Extra 1 – Birthday

Snoring. Snoring. More snoring. Brian was asleep in his bed, goggles in head, oil covering most of his fur, and he even managed to hold a wrench in one paw. 

Next to him was Meggie, her head resting on his furry body, while she waited for him to wake up. Being awake so early in the morning was… not great, but cuddling with her boyfriend? That was a different story entirely.

She looked at the closed curtains, but even so was able to see the rays of the sun coming from outside. Well, it’s gonna be a good day after all! I really hope so…

“Hmmh…” Brian muttered something while asleep, and began to move around. 

Meggie, noticing this, floated away from him, but remained in the air, hovering next to his bed. Is this…

“Gotta… sleep sum more…” Brian groaned, yawning out loud and turning so his front faced the ceiling. With a stretch of his arms, he opened his eyes. “Ah… what time is it?”

“Around 8 AM.” Meggie replied, smiling at him. “Good morning!”

“Hm… mornin’.” Brian was about to rub his eyes, but smelled all the oil in his paws, and dropped the wrench on his bed. “Yesterday was really busy, huh?”

“It was, wasn’t it? Finishing the work on the train… getting ready for the inauguration…”

“Inauguration! Right!” Brian adjusted his goggles, putting them on top of his head. “Right, when is it?”

“Today.”

“Oh, cool, cool. Today. Right—” Brian’s eyes widened. “Wait, that means—oh Gods, it’s my birthday!”

Meggie’s smile grew larger as she flew towards him, enveloping the Zoroark into a huge hug. “Happy birthday!”

“Heh.” In response, Brian wrapped his arms around her, pulling Meggie close to his face. He closed his eyes, his lips touching hers. “…Thank you, Megs.”

“Y-You’re welcome!” Meggie felt her face melt a little, but her smile remained. “How old are you now?”

“Seventeen!” Brian said with a grin. “…Me and Lance, actually. Did he wake up already?”

Before she could properly reply, Meggie cringed, sticking her tongue out. Her entire body shivered.

“Uh… what happened?”

“He did. He made breakfast…” Meggie shivered again. “Brian, remind us to never let him make breakfast again.”

Based on those words alone, Brian had an idea what was going on.

Brian blinked. “What did he do this time?”

“A bowl of cereal, with…” once again, she trembled. “Ketchup and potato chips. I think I smelled onions too, but I’m not sure.”

There was only one thing Brian could think of when hearing that. “I’m not sure what’s worse: his combinations or risking this house blowing up by letting him cook.”

Meggie rubbed the back of her head. “I didn’t eat it. I was here, just waiting for you to wake up.”

With a long, drawn-out sigh, Brian nodded. “Let’s get you some actual breakfast. What are you feeling?”

“Uh, fried Blaziken and waffles?”

Hearing that made Brian’s stomach growl. “Well, that sounds pretty good, actually!”

He jumped out of the bed, ready to head to the kitchen, but Meggie stopped him before he did it, standing in front of him.

“Nuh-uh. You’re stinky. Go shower first, then we have breakfast. I’ll make us some berry juice…”

Brian sighed, knowing she was right. “Wait for me in the kitchen. I won’t take long.”

---

It was a lie. Brian took half an hour to shower, making sure to clean everything he could, even his goggles—there was oil in them as well. Once he dried up, Brian took a look in the mirror, seeing his mane puffing up.

This is why I cut it off. Too complicated.

He took a brush and started rubbing it, letting his mane look more natural. This part of the process didn’t take nearly as long, and he finished it in just two minutes.

Next, he left the bathroom, following the smell of juice in the kitchen. Inside, he found Meggie setting the table, with a large glass of oran juice in the middle.

“You’re really good at this.” Brian picked an apron, putting it on. “Alright! Time for the one, the only… Williams family recipe! My incredible fried Blaziken and waffles combo!”

Meggie clapped her hands together. “You gotta teach me sometime!”

With a smile, Brian began dusting the Blaziken pieces from the fridge, spicing them up with herbs. The aroma filled the air, but he wasn’t done. Brian moved to where he would make the waffle batter, measuring each and every ingredient, whisking them together until the batter was done. It smelled wonderful, and Brian stopped for a few seconds just to sniff it.

“Turn on the stove for me while I prepare the pan!”

Brian moved around the area, opening drawers until he found the one he was looking for. After putting it in place, he giggled, preparing to continue the meal.

---

After doing the dishes, Brian had finished the first part of his special day. Sure, there was no cake, and his parents were on vacation together—something he did a while before—but the day was still special. As long as he had his friends and girlfriend.

“Well… we’re not gonna stay here all day, right?” Meggie asked, already wearing her purse. “…Because I kinda wanna go shopping. I dunno, buy you something!”

“Heh. Sure, fine by me.” Brian grinned, feeling a bit of food still between his teeth. “…Go ahead, I’m gonna go brush my teeth real quick.”

“Should’ve done it after eating, like I did. You just haaaad to do the dishes first.” Meggie shrugged, before floating away. She unlocked the door and closed it behind her.

Just in time to be tackled into a hug. Meggie squirmed at first, until she noticed who was hugging her.

“Popsicle! Yer awake so early!”

“H-Hi Dex…” she struggled to breathe, and soon, the Floatzel unhanded her. She panted, looking at him. 

