Primal Instinct
(Update: 6/8/07 I have added Chapter sections, for the ones you want to read. I've also added 'é's to 'pokemon', to give it better looks. I've also added more chapters and I've added special texts, such as italics. That's all)
Primial Instinct
Flashback 01: My Journey
I ... am a monster.
One may think that all Pokémon are monsters since their name is derived from the word, but they aren't. Naturally born Pokémon are the most naive creatures on this planet. Such innocence makes them easy to use and manipulate by anyone who has a strong enough will to do it.
Humans live under the common misconception that they are the only ones that can exploit a Pokémon for their own gains. They are sadly mistaken. Pokémon have fought for dominance over members of their own species centuries before the first man thought to tame them. Even today in the wild, there are alphas and omegas, leaders and followers, supervisors and workers, or whatever term you wish to use to describe having control over another. No matter where I roam on this planet the strongest and most intelligent will always rule over those too weak to govern themselves.
I am the world's strongest Pokémon.
Though I had no thirst for absolute power over the world I did feel the instinctive need to assert myself shortly after leaving Purity Canyon. I missed having the clones I created around to tend to everything. I missed knowing that these Pokémon depended on me for protection. I missed it all, but it would be selfish of me to take away my clones' newly gained freedom. They were the closest kin I had except -
Mother. The incident began as a simple visit to pay tribute to my mother, and to apologize for nearly destroying her many years ago. Mother Mew could sense that I was troubled the moment I came into the Tree of Origin. The conversation changed swiftly to focus on this developing problem.
" You're lonely. " Mother said simply as she tended to the mountain of toys occupying her nest. Her tiny paws grasped a small rubber ball that she threw over towards me. Must have been some ill attempt to calm my nerves. " You said that even before your clones returned to the wild they were settling down and having families. "
Raising my hand, I stopped the ball before it could bounce off my snout. " I do not want a family. " I did not mean to snap at her, but I could not imagine going through the grief of rearing and disciplining any offspring. My strength would not allow me to be caring, and gentle. " I just want to have control. "
The ball circled around my body once to gain momentum before being tossed back to mother, who giggled as she caught it with all of her tiny body. That innocence again ... I didn't know to be jealous or annoyed by her behavior. " Maybe you should stay in the Tree of Origin and watch over the Pokémon here if you want control. Since humans are trying to infiltrate more places like this we will eventually need more protection. I can even show you how to use the wave ... "
That was the first time I heard about such things; the power to be able to see and control just about anything if your body is strong enough. It was a life risking power that required an intense amount of training and dedication. The conversation flowed for hours along with the tentative passing of that rubber ball until mother informed me that even if I began studying aura now I could only be on her level, and even she could not reach the heights that an aura specialist could. A lone Pokémon had the potential to tap its seemingly endless powers ...
I wanted to know. " ... who? " This time I caught the ball with my paw and tossed it a bit harder then mother could catch. It arched high into the air and disappeared into the canyons around the trees.
Mother looked towards the falling ball with a frown. " ... It is an incredibly rare Pokémon called Lucario - "
I couldn't imagine the shock on her face when she turned around to find that I'd abandoned her for a personal mission.
Flashback 02: My Mission
This time I overestimated my opponent.
It was not until after the incident that I learned that Lucario was not a legendary Pokémon, nor did I realize that the reason they were so rare was because they destroyed their bodies due to their inability to properly harness the wave. My search with only a name. I did not know anything about my opponents' traits, characteristics, or even their fighting style. I didn't even know what one looked like, but that was irrelevant. I did not need a physical description for this type of search.
Hovering close to the summit of the Tree of Origin, I started a more accurate approach to searching then simply flying around until I found it. My developed abilities allowed me to systematically pry into the mind of every living creature in the region. No matter what a creature was they retained some memories of their own identity, and finding those were like picking berries.
Hours passed, but just as night fell over my mother's sanctuary a bitter stream of memories clashes with the sweet memories of the Pokémon that lived below the mountain. Memories of a time long ago when Pokémon were used by humans as tools of war. The common agreement on a Pokémon's worth in the world was what I had feared years ago; they were considered little more then slaves to their human masters. This one considered himself a slave like all of the others, but did not swear allegiance to anyone except the human he served.
A man who can control the wave; a man who abandoned him in their kingdom's darkest hour.
That night the limits of my telekinetic powers became clear. Though I could read and manipulate bodies, objects, and minds I lacked one important thing that a Pokémon of the wave could take full advantage of. I imagined that the events leading up to this Pokémon's present existence were tragic, but I could not get the feeling of the message he was trying to convey. I simply remembered how I reacted upon the revelation that Giovanni and I were in the same relationship; enraged.
I did not find an enraged Pokémon that night.
Lucario made its home halfway between the Tree of Origin and the human settlement a few miles away from it. The area between the two points were covered in mountains and canyons inhabitable by most creatures, but the Pokémon found a patch of grass where flowers grew at the base of a wall.
The Pokémon itself sat atop a rock in the middle of the flower bed, looking up at the sky. I made myself out to believe that I stared for a long moment because I did not see a Pokémon that looked so simular to myself in the wild. The body structure was almost exactly the same though it was a few inches taller then half my height. My initial analysis continued until the blue Pokémon noticed me.
I narrowly avoided the blue sphere it threw at me in reaction.
" Who are you? " The Pokémon, Lucario, was in a much more aggressive stance when I turned to look at him again. He was charging another ball of energy to throw at me already. " ... and what are you doing here? "
So this Pokémon could use telepathy as well. His voice seemed appropriate for that of a slave's; formal and reserved with just a hint of anger given the current situation. " I am ... Mewtwo. " A proper introduction was the least I could give before making my demands. " I have come because you are a Pokémon of the wave, are you not? "
That ball of erratic energy shrunk slightly in the other Pokémon's hands. " ... Why would you want to know? " The change in his voice was barely detectable. If only I had noticed his fear sooner I would have left him be and none of this would've happened.
" I am the strongest Pokémon in the world, but even I am not perfect. " I began as I slowly approached him. " Since freeing myself from my human oppressors I have been on a constant journey for the meaning of my existence. Recently I have decided that I will continue to strive to retain my place as the world's strongest Pokémon, but in order to do so I need mastery over every possible ability. "
" That leaves me with two possible options. " I slowed to a stop about ten feet away from Lucario. " I can either ask you for your cooperation in helping me harness the power of the wave, or I can ask my mother. In any case - " I glanced down at my paw and flexed it, a purple aura forming around it. " I feel the overwhelming desire to destroy my only competition in the mastery of the wave. Your performance tonight will determine if I allow you to live to teach me the secrets of your power. "
My opponent couldn't get in word in before I came at him with a charged Focus Punch. He abandoned his ball of wave energy to sidestep my attack at the last moment, snapping around to deliver a fluent kick to my side. The pain from the kick was stronger then I'd expect from such a small Pokémon, suggesting that it had more then just fighting characteristics. I could not look further into the matter now, though. Overanalyzing the situation in the heat of battle would lead to my demise.
Close quarter combat was not my speciality so I felt inclined to give the smaller Pokémon a taste of my psychic powers. Kinesis stopped the fleeing Pokémon dead in it's tracks while I flipped around to recover from the attack, but I did not stop there. I slowly brought my paw together to put a bone shattering amount of force on the Pokémon's body. Miraculously he did not scream, and he continued to struggle though we both knew such a motion was futile.
Slowly the situation was growing beyond my desire for his abilities, and I didn't even know it. I began to feel something odd as I watched the helpless Pokémon squirm in my telepathic grasp, like a Butterfree about to get its wings pulled off. " Your determination is admirable. " I commented as I reached the extent I could crush him. " - but I you should know you cannot get out of a psychic's grasp. "
" You ... " It must have taken an excruciating amount of energy for Lucario to send that glare back towards me. Little did I know that was not all he had in store for me. " Should not underestimate me! "
The explosion of dark energy that followed was not only enough to break my concentration, it sent shock waves of pain through my body due to my type disadvantage. I found myself flying backwards, but not before another sphere of that blue energy slammed into my gut to ensure I hit the canyon's wall. His power was ... stunning. So much that I had to take in a few sharp breaths to begin immediately treatment with Recover.
