It was a particularly quiet day today. Everyone in the house was sleeping well into noon except for Zen and I, who were playing on the floor of Piers's room. "Should we go and wake them? I'm bored!" I whined, slamming my Poké Doll on the floor. "I'm kinda afraid about what they'd do if we DID wake them, Aisling. What if they decide to eat us?!" Zen gulped, digging himself a small burrow in the blankets to hide. "Are you THAT frightened by them? Even after all they've done?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "N-No! I just..... Well...... There HAS to be a reason for them to sleep like they are." Zen replied nervously, peeking up from the blankets. "You don't suppose they're sick, do you? Oh, WHY is it our luck that's so low!?" I cried, feeling guilty by the thought. "I-I don't think they are, sis. Maybe just tired from their long trek yesterday! After all, we DID walk a distance from Ballonlea to Hammerlocke." Zen suggested, wiggling himself out of his burrow. "Then they must be sore, poor things." I said, worried about the Dark Type duo. "They'll be fine! The two of them are tough as nails, so there's no need to worry about them. Look! Marnie comes!" Zen cried, pointing at the door. I turned as the door knob squeaked, and the door slowly groaned as Marnie peeked her head inside wearily. "Oh, are you lot already up for the day?" She yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Is morning. Marnie okay?" I asked, rising from the floor to greet her; Zen coming completely unfurled from his quilted habitat to latch onto my back. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit tired from yesterday still! 'Ow are you two holdin' up?" She asked, stretching her back. "Brother and Aisling sleep good. When Piers wake up?" "He's sleepin' soundly, so I'd say 'bout couple more hours tops. I don't blame 'im a bit; bein' well rested for a concert is his top priority!" Marnie sighed, putting a finger to her lips in thought. "Concert?" I parroted, tilting my head curiously. I knew Piers had a lovely singing voice, but I never knew he made a career of his talent! "Did we not tell you? I s'pose with what's been goin' down as of late we never told you. My big bro is a full time singer! He retired bein' a Gym Leader to further his goal to bring up spirits around Spikemuth. He's hostin' a concert tonight, and no doubt it'll be a sold out show." Marnie explained, smiling proudly at the achievements her brother acquired. I felt a surge of adrenaline, and my eyes sparkled as I thought of Piers on a brightly lit stage, singing his heart out to many adoring fans in the audience. "Can go?" I asked excitedly, jumping around a little as Marnie's eyes filled with shock. "S-Sure, but you oughta talk with Piers 'bout it. Y'know how he feels about this kinda stuff!" She said, almost reluctantly as she rubbed the back of her head. Pumped, I jumped around her before saying, "See Piers sing! Aisling happy!" "Seems like it, but you shouldn't be so loud! Piers gets quite cross if he's woken up durin' his sleep." "We surprise him! Make breakfast lunch." I suggested, calming down a bit, but not enough to contain my fidgeting. "A fine idea, but what've you in mind?" "Make berry disks, meat strips, yolk babies?" I asked, thinking to myself. Marnie scrunched her face in confusion before connecting the dots, and replied "Oh, you mean Pancakes, Bacon, and Eggs. We 'AVE to teach you more phrases! Makes it less confusin' to understand you." I peeked out of the room to see if the coast was clear, and Marnie, Zen, and I tiptoed down the creaky steps, careful to avoid disturbing Piers's slumber as we made our way to the kitchen. "What Berries shall we add?" Marnie whispered, and I asked, "What Berries Marnie have?" "We've got Leppa Berries, Sitrus Berries, and Lapapa Berries. One I believe is spicy, the other two are bitter and sour!" She replied, and I quickly thought back to what my mother taught us about contrasting flavors. "Sour. Mix sweet, really good!" I decided, and Marnie pulled out a plump, yellow and red speckled Berry from the fridge. As she diced the Berry, I got to work on the fluff disk batter, carefully following the instructions on the back of the box. Zen got to work on making the meat strips, adding a series of spices to add flavor to the meat. I got to whisking the eggs as Marnie cooked the fluffy disks, and it wasn't long before we heard a murmur coming from the living room. "Afternoon! What're you kiddos up