At that moment, Wendi returned with two slips of paper.

“The bill,” she stated, holding one out. Vincent grabbed a hold of it with his powers and gave it an idle glance, nodding at the numbers.

“And the second one?” the Kadadra asked. Wendi blushed a little before slipping the second piece of paper to in front of Seth.

“My address. Come look me up some time, big boy,” she said with a wink.

Seth swayed and chuckled as Wendi retreated. “....what?”

“Methinks our waitress has a thing for those of the feline persuasion,” Vincent said as he pulled the appropriate amount of Bits in to pay for their meal.

“I don’t believe this,” Ignis shook his head. “He doesn’t do anything and still gets the girl? Seriously!”

“The birdy was kinda cute~” Seth hiccuped. “I wonder what Fritter would be like as a Peg-pegga... um, hang on, I know it.”

James sighed. “I guess our plans for later are on hold, then, seeing as how we’ll be escorting him home before focusing on anything to do with me.”

Seth begun to spark again and Ignis’s eyes widened as he suddenly grabbed him and literally flew out of the door, before a bright flash and the tell tale crack of thunder caused the whole restaurant to shake.

“And on that note,” Vincent said as he put his fork down on his freshly-cleaned plate. “I think we’ll leave.”

“Indeed,” James agreed.

Agreed, Luke thought, and the remaining threesome walked out of The Chop Shop, walking in no particular direction, just waiting for an after-action report from a certain Charizard.

Said Charizard was sitting on the sidewalk, having taken the full brunt of the involuntary Thunder attack. While not enough to defeat him, the attack still stung like a bitch.

Seth on the other had was sitting in the middle of the road with a confused expression on his face.

“How... did I get outside?” he asked anyone.

“That depends on what you last remember,” Vincent answered.

“I remember Ignis finishing the steak, then some banter about things best not mentioned around foals... then I’m out here.” He looked at the Thunder-fried Ignis and then back to the others. “Okay, what happened?”

“Apparently, unless you specify that you want non-alcoholic cider, then alcoholic cider is what you get,” James answered. “And you had a few mugs worth.”

Ignis saw that you were losing control of your electricity and endeavored to move you to somewhere that would not suffer for your discharge, Luke tacked on.

“And now we know that alcohol and Luxrays shouldn’t mix,” Vincent finished.

“I made a total fool of myself didn’t I?” Seth muttered, then noticed something and tilted his head. “Why is our waitress staring at me from the window?”

“Unless you’re thinking of adding a third, I wouldn’t advise staring back,” Vincent said in a serious tone.

“A third?” Seth mulled over that... “Okay, seriously. What the hell did I do?”

She seems to be attracted to members of the feline persuasion. It probably didn’t help that you apparently used Baby-Doll Eyes while she was passing by, Luke mentioned.

“So I learn a new attack and it gets me another Equestrian admirer?” Seth just sighed as he got up. “Can we just go now please?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” James said, before pointing at Ignis. “Though...that’s going to slow us down…”

“Naw, I’m good,” Ignis said as he got to his feet, “My wings are numb though, so I won’t be flying anywhere tonight.”

“I will never drink again,” Seth muttered. “I can’t believe I acted so stupid, and I hurt someone because of it...”

“Aw, don’t be like that,” Vincent said, patting Seth on the back. “Once you get a bit more control over your new form, I’m sure you drinking won’t be such a bad idea.”

“You found my drunk behaviour, which no-one will still tell me what I did, to be very amusing didn’t you?” Seth replied tersely

“That’s an understatement,” Vincent said with a snicker. “Consider it payback for not telling Lucy and me exactly what we were doing in Canterlot before it got out of hand.”

Seth frowned, but he would give Vincent this one at least. “Okay, fine....” He got to his feet and gave the Gryphon girl a curious look. What was her deal anyway?

“So where do we go from here?”

“Depends on where you want to go. I can probably find it in no time,” Vincent replied, idly twirling his signature spoon. “Or if you’d rather just go back. S’up to you and flame-breath here.”

“Well, we still need something for Jim here to win over his catty girlfriend~” Seth chuckled. “What sorta things does she like James?”

“Well,” the Roserade mused, “she did have a preference to Poison-types, snakes in particular for some reason, but beyond that...she liked to maintain her appearance as much as possible. Calling her old or ugly was a quick way to get on her bad side.” James shuddered as he recalled many of the times Jessie had flown into a rage and taken it out on him or Meowth. “It probably has something to do with her history as a Coordinator,” he said afterwards.

“Okay, so maybe some jewelry that would compliment her new form,” Seth had a rough idea of what to go for now. “The problem is, will such a store still be open?”

“I can look,” Vincent said, raising one glowing arm. “Just say the word.”

“Go ahead, but try not to draw too much attention to yourself,” Seth replied.

Allow me to show you, son, Luke said, placing one hand lightly on Vincent’s shoulder. A near-invisible blue wave rippled out of Vincent’s form, and the Kadabra made a soft sound at what he was being shown.

“Ah, so that’s...that would have really, really helped to know a while ago,” Vincent said. “Then again, I wouldn’t have met nearly as many people if I had, so…”

“Silver lining?” Seth said.

“We can call it that, sure,” Vincent replied. “It...might take me a few tries to properly integrate this, dad. Plus I’ll have to do this until it’s a habit as well…”

I am willing to show you as many times as you need, the Gallade said with a soft smile.

“So, if I may ask?” Seth said quietly. “How did this whole father/son thing start? Because I am dead sure that you are not Doctor Nurem.”

“He was the first one to care about me,” Vincent replied softly. “The first one to actually act like a father towards me. It wasn’t until he came back from a trip up to Canterlot that I was certain what he was to me...because what Mewtwo had done to him filled me with such a rage…”

Calm yourself, Luke said sternly, turning his grip from light to normal, which got Vincent’s attention. The Kadabra took a few deep breaths and came down from his emotional state.

“Since then, we’ve called each other father and son, and let’s face it, he’s a darn sight better than my actual one, so I’ve no complaints,” Vincent said with a slight smile as the wave finished its sweep and impacted his form again.

“I see,” Seth smiled. “So Vince, what’s the verdict?”

“Apparently ponies aren’t completely unused to the idea of needing a late-night gift to woo your special someone,” Vincent said with a smirk. “Two shops open, one nearby that’s also Pokemon-friendly. Just a few blocks down.”

Ignis groaned as he got to his feet. “...Wait! You went up against Mewtwo!?”

“I was reprimanded quite a few times for doing so, but yes,” Vincent replied as he began to lead them to the jewelry shop he’d found. “I went up to the gates, demanded to see a certain ambassador, and we ended up tussling. Someone had to make him pay for breaking Luke as badly as he did, and Arceus sure as hell wasn’t doing it.”

Ignis nodded, “So you held your own against a Pokemon like that? Vincent, you do realise what that means right? What you have just told me?”

“He wasn’t really fighting back,” Vincent said. “He thought that he could stand against my unleashed power, and that his memories could outdo mine. Had he been actually fighting, well, I’m sure you would have heard about it.”

As would most of Equestria, Luke commented. I believe the last time Mewtwo ‘actually fought’...well, we know about that from Earth.

“You have proven yourself to be quite strong Vincent Nurem,” Ignis said, his tone was surprisingly serious. “And I have decided, that you will be the first human opponent that I will fight!”

“...He’s joking, right?” Vincent looked to Seth with a raised eyebrow. “I know all of a few moves, most of them ones I cobbled together. Luke’s been training me in proper combat while he’s here, but we’re nowhere near ready for an actual situation yet.”

“And once you are ready, you and I shall battle!” Ignis thumped him on the back, causing the Kadabra to stumble a little. “It will be glorious.”

“He’s never going to give up on this Vincent,” Seth replied, totally used to Ignis’s actions.

“I...have way too much on my plate right now to consider even giving you an estimate, Ignis,” Vincent muttered as he showed the party the jewelry shop he’d found. “There are quite a few things I have yet to do, much less even consider, before I can be judged ‘ready’ for a proper fight.”

Quite so, Luke said, a mischievous smirk on his lips. But since you know where he lives, I’m certain you could seek him out before he battles all the ‘normal’ Pokemon that catch his interest.

“Future battles aside,” Seth replied. “Let’s focus on helping James first hmm?”

“Oh no, please, by all means, continue the banter,” the Roserade said with a wave of his bouquet, trying to mask his own nervousness.

“Banter is done, shopping for a Pyroar is now go!” Seth cheered, pushing the protesting Roserade inside. The two of them were greeted by an Earth Pony mare, her mane done up in a bun as she worked behind the register. Almost two dozen glass cases filled with beautiful jewelry lined the walls of the store.

“Yes?” the shopkeeper asked with an arched eyebrow. “Can I help you?”

“Hello Ma’am,” Seth bowed his head politely. “We’re after a gift today, one to woo a rather fickle female. I don’t suppose you have something that would look good on a large cat? One almost the size of myself?”

“Hmm,” the mare said, eyeing the Luxray’s form a bit more intensely before nodding. “A few pieces do come to mind, but I feel the need to ask if she is exactly like you, or which one of you this present is going to be from.”

“Well, she’s around my height, maybe a little shorter.” Seth said as he described her. “She has tan-coloured fur and a long, red and orange mane. Also, it will be a gift from our rosy friend here.” Then he got an idea and pulled out his Pokedex. He scrolled down until he found a female Pyroar and showed the mare the image.

“Ah!” the mare said as she looked at it. “Hmm, yes, one piece does spring immediately to mind, for both her and him giving it. Allow me to fetch it.” With that, the mare vanished into the back room, where the sounds of her scrounging around became evident.

“...Okay, and now I’m very much more nervous,” James said, wiping off his forehead.

“As you should be,” Seth replied. “But if you want a happy ending for this, you must have courage!”

“Easy to talk about, far more difficult to find,” James said. “I mean, I don’t even know what I’m going to say to her!”

“That... might be more Ignis’s department,” Seth admitted. “He did help Vincent and Lucy, and who knows, if I know my little Rika like I do, then she’s probably trying to set Jessie up with you as we speak.”

Further banter was cut off as the shopkeeper returned with a box, which she flipped open to reveal what could only be called the necklace.

It was made of green copper, with a polished and cut Fire Stone set in the centre of it. two smaller rose quartz cut into heart shapes were set on either side of the Fire Stone.

“I think this would be perfect,” Seth said.

“I find myself agreeing with you on principle,” James said before looking back up to the mare. “But how about the pricetag?”

“It’s normally 2400 Bits,” the mare replied and then gave James a wink. “But I’ll settle for 2000, how’s that?”

“I…” James looked to Seth with a pleading expression.

“For the love of Celestia... fine, but you owe me Rose-boy!” Seth took out his remaining Bits, just enough to purchase the item. “You had better get this girl of yours.”

“I will try to get someone to take over the garden for me,” James said. “And then I will look for a paying job in the city,” he promised. “I will not let this debt go unpaid.”

The mare counted the bits quickly and nodded twice before closing the box back up and hoofing it over to Seth, seeing as how they were his bits. “Very good, sirs. Anything else?”

“That will be all,” Seth replied. “Thank you very much Ma’am.” He turned to James and handed him the necklace. “Showtime Jim!”

“Ah, thank you for your vote of confidence,” the Roserade said, gently taking the necklace and hiding it in one of his bouquets. “Let’s just hope Ignis hasn’t burned anything down by the time we get there.”

“I resent that!” Ignis said from outside. His hearing could be quite sharp at times. Seth chuckled and nodded his head.

“I just wonder what the girls are up to...?”

“Aw, c’mon Jess!” Rika pouted as the group sat in a circle. “You must like someone!”

The Pyroar pulled a sour face as she sipped the drink she’d been provided - it was just juice, but it was delicious juice all the same. “There was never time for romance in between all the things I did for my job,” Jessie stated, carefully avoiding specific details.

“Pft, seriously?” Rika scrunched up her face. “You’re telling me that the cute little human you worked alongside with for all those years... never once caught your attention?”

“With the way he bungled up everything we tried to do? He’s lucky I didn’t claw his face off without these beauties,” Jessie said, briefly displaying her claws before retracting them.

Jeanne drank her water with a smile before helping herself to some of the ice-cream Rika had ordered. Lala drank hers as well before commenting on the situation. “If there was a larger case of denial, I have yet to hear about it.”

Jessie sputtered a bit before Mage chipped her two cents in as well. “Don’t bother lying to us, especially not when I have this,” she pointed to her necklace. “I can tell how you actually feel, you know.”

“And wasn’t my escape that Meowth’s fault?” Rika asked innocently. “If I recall, he was too busy flirting with me to double check the locks on my cage.”

“He always did have an eye for a pretty...face…” Jessie’s face paled as she realized she’d basically confirmed it for Rika who she was and glanced over at the Sylveon with a small laugh. “Eheheh...hi? Please don’t tell them?”

“Don’t worry, if I held any malice... well, you honestly think you’d still be sitting there?” Rika smiled sweetly, kinda like a cat that was about a half-second away from eviscerating you. “You wouldn’t even be in this world if you were all that bad.” She leaned in close, her face the epitome of seriousness, in all its cute glory. “Now fess up, we all know you like him~”

“I will confirm nothing,” Jessie said, studiously looking away. “And for all I know, this could be part one of an elaborate revenge plot of yours. It’s certainly humiliating enough.”

“Okay, I’m lost. Rika, how do you two know each other?” Christine asked before eating a scoop of chocolate ice-cream.

“We met back in the human world,” Rika admitted the half truth. “We’re old pals, right Jess?”

“Of course,” Jessie said with a fake smile. “Though we never did write and only met the once…”

Mage chuckled as she touched her necklace. “Anxiety, clear as day. What aren’t either of you two telling us?”

“A past that will remain in the past,” Rika said to Mage. “Something I’m sure a most of you will understand.”

Selena coughed a little when she finally recognized Jessie’s voice. Oh, this should be a fun evening.

“I’ve got more than a little experience with those sorts of things,” Mage said with a nod. “So if you want it dropped, then I’ll drop it...still think we oughta know, though.”

“I as well,” Jeanne said before helping herself to her strawberry ice-cream. “But unlike her, I’ll let you reveal it at your own pace, Jessie.”

Lala’s eyes flashed as she slowly put the pieces together along with all the other clues, and nodded as well, keeping silent on the matter. Christine merely shrugged, fine with it for the time being, but she’d probably ask again later.

“Thank you,” Jessie said. “So, what were we talking about?” She hoped none of them remembered, this evening was awkward enough already.

“About you wanting to do a little ‘gardening’~” Rika giggled. “Y’know, take his flower?”

“I-!” Jessie’s face turned beet red at the implications Rika leveled against her. “So that’s how you win your battles,” she grumbled. “Lure them in with a cute face and then hit them with more experience than they expect you have.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about~” Rika sang.

“Seriously, she just does those things,” Christine said. “It falls to us that have been educated in all things dirty to interpret them...and she doesn’t understand why we keep having to take a minute to respond to her.”

“Though if earlier today is any indication,” Jeanne said with a wicked smile, “Then she’s just as much of a virgin as you are, Jessie dear.”

“So what if I am a pure maiden still?” Rika protested, folding her forelegs. “Christine hasn’t gotten any either!”

“...And how would you know that?” the dragon asked, honestly curious. It might be true, but she’d just like to hear the Sylveon’s reasoning.

“Woman’s instinct,” Rika replied as-a-matter-of-factly and then smirked. “And because you just admitted it.”

“Technically,” Lala pointed out before scooping up some vanilla, “She merely asked how you would know if she was a virgin or not. She said nothing one way or the other as to her status or whether you were right.”

“Mm...I got nothing,” Mage said as she floated her bowl of blueberry closer to herself.

“You’re not denying it,” Selena spoke up. “And as far as I can tell, Jeanne and I are the only ones here with any actual experience.”

“I’d love for someone to explain Vincent if I didn’t have any,” Jeanne joked lightly.

“Adopted?” Rika shrugged. “Aaannyway, we’re getting off topic here. We need to hook up Jessie and James, for... reasons.”

“And what, pray tell, are these reasons?” Jessie asked, desperate to delay this madness for as long as possible.

“Because it’ll be fun,” Rika answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And you two would be soooo cute together.”

“I dread the day any male shows any interest in me with you around,” Christine said while helping herself to another spoon of chocolate. “Knowing you, you’d all but force the poor guy to date me for weeks on end.”

Rika turned and gave her the saddest eyes possible, Baby Doll Eyes and Fake Tears.

“B-but... I thought we were meant to be!” Rika cried.

“I’ll just go and tell Seth you’re breaking it off with him, then,” Christine replied, making to get up and go.

“I can share!” Rika sobbed, “You can be my exotic mistress!”

“Tempting,” Christine replied. “But I might just make him mine instead. I mean, he does have something you lack, and you and Fritter can enjoy one another.”

“GAH! You don’t play fair!” Rika pouted, dropping the act. “Not cool Chrissie.”

“And that’s why you don’t get in those sorts of contests with me,” Christine said with a smile. “I mean, seriously, the way I got to Selena wasn’t a clue to you?”

“Whatever,” Rika huggled the dragon and smiled. “You’re still mine until someone else comes along!”

“Like I said, you are sorely lacking in a few pieces of equipment,” the dragon said. “But I think Seth appreciates you as-is, so it’s one or the other. Can’t have us both.”

Rika let Christine go and sighed, playing this game was no fun anymore. “Well, fine... I have Sethy and Fritter anyway!” she pouted as she snuggled up with the Earth Pony mare, who just smiled and rubbed her back.

“Now, ah believe we were all tryin’ to play matchmaker?” Fritter grinned and looked at Jessie.

“Shoot, I’m out of distractions,” she muttered before looking for a viable escape route.

Selena placed herself near the door, while Christine had the window covered, Rika was still blissfully enjoying her marefriend’s cuddle, while said mare just looked at Jessie.

“Now, ya’ll were sayin’?”

“I was saying that your little cuddle-bug there has the wrong idea. James and I aren’t partners in any sense, nor do we need to be,” Jessie retorted. Maybe she could sneak into the kitchen and jump out the window there?...

A tugging sensation on her leg told her that one of Rika’s ribbons had a firm grip. “If you really don’t like him, then just say so and we’ll drop it,” she said with breaking her hug. “But I don’t like it when someone lies to their heart...”

“I…” Jessie sighed. “I can’t say I’m not entirely fond of him. He is enjoyable to work with, despite our constant blunders. But we’ve never had a lot of time for romance before, so I don’t really know his feelings on the matter.”

“Good enough for me, the shipping is back on ladies!” Rika cheered. “New plan for tonight, we get these two together.”

“...why do I get the feeling I’m not getting out of this now?...”

“Because you’ve been around her for longer than five minutes?” Lala suggested to the irritated Pyroar. “At any rate, I am uncertain as to what help I could possibly be.”

“Um... expertise maybe?” Rika answered. “Sorry, I don’t really know much about you yet Miss Lala.”

Christine waved a claw in their general direction as she moved to resupply her bowl. “Look at the way she holds herself, studies everyone and everything, then compare it with flower-head. I drew the connecting line pretty quickly, Rika.”

“Checkmate!” Rika gasped. “I still recall my run in with Roll and Shredder...” That had not been fun.

“Indeed, I am a Bishop of their guild,” Lala said with a nod. “My expertise is speed. However, while I am here, I have decided to help keep this place safe. I, too, remain pure, and have no romantic interests, nor any education on the topic beyond the ‘facts of life’ my father gave me. My recommendation would be Sam for this venture, if you wanted a perverted viewpoint...were he not male and banned from our gathering.”

“I wonder what the boys are up to anyway?” RIka questioned. “And if Lulu’s doing alright.”

“Lucy’s fine,” Jeanne replied. “While I don’t know where the boys are going, I do know that Luke has a few pointers he’s shared with Vincent regarding the proper handling of an in-heat Lucario. One is to use Hypnosis to knock her out for a few hours if he intends to be gone.”

“...he’s teaching Vinny how to ‘handle’ Miss Lucy in heat?” Fritter blushed heavily. “Ah... ah don’t know how to respond that honestly.”

“It’s...probably best you don’t ask,” Mage said. “I know the answer, and I can tell you that you don’t want to know it.”

“An’ y’all are okay with that?” Fritter asked. “Is he part o’ yer herd or somethin’?”

“He has a past,” Jeanne answered. “One that left him rather experienced, but it’s also darker than most. That’s all the boys would tell me.”

“You’re not far off the mark,” Mage said with a nod. “And yeah, Luke’s mine.”

“Really?” Rika’s eyes sparkled. “You don’t often see the pairing of a Ghost and a Psychic. Still, you make an adorable couple~”

“Thank you,” Mage said with a slight bow, before turning her attention back to Jessie. “Now about the one we keep trying to make…”

“You are all really set on this, aren’t you?” the Pyroar deadpanned.

“I’m not,” Christine said, back with her ice cream. “Your life is your business. I’m not gonna help them...but I’m also not letting you leave until they’re done or have given up.” With that, the landshark situated herself in front of the door to the rest of the apartment building, shooing Selena back into the circle.

“Oh I’d imagine you’re next,” Selena chuckled to the dragon. “If Rika had her way, we’d all have relationships by the end of the week.”

“I do hope she knows better than to interfere in some of our lives,” Jeanne said pointedly, the flowers on her head suddenly a bit more menacing even with her smiling. Likewise, Lala’s claws never seemed so sharp before.

“But love is so special and everyone should experience it,” Rika sighed. She looked at Christine and recalled their earlier conversation. “But I guess I got carried away again, and I ruined the evening as well...”

“It’s perfectly alright to want people to experience love,” Jeanne said. “But sometimes, others don’t appreciate meddling. I learned that myself the hard way…” Her tone turned a bit sombre as she recalled what she had almost done, before she forced herself into perking up. “Still, unless Jessie stops us, I agree with your assessment, Rika.”

“I…” Jessie sighed before hanging her head. “I wouldn’t mind a relationship, no. And I do know James very well, yes. But going about this...doesn’t promise to be easy at all…”

“I have a good feeling,” Rika replied. Though to be honest, she was feeling a little deflated now. Even the hugs from Fritter didn’t feel as warm.

It took Christine coming over from the door and putting Rika back in her position as a hat before the Fairy felt like laughing again. “You can stay up there until you’re in a better mood, hat,” Christine commented, taking Rika’s place in the circle.

“Fine,” Rika pouted, though she was already feeling better. “So do we have a plan beyond just confessing?”

“Well seeing as how two-thirds of us are virgins and one-third of us haven’t have boyfriends, how about we hear from the ones with experience as to how they did these things?” Christine asked before looking at Mage.

“Pass,” she commented. “You really don’t want to hear it, believe me. It’d just drag us back down, I’m sure.”

“Well, all I did was pour my heart out to Sethy... and that got me a mare as well... still wondering how the heck that happened?” Rika said from her perch.

“Ah second that,” Fritter remarked. “Ah’m still surprised that you and Seth actually agreed to this arrangement... Seth seemed pretty reluctant about it.”

“It’s cause humans have this thing about polygamy,” Rika said. “But it’s common amongst Pokemon so I don’t really mind. You’re really sweet and cute Fritter and I like you a lot.”

Fritter just blushed as she played with a ponytail.

“I think I’m going to take a page out of Mage’s book,” Jeanne said before helping herself to some ice-cream as well. “I’d...rather not walk down that particular branch of Memory Lane just now.”

“Isn’t ice-cream supposed to make us happy?” Rika asked, as she helped herself to some creamy treats, dripping a small amount on Christine’s head.

“Not when you drop it on me,” the dragon groused, before turning her eyes to Selena. “Well, out with it. How’d you snag testosterone-for-brains?”

“Pinned him down and kissed him,” Selena replied as Rika licked the ice-cream from Chrissie’s scales. “Plain, simple and to the point. Ignis is not the master of subtlety.”

“Amen to that,” the dragon nodded slightly, mindful of Rika on her head. “So between us all, we’ve got no more advice for Jessie here than for her to tell James something along the lines of ‘would you like to go out sometime?’”

“Pretty much,” Rika shrugged. “Wow... we kinda suck.”

“At this point our only hope is for Vincent and the others to have picked up on things and given James a pep-talk,” Mage commented.

“What are the odds on that?” Rika asked, “Vincent and Seth aren’t exactly... cluey on that sort of thing.”

“I’m willing to bet that between the four of his accomplices, at least one of them will have clued in to James’ feelings,” Jeanne said before taking a sip of her water.

“So what do we do until then?” Fritter asked. “Makeovers?” Rika’s eyes shone with a dangerous glint as she laid eyes on the Pyroar.

“Heh, heh, heh....”

“Oh no you don’t!” Jessie said, backing up quickly. “I am just fine as I am! I do not need your help to look nice!”

“Oh, but I want to help you Jessie,” Rika purred. “You at least gotta look pretty~”

“I don’t need your help!” The Pyroar’s mane was dancing wildly in response to its owners’ panic. “I’M WARNING YOU-!”

Chapter Forty

Seth’s ears pricked up as he heard a muffled shout coming from one of the windows. “Hmm, that’s an ill omen,” he muttered. “We sure we want to go in there?”

“Unless you want me to drag Jessie out here,” Vincent said. “But that just screams romance.” The latter part of his reply was nearly dripping with sarcasm.

“Well then,” Seth grinned and opened the door. “Let’s get started already!”

The lack of a doormon was slightly unnerving, until Lala descended from upstairs, clearly shocked about something. Upon noticing the returning party of ‘mon, she nodded at them and took her seat, still not paying much attention to anything at all.

“Um, you okay there Miss Lala?” Seth asked a little unnerved about a member of Checkmate acting like that.

“Oh I’m fine. Just suffering a complete lack of any frame of reference for reality after your pink friend in there broke just about every one of them,” she idly commented while staring at a wall. “I don’t know what you trained her in, but it was very effective.”

“Yeah... I honestly don’t know where she learned that,” Seth admitted. “She made friends with somepony named Pinkie Pie... I think she taught her weird things...”

“Weird does not begin to describe what she did in there.” The Leavanny looked to Vincent and sighed. “If they’re staying any longer than a few days, then I need a raise.”

“Aheh...We can talk about that in the morning,” Vincent’s eyes quickly darted over to Seth, hoping the answer wasn’t ‘yes’ to the question of them staying too much longer.

“A day or so,” Seth replied. “We have a lot to do in Canterlot soon.”

“Perhaps we should see just what chaos little Rika has unleashed this time,” Ignis chuckled. “Plus I wanna tell them about Seth’s new girlfriend~”

“...My what!?”

“If it helps any, I promise to keep my mouth shut,” Vincent said, miming a zipper across his mouth.

I too shall not tell them, if that is your desire, Luke pitched in.

“Much more fun to watch chaos when you don’t have a hand in making it,” the Kadabra observed.

“I will Thunderbolt all of you,” Seth muttered as they ascended to stairs, finally getting to the room. Seth raised a paw and knocked on the door. “Anyone home?” he called out. “I’m here to deliver a group of sexy men!”

“Oh good, send ‘em in!” Christine replied from beyond the door. “Where’d you get them, the red-light district?”

“Nope, these boys are homegrown,” Seth chuckled. “Care to let us in ladies?”

“I dunno, girls. Should we?”

There was a muttering as the girls beyond the door convened as to whether or not the menfolk would be allowed in, before the door was grudgingly opened. Mage floated back to the main room afterwards, snickering as she did. Jeanne sat in the living room with a small smile on her face, and Christine and Selena blocked the door to the master bedroom. Of Jessie or Rika, there was no sign.

“I don’t like this,” Seth muttered. “Just what are you girls up to anyhow?”

“Rika wanted a few more minutes before she felt Jessie was ready,” Christine explained, not budging from the doorway.

“That... I think I know what’s going on here,” Seth smiled. “Alright, we can wait I suppose.” He walked over to Fritter and nuzzled her, “I missed you and Rika though.”

“Phew,” Fritter gasped. “Y’all smell like a brewery, didja go drinkin? Without me?”

“That wasn’t our intention at the start,” Vincent clarified. “Apparently if you don’t specify that you want your cider to be non-alcoholic, they give you the alcoholic version. Guess who slipped?”

“Seth, did you do something silly?” she smiled, nuzzling her Luxray.

“He hit on a Gryphon,” Ignis replied and winced as Fritter slugged Seth in the shoulder.

“Y’all did what!?” She exclaimed and then sighed and calmed down. Cider could do silly things to ponies. “Was she at least cute?”

“A little,” Seth replied.

“Well... that’s alright then.” Fritter nodded.

“To be fair, she started it,” James pointed out. “Even slipped him her address.”

“Not. Helping. James... wait, she did what?” Seth blinked. “And you all planned on telling me this when?”

“When the right time for comedy gold could occur,” Ignis answered. “Like now for instance. And again when Rika gets out here.”

“Or we could just let her find the card you slipped under your collar there,” Vincent commented. “Should make for a very fun moment.”

Seth sparked and then sighed. “I give up... Fritter, I need a hug~”

The mare obliged and embraced her Luxray again, making sure that the card in his collar was crushed under her hoof. Fortunately, at that particular moment, Rika decided to announce her latest work to the men.

The Pyroar looked quite stunning, her mane and coat had been brushed and shone in the light as a light amount of eyeshadow had also been applied. A small red ribbon was tied to the end of her tail and though it was simple, the effect was quite striking.

“I feel ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath so only Rika could hear.

“You look fine,” she whispered back. “And from the looks of it, James thinks so too~”

While the other men had silently appraised the Pyroar’s changed look, James had dropped his jaw and gone nearly slack at the sight of Jessie’s changed appearance for a second time. The first, of course, being when they’d awoken as Pokemon.

“I...thank you, girls. I think I can do this now.” Jessie walked up to James and waved a paw in front of his face to get his attention. It worked, snapping him out of his daze.

“James, I think we should talk.”

James nodded, then looked at the audience they’d acquired. “Perhaps somewhere more private, like the roof?”

Jessie smiled slightly and jerked her head to the front door before heading that way herself.

“And I believe that you have something to say to these two?” Ignis mentioned, pointing at Rika and Fritter.

“Yeah, I guess I do,” he replied... and then looked at everyone else. “I don’t suppose we could have a little privacy please?”

“Lucy will be waking up soon,” Vincent said with a sigh. “So I suppose I can go.”

And my angel and I shall leave you to your own devices, Luke said as Mage wrapped him in a light hug.

“I can wander off as well, dear,” Jeanne said, following in Vincent’s wake as he held the
door open for the rest.

“I have a den to make mine,” Christine tacked on as she pulled herself to her feet and stretched before heading out herself.

Once they left, Rika let out a little squeal. “Eeeee! I feel like a goddess of love~” she giggled.

Cresselia and Cadence twitched, sensing the emergence of a powerful new rival...

“We do seem to have a habit of doing this everytime we meet Vincent’s family,” Seth mentioned. “So should we try Sam? Or maybe Christine next time?” he chuckled as he snuggled down in between the two. “So I guess we have a few things to talk about huh?”

“Do we?” Fritter asked. “I thought we were just fine. Unless...?”

“You’re not breaking up with us are you!?” Rika cried.

“What? NO!?” Seth retorted. “Why the hell would you think that?”

“We need to talk?” Fritter replied, having been on the end of that line before. “Breaking up with somepony always starts with those lines.”

“I don’t want to break up with you, either of you,” Seth facepawed. “I was going to discuss why I hadn’t said that I loved either of you yet? Well, not properly anyway.”

Fritter and Rika both fell rather silent, as a fierce blush crept its way onto their cheeks. Seth blinked and realised what he’d said... and that he hadn’t meant to say it quite like that.

“Uh, yeah... so...” He groaned and sighed. “And I completely killed that moment...”

“I thought you did fine,” Fritter said. “An’ it doesn’t matter if you say it out loud or not. I know how you feel, and to be perfectly honest, I’ve know the two of you fer what? Two weeks?” She smiled softly as she leaned against Seth. “That aint enough time t’fall in love, unles y’all believe in that ‘love at first sight’ hooey.” Fritter shook her head and smiled warmly. “It takes time to get to know a pony... er, Pokemon in this case. And ya can’t be expected to say ‘I love you’ right away.”

Rika moved around so Fritter was in the middle now as both Pokemon snuggled their mare. Fritter sighed contently and continued. “So don’t worry yer head none. Ah’m plenty willing to wait until we can all say those words with pure honesty behind them.”

“I don’t have to wait,” Rika giggled. “I love Sethy and Fritt’s with all my heart. No doubts here!”

“We know you do,” Seth chuckled. “I want to be able to say it, I really do... but-”

“You need time,” Fritter finished his sentence. “And like ah said, we understand. Take yer time and we’ll be right here. Heck, we could make our little herd bigger iffn’ y’all want? Go get that cute little bird you were hittin’ on.”

“Uh... what?” Seth blinked. “Yeah, real funny Fritter.”

Fritter looked quite calm, while Rika moved in front of Seth, her eyes filled with either unbridled rage or furious vengeance. He couldn’t tell.

“Oh really?” Rika cooed, her sadistic tone made his fur stand on end. “And who might this ‘cute little bird’ be?”

“A Gryphon waitress he met at a bar,” Fritter said, simply adding fuel to the blaze. “Our Sethy here got drunk on cider and accidently hit on a waitress.”

“I... I don’t know if I’m supposed to be proud, impressed or mad.” Rika replied. “Can I be Proumadpressed?”

“And what made you think I was kidding?” Fritter asked. Seth looked at the confused Sylveon, over to the serious Earth Pony and then sighed.

“Yeah... I got nothing. Wanna snuggle?”

“Sounds good,” the two girls giggled. As they got comfortable, Rika got a most wonderful idea that caused her to giggle.

“We need to find Bitty a girl~”

“Or a guy,” Seth replied with his eyes closed. “He is genderless.”

Fritter just blinked, looking adorably confused. Genderless? What? Pokemon were confusing as all hay sometimes.

“Whatever,” Seth shrugged as he snuggled closer. “All I want is right here, as long as you two are by my side, Arceus could bring the apocalypse for all I care.”

“I think once in a lifetime is enough,” Rika giggled as she lay her head on Fritter’s shoulder.

“Agreed,” Seth said, laying his head on her other shoulder. Fritter giggled and petted the both of them.

“Whut am I? Yer personal pillow?” she asked, earning a smile from her Pokemon.

“Yep, nice and comfy~’ Rika giggled.

“And you smell nice,” Seth purred, nuzzling her mane and humming. Fritter blushed, but made no comment to argue.

“We should take some alone time once we get back to Canterlot,” Seth said quietly as they lay there. “Just the three of us. Maybe get a hotel room for the night. Enjoy a little sightseeing in our home city.”

“That...sounds nice actually,” Fritter nodded. “Ah reckon ah’d have to sort mah farm first. Nut a nice little vacation sounds wonderful. No fighting, no dealing with crazy...jus’ the three of us.”

“Agreed,” Rika said. “We still have a lot to work out in this relationship. So some personal time would be awesome.”

“So that’s a plan,” Seth nodded. “We go home, sort out our work. Have the Contest then it’s vacation time!”

The two females nodded and they shared a kiss, the first of many for the evening.

The next morning, the sun was only barely peeking over the horizon by the time Seth was leaving the apartment. He was sorely tempted to stay in bed with Rika and Fritter... but then Ace would probably be pretty pissed. So after a kiss goodbye, he left the sleeping girls to their dreams and headed out.

It was a short run to the Guard Station, but the earlier Seth got there the better. Captain Ace struck him as the type to not like being kept waiting. It was about a quarter to six by the time he arrived, and the stoic mare was already waiting.

“I hope...I’m on time,” he panted lightly as he ran up to her.

“Just about,” Ace said with a nod. “Come on, we have a city to patrol.” She gave him a look over. “How was your first night here?”

“It was...interesting,” Seth mused, reflecting on the night's proceedings. “Then again, when the Nurem family is involved, they usually are.”

“Interesting, yeah, I’d use that word,” she agreed. “Or explosive.”

“Plus, I seem to get someone romantically involved with another... once is an accident, twice is a coincidence...if it happens again...” Seth sighed. “So, aside from my wonderful hangover, how are you Captain?”

“Could be worse,” she replied as they started out of the main station and down the street. “My husband bought a bottle of wine and we split it. Other than that, not much happened that you need to hear about.”

The Luxray nodded, keep it professional then. “Well then, Seth Alexi Crescent reporting for duty Ma’am!” he gave her a salute.

She smiled. “Welcome aboard Crescent, this is going to be a fairly safe trip I think but if we run into trouble use some of your electricity to stun. No killing, period,” she instructed him.

“I would never!” Seth said with a small amount of shock. “I have received a little training from Abby and Sensei Kasai Trombley. So I may not even use my lightning at all.”

“Good,” Ace said, giving him a nod. “Now, tell me Cresent, what do you know about being an officer of the law here in Equestria?”

“Well, I understand that almost all of your laws are similar, if not identical to the ones we had on Earth. Things like theft, murder, assault etc. I’m still learning magic-based ones though, like dark magic and something called necromancy? I think?”

“Ah, Necromancy,” Ace said with a dark frown. “It has to do with the reanimating of the dead or the binding of souls to bodies. Foul stuff and not at all the sort of magic you want to fight without a dozen flame wielding unicorns.”

“I have a fire-breathing dragon,” Seth nodded. “So I think I have it covered for that.” He paused as he thought some more. “What I’d like to learn is how you deal with lawbreakers. Methods of arrest, what level of force is deemed necessary, etcetera.”

“Well, in my book, the best way to do it is to ensure that you only use the amount of force that’s needed. For example, if someone has a knife, disarm them and cuff them. If someone has access to magic, knock them unconscious or disable the horn. If it’s something non-violent keep a cool head and talk them down,” Ace explained as they continued walking through the city. “Sometimes even if it does get violent try and talk them down, especially if they’re obviously drunk or otherwise not in control of their senses.”

“Or brainwash a variety of Pokemon and using them as living weapons,” Seth muttered, before shaking his head and giving Ace a wry smile. “Well, so even the methods of arrest are similar. I think I should be able to get the hang of this pretty easily. Just gotta watch my own strength around ponies.”

“Yes, and you have to remember that ponies are a bit more creative with their powers than you’d expect,” Ace replied and suddenly Seth was walking up a set of invisible stairs, each one vanishing once he stepped off. “We’re rather innovative so don’t underestimate a criminal unicorn because he or she looks meek.”

“Trust me, I won’t make that mistake again,” Seth nodded. “So I assume a weak point for a Pegasus is their wings, and the legs or eyes on an Earth Pony?”

“That would be right,” Ace said with a nod of her head as she lowered the stairs for him to walk back to the ground seamlessly. “And Crescent, remember that not every unicorn is a battle trained Mage who graduated from Canterlot Academy. A lot of spell work is fast, dirty, and improvised so you always have to have your eyes open.”

“No worries there,” he smiled. “X-ray vision. I can see even if my eyes are closed.” Okay, that was a terrible joke. He thought it was funny though.

“Oh, good, we can give you to the mayor as a door guard to check for weapons,” Ace said, a note of snark leaking into her voice.

“Cute,” Seth deadpanned, before blinking. “Ah, no disrespect Ma’am.” Yeah, don’t dis a superior officer. Which he just did...good job.

“None taken, this time,” she said, her voice like solid steel. “So, what else would you like to know Crescent?”

“Well, I think that about covers it for now.” Seth replied, swallowing the lump in his throat. For a little pony, she was pretty intimidating. “I think some hands-on experience would be best. I learn fast, so no need to hold back on my account.”

“Good, I don’t have room for desk jockeys,” Ace said with a small smile. “I do enough of that all by myself.” She picked up the pace and they started off at a light pony trot. “We’re going to see if we can’t find any muggers out looking for easy prey so keep your eyes peeled.”

Seth nodded as he fell into step next to her, only a little slower due to his much longer strides. His eyes flickered gold occasionally, scanning any clothed ponies for concealed weapons or anything that seemed suspicious. His ear gave a flick, and he turned his head towards one alleyway. Was that...? His pace quickened and he entered the alley to see a bulky Pegasus pressing a petite mare against one wall, a small blade in his wing.

“Now be a sweetheart and hand over that pretty necklace of yers,” he leered at her. Seth paused, wondering what to do. If he made a sudden move, that mare could get hurt. Ace frowned, following his line of sight.

“I’ll take the knife,” she whispered to him as she began to subtly walk closer towards the alleyway. “The second it’s out of his feathers, take him down without harming the mare.”

Seth gave a small nod. He had an idea, and hoped that it would work. “Ready,” he whispered.

Ace nodded and Seth saw the slightest tinge of her magic touch the knife before it was jerked out of the feathers of the pegasus.

“Huh?” the pegasus said in surprise.

Seth then jumped forward, one massive paw slamming the Pegasus away from the mare and holding him against the wall in a turnabout play. His body sparked and the Stallion gave a slight twitch before crumpling over.

“Huh? I actually managed to use Thunder Wave correctly,” Seth mused. “Cool.”

“Ahhh!” the mare shouted in absolute surprise at the giant electric lion flattening her attacker out of nowhere.

“Relax Ma’am, Las Pegasus Guard,” Ace said with a smile as she walked forwards, a note-pad out. “I’m just going to ask you a few questions...”

Once the patrol had ended, the sun was already beginning to set. In the end, the duo had stopped another two muggings and a casino robbery, which Seth halted with intimidation alone. One lost the will to run when faced with a giant black lion shooting electricity.

“And that’s the first quarter of what you need to know to be an officer in the Las Pegasus Guard,” Ace said as they walked into her office. “Now we’re going to start the next quarter. Learning the paperwork system.” She had a particularly evil smile on her lips. “Oh, and no cheating by using Bit to do it for you.”

“Dang,” Seth snorted. That actually hadn’t occurred to him but it had already been shot down. “Oh, I’ve also given some thought to whether this city could use a Pokemon division of it’s own. And should you request one, I’ll-”

“Yes please,” Ace said, cutting him off. “My husband and I have already been looking into it but if you can get some official funding and some Pokemon who are actually trained for the work then it would be much appreciated.”

“Then I’ll let the Princess know it should be considered top priority. We can look for valid candidates in Canterlot, but you could ask around here as well. Who knows, it may even give some of the Nurems something to focus on.”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” she said with a slim smile. “I’m currently employing a Tyranitar and an Agaron who used to be ‘wild’. I think I’d trust them to be less destructive than the Nurems. I’d say no offense but they know it’s true.”

Elsewhere, a Kadabra finally felt his ears only burning, but no actual smoke came from them. Success!

Seth chuckled, so the mare did have a sense of humor. “Well, thank you for the informative day Captain Ace. I have learned a great deal and I will be sure to put it to good use.”

“Good, try and add some order to the Canterlot Guard, last I heard they were crumbling,” Ace told him before a small smirk of a smile crossed her face. “Something about a batpony mare going around offering herself to everyone, or something.”

“Huh? First I’ve heard of it,” Seth shrugged. Maybe that’d be something to ask Grissom about. “And I’ll try. I have Ex-Captain Ironside working for me now. He still has a lot of pull despite that incident. So my job should be a little easier.”

“Great.” She gave him a nod. “Dismissed Crescent, go fill out the paperwork.”

“Yes Ma’am...” He said in a dead tone as he trudged off into the office. This day just went from fun to flat out boring...

About an hour or so after Seth had left, Rika finally awoke to the scent of pancakes... apple pancakes.

“Mmmm~” she all but floated out of the room and into the dining room to see Fritter hard at work over the stovetop, preparing a breakfast feast. Fruit, vegetables, waffles, pancakes, coffee and tea were spread out on the table.

“Wow Apples,” Rika whistled as she gave her marefriend a deep kiss. “I appreciate the effort, but can the two of us eat all this? That is a buttload of food.”

“Heh, t’aint just fer us,” Fritter smiled. “Ah figured we could get the others in here as well. Have a big ol’ Apple Family style breakfast!”

“That is just so sweet,” Rika hummed. She placed an ear against Selena and Ignis’s room, and the sound of a snoring dragon was heard pretty well. “Heh, I guess they won’t be up for a bit.” She looked back to Fritter, “Should I ask the others?”

“Honestly, ah half expect Vincent to already know, with his fancy powers n’all...” Fritter said as she flipped the pancakes. “But if you wanna go and get ‘em, be mah guest Rika.”

Rika nodded, but going to every apartment would be such a hassle. Oh! She had a great idea. She ran to the door and out into the hallway. After taking in a deep breath, she activated her Hyper Voice.

“SOUP’S ON EVERYBODY!!” The walls rattled with the force of the call and several dogs a few blocks away began to howl. That paled in comparison to the reaction the others had, though.

A few startled psychic ‘voices’ made themselves known with simple exclamations, and the other members of Vincent’s little family had their own, muffled responses. Christine, though…

From the doorway to her room, a lance of fire rushed out and hit the opposite wall. It would appear she still had a few startle reflexes that weren’t ‘turn invisible’.

“Nice to see you’re as hot as always,” Rika giggled. “Come and get some breakfast!”

“Once you help me put this out!” the dragon said, pointing at the on-fire wall. The end result was quite simple. The two girls simply ran around like Farfetch’d with their heads cut off until Fritter emerged with a fire extinguisher.

“Really?” she replied as she put out the blaze.

“Fritter saves the day!” Rika cheered.

“Hey, when I get woken up by loud noises, it has never meant anything good in the past,” the dragon defended herself. “Plus I don’t have any moves to put out a fire I’ve started.”

Fritter stared at the destroyed wall. “Whelp, Vinny’s gonna be mad... again.” She sighed as she went back inside to finish cooking. “Two walls in two days, y’all trying to set a record or something?”

“So far it’s one apiece,” Rika giggled as she huggled her dragon friend. “But I win cause I’m cute~”

I’m actually not mad, Vincent’s voice rang out. Exasperated, sure. But I understand how this happened. Plus it gives me a chance to replace that wall with something fireproof, like ceramic...especially if this is going to be a regular thing.

“See?” Rika said to Christine. “You have friends that understand you.”

The dragon sighed, but smiled as well. “It’s Vincent. He understands us all, really. Kinda the selling point back on Earth…”

“As long as he came with a gift receipt,” Rika giggled. “Or at least an extended warranty.”

“Just go and get Ignis and Selena,” Fritter sighed as she put on another batch of pancakes. The Fairy saluted and barged into the couple’s room, soon earning a shout and muffled curses.

“And to think this is before I give her sugar,” Fritter smiled.

Vincent and Luke walked out of their shared apartment, closely followed by Mage carrying Jeanne, along with Sam. “We heard something about breakfast?” Sam asked. After Fritter let them inside, the group laid eyes on the veritable feast that lay before them.

This looks quite good, Luke commented. Vincent nodded, too afraid to open his mouth at the moment, for fear of getting the floor soaked with his drool. Jeanne sniffed a few times and sighed before turning to Fritter. “You and I must exchange recipes, dear. Perhaps even ingredients, seeing as we have some saved Berries.”

“We have our own Berry garden at home,” Fritter explained. “Titania and Miss Umbra is currently looking after it while we’re on this trip. But ah’m more than happy to exchange recipes with you Miss Jeanne.” She motioned at the table and smiled. “Well, dig in everypony, there’s plenty there. Ah got coffee, tea an’ juice here as well.”

Vincent helped himself to a cup of coffee and finally managed to work his mouth properly. “This is quite the spread...you didn’t have to do this, you know.”

“But ah wanted to,” Fritter said. “And y’all ain’t eaten till you’ve had an Apple Family Feast!”

“Willing to believe th-” The rest of Sam’s sentence got cut off as he put a forkful of pancake in his mouth and moaned. Turning to Jeanne, he said around his mouthful, “Sorry, got a new favorite food.”

Luke sat down as well, helping himself to a small amount of the breakfast food. Surely it cannot be that- Once the pancake was eaten, though, the adult psychic changed his tune. ...Abby could learn a thing or three from you…

Mage was then intrigued and ate a bite before joining her boyfriend in praising the mare. Jeanne quirked an eyebrow and looked at the Earth Pony with half a look of suspicion, the other half curiosity. “What...did you put in these pancakes to make them like them so much?”

“A little Apple Family secret,” Fritter winked. “So unless you wanna join the family, then ah’m afraid ah can’t tell y’all that. But I’ll be more than happy to make as many as you want.”

Ignis and Selena finally emerged, the former carrying the latter bridal-style. But when Selena saw that everyone else was here, she shrieked and ran back into the bedroom, blushing like mad.

“Well,” Ignis chuckled. “Morning everyone.”

Everyone else responded, mostly through mouths full of the delicious food. Vincent nodded at the dragon, too busy eyeing his pancake warily after its effects on the others. Christine had utterly destroyed her plateful, to almost include the plate, once she had some.

“I feel like I should be worried,” the Kadabra said.

“You’d better eat it before someone else does,” Rika said as she hopped into the room, her paws tied up with her own ribbons.

Ignis sat down next to the table and piled some food onto his place. “Ah, I’m starving!”

Vincent took the smallest portion of pancake that could still reasonably be called ‘a piece’ and ate it slowly. After a minute or two, he swallowed his food, looking at nothing in particular as the taste washed over him.

Fritter watched him curiously. She was wondering just what was going through his large head at the moment. While she wouldn’t mind if he disliked her food, everypony had their own tastes after all, he was being oddly quiet.

“If you don’t like it, ah could try and make something you do,” she offered after a moment. The words seemed to snap Vincent out of his trance...and he nearly stuffed the rest of the pancake in his mouth.

MINE! Was all he offered in response.

“Uh... alright then?” Fritter replied, not expecting that reaction. Not that she wasn’t glad though. “Ah guess ah should make some more then.”

Selena emerged a few moments later, her face was still red and she refused to make eye contact with anyone. She gave a quiet ‘good morning’ to anyone within earshot as she sat next to Ignis, hiding under one of his wings.

I was actually about to ask you that. Think you could make up a plate for Lucy as well? I’ll take them to her afterwards. The Kadabra swallowed his mouthful with a little bit of work before continuing. “Be a shame to miss this cooking.”

“Ah was already doing that Vince,” Fritter smiled as she filled a container with an assortment of the food. She also had a bottle filled with a juice made from Berries that Seth said could boost energy and stamina. “Here you go, one breakfast, fit for a Princess.”

“Much appreciated,” Vincent said, floating both container and bottle over. Taking a more sane and reasonable bite of the next bit of food on his plate, the Kadabra tilted his head to the side as he regarded the bottle. And this?

“A juice fer Pokemon,” Fritter said. “Seth showed me how to make it a few days ago. He isn’t a morning ‘mon, so he showed me this to help him get going.”

Sam chuckled lewdly as he took in the situation. “Oh, Vincent, I think I know why she made that for you,” the Scizor said. “She thinks you need a little help keeping up with Lucy.”

Fritter dropped her spatula as she glared at the Scizor. “A-a-ah said no such thang!” she stammered, her southern drawl much more prominent. “That there drink was fer Lucy, not...” she petered out and turned back to her stovetop silently, wondering if she should put chilli powder in Sam’s pancakes.

“At least he’s getting some,” Selena commented as she ate. “You just get Cut.”

“The process of wooing a member of Checkmate is apparently full of pain,” Sam said as he sipped some of his juice. “But what can I say? I set my sights high and never give up when I find something worth fighting for.”

“Much like all of us,” Jeanne said after finishing her latest bite. “I’m glad you all got that at least.”

The rest of the Nurem family nodded at Jeanne’s sentiment, as she considered more than just Vincent her ‘son;’ since he considered the others his family, so would she.

“A nice sentiment,” Ignis nodded as he ninja’d one of Sam’s pancakes.

Rika sat on a chair, then to her bound paws. “How am I supposed to eat?” she asked.

“Should’ve thought about that before you woke me with that Arceus-awful racket,” Selena muttered.

“Family,” Fritter sighed as she sat down to the table herself. Vincent raised a glowing blue hand, carefully teasing the knots that Rika had been bound with undone. They were tied with her own ribbons, after all.

“A word to the wise. More than just us survivors dislike being startled, Rika.” Vincent warned, before looking at his clean plate and smiling. “Well...with this, I must be off to feed and take care of Lucy...before ‘taking care’ of Lucy.” The Kadabra vanished in a flash of blue light.

“An’ with that mental image, mah hunger teleports outta here as well,” Fritter mumbled, but took a bite of her toast regardless.

“D’you think he’s on to us?” Sam questioned.

It would be foolish to assume he wasn’t, Luke replied.

“Just what have you two started?” Selena sighed.

“Something that was fun until just now,” Jeanne responded. “What with Vincent entering the fray, it’s all the more important that all parties are properly armed and fortified...and only a few of us can claim that.”

“Sucks to be you then,” Selena shrugged. “Though I bet Lucy’s doing a lot more sucking right now.”

With the gag in her mouth, she actually-

Sam shook his head at the Gallade. “They did not need to know that,” the Scizor cut Luke off. “Hell, I did not need to know the particulars.”

“You know that there are innocent ladies present right?” Rika replied as she finally ate her breakfast with some sense of refinement. She would definitely have to remember her ribbons could be used like that though~

“You? Innocent?” Christine snorted a few times. “Let’s have Vincent have a look at your head and answer that question once and for all. Probably the only thing innocent about you besides your looks is your ‘purity.’”

“What make you say that Christine?” Fritter asked.

“The things she says, the way she acts,” the dragon ticked off on her claws. “I mean, now that I look over the past week a bit more, I’m willing to bet that she knows exactly the effect she has on others. She just chooses to be innocent most of the time.”

“Effect on others?” Rika blinked. “I have no idea what you mean Chrissy.” The Sylveon smiled sweetly as she lapped at her milk, the creamy substance dripping down her chin.

“Yeah, buying that when hell freezes over,” Christine said, looking away after a moment.

“I’ll go and round up some ice-types then,” Rika grinned, licking her lips.

“Rika...” Selena warned

“What?” the fairy replied.

“Ah have no idea what’s going on,” Fritter replied as she drank her tea. “And something tell me ah don’t want to know either.” It still didn’t stop the small blush from gracing the mare’s cheek over Rika’s antics.

“There’s more to Rika than meets the eye, apparently,” Jeanne commented before cleaning her place completely.

“And that’s what makes her so dangerous,” Selena muttered, still taking refuge under Ignis’ wing.

“Best of luck Fritter,” Ignis nodded. “You’re gonna need it.”

“I have the distinct feeling I am being picked on,” Rika pouted.

“Probably shouldn’t make it so easy for the rest of us,” Sam said as he stacked his and Jeanne’s plates together. “C’mon, I’ll carry you back up before I go.”

“Thank you, dear,” Jeanne replied before being carried off by the Scizor.

“So what are we gonna do today?” Rika asked as she finished up her food. “Sethy’s gonna be out all day...”

“I don’t know,” Fritter replied as she filled the sink and started the dishes. “I don’t have any plans.”

“We’re just gonna take it easy for a while,” Selena said. “I’m kinda done with excitement, drama and whatnot for a while.”

“I have to go through my room still. I think there’s a closet I have yet to tackle,” Christine said, placing her dishes near the sink and nodding at the mare. “Thank you for the breakfast.”

“It was no trouble,” Fritter replied, hooves deep in water as Rika moved the help the mare. “Ah’m glad y’all enjoyed it.”

Enjoy is an understatement, Luke thought as he floated his and Mage’s plates over. Many could learn from you.

“Yeah, that’s one of the better meals I ever had,” the ghost chipped in.

“Thank ya kindly,” Apple Fritter blushed from the praise. “But my cookin’ t’aint nuthin compared to Granny Smith or my Momma,” her embarrassment caused her accent to increase again, though she didn’t seem aware.

Believe what you wish, Luke thought as he stood. But I tell you now that yours is the best cooking I’ve had in two worlds.

“And he doesn’t say things just to say them,” Mage tacked on before the both of them made their egress.

The mare just hid into her mane and nodded.

“Ah! Cute Fritter is cuuuuute~” Rika giggled as she hugged the mare.

“You two lovebirds enjoy yourselves, but not too much,” Christine commented before she left. “We’ve already got Vincent and Lucy upstairs. If I have to leave in order to get some fresh air and peace of mind, I’m blaming all of you.”

“Amen to that,” Selena muttered as she followed Ignis towards their room. “Good night all.”

“Really now,” Fritter sighed as she continued to wash. “Just what kinda mare do y’all take me for?”

“It’s not YOU I have doubts about!” the dragon shouted before she was fully upstairs.

I suppose she has a point,” Rika replied. “But I am a pure maiden that has the upmost respect for her beloved ones.”

“Laying on a little thick ain’t ya?” Fritter giggled.

Rika looked around the empty room. “Well now what?”

“I have some food saved for Bit, Lala and the rest,” Fritter said, patting the large container. “Let’s head down to the front desk, see if anypony’s there.”

“Alrighty,” Rika sighed. There goes her plans for a day inside... doing things. Apple-related things. She instead placed the last of the dried dishes away and followed her mare downstairs.

“Hello?” Fritter called as she got to the ground floor. “Anypony home?”

From beyond the sole door on the ground floor, a familiar Levanny walked out with a book in one of her claws. “Ah, miss Fritter, hello,” Lala greeted with a nod.

“Mornin’ Lady Lala,” Fritter smiled. “Ah made some breakfast for everypony today, thought you and Bitty could use some as well.” She placed the large container on Lala’s desk, the warm food gave off an enticing scent.

“That...was unexpected, but it is not unappreciated,” the doormon said, a slight smile on her lips. “Thank you. Bit is currently downstairs, but I doubt you will meet with success should you try to get him to eat.”

“We’ll see,” Rika giggled. “Fritter’s food is irresistible, much like it’s chef!”

“Are you trying t’kill me with embarrassment today?” Fritter waved a hoof and realised that she hadn’t tied her mane up yet. Ah well…

“No, then I wouldn’t have a cute marefriend,” Rika replied. “Still, Bitty’s already hard at work this early?”

“You forget what he is,” Lala replied as she opened the container a bit more and inhaling the scent. “Mmm...I may require a plate...and silverware.”

“Ah shoot, ah knew ah forgot something,” Fritter muttered. “One sec, ah’ll be right back!” She yelled as she galloped up the stairs.

Rika on the other hand, headed down, curious as to what Bit was up to. By the time she reached the basement, she could hear sounds coming from within.

“Knock, knock!” she called, remembering the advice of not entering his lab without permission. “You home Bitty?”

“One moment,” Bit called back. “Currently performing an arc welding technique to fuse two components together. Will be done in approximately fifteen seconds.”

“Kay,” Rika rocked on her paws, humming a cute little tune. Meanwhile, Fritter had returned with plates and whatnot for Lala and then brought some down to Bit.

“Is he here?” she asked Rika.

“Doing sciency stuff,” she explained. “I think he should be done soon.”

“Welding finished, biological units may enter, but refrain from touching anything, please,” Bit’s voice called out again.

The walked inside and both girls gasped at what had been done. Rika took a moment to look around in quiet awe.

“Wow Bitty, just what have you been doing?”

“Working,” he said, hovering over his mostly-finished computer. “Thanks to the Xtranciever, I know where I went wrong and corrected my mistakes. All that remains is to attempt to turn this on and see if I can interface with it.” True, it looked a little...rough around the edges, but he was concerned more with function than form.

“You did all this in one night?” Fritter forgot about the food as she looked at the alien contraption. “This is pretty impressive. Even though ah have no idea what it is!”

“A computer,” Rika answered. “I think?”

“Most of one,” Bit said with a nod. “There is not yet anything resembling our Internet of home, so that function and all that depends on it are not installed or built. I will attempt to remedy this problem by utilizing the local phenomena known as ‘magic’...once I understand it.”

“MagiNet huh?” Rika asked. “Hee, I like the sound of that.”

Fritter was once again adorably confused. What the heck was an ‘Internet’? She knew computers were used in those arcade game-thingamajigs, but that was about it.

“Well uh, I have breakfast?” she offered.

“You brought Seth down to charge the generator?” Bit questioned.

“No, ah have pancakes and…” then she realised that Bit didn’t even have a mouth. “Well... horseapples. Maybe ah should’ve asked first.”

“To be honest, I’ve never really met a Porygon before Bit, so I had no idea,” Rika said.

“This unit consumes electricity to continue its functions,” Bit explained. “Though I have been asked to not siphon any from the city anymore to the point where street lights explode.”

“Well, ah guess Sethy could cook something up later?” Rika giggled.

“Ah guess so,” Fritter agreed. “Ah hope Jessie, James and their friends are hungry.”

“It is likely,” Bit said. “Commencing test.”

The screen for the computer he’d assembled came on and flashed a few times…

...Before smoke started to come out of the back.

“Is it supposed to do that?” Fritter asked, backing away slowly.

“...No, I don’t believe it is,” Rika replied. Fritter then decided a mad dash to the fire extinguisher was necessary. However, before she got there, Bit turned, saw the problem, and sighed.

“Ice Beam,” He stated, and a lance of pure cold and ice erupted from his beak, putting the computer project under a fine sheen. The screen went black as the whole thing died.

“Well, that... could have gone better,” Rika pointed out. She noticed the dejected look on Bit’s face and offered a hug. “It’ll be okay Bitty, you’ll get this solved in no time. I bet on it.”

“She’s right,” Fritter added. “You built this in one night, ah can’t imagine what you’d have done in a week, or a month?”

“I will have to revisit several components,” Bit said, before smiling softly. “Though with actual computers to work with, it won’t be hard. Thank you.” He then pointed at the still-warm food nearby with one arm. “I believe you had somewhere to take that?”

“Right,” Fritter nodded. “Good luck Bit.”

“Yeah!” Rika cheered, throwing a pawful of confetti. “You can do it!”

Fritter looked at her little Pokemon and blinked. “Rika? Where... where did you get the confetti?”

Rika looked around and shrugged. “I dunno.”

Bit seemed to pause for a few moments before sighing. “Some Pokemon seem more easily adaptable to the magic phenomena than others. Whether it is the individual or something relating to typing is yet to be discovered…”

“Bitty’s using big words,” Rika moaned.

“C’mon, let’s leave him to his work and go find the others,” Fritter said. “Have a good day Bit.”

“You as well,” Bit replied before turning to his ruined project. “Maybe the power distributor?...”

“Well, that was informative... and confusing,” Fritter said. Yeah, she was a country bumpkin. What of it?

“Yeah, but it’ll be cool if Bitty does get a computer working,” Rika said. “I miss TV so much~”

“TV?” Fritter asked, “What’s that?”

“Moving pictures in a small box with a screen,” Rika explained.

“We have something like that,” Fritter responded. “Movie cinema’s, though I haven’t been to one in ages.”

