//------------------------------//
// Side Story - Mercenary Madness 
// Story: A Brave New World 
// by Ausbrony 
//------------------------------//

While Seth and the others prepared for the upcoming wedding, Titania, member of the infamous guild Checkmate, had better things to do. The last few days had been quite enjoyable to say the least. Seth had gotten her a job at a clothing boutique and truth be told, she was enjoying herself quite a bit. 

Well, that or she’d gone totally mad from sitting at home all day with nothing to do.

She made her way through the streets of Canterlot, eventually arriving at the small establishment. The owner, Button Belle, also known as Suri Polomare, was already hard at work with new designs.

“Ah, morning Titania,” the Earth Pony mare greeted. “Just in time actually. Could you pass me that fabric over there?”

“This one?” the fairy took the roll and handed it to the mare. “So what are we doing today?”

“We have just two orders to fill, and I’m nearly done with the first.” Suri placed the simple dress on the clotheshorse. “Then the real fun can start. We can begin on our Pokemon designs.”

The two began to hum as they worked, and it eventually turned into a full-blown song. Turns out that Titania had quite a lovely singing voice.

♫Piece by piece, snip by snip
Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip
Thread by thread, primmed and pressed
Yard by yard, never stressed
And that's the art of the dress!♪

Finally, something to really look forward to. Heh, nothing could ruin the day at this point!

As she was looking forward for her fun, a couple voices could be heard walking into the store.

“Come one, you will look lovely!” A sassy voice said while trying to convince her companion, which was more relentless of the idea despite wearing a skirt already.

“I will not, Bisharps are supposed to look intimidating and strong, not lovely!” Refuted the companion, although she didn’t seemed to try to run away from her fate.

The insistent one was about to try to convince her once again when she suddenly caught the tune currently being sung.

“Well, it seems it is true, Ponies do like to sing at the drop of the hat” She said.

“I can’t believe such report was true…” admitted the recent one as they walked toward the source of the song.

Titania pirouetted out into the shop front, so utterly lost in the song that she didn’t even see just who had walked in.

♫And that’s the art of the drrreessssss!!♪ She sang and opened her eyes to see who was here. 

The silence was utterly deafening…

“Isn’t this a small world?”  One of the clients asked with comprehensible surprise.

Titania strained a smile. Maybe they didn’t recognize her? Yeah, that was it. No way they would be here. “W-welcome to B-Buttonbelle Boutique,” she stammered. “W-what can I get you?”

“... long time none seen Fairy Queen,” the other one deadpanned, although a smile started to form on her features while her companion giggled beside her.

“F-Fairy Queen? Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Titania bluffed. Of all the members of Checkmate, why? Why did it have to be these two!?

Before her stood a Pokemon couple, one looked like a kangaroo-like bunny and an armored humanoid creature. The bunny wore a small white handkerchief around the neck and a huge smile on her face while the armored one had what seemed to be a skirt made out of metal and a sword hanging on her hip, a red bandana resting on her left arm.

The Lopunny began to laugh hysterically as the Bisharp raising a hand in salute for the Fairy Queen.

“How have you been Titania?” she friendly asked while holding her mate from hitting the ground out of laugh.

“Titania? I don’t know that name,” the Florges huffed.

“Titania?” Suri called, walking into the room. “Do we have customers?”

“Arceus damn it!”

As the Bisharp noticed Suri, she give her a serious but elegant salute.

“Good evening ma’am, we apologize for our sudden intrusion.”

“This… is… is just gold!” The Lopunny added on her end as she continued to laugh.

“Would you shut up cotton brain!” Titania snapped, blushing a furious red. She was never gonna live this down. “What are you two doing here? Did Weiss send you or something?”

“Hey! Is that way to say hello to your team after so long!?” Replied the Lopunny with a very well acted hurt pride.

“Actually, we are here because of the Summit, we are currently contracted by the Griffin Empire.” The Bisharp explained with a bit of shame. “But hasn’t Weiss passed through here already?” 

Titania blinked, and the two mercenaries could see her rage build. “He passed through... and didn’t even bother to look for me? That insufferable, little... GAH!!”

Both females took a step away of the comprehensibly angry fairy.

“A report did mention that he passed through here at a rather hastened pace… and Xavier wasn’t available at the time.” Explained the Bisharp.

“By report we meant the princess of this land, she said something about him assaulting her in her chambers.” Added the Lopunny.

“Seriously?” Titania facepalmed. “That child has no decor whatsoever. Would it kill any member of our guild to show a little elegance sometimes?” 

“Some of us do have some elegance, mind you. But not all of us can have the grace you have, like the one you used during your performance a minute ago?” teased the Lopunny, causing her companion to smile.

“Drop it, rabbit,” Titania growled. “If you tell anyone what you saw, I will turn your ears into a fancy scarf.” Titania took a deep breath and sighed. “Okay, so let’s begin again. How have you two lovebirds been?”

“I would like to see you try bouquet” replied the Lopunny with a sinister grin, only to receive a gentle touch from her mate.

“We have been fine, as I said we appeared in the empire and we managed to impress the Empress to the point we now work for her,” replied the Steel-type.

“Are these friends of yours?” Suri asked. Titania nodded and motioned towards them. “This is Shredder, a Bisharp and leader of the Queens rank, while Roll here is a Lopunny and leader of the Bishop rank.”

“Oh, so guildmates of yours hmm?” Suri looked them over and nodded. “Well, I think they'll make wonderful test subjects don’t you think Lady Titania?”

Titania had a wicked smile across her face. “Oh yes, that is a wonderful idea Miss Polomare.”

“... Okay, it's good to have found you after so long but look at the time! We have to go,” stammered Shredder, but suddenly Roll reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Now we're talking Bouquet, what do you two have in mind?”

“Oh! We have so much to discuss darling, do stay and tell me what you’ve been up to. My life has been quite exciting as well.”

“I will love to hear all of it!” Said Roll as she pulled Shredder by the arm further inside the store.

A livid color adorned the fierce warrior as she tried in vain to break free.

“So, have I told you just ‘who’ i have been living with these last few weeks?” Titania said as she took Shredder’s measurements.

“O-oi! what are you doing you cur?” Exclaimed Shredder.

“And who would that be?” Asked Roll with sincere curiosity as she make sure her mate keep still.

“Just a former human by the name of... Seth Crescent,” the Florgess chuckled. Then she took a swatch of colours and begun to match them up against the Bisharp.

“Crescent… Crescent…” Roll began to say as she tried to remember the owner of the name. “Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.” Meanwhile she began to move towards Shredder’s skirt.

“Seth C-Crescent…? As in the one who promoted human/Pokemon relationship-Kyaaaa!” The mercenary tried to explain but ended in a cute scream as her mate removed her battle skirt and sword with one swift move, leaving her waist, legs and rear completely exposed. 

Is needless to say she was now red(er) with embarrassment.

“That’s the one,” Titania giggled at the Bisharp’s plight. “You should have seen his face when I said that we were to kill him... well, until the point I was handed a sound defeat at the paws of his Sylveon...” Suri fetched some fabric while Titania begun to draw up some basic designs. 

“You lost to a cute little Sylveon!” exclaimed Roll as she laugh.

Shredder on her end was very silent, and red, and steaming.

“But you know…” continued Roll as she clean a tear from her eye. “You totally looked for that one. I mean, I didn’t remember the name so that meant we declined the job right?” Shred nodded. “So why did you pick a bone on him in such way?”

“I wanted to see his reaction,” Titania mused. “I didn’t expect his Pokemon to rival a Champion’s... but that is the past. We are friends now... to an extent.” Titania’s hand brushed up against Shredder’s leg. “Why must you always wear those skirts when you have such lovely legs?”

“Kyaaa! I-i-i-its none of your business!” The Bisharp stammered once again. “And will you please restrain your need to touch me?” 

“Well, I guess there isn't much to be said then.” Replied Roll. “You're a bodyguard after all, there wasn’t much you could have done… but do not let Simon know. He wouldn’t let you go without a day of his training.” She then teased her mate by brushing a paw by her legs as she said. “And you know she has gorgeous legs, with all that training she does is impossible for to be this sexy!”

Shredder was becoming more and more like a Voltrob ready explode, she was even steaming as if she would.

“True enough, not exactly my taste... I like mine a little more... submissive,” Titania purred. “Now, let’s see about adding a little style to that armour of yours hmm?”

She took several articles of clothing off of the wall, each more elegant than the last. “Okay, how about this dress to start with?” It was a vibrant crimson and black dress, one that complimented her colours nicely, plus it was sleeveless, so it wouldn’t get hooked on her blades.

At the sight of the picture, Shredder finally released a huge amount of steam, filling the room with it. As soon as she did this she make a run for it. Only to be caught right away by Roll.

