{"sf1_id":291890,"sf2_id":"5nzYx5Em","title":"A Trainer's Tale - Chapter 18","author":"FoxStriker25","words":7868,"posted_at":"2011-10-02T02:09:00.000Z","tags":["Flygon","Human","Luxray","Pokemon","Weavile","houndoom","milotic"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/291890-a-trainer-s-tale-chapter-18","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/5nzYx5Em","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/81/ae/81ae1962-644f-4a70-a118-9977206aca4d","description":"#18 of A Trainer's Tale","content":"Author's Notes: _And.... we're back!\u0026nbsp; So yeah, part two of two now.\u0026nbsp; No more woolgathering past this.\u0026nbsp; Hopefully, anyway.\u0026nbsp; I don't intend to fluff up anymore.\u0026nbsp; There's enough to explain without taking entire chapters to do so.\u0026nbsp; Thanks for your patience.\u0026nbsp; Another shout-out to BrimconSako again, for his support / aid in correcting and proof-reading.\u0026nbsp; Really appreciate it._\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n**Disclaimer: Pokémon is copyright of Nintendo, Game Freak, etc.\u0026nbsp; Individual characters are my own imaginening, and are not intended to be any part of main cannon / plotline.\u0026nbsp; Individual characters like Aaron, Song, Zin, etc, are my own creations, so please ask before using.\u0026nbsp; Thank you.**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nChapter 18 - ...stays in Jubilife...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThree days have passed already.\u0026nbsp; I can almost feel how everyone was excited to get on the move again.\u0026nbsp; And we still had to wait?\u0026nbsp; Arceus, the wait was going to get someone killed at this rate.\u0026nbsp; Everyone seemed to be restless, either be Pokémon or human.\u0026nbsp; It was beginning to get to me, too.\u0026nbsp; We all parted ways in the morning, agreeing to meet the near a burger shop around noon to get lunch.\u0026nbsp; Everyone was still asleep within their Pokéballs, except Weavile.\u0026nbsp; She's taking a liking to riding on top of people's heads.\u0026nbsp; Mine seemed to be current target.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI was actually still hanging out at the front of the center.\u0026nbsp; The papers from the breeder's bureau came in late yesterday, and I was taking the time to go through them now.\u0026nbsp; The folder was filled with copies of paperwork that I've signed, with official seals and whatnot.\u0026nbsp; Nothing that really caught my attention, but was determined to read again anyway.\u0026nbsp; At the very least, I could assimilate it over the flight again.\u0026nbsp; Jonathan said it would be a few days flight, making stops along the various islands in between Sinnoh and Johto.\u0026nbsp; I was not looking forward to being cramped inside an airtight flying can for days on end.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAfter shifting through the official documents, I found Weavile's file.\u0026nbsp; I was surprised to find that it consisted of two pages, briefly describing that she was 'donated' to the research facility.\u0026nbsp; I could already sympathize with Dan and his aggravation with those types of people.\u0026nbsp; Physical description, height, weight, fur color.\u0026nbsp; It seemed to me like a page full of specific statistics.\u0026nbsp; I pulled the two pages up, revealing a stack of papers that were bound together.\u0026nbsp; Assuming that they were part of my own paperwork, I began reading.\u0026nbsp; They weren't.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThey were Weavile's incident reports.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe first few were simple reports of misbehaving.\u0026nbsp; Basically a slap on the wrist, have a good day.\u0026nbsp; They progressed more to vandalism and stolen items.\u0026nbsp; She broke the cameras that were placed inside her area more than fifty times before they stopped.\u0026nbsp; Sedation was needed when she was to be inspected by a medical team.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAnd then came the attacks.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nIsolated cases began to happen with the research staff.\u0026nbsp; Apparently, someone got their finger sliced off by picking her up.\u0026nbsp; That was the first violent incident, while there were still cameras in her area.\u0026nbsp; The more they replaced them, the more often there was some kind of 'accident'.\u0026nbsp; They ranged more mundane cases to severe.\u0026nbsp; The bottom of the scale was represented by refusal of cooperation, being hostile to caretakers and other Pokémon, and being grouchy.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nIt literally just said grouchy as a reason for reprimanding.\u0026nbsp; Who wrote this crap?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe opposite side of that spectrum was the more violent cases.\u0026nbsp; From the severed finger, there were three more cases of similar nature.\u0026nbsp; Two other victims had permanent retinal damage, one of the victims missing an eyeball.\u0026nbsp; More incidents followed those, going down the scale of being just physical damage but not removing limbs or appendages.\u0026nbsp; Someone almost lost an ear, but they managed to get to the hospital in time before permanent damage was done.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI could feel Weavile stretching for a moment on top of my scalp, before relaxing again.\u0026nbsp; A healthy dose of fear surged through me.\u0026nbsp; What in the world did I sign myself into?\u0026nbsp; Was I just manipulated by her?\u0026nbsp; Was what I saw all a front for me to adopt her?\u0026nbsp; She's a smart Pokémon, that's for sure.\u0026nbsp; I don't think Dan would outright omit anything, even at my insistence.\u0026nbsp; If he thought my life was in danger, he would have said something, wouldn't he?\u0026nbsp; He didn't strike me as a person that would just let someone die, especially if he knew what her records.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nA shiver went up my spine, the words echoing deep in me.\u0026nbsp; _I don't care what her records say_.\u0026nbsp; I said that.\u0026nbsp; It was true, as well.\u0026nbsp; While this information was frightening and surprising, it didn't change the fact that what I saw was a Pokémon that needed _someone_ in her life.\u0026nbsp; She didn't want to be pampered, not necessarily, but treated like every other Pokémon out there.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAt least, that's what it seems like. \u0026nbsp;I wasn't treating her any different than I treat anyone else.\u0026nbsp; Sure, I was being cautious due to not knowing her on a personal level, but I did my best to present that I was amiable.\u0026nbsp; Oh, and willing to play along if needed.\u0026nbsp; She did seem to take a snowball to the face rather well, after all.\u0026nbsp; It didn't lead to me being gouged open.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI slowly raised a hand and gently pressed it against the sleeping Pokémon on top of my head.\u0026nbsp; She stirred for a moment, my head feeling like it was being massaged as she purred contently.\u0026nbsp; I bugged her for a little longer, feeling her stretch out.\u0026nbsp; Her feet were on my shoulders, and her face entered my peripheral vision.\u0026nbsp; Her eyes widened at the papers that were in my hands.\u0026nbsp; I placed the papers down and held her against me.\u0026nbsp; Her claws clenched against my skin, but she quickly calmed down.