Disclaimer:
This work is fiction. The work is presented under fair protection where applicable.
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You should not read this work if you are not of legal age where you reside. This work may contain concepts or written actions that some readers may find excessive or disturbing. This may include (but not be limited to) rape, BDSM, or death.
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Chapter 10
Who We Are
“I-Intruder! Intruder in the-!”
Nicholas grunted, pulling his fist back and watching the grunt collapse. “I want to ask something before we continue.” He turned to the four pokegirls behind him. “Dahlia refused to attack humans, even criminals like these.” He tapped the choking grunt with his foot. “She is now the one we have to save. Will any of you follow her example?”
Galina pushed past him and punted the grunt down the hall, watching the human roll to a stop.
Nicholas gazed at the others. “I need to know.”
“Our Alpha is in danger.” Victoria replied.
“I won’t touch them.” Cassidy replied haughtily, but her twitching ears betrayed her emotion. “At least… not with my hands, Master.”
Ashley didn’t even bother to respond to his question, roughly shoving past Nicholas to take point. “I swear to you, Master. I will find her.”
“We’re right behind you.”
The next grunt saw them coming and triggered his pokeballs. “Help! Intruders!”
Ashley struck without hesitation and the materializing Raticate squeaked when she came face to face with the emotionless Pidgeotto.
Nicholas shielded his eyes from the sudden explosion of wind, lowering his hands to see Ashley winging past a second pokegirl and deeper into the hideout.
“With just one attack…” The grunt was mumbling.
“We have to follow her, Master!” Cassidy urged, pushing him forwards.
Ashley was just in sight, but it was easier to follow the trail of unconscious pokegirls and shouting humans. She was letting nothing slow her down, even a purple slime girl that shrugged off her first attack.
“Cassidy, help her out!” Nicholas called. Cassidy pointed, a beam of energy blasting the enemy pokegirl as they ran past.
“Ashley, please! I can’t lose you too.” Nicholas begged the next time she had been slowed enough to be in earshot. “Stay with us!”
Ashley heard him and slowed slightly, hovering in midair as they ran up.
Nicholas caught his breath and took a closer look at the gently flapping Pidgeotto. There was no fear in her eyes, only a smoldering passion that sobered him.
“Are you ready, Master?” She asked. “There’s another stairwell this way.”
Nicholas straightened and nodded. “Go, Ashley.”
Ashley pivoted in midair and shot down the hall away from them. Cassidy watched Nicholas begin to run after the Pidgeotto, her mind racing from the thoughts she was reading.
Victoria suddenly thrust her arm over the Kadabra’s head and Cassidy yelped when a floating pokegirl was pinned to the wall next to her. “Pay attention.” Victoria growled and slammed the girl to the floor. “Come on. Master is getting ahead of us.”
“Sorry.” Cassidy gasped.
Galina ran in perfect step with her new Master, her own thoughts wandering. She had to do this. She had to save her Alpha. She had to save Dahlia. But with every swing of her club, something was wrong. For now she pushed the feeling away and resolved to figure out what it was once they had successfully rescued the Ivysaur.
Somewhere nearby, Dahlia gave up trying to trigger her pokeball like Elizabeth had shown her. For some reason the Nidoqueen wasn’t releasing her to continue the lesson. Was the gym battle going well? Had Elizabeth been called in?
Maybe she could try to ‘see’ outside of her ball first. That would tell her what was going on, at least.
Slowly a hazy image began to form. She could see a few figures, what looked like the inside of a building...
Dahlia let the image fade. Well, something was happening. She’d just wait for a bit longer.
Galina batted away an attacking pokegirl before she could get to Nicholas. No matter how hard they tried to keep up with Ashley, the Pidgeotto kept up her pace. Nothing stood in front of her for long, grunt after surprised grunt watching their pokegirls be thrown about as the Pidgeotto blasted past.
“It probably helps that these are just fodder.” Nicholas observed when Cassidy helped to clean up the next fight. “They’ve all got the same pokegirls; the ones nobody else wanted.”
“Master Michael has a Raticate.” Victoria pointed out.
“And I was thinking about catching a Zubat, that’s true.” Nicholas admitted. “I guess we’re the exception.”
Victoria chuckled. “I suppose so, Master. You see the potential in every pokegirl, no matter how weak.”
Ahead of them Ashley winged to an abrupt stop, allowing the others to catch up. In front of her a group of pokegirls waited.
“So, you’re the tamer who’s been tearing through our base.” One of two Team Rocket members called from behind his pokegirls. “Seems you have a strong bunch there. It’s so nice of you to deliver them to us.”
Ashley landed. “Master, we’re on the right track.” Her lips curled into a vicious smile. “These ones are stronger.”
Nicholas grinned. “Ready for a real battle?”
“As long as I have you to command me, Master,” Ashley replied, “I’m ready for any battle.”
The pokegirls’ clash rattled the walls.
Dahlia felt the vibration in her pokeball. It was a very strange technique that Elizabeth had shown her. She’d more or less gotten the hang of sounds, but she should probably try to ‘see’ again.
Slowly the image returned, this time with more clarity. No figures. Dahlia could see boxes around her, other pokeballs. Nicholas was nowhere to be found.
