Disclaimer:
This work is fiction. The work is presented under fair protection where applicable.
Feedback will be read, processed, and if it’s a flame it will be given the finger, then I will burst into hysterical laughter. Constructive feedback, be it criticism or praise, will be read, processed, given a smile, and filed away. To contact me, please send an email to socom.seal@(SPAM)yahoo.com. Remove (SPAM) for a valid email.
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
Hints of the Future
“Good-bye! And good luck!”
The group waved and turned to the road, taking a few steps before Nicholas noticed that Miyuki hadn’t moved yet. When he looked back he saw her still hesitantly waving at Bill.
“Miyuki?”
The Eevee’s hand fell but she still didn’t turn. “I... I’m scared.”
Nicholas stepped back to her side. “You can walk away. Just because I’ve tamed you doesn’t mean you’re forced to come with me.”
“No, it’s... not that.” Miyuki finally turned away from where Bill stood in order to look at him. “I’ve never wanted something more than I want you. I’m scared to go home.”
“Ecruteak?”
“Yeah.” Miyuki’s eyes wandered off again. “I was tamed by a human. I broke the tenets. My sisters will cast me out.”
“Those old sisters of yours are gone.” Nicholas reached out and took Miyuki’s hands in his own. “Your family is here. For as long as you want us.”
Miyuki let him pull her forwards to join the others. Sera had a big smile on her face and when they got close she turned, sweeping in and seamlessly taking Nicholas’ place. “Hey, sister. Welcome to the harem.”
Miyuki felt Sera’s arm wrap around her shoulders and she sniffed. The tears were starting when Nessa stepped in with her own smile. “Sera isn’t bullying you, is she?”
Miyuki blinked to clear her eyes. “H-Huh? No, she didn’t do anything...” Miyuki tried to shrink back when Nessa embraced her, but she was sandwiched between the Golbat and Croconaw and had nowhere to go.
Nicholas watched with a slight smile as the two tormented the increasingly flustered Eevee, only stepping in when he saw Miyuki’s ears flatten and her eyes squeeze shut. “Hey, girls. Let’s give Miyuki some space.”
Miyuki’s eyes fluttered open, shimmering with fresh tears, as Nessa stepped back and Sera gave her one last squeeze. “No, I... I liked that.” She took a calming breath before smiling, a great happy smile that spread from her, to Nessa, and to everyone standing nearby. “I’ve never really had a family before.”
So whenever you talked about your sisters, or your family, it was only lip service, Nicholas thought to himself. I hope we can change that for you.
“I’m not letting anything happen to my cute little sister!” Nessa squealed excitedly. Miyuki squeaked when she dove back in, bundling the Eevee up and tackling her to the ground where the two lay giggling. “I’m never letting go.”
Miyuki’s giggles trailed off when she felt Nessa’s arms tighten around her. “Nessa...?”
Nessa found herself shivering and she clutched even tighter to the Eevee. “I won’t let you go,” she repeated, quietly this time. “I’ll be your big sister. And nothing is going to take you away.”
Nicholas stepped a bit closer when Nessa didn’t release Miyuki. “Is everything all right?”
Miyuki felt Nessa’s tears drip onto her own cheeks, mingling with the fresh lines of her own. “Thank you,” she whispered back. Nessa choked when Miyuki lifted a hand to caress her face. “Thank you.”
Slowly Nessa pulled back, sitting on her knees and wiping her eyes before helping Miyuki to her feet and getting up as well. The two stared at each other for another few seconds before Miyuki turned away.
“I’m ready, Master.”
Nicholas nodded at where Nessa was still composing herself. “Do we need to take some time first?”
“No.” Nessa finished cleaning her face and cleared her throat. “No, I’m fine. It’s better if we got moving.”
“And you’re sure that you don’t want to buy any clothes while we’re here, Miyuki?”
The Eevee shook her head. She was dressed in one of the spare battle uniforms Nicholas had bought and it fit well enough. “I have clothes in Ecruteak. If I’m never going back again... I should retrieve them when we’re there.”
Nicholas nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
Sera silently moved next to Nessa as the others started to walk. “Are you all right?”
Nessa glanced at the Golbat before looking away. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
Nessa blew air from her nose and shook her head. “It’s just... this new girl. When I heard her talking I was reminded of Fleur.”
“Wasn’t she that Grass-type I fought?”
“Yeah.” Nessa started walking to keep up with the rest of the group. “We entered the program together. But, I got lucky with Nicholas. She was... taken by that other guy.”
Sera patted Nessa’s shoulder comfortingly. “You don’t want to lose someone else.”
Nessa shuddered. “No.”
“Then I’ll help you.” Sera’s fangs glinted when she grinned. “We’ll both protect our little sister. All right?”
Nessa nodded, feeling Sera’s hand leave her shoulder. “Sera... we haven’t had a chance to have our ‘tomorrow’.”
Sera smiled and held up a finger to forestall any more comments. “We’re having them. Today, tomorrow, the day after. It will take time, but we’re having them.” She nodded ahead at where Nicholas and Ryuko talked, Miyuki chiming in every few sentences. “We see him differently, but we both have the same Master. It’s our common ground.”
Nessa let out the breath she had been holding. “Thank you, Sera.”