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWith my free hand, I placed the papers back inside the folder and closed it.\u0026nbsp; I grabbed hold of Weavile and held her against my chest.\u0026nbsp; She wasn't crying, but her body was shivering.\u0026nbsp; I found it surprising that an ice type was shivering.\u0026nbsp; It was obviously not due to temperature.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You're not going anywhere,\" I said softly.\u0026nbsp; \"Not unless you want to.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAt that, her eyes peering into mine.\u0026nbsp; I could tell that someone hurt her before.\u0026nbsp; Probably with those same words, too.  \n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I don't want you to think that just because I've seen this changes how I think of you.\" I said with a shrug.\u0026nbsp; \"Maybe we have a few things we'll have to work through, but we'll work on it when we get there.\u0026nbsp; I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to do.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe raised an eyebrow at me, as if daring her to prove her right.\u0026nbsp; I grinned.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I might have to get Xola to tell you a few stories of what's happened in the past,\" I said with a chuckle.\u0026nbsp; \"I think you'll be able to appreciate them.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nFrom having a cynical stance, her head was tilted to the side.\u0026nbsp; I took it as a sign of curiosity.\u0026nbsp; I tend to do the same.\u0026nbsp; \"Let me give you the quick version of it.\" I said, rubbing her cheeks softly.\u0026nbsp; \"When I first met Xola, Nurse Joy told me that she liked a good prank.\u0026nbsp; So, I figured if I managed to get her from a blind spot, I would be able to push her into the pool.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"At this time, I didn't know she was blind on her right side.\u0026nbsp; I approached her from that angle unknowingly.\u0026nbsp; Well, being blind isn't really a hindrance to her, as she managed to wrap her tail around my ankle, fling me over her head and straight into the water.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Just to let you know, I'm a horrible swimmer.\u0026nbsp; Xola quickly dove after me when I didn't break the surface, pulling me up and letting me get my breath.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI took a moment to collect my thoughts.\u0026nbsp; I still remember that day clearly.\u0026nbsp; It was almost surreal.\u0026nbsp; A grin played across my face when Weavile tapped my chest.\u0026nbsp; A look of annoyance flashed across her face when I stopped.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You want me to continue?\" I asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Weavile!\" she exclaimed, nodding frantically.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'll let her finish the story for you.\" I said enigmatically.\u0026nbsp; At her outcry, she started bouncing her claws on my chest, chanting in her language all the while.\u0026nbsp; It wasn't painful, as she was using the sides and not the sharp ends.\u0026nbsp; I chuckled gently, wrapping my hands around her and lifting her up.\u0026nbsp; Placing her on my shoulders, she continued to bounce her claws on my head.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You're like a kid when you don't get what you want, huh?\" I asked lightly.\u0026nbsp; My hair was pulled in response.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"If you keep doing that, I'm not buying you extra treats like I promised yesterday,\" I said sternly.\u0026nbsp; I felt her climb over my head, her body resting on top of my head as her face dropped down in front of my vision.\u0026nbsp; Laughter escaped me, when I saw the hurt look on her features.\u0026nbsp; She lost her balance, sliding forward but I quickly caught her before she hit the table.\u0026nbsp; Her eyes stared at me, giving me the feeling that she didn't appreciate the joke.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI smiled down at her, and her gaze warmed up a little.\u0026nbsp; She returned my smile, a warm feeling passing over me.\u0026nbsp; My pocket began to vibrate suddenly.\u0026nbsp; I balanced Weavile in one hand, digging my hand in the offending pocket with the other.\u0026nbsp; My Pokédex was the culprit, and opening it up revealed why.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Huh.\" I said.\u0026nbsp; \"Who set up the alarm?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nA tap on my chest brought my attention to Weavile again.\u0026nbsp; She avoided looking at me, but raised a clawed hand in the air.\u0026nbsp; I smiled, nodding.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Thank you for the reminder.\" I said, smiling.\u0026nbsp; \"Let's go put these papers away, and we'll head over to the restaurant.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI placed Weavile once more on my shoulders, her claws securing her in place.\u0026nbsp; I grabbed the folder and stood up, stretching to start blood flow again.\u0026nbsp; Nurse Joy gave me a cheery greeting and I waved back with a smile.\u0026nbsp; I ducked into our room and threw the folder on my bed unceremoniously.\u0026nbsp; We headed back, Weavile making a show as we walked back outside.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You're a bit of a show-off, aren't you?\" I asked, looking up in a vain attempt to look at Weavile.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe tapped my head softly.\u0026nbsp; I looked forward, to just barely avoid walking into a chair.\u0026nbsp; A sigh escaped my lips, relief running through me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Thanks.\" I said, smiling.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWe walked in silence, a few idle thoughts running through my mind.\u0026nbsp; I wondered if she would like to have a more personal name.\u0026nbsp; Did she have one before?\u0026nbsp; None of her documentation mentioned her being named.\u0026nbsp; Though, perhaps whoever abandoned her didn't deem it necessary when you're only leaving someone behind that you don't care about.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nOK, Aaron, stop it with the negative.\u0026nbsp; Jeez, I'm going to turn pessimistic very soon.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hey, Weavile, do you have a name?\" I asked as I continued walking.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHer claws gripped my hair almost painfully, but stopped short of causing harm.\u0026nbsp; I waited for a moment, hoping for some kind of response.\u0026nbsp; Nothing came after a while, and I shrugged.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"It's alright, you know.\u0026nbsp; I can give you one now, since I'm officially your trainer and all.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI didn't get a response.\u0026nbsp; Maybe she was waiting for me to being suggesting names?\u0026nbsp; A few thoughts ran through my head, names from stories that I've read as I kid.\u0026nbsp; The thoughts distracted me as I walked towards my destination.\u0026nbsp; Weavile prodded in directions, as my vision tunneled, being focused on something more pressing than watching for steel poles that would ruin my day.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI stopped suddenly, getting a verbal reprimand from Weavile.\u0026nbsp; I grabbed her, pulling her from my shoulders and holding her in front of me.\u0026nbsp; She looked a big frustrated that she was removed from her comfortable perch.