Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hei the Eevee:

Hei as Vaporeon:

Hei as Umbreon:

Hei as Jolteon:

Key the Zorua:

Postmaster General Aldora the Shaymin (Land Forme):

Postmaster General Aldora the Shaymin (Sky Forme):

Chief of Police Pudding the Slurpuff:

Police Inspector Mochi the Hatenna:

Miss Munchmoney the Snubbull:

Herdier Police Officers:

Maurice the Cramorant:

Daisy the Miltank and Mano the Scrafty:

Coco the Alolan Exeggutor:

Cheri the Pansear, Lum the Pansage, Oran the Panpour:

Nicki the Nickit:

Zag the Galarian Zigzagoon:

Team All-Terrain (Sorin the Tranquill, Stein the Lairon, Hyugo the Poliwhirl):

Clover the Deerling:

Fescue the Sawsbuck:

Wise Guy the Munkidori:

Big Fella the Okidogi:

Pretty Boy the Fezandipiti:

Ponkan the Ogerpon:

Rok the Riolu:

Chapter Text

Crossroad Town was gifted with another bright and sunny morning, though most townsfolk were too busy with their daily routines to pay much notice. Pokemon of all shapes, sizes and hues bustled around the paved roads and squares, setting up shop, chatting through a mouthful of breakfast or trotting on their way to school or work. Nobody batted an eye when a blue-plumaged avian Pokemon bumbled his way over Salted Apple Bridge, for this too was very much routine.

It was Maurice, a Cramorant with a perpetually worried expression etched across his face. He could usually be seen waddling around the streets early in the morning, glancing around nervously, asking for directions and leaving a trail of cerulean feathers in his wake. He was a well-known deliverymon around those parts; not particularly good at the job, but earnest and hardworking enough to garner the pity of the local citizens.

His delivery route today led him to the residential district of Crossroad Town, in a particularly ritzy neighborhood. Ornately decorated houses lined the central cobblestone street, built in the shape of their owner's head (A typical but odd custom of the rich). Maurice whipped his head from side to side, toddling along the road with a whimpering frown curving his beak downwards.

"Um… Er…" He muttered, studying a damp, crinkled memo wedged between his wing feathers. "It should be around here somewhere…?"

His thoughts were cut short by a youthful, cheerful voice. "Hey, mister!"

Maurice looked up from his memo in surprise. He was greeted by the face of a young Piplup who came bounding up to him.

"You look lost!" The Piplup chirped. "D'ya need some help?"

The Cramorant's look of concern quickly melted into a wide grin at the sight of such an inconceivably cute child. "What a sweet young lad you are!" 

The older bird opened his delivery satchel, revealing a small sealed parcel to the boy before closing it once more. "You see, I need to deliver this package to a 'Miss Munchmoney'... But I'm not the best with directions."

He glanced around the neighborhood once more in dismay. "I've been searching for a while but I just can't find the address!"

"You mean the Miss Munchmoney that lives right there?" The Piplup pointed his flipper to a garish pink house directly behind him. A shimmering gold plate next to the house read "Munchmoney Residence" in plain view.

Both beaked Pokemon stared at the Snubbull-shaped building wordlessly, until Maurice broke the silence with nervous chuckling. "Well, whaddaya know?"

The penguin Pokemon returned an unconvincing chuckle and began to waddle away. "Anyways, I gotta go now! See you around, mister!"

"Thanks for the help, junior!" The deliverymon waved after him until the petite silhouette disappeared into the morning sun. He turned back to Munchmoney's house.

He had work to do.

Waggling up to the residence, he knocked (or rather pecked) on the mahogany door with his long beak. A suspicious amount of time passed, but eventually the door creaked open, revealing a stout elderly Snubbull with a bone-chilling glare behind a thick green Berry facial paste. The Pokemon's frilly ears were held back by a ribboned hair tie presumably to be kept gunk-free.

"What?" She croaked in a raspy voice.

Maurice flinched from astonishment but tried to maintain a professional disposition. "Um… Shaymin's Delivery Service."

The Snubbull's irritated scowl quickly changed into a crooked toothy smile upon hearing those words. "Oh, my package is finally here!"

"Yes, M'am!" The Cramorant smiled back, relieved at the lady's good mood. "Delivered with care by..."

He reached inside his satchel, but his wings felt nothing.

"Yours..."

He continued fumbling around the lined interior of the bag with a nervous smile plastered on his beak, but cannot detect the parcel anywhere.

"Truly..."

He ducked his head down but his eyes confirmed what his wings had warned him about. The inside of his delivery bag was completely, utterly, emptily empty.

The sweating bird's pupils shrink.

“I’VE BEEN ROBBED!”

Not three kilometers from the shriek was the Piplup, stolen package in hand and running as fast as his stubby feet could carry him. He cackled at the strident wail and made a sudden jump. A puff of smoke enveloped him in an instant, and what came down was not a Piplup at all, but a Zorua.

“What a sucker!” The Pokemon chortled, grasping the twine of the package in his teeth. He zigzagged around the streets, always choosing the emptiest allies and narrowest wedges until the buildings began to peter out, giving way to the outskirts of the town.

Dashing past faded signposts, tall grass and broken fences, he arrived to an abandoned windmill atop a hill. The derelict structure loomed over a broad and murky pond, overseeing Crossroad Town. Wasting no time, the Zorua crept inside the doorless entrance of the windmill and plopped the small package on top of one of the many piles of hay.

A wide smirk spread across his face. “Cheers to that idiot mailman! I just hope it’s something decent this time. Like a Black Gummi...”

He ripped open the parcel with a skilled claw and hastily dug past the layers of packing fluff. Suddenly, his yellow eyes detected something sparkly, and his jaw dropped.

“Wha--? A GOLD RIBBON?!” He exclaimed. The tricky fox Pokemon grabbed onto the shimmering ribbon as if it would’ve disappeared at any moment and felt the silky smooth golden fabric.

“Th-this sells for at least 2000 Poké! Jackpot!” He danced around the dusty room with glee, pirouetting on and off bales of hay. “Finally, an item worthy of being stolen by moi! Oh Gold Ribbon, I love ya!”

The Pokemon planted a delicate kiss on the bow and pinned it to his neck fur. He could at least look dapper while he decided how to spend his small fortune.

His fantasies were suddenly cut short by the sound of something rustling nearby.

Shoot! The cops already?!

In a panic, the Zorua reflexively disappeared into another puff of smoke, reappearing as a bale of hay. He laid completely still, hoping nobody saw him transform, and scanned the area in search of the source.

It was then when he saw a nearby hay pile swish and tumble apart, giving way to a lump of tan and cream colored fur. The lump groggily wriggled around the bed of straw before sitting up. A long ear perked to an upright position while one flopped over the creature’s face as it gave a yawn.

It was an Eevee. Still not bothering to get up, she lazily looked around the room, stopping her gaze occasionally to stare at dancing specks of dust caught in a sunbeam that leaked in through the windmill’s narrow window. Her eyes eventually locked on to the Zorua “hay bale”. The disguised Pokemon tried his best to remain completely still and avoid detection, but the stranger was completely fixated on him. 

The Eevee finally got up, shaking away the hay, dust and dirt that still clung to her fur, and slowly ambled her way to the disguise, who was paralyzed in place, until her nose was only centimeters from the sweaty stack of hay.

Before the Zorua could even of a plan, the Eevee suddenly lurched her head backwards.

And headbutted the hay bale with all her might.

The Zorua toppled to the floor, his illusion abandoned in clouds of smoke, and clutched the newly formed lump on his forehead.

“What the heck was that for?!” He whined.

“Oh, sorry!” The Eevee walked up to him with a completely unconcerned face. “I was just checking if you were real.”

“THAT’S how you check?!”

The Zorua snapped back to his feet, and shot the strange Normal-type the dirtiest look he could make while still wincing from pain. “I don’t have time for this. How did you even find this place? Are you with the cops?!”

The Eevee tilted her head to the side, deep in thought.  “Hmmm…” 

The two sat in silence for a few moments while she continued to ponder. Eventually, she melted into a bright smile.

“I can’t remember!”

“...Huh?”

The dark-furred Pokemon gaped at her incredulously, waiting for any kind of follow-up but found none. She only stared back at him with a candid expression.

He erupts into a fit of laughter. “Bahahaha! Yeah, right! Like I’d fall for that one!”

His laughter only seemed to confuse the Eevee who now seemed unsure of what to say. Her dazed face annoyed him, so he tried to prod her once more. 

“What a bunch of Trubbish!” He insisted. “‘I don’t remember…’ ”

“I don’t.”

“You don’t remember anything at all?”

“Nope.”

“Not even your name?”

“Nope.”

“You just… woke up here?”

“Yep.”

Zorua growled at her stubbornness. “Rrrgh, okay, whatever. That’s not my problem. Why don’t you skedaddle on out of here so I can scheme in my secret lair in peace?”

An explosive voice shattered through the conversation.

“THIEF! WE KNOW YER THERE!”

The two small Pokemon stand stunned for a few moments with ringing ears, but Zorua knew he had to snap out of it soon.

“This is bad.”

Outside of the decrepit windmill, a small squadron of Pokemon surveyed the area. Most of them were Herdier with their facial fur clipped short and necks concealed by a thick leather collar with a golden badge attached. Among them was Maurice who timidly waddled behind a plump Slurpuff, clearly the leader of the group.

“Where are ya, ya little varmit?!” He roared. “Think yer so smart ‘cuz you steal all day and get away with it? Not if Chief Pudding’s got somthin’ to say ‘bout it!”

He tapped on his navy blue hat adorned with a brilliant gold star and gritted his teeth on a flimsy plastic stick, occasionally revealing a lime green lollipop inside his mouth. The same golden badge the Herdier wore on their collars was strapped around his waist along with a jangling set of handcuffs.

He began muttering to himself. “Today’s the last day that lil’ beastie’s steals from some dope in this town…”

“Dope?” The deliverymon behind him repeated feebly.

“SO COME OUT, YA COWARD!”

The coward in question remained pressed up between one of the walls of the windmill and a particularly tall stack of hay bales, concealed from sight. He slapped his paw against the mouth of the odd Eevee he dragged along with him when hiding.

He was in trouble.

This is very bad. At this rate they’re gonna catch me. I need to find a way out of this. Think, you beautiful genius, think! What can I use right now to escape?

He locked eyes with Eevee, who smiled innocently back. 

A lightbulb went off in his head.

“Heeey, buddy…” He whispered through a sickeningly sweet smile. “Wanna play a little game?”

“That sounds fun!” The brown Pokemon exclaimed. “What game are we playing?”

“Inside voice, please.” He purred. “It’s kind of like hide-and-seek. The annoying loud guys outside are the seekers. I’m the hider. Your job is to pretend like you’re the hider but you really want to get caught by the seekers. And you have to make sure I don’t get caught. Get it?”

“Sure!”

“Inside voice.”

He extended a paw and the two exchanged a quiet high five.

“Okay, let’s do this.” He murmured.

Eevee tugged on his tail. “We’re gonna need codenames! Not that I have a regular name. What’s mine?”

“Ehh…” Zorua looked to his left. Then to his right. “Your codename is Hay.”

She beamed. “Hei! I love it!”

“k cool my name’s not important, go get ‘em slugger” 

The trickster Pokemon tossed the Eevee away from him, directly in front of the windmill’s only entrance. She laid facedown in the dirty floor but eventually peeked her head up. She was greeted by a Slurpuff’s face twisted into a sadistic smile. The lollipop clenched between his teeth cracked with an unsettling sound

“Well, well, well…” He began in a singsong tone. “Look what we got here.”

His beady eyes darted to the side where Maurice fidgeted a few meters away. “This yer guy?”

The sweating Cramorant arched his long neck to inspect the Eevee, but his face only twisted further into distress. “Not really...”

“Guilty until proven innocent it is.”

“B-But the thief was clearly a Piplup, Chief Pudding, sir…” Maurice objected.

“Dadgum shapeshifter is what it is.” Pudding spat. “Been nabbin’ from the townsfolk fer ages. Nobody’s ever seen what it really looks like. Probably just usin’ another disguise right now to sneak its way out again. Nice try, slick!”

The Fairy-type reaches for the cuffs on his belt. “No outlaw can outsmart me… So yer under arrest!”

“Oh noooo,” The Eevee couldn’t contain her giggling as she offered her front paws to be cuffed. “You caught me! Heehee…”

Pudding grimaced. “Yer kinda takin’ the fun outta this…”

After being thoroughly patted down, handcuffed and muzzled, and after the pack of Herdier thoroughly investigated the area, they all regrouped outside of the windmill.

One of the Herdier went forward and saluted the chief. “Sir, we’ve secured the area and there appears to be no other Pokemon in the perimeter. We’ve also procured the stolen item, one Gold Ribbon.”

“Job well done, boys!” Chief Pudding chortled. “Let’s take this outlaw down to the precinct and have ourselves a round of blended Gummis!”

The humming Slurpuff led Hei by the chain of her muzzle back into Crossroad Town. She glanced back at the old building, but didn’t say a word. The jingling of heavy metal chains eventually fizzled out into the morning air, and the windmill returned to its typical silence.

Minutes passed.

A Zorua’s head popped out from the corner of the windmill’s entrance. He scanned the surroundings, making sure he was indeed alone, before disappearing back into the building in a flash.

“It worked.” He said to himself in bemusement while pacing wildly around the hay-covered floor. “I mean, sure, they took the Ribbon away (and I kind of framed an amnesiac) but I just avoided getting caught by the cops in my own secret lair! Am I a genius?”

His face went from puzzled to incredibly smug. He threw himself onto one of the piles of hay in an exceedingly ostentatious manner, crossing his hind legs in satisfaction.

“Welp, I hope that Eevee likes wrongful incarceration!”

He laid in the hay.

He tossed.

He turned.

He tossed once more. 

Suddenly, he exploded out of the bed in a flurry of straw.

“Okay fine, I’ll help her! JEEZ!” He screamed to himself.

He stared at the outside landscape of the distant Crossroad Town and gave a weary sigh. “I am such a good person.”

“Hmm…”

Hei’s limbs were all tightly bound to each corner of the table by a thick rope, all illuminated by a harsh light above her. Behind her muzzle was a wide quivering smile that occasionally sputtered out giggles.

“Quiet, you!” Chief Pudding barked as he looked down at her from a high chair to the left of the table. 

“B-But it tickles!” She squeaked between snickers.

The tickling continued from directly behind her head. A bespectacled Hatenna rubbed the Eevee’s head intently with her flaplike limbs, shifting from the top, to the temples, to the forehead, to the cheeks, and repeating. Each stroke caused another fit of laughter from Hei. The Hatenna remained silent, focused on the ‘massage’, until finally, she crosses her floppy ears over each other.

“She’s innocent.” The Hatenna declared in a stoic voice, causing the Slurpuff to puff up indignantly.

“Impossible! Do it again!”

“I don’t need to do it again, the results are very clear. We’ve been interrogating her all day.” The pink Pokemon retorted while untying Hei’s arm restraints.

“Inspector Mochi! As chief of police, I order ya to perform the lie detector again until it comes back positive!”

Mochi swung her ear down on the chief of police’s head hard, knocking him off of his stool. 

“That’s not how it works.” Her glasses flashed with disapproval, but her expression changed into a soft smile when helping Hei get off the table. “Thanks for being patient, sweetie. Let’s go do another interview now that we know you’re clean.” 

“‘Mkay.” The Eevee smiled back and followed the inspector out of the testing room while Pudding struggled to get back on his feet.

All three Pokemon arrived at the interrogation cell and seated themselves around a small metal table that had a stack of papers and a bowl of hard candies. 

Pudding turned on a nearby lamp and shoved it in the brown Pokemon’s face. “So, ya thievin’ thief, who do ya work for?”

“There’s something thing I’d like to clarify before we begin,” Mochi interrupted, ignoring the ramblings of her coworker. “As a Hatenna, I have the ability to read other’s emotions. I’ve read many Pokemon’s feelings in my day, but I’ve never felt energy like yours before. Where did you come from?”

Hei politely explained her amnesia to the astonished duo of policemon.

“I see, that would definitely explain the patterns I felt. Poor thing...” Inspector Mochi adjusted her glasses and reached for the police report on the table. “So if you’re not the thief, what were you doing with the stolen item so close by?”

“She had it cuz she’s a no good amnesia-havin’ thief, is what…” Pudding grumbled to himself, unwrapping a new lollipop from the candy bowl to chew on.

Hei looked at the two policemon in perplexion. “What stolen item? Is this part of the game?”

“What game?"

“Hide and seek!” The Eevee explained as if it were obvious. “You’re the seeker and I’m the fake hider. Pretty good for my first time, huh?”

The two adults sideyed at each other at a loss for words.

“You’re the ‘fake hider'? What do you mean?” The inspector asked.

“Well, I’m the fake one and then my friend is the real one-” Her eyes widened and she quickly slapped her hands over her mouth, though a few mischievous titters break through. “Oops, I was supposed to keep it a secret!”

The Hatenna scratched the protrusion on her head, jingling the badge strapped to it as well. “It sounds like you’ve been set up, sweetie.”

“Hm?” Hei’s smile was unwavered.

Mochi patted the young Pokemon’s head. “Your ‘friend’ is a thief. He stole something very valuable, and then tricked you into taking the blame for it. And we nearly fell for it.”

Chief Pudding bounced to his feet. “That no-good varmit! He duped us again?!”

The psychic-type nodded. “To think the outlaw would implicate a child with memory loss into a crime… What an awful Pokemon it must be.”

For the first time, Hei’s expression grew clouded with worry. “He’s… a bad Pokemon?”

“Tch! Chief Pudding will never lose to scum like that!” The pudgy chief of police blazed out of the interrogation cell, already shouting orders to the nearby Herdier officers to move out.

Inspector Mochi sighed. “He’s hopeless…” She reached for the candy bowl and handed the interogee a Pecha-flavored lollipop. “What about you, sweetie? Since you’ve lost your memory, you probably don’t have anywhere to go.”

“No…” 

She frowned.“That’s a problem. It’s already getting pretty late. My place is too small… Would you be okay sleeping in a cell for today? It’s not very luxurious but I could bring in some blankets."

Hei nibbled open the candy wrapper and popped the treat into her mouth.“That’s very nice of you. Thank you.”

A few minutes later, Mochi and the other police officers who had learned of the situation finished preparing Hei’s room for the night. Like the inspector said, the cold dark cell with only one barred slit as a source of fresh air was far from a comfortable bedroom, but the thermal blankets and cot provided by the precinct was more than enough for Hei, especially since her last bed was nothing more than a pile of straw. The young Normal-type thanked the inspector and other officers once more before hopping on the cot and burying herself under the blankets. She was far too tired to reflect upon what happened on her first day of remembering things, and deep reflection was not her style. She settled on closing her eyes and counting Mareep.

Her count was abruptly interrupted on number 148 when she began hearing something below her. She poked her good ear out of the nest of blankets for a better listen.

“Hey, kid! Are you in here?”

The Eevee popped the rest of her head out of the blankets and looked around. Behind the bars of the window to the outside was the Zorua from that morning. As the window only reached the ground, he had to duck and jam his snout in one of the openings.

“Oh, good, you’re here.” He whispered. “Hope they weren’t too rough with you. Anyways, I’ll bust you out now.”

Hei heard the sound of fumbling and metallic clanging. A keyring slid across the stone floor, settling at the feet of the cot.

The trickster chortled indulgently. “I stole this from the reception. Believe me, it is not easy to distract a Klefki, so you’re welcome. Just try them out until one of them works.”

The girl’s eyes narrowed at the sight of him. She sprinted out of the cot and past the already unlocked cell door, ignoring his escape plan entirely. Dashing past the Klefki receptionist and around the building, she came face to face with the bewildered outlaw.

“W-woah, that was fast. Good for you.”

“You!” Hei’s face turned fierce. “You’re a bad Pokemon!”

“Huh?”

“Turn yourself in now!” She pointed towards the front of the police station.

“Huh?!” The Zorua repeated, now riled up. “That’s some way to talk to someone who saved your sorry behind!”

The Eevee responded by headbutting him again. Zorua flew back, crashing to a halt on the pavement. 

“A-again?!” He groaned.

His vision was a bit blurry, but he could see the Eevee running towards him for another round. Wasting no time, he sprung to his feet and dashed away. However, Hei didn’t give up and ran in pursuit of the fleeing criminal.

The Zorua was fast and exceedingly nimble; Hei struggled to keep up with his weaving around tight spaces and sudden transformations into other Pokemon in crowds. All she could do was not lose sight of him. He was beginning to tire too. Multiple transformations in one day proved too exerting on his powers. He resolved to at least lure her somewhere with less prying eyes and patrolling officers, so he made a mad dash towards his secret base.  The chase continued as the crowds and shops became more and more sparse, and soon the two Pokemon ended up outside the same windmill they had met inside that morning. The Dark-type skidded to a halt near one of the windmill blades.

“Leave me alone, weirdo!” He screamed.

“No!” Hei cried back. “You’re a bad Pokemon! You stole something and blamed it on me! You’re a thief and a liar!”

Zorua’s glare ignited with a wild anger. “Oh, I’m a bad Pokemon?” He snarled. “You’re right about that. I’m a wanted outlaw. I’m the Yellow-Eyed Mirage! You really think you can take me on?”

He charged with his claws pointed right at the Eevee. She swiftly dodged the attack and hopped atop the rotting windmill blade. The growling fox Pokemon lept after her, his landing causing the wood beneath them to creak and splinter.  He took a step towards her, forcing her to take on back towards the end of the blade.

“You come into my secret lair and make me have to break you out of jail…” He muttered, taking another step towards her. “And you have the nerve to preach about my morality? That amnesia must have wiped out your brains, too.”

Hei took another shaky step back. “You’re the one who tricked me. And you stole something that doesn’t belong to you. That’s wrong!”

“Please!” The Zorua scoffed, and approached her with one more step. “The rich granny can get another ribbon. But that thing would’ve fed me for a month! That’s what’s really wrong!”

To this, Hei’s expression softened. “Really?”

The boy’s voice quavered. “Obviously! I live in an abandoned windmill, for Arceus’ sake! Do you think I want to live like this? But Pokemon like me aren’t lucky enough to have squeaky clean morals like you!”

A horrible snapping sound rang across the sweltering evening air. Both Pokemon looked down in dismay to see the wooden beam beneath them crack a rift between them, ripping the musty cloth of the blade in the process. 

“H-Hey, look out!” The Zorua called after Hei, but both she and the wooden plank supporting her plummeted down to the muddy pond below.

The Eevee was helpless as she hit the water. Maybe she once knew how to swim, but as for current amnesiac Hei, she had no clue. The pond was far too deep to wade through, and the sinking debris from the destroyed blade made navigation all but impossible.  All she could do was wildly flail her legs and pray that would work.

Her senses began to fail her. Her hearing was muffled, her nose and mouth filled with water, her vision blurry. Even her consciousness began to abandon her. She could no longer feel herself sinking; perhaps she had already reached the bottom of the pond.

With the last of her vision, she made out something shining a peculiar rouge glow next to her.

She stretched her paw towards it as if by instinct. 

And then, everything went white.

Suddenly, Hei felt completely fine. She could see, she could hear, she could even breathe. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her. She tried to swim, and found it surprisingly easy to do so, like she had always known how. With unexpected agility, she maneuvered herself around the underwater wreckage and swam her way to the surface. Her head broke out of the water. The night air stung her skin, suddenly too cold even though by all accounts, it should've been a warm summer night. She paddled to the pond’s edge and climbed out with ease.

A few meters away, the Zorua was frantically trotting laps around the pond, scanning the water for signs of an Eevee.

“Heeeey, kid! Where are you?!”

“I’m right here!”

His head shot back up, but upon laying his eyes on her, his expression changed from relieved to bewildered.

“...Kid? Is that you?”

Hei tilted her head. “Yeah, who else would it be?”

“You look a bit… different.” He pointed to their reflection on the pond’s surface. The grimy water allowed for a clear view of the two youngsters.

To her right was the confused Zorua’s expression staring at her, while her own reflection was… very unlike was an Eevee should look like. Her fur had vanished, now replaced by blue, white and magenta scales,  webbing, and her tail had split into a fishlike one. Her ears had also disappeared, being replaced by long facial fins that jutted out from the side of her head (interestingly enough, her right fin inherited its floppiness from her ear).

Hei approached her reflection, taking in every detail of her bizarre new form.

“You evolved.” The other Pokemon noted bluntly. “You’re a… Vaporeon now, right?”

“I… guess so?” Hei said while prodding the frilled collar around her neck.

“How is that even possible? Everyone knows you need an Evolution Crystal to evolve and…” His eyes suddenly grew wide. “Sweet Mew, I hid an Evolution Crystal in that pond a while back and forgot about it. You must’ve touched it!”

“Huh…” The Vaporeon grunted absentmindedly as she stretched her paws and admired the new webbing between each finger.

“I was totally gonna use it to evolve when I was strong enough…” The Zorua muttered, but quickly finished mourning the loss of his Evolution Crystal. “Well, I guess you needed it more. I’ll just steal another one.”

This snapped Hei out of her self-fascination. “Are you really going to go back to stealing?”

“I mean, yeah. Are you gonna headbutt me again?” He shuffled around awkwardly. He knew he couldn’t win a fight between a fully evolved Pokemon.

The Water-type shakes her head, causing her facial fins to flop around. “I won’t try to stop you anymore."

"Wait really?"

"I thought only bad Pokemon stole and lied, but you showed me that even good ones need to do it to get by sometimes.”

 Zorua’s face flushed red. “Good? Me? I pinned my crime on you!”

“But you never intended for me to stay in jail. You came to get me right after.”

I don’t know about never intended…

“Plus,” Hei continued with a smile. “You were trying to save me from drowning just now, right? Even though we were fighting! You really do have a good heart!”

The Dark-type sheepishly pawed at a pebble on the ground. “I don’t know about that… You’re too easily influenced, you know that?”

She giggled. “Probably. But I always want to listen to others sincerely. I’ll make up my mind once I hear all sides.”

“You’re… kind of strange.” Saying that, the Zorua cracked a smile, the most sincere one Hei had seen from him yet. It fades as quickly as it appeared, however, soon replaced by a weary sigh.

“Darn it all…” He mumbled. “You caught me. And rule number seven of thieving is ‘know when you’ve been caught and give in with pride’. Well, I guess it’s time to face the music.”

“You mean…?”

“I’ll turn myself in. Or better yet, you can say you caught me all hero-like and get a ton of money. An outlaw as cool as me’s bound to have a high bounty, right?” He struck a pose.

“You’ll really do that?”

“Sure. That way, after I serve my time, I’ll have a clean slate and can get back to stealing all I want. Plus, I can’t wait to see Pudgy Pudding’s face when he sees a ditz like you apprehended me! Oh, I bet he’s gonna toast like a marshmallow!”

The two Pokemon laughed thinking of such a sight and began making their way back to Crossroad Town.

“Hey, I never got your name.” The Zorua mentioned.

“You just said it. It’s Hei.” 

The fox Pokemon’s brow furrowed, suddenly remembering that morning. “Wait, you’re still using that dumb codename? I kind of made it up on the spot, you know.”

Hei giggled, her scaly cheeks turning a rosy hue at the thought of her new name.

“I like it!”

“Well, suit yourself.”

“What about you?”

“Who, me?” The Zorua asked somewhat dumbfounded. “I usually don’t give out my name but… since I’m turning myself in, it doesn’t matter anymore. The name’s Key, A.K.A The Yellow-Eyed Mirage!”

“Pffft.”

“What?!”

“It’s not very cool.”

“Which part? My alias or my actual name?!”

Hei paused. “Both.”

“What do you mean both ?!”

It was late at night, but the reception of the Crossroad Town police station was jammed packed with Pokemon. When Hei, now a Vaporeon, suddenly returned with the culprit of the stolen Gold Ribbon, everyone involved scrambled back to the precinct. Chief Pudding was of course the first to arrive, out of breath and cuffs in hand.

“So… you were a Zorua the whole time, huh? Dadgum shapeshifter…” He said while locking the handcuffs on each of Key’s front paws.

“You don’t need to cuff me, I’m not going anywhere.” He muttered.

Pudding guffawed. “You’re darn tootin’. You ain’t goin’ nowhere any time soon, that’s for sure.”

Next to arrive was Inspector Mochi.

“It’s incredible you managed to catch him.” She mused in admiration. “Have you considered joining the police force?”

Hei chuckled nervously. “Key turned himself in all by himself. I didn’t do anything.”

“Key, huh?” The Psychic-type glared at the outlaw, who suddenly felt very unsafe. “So you’re the genius who hid while this amnesiac girl got arrested in your stead?”

He smirked but sweat continued to fall from his face. “Well, I’m here now, aren’t I?” 

The Hattena bounced up, and using Chief Pudding’s face as a stepping stool, got up right in Key’s face. “Yes. You. Are.”

Miss Munchmoney came next. With an indignant huff (but perfectly smooth skin thanks to that morning’s facial), she marched up to the fox Pokemon and flicked his nose with a polished claw. “You’re pretty cheeky stealing my package from right under my nose like that!” She barked in a raspy voice. “If I were a couple years younger, I’d show you what happens when you mess with a Fairy-type gal like me!”

“Couple of light years, maybe.” He snorts.

Hei shyly poked him and whispered in his ear. “Key, light years measure distance, not time.”

“You have amnesia, how do you know this?”

“It’s common knowledge.”

 The last one to arrive on the scene was Maurice, his ever present worry-grimace accompanying him even late at night.

“G’devenin’.” He greeted timidly. “Sorry to disturb. This whole mess really is my fault for being careless.”

“Nonsense, it’s all this wiley varmit’s fault.” Chief Pudding pointed his stubby paw at Key, who stuck his tongue out.

“In any case…” Maurice squawked. “The whole situation got a bit out of proportion. So my boss is also here to settle matters properly.”

Everyone in the room fell quiet. Hei looked at the others quizzically, confused about the sudden stoicism.

As if on cue, Maurice waddled out of the way to make room for a diminutive Pokemon. It was a Shaymin, dressed in a sky blue bow tied around her neck and a distinguished-looking cap covering the top of her lush grassy pelt. The cap was also the same shade of blue as the ribbon, complete with a golden stitched emblem of a Gracidea flower, and was adorned with a thick moss-green rope around the base of the  brim.

All the other Pokemon took a moment to admire the mythical creature. Something about a Shaymin’s presence filled those around it with a sense of calm; the air felt fresher, the atmosphere more pleasant. Or was it perhaps just this Shaymin?

“Postmaster General!” Inspector Mochi greeted, toddling up to the Shaymin and extending her soft blue limb for a handshake. The hedgehog Pokemon gingerly accepted it and gave a hearty shake.

“Good evening, Inspector.” Her kind green eyes shimmered under strands of her leafy fur. “I hope you haven’t been too distraught with the situation.”

“Nothing we can’t handle, m’am.”

The Shaymin smiled. “As expected. Please keep up the good work.”

She then approached the chief of police, who gave a stiff salute. “Evening, Postmaster Aldora.”

