Somewhere else in the Everfree Forest, Tiny and Aria were making their way to Ponyville to see if they could catch up with Marcus and Blitz. (Of course, they wouldn't find out until they arrived that Marcus and Blitz were long gone.) In order to pass the time, the two were exchanging stories.
“…and for some reason, I couldn't help myself,” Tiny continued. “I just started putting my hands on every part of the pony that I could reach. For a Pokemon who feeds off of happiness like myself, it was like a buffet fit for gods! And from then on, I knew I'd probably never have to eat solid foods ever again as long as we stay in this world.” Tiny chuckled. “Of course, that doesn't mean I'll turn my nose away to pastries.”
“Uh-huh…” Aria said with a nod. “Remind me again, how did all of this stem from you asking me if I was free this evening?”
Tiny tapped his chin. “I'm not sure…” he said. “Maybe I started thinking about what kinds of berries you like, which got me thinking about food, which reminded me that I hadn't been hungry in ages, which-”
“Point taken,” Aria quickly interrupted. “Sorry, it's just… you tend to talk a lot.”
“Oh…” Tiny said in a slightly deflated tone. “Sorry, I'm still working on that.”
Aria chuckled. “It's alright, Tiny. It's not that I don't enjoy talking with you, but you have a tendency to dominate the conversation.”
“Well, what do you have to talk about?” Tiny asked. “I can listen, too.”
Aria looked up and rubbed her chin. “I really don't have much of anything to talk about,” she replied with a shrug. With a chuckle, she added, “Well, nothing terrifying or traumatic.” Tiny didn't laugh. “Ah… I guess I still need to work on my sense of humor, don't I?”
“I mean, you're making progress,” Tiny replied with a patient smile. He then looked up. “You know, I just realized something.”
“What is it?” Aria asked, looking over at Tiny quizzically.
“This doesn't happen very often,” Tiny replied, looking back at Aria. “The two of us being alone. I mean, without Marcus or the others with us. Just you and I… hanging out.”
“Hmm,” Aria said with a nod. “You've got a point there.”
Tiny moved a little closer to Aria. “Which brings me to my previous question,” he said. “Do you have any plans for tonight?”
Aria backpedaled a bit. “Um…” Aria said, looking down. “I mean, I guess not. Why? Are you…?”
Tiny smiled and nodded. “Why wouldn't I?” he replied, taking Aria's hands in his own. “Aria, I know we've been friends for a long time, and you and I both know of my promiscuous personality, but every time I see you, every time I hold you close to me, I feel…” Suddenly, Tiny looked off past Aria as something orange dashing behind a tree caught his eye. “Sparkles?”
“Sparkles?” Aria asked, confused. “That's an odd way of saying-”
“No, it's…” Tiny started before looking back to Aria. “Someone I said I'd help some time back, but never found again.” Tiny shook his head. “I'm sorry. We were having a moment. As I was saying, just the sight of you gives me a feeling unlike anything I'd ever felt before.” Tiny looked down, unable to control his nervous grin. “Aria…”
“Yes, Tiny?” Aria asked.
“I know it's a bit out of the ordinary, especially for me…” Tiny continued, looking up into Aria's eyes, “but I just have to ask… will you go out with me? On a date? Like what Marcus and Blitz sometimes do?”
Aria gasped, utterly shocked by what she'd just heard. “Tiny… you really feel that way about me?” she asked.
“It's something I've been putting a lot of thought into,” Tiny replied with a nod. “Several month's worth, to be precise.” Tiny chuckled. “I know, it's probably a bit much, and I likely didn't need to say that, and you really don't have to say yes-” Tiny was interrupted when Aria placed a hand over his mouth.
“None of that matters to me,” Aria said with what was likely a smile. “I don't really care how much prep you've put into this, how much thought… what matters is that you care about me, and I thank you for that. But…” Aria looked off to the side, and Tiny looked a bit concerned. “I just… never thought of you that way, Tiny. No offense, but I never thought you'd be the kind of Pokemon who would try to find a life mate.”
