FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The surgery went flawlessly, Thomas having been unconscious for the majority of it. He'd been brought round in the latter half to test that the artificial inner ear segment was operational before given more drugs to knock him out again. When he came around Thomas was back in bed; dusk by his reckoning given the glow of purple light from over the mountains he could see outside. He was met by a seated Hitmonlee, who upon noticing the man's bleary eyed rousal, began tapping away at a tablet. “Ugh…." He groaned, trying to sit up through the wooziness. “How long was I out?" Eric pointed to the clock. “Same day?" Thomas asked, trying to focus on the mechanisms' hands. Eric nodded. “Okay, not too bad then."

He slumped back down as the pokemon orderly fetched some water, placing it on the bedside table. “Thanks." Thomas smiled weakly, acknowledging the pokemon before staring off into the afternoon. He felt his ear, and although it was once again covered in bandages he could faintly hear the fabric moving under his touch with the bionic sensors. “Wild…" he said, tapping the bandage a few more times. Eric seemed amused at the man's curiosity. He also seemed like he wanted to ask something, but before he could Doctor Coral walked in.

“Mister Pine." She said happily. Thomas muttered his birthdate, Dr Coral chuckling as she tapped away at her tablet. “You seem a little more down than I would have expected, given how well the surgery went." She pulled up the seat Eric had recently abandoned and sat by the man's bedside. “Everything went fine. The electronics are wired to a small kinetic dynamo, which will charge the device as you walk. Externally, it just looks like you're wearing an earbud headset, but without the wires." She brought up images on the tablet of the device post-surgery. It really did look like a wireless or 'hands-free' earbud, with a silicone centre to keep anything out of the ear, and a flexible black bar coming out of it to act as a microphone. “The care instructions have been uploaded to your pokedex."

“Care instructions?" Thomas asked, concerned he'd have to clean it several times a day, or never operate it in a storm or something similar.

“Just stuff on how it works, what to do if it doesn't, what it's settings are. All that stuff. It's set to the default we talked about during the surgery, but given the look on your face I'm not sure you remember that." Her smile turned from generally happy to almost mischievous as Thomas stared at her blankly. He remembered being woken up and asked if he could hear a collection of rising and falling tones, but that was it.

“The 'Louder-Softer' thing?"

“Thats it." Doctor Coral nodded, squeezing Thomas' hand with her own. “Well I'll let you get some shuteye. The surgery went so well I might just let you go tomorrow." She got up to leave, turning to wave Eric over to have a word with him outside. “Oh, and Mister Pine," She said somewhat more serious “If there's any discomfort there, any at all outside just feeling a little odd, please let one of the nurses know. So far your body has accepted the implant, but if that changes you do NOT want an infection that close to your brain. K, Bye."

Thomas was left bug-eyed at that last bit as the Doctor walked out of the room. But instead of panicking, he had to laugh, the Doctors comment seen for what it was; a serious issue wrapped in an overly dramatic shell. He sighed, looking back to the twilight outside. Alone in his room again, and with the mind-numbing medication still present in his body, it didn't take long before Thomas was back asleep.

The majority of the next day went by in a flurry. From breakfast onwards Thomas was subjected to test after test, making sure the advanced hearing aid was functioning normally. They had him sit through X-rays, performed a removal and reinstallation procedure - the man warned that only medical professionals should attempt it - and given guidance from the technical team on it's basic functions. Come lunchtime, Thomas found himself pouring through the device's manual checking out all the cool stuff it could do that they hadn't mentioned.

There was an alarm system, set to go off if an unauthorised voice was present or an abnormal amount of movement sounds were detected. There was a human translation feature that unfortunately he didn't have as that particular element was not installed, but could be later on when the component was developed. There was also an echolocation mode that could connect with the pokedex to give a very rough view of where the microphone was pointing, effectively allowing a person to walk through a pitch black cave… sideways. There was also an automatic underwater mode, a high-decibel compensation mode and all sorts of other automatic settings that would dampen, enhance or modify sounds so as not to damage the man's hearing or the device in general.

By mid-afternoon he was well read on what he could and couldn't do with the device, and had even tested unplugging the microphone to clean it and attach the alternate charging cable. It was a marvel of technology, but despite how amazing it all was, throughout the entire process the notion that he'd lost the little green pokemon remained steadfast in the back of his mind. He looked out to the shadowy mountains contrast against the bright orange clouds beyond, and the cave tunnel that lay somewhere beneath them.

“Carmen…" he sighed, wishing the last week had gone differently. If only he hadn't been so stern with Jeremy. If only he hadn't pushed his friend away they might have stayed on the same path and been able to help each other out. Especially in the cave. He whimpered a little, looking to the side table with the pokeballs in it. He wanted to get Jeremy out and talk about their time apart, try to figure out what to do next. But with hourly checkups and the constant buzz of the hospital outside his door, the man didn't feel like it would be such a good idea.

He lay back on the bed and sighed again. Silence filled the room.

'Thomas'

The man sat bolt upright, looking around the room for who was talking. “Heeellooo?" He asked slowly, the room empty and quiet.

'Thomas, walk to the window.' He looked to the glass, and the afternoon landscape beyond. He shook his head, swearing he must be hearing things. The voice wasn't echoing, wasn't coming from a direction. It just was. He tapped the earpiece while the voice spoke again. 'I am not in your room, I am not in your head. Only this voice is in your head. I am outside.'

Thomas looked sarcastically at the window. “Oh really." He said, one eyebrow raised. “And how am I supposed to know you're not some figment of my imagination?"

'Open your window for proof.' Thomas took a deep breath. If this voice was going to ask him to jump, it'd be barking up the wrong tree. But for safety's sake he tied one corner of his sheets to the hospital bed, and the opposite corner to his ankle.

Walking over to the window he discovered they were not the traditionally openable kind. The top quarter of it could be swung out, but it was far too small for a human to get through. He sighed in relief, albeit embarrassed about the sheet. He unlatched the two sides and pushed it open. “Okay Mister Disembodied Voice. Window open now wha-" A pokeball smacked the glass hard, ricocheting into the room with force as Thomas instinctively ducked. “Arceus!"

