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It all started on one of their very rare trips to Agate. Poochy wasn’t sure what Exit’s actual reason to be here was, but she did know it would last a few days. This, of course, meant she would be in direct contact with her family. She… Well, she wasn’t mad about it, it wasn’t like her family was bad to her or anything. They were just embarrassing. No one else around was half human, but of course here they were.
They’d all been freed to go do whatever they wanted while Exit was busy, so, with nothing better to do and not wanting to seek out anyone she knew, Poochy sat down by the side of the main road and just… watched. Spring was coming along, and everything was still green from the rainy winter seasons. It was one of Agate’s prettiest times of year. She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the cooler air coming through her fur.
Of course, this was exactly when her peace was interrupted by a familiar high pitched almost-bark.
“Oh hey! I didn’t think you’d be back in Agate!” Reluctantly, Poochy opened her eyes and turned to the familiar form of one of her older sisters. She, the oldest in the family as far as Poochy knew, was also by far the most human. Somehow ending up with just Poochyena ears (now Mightyena ears, she noticed. She wondered how that worked with the mostly human thing) and a vocal range wide enough to talk with both sides of her family, Poochy didn’t really know what to think of her. Humie was nice and all, but it was hard to relate to a sibling who was practically a different species. She was better than Craig at least. She still wasn’t sure how Craig came to be. She didn’t really want to know.
“Hey Humie…” She said, giving her the closest the Mightyena could get to a human-like smile. “What’s… What’s up?”
The almost-human seemed completely ignorant of her sister’s discomfort. Or maybe she just didn’t care. “Oh, this is perfect! Mom was supposed to go Prom dress shopping with me, but Craig needed help eating again… You can come with me instead!” Apparently finally seeing her younger sister’s reluctance, Humie added, “Come on! It’ll be fun. I rarely see any of you guys anymore. It’s no fair the mostly-Pokémon kids get to go out sooner… Besides, mom gave me her card. I’ll buy you something~”
Poochy paused, contemplating. Prom dress shopping really wasn’t her forte, she knew that for certain, but she wasn’t against human clothes in general. Maybe there’d be some good goth or alt stuff there… After all, free was free. “Sure.”
“Great!” Humie squealed, trying to grab Poochy’s hand with her own paw-hands, before having seemingly realized she needed them to walk, “We’ll have a great time, I promise! You won’t regret it.”
…
Poochy was regretting it. It’d been hours and multiple stores filled with frilly, brightly colored fabric she really had no interest in. Her paws hurt from walking on tile floors, and honestly she was tired of the stares they kept getting every time her sister talked to her in their native barks and yelps.
“Come on, just one more than we can call it a day.” Humie put her latest finds back on the rack, and Poochy dragged herself to her paws once again.
“Yeah, yeah, you said that the last two times,” It… Actually hadn’t been as bad as she’d been expecting. While the dresses were absolutely not in her style, it was… almost nice to catch up on the goings-on of her family. A few of her younger siblings, only slightly more human than herself, had moved out pretty recently. Apparently it was making mom feel like an empty nester. Again. Ugh. She hoped whatever poor soul her mom and dad had next was more human so they’d stay around longer. It meant there’d be less of them.
Humie prattling on ahead of her, Poochy found herself being led to what she desperately hoped actually was their last stop. She was hoping to meet up with Exit and the rest of the party for dinner…
As they stepped through the door of the newest shop, all thoughts of leaving left her mind. They were instead replaced with the pure perfection in front of her.
The dress was pure black, with the most beautiful purple and indigo stripes on the trim. The front was almost a corset, with matching purple and indigo ribbons. The sleeves were mesh. It was beautiful. It was everything she could ever wish for.
Poochy walked towards the dress, entranced. She couldn’t stop staring. From behind her, she heard Humie laugh.
“Yeah, that one does seem pretty you. You always did like black,” Humie looked through the rack it was on, selecting a size seemingly at random. “Come on, I bet we can get it to fit,” Poochy, still entranced, found herself following without words. She wanted it so bad.
It took a bit of wrangling, and honestly probably only worked because of the corset, but not too long after Poochy was staring herself in the mirror. She could already picture the accessories she’d add; the fingerless gloves, the earrings. It was everything she could’ve wanted.
“So we’re buying it, right?” Poochy nodded, still not looking away from her own reflection. She’d… she’d never felt this beautiful. Damn. “Okay good. I think the lady at the front desk would’ve killed me if we didn’t.” Humie paused, lowering her voice and wrinkling her nose, “…something about not being able to get the fur out, rude.”
…
Poochy walked next to her sister, new purchase happily being held in a fancy bag by her teeth.
“So whatcha gonna wear it to?” Humie asked.
“I… I don’t know,” Poochy replied, though the words were garbled by the plastic in her mouth.
“Well you gotta wear it to something! It’s too nice to sit in a closet forever,” With that, Humie went back to prattling about everything she’d heard going on around Agate. Poochy, on the other hand, frowned. What… What would she use it for? It’s not like Pokémon had many events.
…It’s not like Pokémon had a prom.
…
Jorge wasn’t sure what had happened while everyone was out, but it was pretty clear Poochy had come back sad. He’d been a little worried at first, but it had cleared up pretty quick and so he’d let it go.
About halfway through dinner, though, she interrupted their normal conversation with a sigh.
“I wish we had a prom,” She set her muzzle on the table, suddenly gloomy once again.
“I went to a prom once,” Tannenbaum said, unprompted, “Beautiful dresses, beautiful lights.” He sighed, draping himself over sideways dramatically, “They wouldn’t let me sing. Just threw me out, like I wasn’t better than any trash they were playing.”
“Why do you want a prom, Poochy?” Jolteon asked.
Poochy sighed again, sitting back up, “It’s just… I found a dress today. It’s so pretty, I love it. But where could I even wear it? Anything I usually wear gets shredded in battles. It’s not like we have anywhere nice to go…” With a final sigh, she laid her head back on the table and closed her eyes.
“Hey, I’m sure you’ll find something to wear it to!” Jolteon said, reaching over to pat her shoulder consolingly, “Don’t give up!”
Poochy didn’t respond, but by that point Jorge wasn’t listening anymore. He didn’t really know what a prom was, but... Poochy wanted one. He could probably get her that.
…
Later that evening, after Poochy had gone off to do her daily ritual of removing her makeup, Jorge corralled the rest of the tired ‘mons into an emergency meeting.
“We’re getting Poochy a prom,” He said, determined to leave no room for argument.
“Sure, why not,” Crap Gorps said, putting his four hands in the air, “Not sure how we’ll get everything in time, though,”
“Why can’t we just go to the human one?” Jolteon asked, turning to Crap, “Wouldn’t that be easier? Wasn’t that why Poochy was thinking about it? I could see everyone’s excitement for it coming off them around town today,”
Crap paused at that, not sure what to think of the implication, “Like… actually see? Like actually physically- nope, not important.”
“They don’t let Pokémon in,” Tannenbaum added through folded arms, “Even ones who could make the music better…”
“Then we just break in!” Jolteon interrupted, jumping up happily, “One of my dads taught me how to pick locks. It’d be easy!”
Crap Gorps looked at him worriedly, “I don’t know… I already almost lost my chances for being a lawyer for… Makuhita. Breaking and entering are real charges. Even if they don’t tend to stick in Orre…” He grumbled to himself, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
“But it‘s for Poochy! It’s worth it!” Jorge interrupted.
“…Just make sure they don’t get us on camera.”
“Quick question,” Gacha finally, for the first time that night, asked, “… What’s a prom?”
Jorge was relieved as the others took over explaining everything they knew. He’d been wondering the same.
…
The next morning, as soon as they could separate from Poochy, the plan was set into action. They had to find when and where this ‘Prom’ even was.
The group split up, heading down each of the streets in search of whatever they could find. Crap Gorps and Jolteon had decided to follow the hoards of children to wherever their school was.
“They were the most excited! I could tell. They’ll definitely know!” The electric ‘mon had said, dragging his friend along.
So this was how Crap Gorps found himself next to his best friend, slowly inching through the air ducts of a school building. *The things he’d do for Jolteon*, he swears to himself.
“There! I think that’s it!” Jolteon pointed, whisper just a touch too loud, to a colorful poster not too far below them. Crap squinted. It’d been a while since he really needed to read. He was just glad he’d learned to for law school.
“Saturday… in the school gymnasium.” He read aloud.
“Okay, okay. Today’s…” Jolteon counted on his paws, “Friday! Easy! Exit said we’d be here until Sunday, that’s more than enough!
“Good, good,” Crap paused, looking as close to sweating as a bug could, “…Can we please leave now?”
…
“Now, if you’re going to a prom, you have to look the part!” Tannenbaum dragged Jorge along, ignoring the weird looks as the two padded down the aisles of a human clothing store. “Black tie… You already are the color of a suit, just…” He picked up two pieces of fabric off of a shelf, settling them around Jorge’s neck with practiced ease. “Aaand Ta-Daaaaaaaa! A collar and tie, see? Looks nice,” Tannenbaum herded the Houndoom to a mirror.
Jorge looked at himself, slowly grinning. “Yeah… Yeah!
I- I mean, I alway look great,”
“Yes but now you have style,” The Breloom added, “Can’t have Poochy standing next to someone drab in her beautiful getup. That’d ruin any date,”
“Wait- this Prom thing’s a date?” Jorge asked, sweating. He’d thought, at least a little bit, that the whole thing would just be sneaking in Poochy. He still wasn’t 100% sure on what he was even getting himself into.
“Of course! Can’t go to a prom without a date~,” Tannenbaum said, practically singing, “And you wouldn’t rob Poochy of something like that. I see the way the humans do it, they ask each other all flashy-like with flowers and signs. Why do you think we’re here?”
Jorge started to sweat. Flowers? Signs? He’d been barely even learning to read! “Yeah… yeah I wouldn’t rob Poochy of that,”
“Good. Now come on! Time’s a-wastin’! I sent Gacha to get the flowers, we’ve got to make a sign!”
…
Poochy had been pretty lonely that day, and it really hadn’t been doing much for her frustration about the dress. Maybe she shouldn’t have bought it in the first place…
“Hey! Poochy!” She heard Jorge yell from below the particular ledge she’d settled herself on. She peered down, and couldn’t manage to hide her immediate smile.
Between a tie-wearing Jorge and an excited Tannenbaum sat a sign, clumsily written on with paw and tail prints in still drying paint. Piles of flowers, with roots and dirt still attached, sat all around them.
On the sign was one messily-written word: ‘PrOm?’
…
The next day was a busy one. Poochy wanted to look her best, and Tannenbaum was insistent the rest of them did too.
“If we’re breaking them in, we need to fit the look, see?” He’d said, before pulling out a pile of fabric. The other ‘mons had been a little unsure at first, but after Jolteon jumped on the idea with his usual vigor everyone else joined in soon after.
By the time evening arrived, they were ready.
The group of six snuck down to the school in as quiet of a fashion as a Ledian, Jolteon, almost-Mightyena, Houndoom, Breloom, and a Walrein could. Jolteon had been insistent on inviting Wound as well, but the bear hadn’t seemed interested, much to Jolteon’s dismay.
Jorge was, of course, distracted. Poochy hadn’t been joking. The dress really was beautiful. She really was. He could hear a voice in his head that almost sounded like Crap telling him to tell her so, but they were still pretty new to this dating thing. Maybe that’d be too strong? He heard the little Crap Gorps in his head sigh dramatically. Maybe later. He’d tell her later.
Finally arriving behind the building, dodging the view of the many approaching students, Jolteon pulled a map out of seemingly nowhere. “Alright. So, to get in is pretty simple. We’ve just to break into this door,” He points to one part of the map, “Sneak into an air duct here,” He drags his claw to a point nearby the first, before dragging it about halfway across the map, “and follow it allllll the way over here to the gym. And then we’re in!”
The group nodded. It was Go Time.
