FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

_ Out with the old city, in with a new friend _

...

(Eterna City - Pokemon Center)

"Excuse me, are you the one that contacted us?"

Jaden brought his head up to look at the person who had just talked to him. It was a teenager, perhaps two or three years younger than him, yet possessed deep blue eyes which showed maturity equaled to that of an adult. He had shoulder-length, spiky brown hair; a harsh, yet handsome face and a lean, muscular body. His outfits consisted of a rolled-up red jacket, worn over a whitish grey shirt and jeans, brown boots and fingerless gloves.

"I'm Jaden. Are you one of the Pokemon Rangers?" Jaden nodded and held out his hand, which was soon joined by the young man's own hand as they shared a typical 'business handshake'.

"Yes. My name is Chase, captain of the Sinnoh Rangers, Alpha squad." the young man introduced himself, "So...let's get straight to business. I believe you said that you were bringing in a notorious criminal?"

Jaden nodded and pointed a finger over his shoulder, "Yup. A rare hunter known as Logan. Does he look familiar to you?"

Chase's eyes quickly went after the direction of Jaden's finger, only to widen in shock for a few seconds. Lying on the floor was a certain hunter, roped and blindfolded.

"It's him! We've been after him for years, but each time we were close, he always managed to slip away. To be honest, I've really thought of throwing in the towel. How on Earth did you...?"

"I don't blame you. That guy gave me one heck of a problem, too." Jaden chuckled, "Anyway, here he is, all tied up and really to be in jail, and hopefully, he'll face punishment for his crimes soon enough."

"Well, that I can assure you." Chase smiled, looking satisfied. He turned around and made a gesture. To Jaden's surprise, two more rangers, both of whom were about the same age as Chase, walked in and escorted Logan out of the building.

"Good riddance to that piece of trash." Jaden thought aloud, before pulling out three pokeballs from his belt, "These are the hunter's pokemon, and now they're all yours to handle. Don't be too harsh though. They're not completely evil, just guided onto the wrong path by Logan. If you can bring them back to their sense...who knows, they could become great helps."

"Got it." Chase nodded and took the pokeballs, "Then, let me thank you again, for saving us troubles catching Logan. Is there anything we can do to repay you?"

"As a matter of fact, there is. Recently, I've run across a group who labels themselves 'team Galactic'. I don't know what they're trying to achieve, but their methods are ruthless and illegal. So, I'd like you to inform all gym leaders in Sinnoh, the Elite Four, as well as the Champion, about this, as soon as possible. Tell the gym leaders to investigate their territories, but don't act recklessly should they find anything suspicious. Any trainer alone can't handle team Galactic."

Chase scowled, "There's an organization like that Sinnoh? Why haven't I heard about them before?"

"Well, you know the recent cases of missing pokemon in this city? Team Galactic was the ones behind all that." Jaden remarked, rolling his eyes, "Although, I bet you thought it was the hunters' doings, right?"

The ranger did not look convinced. Nonetheless, he said politely, "If that's the case, I'll try my best, but I can't guarantee if the gym leaders will believe me."

"They'd better do." Jaden grumbled, "Dealing witht team Galactic is no childplay. Unless all trainers in Sinnoh stay strong and united, there's no way we can win."

"Alright, if you don't need anything else, I shall take my leave now." Chase said. Before going, the young ranger shook hand with Jaden again, "Hope to see you again one day."

Jaden grinned in return.

...

"So, how was the trade?" Ryan asked.

"Nothing's special." Jaden shrugged, "You know, I deliver the goods, and he does me a small favor in return...But never mind that, have you found Jake and Lucario?"

Ryan shook his head warily, "No. I went to his room, but it was empty, so I asked Nurse Joy, and she said they hadn't returned since this morning. Where could they have disappeared to? Man, I'm worried."

"Me too." Jaden agreed, failing to stifle a sigh, "Let's just hope they didn't get into more troubles."

"Do you think we should go looking for them?" Ryan asked.