'I seek your time. Time to discuss, to be truthful, to ask favours.' The voice spoke as Thomas looked around the room for the still spinning pokeball.

“You wanna talk?" He asks, locating the red and white orb under one of the medical machines in the corner, bending down to get his arm under there. “Go for it."

'I seek a closer interaction.' Thomas' hand wrapped around the pokeball, but the front and sides of the machine are too low for it to be removed easily, so he tried flicking it out the back.

The pokeball goes rolling across the hospital room floor, occasionally lurching to one side or the other as the button bumps against the ground. “Then come on up, I'm sure the nurses won't mind." He finally got his hands on the unobstructed ball and picked it up. His whole body shivered as he noticed the scratch down the hinge. “No…" He muttered, eyes widening in shock. He dashed to the window and looked down. In the foliage of the nearby park he could see glowing red eyes set in a canid face, it's green and black colouring almost shiny in the low light as a green scarf fluttered in the wind.

'Actually, I believe they might.' Thomas turned Carmen's ball over in his hand lightly pressing the button caused the ball to enlarge, proving there was in fact a pokemon inside. His heart skipped a beat, the man trying to calm his nerves to - at the very least - stop his hands shaking.

“How… Where- where should I meet you then?" Thomas asked, his mind a flurry of questions other than that one.

'Take a walk through this park tonight. I shall find you.' The green and black dog turned and walked into the bushes, it's glowing red eyes quickly disappearing into the thick underbrush.

As soon as it was gone, Thomas spun round, pointing the ball at his bed before pressing the button. In a flash Carmen was there. Thomas' body couldn't take the emotional smack it had just received, and he collapsed to his knees in front of her. “Sli?" She asked, having no concept of what had happened over the last few days. But as she stared into the weeping eyes of her trainer and listened to his joyous sobs, she finally began to take in her surroundings. The sterile hospital room, his bandaged neck, the plain gown. By the time he'd thrown his arms open for a hug, she was already on him, stuck to his chest and cooing softly.

“I thought I lost you…" He cried into her slippery neck. Carmen did her best to soothe the man until he was ready to release her. It took several tear-soaked minutes before Thomas felt ready, but eventually he pulled himself off the floor and sat down on the bed. He then quickly extracted the rest of the group, Jeremy and the Noivern included; though he kept the Hakamo-o's ball firmly in hand just in case someone were to walk in.

With everyone overjoyed at Carmen's return, Thomas did his best to catch everyone up, with Jeremy filling in some of the blanks. He spoke of their separation at the Route 13 campsite through to the flash flood where Jeremy swooped in to save the day - with Jeremy leaving out the bit about the Chespin and it's owner - seemed pretty straight forward, as was the escape from the Route 13 Pokecenter. Jeremy nodded through most of Thomas' description of what had happened to both parties prior to the cave, but looked at him curiously as he got halfway through describing the Salazzle battle before blushing.

To turn the conversation away from something that might be uncomfortable for both the Noivern and Mac to hear, Thomas continued on with how the green guy was lost, and the rest of them continued through the tunnel only to be ambushed by the Crobat. He then described how after the fight Jeremy arrived with the Noivern, kicked the Crobats arse and found some help, bringing them all to the hospital. He described the injury he sustained and the device now implanted in his ear, and how he'd have to show a couple of them how it worked in case he was unable to attend to it for some reason.

“And then this afternoon," He said, taking a deep breath “I get a voice in my head telling me to go to the window." Jeremy's eyes narrowed, Thomas making a mental note to ask him about that later. “And that's when Carmen's ball gets pitched through the gap." He pointed to the small open section of window. “The voice told me it needs to talk. But for some reason has to do it in person."

“Mo. Mo hakamo." Jeremy shakes his head as he takes Thomas' hand in his own, squeezing it tightly. “Mo."

“Look," Thomas tries to comfort his shiny friend. “Whoever that was brought Carmen back. The least I can do is see what they're on about." Jeremy harrumphs, unhappy with it but able to reason they deserve at least to talk. The two share a moment as they gaze into each others eyes. Thomas sees the concern and tries to comfort the pokemon. “Look, if you're that concerned, you can come along as well. Or," Thomas rolled his eyes, remembering the big splurge by Rocket Rising to have their descriptions all over the news and social media “Or maybe someone else. Point is, I don't have to go alone. It didn't say I had to."

The door's latch clicked as it's handle began turning. Through instinct Thomas pressed the button on Jeremy's ball, zapping him away before Doctor Coral and a handful of nurses entered the room. “Okay Mister Pine, Social time is over. Name and Birthdate?" She checked his answer off on her list while he said bye to all the pokemon. Zapped away one by one, the last to go was Carmen, Thomas giving her a huge hug before returning her to her ball. “She's a new one."

“Old one, reunited." Thomas said with a big grin.

Doctor Coral grinned back. “Good to hear it." She tapped away at her tablet while the nurses took various readings from Thomas' body; heart rate and oxygen levels from attaching a peg to his finger, blood pressure from the inflated band wrapped around his arm. He was used to the tests by now but it was still interesting to watch. “So despite my thoughts on the matter, the higher ups have decided to keep you overnight." Thomas' slumped back into the bed. “Yes, I know I said I hoped you could leave this evening, but they want to observe you for another night, just in case."

“I know it's a weird request," Thomas began, getting the Doctor's attention “But can I at least go out for a walk? I need to stretch my legs."

The Doctor looked him over, then looked out to the fading light. “No problems, just take that noivern with you." Thomas tried not to look disappointed, but he understood the choice; Jeremy is still a wanted pokemon, and Noivern can both hear and see in the dark, unlike Cav or Carmen. “And make sure to sign out at the ward reception and front desk."

“Can do." Thomas nodded as one of the nurses removed the last bit of beeping equipment from him. “It probably won't be long before I'm too exhausted and have to come back anyway." He joked, slapping his thigh “Going from a mostly sedentary lifestyle to walking for a week straight to a hospital bed kinda messes with your system, y'know?"