“Heh. With the money from our last job, I got me some stuff!” Dex flexed a bicep, but then pointed at his right ear. There was a gold earring attached to it. Next, he pointed at his stomach, where a blue torn sash was wrapped. “Check this out!”

“You look, err, charming.” Meggie knew better than to stare. Instead, she waited for Brian. “But yeah, we woke up early. Lance too.”

“Hm… I know Pup likes to wake up earlier than this. Know where he went?”

She shrugged. “He said something about checking the library. It’s not that big… but I’m sure he’ll find something to do there.”

“Aye, sure sounds like ‘im.”

Both of them heard the door creaking, and saw Brian leaving the apartment, complete with his goggles, a new, brown belt full of tools, and most important of all: not smelling like oil.

“Oh, good morning, Dex!” 

“Mornin’, Goggles. An’ happy birthday!” Dex said with a cheer, offering a hug.

“…I know you well enough to say “no”.” Brian shivered at the mere thought. “But it’s the thought that counts!”

Dex clapped his hands. “So! Important things first, me dear teammates! When’s our next job? Mission? Whatever ye wanna call it!”

There was an audible sigh coming from Brian. “It’s my birthday, I’m not going on any missions. Let’s slow down a little, y’know?

“We’ll get a good one soon enough, Dex.” Meggie said, smiling at him. “…I know you want cash, because you sure like buying things, but we’ll get there. Don’t rush into things.”

Although he stood a few seconds in silence, as if musing over what they said, Dex shrugged in response. “Nah, no worries, y’all. Goggles! Yer right, it’s yer birthday! We gotta celebrate!”

“Celebrate, yup!” Brian smiled. “Tonight, we’re invited to the inauguration of Bright Dawn’s train! But before that, we have a lot of time, and a lot of stuff to do!”

“Hm…” Meggie tapped her chin in thought. “It’s better to do it when Lance’s back.”

“Aye, it’s his birthday, ain’t it?” Dex grinned, mischief making its way into his head. What gift could he give that Lucario? Something he knew Lance would enjoy…

Not that he’d tell the others about it. “Well, we could wait. I mean… how long would someone even take in the library? It’s boring! Fer me, anyway. Pup likes it.”

Brian rubbed his chin. “I was thinking… we could just go around the city, visiting places, meeting others, I dunno. Could be fun.”

“Oh, I’d love to get a new flower for my apartment…” Meggie added. “A rose, maybe? I’m looking for one that smells nice.”

“Perhaps you should try buying lavender. It’s said that it has a calming aroma that is both soothing and herbal.”

Everyone turned towards the stairs, seeing Lance climb up with a book in his paw, and wearing a brown satchel. “Good morning, everyone. And Brian… happy birthday, to both of us, of course.”

Brian immediately ran to hug his brother, and this time, Lance returned the gesture. “Happy birthday, Shorty!”

“Adorable…” Meggie muttered, giggling to herself.

“Oi! Yer twins, but like, who’s the oldest? Who came out first?”

Lance flicked his cape, grinning. “Well, I am pansexual, so…”

“Pffft! That’s a stupid joke!” Brian laughed, tapping his brother on the back. “But a good one at the same time!”

“Hah. I can do jokes, sometimes.” Lance’s tail wagged. “Anyway, I’m not sure. Neither of us really cared to ask.”

“Borin’. Well, happy birthday, Pup! We gotta celebrate!”

“I… don’t really like parties, but I am trying to change. Slightly. I will be part of one if it pleases you.” Lance affirmed. “…That is to say, yes, I’d like to celebrate. You’re only seventeen once.”

Brian crossed his arms. “Pretty sure that’s not how the saying goes, but alright.”

“Hm, I’ll have to work on that.” Lance closed the book, putting it inside his satchel. “Well, my life expectancy is high, so I’ll have a lot of time to work on my social skills.”

“Oi, Pup. Whatcha got there? What book was that?”

“The Shadow’s Embrace: Unveiling Giratina’s Realm.” Lance replied, sighing slightly. “I… wanted to learn more about the legends, especially Giratina. Since him and Necrozma were, err—”

“They were datin’. I see!” Dex said with a mischievous grin. “Hah, makes sense. I mean, I dunno enough about ‘em, but yer a real nerd. Books are totally yer thing!”

“…Ahem, that is not important. The library happened to have that, so I’m borrowing it.” Lance interjected, clearing his throat. “Anyway, should we really be discussing our plans here, in the middle of the corridor?”

Brian shook his head, realization dawning on him. “Good point. We should get outta this place! Into the heart of the city!”

“…More like into the factory. I’ll never get used to all this smoke.” Meggie winced, her face contorting. “What about you, Dex? What do you think?”

Dex shrugged. “Whatever y’all want, I’m fine with it. But since this is a celebration, we should go somewhere special.”

“Somewhere special…” Brian repeated the words, and a different realization came up. “Wait, I know! Our parents aren’t here, but I… I wanna see someone! He helped us when we moved here, so I wanna give him a gift!”

Lance quirked a brow. “That Arcanine from the police?”

“Urgh… Apollo, ain’t it? That lil Fluffybuns…” Dex winced, gulping. “I’ve met ‘im before, an’ he kinda tried to arrest me. Public disturbance! Or somethin’ like that.”

Everyone had their eyes on Dex. 

“…Sounds just like you.” Lance smirked. 

“Like me?! I was just out drinkin’! I didn’t bother anyone!”

Brian started walking down the corridor, towards the stairs. “C’mon, guys! Less arguin’, more walkin’! I’m gonna find him a cool present!”

“See? Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Meggie told the others, before hovering until she was next to her boyfriend.

“I’m gonna get ye back fer this, Pup.” Dex said, ending his sentence with a growl, but one that sounded playful. “…An’ they’re right. Let’s go!”

Lance climbed down the stairs with the rest of his teammates, and they soon left the complex, walking into the city.

Right away, they were met with a densely-populated street, full of Pokémon bustling about, walking, doing their business, everything. Just another day in the city.

Dex stretched his arms as wide as he could, feeling a few cracks here and there, but nothing that he cared about. “I gotta admit, goin’ on vacation was fun, but I really missed this place. As shitty as it is.”

“Well, there’s worse places to be.” Lance shrugged his shoulders. “…Like in prison. Anyway! Brian, you’re the leader here, where are we going?”

Brian pondered, his fingers lightly tapping against his chin. “Frick, I wanna get him something… we have a lot of time, but I’m at a loss Lance! What would an Arcanine like?!”

“I beg your pardon?” Lance’s brows shot up in surprise. “How would I know?! Why are you asking me?”

Meggie twirled Brian’s mane around. “Well… y’know, you’re a Lucario. Lucario kinda looks like Arcanine, you can’t deny the resemblance! Well, besides the fact you’re bipedal and don’t breathe fire. But either way, it makes sense, don’t you think?”

Hearing that was enough to make Lance’s face turn entirely red, heat rising like he was inside a stove. “Excuse me?! That’s… that’s a huge leap to take!”

While all that unfolded, Dex had left to grab a skewer for himself, arriving just in time to hear what the others were talking about. He couldn’t help himself and burst out laughing. “Hah! Pup, they got ye good!”

It didn’t help Lance’s situation, and more heat rose. “Saying I’d know based on my species is like… it’s like asking Dex what an Oshawott would like! It makes no sense! O-Or if Brian knows what a Braixen would want!”

“Oi, leave me out o’ this!” Dex grumbled, munching on his skewer.

“…I see the problem.” Brian blurted out, sighing. “S-Sorry. Still, where should we go…”

Meggie shoved her boyfriend to the front, forcing him to walk a little. “I know just the place! Follow me, boys!”

“ Thank you , Meggie.” Lance breathed a sigh of relief, before following her. 

“Y’all are just hilarious.” Dex used the stick to remove a bit of meat in-between his teeth while walking alongside the other three.

“If you say so, Megs.” Brian rubbed his arm, letting Meggie take the lead. 

Where was she taking them? He had no idea, but he trusted her enough to go blindly.

---

There was more walking, but they were interrupted a few times because Dex wanted to get something different to eat. One time it was ice cream, another, sushi, and the third time, a bunch of fries.

Even with those distractions, they continued. Meggie led them through the busy streets, using her hovering to dodge a few of the Pokémon, while the others had to dodge them. Still, it wasn’t a hard trip, and it didn’t take very long until they arrived at the place.

“Ta-da!” Meggie twirled gracefully, her outstretched hand directing their attention to the nearby store, adorned with a vibrant sign that displayed the day’s special deals and enticing discounts. “This is my favorite convenience store, Handy Hat!”

“Neat. You came here before?” Brian quirked a brow. He was living in that city for longer, but didn’t know every store in the place. 

“It does look like a nice place to visit. Good choice, Meggie.” Lance looked around at the building. It stood tall, and he had a feeling it was a large place inside.

“I might even find somethin’ fer ye two.” Dex finished his fries and tossed the bag until it hit a trash can. “Nice, I still got it!”

“I won’t force you to give me something, but I’m also not gonna stop you if you really wanna do it.” Brian grinned, before opening the door to the store. A bell rang as he did, announcing their arrival.

Soft instrumental music played in the background to create a soothing atmosphere for any customers inside. Lance found the space was well-organized and maintained, with stocked shelves stretching from floor to ceiling.

“Welcome, welcome!” Behind the counter stood the friendly face of a Hattrem, the owner of the Handy Hat. With a warm smile and a twinkle in her eyes, she greeted the team. “Please, make yourselves at home! Oh, and Meggie! It’s always a pleasure seeing you!”

“Thank you, miss Hattrem!” Meggie pointed at her friends. “These are my teammates! We’re here to buy a gift for someone we know! And… well, I wanna give Brian something, too.”

“Greetings.” Lance said, before he moved on to the shelves. He could buy something for Brian, but what? Maybe another set of goggles… but he got those from Father. Hm…

Each member of the team went their separate ways, looking for what to buy. Brian took a look at the shelves in one of the aisles, seeing utensils for home. He even saw brushes, and an idea came to him.

Oh, Apollo’s fluffy! I wonder if he’d enjoy one of those… but that also feels like a stereotype. This is hard.

But he couldn’t deny it; Apollo was a mountain of fluff. If anything, giving him a brush would be very helpful. He picked the prettiest one, with a lot of fibers. Not to mention how well it fit in his paws, the grip coming to him as naturally as possible.

For Meggie, she first wanted something to dress with. Something other than a tiara. It was nice, but she felt a change was needed. Her eyes were set on a beautiful necklace, adorned with a metallic flower.