“You have movies!?” Rika beamed. “I know what we’re going to do today!”

“After we’re done here,” Fritter chuckled. She knocked on the door of Jessie and James’ apartment, hoping she wasn’t disturbing them. After a moment, James opened the door and blinked at who was on the other side.

“Oh, Rika, Fritter, hello again,” he said politely.

“Morning Jimmy!” Rika greeted chipperly. “Room service!”

“She means that I have some breakfast if y’all want some,” Fritter explained. “Ahm not interrupting anything... am I?”

“Maybe Jessie’s beauty sleep,” The Roserade said. “And...thank you. Normally Meowth and I go down to see Jeanne about having breakfast, it’s never been brought up to us.”

“Well it is this morning,” Fritter said, handing him the container. “Everyone else has eaten, so it’s all yours.”

“My thanks,” the Roserade said with a small bow. “First Seth, then you two...you truly are a giving family, aren’t you?”

“It’s the Apple Family way,” Fritter smiled. “But really, we were allowed to stay here free of charge and have caused some minor problems since arriving. So ah really don’t mind at all.”

“It’s just breakfast,” Rika giggled. She gave the Roserade a once over and smiled. “So how’d it go last night?”

“Rika?” Fritter chided her. “Y’all just can’t ask something like that. T’aint proper.”

“Sorry,” Rika replied. “I’m trying not to be such a nosy fairy...”

“I don’t mind,” James said with a sigh. “She’s...willing to give us a shot. But she made it quite clear that I’d best try my hardest.”

“Well then, I’m rooting for you~” Rika giggled.

“As am I,” Fritter smiled.

“Thank you, for both your wishes and the meal,” James said. “Was there anything else?”

“That about covers it,” Fritter smiled. He seemed eager to get back to whatever it was he was doing. “Y’all have a good day Mr. James.”

“And good luck with your lioness,” Rika giggled.

“And good luck with your lion,” James said with a wink before closing the door.

“So now what?” Fritter asked as they headed back down to their room.

“We have a shower, and then see if this city has a movie cinema,” Rika replied. “I think it’ll make for a nice date don’t you think?”

The mare paused for a second and then nodded. That sounded nice.

Meanwhile, as a tired Seth returned home, the sound of crying caught his attention. he poked his head around into a narrow alley and the source of the wailing was discovered. The Luxray smiled as he leaned down, slowly as to not scare it.

"Hello little one, what's your name?"

The movie had been wonderful, despite Rika nitpicking every single plot hole. Though, her commentary had earned more laughs than the film itself. And once the pair returned to their temporary home, their bodies were already dripping in sweat from the afternoon sun.

"I need a shower," she sighed. "Cute ladies like ourselves cannot go around reeking of sweat."

"While it normally doesn't bother me," Fritter said as she fetched a few towels. "Ah don't mind sweat earned from hard work, but when it's hooter than the sun, ah am more inclined to agree with ya."

"Well, the shower's pretty big, so let's go!" Rika giggled, dragging her mare along. Fritter spluttered out a few feeble responses, but in the end the snugglefairy won...

Chapter Forty One

As the sun set, Seth dragged his weary frame into the apartment building. He had given a small greeting before ascending the stairs towards his room. Ace had really put him through the ringer and Las Pegasus was on a whole other level compared to Canterlot.

Yet that wasn’t the most interesting part of his day. That part was wrapped in a bundle that was slung around his neck.

As he passed Christine’s apartment he heard voices and decided to see what was up.

Earlier, once Fritter and Rika got home from their date, the pair had decided to help Christine with her room, Rika wanting to spend time with her friend before they left and Fritter knew a few things on making a home feel homely.

The Luxray peeked in through the door. “Hey,” he said. “I’m back.”

“Welcome back,” Christine greeted. “So how’d it go?”

“Urgh, that mare is really a stallion in disguise,” Seth muttered. “But, at least I have a better understanding of how things work in Equestria now.”

Fritter spied the bundle across his chest. “What do you have there?” she asked, then yelped as the bundle moved!

A pair of pink ears popped out of the satchel and Seth opened it to reveal a small Whismur.

“I found her in a back alley,” he explained. “She doesn't know where she is, nor where her mother is.”

“Aw, she’s so cute~” Rika cooed. The Whismur took one look at the Sylveon and scrunched up it’s eyes.

“Aw crap, not again,” Seth muttered as the tiny Pokemon let out an earsplitting wail, the windows rattled and a nearby glass shattered into dust!

Rika backed away, terrified from the response while Fritter grabbed her ears. How could something small be so loud?

It took a few moments, but Seth finally calmed the Whismur down again and sighed. “Yeah... she does that.”

“Oh that had better not be Wendy,” Christine muttered as she shook the ringing sensation from her head. “That girl loved to put us to sleep as a prank sometimes and draw all over our faces.”

Seth shook his head as he placed the Whismur on his back. “No, she says her name is Aster, and that she hasn’t been able to find her mother since coming to Equestria...”

“Poor little thing,” Fritter said as she petted Aster. Surprisingly, the Whismur didn’t wail again, instead she purred lightly and drifted off to sleep.

“Whoa! Fritter makes an awesome mommy!” Rika giggled, causing the mare to steam and cover her red face with her hooves.

“Okay, point to Fritter, and yeah, if she actually talked to you, then it can’t be Wendy...or isn’t bloody likely, anyways.” The dragon looked around her apartment at the broken glasswares and sighed. “Gonna need to replace this…”

“Yeah, my fault, I’ll replace these too,” Seth sighed. This trip was getting expensive. “And if her mother isn’t here in Las Pegasus, then we might bring her back to Canterlot with us, maybe try and get in contact with Arceus.”

“I’ll get the dustpan,” Fritter said as she went to sweep up the shattered glass. Another knock on the door revealed Lala, along with a large Earth Pony.

“It seems your new refrigerator is here,” Lala said. “You have to sign for it as well.”

“Ah,” the dragon said, picking up Rika scooting her to in front of the pony, as it had been her who wrote the check originally. “So, together then?”

Rika nodded as the two signed for the new appliance. Another two Earth Ponies brought the heavy device up the stairs, grunting as they moved it through the front door.

“Uh, w-where do you want it?” one said.

“Just through there, in front of the recently-patched wall,” Christine pointed.

“No problem,” the stallions nodded, then nearly passed out when Fritter gave them a hoof. By taking the entire fridge onto her back and walking calmly into the kitchen with it.

“W-well uh...” the stallions just looked at each other while Seth and Rika shared a giggle.

“Yeah, she does that,” Christine said with a smile.

“Noted,” The first stallion nodded. “I wonder if she needs a job?”

“Nope, Fritter is aaaaall ours,” Rika giggled. The stallions sighed, disappointed that they couldn’t get a cute mare to work with them and once the paperwork was done, they were on their way.

“Ah put it in the kitchen,” Fritter said, walking back out. “Pretty fancy-lookin’ too if ah must say.”

“Oh, did we tell Vincent about our little ‘deal’ we worked out with that guy?” Rika asked her draconic friend.

“Don’t think we did,” Christine said, scratching her head. “We probably should, right?”

“I wonder if he’s still busy?” Rika asked and then projected her thoughts. “Hey Vinny, you still banging Lucy?”

You caught me between sessions, was the reply. So why do you need me?

There was a giggle from Rika, before her voice turned seductive. “You caught me, I want you, you sexy Psychic Fox! Why don’t you come over here and I’ll show you a few tricks of my own~”

...Yeah, nice try. I have more than a few things that tell me you’re not being serious, if you ever are, so why do you really need me?

“Geh, Selly is so much better at this,” Rika sighed and continued. “When Christine and I were out shopping, we got a great deal on a fridge... with the promise that you guys would kinda make this retailer your exclusive white goods dealer...”

...Was he at least an honest slash nice guy?

“Seemed to be,” Rika replied. “He was quite grateful to you in particular actually, something about a group called Pegasus Air giving him trouble?” A shiver went down her spine, did it colder in here?

...Thank you for the information, Vincent’s voice had an edge to it before it brightened considerably. And I suppose they would be grateful...maybe I should look into making more such deals. Though I do ask that you not abuse my name to get yourself deals like that again without consulting me first.

“Yeah, sorry,” Rika apologised. “While I have you on the line... I have something for you. A repayment I believe?”

Ah yes! Thank you for reminding me. Though I have to wonder based on your earlier comment if you intend to repay me in bits or with something else...

“Well there’s that~” Rika cooed. “But I don’t think Sethy would approve, so we’ll have to settle with bits... though, you sound a little disappointed~”

Apprehensive, actually. I fear the day Seth or Fritter actually take you to bed and up on any of your offers. I only hope it doesn’t happen here.

“Well, you could fear for Seth maybe,” Rika replied with a smirk that Vincent could feel from his end. “Though, the showers here are wonderful, just enough for an Earth Pony and a little snugglefairy~”

Aaaand that would explain the sounds I heard earlier. Almost thought there was a perverted Ghastly hanging around. So where are the bits then, or did you intend to make good on your earlier teasing?

“The bits are in my room, second drawer in the bedside table,” Rika said, choosing to ignore his comment until she could thrash him in person. “I’m so leaving the pervy stuff to Selly, I suck at this...”

Seth has something I’m sure he’d appreciate you sucking at more, Vincent shot back. And found and grabbed, thank you Rika.

“GODDAMIT VINCENT!” Rika’s Hyper Voice echoed through the link. “I swear, I’ll sneak into you room and untie Lucy!”

And then I’d make her think you were me, Vincent thought back. That’d last all of an hour, I think, before you’d give up.

“I’m already done,” Rika muttered. She walked over to a corner of the room and sulked, having lost that round miserably.

“What’s her deal?” Seth asked, confused by the fairy’s reactions.

She just got schooled in the art of dirty-talk, Vincent’s voice echoed into his head.

“I have no idea how to respond to that,” Seth sighed. “And I’m too tired to care either. I think I’ll have some dinner and then I’m going to bed early.”

Fritter nodded as she pet the little Sylveon. “I’ll make you something soon. Let me finish up here first okay?”

“No rush,” Seth said. “Or I’ll cook if you want. You’re always cooking for us.”

Fritter paused as a creeping sense of dread washed over her. The image of a burning building and a Luxray in a crispy chef’s hat filled her mind and the minds of anyone that dared look.

“Um, iffn’ y’all don’t mind Sethy, ah think you should let me cook.”

Seth shrugged and padded towards over to his room, muttering the whole time about never getting to do anything.

“Whew!” Fritter breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh Seth, before you leave!”

“What is it?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Bit said he could use a charge for some gener-thingy. Reckon you could help ‘im out?”

Seth nodded, “Alright, could you watch Aster for me please?” He placed the satchel around Fritter’s neck and headed downstairs, wondering what Bit has been up to all day.

By the time he got there, he gave the door a few solid thumps.

“Yo Bit, you in there?” he called out.

“Yes,” the program responded. “And it is safe to enter at the moment if that is your desire.”

“Cool,” Seth nudged the door open and walked in side. he looked around and whistled appreciatively. “Whoa, someone’s been busy...”

“Today’s earlier failed test showed me that some of the components I fabricated on my own will likely require replacement or repair.” The computer had been partially disassembled, the offending parts removed and circled in chalk.

“Huh,” Seth looked over the parts, some of them looked a little crispy and he ran some math in his head. “Do you have sufficient heat sinks or cooling?”

“...I had wondered where those parts went,” Bit said, checking his memory and sighing. “It would appear the backup parts were lumped in with the air-conditioning for the apartment during its construction.”

“Well there’s part of your problem, not enough cooling and the motherboard gets fried.” Seth poked at a part idly. “How about water cooling? Would use less energy than a fan and would be a lot easier to fabricate. Plus you have Ice Beam right?”

“The downside is simple to spot: should even one miniscule hole be found, the coolant system will become as much of a problem as this was,” the Porygon-Z responded, picking up a piece of chalk and writing in the need for something to cool the computer with next to it.

‘That’s true, and I doubt ponies could make seamless pipes with their technology...” Seth pondered on the idea. Fans might be the best bet, but this was an enclosed space so Bit would also need to keep the room itself quite cold.

The he got it.

“Crystals!” he suddenly shouted. “That could work!” The look on Bit’s face told him he should probably explain further.

“Okay, so when I was in Canterlot, I had a run in with some Carbink that were living in the Crystal Caves. I noticed it was pretty cool in there, but since it was a cave, that was to be expected. However...” Seth took some chalk and drew something up on the board. It looked similar to a cooling unit on a refrigerator.

“Crystals can be enchanted you see, to do various things. Some noble ponies in Canterlot have these Crystal lattices laced in the walls of their homes. These crystals can be charged with heat or cold spells...”

“Intriguing notion,” Bit commented. “I may very well do so...once I understand magic better. I would prefer to be able to do such things myself if possible, so as to keep costs as low as possible during the fabrication of these computers.”

“Cost effective as well...” Seth thought some more, but he was drawing a blank now, his tired brain just gave up the ghost. “Dang... I got nothing now.” he scratched at his head and sighed. “Oh yeah, Fritter said you needed a charge or something?”

“The generator is over there,” Bit pointed in one corner to the generator-capacitor-fuse box setup. “It is modified to accept electricity from electric-type moves, store them, then feed the energy into the apartment house when it is needed. Simply aim at that metal plate.”

“Right here then?” Seth placed a paw against the plate and focused his energy into it. “Before I start, how much should I pour into it? I’m afraid I don’t quite know my own limits yet.”

“There is a safety feature,” Bit said, turning back to the corpse of his computer. “If it starts to beep at you, then it cannot take any more at this time. I built it in when I was modifying it, and hopefully, that feature works better than this one.”

“I’ll take it slow,” Seth decided. He began to focus his lightning into his paw, just as Titania had been teaching him. Slowly, the meter began to rise as his paw crackled with power.

“So, how’s your day been?” he asked idly.

“Disappointing, but fruitful. Before I was forced to freeze my creation, it worked for a moment. I am on the right track, I merely require more cooling...and replacement parts,” Bit said, looking at several charred pieces.

“You’ll get there,” Seth replied. “Don’t try and rush it. Kanto wasn’t built in a day after all.”

“...True,” Bit said as he considered the words. “Still, I have come quite close in a matter of a few days of solid work. To be thwarted this close to the finish line is...irritating.”

“I’ll bet,” Seth replied. “Reminds me of when I had to build a model for a science project at school.” he closed his eyes as he reminisced. “But on the day, some kid tripped me, smashed the whole thing that i had spent weeks building... used a lot of glue and tape to fix it, but I couldn’t fix it in time...”

He chuckled, “I doubt it really compares to what you’re doing though...”

“At least some of the materials I need can be found or purchased, so I am not doing it entirely from nothing,” Bit commented, dislodging another burned piece and sighing. “Still, the amount of damage inflicted by one careless oversight…”

“Hindsight is a bitch,” Seth quoted. “You’ve learned and now that mistake won’t happen again.” The panel gave a ding and Seth removed his paw, shaking the tingling sensation from channelling electricity through it for so long.

“That seems to be the motto for not only the Nurem family, but many of the ones we run into as well,” Bit commented.

“New world, new rules, can’t be expected to adapt overnight,” Seth said. “All we can do is try and hope the world doesn’t explode.”

“I highly doubt the world is sentient, or knows the Self-destruct move,” Bit mused.

“...I can’t tell if that’s sarcasm or not,” Seth replied.

“Considering the presence of Legendaries such as Groudon and Kyogre back on Earth, it is not outside the realm of possibility,” Bit stated.

“Don’t remind me,” Seth replied dryly. “Anything else you need help with Bit?”

“Not at this time, though thank you for the charge,” the program responded. “That should keep the building and myself powered for some time.”

“No problem,” Seth replied. “Go nuts for tonight and I’ll give it a quick top up before I leave tomorrow.”

“Appreciated,” Bit said with a smile in his eyes. “Take care, mister Crescent.” Seth nodded and left Bit to his own devices. He yawned as he ascended the stairs, his sensitive hearing picking up some interesting conversations. Meowth seemed to be talking to himself while Luke and Mage seemed to be enjoying eachothers company.

He heard sounds from Vincent’s room he wished he hadn’t and the faint sound of buzzing from the rooftop.

“Some bugs are raiding the berry garden,” he said out loud as he continued to climb the stairs. Once he’d said his observation aloud, a thumping noise came from the Rocket’s room, and the form of James stalked upstairs, muttering angrily. After a moment, a female Pyroar followed him to the roof, probably to lend a hand in driving off the insect invaders.

“Hmm, I wonder if it worked out between them?” Seth wondered as he finally made it to his room. he opened the door and was immediately assaulted with hugs and kisses from his two girls, while Selena and Ignis fawned over Aster.

“Dinner will be ready soon,” Fritter replied as she let go of him. “Did you have more plans for tomorrow?”

Seth shook his head as he settled down on the floor. “I think I’ve learned all that I can for now. And we have a lot to do in Canterlot once we get back.”

“The Contest,” Rika said. “Do you think it’ll really work?”

“Well, I hope so,” Seth replied. “At the very least we’ll get a few Coordinators from Ponyville and Canterlot. That little Unicorn filly we met seemed to be pretty keen and her sister is one of those Element Bearers...”

“Ah guess time will tell,” Fritter said as she moved to the kitchen to stir the soup she was making. “Y’all gave it your best afterall, so ah’m sure things will work out.”

“Well I know Vincent expressed interest in at least attending as a spectator, so there’s that...” Seth thought for a moment, “I wonder if Bit would like to help with the technical side of things. I know you ponies have invented PA systems, so something like that would be useful.”

“But will Lucy be well enough by then?” Rika asked. “The Contest is in five days!”

“I hope so,” Seth replied. “The record feature on my Holocaster still works, so there’s always that if they can’t make it.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t lend Bit that,” Rika said. “He would have flipped to be able to study a working hologram projector.”

I forgot until just now honestly,” Seth replied. “We aren’t leaving til the afternoon, so I can lend it to him briefly tomorrow... provided he hasn’t sniffed it out already. I’m half expecting him to knock on the door any second now.”

“I know Murphy has it in for us,” Selena replied. “But that would just be a bit too cliche wouldn’t it?”

An awkward silence fell over the room until a knocking sound could be heard. Seth just facepawed and looked at the door, until Fritter giggled and everyone turned to her. The mare giggled again as she knocked on the wooden bench.

“Sorry, couldn’t help it~”

“And we get pranked by Fritter,” Rika sighed. “It’s the end of the world... again.”

“So tell us about this one,” Selena said as she tickled Aster’s belly. “Already getting someone to replace Christine?”

“Not quite,” Seth replied. “She’s lost and it’s kinda my job to help out Pokemon now. Plus she was deafening everyone in a five mile radius.”

“I just want Momma back,” Aster said, so quiet that even Fluttershy would have trouble hearing it.

“Who is your Momma?” Seth asked, sitting next to Aster. “Is she a Pokemon?”

“Momma is a dragon,” Aster said. “A dragon that loves me and wants to save everyone... except that she couldn’t...”

“That’s helpful,” Selena muttered.

“So we’re looking for a Dragon type?” Seth asked. “Well, there shouldn’t be that many in Las Pegasus.”

“And if you can’t find her here?” Ignis asked.

“Then I’ll take care of her until we do. Easy as that.” Seth nodded and Aster smiled. Seth was a nice person, maybe he could help Mommy?

“Soup’s on!” Fritter called as she brought the pot over to the table. Seth placed Aster on his back as they headed over to eat. The future was looking to be a little easier at least...

Atop a cloud above a small hamlet, a pair of crimson eyes watched as a Gardevoir and a Gallade walked hand in hand, a pair of familiar shining stones set in rings adorning their fingers.

“Humanity is destined to follow the path of ruin once more... I must put a stop to this, to preserve this blue and pure world...”

That night, Seth lay in bed, with Rika on one side and Fritter on the other. The Sylveon wouldn’t stop fidgeting though.

“Rika...” Seth said tiredly, batting at her with a paw. “I’m trying to sleep here.”

“Sorry,” the fairy responded. “But... I can’t keep it a secret anymore.”

Seth groaned as he opened one eye, “Keep what a secret?” He suddenly felt Fritter twitch and he opened both eyes, frowning slightly. “Alright, what did you do?”

“Um, well... it’s more like... who did I do,” Rika replied with a nervous chuckle. Seth groaned as he lay his head back down.

“I’m too tired for this, just get to the point.”

“FritterandItotallydidthingsintheshowertoday!” Rika blurted at near lightspeed.

“Oh... okay,” Seth replied as he rolled over. “Good night.”

Rika blinked, looked at Seth and blinked again. “Wait... that’s it?” her only reply was the sound of the Luxray snoring lightly. “Well, that was easier than I thought...”

It didn’t stop the Luxray’s dreams from being filled with all sorts of delicious scenes...

The next morning, Seth took the opportunity to sleep in, refusing to let the Sylveon and Earth Pony out of bed either. He was going to have snuggles this morning and even the end of the world could go stuff it while he did...

That said, a small Whismur, finding herself unable to get something to eat due to lack of being able to reach the cupboards, decided to go and ask for help...

And the lightest of knocking could soon be heard on Vincent Nurem’s door. Within a minute, a Porygon-Z poked its head out, did a quick sweep of the area, and upon seeing nothing immediately obvious, sat there and ticked as he considered the situation.

The kind Porygon had opened the door, it would be rude not to enter right? The Whismur squeezed through the gap and into the apartment. She could smell something delicious being made and smiled happily, wandering into the living room. Upon entering, she saw a Gallade and a Mismagius wrapped around each other on the fold-out bed. The kitchen seemed to be just beyond the connected dining room, and the source of the delicious smells.

She waddled past the Gallade and into the kitchen, where a Bellossom was humming happily as she cooked. Aster climbed up onto the table, (with no small effort mind you!) And once she was up, banged on the table with her little paws.

“Hungry!” she declared, with the tiniest, most adorable voice. A low chuckle came from behind her then, and once she looked around, saw that she was seated in front of a most amused Scizor.

“And who might you be? You’re not Wendy, that’s for certain; she didn’t talk around others,” he said while sipping his coffee.

“Aster!” the Whisper smiled. “Who’a you?”

“Hello Aster, I’m Sam,” the Pincer ‘mon said, offering her his free (and closed!) claw. “So I can see that you’re hungry, so that answers what you’re doing here. And you’ve already told me who. So how about...how did you get in?”

“D’Porygon let me,” Aster giggled. She took a look at the extended claw and suddenly nommed on it, before scrunching up her face and spitting it out. “Bleh!”

“Well, that’s an...interesting sensation,” Sam commented. “You were supposed to shake it, dear one. It was how the humans greeted one another: handshakes, typically.”

Aster stood up and waddled over to the Scizor, and promptly hugged his face. “Momma give hugs, so I give hugs!” she giggled.

Sam reached up with his closed claw and gently moved the Whismur down to his chest, letting her continue to hug along the way. He didn’t have anything against hugs, but he’d rather be able to talk. “Well, that works too,” he conceded. “So Bit let you in...but how did you get in the building in the first place?”

“Unca Sethy!” she said as she let go and sat back on the table, poking at a plate and wondering when the food would appear. “He’s helping me find Mommy!”

“That sounds like Seth alright,” Sam said with a chuckle. “Do you know what your mother is? Quite a few were changed a few weeks ago, and we do have a pretty powerful ‘search engine’ on our side,” the Scizor mentioned. “If she’s here, I’m pretty sure Vincent will be able to find her...unless she’s a Dark or Bug Type, of course.”

Aster tried to process so many big words. Mommy used to like big words but she’d always tell Aster what she meant.

“Um... Mommy is... Mommy is...” This place was different, with so many new Pokemon and no humans. Was Mommy even here at all? Where was Mommy?

The Whismur’s eyes began to water as she inhaled deeply...but before she could unleash her cry, she felt herself being softly stroked and petted. For someone with a metallic exoskeleton, Sam could be quite gentle when he wanted.

“I’m sorry, little one. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he muttered near-silently. “Vincent just does better work if he knows what he’s looking for. A form, a type, a name,” the bug explained.

Aster stopped and listened, something she knew about Mommy? Hmm...

“Papa Sala!” she said, sniffing slightly. “Mommy always had Papa Sala with her!” She looked at Sam expectantly. “Can you find Mommy Unca Sam?”

“Well,” Sam said with a chuckle. “Not me, no! The reason I keep talking about Vincent is that he’s Psychic, Aster. And Sala...Salamence? Your mother always had a Salamence with her?” Sam questioned. “That...is a good lead...but something that would be better is if you knew what others called your mother. A lot of what a person is is tied up in their name.”

“Mommy’s... name?” Aster blinked. “Mommy is Mommy... but only to Aster!” The Whismur tried to remember what others called Mommy, like Grandma back home, or Papa Sala when he liked to play wrestling with Mommy.

“Z-Zinnia!” Aster finally said. “Mommy’s name is Zinnia!”

“Well,” a new voice said as a Kadabra appeared in the doorway. “Glad to know the name of your mother, little one. Also glad to hear a Whismur that talks. Hello there.”

“STRANGER!” Aster blasted the Kadabra with a Hyper Voice, the glancing blow making Vincent stumble. “Save me Unca Sam!”

Sam just laughed and brought one claw over to the Kadabra that was shaking his head. “Aster, might I introduce my little brother, Vincent? And Vincent, this easily excitable little ball of cute is Aster.”

“Charmed,” Vincent said, his ears flipping around as he attempted to work them again. “I didn’t need to hear today anyways.”

Aster looked sad. “Sorry Unca Sam, I didn’t mean to hurt Big Bro VinVin! But mommy told me t’be careful of strangers...”

“...Why do I look at her and think ‘this is what Rika was like when she was her age?’” Vincent questioned as he sat himself down at the table. “And I’m sure that ringing noise is only temporary.”

Sam just ran a claw down Aster’s back to reassure her. “Accidents happen, little one. At least yours don’t seem to involve property damage.”

Aster tummy gave a loud rumble and she looked around. “Want food now!” she said adamantly. Then she remembered what Mommy would say. “Um, pwease?”

“Oh hello there!” another new voice said. This time it was the Bellossom from the kitchen, and she was standing in the doorway between it and them. “Vincent dear, if you would?”

With a nod and a flash, three plates were in front of the trio of ‘mon at the table, loaded down with Jeanne’s cooking and smelling delicious. Vincent hadn’t been aware that you could make syrup for pancakes out of Berries, but now that he’d tried some...

“Yay~” Aster cheered and opened her maw, aiming for the nearest plate. With almost tornado-like force, she sucked in the entire contents of the dish, swallowing it and belching cutely, all in the space of a second or two. The other ‘mon at the table blinked a few times before looking at one another.

“Come to think of it, we never did watch Wendy eat,” Vincent mentioned.

“Every time we tried, we woke up with scribbles on our faces,” Sam agreed.

The Bellossom just giggled and drew a little closer, just a little. “My, aren’t you a hungry one.”

“Yummy~” Aster giggled, and then turned to face Sam’s plate…

“Now now, dear,” Jeanne chided. “You’ve already had a serving. It’d be rude to take other’s food. You wouldn’t like it if they did that to you, would you?”

“...Nooo” Aster said, closing her mouth. “Can I have a drink please?”

“What would you like?” Vincent asked, holding up a glowing hand.

“Juice is good,” Aster said, beaming widely. “Orange please!”

“I think we have some,” the Kadabra said with a nod. With a flash, a cup was on the table in front of the Whismur. Another moment saw the appearance of a container of orange juice, which filled her glass before returning back from wherever it came.

“I’ll get on making more for the rest,” Jeanne said with a smile. “Seeing as how our numbers seem to have increased by one for the morning.”

At that moment, a frantic banging could be heard on Vincent’s door. Bit, still being nearby, opened it and stuck his head out.

Seth was standing there, his fur was all over the place and he looked quite concerned. “Bit! Have you seen a Whismur around here!?”

The program shook his head a few times. “Negatory. No Whismur has been observed by this unit lately.”

Seth groaned, he was too tired for this. “Could you please ask everyone else here if a Whismur been spotted then?”

Bit rotated his head and was prepared to ask the question before spotting Aster at the table, drinking her juice. With a smile in his eyes, Bit rotated his disconnected head back around to reply to the Luxray. “No need. One has just been observed within.”

“Can I please come inside?” Seth asked.

“I am certain you are perfectly capable of the act of locomotion,” the Porygon responded, answering the question with absolute honesty.

“I am waaay too tired and stressed for this,” Seth muttered as he walked inside. “Aster? Are you here?”

“Unca Sethy!” Aster called from the kitchen. “I’m in here!” The Luxray walked into the kitchen to see Aster on the table, along with Sam and Vincent.

“There you are,” he sighed with relief. “We’ve been looking for you, how and why did you come here?”

“I was hungry and you was asleep,” Aster stated. “So I came here to get something. I didn’t want to wake you up cause you looked sleepy...”

Seth sighed and smiled as he nuzzled the little rabbit. “You’re very sweet and thoughtful Aster, but wake me up next time, we were very worried about you.”

“Kay,” Aster smiled. Seth turned to everyone else.

“Sorry about this guys. I hope she wasn’t any trouble.”

“She’s been a gem,” Sam said, softly rubbing between Aster’s ears with one claw.

“Plus we have a name for me and you to use,” Vincent tacked on. “Zinnia. Ring any bells?”

Seth pondered that name, but drew a blank. “Sorry Vince, never heard of it before.” He looked down at Aster and smiled. “But I’ll try my hardest to find her okay?”

“M’kay,” Aster yawned. “M’sleepy... can we go home now?”

“Sure,” Seth replied and he placed the tired Whismur on his back. “Thanks for looking out for her guys.”

“Not a problem,” Vincent said with a wave of his coffee mug. “I can look for this ‘Zinnia’ in a moment. Need to eat, feed Lucy, and do a few things of that nature before I have a moment to spare.”

“I, on the other claw, have to go to work,” Sam said, getting up and placing on claw on Seth’s shoulder. “Take care, okay?”

“Will do, I might stop by before I go home as well. I need to see if that Sandslash friend of yours will part with some recipes for Fritter and Mocha.”

“So warn the hospital ahead of time, got it,” Sam chuckled as he made his way out the door.

Seth excused himself from the apartment and headed back to his own. He would put Aster to bed in the spare room, then return to his snuggle time with Rika and Fritter...

Well that was the plan anyway.

But now that they were up, Rika had gone to play with Christine, while Fritter went back up to the garden, to see what more she could learn about growing Berries.

“I cannot catch a break, can I?” Seth muttered as he sat in the living room of his apartment. Ignis and Selena were once again out seeing the sights and the Luxray was left alone to wait until Aster awakened.

“And I get left looking after the kids... figures.”

Not two minutes later, Christine, wearing Rika as a very uncooperative hat, came into the room and clapped eyes on Seth. “Oh good, you’re here. Maybe now I can get some answers.”

Seth opened his eyes, and instantly regretted wishing for something to do. “Yes Christine?” he said with all the enthusiasm he could muster.

“Well either this little fairy of yours is very bad at sexual jokes, or she actually wants to sleep with me, one of the two,” the landshark said, picking Rika off of her head and holding the Sylveon upside-down, to make her displeasure clear.

“So I’m bad at jokes, which Vincent made abundantly clear,” Rika pouted.

Seth sighed as he looked up from his spot on the carpet. “It’s Rika, I never know if she’s serious or not... but I know that a lot of Pokemon don’t have the same ‘single mate’ attachment that humans do.” He looked at Rika, “You love me don’t you?”

“With all my heart,” Rika replied as she started to get dizzy from being upside-down. “I would never do anything to hurt you... and Chrissie is my best friend, and everyone else is throwing those stupid jokes around!”

Seth chuckled. “I know, and I also remember what you said in bed last night too.”

Rika suddenly turned bright red, but whether it was due to blood rushing to her head or a blush, well that was unknown.

“And I don’t mind, really!” Seth said. “Just because I’m not ready yet, doesn’t mean you two have to hold back either. Just be yourselves okay?”

Rika nodded as she squirmed to be turned rightside up. Christine relented slightly and grabbed her by the back of the neck, still not letting her go, but letting her orientation return to normal. And speaking of orientation…

“Okay, and while I’m not sure how much attachment I would have to a mate, should I ever get one, I will have you know that I know my own preferences, Rika. And as I keep informing you, it’s not my own gender.”

“Fine, I’ll stop teasing...” Rika said. “Everyone else makes jokes and its funny, I make jokes and ohh, I piss everyone off. Shocker!” Her tone turned surprisingly sarcastic, and it was one Seth had never heard from the Sylveon before.

“Rika, I’m not angry. I just wanted to make my stance perfectly clear. You would know if I was angry at you. You’d be on fire,” Christine stated bluntly. “Honestly, I can joke with the best of them, but when you start describing what you’re going to do to me, I have to put my claw down.”

Rika sighed, and after a bit of work, she used her ribbons to pry herself free. “It’s fine, I’m angry with myself... not you or anyone else. I just... I don’t know...” She suddenly ran from the room as Seth sighed.

“She can’t even see why she’s acting like that,” he looked up at Christine. “You know why, don’t you?”

“There are a few things that come to mind,” the dragon said. “But I think, give her a few minutes and approach with a gift of chocolate ice cream, and your little fairy will be willing to talk. And should.” Thinking on one of the plausible reasons, the dragon hastily added, “Though if it comes to a conclusion that involves a lot of noise, I will go out on tour of the city just to get away from all the sounds, I swear to Arceus.”

“I don’t think such drama is needed,” Seth replied, still laying on the floor. “She’ll be back any second now.” He knew her first go-to would be ice-cream... and he had all their money. As if on cue, Rika walked back inside with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Want ice-cream, I have no money,” she said. “And Christine would get mad if I stole hers...”

“Rika,” Seth said firmly. “Do you not have anything to say to your friend?”

“Like what?” she replied. “That she just decides to stop avoiding me and be my best friend, right before we have to leave her here? Or that I’m probably not going to see her in forever? Or that no matter what I try to do to make her smile, I just screw up and make her uncomfortable instead!?” She was almost shouting by the end... And then realised that Christine was still standing there.

“Oh Ponyfeathers!”

Christine may not have been the most...sociable being, but she knew as if by instinct, and a lot of observation, a few of the things she needed to do. First, secure the target. With a quick swipe, the Sylveon was in her arms and being hugged against her chest.

Check. Second, weaken the target. The landshark looked over to Seth and nodded while mouthing the words ‘Ice cream,’ to him.

While he was no lip reader, he got the idea as he fetched some leftover ice-cream from the freezer, one he had been hiding for later use. He brought it over to the dragon, very much curious as to what she’d do next.

Check. Third, undermine the defenses. “Now who was it who told me about writing and letters? Heck, just because this place is going to be my new home, it doesn’t mean I’m bound to this spot.” The dragon shuddered a bit at some...uncomfortable memories surfacing, before she got herself under control. “Operating under those rules, what are Seth or Fritter or even you doing here, little fairy?” Christine beeped Rika’s nose with one claw as she finished her question.

Rika nodded as she leant into the hug. “I guess my emotions ran away with my sanity again,” she said as she forced a giggle. “M’still gonna miss you though...”

Check. Finally, killing blow. “And I you, Rika. Just because I don’t love you like a mate, doesn’t mean I don’t love you like a friend. Just keep in mind that not everyone can be as loving as you, as easily as you, okay? I like you just the way you are...and I’d prefer it if you stayed that way. Namely, intact.” With that, the ice-cream was scooted closer to the little Fairy. She’d probably need it at this point...

“I went too far... again,” Rika said as she poked at the dessert, not really in the mood to eat it anymore. “But if you still wanna be my friend... then I guess I’m both grateful and surprised.” She sighed and looked back at Seth. “I really don’t know how Sethy and Fritter deal with me...” A dark thought entered her head and she suppressed a laugh. “Maybe I am my father’s daughter...?”

“Hey, let’s not go overboard!” Seth quickly stomped on that particular thought. Before burying it, building a minefield over it and walking the hell away. “We love you for you Rika... Always have and always will.”

Between Seth and Christine’s words... Rika just opened the floodgates and bawled. Soaking the dragon she was hugging enough that it turned her into a Water-type…

“After putting up with your family’s antics for as long as I did?” Christine chuckled as she kept gently petting Rika. “I’d have to either be crazy or your friend. And I’ve been crazy before, thanks. No desire to repeat the experience.”

“S-sorry,” Rika giggled in between sobs. “You’re m-my friend. Y-you’re nuts by default.”

“She’s got you there,” Seth chuckled until he realised what she’d said. “Hey, I’m dating you, so what does that make me?”

“Nuts squared,” Christine pitched in.

Rika giggled again, “But I thought his nuts were rounder?”

“I wouldn’t know, I’m not the one sleeping with him,” the dragon retorted.

“Ergh! And I open my mouth again,” Rika sighed. “Pass me the ice-cream. At least if I’m eating I’ll not say anything stupid.”

The ice cream was passed while the dragon kept talking. “See, the way you should have continued that would have been something like...’I wouldn’t know either, he’s being stingy!’ And then we could have ganged up on Seth for not being generous with his nuts.”

“You do raise an excellent point,” Rika said with a mouthful of ice-cream. “Sharing is caring!”

“I have you and Fritter, how much more sharing do I have to do?” Seth replied, not liking where this was heading.

“Silly Seth,” Christine giggled. Actually giggled, which from their time together, told Seth she was on a track most would not dare tread. “You’re not sharing enough of yourself with these fine ladies. Don’t they deserve some attention from you?” The place where most ‘mon would have eyebrows wiggled as the landshark talked.

Seth’s brain just came to a screeching halt. There was no way this was the same dragon that had been living with them for the last week... was it?

Rika gave him a half-lidded stare and licked her lips. “I would have to agree Miss Chrissie... While I quite liked the Apple dessert, the main course must truly be... delicious!”

Nopenopenopenopenopenope! Seth backed away slowly. If he didn’t move, they wouldn’t see him. It worked on Tyrantrums anyway.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Christine said, carefully placing Rika and her bowl on the ground before standing up and stretching. “After all, one of your ladies is right here, pining for attention, young man.”

“Ahh...” Seth’s cognitive thought was still AWOL. “Wha?”

Rika blinked, her eyes shining as she used Baby-Doll Eyes. “Sethy? You’re so mean~”

“Not to worry, dear. I’m certain we can find some rope somewhere in this apartment, and you can extract some attention from him once he can’t get away.” Christine’s grin was almost as wide as her face.

“Oh but Chrissie,” Rika said as she flexed her ribbons. “Why do we need rope?”

Nope! Seth leapt over the two and through the door, crashing into the opposite wall before falling down a few flights of stairs. Rika blinked, turned to the door and then burst out laughing.

“Oh. My. Arceus... Did you see his face!?” She couldn’t breathe she was laughing so hard. Christine was in a similar boat, laughing through the tears.

“And for future reference,” the Gabite managed to get out, “Your ribbons are a part of you, that’s why we need rope. One good shock and you’re out for the count. Rope has no such connection.”

“Aw, but I have good special defense,” Rika said. “And maybe some light shocks might feel good~”

“When he’s in fight or flight mode like that, I’m pretty sure ‘light’ isn’t in his arsenal,” Christine warned. “Until he gets used to the teasing...and you get a little bit better at dishing it out,” here the dragon beeped the fairy’s nose, “then you’re going to want to make sure that when he runs for it, you aren’t blocking too many exits.”

“That’s a good point...” Rika noted. “Well, now that Sethy can’t play anymore. Wanna do something before I have to leave?”

“You, little lady, are going to learn how best to tease your lion before you have to go,” Christine said, sitting down and putting Rika in her lap.

“Only you get to treat me like this,” Rika said as she got comfortable. “Last time someone called me a pet... I broke them.” She reached out with her ribbons and grabbed the ice-cream and another spoon, before offering Christine some. “Start the lesson teacher!”

“And the last time someone tried to catch me, their Snorlax launched them into the stratosphere,” Christine said with a smile before humming. “Let’s see...how about we start with some highlights from what Sam was taught and build on that so that you know how best to tease your feline?...”

All good things had to come to an end though, and Seth’s family was preparing to leave Las Pegasus. Rika refused to let go of Christine, as said dragon tried prying her off with a crowbar.

Aster sat happily on Fritter’s back while Seth spoke with Vincent.

“Well, thanks for letting us stay... and sorry about the dramas we caused, directly or indirectly...”

“Not a big deal,” Vincent said. “You shoulda been here when I just got here.” The Kadabra whistled and chuckled at the memories. “I’ve done worse, believe me.” Upon taking notice of the Whismur, Vincent remembered his earlier promise. “Oh, Aster?”

“Yeah Big Bro?” she asked with a sweetness that no sugar could ever hope to match.

“Wanna watch me look for your mom?” Vincent raised a glowing blue arm as he talked, already drawing on the power needed for his Ping technique.

“Do I?” she jumped down from Fritter’s back and waddled over to him. He gently bent down and offered his non-glowing hand to her, an unspoken invitation to get a little closer to the action if she wanted.

She took his hand and gulped, wondering what was going to happen? Could Big Bro really find Mommy? Suddenly she was flying, or it felt like it, before she realized that she’d come to rest against his chest armor and was being cradled by Big Bro.

“Where are you Mommy?” she thought. “I miss you!”

Shh, she heard Big Bro, but not with her ears. Don’t worry, we’re about to look. I’m strong, but not strong enough to search everywhere, little one. But if she’s in this city, I will find her...unless she’s something that is immune to Psychic, of course.

“Big Bro is in my head~” Aster giggled.

Yup, Vincent laughed back. Now, Zinnia is her name, right? I can look for her, sure...but I want you to do something special as well. Think you’re up for it?

“What do you want me to do?” Aster asked.

Think about your mommy. Think about all the good times you’ve ever had with her. Think about how much you love her. Do that, and no matter the type she ended up as, we should get something, if she’s here. No love is stronger than a mother’s for her child, and it can cut across all barriers if you but reach out to it.

“Okay...” Aster thought hard as images flashed through Vincent’s head. Of a young girl crying as she held a newly hatched Whismur, of the same girl, older this time as she battled a faceless trainer. The times when the pair would share a picnic, or play hide and seek at the Falls.

Then the images of the girl, now a young woman as she ran through some kind of lab, garbed in a red hood. The woman as she plucked the Key Stone of a fallen trainer, and then as she stood before Rayquaza, her crimson eyes blazing with furious determination.

My word, that’s a lot! Okay, here I go…

Vincent took a deep breath and added Aster’s memories to the mix of his technique, deciding to spice it up a little as well. Zinnia! We call to you! Should you be in this city, answer us! Both myself...and your daughter!

“MOMMY!” Aster called out, before the wave of near-invisible blue light rushed away from them. The pair waited for ten seconds, as the power of both Vincent and Aster’s memories pushed the technique to new heights…

...New heights that were sadly, fruitless. It rebounded, carrying no new information back to either one of them. Vincent sighed, dejected that nothing happened. “I’m sorry, Aster. But she’s not in Las Pegasus.”

Aster remained silent for a moment. “It’s... okay Big Bro... thank you for trying...”

Unbeknownst to them, a lithe Dragonite sat on a cloud, as a feeling of nostalgia and great loss washed over her. Her crimson eyes closed as the memories played over in her mind... until she opened them again, looking at a city she could not see. Spreading her wings, she soared into the air and shot off into the wide, blue sky.

“I’ll find you...”

Seth waited as the pair finished their search. “So no luck then?” he asked as Aster climbed back up onto Fritter’s back. “It’s alright, we’ll find her. One way or another.”

“Well considering I just did my Ping while in such a close proximity to her, it’s highly likely that if you run across any Psychic you feel you can trust, they could make their own, similar technique from watching her memories and do a search there as well.” Vincent stated as though it were all rather simple. He’d really rather they avoid going straight to the top for as long as possible...he didn’t really have a lot of faith in a certain god ever since he failed to punish a certain ambassador.

“Right, thanks for the advice...” Seth said as Christine finally freed herself of Rika’s deathgrip.

“Aww... Oh! But you guys totally have to come to the Contest!” Rika said, bouncing up and down. “It’s gonna be AMAZING!!”

“Ah, there is that,” Seth said. “The Contest is scheduled for 5 days from now, I really hope you guys can make it. I know I could use Bit’s help with all the tech that I’ll need to set up.”

“I’ll make sure Bit goes at least,” Vincent said with a nod. “Sam?”

The Scizor shook his head. “Mary believes in a week’s notice before I get any time off. So I can’t go. And depending on circumstances, the program might be the only one that gets to.” The Scizor was of course referring to Lucy’s current state.

“Plus you can’t flirt with Lala either,” Selena pointed out.

“Well, I hope some of you can make it at least,” Seth said. “If you can’t, I’ll be sure to send you a recording of it.”

The train gave a sharp whistle, signalling that it was almost time to leave. “It certainly been as fun as always Vincent,” Seth mused as he held out a paw. “Until we meet again then?”

“Of course, friend,” Vincent replied while giving Seth’s paw a firm shake. “And hey, if you run into Gene, Abby, Sev, or Weiss, say hi for me? I consider them friends...or in the case of a certain snake, friendly enough.”

“Rika’s father? Yeah... he and I have a ‘we tolerate each other for Rika’s sake’ relationship... But don’t worry. I’ll do that.” Seth considered them friends as well, he was bound to meet them eventually. “Oh and Captain Ace might be doing some recruiting for a Pokemon Guard here soon, maybe keep an eye out for potential candidates?”

“I’ll try to remember that,” Vincent said as the train whistled again. “But you all better get on, now!”

“Right,” Seth grabbed Rika by the scruff of the neck as she tried to drag Christine with them. Fritter was already onboard, after giving Sam a recipes to give to Jeanne and Mary. Soon, they were all waving from the train windows as it pulled away from the station, and off to home, where many more surprises awaited them...

Author's Note

Ausbrony - Whew! That was a LOT longer than I thought it would be. I fear for our next cross, it’ll be a fic in and of itself. So yeah, I’m sad to say goodbye to Christine, but it appears I’ve gotten someone even crazier to replace her. Seth’s life is never going to be peaceful…

Thadius0 - You mean to say that you’ve gotten someone crazier than her after Vincent and his family! Sheesh. Aw well, it’s okay. I like being evil to my characters as well.

Chapter Forty Two

The train's brakes squeaked as it pulled into Canterlot Central Station. It had been a loooong week and Seth and his family were looking forward to a little relaxing.

The problem was that there was still quite a bit to do. Fritter had missed out on a week's worth of farm work and would really have to burn the midnight oil to catch up. Seth had his reports to file with Grissom and the princesses, as well as putting the finishing touches on the Pokemon Contest.

Selena had been rather quiet since leaving Las Pegasus, her mind consumed by thoughts and concerns. Ignis was trying his best to support her, but when she wasn’t telling him anything, it made doing that quite difficult.

The Contest was on top of the list for Rika’s concerns, seeing as how it was her idea in the first place. She still had no idea if anyone would even turn up or not. Arceus had made the announcement for them after all, but there were still no guarantees that anyone would show....

“Have you all got everything?” Seth asked before they left the train. Aster was asleep on his back, while the remainder of his inventory were in his saddlebags.

“Ah reckon so,” Fritter nodded and the group disembarked, and were promptly greeted by quite a few ponies and Pokemon. Elesa, Skyla and Diantha were there, along with Umbra and Grissom as well.

Elesa approached Seth and leaned over to hug the Luxray’s large head. “Welcome home,” she said brightly. “And congratulations on your new relationship as well.”

Seth blinked as he stared at his former lover. “You... you’re not mad?”

“Why would I be?” Elesa replied. “Look, we happened a long while ago. I’m glad you found someone... well, someone’s in this case.” She was caught of guard as the Luxray nuzzled her and smiled.

“Thanks Elle.”

The rest of them stepped forward to greet the group, sharing hugs, greetings and brief stories of what’s been going on.

“How about we continue this back at your home?” Diantha suggested, glancing at the grey clouds that were being pushed into place by the weather team. “There’s also quite the surprise waiting for you as well.”

Fritter smiled, “Have the builders finally started on the renovations?” she asked, but the Champion refused to tell. Seth smiled but shook his head.

“I want to get these reports to Princess Celestia as soon as possible. I’ll meet you guys at home a little later okay?”

“Oh come on Sethy!” Rika complained. “We just got home, can’t work wait a day?”

“The sooner it’s done, the sooner I can relax for a while,” Seth replied. “It won’t take long, I just have to drop these files off and give a verbal report. I’ll only be an hour or two.”

“Fine,” Rika pouted. “But you’d better hurry. I want some serious snuggle time with you!”

Diantha and Gardevoir stepped forward and after a nod from Seth, they Teleported the group home, leaving Seth and Grissom alone on the platform. As the Luxray turned and headed for the castle, the Thestral fell into step next to him.

“So how was your trip?” he asked. “Aside from the kerfuffle in Ponyville a few days ago.”

Seth sighed when the stallion brought that up. Ponyville, and the events that transpired there were causing mixed emotions within him. Some events were best forgotten in his opinion, while others? He’d remember for the rest of his days.

“Well, aside from the obvious?” Seth started. “Permission to speak freely sir?”

“Since when do you need or want permission?” Grissom chuckled, patting the Luxray on the back. “Tell me my friend, what happened?”

“Well, I told Fritter and Rika that I loved them,” Seth smiled. It was currently one of his fondest memories. Grissom smiled and nodded his head.

“Congrats then, I really hope you continue to have good fortune in that department.”

“Thanks,” Seth nodded as they climbed the stairs at the foot of the palace. “I hope so too. They deserve that much at least.”

“As do you,” Grissom said, placing a wing on Seth’s back. “You are entitled to happiness just as much as everypony else. Try and put your own feelings in front for once.”

“Yeah,” Seth sighed, giving the Guards at the palace door a salute before heading inside. “Old habits I guess. I still call Rika and the others ‘my Pokemon’. I know that they are so much more than that. But dropping a lifelong habit isn’t easy.”

“On top of everything else, you can’t be blamed for adjusting right away. I’m sure it would be a similar scenario if the shoe was on the other hoof.” The Thestral paused as he looked at the Luxray. “Also, a few things have happened around here. And once you find out, please keep in mind that the princess had no choice in the matter.”

“Uh...okay?” Seth blinked as they entered the throne room. his nose twitched as he sniffed the air, a familiar scent filling his nostrils. ‘So Abby and Sensei are here somewhere. This scent is pretty distinctive.’

When Apple fritter and the others had returned home, she noticed that quite a bit had changed.

For starters, the extensions were almost complete, and her once small house had nearly doubled in size. It now had three extra rooms, along with a two more bathrooms and a dining room. The kitchen was still the same, but the master bedroom was huge.

“Wow, this was done in just a week?” Rika exclaimed as they walked in, taking in the new home. “I gotta hand it to pony builders. They get stuff done fast.”

“No kiddin’,” Fritter said. Until she noticed a bottle of cider sitting on the table, a red ribbon wrapped around the neck. But ah reckon mah kin had somethin’ to do with this.”

“What makes you say that?” Selena asked.

“This cider,” Fritter replied, motioning at the bottle. “That there is only brewed by mah little sister, Apple Cider. She runs a small distillery in Appleloosa, along with Ma and Pa.”

“You’re assumption is correct,” Umbra said, coming from downstairs. Rika leaped to hug her, but the Umbreon caught her in a Psychic hold, content to float her daughter like a parade balloon for now. “A good deal of ponies arrived a few days ago, claiming to be family members of yours. Turns out one of the builders you hired is a relative, and word soon spread.”

“Unbelievable,” Fritter smiled as she looked around some more. She couldn’t believe that one of the ponies she hired was an Apple. Then again, there were probably more Apple members than species of Pokemon.

“We had another guest as well, a Meganium that seemed to be acquainted with Seth, but she was annoyingly vague. Said she’d return after finding someone.”

Selena, Ignis and Rika blinked. Seth had never had a Meganium...so she must have been human...but who?”

“I’ve done what I can to keep your house in order,” Umbra said. “I even made sure to keep your gardens and orchard watered. As well as harvested another crop of Berries.”

“Thank you kindly,” Fritter said, as Umbra finally let Rika go and succumbed to the hugs.

“So now what?” Selena yawned. “Because I could use a nap.”

“You slept all the way home,” Ignis sighed as he patted her on the back. “Ah well, guess I can’t fault you. A power nap sounds good right now.”

“Ah reckon ah’ll check on my trees, then my outstanding orders,” Fritter replied, trotting off for the kitchen. Rika just shrugged, continuing to nuzzle her mother.

“So how was your trip?” Umbra asked as they settled on the couch.

“Mm, it was okay,” Rika said as she let go. “I got to play tag with cute little Eevee’s. I met a buncha new friends and some old ones. And Chrissie and I are best friends now. I get to hug her and she gets a new hat.”

Umbra raised an eyebrow, before chuckling. “Ohh, and what about grandkids? Am I getting any yet?”

“MOM!” Rika blushed, pushing the Umbreon slightly. “No, Sethy isn’t ready for that yet.”

“Well, give the dear time. Changing species must be quite jarring and I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s doing to him mentally.”

“Yeah, but Sethy’s tough though,” Rika said. “And no matter what, he has us as well. We’re his Pokemon, and no matter what, we’ll keep him safe.”

“He is lucky to have ones like you,” Umbra chuckled. "Now, let's take a tour of your new home yes?"

“Welcome home Mr. Crescent,” Princess Celestia greeted him, a smile on her muzzle a she descended from her throne. “I hope your trip has been informative and enjoyable?”

“It was, and it’s always nice to catch up with friends. Though, I feel like my life is going to get much more interesting from here on out.” He gave a small chuckle as he recalled the little Whismur he had picked up, and that how quiet the house would be without Christine around. “I learned a lot from Captain Ace as well. She says hi by the way.”

“Noted,” Celestia chuckled. “And what of the situation in Las Pegasus. I have heard rather...disconcerting rumours and reports about that city.”

“Yeah, Captain Ace is really overworked regarding the Pokemon population,” Seth said. “She’s recruited a Tyranitar, but I firmly believe she could benefit from a proper unit to work with.”

“I shall make the necessary arrangements then,” Celestia nodded, before a worried expression crossed her muzzle. “There is also something you must know...”

“So this is what Griss mentioned,” Seth said, as the Thestral stallion received a sharp glare from the Alicorn. “Okay, what happened? Does it have to do with why Abby is here?”

“No, that is another matter entirely, and how did you-” Celestia shook her head. “Nevermind, it has to do with Total Control.”

Seth’s smiled vanished in an instant. “What about him?” he asked, his voice holding barely concealed anger.

Celestia sighed as her royal facade dropped. “Before I disbanded the previous Council, they had set up a petition, one that...” She paused and a frown creased her brow. “That had set up to release Control from his intended punishment.”

“So, he’s...” If she was going to say free...

“He has been moved to an asylum for the criminally insane,” Celestia said. “While he has escaped the life sentence, he is still in custody under heavy security,” she then let a small smirk form on her face. “And fortunately we were able to remove his horn permanently before this motion was carried out, so we shouldn’t need to worry about a repeat if or when he goes free.”

Seth nodded. At least that’s one less thing to worry about. Still though… “How?” he inquired.

“It was under the premise, that since we gave somepony as dangerous as Discord lenience, why couldn’t we do the same for a pony.” Celestia said. “Discord once ruled all of Equestria with an iron...appendage...sometimes made of actual iron. The argument was, that if we gave somepony like him a second chance, why not anypony else?”

“It was all done behind the princesses’ backs of course,” Grissom added. “And while she could have overruled it, it could be seen as an abuse of power and playing favourites.”

Celestia nodded, “Something I unfortunately can’t afford as right now the views on Pokemon are still rather mixed, especially with the nobility,” she sighed in exasperation at the end.

Seth sighed. Honestly, it didn’t come as much of a surprise as it should have. Probably because crap like this happened all the time back on Earth. He hadn’t noticed that his body was sparking slightly, gaining wary looks from Celestia and Grissom.

“Seth? You feeling okay?” Grissom asked.

“To be perfectly honest. No, not really,” he replied with a deep frown creasing his brow. “But, doesn’t matter. It’s not your fault and this mental facility is secure right?”

“Yes, I have made sure of it,” Celestia nodded. “And he cannot use magic ever again, while I was...displeased that I had to resort to that ancient punishment, it was for the greater good.”

“I wish things could have gone better myself,” Seth sighed. He shifted his weight and the bottles clinking in his bag reminded him of another errand. He looked back at the white Alicorn. “Do you know where I can find somepony named Bio Chem?”

“He has an office and lab at my school, the large building over there?” she motioned with a wing at the massive school about a mile away. “I’ll warn you now... Bio Chem is, enthusiastic.”

“Translation, Bio Chem probably drinks what he invents,” Grissom sighed. “He’s completely nuts, so best of luck with that.” He paused and nodded his head. “Also, we received a significant amount of paperwork from the Pokemon Rangers in Ponyville. Perhaps you could take a look once you return?”

“Yay,” Seth deadpanned. He hated paperwork, but still, acess to Pokemon Ranger stuff, that could be quite enlightening. He gave the ponies a nod and one last salute before heading off to meet Bio Chem.

The walk to the School was a pleasant one. And once he got there, the Luxray could see how massive it was. He got a few weary looks as he walked in, but after he’d announced that he was from the Palace, he pretty much had free rein to go where he wished. Walking down one hall, he paused to take a look at the photos that lined the walls. It seemed to be a collection of high-achieving students. One little filly stood out and Seth didn’t even need to read the plaque underneath to recognise Twilight Sparkle.

Another filly stood out, the tag identifying her as Sunset Shimmer, a rather fiery-looking filly. Others included Moondancer, Lyra Heartstrings, Starlight Glimmer, Beatrix Lulamoon and Sky Dream.

“So, an academic Hall of Fame,” he chuckled to himself. That thought brought a small frown though. He shook his head and kept walking, no point in dwelling in the past.

After asking a few ponies, he found the lab belonging to Bio Chem, and he suddenly felt like he should turn and run. Still, he swallowed his nerves and nudged the door open, only to be greeted by a pair of glowing red eyes!

“WHOA!?” Seth leapt back as his body crackled, but it was just a Metang. Seth sighed as his electricity died out and he put on a forced smile.

“Uh, I’m looking for a pony named Bio Chem?”

“Right this way sir,” the Metang said, leading Seth into the lab and past several machines.

“Hal?” An accented voice asked as a white maned Earth Pony stallion with a brown coat walked up to them. “Who’s this?” The pony eyed Seth curiously. “Sharp blue, black and yellow fur... I’m gonna guess Electric type.”

“Got it in one, you’re pretty sharp,” Seth smiled. “My name is Seth Crescent, former human and currently working for Princess Celestia and Luna.” He looked the stallion over and nodded. “And I’m gonna guess you’re Bio Chem?”

“Mhm, Professor of Genetics for Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, PhD, MD, etcetera,” he said with a smile. “And what, Mister Crescent, may I ask, brings you to my humble laboratory?”

“Well, that does bring me to the reason that I came here today,” Seth said. He removed the saddlebags he wore carefully and placed them on a nearby counter. “In those bags, are a sample of every kind of healing potion that was created on Earth. Well, the ones made for Pokemon anyhow.”

Bio Chem’s eyes widened as he walked over to the bags and started pulling out various potions. “Interesting,” he took a sip of one of them. “Huh, not bad.” Placing the bottle back down, he smiled at Seth. “Thank you Mister Crescent, if I can analyze these and work them down to their base ingredients I should be able to synthesize more of them here in my lab.”

“That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear,” Seth beamed. “You will have a lot of very grateful Pokemon on your hooves if you are successful...hmm,” he paused as another thought came to mind. “I’ll have to ask Arceus, but if you can find anyone from either a company called Silph or Devon. They created things like these potions, so someone from there might be useful to have around.”

“Ooo, human inventors,” Bio Chem smiled and laughed. “Honestly, with everything you Pokemon brought along with you, I have enough projects to keep me busy for the next few decades.”

“Heh, if only everyone was so optimistic of our arrival,” Seth smiled wryly. He took a moment to look around at the laboratory. He recognised a few instruments, or at least, ones that resembled Earth machinery.

“Bah, someponies are just afraid of change,” he trotted over to some kind of centrifuge and poured a bit of one of the potions in. “I find that sometimes ponies just need a... push, to get them going in a new direction.” He said with a smile as he started up the device.

“Yeah, let’s just hope that direction is the right one,” Seth said. “We just got here, it’d kinda suck if your god up and left with the lot of you.”

“Oh don’t worry, I doubt I can mess anything up that badly... probably,” Bio Chem blinked and shrugged. “At the very least the potions aren’t going to be what causes it.”

Elsewhere, Princess Celestia suddenly shivered.

“Hmm, perhaps I could use a vacation...”

“But no, I’m being careful,” Bio Chem said with a sigh. “The Princess will have my hide if I louse things up with the Pokemon cause of a poorly thought out experiment,” he mumbled something about Evolution under his breath before turning to one of his machines and tapping its touch screen.

“Evolution?” Seth flicked his ear. “You want to study that?”

“I’m a geneticist, Evolution and changes in genetic coding is literally my job description,” he explained. “I want to figure out how you Pokemon are able to go through the process so quickly... and part of me wants to try and apply it to ponies, but the Princess will get upset if I accidently make myself an Alicorn.”

Seth paused as he imagined Apple Fritter as a slender Alicorn, perhaps one similar to Twilight or that pink one he saw at the wedding. Yeah, okay, he liked that image quite a bit. “Well, if you want to learn more in a safe way, I do have my Pokedex back.” He saw Chem’s tilted head and clarified.

“Ah, basically a high-tech encyclopedia on all of humanity's knowledge on Pokemon.”

“Oh yay,” Bio Chem said with a smile. “I’ve been documenting everything I’ve learned about Pokemon but they’re not always willing to share.”

“Well, I’m more than happy to help,” Seth smiled. “In fact, I plan to make a written copy of the data in my Pokedex, hopefully ponykind can learn from it.” Then he was reminded of the paperwork that awaited him back at the castle and deflated somewhat. So much for heading home anytime soon.

“Well, it was nice meeting you Bio Chem,” Seth smiled as he placed the remaining Potions on the table, along with a notebook explaining what each one was and what effects they had. “I still have a lot to do today, but I hope you are able to recreate these.”

The stallion smiled and waved Seth off as he left before turning to the potions and grinning. “Alright my little magical cure-alls,” he said as he pulled a syringe from one of his drawers. “Time to show me what you’re really made of.”