“Oh no you don’t lady! You need to diversify your wardrobe a bit more!” The Rabbit Pokemon pull her back into the store as she also added. “Besides, you wouldn’t like to go outside without your skirt right?”

Shredder then looked frantically for her garment, only to find the floor empty. “Where did you put my sk-armor!?” she asked.

“You blinked,” was all Roll gave for an answer. “Now will you do this by the easy way, or will you like me to use the hard way.” and then whispered, “and you know how good I am at tying you up.”

Finally, and utterly red, Shredder admit defeat. “D-do as you like…!”

“Good!” She then turned to Titania and Suri, “you know, we should use something on her neck as well, so her elbows show a bit more.”

“Hmm, I have a choker that matches that dress,” Suri replied. “I also have this dress, it has a short, pleated skirt, so you can still wear that metal one underneath as an extension.” Suri admired the skirt that the Bisharp had been wearing, it was very well made, though quite heavy. Did she really wear this all the time? Wait! Was this Orichalcum!?

“Oh look at it, it will fit your figure just perfectly!” Roll admitted while Shredder just keep her blush under check. “But how come you have these kinds of clothing designs? I don’t see many ponies wearing clothes, let alone this kind.” Although Roll have to admit that Canterlot ponies did seem to wear more clothing than the average pony.

“I, um,” Titania blushed heavily as she placed the dress down. “I... made these myself...” And there it was, her big secret was out that that rabbit was just gonna laugh in her face again.

“... Say again?” asked Roll with an astonished voice. Shredder seemed impressed as well, although her current embarrassment didn’t let her say anything.

“I made these,” Titania confirmed with a little more vigor. “This is the job that Seth found for me. I design and make clothes for ponies and Pokemon now.”

“...” Now was Roll who didn’t say a thing. She slowly took a look at the other designs, examining each and every one of them. Finally she looked up at her comrade and asked. “Since when did you like designing these?”

“For a while now,” Titania replied quietly. “The life of a mercenary doesn’t allow flights of fancy like these though... they aren’t even that good...”

“Nonsense,” Suri replied. “Your designs are beautiful, right ladies?”

Shredder nodded slowly, not too convinced herself, though Roll on her end didn’t seemed to be impressed, but wasn't disgusted either.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” She asked as she continued to look through the designs, there weren't many but they surely showed much care for style and details without losing functionality or commodity. Certainly, there was love for the craft.

“I don’t know...” Titania admitted. “Why doesn’t Edge ever tell anyone it’s her that steals everyone’s Berries in the middle of the night?” 

“... I knew it!” Proclaimed Shredder, who seemed to start getting over her embarrassment. “And she told me Berries just vanished after a while, but those things couldn’t just disappear… although they do grow in a flash...”

“Did you think we wouldn’t like you doing this?” Asked Roll again with a similar tone. “That we will make fun of you?”

“Probably,” Titania replied as she took measurements to adjust the dress to fit Shredder. The truth was, she was scared that the others would reject her for it. She knew she had a ‘slight’ attitude, and didn’t really want to fuel the flames anymore than necessary.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Roll coldly asked. “We joke with one another, we make fun of one another, heck! Simon has broken more of our bones than all our missions combined!”  She then make Titania look at her directly as she continued. “I am ashamed to think we would shun you for this! We have fought together, bled together and even fought ourselves for the most stupid and silly of things but still we managed to stay together!” And then, without any notice, she hugged the Florges tightly. “We are family you fool!”

At the same moment, Shredder placed a hand over the Fairy-type’s head. “There is no way we would hate you for who you are, especially when you seem to try your best for it.” She joked. “And as girly as these designs are… the-they are quite...pretty.” She said at the end with a small voice.

Titania smiled, returning the hug and pulling Shredder into it as well. “Thank you, that means a lot to me.” she laughed arily, “That said, I guess I was only really worried about a few of you... the rest, not so much. Simon wouldn’t know good fashion if it jumped up and bit them.” She sent a smile towards Shredder, “Now let’s see about getting you into that dress~”

“...So I will still be put into that dress?” Asked Shredder with little excitement. 

“Aw, that’s cute,” Titania cooed. “You thought I forgot? Sorry darling, but dressing you up has been on my long term goals list. And I’m sure your little bunny here isn’t going to complain either~”

“You can bet your shiny ass on it!” Proudly replied the little bunny, and then they began to laugh, although Shredder wasn’t laughing.

It took a little around half an hour to make the necessary adjustments to the dress. She just had to shorten the skirt ever-so-slightly and tighten the waist, Titania wondered if she had Shredder in mind when she made it in the first place.

Soon enough, the Bisharp was given the completed article and shown the change rooms. 

“...What if I ‘accidentally’ cut it with my blades?” Asked Shredder in a last attempt to break free of the fashion they were planning to put on her.

“Then I will be forced to do unspeakable things to you,” Titania replied dryly. “So you best be careful...”

With nothing else to say, Shredder make her way into the changing room.

“...But why do I have to change here? I am already naked…” she said to herself, only to burst into more steam. “BY ARCEUS! I BEEN NAKED ALL THIS TIME!” Without her armor skirt, she had no other choice but to use the clothes Titania had made for her. 

“...This is… surprisingly easy to wear…” she admitted as she began to place it over her body, been as careful as possible to not scratch the silk with the blades on her chest.

Meanwhile outside, Roll decided to catch up with the fairy queen. For real this time.

“And how is life with that former human?” She asked.

“Not too bad,” Titania admitted. “It was a little rough to begin with, and that Sylveon terrifies me... not to mention the troubles that seem to follow that human around like a lost Growlithe. Life with the Guild was more... excitable, to say the least.” 

“That doesn’t sound bad.” Roll admitted. “I would say you seem to have enjoyed your time so far. But tell me; is this Sylveon really that strong? I mean beat you is one thing, but to make you afraid of it?”

“Lady Rika is not to be trifled with,” Titania replied with a serious tone. “It wasn’t that she defeated me... she... well she did it in two moves! I had no chance of survival. And yet, she is considered to be the weakest of Seth’s Pokemon, should we have carried out our job against him, well, we would have won, but not without loss.”

“Okay, you can think that.” Replied Roll with a chuckle, “but you also need to work out a bit more. In fact, I could go and get even with her if you want.” She proposed. “What do you think?”

“It would be a shame to our guild not to do so.” Come Shredder’s voice from inside the changing room.

“No, we’re friends now,” Titania replied. Besides, she didn’t want them hearing that she was defeated by a kiss. “H-how’s that dress coming along dear Shredder?”

“A-almost done… the ch-chest is a bit tight though…” She commented from inside with a bit of shame, Roll on her end seemed to blush at the thought, she even bleed a little from the nose.

“Do you need any help then!?” Roll promptly asked.

“I can make any adjustments that are necessary,” Titania said as Suri walked back in with Shredder’s skirt and a camera around her neck. It wasn’t everyday you got to see Griffin work as fine as this. 

“I-I AM FINE!” Shredder quickly replied, but then gave up just as quickly, “but I think some adjustments are needed.”

“Well, step out here so I can see,” Titania said irritably. “Honestly, you’re acting like a hatchling. you’re worse than Edge about this.”

“Okay then…!” Said Roll way to happy to help take the dress off, I mean, to properly adjust it.

“You seem, quite enthusiastic,” Titania chuckled. “It’s good to see the move hasn’t affected your relationship.” She saw Shredder’s look and shrugged, “Sorry darling, but she’s your mate, not mine.”

Roll properly cleaned the drool coming from her mouth and replied, “Why will it change?” She asked as enter the changing booth, devilishly grinning as she did so. “It's not like we were the ones who changed or anything, besides we never had a physical place to call our home.” As she talk, there were moans coming from the changing room and slowly growing in intensity. “But, I guess we do have one now, in the empire I mean.” 

Roll then come out while Shredder hold her bust with both arms, a slightly frustrated look on her face.

Titania frowned and tilted her head as she took the dress and looked it over. “Do i really want to know what you two did in there?”

“I just ‘adjusted’ the chest.” Replied Roll with a innocent smile.

“You were supposed to adjust the dress’ chest!” Shredder shouted back with a blushing expression.

“Honestly,” Titania sighed as she took the dress to a sewing machine and begun to make the adjustments to the bust size. “I love you girls, but can you not molest one another in my workplace?”

“Jealous?” Suri teased as Titania blushed bright red, and had to unpick several misplaced stitches. 

“H-hardly, I have little interest in love! It’s such a bother.”

“And I didn’t molest her!” Proclaimed Roll, “I just fondled her.”

“~ahem~” Once the arousal embarrassment was over, Shredder calmed down and said. “As annoying as some love can be, there is nothing wrong to find the happiness meant just for oneself.” She then placed herself in front of Titania and continued, “So you shouldn't be afraid of looking for that special someone for yourself.”