"That would be a pain in the ass, consider that we have absolutely no ideas of their whereabouts, but...jeez, I guess we have no other choice." Jaden said, scratching the back of his neck, "Oh, and while we're at it, let's invite a friend to come out and help us."

"Eh?"

"Stop hiding. I know you're there." Jaden called.

"Who in the world are you talking to?" Ryan asked, confused.

"Our little friend from Eterna Forest." Jaden grinned, "One last chance. Show yourself, or I'll have Latios drag you out!"

It was not till then a certain sea weasel pokemon came out from the tree he had been hiding behind, "When did you realize I was following you?"

"Right from the moment we began walking back to the city." Jaden said, "You were quite a sneaky one, but not sneaky enough."

"Buizel?" Ryan exclaimed, "I thought we left you in the forest. What are you doing here?"

"Can't you tell." Buizel shrugged, "I'm stalking you. Sorry, but I still have some unfinished businesses to take care of."

Ryan frowned, "We don't have time to fight you right now!"

"Who said I came here to fight?" Buizel said, arching his eyebrows, "Well, actually I did, to settle the score with Lucario, but more importantly, I'm here to see Jake."

"Jake? What do you want with him?" Ryan inquired.

"There's something he has promised to show me, but I've yet to see it." Buizel replied, "That's why I want to meet him. Let me help you find him and Lucario."

"I haven't a clue what he's talking about!" Ryan groaned, "Hey you, listen, we are busy right now, so just go back to..."

"It's okay." Jaden interjected as he walked to Buizel. Smiling, he kneeled and stroked the pokemon's head, "I get it. Then, shall we go looking for him together?"

(Meanwhile, at Josh's mansion)

With a glass of milk in his hand and a big smile on his face, Jake opened the door to Lucario's room, hoping to be greeted by the sight of his awaking lover.

However, his anticipation was instantly crushed when he saw Lucario, weak and fragile as he was, but still tried to climb off the bed, which he eventually managed to, but that was pretty much all the pokemon's shaky legs could do, as they immediately gave out afterwards, resulting in him falling flat on his face.

"Pup!" Jake placed his glass on the nightstand and ran over his fallen Lucario. Placing a hand behind Lucario's head, the trainer gently helped his mate to get up and lay on the bed again, "You're still weak. Don't move around too much." He said concernedly.

"I was worried. I woke up and didn't see you anywhere..." Lucario said weakly as Jake pulled the blanket over him again. "Where is this place? Last I remembered, we were in Eterna Forest..." the pokemon anxiously looked around, "The hunter...I-Is he still here?"

"Relax. Everything is okay now." Jake said reassuringly, "Nothing can harm you anymore, and I'm here with you."

It was not till then Lucario's racing heart managed to slow down. He felt a bit cold and weak, but other than that, the painful heat, as well as his arousal, had completely disappeared, "I'm back to normal again. How did you do it?"

"Hah, you know medical stuffs are beyond me, don't ya?" The trainer shook his head, "While carrying you to the Pokemon Center, I ran into this guy who claimed that he know about your condition and how to fix it."

Jake paused and ruffled the fur on Lucario's head affectionately, "I know it was too suspiciously convenient that someone just showed up and helped us, but at that moment, I didn't have time to think it over. It's either do or die, so..."

"Let me guess. You took the fishy offer?" Lucario interjected, sounding extremely blunt, which made the trainer's face brightly pink, out of embarrassment, "Well excuse me for trying to save you as fast as I could, but that was a right decision. Not only did he cure you, but he also provided us with a place to rest. Heck, he even treated me to a meal."

"Wow, is there really such a kind person?" asked Lucario, astonished.

"Believe it or not, there certainly is, and we both own him a big thank after this." Jake remarked appreciatively, "I'm sorry, pup." He added with a resentful tone.

"Sorry for what?"

"It's my entire fault that we got caught in this mess and you got hurt." Jake faltered, looking at the ground.