“Good evening, Chief Pudding. Thank you for handling this situation so effectively.”

Key couldn’t help but snort at that.

She carried on to Miss Munchmoney. “I’m very sorry about our mismanaged delivery. I sincerely hope it didn’t inconvenience you too much.”

“Oh ho, ohohoho…” The Snubbull cackled bashfully. “Not in the slightest, Postmaster. We all know how excellent your delivery service is, it is truly rare for a mixup like this to occur. Perhaps that makes me lucky, after all!”

“Lucky or not, I would like to make it up to you. We will of course send you a brand new Gold Ribbon, free of charge, as well as five complimentary Sky Gifts. Is there anything else you would like?”

“That’s more than enough, Postmaster!” The old lady insisted.

“Thank you for being so understanding.” The postmaster gave one final smile and finally stopped at the feet of Hei and Key.

“So, you’re the outlaw and the captor, right?” She asked gently.

“Like I said, I didn’t do much.” Hei persisted. “Key’s the one who turned himself in.”

“Did you?” The Shaymin looked surprised.

“Yeah, well…” The outlaw looked around sheepishly. “I was caught one way or the other.”

“I see…” Aldora closed her eyes thoughtfully, and turned back to the policemon. “I’d like to have a word regarding how to proceed. May we go somewhere private?”

“Yes, m’am!” The chief of police yapped all too quickly. “Officer Chavez, you keep an eye on the prisoner and the girlie, make sure they don’t try nothin’. We’ll be back.”

The Klefki receptionist jingled affirmatively, and so the group of adults migrated to the inner depths of the precinct. Miss Munchmoney was too busy having a rather one-sided conversation with the Cramorant deliverymon, so Hei and Key were left to themselves.

“Key…” The Vaporeon began. “Who was that?”

“Oh, I guess you wouldn’t know. That’s Postmaster General Aldora, she runs the Shaymin’s Delivery Service up the Azure Cliff. She’s pretty famous around these parts, though this is my first time seeing her in person.”

“Shaymin’s… Delivery Service?”

“Yeah, they deliver letters and packages all around the world. One of the best couriers. I stole the parcel from one of their deliverymon.”

“She didn’t look very upset with you.”

He scoffed. “They say she’s really generous, but I bet she’s over there right now thinking of different ways to punish me. Pokemon who are all smiles like her are always hiding their true intentions.”

Hei didn’t say anything to that, but couldn’t bring herself to believe him. Maybe it was Shaymin's eyes, or simply just Hei’s guts, but she knew deep down that she could place her trust in Aldora. They idly waited around the station’s lobby under the watchful eye of Officer Chavez until at long last, Aldora, Pudding and Mochi returned. The ladies seemed content but the chief of police wore a face that could curdle milk.

“Key,” Aldora approached his suspicious glare. “The police officers explained the situation to me clearly. I’d like to make you an offer.”

He raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

“You have the choice of either serving your time here in the precinct’s jail,” She motioned towards the two pink Pokemon behind her. “Or coming to work for me at the Delivery Service.”

“...Huh?”

“I discussed it with the Inspector and the Chief, and we agree that if you can earn back the money needed to replace the Gold Ribbon you stole by helping me out, that would be enough.”

“Wh-wha-wha…” Key sputtered. “But what about all the other stuff I’ve stolen?”

“I handled the rest. You just need to repay me for what you stole today. Overall, you’ll need to work 2000 Poké’s worth of hours.”

The Zorua’s jaw fell agape, dumbly staring at the small Pokemon.

“So, what would you prefer?”

“I’ll work for you!” He spat without a moment’s hesitation. “I’ll go work for you!”

Pudding grumbled something or other about a no-good varmit in the background.

“I look forward to working with you,” Aldora hummed, and looked up to the young Vaporeon next to him. “As for you…”

Hei’s fins twitched, suddenly feeling a little nervous.

“I’ve been told you have nowhere to go. You don’t remember anything about yourself, was that right?”

She nodded.

“Well,” The Shaymin winked. “Someone will need to keep our new recruit in check so he does his job properly. Would you like to work with him? We provide room and board to all of our staff, and you’d help him with repaying his debt.”

The Vaporeon gasped, her violet eyes wide and shimmering. “I’d love to!” She looked at Aldora, then Key, then Aldora again, then back to Key, and continued this excited head flipping until she grew dizzy.

“I’m glad everything’s been settled then. We should return to Azure Hill now for a good night’s rest.” Aldora tipped her hat at the police staff and beckoned Maurice and the two new rookies to follow her. Maurice jolted and quickly waddled after her, but Key trotted up to the chief of police instead.

“Well, it’s a shame we won’t be seeing each other for a while.” He smirked. “At least you can say you almost caught me. Oh wait…”

The Slurpuff’s face grew as pink as his syrupy mustache. “I’ll put you behind bars yet, boy… If not for this crime, for the next one.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” The Zorua whipped around, slapping his fluffy tail against the Fairy-type’s nose and pranced back to the main group.

“Son of a Salamance, razzin’ frazzin’, thinks yer hot Shiftry…” The seething Chief yanked his hat off of his head and gnawed on brim while muttering nonsense. 

“You shouldn’t get worked up over a kid, Pudding.” Inspector Mochi couldn’t help but sneak a smirk under the cover of her ear.

After escorting the surprisingly lively Miss Munchmoney back to her house, the odd team of Pokemon walked the roads illuminated by streetlights all the way up the dauntingly steep Azure Hill that overlooked the dark undulating ocean below. On the very top of the cliff was the formidable Shaymin’s Delivery Service. It was by far the largest and most prominent building in all of Crossroad Town, as tall as six Alolan Exeggutor stacked on top of each other and lit up by a nearby beacon. Even in the wee hours of the night, Pokemon flew in and out of the open roofed structure.

“Welcome home.” The postmaster general twinkled.

Home… As Hei gazed up at the towering institute, it certainly didn’t look like it, but then again, maybe home was something that had been wiped out along with the rest of her memories. The Zorua next to her had a similar apprehensive look. Home was something as foreign to him as it was to her.

Aldora began to walk inside. “I have some matters to tend to, but Maurice, could you show these two to their new rooms? There should be some vacant ones on your floor.”

“Um… Thank you very much!” Hei called out to her.

The mythical Pokemon looked back with her iconic sweet grin. “You’re very welcome. You’ll be woken up for your morning briefing tomorrow. Sleep well, and welcome aboard.”

She ambled past the lines of receptionists and counter workers who all greeted her until she turned a corner and disappeared from sight. The inside of the building was just was grand as the outside, and Hei couldn’t help but restlessly look around her, mouth agape.

“E-Excuse me…” Maurice’s timid voice croaked behind her. “I’ll take you to the dorm area now.”

The two youngsters followed the bird Pokemon down a series of hallways and elevators. Hei wondered if she would ever memorize this impossible layout.

“So…” Key bounded up to Maurice with a mischievous grin. “No hard feelings over today, right?”

“Y-Yeah… I’m fairly new to this job too so it’d be nice to have someone to mentor. J-Just take it easy with the shapeshifting, okay?”

“Sure, sure…”

Maurice stopped in front of a blue door with the number 80 on it. “Well, this is your room. Y-you’re fine bunking together, right?”

“Ehh….” Zorua's face squirmed, but Hei interrupted him with explosive excitement.

“Yeah, it’ll be like a slumber party!”

The Cramorant gave a weary smile. “Don’t stay up too late though. Wake-up calls are early here. W-well, goodnight, you two.”

“G’night, Maurice!” The two roomies chimed in unison, one with considerably less snark than the other. 

Key waited for the Cramorant to waddle out of sight before digging something out of his tail fluff. It was Maurice’s hat.

“He’s really easy to steal from.” He snickered, grinning ear to ear.

The taller Pokemon smacked him with her finlike tail. “He said to take it easy.”

“Yeah, with shapeshifting, not pickpocketing.” Not waiting for a response, he jumped up to reach the doorknob of their dorm room.

Opening the wooden door, they were greeted with a perfectly pleasant room. A window brought in the breezy, briny night air in, which flitted the thin white curtains that covered most of the view when drawn. A small basket filled with Berries sat on a cute wooden desk, and underneath it was a Deposit Box, emptied and ready to be used. The main features were of course the two beds. They looked exceedingly plush, enough to make the two kids sleepy just by looking at them, and were lined with sheets decorated with designs of Gracidea flowers.

“Real mattress beds!” Key yapped and rushed towards the nearest one to jump on the fluffy surface. “Goodbye stinky hay!”

“Hey.”

“The other hay.”

After a few more vigorous bounces, the Zorua finally relented and flopped on the still jiggling duvet. “Ahh, not bad at all.”

Hei followed his lead and crawled atop the bed next to his, rolling around in the soft fabric. “Hmm… so comfy.”

Both of them simmered in the relaxing warmth of their beds in silence, but Key slowly turned to the girl, whose face was altogether concealed by blankets.

“Today was kind of crazy.”

“Mhmm...”

“I mean, I, the Yellow-Eyed Mirage, got caught and nearly arrested!”

“Yeahmf…” 

“And suddenly, I’m working off my debt to society in a delivery service with an amnesiac Vaporeon?”

“ ‘S crazy…”

“I’ve never worked before… Stealing is all I’ve ever known.”

“Snork…”

"That pipsqueak Aldora... They say she's always this generous, but that was going overboard, wasn't it? What's her angle?"

"Hmnnff..."

“And you! You just signed up to help me, a complete stranger, work off my debt. Why on earth would you do that?”

“Schnooze…”

“...You’re asleep already. Figures.”

“Hmm… it’s cuz... we’re friends. Snork...”

Key’s ears pricked up.

Friends…? Can Pokemon really become friends that quickly over nothing? He’s never had a friend before. For a thief, that was just a liability. And despite his arrangement with the postmaster general, he had no intention of following the straight and narrow for long. But until he could return to his life of crime… maybe he could give it a shot.

And there was something... maybe his gut, maybe the spirit of the Yellow-Eyed Mirage... that told him things were going to get very exciting. 

He buried his face into his pillow and finally shut his eyes. “G’night, Hei.”

“G’night… Key…”

Chapter Text

Key awoke with a sharp pain in his snout. His eyes snapped open to reveal a close up view of the floor.

Ah. He had rolled off his bed. He groggily shook his head in an attempt to scatter the remaining static of sleepiness from his brain (as well as some dust) and, befitting of a criminal, scans his surroundings once more.

That’s right. No more secret base. I live here now.

He gave the room a good sweep, half to familiarize himself and half to see if there was anything worth nabbing. Besides a bowl of Berries (which he helped himself to) and an empty Deposit Box, the room was nothing more than just that… a room. Except of course, for the lump under the other bed.

Key didn’t join the delivery service alone. Hei offered to help pay his debt too, for some reason. She even evolved from an Eevee to a Vaporeon because of him. He couldn’t help but feel a little bit bad about that; evolution is the most important step in a Pokemon’s life. It seemed a little unfair that the young Eevee was forced into a scaly body when she could have chosen from many other forms. At least that’s what he had once heard about Eevee.

Well, what’s done is done.

The Zorua crept behind the curtains to gaze out into the window. Dawn had barely broken through the horizon, tinging the vast sea with warm sparkles of crimson and peach. In all his time here in Crossroad Town, Key had never seen a view quite so beautiful. It was one he could get used to. Within the watery expanse, he could make out silhouettes, flying above in the cloudless sky or swimming across the colorful waves. No doubt deliverymon beginning a day’s work.

That was going to be him now. The thought of spending the day doing honest work irked him. The fun thing about being a thief was that he was his own boss. Or rather, his stomach was. He got to do things at his own pace as he pleased, with no one to tell him otherwise or weigh him down. He spent some days sleeping in the windmill, others sneaking around the town. It was a life of lonesome freedom.

Now he had a commitment. Regardless of whether he wanted to or not, he had to clock in, clock out, work hard no matter what. Why some people chose to live like this, he could never understand.  However, despite all this, he couldn’t shake off a certain excitement for the day to begin. After all, if his community service involved crossing that beautiful ocean, it couldn't be that bad. Certainly better than that grimy prison cell back at Pudding’s precinct. And besides, the sooner he got to work, the sooner he could go back to his life of freedom.

A wave of eagerness overtook Key, and he burst through the curtains to face the room once more. He pounces on the small lump that was Hei and recklessly stomped his paws around like a trotting Mudsdale.

“Wake up, fish face! We got bail to pay!”

The lump wiggled underneath him, clearly confused. The Dark type finally hopped off and allowed her to get up.

That’s funny, for a Vaporeon, she didn’t feel too big…

A pair of fluffy ears flopped up from the blankets, followed by the wide yawning jowls of an Eevee.

“G’morning…” Hei mumbled.

Key’s jaw dropped.

“You’re back to normal?!”

Hei tilted her head, his words clearly not resonating with her, though this was more likely due to her sleepy stupor.

“Whaddaya mean?”

“Yesterday!!” He yelped. “You evolved into a Vaporeon yesterday! You had a fish tail and a weird webby thing on your neck! Why are you an Eevee again?!”

Though Hei still didn’t bother getting up from her blankety cocoon, one hind leg emerged from the folds to lazily scratch her cheek. “I dunno. I guess it wore off.”

Key seethed. “Evolution doesn’t ‘wear off’! It’s permanent! It’s like the most permanent thing there is! Even more than a criminal record!”

A sudden knock on their door interrupted them. A timid voice from the other side called out to them.

“Rise and shine, newbies… Please come out…” It was Maurice’s voice, the slow-witted Cramorant from the previous day.

“Hm… Five more minutes…” The sleepy Eevee mumbled into the folds of her blanket.

“Get up, you!”

The Zorua grabbed her fuzzy tail from underneath the fort of blankets and dragged her out of bed entirely. She imitated his fall earlier and landed face first into the wood floorboards.

“Thieves need to be up before dawn if they want eat breakfast!” Key exclaimed with pride. “Slowpoke like you are the first ones to starve!”

“I’m not a thief…” Hei grumbled while staggering up. “And you’re not anymore too.”

“Technicalities.”

Opening the door revealed the fidgeting blue bird Pokemon. “Ah… g-good morning, you two.”

His eyes fell on Hei, and his expression grew even more distressed. “W-weren’t you…?” He never completed his sentence, fearing it would be somehow rude to point out that he could’ve sworn she was a Vaporeon the night before.

“Never mind.” He shook his head. “Follow me.”

Seemingly content with his instructions, he began waddling down the hall, the four-footed duo trailing behind.

“Where are we going?” Key called out.

“First, to the cafeteria for breakfast. Then to Coco to get your assignment for the day.”

The Zorua licked his lips. “You had me at breakfast.”

After following the Cramorant down stairs and around corners, the passage eventually opened up into a grand mess hall. An impressive ovate table stood at the center of the space, encircled by chair of all sizes, most of them already occupied by hungry deliverymon. Above them, the ceiling could barely be seen as it was so high up. It appeared to be thatched out of straw, as blotches of the early morning sunlight trickled in to light up the room along with a crisp breeze. Lastly, to the far right of the room stood a winding line of Pokemon. They seemed to be waiting to get their food from a counter manned by a Miltank and a Scrafty.

“Y-you get in that line for breakfast.” Maurice explained. “Then pick a seat wherever is free. Make sure to return your plates to the side over there.” He pointed his beak at a clutter of china piled atop a counter next to the food stand. The plates were being swiftly hauled to the inside of the kitchen by the cleaning staff, presumably to be washed.

“A-and make sure to eat everything. Kids your age should eat a good breakfast.” The water bird made weak attempt at a smile. Both youngsters reciprocated the smile, Hei out of gratitude and Key out of mockery.

“Do you wanna join us, Maurice?” Hei asked.

“M-me? Oh no, I already ate. I’ll wait for you outside once you’re finished. Try not to be too long.”

“Sure, sure,” Key butted in, already charging for the line. “Let’s go eat!”

They stationed themselves at the end of the long queue. Despite its intimidating length, it moved fairly briskly, meaning it wasn’t too long before they reached the two lunchmon behind the counter.

“Morning, sugar!” The Miltank greeted cheerfully. Once she got a better look at the two, her eyes widened. “Well bless my stars, aren’t you young! You must be the new recruits the Postmaster brought in!”

Key’s ears flicked impatiently. “Yeah, that’s us, and we’re hungry. Make with the breakfast, lady.”

“Hey!” The Scrafty next to the lunch lady slammed his paws down on the counter with a milk-curdling sneer. “You better watch how you speak to Ms. Daisy, punk!”

Key flinched at the sudden aggression, but the bovine Pokemon placed a hoof on the Scrafty’s shoulders to calm him down.

“Now, now…” Ms. Daisy cooed at the huffing Hoodlum Pokemon. “Remember what we talked about, Mano. Violence and intimidation are never the answer.”

“B-but, Ms. Daisy-!” He whined. “That little punk was talkin’ smack about you!”

“I can handle myself just fine, Mano. Thank you for being so concerned.”

Mano fidgeted in place, his shed skin attire rustling with each squirm. Ms. Daisy looked down again at the young, perplexed duo.

“Well, that’s as good an introduction as any. Here’s your breakfast, dears.” With a smile, she placed a bowl of streaming warm porridge on the countertop.

“Thank you,” The Eevee grabbed the bowl’s handle with her teeth, her partner reluctantly doing the same with his. “‘Ws naishe meetih yoo! Ah’m Hei ’nd thif is Key!”

With a final wave of her tail, she and Key trotted off to the dining table. Mano and Ms. Daisy stare at each other with a bemused expression.

“Did… you understand what she said, Ms. Daisy?”

“Not a word, sugar.”

Not many seats were empty, but Hei and Key managed to find two chairs next to each other squeezed in between some Pokemon. They spat out the bowls on the table and began hungrily gobbling up the mush, much to the discomfort of neighboring diners.

“Mmmm, so sweet!” Hei sighed in between bites. “This is so good, whatever this is!”

“You never had porridge?” Key asked with mouthful of food. “Even I used to steal some from time to time.”

“I don’t remember having this. I wonder if they give seconds?”

After licking their bowls clean, and after Key and Mano had another vicious quarrel, the pair found out they did not give seconds. Resigned, they left their dishes at the drop-off (in the process meeting the taciturn Grapploct who was scooping the bowls by the many armfuls) and exited the cafeteria, where Maurice awaited.

“Ah, that took a while.” He noticed. “Everything go okay?”

“They should really give some more grub.” Key grumbled.

The Cramorant offered a nervous chuckle. “A deliverymon shouldn’t eat a lot in the morning. You’ll get tummy aches during the delivery.”

“There’s always a catch.”

Maurice cleared his throat. “W-well, now that you’ve had some breakfast, I’ll hand you over to Coco. She’ll give you your assignment for the day.”

“Who is Coco?” Hei asked.

“She’s in charge of coordinating deliveries. Basically, she decides who delivers what, where and when.”

“Wow, she sounds really smart."

“Yep, she’s kind of a genius.” Maurice nodded. “Though with four heads, it’s only natural.”

“Four heads?”

She soon found out what he meant when he lead them to a colossally tall cylindrical room. A glass ceiling allowed the sunlight to light up the room, revealing a spiraling staircase that clung to the walls, going all the way up to the very top. The stairs periodically plateaued into wooden planks. Each floor had a large window that gave way to the outside of the post office. Winged Pokemon flew in and out of these exits. This was all built around the most eye-catching element of the spire: at the center of it all was a tremendous Pokemon, easily over 10 meters tall. She looked remarkably like a palm tree, her long wooden neck comprising most of her height. Though it was hard to see, three coconut-like heads were talking to Pokemon at the top of the staircase. Grabbing on to the neck were three more Pokemon. One was green, one was red, and one was blue. They each shimmied up and down with ease, handing things to Pokemon of each floor with surprising agility.

“W-woah…” Even Key was taken aback by the surprising sight. “She’s Coco?”

“Yep.” Maurice confirmed with a certain air of pride to him. “She must have your assignment ready by now.”

They approached the central hub of the room. Coco’s massive body was cordoned off by a wooden reception desk, so they stopped in front of the counter.

“You said she had four heads, but I only see three.” Key prods at Maurice. “Where’s the fourth head?”

The massive plant Pokemon suddenly turned around, revealing her back to the crew. And on the base of her rear was a peculiar tail. It tapered into a small, green head with beady eyes and a puckered mouth.

“That would be me!” The little head exclaimed. Hei and Key jumped at the bizarre sight before cowering behind Maurice.

Coco’s tail huffed. “Jeez, I won’t bite! You two rookies got a lot to learn, ya hear?”

Maurice waddled out of the way, nudging both of them to approach the counter. “I’ll leave the rest to you, okay? Don’t be too harsh on them.”

“Roger that, Maurice! I’ve got the perfect assignment for them!” The tail squeaked.

The blue Pokemon gave one last timid wave before doddering off.

“Now, are we done being such scaredy-Skitty?” The bobbling head chortled. “Let’s make with introductions!”

“My name’s Hei. It’s nice to meet you.” The Eevee started shyly. “Sorry for thinking you were scary.”

“I-it’s not like I was scared, though.” The Dark-type next to her butted in. “The name’s Key.”

The tail’s tiny eyes closed in (what Hei can only imagine is) a smile. “Hei and Key, huh… Well, it’s not like I didn’t know that. But those are some nice names. Time to introduce the whole team! HEY, YOU GUYS!”

In a flash, the three Pokemon clung around Coco’s neck slid down to the base, revealing themselves as a Pansage, a Pansear, and a Panpour.

“Well if it isn’t the rookies!” The red monkey declared with a smirk. “You guys are even cuter than I imagined!”

The mighty tree shook. “What are you waiting for? Introduce yourselves!”

“Sure!” The Pansear struck a pose. “I’m Cheri, the oldest of the Pan Brothers! I’m also the coolest!”

The Pansage next to him yanked on his tail to shut him up. “More like the loudest. I’m Lum, the middlest of the brothers.”

The last brother was the blue one, who scratches his fluffy head as if he were not aware of his brothers’ bickering. “And I’m Oran, the baby bro! Together, there’s nothing we can’t do!”

Lum shook his head sadly. “We really just give you the packages to deliver.” He waves a tightly wrapped parcel in his paw as proof.

“And I’m Coco!” The Exeggutor announced, her little tail wagging wildly. “ Chief Mail Coordinator!”

“Nice to meet you all!” Hei smiled.

“Very, very nice!” Coco agreed. “Now get back to work, you sluggish simians! Deliverymon are waiting for their packages!”

“Yes, m’am…” The three brother groaned. Just as quickly as they came, they scaled back up the towering neck to continue their work.

“Now, that just leaves you two…” With a heave, Coco lugged a hefty parcel from under the counter (maintaining a grip without teeth seemed harder than it looked), and placed it on the top.

“This will be your delivery for the day.” She huffed with satisfaction. “Make sure this gets to Miss Munchmoney as soon as possible.”

“Miss…?” The Zorua tilted his head, trying to retrieve an important memory. “Isn’t that the Snubbull that got me into this mess?”

“You stole from her, you know.” Coco corrected. “But yes, you’ll be delivering a new Gold Ribbon, as well as five Sky Gifts. And an apology for your behavior.”

“What?!” The fox Pokemon snapped. “You set me up! I don’t wanna talk to that old hag!”

“Sorry. Postmaster’s orders.”

“How are we even supposed to carry these stupid things? It’ll take us all day!”

Coco winked. “I guess now’s the time for you to suit up then.” The tail suddenly shot up. “ORAN! Get the uniforms! Two smalls!”

The Panpour on her neck flinched, before shimmying down the wooden pole all the way to the ground and rummaging through a large cupboard next to an imposing pile of packages. With a contented exclamation, he nabbed something from its insides and bounded towards the rookies. He outstretched his hands, one towards each Pokemon to reveal a bulky, brightly colored vest in each and a petite ribbon sporting the same colors sat atop it all.

“Here ya go!” He chirped. “Your very own official Shaymin’s Delivery Service uniform!”

Hei stared at the garment with wide eyes. “Uniforms?”

“Try them on for size!” The chief mail coordinator coaxed.

The vest was easy enough to put on, even for a Pokemon with no thumbs. On the left flank of the garment was a satchel, its cerulean blue cloth being interrupted by a white cloud decal near the bottom. An elastic band around a pink wooden flower held the bag’s upper flap shut tight, sealing any potential cargo safe inside. After an extended back-and-forth between Key and Coco about having to actually put on the ribbon, he grumpily settled on tying it around his tail (‘at least it won’t be choking me’ was his explanation), while Hei happily wore it as a bowtie.

She craned her head from all angles, trying to see how the vest looked on her. “It’s so cute! Isn’t it, Key?”

The sour grimace spread across her partner’s face, however, did not agree. “It’s way too cutesy for me! And it’s weighing me down! Thieves need to pack light, you know!”

“You’re not a thief anymore.”

All Key could do to that was to stick out his tongue at her.

“I think you’ll find it plenty light, short stuff,” Coco’s tail chimed in. “That’s a special bag. It’s made out of the same stuff that Treasure Bags are. You know, the ones that Explorers used.”

The young Zorua’s ears pricked up upon hearing that. “Oh. R-really?”

“You can stuff a Wailord in there and run a marathon just fine.”

“Well…” He gave a tentative glance to the blue satchel strapped at his side. “I guess that’s fine then. And the ribbon?”

“That’s just because it’s cute.”

“Ugh.”

“Oh, and one last thing… When you’re back, head to the Postmaster General’s office. She said she wants to speak to you two.” Coco ruffled her leaves together in excitement. “Now that you got everything, off you go! Don’t come back until you delivered those packages with a smile on your face!”

Ignoring Hei’s smile, Key shot a huff out his nose. “Don’t rub it in, lady.”

The sun had already made its daily debut to the sky by the time the two left the delivery service’s headquarters. Illuminating the clusters of building that lived down the hill, it guided the two young deliveymon down the paved path.

“Our very first delivery!” Hei exclaimed, swishing her tail from side to side with each skip.

“I’m starting to think being a deliverymon is just a fancy way of saying “errand boy”.” Her partner grumbled, but these bitter words fell on deaf ears. “I mean, can’t we at least go somewhere more exciting than a block away?”

“You really are a sourpuss, you know that?”

“That’s because my brain isn’t made out of cotton candy like you.” His eyes suddenly widened. “Speaking of cotton candy… man, oh man, I bet Pudding must be fuming over all of this. He’s been wanting to throw me in the slammer for as long as I’ve been in Crossroad Town.”

Hei tilted her head at this. “Are you not from here, Key?”

“‘Course not. I’m from all over. I was just squatting here for a bit, is all. You can’t keep someone like me pinned down for too long!”

The Eevee’s expression turned lonely. “Oh… I guess I’m like you then. I don’t really have a home either.”

Seeing her sad expression, the Zorua suddenly grew flustered. “H-hey, don’t act like it’s a bad thing! That means people like us are totally free! The world is our Clamperl! Except for this… community service hassle, that is.”

“So does that mean that once we pay off our debt, you’ll go away?”

“Well, yeah.”

“…Oh. Okay.”

The rest of the trip was doused in awkward silence. Hei resigned herself to take in the still unfamiliar townscape instead. It wasn’t called Crossroad Town for nothing; the hustle and bustle left her breathless. Pokemon of all shapes, sizes, colors, and typings trotted by with confidence. Each had a story to tell, a life they led here in this staggering city. She gazed each stall they passed by in market squares, each vendor who noisily promoted their goods, and each customer who loitered around while debating whether or not to buy them. Perhaps someone like Key wouldn’t even bat an eye to a town like this, but to a blank slate like Hei, this was nothing short of mesmerizing. She almost cursed her job for holding her back from exploring the city at her leisure.

Eventually, the duo arrived in the ritzy neighborhood Key recognized as Miss Munchmoney’s. The pink Snubbull-shaped house gave the rest away.

Key’s footsteps petered out behind Hei when crossing the lawn. Now hiding behind a safe Eevee shield, he sighed. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Hei nodded, proceeding to knock on the door with one of her front paws. They waited, enduring a sequence of increasingly louder ruckuses coming from inside the home until the door slowly crept open. On the other side was none other than Miss Munchmoney, her face still concealed by her signature mask of thick green paste.

“What?!”

The Zorua coughed and lightly nudged his companion. She perked up immediately as if suddenly remembering her assignment.

“Um, package for you, miss!”

The Snubbull’s narrow eyes lost a bit of their hostility. “Oh, it’s you. The rabble-rousers from yesterday.”

“Yep! We have the gifts Miss Aldora promised you.”

Munchmoney gives a haughty (and phlegmy) snort. “That’s Postmaster General to you, missy. You ought to show more respect to your superiors. The Postmaster General practically built this town.”

“Just take the package and sign here, m’am.” Key demanded through gritted teeth, sliding a clipboard to her feet while Hei quickly struggled to fish out the assortment of parcels from her Delivery Bag.

“Well I never—!” The Fairy-type gasped.

“This is a fun first for you then.”

Grumbling, she reluctantly swiped the clipboard and scratched out a flourished signature in a flash. However, her temper subsided immediately upon seeing the small pile of parcels Hei stacked on her doorstep.

“That should be everything!” Hei affirmed.

“My beloved Gold Ribbon and five free Sky Gifts…” Munchmoney chortled to herself. “Speaking to the manager does have its benefits, after all.”

Hei wondered what all the big fuss was around these so-called Sky Gifts, but decided to keep quiet for fear of incurring the stout pink Pokemon’s ire once more. Key certainly didn’t seem to impressed with them; his hungry gaze was locked on the box containing the Gold Ribbon. She suddenly remembered Coco’s full order.

“Key…” She whispered. “You gotta say sorry for yesterday.”

“What?!” He hissed back. “This already counts as an apology!”

“It’s the right thing to do. Say you’re sorry.”

He let out a prolonged groan under his breath, culminating into two short, sharp deep breaths. With a sudden resolve, he cocked his muzzle high in the air haughtily.

“Sorry for stealing your stuff.”

“Is that what counts as an apology to the youth nowadays?” The Snubbull grunted, unimpressed. “That was as sincere as a Mimikyu’s tail!”

“Whaddaya want from me, you old hag?! A written note?!”

“Well, you could start by carrying these items inside.”

“We can do that.” Hei hastened to end the argument as quickly as possible, and nipped three parcels by their ribbons. “Lead the way, miss.”

Munchmoney’s raised a brow, somewhat impressed. “Very well. Try not to track dirt inside, or touch things.” She shuffled back inside the abode, allowing the deliverymon to follow behind. While the house didn’t boast the scale of something like the delivery service HQ, it more than compensated with the sheer ostentatiousness of the decor. Nearly everything in the room sparkled with gems, gold or glitter.

“Yeesh…” Key muttered with his teeth still clenched around the packages. “Rich people have no taste.” Even Hei had to agree with that. The decor’s dazzle was beginning to make her eyes ache.

“You may place the parcels on that rug over there.” She pointed at a grand striped mat meant to resemble a Zebstrika’s fur patterns, only pink. Tacky. Eevee and Zorua did as they were told. The clutter of presents now sat on the gaudy rug, a sight that appeared much too beautiful for Munchmoney to bear.