to?" Piers asked, yawning and stretching. "Aisling had the idea to make Breakfast for Lunch for ya since you were knackered. So, 'ere you are bro!" Marnie replied, scooping eggs from the pan onto his plate, and putting it on the counter for him. I took the plate to Piers as he sat up, and I placed it in front of him before giving him my biggest smile. He grinned, and asked with a laugh, "Oi, who told ya to look after me? It's my job to look after you!" He patted me on the head softly, and I crawled into his lap, and leaned my head against his chest. "Concert tonight. Aisling, Zen, can go?" I asked hopefully, messing with the tutu part of my new night wear. "You wanna go to one of MY concerts? I dunno 'bout that love, you two are awfully small an' my concerts tend to get a bit wild!" Piers replied, closing his eyes in thought. "Now that ain't fair bro. I was six the first time I went to your show!" Marnie said, handing Zen a small bowl and patting him on the head with a smile. "Only cuz you wouldn't stop beggin'! Still, I s'pose you still 'ave a point... Alright, you and your brother may go on the condition that you do NOT leave Marnie's side." He sighed, and I happily threw my arms around him before leaping back to the floor to fetch my plate. After a hearty lunch, Piers decided to head up to his room to rest a few more hours before his concert, leaving Marnie and the rest of us to our own devices downstairs. Marnie put on a cartoon for Zen and I to watch before busily tapping away on her strange little device on the sofa, making me curious as to what she was exactly doing. I crawled up on the sofa with her, and nestled myself between her and the back of the soda as I rested my cheek against her shoulder as I asked, "No watch?" "Nah, I'm too old for Cartoons. You wanna video chat with me?" She asked, clicking on some odd icon that brought up a loading screen. It was a few minutes of silence.... Then a girl Marnie's age appeared on the surface of the screen as she said, "Hello Marnie!" "Hey Gloria! 'Ow've you been doin' since the Gym Challenge ended?" Marnie replied, scooting me closer to her as my eyes widened in awe. "Ah, y'know. A bit of this and that, and waiting for my champion of a brother to come home. At least I still have Hop, when he isn't TOO busy! Say, whose that with you?" "Marnie? Girl inside screen!" I whispered, nestling myself deeper between Marnie and the sofa to avoid the gaze of the mysterious girl Marnie named "Gloria". "Yep, she's inside the screen. Why don't you say 'ello to the lovely thing?" "H-Hi..." I said, waving bashfully to Gloria, and I partially hid my face in Marnie's shoulder as she responded in an upbeat tone, "Hello! Who might you be then?" "Am Aisling. Marnie, Piers, friends of Aisling and brother!" "And who's your brother?" as if on cue, Zen crawled into the frame, and Gloria's eyes flashed with interest as she exclaimed, "What an odd Pokémon that is!" "It's called "Abra", and is apparently native to the Kanto region." Marnie explained as I reached over to pat my brother softly. "Kanto?! WOW! Did you go on a vacation or something?" Gloria asked in shock as she continued to study my brother. "I wish I did, but I know these two 'ad a little too much thrill! See, they hopped a ship to go to a place called "Cinnabar Island", and after they 'ad their fun an' wanted to return home, it didn't quite work they way they thought it would. Long story short, they hopped ships till they ended up in Galar, an' my brother had to rush 'er to Circhester to get a nasty wound patched up!" Marnie explained as I shuddered. "Oh dear. I'm glad she's alright now! Her Mum and Dad must be frightfully worried about her." Gloria responded worriedly, which I quickly corrected, "No mother! Father only, live far, very worried." "Oh, pardon me. Who's your father?" "Alakazam. Zen, little brother! We Abra." I replied, bringing Zen closer to my chest as Gloria looked on, baffled. "She was raised by Pokémon, and this Abra 'ere is her lil bro." Marnie said, and I nodded in confirmation as Gloria exclaimed, "How interesting, having a Pokémon family! I bet they're quite lucky to have a daughter like yourself." "I'm lucky to have her as my sister." Zen murmured bashfully, and I snuggled with him as she fawned, "Look at you lot. How CUTE!" "I'm not cute, but these kiddos fit the bill just fine." Marnie said, poking me on the nose playfully, making me scrunch my face to avoid sneezing. Gloria and Marnie laughed at my