“And yet the one male in my life is taken... by more than one,” Titania muttered. “Well, you’re advice has been heard and I’ll take it into consideration.” She finished the final adjustments and held out the dress. “There, all done.”

Less restless than before, Shredder took the gown and once again put it over her body.

“Well look at you, you look so gorgeous!” Said Roll as she took her mate to a nearby mirror.

“It is quite well made” Shredder admitted, “But I still think it’s quite girly…”

Then the couple froze in place as they seemed to realize something yet they were slow to process, finally and at perfect unison they jumped beside their friend and exclaimed.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN TAKEN BY MORE THAN ONE!?” They both shout.

Titania yelped and covered her ears. “Ladies, while it doesn’t often look like it, I have ears and they work quite well.” She sighed as she sat back down and straightened her flowers. “And yes, Mr. Crescent is not only involved with his Sylveon, but the mare we are staying with as well. As it turns out, polygamous relationships are both legal and encouraged here in Equestria.”

The couple needed another moment to process the information.

“You mean the same Crescent of before? The former human? The man who always said he was fighting for the rights of every mon in the world despite not being into that himself, that Seth Crescent? ...That man has some guts.” Finally said Roll.

“Well, I- we are sorry to hear about this, but I have to inquire; how’d that happened?” Asked Shredder.

“It’s not like I like him or anything,” Titania blushed. “He’s human for crying out loud, but... well I didn’t take into account that Seth is so insufferably nice... I said I’d kill him, and he spends most of his free time trying to be my friend! What the hell is up with that!?”

“Well, for starters, I know of a relationship which began just like that, if not worse.” Replied Shredder, and for the first time that morning, it was Roll who looked embarrassed, frustrated and silent. “It’s precisely because of that kindness one can get to see not only how good that person is, while also” she then gave Roll a quick glance, “you get to know just how good oneself really is. I presume that is what made you interested in him.”

“I never said I was interested,” Titania blushed. “And he already has two females, how that beautiful Adonis of a Luxray got so lucky is beyond me...” She saw the looks that Roll and Shredder were giving her. “I’m just going to shut up now...”

“Oh no you won't!” Proclaimed Roll as she pulled a chair and sat beside her friend.

Shredder standing beside her as both of them had the same look on their faces ‘Now you are going to tell us everything.’

“Nope! Not gonna happen!” Titania folded her arms. Suri just chuckled as she continued to sew.

“Oh come on! I wanna know more about this ‘beautiful Adonis of a Luxray’ of yours.” Teased Roll. “Is he the meek type? No that can’t be, he was a rights fighter after all, Oh I know! He is the oh so gentle knight in shining armour?”

“I said we’re friends, so drop it,” Titania said, seriously? Why it it have to be these two!?

“I am wearing a dress because of you, your dress mind you, so I think we deserve something in exchange.” Said Shredder with a very adamant tone. “I deserve to know!”

“Urgh, fine!” Titania sighed and got up to fetch some tea. She could feel the headache coming already. “What do you want to know?”

“How about the start?” Roll chirped in. “How did you notice you were attracted to him?”

“I am not attracted to him, he’s cute and we’ll leave it at that. But...” Titania sighed as she sipped her tea. “If you hadn’t noticed, I sometimes have trouble relating to others...”

The looks she received could have stripped paint from the walls.

“But no matter how I acted, he always tried his hardest to make me feel welcome...” She sipped at her tea again, “I ran off at some point and the idiot tried to follow me... mind you, he got brainwashed by some Malamar and that led to all sorts of trouble...”

“Wow, wow! Brainwashing! Girl, you don’t sit idly by here. What happened?” Asked Roll with excitement and curiosity, or as Ness liked to call it: gossipneed.

Titania chuckled, “Alright, alright. Some Unicorn stallion got it into his head that he could brainwash Pokemon and help him steal stuff. The Malamar was helping him with that. A lot of things went down and Seth’s group and I split up to tackle three different locations. I handled some mansion, while the Champion Diantha went to the airship docks... Seth’s Pokemon were left to rescue him.” She paused to take a sip of her tea and poured some for Roll and Shredder. “I had to fight the Malamar... took a freaking piano to the face, but I eventually crushed him... right before he used Destiny Bond.” Titania was still sore about that. 

“Cheap trick.” Commented Shredder as she took a seat beside them girls and a sip of her tea.

“A piano?” Said Roll, “Are you sure you aren’t working for other guild? Because this sounds like OUR daily basis.”

“I know right,” Titania moaned. “And it turns out that Seth had set the pony up from the word go. He was just pretending to be controlled so he’d be taken right to him. But now that pony bastard is rotting in prison and all the controlled Pokemon have been healed, even the Malamar.”

“That sounds like quite adventure and all, but we still want to know how did this flower of yours bloom.” Explained Roll while Shredder nodded over her tea.

“...When he visited me in the hospital after that, I was the first one he came to see apparently. But afterwards...” She wasn’t sure how they were gonna take this next part. “It was when I was considering on leaving the Guild...’ He talked with me, listened to what I had to say and offered sound advice... I guess, that might have been it.”

Shredder let out a sigh, “So you have you have your doubts as well?” She asked.

“Is it wrong to look for happiness with one’s beloved?” Roll asked back.

“This is not the place for that…” Replied the Bisharp while adding, “and what did you think that moment to figure such thing out?”

“I’m... content where I am right now,” Titania replied. “I like doing what I’m doing and if there’s trouble in Canterlot, then I can assist with that too.” She sighed as she put down her teacup. “When you see Alexander again... tell him sorry, but I’m handing in my resignation as a member of Checkmate.”

“You will need a good explanation for him…” Answered Shredder as she placed her hand at her head, as if she could foresee a future pain. “You know how he is.”

“The 'I found my valiant knight' works on him.” Suggested Roll.

“You’re kidding?” Titania deadpanned. “How about, we just don’t tell him where I am and we’ll be peachy...” Then a thought occurred to her, a dreaded thought. “Except I sent that bloody letter to every city on the continent...”

“I presume that will be your responsibility if he suddenly appears in your door.” Joked Roll.

“...You really need to get that mon by then or he isn’t letting you go.” Not joked Shredder.

“But I still don’t know how did you fall for him, what did he tell you?” Returned Roll to the previous topic.

“It’s not really any particular one thing that he said,” Titania replied. “I left Parfum Palace because the life there was stifling and boring, Checkmate offered the complete opposite of that, a life of adventure, excitement... and one that my hobby didn’t seem to fit into.” The Florges sighed as he drained her teacup, “I should have told you sooner I guess, but like I said, I don’t love Seth... not like Ms. Fritter and Lady Rika do. I do respect him however.” 

“Respect him enough to look this sad when talking about him.” Added Shredder with a surprisingly suggestive tone. “What? I can see things like this too you know?” She replied to the other two.

“Yes, well, let’s say my tastes are not so... closed in terms of options either,” Titania replied as she thought about another that often occupied her thoughts. “Now, I have two outfits to alter for you Shredder... but you Roll, you will need something as well, something more... intimate~”

They had seen what garments Titania could create, and had no idea what Titania had in mind yet and Shredder already spít her tea once.

“This sounds promising already.” Commented Roll at her mate’s mere reaction. 

Titania pulled out her sketchbook and begun to quickly draw up some designs. “I haven’t been here long, so Shredder’s dress is the only garment I have actually made...” After a few minutes, she showed off three designs, all of which were sketches of Roll.

“The first is some everyday wear,” It consisted of a loose, sleeveless top and a short ruffled skirt. “Roll never sits still and something that would prevent her movements would be ruined in moments, so this I think, should suffice.”

She flipped the page and let the second image sink in. One of Roll in some elaborate and very risque lingerie. “Second is some evening wear... one that I trust that Shredder here would approve of hmm?”

Then one of the cups hit the ground, breaking into several pieces while Shredder just turn into a statue, a very red and steaming statue.

“... I think she likes it,” was all Roll said. “So I will ask you for three of those, also; do happen to had something more comfortable? To wear around children and alike.” She asked.

Titania nodded and begun to draw once again. She soon showed them a design that had a long skirt with slits up either side so movement wouldn’t be restricted. A shirt with long sleeves and a large apron to finish the ensemble.

“Will this work?” she asked.

“It doesn’t look bad…” Roll admitted, “But… can it be a bit more resistant and ease to clean?” 

“I can use a fabric that is both durable and can be cleaned quite easily....” Titania voice trailed off as a thought came to mind. “Roll dear, may I ask why you want something that will be used with children?” A small smirk crossed her face, “I don’t suppose the two of you have something to tell me hmm?”

A cracking sound could be heard coming from the statue which was Shredder, yet it remained still.

