Ch.08 The Calm Before the Storm

Another week had gone by and Alexis was nearing the end of her sessions with Chris and Elise. It irritated her a little when she thought about what Marco had done. What made it worse was that it worked. Both of her patient’s recovery had sped up dramatically thanks to the events that happened on the beach. After her psychological exam of her Colonel she really wasn't feeling to much better about him, outside of how she normally felt about him, but he checked out 'sane' so she didn't think any more about it.

Marco had decided to take the extra time and do some extra training with the harem. Carrie was finally starting to come into her dark-type powers after some training by Jean and was being run through a gauntlet of training exercises. Jean was taking some time to herself and enjoying her new found love of reading. The Ice Maiden Renae lent her some books and she was relaxing on the couch. She nearly flew off it when an unfamiliar voice got her attention.

"Good afternoon Miss., is Marco around?" The tall dark haired woman smiled politely. Though she was obviously older her beauty had not faded one bit, a pokéwoman through and through.

There was something about her that was familiar but Jean just couldn't place it. The Nogitsune was irritated to say the least, this woman's beauty, her stealthy approach, and the fact that she interrupted her book. "Yeah, the idiot is at the training field getting beaten up. Can you find it on your own or do ya need me to take you there?"

The woman's temperament didn't waver from the statement or the rude response of the Nogitsune. "No, I know where it is, thank you." As she started to leave she turned her head back, looking at the glass of milk on the table. "I hope that glass isn't your favorite, just remember, no use crying over it." With her last word her eye sparkled for an instant, and then she walked out.

The Nogitsune reached for the glass and picked it up. "Creepy, good looking, bitch." Just as she was about to drink the glass cracked on the side then shattered, spilling milk all over her lap. "Oh you are gonna get it."

On the training field Marco was squaring off against Henrietta and Ashley. Chesra was supervising the fight and monitoring his progress. It was more of an exercise in his theory on fighting multiple opponents than anything else. The idea being that the more people there are attacking a singular target, the less effort they put forward. So far it was holding true, he had managed to tag both of them a few times each round before he was put to the ground. If either of them were using their powers though, he would be taken out immediately.

The soft sound of bells alerted Chesra to the intruder teleporting in, it was a sound she knew well. "Mistress Vana, so good to have you around. What brings you here?"

"It's been a very long time; can't you at least attempt to say my name without some unnecessary title?"

"Respect given where respect is due, I'll try harder."

"No worries, how's he doing out there?"

"Just as tough as ever, he's a tamer now, already got his first gym badge." Chesra poured a glass of lemonade and handed it to her.

"Thank you. I never get 'briefings' anymore. I guess that means you're in his harem too."

"Yes mistr... Vana, all the girls you see here plus a Nogitsune."

The woman chuckled as she thought of her earlier encounter with the pokégirl on the couch. "I guess that means he can't shirk his responsibilities anymore and is taming you himself." She took Chesra's cough as the yes she was sure it was intended to be and continued on. "Well you've known him the longest; I guess you were first then?"

"No, that honor went to Kelly."

"Somehow I doubt she would call it an honor. Either way, I think she and I should have a little talk later."

Chesra shifted nervously, few people could strike fear like the pokéwoman standing next to her. From the side she could see Jean running up to the field.

"You bitch! What did you do to my glass?!"

The Nogitsune was running full blast at Chesra and Vana. As Vana looked on she was calculating to proper distance for cause and effect. Her eyes sparkled and Jean managed to misstep, tripping over a random rock, then her own feet. Falling face first and landing in front of the two of them.

"Oww, it was you, I know it was! What are you... who are you?"

"I am many things. But to keep the introduction short, Vana F. Readman, Lady Luck, the Queen of Diamonds, and the 'Idiot's' mother. And who are you, my young and very unfortunate thing?"

"SHE is a pokégirl with a bad attitude and a worse mouth, who’s going for a 200lbs thirty mile run. But we happily call her Jean." Proclaimed Marco, he was dusting himself off from the last time Ashley threw him.

