"RECRUIT, GET YOUR VULPIX OUT OF MY OFFICE!"

I blinked slowly, still holding the Poké Ball I'd been polishing. "...Was that... was that Captain?"

Rei looked up from where he was sitting cross-legged across from me. His brows furrowed. "Did she just say to get your Vulpix out of her office?"

I stared at him.

"...Why would Pixie be in her office?"

Rei shrugged helplessly. "Ianno. You should go see what's up."

Another sharp voice echoed down the hallway.

"NOW, RECRUIT."

I flinched. "Oh. That's definitely her."

We both scrambled to our feet and rushed toward Galaxy Hall. I pushed the doors open—

—and stopped dead.

Pixie was perched regally on Captain Cyllene's desk.

Not causing chaos.

Not chewing documents.

Just... sitting.

Very smugly.

Her six tails were fanned out perfectly, and one paw rested on a stack of neatly organized paperwork like she owned the place.

Cyllene stood behind her desk, hands clasped tightly behind her back, expression carved from pure restraint.

"...Care to explain?" Cyllene asked.

I stared at Pixie. "How did you even get up there?"

Pixie flicked an ear.

"Vul~"

Rei leaned toward me and whispered, "She looks like she's holding a meeting."

Pixie turned her head toward us slowly.

Then—

She tapped the papers with her paw.

Once.

Twice.

Like she was reviewing them.

Cyllene's eye twitched.

"She walked in," the Captain said in a voice far too calm. "Sat there. And refused to move."

I stepped forward carefully. "Pixie, sweetheart... why are you on the Captain's desk?"

Pixie tilted her head.

Then curled her tails tighter around herself.

Settling in deeper.

Rei covered his mouth. "She's doubling down."

"Pixie," I tried again, reaching out. "Come here."

Pixie finally looked at me.

Then looked at Cyllene.

Then back at me.

And with shocking audacity—

She placed her other paw on the paperwork too.

Claimed it.

Rei made a strangled noise.

Cyllene's voice dropped several degrees. "Recruit."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Remove your fox."

"Yes, ma'am."

I scooped Pixie up before she could assert any further authority. She let out a soft, offended "Pix!" and buried her face in my shoulder dramatically.

Rei saluted the desk. "Thank you for your service, Acting Captain."

"Rei," Cyllene said flatly.

"Right. Sorry."

I backed toward the door, holding my indignant fox. "Sorry, Captain. I don't know why she—"

Pixie peeked over my shoulder and flicked her tail at Cyllene.

Cyllene stared back.

Long.

Unblinking.

"...Close the door behind you," she said at last.

"Yes, ma'am."

The second the door shut, Rei burst into laughter.

"Your Vulpix just tried to overthrow the Galaxy Team."

Pixie huffed proudly in my arms.

And honestly?

She absolutely would.

...If the Captain let her, that is.