Seth figured now was a good time to book it back to the palace.

After his meeting with the eccentric scientist, Seth returned to the castle, both to inform Celestia of the results, and to put away the paperwork that he forgot earlier. Not long after he arrived, Grissom caught up with him and started to drag him towards the courtyard.

“Where are we going?” Seth inquired. “Did I break something before?”

“No, I was just going to introduce you to somepony,” Grissom chuckled, that annoying enigmatic one that Celestia often used. Yep, those two were waaay too much alike.

Once there, Seth narrow his eyes as he tried to get a better look. Standing in a circular formation were about a dozen Solar Guard, surrounding a Thestral mare in light, gold armour. Her coat was a milk chocolate brown, and her mane and tail were a shiny platinum blonde. Her cat-slitted eyes were an iridescent emerald green.

Grissom gave Seth a light smile and raises a hoof. “Begin!”

The stallions lowered their spears and charged at her. The mare closing her eyes and Seth caught the slightest movement from her, as her hoof tapped in a steady rhythm. Just as the spears were about to reach her, she jumped as the spears struck the ground where she stood just a second ago. She hovered for a moment, before landing on one spear and extending the blades mounted on her wings as she pointed at the throats of two stallions.

“Well, you two are dead,” she hummed, as she pirouetted on one of her forehooves and slashed at three more.

“And so are you three~”

Seth blinked. In a matter of about four seconds, she ‘killed’ half of her opponents. The mare leapt into the air as two stallions cast a spell, and ethereal chains burst from the ground, snaking through the air towards her.

“Binding Spell No. 42,” Grissom commentated, even as the mare’s swords blurred, slashing the chains to ribbons and she dove sharply. She landed on one stallion, pining him to the ground with one blade pressed against his neck. She flicked her wing as the second blade detached and embedded itself in the wall only a few inches from the other mage.

“Two more for the glue factory,” she giggled. Only four remained now and they were looking uneasy. One Earth pony charged straight at her, surrounded by a shield generated by the last remaining Unicorn.

“Fatal Falsetto!” she cried out, as she flew in a sharp arc, her blade leaving a line of light as it slashed straight down. The charging stallion paused and let out a low groan before collapsing.

“Three little ponies, standing in a row~’ she sang, her voice was amazing, but be damned if Seth’s fur wasn’t standing on end. Those three looked like they were about to soil their armour.

She gave her bladeless wing a flick as the sword embedded in the wall was removed and pulled through the air, Seth only just catching a glimpse of a wire attaching it to the appendage. Once the blade was back reattached, she gave the three a wide grin as she stalked closer, her blades humming with a dark power.

Her eyes narrowed and one look was all that was needed to induce paralysing fear.

“Dirge of Death!”

The three threw themselves to the ground whimpering, one raising a hoof in surrender. And like a switch being flicked, the mare was back to her usual chirpy self.

“Well, that makes a dozen. Any more takers, these little colts didn’t satisfy me in the least.” Her ear flicked and she noticed the Luxray standing next to Grissom. “Well now, you look like you could last. Wanna have a go? Or should we hit up the barracks and you can have a go~”

“Why would I want to fight in the barracks?” Seth blinked as Grissom facehooved.

“Seth, let me introduce you,” he groaned, rubbing the space between his eyes. “This is Captain Midnight Song, also, the only Thestral in the Solar Guard.”

“Also the sexiest,’ she winked. “So, you’re the famous Seth Crescent I’ve heard so much about.” She held out a hoof. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too I guess,” Seth blinked as he shook the mare’s hoof. He looked at the defeated Guard and nodded. “That was pretty impressive by the way.”

“Oh, that?” she shrugged and sighed. “That wasn’t even a warm up. I’m left feeling unsatisfied and wanting a real workout.” She looked the lion over and licked her lips. “I bet you could fix that~”

“Heh, not likely, you’d beat me in no time I’m afraid,” Seth’s reply left Midnight blinking and Grissom to add his hoof as a permanent fixture to his face.

“Midnight, he’s taken,” Grissom said. “Now, if you would be so kind as to not flirt with your new partner...”

Both Luxray and Thestral blinked and turned to look at him.

“Partner?” they said in unison.

“I am on the Council now, so I can no longer play your liaison to the Guard and ponykind,’ Grissom said. “And it so happens that Midnight here has some knowledge about Pokemon, well, you just witnessed what she is capable of yourself.”

“You know about Pokemon?” Seth ased and Midnight shrugged.

“Yeah, well since you guys showed up, I’ve been studying,” she explained, waving a hoof in a lazy circle. “So I think I’d like to know quite a bit.”

“Well, my job here is done,” Grissom chuckled. “You kids have fun.”

“Wait what?” Seth turned, but the stallion was already trotting off. “Is that is? Oh come on!”

Midnight sighed and shook her head. “Yeah, Dad’s always been a bit of a flake when it came to passing the bit like this. We’ll, guess were partners now Boss.”

Seth just chuckled and looked at the mare. “Guess so...wait, Dad!?”

“Yeah, Grissom is my dad,” Song nodded as she walked off, a slight swing in her hips. Seth sighed as he headed to his office. Seems that his job just got a lot more interesting. Still, he also had that Ranger stuff to go through as well.

“I really hope they don’t want me to be an actual Ranger,” Seth muttered as the pair walked to his office. “While I don’t mind doing this job for the Princess, becoming a Ranger...yeah, no.”

“Hmm, sounds like you have something against them,” Midnight hummed as they walked. “Is there a story behind that?”

“Maybe,” Seth replied tersely. He nudged his door and stepped inside. There were a few folders on the table and a quick inspection saw that they’d been dictated by Albert Hastings.

“Huh, so I guess he’s been a little busy since being taken into custody,” the Luxray mused as his new Thestral friend took a seat nearby.

“The big old guy with the concrete cane?” she questioned. “From what I hear, he’s giving the Princesses a lot of information in between therapy sessions. This is what we have so far.”

Seth opened the folder and scanned a few pages. As he expected, the first few were all about Gene and Belle, what happened at the first wedding and the aftermath of that. Hastings in particular had been relentless at first.

As he idly flipped the pages, scanning anything that stood out, he paused. No...this couldn’t be right.

Report Number 007 - Concerning Top Rangers, Alexi Crescent and Mirai Crescent.

“My...” Seth’s voice hitched and Midnight noticed this leaning closer.

“Hey Boss, you okay?” she asked, placing a hoof on his back.

“This report,” he said quietly. “It’s...about my parents. My birth ones.”

“Have you seen it before?” Midnight replied, as Seth shook his head.

“No...and not for lack of trying. Hastings...would never tell me what happened. He said once, that if I stopped providing support for the human/pokemon couples...then he’d tell me...”

“Well, he’s not here now and there’s nothing stopping you,” Midnight smirked as she closed his door. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”

Seth paused, and shook his head. “Actually...I think I could use the company.” The batpony smiled and took a seat next to him as he started to read.

Year 4995

‘During a routine investigation of a rockslide in the Sekra Range, Rangers Alexi and Mirai encountered an organisation known as Team Go. They were attempting to capture wild Pokemon, using what was determined as cruel methods.

Reports state that while Alexi and Mirai were successful in driving back the criminals, however, a second rockslide occurred, presumably triggered by the battle. Through brave actions, the local Pokemon and the Pokemon partners of these brave Rangers were spared... But Alexi and Mirai Crescent lost their lives.

They saved countless innocents, and had been awarded the gold cross, the highest honor of the Ranger Corps. However, they left behind their recently born son, Seth Alexi Crescent.

He will be placed in foster care, in the orphanage in Castelia City in the Unova region. It is with high hopes that he grows well and becomes a fine young man.’

It was brief, but it told Seth all that he needed to hear. Midnight looked at him and leaned closer, placing one of her leathery wings over his back.

“So...that’s it huh?” Seth chuckled dryly. The irony of that last line was amusing though. He wondered if Hastings still thought he was a ‘fine young man’?

“So...you’ve never known about this?” Midnight said softly. She’d had to deal with this sort of thing before, when parents and siblings would lose a member of the Guard.

“No, all I knew was that that they were Rangers, and that they died on a mission.” He re-read the page and smiled softly. “And they were awesome. I can’t believe that they were heroes like that.”

“They do sound pretty cool,” Midnight grinned. “Why don’t you head home for now? Let your family know you’re still kicking.”

“Yeah, guess I should,” Seth replied. Rika would probably hunt him down soon if he didn’t return. And, he still had to talk to Selena about Control. He sighed, that was not going to be fun. he looked at the Thestral that was to be his partner and an idea formed in his head.

“Well, we still need to get to know one another. Why don’t you come over for dinner? I’m sure one more mouth to feed won’t be a hassle.”

“Well, rumour has it that your Apple mare is one heck of a cook.” She hummed and tapped her chin. “Well, my shift ends in a few hours. I know where you live, so meet you there?”

“Sure,” Seth grinned and she moved her wing from his back. “And...thanks Miss Midnight.”

“Sure, but drop the ‘Miss’ thing,” she winked. “Though if you feel like a little ‘Lord and Lady’ roleplay, I’d totally be down for that too~”

“You are incorrigible,” Seth chuckled. “But fine, see you later Midnight.”

The batpony blew him a kiss and trotted from the room, her flank having a little wiggle to it.

“How is she related to Grissom of all ponies?” Seth wondered as he put his reports on his desk and left the castle. The sun was on it’s way down and he decided to take a small detour through the park. He’d spent so much time in the city lately, that he felt like seeing a little greenery. It was then that a sudden gust of wind caught him off guard, and the starry scarf wrapped around his right leg blew off, soaring into the sky.

“Crap!” he chased after it, but he was no flying type and it was heading for the lake in the centre of the park. He stopped though, when a long, green vine snared the scarf from the sky. Seth sighed in relief as he traced the vine back to it’s owner, a rather lovely Meganium.

“Thanks for saving that,” Seth said as he walked over to her. The Meganium just looked at the patchwork scarf that was clasped in her vine. As Seth got closer, she looked down at him.

“W-Where...did you get this?” she asked hesitantly.

Seth frowned lightly, “...My mother made it for me. It’s...one of my most precious possessions.”

The Grass-type gripped it tighter as tears stung her eyes. “Are you...Seth?”

“Yes-” was all the Luxray got out before the heavy Pokemon tackle hugged him, not unlike Rika would. “Ack! What the what?”

“My Sethy, my little Sethy!” she cried. “I’ve...looked everywhere for you!”

It was around then that he recognised her voice. The voice of the woman that he had known his whole life. The one that ran the orphanage he was raised in. And the one he called...

“Mom...?” he said in a choked whisper. He wasn’t crying. Nope, she was just heavy.

“Yes, it’s me!” she sobbed into his fur. “I finally found you. After all this time...I finally found you.” She smiled even wider when she felt his paws wrap around her. “I’ve heard...rumours. That you’ve been helping people.”

“Yeah,” he said, leaning into the embrace. “What can I say. I like to meddle.” he sniffed and took a deep, shaky breath. “I’ve missed you.”

“And I’ve missed you,” she replied, reluctantly letting go so she could look at him. “So...a Luxray huh?”

“Yeah, not my first pick, but I can’t complain...could have been so much worse.” He looked her over and nodded, “And you’re a Meganium.”

“Yeah, not my first pick,” Kimberly nodded and smiled cheekily. “There’s so much I want to say...but I have no idea where to start.” She hummed and tapped her chin with a vine. “Are you eating well? Where are you staying?”

“With Rika, Ignis and Selena, and Apple Fritter, the mare we’re living with,” he said. “And yes, I’m eating well. Fritter’s an amazing chef. I think all other forms of food are forever ruined.” He chuckled and then blinked as his stomach rumbled, demanding aforementioned Fritter noms.

“It seems so,” Kimberly giggled. “So is this pony nice?”

“Apple Fritter? She’s amazing,” Seth smiled as he closed his eyes. “She’s strong, talented and determined. Not to mention a great cook, and she’s beautiful...” he paused as Kimberley held back a barely contained squeal.

“Ah, yeah. I should also mention that I sorta might be dating her...”

Kimberley squealed again.

“And Rika, my Sylveon...”

Her squeal was cut short as she looked at him with a slight tilt of her head. “Um, what?”

“Apple Fritter and Rika. I’m dating them both. Well, we’re all dating each other really.” Seth explained. “It a polygamous relationship. Where three or more-”

“I know what polygamy is,” Kimberley said with a wide smirk. “Well, a pony and a Pokemon huh? Interesting, but I suppose you don’t have much of a choice anymore huh?”

“Nope,” Seth grinned happily. “Still...I love them a lot. That’s what counts right?”

“That’s right,” Kim nodded and hugged him again. “I’m happy for you...but, what about Elesa?”

Seth went quiet. “Yeah, you know as well as I do that that can’t happen again. Still, we’re friends, so I’m cool with that.” He looked up at her and gave a cheeky smile. “Heh, I’m not used to being shorter than you.”

“Yeah, you still look pretty big for a Luxray,” she said. “So, aside from your rather interesting lovelife. How have you been? Regarding-” she waved her vines to the area around them.
“-all this.”

“Honestly? better than I thought i would,” Seth replied, looking over his form. “I still have trouble every now and then, mostly controlling my electricity.”

“Tell me about it,” Kim giggled. “I think I spent a week in a flower shop, since my breath apparently revives dead plants now. Got paid quite a bit for that actually.”

“So what will you do now?” Seth asked, his tone hinting at hopefulness. “Would you like to come stay with us?”

Kimberly smiled, placing a vine on his shoulder. “I would love to. But I’m still trying to find your sister. I have a lead, but you know what she’s like.”

“Yeah, Becky tends to be a real handful at the best of times...” He chuckled at some of the shenanigans she’d get up to, especially when she started practising magic.” He remember when she tried to perform for his twelfth birthday. She had tried to make Ignis disappear, but everyone could see his tail flame from behind the curtain. “So how do you know it’s her?”

“A loud, boisterous girl with a penchant for street performances,” she giggled, remembering all the times she would go out and try to earn some money for the orphanage. She was such a sweet child, if not a little on the egotistical side. “If the rumours are to be believed, then she’s a Braixen.”

“Yup, that sounds about right for her,” he chuckled. “She always did have a thing for fox-shaped Pokemon.” It was around then that he remembered another love of hers and groaned. She had a massive fangirl crush on a certain someone. In particular, a certain Phantom Thief.

“I wonder she know that she’s here?” he wondered to himself. “Okay, so you’re gonna go and get her first then?”

“Yes, I finally found one of you and I hate to leave so soon but...”

“But Becky and I can be a real pain to locate at times,” he laughed. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on going anywhere for the foreseeable future. I’ll be waiting right here until my mom and sister come back.”

“Thank you Seth,” she smiled and hugged him one last time. “I’ll see you soon okay? I love you.”

“I’m counting on it,” he replied as she pulled back. “And, I love you too Mom.” With one last look, disappeared into the darkening evening. Seth watched her go, wishing she could stay, or at least wishing he could go with her. But he had family and obligations here that couldn’t be ignored. Plus, he knew she’d be back soon.

Turning around, he wore a bright smile on his face as he headed home.

Author's Note

Okay, so I finally have a brand new chapter full of all sorts of fun stuffs. And, NEW CHARACTERS!!

Let's all give a warm welcome to Midnight Song, the flirty Thestral. And to Kimberly Haleth, Seth's adoptive mother.

And last but not least, we have Rebecca 'Becky' Haleth. She's a funny little Braixen with a penchant for magic and mischief.

Regarding her. This is an offer to any 'New World' author. I need a place for Becky to be. Who'd like to do a cross with me regarding her?

Chapter Forty Three

All...was not well at Fritter’s house. While the group had been pleasantly surprised by the speedy renovations, and Fritter was glad that she hadn’t fallen too far behind on her farming.

A new issue had arisen.

And said issue was now sitting on the kitchen table.

“So uh...what do we do with it?” Fritter asked. While she had come to expect strange things could happen when a Pokemon was involved, this was...not something she expected.

“I have no idea,” Rika replied, equally as confused. “Where did it even come from?”

“Well it certainly wasn’t here before,” Umbra stated. “Someone or something has left it here within the last hour or so.”

Everyone turned and looked at the Absol in the room. An Absol who had a glare that threatened disembowelment if anyone even dared suggest it was hers. A flowery fairy seated on the couch mimicked that glare when they looked at her instead.

“Well someone has to own it!” Rika exclaimed, throwing her ribbons into the air in frustration.

Someone must have, but no-one was laying claim to it. Just who owed this freaking Egg!

Seth had sat in the park for a while now, after meeting his mother again after all this time, and hearing that his sister was here somewhere as well?

This night was absolutely perfect.

He’d been sitting there for about a half hour or so, just processing what had happened. Honestly, for a good long while now, he’d avoided putting too much thought into his actions. The last time he did that, he Thunderbolted God.

Right now though, he was just so damned happy that he could care less. All of the minor and major problems could just go suck it right now, nothing could possibly ruin his mood. With a small grunt as he got to his paws, he headed for home, humming a jaunty little tune.

He’d met up with Midnight on his way there and once they were home, Seth took a moment to sit outside and look at the drastically different home. It certainly looked larger on the outside, and it had all been done in a week?

“Even a Pokemon-team couldn’t have done it so fast,” Seth mused. “And our technology was far more advanced than anything Equestria currently possesses.”

“We ponies are kinda awesome like that,” Midnight giggled as they stepped up to the front door. “Plus, y’know...maaaaaagic~”

“I can’t wait for a Pokemon to come along and use magic,” Seth replied with a small huff. He personally prefered good old science. He nudged the door open and stepped inside, just as a little pink cannonball struck him, knocking him back outside.

“Ooh, that looked painful,” Midnight winced. “You okay boss?”

Seth just groaned as Rika nuzzled his fluffy chest fur, purring lightly. The Luxray slowly sat up, holding his overly affectionate Sylveon close as he frowned.

“You really need to dial down the love,” Seth sighed. “I don’t have the Defense stats to deal with that on a constant basis. And I swear you have a Same-type bonus to that move...”

“Well, Tackle is a Normal move and I do have Pixelate,” Rika giggled. Her cheerful mood turned sour as she frowned. “Also, you said you’d only be an hour or so, not all freaking day!!”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Seth said as he pulled the fairy close for a hug. “I had a little more to do that I thought. Oh! And you’ll never guess what happened?”

Rika hummed and then noticed Midnight standing there. “You found another herd member?”

“What? NO!” Seth blushed as Midnight smirked.

“Aw, c’mon boss, no need to be shy~” she purred as she stepped closer. “You said we need to get...better acquainted~”

“One, knock it off Officer Song,” Seth said with a low tone, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And two, that’s not it Rika...I’ll tell you all once I’m allowed inside. So if you wouldn’t mind dear?”

“Huh?” Rika looked down to see she was still perched on Seth’s chest. “Whoops, sorry Sethy.” She hopped down and smiled at him, using her ribbons to help him up. “There we go.”

“Whoa! Those things are prehensile?” Song snagged one of her ribbons with a hoof and looked at it. “How strong are they?”

“You’ll find out if you don’t let go,” Rika warned her and the batpony smiled and released the appendage. Rika nodded and turned back to Seth, her blue eyes dancing with mirth. “And you aren’t the only one with a surprise~”

“When you say it, I have deep dread more than anything else,” Seth muttered as he walked inside, his little Eeveeloution pouting as she followed.

“So mean,” she whined as Seth walked into the living room, as Fritter gave him a much more reserved hug and a soft kiss.

“See, this is how one should be greeted,’ Seth smiled, happily returning the affection. Fritter giggled, pulling Rika in for a hug as well.

“Ah, don’t mind her, she’s been antsy all day,” the mare sighed. “An’ on top o’that, we have that thing to deal with.”

Seth tilted his head at that statement. ‘Is that the surprise that Rika mentioned? I wonder what the heck happened while I wasn’t here.’

“You first though,” Rika piped up. “We have one surprise mostly, you seem to have a bunch though. Like who this Zubatpony is.”

“The correct term is Thestral,” Midnight replied. “Only my friends get to refer to me like that.”

In a flash, the Sylveon was in her face, staring into her emerald eyes. “Ooh. Ooh! Can I be your friend Miss...uhh?” It was around then that everyone realised that Seth hadn’t introduced her yet.

“This is Midnight Song,” The Luxray smiled. “She’s my new partner apparently, as well as my liaison to the Royal Guard.”

“Yup!” the batpony beamed. “Ever since you Pokemon showed up, life has been so much less boring. So this should be a ton of fun!” She looked back at Rika and smiled. “And yes, I would love to be your friend.”

“Whoo! New friend!” Rika cheered as she pulled the bat into a bone-crushing hug. Midnight let out a groan as she could almost hear her ribs crack.

“Whelp, you’re doomed to that forever now,’ Seth chuckled as he sat on the couch next to Titania. “And how have you been Lady Titania?”

“Just Titania will be fine, at least in your case,” the noble fairy responded as she placed her teacup down. “And I have been well actually. I finished a few new designs and shipped some presents off to Roll and Shredder, you remember them yes?”

“...” Seth’s right eye gave a slight twitch and Titania smiled.

“Yes, you remember them more fondly than most then.” Titania smiled as she raised the teacup to her lips once more. “These new additions to the house are quite satisfactory. I even have an empty room to house some dressmaking equipment in.”

“That’s cool,” Seth smiled. “Maybe I should get you to make me an outfit sometime... I miss clothes.”

“Aw, and I thought you liked being a nudist~” Rika giggled and Seth facepawed.

“Well, I shall pencil up a few designs tonight then,” Titania stifled a giggle, but she still smiled at the Luxray’s embarrassment. Another little pink puffball made itself known, as Aster woke up from her nap.

“Ohhh, hey Unca Seth, you’re home?”

“Sure am,” Seth smiled, moving to pet the little Whismur. “Have you been a good girl for everyone?”

“Yuh-huh!” Aster nodded and giggled. “Have you found Mommy yet?”

Seth winced slightly. He’d been so busy since he got back, he’d forgotten to look for this ‘Zinnia’ person.

“No, not yet Aster, but do you wanna come with me tomorrow and we’ll keep looking?”

Aster’s smiled widened and she nodded. “Yeah! That sounds super awesome!”

“Okay, it’s a deal then,” Seth chuckled, giving the little Pokemon a hug. He looked up at Rika and smiled. “So what’s your surprise?” he asked the Sylveon. The fairy giggled and vanished from the room, but returned soon enough with a Pokemon Egg.

“Whoa! That’s a honkin’ big egg!” Midnight said as she looked at the blue and pink egg.

Seth on the other hand?

His fur had turned a significant shade whiter as he looked at it. And the striking colour resemblance that held to the one carrying it. But, they hadn’t...he never did...

“W-what?” he croaked out. “Rika...is that...?”

A sudden dilemma presented itself to the Fairy. One, she could roll with this, and say it was hers. Watch her beloved trainer and mate freak right the heck out. It would be hilarious.

Two...

“Don’t worry Sethy,” Rika re-assured him. “This isn’t my Egg. We haven’t even done that sort of thing yet. This one just appeared out of thin air. None of us know where it came from.”

Seth blinked as she let out a deep, long held breath. “Don’t...scare me like that,” he replied. “While the thought has crossed my mind. I don’t think I’m quite ready for that step.”

Well, be damned if that didn’t make Rika and Fritter’s hearts skip a beat. Seth had actually considered the idea of children?

“Still,” the Luxray said as he stepped closer to it. “I wonder where it came from?” His eyes flashed gold, wondering if he could see inside of it. But...

“Hmm, that’s odd. I can’t see through the shell for some reason. It just glows brightly for some reason.” Now that was interesting and he made a note to write that down later. He suddenly had another idea and looked at Fritter.

“Where did you put my bags?”

“In our bedroom,” Fritter replied and the Luxray ran upstairs, returning a few moments later with his Pokedex in his mouth. He sat back down in front of the Egg and opened the device. It pinged a few times before responding.

‘No data. Unable to scan’

“That’s odd, it normally identifies Eggs pretty easily.” Seth said with a small frown. But, his Pokedex had also been on the fritz lately. Especially in his trip to Las Pegasus. He had learned more than he needed to know on that trip.

“Well, guess we’ll just have to see when it hatches,” Rika said, keeping the Egg close to her to keep it warm. “I wonder what’s inside?”

Seth just shrugged as Fritter disappeared into the kitchen. She still had dinner to prepare, and Umbra moved to help her. The Luxray looked around and noticed that two of his teammates were missing. “Where’s Ignis and Selena?”

“Selly ran out a while ago,” Rika sat as she curled up on the run in front of their new fireplace. “Dunno where Iggy went. Probably to train or something.”

“Sounds like him,” Seth replied as he looked at his new partner. “Oh, Selena and Ignis are two more of my Pokemon. An Absol and a Charizard.” He opened his Pokedex again to show the Thestral the pokemon in question.

“Oh, cool,” Midnight said as she saw the pictures. “The dragon one, Charizard? He looks pretty tough.”

“Ignis prides himself on his strength,” Seth said as he closed the device. “My team consists of three Pokemon. First is Ignis, the vanguard. He’s the strongest member of my team and is trained to hit with overwhelming power. Selena is the rear guard. My teams can fight knowing that she’ll always have their backs.”

“And I’m the shield,” Rika chirped. “No-one will hurt my friends and my wall is unbreakable.”

“Really?” Midnight blinked. She was trained enough to never underestimate an opponent's strength, especially with these Pokemon. But still...”

“You think I can’t defend?” Rika said, surprisingly unfazed by the doubt. “Don’t worry, it’s rare that I get taken seriously. I play that to my strength as well.”

“I can attest to that,” Titania nodded grimly. That memory would never leave her. Gods, King would never let her live it down if he ever found out.

“Hmm, maybe we should spar sometime?” Midnight hummed thoughtfully. Then she sniffed and hummed a little more. “Ohh, something smells good~”

“That would be Fritter’s amazing cooking,” Seth said with a warm smile. “Any other food is forever ruined for me. Nothing compares to a Fritter Feast!”

“Darn tootin’!” Fritter called out, thankful she was in the kitchen where nopony could see her blush from all the praise. “It’ll be a few more minutes though.”

Rika had moved to the couch where she was nuzzling the egg in her ribbons. She looked up at her Luxray with a big smile. “So what’s your surprise? You haven’t stopped grinning since you got home...” She paused and pondered. “Did the Princess finally give you an airship?”

Seth turned his head and pouted. “No...” He really, really wanted one though. “But it’s just as good. I... found Mom, well, more like she found me but...”

Rika would’ve leapt off of the couch if she wasn’t caring for the egg. So she settled on beaming brighter than the sun and a mental promise to hug him later. “Really!? You found Kimmy?”

“Like I said, she found me when I was on my way home. She’s...not here right now. She went to find Becky. But, she said she’d be back.” Honestly, Seth was pretty damned happy tonight. He still wondered where Ignis and Selena were though.

“I can’t wait til they come back,” Rika giggled happily. “One big happy family right?”

“That would be pretty awesome,” Seth sighed as Fritter started bringing out dinner, Umbra floated out the rest using Psychic. Midnight Song looked at the food and she may or may not have started to drool slightly.

“Oh sweet Celestia that looks and smells amazing~” Midnight all but floated over. “Oh my dear Apple mare, you should forget Seth and marry me instead!”

“Ah, no.” Fritter deadpanned, but smiled at the batpony’s antics none-the-less. Seth sighed as he sat down at the table, next to his mare. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and lay her head on his shoulder. “So, y’all found yer Momma huh? She’s the one that gave you that scarf right?”

“Yeah,” he replied, looking at the garment tied around his leg. “I knew she’d be on Equus somewhere. I’m glad she found us though.” He took a deep breath as he breathed in Fritter’s scent. She smelled of apples, naturally. But other things as well. he couldn’t name them all, but he liked it all the same.

“You okay there Boss?” Midnight smirked from across the table. “Looking a little lost there.”

The Luxray and the mare blushed and looked away. “M’fine,” he muttered as he ate his pasta. Rika and Midnight giggled They were so hopelessly cute.

The moonlight bathed over the foals playground. Selena sat atop a large construct made for climbing on as she stared at the stars. She preferred the night lately, less Unicorns out and about after dark.

Unknown to her, she wasn’t alone, as out of sight, another figure was watching her from afar, a pair of piercing eyes watching with interest. The owner had seen this particular Absol around town lately, and each time the owner noticed, she seemed...troubled as hell for some reason.

Selena sighed as she looked back down. “What the hell am I even doing?” she muttered. “I’m better than this, stronger... so why?” Her claws bit into the steel frame of the play equipment. She suddenly flinched as she glared at the darkness that surrounded the park.

“Who’s there!?’ she called out. “Pick a fight with me and you’ll regret it!”

No answer came, as the eyes simply narrowed, before retreating slightly, yet still allowing the owner to see. Focusing a little, the owner remembered his Master’s training, allowing him to suppress his presence.

“Yeah. Thought so!” Selena smirked, before applying her paw to her face. “Yelling at shadows. Yep, way to prove you’re not going nuts Selly...”

The figure blinked a little in surprise. This ‘Selly’ was certainly unusual. A little different than most, but he decided he’d continue watching and see if she was actually going to go anywhere with this.

Selena frowned as she stared back up at the sky. She was still a little miffed over what Jeanne had said to her, plus all the other crap she was going through. It was hard.

“Idiot humans just don’t get it. How do they know what we Pokemon go through?” She flexed her limbs and leapt gracefully from one piece of equipment to the other, her limbs leaving a trail of sparkling pink light as she did. Well, she had promised Seth that she’d practice. At least now she wasn’t lying.

The figure’s eyes narrowed again. ‘Humans just don’t get it’? He’d heard that line too often for his taste, and he had to physically suppress a growl to keep his presence hidden.

“At least when they were still human, they hid their presumptuousness a little better,” Selena sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if Seth is the only one with a little common sense. Well, him and a few others...” She sighed again as she held the conversation with herself. “Jumping at shadows and talking with myself. Yep, I’m nuts. I’m going home, rutting my dragon and going to bed.”

The figure was...uncertain now. On one hand, he prefered not to pry, but on the other hand...he was...curious about this odd Absol. That and he wanted to get to the bottom of her statement, and if needs be, nip the problem in the bud. He’d seen enough going off that slope, and he’d be damned if he let another slip off. “You know, normally when people realize talking to themselves makes them sound crazy, they stop,” he said as he stepped out of his hiding spot. “But on the other hand, it sometimes can be therapeutic.”

She flinched and nearly fell from her perch. She glared at the intruder, but her expression softened somewhat. It was another Absol, a Pokemon she didn’t meet often at all.

“So I’m not crazy, someone was watching me!” she said cautiously, her claws were drawn as she continued to watch his movements. “Who are you?”

“I’ll admit it was sloppy of me to give myself away, even for a moment. My master has trained me better than that,” he chuckled. “As for a name...I was called a few things in the past...but nowadays I’m simply called Forte.”

The female Absol nodded, “Selena,” she replied. He had introduced himself, it was only good manners to respond in kind. “Well, nice to meet you. I think I’ll be going now.”

“Oh don’t be in such a hurry,” Forte mused, his eyes closed. “After all, I was just listening to you...moping I suppose,” his eyes opened, but were slightly narrowed. “I don’t care much for seeing another Dark-type do that.”

“Opinionated huh?” Selena scoffed, her own eyes narrowing. “And really, I could care less about my Type and how others think I should act. As it’s really none of your business is it?”

“Of course not. And normally I prefer to let others sort out their issues themselves,” he nodded, with a pleasant smile...then the glare returned. “I just dislike how defeatists our kind can be. Honestly, had you not said one line, just one line really, I would have let you leave no issues. Heck, you wouldn’t have even known I was here.”

This guy was already grating on her nerves. “What line was that?” she asked. Curiosity killed the Meowth after all.

“Idiot humans just don’t get it,” Forte simply said. “Oh how often I’d heard something along that lines when I was little. And I hated it every time,” he spat. “Honestly, I wonder if our kind ever considered that MAYBE that’s cause they don’t understand, and WE don’t make it any easier.”

Selena paused as she put the pieces together. Was he referring to her ‘Disaster Sense’? The precognitive ability all Absols were born with?

“I’m afraid you’re missing the context, but my opinion stands none-the-less,” Selena said. “Even on Earth, when I did try to help, I was always blamed because humans are frightened, close-minded things. Well, most of them anyway.”

“And what did you try to do to help? Now excuse me for speaking based on experience alone, but half of the blame for our...reputation, lays on our own shoulders. Humans are both stupid and smart. Absols generally appear before a disaster happens. Always just that. They stand there, staring at the places that will be hit by disasters, and nothing else. What else were humans supposed to think with that? What would you think if you kept seeing the same pony staring at you right before something bad happens, and you have no idea why those things happen?” Forte stamped his foot.

“One, I’d be smart enough to put two and two together,” Selena said. “But, I also see your point as well. And perhaps, just maybe I’d be a little more inclined to save the village I was near. If they hadn’t—” She paused, almost saying something she’d know she’d regret.

“Doesn’t matter, it’s the past and it’ll stay there.” Selena said quietly. “Besides, my ‘Sense’ was never that good anyhow. Could only predict it by a few minutes, maybe half an hour if it was a good day.”

“Even that would have made a difference. Even a few moments could have changed things, and on top of that, it's also important what you do AFTER the disaster hit. If an Earthquake was happening, I helped the people in that town. I can proudly say I personally saved a few lives myself. Sure some idiots still tried to pin the blame on me, but others defended me. Sure they still thought I might have heralded it happening, but actions spoke louder than words,” Forte stated.

“Of course they would, our words made no sense to humans,’ Selena said. “But as I said, that’s in the past now. I don’t predict disaster now, trying to keep my own Trainer from falling into them constantly is work enough.”

“Oh I know that much. My master is...was quite a handful in his youth. Him having a child was one of the best things that happened for my nerves,” Forte chuckled. “My problem is the past is clearly not what’s eating at you. My master taught me many things, and one such thing was how to read people, humans or mon,” Forte pressed on. “And I can tell when someone is letting something get to them. You don’t monologue, say you’re going crazy, then monologue again if something is not eating away at you,” he chuckled slightly at that one. That was amusing.

“Oh great, you heard that?” Selena blushed slightly. She wished she was crazy now, just so she had an excuse. “Whatever, like I said, it’s none of your business and you couldn’t help even if it was.”

“Heh. That kind of attitude is why I left my pack...after I slapped the Elder with an Iron Tail,” Forte mused, his voice hardening, and before she could react, he was suddenly in her face. “One thing I absolutely loath about our kind is that defeatist attitude. You shut out possibilities and dismiss chances to help. Well here’s one thing I learned. When you think that way, you make it so that it's the world against you. Guess who always wins, and who ends up a mental wreck later. Keep this up and you’ll be no better than the pack I left. Merely existing, and not living.”

“I live just fine!” Selena snapped. This guy was no better than the nosy Bellossom. Fine, he wanted to play? Then let’s play!

“So then tell me,” she said, stepping closer until her horn locked with his. “How would you handle waking in a strange new world, getting brainwashed by a Unicorn that had a creepy, perverse interest in you, having same Unicorn make you attack and try to kill your own family! Then, after all is said and done, find out your brother figure has a crush on you, start dating him and oh, what am I forgetting? Ah, yes, the crippling fear of magic I now have!?!”

Forte blinked. So that was the problem. Certainly, she had good reason, but he didn’t once waver. “Rise above it.”

Selena paused, stepped back like he’d grown a second head and blinked. “What?” she said in a low tone. “Say that again...”

“I said, rise above it,” Forte glared. “So bad things happen? Well welcome to life. You don’t think I haven’t had bad things happen? Here’s a little secret. I’m NOT like most Absols. I don’t just predict the future. I SEE it. When I left my pack, I didn’t immediately find my master. No, I traveled by myself, doing what I felt was right...and got plenty of trouble for it too,” he growled. “You have any idea how many humans either wanted to see how they could use my abilities for profit, or how many immoral scientists wanted to cut me open and see why I was different? Too many to count!” he growled, his fur standing up...then he calmed down. “But I didn’t let it bog me down. There’s this nice little human saying I like. ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. Instead of bemoaning what already happened, I made the best of what I got. I continued to help people where I could, and continued to evade the bad humans as much as possible. And above all, I never lost hope or faith in what I was doing.”

“So life sucked for both of us,” Selena said, her outburst had calmed her a little. And he had a precognitive ability like a Gardevoir, or maybe a Xatu? Yeah, she could picture humans wanting a piece of that. “But ‘rise above it’? Easier said than done. Perhaps when I’m not exhausted from the constant nightmares, or running all over the damned country dealing with petty human problems and maybe if someone would leave me be for five damned minutes!”

Great, now she was pissed off again.

“Or you could think of it another way instead of with that Arceus-damned pessimism,” Forte snorted. “Nightmares? Been there, done that. I didn’t evade forever ya know. I DID get caught eventually, and I near damn well ended up a lab Rattata if it weren’t for my master. Who he is, I will not say, but after that incident, I had nightmares of the kind of things that might have happened to me...still have nightmares of being cut open alive too…” he shuddered at that one. “But here’s something else my master taught me. He simply asked me, ‘What was I going to do about it?’” he smiled. “He taught me that you can’t change what already has happened, but you CAN prepare for in case it happens again,” he stated, before walking around her.

“So you’re afraid of being controlled? Well what are you going to do if you run into someone with those abilities again? Here’s a hint. Cowering from that fear and bemoaning it is not going to help. So you’re afraid of magic now? Well how are you gonna FACE that fear? Here’s another hint. Blaming it on ponies who had nothing to do with it won’t do you any good either. In this world, Magic is EVERYWHERE,” Forte stated.

“I am aware of that,” she said through gritted teeth. “DO you have any idea how hard it is just to step out of the door each day? I am thankful Seth fell for an Earth Pony instead of a Unicorn.” She looked back at the sky and her body shuddered. “I don’t blame other ponies, simply because they can use magic. My fear is irrational and I know that. But I also can’t help how I feel. The world isn’t so black and white, not everything has such a clear label.” She looked back at him, her crimson eyes staring at him.

Forte for his part was trying to hold back his laughter at the irony of her statement. “Oh I know alright. The world most definitely ISN’T black and white,” Forte said, holding back a chuckle. “My master was easily one of the largest gray areas there ever was. However, the thing about fears and phobias. You don’t cure them by running away. Like I said before, what are you going to do if you ever met that Unicorn, or even someone like him again?” he prodded.

That was the question wasn’t it? What would she do? Would she run away as far as she could? Or would she simply remove his head from his shoulders?

She closed her eyes, and a curious image came to her. It wasn’t either scenario that was laid out before her. Her friends, her precious family was there as well. Not cowering away, but standing strong next to her.

Perhaps it was a trick of the moonlight, perhaps something else. But for a moment that even an eyeblink would consider short, her white coat seemed to shine.

“Maybe... I do have an answer...” She shook her head and the moment vanished. Opening her eyes, she looked at the male Absol.

“Heh, you make a pretty decent pep talker. Thanks... I guess.”

“My pleasure. But before I go, here is one last thing my Master taught me. You can’t change what you are, or how you are born...but you can change your destiny. Destiny is your choice, and you have the power to decide how you will view your life. I left my pack because I couldn’t stomach them bemoaning the ‘fate’ of all Absols,” he actually spat to the side at that last part. “What I do with my life and how I go from here are my choice. Even when things are hard, you have the choice to decide if you will let them affect you or not. The only true losers in this world, are those who give up on that choice,” Forte finished, before he jumped up and disappeared into the night. “Don’t forget that, Selena.”

“Perhaps you have a point after all,” she said with a smile as he vanished. Well, enough of sitting around here talking with Absols that may or may not have been imaginary. She had to have a little chat with her family...

Ignis was bored. He’d been just flying aimlessly around the city after Selena had demanded some alone time. He let out a deep sigh as he took roost near the Sundial. He just wished that she’d open up and talk to him.

“Well this is an unusual sight,” a voice said, an old and very familiar voice. Ignis turned his head and looked up, to see a figure sitting atop the crystal sundial. “Never seen you so mopey before. What happened, lose a fight?”

“Haven’t seen you in years and that’s how you greet someone?” he chuckled as the Golduck jumped from the dial, landing near the Charizard. The two shared a fistbump as he sat next to Ignis.

“You haven’t seen me, but I’ve been watching you little brother,” the Golduck said with a wink. “That was an impressive fight with Diantha’s Tyrantrum. Though he was hardly firing on all cylinders.”

“Yeah, that was a pretty hollow victory. Just glad he’s doing better now,” Ignis sighed. “So what about you Drake? I can’t imagine this move has been good for your movie career.”

“Well, movies still exist, so I figure I can make my debut here soon enough.” Drake smiled as he fist-pumped the air. “Equestria has yet to behold the greatness of Darklight Duck!”

“Well, I’ll look forward to it then,” Ignis said, his smile was genuine, but was hardly wide. Drake frowned as he looked at him.

“Okay, so what’s eating you?” he asked. “You’d have normally challenged me to a fight by now. Getting mellow in your old age little brother?”

“No,” Ignis said, slumping his shoulders. “Just...worried about Selena is all. She hasn’t been herself lately.”

“Selena?”

“Oh yeah, you left Seth’s team before she showed up.” Ignis smiled fondly as he thought about his mate. “She’s a cute little Absol that joined up with Seth a few years back. She’s also my mate.”

“Oh? You finally got a mate?” Drake quirked an eyebrow, well, if he had them anyway. “And here I thought you’d wind up with Rika. Seems I’m a little behind on the times. Anything else happen? Is Seth still with Elesa?”

Ignis shook his head. “No, they broke that off a while ago. It was mutual...but Seth took it pretty hard. We stopped our journey for over a month actually. They’re better now, still friends. And Seth has someone else...well, someones.” He smirked at that last part, and that smirk grew when he saw Drake’s expression.

“Elaborate.”

“Let’s just say Rika finally got her wish,” he grinned. “And Seth went local to boot. He’s in a relationship with both Rika and a pony named Apple Fritter.”

“Well now, isn’t that interesting.” Drake tapped his chin and hummed. “Who would have thought that Seth had it in him.”

“Yeah, I think he’s still getting used to the idea.” Ignis replied as he stood up. “And you’re right, I think I will challenge you. Ready to be beat?”

Drake chuckled as he got up. “Well, first time for everything I suppose.” He clicked fingers as clouds gathered and the rain started to pour. Ignis had no time to react as Drake was in front of him almost instantly, his webbed hands against the Charizard’s chest.

“Water Sphere!” Rather than the usual, a ball of water that could confuse a foe, this variant exploded from his hands, sending the Charizard tumbling across the ground. Drake sighed as he watched the Charizard get back to his feet.

“Come now Ignis, not even thirty seconds in and you're losing?”

The rain stopped as the sun started to shine brighter. Drake smirked, seems he had a new trick or two.

“Solar Beam!” Ignis roared and fired it at Drake, the Golduck narrow diving to one side to avoid the searing blast of solar energy.

“Not bad, though your aim could use a little work,” Drake got to his feet as the rain started again. This was becoming a battle of weather as he closed the gap once more, his Swift Swim ability boosting him to ridiculous levels. He extended one hand as a faint mist begun to pour from it.

“Freezing fist of Justice!” he called out dramatically as the Ice Punch slammed into Ignis’ chest. The dragon winced as the attack begun to freeze him up, until the whole dragon was encased in ice.

“And so it is done,” Drake nodded as he turned and started to walk away. Only as the ice sculpture hissed and melted away, flames roaring from Ignis’ mouth. Drake quirked an eyebrow again and grinned. Oh, he’d gotten a little better.

“I am nowhere near done!” Ignis said, his wings flaring as Drake prepped another Water Pulse. This fight should prove to be a little interesting...

After dinner, Seth had talked a little more with Midnight before the Thestral had to leave. It was starting to get late and she was stuck on the dawn shift. Aster was being looked after by Umbra and Titania, and the Luxray was content to curl up on the rug by their new fireplace. His tail flicked lazily as Fritter lay across him, giggling lightly as she buried her muzzle in his thick fur.

“Hee, you smell nice,” she murmured. Seth chuckled as she nuzzled him and he returned the affection. Umbra had agreed to watch the egg, so Rika was free to pounce on her kitty, giggling madly as she did. Seth let out a winded gasp as the Sylveon landed on him, but quickly recovered and hugged the Fairy tightly.

“Two more days,” Rika smiled, burying herself into his fur as well. “Then we’ll finally get to go to another Contest! Eeeeeeee! I’m so excited!”

“My eardrums,” Seth winced, rubbing an ear from the aftereffects of the sudden squeal. “Not so much. But yeah, it’ll be fun to participate again.” he took a deep breath and exhaled. “I just hope it goes alright.”

“Course it will,” Rika nodded. “A lot of people and Pokemon are prolly really excited for this. So I think it’s gonna turn out awesome!”

Seth was about to respond, when the front door opened and Selena and Ignis walked in, the latter covered in minor injuries. Seth raised an eyebrow at Ignis as the dragon sat nearby and used Roost to heal up.

“Do I even have to ask?” the Luxray mused and Ignis shook his head.

“No, you really shouldn’t,” he replied, the last thing Seth needed to know that that Ignis got his ass kicked. “So what’s got you so happy? Aside from being covered in pretty girls?”

“Well, that,” Seth chuckled as Fritter and Rika blushed. “But I also bumped into Mom, she’s gone for now, but she should be back in a few days.”

Selena and Ignis looked at one another in surprise. Now that was a good piece of news. The Absol took a breath and decided that now was as good a time as any...

“Can... I ask you guys something?” she said quietly, so quiet that only Seth and Ignis actually heard her.

“What’s up?” Seth asked his Pokemon. Selena paused, flinching when Ignis placed a hand on her back, stroking her fur gently. She took another deep breath and exhaled.

“For...a while now, I’ve...had this fear, of magic,” she said slowly. Seth and Ignis shared a look, but remained silent, letting her speak.

“It’s been getting worse, I can’t sleep, I don’t feel like eating much. It’s making me feel violent, irritable. I know that I’ve been taking it out on you guys, and that’s not fair to you.”

That was when she found herself in the centre of a group hug, as Seth, Rika and Ignis cuddled the Absol.

“Don’t worry about any of that,” Seth said, petting her head. “And we’ll always be right here to help you okay, Just ask us what you want us to do.”

“I...don’t know,” Selena said. She’d finally admitted that she had a problem...but she had no idea on how to fix it.

“Well, not to worry, we can do this!” Rika giggled, hugging her sister. Selena nodded, returning the embrace.

Eventually the time to go to bed rolled around, and Seth finally got a decent look at his new bedroom. It was absolutely massive. It was larger than the living room and the bed could have fit around five of him on it easy. His herd wouldn’t have to worry about cramped sleeping spaces now.

“Ohh, this is gonna be sweet,” Rika giggled as she bounced on the bed. “Is it wrong to be excited to sleep?”

“Yer a funny little thing sometimes,” Fritter chuckled as she stepped into the adjoined bathroom to wash her face. “But ah can see yer point.”

Seth nodded as he stretched his legs. It was nice to be home again after so long. And so much had happened during those days, he could finally relax a spell.

Fritter returned and climbed up onto the bed as well, snuggling Rika and giggling. Seth rolled his eyes, he probably wouldn’t get much sleep tonight if these two kept it up.

Actually, there was a thought. His two girls looked up as he closed the door and twisted the small knob, locking it.

“Sethy? What are you doing?” Rika pondered as the Luxray turned, and the look in his eye sent a pleasurable shiver up her spine.

“Oh, not much,” he said, stepping closer to them. “Just thinking. We have this nice, new bed that can easily fit all of us yeah?”

“Ah reckon it might,” Apple Fritter chuckled, wondering where this silly cat was going with this.

“Well,” the Luxray purred as he stepped up onto the bed, “Why don’t we...break it in?”

“S-Sethy,” Rika blushed. “Do you...realise how that sounds?”

“Mhmm,” Seth said as he nuzzled the little fairy, only serving to deepen her blush. “I know exactly how it sounds.”

“You mean...you wanna—?” Fritter was fighting her own blush, and failing spectacularly.

“I’ve already said how much I love you girls,” Seth said, pulling the mare close to him. “But, that’s only if you want to of course.”

Fritter and Rika looked at one another, as a small smile crossed their muzzles. The fairy extinguished the lights as the mare pounced on him~

The night sky was barely visible above the bright lights of Las Pegasus. Even so, a lithe Dragonite stared at the apartment building that some pony had said they’d seen Aster. The front of the building had a security camera, so she flew up to the roof, surprised to see it completely unguarded.

“Hmm, seems they’re not so bright after all,” Zinnia mused. Though, the door seemed to be a little too small for her form. So with a flash of blue light, a smiling human girl stood in her place, her tattered green cloak hiding most of her form.

“Okay, now let’s see,” she mused as she picked the lock and opened the door carefully. The halls were darkened, lit mostly by low-level lights. She crept slowly along, listening for anyone or anything.

“Wobbuffet,” She heard from in front of her.

“Honestly, why you continue to not talk confuses me,” a male voice said. “But if you mean to say that I should check the roof—”

“Wobbuffet!”

“—Then I will proceed with all haste. Don’t want another swarm of insects getting too uppity.”

Zinnia flinched, that voice sounded...familiar somehow. She glowed again, and an inconspicuous Goomy was now stuck in a corner of the ceiling. Could they possibly be here of all places? A Roserade walked by beneath her before heading for the stairs, muttering something about Ledyba. Zinnia breathed a sigh of relief as she reverted to her human form and dropped back down to the floor.

“Well that was close...not,” she gigged as she turned...and tried not to scream in surprise.

“Wob. Buf. Fet!” The blue form in front of her said, emanating an aura of anger unusual to his species.

She blinked before breathing a sigh of relief. “Oh, it’s just a Wobbuffet, and here I thought it’d be an actual threat... strange that you cannot talk though. Are you broken?”

I am a psychic for a reason, you scoundrel. And visiting hours are well and truly over! Begone lest I eject you! The psychic voice from in front of her channelled all of the anger that boneless blue blob felt.

“Cute, but Wobbuffet have no offensive moves, so unless I attack you, you’re little better than a decoration,” Zinnia smirked, folding her arms. “Besides, I’m not here to start a fight. I’m just here to find someone.”

You would be better served coming back in the morning and inquiring with the Nurem family; they’re the co-owners and the ones that deal with the Pokemon side of things. The Wobbuffet had calmed down considerably, though he still looked ready to shuffle into her way to try and block her.

“Just tell me if a Whismur by the name of Aster is here,” Zinnia said, her crimson eyes staring into the Psychic’s. He seemed to let out a hum before shaking his whole form.

I picked up on that mental signature not long ago, but she left just as soon as she arrived. With Mr. Crescent, I believe.

“Crescent?” she tilted her head and blinked. “Who the hell is that?”

A good friend of Vincent, the blob replied, before smiling. Someone you should meet in the morning. You can ask him then as to who took Aster and where. He’s a kind boy, for all he’s been through. He’ll likely tell you for the asking.

“I do not have to time for that!” Zinnia yelled, slamming her fist into the wall. “Tell me where this Crescent is. NOW!”

“Temper,” the Wobbuffet chided her. “You don’t want to wake the tenants. One of them is a Gabite with more anger issues than you, miss. The others are similarly strong, and they won’t take well to you damaging their property...or being here in the first place. I would merely escort you off...they would eject you. Forcibly.”

Zinnia clenched her fists as she glared at the Pokemon. “Please. The longer I wait, the more she’ll worry. Tell me where my Aster is.”

“...For all that I wish I could, I cannot. I am not the strongest psychic, nor did I scan Mr. Crescent when he was here. And the ones that do know? Vincent shields them subconsciously, to ensure his excess of power never builds to harmful levels. He will not permit his family to be...used against him, ever again. I am sorry, but please, return in the morning. They will be up and willing to talk to you.” The psychic blob looked suitably sad at his inability to aid her.

Zinnia scowled, but this Pokemon appeared to be telling the truth. “I will return at first light and this ‘Vincent’ will tell me what I need to know. Be sure to tell him I’ll be coming.” With a twirl of her cape, the human vanished from sight, leaving the Wobbuffet alone in the hall.

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when a sound coming from Vincent Nurem’s kitchen alerted that someone was already up and about. The Kadabra leaned over to kiss Lucy before he yawned, stretched, and made his way to the kitchen for his morning cup of coffee.

Only to find a sight he never expected to see in this world.

A human girl sat at the kitchen table, her cloak draped over the chair as her tight clothing showed off her slender, but well-proportioned form. She sipped at the drink and sighed contently until she noticed the Kadabra standing there.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” she replied with a cheeky wink.

“You’re not my type, nor did I think there were any humans left,” the psychic replied before ambling over to the pot. “Oh, thanks for leaving some. Saves me the wait.”

“So,” she mused as he poured the drink. “Are you Vincent?”

“I am indeed,” he replied before adding the cream and sugar. “Who’s asking?”

The girl placed her mug on the table and folded her arms. “My name is Zinnia. And I want to know where my Aster and this ‘Crescent’ individual are.”

“...By now, they’re in Canterlot,” the Kadabra replied sadly. “We looked for you, but you weren’t here. I am ever so sorry, if I knew you would be here so soon, I would have asked to watch over the little dear until you arrived.”

Zinnia frowned. She stood up and gave the Kadabra a curt nod. “Thank you for the information, perhaps if that Wobbuffet had said so last night, I could be there already.” She grabbed her cloak and headed for the door.

“Miss, do take care. They’re all good friends of mine, and I would rather they not take your rather...direct attitude the wrong way. I at least know the story, but Seth’s friends and partners might not.” Vincent sipped at his coffee and sighed at the taste.

“If he has hurt my Aster, then I’ll see to it that he ceases to exist!” Zinnia said with a fierce glare. “But...so long as she is safe.”

“If I know Seth, she’ll be having a fine time while waiting for you. And do try not to threaten him again. I consider him a friend, and I fight for my friends.” The Kadabra suddenly seemed a lot less friendly.

“We’ll see,” she replied as she turned to face him, and the Kadabra noticed the brace wrapped around her leg, filled with about a half-dozen Keystones.

“My word. If I didn’t have my own already, I might be tempted to ask you for one,” the Psychic ‘mon commented. “Which reminds me, I still need to get that stone cut and set...”

Zinnia paused, “You...have a keystone?”

“Seth gave me one, along with a Lucarionite. Lucy and I have yet to use them, our lives have been so hectic lately.”

Zinna gave him a hard stare. So she’d located another one. Still, he’d given her valuable information, so she’d let him keep it. For now anyway...

“I’ll be going now, but you and I will meet again Mr. Vincent.”

“Perhaps. Life is strange. Who knows when two drifters down the river may meet again?” He finally emptied his cup and floated it over to the sink without turning his head. “Do take care, Miss Zinnia. I hope you find Aster and the rest of your partners safely.”

Zinnia nodded as she opened the window, the one she’d used to break in in the first place. “You as well, you’ll need it Mr. Vincent.” And with that, she fell backwards out of the window and vanished from sight, before a Dragonite wearing her cloak could been seen flying off in the distance.

Vincent sighed as he went back towards his bedroom. Seems he’d met yet another troublesome person...

Author's Note

Whoo! An update!

Not too much happens, but look. Loook at all the characters!!! And before I ask, Forte isn't mine, he belongs to someone else who has opted to remain anonymous for now~

And Zinnia, she seems to have a few neat tricks huh? I'm having fun writing her. Anyway, the next chapter is about half done, so it won't be too far away. But I will warn you know, it has Abby and Kasai in it. So expect the sex jokes to come hard and fast...

Geddit?

....I'll be going now.

Chapter Forty Four

Author's Note

Hey, a new chapter, how about that. Also, this chapter contains copious amounts of Abby...

You have been warned.

I'm looking at you Glitchhunter.

Chapter Forty Four

It was bright and early when Seth Crescent all but sauntered into Canterlot Palace, he was feeling gooooood. Admittedly, he’d been just a little apprehensive about the whole thing. And several rumours that used to follow him were now definitely true… BUt, he loved his girls a lot, and that night had been… He was so lost within his own euphoric memories, that he walked headfirst into a rather familiar Ninetales and her partner.

“Gah!” Seth stumbled back and shook his head. “What the-? Oh! Abs? And Sensei? What’s up!”

“I’m Abs now?” Abby asked with a giggle before leaning forwards and giving his neck a nuzzle. “And hey Seth, not much, I need something to distract me from the fact that Belle mind-raped my mentor figure.” There was quite a lot of pain hiding there in the undertone of her ‘upbeat’ voice. “So, I figured I’d come find you and see if you can’t help teach me how to fight in this body.”

“Uh,” Seth’s elated mood suddenly jumped ship while wearing concrete shoes. “Well, yeah... Ponyville was rough. How is Albert doing? Since that...incident.”

“They finally figured out a way to keep him from trying to commit suicide out of self loathing and despair…” Abby looked away and Kasai moved his head down to nuzzle her.

“They’re getting him therapy,” Kasai added, glancing up at Seth. “From ‘Dr. Mind if I remember right.” He licked Abby’s cheek. “And my little vixen here is getting some help finally too, so that’s good.”

Abby rolled her eyes and leaned away from him to look at Seth. “So, mind giving me some training, Kitty Sensei?”

Seth’s breath hitched slightly when he heard that. Had things really been that bad here? No wonder Celestia was looking stressed lately. Still... Kitty Sensei? “Well, who am I to turn down the request of such a beautiful lady. I don’t know what I can really teach you, but I can give it a shot.”

“It’ll give her someone good to spar against because you’re both on basically the same level,” Kasai said with a chuckle, leaning over and giving Seth’s cheek a sloppy lick. “And I can give you both pointers simultaneously so we save a lot of time.”

Abby smiled and gave Seth’s neck a nuzzle. “Yep, lead the way Mr. Guard Captain.”

Seth shrugged and chuckled, leading the way. Had he bothered looking back, he might have noticed Kasai’s nose twitch as a familiar scent hit his nostrils. His little student was finally a man...uh, bigger cat? Whatever. He’d finally gotten some!

Kasai grinned. “Well, it smells like a certain mare finally let the earth open up for you,” the dog called to Seth with a smirk. “And, is that a Sylveon I smell too?”

Seth paused as his tail gave a swish. “Heh, maaaaybe?” A devious thought crossed his mind, or maybe he was just feeling playful. “First step to training Abby, you wanna know? You gotta catch me!” And with that, he raced through the halls, heading for the courtyard he often used.

Abby’s eyes widened before she let out a playful yip and took off in pursuit! “I’m coming to get you kitten!” she called at his retreating backside, her legs pumping hard. “Someone remembered his cardio!”

“Every day is leg day,” Seth called back as he pulled ahead, though his frame was larger, he had the advantages of knowing the palace layout and more powerful leg muscles. “Not long now, better hurry Vous renard de feu~” he called out in Kalosian

“You know it!” Abby called back at him with a big grin as she put her many years of Rangering into moving her body forwards, catching up with him and licking his cheek once as they continued running. “The most fiery fox of all!”

“Fiery,” Seth agreed, before returning the lick and bolting ahead. “But slow. Later foxxy!”

By the time Abby reached the courtyard, Seth was already waiting, though he was panting a little from running at full tilt for so long. Abby came to a stop in front of him and smiled, panting as well.

“Heheh, you’ve definitely gotten better since our training session,” she told him with a grin as she leaned slightly against him. “Or I’ve gotten worse... not sure which really.”

“Nope, I’ve gotten better,” Seth grinned, catching his breath.

“If you say so,” Abby said, leaning off of him and letting out a breath as she shook her fur out. “Right, so, Kitten Sensei, what would you like to do first?”

“Hmm, well you’re still pretty quick and you didn’t fall over like I used to… still do sometimes,” Seth blushed slightly.

“Well, you are kinda uncoordinated,” Abby pointed out, smirking. “Not to mention that you weren’t a Ranger before you became a Pokemon.”

“Well no,” he replied. “Could have been one, passed the exam and everything… just,” he sighed as he recalled the report he read. “Guess it wasn’t for me.”

“Hey, hey, don’t get all mopey,” Abby said, slapping his rear with one of her tails. “We’re doing this to have fun alright? Keep it positive!”

“Right, sorry,” Seth laughed. She didn’t need to hear about his issues, she had enough of her own. So how to approach this? Well, might as well take a Trainer’s response. “Okay Abby, what attacks do you know?”

“Well…” Abby blinked. “I know how to breath fire and I think I use Quick Attack without thinking about it.”

“Okay, that right there. Breathing fire isn’t an attack, just a skill that can cause serious harm to someone. Attacks are a little different, they could still cause harm to an Equestrian, but Pokemon would be more defensive.” He tapped his chin as he thought about what attacks Abby would need as a Ranger.

“It’ll be hard, but perhaps Extrasensory would be a good move to learn.”

Abby frowned and nodded. “Hmm, that sounds right… though… how?” she looked up at him with a confused look.

“Flamethrower is always useful,” Kasai added with a small chuckle as he strolled into the Courtyard. “As is Protect.”

“Heh, Protect is quite useful, but having it fail when you need it most can be a real downer of a day. So it’s best not rely on it too heavily.”

Abby nodded. “Yeah, I always kept Kasai using it at most once a minute or two if there was a serious attack coming our way,” she said. “Never spammed it like some idiots I can think of.”

“Yeah, still Kasai is right, learning Flamethrower is prolly the best way to kick things off. Still, if I train you, it’ll be just like how I train my other Pokemon. Is that okay with you?”

“Well, that depends, are you as much of a hard ass as I am when I train mine?” she asked with a raised eyebrow and a grin.

“I can be,” Seth said with a wink. “Ignis and the others aren’t as strong as they are because I took it easy on them. But still, all you have to do is tell me if I’m being too hard and I’ll ease back a little.”

“Oh, you can ride me as hard as you want,” Abby said with a smirk. “I can take all of you Sethy.”

Seth nodded, then realised what she was getting at and blushed a deep crimson under his black fur. “Oh for the love of— You’re as bad as Midnight.” He sighed as he saw Kasai laughing at him and just shrugged. “Whatever, nothing can ruin this day for me. Okay Abby, let’s see some flames!”

Abby nodded and pointed her head skywards, unleashing a long stream of flames into the air above her. Seth could feel the heat off of them already, not nearly as hot as Ignis’ or Kasai’s, but certainly well developed.

“Well, that was hot,” he chuckled. “That was actually pretty close to a Flamethrower, but the way the flames dance all over the place? It shows you lack direction and control.” He pointed at some targets near the far wall, about twenty feet away or so. “Let’s see if you can hit one of those from here.”

