Double Bubble Disco Queen

Prologue

Harlan couldn't breathe. Her legs were burning, and her chest felt like it would burst. However she had to catch this bus. The one that would take her to a boat that would take her Kalos, and then ultimately, the return trip to Adale lay ahead.

Raiju ran next to her, lighting the way with her Flash. Harlan felt so good, so alive, so young again with her faithful Pokémon Partner with her as they adventured farther, and away from her troubles.

Her conversation with Blaise came to mind and tears sprang to her eyes, but she let them fall freely as she ran. If he didn't want to see her, fine. She'd make it easier for him.

Finally she reached the stop, and she sprinted up the bus steps, seating herself with Raiju on her lap. She caught her breath, making eye contact with the person next to her. He looked back curiously. He looked painfully like Blaise, except with bangs dyed black halfway, the same done to the lock of hair that hung just before his ear. A Type: Null had its head rested in his lap. What stood out the most to Harlan was his formal appearance, despite a ripped necktie hanging from his collarbone.

"All good?" the man asked.

"What? Oh- yeah, I'm good, sorry - asthma, trying to catch my breath." Harlan set Raiju down - she'd been cradling her like a baby - and the canid beast lay down at her feet with a snort. "You look familiar - like you're an Aeth-"

The man loudly cleared his throat to cut her off. Offended, Harlan opened her mouth to snap at him, but he leaned in, not too close thankfully, to whisper, "I don't like talking about my association to that wretched family."

Wretched? Harlan almost laughed. "You. Calling your family wretched?" she assumed, making sure to keep her voice to a murmur. "Every one of you that I've met is overly egotistical."

"Yup." The man held his hand out for her to shake. "Call me Exx."

"Exx?" Harlan asked, shaking his hand, finding he had a very vigorous handshake. "That's a new one."

"It's an alias," Exx replied, his words clipped. "How did you come about to know my family, seemingly on such a personal level?"

"Does the name Harlan bring anything to mind?" Harlan asked wearily.

"Ahhh, yes. The young woman who brought my brother home."

"And before that, I was Nicole, who was with... Gladi." Harlan looked down at her hands.

"What a long time it's been since I've heard that name. Or seen him, for that matter. Where's he been anyway?" Exx asked, innocently enough.

"Dead," Harlan admitted.

"..." Exx was silent. His eyes offered sympathy. "I had no idea. I'm sorry."

Harlan shrugged, then froze, suddenly realizing Exx's words. "Your brother???" she asked incredulously. "You're really an Ae- I mean... a sibling?"

"Unfortunately. I'd run away and got into business, right around the time Gladion was 18."

"I was 17!" Harlan exclaimed.

"No kidding!" Exx said, delighted. They were leaned into each other now, excited to have something to relate to. "Then I do know who you are! You're the girl Gladion brought home!"

"Wow!" Harlan said, genuinely entertained. "I had no idea you even existed," she said, quieter now.

"A lot of people don't," Exx admitted. "Gladion and Lillie were the power siblings, Blaise and I were just those runaways."

At the mention of Blaise, someone lifted their head from their magazine and came over, seating themselves across from the two. Harlan separated herself from Exx, her face flushing a bit with their closeness. The man who'd come over was handsome enough - blonde hair cut at his eyebrow and dark green eyes. "Excuse my butting in, but did you mention that Team Magma Admin that ran away with the girl all those years ago?"

"Yes. He's a colleague," Exx said, lying so effortlessly that Harlan almost believed him.

"I was the girl," she piped up.

"I see. I was a Magma grunt." The man crossed his legs. "My name is Ember."

"I'm Harlan, and this is Exx," Harlan said, introducing Exx as well. "What great company to have! I thought I was going to be alone on this bus ride. Where are you headed?" she asked the two men.

"Adale. Startin' over there," Ember said.

"Also Adale. I'm following up on a business deal," Exx explained. "How about you, Harlan?"

"Oh - I'm actually from Adale. It's my home region. I'm heading back for a personal matter," Harlan said, careful not to mention what had happened.

"Say, should we all stick together?" Exx suggested. "It's a pleasure to talk to you both, especially you, Harlan." Harlan flushed a little at the Aether's praise, but she told herself not to be swayed. He could be as wicked as the rest of them.

"Sure," Ember replied. "I could use the company." He smirked. "I like your Manectric, Harlan."

"Thank you! I've had her since I was 15," Harlan said, ready to infodump about her beloved blue beast. She found that she didn't have time, as the bus had stopped. It was a short ride, and they were preparing to get the passengers on the boat headed to Kalos. She and the two men stood, grabbed their bags, and headed off to the second leg of their trip, chattering the whole way.