Author's Notes:

Part one of five of a crossover with TDNpony's A New World, A New Stage.
I highly doubt there are spoilers in here anywhere, but if you see one, lemme know.
And the next chapter is going to be a bit, well...raunchy...

Bit dinged happily as he arrived at the third floor. True, his computer project had failed, but some of the scrap still served a purpose. He managed to catch a hold of not only Vincent, but Christine as well, as both parties awoke and made to go about their day. "Salutations. This unit has just finished installing an external camera in the building, to help me take notice of new arrivals. The monitor for it is currently in the basement, so I will always be present for pricing."

"Wait," the Kadabra said, blinking rapidly. "You installed a camera in the laser-wall?"

"Technically, I repurposed my rudimentary monitor and one of the targeting cameras to give visual feedback, but yes," The Porygon-Z stated.

"That...is damn useful, Bit. Thank you." Vincent had an idea that would hopefully help Christine get over her distrust of strangers. Well, that or it would backfire immensely. He then turned to the nearby Gabite. “Christine, would you mind terribly if I asked you to be the greeter today?”

She blinked a few times at the idea before voicing her own question. “You want me to take Lala’s place...why?”

“Because you need more exposure to ‘mon that aren’t us,” Vincent replied honestly. “Plus, I only said that I helped tone your anger issues down. You still have plenty you need to work on yourself.”

The dragon sighed and hung her head slightly. “Fine, point. I’ll do it...but I’m not gonna be happy about it.”

“That’s all I ask,” the psychic said softly. “If you need me, I’m only a thought away.”

“Assuming you aren’t screwing Lucy at the time,” Christine returned. Surprisingly, Vincent didn’t even blush at the comment before teleporting away. The landshark blinked at that before shrugging and taking her new spot behind the desk.

Things were fairly quiet until about mid-day, when a Sceptile walked in. “Yeah yeah, whaddya want?” she groused. “If you’re here to point and laugh at the freak, I’ve got a move all ready for you.”

Said Sceptile blinked in confusion. “Point? Laugh? Dudette why would I do that?”

“Oh I dunno, everymon else seems to think that I can’t hear them whispering about me, so just get it out of your system.” The Ground/Dragon type raised one arm and looked at it, recalling the other day on the town and her time in Canterlot with ease.

“Dudette,” the grass-type rolled his eyes. “I am not going to make fun of you, ‘cause you’re different. I’m a PLA general. We’re all strange. You should see the Commander. Heck, he’d probably give you a high rank solely because you were different. Me? Aint one to judge on appearances, just actions.”

At that, the dragon blinked before lowering her arm and actually looking at the Sceptile. “...Okay, either you’re just messing with me, or the rest of ‘em were right about how not everymon is an ass.”

“Everyone’s an ass, just some more than most,” the visitor laughed. “Name’s Scep.”

Christine actually laughed with him. “Ain’t that the truth! I’m Christine. So what’re you here for?”

“Some rooms for me and my crew,” Scep gestured out the door. “I’m used to roughing it, but they like it all cozy and nice.”

“Ah. Well, bring ‘em in, and I’ll try to not bite their faces off, as long as they’re half as civil as you,” she said with a wink. “Oh, and so long as you aren’t rude about it, go ahead and ask me the obvious question later...over a drink, though. Long stories deserve one.”

“A drink?” Scep licked his lips. “You’re speaking my language, dudette. It’s been so long since I’ve had a thirst quencher.”

“I know where the booze in this place is kept,” Christine replied. “I can get it easy. But go get your crew, Bit oughta be up here in a few. You saw the camera, right?”

“Seems like something Loom would make,” Scep nodded.

“Bit takes care of the outside defences,” the Gabite replied. “And when he notices new arrivals, he comes up to help handle pricing, along with making offers to the ‘mon that can help keep this place running. Don’t be surprised if he makes a few to your crew.”

“We’re not ones to be tied down,” Scep snorted. “We like to roam...Well, I like to. Most mons don’t really care for me.”

“You’re good in my books; you were at least polite when you first saw me,” she replied with a smirk. “And I’m pretty sure they’re the sort of ‘mon that like to save a few bits on their room. I think that defines everyone, really. G’on, get ‘em in here. Let’s see how this plays out.”

“Alright, alright,” Scep held up his hands and chuckled. “Don’t be so pushy, dudette. I might begin to think you want me outta here. What? Tired of my ugly mug already?”

“More like wanting to get the pain over with. You watch, I’ll bet you your choice of drink they won’t be able to keep their damn mouths shut when they see me.” She recalled the whispered words of not long ago. If it hadn’t been for Rika...

Scep smiled, but activated a Leaf Blade. “I’d like to see them try, but I know they’ll be civil….Well, most of them….Okay, I’ll hit them extra good to teach ‘em better.”

Christine did not reply verbally, instead choosing to rest her head on the desk she was situated behind, sighing while she did.

“And put a smile on that face,” Scep said as he walked outside. “It looks better on you.”

Christine was thankful his back was turned, because she just knew she was blushing at those words. Someone who actually liked her looks?

When Scep called them in, the first thing that happened was a Zoroark walking in, taking one look at the Gabite, and suddenly she was at the desk. Like literally. In an instant. Staring intently at the Gabite.

“GAH!” Christine did not scream, no matter how many testimonies would say otherwise. She reacted calmly and reasonably by jerking her head and entire body back into her chair and scooting it a few feet. “Can I help you?”

“Fascinating. You’re a Gabite, but you’re certainly not a Shiny. Hm...markings like a Kecleon, and other slight differences...a possible evolution or adaptation?” the dark-type analyzed, in a tone that was a bit too familiar for comfort.

“I’m going to take that as a ‘no,’ you can’t be helped,” the dragon deadpanned before looking over at Scep. “She do this a lot?” she asked with a roll of her eyes.

“She can be stupid sometimes,” Scep chuckled. “But she doesn’t mean anything by it.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” she responded before looking to the dark-type in front of her. “And Scep’s the only one I feel remotely comfortable telling...as well as the only one whose name I know,” the dragon prompted.

The Illusion Fox Pokemon blinked for a moment, before realizing what she was doing. “Oh dear,” she gulped, suddenly going straight. “I’m terribly sorry about that. I get caught up whenever I see something that might tie in with my research...well, my research from back on Earth at least. I guess old habits die hard,” she said nervously. “I’m Alice. Its nice to meet you.”

The dragon had noticeably stiffened at certain words during Alice’s speech. Namely, ‘research’ and ‘Earth’. Her tail lashed a little bit, colors dancing along it before it returned to normal. “I’m Christine,” she said in a tone with more than a touch of steel in it. “So, you lot want a room?”

“Er...yes. My team and I would like to rent a few rooms for the next few days. Same for our...benefactors as well,” she said, motioning to the Ponies who had stepped in and stiffened a bit at the sight of the dragon.

A new voice spoke up as a Porygon-Z ascended from the basement level. “Greetings and salutations,” it said, understood by Pokemon and Ponies alike. “This unit is designated as Bit. For how long would you like to stay, and how many rooms will you require?”

“Well…” Alice started, before motioning to one of the ponies.

Seeing the cue, he stepped forward. “Hm...I think we’ll be staying at least 4 days, since I’m going to be doing more than 1 show here. As for rooms...I think 6 or 7 rooms will do. We are a rather large group.”

Bit dinged a few times as he ran the data through his self. “Recommendation: you rent two apartments worth of rooms. Our usual weekly rate is fifteen bits. Eight bits per apartment for half a week comes to sixteen bits, unless one of the Pokemon you travel with has any moves that could make the running of this apartment house easier,” the Program recited. “Two adjacent apartments are available on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floor.”

The group of ponies and ‘mon blinked at the rather...mechanical way that was said. “Er...right. We’ll do that. Anyone want any particular floors?”

There were no answers.

“Alright, we’ve got…” he mentally counted. “14 people in total.”

The Porygon actually blinked at that. “Clarification: you meant you needed six or seven bedrooms?”

“Well...yeah, I figured some of us could bunk together or something,” he said, while the mare next to him nodded in agreement.

Slowly shaking his disconnected head, the Program pointed one limb to the stairs. “The sixth floor is entirely open, and each apartment comes with both a master and a guest bedroom. Four apartments per floor. Eight bedrooms in total. Revised bill: thirty-two bits.”

“That works. So...who’s gonna bunk with who? I’ll be with Quick Storm that’s for sure.”