Sera grinned again and shoved her playfully. “Sure. But don’t think this means you can start getting all nosey again.”
Nessa laughed and shoved her back. “Don’t think this means I’ll start letting you suck him either.”
Sera adopted an innocent expression. “But, my sister, I have already sucked him.” Her eyes crinkled from her suppressed laughter and Nessa pouted when Sera’s tongue flicked out. “Just the other day. His cock tasted so sweet.”
“You’re going to pay for that.”
Sera laughed and dodged away from Nessa’s swipe. The two chased each other past Nicholas, who paused to watch them. After a minute he smiled and turned to Miyuki, saying something before gesturing down the road. The three broke into a run, chasing Nessa and Sera as the sun climbed higher into the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They had been traveling for a few days when Nicholas woke one morning to see Ryuko sitting alert at the tent door. For a minute, he thought of the morning where he had woken to see Nessa in a similar position - nude, with the morning sun playing over her body. But this time, he knew the reason wouldn’t be as innocent as hers had been.
“What’s happened?”
Ryuko turned to look at him with a surprised look. “Master?”
“I’ve gotten to know you well enough to know that you wouldn’t be posted guard if there wasn’t something wrong.” Nicholas carefully extricated himself from the pile of naked pokegirls around him and shuffled to her side. “So what is it?”
Ryuko turned back to the outside world. “There was somebody here last night. Somebody who didn’t want to be discovered.”
Nicholas settled in next to her with a nod. “Someone you know?”
“Perhaps, but unlikely. But I knew their methods. They were from my school.”
“Huh. That’s an odd coincidence.”
Eventually Ryuko shook her head. “No... it’s not, Master. We are near.”
Nicholas blinked in surprise. “To your school? You never told me where it was, or when you might feel comfortable taking me there.”
“It sits in this forest. Hidden between Goldenrod and Ecruteak.” Ryuko turned away from the door and crawled past him to begin getting dressed. “If you wish, we can be there within the day.”
Nicholas sat back and thought. Did he want to visit this place? What reason did he have?
It would be interesting, that was one. And it would stretch out their travel time. Miyuki could use the extra time to settle in with the harem before she was forced to confront whatever awaited her in Ecruteak.
“I think that would be a good idea.” Nicholas turned and nudged Sera’s foot, waiting for the Golbat to stir and send a chain reaction through the sleeping pokegirls before he reached for his own clothes. “Lead the way.”
An hour later Ryuko led them down a path only she could see. Like how Nessa had cleared a path for them in the Illex Forest, now Ryuko walked a path through the thick underbrush that should have been impossible but offered no resistance to the group as they traveled.
After a while of this, Nicholas thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. When he turned, however, there was only the forest to greet him.
“Hm. She must be new.”
Nicholas looked forwards to Ryuko. “Sorry?”
“The one you just spotted, Master. She must be new.”
Nicholas blinked as he figured out what Ryuko was saying. “There was something there?”
“There have been pokegirls following us for an hour, Master. That was the first you managed to spot.”
Nicholas looked around uneasily, a feeling mirrored by the others as they clustered closer together. “Why?”
“We’re almost there.”
Suddenly the undergrowth erupted with movement. Nicholas stumbled back when a form landed in front of him, the masked and robed pokegirl beginning to reach towards him when she froze.
Ryuko held her dagger against the pokegirl’s throat. “Do not move, sister.” Her eyes flicked to a spot over Nicholas’ shoulder. “I have two daggers. There is nothing stopping me from throwing one.”
Nicholas whirled to see an obviously Bug-type pokegirl slowly backing back into the forest. It had been her red carapace that he had seen peeking from between the leaves.
The pokegirl with Ryuko’s knife at her throat grunted. “Identify yourself.”
“I believe I am the one in control, sister. Who do you serve?”
The girl swallowed nervously. “I serve nobody.”
“I was right. New scouts.” The pokegirl gasped when Ryuko lowered her dagger and shoved her away. “I am Ryuko, defender of Clan Topolski. I bring my Master and clan, in order to entwine my legacy with his.”
“So these are students at this school?” Nicholas moved forwards, closely followed by the others. “Why did she say she serves nobody? When I first met you, you said something about being ‘of no clan’.”
Ryuko smiled. “That is correct, Master. The untrained are instructed to reveal as little as possible about their origins. Thus, once captured, they say they serve nobody. Of course that simply means they serve the school.”
“You betray your oaths. Reveal too much!” The pokegirl spat. “To bring an outsider here-“
“You forget yourself, initiate.” Somehow, Ryuko turned the word into a disparaging curse that caused the pokegirl to shrink back. “I am your better. A graduate.”
At that the pokegirl went absolutely silent, placing her hands at her sides and bowing nearly horizontal to the ground. Ryuko just snorted and turned away. “Come, Master.”
Nicholas followed Ryuko away from the bowing pokegirl and expected her to continue down the hidden path. So when Ryuko suddenly vanished, he ground to a halt. “What the-!”
“Master?” Ryuko’s voice sounded as if she was still right in front of him. “Why did you stop?”
Nicholas tried to focus on where Ryuko should be but there was nothing. “Where did you go? I can still hear you, but I can’t see you.”
“Step forwards, Master.”
Nicholas hesitantly reached out and felt his hand encounter... something in midair. Steeling himself, he stepped.
