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Fox: Like I've said before, schooling has taken a lot of time from my writing. It was never my intention to have this waiting for two whole months, but here we are nontheless. We'll figure something out so we aren't waiting this long for the next installment.

Brimcon: "We apologize for any inconvenience for the delay, we now return you to your regularly scheduled... Wait.. Am I reading this right?... Oh god.. PokèPorn!? Who wrote this script!?"

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Chapter 27: Waltz

Iolanthe pressed her face against mine, her tentacles holding my sides and arms in place. As much as I wanted to hold her, it was out of my possibility at the moment. She seemed to want the lead in our encounter, and my words would probably have little impact. Angering her was the last thing on my mind. The hold on my arms slowly receded, allowing me some sort of movement. Her tentacles encircled my palm, allowing my fingers to hold on to them. My lips were finally allowed to part from her face, letting me take a deep breath to fill my lungs.

Her eyes widened momentarily before I shook my head slightly. She seemed to calm down, the grip on my body not relenting. The hold on my mind felt gentle but ever present. It was a comfortable feeling that I felt, even if there was a slightly awkward feeling of being naked. My memory failed me if this was the first time being like this in front of Io. Her face, while always welcome to see, didn't give me a sense of what she was feeling. Worse, I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Really Master, trust yourself."

Arceus! Mist was still inside of me? I closed my eyes, but only the ghost's laughter filled the silence inside my mind. Io's eyes widened, and only my hands prevented her from flying away.

"Iolanthe, you should let Master know what you like." Mist said out loud. "Encourage him. Gently, of course."

Io's eyes widened at the suggestion, but it didn't look like she was going to bolt away. She nodded, closing her eyes for a moment. A sudden poking sensation startled me, stopping as quickly as it came. Mist's laughter made me think that the mischievous ghost was up to something.

Iolanthe shook her head. "Will you allow me to connect to you?" she asked.

Her voice sounded timid to my ears. Was she afraid of my refusal? I tightened my grip around her tentacles in my hands, nodding my consent. A wave of feelings that weren't my own bombarded me instantly. Bundles of emotions and thoughts were the first to come unbidden. It was hard to stay focused on the here and now when what looked like stars flew by my vision.

The visions subsided but they were replaced by Io's worried eyes. I smiled at her, shaking my head. She was still unconvinced, her tentacles leaving my hands and touching my face. Her tentacles were exploring my face as she peered into my eyes. It was like as if Spirit was here instead of Iolanthe. I didn't expect her to act like this. Satisfied that everything was alright, she visibly relaxed only to stiffen as soon as Mist began to laugh again.

My hands were on Iolanthe instantly, touching her cheeks and instantly getting her attention. Her eyes widened for a moment before relaxing again. A tentacle reached to my face, stroking my cheek as I did to her. It was good to feel her relax again, and hopefully Mist will stop teasing Io. Thankfully the ghost didn't laugh out loud, which helped keep us both calm. My body stiffened as I felt Iolanthe's touch at my waist and legs. She stopped instantly, her eyes looking straight into mine. For a moment, we both looked into each others eyes before she continued.

It was a hesitant touch, as if asking my permission to continue. I brought her face to mine, my lips pressing against her skin. This seemed to embolden Iolanthe, her tentacle exploring my body. My body shivered as her touch tickled but stopping instantly as she reached my crotch. Her exploration continued slowly, encircling my aroused manhood. A moan escaped my lips unconsciously, but it didn't stop Io's ministrations on me. Her tentacle would stroke up and down, gently squeezing near the top on occasion.

It was interesting to feel her shiver as much as I was, if not more so. Did the link she asked about let her feel what I felt? If that was the case, I don't think that she was ready for what would end up happening. Not that stopping her was in my thought process. While one of my hands stayed on her cheek, I moved the other one to trace the side of her face. Slowly my roaming fingers made their way to her chest. Her touch stopped instantly as my fingers explored one of her breasts. I instantly stopped myself, looking at Io to confirm if she was ready. It was the slightest of nods from her that allowed me to continue.

It was odd to know that she was a he not that long ago. I sure hope that Iolanthe has any idea what she is getting herself into. My fingers gently kneaded with her breasts, gauging her reactions. A soft moan echoed in my ears, her body shivering in response. Her eyes closed instantly, stopping her attentions on me for a moment. I wasn't that disappointed though, enjoying seeing her experiencing this firsthand.

Iolanthe straightened, sitting on my legs. My eyes roamed downwards slowly, taking in her body in a whole new light. Her tentacles instantly flew to her body, her body shivering against mine. I smiled at her, gently moving my hands over her tentacles and body. She still shivered, but wasn't moving away from me. My fingers glided over her skin, following her tentacles to her shoulders. Io shivered, her skin flexing under my fingers.

"Master?" she whispered.

I stopped everything I was doing, awaiting her question. When she didn't continue, my fingers continued to roam around her body. Her body shivered lightly again, reaching to her chest. The jewel centered on her chest began to glow softly. A soft blue glow came at first, growing brighter as my fingers touched it. I hesitated to put any pressure on it, since it was a mystery to me if it was a sensitive area. My eyes met Iolanthe's, hers glowing in the same hue as the gem.

As my fingers passed over the gem, it pulsed brightly. A soft moan echoed in my ears as I moved my hands back up to it. More curious than ever before, I touched around the gem to see what would stimulate her the most. Iolanthe closed her eyes immediately, the glow brightening and another moan rang in my ears. Was the area that sensitive? I didn't want to injure her by applying too much pressure, so my touches were as gentle as possible. Her legs pressed against my body suddenly, tensing suddenly and grasping my arms. Both tentacles intertwined with my hands, her grip tightening to the point of making me wince in pain. She began to shiver again, her grip leaving my hands. My fingers wrapped around her tentacles, holding Iolanthe in place when she tried to get away.

I shook my head, frowning slightly as we looked at each other. Her eyes looked like she was feeling panic. Iolanthe shook her head, struggling against me to leave. Again I shook my head, waiting for her to calm down. It was slightly amusing to see her in a panic. My smile seemed to slowly calm her down, her struggling coming to a stop.

"Does it feel good, Io?" I asked.

She looked at me, blinking a few times. Io hesitantly nodded before averting her eyes. Her tentacles wrapped around my arms, squeezing gently this time.

"I am afraid of harming you." she said.

"That doesn't answer my question."

