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Childhood Friends

~13 years ago

"I'm so glad that you brought your kids over to play with Zara," said a cheerful Zoroark, "He doesn't have any playmates to help him come out of his shell, so this is a welcome change of pace."

The Umbreon sitting across from her looked over to the trio of kids sitting on the floor and coloring. "Believe me; the feeling's mutual. It's nice for Cerci and Elena to not be fighting with each other for once. Introducing someone new to their lives lets them take their focus off of each other." Both parents smiled as they watched their children play with one another.

"Your tail is so pretty," said Cerci, the young Eevee as she pawed at Zara's bushy tail, "I want one like this."

"Uh...your tail is already like that, dummy," snapped the small Glaceon, Elena, swinging her legs behind her as she colored a page in her coloring book, "It's always been."

"But-but his is so poofy! It's like a pillow made of fur!" She then hopped on top of Zara and hugged his tail, making him huff out unexpectedly. "Yay! It's so huggable!"

"Hey, I wanna try!" said Elena, dropping her crayons on the floor and abandoning her coloring book.

"No! Wait your turn!" Cerci giggled, snuggling Zara's tail like a large stuffed animal.

"Fine!" Elena shouted before hopping on Zara and hugging Cerci's tail, "I'll just hug yours!"

"Hey! No fair!" Cerci whined, shooting her sister a look. As the two of them bantered, Zara whimpered beneath them.

"Guys?" he mumbled timidly, "I can't color. Can you get off me please?" Neither of the girls heard him over their argument, so his request went ignored. He whimpered slightly as they continued to argue with each other over who cuddled with what.

~ 11 years ago

Elena glanced around the backyard, smiling as she spotted her sister's tail waving around from behind a box. She silently snuck over to where she was hidden before tapping her shoulder with a paw. "Found ya!"

"Aww," Cerci pouted, "How did you find me? Are you cheating?"

"Nooo, I'm just really good," Elena replied, "Come on! Let's go find Zara!" Both siblings nodded in agreement. Their search eventually led them back into the living room, where one of them suddenly tripped over what initially seemed like nothing. However, Zara soon appeared afterwards, balled up on the floor with his eyes closed.

"Zara!" Cerci scolded, making Zara's eyes pop open, "You can't use your illusions to hide! That's cheating!"

"B-but I-I thought you said it was okay," Zara said defensively, flattening his ears against his head.

"No," said Elena, "We said it was not okay!"

"You did?" said Zara, twiddling his thumbs.

"Yeah, dummy," Cerci scolded, booping the dark type on the nose,

"Poke-pile on Zara for cheating!" Elena exclaimed before pouncing on Zara's back and pinning him beneath her.

"Poke-pile!" Cerci exclaimed as well before joining her sibling in piling on Zara. The vulpine whimpered as he tried to wriggle himself free, unsuccessful in his attempts.

~ 8 years ago

"Left foot green," Cercie announced, slipping hone of her ribbons away from the spinner as she watched her sibling weave her foot through the entanglement of limbs planted on the spotted rug.

"Got it," Elena declared with pride, "go ahead, Cerci." The Sylveon stretched out her ribbon again to flick the spinner set nearby. "I still can't get over how weird your ribbons are, sis."

Cerci huffed. "You're just jealous that I can multitask with them."

"No I'm not. They're freaky," Elena said defiantly, "Zara, don't you think they're freaky?"

"W...well they're...a little weird...I guess..." Zara mumbled quietly, biting his bottom lip as Cerci flattened her ears at him.

"What the heck, Zara!" she exclaimed, "You're taking her side?!"

"I-I...well," Zara stammered nervously.

"Oooooh that does it!" she growled, raising her ribbons up, "You're gonna get it now." Zara yipped as the ribbons lashed out at him, their tips tickling at his neck and armpits. He broke into sudden laughter and tried to shrug the ribbons off. But with how little space he had, and how far the ribbons could reach, it was a futile effort. His arms shuddered as they tried to maintain balance I their entangled state, but they eventually gave out and he fell, bringing everyone else down with him. As they laid on the floor, they devolved into a laughing pile of morphs.

~ 2 years ago

"What about Natasha?" Elena pried, "You think she'd be a good match?" Zara whimpered and stuffed his face into his paws.

"Natasha?!" asked Cerci, "No way! A bug type like her would never work out with him! And besides, last I heard, she swung for the other team."

"Well what about Vicky, then?" Elena offered, "She's a dark type like Zara."

"Yeah, but she's a bit of a diva. And I can't see her getting along with someone as quiet as Zara."

"True, true," Elena nodded, "Then what about Rebecca? She seems nice."

"Yeah, and slutty," Cerci scrunched her nose and curled her tongue out, "You see the way she dresses around school? And the make-up she uses. Ugh."

"Okay then, what about Himiko?" Elena offered, "She's nice, she's a dark type, and she's quiet, like Zara."

Cerci cringed and scrunched her nose. "I'm sorry, but that tongue is just a little too creepy to ignore."

"Oh, and your weird ribbons aren't?" Elena quipped.

"Oh shut up!" Cerci snarled, making the ice type laugh.

"Come on, Zara, ya gotta help us out here! There's gotta be some girl you know that would work." Zara's cheeks just reddened further, and he squeezed himself into a tighter ball. "Or would a guy work better for you?" Zara's entire face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Elena!"

"What? I'm not judging. If he's into guys, then he's into guys! I'm not gonna care. But it's not like he's been giving us any signs that he's into any of the girls we brought up so...you know, I thought he might've swung that way." Elena made an exaggerated shrug.

"It-it just seems like something personal, y'know?" Cerci threw up her paws. "Y'know what? Maybe it's just better if we bring him to Carter's party. I'm sure he'll be able to meet someone there that he'll really like there."

"Yeah, sounds good," Elena sighed with a nod, turning to Zara, "Well, what do ya say, big guy? Wanna come?"

Zara groaned beneath his paws. "Can't we just hang out like we planned?"

"Nu-uh," Elena shook her head, "Not while you're dateless with the prom coming up!" She reached out to grab his shoulder, but she was caught off guard when her paw passed right through him. Within seconds, the Zara she was looking at rippled away and vanished. Both siblings groaned and looked around, eventually finding the Zoroark laid across the couch and wrapped in a blanket.

"...But I'm tired..." he squeaked, pulling his blanket up to cover his face.

"Zaraaaa," the Eeveelutions sighed before coming over and piling on top of him, laughing as he yipped in surprise.

~ Present day

Zara grunted through his pillow as the vibrations of his phone woke him from his nap. Sluggishly, he peeled his face away from the soft cushion of his bed and craned his neck, seeing that his phone was lit up. Fluttering his ears, he reached out and grabbed his phone off of his desk. He blinked away the blur of his vision and checked his notification.

Ice-Ice-Baby sent a message:

Me n sis r goin 2 ur shool! =D Ur getting poke-piled as soon as we see u! >:)

Zara smiled and rubbed an eye with a paw. He had been so excited when Elena had told him that she and her sister were planning to apply to his school. When he had first arrived here, it had been hard on him. Not really knowing anyone here, he had to start fresh with literally everyone. So knowing that his childhood friends could be coming with him set his mind at ease. And now that he knew that they'd_definitely_ be here, he was ecstatic!

...Well...would be, anyways. He still wasn't fully awake yet. But once he was, then he'd be ecstatic! He put his phone down to rub the rest of the sleep out of his eyes. Once his vision was clear, he opened up his messenger and typed up a reply.

Awesome! Can't wait to see u both! ^^ It's been a while since I saw u guys.

Ice-Ice-Baby is typing...

Ice-Ice-Baby : So true. >_< But we're makin up for all that time. U better show us the BEST spots!

Lol. Sure. It won't take long. Its just my room and a spot on the hill. X3

Ice-Ice-Baby is typing...

Ice-Ice-Baby : T_T Bro, u in colleg. U should be partyin and gettig drunk!

*getting

Zara rolled his eyes and chuffed.

X3 U guys know me by now. I'm a square. Always have and always will.

Ice-Ice-Baby is typing...

Ice-Ice-Baby : Well THIS sis 'll be cutting ur square's corners! But b4 that, ur gonna give us a tour of the campus.

Lol. Fine w me. Just don't let Cerci ribbon leash me, k?

Ice-Ice-Baby is typing...

Ice-Ice-Baby : No promises. =P

Zara stuffed his muzzle into his arm and groaned into it.

Welp... Brought that on myself I guess. XP

Ice-Ice-Baby is typing...

Ice-Ice-Baby : Indeed

Well, I guess I'll see u then. ^^ Message when u guys get here.

Ice-Ice-Baby is typing...

Ice-Ice-Baby : Will do. ttyl :)

Ttyl

Zara closed his phone and sighed, setting the device back on his desk. As he did, he checked the digital clock on it. It was still early in the afternoon, and as a growl from his stomach reminded him, it was about time to grab some lunch. He wasn't sure when the two siblings would arrive, but he guessed that they'd be taking a couple of days to prepare for the trip. Therefore, he'd have _that_many days to figure out what he would show the two of them. His stomach loudly reminded him once more that it was time to eat, so he set aside his thoughts and got up to head to the food court.

***

After he had gotten his food and sat down, Zara contemplated on which parts of the school he'd show Elena and Cerci. But what else would I show them besides the hill? he thought, It's the only place I ever bother going to for free time... Zara forked at his food briefly. I guess I should consider what they would like. He went on to think of all the possible spots he felt the two sisters would like. However, as he picked up his drink, his thoughts were interrupted by a light tap at his shoulder.

"Excuse me," asked someone from behind, "is this seat taken?" Zara glanced behind himself as he sipped his drink. He immediately choked on it as he saw who it was that was behind him. The Glaceon burst into laughter as Zara broke into a coughing fit.

"E-Elena?!" Zara exclaimed happily, setting down his drink and standing from his seat, "You're here already?!"

"That's right!" Elena exclaimed, pulling her childhood friend in for a hug, "Oh we got you good~!"

"But where's--" Zara cut himself off as something snaked over his eyes and hugged him from behind.

"Guess who~" sang someone behind him.

"Cerci!" Zara exclaimed, getting an equally excited squeal in return as he was released. He turned around and was greeted with the sight of his other childhood friend coming in close for another hug.

"How've ya been, you floofy fox?" she laughed.

Once everyone had settled back down, they all sat together at the same table. "Of course I was surprised," Zara laughed, "From the way you guys were messaging me, it sounded like you guys wouldn't be here for a while."

"That was the idea~" Elena sang, waving her fork at the dark type.

"We actually got accepted before we told you we were planning to go," Cerci explained, "Then we came up with the idea of tricking you so that we could surprise you."

Zara laughed and blushed. "Well...it definitely worked..."

"Boy, did we wanna tell you, though," said Elena, "but I'm glad we didn't cuz the look on your face was so worth it!" Both siblings laughed as Zara's face flushed red.

"So~" said Cerci, leaning in a bit, "What do you plan to show us today?"

"Yeah, Zars," echoed Elena, "What's our first stop?"

Zara gulped and shrugged. "I-I dunno. I was thinking of spots when you guys showed up."

"Well did you think of any?" Cerci asked eagerly.

"W-well no," Zara stammered, "I-I kinda need more time."

"Awww," Elena whined playfully, "not even one spot?"

"W-well," Zara stammered again, "Only_one,_ but you guys might think it's boring..."

"We won't know until we try, right?" chimed Cerci before tugging Zara's arm, "Come on, where is it?!"

Zara tripped slightly as he was pulled up. As he regained his balance, Elena and Cerci hooked their arms around his. "Um...a-alright then...Follow me, I guess..." The two sisters skipped happily along with their arms linked with Zara's as he led them to his destination. "So...no ribbon leash this time?"

"OH I almost forgot!" said Cerci before one of her ribbons gently looped around his neck, "Thanks for reminding me~" Zara groaned and blushed brightly as the Eeveelutions giggled and nuzzled up against him.

***

"We're here," Zara announced as the trio reached the top of a hill with a fence and bench blocking any further advance. Cerci gasped and unhooked herself from Zara before rushing over to the fence.

"Oh my god, this view is beautiful!" she gasped before whirling around and excitedly waving her paw at the other two morphs. "Come on, everyone! Let's take a picture!" Elena rolled her eyes with a smile and detached herself from Zara's side as well.

"Come on, Zara," she said with a backwards glance, "First group photo since high school!" Zara blushed and followed along, soon finding himself squished between the two siblings once again. "Wait...hold on," Elena said as she fiddled with her phone, having difficulty managing it with only one paw. "Almost... Got it! Get ready; it's counting down!" As the timer counted down, the two sisters smiled brightly at the camera whilst Zara made a timid smile of his own. As soon as the photo was snapped, Elena unhooked her other arm from Zara's shoulder and pulled up the photo.

"Awww," cooed Cerci, "That's a good one. Send it to me! I wanna use it as my wallpaper!"

"Alright, alright," said Elena with a wave of her paw. She leaned against Zara as she fiddled with her phone. "There, I sent it, sis." Right on cue, Cerci's phone rang and she slipped it out. She let out a happy squeal as she looked at the photo.

"Zara, can I pleeeaase post this?" she asked with an expectant look on her face, Zara blushed and twiddled with the tip of his ponytail.

"Sure," he mumbled, "Go ahead." Cerci squealed with delight as her thumbs began to dance across her screen. Elena chuckled and stepped away, putting away her phone to look at the view,

"Wow," she gasped, "You can see everything from up here! No wonder you like to come up here..."

