Lucy and Vincent stood outside the main gate to Fancypant’s home, suitably impressed by the house’s architecture.

“And to think I was happy about being part-owner of an apartment building,” Vincent chuckled lightly. Lucy snagged the Kadabra with one arm and used her free paw to give the psychic a light noogie.

“Oh just be happy for Valerie,” the Lucario said. Vincent huffed and Teleported free of her grasp before she could rub too much fur free from his head. The pair made their way up the path before looking at the, quite impressive, doors. Seeing as she was the stronger of the pair, Lucy decided to be the one that would knock.

Loudly and forcefully. If someone didn’t know better, they might say she used a Move on the doors, but that would be silly. After a few moments a balding and grey unicorn answered the door, “Ah! You must be Master Vincent, and Mistress Lucy. Please, come inside. We have other company in the back garden currently.”

The pair stepped inside, and were blown away further by the mansion. Marble floors and walls were everywhere, even the carpet looked more expensive than Vincent’s whole building. Loyalty led them through the mansion through the back doors into the garden.

Tyler’s whole group was seated around a large table, and several new Pokemon were there too, probably the family that Tyler had mentioned, a Medicham, a Sableye, an Altaria, a Whimsicott, and a Flygon.

Valerie spotted them and waved them over, as there were two empty seats next to her. “I’m glad you could make it! Tyler and Queen found who they were looking for. The Medicham is Malachai, the Sableye is Gordon, Tyler’s uncle, the Flygon is Jasmine, Queen’s mom, and the normal colored Altaria is Ali, Queen’s dad. Oh and the Whimsicott, I think her name is Lisia.”

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Vincent said as he teleported his top hat onto his head and tipped it at the assembled ‘mon. “I am Vincent, and this is Lucy.”

“Hello,” Lucy said with a wave and a smile.

Gordon greeted them, “It’s nice to meet you two, Valerie told us some about you two, and I’m glad to hear that you’re recovering well from… your experiences.”

“Well, thanks to a series of tutors who knew what they were doing...I’m...mostly over it,” Vincent said as he sent his top hat back to his room. “Still, things like that leave scars.”

The Whimsicott stood up then and struck a pose, “Well Vincent! I say you do the best with what you have and bring out the razzle dazzle!”

Queen sighed, “This is the sort of thing that made me happy to journey with you Tyler.”

The Whimsicott blushed and sat back down, “Heh, sorry, I have trouble breaking out of my contest persona for a few hours after.”

Vincent and Lucy shared a look before Vincent shook his head and Lucy shrugged. “Well, I do hope everything’s been going well for you then?” Vincent asked aloud. “I know this one,” here he gave the Veneon a quick hug with one of his arms, “Can be a handful sometimes.”

Tyler laughed outright at that statement. “Honestly I think she’s way more stable and mature than the majority of my team, she’s been a blessing.”

Damian sipped from a coffee, “Your face is unstable and immature.”

The Ampharos gave an eye roll, “You can see what I’m trying to say here right?”

“Meh,” Vincent said with an eye-roll. “Reminds me of when I was an Abra. Though he at least hasn’t demolished a casino in a temper-tantrum.”

Damian replied coolly, “You’d be surprised what I did on my drunken rampages as a wild Pokemon kid. It wasn’t quite a casino, but the Game Corner in Fallabour closed for a reason.”

“Wouldn’t know about that,” Vincent said with a small smile. “But if we’re done trying to compare who had it worse…” here he turned to Valerie again and gave her a proper hug. “I will admit, you’re one of the few I really missed.”

“You too Vincent. I wish I had gotten to see you when I went to Las Pegasus. By the way, did Mary never mention I stopped by?”

“Never came up,” Vincent said with a rub to the back of his head.

“Then again, we never asked,” Lucy pointed out.

Valerie shrugged, “I guess she was just busy with that restaurant of hers. I must say, I was less surprised she had a restaurant, and more surprised that the owner could put up with her.”

“Agreed,” Vincent and Lucy said at the same time, before laughing. “Little greenie always was such a prickly customer,” Vincent said after a chuckle.

“And only got more so when she Evolved,” Lucy tacked on, causing both of them to laugh again.

Valerie nodded and then grimaced slightly, “So will Christine be coming by?”

