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The Rift

6: A Man in Dragon's Clothing

By AnonEmis

"Wake up..."

The wispy voice, twirling through the air, reached Ty's ears. The Typhlosion awoke, his ruby red eyes opened, and he stared into the clear sky. In a trance, Ty rose from his slumber, shaking off what felt like years of sleep. The Typhlosion sat up and looked around, letting his gaze play around his surroundings. He was sitting in a vast meadow, the golden-brown fields of grass waving a greeting in the breeze. The blue sky, cloudless, stretched as far as the Pokémon's eyes could see, as if the heavens above were looking at his world. The Volcano Pokémon raised his muzzle and took a deep, hungry breath. Sweet air filled his maw, filling him with content and serenity. Ty felt the sensation of the soft grass brushing his fur, he murred in pleasure; a deep rumble that tickled his chest. As far as he was concerned, he could sit forever in this place, feeling the wind graze his hide, the sun kissing his smiling lips, and the sky blanketing the world around him.

Yet he felt the urge.

Something primal within him sparked the need to move, like a fire being born in a nest of paper and flint. Ty remembered the voice, the beautiful ribbon of sound that had awakened him. He began to search his surroundings with a prying eye. There, in the distance, he could make out a figure standing on the endless plateau, his tall body easily protruding from the flat landscape.

"Hey!" Ty tried to call out, but his voice felt heavy, sluggish. He tried to rise but his limbs were lead weights, shackling him to the ground. He called out to the figure again, but his voice fell on deaf ears. All of a sudden, he was up and running. Ty sprinted on all fours, trying to reach the figure without any reason other than every fibre of his being yearning to meet him. His footfalls were loud, thunderous, and pounded in his ears.

At last he reached the figure, and it was plain to see it was a human. The young man stood with his back to Ty, his slim, muscular frame outlined by the golden sun. It made him glow, as if he were spun out of pure light. As Ty circled around to face the human, he took He was wearing a white robe, draping his shoulders and reaching down to his ankles. With it, the human looked regal, like an emperor. His eyes were brown, a normally plain colour made vibrant by the glimmering lustre of his irises. His black hair, reaching down to his shoulders, fluttered in the breeze. The wind also carried the human's scent. It wafted into Ty's nostrils and clouded his mind. It smelt sweeter than any flower but strong and sure. But Ty found something more familiar, buried beneath the sweet smell. It brought an ache in his heart, making it skip a beat or two. The human smelt like home. Like love.

"H-Hello?" Ty called.

The human remained silent. His body remained still, a statue uncaring to Ty's lovesick calls. His eyes stared straight ahead, as beautiful but silent as a painting.

The Typhlosion frowned, puzzled at the quiet rejection. He didn't know why, but he wanted to be with him, he needed to. Ty raised a paw and tried to place it on the human's shoulder. It phased right through, like a hand in water.

A shimmer of light, a pop of sound and the young man was gone. Ty's eyes widened, he abandoned him! He wheeled frantically on the spot, heart beating a heavy drum in his self. He felt his back burners ignite, the flames fueled by sheer terror and longing. The primitive, primal urge returned in full force. Like a ghost had possessed him, he threw back his head and roared. A shout of anger and sadness slamming a shockwave through the formerly tranquil air. In Ty's eyes, the sound became tangible, and its pulses resounded into the air. Like stains on cloth, the sky darkened. Clouds began to form, murky and strangely luminous. The sky had become a sea, and the clouds became the slicks of oil on top. Just like the sky, Ty's heart began to felt polluted. Where was that human? Where was he? Beads of cold sweat began to run down his fur.

He heard cracks of lightning tearing through the darkening sky. The grass underneath his footpads browned and crackled. Another peal of thunder and a flash of lightning, the human reappeared.

However, Ty became scared. The human was like an angry ghost, emanating pain and loss in an invisible aura. This time, he faced Ty. The young man glared at Ty, his expression had changed. Serenity and calm were gone. The human looked upon Ty with ruthless eyes. The chocolate brown of the human's irises had darkened to a midnight black; cold and hard. His formerly luscious hair was now chopped short, and unkempt. The simple robe was gone. A torn, white, t-shirt swathed his lithe frame. The human wore jeans, faded and ripping in places. He had a belt around his waist; the most interesting feature were five red and white orbs strapped to the belt. Pokeballs. Ty could see that one was missing, a conspicuous tearing of the strap that must have once held the device.

The young man's new outfit gave Ty an uneasy feeling. While the shirt and jeans did a much better of job of outlining the young man's figure, the human looked like he had been through hell itself. And underneath his clothes, scars and bloody cuts stained his muscles. Purple, swollen bruises covered his neck, making it look like it was twice its size. His glare were like twin lasers; burning his emotions onto the Typhlosion.

Then, in front of the astonished Pokémon's eyes, the human began to morph, his limbs and face grotesquely elongating and swelling. A second later, a cobalt and red dragon stood in front of the startled fire-type, crimson eyes and wings flared. It opened its fearsome mouth and began to snarl. Ty caught a glimpse of its serrated rows of teeth and its long, fleshy tongue. A second later, another Pokémon burst out of the dragon's body, the scales and wings shredded and falling away like tissue paper. The new Pokémon looked like a plump, white, bird with red and cerulean crests. Feathers fluttered down to the ground as it flew in lazy circles above Ty. Suddenly, a blue reptilian creature dropped in front of the startled Typhlosion. The impact of the bulky Pokémon caused a small quake, its vibrations buckling Ty's knees. With surprising agility, the large Pokémon hopped over the Typhlosion and landed behind him. A blast of water from the blue creature's maw, and Ty fell to the ground snout-first.

"Ahh!" He cried in pain and suddenly was muffled by the musky taste of dirt filling his maw.

Through his swimming vision, he raised his muzzle and caught site of a small, cat-like figure walking towards him. The creature's fur was beige, and tinged with a green that looked exactly like rotting leaves. It didn't seem large enough to be a threat, but its eyes were sinister, two lifeless orbs of obsidian piercing Ty. As it drew near, Ty tried to swipe at it with his arm, but it simply leaped back with a grating yowl. The cat-creature then was consumed by a purple aura. Ty was wrenched to his feet as if he was manipulated with marionette strings. He felt another invisible tug and his entire body was dangling above the ground, watching as yet another creature watched him. This one, a short, squat, bipedal fox, used two rusty spoons to suspend Ty in the air. Anger and sheer survival instinct finally kicked in as Ty concentrated his inner flames, letting the fire swirl in his maw like saliva before spilling out in a blast of fire.