\u0026nbsp; The sight made me chuckle slightly, and it only made her squirm in my grasp.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"How does Aurora sound to you?\" I asked hopefully.\u0026nbsp; \"If you don't like it, that's OK.\u0026nbsp; I can think of something else.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe shook her head rapidly side to side, before looking up at me with a smile.\u0026nbsp; She nodded quickly, arms swinging and legs kicking wildly in the air before I hugged her gently against me.\u0026nbsp; She purred happily for a moment, just relaxing as we stood still for a moment.\u0026nbsp; A few people were standing around me, giving me weird looks.\u0026nbsp; I looked down to see Aurora having a frightened expression on her face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI leered at the nearest person.\u0026nbsp; A trainer, I think, judging by the bird Pokémon on his shoulder.\u0026nbsp; \"Do you have a problem?\" I asked loudly, making everyone go off in their perspective directions.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI sighed, lifting up Aurora and placing her on my shoulders again.\u0026nbsp; \"You'll never have to worry about that again.\" I said sternly.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll do my best to always protect you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n========================////////////////////=======================\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"And this guy has the balls to tell me that his Ditto, of all things, managed to beat Lance at his own game!\" Joy said, continuing her story.\u0026nbsp; \"I mean, come on!\u0026nbsp; You mean to tell me that some shmuck's Ditto is going to beat the Dragon Master's best Pokémon?\u0026nbsp; I almost broke a rib laughing so hard.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"No kidding.\" Jonathan said, taking a drink from his soda.\u0026nbsp; \"I thought the Elite Four didn't do challenges outside official tournaments?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"That's my point!\" Joy exclaimed, laughing all the while.\u0026nbsp; \"How the fuck did this asshole challenge _Lance_.\u0026nbsp; It wasn't like the guy was his brother, or Lance owes him a debt or something.\u0026nbsp; He didn't look anything alike, and I've met Lance before.\u0026nbsp; He's a good guy.\u0026nbsp; A bit stuffy, but yeah.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI stayed quiet, not knowing how to contribute to the conversation.\u0026nbsp; My knowledge of the Elite Four came from magazines, newspaper articles, and tournament broadcasts.\u0026nbsp; In all of those times, I think Lance has been mentioned only a good handful of times.\u0026nbsp; Not many people reach him, and when they do, they get decimated.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWe were sitting on a picnic table, outside of a take out place.\u0026nbsp; Something about tofu burgers.\u0026nbsp; Better than cooking your own dinner for a few weeks, that's for sure.\u0026nbsp; Jonathan decided to cover our bill today, with the excuse that I'll be cooking when we're out camping again.\u0026nbsp; I took it with as much grace as I could.\u0026nbsp; I didn't have that much money left in my account.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"If the story is true, though, it's good to hear that he gets out more often.\" Jonathan said with a shrug.\u0026nbsp; \"Johto and Kanto Rangers rarely see him, and he's the leader of the Elite Four for both areas.\u0026nbsp; You'd think he'd be a bit more public.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Maybe he doesn't want the fame to follow him everywhere?\" I said cautiously.\u0026nbsp; \"I mean, I wouldn't want cameras following my every move, either.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nJonathan chuckled, giving me a shrug.\u0026nbsp; \"He has a Dragonite,\" he said.\u0026nbsp; \"It's not like it's hard for him to take a vacation, though.\u0026nbsp; Not that many people collect all the badges and work through the three others before Lance.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI shrugged.\u0026nbsp; \"Maybe there's something more to it that we don't know about.\" I said, frowning in thought.\u0026nbsp; \"Unless he really likes it there.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I doubt it,\" Joy said with a dismissive wave.\u0026nbsp; \"You haven't been to Indigo Plateau.\u0026nbsp; That place is full of reporters just trying to get an interview with any of the challengers or the Elite Four.\u0026nbsp; No, I think he'd appreciate a vacation.\u0026nbsp; Any of them, for that matter.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Isn't Koga one of the Elite Four?\" Jonathan asked suddenly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"That old fart?\u0026nbsp; I thought he retired years ago.\u0026nbsp; I got no idea, though.\" Joy answered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI shrugged.\u0026nbsp; \"The only channels I ever got while growing up where covering the Sinnoh league challengers.\u0026nbsp; I don't know anything about the other regions.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nJonathan shrugged, before his eyes brightened again.\u0026nbsp; \"What about Cynthia?\" he asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What about her?\" I responded, confused.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHis expression changed to being serious.\u0026nbsp; \"What is she like?\u0026nbsp; Is it true that she has a Spiritomb?\u0026nbsp; Does her Lucario really know Earthquake?\u0026nbsp; What about her Garchomp?\u0026nbsp; And what abou-\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Holy Arceus!\" I exclaimed.\u0026nbsp; \"Slow down!\u0026nbsp; One question at a time Jonathan.\u0026nbsp; Yeah, she really has a Spiritomb.\u0026nbsp; It's a really nasty one, too.\u0026nbsp; She barely uses it in any of the matches that I've seen her in.\u0026nbsp; It tends to knock-out entire teams on its own.\u0026nbsp; I don't know about her Lucario, though.\u0026nbsp; I've only seen it fight once, and it kinda kicked the daylights out of a Machamp.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Her Garchomp?\u0026nbsp; I didn't even know she even had one.\u0026nbsp; I've never seen it in battle, and I don't remember it being mentioned in any interview she's done.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Has she ever been defeated?\" Joy asked.\u0026nbsp; \"She sounds too good to be true.\u0026nbsp; Even Lance has been beaten before.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'm sure she has,\" I said with a shrug.\u0026nbsp; \"Not while I've kept up with her, though.\u0026nbsp; Some have come close, I think, but they all lose eventually.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Doesn't she fight in one of those arenas that the battlefield changes?\" Jonathan asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah, she does, usually.\" I answered, nodding.\u0026nbsp; \"I've seen her fight in a regular arena before, but she prefers the shifting arenas.\u0026nbsp; She admits she has an easier time there.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Easier?\" Joy echoed.\u0026nbsp; \"She's the Sinnoh champion!\u0026nbsp; She doesn't get to have it easy!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Go talk to the league about that.\" I said, chuckling.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sure that they'd love to hear it.\u0026nbsp; It isn't that they don't get complaints of trainers all the time.