“She’s providing security for our things and…” Vincent trailed off, not wanting to mention Bit by name.

“That’s… somewhat a relief and a shame at the same time. Is she doing better with her… anger?”

“Yeah, I helped her tone it down a bit when she tracked us down to Las Pegasus,” Vincent replied, holding up a glowing hand for emphasis.

“Well I guess that would save us in case she and Kenny met.”

“I have her doing something else, and I remembered to set up a translation link with her this time, so she shouldn’t get in any trouble without me,” Vincent said as he lowered his hand. “So, how have you been, Valerie?”

Valerie smiled, “Pretty good, really. We all landed it pretty cushy here. I think the only Pokemon luckier than us are the Ninetails and the Aegislash I hear Celestia has.”

The Kadabra nodded and looked at Tyler and his team. “Well, thanks for looking after her. She deserves to be happy, and I’m glad you’re up to the challenge of giving it to her.”

Tyler nodded, “Honestly, like I said before, my own team is way more of a handful. Valerie has been a great.”

“I’m not that bad.” Kenny and Damian mumbled together.

“You actually are” BBK corrected.

Tyler laughed, “You can be just as bad as them sometimes you know.”

“And be thankful you didn’t meet anyone that was worse,” Lucy said as she scowled at nothing in particular. “Why all of them came through…”

“Lucy, they were victims just as much as we were,” Vincent said as he patted at her arm in an attempt to comfort her.

“Gregory,” Lucy said simply, and Vincent stopped in the calming attempt.

“Point,” he said after a moment.

Valerie shuddered. Vincent held up a hand to the team assembled across from them. “He...was a Gliscor with Poison Heal. And a love of battle. And a lot of time in the Simulator Room. And Earthquake. Do the math, and you’ll know why he was the first to break out.”

“With how much damage he caused I don’t get how he didn’t take someone with him.” Valerie grumbled.

“Probably because he wasn’t thinking straight? He had just gotten his claws around something that made him invincible, after all,” Vincent said. “Still, at least we haven’t run across him yet, and hopefully we never will.”

Valerie’s eyes widened with a realization. “Oh! Vincent, I ran into Wendy about a week in, and she’s doing well I think. She’s with my brother, and a Champion, so she’s pretty safe.”

“Ah, good, at least she’s with someone who won’t abuse her abilities,” Vincent said with a smile. “...She, is with someone who won’t abuse her abilities, right?”

“Of course not! Steven is a champion! They’re some of the most honorable humans on Earth! You remember what Sam told us about them. One of them was at the Contest too I think.”

“Yeah, fine, but you did say she was with your brother, and if he’s enough of a hothead to attack your boyfriend there...” Vincent said with a smirk, waiting for an explanation.

“He did it because he’s overprotective.” She replied, “I’m sure after a while he’ll be just as much of an asshole to people interested in Wendy.”

“That’s good, then,” Lucy said as she sighed and leaned back in her chair. “And now we only have to worry about thirty-odd Subjects we haven’t seen doing things...meh, I think I’ll take a page out of your book, Vinny. If they don’t look for us, I’m not going to worry about them.”

Fancypants exited from the mansion then, “Ah! I see we have… quite a few guests today.”

Tyler gave a nervous smile. “Heh, sorry for not warning you beforehand. We ended up running into a whole slew of old friends at the contest. Those three,” he gestured to Lisia, Ali, and Jasmine, “Are Queens family, and those two,” he pointed to Gordon and Malachi, “Are my uncle and his Medicham, Malachi.”

Valerie spoke up then, “These two,” she swung her tail at Vincent and Lucy, “Are a couple of old friends from the lab.”

Fancypants gave a small bow, “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Do any of you require more refreshments?”

Vincent shook his head, but Lucy’s expression turned thoughtful. “I...don’t suppose you have any pickles, do you?”

BBK gave a knowing smile, “Ooh! Do we have a baby on board over here?”

Lucy blushed a little, and Vincent blushed a lot at the Klefki’s words. Valerie gasped, “Lucy! Is she right?”

“...I took a test before the contest, I am indeed with egg,” the Lucario said softly.

Valerie beamed. “I’m gonna be a big sister and an auntie!” she exclaimed.