Dahlia let the image vanish with a gasp. What had happened? Where was she? Where was Master Nicholas?
She couldn’t answer those questions within her pokeball. She needed to get out. Now!
Nicholas shouted a warning and Ashley whirled, diving around the attacking Zubat so tightly that her feathers brushed against the girl’s stomach. The Zubat couldn’t come close to matching her precise movement and Ashley flipped back above the struggling girl as her wings began to glow.
The Zubat screamed when Ashley crashed into her, energy smashing the unfortunate pokegirl into the floor. Ashley easily landed, turning towards the Team Rocket grunts for her next opponent.
Dahlia slowly searched for the things Elizabeth had told her about. The walls, both literal and figurative, of the pokeball around her. It took a few minutes but she finally found what she hoped she was looking for. There were two options she could take now - push hard enough that the field released her, or push in the right way to trick the pokeball.
All she had to do was push it open.
In a darkened storeroom a single pokeball twitched. Then again, with more energy, and suddenly it popped open to release Dahlia. The Ivysaur sprawled across the ground, quickly scrambling to her feet and casting about in the dark. “H-Hello?”
Complete silence greeted her so she stumbled to a wall, slowly searching it until her fingers encountered a switch.
Dahlia flicked the lights on and turned back to the room. There was her pokeball, but...
Her ball sat on the top of a bag of around ten others. She could see identical bags scattered throughout the room, mixed in with the stacked boxes and other equipment.
Where was she?
She gasped when she saw something hanging out of one of the boxes. A black uniform. Team Rocket’s uniform.
Dahlia felt her heart begin to beat faster as she realized what must have happened. She needed to get out of here. Nicholas might be in danger!
Voices outside made her freeze. They were getting louder. Headed this way.
Dahlia ran to her pokeball and scooped it up before turning to the rest of the room. It was useless. There was nowhere to hide. The voices were getting louder, one male, one female. At least one human.
I can’t fight! She thought desperately. If I attack a human, I’ll be taken away from Master!
If you don’t fight, you’ll be taken away anyways. Her internal voice snapped back. There is no choice. Fight and return to him, or give up and never see him again.
I can’t!
You must.
Dahlia whirled when the door began to open.
She must-!
“Yea, let’s move as much as we can...” The speaker trailed off as the door swung open and red lights began to flash. “Uh oh.”
Dahlia triggered the next set of pokeballs, watching another five grass-types materialize. “Hello?!”
“Shit! They’re escaping!” One of the grunts screamed as he reached for his belt.
The other pokegirls were still getting their bearings. Dahlia gazed at the grunt, watching him pull a radio to his mouth.
Her remaining uncertainty and fear were swept away in an instant. The timid, quiet Ivysaur that had entered that room in her pokeball vanished and in her place stood the pokegirl Nicholas had recognized. His Alpha. And she would do whatever was necessary to return to him.
The grunt choked when a vine pinned his arm to his chest and his hand popped open, dropping the radio to the floor. The other grunt was more successful, triggering two of her pokeballs before Dahlia managed to secure her as well.
Dahlia snarled, awkwardly positioning herself to attack the enemy pokegirls, when she heard a voice behind her.
“Help her!”
Suddenly half a dozen pokegirls were in front of her, easily taking care of the two enemies. A dark skinned woman in what looked like a speckled green and yellow dress stepped past her, massive vines twice the size of her own shooting out from somewhere near her collarbone and firmly wrapping the struggling grunts.
Dahlia let her own grip loosen when the grass-type turned to her. Fierce eyes met her own resolute gaze and after a moment the pokegirl smiled.
“I don’t recognize you.” She observed. “But I recognize your will. What has happened here?”
“I don’t know.” Dahlia confessed. “I was learning how to open my own pokeball and when I did... I was here.”
The pokegirl nodded. “I don’t recognize where we are, but I recognize these uniforms.” She turned back to the trussed humans. “Girls! Our mistresses must be searching for us. It’s time to leave.”
“Who are you?” Dahlia asked as the group began to filter out the door.
“My name is Jessebelle.” The pokegirl replied. “I am Mistress Erika’s Victreebel.” She cocked her head. “And you?”
“I’m Dahlia, Master Nicholas’ Ivysaur.” She sighed. “I’m also his Alpha, and yet-“
“You escaped before I realized anything was wrong.” Jessebelle interrupted. “That alone proves your worth.” She bent down slightly and smiled at Dahlia. “I saw it in you immediately, Dahlia. I hope your Master challenges us so I may meet you in battle.”
Dahlia stood in stunned silence while Jessebelle secured the Team Rocket members. “You mean it?”
Jessebelle’s vines retracted and she walked towards the door. “I do indeed. Now come; we should leave this place.”
“But which way do we go?” Dahlia asked, chasing Jessebelle out of the room.
Jessebelle put her hand behind her ear and listened for a few moments. “I hear shouting and the sounds of battle. I am sure that is where we need to be.” She turned to address the other pokegirls. “Do not stop once we find more enemies. Keep moving, stay as one. I hold our pokeballs; do not let me out of your sight.” She gestured when the others nodded. “Let’s go.”
Ashley nimbly landed, twirling slightly on her toes before coming to a rest in front of Nicholas.
The two defeated grunts stared wide-eyed at the Pidgeotto. “How in the...”
“Do you have any potions, Master?” Ashley asked. “That last one managed to bruise my wing.”
Nicholas slowly began to chuckle as he pulled out a potion and handed it to her. “When you get in a mood, you sure don’t let up.”
Ashley stretched to keep her muscles loose. “No Master.”
“You there! I have some questions.” Nicholas growled. “Where’s the group that robbed the gym?”
“No idea-“ one of the grunts started.
The other paled when Galina strode forwards and slammed the speaker into the floor. “My Master asked you a question.”
“I think you knocked him out.” Nicholas replied in fake surprise. “Oh well. You! Where are they?”
“Th-They dropped the loot already.” The other grunt babbled. “Please don’t hurt me please don’t hurt me...”
Galina swept the grunt’s feet out from underneath him and perched on the trembling man’s chest. “Where.”
“One of the storerooms! Two levels down. Please, I don’t know which!”
“And how do we get there.” Nicholas asked. “There aren’t any stairs left to take.”
“The elevator.” The grunt gasped. “Take the elevator.”
Galina stared down at the man for a few seconds before jerking his shirt up and rifling his pockets. “Here, Master.”
Nicholas caught the small plastic card. “What’s this?”
“Likely the card for the elevator.” Galina yanked the grunt’s shirt a bit higher and wrapped it around his arms in a makeshift binding. “Can I knock this one out too?”
“No, please.” The grunt sobbed.
“We haven’t been knocking out the others.” Nicholas pointed out. “Leave him trussed up. I’m sure he won’t make any trouble for us.” He walked over and nudged the grunt with his foot. “Isn’t that right?”
“Yes! No trouble. Nothing. I’m just going to sit here.” The grunt babbled. “Thank you, thank you...”
“Oh shut up.” Nicholas muttered. “Let’s go, girls.”
They easily found the elevator and crowded inside with Galina closest to the door. The Marowak inserted the keycard and hit the lowest floor.
“Weren’t the storerooms only two floors down?” Nicholas asked as the elevator began to move.
Galina stared at the closed doors. “I just need to do something first, Master.”
Nicholas exchanged quizzical looks with the others. A few seconds later the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
Galina poked her head out and looked around. Just as she had expected.
Nicholas caught a glimpse of a short hallway and two scrambling grunts before Galina jabbed the correct floor button and hurled her club through the air.
The doors at the other end of the hallway exploded into fragments of wood as the club tore through before embedding itself in what appeared to be a solid wood desk. Behind it sat a man and, as the elevator doors slid shut, Nicholas could see him staring at him.
Giovanni ignored his scrambling guards, choosing instead to inspect the club still embedded in his desk. After a few moments he straightened and began punching numbers into a nearby phone.
“Galina, what the heck was that?” Nicholas hissed.
“I hope it was their boss.” Galina growled. “I missed him, but I sent my message.”
“Oh.” Nicholas replied. “He would have been the one who ultimately was responsible for...”
“Yes.”
The elevator climbed silently for a bit before Nicholas spoke again. “Just like the other one, you can’t just kill him.”
Galina glanced back at him. “I’m very calm right now.”
“That’s not what I said.”
Galina snorted. “I couldn’t see him when I threw my club. It would have been a terrible accident if it had hit and killed a human.”
“Fine.”
Galina stubbornly stared at the elevator doors again.
Nicholas stiffened when the elevator slowed and he could hear voices. “Girls-“
The doors swung open and Galina was halfway into an attack when she stopped in surprise.
Half a dozen grunts were lying around the hallway and in front of them a horde of pokegirls stood clustered together. When the doors dinged they whirled, some preparing their own attacks before both sides opted to just stare.
“MASTER!” Nicholas yelped when Dahlia appeared from within the group, the Ivysaur vaulting over Galina’s head and crashing into him. “Oh Master, Master I was so worried...”
“Ah, so you’re Dahlia’s tamer.” Nicholas managed to poke his head past Dahlia’s to see a menacing woman staring at him. “Where is my Mistress? Where is Erika?”
“You’re Erika’s girl?” Nicholas asked. “She’s up above, in the casino.”
“I see. So the Rocket Casino truly was a base for Team Rocket.” Jessebelle nodded. “This is the elevator up?”
“Yea, but I don’t think it can hold everyone.” Nicholas replied. “I can recall my harem if you don’t have your pokeballs...”
“That’s not a problem. I have them here.” Jessebelle turned to the crowd and produced the pokeballs from somewhere on her body. “Alright, we’re getting out of here!”
Nicholas waited for her to finish recalling everyone. “How did you hold onto those?”
Jessebelle cocked an eyebrow at him. “I am a Victreebel.”
“Sure, but...” Nicholas gave up. “Maybe it’s better I don’t ask.”
Jessebelle gave him a teasing smile as she joined them in the elevator. “Perhaps.”
Galina looked worried and Nicholas frowned. “Something wrong, Galina?”
“Sorry, Master.” Galina muttered. “They’ve called the elevator back down.”
Nicholas winced, glancing up to see the blinking indicator. “That’s not good.”