“I wish there was something like ‘that’ I could tell you. No, what is happening is that I am currently working on an orphanage, so I tend many children everyday. So I was looking for something comfortable, ease to wear and endurable for a bunch of cute little but energetic Griffon chicks.” She explained.

“Well, perhaps someday then?” Titania sighed as she idly flipped the page, showing Roll in a beautiful, full length wedding dress.

Before Titania or Roll could react, the notebook was snatched from their hands and was currently been gazed at lovingly by Shredder.

“So… so beautiful…” She quietly said, while she also began to make a few realizations and ideas as she imagined Roll in said wedding dress, Roll with the apron on from before while also sporting a slightly bigger tummy and finally Roll and her playing with a small Bunnery. “That… would be quite nice…” She said still to herself while also using a free arm to hug the Lopunny sitting beside her.

“Hmm, I drew that on a whim, but I guess you approve that it as well?” Titania hummed. “It’s a rough sketch, but should this little event ever occur, I do hope you’d allow me the pleasure of designing your dress, dear Roll.”

“Only if you give us a discount,” Teased the rabbit as she enjoyed the sight of her mate simply lost on happy thoughts. “But I have to thank you.” She added.

“I would do it for free dear,” Titania said with a slight huff. “But thank me for what exactly?”

“For this,” Roll replied while still looking at the still smiling and dreaming face of her girlfriend. “This is the first time I feel completely sure I will convince her of quitting as well.” She explained.

“Just do whatever makes you two happy,” Titania said. Suri walked over and placed a hoof on Titania’s shoulder. “You three can go for lunch if you like, it’s probably going to be a slow day today.”

Titania nodded and as she got up, the door bell chimed as two Pokemon and a pony walked in. A large Luxray, a petite Sylveon and a yellow Earth Pony with an emerald green mane and tail.

“Seth!?” Titania blurted out.

“Hey Tani!” Seth waved back and spied the Lopunny and Bisharp. “Friends of yours?”

As soon as the name ‘Seth’ was said, two blurs moved around the shop, one being Roll who moved around the trio of newcomers while the other was Shredder, who frantically looked around for her skirt armor and hide inside the changing room as soon as she had found it.

“Well, I can start with the obvious: he IS very large!” Commented Roll as she looked at the Luxray more properly and still this time.

Seth blinked, he’d seen the Bisharp and Lopunny one moment, then they blurred and the Lopunny was standing next to him all of a sudden. They were fast.

“Uh, can I help you Miss...?” Seth asked, not sure on what to make of this situation.

“Roll.” Roll replied with a rather gentle tone, although she didn’t offer her hand or anything, at all she was still looking at the Gleam Eyes Pokemon with scrutiny. “You could say I am her friend, family and former comrade.”

Seth processed that sentence for a moment. “So, you’re a member of Checkmate then?” Those words caused the Sylveon to flinch and she took a defensive stance. Even the Earth Pony tensed up slightly.

“Oh how cute!” She sarcastically added. “They are worried of you…” And then her body itself blinked for less than a second, only to reappear right before Seth, mere centimeters of him. 

Seth whistled and nodded his head, “Ooh, you’re good. If Ignis were here, he’d probably want a match with you, and the Bisharp in the changing room who has her skirt on backwards.”

“...You do realize you just touched a very sensible topic right?” Roll asked with surprise as a look of ‘it was nice meeting you’ could be seen in her eyes.

At the same time the changing room’s doors opened in a single yet slow motion while the whole shop was filled with could only be described by a killing intent so thick, one could almost see it as the whole place turned slightly darker.

“Um, have I said something I should not?” Seth inquired as Rika stood in front of him, readying a Protect.

Roll didn’t said a thing as she let her mate explain herself.

Shredder on her end just walked from the changing room towards Seth, finally stopping right in front of him while not seeming to care about Rika. She then raised her hand in one swift move and aimed toward the only male in the room.

Rika’s Protect flared to life, the green barrier could deflect any attack coming at him. 

Still ignoring Rika and her construct, Shredder hand continued to move towards Seth, inevitably hitting the Protect on the way. Sparkles shone from the collision and continued to do so as Shredder’s claw continued to push it. Soon the sparkles were joined by sparks coming by the mere friction as the wall of pure energy began to retreat under Shredder hand and imposing gaze, both determined to reach their target. Finally the unthinkable happened. 

The Protect broke.

As a small shower of green sparkles showered the trio, Shredder hand finally reached its destination right before the Luxray’s chest, and then…

“Shredder… pleased to meet you.” Politely but very seriously said the female Bisharp.

“S-she... she broke... what?” Rika just stood there blinking. “H-how...?”

“I appear to have insulted you and for that, I am sorry.” Seth bowed his head respectfully. “My name is Seth Crescent, a pleasure to meet both of you.” He took Shredder’s hand in his paw and kissed it gently. 

“I suppose I should have shown some restraint as well.” Shredder replied with the same tone of before while her claws closed around Seth’s paw, although Roll didn’t take the kissing part. “After all, is not like you just happen to be some peeping tom who likes to put pure maidens in shame while looking at their bodies with those inquisitive lewd eyes of yours.” At each word, Shredder hands continued to close her grip over the soft paw. “But I digress, I am sure you have known better by now and will more likely remember not to do such a deranged thing ever again on the rest of your life. Specially before such adorable ladies… am I right?” She asked with a cold tone, her claws still closing.

“You are most correct and you do have my deepest apologies,” Seth replied. He hoped that she would also remember that she was literally holding onto a living thundercloud as well. “Any friends of Tani’s are friends of mine as well.” 

“Oh, yes, there is also that.” Another wave of pressure came to her grip, almost to the point one could start to hear something cracking, but she finally let go of her prey. Very slowly. “We are thankful that you have taken care of our comrade for now, giving her food and shelter even after all she has done and how she normally acts.” Halfway through, Roll on her end was doing her best not to burst out laughing. “So I am happy to inform you that your time having to tend her are over, now that we have properly come to bring her back with us that’s it.” She finally let go of his paw.

“Now then, weren’t we going to talk about that?” Shredder inquired while looking at Roll, her mate caught on right away and pulled the Fairy-type away and out of the story. 

“Right you are, now, its been a pleasure knowing you all, see ya!” She quickly added while leaving the place with her ‘comrade’ in tow and her mate besides her while soundlessly saying, ‘just play along!’

“You’re leaving?” Seth asked, looking a little down. “Just like that?”

“Well I uh...” Titania was so damned confused. What the hell were Roll and Shredder playing at?

“You can’t take Tani away!” Rika said adamantly, standing in the doorway. “I won’t let you!!”

A fury and shame powered Glare come from Shredder as she looked upon the Sylveon, which she proceeded to pick up like a puppy and then place to the side.

“I am sorry, but we have a very tight schedule.” Was all she said as the mercenary ‘trio’ left the place. Just as they give them their backs, Shredder began to motion a silent count. ‘Three, two, one!’

And as soon as they left, the door swung open as the other trio followed them. “Now just hold on a second. I want an explanation dammit!” he ran past them and blocked their path. “Titania? Are you really leaving with them?”

“W-well, they are my family,” she replied. Roll and Shredder had a good deal of explaining to do after this debacle.

“And we’re not?” Seth asked. “I thought that you’d say good bye at the very least...”

“And you don’t just pick me up like that!” Rika shouted. “I’m not some sort of pet you carry around!”

Another Glare was shot at Rika’s way.

“Well, I don’t remember her being of your domain to decide young man, besides…” She looked at both her companions, “don’t you have enough ladies already?”

“Whether Titania goes with you is up to her, I’m not stopping her, I just want to hear the words from her mouth,” Seth replied calmly, though a small blush graced his cheeks. “Titania is my friend, and I only wish for her happiness.”

“Seth...” Titania replied. 

“So tell me,” he said. “Is this really goodbye?”

“I... I don’t know,” Titania replied quietly. “I don’t know what I should do anymore!”

“This seem to be quite troublesome for her indeed…” Began Shredder. “More the reason for us to leave before this becomes a hinder on her performance, so if you excuse us.” 

“Performance?” Seth questioned.

Without anything else to say, the female trio walk passed the Luxray. Seth raised a paw and put it on the hem of Shredder’s skirt. “I don’t believe we’re done here yet Miss Shredder.” Yet as soon as he finished her sentence, Seth found himself upside down on the ground and a few feet away of them.

“Please excuse my rudeness, but as I said we have a schedule to follow.” And left.

Roll took this chance, when everyone where looking at Shredder and Seth, to fill Titania in the best she could given the circumstances. “You wanna see what he thinks about you?” was the best she could say in the short amount of time.

“You have got to be kidding me?” Titania groaned as she was dragged off by the Lopunny. 

Rika helped her Luxray up as he shook his head. “Okay, they’re pretty good...” he groaned as he sniffed the air, catching the potent scent of Titania’s perfume. “But so are we.”