It was as if he had walked through a curtain. The forest around him fell away to reveal a large clearing, a few dozen feet of bare ground separating him from the walls of a large compound.
The sudden panicked shouts behind him told Nicholas that he had disappeared just as Ryuko had. The Scyther was waiting for him a few feet ahead and as he turned to call out he saw Nessa’s head break through a thick material that hung over the trees. “NICHOLAS-!”
Nicholas yelped when she crashed into him, sending both of them to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Sera immediately followed, though the Golbat managed to avoid the pileup by leaping over them and using her wings to stabilize before landing safely next to Ryuko.
“Oh, um, I’m sorry, let me just...” Nessa carefully got her feet under her and was standing up when Miyuki dove through the screen herself.
Nicholas wheezed when the weight of two pokegirls fell onto him and he struggled, pushing at Nessa until the Croconaw had rolled far enough away that he could force himself free. “OW! Nessa, hey, watch it!” He got to his feet in time to see Miyuki scrambling away, the Eevee’s face burning red before she curled up in a ball. “Miyuki.”
“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m so sorry-“
“Hey. Miyuki.” Nicholas walked over and bent down to grab her arms. “Hey.” When Miyuki kept repeating her apologies he pulled her to her feet. “It’s fine. You got scared and couldn’t see us.” He glanced at Ryuko. “Warn us next time.”
Ryuko was at least considerate enough to look sorry.
“I hurt you...”
“Miyuki. Stop.” Nicholas took firm hold of the Eevee’s arms and sighed. “I am not the kind of tamer to punish you for an honest mistake. Okay? Things happen. We trip over each other, we make the wrong choice, sometimes we even hurt each other without meaning to. But that’s part of being a family. We can’t always be perfect, so we forgive each other when we’re not.” He hummed when Miyuki wailed and buried her face in his chest. “There, there. Let it all out.”
Ryuko glanced at where a number of figures had appeared from within the compound. “I will declare our presence, Master.” When Nicholas didn’t respond she inclined her head slightly and walked to the lead figure.
After a few minutes Ryuko turned back, leading one of the figures in their direction. As they got closer Nessa shifted between Nicholas and the man she could now make out. “Hello.”
The man came to a halt at a respectable distance and Ryuko slowed, hesitating between the two humans before continuing past Nessa to Nicholas’ side. “And a good afternoon to you, miss. May I speak to your tamer?”
Miyuki’s sobs had quieted by now so Nicholas turned to look at the older man. “I’m here.”
“Yes, but your pokegirl is blocking my path to you.” The man smiled. “As she should. I would expect no less.”
“Nessa, he is my teacher.”
“Cool.” Nessa didn’t move. “I don’t know him.”
“It’s fine, Nessa.” Nicholas waited for her to step aside before extending his hand. “I’m Nicholas.”
The man walked forwards to take his hand. “I am known as Tokichi. I am the grandmaster at this school.”
Nicholas nodded at Tokichi. “Then it is my honor, sir.”
“Ho ho, so we have a foreigner with some manners,” Tokichi chuckled. “Tell me. My student says she serves the Topolski clan. Is this true?”
“That’s my last name.”
Tokichi’s mouth widened into a smile. “Then she has brought a great honor to our school. Please, come inside.”
Nicholas followed him, Miyuki staying very close behind. “I take it you know who I am, then?”
“Of course. Knowing the Champion is only natural when you live as we do.” Tokichi gestured around as they stepped through a large gate. “Welcome to our school.”
An area nearby looked to be laid out as an arena, with several smaller rings marked in the ground. Nicholas could see a handful of figures, likely pokegirls, sparring with each other. When the group passed by a few paused to look before quickly returning to their activities when Tokichi glanced at them.
“I assume your school is a combat school, then?” Nicholas looked around as they entered the next open area, picking out the obstacle course strung between two buildings. “If you’re so interested in who the Champion is.”
“Combat is but one aspect of what is learned here,” Tokichi replied. “No, we are interested in the Champion because a shift in power always occurs shortly after a new Champion rises. These periods of change always provide... opportunities.”
Nicholas frowned. “Opportunities?”
“Ryuko, it is your duty to educate a worthy master.”
Ryuko bowed her head. “Yes, teacher.”
“Come, come.” Tokichi paused at a building. “You are from Kanto, yes?”
“Well, that’s where I took my first gym challenge...” Nicholas trailed off and watched Tokichi sweep inside. “Ryuko, what opportunities?” he asked quietly. “What is this place?”
Ryuko glanced at the nearby students before stepping in after Tokichi. “Not now, Master. I promise, I will answer all of your questions.”
“Hm.” Nicholas followed her in and blinked to adjust his eyes. “I hear you say that a lot. In the future, I expect you to answer the questions I don’t know to ask.”
Ryuko’s eyes fell even though Nicholas couldn’t see her face. Still, her tone when she spoke revealed her guilt. “Yes, Master. I swear.”
“We have another guest from Kanto here with us today. Perhaps you know her.” Tokichi gestured at a group of female figures. “Miss Janine!”
Nicholas frowned. He didn’t recognize the name, but the woman who looked in his direction was vaguely familiar. When she got closer he inclined his head. “Hello there.”