“Right,” Abby turned and faced at the targets near the wall. She aimed her head and let out the same stream of fire, flowing over and around the targets, well, she hit them, just not precisely.

“Not bad.” Seth nodded, praising her. “Again!”

Abby nodded and returned fire. Her flames were still wide.

“She mostly learned that during our passion,” Kasai informed Seth as he watched. “She doesn’t really know what she’s doing.”

“Well, I don’t think screwing her will improve her aim,” Seth chuckled. “So. Again!”

“You never know Sethy~” Abby said, shaking her rear playfully at him before she launched another of the flame trails at the targets, this time, scoring a direct hit for a moment before the flames faltered and spread a bit. “Dang! I had it!”

“Hmm, so close,” Seth noted, wisely choosing not to stare at her. “Keep practicing, I have to go and fetch something and then I’ll be right back.” He gave them a nod and darted off, leaving the two alone for now.

“You’re doing well,” Kasai said, moving up and giving Abby a nuzzle. “Just keep practicing while I let kitten run things. I’ll comment if you need it.”

“Thanks Kasai,” Abby said with a grin, wrapping a tail around his as she continued to aim and fire at the targets.

Seth had run off to his office, to fetch a bag filled with something that will help for later, but as he headed back, a certain thestral landed on his back, giggling lightly.

“Ohh, somepony’s in a rush,” Midnight smiled. “Got a hot date?”

“Something like that,” Seth replied with a smirk as he exited back out into the courtyard. The continuous use of her fire attacks was taking it’s toll. The flames were already looking a little weaker.

“I’m back, with a small gift as well,” he said.

Abby let out a tired pant and looked over at him. “What is it Seth?” she asked, shaking her head. The Luxray looked at her and decided to have a little fun at her expense. He held something in his paw, it looked a little like a treat of some kind.

“Say ‘ahh’,” he grinned.

Abby blinked before opening her mouth for him. Kasai chuckled. “Heheh, a rare honor Seth, putting something in her mouth.”

“Ohh, so this is your ‘hot date’ huh?” Midnight giggled from her perch on his back as the Luxray rolled his eyes. He flicked his paw and the piece of charcoal landed in her waiting maw.

“It might taste gross, but it’ll help your fire recover quicker,” he said. “At least... it does with Ignis.”

Abby blinked and then started to chew, grinding down the charcoal and starting to swallow it. It took her a few long moments before she’d finished it all. “Ewww... that was gross Seth. I’m never letting you put something in my mouth again.” She wrinkled her nose at him.

“You say that now,” he winked as he produced something else, a beautifully made Poffin. “Well, I was going to offer you this to wash the taste down with...buuuut, I guess I’ll eat it myself,” he chuckled as he opened his mouth and slowly had the treat head towards it.

It suddenly began to float out of his paw and hovered in front of Abby’s smirking face. “Oh, I think I can make an exception in this case Sethy,” she replied with a smirk, taking a chomp out of it. “Mmm, this is good. Who made this? Oh, and who is the bat pony on your head?”

Seth just blinked. “Ah, well Rika made it...and this is Midnight Song...and you do realise you just used Extrasensory right?”

“Err, no, I used an inbuilt Psychic energy and lifted the poffin up and to my mouth,” she said with a frown. “That’s not an attack Seth.”

“Hrm, looked like it to me,” he said as he went over some moves in his head. While he had most of the Pokedex memorised, it would have been useful if her remembered to bring it. “Well, whatever.”

Abby shrugged and smiled. “So, Kitten Sensei, what do you want me to try next?” She asked, looking at Seth expectantly. “Or is it time for me to trounce you?” She smirked playfully at him.

“Well, we could try a mock battle. Might force some moves to activate like it did when I fought Sensei.” Midnight Song hopped off of Seth and then flittered over, landing on Kasai’s back instead.

“Ooh, aren’t you a fluffy one?” she giggled, nuzzling the fur on his back.

Kasai smiled, leaning up and licking her neck and her face a few times. “Hi there, and yes, I may have heard that once or twice, along with being a ‘warm one’,” he said with a smile, leaning his head up to rest against hers while Abby started to face off against Seth.

“Mmm, I bet you are,” she cooed. “Maybe you and I should see how warm you can get~?”

“Well, I can melt through solid steel,” Kasai said, leaning his head against her, his fur starting to warm up around her. “So, I don’t know if you want to try that little bat.” He licked her playfully with his large pink tongue. “But I’m always up for some cuddling~”

“Hmm, I like cuddles,” she replied, her long forked tongue snaking out and returning the lick. She looked over to Abby and Seth and chuckled. “Seems like the Boss is having fun over there. Is that another of his herd I haven’t met yet?”

“Nope, that’s my mate and the mother of my eggs,” Kasai replied, nuzzling her. “So this is all just friendly nuzzling and licking here.”

“Ahh, why are all the good ones always taken?’ she sighed. “Oh well, you’re fine with hugs, so that’s all good an...oohhh!” she winced as Seth pinned Abby to the ground, a Thunder Fang inches from her. “That looks like it’d hurt.”

Kasai winced as well in sympathy for Abby before she leaned under his fangs and snipped his neck with her teeth. “Oh, that looked painful too,” he said. “And all the good ones are always taken because you’re looking in the open.”

“Nah, I’m never short of a bedwarmer,” she smiled. “But I don’t go after taken ones. I don’t wanna be ‘that mare’. That said, I have helped a few couples… spice up their relationship~” She continued to watch the fight as Seth recovered from the Bite and countered with Discharge, bolts of lightning flying just inches past the pair of Pokemon and Thestral.

“Hey! Play it don’t spray it Seth!” Kasai said, stepping back a foot or so. “And ah, that’s good to know. I don’t take kindly to that sort of thing unless your name starts with a G and ends with an E.”

Song tilted her head but shrugged, not getting the reference. “Still, it’s been fun since you Pokemon showed up, life is never boring now!” She yelped as a gout of flames shot past her.

“Yipe, I like my ladies hot, but she takes the cake huh?”

“Oh yes, yes she does,” Kasai said, smiling softly. “The best is when we’re together beneath the stars and she unleashes her fire when we climax together... so beautiful.” Abby managed to get a direct hit on Seth with a Quick Attack.

“Well, that’s something,” Song replied, perhaps it was a good thing she wasn’t taking this powerful beast to bed, her fur was quite flammable. She watched the battle as Seth charged at Abby, his body enveloped with bright lightning. “Hmm, that looks like it might hurt. What move is that?”

“Oh, that was a Wild Charge,” Kasai said with a raised eyebrow. “Someone got stronger, Kitten~” he called out to Seth. “And keep up the good work darling, you can get him!” Abby struggled to her paws and let out a wider swath of flames at Seth. “Good girl.”

Seth decided it was time to show what he’d been working on, as he slammed his paws into the ground with a powerful roar. The area took on a golden hue as bolts of electricity arced from the ground as his Electric Terrain took effect. The fluffier beings around him felt their fur stand on end and crackle from all the static in the air.

Abby’s fur was fluffed out completely and she gave him an annoyed look. “Do you KNOW how long this will take to fix?!” she shouted at him in annoyance.

“I’d be more concerned about dodging,” Seth warned her as he powered up a Thunder attack, the move getting far more powerful due to the electric field. “Fair warning, this might hurt a little!”

Abby smirked and charged straight at him, leaping beneath Seth as the giant bolt of lightning came down. She then chomped down on something sensitive.

Seth just froze as his eyes went wide, before he gave a mighty yelp and leapt straight up.

“Ohh, that has got to be cheating,” Midnight winced.

“Not really,” Kasai replied with a smirk, chuckling. “We’re Rangers Midnight, I’ve bitten many a man in the crotch.”

“Still feels a little below the belt...oh, and heads up foxxy!” she called out as Seth returned, his body blazing with a powered up Wild Charge!

Abby’s eyes widened by about three sizes as she stared at the oncoming Luxray. Then she closed her eyes and focused herself, sending a psychic bolt at his front leg, aiming for a trip.

And trip he did...but it just meant he couldn’t hold back as the tumbling ball of fur and lightning collided with the fox, a loud explosion resulting as Midnight batted her wings and coughed.

“Ahh, who won?” she asked, hacking at the smoke.

“Not sure,” Kasai said which was when Midnight noticed that a golden forcefield was in front of them, protecting them from any of the attack.

Abby lay on her back, looking up at Seth who was standing tall on her chest. “Ehehehe... hi Seth.”

“Hello Abby,” he smiled back before his body crackled as the recoil from Wild Charge took effect. He groaned and fell on top of her, pinning the Ninetales to the floor.

“Heheh, what’s wrong Seth, did you get tired halfway through?” Abby asked, giving his head a playful nuzzle.

“Recoil sucks,” he groaned as he pulled himself back up.

“Yeah, that’s why Kasai doesn't use Takedown much,” Abby said as she returned to her feet too. She licked his muzzle. “Are your balls okay?”

“They’ll live,” Seth winced. “Nice Feint Attack by the way. I didn’t even see you move when you dodged that Thunder attack.”

“Huh.” Abby blinked. “I did that without meaning too then. I was just trying to throw you off of your groove.”

“That’s pretty much what Feint Attack does, though...it’s usually only learned as a Vulpix, so I’m surprised you could use it.” Humanmon movesets were weird, so he just blamed Mew for that.

“Also, I have another idea for a good combination, but it does require using your cursing powers in a way.”

There was a long moment of silence before Abby nodded. “Okay. What do you need me to do Seth?” she asked, trusting him as she looked into his eyes with her brilliant ruby eyes.

“Okay, so I want you to focus on that power. No curse in particular, no want to cause a particular of specific effect. Just, see if you can feel the power itself.” He wasn’t too sure how to explain it.

Abby frowned. “Okay… I’ll try.” She closed her eyes and began to focus on the power. She found it waiting there for her beneath the surface, eager to be used. “Okay… I have it… it wants to do something.”

“Now, direct that power at me,’ he commanded. “Again, don’t focus on a particular effect. Just... attack me with the energy you feel.”

She kept her eyes closed and looked over at him, clearly conflicted about it. “…I don’t want to hurt you…”

“It’s fine, I’m a big boy and can handle myself. If this works, it will give you a much safer outlet for this power. Now do it!”

Abby closed her eyes tighter and sent the energy flowing over his body. Seth’s entire coat stood on end as the otherworldly power submerged him. There was a lot of it. It was cold and seemed to move over him like half-congealed jelly. He shuddered as the power manifested itself as a dark energy and he gave a yelp as the attack formed and hit him, sending him sprawling across the ground.

The Ninetales’ eyes widened in surprise and she ran up to him, starting to lick his face rapidly. “SETH! SETH ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! SETH!”

Kasai was there as well, licking at his face, though, not as noisily.

“Ergh, gah! Stop licking me,” he groaned as he pushed the nosy noses back, wiping the slobber off of his face. “Urrr, ow?” He winced as he rolled over, though opted to stay on the ground. “Well, that felt… uncomfortable. Still, a pretty good attempt at a Hex attack.”

“A what?” Abby asked in confusion.

“Hex,” Seth’s eyes gleamed suddenly as he saw the opportunity to educate. “It’s a Ghost-type move, Special Attack. While it normally just deals damage, it doubles in power if the target has a Status condition. Hex and Curse are similar moves, so I figured with your power…” he coughed and winced again. Seems he’d taken more damage than he thought. “Yeah, a pretty good attempt indeed.”

Abby smiled at the praise before her stomach growled. “Sensei, can we go to your house and see your family and eat lunch? I have a therapy session in a few hours and I want to eat before I get there.”

Kasai growled happily at the thought. “I’d enjoy it too Kitten.”

Seth groaned as he got up, “Sure, I think I’m done for the day anyhow.” He looked at Midnight and smiled. “You on duty today?”

“Yuppers, just procrastinating for now,” Still, somepony needed to do some actual work around here. “Have fun with your girlfriends Boss. Don’t do anyone I wouldn’t do.”

“Goddammit Midnight,” Seth facepawed as the Thestral giggled and flew off. “Ladies and gentlemen, my partner.”

“Well, I didn’t smell her on you, but I can see it,” Kasai said with a smile. “That inner lion of you is telling you to make a ‘Pride’ isn’t it Sethy?”

“Oh, I bet it is,” Abby said with a giggle. “He wants someone else to hunt for him~”

“Oh give me a freaking break,” Seth groaned, realised he needed all four paws to walk. “Can we just go and get something to eat, before I put a gag in those muzzles of your instead.”

“Promises promises,” Abby sing songed at him. “Besides… only Gene and Belle know our muzzle size that well and I’m not talking to one of them until she realizes how irresponsible she was.”

“You two are impossible,” Seth sighed. Still, it was odd hearing her talk about Gene and Belle like that. He knew that they were friends… Well, maybe that’s why it hurt the Ninetales so much?

“Oh? Speaking of family, I saw Luke when I was in Las Pegasus the day before. He says hi, and that he’s doing well.”

“Oh, that’s great!” Abby said, smiling. “Are he and Mage doing okay together?”

“Yeah, they seemed to be,” he replied as they exited the Palace and headed for Fritter Farms.

“That’s good,” Kasai said, smiling big. “Luke deserves some love after all he’s been through. I’m just glad that Mewtwo has been avoiding us. If I see that bastard I’m Crunching down through his tail.”

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t,” Seth said with a tired sigh. “I know Mewtwo screwed up, Vincent told me all about it. But really, who doesn’t make a mistake every once in a while? And, I would have been crushed in a burning building if it wasn’t for him saving me. So I owe him for that.”

Abby harumphed and shook her head. “Fine. I won’t let Kasai chomp through his tail… but I WILL give him a very pointed lecture. Better?”

“Better,” Seth grinned as he nudged the fox with his head. “Thanks Abby.”

Abby nuzzled him. “You’re welcome Seth.” She pressed herself against him as they walked. “Mmm, you smell like fizzles.”

“Fizzles?” Seth blinked. What the heck was that?

“Like… the smell that a spark plug makes,” Abby said with a giggle. “Heheh, fizzles.”

“She’s silly right now,” Kasai said with a long suffering expression as he nuzzled Abby’s cheek. “Oh, and I have a question Seth.”

“Shoot,” he replied.

“How well recognized are Herds here in Equestria? Gene, Belle, Abby, and I might want to make ourselves official once this spat is over,” Kasai said with a casual smile. Seth paused mid step. Did he… hear that right?

“Well, I haven’t researched it much,” Seth admitted. “But Fritter said while they were more common a century or two ago, it’s still in practice. At the very least, it’s legal and I haven’t met anyone who’s had a problem with it… even amongst former humans, which is really surprising.” They didn’t have a problem with polygamy or homosexuality… but throw in Pokephilia… Okay, not getting into that right now.

“Oh, good,” Abby said with a smile. “I don’t want THAT to be a problem for us.”

“Pft, like you’d care about what others think anyway,” Seth replied, bumping her hip with his. “Otherwise you wouldn’t love that big mutt of yours so much.”

“That’s true,” Abby said, giggling and bumping his hip in return. “Mostly, I just don’t want to have to be doing it undercover again. That got old real quick.”

“I kinda enjoyed the pressure to perform,” Kasai said, chuckling. “If I groaned too loud someone might hear~”

“Or if I moaned too loudly,” Abby put in with a small chuckle of her own.

“Meeting you two back on Earth would have been an experience,” Seth chuckled as he walked with a small bounce in his step.

“Technically you did,” Abby pointed out. “Though, only partially, hah.”

“True,” Seth nodded. “So, is it just the two of you here, or is that Haxorus of yours wrecking part of my city somewhere?”

“He’s wooing Iris,” Abby said, smiling. “So right now he’s in Ponyville.”

“Iris? As in… the Champion of Unova, Iris?” Seth facepawed again, stumbling when he realised he was still walking. “Unbelievable.”

“No, just inconceivable,” Abby replied with a giggle. “And they’re really cute together actually.”

“Yes, yes they are,” Kasai agreed with a smirk.

“And if I know your dragon, very loud as well,” Seth chuckled as the scent of apples caught his nose. Seems they were finally home. A small smirk crossed his muzzle as he looked at Abby.

“Ladies first,” he bowed, showing her the door. He just knew a little pink cannonball was waiting on the other side.

Abby opened the door and walked forwards, only to be tackled by a pink and cream coloured blur. The Ninetales was sent sprawling across the ground as the excited Sylveon nuzzled her.

“Sethy!” she giggled and planted a kiss on the Ninetales… until she realized that this muzzle did not belong to a Luxray.

“Huh…? Abby!” she beamed and kissed her again, this time on the cheek.

Abby’s eyes widened but she grinned and nuzzled little Rika. “Heheheh, hey there love ball, how are you doing?” she asked, giving Rika’s face a massive lick.

“I’m doing great!’ she giggled as Seth plucked her off the Ninetales by the scruff of her neck. “Well, better than great!”

Seth placed her down and looked at her with a head tilt. “So where’s my kiss?” he inquired as the Sylveon happily reciprocated, the two lovers enjoying a brief moment of bliss.

After she broke it, Rika giggled. “And now you have indirectly kissed Abby as well~”

“…Goddammit Rika,” Seth sighed as he shook his head.

“Heheh, how’d I taste?” Abby asked playfully, getting to her feet and giving Rika’s head a lick.

“Like fine whisky,” Kasai said with a smirk. “Smokey and burning, but delicious.”

“I dunno, Rika’s sweetness overpowers it, so, more like a sugary cocktail,” Seth laughed as he walked inside, only to be tackled by his mare.

“Whoof!” the Luxray grunted as the mare tackled him to the ground and gave him a light kiss. “Rika’s been teaching you too well,” he muttered.

“Ah try to please,” Apple Fritter smiled, then blushed when she saw they had company. “Oh, ah… y’all didn’t say you’d be bringing friends.”

“Hey Fritter, remember us?” Abby asked with a hopeful grin. “Seth invited us to lunch.”

“Yes, yes he did,” Kasai said, moving up and giving her face a lick. “I hope you don’t mind.” He gave her his BEST puppydog eyes.

“Like ah’d turn away friends,” Fritter smiled, glad they didn’t make a comment on her foalish display. “Ah always make a lot anyhow, and we already have a guest so one or two more isn’t a big deal.”

Seth blinked as his hopes were raised. “Oh, who else is here?”

“That would be me,” came the voice of the shiny Gardevoir, and Seth’s hopes jumped off of Canterlot’s walls. Diantha chuckled as she patted his head. “Not who you were expecting?”

“Sorry Dia, just… kinda wished it was her.”

“Understandable,” the Psychic nodded. “So, who are your friends here?”

“Abby Trombley and her mate Kasai,” Abby said with a smile. “Top Equestrian Rangers.”

The Gardevoir nodded and returned the smile. “And I am Grand Duchess Diantha. Former Champion of Kalos, and now the Champion of Canterlot I guess.” She wondered how that was going to work in the future, but as it stood, she’d been in this city longer than any of the other Champions, so she was claiming dibs. “Nice to meet you Miss Abby, Lord Kasai.”

“Why does Kasai get the title?” Seth asked idly, trying to pry Rika off of him.

“He has a regal air about him,” Diantha nodded. “Such a handsome puppy deserves the title yes?”

“She’s not wrong,” Kasai said, preening beneath the attention and grinning at the Champion.

“No, she’s really not,” Abby agreed, moving forwards and offering the ‘Grand Duchess’ her paw. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“And you Miss Trombley,” Diantha smiled, chuckling lightly. “You have quite the reputation amongst the Rangers, and so much more from what Seth has told me about you.”

“Oh I do, do I?” Abby asked, smiling before she leaned up and licked Diantha’s cheek. “What kinda reputation?”

“That you’re rash, hot-headed and impulsive,” she smiled warmly. “But you’re also determined, loyal and very good at what you do.” She petted the Ninetales on the head and smiled. “Your parents were also wonderful people. The world is far less without them.”

Abby blinked before she leaned into the petting hand and closed her eyes. “Yeah, yeah it is,” she said quietly before tilting her head up towards the champion, eyes still closed. “Did you know them or just hear about them?”

“No, I met them a few times.” Diantha responded.

“Ah, that makes sense, considering where my mother was from,” Abby said, her voice dropping into a perfect Kalosian accent, a smile gracing her muzzle as she looked up at Diantha. “Though, I must say, and no offense my dear Grand Duchess, but I’ve always been more of a Cynthia fan personally~”

“Most are,” Diantha nodded and smiled. She leaned in close and her smile turned into a smirk. “To be honest, so am I,” she whispered.

“Cynthia is pretty hot,” Seth noted absently, earning raised eyebrows from his loves. “What, just calling it how I see it. I love you girls, but I can still window shop.”

“She was like a bigger chested Abby,” Kasai agreed, moving up and nuzzling Seth’s neck. “I don’t know why I liked breasts really, they don’t make sense, but I do like them.”

Abby sighed and pouted. “So do I…” Then she glanced at Diantha. “Pardon me for being completely inappropriate 85% of the time. I’ve spent too much of my life caring about rules like that to spend any more than strictly necessary, heh.”

“It’s fine,” Diantha nodded as the group headed further into the house. Rika disappeared, returning momentarily with an Egg cradled in her ribbons.

“How’s it doing?” Seth asked her, walking over to her to take a look. Rika glanced down at it and smiled.

“Well, it’s moving around sometimes, I’d say it’s getting close to hatching.”

Kasai’s eyes widened as he moved over and sniffed the Egg very gently. “You guys are having a pup/kitten too?” he asked curiously.

“No…” Seth replied. “This showed up out of nowhere, and the girls wouldn’t let me turn it into an omelette~” He winced when Rika slugged him in the shoulder with one of her ribbons.

“Huh, smells mechanical,” Kasai said with a frown. “Maybe a Magnemite or something… do they even lay eggs?”

“I dunno, and for some reason, my eyes can’t see through the shell either,” Seth noted... until the Egg gave a small shake. Oh, was it getting close? Rika decided to take the Egg back up to their room for now, in the little nest of blankets she’d made for it.

“Lunch is almost done!” Fritter called out as she placed some plates on the table. She looked at Seth and Abby, “And you two are gonna take a shower or somethin; first. Ah ain’t havin’ you sittin’ at the dinner table smellin’ like that!”

Abby blinked. “Huh, I didn’t think I even smelled that bad…” she looked at Kasai. “Kasai, how do I smell?”

Kasai smiled, leaning down and giving her a lick. “Like someone set a field of strawberries on fire love,” he said with a smile, he knew the golden rule about women.

“Heh, like you’d dare say otherwise,” Seth chuckled. Rika slided up next to him and smiled.

“Ohh, what about me?”

“Like a ball of cotton candy that took a bath in caramel and then dried off in a bowl of sugar,” he replied, licking her nose. That was when he felt a weight on his head and looked up to see a Whismur perched there.

“Oh, heya Aster!” he smiled. “You doin’ okay?”

“Ya-huh!” she smiled and looked at Abby. “Who’s that?” She hopped down before he could respond and waddled over to her. She looked at Rika, then in Fritter’s direction. “Are you one of Unca Sethy’s as well Miss?” Seth didn’t think he could turn so white…

“Oh yes,” Abby said with a grin. “I’m one of Unca Sethy’s very best. In fact, I’m rumored to be the best~” She winked playfully at Rika and Fritter.

Fritter was in the kitchen, thusly she didn’t hear nor see it. Rika just rolled her eyes and sighed.

Seth was looking at Kasai and wondered if he could outrun the large dog when he would inevitably try and eat him.

“Ooh, okay!” Aster giggled. “I’m Aster! Who’a you?”

“I’m Abby, nice to metcha Aster,” Abby said with a smile, leaning down and giving the little one a nuzzle.

“And I’m Kasai,” Kasai added with a grin before he looked over at Seth and the grin turned shockingly seductive. “And Seth is one of mine, just like Abby.” Then he leaned in to Aster’s ear and stage whispered. “He just doesn’t like to admit it out loud because of how much it makes him blush~”

“Heeey Aster~” Seth sang as he picked up the little Whismur. “You wanna see what happens when I zap these hilarious Pokemon with a few thousand volts?”

“Ohh?” she giggled, taking a seat on his back.

“I use Protect and it dissolves into nothing?” Kasai asked, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as he pulled Abby close to him and began to lick along her, cleaning her with his wet tongue.

Fritter walked out and sighed. “Ah should have seen that coming, but ah have a shower fer a reason...”

“Oh but Fritter darling,” Seth replied with an accent that would make him fit in quite well with the noble class. “You should know that these plebeians are above common manners.”

“It’s true,” Abby agreed with a smirk, Kasai’s large, wet, pink tongue rolling over her head. “We’re used to going weeks without bathing when we’re in the field.”

“Eewww,” Rika grimaced, making a face.

“Hey, I washed at least once a day,” Kasai protested, placing a big paw on his chest.

Seth just chuckled as he handed Aster to Rika and headed towards the stairs. “I’ll grab a shower first. Be back soon guys.”

“Aww, I wanna come,” Rika pouted, Egg in one ribbon, Aster in the other. It was a lot of pink in one place, kinda like if the Easter Lopunny had come early. “Oh well.”

Abby nuzzled Kasai and then took a step away, glancing over at Diantha. “So, out of curiosity, is there going to be a new Pokemon Leauge? I’d like to give it a shot in my free time… in a couple of decades.”

“Honestly, I have no idea,” Diantha sighed. It was something that had been weighing on her mind recently. “We’d need to work out how it would actually work, given that we’re all Pokemon now. Would former humans be allowed to fight? Would we still use Gyms and the like? Plus, I have no idea where my friends are. The Kalosian Elite Four are still missing… but…” Here she sighed again and looked out the window. “I suppose I should say Elite Three.”

“Elite three?” Abby inquired, looking up at her with a bit of confusion. “Does this have something to do with that rumor in the Rangers about… err… Malna? being a member of Team Flare?”

“Malva, and… yes,” Diantha said sadly. “I… knew about her activities. And it wasn’t like she actively participated, she just, helped keep them out of the public eye. In a sense, it did stop the general public from panicking, but I guess even that level of help voided her from Arceus’ selection.” An aura of psychic energy surrounded her hand as she stared at it. “I hope she’s okay…”

Abby was quiet for a moment before she leaned in and gave the Gardevoir a nuzzle and then silently licked her cheek while pressing herself against the Elite Four Champion.

“Thank you,” she said, petting the Ninetales’ head. “I haven’t told Seth about my concerns, so I’d appreciate it if you could keep from doing so as well. But, I am toying with an idea.”

“You’re welcome, and don’t worry, I know a little bit about hiding things,” Abby said with a bittersweet smile. “And what’s your idea?”

“Should the League revive,” she teased. “I’m thinking of offering the chance to a certain Luxray…”

“Huh…” Abby mused for a moment before shrugging. “He’d make a good one, though it would probably make him have to give up his position in the Guard. Conflict of interest and all that bureaucratic shit.”

“As I said, it’s just an idea,” she mused as Seth came back down and walked outside. One Thunder later, he walked back in, his fur nice and spiky and he smelled like a thunderstorm.

“Ahh, now that’s how you wake up in the morning,” he smiled.

“Getting your balls chomped on by my mate and then taking a shower to ‘cool off’?” Kasai asked with a smirk.

“Oh, thanks for reminding me,” he grinned as he walked past the Ninetales, and leaned over, nipping one of her tails lightly. Just enough for a light pinch. The other eight responded by slapping him in the face, simultaneously.

“Ooooh, don’t do that,” Abby said, her voice half growl, half moan. “Do that too many times and I may lay a curse on you~”

“He might like that,” Rika giggled at her.

Seth just rubbed his cheeks with his paws as Fritter served lunch. Sandwiches, fritters, pies, you name it, she made it.

“And mah patented Fritter Feast is served!” she declared.

“Yay!” Kasai exclaimed, rushing forwards, but instead of heading for the feast, headed for Fritter and began to lick her repeatedly to say thank you for the wondrous feast! He loved feasts!

“Gah! Gerrof!” she chuckled, pushing the large dog away and holding him back with a single hoof. “Ah reckon ah don’t need a bath… well, ah guess ah do now. Thanks.”

Kasai pouted at her. “I was just saying thanks,” he said with a little whine as the others filed past them. She rolled her eyes and patted his overly fluffy chest.

“Ah, yer a good dog. Now go and get something before Rika eats us outta house and home.” For such a little thing, that fairy could really pack away a ridiculous amount of food. Seth already had his plate piled high and was inhaling it at record speed.

Kasai charged forwards up to the table, burying his muzzle in food, beginning a war with Seth over who could inhale food the fastest. Abby for her part just focused on eating her own food, turning to look at Rika.

“So, Rika, would you and Seth like to get in on a game that Kasai and I play with Belle and Gene?” she asked with a smile. “At least… when I admit that I’m going to talk to Belle again.”

Rika tilted her head and looked at them.

“When you mention ‘games’ I get more than a little concerned,” Seth said with a small smile.

“It’s a great game,” Abby said with a smirk at him. “We get each other ‘couple’s gifts’, the more interesting the better. Whoever can get the most interesting gift wins the round.”

“…That, was not what I was expecting,” Seth said with a mild blush. And he was never going to say what it was he was thinking either. “But, that actually sounds kinda fun.”

“So you’re in?” Abby asked with half-lidded eyes.

“Sure, that sound interesting,” Seth nodded. “So, is there some sort of day we have for this? Like birthdays or something?”

“We haven’t decided just yet… and it probably won’t be decided until I can stand to talk to Belle again,” Abby said with a shrewd frown. “But just to let you know, that is the reason why Gene owned a Kalosian maid’s outfit that’s perfectly sized for him.”

“Sethy in a maid outfit!?” Fritter and Rika liked the sound of that. They liked the sound of that a lot.

“Don’t you dare,” Seth replied.

“Oh, don’t worry darling,” Abby cooed to him, her accent strong. “I like to think of new things, and Equestria is a land of new things.”

Seth shuddered and looked at his pile of food. “Yep, interesting indeed.”

“I hope you can patch things up with Belle soon,” Rika said, leaning into Abby’s fluff. “I don’t like it when friends fight.”

Abby leaned back into her and nuzzled the little Sylveon. “I’ll clear things up with her as soon as she apologizes for being an arrogant, self conceited, bitch…” she muttered. “Or at least apologises in the first place and admits that it was wrong to go stomping through Hasting’s mind.” She was quiet for a moment before muttering. “I hate watching people make my mistakes.”

“Still, if no-one ever made mistakes, no-one would ever learn,” Seth replied after swallowing.

“I know that,” Abby said before shaking her head. “Anyways, the rules of the game are simple. No repeats, though, I won’t hold it against you if you choose something from one of our past rounds. Nothing that will cripple or purposefully maim, such as spray to make the other couple more attractive to let’s say, Rhydon. Anything with any drug or other properties must be completely legal and obviously labeled. Finally, anything to be inserted into someone else must be of a reasonable size. Nothing approaching Rapidash size.”

“Right, so no fake Wailord ph—” Seth cut Rika off as he clamped a paw over her maw and pointed at Aster.

“Let’s keep it PG around the kids eh?” he replied and Rika nodded, smiling bashfully.

“Besides, you’re not a Skitty,” Kasai said, winking at Rika. “You’re much cuter~”

Rika tilted her head. What did being a Skitty have to do with anything? Oh well. Seth knew the reference and cringed as he pushed the remainder of his food away, his appetite well and truly dead. Kasai grinned, leaning over and snapping up Seth’s food and then giving the Luxray’s face a lick.

“Shoulda seen that coming,” the Luxray groused. Well, whatever. He glanced at the clock and sighed. It was nearly time to head back to work.

Abby smiled before leaning over to lick Seth’s neck. “Well, we should probably get going and check on the eggs. Thanks for this Seth, Fritter, it was a great lunch.”

“Yeah, yeah it was,” Kasai agreed, a happy grin on his lips.

“Yer welcome,” Fritter smiled. “Stop by again if y’all get the chance. Yer always welcome here.”

"Well, ah don't rightly know how to play this game. Ah reckon Rika has a few ideas though."

Rika looked at Kasai like a piece of fresh meat, licking her lips and chuckling.

"Oh, I have a few ideas~" He'd look sooo precious in a frilly dress.

Abby just smirked. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t Rika. Just know that it goes both ways~”

“If you want to put me in a dress, I have to say, you’re a little late,” Kasai said, glancing at Rika with a smirk. “Belle did that a while ago, and I looked amazing.”

"We'll see," Rika hummed. She was nothing if not unpredictable.

“Good, I can’t wait,” Abby said, giving Rika a smirk.

"Is Unca Kazzy a fairy princess?" Aster asked inquisitively. Seth couldn’t help it as he laughed at that mental image.

Kasai grinned down at her. “Kid, I’m the Fairy Queen!” he proclaimed with a goofy smile.

"Care to reiterate that statement, you walking rug," Titania snapped as she floated through the door. She grabbed a cup of coffee, gave the pair of Fire types a look of... well, like she was above them, before floating off to her room to work.

Kasai glanced in the direction she’d gone. “I look better in a dress then you,” he said, a big smirk on his face.

Abby took one look at him and burst into laughter.

"And that's Titania," Seth sighed.

“A bit high strung,” Abby observed with a raised eyebrow. Seth chuckled and gave her a small nod.

“Yeah, you learn to live with it,” he replied. “She’s a good girl, just… used to a far different life than the one she has now.”

“Gotcha,” Abby said, nodding slowly. “Give her my regards then.” She gave Seth and everyone else a final nuzzle and a lick goodbye, Kasai doing likewise, before the pair started away, tails casually intertwining as they walked.

“Such a cute couple,” Fritter smiled as they watched them go. Seth nodded as Rika went off to play with Aster.

After bidding a farewell to Abby and Kasai, Seth had barely gotten to take a few steps, when Midnight came running up to him.

“Boss, we got a problem!” she said. “Some big rock lizard is making trouble at the airship docks. It’s threatening a bunch of other dock workers!”

Seth clicked his tongue and started walking briskly towards the castle entrance. “Alright Midnight. Details.”

“Well, it’s tall, nearly seven feet. Green, bipedal, has a large armoured belly.”

Seth nodded, it sounded like a Tyranitar. If so, this was not going to be fun in the slightest. “Do we know why it’s attacking?”

“Nope, that’s all I was told,” Midnight Song nodded, the two breaking out into a run the moment they were outside the castle. “It hasn’t actually attacked anypony yet. But it sounds like it’s really pissed off.”

So it was angry about something, but hadn’t resorted to violence just yet. It could still be reasoned with. “Alright,: Seth nodded. “I’m going on ahead, see if I can’t resolve this peacefully. Think you can go and grab Ignis for me? Just in case this all goes to hell?”

“You want to go alone?” Midnight paused and shook her head. “That’s amazingly stupid. I won’t allow that!”

“And if it really is a Tyranitar, it could bring the whole city off of the mountain in it’s rage. We need to solve this peacefully, or defeat it very quickly,” Seth said sternly. “I can at least buy time, which is why I want you to hurry.”

Midnight frowned, but nodded and took wing towards Fritter’s place while Seth continued to the docks. The Luxray steeled himself, shaking his mind clear of the events that had just occurred.

“Time to get to work,” he said to himself and took off into a run.

Well, the docks seemed to be in one piece at least, well aside from a broken container or two. But the Luxrays main focus wasn’t the wrecked shipping containers…

It was the one that caused it, a rather large Tyranitar.

A Tyranitar that currently held a struggling pegasus up by the scruff of his neck and roared in his face.

“You think you’re better then me!?” she screamed at him. “You’re just a freaking snack! Oh, and look at that, I’m feeling pretty hungry~”

Seth kicked a can on the ground, making enough noise to get her attention. The Tyranitar turned her head and saw the large Luxray standing about a dozen or so feet away.

“And who the fuck are you!?” she spat, not dropping her hostage.

“Just someone that’s concerned,” Seth replied, keeping his voice calm and even. “Why don’t you put the pony down, and we can talk about this hmm?”

“I don’t think so!” she roared. “How about I rip of his fucking wings and toss him off the edge of the city huh?”

“Y-You wouldn’t,” he stammered.

“She would, but that won’t solve the problem here,” Seth said, taking a step closer. The Tyranitar placed a claw on the pony’s left wing and the electric lion paused.

“Okay, now let’s not be hasty.” he gave her a small smile. “Why don’t we start with what happened. You seem just a bit upset.”

“Well wow, I had no fucking idea a Luxray could use Psychic!” she snapped with a small amount of sarcasm. “Maybe these Arceus-damned ponies will think twice about saying I don’t belong here, calling me a stupid monster!”

“And this violence is proving them wrong how?” Seth countered, taking another step. “Why don’t you come with me? We can get something to eat, calm down and if you want, I can find you a new place to work at.”

“Or maybe I can aim a well-placed Earthquake and bring make this whole fucking city gravity’s bitch!” she roared, her grip on the pony tightening.

“And hurt thousands of Pokemon and ponies that have done nothing to you?” Seth took another step closer. “Look, I know dealing with ponies can be immensely difficult—”

“Hey!” the pegasus started…

“—And if they want to keep breathing, they’ll shut the hell up,” Seth warned, the pegasus suddenly zipping his lip. “But look at him? Is he really worth the effort?”

“No, but it’ll make me feel a whole lot better~” she smiled, baring her fangs at the now whimpering pegasus.

“And so would a big bowl of ice-cream and some hot tea. Maybe a few choice gems on the side?” Seth offered. His ear flicked as he heard Midnight Song approach, but held up a paw to stop her advancing.

The Tyranitar paused, her grip weakening ever-so-slightly.

“Look,” Seth said. “I’m sure they said some stupid stuff. And you’ve probably ensured that he’ll be sleeping with a nightling for at least a month or two. You’re the biggest mon here, literally. Now show me you can be just that and let him go.”

The Tyranitar looked at the pegasus, then to Seth and after taking a breath, dropped her captive on his rump. he wasted no time in scrambling to his hooves and getting the flapping feather out of there.

“Midnight, please follow him and take him into custody,” Seth said. “He’s in need of some education on how to not piss off the big scary Pokemon.”

The Thestral nodded and took wing, chasing after the scared pony as Seth sighed and held out a paw. “Okay then. Shall we go?”

The Armor Pokemon nodded walked alongside the Luxray.

“I wasn’t gonna eat him,” she muttered. “Ponies prolly taste like crap anyway.”

“Heh, probably,” Seth chuckled. “Now, let’s go get that ice-cream…”

Chapter Forty Five

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Chapter Forty Six

The Porygon hovered there as everyone just stared at her. Had… had they heard her right?

“Daddy Seth?” Dextra tried again, altering his designation.

“I believe your appearance has startled them dear,” Celestia moved up next to the newly born Pokemon. “Give them a moment, they’ll be right soon enough.”

Dextra turned and her head turned, ticking as she did. She was like some adorable wind-up toy. “Your designation?”

The alicorn chuckled. “I am Princess Celestia, one of the rulers of Equestria.”

Data confirmed. Equestria Region. Legendary Pokemon, Celestia confirmed, compiling data.

“Confirmed, designation Celestia added.” Dextra said as Selena and Ignis had entered the room as well, rather surprised over their new guest. Still…

Selena saw Seth’s stunned expression and sighed, “So?” Selena asked. “Spill. What’s going on?”

“Spill?” Dextra asked, turning her head to look at the new Pokemon. “I do not currently posses a liquid to spill.”

“Really?” Selena deadpanned.

“Do you see me in possession of one?” Dextra asked back.

“Figure of speech Dextra,” Seth said. The banter had snapped him back to reality and now he stared at the Porygon. “Please tell us how you came to be, and why you refer to me as Father.”

“Correction, I said ‘Daddy’ as the more adorable term could provide a more effective bond between us.” Dextra pointed out. “But I digress, would you like the technical version? Or the one easier to comprehend for lower lifeforms?”

“Please do not call us that,” Seth replied and then looked at Ignis. “Not when it only applies to a few.”

“Hey!”

“Very well,” Dextra nodded. She gave the family a moment to get comfortable and then continued. “I was created from the data compiled inside your Pokedex. While even I am not completely aware of how this came to be, when Daddy Bit’s ‘spark’ came into contact, I obtained some level of self-awareness.”

“The random bursts of ‘helpful’ information?” Seth said with a dry tone.

“I was merely informing the uninformed,” Dextra stated. “As for my ‘birth’, it happened when your spark gave me the power I needed to create a physical form. Hence, you and Daddy Bit are my birth parents.”

“This... is going to awkward to explain to Bit,” Seth muttered. “But, how did this occur? I don’t understand why a spark of electricity could give birth to a Porygon.”

“I believe that the true reason lies in something more... esoteric, something that goes beyond a scientific explanation.” Dextra sounded disappointed. “I am... frustrated on the fact that I am not fully aware of the reasons behind my creation.”

“That’s normal,” Seth said, getting up and moving over to the Porygon. “No-one remembers the moment they were born... that would be really weird. So, I think you happen to be a perfectly normal Porygon, albeit, born from magic and lightning.”

“Your attempt to console me is noted,” Dextra said. “Where is Daddy Bit?”

“In another city,” Rika said. “But he might be visiting us in the next day or so.”

“You are.. Rika the Sylveon yes?” Dextra asked and looked at the others. “Ignis the Charizard, and Selena the Absol.” She looked around and ticked. “I do not know the equines, nor do I know where Drake the Golduck or Heath the Sandshrew is.”

“I haven’t seen Drake in a very long time,” Seth said. “And Heath is a Sandslash now, he’s staying with Diantha?”

Dextra ticked. “Sandslash, the Mouse Pokemon. Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws. I also believe that Subject 29, A.K.A Mary is of this species...”

Dextra stopped and floated there. “My apologies, it appears that there is residual programming left over from the Pokedex, along with grafted data from Daddy Bit.”

“It’s alright,” Seth smiled. “Also, this is Apple Fritter, it’s her home we are living in right now, and she, along with Rika, are my girlfriends.”

“Information noted. Assigning new designations to subjects; Apple Fritter and Rika the Sylveon. New designations confirmed...” Dex ticked and smiled. “A pleasure to meet you. Fairy Mommy, Pony Mommy.”

Fritter blushed while Rika squealed and hugged the Porygon. “Ohmigosh! You are the cutest thing EVER!”

“I-I-I-I’m.... I’m a... Momma?” Fritter stammered. “B-but, ah’m not prepared fer this! Whut do ah do? Whut does she eat? Do I give her a bedtime? What stories does she like?” The poor mare ran around the room like a headless horse until Seth caught her.

“Whoa there! Calm down Fritter,” he chuckled. “We’ll figure this out okay?”

“But! Ah gotta be a responsible parent!” Fritter yelled. “She needs toys and ah gotta figure out which school she has t’go to and-”

“If I may interject Pony Mommy,” Dextra beeped. “While your concern about me is noted and appreciated, I will not be needing any of that.”

“W-wha?” Fritter’s head was swimming.

“One, I do not require food of the organic kind. A steady supply of electricity is all I require to function correctly. Two. An education is also irrelevant. My knowledge surpasses most organic beings, they cannot teach me what I already know. If there is something I do not know, I will learn it eventually. Three, Should you wish to enact a ‘bedtime’ for me, then I can allow that. I would like to experience the full family package.”

Fritter just blinked while Seth chuckled.

“Yeah... Porygon are... different,” Seth said. “And I get the feeling that Dex here is even more special.”

Celestia watched with rapt fascination. It was one thing to see a new Pokemon be born like this. But to hear that magic might have been involved with her creation?

‘Mental note. Do. Not. Tell. Bio Chem.’

“This is still quite weird,” Seth commented. He had never expected something like this to happen. And the Contest was right around the corner as well. “So… what the heck do I do now?”

“Well we gotta look after her,” Apple Fritter nodded. “But, ah reckon that’s not going t’be too difficult, right Dexxy?”

“No, caring for me will be a simple enough task for any of you,” the Porygon nodded. “I promise to be rather low maintenence…”

“It’s not about that,” Seth nodded and then pulled the surprised Porygon into a hug. “Well then I’ll be the first to say it. Welcome to the family Dextra.”

It might be impossible for a Porygon to blush. But be damned if Dextra hadn’t tried.

The rest of the evening was spent introducing everyone to the Porygon and vice-versa. Seth also sat to one side to discuss Contest-related plans with Princess Celestia. Though the alicorn had to leave shortly after, since she couldn’t skip out on work for too long…

In the end, most of them had crashed in the living room to sleep, even Midnight curled up with the rest of them into one big cuddlepile.

“Boss! We’re late!”

Seth groaned as something shook him awake and he lifted his head to see a batpony mare staring at him. He found himself wondering why Midnight was here, before the events of last night came rushing back and he groaned. he glanced at the clock on the wall and yup, running late.

“Urgh,” he sighed and rolled over, squashing Rika under him. The Sylveon squeaked, trying to shove the heavy Luxray off as he slowly got to his paws.

“Not a fun way to wake up,” she complained. Fritter rolled over and wordlessly got to her hooves before trotting off to the bathroom. There was a small ‘beep’ as Dextra’s eyes flickered and she pulled herself together, literally, and hovered into the air.

“Startup sequence complete. Greetings family,” she chirped.

“Urgh,” Seth moaned again. “You’re a morning ‘mon?”

“I do not suffer any lag upon my startup sequence. Perhaps once I reach my maximum memory capacity, you will see some performance issues,” Dextra pinged. “Is this winged equine correct Daddy-Seth? Are you running late for an appointment?”

“Yeah… gotta get to work,” he muttered. “Alright… need shower…”

“I'll fetch you some coffee,” Rika said. “Wanna help Dexxy?”

“I do not know, do I?” Dextra pinged again.

“Yes, help your mother,” Seth mumbled, still half-asleep as he trudged upstairs. Rika realised where he was going and smirked.

“And what’s that smile for?” Midnight asked, stretching her wings.

“Oh, just that Sethy’s shower maaaaay take longer than he thought,” Rika giggled as she hugged Dextra and checked on Aster. “Fritter’s up there after all~”

“Fritter?” It took far longer than Midnight cared to admit for her to get that. “Oooohhhh…”

“I’m afraid I do not understand,” Dextra asked. “Why would Pony-Mommy cause Daddy-Seth to take a longer shower? Does he not bathe properly unsupervised?”

Rika paused as a slight blush graced her cheeks. “Um, yes. Let’s go with that Dexxy.”

Dextra nodded and beeped twice, filing away the information.

“Well, seems I’m on breakfast duty,” Rika nodded. “Wanna give me a hand Middy?”

“If I had them,” Midnight chuckled. “But sure, that sounds like fun. I don’t get to cook often…”

Seth sighed contently as he leaned back in the tub, holding Fritter close to his chest.

“Somepony’s sure enjoin’ himself,” Fritter chuckled as Seth ran a claw through her mane.

“Why wouldn’t I?” he said softly. “I’m relaxing in a warm bath, holding a lady I love very much close to me,” he gave her a small squeeze and smiled. “Yeah, life doesn't get much better than this.”

Fritter blushed and leaned into his embrace. She had to admit that she couldn’t be happier right now. You never really realised how lonely you were, until you weren’t. “Too bad y’all gotta work. Ah reckon ah could stay like this all day.”

“Mmm, but then you’d be a pruny little pony,” Seth chuckled, nibbling her neck. “Yeah, we haven’t spent a lot of time together lately. And now our relationship has gone that one step further…”

“Ah still can’t believe that happened,” Fritter blushed. “And…” She trailed off, too embarrassed to continue her train of thought.

“You’re so cute,” Seth smiled, nuzzling her. He groaned as he heard a bell chime in the distance, telling him he was already running rather late. “Hold that thought til later?”

“Will do,” Fritter smiled. The Luxray gave her one last kiss as he got out of the tub, shaking himself and causing the mare to yelp in surprise.

“Really?” she deadpanned.

“What, you were already wet,” Seth shrugged. He got a face full of water for that one. His nose twitched as he sniffed the air. “You smell that?” he asked. “Smells like… smoke?”

Fritter frowned and her eyes widened as she realised that she could smell smoke… and it seemed to be coming from her kitchen!!

She leapt out of the bath and raced downstairs, leaving a trail of water behind her as she did. A few seconds later, Seth heard her shouting at someone.

“Oh dear,” he said to himself as he followed her, scrunching his face up as the burnt smell got stronger the closer he got. Once he got down there, he saw why.

Several sections of the kitchen were rather… black, and Fritter was busy yelling at Midnight.

“B-But… kitchens shouldn’t be so flammable,” she wailed as Rika shook her head.

“You set fire to water,” the Sylveon sighed. “I… just… How!?”

“Seth, please take her to work, befer ah tan her hide!” Fritter growled as she went back into her kitchen to clean up. The thestral gulped, she’d heard that Fritter was crazy strong and the bat rather liked her bones unpowderized.

“Yeahhhh, let’s get me to work,” Midnight nodded and backed towards the door. Seth sighed and rolled his eyes. Well, he’d hate to explain to Grissom why Fritter turned his daughter inside out.

“Yeap,” he said. Rika gave him his bag, filled with his lunch and his usual gear.

“I’m gonna take Aster to the park a bit later kay?” she said. “I think she’s been a bit bored sitting here at home.”

“I would like to accompany Daddy-Seth,” Dextra pinged. “It has come to my attention that Canterlot Castle has a wealth of information that I must add to my memory.”

“Alright, but only if you’re good,” Seth nodded as the now-a-trio left the house and made their way to the castle. “I wonder how busy I’m going to be today?”

“Mmm, I hope for a lazy day,” Midnight said, stretching her wings again. “I don’t feel like working today.”

“I hear that,” Seth nodded. “And what happened back there? Aren’t you Midnight Song? The ‘I’m good at what I do’ mare?”

Midnight snorted and shook her head. “Fritter’s kitchen is too flammable. It’s not my fault that water spontaneously combusts sometimes.”

Yeah… Seth wasn’t even going to touch that. And he just barely managed to stop Dextra speaking up about it as well.

By the time they reached the palace, two of the door guards saw Seth walking up with Midnight and his sensitive hearing caught what they were saying under their breath.

“Looks like she had another ‘late night’ huh?” one said.

“Yeah, and he looks like she really put him through the ringer,” the other replied. Seth frowned and went to step towards them, but Midnight placed a hoof against his chest and shook her head.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said as they walked in. “It’s usually true anyway. Just one of the times it isn’t,” She smirked and bat her eyes at him. “Unless you wanna swing by your office and put a little truth in the rumours~”

“Pass,” Seth deadpanned. “Actually, I want to go to the Hall of Legends—”

“OH! Can I come!?” Midnight bounced. “I’ve only ever seen Mewtwo and Arceus from a distance. And I’ve heard that there are some really cute Legendary Pokemon.”

“I have the distinct feeling that we have two entirely different contexts for cute,” he snarked and shrugged. “Well, as long as you behave yourself, I don’t mind.” He wandered through the halls until he found the door that led to the Temple. “I swear this things moves,” he said as he placed a paw against it.

“What is that place Daddy-Seth?” Dextra pinged. She’d been so silent that Seth had forgotten she was there.

“Gah!” he yelped and sighed. “Gods Dexxy, I need to put a bell on you or something.” He snorted and shook his head. “This is a gateway to the Hall of Legends. Where most of the Pokemon we classified as ‘Legendary’ are living. The Hall itself is in a forest near Ponyville, a town a few hours from here.”

“Interesting, a door linked by space/time. I am detecting power that matches the Pokemon known as Dialga and Palkia… though, I am detecting something… more.”

“Probably Arceus,” Seth said as he pushed against the door. It opened and he felt a small tingle as it connected. Midnight and Dextra didn’t react, so maybe they didn’t feel it? Hmm, ah well.

He stepped through into the Hall and took a moment to get over the dizzying effect of the portal. After a moment, he proceeded, though his pace was slower as he let Midnight take it all in. The artworks and statues. And she yelped when Giratina floated through one wall and into another.

“W-W-What was that?” she said, moving up next to him.

Dextra pinged as a recording in a voice not quite her own played.

‘Giratina, the Renegade Pokemon.
This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange. It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.’

“Well,” Midnight replied, still sticking to Seth’s side. “That was… informative.”

“So you’re still a Pokedex then?” Seth asked as they started walking again.

“Yes, that played out against my will, so it seems that residual programming remains,” Dextra replied. She sounded… annoyed?

“What happened to my Pokedex anyway?” Seth asked. “Was it destroyed when you were born?”

“No, it fell behind the bed,” Dextra nodded. “My data and programming was copied, so your Pokedex and its contents should still be in one piece.”

“Well, that’s good,” Seth said. He’d have hated to lose the data from his diary. He needed to find a way to back it up somehow. “And I’ll take a look at your code later. Maybe I can remove or at least turn off the autoplay feature.”

“I… thank you, Daddy-Seth,” Dextra said softly. Seth smiled and rubbed her head.

“No need to thank me,” Seth said. “It’s a father’s job to help out their kids. Now, let’s find us a god.” He headed further into the temple until he reached a door that held Registeel as a guard.

“Hmm, this is new, though I seemed to interrupt dessert last time,” Seth said to his companions. he approached the Steel-type and saluted. “I would like to request an audience with Lord Arceus if that is alright,” Seth said in a clear voice.

Registeel beeped a few times and then opened the door, allowing them passage.

“Thank you,” Seth bowed his head and walked in, hoping the god wouldn’t be too annoyed with him this time. He seemed to not like the Luxray speaking with Lady Mew or Princess Diancie for some reason, though he never voiced it aloud, Seth caught the look he got in his eye.

He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the change in light, as did Midnight. Once his vision cleared, he looked around and saw Arceus in his usual seat, with Mew hovering over his shoulder.

"Hey," the Luxray waved. "How's it been going?"

“Hi Sethy!” Mew waved happily.

Arceus rolled his eyes. “Hello Seth, what brings you by?”

“Not that much, I have something you might find interesting, well, more like someone really,” Seth said. “And I was also hoping I could meet with Raikou if he… she? is available.”

“Raikou’s a boy,” Mew answered. “And I’m sure he’s around somewhere, I’ll go get him!” Mew teleported out to search for Raikou, and Arceus turned back to Seth.

“So... who are your friends?”

Midnight smiled and bat her eyes at him. “I’m Midnight Song, Seth’s new partner, Thestral and overall sexiest pony.” She looked him over and nodded. “So you’re a god huh? Are you godly in the sack as well?”

“I apologise for everything that comes from her mouth,” Seth groaned.

Arceus shrugged. “It’s alright Seth, while it has been... quite a while, I did use to draw quite a bit of attention back in my day,” he turned to Midnight. “And as for your question, Miss Song, I’d rather keep that to myself for the time being.”

“Aww, oh well,” Midnight shrugged. And just like that, Arceus had a Porygon floating in his face.

“Arceus, the Alpha Pokemon. According to Sinnoh legends, this Pokemon emerged from an egg when there was nothing and shaped the universe with it’s one thousand arms…”

She looked at the god and blinked. “I only count four. Their math is flawed.”

“It’s more metaphorical than it is literal,” he replied nonchalantly. “And who might you be little one?”

“I am Dextra. Daddy-Seth has brought me to work today so I may acquire knowledge from the Castle archives.”

“This is the other reason I came here today,” Seth said. “Dexxy here was… well, she hatched from an Egg that came out of my Pokedex.” He let that sink in for a second before continuing. “She claims she came to be through a combination of the data in my Dex, Bit’s programming. Oh, he’s a Porygon-Z by the way… and believe it or not, magic.”

“Claim? That is how I came to be,” Dextra huffed, sounding insulted.

Arceus considered that. “I... suppose that’s possible... I’m am truly terrible at understanding technology to be honest... hang on,” Arceus closed his eyes, and a few seconds later a new Pokemon was teleported into the center of the room. “Seth, Midnight Song, Dextra, meet Lord Genesect.”

“Greetings,” The cyborg said. “Lord Arceus asked me to run a diagnostic on young Dextra... would that be acceptable?”

Seth looked at Dextra. “Well, it’s your call Dexxy. I’m not going to force you into anything you don’t want to do.”

Dextra floated there as she ticked, processing the idea.

“I… do not see the harm in a scan,” she finally said. “As long as Genesect promises not to alter my program without my permission.”

“Parameters set,” Genesect responded before turning to Dextra, a red dot shone from the canon on his back and settled in the center of Dextra’s forehead. “Scanning...” A few computer like noises could be heard from within Genesect as he scanned Dextra’s coding and processed the data. “Scanning complete,” He turned to Arceus. “Her coding does some to be an amalgam of Pokedex coding and Porygon-Z AI... along with trace amount of energy identical to what the inhabitants of Equus refer to as ‘magic’.”

“Thank you Genesect, you may return to your lab,” as the cyborg wandered off, Arceus turned back to Seth. “Well, there you have it I suppose... not entirely sure how it happened but it did.”

“So some answers still elude me,” Dextra replied in a disappointing tone. She beeped when Seth pulled her in for a hug.

“Hey, like I said yesterday. No one remembers the moment they were born,” He looked up at Arceus, “Present company excluded most likely. But still, it’s not the circumstances of one’s birth, but what you do with the gift of life that truly matters.” He smiled and rubbed her head. “I wasn’t expecting to be a father quite like this. But, I’ll do my best okay?”

“...Okay… and, it appears that moisture is gathering in my ocular regions. I think I am defective,” Dextra said quietly.

Seth chuckled and rubbed her head again. “No, that’s normal… I think. Don’t worry Dexxy.”

“I found them!” Mew cried happily as she flew back into the room, followed by Entei, Suicune, and Raikou. “Suicune was...” Mew saw Dextra crying and floated over to the Porygon. “Don’t be sad,” she said, wiping a tear away with her tail. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”

“I am not sad, base emotion is for lower lifeforms,” Dextra said with a small nod.

Seth looked at the Legendary Pokemon that had walked in with Mew. This was the first time he’d seen them and they had such an aura about them. It reminded him a lot of Virizion and Cobalion, the only Legendary Pokemon he’d seen before coming to Equus.

“So... this the thundercat who wanted to meet us?” Raikou asked, looking Seth over.

Suicune sighed. “Raikou...” she smiled at Seth. “A pleasure to meet you, Seth Crescent, several of our fellow Legendaries have spoken rather highly of you.”

“Especially Diancie,” Raikou added with a smirk that earned him a glare from his brother and sister. “What? I’m just saying.”

“Please, feel free to ignore him,” Entei added. “Arceus knows I try to.”

“Actually,” Seth said with a smile. “I was hoping to meet with him specifically. I... “ he took a breath and went for it. “I’d like to request some training from you Lord Raikou.”

“Ohh, so that’s why you’re here?” Midnight said as she looked at the trio. “Hmm, I wonder if they’re more amicable than that god over there?” She stared them down like a predator would it’s prey and licked her lips. “They look yummy~”

Suicune huffed and turned away, while Entei looked visibly confused. Raikou, however, flashed a toothy grin and winked at her.

“You are absolutely incorrigible,” Suicune said with a sigh.

“Least I’m not a complete prude,” Raikou shot back.

“What is he talking about?” Entei asked aloud.

Ignoring him, Raikou walked over to Midnight and smiled again. “Lord Raikou, guardian of lightning, at your service... Miss?”

“Midnight Song, Solar Guard and sexiest mare alive at yours… and of course, I’m always willing to service~” she purred, right before she was squashed under one of Seth’s paws.

“And that’s enough of that,” he deadpanned. “Honestly Midnight…” He shot an apologetic glance at the Pokemon.

“Curious,” Dextra pinged. “Shall I endeavour to act more like her?”

“NO!” Seth almost shouted and groaned. “Midnight is not a good role model.”

“Harsh… but also true,” Midnight agreed. “And I didn’t take you for the dominating type Boss. Not that I’m complaining~”

Seth got off of her and groaned. “Can we please get back to normal here?”

Arceus sighed. “Sadly this is normal when it comes to my family... Raikou, help Seth train... and at least TRY not to do anything that might result in another Legendary being born?”

Raikou rolled his eyes. “Fine gramps, I’ll play nice.”

“Spoilsports,” Midnight pouted, but still made bedroom eyes at the lightning Pokemon.

“Well, this went better than I thought it would,” Seth smiled as he approached Entei and Suicune. “Sorry about all that. My name is Seth Crescent by the way.” He offered a polite nod and also took Suicune’s paw, kissing it. “It’s an honour to meet the three of you.”

Suicune smiled gently. “It’s nice to meet you too Seth Crescent, you’ve been the talk of the temple these past few days.”

“More like you’re just hearing about him now,” Entei corrected. “She just got back today, ever since we arrived she’s been up north, hunting down ice spirits.”

“At least I was keeping myself occupied and making use of my time,” Suicune replied with a smirk.

Seth nodded and he caught that look in Arceus’s eye again. Why was that?

“Wow, who knew the Boss was so smooth?” Midnight whistled to herself.

“Ice spirits?” Seth questioned. “Wouldn’t a Fire type be more effective for that? or a Ghost or Dark?”

“Aurora Beam works well enough in destroying them,” Suicune explained. “They don’t exactly follow the same rules as beings from our world Seth.”

“Hmm, that’s interesting,” Seth said. He saw her waving mane and kind eyes, and couldn’t help but be reminded of Celestia or Luna. “And wait, talk of the temple? What did I do?” he asked. “Ignis isn’t in trouble for defeating Moltres is he?”

Entei laughed. “Not at all, any Pokemon who can defeat a Legendary in honest combat is welcome in my book... no, Princess Diancie has been talking about you, and Mewtwo told several other about how you defeated that evil pony in Canterlot... news travels fast within these walls.”

“Ah, well… I hope the Princess is doing well,” Seth said, blushing lightly.

“Wow, does he ever turn that swag off?” Midnight asked Raikou.

“Not according to Diancie or Mew,” he replied. “Does he realize he’s doing it even?”

“Doesn’t look like it,” she said as she watched Seth flatter Suicune again, complimenting her ribbons. Mind you, he was doing it because it reminded him of Rika…

“Daddy-Seth is… kind of unintelligent,” Dextra said, simulating a sigh.

Seth turned and looked at them. “What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Raikou lied. “Now come on, you said you wanted to train right?”

“Actually, I just wanted to find out if you could,” Seth said. “I’m a little busy with the upcoming Contest and my work. Is a week from now still a good time?”

Raikou shrugged. “Works for me,” he smiled at Midnight. “Guess I’ll be seeing you around then? Huh sweet-cheeks?”

“Mhmm,” she said and whipped him with her tail.