Vincent just sat back and waited for the ‘mon or the trainer to put two and two together as to who the dad was.

Kenny sipped from his glass, “So I guess you two are pokephiles or something? I can respect that I guess.”

Lisia jumped up again, “Oh my gosh! How could I not tell you two were together before! You look so perfect together and I was completely blind to it!” She looked to Tyler and Queen, “You two aren’t a thing are you?”

It was now Tyler’s turn to blush, “Wha- What? No! I-I… Uh…”

Queen just giggled at her trainers antics. “No, we aren’t together, and I think you may have just broke my trainer.”

“Just so you know,” Vincent said in an even tone. “I threatened my own mother when she used that word to describe our relationship. Fair warning.”

Lucy nodded as well before adding her two bits. “Love shouldn’t be confined by the laws of the land, because the laws have to make sense. Love never does.”

Kenny just quirked an eyebrow, “I’m using it as the strict denotation, I’m not insulting you or anything. Fact is you’re a former human, she’s a mon’, so that’s what it is technically speaking.”

Tyler just sighed, “Kenny, just because you don’t mean it as an insult doesn’t mean it’s not insulting.”

“Meh.”

“I’m certain you have buttons of your own I could push right back, and I could learn about them as well,” Vincent said, his eyes briefly flashing blue. “I’ll make you a promise, though. You watch what you say, and I won’t go digging for things to throw back.”

The Delphox shook his head, “Screw this, I’m out. Can’t have a civil conversation with these people.” He then pushed his chair back, grabbed his staff, and went inside, slamming the door behind him.

Tyler groaned again. “Just… don’t take what he says too seriously. He’s an idiot.”

“I heard that!”

“You were supposed to!”

“Everyone can be a moron at times,” Lucy agreed...before thumping Vincent upside the head.

“Ow!”

“Is that what you’re going to teach your kid?” the Lucario asked. “Intimidate others into doing what you want? There’s better, more civil ways, Vincent!”

“And…” the psychic sighed. “And I really need to learn them instead of just reacting.”

“Exactly!” Lucy said with a nod. “I’m certain my offering to go shopping for dresses with him would have offended him worse than your words and gotten my point across. Plus we would still have his company.”

Tyler shivered, “Please don’t ask him that. Fancypants is a big fan of this garden, and Valerie’s Pecha Berries are out here.”

“Is he really that bad?” Vincent queried.

Fancypants nodded, “Yes, we’re still washing the burn marks out of the shower from this morning, and I think the tub is melted slightly.”

“He’s like Christine used to be, but with a different trigger.” Valerie explained.

“...Now there’s an idea,” Vincent mused, before Lucy hit him again.

“No putting the ticking time bombs in the same room!”

“Yes dear,” Vincent grumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

There was an awkward pause, and some of the mon’ around the table nibbled on the assorted snacks, until Valerie broke the silence. “So Vincent, Lucy. How exactly have you two been making a living? I think Vincent’s hat shows well enough you aren’t wild.”

“True enough,” Vincent said as he nibbled on a cookie. “We showed up around Las Pegasus, and you can probably guess what we started off doing.”

“But eventually, we got our heads screwed on right, and Vincent became part-owner of the apartment building we live in. Sam works for Mary now, and I teach in a dojo for self defense.” The Lucario decided not to mention Bit until Valerie was more accepting of the fact that the Program hadn’t...exactly been sane.

The Poison-Type nodded. “That sounds pretty good. We… pretty much just get paid to hang around. It’s honestly more an allowance than a paycheck. I think Fancy just has more money than he knows what to do with and just gives it to us. I don’t even know what to do with my own now.” There was a general mumble of agreement from Tyler and his team on the subject. Everything they needed was provided for them, their bits were basically useless to them.

Tyler spoke up then. “I was actually thinking about saving up mine, maybe invest it well in a few places and buy myself my own house nearby in Canterlot. It’s nice at the mansion but… it’d be nice not to feel like such a mooch.”

“I could pitch in some of my pay too for that.” Damian offered. “This place is too fancy for me to stay in long term.”

“Sounds good to me. I actually saw this fairly big place down the street, only four bedrooms, but I’m sure some of us could share.”

BBK nodded, “I don’t really even need a room. I could just hang myself on a hook or something overnight. You fleshies are so weird with your beds and stuff.”

