"Ah, Decidueye! I have been looking for you. Come with me, if you have the time."

The last thing I was expecting as I exited Bulu's classroom was for the voice of Solgaleo to override my thoughts, but alas, there he was, standing outside the door and gazing warmly at me in his Solgaleo way. A few Pokémon shot me little glances on their own ways out, Midnight in particular looking at me as if to say, "You're in big trouble now, Decidueye!" I supposed that even if the Wolf Pokémon wasn't having the dean's telepathy projected into his head, he could take the hint all the same—something that came with years at the API, apparently.

I waited rather awkwardly for the majority of the students to pass by before turning to Solgaleo and saying, more nervously than I'd like to admit, "O-Of course, sir. That was my last class of the day, I'm pretty much free now! ...Well, aside from my work, of course, but—"

"It will not be long. And there really is no need to be so nervous. In fact, I think you'll like hearing what I have to say."

At that, Solgaleo made for the stairs, up to the roof that some loved and others despised. I followed him at a bit of a distance, not wanting to attract any attention. Truth be told, it wasn't every day that you saw either of the deans within the academy's interior, and yeah, seeing the great Sunne Pokémon walk so casually among us ordinary creatures was just a little offputting. Sometimes I had to remind myself that Solgaleo and Lunala were indeed Pokémon, with flaws and interests all their own.

It was a cool and cloudy afternoon, with a slight wind that made my feathers dance and my beak curve into a smile the second I set talon on the roof. Solgaleo returned my smile knowingly, sensing my enjoyment as he sniffed the fresh air himself. Then, surprisingly casually, and basically out of nowhere, he said, "I'm sure you're aware that our drama club's main musical this year is The Kalosian War. Well, Tapu Lele has told me of some complaints from the actors regarding its choreography."

I stood there dumbfounded for a moment; why would he tell me that? What did I have to do with anything surrounding the drama club? Heck, I probably couldn't name five members off the top of my head! I decided against asking about it, though, as I supposed that there was always a reason for Solgaleo to say what he said, so I simply replied with a small and simple "Hm."

The dean waited a moment before speaking again, instead opting to look into the distance, perhaps at the surrounding trees or the sea or the light gray sky. Eventually, though, his eyes did meet me again, and his voice continued, "The reason I want to speak with you is due to the classes you've been taking; not just this year, but for all three of them now, really. I hope you know that the last thing I intend to do is offend you, or pretend to know your own life better than you do, but Lunala and I truly desire what is best for each and every one of our students, so that we may continue to make Alola, and the whole world, prosper. And so, with that...I have noticed a rather clear lack of direction when it comes to your scheduling choices. Am I correct?"

Immediately my eyes met the ground—not because I felt that Solgaleo was challenging me or accusing me of anything, but simply because I knew he was right, the more I thought about it. Not only was I taking classes like astronomy simply because my girlfriend was, but if you asked me what my major was, I sincerely couldn't tell you. When I first applied to the API, I hadn't the slightest idea of what I wanted to do with my life, and now, as a junior, I could only wish I could say my sentiment had changed.

Solgaleo must've picked up on my embarrassment, for he added, "Of course, it's nothing to be so ashamed of. I will be the first to encourage the exploration of many different careers, and nobody said you had to enter academies like this one with your future set in the stone of your mind. It really isn't that harsh—it never has been, not even when humans walked the land. Yet, I'm afraid such leisure only stretches so far. Education such as this, provided by the API and other schools, has a large stake in many a Pokémon's life. It is not to be taken lightly, as you know."

"Yes, sir," I replied, finding that that was basically all I could say. "I know."

"I have seen you dabble in technology, education, journalism—I've always been able to tell that politics aren't for you, I'm sure you'll agree—and likely more through the years, as well. Yet, you've never settled on something for more than a single year. Tell me, why is that?"

There was absolutely no sense of threat in Solgaleo's voice, just the warm and wise glow it almost always seemed to carry. Honestly, it made it a lot easier for me to speak, myself. "I...I suppose I just wasn't passionate enough about any of those things. None of them clicked, y'know? Truth is, it's hard for me to picture myself ten years from now, doing anything. It...it was so much easier when I was a Rowlet."