“Should I help?” Fritter asked and Seth nodded.

“Just be careful, these two are a lot stronger than Titania... maybe I should send for Ignis and Selena?”

“Ah’ll go and get them,” Fritter nodded. “Stay safe Seth, you too Rika.”

“They just kidnapped Tani! I’m gonna turn that Bisharp into a toaster!” Rika growled. The Glare had worn off thanks to her Heal Bell, and she had a Moon Blast with Shredder’s name on it. “Let’s hunt us some Chess pieces!”

A fair distance away, Titania finally slowed down. “For the love of... Would you two stop already!”

“We are away enough so I think the charade is no longer useful.” Replied Shredder but she didn’t stop while making her way through the city.

“Come on, even you have to admit this is exciting?” Teased Roll to the Fairy-type. “And I am sure your heart fluttered for a second back there!” She joyfully added.

“Do you honestly think I would admit that...” Titania sighed as she facepalmed. “And I just did...” She looked back down the street and sighed. “You realise you probably made them mad right?” Then a thought occurred to her and she looked at them, “I will warn you now though... please do not treat that Sylveon as a pet anymore either... I do not want to design funeral clothing for you.”

“I don’t know, she looks great in black,” Said Roll nonchalantly as she points at Shredder while they finally made their way to their destination: Canterlot’s palace. “Now let’s see how much does he care for you for real!”

“This will be a nice first trial for my own team.” Added Shredder as they were greeted by a different guard, these were Griffon guards from Griffienhiem’s empire and members of the newly formed Pokemon troops. “By the way, you mentioned Mister Crescent's family is big, so I presume he has more than his Sylveon right now. So what else should we be waiting for?” She said while greeting the guards.

“Selena, an Absol with a few unique tricks, and Ignis, his Charizard.” Titania informed them as they walked. “Ignis is the most powerful and has defeated both a Champion’s Pokemon and even a Legendary... I’d not underestimate them.” 


Somewhere else, a certain Noivern felt the need to dig her fangs on a certain couple.


“An interesting team.” Said Shredder as she give a few orders to the Griffin. “I guess I should have brought my whole army, ah well, I presume Alberich’s group will receive their fire baptism another day.”

“I am sure they can handle them, and even if they can’t, there is still us.” Proclaimed Roll, but didn’t seemed as confident as before a few moments later. “But, we may end causing more ill than good. At least for you.” She said to Titania, “I mean, this will turn hectic and all, but I have no doubt you will get the guy in the end.” She admitted.


Meanwhile Seth had tracked the scent of his friend all the way to Canterlot Castle. “Why here?” he muttered. “Well, we have to save her anyhow! Selly, Rika, Ignis, you all ready!”

“To fight a member of Checkmate?” Ignis questioned. “This should be fun!”

“Why am I even here?” Selena muttered. “Well, whatever. Let’s just get her back already.” She shot a glance at Seth, “Is she ready to go if we need the help?”

“I explained the situation and who we’re up against, if things go south she’ll bail us out,” Seth replied. Though the woman hadn't been ahppy about it one bit. The timing for this charade couldn't have been worse...

Seth nodded and walked up to the Griffin guard standing there. “Excuse me Sir? I’m looking for a Bisharp named Shredder and a Lopunny named Roll, might they have come through here?”

The guard didn’t say a thing, he simply look at the group and then moved to the side, letting them in.

“That... was easier than I thought,” Seth remarked as the four Pokemon and one earth Pony walked inside. “Now, her scent is coming from... this way,” he followed his nose as everyone else followed him.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Titania muttered as they walked into the indoors training ground. 

“Why is that?” Asked Roll from their podium in a sort of a roofed arena, waiting for the ‘event’ to start.

“Are you seriously going to do this?” Titania asked Roll. “He’s a friend, this is just going to make things awkward!”

Meanwhile the imperial guards made sure to close the doors of said arena, as soon Seth and company walked inside.

Seth flinched as the doors behind them closed. “Well... that’s not ominous or anything...” The area was closed off and looked similar to an arena. It may have the place they trained the Guards. He spotted the three females at the other end and narrowed his eyes. He would give diplomacy one last try.

“Are you ready to return our friend yet?” he called out as he got closer. His Pokemon taking defensive positions, Seth having warned them about Roll and Shredder’s speed.

“Are you willing to fight for her?” Calmly asked the Bisharp as she made a single gesture with one of her hands, the place suddenly being filled with at least fifteen Griffin. 

“Really?” Ignis asked. “You’re giving us a roast chicken buffet?”

“I don’t want to fight,” Seth replied. “But if you refuse to see reason, then we will defeat you in battle if we must.”

“How about we just fight already?” Selena asked irritably.

“You want her back, I need to see my if troop’s have properly train, I would say its a victory for both sides.” Properly said Shredder, but added a bit sarcastically. “That is if you can make it.”

“But let us be fair.” Added Roll, “You have five…” she looked at Apple Fritter for a moment and then re phrased herself “four capable fighters, so how about a little tournament? Five of our guys against each of you.”

“You sure you want that handicap?” Ignis smirked. “Well, if you don’t want to embarrass yourselves too badly, then I suppose that’s fine.”

“So one on one fights then?” Seth questioned. Were they that confident that the Griffin's could win against Pokemon?

“Those birds are toast,” Titania muttered.

“Maybe.” Replied Shredder to Titania, “but even the smallest of preys can turn and fight with enough incentive, and Mister Ignis here seems to be happy to supply it.”

Roll on her side replied to Seth, “That’s how will go. You guys impress us, and you can talk with her, we win and is goodbye.” And so she sat back and waited for Seth to choose who will go first.

Selena stepped forward. “Can we please get this nonsense over with? We have a wedding to prepare for.” She looked her Griffin opponent, “I hope you’ll apologise, but we have little time to waste with this farce.”

“...You didn’t tell us we were interrupting a wedding!” Inquired Roll under her breath to Titania. 

“Whoops?” The fairy shrugged.

Meanwhile the first group of Griffin walked into the battleground, all of them sporting heavy armor and shields save for one who where using a lighter set of armor and a couple of gauntlets. 

“Begin.” Was all Shredder said.

The Heavy armored Griffin moved around, without losing Selena off their sight while the lighter one kept a defensive stance as she also kept a quick paw work, ready to jump at either side.

In an instant, Selena was already above her, her tail glowing with white light. “IRON TAIL!” she called out, slamming down on the Griffin with tremendous force.

A cloud of dust come from the sheer force of the impact, yet the Griffin didn’t feel as neither did Selena. The imperial guard was surprised by the Absol’s speed, but that was nothing compared with the speed the troop’s Lucario had put them through. 

A soon as she appeared above her, the Griffin had thrown her armored claws up and had caught the glowing tail between her gauntlets, stopping the attack and resisting the impact with her own strength, next and making use of what little surprise the Pokemon was going through, she hurled her body around, gaining momentum with flaps from her wings, and finally threw it to the edge of the arena where one of the more armored guards receive her with its shield. The armored guard them proceeded to slam her to the ground and finished with a hit from the thick shield’s side.

Selena grunted as she rolled onto her back, catching the shield with her paws. The Guard had the advantage of weight and surprise on his side... until a pink beam of destructive energy collided with him, allowing Selena to get back to her feet.

“Two against one?” Rika shouted after firing the Moon Blast, “Is this your idea of a fight?”

The ground suddenly trembled as Ignis let loose a mighty roar, he took to the skies and grinned like a madmon. “Then let’s even the odds!” he yelled out. “DRAGON BULLET!”

The arena was chaos as the rapid-fired attacks rained down. Selena and Rika raising Protects, while Seth covered Fritter.

“If you clearly remember,” Began Shredder with a tired tone, “I said it was five of my guys against each of you. After all my guys can’t shot volleys of dragonic energy!” She emphasized. “So that doesn’t break our agreement. What did break it was your intervention good sir, which I am afraid disqualifies you immediately.”

Before anyone could say something about it, specially Ignis, a voice sounded behind him. Which happens to be right above him.

“That attack sounds familiar from somewhere.” Said Roll from the roof as she launched herself from it at the Charizard, both ears enveloping her arms while lighting come out of them and hit the Flame Pokemon right between the wings with a double Thunder Punch, yet she wasn’t over.

As soon as she landed on Ignis, Roll sprang back into the ceiling with a high jump and propel herself right back at the Fire/Flying-type. And then she did the same, and again, and again and again in mere instants, she did this until Ignis hit the ground and was no longer moving.

“I will ask you from where did you get that attack latter.” Roll said as she walked away of the downed dragon. “Once he can of course.”

As she returned to her position, the Griffin guards give her a proper military salute. The guards themselves seemingly unharmed thanks to their already large protection while the female one used her own agility to dodge most of the attacks, although she seemed tired.

