Hi everyone, SK here!

Yes, we have an early update out- it's my birthday so I thought I'd give you guys a gift of my own for being so awesome.  There won't be an update on Sunday because it's coming out now- just to let you all know.

You saw what the twins were up to last chapter... so what was Valerie doing during that time?  Let's find out.

Don't forget to check out Chapter 5 before this one.  Enjoy!! :)

Valerie

"Where are we going?" I ask Heliux.  A couple minutes ago I separated from the siblings to have a chat with the Minister.  I had just assumed we would be going to his room, but we've just walked past that building.  

"I was thinking that it would be best to talk in our library," he answers calmly.  His head is turned in the direction that we're going, so all I see are the curls on the back of his head.  "It will be quieter in there."  I know what he means.  There won't be as much people.  I appreciate that thought, but now I just think he wants to be alone with me- why do I find that kind of creepy?

"Sounds good," I say, acknowledging his statement.  "Will Lyra be joining us?"

"You mean Layra?" Heliux corrects, making me wince self-consciously.  Instantly after I do that, the fairy pauses and turns around.  "You don't have to feel bad.  You've only just met us after all."

Does he have eyes on the back of his head or something?  "How did you know I felt bad?" I ask, sounding curious.

He turns back around and we continue on our way.  "You were wincing to yourself."

"But you were turned around when I did that, how did you see me do that?"

"Have you heard of Elements, Valerie?" he asks instead of answering my question.

I try to recall the earlier moments to see if August or Verity have mentioned anything about Elements, but I don't remember that term being explained to me.  I shake my head, answering, "No, I haven't."

Heliux suddenly stops at a round, flat building, and turns to face me.  "Elements are special things throughout the universe that make it what it is.  Each fairy has an Element, and it is their job to protect it; fairies usually have individual powers that deal with their respective Elements."  He looks seemingly less... I don't want to say afraid, but that's what he looked like.  He looks more collected as he explains fairy stuff to me.  

"I see," I say absently.  "So what's yours?"

"My Element is Space," he answers as he unlocks the door with a soft click.  The fairy swings it wide open to reveal a darker space.  There are thin, rectangular windows travelling around the circle, letting in sunshine that reveals specks of dust floating around.  Books, probably millions of books, are stored neatly in the shelves with assorted decorative spines.  If Brendan were here he'd probably die and go to book heaven.  

"Wow," I say, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding.  I enter the room as Heliux holds the door open for me, then closes it once he enters as well.  I spot a beautiful oak railing in front of me, and when I look over it, I can see the space travelling down, down more, like a never-ending hole.  Bookshelves are stacked all around the walls of the library; the only light sources are the windows.  Looking to my right I spot a staircase that must be the way to access the lower floors.  When I was gazing over the railing I could see that the library has lower floors, forming a ring shape around the edge of the library.  The rings get thicker the lower they are.

Heliux chuckles at my reaction, approaching me near the railing.  "Yes, this library is certainly large.  Are you perhaps wondering why you cannot see any books?"

I instantly turn to him in confusion.  "What are you talking about?  There must be millions of books here!"  Can he not see the books?  I am so confused right now...

"You can see the books?  Interesting..." the Minister trails away, clearly thinking to himself about something as he puts a hand to his chin in thought.

"What is it?" I push.  If I want answers, I'll get answers thank you very much.  "Is there something going on?"

"No, nothing wrong.  It's merely interesting.  This library has a spell put upon it so that only Elementals are able to see the books, to keep them safe and protected.  That is why the library is mostly underground, with the exception of the top floor."

"Protected from what?" I ask, thinking out loud.  "Also, if only Elementals can see it, does that mean I am one?  What does that mean?"

"From potential disasters," he answers, being very vague about it.  "And to answer your question, being an Elemental means that you have the potential to become a fairy yourself."

"Really!?" I don't know whether to be excited or horrified about that fact.

"Yes," he answers, then gestures to the staircase.  "Would you like to go find a place to sit?"

"Okay," I agree.  We both approach the staircase and begin travelling downwards.  The steps aren't that steep, but I can tell that there is a lot of them.  I hope he's not thinking of taking us to the bottom floor.

"How old are you?" Heliux asks me suddenly.