“We can take an apartment,” Alice spoke up, motioning to herself and the other Pokemon.

“Same here,” some of the ponies said, until they realized that there were 6 of them.

“2 of you can bunk in our apartment,” Quick Storm smiled.

“Yeah, so I guess we’re gonna rent a floor then,” the lead pony chuckled. Then added with a look towards Christine. “Though...you got any other tenants or employees we might want to avoid?”

Christine snorted once as Bit nodded. “The Nurem family takes up apartment 301. The pony landlord is in 202. Lala of Checkmate is beyond that door there,” the program pointed with his other arm at the ground floor door, “and Jessie, James, and Meowth are in 403. Two pony families live in 501 and 502, and the seventh floor is split between Pokemon families and ponies.”

“Alright,” the stallion nodded, before the Ponies all made their way upstairs. Alice on the other hand…

“Excuse me, but I’m pretty sure I heard wrong. Did you say Nurem? Cause there is no possible way HE got brought along here,” she said, though her eyes gained a dangerous glint. Likewise, her team tensed up, while Scep also did the same.

The Porygon-Z responded in kind, his eyes also flickering to their red state. Even Christine’s colors flickered at the accusation in Alice’s voice. “Information freely given: He had a son, nimrod,” the program stated.

“Yeah, and Vincent’s a freakin’ saint compared to the old guy,” the dragon deadpanned. “So would you like to try for strike two, or would you rather shut up now?”

Alice blinked for a moment, before turning to the others. “False alarm guys. Right family, wrong guy,” she said, though she didn’t really need to since the others had remembered that detail too when Bit pointed it out and had dropped their stances. All but Scep. “Sorry about that. Let’s just say your friend’s family name tends to...raise alarms,” Alice apologized, having not noticed Scep still tense.

“We know,” dragon and program stated in unison.

“I was in the mainframe for a while. I know why the name attracts its share of bad press,” the program said. “Vincent, however, is intent on taking it back from the Doctor. Thus, this building.”

“He’s treated us like family,” Christine growled. “We survivors stick together. That means stand down unless you want a Flamethrower up your ass, Scep!”

Scep yelped and jumped back in fright. “Well excuse me for being a little paranoid, dudette. I don’t know anything much about this Nurem guy, but we knew about Doctor Raziel….” He shivered, presumably in fright. “I don’t want to end up some experiment….or eaten...but then, he was a bit of a cannibal, so he didn’t care if he ate humans or Pokemon…” He looked around nervously. “So, he’s not any of that?”

“Well...maybe you could call Vincent down? Maybe talking with him will ease Scep’s worries,” Alice suggested.

Bit beeped in the negative. “Ill-advised. Su-” at Christine’s growl, the Porygon-Z hastily changed his descriptor. “Lucy is a Lucario, Vincent’s girlfriend...and in her first Heat.”

The Pokemon all winced at that, while Alice looked a bit...confused. “Er...former human here, and Pokemon mating wasn’t really my area of expertise. Explanation please.”

“Look,” Scep cleared his throat. “When a mommy and a daddy Lucario love each other very much…..They bonk each others brains out for hours, upon hours, upon hours on end, destroying everything in their path with as much violence as possible……” Scep winced. “Yep, that’s Lucario heats….or really any heats. I’m glad we got rid of them with Loom’s pills.”

“...I don’t suppose you have any of that on you right now?” Alice shivered.

“Nope,” Scep shrugged. “Looks like I’m gonna have to chance it….Though, there ain’t any girl that’s gonna put up with me, so I don’t have to worry...ever.” He grumbled.

“Hey, the doc set the bar pretty low,” Christine said. “I know a dozen gals you could win over easy just by saying that you ain’t gonna cut them open or inject them with anything...or I would, if I knew where they were on this damn planet.”

Scep turned green...er. “No...don’t want to think about all that...damn flashbacks. I knew I shouldn’t have looked.”

The dragon seemed to take notice of what she had said and its effects on Scep and coughed to re-attract attention to herself. “And since I know a few of you are probably wondering, the kid apparently came over as an Abra. He’s a Kadabra now, though, and if I know him, he’s been listening ever since Bit came up.”

“I highly doubt he’d heard much from me or my team, seeing as we’re mostly Dark-types here,” Alice pointed out.

“I’m grass...thanks for remembering,” Scep snorted.

“I did say most. Charlotte and Spinner are Bug-types if you recall.”

Got that right, a voice said, everywhere and nowhere, but mostly in their minds. That’s why I waited until Bit came up, he’s Normal-type, I can borrow his ears. Trying to do it with Christine is...ill-advised. And by the way, well done on your anger control, Christine. Welcome, guests. Do make yourself at home. I’d greet you personally, but I have to monitor my love.

“Vincent Nurem, I presume,” Alice said, her voice becoming more...businesslike in a way. “I’d say its nice to meet you, but...we’re not exactly talking to each other directly...of course, the fact that I can still hear YOU is pretty incredible considering the type of Pokemon I ended up,” she chuckled. “Either way, could you talk to Scep for a moment. It would be best if you could calm him down a bit. Unfortunately your...I don’t want to call him your father, seems to be a really bad topic...not that I can blame anyone for that.”

I’d apologize, but you try leaving a Lucario bound and helpless and see how much retribution they promise you! And it’s taking me using Bit as a transmitter to reach you, thanks to your typing. Otherwise, I’d have talked to you all the moment you set foot in the house. And call him the Doctor if you must refer to him. They once were two separate people. As for Scep...that depends on him.

“Well, as much as I like my new body, I didn’t choose it. That would be Arceus. As for Scep…” she turned to see Scep trying and failing to not tremble like a leaf. “...yeah, please do talk. He looks ready to lay an egg.”

Behind Scep, Rascal was rolling on the floor in laughter, while Shade was looking at him in amusement.

“I’m….fine,” Scep tried to stand tall. “I am a high ranking general...of the PLA….I have faced Doctors before…” He couldn’t help but glance at the exit. “And….and….”

At this point, Rascal decided to be an ass, and sneak up to him, before whispering, “Time for the experiment…” in a really creepy tone.

“TAKE RASCAL!” Scep screamed like a little girl. “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” He made a dash for the exit, only to run into a thin, familiar red line that had appeared in his way. Christine’s form shimmered back into view, and she looked at him with disdain.

“Look,” she said, “If you aren’t going to at least try to listen to him, I’m taking all the booze you try to drink tonight for myself.” She then shot a glare at Rascal who had the gall to whistle innocently and mouthed the words ‘you’re next.’

...Scep, is it? Vincent’s ‘voice’ rang out in the Sceptile’s head.

“And now he’s in my head,” Scep gulped. “Look dude, look. I’m not trying to be a dick. I’m just trying to save my hide.” He looked at Christine. “So, give him a chance?...He isn’t going to do anything?....None of that ‘doctor’ stuff?”

The Gabite had barely opened her mouth before Vincent’s much more...tense voice rang out. You’re confusing me with the man who was my father. The one who injected me with Abra DNA when I was a babe and eventually lost his sense of right and wrong. I’m not him. I won’t ever be him. We made that promise together, and Arceus himself told me he’s not here. But if you still want to leave, I’ll understand.

Scep frowned. “Aww, why’d you have to make me feel all down? I don’t even know who your father is really? Some small shot mock up doctor or something?” Scep shrugged. “Eh, we didn’t think nothing about him. Now Doctor Raziel is where I’m afraid….” He shivered. “Now that was a villain, dude...He’d put your pap to shame...Whoever the fucker is.”

“Actually...its the other way around,” Alice commented, earning a confused look from the Sceptile.

The Zoroark sighed, before explaining. “Dr. Raziel is indeed a very bad man, high on the world’s most wanted list, much higher than some other, more publicly known criminals like say...Phantom Thief Fox, or even Team Rocket. But despite everything, he was only the number 2 most wanted scientist on the list,” she shook her head. “No, that dubious ‘honor’ goes to Doctor Rupert Nurem. Wanted internationally for several hundred, maybe nearly a thousand cases of kidnapping, illegal experimentation, abuse of both human and Pokemon life, hundreds of cases of murder, and a single account of child kidnapping and abuse, with the child in question being Vincent up there,” she listed off. “Raziel was a monster, but compared to him, Nurem...he was considered an abomination.”

“Oh, so he was an asshole,” Scep sighed and gave a thumbs up, to which the Zoroark facepalmed at how...simple a reaction that was. “Kudos for making it, little dude.”