“I understand." The Doctor said with a sigh. She'd read up on Thomas Drake, through what information she could get by calling the police station in Milra and being cleared as she was his current doctor. It took a lot of investigating, but she eventually was able to trace his life - and medical records - back to his birth. And she felt sorry for him. It seemed in his teens the world itself abandoned him, and left him for the gutter. But he kept going and somehow wound up at her hospital. It's why she had suggested the prototype earpiece to his employers, and why he had a different name on all his paperwork. She'd initially considered changing it once he was gone, but she had another plan. Unfortunately her contact couldn't get things organised until the morning, so… “As long as you're back by nine, we won't send a search party."

Thomas chuckled along with the doctor. “Well, who knows, I might stumble into a cave or something."

“Manage to do that," The doctor was grinning with eyebrows raised in mock shock “And I will be quite surprised." She tapped a few times on her tablet before moving to usher the nurses to leave. “Before you go for a wander, you might want to get into something a little less… airy." She pointed at the gown.

Thomas looked at her wryly “Really, now."

She waved in the cupboards general direction. “What you were wearing is in there, washed. Though they are a little torn. Had to fight the orderlies not to have 'em thrown out." She made sure the other nurses were out before she turned back to the man. “Back by nine." She stared at him, waiting for a response.

“Nine. Got it." Thomas nodded back. Doctor Coral, satisfied with this closed the door behind her. The man waited a few moments before he fell into a flurry of activity. He raced to the wardrobe and pulled out the clothes he was brought in with. The pants would be fine but the shirt had a huge gash down one side. He reached into the hikers pack and felt around for clean underwear, but memories of the week leading up to the cave reminded the man that he was all out.

Going commando, Thomas slipped the pants on regardless and ruffling around the pack for a shirt he threw that on too. He grabbed the shoes but left the socks behind, he wouldn't be long after all. He checked the mirror on the inside of the cupboard door. “I am… a wreck." He muttered to himself, looking over the disheveled and pale form staring back at him. His shirt was crumpled and creased from being jostled around the bag so much, while his pants looked like they were several years older than they should have been. His hair has a bad case of bed head and while the hearing aid was uncovered, the area around it was still sore and his neck was still bandaged.

He closed the cupboard door and went to his bedside table, retrieving the bracers and pokedex. It took a little bit of time but he managed to fasten everything to his forearms and wrists but once it was all on he grabbed the great ball and closed the draw. His wallet disappeared from view as Thomas thought about whether he should take it or not. But his decision to leave it behind held firm.

He made his way to the ward reception and signed out in the logbook there along with expected time of return. When the orderly noticed Thomas hadn't written down who would be with him, he pointed to that column on the page, tapping it. Thomas held up the Great ball but the orderly just looked at him. “Doctor Coral said for him to come along with me." The orderly nodded to the ball, gesturing for Thomas to open it. In a flash the Noivern was standing at the desk, looking around. But the man behind the desk still had the same impatient look on his face. He held out his hand and looked to the pokeball. “Ugh." Thomas grunted as he shoved the ball into the orderly's hand. “Fine. We'll be back in a bit."

As the man went back to reading his magazine, Thomas guided the Noivern towards the elevators. “So we're headed into the park." He said once the sliding doors were closed and they were alone. “Whomever threw Carmen's ball through the window wants to meet up." The Noivern whistled a wary response. “Well, they brought her back, the least I can do is to meet up with them. Besides." He pat the noivern on the back as the doors opened on the ground floor. “You're here to make sure I don't get hurt."

With a grin Thomas set off towards the main reception, where he signed out again. They were far less strict about everything being in order down here and let him leave without questioning him. Outside the air was still warm as the orange sky had shifted to reds and purples. The few clouds left shining a bright orange as twilight approached. He wandered with the Noivern in tow into the park. “Now, where the hell did you go?"

They started where Thomas first saw the glowing eyes and looked to the ground. The dirt tracks had small hexagonal paw prints, the likes he'd never seen before. He scanned them with his pokedex but results came up empty. Sighing, the pair moved further into the park. Gnarled branches twisted through the trees as their blackened silhouettes marked the fluorescent sky. It was such a beautiful sight that he was only snapped back to reality by the Noivern tugging on his sleeve. Once he had the man's attention, he pointed to a set of glowing red eyes in a nearby bush. 'You did not come alone.'

“Well," Thomas took a deep breath. “First off, the Doc wouldn't let me leave without at least a pokemon to keep me company. Secondly," He'd closed the distance and was wading through the bush to get to the other side “You said nothing about coming alone. So I didn't realise that was a prerequisite. Unfortunately the orderly made me leave his ball at the desk. Damn." He looked back at the Noivern. “That kinda restricts us a bit with timing." He scrunched his eyes, trying to remember. “I think the dial showed an hour left…" The Noivern looked at him confused. “Your meds. Every four hours you gotta take a couple pills."

'Then we should begin.' As Thomas broke free from the bush into the small, secluded clearing he could finally make out the pokemon's form. At least, it had to be a pokemon, though he'd never seen anything like it before. It was a lithe canine that came up to the man's waist. It's body was black and green, but shiny like rubber, with a red hexagon on it's chest and a couple white shapes for eyes. 'As you know by now, I am old. What you humans call 'legendary'.'

“I've heard of a lot of pokemon, but I've never seen anything like you in the history books." Thomas looks to the Noivern who shrugs cautiously. “Hey, can he hear what you're saying?"

'If he wishes to, he may listen.' There's a moment of silence before the Noivern nods hesitantly. 'Better?'

“Yes. Thanks. I don't want you to feel excluded. We're all part of the same team now okay?" He pat the Noivern on the back reassuringly. “So, what is it you wished to talk about?"

'You don't have concerns as to what I am?' The green and black pokemon asked, sounding shocked.

<Well I do.> Whistled the Noivern. Thomas' jaw dropped as he turned to face his new pokemon. <Wait, you understood that?> The man nodded, wide eyed.

The mysterious canine sighed. 'I thought it easier if we could all understand one another.'