"That's not true." Lucario exclaimed, pressing his paws against Jake's hands, "Okay, I know we _did_have some troubles, but we also helped a Buizel. You even managed to discover his lair, and if Ryan and Jaden could stop him, we will be able to save a lot of pokemon from suffering a terrible fate. Isn't that great?"

"I guess we can put it that way..." Jake grumbled, before pulling out a necklace from his pocket, "And I believe you dropped this."

"The mega stone!" Lucario widened his eyes in shock and frantically ran his paw over his neck, "When did I...?"

Jake quietly wrapped his arms around the pokemon's neck, and with a simple 'clang', the necklace was securely tied to Lucario again. The gemstone glowed brilliant blue, as if to show it was also happy to be reunited with its master.

"Don't beat yourself up over it." said Jake softly as he noticed Lucario's face, which showed pretty much nothing but guilt, "If it hadn't been for the necklace, I'd have never been able to locate that jerk's hideout and save you. Believe it or not, I think these stones and us are somehow...connected."

The trainer gently placed his gloved hand on Lucario's chest, and to prove his words, the two pieces of jewel began to glow. At the same time, both human and pokemon felt a surge of soothing warmth spread through their bodies.

"You felt that? I think...they resonate with our emotions." Lucario asked, unbelievingly amazed. Instead of a reply, Jake gave the pokemon a confirming nod.

"Hey pup, can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"When we first met, I made myself a promise that I would always do my best to take better care of you. Yet till this point, everything I've managed to do is getting us into troubles and hurting you. After all of that, why do you still worry about me? Am I really worth it?" the trainer said in a flat, slightly depressed tone.

Lucario spaced out for a few seconds, and when he was finally able to talk again, his voice was soft, yet contained immense sincerity and affection, "Are you worth? You - Someone who reached out his hand for me, gives me the best of everything, and most importantly, loves me unconditionally. Is it alright for me to care for that person? I think the answer is certainly 'yes'."

It was then Jake felt Lucario's paw around his hand, squeezing it gently, "Do you believe in things such as 'fate' or 'miracle'?"

"..."

"You're a miracle, and I'm glad fate has brought us to each other. I have no regret, so why should you? Besides, just looking into your eyes, I know you were hurt as much as, or even more than I was. If the past is too painful, just let it go...For now, all I care about is this moment, and us alone."

Feeling his eye get a little moist, Jake nodded. After every ordeal he had been through, not only had he never blamed Jake, but he also became even more forgiving. The two exchanged a silent message through their gazes, which was as clear to them as the warm drops dripping from the corner of Jake's eyes.

...

Outside the room, Josh was leaning again the wall. Smirking triumphantly, the healer snapped his finger, "Hah, I knew it! I just knew it!"

Next to him, Arcanine, looking rather irritated, asked, "Is it really a good idea to eavesdrop them like this?"

"What do you mean 'eavesdropping'? I just happened to overhear their little conversation. Besides, it really doesn't matter, as long as no one knows." Josh replied cheekily.

"Geez..." Arcanine sighed and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Ah c'mon Arky!" the healer's ocean-blue eyes beamed, "Don't you find their romance adorable."

"Great, so now you're obsessed with them?" said Arcanine sulkily, "Obsessed enough to _ignore_me?"

"Err...Don't tell me you're still upsetting about what happened earlier? We have plenty of time for that stuff, and you literally wear me out every night, remember?" Josh said, his voice was seductively silky, mixed with a slight hint of sarcasm.

The fire pokemon went pink under his fur.

...

When Jake and Lucario walked to the living room, they caught a lovely sight. Arcanine was sitting obediently on the couch, head resting on Josh's lap while the healer, with surprisingly tenderness, was feeding him handfuls of berry; occasionally giggling as the pokemon's lapping tongue tickled him.

"Oh hey Jake." said Josh cheerfully as he spotted the trainer, before fixing his gaze to Lucario, "I see you got the pup fresh and healthy again."