Solgaleo cocked his head curiously. Realizing what I had just said, I looked back at the ground in embarrassment, and muttered, "I-I wanted to go to space. Didn't every little Pokémon?"

The dean smiled and gave something of a laugh, his eyes inviting and playful as a summer's midday sky despite his age. "You are wise, Decidueye; you are not the kind to settle for something that will leave you unhappy. That is a pitfall that, unfortunately, many students do not end up overcoming. But since I wish to help you find something, something that 'clicks', are there any classes you're taking now that you particularly enjoy? Go on; think long and hard."

That I did. There was astronomy...no, I found that boring, even with Trumbeak around. I was no historian, either; I'm sure Bulu would've been quick to tell me that. I thought of jazz band, of a musical career; I wasn't too shabby at the tenor sax, after all, and playing with a band, no matter the size, always gave me a thrill like almost no other. Music gave me a sense of belonging, the more I thought about it. It gave me great friends and great memories. Sometimes, when a good tune entered my ears, I couldn't help but get up and dance to it, however clumsy I was; other times I just had to close my eyes and imagine routines, the dancers of my mind gliding gleefully and carelessly to the music at my whim. At times I wished those dancers would bust out of my head and onto the stage, so everyone could see them, and not just me. That did happen once, I recalled, when I was dancing with Trumbeak in the Shopping Mall, to the song of that dinky little radio. We were the dancers of my mind then; I'd think, I'd move, she would respond, like clockwork, like magic. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had a class that offered and would hone those very experiences...a class that would put my dancers on the stage:

"Choreography, sir."

Solgaleo nodded, like he had expected that to be my response the entire time. "Yes," his voice rang in my mind with the sort of satisfaction that told me I had answered his question right. "You have mighty potential as a choreographer, Decidueye. I have seen and heard about you in Tapu Lele's class. I have noticed the way you experience music! If my suggestion is welcome, then I would say that choreography is a path worth treading down for you. Would you agree?"

My next answer took considerably less thought than my last one: "Yes, sir. I would!"

The dean paused then, deep in thought. I could tell he was carefully pondering over his next words; it was something he did often, honestly. All I knew was that whatever he was about to say, it was important, and for that I steeled myself.

"I...have an opportunity for you, Decidueye," Solgaleo eventually said, his voice growing far quieter and more thoughtful in my head. At those words, I couldn't help but perk up in curiosity. "Do you recall what I said, at the beginning of our little conversation here? About the drama club's troubles with their play?" He chuckled, then went on, "I'm sure you thought me mad; 'oh, Solgaleo's lost his mind now, speaking of things I've nothing to do with, surely!' And maybe you're right, maybe I really am mad...but believe me when I say that this has everything to do with you. According to Tapu Lele, The Kalosian War's choreography is lacking. Unimpressive. Nonexistent, at points, I believe she said. So, I took it upon myself to seek someone out who could perhaps—"

"You don't mean..." I blurted as the pieces slowly came together in my mind. I really hadn't meant to cut off someone of such high authority as Solgaleo mid-sentence, but something told me that it would've happened no matter how hard I tried to contain myself. After all, if I was thinking what he was thinking, then he was absolutely nuts! He was asking way too much of me; there was no way in the Reverse World that someone like me would be able to do an entire play any sort of justice, no matter how hard I tried...right? Besides, childish as it seemed, I was scared to death of the drama club. They were the kind to rip you to bits if you did anything they considered to be "jeopardy"; that's how I'd always thought of them, anyway. And none of that was even to mention their leader. One wrong move and Tapu Lele would...

"I am aware of how intimidating my suggestion may sound," Solgaleo started over sympathetically. "You seem to have already grasped what I was about to say...but yes. I believe that it would serve you mighty experience if you were to act as the choreographer for this year's production, Decidueye. Of course, you don't have to do it alone. And, of course, it is but a suggestion; one that you can heed or disavow the second you leave this office. I will not take issue with either decision." He must've noticed that the confusion and bewilderment on my face didn't falter, as he quickly added, "It's not a decision that you must make as we speak, either. No such choice deserves so little time. However, if I am to order something of you, I must see that you take a copy of the play's script and choreography. Look over it, if you will. Ponder over it. It will undoubtedly help you make up your mind with ease."