With a casual, almost lazy movement, the psychic creature deflected the fire, letting it curl harmlessly into smoke. The Typhlosion could only watch in fear as the psychic monster pointed a spoon at him. The utensil began to glow; a small light that turned into a huge blaze of colour. A beam of purple energy shot straight into Ty's chest, the pain was unimaginable, tearing into his very heart and being and consuming him from the inside. Emotions ran wild: rage, grief, longing, and loneliness running cold through his veins. He screamed.

And the world disappeared.

Like water on a painting, Ty's world began to dissolve. The sky, the grass, the very air, they started to run down in rivulets of colour. Ty was falling; he could see the young man again, floating just above him. He was fading away, becoming smaller and smaller as the Typhlosion descended further into the abyss.

A single image was suddenly enveloping Ty; it was in his eyes, his ears and his very soul. A human wreathed in fire was frantically running to him, feet walking on darkness. He screamed.

"Tyyyyyyy!"

.................................

"Ah!"

Ty could see colours. First, just black. But then, his head began to pound; steady thumps of pain that brought flashes and streaks of red, green, and yellow across his closed eyelids. The pain was everywhere, each breath was tortured, as if the air had to be dragged kicking and screaming from his bruised lungs. With each beat of his heart, new pulses of agony ripped across his veins, making Ty writhe and tingle. The Typhlosion kept his eyes shut, concentrating with all his will on not passing out. He felt hot, even more so than usual. His whole body was numb, the dullness occasionally turning into small pricks which then turned into spears of jagged pain.

"Uuuhhh." Ty grunted, he felt his muzzle contort into a grimace.

He still did not open his eyes, keeping them and stray tears shut. He tried to sit up, but his muscles failed him. He fell back down on the ground hard. The impact of stone against bone jarred him, but jump-started his befuddled mind. Stone. He was outside, and he could smell something. The Typhlosion began to sniff the air eagerly. The scents that returned were... confused. There was no wind, no sounds of nature, yet he could smell the sea. He also faintly detected an aroma, musky and warm. He could not recall ever smelling it before, but... He couldn't recall anything at all!

He began to panic. His brawny chest began to heave with large breaths and cold sweat broke out on his body before being absorbed by his blue and cream fur. Ty could feel it; the tendrils of fear begin to overwhelm him. His brain froze; his heart raced. Adrenaline coursed through his muscles and shocked him to action. He jerkily rose on his hind foot paws and stumbled around. It was so dark, and the atmosphere so empty. Why was it so dark? Along with those questions came others. Where was he? Who was he? How did he get here? He felt stupid, like a newborn barely hatched from an egg. He was living blind, a drop of matter in a jumbled sea.

"Ty... Ty... Ty..." The same word surfaced and resurfaced. Was that his name?

Those thoughts were forcibly jostled out of his head when it cracked into the stone wall. With a snarl of anger, the Typhlosion stumbled backwards. He overbalanced and fell roughly onto his rear. He saw stars among the blackness. Then, as he tried to blink the tears out of his eyes, he saw the gray, craggy wall he had crashed into. To add insult to injury, he realized he had never opened his eyes. Sighing, he leaned against another stone wall before slumping down to sit on the cold floor.

"Whoa there, friend. I would suggest you calm down for a bit."

Through his pounding head, Ty caught onto the gravelly voice. With his muscle reflex, he immediately rolled away from the voice; he dropped onto all fours facing the source of the sound. With back-burners blazing and teeth bared, he snarled at a figure calmly sitting on its haunches, cloaked by shadows. A silent pall fell across the small cave as the two faced down each other: one ready to fight, the other simply looking on.

"Who are you?" Ty rumbled, "Where am I?"

The figure only chuckled, a soft ruminating noise emanating from the figure's maw. It stood up, and its serpentine tail unwound from underneath its legs. A fiery blaze ignited from the tip and lit the cavern. From the flickering light, Ty could see shadows like fluttering black flags running across the stranger's body. Scaly feet, tipped with honed claws led up muscular orange legs to the unmistakable body of a draconic Pokémon. Wings, powerful and outlined with green veins unfurled from the Pokémon's back. A rustle of sinew and scales, and the wings had spread out fully to outline the head and neck; still in darkness. As Ty warily stared at this mysterious dragon; entranced by his fire, the dragon's tail moved forward around his hip. In the light, an elegant, yet brawny neck held a rugged, horned, orange head. The maw opened, and Ty watched a row of white, serrated fangs grin at him. Along with the grin, two black-brown eyes gleamed at the Typhlosion.

"My name is Zaar." The Charizard plaintively said. "And you are standing in my home." He continued with a small flourish, claws spread out as a greeting. As he took a step towards his guest, he was greeted with a feral roar. Zaar flinched, though he was careful not to show it to his guest. He stopped advancing and took a step back, at a respectful distance. He let his wings fold and arms fall to his flanks.

"As I said friend, please try to calm do-"

"You're not my friend, stay back!" Ty yelled. His eyes were wild, the sign of a scared and dangerous animal. The bear-like Pokémon now began to tense up, preparing to fight. But the intimidation was lost on Zaar, the Charizard simply stood there, composed.

"But I'm not your enemy either." He gently responded.

"Then what are you?"

Zaar gestured to the bed of plants and grasses in a corner of the cave. Beside it were several bowls fashioned out of rock holding various odorous and colourful berries. There were also small strange plants in a bowl beside the makeshift bed. They were lit, most likely from the Charizard's flames. From the burning tips, wispy arms of smoke reached into Ty's snout. It smelt like the ocean, with all its salt and life. So that was the scent he had first picked up on. Gradually, fear and panic ebbed away; slowly replaced by wariness. Ty turned back to the Charizard, waiting for his answer.

"Your saviour." Zaar said plainly.

Ty frowned. His eyes were blank, confused.

"What?"

This time, it was Zaar's turn to frown, his draconic features arranging themselves into a stern glower. The Charizard gazed at the sitting Pokémon before him, concern and shock streaking in his eyes.