“Oh for crying out loud,” Seth groaned. “Please don’t send her to another dimension Lord Arceus. Despite her… quirks, she really is a skilled guard and a nice pony.”

“I can also be very, very bad~” she purred, looking at Raikou.

“...I retract my request,” Seth deadpanned.

Arceus briefly considered dropping her into the Distortion Realm, then realized she’d probably just hit on Giratina. “Just... go, before I change my mind.”

Seth nodded and grabbed the mare by the scruff of the neck, dragging her off as she just winked and waved at Raikou, her foot-long tongue flickering out for just a moment. Raikou wondered just what else she could do with that tongue...

“Well, now I see what Diancie meant,” Suicune mused, looking at her paw.

“Every… time…” Arceus groaned as Mew giggled.

Seth paused on his way out and looked at Midnight and Dextra. “Could you two wait for me outside? I’d like to speak with Lady Mew privately for a moment.” He looked up at the little pink cat and smiled. “Well, provided that’s alright with her however.”

Mew smiled. “Sure thing Sethy~”

Once Midnight, Dextra and the other Pokemon left, Seth stood there silently for a moment. It was clear he wanted to talk about something, but now that he was alone with the little pink cat, his face flushed red and he stammered.

“W-Well… that is… um,” Dammit, why was this so hard to spit out.

“Come on Seth, don’t be shy,” Mew said with a smile. “You can tell me anything.”

The Luxray rubbed his leg awkwardly. He put a paw to his chest and took a deep breath. “BABIES!” he said and gasped, not realizing that he’d activated his torc. He blushed harder and smacked the charm, his face redder than a Tamato Berry.

Mew blushed. “Oh Seth, I had no idea you felt that way about me.”

That only served to deepen his embarrassment. “I wonder how high Mt. Canterlot is?” he muttered to himself. Jumping off a cliff seemed like an idea right now. He took another breath and shook his head.

“Um, no… not quite,” he replied. He was pretty sure that wouldn’t even work. “It’s um, well… you know that I’m dating a pony yeah?”

“Yeah, I know about Apple Fritter,” Mew answered. “And Rika.”

“Well, Rika’s not the problem, I’m in the same egg group,” Seth said and blushed when he said that. “But uh, say that… somewhere in the future, that Fritter might want to, well, you know… Is-is that possible?”

Mew blinked. “Oooh, you want to have kids... yeah, I can do that.”

Seth smiled and then his eyes widened. “Wait, seriously?”

Mew smiled. “Seth, I literally created your earliest ancestors out of nothingness, I’m basically the physical embodiment of life, of course I can warp genetics....” Mew’s body was engulfed in a flash of white, and once it faded Seth was standing face to face with a light pink Alicorn. “See?”

Seth was never going to admit out loud that she looked really cute. “Uh, okay?” he said, even as his eyes wandered over her form. “So, you’d turn me into a pony?”

“Or Fritter into a Pokemon,” Mew answered, shifting forms into a Luxray. “Or I could just mess with a few genes so you can have a kid that’s half pony, half Pokemon,” she turned back into herself. “It’s up to you guys really.”

Seth hated his life, seeing her as a cute Luxray. He totally blamed Rika for his new way of thinking. “Well, that’s good to know then,” he said, looking away shyly. “I’ll have to discuss it with her first. And, we’d probably get married before we even think about doing something like this…”

“Yay! I love weddings!” Mew cheered, clapping. Seth smiled at her exuberance. Such a child-like persona, it was hard to imagine that she was almost as old as Time itself.

No, he wasn’t talking about you Dialga.

“Well, I’ll be sure to send you an invite when we do,” Seth nodded. “And, thanks a lot for this Lady Mew. It’s… given me a lot to think about.”

“Anytime Seth,” Mew said with a smile, floating over to him and hugging him. “You take care, okay?”

“Always,” Seth said, returning the hug with a paw. He soon let go and walked off. “Oh, and say ‘Hi’ to Princess Diancie for me?”

“Sure thing Seth!” Mew said, waving before she flew off into the temple. Seth whistled a small tune as he left. With that information safely tucked away, it was time to get on with his work day.

Titania looked at the massive pile of orders sitting on her workbench. This was… a difficult position to be in. She hadn’t really expected to be this busy.

After doing those custom orders for Vapora and Roll, she’d fallen a little behind and even Suri was having trouble.

“I think we need help,” the Single Bloom Pokemon finally admitted. “At this rate, we will have cancelations and that will allow competitors to sneak in and steal our clients.”

“I agree,” Suri said with a small smile. “That is why I’ve been out and about, looking for such help.” Titania blinked at that, so, she hadn’t been slacking off?

Huh, who knew?

But the question remained… “Did you actually find someone?” the regal pokemon asked her. “I mean, someone useful? I will not train a total greenhorn.”

“I believe I did,” Suri continued to smile and looked at the clock. She should be here any second now. “She has quite the reputation, and any boutique she has worked at has received overnight success!”

Titania sighed and put a hand to her head. “Suri, we need an assistant, not a PR rep. If she cannot stitch, I am throwing her out on her butt.” On that threat, the door opened and a tall, slender unicorn strode in confidently.

“So this is the famous ‘Button Belle Boutique’?” the mare asked. Titania raised an eyebrow at her… interesting outfit, but, to each their own.

“Ah, welcome,” Suri trotted over. “I am Button Belle, the owner of this establishment. And this is Lady Titania, the best seamstress for Pokemon fashion in Canterlot, possibally all of Equestria.”

“Very flattering, even if it is true,” Titania nodded. “And who might you be?”

“You… have you not heard of me?” the mare gasped in shock.

“No, it’s why I asked for your name, which I have yet to receive.” Did it just get colder in here?

“Well, I am Sassy Saddles, and every boutique i have worked for has become the greatest in the city—”

“Okay, stop right here,” Titania cut her off. “You said you’ve worked for several boutiques, and yet here you are on our doorstep. Why?”

“Humph! While I raised them to be a success, I cannot be blamed for they way they were managed in the long run. They burnt out all too soon—”

“So you became jobless, again and again and yet you seem to be unable to grasp at the pattern. For a mare of the fashion industry, that does not bode well…”

“Titania, she’s the most talented applicant to apply—”

“And I do not want her driving this business into the ground!” Titania snapped. “She said so herself, that she raises boutiques to stardom, only to have them crash and burn. Allow me to provide a translation and a little insight.” She narrowed her eyes at the unicorn as Sassy gulped. Why was this walking bouquet so imposing? Why was she too scared to so much as lift a hoof.

“Sassy Saddles here most likely follows this pattern. She arrives at a boutique and dazzles the owner with golden words and promises of fame and fortune. And, she seems to be able to deliver on them as well.”

“Well of course I—” Sassy started but Titania glared at her.

“Do not speak unless spoken to!” the royal Pokemon snapped before clearing her throat. “However, the flame that burns brightest, burns quicker. The owners of said boutiques most likely couldn’t keep up with the demand and stress of running at such a pace.” She looked at the mare and clicked her tongue. “Tell me, how many of those boutiques closed their doors, because demands couldn’t be kept?”

Sassy remained silent for a moment as Suri’s eyes widened just a little.

“We’re waiting Miss Saddles,” Titania replied. “Otherwise the door is there…”

“Almost all of them,” the mare replied quietly. She stared at the ground and frowned. “I...I only wanted them to be the best. To stand at the pinnacle of this competitive city…”

She suddenly flinched when Titania put a hand on her shoulder. “And you were far too proud to admit such a defeat?” she said. The mare nodded and Titania smiled a little. “I come from a world where being the best isn’t a goal, but a way of life. You have ambition and drive, and I am curious to hear your ideas…” The Pokemon pulled her and back and nodded. “But you will understand one thing. This is Belle’s boutique first and foremost. You will be taking orders from her and I. But, should you have any ideas of your own, then speak up and we will discuss them. Alright?”

“So.. you mean I can…?”

“I see no harm in it, and we do need the help.” She turned and looked at Suri. “But this is your boutique, so it is her decision in the end.”

“As you said, we need the assistance,” Suri smiled. “Just fair warning now Miss Saddles. Titania is utterly brutal. Do you still want to join this veritable madhouse?”

“I…” Sassy paused. Had she, really been going about this all wrong? Well, she supposed she could at least try. “Yes, I would like to work here. Should you have me.”

“Then we have an accord!” Titania nodded. She turned and headed for her sewing room. “Get your flank in gear Saddles. We have work to do!”

“Psst! I’d hurry if I were you,” Suri chuckled and Sassy nodded, following the flower Pokemon. Just what had she gotten herself into?

Outside the room, Seth dropped the bat and frowned. “You know, I brought you along to learn something, not get laid.”

“Hey, I did both,” Midnight nodded. “We learned that Beam type attacks work well on spirits, like Wraiths and Windigo’s,” Midnight said. “Earth art is rather interesting and Raikou is one smexy Pokemon~”

Seth just groaned again. Between that and sighing, they were quickly becoming his default reactions to most things. “Well, let’s go and get some actual work done now… not that I have all that much to do really.” He turned and headed for his office, Midnight shrugging and falling into step next to him.

“Daddy-Seth?” Dextra pinged next to him.

“Gah!” the Luxray flinched and looked at her. “A bell, I swear to god I am getting you a bell to wear.”

“Were we not heading to the archives?” she asked, ignoring his aggravation. “I would like to go as soon as possible.”

“We will soon,” Seth said. “But first Daddy needs to see if there’s a mountain of paperwork for him. Too bad there isn’t a spell for that.”

“A Paperwork Spell?” Midnight giggled. “Yeah right, it’d be the most popular spell on the planet if it actually existed.” The three entered Seth’s office, only for the Luxray to walk straight into someone.

When he recovered, he saw four Pokemon waiting in his office. A Pyroar, a Chandelure a Talonflame and a Houndoom. All female too, if Seth’s nose was right.

“So, he asked as he moved around them and took a seat. “Can I help you ladies with something?”

“Perhaps,” the Pyroar spoke. Seth could feel that she was the leader of this little group. But, something bothered him about them.

It was… well, their aura for lack of a better term. he could tell right off the bat that these Pokemon were both well trained and extremely powerful. It was the same feeling he got from Diantha’s Pokemon.

“You don’t know us,” the Houndoom said.

“But, we most definitely know of you,” the Talonflame said.

“Our Mistress often spoke of you,” Pyroar continued. “I believe she called you ‘Diantha’s little pet’, or something along those lines.”

Fire type Pokemon. Powerful. Knew Diantha.

It didn’t take long for Seth to figure this out.

“You’re Malva’s Pokemon,” he said.

“Ohh, give the kitty a treat~” Pyroar chuckled. “You are most correct, our former Trainer was Malva of the Flame. But, it seems our most benevolent god didn’t seem fit to include her in this little adventure!’ Flames licked at the edges of her mouth and Seth’s eyes twitched, preparing to strike if he needed to. However, the Pokemon stood down right after.

"She had made mistakes regarding your human laws," Talonflame said, her feathers ruffled in indignation. "But honestly, is anyone perfect?

"No, it's impossible to be perfect," Seth said. "And I truly am sorry about Malva. But..."

"You wish to know why we came to see you," Pyroar said. "One of us has left, Torkoal retired from the battling scene. I believe she now lives in the forest near the Temple." The Pokemon sighed and flicked her long mane. "But we four? Battling is all we know. And with Malva gone, we require someone of suitable strength to take over."

“So, you want to ask me if I know of any strong trainers?” Seth asked and Pyroar chuckled.

“Ohh, so close,” she giggled. “Something like that. We had heard that Diantha is in town, so perhaps we shall go and see her first.” She looked the Luxray over and nodded. “Well, it was nice meeting you Mr. Crescent.”

And just like that, the Fire-types left. Wait… that was it? Seth watched them leave and blinked in confusion. If they had come here to see Diantha, then what the heck did they want with him?

Those thoughts stuck with him, even as a panicked pegasus guard flew into the room to relay an urgent matter...

Rika sat in the park, just watching Aster run around and doing… well, whatever it was that little Pokemon did. She was taking a break after they played jump rope using her ribbons, and a riveting session of making flower crowns.

It was a nice, warm afternoon and Seth wouldn’t be home again for a little while. Honestly, the Sylveon was just a little bored.

Her ribbons twitched, and her ear gave a flick. Something was off. She stood up and moved over to where Aster was, only for that feeling to get stronger.

It was malicious intent, and it seemed to be aimed at the Sylveon.

She didn’t even have time to react to the slender human striking the back of her head. With a small groan, the fairy Pokemon whited out.

By the time Seth reached the park, he started sniffing the air. While the note that the pegasi guard had given him moments ago said to head to the Sundial, he wanted to see if a few clues could give him an idea of whom he was dealing with.

He picked up Rika’s sugary sweet scent, as well as Aster’s also sweet, but more muted one. There was another as well, one he couldn’t quite pinpoint. But it was a scent that he hadn’t come across before.

Another too, one that vaguely reminded him of Axel or Christine. A Dragon-type maybe?

He turned and looked at the Sundial, he’d sent Midnight on a scouting mission, but she had yet to return.

“This totally blows,” Midnight muttered as she struggled against the Psychic bindings on her. A large thestral-like dragon was perched on top of the Sundial.

“Honestly,” the Noivern chuckled. “I could hear you coming a mile away.”

“It was a good effort?” Rika helped, having woken up. She was laying face down, her ribbons tied against her body so she couldn’t use any of her moves. Midnight was right, this totally blew.

“Gah! You wait until Sethy gets here!” she yelled. “He’s gonna kick your cheating butt!”

“Oh my little dragon-slayer,” the Noivern purred. “I’m counting on your hero in fuzzy armour to turn up. You’d make pretty lousy bait otherwise.”

“Bait?” Rika struggled against her bindings, but they were too tough. How was her Psychic getting stronger?

The answer came when Latias landed in front of them, poking the Fairy with a claw. “That’s right. And when he gets here, he’s going to trade his Keystone for the both of you. Pretty good deal for him right?”

“Nrgh! Why do you want his Keystone?” Midnight asked. And how did she transform like that?

“That’s a secret~” the now Latias purred and she turned around. “Oh goody, the show’s about to start. Now, don’t move kay?”

When Seth reached the dial, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

Freaking Latias holding his girlfriend and his partner hostage.

“Yeah… okay,” he said as he stepped closer. “Latias, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing here. But this isn’t funny!”

“Oh? Ah, right!” Latias shimmered and Seth’s eyes widened. Standing right there, was a human woman. But, that was impossible! Wait, couldn’t Latias bend light or something?

His eyes flashed gold and he gasped. There was no Latia under that guise. A human skeleton, organs… But…

“That’s impossible,” he said to himself.

“What can I say?” she chuckled. “I guess Arceus forgot little old me~”

Oh he was having freaking words with that god later!

“Alright, but still, what is it that your want?”

The woman laughed again as a large Salamence landed, a heavy claw on each bound female. “It’s quite simple really. Two things are going to happen today.” She pointed at the Whismur sitting atop the Salamence. “First I’ll be taking my beloved Aster back.” She then motioned towards the girls. “Then, you’ll give me your Keystone in exchange for these two. Simple no?”

Seth was assessing the situation. She seemed to be after Aster, and the little Pokemon wasn’t struggling or fighting back. Were they related or connected somehow? And second, he spied the brace around her leg, one that had a half-dozen Keystones already set in it.

“Seems you have quite enough already,” he said. “Why don’t you let those two go? And then we can talk.”

“Mmm… nope!” Zinnia giggled and pointed at him. “I’ve already told you how this is going down. And I do not compromise.”

Seth let a small growl build in his throat. He couldn’t attack, not with the three girls there. “Alright then,” he replied and put a paw to his chest. “We’ll do it your way.” He mentally apologised to Rika and Midnight, at least Aster had her Soundproof ability…

“What are you—?”

“RRRRRAAAAARRGGGHHHHHHH!!!!” Seth’s roar shook the ground as Midnight and Rika yelped from the sudden noise. The woman stumbled, her hands going to her ears as Seth shot forward, remembering Kasai’s training.

Roar, then rush in for the strike. The woman gasped as one of his large paws slammed down on her, pinning her to the ground. Seth then looked up and glared at the Salamence.

“Let them go,” he snarled.

“Or what?” the Salamence chuckled.

Seth’s body sparked. “We see how well my Thunderbolt works,” he said. The Salamence paused, then chuckled.

“Hah! Like that would work against Mistress Zinnia.”

“Zinnia?” Wait, wasn’t that the name of Aster’s— He glanced down as the womans arm shifted into a Hydreigon’s and it’s maw opened , blasting him at point blank with a Dark Pulse. Seth was pushed back, landing on the ground a few feet away as Zinnia slowly got to her feet and walked towards him.

“Interesting trick you pulled there,” she said. “But perhaps I should remove that Keystone for you hmm~?”

“Rika?” Seth grunted from his position. “Moonblast.”

Zinnia spun as she saw that the earlier roar had caused Salamence to shift, and allowed her to turn her head… and aim right at his belly. She opened her mouth as the fairy power built up. Salamence barely had time to jump back as the blast of white light seared his wingtip, causing him to roar in pain.

Midnight used the distraction to pull Rika away, giving a few quick flaps and landing near Seth, depositing the Sylveon next to him.

“You girls okay?” he asked as Zinnia had moved next to her dragon. Rika nodded and winced.

“Why are people always hitting me in the head?” she groaned. “Seriously. Every. Single. Time!”

Seth chuckled and kissed the back of her head. “I’ll treat you later okay?” he turned his attention back to Zinnia and frowned. “Now, explain yourself! Why did you kidnap Aster and Rika?”

“Your concern for my safety is overwhelming,” Midnight said flatly.

“Like you couldn’t have just escaped whenever you felt like it,” Seth retorted.

“True as that may be, a little concern is all I ask for Boss. I mean, that was just cold.”

“Alright, I was worried. Happy?”

“Treat me to ice-cream later?”

“...Fine.”

“Whoo!” Midnight cheered.

“HEY!” Zinnia yelled. “If you’re done flirting, can we get back to business here?”

“Oh, almost forgot about you,” Seth replied and took a few steps forward. “Now, you’re Zinnia, Aster’s mother right?”

“Mother?” Zinnia looked at her precious Aster and her expression softened. “Heh… so that’s how she feels huh?”

“Look, just explain. You could have simply come to us and explain yourself. We’ve been looking for you actually.”

“I know, your cute little Kadabra friend told me,” Zinnia replied with a small giggle. “The look on his face when he saw me was priceless.”

She wasn’t human, humans couldn’t morph parts of their bodies like that… not unless Mew seriously screwed something up. He paused and blinked. Oh, there was always that option, maybe she was a—

“Uh, hello?” Zinna waved a hand in front of his face. You check out or something?”

“Give him a minute,” Rika offered, already over the fact that she was kidnapped. She was cute and pink, it came with the territory. “That’s Sethy’s thinking face.”

“I see,” Zinnia said as she reached for his Keystone. Hey, when opportunity knocks…

She yelped when his body sparked and she pulled her hand back.

“I’m waiting,” Seth replied. “Why didn’t you just ask us for Aster? We’d have gladly reunited you with her. But with these methods… I have to wonder what sort of parent could be so… And why do you want my Keystone?”

“Because humans will destroy the world!” she spat, her sudden harshness causing him to take a step back. “Three times! That’s how many times humans almost destroyed our world using the power of Mega Evolution. I cannot, I will not let it happen to this world. I will find every Keystone, then, I’ll destroy them once and for all.”

So, that’s what all this was about? He wondered if one of those Keystone’s was the one he gave to Vincent.

“So, you think humans will just repeat the same mistakes?” he said.

“Of course, humans have proven time and time again that they can and will do just that,” she said. “Look at the fool Hastings. He brought nothing but pain because of his narrow-sighted ideals. I’ve seen Pokemon being tortured and abused all across this nation. Hell, there’s a city near some rainbow waterfalls that are full of them!”

Interesting, Seth would have to look into that. But for now…

“I can understand your concerns,” he said gently. “But stealing the Keystones? Will that truly solve the problem at large. Take something away, something else will take it’s place.” He gestured towards the Sundial. “If you truly wanted your wish. Why not simply ask Arceus? he could remove all the Key and Mega stones in the world with just a thought.” He took a small breath and looked at her. “Or this more about you? Did you perhaps fail back on Earth? Something you couldn’t complete before we were moved?”

A slight eye twitch was all he needed to get his answer.

“Look Ms. Zinnia,” Seth relaxed and sat on his haunches. Rika was watching the Salamence with a fierce intent, in case he tried attacking the Luxray. “I understand how you feel, more than you might know. But, is this truly the answer? Making more enemies? Bringing up old grievances? If you are here in Equestria, then I know that this can’t be what you want.”

Zinnia frowned as she looked at Salamence. The silent dragon simply looking back as the two shared some sort of private conversation with looks alone. After a moment, she turned back to Seth and gave a small nod.

“It… it is as you say,” she said slowly. She took Aster from the dragon's back and held her close, the Whismur looking up at her.

“Have you stopped fighting with Unca Sethy Mommy?”

“Uncle Sethy?” she giggled, raising an eyebrow. “Well, yes little one. I have for now.” She looked at the Luxray and nodde. “You took care of my Aster, even though you didn’t know her, or nor was it any of your business, yet you did it anyway. That act alone speaks far more to me and any silvery words you spin.” She placed Aster back on Sala’s back and winked at Seth.

“I have some things to think about, but do not assume that our business is concluded. We will meet again soon.”

“So, gonna stop stealing then?” he asked and the woman shrugged.

“Who knows. You at least get this respite since you cared for Aster. But as I said, once I’m done thinking, I’ll be back. As a friend or an enemy… I guess we’ll see.” She looked at Aster and nodded.

“A small favour though.” She picked up Aster and hugged her. “Can you continue to care for this one? At least until I return…” At least until I can become one worthy of being called Mommy.

“Are you sure?” Seth asked.

“Mommy?” Aster blinked and Zinnia kissed her forehead.

“Mommy’s gotta do a thing. Do you think you can stay with ‘Uncle Sethy’ for a few more days?”

Aster looked at her and then nodded. She didn’t really understand, but it sounded like her Mommy had to do something important. “Okay Mommy. I can do that.”

“Such a good girl,” Zinna smiled as she handed the Pokemon to Seth. “Any harm comes to her though…”

“I swear on my life that no harm will come to anyone under my care,” Seth replied. And for some reason, Zinnia just knew she could trust him.

She had faith…

“Well then, I’ll be back,” she said and mounted Salamence as the dragon gave a last look at Seth and then took off into the sky. Once they left, Seth turned to Rika and Midnight, both looking utterly confused.

“Seriously… what the buck just happened?” Midnight asked. “First that Tyranitar, now the crazy lady. Is there any encounter you can’t talk your way out of?”

“Lots,” Seth replied. “I’ve just been getting really lucky lately. Woulda been nice to talk Koga out of it. That fight sucked all kinds of—” He stopped as he realised that he had a rather young and impressionable passenger. “You know what, today has been crazy. Let’s get some ice-cream and go home. We have a Contest tomorrow to run after all.”

“WHOOHOO!” Rika cheered and Seth checked to see if that Audio assault hadn’t cracked the Sundial. “The Contest is gonna be AMAZING!”

“Yeah, should be a blast,” Midnight said. “Also, got a few Guards to run shift that day. Had to pull a few strings, cash some promises, suck some—”

“Aaaaand we’re done!” Seth spoke over her as the headed for Joe’s place. “Thanks for getting help Middy. As… unconventional as your methods are.”

“No probs Boss,” Midnight nodded. Mmm, she could already taste that mango ice-cream.

Seth looked up as Celestia’s sun made way for the moon. At least the Contest should be fun… what’s the worst that could happen?

Chapter Forty Seven

It was finally time, the day of the Canterlot Pokemon Contest. Everyone was up bright and early, assisting Fritter with chores before the sun had even risen.

"I can't believe the day's finally here!" Rika exclaimed and bounced up and down. "This Contest is gonna be so awesome!!"

"Ah reckon," Fritter nodded as she served up breakfast. It was even more of a feast than usual. "Now eat up, y'all are gonna need yer strength fer this."

After a hearty breakfast, Seth left to make sure the Contest would start smoothly. He also had to meet someone at the train station, his newest family member hovering beside him.

“So, I finally get to meet him then?” she pinged, a little simulated sigh of happiness.

“Yeah, he was definitely coming,” Seth replied. “He said he’d help monitor the sound systems and lighting after all.”

“And... is he aware of my existence?” Dextra asked. Seth shook his head and smiled.

“No, so it should be an interesting surprise,” he replied as Dextra’s eyes formed a frowny face.

“You are an evil Pokemon sometimes...”

The Contest Hall was empty... at least for the moment. In a matter of hours, Seth was expecting hundreds of Pokemon and ponies to be arriving. Realistically, he was expecting only half the Hall to be filled today. Optimistically, he was hoping to test that big outdoor projector for the individuals that couldn't fit into the packed out hall.

"Well, I trust you have everything ready?" Titania asked, making sure the dress she wore had no wrinkles.

"As ready as they can be," Seth nodded to the Fairy Pokemon. "Elesa's setting up her rig, and the stage lighting is already good to go. We're just waiting on—"

"Hey Boss!" Midnight flew in and landed next to him. "Got your security detail with me. No trouble-makers are getting in on my watch."

And that's a load of my mind," Seth smiled and shared a hoofbump with Midnight. "Thanks again Songbat."

"Anytime," she nodded and flew outside to start ordering placements for the guards.

"Well, guess I'm running the frontlines," Titania said, before she was joined by Suri and Sassy, who would also be helping her run the desk for admittance to the show. Suri also had a stack of leaflets for her Boutique. Wouldn't hurt to drum up a little business after all~

"Ah, and thanks for Rika and Selena's outfits," Seth smiled and the Fairy. "They look even more amazing because of you."

"I-It was nothing," Titania blushed and waved a hand.

"No, I really do appreciate it. You look great as well today."

Titania squeaked and blushed harder as she huffed and floated off. Sassy and Suri grinned at one another before following their college.

"Daddy-Seth?" Dextra pinged. "You truly are a hopeless cause."

"What? What did I do?" Seth asked as the Porygon just simulated a sigh. There was no hope for him.

The train station was bustling today, the turnout for the Contest had been more than Seth was expecting and he wondered if any of the numerous Pokemon and ponies gathered here were contestants or spectators.

“Now arriving! The train from Las Pegasus!” the stationmaster called out over the noise. Seth watched the colourful vehicle approach, curious as to who decided to accompany the Porygon-Z.

The first two familiar forms off the train, he really should have seen coming. A Kadabra and a Lucario, hand-in-hand, disembarked from the entirely too-gaudy train. Following after them, the Porygon-Z he had been expecting…

Along with a form he hadn’t been expecting to see again so soon. A familiar, strange Gabite walked off the train and cracked her neck a few times before falling into line behind the other three. After that, it seemed like nobody else from their family had elected to come along.

Seth half-ran over to them, smiling widely as he tapped the torc on his chest. He was excited to see his friends again. “HEY GUYS!” he called out, and put a paw to his mouth. He’d forgotten how loud that enchantment was.

After a moment for everyone on the platform to cover their ears and glare at the Luxray for nearly deafening them, the small portion of the Nurem family walked over to him, with the Kadabra of the quartet chuckling. “Someone missed us,” Vincent observed, before looking at the Porygon nearby. “And it seems you made a new friend.”

“Greetings lower lifeforms~” The Porygon pinged happily. “This unit is designated Dextra. I believe that I am supposed to feel... pleasure? In meeting my extended family?”

Lucy looked from Dextra to Bit, her mind already putting a few pieces of the puzzle together. “Wait...in order for us to be related to you, you would have to be related to Bit, but that would mean…”

“Allow me to exp-” Seth started but Dextra cut him off.

“Daddy Seth, allow me please?” She turned to the group and made a smiley face. “A few days ago, I hatched from an Egg that was generated from Daddy Seth’s Pokedex. An Egg created from leftover coding left behind by Daddy Bit’s last interface with the device.”

At the mention of him being a father, Bit had given the Porygon his undivided attention. Vincent could almost hear all his other trains of thought stopping. “Clarify,” the Porygon-Z stated, his usual, minor twitchy behavior stopping as he held himself still.

“I... am unsure of how the Egg was generated,” Dextra admitted. “My program was not fully self-aware at the time. Traits from your programming and the inherent power in Daddy Seth’s lightning were also contributing factors, but...” Dextra pinged once more as she looked at the Porygon-Z. “I believe that magic was involved somehow.”

Bit whirred a little louder after being told he was not only a father, but that magic, of all things, was involved in the conception of said being. After a moment or two, he stopped making noise at all, and Vincent reached up one hand to touch the program. “Bit? You okay, bud-”

At his touch, Bit stopped hovering, his head and body falling to the station’s floor as he not only locked up, but stopped everything else to work on the conundrum he’d been presented with.

“And he only just got over the Fox thing as well,” Lucy sighed as she picked up Bit’s pieces. “Why does Equestria seem to have it out for him?”

“Just lucky I guess?” Seth shrugged. “I didn’t mean for that to happen...”

“But you did predict it,” Dextra pinged and Seth face pawed.

“Dammit Dexxy...” The Luxray looked at the group and smiled. “So, where are you guys staying while here?”

“Same place as last time, I think,” Vincent said while stroking his mustache. “Lucy and I can still share a room, leaving Christine to her own. Wherever Bit chooses to set up is his business...which reminds me, Christine, if you would?”

“On it,” the Dragon said as she walked down to the luggage car.

“Yeah, I could grab his things and ours from here with Teleport,” the Kadabra said once the landshark had left hearing range. “But she kinda insisted on tagging along and doing things for us, so I figure, why not let her?”

“Fair enough, Rika will be happy to see her again at least,” Seth started to say, until said Sylveon leapt out of the luggage cart and tackle-hugged the unsuspecting dragon…

“Ack!” Christine said, almost moving to slice the attacker, before what was going on registered. “Oh you sneaky Fairy!” she said with a laugh. “Still, I’m doing something at the moment! So, off!”

“Aw~” Rika pouted as she climbed down from the dragon’s head. “I can’t believe that you came! Now I get to show you my performance and you’ll be super astounded and then we’ll go out and have fun and I can show you-Mmmphhh!” The rest of her tirade was muffled as Seth placed a paw over her mouth.

“Okay, that’s quite enough of that,” Seth sighed as he threw the fairy onto his back. “Sorry, I have a ton to do today and I can’t afford much time right now.” The Luxray gave a small bow and looked at Bit. “When he wakes up, can you tell him I require tech support at the Contest hall?”

“Not a problem, he’ll probably only take an hour...maybe two, to reboot. If you need him before then, I can probably hurry the process along,” the Kadabra said as he drew his spoon from thin air.

Dextra hovered over Bit as a small spark generated from her body. “Daddy Bit, stop being foolish and re-boot. Use your defragmentation setting and open in Safe Mode if need be!”

“S’not gonna work,” Lucy said as she shifted her passenger around to make sure he was easy to carry. “Once he’s down, he’ll be that way for a while.”

“I’ll work on fixing him up myself, I have access to a few unfair things regarding his operating systems,” Vincent added as he looked at Christine. “C’mon, we have a room to book.”

“Yeah yeah,” the Gabite replied as she finally gathered up the family’s luggage, thankful that there wasn’t much and that it all had wheels. Christine turned to Rika and actually smiled. “See you later, best hat ever.”

Seth nodded as Dextra just beeped and pouted. What a disappointing first impression. How was it meeting your father? Oh, not bad, just broke him so hard he literally fell to pieces.

“C’mon Dexxy,” Seth said as he pulled the Porygon into a hug. “Bit just has a hard time processing things he... doesn’t quite understand. Especially when magic seems to be involved.”

“Fine...” Dextra pouted. “We have much to do Daddy Seth. We should be going.”

Seth nodded as he turned back to Vincent and the group. “The Contest starts at 11, we’ll be letting spectators in around 10... but if you guys wanna get in early, I’ll let the guards know to let you in.”

“That’d be appreciated,” Vincent said and held up a hand. “You wanna tell me where we should drag him?”

“There’s a large hall in the Theatre District,” Seth mentioned. “There’s posters and stuff everywhere, but Christine should know. She was with me when I first scouted the place out.”

“Darn right,” Christine said with a nod. “Let’s get this stuff put away, then I can show you where to go Vincent.”

“All right,” the Kadabra said with a chuckle, before giving a final bit of advice to Dextra. “Dextra, was it? Take it from me, while meeting Bit probably could have gone better? It could have been so much worse as well.”

Dextra just pinged and nodded, but didn’t say anything. Rika reached up with her ribbons to hug the young Porygon as Seth turned towards the station’s entrance.

“Okay, we’ll see you soon then. Prepare for hugs from the others though…” He paused, he knew he had something else to tell him, but couldn’t for the life of him remember what. Oh well, probably wasn’t important.

“Noted,” the psychic said as the four of them walked off. Well, three of them walked off. One was carried. Seth looked back at his Pokemon and smiled.

“Ready to host a Contest?”

“Nope, but let’s do it anyway!” Rika gigged as the group set off. Today was going to be one hell of a day.

“Now?” Seth called as she paced around the large stage, while Dextra adjusted the sound from the audio booth.

“Sorry,” she pinged. “I just cannot seem to get the sound dispersion right. It is either too loud or too soft. The speakers at the rear of the hall also seem to be malfunctioning. Linking all this is quite the hassle.”

Your voice carries well enough, Diantha spoke into his head as she sat at the far end of the hall. But those in the private boxes will have trouble hearing.

“Dammit,” Seth muttered. “I know I wanted to switch the speakers, but this is getting ridiculous. We open in less than two hours!”

The main door opened as if on cue, and Vincent walked in, with Bit thankfully floating behind him. If one looked, they could see the form of a certain landshark outside the door, clearly having come along this far, but unwilling to go much further.

“We’re not late, are we?” the psychic of the pair asked.

“Thank Xerneas!” Seth exclaimed. “Bit, can you please head to the soundbooth up there? We’re having massive problems getting the speakers to link up. And Vincent, we could use some fine control over here with Elesa’s turntable.”

“Acknowledged,” Bit said as he began floating off. Vincent ‘ported himself across the room, an expression of curiosity on his brow as he reappeared next to the turntable.

“Dunno what you think I can do about this, but let’s hear it,” the Kadabra commented. Elesa peered over at him from behind the table, several wires looped around her neck.

“Hey there! Name’s Elesa!” the Ampharos smiled brightly. “And well, do you think you could help plug a few cables in while I check the sound. Can’t do both and Seth’s paws are too big for plugging stuff in and whatnot.”

“Not a problem, though you may wanna step back from the cords,” the psychic warned as one hand started to glow. “Cause I might be good at fine control, but I’d rather not snag you by accident.”

Elesa nodded as she untangled herself and got around to the performing side of the table. “All the cords are colour co-ordinated, so just match ‘em up.” As Vincent plugged a few in, Elesa tried the sound, pressing a button as the powerful thumping bass of hard dubstep rocked out, blowing Seth off of the stage.

“Uh, too loud?” Elesa called out.

“Too... loud...” Seth groaned from the floor.

“I was unaware you knew how to put Hyper Voice into a mechanical device,” Vincent commented with a laugh. “Or that Seth could be so easily knocked out by one move.”

“Hmm, might have to remember that setting,” Elesa mused. “Okay foxboy, try that cord... aaand, that one.”

Up in the soundbooth, Dextra hovered over a panel of switches, cursing the primitive pony technology.

“If I had a wireless interface, this would not be an issue!” she buzzed.

“Fortunately, this unit does have such a device. It has not seen much use recently, but the interface is there,” she heard from the doorway. Dextra turned as saw Bit hovering there.

“Da- I mean, Mr. Bit! Are you feeling better now?” Dextra asked. The Porygon-Z pointed one arm at her and shuddered a bit, making the sound of a simulated deep breath before replying.

“We will...discuss that later,” Bit stated. “At the current moment, it would only serve to be a distraction from the matter at hand, and I cannot afford the processing power it would take to consider that matter and still function optimally. What is the current situation with this equipment, unit Dextra?”

Dextra paused, so was he mad at her? She motioned towards the soundboard and simulated a sigh. “The speakers won’t connect properly. The ones inside the private boxes are completely offline and there’s some sort of residual feedback.”

“I see,” Bit said as he hovered closer to the soundboard. “Dextra, Sub- Christine the Gabite is outside, and has my things. One of them is a modified solar-powered charger Seth gave me. If you would be so kind as to aid her in setting it up and bringing the cord from it to me, I would not have to worry over the course of the next few hours.”

Dextra nodded and hovered off silently, leaving Bit to his own devices for the time being.

Once outside, she saw Seth’s new partner Midnight Song. She was trying to talk with Christine, but the shy dragon wasn’t saying much in return.

“Are you Christine?” Dextra asked as she hovered closer. All she got in return was a nod as the Gabite looked back at the Thestral mare.

“Okay, okay. I get it,” Midnight sighed. “I’ll leave you alone.” She trotted off, checking to see if the Guards on duty were doing their job right and no Pokemon was causing problems.

“Midnight Song is mostly harmless,” Dextra stated as she floated closer, warily though. “She does partake in conversational matter that is considered... perverse, by other biological units however.”

“Yeah, probably she was,” Christine commented. “However, others showing such interest in me never ended well on Earth, and it’s still a bit of a hurdle to muscle past. Plus, I forgot to ask Vincent for a translation link before we came.”

“I see,” Dextra pinged. “Can you please come inside with me? Dad- I mean, Unit Bit requires his personal effects. Including a solar charger.”

“Can’t see how much use a solar charger would be inside,” the dragon said with a roll of her eyes. “Unless you have an artificial sun-lamp in there.”

“I could ask Uncle Ignis to use Sunny Day,” Dextra hummed. “But the logical choice would be to place the charger on the window closest to the soundroom. The sun angles in this direction from just after noon. So it would be in full light until evening.”

“Not a problem,” the dragon said as she pulled a piece of luggage into rolling position from nearby. “Just tell me where to go.” Dextra beeped and motioned for the dragon to follow. She soon led her to the soundbooth and with her help, fixed the solar panel on the outside of the window. Once it was installed, the dragon was ushered out into the main hall again, bumping into a familiar orange dragon.

“Ignis!” she cheered and actually hugged the Charizard. “Man, are you a sight for sore eyes!”

“And you are quite happy to see me huh?” Ignis laughed as he hugged the little dragon back, a little surprised at the affection. “How have you been?”

“Eh, busy,” she shrugged. “These knuckleheads don’t need me to break ‘em out anymore, so when they said they were comin’ back here, I figured I could tag along and make sure nothing happened while they were out.” Looking from one side to the other, the Gabite then whispered to the Charizard. “Not...everyone believed Vincent about Bit…”

“I can imagine,” Ignis replied quietly. “Though, what are the odds of running into another Subject here?” Ignis paused as he facepalmed. “I really should stop doing that...” He’d all but invoked Murphy now.

“Which is why I’m here,” Christine said with a nod. “I mean, having you guys around for security, pretty nice...but now that I’m here, we should be unstoppable.”

“Hah! Says the dragon who’s never won a fight against us,” Ignis chuckled as he petted her on the head. He placed a claw on her shoulder and sighed. “So... who’s the lucky guy?” It wasn’t hard to pick up the male’s scent on her. Something about it… seemed familiar.

“Sceptile,” She replied honestly as she kept looking at the stage. “Told me the best things and meant them, so I gave him a run for his money. He was just better.” Christine actually sighed as she thought about her absent mate. “Had to go, but he knows better than to not write while he’s abroad.” On the stage, a trio of a Lopunny, Gardevoir and Medicham emerged, all carrying instruments of some kind.

“Anyway, I gotta back up the Guards. You take care and enjoy the show, okay little lady?”

“Can do,” the Gabite replied. “Should be interesting anyways. Never saw one.”

“I keep forgetting you were pretty much a wild Pokemon before all this. Well, Rika and Selena should be down at the stage if you want to say hi.” The dragon petted her on the head and walked off. Christine turned the thought over before deciding to say hello to her friends. She walked up to the stage and started looking around for the Fairy and Dark types.

That was when something soft and pink landed on her head. “Hiya Chrissie!” Rika giggled, nuzzling the dragon.

“Oh goodie, more dragons with anger issues,” Selena smirked. “Like Zinnia wasn’t enough of a pain.”

“Hey, I haven’t blow up at one ‘mon for nearly a week,” Christine said. “Whatever the kid and Luke did worked.”

Seth’s ear flicked when he overheard that.

“Well, that’s good,” Rika nodded. “It means that we can be bestest friends forever now! We’ll eat cake and go shopping and chat about boys…” She gasped and looked at her. “Or girls… if that’s your thing.”

“Given how she eyes my Charizard, I’d say she likes males Rika,” Selena deadpanned.

“You have to admit, he’s a fine looking dragon,” Christine said with a slight murr to her voice as she thought about said dragon.

“Of course he is,” Selena nodded. “He does this thing with his tongue that just—” She suddenly blushed and shut her mouth. “I’m being quiet now.”

“Aww, see, this is why we need to hang out,” Rika nodded. “We could totes share sexy stories… well, first we have to get Chrissie a mon so she has sexy stories to share…”

“So what you’re telling me is, Ignis has a better nose than either of you?” the landshark posed to the pair of female ‘mon.

Rika and Selena paused and looked at her as they sniffed the air.

“Have you been rolling around in the grass or something?” Selena asked.

“She smells like a Grass-type,” Seth helpfully called out from across the other side of the stage.

“Oohhh,” Selena and Rika said.

“Now I know you two can put two and two together,” the Gabite teased.

“You’re dating a Grass-type?” Selena asked and then laughed. “What, did you threaten to set him on fire if he didn’t?”

“I ran, he chased me,” Christine said. “He caught up with me pretty easily. Despite all I did to try and elude him. He more than earned his prize that day~”

“Ooh, did Chrissie do something naughty~” Rika giggled.

“He was so good at taking care of me, we didn’t even care that we were in public,” the dragon murred.

“Wow…” Rika blushed and Selena turned her head to hide her own. “Well, seems we’re all getting romancey and stuff lately. Even Sethy finally—”

“She does not need to know that!!” Seth called out again.

“I shared with you girls,” Christine pointed out. “You can choose not to share back, of course…”

“I totally tamed my kitty~” Rika giggled as Seth groaned and facepawed. “Oh, and Fritter too~ That was a fun night.”

“We heard…” Selena muttered, she wasn’t going to admit what she did that night though. “So, debauchery aside. How have you been Miss Grump Dragon?”

“Honestly? Antsy. Waitin’ for the other shoe to drop on this whole ‘us being transferred’ thing. Can’t shake the idea that something is about to happen. Holdover from the lab, I guess.”

“Well, I’m rather pessimistic about it, so for once, we agree on something,” Selena nodded. “Mind you, if someone tries to mess with this Contest, I will eviscerate them. Wanna help?”

“I sorta have a different target in mind to protect,” Christine said as her eyes flicked up to the soundbooth.

“Hmm?” Selena cast a glance up at the booth as well. “Bit? Why him?”

“Not...everyone believed Vincent that Bit was as much a victim as they were,” Christine said softly. Rika mimicked her saddened expression and hugged her head. The landshark coughed before looking back at Selena. “So, yeah, technically I’m here for security. Just, his security.”

“Fair enough, and of course, we’ll help as well,” Selena nodded and Rika agreed.

“Is the charger ready?” Bit asked as he kept observing the panel, taking note as to which speakers corresponded to which wires.

“Yes,” Dextra pinged. “The solar charger is fully operational and performing within expected parameters.”

“Good,” Bit observed, completing his observation and deciding to handle the problems manually. “Are all the speakers wired into this switchboard?”

“Yes, along with the volume controls for Daddy Seth’s microphone and the three microphone stands on the stage.”

“Excellent,” Bit said...as he then pried the cover off of the device with his arms and beak. Dextra pinged in alarm.

“Dad- Bit. What are you doing?”

“You seem to forget our true nature…” Bit trailed off as he put the cover to one side and gave Dextra a quick wink. “Daughter. We are information. Handling this personally, even for someone like you, should be child’s play.”

Dextra paused as she pinged several times in succession. Daughter... he’d said, daughter!

“Teach me!” she said with honest happiness.

“I need to position myself first,” Bit said as he hovered over the device, considering the problem of positioning. “Attach the cable from the charger to one of my arms. I will use my tail to interface with the switchboard, and you can hold on to the other arm and observe.”

Dextra nodded and she guided the cable to Bit’s arm as she took the other. Seth was a wonderful father, but only Bit could truly teach her what it meant to be a Porygon.

“Beginning link sequence,” Bit stated, before observing something else aloud. “I believe Psychics would call this some sort of meeting of the minds. Anyway. Initiate the link on your end, observer mode only. If you attempt to handle too much in your current evolutionary state, you will likely overheat and lock up.”

“That has happened once already, I will not make the same mistake,” Dextra replied with a hint of bitterness. Then she recalled Rika’s lesson’s on... humour. “Do not worry... old man, I am not as old a model as you.”

“Nor are your skills as refined as mine...yet,” he replied with another wink. “Ready?”

“Yes, Daddy Bit!” Dextra blipped. “Observer Mode startup. Link Sequence. Engage!”

With that, the two of them entered the sea, no, world of code that made up and was contained by Bit’s form. He guided her to observe what he was doing, and once he was certain she’d stopped gawping at the sheer volume of information he contained, began his work.

“Astounding,” Dextra hummed quietly. “Is the final evolution truly so complex?”

“It depends on how well you handle yourself,” Bit stated as he tested the sound system with a quick pulse. Ah yes, some had simply been manufactured to different standards, or were victims of age...or neglect. He compensated and tried again. “As a Porygon, you must be cautious with what you do, what you learn, and what you choose to specialize in, as you can only store so much. All our kind are good at Special moves, yes, so one such as myself is not entirely uncommon. It is what you choose to pick up afterwards that makes you you.”

It was a lot to take in, but Dextra pinged as the conversation was recorded and stored away. She watched her father work and was amazed at the finesse and detail in which he manipulated code and even re-wrote several pieces on the fly. “So much to learn... not enough memory capacity,” she murmured.

“Not even I have enough memory capacity,” Bit stated. This should work a lot better, and...that one private box was being stubborn. “This is mostly information regarding Earth that I traded for with Lord Genesect and the Regi Trio. The information I have regarding Equus is...lacking. And yet, were I to try and understand this world as well as I have the last, I would run out of memory before I got even a tenth of the way.”

“Equus is quite the complex study, and that’s before you get to magic,” Dextra hummed thoughtfully. “I already have basic designs to produce magical batteries... but, all research has led to them... exploding. Violently. I have yet to produce one for field testing.” The Porygon slumped somewhat as she hovered next to Bit. “And after I made such good progress with the holographic projector.”

“Early human science did tend to revolve around explosions,” Bit observed wryly. “Either on purpose or accidentally. Sometimes they needed something to go boom...sometimes they liked watching things go boom.” Finally, the speakers were all balanced. Now to work on a set of formulas that would keep them that way in all conditions. If he could figure out a good set of ratios for all the speakers… “Still, to expect science and magic to relate so readily? I expect the meshing of the two fields to be akin to mixing thermite. Handle with extreme care.”

“Daddy Seth said something similar,” she replied as she absently completed the coding Bit was working on. “Though it was more of an emotional speech, ‘You will find your own way in life and achieve great things. It will take time, but of this, I have no doubt’.”

“My thanks, daughter,” Bit said as he applied Dextra’s code to his own formulas and simplified them. “And he is wise. All Pokemon are capable of great things. What great things you will be capable of...are up to you to determine.”

“Oh?” Dextra hadn’t even realised what she’d done just now. “I did not even... hmm.” She hummed thoughtfully and smiled.

“I would advise for you to spend at least a little time in every state of our line,” Bit said as he stress-tested the calculations and only needed to add a few factors, along with a cutoff switch. “Get used to the feeling of more memory and power before taking on the next. Should you desire, I can create an Up-Grade and Dubious Disk from TM’s.”

“I... I would like that very much,” Dextra grinned, her eyes showing the elated expression. “And it would be interesting to see my combat prowess increase through evolution. I should record the details.” The Porygon bounced a little, beeping happily.

“Yes, I thought you might,” Bit said as he compiled all the work together into a virtual replica of the switchboard...only this one worked. “I believe I am ready.”

Dextra nodded as she adjusted the controls and the band playing suddenly sounded pitch perfect. “Much better,” she hummed happily.

“You could have done something similar...given a day,” Bit observed. “Of this I have no doubt. Simply fixing the issues in the real world was still possible, and you could have done it in time...barely. But why bother working with the problem...when you can work around the problem?”

“I see...” Dextra replied, her own thoughts wandering for a moment. The pair exited the program and re-emerged back in reality. Diantha gave her a wave from the private booth and smiled. Dextra nodded and looked back to her father.

“Thank you very much for your help today. I have learned a great deal and have much to think on.”

“Naturally,” Bit stated as he continued to monitor the levels. “I will stay here and control the sound and lights as needed. Keep in mind: my offer to make you our Evolutionary items is only applicable while I am here in Canterlot.”

“I shall procure the necessary compounds quickly then,” Dextra pinged. “Also... may I ask you something more, personal?”

“You may ask,” Bit said, giving her a bit more attention. “Whether or not I will answer is not guaranteed.”

“Are you and Daddy Seth going to get married?”

Bit locked up for a moment, before smiling at Dextra. “I do not think Apple Fritter or Rika would appreciate the idea, or you asking that question. Porygons are...different, both in formation and how we perceive family.”

“Oh,” Dextra sighed. “Well, I have two families regardless. Mommy Rika says my birthdays will be... crazy,” she said. “I do not know if that is a good thing or not.”

“It is, however, accurate,” Bit observed with a chuckle before motioning for Dextra to draw close with his free arm. Once she did, he gave her a hug. “I can make no promises about the others in the family I reside with...but I at least will show up.”

“Thank you Daddy,” Dextra hummed happily, leaning into the hug.

Seth nodded as the speakers hummed and then Team Charm’s song started sounding a lot better. Vincent and Elesa had found a good setting and now the Gym leader turned DJ was rocking out a nice beat to accompany the instruments that Team Charm carried.

And now Seth was getting a little nervous. Everything was going right, the Contest Hall would open it’s doors soon and then hundreds of ponies, Pokemon and Equus residents would fill the hall.

“Vincent?” Seth asked with an unusually neutral tone. The Kadabra teleported over to stand in front of the Luxray and quirked an eyebrow.

“What’cha need?” the kid-turned-mon asked.

“Well... should my heart be beating a mile a second? And do Luxray’s normally sweat this much...?”

“Hey,” the Kadabra said while putting a hand on the Luxray’s shoulder. “I know what that is. Felt it myself. Nothing much to worry about. Your nerves and ‘what-if’ portions of your brain are going haywire because so much is going on that could go wrong.”

“I believe this is panic attack...” Seth breathed heavily. He suddenly sat down very heavily as he stared at the empty hall. “What if I totally screw this up?”

“Not gonna lie, this could all go sideways,” Vincent agreed. “Anything could happen. But you need to remember something, Seth.”

“And that is?” Seth replied, trying to get his heart rate under control.

“One, you’re not alone. Not only do you have your family, what little of mine came with is here to help as well,” the psychic said. “You are never...really...alone.” His words suddenly reached his own ears and Vincent sighed after saying them.

Seth took several deep breaths and sighed. Calm. No matter what, you can handle this. He opened his eyes again and smiled. “Thanks Vincent... knew there was a reason you’re one of my best friends... and what’s two by chance?”

Vincent perked up and gave a wry grin. “Anything could happen. You’re forgetting about the good stuff as well. Plus, three, no matter what, you’re giving these people a taste of Earth again...along with some of us that never got to see a Contest. No matter what, Seth?” Here the Kadabra gave him a few pats on the shoulder.

“Today will have been a win in my books.”

The Luxray blinked, before smiling and pulling the Kadabra into a crushing furry hug. “Okay! Yeah! I totally have this in the bag.”

“He’s right,” Elesa said. “Since when have you ever backed away from a challenge?”

“True,” Seth nodded. “Oh hey, I guess I never really introduced you two. Elle, this is Vincent Nurem. Former tortured experiment, now one of my best buddies. Vince? This is Elesa, former Nimbasa Gym leader and my former lover.”

“Seth... your intros suck,” Elesa deadpanned.

“Tell me about it,” Vincent said as he ‘ported out of the hug and onto the Luxray’s back instead. “Brutally honest and no secrets hidden? You’d almost think Bit taught him.”

“Regardless of this idiot, it’s still nice to meet you Mr. Nurem,” Elesa smiled. “He pulled the same thing when he introduced me to Diantha. He likes to think he’s funny or something.”

“Just Vincent, please,” the psychic said as he held out his hand. “I’m...becoming uncomfortable with using my last name unless I have to intimidate someone. Which thankfully isn’t often, but you’d know.”

“I imagine that there’s a story there, but we’ll save it for later hmm?” Elesa stopped as a beautiful Thestral mare landed on the stage and trotted over to Seth.

“Seth? The Contestants have arrived. Should they be allowed in?”

“Yeah, that’s no problem Midnight. Thanks for all this by the way. I know it really isn’t in your job description.”

“No problem boss,” Song winked. “Though... if you really wanna thank me...” She slid up next to him and flashed him a come-hither stare.

“Midnight. The door if you will?” Seth deadpanned.

“Aw, fine,” she smirked as her gaze fell on Vincent. “Ohh, now who’s this handsome creature?”

Vincent ‘ported off of Seth’s back...and somehow picked up his top hat in the transit. “Vincent, Kadabra, which means I’m psychic,” he clarified while tipping his hat at the mare. “Which is probably the reason you can understand me so readily. And yourself, ma’am?”

“Lieutenant Midnight Song,” the mare smiled, her fangs glinting in the light. “I currently work for Seth here as the link between his group and the Princesses. Ponies wouldn’t trust an ‘All Pokemon’ group. I solved that problem.”

“Well, if Seth trusts you, so do I,” Vincent replied as he held out a hand to the mare for her to shake. “Would you be terribly offended if I asked just what you are? The only one I’ve seen like you is Blackstone back at Las Pegasus, and Ace and I...don’t exactly get on.”

“Blackstone~ Now there’s a flank you could bounce a bit off of,” Midnight purred. “Well, my species is called Thestral. Batpony is also acceptable, but I only allow close friends the honour of that title.” She took his hand with a hoof and smiled. “I wonder... would you like to be a close friend~”

“We’ll see,” Vincent replied. “I don’t trust easily, but once you do have my trust, come hell or high water or you stabbing me in the back, I stand by you. Why don’t we open the doors to the competitors and talk on the way?” He motioned to the doors with one hand at the end of his question.

But before they left, Seth cleared his throat. “Midnight?”

“Yes boss?” she giggled, still holding Vincent’s hand.

“He’s taken. By someone that gets quite jealous and can easily break bones.”

Midnight blinked as she looked at the Kadabra and sighed as she let go of his hands. “Luna dammit!”

“Did I...miss something?” Vincent asked aloud.

“Not a thing,” Seth chuckled. “Don’t worry Vincent. Just play nice and the little bat won’t gobble you up.”

“Aw, but I’d love to do that~” Midnight giggled as she gave Vincent a half-lidded stare.

“Not exactly scared of her,” Vincent replied. “And why don’t we talk and at least be friendly with one another, Miss Song? Xerneas knows I could use more friends outside the family.”

“Aw, fine,” Midnight frowned, but she still smiled. “Can’t say no to such a handsome face. And such a glorious mustache. Now let’s go let these guys in. This is gonna be one hell of a show!”

Seth let out a small sigh as he watched them go. Poor Vincent, Seth was throwing him to a wolf, and the mustachioed Pokemon had no defense for someone like her.

Oh well, at least it’d be interesting~

“So?” Midnight asked as she trotted alongside Vincent as they headed for the front of the hall. “You and the Boss are friends huh?”

“One of the few that I didn’t have to punch to get, or punch things with to earn his friendship,” Vincent agreed with a nod. “I have him to thank slash blame for my current relationship.”

“Yeah, he like to meddle,” she said. “I haven’t known him for very long. But getting assigned to his division has been an interesting experience... except he’s totally clueless.” She sighed a little when she remembered the first day they’d met, and the day Apple Fritter threatened to punt her across Canterlot.

The scary part was is that she could probably follow up with that threat.

“It did seem like Rika did more of the...pushing and cheering for me and Lucy,” Vincent observed as he sat himself down on a nearby bench, stroking his mustache as he replayed past events in his mind.

“And she was open for it,” Midnight sighed. “Oh well...” She opened the door to reveal hundreds of ponies and pokemon. “Sweet Celestia! That’s quite the crowd.”

“No kidding,” replied a stallion, a Guard in plain clothes. “We’re having a little trouble here. We weren’t expecting this many.”

Midnight smiled as she looked back at the stage. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face! Okay boys, let ‘em in!”

“In one mass?” Vincent asked with an arched eyebrow as he got up and stood next to Midnight. “I have a better idea. Will Seth’s collar work for things besides Seth, do you know?”

“Uh, as long as they’re wearing it, I guess so?” Midnight tilted her head. She had planned to let the crowd in as a steady stream of two-by-two. But Vincent’s plan sounded fun. “Watcha got in mind foxboy?”

“This,” Vincent said, and a pulse of blue saw Vincent’s neck adorned with the familiar collar. It was comically large around his neck, the shoulder pads of his armour were the only things keeping it up. The Kadabra took a small breath and tapped the mark on the collar, before he let it loose in a very loud one. “ORDER!” he demanded of the crowd. And he...almost got it.

“I’ll have pastrami on rye with mustard and swiss!” some joker pitched in, causing a wave of laughter through the crowd. Vincent chuckled and tapped the mark again, before giving the show over to Midnight.

“That’s one way I suppose,” Midnight chuckled. She nodded to the guards and Pokemon running crowd control, as the mob was led inside in an orderly manner. The contestants were already being let in through the rear entrance, and having dressing rooms assigned to them. One door was kept clear, as a golden chariot pulled up and three Alicorns stepped out of it. The crowd murmured, some having rarely or never seen the Princesses before. Luna looked a little taken back by the large crowd, while Celestia wore her usual, ever-regal smile. Twilight just smiled and gave a small, awkward wave. Vincent, realizing that he had technically taken something from one of their agents, made the collar vanish as quickly as it had appeared.

“And now the guests-of-honour have arrived, we can get this party started,” Midnight smiled.

As Celestia passed Vincent, she smiled at him. “That was quick thinking there, though I believe that accessory was a little big for you~”

Vincent whistled innocently for all of a second before shaking his head. “Doubt I’d wear one much myself anyways. Just needed to get them all to calm down before the floodgates opened. It was the tool to hand, so I used it.”

“It seems friend Seth enjoys showing off his little toy,” Luna chuckled. Even Twilight smiled slightly. She offered Midnight a smile as well, as she led the Princesses to their private box.

“See you later foxboy~” she winked, blowing him a kiss. Unfortunately for Vincent, it was at this moment that Lucy walked up and looked between her mate and this latest development.

“Vincent, did I miss something between the hotel and now?” the Lucario asked aloud, with a bit of steel to her voice.

The psychic gulped as he tried to come up with a good answer.

Yep. It was official.

Seth Crescent was freaking the fuck out.

This was waaaaay more people than he was counting on. Between the suddenness of the announcement and his own reputation, he was sure that he’d get a few dozen, tops.

Selena and Rika were getting some last minute practise and Ignis was off helping with crowd control. The Luxray panted heavily as Midnight rounded the corner with a wide smile.

“Heya Boss, I seated the Royal Sexy Sisters and... whoa! You okay?”

“No...not really...” Seth replied in-between breaths. The batpony darted off, quickly returning with a bag that the feline breathed into. After a moment of that and the Thestral rubbing his back, the Luxray was looking much calmer.

“Dammit... that sucks,” he gasped. Midnight nodded as he crumpled up the bag and frowned. “I can’t pass out today.”

“And you won’t,” Midnight nodded. “I got your back Boss! We all do.”

“Thanks,” Seth smiled. She was right... as usual. “I think I’m almost ready.”

“You’re the one to get it done,” Midnight hummed. “I’ll go and get your girls. You get out there and wow that crowd.”

Seth nodded as Elesa started up a simple tune, that was his cue. The spotlight fell on the stage as Seth took a deep breath and steeled his resolve.

“I so hope I don’t screw this up.”

The crowd murmured with conversation, waiting for the event to start. The stage held a DJ’s setup with an Ampharos behind it, wearing large rabbit-ear headphones and a huge plushy coat. She pressed a few buttons and spun the disc, starting up a song as the spotlights shone on the stage in front of her.

A large Luxray stepped onto the stage, his coat shimmered like the night sky and his eyes glistened as he looked out over the crowd. He tapped the mic on his head and smiled.

“Welcome everyone!” he said in a clear voice, though those that knew him could tell he was nervous as hell. “My name is Seth Crescent. And I welcome to the very first Canterlot Contest Spectacular!”

Most of the Pokemon in the crowd cheered, but the equine side still looked unimpressed or confused.

“Some of you may be wondering what a Pokemon Contest is,” Seth continued. “It’s a long-running tradition from our world. A display of Pokemon and partner, in a way that is truly unique. You will be dazzled by their beauty, stunned by how cool they can be, and impressed by their smarts. It is my hope that by the end of this, you will all have witnessed a show like none you have ever seen!”

The spotlight dimmed slightly and took on a cerulean hue. “I will give a demonstration of what is in store for you today. Two of my very own precious partners will give their all for you. I hope you enjoy.” Seth stepped back as Selena and Rika took the stage next to him, bowing to the crowd. There were a few cheers and whistles, from the ones that knew what was coming.

“Now my performances are a little different from the norm,” Seth said. “I pray that none of you will be disappointed.”

*~*~*

The music changed, as Rika and Selena took a breath. Seth’s voice took a lower tone, as he begun to narrate.

“Deep in the mist, two fairies battled endlessly, the fairy of light, and the fairy of darkness.”

Rika’s Misty Terrain covered the stage, obscuring the fact that Selena was also using Blizzard. When the two Pokemon entered everyone’s line of sight, they slid along the ground, the mist hiding the ice and gave the appearance that the Pokemon were gliding.

“For countless days, and countless nights, the two fought for reasons long forgotten.”

Selena and Rika would pass by one another, Rika’s ribbons shone with pink light, only to be batted away by Selena’s darkness-imbued blade. The sparks danced like fireflies with each hit.