"You must be Josh. I apologize for causing trouble, and thank you so much for helping us." Lucario said appreciatively and bowed his head.

"No big deal. I only did what I had to." The healer smiled, "Are you two leaving now?"

"Yeah. We have a few friends who're also in the city and properly looking for us at the moment. I've worried them enough for a day." said Jake.

"Oh, alright. But before that, I have a few pieces of advice for you. I'm not into fighting, so I'll never understand trainers and such, but I do know one thing: Your pokemon don't just fight for you, they also trust you with their lives. In return, it's your responsibility to take proper care of them in every aspect, especially in emotional health." Josh said solemnly, "One more thing. I don't know about you, but I honestly hate the use of pokeballs. The idea of keeping such wonderful creatures in those hot, confined capsules doesn't sound good to me at all, so unless you have to, I suggest letting your pokemon stay outside and enjoy fresh air, which will definitely do better for their health, okay?"

Jake shivered. True to his profession, Josh's voice was soft and suggestive, yet authoritative at the same time, which strongly reminded Jake of the way a doctor talked to his patients. He nodded obediently.

"Good. Then here's a parting gift for you." The healer said, pointing at a small bottle on the table, in which was a rather thick, transparent liquid. As Jake picked up the container and examine the liquid, he couldn't help asking, "What's this stuff?"

"Stuff? No my friend, that right there, is an all-purpose antidote, which means it's capable of countering almost any kind of poison...well, at least those that I know, including the nasty aphrodisiac earlier." Josh said proudly, somewhat a little cocky, "It's my most prized creation so far."

"Wow. That's kinda...amazing." Jake admitted, "Why did you give such a valuable item to me so easily?"

Josh grinned, "Perhaps I found something intriguing about you two. More importantly...well, you may call this crazy, but I have a strong hunch that someday, you'll need that antidote much more than I do."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Jake, puzzled, "Am I being punk'd?"

"Dunno..." Josh smiled, "Anyway, I thought you were in a hurry. Well, until we meet again."

"Good bye...then." said Jake awkwardly.

Arcanine waited until he could no longer see Jake and Lucario, before turning his attention to Josh, "Great job. I think they're more confused than grateful."

"It takes time to fully understood a genius." said Josh smugly. He was about to feed Arcanine another handful of berries when he noticed the pokemon had gotten up and was now looking at him intently, eyes gleaming with a strange hunger.

"Oh no...I know that face. Don't even think about it, Arky!" Josh stammered and started to fall back hastily.

"Too late." Arcanine licked his muzzle. A split second later, and for the second time of that day, Josh found himself helplessly pinned under the pokemon's massive form.

...

"Hey Ryan." Jake talked to his pokedex. The screen was showing the image of another trainer who seemed both glad and exasperated, "Jake! Dude, where have you and Lucario been?"

"I don't think now's the best time to explain" said Jake, "Where is Jaden, I thought he was with you?"

"You thought? How the hell can we search the whole city for you without splitting up?" Ryan snorted.

"Sorry." said Jake timidly, "I'm at the Pokemon Center. Can you call Jaden and tell him that?"

"Geez." Ryan sighed, "Alright, but you'd better stay righter. If we come back and you two are nowhere to be found, you'll have to continue the journey alone!"

Jake could do nothing but gulfed as Ryan roughly shut his pokedex close. He had never seen that kind of irritation from Ryan.

...

Jake and Lucario were both looking rather nervous as they waited for their returning friends. Jake knew it was entirely his fault. No matter what Jake's excuse was, he should have never forgotten to let Jaden and Ryan know he had been okay. The trainer did not expect his friends to forgive him easily, but he hoped that they would at least understand the circumstances.

However, things turned out quite differently.

Jaden and Latios were the first ones to come into his sight. In contrast to Jake's expectation, they were both looking relieved and happy to see him. And then there was Ryan...well, he did not seem too mad, just a little gloomy. However, there was another surprise waiting for him.