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah no.\" she said, glaring at me.\u0026nbsp; \"I've heard enough horror stories about Victory Road to give me nightmares for the rest of my life.\u0026nbsp; No thanks.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI grabbed a handful of her fries and stuffed them in my mouth before she could react.\u0026nbsp; Her eyes glared daggers at me, as she returned the action.\u0026nbsp; Except that she grabbed the rest of my fries and began to eat them just as quickly.\u0026nbsp; I shrugged.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I like the burgers anyway.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"This fake meat stuff?\" she asked.\u0026nbsp; \"Here, you can have mine.\u0026nbsp; I'm not hungry anymore.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Awesome!\" I said, before taking a bite out of the offered burger.\u0026nbsp; Swallowing the bite I took, I grinned at her.\u0026nbsp; She looked revolted at me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"At least wipe your mouth after taking a bite of that stuff.\" she said, passing me a napkin.\u0026nbsp; I nodded at her, taking it and wiping my mouth quickly.\u0026nbsp; I grabbed my soda and took a drink, feeling satisfied for the moment.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"So, learn anything from that paperwork?\" Jonathan asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"A few things.\" I admitted.\u0026nbsp; \"Mostly things that Joy covered during our time studying, so it wasn't really new.\u0026nbsp; The surprises came when I read through Aurora's file.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Aurora?\" Joy asked.\u0026nbsp; \"You named your Weavile Aurora?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What's wrong with that?\" I retorted.\u0026nbsp; \"She liked the name when I suggested it to her.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe shook her head.\u0026nbsp; \"Nothing.\u0026nbsp; You must have watched a lot of kid movies growing up, huh?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I only watched that movie twice, for your information.\" I said, rolling my eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"Anyway, yeah.\u0026nbsp; I wasn't expecting her to have such a violent history.\u0026nbsp; It just took me by surprise.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Violent?\" Jonathan asked.\u0026nbsp; \"What do you mean?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"She gouged someone's eyeball out with her claws.\" I offered.\u0026nbsp; Both of them winced.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Shit!\" Joy exclaimed.\u0026nbsp; \"Wasn't expecting that one.\u0026nbsp; And while we're eating, too?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well, Jonathan wanted to know, so now he knows.\" I said with a shrug.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I thought you just meant not cooperating.\" Jonathan said, frowning.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Nope.\u0026nbsp; I thought so, too, until I started to see the damage she could and would do to a person she didn't like.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBoth of their faces paled in color slightly.\u0026nbsp; They looked at each other, and back to me.\u0026nbsp; Jonathan pushed his burger in my direction.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'm not hungry anymore, either.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Savage!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n======================//////////////////////////======================\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThough we managed to snag some tickets for this Catch-Em show, it was purely luck on our part.\u0026nbsp; The three that had them won them in some Trainer ID drawing, but they already bought tickets for the show.\u0026nbsp; They walked up to us and asked if we were interested.\u0026nbsp; Joy didn't even let us say a word in the conversation, grabbing the tickets from their hands and thanking them profusely.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThey also told us that it would be Pokétech Company building.\u0026nbsp; It was more of a charity drive or something like that, rather than a big concert.\u0026nbsp; But considering that this was supposed to be some world famous band that I've never heard of, the streets were going to be packed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWe headed straight for the general area, ignoring the insistent noise that came from Joy's mouth.\u0026nbsp; She kept singing to herself something that sounded suspiciously like \"I want to be...\" before trailing off.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"So, how much do you want to bet I'm going to fall asleep standing up?\" I asked Jonathan.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Not before I do.\" he said, laughing.\u0026nbsp; \"This is going to be a boring evening.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI looked over to Joy, making sure that she was ignoring us in her little world.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm tempted to sell my ticket, dude.\" I whispered.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't want to be here at all.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Tell that to her when she finds out.\" Jonathan said grimly.\u0026nbsp; A shiver ran down my spine at the possible ramifications.\u0026nbsp; None of them were pretty.\u0026nbsp; I sighed in defeat.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'm not going to enjoy this.\" I stated with finality.\u0026nbsp; \"This sounds like the most horrible excuse for anything.\u0026nbsp; In what mind does a twelve year old band suddenly start making tours?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"How do you know it's an old band?\" he asked suspiciously.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI jabbed a thumb at Joy's direction.\u0026nbsp; \"Dude, she talks in her sleep.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHe raised an eyebrow at me.\u0026nbsp; \"And what in the world are you doing up while everyone else is asleep?\" he asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Nothing that you need to know.\" I said with a shrug.\u0026nbsp; \"And definitely NOT what you're thinking, either!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHe grinned at me, probably enjoying the fact that he was making me squirm.\u0026nbsp; \"Really now?\" he asked lightly, before shaking his head.\u0026nbsp; \"And here I thought you were being modest.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Shut it, before I send Zin after you while you sleep.\" I warned.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Watch me quiver in fear.\" he said in a mocking tone, laughing.\u0026nbsp; We turned a corner, doing my best to ignore Joy's singing as we saw the stage that the band was preforming on.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nTo say that it was huge was an understatement.\u0026nbsp; The Pokétech company was flanked by two apartment buildings, and the stage reached each buildings side.\u0026nbsp; People looked like they were working on last minute preparations.\u0026nbsp; Lights were being worked on, cables being run across the stage and being secured.\u0026nbsp; Microphones were being checked and double checked for quality.\u0026nbsp; I was honestly surprised, and from the look on his face, Jonathan was, too.  \n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Gotta catch em all!\" Joy finished, flourishing her arms outwards.