"You..." Zaar whispered, voice slow, barely concealing bewilderment. "You don't remember? Why you're here, how you got here?

"...No" Ty replied. Concealing the panic within himself, he said the word again, but it had no meaning for him. Only defeat.

"No, I don't. Just my name." Ty murmured as he sat back against the cave wall.

"Well, considering your wounds, I should not be surprised."

Zaar watched with some amusement as Ty tilted his head, eyes wide.

"Sorry, what?"

Maw setting in a grim line, Zaar nodded.

"Ah, a moment. I'll show you."

Standing up from his haunches, the draconic Pokémon moved over to Ty's right flank. On his way, Ty noticed how gracefully Zaar moved for a Pokémon of his size. He moved like fluid, shape but no form; one moment, he was a dragon. The other, he was a serpent flowing in Ty's vision.  Eyes and mind entranced, the Typhlosion watched as Zaar settled down next to him. Almost immediately, waves of dizzy bliss began to cloud his head as Zaar knelt down next to him.

"Smells like sea..." Ty sleepily thought. Pulses upon pulses of scent went into his head. Zaar's musk, fiery and raw, like the flame on his tail wove itself into Ty's lungs.

The daydream was ended abruptly as pinpricks of pain spread across Ty's right ear and cheek. A horrible ripping sound rent the air as Ty felt fur being torn from his hide. It was as if his own flesh was being flayed bare, down to nothing but bone. Like lightning in his blood, tried to rise, but was firmly forced back into a sitting position. Fangs grinding together and claws digging into his paws, Ty fought back the primal sounds; the screams of agony. Then, as soon as the pain appeared, it was gone; replaced by a raw aching and soon that dissipated. Ty felt something wet and clammy gently pressing into the side of his face, causing shivers where its viscous fluids oozed into pores.

Letting out a deep, shuddering moan, Ty let his head droop as he felt the pain ebb away. The Typhlosion gently settled back into his stupor, letting Zaar's musk and the gentle tendrils of incense burning in the corner wash over him.

"Thank you..." Ty murred sleepily.

A claw gently rubbed his other cheek, causing a blush and a sharp intake of breath as Ty shivered at the touch. Zaar's voice, like the disembodied speech of a god, floated into Ty's ears.

"Sorry for the pain, but you're going to alright... You're safe..."

Safe. Such a nice word, Ty thought as he smiled. With small purrs, he leaned himself into the Charizard's petting hand. Then, the hand was gone.

Through bleary eyes, Ty turned his head, trying to see what Zaar was doing. With a small scolding grunt, the Charizard softly cradled the injured Pokémon's snout with a cupped claw and turned Ty's gaze back forward. In the small scuffle, Zaar's tail swept as he moved Ty's head, knocking over the incense. The sticks and their smoke were extinguished as the fell into a small puddle.

And just like that, Ty was cold, the chill transcending his body. Heart rate slightly faster, Ty clenched his teeth. What is the Charizard doing? He had only just met the fire type and now he was letting his new host possibly poison him. Generations of inbred instinct told Ty to lash out, to defend himself from this stranger, this enemy. He felt his claws twitch. They were sharp, he thought, more than enough to maim the Charizard.

And yet...

Those instincts were being repeatedly beat back. Being in close proximity to another male, it was foreign to Ty. But it was suddenly familiar. So familiar... Out of the corner of the Typhlosion's eye, he saw the dragon busily gathering vibrantly-coloured powders in bowls of stone with a single hand. With the other, Zaar held Ty's head in place, as well as the soothing material. Zaar's face was a mask of concentration, the Charizard was carefully pressing soaked leaves into the Volcano Pokémon's skin. Soon, his predatorial gaze met Ty's curious one. Those eyes were like their owner: calm, disconcertingly so. Ty saw another emotion lurking in Zaar's stare like a shark. Hunger? But soon Zaar's expression changed, fierceness soon made way for tenderness as the Charizard reassuringly smiled, maw curling into a small grin. The Typhlosion's breath caught in his brawny chest.

The eyes, somehow they changed.

Deep, dark, brown. Full of mystery, but radiating warmth. The two points of shining darkness were still dangerous, but they were like keys, unlocking a memory previously cloaked in dreams. A human. With black hair and fair skin. A body where chiselled arms and torso held a handsome head. A head with a face. A face with eyes. Dark brown and like pools of dark chocolate.

"Han..." Ty breathed, the word completely unknown to the fire type, but somehow resurfaced from the murks of sub consciousness. However, the memory was fleeting, and soon the name and human faded from Ty's eyes.

A rustling of cramped wings, and soon Zaar backed away, patting his claws as he examined his handiwork. Ty could see Zaar's maw moving, unheard words filling the air. Confused, Ty furrowed his brow.

"Sorry, what did you say?" Ty asked.

The Charizard simply looked at him, before walking over to his other side and kneeling down.

"I'm sorry, you were gravely injured when I found you. I did what I could and you'll make a full recovery, but..." Zaar grievously whispered into Ty's left ear.

Ignoring the twinge of pain, Ty rose to stand up and face the dragon.

"But what?" He asked, unable to conceal his growing fear.

"Go look in that puddle," Zaar suggested, as he pointed to a small pool of water, fed by rainwater leaking from the ceiling. "It's not pretty, but at least you still have your health."

Ty began to walk, foot paws making no sound on the granite floor. Four steps away from the puddle. Three steps. Two steps.

"Ack!" Searing pain shot up his feet, his foot paw pierced by a small shard of flint. The Typhlosion overbalanced, roaring in pain, before toppling over. In the split seconds before impact, he saw the unforgiving rock, rushing to meet him. Suddenly the rock halted, frozen in motion. A second passed before Ty felt the scaly paws holding him.

"Are you alright?" Zaar grunted as he struggled to right the bulky Pokémon.

"Yeah..." Ty's chest began to feel tight, constricting the ruminating beats of his heart. Despite his natural flames, he began to flush; a deep tint of rouge, with more heat than his own fires. The Charizard's claws were delicate; cradling the Typhlosion's body with surprising gentleness. Where Zaar's hand caressed Ty's fur, the Typhlosion felt sparks; small pinpricks of emotion that transcended his body and went deep. With a small grunt, the dragon righted Ty; letting his claws linger on his fur, his eyes linger on Ty's. Moments passed, the two fire-types were still in their awkward embrace.