“Whoa, this is really pretty! Brian, what do you think?” Meggie called to him, and the Zoroark was by her side in a few seconds.

He was paralyzed. Awestruck. Brian stared at her, his eyes slowly widening as sparks appeared in them. Even talking was hard.

“O-Oh! M-Megs! You… you look incredible! You’re beautiful!”

“Y-You really think so?” Meggie asked, her face turning slightly red. “T-Thank you. I… thought this looked nice.”

Brian’s heart skipped a beat, relieved that his compliment had been well-received. With this as encouragement, he decided to continue the flirtation attempt.

“It looks great on you, Megs! Seriously, you always manage to look amazing, no matter what you do. I-I mean… you’re doing all this effortlessly, like a—like a… a-a good thing, I mean, a thing that—fuck, I dunno what to compare you to! S-Sorry.” Brian winced internally, realizing his words were far from smooth or suave.

Meggie’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. Despite his poor attempt, there was something endearing about the words Brian used, and she knew it was heartfelt, even if it lacked any kind of finesse.

“Aw… thank you, Brian!” she replied, voice filled with warmth. “It’s really sweet of you. Your compliments always make me feel special, even if you aren’t that good with them. It’s part of the charm, y’know?”

“I’ll, uh, keep lookin’ at the brushes, b-but thanks, I try my best.” Brian’s face was red, and he slowly walked out of the aisle.

“Heh. I do feel nice about myself like this.” Meggie looked around again, wanting to add another thing to her collection. This time, she saw two bracelets that looked like they were made with crystals. They were translucent, and so, so pretty.

“…I want this too.”

She put them on, twirling around. They were a little baggy, but not enough to fall off of her arms by accident. Meggie smiled, and right then, she knew that it was what she wanted to buy.

“Right! I gotta find something for Brian and Lance too!”

This would prove to be a little harder, at least on Lance’s side. She didn’t know what he would like. Maybe a notebook? He was into books in general, after all.

“…That can work, actually. Let’s go with that!”

On an aisle behind them, Lance checked a few tools. To his surprise, there were things an engineer like Brian would want, like a new wrench. Lance had seen the one his brother used, and it was rusty. 

Hm, yes, I think I’ll buy this one. The one he was looking at was clean, larger, and even had a rubber cover to help with the activities. It was perfect for Brian.

Now… I don’t know what I would buy for myself. I already liked the book, so perhaps there’s no need for it. Besides, my teammates are my present already.

Lance paused, closing his eyes and letting out a long sigh. Whoa, that was really, really corny. Even for my standards.

“Oi, Pup! Find anythin’ ye want yet?”

“Hm, not yet, but I have—” Lance sniffed the air, overtaken by a strong, fragrant aroma that came out of Dex. It was almost too much, almost intoxicating. “I-I… Dex, what did you do?”

“Took a sample outta some perfume. Why? Ye like it?” Dex grinned, flexing both of his arms. “Scratch that. I know ye do. I mean, ye did say I should play me cards right~”

Lance, having a sensitive nose, just nodded while his body adjusted to the scent, and he kept wincing at the smell. “R-Right, I did. And you’re doing that today? On my birthday?”

“Heh. Why not? I mean…” Dex approached, standing taller than Lance, and looking down at him. “If ye really wanna, there’s somethin’ we can do… if ye know what I mean.”

“P-Perhaps once I’ve seen the rest of the deck.” Lance forced himself to remain with a neutral look on the outside. On the inside , however, it was like a burning inferno. 

“Is that a yes?”

“It’s not a no .” Lance cleared his throat. “And besides, today is Brian’s day as much as it’s mine. You should get him something, too.”

Dex’s smirk grew. “Already did. Asked the owner, and she gave me the idea of a spa day fer ‘im an’ Popsicle.”

Lucky… Lance thought, imagining himself in a spa. It would certainly be relaxing. “Well, we should pay for this, so let’s go.”

“Aye, aye.”

They walked towards the counter, already seeing both Meggie and Brian there, both of them holding bags with their purchases. 

“We were waiting for you guys!” Brian said, raising the bag.

“On it.” Lance approached the counter, opening his satchel to pay for what he bought. “How much?”

Hattrem took a look at the wrench. “That’ll be 240 poké, sir.”

That much? Lance put the coins on the table, knowing he added more than needed. “Keep the change, we’ll be on our way, but thanks!”

Soon, they left the store, back into the busy streets of Bright Dawn. 

Thankfully, Dex’s perfume is so strong I can’t feel all the smoke. Lance coughed anyway. “…Ouch. Alright, everyone, where are we going now?”

“To the police station!” Brian gave an affirming nod. “After that… I dunno, we could go out for lunch? I don’t think it’s noon yet, but maybe once we get out…”

“Works for me.” Lance said. “Although I’m not as close with him, so I didn’t buy him anything. What did you buy, Brian?”

“He got a brush.” Meggie said with a grin, sticking out her tongue. “…Stereotypical, but it’s like that for a reason, y’know.”

“I’m… not even going to question it.” Lance deadpanned. From that to Dex flirting with him, it was an odd birthday, for sure.

Especially considering that during his last one, he met Scar for the first time. And now… Scar was trapped in that prison, forever.