The tentacles tightened again as she nodded. "Yes, it felt good."

"So the gem is sensitive?"

"No one has touched me like you have before." she answered. "And yes, my... chest area... feels sensitive to your touch."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. As long as my touch was cautious, it would make her feel good. Something wet was on my thighs, and it sure didn't feel like sweat. I sat up with Io's help, her tentacles wrapping around my back as well. A knowing smile was on me when we were face to face. Iolanthe averted her eyes again. It was a bit difficult to tell if she was embarrassed or not. She turned to me slowly, her body raising from my hips slowly. The tentacle on my left slid down in between our bodies, touching my shaft for a moment. Before I could say anything, she pressed her face against mine. With my lips busy, she proceeded to impale herself on me. My entire body seized up due to how tight she was. It was almost to the point of pain, but just enough that it wasn't. It was an odd feeling, but one that I didn't mind.

Her body was tense, her tunnel squeezing me in rapid succession. I gasped, feeling her tentacles wrap around me immediately afterwards. Iolanthe's legs wrapped around my waist, her body shaking against mine. The gem in her chest glowed brightly, her body twitching against my own. Worry instantly flooded my thoughts, afraid that she harmed herself. She would technically be a virgin, right? She shook her head, her tentacles reaching to my head and holding me still. My gaze met hers as Iolanthe shook her head.

"No, it... it didn't hurt, Master." she said softly. "Please... give me... me a moment to adjust."

I nodded, her eyes glowing noticeably brighter, even with the light of the room. The jewel on her chest glowed with the same intensity, if not brighter. My hands wrapped around her body as we held each other. Her tentacles stroked the back of my head softly as my hands explored her back. Iolanthe slowly pushed my head against her breast. The gem felt warm against my cheek, though not enough to cause discomfort. For a moment, Io began to move by raising her hips. It stopped quickly, a gasp echoing inside my head as she held still.

I moved, leaning backwards and dragging Iolanthe with me. Her body tightened, both around my member and my body. I turned my face to the gem, planting a kiss against the smooth surface. She twitched suddenly, squirming against my grasp while making all her inner muscles contract. A moan escaped my own lips as she did so. I bit my lower lip, trying my best to divert my brain from being overwhelmed by what my nerves were sending to it. It seemed that Io's body was calming down, in the sense that she wasn't twitching randomly. She leaned to my right, making the both of us tumble to our sides. Succeeding with that, we continued to turn to allow me to be above her. Her eyes widened before relaxing her grasp on me. This allowed me to lift myself on my knees and grasp her hips. She gave me the slightest of nods before before I slowly began to pull out.

She squirmed suddenly, her tentacles lashing out to me. As soon as they grabbed me, I thrust my hips sharply forward. The gem on her chest sparkled brightly, causing me see stars for a moment. Iolanthe's tentacles still grasped me, but not as tightly as before. The glow of the jewel on her chest was replaced by her eyes. Her voice echoed in my ears.

"More!" she exclaimed loudly.

I obliged, grinning as my pace stayed the same. Another set of tentacles grasped at me, followed by another. Her touch kept exploring my back, with two others resting on the back of my neck. My next thrust was faster than the first two, a high pitch sound echoing in my mind and in my ears. Looking down at her in worry, Iolanthe shook her head furiously at my hesitation. Silently, the look of her eyes told me that she was alright. Still I kept control of my pace, not wanting to overwhelm her too fast.

Io's grip against my body tightened. Her glare refused to soften. Not until she got what she wanted from me. I smiled, beginning to thrust again. A soft moan echoed in my hearing, though it was hard to pinpoint if it was through my ears or inside my mind. Her muscles contracted around my dick, making me moan in pleasure. While I kept my pace as even as possible, her body was the opposite, changing her reactions to my touches or thrusts constantly. Her breasts would sway with every thrust, the motion hypnotizing whatever sane part of my mind was left to become possessed to swing into her.

My grip tightened on her hips alongside her own. The tentacles wrapped around my body tightened suddenly, pulling me down on top of her. My hips did little to stop their motions as pleasure seeped into every part of my body. Goosebumps went up and down my spine. While Io closed her eyes, the jewel on her chest continuing to shine brightly. The jewel glowed as if the light that came from her eyes was put inside her gem. A surge of pleasure washed this concern away as I moaned loudly.

My actions sped up more, my body becoming more in tune with the need that we both shared. Her tentacles tightened around my body, her legs wrapping around my waist and squeezing tightly. Though limiting the movement that I could provide, it didn't ease my thrusting into her. Shivers went down my back, though if it was due to pleasure or cold was beyond me. Iolanthe's tentacles held me tightly against her as her body shivered. With a loud moan that sounded like a scream, she began to twist and turn. Her muscles convulsed rapidly, warm liquid squirting out of our joining. My own body responded to hers, fingers grasping her skin as whatever self control I had slowly slipped away. The orgasm that rocked me made me numb. It was almost painful in its intensity. Io's muscles wouldn't stop milking me for everything that I would provide. Her hips met mine halfheartedly, her tentacles almost cutting what little air that reached my lungs.

I slumped forward, resting on top of Iolanthe. She didn't voice any discomfort, her tentacles slowly stroking my body. While exhaustion was present, I think it would be possible to be roused if need be. After a moment, Mist's laughter echoed inside my mind.

"It seems that you've preformed admirably again, Master." she teased. "My hope is that she enjoyed it as much as you did."

I could feel my cheeks warm up from hearing her words. "I would like to think that she enjoyed herself, Mist." I whispered. "It's my hope that you enjoyed yourself, as well."

Before Mist could formulate a response, Iolanthe slowly opened her eyes. They were still glowing, just like her gem, but the glow was slowly dimming. She shook her head against mine. Io's voice fluttered into my ears before she stopped herself. Her head shook one more time before her voice could be heard.

"I truly enjoyed that, Master." she said softly. "It was... a new experience."

The events of the day were beginning to pile on me. Exhaustion clearly winning the battle, my eyes almost closed on their own. Io wrapped me in her tentacles, pinning my body to hers. Even without the glow coming from the jewel, a warm sensation flooded my chest. My head rested against hers, one of her tentacles rubbing through my hair. Sleep came quickly to me, though my heart was still pounding in my chest. A soft melody echoed in my mind. I wanted to ask if either Mist or Io was behind it, but my mind refused to cooperate any more. The last thing that I could make out was Mist giggling in the back of my mind as sleep took me.