Tiny sighed and looked down. “None taken. I see your point.” Tiny looked back up at Aria. “I don't blame you for only seeing my past. To be fair, I probably wouldn't have said yes if the shoe was on the other foot. Sorry for even asking.”
Aria looked up at Tiny and met his sad expression with her own. “No, it's not like that at all, Tiny,” Aria said while shaking her head. “Believe me, I'm likely the authority on second chances in our family. I'd definitely give you a chance if things were different, but…” Aria sighed. “Tiny… you're really great, and nothing anyone could possibly say could change that in my book, but I just don't think I'm ready for that sort of thing. Settling down with someone, forming a bond that could never be broken, spending the rest of eternity with the one you love – not to mention the fact that we might be on two different levels with that last thing – I just never gave it any thought.” Aria was silent for a moment before she started again. “I'm really sorry, Tiny. I can't imagine how much I mean to you, and for this to be my answer…”
Tiny shook his head and looked up at Aria with an attempted smile. “It's all good, Aria,” he said. “Really, it is. I knew from the start that this was a shot in the dark. Just… thank you for being honest with me.” Tiny cleared his throat. “Now that this spectacular train wreck of a date proposal is over… we can put this behind us, right? This doesn't have to change anything?”
Aria nodded. “We're still friends,” she said. “And to be perfectly fair, I'm know you'll find a girl or guy who's just right for you one day. I promise.”
Tiny smiled a little. “Thanks Aria,” he said. He then opened his arms. “A hug, maybe? Just between friends?”
Aria chuckled. “Just between friends,” she said as she embraced Tiny.
”This whole thing was so stupid of me,” Tiny scolded in his head. ”Why did I even think she'd be interested…?”
”That answer was so stupid of me,” Aria thought to herself. ”How could I have broken his heart like that? Why couldn't I just give him a chance…?”
The two then broke their hug and smiled at each other. A friendly smile, but neither one noticed the regret in the other's eye. “So…” Aria said, rubbing the back of her head. “Did you wanna follow that Sparkles character you saw? You seemed interested in him.”
“Oh right!” Tiny exclaimed. “Ah… I hope he's not angry at me. I told him I'd help him last year, and I haven't seen him since.”
Aria noticed that Tiny was a bit excited. “Are you alright, Tiny?” she asked. “You seem a bit mixed over this guy.”
Tiny chuckled. “Oh, it's not really Sparkles who I'm excited over,” he said. “I'm talking about that Sparkles, who belongs to him!”
Aria raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
Tiny shook his head. “Can't believe you don't remember me talking about him,” he said. “The only one I could be talking about is literally the biggest international star on the Pokemon Contest and Showcase scene, and the one I've gushed about every time I saw him on the news!”
Aria was silent for a moment. “Maybe you should remind me…”
“If not now, then I'll tell you later,” Tiny said. “Come on, I'm not slowing down if I wanna keep up with Sparkles!” The Togetic then dashed off in the direction he saw Sparkles run, Aria following close behind.
Somewhere else in the Everfree, Alonzo and his group were discussing their next course of action.
“There's a town nearby called Ponyville,” Nana said. “Neither me nor Ki have been their yet, but our trainers are there, and they claim to have found other members of their teams there.”
“Actually, we may have better luck here,” Kunoichi replied. “I can sense something special about this forest. It has a power unlike anything I'd ever-”
“Magic,” Ki interrupted. “The forest calls its power magic. From what it tells me, it's a far cry from any Fairy- or Psychic-type's abilities. You could have a point, that being said.” The Leafeon sighed. “Though I've been on this planet for about five days now, and I haven't been to this 'Ponyville' place. I've heard interesting stuff about it. Sounds like a nice tourist's destination, and really friendly towards Pokemon.”