\u0026nbsp; She looked surprised at our amazed faces.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I know I'm a great singer guys, but I'm not that great.\" she said with a blush.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n=====================/////////////////////////////======================\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nJonathan and myself sat near the back of the crowd of rabid women that frothed in front of us.\u0026nbsp; It was dangerous territory of such magnitude that I wasn't willing to follow Joy.\u0026nbsp; No matter how many times she tried to bribe me with tofu burgers.\u0026nbsp; Was it that difficult to comprehend that I favored my life over a burger?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nJonathan was with me, at least.\u0026nbsp; He didn't buy into the bribe, either.\u0026nbsp; One of the security guys felt bad for us and handed us a few fold out chairs.\u0026nbsp; We were grateful at the gesture, thanking him.\u0026nbsp; He waved it aside, saying he was just doing his job.\u0026nbsp; He said that the show would be finishing up 'soon' before he walked away.\u0026nbsp; I pulled out my Pokédex, checking the time.\u0026nbsp; It was seven at night.\u0026nbsp; We've been here for at least four hours.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'll never understand women.\" I muttered.\u0026nbsp; Baast snickered at my side.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"_Is the little human confused and frustrated_?\" she asked, rubbing her paws over my shoulders.\u0026nbsp; I suppressed the shiver that wanted to shake me off the chair.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Baast, stop it.\" Jonathan said, sighing in frustration.\u0026nbsp; \"This is the fifth time you've brought this up tonight.\u0026nbsp; Since when did you like to tease humans?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"_Ever since he said he was into Pokémon_.\" she replied easily.\u0026nbsp; \"_I can't help but find it rather fascinating_.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nToo much damn information.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't think Jonathan would approve.\" I pointed out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe laughed again, resting her muzzle against my cheek.\u0026nbsp; \"_And what about you_?\" she asked.\u0026nbsp; \"_Do you not approve_?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nOK, bad thoughts go away!\u0026nbsp; \"John?\u0026nbsp; A little help here, please?\" I pleaded.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"No way.\u0026nbsp; This is the most entertainment I've had all day.\u0026nbsp; You're getting the shit end of the stick, kid.\u0026nbsp; I changed my mind.\u0026nbsp; Baast, please continue.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nJeez, thanks a lot.\u0026nbsp; Not only did I have to put up with an amorous Houndoom, but a Lucario as well?\u0026nbsp; What in Arceus have I gotten myself into?\u0026nbsp; I just hope that Baast is just playing around because she's bored.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI looked up at the stage, seeing the ridiculously dressed singer.\u0026nbsp; A black shirt was covered partly with a blue and white jacket.\u0026nbsp; Blue jeans with a red hat worn backwards completed the look.\u0026nbsp; What really topped it all off was the fact that he had what looked like a Pikachu plush doll on top of his head.\u0026nbsp; I knew it was a plush doll because it didn't fall off his head with all the head banging he did.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI idly wondered how attached must be the hat to his skull.\u0026nbsp; The thought of brain damage was there when they had to pull the thing off with all the glue they used to make sure it didn't move during the show.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"So, how's Aurora?\" Jonathan asked.\u0026nbsp; I looked over to see him grinning at me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI shrugged.\u0026nbsp; \"She's been fine.\" I said stiffly, trying to get away from Baast.\u0026nbsp; \"Will you please tell her to leave me alone?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I told you no.\u0026nbsp; You're my source of amusement in all this.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI sighed.\u0026nbsp; \"Appreciate it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"No problem.\u0026nbsp; Also, I've noticed that Zin is being... how do I put this mildly... frisky lately.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nMy palms covered my face.\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, it's a work in progress.\" I said vaguely.\u0026nbsp; \"Not something I'm comfortable explaining out loud in public.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Performance anxiety?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Huh?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You heard me.\" he said, grinning.\u0026nbsp; \"Are you afraid that you won't be able to do the act if she presses hard enough?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Wait, no!\u0026nbsp; That's not it.\" I said, feeling my cheeks grow warm.\u0026nbsp; \"No, I'm afraid that she'll do it at any point, regardless of where we are.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"That makes more sense.\" Jonathan said, nodding.\u0026nbsp; \"Baast, any tips?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"_You should satisfy her before we leave, because I don't want to have an aroused female that will end up waking me up in the middle of the night_.\" she said, poking my back with a finger.\u0026nbsp; \"_Also, you probably need it just as much as her, too._\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\"Look, that's all well and good, but are you serious?\" I asked, doing my best to ignore the constant singing in the background.\u0026nbsp; \"Where would we do it?\u0026nbsp; It's not like I can go rent a room in this city.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What if you convince Joy to let you inside one of the private recovery rooms?\" Jonathan asked, smirking.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sure that nothing will happen.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"That sounds like the worst idea I've ever heard.\" I said, frowning.\u0026nbsp; \"I can imagine at least five things that can go wrong with that plan, and I'm pretty sure that there will be more things that will go wrong.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What's the worse that could happen?\" he asked, giving me a shrug.\u0026nbsp; I stared at him in response.\u0026nbsp; \"Good point.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Thought so.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Excuse me, gentlemen, but is this young lady an acquaintance?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI turned around to face the voice, noticing it was the same security guy that handed us the chairs.\u0026nbsp; He was holding Joy in a firm grip, as she struggled in vain to get away.\u0026nbsp; She had this fanatical gleam in her eyes, reminding me of Zin's fanatical sex drive.\u0026nbsp; A bit of fear ran through me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah, is she in trouble?\" I asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Not if she leaves right now.\" he said with a shrug.\u0026nbsp; \"She was trying to climb up to the stage and grab the singers hat off his head.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI nodded, not needing any more reasons to stay.