“I’m keeping it at this floor, but I don’t think I can make it go up before it goes back down.” Galina explained. “We’re stuck.”
“Let me through.” Cassidy pushed past the others and began searching the panel. “I can’t get this off. Galina?”
“Allow me.” Jessebelle’s vines snaked through the throng and in a second the panel was wide open. “What will you do?”
“Galina, or someone, keep mashing the first floor button.” Cassidy inspected the wiring. “I’m going to reset the elevator. The first thing it gets as a command has to be ours.”
Galina reached up to begin rapidly hitting the button. “Why is that?”
“Because the only way this is going to work is if the doors are already closed.”
Galina gulped. “Okay. Ready?”
“Do it.”
Galina let go of the open door button and watched them slide shut. A moment later the elevator jerked downwards and Cassidy instantly threw a switch.
Below them the guards grinned when the indicator flicked down a floor, but Giovanni stood silently behind them. He watched the lights flicker off and nodded to himself when the floors began to rise instead.
“Wha- how’d they do that!” One of the guards cried. “The elevator was coming down and then-“
“We’re abandoning the hideout.” The two guards turned. “Order every available member to begin saving our resources. We’ll have to move it all to the warehouse.”
“But sir, there won’t be nearly enough room.” One of the guards stammered.
“There’s no other choice.” Giovanni replied, turning away from the elevator and walking back into his office. “Now DO IT! The police are about to be covering every inch of this place.”
Inside the elevator nobody dared to make a sound. Finally when the floor light went up the group shared a collective sigh of relief.
“Nicely done, Cassidy.” Nicholas breathed. “If that really was their boss down there, we weren’t going to win that fight.”
“I’m sorry, Master.” Galina said miserably. “I nearly got us all-“
“It’s done, so don’t beat yourself up over it.” Nicholas replied. “I just hope Erika is still alright.”
“My Mistress will be fine.” Jessebelle retorted.
“We’re about to find out.” Nicholas said when the doors slid open.
Erika dove into the elevator to embrace Jessebelle and Nicholas stood aside when a number of others swarmed the group. “My pokegirls? Did you find-?”
Nicholas waved off the tamers. “Erika’s girl has them!” He sighed in relief when the commotion turned away from him. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
Cassidy bent forwards. “Pardon me, mistress Erika?” When the gym leader turned her tear-streaked face to them Cassidy bowed. “My Master needs time to recover. May we take our leave?”
“Of course.” Erika babbled. “The police are on their way and Belle is here and-“
“Mistress, calm down.” Jessebelle murmured. “We should get out of this place as well.”
Cassidy turned back to Nicholas. “I can teleport us out, Master. Please recall my sisters.”
Nicholas complied, leaving Galina for last. The Marowak was still forlornly staring into the distance and he gently shook her shoulder. “Hey.”
Galina didn’t turn. “I’m sorry, Master.”
“I told you, no harm done.” Nicholas replied but Galina ignored him.
“If I hadn’t been here there would have been no danger.”
Nicholas sighed and recalled her. “Teleport please, Cassidy. I think Galina needs some time.”
Cassidy nodded and took his hand, the world around them shifting at her thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Well you sure have been busy.”
Nicholas gazed out the lab window. “I’d be happier if I hadn’t been.”
“Hm.” Oak slowly stirred his coffee. “I don’t blame you for that.”
The two sat in silence for a while before Nicholas turned. “How’s Michael doing?”
“Hm? Oh, he’s earned his fourth badge.” Oak replied. “A few days ago, I believe it was.”
“I still can’t believe they kept me tied up in that city for so long.” Nicholas grumbled. “Thanks for letting us take a few days off here.”
“It is my absolute pleasure, Nicholas.” Oak replied. “You and your girls need a vacation after your string of life-or-death encounters.”
“How can Team Rocket be so ingrained in the region?” Nicholas muttered. “Professor, how? I’m sure you know something.”
Oak sighed. “The sad truth is that they’re just part of our lives. My grandson had his own run-ins with them back when he was traveling Kanto.” He shook his head. “I think I fend off an attack every few weeks.”
“And the league just… lets them do that?” Nicholas asked incredulously. “Shouldn’t they be trying to, I don’t know, find their leaders? Even just arresting anyone who wears their uniform would be a start.”
“Wearing that uniform is not a crime.” Oak replied tiredly. “I wish it was, but they were smart. Team Rocket isn’t just a regular criminal organization; they’ve placed members in the government. Anything done to crack down on them is resisted or overruled.”
“That has to change.”
“We’ve been receiving support from the world league.” Oak replied. “It’s the reason we have the vigilante laws.”
“Right. They told me about that in Celadon.” Nicholas replied. “That’s why I’m not in trouble, I was able to prove reasonable cause for my… Actions.”
“That’s right.” Oak said. “But even still, real change needs to come from within. I can’t believe that they have more than one, maybe two high ranking members in the government. They’re not who need to be found – it’s the ones who are sympathetic, either bribed or threatened to go along with what Team Rocket does. If we can help them, convince them to fight back… We can see real change.”
“Do you have any idea who they might be?”
“I have my suspicions,” Oak replied, “but no, I don’t. Even if I did, I’m not a politician. Just a Professor.”
“Would your grandson know anything?” Nicholas asked.
“Gary? He might, as the Champion.” Oak shook his head. “But these things aren’t your problem, Nicholas. Even if one day you make it all the way to the Indigo Plateau, even if you face my grandson and defeat him as the Champion… This isn’t your fight. Kanto isn’t your home.”
Nicholas idly played with his cup. “Maybe not.”
“You’ve got half a dozen pokegirls relying on you now.” Oak replied. “Focus on them. They’re your happiness.”
Nicholas was saved any further conversation by a commotion outside and a minute later a familiar face walked into the building.
Nicholas shot to his feet in surprise. “Erika?”
The gym leader gave him a tired smile. “Sorry to intrude like this. Professor, Nicholas.”
“It’s fine…” Nicholas trailed off. “Did you just call me by name?”
Erika nodded slightly. “I figure you deserve that much, after everything that’s happened.” She sighed. “That’s why I’m here. We’re shutting the gym down for a while. But if you’re desperate for your challenge…”
“No.” Nicholas immediately replied. “No, that’s fine. I think the girls and I are going to take some time off as well.”
“Okay.” Erika nodded to herself. “Okay. Well whenever you want to come by, I’ll be waiting. Alright?”
Nicholas nodded but Oak raised a hand before Erika could turn around. “How’s Jesse holding up?”
Erika shrugged. “She’s pissed that she didn’t realize what was going on until it was too late.” She gazed at the wall. “I’m just relieved to have her back.”
Oak nodded and watched Erika walk back out of the lab. After a few minutes he turned to Nicholas. “I think you should head down to Fuchsia.”
“Why’s that?”
“The road out of Lavender town is a serene, beautiful walk along the coast.” Oak replied. “It should provide you with ample time to decompress.” He smiled. “And there’s a gym in Fuchsia, too. So you’ll be making progress towards your challenge.”
“I’m really not thinking about that right now.”
“Maybe not, but you should be.” Oak replied. “You shouldn’t fall into a rut, Nicholas. You should keep moving even if you aren't getting anywhere. Once you're ready to get back to your challenge that momentum will carry you forwards."
“I guess you’re right.” Nicholas glanced out the window. “I’ll go find my harem and let them know.”
“Make sure you take the time to really enjoy yourself out there.” Oak continued as Nicholas walked towards the door. “You only experience something for the first time once.”
Nicholas cracked a smile at that before stepping outside. Erika was still there and she turned when Nicholas approached.
“I haven’t had a real chance to thank you.” She said. “Over the last few days, I started thinking… Without you there, without you risking your own life to go after those thieves… I may have never seen Jessebelle again. The things those criminals might have done to her, or made me do to get her back… I just can’t handle thinking about it.”
“…I didn’t really do it for you.” Nicholas admitted. “I did it to rescue Dahlia.”
“Maybe, but I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if your pokegirl hadn’t been taken.” Erika replied quietly. “The ferocity you showed as you chased her, I can’t believe it only existed in that moment. Would you have embraced it the same way if it was for someone else, someone not a part of your life?”
“Someone else, huh…” Nicholas’ eyes drifted as he thought. About Ashley, ferociously tearing through the underground hideout as she searched for Dahlia. About Elizabeth, and the wounds she had sustained trying to protect Dahlia’s pokeball. And finally he nodded as he remembered the top of the tower in Lavender Town, about a mortally wounded Cubone and what he had decided to do to save her. “I think I might have, with the right push.”
“Thank you.” Erika whispered. “This league needs more heroes like you, Nicholas. Thank you for being you.”
Nicholas watched her turn away and exit town. Eventually he turned away, heading towards where he knew the pokegirls living at the laboratory gathered.
“How are you feeling, Master?”
Nicholas stopped and glanced up to see Ashley perched in a tree. “I’m ready to get back on the road, Ashley. How are you? Why aren’t you with the others?”
Ashley raised her eyes above his head. “I’m doing fine. I’m not with them because I needed to think.”
“For three days?”
Ashley was silent for a few seconds. “Master, what was I like as a wild pokegirl?”
Nicholas frowned. “Why?”
“Because something changed when I learned Dahlia had been kidnapped.” Ashley replied quietly. “I don’t know if I’m still in control.”
“Well, you were very territorial as a wild pokegirl.” Nicholas explained. “When we ran across you, you had claimed a patch of Route 1. Not far from here, actually.”
“Territorial.” Ashley shook her head. “Is that all?”
“Well, you and Dahlia battled, and the rest… well, you should know the last few months.”
“But that was it?” Ashley pressed. “Territorial, that’s all you can say?”
“What’s bothering you?”
Ashley dropped her gaze. “I’ve always been competitive. Aggressive. It’s what got me in trouble with Elizabeth.”
Nicholas nodded. “Sure.”
“I thought that was it. I thought that maybe, I was just abrasive, and I… I was afraid of that. I started thinking about everything I did, running through every response twice before talking or acting. And things got better. Elizabeth and I got along. Dahlia and I started talking, instead of letting that first battle define us anymore. I liked the person I was learning to be.”
“But you think you’ve lost that.”
Ashley slumped on her perch. “I disobeyed you. Ignored them.”