During the speech, Christine had turned away, her colors fluctuating wildly, but her breathing becoming deep and regulated. Bit dinged a few times. “Eight hundred and fourteen,” he stated the number simply.

“Geez…” Scep smacked his head. “I didn’t mean….I’m so….Gah.” He walked over to a wall and smacked his head. “Stupid. I should’ve just shut up…” He smacked his head again. “Oww, why’d you have to make the walls so hard. That hurt.” He clutched his head.

The only reply he got was awkward silence from everyone in the room, so silent, that they could almost hear the crickets chirping.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Scep looked at them pleadingly. “I’m not a dick. I didn’t...I...gah.” He growled. “This is why I don’t hang around other people. I say...gah. Sorry I even came here. I’ll go find some park and chill there. Maybe I’ll learn to keep my mouth shut.” He stalked over to the door.

“For the record, Scep, we’re only awkwardly silent cause you’re asking why the wall was so hard after you hit it with your head,” Shade trolled.

Christine reflexively stopped the Sceptile by putting her tail in the way and glancing at him over her shoulder. “I...I think I still owe you a drink...and I think I need one right about now,” she stated, shuddering slightly at the memories. “After all, I’m pretty sure you’re still winning our bet from earlier.”

“I don’t deserve a drink,” Scep snorted. “I...I don’t deserve anything really. I’m just some lowly thief...I even made you frown and all that...bringing that up. Aint right and I should’ve known better….Just shows you how stupid I am.”

Everyone is stupid on their own, Vincent said softly. It falls to someone you let into your life to tell you when you’re being stupid, so you can fix it. I learned that one recently enough.

“Huh?” Scep rubbed his chin. “Then I know what to do, little dude. I’ll start all over.” He jumped out the door and...then walked back in. “Hey, I’m Scep.”

The dragon blinked a few times before catching on and smirking, letting out a little laugh. “Hey, I’m Christine. What say we get a drink and ditch these guys?”

At those words, Rascal wolf whistled...and got smashed in the face by Christine’s tail for his trouble, and sailed over the counter. “You were asking for that one, you know,” Charlotte and Spinner deadpanned at their downed friend.

“Totally...worth it…”

Scep smiled wildly. “I like you… I really like you.” He laughed. “Let’s get that drink.”

“Yeah, two seconds. Vincent!”

At that, a small bag fell to the lobby in front of the dragon, clinking as it did. She scooped it up and jerked her head at the door. “C’mon, I know a place.”

And with that, the two were out the door, leaving everyone else to their own devices. “...so...Unity Building, huh? Other than the security system up front, anything else we should know about this place?” Alice commented.

Bit beeped before listing off the features of the apartment building. “A garden on the roof, growing some Berries. A furnace that can run on Fire-type moves, an air-conditioner that can be similarly powered with Ice-type moves. A generator and capacitor that can be used to store excess Electric-type energy, and a water tank atop the roof that is designed for Water-types to fill easily.”

“Ah, I see. Well, I suppose Rascal could help with the air-conditioner,” Alice suggested.

“No thanks. I’m here to kick back and relax,” came the response.

“...nevermind, she sighed. “So...I guess we might as well go to our rooms. Anyone else we should meet before we get comfortable?”

Well there is the issue of-

“WOBBUFFET!” the blue blob took the pleasure of introducing himself from his position of standing quietly in the corner of the lobby. Loudly. At the top of his lungs. Right behind Alice.

Naturally, this had the expected effect. “Er...can someone get something for Alice to land on. I don’t think she should be hanging from that chandelier for much longer…” Shade blinked.

Wobbuffet merely snickered and stood underneath the one he’d just startled, nodding his whole body once. “Wobbuffet,” he stated, holding himself rigid in preparation.

“I don’t know what you said, I don’t know why I didn’t understand what you said, but I got the gist of it. Fine, if you’re asking for it....Payback Cannonball!” Alice shouted, letting go, though not actually using the move, and landed on the Wobbuffet. “You know, is it just me, or have I seen you before?” she idly commented as she could now see the Wobbuffet up close.

The blue blob took the brunt of the attack without complaint, only deforming slightly before snapping back to his usual self. “Wobbuffet? Wobbuffet Wobbuffet. Wobbuffet.” Here he pointed at the other members of her team and nodded, but pointed at her and shook his whole body in the negative. “WobBUFFET.”

I’d apologize for him, but that’d defeat the point. He doesn’t talk, and I’m trying to get him to.

“Well, whatever he’s saying, all I can tell for sure is that he seems to know my team, so I probably met him when I was still a human,” she mused. At that particular moment, a female Pyroar and male, odd Meowth came up from the basement.

“Bit, what is taking so long to deal with the new arrivals?” Jessie asked.

“Huh? Is that…?” Alice blinked, and then Meowth spoke up.

“Probably the amount of ‘em,” the bipedal cat said. “I mean geeze, I thought our circus was bad. These guys only need a tent to surpass us.”

“No way,” Alice blinked again. “Jessie? Meowth? Is that you?”

Jessie and Meowth blinked in turn, looking at the Zoroark before them. “Why is that voice so familiar?” Jessie mused. “I want to say I know you…”

“Well, it HAS been a while. Its me, Alice. Alice Maximilion. We met shortly after you...left your previous employment,” Alice chuckled, while her team smiled as well.

While it was slightly unexpected by almost everyone there, Jessie responded to the revelation that Alice had made it to the new world and come to visit with a hug that most humans would not think themselves capable of surviving. “Alice!” She cheered. “I had wondered about who else made it, and I’m glad to see you’re one of them!”

“Well, last I checked I never did anything too wrong back on Earth, so...yeah. And as you can see, everyone else came too,” Alice smiled as all her Pokemon came up and hugged the former Team Rocket members as well. “So what have you two been up to? Not getting into any trouble I hope.”

“Depends on your definition of trouble,” Meowth said with a snicker. Jessie shot a look up to her passenger before replying to the statement quietly.

“Remind me again, whose idea was that?”

At that, the Meowth fell silent before turning away. “No idea what you mean,” he stated, pointedly not looking at any ‘mon for a moment.

“We’ve been well enough,” Jessie said to fill in the silence. “Vincent offers us shelter and sanctuary, in exchange for services rendered. The only real times of excitement are when Wobbuffet sneaks up on someone. Like I’ve told him not to.”

“Wobbuffet!” the psychic defended himself. He then pointed at some of the Pokemon in the lobby and nodded. “Wobbuffet, wobbuffet.” He then pointed at Alice and shook his head and self before tilting it to one side. “Wobbuffet? Wobbuffet.”

“...yeaaah...still have no idea what you’re saying,” Alice deadpanned, before turning to Jessie. “So...same old same old, then? Guess some things just never change,” she laughed, before adding, “Careful though, you wouldn’t want someone like say...John, or maybe Jonathan to find out you’ve been naughty kids now, do you?”

Or me, but once I found out, I forgave them, seeing as how they listened to reason, Vincent’s ‘voice’ spoke from around them. I’ve...I’ve been doing a lot of that.

“Ya know, for a guy who’s supposed to be having his brains fucked out by a lust crazed Lucario, he sure is talking a lot,” Rascal idly commented, earning him a light smack on the head from Shade.

Well, Lucy is a bit tied up at the moment, which is how I’m able to even withstand her Heat. It’s also why I didn’t greet you in person: someone has to monitor the bindings, make sure they’re not too tight that they hurt her, or too loose that she gets free and ties me up instead.

There was a pause as the new arrivals processed that. Then they all blushed. “Ooooh, so you into bondage then,” Rascal was the first to talk again, before his eyes glinted mischieviously. “Alice is into that too, especially with Spinarak webs,” he laughed, before dodging a Shadow Ball, courtesy of the human turned Zoroark, whose face was bright red through her fur, a mixture of embarrassment at the implication, and indignation at his exaggerated statement.

“I only tie you up in that stuff so you don’t do something stupid...again,” she yelled.

Easy there, a chuckle filled the air. I’d rather not have to explain why any more walls needed replacing to my insurance provider. And sorry to say, but that’s the last thing you’re going to learn about our bedroom practices. Welcome to the Unity Building, and try to leave it intact.

There was the slight sound of static as the mental ‘voice’ cut out this time. Bit blinked a few times before nodding and making for the stairs down. “Arrivals settled, price determined. Returning to computer project.”

“Well, you heard the Porygon. We might as well settle in. It was nice meeting you two again. Tell James I said hi, will you. We might be busy later,” Alice said, before she and the rest of her team made their way upstairs.