“The fairy of light would plead for an end to the fighting, with the fairy of darkness refused. The dark could not live in the light. The light could not shine without the dark.”

The two Pokemon made one more pass, before Selena struck the ground and jagged blades of ice and darkness broke the mist, creating a desolate-looking space. Rika was hidden behind the icy wall, as Selena made a few twirls, her dance was angry and fierce.

“The fairy of light disagreed, and with the last of her power, shone a beautiful light down upon the fairy of darkness.”

A Moonblast shattered the wall, as the pink mist engulfed the stage again. A haunting cry rang throughout the hall, as Selena’s Perish Song resonated.

“To my adversary, my opposite and my friend. It matters not if you live in the darkness. It matters not about the light. When we are together, we are complete!”

From the swirling sphere of mist that engulfed Selena, a brilliant light erupted, and Mega Absol emerged. Her body shone with a pink light from her Play Rough attack, as Rika twirled her ribbons like dancing snakes, Selena gliding around them.

“And together they danced. Not as ageless enemies, but as timeless friends.”

Rika fired small spheres of light into the air, as Selena bounced from each one in almost slow motion. The Pokemon hovered with an ethereal light, the sound of her Play Rough striking the orbs of fairy light sounded like a clear crystal bell.

“And together they dance until this very day!”

Selena landed next to Rika as the orbs shattered, raining down like countless falling stars, lighting up the mist and casting the whole hall with a pure glow. The effects soon vanished, as all three Pokemon stood on the stage, the hall was in a dead silence as the three took a bow.

*~*~*

“Y-you think they liked it?” Selena whispered breathlessly.

“Dunno,” Seth replied in a hushed tone as he looked up, trying to gauge the reactions of the silent crowd. Maybe they hadn’t. Had they tried too hard, were the effects a little too strong? Rika’s eyes wavered, she really wanted this to go well, as had Selena.

It started slow, but soon the sound the three of them heard coming from the crowd was easily identified as hooves stomping in unison. It took a moment more for the Pokemon to catch on that this was the way Ponies did applause, but once they did, it quite quickly turned from the sound of a stampede to a standing ovation as the ‘mon pitched in their efforts as well.

The smiles from Selena and Rika outshone any spotlight, and Seth placed a paw to his chest and took another bow. His heart raced again, this time, from overwhelming happiness.

One the the spotlights turned to highlight the Royal Box, as Dextra hovered next to Celestia with a microphone.

“That was quite the opening act,” she spoke in a voice that barely held back her enthusiasm. “If this Contest has repeated performances like that, then you are quite right Seth. This will be a show for the ages.”

The crowd exploded with cheers and applause once more, as Rika and Selena left the stage. Seth took a deep breath and smiled.

“Thank you for those kind words Your Highness. And thank you everyone, for your generous applause.” He motioned towards the DJ booth, “The one in charge of the music today, is our very own Electric Elesaaaa!”

She took a bow as more cheers came, and Seth motioned to a table on the left side of the stage. “We also have three Judges, who would normally give a score today, but this Contest is just for show. Everyone is a winner today, but our Judges will still provide their insight.” He motioned for them to stand so he could introduce them.

“First is the pony in the know, the mare with eyes for ‘Ze Magicks!’ I give you, Photo Finish!!”

“Sank you,” she said, taking a small bow. “I hope to see many wunderbar performances today!”

“Next,” Seth continued, “Is the Fairy Queen herself, and actress of the highest caliber and a trainer of unparalleled strength. Lady Diantha!”

“Thank you very much,” she said, as several of her fans fainted. “I hope everyone has fun today, doing what they love with their precious partners.”

“And last but not least, from the hospital right here in Canterlot. Please give welcome to Nurse Joy!”

The Audino bowed and waved her paws happily. “It has been a while since I judged a Contest. Please bear with me~”

Seth cleared his throat and prepared his last statement. “I’d also like to thank every pony and Pokemon that has helped this day become a reality. I could never have done it on my own and you all have my heartfelt thanks!”

Seth gave the crowd a chance to cheer once more, before moving on. “Now, I’m sure you’ve had quite enough of me for now. So let’s get this show underway. First to the stage we have Lisia and her Pokemon, Ali and Jasmine.” An Altaria and a Flygon took to the stage at that, along with their trainer.

As the contestants took to the stage, Seth ducked out of sight, sitting backstage and taking deep breaths.

“Ohhh man, that was nerve wracking. I’ve haven't spoken to a crowd like that in a long time...” He was suddenly tackled to the ground by Selena and Rika, both hugging their trainer tightly.

“Ohhhhmigosh! Did you see their faces!” Selena said excitedly. “That. Was. AMAZING!”

“Wow, I think I’m the calm one here... that’s freaky,” Rika giggled. “But yeah, that was soooo much fun Sethy! Our routine was amazing, you were amazing!”

“So, It was amazing I take it?” Seth questioned, earning him a playful slap from the two of them. “Seriously though, you girls were great.”

“Aw, we love you too Sethy,” Rika cooed, as the two Pokemon nuzzled him. And suddenly, there was a familiar voice.

“Well if you’re so smitten with your trainer, Miss Doom, I’m gonna go tease Ignis,” a nearby cheeky landshark spoke up.

“He’s mine! Get your own!” Selena replied in a happy tone. Nothing could ruin this moment now, not even that pervy landshark.

“I really couldn’t handle a third,” Seth sighed as his Pokemon got off of him. Though he was enjoying the hugs. “Where is Ignis anyhow?”

“Door duty,” Selena replied. “He offered to give the Guard a hand, but I really hope he got to see that performance.”

“Oh, I saw it alright!” Selena didn’t even have time to yelp as she was scooped up and kissed deeply by the orange dragon. “You are too beautiful my dear dark fairy~”

“....” Selena said nothing, though her red face spoke volumes about what she felt.

Rika giggled, before she was tackled by a certain green-maned mare, who peppered her with small kisses and hugs.

“Aw, now I feel left out,” Seth sighed overdramatically. He looked at Christine and grinned. “Hug?”

“I’d rather not risk my favorite hat turning on me,” Christine deadpanned while looking at Rika.

“Aww,” Seth pouted as he sat down, before being assaulted by his girlfriends anyway. Midnight rounded the corner to see the massive hugfest and pouted.

“Aw, backstage orgy and I wasn’t invited? That’s not fair...”

“It’d be a sucky orgy with the way the males are hogged by some females,” Christine pointed out. “Seth would end up with Fritter and Rika, Selena and Ignis I might be able to worm my way into, but you’d be a fifth wheel wherever you went...whoever you are.”

“Midnight Song. Partner for Seth Crescent and sexiest batpony in Canterlot.” She held out a hoof and smiled seductively. “As for a fifth wheel, well I guess I get to turn everyone on then~”

“Goddammit Midnight,” Seth muttered. “Alright, as awesome as hugging is, we still have a show to run.” The applause from outside signalled that the first act finished and the next needed introduction. “No rest for the wicked I suppose.” He walked back onstage, leaving Fritter and Rika to sigh.

“Well, our jobs are done for now,” Ignis said, still carrying Selena. “Wanna grab a bite to eat?”

“I’m starving!” Selena agreed. “Wanna join us Chrissie?”

“Depends,” the landshark deliberated while tapping her chin with one claw. “Will there be cake?”

Selena blinked, as did Fritter.

“When... did you start likin’ sweets?” the Earth Pony asked.

“When I opened her eyes to the light,” Rika answered as she jumped up onto the dragon’s head. “And I think we can arrange cake. I could really go for some cake... and pie, oh, and some Fritter as well~”

“Not sure your girl...mare? Marefriend would appreciate you putting her on the menu,” Christine snickered after working out the proper local terminology.

“Aw, but I like eating her~” Rika giggled as Fritter turned beet red.

“She’s saying that, cause she might eat me fer real,” Fritter replied. “Can we go and get something that doesn’t involve me please?”

“I wonder what pony actually tastes like?” Ignis wondered aloud.

“Don’t let the Princesses hear you wondering that so loudly,” Christine said with a wide smile. Fritter just groaned, but according to old Griffon books, ponies tasted a little like beef.

“Let’s... let’s just get some food,” she blanched. “Ah made some stuff this mornin’. It’s in Seth’s dressin’ room.”

“Fritter Feast!” Rika cheered and held her ribbons around Christine like a pair of reins. “Hi-ho Chrissie! Away!!”

“...” Christine gave the top of her head the best deadpan look before looking at Selena. “She is aware she’s just lucky I like her, right? Otherwise this landshark would probably take offense to that.”

“If it wasn’t for the fact that she’d give me a lethal dose of diabetes, I’d have eaten her a long time ago,” Selena deadpanned back... right before she stifled a giggle. “Though I could say the same for you...”

It seems that the leftover fairy energy in Rika’s ribbons had triggered Colour Change, turning Christine the loveliest shade of pink.

“...Joy,” Christine said with so much snark ‘mon were liable to slip in it. “I’m not sure which was worse. The makeover or this.”

Rika looked down and grinned sheepishly. She got an idea, and gently nibbled on on the protrusions on the dragon’s head with a weak Bite attack. It had the desired effect, triggering the Ability and turning her an edgy black.

“Oooh, I have a new toy~” she giggled.

“Hey, I kinda like this…” Christine said, admiring her new color, before her stomach growled louder than she usually did. “Guess we should get food, huh?”

The group finally decided to stop screwing around as they left to obtain eats. A little while after they left, Seth came off of the stage and looked around.

“...Where’d everyone go?”

Chapter Forty Eight

Once Seth had made his showing of his own Performance, it was time to clear the stage for the others. Today was going to be a long day and it was only just beginning.

“That… That was amazing!” Rika panted as they moved backstage where Fritter was waiting with some cool towels. “I think we really wowed them huh?”

“Our performance was as flawless as always,” Selena nodded, she tended to be excited on the inside. “It’s a good thing we’re not competing properly, we actually want to give the rest of them a chance after all.”

Seth chuckled, Contests really brought out her competitive side, even more than battles. he checked a list that Suri brought him of all the participants. Hmm, there were quite a few, more than he was expecting.

And some familiar names as well. Oh this was shaping up to be a lot of fun.

“Okay, this is the order we’ll go in then,” Seth said. “First come first serve. Those that got here first will have had the most time to prepare after all.”

“Will do,” Suri nodded and headed for the dressing rooms. “I’ll start notifying them. When are we starting?”

“Give the first one ten minutes,” Seth said. “Then we’ll have five minute intervals between each performance. After the first half, we’ll break for intermission and then have Team Charm perform—” Rika let out an excited squeal that that. “—Then we’ll move to the other half.”

“Right,” Suri nodded and resumed her trek to the rooms. Seth had enough time for a small breather as Elesa played some background music while Diantha explained the rules of a Contest in more detail.

Soon the very first of the participants arrived. Seth checked the list and saw that the trainer’s name was… familiar somehow.

“Brawly and Chii?” he asked and the two nodded. “Hey there, my name’s Seth, okay? The crowd might seem a bit intimidating at first. So just try and stay calm, but don’t push yourselves okay? We’re all here to have some fun.”

“Don't you worry about that.” The Mienshao said with a confident grin. “I’m no stranger to crowds, and she is a veteran when it comes to contests.” He said as he rubbed the head of the little Skitty.

“Yeah, we will show them just how great we are!” Chii exclaimed proudly.

“Indeed we will.” Brawly agreed while laughing slightly at her behavior. “Though, you are Becky's brother, are you not?” He asked Seth. “She spoke a lot about you.”

Seth actually stumbled slightly and stared at the Fighting-type with large, surprised eyes. “Y-You know my little sister!?”

“You’re on in thirty seconds!” Suri called out. Seth glared at the mare, he swore she did that on purpose.

“She’s right though. Get out there and wow the crowd, we’ll swap stories when you’re free.”

“Seems fine, we can talk some afterwards.” Brawly nodded. “So, are you ready?” He asked, getting a confident nod from Chii in return. “Alright then, let’s do this.” And with that, they walked out and into the stage.

The Mienshao slowly walked out into the middle of the stage with a small Skitty sitting on his shoulder. She looked nervously around her. It looked so much bigger from the inside.

“Calm down, Chii, just do as Ethan told you. Close your eyes and imagine that we are the only ones here.” Brawly told her as he reached up petted her hair.

“And now for our next Contestants! Brawly and Chii!” The announcing voice cried out.

“Show them all that you can do this, you have trained for years for this very moment, Chii. What was it that we decided on before we came here? We go big…” Brawly told her grinning as he heard Chii`s answer.

“Or we go home!” Chii smiled happily, having gotten her confidence back.

“That’s my girl! Now, just like we practiced. You lead, and I follow.” Brawly held forth his arm, allowing Chii to run along it. When she came to the end, she jumped, spinning in the air before gracefully landing some lengths away. A soft background belody filling the air.

“Now!” Chii called out as she landed.

“Aura Sphere:” Brawly held out his hands as a small Aura Sphere formed and was held in place.

“Assist!” Chii cheered happily as a similar Aura Sphere formed at the tip of her tail before they both fired the attack simultaneously. The two spheres spun around as they began to rise in a spiral around the two contestants, the spheres moving opposite from each other.

Chii then set off towards Brawly as the two Spheres continued to rise. She jumped towards Brawly who had been waiting for her, his paws at the ready. He acted as a springboard for her, launching Chii high into the air and immediately sent another small Aura Sphere after her.

Chii spun around as she gained height, the third Aura Sphere gaining on her as she reached the pinnacle of her jump.

“Tail Whip!” She spun around just before the sphere was about to make contact and hit it back towards Brawly with her tail at the same time as she used the momentum to launch herself towards one of the other Aura Spheres that were circling around them. Back at the ground, Brawly was standing at the ready, waiting for the moment to strike as the Aura Sphere came towards him.

It had taken more than a little amount of practice for them to get the Aura Spheres just right with their size and control so they could hit them back and forth without them exploding. But they still had to be handled with care, one wrong move and he would take a Sphere to the face and their show would be ruined.

Gently grabbing the Aura Sphere in the palm of his paw, Brawly led it around before sending it back up towards Chii who had already sent the next Sphere down towards him.

The two of them continued to juggle the Aura Spheres in between each other, even adding another two to the mix. Brawly had to give it to her, it took a lot of concentration on his part to pull it off and look graceful at the same time, but Chii simply jumped in between the spheres with ease as she continued to laugh joyfully. She made it look easy, it was obvious that he was the novice in that arena.

It continued like that for a small while. A few times, Brawly misjudged the amount of power he was supposed to use and sent the spheres slightly off course, but Chii was there immediately, making it seem like it was done on purpose.

“Weeee!” Chii cheered loudly as she jumped to the next Sphere, signaling to Brawly that the first part was coming to an end. Using her Tail Whip just like before, she hit the sphere down towards the ground, only this time she did not aim for Brawly, but the ground around him. She repeated this with the four other Spheres, creating five small explosions in short succession around her partner. Chii grabbed her tail as she started to spin on her way down, letting go and landing gracefully on Brawly`s head just in time as the dust from the Aura Spheres dispersed.

“That was fun!” Chii laughed as held out his arms, letting the whip like fur on his arms fall loose.

“Ready for the finale?” Brawly asked as the two of them did a short bow to the audience.

“Yeah!” Chii cheered happily before she looked up towards the sky. A small blue orb of energy beginning to slowly form in front of her mouth, the air around it shimmering.

“Show them what you can do.” Brawly encouraged her just before she unleashed her attack .

“Blizzard!” Chii fired the Blizzard straight up into the air, the ice crystals glistening in the light. A cloud of the ice crystals formed high in the air as she ended her attack, hovering above everyone in the audience.

Just as she finished, Brawly focused all his strength in his legs and leaped into the air. Chii laughing in joy from on top of his head as they approached the ice cloud. As they came to a stop in the center of the cloud, Brawly took a deep breath as they seemingly paused in the air momentarily.

“Go for it!” Chii exclaimed as she held onto the hair on top of Brawly's head.

“Double Slap!” His arms shot out at a blinding speed. The whip fur on his arms disappearing from sight as he used it to crush the ice crystals. Focusing more on speed than power, Brawly continued his attack for just another second or two, before they began to fall back down towards the ground, most of the ice crystals from the Blizzard now crushed into a fine powder.

A line of glittering ice powder following after them as they gracefully fell down to the ground, Brawly landing kneeling down as they reached the ground to soften the landing.

“Let them have it.” Brawly spoke softly to Chii as she looked to to the ice cloud.

“Hyper Voice!” Chii screamed to the skies. Her Hyper Voice traveling upwards, connecting with the ice cloud that hung in the air, making it explode as her attack reached it.

Everything was glittering as the ice powder had been dispersed and was slowly raining down across the audience over the entire stadium. The ice powder melting instantly when it hit a pony or Pokémon.

“And that’s it!” Brawly straightened up before bowing to the audience. And while he bowed, Chii waved happily to the audience who loudly cheered back.

After they were done, they turned to the judges, ready to hear their opinions. The three judges seemed to take a moment to talk in between each other before Diantha was the first one to speak up.

“I must say, I never expected to see the Gym leader, Brawly in a contest hall. As a participant no less.” She said with an amused smile.

“Surely stranger things have happened.” Brawly countered. Though, while he had watched a few contests on tv, he had never actually been to a contest in person before, so she was right on that.

“Indeed they have… But as a contestant, your inexperience shows.” Diantha said, her expression turning a tad more serious. “You move fluidly, and your actions are elegant in their own way. But they are always with a strict purpose in mind, not to impress the audience, but just to complete the task before you. And you did have a few slipups, using too much of your strength.” Brawly knew that she was right, and he could feel Chii squirm on top of his head, anxious about what they had to say about her no doubt.

“But those mistakes also made your partner shine so much more.” Nurse Joy continued where Diantha left off. “It was even difficult to notice that they were mistakes, because Chii was there immediately, to correct you. Every step of the way, she was there to guide and help you. It has been long since I have seen two individuals who are so different, but complement each other so well at the same time. It was a pleasure to have you here.” Nurse Joy finished, with a gentle smile and a nod.

“It was fun! Thanks for having us!” Chii cheered joyfully. Brawly gave another small bow and she waved to the judges before she and Brawly walked out of the arena, feeling content with what they had accomplished.

“See, I told you that you could do it!” Brawly grinned as he could positively feel the joy radiating from Chii.

“Yeah, I don't care if we don't win. It was fun! And I want to do it again.” He lifted her down and ruffled her hair as he held her. It was hard to believe that she was the same Skitty that had been afraid of going to the contest in the first place.

“That’s my girl!” Brawly smiled, their goal for participating having been accomplished.

Once they were backstage, Seth was waiting with a wide smile. “Hey guys,” he greeted them. “That was an amazing performance. I couldn’t think of a better way to open the show.”

“Thank you!” Chii exclaimed with a huge grin. “That was so much fun! It is just a shame that it had to end so soon.” And with that, her mood did a complete turn around.

“It was my first time ever doing one of these things, but I have to agree,” Brawly nodded in agreement. “It was fun.” His words seemed to bring Chii back to her usual, happy self.

Man, that cat’s mood flipped like a switch huh? He paused in their conversation as the next group headed out to perform, Seth offering some words of encouragement. Once they left the backstage, he turned back to Chi and Brawly. “So, you said you knew my little sister? I know Mom was out looking for her, but-”

“She stayed with us for a little while.” Chii cut in rather rudely. “Your mom too. They were kinda nice, even though that Crowe was a jerk.” She huffed.

“Yes, we do know her. Just like Chii her said, she stayed with us for about a day… you haven't seen em? They came back to Canterlot with the same train as we did.” Brawly mentioned with a thoughtful expression.

“No, but then I’ve been really busy with the Contest,” Seth replied. The truth was that Kimberly and Becky were in the audience, they didn’t want to distract Seth while he was running the event. “Still, it’s good to hear that they’re safe and both in town. Thank you very much for the information.”

“No worries,” Brawly just nodded. “And thank you for this little Contest of yours. This little fuzzball here has not been able to stop talking about it ever since it came up. Think it meant a lot to her.”

“Hey, I am not a fuzzball.” Chii complained. “B-but yeah, thank you for the Contest, it was lots of fun!”

“You’re welcome… fuzzball,” Seth smirked and rubbed her head with a massive paw. “I’m just glad people showed up.”

The crowd outside stomped and cheered as the performance ended. The judges started giving their verdict and Suri pointed at something on a clipboard.

“Yeah, alright,” Seth nodded to her. “Mm, sorry guys. I’m just crazy busy. Still, if you’re gonna hang around, we should go out or something later?”

“Sounds good,” Brawly agreed. “We will be sticking around Canterlot for a little while, and I know that Ethan also wanted to have a word with you. But we'll let you get back to your work.” He picked up the little Skitty who was still silently cursing over being called a fuzzball. “See ya later.”

Seth waved them off, the two hadn’t gotten far before Rika saw Chii and dashed over to nuzzle the cute Skitty, calling her an adorable little fuzzball…

Note, angry Skitty’s were even more adorable.

Seth looked at the list and the names of the next performers. These were names he didn’t recognise. Hmm, and they were from quite a ways away too.

“Miss Hana? You’re on in thirty seconds,” Suri said.

Hana had been thrilled at the idea of there being a contest on Equus. After having to leave her home in Johto and needing to move to Hoenn, she had participated in a few Contests before. Normally, Hana entered with her Sableye and Delcatty, but since the move to Equus, she had only found her Sableye named Yami. Fortunately for Hana, she had also found her husband Samuel, who had agreed to let her use his Furret in the contest.

“Ready Yami?” Hana asked her Sableye.

“Yep!” Yami replied to the human turned Pangoro.

“What about you Furret?” She asked the Furret next to Yami.

“I don’t know. I’m more used to gym battles with Samuel.” The Furret had been having some second thoughts on competing in contests. He had heard of some going on in the Johto region, but other than that, he had never seen one.

“You’ll do fine. I promise. It’s okay if you’re nervous your first Contest. I know Yami was his first time.”

“He doesn’t need to know that!” Yami exclaimed.

Hana laughed at Yami. He was always getting angry at someone mentioning his first contest. He had done well, but they had lost in the final round. While Hana had been fine with the loss, Yami was more of a sore loser.

“Alright you two. It’s almost our turn and I don’t want you two to go out there angry at each other.”

The two Pokémon nodded at her, and stood by and they watched the previous contestant finish their performance. They heard the announcement from the purple Earth pony and nodded to her.

The lights came up, signaling the start of the qualifier. “Alright Yami, start off with Shadow Ball.”

Yami created a Shadow Ball, but instead of firing it off, he kept it in front of him to make it bigger. When it was as tall as him, Hana gave her next command. “Now fire it at Furret! Furret, get ready to jump!”

The Shadow Ball was almost at Furret when he jumped on top of the Shadow Ball. Carefully, furret was able to move the Shadow Ball around with his feet.

Hana let out the breath she had been holding. Even though Furret was slightly lighter than her Delcatty, Enekoro, he had still been having trouble with making sure the Shadow Ball didn’t collapse under him.

“Alright Yami! Time for Shadow Ball and Psychic.”

Yami created a normal sized Shadow Ball this time and used Psychic to hold it in place while he made another. When he had made six in all, he stopped making Shadow Balls and just made them circle around him.

Furret had slowly made his way to the middle of the stage while he stayed on the Shadow Ball, worried that any step he made would make it burst.

“You’re doing great you two,” Hana encouraged, “Yami set the Shadow Balls up around Furret.”

Now Yami moved the Shadow Balls so they made a circle around Furret and the large Shadow Ball. Furret watched as the Shadow Balls found their places and he shifted his body slightly for the next step.

“Fire at Furret! You two know what to do!” Hana gave her signal.

Instantly, the six Shadow Balls headed for Furret as well as the giant Shadow Ball. At the last second, Furret jumped as the normal Shadow Balls collided with the large one and created a small sparkling explosion. While that was happening, Yami had started to make another large Shadow Ball, though not as large as the first. Hana nodded, And Yami launched it at Furret.

“Use Fury Swipes Furret.” Furret turned to see the Shadow Ball coming at him. He panicked for a second, not fully ready. At the last second, he used Fury Swipes on the ball, which broke into pieces and turned to smoke.

“Perfect! Good job you two!”

Once the performance ended, the lights returned to normal and the crowd gave a loud cheer at the show; Diantha rose from her seat and nodded her head.

“Quite the show you displayed today,” she smiled. “It’s easy to see that Contests are no stranger to you. But your Furret seemed to lack the skills the others displayed.”

“My other partner is still missing,” Hana sighed. “Furret here belongs to my husband and is more of a battler really.”

“Still, he adapted well, a skill no doubt honed with many fine victories,” the Champion smiled. “Well done.”

“Ze way you played with those dark balls remind me of my schoolyard days,” Photo Finish nodded. “Zat had a vunderbar sense of nostalgia.”

“The control you showed with so many Shadow Balls, and that finely tuned Psychic. A wonderful display my dear,” Nurse Joy smiled.

“Thank you very much!” Hana smiled and waved to the crowd before leaving the stage with Yami and Furret after hearing the judge's remarks. The second they couldn’t be seen anymore, Yami started to rub Furret’s head with his knuckles. “See, nothing to it!”

“I almost messed up! Try rethinking your remark!”

“I still bet you liked it!”

“Well… Okay, you got me there. It was scary and fun at the same time.”

Hana was about to say something, but was stopped by an Ursaring who came over and hugged her. “Good job Hana! It was wonderful!”

The Pangoro hugged back tighter. “Thanks for letting me use Furret, Sam. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.”

“True,” He started, leaving the hug. “But you’re still the one who thought the whole thing up. Are you sure you’ll have another performance for if you make it to the next round?”

Hana poked the ring on her husband’s stomach. “Of course I will! I’ve got some of it planned out already. You shouldn’t doubt me.”

“Alright… Want to go watch the current performers? It might be nice to see what you’re up against.”

“That sounds nice.” Hana told him, smiling.

“It’s nice to see them together again.” Furret remarked.

“It’d be better if we had everyone, but this is good for now.” Yami replied before the both of them followed their trainers.

Seth checked the list and stared at it for a moment. “Hey Suri, is this right?”

“Hmm, what do you mean?” she asked and checked. “Oh, them. Yes. That’s how they sighed the form. Single letters.

Seth stared at them, a niggling feeling in the back of his mind that he knew those names… but from where…?

To the audience’s surprise, a pair of hooded figures walked into the stage, one only slightly taller than the other. The taller figure seemed to snap its fingers, and before the surprised crowd, music started playing.

At that, the taller figure suddenly grabbed its and the shorter figure’s hoods, before pulling them off, revealing to the audience’s surprise, the view of a city at night, a tall shining tower in the middle, one that Seth and Diantha recognized instantly. The music played for a bit, before someone’s voice began to sing.

The audience’s attention was immediately drawn to the source of the voice, and the eyes of the Pokemon in the crowd promptly bugged out at the sight of a human woman with long brown hair that flowed straight down her back, and light blue eyes. She was dressed in a lovely blue dress with a white ribbon on the front.

As she sang the second line, the clouds suddenly parted, revealing a beautiful skyline in the complex illusion, before audience was drawn to what looked like a black figure darting above the stage, seemingly leaping gracefully from building to building in the backdrop, before the scene seemingly shifted to focus on the figure who stopped on a nearby building, revealing a human man with short red hair. He was dressed in a black 3 piece suit with a black fedora on his head, a confident smile on his face as he was flipping a coin in his hand, gazing towards where the woman had stood, and tipping his hat over his face in a way that for some reason looked damn familiar to Seth.

The scene shifted back to the woman, her face now marred with a sad frown as she continued to sing, while the real sky overhead seemed to get darker as rain clouds gathered (much to the confusion of the surrounding Pegasi as none of them had done that), while the sight of woman frowning seemed to gain the attention of the man in the background. To the astonished eyes of the Pokemon, the man suddenly leaped forward, his body glowing in mid-air before he actually flew towards the woman in a clear Aerial Ace move, gracefully maneuvering around the buildings, his form stunning against the background.

The woman continued to sing, her face seemingly sad...right before that expression changed to surprise as a hat promptly fell over her face, causing her to pause in her song, right before the man lifted the hat off her, smiling gently at her, as she resumed her song, not once breaking the flow of the song as she smiled in return. The man then put his hat back on, before offering his hand to her.

The woman placed her hand on his, while placing her other hand on her chest. When she started singing again, the stage suddenly seemed to shine with a beautiful silvery light, as she the moon in the background suddenly glowed brightly and illuminated the stage, as the man pulled her along. The background suddenly shifting into the top of a tower bathed in the moonlight as the two began to dance, the moonlight turning the simple dance into a stunning display.

Taking a step, the two of them literally danced off the edge of the tower, right before the scene changed into a lavish ballroom, their clothing changing to fit the atmosphere, the man now wearing a black tuxedo, while the woman now wore a pure white ballgown, giving them both an elegant look. As they resumed dancing, they suddenly began to multiply, and before long, the entire ballroom was filled with couples dancing to the song

The first couple continued to dance together, and just as their dance ended with the man lifting up the woman and twirling her around, as the other couples vanished from the scene, while the background now showed the base of the shining tower from before, while overhead the clouds suddenly parted, revealing the sun once again, ending with the man and the woman now standing side by side leaning against each other lovingly with their hands intertwined. And with that, the two took a final bow as the illusion covering the entire stage faded away with the sparkle of a million stars, revealing the stage as it once was, as well as the identities of the performers, a Zoroark where the man once stood, and a Gardevoir where the woman once stood.

Well, Seth had to admit that this Contest was certainly bringing out some interesting performances. But he couldn’t help but notice that they missed the mark somewhat...

The audience clapped and cheered as the judges whispered amongst themselves for a moment. Once they had finished, it was Diantha who was the first to speak.

“I must say, I was quite surprised to see Lumiose City appear like that,” she remarked. “It brought back a lot of nostalgic feelings. And your singing is quite good.Miss M, but… that does lead me to a slight problem with the performance.”

“Well, not so much as a problem,” Joy continued. “But, a lot of people seem to forget that this is a Pokemon Contest. And you spent most of your performance disguised as a human…”

“That said, since we’re all Pokemon now, change as to how a Contest works might have to be made,” Diantha nodded. “And, you are both human, well, used to be yes?”

“That’s correct,” R nodded. “Though we didn’t go completely by ourselves. Right, Techno?” he said, as a Porygon descended from where it was hiding on the stage, and started playing the instrumental sounds of the song.

“Ah, and here I thought we had Miss Elesa to thank for the music.” Diantha nodded, Elesa waved a paw, showing she got to relax for a bit. “Quite the skilled Porygon you have there, and your skill at using Zoroark’s Illusion Ability is something to be admired. While this might not have gotten you through in a Contest back home. I will certainly give you credit for that.”

“Vell, I thought zat zis performance vas wunderbar!” Photo Finish nodded. “Ze song, vhile I could not understand ze lyrics, I still felt ze emotion you put into zem.”

“Why thank you. I try my best to express the feelings behind each song I sing. I want everyone to share how I feel when I sing,” M smiled.

“A marvelous performance nonetheless,” Diantha smiled. “I do hope we see more from you in the future.”

“Agreed,” Joy and Photo echoed. Seth gave a small nod as he watched from backstage. This Contest had brought out some interesting people so far.

Next on the list was a Gardevoir named Selena. No other name was with hers, so this marked her as the first solo performance of the day. She stood next to Seth and once the stage was cleared, the Luxray stepped out to announce the next act.

Selene closed her eyes and began strolling forward on the stage, whistling a tune as electricity gathered around her cyan arms. After the fifth step she did a quick, yet graceful pirouette with her left arm level with her shoulder and her right staying below the waist with small zigzagging lines of electricity encircling her before fading away. At the end of her spin she held her left arm up, the palm of her hand aligned with the spectators in the back while her right hand remained at her side. This motion she then reversed, twirling in the opposite direction and raising her charged right hand into the air, only this time directed at the ponies and Pokémon in the front rows. With this done she stopped whistling and pulled her arms back to her side in order to finish off with a curtsy, smiling to the crowd all the while.

But she wasn't done yet. Before anyone had a chance to react or applaud she raised her arms to the crowd, crossing them in the process, and fired the twin Charge Beams in their direction. The attack never made it off the stage. Just as they were about to Selene unfolded her arms and the yellow beams of plasma curved drastically into the air, now enveloped in a soft blue light and were now looping around on a collision course with the smiling Gardevoir. Selene spun forward, sliding each of her hands on the beams and once more being coated in electricity, while the two beams collided behind her, with arcs of electricity being torn away from each beam, and circled around, now approaching her from opposite sides.

Confidence radiating from her movements, she spun around and fired two more shots at the lines of energy bearing down on her, deviating their trajectory enough to avoid hitting her and to electrify her hands as the new bolts were caught in her psychic grasp. Now four beams of energy were circling towards her with the two newer beams closing in on her first. Unfazed, she used her charged hands to redirect the beams into the air just in time to shoot next two. With six beams to deal with, Selene fired two more beams at the first two to reach her and avoided the remaining four, each of which crossed where her arms were before and after, without even breaking her stride. This process continued until she was surrounded by lines of whirling plasma and energy, constantly avoiding the ten beams assailing her as she danced with her invisible partner in the ballroom of lights she created, with a gown made from the sparks left behind from the near misses.

In her left hand a sphere of burning purple energy began to form, starting out small but steadily it grew larger and larger until it was the diameter of her arm. Each beam that passed through it became coated in a violet fire with the blue aura becoming the 'embers'. At the climax of her dance, with all of the whirling beams of energy coming at her at once in every direction, Selene launched the mass of psychic energy into the air with each of the Charge Beams closing in on her veering upwards after it, surrounding her in a pillar of yellow and purple. All at once the rays of light enveloped the sphere of stored power and crashed down upon it, resulting in a stage-encompassing explosion. Instead of a cloud of smoke though, the psychic sphere burst into a brilliant cloud of yellows, blues, purples, and many other brilliant colors intermingling together like a fine, rainbow-colored mist with small arcs of electricity still running through the makeshift nebula.

And in the center of it all was Selene, whistling the end of her tune with a content smile on her face. Her entire body was radiating a light blue psychic aura, slowing her fall while her arms were spread wide, moving the dust around it like a raiment made from stardust itself as she slowly floated back to the ground. Her frills fluttered in the nonexistent breeze, discharging the static electricity she accumulated into the dust causing it to sparkle against the blues and yellows of the psionic energy and electricity. Touching down on the ground Selene gingerly stepped towards the end of the podium, stopping two paces short of the edge and stood there, whistling the finale of her song with her arms behind her back as the nebula dissipated. Finished with her song, Selene took a deep breath and a moment later shifted both of her hands to her front and bowed, thanking her audience with a smile as she waited for their reaction.

She didn’t have to wait long as the audience exploded with a round of cheers and applause, Seth and his friends and family clapped from backstage, thoroughly enjoying the show she put on.

Diantha was the first to rise and clear her throat. “That was an exceptional display,” she said with a smile. “You showed a lot of love and practice for your craft, and those efforts have paid of wonderfully.”

“Wunderbar!” Photo Finish clapped her hooves. “Ze grace, ze poise, ze magicks! A simply vunderbar performance!”

“Indeed,” Nurse Joy said with a serene smile. “And excellent display, I hope to see you in future Contests.”

Selene smiled widely, overjoyed that everyone had loved her performance. She practically skipped off of the stage as Seth walked out onto it to announce the next performer.

"And now, gentlestallions and mares, let us greet our next contestants all the way from Baltimare! As both Coordinator and lead performer, this is going to be her first Contest, so be enthusiastic foooor... Denise Favre! And supporting her, her lifelong and most trusty companion, the majestic unmatched flier of the night! Wubby!"

Seth sharply turned at his right, pointing at the stage as the tent opened, shifting all the audience attention from him to the performing duo as the ponies started to pound rhythmically their hooves on the ground while all the other species in attendance made their best to keep up with the deafening equines.

Seth couldn't help but to smile at the view. So few exhibitions in and already the enthusiasm matched the one of the crowds back on earth.

Everyone, however, stopped as soon as the curtain opened completely, revealing nothing behind it beside semi darkness.

Before the stands could start to murmur, however, a lonely, feminine voice began, seemingly coming from nowhere.

"Of days and night, always the same
A loop, perfect round, never getting lame
As I hoped the same could be said always
A divine being, oblivious, forays.

After the first few lines, a thrumming, slow background music could be heard, and some luminous musical notes appeared from thin air on the stage, floating lazily around and, from time to time, hovering over the crowd.

After the fact I'm left in the dark
A new blue cape like a tree with its bark
A necklace of white bloomed on my neck
Of where I'd kiss, I can now peck.

The stage lights suddenly turned on, projecting their light upwards as a big shape fell seemingly from nowhere, twirled midair in the cones of light and landed in the gloom under them without making a sound, before it straightened up a little, just enough to let the passenger it was carrying on its head being illuminated by the flashlights.

A small parrot like Pokémon, a Chatot, perched between two enormous ears thrumming the music like boomboxes, raised her note-shaped head, while more of the floating notes generated by the slow Song she was singing appeared around her.

As she started singing the next line the music started resounding strangely, and several of the spectator shook their head when they heard it, almost a second voice following in the trail of the bird's words.

Laissé pour compte, loin de la maison
Left alone, far from home

Au pris, maudis, de tout nos demons
Stuck, cursed, with all our sins

Comme una page, déchiré, retiré
Like a page, ripped, removed

Ils nous disent 'recommencez'
And they told us 'start all over'

By then, even more of the notes had accumulated around the Chatot and her Noivern ride, almost completely hiding them from view in a luminous, blinding vortex of musical keys. At the same time, both the music and a light wind started to pick up, probably the result of some move the two were using Seth figured.

But at the moment, that was the least of his concern.

Looking at the spectators, he noticed that several of the Pokémon in attendance, most of them wearing some scattered piece of clothing, had straightened up in their seats, a weird glint in their eyes. Some were even openly glaring at the Legendaries in attendance.

While I could lament, propagate my pain
I will never let my progress dissipate in vain
As a new being, both heart and soul
I shall accomplish what's my new role

At the end of that last line, a flurry of wind blades suddenly generated from the stage, shattering the small whirlwind of notes in one massive blast of sparkles, which were then swept away as the Noivern emerged from them, his wings fully spread and still shining from the Razor Wind move he had used.

But the attention of everyone easily fell on the Chatot rather than the majestic dragon under her.

Her feather collar had fluffed up considerably, and was shining with incredible intensity, in contrast with her black head. Standing as tall and proud as she could with her small size, her chest out and her wings spread at her sides, she raised her voice to near Hyper Voice-level, small shining feathers detaching from her and making the blinding shine of the collar stand out even more.

Left with a spiral of stars in my head, on my side
I stand now, head's up, my tears has been dried
Left with a challenge, in my life, in my body
This newfound strength I now embody!

Then the music started to slow down, and the faint buzzing restarted, while more and more shining feathers detached from the collar, its brightness lowering with each of them.

Laissé pour compte, loin de la maison
Left alone, far from home

Au pris, maudis, de tout nos demons
Stuck, cursed, with all our sins

Je repris les voiles, je ne veux pas partir
I took back the sails, I don't want to go

Mon esprit est le derniére chose que vous pouvez detruire!
My spirit is the last thing you can break!

At the last words the music died, and the theatre fell in complete, pristine silence.

Then came the chaos.

All the Pokémon, or more probably former humans, he had seen being caught up in the song before were now standing up, clapping hands or paws when possible, roaring furiously and he even saw one or two underpowered moves being thrown in the air as acclamations. In the meanwhile the ponies and all the other Equusborn were looking around in confusion or tried to make themselves very small in their seats. Only a few had a expression of sad understanding on their muzzles.

The Chatot, in the meanwhile, was looking at the tribunes, her head high and her eyes scanning the spectators, basking in the angry shouts and roars. Seth could almost swear she would have been grinning if her beak had allowed it, so much satisfaction she had in her eyes at the near rioting she had caused.

The Luxray grit his fangs and had to restrain himself from jumping on the stage and drag that Chatot away personally. After all the efforts made by Princess Celestia, Arceus and Pokémon like him to make the earthlings feel welcome, this same Contest included, she risked to make it all for naught.

It was going so well... he muttered in his head.

Worried about how they could react to what was, with little doubt, a sort of accusation towards them, Seth raised his head to look at the present Legendaries. First he looked at Arceus, expecting to see him seething with rage, but surprisingly enough he couldn't see anything to indicate if he had got upset. If anything, he just looked pensive. Mewtwo, on the other hand, didn't seem all too happy with what had just transpired, and the dull blue sheen of psychic powers flaring up could be seen in his eyes, but he doubted he would do anything as long as Arceus didn't express some sort of displeasure.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by the familiar voice of Diantha, and he noticed that in the meanwhile the speaker had somehow managed to coax the public in settling down a little, and let the judges make their considerations.

"...Heartfelt and powerful, even if the topic was a little... strong. I have to say, though, that from a purely professional point of view, your exhibition was a little poor... Contests should show off the bond and the talent of both Coordinator and Pokémon in original ways, your exhibition was both too centered on the singer, yourself, and lacked originality. Sorry for the bluntness, but had this been a normal contest, you wouldn't have made it to the next round. You should try to work more with your Pokémon rather than simply... using him." The bluette Gardevoir finished.

"Umh... I agree with what Miss Diantha said..." the Nurse Joy started, nervously fidgeting with her long Audino earlobes, "The exhibition didn't feel really joyous, and it's true that it didn't even feel like a real Contest at all. I find good that you are working hard to get past your anger, recognizing it and putting it to use in such a heartfelt song is a sign of a great effort, but it didn't really fit with this Contest... maybe you should have tried to sing it to other people that feel upset like you... uh, we could organize therapy groups, now that I think about it... Oh, but your voice was really lovely!" she finished, giving the Chatot a small hopeful smile.

"I have to say, I did really enjoy your performance!" The last judge, Photo Finish started, earning immediate deadpan and confused stares from the other judges, she ignored them however. "I can see ze points of view of my colleagues, and I must admit zat I don't have nearly any experience in judging zis kind of performance, after all is the first that this whole world has ever seen, but I liked how you used your... powers? To make your point! As a photographer, I give great importance to images and how much can they tell, how they are built and so on. Zat moment, vhen you scattered all those shining... notes... thingies and emerged from within with your collar blazing like Celestia's sun... you completely caught the focus of all the present! A single point of light so powerful it was impossible to take my eyes off! If anypony haz been taking photos of this Contest, zat is going to be a good one! Oh, such a waste on my side..." the pony finished, shaking her curly white mane in an overly dramatic way. "Just a quick question, though... vhat did you mean by 'a spiral of stars on your side'? Is zat a saying from Earth? I have to admit I'm curious."

Both the other judges and many from the crowd mumbled something in agreement, and Seth couldn't help but to feel a little curious himself. It hadn't made much sense to him either.

The Chatot stood pensive for a second, eyes closed and perfectly still, before she clicked her beak open, "I have to admit, I do agree with what Miss Diantha and Miss Joy said... I never had any real experience in the Contest scene, and I must confess my participation was pure self indulgement on my side rather than to entertain or even find solace like many professional coordinators, I am sure, have participated for... because of that, I apologize to the other participants. Still, as a singer, as someone who only ever had singing as a mean and purpose of life, and a need to share a message, this chance was too good to pass on. I didn't come here to put up a good show, not as my first thought, at least, what I wanted to do was to let other people like me know that it is okay to be angry. That is okay to not accept what happened to us with a fake smile and go on.

Not that I didn't feel welcome in this world, the citizens of Baltimare have been incredibly kind and generous to us, despite having many reason not to... it's just..."

“Is there a point you would like to make?” came a gentle, yet stern voice from one of the other contestants, the Gardevoir calling herself ‘M’. “If not, kindly refrain from starting any scenes here, please. Many of us came simply to enjoy ourselves.”

The Noivern that the Chatot was sitting upon took a step forward and let out a low growl, before the Chatot whispered something in his ears and he just stood still again. "Erm... sorry for that miss... M, was it?"

“Yes, that will suffice for now,” the Gardevoir nodded with a wink...something that seemed oddly familiar somehow.

"My point is... well, there is not really one," the Chatot shrugged, "Since I got here, I've been crying on myself... I was happy back on earth, I had plans and dreams and they all crashed down. I just needed some closure on it and a friend of mine... a good friend of mine made me understand that the quickest way to get over it was to scream it as loud as possible, and being an aspirant singer... I saw this chance and just took it. I don't mean to inspire someone to violence, I consider myself an artist, not a fighter, but anger can be an useful tool to push people forward, like it did for me."

She then looked at an undetermined point in the crowd, an amused glint in her eyes, "By the way, the 'spiral of stars' was referred to this friend of mine... more of an inside joke between us than anything else, but I thought it sounded good."

Seth, like most of the crowd, turned to see a surprised Zangoose, both his ears perked up and eyes reduced to pinpricks. He tried to give what was probably meant to be an awkward smile, turning out more as a weird fanged snarl, before he tried to bury himself in his chair and the coat he was wearing.

“Our condolence,” the Zoroark, R, nodded as he placed a paw on M’s shoulder. “You have every right to want closure, considering our… sudden departure. “However, a word of advice. Many times in life, things happen that we do not like. However at the end of the day, we need to move on. Life goes on no matter what happens,” he nodded, and stepped closer to her, before whispering something into her ear,

“Remembering the past is fine, but don’t be trapped in it. Instead of thinking about what you’ve lost, try thinking about what you’ve gained and what else you can do from now on...aside from starting anything humanity will regret in the long run. We angered the Legendaries once, and this was our penalty. Don’t push your luck. I’d like to think Arceus is more benevolent than that, but it wouldn’t be all that hard for him to say...erase all memories of humanity. I quite like remembering that I was once human, thank you,” and with that he stepped away slightly.

Whatever the Zoroark had said, had an immediate effect on the Chatot. Her whole body went still and her feathers puffed up instantly, her eyes went wide and her beak started clacking incoherently.

"But that... that would be... he... Oh... oh sweet Meloetta..."

The Noivern picked up on the human's mood and immediately started growling again, this time with a lot more volume. Seth almost called Rika to attention, the last thing he needed was a brawl, before the Gardevoir reached the stage with a surprisingly graceful leap for the Pokémon, pinkish energy glittering around her.

“Now now, let’s not fight. My husband was simply pointing out another point of view. Let’s not do anything we’ll all...regret now, okay?” she smiled, the Dazzling Gleam still glowing in her hands and pushing the Noivern back.

"Y-yes... of course... Wubby don't worry... I am okay... just... just go. Please?" Despite her words, it was well visible that she was not okay, still shaking and stuttering. Still, the Noivern just shot a last glare at the couple before sliding in the backstage noiselessly.

“Now then, enough about Earth. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the contest, shall we?” M smiled.

Seth nodded and looked backstage as Wubby and Denise left. It was a little early, but he needed to lighten the atmosphere before he could let another Coordinator on stage. The next contestant was a young one, and there was no way he’d throw her into the fire like that.

“It looks rough out there Seth,” Elesa said as she walked over to him. The Ampharos had a concerned look in her eyes. “While I think Diantha and the others diffused the situation somewhat, it’s still tense.”

Seth paced up and down the small section to the side of the stage. While he had some of the Royal Guard here, even they couldn’t handle it if half the audience started attacking. If things got out of hand any more than this…

“There’s no way a dozen guards could stop all those Pokemon.” He groaned and shook his head, he needed to do something but his brain was drawing a blank. M and R seemed to be whispering amongst themselves and the last thing he needed was a contestant to step in on this.

“Boss!’ Midnight flew in and panted. “Things are looking pretty hairy out there. We’re looking to evacuate the Princesses, but that’ll leave you to handle things here on your own…”

“I can’t let you abandon your duties for my sake,” Seth replied as he peeked out through the curtain. “Maybe if I can get Team Charm out there…” He turned to look for his Sylveon. “Rika!”

“We need about ten minutes,” she called out. “We aren’t quite ready yet.”

Dammit! Seth frowned as he wracked his brain for an answer…

“Let me do it,” Selena said as she walked towards the stage. Seth turned and stared at her, did she…?

“Selena, can you really calm down all those people?” the Luxray asked.

“Dunno,” the Absol replied and smiled. “But they need a little courage right now. A little something to help face the unknown. I… I know what that’s like, just a little anyway. So, I think I can get through to them.”

Seth’s expression softened and he smiled. “Alright then. Do your best okay?”

“When do I ever not?” she replied with a cocky grin and stepped out onto the stage.

Author's Note

What? WHAT!?

A new chapter? Holy crap!

Also, I'd like to thank everyone that took the time to write a Contest piece for this chapter and the next. It's been so long i can't quite remember who did and didn't. But y'all know who you are!

Extra Chapter - A little bit of Magic

Author's Note

The first part of a cross with Arcticbrony and his story. 'Old Scars, New Chances. You can find his version here - Chapter start. It'll be similar, but have scenes from his character's perspective.

Extra Chapter - A little bit of Magic

Kimberly Haleth watched the scenery roll by as she sat by the train’s window. It had been a full day since she left her adopted son back in Canterlot. She really hadn’t wanted to, or at least, wished he could come with her. But she knew he had responsibilities there, not to mention a rather unique love life.

That thought made her chuckle. After leaving Elesa, she was worried he’d never work up the trust or nerve to ask out someone else ever again. And now he had two.

Well, when in Rome…

After wandering around aimlessly for a few weeks, she finally earned enough bits to hire a private investigator. Seth’s exploits were fairly easy to track, that boy did so love to make the headlines of the news.

Rebecca had been much more elusive. While the girl made her presence known when she wanted to, she seemed to be keeping a low key since the shift. She might be scared, confused… It made the Meganium worry. Initially, the investigator returned to her with reports of a street magician, but it turned out to be some rude and arrogant unicorn mare.

A sharp whistle pierced the air as the conductor called out. “Neighagra Falls. Next stop. Neighagra Falls!”

‘This is the place,’ Kim nodded to herself as she looked at a photograph, one of a Braixen with a Starly sitting on her head. And the Braixen was holding a magicians wand.

It wasn’t definitive… but this was the best lead she had so far.

“I just hope you’re here…”

Rebecca Haleth sighed dramatically as she reclined against a tree in the park. It was a pretty nice day, but then, in always seemed to be a nice day in Equestria. Sighing again, she looked up as a small Starly landed on her furry shoulder.

Yeah, there was that too. Getting used to being a Braixen was a pain in the butt. She had set a good deal of things on fire and her psychic powers were still unpredictable sometimes. But she’d seemed to have gotten it under control for the moment.

“So, what’s new around the city?” she asked her feathered partner. “Think we should beat it?”

“Well, it’s one of the more calm places we’ve seen so far,” the Starly replied in a surprisingly deep voice.

“Yeah, that Hollow Shades place was pretty rough,” Becky said as she took her wand out of her tail and twirled it. Her stomach rumbled and she sighed before pulling a coin pouch from her bag.

Unless she could trade wishful thinking for food, they needed some money.

“So, want to try a performance in this town?” the Starly asked. “It’s been a while.”

The Braixen nodded. “Yeah, but I wanted to get a handle on my new abilities before we tried that again. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone by accident Crowe.”

“I suppose not,” Crowe responded. “So, what’s the plan little lady?”

Well we don’t have any of our old equipment, so I guess we’ll have to improvise,” Becky got to her paws and dusted herself off. “Alright, let’s find a good location and work out a routine.”

“There’s a nice spot in the town square,” Crowe informed her as he moved to perch on her head. “And it’s almost lunch, so I’d say we’ll also get a decent-sized audience.”

“Sweet!” Becky picked up a leaf off of the ground as her wand gave off a crimson glow. She tapped the leaf and it morphed into a black silk tophat. “It’s Showtime!”

“So are we set up?” Becky asked her partner.

“As best we can, it’s not like we have a whole lot to work with,” the Pidove muttered. “So you’re gonna have to work rather hard to impress… or we won’t be eating well… or at all for the foreseeable future.”

“Well, then let’s give the little equine a show!” Becky said as she clapped her paws and flung them up. She fired a volley of weak Flame Bursts up into the sky as they exploded like a fireworks show, her wand glowing as she altered the colour of the flames to make it like a rainbow exploded.

That should get the town’s attention~

Becky stepped out into the light on a small stage she made from pilfered crates. Several ponies and Pokemon had already gathered thanks to her show and she smiled. She adjusted her round glasses and and nodded.

“Hello there everyone!” she said in a confident tone. “Having a good day so far?”

There were some murmurs and nods, but everyone seemed a bit confused as to what the heck was going on. Still, she’d expected that.

“Okay, so who here likes magic?” she asked, waiting for a few inevitable questions. The crowd seemed to be easing up a bit, though she got some more cheers from the Pokémon side of the crowd.

“I thought only unicorns could do magic.” A small earth pony colt who were standing close to the stage asked, curiosity and scepticism clearly visible in his expression. And his statement seemed create some murmur through the crowd as several ponies agreed with him.

“And normally, you’d be right in this world,” the Braixen smiled as she sat on the edge of her stage. “But you know what? I’m gonna show everyone that anyone can use magic. Now, let’s see a show of hands, hooves, whatever you have. Who want’s to see some MAGIC!” And this time, a much larger cheery resonated from the crowd, which was growing every second. The initial explosion of fireworks had attracted the attention of most of the town, and the ground even shook a little as a gigantic grey cave troll stopped at the edge of the crowd.

“Jim see Magic!” He cheered with the rest, his loud voice easily blocking out the rest and even making a few of the ponies close to him cringe at the sudden volume.

“Whoa… big guy is big,” Becky gulped. “Well okay then! Let’s see what we could start with.” She pulled a black and white wand out of her tail and tapped it against her tophat as a bouquet of flowers erupted from the tip of it. “Hmm, no, this is too cliche…” She paced around and then grinned as she held the flowers up and they burst into a swarm of butterflies that spread out over the crowd.

One landed on the nose of a certain Skitty, which evaporated into little sparkles that drifted off with the wind.

The Skitty's eyes widened as the butterfly evaporated, a shrill laughter escaping her throat as she lightly batted after the remains before the winds carried them off. Afterwards a pink blur ran through the crowd, using ponies as stepping stones and getting a few complains before the Skitty landed right in front of the stage. Her eyes were positively sparkling and her smile stretched from ear to ear.

Becky smiled and winked at her as she raised her wand. “Alright, now watch the pretty birdy okay?” She took off her hat as a Starly landed on her shoulder. It leapt inside the hat and she held it up to show the bird, inside it quite clearly. Becky then placed the hat back on her head and tapped it twice, before lifting it off and showing a perfectly empty hat.

A light “oooh” could be heard across the crowd and some light applause started as the ponies stomped their hooves against the ground.

“Where did it go?” The small Skitty asked as she jumped up and down to get a better look at the hat.

“I wonder,” Becky hummed and looked around. She then raised a paw and nodded. “Aha! I know where he went!” She put her hat back on her head and tapped it again. And when she pulled it off and held the hat out, dozens of Starly’s flew from it. A skilled trainer could recognise a well-trained Double Team when they saw it, but to everyone else, a flock of birds was pouring out of a very small hat.

The pegasi and flying Pokémon who were watching from the air, parted as the flock of birds flew past them, and most of the audience on the ground turned to watch the Starly’s as they flew by. The Skitty jumped up and used a nearby unicorn's head as a platform to get a better view, ignoring the rather crass remark her living platform gave her before it tried to shake her off.

***

The Starly’s soon vanished as the original hopped out of the hat and landed on Becky’s shoulder. She took a bow as the audience clapped or stomped their hooves before she put a paw to her forehead, pretending to search.

“For my next trick, can I have a volunteer from the audience?” Before anyone had the time to put their hooves up or shout out, there was another pink blur and suddenly the Skitty was standing on the stage next to the Braixen.

“Oooh, me! Pick me, please!” The Skitty pleaded as she jumped around the performer, the most adorable smile on her face as she begged. Becky giggled and knelt down to look at the Skitty.

“Well aren’t you a little cutie. Wanna tell me and this fabulous audience what your name is?”

“I'm Chii!” She cheered in much louder than what was necessary, her excitement bleeding into her voice.

“Well then Chii,” Becky said and lifted her up. “We’re gonna play a little game. Do you have a Mommy or a Daddy in the audience?”

“Um, I don't have any of those but I have the next best thing.” Chii said after a small pause. “Ethan!” She shouted out across the audience from the top of her lungs. “Ethan, you need to come up here!” It was a few seconds before anything happened at all, but soon a Lopunny could be seen making its way through the audience.

“Excuse me. Sorry, coming through. Hey, watch the ears!” But it did not take long before it reached the stage and joined Becky and Chii there.

“So a big sister then?” Becky giggled and winked at the Lopunny.

“Well, not a sister, but I guess it kinda does look that way.” Ethan smiled while Chii laughed.

“No, Ethan is a guy!” She giggled. “Though he is a very pretty Lopunny. It's not the first time someone had called him a girl.” She made no effort to hide the last part and a small laughter spread out through the audience.

“Aw, I know that, but he looks fun to tease,” Becky giggled and took her wand out. “Okay, so let’s get this trick under way. First, we rinse and repeat the last part,” she scooped the Skitty up in her hat and tapped it as her wand glowed a crimson red. The noise also served to mask her whispers to the Skitty. “Okay Chii, just hold still. You’re gonna feel a little tingle when I teleport you okay? And then you gotta sit still and stay real quiet.”

Up close, Ethan could recognise the aura of magic. Actual magic, like the stuff that unicorns used.

Becky took of her hat and the Skitty was gone as she searched around and then tapped the hat again. But then showed the still-empty hat.

“Hmm, odd. Now, where do you suppose little Chii went off to?”

“I'm not sure, though I'm certain that we will soon figure it out. She dislikes staying silent for too long.” Ethan smiled as he looked around the stage. And a very faint giggling could be heard.

“AHA!” Becky said and took one of Ethan’s ears. She reached inside it and started rummaging around the fur. “Let’s see, nope,” she tossed out an apple. “Not this,” there goes a banana. “What about… this?” She yanked and pulled out an entire potted flower and stared at it. Then she reached in with both arms and soon half her body fell into the fluff, a feat that should be physically impossible. Then she pulled back out holding a Skitty.

“There you are~” Becky giggled and held her up for the audience to see.

“Have fun in there?” Ethan shook his ears to make sure that no dirt or anything remained in there.

“Yeah!” Chii laughed before she wiggled her way out of Becky's grip and dropped down onto the stage.

“Okay then,” Becky said and waved her wand as Ethan’s ears were coated in a magic aura, grooming them and removing any knots and tangles. “Now for my last trick…” She looked around and tapped her hat again. She was kind of winging it at this point, wondering whether to do a normal trick… or something, new.

Yeah… something new~

She raised her wand and swirled it around as she lifted off of the stage, floating above the crowd. A gentle aura washed over them in a rainbow of colours as the ground under their hooves suddenly sprouted into a massive field of flowers!

Levitation and a flower-sprouting spell, that had been hard to pull off. She panted lightly as she landed back on the stage. Okay, so using Psychic powers and magic was not recommended on an empty stomach. The crowd erupted into ‘ooh’s’ and ‘ahh’s’ at the sight, and soon, the flowers vanished almost as quickly as they appeared after that Becky tipped her hat and smiled.

“Thanks for being a great audience and let’s all that Chii and Ethan here for being such great test dummies… I mean, such great assistants!”

The applause and cheering from the audience continued and even intensified slightly as the show was over. Chii bowed slightly to the audience before climbing up Ethan to sit on his head.

Just as soon as they had come, most of the audience dispersed, some of them coming up to the stage and tossing a few bits down near Becky's feet. By the end of it, a small pile had gathered, each pony may not have given that much, but it quickly added up. A few ponies, mostly foals even remained to ask, or rather bombard Becky with various questions.

“Well, I can’t go spilling all my secrets,” Becky chuckled as she scooped the bits with her hat. Oh sweet Arceus, she was going to eat like a Queen later~

“She just makes it up as she goes along,” Crowe chuckled. “Don’t mistake that for her actually having any real talent.”

“Props shouldn’t talk,” Becky poked him and giggled. The little bird really was her best friend. “Tell you kids what, maybe I might do another one before I leave.’

Hearing that got another set of cheers out of the foals as they got the answer they had wanted to hear. And after they had made their goodbyes, they too left to go back to whatever they were doing before the show had started.

“That was fun!” Chii exclaimed with a huge smile on her face. “Your tricks were cool, and the ending beautiful. Though you could combine them a little better.” In the background, another small group of Pokémon was approaching.

“It was indeed interesting.” Ethan agreed as he jumped down from the stage. “She might not look like it, but she is a Contest veteran, so she knows that she is talking about.” He jabbed a paw at Chii who just laughed innocently. “Though you look a little tired, are you okay?” He asked Becky.

“Y-Yeah, just… a little worn out from using… so much… magic…” That was when the Braixen’s world faded to black. Hunger plus magical exhaustion meant one unconscious Pokemon.

“Not again,” Crowe muttered. He looked up at Ethan. “Could ya give me a hand with her?”

“Yeah, we live not far from here so we can take you guys there so she can recover.” He looked back to the group who had now reached them. “Brawly, would you mind carrying her?” He indicated to the unconscious Braixen who were currently being poked by a worried Chii.

“No problem dude.” The Mienshao carefully lifted Becky up. “Whats her name?”

“I don't think she ever said who she was.” Ethan turned to Crowe again. “Is it just the two of you?”

“For now,” Crowe responded. “Her name is Rebecca Cre-” He caught himself and coughed into his wing. Saying her last name might cause unwanted attention. “Just call her Becky. And I am Crowe, her lifelong partner.”

“Okay then Crowe, it's nice to meet you.” Ethan paused and put his paw on Becky's forehead. “It's just exhaustion so she just needs some rest and some proper food once she wakes up.” He pulled his paw back. “That being said, I would like to get her back as soon as possible just to be sure nothing else is wrong with her.”

“As long as your intentions remain pure,” Crowe said with a little bit of bite. “Anything inappropriate and you’ll lose an eye or two.”

Ethan started laughing slightly. “You have nothing to worry about, though it's nice to see that you care about her.” He shook his head, a small smile gracing his features. “No, we have a little place where those that need it are welcome to stay, that includes you and your trainer.”

“Yeah!” Chii puffed herself up slightly. “We help others all the time. But if you try to hurt him, you will regret it.” She tried to look angry, and the little Starly responded in kind, but they soon both received a pat on the head from Ethan instead.

“Calm down you two. Point is that she needs help and we can give it. So, shall we go?” Ethan asked Crowe.