The first problem showed itself very quickly. The door had been easy. Jolteon hadn’t been kidding about the lockpicking. The air duct, while excellent for a Ledian and a Jolteon to sneak through, was not Walrein sized.
“Alright, Plan B. We just sneak through the halls.”
Once again, the group nodded, more hesitantly this time. Go Time part two.
They almost made it halfway this time without incident, before the group had to stuff themselves into a supply closet to dodge a security guard. Thankfully, he passed quickly, and before long the group had finally arrived at the last door.
“Alright,” Jolteon whispered, still loudly, “It’s right through there. Poochy, Jorge, have fun. We,” He looked at the rest of the group, “Will be keeping lookout for anyone trying to kick you out,”
“Thanks guys,” Poochy said, clearly fighting back tears in her one human eye, “I- I really appreciate this.”
“Of course!” Jolteon said, giving her a gentle nudge, “We’re friends! Anything for you guys,”
As Poochy and Jorge walked out onto the dance floor at long last, she couldn’t help but smile. “And thanks,” she whispered, pressing against him, “I… I heard you the other night. I know this was your idea,”
Jorge beamed.
…
Tannenbaum had a plan. He knew he was supposed to be lookout but- the DJ station was right there! It’d be so easy!
Looking back and forth and seeing no one paying attention, he darted forward. They wouldn’t be fast enough to stop him this time. He would get his performance.
Jumping on top of the DJ platform, he landed a steady kick to the man’s face. Poor guy, the Breloom lamented, but for the performance, anything!
…
At the clear screech from the speakers, the room descended into chaos. Jorge’s heart sank. Poochy hadn’t even gotten to dance! He turned to the other dog Pokémon, who was just looking around, confused. Above the din, a familiar voice rose. Ah.
“Is that… Tannenbaum?” Poochy asked, and Jorge shrugged. It… sounded like it. But would he- ah, of course he would.
“Shoot. We should probably-“ Before he could finish, several security guards and their Pokémon spread across the room.
“You’re not supposed to be here!” One of the guard’s Growlithe’s yipped, running at them.
“Shoot! Poochy- run!” Jorge turned on a dime, only to see that the other ‘mon was already ahead of him. The two sprinted back the way they came, and back out through the unlocked door.
“And stay out!” The Growlithe howled, as the human guard came and locked their only entrance.
Jorge felt his heart sink. They’d- they’d gotten so far. They couldn’t have gotten caught that quickly. But as the rest of the party was soon thrown out next to them, it became clear that they had.
Jorge turned to Poochy, “I’m- I’m so sorry.” He whispered, feeling like his heart was breaking. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eye, even the non-human one.
“Hey,” He paused his pity fest, looking up at her voice. It- it didn’t make sense. She should be devastated, but instead- “It’s alright, I promise.” She gave him a gentle lick on the snout and he almost turned pink, “Thank you, genuinely. I got to wear the dress, that’s all I wanted. Human prom’s a little too stuffy for me, anyways,” She wrinkled her nose, and he hadn’t seen anything more beautiful in his life, “Just… doing all this with you? More than enough. I had a lot of fun,”
Jorge fought back tears, before pushing his entire face into her side. “Good, great. I’m- I’m glad.”
“Sad we didn’t get to dance,” She said, almost jokingly. At the words, however, Tannenbaum interrupted their moment.
“Dance you say? Are you saying you need a little… Music?” He grinned, waving his claws in the air in emphasis. Poochy laughed.
“You want to sing for us?” Poochy asked, to which Tannenbaum nodded rapidly, “That sounds perfect.”
Without any other preamble, Tannenbaum launched into song. Jorge couldn’t help but smile even harder, rocking back and forth in step with Poochy to the music. Around them, the rest of their friends danced as well.
“Hey Poochy?” He spoke up, just loud enough to hear.
“Yeah?”
“You’re really pretty in that dress,” The other ‘mon smiled.
“You really think so?”
“Yeah. You’re really pretty in general,” She pressed against him even harder. Jorge tucked his nose into her shoulder. Even so, he could hear the smile, the affection, in her next words.
“Thanks,”