Luke was sitting crosslegged on the couch as he felt a sudden... disturbance. It was an odd thing for him to feel that many minds that he couldn’t at the very least peer at on a surface level. There was something to the minds that the highly attuned Psychic could pick up as well, the majority of them were Dark types or Bug types. Ah... company... Luke mused to himself quietly with a small nod. Then something struck him. One or two of them were not only Dark or Bug Types, but were actively covering their thoughts.

Now that is interesting... Luke mused to himself, his eyes remaining closed. Dead Zones were very noticeable if you were as attuned as Luke was and there were very few who were capable of creating them, especially to the point of excluding even him from the surface thoughts. Even more curious, those that did happen to be skilled at it often had very... unseamly reasons for being able to.

In Abby’s case it was to prevent Belle from reading her mind in regards to her being a Ranger, in many others it was not quite as... benign.

My son, Luke called out on their private channel. A word if you have time. He kept his voice carefully neutral.

Let me just...and there we go, she’s sated for the moment. I think I need a shower though. Vincent thought back. So, what is it?

Do you feel the Dead Zone? Luke asked simply.

If you’re talking about how I can’t feel the minds of the Bug or Dark types, then yes, the Kadabra replied as he ran the water for a shower. Figured that was normal due to typing.

Look more carefully, Luke instructed. What do you see?

...Okay, now that is weird. I...I’m getting nothing. Not from the ponies or the ‘mon. Surface thoughts, emotions, names! From the Dark types it’s understandable, at least for me, but I should get something from the bugs!

Correct, Luke said very simply. So. What does that tell you?

...Whoever she is, she and her team have dealt with Psychics before, and they’re in no hurry to lay their secrets bare.

Indeed... which begs one simple question my son, do you know it? Luke prodded, like most of his teaching, he prefered Vincent to find the answers himself.

It begs quite a few of them, father, but they all boil down to one syllable: why? Still, at least I have the art of the negative conversation to fall back on, to keep track of them.

Exactly... Luke fell silent for a moment. Vincent, it is not our place to go reading others minds at a whim, merely skimming surface thoughts is enough to preserve your safety... but when someone is actively blocking you... he trailed off for a moment. That is when you become curious. In my experience, those that do either have a very good reason... or a particularly bad one. And with this many of them...

Like I said, art of the negative. I might not be able to read them, true enough. But thanks to the fact that they’re creating a hole, I can track that hole. If they come too close, I’ll know.

Good boy, Luke said with a smile, nodding his head. If nothing else, their arrival reminds me of something that I have been neglecting... you need to learn how to fight.

Dealing with your teachings on top of Lucy’s Heat? Someone kill me. I’m not going to get any rest between the two of you.

Luke chuckled in his mind. If I wished to I could spin that very strangely, but I will not for your sake. Let’s just say that as much as I love spending time here with you Vincent... I am still going to return to Abby at some point and I would be a very poor example of a father if I did not teach you how to fight.

If you think you can teach a human turned ‘mon things that most ‘mon are born knowing, then by all means. Just...give me a few minutes between Lucy’s ‘sessions’ so that I can relax and clean up?

Oh no, I had planned to teleport you out of your shower and a hundred feet up in the air immediately afterwards to teach you how to levitate properly or risk a concrete nap, Luke said jovially.

Luke! Was that sarcasm, from you? Who are you and what have you done with my father? Vincent asked with a teasing tone as he turned his shower off slowly, clean but enjoying the warmth.

Who said I was joking? came the reply.

...

...

...Luke, I swear, you do that, I’ll sic Mage and Jeanne on y-

Vincent suddenly found himself amongst the clouds, confusing a nearby pegasus as he began to fall towards the apartment roof.

LUUUUUUUUUUKE!

The new manager of Crown Jewel looked around happily. After that fiasco a few days ago, they had to close down the casino for repairs, though thankfully the repairs were financed by the money that Pegasus Air had made off of them when the old manager was in control. After the last manager had been arrested, he had been promoted to the new manager, and he was looking forward to running a good as new, and hopefully this time, clean business.

“Sir! Come quick!” came the voice of one of the employees. Blinking in surprise, he ran to where they were calling, the Gemstone Roulette, and one of them was holding a card, which read: ‘The Gemstone Roulette will be mine. Phantom Thief Fox’. “Why me...?” he mentally moaned. Of all the people it could have been, why did HE have to be the next victim of the thief who had recently robbed 3 of Equestria’s Princesses. THE PRINCESSES! With those facts, what chance did his casino have…

Several hours later, it was nearing midnight, yet like any other big city, life was still going at full speed in Las Pegasus. One such example would be Crown Jewel Casino, with a very large number of nobles and other wealthy folks coming in to have a good time with some good old fashion gambling. However, despite the fun atmosphere, it was...dampened a bit by the presence of a good number of the town guard. In spite of that, the three ex-Team Rocket members were enjoying their night on the town, to celebrate an old friend being found again.

Meanwhile, Blackstone and a few of his fellow thestrals had gotten a hold of a very annoyed Bit. “Clarification: why was this unit needed?”

“Well you see,” Blackstone drawled out. “There’s this Pokemon thief calling herself the ‘phantom fox thief’ running around Equestria stealing valuable things,” the thestral explained. “One of said things just happen to be the Crown Jewels of Equestria, like something out of one of those old Carmare Sandyhoof books.” He shook his head. “Now, as to why a state of emergency and a major police force hasn’t been mobilised, I have no idea. I’m guessing someone in middle management is too busy sleeping to put the order out, but eh, that’s what we’re paid to deal with.” The Thestral glanced towards Bit. “Or rather, paid to deal with along with some help eh?”

The Porygon-Z blinked a few times, referencing the crimes with what few reports he had in his database, before beeping. “Very well. Do you want this unit’s expertise in pattern recognition and data referencing to help find them, or did you desire to make use of my more…” His eyes flickered for a bit as he continued, “combative talents?”

“Any help you’d like to offer is great with us,” Blackstone said, shuffling his leathery wings once. “Though, personally I like the idea of having my own personal hovering metallic ‘ball of doom’ floating around, so feel free to fire a few of those freakin’ laser beams around if you want to.”

The program bobbed his disconnected head before reciting the highlights of Fox, or rather, what he had on the Fox’s exploits from Earth.

“Data gathered. Records of Phantom Thief Fox...Records date back 500 years into the past,” he said, his voice tinged with slight surprise.

“Oh good, it’s a family thing,” he said lightly, shaking his head. “That’s not good, means that they’ve got practice and experience at it.”

Bit beeped a bit, before nodding. “Correct. Records depict both male and female individuals as Fox. Accessing data on most recent Fox. Access gained. The latest Phantom Thief Fox was first sighted in Anistar City, Kalos 5 years ago. Exploits include various thefts all over the world, ranging from rare artwork, to fossils. Status of items...all items were returned within days of theft. No damages were found, no signs of forgery. Also, many of the stolen items were found to have belonged to prominent crime lords, all of which were arrested shortly after,” Bit dinged again.

“...So likely as not, she just wants to ‘borrow’ the Gemstone Roulette,” Blackstone filled in. “Well that’s just grand isn’t it? Going to put us through all the hassle of stopping her, wasting our time, money, and experience on her when we could be out doing something useful... typical wannabe vigilante.” The Thestral let out a small sigh. “Right, so, what kind of theatrics can we expect? These types always have theatrics.”

At that moment, a certain trio happened to see them.

“Huh? Bit? What are you doing here? I thought you wanted to continue working on your project?” James said in surprise.

“The guard has requested my presence to help apprehend a certain Phantom Thief Fox, who will apparently be visiting this establishment tonight.”

At those words, Jessie gulped, quite aware of Bit’s moveset thanks to the time she’d spent with him, and just how much power he could focus. “Make sure he doesn’t use Hyper Beam,” she said to Blackstone.

James and Meowth on the other hand… “Wait, you guys are seriously trying to catch Fox? THE Phantom Thief Fox?” Meowth asked incredulously.

Blackstone made to answer, but Bit beeped once, his eyes shifting as he replied. “That would imply that I do not stand an even chance with this thief,” he said, his tone of voice less dead, more menacing, than usual. “Movelist already loaded into active memory.”

