"There's our latest batch. The new human, or shall I say the old human, resides in that town?"

  "Don't be foolish, Celebi. You must carry out your mission. You are not supposed to make friends, but to apprehend that human. Because-"

  "I'll do it!" The green Celebi was intent on success, but had other motives as well. Quietly he added as he floated away,"And I'll test this human rather nicely."

  "Mother, am I a human?" 

  "Of course not! Why ask such a thing?" Sylveon had no clue as to why her child would believe something so preposterous. He was a Pokemon through and through, and his great dislike of battles and other customs made him no exception.

  "Kids at school are talking about which Pokemon in the past were human. I heard that an Eevee-"

  Sylveon vigorously shook her head."Humans don't exist. Besides, how would you know about the topic in the classroom when you aren't even enrolled?"

  "Hm..." Sylveon wouldn't waste her time prying for answers. To her it was obvious what her son was really interested in."I'll have you attend school after your battle assessment."

  "But I hate battling!" She ignored her son's constant protests. He would have to learn that there are things in life he can't control.

  "You can't stop my decision," She said gently as she lightly placed her feelers on her child's head."There are simply certain things in life that are beyond your control. "

  Just then her son looked up at her, but his eyes had the light that was the source of his first name."Even if it's my own life?"

  With sorrow Sylveon met his gaze, relaxing her silky feelers."I'm afraid so."

  "Hm..." Haru tried her best to appeal to the shiny Eevee, but they didn't seem to get along at all. It was as if he came from another planet. He didn't like battling so Haru didn't even dare talk about it, but even when she and Kirlia were doing their normal routine, Eevee called all of it weird. 

  For fun she and Kirlia enjoyed rolling on their heads, which Eevee remarked would be best left to a Hitmontop. One time Haru had suggested stealing some honey, and Eevee told her that she must have had a death wish.

  "It's kid stuff." Eevee seemed to dislike everything and everyone, and Haru questioned whether or not Eevee was even an Eevee. 

  On top of all that..... Much to her chagrin the class was rolling over with news and gossip. Apparently Kirlia had told Pokemon stories Haru specialized in, most specifically stories about humans. "I bet the human was a Squirtle!"

  "No, it was a Fairy-Type!" Back and forth Floette and Squirtle argued about which Pokemon the human that saved the world was, and Squirtle protested that Fairy-Type Pokemon didn't exist back then.

  "Charmander has always existed!" Another classmate, Charmander, who sat next to Squirtle, joined the quarrel.

  "Ugh..." Haru sulked in her seat. She knew Kirlia meant well, but didn't she know that Pokemon would believe just about anything she said? As for Haru, she herself was always to be known as the Pokemon that called Mightyena.

 "I'm sorry, Haru." Kirlia's apology made Haru feel bad inside. It wasn't her fault.

  "That's okay." Haru's expertise told her that a human popped up with every new generation of Pokemon. Be it from a Piplup's generation to an Oshawatt's generation to even a Froakie's, a human that transformed into a Pokemon was not at all rare. Well, it seemed to have only happened four or so times, but that's often enough, isn't it?

  "What's going on?" Entering the classroom with an annoyed look on his face was Eevee, as if he'd been forced out of bed to come here. No one even looked over when he walked to the back of the class to sit in front of Haru.

  "Everyone's debating on humans," Kirlia explained, her voice touched with guilt.

  "It's okay, Kirlia. We can prove who it was, and then no one can argue anything!"

  Hearing that made Kirlia smile, but Eevee still looked irritated until someone mentioned him. "Huh?"

  "What if it was an Eevee?" Haru found who the speculation came from, and was slightly surprised to see that it was Litleo who spoke. He was looking at Eevee, and soon everyone turned in their seats to stare at the confused Normal-Type.

  "What?" Eevee seemed bewildered, and in need of rescue since most of the class, especially Floette, were fixing him with a hostile glare.

  This time it was the teacher who came to Eevee's rescue. "Enough, children!" She stood imposingly at the front of the class, catching everyone's attention at once. "We have important things to discuss. Today we'll be taking a trip to Sahra Town."

  "Today? But why, Ms. Leavanny?"

  "Isn't Sahra Town a bit far?"

  "Quiet!" For such a gentle-looking Grass and Bug-Type, Ms. Leavanny had edge. The class reared back in their seats, startled, but then the teacher spoke in a more soft tone. "We're going for the Coordinating Assessments."