“Yes, and thank you for the assistance,” the bird responded and perched on Brawly’s head so he could keep a close eye on the girl.

When Becky awoke, she instantly saw that she wasn’t in the same place she blacked out. She appeared to be indoors, in some kind of large shed or something, if the high ceiling was an indication. She found herself within a fairly small room, where the walls was made of vines and branches that seemed to grow up from the ground.

She slowly sat up and rubbed her head before her stomach gave a loud growl. “Ugrh, great… I hope no-one stole my bits… And where’s Crowe?”

The Starly in question flew in the second she said that, followed by a Lopunny. Oh, he was that guy from before.

“Bout time you got up,” Crowe said. “Feeling better princess?”

“As soon as I eat, yeah,” she replied. “So where am I?”

“At our home.” Ethan replied as he kneeled down next to Becky. “And it's good that you are feeling better, but you should not get up yet,” he said while gently pushing her back down. “You passed out so we brought you here. And you should get some food into your system before you get up again, unless you want to risk passing out once more.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Becky sighed as her stomach growled again. “I’ll have a large cheeseburger, fries and a tall soda.”

“You’ll eat what you get,” Crowe sighed. “Equestrians are vegetarian remember?”

“I want meeeeeaat~” Becky whined.

“We don't have anypony who sells meat in town I'm afraid.” Ethan told Becky, who seemed a little disappointed at his statement. “And no hunting anywhere near the town either, we have made a little safe haven here, and we would like to keep it that way.” Ethan told Becky with a certain weight, and authority in his voice.

“Hunting?” she said. “What, like fish?”

“I think the rabbit is trying to say that we cannot hunt other Pokémon,” Crowe said. Becky blinked slowly and looked at Ethan like he’d he’d just grown a second head.

“Eat… other… Pokemon!?” the last word coming out as a shriek. “That’s just… ew… ewewewewwwwwwww!!”

Ethan just smiled at that statement. “That rule is mainly targeted towards other wild Pokémon, not former humans like yourself, though it still applies.” He said while taking Becky's temperature with his paw. “Not all of the weaker Pokémon are able to defend themselves, so we made a sort of safe area for them in this town.” He pulled his paw back a smile remaining on his face. “You haven't gotten any worse, so that is good. Would you mind telling me how long it was since you last ate, and how much?” He asked.

“I suppose the last big meal I had was about…”

“Three days,” Crowe answered for her. “After that, our money ran out and we’ve been surviving on what we could scrape together while we searched for her brother.” They’d found out that he might be in Canterlot, but trains were expensive, that that city was apparently almost inaccessible without wings or rails.

“Yeah… so I’m just a tad hungry,” Becky replied as her stomach gurgled. Gods, what she wouldn’t give for a pizza right now.

“That explains a few things.” Ethan mused. “Your situation might not have allowed for any more, but you are a fire type now, and need more nourishment as a result. You burn much more calories than you would when you were a human.” A few clanks and different sounds could be heard from the other room. “Though it sounds like the food should be ready any second now.”

Now that he could get a closer look at her, he realised what kind of shape she was in. Her tail and the thick fur around her ears had a multitude of knots. She looked like she’d used streams to bathe in and her tail had a few leaves stuck in it.

“The move here… has not been easy,” Crowe said quietly. “And she misses her family. This is the longest time she’s gone with any form of contact with them.”

“He doesn’t need to know that,” Rebecca snapped.

“What you choose to tell me is up to you.” Ethan commented he moved towards the door opening. “Though it looks like you have been through more than enough.” He paused as Chii came walking into the room, a large plate of fried vegetables and rice, balanced on her head. “It's not much, but it's better than nothing.” He said as Chii stopped in front of Becky, offering her the food. “And its rich on iron, so it will be good for you in your current condition.”

Becky just drooled a little before she took the plate and went to scarf it down before Crowe stopped her.

“Rebecca Crescent! Manners!”

“Ah…” she blushed a little and nodded. “Right, thank you very much for the food,” she said and then begun to practically inhale it.

“You are welcome.” Chii proudly stated while puffing her chest slightly out. “I hope you like it!”

“Heh, well it looks like you should be fine if your appetite is anything to go by.” Ethan smirked as she watched Becky go to town on the plate of food that she had been handed. “I'll let you finish your meal in peace.” He waved his paw and Chii reluctantly walked back and out of the room. “When you are ready we will be outside, take your time though, there is no hurry,” and with that, he left the room, giving Becky and Crowe some peace.

Once they left, Becky paused just long enough to wave and thank them again before returning to her feeding frenzy. Crowe ruffled his feathers and looked at the cat and the rabbit. They seemed nice enough at least.

“Silver linings hmm?” he mused quietly. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to look around… just in case. “I’ll be back in a little bit alright?” he said to Becky. “And remember to drink your water slowly. I don’t need you choking to death.”

“Yes Mom,” Becky said, her cheeks stuffed with food. She swallowed the lot in a single gulp and belched loudly.

“The sign of a true lady,” Crowe sighed and took off. He had a home to explore and residents to check on.

There were a lot more Pokemon here than he thought there would be. The most interesting being a sweater-clad Zangoose. He remained perched on a high rafter, just watching the group and wondering what they did with themselves.

“S-similar?!” Chii sputtered.. “I am not anything like that stupid featherbrain.” Crowe just caught a look at Chii as she sprinted away from Ethan and over to the other side of the building and climbing up a few neatly stacked boxes there before settling on the top one, glaring at Ethan.

From the looks of it, and the smell, it was meal time for everyone, not just Becky, and the Mienshao that had carried his partner there was in charge of the cooking. Brawly he was pretty sure that one of them had called him. That name sounded familiar… but he couldn’t quite place his wing on it. The fighting-type was finishing up the cooking while the purple sweatered Zangoose was delivering the food to a lot of the Pokémon that was staying there. Now that he had some more time to properly look over the place, he noticed that quite a few of the Pokémon was injured in some way or another. Several of them sporting bandages or something of the like.

Another thing that he noticed, was that there was room with plant walls, just like the one that Becky was staying in at the far end of the building… and that everymon was steering clear from the area around it… interesting.

“Hey, so our guest is up. Do you have everything under control here?” It looked like the Lopunny, Ethan, had snuck up on the Mienshao and grabbed him from behind.

“Yeah, someone has to keep this wave rolling.”

“I know, it's a good thing we have Zoey to take care of that.”

“You wanna play it like that?” The Mienshao broke out of Ethan grip, though it probably did not take that much. Especially since he was a little smaller than what was normal for a Lopunny. But he broke free, pulled Ethan towards himself and... kissed him, quite passionate too. And apparently ignoring the fact that they were in quite the crowded room.

“So, our guest is up?” He asked once they finally separated.

“Yeah, she seems to be doing well.”

“Who is she, anyway?”

“Becky… thought her partner called her Rebecca, Rebecca Crescent, I think.” The Lopunny simply shrugged, though Crowe noticed that Brawly paused for a moment at the mention of his partners name. Crowe’s eyes widened, he’d just blurted it out when he scolded the girl earlier.

’Well, once she’d fed we can make our escape.

“...You don't know who that is?” And once again Ethan simply shrugged. “Man you really need to read more.”

“Hey, I glance over the newspapers every now and again.” The Lopunny huffed, though it only made him look cute. It was quite an amusing sight. “I just don't find them that interesting. Is it important anyway?”

“Nah, not really.” Brawly waved a paw nonchalantly. “You will find it out soon enough anyway.” The answer seemed to be good enough as Ethan let the subject drop there.

He was going to continue to listen in, but stopped when he felt a shiver go up his back along with the feeling that he was being watched back. Crowe quickly scanned the large home, and stopped when he met eyes with Chii, who was glaring daggers right at him from her own little elevated position.

‘She spotted me? Crowe was suitably impressed… and a little creeped out. He drew his wing up to his eye and pulled it down while poking his tongue out at the cat.

Seeing this apparently only infuriated Chii even more as she puffed herself up and stuck her tongue out at him too. She continues to make a series of… nonsensical gestures. And when she failed to bring her point across she threw her paws up with a silent scream and turned away from him in sheer frustration.

And I win that one tiny cat, Crowe smirked at his victory. Well, at least he assumed it was a victory. Well, he’d best make his way back to Becky, lest she get herself into trouble again.

“You know,” A new voice cut in from below. “I hate being the voice of reason but… we are cutting it kinda close you know.” A quick look down revealed that the sweater-clad Zangoose was talking to Ethan and Brawly.

“I know but… are you saying that we should not have done anything?”

“Of course I'm not… it's just… well we barely have enough for the tickets to Canterlot. And this is not really helping.”

“She needed help, and she is our guest.” Ethan said with a serious tone in his voice. “I know that we are in sort of a tight spot, but our doors are always open to those that need it, we agreed on that.”

“I… I know.” The Zangoose sadly sighed.

“Don't worry Zoey.” The rather crude Mienshao put his paw on her shoulder. “Things will work out, they always seem to do:” His words seemed to instill confidence in the female Zangoose who finally smiled.

“I'll talk to the mayor when I get the chance. With everything that we have done around here lately, well. I think I should be able to convince him to give us a bigger budget.” And that seemed to end the little conversation, the three of them sharing a quick hug before going back to their various tasks.

So, they were financially unsupported? Then taking Becky and himself in must already be straining their supplies..

‘Perhaps it’s best if we leave as soon as possible,’ The Starly spread his wings and soared back to his Trainer’s room.

Rebecca Crescent sat in her leafy bed, the plate she’d been given was licked clean and the water jug lay empty. She patted her rounded tummy and burped lightly.

“Mmm, being full feels soo good,” she hummed. “I really should thank that pretty boy rabbit when I see him again.”

Still, she really should watch how much actual magic she expends. And it was a good thing she hadn’t had to explain that. The last one to find out she could cast pony magic had hunted her for three days.

Crowe chose that moment to fly into the room, landing on a perch near her bed.

“We have some good news and bad news,” he said.

“When do we not?” she replied and pulled a leaf out of her tail. “Okay, so spill.”

“Well,” Crowe said abashedly. “I may have dropped your last name by accident. And the Mienshao out there seems to recognise it. So it might not be best to stick around. Especially if he’s a officer or a ranger.”

“Why can’t they just leave Sethy alone,” Rebecca growled. “He never did anything wrong…”

“Yes well, I also overhead they have limited supplies as well,” Crowe added. “We shouldn’t be a burden to these strangers much longer.”

“Figures,” Becky sighed. She went to stand up, before a wave of nausea hit her and she fell back over. “Ohh, that was a bad idea…”

“You seem to be in a hurry.” Appearing in the doorway was the same Mienshao that Crowe had seen earlier. A small smirk gracing his features. “We have someone who are out gathering some berries that will make you feel better, so just relax.”

“Thank you,” Crowe replied. “But we have burdened you long enough. The meal was delicious and we accept that gratefully. Any more would be asking too much.”

“We got a Leafeon that grows the berries himself, so it wouldn't be a hassle.” He shrugged slightly. “But if you want to leave, then you are welcome to do so…” He eyed Becky for a second. “Though your friend don't seem to be well enough to travel, especially if she can't even stand up straight.”

Crowe sighed and nodded his head. “I suppose you have a point. And, about what you said earlier. We won’t be having a problem with that yes?”

The Mienshao paused for a moment, before his grin widened. “Eavesdropping eh? Well, that's fair enough I suppose.” He looked back to Becky. “I never met your brother, but it was impossible to not hear about him. Though I never cared too much about all that jazz anyway, so you don't have anything to worry about.” His face softened and he held out an open paw to her. “Names Brawly, nice to meet ya.”

“Brawly… Brawly…” She mulled the name over as she took his paw. “I’ve heard that name… Ah!” She beamed and looked at him. “The surfing guy from Hoenn!”

“Yeah, that's me.” Brawly laughed. “Small time gym leader, and surfing god.” He continued laughing for a bit as he shook his head. “But as I said, you are among friends here, so you can just relax.”

“I suppose,” Becky giggled. “And, thanks again for this.”

“Now we just need a way to get to Canterlot,” Crowe sighed. “I fear we may be stuck here for the foreseeable future.”

“You guys need to get to Canterlot?” Brawly rubbed the back of his head for a moment. “Well, we are heading out there for that Contest tomorrow, you could just tag along if you want. That's where your brother is at, right?”

“The problem is that we lack a sufficient amount of this world's currency,” Crowe explained. “So even if you are going, we cannot afford to come with you.”

“Perhaps if I did another show or two?” Becky said and went to get up again. Only for another wave of nausea to hit her, along with a splitting headache.

“Yeah, that is not happening today.” Brawly sighed. “Possibly tomorrow… there is no point in traveling to Canterlot if you can't survive the trip there.” The sound of a door opening and closing could easily be heard through the building. “You tried sneaking aboard?”

“Oh please, that was a horrible idea the first time you suggested it for us,” Ethan came into the room. “And it still is… How are you feeling?” He asked, looking back to Becky.

“Like I got kicked by a Rapidash,” she groaned and put a paw to her head. “Magical exhaustion sucks, especially since I’m still getting used to it. Why can’t ponies make their spells easier to use?”

“Brawly, you mind getting some more water?” Ethan asked the former gym leader who nodded and slipped out of the room. Leaving the tree of them alone. “Magic eh? Don't know much about that, not my area of expertise, but you should watch out if it can get this bad.” In his hand he held a big glass that was filled with some kind of liquid that kept changing color. “Don't know if it will help with the magic exhaustion, but it does wonders for a headache.” Whatever the concoction was, it smelled kinda funny. “It's a specially made berry juice, it should speed up your recovery significantly.”

Rebecca looked at the strange liquid and wrinkled her nose. “Yeah… not to sure about taking strange liquids from strange Pokémon…”

“It’ll be fine,” Crowe nodded. “If they were to do anything, they’d have done it by now.”

“I guess,” the Braixen shrugged and pinched her nose as she gulped down the liquid. She coughed and spluttered, shaking her head. “Ahhh, gross!”

“Yeah, it tastes like shit, but it works, we use it regularly around here.” Ethan smirked at her reaction. “So, you guys need to get to Canterlot? Any particular reason?”

Rebecca fell silent for a moment, contemplating if she wanted to tell him.

“Her older brother is there,” Crowe said for her. “He is the only one that we have ever been able to count on and she misses him dearly.”

“Crowe!” Rebecca snapped at him and he shrugged before closing his beak.

“Family, eh? That sounds great, I am sure that he missed you too.” The Lopunny beamed at her. “I got most of my family right here, so I guess I got lucky in that regard. And don't worry about it, I won't tell a soul if you don't want me to. I might be a strange Pokémon, but you are our guest, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, thanks,” she mumbled, blushing lightly under her fur. Then she smiled and leaned closer. “Soooo~ What’s up with you and Mr. Brawly? You two seem… close~”

“Its that obvious?” Ethan smiled sheepishly. “Well, he is one of my oldest friends and…” He paused for a moment, but before he could continue a small pink fluff landed besides him.

“And his boyfriend.” She simply blurted out with a sly smile.

“Chii!”

“What? It's true.” Ethan looked like he had a whole bundle of things that he wanted to say, but he just deflated slightly instead.

“And we are together, yeah.” He said, a small blush appearing under his own fur.

“Aaawwwww~” Becky cooed. “That’s adorable. Have you had your first date yet?”

“You are really interested in this? Well, I suppose—” And once again, Ethan found himself cut off.

“Oh, that was awhile back. I mean, it was so obvious to everyone that they liked eachother, but nooo, they had to go and make it complicated for so long before either of them did anything about it. This… Love thing just makes you so stupid it seems like.” Chii made a small surprised sound as she was picked up by Ethan.

“And that's enough of you young lady, out you go.” Ethan deposited the small fluffball outside the room, despite her objections.

“Aww, but I want to talk to the guests… besides, it was all true.”

“I know, that's sort of the problem. You can talk to them later.” He sighed before turning back to Becky, Chii reluctantly walking off behind. “Sorry about that.” He apologised. “She can be a little... well, like that at times.”

“I understand your pain completely,” Crowe said with a long-suffering sigh. “The young miss can be quite the talonful as well. You would not believe the things she tried to pull when Seth was dating Lady Elesa…”

“Well, it is a little sister's job to cause some amount of trouble, now is it not?” He could not help but smile at Crowe's comment.

“Got that right!” Rebecca nodded, already feeling a lot better. She took her wand out of her tail and Ethan noted that rather than a twig, it was an actual magicians wand. She pointed at the water jug on the table and her wand shone with a sparkling crimson hue as she floated the jug over to her.

“Oh hey, that crap actually worked pretty well,” Becky smiled. “Thanks a bunch.”

“No worries.” Ethan smiled back. “All of his creations might taste horrible, but Vernus is one of the better herbalists I know of. Give him a few berries and there is few ailments that he can not cure.” He could not help but note the aura around the jug. And his eyes followed it as Becky levitated it. “I see that you picked up on something new here in Equestria.”

“Yep, I also used it during my performance. The magician finally got real magic.” Becky looked at her wand. “I don’t really know how or why I can do it. I’m hoping Sethy will figure something out.”

“And you mustn’t exert yourself just yet,” Crowe admonished her. “Honestly, you only just got well.”

Becky replied by poking out her tongue, but she still put her wand away regardless. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“I am sure that you will figure it out. With this new world and who knows what else, it's not strange that something like this happens.” He looked between her and Crowe, and a small sigh escaped his lips. “It is good that you got someone to help take care of things… and he is right you know, I would suggest that you keep away from magic from the rest of the day at the very least.” Ethan suggested.

“Yes doctor,” Rebecca whined and then her eyes sparkled. “You know, I bet you’d look good in a doctor’s coat.” Becky smiled and wiggled her eyebrows. “And I know Brawly would just love to play doctor with you~”

Crowe just sighed and slapped his forehead with a wing.

“What makes you think I don't already have a doctor’s coat?” Ethan grinned, though his blush was clearly visible through his fur. Becky squeaked and blushed in kind, not expecting that kind of response.

“You’re both incorrigible,” Crowe groaned.

The train whistled sharply as it pulled into Neighagra Falls station. Kim blinked away the sleep in her eyes and stretched her legs before getting up.

“Well, that certainly took longer than I thought,: she groaned. “I do hope she’s here at least…” After stepping off of the train, she winced at the change in light before her eyes adjusted to her surroundings.

“The main problem… is where to start,” she said as she picked a direction and started walking.

Extra Chapter - What was lost, is now found.

Kimberly had been walking aimlessly around the city ever since she arrived the previous evening. Several ponies and Pokémon mentioned a Braixen that put on quite the magic show, yet none of them seemed to know where she was now.

Until one mentioned that she’d collapsed and had been taken away by a Lopunny…

So just after the crack of dawn, the converted warehouse that Ethan and his family called home had a very angry Meganium banging on the front door.

Several sounds and some shouting could be heard from inside the warehouse, before one voice in particular stood out among the rest.

“I'm coming!” A male voice could be heard a few moments before the door opened and a Lopunny stepped out. “Hello, can I help… you?” He asked, his gaze slowly moving upwards to look at Kimberly.

A gaze she returned in the form of a fierce glare. The Lopunny soon found that his paws no longer touched the ground as a pair of sturdy vines held him up at her eye level.

“Where. Is my. daughter!?” she demanded, that last word coming out as cold as Articuno’s breath.

The Lopunny slowly blinked and tugged at the vines that held him still, quickly figuring out that they did not budge at all. “I'm… sorry?” His words came out slow and steady. “I feel like I don’t have the whole picture here… who might you be?”

“A mother who’s about to find out what Lopunny tastes like if she doesn’t get her daughter back whole and hearty,” Kim said through a clenched jaw. “A young Braixen, likes magic. Ring any bells? Or do I have to ring yours personally?”

“Ah, you mean Becky.” Realization dawned upon Ethan's face. “Yeah, she is inside, still sleeping I—”

“Ethan!” In the door opening now stood a very angry Zangoose, clad in a purple sweater and claws at the ready.

“Oh, hey Zoey. You mind wakin—” And once again, Ethan found himself cut off.

“You let him go this instant!” The Zangoose sneered at Kimberly. The Meganium turned her head and returned the glare full force.

“I will when my daughter is safe from this… this… miscreant!”

“Zoey, you stand down this… wait, miscreant?” Ethan gave Kimberly a confused look for a second before he shook his head. “Zoey, stand down!” Unlike his previous voice, this time he had some real power behind it, and the effect was immediate. The Zangoose flinched and took a few steps back while still keeping her eyes on Kimberly.

“B-but she attacked you!”

“It's just a misunderstanding. Now, can you go inside and wake Becky up? Tell her that her mother is here.” Zoey kept her eyes on Kimberly for a few more seconds before she gave in and went back inside. “So… you are Becky's mother?” Ethan asked as he returned his attention to Kimberly.

The Meganium was a little confused, her anger slowly bleeding out. Had she made some sort of mistake?

“Yes,” she eventually replied. “I am—” That was all she got out.

“MOMMY!” A red and orange blur tackled her at high speed, enough for her vines to release the Lopunny as he remained suspended in the air for a second before gravity reasserted its dominance.

“Ow…” Ethan groaned before he sat back up, smiling as he looked over at Becky who were hugging her mother with all that she had. “All things considered, that could have gone worse.” A smile growing on his face at their reunion.

“I finally found you,” Kimberley whispered as she recovered enough to return the enthusiastic embrace. “I finally found my children…”

Rebecca pulled back and blinked. “Wha… children? As in, plural?” Her eyes grew wider. “You found Seth!?”

“Yes, he’s in Canterlot, along with all his Pokémon,” Kimberley smiled. “He’s living with the most charming young mare, but we can discuss that later…” She rolled over and rose to her feet, which looked like it took effort. “I will never get used to this form,” she muttered as she got up. Kimberly walked over to Ethan and held out a vine to help him up.

“I believe I owe you my most sincere apologies,” she said. “I may have come to a particular conclusion and acted rashly upon it. I'm Kimberly Haleth, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Think nothing of it.” Ethan reassured her, accepting the vine from Kimberly who pulled him up. “I have had worse. You thought that your daughter was in danger, anyone would have done the same in your situation.”

“Thank you,” she smiled as Becky hopped onto her back. “So what happened anyway?”

“Maybe we should go inside first,” Becky said. “Before Zoey rounds up more of their family to… help. And you don’t want Chii getting the wrong idea. Well, provided you can stop her arguing with Crowe long enough~”

“Yes, you are welcome to join us for breakfast if you want.” Ethan offered. “And I would not worry about Chii. She is practically harmless.”

“LET ME GO! I WILL END HER!” Roared a childlike voice from inside the warehouse.

“...More or less. But please, do come in.” Ethan offered once again, holding the door open for the two of them.

“Mmm, such a gentleman,” Kimberly smiled as she walked in. “A rare trait these days.”

“His boyfriend seems to think so too~” Rebecca grinned widely, relishing the blush that appeared on the Lopunny’s face. Kim shared her daughter’s giggle as well.

Inside the warehouse there was… well… to call it chaos would be an understatement.

Pokémon of all kinds and sizes were running around everywhere, and the kitchen was in full storm. Several fire Pokémon were apparently handling the food that morning, and they were surprisingly coordinated with each other as they tossed food and plated between each other. And near the entrance, meeting them were a tall Mienshao who had a solid hold on a small Skitty that was trying to swear up a storm from the looks of it, though all of it was muted by the paw that was firmly held in front of her mouth.

“Hey!” And once again, Ethan raised his voice, it practically echoed through the warehouse and every mon stopped dead in their tracks. “We have guests and breakfast is almost ready, settle down everyone.” And just like that, it was like a wave of calmness swept over the warehouse. “Heh, sorry about that.” Ethan apologised to Kimberly. “We don't have guests that often... I think it's exactly because we have guests that they are so worked up in the first place.”

“It’s quite alright,” she smiled as she watched the organised chaos. “I used to run an orphanage back on Earth, so this is all rather nostalgic really.” She paused to rub the head of a small Poochyena. “Only, the kids here are a little more on the furry side.”

“Remember when Sethy tried to grow a beard?” Becky giggled. “That was hilarious.”

“Oh yes, your brother is much fluffier now,” the Meganium replied. “Such a cuddly Luxray.”

“I bet Elesa is loving that,” Becky wiggled her eyebrows. Kim shook her head and sighed.

“Unfortunately, they are just friends… that said, your brother has… settled down with some others instead.”

Becky blinked, then once again, her eyes widened. “Others? As in, plural, aka, more than one?”

Kimberly nodded as the Braixen just groaned as her face met the table.

“Sounds like you have quite a lot to talk to your brother about once you meet him again.” Ethan could not stop a small laugh from escaping at Becky's reaction. “But you wanted to know what had happened here right?” Ethan asked, getting a small nod from the Meganium. “Well, your daughter has been staying here since yesterday, after she passed out.”

“Passed out? Yes, a pony I asked earlier mentioned something along those lines,” Kimberly looked at her daughter. “What on earth happened dear?”

“Nothing, just a little tired is all,” Rebecca replied, looking away.

Ethan kept his eyes on Becky for another moment before lightly shrugging.

“Well, anyway, we carried her back here and made sure that she was alright.” As they were talking the same Mienshao from before came over and joined them at their table. “How is Chii?”

“Sulking, but otherwise fine. She is hiding in her corner right now.” Brawly answered. “So, this is who Zoey was making such a fuzz about… names Brawly.” He added with a nod towards Kimberly.

“I know that name…” she mused and Becky filled in the gap.

“He’s a Gym Leader for the Hoenn region,” the Braixen said. “Remember? You used to watch his surfing competitions on TV, because of all the sexy half-naked men…”

“Gah! Rebecca!” The Meganium scolded her while trying to hide a blush.

“Don't sweat it.” Brawly just smiled. “You weren't the only one.” He said, nudging Ethan who suddenly wore a blush, similar to Kimberly's.

“A-anyway, it looks like the food is ready.” Ethan stammered as a Chimchar hopped around the table, leaving a plate filled with roasted berries and other kinds of vegetables before speeding back to the kitchen.

“Oh my, this looks quite delicious,” Kimberly nodded before taking a bite and humming happily.

“I miss meat,” Becky pouted, but ate none-the-less. Berries seemed to taste a lot better now that she was a Pokémon. Crowe had entered the room, and was now staring at Chii in her corner, poking the cat with a wingtip.

Chii turned her head and seemed to mumble something at Crowe before returning to her sulking. Though, when the poking would not stop, it was not long before Chii got fed up and launched herself at Crowe, tackling him to the ground.

“It seems like those two are getting along well at least.” Ethan grinned as they watched the little spectacle unfold over in the corner.

“You have Crowe with you as well?” Kim asked Becky.

“Yeah, I woke up with him,” the Braixen answered as she watched the play-fighting. They were playing… right?

“So, Mr. Ethan was it?” Kimberly asked. “I believe I’ve heard that name before…”

“I would not be surprised.” Ethan just smiled as he finished a slice of an Oran berry. “It's quite a common name over in Hoenn. I used to work as a Pokémon caretaker… so, not that much has changed since I came here.” He laughed and glanced back over at Chii and Crowe… who seemed to be intensifying their playing.

“A caretaker named Ethan… Ethan Summers I believe,” the Meganium drew closer to him. “Now I know that name. It popped up in a newspaper some time ago.”

“Hmmm, fraid you got the wrong guy.” Ethan continued smiling. “Names Ethan Smith, I worked at the Pokémon day care outside of Mauville city.”

“Hmm…” She started at him and then shrugged. “Well, fair enough I suppose. Everyone makes mistakes after all, and most deserve a second chance at things.” She looked at Zoey and smiled. “I’m glad your Zangoose friend over there is doing better after what she went through.”

“She’s trying to be all enigmatic and mysterious,” Rebecca clarified. “But it was Seth who explained it. That someone who rescued abused Pokémon couldn’t be a bad person.”

“I’m truly sorry that you have me mistaken for somebody else.” Ethan repeated as he rubbed the back of his head. “But Zoey over there is doing much better yeah… she was simply a wreck when she showed up on our door one night. Most of the Pokémon that we treated and took care off were sent away or left on their own accord when they were healthy again… but some of them choose to stick around.”

“Family sticks together,” Kimberly nodded. “But fair enough, I’ll drop the topic.”

“Why must you and Seth do that?” Becky groaned. “That, ‘we’re talking about two things without talking about it’?”

“You’ll understand when you’re older… maybe,” Kim smirked and the Braixen just threw her paws up into the air and walked off to where Chii and Crowe are.

“Still, thank you for taking care of her,” the Meganium smiled. “Seems I owe you a favour now.”

“Oh, there is no need to take things that far.” Ethan insisted, while Brawly just watched the two of them with a smirk. “She needed help and we were in a position to help her. It's not like we could have just ignored her and done nothing.”

“Thunder Wave!” Small sparks of lightning flashed out from the corner where Chii and Crowe were… “playing.”

“It seems like Chii needs yet another timeout.” Brawly sighed as he got up and followed after Becky. Leaving Ethan and Kimberly alone at the table.

“Whirlwind!” Crowe countered as he swept up the cat in a miniature tornado.

“Yup, just like old times,” Kim smiled. “The next train back to Canterlot won’t be for a while, but if you’d like us out of your hair, then we could leave…”

“Nonsense, our home is always open, and you are our guests. You are welcome to stay for as long as you want to.” Ethan said as they watched Becky and Brawly try to separate Chii whose fur had fluffed completely out from the wind and Crowe who had small weak sparks of electricity dancing over his feathers. “Besides, I think Becky and Crowe have been enjoying themselves here.”

“I’m glad,” Kimberly chuckled at the sight. “I was so worried that this… change would have affected her negatively. I admit, getting used to this form, this world? I may have cursed quite a bit. I don’t think I’ve said ‘darn’ so many times in one sentence.” She put a vine to her mouth and blushed. “Ah, sorry for that.”

“No need to apologise. But yeah… it certainly took some time to get used too.” Ethan nodded as he looked down at his paw. “As for your daughter, I think she is lucky that she had Crowe to help her through it. It's not something that someone should have to go through alone. I was lucky to have my family here with me, but I know of others who were not so… fortunate, and did not take the change that well either. ”

“Yes, well…” Kimberly wasn’t about to spill the beans on her own freakout. “Well, I’ve adjust now. And this body has it’s own perks I suppose. Reviving dead plants with your breath is a skill that has net me the funds I need to travel around.”

“That is certainly useful.” Ethan nodded. “And you mentioned the train to Canterlot, right? Well, we are heading there for ourselves later today, so we might end up on the same train.”

“Why did you stop it, I could have totally taken him!” Chii could be heard over in the corner, complaining while she was glaring daggers at Crowe.

“As if Ratatta-breath! A paper bag could beat your fluffy pink butt!” Crowe retorted as Becky held the bird back.

“Oh, that is it! Just let me go!” Chii shouted once again. “Let me take him! Let’s fight!” She kept wriggling in Brawly's arms, desperately trying to get free. Though, to no avail. Brawly just rolled his eyes before giving Becky a amused look.

“Normally I would have been all for that. But you got the contest coming up soon, you can't fight when that is so close.” Brawly's words seemed to calm the furious Skitty, at least slightly.

“I know… But I still want to teach that rude bird brain a lesson.” Chii glared at Crowe for a few moments before sticking her tongue out at him.

“Crowe. That was mean. Now apologise or I won’t give you any sunflower seeds,” Becky said to him in a stern, motherly tone.

“W-What!? Why should I—?”

“Crooowweeee!” Did-Did it just get colder in the room? Becky glared at the bird and Brawly could swear the Braixen was emanating a dark aura.

“Fine… m’sorry,” he muttered.

“No you are not.” Chii huffed as she jumped down to the ground. “I… I know that it was wrong to attack you, but I am not sorry, so I won't apologise.” She kept her glare on Crowe, though it has softened somewhat. “And neither should you, because that's just cowardly.”

“Fine! Then you get no apologies either!” Crowe squawked. Becky just shook her head and sighed.

“Geez, you two having a lovers spat already? When’s the wedding?”

“Yeah.” Ethan sighed as the little quarrel continued. “I sort of told her about lying and how it is wrong… and she sort of took it literally like that… a little too literally. It will work itself out in the long run though.” He just laughed as Chii huffed and turned her back on Crowe and Becky from her remark.

“As if I would date that-that… uncute tomcat,” Crowe retorted and flew up to the rafters. He’d normally hide away in his Pokéball, but that was no longer an option. Becky just giggled and rolled her eyes.

“Anyway,” Kimberly cleared her throat. “I believe you said something about Canterlot?”

“Hmm?” Ethan shifted his attention back to the Meganium. “Oh, yeah. We are participating in that contest that is coming up. Well, Chii and Brawly is at least.” Now that the little dispute in the corner was over Brawly returned to the table where Ethan and Kimberly sat.

“Chii really wanted to join, and since a partner was needed, I was kinda roped into it too.” Brawly just rolled his eyes at the huge grin he was getting from Ethan. “She really wants to do this, so who was I to tell her no.”

“Little ones often use their cuteness like that,’ Kim giggled and nodded her head. “Very well, I’ll have to arrange a few tickets then. Allow me the pleasure of providing your transport at least, as thanks for taking care of my daughter.”

“Oh, no. Something like that is not ness—”

“That sounds good. Thank you.” Brawly cut in and silenced Ethan as he held him in a headlock with his paw firmly planted in front of his mouth.

“Glad to hear it,” Kim nodded. “Now, I’d like to return there as soon as possible, but if you’d like to remain here then I can just give you some tickets for your desired date.”

“Oh, I bet they’d make a date out of it alright,” Becky snickered.

“With Chii with us? That will be next to impossible.” Ethan just groaned. “She is family, and I love her, I really do. But she can be a bit much at times. But I am sure that she would love to go sightseeing a little, so, we would not mind going with you.” He smiled. “That is, if you don't mind though?” He asked Brawly, who had just released him from the headlock.

“Nah, it would be cool to have some extra time to spend there.” Brawly agreed.

“Wonderful,” Kimberly smiled. “There’s a train that leaves in a few hours, so that should give you enough time to pack yes?”

“We were already planning on leaving today, so we don't have all that much more that needs to be packed.” Ethan looked over to Brawly who just nodded. “Not like we had all that much that we needed to pack in the first place. You did not even want to bring anything.” He scoffed at his boyfriend.

“Hey, I don’t need clothes anymore, and you bring more than enough of everything else for the both of us.” Brawly replied with a grin.

Everyone then flinched in surprise as an ear shattering scream filled the air. Most people have heard someone scream sometime in their lives, and depending on the reason, it can shake you to a different degree. This however, went so deep that it positively chilled the soul of all that heard it.

Panic and worry filled Ethan's eyes as he was one of the first to recover.

“Shit… um… Sorry to…” He kept looking between the small room in the other end of the hallway and Kimberly. “I need to take care of this, Brawly, do you-”

“I can take care of things here. Just go.” And with that, Ethan hopped up from the table and positively flew over to the room where he threw the door open and shut it behind himself.

The screaming continued for a little while longer, and all of the Pokémon in the warehouse moved as far away from the room as they could.

Though, as suddenly as it had come, it started to die down, and just like that, silence filled the makeshift home once more.

Kim and Becky shared an awkward look before looking at Brawly.

“Is… everything alright?” Kimberly finally spoke up. “That sounded pretty bad.”

“I… would be lying if I said yes.” Brawly looked back to there Ethan had disappeared to. “I’m sure that you have noticed, but a lot of the Pokémon that live here are hurt or injured in some way or another. We take care of those that need it. Some however, are worse off than others.” Brawly looked back Becky and Kimberly. “It’s a friend of ours that returned a few days ago. Only that she was pretty… she was really messed up. So much that she won’t, can't even talk about what happened to her.” He paused for a spell, letting out a long sigh before continuing. “We can head out though if that made you uncomfortable..”

“My dear, being mother to Seth has opened my mind to a lot that humans should not be proud of,” Kimberly answered. “But this sounds like it is Mr. Ethan’s area of expertise…” She paused and had an idea. “Perhaps you could show me your berry garden?”

“Well, it's not mine… Hey, Vernus!” Brawly shouted off, and after a few seconds a few blankets could be seen moving before a really sleepy looking Leafeon crawled out from under them.

“What?” He groaned before letting out a really loud yawn.

“Our guests, want to see your berry garden, you mind?”

“Guest? You mean Becky or…” The Leafeon paused as his gaze locked onto Kimberly and stayed there for a few seconds. “N-no, I don't mind.” Vernus shook his head and practically bounced over to them. “Hello there.” he greeted Kimberly with a big smile.

“What a cute little Leafeon~” Kimberly cooed as she pulled him up into a hug. The woman had a real soft spot for the Eevee line, hence Rika usually got spoiled rotten whenever they met. “Aww, he’s so adorable~”

“Thanks, you are quite the looker yourself.” Vernus replied with a little smirk. “My little berry garden is just out the back into the forest, I'd be more than happy to show you.”

“Yo, would you kindly stop hitting on my Mom!” Becky said and folded her arms. “Or we’ll find out how flammable Leafeon’s are.”

“Calm down dear,” Kimberly chided her and rubbed Vernus’s head with a vine. “He’s just being polite and charming. Now then dear, show me this lovely garden of yours.”

“Certainly.” Vernus replied, just completely ignoring the little threat from Becky. “It’s just a few minutes into the forest, follow me and I'll show you.” Vernus said as he took the lead. Kimberly stood up and followed him, leaving Becky to sit at the table and pout.

“I don’t trust that pervert,” she muttered.

“Don't worry.” Brawly commented. “He is just not afraid to say exactly what is on his mind. And if he tried anything… well,” he pointed over to where a certain Zangoose could be seen, and she looked quite infuriated. “If he tries anything, then she will give him absolute hell for it.” He grinned.

The walk out to the berry garden went by quite fast, and before they knew it, Vernus and Kimberly found themselves standing in front of a small clearing filled with several rows of berries and other kinds of plants.

“Here we are!” Vernus proudly presented. “My little pet project.”

It was quite a sizable garden, much larger than the one that Seth’s girlfriend was setting up. “Hmm, very nice,” she smiled as she looked around. “Peaceful too. I feel like I could just take a nap here and let my worry fly away.”

“I might have done exactly that here more than a few times when I just want to spend some time alone.” Vernus replied with a laugh. “There just is something peaceful about a forest like this, the plants, the occasional ray of sunshine that breaks through the canopy and shined upon your body, there are few things like it… have you discovered anything like that after you became a grass type?”

“Yes, I have noticed that I enjoy the sunlight that much more,” Kimberly nodded as she walked over to one plant, having been freshly picked. “I’ve noticed other things too. Like this.” She took a deep and exhaled, the plant shining as new berries started to form. More than a few days growth in just a few seconds.

Vernus also noticed a pleasant smell of mint fill the air.

“Wow.” Vernus slowly walked over and sat down next to the plant that had received a growth spurt. Gently inspecting the newly formed berries with his paw. “Now there is something that I have not seen in a few years. It is still an amazing sight to behold.” He smiled at Kimberly.

“Such kind words,” she smiled and did it to another plant. “I thought I might be able to help out is all. Is there… anything else I could do?”

“Well, now that you mention it…” Vernus looked around the garden with a pensive look upon his face before he glanced back to Kimberly. “I do have some plants here that I have had some trouble with getting to grow properly. If you could take help me out with them too, then that would be amazing.”

“Of course, I can’t guarantee that it’d work, but it doesn’t hurt to try yes?” Kim smiled warmly as her flowered collar shone in the sunlight. “Lead the way, my leafy gentleman.”

“Gggrrrrr, I bet that sneaky little sneak is totally putting the moves on her,” Becky grumbled as she sipped a mug of juice. “I should have gone with them.”

“I have to say, that was completely amazing.” The door opened and Vernus walked back in along with Kimberly. “To think that you have such skills, I'm glad I was able to experience it for myself.”

“W-WHAAAAT?” Becky was literally spitting embers now. “What kindof skills? You-You perverted Pokémon!!”

“Yes indeed,” A white paw, ending in long very sharp claws landed on Vernus’s shoulder. “I’d very much like to know the answer to that as well,” Zoey said as the claw tightened.

“Oh my,” Kimberly said. “It seems we have been misunderstood Mr. Vernus.”

“Y-yeah!” Vernus quickly agreed, as he could feel how close Zoey's claws were to digging into his back. “There is nothing to worry about Zoey! Miss Kimberly here was just helping me out in the berry garden and showing her revitalizing breath. Which I have to say, you are quite good at for how long you have been a Pokémon.”

“I assure you two, nothing beyond me reviving few plants happened,” Kimberly added and nodded. “You must be Miss Zoey yes? Mr. Vernus told me about you, he seems to like you quite a lot~”

“I should certainly hope so, since I'm his mate. But it is nice to finally meet Becky's mother.” Zoey kept her paw on Vernus but relaxed her grip slightly. “I'm going to talk to you later.” She whispered to Vernus who just laughed nervously.

“W-well, I will leave you two ladies alone for now. I am certain that you have things to talk about.” He nervously smiled before he excused himself and walked down past where Brawly and Becky was sitting.

“You totally worded it that way on purpose.” Brawly commented once Vernus walked past them. “Was it worth it?”

“Totally.” The Leafeon grinned back before continuing to skip down the warehouse.

“I swear I’ll set him on fire,” Becky said and folded her arms. “Or maybe turn his leaves hot pink…”

“Rebecca,” Kimberly took a motherly tone and the Braixen sighed and threw up her hands.

“Whatever. I’m gonna go and make sure all my stuff is packed.” She hopped down from the table and walked off, leaving the Meganium to sigh.

“I’m sorry about her, she does mean well though…”

“She seems like a nice girl, it just seems like she is not too used on being the target of jokes instead of firing them out herself.” Brawly just shook his head. “It's a good thing you came along though. I don't think she handled herself too well out there when she was alone.”

“I have worried about her constantly,” Kim sighed, allowing her relaxed features to fall a little. The truth was that she’d been more than a little stressed since the shift. “I knew that Seth would adapt quickly, but he’s actually more prone to finding trouble than she is. *sigh* My children are quite the handful as you could imagine.”

“That's part of a kids job is it not?” Brawly commented. “To make a parent worry.”

“I have always wanted to be a mother, but it sounds like it can be more than a little stressful at times too.” Zoey chipped in. “How do you deal with it all?”

“One step at a time,” Kim nodded. “No-one is ever truly prepared to be a parent. You simply have to do your best. Hope that you’re doing the right thing and support them no matter what.”

“Yeah…” Zoey smiled somberly as she glanced over to where Becky had gone. “That is some good advice, thank you.” She said and her smile grew a little brighter.

“Of course dear,” Kimberly smiled and then that changed to a smirk. “Also remember anything embarrassing they do. It makes great blackmail later on~”

“You are an evil woman.” Zoey giggles and shakes her head. “I'll keep that one in mind for when the time comes… eventually, maybe.”

“If you want it to, then I’m sure it will,” Kim smiled and rubbed her head with a vine.

“Thank you.” Zoey flinched from the first touch of the vine, but did not move away. Brawly even joined in and put one of his paws on Zoey's shoulder.

“How did you even manage to find her anyway?” Brawly asked after a few moments of silence. “Your daughter I mean. Its great that you found her, don't get me wrong, but it's a big world you know.”

“Rumors mostly,” Kimberly chuckled as she sat down. “Rebecca is far from subtle, and I knew that even if she was scared out of her mind, her magic would be something she’d fall back on. And a Pokémon magician is a lot rarer than you’d think.”

“She did put on quite the show, so I can see that yeah.” Brawly agreed. “She has a real talent in that department, managed to draw quite the crowd.”

“The little dear used to perform in the streets of Castelia City, where we used to live. Most of the money she earned went to supporting the Orphanage.” Kim wiped her eye with a vine and smiled. “She’s a good girl. Headstrong and determined to excel at whatever she does, but she’s never let us down.”

“She is a good kid indeed.” Brawly nodded.

A loud creaking noise could be heard and they looked up just to see Chii who plummeted down from the rafters and landed on the table with a rather heavy thud, scaring Zoey who practically jumped out of her own skin.

“Um… hey.” If she was bothered by the fall at all, she did not show it. “So, when are we leaving?” Chii complained while Zoey was getting her breathing back under control. “I wanna see Canterlot and practice for the Contest!”

“We are leaving in a little while.” Brawly answered. “Though, have you packed your things yet?”

“Um… yes?” Chii tried, but very quickly gave in and looked down. “No…”

“Well, then you can go and do that, I will do the same in just a moment.” The three of them watched in amusement as Chii then jumped down from the table and skipped over to her corner where she pulled out a bag that was much too large for her and began to stuff all kinds of things down into it.

“Yeah, I should really get on that.” Brawly sighed while he rubbed the back of his head. “Will you two ladies be okay on your own?”

“I believe we can manage,” Kimberly nodded and smiled at him. She was still trying to get her racing heart under control from Chii’s surprise attack.

“We will be fine.” Zoey agreed. “Just go and do your thing.” And with that, Brawly left the table too, leaving Zoey and Kimberly alone. Zoey looked around for a moment, and when she had made sure that no one was within hearing range her happy expression dropped completely, a rather grim face taking its place. “We need to talk.” She practically sneered at Kimberly.

Well, to say that this was an unexpected turn of events would be an understatement. “I believe I said that nothing happened between that Leafeon and myself,” she said. “As cute as Pokémon are, I simply don’t feel that way about them.”

“W-what?” Zoey reeled back for a second, a surprised look on her face. “No, not about that, I know that he would not do anything… No, rather, it's about what you told Ethan earlier.” One of her paws was resting on top of the table, and her claws were slowly unsheathing. “I will cut straight to the chase, I don't know how much you think you know, and I don't trust you. Don't know you. But I would advise that you keep whatever you think you know to yourself.”

“Ah, so it’s about that then… I wasn’t entirely sure as Ethan seemed convinced I was wrong… until you just confirmed it.” The Meganium smiled and placed avine on her paw. “And if I recall dear, I never blamed him… did I?”

“I…” Zoey's resolve seemed to falter. “No, no you did not... We have never really had any allies, apart from Brawly and a few others, and even some of them have turned on us. But he is family,” her voice had softened a little from before, “and I will do anything to protect my family.” She told Kimberly. “I don't know you, but you seem nice enough and I don't want to have to threaten you. So, would you please keep this a secret? Please?”

“My dear, threats wouldn’t work on me,” Kimberley said with a narrowed gaze. “My life may not have been a life-threatening as yours. But it was not without it’s own problems. A word to the wise, no matter how bad you think you have it, someone always has it worse.” She closed her eyes and relaxed a little. “And as i also said, I don’t know the details. All I know is what i read in the newspaper, and my son saying that a person that rescued Pokémon couldn’t be as bad as they said. Mind you, his faith in others is almost limitless, to the point of being naive. But it’s also one of his best traits.”

The Meganium looked at the Zangoose and smiled. “So do not worry. Your secret is safe with me hmm. Just make sure you take care of that boy.”

“No, I figured that threats would not work on you. But just like me, you have a family that you would do anything to protect, do you not?” Zoey looked over to the room where Becky had entered a little while ago. “I am glad that it does not have to go down that route though… thank you.” Zoey seemed to relax a little, as if a huge weight had been lifted off her back. “I know that someone always has it worse, that is why we did that we did.” A smile began to grow on Zoey's face. “I don’t know why, but for some reason I feel like I really can trust you… so I will take your word for it.” Her paw flexed slightly as her claws retracted.

“Good to know,” Kimberly nodded. “I’d hate to start a fight in your home after all.”

Before the Zangoose could respond, Becky emerged from the room she’d been using, a small suitcase trailing behind her.

“Okay, I’m all packed and…” She looked around and sighed, “Lemme guess. We’re waiting on boys?”

“I think Brawly went to check up on Ethan.” Zoey turned to Becky. “So, they should be ready any moment.”

While they were waiting, Chii came dragging on a bag that was a few times her own size. She was holding the handle in her mouth, and was seemingly all her strength to move the thing.

“A-are we ready?” She flopped down onto the ground, breathing heavily once she finally got the bag over to the table.

“Just about.” Zoey smiled. “We are just waiting for-” over in the other part of the warehouse, Ethan and Brawly emerged from the room where the chilling scream had come from earlier. “Well, them… looks like you are all set.”

“Sorry about the wait.” Ethan apologized when they arrived. He was carrying a small bag, how Chii needed more luggage than him was a weird thought, but somehow the little Skitty had done it. “I take it that we are all ready to head out then?”

“If you are all set,” Kimberly nodded as she reached out and took Chii’s bag for her. “Oof, my word. Did you pack rocks in here?”

“Yeah, they probably fell out of her head,” Crowe laughed from his perch on Becky’s head.

“No!” Chii huffed. “I just had to pack enough patience to deal with you on the train ride.” She grinned and stuck out her tongue at Crowe.

“Huh? You didn’t pack enough then,” Becky smirked.

A Skitty with patience, that’ll be the day,” Crowe said and then smiled. “Oh look, a ball of yarn!”

“Hah, now I know you are lying!” Chii exclaimed. “I already have all my balls of yarn hidden away.” But despite her words, she tried to sneak a peak to where Crowe had pointed too. Just in case.

“Hah! Made you look!” Crowe cackled as Becky just sighed and shook her head.

“This is gonna be a looooong train ride.”

“How is it possible for someone who is that small to argue and bicker that much?” Ethan groaned loudly once they had finally reached Canterlot station. One would have thought that Chii and Crowe would have grown tired sometime during the trainride, but no. Their irritation for one another was seemingly endless.

“I have no idea,” Becky groaned. “But I’m gonna start coming up with recipes that use Starly and Skitty…”

“A mute spell could be handy.” Brawly commented. “Or something along those lines.”

“It’s your fault for making me travel with this… this—”

“Ruggedly handsome species of avian?” Crowe interjected. “I can understand why you’re so flustered now. I’m just too handsome for my own good.”

Chii was practically shaking with fury at that last comment, she was about to open her mouth and unleash hell on Crowe, when instead another idea came to her mind. And a evil little grin accompanied it.

“You know what Crowe?” Chii said as she walked close to the Starly in question. “You might be right.” And before Crowe had a chance to react, Chii leaned forward planted a kiss straight on Crowe's beak.

She held it for a few seconds before stopping. “But you know what?” She leaned in and whispered to him. “I win.” She laughed as Crowe just stood there speechless.

Becky just stared at her bird partner and shook her head as he blushed and stammered incoherently.

“Oh dear, he seems to have broken,” Kim chuckled. “And to so boldly display your affections like that little Chii. I guess I should bring him back at some point for your first date.”

Chii turned around and flicked her tail in Crowe's face before calmly walking over to where Ethan and Brawly stood. “Maybe, if he ever gets his voice back under control.” Chii had not stopped grinning, though, a small blush had formed on her face too.

“You are evil, you know that?” Though despite his words, Ethan could not help but chuckle at the sight. “But I guess this is where we say goodbye.”

“So it seems,” Kimberly nodded. The city was much busier than when she left the day before. There were ponies and Pokémon everywhere.

“Thank you once again for being so hospitable,” the Meganium smiled. “Perhaps I should introduce you to my son sometime. I have the feeling you two would get along very well.” She chuckled and looked him over. “And he too, is so very fluffy.”

“We will be staying for a few days, so maybe so.” Ethan agreed. “And Crowe can come visit too if he regains consciousness. But it has been a pleasure of having you as our guests, perhaps we will see you at the contest?”

“I intend to head straight there,” Kimberly nodded and shook Ethan’s paw with a vine, before doing the same to Brawly. “And well, you’ll meet my son if that’s the case, seeing as how he’s the one hosting the event.”

“Then I'll be looking forward to that.” Ethan smiled warmly. “And it was a pleasure to meet you too Becky.” Ethan shook the Braxien's paw as well. But we have to be going now, see you later.” he and Brawly waved them off as they started heading into the crowd, though Chii stayed behind for a few seconds.

“Byyye~” She winked at Crowe one last time before hopping off after Ethan and Brawly, disappearing into the sea of ponies.

“Buh...wha...I…” Crowe just stammered and stared blankly as Becky sighed and picked him up.

“Well, ignoring him, can we go find Sethy now?” she pleaded. “Pleeaaaassee?”

“Of course dear,” Kimberly smiled and looked at a sign that had a map to the Contest Hall. “Well then, let’s be off.”

Chapter Forty Nine - Intermission

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Fifty

Once Selena had pacified the crowd… and Team Charm worked their musical magic, the intermission came to a close and the crowd for the Canterlot Pokémon Contest was in even higher spirits than before.

“Seriously… that shaved a decade off of my life,” Seth sighed as he sat backstage, going over the lineup for the second half of the Contest. “Who’s friggen idea was this Contest again?”

“Well, I believe you have the lion’s share of the blame,” Selena smirked.

“Oh hah hah,” Seth deadpanned at her pun. “You were pretty great by the way Selly. I had no idea you could even sing like that.”

“Y-Yeah well…” she blushed and looked away. “You wouldn’t have understood me before.”

“True enough,” Seth said as he closed his eyes. A thought occurred and he needed to make sure. “Vincent? Can you hear me? Are you okay? You were in the middle of that crowd earlier. Wanna make sure you aren’t panicking.”

“I’ve got a little more discipline than that, give me some credit,” the budding psychic ‘thought’ back to him.

“Just checking,” the feline replied. “Okay, now let’s see here…”

Seth stepped out on the stage, masking his frayed nerves under feigned confidence. That said, a few of the Psychic’s present could feel it. “Well, after that spectacular musical performance, here’s to an even greater round of Coordinators,” he said. “First up, we have someone who’s had her share of these in the past. Give it up for Hana!”

A few audience members cheered and clapped at the familiar name as the Pangoro stepped up onto the stage…

Hana had been thrilled at the idea of there being a contest on Equus. After having to leave her home in Johto and needing to move to Hoenn, she had participated in a few contests before. Normally, Hana entered with her Sableye and Delcatty, but since the move to Equus, she had only found her Sableye named Yami. Fortunately for Hana, she had also found her husband Samuel, who had agreed to let her use his Furret in the contest.

“Ready Yami?” Hana asked her Sableye.

“Yep!” Yami replied to the human turned Pangoro.

“What about you Furret?” She asked the small Pokémon next to Yami.

“You’ll do fine. I promise. It’s okay if you’re nervous your first contest. I know Yami was his first time.”

“He doesn’t need to know that!” Yami exclaimed.

“Alright you two. It’s almost our turn and I don’t want you two to go out there angry at each other.”

The two pokemon nodded at her, and stood by and they watched the previous contestant finish their performance.

The lights came up, signaling the start of the qualifier. “Alright Yami, start off with Shadow Ball.” Yami created a Shadow Ball, but instead of firing it off, he kept it in front of him to make it bigger. When it was as tall as him, Hana gave her next command. “Now fire it at Furret! Furret, get ready to jump!”

The Shadow Ball was almost at Furret when he jumped on top of the Shadow Ball. Carefully, furret was able to move the Shadow Ball around with his feet.

“Alright Yami! Time for Shadow Ball and Psychic.”

Yami created a normal size Shadow Ball this time and used psychic to hold it in place while he made another. When he had made six in all, he stopped making Shadow Balls and just made them circle around him.

Furret had slowly made his way to the middle of the stage while he stayed on the Shadow Ball, worried that any step he made would make it burst.

“You’re doing great you two,” Hana encouraged, “Yami set the Shadow Balls up around Furret.”

“Fire at Furret! You two know what to do!” Hana gave her signal. Instantly, the six Shadow Balls headed for Furret and the giant Shadow Ball. At the last second, Furret jumped as the normal Shadow Balls collided with the large one and created a small sparkling explosion. While that was happening, Yami had started to make another large Shadow Ball, though not as large as the first. Hana nodded, And Yami launched it at Furret.

“Perfect! Good job you two!”

Once the crowd had stopped cheering, the Judges rendered their comments.

“Your skill and experience certainly shows,” Joy said with a smile. “Though, I take it that Furret there hasn’t been in many?”

“No, he’s normally a fighter, and my husband’s,” Hana said. “I’ve… yet to find my other partner.”

“I see, and I’m sorry to hear that,” Joy said. “I hope you do soon.”

“That said, your skill in handling your Pokémon was good,” Diantha said. “I look forward to seeing more from you dear.”

Hana left the stage with Yami and Furret after hearing the judge's remarks. The second they couldn’t be seen anymore, Yami started to rub Furret’s head with his knuckles. “See, nothing to it!”

“I almost messed up! Try rethinking your remark!”

“I still bet you liked it!”

“Well… Okay, you got me there. It was scary and fun at the same time.”

Hana was about to say something, but was stopped by an Ursaring who came over and hugged her. “Good job Hana! It was wonderful!”

The Pangoro hugged back tighter. “Thanks for letting me use Furret, Sam. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.”

“True,” He started, leaving the hug. “But you’re still the one who thought the whole thing up.
Are you sure you’ll have another performance for if you make it to the next round?”

Hana poked the ring on her husband’s stomach. “Of course I will! I’ve got some of it planned out already. You shouldn’t doubt me.”

“Alright… Want to go watch the current performers? It might be nice to see what you’re up against.”

“That sounds nice.” Hana told him, smiling.

“It’s nice to see them together again.” Furret remarked.

“It’d be better if we had everyone, but this is good for now.” Yami replied before the both of them followed their trainers.

“Alright… we got this. We friggity diggity got this.”

The sound of chatter and whispers. The sight of hundreds of ponies and Pokemon waiting on their sit. The feeling of their hearts racing about a million beats a second as the clock ticked by. They had prepared for this day. Went over the routine a couple dozen times now, they were well rested, they were ready to take on the challenge and leave the audience dumbstruck.

Still didn’t stop their nerves from rearing their ugly heads...

A small, muttering Mawile stormed around as she tried to fight them back to no avail. Tsuno was her name, and hiding the emotions that tormented her behind curses and groans was her game. A gorgeous short strapless white dress covered her lithe form, held up by a contrasting black belt that hugged her midsection nicely. A second figure simply watched with cold, uninterested eyes that perfectly camouflaged his inner panic. Frederick, a relatively large and scruffy Sylveon, had been forced to tidy up for once in his life and wear a stunning three-piece suit that consisted of a green vest and white undershirt that in his humble opinion, didn’t match him at all.

The unicorn on the other hoof, had somehow acquired her own two-piece suit embossed with golden filigree. Atop her head rested a top hat, and adorning her muzzle was a masquerade ball mask, to help conceal her identity from… a few ponies who most definetly wouldn’t be too happy to see her.

The group onstage finished up as the audience clapped, stomped and cheered. As the judges gave their opinions, a large Luxray approached them. He wore a wireless earpiece, a gleaming silver petryl with a Keystone set in the center of a sun and moon engraving. His upper right leg also had some sort of scarf with a moon and stars pattern tied around it

“Okay guys,” he smiled warmly at them. “You’ve got three minutes, then you’re on.” He already had their lighting requests and had Midnight fly them up to the booth where Bit and Dextra were controlling them.

“Got it! We’ll be ready by then. I… think.” The unicorn nodded with a slightly nervous grin, “There’s… quite the audience huh?”

“Really?” Frederick deadpanned, “You’re just the coordinator, I’m the one that has to freaking dance. You know, the one guy between all of you that had never even heard a song to completion before this.”

“Oh please you know you love it.” The unicorn blew him a raspberry, “Just stop whining and get ready.” She turned to the Mawile and gave her a confident smile, trying her hardest to share her totally-not-fake positive energy with her team. “What about ya, Tsuno? Good to go?” Pockets asked as she tapped her hoof, the 3 minutes turning into an eternity.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. I swear if Steven does not keep his side of the promise…” The Mawile grunted, as she tried to not get her dress dirty.

The pony sighed as she fixed her mask to be on the right spot, putting a face of confidence on, a technique many years of battle had helped her perfect, “Ok then, we have to get moving… Let’s do this thing.”

Seth announced the next performer to appear. “Okay, so next up, we have Pockets and her partners, Tsuno and Frederick!”

And from the side of the stage, a dark-blue coated unicorn with a spikey purple mane emerged, taking small steps, her tail tucked between her legs from nerves, pretty sure that her heavy breathing could be heard all over the atrium.

… Oh. Well the audience seemed waaay smaller when she looked at it from the backstage. This… well, to say she was astonished was putting it lightly. The sheer amount of light nearly blinded her, the fancy decorations almost driving her insane. Yet what really got her to gulp, was the trio of alicorns sitting in a private box all the way in the back of the stage. “Holy horseapples…” She whispered under her breath, her traitorous hooves taking her right to the middle of the stage against her mind’s panic. Her world froze, her eyes wide as platters as she stared at the audience around her, watching her expectantly, waiting for her to give them one hell of a show. Building up courage, she muttered a bunch of nonsense to spook her nerves away, before raising a hoof that forced the entire room to go silent.

These ponies, these pokemon. They wanted a good show.

And by Celestia’s non existent beard was she going to give them one!

The lights went out, the last noise dying out in expectation. And finally, their song began to play.

Two small orbs of magic left the unicorn’s glowing horn, hovering over the stage and circling each other in a beautiful vals at the sound of the violins. Time passed and the orbs began to spread, circling over the unicorn before slowing down mere inches from the ground. And the moment the first verse was over?

A bright flash caught the audience’s attention by storm, revealing both the Sylveon and Mawile taking the orbs’ place. Gaze down, eyes closed, chest heaving from their uncontrollable nerves. And as the violins kept playing, the two began to gracefully make their way towards each other, Tsun’s steps like feathers flowing with the breeze, Frederick’s movements graceful yet full of power and determination, a soft trail of pink left following their every step until they found themselves right next to each other.

“Flash!” The unicorn cried out, a bright flash of pink strucking the room in awe as small pink dust particles fell over the stage, dancing like autumn leaves around the fairies as Frederick grabbed his partner by the waist with his ribbons, her back arching backwards in a perfect arc.

“Fairy Wind, Misty Terrain!”

Frederick’s ribbons stretched out as Tsuno spun away, her body’s weight resting on the very tip of her dexterous feet, glowing petals and ethereal butterflies spawning from the ground beneath her feet as Frederick’s markings began to glow, releasing a soft light blue smoke that engulfed the spinning Steel type, growing larger and brighter into a whirlwind of color and light that engulfed the stage whole until it reached the roof.

“Icy Wind!”

And so, the whirlwind exploded into tiny magical dust by a sparkling gust of cold air and snow, leaving the stage glowing with an aurora of bright colors that completely coated Tsuno’s metallic body even as she was held in the Sylveon’s paws.