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It was only by the grace of Arceus that we weren't bothered during, or after, our lovemaking. My body was being held tightly by Iolanthe, but I managed to escape her grasp to use the restroom. Managing to salvage my toothbrush from somewhere inside my bag, I did what my body needed to do in order to keep going through the day. Looking at myself in the mirror, my hair was a mess. There were red marks along my neck, and my left shoulder looked like it has a large bruise. My mind couldn't remember when it was that Iolanthe became so aggressive.

The reflection that looked back at me from the bathroom mirror wasn't the one I was used to. Mom and Dad wouldn't be all that proud of me if they heard of what happens between me and my Pokémon. Ashamed would probably be the least of their worries. The news paper guys practically live next door to home. And now with all these news people following my every waking step, the threat became all too real. My parents didn't need to suffer or pay for what I did, that's for sure. Misty's reaction to the reporter injuring her sister came to mind. Could I do that? Should I do that? Probably more important, would I be able to do it?

I shook my head, my hair moving around with the movement. Grabbing the toothbrush, my hands opened the faucet and did what needed to be done. I did my best to force the thoughts out of my head for the moment. They would only increase the worry that started to surface for no reason. I'll just not let that happen.

My hands went to grab my Pokédex in my pockets. Sadly, I was still without any clothes on my lower half of my body. Sighing and shaking my head, my fingers turned off the light, I opened the door, and went back to the room. As soon as I was through the door, Iolanthe's tentacles were around me. She held me against her body tightly, her tentacles squirming along my arms and chest. At first a bout of surprise startled me, but it quickly passed as I relaxed against her. Iolanthe laughed gently, guiding me back to the bed. My world was still a blur of darkness and shadows, but my back was suddenly on the bed with Io's comfortable weight on my chest. Her light touch was on my cheek, her eyes and face barely visible in the darkness. My lips were pressed against her skin suddenly as my hands held her body against mine. She pulled away from my lips as a feeling of contentment swept through my mind.

"Io, are you happy?" I asked. A need possessed me to confirm that feeling in her.

Her laughter echoed in my ears again, her cheek touching mine as she tightened her hold on my body. She didn't respond immediately, the only sound was my heartbeat and breathing.

"I want you to come up with that answer yourself." she said.

Her hold on me tightened slowly. Not enough to be uncomfortable, but enough that I wouldn't be going anywhere without her consent. There wasn't enough light for me to see anything. The outline of her face was the most that my vision allowed. She didn't seem to be angry or upset. If anything, she seems to be more at ease around me.

"Maybe a more appropriate question is if your questions have been answered." I said.

"Perhaps." she answered enigmatically. "I feel that there is more to this than just being in physical contact whenever we are aroused."

I wanted to laugh, but my body still felt exhausted. Iolanthe's laughter made me smile. "It is still early in the morning. The sun hasn't risen yet."

"At least let me wear some pants." I pleaded.

"You will be fine. I highly doubt that anyone will come in here without my knowing."

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Morning came with the familiar buzzing of my alarm from somewhere nearby. My eyes were wide open, but my mind was still slowly awakening to the fact. How did that alarm stay activated? I was sure that I turned it off every time. Dwelling on it right now wasn't going to give me the answer. Iolanthe was quick to rise and grab my Pokédex, quickly turning the offending sound off.

"There has to be a different sound in that machine, Master." Iolanthe said, moving the offending piece of technology to my face. "I do not wish to hear it so early in the morning."

I nodded, trying my best to hide the smile that wanted to form on my lips. Making sure that the alarm was really turned off this time, my attention turned back to Io. She was still on top of me, almost like she was refusing to rise with the alarm. If it was due to being woken up before her preferred time or something else, I wasn't sure. Fortunately, Iolanthe was amiable enough to let me sit up and get dressed. If it was the usual morning time, we should be well enough to be moving around today. I'm not one-hundred percent sure about this whole Cerulean Cave business, but we can go there when we're ready for that.

Still didn't fully understand why Misty was so keen on fighting me either. Oh well. Other than the due she had with Agatha.

With Song's staff in hand, I was prepared to face the outside world as Iolanthe stood next to me when I opened the door. A sense of disappointment ran through me as neither Jon or Joy were there on the other side. Their absence made the me feel strange. Though it was welcome last night, because doing THAT in front of them was not in my to-do list. Now it felt like part of my team was missing. As odd as it felt to think this, I missed Joy making fun of us. Not the punching, because that could be lived without.

Come to think about it, she hasn't hit me in quite some time.

Iolanthe walked beside me as we headed towards the front desk. Nurse Joy greeted us with a smile. For a moment, the thought of this Nurse Joy and the Blackthorn City Nurse Joy being in communication ran through my mind. Would that be a good thing? The smile on her face made me feel a bit self-conscious about what she may have heard or know.

Thankfully the reception area was clear of anyone else. As we approached the desk, she leaned forward so her hands would support her on the desk. "So my sister was right after all." she said to us, smiling.

I could feel the blush on my cheeks form after hearing those words. She laughed before any words could form in my throat.

"Don't worry too much." she said, her smile never really leaving her face. "Your secret is safe with me. You don't have to worry, but I can understand your caution."

Relief washed over me at her words. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." I said, smiling.

"Also, Kanto and Johto have the same laws regulating them, so nothing bad is going to happen to you. We make those rooms sound proof for a reason."

Suddenly, my level of embarrassment shot up with those words. At the very least she wasn't asking more personal questions. Though I'm pretty sure that Zin would have that covered in the foreseeable future. Nurse Joy continued to smile at us as she sat back down.

"A few people have come around looking for you." she continued. "News reporters. I told them that I haven't seen you since yesterday. Just be cautious around the city limits. They're probably still out looking for you."

"What turned out to be a favor ends up being a pain in the behind for me." I said, frowning. "Now even walking outside is a hazard."

"They aren't that bad." Nurse Joy said, giggling at my plight. "At the very least they didn't ransack the Pokémon Center looking for you. They've just been very persistent."

"Well, has anyone named Jonathan come around earlier or today?" I asked. "They would be accompanied by Isabella."

"Oh, so that's who she meant!" Nurse Joy exclaimed. "No, they haven't shown up yet, but I'll keep my eyes open for when they do. They're probably on their way here by now, since they had to stop by Indigo Plateau and cross Victory Road."

I grimaced at the mention of that. "I hope not. That would take a few days."

She laughed at that. "Knowing Isabella, not likely. Expect hearing from her later today."

I looked at her dubiously, but wasn't about to say anything to contradict her statement. Thanking Nurse Joy, we headed outside and confirming that we weren't leaving the city limits. I wasn't planning on heading to the Cerulean Cave today either. No, today was definitely a well deserved break from that fight yesterday.

It was a sunny day outside, the sun beating down without many clouds above. My first sensation was relief that no one was swarming to me for my autograph or something. Even with Iolanthe standing next to me, people passed by me without many glances. At the very least, no one stopped and stared at us as we walked.

My hand went into my pocket, pulling out the badge that Misty handed me. Did this change who I was? At least a part of me was excited over the whole deal. I just beat a gym leader! At least, that's what the little part of me was cheering about. The rest of me was worrying how much more publicity could we take.

A passing conversation drew my attention that there was a park nearby. Curious, I asked where it was. Though they recognized who I was, they didn't jab a piece of paper my way to sign. They were more than willing to point me in the direction of the park. Thanking them, we moved onwards. It was hard to suppress the though of them just trying to shoo us away. Maybe they felt uncomfortable? Shocked? I wasn't sure. A mixture of both, and possibly fear due to Io standing next to me. She looked happy at the very least. She was almost to the point of skipping as we walked side by side. It was odd, seeing her like this. Though then again, I barely know her on a personal basis.

As we arrived at the park, it was obvious that people constantly visited. Kids were flying kites around the open areas, closely supervised by their parents or Pokémon. People were walking down the paths or sitting on blankets. It was the picturesque scene of a movie or post card. The thought made me chuckle. We stepped on one of the paths, following it aimlessly. All I wanted to do was avoid the crowds of people. The park seemed large enough, though, so it shouldn't be hard to find at least some kind of secluded area.

Trees hung over the path, affording a little shade from the sun. A few clouds passed by, adding a bit of cover to the open areas where trees weren't planted. The air was clean, even for a city. It reminded me of back home in Solaceon. The smile on my lips made Io's voice echo in my ears.

"I'm glad to see you smile." she said.

My smile widened as I turned to her. Her eyes looked deep into mine. It felt like she was ecstatic walking next to me. Like a little kid with way too much energy. Her tentacles grabbed hold of my arm, tugging at me gently to get me to move faster. No words had to be said, as my legs sped up to her pace. I could feel a few people look at us, but it didn't feel like it was a big deal. We ended up finding a group of trees that weren't occupied. Though we didn't have a blanket or anything to sit on, we made the spot our own. Thankfully, the ground was dry and the grass soft under me. Resting against the trunk of one of the trees, Iolanthe sat on my lap and leaned against me.

I placed Song's staff on the ground next to me and wrapped my hands around her, holding her tightly against me. Her eyes were closed, but the warmth of her gem could be felt through my shirt. Even with the occasional breeze, the warmth stayed. It made me feel comfortable, knowing that such a gentle feeling was coming from her. My right hand drifted to my waist, grabbing one of my Pokéballs. I was about to open it when my hand stopped moving.

"You have the oddest sense to wake someone up, don't you?" Mist asked suddenly.

My sense of control returned as she slowly exited my body through my back. I closed my eyes, suppressing the shiver that wanted to shake my body. Mist's voice still echoed inside my skull, slowly fading into nothing.

"Zin fought extremely hard yesterday." the ghost continued. "I believe we all did."

"And why aren't you sleeping?" I asked.

"I recovered quite quickly due to your extracurricular activities." she said. The gems on her body glowed a soft red for a moment before returning to their normal color.

"Right." I said, chuckling. Mist's gems brightened up again, making me smile. Io's laughter joined mine. It was nice to hear her be less formal, at the very least.

"Anyway, how are you feeling Mist?" I asked, trying to redirect the conversation. As much fun as it is to laugh, I didn't want Mist to feel like we were making fun.

"I feel refreshed, Master." she said, smiling. "I would ask you the same question, but it seems obvious to me that you are both fine."

I nodded to Mist's assessment. "Is there any reason why you stopped me from releasing anyone else?" I asked.

"You woke me up." she accused.

I chuckled. "A tragedy I'm sure. You're more than welcome to go back to sleep if you so desire. I don't believe we'll be doing much today other than take it easy after that battle."

She smiled, visibly relaxing as she hovered above me. "I am quite sure that everyone else will appreciate the gesture." she said.

That's a reassuring thought. "Well, with your permission, can I let everyone out of their Pokéballs?" I asked Mist. She giggled, nodding.

The first one out was Akalia, looking around for a moment in a hostile stance. Her tail twitched slightly until her glowing eyes turned to my direction. She instantly calmed down, purring loudly as she rubbed her head against my right side. Iolanthe aided me in getting a Pokéball to my hands as Akalia refused to allow me to get any by my own power. Song was released next, looking extremely thankful that I brought her staff with me. Aurora and Xola soon followed her, the Weavile taking her respective place on top of my head and Xola resting on top of my legs.

Zin was the next to be released, groggily standing on her four legs as the sun hit her. She grumbled loudly before turning towards us. Her eyes opened wide at the sight of us in our new surroundings. Her growls were loud, but didn't look to have any menace behind it. She came over to me and flopped next to Xola, content to continue sleeping. Baast and Spirit were next, both Pokémon looking happy to be out of their spherical containers and enjoy the sunshine. Spirit more than Baast, but the Lucario was smiling as much as my Flygon.

"Is something going on, Master?" Song asked. I shook my head.

"Nope. Just wanted to get out of the Pokémon Center and let everyone rest after fighting Misty." I said. "I think we deserve a break after all that."

"Hold it!" Zin exclaimed. I almost jumped at how loud her voice was. My hope was that no one else heard her, but it was probably hopeless.

"Who won? Did we lose?" she asked quickly. Snarling, she continued. "Don't make me regret going first. That Blastoise hurt like a-"

"We ended up winning, Zin." I said, cutting off any explicit comments she would make aloud.

"Well, I'll be a Tropius' aunt." she said. "She gave you a badge, right?" I nodded to answer her question. "Show me!"

I managed to squeeze my hands to my pockets and fish out the badge. Zin moved in to inspect it, taking her time to see and smell it. The temptation to grab her muzzle crossed my mind. Due to the obvious danger of making her angry, the thought stayed in my mind. She stepped away, a smile on her muzzle and looking satisfied.

"You didn't disappoint me, then." she said. Her tone reminded me of a proud mother. "At least my sacrifice wasn't in vain."

"You did volunteer to go first." I reminded her.

She tilted her head to one side, and then the other. "It didn't matter in the end." she said. "How did we win?"

"She forfeited after Baast won her fight with a... what was it again?"

"Her Omastar." Baast said with a bark-like laugh.

"Right, her Omastar." I said, nodding. "So I was going to let Io go next when she called the match over and declared me the winner."

"Wasn't expecting that." Zin replied, looking worried.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I honestly didn't know what would happen. Glad everything turned out for the best."

"You don't trust our powers?" Song asked sweetly. The blood in my veins froze at the tone of voice she used. I shook my head.

"That's not it, and you know it." I said, frowning. "You all know how I felt about this before we fought Misty."

Song laughed, shaking her head. "I think you worry too much about us."

"Isn't that one of my responsibilities as your trainer?"

"Maybe not as much as you worry over us." Xola said with a giggle. "You're starting to act like Spirit does to you. Maybe her feelings are rubbing off on you."

Spirit looked at me nervously. The grin on Xola's face made me realize that she was having fun. I did my best to look hurt, causing my Pokémon to laugh around me. Spirit slowly calmed down, shaking her head as she finally sat next to the growing pile on top of me.

A comfortable silence fell around us. I could feel Aurora adjusting to keep herself balanced above my head. She leaned down, her eyes staring into mine. Her inverted smile almost made me laugh, her nose rubbing against my forehead for a moment before disappearing from view. It was a comfortable day, so it wouldn't be surprising to find if everyone decided to take a nap. Zin managed to get my attention when her horns forcefully rubbed against my side. Akalia growled for a moment, though she moved to allow the persistent Houndoom through.

"How did everyone else do?" she asked softly.

"Why don't you ask everyone instead of me?" I suggested. "We won. Isn't that the important part?"

I could feel her horns grazing my sides. "Don't avoid my question." she hissed. "Who else lost their fight?"

"Mist lost to her Lapras." I said, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable explosion.

"That's it?"

"Yeah."

"And you said that she gave up, right?" she continued.

"She forfeited, yes."

The explosion I was expecting never came. The sound of Zin's laughter made me relax slightly.

"Did you think I was going to rant over how I lost?" she asked.

"A little."

"You don't know me very well, do you?"

"I'd like to think that we know each other very well. You keep surprising me by not acting consistently." I answered.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

I chuckled at her response, her own laughter joining mine. When she stopped, it felt like her eyes were drilling into me.

"Did Akalia fight?"

I stiffened next to her, but shook my head. "No, she didn't. Neither did Xola or Io. Misty called for the match to end after Baast fought."

"You should apologize right now."

I blinked, looking towards the Houndoom. Before any words could leave my mouth, Zin stood up and demanding everyone to do the same.

"Master has a few words to speak to Akalia, in private." Zin stated loudly. "In the meantime, I think we should all go back inside our Pokéballs until we're needed."

Song and Baast almost seemed ready to argue her logic, but Mist shook her head. Some kind of telepathic conversation took place, due to the slow nod that they shared. Xola almost looked confused until Spirit spoke to her. Song looked worried, but about what was a mystery to me. She opened her mouth but Baast placed a paw on her shoulder. They both looked at each other for a moment before the Lucario waved at Xola to her. While I was more than willing to wait for them to be done talking, Zin had other ideas. She barked at the three gathered Pokémon heatedly.

Literally. Flames were visible as Zin spoke in her native tongue. I could picture Zin saying to hurry up while Song and Baast tried to calm her down. Eventually the Houndoom did calm down, if just a token effort. She really did look like she would blast fire everywhere. She turned to me after a few moments.

"Baast wants to translate for you, if both you and Akalia are alright with that." Zin said, looking at the Luxray in question.

Akalia didn't look bothered by this turn of events. If anything, she looked like all she wanted to do was sleep. Regardless, she nodded her consent. If it was to stop Zin from talking or actually agreeing to the circumstances, I wasn't sure. Regardless, Zin nodded to Baast as the Lucario came to stand next to me. She offered me her paw, pulling me up from the ground as soon as she grabbed hold of my fingers.

Sighing, I recalled everyone back inside their Pokéballs. With only Baast and Akalia left beside me, an awkward silence fell around us. Akalia turned to look at me, rubbing against my legs insistently. I kneeled down to be on even ground with her and scratched behind her ears. Even with Baast present, it didn't seem to bother her as much as having everyone else being present. It was always a bit jarring, seeing her switch from being affectionate to her stoic moods.

Her purring made me smile, letting me know that she enjoyed the attention. This has been one of the few times that we've managed to stay on the calm side of things in a while. It felt nice to know that nothing was going to happen. The only thing I expected that would ruin the silence was one of these reporters Nurse Joy mentioned. Even then, it wasn't that big of a deal. We haven't really made ourselves secret in public.

I sat down next to Akalia, making myself comfortable. Baast was nowhere around me, and looking around allowed me to see the Lucario sitting with her legs crossed. My attention returned to the Luxray, who was looking at me curiously. She climbed up on my lap quickly, purring loudly as her face pressed against my chest. My hands quickly returned to scratching behind her ears, a deep purr letting me know that I was scratching the correct way.

"Just so you know, I highly doubt that Baast is sleeping." I said. "Probably meditating or some such."

Akalia shook her head against my chest, burying her face against my shirt. Her purring was still loud, so it confirmed that she was still at ease. We've never really had a translator, so it was a mystery to me why anyone would put Baast to the task. Maybe Zin and the others thought that she would actually talk. I highly doubted it, though.

"It's a nice day out." I said. It was a lame attempt to start small talk, but better than nothing.

Her claws extended, sticking to my pants with every tug. I could feel the sharp tips against my skin through the denim. It was beyond me if she was aggravated or amused at the moment. Though, in all honesty, it would be hard to miss the cue to tell me if she was mad. Probably the only way I would ignore it if my entire nervous system was shot. Judging from the occasional pinprick on my legs, it wasn't the case.

After a moment Akalia nodded. Her kneading stopped, eyes glued to mine. Even in the daylight, they still glowed brightly on their own power. It felt like my face was being observed for anything odd or peculiar. The why was beyond my mind though. Baast laughed loudly in her own tongue before her voice echoed inside my skull.

"She's trying to figure you out right now." the Lucario said plainly.

I would have asked why, but a jolt of electricity stopped the thought. Her eyes were locked on me, for whatever reason. After a moment that felt far too long, her eyes stopped glowing and returned to their normal coloration. I took a deep breath, feeling like my lungs stopped working under Akalia's scrutiny. She nodded for a brief moment and looked at me expectantly.

My fingers moved to rub behind her ears, but stopped as electricity arced over her fur. The closer my hands got, the more audible and brighter the lightning became. I wanted to hesitate, but it felt like a game to me. She's done something like this before, but intimidation was a big factor to all this. As my fingers connected, electricity ran up my arm in short bursts. It wasn't painful, but it was enough to make me wince. I didn't pull away from her, though, wrapping my arms around the Luxray. The electricity grew less intense, but it still made me feel like parts of my body were slightly numb.

The electricity flowing through me slowly dwindled as Akalia purred loudly. Her tongue licked my cheek, her rough tongue a sharp contrast to her soft fur. Sparks of electricity still held their charge but they didn't pull me away from her. Baast's barking from nearby made Akalia's eyes glow once more, but she quickly ignored the jolly Lucario. It sounded like Akalia muttered something in her tongue. If it was meant as an insult it didn't do what it was intended. Baast's laughter grew louder, both in my ears and in my head. Definitely a weird feeling to be able to hear the same person two different ways.

Akalia ignored her, adjusting herself on my lap once again. The Luxray's eyes looked into mine as if to figure out my thoughts. I guess that it didn't help that I was quiet all this time.

"Is something...? Wait, you wouldn't act this way if nothing was bothering you. What is it?" I asked.

She shook her head firmly, pawing at my pants again. Thankfully it was without her claws this time. Her eyes glowed momentarily before returning to normal. The growls that came from her startled me but she stopped before I could try to figure out her mood. It felt like she was frustrated.

"This is about yesterday, isn't it?" I asked softly.

She nodded, pawing at my legs again. This time with claws and electricity.

I winced slightly, not moving too much so Akalia doesn't get the impression that I would run away. "I didn't know that you wanted to fight so much, Akalia."

The sound that came from her startled me. She pushed me backwards, my back on the ground as she stood above me. Lightning arced above our heads, making any complaints die in my throat. Suddenly I hoped that Baast was just really meditating and not sleeping. My hope was that Akalia wouldn't hurt me. Being pinned under the Luxray didn't frighten me. This has happened countless times before. What scared me is the actual amount of power she was willing to display at this proximity.

"Did you want to fight?" I asked.

She nodded, letting out a loud growl. A sigh escaped my lips, feeling aggravated about this.

"You could have said something, you know." I pointed out.

She shook her head, a particular bright spark of lightning linking her ears to each other briefly. I've always known her to be a fighter, but this was ridiculous. Baast suddenly appeared next to us as she silently watched us. Her piercing gaze was a bit unnerving to watch.

I decided to change tactics, focusing on Akalia once again. "Why did you want to come along with me?"

Akalia's paws were on my chest, holding me down firmly. She spoke rapidly in her language, her fangs gleaming in between words. Though if it was because of the sun or the lightning that still flashed across her was a different story. Her eyes glowed at random intervals. Saliva dripped from her fangs and on to my face. I did my best to ignore the impulse of wiping it away, especially when it landed uncomfortably close to my nose.

"You didn't tell me that she's an ex-champion Pokémon." Baast stated.

"It never came up and it never was in her records." I said. Akalia growled again, and my attention returned to her. "That you are experienced isn't news to me. What is new is who you were before being retired. I'm using the same words that were in your file."

Akalia shook her head vigorously, sparks of lightning flying in Baast's direction. I managed to get my hands under her and push upwards. It's a bit difficult to move a Luxray when she doesn't want to. Regardless, she didn't need to be so aggressive. Looking towards Baast, she gave me a nod to indicate that she was fine. Akalia was still on my lap, electricity dancing dangerously across her fur. How it wasn't shocking me was a topic better not thought of.

Akalia muttered something, looking away from me. Baast laughed loudly, both verbally and mentally, causing the Luxray to jump.

"Well, that explains some things!" Baast exclaimed.

Akalia quickly shook her head, exclaiming to Baast in her language. The Lucario laughed loudly again, shaking a paw in the Luxray's direction. Baast turned to me, a smile on her muzzle.

"She's a bit shy." she commented.

"I gathered as much." I said. Turning back to Akalia, I continued. "Though that doesn't..."

"She didn't want to be left alone." Baast continued.

Tears were pooling in Akalia's eyes, beginning to run down her cheeks. Perhaps the group agreeing to Baast speaking for Akalia wasn't the best idea. Regardless, now it felt like it was my fault this was happening. I wanted to feel aggravated, or at the very least not at fault, but it's hard to argue when a Luxray gives you a soulful look with tears in her eyes. My fingers scratched behind her ears in an attempt to keep her calm. Or at the very least, stop her from crying. It was mildly successful, though Baast's laughter echoed in my head. Akalia was mumbling inconsistently, shaking her head every now and then. Her speech was punctuated by a hiccup or a paw passing across her face.

"Well, that certainly explains some things." Baast said, nodding. "You're not a normal human, are you?"

"In what sense?"

"You're an asshole."

I rolled my eyes. A blow to the back of my head made me wince.

"Did you know that she thinks of you as a brother?" Baast asked.

I shook my head. "No. At best, it felt like we were good partners for when we wanted peace and quiet."

She pinched my ear, pulling up sharply. I cried out as pain came right afterwards. If I could stand it wouldn't be such a problem. Unfortunately, Akalia was either enjoying the punishment being inflicted, or mortified that Baast was doing this to me. Thankfully, Baast showed me mercy by letting go.

"You're an idiot. An idiot I care about, but an idiot all the same." Baast stated, her paws on her hips. "Since you seem to be ignorant to Akalia's perspective, then allow me to enlighten you."

Akalia shook her head, proclaiming loudly to Baast in her language. The Lucario shook her head, making Akalia's eyes widen. A charge of electricity formed, but died as soon as Baast spoke a line or two in her own tongue. They both spoke rapidly, leaving me in the dark as to what the conversation was about. Akalia's eyes would glow intermittently as she stared up to Baast. The Lucario's eyes would narrow every so often, but quickly calmed back down to her even stare. Eventually, Baast let out a long sigh as she shook her head. Her eyes focused on me again, Akalia walking off my lap. I was about to stand up, but a wave of force knocked me down once more. Baast was surrounded in a light aura, her left paw aimed in my direction.

"Try to stand again, and I'll use more force."

I quickly decided that standing was overrated.

Akalia began talking in her language, with Baast translating on the fly. "We've known each other for quite some time. Years have gone by, easily, without us communicating. Except perhaps whenever Song stuck her green head around.

"I was grateful for the company you gave us... me.... especially since no one ever looked at me for any extended periods of time. But I enjoyed my solitude, as bleak as it was. It made me feel justified in acting how I did. Impersonal, cold, unfeeling... you name it. It was easier to be at a distance than care about others. But then a child had to change that.

"Don't give me that look. No matter how indifferent I acted, you always made time for me. At first, it didn't change anything. But you kept seeking me out. When I finally confronted Song about it, she explained it all to me. That you wanted to see me happy. It slowly dawned to me that you really didn't have any ulterior motives. You just really wanted me to be happy.

"My previous trainer was a show specialist. He was someone that did his best to bring out the best in all of us. But I was his prized Pokémon. It was me and him that won three major tournaments in a row. However, he was an older human while I was entering my prime. He decided that it was best to retire now, at the height of his career, before his dreams were taken by some young upstart that didn't know any better."

Akalia took a deep breath, stopping her speech momentarily. It was then when I realized that she's been shaking as she spoke. Her ears lay flat against her skull, and her large paws played with the grass. She avoided looking at me but it was obvious that she was still crying. The fur on her cheeks was slowly becoming more matted down. She shook her head, taking another deep breath, before continuing. Baast didn't miss a beat, immediately translating once more.

"You reminded me of my previous trainer. Except the part where you cared for others so much. He never really did care of anyone else, except his own. Though, now looking back at it not so much. Regardless, not many other humans have tried to make me happy as either my previous trainer or you have.

"I really don't know what came over me when we mated. Unlike how Zin put it, it wasn't due to my body demanding to be filled by a male. I wanted to show you that I cared about you as well. Though it felt hollow. We've never had a real relationship. It was more along like good friends, and I feel that my intentions were not true. Though Zin and Song assured me that wasn't the case, it was as if the damage was already done. No one else mentioned the incident, and what time we spent together wasn't the same anymore. It didn't help matters when it wasn't just us two, either."

I held up my hand, my head pounding from the recent intake of information. Also, it felt like Baast's voice was getting angrier inside my head. It might have just been me, though.

"If this is how you felt all this time, why didn't you say something about it?"

My back hit the ground, the impact making me gasp in pain. Akalia stood on top of me, paws on my chest while she spoke. Baast's voice shouted in my skull as Akalia looked livid while the Lucario translated for her.

"And you never thought about anything?! Where is your sense of camaraderie? We've known each other all this time and that's the best you can say? Where's the human I knew? I want him back! He wouldn't ask that idiotic question. He would ask if there was anything he could do! What happened to him? Did success go to your head? Is having illicit relations with your us, your Pokémon, the highest goal you had in mind? What is it?!"

Baast said something in her native tongue, only to have Akalia snarl back at her. Lightning cracked through the air, the show of force stopping the discussion before it would start. I tried to lift myself off the ground, but Akalia pushed me down as soon as I tried. Giving it a second attempt, the same process repeated. It didn't take long for us to almost look like it was a game. It would have been, if Akalia didn't look like she would murder me on the spot.

"Maybe a better question is what do you want me to do." I said. "I know now that I've messed up, and I apologize. How do we go from here?"

She looked confused, her legs wobbling on top of me before she hid her face on my chest. The sudden impact of her body on my chest drove the air out of my lungs. Regardless, I wrapped my arms around the Luxray without hesitation, hoping that she will calm down. The sound of electricity crackling through the air didn't make me pull away. On the contrary, it made my embrace tighter. Her thick fur made breathing a chore, but this was one of those times that breathing had a lower priority. Baast's paws grabbed me and pulled me to a sitting position. Thankfully, her chest spike didn't go through my gut as she held on to my neck.

Akalia slowly pushed away and I let my arms slide away. She shook her head, a sad smile on her face. She spoke again a quick word and Baast laughed loudly inside my skull. Thankfully, I wasn't kept in the dark for too long.

"That's what I want, is what she said." Baast said.

"Kidding aside, I'll do better now." I said, shaking my head. "I have to. I'm sorry that I've ignored you all this time, Akalia."

She seemed a little better after that. I wasn't out of trouble just yet, but it was my issue to deal with now. Since it was out in the open now, it's going to be difficult to not follow through with my word. Especially with Baast knowing about it.

"I want to say that I thought that you were happy, Akalia." I said softly. "Obviously I took that for granted. I want to do better."

I felt like a bastard right now. Shit. At least it makes sense why they agreed on Baast to translate. Xola would be ashamed, Io wouldn't immediately relate Akalia's feelings, and Song would have sugar-coated whatever the Luxray would say. Don't know why Zin didn't personally volunteer, as she would be as blunt as Baast, or more so. Perhaps she knew about the situation. But why involve someone else? Maybe it was to make sure I didn't go back on my words.

Because waking up to a growling Houndoom is so much better than a growling Lucario. I'll have to make sure to compare one night.

I shook my head, returning my focus to the task at hand. "I don't want you to feel that your being pushed away anymore, Akalia. If you do, I want you to shock me stupid until I realize what's going on, OK?"

She didn't look too thrilled about it, but nodded all the same. Baast laughed, punching me lightly on the shoulder. Of course, a light punch from a Lucario was like being thrown against a wall, but at least it didn't dislocate anything.

"I'll remind you, as well." Baast said, grinning at me. "Because you need the threat hanging over your shoulder for you to act."

Even if she meant the words without spite, it still stung. I nodded. "I feel that you're not far from the truth, Baast."

Her smile immediately left her muzzle. She grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, pulling me to her body. The chest spike was alarmingly pressed close to my chest. Akalia shouted something that was lost to me in the situation. Baast responded quickly back to her, but nothing was translated to me. Either way, it didn't stop the Luxray from leering at the Lucario. Slowly, she relented her grip, but the chest spike still pressed firmly against my chest.

"This isn't to make you feel like an idiot, it's to make you aware how much you've messed up." she declared. "Grow up. It seems like you say a lot of things, but never take your own words to heart."

I stared at the Lucario, rolling the thought over my mind a few times. The truth settled quickly, and nodded to the astute summary. Baast looked at me directly, her eyes staring into mine. For a moment, I thought that I would have to take a direct blow. Thankfully, she nodded before looking satisfied and releasing her grasp. Akalia said something, with Baast responding quickly. The Luxray seemed satisfied, nodding towards me. Akalia's head rested on my lap, her deep purrs making me smile instantly. My fingers instantly went behind her ears, encouraging her to purr more.

Baast shifted to my side, her head resting on my shoulder. For the first time since this started, I felt a bit better about myself. It felt like this needed to happen, though it would have been for the best if it was avoided all together. A breeze tugged at my clothes as it passed by. My hair blew in my eyes, obscuring my vision. Baast slowly moved her paw to brush back the errant strands, suddenly tensing against me.

"There's someone behind you." she stated.

I turned around slowly to see the same girl from the gym. The same one from the gym with the steno pad. Now that I am able to pay close attention to details, her long hair was a bright red that looked shoulder length. She was wearing blue jeans and a purple shirt that was mostly hidden by the sky blue jacket. In her hands were a writing pad and pen. It looked like she was looking for an interview. She smiled at me warmly, bowing quickly before walking over to us.

"Excuse me, but do you mind if I ask some questions for the paper?" she asked. Her voice was soft, almost as if she feared making either me or my Pokémon angry.

I looked over to Baast, who shrugged as a response. Akalia didn't even budge from her position, her purring continuing to rumble through my lower body. I smiled warmly towards the stranger. She smiled back, walking across from me and sitting down. The pages of her pad flipped, and quick scribbles could be seen as the pages passed by. She clicked on her pen, nodding to herself for a moment before looking straight at me.

"How are you enjoying Cerulean City?" she asked.

I'll admit, I wasn't expecting that question. Something more invasive at the very least.

"It's definitely different from Sinnoh." I said with a smile. "I don't think I've seen much of the city yet, but it seems like a nice place."

"When did you start your journey?"

I shrugged. "Two months ago? I haven't been keeping track, to be honest."

She laughed at that, and I chuckled with her. The questions were ones that I was comfortable answering. Like where I was from, if I really was who I said I was. It was funny to see her reactions to that. She quoted a line from one of my parent's books, and I surprised her by finishing it.

"How do you remember that?" she asked.

"Easy, I said it!" I exclaimed, chuckling at her surprised look.

She shook her head, clicking the pen a few times before putting it against the pad again. "Alright, so how about this. Why does your Gardevoir use a staff in combat?"

"That's a long story." I said. Her eyes narrowed at me, leaning forward and writing swiftly without looking at her hands. "I'll give you the short version of it, or you can ask her yourself."

"I'll be alright with your take on the events. After all, I'm interviewing you." she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess so." I said, giving her a shrug. "Though before I answer your question, do you mind if I ask you one?"

She nodded silently. I quickly thought how to say it, and spit it out quickly. This woman gave me the impression that the she didn't like to wait very long.

"How come are you so interested in me? Other than being related to fame and stuff. It feels like there's something more."

She giggled warmly, giving me a shrug. "Well, if I want new material, I have to interview new people right? I mean, it's not every day that you end up meeting the son of the two most important researchers to Unown AND he just so happens to defeat the unbeaten Cerulean Gym."

A grin spread across her face, her eyes narrowing. "What's this? You want a date, is that it?"

I could feel the blush form across my cheeks as she said that. Words fumbled on my tongue, failing to communicate anything cohesive. It didn't help that Baast was pulling me closer to her chest spike at the same time.

"I'll forgive you. This time, anyway." she said, clicking the pen once and standing up. "Maybe we'll continue some other time? I remembered that I have to meet someone in a few moments."

I nodded to her. I would stand up, but she smiled in understanding. "It's better not to wake her up. Wouldn't want to be shocked, now would we?"

Without waiting for a replay, she walked away from me. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand as she finally disappeared from sight. Using my peripheral vision, the Lucario's eyes glowed even with the daylight. Her grin made it obvious that she found something amusing. Either that, or she wanted to murder me at this very moment.

"Count yourself lucky that I care about your well-being." she said. Her voice purred inside my head, making me shiver unconsciously.

Akalia said something out loud, and Baast responded with a barking laugh. I looked at both my Pokémon, but neither seemed to want to answer my unasked question. It looked like it was beginning to be mid-afternoon. My stomach rumbled, complaining about being empty at a time like this. If Akalia heard it, she didn't bother to move. If anything, she snuggled closer to me, even as I moved to stand.

"Well, look who we have here!"

My blood ran cold as Joy's voice destroyed the silence around me. A hand slapped my exposed shoulder. Looking up, Isabella's smiling face filled my vision. Jon walked up next to her, shaking his head and pulling her away from me. A shock of electricity made my body jerk in place. Looking down, Akalia's eyes told me she was annoyed. Quickly fishing out her Pokéball, I recalled the dozing Luxray. Looking over to Baast, she nodded and I performed the same courtesy to her. Thankfully, both Joy and Jon helped me stand up. It was hard to keep standing, due to my feet being asleep.

"When did you two get here?" I asked.

"About two hours ago, I think." Jon said, shrugging.

"Either way, who was that girl?" Joy asked, grinning at me. "Don't tell me that..."

"Anyway, what's this that we keep hearing about that you beat the Cerulean Gym?" Jon asked.

"Hey, that's right! Do you have the gym badge with you?" Joy asked, not looking annoyed that Jon cut her off.

"Yeah, I have it. But let's get food while we talk." I said, stomping my feet. Once I could stand without falling over, I walked behind Jon and pushed him.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"Somewhere other than here." I answered. "If it wasn't obvious enough, there isn't any food here."

"Aaron has a point, Jon. I'm starved, and sis didn't give us anything for not being there on time for lunch."

"You're buying." I pointed out to Jon.

"Me?!"

I pushed him a bit more, but stopped when he tried to turn around. "You want to hear my side of the story? You're going to pay for it!"