My eyes narrowed towards my opponent as my other immediate limitation became painfully clear. Though my body was perfectly capable of dealing out damage I could not receive it well due to lack of experience. Most of my previous opponents have been so below me that I did not even break a sweat!
Lucario wavered slightly but he would not fall in front of me. He spread his arms wide to retain balance before bringing them to one side to form another sphere. My glare was returned with a glare of his own; those dull ruby studs a contrast to his cool toned body.
A sharp jerk of the shoulder pulled sent my body spiraling towards the ground from the wall, but my telekinetic powers stopped me from getting an speck of dirt on my lavender fur. I did not stop there. In fact, I did not stop until my body gave off the same radiant purple energy that my hand possessed in the beginning of this fight. Yes. It was no longer simply a request or a confrontation.
It seemed as though I finally found a Pokémon who'd put up a good fight ...
Flashback 03: My Mistake
The battle lasted for over an hour. I blame it in part using too much of our power in the beginning minutes in hopes of overpowering one another, leaving us with nothing left but physical attacks with bursts of flair to pick up the slack.
I knew that we were reaching the end of our fight judging by the sound of our breaths, the sluggishness of our attacks, and even our pulse. My pulse had at least doubled in the last hour, and whenever we clashed against each other I could hear his. His heart beats faster then a Yanma's wings in the heat of battle, befitting of a Pokémon who uses pulses of energy in his attacks.
To be honest I had never felt so eager to fight before. In the past it has been my obligation to fight; for my training, for my master, or for the sake of proving that I was still the strongest in the world. My original intention may have been to prove a point, but sometime in between I had lost myself completely.
I may even go as far as to say it was ... thrilling. My battles before had one sided with the exception of my bout with mother, but even then I had confidence that I could beat her. Here I found the gray line shortly after experiencing that Dark Pulse attack. It could go either way, and even if I did lose I would not be angry or disappointed in myself.
Not that I planned on losing, of course.
Lucario made a fatal mistake when he avoided another of my Focus Punches. Instead of simply stepping out of the way he flipped backwards only to find his back slapping against the canyon's walls. I could see the wide eyed panic in his eyes seconds before I took advantage of the situation.
Moments later he would find himself trapped between a rock and my face. I kept him against the wall by holding one of his black wrists in either hand high above his head, pulling his feet a few inches from the ground until his face was about level with mine. The emotion was all but drained from his face when he tilted his head back to look up at me. His thin chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, coming out a pant between his barely opened lips. I could see his little fangs, partially surprised that the fighter didn't try to bite me before.
I did not know why I continued to stare at him. My own rapid breathing was a fleeting thought compared to the rush of thoughts and emotions flowing through me now. In my mind I was the victor, but I hardly wanted to go around screaming it from the rooftops. The fight was rendered insignificant, and yet the events that transpired were dominating my mind.
Domination ... That was what I hoped to accomplish in fighting him, right? Though now it was true that I was victorious other strange, new, feelings overwhelmed the need to fulfill my original desire. That word ... desire ... to be used in this context was completely foreign to me. I did not know what trouble it may lead to until it was too late to stop it.
Lucario was struggling in my grip again, this time because I blocked his mouth from taking in anymore of the oxygen he so desperately needed. Slight tilt of the head downwards brought my lips against his with caution, testing the waters and the other Pokémon's reaction. That new feeling that came over my exploded into what could be described as a fiery passion from an outsider looking in. The shocks it sent down my curved spine were different from the ones I experienced earlier. The feeling of warmth was welcoming, and my dependency on it grew.
" W-what are you - " I completely forgot that we could still communicate even though our lips were intertwined, but his mental protest was halted when I decided to explore further.
Pokémon did not normally show their affection for one another in this way. I knew this, and though my actions were driven by primal instinct I could not help but add a little human influence to it. Leaning into him, I pushed my tongue against his lips until I could feel his fangs grazing it. I don't think I was even thinking consciously at this point. All I knew was what I wanted to feel more, which was why my paws slid down his raised arms to his shoulder blades and continued downward until they rest on the small of his back.
I embraced him, and at the same time I ensured that he wouldn't get away from my grasp by hoisting him into the air. Lucario could do very little from his position except put his hands on the tops of my shoulders. I didn't know if it was because he was trying to pull away from me or trying to return the embrace as my mind was too clouded to even register his thoughts.
... I was ... foolish.
These new feelings overwhelmed me, and I in turned overwhelmed Lucario. That night I gave into my bazaar cravings and I did not know the extent of what transpired until the following morning when I awoke in that bed of flowers. The wave guiding Pokémon from last night laid under me, slightly curled up despite my arms still being wrapped around his waist. Lucario looked exhausted. It took a moment of assessment of our position and condition before I was able to determine why ...
I ... mated with Lucario, and judging by the claw marks in the dirt around there he had not been a willing participant. I could not remember anything that happened last night beyond pinning the smaller Pokémon to the wall, and I did not want to remember. It was unforgivable. I felt sick just thinking about what anguish I could have caused the already disturbed Pokémon.
It was unforgivable, and I immediately began to feel remorse. Seldom do I feel remorse about anything, but the repeated panicky thought of what transpired in my mind prevented me from simply brushing it aside. I felt compelled to do ... something. An apology immediately came to mind though I knew that such a gesture wouldn't do any good. It'd be like slapping someone across the face and saying it was an accident!
Lucario moved slightly. I could not tell if it was because he stirred or because I removed my arms from his waist. He did not awake fully much to my relief. That was best, I think, because I assured myself that I was not ready to face him. I was entirely too weak to fight off another melee of attacks, and I imagine that he must be doing considerably worst.
With no other options I did the only thing I could do ...
I ran. Teleported actually, and left him alone in that canyon.
Chapter 01: My Apologies
... That was in the past.
Four weeks have passed since the events of that night and I've yet to decide on where to go from there. The thought of fleeing from this place completely repeatedly came to mind, but I could not bear it. To leave now would leave this chapter of my life incomplete. I would go on in this world forever without at least making amends. Though many would think my heart wicked for the crimes I committed in this world, I myself knew I was not a wicked creature.
No Pokémon was truly evil, after all.
Knowing this made me wonder just what happened that night that caused me to snap. If it was not wickedness in my heart that lead me to do it, then I knew not why things took a turn for the worst. It dawned upon me then that most of my knowledge of the world evolved around fighting. That was all my creators felt I needed to know, and in turn all that I thought I needed to study. I blindly followed the road laid out for me until now, but I would no longer.
I could not bear to tell mother about what transpired even though she might be the best source for answers. Mother easily forgave me for my past crimes, and she would forgive me this time without a doubt. That was not the problem. Seeing the disappointment in her eyes was.
It was my decision to look into the source of my problem myself, and there was only one way that I knew how to learn about new things. The human settlement to the north would be the primary resource for my research even if they did not store their information in the way I was accustomed to. There were only two functional computers in the entire kingdom; in the Pokémon Center and in the castle itself. They were over five years old, at least, and didn't have much in the way of information besides medial tasks. I wonder what kick these humans get out of torturing themselves through the lack of technology here.
The castle proved useful in some way, however, aside from the food and whatever supplies I could take from under the servant's noses. Their grand library was just as the name suggested: four floors of archived information in the eastern wing of the castle. Few humans actually came to view the information, surprisingly, so I was often able to pick a perch and read for hours without interruption.
Tonight was one of those nights. I had just cracked the surface when it came to the information that I needed. The book in question was a researcher's journal done by a human who was also a Pokémon Breeder. Handwriting suggested a female even though they only gave their last name in their report.