“Good afternoon. Teacher.” Janine bowed to Tokichi. “How may I be of service?”
“I believe there are things the two of you should discuss,” Tokichi explained. “Champion Topolski, I will take my leave. You are welcome to stay with us as long as you wish.”
Janine’s eyes had flicked to Nicholas when Tokichi introduced him as the Champion, and when the older man turned away she stepped closer. “You’re the Indigo Champion?”
“That’s right.” Nicholas shrugged. “I’m sorry, but I don’t recognize you.”
“We’ve never met. But you met my father.”
Nicholas studied her outfit again, finally realizing why it was familiar. “Your father. Koga?”
“That is correct.”
“Huh. Pleasure to meet you.” Nicholas held out his hand, but Janine didn’t take it, choosing instead to study him some more. After a few seconds Nicholas lowered his arm with an awkward cough. “Eh hem. So. What is it that the grandmaster thinks we should discuss?”
Janine didn’t get a chance to speak before Ryuko had positioned herself between the two humans. “Master, I do not believe you have anything to discuss with the daughter of that man. Come. I will show you the school.”
Janine sighed. “So you’re unable to separate me from my father as well. Whatever.” She turned away. “Listen to your pokegirl. I had no right to gain hope.”
“Now, both of you hold on.” Nicholas looked at Ryuko first. “Explain.”
Ryuko nodded. “Yes, Master. This woman is the daughter of a disgraced clan leader. You should not have to dirty your hands by-“
“Stop.” Nicholas’ eyes had narrowed. “As far as I know, Janine here has done nothing to insult me. I do not believe she has done anything to you, either. You will not insult her for something she did not do. Am I understood?”
He had expected Ryuko to give her usual agreement so he was surprised when the Scyther shook her head. “No, Master. I beg your forgiveness, but they committed acts that can not be forgotten.”
Nicholas stared at her for a bit before glancing at Janine. “What is she talking about?”
“You should just listen to her. Only a top graduate would know this much about me, and I don’t want to cause any more trouble for anybody.”
“You know, it’s funny.” Ryuko fidgeted when she heard his voice grow sharp. “I’ve been told to look the other way before. Every time, I’ve declined. I don’t intend to start doing it now.” He turned to Ryuko. “You should find something else to do.”
Ryuko’s eyes widened. “Master-“
“Now.”
Ryuko stared at him for a few seconds before stepping back. “Sera?”
The Golbat cautiously looked in her direction. “Yeah?”
“Would you like a tour?”
Sera glanced around and only responded when Nicholas nodded at her. “...Sure.”
Janine watched the two exit the building. “You are making a mistake, alienating her. She is a strong pokegirl. One who a Champion would benefit from having.”
“Yeah, I don’t care,” Nicholas replied. “I’ve had strong pokegirls that I’d ‘benefit from’ before. If they didn’t work out with me or the harem, they were told to leave. I don’t think that’s going to happen with Ryuko, but she obviously has an issue with you.” He glanced at Miyuki and Nessa. “Are you girls good?”
Nessa nodded and Miyuki followed suit. “I have no idea who any of these names are,” Nessa confessed. “But I hope Ryuko is okay.”
“I’ll get her explanation later.” Nicholas turned back to Janine. “Now. Why does she have a problem with you?”
Janine gestured towards where her harem patiently waited. “If you’re sure.”
“I am.”
“Then... thank you.” Janine led the way back, finding a seat and waiting for him to do the same. “She hates me because of my father.”
“Koga.”
“Yeah. He’s also a graduate of this school.”
Nicholas slowly nodded. “I was figuring that it’s more than it seems. Your father talked about being a ninja. Does that have anything to do with all this?”
Janine nodded. “I want to first say that I am not loyal to my father. When I explain his story, I want you to know that.”
Nicholas settled back. “Am I finally going to learn why he hates me too?”
Janine blinked. “He does?”
“Yeah. During our gym battle he made it very clear that he didn’t like me. Afterwards, when I became Champion, he always made a point to oppose my policies. It didn’t matter what they were, or how insignificant, he always was against me.”
Janine took another look at him. “Then I may need your help.”
Nicholas sighed. “This is starting to sound like a long story.”
“The whole thing is.” Janine toyed with her uniform for a bit. “I do not have a last name. Neither does my father. Because of the actions he took, he was cast out and disgraced. Our family name is no longer anything but a badge of shame.” She let out her breath. “It all started a few years after he graduated from this school. At the time, I had not even been born. He had been working towards becoming the Fuchsia City gym leader, but he was not first in line. So he made sure he would be.”
Nicholas nodded slightly, prompting Janine to continue. “Even today I don’t know everything. I was born a few years later, born to be the daughter and heir of the Fuchsia City gym leader. He hadn’t been disgraced, yet. I believe that whatever he did, whatever allies he had gained, had not yet been discovered. But there were always people watching us. Growing up, my father used to tell me that I would need to be strong, to fight the enemies of our family. I just didn’t know yet that it would be him.” She looked up at Nicholas. “When I was still a little girl, he left on a trip. Said he was visiting his old friends. When he finally returned, he had changed. It was then that he stopped referring to us as anything but our first names. He was much more angry, dark. And the people who had been watching us slowly disappeared.”
“What had happened?”