…There is no remorse for him. And I wasn’t the one that did it, Lilith did. And besides, I shouldn’t spend precious time on my birthday thinking about him. It’s… just not worth it.

When Lance noticed the others calling out to him, they were already away, having a head-start while he mused about that Marowak. Lance quickly ran to catch up with them, and they continued walking towards the police station.

---

The trek wasn’t very eventful. Other than their conversation about many things—including the recent vacation—the team didn’t have a hard time reaching the station.

“Well, here’s hoping he won’t be too busy…” Brian muttered.

“He is the captain. I doubt there’s that much free time for someone like him.” Lance replied, sighing. He still hoped that Brian would be able to talk to Apollo anyway, but saying that there was a chance it wouldn’t happen was the right thing to do.

“…Well, I’m still gonna try.” Brian nodded, huffing.

“See?! That’s the Goggles we all know an’ love!” Dex slapped the Zoroark’s back while chuckling.

“T-Thanks…” 

Meggie held one of Brian’s paws for support. “If you’re nervous, we can go like this. Does it help?”

“A lot!” 

Gosh, she was cute. Spending his birthday with her made Brian want to giggle, dance and just relax. Nothing really mattered, as long as Meggie was by his side.

She was the best thing that happened after moving out of our home.

Brian tugged her hand tighter. “Alright, team! Let’s go!”

“It’s nice seeing you happy like this.” Lance smiled, wagging his tail, and entered the building.

Stepping inside, they found themselves immersed in a place of controlled chaos. The air buzzed with energy, sounds of conversations, clattering paperwork and even an occasional shout filled their ears.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here…” Dex rubbed the back of his head. He was clean, no crime at all. But still, going there was anxiety-inducing.

To his left, officers gathered around a whiteboard covered in notes and case details. In the center, Dex saw desks adorned with stacks of papers, where some other officers sat, organizing everything.

Lance scratched his chin.“Well, they’re working hard. I doubt they need any guild’s help.”

“True, but we could try it anyway, right?” Meggie asked, hearing a bark coming from the desks. Slowly, a Greavard made their way towards the team.

“Hello! May I ask what are you four doing here? As you can see, we’re all very busy! There are various investigations happening at once, and we’d like to focus on them!”

Lance felt prompted to speak on behalf of the team, but before he was able to, his brother interjected, stepping forward.

“We, uh, have something for Captain Apollo. If… that’s alright.” Brian raised the bag, smiling sheepishly. “…It’s a present.”

Greavard barked again, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, but the captain is very busy.”

“I’m never busy for these two!”

Another voice said, and from one of the offices came Apollo, wearing his cap and a badge near the mountain of fluff that was his neck. His tail wagged as he approached team Liberators.

“Good morning, kids!”

“Good morning, captain.” Lance said, offering a paw, which Apollo shook. 

“What’s this about a gift?” Apollo’s tail wagged even faster. 

Dex gulped, resisting the urge to call Apollo by a nickname. “Uh… mornin’, captain. It’s what he said, we’re here to give ye a present.”

“Huh… I wanna ask why, but I’ll just say it’s really sweet of you, kid.” This time, Apollo turned to Brian. The Zoroark handed him the bag, and Apollo caught it with his mouth, before slowly putting it on the ground. “And what’s the occasion?”

“It’s, uh…” Brian stuttered with his words.

Luckily for him, Meggie was there to help. “It’s his birthday, but instead of getting something for himself, Brian wanted to share the spirit with you!”

Brian fiddled with his fingers. “Y-Yeah, you helped us during that case with the… heart of steel. And we helped you, so I thought “why not?”, y’know?”

“That’s… adorable, I gotta say, kid.” Apollo’s ail now looked like it was moving at the speed of sound, and produced a loud noise. “I… can’t say I was expecting that, especially considering the last time we saw each other. But I’ll take the gift, no problem!”

That was… when Necrozma had control of my body. Lance thought. Did Apollo ever connect the dots? It didn’t look like it. Best to keep it that way, it’d be hard to explain, anyway.

“It’s… a brush, s-sir. I know it’s kinda a stereotype and all, but—”

“Oh, are you kidding me?! I wanted a new one for so long!” Apollo barked in excitement, smiling the flashiest smile he could. “Seriously, thank you, kid!”

“You’re welcome!” Brian grinned in return. “Are you going to the inauguration later today? Like, it’s a big event. I thought the police would be there for safety reasons.”

Apollo nodded. “Yup, we’ll be there. Guess I’ll see you later, then.”

“Mhm, sounds good to me! It’s a special occasion.”

Brian smiled, the day really was being good, every bit of it. And with his stomach growling, he knew the next stop in their trip.

---

Leaving the place, Lance decided to lead them to his favorite restaurant in the city. It was noticeable once they left the general vicinity of the police station, and entered the more “noble” part of the city.

There was a change in architecture, with towering structures, majestic columns, and some of the houses even had graceful archways. It was like every building told a story of nobility. Elegant street lamps, though not active, served to guide the visitors, while high-end boutiques, fine art galleries and even jewelry shops surrounded the four.

“Pup, why am I not surprised ye like this area?”

Lance shrugged in response. “We’re headed to the Opulent Magnolia. It’s my favorite restaurant. Very classy, I must say. And the food tastes great, too!”

“That’s… good.” Meggie winced. If Lance found that food to be good, what kind of eldritch horrors awaited them inside the restaurant?

They stopped in front of it, a building that stood taller than all others, with pillars, flowers decorating the entrance, and a large door that would fit all kinds of Pokémon.

“Welcome! I always wanted to take someone out here. I mean it, it’s a wonderful place.” Lance flicked his cape around for dramatic effect. “…Now, please, let’s go, friends!”

He even had a bright smile on his face. One that Brian found to be so unlike his brother that it was sticking out.

“Okay then!” Brian said, walking with the others. Once they were there, it was like their world was turned upside down.

Polished marble floors and gleaming crystal chandeliers cascaded from the high ceiling. Soft lighting illuminated the place, casting a warm glow that revealed beautiful paintings adorning the walls. Even the air itself carried a faint fragrance of fresh flowers.

“Lance… I gotta say, this is really impressive!” Brian said, already looking at the tables. They were set with crisp, white linens, porcelain plates and gleaming silverware.

“Sheesh. Only Pup could do somethin’ like this.” Dex rubbed the back of his head. “If I’d known we’d be here, I would’ve used a better suit.”

Meggie looked at the Lucario with a small frown. “That does raise the question, though, can we eat here without a reservation?”

“Don’t worry, I know who runs this place. She owes me.” Lance winked, sitting on a chair nearby. Each of his friends took a seat as well, in comfy, fluffy chairs. “…A story for another time, I suppose.”

“One o’ these days yer gonna have to tell me all the ‘mons ye know around ‘ere.” Dex grinned. “How’d even meet all of ‘em anyway? An’ get them to owe ye?”

“It’s charm , Dex. You would know if you had any.” Lance winked at him.

“…Whoa.” Dex tapped his chest and blinked, groaning. “Might need somethin’ fer that burn…”

While they were talking, a Shiinotic walked towards them, wearing a bow tie around their neck. “Uh, excuse me? Do you have a reservation? You can’t just show up and sit, rules of the house…”

“Tell the owner it’s mister Williams.” Lance said to the waiter. “She knows who I am.”

Gulping, the Shiinotic left, leaving them all alone. Lance turned to his friends, smiling at them again. 

“Now, then, I believe that solves our problems.”

“I’m with Dex. You gotta tell us all about… whatever this is.” Brian said, looking at the menu. “Hm… Lance, these prices, they’re a little, uh…”

“They can’t be that bad.” Meggie raised a brow, picking a menu of her own. “Wait, wha—Lance! How the hell are we supposed to pay for any of this?!”

Dex wanted to check the menu, but judging by their reactions, decided against it. At the very least, he’d order a dessert. Fancy places like that always had good desserts.

…Maybe if bein’ a hero didn’t work out fer me, I could’ve been an escort. Heh.

After a while, Shiinotic returned, this time sporting a smile as they held a notebook and a pen. “My sincere apologies for the misunderstanding! May I take your order?”

“Well, I’m fine with anything. Brian, what do you want? Consider this my gift to you.” Lance said, crossing his arms and smiling.

“Me? I—” Brian bit a lip, checking the menu again. The ribs did look appetizing… at least from the description. “Can we have this, uh, prime rib roast?”

Meggie took a look at the same place, her mouth watering. “…I’m with him. I want that.”

Shiinotic took their other with occasional nods. “Anything else?”

“Yes, I’d like a milkshake!” Dex blurted out. “Oh, and fries!”

“Alright. Anything else?”

Brian shook his head. “Not for me. Megs, Dex, Lance?”

“I’m fine with this order. But… I’d like a glass of berry juice. If possible.”

“Y-Yes, sir.” Shiinotic nodded, moving out of the way.

Now all they had to do was wait.

---

The conversation came and went while they waited for the food to arrive. After all, there was much to be discussed.

“Like I mentioned, I want to make a city. It’s still a work in progress, but I did have some ideas.” Lance noticed the waiter coming over with a bowl of garlic bread, putting it in the middle of the table. “Thank you. Anyway, Brian, I would like your opinion on this, as an engineer.”

Brian immediately grabbed a piece of bread and started eating it. “Do tell! Can I be blunt, though? ‘Cause, like, no offense, but you’re kinda dramatic when it comes to planning.”

“True, true.” Dex had picked two pieces of bread instead. “I’m curious too, not gonna lie.”

“Hm.” Meggie said only that, focusing on the bread. It was mouth-watering.

Lance nodded. “…How feasible do you think a floating city might be?”

Brian almost choked on the garlic bread, but retained enough control to stop himself just in time. He looked at his brother with an open mouth, but without saying a word.

“T-That’s, uh… it sure is an idea, Lance.” Brian put the bread down, and carefully… it was grabbed by Dex. Brian didn’t seem to mind. “I mean, how would we keep it flying?”

“I can float, but not all the time. It gets tiring eventually.” Meggie added, and even if her point wasn’t exactly the same, it was worth a shot.

Meanwhile, Dex kept chewing on the bread. He knew well enough that this was way out of his league… except for his flotation sac. That could be talked about. 

“I can float, despite bein’ so bulky. I’m sure there’s physics involved in it. Maybe ye two nerds gotta figure that part out?”