\u0026nbsp; \"We'll make sure she gets to her room safely.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Thank you.\" he said, before letting go of Joy and walking away.\u0026nbsp; She turned around, the mad glimmer still prominent in her gaze.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'll be right back!\" she said quickly, before ducking back towards the stage crowd.\u0026nbsp; For a moment, I was worried, but then I remembered that this is Joy.\u0026nbsp; Just as she said, she was back within a minute or two of her leaving, with a plush Pikachu in her hands.\u0026nbsp; I didn't even want to ask where she got it, but I got a sneaking suspicion where it came from.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI looked over at the stage, the main singer looking confused for a moment.\u0026nbsp; He reached up to his hat, and screamed like a girl when his Pikachu doll wasn't attached to his hat.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe realization of what Joy must have done hit me like a pile of bricks to the face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Run!\"\n\n=====================///////////////////////======================\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nZin and Akalia accompanied me today.\u0026nbsp; The others wanted to relax some more, but these two had a insatiable curiosity.\u0026nbsp; Zin wanted to walk around some more, and Akalia hasn't had an opportunity to stretch her legs in a long time.\u0026nbsp; Aurora was with me, as well, attached to my shoulders and snoozing the morning away.\u0026nbsp; The park itself was rather empty, the sunlight barely lighting the area around us.\u0026nbsp; It felt like I was walking across some lost forest in the middle of nowhere.\u0026nbsp; The buildings above the trees where the only thing that broke the illusion.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Why do you put up with her?\" Zin asked, pointing with her tail at me.\u0026nbsp; \"If that was me, I'm pretty sure you would throw me off.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI smiled down at her.\u0026nbsp; \"No, I wouldn't, and you know it.\u0026nbsp; Don't be jealous.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'm not!\" she exclaimed, turning around and growling at me.\u0026nbsp; I raised an eyebrow, curious at this display.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm not jealous!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Zin, are you alright?\" I asked, my concern growing for her.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe shook her head.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't like how she didn't earn her spot.\" she fumed vehemently.\u0026nbsp; \"All she did was act like a spoiled brat and you fell for it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI sighed, frowning at the hate being flung in my general direction.\u0026nbsp; \"It isn't like any of the others did something for you to earn their spot with me, either.\" I pointed out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAkalia growled at me for a moment.\u0026nbsp; \"I should make myself clearer,\" I said, clearing my throat.\u0026nbsp; \"I haven't done anything to gain your trust.\u0026nbsp; At least, I don't think I have.\u0026nbsp; I've only been myself.\u0026nbsp; It's always been your choice to come with me or not.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThat seemed to calm them both down somewhat.\u0026nbsp; Zin, however, wasn't fully convinced.\u0026nbsp; \"So, you mean that it's all a lie?\u0026nbsp; That what you feel isn't real?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You mean about us?\" I asked.\u0026nbsp; At her nod, I shook my head.\u0026nbsp; \"No, I care about you, just as much as I care about Akalia, Song, Xola, Spirit, Mist, and now Deoxys and Aurora.\u0026nbsp; I can't do any less.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Sit down.\" she commanded.\u0026nbsp; I frowned, but complied at her request.\u0026nbsp; She glared at me, as I felt the heat coming from her body.\u0026nbsp; I was also keenly aware of the cold that began to clash with my body temperature.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Weavile!\" Aurora said angrily.\u0026nbsp; Zin stared up at her, flames beginning to lick across her muzzle.\u0026nbsp; I decided to intervene before the situation escalated beyond my control.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Enough!\" I shouted, drawing everyone's attention.\u0026nbsp; \"We're supposed to be a team, damn it!\u0026nbsp; We're supposed to trust each other, and at least give each other a chance to prove ourselves.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Maybe that's where I'm wrong.\u0026nbsp; Is it the whole breeder's license?\u0026nbsp; Is that what's bothering everyone?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAkalia nodded immediately, with Zin following the Luxray's example soon after.\u0026nbsp; I sighed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I did it only to increase our chances,\" I explained.\u0026nbsp; \"It isn't like I'm going to go changing how I am because of being a 'breeder' now.\u0026nbsp; I actually don't like that term.\u0026nbsp; I'm not going to do anything that none of you approve.\u0026nbsp; It would be wrong of me to do so.\u0026nbsp; Akalia, I'm surprised that you thought I would force you to do something that you dislike so much.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe glared at my words.\u0026nbsp; \"OK, except giving you medicine.\u0026nbsp; Do you still hate me for that?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe proceeded to look a bit uncomfortable at my words.\u0026nbsp; I frowned.\u0026nbsp; \"I apologize.\u0026nbsp; I really didn't mean it that way.\" I said, extending my hand over to her.\u0026nbsp; She hesitated for a moment, before approaching me and letting me pet her fur.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI looked back at Zin, who was still glaring at me.\u0026nbsp; \"I meant what I said to you a few days ago, Zin.\" I said, looking straight at her.\u0026nbsp; \"I love you, but with that I need to protect you all.\u0026nbsp; It isn't that you are weak or anything like that.\u0026nbsp; It's my responsibility, as your caretaker, to do so.\u0026nbsp; If I didn't do everything in my power to do so, I've failed.\u0026nbsp; Not only to you, but to everyone else, including myself.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I promised mom and dad that, no matter what happened, I'd keep my Pokémon safe.\u0026nbsp; I swore to myself that I'd fulfill that simple promise.\u0026nbsp; To do anything for my Pokémon within reason, to always be there for them, for better or worse.\u0026nbsp; I made the offer to Mist before, and I offer it to you as well.\u0026nbsp; If you don't want to be here, I'm not going to stop you.\u0026nbsp; It's your life, and I cannot and WILL not make you choose against your own wishes.\u0026nbsp; Does that make any sense?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI could feel their eyes on me.\u0026nbsp; I sighed, feeling like I've lost any shred of respect I had with them.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry if I don't make any sense.\" I said, sighing.\u0026nbsp; \"I can't imagine that anyone would understand my train of thought.\u0026nbsp; But you trusted me before this.\u0026nbsp; Have I not shown that I've been worthy of that trust?\u0026nbsp; I've given you both something that only two others share.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Master...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI shook my head.\u0026nbsp; \"Please, don't apologize, Zin.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe stared at me blankly, confusion showing clear as day.\u0026nbsp; A chuckle escaped me, as I shook my head.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Because it isn't needed.\" I explained.\u0026nbsp; \"I... think I understand what you meant.\u0026nbsp; I didn't communicate my intentions.\u0026nbsp; That's my fault, not yours.\u0026nbsp; But now that everything is explained, do you forgive me?\u0026nbsp; And to Akalia and Aurora, do you forgive me as well?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBoth Akalia and Zin nodded, before they walked forward and leaned their heads against my sides.\u0026nbsp; Akalia was satisfied with resting her head on my lap, while Zin demanded my attention.\u0026nbsp; I smiled, feeling a bit drained from the experience I just went through.\u0026nbsp; She licked my hand gently, drawing my attention to her.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I know you said not to apologize, but I want to, anyway.\" she said softly.\u0026nbsp; \"I know I should trust you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I haven't been making myself clear,\" I rebutted.\u0026nbsp; \"It's only natural that you feel betrayed.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"But you're my mate!\u0026nbsp; I shouldn't think like this.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Not when I haven't been fulfilling that duty, either.\" I reminded her.\u0026nbsp; She blinked up at me, before giving a barking laugh.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You promised me that you would do it.\" she said with finality.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll hold you to those words.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI nodded, relief washing over me.\u0026nbsp; I may not have been able to clear all the animosity between Zin, Akalia, and Aurora, but at least they're willing to trust me in my stance.\u0026nbsp; Now, all I had to do is trust myself.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nNo pressure, right?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nZin spoke again.\u0026nbsp; \"Just to let you know, I don't want you mating with her.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Wait what?\" I asked, perplexed at her command.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"With Aurora.\" she clarified.\u0026nbsp; \"Not until she's proven herself.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Zin, contrary to popular belief, I don't _need_ to have sex at all hours of the day.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"A strong male needs strong mates.\" she stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.\u0026nbsp; \"As your alpha female, it is my duty.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Zin, no.\u0026nbsp; Please, don't say what I think you're saying.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What?\" she asked with an exaggerated tone.\u0026nbsp; \"Don't tell me you've been ignoring Xola and Spirit, too?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I've been trying to think of a way to broach the subject with them.\" I answered truthfully.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Don't make me do it for you.\" she warned, biting at my pants.\u0026nbsp; \"I will, too, and you know it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"In all honesty, I don't think Spirit sees me as a possible candidate.\" I said truthfully.\u0026nbsp; \"After seeing what she's been through, I think I know why, too.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What do you mean?\" Zin asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"It's not my place to say.\u0026nbsp; Trust me when I say it isn't pretty.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe frowned at that, but nodded.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll accept that answer.\u0026nbsp; For now.\u0026nbsp; But what about Xola?\u0026nbsp; Are you going to tell me that you don't feel attracted to that sexy body?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Jeez, Zin, not everyone is a sex addict.\" I said, exasperated.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"She totally has the hots for you.\u0026nbsp; Just saying.\" she said with a shrug.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAkalia batted my leg, taking my attention from the Houndoom.\u0026nbsp; The Luxray was nodding feverently.\u0026nbsp; A tap on my head made me look upwards, to see Aurora give me a curious look.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I think I'm going to be sick.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well, before you do, I want to learn how to dance.\" Zin stated.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Huh?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah, like those human women that dance with nothing on with those poles!\u0026nbsp; I saw them in one of those magazines you have in your backpack.\u0026nbsp; Don't tell me you like that kind of stuff.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe level of embarrassment couldn't get any worse.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I bet when Song comes back, she'll want to get a bit of loving from you, too.\" Zin continued.\u0026nbsp; \"Oh!\u0026nbsp; Maybe we can work on some kind of routine for you!\u0026nbsp; That would be AMAZING!\u0026nbsp; Oh, Arceus, you HAVE to teach me how to stand on my hind legs.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nScratch that.\u0026nbsp; Apparently, there is a new low past 'bottom of the barrel'.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Zin, how in the world do you know about... that stuff?\" I asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Like I said, I dove into your backpack.\" she said.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't usually sleep at night, because I'm too damn horny to sleep.\u0026nbsp; So, I look at your magazines.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nYeah, new low.\u0026nbsp; Having my Pokémon go through my stash.\u0026nbsp; Not all that happy about that.\u0026nbsp; Though now it makes sense where she keeps getting all these ideas.\u0026nbsp; Not to mention her language.\u0026nbsp; Not that she had a need for such colorful words before.\u0026nbsp; But now she had all the blackmail she could ever want and more.\u0026nbsp; In a few words, I was screwed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Just... don't proclaim it all to the heavens, alright?\" I begged, feeling a tad pathetic.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Just hold up your end of the bargain, and we'll call it even.\" she declared, nodding.\u0026nbsp; I sighed in relief.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, and talk to Xola.\u0026nbsp; Offer it to her.\u0026nbsp; Do something.\" Zin demanded.\u0026nbsp; \"She's been patient, but I really don't want to see her get desperate.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nA sigh escaped me.\u0026nbsp; \"I will.\u0026nbsp; Can I go home now?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"NO!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n=====================////////////////////======================\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nXola, Mist and Spirit accompanied me to the park this morning.\u0026nbsp; Two more days and we'll be flying over to Johto.\u0026nbsp; I don't know why flying in a machine frightened me more than flying with Spirit.