The unicorn’s panting drowned out under the blasting sound of violins, a confident grin stretching across her muzzle as she moved under the shadows, a hidden puppetmaster making sure everything worked as intended with her magic. “So far so good… don’t screw this up Pockets. Time to up the ante! Tsuno, time to go Mega!”

Frederick’s ribbons grabbed the Mawile’s hips, before tossing her into the air into a spinning circle that was soon engulfed by several dozen tendrils of light, the fairy’s body shining with a breathtaking palette of golden and magenta hues. The silhouette of her form grew larger,her dress shedding to reveal the shining natural magenta kimono that now covered her lithe form, a second jaw-like horn flowing with the breeze before a bright rainbow blast filled the room to reveal the newly Mega Evolved Mawile smiling upon the crowd.

“Moonblast!” The unicorn cried out before several small pink orbs were emanated from the Sylveon’s shining ribbons as they stretched out to form a glowing heart around the descending Mawile who used the tiny orbs to slowly descend back on stage, landing right next to the male who held her in his paws.

“Enjoying yourself miss ‘this is so fuckin’ stupid’?” He couldn’t help but smirk, their eyes fixed on each other’s as lights flickered around them.

And… for once, the Mawile was speechless, breathless gasps the only thing that came out of her lips. For the first time since this all began it all finally hit her. The beauty of the performance, the beauty of her movements, and… him. Her eyes shone as the Moonblast orbs began to flicker into several shades of pink, covering them from view, encapsulation the two fairies in their silence.

“Show time.” The Fairy whispered, breaking her off her trance as one by one the orbs began to explode into tiny clouds of fairy dust that showered them both, the Sylveon gently grabbing her hands to guide her in their dancing. Spins, pulls, and throws timed perfectly to the beat. She was lost in his every step, following in perfect synch like if her body was made for this exact same reason.

And while not many could see it, the elated expression on the Mawile’s face was simply priceless. And so when her coordinator called for a Flamethrower, she complied with all her passion, spinning in place once again as flames were fired from her two jaw-like horns, causing all the remaining orbs to explode in a shower of orange, pink and white.

“Now let’s get to the good part! Swift, Magnet Rise!” Pockets ordered with a wide smile, they were doing it, they were actually doing it! Frederick stepped back as small pink stars left his ribbons, spinning around the Mawile as the golden hue of her Magnet Rise surrounded her, lifting her from the air as the stars aligned behind her and waved in a sea-like pattern to circle her floating form.

Frederick froze for a few seconds to admire her, breathing in as he prepared for the grand finale. It was now, or never.

He jumped over to one of the stars, making it grow and glow the moment he landed on it before he jumped over to the next one just as the first shattered, then the next, and the next, his movements swift yet graceful as all the energy stars shattered behind him, getting closer and closer to her ecstatic partner.

Tsuno was lost in heaven, dancing like she had never danced before in the middle of the sea of exploding stars, sending constant waves of Fairy Wind to keep the shiny pink dust covering the stage whole. Yet her trance came to an end when the Sylveon’s ribbons held her waist, floating in the air alongside her in a majestic vals not even gravity itself could stop.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we have a show to give.” He smirked with a tiny whisper, piercing into her eyes with a burning passion she’d never seen in his own. A passion that the two shared on that very second.

Tsuno nodded and took a deep breath as her jaws began to glow a peaceful white. Letting go of the male, she aimed up and released two powerful Flash Canons that circled around each other into a flashy, silver helix that collided into one not long after. A bright, silvery starshower fell upon her, the dancing lights slowly descending towards the ground to bathe the stage in a magical glow.

Pockets flashed a grin. This was most definitely not part of the plan but by the gods she loved it anyways! And as soon as the duo reached ground, an idea was born in her head. “Both of you, use Round!”

Even though they weren’t expecting it, they still obeyed without complaint. Large rings of energy left their mouth as they sang to the beat of the music, colliding with each other to form one massive, shining sphere of light that floated over them both.

The sphere exploded into a rainbow blast of light, giving the fairies enough time to get ready for the final act.

“Frederick, let’s do it.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“The sphere, I’m ready.”

A grin appeared on the Sylveon’s face as he grabbed the Mawile in his ribbons before tossing her in the air. He wasn’t going to doubt her anymore. He trust her, and if she thought she could do it well…

He was going to do his best to help her.

Closing her eyes and focusing all of her being on herself, she thought about all the things that had brought her here. All her choices. All her actions. Everything.

And for once in her life, she regretted none of it.

Her eyes glimmered, a wide smile stretched over her lips as she once again used her Magnet Rise for liftoff before releasing a vibrant Flamethrower from her dual horns, quickly following up by a shimmering Ice Beam that circled around the flames, a Flash Cannon following suit as it arched around the other two strings of power circling around her by the magnetic field that held them together.

Filled with confidence, she closed her eyes as her body began to glow, as she formed a shining orb of light in the palm of her hands.

In a second the unicorn caught up on what her plan was, a special move they’d been polishing for weeks even before they even know of the contest. If they managed to pull it off… well.

It would leave the audience speechless.

“Let’s finish this! Tsuno… Shining Metal Burst!”

The Mawile released the orb in a blast of energy that quickly absorbed all the previous moves, the sheer pressure of the move forcing them to explode in a series of bright flashes and ethereal waves of shining colors as she slowly descended onto the stage with everything else surrounding her, Frederick gracefully grabbing hold of her with a heart-shaped ribbon formation which held her and pulled her closer until the two’s bodies met again just as the song reached its end.

Perfect finish.

The audience was silent for a moment, before the hall exploded with applause and cheers. Pockets, gasping for air from all the moving around, managed to look up to catch a glimpse of the princesses clapping, smiles adorning their muzzles as the room’s ligh returned to normal.

Once the applause died down, a spotlight fell on the judges panel.

“Let me be the first to congratulate on a beautiful performance,” Nurse Joy said, the Audino smiling softly. “Your attacks were timed perfectly and I almost forgot to breathe a few times~ Very well done.”

“YES!” Photo Finish jumped up and pointed a hoof at the ceiling. “Such a vunderbar performance. Ze lights, Ze action, ZE MAGICKS!!”

“For Pokémon not your own, your performance held most of the keys for a true professional,” Diantha said. “And I did notice that Flash Cannon was not called out. A little ad-libbing on Tsuno’s part hmm?”

“Oh come on Diantha, really!?” Tsuno rolled her eyes with a groan… before a soft chuckle escaped her breathless lips “Yeah fine fine… sorry. Got a little carried away there.”

“I never said it was a bad thing little one,” Diantha winked. “All in all, this performance was most spectacular. You have the makings of a fine Coordinator Miss Pickett.”

“Heh, thanks. But I just planned it out, the real stars here were these troublemaker.” She chuckled, before firing a devilish smirk at the Kalosian champion’s direction “Although Steven did help out a bit, he sayid he knows what you like.”

Diantha blushed slightly and coughed before regaining her composure. “Y-Yes, well. I’m sure he does. In any case, you kept a cool head and timed the attacks perfectly. I do hope we’ll see you on this stage again sometime.”

“Thanks!” Pockets snorted. She’d caught glimpse of that blush and by the Princesses was it glorious. “Come on guys, time to celebrate!”

And with one final show of reverence, they left the stage.

Tsuno couldn’t stop looking at Frederick as they reached the backstage, that dance just now, it was just so perfect, so intimate, so….

“Holy CRAP!” Pockets interrupted her train of thoughts as she howled in laughter, “You two… that, that was in-freaking-sane!”

“I’m just bloody glad that it ended, if I have to keep wearing this goddamn outfit for another fuckin’ minute, I’ll go insane!” Frederick grumbled as he quickly pushed his outfit away.

The room went cold, Tsuno’s glowing smile slowly going back to a look of pure… utter… disappointment. “Yeah yeah, whatever. It was alright I guess…” She huffed and turned her gaze away, making the very confused Sylveon blink a few times.

“That was more than alright,” Seth said as he walked over. “That was an amazing performance. You three should be very proud of yourselves.”

“Indeed.” Steven’s voice joined in, as he took his keystone out of his necklace and ended Tsuno’s Mega Evolution, “You two were stunning.”

“Oh shush you two, you’re making me blush,” Pockets chuckled with a wink, “Nah, kidding, keep stroking my ego, go ahead.”

“That’s not going to happen.” The lime green Scizor smirked before turning to the Luxray with a bow of his head, “Greetings, I do not believe we’ve met. Name’s Steven Stone. I take it you’re the one behind this fantastic event. I just have to congratulate you for all of this.”

Steven Stone. As in. Steven the Freaking Champion Stone?

Seth could help but stiffen up as he gave a simple nod. “Yes, that’s right,” he said as calmly as possible.

“It’s in fact one of the best contests I’ve seen in a while, and one of my best friends is Wallace himself.” He chuckled, “Excuse me if I didn’t quite get your name.”

Seth cursed his bad luck. He knew he shouldn’t have taunted Murphy. “My name… is Seth Crescent,” the Luxray replied. “It’s nice to meet you, Champion Stone.”

“Please, just call me Steven.” He chuckled with a small smile, “It’s been far too long since I was Champion after all. But in any case, it’s been an honor to meet you, Seth Crescent. Hope to see you sometime in the future.” And with that he walked out the room with a calm, gentle strut. And Seth could see in the corner of his eyes the emblematic silver Metagross he’d admired since he was young, Steven’s faithful and powerful companion. “Come on Layton, we have reserved seats in between the audience, and I’d love to enjoy the rest of the show.”

“Close your mouth pal, a fly’s gonna get in there.” Frederick smirked as he passed by him, followed by the rest of the group.

Seth snapped his jaw shut and frowned. Well, that had been more nerve-wracking than he thought.

Meanwhile, as Tsuno passed by, she saw a female Sylveon sitting nearby just staring at her. And when they locked eyes, she coiled a ribbon around to give the impression of a thumbs up.

“I’m rooting for you~” she mouthed and winked, nodding towards Frederick.

The Mawile’s eyes widened up and she blushed, shaking her head before rushing to the exit. She did not want to think about that, even if she had been thinking about it ever since the presentation, well… maybe even before that.

Meanwhile, Seth had checked his list. There were two more entries left for the day and both were rather surprising. Well… at the very least, this should be good. The ponies in particular should enjoy these.

In the last hour or so Dinky had come to a conclusion. The only thing worse than knowing you're going to perform in front of hundreds if not thousands of ponies, was waiting to do it. Sitting behind the stage hearing the sounds of others performances, the loud applause and the judges thoughts on the routine. Hearing it over and over watching the elation and the joy on the performers faces as they left the stage. All it did was wind her nerves up into a tight knot. What was worse was that she would not be going on anytime soon either. There were still several dozen acts to go on before them, and since they didn't need the dressing room anymore they had given it up to another group to use.

So now there was nothing to do but wait and watch as the other troops milled about discussing their routines, or plans for the near future. She nervously tugged on the scarf around her neck, a rainbow coloured strip of cloth she found in her parents closet. It had been far too long for anypony to consider wearing so she cut it down to a more reasonable size. It was the only this she had chosen to wear as it's trailing edges would catch in the wind.

Every now and then she would see a Pokemon tentatively approach another group, usually it ended with happy exclamations, hugs, and jokes as lost friends reunited. It was a pleasant distraction from her tense nerves, seeing all these new kinds of Pokemon she wished she'd thought to bring her PokeDex.

"Dinky? What are you doing here?" Called a squeaky voice.

"Huh?" Turning Dinky saw Sweetie Belle and a pair of Pokemon tailing her. She recognized the Squirtle having seen him at school but the other Pokemon was unfamiliar to her. At first glance it looked like a flower of some kind, perhaps a Grass-type. "Hi Sweetie Belle." She greeted just happy to see a familiar face.

"I didn't know you were gonna be in the Contest too." Sweetie said glancing around at all the other contestants. "Is this what Pip was talking about the other day?"

"Pip was talking about the Contest?" Dinky asked confused.

"Not the Contest specifically." Sweetie said shaking her head. "Just that you guys were working really hard."

"Well we have." Strike answered matter of factly.

"So what are you guys doing?" Squirtle asked looking between Strike and Veevee.

Strike opened his mouth to answer but was cut short as Veevee Tackled him,"Spoilers!" She hissed before looking nervously at the Fairy and Water-types. "It's kind of a surprise."

"A surprise?" Sweetie pondered.

Dinky sweatdropped,"I... um." She stalled trying to figure out what to say that wouldn't end in her parents pulling her out.

A riotous applause drew her attention and she saw a trio of Pokemon step off the stage making way for the next group. The Luxray that was hosting the Contest glanced at a list as the next act took the stage. "Sweetie Belle?" He called making the filly squeak in surprise. He grinned at her and motioned with his head,"You're up after them."

Sweetie immediately forgot about Dinky and her plans as she paled a little under her white coat."Me!?"

Dinky put a hoof on her shoulder, "Are you okay Sweetie Belle?" Her concern only grew as Dinky saw that her breathing sped up and she began to hyperventilate. "Hey you'll be fine. You guys have been practicing really hard too right?"

The Squirtle and Floette were at Sweetie's side right away trying to confront and soothe her even as the sounds of the act before her began. The comforting presence of her friends started to calm the filly down. Her breathing became more regular and the sweat that had begun to bead on her forehead evaporated. After another minute or so she seemed to have gotten a grip on her nerves. "I'm okay now." She sighed.

Dinky gave her the biggest grin she could, the filly may not have been a close friend of hers, but they were friends nonetheless. "You got this right."

It wasn't a question but a statement that told Sweetie that Dinky believed in her the same as her fellow Crusaders. It made her grin in turn and she pulled the younger filly into a hug. "Yeah we can do this. What's there to be afraid of?" She laughed.

"Thousands of people watching and judging your performance." Strike answered bluntly and receiving glares from Veevee, Dinky, and Sweeties Pokemon as well. "...What?"

"You are so dumb sometimes." Veevee sighed.

"What? What I say?" Strike asked oblivious that he may have just set poor Sweetie Belle into another panic attack.

Dinky glanced back at her nervously but was surprised to find not panic but determination etched on her face. She sighed as she saw the Luxray take the stage again and the judges began their assessment. Sweetie turned to her Pokemon,"You ready?"

"Always." Squirtle answered as the Floette nodded it’s head.

Dinky watched as Sweetie took her place ready to take the stage,"Good luck Sweetie Belle!" She called.

Sweetie Belle gulped as she stared out at the massive crowd. This was… was waaaay bigger than what she was expecting. And her sister wasn’t here to offer some moral support either. She backed up slowly, not willing to go fully out there before she felt someone next to her.

“Hey,” Seth said in a gentle voice. “No need to worry alright? You got this. I bet you’ve been training really hard too.”

“I um…” Sweetie looked down. “Yeah… I have. Me and Squirtle and Floette… we all worked hard for today.”

“Then, you have to go out there and show them,” the feline said as he smiled. “After all, no sense in wasting all that hard work. Just take a deep breath, and remember that you have you Pokémon beside you. As long as you do… anything is possible.”

Sweetie Belle looked at her two partners. Yeah… he was right. Ever since she met them, she really did feel like that. Her and Dinky and Scoots, Apple Bloom too. They all loved their Pokémon.

“Yeah… I got this!”

When the small unicorn stepped out onto the stage, she shied slightly under the spotlights as she looked at the big crowd. They remained quiet for now, something she was thankful for as she walked to the center of the stage.

And in the crowd… she saw a pair of faces smiling brightly. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo!? She didn’t know they’d be coming. She felt her own smile forming as she took a breath.

“H-Hello everypony… er, and everymon,” she said, her voice squeaking a little. “Sorry… I’m, a little nervous.”

Diantha nodded. “It’s alright dear. Take you time.”

“Y-yeah,” Sweetie smiled. “So um… I didn’t know if it was allowed or not. But my friends helped me write a song for today. So um… I’m gonna sing it while we perform for you all.”

That got the crowd to murmur. And Seth picked up that some weren’t so confident, saying that a squeaky little filly was probably going to burst their eardrums. Still, she didn’t hear that and kept going.

“Okay so um… Oh! These are my partners Squirtle and Floette. I, don’t have nicknames for them yet.” She took another breath. “Okay… here we go.”

As her performance started… so did her song.

She bobbed her head as started to sing, her Pokémon following along. Floette used Magical Leaf, the glowing green leaves floating into the air as Squirtle used Bubblebeam. The round bubbles slipping over the leaves, trapping them inside.

And then the objects bobbed along too, following the tune Sweetie Belle was singing.

Up in the rafters, a particular batpony watched on with great intrigue, her Cutie Mark glowing faintly as she watched the budding songstress. “How interesting~”

Then Floette used MIsty Terrain, as Squirtle followed up with Rapid Spin, swirling the mist and floating bubble leaves into a whirlwind that spun around the filly. And as her song started to near it’s end…

A combine Sunny Day and Rain Dance caused the most… interesting effect. The sunshower sprinkled over the stage, creating a bright rainbow that reflected off of the magical bubbles, which caused the rainbow hue to link them, almost like floating sheet music, her pink mist settling as Sweetie Belle beamed brightly.

Almost as bright as the Cutie mark on her flank, a small, tri-coloured shield with a musical note in the center.

In the crowd, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were also smiling. Working on this routine with Sweetie Belle had been hard, but also amazingly fun. Staying up late in the clubhouse, figuring out what moves combined well and even asking people like May for ideas. It made them tingle all over, knowing they could help their friend achieve her dream and live up to her potential… heck, it almost felt like that was what they were meant to do. Help others that needed it.

They were so wrapped up in her performance, they didn’t notice their own flanks shine…

Sweetie Belle panted lightly as she Sat on the stage, her Pokémon rushing to her side. “Whew… yeah, I’m okay guys. Just a little tired.”

“Well… after a stunning performance like that,” Diantha said with a smile. “That was astounding Miss Sweetie Belle.”

And the crowd exploded in cheers as the other Crusader’s rushed up to the stage to be with their friend.

“I must say, are you sure you haven’t done something similar?” Joy asked. “Yes, you started out a bit nervous. But once you started… you were nothing but confidence, timing and grace. A sign of a true star in the making.”

“Absolutely magnificent!” Photo Finish jumped to her hooves and clapped. “Wunderbar! Spectacular! Now zat is how it is done!”

“Oh… um… okay,” Sweetie squeaked, feeling a little overwhelmed. She giggled as her two friends hugged her.

“Also,” Photo Finish smiled. “Congratulations Frauline.”

“Um… on what?” Sweetie blinked as she was led off stage. “Seriously! On what?”

As she stepped off, she bumped into the Luxray as the trio of fillies giggled.

“I think,” Seth said as he gestured to them. “Photo Finish was referring to your new Cutie Marks.”

“New?” Sweetie blinked.

“Cutie?” Scootaloo added.

“Marks?” concluded Apple Bloom as they turned to look at their flanks…

Seth yelped and stumbled back as their combined squeals of joy outdid even Arceus’s Hyper Voice attack. Ahhhh, having super hearing sucked!

“Ohmigosh!” Sweetie Belle squealed happily. “Look, they even match!”

“Coooool,” Scoots smiled. “So uh… you all feel the same thing right?”

“On how good it felt to help somepony else?” Apple Bloom added. “Yeah.”

“I was hoping I could help everyone out there forget their worries and enjoy the show,” Sweetie agreed. “So I guess… that’s what we’re meant to do?”

“Seems like it,” Apple Bloom nodded. “But uh… does that mean? We’re not the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore?”

That got them to pause as they all looked at one another.

“Heck no!” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head. ‘We could still do that. I mean, helping others discover their own talents is still helping right?”

“Ohhh,” the others nodded.

“Wait… are we agreeing that Scootaloo actually had a good idea and we’re agreeing with it?” Sweetie said, earning a scowl from the petite pegasus, before they all giggled again.

Seth smiled as he headed off to the stage. Time for the last performer.

Dinky fidgeted and tugged on the ends of her rainbow scarf, she was standing out of sight by the stage waiting for the Luxray to call. He stood on stage now near the act that went on before her, playing host with a toothy, but friendly, grin. After what seemed like an eternity it was almost time for her, Veevee and Strike to go on. While talking with Sweetie and seeing how much she enjoyed it had help steady her nerves, she couldn't help but worry. It would only take one grown up panicking to ruin what she had planned.

The Pokemon on stage took a bow and the audience applauded again. Dinky watched them exit and one, a Gardevoir, smiled down at her sweetly as she passed by, wishing Dinky luck. Dinky took a deep breathe in one last attempt to calm herself even as Seth began to announce her act.

“Now, we have our next act, another filly from Ponyville will grace our stage. Please be welcoming for little Dinky Hooves, and her Pokémon, Veevee and Strike!”

Dinky swallowed hard and trotted on stage, squinting at the bright overhead lights. The bright lights actually kept her from seeing most of the audience, though she still strained to spot her family. It was only when she saw a small flare of red light that she found them. Her father and mother sat side by side several rows back, the small spark of light was Cinder puffing out a small flame to signal where they were for her. Seeing her mother wave calmed her nerves more than any breathing exercise.

Dinky closed her eyes taking one last deep breath before looking out over the multitude of Ponies, Pokemon, Griffins and other races that had flocked to Canterlot for this event. She smiled,"Hello Everyone. My name is Dinky Hooves and this is Strike." She gestured to the Electric-type who nodded and moved to the far right of the stage. "And this is Veevee." She turned to the Evolution Pokemon, who gulped and gave a little bow before moving to the far left of the stage. She turned back to the audience glad that the spot lights kept her from seeing more than a few dozen,"And I'd like to show you something pretty amazing." Then she took her first step forward.

Strike snarled, a surprisingly aggressive sound to come from the otherwise gentle canine, and lunged forward sprinting towards Dinky. Nearly all eyes locked onto the Electric-type as his coat sparked and he snapped his jaws loudly. If Dinky saw this it didn't phase her in the slightest and she continued to cross the stage at a sedated pace and talk to the audience. "I've learned so much about Pokemon and made so many new friends since they all came to Equus." The spectators gasped as Strike leapt into the air his jaws wide ready to clamp them down on the small filly.

However his attack was thwarted as Veevee, whom had been almost forgotten considering Strike's behavior, jumped between them throwing up a Protect. Strike bounced off the grayish barrier and landed several yards away with a deep growl. The Protect itself shattered under the force of Strike's impact and sent shards raining towards Dinky. Had the former barrier, retained its solidity the razor shards would have cut her face and gouged her eyes. However once the move broke, the glass-like shards lost any form of substance, making them no more hazardous than a summer breeze. Though the force of the impact created a swift gust of wind that pulled sharply at her scarf displaying the force that Strike had been aiming at her.

Dinky didn't even blink as the phantom shards phased through her,"And I first learned about Pokemon Battles and Contest from a stallion who used to be human and his family. They aren't here today." Strike snarled again and barked as his claws glowed a metallic grey. He leapt again speaking to slash at the small pony with his Metal Claw and again was stopped by Veevee's Protect. As before the move repelled him before breaking and raining razor shards of wraith-like glass passes through her body and the scarf flapped about wildly.

The audience gasped at the attack but Dinky ignored them as well, seemingly lost in her own little world. "But before they had to leave for Griffinhiem they showed us how to battle and taught us how to be a team." She was almost two thirds of the way across the stage and had yet to even glance at the battle that took place beside her.

"The thing is." Dinky began arriving at the forefront of the stage, as Strike barked so loudly he may as well have used Roar. "I've heard some ponies and other races say that Pokemon might still be bad. That they're dangerous." As if seeking to prove just that Strike pounced again his jaws wide and crackling with the Thunder Fang he was aiming to use. Once again Veevee intercepted him with Protect and as before it shattered without even earning a ear twitch from the grey unicorn. "And I guess they can be." Dinky admitted finally turning to look at her two Pokemon partners.

Seth was a little surprised by the unusual display, and the fact that the Eevee had used Protect three times in a rom successfully? That was some amazing luck.

The moment she turned to face them, they both sprinted into a new action. Strike and Veevee circled around each other until it was Strike who stood by the filly, much to the spectators dismay, and Veevee who stood their opposite. To those seeing this odd display the Electric-type seemed to do a one-eighty as he stood defensively between the child he had just been trying to kill and her staunch protector, it was baffling. "But while we were training we discovered something."

Veevee jumped straight up into the air getting about eight feet, she open her small mouth. The audience gasped again as a flash of silver light gathered in her jaws before launching out in a full power Hidden Power. Strike reacted almost instantly and the sparking in his coat flared out into a Thunder Wave. Even the Pokemon watching were surprised when the powerful Steel move stopped dead in the crackling electric field, hanging a foot or so off the ground in a pulsing silver sphere.

Dinky turned just enough to glanced at the shadow that the audience sat in,"The fact is, yes! Pokemon can hurt us if they chose too. But so could the Dragons, or the Griffins or any of the other races that lived here before. What's important is that we trust each other. Because when we do, something beautiful is created." A murmur went through the audience and Dinky smirked to herself before turning away. "Veevee use Iron Tail!" She called issuing the first actual command of the performance.

Veevee didn't hesitate, her tail flashed the same shade of metallic silver and leapt forward. She flipped midair, twisting her body so that her tail was at the forefront of her attack. She struck the orb of her last attack with all her might, there was a loud crack, similar to what one would hear during a sonic boom. The shock wave pulled violently at her scarf and blew hard on the spectators as well making most of them flinch.

However what followed were thousands of amazed and awed gasps. Veevee now stood at the center of the metal energies still held in place by Strikes Thunder Wave. The silver glow spiked out in all directions trying to escape, while inside Veevee stood her fur flowing in all directions like water was pouring out of every pore on her body. The once white eye paint that the audience had assumed was makeup on her closed eyes, glowed a vivid golden colour.

"Strike Quick Attack." Dinky said just loud enough to be sure she was heard. The Electric-type released the move that held Veevee within the metal energies and raced around her in a tight circle. The energy scattered into a million motes of silver light that spiraled up to the ceiling were the gave off a faint electric crack before fading into oblivion. The audience oohed and ahhed that the cyclone of light and gasped again when they saw the once off white eye paint had changed to a flat steely gray colour. In the audience the Doctor was quite pleased that that 38% came through.

Dinky turned back to the audience, Strike on her left and Veevee on her right, the trio bowed and waited. Silence reigned for about four seconds before ponies started stomping their hooves. The Pokemon present applauded however their anatomy allowed them to and several high pitched whistles went out. Dinky couldn't keep the grin off her face as she pulled Strike and Veevee into a hug. It took almost a minute for the applause to stop and as it did they turned to the Judges for their thoughts.

At first, the judges had no idea where to even start with such a display. Her little speech beforehand had completely thrown them for a loop.

“I think you’ve raised an excellent point,” Diantha said to her. “And it was the same back home. We humans didn’t have any powers at all. Even compared to ponies. We had no magic, we couldn’t walk on clouds or push massive boulders… well, for the most part.” She chuckled and looked up. “Pokémon, even the smallest ones could cause injury, if they wanted. But, believe it or not, that didn’t occur often. We worked together. Lived in harmony.” She turned and looked at the Pokémon God, sitting in the box with the alicorns. “Our world wasn’t perfect. But in the end, what world is?”

Arceus sighed. “Fair point I suppose,” he muttered to himself.

“At the same time though,” Joy spoke up. “It’s thanks to that, that we’ve made so many wonderful new friends. Yes, first introductions were… rough. But I look around here and I see ponies, griffons, Equus-born beings of all walks of life and Pokémon together. Laughing, smiling… And that makes me smile.”

“Indeed,” Photo Finish nodded. “You are a wise filly for one so young. I fear you must give your parents quite ze run around no?”

“Agreed,” Doctor mused with a shake of his head.

After that, Dinky was ushered off of the stage where she met back up with her friends from Ponyville, most congratulating her for her performance and for the Crusader’s getting their marks.

“And with that, the Canterlot Contest is drawn to a close,” Seth said with a small smile. “I want to thank everyone for making this possible. For the Princesses in helping me secure this venue. For all the friends and family that help get this dream from just that, to something we’ve all lived. And most of all, to all the contestants that have regaled us with their skills, their bravery in stepping on this stage. And the bond they share with their Pokémon partners. None of this would have been possible without them. So please, stomp your hooves or clap your hands for them.

The thunderous applause that followed made the hall rumble, even Celestia and Luna smiled and clapped.

“Thank you…” Seth smiled.

“And also!” Diantha stood up. “Let us thank Seth here. For coming up with the idea in the first place. He’s worked very hard and overcome some of his own personal problems to insure we’ve all had a safe and wondrous evening!”

“I… didn’t do all that much,” The Luxray said as the hall exploded again. Nonetheless, he smiled and took a bow. “Now, as I said. There are no winners and losers tonight. Everyone here has made a spectacular showing, and I hope that with this… we can revive the competition and open it to an even wider audience.”

Then Diantha took the stage. “Actually, I have an announcement if you may,” she said as Seth blinked, wondering what the heck the Gardevoir is up to. She took the microphone and looked out at the crowd. “I’ve had… a lot of fun tonight. More than I have in quite some time. In fact… I’d like to show another of our traditions. One even bigger than the Contests.” She looked at the Luxray. “Due to, the blindness of others… Seth here never got to complete his dream back on Earth, which was to become a Pokémon Champion. So, in a week’s time… I would like to offer him that chance. With Celestia’s permission, I will hold a Pokémon Battle here in Canterlot Stadium. Me against Seth in a full, six-on-six League Battle.”

“W-What?” Seth blinked, his heart pounding. Was… was that allowed? Could she do that?!

“That said, those that wish to witness this are welcome. Tickets will not be free… but the money will go to various charities helping smooth out the problems caused by the transfer. I do hope that as many of you make it as you have tonight.” And with that, she handed the microphone back to still-stunned Seth.

“So… think we can expect a good show?” Celestia whispered to Arceus.

“Most likely,” Arceus replied. “If Seth’s Charizard is anything to go by, this might actually be a close battle.”

“Hmm, could be fun. I’m curious to see how these battles actually work.”

“I know I am,” Luna smiled with unrestrained glee. “This Contest was most fun, but a gladiatorial bloodsport with Pokémon! Oh yeeess~”

“Luna… I’m about… eighty percent sure it’s not like that,” Twilight facehooved. Mental note, ask Gene and Belle about it when she gets home.

Once everyone left the hall, only a few individuals remained. Not that Seth noticed, he was laying on his back on the stage just… dying.

“So Boss…” Midnight walked up to him. “Everyone’s safely left. No problems so to speak of. And aside from that one kerfuffle… I think things went well.”

“Yup,” Seth said wearily. “Just… yup.”

“Hm?” the attractive batpony quirked an eyebrow. “Everything alright there?”

“Just… processing everything,” he sighed contently. “I didn’t realise how on edge I was until now I suppose. I half expected this place to come crashing down… literally.”

“Yeah, but it didn’t,” she said with a grin. “All in all, things went well. Mission success!”

“Speaking of,” Elesa spoke up. “Seeethy~”

Seth’s ears perked up. “Mm?”

“Wanna do that?”

The Luxray paled. “No.”

“Aw come ooooon~”

“No!”

“Pleeaaaase~ For old time’s sake?”

The large cat groaned. He wasn’t going to get out of this as he raised a paw and clamped it over the batpony’s muzzle. “No. You shush.”

“Aww,” she pouted. She shook him free and giggled. “Nah, that’d be too easy. So, what’s she talking about?”

Seth groaned louder. “Fine…” he muttered. At least she wasn’t asking him to do this in front of him. “I wonder if I even still can?”

Elesa found a good track and started to play. “Only one way to find out~”

Midnight’s eyes widened in surprise and utter glee as her cutie mark glowed…

And with that.

Seth started to sing. After the first part, Midnight joined in with her own vocals. How she knew the words was anyone’s guess. But the two actually sounded pretty good together. Elesa bobbed her head to the impromptu duet as Rika pouted, annoyed she hadn’t thought of it first.

That said, Midnight’s voice was amazing. Her Cutie Mark pulsed with light, glowing musical notes and motes of light falling from them like embers as she danced around the stage with Seth.

And once the singing finally stopped, Seth noticed he and Midnight had drawn a couple on-lookers.

“Didn’t know she was that good,” Lucy murmured to herself.

Well she does have a remarkable voice, the psychic of the pair replied. The Lucario bat the Kadabra upside the head before he could continue that line of thought.

As well as a familiar looking Gardevoir and Gallade... the latter of whom was trying not to laugh.

“I didn’t know you could sing Seth,” Belle said with a grin.

“Yeah well…” he blushed, embarrassed that he hadn't noticed they were there as he looked at Gene. “Yeah yeah, laugh it up swordboy.”

“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized. “It’s not you it’s just... watching a Luxray sing with a little pony gave me the giggles.”

“Aww, I thought it was a lot of fun~” Midnight said as she sauntered towards Gene. “Well well well, what do we have here?” she smirked, showing off those shiny fangs. “Someone who’s good with swords hm? Want to see how I handle a sword big boy~?”

Gene blinked, then smiled. “I guess I could use some help. Luke’s been trying to teach me but he’s busy... also I like your teeth, I didn’t know Pegasi came in night version.”

“Oh goodie, you’re like the foxxy one~” she smiled and winked at Vincent. “So, how about you two come back to my place and I’ll show you just how fun a thestral mare can be cutie~”

“Ap!” Seth pulled her back by the tail, making her “skree!” lightly. “He’s taken Midnight. By his wife there.”

Midnight looked at Belle, then back to Seth. “So? She can join too.”

“....I give up,” Seth sighed.

Belle was huggin Gene protectively, though Gene wasn’t sure why. “What? She’s offering to help with my sword problem.”

“Gene sweetie... not the arms, the...” Belle’s eyes glowed blue for a moment, and the Gene’s face turned red.

“Offer’s always ope-gah!” Midnight groaned as Seth bapped her on the head.

“No. bad bat. Don’t make me get the spray bottle.”

“Party pooper,” the thestral poked her… surprisingly long tongue out.

“... okay well we came to congratulate you Seth,” Gene said, handing the Luxray a... bouquet of flowers?

“I told him that was for plays, but he brought them anyway,” Belle told the confused kitty.

Seth chuckled as Rika took the flowers in her ribbons, smelling them. “It’s fine,” Seth replied. “Thanks for coming. I hope you enjoyed it.”

“Aside from the time it looked like an angry mob was gonna happen, yeah, it was fun,” Gene said with a nod. “I tried getting Belle into contests back on Earth, but someone kept destroying her costume.”

“Calling me a Fairy Princess is one thing, but I am not dressing up as freaking Tinkerbell.” Belle huffed and crossed her arm.

“Hahah, okay… I’m picturing the most pouty lil Kirlia,” Seth snickered at the mental image. He rolled over to sit on his belly. “Whew… Honestly, I’m a bit at a loss as to what to do now. I put so much thought into setting and running this things… now Diantha drops that bomb?” Then a thought occurred. “I don’t even have six Pokémon!”

“I’m sure you can find someone to agree to help you out,” Belle assured him... then she realized Gene was looking at her. “... what?”

“... I mean, we did almost beat Cynthia,” Gene reminded her.

“Are you seriously considering lending me to another trainer?” Belle deadpanned.

“Come on, it’s Seth!” Gene said with a grin.

Ignis scratched his chin and spoke up. “Hey Sass Dragon!” he roared out to a certain Gabite. “Wanna fight a Champion?”

“You honestly think I stand a chance?” she growled back. “Maybe if I evolve.”

“Your ability does make you unpredictable,” Seth agreed. “And Gene, I don’t know if I feel comfortable throwing your wife into battle like that. Much less giving her orders…”

“Ohh, kinky~” Rika and Midnight echoed, making Seth groan and facepaw.

“Alright, point taken,” Gene said... then grinned. “How about Mage then? She’s my second strongest, plus she’s been Belle’s main sparring partner since I caught her. Might give you an edge over Diantha’s Gardevoir.”

Seth blinked. “Remind me who that is again? Sorry… I’m kind of bad with names if I don’t interact with them regularly.”

“My Mismagius,” Gene reminded him.

“Ghost type huh… never battled with one of those before,” Seth scratched his ear. “Might work. As long as she doesn’t mind taking orders from another trainer… plus I’d need her for the week to battle with and get used to my style and other Pokémon.”

“It’s better than her bothering Twilight all day,” Gene shrugged. “She’s been getting... antsy, we’ve never stayed in one place so long and she hasn’t adjusted, a little battling will do her some good, trust me.”

“Well, if you insist,” Seth said. “So that makes five if I can find Drake…” he looked back at Christine and smiled. “You in? You practically family as is, and I’d love to battle with you.”

“Oh sure, just take the Gabite out to battle a champion, what could go wrong,” she deadpanned. “I can’t even hide completely, and the moment she works out my ability, I’m hosed! What part of that sounds like ‘good idea’ to you?”

“Because I’m asking you to trust me,” Seth said. “I know you’re stronger than even you seem to think.”

“I mean… if you’re that scared…” Ignis whistled innocently.

Christine let out a low growl at that. “Say that again,” she dared the Charizard.

I really wouldn’t, if you value your neck, Vincent warned.

“I said,” the fire lizard leaned in close, his height towering over the small blue dragon. “You’re scared. You see something tough and you run away. You have your whole life right? Running. Well, I seem to recall a certain smartass dragon talking sense into me a while back. Where’s she go—”

The rest of his question was cut off with an ‘ack!’ as Christine launched herself at Ignis, grabbing him by the neck, flipping him onto his back with her weight and velocity, and pinning him there with her claws pricking his skin.

“Don’t you ever,” she hissed to him, “call me weak again. I tolerate a lot of things. That’s not one of them.”

“Oh yeah?” the Charizard smirked, that annoying, smug… handsome smirk. “Prove it~”

“You’re on the ground now, flyboy,” she pointed out. “All it’d take is one little Earthquake and you’d be eating those words.”

Then her world spun as the Charizard stood up, holding her upside down by the end of her tail. “Mhm… you were saying?”

She twisted in his grip and blasted his face with a Dragonbreath, determined not to be outdone.

He shook his head and chuckled. “That all? Seth’s morning breath packs more of a punch than that.”

“Ignis… stop teasing her,” Seth said as he had the Charizard put her down. “No-one’s going to force you Chrissie. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I should be able to make do with just five Pokémon.”

“No, no, I’ll show up,” she grumbled, dusting herself off as she glared at Ignis. “If only to put in more of a showing than this smug asshole.”

“Are you certain?” Seth said. “You’re right you know, this will be far from easy. I’m… not confident I can win this.”

“Well, ah am,” Apple Fritter said as she leaned against him. “Ah know you can do this sugarcube.”

Seth nodded and looked at Gene and Vincent. “Thank you both. I’ll make sure to take good care of your family.”

I think you should be more worried about Ignis than Christine, the psychic pointed out.

“Pfft, nah…” Ignis chuckled. “She’s like an angry lil Lillipup. All bark and no bi—”

And that was him getting cut off by Christine jumping on top of him and targeting a Stone Edge...directly underneath her.

“Ah fu—”

The Charizard copped the blunted stone to the chin, knocking him back and… making him fall, pinning the Gabite under his heavy and unconscious form.

Seth sighed… and then sighed again. “I give up…” he said and looked back at his friends. “So, glad you enjoyed the Contest?”

It was quite the change of pace, yes, Vincent agreed.

“Much better than training all day and night,” Lucy nodded as she stretched a little. “But now I’ve got a cramp from sitting in place too long.”

“I’ve got magic hooves~” Midnight giggled flirtatiously and winked at them.

Really? Is it something unique to Thestrals, or is it a talent you’ve pick-

Lucy cut off that line of thought from Vincent by leaning down and whispering in one of his ears as to the true meaning of Midnight’s statement. It caused him to blush through his fur.

“Aww, no spoiling it, his reactions are precious~” Midnight giggled.

Meanwhile, deciding he was no longer getting involved. Seth headed over to Rika while Fritter was lifting Ignis’s body off of Christine.

“So, guess we should probably start cleaning up huh?” he said.

“Eh, you can leave that to us,” Rika said. “I mean, only Elesa knows how to dismantle that turntable thingie. Bitty and Dexxy have the sound system covered and the rest is just sweeping… which you kinda can’t do cause you’re a quadruped.”

“So are you,” Seth itetrated.

Rika waved her prehensile ribbons.

“...ah,” Seth said with a small nod.

“Why don’t you go and have dinner with Vinny, Gene and their adorable waifus,” Rika suggested. “Take Fritter with you. We’ll catch up later.”

“I uh… you sure?” the Luxray asked, feeling kinda bad about it.

“Mhm, gooo~” Rika said, pushing him from behind. “Guys? Make sure this doofus actually eats something.”

I could use my Psychic to make sure of that, Vincent promised, glad the topic had changed.

“Rule one of responsible psychic use,” Belle said. “No mind control.”

I wasn’t going to mind control him, Vincent fired back. Just...work his jaws if he refused to eat. Or I could teleport the food into his stomach. I have options~

“...the prospect of eating dinner should not fill me with horror and dread,” Seth deadpanned as a shiver ran down his spine. He looked at Gene and Lucy. “How do you handle having Psychic spouses?”

“Belle and I kinda share a brain,” Gene shrugged.

“Honestly, this is Vincent limiting himself,” Lucy sighed. “He’s still getting used to the whole ‘doing things with my mind’ shtick. I have to remind him to reign it in every now and again.”

“Psychics are weird… I am so glad I’m a living lightning storm instead,” Seth said as he stretched in a very catlike manner. “Okay, wanna go eat?”

“Let’s!” Lucy cheered. As Seth got up, a Braixen tackle-hugged him and smiled.

"I found you Big Brother~" Rebecca giggled as she nuzzled the Luxray. "Aaah, you so fluffy!"

"Apparently," Seth said, looking up at her. Honestly, he was exerting a good deal of willpower to not break right now. Crying was so not cool. "I-I'm glad you're okay," he said, his voice cracking slightly.

"Yeah... I am too," the fox smiled as she hugged him. His Meganium mother stood off to the side, using a vine to wipe her eyes at the scene.

Seth exhaled and shook his head lightly to clear it. "Well, in any case. We have a LOT to talk about. Shall we do so over dinner?"

"Sounds like a plan," Apple Fritter smiled. Seeing Seth get his family back, it felt like her heart was about to explode with happiness. Today, truly was a good day.

Author's Note

Hello everyone, Volcarona here.

Or, well, lately I go by Asschaps online, so guess you could call me that. I’m writing this for the 1 or 2 people who are wondering what the hell happened to me, the controversial admin that left without saying a word. And first of all, I’d like to apologize for leaving like that. But I was going through some rough patches of which a few still last to this day. The words of a loud few got to me more than they should have, made me question my writing and my story and where I was taking it. In the end I let anxiety get the best of me, and I stopped.

I have been writing with friends like Ausbrony for fun for a couple of years now, improving my writing skills little by little, and even won a writing contest for a podcast last christmas. And yet I still feel like my writing skills are far from perfect. So just in case anyone is wondering…

Will I pick up A New Journey again and finish it? I really doubt so. Doubt the interest is still there, and i wrote so much with other amazing authors yet remember so little about it, that it could lead to canonical errors.

Does this mean you won’t get involved in the group anymore? No. I’ll be helping Aus with a few things from time to time, but unless something major happens, doubt I’ll do more than that.

Any other question, well comment it down and hopefully I can hop in and answer them soon enough. Else, well… hope you enjoyed this last bit of writing I’ve done for this amazing universe that meant so much to me during that year, and that gave me so many amazing friends.

Stay awesome,

Volcarona/Asschaps

Chapter One

A Brave New World.

Chapter One.

The sun set on Nimbasa City, but the neon city came even more alive as the moon rose into the sky. Seth Crescent, a young man walked into the Pokémon Centre, and several sets of eyes instantly glared at him.

“Yup, another typical evening.” He ignored the stares and proceeded to the counter. “Heya Nurse Joy, can I get a check up on my Pokémon?”

The nurse smiled, a very forced one perfected with years of practice. “Of course, I have a lot of patients to tend to, so it may take a while.”

Yep, he never got tired of hearing that excuse. Seth knew exactly why she was going to take her time with the examination… but she wouldn’t find anything, she never did.

One of the trainers gave him a dirty look as he took a seat and glanced at the television. Just as Seth got comfortable, the trainer walked over to him, blocking his view.

“…Were your parents glass-makers?” Seth asked, all too used to this. “You’re in my way.”

“And you’re a disgusting waste of life!” the trainer spat back. “You think we’re just gonna let you sit here?”

“The Centre is open to all trainers and I’m doing nothing wrong.” Seth used to get riled up at this, but it got old fast, and now he just didn’t care.

“Nothing wrong!?” his voice rose and now everyone in the lobby was staring. “Everyone here knows who you are. And that you like to fu-”. His was cut off as Seth rose to his feet and stared down at the punk. Ah, the joys of being tall and intimidating.

“Watch your language, there are little kids here.” Seth motioned to a small girl hugging a Clefairy plush. “If you have a problem, then settle it like a trainer. I’ll be here all night, so you can fight me if you want to… you’ll lose anyway.”

The trainer was spitting chips now, unable to form a coherent sentence. Seth got up and walked outside, knowing that he would only cause trouble while he remained there. “I might as well wander around the city for a bit. Maybe even say hi to Elesa.”

An explanation might be in order. The reason why Seth seemed to attract hostility was because he was a rather avid spokesperson, not for a particular product, or a criminal gang like Team Rocket. It was because he was trying to get the laws changed regarding Human/Pokémon relationships. There was a time when such a unity was accepted, but it regressed into taboo and then outright illegal.

Seth himself didn’t do that with his own Pokémon, he simply believed that the laws were stupid and an insult to a Pokémon’s intelligence. Pokémon were sapient creatures and deserved to be treated as such, he had met several trainers that admitted to be with their Pokémon partners (Under strict confidentiality agreements). Seth had also been arrested several times, but without any solid evidence against him, he was always released. He had, however, been banned from any official Pokémon events, such as the Pokémon Gyms and League, as well as Contests.

He couldn’t really care less, but it angered him that his Pokémon suffered because of it.

Some trainers he battled against seemed to be quite rough in battle, sometimes even attacking when he was down or even ordered their Pokémon to attack Seth directly. His Pokémon never let any harm come to him, and he often had to hold them back from retaliating.

‘Doing so makes us exactly what they think we are,’ he would tell them, regardless of whether he thought the stupid pricks deserved it or not.

He entered the theme park where the Gym and the famous Nimbasa Ferris Wheel was, and after a brief stop to purchase an ice-cream, headed for the Gym. He wasn’t banned from entering the facility, or even battling the Gym Leader if they wanted too, he was only restricted from earning a badge.

Didn’t stop a few of the Leaders from ‘accidently’ misplacing a badge in his pocket every now and then…

Elesa was one such leader and as she saw him strut down the catwalk in her Gym, she broke out into a wide smile.

“Hey Seth! It’s been a while!” she gave him a hug, lasting more than a few seconds, before looking him over. “Okay, you seem upset.” He didn’t look it, but Elesa had learned to read his stony expressions.

“It’s nothing, just a stupid kid getting under my skin.”

Elesa hugged him again and led him to the back of the Gym. “Don’t let them get to you… I’m rooting for you, you know.”

“Thanks Elle,” She wrinkled her nose at the nickname, but let it slide regardless.

“So what’s up? Sightseeing or something?”

Seth shook his head, “Actually, just needed to chill for a bit… especially for what’s about to come next.”

Elesa frowned, he never got right to the point in a conversation, it was one of his less redeeming qualities. “Next?”

He opened his phone and showed her an email he received a few days ago. “It’s from Cynthia, the Sinnoh Pokémon Master. She wants to meet with me.”

“And you’re going?” Elesa had never met the woman personally, but she knew that her authority within the League was quite substantial, and that she was one of the most powerful trainers on the planet. “It could be a trap you know… you really like stirring the League up.”

“There is that,” Seth agreed. “But this could also be my big chance. Cynthia is probably one of the most influential trainers around. If I can get her to agree with me, then it’ll be a huge step forward towards my goal.”

Elesa stepped forward and hugged him, “You’re pretty stubborn, so I don’t think I can change your mind… just, be careful alright.”

Seth nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ve got a backup plan if things go south. So don’t worry too much okay. Don’t want that pretty face getting worry lines.”

Elesa laughed and struck a pose. “True enough.” The doors to her Gym flew open and several Pokémon entered. A Sylveon charged up the runway, tackling Seth to the ground as she leapt into his arms. An Absol, Charizard and Sandshrew followed closely behind.

“Oof, hello to you too Rika,” Seth groaned. “Did you guys come all the way from the Centre to find me?”

“Vee, Sylvee!” ‘Naturally, we knew you’d be here!’

Elesa looked at his team and then to the little Sandshrew. “Who’s this little guy? A newbie?”

Seth nodded, “Found him in the Desert Resort. He was being attacked by a bunch of Cacturne, but was too injured to be left there. I intended to release him after he was healed, but he followed me anyway.” He picked up the little Ground-type and held him out to Elesa. “Heath, this is my best friend, Miss Elesa. Elle, this is Heath.”

“Nice to meet you~” she cooed, rubbing the little guys head. “Try and keep this one in line huh? Seth has a penchant for getting into trouble.”

“Hey!”

“Char!” ‘True enough’ Charizard nodded, heeding the sage-like wisdom.

Seth put Heath down and scratched Rika and his Absol, Selene behind the ears, earning a happy sigh from the both of them. “I suppose we should head off, need to find a place to stay for the night.”

“You could always stay here!” Elesa said, a little too quickly, her face turning a slight shade of pink.

“I can’t bother you like that, not with my reputation-“

“It’s not a problem at all!” Elesa grabbed his arm, looking up at him. “No-one knows you’re here and I don’t care even if they did. You’re my friend and I won’t let you sleep outside tonight.”

Seth blinked and then smiled, “You’re pretty stubborn too ya know.” It made him happy that he had some friends like Elesa; he didn’t know what he’d do without them. “Thanks Elle.”

***

As Seth lay in the bed Elesa had provided for him, and telling him her door was open if he needed anything, he thought about what the future would bring. “I wonder what Cynthia wants? If it’s something positive… or if what Elle says is true and it’s a trap.”

Rika climbed up onto his bed, snuggling close to him. “Sylvee?” ‘You okay?’

“I’m fine,” Seth hugged his Pokémon closely as his eyes closed. “Just a little worried is all.”

‘What do we do if gets nasty?” Absol looked up to Ignis, Seth’s Charizard, who sat in the corner of the room.

‘What we always do, protect our Trainer with all our power. If we face a Champion in order to do so, then so be it.’

Selena nodded, Seth saved her life after all, he had saved all of them. In turn, the Pokémon swore a life debt to the young man. If Arceus himself got in the way, then they would knock him down.

She sighed as she climbed up to snuggle Seth as well. ‘I just wish we could live in peace…’
They all suddenly felt very tired, as a distant voice resonated in their minds.

“Rest now my children, for when you awake, a whole new world shall be your home!”

***

Pandemonium, that would probably be an apt term to use for this situation. The entire world of Equus was in a state of panic and confusion, but one pony remained oblivious thus far.

Apple Fritter was a hard working mare. She would rise with Celestia’s sun, harvest her small orchard of around a dozen trees, and then spend most of the morning preparing a plethora of apple products. Fritters, pies, cobbler, danish, custards, dried apple chips and just leaving some as is.

A little after noon, she would load up her wagon and head for the produce market to sell her wares to hungry ponies. Her family thought she was crazy for moving to Canterlot,

‘Y’all can’t sell to those petty snobs.’

‘They wouldn’t know good eatin’s if it jumped up an’ bit ‘em.’

‘Yer cousin Applejack could always use the help.’

That last one annoyed her, living close to Ponyville meant that she helped out quite a bit at Sweet Apple Acres, raising new barns. (They got destroyed… a lot.) She would help with harvest season, cider season and even Zap Apple Season on occasion.

She harboured no ill will towards Applejack, or the rest of her kin. Fritter could never hate her family no matter what, but she wondered if Applejack knew just how blessed she was. She owned the biggest Apple Farm on Equus, had many wonderful friends and was probably one of the most famous ponies around being an Element of Harmony Bearer.

Fritter did the best she could with what she had, but it never seemed to be good enough for anypony.

But as for not being able to sell? Well, that was a matter of fine tuning the right sales pitch. She found that Canterlot ponies would buy anything if you knew how to sell rather than what you were selling.

Apple Juice? How about a figure slimming Apple tonic?

Apple Pie? More like a sweet pâtisserie.

Apple Fritter? The cute mare that sold them delicious treats of course~

But back to the topic at hand, Equus was panicking over the emergence of strange new creatures that seemed to appear overnight, but for Apple Fritter it was a pretty ordinary morning.

Until she went to check on her apple trees.

Buzzing around the delicious fruit were several bugs. Very big bugs.

The huge insects looked like giant bees, with large pink eyes and massive spears on their forelimbs. Apple Fritter took one look at the bugs, tilted her hat downwards and raised her voice.

“WHUT IN THE HECK ARE Y’ALL DOING IN MAH TREES!?”

The sudden yell scared the Beedrill out of their wits and they made a quick exit, buzzing off to somewhere else.

“And that’s that!” Fritter smiled. The giant bees had eaten a few of her apples, but there were enough to work with. And the potions that she mixed with the soil would ensure that she would have another crop within a few days.

“Now to bake~” she hummed happily, wrapping an apron around herself and getting out her baking trays. “And maybe I should tell the guard or somepony about those giant bees. They could be trouble.”

***

The first thing that Seth noticed was that he no longer felt like he was asleep in a soft bed. Opening his eyes slowly the second thing to assault his senses was the smell, wherever he was, it was nasty. Once his eyes adjusted, it all made sense as he saw he was lying in a dank alley.

‘Oh this is just great. What the hell happened?’ He didn’t recall drinking, maybe a prank by a psychic Pokémon? He tried to get up, but his legs suddenly gave out and he fell hard onto his back.

“Ow! What the-?” He went to grab the back of his head and noticed his hands… or lack thereof.
What he saw were large, fluffy black paws.

“The fuck?” He looked down at the rest of his body, only to view the soft belly of a Luxray. “This cannot be happening.” He rolled over onto his belly and tried to get up again, this time on all fours. “Okay, so it’s kind like crawling, sort of.” He tried taking a step forward, but the timing of his leg movements was off and he face planted the ground.

“Ow… again.” This couldn’t be a dream, it hurt way too much to be a dream. “Alright, so this could be a few things, First; A powerful illusion by a Psychic Pokémon.” He looked around the alleyway, and it seemed normal enough. Cobblestone paving beneath his feet, (paws). Stone brickwork walls and looking up he saw that the colour of the sky meant it was either dawn or dusk.

“Guess taking a look around would be the next step.” He slowly made his way forward, stumbling a few times as he worked on moving his front and back legs together. “This is seriously harder than it looks.”

He squinted as he emerged from the end of the alley, the rising sun shining brightly. He blinked a few times to clear his vision and looked around some more. “Something tells me I’m not in Nimbasa anymore.”

The city he was in looked huge, large stone buildings with shingle roofs. Wide streets bustled with activity and in the distance he could see what appeared to be a fairy tale castle. But what was most intriguing was the occupants of the city. A range of multi-coloured Ponyta, only a bit smaller and had massive, adorable eyes. Some had wings and soared through the sky, while others had horns like a Rapidash and appeared to have Psychic powers.

“Where the hell am I?” He approached one of the Ponyta, slowly as not to scare it and mostly so he wouldn’t fall over again. Once he got close enough, he tried calling out, “Excuse me?”

Fleur De Lis was having an interesting morning, after leaving her home earlier for her morning run, she had heard that odd creatures had been appearing around the city. But during her run, the only things she had seen were some odd-looking birds.

“I wonder why everypony is in such a tizzy?” she wondered aloud as some unicorns ran past her, shrieking loudly.

“Luxray!” the sudden voice from behind her grabbed the mare’s attention and Fleur turned her head to see a large black lion-creature standing right behind her. She decided that there was only one choice of action that a mare of her stature and poise should take.

She screamed loudly and bolted in the opposite direction, prying to Celestia that she wasn’t being pursued.

***

Seth watched the pony scream and run like hell, so much for not scaring it. Every time he tried to get close to one of them after that, it was always the same response. He started to believe that this was a futile venture, especially when he saw a rather happy Houndoom chasing a bunch of the creatures around.

“Way to make my life easier,” Seth muttered, but it was good to see that there were other Pokémon around. “So I’m not the only one here. Was that Houndoom also a former human? I should have tried to get its attention.”

He decided to just continue wandering aimlessly. He figured that he’d run into another Pokémon eventually…

***

Canterlot seemed, different. Well, at least Apple Fritter seemed to think so as she made her way to the market. She figured that the giant bees might have been something from the magic school; they were always doing weird things there. But it would seem that it was a tad more widespread than that. Creatures of all kinds were wandering the streets, and though the guard seemed to be doing their best to capture them all, there were a lot of them.

“Maybe I should head back home?” she wondered aloud as she rounded a corner, and bumped into something hard. “Ow, what in tarnation?” She looked up as the gleaming eyes of a giant blue crocodile stared back down at her. She couldn’t get a word out as its gaze shifted from her to her wagon as it sniffed the air loudly.

“Feraligatr!” its voice was deep as it took a step towards her, its hungry gaze still fixed on the Earth Pony.

“Uh, y-y’all want to buy a pie?” Well it was worth a shot anyway.

“FERALIGATR!” It roared loudly, causing Fritter to scream. Giant bees were one thing, but a giant pony-eating crocodile!? Her shaking legs refused to move as she waited to be chomped on, but the attack never came.

“Gator!?”

“LUXRAY!”

Fritter opened her eyes at the sound of the second voice and saw a black lion-like critter standing between her and the monster. The strangest thing was that they seemed to be having a conversation.

“Lux, Luxray!” “What are you doing? Why are you attacking this creature?”

“Gator! Feraligatr, tor!” “She has food, I’m hungry and lost!”

Seth sighed, he could understand those feelings, but still. “Look, I am too. But attacking these creatures may lead to a whole bunch of problems.”

“So what? I’m supposed to starve to death?” Seth shook his head and looked back at the pony.

“Hang on, maybe I can get it to help us…” Then something Feraligatr said clicked in his mind.

“Did you say ‘she’?”

“She has the scent of a female… and apples, you can’t smell it?” Seth shook his head, the truth was that he could smell a ton of things, his nose as a Luxray was awesome. But there were so many that he couldn’t make heads or tails of them all.

“My senses are all over the place right now.” Revealing that he used to be human may turn the situation sour, so he figured that he’d keep a lid on that for now. But first thing’s first. He turned towards Apple Fritter, who was slowly backing away. She flinched when he looked at her and he lowered his head and ears, trying to look non-threatening. He put a paw to his tummy and rubbed it before pointing to her wagon. It didn’t take long for the mare to catch on.

“Y’all just want some apples?” Luxray nodded and after shooting a glare at Feraligatr, he nodded too. “Well, I suppose I could help ya out.” She opened one of the side panels and pulled out two Apple Pies, which the Feraligatr suddenly snatched up and ran off down the road, yelling something to Seth.

“Yeah, just steal my pie… asshole.” He looked back at Apple Fritter, only to feel a sharp pain in his stomach, followed by a light-headed feeling. “Guess I was hungrier than I thought” he muttered to himself before passing out.

***

As his dreamless sleep faded, Seth was awoken by the sweet scent of baked apples. A powerful rumble in his tummy reminded him of why he had passed out in the first place, and then he saw the plate of delicious apple fritters next to him.

Those fritters didn’t last long.

“You must’ve been pretty danged hungry!” the voice near him grabbed his attention once the fried treats had been demolished. “You feel better now?”

Seth took in his surroundings, noticing that he was inside some sort of home. It looked pretty cosy, from the comfy couch that he seemed to be laying on, to the little knickknacks that filled the living room he was in.

“Where… where am I?” He looked to his left to see the yellow creature from earlier. (They looked kinda like Ponyta… I’ll call them ponies for now, seems better than ‘creature’ anyway). “Did you bring me here?”

Apple Fritter giggled as she took the licked clean plate into the kitchen. “So I take it that yer name is Luxray? Given that’s all ya seem to say. If yer wondering where you are. Ah brought you back to my place after you passed out.” She came back into the living room and took a seat on the couch next to him. “You saved me from that big crocodile critter, so ah figured that I’d look out for you in return.”

So to her, all she could hear is PokéSpeak? That’s annoying, but his Pokémon seemed to make do with just that and physical expressions. She got off of the couch and bowed his head respectfully.

“Aw, ya don’t hafta thank me,” she paused and thought for a second. “Do… do you, understand me?”

Seth nodded and Apple Fritter giggled again. “Well, ah might as well introduce myself properly then. My name is Apple Fritter, the only apple farmer in all of Canterlot.”

“I’m Seth,” but all that came out was a single, ‘Luxray’. Life was so not fair.

“Well then Luxray what do ya plan to do now?” Fritter looked out of her living room window and sighed. “Things still look pretty hectic out there… you can stay here if ya want. I wouldn’t mind the company actually.”

Seth nodded again and Fritter left to prepare a room he could stay in. Seth in the meantime, lay back on the couch and closed his eyes, losing himself in thought.

“What a day, I go to sleep as a human, wake up as a Luxray in a land filled with multi-coloured Ponyta and now I’m living with one of them… all before dinner.”

As confused as he was about the how’s and why’s, he could get to those later. What mattered first was finding his Pokémon and maybe even some of his friends. He wondered if Elesa or Skyla made it here somehow.

“Rika, Selene, Ignis… and Heath, where are you guys?” Tears stung at his eyes and he buried his face in a pillow. “This sucks!”

***

Apple Fritter tucked in a sheet, before it occurred to her if Luxray would even sleep in a bed. She dragged her hoof down her face and headed back for the living room, it would be rude if she didn’t at least ask. As she turned the corner and stopped, as a peculiar sound filled her ears. She peeked into the living room and saw Luxray, his head buried in her couch as his body shook.
Was… was he crying!? She decided to approach him slowly and very gently, put a hoof on his back. The black lion flinched at the touch, but didn’t do anything else. She ran her hoof gently through his fur and cooed softly.

“Hey, it’ll be okay huh?” She didn’t know what was wrong with him, but there was no way she wasn’t going to help him out. If you looked at him, he seemed like a strange sort of animal, but lying here, like this. He seemed like he was so much more than that.

“Apple Fritter’s here for you okay? I’ll help you out.”