The odd family of Pokemon arrived late in the evening in Las Pegasus, and they were too tired to do much more than go home and go to bed. Upon arriving at their apartment, Vincent's eyes landed on a fresh note, and he pulled it close to himself and scanned the thing.

To Vincent-

I'm sorry I couldn't stay for your whole vacation, but Abby is really pursuing the idea of setting up a new Ranger base in Equestria, and has requested that I go along with her. I did make sure to talk to the landlord, and he understands the situation properly now. I may or may not manage to return to visit you, but in case I don't: It was a pleasure training you, and I do appreciate your gift to me. Take care, Vincent.
-Luke

At the final lines, Vincent remembered that he had something for Lucy and smiled softly. Lucy, I have a gift for you. With a soft tug, the yellow and blue scarf appeared in his hands. The Lucario carefully took the scrap of cloth and wrapped it around her neck, then wrapped her arms around Vincent's neck.

"Thank you, my love."

A slight thrill ran up Vincent's spine at those last two words, and he sighed softly at the feeling of warmth in his chest. A slight cough from Sam brought them out of staring into each others' eyes, and they saw the Scizor smirking slightly.

"Take care tonight, you two."

Vincent blinked a few times at that before realizing what Sam had just implied and started stammering. I...but...what?...

Lucy shook her head and gently pushed Sam towards the guest bedroom. "Keep your mouth to yourself."

And while the young couple shared the master bedroom and cuddled during the night, neither of them stopped blushing.

Morning brought a snickering Scizor to the breakfast table, along with a Kadabra and a Lucario that shot him a glare every time he did. Seriously, we didn't do anything last night, Sam.

Sam eventually got himself under control and nodded. "If you say so, sure. I believe you."

"We didn't," Lucy said. "We're not at that stage yet. Neither one of us are ready or want a relationship like that. I'm happy with reciprocated feelings for now."

And that's about all I'm ready for, Vincent finished.

Sam sighed. "Fine, I'll ease up on the teasing. But we need to talk about work."

Lucy tilted her head to the side, prompting the elder brother to explain. "Well, Bit probably still can take up his job with the Guard," the Scizor said. "And Mary and Fredrick will likely give me a chance. So that leaves you two."

I have an idea, like I've said. Lucy, I'm not sure...

She shook her head. "I'll leave you to your idea while I look for something to do in town. Just promise me you'll be careful."

Vincent smiled and nodded before giving Lucy a peck on the cheek while she wrapped him up in another hug. I don't intend to do anything terribly dangerous or to go very far. Nonetheless, I'll take every precaution.

The Lucario returned the peck and released the Kadabra before leaving the apartment. She was followed shortly by the other members of the family, leaving Vincent alone in their home. The psychic sighed before perking up, recalling the magnitude of the idea he'd had.

First things first, find the landlord...

Mary looked at Sam before shaking her head slightly. "You. Want to work here."

Sam nodded. "I'm aware I have a history, but-"

"You knocked your little sister into a wall," Mary deadpanned.

"She survived!"

The Sandslash was not amused. "Only because of what that psycho did to her."

The Scizor pointed a claw at Mary before replying. "And it's only because of what he did to me that I'm so clumsy. I need more practice in moving with a thick exoskeleton if I'm to break that habit, and being a waiter here would be perfect!"

Mary sighed before nodding. "As well as being a relay between myself and Fredrick thanks to little Vincent's link."

Sam grinned. "So?"

Mary waved a paw at him before nodding. "You can try. If you make too much trouble, Fredrick or I will let you know."

Sam gave off a mock salute before replying. "I won't let you down."

"You do, and you'll be out of a job faster than playbird goes through females."

Vincent had finally located the landlord of the building, who seemed both peeved and delighted to see him. "Oh? You're back here?"

The Kadabra nodded before replying to the Earth Pony stallion. Indeed I am, and I have a proposition for you.

"Can't be any worse than all my other tenants leaving. Your little group is the only one left in the building."

Vincent frowned at that, muttering the next words. Why in the world would all the others leave?...

The landlord heard him and sighed. "Because ponies are skittish about Pokemon at the moment. Not until the World Summit is over, with the issue being dealt with in one fashion or another, are any likely to return. A good number of them have fled the city."

The psychic sighed and shook his head. They still have such a stigma about us because of that mare?

"To be fair," the sky-blue stallion said, "Pokemon seem to possess quite a deal of power, even the smallest ones. It's understandable that we'd be wary of you."

Which makes my idea all the more needed.

"What idea?" The stallion brushed a forelock of yellow mane from in front of his eyes.

Refitting the building so that it can work on and with Pokemon and their powers.

The pony blinked a few times before responding. "That's...possible?"

Not only possible, but plausibly very profitable.