\u0026nbsp; Probably because I wouldn't be having any control over what would be happening.\u0026nbsp; Also, I think I would be missing the wind blowing in my face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEven though I rehearsed what I wanted to tell them last night, my voice shook.\u0026nbsp; Mist cut me off after I started choking on my own words.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You do not need to say any more, Master.\" she said simply.\u0026nbsp; \"We spoke of this when I brought it up to their attention.\u0026nbsp; If you even suggest or imply that you will release us, Xola will constrict you until you see the error of your judgement.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI looked over to Xola, who's coils were shifting menacingly at the ghost's prompt.\u0026nbsp; I nodded, and my Milotic visibly relaxed.\u0026nbsp; She wrapped around me instead, somehow dragging me along with slowing her pace as she stopped under a tree.\u0026nbsp; Mist and Spirit joined us soon, the Mismagius with an unreadable expression.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You have something else on your mind, Master,\" she said, smiling gently.\u0026nbsp; \"Something regarding Zin.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHow much did she know?\u0026nbsp; I frowned, trying to think of the proper way to address the situation.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What did you two discuss?\" I asked Mist.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, just a few things that you mentioned yesterday.\" she said with an enigmatic smile.\u0026nbsp; \"I am here to make sure you do as you promised to her yesterday.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI'm being conspired by every female around me.\u0026nbsp; Oh Arceus, what have I done?!\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nConcentrating on the task at hand, I looked over at Spirit first, seeing she was easier to address than Xola.\u0026nbsp; \"Spirit, I want to know how you feel about me.\u0026nbsp; I mean to say, how do you feel about us?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe looked startled for a moment, before shaking her head gently side to side.\u0026nbsp; She began to talk in her language.\u0026nbsp; I paid attention, trying to understand from tone of voice and body language.\u0026nbsp; Mist filled in the details.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"She doesn't want to be what Zin is to you.\" Mist clarified.\u0026nbsp; \"She sees you as a child.\u0026nbsp; Not just any child, but hers.\u0026nbsp; She mentioned something about what you saw, but I do not understand what she means by that.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI nodded, relief washing over me.\u0026nbsp; \"I understand, Spirit.\" I said with a smile.\u0026nbsp; \"That's fine, too.\u0026nbsp; I don't mind at all. \u0026nbsp;I just hope you don't expect me to call you mom, though.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe giggled at that, nodding at me with a smile on her face.\u0026nbsp; The coils around me tightened gently, grabbing my attention.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"And what about me?\" Xola asked, her lips wrapping around my left ear.\u0026nbsp; I shuddered in her grasp, writhing uselessly against her scales.\u0026nbsp; She kept the pleasant torture for a moment, until Mist coughed politely.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Try not to rape Master against his will.\" Mist said bluntly.\u0026nbsp; \"It will probably not aid your cause.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nXola giggled lightly, relenting her grip momentarily.\u0026nbsp; It allowed me some breathing room, letting me move my hands but I wasn't allowed to stand on my own.\u0026nbsp; I turned around, trying to get Xola's face within vision but failing.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Any particular reason why you're not letting me move?\" I asked her.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe shook her head.\u0026nbsp; \"That day at the pool, it was the closest I've been allowed to be with you in a long time.\u0026nbsp; I... I want to feel like that again more.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Feel like that?\" I echoed, confused by her words.\u0026nbsp; \"Why didn't you say you wanted to be closer?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I didn't want to be in the way of the others.\" she whispered.\u0026nbsp; \"I wanted to be closer to you, but I was afraid of what they would say.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI looked around, making sure that we were alone.\u0026nbsp; Satisfied, I turned back to her.\u0026nbsp; \"Xola, I was raped by a Houndoom, my body given away to a Luxray, used as a conduit for Song, and aided Mist with... whatever was going through her head.\u0026nbsp; I would think we could have talked it over by now.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I was aiding Spirit.\" Mist said quietly.\u0026nbsp; Spirit quickly batted the Mismagius to be quiet.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I don't know how to go about this with you, so please forgive me if I get things wrong.\" I said, tilting my head curiously.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm not sure about Milotic mating rituals, if there are any.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You don't apply to many of them.\" she told me bluntly.\u0026nbsp; \"Though, it'll be interesting when things get more personal.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You're not in season, are you?\" I asked, fear creeping into my voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe shook her head, smiling gently.\u0026nbsp; \"No, not yet.\" she said, relieving me of my fears.\u0026nbsp; \"I would tell you when that happens.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Please don't surprise me with the information.\" I pleaded.\u0026nbsp; \"I would like to have time to... study!\u0026nbsp; Yes, study.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"On what?\" Mist asked skeptically.\u0026nbsp; \"It is not like female anatomy is that different from species to species.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nA blush crept up on my face.\u0026nbsp; \"Let's just say I'd like to be more prepared and leave it at that.\u0026nbsp; Please?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBoth Spirit and Xola giggled at my plea, with Mist shaking her head.\u0026nbsp; My Flygon approached me, my Milotic releasing me from her coils only to be wrapped gently in Spirit's embrace.\u0026nbsp; I could feel Xola rest her head on my shoulder, with Mist chuckling softly to herself.\u0026nbsp; The sun was beginning to warm our surroundings, and a sudden surge of relief hit me again.\u0026nbsp; Just like with Zin and Akalia, I was making amends with my friends.\u0026nbsp; I needed them, just as much as they needed me, apparently.\u0026nbsp; Hopefully now, outside of Sinnoh law, we could be more open about each others feelings.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI certainly hoped so.\u0026nbsp; Everyone is trying to make this work, and I can't fail them.\u0026nbsp; But with my friends at my side, I'm sure that everything will turn out alright.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"A Trainer\\'s Tale","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/290793-a-trainer-s-tale-chapter-17.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/294374-a-trainer-s-tale-chapter-19.json"}}