" Nine hundred and ninety three, A.H. " This article was written more than a thousand years ago. It had been well preserved. " I am writing about my experiences in the breeding pens today. Today I have received an rather large order to fill from the eastern kingdom: a hundred Nidoran Male bred to their exact specifications. The breeding partners chosen were my personal servant, a Nidoking named Charlie and Erin the Ditto from my last operation. Charlie has never been used in such a way before, but since it was such short notice I could not go out and capture another just for the purpose. "
" Charlie seemed reluctant to breed with Erin, suggesting that he did indeed have some preference in his mate. The other breeders called me silly for thinking such a thing and insisted that if the breeding partners' species were compatible then they will breed. Traditional breeding books stated that Pokémon did not have feelings as humans did, but I observed the truth today. Charlie simply refused to breed with Erin no matter what I and the other breeders in the area tried. It was an hour after noon that we gave up in our efforts and allowed the Pokémon to return to their duties. Charlie ran off immediately, possibly distraught, and I stopped my operations immediately to go look for him. "
" I found my Charlie in a cave nearby with a wild Nidoqueen. The Nidoqueen had recently given birth to a litter of males and females, and thus they were both protective of that cave. I managed to lure Charlie out to speak to him alone, and he confirmed that the Nidoqueen was his mate and he fathered her litter. Charlie had not followed my orders because he loved his mate, I believe, and out of respect for him and his new family I would not force him to - "
There someone there. I snapped the book shut, clutching my fist until I remembered the last time I had done that. Shudder. The book would be placed back on the shelf shortly before I left my perch to look for the source of the disturbance. It was not coming from the library, thankfully. My search took me to one of the large arched windows where I could clearly see two figures walking in the gardens outside.
The taller one was definitely a human; a slender female who wore a formal flowing dress. " Thank you for your services around the castle, once again. I just wish there was more that I could do for you. " Their words could not be picked up from such a distance by typical ears, but I was not using my ears to listen.
" I take only what I need to survive. " I immediately stopped fiddling with the window when I heard that voice. There was no way that I could mistake his deadpan voice for another. Lucario was the other, much smaller, shadow who now leaned against the railing of the footbridge overlooking the castle's elaborate fountain. " Thank you, m'lady. "
This was the first time I had seen Lucario since the incident. He seemed to be downcast the first time I encountered him, but now he simply looked ... depressed. It was bad when the humans could easily sense it, too.
I felt myself tense when the human placed her hand on Lucario's shoulder. " Lucario ... " She began, a frown spreading across her glossed lips. " I have become concerned with your behavior these past few weeks. Is there something troubling you? "
" It is nothing you need to concern yourself about. " I did not expect the fighter to tell the woman about his plight. He gently brushed her hand off his shoulder with a paw as he turned to her. " I just have a lot of things clouding my thought at the moment. "
The woman smiled to mask her disappointment. " Maybe you should spend some time away, to clear your mind. " She explained her methods before the protest. " If your mind is not clear then you cannot tap into the power in your heart, you know. "
Lucario looked toward his paws. " I do not wish to leave my duties. "
" I insist that you do. " Slowly, she lowered herself so she'd be level with him. It was a gesture so she could look into his eyes. " Lucario, I know that you are not happy here. I know that this castle invokes terrible memories in you. I know ... " The woman clutched the staff she held in her hands protectively. " That you really do not enjoy serving me, and are only doing so because I remind you of my ancestor. It is because of this that I ... am officially releasing you from your duties. I wish for you to be happy, and you can no longer find happiness here. "
The fighter could say nothing before being handed the crystal staff she held, and turning away from him. " Farewell, my friend. " She quickly made her way back into the building, leaving Lucario alone to his thoughts. Judging by the shock on his face that was not the best decision.
I ... had never felt so guilty. I knew that I was the cause of Lucario's recent depression, and that lead to him being put out of what was possibly the only home that he had. The gods above only know how long this Pokémon has lived here; where would he go now? The world outside of this kingdom would not be kind to him. There was little doubt that some selfish human would snatch him up in his time of weakness and abuse his powers.
That ... I could not allow to happen. I approached him without thinking of the consequences. I found my way outside through the use of teleportation, and appeared behind him hovering over the edge of the water.
The other Pokémon jumped as he turned to face me, his eyes widening. " You ... " He held the staff against his chest as if it would protect him. " I don't care if I lost or not; I will not allow you to have your way with me! " Lucario snarled at me. It was the first time that I saw such a thing.
His reaction was expected, but I predicted that my response would not be quite what he expected. I did not stop in my approach just because he threatened me. Figured he might be too shell shocked to do anything but defend after their last encounter. I kept a respectable distance by landing on the railing on the opposite side of the bridge, looking at him with a frown. " I am sorry, Lucario. " I could feel a significant weight being lifted already. " I only troubled you because I wished to know more about your powers. I did not mean to ... hurt you. "
The skeptical look that he gave me said it all; he did not believe me. I did not expect Lucario to ever forgive me for what happened, but I did at least want him to accept my apology. His eyes narrowed slightly, and ultimately he looked down at his staff. " You wish to know more about the wave, correct? " He sighed. " I ... will teach you all that I know about the wave, but you must promise me that you will leave this place when our training is complete. Though I myself am not a knight I still adhere to their code, and it is expected for anyone who wishes to learn the wave to do the same. Your word is binding. Those who do not hold it will face a fate worst than death. "
It was a move that left me in temporary shock. I had to wonder why he would do something that he obviously did not want to do, but I would not question it for now. " I accept your terms, Lucario. You have my word that I will leave this kingdom when our training is complete. " There was little that I could offer him in return but my word.
Lucario raised his head just enough to look at my face. " The training will begin at dawn. You are required to stay close to me throughout. " He wrapped his paw around the staff and threw it over one shoulder, turning to leave the garden of the castle he no longer protected. " Follow ... in front of me. " He quickly corrected himself. " I will tell you where to go with my thoughts. "
I could understand his concerns about me following behind him, but the way the Pokémon stammered as he corrected himself made me feel warmth. His embarrassment was obvious. I would not call him out on it, though. " Thank you. " There was no problem in leading. I simply hovered above his head until he got his bearings and ran. I tried to distance myself from him to keep from feeling the tension of his aura.
Fearful that my primal instincts might take hold again.
Chapter 02: My Inquiries
Time seemed to stand still.
Throughout the period of training I would not be allowed to leave the sacred forest that all who wished to learn the wave must train in. Lucario allowed me a grace period of a few hours to retrieve what I thought I needed from the kingdom before beginning, but he himself declined to return when I offered. I could not blame him. The standard provisions were all that was needed. The books that I took from the grand library were for my own personal use.
Two weeks passed in an instant in this place that had quickly become my home. The nest I shared with my new teacher was constructed by our own hands in the side of a mountain; an elevated cave carved out of the rock. It's space was divided evenly; my bed and supplies lining one side while Lucario's looked barren. The only object that he had taken with him was the staff that woman gave him, propped up in the corner. I always wondered the significance of the staff, but I did not want to invoke any negative feelings in Lucario.
I wanted him to forgive me, after all.
Lucario's discomfort was the worst in the hours that followed our agreement. He has since settled aside from an obvious nervous twitch whenever I stood close enough to touch him. It turned into a cold tremble when I actually did touch him; one that filled me with guilt comparable to the anguish he must have been experiencing. I did not want to cause any distress in the fighter in my staying, but I did not want to leave him either. It was quite a confusing contradiction that I could not define. It caused such emotion that I did not want to define.
To put it in words would be an understatement.
The world around me spun with vibrate purples and neon pink highlights. I could not focus no matter how hard I tried, though, and found myself turning in circles trying to keep the scenery around me stable. The reception was comparable to a monitor that had seen better years. I stopped when one lone object was almost in focus; the creature with the strongest wave in the area. A purple aura radiated from it's outline, so simular to my own, which stood in a casual stance with his ears erect until he instructed me.
" What do you see? " Lucario knew my name and story by now but he never addresses me formally.
I stood to face him. " My vision is terrible except when I look towards you. "
" That is ... not unusual. " It was faint, but I could hear Lucario muttering to himself. " You are naturally going to see the aura of the one closest to you the clearest. It is because they should always be in your mind and thoughts. Normally, it is whoever teaches you to control your wave. "
There was an awkward silence following that. I did not know what to ask, and he did not know what to say.
" Lunch. " The fighter said suddenly. " I think we should take a break from training for the moment. "
That was his respectful way of telling me to leave him alone for a few hours. Though we spent the majority of the day together training we had never eaten in the same area. Lucario was usually not there when I went to sleep, either. The Pokémon went through incredible lengths to ensure that I didn't see him sleep; resting only when I did and waking up before I rose. I knew that I shouldn't hold any ill will if Lucario never forgave me, but it pained me to know that he was so uncomfortable. I knew that I should not be bothered by it, but in reality ...