"Your wounds," Zaar said, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that they were so extensive."

"No, I'm fine. Just stepped on something..." Ty replied, looking to the dragon, but Zaar was staring straight forward, a rigid stiffness in his posture. A faint patch of pink was visible in his cheeks.

"Come on." Zaar quietly spoke. "I'll help you."

Together, they began to stumble towards the puddle with Zaar easily supporting Ty, despite the bear-like Pokémon's weight.

"When I first found you, you were washed up on the beach; it looked as if you were caught in an explosion or the like." The Charizard was saying. "It's lucky that you're also a fire-type. Your hide saved you from the worst of the burns, but you're..."

The draconic Pokémon's words fell silent on Ty's ears. The Typhlosion stared dumbly at the puddle, looking at his own rippling reflection in the water. He dropped to his knees, a marionette with its strings cut. On all fours, Ty slapped aside the bowl of incense, still smoking. His view now clear, the bear-like Pokémon stared at his reflection.

"What..." Ty breathed a harsh exhaling of fear. "No..."

Slowly, the world faded away: the cave, Zaar, the dying incense with faint curls of silver smoke still in the air. Pulse throbbing and eyes quavering in disbelief, Ty stared at himself.

A monster glared back.

Cuts marred the thing's snout, like the hide had been sewn together with a butcher knife. Angry red blotches were visible where the fur on the head had been seared off. With a sense of feral foreboding, Ty's gaze fell upon the olive coloured leaves tightly binding the right side of his face. Claws extended from his paws, he began to rip at the sodden plants and let them fall in torn shreds to the stone floor. A hand pressed down on his shoulder, bringing sympathy, but Ty shook it off. Tears from his crimson eyes made miniature waves in the puddle, but they could not veil the small stump where his right ear used to be. Below the scabbing stub, a long and jagged wound ran down to his neck. It was a pathway, for all the pain and agony to flow free, entering his head in razor sharp tingles. He didn't look like himself.

A thought, deadlier than a spear, pierced him.

"I don't even remember what used to look like..."

...................................

The monster leapt from the puddle's reflection, and back into Ty. He was in the cave, but then again, no longer there. He was back in the dream, watching himself from behind glass walls. The him outside the invisible prison was distorted, another evil ghost from his nightmare. The monster ash-grey, ragged and gangly, with long bloody claws and fangs. Flames cloaked the creature's back, purple fires that wafted choking smoke in the air. The monster did not frighten Ty. Even though the Typhlosion began to roar, a feral sound with terror. The monster was on top of the human, the one who haunted his dreams, the one with dark eyes and a handsome smile. He was being torn apart. The Typhlosion inside the glass cage could only watch and futilely beat his paws against the barrier, and watch himself maim and kill.

"Do something!" Ty bellowed, but his word died in his throat.

The young man didn't struggle, only lying on the brown grass shock still and silent. His face was like stone, no emotion as if he were already dead.  As his body was rent, there was no blood. With each swipe of the monster-Ty's claws, a part of him turned to ash; as dark as the monster's fur. Soon, the young man of Ty's dark dreams was a cloud of dust in the wind, carried away from the Typhlosion forever.  The monster stood, its murderous deed done. The breeze was mocking the Typhlosion, reveling in Ty's agony and laughing as the Pokémon writhed in loss.

.......................................

"Haaaaaaaa... Haaaaaaaa... Haaaaaaa..." The wind giggled. "Haaaeee... Haaeeeee.... Heeeeey... Hey!"

Ty was back in the cave, staring dumbly into nothing ness as Zaar called into his ear.

"Hey!"

Ty was then staring into the scared face of Zaar, the Charizards' eyes wide.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Zaar's voice was kind, soft. Sickening.

"Who am I?" Ty asked. The voice was delicate, like glass ready to shatter. His glare were two circles of red, filled with barely-contained rage.

"What?" Zaar looked confused.

The Typhlosion's face darkened, and his maw opened and let smoke curl out.

"Damn!" Ty roared.

With a shove, Zaar was knocked onto his hind and Ty jerkily rose. Primal bloodlust were in his veins, boiling his blood. He turned to the cave mouth. His foot paws marched, but not by the command of Ty himself. Zaar quickly recovered, leaping to his feet and running to the possessed Pokémon. However, he was thrown back again by a wall of sound. Ty roared, a feral, mournful sound. It was laced with raw emotion: fury, and anguish. Ty was an animal, indulging his feral side in rage. Sound blasted in waves, shaking the trees and sending bird Pokémon into the air. Ty screamed until there was nothing left in his lungs.

He roared again, but in shock instead of anger. From behind, a pair of claws seized his shoulders and spun him around. Ty's vision was suddenly filled with Zaar's face, primal and angry. Just like him, just like a mirror. Ty's rage only grew, he had seen what his mirror version had done, he readied his claws. Those claws were suddenly useless as they were pinned to his sides, his bushy fur flattening as Zaar's body pressed against the Typhlosion's. The Charizard held Ty in a tight embrace, arms firmly enveloping Ty in their strength.

"Wha..." Ty exhaled, as the bloodlust slowly ebbed away. Up close, Zaar's musk was stronger than ever. The scents of sweat and smoke emanated from the virile dragon, and filled Ty's nostrils like an aphrodisiac.

"You're okay," Zaar murmured into Ty's good ear, "You're safe. I'm here, you're safe."

Ty felt the breath of the dragon as he spoke. Craning his head to face Zaar, Ty gazed at the Charizard, feeling suddenly vulnerable. Two brown eyes stared down at him. Emotion filled their depths, and empathy shone in the tender gaze.

"I..." Ty whispered, voice quavering. All of his anger had carried his confidence, and when it had gone, so did all his bravado. "I..."

"It's alright." Zaar purred, as he pulled Ty closer to his own body, feeling the warmth of the Typhlosion's fur against his scales.

Numbness overcame Ty's legs and he collapsed, bringing Zaar down with him. They landed in a heap on the floor, Zaar's head cracking against the rock but his arms were still encircling the Typhlosion's bulk.

Warmth. The feeling radiated from Zaar, giving Ty its own hug. The fuzzy feeling made its way from the Charizard's embrace, and sunk into Ty's skin. Tears leaking from his crimson eyes, he burrowed his snout against the draconic Pokemon's body and found refuge in the musky crook of the Charizard's neck.

A low, purring sound echoed in Ty's ear. The throaty murmurs of the dragon filled the cave as he held his patient closer to his own body, feeling Ty's shuddering chest resonate against his own.

"You're safe, you're alright..." Zaar whispered softly, like a father's lullaby to his child.

Ty began to melt, letting all the anxieties, all the anger and nightmares leak into the earth. His world shrunk. Just Ty. Just Zaar. Against his better judgement, he left a breathy sigh leave his maw.

"Ugh..."

Ty reluctantly opened his eyes to see Zaar's face cringing in pain. The Typhlosion realized he was crushing the draconic Pokemon under his weight.

"Sorry, I'll get off. I didn't know I was hurting you-"

"No!" Zaar exclaimed. "It's alright."

Puzzled, Ty looked questionably at the Charizard, who had distinct patches of red staining his cheeks.

"I-I mean, it's good that you're crushing me. Uh, I mean it shows you still have meat on your bones and so you won't get sick. N-no... Never mind."

The Typhlosion stifled a snicker seeing the Charizard suddenly so embarrassed, the calm and fatherly demeanor broken.

"Ack!" Ty was suddenly lifted from the ground as Zaar sat up and rose, bringing him with the standing Pokemon. Despite the Typhlosion's weight, Zaar had no difficulty cradling Ty as the dragon carried him, gently placing the injured Pokemon back onto the bed of leaves. The Charizard himself, had sat down at the head of the bed, beaming down.

"Comfortable?" Zaar asked, his voice a few octaves lower than normal.

"Yeah..."

"Oh," Zaar recalled, "I have something for your wounds, it also will help your fur to regrow."

Ty silently watched as the dragon rose from his kneeling position beside the bed and walked to another corner of the cave. He suddenly felt empty, a longing for Zaar to stay for longer. A part of him knew he was in love. The other part was disgusted. Yearning for another male, especially one he had never met before. But Ty didn't care, there was something primal within him. Memories. They seemed to plague him ever since he woke up.

.....................................

Ty was suddenly in a bed, a real one with blankets and pillows. Injuries, inflicted by the cold sea marred him. The room he was in smelt like mind and the forest. Pictures dotted the walls: the biggest, right on the nightstand, was of a child with a Cyndaquil.  The boy had radiance about him, a wide grin plastered on his round face as he held the happy Pokémon in his slight arms.

"Ty and Han, the dream team. -Mom"

A human was sitting next to him, tender brown eyes tearing slightly as he tended to the Typhlosion's wounds. After applying a bandage, he disappeared, replaced by a white, fluffy avian Pokémon.

"Togekiss..." Ty murmured.

The puffy Pokémon then faded as well. Different Pokémon flashed before him. Ty didn't recognize them, but they were familiar, each a spark to add to the flames in Ty's subconscious. A Leafeon, an Alakazam, a Swampert, another dragon.

"Salamence...."

The Salamence moved closer, and spoke.

"Hello?"

.......................................        

Ty's eyes opened, Zaar was kneeling over him, an expression of amusement on his face. The incense was back up, the rods lit and letting their peaceful fragrance twirl into the world.

"You dozed off again." Zaar said, smiling.

"Sorry."

"Something on your mind?" Zaar asked as he picked up a stone bowl and began applying some sweet smelling balm to Ty's wounded hide.

"For soothing your injuries and helps to restore fur." The draconic Pokémon explained.

"Mmmmmm..." Ty murred in pleasure, flexing his foot paws in time as Zaar massaged Ty's body with the oily lotion. The Charizard's hands were delicate, despite their strength. They ran over each contour of Ty's body, occasionally lingering on the chest and arms; caressing and kneading the muscle. Once in a while, Zaar's claw would go lower, rubbing his stomach, just inches away from his sheath.

"Yeah," Ty managed to say, "About my outburst..."

"You were under a lot of stress, especially since you woke up with no memory. It's alright."

"Damn right." He bitterly replied. "But I've never been more scared. I saw myself a in nightmare, tearing humans apart."

Shivering, the Typhlosion struggled to continue.

"Was I a monster? Did I get cast into the sea as a punishment? Did I-"

"Stop."

Looking over, Ty saw Zaar. His face was stern, despite the tenderness of his voice.

"You're no monster." He continued, "I've only just met you and I already know for certain. It was a nightmare and just that."

Ty sighed, both in content as Zaar continued to massage, and in frustration as he fruitlessly struggled to recall his life.

"I saw faces when I dozed off." Ty said haltingly, "Did I say anything important?"

He blinked. "Sorry. You were snoring."

Ty nodded blearily. The incense and balm were clouding his mind.

"Those were just nightmares; I would stake my life that you were not a monster. You had a bad dream, that's all."

"I'm sorry you're seeing me like this. A male Typhlosion shouldn't be such a crybaby."

Zaar stopped to soak his claws in more balm. He then gazed at Ty, looking embarrassed.

"Don't be," Zaar pointed out, "You were in an explosion and were drifting in the sea for days. And you survived."

The Charizard looked down at the floor, not meeting Ty's eye.

"But, I'm the one who should be sorry. I never even bothered to ask your name. How foolish of me."

"You were too busy stopping me from killing myself." Ty murmured. "I think its Ty."

"Ty..." Zaar repeated. He smiled. "Strong, and to the point."

"I'm not even sure that's my real name." Ty sheepishly said, a blush coming across his face.

"Well, I like Ty. Welcome to Unova."

"Unova?"

"It's the region where I live. Humans named it. You're on an island just off the coast of the mainland."

"Oh." Ty closed his eyes. The Typhlosion surprisingly wasn't interested by the name, or where he was. He opened them a second later. "Why did you save me? How?"

"Well," Zaar said as he applied generous amounts of balm to Ty's fur, "I found you washed up on the beach. I first thought you were dead, but I saw your chest move up and down. I could not just leave you there, so I took you to my home. You were out for at least a week."

"You live here all by yourself?"

Zaar's face became stiff, and tension lined his massaging claws.

"There are others on this island. They are afraid of me, so they avoid me."

"So no mate?" As soon as he said it, Ty regretted his question; he watched with bated breath as Zaar's face darkened. Feelings far more animalistic than he were controlling his words.

"...No," Zaar said, his claws moving up to daub the wounds on Ty's chest with balm . "I'm a monster by other's standards. My species isn't known for its kindness."

"You're an exception." Ty replied.

"As are you." Zaar said, a slight smile spreading across his fearsome maw and the blush returning to his craggy face. "Fire types must stick together."

"You must get lonely." Ty continued, voice lowering of its own accord.

"Yes..." Zaar responded, his rumbling voice was coy, and his eyes were narrowed.

The two's eyes met, silent challenges were exchanged; daring each other to continue down the proverbial path, or to abandon it. It may be the incense, or the trauma, but Ty was suddenly filled with drive and lust. This may be another male, but it was another being, with feelings and strength. Virile yet kind. By the fire behind the Charizard's eyes, the feeling transcended both of them. Zaar's hand began to play with Ty's fur, soft and luscious thanks to the balm, wherever Zaar touched, Ty shivered. All the pent up energy Ty kept needed to be released, and it needed to be released now.

"I want you." Ty blurted out, eyes hazy.

A suspenseful pall hung in the air. The silent thoughts finally given voice. Ty held his breath, tense and nervous for his host's reaction.

Zaar chuckled, voice feral and husky and putting any worries down. Without any words, Zaar leaned down, inhaling Ty's own musk before locking maws, taking him in a deep kiss.

"Mmmmmm..." Moaned the pair, tongues now connected by bonds of saliva. Gradually, the kiss became more wild, less restrained. Their eyes closed, and their breaths became ragged. The connection was feral, unbound by any petty restrictions society placed. The connection was also short lived, as Zaar suddenly pulled away, staring questionably at Ty, claw still tentatively teasing the muscles lining Ty's chest.

"Are you certain you want this? You're my guest, you are still injured-"

Ty frowned, letting his own predatorial instincts flare. His crimson eyes bore holes in the Charizard, drinking in the sight of the sexy male.

"I'm not some little pup," He huskily interrupted, "I know what I want."

Zaar purred in amusement, and returned the flirtatious glare. His tail flicked, mesmerizing in its almost serpentine movement.

"You certainly do."

With surprising agility, Zaar climbed on top of Ty, careful to keep his weight from crushing the still-injured Typhlosion.  The Charizard's hot breath mingled with Ty's own lustful panting. Ty could see Zaar's eyes, a mirror into his own: wanting so primal, it bordered on insanity. The dragon began to gyrate his sinewy body, rubbing his slit against Ty's rapidly growing sheath.

"Ohh..." Ty groaned, feeling the pleasure coarse through him, putting him on a path over the edge. His member twitched painfully as Zaar's scales rubbed harshly against it. The tip of his cock was leaking pre, smearing the salty fluid over Zaar's slit, and gently coaxing the Charizard's own member to emerge.

Trying to get a view of the rapidly expanding member, Ty levered his arms against Zaar's shoulders, taking a moment to caress the scale swathed muscles before lifting the Charizard up. It might have been the sheer animalistic wanting, but Ty had no difficulty lifting the bulky dragon off his body, and into the air. Relishing the look of shock spreading across the Charizard's face, Ty grinned.

"Surprised?" Ty chuckled, eyes narrowed and lustful. He was disappointed when Zaar only snickered, his own brown eyes amused.

"More relieved that my reflexes are still good." The Charizard then motioned for the Typhlosion to look down.

Feeling his ear flattening against his head, Ty realised the dragon had risen up on his haunches by himself rather than Ty's untamed moves. Zaar's claws were crossed over his groin, a false act of modesty, serving only to further tease the Typhlosion.

"You are still injured, and I dare say that over exertion would ruin the mood." Zaar scolded, his tone was stern although heavily laced with sensuality.

Ty sheepishly grinned, concealing embarrassment with humour.

"So why don't you just lie down and let me be a good host?" The Charizard finished, eyes filled with hunger and predatorial wanting. With spreading of his wide wings, Zaar let his hands fall down, the curtains of scales and bone parting to reveal the glorious view.

Zaar's draconic cock, twelve inches and lined with ridges, shone proudly in the half-light. Pre oozed from the spaded tip, slowly navigating its way down the thick shaft to drip onto Ty's fur. Musk nearly overwhelmed Ty, the scent from Zaar's body multiplied. Almost instinctively, Ty sniffed, letting the combination of musk and the incense fill his body, breathing it in. It seemed like with each inhale, Ty lost another piece of his emotions, letting the aphrodisiac choke out his fear and replace it with hunger.

Rising from the ground, Ty's paws began to explore the Charizard's legs, caressing the flesh and inciting low, sonorous murrs of bliss. Every one of Ty's senses were on fire, feeling the Charizard's smooth legs, smelling and tasting the fragrance of sex, while watching as the Charizard responded to Ty's touch; squirming and flexing his brawny chest, arcing his back and flaring his wings whenever Ty would stroke close to Zaar's twitching member. Zaar's maw was open, tongue sprawling out on his teeth while he panted and moaned at the same time. The dragon drunkenly peered at the Typhlosion, eyes half-closed as if in a daze.

Words were beyond both of them, happily lost in the seductive arms of love. Tentatively, Ty grasped Zaar's member with his right paw, surprised at the contrast between the rough ridges that lined the length and the soft fleshy shaft.

"Ahh..." Zaar's eyes were now closed, feeling the Typhlosion's paw pads glide over each bump and ridge and sending vibrations up the sensitive organ and shake his core. The Charizard had lived alone, on this island with nothing but the touch of his own claw. The raw feeling of another's hand on his cock was new to him but immediately felt good. It wasn't wrong, it was just pleasure with each long and sensual run.

Ty smiled at the Charizards's moans, spurring him to greater heights. He increased his tempo, pumping the veined shaft and inciting more throaty rumblings from both Pokémon. Pre was now leaking freely from Zaar's spaded tip, smearing and staining Ty's paw and lubing up the draconic cock. Ty's paw was now going faster and faster, pumping with his right and massaging Zaar's calves with his left. Every so often, he would alternate, pumping with his left and bringing the wet paw to his hungry maw. Making sure Zaar was watching, Ty began to lick; tongue eagerly lapping up the pre smeared into his pawpads and suckling on each digit slowly, purring as he did. The pre was heavy, viral, and intoxicating. Ty felt high, greedily licking his saliva and juice covered paws clean, all the while steadily gazing at Zaar, making sure he saw everything.

"Well you certainly are eager..." Zaar breathlessly said, wings twitching as Ty indulged both his eyes and loins. It would shame not to reciprocate. The Charizard reached behind him, right claw blindly grasping for his goal.

He found it.

"Ohhhhhh..." Ty groaned, head and back arched back, his body writhing in pleasure as Zaar traced imaginary lines around the shaft of Ty's cock. He moved down, cupping Ty's sac, massaging the fuzzy orbs. Ty's own member was now dripping, fiery pre soaking his loins.

"How does that feel?" Zaar mewled, voice slightly hoarse as they both rubbed each other off.

"Good," Ty purred, both of his paws wrapped around Zaar's shaft. Ty was not a small Pokémon by far, but his paws barely wrapped around the girth of the draconic member.

"How about a closer look?"

Without warning, Zaar crawled forward until he sat upon Ty's bulky chest, engorged cock twitching just in front of his suddenly dry mouth. Up close, it was even larger; Ty could see every inch of the muscle. The scent almost knocked him unconscious.

Taking a deep breath, Ty snaked his tongue out, and flicked at the quivering tip of Zaar's shaft. The taste of Zaar's raw skin was arousing, the mixture of sweat and pre-cum forming the natural taste of the male dragon. Going a bit further, Ty rested the entire shaft on his tongue, the ridges tickling his lips as he suckled on the length.

Zaar was in ecstasy, he looked down at the Typhlosion below him, eyes looking obediently up at him. Ear folded back and mouth eagerly working him over. A powerful male, at his beck and call. Reaching down, he cupped Ty's head, running his claws softly through his fur, marveling at its softness. He started thrusting, hips bucking as he fucked Ty's hungry maw. The Charizard started slow, giving his new partner time to adjust before slowly increasing his pace. Leaning his head back, Zaar sighed; feeling the Typhlosion's hot mouth completely encircle his entire length, coaxing out more juices from him.

Feeling the ridged penis steadily ram into his maw, Ty gripped Zaar's hips, closing his eyes as he fought back his gag reflex. He stared to suck with new vigor, diving into the dragon's loins and reveling in the taste of Zaar. Musk was heavy in the air, whenever Zaar pulled back, Ty would inhale it. The scent of pure sex and lust formed a little world for the mating males, nothing existed beyond the cave.

Soon, Zaar's breaths and thrusts became irregular, his growls of feral lust escaping his drooling maw constantly. His claws dug into the undamaged side of Ty's face. To Ty's disappointment, he pulled out; a sticky trail of Ty's drool still connected the spaded tip to his own tongue.

Slightly breathless, Ty asked, "Something wrong?"

Zaar, equally breathless, only shook his head.

"I wouldn't want for you to feel left out..."

With that, Zaar twisted and lay flat on Ty, his head now facing Ty's erect cock. The Typhlosion shivered as he breathed onto his member, the heat stimulating the neglected organ. Hungrily, the Charizard opened his maw and took the 11 inches in his mouth, skilled tongue swirling around the shaft of the pulsing muscle. His tongue flicked over the tip, tasting the salty musk of pre, before trailing down the quivering shaft

"Oh God..." Ty murred, feeling himself writhe as Zaar bobbed up and down on his cock, his hot mouth encasing Ty in jungle like heat. Claws gripped Ty's thighs, gently squeezing the flexing legs. Obliging he silent command, the Typhlosion opened his legs, skin hungry for Zaar's heavenly touches. Skilled hands found Ty's sac, kneading and rubbing the sensitive skin and pinching it. Moans were now flooding from both Pokémon's maws and ecstasy coursing into their sweating bodies.

Wanting to reciprocate, Ty reached up with his paws, guiding Zaar's still dripping penis back into this waiting maw. Looking up, Ty could see the Charizard's muscular rump, tail hole twitching as Zaar thrusted wildly into Ty's licks.

For an eternity, the air in the cave was filled with wet, slurping sounds as the two Pokémon ravenously sucked and blew each other, eagerly toiling for their ultimate prize.

Eventually, Zaar felt the familiar contractions of the impeding orgasm and began to slurp harder, pumping the thick shaft with one hand while the other explored the Typhlosion's rump. With a claw, Zaar began to massage his taint, before inserting his digit in, penetrating the muscled ring. A shudder and groan from the Pokémon below him confirmed his desire. Zaar's finger went deeper, the tight walls of Ty's hole gripping him with heat and flesh.

"Mmmm..." Ty groaned, voice muffled by the dragon cock sliding into his throat. The vibrations jarred the Charizard, he wouldn't last much longer. His claws were slick with sweat, balm, and pre dripping from the Volcano Pokémon's twitching member; so Zaar had no difficulty easing in his other digits. One by one, they penetrated and spread Ty's puckered ring until Zaar's hand was enveloped in the Typhlosion's ass. He began to thrust his fist in and out, tickling and prodding the sweet spot with each invasion. Ty was no longer thinking, the sweet waves of bliss with each stroke of his prostate were almost intoxicating. Zaar's hot mouth sucking on his length, the dragon's fist fucking his tight ass, his mouth being filled and bred by the Charizard's scorching member. Zaar began to groan through Ty's cock, his thrusts becoming uneven.

Seconds later, Zaar's hips gave one final heave, going deep into Ty's throat. Ty gagged as a torrent of hot seed flooded into his mouth, filling his cavity with musky, salty cum. Oodles of Zaar's seed rushed down his throat, filling his stomach with fire. Despite his best efforts to swallow, the dragon cum cascaded past Ty's thirsty lips and staining his fur.

The flood of Zaar's milky white pushed Ty over the edge, finally landing him into pure lust and bliss. His own cock twitched and his sac withdrew into his body. Ty's body spasmed as his engorged member exploded and contracted, shooting his load into the waiting Pokemon's mouth. The Charizard drew back, gently pumping the shaft, savoring the rich tang as he gently coaxed more cum into his waiting maw. With a pop, Zaar's fist slid out of Ty's abused taint, inciting another gasp from the ravished male.