"Mmhm," Zara nodded, sitting down on the bench, "I get a good view of the wild pokemon that pass through every now and then."

"No kidding?" Elena asked as her sister joined them on the bench. Zara nodded as he scooted over to give Cerci more room.

"I mostly just see Flechling and Pidgey," he explained, "but every now and then, I spot a Persian or Liepard."

"Persians?!" gasped Cerci, "You can find those in the wild?!" Elena snorted.

"They gotta come from somewhere, right?" she teased. Cerci huffed and shot her a look.

"Oh hush, you," she snapped, "I don't know these things! I only ever saw trainer-owned Persians before." Zara couldn't help but chuckle at this exchange. Cerci's ear twitched as she heard him, and she playfully nudged him with an elbow. "Oh don't laugh! I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought that!"

"It still doesn't make it any less funny," Elena laughed, "Zara, don't you think it's funny?"

"I-I don't...wanna take sides," he answered, stifling a chuckle. But as Elena nudged him again and again with her elbow, harder chuckles were coaxed out of him.

"He thinks it's funny," said Elena, only making Zara laugh harder. Cerci playfully grumbled at him and nudged her shoulder against his.

"Why are you always taking my sister's side, hmm?" she pried, smiling at him, "You like her more than me?" Zara shook his head, still laughing as Elena continued to elbow his side.

"It's okay, Zara, you don't have to lie," she said, "Cerci can handle the truth."

"She's right," Cerci said, narrowing her eyes at her sister, "which is why I'll be fine when you say that you like me more than her!"

"What?!" Elena exclaimed, "NU-UH! He so likes me more than you!"

"Well no way to know until he tells us!" Cerci looked to Zara and sidled up against him. "So who's your favorite sister then? Hmmmm?"

"Yeah, Zara," said Elena, doing the same as her sibling, "Who do you like more? Does it happen to be someone with a cool and chill attitude with the ice to match?"

"Or someone that's lovable and cheerful, and loves to put a smile on everyone's faces?" said Cerci, fluttering her eyes at him as she leaned in closer, "Come on, Zara!"

"Yeah, come on n' choose!" Elena said, leaning in as well.

"Come on!"

"C'me on!"

"Come on!"

"C'mon!"

"Come on!"

"C'moOOAH!" Everyone exclaimed as they fell onto the ground, the siblings having leaned towards Zara enough for them all to topple over. They laughed as they laid across the grass with Zara at the bottom.

"Poke-pile," Cerci laughed, leaning against her sister.

"Just like we promised," said Elena as she leaned back against Cerci, "Awww, the gang's all back together..."

"Yaaay," Cerci cheered before laying her head down next to Zara's. Elena did so too as everyone settled back down. "I missed this," Cerci sighed, "being altogether..."

"You're not the only one," Elena playfully huffed, "Things just didn't feel the same without our little dark fox."

"Yeah..." said Cerci, twiddling with Zara's hair, "I mean, yeah, I have Carter, but it isn't the same, you know?"

"Well duh," Elena retorted, "Every time he's around, you two swoon over each other! When Zara was here, you at least remember there's other people in the world besides you and Carter."

"Hey," said Cerci, narrowing her eyes at her sibling, "don't be mean. The old gang's finally back together and you're just gonna start arguments like that?"

"Oh come on, that's what made things fun! Isn't that right Zar--OH GOD!" Both girls frantically scrambled off of Zara's unconscious body as they finaly took notice of his condition.

***

"Thanks for today, Zara," said Elena, awkwardly scratching the back of her head, "and uh...sorry for uh...suffocating you that one time...heh."

"It's okay," Zara replied with a nervous smile, "I-I know you guys didn't mean it."

"Heh, I guess so," said Elena, moving her paw from her head to her hip, "That aside, though, I'm really glad that we got to hang out again. Y'know, like the good ol' times." Zara smiled and nodded in agreement. "Alright, well, I guess I'll get on out of your hair. Let us know when you feel like hangin' out again, huh?" The Glaceon turned away and waved as she left. "G'night, Zars."

"G'night," Zara called back with a wave of his own. Elena swished her tail happily as she walked away.

"Seriously though!" she called, "Text us or something, huh?! I was serioius when I said we'd make up for lost time!"

"Okay!" Zara called back, "I will!"

"Bye!" Elena called one last time before finally disappearing. Zara sighed happily and stuffed his paws into his pockets. He couldn't help but blush as he walked back to his dorm room. Yeah...it felt good to be back...