“How wonderful it is!” She chirped (how she managed to hit that high an octave with her raspy voice remained a mystery). “Glorious!”

“We’ll be off, then.” Hei bowed her head, her partner mustered a reluctant head nod. “Bye bye, Miss Munchmoney.”

“Yes, yes…” The Snubbull paid little mind to the farewell, still coveting the pile of goods. Her drooling was abruptly interrupted by a loud jackhammering that rattled the entire house.

“Wh-what was that?!” Key exclaimed.

The Snubbull’s expression turned exhausted. “This infernal racket has been plaguing my house for days! I have no idea what it’s about, and I’m at my wits end.”

This intrigued Hei. “Does it happen all the time?”

“No, no, only during mornings like this one. Why do you think I’ve been losing so much beauty sleep?”

“So I guess that means it’s probably not a Ghost Pokemon, then.” Key commented. “They only come out at night.”

“Do you mind if I take a look around?” Hei asked, prompting a wheeze from her partner.

“Hay-for-brains, whaddaya mean?! We’re done here so let’s just go back!” He spat under his breath.

“I dunno, I’m curious about it. We should help her out.”

“W-well, I refuse to participate! I’m getting out of here!” With a petulant huff, he trotted off without a second to spare. Hei called out for him, to no avail.

The old lady next to her only gave a contented smirk. “The bandit’s runs off, has he? I’m not surprised.”

Another barrage of deafening jabbing sounds interrupted both of their thoughts. On second hearing, Hei realized the uproar sounded like something pounding against stone.  Stone…?

She restlessly gazed around the living room. The walls were made of a thick clay material, one that wouldn’t make such a harsh screech when broken. The only structure made out of stone was the fireplace. Albeit gem-encrusted, but still stone. The Eevee curiously approached it and stuck her head inside. The base was covered in a thin layer of soot, concealing lumps of sapphires and emeralds, clearly not having been used in a while. Gazing up towards the chimney top revealed only an empty passage illuminated by the sparkling stones.

“Yes, I also thought it might come from there.” Munchmoney nodded. “But every time I look, it’s completely normal. Perhaps my chimney is possessed?”

Hei didn’t remove her head from inside, however. She wanted to hear the sound again. Soon enough, the clangor abruptly resumed, making her heart nearly jump out of her chest. The banging was made even louder by the confined space.

Focus… focus… where is the sound coming from…?

She stretched her ears upwards. Cold. Towards the sides of the walls. Cold. She pressed her face against the dusty hearth. Her ears ring. Bingo.

“It’s coming from under the hearth!”

“No need to yell.”

“Sorry, I can’t hear you! Or me! Ears still ringing!!” Hei yelled, pawing against the sooty stone. “It’s over here, I’m sure of it.”

The bewildered homeowner approached the fireplace. “You may be right. I never bothered to check inside. I didn’t want to get all dirty.”

“I’m afraid you need to get a little dirty now.” The Eevee gazed at the old lady with surprising severity. “Can you lift up the base? I can’t do it by myself.”

“M-me?” She repeated dumbly. “I-I haven’t done that much heavy lifting since my youth…”

“You gotta try, m'am!”

A toothy smirk spread across the Snubbull’s face. “Oh, to heck with it! Munchmoney’s gonna Play Rough just like she did in her battling days!” Rolling up her sleeve-like fur, she grabbed the heavy slab of glittery stone in between her clawed paws.

“Here we go!” She barked. “Heave… ho!!”

In a labored motion, she pulled the block free of its cement encasing and flung it towards the room behind her, missing Hei’s face by inches.

“Oh, ho ho!” She chuckled triumphantly. “Not too bad for a retiree, if I do say so myself!” Looking back, her face quickly blanched. “Oh, no the room is all dirty! I’m all dirty! This is terrible!”

“Look at that!” The deliverymon pointed at the fireplace, snapping her out of her rant.

Removing the hearth’s base revealed a hole leading underground. But more importantly, it revealed a pair of blue eyes nervously peering back at them. It was a Pikipek, covered in the same dirt and soot they were.

“What the deuces are you doing under my fireplace?!” Munchmoney yelped. “Are you the one causing the horrible hammering that’s making me lose precious beauty sleep?”

“Yikes!” The little Flying type squeaked. “I’m outta here!”

“Wait!”

No sooner did he arrive, the strange Pikipek already dove back into the tunnel. Hei rushed to look inside, but the little Pokemon was long gone.

“What was that all about…?”

She stared blankly at the dark cavity if only because it was a relief from the sparkly eyesore of a living room. Wait… Relief?

Looking at the chimney passage above her, she could clearly spot gems encrusted into the stone softly shimmering. But the stones in the passage below had no jewels at all. Before she could begin to process this fact, another commotion shattered her train of thought once more. This time, it was coming from outside. Munchmoney and Hei ran outside to the back end of the house, where the yelling was loudest. There, they stumbled across a bizarre sight.

Key had the Pikipek from before pinned down on the ground, basically sitting on him. A wide variety of gems were scattered across the backyard, poking out from the blades of grass like colorful mushrooms.

“G-get offa me, jerk!” The Pikipek squealed.

“Key!” Hei called out. “What’s happening?”

“This guy suddenly flew right at me! He shot up from some hole in the ground and bashed my face in! He’s carrying tons of loot, too!”

“I-I’ll call Chief Pudding!” The Snubbull rushed back inside.

Things finally settled when the chief of police arrived. Once the suspicious Pikipek was safely detained and cuffed, the group of Pokemon could finally discuss what happened on that strange morning.

The Pikipek went first. “Okay… so a few days back, I was just flying around, minding my own business. But something catches my eye. Something shiny. In the back of this lady’s house was a gem wedged into a rock on the ground. It was a real beauty of a gem, you know? And then, I saw that it was a loose brick from this fireplace. The whole thing was full of gems like Berries in a fruitcake!”

He ruffled his feathers emphatically. “So I said ‘surely this lady won’t miss these gems if she’s puttin’em in her walls.’ And Pikipek are really good at picking stuff outta hard things. So for the past couple of days… I’ve been helping myself to them. At first, I was just getting the ones here on the outside,” He points to the exterior of the chimney, which had indeed been picked clean, now only crumbly rock. “But eventually, I ran out. So I dug a little hole and started nabbing the ones that line the inside. I guess my Fury Attacks were a little too loud, huh?”

“Try deafening!” Munchmoney screeched. “You no-good little thief! Why do ruffians always pick my house to harass?!”

“You’re considered, what’s know in the industry as, an easy mark.” Key remarked.

“I admit I got greedy,” The Flying type tweeted. “But you gotta understand, I just couldn’t help myself! The gems… they were so shiny and colorful… You know, I have some Murkrow blood in me, so…”

“So wait…” The chief of police interjected. “This WASN’T that lil’ varmint’s fault?” He pointed a stubby paw towards Key, who was utterly unfazed by the accusation.

“I’m the one who caught him, genius!” He snarked. “Oh, this just isn’t your week, is it? Ba hahaha!”

“Um…” The Pikipek chirped. “How aboutyou let me off with a warning this time, huh, chief?”

“Tell it to the judge!” Chief Pudding snapped. “But I’m the judge 'round here! And I say yer guilty! You and me are moseyin’ on down to the precinct!”

With a triumphant holler, the Slurpuff hauled the little bird off into the distance, leaving only the Snubbull, the Eevee, and the Zorua.

Hei turned to face her companion. “Key, if that Pikipek ran into you, doesn’t that mean you were outside of the house the entire time? You never left.”

The Zorua’s cheeks flushed. “Well, I was just… I knew I’d get in trouble if I came back alone so… I figured I’d wait it out around here.”

“Aw!” Hei leaned against him affectionately. “You do care!”

“Nuh-uh!!”

“Ahem!” Munchmoney cleared her throat. “Well, it seems the matter is resolved.”

“Yup.” Hei smiled. “Just try to get some non-gem encrusted stones next time. They do seem a little wasteful.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. You have my thanks, youngster. I even reignited my passion for weight lifting because of you!”

“I’m glad.” Hei’s eyes suddenly turned sharp. “Now thank Key. And apologize, too.”

“What?!” Both Dark and Fairy Pokemon exclaimed in unison.

“Key’s the one who caught the culprit. And you said all those terrible things about him. So be nice.”

Snubbull’s eyes darted around rapidly, clearly going through a maelstrom of thoughts. “Tch! I suppose it is a lady's duty.” With drooping eyes, she glared at the Zorua, who was clearly relishing every minute of this. “Thank you. And… I apologize.”

“Hm…” Key swished his tail in delight. “A little stiff, but I guess it’ll do.”

If looks could kill, he would’ve been six feet under thanks to the stink eye the Snubbull shot at him. But she soon turned to the little Eevee with a much more docile expression. “Your name is…?”

“Hei.”

“I understand you apprehended the scrappy looking fellow next to you during yesterday’s incident, correct? And you’re working to help pay off his debt, no?”

“Yep.”

“Hmm…” She closed her eyes pensively. “You look remarkably slow-witted, but a good child at heart. I’m not sure what that troublemaker’s intentions are, but… Make sure you don’t get taken advantage of. There are many bad Pokemon out there, you know.”

“But Key’s not a bad Pokemon.”

The other two Pokemon fell silent. They couldn’t think of a response.

It was around lunchtime by the time the two rookies returned to headquarters. As per Coco’s instructions, they continually asked for directions around the labyrinthian building until they eventually reached the top floor, where Postmaster Aldora’s quarters resided.

“I guess… this is it.” Key said flatly. “You wanna… do the honors?”

Hei obliged by rapping on the door. It only took a few seconds for the voice on the other end to grant them permission to enter.

The Postmaster’s office was homely but but by no means plain. The most notable component was the abundance of greenery and flowers (most of which were beautiful blooms of Gracidea) that adorned each and every corner of the room, not just potted but rooted in the very walls and floors themselves, bestowing an undeniable vibrancy to the ambience. The leftmost wall was hardly a wall at all; two thirds of it were missing altogether instead replaced with an elongated wooden balcony, revealing the outside world in all its glory. Even among the already impressive views the edifice had to offer, this was easily the most breathtaking. The gentle wind that wafted into the room rustled the foliage, creating a relaxing soundscape. It could hardly be called an office.

Aldora sat behind a robust desk several times too big for her. Either ends of the oaken surface were all but covered by towering stacks of paperwork. It made the two youngsters gulp just at the sight of it.

The Shaymin smiled at their entrance. “Hello, you two. Come over here.”

They silently obliged. She studied them for a while longer in silence with her docile emerald eyes before finally continuing. “How was your first delivery?”

“Successful… miss.” Key mumbled awkwardly.

“That’s good to hear! Miss Munchmoney and Chief Pudding both sent me a Dedennegram explaining the entire incident. Sounds like you two had quite the adventure.”

“Yep.” Hei nodded. “But it was fun!”

“Seems like you’re beginning to understand what being a deliverymon truly means. It’s about connecting other Pokemon together, and connecting with them in turn. Helping others in need is what we’re all about.”

“Just like an exploration team.” Kei said.

The Shaymin was a little surprised to hear that from him. “Yes, it’s a lot like that. So in future deliveries, never feel limited by what you cannot do. Let your heart carry you to do whatever you feel is right. You never know what you’ll get from it.”

She glanced at the duo’s Delivery Bags. “Speaking of which… Miss Munchmoney also told me that she gave you two a tip, right? May I see what you received?”

“R-right.” On cue, they both took out their ‘tip’ from their satchels and placed it in front of them. Two Sky Gifts, complete with the same blue and white pattern their uniforms donned and a lovely sprig of Gracidea.

“She gave you two of her Sky Gifts? I see…” Aldora’s eyes twinkled. “Looks like she was very grateful for your help.”

“I don’t get why everyone is crazy about these things! Uh… m’am.” Key blurted out. “I’ve stolen a couple of these in the past, and there was nothing inside!”

“Of course there was nothing inside when you opened it, Key.” Aldora chuckled. “Sky Gifts are expressions of gratitude from the gifter to the receiver. It only works when there is sincere emotion between two parties. If you are ever lucky enough to receive one… it will grant you whatever you need the most. That is what gratitude looks like.”

“Wait, really?”

She winked. “Why don’t you open yours and find out?”

He obeyed. As she had said, this Sky Gift was indeed not empty. Within the box sat a Black Gummi.

“No way!” Key howled. “My favorite! And I’m so hungry, too!”

“That is what you needed. Make sure to enjoy it.” Aldora nodded her head. “Your turn, Hei.”

The Eevee also opened her box. The item inside hers was much smaller than Key’s: It was a peculiar pendant earring, with a dark metallic frame from which a small pink-colored stone hung. The stone reflected the sunlight with an enticing glimmer.

“What’s this?” Hei asked, placing it on her paw.

“That’s-!” The Postmaster’s eyes widened at the sight of it. “That’s an Evolution Crystal! But the material of the frame… I’ve never seen it before. This is an exceedingly rare item.”

Hei looked at her helplessly. “I’m sorry, Postmaster, but I don’t know what to do with this.”

The Grass type’s pensive face melted into a reassuring smile. “Whatever use this may have, it is clearly something you need. A Sky Gift is never wrong. In fact, why don’t I put that on you right now?”

After a quick prick from Aldora, and a handful of tears from Hei, the mysterious earring now dangled proudly from the Eevee’s left ear.

“It suits you quite well!” Aldora praised. “At the very least, it’s a cute accessory. Or maybe it’s a good luck charm.”

“You think so?” Hei asked, rubbing her still sore ear with a paw.

“I’m certain it will help you in the future. After all, you seem to have a curious ability when it comes to evolving. I met you as a Vaporeon, but you’ve reverted to an Eevee again.”

“I also thought that was weird!” Key chimed in. “Evolution is supposed to permanent!”

“It is,” Aldora hummed. “Hei appears to have a special gift. I’m sure it will come in handy during your adventures.”

Hei glanced back and forth between the two, still not really understanding much of anything.

The Postmaster moved on. “I just wanted to know how you two were adjusting to life here at the Delivery Service, is all, but it seems my worrying was for nothing. You pass with flying colors. You’re free to enjoy the rest of the day however you see fit. Just make sure not to sleep too late. You’ll be up bright and early tomorrow, too.”

“Yes, m’am.” The rookies said in unison, and politely took their leave from her quarters.

They let out a sigh of relief in the hallway. Key had expected the Postmaster to be angry with them after that chaotic first delivery. Maybe she really was as kind and generous as people say…

“I’m hungry.” Hei interrupted his inner monologue. “Wanna have lunch?”

“Sure.”

The Eevee began walking off, but her partner only took a few hesitant steps before stopping once more.

“Hey.”

She looked back at him curiously. “What?”

“Um. I…” He fumbled. “Thanks again for earlier. For defending me.”

Hei responded with a quizzical grin. “You shouldn’t thank me for that. It’s the least a friend can do.”

“Right.”

“Now let’s go eat lunch. I’m starving!”

Chapter Text

It had been a week since Hei and Key began their 'careers' at Shaymin’s Delivery Service. As expected of an Eevee, Hei adapted quickly to the lifestyle of a deliverymon. Although she struggled with remembering addresses and with navigation (she was not much better than Maurice), Key’s quick wits kept her in check. What the Zorua lacked in enthusiasm, he made up for in street smarts and a thorough knowledge of Crossroad Town’s layout.

Together, the two shared a daily routine. Wake up at the crack of dawn, devour their breakfasts (and get yelled at by Mano the Scrafty in the process), receive their assignments from Coco and set out for their deliveries. The jobs were standard and harmless, nothing as hectic as their first delivery with Miss Muchmoney. Since they were still rookies, all jobs stayed within the confines of Crossroad Town, much to Key’s annoyance.

“I thought we would be setting out for the other continents, going on adventures! Not running across the same ol’ town every day like errand Yamper!” He whined one night after a particularly strenuous delivery.

“We only just started,” Hei contended. “I bet once we get really good they’ll send us all the way across the ocean! I wonder if we’ll be able to swim that far…”

“Please, I’ll be outta here by the time I get really good! But then again, they definitely plan to keep us trapped here for a while considering our lousy paychecks…” The Dark type grumbled. Indeed, Aldora had stated once that each delivery only nets them around 2 Poké to pay off Key’s debts. “A thousand deliveries for one stupid Ribbon. It’s exploitation, I tell you!”

Hei tilted her head in dissatisfaction, her earring jingling. “I think it sounds better than being locked up in a cell. You should be more grateful. And I don’t feel trapped here. Every day is a lot of fun!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Despite the ex-thief’s occasional rants, life for them was looking up. Even though they were only a week into the experience, they felt confident in their abilities. That morning, they began the day like any other. Now able to navigate the confusing halls of the headquarters without needing to stop and ask for directions (most of the times), they eat their fill of morning grub and head over to the Chief Mail Coordinator’s tower and approach the counter. The Alolan Exeggutor spotted them down below and deftly whipped around so her tail could greet them.

“Morning, team!” The small green head chirped. “You’ll be handling just one delivery today.”

“Just one?”

Coco nodded. “Yup. It’s a big order so it’ll take up most of the space in both of your bags.”

“Jeez, who’s the big spender?” Key asked.

“The town Kecleon Shop! They get their exotic products via courier once a week! It’s a very important delivery. You guys think you’ll be able to handle it okay?”

Hei nodded proudly. “We’ll do a good job!”

“That’s what I like to hear! Let’s get the Pan brothers to suit you up.” High above, the Exeggutor shook her leaves fervently, signaling the monkey Pokemon climbing up and down her neck to zip down to the delivering duo.

“Morning, pipsqueaks!” The eldest Cheri greeted with a haughty grin.

“You’re shorter than I am, pipsqueak!” Key snapped back.

“When you’re an adult, you get to call whoever you want a pipsqueak. Even Coco.” Lum chuckled, prompting Coco’s mini head to bite Lum’s tail. Hei wasn’t sure how painful a bite like that could be considering the Dragon-type’s tail was toothless, but from the way the Pansage yelped, it had to have hurt.

Despite the initial kerfuffle, the brother’s quickly suited up the four legged pair, stuffing their delivery bags full of wares. Apples, Berries, Elixirs, TM’s, Orbs… Soon their bags overflowed with valuable-looking goods, too many in quantity to be wrapped in the Service's iconic parcels. Luckily for them, the satchel still remained as light as when it was empty.

“You know your way to the Kecleon Shop, right? Off you go!” Coco gave them one final grin before shifting her attention to an incoming Pelipper flying in through one of the entrances. The trio of brothers also scuttled back up the dragon plant’s neck as they tossed parcels to one another.

It was time for Hei and Key to go too. Surprisingly, the Zorua seemed to be unnaturally chipper after receiving the assignment. The two skipped out of the building together, making their way down to the town center.

“What luck, what luck!” He hummed. “Just one delivery! We can spend the rest of the day goofing off!”

“Goofy goof!” Hei sang along with him, more content with his good mood than his words. “Whaddaya wanna play once we’re done?”

“We can play fight!” Key suggested, but suddenly remembered how hard the Eevee can headbutt. “No no, I mean, let’s play hide and seek!” He also remembered how they last time they played that, Hei got locked up in jail. “I’m running out of games to play with you.” He concluded.

A loud crash cut the conversation off. The two friends jumped to alertness and searched the area for the source of the ruckus. In the lively streets, a dark creature zoomed around recklessly, knocking over displays and trash cans. It suddenly collided head first into a street lamp. The resounding metallic clang echoed throughout the road, causing all nearby Pokemon to huddle around the collapsed critter.

Curiosity got the best of the deliverymon too. They tried squeezing past the small mob to see who had been causing such a scene. After a short battle against the current, they managed to poke their heads through. Panting and rolling around on the ground was a Galarian Zigzagoon. His droopy pink eyes pointed upwards, dazed, as his pierced tongue lolled out of his mouth, matching the piercing above his left eye. Judging from the scar across his nose, this was not his first painful accident.

As the surrounding Pokemon asked the Zigzagoon if he was okay, Key squinted at the fellow Dark type.

“What’s wrong, Key?” His partner asked, sensing his tension.

“That guy… Is that…?”

The Zigzagoon suddenly locked eyes with him. They exchanged bewildered glances, and in a flash, the raccoon Pokemon hopped on his feet and peeled off, leaving a crowd of confused Pokemon in his wake. Key spent a few moment in a stupor, merely watching the clouds of dust churn above the pavement until dissolving in the air. But suddenly, his expression morphed from dazed to horrified.

“Quick! Check your bag!” He screeched.

Hei jumped at the sudden command but reluctantly complied. To her astonishment, the once cram-full bag was empty, save for a Tiny Apple. Key followed suit with his satchel, and confirmed a similar void.

“Th-the merchandise!” She blanched. “It’s all gone!”

“I knew it…” Key’s eye twitched. “Good grief…”

The Eevee next to him was not so calm. Panic began to overtake her, manifesting as erratic pacing, spinning in circles, and repeatedly checking her empty satchel in the hopes that the items would somehow magically return.

“Wh-what are we gonna do? Oh no, oh no, oh no….” She babbled. “All the stuff is gone, and Mr. Kecleon is gonna yell at us, and the other Mr. Kecleon is gonna yell at us, and Coco is gonna yell at us, and Postmaster Aldora is gonna yell at us, and… and… they’re gonna…”

Key placed a paw over Hei’s hyperactive mouth, silencing her. “Calm down. I know what happened to it.”

“What?!”

“That Pokemon we just saw… he’s an outlaw. A crook like me.”

“Huh? But… he didn’t get anywhere near us!”

“He didn’t have to. He was only the distraction. The real thief pickpocketed the whole crowd while we were looking at him.”

Hei pondered this. Her worried expression melted into a more desperate hopeful one. “B-but you know the thieves, then? We can just go find them and you can ask for our things back, right? Right?”

Her glimmering eyes were met with fiery ones from her companion. “Oh we’ll find ‘em all right… They really think they could steal from me?! The Yellow-Eyed Mirage?! And get away with it?!”

“…Eh?”

“No one steals from a thief! Especially not these second-rate wannabes! Oh, I’ll show ‘em…” Key muttered many other things under his breath as he bounded off after the thieves. Still not really understating what was happening, Hei had no choice but to chase after him.

“Huff, huff…” Hei wheezed as she caught up to his tail swishing in the wind. “Key, where are we going?”

“To their hideout, of course!” He declared. “Every thief’s gotta secret hideout!”

“But how do you know about it?”

“I’ve been there once. Knowing these idiots, they haven’t bothered to change location. There’s just one problem…”

“What’s that?”

“We need to go through a mystery dungeon to reach it.”

Hei’s eyes narrowed. “Mystery dungeon? What’s that?”

The question stopped Key in his tracks. He skidded to a halt and stared at her incredulously. “You don’t know what a mystery dungeon is? Wow, your amnesia really did a number on you.”

“…Thanks?”

“Everyone knows about mystery dungeons. They’re these weird places, like a maze that’s different every time you enter it. Nasty Pokemon live inside it, and if they knock you out, you’ll wake up outside the dungeon with no money and no items.” Despite his somber words, his face lit up like a Volbeat’s tail. “They’re awesome!”

Hei was not so excited. “Sounds scary… I don’t wanna go in a place like that…”

“What?! Don’t be like that! We gotta get those items back, don’t we? And this dungeon is easy to get through! Like I said, I’ve been there by myself before! Just stick close to me, and I’ll keep you safe!”

The young Eevee didn’t speak for a while, reflecting on his proposition. “…You promise it’s not scary?”

“We’ll be in and out like that! Just in time for the delivery!”

“Hmm…” Hei fell into an anxious silence, but finally, she gave her friend an unsure smile. “Okay. I trust you.”

“Alright!” The Zorua practically lept with joy. “We’re just like an exploration team! Whaddare we waiting for?! Let’s get going!”

Even though the Eevee didn’t understand why Key was so fired up over being robbed, she decided it was best to simply follow along and get this over with as quickly as possible. The Dark type led her all the way to the eastern edge of town. As the bustle and buildings began to dwindle, giving way to neglected huts and fencing, the pair approached a murky cluster of woods. A dirt path snaked into the bowels of the forest, labelled “Mildew Forest” by a faded signpost.

“Here we are.” Key announced with a confident huff. “Those crooks should be in the depths of this dungeon.”

“And you’re sure it’s not scary?”

“Please,” Key snorted. “You’ve got the legendary Yellow-Eyed Mirage by your side. This place should be scared of us.”

“Forests can feel fear?”

“Oh, brother…”

And so, the pair of deliverymon entered Mildew Forest, the meek Hei trailing behind the proud Key. The canopy of the musty-smelling trees thickened with each step, blocking out the overhead sunlight. The gloomy shade only added to Hei’s uneasiness. Her hearing was not very good to begin with-- her limp right ear was completely deaf-- but now, every little sound, from the rustling of the blanket of dead leaves underneath to the snapping of twigs, sent a jolt of fear up her spine.  She looked to her companion for comfort. Unlike her grimace, Key’s face shone with confidence. His attitude served to relax her, if only the teensiest bit.

“S-so, Key…” She began, hoping a conversation would loosen her nerves. “These outlaws… you said there were two of them.”

“Yep. They’ve been hustling Crossroad Town since before I got here. Course, I took over right away, so they get in my way whenever they can.”

“I saw the scruffy looking guy but… what’s the other thief like? The one who actually took the items?”

All amusement left the little fox’s expression. “She’s the worst.”

Before Hei could ask him to elaborate more, a nearby bush shook violently.  Hei jumped at the rustling, huddling closer behind Key for protection. Suddenly, a Shroomish burst out from the foliage, and with a gurgle, charged at the youngsters.

“Waaah!” Hei yelped. “It’s coming for us!”

“Leave it to me!” In a flash, Key leaped forward, landing right in front of the Grass type attacker. “Fury Swipes!”

He raised his paws to the air, claws now unsheathed, and scratched away at the Shroomish. His opponent cried out in surprise at the flurry of claws, too stunned to fight back. When Key finally relented, the stubby critter wasted no time in skittering off back into the bushes.

“Heh!” Key puffed, turning back to his stunned partner. “See? I’m the coolest, aren’t I?”

For the first time since entering the dungeon, Hei returned his excitement tenfold. With wide eyes and a wider smile, she ran up to him and circled him with elated hops.

“That was amazing! It was all ‘wraaaaar!’ But then you came in like ‘chachachacha!’ And then it ran off all ‘nooooo my faaaacee!’” She gushed, pantomiming the battle in exaggerated gestures. “You were incredible, Key!”

Hearing those words suddenly stripped the little fox of all his bravado. His expression now sheepish, he kicked at the dirt underfoot with a bashful chuckle. “Y-you really think so? I mean, I wasn’t that cool…”

“You were!” Hei objected with sparkling eyes of resolution. “You were the coolest!”

Key’s face burned a bright crimson at the overwhelming praise. “Well, if you say so… Let’s keep going.”

The two continued on, Hei now significantly more confident, and Key significantly less so. Enemies sporadically popped up from the bushes, trees or even underneath the thick layers of detritus coating the forest floor, but they were no match for the duo. Key was glad to see Hei's iconic Headbutt not used on him.

After a while of trekking, the fox Pokemon's face suddenly lit up. “We’re nearly at the end! They should be just up ahead!”

As he predicted, the forest path gave way to the entrance of a small, vine-covered cave. A burnt fireplace a few paces from the cave gave away the fact that it was not unoccupied, but more telling was the scattered items forming a trail leading inside. An Oran Berry, an Escape Orb, a Totter Seed, all clumsily left behind by bandits with their paws full.

“This is it.” Key confirmed. “They’re in here, no doubt. You ready?”

Hei nodded with a grin. “Yup!”

“Good.”

Warily, they slunk inside. The interior of the cavern matched the exterior’s size, no bigger than the deliverymons' dorm room, but it felt much smaller due to piles of stolen goods crammed in every corner. Illuminated by torches that lined the rocky, mushroom-infested wall, crates filled with moldy Apples and pots half full with stagnant water took up most of the space, and scattered Poke coins glistened on the tattered rug. The only remotely neat area was a little space with two nests of hay, undoubtedly the criminals’ beds.

Key glanced around but to his surprise, the dwelling appeared to be deserted. He raised a brow, not daring to take a step further. “Something’s off…”

However, the only thing of interest to Hei is the ostentatious pile of goods at the deepest ends of the room. “Our delivery!” Ignoring her friend’s warning, she trotted up to the giant pile of loot.

“Wait, He—“

The torches were blown out all at once.

The entrance behind them sealed shut.

Pitch black darkness enveloped the two Pokemon in an instant.

“Wh-what?” Hei’s voice exclaimed.

“It’s a trap!” Key’s voice yelled out.

“Yes… trap…” An unknown voice hissed, startling the other two.

Key whipped his head around wildly, unable to see past the thick curtain of darkness. “Wh-who’s there?!”

“We… predator… you… prey…” The voice mumbled.

The Zorua felt something hard and keratinous touch his tail. He jumped, spinning in circles frantically in hopes of spotting the unseen menace. “St-stop it, you crooks! This isn’t funny, you know!”

“Key! Where are you?!” Hei’s voice called out. He tried going towards it, but something sharp swiped at his side only two steps in.

“Yowwch!” He cried out. He blindly lashed out into the dark, but made no contact. His breath grew shallow, panic sweeping his normally quick wit away.

“Key?!”

“C-careful, Hei! It’s dangerous!”

The Eevee soon understood what he meant as the unknown beast struck her rear paw, causing her to squeal in pain as well.

“L-leave us alone!”

Key’s voice was quivering, tears forming in his eyes. The situation was hopeless. Without any vision, the two kids could do nothing to defend themselves against the threat. They were utterly defenseless. The thing did not relent in its attacks, slashing at the two Pokemon mercilessly. They could only listen to each other’s yelps of pain and desperately limp about, bumping into unseen junk, hoping to find each other.

“Hei! I’m sorry!” Key’s voice suddenly shouted in between sobs. “It’s all my fault! All I do is cause trouble for others!”

“It’s not your fault, Key!” Hei yelled into the void. “You just wanted to help! You’re not a trouble at all!”

She felt her friend collapse at her feet.

“Daddy… save me…” His voice was weak and ragged. Hei ducked down to feel Key’s fur, making out his face damp with tears.

The horrific creaking voice of the attacker echoed throughout the cave. “Now… Finishing blow…”

Hei sensed the creature approaching. Her fright turned into a feeling that she could not easily describe. All she knew was that it was strong, and that it stirred up her spirit in such a way that she thought she was catching fire. It was not a foreign feeling; in fact, it was as if her entire body, right down to her DNA understood what was happening.

A brilliant reddish pink light shone from her right ear, washing away the shadow into an equally blinding radiance. Then, it was gone.

But Hei felt different. Completely different. Her body felt larger, more powerful, her senses felt completely rewired. A strange pressure warmed her forehead, ears, upper limbs and tail. And as if instinctually, she acted on it. A bright yellow glow now illuminated the cavern. Unlike the previous burst of light, this one remained, lighting up the cramped room, and her bewildered companion. He appeared much shorter than usual. But in reality… Hei had grown taller.

“You…!” Key gasped. “Hei, you evolved again!”