" Lucario! " I caught his attention by yelling when he turned his back, causing him to jump. " I ... did not mean to startle you. I just wanted to ask if you would mind ... eating lunch with me, just for today? " The wording came out awkward. I spoke the moment the words came to mind.
The fighter looked over his shoulder towards me, and I immediately regretted asking such a silly thing. At least until I heard his answer. " ... Fine. " He huffed the word out at me. " If you're not at the falls in five minutes, I'm leaving. "
Though he disappeared into the bushes shortly after that I did not call for him again. It didn't matter that we were not going to go there together, for now. I did not even know why I suggested such a thing in the first place except the fleeting thought that I may have been irratated by his behavior. Could that be it? Maybe, but the feeling the revelation caused was not relief. It resembled that warm from that night ...
It was frightening ... and exciting ... all at once.
Three and a half minutes later I appeared to the falls with my food via teleportation, being mindful not to appear too close to Lucario and startle him again. Last time I did he hit me with a dark pulse so fast I thought he really was going to kill me (he insisted it was a reflex). Thankfully, Lucario did not decide to leave a minute early. He sat on a rock near the edge of the falls, the staff that was usually in the nest set up proper to his right.
I decided to settle in on his left, choosing to physically walk over and crouch down on the side of the rock opposite of the staff. " I see that you didn't run off. " I noted, placing the food that I brought along with me at my feet.
The fighter didn't look away from the falls. " I said that I would be here. "
" That you did. " I said swiftly. " Thank you. "
The conversation died shortly after that. I did not mind; it would be difficult to hold a conversation while concentrating on food. Tapping into my wave was quick to drain my energy, and thus we had to take frequent breaks to keep from destroying ourselves in practice. Lucario claimed that the berries in the forest were the best foods to replenish my energy, but I was impartial to eating anything fresh from the dirt. I took enough Pokémon food and tuna to last about two months in the wild, but I did not know if it would be enough. He never specified how long they would be out here.
I tried to break the ice by speaking of something other than myself. Lucario spoke so little of himself or his origins that he seemed to be more of an enigma then I was, but I imagined there must have been good reason that he didn't. I saw so many terrible things in his mind, after all. Instead of asking about his origins, I turned my attention to the peculiar object that he carried around. " That staff must mean a lot to you. " I commented between bites.
Lucario hesitated. " It was the training staff that my master carried. "
To speak of one's former master was a touchy subject for any Pokémon. I despised Giovanni with every fiber of my being, and yet I could not simply say so aloud. Pokémon were humble creatures.
They show respect towards humans even when they are not worthy of it. " The same man who taught you to use your wave? "
" Yes ... " The fighter's eyes closed slowly. " His name was Sir Aaron. He saved me from an early death by poachers in the beginning stages of the war. I was just a defenseless child back then, and with nowhere else to go he decided to take me in. Those first few months he treated me like a human child, at least until I evolved. The day after we left our home to serve the northern kingdom, and begin my training. "
" And then? "
Lucario winced. " He ... turned his back on me. " There was a hint of disbelief in his voice as he said it. "
Though I was sure that he was the same man who had raised me as a child, he did not treat me the same once I was in my adult stage. I thought he would be different from the others. That was just foolish of me. He exploited my weakness and sealed me in the staff, and in the end he abandoned me and this kingdom in it's darkest hour for reasons I could not understand ... "
His story seemed accurate, but I was quick to point out a flaw. " Yet the kingdom still stands today, and you are still here. "
" Thankfully, the invaders who provoked his actions thought the kingdom was too valuable to simply tear down. The natives who lived here were forced to serve the enemies who conquered them for hundreds of years. Just recently the offspring of the original monarchy were allowed to rule this kingdom again, and it regained its independence. The child of the first queen back to the throne was the one who released me, on accident, while pulling the artifacts of the ancient kingdom out of storage. I would not abandon the castle, even if my master did. It was my duty to serve the new monarchy. "
" I see ... " Lucario need not carry on; it was obvious by the look on his face that the memories were paining him. Instead I asked another question. " It seems Sir Aaron has done you so much wrong, so why do you carry around his staff? "
His answer was nearly mute. " ... because I loved him ... regardless of his crimes. "
" Love? " Spoken as if I really was a Chatot. That word, that concept, it was all foreign to me.
Lucario misinterpreted my confusion, it seemed. " It is not acceptable to love a human the way I did, even today. I would never know why he did what he did for sure, but I figured it was because he sensed this in me early and decided to reject me before I had a chance to say anything. I knew that it wasn't possible, deep down, but I could not just ... stop. "
" That ... " Was not what I meant, and now I regretted even bringing up the subject with him. The expression on his face told of a creature who has seen more then his share of pain in his extended lifetime. I felt guilty, and sorry, and pitied him at the same time over feelings that I did not understand. My paw trembled, reached out towards him, and urged me to do something to prevent him from slipping deeper into the depression I had started.
I'd catch nothing but the air. The rock that the fighter formerly occupied was barren, and he was already walking away. " Tonight's training is canceled ... " I caught his low words, spoken as he threw that sentimental staff over one shoulder.
It was at that moment that I decided that I could not just stand around feeling sorry for myself for that I did, or feeling sorry for him for the pain that I caused him. Little would be accomplished in either case. It was up to one of us to bring this downward spiral of sorrow before it destroyed our lives!
Lucario, being the humble beast he was, would not be the one to admit that anything was wrong though it was painfully obvious. That night, the one that marred my memories and clouded my thinking, I showed that I was the stronger one between us.
I now I had to prove it.
Chapter 03: My Revelation
Love ...
The first time I heard the word used in its most intimate context were in the books that I carried along with me; the research journal of that breeder. I grew especially interested in her written material because she did not write in a way associated with traditional researchers. Her style had a personal flair that made me remember that there was a human being behind the pen and ink.
" The most controversial subject of this time is whether Pokémon are capable of feeling the same depth of emotions that humans do. " She wrote at the beginning of this chapter's entry. " Before the influential research of the great breeding masters Pokémon's behaviors were widely interpreted as nothing more then instinct, but mounting evidence points towards the existence of greater emotions. Pokémon express feelings that resemble joy when they're around common companions, and fear when they're faced with a new situation. They express anger when put in an awkward situation, and sorrow when faced with the loss of a loved one. It is undeniable that these creatures who served us so faithfully for generations do not feel something deeper then instinctive responses, but the extent of this trait is up for debate. "
" Love ... the most moving emotion that a human can feel. To hold something dear to your heart, to devote yourself to it, and cherish it for all eternity. How are we to say that Pokémon cannot share that same bond that humans do? They devote themselves to us without question, and it is undeniable that they have some form of love for us in our hearts. My own personal assistant, Charlie, may love me in the way that a Pokémon should love a human, but I know for a fact that he loves his mate and children more then anything on the creator's green earth ... "
These concepts were entirely new to me. I had not had the time in my short life to learn of positive feelings like love and devotion. My time was spent in battle or in preparation for the battle that was sure to come. I lost myself in it, and now that the worst of my battles were behind me I did not know what to do with myself.
I could settle with ensuring that Lucario would not do anything foolish by confronting him this very moment. It took little effort to find and follow him into the depths of the forest where the bush became so dense it scraped across the flesh even when I tried to avoid it. He slowed to a stop at a patch of laid devoid of trees and those mysterious crystals, exhausted, and leaning against the trunk of a tree for support.
" Lucario ... " I was not exhausted at all since I decided to take to the air again, so I approached him immediately.
He shot a dirty look at me from over his shoulder. " I thought I told you - "
" That the lesson was canceled for today. " I countered, staring back at him with disinterest in that medial thing. " The lesson is the least of my concerns. " I continued, coming to hover over his right shoulder. I lowered myself to the ground to stand behind him. " I am ... concerned ... and confused. "
The fighter turned to face me, still leaning against the tree for support. " About what? "
My eyes narrowed slightly as I tried to find the correct way to word my concerns, but I couldn't. "
Everything. " It was the truth, though not the best way to say it. " This entire incident has been incredibly confusing for me. Nothing that I've done so far has been logical, especially - "
" Life ... is not always comprehendible. " Lucario said those words slow enough that they'd continue to echo through the walls of my mind. " The humans outside of this region are discontent in general because they must come to understand everything that happens in life. It is not possible. " He tilted his head back to look into my eyes. His own widened after a second, and his words gradually slowed. "
There are some things that can only be felt, not told, or even ... explained. "
The fighter fell silent, and I was confused as to why until I caught wind of something that forced me to look into the smaller Pokémon's eyes. My eyes searched for something behind those little pieces of ruby I did not know until it was found; the emotion that lay just below the surface of that hardened exterior. There I saw a Pokémon who lived a lonely life serving the only person they ever cared about, only to lose them in the end: a Pokémon who's heart had been shattered needlessly.
I could feel his pain, and I did not know whether it was because of the wave or the own discovery of my dormant emotions. I felt compelled to do something, again, though not as strong as it was the first time. Perhaps this time training her allowed me to suppress that instinctive drive enough to have me act in a more rational way.
The monster who attacked him so brutally weeks ago would not low himself to one knee to be level with him, nor would he gently take him by the shoulders to bring into an embrace. The fighter was trembling, but I would not blame him for it now. " Then I will no longer try to comprehend what I am feeling for you right now. " I whispered to him, my arms sliding over his shoulders to lock him in that embrace protectively. " Regardless of what it may be I ... enjoy this feeling, and I will embrace it. "
It was decided that nothing would change what I felt about him. Even if he did not feel the same way about me, even if he continued to avoid me, and even if he rightfully hated and despised me for forcing him into this situation I would feel any ill towards him. I didn't think I was capable of hating him at this point.
I pitied him too much ...
Lucario didn't do anything about this, and for a moment I considered pulling away so he would lash out at me again. Then he did something I quite unexpected. I felt him lay his head on my chest with a sigh, half heartedly returning the hug by wrapping his arms around my shoulders. " I have lived a lonely life. " He started with a sigh. " Even when I lived with Sir Aaron I was lonely because I knew that I could never be anything more then his servant. I refused to settle for anything else, and in the end I lost everything ... " His muttering gradually grew softer.
Reaching down, I caught his chin with one of my paws so I could look at his eyes. " You know - "
" I know. " Not only did he interrupt me, but he ensured that I would not say another word until he finished.
There we kissed for the second time (and the first with two wilful parties). This time he came to me with it; forcing his body against me to seize my lips. It happened so fast that I would have lost my balance if not for a subconscious attempt to save myself telepathically. I pushed us back into a stable position before I accepted his offer completely, tilting my head to keep our snouts from pressing together awkwardly.
This time I was not just imagining his affections.
This time I was sure that I was in love.
This time it was real.
The sun and moon were in that odd transitional period that happened twice in the day, painting the sky a beautiful mix of blues, pinks, and reds that would gradually fade into an inky navy blue. Typically, forests were the most active during this transitional period when nocturnal Pokémon woke and tried to catch an easy meal out of the exhausted Pokémon returning to their dens to sleep. Though we were among them, I held high doubts that any Pokémon would be foolish enough to try and attack us.
Lucario was not so sure, however, and suggested that we should go back to the den immediately. He seemed highly disturbed on the entire trip back to the nest; his senses kicked in at seemingly random moments and he continually looked over his shoulder. I ended it with a kiss to the forehead, and another action that he was not pleased with.
" Would you put me down!? " I didn't have much experience with holding anyone, but I faintly remember someone long ago holding me in such a fashion. Since he's considerably smaller then me I just lifted him up by the waist and held onto his legs, leaning back a bit so his body would naturally lean against mine. Occasionally he pushed against my shoulders in protest. I just reaffirmed my grip on his legs. " You don't need to do this. I'm not sick! "
I looked down at him as I approached the entrance of the den. " I contest that. You seem to be convinced that we are being followed, but I don't sense any other brain activity in the area. " Nothing that would be a threat to them, anyway.
" That's because - " His eyes darted as if he was about to make up an explanation, but ultimately he sighed. " Never mind. I guess I'm worried over nothing. "
I would not look into the matter further, for the moment. " I think we should get some sleep. " I changed the subject completely as I leaned in to place him on the ground.
" I'm not tired. " Lucario put it simply when he turned to enter the mouth of the cave.
His response was confusing. So he did do it because he thought something was there ... " You're the one that suggested that we come back. " It was not an actual protest since we were already back. I was simply disappointed that we had to stop kissing, among other things, to return to the den for a false alarm. I took my time following him into the cave, more concerned about smoothing out the fur that he disheveled then the nonexistent threat.
My anger eased when Lucario spoke again. " I did not suggest we come back here to sleep. " And my fuming ceased when he reached out to push a bit of lifted fur on my shoulder down. " I apologize for the earlier interruption, but now we can continue without interruption. "
" Continue - " Once again he left me speechless with a kiss, or rather fumbling my words in a startled fashion to the point that anything afterwards was reduced to nothing.
There wasn't just kissing this time. I felt him pushing me further into the den forcibly, and just before he would have had me on the wall I lost balance. My reflexes alerted me to the imbalance, and I instinctively corrected the situation before I crashed to the ground. Telepathy wouldn't be necessary this time; I simply twisted Lucario's shoulders around to reverse our positions. The force of the impact brought us undeniably close, so I pulled away from him to ensure that he was all right.
The fighter was fine, though a little displeased that his plans were foiled by an instinctive reaction. " ... touche' " He smiled a little through his frown.
He pushed himself into me for another kiss with a bit more force then necessary. I caught onto his game quickly. He prodded at that caged animal, those feelings I tried so hard to suppress, with a sharp stick in hopes of getting it to lash out. It worked wonderfully. Those mental barriers I put between myself and those horrid memories were being dissolved. I could not analyze the situation because I refused to remember it, and thus those memories were faded away before they had a chance to leave an impression in my mind.
Now I found that we were mimicking the same actions, only with Lucario as the aggressor until I corrected the situation. I broke the kiss roughly to catch my breath, but ended with leaning back down to place a flurry of kisses on his cheek leading down to his neck. The contact made Lucario squirm. I felt his paws leave my shoulders to slide down and out along my chest to reach my sides. I don't know where he would've stopped if I let him keep going, but I had to trump him again.
To prove ... something ...
My mind is so clouded I can't think of the words.
" A-Ah! " I didn't blame him for growing alarmed when he felt fangs dragging along his neck. His reaction made me shiver; that feeling of warmth flowing through my veins anew and tightening in a very uncomfortable place. The pulsating sensation was slowly becoming unbearable. Those tinges of pain along with his reactions forced me to shift slightly, but not without biting down on his neck first. An instinctive, perhaps possessive, action I'm sure. I wondered how much it would take to pierce the skin.
Just to taste a little bit of -
Chirp ... Click. Click. Click.
What was that!?
I definitely heard it this time; it came from directly outside of the cave. It pained me to do it after coming this far, but our safety was slightly more important then what would have transpired if we were to continue. Lucario was considerably faster then me, and managed to slip out from under me when we parted before I could stand.
When we came to the entrance of the den the intruder was gone, judging by Lucario's stance. It troubled me. I could normally sense another being from a distance away, but I didn't pick up the intruder until they were right on us. " ... Is it gone? " I put my own concerns aside to ensure that it was safe again, for the time being.
Lucario nodded. " That thing is getting bold. " He muttered to himself.
" What ... thing? " I questioned as Lucario turned his back to head into the cave again. " I did not sense anything at all. "
" That's because you're using your telekinesis to sense them. " He explained simply, then looked down at himself with a frown. " ... I'm going to bed. "
How could he think about sleep at a time like this!? He must of had a good reason for doing it, sure, but I myself couldn't imagine doing such a thing. Not with whatever that was still lurking in the shadows. Not with my body still wound from our earlier ... activities. The least I could do was relieve some tension by brushing against him, slowly, as I went towards the back. " So now you're tired. "
I sat down in the corner, surrounded by the collection of items that I 'acquired' from the human settlement. Lucario went to his side to adjust the staff along the opposite wall as he spoke. " I'm still not tired, but I'd rather get some rest then be tired if they come around again. "
Though tempted to ask just who 'they' were, I decided to leave things as they were for the night and worry again tomorrow. I didn't want the memories of today marred by whatever may lay ahead. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life; today I believe I found the Pokémon I want to spend the rest of my life with. There was still a lot that needed to be amended between us, I imagine, but I took his behavior towards me as a sign that things were going in the right direction.