  "Coordinating..." The word brought Haru unwelcome memories, back when she believed that Coordinating was the path she should take. Her sister Braixen convinced her out of it when Haru lost four times, proving that she was wrong. "It takes more than just need battling, that's for sure."

  "What's that?" Eevee nudged her, and Haru quietly and quickly explained the concept.

  'It's like battling, but has around three rounds. The Appeal Round and the other two are the Battling rounds. The first one is showing off and the other two are battling. Winners of the final round win ribbons and wear them."

  "Hm." Haru didn't know why she even bothered to explain the rest. Eevee seemed to shut off when she said that battling was involved.

  "It's mandatory for every student to at least participate," Ms. Leavanny further explained. As she went on she shot a glance at Eevee."No one has to win, but whoever makes it to the last round will get a chance to face Leafeon."

  "Leafeon?" Eevee stood in shock after hearing his sister's name, and so did everyone else in the class, but for apparently different reasons.

  "The Top Coordinator?"

  "Battling HER?"

  "Settle down! I'm not repeating anything, so head home after lunch and pack up. Be here at three." Just like she said, Ms. Leavanny didn't repeat a single word, but luckily Haru heard everything.

  "Ugh.." Eevee began to mope, and for some reason seemed especially anxious that one of his older sisters was going to be there, but for whatever reason it could have been, Eevee kept quiet.

  Hikaru slowly opened his eyes, looking for the steady rising and falling of his friends' chests. They're asleep, he noticed. He carefully rose to his paws, sneaking away from the huddled group of sleeping Pokemon.

  They had already set off towards Sahra Town, the group consisting of himself, Haru, Kirlia, and Haru's older sister, Braixen. They stopped to rest together when the moon arrived, and shortly after Hikaru decided to step away.

  "I don't want to face her." No matter what, he had to avoid the match. He couldn't face his sister. He couldn't face Rifi.

  Hikaru sat away from his group, staring up at the shimmering night sky. A crescent moon stared back at him, making his chest tightness even more with worry. "No doubt my aunt and uncle will be there." Umbreon and Espeon, just like everyone else in his family, had made great names for themselves. They were involved with the team that saved the Mist Continent, as well as the whole world probably, from the Bittercold. They were great Pokemon, and Hikaru always wondered if they were even related. 

  "I'm just not like them." He could never convince his mother that what he said was true, but deep down he didn't feel like everyone else. He was different. An outsider.

  He glanced back at Haru's sleeping form as he though of the term. She wasn't like him, either. Even though she's an outcast, she was still a Pokemon. Hikaru, though, felt like another species entirely.

  "Hm.." Imaginary music flooded his brain as he began tapping his foot lightly on the moonlit ground. With no effort whatsoever he jumped and flipped, landing perfectly on his feet without making a sound.

  His eyes indulged themselves in the mkkn the entire time he danced, and he felt that with each twist and flip he could get a few inches closer to the moon. Just like that he'd return home and go back to his real family, dance and laugh and eat with his real friends, in his real world. 

  But nothing worked. No matter how high he jumped, no matter how hard he tried, he would never succeed. Instead he was forced to sit there staring at it longingly, wondering when the celestial body would lift him off to the ground and carry him out of the Pokemon World to the one he knew was his true home. He sat there hoping and wondering, when would he be free?

  "Welcome everyone!" The host's greeting rang in Hikaru's ears, and he desperately wanted time to stop as she introduced Leafeon. The joyful Cincinno handed the spotlight to Leafeon, who proudly stood as she introduced herself to all that attended the Contest.

  "I'd also like to welcome our wonderful teachers and students from Dance Village! Thank you all very much for being here!"

  "It is our honor." Their mother Sylveon stepped forward on the behalf of all the villagers, respectful bowing to her daughter. The pink and white Pokemon's polite, all business demeanor made their relationship seem only formal, but Hikaru could tell from the look in Sylveon's eyes that she was very proud of Leafeon.

  "Thank you," Leafeon bowed as well, and when she lifted her head her eyes were blaring with professional excitement."I'm looking forward to see what Dance Village's students can bring to the plate!"For a single heartbeat she shot a glance at Hikaru before looking at the rest of the students."I'm also eager to see who will challenge me in the final round."