The Pokemon that stood before him was no longer an Eevee, but rather, an Umbreon. Her eyes were scarier than before: still a purple hue, but now with thin fearsome pupils. They, along with several yellow rings of fur, glowed brightly. Whether or not she evolved or not, it didn’t matter to Hei. Only three things mattered: that they could see again, that Key was okay, and that the unknown creature was finally revealed.

Frozen upside down on the ceiling of the cave stood a Parasect. His dull, glassy eyes reflected Hei’s light but seemed to give no reaction.

“Bad…” The creepy Bug type muttered. “This… bad… ambush… failed…”

Though the Parasect remained expressionless, Hei’s face hardened into a hostile expression.

“You’re the one that attacked us!”

The mushroom Pokemon tried to skitter off, but Hei’s strong legs allowed her to jump up and bite one of his legs. He fell down with her and landed on his oversized mushroom, leaving his belly exposed in between wriggling legs.

“No… Not hurt… Escape…”  He rasped.

“You hurt my friend!” Hei said while placing a paw on the Parasect’s defenseless stomach. “Gimme one good reason I shouldn’t squish you!”

“We… just fungus…” The Parasect answered in the same emotionless croak. “No feel pain… but need body… to live… Body… need food… you… food…”

The Umbreon pressed down on the zombie harder. “We aren’t food! I don’t care if you’re a Pokemon or a mushroom, eat an Apple if you’re that hungry!”

“Ok… We learn lesson… We… leave now… take others back…”

“Hmf.” Hei clearly looked irritated but decided to take the fungus at his word. She flipped the Parasect back on its legs, and in return, he spat out two small Pokemon from underneath the mushroom cap: the familiar Galarian Zigzagoon from before as well as a Nickit. They lied on the ground unconscious, too dazed from whatever they endured under the shroom.

“Fungus… not know… right or wrong…” Parasect said. “But… we weak… we see… your mercy… we not forget… we not bother others… any more...”

“I’m sure even a mushroom can keep its promise.” Hei nodded. “Bye bye.”

“Bye… bye…”

With what resembled a wave of its front claws, Parasect turned to the blocked off entrance of a cave. Magically, the large rock that plugged the opening rolled to the side, revealing the harsh sunlight of outside. The brightness bombarded the Umbreon’s unaccustomed eyes, but once they had enough time to adjust, she noticed a small troop of Paras crawling on the stone obstacle. Turned out the rock’s mysterious movement wasn’t magic after all. Wordlessly, the swarm of creepy crawlies huddled around their larger boss, and together they scuttled away into the depths of Mildew Forest.

Hei watched until their silhouettes blended into the haze of the forest before turning her attention to the three other Dark types who were steadily regaining consciousness. First was Key, who shakily managed to get back on four paws. Though still injured, he avoided wiping out entirely.

The now taller Hei lowered her head to meet his face with a relieved smile. “Key! We did it!”

For once, her friend was just as giddy as her. “We did it? No, Hei, you did it! You were so cool, I couldn’t believe my eyes! You sent that creep packing like it was nothing! And you’re a Dark type now, just like me! I—“ He paused suddenly. “Wait, how did you evolve? There aren’t any Evolution Crystals nearby…”

“I think it was… my earring.”

“Your earring?” Key repeated. “That’s right, Aldora did mention that stone is an Evolution Crystal. But it’s so tiny, and look it’s still there! Everyone knows Evolution Crystals disappear once you use them!”

Hei shrugged, but before Key could press her further, an obnoxious throat clear interrupted them. They turned to see the sound’s origin. The raggedy Nickit and Zigzagoon stared at them awkwardly.

“Well, well, well… If it ain’t Key.” Nickit spat in a nasal voice.

Key narrowed his eyes in return. “If it isn’t the second rate crooks… uh…”

“Are you kidding me?!” The other fox screeched. “You don’t remember our names?!”

“It’ll come to me, just gimme a minute…”

“It’s Nicki and Zag! As in, your sworn rivals in thievery?!”

The Zigzagoon, Zag, nodded along fiercely at her words.

“How many times do I have to tell you, we’re not rivals! You’re just a pair of chumps who won’t leave me alone!” The Zorua retaliated.

“We are too rivals!” Nicki growled, darting to stare down the ‘rival’ fox. “Only an esteemed rival could uncover our secret hideout!”

Key ground his forehead against hers. “You brought me here before to challenge me, remember?! And I beat you! What kind of a crummy thief leads other Pokemon into their hideout?! And stays in the same one after all this time?!”

“Thieves who know a good hideout when they see one! Peewee!”

“Numbskull!”

“Feebas bait!”

“Bushtail!”

The two continued to hurl insults at each other for a while. Hei slowly crept up to the Zigzagoon who watched from the sidelines while panting heartily.

“You ever feel like you just don’t know what’s going on?” She asked.

“All the time.”

Eventually, Key and Nicki ran out of insults (Nicki ran out first) and resorted to glaring at each other, red-faced.

“To have wasted my precious time like this… Mine! The Yellow-Eyed Mirage!” Key exclaimed.

“Yellow-Eyed Mirage? You? Please!” Nicki cackled. “Don’t insult the king of thieves like that! You ain’t never gonna be the Yellow-Eyed Mirage not even in a million years!”

“Grr… You shut up!” Key barked before tackling the Nickit.

“Um…” Hei piped up over the brawl ensuing before her. “Key, can we go finish the delivery now?”

Nicki glanced at the Umbreon, still chomping down of Key’s leg. “So the rumors are true… you really have gone soft.”

Key was taken aback by this. “Whaddaya mean, gone soft?”

“The trickster thief Key finally got caught, and is living on the straight and narrow… making deliveries, drinking tea, having pillow fights… How far you’ve fallen, ey ol’ chum?”

“I-I haven’t gone soft! And I don’t have pillow fights!”

“What about the one we had last week?” The Umbreon asked.

“Zip it, Hei!”

Nicki’s gaze turned pitying. “How embarrassing for you. I guess we really ain’t rivals no more since you… abandoned your life of crime, and all.”

“Who said anything about that?! This is all part of my master plan!”

“Sure, sure… well by all means, we don’t want to keep the Postmaster’s pets from your game of patty cake, now do we, Zag?”

Zag nodded blankly.

“Th-that’s some big talk for a couple of chumps who were inside of a mushroom five minutes ago!” Key snapped. “And who saved you? That’s right, the Postmaster’s pets!”

“P-please…! We were just…tired from our great hustle and… too busy admiring our haul to notice that weird Pokemon crawl in our hideout.”

“Yeah, an’ Nicki’s too scared to go against Bug types! They scare her outta her wits!” Zag added.

“Zip it, Zag!”

“Fact remains you and Bonehead over there were gonna be mushroom food if not for me and Hei!” The Zorua declared triumphantly.

“Tch, whatever…” The other fox Pokemon grumbled. “Since we’re feelin’ real generous today, you can take your stolen crap and leave… but don’t think we’re gonna quit messing with you and your little pal. We are rivals, after all.”

“No, we’re not.”

The deliverymon gathered up the pile of stolen good and tucked them safely inside their bags. However, Hei tilted her head, her brow furrowed.

“I could’ve sworn there was more…”

Key stomped his paw. “Nicki!”

Sheepishly, Nicki gave her tail a good shake, resulting in a surprising amount of items to fall from her fur.

“A thief’s gotta try.”

Having retrieved the stolen goods, scolded the thieves and escaped from the harrowing Mildew Forest, the pair of friends returned to the heart of Crossroad Town, where they meet their clients the Kecleon brothers in Kecleon Shop.

Though the color swap Pokemon were not too pleased by their tardiness, nor by the banged up state of some of the wares, Hei explained the situation honestly. Both green and purple Kecleon forgave them and even commended their bravery under the circumstances, finally promising not to complain to the delivery service. The day was considerably later than either of them had expected, already trickling into afternoon.

Though they had agreed to spend the rest of their day playing, they found themselves utterly exhausted after the hectic delivery. Instead, they settled on eating a filling late lunch in the town marketplace, and visiting Key’s old secret hideout. The walk was more taxing than usual, but it was entirely worth it when both Umbreon and Zorua settled atop one of the blades of the abandoned windmill and admired the wonderful view of the town.

“Ahh, the breeze is so refreshing!” Hei sighed, stretching her toe beans out. “Especially after that stinky old forest!”

“You’re telling me!” Key replied. “I never wanna go back there again. Especially if those two goons are there.”

“Mystery dungeons can be pretty scary places.”

“Urk. Yeah. Sorry for making you go. Since you were so scared at first, I mean.”

“You wanna know something, Key?”

“What?”

Hei smiled. “Even though it was scary… I had a lot of fun!”

“Yeah? Me too. Let’s go explore another one, someday.”

“Cuz we’re an exploration team?”

“Heh. Yeah. The best exploration team in the entire Water Continent!”

“Best in the world!”

“The whole wide world.”

“…Key?”

“Yeah?”

“Who are the Explorers? You mention them sometimes.”

Key looked at her, surprised. “You’ve never heard of the Explorers?”

Hei only looked back with docile eyes.

Her friend gave a weary grin. “I guess you wouldn’t… It’s fairy tale stuff now. But long ago, when the world was still new and full of treasure, there were these guilds of Explorers. They were brave, powerful, amazing Pokemon that travelled the world, discovered new places and found loads of beautiful golden treasures. Most of what we know about the world is because of them and what they started. And wherever they went, they helped other Pokemon in need. There was even a Hero Explorer, who saved the planet from being frozen in time itself!”

“Wow, you know so much about them!”

“Well duh, everyone knows about Explorers. When I was little, my Da- I mean, my father used to tell me stories about them every night. And I wished… that I would grow up to be one.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“C’mon, Explorers don’t exist anymore! All of the world has been explored already.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yeah, yeah… Besides, being a thief is much cooler.”

“Hey, Key?”

“Yeah?”

“Where’s your dad now?”

Key stayed silent.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine. He’s somewhere far away right now. But I know we’ll meet again.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Aldora set the report down on her already crowded desk. With a sigh, she hopped down from the table and made her way to the balcony, taking in the cool night air as she often liked to do. She watched the dark waves dance along the horizon line.

"Oh, kind winds who lifted my ancestors high above... carry my message so that they might hear..." The Shaymin said, eyes closed. "The new recruits grow stronger and more confident... I pray their days with us bring them joy."

She stepped closer to the balcony's unguarded edge. "From their report, I learned their day was perilous. The Eevee has evolved once more. But tell me, great ancestors... how can she have evolved into an Umbreon in plainest daylight? How could she have defied the natural order so? And that peculiar earring..."

A strong gale swept by, ruffling her leafy pelt. She opened her eyes once more, gazing upwards to the faint twinkling stars above. "Indeed... she is not an ordinary sort. Dearest ancestors, you've met a Pokemon chosen by fate eons ago, gifted with skills beyond explanation, and guided them through our motherland. Could she possibly be...?"

The wind fell silent.

"For the sake of the world's harmony, let us hope not. A beacon of salvation is also an omen of calamity."

Chapter Text

Hei and Key were very surprised when one day, the Postmaster General called them to her office. They hadn’t seen her in many days; the little Shaymin was an elusive sight around the Azure Hill headquarters due to her unending responsibilities. Calling them now could only mean they were in trouble, or at least that is what Key convinced Hei of in a paranoid rant. Because of this, the deliverymon duo was rightfully nervous when they once again stood in front of the imposing office doors. With a polite knock, they tiptoed in the room where Aldora awaited atop her formidable desk. Though the stateliness of her office was intimidating, the Postmaster simply flashed her signature smile at the recruits and hopped down the desk to meet them at eye level.

“Good morning, Hei, Kei!” She greeted. The children murmured their own ‘good morning’s before she continued. “How have you been enjoying life here at the delivery service?” 

“S’alright, I guess…” Key mumbled, kicking his paw against the mossy ground. 

His companion was far more enthusiastic. “I really like it here, Miss Aldora!”

Aldora seemed to be pleased by their responses. “I’m glad. The staff has been telling me how well you fit in, and how good of a job you’re doing.”

Key was confused by the praise. “Really?”

“Of course. You two are simply naturals.” She nodded. “In fact, I wished to personally assign you with a delivery today, one that will mark a change in your careers here.”

Both Eevee and Zorua stood silently in anticipation upon hearing this. 

“Today, I would like you two to make your first delivery outside of Crossroads Town.” The Shaymin announced.

Key practically hit the ceiling at the news. “Really? We finally get to do some proper adventuring?!”

“That’s right.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” The Zorua smiled from ear to ear, wagging his tail excitedly behind him. “So, where to, Aldora?  Post Town? Baram Town? Wait, don’t tell me… Treasure Town?!”

“Not quite…” Aldora giggled at the young fox’s excitement. “You two will be delivering a package to someone in Senke Town.”

Key’s grin disappeared, now usurped by an indignant frown. “Senke Town?! You mean the town a measly hour from Crossroads Town?! That’s not an adventure at all!”

Hei tugged at her friend’s tail concernedly. “Key, it’ll still be fun…”

“Fun, my left paw…” He grumbled, plopping on to the floor like all of his motivation was suddenly siphoned from him.

“You shouldn’t be so quick to give up hope, Key…” Aldora said in a kind voice. She plucked a yellow seed from her grassy coat and brought it to the youngster’s view. “After all, excitement can be found in even the most unexpected places.”

As if on cue, the seed popped open to reveal a lovely pink blossom. She nestled the flower in Key’s neck fur as he watched on in astonishment.

“Every journey begins with the first step,” She continued. “If you do well on this delivery, maybe next time you’ll go somewhere even further.”

To that, Key had no more complaints. “Okay.”

“Excellent!” The Shaymin chirped. “Coco will set you up with everything you need. Don’t keep her waiting, now.”

Hei’s fluffy chest puffed up with determination. “We won’t let you down, Miss Aldora!”

“Safe journeys, young ones,” the Postmaster’s voice was melodious like the chiming of silver bells. “Have fun!”

A few minutes later, the pair of deliverymon were down in Coco’s tower, suited up and bestowed with their parcels of the day: a bulk parcel of around fifty Plain Seeds.

“Who’d even order this junk?” Key huffed indignantly as he stuffed the crates of seeds into his courier bag.

“That question is above your pay grade, short stack,” Lum jeered, circling the base of Coco’s towering neck. “You just gotta take it from here to there.”

The Alolan Exeggutor laughed over the Zorua’s growling. “Alright, settle down. Now that you’re all geared up, make you way down the western road towards the Cloverful Fen. A rescue team will be waiting to guide you through all the way to Senke Town.”

As soon as Key heard the words ‘rescue’ and ‘team’, his face contorted into a disgusted grimace.

“Rescue team?!” He spat. “We’re not even going by ourselves?!”

Coco’s tail gave a stern look (or as stern as it could look). “The Cloverful Fen is a mystery dungeon, you know. Low ranking employees like yourselves need to be escorted. It’s a service-wide policy.”

“No, no, no!” The Dark type hissed. “We don’t need any help from rescue team bozos!  Me and Hei can clear the mystery dungeon by ourselves!”

“That’s enough backtalk, rookie!” Suddenly, Lum hopped from Coco’s neck to meet the Zorua face to face. “You don’t get a say in the matter! Now drop the temper tantrum and do your job, or you’ll be stuck mopping floor for the next month!” 

The Pansage’s ferocity left Key speechless. Not even Hei tried to smoothen out the mood.

Coco awkwardly cleared her throat. “W-well, it’s best you two get going. Good luck out there.”

“Wh-whatever.”

With his final grumble, Key stomped off, a flustered Hei trailing behind him. As they marched down Azure Hill, the Eevee finally caught up enough to see his face. Large tears pooled under his glistening yellow eyes.

“Key!” She exclaimed. “Are you crying?”

“N-no!” He hurriedly wipes his face on his mane. “I-it’s just allergies!”

That didn’t stop his friend from nuzzling her nose against his cheek. Her snout was warm and soft; Key found himself relaxing a bit despite himself.

“It’s okay. Don’t cry. We’ll still have fun.” Her voice was gentle and surprisingly mature.

The Zorua sniffed, forcing a wet drop back in his nostril. “I-it’s not that…”

Before either of them could continue, their ears picked up on a distinct ‘psst!’ sound coming from up the hill. Looking back, they spotted the bubbly blue pompadour of Oran, the youngest of the Pan brothers. He beckoned them closer, sneaking furtive glances around as if scared of being caught out in the open. The deliverymon approached him, tilting their heads.

“I gotta make this quick,” The Panpour whispered. “Because they think I’m in the bathroom. But I just wanted to apologize for my brother’s behavior. He used to yell at me and Cheri all the time when we were younger. He might sound mean, but it’s only because he cares. I’m sure he’s beating himself up for being so harsh back there.”

The spray Pokemon gave them a cheerful thumbs up along with a beaming grin. “So don’t feel blue!”

Key smiled weakly at Oran. “Th-thanks.”

“You’re welcome! Good luck on your delivery today!” The Panpour held out his paw, revealing a peeled Chestnut. “Here, you can have my snack. It always puts me in a good mood!”

The young fox couldn’t help but feel touched at his senior’s kindness. A wave of guilt washed over him, and then of embarrassment over his previous outburst. He must have really sounded like a bratty kid.

“Thanks, Mister Oran. Really.” He said finally, storing the Chestnut in his bag to eat on the road.

“Yup, yup!” With a final wave, the Panpour began to hustle back to the building. “Bye bye!”

Once Oran was out of sight, the duo continued their walk towards the western end of Crossroad Town.

“That was really nice of Mister Oran.” Hei hummed.

“Yeah…” Her friend nodded. “He didn’t need to do that.”

“Hey, Key…” She began. “What made you so upset to begin with?”

The Zorua grimaced. “I guess I wanted to go on another exploration just the two of us, like last time. But really, when I heard we’re going to be babysat by a rescue team of all things, it just pushed me over the line.”

“A rescue team?” Hei repeated. “What’s that, anyway?”

Key stuck his tongue out in disgust. “A bunch of con artists, if you ask me. They’re teams of Pokemon who charge an arm and a leg for rescue services, like escorting and item retrieval. The Rescue Team Federation used to be a really big deal in the past, but now only rich or desperate Pokemon use their services. You’re better off asking the Expedition Society for help.”

“So they’re like… bodyguards?”

“I guess. Greedy, arrogant bodyguards.”

“I thought you liked those kinds of Pokemon.”

Key shot her a look.

“I mean, because you used to be a thief and all!” The Eevee corrected herself. “If they’re crooks like you say, why don’t you get along with them?”

“Humph!” Key snorted haughtily. “I may be a thief, but I don’t go around acting like I’m doing others a favor! And I certainly don’t go extorting people who need help.”

“So even criminals have standards…”

He smirked. “Of course.”

Down the western path, the ground began to flatten out. They passed the sign marking Crossroad Town’s edge, and the wide open road met them with open arms. As the scenery became wilder, grassier and rougher around the edges, the two children almost forgot they were on duty, excitedly trotting circles around each other, pretending to be great explorers on their way to find countless treasures.

Their excitement quickly petered out once they were met with the wooden sign warning them of the Cloverful Fen up ahead.

The mystery dungeon loomed behind a wall of trees, lying low and bogged down by stagnant, muddy water partially carpeted by a thick layer of clover. A handful of white sprightly flowers peppered the rich green lawn of clovers (true to the fen’s name), tempting the young Pokemon to frolic around the puddly fields shrouded in the mystic aura that all mystery dungeons were coated in.

But a trio of Pokemon blocked their way into the fen: an eager-looking Poliwhirl hoisting an enormous backpack on his shoulders, a Lairon with scratches all over his dense metal armor, and in the center, a proud Tranquill donning a leather vest with a polished egg-shaped badge pinned on it. Upon spotting the duo, their eyes lit up with interest. 

“You there!” The Tranquill called out. “You must be the two deliverymon from Shaymin’s, right?”

“Yeah…” Key grumbled.

“Nice to meet you.” Hei said politely. “I’m Hei and this is my friend Key.”

“Charmed.” The Flying-type Pokemon said, looking not at all charmed. “The name’s Sorin, the fearless leader of Team All-Terrain!”

As if on cue, the trio of rescuers struck a flashy pose. 

“When it comes to the sky, I’m your guy.” The wild pigeon Pokemon said.

“I’m who to trust when it comes to land, especially underground.” The Lairon spoke up. “Call me Stein.”

“And swimming’s in my genes, so I handle the water! I’m Hyugo, delighted to work with you!” The Poliwhirl chirped.

Hei stood on her hind legs to give the rescue team a round of applause, oohing and aahing (much to Key’s annoyance).

“Heh heh, don’t mention it.” Sorin chuckled. “Say, I don’t recognize you rug rats. You new recruits or something?”

The Zorua grit his teeth at the ‘rug rat’ comment, but felt like he’d already yelled enough today, leaving his partner to cover for him.

“Yep, we started a while ago. This is our first delivery outside of Crossroads Town!”

“Oh, how nice!” Hyugo clasped his mitten-like hands together. 

“Well, you’re in good paws, kid.” Stein flashed a haughty grin. “We go through this route all the time. Your delivery service hires us for most deliveries ‘round these parts.”

“That’s why we oughta do less blabbing and more walking!” Sorin interrupted, whipping out his wing towards the Cloverful Fen. “Onwards, crew!”

He spared a look at the two youngsters. “Stick close, kids. Leave the heavy lifting to the adults.”

With the courageous leader's declaration, the party descended towards the mystery dungeon (the Zorua trying his best not to chomp down on Sorin’s tail feathers). The air inside the fen felt different almost instantly: oppressive and dangerous despite the clear skies that were reflected in the inundated pools the team waded in. Hei was reminded of Mildew Forest. Perhaps all mystery dungeons shared this electrifying atmosphere. It even seemed to put a spring in Key’s step, despite his annoyance towards the rescue team.

The rescuers themselves, for all of their gloating, did seem like pros. They instantly spread out once in the fen; Sorin gliding a few meters above, patrolling the area for any potential enemies, Hyugo diving inside the deeper swamps with astonishing speed and dexterity for a froggy ball, and Stein carrying the two deliverymon on his back as he sloshed through the waterlogged fields of grass.

The Eevee quite liked being carried around, quickly forgetting they were on a delivery and treating the outing as more of a joyride through the admittedly beautiful landscape of the fen. As she jerked her head every which way, trying to take in every detail, Key was stuck with the task of avoiding her floppy ears from hitting him in the face.

“Mister Stein, are you feeling tired? Are we too heavy?” Hei asked after a while, less out of concern and more out of restlessness.

“You lot are as light as a Flittle’s feather!” The Lairon joked. “Don’t worry, Fluffy. These old bones have had to carry far worse.”

“You guys sure talk big for a team that’s only Bronze Rank.” Key pointed out, gesturing at the green Badge pinned to Stein’s leather vest.

Hearing those words made Sorin dive down instantly, landing right next to Key with a furious expression. “That just goes to show how rigorous the rescue team ranking system is, rug rat! The Federation only allows elite Pokemon to join its renowned organization! Why, even Normal Rank teams could clear this dungeon, for starters!”

“Please,” The Dark-type rolled his eyes. “Everyone knows that rescue teams are just wannabe greedy explorers.”

“What was that?!” Stein roared, skidding to a halt.

“Key!” Hei cried. “That wasn’t nice to say.”

Hyugo trotted up to the stalling party, confused. “What’s wrong, guys?”

“This little hairball is talking smack about rescue teams!” Sorin sneered at Key.

“Not talking smack, just stating facts!” Key shot his nose in the air with a huff.

“Now, now…” The Poliwhirl’s voice was still carefree. “It’s true rescuers don’t have the best reputation these days. Rescue teams work differently than in olden times. But that doesn’t mean we’re not just as important! If it weren’t for us, well, folks like you couldn’t travel safely. Then what would happen?”

“Yeah!” The team leader said triumphantly. “Don’t you forget that a Hero was part of a rescue team too! The world would have been smashed to bits by a meteor if it weren’t for them!”

“All they did was tell Rayquaza to look up…” Key grumbled. “Well, whatever. Yada yada, we all love rescue teams. Let’s just get a move on.”

“Sheesh, the nerve of kids these days.” Stein growled, but resumed their trek. Another length of time goes by, where they wander deeper into the mystery dungeon. Team All-Terrain made fast progress, lugging their two clients around while also taking down the savage Pokemon that sprung out of thickets and mud.

“Take that!” Sorin screeched as he delivered a finishing blow to an airborne Yanma. The Bug-type zoomed off, clearly having enough.

“Mud Shot!” Hyugo spat out a roaring stream of mud at an unsuspecting Grimer.

“Hang on, kids!” Stein bellowed when blocked off by a charging Lombre. With a swift leap, he ducked down, tearing at the loamy soil underneath until he and the two terrified Pokemon clinging for dear life on his back were fully underground. In a flash, the Lairon changed directions, now digging upwards, then breaking through and careening towards the Lombre, hurling it high up in the sky.

“How’d you lot like my Dig attack?” Stein snickered with pride, but the two deliverymon were too preoccupied with spitting clods of dirt out of their mouths and trying to remember which was was up.

The more progress they made in the mystery dungeon, the more frequent and violent the wild Pokemon became. It was scary, but thrilling nonetheless. As much as it killed Key to admit, he never could have gotten through the fen without Team All-Terrain. Watching them defeat their foes so effortlessly… it was a little cool. Just a bit.

“Wow!” Hei gasped as she watched Hyugo perform a flawless Waterfall against a Dewott. She clumsily imitated him, hopping up with a front paw aimed toward the sky. “Waterfall!”

“Ha, ha!” Stein cackled. “Nice one, Fluffy! Maybe you can join Team All-Terrain when you’re older! Just don’t bring the brat with ya.” He twists his hips, nearly causing Key to fall in the mud.

“Like I’d wanna join your team!” The fox Pokemon hissed.

While the two Pokemon bickered, Hei returned to admiring the safari. Suddenly, she spotted something odd hidden behind a cluster of reeds.

“Wait, Mister Stein!” She called, pointing at the curious green figure in between the cattails. “What’s that?”

Stein cocked his head, and stomped closer to the direction she indicated. For the first time in the expedition, Hei hopped down the Lairon’s back, landing on the filthy fen soil with a splash. She brushed the foliage away, revealing the curious lump of green to be a Deerling passed out in a shallow puddle.

“Oh my!” She yelped. “Someone’s fainted!”

Drawn by the commotion, the other two rescuers gathered around Hei.

“What’s all this?” Sorin demanded, immediately taking control of the situation.

Hei revealed the collapsed Pokemon at her feet. “Look at this, Mister Sorin!” 

Gingerly, she poked the Deerling’s face. He barely reacted to her prodding, merely wincing at the sensation of her paws. All it did was trigger a loud rumbling from his stomach.

“His… tummy growled?” Hei asked.

“Poor fella must have collapsed from hunger.” Hyugo explained, shaking his head. “Must not have packed enough Apples.”

“That’s awful!” The Eevee said. “Quick, get him something to eat!”

But Sorin just sighed. “This has got nothing to do with us, Fluffy. You see this stuff all the time in mystery dungeons. We can’t go wasting our items on every hungry rando out there or we’d be clean outta Apples ourselves. Don’t worry, he’ll wind up back at the start of the fen soon enough, and he’ll know to be prepared next time.”

“What?!” Hei was outraged. “You’re a rescue team, aren’t you?! Rescue is in the name! You won’t help this poor boy out because you’ll use up an Apple?!”

“We were hired to guide you lot, not to rescue a Deerling!”

“So you’ll only do the right thing if you get paid then?” Key scoffed, hopping off of the Lairon’s back to join his friend. “I should’ve figured you’d have a rotten attitude like that.”

“Key was right about you guys!” Hei shot. “You’re just greedy con artists!”

The trio was stunned. “Wha—?!”

“We’ll help him ourselves!” The Eevee snapped. She began rustling around her delivery bag, only to grimace at the lack of personal supplies. She wasn’t the best at preparing for expedition, it seemed. Regardless, she had to find something to help the poor Deerling. In the end, she brought out five or so of the Plain Seeds she intended to deliver.

“Maybe this will keep him going until we reach the end.” She muttered.

“Fluffy, are you outta your mind?!” The Tranquill squawked. “That’s part of your delivery load right there! You can’t just hand it out to whoever!”

“I can if it helps someone in need!” She retaliated. “Miss Aldora taught me that!”

She titled the Deerling’s head towards her, opening his mouth and preparing to feed him the first Plain Seed. She would give him however many he needed until they were safe from harm, even if she ended up using all fifty.

“Wait, Hei!” Key nipped her tail. “I’ve got it!”

He dug around his Delivery bag until he pulled out the Peeled Chestnut Oran had gifted him in the morning. “This is way more filling! Give him this!”

His partner’s eyes lit up. She obeyed, and slipped the Chestnut in the Deerling’s mouth, watching him weakly chew on it until his face began to regain some color. Slowly, very slowly, his chewing grew more animated, until he finally swallowed with an audible gulp. The group of Pokemon stared at him in anticipation.

The Deerling’s eyes opened.

“Yummy.”

Key and Hei glanced at each other with elated smiles.

“You’re okay!”

The duo cheered to themselves, bouncing and dancing in circles, and consequently splattering the other Pokemon in mud.

“Uh… It’s cool that we’re all happy, but I’m a little confused.” The Deerling said, wobbling on his legs as he stood up.

“We found you conked out here.” Key explained. “You passed out from hunger so we gave you something to eat.”

The Deerling licked his chops. “Yeah… A Chestnut. Mama gives me those sometimes. Thanks.”

Key squinted at the season Pokemon. He looked a little dense. Must be to pass out in a mystery dungeon.

“Wh-what are you doing here in the first place?” Sorin interjected, trying to ignore the stinkeye Hei was giving him.

“Trying to find the tastiest clovers.” The Deerling said. “They grow really good ones here… so leafy and crunchy. And the flowers… uh, anyways, then, I remember being scared. What was it…”

The rescue team gaped at him incredulously as the young lad hemmed and hawed.

“Oh yeah!” His face lit up. “Something big and scary was chasing me. I ran and ran until I got so hungry I fell asleep.”

“Even after eating all that clover…” Key grimaced.

“Something big and scary…?” Hei repeated.

A giant shadow engulfed the group of Pokemon. They only had a second to process what had suddenly reared its head before gangly legs swept all of them into the air with a swoosh.

Hei tumbled to the ground some paces off from the threat, her vision now impaired by mud pouring down her face. Still, she managed to behold the massive Araquanid that attacked them.

“INTRUDERS!” The Araquanid screeched. “WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?!”

“Yipes!” The Deerling cried. “That’s what was chasing me!”

“An Araquanid! A boss no less!” Sorin exclaimed, already on his feet, or rather, on his wings, flying circles around the enormous six-legged Pokemon.

“TRESPASSERS WILL RECEIVE NO MERCY!” She screamed, the pure power of her voice fizzling the water bubble around her head.

“Let’s make a break for it!” The Tranquill shouted

The others had no objection. Eevee, Zorua, Poliwhirl, Lairon and Deerling all followed Sorin’s lead, making a mad dash towards the winding gaps in between trees. They must have been close to the exit.

Hei heard a splash behind her. The clumsy Deerling had tripped over some clover and fell down, his hoofs entangled in the vegetation.