“He had come back to this school and betrayed the grandmaster. Dozens of pokegirls in training were stolen overnight. The grandmaster himself was found murdered, his harem gone.”
Nicholas leaned back with a groan. “My god. Why has nobody ever gone after him?”
“They’ve tried. Who else do you think had been watching us? All of them, agents of the ninja clans, and all of them were murdered. It was only a few years ago that I finally learned the truth.”
“Who were his allies?”
Janine shrugged. “I said I don’t know everything. But I’ve guessed. Nothing criminal happens in Kanto without Team Rocket holding a piece of the action.”
“Team Rocket…” Nicholas trailed off. If what Janine was saying was true, Koga was an enemy. It would make sense. But it was all suspicion. He couldn’t act on suspicion. “Is there anything you’ve noticed? Anything that could be evidence, or a lead?”
“No. Nothing.” Janine shook her head. “But I don’t need to know exactly how or why to know my father is a criminal.”
“It must have been hard for you to talk about all of this,” Nicholas said quietly. “Thank you.”
Janine snorted. “Hard? Why do you think I’m here? I intend to be the one who brings him down.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sera hurried after Ryuko as the Scyther moved quickly past the various buildings. “Ryuko-“ Sera sighed and picked up her pace until she was almost jogging. “Hey. What happened in there? What was all that?”
Ryuko let out her breath in a hiss and finally started to slow down. “I overstepped my position. I will do everything I can to teach you in the time I have left.”
“What?” Sera turned to watch Ryuko take a new path. “What are you talking about?”
“Our Master will surely banish me for my disobedience. Before that occurs, I will show you what I promised.”
“Wait, wait, wait. Just stop.” Sera came to a halt, forcing Ryuko to slow and turn towards her. “Master Nicholas isn’t going to banish you, why would he ever do that?”
“I questioned my Master. Attempted to control him.” Ryuko bowed her head. “I was just attempting to protect him, but I was too eager.”
“And you think he’s going to throw you away because of that.” Sera snorted. “You’re so fucking cool, but you’re also a fucking idiot.”
Ryuko blinked in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“Have you already forgotten? A week ago, before the gym battle? He told you directly that your obsession with being his slave was weakness. And now that you’ve finally, and I mean FINALLY, for the first time, done something that defied him, you think he’s going to throw you away?” Sera stepped past Ryuko and rapped two fingers off of the Scyther’s forehead. “Well I’m saying that if you believe that you’re a fucking idiot.”
Ryuko recoiled. “What are you saying? That I should disobey him?”
Sera shook her head slightly. “No, I’m not. I’m saying that he wants us to stand up for ourselves. You did. He’ll be happy, not angry.”
“He sent me away.”
“He sent you away so he could talk to that woman without you constantly interrupting,” Sera retorted. “You weren’t backing down so he made you. That’s all.”
Ryuko gazed at her for a bit before nodding. “I do not yet understand what you mean, but I will trust your judgment. You have served our Master for longer than I.”
“Yeah. I have.” Sera watched Ryuko take the lead again and smirked as a thought passed through. The old Master Nicholas might have let you get away with this attitude. But him now… He is going to break you down and rebuild you into your best self. She clenched her fist. That Scyther she had fought, Suki, had been terrifying. And she could feel the same potential in Ryuko.
He had been doing the same to her already. With every day Sera felt herself changing to match some mysterious set of ideals that Nicholas held. What, exactly, she wasn’t sure yet. But she was stronger. So much stronger than she had been even a few weeks ago.
She wanted the same for Ryuko. She wanted a worthy harem sister that she could constantly match against. After all, she and Ryuko were the only ones who could fly. They shared more than just their devotion.
Sera blinked and hurried to catch up to Ryuko when she noticed how far ahead the Scyther had gotten. “So anyways… You were going to show me around this place, weren’t you?”
“Yes. I wish for you to meet the others like us.”
“Hm.” Sera looked around, noticing a few pokegirls but nobody coming to meet them. “I’m going to be honest. If the other Golbat are like you, I don’t want to meet them.”
Ryuko found herself with a slight smile that she forced back down. It had been an insult, hadn’t it, from Sera? Yet she had felt pride from hearing it.
She desperately hoped that she would not be cast aside. There was something about this harem that captivated her.
The two made their way back after a few hours to find Nicholas standing outside the same building they had left him. He was doing something with his pokedex when they approached and he looked up as they got close. “Everyone calmed down?”
Ryuko bowed her head. “I beg your forgiveness, Master. I have failed your expectations.”
“What? I never had any expectations for you to fail, Ryuko.” Nicholas stowed his pokedex. “It would be ridiculous for me to hold each of you to some arbitrary standard. Nobody is perfect.”
Ryuko stared at the ground. “I disobeyed you. Sought to control you.”
“You obviously were doing what you thought was best for me,” Nicholas replied. “Did I appreciate it? No. And I disagreed with your assessment. But after hearing from Janine why you don’t trust her, I agree that you had a reason to act as you did.”
Ryuko blinked. Was he… forgiving her? No. She looked up. “Master, are you saying that you were wrong?”
Nicholas smiled at her. “I think we were both wrong. Unfortunately, our points of view have no way to compromise, so it’s the best we can get.” He gestured them forwards. “How was your walk?”