“Ashley, have I reprimanded you for anything that you did?”
Ashley blinked back her tears. “No, but… That doesn’t matter. I’m your pokegirl. I do what you tell me to, not the other way around.”
“If I told you to never fly again, would you listen?”
Ashley jerked as if stung. “But-“
Nicholas waited patiently while she struggled with her words. “You want to say something. You had a response that you know is the only one you can give. Say it.”
“That kind of an order is moronic!” Ashley burst out.
Nicholas smiled. “And if it is, the one who gave it must be the same.”
“No, please! That’s why I didn’t…” Ashley desperately started before trailing off when she saw Nicholas smiling. “Master?”
“Can you come down? I can’t hug you when you’re up there.” Nicholas asked.
Instantly Ashley had swooped into his arms and he held her trembling body close. “I won’t always make the right call.” He whispered gently. “I trust all of you to think for yourselves, and to help me when I’m wrong. I needed you to take charge, Ashley. I needed the fierce woman you are.”
Ashley felt tears beading in her eyes. “But when I was that before, you y-y-yelled at me.”
“I didn’t yell at you because you were fierce.” Nicholas soothingly chided. “I yelled because you were trying to kill Elizabeth.”
Ashley’s tears began to drip onto his shirt. “I was trying to kill them, too.”
“They were trying to kill you. Kill us.” Nicholas corrected her. “You defended yourself, defended me. Defended Dahlia.” He gently pushed her away so that he could look into her teary eyes. “I felt nothing but awe in that place, Ashley. All of the ferocity you had, directed into a beautiful display of strength that you used to help your harem sisters instead of hurting them.”
Ashley bowed her head under his chin. “That’s what I’m feeling now,” she murmured, “with this rising emotion. It makes me want to… to scream, to get this energy out. I can barely sit still.”
“And you’re afraid of it?”
“I was.” Ashley whispered. “I thought you all were going to hate me for it.” Nicholas just smiled when she pulled back and he could see a quiet resolve in her eyes. “But you’re not?”
“No. I’m not, Ashley. Who you are is not something I want to hate.”
Ashley reached up to grasp the back of his head and crushed her mouth to his. Nicholas felt her tongue desperately pushing past his lips but he just kissed back, allowing the Pidgeotto to do as she wished. Eventually her grip loosened and the two broke apart.
Ashley awkwardly cleared her throat, stepping back and glancing away. “Um. I need to… to apologize to the others.”
“What for?”
“…I’ve been avoiding them.” Ashley confessed.
“Why don’t you take a few more minutes.” Nicholas chuckled. “I’ll go see if anyone else needs a hug.”
Ashley blushed and nodded.
He came across Victoria and Cassidy next. Victoria glanced up when he approached, but Cassidy was lost in her thoughts. “Hey.”
“Hey, Master.” Victoria replied. “Cassidy and I have been talking about some things.”
“I just found Ashley in a tree. She needed a hug. Do either of you need one too?”
Victoria laughed and Cassidy finally looked up with a slight smile. “No, Master. Not like I’m sure she did.”
“Hopefully she comes by soon. Can you be understanding if she starts crying?”
Cassidy chuckled and glanced at Victoria. “We’ll be nice, Master. Dahlia and Elizabeth are over there.”
Nicholas glanced in the direction she waved. “Where’s Galina?”
Cassidy quieted and Victoria looked uncomfortable. “Maybe… Maybe you should talk to Dahlia and Elizabeth first, Master.”
Nicholas frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“She needs more than a hug, Master.” Cassidy replied. Her eyes had returned to staring at the ground as she continued. “I’ve been thinking about why I’m here, in your harem. I think she’s been doing the same.”
Nicholas hesitated before turning to go. “Are you thinking of leaving me?”
“Nobody is.” Cassidy replied immediately. “The incident just has everyone rattled.”
Nicholas glanced back at her. “I noticed you’ve hidden your ears in your hair again.”
Cassidy didn’t look up. “I’m trying to make sense of my emotions first, Master. They’re hiding because I don’t know what to do.”
She glanced away when he walked back and sat next to her. “What can I do to help?”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Because someone else needs it more?” Nicholas asked. “Just because your need is less doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”
Victoria cleared her throat. “I’ll, uh, I’ll go find Ashley. I don’t think you need me to talk to anymore, Cass.” She cracked a smile before hurrying off the way Nicholas had come.
Cassidy didn’t move when he slid closer to her. “So. What can I do?”
“…I’m still new.” Cassidy said. “Besides Galina, I am the new girl. The others, Elizabeth, Dahlia, Ashley, Victoria, they all have known each other for weeks. Months, even. I’ve been with you for barely a few weeks.”
“Even Dahlia was the new girl once.” Nicholas replied. “Why is that bothering you?”
“I don’t know if what I’m doing is correct.” Cassidy finally turned to look at him. “I’ve always wanted a Master who is intelligent, but I didn’t expect you to see through me so quickly. I’ve been at a disadvantage since we first met.”
“Ah. And because I’ve asked you not to read my thoughts, you can’t easily endear yourself to me.”
“I lied to you back then.” Cassidy barely whispered. “It’s not that I can’t help but hear. I can’t help but look.”
“Then look at me now.” Nicholas whispered, pressing his forehead to hers and gazing into her eyes. “And see what I think of you.”
Cassidy hesitantly gazed back. After a few seconds her body relaxed and the tips of her ears poked through her hair. “You truly think that?”
“I love you more because you made the effort.” Nicholas said. “I never wanted a false relationship with you. If you had always done or said what I wanted most, it would all be a lie. I wanted to love you for you.”
Cassidy’s body shook when she held back a sob. “I was so scared.”
“I know.” Nicholas whispered. “So was Victoria, when I first met her. For a different reason, perhaps, but she was still terrified. I hope that over time, you can learn to trust me.”
Cassidy wrapped her arms around his chest and pulled him closer. “I might peek every once in a while.”
Nicholas laughed and ran his fingers through her hair, scratching the base of her ears as he did. “I can’t really stop you.”
“You can.” Cassidy replied. “I don’t know how, but when you told me to stop, I had no choice. You didn’t want me looking so I couldn’t.”
“Huh.” Nicholas replied in surprise. “Well, you may look if you need to.”
“Thank you, Master.” Cassidy held onto him for a few more minutes before finally letting go. “You should talk to Dahlia. And then, we’ll find Galina.”
Nicholas cocked an eyebrow. “’We’?”
“She’s been talking to everyone.” Cassidy explained. “You’ll see.”
“Alright.” Nicholas replied. “I’ll go talk to Dahlia and Elizabeth.”
The two in question were sitting with a much larger pokegirl and when Nicholas approached the woman bowed. “Good afternoon, sir.”
Nicholas came to a halt. “I know I’ve seen you somewhere in the last few days.”
The pokegirl bowed again. “You have, sir. If you are here for them, I will return to Master Samuel.”
Nicholas watched her go. “Who was that?”
“The Professor’s Venusaur.” Dahlia replied. “We were talking about things.”
“Oh, so you’ll look like her when you evolve?” Nicholas whistled softly. “She looked like she could toss me over the lab.”
Dahlia laughed. “I would never do that, Master.”
“We’ll see.” Nicholas teased and turned to Elizabeth. “How’s the eye, Elizabeth?”
The Nidoqueen blinked a few times, highlighting the fresh scar that had remained after the attack. “Healing, Master. I’m glad it remains after a healing cycle.”
“I still can’t believe you want to keep it.”
“I keep it for the same reason I keep all my scars.” Elizabeth replied. “To remind me of why I have them. To be better so that I don’t get more of them.”
Nicholas nodded slightly. “How are you holding up?”
“Cassidy has helped me remember what happened.” Elizabeth replied. “I had no chance, and I accept that. Surviving to return to you, that was my best course to take.”
“And I forgive you.” Dahlia gently said to her. “You couldn’t have stopped that many pokegirls. Nobody could have done that alone.”
“I know.”
Nicholas watched her stand. “You’re leaving too?”
Elizabeth glanced at him in surprise. “Too?”
“Victoria pretended she didn’t need me so that Cassidy could get the time she needed.” Nicholas replied. “I find it interesting that you’re doing the same. I’d think you were the ones who need it the most, with how recently you were fighting.”
Elizabeth laughed and stepped over to twirl him around in a bonecrushing hug. “Master, you gave me what I needed. I can’t speak for her, but I think you’ve done the same.” Nicholas wheezed when she held him up to happily peck him on the nose. “I know what I need to do.”
“I’m glad.” Nicholas gasped.
Elizabeth laughed again before dropping him back to the ground. “How is Ashley?”
“She’s- good.” Nicholas managed. “Somewhere back there…”
“I’ll go make sure of that.” Elizabeth sketched a quick curtsy back towards Dahlia. “We’ll wait for you, Alpha.”
Nicholas was still catching his breath when Dahlia walked over and pulled him down. “Are you alright, Master?”
“She’s a big girl.” Nicholas groaned.
“With a big heart.” Dahlia replied. “You finally broke the shell around it, Master. Broke her shield and forced her to embrace your love.”
“I just wanted her to stop fighting everyone.” Nicholas moaned. “That’s all I wanted.”
“Maybe it’s because of what happened to me, but she has.” Dahlia replied. “How about you? Are you alright?”
“That’s supposed to be my line.”
“It’s both of ours.” Dahlia replied firmly. “We’re meant to watch each other’s backs, more than even the others. I am my Master’s Alpha.”
You’re different. Nicholas realized. Just like Ashley has changed, something has happened to you.
“What… What happened in there?” Nicholas asked. “I walked into the gym, and you were… everything you thought you were. I found you not twenty minutes later and you were everything I saw you as.”
Dahlia was quiet while she worked on how to respond. “I had to make a choice, Master.” She finally replied. “And to make that choice, I had to think about who I really was. I didn’t have much time to think.”
“So…?”
“So I started from the only place I knew that was different.” Dahlia replied, looking at him. “I started from what you had told me I was. And it all clicked.”
“The timid Dahlia is gone, isn’t she?”
“No. She’s still here, she’s just not the only one here anymore. She’s here with the strong Dahlia, the flexible Dahlia, the methodical Dahlia.” Dahlia’s vines snaked up her body and began winding around his. “She’s a part of the true Dahlia. Your Alpha.”
“I just want my Dahlia.”
Dahlia nodded and pressed her bare chest against his. “I know.” She whispered. “She hasn’t left. Your Dahlia is still here. She’s just your Alpha now, as well.”
“That’s wonderful to hear.” Nicholas whispered back. The two stared at each other for what felt like hours before Nicholas leaned back. “Do you know what’s happening with Galina?”
Dahlia released him. “Of course I do.”
“As her Alpha.” Nicholas parroted simultaneously with the Ivysaur. “Well?”
Dahlia shot him a disgruntled look. “She’s not leaving you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Even if she was I wouldn’t care.” Nicholas replied. “I already offered to let her find some other path to take.”
“Well she might be taking you up on that.”
Nicholas frowned. “Alright, I’ll bite. How?”
Dahlia stood and reached down to pull him up as well. “That’s for her to tell you.”
“Tch.”
“I’m trying to respect her feelings.” Dahlia replied. “But the final decision… Of course it will be yours.”
“Well that’s not ominous at all.” Nicholas muttered.
The other five pokegirls were waiting for them and Nicholas came to a halt, watching Dahlia break off and hurry to Galina’s side. The Marowak was gazing at him with an unreadable expression, and it wasn’t just because of her helmet.
“Galina.” Nicholas scratched his neck. “I’ve been told… you needed to talk to me.”
“Do you want us here?” Dahlia asked her.
Galina blinked. “Until I- Until I say it.” Dahlia nodded silently and Galina took a shuddering breath. “Master… Nicholas. Nicholas. I want to say that I can never thank you enough for saving me.”
Nicholas nodded.
“But I… I need more than a few days.” She took another shuddering breath. “I almost got us all killed or captured.”
“I told you that it didn’t matter.”
“But it still happened.” Galina replied. “I’m too focused on my grief. I’m not acting to protect you, or my sisters, or in any way that I should be.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she said her last sentence. “I can’t travel with you right now.”
Dahlia gently patted the Marowak’s back while she sobbed. After a minute she glanced at the others and jerked her head.
Nicholas watched them drift away. “What does that mean for us?”
Galina sniffed. “I don’t want it to mean anything. But I know that, if I’m not with you, it may be days, or weeks… maybe longer, sometimes, before I see you again.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to fight, Master. Not Team Rocket, not anymore. They’ve taken too much from me. I don’t want them to take who I am as well.”
Nicholas sighed and moved forwards but didn’t embrace her yet. “We’re all hurting right now, Galina. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I want to get to know you, Master. That’s what I want.” Galina sobbed. “But I know if I travel with you, I won’t be able to heal.”
Nicholas finally drew her into his arms. “Alright.” He whispered. “We’ll figure something out.”
“Maybe I can stay at your house, or something.” Galina muttered miserably. “It might be lonely sometimes, but at least there I know you’ll return.”
“Ah.” Nicholas grimaced. “I don’t have one.”
Galina’s helmet thumped against his chest. “What?”
“I graduated and joined a research team.” Nicholas replied. “I rented everything I stayed in.”
“Then… how can we…?”
“Nicholas!”
Nicholas raised his head to see Professor Oak hurrying towards them. “Professor?”
“Your Alpha told me what was happening.” Oak seemed to take great pleasure in referring to Dahlia that way. “I had many pokegirls living here while my grandson went on his journey. I’d happily look after Galina for you.”
Nicholas stared at the smiling man. “You would?”
“I would.” Oak replied. “My harem will love to have someone new around the place.”
“Galina? Would you be okay with that?”
Galina slowly nodded. “Live here?”
“Until we figure something else out.” Oak replied. “How about it.”
Galina thought quietly for a minute before finally nodding. “Okay.”
“Make sure to visit as often as you can.” Oak said. “And Galina, I’ll ask one of my harem to show you around.”
Nicholas nodded, watching Oak walk away.
“I’m sorry, Master.” Galina whispered.
“You need time.” Nicholas replied. “That’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He bent down to kiss her. “We’ll probably head out in the morning.”
Galina shoved against him and he could feel her naked body against every inch of his skin as she replied. “I won’t see you for a long time.”
Nicholas tenderly kissed her again. “Then I guess we should make the most of the time we have.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POKEDEX UPDATED
Tamer:Nicholas Topolski
Badges:
Pewter City – Boulder Badge
Cerulean City – Cascade Badge
Vermilion City – Thunder Badge
Active Harem:
Dahlia, Ivysaur – Level 27 (Alpha)
Ashley, Pidgeotto – Level 29
Elizabeth, Nidoqueen – Level 27
Victoria, Gyarados – Level 28
Cassidy, Kadabra – Level 29
Inactive Harem:
Galina, Marowak – Level 28
Tamer:Michael Thieme
Badges:
Pewter City – Boulder Badge
Cerulean City – Cascade Badge
Vermilion City – Thunder Badge
Celadon City – Rainbow Badge
Harem:
Vanessa, Wartortle – Level 29
Tamama, Exeggutor – Level 29
Hannah, Primeape – Level 30
Riana, Sandslash – Level 31
Madeline, Fearow – Level 29