“Er...well...I suppose I might as well say it anyway,” James sighed, wondering if he’d had too much to drink, considering he was likely going to say something very stupid. “My advice, don’t bother. The authorities, and even Team Rocket at times, have tried to catch Fox, though Team Rocket was more to get him out of the way...and despite everything, we never even got close. Fox has been around for five hundred years, and not even one of them was caught. The only one to be ‘caught’ so far, was the Fox that came before the previous Fox. And they only found out AFTER the man had died of old age, and by then, it was way too late to get anything out of him. Point is, Fox is THE number one thief in the world. Every last one of them. If five hundred years worth of time, effort, and resources amounted to nothing, what chance do we have?”

“Wellll there’s magic here, which is something that I pretty much guarantee that she didn’t run into on ‘Earth’,” Blackstone commented with a small shrug. “But other then that, we also have Bit here, who is not only a rather good toaster, but also pretty dang good at other things too.”

“Correct,” Bit said. “This unit is a Porygon-Z programmed to be the best security program within the lab in which I was captive, one who honed my own special skills to the point of lethality, and one who will do anything to wrap this up to return to my projects.” Bit looked aside for a moment before nodding at Blackstone. “Direct me to where I need to be. I will aid you in this endeavor.”

“Well, good luck with that. You’ll REALLY need it,” Jessie sighed before the three of them walked away.

“You think he might actually do it?” Meowth idly asked.

“Meowth, Bit thrives on logic and data. Fox...they’ve done what everyone said was impossible on a regular basis, and came out of it looking like they went through a party. I just hope we won’t have to explain to Vincent if Bit comes back a stuttering mess,” James deadpanned, before shuddering at the last part.

The festivities went on for a while, everyone enjoying himself. Everyone except the guards, who were anxiously awaiting their target. Blackstone on the other hand was relaxed and chilling. “Ahhh, my favorite part of a good old stake out, waiting around for whatever’s about to happen, to happen,” he said casually, glancing up to the ceiling where Noi was currently making like a shadow and hiding from the halflight. “You see anything Bit?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary at this time,” Bit replied, right before fate apparently took that cue. The lights went out, plunging the casino into darkness.

“Flash,” Bit responded, lighting up the area around and beneath him by causing his form to glow with an intensity similar to what the lights had been. Blackstone had thankfully shielded his eyes before he started and when it had eventually dimmed down even further he was able to see the room. Those unlucky enough to be looking at where he had been were seeing a few Bit-shaped spots for a minute. However, the scene that was revealed after the darkness was lifted was...no different than it was before the lights went out. That is, until a black shape appeared behind one of the guards.

“There she is!” one of the guards shouted, before charging, and unfortunately, tackled the unwitting guard in the process, ending in a messy dogpile. “Did we get her?” His answer was the black shape slipping through them, revealing it to be a cape, which just floated in space for a moment.

“Do you really want an answer to that?” Blackstone asked the guard rhetorically, rather disgusted by the display. “Congratulations boys, you’ve graduated from Thief Catchers to Cape Catchers, sadly that doesn’t come with any more bits or benefits.”

“Reveal yourself,” Bit stated, his disconnected head swivelling around near constantly as he looked for the one he was supposed to be guarding the Gemstone Roulette from.

As if in response to his words, the cape suddenly twirled into a spiral, before shooting through the crowd and into the middle of the room, and when it uncurled, it revealed the form of a Shiny Zoroark, dressed in a black cape and a black cavalier hat, standing confidently in the crowd, before bowing slightly, much like how a magician would bow on stage.

Bit’s head snapped around to point directly at the Zoroark, his body rotating to join it in its orientation after a second’s time had passed. “Phantom Thief Fox, I presume,” Bit stated.

“Guilty as charged,” Fox chuckled in amusement.

“A cute choice of words,” Bit stated before pointing at the night guard between the Illusion Pokemon and the Gemstone Roulette. Taking this as his cue, Blackstone stepped forward and cleared his throat.

“Do you think you could stop wasting my time and resources on this so that we can go back to doing our real jobs and stopping murders and rapists?” Blackstone inquired, glancing over her with a raised eyebrow. “Or are you really that important?”

“Honestly, not really. But, I’m already here, and like any good magician, the show must go on,” she said, her confident look never once leaving her face.

“Ooooh, you’re a magician, and this is a stage show is it?” the thestral asked, raising an eyebrow further. “Funny, it looked like a robbery, then again, I guess those things can get confusing, robbery, stage show, magic trick, grand theft, tomato, tamaato.”

“...you know, you don’t have to strain yourself for a come back,” she deadpanned.

“And neither do you apparently,” he replied with a small shrug. “‘Cause that sounds practiced, meaning I’m not nearly the first officer’s valuable time you’ve wasted.”

“We’ll see about that,” she chuckled again in amusement.

“So this is your first time?” he asked. “Guess I should be honored by that, sorry miss, I’m a married stallion so I’ll have to turn you down.”

Fox just chuckled in amusement. It wasn’t everyday she dealt wit a cop with wits like that. This was gonna be fun.

“Officer Blackstone, in what condition would you like these thieves?” Bit asked, his gaze never wavering.

“Leave us something to arrest, will you?” Blackstone asked, not glancing away. “And don’t use too many bright lights eh? Being nocturnal, that kinda thing hurts my eyes.”

“That depends entirely on how difficult this becomes,” Bit stated in reply, three colored orbs already rotating around his form as he prepared his favored Tri-attack.

Fox just stood there, her hat tipped over her face, revealing one of her eyes, her seemingly constantly amused expression never leaving it.

All at once, the orbs dissipated as Bit canceled his favored move, going for a super-effective move instead. “Signal Beam,” he said, causing a multi-colored beam of light to leap from his beak towards the Fox.

The attack struck, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake, the thief seemingly taking a direct hit from the attack.

Blackstone, however, hung back and looked around. “Yeah, it’s never that easy, come out miss,” he said with a small shrug as he kept his head on a swivel.

“Very perceptive. Kudos for being the first pony here who didn’t fall for that,” came Fox’s voice, and suddenly, she was standing behind Bit.

He didn’t think, so much as react. “Thunder wave!” The electricity burst from his form and washed through the room, impacting those unlucky enough to not have taken any cover prior to his startled outburst.

The thief’s body hit the ground, electricity crackling from it, but to the surprise of everyone watching, the body revealed to be faceless with the word: ‘Gotcha’ written on it.

Bit returned to his position over the Roulette wheel, keeping his head on a swivel and reacting to the slightest of noises, a bit twitchy as he realized he’d been tricked into incapacitating most of the Guard he’d come to help. “I. Will not. Fail. I. DO NOT. FAIL,” he stated as though they were more laws of physics or the universe than just opinions.

“Now if only I got a penny for every time someone said that,” came Fox’s teasing voice, the thief now standing on the other side of the room.

“I’m guessing you’d have about three in that piggy bank,” Blackstone stated as he got back to his hooves, having dived away from Bit’s electric attack. “Noi! Deafen this vixen!”

To his surprise, Noi didn’t respond immediately. He looked up and saw why. At the moment, there were a pair of ridiculously large spiders advancing on his Pokemon. “Noi!” he exclaimed.

“Ah yes, you didn’t think I came here alone, did you?” Fox chuckled, as she looked up. “Spinaraks 1 and 2, do tie that Noibat up. I’d rather it not interfere.”

“Yes ma’am,” the two of the saluted, before firing matching strings of webbing.

Noi stared at the oncoming netting and then grinned and her ears turned in the direction of the Spinaraks. The netting was inches away from her before a BLAST of physical sound slammed into them, tearing them apart and crashing into the pair of bugs.

“You’ve eaten your last Zubat!” the little Noibat shouted shrilly at them, unleashing another wave of sonic energy at them.

“No, I didn’t think you’d be alone,” Blackstone said with a small smirk as the two Bug Types were put into full retreat. “I planned ahead, imagine that.”

“You’d be surprised how few do,” Fox deadpanned, as the two Spinaraks decided to let go, and fell...right into her hands. “Think fast,” she said, before they both fired webs at Blackstone.

The Thestral flared his wings and launched himself backwards before the webbing could hit him. “Darling, I’ve been on the force for longer than you’ve been alive,” he drawled before Noi let out an angry screech from above. “Think fast.”

And a blast of sound slammed into the Fox’s sensitive ears...and that would have been a problem...if it weren’t for the fact that she simply stood there like it was nothing. If anything, it seemed she was more focused putting something into the Spinaraks’...ears...things...or whatever it was bugs used to hear.

“GUST!” Noi shouted before flapping her wings hard and brewing up a small windstorm around the fox.

“Yeaaah. I think not,” Fox simply said, flicking a pair of metal balls over at Noi, but positioned in such a way that they were aimed ABOVE her. Noi, being an agile little thing, darted away from the metal balls and darted towards Fox, clear Wing Attacks on either wing.

“Freeze,” Fox chuckled. Just as Noi was promptly frozen solid by an Ice Beam from a window, landing on the ground with a clatter.

Which gave Fox just enough time to notice the rather large Thestral’s front hoof before it slammed into her jaw, hard.

Fox grimaced at the pain, but instead of fighting the force, she relaxed her body, rolling with the blow. Still hurt though. “Ouch. Should probably have seen that coming,” she chuckled as she rolled back to her feet, the two Spinarak jumping off her hands.

Blackstone didn’t say anything this time, he simply swept at her across the ground and came up strong, hoof slamming into her crotch followed by one to the stomach.

Unfortunately for him, what happened next completely ruined his awesome moment. Fox burst into a cloud of smoke, revealing another dummy shaped like a Zoroark, only this one had the words: ‘you fell for it’ written on it, as the metal balls attached to it burst, coating him in webbing and nets.

“Well, now that’s just plain cheating the laws of all reality,” the stallion muttered, struggling in the bonds.

“Its all in the Phantom Thief Handbook,” Fox chuckled as she reappeared. “Don’t worry, those will dissolve in time, so no need to worry about it getting stuck in your mane,” she finished, before turning back to Bit. “So...anything else? Or can I go now?”

Bit made the sounds of heavy breathing as he focused his attention on the Fox’s form. In fact, it was a little too foc- “Lock-On,” he stated, smirking slightly.

“Oooh, not bad. Let’s see if you can catch this trick. After all, its showtime,” Fox smirked, her hand on her hat as she said her favorite catchphrase. And with that, she charged forward.

“Zap Cannon,” Bit said in response, his head automatically tracking the form he’d Locked earlier. Normally, he never touched this move because of its inaccuracy, but in this case, he needed not only the damage, but the paralysis effect.

Fox smirked again, seemingly unconcerned with the attack heading her way. However, right before it hit, she vanished.

Bit actually twitched visibly at her disappearance, and decided on a new tactic then. “Dark Pulse. Dark Pulse. DARK PULSE! I WILL NOT LET YOU GET CLOSE, MUCH LESS SUCCEED!”

The waves of pure shadow erupted from Bit’s form and swept through the room, each one meant to find and push Fox back. However there was a notable lack of resistance.

“Nice choice. But there is one flaw,” Fox teased again, before she suddenly dropped from the ceiling, and tagged Bit with a small ball, before jumping away.

Bit’s eyes shifted then, to their red version with cross-hairs. He. Was. Pissed. Or insane. One of the two. Despite that, Fox continued to look on with her amused expression, like she wasn’t staring down an angry Porygon-Z.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she said.

“ICE BEAM,” he stated, before aiming at the floor around the Roulette Wheel. “AREA DENIAL MODE IN EFFECT.”

The target Fox was so intent on was ringed with ice from the program’s attack. He then turned his gaze back to her, blind fury still driving his actions. “PREPARING SIGNAL BEAM.”

Fox just watched on with her amused expression. “This has certainly been a fun night,” she mused.

Bit took aim, before reconsidering and going back to a move that had almost worked before. “LOCK-ON. NO ESCAPE POSSIBLE NOW. SURRENDER OR FACE MY NEXT ATTACK.”

“Tsk. Tsk. Silly Porygon. Haven’t you learned by now?” she chided, waving a finger. “There is nothing impossible for Phantom Thief Fox,” she said, tipping her hat over her face again.

“ON YOUR HEAD BE IT. ZAP CANNON.” The familiar move came at Fox again, Bit not intent on needing to recharge...or explain the property damage that using a Hyper Beam would bring.

Fox just smirked, before saying, “Checkmate.” Before wrapping herself in her cape. The attack struck, hard, covering her from view.

Bit waited for the smoke to clear, hoping he’d finally done what he’d been asked to.

However, from the smoke, a figure suddenly dashed forward, and before he could react, it tagged him several more times, and with a snap of a finger, he suddenly found himself wrapped in several layers of webbing, before he felt a sharp blow to the top of his head.

“Didn’t I tell you? You didn’t want to do that,” Fox teased, not looking the least bit damaged.

Bit struggled, trying to get his arms, tail, and head free of the webbing. It felt wrong, so very wrong, for his head and body to be this close! “Grrr...DiScHaRgE,” he muttered, hoping that it might help his situation. His body sparked, but ultimately sputtered out, the attack failing to do what was needed.

“Don’t bother. That webbing is a special solution I made myself. Its strong as a Bug-type’s web, while being non-conductive, fire proof, and even ice resistant. Only way you’re getting out is if you had someone with claws get you out, or you wait for it to dissolve within the hour,” Fox simply said as she casually walked over to her target. “Now then, as promised, the Gemstone Roulette is mine. Adieu,” she said, before seemingly floating up to the ceiling, her target securely in her arms, and landing on a balcony, from which she made her exit.

The program’s scream of rage could probably be heard half the city away as he cursed not only Fox, but the ponies that had put him in this situation to begin with. He never failed! Granted, that wasn’t a point of pride, considering his past ‘employment’, but the point stood!

The next morning, the paper arrived bright and early, like usual, and Lala picked it up and took her usual seat behind the desk. The headline was something about how a roulette wheel had gone missing, and she shook her head.

Bit’s form slowly floated in, his head lower than usual as his failure weighed heavily on him. “Hello, Bit,” she said, surprised slightly that she said it first. Upon hearing no reply, she looked up from her paper to see that he was...despondent, crushed. There weren’t many times she’d seen a ‘mon this sad. She put her paper down and walked over to the Program, gathering him up for a hug.

“How did I fail?” he whispered. “How...could I fail?”

Lala connected the dots quickly. “You were there?”

“I tried to stop it,” he said with a nod. “I failed. Miserably. I thought I stood a chance, but James was right. How could I have failed so badly?”

“Sometimes, Bit, you meet someone better than you.” She hugged him a bit tighter before letting him go and nodding. “Doesn’t mean you can’t pick yourself up and try again.”

At that moment, Sam came down from above, noticed the scene, and wisely decided to just keep his mouth shut and go on to work. He stopped, briefly laying a claw on Bit’s form and looking him in the eyes, letting him know he had others to count on, before going on his way.

“Well, at least having you around shuts him up,” Lala joked. “First time he’s not flirted with me.”

Bit gave a weak smile, but it was a forced one. “I...I think I’m going to sit in the lobby for now. At least, until I can compile the data from last night, so that Ace has an answer as to how this could possibly happen.”

“It’s your home,” Lala said softly before returning to her paper. “Do as you will.”

At that moment, some of the new tenants came down. “Morning, everyone,” Alice yawned as her team followed after her. “What we got for breakfast?”

“There are some leftover Berries from the first harvest that James and the Nurem family store in their apartments,” Lala replied while turning the page, making sure the front one was displayed prominently to the lobby. “Though if you’d like to bask in sorrow instead, I think Bit still has plenty on tap.”

“Thanks. Its been a long time since I had some good old Oran Berries. Anything you guys want?” Alice asked her team.

“We’ll go see what else they’ve got, then we’ll decide,” Shade answered, earning a nod from her former trainer.

While walking to get the berries, Alice noticed the paper and asked, “Fox strikes again?”

This time, it was Bit that answered. “Yes. And I failed to stop it from happening. I’ve...never failed in doing what I set out to do before. It’s a...novel feeling. I don’t like it.” He looked up from the floor, looking from the headlines that Lala was reading to Alice’s form, a ticking noise slowly growing louder as he went over the data, especially the information right in front of him. “...Alice, did you ever meet any other Zoroark in your time on Equus?”

“Meet? No. Saw? Yes. There was this Zoroark in Manehattan I saw once. And I saw two more in Ponyville, and of course there’s Fox. A little hard to not see her whenever she makes headlines,” Alice answered.

The information about where Alice had been, along with the list of heists that had been pulled by the Fox in Equus and other Zoroarks, was quickly cross-referenced. “Interesting,” Bit mused. “Several possible options spring up upon this information...do keep an eye out, Alice. Fox seems to be hounding your steps.”

Of course, that was only one option. There were others, ones he hoped were false. But he’d keep an eye out anyways.

“I’ll keep that in mind. That, or she could be running away, and I just happened to be travelling with Sleight Hoof when it happened,” she said.

Bit blinked, but rotated one of his arms in a ‘go on’ gesture, or as well as he could approximate one.

“There’s this Lucario who’s been on her case. I didn’t think much about it when I first saw him in the paper, but the more I read, the more I’m starting to think he might be Jonathan. Jonathan’s the cop who was assigned her case, and he’s been chasing her for 5 years now, and knowing him, something like this wouldn’t stop him. Heck, from the looks of it, he went straight after her,” she then giggled. “He always was cute when he got so determined. Fox may be a lot of things, but I know she’s not stupid. In this world, we’ve all been stripped of most of the things we had access to on Earth. So naturally, Fox lost her hideouts in the process, and is probably now running to keep away from Jonathan.”

Bit dinged a few times before making a sighing noise. “Should I meet this Jonathan, I will attempt to collaborate with him, then. I do hope someone like him would have insight into last night’s...dismal failure.”

“Actually, if you do meet him, tell him where I am. I do miss him,” she said, her cheeks becoming slightly red when she said that.

It would appear that Equestrian Timing still had a sense of humor, at least, judging by the way that Christine and Scep attempted to sneak into the lobby unnoticed at that moment.

“Don’t bother trying you two. You may have washed the sex off, but I can smell the mate scent from up here,” Shade called out from the second floor.

“Mated Pokemon have a scent?” Alice blinked, before going into researcher mode. “That’s interesting. Bit, what do you know about that?”

Bit shrugged and whirred before accessing the relevant files. “Mated Pokemon tend to excrete a fluid during the act of coitus, unique to the ‘mon in question, that marks their mate as ‘theirs’, different from the fluids most would think of. It tends to be located near the salivary glands, and is linked to ‘love bites,’ during which the Marking occurs. The more predatory and monstrous the ‘mon, the stronger the scent of the Mark.”

As he said that, Alice continued to list it down on the notepad she had pulled out from her mane, all the while looking like a kid in a candy store. “Fascinating,” she smiled again, before looking at some older notes. “Now if only I could find more proof about my theory of human and Pokemon relations in their origins. It won’t do much now, but I hate leaving things hanging,” she muttered as she walked up to her room, breakfast all but forgotten.

Bit looked to the Spinaraks and tilted his head to the side. “She is aware that the Legends are on Equus as well, that she could go see them, or that I did and still have information from exchanging with the Regi Trio, right? I could tell her about the origins of humanity.”

The Spinarak twins shared a look, before saying,

“She did.”

“But she-”

“-and we quote-”

“-did not want-”

“-to take-”

“-the easy way.”

Both of them shook their heads. “She’s worked too long on this to just take an easy way out,” they said in stereo. “She’s stubborn that way.”

Bit nodded as well. “Well, I do have the notes from the facility...and there are more than a few things in my archives she might want to know about. But I’ll not talk about them around the others.” The program looked to the ceiling to emphasize who he was talking about.

Near the stairwell, the Gabite and the Sceptile looked at one another with more than a hint of awkwardness. “I...did not know that about out love bites,” Christine said.

“Well….” Scep rubbed the back of his head nervously. “That’s what happens when mons mate, dudette.”

She rolled her eyes before pointing at herself. “Ahem. Former virgin. Raised by a pervert who was raised by a pervert, who probably didn’t know that either. Kinda understandable in those circumstances.” She leaned in close and whispered the next sentence. “The shower was enjoyable with you there.”

Scep blushed heavily. “Yeah…” He gulped. “...It was.”

She purred in the back of her throat. “How long are you here for, again?”

“I think Alice said four days,” Scep shrugged. “Why?” He felt a nervous shiver run down his back.

“Unless you can make a real good case for it, I’m pretty sure you leaving my room is a pipe dream for the next three days,” she whispered before starting to drag her mate back to her room.

“...aww mon,” Scep pouted through his blush. “Well, sacrifices have to be made sometimes.”

There were some very strange things afoot in Las Pegasus and they troubled Luke as he walked into Bit’s room, making sure to make enough noise to alert the Program Pokemon to his presence. He had long ago learned that many prefered other Pokemon to NOT appear suddenly behind them. Bit, may I speak with you? Luke inquired.

Bit turned his head to look at the Gallade slowly, as though his failure weighted it greatly. “I presume you are capable of speech, yes,” the Program stated.

Luke nodded and stepped further forwards. I would like to review the ‘failure’ of the night before, he said simply. I have been working with a Top Ranger for the majority of my adult life and perhaps I can offer some form of aid.

“Even Vincent finds my mind strenuous to traverse,” Bit stated. “And that is when I try to make it easier for him.”

Then perhaps you could play the recording instead? Luke asked. Your mind is that of a computer after all, it is ‘perfect’.

“I...can try to show you the memory, hold it in the forefront of my mind,” Bit stated, his body ticking faster as he considered the option. “But I cannot promise that it will not be painful should you look.”

“I know pain Bit,” Luke said, for once with his real voice as he walked forwards and put his hand on Bit’s forehead. “Show me.”

“I was aware, but it is my duty as your friend to warn you before you look,” the Porygon-Z stated before casting his memory back to last night.

Luke stood there through all of it silent and observing. He did not wince once. When Bit had finished he smiled and nodded his head. “Thank you my friend. I will return to you when I have reviewed this several times. Or to Vincent who can then tell you.” He bowed to Bit before vanishing, re-appearing in front of Vincent.

“How bad is it?” the Kadabra softly questioned, a paper in front of him on the table.

There is a great deal of anguish to his thoughts at the moment. He dislikes failure to a severe degree, Luke informed him before taking Vincent’s arm. We need to train Vincent. This time I will not teleport you above the building.

“Most fathers don’t have to make that promise,” Vincent snarked before drawing his spoon from...wherever he kept it.

At this point we’re both well aware that I’m not ‘most fathers’, Luke said gently in his mind with an amused note before they appeared on the roof together. Walk to the other side of the roof and on the count of three, attempt to kill me.

“...Okay, the moves I know are all Psychic in nature, and you’re part-Psychic, so they’d do nothing to you,” Vincent commented. “The only way I could do that is if I were to, oh, I don’t know, forcibly Teleport you over the street.”

You could attempt such, yes, Luke answered, appearing on the other side of the roof. The overall effectiveness of such a tactic is mixed. He waited for Vincent to get ready before counting. 1.2.3. Go.

“Ack!” Vincent said, instinctively raising his spoon up towards Luke. “Why are you telling me to kill you anyways? You know the only one I would kill without a second thought isn’t here!”

Luke was suddenly in front of him again, and this time a fist was driven into Vincent’s gut hard enough to knock the wind out of him before Luke teleported back to where he’d been standing. Because you cannot kill me Vincent. That means that you have no reason to hold back. Unleash your power on me.

“Don’t…” Vincent wheezed as he attempted to catch his breath. “Don’t do this, Luke. Don’t make me do this. Just because I can’t kill you...you’d be surprised what ‘mon can live through.”

Yes, I suppose throwing your memories around could negatively affect some Pokemon, Luke agreed conversationally. Though I must ask you Vincent... does that not make you just as much of a bully as your father? Before Vincent could react, Luke was suddenly behind him and he was kicked forwards onto his knees, the Gallade reappearing back where he’d been standing before.

“Who said I had to…” Vincent coughed and slowly picked himself up. “Who said I had to show you a damn memory? I could make quite a few of them happen, were I so inclined.” A blue glow slowly seeped over his form as anger weakened the seal.

Try, Luke stated simply, and if Vincent were looking carefully enough, he’d spot motes of shadow appearing around his arms.

Vincent glared at Luke before looking away and sighing. “I can’t hurt you, Luke. Not even now. I just...can’t bring myself to. Even if that was your intent…”

True, but you must learn to fight Vincent, Luke said. And at the level of experience you possess, the only way that you will truly tap into those instincts is if it is a life or death battle. You will not kill me. I will not kill you. BUT it is essential that you feel like you have to.

The Kadabra looked Luke in the eyes before asking a simple question. “You promise? No matter what I do or you do, you promise?”

My son, do you truly believe in your heart that I would kill you? Luke asked him with a smile. And do you truly believe that a novice like yourself could kill me?

“Accidents happen, that’s why they’re called ‘accidents’, not ‘things you plan on’,” Vincent quipped with a soft, jesting smile of his own.

Indeed, but let us try this, Luke said, lowering himself into a combat pose again. Begin.

Vincent closed his eyes, silently reaching for the weakened seal and letting it go, successfully restraining his power to not give off a visible glow in the process. “If you insist,” he commented, before raising one hand and pointing at the gardening tools James used. “Remind me to thank him later.” With that, the Gallade found himself under assault from a shovel, hoe, shears, and even the watering can.

Or rather, he did for a moment. The Gallade moved so quickly that Vincent’s eyes couldn’t keep up with him and suddenly the objects in his control fell to the ground, an aura of Dark surrounding them. Then he was on his back again, Luke looking over him for a moment before he teleported away.

Standing still will get you killed Vincent, Luke said. You can teleport can you not?

The Kadabra picked himself up again and glanced at the out of commision tools. “Well, there goes that option,” he muttered, before turning to the Gallade. “And even if I were to teleport or use illusions to mask which way I went, that wonderful little thing in your chest that you picked up as a Kirlia, or even your own skills, will let you find me. So really, the only reason I would do that in a fight against you would be to dodge your blows.”

Am I to be the only foe you fight? Luke inquired, appearing in front of him again, this time five feet away. You must practice against me as you would anyone else. I will even cease my teleportation if you will start using it yourself.

“Oh well in that case,” Vincent said, his grin slowly growing as he held up a glowing spoon. “You may want to-”

Before he could finish, a bright flash covered the roof, and when it died down, there were about a dozen Kadabras scattered around it, each one looking at Luke. “Shield your eyes,” they said in stereo.

Luke’s eyes, which had closed the moment he saw the spoon glowing, opened and a slim smile crossed his lips. Ah, now you begin to learn.

“Just because you learn a useful trick as an Abra doesn’t mean you can’t keep using it when you Evolve,” they all observed at once, before each one pointed a spoon at Luke’s form.

Luke simply smiled and his arms grew black with Darkness. Come then. Show me your moves!

One of the illusions seemed to glow brighter for a moment, and a piece of tile from the roof was launched at the Gallade’s form. Luke simply side stepped and it shattered. Another Kadabra glowed after a moment, only this time, the attack wasn’t as obvious...until the empty Berry pot was almost at the back of Luke’s head. Time seemed to freeze for Vincent as he watched from amidst the clones. Luke’s body ducked and swiveled, bringing his longer sword arm up to slice the pot neatly in two, the halves sliding to the side of him without leaving a scratch.

“Okay, points for that one, you’re good,” the copies stated. “Almost thought I had you there. Been trying to mask my own thoughts like our guests. Guess I need to work at it.”

I am not reading your thoughts, Luke stated simply. Nor the energy you are dispelling whenever you attack.

“Yeah, control over that much power...ain’t easy,” they all admitted sheepishly. “Not born a Psychic, but I’m getting better at it...slowly. Still, if it’s not the energy and the thoughts, then how are you dodging what I throw at you?”

“Experience,” Luke said aloud, having moved up beside the real Vincent so fast that he’d not seen him coming. “And I listen to the world around me. For example, one reason why I mostly use my mind when I talk is because it is more difficult to track a well built mind than it is for me to find the source of a real voice.”

“Gah!” The shock at being found out so quickly dispelled Vincent’s hold on his illusions, each one fading.

“Brick Break,” Luke said before driving an elbow into Vincent’s shoulder and leaping away.

“Okay, fair enough, I switched over to this thanks to the Dark and Bug types in the house. They drove home that not everyone can hear a Psychic when he ‘talks,’” Vincent stated, stumbling but catching himself. But if you insist...

Please do, Luke replied with a simple nod. It will be a boon to you in combat.

I’m switching back when we’re done, though. Day-to-day life is NOT a combat situation unless you MAKE it one. The Kadabra held his spoon up again and looked at Luke with a small grin.

Luke nimbly darted to the side and then started running at Vincent at a slant, arms glowing. Vincent narrowed his eyes and focused his mind, sending his power out at his father figure in the form of one move that would most certainly make contact. Luke started floating into the air, helpless to continue his rush as Vincent’s Telekinesis took hold.

Ah, you’ve been practicing, Luke noted in approval before a wave of Dark energy washed over his body and he hit the ground lightly on his toes. Wonderful. With that, he darted forwards at Vincent and kneed him in the crotch, leaping away immediately afterwards. My son, you’ve become rather ‘one note,’ that is not good.

Surprisingly, Vincent barely flinched. You’ll have to try harder: I swear I can barely feel those anymore. And it’s thanks to Lucy’s sessions that I have so much practice anyways. Fine control over levitating her ‘toys’ does surprisingly translate to being able to pick up other things as well.

I’m well aware but still... correct me if I’m wrong, but your entire movepool is made up of Psychic moves? Luke asked him slowly.

I’ve been afraid to go back to Bit; even if he does have more TM moves in his head that I could learn, it stings. Vincent idly rubbed his cranium as he considered how he had learned Recover...or bridging the gap so Lucy could learn Heal Pulse.

The Gallade nodded his head. May I enter your mind for a moment? I have a gift for you.

Only if our sparring session is over for the moment. And even then, I might have to guide you so my defenses don’t take offense. Vincent twirled his spoon as he posed the question to Luke.

Consider it suspended for the moment, Luke said with a small nod, appearing in front of Vincent and putting his hand on Vincent’s shoulder. Whenever you’re ready.

Vincent breathed deeply a few times, calming his mind and slowly finding his center, before reaching out from it and making a clear pathway for Luke. Here, he commented.

Luke ‘walked’ into Vincent’s mind and stored a present within it before stepping out. Now search for Charge Beam and do as I do, he said, stepping back.

You didn’t exactly make it hard for me to find it, the Kadabra mused. Though...how one not of the Electric type is meant to generate the power for this move eludes me...

Luke just smiled as his eyes closed and his arms began to spark. Feel the energy around you Vincent. It is just like harnessing Dark or Fairy. It is all energy.

The Kadabra raised an arm and an eyebrow as he concentrated on the electricity in the air, startled that the fur on his arm was starting to rise as well. Okay, well, that’s interesting.

Indeed, now... Luke gestured with a hand and a blast of electricity soared out of it. Attempt that.

That is impressive, Vincent said, his eyes widened in slight surprise. Not sure I can get that to happen right away, but… The Kadabra attempted to direct the building tingle of electricity and managed to only produce a small arc.

Keep practicing that, Luke instructed him with a nod of his head. It will raise your special attack.

Yeah, Vincent agreed with a small nod. I can...sorta feel it. It’s like having a cup of coffee. It seems to be energizing my brain, making it smoother, easier to perform attacks.

Yes, that’s right, Luke said, unleashing more stored electricity in a wide airborne arc.

...Hmm, maybe that’s the reason you waited so long to show me this move...or warned my family so harshly against me having coffee. You wanted me to have a better handle on my powers first. Vincent said with a smirk towards the Gallade.

Luke gave him a full bow. I see you’ve found a method to my madness.

There’s a method to every madness if you look hard enough, Vincent said, looking away as he considered one particular case.

I see, I hope you found them rather easily, Luke said with a nod.

Some are destined to be mysteries, the Kadabra muttered. And maybe they should stay that way for good reason.

Luke nodded and sighed, walking over to his son and pulling him into a hug. Perhaps, he agreed with a small sigh. I hope this training session has helped you.

Training with you is...usually enjoyable. Though usually, you don’t drop me from a hundred feet in the air, Vincent said, leaning into the hug, thankful that Luke was this comfortable with others now.

It’s always good to shake up your life a little, Luke pointed out jestingly. And sometimes that ‘shake’ comes in the form of falling a hundred feet.

I think my life has been shaken up enough as of late, Vincent said in a drained voice. But at least I learned how to stop falling by the end of the third drop.

That you did, and you had this amazing grin on your face too, the Gallade grinned at him as he released Vincent from the hug.

Aww, I was enjoying that, Vincent whined, before his ears perked up and he sighed. Dammit, Lucy calls. I can’t just leave her. See you in an hour or so?

Of course, Luke said. Let me know if you need any ‘help’ with her.

Mage might not take kindly to that idea, Vincent snickered before vanishing in a flash of blue.

Luke just smiled and teleported back to the couch below.

“You know, if you keep on leaving me for hours on end like this I’m going to think you’ve stopped liking me,” Mage said from her spot on the couch.

A father’s duties are never done, Luke said with a small chuckle as he pulled her close to him and closed his eyes. But I think I can make some time to snuggle with you.