“Help!” He yelped. 

Without a second thought, the Eevee heeded his call and rushed to his side. Key noticed and rushed to join her.

“What are you doing?!” He barked. “Let’s go!”

“He’s stuck!”

The season Pokemon tumbled around the patch of clovers as if to prove her point. His limited wits had been completely taken by panic, so his struggling only worsened the knots around his legs.

“Oh, sweet Mew—!” Key sputtered. In a flash, his claws were out, and he swiped at the clovers hoping to slash the Darling’s way to freedom. But the gruesome noise of six legs striking water quickly caught up to them. The trio of young Pokemon helplessly stared into the merciless, shimmering, enormous eyes of the Araquanid.

“PERHAPS NOW YOU WILL LEARN YOUR LESSON!” The beast roared, and raised a leg for another slashing attack.

But the Araquanid never got the opportunity to strike, for a blinding light suddenly erupted from the trio, stunning her. Once the light subsided, one of the children had drastically changed.

The little Eevee now stood over her friends, her legs long and muscular and fur yellow and sharp like lightning. Indeed, she was a Jolteon now.

“WHA—!” The water bubble Pokemon staggered back, but the Jolteon jumped forward, closing the gap.

“You leave us alone, or it’ll mean big trouble for you!” She declared.

“Hei!” Key gasped. “You’ve evolved again!”

“INSOLENT PEST!” The Araquanid hissed. With that, she fired a Hydro Pump at the Jolteon. However, the agile Electric-type was far too quick, and easily dodged the devastating jet. Hei landed behind the boss and began to bristle her rough fur. She could feel her entire being charging up with electricity.

She released a Thunderbolt, striking the Araquanid’s rear. She howled out in pain, trembling at the shock waves that ran through her water bubbles. Hei took this opportunity to lure the Bug-type away from Key and the Deerling, winking at her partner as if to say ‘get going!’ As conflicted as Key was, he also knew he’d only be in the way for this battle. He bit down on the Deerling’s ear and yanked him free from the clovers and towards the exit.

It’s up to you now, Hei…!

The battle between the Jolteon and the Araquanid raged on. Though Hei had the beast beat when it came to type advantage and speed, she lacked the experience to make her hits count. She fired off another Thunderbolt, only narrowly missing her target, who retreating into a thicker patch of clovers.

“No use hiding!” The fleet-footed lightning Pokemon said, and pounced in the tall grass after her. But the Araquanid skittered off, revealing her true plan. Before she knew it, Hei had landed in a Sticky Web her opponent had sneakily spun within the clover.

“Yuck!” She stuck her tongue out, trying to free her legs from the adhesive threads, but the web was far too sturdy for even her powerful kicks to shake off. Her ears lowered with the realization that she was trapped.

A horrible clicking sound emanated from the Araquanid as she crawled closer to Hei. She reared her front legs, positioning her water bubble right above the Jolteon. Once the Pokemon lunged down, she would drown her prey. Hei’s struggling became more panicked and violent, but much like the Deerling’s efforts, she only worsened her entanglement.

“NO MERCY FOR TRESPASSERS!” The Araquanid shrieked.

Hei closed her eyes, awaiting her watery grave. She waited for five seconds, but it never came. Confused, she opened her eyes only to be met with Sorin clawing at the Araquanid’s back with his talons.

“Hands off the rugrat!” He shouted at the boss.

His Aerial Ace startled the Bug-type and she skittered away from her Sticky Web to avoid another blow, but the Tranquill chased after her, swooping in to hack and slash at the nasty bug. He suddenly dove close to the ground, soaring just above the water’s edge until passing by Hei, leaving a perfectly sheared line of grass in his wake. With a single cut, she felt the web constricting her loosen, and she swiftly jumped free.

“Thanks, Mister Sorin!” She exclaimed gleefully. 

“Thank me once we’re done, kid!” He responded, unable to contain a smirk.

It didn’t take long for the unlikely duo to wear down the Araquanid. The creepy crawly’s movements became sloppier, her attacks weaker, and soon, she stumbled to a halt.

“Let’s finish this!” The Tranquill prepared his talons for a final strike. Hei nodded, charging up her pelt for one more shock. Together, they charged towards the Araquanid, and hit her with all they had.

“ARRGH!” The beast gurgled, frozen in place. Now behind her, the Pokemon turned around, ready for a possible counterattack. But the giant bug merely trembled in place, croaking out a wavering tone of pain that filled her water bubble with pathetic little air pockets. With a final, strained ‘ack’, the beast finally, finally, fell.

Jolteon and Tranquill looked at each other, scared to move. But at last, they allowed themselves to erupt in a triumphant:

“WE DID IT!”

“I can’t believe we actually beat her!” Hei jumped for joy.

“That was the toughest fight I’ve had since… ever!” Sorin laughed, flying donuts in the air.

Perhaps their celebrations were too soon, because it was then that the Araquanid began to stir.

“Oh no!” Hei gulped. “She wants round two?”

“No, no…” The Araquanid spoke up in a hoarse voice. “I’m quite done with you two. Meddling in my affairs… Just let me leave in peace…”

“Um, okay.” The Electric-type could find no reason to deny this. “But, um, Miss Araquanid, before you go… can I ask why you attacked us?”

“You foolish young thing…” The Araquanid sighed, looking at her with those unfathomable blue eyes. “Here in the wild, matters are settled with brute strength. That is how one survives. The Deerling… he was encroaching my territory… gobbling up all of the clover meant for my prey… so I treated him as such.”

The Jolteon titled her head, her earring jangling with it. “That seems like a pretty extreme punishment just for some clover.”

Sorin matches her incredulousness. “For real.”

“Perhaps to those who have lost the ways of the wild…” The Araquanid brushed them off (it still seemed like a pretty lousy excuse to Hei). “We must secure all we can in these foreboding times…”

This struck Hei. “Foreboding times?”

“My Dewpider children tell me many things. They hear the townsfolk speak of dangerous creatures, unnaturally strong. In far-off lands, they terrorize others. Soon, they could come for us. So I fight for every moment.”

Hei wanted to ask her for more information. Sorin, however, splayed a wing out impatiently.

“We’ve heard enough. You’re free to go. Just don’t bother us again.”

The Araquanid leered at him. “Know your place, badged one. You were the first to flee.”

With that, she crawled off, sinking into the deepest mires of a massive pool of water. Neither Hei nor Sorin said anything for many seconds. Wordlessly, they turned and headed to find the others.

Now landed and wading through the damp ground, Sorin cocked his head up sheepishly. “Sh-She’s right. I suppose I owe you and your annoying friend and apology. I failed as a leader today. I… I forgot what rescue teams are supposed to be.”

Hei smiled at him. “I’m glad you remembered, then! Let’s go meet up with everyone else and you can say everything you need to.”

“…Okay.”

As expected, the other two thirds of Team All-Terrain, as well as Key and the gluttonous Deerling were waiting for them in the outskirts of Cloverful Fen. They rushed towards the two as soon as they were in sight.

“Hei!” Key bounded towards his friend, surprised at her height once he was close enough. “Thank Arceus you’re okay! You were beyond awesome! And look at you, you’re a Jolteon now!”

“I’m glad you’re okay too!” She chirped. “Though my fur feels scratchy now…”

“How did you even manage to evolve all of a sudden?” The wild pigeon Pokemon butted in.

“I don’t really get it myself, but I guess my earring lets me do it.” Hei flicked her ear, showing off the twinkling pink stone.

Sorin inspected the earring carefully. “Hm… pretty weird. But I guess you’re no ordinary sort. As expected of Shaymin’s Delivery Service.”

“Yeah, you lot got some real guts.” Stein stomped over to them. “Standing up to a boss Pokemon like that.”

“You really should consider joining us when you’re a little older!” Hyugo chimed in.

Sorin delivered a swift Wing Attack on both of their heads. “Enough schmoozing, team! We oughta be ashamed of ourselves for getting shown up by a couple of rug rats! Let’s deliver our professional apologies!”

The other two muttered in agreement, and in unison, Team All-Terrain bowed their heads in shame.

“We’re sorry.”

The two deliverymon smiled.

“Just don’t let it happen again!” Key closed his eyes with incredible smugness.

“I think you should really be apologizing to him.” Hei motioned her head towards the Deerling, who was absentmindedly sniffing the ground, no doubt looking for another snack.

They seemed to agree with her, and huddled around the young Grass-type.

“Glad to see you’re doing okay, junior.” Sorin started awkwardly.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m a little hungry, though.” The Deerling looked up at him with lazy eyes.

“Well, it’s not much of an apology, but maybe this will help.” Hyugo turned to forage around in his large waterproof bag, eventually whipping out a Perfect Apple.

“An official ‘I’m-sorry’ gift from Team All-Terrain.” The Poliwhirl handed the Apple to the boy, who balanced it on his head flower. 

The Deerling grew excited for the first time all day. “Oh boy! Thanks, misters!”

With surprising agileness, the season Pokemon bounced the Perfect Apple on his head higher and higher, until opening his mouth wide and catching the fruit midair, swallowing it whole like a Seviper.

“Mmmm!” He hummed over his loud crunchy chewing. “Daff’s gud schtuff!”

“This kid’s kinda weird…” Stein whispered to his teammates, who silently nodded along, unable to tear their eyes from the Deerling.

“What’s your name anyways?” Sorin asked.

“Mmm?” The lad mumbled before swallowing his snack with an audible gulp. “My name’s Clover. My mama named me after the fen.”

“Ah, so I assume you live nearby.”

“Yup.” Clover nodded. “I’m from Senke Town. Just up ahead.”

Hei perked up at the mention of the name. “Ah, we’re heading to Senke Town, too! Wanna come with?”

“Sure.” With a goofy grin, Clover clumsily pranced down the dirt road, stopping to look at the others. “This way!”

With now re-energized Clover as their usher, the ragtag group of Pokemon soon spotted the Deerling’s hometown. Senke Town might have been a generous name for it, because it was really more of a village than anything else. It was built over an expansive mire; stilt houses connected by thatched straw roads all hanging comfortably over the reflective water below. A formidable village plaza stood in the center of the maze, made of robust wooden planks in the shape of a hexagon. A variety of Water, Bug and Grass types ambled through the overhead walkways, ranging from Spinarak to Palpitoad to Tangrowth. The summer-coated Deerling guided his guests up the stairs that led to the town proper. “Welp, here we are. Where is it you gotta go?”

Key checked the address they were given. “Uh… Says here this package is for a Miss Fescue.”

Clover’s ears shot straight up. “That’s my mama! So you’re delivering our Plain Seeds, huh?”

“That’s a heck of a coincidence.” Sorin whistled. “Me and the team are gonna sit this one out. We’ll be waiting near the outskirts, okay?”

“Roger!”

“Come on, I’ll show you my house.” The Deerling trotted ahead, leading them around Senke Town, bleating out his hellos to the friendly town Pokemon that all seemed to recognize him.

Clover’s house was lower to the ground than most, attached to a fairly solid plot of land overgrown with clovers, reeds, and all sorts of wildgrasses. The wooden structure resembled more of a stable than anything, which Hei supposed made sense for a Deerling. 

“Mamaaaa!” The youngster called out. “Delivery’s here!”

Within a few seconds, a lovely Sawsbuck emerged from the house, clothed in her vibrant summertime pelt: a rich dark brown fur dappled with green spots to match the full canopy of leaves and vines sprouting from her antlers.

“Oh, hello there. You’re from Shaman’s Delivery Service?” Fescue asked the two Pokemon sporting the service’s signature colors.

“Yes, m’am.” They answered. From their delivery bags, they retrieved the heaping parcels containing all fifty of the Plain Seeds.

“Oh, wonderful!” The Sawsbuck hastened to grab one of the parcels with her mouth and carry it towards the back of the house, where a large opening gave way to the outside.

The duo followed her and looked in awe that impressive garden that awaited them. It was by no means your average garden. The plants were wild, coiled, curled and poised in a bizarre and beautiful way. Mangroves sunk their roots to the crystal clear water beneath, where Barboach zigzagged in between each impressive stalk. The grass was silky and long, swaying in the wind like spun gold. For a garden, it lacked blooming bushes of flowers, but the savage ones that poked out from the clovers and cattails in their white, purple and blue glory added a wonderful element of charm that tied the scenic view together.

“This is Mama’s garden.” Clover announced. “It’s the pride and joy of Senke Town.”

“Clover loves to exaggerate,” Fescue gave her son a loving lick on the forehead once she sat the parcel off to the side. “How did you meet these Pokemon, sweetheart?”

“Oh, they saved me from the Cloverful Fen.”

“What?!” His mother’s tender gaze sharpened into an angry glare, and she yanked the naughty Deerling up by the ear. “How many times do I need to tell you to stay away from that place?!”

“But Mamaaaa…” Clover whines. “I was gettin’ hungry…”

“You and your appetite!” She scolded. “Mercy knows what would have happened to you if these nice folks didn’t show up.”

She flung her son on a soft bed of moss nearby, and lowered her head carefully so as not to harm anyone with her leafy antlers.

“Thank you for looking after my son. We’re very grateful.”

“Don’t mention it.” Key said. “I’m just a little curious… why did you order so many Plain Seeds? They’re worthless!”

“Ah!” Fescue grinned. “They may seem worthless, but they’re actually an amazing fertilizer! They have all sorts of nutrients that are hard to come by around these parts. If you mix them with this and that, you get top quality mulch!”

“So you buy them for cheap and end up with a really valuable tool!” Hei said, amazed.

“That’s right! In fact, if you two aren’t in a hurry, you can watch me grind these Seeds down.”

The pair looked at each other, exchanging a curious smile.

“Okay!”

After Fescue ordered her now grounded son to fetch their guests some delicious Blended Gummis, she treated them to a display of her fierce Stomping Tantrum (after washing her hooves of course), crushing the Plain Seeds into a fine powder. Even Clover managed to crack one or two with a well-placed Double Kick.

“So cool!” Hei clapped. “Key, you can shapeshift, right? Do you wanna give it a try?”

“Ah, well…” The trickster fox Pokemon turned sheepish. “Even if I were to transform into a Pokemon like Sawsbuck, I wouldn’t actually gain their powers… I just make illusions.”

“That’s still awesome! Can you turn into me?”

“Oh, sure!” Eager to show his skills off, he disappeared in a puff of smoke, revealing another Jolteon where he once stood.

“I’m Hei!” He imitated in a shrilly, high-pitched squeal. “I got cotton candy in my head and I make Key eat all my Wepear Berries!”

The real Hei and the others erupted in laughter at the faux-her. The good times continued until the afternoon sun began to tinge the garden a deep orange hue. With Clover letting out a wide yawn, the two friends understood it was time to be heading back. Fescue offered another round of thanks (and some more Blended Gummis) before seeing the youngsters to the door along with her sleepy son in tow.

“Bye, guys!” Clover said.

“Are you sure you two wouldn’t rather spend the night and return in the morning?” Fescue asked, somewhat concerned.

“No thanks, m’am.” Hei assured her. “We gotta report to our boss!”

“So responsible!” The Sawsbuck praised. “Well, please take care on your way home, dears! And here, take this!”

Fescue grabbed a small burlap bag that was obviously handmade. She placed the sack in front of them. “A free sample of my mulch. I’m not sure how much use you’ll find, but it’s the least I could offer for the Pokemon who personally delivered the ingredients!”

Both Jolteon and Zorua felt their hearts warm up.

“Thanks very much!” They exclaimed in unison.

The sun had nearly set by the time Hei, Key, and Team All-Terrain had cleared the Cloverful Fen once more and returned to the gates of Crossroad Town. The trip back was relatively uneventful compared to the morning. The fearsome Araquanid did not bother them this time in what Hei hoped to be an understanding that they meant no ill will. Once their mission was complete, Team All-Terrain halted just outside the town.

“That’s as far as we go.” Sorin said. “You rug rats okay getting back to Azure Hill by yourselves?”

“Please,” Key scoffed. “We’re professionals.”

The Tranquill let out an amused wheeze. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you. Reminds me of myself when I was a tyke.”

“Not sure if that’s a compliment.”

His Jolteon partner extended a paw towards the leader of the rescuers. “Thanks for helping us. It was fun!”

“You got it, Fluffy.” Sorin took her paw in his wing, shaking it. “We should team up again one day. You guys keep us young.”

“We should be thanking you!” Hyugo added.

“As much as you peeved me off, hairball, you had a point. We nearly forgot about what makes rescue teams so exceptional.” Stein said.

“Well, cheers.” With a final swish of his wings, Sorin took flight. “I have a feeling we’ll see each other again. Make sure to get stronger until then!”

Hei and Key waved them off. “You bet!”

The trek back to the delivery service was filled with laughter and emphatic recounting of the very, very hectic day. Despite the pair’s exhaustion, they were still abuzz with the spirit of adventure.

“I can’t stand you stealing all the spotlight like that, Hei!” Key nudged her with a mischievous smirk. “I’ll bring shame to the Yellow-Eyed Mirage’s name if I don’t start busting out my really cool tricks!”

“Like your shapeshifting?” Hei asked. “I wanna see more of that for sure!”

“Yeah, well… looking tough can only get you so far. I’d kill to have your cool powers.”

“I prefer being my regular self.” The Jolteon counters. “I want my fluffy fur back.”

“Well if it’s anything like last time, you’ll be back to normal by tomorrow.”

The glow of the Delivery Service beckoned them home. Once inside the main hall, they greeted the main receptionist, an elderly Pelipper, but something stopped them dead in their tracks before they could even think about going to the mess hall for dinner. Or rather, someone.

“Took you guys long enough!” Lum was waiting for them on a nearby bench. “You kids should’ve been back hours ago!”

Hei lowered her ears, embarrassed. “Sorry Mister Lum… we got a little distracted.”

“Sheesh!” The Passage huffed. “Give a guy a heart attack! I was worried sick! And look at you, all yellow and spiky! What in the name of Ho-Oh were you guys up to?”

Hei and Key proceeded to give a full report of the day’s adventures. Despite Lum’s irate expression, even he couldn’t help but twitch in excitement during some of the parts.

“I see..” He muttered once they were finished. “You knuckleheads seem to have a penchant for trouble.”

“I, uh…” Key spoke up. “I just wanna say that… I’m sorry for being a brat this morning. We would’ve been toast without the rescue team. So… yeah.”

His senior covered his mouth with a paw. Seeing the Zorua’s timid expression startled him. 

“You… you weren’t being a brat.” Lum said gruffly. “I’m sorry I blew up at you. I can be a bit of a Primeape sometimes.”

The two Pokemon fidgeted around for a bit more, suddenly bashful. Hei only looked on with a wide smile.

“We oughta say thanks to Oran too!” She added. “He gave us an item that really helped us!”

“Oh, is that right…?” Lum scratched his fur. “He and Cheri should be waiting for me in the mess hall. I bet you two must be starving too.”

The youngsters licked their lips at the mere mention of food. “We sure are.”

In the end, Hei and Key spent the evening eating a hearty meal with the Pan brothers. The monkey Pokemon were a lively bunch, especially together, so their table was by far the loudest of the lot. Mano tromped up to them a couple of times to tell them to hush up (Miss Daisy was trying to solve the crossword puzzle and needed to concentrate).

After a filling their bellies and taking a warm refreshing bath in the communal bathhouse to clean away the fen's mud and grime, the deliverymon finally bid their coworkers goodnight and headed to their room. Life at the delivery service quickly taught them how good returning home can feel after a long day. Hei pulled out the gift Fescue had given them.

“What should we do with it?” Key asked.

“For now…” His friend glanced towards their Deposit Box. “ Why don’t we store it somewhere safe? It’s our very first treasure!”

Key liked that idea a lot. And so, Fescue’s wonderful powder was safely cached in their Deposit Box, their first and only item worthy of being stored.

Chapter Text

The full moon loomed over Crossroad Town, illuminating it with its pale light, and not a creature stirred for it was far too late for even a Hoothoot. All except three creatures, who skulked up to the western gate of the once lively village.

“So this is Crossroad Town, eh…” The largest of the three shadows sneered, crossing his formidable arms. “What a dump.”

“One mon’s trash is another mon’s treasure,” the littlest of the three snickered. “And this place has the potential to be a goldmine.”

“If we play our cards right, that is.” A slender shadow crooned. “Ergo, if you two cretins let me do the talking.”

The shortest figure sniffed in annoyance. “You already do the talking. All the time. Now if only you’d shut up.”

“Both of ya need to shut up.” Said the largest Pokemon. “Once we get Babyface off our backs, then we can put this ugly business behind us.”

“Funny, I think ugly business suits you rather well.”  The slender shadow simpered.

“You know what?” Moonlight caught in the Pokemon’s sharp fangs with a devilish glint. “You’re right.”

“Thanks again, you kids!” A smiling Probopass waved two of his Mini-Noses as he bid Hei and Key farewell.

“Seeya later, mister!” Hei chirped as she confidently trotted beside her partner. “Another delivery down!”

“Man, we’ve been busting our tails all day with this grunt work,” Key whined as he often did when he’d gone too long without eating. “My paws are killing me!”

“Maybe we can buy some shoes for you.” The Eevee offered. “We can get matching ones!”

Key winced. “Eh, maybe not.” 

The two turned a corner leading into one of Crossroad Town’s larger plazas. But to their surprise, a large chattering crowd halted their pace.

Key, guided by his quick wits, scanned the area, trying to follow the attention of the congregation. They all seemed to circle around a spacious wooden stage that had definitely not been there the previous day. Three Pokemon proudly stood atop the hastily constructed platform, announcing something or other in loud voices.

“Street performers?” Key asked aloud. The mere mention of a performance triggered Hei’s tail to wag.

“Oh boy, a show!” The young Normal-type squeaked. “C’mon, Key, let’s get a good view!”

She didn’t wait for her friend to respond and began to scamper closer to the stage, eager to get a front row seat on the action.

“Wait up, Hay-for-brains!” Key called out, dodging a swinging Rhydon’s tail. How is it she can outmaneuver even him when she gets so excited? The Eevee finally settled near the front of the show, so close she can hear the wooden boards creak under the weight of the performers, and gazed up to get a good look at them.

The Pokemon looked as different as can be from each other: one a huge and muscular canine, another a pudgy little chimp with a Pecha-shaped marking on his bum, and the last one an elegant looking bird. Aside from matching purple chains they sported, Hei would’ve never guessed they’d be a troupe.

“Step right up, Nidokings and Nidoqueens!” The buff green dog roared. “Be the first to try out the new superfood that’s sweeping the continents! Yeah, that’s right! Get your fresh Munchy Mochi here!”

On cue, the three Pokemon presented a neatly wrapped box of sweets to the crowd. The purple packaging displayed a hand-drawn image of a chewy-looking lump of candy beneath a brazenly large label: 'Munchy Mochi! The Miraculous Treat!"

“It’s packed with all of the nutrients you could ever need! And not mention the flavor!” The haughty-looking bird swept a wing out with a dramatic flair. “Why, Munchy Mochis contains twice the brain power than Wonder Gummis! And in terms of health and vitality, they’re better than Phione Dew!”

“And they’re gluten free.” The little monkey added.

Hei tilted her head. She looked to her side to see Key, still a bit out of breath and shooting her a frustrated glare.

“I don’t think they’re street performers.” She said, visibly disappointed. Key’s sharp eyes went from her to the three Pokemon onstage, and he lifted a skeptical brow.

“Just a couple of salesmon. And a sketchy looking bunch, at that. Crossroad Town is full of ‘em, being a trading center.” The Dark type turned around, clearly having seen enough. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

Hei went to follow, having lost all interest in the not-performance. But the canine salesmon above her spotted the swishing of fluffy tails and pointed a clawed finger at them.

“Hey, you two kids! Whaddaya say?! A pair of growing brats need their nutrients!” He snarled.

The young Pokemon flinched at the harshness of the huckster’s voice. Hei scurried to hide behind Key who looked even less confident.

“Uh… Um…” They stuttered, too nervous to move.

The bird administered a quick Dual Wingbeat to his colleague’s shoulder as they exchanged cold glares, before his attention returned to the two children.

“What my associate means to say, is that such apple-cheeked tykes could benefit from our amazing product.” He corrected in a silvery voice. “And we’re not shy in handing out free samples.”

This got the crowd more interested. As if predicting the change in attitude, the avian Pokemon’s beak curved up in a honeyed smile. “So what say you? Why not offer a firsthand testimonial?”

Hei glanced at her partner hesitantly. “What do you think, Key?”

The little fox Pokemon debated himself. On the one paw, it was obvious to him that this trio of peddlers were not the trustworthy kind. A crook can recognize another crook from a mile away. On the other paw, the hole gnawing at his belly for the latter half of the day had really perked up when they mentioned candy. And judging from the small line of drool leaking from Hei’s mouth, he’d bet she could use a snack right about now too. Even if it wasn’t any good, it’d still fill them up until dinnertime. 

“It’s just a free sample.” Key conceded finally. “What’s the harm?”

With the matter resolved, the pair of deliverymon clambered up the stage. The sudden vulnerability of being isolated on the elevated platform hit them, and they meekly approached the overeager trio.

“Ah, looks like we have our first volunteers!” The pheasant Pokemon announced in his sugary voice. “Thanks for being such good sports, kiddos.”

The condescension nipped at Key’s nerves, and he puffed his chest up as proudly as he could. “We have names, you know. It’s Key, and Hei.”

He could have sworn the salesman’s beak twitched into a scowl, but it was only for a moment. “And what fine names they are! But how rude of us to not introduce ourselves!”

The bird took a bow and gestured towards him and his troupe. “I’m Mr. F, and these are my associates Mr. O, and Mr. M. Proud to be showcasing our fine wares for you good people.”

The other two slumped over in awkward imitations of bows, prompting a stiff round of applause from the crowd. Mr. M, the Munkidori, hobbled over to the two deliverymon and presented an open box of the sweet treats. Key couldn’t deny the Munchy Mochis smelled delicious; a faint Pecha-like fragrance that made his mouth water. Hei had apparently forgotten about her previous boredom, instead licking her lips at the sight of the appetizing dumplings. 

“Down the hatch, kiddos.” The Munkidori snickered. Before the Zorua could change his mind, Hei greedily gulped down one of the Mochis and began to chew. Her cheeks squished and stretched as she broke down the doughy stuff, but her expression was extremely satisfied.

“Mmmm, tha’sch yummy!” She managed to say over her chewing. 

Not wanting to be left out of the fun, Key followed suit, gobbling up a mochi for himself. His face morphed into a similar pleased expression, and the two exchanged content smiles. The three misters hovered over them with the most content smiles of all, however. They gestured towards the duo as if they had just performed a magic trick.

“Another pair of satisfied customers!” They declared to a more enthusiastic audience. “But don’t take our word for it! What say you, May and Flea?”

Key flattened his ears. “It’s Hei and—“

“It’s delicious! Hey, can I eat another?” Hei chirped, eyes locked on the box of sweets and tail wagging restlessly behind her.

“We’ll do ya one even better!” Mr. O barked. “If you can help us with our presentation, we’ll give you a whole box for yer troubles!”

“Wow!” Hei laughed. “Thanks a bunch!”

Note to self, Key thought. Hei’s too gullible for her own good.

“How do we help?” The Eevee asked.

“Hm, for that, we’d need another volunteer.” Mr. F narrowed his eyes, scanning the crowd of onlookers. Finally, his eyes widened and beckoned over someone. “You, madam, will do perfectly!”

With some effort, a dusty Mudsdale scaled atop the stage. Her braided tail swung quietly behind her, caked in dried mud.

“Now madam, I know it’s terribly rude to speculate on a lady’s weight,” Mr. F began another melodious speech, “but I’d like to guess that you’re a delicate 900 kilos. Quite slim for a Mudsdale!”

“I’m 899 and a half!” The Mudsdale neighed in amusement. “How’d you know?”

“Who’s to say?” The Fezandipiti hummed. “I’d like to ask the little ones something now. Would you two fancy a game of tug o’ war with Madam Mudsdale?”

Hei’s eyes widened. “Who, us?”

“There’s no way we can beat someone like that!”

Mr. O cackled. “C’mon, lil’ man! Gonna chicken out in front of everyone like that? Don’t embarrass the lil’ missy!”

Key felt his face heat up at his words. “Fine, fine! We’ll do it!”

“Good show!” Mr. F warbled. Wasting no time, Mr. M hauled a sturdy wheel of rope on the stage and tied one end around the two deliverymon, securing them from behind their elbows, and the other to the Mudsdale.

“Alright, old sports. On the count of three, now!” The Fezandipiti spread a wing out, encouraging the mob below to join in.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

“Begin!”

Both Eevee and Zorua expected to be immediately swept off their paws with a single tug from the mighty Mudsdale. However, after bracing themselves, while they indeed felt the pull of the rope, it was not enough force for them to be toppled. They exchanged brief looks of confusion before fighting back against the rope’s pressure. Straining themselves, they slowly began to tug the cord. A few meters off, they heard the Mudsdale’s hooves fighting against the wood floor. 

The crowd erupted into raucous cheers. To their absolute astonishment, Hei and Key appeared to be… winning? Not willing to give the draft horse Pokemon any leeway, they fought against the taught rope, pushing their bodies away from the center of the stage, all the while hearing their opponent’s distressed whinnies and fumbling hooves. With a final unified pull, they at last felt the rope cede to their power. The Mudsdale had toppled to her knees, letting go of the rope with her mouth. The two youngsters’ jaws dropped to the floor. The crowd’s uproar only became more chaotic.

“We have a winner!” Mr. O yelled out triumphantly. “The lil’ squirts take the crown!”

“Of course, the outcome of the match was obvious right from the start.”  Mr. M explained. “Those two helped themselves to some Munchy Mochi before, so it’s only natural they’re so strong.”

“Right ya are!” The Okidogi smacked his little blue colleague on the back, hard enough to send a shiver down the latter’s spine. “Even little weaklings like those two can move mountains thanks to our revolutionary product!”

“A final round of applause to our helpful helpers, Gallades and Gardevoirs! Now we’d like to take any orders for those interested in our glorious superfood!” Mr. F cheered with infectious pep. The mob of spectators more than obliged, exploding with a deafening clamor and writhing impatiently to get their hands on the magical mochi.

“Munchy Mochi!” Misters F, M, and O sang in unison, concluding their chaotic sales pitch. But they were businessmon after all, and quickly got to work organizing the frenzied sea of customers into a single file line. Only Mr. M spared Hei and Key a moment, whispering into their ears. 

“Stick around till the end, kids. We’ve got something to discuss with you.”

The command was a little unsettling to Key, but Hei was far too busy hopping circles around him to pay any mind to potential sketchiness.

“Did we really just do that?” Key murmured to his oblivious partner. “I’m trying my best to think of an explanation. Was the Mudsdale a paid actor?”

“Nope!” Hei spoke up. “That’s Miss Posie. We deliver her horseshoes every week, remember?”

“What’s the angle, then?” The Zorua furrowed his brows. “A tripwire? A hole in the floorboards? Did they tickle her?”

“Relax, Key!” Hei nipped at his ear. “It’s like the misters said! The Munchy Mochi made us super strong!”

