Things seemed to calm down after the Happiny had settled in, and Locke could actually enjoy a nice walk along the safari’s main path. The variety of terrain was impressive, like walking through a mini version of the region.

There were signs posted along the path that went into more detail on the environments on display, and some of the Pokémon native to them. One such sign however, located at the edge of a colorful meadow, came with an extra warning.



Locke immediately checked their pockets and, sure enough, their phone had completely disappeared. There were a few frantic moments where they glanced around the field, growing more and more panicked by the second, until a familiar flash of electricity caught the corner of their eye.

There, not too deep into the meadow, was their phone, with Roto-Roto fully outside of it now and looking down at a silver Eevee with disgust.

”Okay. You. You deserved that.”

---

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Locke rubbed the back of his neck to ease some of the shyness from his voice. ”Ah-ha, not as much as others, I think.” He didn’t really stand out much in a crowd, after all, so it was only natural he’d draw less attention among the unnaturally-attractive population of Hoenn.

”Well, you know how some people will have chocolates or flowers delivered to their Valentine? A kissogram is like that, but with a kiss!” They lifted their Woobat, who made a noise like a dog toy, but otherwise didn’t protest. ”Specifically from Koro-Koro, in this case.”

Locke watched with bated breath as CJ released their Pokémon, eager to see what appeared. They weren’t disappointed, immediately cooing at the Jolteon. ”Awww, you both match! It’s always nice seeing Pokémon from home…”

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Locke blushed at both the compliment and the social faux-pas, but eagerly accepted the change of subject.

”This shameless little guy is Koro-Koro!” The Woobat raised his heart-shaped snout slightly above the table to try and greet his admirer properly, but the effort was too great, so he settled for a small squeak and snuggled back in. ”He’s supposed to be helping me advertise our kissograms for Valentine’s Day, but he’s all tuckered out form trying to hook me up with strangers.”

Locke glanced around the floor beside CJ. ”Did you bring any Pokémon?” Most people had, it seemed. Probably to help break the ice.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

the mailman

growing pains

halcyon

charmed

error unown

Locke chewed at their thumb as they flicked through their contacts.

Their hospital room was quiet save for the buzzing lights and the steady beep of their heart monitor. The IV tube itched under their skin, and though the nurse assured them they shouldn’t feel anything beyond general discomfort around the insertion point, their mind happily supplied the phantom sensation of something flowing inside their arm from memory. It crawled inside them, twisting into alien shapes, the black ichor pulling them down down down-

The sharp cry of the heart monitor pierced through Locke’s spiral.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

In.

Out.

They needed to tell someone.

Eva Morales and MATIAS SILPH were the first to come to mind, and why wouldn’t they be? The head professor and her elite four partner were the most logical people to go to about the potential end of the world. But everything was moving so fast, and though he’d done nothing wrong, he wasn’t sure if he could handle the interrogation that would inevitably come with involving League members right now.

Alexei Ivanov was always a less-intense option, the older man always seemed to be looking out for others comfort, to the point of being overbearing. He wanted comfort, yes, but not coddling.

He flicked past his family’s contacts without a second glance.

Locke paused at the top of the list again. Maybe…Maybe if he wasn’t busy…

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Well, if Roto-Roto wasn’t going to stop electrocuting everything that got within ten feet of them, Locke could at least make sure they were healed afterwards. With an exasperated sigh, he summoned his Blissey and hoped she might be more agreeable.

No sooner than Hapi-Hapi appeared, however, a Happiny burst out of the bushes and raced towards the older Pokémon. It stopped a foot or two from the Blissey and stared up at her curiously.

Hapi-Hapi raised an arm and the Happiny mirrored the motion.

She lifted one leg and the baby Pokémon copied that too.

She spun around and around and the Happiny followed until it couldn’t anymore, falling dizzily to the ground. Hapi-Hapi waddled over and picked it up, waving it around in the air gleefully before putting it in her pouch, where it seemed quite content to stay.

---

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Locke ran a hand over Koro-Koro, who’d gotten tired from his matchmaking efforts and settled into his trainer’s lap while they both waited for the next date start.

”Hello,” he greeted the blonde as they took their seat. The tag on their shirt just said ‘CJ’ instead of any name, so Locke pointed at it for an easy opener. ”Does that stand for anything?”

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz