Hey everybody, here's that Fall Formal story I promised you, Hope you enjoy it.

In it we see how Alice spends the formal, and *spoilers* how Ella's doing after Blood of the Family ends *end Spoilers*

I'd like to thank EVERYONE who let me use their characters, and if I did anything off character just tell me and I'll chang it RIGHT away! ^w^

So please read, comment, enjoy, and fav!

All characters belong to their rightful owners.

********

Fall Formal – Anger and Regrets


It had finally arrived, the day of the Fall Formal at the PCA, throughout the school the students were hurrying to get ready for it, be that to dress up for their special date or to desperately try to get one… well… MOST of the students were getting ready for it at least…

“Alice?” Jill Burton the blastoise called out as she searched her dorm for her tiny roommate “There you are! Um… what are you doing?” she asked as Jill found the tiny vulpix, wearing her normal everyday punk outfit as she sat at her desk comparing what looked like printed out files on teams and students “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the Formal? It’s gonna start pretty soon…”

Not even bothering to look up from her work the vulpix snorted ”Not going.” Was the only answer Jill receive “I’ve got too much planning and work to do…” frowning a little Jill walked over to Alice, inadvertently towering over the fire type, and said in a concerned voice “But you’ve been “Planning” whatever it is your going to do since you got here, you need to relax and go socialize, maybe meet some people…”

This got another snort from Alice “I said I’m not going.” At that Jill placed her hands on her hips and looked down to Alice, saying with determination “Well I think it would do you a world of good to get out of the dorm, so you’re going.” This got a laugh out of Alice “Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it if I say “NO”?”

********

A little while later at the formal a rather strange sight came slowly walking through the doors “DAMMIT JILL PUT ME DOWN!!!!!!!” Alice cussed as the large blastoise carried her into the formal. It had been hard for Jill to manage to get the only formal outfit Alice had, a rather plain and unused looking long dress that Alice had forgotten about, onto the struggling vulpix but somehow she’d managed.

“Oh be quiet, you’re making a scene” Jill gently scolded, setting Alice down and keeping tight hold of her arm to make sure she didn’t just run off. Cussing under her breath the vulpix muttered “And carrying me in here like a handbag WASN’T causing a scene?” Jill blushed a little at that “Well I tried to reason with you, but you wouldn’t listen. So I had to do something…”

Alice glared and looked ready to give Jill a piece of her mind and a little of her fist when she heard some muttering from a small group nearby “Wow aren’t THOSE two an odd couple, but they’re soooo cute together!” “Yeah, a blastoise and her little vulpix doll!” “Well I bet she’s fun to cuddle in bed at night at least!” also hearing this Jill blushed, Alice on the other had had a different opinion on it.

“IT’S NOT LIKE THAT YOU IDIOTS!!!!”

********

On the other side of the formal though a less excited figure stood. Wearing her formal outfit, a oriental styled long sleeved shirt and formal pants combo that had a bit of exotic beauty to them, was the lucario girl Ella Rukiko. Though anyone who even barely knew Ella could tell she wasn’t her normal perky, excitable, and energetic self… but considering what happened to her, depending on what version of the story going around the school you believed, it was kind of hard to blame her for being depressed.

Sighing Ella stood to the side of the dance floor, hugging the wall and trying not to be noticed. She hadn’t even wanted to come… but Nina had insisted, saying “You can’t just spend all your time moping around at the hospital and the dorms.” And insisting this would help to cheer her up… so far it wasn’t working at all.

Looking around at all the couples dancing at the formal Ella just felt that much lonelier… it wasn’t FAIR! They’d managed to get rescued, beaten the bad guy, and made amends with the weird glaceon who’d somehow turned out to be Thomas aunt not to mention Lina turned out to be his cousin, that part still weirded her out a lot but she understood it… sorta, shouldn’t this be the part where they lived happily ever after? It was in all the fairy tales she knew, but… Thomas wouldn’t wake up… he just wouldn’t wake up… it just wasn’t fair…

A large, gentle hand on her shoulder jarred Ella out of her depressing chain of thought as she looked up to see Vince the poliwrath smiling down to her in a semi-apologetic way. He’d managed to help her the first time she’d gotten depressed from something happening to Thomas so apparently he was willing to try again. “He WILL get better, I know it. So stop being so glum.” He said to her encouragingly. Ella managed a half hearted smile and a weak nod before Vince was called back by his date… but unfortunately neither the smile nor the lifted spirit lasted.

A flick of a long white skirt caught Ella’s eye as a male gardevior in a tux she didn’t recognize, which caught her off guard because she’d thought Nigel was the only male gardevoir at the PCA, walked up to her and smiled politely “You look like you could use some cheering up, care for a dance?” managing to give him an appreciative smile Ella shook her head and say “No thank you.” Nodding, though a little doubtful of Ella’s false smile, the psychic mon went on his way. Before Ella could try to scoot back to the wall and hopefully into obscurity another tap on her shoulder came.

This time it was Shidan, a fellow lucario, wearing a formal outfit including a black unbuttoned blazer with no tie. He offered her a glass of punch which Ella quietly accepted with a small “Thank you.” He nodded and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder “He WILL come back.” He said confidently smiling to her before heading off. Ella managed a small smile at that as she sipped the punch.

But as she looked around a slow song started playing and the couples moved onto the dance floor. The slight bit of cheerfulness slipped away as she again considered just leaving. She turned and started to walk towards the exit and almost ended up running right into a houndoom guy wearing a darkrai colored tux “Oh! Sorry…” She said, stepping back a little so she wasn’t standing near toe to toe with him.

The Houndoom tilted his head sideways as he looked at Ella. "Oi, lass. 'S th' matter? Some bloke scared yeh away?" Blinking, a little caught off guard, she looked down and shook her head "No..." The Houndoom inclined forwards, bringing his head closer to Ella. "Well... 'aint happy t' see a fine lass runnin' away from the formal. Somethin' 'appened?" Not looking up she nodded "... yeah..." The boy grinned and placed one hand in her shoulder. "Feel like talkin' 'bout it? I could make yeh day better..." Caught off guard by the friendly offer Ella looked up and actually seemed to think about it before shaking her head "No... no thank you..." she said politely.

The Houndoom looked at her quizzically. "Eh... why the bloody 'ell not? If yeh don't spill it out, it'll jus' eat away at yeh from t' inside, y'know." She sighed, trying to think of how to say this to a stranger "... it... it just hurts too much to talk about... I... I just want to be alone right now..." A moment of silence passed as the guy kept on looking in her direction. "Oi, feel like dancin'?" He said, smirking, and extending his hand to her. Looking at the offered hand Ella shook her head, it would just feel wrong dancing with someone other then Thomas at the formal "No thanks..." she said quietly.

This finally managed to annoy the guy "Oi, 's the big idea? Tryin' t' get yeh t' feel better, an' yeh won' even let me? C'mon, lass, gimme a..." suddenly he stopped, looking up and beyond Ella's shoulder. Taken aback at the sudden outburst Ella noticed the guy suddenly stopping and turned around to see what he was looking at. She spotted the lopunny Silk, a friend of hers. Silk notice Ella, then she noticed the houndoom behind her with a look of amazement.

Giving a weak wave to Silk, Ella noticed she was looking at the houndoom and turned around to look at him as well… only to find him gone. She could just make out his silhouette as he quickly vanished into the crowd. Blinking as the mon made his escape Ella considered calling to him, but stopped herself. He probably wouldn't even hear her over the music and the people, and before she could consider pursuing him she finds Silk right next to her as she asks in a quiet voice "Uh... excuse me... Ella?" Turning back around Ella gave the lopunny a weak smile, trying not to look sad "Hey Silk..."

“Uhh... listen..." Silk started before shaking her head, it appeared like she wanted to ask something, but didn't want to sound rude doing it "Eh... that person you were talking to... was Janus, wasn't it?" Tilting her head to side confused Ella responded "Janus? Is that his name?" Silk nodded “Yes... you don't know him?" she said inclining her head sideways as she went on "Janus... is on my team. Was he rude to you? Is that why you're sad?" Sighing Ella shook her head, Silk hadn't heard the news about Thomas so she wouldn't know "No... he was just trying to cheer me up a little..."

Silk's mouth opened in disbelief "Wait... Janus... cheer you up? Is this the same person we're talking about?" Confused again Ella nodded "I think so..." The Lopunny stopped, before looking to the side, thoughtful. Considering whether to tell Ella about how much a jerk Janus was normally. After a few moments she decided not to and looked up at Ella again. "Oh, well, never mind. I hope you get your mind off from all that happened..." Ella nods, glad that she didn't bring it up in any detail, and gives her a weak smile "Yeah..." Suddenly a voice cut in to their conversation “Silk." Instantly, the Lopunny froze. She looked back, and noticed a pale-white Lucario, apparently waiting for her. She gulped and turned to Ella. "Eh... I'm sorry, but I have my date..." She nods to the new lucario, apologetically. Nodding Ella looked to the two of them, a hint of longing in her eyes "Okay... have fun..." Silk gave her a sympathetic look "Sorry. Wish for the best..." The girl said, turning around to leave Ella. Ella only nods sadly and watches her go…

Sighing Ella turned only to find herself face to face with a Ninjask guy wearing an expensive looking tux. She recognized him, this was the guy who kept hitting on Nina! What was his name again? Ellis? Esperanto? Oh yeah, Estevez. He grinned to her in a manner she found more then a little disturbing and asked “A senorita as beautiful as yourself should not be here by yourself. May I keep you company?” he finished edging a little closer to her.

“Well… um… I…” Ella tried to think of a proper response as she edged back a bit, trying to get around Estevez, but the ninjask would have none of that as he suddenly took her hand “No need to be shy my fighting type beauty.” Not comfortable with this at all Ella tried to pull away “S-sorry, I already have a boyfriend.” She said quickly. Estevez just laughed and pulled her closer “No need to lie, the whole school is a buzz with it.” Blinking Ella looked at the bug “W-what?” he just smiled and got closer “Everyone is saying you already dumped that pathetic loser.”

This got Ella’s temper rising as she glared at Estevez “I did not!!” on his part the ninjask seemed oblivious to the fact he’d angered her “Well ether way they’re also saying he’s near dead, so I don’t think it matters… now shall we dance?” half blinded by anger and disgust Ella yanked her hand free of Estevez’s with enough force to throw the surprised bug to the ground as she stormed off. Getting up Estevez shook his head to clear it “Damn… what the heck’s her problem?”

As he started to get up he saw a flash of some sexy legs and a sexy red dress with a high cut slit, but before he could think of the proper pick up line he got a thick tail clubbing him in the back of the head and knocking him back to the ground with a comment of “Jerk.” As the figure went past him, heading for the retreating lucario.

Ella was fighting back tears, thinking to herself “Those stupid rumors…” but before she can go any further a gentle hand on her shoulder stops her “He had NO right to talk to you like that you know…” Ella blink in confusion but before she could turn to look for the source of the voice a sexy kadabra girl wearing a tight form fitting red dress with a high slit stepped into her view and smiled, a slight hint of playfulness in her eyes.

Not recognizing the girl Ella opened her mouth only to have the psychic type gently placed a finger to Ella’s lips and smile “No you don’t know me, we’ve met before though. I’m Radar, Radar Syn. It’s…” she fully looks Ella over and smiles, the playfulness now more apparent in her eyes “Nice to finally get to meet you Ella.” Blinking Ella stepped back a little “Um… it’s… uh… nice to meet you too Radar?”

The kadabra smiled at this “Glad to hear it, and like I said. That jerk had NO right to talk to you like that… you’re soooo much better then him… I can tell.” Completely missing the slight glint in Radar’s eye Ella blushed a bit at what she assumed to be a complement “Thanks…” Radar just grinned more “I’ve been watching you for a while… you’re so strong and determined, not to mention so flexible too…” she purred softly, Ella still not catching on to the less then slight undertones Radar’s implying.

“So… since you seem so lonely here tonight how bout a little dance? I’ve seen you watching others doing it soooo longingly…” she purred softly. Ella shook her head, still not catching on “Sorry… but…” Radar again gently cut her off “It wouldn’t be the same without Thomas right?” Ella nodded, missing the slight glow of psychic power in the kadabra’s eyes as Radar went on “Oh but you seem so unhappy… and you like to dance don’t you?” she added softly as Ella nodded, causing her to grin “And they’re even playing a nice slow song too, wouldn’t it be a waste to just stand around and watch the others dance to it?”

Again Ella nodded, feeling a bit more lonely as she sees everyone dancing. Radar grins, sensing this and knowing she’s caught Ella attention and all she had to do was reel her in. She gently takes the lucario’s hands, slowly leading her towards the dance floor “Come on, one little dance wouldn’t hurt now would it? I’m sure Thomas would want you to be happy, so why not come have a little dance with me?” she finished with a sexy smile, thinking she’d caught the lucario.

But before Radar could finish leading Ella to the dance her little mind gazing trick picked up something she didn’t expect as, Ella abruptly stopped at the phrase “What Thomas would want” In Ella’s minds eye Radar saw what looked to be a doctor, a memory of some sort? “We’re sorry, but there’s nothing we can do for him.” The doctor said, Radar guessed he was talking to Ella “Whatever happened to him it looks like his body was hurt so bad he should have died, but something forcibly pulled him back.” Suddenly Ella’s voice piped up “But, but, I didn’t want him to die! So I did what I had to, to save him…” the doctor merely shook his head “No one wants the young mon to die… but the yank back from the abyss put his mind into a kind of system shock… we don’t know when or if he’ll ever wake up…”

Ella shut her eyes tight as Radar heard more “What Thomas would want… when it’s my fault he’s like this…” the kadabra looked sympathetically to Ella and tried to calm her “Nooooo, it’s not your fault…” she said softly. Ella shook her head fight back tears “I’m sorry.” She said quietly “But… but I would like to be alone now please…” and before Radar could react Ella pulled free and was headed out the doors.

Radar considered attempting to pursue with teleport and inviting Ella to her room to talk about it, but considering the spike in emotions she picked up before Ella took off she knew the lucario just wanted to be alone right now. Pouting a little Radar watched her leave, saying quietly “Dang… maybe next time though…” she added with a sly smile.