“That’s impossible!” Key hissed. “These guys are up to something, I tell you.”

“Aw Key, you’re such a pessimist!” Hei chided. “They’re just nice candy sellers!”

“Trust me, there’s no such thing as ‘just a nice’ anything!”

“What about Miss Aldora?”

The Zorua flinches. “I’m still trying to figure out her whole deal.”

“See!” Hei stuck her tongue out. “You should learn to trust others more. Then you can make more friends!”

“What do I need friends for? I’m stuck with you as it is.”

“Yep! Stuck like yuck on a Muk!” The Eevee giggled, arching down in a playful bow.

Key finally relented, laughing along and pouncing at his partner. They continued to exchange silly banter and half hearted play fights until the crowd finally, finally dissipated. Once the dust seemed to have settled for good, the pair of deliverymon walked up to the trio of misters who were fussing over the profits of the day.

“Ten thousand, five hundred and twenty three, four, five…” Mr. M plopped the final handful of coins into their trunk, his yellow eyes narrowed in glee. “Ten thousand, five hundred and twenty six Poke! Not bad, lads!”

Mr. F opened his beak, ready to reply, but his words never came out once he noticed the approach of the young Pokemon. Instead, he cleared his throat and straightened up, a debonair smile once again playing on his face.

“Thank you for your help today.” Mr. F cooed. “People love crowd work, you know. Mr. O, give them what we promised.”

The Okidogi grinned at them, handing them an unopened box of Munchy Mochi. “Don’t eat ‘em all in one go.”

“Thanks, misters!” Hei said sweetly. “Everyone at the Delivery Service will love this!”

This piqued the salesmons’ curiosity. Their eyes met for a split second before returning to Hei. 

“The Delivery Service, you say?” Mr. F covered his beak with his wing. “You wouldn’t happen to work for Shaymin’s Delivery Service?”

“Yup! That’s the one!”

“Real spiffy uniforms.” Mr O paced around them, scrutinizing their sky blue bows, embroidered vests, and their satchels in the delivery service’s iconic colors. “Yer the real deal.”

“This is wonderfully fortunate, then!” The Fezandipiti chirped. “We have some business with your Postmaster General. I don’t suppose you youngsters could introduce her to us? We hear she’s terribly busy.”

“Sure, we can do that!” Hei nodded, ignoring Key’s grimace. “Miss Aldora loves guests! Why don’t you guys come back with us to Azure Hill?”

“Oh, goody.” Mr. M patted the two on their backs with a sneer. “Let’s not waste any time, then.”

And so, the salesmon packed up their profits, the remaining boxes of mochi, and whatever other items they had in a large and faded knapsack dutifully hoisted by Mr. O, and followed the deliverymon down the cobblestone paths of Crossroad Town. The town seemed even livelier than usual, but the only thing that was on everyone's lips was Munchy Mochi. Time and time again, they passed by couples, families, and friends snarfing down the purply Pecha-flavored treat with a gleeful expression.

“Quite a bustling town,” Mr. F remarked. “I’m happy to have stopped by.”

“Crossroad Town is the best!” Hei smiled. “It never stands still.”

“I suppose we have that in common with it, then.” The bird Pokemon shut his eyes contentedly. “The life of a traveling salesmon is not for those averse to changing sceneries.”

“Your mochi was really yummy, though! And has really incredible effects!”

“What’s in them, anyhow?” Key interrupted. 

“Sugar, spice, everything nice.” Mr. M shut him down just as quickly. “Trade secret. Not like we’re the ones making them, anyways.”

“You’re not?”

“We’re just the distributors, kid. I guess that makes us deliverymon too, in a sense.” The Munkidori scratched his head wistfully.

“Well, who does make them?”

“Ain’tcha a nosy little thing?” Mr. O nabbed the Zorua by the scruff of his neck with a raspy chortle. Flailing his limbs frantically, Key managed to land a scratch on the Okidogi’s wrist and wriggle free.

“Yeouch!” The dog Pokemon ruefully shook his wounded hand. “Guess the mochi’s effects are still kicking.”

“Don’t be too rough on them, Mr. O.” Mr. F reprimanded, voice lacking any actual concern. “You’ll have to excuse my associate. What he has in strength, he lacks in tact.”

Mr. M chuckled darkly. “Yet both of you are sorely lacking in brain.”

The Fezandipiti kicked the chimp a good few meters away with his long legs. “And that one has absolutely no social graces, as you could tell.”

The three continued their bickering all the way up Azure Hill, making Hei and Key wonder why exactly they worked together in the first place if they couldn’t stand each other. Nonetheless, as they approached the formidable delivery service headquarters, their arguments sobered into their usual sales pitch-like dispositions. 

“What an impressive edifice.” Mr. F commented.

“All this fer a lil’ Shaymin, eh?” Mr. O mumbled. 

“This’ll do nicely.” Mr. M snickered.

As they entered the building, Hei guided them to the reception desk, where the lovely Pelipper secretary greeted her.

“Who are these… gentlemen?” The water bird Pokemon asked.

“They’re salesmon! They wanna see Miss Aldora!”

“Oh, sweetie, you know we don’t allow for solicitors—“

“But they say they have a really good business proposition for the delivery service!” Hei pleaded. “And they gave us this candy that made us super strong! We could carry so many more packages!”

“…Candy?”

“Can you pleeeease tell Aldora we wanna see her?” Hei rubbed her face against the counter, eyes as wide as saucer plates.

Since when does she know Baby Doll Eyes…? Key thought.

The Pelipper sighed. “Okay, sweetie. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll let her know.”

The Eevee popped right back up with a radiant grin. “Thank you!”

She trotted back to her group to relay the good news. They set up camp in the headquarters’ foyer, earning many skeptical stares of Pokemon leaving and entering the building, but the mochi-peddling group seemed utterly unfazed by the unwanted attention.

An hour passed.

And then another one.

And suddenly, they’d been waiting well into the afternoon. Mr. O and Mr. M had fallen asleep, the little one sprawled on the larger one’s lap, the latter’s mouth agape exposing his fangs and lolling tongue. Only Mr. F had managed to stay awake, but evaded his typical glib conversation for once.

“Hei…” Key muttered into his partner’s good ear. “Don’t you think you’re doing too much for these guys? I mean, we just met them.”

“I don’t mind. Besides, you felt the mochi’s effects. If it really is a superfood that could help a lot of Pokemon out, it’d only make sense that Aldora would hear them out, right?”

Key bit back his immediate response, knowing that any kind of argument wouldn’t change his friend’s mind. Her strange behavior seemed a little too gung-ho even for her, but in the long run, this wasn't the strangest thing about her. Even though the story still didn’t feel right at all to him, he figured that deferring to Hei’s whims couldn’t be that bad once in a while. 

“You just want to eat more mochi, don’t you?” He teased.

“Maybe.”

At last, once the sun had begun to burn out and set the evening sky alight in yellow and peach streaks, the Pelipper receptionist called them over.

“The Postmaster General will see you now.” She announced. 

“‘Bout time.” Mr. O grumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

They ascended to the highest floor of the building, where Aldora’s office doors stood in their typical imposing elegance. Hei straightened out her fur, preparing herself to see her boss.

“Alright misters, don’t forget to mind your manners—“

However, the trio had already barged in. Aldora stood atop her desk as usual, a bit surprised by the sudden ruckus.

“Good evening, illustrious Postmaster General!” Mr. F greeted with exceptional flair. “We’ve travelled a great deal to see you!”

“And we’ve got an offer that’ll knock your seeds off!” Mr. M rubbed his palms together.

“Whaddaya say?!” Roared Mr. O.

The Shaymin blinked. After a moment, she simply hopped off her desk and mosied over to a petite table perfectly sized for her, and smiled at her guests.

“Would anyone care for tea?”

The salesmon's smiles stiffened. They exchanged nervous glances before Mr. F, as usual, took over.

“Why of course, where are our manners? Business should never be rushed after all.” He extended his wing to the little Mythical Pokemon, and she delicately placed a paw on his index feather.

“I’m Mr. F, and these are my associates Mr. O and Mr. M.”

“A Fezandipiti, Okidogi and Munkidori.” Aldora nodded. “A rare sight. You say you travelled far?”

“From the Sand Continent. The Lapras ride over was never-ending.” Mr. M grumbled. “I despise seafaring.”

“Perks of the job!” Mr. O shot his colleague a sadistic grin.

“Hei, Key, won’t you join us?” The Postmaster glanced over at the two little Pokemon, who stood awkwardly by the entrance.

However, Mr. F ruffled his feathers. “Oh, erm, not to disparage our most excellent escorts, but I don’t believe these children need to hear our sales pitch once more. We might be here a while, after all.”

“Yeah,” Mr. O waved them off with his massive paws, plopping down to sit cross legged at the tea table. “Y'all can scamper off now.”

Aldora remained with her ever-present calm disposition. “I suppose you have a point. You two have put in a good day’s work. Thank you for being so patient for our guests.”

“You sure you don’t want us to stay?” Hei asked timidly. 

“That won’t be necessary. You two are free to relax.” A pair of vines grew from her grassy pelt, twisting a jar of biscuits open and handing it to the children. "But feel free to have a cookie on your way out."

Key indeed helped himself to several of the Gracidea-shaped cookies, but Hei refrained, saying she'd rather save some room for mochi. Having been excused, they closed the door behind them to the tune of the three salesmon’s enthusiastic jabbering.

“I guess that’s that.” Hei nodded. “Aldora will take it from here.”

“I wonder what they’re talking about.” Key spared a glance back. “They waited all this time just to sell mochi?”

“Maybe they’ll add it to the cafeteria menu.” 

"You and your belly for a brain."

The hour had once again gotten quite late, so late that Hei and Key had already eaten their fill of dinner, washed themselves in the bathhouse and tucked themselves in bed (Hei’s belly was extra full with some Munchy Mochis she’d snuck in for an extra dessert). Yet at the peak of the delivery service, four Legendaries were still discussing matters of business.

“I believe we’ve thrown just about everything we can at you.” Mr. F concluded. “We really do hope you’ll see it our way.”

“With the Delivery Service’s help, we could really make Munchy Mochis a global phenomenon!” Mr. O pounded a fist down on the table.

“Again, we’re only asking for the Service’s exclusive retainer in exporting all mochi-related goods.” Mr. M picked at his teeth. “Your business is known for its worldwide reach. If we outsource, Munchy Mochis could be sold in every Kecleon shop!”

“It’s certainly an ambitious idea.” Aldora sipped at her fifth cup of tea. “But I'm afraid I'll have to turn down your offer. It's simply not the direction I'd like for the delivery service.”

That clearly wasn’t the answer they were looking for. 

"There's truly nothing, nothing you can do?" Mr. F insisted. "You won't even taste one?"

"I feel terrible after you offered so much of your time." The Shaymin said. "But I have to decline."

The three Poison type salesmon grit their teeth, all pretense of amicability lost. 

"Very well." The Fezandipiti glowered. "Most unfortunate." 

“It’s late.” The Postmaster gazed out into the night air. “You’re very welcome to spend the night here. We should have a room available for you. I can also ask the cooks to prepare something.”

“Much obliged.” Mr. M muttered.

They said their goodnights and Misters F, M and O were dropped off at a cozy room with three beds of straw awaiting them. Mr. O tossed the bowls of soup they were provided in front of them, guzzling down his own in one gulp.

“That lil’ moss ball was hardballin’ us.” He growled, flipping the now empty bowl over in dissatisfaction.

“She clearly doesn’t trust us.” The Fezandipiti stressed. “A lost cause.”

Mr. M snorted. “She’s got good instincts, then.”

“No thanks to you, Wise Guy!” The pheasant screeched. “You and your incessant little comments, always muttering under your breath!”

The Fairy-type turned to the Okidogi. “And you, Big Fella! Could you be any more uncouth?! Philistines, both of you!”

Big Fella stuck a pinkie in his ear. “Jeez, simmer down, Pretty Boy. I bet even Babyface could hear that.”

“Ughhh, Babyface!” Pretty Boy seethed. “This is all his fault…”

The Okidogi tugged on the purple chain wrapped around his neck. “You realize we’re stuck working for that jerk till we keel over? Even if we pulled this off, we’d still be nowhere close to paying off our debt.”

“At least we got some good consolation moolah out of that crowd of suckers.” Wise Guy said. “How many do you think have eaten the mochi by now?”

“Those little brats certainly snarfed them down.” Pretty Boy chuckled darkly. “How fortuitous indeed to have them under our thumb.”

“Hey, I’m the one who picked them from the crowd!” Big Fella grunted.

“Bully for you.” The Fezandipiti deadpanned. “The Eevee was especially gullible. Mayhaps she can still be of use. Now that the poison is in her system…”

“Her and half of this rube town!” The Okidogi cackled.

Wise Guy didn’t share his amusement, however. “All the more reason for us to wrap this up quickly. If we play with our food too long, she’ll surely catch up to us. I suggest we cut our losses.”

Pretty Boy’s eyes narrowed. “Yes… That odious little ogre… I’m sure she’s chasing us down even here…”

“Welp, that makes tomorrow do or die.” Big Fella shrugged him off, collapsing on his bundle of straw.

“Yes. One step closer to our freedom.”

The next morning, Key woke up only to find Hei still sleeping. She had a tendency to oversleep sometimes, so he prepared his usual countermeasure of making sure she got up; jumping up and down on her bed.

“Wake up, Hay-for-brains! Another day, another Poke!” He giggled, but his trampling was only met with a groan. Not Hei’s usual sleepy groan, mind you.

The Zorua flipped the covers to find his partner curled up tight, trembling in pain. His expression instantly turned concerned.

“H-Hei? What’s wrong?”

“Tummy… hurts…mochi-mochi…”

“Your tummy?” He watched as she curled deeper into herself. “And what did you say? Mochi?” He thought back on yesterday, and those mochis that turned the town upside down. “Maybe it was that candy.”

“But you ate it too…Mochi…” She whimpered, trying in vain to find a comfortable position. 

“Jeez, you’re a wreck.” He pulled the blankets back up. “Stay here while I get you some breakfast.”

“Mochi… I want mochi…”

Key huffed. “No candy! That’ll only make it worse.”

The Eevee only responded with a weak moan. It filled Key with worry, but he had no choice but to leave her for now and trot down to the mess hall. To his surprise, he found only a fraction of the regular Pokemon sat at the tables. Had the others left already? 

“Good morning, sugar!” Daisy the lunch lady greeted him, handing him a bowl of simmered fruits. 

“‘Morning. Say, where’s the other guy?” Key asked, noticing the noticeable lack of loud-mouthed Mano.

“He’s feeling a little under the weather this morning.” She sighed. “It’s quite worrisome. He acts tough but he’s a softie at heart, you know.”

“That’s strange. Hei’s also sick today. I’m here to get her something to help her tummy.”

“She’s got a bellyache? Just like Mano! There must be a bug going ‘round.” The Miltank exclaimed.

Something occurred to Key. “Hey Auntie, do you know if Mano ate some mochi yesterday? Some salesmon were making a big fuss about it at the plaza.”

“Now that you mention it, he did come back from his lunch break with these little purple candies! He offered me some but I’m watching my weight.” Daisy folded her arms together. “Why d’you ask, sugar?”

Key’s fur stood on end.

A thief’s instincts are always right! Suddenly filled with a sense of dread, he darted off, leaving the lunch lady calling after him in confusion. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, making it back to his and Hei’s dorm in seconds.

He swung the door open with a blam. “Hei! Hei, are you okay?”

But Hei’s bed was completely empty, only an Eevee-sized imprint left on the sheets.

“Crud! Where’d she go?” He yelped. Something was very wrong. He couldn’t tell what those crooked conmen were playing at, but it’s clear they were behind this. The Zorua trotted in place for a few seconds, unsure of what to do next. He had no idea where Hei was, and running around the busy market town without a plan didn’t seem wise. He could only think of one Pokemon who could help.

“Aldora! Open up!” 

A few minutes later, he was banging on the Postmaster General’s door. When he didn’t receive a response (he didn’t feel like waiting more than a second), his impatience got the better of him and he simply barged in. To his surprise, he found the room empty. Had she gone out? Worse yet, had she also fallen ill?

“Key?” He heard a familiar voice call him. Following its source, he approached the office’s right balcony, the one that overlooked Crossroad Town. There he found Aldora gazing out, her expression serious.

“Aldora! Uh… m’am.” Key cleared his throat. “It’s Hei. She’s gone missing and I’m sure it was those three sketchy salesmon’s fault!”

“Hei, too...” The Shaymin’s eyes shone with sadness. “I’m sorry, Key. This is my fault. I should have done something sooner.”

“Do you know what’s going on, m’am?”

“Not precisely.” She turned to the town below her, as if sensing something. “Crossroad Town has become overrun with impurities. I can sense the poison from here.”

“Poison…?” A bead of sweat ran down Key's snout. "They poisoned Hei?! But... but I ate that crummy mochi too! Why am I okay?"

"That cookie I offered yesterday..." Aldora said. "I make them myself using traditional Shaymin ingredients. It's very effective as a detoxifying agent. But those three… I could tell from a glance their intentions were evil. I just can’t understand why they’d do this. I should have done away with them when I had the chance.”

A simmering frustration welled within Key. “Why didn’t you?”

“…In my experience, it is always better to trust than mistrust. There once was a time where cynical hearts nearly ended the world. I had hoped they wouldn’t harm anyone if I turned down their their little ‘business proposal’ politely.”

“Well, now’s no time to sit around feeling sorry for yourself!” The younger Pokemon barked. “We gotta find Hei and put an end to this!”

Aldora nodded, a smile returning to her face. “Right you are. I have a feeling we can gather some clues near the town center.” 

She pointed a paw at the cluster of buildings some kilometers away. Even from that height, they could tell some kind of commotion was going on. “Be warned, Key. This might be dangerous. Are you still willing to come?”

Key shot the Grass-type an arrogant smile. “Please! I’m the Yellow-Eyed Mirage!”

Aldora giggled. “Very well. Let’s be off, then.”

She plucked a pink flower growing from the nearby vines and placed her paw on it. In an instant, the Mythical Pokemon was enveloped in a radiant light. Key could make out the silhouette of her body, quickly morphing into something taller, more slender. With a final flash, the light disappeared, leaving a very different Pokemon in its wake. Aldora’s appearance was far more canine than before, with long wing-like ears and her signature greenery exclusively growing on her head. Spotted red petals stuck out from her neck, and her eyes beamed with confidence.

“Woah!” Key cried. “Aldora, what happened to you?!”

“I changed Formes!” She said like it was the simplest thing in the world. “We mustn’t waste time running all the way down to the town square. In this Forme, I can fly.”

“Th-that’s…!” Key’s jaw creaked open and close. He was completely at a loss for words, but he meant to say ‘amazing’.

“Now hop on.”

The Zorua nervously climbed onto Aldora’s back, and no sooner had he settled into a sitting position than the now Sky Forme Shaymin began to approach the ledge. The sight was enough to make Key force down a dry gulp.

“And you’re sure you can fly?”

“Hm, it has been a while…” Aldora tilted her head with mock pensiveness. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

“Wait, what?”

Aldora lept off of the balcony, immediately plummeting down in the open air. Key sunk his claws into the Shaymin's fur, clinging on for dear life as he screeched his lungs out. The Mythical Pokemon simply laughed, and with a turn of her head, her ears caught the wind below and launched them back up into a stable flight.

“You can let go now, Key.” She hummed, motioning towards the Zorua’s paws poking at her sides.

“S-s-sorry…” He whimpered, teeth chattering. “I don’t th-think I c-can.”

“Can you look down at least?”

“Are you t-trying to kill me?”

“Look there,” Aldora said, gesturing towards the town’s main plaza. “What do you see?”

Mustering all his courage, Key dared to look down. From high above, it seemed like the square was packed with its usual bustle and commerce. But that was only at first glance. As Key focused more on the movement, he could tell something was very wrong. Pokemon clustered together, resembling an angry mob. They swarmed shops and homes, destroyed signs and lamps, and turned over carts. Absolute chaos had overtaken Crossroad Town.

“Horrible.” Aldora said in a somber voice. “Key, can you spot the three troublemakers? Or Hei?”

“It’s hard to tell…” The Zorua squinted. Although the trio of villains were pretty distinct, they didn’t seem to be around. But something did strike Key as odd. A small stream of Pokemon diverged from the main mob, trickling down a specific path towards the northern port, often called Port Jolly Roger. 

“There’s a couple of Pokemon heading towards the port up there!” The Dark type yelled out against the howling wind.

“ Smells like trouble.” Aldora said. “Hold on tight, Key. We’re landing!”

Before the fox Pokemon could protest, the flying Shaymin tucked in her paws and swooped down. With incredible speed, she dove further and further closer to Port Jolly Roger, at last landing atop a nearby building with a final flap of her winglike ears.

“Doing alright?” She asked the child on her back, who simply responded by toppling off of her, colliding on the roof with a thump.

“My l-legs… j-jelly…”

“Not bad for your first time flying.” Aldora assured him. Her levity was quickly broken by a commotion beneath them. They had a perfect view for spying on the line of Pokemon clambering towards the ocean.

At the end of one of the docks was a rickety rowboat swaying pathetically against the ocean wake. Mr. F stood at the boat’s side, perched on a nearby pole with a far more sour expression than Key had seen before.

“Hurry it up, will you!” He squawked.

Mr. O stomped towards him, arms full with a heavy sack of… something. He tosses said sack on the rowboat, nearly destroying the flimsy wooden structure.

“Watch it, you oaf!” The Fezandipiti shrieked. “That’s our ride!”

“If you got a problem, do it yourself!” The Okidogi snapped back, baring his fangs.

A few paces off, the Munkidori was herding the small squadron of poisoned Pokemon. They all carried something or other with them, trudging along in a fairly organized queue until reaching the blue chimp, at which point they unceremoniously dropped whatever they were holding at his feet. Satchels, food, items, cloth. A small hoard of treasure quickly piled up, all the while Mr. M watched along in delight.

“A little something to remember this dump by…” He snickered.

“We have no more space on the boat for that, you loon!” Mr. F cawed behind him. “Or would you rather we leave you behind as dead weight?!”

“You should have gotten a bigger boat, then!” Mr. O snarled. “Looting this place is least we can do! Babyface is gonna have our hides for botching the Delivery Service deal!”

“If that dullard Shaymin couldn’t appreciate the splendor of my pitch, it was a lost cause to begin with!” He flicked his plumage haughtily. “Maybe the little brat will go easy on us when we present him with this little brat!”

He crowed maliciously while pointing at the rowboat. Under one of the benches was something neither Key nor Aldora had noticed at first as it matched the brown coloring of the wooden boat. But it was distinctly fluffier than wood.

“Hei!” Key exclaimed, but Aldora hastily put a paw to his lips.

Mr. O’s ears twitched. “You hear that?”

“I only hear the sound of your pea-brain powering down.” The Fezandipiti hissed. “It was the girl.”

He glared down at her. “Poor little halfwit. Took to the poison excellently. I’m sure Babyface can find some use for her.”

Hei was unresponsive, save for occasional spasms of pain. In a weak voice, she called out. “M-mochi…”

“Yes, yes.” Mr. F looked unamused. He suddenly snapped his head back to Mr. M. “Wise Guy! Did you not hear me?! We are leaving!”

“Can’t we just make a Water type carry the rest?” He whined, eyes never leaving the pile of loot.

Aldora ducked down. “Key, wait here.”

“Wai—“

Key felt a brutally sharp razor of wind, and in an instant, Aldora had vanished from his side. The Shaymin shot down from the rooftop, spinning mid-flight like a torpedo and piercing the air with a harsh whizz. The three pirates only noticed the small flying blur for a second before she had already landed and released a devastating Seed Flare around her. Stunned, the misters simply flinched.

“What the—“

“Is that—“

“The Shaymin?!”

Aldora glared at them with shimmering emerald eyes. “Not another word. Just give up.”

The crooks froze. After several seconds, it was Mr. F who finally breaks the silence. With a nervous and high-pitched laugh, he covered his beak with a wing. “Tough talk coming from a Grass type. We hear you can’t handle Poison very well.”

Mr. O cracked his knuckles. “Ya know, we’re still pretty wounded from your rejection. So wounded we could really stand to take our pain out on someone.”

Mr. M slithered up behind her. “Consider it a free sample.”

The purple chain that coiled around the Munkidori’s head sprang to life, grabbing for the Shaymin, but she was too quick, springing up into the air and pirouetting around them with ease.

“G-gah, she’s fast!” The chimp exclaimed.

However, a sharp set of talons caught her midflight, tossing her back into the dock’s ground in a small heap of dust. Mr. F, flapping his wings above her, simpered. 

“Not fast enough, it seems.”

Aldora’s instincts sprang back to life and dodged the incoming flurry of talons. With the Mythical now distracted, Mr. M quickly beckoned towards the gathering of zombified Pokemon, who had all the while been standing mindlessly.

“Quickly, you fools! Seize her!” He squealed. 

“Mochi-mochi…” They muttered in unison before slowly plodding towards the fight.

Meanwhile, Key had been petrified where he stood, watching the action from above. It was clearly a brawl several levels above him. However, a voice echoed in his head that snapped him out of his paralysis.

A thief always thinks on his feet, never his fists!

Right. Even if he couldn’t win the fight, he could certainly help in his own way. 

In a puff of smoke, he disappeared.

The battle below raged on. Between the small army of poisoned minions and the relentless attacks of the Lousy Three, Aldora was too busy dodging attacks to strike back, much less rescue Hei.

“Give it up, Aldora!” Mr. F sang. “You’re no match for us!”

The Shaymin cocked her head high, grinning. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”

Mr. O charged at her, slamming his great fists down on the ground. Aldora avoided the move once more, but was intercepted by Mr. F, grappling her in place by the arm. Mr. M then secured her with his toxic chain, which snaked around her until completely constricting her.

“But I would be.” Mr. F smirked. “Game, set, match.”

The Mythical gasped for air. The toxins of the Munkidori’s chain began to seep within her, and she could feel her vision fading. 

No… She must protect the town. Her home!

In the next moment, she thought her resolve had blinded her from the pain, for she felt free. But really, she was free. Mr. M’s chain had let her go? Why? She arched her head back, trying to find the monkey.

But Mr. M laid facedown on the ground, squished into the gravelly pavement. The heel that kept him down twisted, further grinding the pathetic chimp against the rocks. Heels adorned with delicate little green sprouts.

A strange Pokemon stood atop Munkidori. Enveloped in a verdant cloak, its face was concealed by a terrifying teal mask, depicting a jagged-toothed ogre with a resplendent crystal engraved in its forehead. Peeking out from its cloak was a cudgel, enveloped in barbed vines. It was a Pokemon not even Aldora had seen before.

Misters F and O clearly had, though. They faces blanched instantly and they instantly took a couple of steps back.

“Th-th-the…” Mr. F quivered.

“The ogre!” Mr. O yipped.

The ogre, as they called it, lept into action, swinging its cudgel at them. Mr. F barely avoided the blow, but the Okidogi was not spared, and promptly bonked on the head. A single blow from the spiny weapon proved enough in knocking the giant canine out cold.

“Yip-yip-yip-yippee!” The Fezandipiti squawked in fear. “Forget this! I’m out of here!”

He zoomed past both ogre and Shaymin, flying toward the ocean on frantic wings. Just as Aldora stood to give chase, the peculiar stranger placed a delicate paw (though cloaked) on her shoulder. In a surprisingly feminine voice, it said:

“I got dis!”

The ogre merrily skipped to the end of pier, its feet clicking against the wood. With astounding ease, it lifted the rowboat that was docked nearby with one arm, and flung it at the Fezandipiti with unbelievable strength. With a scream and a crash, the bird Pokemon fell to the sea, reemerging from the water moments later as he floated like a dead leaf on the salty foam along with the shipwreck debris. As soon as the Fezandipiti was knocked out, the brainwashed Pokemon ceased their attacks. They returned to their unmoving stupor like their batteries had run out.

Aldora was too horrified to rejoice. “Hei!” She looked at the masked ogre frantically. “A young child was inside that boat!”

“No, she wasn’t!”

A plucky voice declared. Both Grass types turned to the source. It was Hei! But the little Eevee was still out cold, collapsed on the floor with a pained expression. How did…?

“Um, over here!” The voice called. Next to the Eevee, almost inscrutably tiny, was a Joltik. “I totally saved the day!”

Aldora recognized his voice. “Key?”

“The one and only!” On cue, the Joltik erupted into a puff of smoke, replaced by the familiar Zorua. “While you guys were doing your thing, I made sure to save Hei all sneakily. I may have looked as small as a Joltik, but I still had my Zorua strength!”

The Postmaster let out an incredulous laugh. “My, how resourceful! Good thinking, Key!”

“Heh, yep!” The young lad sniffed proudly. “But uh… Aldora, who’s your friend?”

The pair returned their focus to the masked stranger.

“I’d like to know that too.” Aldora offered. “You've saved the day, dear stranger. May you introduce yourself?”

“Yeppers!” A high-pitched voice responded from beneath the disguise. The ogre unmasked herself, revealing a sunny orange face. Positively adorable, even. It beamed at them with star-filled eyes, and offered a snaggletoothed grin.

“Pleased ta meetcha! My name’s Ponkan da Ogerpon!” She struck a pose. “Special Agent Ponkan da Ogerpon! Dat's wut m’badge says!”

She pointed proudly to her chest, where a badge of sleek platinum repeated the title.

“Sorry I wuz late! I gots distracted!” The ogre chirped. “And thanks a milly! I’ve been chasin’ affer dose meanies fur furever!”

Key and Aldora exchanged nonplussed looks. 

“Special agent…?”

“Yeppers! Like da coppers!” The Ogerpon skipped around absentmindedly. “I wuz assigned ta catch dees meanies! Dey go by Wise Guy, Pretty Boy and Big Fella. Dey’ve been causin’ all sortsa mischief, don’tcha no?”

“So... they were wanted criminals?” Key asked, still reeling.

“Yeppers! Dem meanines werk for a reaaaally mean meanie! Dey go round trickin’ Pokeymans outta money an’ doin’ all sortsa dirty deeds!”

“Do you mean to say they’re part of a crime syndicate? That they were henchmen?” Aldora asked politely. 

Special Agent Ponkan hopped atop the fallen Munkidori’s back, who let out a defeated oof. “Yeppers! Dey owed lotsa money ta da big boss! See dis?”

She pointed at the purple chain adorning Wise Guy's head. “Dis means he werks for Babyface!”

“Babyface…?” The Shaymin repeated. “The name sounds familiar.”

“He’s mostly a big deal in da Sand Continent! Lotsa Pokeymans owe him big bucks! And dees three are da… enforcers!”

“Seems like a nasty guy.” Key grimaced.

“Yeppers…” The Ogerpon frowned. “Bad news, dat one. ‘Specially nowzadays.”

“How so?”

“Babyface and his gang usually werk super sneaky-like. Makes ‘em hard ta find.” Ponkan explained. “‘Cuz it’s all shady bidniss. But nowzadays, dey’ve been causin’ all kindsa big-time mischief! Just look at your town!”