" What're you smiling about? " He actually came to sit down beside me. I put my weight against the wall, and be put his weight against me before settling down completely. The subtle warmth he gave off was all that was needed for the night. I felt it whenever he came near. It became considerably stronger in these past few weeks. Now it's to the point where I barely notice I'm acting oddly at all. I didn't even notice I was smiling until he pointed it out.
" It's nothing. " That I'm not proud of, that is.
Chapter 04: My Discovery
" I do not wish to go there. "
I could ignore his protests no longer. Lucario had been against the idea of me going into the Tree of Origin since the beginning, and he refused to tell me why. It was through him that I learned that our 'intruders' originated from the Tree in the first place! He explained that the creatures that he'd been sensing were artificially made Pokémon who were saved from their fate by my mother, and in turn work to protect the Tree of Origin.
... but why were they attacking us? We were doing the Tree no harm.
That much I did not know, but I have the growing suspicion that Lucario did. Stopping in my flight through the canyons, I turned to face him, my arms coming to fold over my chest in irritation. " If you're not willing to tell me what's going on, I'm asking my mother. " I said in irritation. In truth I was not mad at him but at those creatures. This past week my fighter had been pushed to the point where he could not sleep, or eat, or go a minute without filling the air with his tension.
Even now I could see the effects that it had on his body. Lucario was too prideful to admit that he was suffering some sort of anguish in this position, but he had lost noticeable weight and had problems keeping focus. His eyes came to meet mine the moment I turned, then started to dart anxiously in anticipation. " There is nothing to say ... " I could not imagine what his voice would be like if he actually spoke those words. It was only through telekinesis that he could speak so clearly. " Except that it would be wise to stay away from the Tree! "
" I am going. " I shot a glare back at him that I immediately came to regret. " You do not need to follow me. " I turned from him and started to fly without another word, fully expecting him to return to the nest.
Instead I heard the sound of two feet following in close proximity, and I smiled.
The rest of our trip continued in silence up until we reached the core of the tree; the place where life remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Pokémon extinct in other parts of the world thrived in this place. It must have been the main reason security in the tree was so heavy. In spite of it all we reached the center of the tree without much fanfare. I noticed that Lucario didn't flinch or jump once since we entered. It was a good indication that we were not being followed.
That good feeling was not to last. The fighter walked out in front of me and into the grass. " I'm not going in any further. " He said quietly as he tilted his head back to look up at the ceiling. " This is the area of the tree the Regis are least likely to attack. "
" I understand. " That he would not go in and further, but I knew that I wouldn't get the reason from him. The whole point of this trip was because he refused to talk about it. It pained me that he obviously hid the truth from me, but I doubt even that would make me love him any less. I brought my hip against his side as I passed him, to let him know I was still there. " I will be back shortly. " I faced him briefly. Long enough to lead down and place a loving kiss on his forehead. " Try to eat a little while you're here. "
The kiss made him tense; his thoughts scattering in an instant. Before he could respond I had teleported away from him to speak with mother privately.
There was something wrong here.
My best senses were telling me to leave the chamber immediately, but my drive to know what was to become of me and my lover pressed me to continue. The hallway leading into the chamber that contained the Tree's heart was oddly dark. It was typical that the crystals lining the walls lit the way, but those crystals were now an inky black and lost their luster.
Why did you do it, my son?
Her familiar voice echoed off the walls of my mind ... and it made my blood run cold. Mother never used her telekinesis to communicate unless she couldn't otherwise. The question that she asked made me wonder her intentions. I paused momentarily in the doorway, then I continued on into the chamber.
Mother was there. Hanging over the crystal in the center of the room with her head slightly bowed, her tail limp, and her paws close to her face as if she'd been pained or crying. My immediate thought was that she'd been in some kind of pain. I tried to fly over to her, but her voice cut through me again.
Stay away from me ... rapist.
I stopped completely, my mouth coming open though I could find no words to say in my defense. I did not know what had surprised me more; that she knew about the incident that I had tried to repress or that she spoke to me in such a way. That last word, that horrible label, was said with enough venom to kill a Wailord. " Mother ... " I had to say something, but what?
Don't even try to explain, rapist.
Mother's head lifted slightly to start the free flowing loop that would bring her body around to face me. Her eyes were boring right into mine with an emotion I had never felt from her before. It made me come erect in my hover in a defensive stance.
I had trusted you.
This wasn't happening ...
I had taken you as my son.
I loved her like a mother ...
I had put faith in you.
And in truth I had let her down ...
And this is how you repay me?
... I ... am ...
You came into my land and took what you wanted!
I did ... and I still regret doing it.
You ... forced that poor creature to do your bidding!
And though I did ... her words made me angry. " I did nothing of the sort! I love Lucario and he loves me! " I did not force him to train me, or stay with me, or kiss me, or anything else that came to follow.
Love? Mother came erect in front of me, a paw coming over her mouth as if suppressing a surprised gasp. Love, true love, is something that a monster like you cannot possibly comprehend! You lust for someone, a male at that, and you call it love! You do not love someone after you mate them. That's nothing but lust!
I couldn't believe she, of all Pokémon, was saying this to me! Mother was supposed to be the one who loved all living creatures and yet it almost seemed as though she hated me now. I wanted to believe that she spoke these words out of hurt, and that she didn't hate me. " I don't care what you think it is, mother. " Her heated words were getting to me, as I hissed those words out. " I will tell you that I know I am in love with him, and nothing you nor anyone else can do will ever change that. "
Are you sure about what? Mother gave me an odd look before canting her head off to the side. I feel as though you do not know what is best for you, so I may very well have to interfere with your twisted ideals.
It took me a moment to absorb what had been going on between us in relation to what happened before. The whole picture was beginning to make sense, and it put a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. " You ... It was you! " The idea clicked in my mind. " You were the one who sent those monsters to spy on us! "
That is correct. I won't deny it.
" You sent them there to protect Lucario. " My blood boiled. " I assure you that he does not need saving. "
That is a matter of perspective, and mine says otherwise.
" You think whatever you please. I will not stand around and listen to your ramblings. " I whirled away from her and started to leave, but instead of flying down the tunnels back towards the core I simply teleported once I got a sizable distance from her. The last words that I heard whispered from her sent a chill down my spine, however.
_It is a shame it had to come to this, my son.
We could have been so happy together._
Chapter 05: My Lover
The condition of the air was much more pleasant after I left mother to her brooding. I attributed it to the lack of trees that I could not breathe in the damp chamber that lead up to mother's den. The very idea that I may have been scared of what had transpired if I stayed was laughable. I had never been afraid, ever, and I was not going to begin feeling such pitiful feelings now.
All I needed was some fresh air and a few hundred paces to clear my head. I materialized in the core, more specifically an area a considerable distance from where I sensed Lucario. Though normally did not like walking when I could help it I figured the scroll would help me clear my head. In truth I did enjoy the walk. The scenery inside of the tree was a place that beasts who lived outside could only dream of; a place only inhabited by Pokémon. There was no sign of pollution or human intervention here. It reminded me of my former home in Purity Canyon ...
Snap, from a berry being torn off a branch. Before I had a chance to investigate I came within seconds of having that berry bounce against my temple. I raised my hand just enough to release a weak psychic pulse, stopping it, and then adjusting the hand to catch when I released it from my hold.
I heard another voice cut through my thoughts. The very idea of someone piercing my mind in my state made me tense, but the voice and its owner were not threatening. " I suppose it would kill you not to use your powers for once. "
My retort came quickly. " I may die a little inside, yes. " And I smirked knowing that it would cause him to do the same. I didn't need my powers to know that. Just call it a feeling.
A short walk brought me through a patch of bushes that were thankfully not thorny, and close to where the voice came from. Lucario stood in the shadow of an ancient willow tree. Seeing the cores and remains of eaten fruits and berries around his feet was a relieving sign, but I wouldn't know if they were his until I moved closer.
The fighter was my fighter regardless of what mother thought. The thought of that female at a time like this must have made a pulse of anger that triggered the fighter's senses. I didn't even notice until he looked up to me with concern. " Are you feeling all right? " I knew that he already knew the answer to that, given his abilities and all, but he was never one to be so direct.