expression before exchanging farewells. After Marnie ended the call, a knock came to the door and Marnie called, "Come in, door's open!" The door swung open, and Bede approached the back of the sofa as he greeted, "Good afternoon lovelies! How are you today?" "Bede!" I exclaimed, quickly crawling back over Marnie to meet him behind the sofa, and hugged him tightly as he giggled, "Yes, yes, it's me. I see you're in a bright mood!" "Piers sleeping. Shhhhh!" I said, and he gave a silent nod to show he understood. "How've you been Bede? Ms. Opal stringin' you out again?" Marnie asked, caressing Zen as he drifted off to sleep. "If by "Stringing", you mean wearing me thin? Honestly, I need to get away from her for at least a month.... Or a year.... Depends on how fried I am!" Bede complained tiredly. I ran to the kitchen, opened the fridge to grab a pitcher of tea, and returned to him with the glass as he said, "How sweet of you. Thank you so much!" "Oi! What 'bout me?" Marnie pouted, and I rushed back to the kitchen to fix her a glass before bringing it to her. She took a sip, and set it on the table as Bede took a seat in the arm chair, and the two carried on a conversation as I continued to watch the Cartoons Marnie had on the picture box. "Oh not THAT stuff again! What's the appeal in seeing Ball Guy trip and fall flat on his backside constantly?" Bede sighed, running a finger over the tattered leather of the chair. "It at least keeps 'er mind off of what us older kids are talkin' about, thank the stars above! It's rather drainin', playin' babysitter to tots." "I'd hardly consider her a "tot", Marnie, but I suppose you're right. I can't help but feel she's terribly bored here, being the only small child besides her brother of course." Bede remarked, taking a sip of his tea before elegantly crossing his legs to relax in the chair. A ring sounded through the living room, and Marnie quickly whipped out the same device used to speak with Gloria on and said, "Miss Opal's lookin' for you I'm assumin'?" She asked, showing him the name on the screen. "Don't tell her I'm here!" Bede screeched in terror, quickly hiding behind the chair as Marnie answered, "Hello? No ma'am, I haven't seen 'im today. Uh-huh. I'll pass the message to him if I see 'im. Bye!" After Marnie hung up, Bede emerged from his hiding spot, frazzled looking as he said, "If I hear ONE more thing about this idiotic play she wants to hold, I'm going to blow!" "Play not goin' so good?" "NO! Our actor for the unruly Oranguru called in last minute with an emergency, and our actress for our Passimian subject ended up being a frozen Magikarp on stage. You know how difficult it is to find a singing pair?! I sure wish I didn't." He complained, slumping in the chair. A light went off in my head as a smile crossed my lips, and I turned to Marnie quickly as I exclaimed, "Piers!" "Hm?!" Marnie grunted, eyes widening in surprise. "Piers sing! Do play!" I explained, running up to Bede, and hopping into his lap. "Piers? Marnie! You never told me he could sing." "I just assumed everyone knew cuz he holds concerts once every few weeks, but he ain't too keen on entertainin' children than he is older audiences!" Marnie explained awkwardly, rubbing her arm as she looked away. "Marnie PLEASE!" He begged, "I NEED your brother! I've ran all over Galar with very little luck, and I can't even begin to fathom what Miss Opal shall do if I return to her without a singer at least. I'm RAGGED!" "But Piers sings Rock, not cutesy lil ditties for ACTUAL tots! Honestly, 'ow do you expect me to suggest that idea to him without 'im blowin' his top?" Marnie asked, shaking her head. "I go. Aisling tell!" I replied, hopping off Bede's lap to go upstairs. "Aisling, NO! Waking Piers for something like THAT is a dangerous game to be playin'. I don't want 'im yellin' at you for it!" Marnie exclaimed, holding me back from the steps. "Then I'll do it. After all, it's MY duty to deliver whatever Miss Opal desires!" Bede offered, pushing his way past Marnie, only for her to grab his arm as she protested, "You MUSTN'T! Don't you understand how quickly his mood will drop if he has to put aside spare energy for, not one, but TWO performances!?" "Piers entertain! Entertain big, AND small." I said, hoping to sway her. Marnie sighed in frustration, and snapped, "Piers saves energy for a long night, such as this one. He's completely booked!" "What time does his concert start?" Bede sighed, crossing his arms over his chest frustratedly. "Ten this evenin', and he won't be done till two next mornin'!" "And the play starts at six, and ends at seven thirty at most." "Stop!" I shouted, getting the bickering teens attention as I continued, "Ask Opal, make compromise! Piers sing tonight, next night play." "I wish it were that easy dear, but Miss Opal's stubborn as a pack of Mudbray in a field of Wooloo!" Bede scoffed, placing a tired hand on his head. "Then Piers compromise! Sing at six, rest two hours, sing at ten. Happy everyone!" I suggested, to which Marnie quickly replied, " 'cept my big bro. He'll be absolutely ragged by dawn!" "But I don't know where else to look Marnie!" "Think of somethin'!" "Said "STOP"!" I repeated, a little louder than I was the last time, resulting in a loud knocking from upstairs, signaling that Piers was awake, and most likely unhappy. I motioned for the two to stay behind, and quickly rushed up the stairs to see Piers, and sure enough, there he sat with a scowl that could send shivers down the spines of innocent souls. "Y-Yes?" I gulped, feeling nervous by the intense air he gave off, and he growled gruffly, "Is there a REASON for all this noise?" "Marnie, Bede, arguing... Trying stop! Aisling sorry...." I explained, fiddling with my tutu. "Bede?" Piers asked, raising a brow to me, and I nodded as I explained, "Miss Opal make play, needs singer. You singer, do play?" I asked hopefully, and Piers sighed as he flopped back on his mattress exhaustedly. "So the granny sent 'er lap dog to find me on a day I'm busy? Typical! Shoulda known somethin' like this would happen." He groaned, and I climbed onto his bed to lay beside him as I said, "Please, Piers? Aisling know Piers tired, but Bede tired too! Miss Opal punish Bede if no find singer for play." "But I never sang for kids! It's drainin' physically to perform for em'." Piers muttered, placing a pillow over his face. I sat up, and softly moved the pillow to reveal his beautiful, shining, electric blue eyes as I said, "Piers sing, sing to Marnie, Zen, and Aisling." "True, but Marnie's my sis, an' you and Zen, you're special. I'm rubbish at entertainin' kids! I can't be funny, or cute, or anythin' else of the sort." "No "can't"! Just "can". Piers funny, make us laugh lots! CAN do." I encouraged softly, gently taking his hand, and placing it on my cheek. He sighed again, and reluctantly sat back up to face me. I could tell how exhausted he was, and self conscious, and it was all I could do to reassure Piers that he can be more than what he thinks he is. "Get Bede in 'ere. I wish to speak to 'im privately!" He decided, yawning before cracking his spine. I nodded, and ran back down the stairs to get Bede as he requested. It took a few minutes before both returned downstairs, and Piers said, "Righto, let's get to." "Wait a second! Are you REALLY gonna perform in a play? For CHILDREN?" Marnie asked, shocked. Her brother shrugged, and asked "Why not? May as well when you've got nowhere else to turn. That, and I can be easily persuaded when in the right moods." He gave a wink to me, and I smiled brightly in return, feeling accomplished that I had changed his mind about the play. I ran over to the sofa to awaken my brother, and we ran up to Piers's room to get ready. I threw on an odd looking, long sleeved, casual dress with a hood, shorts, and quickly brushed and braided my thigh length hair. Giggling excitedly, we raced each other back down stairs to where the others stood, and I said "Okay, ready!" Piers slowly studied my attire, and an approving smile crossed his lips as he floofed the hair on top of my head. I laughed lightheartedly as I took his hand in mine; smiling back at him as he asked, "Ready?" I nodded, and the four of us left for Ballonlea. It took longer than most because we had to get two separate Taxis, with Piers, Bede, and Zen taking one while Marnie and myself were in another. I wiggled with anticipation in the leather seat, imagining Piers acting silly on stage, the laughter of kids that could be around my age, and prehaps making a new friend in the process! "Joyful, are we?" Marnie laughed, and I shouted "YES!" As I bounced around the seat. "Whoa! Easy in there kiddos, you'll tire out the Corviknight!" The cab flyer.... Is it a driver? I'm still unsure... "Alright! Calm down. We'll be landin' shortly, then you can bounce about all you like." Marnie said, putting an arm around me. The moment we touched earth, I leapt from the cab