“I'm sorry, I'm a little confused here,” Alonzo said while rubbing the back of his head. “Are we looking for teammates or sightseeing? Legitimately curious, because I think I zoned out somewhere in the conversation.”
Gatsu rolled his eyes. “Sarcasm noted, Alonzo,” the Umbreon complained before turning to Ki and Nana. “I think I've got a better idea. Maybe the time has come for us to go our separate ways.”
“No!” Ki suddenly shouted, causing everyone to stare at her with a curious expression, except for Kunoichi, who just gave an odd stare. “I mean… what's the rush? We were only just getting to know each other. As I've heard the forest say in passing, friendship is magic. Discern from that what you will, but I say-” Ki stopped suddenly and her ears began twitching. “Alonzo, do you by chance have a Wigglytuff on your team?”
“I do,” Alonzo replied with a nod. “Why?”
“There's one headed this way,” Ki replied, fixing her gaze a little past the Typhlosion. “And from what the forest is saying, she's got company.”
Sure enough, after just a few more seconds, there was a rustling sound coming from where Ki had everyone look. All of a sudden, there was a loud scream, and a huge pink ball came crashing into the clearing, hitting the ground with a loud thud. “Ow…” the ball groaned before rolling over onto its back, revealing long bunny ears, a white underside, and a partially crushed Raichu lying where face first where the Wigglytuff landed.
“Tuff Puff?” Alonzo asked the Wigglytuff. He then turned to the Raichu. “And Sparkles?”
“That's me,” the Raichu said while raising a hand, though not getting up.
“Nice seeing you again, Alonzo,” Tuff Puff said as she rolled herself back to her feet. She then dusted herself off before examining the Pokemon before her. “Wait, don't tell me. Alonzo, you're the… Leafeon, right?”
“Wrong,” Alonzo replied. “But you tried.”
“Wait, you're a Typhlosion?” Tuff Puff asked. “Wow, I really thought you'd be an Eeveeloution. Like a Sylveon or something.”
Alonzo shrugged. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing,” he said before turning to Sparkles. “Uh… is he okay?”
“Oh right!” Tuff Puff exclaimed. “I got attacked by some weird spiky vine, tripped, caught Sparkles in my fall, and landed on him several times.” The Wigglytuff then turned to Sparkles and clasped her hands together. “Heal Pulse.” A wave of pink light emitted from Tuff Puff and washed over Sparkles. After a second, the Raichu leapt back to his feet. “Sorry about that, Sparkles.”
“It's alright,” Sparkles replied, massaging his shoulder. “But remind me to never let me run in front of you in the future.”
“Hey, you were the one who wanted to reunite with Alonzo as fast as possible,” Tuff Puff replied with a shake of her head.
“Eh… point taken,” Sparkles surrendered before turning to Alonzo. “Alonzo… it's great to see you again!”
“Same to you,” Alonzo replied with a smile.
Sparkles paused for a moment. “Uh… I kinda wanted to run up and tackle-hug you the second I saw you again,” he continued, “but I think the moment's kinda passed.”
Alonzo chuckled and opened his arms. “One for the heck of it,” the Typhlosion said.
Sparkle's face lit up with excitement before he ran up and leapt at full-force into Alonzo's arms. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you again,” Sparkles said.
“I'm glad to see you too,” Alonzo replied with a smile.
The two broke their hug and everyone was silently staring at each other for a moment. Tuff Puff then made a gesture at Sparkles. ”Well?” the Wigglytuff asked with the gesture, nodding towards Alonzo.
“What?” Alonzo asked, noticing Sparkles was looking at Tuff Puff weird, though when he turned to the latter, she was trying a little too hard to look innocent. Turning back to Sparkles, Alonzo asked, “Something you wanna tell me?”
“Um…” Sparkles said, looking down and rubbing the back of his head. The Raichu took a deep breath before looking up at Alonzo. “You know what? I'm done with this. Tuff Puff is right. It's time I stopped being so secretive about it.”
“What are you talking about?” Alonzo asked. “Wait… are you coming out?”