The Kadabra could see the lights in the pony's eyes light up at the thought of the building becoming cheaper to maintain. "Profitable? Do tell."

It'll take a little investment, but it'd pay off fast. A generator and capacitor in the basement, outfitted to store the power from Electric-types. A furnace that Fire-Types can power, to aid in the building's heating. Air conditioning kept constantly chilled by Ice-types. A water tower on the roof, kept full and maintained by Water-types. Vincent painted a picture for the pony, and it was a wonderful one indeed. However, the pony gained an edge to his eyes before replying.

"And what would you want in return for this?"

It's simple, the psychic returned. While I will provide a good portion of the funds to help with the refit, I want to become a partner in this operation.

The pony's glare was shrewd as all get-out, and Vincent clarified. I want to show that ponies and Pokemon can, should, work together. Both in the refit and in business. I want to show the whole city a better way than fear and misunderstanding.

The stallion slowly raised a hoof to his chin and hummed. "That sounds interesting. More profit for me, an example for the city. You're sure this can be done?"

Reasonably so. It'd be nice if we had some Berries for the roof, make a nice garden for it, The psychic mused idly. What he wasn't expecting was a response. He got one, however.

"Well then, I guess I got here just in time."

Both pony and Pokemon turned to the front door of the lobby to see a tall, deer-like being with glowing antlers standing just outside the building. Vincent smiled and rushed towards the door, jumping up and dangling from the Legendary's neck. Xerneas, you came!

"I did say I might, did I not?" To say she was amused would have been a gross understatement. "And I brought you a gift."

The smaller Pokemon dropped back to the ground and looked over Xerneas again, this time taking notice of a brown bag she was carrying on her back. It seemed to be filled with roundish objects, and the Psychic quirked an eyebrow.

You brought us some Berries? You didn't have to do that, you know. You didn't have to bring us anything. You being here is enough.

"True enough," she replied. "But I had hoped that you would not only appreciate the Berries, but prove adept in growing them. Arceus is going to show off at the Summit shortly, so I asked for a small sample to bring to you before making my way here to take you up on your offer to visit. A rooftop garden sounds perfect. What else are you doing at this building?"

I hope to refit this whole building so it runs with and off of Pokemon's power. I hope to bring to light that we not only can, but should, work together.

The Lady of Life nodded, pleased at the young one's response. "I see. What help do you need besides these?" The bag was gently lowered towards the ground and pulled into the building by Vincent's power before the Kadabra made to respond.

A generator, a capacitor, a heater modification, something for an air conditioning system, and a water tower.

The Legendary nodded thoughtfully. "Well, let's see about procuring parts for the first two, then I, sadly, must be going."

The psychic frowned, but gave Xerneas another hug, this one much more subdued. Well, who says we can't talk while we procure those things, then?

Xerneas laughed slightly as she returned the gesture. "Lead the way, little Vincent. You're more likely to know where to go than I am, with your psychic powers."

With those words, the psychic and the Legendary went out on the town.

Lucy was not a happy 'mon. The glares she'd been getting from the ponies were indicative of their mood and attitude towards Pokemon. Along with their blunt refusal to hire her for any of their positions. No matter how much she showed off that she'd be perfect for them, they seemed to be disinclined to have anything to do with her. She had just been about to head back to the apartment when she saw an infuriating sight.

Vincent, walking down the street with another Pokemon. The two of them were talking like friends, laughing and joking. The very sight of her new boyfriend talking with someone else so casually sent a spike of ire into her heart and a slight growl to the back of her throat. She decided to walk up and introduce herself, but before she got within five feet, Vincent turned to her and smiled.

Lucy! Perfect timing, I was just talking about you! I'd like you to meet the Lady of Life, Xerneas.

The Lucario smiled a tight smile and nodded at the Legendary. "Pleased to meet you," she said. She instantly recognized that this was the Legendary who had been responsible for keeping her brother/boyfriend alive for the past fifteen years. She also realized that either one of them might have heard the slight growl that she had been unable to keep out of her voice, or the animosity she was even now trying to keep out of her mind. Xerneas had not been deserving of her jealously, yet she'd still felt it.

"Ah, your sister figure who is now your girlfriend? Pleased to meet you, little Lucy."

Lucy forced her grin to grow a notch as she nodded at the deer-like Pokemon. "As am I, my lady. I am glad to know you are escorting my brother through the town today."

Why don't you join us, Lucy? We could use your help in carrying the parts when we find them.

"An excellent idea, Vincent! What say you, Lucy?"

While there was nothing more that she wanted to do than walk away and deal with her conflicting emotions, for Vincent, she grit her teeth a little harder and nodded. "Of course I can help, Vincent. I seem to be having no luck, so I'd be more than willing to aid you in your project."

Today promised to be interesting.