“You and Bit would get along great,” Vincent deadpanned. “And I can understand where you’re going with that. Yeah, when we were Iron Will’s roommates, it was nice and all...but there’s nothing quite like living in a place that you own.”

The Ampharos nodded, “Yeah. I’ll be seventeen in a few weeks, and that’s practically an adult. I feel like I need to start looking at what I’m gonna do for the rest of my life. I always thought I’d just go back to Evergrand and help my mom with the store or something.”

“There’s an idea for you then,” Vincent said with a nod. “Try to see if there’s a way to make some of the more useful and helpful things from Earth, then sell them. I’m sure the ponies would appreciate the products, and some of the trainers probably relied on a fair few.”

Tyler pondered for a moment. “Yeah… that could work. If I had any idea how to make them. All I really did was work the register, stock shelves, and sweep the floors.” He sighed, “I think the only thing I have any good understanding of in the workplace is running a store like that, but I hated that job so much the last thing I want to do is just work in a different one.”

“We do have Bit, and he knows quite a lot of things now,” Lucy pointed out. “If you’ve got time and a way to record the information, then he might be able to give you schematics or formulas for whatever you’d like. Then it’d just be a matter of finding the right people to help bring them from theory to reality.”

“I guess… but I still would rather not go back into retail. I wanna do something meaningful… you know?”

Fancypants chimed in then. “Actually Tyler. I think that this is an excellent opportunity they’re offering you. You could simply take the information and start a business with it. You have quite the sum of bits saved up currently, enough to jumpstart it. You wouldn’t need to be hooves… er… hands on in the business.”

The Ampharos sighed. “Yeah… I guess you’re right. But I’d still rather not do nothing while I just pay other people to work for me.”

“That as may be, but it does no good sitting in Bit’s head as-is,” Vincent pointed out. “And I will have my hands full when I get back, both with helping to run the building, coming up with improvements to make running the building easier, and…”

“And me,” Lucy finished bluntly.

Tyler gave as authentic a smile as he could. “Thanks. Sounds good. So… would he come by later while you’re still in Canterlot and transcribe them? Or would he write them in… wherever you’re staying and send them in?”

“I can probably ask him to swing by,” Vincent said, eyes quickly looking at Valerie, who appeared to be sulking at the casual talk of the Porygon, before the psychic looked back at Tyler. “Just make sure that he doesn’t meet anyone who doesn’t want to meet him. And what you do with the information is entirely up to you. Use it, sell it, let it sit. I trust you with it, since you took good care of Valerie. Proves you’re a good person, in my eyes.”

Tyler smiled again. “Alright, sounds good. I’ll probably be here all day so whatever time is fine.”

“He just has to get unentangled from running the sound and light show at the contest and pack his things up,” Lucy mused. “So...once he’s informed, he’ll probably take care of it as soon as possible. And speaking of the time,” She said, looking at Vincent.

“Yeah, we should probably check up on the pair of them ourselves, see if they need help, then go get some dinner and sleep,” Vincent said, holding up a hand to forestall Fancy Pants from offering. “I appreciate what you were about to say,” the psychic said, looking at Fancy with a smile. “But we already paid for our room, and this is a chance for us to use our bits to explore the city. We came with more than enough for this trip.”

The unicorn nodded. “That’s fine. I understand. But don’t hesitate to stop by again before you leave,” he looked to Valerie. “I think she very much enjoys your company.” The pony then turned around and went back inside.

“Well, assuming you’re up when I am, I’ll swing around to see you tomorrow morning,” Vincent said as he rubbed Valerie’s head with a hand. “Otherwise, I may be gone soon. Could be tomorrow, could be the day after.”

Valerie smiled. “I hope you can. If not I can stop by at your place in Las Pegasus pretty soon. My parents laid an egg just a few days before the move, and it should be hatching soon. They’re in Las Pegasus as well.”

“Hmm,” Vincent said with a grin before getting up. “I might very well look them up while I’m there. But for now...coming, Lucy?”

The Lucario got to her feet and gave Valerie a playful rub as well. “Take care,” she said before following Vincent out of the garden, and up through the mansion.

Author's Notes:

Part two of a crossover with Snek's story A new world, a new identity.