“I'd say I am,” Sparkles replied, taking a step towards Alonzo. “Alonzo Halgamlith, like you, I am attracted to males. I have no interest in a female mate. To be blunt, I am gay.”
The air around the group was very still for a time after Sparkles said everything he did. Kunoichi leaned over to Ki and whispered, “And with that, less than half of our team is officially straight.”
The first word that was spoken aloud so that everyone could hear was from Alonzo, who spoke his sentence with a smile. “That was very brave of you, Sparkles,” he said. “If you've been hiding this for as long as I'm assuming, mustering up the courage to tell us must have been difficult. I'm proud of you for doing this.”
Sparkles returned Alonzo's smile. “Thank you, Alonzo,” the Raichu said. “But… there's a little more to my whole 'coming out' thing. You see, I've already had my eye on a potential mate for a long time, and it's someone who I've grown very fond of over the years. Someone who's on our team.”
Gatsu instantly took a step back. “Woah, dude,” he said, “I'm flattered, but I just don't feel the same way.”
“Not you!” Sparkles snapped. Regaining his composure, Sparkles added, “Sorry. I shouldn't have snapped like that. I'm letting nerves get to me.” The Raichu then turned back to Alonzo. “Alonzo, I understand that your views on this subject aren't as positive as they could be, and not nearly as positive as I'd like them to be, but…” Sparkles paused to take another deep breath. “Alonzo, the one I love on our team… is you.”
Alonzo's expression instantly became that of one who was shocked beyond words, not only in description, but in the fact that he was legitimately without words to say. “Uh… Alonzo?” Gatsu asked, looking up at the Typhlosion. “Are you alright?”
Kunoichi walked up and waved a hand in front of Alonzo's face. “Alonzo, are you still with us?” she asked.
Alonzo blinked for a moment and stepped back like he had just lost balance before regaining his footing. “Um…” he said, looking down at Sparkles, but he found himself unable to form any other words. “Eh…”
Everyone stared with expectation and/or concern at Alonzo, whose gaze didn't break from Sparkles, who was in the “expectant stare” category. “Alonzo?” Sparkles asked. “I'm sorry if I upset you, but… don't you have anything to say at all?”
“I…” Alonzo tried to say. He gulped nervously before continuing. “Sparkles, I care about you, a lot, just as much as anyone else on the team, but…” The Typhlosion looked away from Sparkles. “I'm really sorry, but you already know how I feel. I can't. I… I just can't.”
Sparkles' ears drooped as his expression saddened. “I knew you'd say that,” the Raichu said. “But hearing it come out of your mouth… it hurts more than I thought it would. Still, I need to know why.”
“Why?” Alonzo asked, looking back at Sparkles. “Why can't I return the feelings one of my Pokemon have for me? Because I'm your trainer! Because I'm human! It isn't-”
“'It isn't' what?” Sparkles interrupted, raising his voice a bit. “Right? Natural? Fair? Normal? I've heard it all. And what's with this 'because you're human' thing, hmm? Last I checked,” Sparkles indicated Alonzo's body, “that's kind of a lie.”
“It's…” Alonzo started, but the words didn't come out. “I'm still human on the inside.”
“Maybe you are,” Sparkles replied, “but on the outside, you're a Pokemon like me. Like Tuff Puff. Like all of us. There's no longer a line.”
“Well maybe I'm still not ready to cross that line regardless!” Alonzo replied loudly, his flames flaring. “Maybe I just don't want to altogether! Maybe I'd rather not just throw my old life away just because I'm on a new planet in a new body with a new life!”
“Maybe you don't have to, and you're just being an ass about this whole thing!” Sparkles shouted back. “Face it, Alonzo, you can't argue with this! You're no longer human, ergo no longer my trainer, but rather an equal. You can still life like you used to, but alongside us on a more equal level. If you could just see what I'm saying as-”
“Well if you wanna invalidate all those other arguments,” Alonzo interrupted, “then that leaves just one possibility. Maybe the reason I can't love you is you!”