“Yeah, I get that, but, wow. Just a shock. Is all." Thomas took another deep breath and thought back to what the mystery pokemon had asked. “As for being concerned as to who - or what - you are? Well, you rescued my friend, so I am in your debt. That's all that matters to me. Well," His mind trailed off thinking about the lost pokemon and how he was probably going to lose trainer status. “I mean, there are other things that matter, but I doubt-"

'For someone so street smart you can be quite... dense.' The canid said flatly. 'Thomas. Look at Me.' It wandered into a bush and dragged out a small metallic shape, similar to the one he'd been trekking about with but lacking the damage. It pressed it's forehead against one side and in a swirling whoosh sections of its body tore away to be sucked inside. Until all that was left was a small, goofy looking pokemon with a red gemlike hexagon in it's chest.

It all clicked into place as Thomas watched his salvation re-appear. “I! You! You…"

<I am a Zygarde. We are one, but we are many. And from all the lands and seas we come.> It boops the metal shape again, sending the smaller cells whizzing out and around like a swarm of bees before they form up into the dark canid form from before. <We are tasked with stopping this land from being spoiled. Protecting it from pollution, from destruction.>

“As you've, y'know… woken… does that mean…?" Thomas hinted at nervously.

'The man before you. Parker. He found my shrine. But did not leave it be. Could not after the human group Rocket Rising learned of my existence.' The Noivern coughed a little, looking away. 'I hold no ill will to you. You were just a puppet. And you are now free of those strings.'

Thomas looked to the Noivern in mild shock. “That's what the Doctor was trying to say. You're ex-Rocket."

<You can thank Jeremy for that.> He wheezed, turning around and stretching to show off the Hakamo-o fist-shaped scar on his back. <Damn near killed me leading us away from you on Route 13.> He sighed, rolling his still sore shoulder joint a few times. <But he took pity on me and got me to the Pokecenter in Kangaskhan Valley. When Mast- I, I mean Pete.> He corrected himself looking sheepishly at Thomas. <When Pete found out I'd need expensive medication to survive, he abandoned me. But… but Jeremy promised you'd help.>

“I signed the forms yesterday. Jeremy trusts you, so I do too." He wrapped an arm around the Noivern before looking back down to the Zygarde. “So you were found and dragged away, what now? Initially the plan was to get you to the Dragon Research Institute, study you and the like. I guess that's probably not on the agenda anymore."

'I wished to see where the journey would take me. This place, this region as you refer to it, is not under immediate threat. I am awake and have no purpose, so I wish to learn. Last time I was awake you humans did not exist, so I wish to learn of your behaviour, of your customs.' It looked thomas over with one eye then the other. 'But you are different. I felt your reaction with your Hakamo-o friend in the cave upon your first meeting. His reaction to your warmth was one thing, but your reaction gave me pause.'

“You mean when Jeremy had, uh, he was… well… aroused… right?" Thomas stumbled through the words The Noivern looked at him with wide eyes. “Okay. So…" Thomas took another deep breath. Part of him was considering writing all this down so he could make business cards to hand to people rather than explaining it every time. He shook his head, forsaking the explanation he gave Jeremy earlier. “Short version. Jeremy and I have gotten intimate. The only one that you've met that I haven't been intimate with is Mac, the Whirlipede."

<I mean… Why? How!... WHY?> The Noivern asked, shocked.

“I dunno, just one thing led to another and-"

'I should answer that.' Both the human and Noivern turn to look at the Zygarde in disbelief. 'The way humans interact with pokemon seemed so unnatural. I wanted to see if it could be fairer, more equal. I had no intention of causing what I did, but it appears allowing you to be more comfortable in each others presence resulted in unrestrained urges being acted upon.'

“Was that why yesterday with Cavalier was so odd." Thomas admitted, thinking about how everything felt different.

The canine looked at him in surprise. 'You slept with a pokemon without my interference?'

“Did you see the thing with the Salazzle in the cave right after you ran off?" The legendary pokemon looked lost. “HA!" Thomas slapped his thigh. “Fuckin' Brilliant!" He turned to face the Noivern a little more, hopefully not excluding him from the chat. “So just after we lost this guy in the cave, we came across a salazzle and her harem. Cav evolved mid-fight and kicked the Salandits to the wall before taking on their Mistress. And he won! She presented herself to him and he obliged, fucking her stupid while Carmen and I had some fun off to the side."

'I… I was unaware of that.' The Zygarde admitted. 'You truly did these things?'

“Yeah. It was a little different, but it was fun." Thomas said with a shrug.

'What is it about this mating that you find so fulfilling?' The canine asked, intensely curious as to the man's answer. 'It serves no reproductive purpose.'

“It's fun. It feels good." He thought about it, images of how caring he was with his pokemon and them to him flashing through his head, but also how much he wept for Carmen when she was lost. “It's intimate. It brings me so much closer to my friends."

<You keep calling us 'Friends'. You don't see us as 'your' pokemon? Like we belong to you?> The Noivern asked quietly. He seemed to be lost in a very deep thought as Thomas put a hand on the pokemon's shoulder.

“By law, you're either wild, free or owned. I don't like that I can't just be friends with pokemon without having to catch or own you. I don't like the labels they put on you or the way some treat you like some sort of collectible item. You've got feelings, emotions, desires…" Thomas had to stop himself to remember where he was going with his speech. “You are my friend. So is Jeremy, Carmen and the rest. If I could have all of you out wandering the room or the town I would. But there are rules that prevent it. So I abide by them when I have to, and don't when I can get away with it." He pat down his clothes before he realised the great ball was back in the hospital. “I gave Jeremy back his ball when I felt he didn't want to keep going with me. Because I am not gonna trap him inside or sell him off just because I don't agree with him. If you want freedom, just ask. I'm not here to keep you captive. You're my friend."

The Noivern stood silently mulling it over before wrapping Thomas up in a big hug. <Thank you.> he sighed. The pokemon's wings clung tight to Thomas' body in the afternoon air. The man felt comfortable and warm in his newfound friend's embrace.

'So despite not having relations with your Zweilous friend before my departure, you still sought sexual comfort with him when alone. That is quite interesting.'

“Wait-a-minute…" Thomas pulled out of the hug. “What you said about doing something to me, to us. I just got that. What the hell, dude!" He barked his exclamation at the green and black canine, who was looking a little sheepish, but otherwise remained standing firm. “You don't just screw with folks minds like that!"

'If I didn't, the Seviper would have killed you. And the Rhyperior would have at least given you a sound beating.' It reasoned.

Unfortunately, what the Zygarde was saying did make sense to the man. A lot of sense. “Well, can you stop? I mean, unless our lives are in, like, really serious danger."

'You wish me to cease interfering with human/pokemon relations?' It asked, a hint of sadness in it's voice.

Thomas thought carefully about his answer. His biggest issue was the theorhetical rape of anyone unwilling, forced into it by the Zygarde's telepathic abilities. “I can't allow pokemon to have sex against their will." He said firmly.

'I do not make anyone - human or pokemon - do anything against their wishes. I only impede their inhibitions; allowing them to make their own choices on how to behave rather than their worries about their society and it's values getting in the way. From what I can tell of humans, most of your species seem to have a resistance to the notion of such casual sex, especially with someone… lesser.' Both the Zygarde and Noivern looked at Thomas.

“Hey, don't give me that look. I'm the one with no inhibitions." He says wryly. “Even without you around, apparently." Thomas gestured to the Zygarde before taking a deep breath. Exhaling slowly he came to a thought that might solve everyone's issues. “Okay. So essentially what you're doing is studying Human/Pokemon relations to better understand how we work, right?"

'Understand in an effort to change for the better.' The Canine added.

“And to do that, you want to journey with the rest of us, messing with inhibitions and stuff along the way."

'To observe the effects, yes.'

“And you're okay with going to the research institute in Unova?" Thomas added, the crucial question finally asked.

'I wish to speak with your intellectuals about how we can change things for the better. There is an imbalance, and it is for me to find it's cause and attempt to fix it.' The Zygarde looked up to Thomas as he padded over to him slowly, the strange cube-like object in it's mouth.

“Well, if you're going to stop me getting killed - or anyone else for that matter - and you're going to come to Unova without a fuss-"

<And you're not gonna force anyone to have sex.> The Noivern added, interrupting his new trainer.

“That too." Thomas nodded “Then you're welcome to come with us." Both of them stared at the Zygarde, waiting for an answer.

'I accept your proposal; Thomas, Griffin.' He nodded to each.

“Griffin?" Thomas turned to the Noivern, who was shaking his head.

<How… How did->

'Thomas identifies as Thoman. You have several names, but there is only one you truly treasure.' The legendary looked at Griffin with it's glowing red eyes. For the briefest moment the Noivern felt them warming him like a fireplace on a cold night and his heart skipped. 'Those other names are not you. But know that Thomas worries about his friends. About how impersonal referring to each of them by their species is.'

“Hey I… Well, Yeah, I suppose if you put it like that." Thomas conceded, shrugging. “I'd ideally like them to tell me their names, or at least what they want to be called. But it's a little hard when I can't…" The realisation caught up with him mid-sentence. He thrust a finger in the Zygarde's direction. “You can tell me what they want to be called!"

<Griffin.> The Noivern said smiling. <It's the name I was given when I was caught. Before Rocket Rising.>

'That just leaves your Mudbray friend. And I know he is more interested in what name you would give him than any preference he may already have.'

“Dammit. He's the hardest!" Thomas cursed lightheartedly. “I mean I just have no friggin idea. Do I go a strong name or is that too obvious? Could go with something beachy or snowy, but until he evolves, I have no idea which'll be right. I've been thinking about Dusty, but is that too stupid? I mean he's got mud shoes. Is Dusty too derivative?"

<You're overthinking it.> Griffin patted Thomas on the back. <Just ask him if he likes the name.>

“Yeah, I probably should." Thomas looked up to the starry sky. “Ah crap. We've been out here that long? We should be getting back." Thomas looked to the Zygarde. “So, how we gonna do this? Is that thing like your... pokeball?" He pointed to the metallic object in the Zygarde's mouth.

'No.' Thomas detected the hint of a chuckle in the reply. 'This just allows me to change forms. Please understand, I trust your motivations, and believe you will try your best to get me to this institute you keep mentioning. But I do not feel comfortable travelling within one of those… things.'

“Well I can't just march you through the front door."

'I shall wait here. For now. When do you plan on leaving?'

“Tomorrow." Thomas answered almost immediately. “Though the Doc wants me to check in in a couple days. So figured we could all do with a bit of a rest, might as well stay in town for a couple days. There's a Gym here, maybe I could try for a badge?" He took a short breath, getting his mind back on track. “There's a hotel just down the way," he pointed northwest “backs up onto the woods for an easy escape. Maybe I'll get a room there?"

'Then I shall wait for you there.' The Zygarde nodded, turning to leave in that direction.

“Wait." Thomas called after it. “What should I call you?"

The legendary pokemon froze, thinking about the best way to answer the man. 'I'm sure you'll think of something.'

And with that, Thomas and Griffin were left alone in the park, the moon above their only source of light. They looked to each other, each expecting the other to say something. Thomas was the first to crack. “Well that was… something." The Noivern responded in whistles and clicks. “Well, that answers my next question." He sighed, wrapping an arm around the pokemons shoulders to bring him into a sideways embrace. “C'mon, let's get back to the room."

It only took a couple minutes before the two of them had made it into Main reception, where Thomas signed back in. Then a brief elevator ride later - and requisite signing in at the ward to collect Griffin's great ball - saw them enter the man's plain hospital room.

He rolled the ball around in his hand for several seconds before it began to vibrate, emitting a soft undulating beep until he tapped the flashing ring around the central button. “Well, I guess that means it's meds time." Thomas sighed, directing Griffin over to the bed. “Take a seat while I get everything sorted."

Thomas retrieved Parker's vest, and the medications stashed in its pockets. Checking each one with the list in his pokedex, he assigned them to various sections of Griffin's entry. Every 4 hours he had to administer; one small red pill which was a blood thinner, two big white pills to act as a preventative to seizures and one big purple pill packed with various vitamins and minerals Griffin wouldn't be likely to be getting from his usual diet but would need to recover properly. Then for the first time he's out of his ball per day, Thomas would have to give the pokemon one medium orange pill to counteract any hallucinations and one small white square pill to fight any painful flare ups in the nerves surrounding the scar tissue. Those two would also be given in emergencies if Griffin broke into a fit along with one of the big white pills if he showed signs of having a seizure.

