All the Smallest Things: Original Draft

Once everyone had returned to the Brighthouse, they gathered around the coffee table in the living room.

"I think it's about time we told everypony in Maretime Bay what we know about Pokémon," said Hitch. "We could make an announcement in the town square."

"That's a great idea!" exclaimed Sunny. "But we should plan it first. We need to write a script, decide on a time, and spread the word."

Izzy raised her hoof. "Ooh! I'll make the flyers!"

"And I can distribute them," said Zipp. She pulled her tablet out from under her wing and made a note.

"Can I livestream it?" asked Pipp. "Then I could spread the word to Zephyr Heights as well!"

Sunny nodded at all of them. "Then it's settled! Hitch and I will write the script."

"Can I join in?" asked Nemona. "I think it'd be easier to explain Pokémon to them if they could see an actual Pokémon."

"Sure you can," said Sunny. "Penny and Arven, what about you?"

"No thanks," said Arven.

"I'm no good at public speaking," mumbled Penny, "and Pipp's taking me shopping today."

"Shouldn't we have lunch first?" asked Misty.

"You're right! Today's been so busy, I forgot that I'm hungry," said Nemona. "I have an idea..." She looked at the ponies. "Have you got a baguette?"

One trip to the grocery store later, Sunny returned with the longest baguette she could find. Nemona washed her hands, then cut it in half with her claws and asked everyone to choose one ingredient from the fridge each. The sandwich was stacked high with cheese, lettuce, cucumbers, flowers, and whatever else they could find, and then Nemona sliced it into one piece for each of them. It tasted... interesting, to say the least.

After that culinary adventure was over, Pipp and Penny stepped through the together tree into Zephyr Heights. Penny took in a moment to admire the view of the palace garden. It was ringed with white-flowered bushes and statues of winged ponies (whatever they were called) surrounding a white and gold watchtower in the middle. The tree they'd just stepped out of had white bark and bright blue leaves.

While Pipp began to fly towards town, Penny swore she saw something move in a nearby flower patch. She took a step closer and saw a cream-coloured figure of a similar size and shape to herself, with ears and a tail that looked like leaves. She took a sniff, and memories of her dorm room came flooding back: the smell of energy drinks and instant noodles and kibble. Could it be...?

The Leafeon stood up and bolted away from Penny.

"Wait! Come back!" Penny shouted as she gave chase. She wasn't as fast as the Leafeon, but eventually she caught up to Pipp.

"Penny!" she gasped. "What are you doing?"

"I think I know this one!" Penny shouted back.

Pipp flew towards the Leafeon, then dived down and grabbed it between her forelegs as she landed.

"Let me go!" the Leafeon squealed while squirming — not that Pipp could understand her.

Penny stepped up to face the Leafeon and said, "I think I know you."

The Leafeon tilted her head and squinted. "Huh? I thought I'd remember meeting a Sylveon with mismatched eyes."

"You might not believe this," said Penny, "but it's me, Penny! Your trainer!"

Leafeon laughed. Surprised, Pipp let go of her. "Really? First I wake up in a brand new place, then some crazy Sylveon who thinks she's a human wakes me up from my nap. What was in that kibble?"

Penny sighed, lost for words.

"Could you translate?" asked Pipp.

"She doesn't believe me," said Penny.

"And why should I?" Leafeon snarked. "Nothing that's happened today makes a lick of sense."

"You get used to it," muttered Penny. Then, to Pipp: "Anyway, let's go get a phone."

Pipp and Penny both turned around, but the latter heard Leafeon say, "Huh. My trainer was obsessed with her phone. Not sure how a Sylveon could use one, but you remind me of her."

Penny reigned in the urge to face-ribbon. "You can come with us if you want."

"Sure. Not like I have anything better to do."

The first time Penny had been to Zephyr Heights, it had been deserted, but today the streets were bustling. Ponies walked and flew between golden buildings with glass roofs, and giant screens on the walls advertised perfumes and shampoo. A lot of ponies stared at the group, but Penny wasn't sure if they were more interested in her or Pipp. Hopefully the latter.

The first phone shop they went to was sleek, with a wall-sized front window and white furniture inside. As soon as they entered, a shopkeeper approached them.

"It's great to see you, Princess Petals!" he exclaimed. "But we don't allow pets in here, even for royalty."

"They're not my pets! They're my friends!" Pipp protested, but the shopkeeper didn't budge. She faced the Pokémon and said, "Sorry, but you're going to have to wait outside."

Penny sighed and was about to turn around, when she noticed Leafeon staring very intensely at the shopkeeper. Her big brown eyes widened, and the shopkeeper eventually sighed and relaxed.

"Fine, they can come in..."

Unfortunately, Penny wasn't able to find a smartphone she could use, but she'd found something even better: one of her Veevees! Hopefully the others weren't far away. When they returned to the Brighthouse that evening, Leafeon decided to sleep in the community garden. She still didn't believe Penny, but she wanted a quiet place to spend the night.

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day...