Gathering up the strength to move, Zaar lifted himself off of the Typhlosion. His cock slid out of Ty's mouth, the cold air quickly surrounding it as Ty's lips retreated.

"Ah..." Zaar sighed in content. He once again turned and plopped next to Ty on the leaf bed, a creamy white now contrasting against the green. He turned to his lover, watching the light rise and fall of his chest. Careful to keep his tail flame away from the woven mattress, the Charizard placed a claw on Ty's chest, waiting for his eyes to open.

Relief filled Ty's being, the same as Zaar's sperm filled his maw and stomach. He exhaled, body sore but his mind finally unburdened. The incense mingled with the heavy odor of sex, making his nose eagerly drink in the stirring perfume. He was faintly aware of a pressure on his chest, opening his eyes, he saw the dragon. Like him, Zaar's smiling face was smeared with cum, as well as his stomach and groin.

Silence dominated the air, a tentativeness creating a void previously filled by lust.

Ty shifted uncomfortably, his mind a mosh pit of chaos. He bore into the ceiling of the cave with his stare. What happened? Waking up with no memory, being plagued by nightmares, and now suddenly mating with another male. His paw reached up to his damaged ear, stroking the balm-covered stump only to recoil when jabs of pain wracked his head.

Another male.

The thought kept on flashing in front of his eyes, a little movie replaying over and over again. Was he gay? Or was it something else?

A strong hand cupped his chin, bringing his eyes to face Zaar. The dragon wiped the seed off his face, casually tossing aside a stained leaf to pick up another on from the woven mattress. After wiping off the marks of their lovemaking off Ty's muzzle, Zaar snuggled closer to him. The only sound was their soft exhales as they breathed in sync.

Still no words had been spoken.

Wanting to break the silence, Ty opened his maw.

"So..." He stopped, the first word barely escaping before nerves clamped down hard on his throat and choked out the rest. Zaar's claw wrapped around his chest, his head resting on Ty's own.

"Are you alright?" He asked, voice breathy.

Ty smiled wanly. "You've been asking a lot of questions."

"Well," Zaar shot back, "A stranger washing up on my beach isn't very usual."

The bear-like Pokémon stiffened, the nightmares slowly coming back to mind. Zaar realized this, and his hand quickly retreated as if shocked. He retreated, leaving Ty's body in a void.

"I apologize, that was uncalled for." He said, voice as rigid as Ty's body.

The dragon's words soaked into his skin, causing Ty's body to relax. Letting out a ruminating breath, he turned onto his side, paw reaching to clasp Zaar's.

"That's ok, I was very lucky you found me." Ty began.

"And-" He paused, unsure of whether or not to continue. The dragon had been like an angel, saving him from death. Feelings bubbled within him, bringing the blush back to his cheeks and fire in his belly. Lust was one thing, but love wasn't something that just happened in the course of a few hours. But he was wrong. He knew it but also weakly tried to refuse it at the same time. He loved Zaar, and the light in the dragon's eyes told a similar story.

"I was also very lucky." Zaar replied. His baritone voice began to crack, small, subtle changes in pitch. "I've been alone since I hatched. No one to talk to. No one to care about." He clasped Ty's paw tighter.

"Now I do." Zaar whispered. "Thank you."

Their bodies once again moved closer, their flames stoked by passion. Arms wrapped in a tight embrace, their lips met once more. The taste of seed and sweat was still strong, as their tongues washed over each other, tasting and eagerly suckling the other's maws.  Almost like a shot of pure europhia, wooziness took over Ty's body. Thousands of little hands grasped at his eyelids, sleepiness threatening to overpower the Pokémon. His lips fell from Zaar's although his arms were still tightly locked around the dragon's. He fought it, focusing his bleary vision on the dragon, drinking in the sight of his lover. But exhaustion finally won, reclaiming Ty's thoughts and sight, returning them to subconscious. His eyes closed, the musk of Zaar's body and the warmth of his chest lulling him to sleep.

Zaar's voice pierced through the haze, clear as day.

"Go to sleep, Ty. I'll always be here, whenever you want me. "

.............................................

He was asleep.

The Charizard looked at the sleeping form of Ty wrapped tightly around his body, muzzle burrowing into the crook of his neck. With a lazy flick of his tail, Zaar knocked the bowl of incense over, extinguishing the smoke. As fatigue began to wear at him as well, old memories came to mind. They were from long ago, of gathering the herbs that made up the wispy perfume. When burnt, the inhaler would experience wooziness, loss of inhibition, and become infatuated; unless one had built up an immunity of course.

There was only one rare side effect, Zaar recalled before he kissed the top of Ty's head and slept.

The herb would sometimes trigger lost memories in amnesia victims.

.......................................

The two Pokémon slumbered, fending off the cold of the rain with their intimate embrace. They saw nothing but blackness, felt and smelt nothing but the other's body. They did not hear the plane landing on the mainland of Unova, just across the channel from the island.

The private jet landed on the isolated runway, rain drizzling onto the concrete strip. A door opened on the aircraft, and a young woman clad in black stepped out, a single Pokeballs strapped to her waist. Blond hair cascaded from her head, falling down like a waterfall to her waist. From underneath the scraggly bangs, a pair of tear-stained blue eyes wearily gazed at the small SUV awaiting them. The woman turned back to the plane, beckoning for an unseen person to step out.

Reluctantly, a young man stepped onto the stair case and slowly descended. He stepped onto the tarmac in a daze, his gait unsteady. Ignoring the rain, the view, the world even, the young man stared straight ahead. He took a few shaky steps on his own, before falling to his knees. The young woman quickly rushed to her companion, trying to get him to rise. He eventually did and they walked towards the waiting car. His eyes, once a deep shade of brown, were now black; darkened by grief stared at the passing puddles. Six Pokeballs knocked against his white t shirt and his jeans.

Five of them held Pokémon, the young human's companions and friends.

One of them once held the young man's first Pokémon, his best friend, and his lover. It was now empty.

........................................

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading! A rating and a comment would be much appreciated since this story took weeks to write. Plus, it lets me know what kind of job I've done. Anyways, thank you for reading, it means so much to me when I know that others enjoy my works. (: