It had been three days, and the pair had been absent. They hadn't even shown up, which was unlike them. Ricky missed the team's second game, which they lost; the main reason being their lack of offensive skill. It began to worry Vincent- he had seen what had happened the day before their absence, and he didn't know what caused it exactly. He decided to go and find out- he knew the building the pair lived in- he'd talked about it with Ricky. After his last class, he set out for their apartment, wanting answers. He wasn't going to leave without them.

Meanwhile, Blaze was simply laying in her bed, sleeping. It was 3:30 in the afternoon, which was late even for her. It wasn't out of the ordinary recently however as she had slept until about that time for the past 3 days- she had nothing else to do with her time. She got out of bed after some time and sat in front of the TV, turning it on and flicking through the channels. Her life wasn't the same without Ricky- she was able to admit that, but at the same time, why would she want to be with him after what he did? She tried to forget about him, which proved to be easier said than done. Truth be told, she couldn't deny missing him a little, even after he stabbed her in the back. She had fallen into a state of depression after what happened, however she had gotten slightly better since it all began. She couldn't stop herself from crying from time to time though- she wasn't able to let him go completely, no matter how much she wanted to.

Ricky on the other hand took it all a lot worse. He hadn't done anything wrong, but the punishment he bared for his actions was very heavy. He was always tempted to try to talk to her again, but she never allowed him to. She never even answered his pleas anymore, feeling no remorse as she left him to suffer alone. The damage was done, and he knew he couldn't fix it. He needed help from someone- anyone. He didn't care who it was. If he was going to see her face again, someone else had to step in. She wouldn't listen to him.

He was in the living room, sitting on the couch trying to contain his feelings. Like Blaze, he hadn't left his apartment  in three days and had done almost nothing, barely taking time to eat and take showers. The truth was he found it harder to do anything without her and he found that nothing seemed fun anymore- his life was a lot more bleak without Blaze; he had never been happier when he was with her. He began to tear up, not able to contain his emotions forever. He couldn't bare to be seen like this.

Vincent entered the apartment lobby, impressed by his surroundings. It was a very large and roomy place. The walls were decorated with paintings and the floor beneath him was polished so well he could see his reflection in it. The ceiling held a magnificently sized chandelier with lights shining like diamonds above him. There were plant pots and furniture around the lobby, all maintained very well. He approached the front desk, seeing a Gardevoir smile as he admired the place.
"Welcome. I take it you like the look of this place?"
She asked.
"It's breathtaking. I do like it, a lot."
He replied. She continued to smile at him.
"I'm glad you do. So, how may I help you?"
She asked, making him focus on why he arrived in the first place.
"Ah, yes. I'm looking for a Braixen by the name of Blaze and a Lucario named Ricky. Would you be able to tell me what floor they're on?"
He asked. She looked through the computer's database for a moment.
"Here they are- the 8th floor, the third door to the far end of the hallway. They both seem to live across the hall from each other. Are they friends of yours?"
She asked.
"Yes, they are. I haven't seen them recently, and I'm here to see why."
He replied.
"I see. Well, enjoy your stay."
She beamed him another smile.
"Thank you for your help."
He said as he waited for the elevator. As he ascended, he wondered who to talk to first. He decided to talk to Ricky as he was good friends with him. He'd listen to whatever he had to say.

Ricky was still sitting on the couch, almost motionless. He was thinking about what to do to regain Blaze's trust, if anything was possible. It was then he heard a knock at the door. His heart skipped a beat- had she come to her senses at last? He quickly approached the door and opened it, not met with Blaze's face, but another one which surprised him.
"Vincent?"
Vincent waved sheepishly.
"Hey Ricky, you doing alright?"
He asked, waiting for a response.
"No, not really."
Vincent frowned.
"Why not? What's wrong?"
Ricky looked at the floor, holding back tears again.
"It's a long story- you'd better come inside."
As much as he didn't want to be seen by his friends like this, it was as if his prayers had been answered- maybe his best friend could persuade Blaze to listen.
"So, what's bothering you? I haven't seen you on a while."
Vincent asked. Ricky told him everything- the Lopunny, Blaze's reaction and what happened over the past few days. Vincent listened attentively the entire time.
"... Right... And she thinks you betrayed her... I understand now."
Ricky nodded.
"I don't know what to do, Vincent. I'm out of ideas. I've tried to talk to her about it. I've tried calling her, texting her, even sending her letters. She doesn't seem to understand that I'm not to blame."
Vincent nodded in reply.
"It must be hard for you. Don't worry- I'll talk to her for you."
He reassured him.
"Really? You'd do that for me?"
Ricky asked, overjoyed and astonished.
"Of course. Maybe I can get her to see things as you do."
He smiled reassuringly.
Ricky felt a lot better.
"Thank you so much- she means a lot to me. I don't want to lose her forever."
Ricky then did something he hadn't done in three days- he smiled. For once, he had something to smile about. After a few more minutes of talking, Vincent went to visit Blaze. This would be the more difficult part. He had to try though, and he wasn't going to fail his best friend. Not if he could help it.