“Hm, it does make sense.” Lance nodded, using a fork and a knife to cut his bread into tiny bits, much to the chagrin of everyone else there. Not that he cared. “As for floating… I assumed we could keep machines positioned in just the right spots, constantly operating. Of course, they would eventually need repairing, maintenance, and all that. Which is where you come in.”

Brian could only sigh. “I can certainly try , but this is a pretty big project. We’ll have to work on it really hard. And besides, you’ll be leaving in like, a month. We shouldn’t start doing it now .”

“Exactly my point.” Lance smiled. “I doubt King Edgar will cut off all communications between us, so we can still plan it. Baby steps, I suppose.”

Brian let out a sigh, looking up. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Once he looked down again, he realized just in time that Shiinotic had returned, carrying with them a large plate of ribs. Just the smell alone was intoxicating, and the sauce… it dripped from each rib, appetizing, inviting them to take as many bites as they wanted.

Not to mention the fries. Shiinotic carried a second plate, gently putting it down. The fries were large, in both size and quantity, and though he could smell the salt, Brian realized it didn’t taste salty after trying one out.

“Thank you for the meal,” he said, controlling the urge to drool at the sight. The ribs were huge!

“Give my regards to the owner. Tell her… she doesn’t owe me anymore.” Lance told the waiter, who nodded before leaving.

A few seconds later, Shiinotic returned one final time, now carrying a glass of an orange-colored juice. They put it on the table.

“The milkshake will arrive shortly, mister…”

Dex was munching on a rib, and only noticed he was being spoken to by Lance snapping a finger near his ear. “Oh, howdy! Name’s Dex!”

“Thank you.” Shiinotic left one more time.

Lance watched his friends eat with a smile on his face—the present was worth it, every bit of it. And spending his birthday with his loved ones was the best one he could ask for.

Not to mention that Dex, despite eating so voraciously… was sort of cute. He was the only one that approved Lance’s recipes, too.

…But it wasn’t the time for romance.

“Well, Brian, I’m sure we’ll have enough time to figure the logistics out. I’m still researching more legends… I’ll try to keep doing that, even while I’m working for King Edgar.”

“Uh-huh.” Brian nodded, but focused most of his attention on the food. After all, it wasn’t every day that he got to indulge in such fine cuisine. “We’ll work on it.”

Meggie smiled, cleaning a bit of sauce off of her boyfriend’s snout, before starting to eat. While not as voracious as the guys, she was still hungry, and took the time to savor every bit of food.

“Well, then, let’s have lunch, shall we?” Lance asked, knowing everyone had started already. His tail wagged, and he began to eat. While used to this restaurant, he figured the company was the best part of it—though the food was still very good.

---

In the end, Lance paid for the bill—making sure nobody there actually saw how much it cost. By the time they left the restaurant, it was way into the afternoon, and the sun was beginning to set. The ceremony was close.

“Guess we did all we wanted to do…” Brian said, holding a milkshake in a paw, and Meggie’s hand in the other. He took a slurp. “Maybe we should get ready for it? Like, go home, get dressed, that kinda thing.”

Now they were back on the street, already close to their apartment.

“Sounds fine to me.” Lance nodded. He already knew exactly what clothing to wear. 

I know this isn’t the time for romance, but… I want to try something.

“And Dex… I’ll let you borrow an outfit. I know you don’t have anything pretty.”

“Hey!” Dex raised an arm to protest, but backed down. “…Yer right, but ye don’t need to say it.”

Lance only replied with a smile, and they continued to walk. This time, the streets were a little emptier, but not by much. There was still the occasional cluster of Pokémon together, meaning they had to dodge that. However, it was somewhat rare, so they didn’t take too long to reach the complex. And even less to climb the stairs. Lance, after reaching the top, looked out the window, wincing slightly.

…You never forget being thrown out of a window.

With a sigh, he continued, and the four were standing near both Lance and Meggie’s apartments.

“I’m gonna go dress up inside. I… kinda prepared something for this occasion.” Meggie said with a smile. After kissing Brian, she entered her own apartment.

“Well, Dex… I’d like to ask you to come with me.” Lance said, showing a smug grin. “…I want your honest opinion on what would look good on me.”

“…”

Dex returned with a grin of his own. “Aw, did I really play me cards right? And I ain’t even used to card games! Too borin’!”

“…I’d say you two need a room, but Lance’s offering his already.” Brian blinked, rushing to his own before things there got too awkward for him.

“Well, then.” Lance’s grin grew, while his tail started to wag, moving the cloak a little. “…Let’s go.”

Once inside of Lance’s room, Dex sat on the bed, while Lance moved next to the closet. He opened it, showing a few outfits. Bracelets, a tuxedo, a trenchcoat, his old headband… even a hat. Lance went for the tuxedo and the coat.

“What’s your opinion, Dex?” Lance showed both of them to the Floatzel. “Which one should I use?”

“Good point. Tuxedo’s too formal—an’ I’m gonna be honest here—it ain’t yer style. I think the coat looks cooler. ‘Sides, it’s brown. Kinda fits.”

“Impressive, I thought so too.” Lance smirked, taking another peek at the closet. He found another tuxedo, but this one was larger—just large enough for Dex. Lance tossed it to his friend. “Here, it should fit… probably.”

“Hmph. Not my style either, but is what it is.” Dex considered trying the tuxedo, but decided to wait for Lance to finish dressing up first.