Ryuko straightened but it was Sera who walked forwards first. “It was all right, Master Nicholas. I have a few new things to try during training.”
“Sounds good.” Nicholas patted his pokedex. “I was just talking to my girlfriend. Janine shared some information with me that might be useful.”
“About Team Rocket?”
“About Team Rocket,” Nicholas agreed. “Of course, it’s all speculation, but it fits. So she’s looking into it.” He turned to Ryuko. “I’m done with Janine. Is there anything you wanted me to do while we’re here? Or can we take the next day or two off.”
Ryuko hesitated. “Well… a few things, Master, but they will not take our entire time here.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Good. Then let’s find a place to set up and take some time to relax.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Master?” Miyuki crept nervously through the building, checking each room before moving to the next. “Were we leaving, or…?”
A noise from nearby caught her attention and she crept closer, peeking her head around a doorframe.
Tokichi chuckled and looked at Nicholas. “I did tell you that she would be the one.”
Miyuki glanced at him questioningly. “Master?”
“Grandmaster Tokichi and I were just discussing some things,” Nicholas said as he got to his feet. “Thank you for the knowledge, teacher. I will reflect on it.”
“Your path will bring you to the dragon’s city eventually. Once it does, your truth will be revealed.”
Nicholas nodded slightly and turned to Miyuki. “I’m ready to leave.”
Miyuki lowered her voice as the two exited the room. “What were you talking about, Master?”
“A term, title, that I’ve been called,” Nicholas explained. “Dragon tamer.”
“Dragon tamer?” Miyuki asked quizzically. “Like, a tamer with Dragon-type pokegirls? Why is that important?”
“Because apparently, it’s very rare for a tamer to capture the will of a Dragon-type,” Nicholas replied. “Very rare, and very special. Most, if not all of the ones in the Indigo League come from a very few select families. A random tamer becoming one? It doesn’t happen.”
Miyuki shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense, Master. Wouldn’t any tamer with a Dragon-type be a dragon tamer? I mean, all you’d have to do is catch and tame one and then you’re this mystical ‘dragon tamer’.”
“No, not a tamer who has a Dragon-type. Sorry. I should have been clearer.” Nicholas slowed as they were approaching the doors outside. “A tamer who has captured the will of their Dragon-type pokegirls. Here. I’ll explain more once we leave.”
Miyuki held back her questions as they walked outside and rejoined the waiting harem. Nicholas said a few polite goodbyes, bowing to a few of the assembled humans and pokegirls, before finally the group moved off into the forest.
“What does that mean?”
Nicholas chuckled to himself as the others looked at Miyuki in confusion. “Miyuki and I were talking about what held me up. I was talking with the grandmaster about how people call me a dragon tamer.”
There were a few shared glances but the only one to respond was Ryuko. “Master… I am not well versed in that term, but I am aware of the Blackthorn clan. The dragon clan.”
“Yeah. Tokichi told me to visit them.” Nicholas shrugged. “To explain the term, Miyuki, when I say a dragon tamer captures the will of their Dragon-type pokegirls, I don’t mean they simply command them in battle, or tame them, or anything like that. I’m sure some of you have heard about the Dragon-type’s reputation for being haughty, or prideful, or a hundred other words that basically mean ‘this pokegirl only answers to herself’?”
Miyuki nodded along with Nessa and Ryuko. “I have, Master.”
“In a regular harem, a Dragon-type – or a pokegirl that takes after the Dragon-type – will usually be that way. But sometimes, the tamer is able to overcome or bond with the Dragon-type. When this happens, and like I was telling Miyuki it happens very rarely, the tamer is referred to as a dragon tamer.”
“I see, Master.” Miyuki rubbed her chin. “So, you have Dragon-types in your harem?”
“I do. Most dragon tamers are only able to bond with one Dragon-type.” Nicholas looked around. “I have two.”
There were a few more glances between the pokegirls before Miyuki, again, spoke up. “What does that mean, Master?”
“It means that apparently I’m special.” Nicholas cracked a smile. “Me, I like to believe that it means I’m a good tamer. I’m nothing like Lance. He has at least six.”
Miyuki blinked. “Six?”
“An entire fighting harem of Dragon-types. He’s known as the dragon master of the Elite Four.” Nicholas chuckled. “And yet I’ve beaten him, so who knows?”
“Being a dragon master would only increase your worth, Master,” Ryuko said.
“Heh. Yeah, I’m sure it would.” Nicholas shook his head. “Thing is, I’m just me. While I may be a rather competent tamer, I’m not going to start chasing down Dragon-types so I can call myself anything different. And, on that note,” Nicholas gestured vaguely into the forest, “Ecruteak is somewhere that way. North. Let’s get moving.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicholas felt Miyuki push ahead of the group before coming to a halt, prompting the rest of them to do the same. The Eevee stared through the majestic wooden gates in front of her before slowly turning. “Welcome… to my home.”
Nicholas stepped up beside her and looked out over the city. Every single building was built in a style that he didn’t recognize, even the red-roofed pokecenter. Sweeping curves and segmented roofs were the main motif, with no building going above a single story.
Except for a massive tower on the far end of the city. It was strangely off-center, when everything else in the city was so orderly.