“So, shall we continue then?” Asked Shredder once Roll was back besides her.

“Ignis?” Seth said as he walked over to him, he never seen the dragon take a beating like that. “You okay there buddy?”

Ignis coughed as he lay in the dirt, his body glowing a pale white colour as his Roost attack took effect. “That... really fucking hurt,” he admitted. “The cute little rabbit can fight...”

“Rika, use Heal Bell to cure Ignis’s Paralysis, Selena?”

The Absol was deathly quiet, but when she looked up , her crimson eyes screamed murder.

The armoured Griffin standing over her had no chance, as the Psycho Cut tore through his shield like a hot knife through butter. She switched to a Play Rough attack, the pink fairy light covering her body as a cloud of dust covered her and the Griffin.

By the time the dust cleared, there was one Griffin that would not be moving for a while, his thick armour in tatters as the Absol literally tore it from his body. She turned and faced the female Griffin, dark light surrounding her horn as she activated her Night Slash.

“You’re next...” she whispered. “Then the rabbit who injured my mate!”

Shredder simply let out a sigh. 

As the beaten guard looked at the ceiling the voice of his mentor rang in his head. 

‘Pokemon are strong, I am sure you have learned this already, but strength itself is a very exploitable weakness. That will blind them, worse if they are angry. They will only look to do as more damage as possible yet they will ignore that which they think is defeated. The moment a Pokemon goes rampant is the moment they become the more dangerous beings in existence, but also the more blind.’

Before Selena could launch her attack, the Griffin threw his very sore body toward her and grabbed one of her legs, he knew that was just a minor delay for her and that even so he wouldn't stay conscious for long. But a single moment was all he needed.

As the Absol wasted a couple of seconds to look at the downed nuisance, the Griffin in light armor dashed at Selena whom looked back at her with her blood lust filled eyes. The Griffon felt a hint of fear growing on her body but she as well, began to remember her academy’s class.

‘Absol, the Disaster Pokemon. Normally calm and reserved, but a very dangerous fighter. They have very good strength and an even better agility, but what makes them so dangerous is the fear they can cause on others as well the ability to connect very critical impacts. If any of these make you feel fear, then the fight can be considered over.’

Clenching her beak, the light armored Griffin dashed forward, throwing an uppercut before Selena could stare her into submission, of course she wasn’t strong enough to take her out with just that. But the show wasn’t just done.

“An indestructible horn capable of cutting through almost anything…” the Griffin said as she jumped around Selena just a she had done to her a few minutes back while also holding into her scythe like horn, “but just as indestructible as it is…” she then landed behind her while pulling her head from the horn. “It can be used to steer the head!” sliding her arm around her neck as her other claw take hold of her free paw and her wings of her body.

Yet, she knew her strength wasn’t enough to bring the frenzied creature into submission, but again she remembered the first thing they were told ‘Never, and I repeat, never fight a Pokemon on your own without assistance.’ and so she did one last thing; clench her beak once more. “This sure is going to hurt!” 

As she said this, the other armored Griffin had caught with them, two of them slammed their shields as soon as they arrived, pulling their air out of their lungs and keeping them in place while they were at it, the third one threw his shield and helped to keep Selena restrained.

They continued to struggle for almost a minute, until finally the female guard shout.

“Okay, okay, okay! Let go you brutes! We don’t want to kill her!”

The armored guards did as told and stepped back. Leaving a very dizzy and breathless Griffin and a knocked out Selena.

“And with that, those are two.” Commented Shredder as she let the guards attend to Selena. They did mean the ‘not killing’ part after all.

“Selena...” Seth sighed. She’d never fought a battle like that before, and Ignis jumping in like that hadn’t helped. 

There was movement next to him Apple Fritter stepped forward. 

“Y’all think that this is right?” she asked. “Iffn’ you do, then ah’m afraid ah won’t tolerate it.” Of the five Griffins selected to fight her, there was a loud ‘CLANG’ as Fritter’s powerful hind hooves connected with his breastplate. The Griffin the smacked the ceiling of the arena with a resounding crash and was unconscious before he even hit the ground. The second followed suit, promptly embedded into the wall next to Roll and Shredder, a large dent in his armour and the wind completely knocked out of him.

“Ah made mah point,” Fritter said, walking away from the other three...

“I... had no idea she could do that,” Titania admitted, poking at the Guard.

“I stand terribly corrected…” acknowledged Roll. “She so can fight.”

“OBJECTION!” Exclaimed the guard who landed besides the mercenaries. 

“What is it corporal Phönex?” Calmly asked Shredder.

“We were never trained to fight over powered mares!” Promptly replied the Griffin. “Ma’am.”

“You do have a point there, for which I apologize.” The fallen Griffin seemed to smile at this small victory. “I will properly add a more arduous training regime to our daily session once we return in order to make up for it.” And now he felt like crap.

Seth stepped forward, he was going to put an end to this nonsense. “Can we just stop this foolishness?” he pleaded. “What is the point in all of this? You want to fight for Titania, then do it yourself! You and me!”

“...He really wants to die?” Asked Phöenex as he moved out of the wall and back into formation.

“If that is your wish then…” Said Shredder as she stood up her seat and into the arena. As she did, Rika ran over to Seth, her healing of Ignis complete. 

“You can take the bunny, the talking toaster is mine!” she growled.

“Aaaand things just got real,” Titania muttered. She looked the crestfallen Phöenex and sighed. “I hope you all brought bodybags...”

“No offence ma’am, but you should trust your comrades a bit more.” Replied Phönex as he began to carry one of the heavy shields, many of the guards began to do the same.

“Wait… so I can join too?” Asked Roll from her seat, only to join her mate a moment later. “I don’t mind but, you know you can properly take care of them don’t you?”

Roll only got a ‘That is not the point of this’ look as a reply.

“Shall we begin then?” Asked Shredder.

“Thunder!” Seth cried as a collection of clouds formed below the ceiling of the dome and a large bolt of lightning rained down on Roll, while Rika used the flash as cover to close the gap with Shredder, firing a Moon Blast at close range.

As soon the thunderclouds appeared, Shredder dug one of her legs on the ground and moved one arm to cover Roll meanwhile Roll moved toward Shredder as if she was going to cover her from the blast. Then the Flash happened and three sonorous explosions covered the place.

Once the dust from the electric attack had calmed down, it revealed that the other explosions didn’t come from the same spot, but from far in the back.

“Ma’am! If you don’t mind, we are trying to learn from this experience, not getting blasted on it!” Shouted one of the shield carrying Griffin, another group seemingly having gone through a similar event.

At the middle of the thunder blast, both mercenaries were still standing and unharmed.

“Not a bad combo” Admitted Shredder as she dug her feet out of her feet.

“But relies too much on luck,” Added Roll as she returned Shredder her sword. “I mean a Thunder in a closed place.”

“Okay, that was pretty damned impressive,” Seth mused to himself, once again, even his eyes were barely able to follow the movements of the swift rabbit, and the way she cut the Moon Blast like that?

What had happened was rather simple, Shredder turned herself into a living ground conductor and dispelled the electric charge while covering Roll, meanwhile Roll took her mate’s sword and sliced the fairy attack with one strong swing.

“Are you okay?” Asked Roll as her mate dusted some sparks off her.

“I am fine.” She calmly replied. “It was a strong Thunder, but nothing compared to Red’s Pikachu’s Thunderbolt.”

Ignis had slowly made his way around the battlefield, over to where Selena was lying. After growling at the Griffin near her to back away, if the guards were scared, they did a good job hiding it while giving the couple some space. He leant down next to her, groaning slightly.

“You feeling okay?” he asked, slowly stroking her fur.

There was a moment of silence, before Selena responded. “Not really,” she muttered. “I acted out of pure impulse and made Seth look like a total amateur trainer. He trained me better than that, but when you got hurt... I just lost my cool...”

“Yeah, love can be a pain in the butt,” Ignis chuckled as he helped his mate up. “But it’s worth it in the long run.”

“It is,” Selena smiled, leaning against him. “I guess I need to retrain myself... Even Fritter showed me up for crying out loud!”

“Yeah, I don’t think normal rules apply to these ponies though...” Ignis watched his brother and sister square off against Shredder and Selena. “You think we should help them?”

“It’d be a tad unfair if all of us fought, and Seth did tell us to take it easy on them...”

Meanwhile, Seth’s eyes widened as a sudden spark of inspiration struck him. Rika caught his glance and tilted her head. What got him so excited all of a sudden?

“Miss Shredder?” he called out. “Can you cut a Moon Blast like that again?”

Shredder only arched an eye. “Why would you want to know?” She asked.

“Rika, fire a Moon Blast at Shredder, but use a pulse this time!” Seth ordered. Rika blinked, shrugged and did as she was told. She focused the energy into a sphere and fired at the Dark/Steel type.

The Bisharp smiled and did as they expected her to, she cut the ball of fairy energy in two. The blast exploded in a shower of sparkles, raining down like fairy dust. Seth blinked and smiled widely.

“I knew it, that’ll totally work! Rika, Selena, I think I just came up with a new Contest routine for the both of you!”

Rika just blinked as Selena laughed loudly, almost coughing in the process. Only her idiot trainer would come up with something like that in the middle of a serious fight. 

“Really?” Rika blinked. “Not really the time don’t you think?”

“...” Shredder needed a few minutes to process what just had happened, and finally replied “DON’T USE ME FOR YOUR SILLY EXPERIMENTS!!”

On her side, Roll couldn’t stop joining Selena on the laughing, choking included.

“Seriously, are you really worried about Titania that little, that you just go and start working on your next project instead?” Asked Shredder. “If you want, we can finish this so you can go and work on your contest instead.” She added, slightly pissed off as Seth really seemed to have forgotten what they were doing in the first place.

“Sorry,” Seth apologised. “Your move was really cool and it gave me a great idea. I couldn’t see it properly before, so I just needed to confirm it.” Rika jumped away from her trainer as his body exploded with lightning and his glare turned deadly serious. “Look, we have an extremely important event to get to and your little game is starting to wear thin. Give me back Titania and I promise I won’t have to make you look bad!”

“So finish things up it is…” Proclaimed Shredder as she unsheathed her sword, very slowly as she also spread her legs to have a better grounding. Her gaze looked on the Sylveon across the arena as she swung the blade above her head and said. “Fling.”

She stood still for a second. And then!

She threw her scabbard with her left hand, hitting Rika right on the forehead with a sonorous bell-like sound. The metal scabbard rebounded from the fairy’s head and landed back on Shredder’s hand, which proceeded to sheath her sword while saying.

“And so one was left.” 

Rika rolled around on the ground, clutching her head in pain. 

“Owwwww! She hit me in the face! With a sword! Who the FUCK DOES THAT!?” she hollered. 

“Yeah... That was... I don’t really know,” Seth replied. His body crackled as the Charge he used before finished. “Leave the rest to me Rika,”

As he finished those words, there was a flash of light as Rika, Selena, Ignis and Fritter vanished into thin air. A second flash swept away Titania as well, leaving Seth alone with the two remaining Checkmate members. The Champion turned Gardevoir had impeccable timing as always, but she was going to chew him out later for this, he just knew it.

“Keep your trump card hidden until it’s needed hmm?” he said with a small smirk. He wasn’t going to win this fight alone and he knew it... 

“But I am going to make damn sure that you two women would pay for messing with my family! And that includes Titania!!” He let out a powerful Roar as he unleashed his Discharge attack, it’s power doubled by Charge! The bolts of lightning tore up the ground as they lashed out at everything around him!

“I must admit I didn’t expect this.” Admitted Shredder, not seeming to mind much about the lightning show. “That was quite impressive.” 

“I presume he did it in the end.” Added Roll, and then noticed Seth while nimbly dodging one of the electric attacks. “He seems to be giving his all though, shall we stop him?”

“I doubt he can hear us if we try to talk to him…” Shredder pointed out. “Let me get close,” she said as she walked toward the Luxray, not seeming to care about the lightning blasting the ground, even when some of them struck her.

Seth finally stopped his attack, only when Shredder’s face was a few scant inches from his own. The Luxray let out a surprised shout, wondering how the hell she’d gotten that close.

“Is your tantrum done?” Calmly asked the mercenary as she looked at Seth, a few electric sparkles still arcing around her metallic body.

“Given that those three attacks are the only ones I know... yes, I believe I am done,” Seth sighed. “Well, at least I rescued Titania before I died huh?”

“Died?” Inquired Shredder with curiosity. “Unless you are willing to sacrifice your very self, I don’t see why this day has to end in such a tragic way.”

“Huh? Well, no offense, but you kinda give off that vibe,” Seth answered. “But I retract my previous statement none the less.” He got the feeling the fight was over and sat down, his heart was still beating a mile a minute though. “Okay, so what happens now?”

“Really?” Shredder commented, “I was willing to oblige if that was your desire.” She said with enough seriousness to dispel any kind of doubt. “But I suppose it would be too cruel for Titania, specially when you got to call her part of your family.” 

“Even though she didn’t hear you.” Added Roll as she joined the talk, from behind Seth. “You do seem to care for her though.”

“Well of course I do!” Seth replied. “She can be stubborn, Tauros-headed and pompous, but she’s also kind, sweet and tries her hardest at everything she does. She’s very dear to me... to all of us.” Seth took a breath and calmed himself down. Then realised what the heck was going on here. “And all of this was to find that out, wasn’t it?”

“Do you really think we will waste all of this time, guards and effort just to take her with us?” Roll asked while leaning on Seth, then she thought for a second and added. “Okay, maybe she did that so her troops could taste a real battle, but if we wanted to end this, well, I am sure you know either of us could have done it right?”

“My troops did prove that their training is giving results.” Answer Shredder, not seeming to care for the ‘she did think that!’ looks she was receiving yet she continued. “But I would also like to return those words to you Mister Crescent.”

“She has being our comrade for years, and even when we know just how insufferable, pompous, egocentric piece of work she can get to be, we consider her our family just as much as you do.”

She smiled at this words, a rare thing coming from her always serious face.

Yet, she wasn’t done, “That’s why…” in a millisecond, she had her sword out and pressed against Seth’s back, so he couldn't back away of her as she got close to him and spoke to him. “There was no way we would let one of our own to go follow someone she has meet for barely fifteen days.” 

“More like twelve...” Seth automatically corrected her, but a jab from her sword and a scowl told him to shut up and listen. “But I understand, continue?”

“Good,” Shredder replied with a low growl, “so I expect you to continue to treat her as she deserves… let me rephrase that, you better treat her better than she deserves.”

“She can be quite the pain on the rear, something I am sure you may know about, but she can be quite devoted when she wants to.” Added Roll from beside Seth.

“You seem to be a good influence for her, and she did beg us a couple of times about sparing you and your family.” She lied. “But we had to make sure whatever you felt for her was something worthy of us letting her stay with you.”

She removed her blade from his back, only to place its tip right before his sharp eyes.

“So if we ever hear that you hurt her in any way possible we will finish the job we once dropped. Am I clear Mister Crescent?”

“Clear as the Crystal Bells,” Seth replied. “And if you think that I would mistreat anyone, then your information on me is rather lacking... “ He leaned in close this time, rearing to his full height and looming over the two females, his golden eyes gleaming.

“But allow me to make one thing clear with you, I understand that actions speak louder than words sometimes, and that you were worried about your friend... but if you drag my family into something like this again...” He let the threat hang in the air before settling back down and smiling. “Let’s just settle things over a nice cup of tea next time hmm?”

The female Bisharp took her sword and swung it as if she were cleaning it, only for the whole arena to be torn with a gigantic gash. Deeper and larger than any of the cracks caused by Seth’s lightning.

“I will love to have a more calmer talk in the future.” Shredder admitted as she put her sword in her scabbard.

A bead of sweat ran down Seth’s forehead. Just how ridiculously powerful was this Checkmate Guild?

A Shiny Gardevoir teleported in next to Seth and gave him a disappointed look. “I can’t believe you did something like this again, do you have any idea how hard Gardy and I will have to work to heal you lot for the wedding, which starts in two hours I might add?” She glanced at Roll and Shredder, giving them a look like a mother would when scolding her children. “And you two, shouldn’t foreign dignitaries know better than this? Starting a fight with someone from Princess Celestia’s Guard... in her own castle? Right before a wedding!?”

“We didn’t know about the wedding… until this all started.” Said Roll in her defense.

“You don’t have to worry about that Ma’am.” Politely added Shredder on her side. “These facilities were provided by the princess so we could made us of them for training and things alike.”

“Well, that’s fine I suppose...” Diantha looked at the carnage left by the battle. Seth nodded at the two Griffin that Fritter had clobbered. 

“Those two have cracked ribs, you might want to get them checked out,” he replied. 

The Gardevoir bowed her head as she placed a hand on Seth’s back. “Where are my manners, my name is Diantha, former Champion of the Kalos region. You are members of the guild, Checkmate, yes?”

“I will have that done right away.” Shredder said as she motioned her troops, which relaxed at her command while a couple of them went to take the injured to receive medical attention. “Currently employed by the Griffin empire, my name is Shredder of Checkmate.” She said while taking the Champion's hand.

“Not an employee of anyone, name is Roll and I am her mate.” Added the Lopunny without taking or offering any hand.