“Now, I know what you want to see, but I’m still wary. Close your eyes.”

Dex pouted, crossing his arms, but did as asked. “Sheesh, fine, Pup. Yer a tease…”

“Well, I do try…” Lance removed his cloak, gently setting it in the bed, while unbuttoning the coat. He put it on, and buttoned it back. “So… how do I look?”

“Hot.”

Lance winced, but then chuckled. “Hah… I should’ve expected such an answer.”

“Heh. Like I said, yer a tease… but yer not the only one~” 

Dex stood up, taking away his bandanna and sash. He flexed both arms, kissing his biceps, before picking the tuxedo up, unbuttoning it and putting the shirt. Slowly, he put the buttons back. Despite the shirt being larger than Lance’s, it was still a little tight, with the outline of his muscles being visible even when it was on.

“Like it~?”

“I-I…” Lance gulped, responding with a nod. 

“Good.” Dex grinned, and put the rest of the fit, except this time he did it at a normal pace. “Glad ye like it.”

“I mean… yeah.” Lance rubbed the back of his head. “Does this make us even? No more teasing?”

“Eh, we’ll see about that .” Dex shrugged. “An’ we have a party to go to.”

“True.” Lance adjusted the coat, cleared his throat, and left the room.

Maybe one day, he could actually pursue romance. Maybe. But for now, he was happy just being friends.

---

It was finally time. As the sun set, team Liberators left the complex, dressed to the occasion. Along with her bracelets and necklace, Meggie also wore a floral veil around her head—fitting her just right. Brian, on the other hand, had a tailcoat, while his hair was wrapped in a ponytail.

The team walked, following an audience, and Brian’s directions, heading to the heart of the city. They didn’t pass by that area earlier—going through a different path—but now, the train station was visible from far away.

“There it is!” Brian said with a chuckle, and a bright smile on his face.

Pokémon thronged the streets, most of them dressed in their finest attire, and ready to witness history in the making. The atmosphere was electric, as locals and visitors alike gathered to celebrate the inauguration. Vendors had set up stalls along the pathway, offering a variety of treats to anyone that desired them.

The station itself was imposing, built on the top of a large set of stairs, it contained a large, metal train, rails, and even a clock tower to the side, revealing the current time: the day just hit evening.

“It looks nice. Congratulations, Brian.” Lance nodded, adjusting his coat one more time. “…You did a good job.”

Meggie smiled, holding Brian’s paw. “He really did!”

“Heh. Thanks, guys.” Brian rubbed the back of his head. “I think everyone’s here…”

He looked around, seeing the police stationed at multiple spots, ready to attack at the slightest sight of trouble.

And at the top of the stairs, right next to the train, were two Pokémon: one was a Kilowattrel, and the other, a Goodra with a metallic shell on her back.

“The new mayor…” Lance muttered, his gaze fixed on the dragon. “I’ve heard good things about her, but I suppose anything is better than the last one.”

“Good evening, everyone!” Goodra said with a cheer, her gooey body jiggling slightly. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate a mark in our city! The first railroad of Bright Dawn!”

The bird next to her flapped his wings. “Indeed! For the last few months—apart from the Enlightenment—me and a select group of Pokémon have been working on building this! We have associated with other cities and villages, creating railroads whenever possible… all to make traveling easier for you!”

“Oi. Goggles, how long did ye work on the train thingy?”

“For a little while, before we left to get Lance, and when we got back, I still worked a little. Not as much as I wanted… but it’s fine. I did my best!”

“Even if you only worked on it a little, you still helped, sweetheart.” Meggie stated, smiling at him. “And it’s still your achievement. Yours and so many others.”

“From this day onward, you may use the system to visit a lot of towns nearby! Before, if it took you days… it will only take a few hours!” Goodra said, her body jiggling further. “Please, my friend here, the engineer responsible for this project, will talk some more!” 

Kilowattrel huffed, flapping his wings again. He looked at them, and smiled slightly. “The system is effective, and more importantly, safe! We have hired the best of the best to protect the passengers at all times, so there’s nothing to worry about!”

“Are there any questions?” The mayor asked.

One Pokémon, an Aipom, raised a hand. “Ma’am! Is there a possibility we can make these trains run on water?”

Brian’s engineer brain heard that question, and began to work. If they could somehow keep the roads there, or make the train not need one, then it could be feasible.

“A very interesting question!” Kilowattrel replied. “We may need to think about this one a little harder, as there are many variables.”

“Y’know, I don’t get what they’re talkin’ about… but hey, if it makes ye happy, Goggles, then I’m happy too.” Dex said. He already had a skewer in hand, and was eating the meat on it. “…That bein’ said, ye gotta participate on the next project.”

“I’ll be leaving in a month or so, therefore, I’ll tell you this now.” Lance looked at his brother. “Follow your dreams. And besides, this helps with mine as well, doesn’t it?”

“I-I guess…” Brian tried to hide the blush on his face, but it couldn’t be more apparent.

“And we’ll always be there for you. Especially me.” Meggie held his paw tighter. “Alright? You worked for this. You deserve all the praise you can get.”

“Right.”

He worked hard on the train. As hard as he could. And there it was, the physical proof of his effort. If anything, that was another gift for that birthday. Brian accepted that, smiling once more. From now onwards, he would continue fulfilling his dreams, being part of all the projects he could.