“I had no idea when I would come back,” Miyuki murmured to herself. Nicholas looked over and wrapped a comforting arm around the Eevee’s shoulders. “What are they going to say to me?”
“Whatever they say or do doesn’t matter. You have a new family now.”
Miyuki scrubbed at her eyes. “Th-thank you, Master.”
“I know I’ve mentioned it, but you really don’t have to call me that every time.” Nicholas cocked his head. “Nessa calls me by name. You can too.”
Miyuki finished clearing her eyes and returned to staring out over the city. “I’ve… thought about it.”
“Whatever you choose, I’ll support you.”
“Eh-hem. Hm. I know.” Miyuki shivered and stepped away from him. “I… We should get this over with.”
Nicholas smiled at the back of her head and followed her into the city with the harem tagging along behind.
“…and that’s the gym leader’s house, and behind it…” Miyuki trailed off. “That’s… the dance theater.”
“Dance theater?” Nicholas asked.
“Part of our duties… their duties… would have been to keep the ancient traditions in practice,” Miyuki explained slowly. “An actual meeting with our mistress happens once in a dozen lifetimes.”
“You would have put on shows for people, then? Going through whatever ritual there is.”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.” Nicholas gazed at the building. “Tell me, did you have… any sort of uniform, or anything, that you’d wear during these ceremonies?”
“Of course. A full length kimono, with makeup…”
Nicholas had stopped listening when Miyuki said kimono. “I want to go in there.”
Miyuki stopped talking in surprise. “You do?”
“I think there might be someone I need to meet.”
Miyuki looked at him quizzically. “You know one of the sisters?”
“Not really. That’s why I need to meet them.”
Miyuki turned back to the theater. “I… I guess we could. I kind of wanted to avoid everyone.”
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” Nicholas thought for a moment. “Nessa, could you go with Miyuki to gather whatever she needs? You’d probably be most able to keep a low profile.”
Sera chuckled while Ryuko just smiled. “While Ryuko and I would not resist singing your praises, Master Nicholas?”
“Something like that.”
“Sure, I can do that.” Nessa nodded to Miyuki. “Lead the way.”
Miyuki glanced back again as they went out of sight, watching Nicholas begin a conversation with Ryuko and Sera. “Nessa?”
“Hm?”
“Have I been doing a good job?”
Nessa frowned. “Why do you think you haven’t?”
“Well, I… I mean, I’ve barely fought anything, and this is a fighting harem, and all that… right?”
“We’ve barely had anything to fight lately,” Nessa pointed out. “And with everyone outside of their pokeballs all the time, you haven’t had a chance to do much.”
“I… I suppose so.” A bit of the tension eased from Miyuki’s shoulders. “So you think I’ve been doing all right?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.”
Nessa smiled at her. “You’re welcome. Everyone enjoys having you here.”
“Thanks, Nessa,” Miyuki mumbled again. “That means a lot coming from you.”
Nessa looked surprised. “Why me?”
“Well, you were here first, weren’t you? If you accept me, the others will too.”
Nessa slowed down. “Huh?” She thought for a moment. “Oh, you think I’m the Alpha?”
“No, I understand that there isn’t one yet…”
“Plus, didn’t you say that you’ve never had a tamer?” Nessa asked. “How do you know what harem politics are like?”
“I hadn’t experienced them yet, but I know what they’re like,” Miyuki explained. “I mean, they’re basically the same as what I already know… with my… you know, my old sisters. There’s a leader, an Alpha, and the others follow her lead. That was Zuki. She also was the senior priestess.” Miyuki’s eyes grew distant as she remembered. “When I was chosen, I think some of the others didn’t like me, but Zuki said that I was joining them, and that was that. It’s the same with you, right? On that first day, you just… immediately accepted me, and the others didn’t argue.”
Nessa frowned to herself. Was that true? Was she basically the Alpha? “No,” she realized. “I’ve been here the longest, but I’m not the Alpha. Nicholas is our Alpha.”
“Maybe, but the others still look up to you.”
Nessa snorted and looked away. “Sure they do. Sera and I respect each other, but I doubt she looks up to me. And Ryuko’s been training me to fight. Not the other way around.”
“Maybe that’s true,” Miyuki repeated, “but that doesn’t change how you are Master…” she trailed off. After a few seconds she let out a deep sigh and worked her mouth. “Blegh. No, I can’t do it.” Nessa was looking at her questioningly until Miyuki picked up her unfinished sentence. “You’re Nicholas’ first pokegirl. You’ve got a special place none of us can match.”
Nessa slowly grinned. “You dropped the Master crap.”
“Yeah, it really didn’t feel right,” Miyuki replied perplexedly. “I mean, it felt right, like it felt good, but…”
This time she didn’t continue and Nessa raised an eyebrow. “But?”
“It’s… something private,” Miyuki replied quietly. “Sera said she has something private with him too.”
Nessa broke into a soft smile and walked closer so she could draw Miyuki into a hug. “I do too,” she whispered. “And that alone means you belong here, Miyuki. You don’t need anyone’s approval for that.”
Miyuki hugged her back. “Thank you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicholas watched Nessa and Miyuki walk away. Once they were out of sight he turned to Ryuko.
“You and I need to have a moment before we head inside,” Nicholas said. “Sera, would you mind giving us some privacy?”