Thomas picked out a selection of all the different varieties of pill and grabbed the plastic cup by the bedside. He was about to hand the pills to the Noivern when he noticed the thin, claw-like fingers. “Here, let me." Thomas shuffled over next to Griffin and held his hand up next to the pokemon's mouth. “Ready?" with a nod giving Thomas the go ahead, he gently tipped the handful of pills onto Griffin's tongue and quickly brought the cup of water to his lips. The pokemon swallowed everything in one go before releasing a sigh. “What'cha thinking?"

Griffin looked out the window to the starry sky, then to the vest laying on the bed with a half-dozen bottles strewn across it. He pointed at the pills then at the calendar on the wall before returning his gaze to the night sky.

“I don't know when you'll be free of the meds. The guide Doctor Coral gave me says you've got three months before your next checkup, to replenish the prescriptions." Thomas hugged the pokemon, hoping to give what comfort he could after a week of life-changing events. Griffin leaned into the embrace, his claw finding its way onto Thomas' thigh, squeezing it in appreciation.

They both sat staring at the sky for some time before a nurse came in to check up on them. They could see Eric standing around outside keeping an eye on the man's room as Thomas had his finger clamped and arm squeezed. As the nurse left, Thomas gave the Hitmonlee orderly a friendly wave. He got one in return with large sultry eyes before the door closed, leaving Griffin and the man alone again. The Noivern whistled in the direction of the door, waggling an eyebrow suggestively.

“Okay, yeah. We did." Griffin smiled wide at Thomas' admittance. “The other night with Cav, he walked in, and we just kinda let it go from there. I swear, pokemon really have no hang-ups when it comes to sex, do they?" A few short whistles and clicks from the Noivern with the tipping of an outstretched hand gave Thomas the impression his new friend was trying to say 'kinda'. “I suppose there would probably be some pokemon who wouldn't like it. What about yourself?" Thomas looked to Griffin, who suddenly lost his grin but kept his wide-eyed stare. He placed a claw on his chest and clicked as if to ask 'Me?' “Yeah. What are your thoughts on it?"

The Noivern looked at him, unsure of how to make the man understand. He was at a loss for words - literally - so decided to just nod. “So you agree with them then?" Thomas said sadly, looking back out to the sky. “I mean, I get it. We're different species and all that. I'll try not to talk about it in front-" He was interrupted by the Noivern shaking its head and tugging on the mans arm. “What, what's wrong?" Some more whistles and clicks leave Griffin's mouth as he vigorously shakes his head.

“So wait, you don't agree with them?" Griffin harrumphed at Thomas' mental thickness. He put a claw on the man's shoulder and swung one leg over the man's legs as he sat in Thomas' lap. He placed a claw on each shoulder, extending his velvety wings around behind the man in a soft embrace as he firmly pushed his hips into Thomas'. Griffin looked up into the man's eyes, staring into them until he knew Thomas understood. As an understanding smile spread between them, Griffin pulled Thomas close, hugging the man as he breathed hard into his clothed chest.

Thomas hugged the Noivern firmly. “We don't have to do anything. There's nothing to prove with me." Griffin nodded between Thomas' pecs, but continued to grind on the man's crotch. It didn't take too long for the expected response to occur. Thomas' member slowly hardened, creating a sizeable bulge for the pokemon to direct its attention to. “Griffin-" The pokemon looked up, his look having turned to one of disagreement as he shook his head. Holding his claws in front of the mans face he brought them closer - palms inward - before stopping a short distance apart. “Griff?" the pokemon nodded. “Griff. I like it." The two smiled at each other. “Griff, you set the pace."

Griffon put his claws back on Thomas' shoulders as he pushed down on the man's erection, his arse hot against the strained fabric of the pants. Thomas grunted at the sensation, reaching underneath the soft wings that encased them to stroke down the thin fur of Griffon's thighs. The pokemon shuddered a little at the touch, his belly pressing against the mans' with each push forward. Griff's cock emerged from its fuzzy purple sheath inch by inch, it's slow reveal only seeming to exaggerate it's girth. It appeared similar to a human cock, albeit bright red and shiny. The tip was slightly more pointed and just a little smaller than its tightly restrained counterpart beneath, and while it's growth ended at a little over six inches, it was nearly as wide around as Thomas' wrist for the majority of it's length.

Thomas gently wrapped his hands around the turgid cock, squeezing it from it's base up as a dribble of the pokemon's precum leaked from the tip. It rolled down the exposed shaft and over Thomas's palm to drip onto the man's pants. “I think it's time to get changed for bed." He chuckled. But Griff was already on it. Gripping the man's shirt in his claws, the Noivern yanked it up and over his head, throwing it to a chair nearby. Thomas lay back on the bed, sliding Griff up his belly to kneel astride his waist as he slid his pants off. With a solid 'thwack' the previously restrained member swung free and slapped the underside of Griff's tail. The two moaned in unison at the sensation.

Griff pushed back, hardly waiting for the man to strip his pants off before attempting to mount his trainer. “Hold up." Thomas chuckled. “So eager, wait a sec." he pointed to the hikers pack. “Top pocket. Small bottle, half empty." The Noivern rushed over to the cupboard and was quick to find the bottle of Desert Pea lotion, returning to Thomasand straddling the man's legs as he handed over the bottle. “You're gonna love this." the man mused, popping the lid open. Gently he squeezed out a blob of the cool liquid onto Griff's tool, before placing the considerably more empty bottle on the side table. With their two members pressed against each other, Thomas began lubing them up.

He wrapped his hands around their cocks, needing both in the same spot to encompass the girthy pair. Then in a calm rhythmic motion, Thomas began pumping both members up and down, rubbing the lube all over them. The pre leaking from each little slit began to slowly solidify, turning into a gel rather than liquid as the desert pea mixture did it's work. He could feel the odd sensation of being both cold and hot once again, and looked to the Noivern to see if the pokemon was feeling it too. As Griff suddenly gasped, shivering, Thomas chuckled. “Feels good don't it?" The pokemon nodded in agreement as Thomas manually saw to their erections.

Then scooping up the remains of the dollop that had slid down to Griff's sheath, Thomas reached his hand around to the Noivern's rear and pushed a lubed finger inside. Griff wheezed, a whistling moan escaping his lips as he felt Thomas' fingers enter him. The man swirled his finger inside the Novern for a while, letting the desert pea mix get absorbed by the surrounding skin. Realising he had a free hand, Thomas returned to massaging the two cocks; the resulting sensations causing his lover to shudder, the indication of an oncoming orgasm. “It's okay, let go, cum for me." Thomas whispered.

Griff locked eyes with Thomas as his moaned whimpers begame throaty grunts. Then, with the pokemon doubling over in a silent scream, Thomas chest was blasted with a thick, almost jelly-like spurt of warm, pearly-white cum. Thomas milked as much of the cum-gel from his lover as he could, spreading it over his own throbbing cock. “I'm about to use your own cum as lube… fuck that's hot." He admitted with a cheeky grin. Griff nodded in agreement, his eyes scrunched closed as he rode out the end of his first orgasm with a human.

Thomas' pumping stopped as he scooped up some of the cum on his chest to coat Griff's rear entrance with. The pokemon gasped as the warm gel was plastered across his ring and up to the base of his tail. “Ready?" Thomas asked. Griff nodded, a whining whistle leaving his mouth as he shuffled further up Thomas' waist. Getting into that position placed the tip of his bright red member in range of the man's tongue and with a look of mischief on his face, Thomas quickly leaned forwards to plant a kiss on the sensitive member. He was rewarded with a late pulse of creamy goodness. “You taste good too." Thomas moaned, smacking his lips as Griff blushed.

Then without another word, Thomas slowly pulled back on the pokemon's hips. His member pressed against the puckered hole for only a few seconds before it forced its way in. Griff jumped, yelping as the human's member gained entry in a strange mixture of pain and pleasure. “It's okay…" Thomas said soothingly, taking his hands off Griff and letting the pokemon sort himself out. “You start when you're ready." They remained in that position as Griff took several deep breaths, slowly attempting to lower his body with each one. Thomas' member was above average for a human, but way more than what this pokemon was equipped to handle. About halfway down the turgid pole, Griff winced, feeling the man's cock come to rest at a curve in his anatomy that he could not control. He looked to his new trainer, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

“Hey, don't be like that. Lets work with what we've got, for now." Thomas grabbed the Noivern's black hips and lifted them up, withdrawing himself to the head before letting him go, the pokemon descending much faster down the fleshy pole than his first time. The two of them grunted with lust; Griff from the intense sensation of having his prostate rubbed by a thick human cock and Thomas from the incredibly tight passage he found himself fucking. “Oh Griff… Fuck that feels good…"

Griff moaned his affirmation as he began the rhythmic bouncing on Thomas' erect member. It was slow at first, the Noivern still getting used to the man's girth as he impaled himself over and over again. But after a few minutes the rhythm built, Griff having gotten used to the right distance to slow himself and start the upward pull so the man's member wouldn't smash into his insides. Griff's bright red prick bobbed up and down as he rode Thomas, flinging jelly-fied precum across the man's belly, chest and face. But Thomas didn't mind, it was all so very hot to him.

With every upstroke the pokemon seemed increasingly annoyed and when it got to the extent that Thomas noticed, the man had to put a hand on each of his friend's knees to slow him to a stop. “Griff, buddy. What's wrong?" He bounced a little at his limit, then reached down and with a narrow set of claws grasped at the remaining few inches of Thomas' cock. “You want to go deeper?" He nodded, blushing. “Well, there is one thing we could try." Griff's eyes sparkled at the man's statement, a grin instantly forming on his face.

Thomas rubbed the stumpy knees crouching either side of his waist. “It's all about finding the right angle. Try turning around to face that way." He said, indicating to the left by tilting his head. Griff did as he was told, and carefully rotated his body around Thomas' cock. The two moaned at the odd sensation, the pokemon's passage twisting against the man's sensitive skin in strange ways until he faced Thomas' left. “Now wiggle about a bit?" He suggested, but despite the Noivern giving it his best shot, Thomas still felt like he had no path to forge.

Before he could suggest for Griff to keep turning, the pokemon took his own initiative and began rotating around to face the man's feet. Again, Thomas was about to suggest wiggling as well but Griff was a step ahead. Unfortunately the pokemon wasn't prepared for what might happen were he to succeed, and so with a shudder and a slip, Griff collapsed onto Thomas' lap, hilting the thick cock within his freshly cherry-popped rear. A staccato whistle was all the pokemon could manage as Thomas held him tight, trying to comfort Griff through the pain.

“Hey…" He moaned soothingly, arms wrapped around the Noivern's chest “It's okay. Like I said before, there's nothing for you to prove. If you want to stop you ca-" Griff grunted, grinding forward in a short burst of movement, interrupting the man. “Okay, shutting up." Thomas grinned as Griff's look of heavy concentration turned to a contented smile. The pokemon shifted his weight back and forth, rather than pulling up and pushing down on the member; allowing his rear to acclimatise to it's intruder properly.

Back and forth Griff writhed, Thomas' cock in the glorious position where it was being ground against one side of the pokemon's passage, then the other with each change in direction. It felt wonderful and unlike the last few encounters with pokemon, quite peaceful. Thomas was about to let go of his lover and lie back on the bed, but Griff grabbed the man's hand and slid it down his chest to his belly. Thomas was about to grab the pokemon's cock but that's not what Griff had in mind. Instead he held the large hand against his belly with both claws, pressing it palm down as he ground back and forth. For a brief moment Thomas thought he knew what the pokemon was trying to show him. A second later it was conformed. “Is- is that me?"

Griff nodded. With every forward shift of the pokemon's body, Thomas' cock pressed against the purple fuzzy belly from the inside. He leaned around to look and saw the telltale bulge push outwards several times. “Damn…" Thomas moaned in amazement. He'd not really considered how sexy that looked until now, mostly because it's generally been other pokemon entering him, not the other way around. But seeing Griff so happy to be filled in that way pushed Thomas right to the edge.

“Oh, fuck… Griff…" He growled, wrapping his hand around the pokemon's still erect shaft. “Are you close buddy?" The Noivern nodded, breath ragged as he tried picking up the pace. “No, no, not here…" Thomas wrapped one arm around Griff's chest and the other pumped far enough down on the shiny red shaft to press against the purple fur of his crotch, holding the Noivern in place as he stood. Gravity combined with the man's stumbling gait to intensify the sensations already spiralling out of control within the two lovers. As Thomas reached the small hospital ensuite Griff could take no more, his arse clenching tight as he erupted over the open plan shower's tile wall. Thomas made a bee-line for the mess, pressing the Noivern into his gel-cum that had splattered the wall as he began thrusting his cock into the pokemon's arse.

Whimpered moans escaped Griffs lips as the orgasm rampaged through his mind, pulse after pulse of viscous pokecum pumped onto the wall by Thomas' furious fingers. He stopped only to grab a handful of the goop with which to slather the still drooling cock before resuming the act of jacking-off his impaled lover. Griff's breathing was all over the place, with a combination of held breath and rough panting, his mind and body was reduced to a slavering, cum-covered mess as he unloaded upon the wall.

Thomas risked pulling all the way out of Griff to lube up with the pokemon's artificially thickened cum, Griff muttering something in clicks and whistles as he lined his cock back up to the hole. “Do you want me to stop?" He asked calmly, but Griff shakily shook his head. “Do you want me to cum inside you?" The pokemon looked to think on that for a moment before nodding. Thomas pressed the tip of his cum-coated cock back into Griff, who moaned loudly. Then he pushed the first few inches in, right up to the natural bend. But this time there was far less resistance, as though the pokemon's insides had adjusted to the thick insertion and hadn't had time to return to their previous state.

Thomas took full advantage of this and thrust the rest of the way. Stuffed to the hilt, Griff yelped in surprise. Thomas withdrew and plunged back in, his pace building as the man rode into his climax. “Griff…" Thomas growled as he slammed his hips as hard as possible against the pokemons rear, burying himself deep inside. The first sticky rope of cum painted the pokemons insides a pearly white, Thomas' heavy breathing turning to whispers of love and affection as he slowly filled his new lover. “Fuck you feel so good, so very very good. Your perfect arse, fuck. I just wanna keep cumming and cumming." The pokemon nodded along with Thomas' erotic sweet nothings, grinning at how wanted the man was making him feel. “Do you like my cum that deep inside you? Does it feel good?" Griff nodded more firmly to make sure the man knew. “Fuck, that makes me so happy. Making you happy."

As the man's balls emptied, his spurts became shorter and shorter, his breath calmer until he collapsed; lightly sandwiching Griff against the cum-coated wall in the process. They remained there catching their breath until Thomas whispered “Feel like a shower?" Griff chuckled, nodding with a whistle.

---

“I'm just sayin' Val, camper attacked by a Crobat this time of year?" the raticate-faced man complained to his bald partner. “Ya'd hafta be gettin' pretty damn deep in those caves to piss one ah them off."

Val looked to his colleague with a raised eyebrow. “Stupid people do stupid things every day." He replied, paying for the duo's coffee in the Kangaskhan Valley Cafe. “Doesn't mean it's him."

“Said he was rescued by his Noivern."

“Rizza-"

“Noivern aren't common round here."

“Rizza-"

“And Pete said he left his one here, and it's GONE!" The smaller man kept talking aloud, the rest of the cafe's patrons trying really hard not to listen in to the mobsters conversation as Val just stared at him. “Who takes a pokemon that's near death and agrees to keep it healthy at huge expense?"

“Someone who's de-"

“Someone who's DESPERATE!" He exclaimed, as though he were a detective one sentence away from solving a case.

“Rizza?"

“Val?" He retorted, giving in to his partner's insistance.

“Even if it is him, even if he's taken Pete's Noivern, even if he's managed to smuggle that-" he looked around the cafe, lowering his voice enough to make it look like he was saying something secret, but loud enough for most to hear “that stolen legendary into the hospital," He grabbed the cup of coffee from the barista and waited for Rizza to do the same “we can't just walk into a hospital and get it back."

The two stepped outside into the crisp evening air, each taking a sip from their hot beverage. “I just think we should check it out. We can be there and back in a few hours."

“And the Boss?" Val sighed, staring up at the stars as he took another sip.

“We'll just tell him we were following a lead." Rizza offers, half questioning his logic by the end of the sentence. “Look, Route 13 goes back to Cannab and 14 goes over the mountain to Ogong Shrine, right? But those caves just south of here come out near Owlra. If he didn't want to go over the mountains or down Route 14 then he'd be taking the Caves. And what's a pokemon that sees well in the dark?"

“Noivern."

“Fuckin' Noivern!" He yells to the night sky. “So tomorrow morning we get over to Owlra Hospital and see if we can spot Mr Drake and His pink and yellow friend."

Val was about to respond when he felt a tugging at his pants leg. Confused he looked down to see a Chespin holding a battered pokeball and a scrunched up newspaper. “Chespin. Che?" it asked.

“Sorry, we ain't recruitin' right now." Val said, trying to push the pokemon away with his foot.

“Ches! Ches!" It shouted again, holding the newspaper out. Rizza took it and opened it up. It was the Cannab Times from a couple days earlier. “Ches." It pointed to an article on the front page, detailing an exploding vehicle. In the corner of the image, a Chespin could be seen clearly bawling its eyes out.

“Lost your trainer huh? Sorry to hear that pal, but we ain't-"

“CHES!" The tiny pokemon leapt up and slapped the paper near the bottom of the article. “Pin."

Val took the paper from Rizza and looked at it closely, reading it aloud. “Authorities refuse to comment, but a superheated Hakamo scale found at the scene appears to be the cause of the blaze. Could this be the same pokemon wanted for questioning-" Val shook his head smiling. “Son of a bitch."

“Perhaps we could do with the company." Rizza said, kneeling down before the Chespin with a mischievous grin. “Whaddaya say? Wanna go find that Hakamo-o?"

The pokemon's eyes narrowed into a fiercely determined stare, and nodding once mutters “Chespin."

:link1503514: