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Akari encounters Sariel during her first night in the Cobalt Coastlands. Dinner preparations are in progress at the Beachside Camp when a particularly large Togepi, an Alpha, toddles from Bathers' Lagoon up to the other Pokémon awaiting their meals, as though he belongs there, and makes his presence known with a loud cry.

The brave members of the Security Corps who accompany Akari, Rei, and Professor Laventon on this excursion scatter like a flock of Starly, screaming whilst launching themselves into the nearby trees. Rei and Professor Laventon are frozen in place - a dangerous reaction to have when facing an Alpha Pokémon. However, Akari, as stoic as ever, simply offers some of their food to the wild Togepi. He swiftly gobbles up three servings, settles into her lap, lets out a yawn, then snuggles against her stomach before falling asleep.

Everyone witnessing this event is left in a state of awe, and it's all they can speak of for at least a week afterwards.

The following evening is when a certain merchant from the Ginkgo Guild meets the hungry Alpha Togepi, and he almost instantaneously becomes Sariel's most favorite human in the whole wide world (aside from his Wielder, of course)!

Volo has set up camp in Hideaway Bay where he's also preparing dinner for himself and his Pokémon when suddenly he hears the loud cry of a Togepi behind him. Assuming his own must be especially eager to eat, and without turning around, Volo attempts to assure his tiny Spike Ball Pokémon their soup will be ready soon - yet the response the blond receives is an even louder and longer cry.

Volo: I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying! Mea puellula egens, you must be absolutely starv- *insert undignified Volo noise here* (Translation: My poor little girl)

Volo scrambles several feet backwards, widened eyes searching for his Togepi, who he spots standing directly next to the Alpha without a care. None of his other Pokémon seem concerned in the slightest about their unexpected guest either, so he allows himself to relax somewhat - then the Celestican takes notice of Akari's approach and proceeds to silently pray to every single Legendary and Mythical Pokémon he knows of she somehow managed to not hear the mortifying sound he made merely a moment earlier.

One of them must have heard Volo's plea and chose to grant him mercy (or perhaps took pity on him), because the object of his romantic obsession makes no mention of it, instead introducing him to the oddly docile yet ravenous Alpha Togepi now named Sariel. He possesses such a soft spot for baby Pokémon, so when Akari's newest team member stares up at him with shining eyes begging for food, Volo can't resist spoiling Sariel a little (especially since he provided him the opportunity to at last share a meal with his lovely Wielder). The gluttonous Spike Ball Pokémon greedily consumes bowl after bowl of soup, helps himself to a few of the merchant's Honey Cakes, cuddles up to Volo's side as thanks, then once more crawls into Akari's lap for a nap.

The large Togepi is so visibly comfortable resting upon her plush thighs, face buried into her soft stomach, Volo finds himself overwhelmed with envy inwardly, wishing with all his might they could trade places even if only for an instant...

However, Volo happens to learn not long at all afterwards that, though she may be the greatest Wielder this land knows, Akari has no maternal qualities whatsoever and is in need of his guidance when tending to the baby Pokémon's outbursts. He comes across poor Sariel crying and her solution to this issue leaves him baffled. She kneels down in front of the sobbing Alpha Togepi, Oran Berry in hand,

Akari: If you cease this incessant wailing, this berry is yours.

Sariel goes silent, save for the sounds of him gobbling down the berry, only to immediately resume bawling once he finishes eating.

Akari: I must recall the comfort words... *lightly pats Sariel's head* There, there... Sariel: *ceases squalling for all of three seconds*

Akari then lets out a heavy sigh, reaching for his Poké Ball when Volo decides a kindly intervention is in order. He sweeps Sariel into his arms, cradling him close to his chest, and the heart wrenching sobs soon turn to sniffles before those fade away entirely.

Akari can only stare at the Celestican as though he's responsible for a divine miracle, and when he catches her gaze, he can't help but chuckle. He then shoves Sariel into her own arms, instructing her to hold the big Spike Ball Pokémon just as he did.

Volo: Words of comfort aren't always necessary. Sometimes all one needs is to be held through the pain. This applies to people as well, and those of any age.

Volo himself can't recall when he was last held in a moment of anguish but doesn't dare voice that thought aloud.

With Volo's gentle guidance, the two accomplish evolving their Togepi - together. After evolving into Togetic is when Sariel develops the habits of sniffing others and hovering over their shoulders when desiring their food or demanding attention. The merchant is his most frequent victim since he's thoroughly incapable of mustering the willpower necessary to deny this adorable menace.

Volo first encounters Sariel as a Togekiss following Akari's banishment from Jubilife Village. She initially attempts to turn his assistance away, but the Celestican is persistent - after all, it's his fault Akari has found herself in this wretched situation. He's not like them, the others - Volo asserts he doesn't care about whatever punishment that commander intends to inflict on anyone he discovers aiding her. After everything Akari has done for the Galaxy Team, for the Diamond and Pearl Clans, risking her wellbeing countless times to do so, it's deeply unfair to him none of them dare to defy Kamado and stand at her side.

After a while of walking (and with Volo doing his best to fill the silence), he suggests setting up camp and resting since they still have a ways to go before reaching the Ancient Retreat. During their meal, his attention is stolen by the Togekiss - he's in awe. He's curious as well, questioning Akari on how Togetic evolves. She replies a special stone is necessary, describing its appearance to him. Sariel soon flies over towards Volo, gazing upon him with those sparkling eyes and that familiar wide smile; it's apparent the Alpha Togekiss wants something from him, which Volo assumes must be more food. But then Akari states what Sariel actually wants is... to give him a kiss.

And Volo, accustomed to receiving "kisses" from his Togetic in the form of nuzzles and gentle headbutts, accepts. He couldn't be more wrong... With an amused expression, Volo closes his eyes (thus missing the one on Akari's own face), turns his cheek toward Sariel, then taps it with his index finger. And then Volo immediately feels something warm and wet sliding across his face. His eyes snap open, but all he can see is tongue. He's been blinded, and the entirety of Volo's face and even his bangs are absolutely drenched in Togekiss drool, or "Sariel slime".

Volo splutters indignantly, then both hands are searching for something to wipe away the copious amounts of saliva from his face and hair while accusing Akari of being aware this was precisely what would occur. He hears her soft, breathy chuckling, and the first thing Volo sees once he regains his vision is her smile... The Celestican comes to the conclusion he can suffer a little indignity - as long as that beautiful expression and those sweet sounds are his and his alone.

But then Akari states she has a gift for him, and before Volo can ask any questions, presses a stone into his palm - one which is identical to her previous description of a Shiny Stone. His gray eyes instantly meet hers and are filled with confusion. Her response to his inquisitive stare is that since he is at least partly responsible for Sariel evolving into a Togetic, it only seemed fair to Akari she didn't cease searching until she acquired a second Shiny Stone, for Volo's own Togetic.

Akari: Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur. (Translation: A true friend is discerned in uncertain times)

Volo's heart lurches within his chest.

It twists and aches, hearing her speak his mother tongue, whisper it to him. Coupled with the gesture, he feels his heart climbing up his throat until he fears he may choke on it. In this moment, Volo is consumed by love and guilt in equal measure.

Sariel is ultimately the sole member of Akari's team who holds nothing against him following his betrayal. Seraphina, her Hisuian Typhlosion, isn't angry with him, just disappointed. Raiden, her Luxray, never liked him, not because he ever believed him suspicious, but simply because Volo was a man in Akari's vicinity. Dayna and Gertrud, her Espeon and Alpha Roserade respectively, have agreed between themselves to give him the cold shoulder should they ever cross paths with him again. And Faustina, her Alpha Froslass, desires to freeze Volo alive so he can never flee from Akari again...

When Sariel manages to slip away from his Wielder after catching sight of Volo wandering the wilds, the Alpha Togekiss immediately subjects him to a full body sniffing onslaught. Volo attempts to wave him away, knowing well Akari can't be far behind, but he's simply not capable of sounding stern enough.

Volo: Shoo. Shoo! ...Away with you!

Sariel simply blinks at Volo before subjecting him to yet another slurp. Volo is clever enough to cover his own mouth this time, but he's still left spluttering as always.

Volo: *sighs* I've missed you as well, Sariel...

The Alpha Togekiss then grabs him by the back of the collar of his attire and attempts to drag him towards Akari despite his numerous protests. Sariel would succeed too, but Volo takes an Oran Berry from his pocket (what was to be his lunch) and tosses it as far as he possibly can, in the direction he hears Akari's voice. Volo just isn't prepared to see her, even though he's been longing for her...

Aside from Volo though, for whatever reason, Sariel utterly adores Rei. However, the sentiment is absolutely not mutual. He runs as fast as his legs will carry him, all across the village, trying to escape being slurped. But he never succeeds. Sariel always catches him.

Rei: *drenched in drool* I was hoping my first kiss would be... enjoyable.

Akari could return Sariel to his Poké Ball, but what fun would that be...? She has a mischievous side herself!

Rei: *sputtering and spitting* AUUUUGH!! My mouth was OPEN that time!!

On one occasion, Rei complains about the cold while surveying in the Alabaster Icelands, and Sariel hears him and the Alpha Togekiss takes it upon himself to assist him.

Professor Laventon: How odd... I could have sworn I heard Rei's voice in this direction... Is that not your Togekiss over there, Akari? And... it seems as though there's something underneath him! Or... rather someone? Rei: *wriggles out from underneath Sariel, INHALES* I thought I was gonna DIE under there!

Additional Sariel the Alpha Togekiss Facts!:

🤎 Sariel only succeeded in slurping Akari once. Whenever he attempts to do so again, she states, "Please do not." and the Alpha Togekiss will immediately freeze in place. Even in midair.

Sometimes Sariel whines a bit about it, others he flops on his back and expects a treat and a belly rub, which Akari will provide in exchange for not slurping her like the others. And he has a lot of belly to rub! Despite this, Sariel is still a very swift flier whenever he wants to be.

🤎 Sariel is who defeated Giratina!

Giratina: I fear no man or Pokémon. But that... thing- Sariel: *blinks with his tongue sticking out* Giratina: ...disturbs me.

🤎 In the future, in Sinnoh, Volo notices one day Sariel is exhibiting nesting behavior (both female and male Togekiss will sit on eggs to hatch them) and quite literally snatches Hikari up from whatever she's doing in his excitement to show her.