Indeed, mass mind-control, vandalism and theft definitely seemed to fall under ‘big-time mischief’.

She continued. “So we coppers wuz all confoosed. Goin’ round poisonin’ towns, wreckin’ stuffs, causin’ general mayhams for no reason? Wuz wit dat? So we gots ta thinkin’. We’s thinkin’ Babyface is werkin’ fer someone else. Someone who’s payin’ him da big bucks ta make big-time mischief!”

Aldora’s expression hardened. “Who could benefit from this?”

“I dunno!” The special agent shrugged. “But dey’re serious bidniss. Dem meanies came up ta you wit a bidniss deal, right?”

“Yes. They intended to use my delivery service as a means for distributing their poisoned snacks. It seemed their intent was global reach.”

“Hum, hum…” Ponkan nodded pensively. “Yeppers, dey’re tuff customers. Whoever’s orderin’ Babyface 'round is tryna make big-time mischief for all da continents.”

Aldora stomped her paw, now restless. “I simply don’t understand why!”

“Well, we coppers gots some theories. But uh… da most likely one is not very fun. Promise ta keep dis a secret.” Her expression turned sorrowful. “It might be dat dis meanie is tryna bring back Dark Matter.”

The ogre’s words paralyzed Aldora. Key however, only seemed confused. “Dark Matter? What’s that?”

“It’s bad news, puppydoggy.” The special agent warned. “A hunnert years back or so, da world almost ended for goodsies. It wuz Dark Matter who tried ta end it all. It’s da most evil ting in da universe.”

“Was.” Aldora corrected firmly. “It’s gone now. The Hero made sure of that. She destroyed Dark Matter.”

“Dark Matter was born outta negative feelins. Shore, da Dark Matter from a hunnert years ago wuz destroyed, but dat don’t mean another one can’t be born nowzadays wit enough negativity floatin' 'round.”

“That’s… wretched…” Aldora’s voice was hardly above a whisper. “To bring back that calamity… why?”

Key tucked his tail between his legs. “Aldora? Are you okay?”

She turned to him as if he had just arrived. Her horrified expression slowly smoothed out into a smile, though her brows were still etched with worry. “Of course, Key. This is all speculation. What matters now is that these villains have been apprehended.”

Ponkan perked up at those words. “Yeppers! Dees meanies are comin’ wit me ta th’ Alabaster Citadel fer some serious interrogatin’!” 

“The Alabaster Citadel?!” Key balked. “Where they lock up all the roughest, toughest outlaws of every continent?”

“Da one an’ only! Master Warden Rimes is gunna straighten’ ‘em out lickity-split!”

The mere mention of the Citadel forced a chill to run down the young Zorua’s spine. “Yikes…”

A whimper interrupted his dread. His partner, after all, was still lying next to him, knocked out by the effects of the poisonous mochi. 

“Oh, Hei…” He said, nudging her with his snout. “We knocked out those crooks but you’re still sick…”

To this, Aldora smiled. “That’s no issue.”

She approached the shivering Eevee and placed a shimmering kiss on her forehead. A beat passed, and then another. Finally, Hei’s body relaxed, and her eyes fluttered open.

“Wuh…?” Hei smacked her lips together as if waking up from a particularly long nap. “Miss Aldora? Wow, you look cool.”

“Feeling better, Hei?” The Mythical Pokemon asked gently. “I absorbed the poison afflicting you.”

“What?!” Key gawked. “You can just do that?! Aldora… you’re kind of awesome! Scratch that, extremely awesome!”

“Do you want to see something really awesome?” Aldora winked. 

She took some steps back and charged, swiftly gaining enough air to float high in the sky after a few wing beats. The three Pokemon squinted to keep her in sight, but the gratitude Pokemon had become enveloped in a peculiar light.

The ogre looked on, perplexed. “It looks like…”

“She’s charging up a move?”

As if on cue, they felt an overpowering gale sweep the air. Not just at the port, but throughout all of Crossroad Town. Although Key struggled to keep his eyes open, he noticed purple particles ascend to the air and towards Aldora, as if she were attracting them somehow. The purple puffs gathered and gathered, becoming completely lost within the Shaymin’s radiant light, until all Pokemon of the town were blinded by a harsh flash.

When the light subsided, the first thing they noticed was the deliciously fresh breeze. It was as if they stood at the peak of an untouched mountain, such was its purity. 

“Wowzer!” Special Agent Ponkan clapped. “A special trick!”

“What just…”

The mob of Pokemon that had previously remained motionless suddenly regained conciousness, murmuring to each other in confusion.

Hei smiled. “Look at that! Everyone’s snapped out of it!”

“Aldora must have absorbed everyone’s poison!” Key exclaimed. “She really is something!”

The Shaymin gingerly swooped back down, landing like a flower petal to greet the anxious residents of the town. As she did her best to assure them everything was fine, Key helped Hei up to her feet.

“Feeling better?” He asked.

“Tons better! I could really go for something to eat now!” Hei wagged her tail. “You gotta tell me what happened while I was out!”

“It’s a long story, that’s for sure…” Key sighed, more in relief than exhaustion. Together with Ponkan, they looked on as Aldora spoke to the others. “Everyone really relies on her, huh?”

“Miss Munchmoney said she practically built the town. I’m sure everyone respects her.”

“Must be hard, having to take care of so many people.”

“She didn’t have to do everything alone! You were here!” Hei said.

“Hm…”

“An’ I wuz here, too!” The Ogerpon interrupted. “An’ now, I’m outta here. Time ta round up da baddies!”

With a hop and a skip, Ponkan made haste in gathering the three outlaws and putting them in cuffs (very special ones, according to her). Once the dust had finally settled, and the townsfolk at last returned to help clean up the mess at the town square, the four ragtag team of Pokemon faced each other one last time.

“What will you do now, Special Agent?” Aldora asked.

“I’m gonna wait for da other coppers ta show up! Den, away to da Alabaster Citadel we go! Wit any luck, Babyface is next!” The ogre beamed. "You guys are super-duper, so I trusted you wit all kindsa copper secrets. But don't go spreadin' 'round wut I told yous, okay?"

They promised.

“Allow me to wait with you, then. I would call our very capable Chief of Police, but I hear he’s still recovering from mochi poisoning.” The Shaymin then turned to the duo of children. “As for you two, I’m sure today was more than enough excitement. It’d be best if you returned to the headquarters and checked up on everyone. And of course, have yourselves a well-earned meal and bath!”

“Yes, m’am!” They chimed in unison.

The Grass Types watched as the four-legged children darted off, leaving only them and the three unconscious crooks.

“You’s a class act, hedgeyhoggy!” The policeman patted the postmaster roughly. “We coppers thank ya tons!”

“It was my pleasure.” Aldora replied politely. “Please keep up the good work.”

The gratitude Pokemon wandered a bit further, stepping on the wooden dock and gazing out into the brilliantly blue sea.

Her heart churned like the waves below.

Chapter Text

Somewhere very private, a serious conversation was being had by two strange Pokemon.

“So that’s the situation.” The smaller of the two concluded. “Those three morons are rotting in the Alabaster Citadel by now.”

The larger Pokemon, cloaked in shadows, narrowed its eyes. “Will they confess?”

“I run a tight ship, baldy.” Said the other, a muffled giggle reverberating inside its purple shell. “All of my henchmon follow a strict ‘no squealing’ rule. It’s in their contracts. So that means if they even think about singing, my Toxic Chains will keep them quiet. Permanently.”

“And I have your guarantee on that?”

“What, do you want me to spit on it? They won’t say a word.”

“Hm.” The other Pokemon’s voice was low and unamused. “Well, I might have predicted things would end up this way.”

Its associate floated around listlessly, twirling in anticipation. “I told you the other continents would be tougher to control. Not every place is as lawless as here.”

“It seems so. I suppose that means we no longer require your services, Babyface.”

“Guess that just leaves the rest of the payment, then.” The little imp, Babyface, snickered with a tone drenched in venomous greed.

“Yes.”

Babyface’s chortling turned into a strained gasp. His glossy purple shell snapped open, revealing the vulnerable brat of a Pokemon who writhed uncomfortably as if suddenly seized by a hostile force. The air around him distorted, crackling with Psychic energy.

“Y-you…!” The Ghost-type fiend croaked. “I should’ve known you’d pull a d-dirty trick—!”

“You’ll be getting exactly what you deserve.”

The shadowy Pokemon’s eyes flashed mercilessly.

Coco (or rather, her tail) eyed the two young deliverymon with a mischievous chuckle.

“Good job, you lot!” She declared. “Your hard work today netted you… let’s see, carry the two… fourteen Poke!”

Key grumbled. “An Apple is worth more than that… After busting our tails up and down those hills…”

“Chin up, fuzzy!” Coco’s tail wagged cheerfully. “You’re one step closer to being debt-free.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“You’re off the hook for today, at least!”

Even Key couldn't help smiling over that. After doing rounds up and down the steep Sandbrine Hills neighborhood, his paws were just about ready to fall off. He looked over at his partner, who beamed at him expectantly.

“Let’s go eat dinner, Key!” She beckoned, already trotting off. “We gotta hurry if we wanna make it in time!”

The realization hit him, though he’s not sure how he managed to forget, considering it was all Hei talked about during their deliveries. Maurice had mentioned it rather offhandedly during breakfast, but apparently, there would be a special constellation in view for that night only.

“It’s not very well-known, so city-slickers in Crossroad Town don’t pay much mind…” The Cramorant explained in between large gulps of pickled Berries. “But back in my hometown, we made a whole event of it. It looked stunning reflected across our little old pond… Ahh, I should write to my dear old mother…”

Key snorted. “Jeez, you’re sappy. All this over a dumb constellation.” He turned to his friend, ready to begin a merciless bout of teasing, but her sparkly eyes told him that she’d fallen for the bird’s sentimentality.

“Wow! That sounds so pretty! What’s a constellation?”

Maurice and Key exchanged exasperated glances, but the senior deliverymon spoke up first. “It’s a special cluster of stars, I suppose. If you connect them together, they draw a picture. Some only appear in the night sky at certain times of the year. And the one visible tonight happens to be my favorite.”

“Stars that draw pictures…” The Eevee, amazed, whispered into her bowl of milk.

“What does it look like?” The Dark type fox nonchalantly asked.

“It’s called Gallade’s Cape. It’s said that, long ago, the Legendary Pokemon Yveltal went on a rampage, destroying everything in sight. A pair of Pokémon, a Gardevoir and a Gallade, tried to stop it, and a fearsome battle ensued. But the Gardevoir ended up sustaining too much damage, and Yveltal was about to deliver the final blow. That’s when her partner, the Gallade, stepped in between them and took the brunt of the attack. His love for her granted him an invincible cape that shielded them from harm, and blades that could slash a mountain in half. He sent Yveltal packing after that, but in the end, the transformation was too much for his body, and he passed away. Gardevoir was so sad… But that’s when Xerneas appeared, and as thanks for saving the day, she sent her dear Gallade up to the stars, where he could live on and protect her from on high.”

The Cramorant sniffled. “It’s a terribly tragic story, but also so romantic… That’s why the constellation is shaped like the brave Gallade’s cape, that protected his beloved from certain death…”

“Yuck.” Key stuck his tongue out. “I hate that mushy stuff.”

“He got turned into stars… He must be lonely up there.” Hei frowned.

Maurice fluffed his plumage, clearly distressed for having upset her. “It’s only a legend, junior. The constellation is a beaut even if you don’t know the story behind it.”

That seemed to perk her up. “Key, let’s go look for it tonight!”

Her partner had agreed without really thinking about it, and the idea of going out again really didn’t appeal to him in his exhausted state, but Hei’s enthusiasm was simply too overpowering. He may be a criminal, but that didn’t mean he liked going back on promises.

The pair washed their daily sweat and grime away and filled up on the Delivery Service’s delicious dinner. Leaving their uniforms in their dorms, the off-duty deliverymon were finally ready to go stargazing.

“Where should we go?” Key asked.

“Hmm, we could always ask Miss Aldora for permission to use her office. It’s pretty high up.”

“I dunno…” The Zorua was hesitant to disturb their boss, who they knew was working overtime sorting out the aftermath of that whole Munchy Mochi fiasco. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “What about my secret lair? It’s got the best view in the whole town!”

The Eevee’s cheeks pinkened with excitement. “That’s a great idea! Are you sure it’s not too far a walk?”

Key stuck his nose up pridefully. “Please, a rugged thief such as I can handle anything!”

“Yay!” Hei cheered, scampering ahead towards the building’s exit. “Last one there is a rotten Exeggcute!”

“Oh, brother…” Her friend internally winced before chasing her with his very tender paws.

The road to the abandoned windmill was illuminated by lampposts and warm light gently radiating from homes and shops. Crossroad Town was a city of commerce, after all; businesses stayed open well into the night, especially restaurants that tempted the two youngsters for a second dinner with its sizzling aromas wafting from the kitchen windows. Still, they persevered, occasionally barking out greetings to an increasing roster of Pokefolk they recognized during deliveries.

Eventually, the buildings began to thin out, and the cobbled road gave out to a sturdy dirt path nipped by tall grass. Lampposts became a rare sight, with only the moon above providing any lighting. At last, they reached that famous old hill, standing tall, proud and humble in the night air, ready for another solitary night guarding the town below. Key mustered up his strength for a final trek uphill, and when they finally stood in front of the windmill, he could almost kiss the flat, even ground.

Hei turned her head skyward, tirelessly observing the heavenly bodies above. “So many stars! Which ones are Gallade’s Cape, do you think?”

“Heh… let’s get a better view… Huff… Up there… Phew…” Key sputtered, hunched over as he tried to regain his breath.

He feebly gestured towards one of the windmill’s blades, where they had frequently hung out together on days off. While some older Pokemon might have a harder time clambering up to the highest point, Eevee and Zorua were sprightly young things that could jump from blade to blade in no time, though Key was not quite ready for another workout.

However, as he pointed his snout to the top of the windmill, he saw something there. Someone there. With lightning-quick instincts, he jumped to attention.

“Careful, Hei.” He muttered. “We’re not alone.”

“Huh?” His friend looked confused, meeting his eyeline to find whatever startled him.

“Hey, you!” Key snapped. “What’s the big idea, sneaking around my secret lair?!”

The shadow reacted. With three swift hops, it descended to the ground in mere seconds. It was a he, and he was a Riolu, who looked around their age. He seemed friendly at least, but not at all from around the area. In particular, his clothing looked pretty strange: golden hoop earrings adorning the black flaps that hung down his ears, a royal blue cape covering his upper torso, and most notably, a curiously shaped necklace hung around his neck that sparkled golden in the starlight.

“My apologies.” The Riolu said simply. “I thought this place was abandoned.”

“I mean… it is, but it’s unofficially mine, I guess.” Key fumbled for words. “What were you doing up there anyways?”

“Camping out for the night. Gallade’s Cape is visible tonight, so I was meditating under it.”

Hei perked up from behind Key. “You’re here to see the stars, too?”

“Not really.” The Riolu smiled. “I’m just passing through, but this place makes for a good rest stop.”

“Suspicious.” Key growled. “You know, only bandits skulk around the outskirts like this.”

The Emanation Pokemon tilted his head. “I thought this was your windmill. Wouldn’t that make you a bandit?”

“Don’t worry, he’s already doing time!” Hei assured, sending Key’s tail flaring with embarrassment.

“I see. Good luck on your rehabilitation.” The Riolu nodded. “I’d like to continue with my meditations. Mr. Bandit, may I have permission to spend the night here?”

“My name is Key!” The fox Pokemon yipped. “And no, you can scram! This ain’t a bed and breakfast! Go meditate under a waterfall or something!”

Before Key could do a rude gesture, Hei chomped down on his tail hard.

“Key! That’s awful!” She chided. “He’s not bothering anyone!”

“He’s bothering me!” The Zorua rebutted. “And quit doing that!”

“Quit being so rude.” Hei huffed, pushing her disgruntled partner aside to face the Riolu. “Do you wanna watch the stars with us?”

“Yes, that sounds lovely!” The Fighting-type wagged his tail.

With the Eevee having forcefully settled the matter, the three youngsters sprung up the rickety blades of the windmill until perching themselves atop the highest one. Once there, it was as if they were in the sky alongside the stars, far above the Water Continent.

“Amazing!” Hei’s mouth gaped open, taking in the galaxy above. “I’ve never seen the stars so bright!”

“Yes, they’re especially beautiful tonight.” The Riolu nodded.

“Three people is too heavy for this piece of junk…” Key grumbled.

“Your friend’s introduced himself already,” Said the blue Pokemon, crossing his legs in a peaceful meditative pose. “But what’s your name?”

“I’m Hei! It’s nice to meet you!”

“The pleasure is mine. My name is Rok.”

“Rock?! Ha, what a dumb name!” Key mocked, unaware of the tremendous irony of that statement for someone named Key.

“It means ‘born in sunlight’ in my people’s language.” Rok explained calmly. “I’m from the Valley of Aura, in the Mist Continent.”

“So you’re from the w-weest?” Hei remembered the map of all the continents Key showed her, and his handy trick to remembering directions (Never Eat Stinging Weedle).

“Exactly. In the Valley of Aura, there is a place called Lucario Village. That’s where I was born.”

“What are you doing so far from home?” The Eevee asked.

Rok looked up at the sky, the shimmering constellations reflected in his ocean blue eyes. “I’m on an important pilgrimage. Every Riolu in my village has to do it before evolving, you see. We visit five sacred sites, one in each continent. I’m currently on my way to visit the last one.”

“Y-you’ve been to all the continents?” Key’s curiosity got the better of him.

“Yes. It’s been almost a year since I began my pilgrimage.”

So cool. Thought Key.

“Whatever.” Said Key.

Rok simply smiled once more.

Meanwhile, Hei was too occupied bending her neck in a futile effort to find Gallade’s Cape, pondering what star could possibly be cape-shaped under her breath. The Fighting-type noticed, and pointed towards a distant patch of space.

“The Cape is that group there. See, those three stars make his arm and blade, while those four beneath connect to form a cape billowing in the wind.”

Hei scooched closer to follow the direction of Rok’s paw. Squinting, she gazed at the night sky hopelessly in silence save for the clinking of her earring.

“I still don’t see it...”

“No? It’s those seven stars there. The tip of the blade is the largest o—“

A clawed paw frantically swiped a Zorua-sized gap in between Rok and Hei, in which Key ceremoniously wedged himself. “Move over!”

Before either of the other two could object, Key rolled his eyes and guffawed condescendingly. “You’ll never get her to understand like that!” He waved his paw haphazardly in the direction of the starry sky above. “Listen Hei, constellations are really a bunch of random dots that don’t really look like anything. It’s called Gallade’s Cape but really, it could be Slowbro’s Shell or Pikachu’s Booger. So don’t expect to find an actual picture of a cape up there.”

“I-I knew that…” Hei lied. “There’s just a lotta stars…”

“See, I know how you think the best. ‘Cuz we’re friends.” Though talking to the Eevee, Key’s side eye and smirk were very pointedly towards the Riolu, who observed this exchange with the same calm expression as ever.

“It’s true that constellations only symbolically resemble their namesakes…” Rok said, contemplating something else entirely. “But the emotions they inspire tie them to the folklore, and therefore to the hearts of Pokemon… This universe is a vast unknown that we experience through science and culture alike… it is the meaning we place in things like constellations that makes life so very beautiful.”

“Wow…” Hei sighed. “You’re very mature.”

“Don’t act like you understood all of that mumbo-jumbo.” Key snapped.

“Well, it doesn’t matter if I understand every word.” The Eevee countered with a frown. “What matters is that the stars look even prettier now.”

Rok let out a small chuckle. “Then I suppose you’ve understood the essence of it.”

The two smiled before returning their gazes skyward, meaning they paid no attention to the bitter scowl on Key’s face.

A couple of hours passed, which to Hei felt like to time at all, and to Key felt like several centuries, and the increasing amount of yawns the little Eevee began to let out meant it was time for the pair to return to the delivery service and get some shuteye. So, Rok walked with them to the bottom of the hideout’s hill to offer his goodnights.

“It was super nice meeting you!” Hei chirped in between yawns. “Till how long are you staying here?”

“As I mentioned, I’m only passing by.” Rok explained. “Tomorrow at dawn, I shall continue my journey towards the final sacred site, Revelation Mountain. Once I’ve finished my business there, I can finally return home.”

“Well, happy trails to ya.” The Zorua said not-all-all sarcastically as he began to walk off.  “C’mon Hay-for-brains, you’ll snap your jaw if you keep yawning so much.”

“It was most enjoyable making your acquaintances.” Rok called out with a final wave. “It made tonight quite special.”

“Super special!” Hei agreed, hesitantly following Key’s dust. “Bye, bye, Rok! Sleep well! Bundle up! Stop by anytime!”

“Jeez, he’s already outta sight.” Her partner reprimanded.

“It sure was nice meeting him, huh? There really are all kinds of Pokemon out there.” Hei said as she gave a final glance towards the night sky.

“He’s a bit of a chatterbox if you ask me.” Key glowered. “And his name is pretty dumb.”

To this, Hei snapped out of her good mood and turned to Key with fierce eyes. “That’s right! I just remembered I’m mad at you!”

Her friend’s jaw dropped. “What?!”

“Yeah! You were being a jerk all night! I hate it when you forget your manners like that! It’s embarrassing!”

“I was not!”

“Was too!”

“Was not!”

“Was too!”

“Was not!”

“Was too!”

They continued this back-and-forth until shutting the door to their room. Key darted to his bed and rolled himself up tight in his sheets, only poking his snout out to hiss.

“Bad night! Sleep awful!”

Hei let out a sharp, offended gasp before jumping straight to her own mattress and mimicking Key’s angsty burrito pose. “Bad night to you! Nasty dreams, hope the bedbugs bite you like crazy!”

They growled at each other until falling asleep.

And seven hours later, when the sun had dawned and Maurice knocked on their door for their wake up call, and only Key had woken up as per usual, he growled at Hei until she woke up and growled back.

“Bad morning!” The Dark-type huffed, stomping on the bundled-up Normal type underneath him.

“Get offa me!” Hei wriggled her hind legs free to buck him off, the solid kick sending him towards the cold floor. “Bad morning to you too, jerk!”

“Dummy!”

“Meanie!”

“Hairball!”

“M-meatball!”

“Even your comebacks are dumb!”

They continued this back-and-forth (again) for all of breakfast, much to the loss of appetite of the unfortunate Pokemon stuck sitting next to them. Once they had emptied their bowls (turns out they ate just fine even while arguing), they stomped over to Coco’s tower together while still barking at each other. The commotion alerted Coco’s tail to their presence.

“Heya, good morning, lil guys—“ The coconut’s puckered smile quickly faltered once she caught a glimpse of their bad-tempered faces. “Yikes. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed today?”

“I woke up just fine!” The Zorua declared. “But I’m pretty sure Hei wakes up on all sides of the bed with how much she eats!”

“Whazzat?!” Hei yelled. “You ate twice as much as me! So I’d be worried about you fitting in the bed!”

“Twerp!”

“Bushy-brows!”

By now, the three Pan brothers had gathered around Coco’s base to spectate on the bickering. Oran looked on with a worried expression while Cheri and Lum seemed to be having much more fun with the situation.

“I got a hundred Poke on the little purple one.” Cheri chuckled. His Grass-type brother however, shook his head.

“Women always win these kinds of fight. Two hundred on Hei.”

“Maybe we should stop them…” Oran suggested to no one listening.

“Hey, uh… you guys?” Coco whipped her tail up and down, trying to catch the attention of the two youngsters. “About your delivery today?”

Hei was the first to respond, whipping around (and giving Key a good tail slap in the process) to place her front paws atop the counter.

“I’m ready to go, Miss Coco! You can tell Key that he can join too if he promises to not be a jerk.”

“Oh yeah?!” Key also leaned against the counter, giving Hei a good shove as he made room for himself. “Well, you can tell Hei that she’s the sidekick here so she’s the one who’s gotta promise to not be such a suckup!”

“Well, tell Key that he’s the one who has a debt to work off, so since I’m nice enough to help him, he should be a little less jerky to me!’

“And tell Hei that I can be as jerky as I want! Cuz I don’t take orders from chickens who can’t even go to the bathroom at night cuz she’s too scared to go alone!”

“Well, tell Key that I always go with him when he asks!”

“Okay!” The Dragon-type shrieked over the children’s bickering and the monkey Pokemon’s chortling. “Jeez, I’ll tell you all that. But what a shame. Today was gonna be an extra-important, extra-special delivery, but if you two are at each other’s throats like this, then I’ll just put you on mail duty today.”

“Extra important?” Hei’s ear perked up.

“Extra special?” Key’s eyes widened.

“It was so important and so special, it was gonna be an out-of-town delivery.” Coco explained with almost exaggerated nonchalantness. “And no rescue team to escort you this time.”

The young duo’s tails were almost propelling them into flight.

“But if you two just can’t get along, then that’s that, I suppose. I’ll put you on separate mail routes.”

“No!” They shouted in unison, earning a concealed grin from Coco’s tail.

“We’ll get along!” Hei insisted, desperate for a second chance. “We promise!”

“Yeah, we promise!” Key nodded along frantically. “So let us go! Please!”

Coco hummed and hawed in mock consideration. “Well… if you really think you can… Then I guess I’ll let you go.”

“Sweet!”

“Okay, boys, start prepping them.” Coco ordered the trio of brothers lounging around on her neck, who snapped out of their spectator roles and quickly began preparing parcels. “This delivery is a milestone for you guys. Excluding your little hiccup just now, you’ve been putting in such good work that we think it’s time for a little adventure.

So you’ll be delivering some important stock items to the Kecleon shop of a mountain village south from here. It’s called Longfield Village. There’s no mystery dungeons on the way so we decided to make an exception and let you guys make the delivery by yourselves.”

“Heck yes!” Key practically sang. “This is gonna be so awesome!”

“This is a big show of trust on your part, you two.” Coco’s voice was more serious than they had ever heard. “Don’t make us look stupid by letting us down, now.”

“We won’t! We promise!” Hei said with sparkling Baby-Doll Eyes.

Key grinned. “And besides, you can’t look more stupider than Hei when—“ The surrounding glares he received made him rethink his next words. “I mean, we won’t let you down, m’am!”

With the mission debriefed, delivery bags loaded, and directions given, the two are sent on their way, their faces steeled with resolve. Coco and the three monkey Pokemon wave them off until they trot out of sight.

“I really hope I don’t regret this.” Coco muttered through her smile, still waving her tail.

“I bet a cool three hundred Coco gets demoted after this.” Cheri whispered to his brothers.

“I’ll take that action.”

“H-hey..! Huff, huff!” The Eevee called out while running after her partner. “Wait up!”

“Try to keep up, Slowpoke!” The Zorua taunted, not at all slowing down. “Or I’ll leave ya behind!”

“You c-can’t do that!” Hei protested. “Huff, huff… We gotta go together! Coco said so!”

“She did say it was a super important delivery, so maybe you should pick up the pace! Unless you’re too wimpy?”

Hei’s temper flared. With a resolute sprint, she pounced on Key’s tail and gave it a nasty Bite.

“Yeeeeowch!” The Dark type howled, finally relenting with his running.

“Serves you right,” Hei stuck her tongue out, passing by the writhing fox Pokemon to take the lead with a confident strut. “Now who’s wimpy?”

“Okay, that’s it!” Key sprang back up to his feet to glare daggers at her. “”Ground rules!”

He raised his paw emphatically. “Number one! No biting!”

“Number two!” Hei shot back. “No outrunning me!”

“Fine. Number three! No talking. That way we can’t argue.”

“Deal. Like I’d wanna talk to you.” The Eevee huffed.

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

And so, with these three ground rules, the delivery began in earnest. The two deliverymon stoically marched down the southern exit of Crossroads Town, where the terrain slowly turned into a rugged but still forested area. It was a popular trade route so the road was well-worn and populated by a decent number of fellow traveling Pokemon even at this early hour. Greeting the occasional merchant and eyeing their cartful of wares was the best form of entertainment Hei could afford now that she was giving her friend the silent treatment. But even so, the trail was overall… miserable.

She couldn’t speak, and every time she snuck a glance to Key, he’d be looking off somewhere with a grumpy expression. She sighed. This delivery couldn’t end soon enough. Not even the excitement of an important delivery out of town could bring her spirits up. The only reason she looked forward to special jobs like these was so that she and Key could have fun together on their own little adventure, just like an exploration team would. What’s the point of going now?

She wondered if Key felt the same. But she found it was really hard to tell what went through his head sometimes. Why he’s so snippy to other Pokemon their age, and why he refused to apologize for his bad behavior. Even without her memories, Hei knew that being polite, and especially apologizing when you made a mistake was the most important thing in making sure everyone got along. It’s like Key didn't even care if he hurts someone’s feelings!

These sorts of troubling thoughts circled around Hei’s brain for a while, so much so that she hardly noticed her surroundings grow wilder. The ground became rougher, and the path curved uphill. The occasional friendly face stopped passing by, and instead the distant cries of wild Pokemon filled up the dusty air. They should still be far from any mystery dungeons, thankfully, but the land’s slow transformation into a mountainous path should have excited the pair if not for their terrible moods.

Just as Hei was contemplating snacking on an Apple, they heard a rustling behind a nearby bush. The pair of deliverymon jumped to attention, Key unsheathing his claws.

“H-hey!” He called out. “Who’s over there? Show yourself!”

The mysterious bush-rustler obeyed, revealing himself to be a familiar face: Rok, the Riolu.

Hei’s face immediately melted into a warm smile. “Rok!”

“Ugh, of course it’d be you.” Key groaned.

Rok returned her sweet greeting. “I thought it was you two. Your auras are undeniable.”

Key couldn’t have been more annoyed by this development. “Is hanging out in bushes part of your monk training or whatever?”

“I’ve been camping out here for some time now but I sensed your familiar presence and wanted to make sure it was actually you.” Rok explained patiently. “What a fortunate coincidence. What brings you out here?”

“We’re on a delivery right now!” Hei said, gesturing towards her delivery bag. “We’re on our way to Longfield Village near the foot of the mountain!”

“Longfield Village?” The Riolu’s eyes lit up. “Why, I was just on my way there! I don’t suppose you would mind the extra company?”

Key was first to speak. “We would!”

“Not!” Corrected Hei, headbutting his side.

“Hey, rule number one!”

“That was ‘no biting.’ You never said anything about headbutting.”

“You’re impossible!”

“Um, I’m sensing this is perhaps a bad time.” The Fighting-type tilted his head. “I would take my leave now, but in truth, I think it’s best if we travel together for safety.”

“Huh? Why’s that?” The Eevee asked.

“I detected the presence of hostile auras around the area. I’ve been lying low here for hours now but they still persist. In truth, I was a bit hesitant to traverse the upcoming clearing alone for fear of an ambush.”

“Ambush?” Key narrowed his eyes. “What are you so antsy for? This isn’t a mystery dungeon.”

“Yes, but I still sense wild Pokemon about. I’m unfamiliar with the layout of this area so I can’t discern why exactly this is. I do know some wild Pokemon leave their usual territories in search of food or rivals.”