"Hey, we meet again." came the voice of a certain sea weasel pokemon.

"Buizel!" Jake and Lucario exclaimed in unison. The trainer could not help running toward Buizel and pat his head, "Boy am I happy to see you again! But...what are you doing here, in this city?"

"I've been wondering that for a while." Ryan mumbled.

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten?" said Buizel, looking slightly disappointed, "When we were in the forest, I said I'd help you find Lucario. In return, you would show me what is 'bond', and you agreed, remember?"

"I did?" Jake asked himself mentally. He tried to recall that time. His mind had been completely occupied by Lucario's well-being. May be he had said those thing on the spur of the moment. The trainer really had no idea what to do with this Buizel now.

Then again, Jake understood that once words had been said, they could not be taken back. He also knew how determined Buizel could be, having battled the pokemon before. Besides, he did own Buizel big time, so it was only natural for him to return the favor.

"Uhm, how can I put this..." Jake stared, looking rather sheepish, "Bond isn't something you can directly show others. It takes time to truly feel and understand such a complicated connection. I don't mind you follow with us, but we won't be staying here much longer. Are you really willing to leave Eterna forest and come along with us?"

Jake thought Buizel would hesitate, or even refuse to abandon a place where he had spent most of his lifetime, but for the second time of that day, the sea weasel pokemon surprised him again, as he replied almost instantly after having been asked, "Yes, I am. That choice has already been made since the moment I decided to follow you into the city. I need to know what will make me stronger: Fighting alone or fight with others."

At this point, Jake only wanted to scream out loud, because he knew the chance of him declining Buizel's request was as possible as building a castle in the air. However, he at least wanted to hear Lucario's opinion about this, "What do you think, pup?"

"I see no reason to refuse him." Lucario shrugged, "He could be annoying, but he's also a strong, brave little guy. He'll make a great comrade."

"Whoa there, hold on a second, boy. Who said I'll become your comrade?" said Buizel matter-of-factly, "I choose my master. In other words, until you beat me, don't even think of ordering me around."

"Is that a challenge?" Lucario growled, though he looked amused rather than annoyed, "I'd almost kicked your ass once, and I'll do it again and again if you want to."

"They both seem so lively. Look like we're gonna have a great time ahead." said Jake, smiling, "Okay you two, enough with the bickering. It's fine if you don't want to become my pokemon, but I hope we could at least be friends."

Buizel nodded, seeming satisfied.

"Speaking of friends, we _are_your friends too, Jake." said Ryan coldly, "Next time, if you want to hang around somewhere, remember to inform us beforehand, 'kay?"

Jake winced like a child who had just been caught lying to his parents. Fortunately, Jaden was there to save the day, "Come on Ryan, I knew he made a mistake, but you don't have to rub it in. More importantly, our journey has been delayed long enough. I think all we need right now is a good, peaceful sleep to get back energy. We're leaving early tomorrow."

"It's about time. I've had enough of this city." Ryan muttered.

"That settles it!" Jake said quickly, "Hey Buizel, you can sleep in my room if you don't have a place to stay."

"I appreciate and accept that offer." said the sea weasel pokemon.

When Jake walked pass Jaden, the latter grinned and whispered into his ears, "Good luck. Now you've got one more audience to witness your love saga."

(Meanwhile, at Celestic Ruin)

"Blast it, looks like we were one step behind again, Garchomp." said a figure in grey coat exasperatedly as she stared at the wall that had been decimated, resulted in a large, nasty-looking hole which led straight into the ruin. As she walked into what looked like an ancient temple, her eyes widened in shock as they were fixed upon an empty altar, "I can't believe it. They even stole sacred mega stones!"

Suddenly, the watch on her left hand started ringing, and when she brought it to her face, the device was revealed to be some kind of communicator, "Hello...Oh, it's you, Chase. Is there anything important?"

"Yes, bad news. Miss Cynthia, have you ever heard of an organization known as Team Galactic?"

(To be continued)