"Now Marki don't you think that's a bit harsh. She just had a run of bad luck, cut her some slack?" The undertone Vana used made Marco quiver.

“Ok, fine, you get to take my place then. Defend yourself against the rest of the harem while I'm talking.” He started to walk off and yelled back as an afterthought. “Oh yeah, you all can use your powers.” Marco and Vana walked over to the area where Chesra was previously standing and offered his mother a seat. “So what brings you here?”

She sat and looked to her son with calculating eyes. “It’s a funny thing; I remember being told that you were going to retire from the military. It was a shame I couldn't make it to the ceremony, but then you never return home. So I got to thinking and decided to come and see you myself. You don't sound too happy to see me."

"Of course I'm glad to see you, I've been busy though."

"So I've been told, you got your first gym badge. Congrats, where will you be heading next?"

"Cerulesbian City, I was on the way there but we got side tracked with a mission."

"So you’re a tamer and still working? I don't recognize those three, are they new to the unit?"

"No ma'am they are in my harem, Ashley the Peekabu and Carrie the Penance, I got them from Celaboner City. Jean is a Nogitsune, she was won in a salvage battle I got roped into."

"Ah yes... she's fighting quite well. I hope you're treating them all well."

"Some would say I'm too nice, but they can eat me. I always treat them right."

"I suppose that means I raised you properly then. No matter what the government says, pokégirls are people too. I'm surprised Kelly isn't here, isn't she in the harem too?" Her tone sharpened and Marco shifted in his seat.

"No, she's in charge of the unit while I'm traveling. She should be back in the offi... no, here she comes now." He shook his head as he watched the Duelist jog up the path. 'Of course she would show up, it's just my... luck.'

"Mistress Vana, it's great to see you again." Kelly exclaimed as she slowed to a stop and waved.

"I have a perfectly good name; I've known you for years, hell you've been in my home, please stop calling me Mistress. It is good to see you too Kelly. Actually I wanted to talk to you, do you have some time?"

"Certainly, would you like to talk over a game of cards? It's Indigo's chore week and I think this will liven things up."

The Lady Luck stood and started walking towards the building. "That would be wonderful; I do love talking to Mina. I can even tell some more stories about Marki when he was a baby." The both of them teleported away before Marco could voice his opinion on the matter.

"Fuck me sideways."

"Well it is my turn, I can do that if you'd like. Though you don't really seem the type for that kind of thing." Henrietta stood behind him and rubbed his shoulders. Jean was down for the count and Chesra was healing her. That left Ashley and Carrie to fight each other.

"Very funny, not sure why she's here or why she wants to talk to Kelly, but I don't think I'm going to be happy."

"My apologies Master, I think that I'm to blame. I mentioned you taming her first, then she said she should talk with her." She lowered her head when he turned to face her.

"Well that explains that then. Wow those two are really going at it."

When Carrie had learned to use some of her more interesting dark powers from Jean it was clear that she could hold her own against just about anyone. Ashley was keeping the fight at a distance as best she could. In the mid-day sun it took her by surprise when Carrie's shadow disappeared. She could see the orb of darkness forming around the Penance’s hand but never expected it to shoot at her. The Shadow Shot took effect hitting her square in the face and causing blindness. Carrie shot forward, closing in at a rapid pace; her blue eyes began to glow as the Dark Goggles took form. In the middle of the charge she activated the Shroud of Darkness power, the giant orb of black obscuring everything in it.

Marco's eyes flashed purple as he looked at the dome of black. The sound of fighting emanated from inside, a lightning bolt crackled and the orb rippled momentarily. He couldn't see a thing inside the darkened void though. A howl was heard from inside the ball then it took off into the sky, moving around sporadically. Everyone except for Chesra dropped to their knees trying to shake off the effects from the howl. The ball dissipated and there few Carrie, the inky black wings taking her into a dive bomb. She landed on the ground with a crash and a wave of dark energy, knocking Ashley back.

Chesra had seen enough and decided to intervene; blowing the whistle she wore when training. “Carrie, stand down! The fight is over.” The Penance dismissed her wings and helped her sister to her feet. “That was truly impressive, good job. Ashley, we must work on your adaptability. It was a good try though.”

Ashley wobbled as she tried to make it back to her feet. Her entire body had cuts and scratches on it, though most were shallow. She knew if Carrie were trying to kill her she would have done it fairly quick. “It all happened so fast… I was stuck in complete black. I couldn’t see a thing and she was hitting me so quickly. Even when I used my powers there was no light, I was firing blind.”

“Yes, I would like to critique that battle but I couldn’t see anything. If nothing else, when it comes to setting ambushes Carrie will do perfectly.” Marco looked the Penance over with a critical eye, on her shoulder was an electrical burn that ran further down her arm. “I guess you did manage to hit her Ashe, that was when the dome rippled.” Carrie nodded quickly before taking a seat on the ground and pulling off her weight vest. Marco reached down to run his hand across her hair and for the first time, it didn’t cut him. She reached up and grabbed his wrist. Even though her skin was still rough her fingers didn’t cut him either, she pulled his hand down and nuzzled her cheek with it.

“I guess she accepts the fact you’re actually a good person. It took long enough, now if only you could work your magic on that one.” Stated Henrietta, who gestured to the unconscious Nogitsune. “It’s sometimes hard to believe you ever came from that woman.”

“I didn’t come from her in that form. From what I understand she was still a Harlequin when I was born…” Marco looked puzzled for a moment then shook his head. “I’m better off not thinking about that right now. Training is over, and we leave in the morning. I need to get in there before she starts telling stories I don’t want anyone to hear.”

“Oh come on I bet they are great stories… Marki.” Ashley joked while she was picking up Jean.

“Maybe… then I can regale the others with the tale of the smart mouth Peekabu who pissed off her tamer and got level fived.” He chuckled when he saw her trip almost dropping Jean on her head. “I’m just kidding, all the same, never call me that again.”

“Yes Master.”

Marco sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew he brought that one on himself. “I gave you the list of acceptable names… you don’t want me to bump you another day do you?” He smiled to himself when she waved it off. From behind, Carrie reached for his hand and pulled. Of all the things he had learned sign language wasn’t on the list and he had to use Henrietta or Chesra to translate for him. He was immediately caught off guard when Henrietta started blushing. “Um, did she just…”

“You get three guesses to what she just asked and the first two don’t count. No sweetheart, I don’t mind trading days with you. He’s as gentle as you would expect him to be, so have fun.” Henrietta hugged the younger girl and took the chance to run her fingers though her silver hair. “It’s so… soft now.”

By the time they had returned to the office it was just starting to get dark out. Marco heard a commotion coming from the common area of the building and against his better judgment went to investigate. He poked his head around to corner to find his mother and Kelly staring each other down over a hand of cards. On the sidelines was the Indigo team, looking on with anticipation, and the center of the table seemed to hold around 500k in SLC.

Vana played with an SLC card as she eyed Kelly, her attention never leaving the girl sitting across from her. “It’s is your move dear, how shale we do this?”

Kelly kept her composure; the Lady Luck was never to be underestimated. “You’re good as always Vana,” Kelly looked at her hand again, 7(C) 7(H) Q(H) 3(D) 5(S), it didn’t look good but she was hoping for a good deal. “I’ll take three.”

“Two for me please.”

Mina was acting as the dealer and passed out the cards to each player. Before they could see what was dealt Vana raised her hand. “Blind bet.”

“What?” Asked the puzzled Duelist, her hand hovering over the face down cards.

“We make one last bet before we look at what fate has dealt us. Are you game?”

“I’m in, age and beauty before youth and energy.”

“Thank you.” With a wave of her hand, that seemed to require almost no effort, she removed the shiny diamond and platinum charm bracelet from her wrist and gently set it on the table. The tiny diamond suit charm laid face up pointing at its owner. “My most prized possession, a gift from his father. Do you have something of equal value?”

Kelly’s hand wavered as she looked at the bracelet. Slowly her hand moved to the silver necklace with Marco’s tooth attached. “I could never set a price on what this is worth to me, I call it equal value.” She undid the clasp and set it on the table next to the charm bracelet.

“Yes, I agree, let us see what we have been dealt.” One by one Vana turned her cards face up on the table. 10(D)J(D)Q(D)K(D)A(D) “Fortune smiles on the Queen of Diamonds, that is a Royal Flush my dear.”

Kelly was on the brink of tears, the cards almost appeared to mock her as they sat on the table. Everyone in the room was completely silent; there was no way for their alpha to come back from that. She’s took a breath and put her first two cards down. 7(C) 7(H) “Vana Fortune Readman, the Queen of Diamonds, you’re pretty good. I guess my luck has run out.” She reached forward and flipped the next two cards that were face down. 7(S) 7(D)

Vana raised her hand again. “Kel… before you lift that next card I will give you one chance. We can cut now and call it a game. What do you say?”

Her hand stopped again, inches over the card. Suddenly she felt a rush and turned her head to the side. There stood Marco looking on, the genuine smile he wore reassured her. ‘You don’t need that tooth, but the chain? She’d understand wouldn’t she? You have him by your side. Never give up.’ She could feel her resolve building as she looked at the face down card. “Luck has no place for those that don’t try. I’m still in.” Vana nodded with motherly approval. Slowly Kelly swept her hand from left to right, touching each card as she came to it. Then the final card. 7(H) 7(C) 7(S) 7(D)… Jokette. Her hands were trembling, her brain desperately trying to come to terms with the fact that she won.

“Congratulations Kelly, you have bested the Queen of Diamonds. When we talk later I will have something very special for you.”

“And I will have something for you too. Now that that’s over, everybody get back to work. It’s almost dinner time, and I’m sure the Colonel and his harem are hungry.” The crowed quickly dispersed and started their appointed task. “We can talk in my office later.”

“That will be fine… it looks like you have a visitor. I’ll be in the bath if anyone is looking for me.”

She took her time colleting the money from the table and happily put her necklace back on. Marco took a seat at the opposite end and started shuffling the cards. “So my tooth is worth that much to you?”

“You, were there to hear that huh? Well don’t go and get an ego, it’s not very becoming.”

“Neither is false aggression, you were embarrassed weren’t you?”

The Duelist relaxed and sat back down in her chair again. “A little bit, I didn’t want to admit something like that to her. No matter how close she and I are.”

Marco was chuckling at the big deal she was making out of nothing. “As the person more immediately involved than she is. It feels good to hear it said out loud again. At lease that night wasn’t a fluke.”

Kelly's eyes hardened as she looked to him. “I can’t believe you would even think that!” She rubbed the tooth back and forth, her anger building at the thought of him believing that. “How could you even say that, and here I thought you thought I was special to you. And you were thinking it was just a fluke? I think I gave you too much credit.”

Marco looked around the room puzzled for a moment. ‘What in the hell have I gotten myself into? I don’t even know what I said to make her mad… and I believe she used think in every tense you can.’ He idly scratched his head and looked at the ceiling. “I think you may have misunderstood what I meant.”

“Oh really, and just tell me what did you mean?”

“What I mean is, that night still feels like a dream to me. Everyday I’m gone I think about you and that night, then I wonder how I could have gotten so lucky. And I realize how fortunate I am to have you in my life.”

Kelly’s eyes softened as she took his words in. She had always figured that unless she was around, he never gave her a second thought. “…… oh.”

‘Bullet successfully dodged.’ Thought Marco as he mentally wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Sorry I wasn’t clear; I wonder what I ever did to deserve to get you in my life.”

Kelly blushed deeply and looked up at the ceiling. “Let us see: You rescued me from a feral Battle Angel, let me join Avalanche, then made me the head of Avalanche, and gave your first time to me. You’ve got me in your life forever. As a matter of fact, after all these years you’ve only done one thing that I though was completely unnecessary.”

“Really, and what might that be?”

“Making me a free pokégirl if you die. Because when you die I’ll be right by your side and dead with you.” Kelly suddenly found herself feeling warm all over and wanted nothing more than to be taken back to his apartment. “Now I need to find Henrietta, maybe I can talk her into letting me have you tonight.”

“No can do, she already traded her night with Carrie.” Marco noticed the skeptical look on her face and continued before she could get started. “Yeah I know, it caught me off guard too. But this would be my first truly intimate contact with her, and she’s looking forward to it. I don’t want to disappoint her, especially after she asked Henrietta in front of me. That took some courage.”

“I understand, but I at least want you once a week. Is that too much to ask?”

“Not at all, we can make a date for tomorrow after the gym battle. On second thought you could come along and watch the battle in person.”

“I think that would be delightful…” From around the corner Carrie poked her head out. Her eyes brightened when she found her tamer and she ran to his side. Kelly stood up from her seat and started to leave the room. “Evening Carrie, be sure to take good care of our guy ok. Marco I’ll see you bright and early for the gym battle, good night you two.” Marco waved as she left the room from the other side, then got up and led Carried with him in the hopes of finding Chesra.

~~~~~

Late that night Vana entered Kelly’s office and took a seat. The Duelist had two chilled glasses ready and poured drinks for the both of them. Vana took her glass and rolled its contents around the rim. “So what are we drinking?”

“Mercury imported from Blue, it’s good to see some traditions don’t die easy.” She set the bracelet down on the table and tilted back in her chair. “I really can’t accept that. You were willing to give me an out, the very least I can do is return what is yours.”

“I figured that would be your reply. Now if you please, let me see the necklace. I will supply it with some of my energy and bestow luck on it. If something ever goes wrong your necklace will react."

She picked up both items and handed them to the Lady. "I'm not going to complain of course, but why are you doing this? It's got to be more than just my winning."

"Initially I was just going to bestow some luck on you for your dealings with my son. I've known how you felt about him for a long time. I just wanted to know if you were willing to admit it. Apparently my sentiment tipped the scale in the wrong direction." Vana chuckled at the puzzled expression the Dualist wore. "The pseudo fight you two had."

Kelly was shocked and embarrassed, taking a long drink and pouring another. "You... you heard that? You weren't supposed to hear that."

"I apologize; I can be a bit of a snoop, especially where my son is involved. Eric keeps telling me that I'm too protective of him and insist he can fend for himself."

"If the world weren't so dangerous, if so many people weren't out to get him, he would be right. Marco has made some enemies in his protection of us. What good am I if I don't protect him in turn? I have also gained a reputation for being too protective of him."

"His Councilor and his Assassin are too. I doubt it will take time for him to break the Instigator, and his Attack Dogs will defend him to the last."

Kelly was thrown into a fit of laughter. The titles used to describe his harem were fitting and it was making her sides hurt. She suddenly had a thought. "Well then Vana, what does that make me?"

"You? You are the Punisher." Again Kelly wore a puzzled look and Vana was forced to explain. "Despair be to any that would cause harm to my son in your presence and pity is all that's left for those you have to look for. If my assistance is ever needed always remember, it never hurts to have Lady Luck on your side.”

“At the very least, they will need more people to hold me back.” She held up her glass and nodded to Vana. “To Marco, may he stay out of trouble, or allow us to kill it when he finds it.”

“Hear, hear.”

_____

Harem

Chesra- Co-Alpha

Henrietta- Co-Alpha

Carrie- Penance

Ashley- Peekabu

Jean- Nogitsune