and took off towards the direction of the stadium to greet the boys. "There you are! For a moment I thought the cab lost it's way." Piers said as he whisked me off the ground. "I'm 'ere too!" Marnie panted, running up the path way to where we stood. "Zen and Bede are up a ways explainin' to the ole granny I've come to fill in the part. Shall we join 'em?" "Sure! I'd love to see the look on 'er face when she sees the spirit of Spikemuth." Marnie said, taking Piers's arm as he carried me. The racket that was made as we stepped in was worse than a den of Sandshrew, causing me to throw my hands over my ears as Ms. Opal screeched, "YOU DELINQUENTS HAVE NERVE TO SHOW UP UNDER DRESSED, AND UNDER PREPARED!" "Ah, take it easy granny! You needed a singer, so 'ere I am." Piers replied in a cool tone, keeping his head about him as Ms. Opal raged on, "A singer of your class is unsutible for the audience in this Gym, but seeing as how I'm desperate and have little time, I suppose I'll just have to make due. Take this script; read it CAREFULLY! I cannot afford any mishaps during production." Ms. Opal hobbled her way past a very frazzled looking Bede, who stood in the threshold as she made her way to the stage area. "That went SWIMIN'LY." Marnied scoffed, rolling her eyes at the behavior Ms. Opal was exhibiting. "Nah, don't worry 'bout it. I can handle my own six, no problem!" Piers chirped, flashing a quick smile toward Marnie before continuing, "Then again, as I said before, I can be easily persuaded." "Piers do well. Aisling know so!" I said, feeling confident in my friend's ability to perform. "Certain of it? Well I'm here now, so I s'pose I can't turn back even if I wanted to. Very well, for YOU lot I'll give my best!" Piers stated, puffing out his chest like a superhero. I giggled happily, and threw my arms around him one more time before three strange women rushed him off. "Break a leg bro!" Marnie cheered, and Piers merely held up his thumb in response as the door shut behind him. "I do hope Ms. Opal will be pleased with 'is performance.." Marnie muttered, placing a concerned hand to her cheek. "Piers fine! Get seats." I said, ushering Marnie, Bede, and my brother into the audience. "Go join the other children on the floor dear. Marnie and I will be here watching, okay?" Bede instructed, lightly pushing me through the entrance. Zen hooked himself to my back, and I took a seat between a blonde girl, and a brunette boy on a padded floor covered with pillows, plush chairs, all matters of comfy object strewn about! I removed my brother from my back, and nestled him comfortably into my lap as the excited, giggling children went quiet. Just then, Ms. Opal took the stage, and announced, "Hello dearies!" "Hi Ms. Opal!" The children shouted in unison, making me look around in shock at the unexpected response. Ms. Opal laughed a little, then continued, "Tonight's musical is about a little boy growing up in the wild, and his friends: a mighty Bewear, and proud Liepard, save him from the tangle's most impish villans: the devious Sandiconda, the mischievous Oranguru and his legion of Passimian, and the wicked Persian! So you be good little darlings, and enjoy tonight's performance." "YAAAY!" The children screamed, making me cover my ears as the lights dimmed. It was a rather...... Interesting? Sort of cast to say the least, and it seemed that most of the people playing the parts of Pokémon didn't remember their parts at all! It was extremely awful, and I wasn't the only one who thought so by the yawning, blank eyed, clearly confused children around me. The emotions from the cast was bland, and I feared the whole production would flop when a pair of familiar eyes caused me to double take. It was Piers, but you'd never tell underneath his paper, ape like mask! His goth etire was switched for a white jumpsuit, with gray shoes and gloves, and his long hair was tucked away under a purple and green hood attached to a cape. He looked like a Poké king, and he projected with exaggerated emotion, "What beast comes before the great Oranguru, king of Glimwood, and leader of the Passimian?" The actor for the boy seemed shocked, and even the other kids in the audience seemed to be taken aback by the pleasant surprise he had in store. I smiled as the actor replied, "Oh, king Oranguru! I've come to seek asylum in your kingdom amongst the tops of this thicket." "But you are human, are you not? Why leave your quiet village to live in my kingdom