Chapter 1: Coincidence

"...So with that being said, can someone take over Paradise for us?"

Emolga pushed his way through the crowd of Paradise Pokémon until he reached the front of the group.

"I'll be more than happy to take care of it! You can leave it to me!"

Axew smiled.

"Emolga! Thanks a lot!" He said before getting ready to head off with Pikachu to a faraway dungeon. The crowd cleared after wishing them good luck. Virzion rushed over at the last second.

"Pikachu! Axew!" She called out. "Should I help Emolga out? After all, it does take the both of you to take care of Paradise."

The two thought for a moment.

"Alright, you can help be in charge! Make sure you tell Emolga, OK?" Pikachu replied.

"I will! Good luck!" Virizion said cheerfully.

Emolga, who was watching the distance, sighed.

(I know she means well... But... Does she not realize that I have a-)

"Emolga! Pikachu said I can help you out, if that's OK with you."

Emolga was brought back into reality.

"Um. Yeah! Yeah, you can help me out."

Virizion raised an eyebrow.

"Emolga? Is something on your mind?"

She smiled.

"You can talk to me about anything."

Emolga's face grew warm.

(Yeah... Anything... Except the one thing I'm thinking about.)

"R-really, it's nothing. I'm fine."

Virizion looked as if she was trying not to laugh.

"OK then. I'll take the right side of Paradise."

She walked away.

"..."

(I can't keep this up much longer-)

"-Before Virizion finds out? I'm sure she already knows."

Emolga whipped his head around, blushing.

"Espeon!? Stop messing with my thoughts and embarrassing me! Don't you have a crush on Umbreon?"

Espeon gave him a sly smile.

"Yeah, but at least I'm man enough to tell him!"

"WHAT!? Take that back!"

Espeon laughed and ran in the direction of Post Town.

"Whatever..." Emolga muttered before getting to work in Paradise.

Finally. He could see the entrance to Paradise. Emolga's feet were dragging across the ground before collapsing near the Request Board.

"Aaahhhh... I just need to stay here...for..."

Emolga fell asleep.

When he awoke, he was in Axes and Pikachu's house. Virizion was sleeping in the bed next to him. He blushed.

(She was sleeping... Next to me? Wait. I fell asleep outside... Right?)

Emolga walked outside in search of an answer. He saw Azumarill and decided to ask her.

"Hey, Azumarill? How did I end up in the house?"

Azumarill smiled.

"Last night Virizion saw you when she was returning from the Inn. She carried you to the house."

Emolga's face turned pink, and his heart began to race.

"R-really...? Th-that's nice... Of her..."

(OK, just calm down. Calm down. But I can't! How the heck do I tell her? She's a Legendary Pokémon, for Arceus' sake! I'm an ordinary Emolga...)

As Emolga went to the Inn for breakfast, he wondered: just how would he be able to tell her?