Sera cleared her throat nervously. “My ears are pretty good, Master Nicholas. I’m not sure how far I would have to go to do that.”
“Should I put you in your pokeball instead?”
Sera bowed her head. “That may be best.”
Nicholas smiled gently. “You know I already trust you, Sera. You don’t have to do this for me.”
Sera nodded but kept her head bowed. “I know, Master Nicholas, but this is between you and your other servant.”
Sera shivered when he ran his fingers through her hair, tucking a few loose strands behind her ear before pulling away. “As you wish.”
Ryuko couldn’t hide the jealousy in her eyes when Nicholas recalled the Golbat and turned to her. She broke first, glancing away with her cheeks burning red and lips pulled back in a slight grimace. “Master.”
“You two have really come together, haven’t you?”
Ryuko kept her eyes averted. “She is more than a simple harem sister, Master.”
“No, you’re also the only pokegirls here who truly understand how far your devotions run, aren’t you?” Nicholas shook his head. “I understand just as well, you know. And I’d appreciate it if you both toned down the act. Just a bit.”
“There is no act-“
“Ryuko.” Ryuko quieted when Nicholas interrupted. “There is always an act. Don’t insult your Master by claiming that you, of all pokegirls, aren’t performing one.”
Ryuko went silent.
“What do you think I wanted to talk about?”
Ryuko barely shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare guess, Master.”
“Exactly.” Ryuko winced. “You’re taking the act too far, Ryuko. Throw away your chains.”
Ryuko looked up questioningly. “Master?”
“You are shackled to the school’s ideals. I am not. Until you learn to throw them away, to break the chains holding you down, you will never serve me to your full potential.” Ryuko shivered when he reached out to her and lifted her chin. “I will help you, but I will not control you. You are your own pokegirl.”
Ryuko stared into his eyes. “Master…”
Nicholas nodded. “Yes?”
Ryuko’s eyes slid shut as she sighed. “I believe I understand the answers you want from me.”
Nicholas smiled. “And?”
“Just as those scouts we first met outside of the school, I have been lying about who I serve. Until now, my heart has served the school, the grandmaster, and the ruling council. But with my heart sworn as such, there was no way for me to serve you.” Ryuko pulled back from his grip so her head could bow down again. “Sera and I talked, during our time at my school. I believed then that she offered me insult, but it wasn’t. She was trying to help me.” Ryuko finally looked back up on her own and opened her eyes. “Just as I hurt myself by forming blades within an old sheathe, I hurt myself by judging my Master by my old ways.”
Nicholas leaned back when Ryuko’s hands jumped to her sheathes and her daggers appeared. She hesitated only a moment before flipping the blades, grasping the edges before offering them, hilt first, to him. “I am your servant, Master. Even the grandmaster acknowledges your worth. You are beyond my old vows, and I will do anything to remain by your side.”
Nicholas didn’t take the hilts for a few seconds. “Ryuko, I believe that I said when I first tamed you I didn’t want any oaths. That hasn’t changed.”
“You do not demand any, Master, and yet you have earned many, freely given.” Ryuko didn’t move. “Please, Master. Accept mine as well.”
“Many? Sera is just one pokegirl.”
“You speak of the dragon clan, and your own worth as a dragon tamer.” Ryuko kept her head bowed but a smile still flicked across her lips. “As you say, we all have an act we play. I have no doubt even my sister Sera’s oath was yet another you have received.”
Nicholas couldn’t help but smile in return. “As you say.” He took the daggers and his eyes widened when they pulled from Ryuko’s hands covered in blood. “What-“
“An oath sworn in blood, freely given.” Ryuko finally looked up. “Just as Sera holds.”
“Why would you cut yourself! Doesn’t it hurt?” Ryuko blinked when Nicholas dropped her daggers and reached into his pack. “I swear, you pokegirls.”
Ryuko let him treat the cuts across her palms, watching with undisguised curiosity as he administered the potion. “Why?”
Nicholas glanced at her and snorted. “Because I don’t follow your same traditions, you idiot. I hate it when my pokegirls talk about hurting themselves for me. Now you’ve gone and actually done it.”
Ryuko picked her daggers back up when Nicholas stepped away. Before he could offer a towel to clean them off she had whipped them through the air to get the worst of the debris off before cleaning them on her carapace and placing them back in their sheathes. “I understand that I have much left to understand, Master. Thank you.”
Nicholas smiled at her and released Sera once again. “You’re welcome, Ryuko.”
Sera materialized and looked immediately to Nicholas. “What now, Master Nicholas?”
Nicholas smiled and shook his head, allowing Ryuko to step up beside Sera and whisper a few words in the Golbat’s ear. After a minute Sera nodded. “I see.” She glanced over and gave Ryuko a cheeky smile. “Told you.”
Ryuko returned the smile with a neutral look. “I have much to learn.”
“I think we all do,” Nicholas replied with a chuckle. “Now come on. Let’s go to this theater.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POKEDEX UPDATED
Tamer: Nicholas Topolski
Badges:
Zephyr Badge
Hive Badge
Plain Badge
Harem:
Nessa, Croconaw – Level 26
Sera, Golbat – Level 26
Ryuko, Scyther – Level 26
Miyuki, Eevee – Level 21