Valentines and Younger Times


“Air, you have a letter.”

The Ditto looked up from his book, blinking at Neo in surprise. “I do?”

“Yep!” Neo smiled, waving an envelope. “At first I didn’t know it was for you. Whoever it is used your full name.”

Air met Neo halfway and accepted the note, staring at it with curious eyes. Just as his captain had said, the note had Airoethe written on it in an elegant hand, and it had a delicate seal on the back, marked with a pair of M’s. “Huh. Thanks Neo.” The Ditto frowned and reached a gooey hand to open it before hesitating. “Did the Pokemon in the mail room say who delivered it?”

The Meowstic shook his head. “ No, not a word.” Neo frowned. “Why? Is it important?”

Air shook his head slowly. “No it’s just…I can’t think of anyone who would know I was here.”

Neo’s tail swished thoughtfully. “Well maybe it’s from someone here?” he offered. A slight smile formed on the Psychic’s face. “After all, it’s a special day today. Maybe you have a secret admirer.”

The Ditto blushed deeply and shook his head. “Oh…no that’s probably not it.” He couldn’t think of anyone who it might be if that was the case, or how he could be expected to respond to something like that in the first place. Still, just in case… “I’ll, uh, just go take a look then.” Shuffling over to the door, Air grinned sheepishly before ducking out. Moments later he was in a Haunter’s form and faded from view as he hurried through the halls, rushing to the most solitary place he could think of.

He finally remembered to breathe when he reached the rooftop—not that his current form needed it. The Ditto-Haunter clutched the envelope in one hand and stared at it gingerly, still blushing faintly from Neo’s teasing. It wasn’t from an admirer, right? If they wanted to keep it a secret they wouldn’t have put their initials on the seal. Air shifted to the more manageable form of a Teddiursa and proceeded to slice through the top of the letter with one claw, frown still etched across his features.

Inside there was a small note, red and in the shape of a heart. Air’s blush deepened when he saw it, grateful that he’d gotten away before opening it. With curious eyes, he read the text, and his tension eased as he proceeded through the lines. By the end the Ditto-Teddiursa’s eyes were bright with happy tears, and he raised a paw to wipe his eyes. “You remembered,” he murmured, staring up at the sky and hugging the note to his chest.

Air,
I hope this finds you well—it took a lot of searching to figure out where your travels had taken you! Funny that you’d end up at the Guild really, but I guess it makes sense. I hope that the Pokemon you meet there help you get closer to achieving your dream, they did for me once. You may not remember, but a while back you asked me what was so special about Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t the holiday then, so I couldn’t really do it justice, but maybe this will help. That secret I couldn’t tell you then: it’s that valentines give you the chance to tell Pokemon like you just how special they are. Never forget that Air—you’re the sweetest Ditto I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I wish you every happiness, and I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with the love you deserve.
~Era


The Ditto’s form melted, shifting to one that was smaller than before. Air stared up at the sky through Pikachu eyes, and smiled at the feeling of the wings that glowed at her back. Era… That was a name Air hadn’t heard in a long time. “I can’t believe…after so long.” Air’s whisper was gentle, barely stirring the air. She hadn’t seen the Pikachu in years, but Era was a Pokemon who left a lasting impression. The Pikachu had found Air when she was in a difficult place, and had helped her escape it; they’d promised to keep in touch when Air left, but the Ditto’s travels had taken her so many places it had been hard to keep that promise. That Era hadn’t forgotten her after all this time…it was enough to make Air’s heart fill with warmth.

It was a long moment before Air let Era’s form go, the Ditto clinging to her borrowed features like a memory she was afraid to forget. “Thank you Era,” Air whispered, as her form slowly shifted back to normal. “I haven’t forgotten either.” Her smile grew sad as she held the valentine close. “Hopefully our paths cross again soon.” Air knew where to find Era, but it was somewhere letters wouldn’t travel—not normal ones anyway. The message would have to be responded to in person when the time came. “I will though,” the Ditto whispered, staring up at the sky wistfully, as though it would carry her words to the Pikachu herself. “I’ll come back Era—someday. It’s a promise.”

((Will move this later if necessary))