“By the way,” Remembered Shredder. “One of your members, Ignis I think is called, made use of a rather unique move; may I inquire where did he learn it?”

“Oh, that,” Seth chuckled. “He says he hasn’t gotten the technique perfected yet, and that he copied it from a flirty Noivern, a blind one at that.”

“Well, isn’t that surprising.” Admitted Shredder. “Would, by any chance, that Noivern be wearing a red bandana around her neck? Something like this.” She asked while showing Seth a piece of cloth around her arm, the mark of her guild on it.

“Not sure,” Seth replied. “He’d just picked a fight with her after we parted ways, but lost because he was too emotional during the fight and underestimated his opponent. Do you have a Noivern as a member?” 

“A blind one as well.” Replied the mercenary.

“We could assume is Edge,” added Roll, “I mean, how many blind dragons you know with the same attack?”

“That seems to be the case.” Admitted Shredder. “But in any case, I am sure she will make her way with the rest.”

“We are not precisely hard to miss when we want to make noise.” Added Roll and then turned to Seth and Diantha. “So you have been tested and approved for temporal hold of one of our members. Congratulations!” She said.

“Um, thanks?” Seth blinked, not sure on how to process that. Diantha put a hand to her forehead and sighed. “No, we’re fine... what? Tell Tyra to spit that poor Guard out... I don’t care if he tastes like Farfetch’d!” She sighed louder and looked at Shredder apologetically. “One of your guards will need a shower... my deepest apologies for my Tyrantrum’s behaviour. Also, Titania would like a few words with you.” She turned to Seth and nodded. “We have to go or we’ll be late.”

“Okay,” Seth nodded. “It was nice meeting you,” she said to the two female Pokemon in front of him.

“Likewise.” Commended Shredder.

“Just be careful when our ‘dad’ comes to pay you a visit!” Teased Roll. “He may not be as strong as us but he can still crush your skull!” And with a wave they left to tend to their former comrade.

“I suddenly fear for my future,” Seth shuddered as Diantha teleported him home.


~~~


Somewhere else, a dark clothed Bisharp had the sudden need of crushing some Luxray’s skull.


~~~


Outside, Titania waited patiently as her two comrades approached her. 

“Well?” she replied with a small hint of irritation. “Satisfied now?”

“Aplenty.” Admitted Shredder. “He is indeed an honest person, worthy of your affection, as lost as the cause may be.”

“And don’t give us that look! You know you enjoyed the show!” Added Roll.

“It was interesting to watch, though I kind of feel bad. Seth and his Pokemon have never been in that sort of fight,” Titania said. “Even after being kicked from the League, he still followed League-official rules in battles...” Then, a most terrible idea entered her head. “I guess I’ll have to retrain them~”

“You go and made that sacrifice, I am sure he will appreciate it.” Replied Roll with a mocking tone.

“They do need some instruction though,” Shredder said. 

Titania really hoped Alex would not turn up anytime soon, she feared that Seth probably wouldn’t survive that little encounter alive without training. “I have a few idea’s already,” she suddenly said out loud. “Though Seth needs to get better control of his lightning.” She wiped some dust from Shredder’s helmet and sighed. “Well, shall we go and get some lunch? I am positively famished. Oh, and you’ll be buying of course.”

“I don’t mind.” Said Roll.

“It would be only fair for us to make up for this line of events.” Added Shredder, none of them minding much since both had paid jobs as a orphanages attendant and a military instructor respectively. 

“Well in that case, if you have all this money, I guess I shouldn’t discount your dresses either~” Titania sang as she floated down the street toward her favourite restaurant.

The couple stand in confusion for a second as both think a same thing ‘Did we anger her in some way?’

Either way they follow her to the restaurant. 

“So, is it true Ponies only eat green stuff?” Asked Roll as they enter the place.

“Pretty much,” Titania replied as they entered the cafe. It had a rustic feel to it, with the wooden furniture and candle lighting. “There are some places you can get meat, like a Griffin restaurant near here.”

The owner of the cafe, a slender Unicorn mare with a mottled coat greeted the Fairy Pokemon. “Hey there Titania, new friends of yours?”

“Old friends actually,” Titania replied. “Are you well today Miss Mocha?”

“Can’t complain,” the mare smiled. “You can have your usual seat.” Titania nodded and led the two girls to a small booth near the back of the establishment. 

“I still can’t believe how fitting the names of these Ponies are with their role in life. I mean, the stamp on her flank I can understand, she seems to like coffee, but the name as well?”

“We went over that before didn’t we?” Roll pointed out while picking her menu. “So what else can you tell us about your life here, besides that crush of yours that’s it.” She teased.  

“It’s easygoing,” Titania said as she ordered her usual salad. “Not like it was at Parfum Palace, we still see our share of excitement... though Seth’s latest houseguest is a little strenuous on the nerves.”

“Oh yeah, you mention something about him taking people like stray Skittys.” Remembered Roll. “So who is there now?”

“There is really no meat in this menu…” Said Shredder to herself as she looked at the menu, luckily for her, there was pasta, although without meat balls.

“Well it’s an establishment run by herbivores, so yes, I’d imagine not,” Titania replied. Mocha waved the Fairy off though and smiled. 

“If you want the pasta, I can place an order with the Gilded Feather for something to be delivered to be added to it if you like. It will cost a little extra though.”

“As for his latest... guest,” Titania used that word very generously. “Some genetically-enhanced Gabite. She has the Ability and camouflage powers of a Kecleon, and the temper of a Gyarados...”

“Quite an interesting ability,” mentioned Shredder as she picked the pasta from the menu, since she didn’t wanted to be rude to the matron running the place.

“Well, we know your relation with Scylla wasn’t all that good so this isn’t that surprising.” Roll pointed out as she ordered a club sandwich with fries, hoping those were potato fries. “But what was that part about being genetically modified?”

“She’s the result of an experiment from Doctor Nurem,” Titania explained. “I’ve met a few more of them since I started living with Seth, he seems to have a knack for making friends with just about anyone, though... I doubt he had many back on Earth.” Mocha took their orders and disappeared into the kitchen, the faint sound of her singing wafted back to them.

The couple stiffened for a second at the name of the Doctor, but relaxed right after.

“Is that so, he sure is quite a nice man if he admit such a character in his house… and that experiment,” joked Shredder.

“Oh hah hah hah,” Titania snarked. “But that's just how he is, thinks there’s good in everyone.” Mocha emerged with three mugs and a pot of fresh tea before trotting off to resume her cooking. Titania poured three cups and sighed contently. “He’s going to Las Pegasus later in the week to return her to Vincent Nurem, the doctor’s son, though nothing like his father luckily enough”

“It's good to know that.” Admitted the Bisharp as she took the cup while letting a sigh, “they deserve a better life.”

“But enough melancholy! Are you going with them?” Roll asked.

“And be stuck on a cramped train for hours on end with that lizard, I think not,” Titania huffed. “No, I will be staying here as I have work to do, plus someone needs to keep an eye on the house.”

“So bad, I heard this Las Pegasus is a very neat place, kinda like Black City, ah! I would like to go!” Pouted Roll.

“But I can understand, traveling in a very tight space for hours alongside so many mons can be a bit stressing after some time.” Added Shredder.


Again somewhere else, the same Bisharp as before sneezed out loud. Daring gave him a curious look. 

"You coming down with a cold or something?"


The meals that Mocha had served were delicious as always, though Shredder had to chuckle a little at the horseshoe-shaped fries she was served. Titania quite enjoyed spending time with her friends, but they eventually had to depart, the Griffin Empress waited for no-one.

“We’ll stay in touch though yes?” Titania asked hopefully. “And I’ll finish these dresses... and other articles, as soon as I can and have them shipped to you.”

“Ah! It would be good to know of you and your own adventures.” Admitted Shredder.

“Be sure to keep making those lovely creations of yours okay?” Cheered Roll.

“Just be careful when Alexander comes by.” advised Shredder. “You know how… persistent he can be.”

“And do remind this Luxray of yours to keep an eye for him and Weiss.” Added Roll.

“I will,” Titania said as she threw her arms around the two, hugging them tightly. “And I expect to hear reports of the pitter-patter of little Buneary feet soon, okay?”

“I will see what can be done,” joked Roll, even though she knew such was impossible. Yet it was a nice thought.

It was so good it actually turned Shredder into a statue again…

She eventually returned to normal in due time, the couple wanted to spend some time with their ‘sister’ after all. They talked and chatted for the rest of the evening, sharing stories from the old world and catching up with their experiences on the new one. But the time of part ways inevitable arrived.

The sun was beginning to set by the time Titania saw her friends off, Seth and the others would be at the reception by now, and the only one at home would be that dragon...

“I guess I have time,” Titania hummed as she walked down the street. This wasn't goodbye... just goodbye until next time.