The dean crossed the roof with purpose, stopping in front of a small chest that I'd never before bothered to notice. After wrenching it open, he reached in and grabbed a rather thick packet of papers gently in his mouth, then returned to me. Gingerly I took the packet; it seemed free of saliva, both to my amazement and my gratitude. As expected, the first page read in big bold letters: The Kalosian War: Script and Choreography. With a gulp, I recognized it as either nothing at all, or the beginning of my future. And it was all up to me to decide which of those two it really was.

"Well...thank you, sir," I finally said, turning to leave with script in hand. "I'll consider it, I really will!"

Solgaleo nodded. "I've no doubt."

That was the end of our conversation.

—————

"Well, well, well! Decidueye the choreographer!" Midnight sneered upon hearing of the news that evening. I sat with him in the common, also accompanied by Midday, Raichu and Trumbeak. The four of them were wrestling to get a good look at the packet that rested on my talons, like they were trying to gauge whether or not it was even real. I can't exactly say that being the center of attention for, well, the first time in my whole life, was all that it was cranked up to be, either.

"Now, I mean this in the nicest way possible, but don't you think..." Midday started, choosing his words slowly and carefully.

"That there are a million Pokémon more qualified for this position than I am? Of course I do!" I snapped a little harsher than I'd intended. "I-I'm sorry, but...what makes you think Solgaleo asked me? There's a reason for literally everything with him, but this..."

"I'm sure you'll figure out the exact reason in time," Trumbeak offered. "But he probably just wants to help you reach your full potential, like he said. And remember back when we were dancing? You were amazing! Imagine what talent like that could look like when it's honed into skill!"

"And hey," Raichu added, not waiting for me to stop blushing. "Even if ya suck, the choreo can't get much worse than it is now! Believe me, I'd know."

"Thanks, you two, really," I told the girls. I meant it, too, even despite Raichu's rather backhanded remark. "I guess my real question is, should I do this or not? I mean, it's not like I'm the busiest Pokémon at the academy or anything, and Arceus knows when I'll get another opportunity like this. And I love choreography, I really do! But then again, I..." I was about to say that I didn't want to be ripped to shreds by Lele and the drama club, but one glance at Raichu told me that it would be better off left in my mind, so I went with, "I don't wanna ruin the entire thing, y'know? Not for my own reputation, and certainly not for the drama club."

"I think you've gotta learn how to be a bit more selfish, man," Midday smiled slightly. "As odd as I think Solgaleo's offer is, if I had a chance like that, I'd take it in a heartbeat. It wouldn't matter to me what everyone else thought, especially if a passion of mine was concerned."

"Besides, we've got your back," Trumbeak chirped, placing a warm wing on my shoulder. "I mean, I don't know much about choreography, but if this thing ever makes you fall behind in astronomy, I won't hesitate to help. And aside from all that...I believe in you, Decidueye. I know you've got it in you. I think we all know."

My beak curved into an undoubtedly enormous smile, through no volition of my own. There really was only one choice then, wasn't there? "You guys, I...thanks. Thank you all so much!" I looked from Trumbeak to Midnight to Raichu to Midday, and thanked Arceus for each one of them. They were the few, but the strong. All wildly different, yet united under friendship and care. We were a pack, a family; we had built each other up from nothing. And now, now they were continuing to build me up, to help me set sail across the weird world. To that, I could've said nothing but "Yeah. I'll do it!"

Around me, my friends smiled; no overblown eruption of applause and cheers, or anything like that. Just calm, satisfied, genuine smiles. And for me, there was almost no way it could've been any better.

As I went to sleep in the hall that night, I felt so full of freedom and elation that I almost forgot for a moment how much I despised the lack of a proper bed, and despised the creature who took mine from me. His muffled snores from behind the door made my skin crawl and my feathers stand on end even though I couldn't see him. That room where he shamelessly slept had once been mine...mine and Vikavolt's. And it was then that feelings of longing and emptiness came to sober me; thoughts of my closest friend of all, how he was doing, what he would've thought if he could see me right then. All of it, I wouldn't know for a long, long time.

Sun and moon, I missed Vikavolt.