He knocked on Blaze's door, getting no reply. He tried again, not getting anything again.
"Blaze? It's me, Vincent. Open up."
After a few moments, the door opened and she let him in.
"Sorry about that- I thought it would be Ricky again. I didn't know you knew where I lived."
Blaze told him.
"I only recently did, however I wanted to talk to you about what happened a few days ago."
"And I don't."
Blaze replied.
"The fact is, he betrayed my trust, and that will never be fixed. I just... Can't believe he'd do it. I thought he really loved me, you know?"
She sat down beside him.
"Hmm... It's funny really. You finally think you're getting to know someone and then they throw all you've done for them back in your face. I don't know why I tried."
She replied, huffing.
"Blaze, you've got it all wrong..."
Vincent told her. 
"No, I haven't. I saw him do it in front of me- he's a guilty, lying cheater and that's all he'll ever be- that will never change."
She replied.
"No, Blaze, please. Hear me out."
He told her.
She looked at him, listening attentively.
"Well, what? What is it?"
She asked.
"Ricky didn't intentionally betray you- he was forced into it. That Lopunny forced him into that kiss- he never intended to hurt you."
Blaze seemed slightly shocked.
"Well, I'll admit I didn't expect to hear that, but I don't see why that should make any difference now."
She got up and walked into the kitchen.
"What? How doesn't it? Don't you see? It's not his fault!"
Vincent told her.
"Yes, I know that. But it doesn't just fix everything and make it go back to normal. Yes, he was forced into it, but I still can't get over the fact that he kissed another girl. It didn't look like he was putting much of a fight, either. So, I don't see why it makes a difference whether he was forced into it or not."
She replied, returning to sit next to him again with a drink.
"There's more than that, though. It's not just the fact that he didn't intentionally hurt you, but he misses you too. He's deeply sorry about what happened, and he's spent every waking moment trying to think of how to make it up to you. He's empty without you, Blaze. And quite frankly, I don't think you can get on with your life and leave him behind just like that. Not you. You still love him, don't you?"
She hesitated.
"Don't you?"
He asked again. She nodded slowly.
"I know you do, and he still loves you. Don't be mad at him- he hasn't done anything wrong. If you want to be mad at someone, have it be that Lopunny. She was the one who tore your relationship down- not Ricky. So please, forgive him. He misses you and wants you back more than anything. You can't stop the heartache unless you come to terms with the fact that he hasn't betrayed you- he tried to stop it. Give him another chance, because trust me, he'll take it in an instant."
He got up.
"I have to go- I've got some things to do before tomorrow. Take my advice, Blaze, and take it soon. Because as I said..."
He opened the door, looking back.
"He's waiting for you."
With that, Vincent left Blaze to think about what he said. She was thinking about all of it. Was it really true? If so, how true? If he had really been thinking of ways to make it up for her, he did care, didn't he? There was no end to the thoughts in her head, but she had to make a choice. She got up and opened her door. She crossed the hall and lifted her paw to knock on the door, but she stopped herself.
'This is your last chance to turn back..."
She thought as she stayed still, debating what to do. She looked at her open door and back at Ricky's.
Could she really trust him again? She spent a good few minute thinking it over, and after a few minutes, an idea popped into her head. She had Vincent to thank for it. Had he not talked it over, she wouldn't do what she was about to. She turned around and closed her door, thinking of her new plan.
"Thank you, Vincent."
She said as she picked up her phone, thoughtfully going over her new idea.
"What an excellent idea..."