  Just then as Leafeon began padding away to sit with the other judges, Hikaru noticed that she was dressed in ribbons. Like Haru had told him, winners of Contests achieved ribbons, and he was stunned to see how many Leafeon had.

  "I wish I didn't have to do this!" Haru, usually excited for a battle, was trying to hide behind Hikaru, almost making him chuckle with amusement.

  "Haru!" Braixen began scolding her younger sister as she began walking in circles around him. "All you have to do is go out and battle! That's it!"

  "But the Appeal Round!"

  Braixen stopped, putting her paws on her hips. "That's what you're worried about? Ha!"

  "It's not funny!" Hikaru watched as the two sisters began to play fight, and he almost yearned for a relationship like that with his own siblings.

  "Haru Fennekin. Haru Fennekin."

  "You're up first, Haru!" Kirlia ran over to her best friend, squeezing her tight in a hug. Hikaru thought it was strange, since Kirlia always seemed to act the same composed way towards everybody.

  "Okay. I'll do it." Haru looked up at Hikaru to encourage her as well, but all he could give was a quiet "good luck" before she padded away onto the battlefield.

  "Let's take our seats." Braixen led the two of them to the bleachers where they could view the matches with the other spectators, most of whom resided in Sahra Town.

  "Begin!" At Cincinno's call Haru let out a Flamethrower toward the open sky, since there wasn't any kind of ceiling. She did a great job in manipulating her move to make it spiral as it came from her mouth, then her entire move bursted into orange glitter.

  "Yay, Haru!" Kirlia and Braixen began clapping, and Hikaru found himself smiling. He had no problem with Pokemon showing off this way. It was the battling that bothered him the most. Why couldn't Pokemon use their powers to look cool instead of using them to hurt each other?

  Haru bowed, and the judges began assessing her. Out of the corner of his eye Hikaru noticed Umbreon and Espeon among the audience, and saw Sylveon sitting next to them with Ms. Leavanny.

  The judges wrote on sheets of tree bark, and the three held them up. Haru's score was a four out of five, and the necessary number was at least a three. She had passed onto the next round.

  "Great job, Haru!" Everyone cheered for her, and Haru blushed by the stirn of compliments that were directed towards her.

  "She did great."

  "Eevee Hikaru. Eevee Hikaru."

  "What?!" Hikaru nearly fell out of his seat when the announcer called his name.

  "You're up!" Braixen pointed to the center of the battlefield.

  "Do your best!" Kirlia smiled.

  "But I don't want to go!"

  "Eevee Hikaru?"

  "It'll be okay, Eevee." Braixen kneeled down to speak to him so that they were taking level."You don't have to fight anyone for this round. Just go out and dance or something and use a couple moves."

  "Fine." Hikaru sighed, jumping down from his low spot on the bleachers to land softly on the field below.

  "Ready?"

  He made his way to the center, his heart suddenly pounding when Cincinno told him to start. "Uh..." What was he supposed to do now? All eyes were on him!

  "Begin." Cincinno stared at him, as were the rest of the Pokemon. They were all waiting for him to dazzle them, but Hikaru simply stoop there, frozen.

  I can't do this! The agonizing though made his eyes ckench shut in fear, and just then he heard a voice. "You can do it, Eevee!"

  Haru! "Eevee! Eevee!" Haru had rallied up all of the Pokemon in the audience, until the Contest Hall was filled with them chantubg his name.

  Hikaru caught a glimpse of Leafeon staring at him, the look on her face suggesting that she was waiting to see what he could do. To see what he would bring to the plate.

  "Okay!"Determination flooded his body, and his paws took over. The audience's cheers died down as he began tapping his front paw on the ground. Everyone went completely silent when all of his feet followed suit, rhythmically tapping.

  He flipped into the air, twisting his body to land onto the ground. "Maybe I can...." He jumped again, and this time he did a back flip while using Swift, creating a flurry of gden stars. He landed and quickly jumped through them, causing each one to be sent out into the audience.

  "Hm." Leafeon looked mildly interested after he was finished, and the rest of the Pokemon cheered and whistled for him.

  To his surprise, he didn't feel that anxious anymore. He actually felt.... Kind of happy.