“Me?” Sparkles asked, taking a step back. “What do you mean by that?”
“What couldn't I mean?” Alonzo replied in a sarcastic tone. “You're pushy, you don't like to take 'no' for an answer – or even for a suggestion at that – not once have you ever followed a routine without adding at least one move of your own, which has cost us more losses than I've had with any other teammate… and have you ever brushed your teeth?”
Sparkles took another step back, obviously offended. “Alonzo, how could you?” the Raichu asked. “You really think all of that?”
“Well most of the evidence has been right here in this conversation!” Alonzo replied. “I don't talk like this is this is the first time, do I?” The Typhlosion turned to Ki and Nana. “Does this sound like the first time Sparkles has acted like this?” Ki and Nana quickly shook their heads, fearing Alonzo's wrath.
“Oh, and you're a pretty little angel,” Sparkles sarcastically added. “You love to take suggestions! You love to stick to your own plans, even when everything's going wrong! You just fucking enjoy dental hygiene! Need I add more? You've never treated any of the team as an equal. Yeah, I picked up on that. You treat us nice, sure. But for what reason? So we'll perform well for you on the stage. You don't accept victory very gracefully in comparison to most other trainers and coordinators we've encountered, and you accept loss even worse. Oh, and here's my favorite part. If I were to become your mate, I'd be with you for life. I would never be unfaithful, and I'd stick with you until the end. You, on the other hand? You've never had a stable boyfriend. Every guy I've seen you with, it lasted anywhere from one night to two weeks! You have no idea how that makes me feel! To watch you break hearts, to watch your heart be broken with me unable to do anything about it, to watch you just sleep around like it was nobody's fucking business! And the act you put on most of the time… 'Oh, I'm going through a rough spot, but I'm really not that kind of guy. Though, if you're that adamant about it…' It embarrasses me! And you know what? I'm willing to love you despite all of this! You see just a few of your quirks in me, and all of a sudden I'm no good for you! You can hide behind all your excuses, but you've shown me just what I was getting myself into! A heartless, closed-minded ass who's not worth half a damn!”
There was a long pause where Sparkles just panted angrily while glaring at Alonzo, who glared back. No one dared to say anything or even breathe. “So that's that, huh?” Alonzo asked finally. “That's how you truly feel about me?”
“I guess so,” Sparkles replied through gritted teeth. “Thanks for enlightening me, Alonzo.”
“Okay, let's try to take a timeout here,” Tuff Puff said, seizing her opportunity to get between the two. “Emotions are going all over the place, a lot of mental peace has probably been disturbed by all of this, and maybe some painful thoughts were triggered without anyone realizing it… but it's all off our chests. So if we could just put all this behind us, make up, and-” Tuff Puff stopped mid-sentence, causing everyone to stare at her awkwardly. The Wigglytuff rubbed the back of her head. “Oh… I kinda expected one of you to interrupt me and storm off or something…”
“I'd never do that,” Sparkles said, still glaring daggers at Alonzo. “After all, friends don't treat each other that way.” The Raichu then turned and stormed off. “See ya when you're ready to apologize, Alonzo.”
“You'd better come back with your own apology ready!” Alonzo called back as Sparkles disappeared into the forest.
There was general silence before Tuff Puff spoke up. “I'd… better make sure he doesn't do something particularly stupid,” she said. “For what it's worth, Alonzo, you did kinda escalate that conversation without need.”
“Well…” Alonzo said, looking down, but he quickly looked back at Tuff Puff and said, “He's the one who wouldn't drop the subject after I'd already declined.”
Tuff Puff sighed. “You don't know his feelings like I do,” she said. “You should see how he talks about you when it's just me and him. He really loves you, Alonzo. If you ever find the heart to apologize, you really should give the kid a chance.” With a slight smile, Tuff Puff turned and ran after Sparkles.