There were times that just knowing, just feeling, weren't enough, however. At that moment a significant realization came over me. Though it had been a little over a week since we've fallen for each other, there was one important thing that neither of us said. Not aloud, in any case, and it was beginning to bother me.
You do not love someone after you mate them.
Her words burned, and I felt my eyes twitch in an outward expression of that pain. I looked back towards him while taking in a deep breath. Should I even tell him? He'd probably think I'm crazy. " ... do you love me? " I fully expected the confused look that he gave me in return. " I can only think that you do unless I hear it. I want to know that you're staying with me because you want to, that you're not being forced. "
Even if he just said it once I wanted to hear him say it.
I felt a thick paw against the side of my face. It caressed the spot and then slid down my cheek to the back of my neck to pull me downward, into his lips, while he let his telekinesis do the speaking for him. " I must admit that I was wary at first, but these last few weeks I come to accept you. You are not my superior as Master Aaron and Lady Lin was, and you are not beneath my like so many others. You are my equal. "
Our lips parted but our eyes remained focused. " ... and I love you. "
That was all I needed to know.
That was all that mattered.
The warmth I had come to embrace whenever I thought of him flowed through my veins. I suppressed for too long; the primal urge that first lead to this union was becoming overwhelming. My blood came together to pool at a very intimate place on my body. The flesh beneath my white fur became hot to the touch. I felt my conscious thoughts fleeing again as it did many times this past week. Each and every time we were interrupted before we can even before, but I would not allow it this time.
Only the sharp cry that Lucario released when his back slammed against the trunk of the tree brought me back to reality. I pinned him in my lust, but his resistant struggles stopped when he found a more comfortable position. His arms slid around my shoulders to hook behind my neck to provide a bit of support. It was times like these that I had to consider the height difference. The fighter was hanging from my neck until I corrected the problem.
He cried out again though this time the sound was more subdued. I grabbed him, taking a piece of his rear in both of my paws while lifting him up a little more to plant kisses along his neck. He sat comfortably against my pelvis, and my actions were rewarded when he brought his head back to expose his neck. My tender kisses were becoming more savage with each one I trailed down his neck. It ended with a bite that made him jump, but this time he did not cry out. The sound he made ... It was different than any one he had heard from him before; a mixture between a howl and a groan.
I wanted to hear it again.
I shifted my position when I felt a strange sensation rolling across my belly; something that wasn't there before. I leaned away just enough to take a look for myself. It seemed that I was not the only one physically affected by our actions; the fighter had grown aroused and let it show through the distinctive bump forming. My sensible thoughts and rationality plummeted soon after as more devious thoughts began to dominate my mind. I knew that this was not the best place to explore the possibility inwardly, especially after my confrontation with mother but I could not wait any longer. I'm sure my lover can't, either.
" What are you ... " The fighters attempts to make a statement were in vain. I reduced what little else he had to say to incoherent shuddering when I brushed against the bump in his pants; first with my torso and then with my cheek. It lived; I could feel it pulse even through the thick covering the separated me from them. The origin of the clothing he wore was a fleeting thought in my mind, and one that was quickly replaced with the conclusion that said clothing was preventing me from going any further.
It'd take nothing more than careful maneuvering to solve this little problem. Switching duties between pulling at them with a hand, balancing him against the tree, and tugging at the front with my teeth would soon be rewarded. I didn't want or need to take them all completely. I just needed enough to see what I had to work with. The fur covering the lower half of his body was completely black with the exception of his tail, an accurate assumption I made based on his bare legs. This included his member; which slid free of it's sheath the moment the bump was exposed to the air. Lucario seemed especially relieved at that judging by the heavy sigh he gave.
Now I was entering shady territory. I hesitated as uncertainty on what to do from there surfaced. The memories of what happened once we reached this point the first time were nonexistent. I just had no recollection. Lucario's breath became short even though I did nothing. The anticipation must have been killing him. I could feel his eyes bearing down on me soon after. " ... touch me. " His voice barely registered. " ... it hurts ... "
Touch what though? I didn't get the chance to ask before I found my head being pushed down towards his tip. In my surprise I turned my head which lead my cheek down its length to the base. Lucario was the one who pushed me down with his paws, but missed, and judging by the heavy breath he released soon afterwards he was not too happy about it. The last thing I wanted was for him to be unhappy.
Though hesitant I had to at least try to relieve his pain. The heat of the throbbing flesh against my cheek forced me to turn my head into it slightly, my lips brushing up against the side of his length. It was accidental, but his sharp reaction was encouraging. Maybe ... I pushed against his paws so I could lean away from him just enough to reposition myself, and went in for the kill ...
" WAIT! " Lucario's scream scared the Pokémon in the surrounding area. Needless to say that our once private act was not so private anymore. I could sense at least half a dozen little eyes fixed on our position. My mind was in too much of a daze to read their thoughts even if I cared their opinion. Not that it mattered. I found something to preoccupy myself with in the meantime.
My fighter ... My lover ... tasted a little sweet ...
The grip he had on my shoulders tightened. I'd be surprised if he didn't break the skin soon at this rate. " Mewtwo - " In my right mind I would had known that something was wrong at this point. Lucario never called me by my name until now. " Hold ... " I could feel his muscles tensing against me as I continued to lick, his body shuddering. " I ... " His hips bucked against my mouth, forcing the swollen tip of his member into my mouth. This time I took it. " ... ah ... mm ... " Whatever protest Lucario had against my actions ceased at that moment.
I should have known ...
This was new territory for both of us, and the first time this has happened between us in a conscious state. Experimentation was nothing that I wasn't used to already, having been born in a laboratory and all. The difference was that the experience here was pleasurable for both parties involved. It took a minute or two for the 'rhythm' to be found; a thing that I'd only read about in the logs of that breeder prior. Two breeding Pokémon could reach the end result faster if they found this 'rhythm' together, resulting in a more successful experience. Lucario's hips pulled back until only the tip remained past my lips, and then came forward again while I leaned down into him. The first few were agonizingly slow for both of us, which I used to my advantage so I could taste that black flesh again.
Minutes passed, and our pacing and confidence increased gradually. Above all it seemed that I was able to satisfy the 'beast' that had made me unable to remember our first encounter like this. Instinct was not the main driving force behind our actions now. It was love, and I knew that much. The beast was suppressed so I could preform within my own boundaries, and hopefully remember this experience. The hazy cloud that encompassed my mind began to clear as I felt something strange against my tongue. My mind fully registered that Lucario had cried out again, but the salty taste against my tongue was new. The drops that had formed were gone with a brush of the tongue, but the aftertaste made me wonder what it could have been to begin with -
" Ah-Mewtwo! " His telepathic waves screeched at me this time with enough urgency to cause my sensible thoughts to leave me once again. I could feel his paws try to push me, but I did not know why until it was too late.
Something ... Attacked me from behind. The feeling against my back and shoulders sent a cold chill down my spine. It's constitution and feeling were exactly the same as a material that barely registered in my memories. I remembered ... being covered in this gel-like substance just moments after I was 'born' in that laboratory. This felt eerily like it.
Within a fraction of a second this red substance covered my entire torso, pulling me away from Lucario and towards the ground. Instinct told me to use my psychic powers to get free. I could see the blue aura surrounding my hands for a few seconds, then I felt a strange tingling in my body before it faded. Impossible! This gel, whatever it might have been, was suppressing my powers better than anything I had ever experienced before.
Lucario tried to stop me from being engulfed in the gel completely. He reached out to snatch my right hand despite the cold shudders that left his body in a weakened state. My fighter pulled with the strength that he had left, and managed to pull my body partway out of the substance before I noticed a familiar steel plated monster sliding into place behind him. I tried to warn him with my telepathy, but my voice failed me. It must have been this gel suppressing that power again.
Click. Click. Click. Two hands came down to pin Lucario's arms against his side before lifting him away from me. Lucario yelped, and began to fight back immediately though his body had no hopes of overpowering the titan in its weakened state. The steel plated monster quickly grew tired of my fighter trying to resist, and send an electric shock through his body in hopes of sedating him.
I could do nothing to help him ...
And he could do nothing to help me ...