“Well, we’re neither!” The Dark type huffed. “Me and Hei are trained professionals! We’ve even cleared mystery dungeons before! So whatever you’re ‘sensing’ that’s got you trembling in your boots is no issue!”

With a renewed sense of pride, Key continued to trot along the path, leaving the other two no choice but to follow along.

“It’s best if we stick to the forested path so we’re not so exposed…” Rok suggested, knowing he would be ignored.

“Hah, please. I didn’t know you were such a scaredy Skitty, Rock! It’s almost a good thing you ran into me, then.” Key boasted. “I don’t know the meaning of the word fear!”

Hei rolled her eyes. “He’s just trying to show off.”

“I see.”

“But anyway,” The Eevee tried changing the subject, leaving Key to ramble about his greatness to himself. “You said you sensed us, and you sensed nearby Pokemon. What do you mean by that? Do we smell or something?”

Rok laughed. “No, nothing like that. My people have the ability to see the aura of other Pokemon in the form of waves. We can make out the type of Pokemon, the specific individual, and how they’re feeling.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Hei gasped. “Quick, quick, what number am I thinking of?”

“Ah, it’s not like I’m a mind reader, Hei.” Rok swung his arms to and fro. “I can just tell what emotions emanate from you. I don’t mean to be rude, but you don’t seem to be in the greatest mood.”

The Eevee’s excitement dampened, being replaced with a forlorn frown. “Well, between you and me, I’m kinda mad at Key right now.”

“Is that so?” Rok politely kept the fact that anyone, regardless of aura-reading powers, would’ve been able to tell that.

“Yeah… We usually get along super well, and he’s my partner and all… But sometimes he just takes things too far.”

“It’s important to communicate these feelings in a partnership.”

“I did! I’m pretty sure…” Hei tilted her head. Now that she thinks about it… did she say it like that?

The trio continued their trek through the forest, until they spotted sunlight beaming through the end of their path. As they neared it, they noticed the forest gave way to a vast clearing that spanned kilometers, encircled by the dark foliage of the woods and the steep cliffs of the mountain. The vibrant green grass swayed calmly in the wind, completely uninhabited.

“Sweet, a shortcut!” Key grinned. “If we cut through this clearing, we’ll be at the village in no time!”

“It’s far too quiet.” Rok said, looking straight ahead at the meadow. “I don’t trust it. Let’s go around through the thicket.”

The Zorua scoffed. “Didn’t I tell you? There’s nothing to be afraid of. Quit being such a wuss.” As if to prove his point, the fox Pokemon darted off into the sunlit field.

He ran and leapt and twirled about with a haughty smile, relishing in Rok and Hei’s dismayed expressions “Wow, it’s sooo dangerous out here!”

“Key, come back!” Rok hissed out in a panicked whisper. “I feel something coming—!”

“You’ve been yap yap yapping about feeling this and sensing that, but I don’t see anything! Maybe your sixth sense is on the fritz!” The Dark type cackled.

As if on cue, a shadow flew over him, covering him in shadow.

Key looked up to see a winged silhouette blotting out the sun. Unimpressed, he tilted his head to get a better look. “Huh?”

“Key!” Hei shrieked. “Run!”

The Eevee had hardly finished her sentence before a wickedly sharp beak slashed through the air right next to Key like an incoming train. Strands of his dark fur blew away following the harsh breeze, having been cut clean off. A chill ran down the young Pokemon’s spine.

A harsh cry rang out behind him, and he could hardly locate the threat before it had flown up high in the skies once more for another divebomb attack. Despite both Hei and Rok urging him to run for cover, his paws remained thoroughly stuck to the ground, frozen in fear. All he could do was tremble while craning his neck around in hopes of spotting the blisteringly agile foe.

“Craw-aw!” Another screech behind him now. The Zorua pinched his eyes shut, bracing himself for the incoming attack.

The impact came from an unexpected angle, and in fact, was not painful or sharp at all. It felt like nothing more than a shove to the side, which launched him half a meter to his left before he landed on the grass with a thump. Opening his eyes, he was met with the crystal pool of Rok’s blue irises. The Fighting type panted, resting on his knees, before whipping his head up to scout out the flying threat.

Some distance above them, the enemy had finally stopped whizzing about, instead just beating its wings to remain airborne while clacking at something gripped in its crooked beak. Key finally recognized the Pokemon as a Fearow, and a rather fierce one at that.

The bird made a pleased sound, something in between a chuckle and a squawk. She glared down at the two youngsters and after three wingbeats, suddenly dipped down towards them once more. Both Pokemon managed to dodge successfully, and the nasty beak Pokemon continued on her flight path, leaving them alone for good. They watched wordlessly as the Fearow flapped away towards the jagged cliffs of the mountain range until out of sight. Only the gentle rustling of the meadow remained. From the bushes, Hei rushed out into the clearing and up to her partner.

“Wh-what was that all about?” Key spoke up after finally catching his breath.

His ear twitched when it caught the sound of sniffling. To his surprise, Rok remained curled on his knees, clutching at his chest.

“What’s wrong?” Key and Hei trotted over to him. “Did that thing hurt you?”

“My pendant…” Rok looked down at his tattered cape. “It’s gone…”

“Pendant?”

The golden emblem on Rok’s neck had disappeared. That must’ve been what that Fearow had in her beak.

‘Aw, jeez, you got mugged.” Key sighed. “L-look, it’s not so bad. We got away in one piece, and--“

“You don’t understand!” The Riolu barked, his voice harsher than anything Key had heard before from him. “Th-that pendant…! It was a gift from my parents before I left the valley! It… It was all I had left of them… For an entire year, it was my only company…”

His eyes began to water. “And now… It’s gone…”

Key was at a loss for words. He knew Rok was around his age, but it was obvious he was leagues more mature than Key. He let all of his teasing and taunting slide without so much as a frown. But now, seeing him crying over that necklace… he really did look like a kid.

“I… I’m sorry.” Is all Key managed to come up with.

“Oh, Rok…” Hei bent down to nuzzle the Riolu’s cheek. He closed his eyes, allowing another teardrop to run down his face, before abruptly standing up once more.

“I’m going to retrieve it.”

“What?!” Key exclaimed. “You’re going after that thing?! It’s long gone by now!”

“It doesn’t matter.” The Fighting type said. “No matter, what I need that pendant back.”

“Well, I’m coming with you!” Hei chimed, her eyes alight with determination. “We’ll get it back for sure!”

Rok nodded, equally as stoic.

“Guys, this is crazy! There’s no way—“

“Key, go finish the delivery.” Hei snapped her delivery bag from her vest, not wasting any time in attaching it to Key’s uniform. “Stay in the village until we come back.”

“What!? Finish the delivery by myself?”

“It’s what you wanted, right?” Instead of Hei’s usual expression, Key was shocked to find only cold resignation etched in her face.

“I… But—“

“If we’re not back by nightfall, please inform the authorities.” Rok interrupted. With a swish of his cape, he turned towards the mountain range the Fearow had flown off towards.

“Hei…?” Key’s voice was barely above a whisper.

She only gave him a final glance, softened by sadness, before turning too and catching up with Rok.

And then, all of a sudden, it was just Key alone in the clearing. Two delivery bags, zero companions, and one heavy heart.

“Why do you think that Fearow snatched your pendant?” Hei asked Rok as they hiked up the increasingly rocky terrain.

“I have some theories.” The Riolu replied. “It was a feral Pokemon, so unless it’s hoarding shiny things, it would have no use for money and valuables. But I’ve heard a story about Fearow… Ah, this way.”

Rok helped Hei up a particularly steep ledge, beckoning her towards a narrow cliffside path.

“That way? Looks dangerous.”

“I can sense the pendant in that direction.” He explained. “The stone attached to it is made of a special Lucario Jade that my people can detect from far away.”

“Wowie, that’s pretty cool.”

“And that particular pendant… I can still feel my parents’ aura within it if I focus.”

“No wonder it’s so special to you.”

A faint smile played on Rok’s lips, before setting into a resolute grimace. “Yes. That’s why I must get it back.”

Hei returned his smile and marched ahead, careful not to slip on a pebble and go tumbling down the cliff.

The higher and higher they scaled, the narrower the path became. The two were forced to hug the wall and sidle around the mountain’s face until they reached an isolated little area resembling a miniature canyon. A deep gulf cut the mountain range into two tall cliffs, with random pillars of rocks towering from the twisted briar patches covering the canyon floor. A fall into there would be painful to say the least.

“A-ha!” Rok gasped and pointed across the cliff.

Atop one of the rock pillars sat a Fearow, resting in a prickly-looking nest. She wore an incredibly proud expression and she fiddled with little flashy bits of trash scattered around the branches of her nest. Noticeably, Rok’s pendant, by far the most beautiful element of her display, hung from the tallest branch of the nest like a crown jewel.

“I guess she really is hoarding shiny things.” Hei said.

“Not quite.’ Rok’s ears lowered.

With her final adjustments completed, the Fearow let out a resolved exhale and stood up straight with an expectant expression. With a clear of her throat, she opened her beak and let out a deafening:

“CA-CAW!”

She crowed and crowed, unrelenting in her piercing calls.

Hei flinched, covering her non-deaf ear. “What’s going on?”

“It’s a mating call.” Rok tried to explain over the racket. “Fearow dress up their nests with shiny objects to attract a partner. So, she’s trying to find a date, which would explain why she descended the mountain.”

“Oh my.” Hei’s cheeks burned at the idea. “Maybe we should give her some privacy.”

“And leave without my pendant?”

“Oh right, I forgot about that.” She squinted at the sparkling nest of brambles. “How the heck are we gonna get over there, get your pendant back, and leave without getting spotted?”

“That is the question.” Rok shut his eyes with furrowed brows, deep in thought. Hei imitated him, pretending to think of something despite being at a total loss.

“If only I could evolve into something that can fly…” Hei muttered “Hey, do Eevee have any Flying type evolutions?”

“Not that I know of…”

“Aw, Hoppip seeds.”

“I bet I could jump across to the top.” Rok paced around the edge of the cliff as if calculating distance. “But I’m not confident I could take on a full-grown Fearow during mating season.”

“I could distract her somehow, lure her away from the nest.”

“I doubt she’ll be wanting to get up for anything other than a suitor.”

“Double Hoppip seeds.” Hei cursed. “I bet Key would know what to do… He’s always full of ideas. He calls ‘em schemes, though.” She shook her head, repelling the thoughts from her head. Now’s not the time for that!

“It seems he has another one.”

As if on cue, a familiar voice rang throughout the canyon.

“HEY, UGLY!”

Riolu, Eevee, and Fearow snapped to attention. On a nearby cliff’s edge stood none other than Key, who waved around wildly to draw the Fearow’s attention.

“YEAH, YOU!” He yelled once he locked eyes with the bird. “I’M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET!”

The Fearow cawed at him, but like Rok predicted, hunkered down firmly in her nest with puffed feathers.

“Key, what are you doing?!” Hei called up to him. He glanced at her for a moment before returning his attention to the large feathered Pokemon.

“Fixing my screwup!” He fished for something in his tail, retrieving an orb from the fluff.

“TOO CHICKEN TO COME TO ME, HUH?” He screamed. “GUESS I GOTTA COME TO YOU, THEN!”

With that, the orb sparked to life, its blue light completely enveloping Key. In a flash, the light bounced from the top of the cliff all the way over to Fearow’s nest before dissolving just as quickly. Rok instantly recognized the effect as a Longtoss Orb's.

Key now stood atop the Fearow’s head, wrangling her red comb. Wasting no time, he began to scratch at her eyes, triggering a horrid screech from the bird as she flapped wildly about.

“He’s gonna fall!” Rok gaped.

To his credit, Key held on to the Fearow for dear life, digging his claws into her feathery neck. While not doing any considerable damage, it did seem to be working well in annoying the Fearow into flying off, desperate to shake the little fox off of her. The bird blindly soared around the rocky landscape, doing loops and barrel rolls and zigzags. When none of that did the trick, she resorted to flying lower to crash into rocky pillars.

The Fearow whipped her neck to the side, smacking the Zorua on the stony face of one of the pillars. He remained there, splayed out like a swatted bug, before falling pathetically into the bramble patch below.

“Key!” Hei blanched, and without hesitation, ran down the crumbling sides of the cliff until reaching the thorn-infested pit of the canyon. A Pokemon as small as an Eevee could maneuver itself beneath the worst of the thorns, but every now and again, a wrong move rewarded her with a prick to her delicate paws or wandering ears. She scoured around for her fallen friend, eventually pickup up the sounds of pained moans somewhere to her right.

“Key!” She squeaked, approaching a beat-up lump of dark fur. The Zorua, bruised and battered, wriggled around languidly to face her. He had a couple of thorns stuck to his fur, and an especially nasty cut across the bridge of his snout that trickled blood.

“Hey, Hei.”

“Hey-hey yourself!” Hei huffed. “That was way too reckless! Golly, you’re bleeding!”

“Yeah, that wasn’t one of my smarter schemes. And uh, we’re now one Longtoss Orb short of our delivery order.” The Zorua groaned. “But I had to try something. This is all my fault, after all. You were right, Hei. I am a jerk.”

“You’re not a jerk, Key!” The Eevee crawled her way over to him. “I didn’t mean any of that horrible stuff I said!”

“But it’s all true! I’m just a big fat jerk who ruins everything for everyone! I’m a crook that lied and stole for a living, and I’m selfish, and a showoff, and I always gotta have things my way!”

He lets out a wet sniffle. “A-and when you started getting all friendly with Rok I got jealous, okay? He’s all polite and smart and cool, and you guys were having so much fun that… it made me realize that all I am is a nobody that weighs you down.”

“Key—“

“So when you ran off with him, I thought ‘good, she finally wised up. Like, why did it take this long for her to figure this out?’ And I really thought about going to the village by myself. I did.”

“Ke—“

“But I couldn’t! I couldn’t, okay? Because even if you’re better off without me, I still need you!”

Fat, salty tears poured out of Key, landing on the arid floor as dark stains. “I’ve been alone for so long. But then, you showed up and wouldn’t leave me alone and… every day’s been tons of fun with you! You’re my only— my most precious friend. I don’t need anyone else. So even if I’m a jerk… please don’t give up on me, okay? Keep being my parter.”

Key dared to look up despite the tears still flowing from his eyes, and finds Hei sobbing just as hard. She tucks her snout under his chin, burying it in his neck fur as she hiccuped quietly. Despite the tremendous amount of pain wracking through his body, the feeling of her hug melted it all into a wonderful warmth.

“Not once…” She sobbed. “Not once did I ever think about giving up on you. How could I? How could you even think that? Haven’t I told you before? Key, you’re my very best friend. We’re partners ‘till the end.”

‘Best friend’… ‘partners’… those words circled around Key’s brain. He repeated them to himself over and over again. How could this be? Just a couple of months ago, he would’ve laughed at the idea of a best friend, much less a partner (in crime or otherwise). Yet now, when it comes out of Hei’s mouth… maybe he hit his head too hard, because he feels happier than he ever thought possible.

The Eevee continued in a quavering voice. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing for us to make new friends. Other Pokemon can make us happy in unexpected ways, and we can learn a ton of stuff, too. But even if we end up having a hundred friends each, you’ll still be my best friend, no matter what. Does that sound good?”

Key sucked in a snot-filled exhale. “Y-yeah. It does.”

“Can you stand up?” Hei asked gently, licking at some of Key’s cuts.

“I-I think so.” With a grunt, he wobbled to his feet, yelping when he raised his rear too high only to be met with a patch of thorns.

“Let’s go back to Rok and we can figure this out. Together.”

“Together.”

The two partners slunk their way out of the briar patch and make the awkward climb back up to a stable portion of the cliff. There, Rok was anxiously pacing about.

“There you are!” He jogged up to them. “Key, are you alright?”

“It’s nothing.” The Zorua sniffed, pawing at the dirt. “I’ve done dumber things.”

“Thank Xerneas…” The Riolu let out a breath of relief.

“But anyways!” Key interjected. “I owe you a major apology! For making you lose your pendant, and just for acting like a jerk in general. I’m sorry.”

Rok offered an understanding smile. “Water under the bridge. I could tell you behaved that way out of the love you felt for your friend. And your low self-esteem.”

“Didn’t need to add that last bit.”

The Riolu pretended to look at something else, an all-too-innocent smirk on his face. “In any case, we’ll have time to reconvene once we get my pendant back. That Fearow’s back to her nest.”

Indeed, the large bird had returned to her post of sitting on her sparkly nest, glaring at the trio of youngsters.

“What’s her problem, anyway?” Key stuck his tongue out at the Fearow, earning an outraged caw.

“Well, you see…”

One informative speech about the love lives of Fearow later, Key was caught up with the situation.

“Yuck.” The fox Pokemon grimaced. “All this just for a date. I don’t get girls.”

“Love makes you do crazy things.” Hei sighed fondly.

“If that’s the case, though,” Key grinned. “I have the perfect scheme for this.”

Hei and Rok exchanged looks. “You do?”

“Of course! Rule number sixteen of thieving is ‘use your target’s desires against them’. This is textbook thievery.”

“Wow, so smart!” Hei chirped.

“I’m relieved you’re using your abilities for good now.” Rok crossed his arms.

Key puffed up his chest with pride. “Just leave it to me!”

About ten minutes later, the Fearow sat alone in her secluded home, furiously preening herself after that ambush by some annoying little fox. She had to look her best if she wanted grab a male’s attention. Those bothersome little brats had run off, probably realizing their valuables were as good as gone. The sparkly thingamajig is much better suited to being the piece de resistance of her display. It tied her nest together perfectly, in fact. This season would be her last as a bachelorette! No more lonely nights tucked up in her nest all by herself. By next spring, she could even have some little Spearow running around!

Once she was satisfied with the tidiness of her feathers, she cleared her throat and continued her call. Maybe a handsome male would hear her!

She cawed, and crowed, and squawked, and screeched. She was just about to take a break and rest her voice, when suddenly, she heard the sound of pebbles tumbling down the nearby cliff. A couple of meters off, a handsome Bombirdier sauntered into view.

“Why, hello, uh… beautiful!” The white bird Pokemon called from his ledge. “I thought I heard the ca-caws of a lovely lady!”

The Fearow honked with glee, flapping her wings with embarrassment. Unfortunately for her, the Bombirdier was not a Bombirdier at all. Beneath his illusion, Key silently thanked Arceus that his ladyfriend seemed to have bought it.

“S-so… you, er, come here often?” He offered, unable to contain the beads of sweat trickling down his false feathered face.

Some meters behind the Fearow’s nest, Rok slapped his paw against his face. “He’s not very good at small talk, is he?”

“I think he’s doing good so far.” Hei hummed. The two Pokemon were silently traipsing up a nearby rock pillar, careful to not make too much noise so as to not get noticed.

The Fearow, however, was content in making a racket. She sprang up to her feet and splayed out her feathers with dramatic flair, wiggling her crimson crown about and clacking her beak. This was a common courtship sign among Fearow, but it only succeeded in thoroughly creeping out Key.

“W-wow. Look at you go.” He did his best to sound enthusiastic, though luckily his date didn’t pay much attention to intonation. “Your feathers are such a lovely shade of, uh… dirt.”

In that moment, he spotted the small paws of a Riolu reach the top of the rock pillar behind the nest, barely out of sight. After hoisting himself up in complete silence, he helped Hei up until both of them were successfully crouched down, awaiting their chance to close in. Rok gave a thumbs-up.

“S-say, why don’t you come a little closer so I can uh… see your feathers from up close!” Bombirdier-Key gestured towards himself.

The Fearow didn’t seem too sure. It was clear she expected him to come to her.

“Of course, I’d fly to you myself, but my wing, you see… I broke my wing after a nasty fight with a Braviary. You should see the other guy, though.” Key lifted a fake wing and pretended to wince in pain.

His date let out an impressed coo. She was right where he wanted her!

“Your whole bundle of sticks and junk is cool, but I’d much rather get to know you better,” The fake item-drop Pokemon flashed a grin. “A-and see how beautifully you fly!”

That seemed to have done it. Eager to impress, the Fearow ruffled her feathers and with a powerful flap, took to the skies. With a couple of (admittedly impressive) twirls and tricks, she put on a fancy routine. In other words, she was perfectly distracted. Key gave a notable wink to his accomplices.

Having received the signal, Rok quickly scampered to his feet and proceeded to hop from pillar to pillar with incredible grace. Three jumps later, he landed inside the Fearow’s nest. His pendant hung from a branch that stuck up straight into the air, bent by the weight of the ornament. With a final leap, Rok seized his prized necklace into his paws, his eyes twinkling with glee.

It was at that moment that the Fearow decided she’d shown off enough. She descended to join Key’s side, crowing playfully as she wrapped her crooked neck around the Bombirdier’s.

Behind his disguise, Key began to panic. “W-woah, lady, let’s maybe take things slow! I don’t, uh, preen on the first date, and—“

His ladyfriend didn’t mind his protests and began snuggling up to him, pecking at his bib and tuft of head feathers.

“Cra-aa-aaw!” She swooned.

Some paces off, Rok started to retreat back to where Hei was, who had been on the lookout. But his cloak got nabbed by a particularly thorny stick. He impatiently tugged at it to no avail. In a second, he locked eyes with Key and silently pleaded for a bit more time.

Frustrated and flustered, Key tried his best to maintain composure despite his date’s overwhelming affection. “C’mon, lady! Give it a rest!”

The Fearow drew away (and Key thanked every Legendary he knew) only to turn a little bashful. Her eyes fluttered shut and she began to slowly lean in. It suddenly dawned on Key what she was trying to do.

Sweet suffering Celebi, she’s going in for a kiss! How can you even kiss with a beak?! I can’t do this!

“Bwaaaah!” The Bombirdier erupted into a cloud of smoke, leaving a very disgruntled Zorua in its ashes.

The Fearow’s beak dropped, flabbergasted. She looked around in confusion, searching for the handsome Bombirdier that was there just a second ago, only for her to finally lock on to the beet-red fox Pokemon at her feet.

“Rok! Hei! Scram!” Key shouted before darting off himself. The bird Pokemon whipped her head around to see the intruder in her nest, who made one final desperate pull at his cloak to at last free it from the thorns. His pendant, which now hung in its rightful place around his neck, jangled.

She quickly turned from confused to enraged. Tears welling in her eyes, she let out a deafening screech as she shot up in the air. She aimed her razor-sharp beak at her imposter date and dove full-speed at him. With a nimble hop, Key just barely avoided the blow, kicking her crown with his hind legs as a makeshift launchpad as her beack dug into the rocky ground.

“Sorry, lady!” He yelped. “You’re not my type!”

It took the Fearow a couple of tugs to free her beak from the floor, but she soon pried herself loose and resumed her onslaught. Changing targets, she did a 180 and aimed for the two rascals atop the rocky pillars. Rok, noticing her shift in strategies, called out to Hei.

“Hide in the briars! Quick!”

She obeyed, scrambling down the pillar while trying not to fall to her doom. Once she was close enough to the canyon’s pit, she crawled into the same secluded underbrush of prickly bristles. Rok, however, couldn’t escape quick enough before the Fearow barreled towards him, now corkscrewing into a deadly Drill Peck. He steeled himself, puffing out a quick exhale before gathering all his aura to his palm.

“Counter!”

All the strength of Fearow’s Drill Peck was absorbed into Rok’s hand and in an instant, returned onto the unsuspecting bird. The huge surge of power blew her away high into the sky, totally dazing her. That was enough of a distraction for Rok and Key to make their escape, crawling into the safe confines of the briar maze and reuniting with Hei.

“Guys!” She whispered, trying to still her tail from wagging. “Are you alright?”

“Never better.” Rok smiled, flashing his pendant for her to see.

“That was a close one.” Key sighed, sinking down on the dusty floor.

Hei plunged herself in between her two friends, wrapping a paw around each in a big hug. “You did it! That was amazing!”

“Well,” Key mumbled. “I couldn’t have done it without my best friend.”

“I must truly thank you two.” Rok said, returning the hug. “Thanks to you, my precious pendant is back. And I’m glad to see you’ve made amends.”

Overhead, they could hear the furious squawks of the Fearow, no doubt looking for them.

“It’s best if we leave now, before she wisens up. We’re not far from Longfield Village now.” The Riolu said.

Slowly, the trio crawled out of the thorny brush and crept down from the Fearow’s canyon, returning to the lower mountain path that led them ever closer to their destination. On the way, Key made sure to pick up their delivery bags, which he had stashed in a self-dug hole. They were thrilled to see their inventory (save for a Longtoss Orb Key had taken) was untouched, albeit a bit dirty.

“What an adventure!” Hei skipped around.

“Even if it was slightly my fault.” Her partner added, somewhat sheepish.

Rok simply waved him off. “That doesn’t matter now. Besides,” A boyish smile crept up his face. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t have fun. Working together as a team… I almost felt like an Explorer.”

Key gasped. “No way! Do you like the stories about exploration teams too?!”

“Do I!” Rok returned his excitement, tail wagging. “Why, every year my village celebrates the Great Explorer Lucario!”

Hei, meanwhile, smiled to herself. It looks like Key would have no trouble making other friends, after all.

The three friends exchanged excited and playful banter the rest of the way, which thankfully proved peaceful. As the village gates came into view, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“We’ll go deliver the package to the Kecleon shop and be right back!” Hei announced, already searching for their signature striped awning.

“Of course. I’ll see to finding a place to eat. We should rest up before continuing our journeys.” Rok nodded.

In the far distance, over the mountain, a forlorn caw echoed into the air, causing some villagers to pause out of curiosity before continuing about their business.

“That must be that Fearow…” Hei thought aloud. “I kinda feel bad for her… She was just looking for love…”

“Yeah, well she should learn a little thing called 'reading the mood' first.” Key huffed, still not over the whole flirting ordeal.

“I have faith she’ll find the right match someday.” Rok said, looking up into the clear blue sky.

A moment passed, and with their well wishes to Fearow, they carried out their duties. The local Kecleon brothers were fairly peeved over the missing Longtoss Orb (“These don’t come cheap, you know! We expect reimbursement!”) but overall, the delivery was a resounding success.

The two partners giggled as they celebrated a very hectic job well done. It was halfway through the day, around lunchtime, so they resolved to spend some time getting to know the quaint Longfield Village before returning to Crossroads Town.

Lunch was spent at a delicious restaurant in the village’s main square run by a stout Hariyama that specialized in salt-grilled roots picked from the local plains; nothing like what they had in the big city.

“What’s next for you, Rok?” Hei asked in between mouthfuls of crispy Energy Roots.

“I suppose I’ll continue north after catching my breath here. I should hope to cross the peaks by nightfall.”

Key whistled. “That’s pretty far. Are you sure you can manage?”

“Now that I have my pendant back, and I can once again sense my parents’ aura… I feel like they’re cheering me on. It’s given me a burst of motivation.”

“That’s cool.” Key cleared his throat, looking off to the side. “Me and ol’ Hay-for-brains are rooting for you, too.”

Hei nodded confidently. Rok’s eyes glanced from one deliverymon to another, emotion brightening its blueness.

“Likewise.”

Once their plates were emptied and the bill was paid (on Key), they reconvened outside the small restaurant and began saying their farewells.

“Good luck on your journey, Rok!” Hei gave him a final nuzzle. “I hope you make it back home safe an’ sound!”

“Make sure you take breaks. Even Explorers need Kangaskhan Rocks.” Key put on an air of big-brotherly maturity, despite the anxious wagging of his tail. “Revelation Mountain can’t be too far off after all you’ve traveled.”

The Riolu nodded and bent down to hug him. The Dark type tensed under the touch. Maybe he had a little Lucario in him too, because he swore he could feel Rok’s emotions in their embrace. They sparked and crackled against his fur, but slowly sank into his insides, all warm and grateful. It wasn’t a bad feeling at all.

“I’m glad we’ve met.” Rok said, letting the Zorua go. “Throughout my year of journeying, it is an honor to call you my first real friends.”

He took some steps away, heading towards the north exit of the village. Near the end of the square, he turned around for a last time. On the tips of his toes, he waved proudly at his two friends.

“May we meet again!”

“Hmmm…” Coco reviewed the results of the delivery as relayed by the Kecleon Brothers via Dedennegram. “A missing item… thirty minute delay… irreverent sass by Zorua deliverymon…”

Eevee and Zorua silently shrank into themselves as their feedback is read aloud. Coco’s verdict could determine if they ever step foot outside Crossroads Town for deliveries again.

“Yadda, yada… hum hum…” The Exeggutor muttered. Somewhere up high, Oran, who was holding the review for one of Coco’s main heads to read, flipped to the last page of the report.

“I see.” Her tail head shook, a solemn expression on its puckered little face.

Unconsciously, the two deliverymon leaned forward, sweat forming on their foreheads.

“A solid B+ job, rookies!” The Grass type beamed. “Not bad for your first unescorted mission!”

“Aw, yeah!” Key and Hei exclaimed in unison and slapped their paws in a sonorant high five.

“I don’t regret giving you this gig, guys!” The mail coordinator said, and an eavesdropping Cheri blurted out an ‘aw, shoot’ over a lost bet. “And it’s nice to see both of you in a better mood!”

“Whadderya talking about, Coconuts?” Key scoffed. “It’d take a lot more than a dumb little argument to split us up!”

“Yeah, Coconuts!” Hei mimicked, giggling.

Although they couldn’t see, Coco rolled her eyes. “Well aren’t you two chummy….? Alright, alright, you’re officially excused, now get outta here before I get a toothache.”

The pair didn’t need any more convincing, and bounded away in another fit of laughter. Even Coco and the Pan brothers couldn’t help but catch a little bit of their infectious pep on their way out.

“Ah youth…” Coco mused, waving her tail wistfully. “I remember when I was a little egg myself, hanging out with my clutch… I wonder how those guys are doing?”

Meanwhile, Hei and Key darted towards the bathhouse, eager to soak away the dust and sweat accrued over their hectic trip to the mountains. But before they could, Maurice waddled into their way, as he often did, and received the brunt of two youngsters running into them.

“Yowch!” Maurice yelped as he stumbled for footing. “O-oh! Hey, kiddos! I heard you had a big day! I-I mean, tell me about it later! I’m in a hurry!”

“An ‘excuse me’ would’ve been nice…” Key mumbled, ruefully rubbing a sensitive bruise. “What’s got your feathers in a fluff?”

“It’s Gallade’s Cape!” Maurice clucked. “It’s still visible for one more night! It’s been years since that’s happened, so it’s gotta be a sign of good luck! And I’m in desperate need of some! S-so, I gotta go out there and soak up some of that luck while I can!”

Before they could respond, the Cramorant was gone in a cloud of blue feathers.

“He’s right about that. That guy definitely needs some good luck.” Key snickered, somewhat exasperated.

“It’s not a bad idea, though.” Hei considered. “How about it, Key? Wanna go say hi to Gallade, just you an’ me?”

In the Zorua’s heart, the answer came immediately. Still, to save face, he pretended to mull it over before giving in with a toothy grin.

“Sure, let’s go!”