I feel really off-put by that question.  "Seventeen, but I'm going to turn eighteen in a week and a bit," I answer slowly, distrust edging forward.  "Why?"  Okay this man is seriously giving me some creepy vibes.

He shakes his head.  "It's just information that will be needed for the Council.  Legendary Pokemon pick Elementals who will become fairies when they turn twenty.  I'm just thinking about how many potential years you have left before you might be coming to join us, which will be important information.  You want to go back home, yes?"

"Y-Yes," I stutter, feeling a little surprised by his statement.  

"Then we will do our best to get you home," he states firmly.  

"Thank you," I tell him gratefully.  He comes off as a little strange but I think he's a pretty good person.  Although I've known him for the grand total of an hour so I don't think I can really judge that just yet.

"Of course.  It is my duty as the Minister to help.  Where are you from?" Heliux asks curiously, stopping at the bottom of a flight of steps.  "Is this floor okay?"  There are no other fairies on this floor, except for a few that I spot below us, so I nod.

"I'm from Pallet Town," I tell him as the two of us finally leave the staircase.  "It's very close to this forest."

"I'm aware," he says with a slight chuckle, sitting down on a nearby couch.  Gesturing for me to sit down with him, he adds, "Ash Ketchum, one of the Leaders, was from there as well."

"That's cool," I say absently as I sit down on a couch across from him.  Between us sits a glass coffee table with a small flower centerpiece.  Behind us, there is another small lounge area, and multiple smaller tables with pairs of chairs.  It's very peaceful here, I think.  Dark and quiet, just how I like it.

"Hey, you never finished explaining to me about your Element power earlier," I point out with a pointed smile.  "Are you going to do that?"

He nods.  "Sorry.  I was going to explain that since my Element is Space, it allows me to see everything and everywhere, if I choose to do so.  You were just very close to me so I could see you wincing without using any magic."

"...huh," is the only response that leaves my mouth.  It sounds a little creepy in my opinion, but I would never say that out loud.  I don't want to be rude.  Why is he coming off as very creepy yet also very trustworthy as the same time?

"Do you have any more questions about fairies?" he asks me.  "You can ask them.  It's my job to answer questions around here."

It's his job to answer questions? I think with a raised eyebrow.  He doesn't really seem like the kind of person that likes answering questions.

"Actually, I do have one," I tell him, suddenly remembering something I was wondering about earlier.  "Verity mentioned something about Light and Dark fairies..."

"Ah, yes.  It's very simple," he assures me, leaning backwards.  "Light fairies are the fairies that have lighter-coloured wings, and Dark fairies are the fairies that have darker-coloured wings.  There aren't that many differences between us, except that Lights can learn magic quicker and Darks tend to be more powerful."

"So you're a Light fairy then?" I check, looking at his bright iridescent yellow wings.

He nods.  "I'd like to ask you something more... personal, if that's alright with you."

My walls instantly fly upwards.  "What is it?" I question, sounding hesitant.

"August mentioned that the reason he brought you here was because of your father," the Minister tells me, his voice faltering a bit on that last word.  "Is that something that happens often?"

I'm about to refuse his question entirely when a new voice breaks in.  "Heliux, you can't just ask the poor girl questions like that without a reason," it says, and both of us turn to see Layra emerging from the staircase.  She lets out a sigh as she sits beside Heliux.

"My apologies, I did not mean to pry," the Light fairy instantly says.

"It's okay," I reassure him, waving him off.  To Layra, I add, "It's nice to meet you.  Layra, right?"

She nods, a small smile plastered onto her face.  "It's nice to meet you too, Valerie."  She pauses for a second, and adds, "The reason why Heliux was asking you that is because we're trying to see whether you have somewhere safe to go back to.  We don't want to keep you here for no reason, but we also don't want to just send you home without fully understanding the situation."

I'm about to speak up but Layra holds out a hand to stop me.  "Also, I can tell when you're lying.  I'm sure Heliux has explained a little about Elements to you by now, that's what he does.  My Element is Spirits.  I can use my powers to see into someone's soul and discover any information I need to know.  I'd rather not do that, but the truth is important here, Valerie.  I need you to understand that, alright?" she speaks in a sweet but firm tone, like candy-coated chocolate.