The red gel had encased the majority of my body. My arms and legs were sucked in seconds after the steel titan grabbed Lucario. I could not feel them anymore, at least. I imagined that my head would be next since I found myself sinking fast into the gel, and it sinking fast into the ground in turn. The last thing I saw before fading into darkness was a little pink Pokemon floating about the two steel Pokemon's heads.
Damn her ...
Damn her to He - ...
Chapter 06: My Punishment
What happened to me ...
... and where am I now?
This place I found myself in gave me the same odd feeling as the gel that attacked me earlier. It was a place where nothing existed except for myself and a void of dark purple in all directions, like the night sky without any stars. Though there was no visible source of light I could see my own body perfectly. I was quite relieved that whatever that was did not harm me. That meant that I would be close to full strength when I got out of this place -
" No one leaves the Heart. Not in the way that you're thinking, anyway. "
The voice came so sudden from behind me; I did not sense it approaching. I turned in reflex to face a Pidgeot that appeared to be from ancient times. Pokémon from the past were considerably larger than their modern day descendants. It was huge by today's standards, and had a strange air about it. " Who are you, and what are you talking about? "
For a moment the Pidgeot looked surprised that I spoke at all, but it regained its composure. " I am a friend of a friend of yours. So long ago, during the war, the enemy Pokémon called me Thunder-Hawk because my gusts were strong enough to create the illusion of thunder rolling across the plains of the battlefield. " Then the bird chuckled. " Such powers are useless here, thus I am a common Pidgeot. "
" Lucario ... " The Pokémon may have spoke in riddles, but his name was the first that came to my mind with that description. Along with it came a flood of thoughts and memories that sent me into a panic. " I have to get back! Mother's ... " I flinched when I spoke her name. " Mew is going to - "
" Mother Mew will not harm Lucario. " The Pidgeot interrupted me with a certainty. " It would be foolish for her to bring harm to the only lifeline she has left in this region. This still must be a proud day for her; she'd been hunting for a Lucario since ancient times ... "
The airy way he spoke those words intrigued me more than what he said. " What are you talking about? "
Thunder-Hawk flapped his large wings to start up into the air. Though he flapped no wind was created in this empty void, just the illusion that the bird took off to circle around my head like a vulture. It was unsettling ... " This place, this tree, the legend that surrounds it's origins ... All lies. Deceptive tales thought up by a clever Pokémon! " The bird laughed madly. " No Pokémon is eternal, and yet the same Mew from my time lives within yours. No Pokémon is that long lived. Not naturally, anyway. "
The bird turned his wings upward to do a loop. " Mother Mew deciphered the power of the wave, the life force of this world, and figured out how she could use that energy to her advantage. Mother Mew lacks the ability to easily tap into and draw wave energy for herself so she depended on the longevity of the Wave Guiding legend to bring forth more Wave Guiders, and the naivety of the Pokémon she 'protected'. " Thunder-Hawk's words made me tense. It was all beginning to make sense ... " A Wave Guider who mastered their abilities will never fall prey to Mother Mew's ploy, but thus far no one has come close. As a result it is every Wave Guider's fate to come to an untimely end 'saving' Mother Mew from impending death. To make the legend go on and on ... "
" So ... " I asked my question just as Thunder-Hawk became swooping down to come to face with me. " Mew is using the waves of other living things to extend her own life? "
Thunder-Hawk slowed to a slow hover right in front of me. " That is correct. " He spread his wings wide. " Every Pokémon within the Tree of Origin will eventually be taken here to pay for 'crimes' committed within this society, but in reality be consumed by the tree itself, and every Wave Guider born will be lured to this Tree so they can give their lives for Mother Mew's longevity. "
" ... disgusting. " Hearing all that I had and forming my own conclusions, it was all that could be said about the Pokémon I once thought of as a mother. Today I feel shame in knowing that I spawned from the DNA on that monster. I too was a monster once upon a time, but I was a monster who accepted my mortality and the reality that came behind it. I grew to accept that one day I too will die, but today will not be that day.
This place, or the Pokémon in front of me, must have had the ability to sense the thoughts echoing through my mind. Thunder-Hawk blinked awkwardly before turning around completely. " Come. I will show you if you do not believe escaping is futile. " Thunder-Hawk flew and I followed fast as my telekinesis would take me.
The flight through the void seemed endless. It was a rare occurrence, but I felt as though I'd reached the point where I could fly no farther when I saw green light in the distance. Curiosity gave me the second wind I needed to finish the flight. The collection of green light that seemed endless upon the horizon revealed itself to be a collection of smaller green lights that were in turn bubbles floating endlessly through this open space. It was not until we were right upon the collection of orbs that I saw the significance in them. My stomach churned in disbelief.
Inside of those orbs were Pokémon. Hundreds upon hundreds of Pokémon of different species floating helplessly through this void of space. Judging by the way their bodies moved within the prisons and the expression on their faces they had entered a state of unconsciousness, or possibly become comatose. I came across an Aipom with pain etched in its features; eyes tightly shut with a grimace across the snout. The unfortunate Pokémon was obviously in a lot of pain, but when I went to touch it my hand was repelled by a pulse of strange energy.
" You cannot help these Pokémon where they are now. " Thunder-Hawk's words barely registered with this new shock. " They have reached the final stages of Mother Mew's divine punishment. " The energy that radiated from the Aipom's orb grew more intense. " Watch ... "
Aipom whimpered pitifully when the light of the bubble surrounding her grew more intense. It's breathing accelerated in a way that I knew all too well. I made an attempt to penetrate its mind to read its thoughts, but regretted it immediately afterwards. The long tailed Pokémon was screaming, calling out for help, and though I instinctively tried to pull at the barrier again with my powers I could do nothing but produce a shower of green sparks on the surface. Inner screams became outer ones in and instant, and though the Pokémon's pained dying screams could wake the dead none of the others in surrounding orbs appeared to respond. The screams became more intense as its body trembled. I myself had to back away from the noise. Against my better judgement I could not look away from the scene laid out before me.
I wish I did. The flesh of the helpless Pokémon inside began to rip away moments before the Pokémon's body erupted in a show of white and green light. It seemed the bubble that surrounded Apiom prevented the explosion from reaching beyond the small quarters. I could see it all; things that I did not thing I would ever see in relation to a Pokémon. It was a sickening sight, but the contents of the bubble simply faded away as if they never existed. I ... faintly knew about that fate. Pokémon do not leave behind physical bodies when they die. Every fiber of their being is broken down into pure wave energy and reabsorbed into the earth to be reborn again, leaving no waste.
... Or so I thought.
For a long moment I remained frozen from the sight that I just endured. I did not properly react until I felt a small item flow down one of my cheeks, tickling the fur and irritating me to the point that I had to wipe it away with my paw. Looking down, I noticed that the fur on my hand had become wet. The rest was self explanatory. " I will not die this way! " There was no mistaking that. I turned to face Thunder-Hawk again with renewed anger. " And I will not let anyone else die this way! "
Thunder-Hawk looked towards me with a frown forming. " There is nothing you can do ... "
" That may be. " I gathered the psychic power that I had in my body. It would be foolish to let it all go in one blow, but that one blow may be all that I needed to escape from this Hell. " ... but anything is better than just floating around waiting for death! "
It seemed that even here Mew choose to spite me. As I formed together the energy for my attack I felt another pulse of energy sweep through the area. At first I thought it was Mew come to claim another from her reserves, but this time the orb of energy formed around my body. The instant it took shape there I found myself paralyzed; my body locked into place by a force I could not control. The energy radiating from the orb around me sent my fur on end and created an uncomfortable tingling feeling that annoyed me to no end.
This could not be the end ...
I will not let her have her twisted way with me!
This anger that accumulated made it easier for me to release my psychic energy, and harder to remember the consequences of my actions with the deceased Aipom's orb before. The instant that energy hit the barrier around me it was sent back in wave so intense my body tensed instinctively to soften the blow. I had expected it to stop within a few seconds. It did not only continue, but the intensity of the energy rapidly grew stronger to the point where my mind and vision was blurred with nothing but the pain that it caused. I was still not accustomed to handling pain; and it was once in a blue moon that I felt so much at once.
In that vital moment I had lost all hope ...
I had actually given into my despair ...
I actually believed that my death was imminent ...
I threw my head back and released a scream.
To Be Continued...