  As the judges were busy making their decision, Hikaru's eyes scanned the area in search for Sylveon. He soon found his mother looking right at him, nodding in approval with a smile on her face. He pondered whether or not she'd still be smiling when he forfeited. Just because he performed didn't mean he had to battle in the next round. He'd get his participation points for the day.

  The judges held up their tree bark, and Hikaru stared in awe to see that they'd given him a five. That was the best possible score! "No way!"

   "Looks like Eevee moves onto the next round thanks to a brilliant performance!" Cincinno was full of pep, but there was a sudden rush in his head that made him want to vomit.

"Hrm..."

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah. I'm fine." Hikaru lied to get away without anyone following him, and he hopped back to his seat, which Haru was sitting next to.

  "That was great! Why didn't you tell me you could dance like that? I wish I could dance like that! Say, after this, how about you teach me? Eevee?"

  Hikaru shut out Haru's voice; he felt too sick to listen to her pelt him with questions.

  "You don't look so good," Braixen observed with a look of concern.

  "I just need some quick rest," Hikaru mumbled as he curled up into a small ball his soft tail covering his face as he let sleep take over his body.

 "Is there no one else to face me?"

  "Huh?" Hikaru lifted his head groggily, his ears invaded with the noise of the spectators roaring. "What's going on?" He rubbed his eyes, looking for Kirlia and Braixen.

  He felt Kirlia's hand brush his flank. "Hello, human."

  "Kirlia?!" His eyes snapped open and he nearly flew out of his seat, but the green haired Pokemon wasn't there.

  "She's resting up." Thankfully, Braixen was there to explain. "After a match with a Ghost-Type, she needed to rest at the nurse's office.

  " Then where's Haru?"

  "There." Braixen nodded to the battlefield, and Hikaru's heart jumped. Haru was facing Leafeon in battle, and from the looks of it she seemed to be losing.

  "Everyone was defeated before they got a chance to face Leafeon, but Haru preserved."

  "No!!"

  "Is there anyone else who can face me?" Leafeon was looking around for a new opponent when Haru brought herself to her feet.

  "I'm not done yet."Haru was clearly beat, her body covered in scratches and her voice shaking with fatigue.

  " You are done. You can't take anymore."Leafeon looked as if Haru hadn't even managed a single hit in her.

  "I'm not done yet! It still isn't over!" Haru was still protesting, and Hikaru was brought back to his old memories. The ones that made him loathe battling and his own sister for good.

  "But I'm not done yet! It ain't over yet!" He remembered battling Leafeon, who fought like a brute. He wasn't able to land a hit on her back then, and she beat him without breaking a sweat.

  "You're finished," his sister had sighed in boredom. "You can never hope to beat me if you're that weak, Hikaru."

  "But-but-"

  "But nothing." Leafeon shook her head in disappointment, looking down on her little brother."Come back when you've trained up. Otherwise you'll just be another weakling. "

  "Grrr!!" Hikaru leaped off the bleachers, running up to Leafeon, no longer feeling sluggish.

  "Take Haru out of here!" He demanded with a nod to Nurse Audino, who seems to have been waiting for quite a bit to retrieve the exhausted Fennekin.

  "Well, well," Leafeon smirked."My baby brother."

  "Leafeon!" He growled, even though his legs were starting to quiver.

  "Let's see how well you've grown, if you've grown at all." She looked over at Cincinno, who's usual pep was replaced with a look of fright."Start it up again."

  "R-right!" Cincinno hurried over to the judges to set up a match between the two siblings. "Five minutes on the clock!" She announced before long, pointing to a psychic-powered screen in front of her.

 On it was Hikaru and Leafeon, with full circles below their heads. For a split second he saw a small body float across it, but there was no one around when he looked again. "Whoever knocks off the most points wins! Whoever knocks out the other Pokemon wins!" Cincinno explained, her voice much calmer now.

  "Rifi." Hikaru looked up at his big sister as he said the nickname he called her when they were young.

  "Are you ready?" Leafeon asked with a face that displayed no emotion. "After all, this is the only way to prove yourself. So, are your ready?"

  Hikaru took several steps back, getting into a battle position. He was the only student that could face her at this point, but coils he really win? No. He shook his head. None of that mattered now. He was the only one that could reclaim what he lost! The only one that could break the chains that restricted him from security. From freedom!

  "I'm ready!"

  "Battle...." Cincinno threw up a paw and swung it down. "Begin!"

  "Ding!"