I'm a terrible liar anyway.  "Well... in that case, yes, it's something that happens regularly- but not to that extent!  He usually just hurts me, but he's never threatened to kill me before with an actual weapon.  I didn't even know he owned a gun in the first place," I admit, speaking before I can think it over.  Oh yes, let's just casually talk about your abusive father in front of two strangers, because that is a good idea.  

The Ministers toss a horrified look at each other, and I can see Heliux's fists clenching up.  For some reason I feel a need to apologize, but he speaks up before I can.

"Perhaps it would be safer for you to stay with the fairies," the Minister tells me in an even tone.

I shake my head frantically.  "I can't just stay," I frantically explain, panic sweeping over me.  "I have friends in Pallet Town, real friends who are my family.  I can stay at their places.  I can't just stay here without telling them, they'll think I died, I can't just abandon-"

"Woah, okay okay, hold on," Layra interrupts, trying to calm me down.  "We understand."  She smiles.  "Your friends must be really important to you."

I smile back.  "They are."  They're everything to me.  I'd be dead without them.

I can almost see the thoughts circling around their heads, analyzing every word I say; Heliux seems to be doing it more than Layra, however.  

"Valerie-"

Layra gets cut off by a new voice, belonging to a fairy on the steps.  He has jet black hair and blue-gray eyes, and the most noticeable thing about him is his puffy blue scarf.  "Heliux, Layra, you're both needed."

"For what?" Heliux sounds annoyed, almost angry.

The fairy- most likely a Dark fairy, judging by his wings, begins to look slightly nervous at Heliux's change in tone.  I'm not judging him, Heliux is very... intimidating.  "Ash and Serena- er," he pauses when the Light Minister glares at him, "His Darkness and Her Lightness would like to discuss some points about the upcoming Council with you both, Clemont, Gary, Mairin, and I."

"Does it have to be right this second?" Layra asks, a longing note in her voice that I didn't notice before springing to life.  She sounds like she doesn't want to leave.  I guess we only started talking, but still, shouldn't she be doing her actual job?

The fairy glances at me then returns his gaze to the Ministers, nodding his head.  "They said they wanted to meet as soon as possible, because it is only a couple hours away."

Heliux sighs and gets up off the couch.  "If the Leaders require us to be present at their meeting, then we must be there," he says, almost sounding a little bitter.  Glancing back at me, he adds, "It was nice talking with you, Valerie.  Perhaps we can talk later today, after your Council."

And go through this awkwardness again?  No thanks.  Of course, I don't voice those thoughts, but I see Layra flinch as soon as I think them; did I say them out loud?  No, you didn't, and don't even think about bringing some "Oh, she can read minds now!" thought into it.

"For your information, yes, I can read minds."

My face takes on a horrified expression as I turn to the Dark fairy, who in turn winks at me.  Her eyes are glowing a bright purple as she continues.

"I try not to, but your thoughts are very loud... and funny."

What do I respond to that with?  Um... thank you?  But I'm sorry, I didn't mean that I didn't like talking to you both, it's just-

"You're out of place.  I understand.  It's going to be awkward.  Trust me, I know, but if you do end up staying here, I hope things don't have to be awkward for much longer."

The response is so genuine I almost toss her a smile.  Instead, I just think a simple thanks.  Layra nods and her eyes return to normal, but Heliux narrows his own.  "Were you too talking?" he asks.

Layra nods as she too rises from her sitting position.  "Yes.  But we shouldn't keep the Leaders waiting for too much longer, should we?  Come Love, let's go.  Alain, where are they?" she adds, turning toward the fairy.  So his name is Alain.  Noted.

"They're in the Council's Court," he replies.  He- Alain- starts to ascend the stairs, and both Ministers follow him.

"I swear, if they just want us to help set up chairs..." Layra's voice trails away as she exits my field of vision.  Heliux follows shortly after, but before he leaves, he smiles at me and waves.  This is probably the first time I've seen him smile.  I return the gesture, and once I know for sure that they're gone, I take the opportunity to look at some of the books on the shelves.  

Tracing the spines with my fingers, I read a few titles.  Ancient Rituals, Pokemon Synergy, and A Guide to Space are a few of the ones that catch my eye-

Wait.