There was yet another silence amongst the remainder of the group. Ki noticed that Gatsu was looking around, almost oblivious to what just happened. “You alright, Gatsu?” the Leafeon asked.
“I thought I heard something while everyone was shouting,” Gatsu replied, turning to Ki. “I could barely hear it as it was, but it almost sounded like… someone throwing up.”
Hidden in the brush opposite where everyone had been looking, Tiny lay against a tree with Aria holding a ribbon to his head. The Togetic didn't look very well, and Aria was evidently concerned.
“So this is what happens when you're exposed to negative emotions?” Aria asked.
“It's gotta be real bad to make me throw up like I did…” Tiny replied weakly. “Hey, at least you've learned something. I feed off of happiness, but the opposite happens when discord and anger occur.” Tiny struggled to get up onto his feet. “I feel like this is my fault.”
“No, it isn't,” Aria said, trying to guide Tiny back down, but to no avail. “Not all turmoil is because of you.”
“But this is,” Tiny replied. “If I'd gone back to help Sparkles when we met last year at that contest, maybe this wouldn't be happening now.” Tiny tried to take a step forward, but lost his balance and fell to his knees.
“Tiny, you're too weak to move,” Aria said. “Wait… how are you too weak to move in the first place?”
“All that rainbow stuff I threw up?” Tiny replied. “That was all I've had to 'eat' for the past few days. I could regain my strength easily by spending time around ponies again, but just knowing that these two are quarreling like this… it just makes me sad.” Tiny gave a slight smile. “And I'm not too weak to move. I'm just not used to using my legs.”
“Oh,” Aria said. “Yeah, I have noticed that you're always flying.”
“Floating,” Tiny corrected. “Like you do. Flying would imply that I need my wings to stay airborne.” The Togetic then looked in the direction that Sparkles stormed off. “I'm going to see what I can do, but I need you to do something for me.”
“What is it?” Aria asked.
“I need you to look for two Pokemon for me,” Tiny replied. “Ace and Cross.”
Aria floated a pace back, a look of disgust on her face. “Ace and Cross? Really?” she asked. “You know how I feel about them.”
“Those two Meowstic taught me everything I know,” Tiny replied. “Ergo, they helped me teach you most of what you know. I wish this could be done without them, but what's going on here is beyond either me or you.” The Togetic sighed and gently rubbed Aria's cheek. “I wouldn't do this if I didn't absolutely need it. Please, Aria, help me. This sort of thing is something I can't just walk away from, and it's too big a deal for me to handle on my own. And… I'm afraid I'll mess this one up. That was him. Alonzo Halgamlith. I had my doubts before, but now I'm sure.”
“What do you mean 'before'?” Aria asked.
“It's not important,” Tiny replied while shaking his head. “Now please, Aria… help me.”
Aria was silent for a moment before replying. “Alright,” she said. “You know how much I hate them, but if getting Alonzo and Sparkles back together means that much to you, I'll help you.”
“Thank you, Aria,” Tiny said with a smile. He then reached up and hugged Aria, giving her a peck on the cheek. Instantly, both of them reacted to this.
“Um, Tiny-” Aria started.
“I-I know, that wasn't-” Tiny stammered.
“No, you don't have to-”
“But it wasn't-”
“It was my fault for-”
“Sorry,” Tiny said finitely. “I'm… sorry about that.”
“Apology accepted,” Aria replied.
There was an awkward pause before Tiny said, “We should get moving on this.”
“Yes,” Aria replied with a nod. “You sure you'll be ok?”
“I'll be fine,” Tiny replied. “Just…” The Togetic trailed off and shook his head. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome,” Aria said. She then turned around and began floating off, leaving Tiny alone.
“Okay…” Tiny said to himself while taking a deep breath. “In bad shape, low on happiness, can't even fly, and most of my magic is likely out the window as well.” With a shrug, he added, “I've worked with worse. Now then… time to meet him for real.” Tiny then stepped forward into the clearing.