above the wood?" "Whose da Owanguwu?" The blond girl beside me asked, whispering to the brunette boy. The boy smiled before replying giddily, "I don't know, but he's the best I've seen yet!" I tapped the two on their shoulders, causing them to look back at me as I leaned in close to whisper, "Oranguru, Piers from Spikemuth!" "Piers?!" The boy gasped quietly. "The Darwk Gym Weader? THAT Piers?!" The girl asked quietly in awe, exchanging looks with the boy. "Yes!" I replied, nodding proudly at the man before us on stage. Their eyes gleamed with a pleasant light, and they giggled excitedly as they scooted up closer to immerse themselves in the production. Before I knew it, Piers was holding a small object before him, with strings lining a small, thin body. He began to strum the instrument, producing a lovely, upbeat melody as he began to sing; acting whackey with the two Passimian behind him as the children laughed and cheered for him. Letting the beat of the melody sink in, I rose to my feet, and walked over to where Bede stood. I grabbed his hand, and before he could utter a single question I said, "Bede dance!" "WHA?! W-Wait a minute, I can't dance!" He replied, blushing in embarrassment. "Not what Opal says." Marnie remarked teasingly, causing Bede to cover his face with his hands as the pink became a deep shade of red. "Bede dance, please?" I asked, more calmly this time, and though his eyes refused, he reluctantly joined me on the floor as Piers continued to play, and dance, and sing, filling the room with a bright light from the soul. Bede and I danced along, and even a few of the younger ones joined us as Ms. Opal's face lit up with glee. We had a good time, spinning, swinging, and going along with the fun up until the song's end when we all scrambled back to our places. Zen, who was doing flips and spins midair settled himself back in my lap, more energized than he was at the beginning of the production as he said, "I knew he could do it!" "Same here! He's a performer in his rightful habitat." I responded, patting him on the head. After the scene with Piers, the fired up kids were anxious to see what the ending portion of the production would bring, and the once nervous actors and actresses began to flow with life, and confidence, all thanks to Piers's free flowing spirit, and his passionate heart. After the show, the excited kids gathered in the lobby to mingle as their parents showed up to take them home. Zen flew over to a group of small children, and he began to play keep away with them, giving me an open opportunity to try and make friends of my own. I bashfully approached a group of kids, making them look up at me as I began, "H-Hi. Am Aisling! Can play too?" The kids exchanged uncomfortable, and confused looks, unsure of how to respond when another group beckoned them over, leaving me to stand by myself. A lonely pain began to swell my heart, and I didn't understand why it was they acted as such at my question to join them in their festivities. Bede came up beside me, and placed a soft hand on my shoulder as he said, "There you are! I've been looking everywhere!" I looked up at him, my face drooped in a large frown, and sensing something was off he asked, "Is something the matter?" "Others no like Aisling." I sighed in a melancholic state, seeing off the children as they left with their families. "Of COURSE they like you love! The only problem is that, well, you're bigger than they are. They're very young, so like minds tend to flock with one another rather than split up, you understand?" Bede explained, but I only became more confused by his statement. After a few minutes of silence, Bede placed a treat in my hand, and sighed, "It was worth a try, hm? Come! Collect your brother, and let's go find Piers." I took his hand, grabbed my brother, and followed Bede to an area behind the stage where Marnie stood, showering her brother in praise as he bashfully placed a hand on his shoulder, and looked away. "Found them! Careful though, some kids went and broke Aisling's heart." Bede said, and as if it were a cue, Piers and Marnie placed their concerned gazes upon me as I tapped the floor with my toe and put my hands behind my back. "What 'append?" Piers asked, bringing me to him as Bede explained quickly, "Age is the issue. The younger kids ran away because Aisling is eleven, and Aisling is convinced that they didn't like her." "Bah, who needs 'em? You got us!" Marnie piped, punching me lightly in the arm, but all I could muster at that moment was a sigh. Piers's eyes fell, looking almost sorry for me, and he kneeled down as I walked over to greet him. He firmly took my hands in his, and moved my bangs from my eyes as he said, "Don't you worry a bit, kiddo. You still 'ave one more performance to come to, and I guarantee you'll find some mates!" I held the candy up before him, and I struggled to smile as I stated simply, "For you. Did great!" Piers took the treat in his hand, and smiled wryly as he responded, "Thank you sweetheart. I saw you 'avin fun in the audience, and it made me happy to see you lit up like that!" He stroked my hair, and drew me in for an embrace. Once we said our goodbyes, the four of us left for Spikemuth with not a single moment to lose, wondering the whole way why the kids were driven away from me, and making me wonder if I was just an omen after all. As Piers and his Poké band set up their performance stage, I sat on the step, still lonely from what happened in Ballonlea, and Marnie took a seat next to me as she said, "Still blue?" To respond, I put up my hood, letting the strange, red mowhawk stick straight up as I turned my face from her. She sighed, and it was quiet between us for a few, blissful seconds. "Y'know, when you make a friend," Marnie began awkwardly, "it's best to do so with others your age because you share a similar interest as one another. They understand you more because they technically ARE you." "Played with brother. Brother Pokémon!" I murmured, digging my face in my knees. "But he's still a small thing, like they are. He understands 'em, and they understand him. It's a mixed up world we live in, but sometimes thing are just as they are! Like me, I still don't understand 'alf the things Piers does, but that's because I'm not an adult like he is. Do things at your own level, an' remember someone's always there for you, whether or not they do understand you." Marnie explained, huddling close to me. I guess what she said made a little bit more sense than what Bede tried to explain, but it still didn't make the lonely feeling leave. I wanted a friend to call mine, and do things with! A friend that would talk to me when I need to, and support me like I would them. But where was I going to find that here in Spikemuth? Where was I going to find that here in Galar?! It took a bit for Piers to set up and reherse, but eventually it was time for the concert and, as Marnie predicted, the floor was filled with people from all over Galar, Spikemuth especially! It intimidated me, all the grown people in the audience, and I grabbed Marnies hand for comfort as Piers addressed to his audience in a booming tone, "GOOD EVENING SPIKEMUTH!" The crowd cheered loudly, making me feel a bit queasy from the noise as he continued, "ARE YOU READY FOR A ROCKIN' GOOD TIME?" The crowd cheered again, and the music began to kick up. Just like in Ballonlea, the low tones, lyrics, and beat sunk in, and my feet began to tap along. "Gettin' your groove on then? Very well, let's rock out!" Marnie declared, and took her pigtails down to swish her hair about in a violent manner. My worries disappeared instantly, and I felt hypnotized by the power of Piers's voice, and I joined beside Marnie as she "rocked out". This went on for minutes, then hours, and after the third song was over my tiny body felt like giving in. Zen had already fallen fast asleep on Marnie's back, so I didn't worry all that much about collecting him, and I sluggishly approached Marnie. I set my head down on her stomach as she asked, "Tired already? Makes sense, it is your first concert after all. Alright then, let's go 'ome!" We told the gaurd to inform Piers of our location, and we walked the now nearly pitch black streets of Spikemuth. Once inside, I plopped myself down on the sofa, and Marnie placed Zen beside me before retrieving two blankets from her room. She tucked in my brother and I, giving us each a peck on the head lightly before shutting off the lights, and taking the other end of the sofa. It was instant, how I fell asleep, and how wonderful my dreams were! A light hand patted my arm gently, and rearranged the portion of blanket over my mouth to tuck it beneath my head. I opened my eyes a sliver, and there was Piers, gently stuffing a bit of blanket now beneath Zen's head to make him more comfortable. I didn't care how much time had passed, and I yawned a squeaky yawn before closing my eyes once more, and dreaming away....