Pausing, I look back at the author of that last one, and it's a name I recognize.  Heliux.  He wrote a book?  Somehow, it doesn't surprise me.  I will have to read that one later.  I wonder if Layra wrote any books?

"Hey Val, what'cha doing?" comes Verity's voice, and I turn to see the Dark fairy standing behind me.

"Just looking at some of these books," I tell her.  "There are so many!"

Verity walks over and joins me at my side.  "Yeah, there are.  Too many, if you ask me."  She lets out a chuckle.  "Oh, and by the way, I need you for something."

I turn to face her.  "Is something wrong?"

She shakes her head and winks at me.  "No, the opposite.  I had some stuff to do for my parents but since I finished that pretty quickly, I got bored.  So, I took to the opportunity to sign us both up for a Double Battle challenge at the Battle Arena.  Two other fairies accepted, and they're waiting there now."

I blink at her in shock.  When the twins told me that I might be able to battle, I didn't think it would be right this second.  "Now?" I echo.

She nods, looking pumped as she leans back on the book shelf.  "If you don't want to, it's completely fine.  I just thought you'd find it fun," she adds with a shrug.  "I can always just force August to battle with me, or we can cancel-"

"No, no, I want to battle," I promptly assure her.  "Let's go!"

Verity's spirit suddenly wakes up, and she practically jumps for joy.  "Alright, that's the spirit!" she says, her voice full of enthusiasm.  "I'll make a portal so we can get there quickly."

"Okay," I tell her.  Verity gathers a ball of white-coloured energy in her hands, and swirls it around to make a circle in the air.  She steps through, and motions for me to do the same.  I hesitantly step in; it feels weird, almost dizzying, but when I exit I feel completely fine again.  I stare around in awe at the massive stadium; from the center of the battlefield, it looks huge.  Some fairies are sitting in the stands, but only a couple.

"Hi," says a new voice.  I turn around to see a blonde-haired Light fairy strutting up to us with another Light fairy, the second one wearing glasses and having a head of raven hair.  "My name's Bonnie, and this is Max.  We'll be your opponents for today."  The other fairy, Max, waves at us.

"Nice to meet you both," I tell them with a smile.  I glance at Verity, hoping she'll take over.  I'm not exactly sure how these things work.

Verity seems to get my message.  "Shall we start?" she asks, and both of the other fairies nod.  They start to head to the far side of the stadium, and we head to what appears to be the closer one.  

"Send out your Pokemon now," Verity tells me.

I nod and toss Nombles' Netball high in the air, just like I see trainers do in movies.  "Go Nombles!" I shout.  Nombles emerges from her Netball, letting out a shimmering cry.  She looks back and forth between me and the fairies, and I nod.  "We're going to try battling today," I tell her excitedly.  "We're going to partner with Verity and her...?" I look toward her expectedly.

"Hi, Nombles!" she exclaims.  Then, she places both hands on her chest, and closes her eyes with a look of concentration.  A light blue aura appears beneath her hands, and she pulls it outwards.  The aura grows and changes shape, into what appears to be a Drakloak.. no, Dragapult.  I now see what fairies mean by Mist Pokemon; I can still see a little bit of its original colouring, but it appears to be made out of a very fine mist.  Actually, now that I look a little closer, her Dragapult has a yellow head instead of a red one... interesting.

"This is Curses, my Dragapult," Verity introduces proudly, like a mother introducing her kid.  Curses gives both Nombles and I a friendly nod.

I turn to the other side of the field and see that Bonnie has summoned a Dedenne, and Max has summoned a Gallade.  

"Are you ready?" Bonnie shouts while the opposing side's Pokemon take offensive positions.

"You bet!" Verity says with a determined smile as Curses seems to echo her emotion with a roar.

"Alright then!" Max says.  "3... 2... 1... let's go!"

I think for a split second, then come up with my move.  "Alright, Nombles, use Qui-"

"VALERIE!?"

Oof, another long chapter... hope you guys are enjoying them though, and things are not getting too boring.  At least you now know a little bit more about Valerie... and Verity's Mist Pokemon of course.

If you liked the chapter, don't hesitate to leave a vote or comment (or both :3)!!

Anyway, that's it from me today.  Stay tuned for the battle! :)