2. Chapter 2: Trust

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The belt for pokeballs didn't really fit my suit. I shrugged and fastened my pokedex to the belt. I had to leave my jacket open.

Joy grinned. “It's obvious you're not used to wearing that, sir.”

I grinned back. “Do you remember what I told you? We're even; you don't have to call me 'sir' every minute now.”

“You meant that?” The NurseJoy seemed surprised.

“Yes, I mean what I say usually.” I touched the belt. “I will not wear it often, but today is a special occasion.” I looked around. “Let's go.”

It was cloudy today. Joy waited until I had locked my apartment door. Then she came close and gave me a peck on my cheek.

“I have to leave you now,” she said, “I have to run home and get ready for my shift. I will look after your FallenAngel. You can pick her up in the early afternoon.”

She gave me a real good-bye-kiss, then she was gone.

I laughed a little and walked to the pokegirl center.

Anne, the other NurseJoy, looked up, when I entered.

“Good morning, Mr. Fuchs, do you have a moment, please?” she asked me.

I stepped up to the counter and looked at her. “Yes, Anne?”

“You have visitors. They are waiting in your office.”

“Thank you, Anne. Do you know who they are?”

“It's a League Official with two pokegirls. They only told me that they would wait for you.”

“Thanks. I'll go meet them.”

Beside my 'therapy room' I had rented a small office in the center. At the door I noticed that the usually locked door was open. I frowned and opened the door.

Behind my desk on my chair sat a well-dressed man, slim, with dark hair and a well-trimmed beard. In front of the desk stood two pokegirls facing the door. I only spared them a short look before I concentrated on the man.

“Good morning,” I said, “why did you break into my office?”

“Good morning, Mr. Fuchs,” the man said, “we wanted to talk to you in private. This is a good place for it. I apologize for entering without permission, but the door was open.”

“I'm willing to let it slide.” I told him. “Now get out of my chair, please.” I pointed to the chair in front of the desk. “The other chair is as comfortable.”

The man thought for a moment, then he stood up and moved towards the other chair.

“Let's not start on the wrong foot.” he said.

I walked to my chair and sat down. “Take a seat, please, and let's talk.”

The man sat down. “Thank you. Allow me to introduce me: I'm Alleister Worsmith and I'm here on Official League Business.”

I could hear the capitals when he mentioned the League.

“You know what I do. Then you should know my fees. Or do you consider acquiring my service for one of your pokegirls?”

Worsmith folded his hands and leaned back. “No, the League wants your service for something more delicate. Let me be direct, Mr. Fuchs. You are a mystery. Only three months ago you appeared in this town out of nowhere, with nothing to your name but a few rare valuables. You passed your Tamer's Test on the day of your arrival with a perfect score, but until yesterday you didn't even own one pokegirl. We know that you tame the civic pokegirls sometimes. Then there's your work. You're good at it. Every tamer whom we could interview considered your steep fee well-invested money.”

Worsmith suddenly leaned forward and met my eyes. “But the strangest thing is your blood test. You're a pure blood, one hundred percent human. Still you claimed to have the Blank Mind blood gift. The NurseJoy on duty had to ask for a Megami to evaluate you as part of your test. That Megami took one look at you, told the NurseJoy to write 'passed' on your protocol, made her sign, and teleported away right after that. Strange behavior for a Megami.”

I smiled. “So far you haven't me told anything I don't know.” I gestured for him to continue.

He held up a hand. “One moment, please. Cindy, please step out and watch the door.”

The more muscular of the two pokegirls left the room and closed the door behind her. The other one took her new place at her master's left side facing me.

Worsmith continued. “We want you to use your skills on a special pokegirl. It's a sensitive matter and it has to be dealt with as soon as possible.”

“That shouldn't be a problem.” I told him. “My skills don't work on Menace Pokegirls or Legendaries, but everything else should be fair game. Pay the fee and sent the girl over, then I will find out what you want to know.”

“We thought you might do it as a favor for the League.”

“I don't do pro bono work. If you don't want to pay, leave and ask someone else.”

“Perhaps we can negotiate? A favor from the league can be very useful.”

“Let me think for a minute,” I asked him.

Worsmith nodded slightly.

“I have a suggestion for a deal you might want to take.” I said after one minute.

“I'm listening.”

“I have thought about buying Joy, one of the NurseJoys here. Let's say my fee could be the costs for buying her, the costs for a replacement NurseJoy, and the favor from the League. That's less than half my usual fee, and that's without considering that the League can purchase civic pokegirls at a lower rate than the average tamer certainly.”

Mr. Worsmith smiled. “That's a sensible offer. We'll take it.” He relaxed and leaned back again. “We expected you to drive a harder bargain.”

“This is me showing my good will to the League. Expect a harder bargain, when you need my services again.”

“Of course.” Mr. Worsmith mimicked a bow. “I'm grateful for your good will. When we get back, the NurseJoy will be yours. Please leave your belt and your pokedex here.”

“You will not bring the girl over then?” I asked.

“No, my pokegirls will teleport us there.”

I removed the belt with the pokedex and placed it on the desk.

“What can you tell me about the girl?”

“I'd prefer to tell you more about her somewhere else.”

“Okay, it's your show.”

“Yes, indeed.” He smiled smugly. “Cindy, come in!”

The pokegirl entered. “Yes, master?”

“He agreed. Take him to the place.”

“Yes, master.”

She walked to my side. “Stand up.”

I ignored her and looked at Worsmith.

“Cindy, mind your manners.”

The muscular pokegirl growled very softly.

“Stand up, sir, please” she then asked me very politely.

I stood up. Worsmith stood up as well.

“Brace yourself, sir.” she told me and placed her hand on my shoulder.

The room vanished around me.

***

I found myself in a new room. The walls were off-white and there was nothing in this room except the massive steel door and the cameras in the four corners of the room close to the ceiling.

Mr. Worsmith and the other pokegirl looked at me. I still felt the hand on my shoulder.

“This is a secret installation where we keep dangerous and important prisoners. You will only see this room, one corridor, and the interrogation cell.”

“We're here. Now tell me about the girl and what you want me to do.” I said.

“Of course. What do you know about the Killer Queen?”

“Not much. She's the top evolution of the Domina line. The Pokedex says you have to 'have balls of steel or peas for a brain to allow a Dominatrix to evolve into one'.”

“Not bad. Well, we have a Killer Queen here. Truth serums don't work on her and forceful interrogation isn't an option. She enjoys it too much. We can't use Celestials here and we hesitate to have a Psychic turn her brain to mush yet.”

“We took her from a Team clone. Small operation, but very organized. They had access to Forbidden Technology. We took down one of their bases. During the fight all Team members and most of their pokegirls were killed. She is the only one we suspect of having knowledge of other bases and hidden caches. That's what you'll have to find out.”

“Was she bonded to one of the Team's tamers?”

“Yes, she was delta-bonded to one of the leaders. Her death shocked her long enough, that we could take her down with minimal losses.”

“She was in shock and you still had losses?”

“Yes.” Worsmith didn't explain further.

“What will happen to her, when you have all the information you need?”

“Then we call in the psychics to dig out the rest of information in her brain. After that her energy will be used.”

Death by PokePower, I thought. Nice, how efficient these guys were.

“Why don't you turn her?”

“Turn her? I can't follow you.”

“Turn her around and use her as a double agent. Make her work for you.”

“I doubt that's possible.”

“Let's assume I can make it possible. May I offer her that deal then?”

“I have to ask my superiors.”

“Then do that, please. Can I take a look at her first, before I go in?”

“Yes, there's a monitor in the corridor.”

“I'd like to take a look now.”

“Okay. I will call my superiors and be with you in a moment. Cindy will lead you to the monitor and work it for you.”

“Thank you,” I looked at Cindy. “You can move your hand now.”

Cindy snatched her hand away from my shoulder. For a second I noticed a blush. It was gone at once.

“Follow me, sir, please,” she asked and opened the heavy sliding door.

I saw her muscles bulge as she moved the door. No human had a chance to open this door.

Cindy led me down the corridor. There was another heavy steel door with a numerical pad beside it. Over the pad was a monitor in the wall. She touched the screen and an image appeared. I stared.

The small room was empty except for the pokegirl. She was bound in a strict strappado. Her feet and knees were tied together, her wrists and elbows tied behind her back. Her hands were pulled up by a rope fastened to the ceiling, forcing her to bend forward and on her toes. The position must be painful. She was gagged and blindfolded. There was a lot of dried blood on her body, but I could see no wounds. Didn't Killer Queens have Regeneration? I guessed that it must have been a heavy whipping.

I took a slow and deep breath.

“I need water, a water-skin or two, some towels, a big bowl of porridge, and P-meds. A healing cycle in her pokeball would be even better, if possible.”

“She will not leave that room.” Cindy told me. “We have no pokeball for her. Yet.”

“I need her at full strength and cleaned up for the interview.”

“You will have to do with what's available,” Cindy said then added hastily, “sir”.

“Then get me what you can. Now.”

“Yes, sir!” Cindy vanished. She was fast.

I looked at the pokegirl on the monitor again. She was conscious and moved slightly on her toes shifting her weight.

Cindy was back when Mr. Worsmith and the other pokegirl he still hadn't introduced joined me.

“We softened her up for you,” he told me proudly.

“I told Cindy already that I need her at the top of her game. A healing and cleaning cycle in a pokeball would be the best solution.”

“Out of the question. She's much too dangerous for that.”

“I disagree, but I'll work with what's available. What did you bring, Cindy?”

Cindy held up a water-skin, a towel, and a small pill box. She handed the items over explaining them.

“One water-skin, one towel and in here are two pills with the essence of a great grape. It's filling and it will heal some of the damage.”

“Thank you, Cindy.”

Cindy's eyes widened. She wasn't used to receive a polite thanks. She recovered at once.

I addressed Worsmith next. “How do I get her out of that?”

“Just open the knots.”

“Thanks. What did your superiors say?”

“Make the offer. We'll take her up on that.”

“When she accepts the offer, it has to be real. I will have given my word. I expect it to be kept.”

“She could be useful. The offer's real as long as she keeps her side of the deal.”

“Treason is a deal-breaker,” I nodded, “I can live with that.”

“Disobedience will break the deal.” Mr. Worsmith corrected me.

“Anything else I should know?”

“I strongly advice against setting her free. I can't guarantee your safety even with my pokegirls guarding you in there.”

“I'm going in alone.”

“Are you insane?”

“No,” I grinned, “I am that good. Now open the door, please.”

“Don't get yourself killed. Cindy will get you out, before you get killed, if there's enough time for that.”

“Cindy, only get me if I call your name. Not earlier, no matter what happens. I have to win her trust and there has to be some risk involved. I know what I'm doing.”

“Open the door now,” I ordered.

Worsmith's fingers danced over the keypad and Cindy pulled the door open. She closed it right after I had stepped in.

The room stank. Blood I had expected, feces not so much. I couldn't change it, so I had to get used to it soon. I remained where I was and breathed slowly, then I walked slowly in front of the girl. I stopped about two meters in front of her.

She moved her head listening to my steps.

“I'm Mr. Fuchs,” I told her, “I'm here to talk with you. I will remove your gag and your blindfold. Hold still, please.”

Gently I removed the gag first, the blindfold next.

She blinked a few times and tried to swallow.

“You're new,” she said hoarsely, “do your worst.”

“That's not my intention. I only want to talk.”

She coughed. “Good one.”

“It gets better. I brought water.”

“Wrong room”

“No, I'm in the right room.” I held up the water-skin “I will give you some water to drink now.”

I did that. Carefully I lifted the water-skin to her lips and let some water dribble in her mouth. After she had swallowed, I gave her some more until she had drunk roughly three cups of water. Then I held up a pill.

“I'm told this has the essence of a Great Grape. It should fill your stomach and help heal some of your injuries.”

“Ha!”

“What? You think I'd waste my time trying to poison you?”

I flipped the pill into her open mouth and lifted the water-skin again.

“Swallow.”

Then I gave her a little more water. I stepped back and watched her.

“Better. True.”

“Ready to make a deal?”

“What?”

“I want to set you free. But I don't want you to attack me. I want your word that you will not attack me.”

“Word”

“Sorry, I need a full sentence.”

“I will not attack you. My word.”

“Then I will get you out of that.”

I inspected the knot holding up her wrists. I tried to pull it open, but couldn't move the ropes. Probably tied by a strong pokegirl. I pulled a small folding knife out of my pocket.

“I'm going to hold you now,” I told her, “I will cut the rope holding your wrists up and I don't want you to crash on the floor. Okay?”

“Okay,” she said.

I placed my arm around her stomach and held her carefully. Then I cut the rope. Slowly I lowered the girl to the floor. First I cut the rest of the ropes. Then I used water and the towels to clean her up.

She was a mess. Her dark hair hung limp around her shoulders. She had really long legs and big breasts, generous D-cups. Someone had made a wish come true. Then she turned her green eyes on me. With the blood cleaned away, there were no bruises, scars or scabbed over wounds that could distract me from her beauty. Her clean, dark-toned skin was flawless. Until now I hadn't seen an ugly pokegirl.

“Why?” she asked.

“Why what?” I asked back.

“Why are you here? Why did you get me out? Why are you not afraid?”

“I'm here to get some answers from you. I wanted you out, cleaned and healed, because that makes talking easier. I had to do with what I was allowed. I'm not afraid, because you gave your word.”

“What answers?”

“Where are the other bases? Where is the Forbidden Tech hidden?”

“Questions”

“My questions. Your answers.”

“Not telling”

“You will.”

“So?” That one syllable was thick with contempt and disgust.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“To die”

“What a waste”

“Jackie's dead. I felt her die while I heard her last scream. I should have died with her.”

“She wouldn't want you dead.”

“Yeah, she'd rather want me here.”

“Nah. She'd want you alive.”

“No!” She hid her face behind her hands. “It hurts too much!”

I waited for a moment before I continued.

“You know I'm right.”

“I still want to die. They will kill me, when I hurt you enough.”

“You'd break your word?”

“I don't like to. But it's my best option.”

“Certainly not!”

“Come on. After I tell you what you want to know, they'll tear me apart. I know what's in store for me.”

“Enlighten me.”

“I'll end up as PokePower.”

“If you want to die, does it matter how?”

“Not really, it's just so impersonal and cost-effective.”

“So, you'd want a personal death?”

“It's personal to me any way.”

“Cost-effective is a big word. Were you educated?”

“I learned to read and write. Learned a lot more before I tresholded.”

“Good.”

“What's good about that?”

“Who wants a dumb pokegirl?”

“Who wants a dumb tamer?”

I laughed out. “Point,” I conceded.

“You're a tamer?”

“Among other things”

“Open positions in your harem?”

“Plenty. But I'm not offering.”

“Plenty? Every pokegirl with a brain must run to you on Sadie Pokens.”

I shrugged. “Never been to one.”

“You're strange.”

“Yes”

“What's your offer?”

“What?”

“You must have something to offer. Or is it just a quick death?”

“No death. A chance to live. What do you have to offer?”

“Two secret bases, one hidden lab, four more places with hidden Tech. Not that I'm telling.”

“Do you prefer a female tamer?”

“I get to choose?”

“Why not? I'm offering a position as a double agent.”

“Wouldn't work”

“Why?”

“I'm a pokegirl. Once they give me to a Team member, I will bond to him or her.” She shook her head. “No, I don't prefer a female tamer. Jackie had a DildoQueen. We three had a lot of fun. Hilda was killed, too. I miss her, too.”

“It could work, if you had a stronger bond to your handler.”

“Who'd trust a Killer Queen?”

“I'm sitting right here.”

“You're suicidal.”

“I'm not.”

“I can kill you any time I want. It's just nice to talk.”

“You can try any time,” I corrected her. “I don't intend to die here.”

“Think you can really stop me?”

“I think you do not want to kill me.”

“So, your offer is becoming a double agent after telling all the locations I mentioned. Then I get to choose my tamer.”

“The locations and everything you know about them, what's there, who's there, traps, codes, the whole works. I can't guarantee free choice of tamer, but there will be a selection to choose from.”

“How, dinner and a date?”

“Nothing nearly that romantic, I guess.”

“It's a good deal. Your idea, wasn't it?”

“Yes, it was.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Take your time,” I said. I leaned back and closed my eyes. My thoughts drifted back to the last night with Joy.

“Don't fall asleep on me!”

I opened my eyes.

“I won't,” I told her, “I just remembered something good.”

“I could see that on your face,” she accused me. She straightened her back and pushed her large rack out.

“Do you like 'em?”

“Yes”

“I will become a double agent and tell them everything on one condition.” she said. “This condition has to be met or there will be no deal. I don't care what they'll do to me after.”

“I'll see what I can do. Name your condition.”

“I want you as my new tamer.”

“What?”

“I want you as my new tamer. That's the only condition I have.”

She grinned at me.

“I will get what I want. The knowledge I have is too valuable to let the opportunity slide.” she said smugly.

I looked at her closely.

“Shit! You sure, you don't have some Supe-Bra genes in you?”

“My grandma is a Supe-Bra genius.” she laughed.

“Why me?”

“Like I told you, a pokegirl with a brain would choose you. I have a brain.”

“I have to think this over.”

“They will convince you. I have faith in their greed.”

“Cindy! I want out.”

***

One look at Worsmith's eyes let me see that the Killer Queen was right about greed.

“You are really good,” he said and applauded, “but I bet, you didn't see that coming.”

“Yes, what will you do now?”

“We'll make her a double agent and you will be her new tamer.”

“There has to be somebody better.”

“We have enough tamers suited for the job. But it will be so much easier with you, because she's already willing to accept you.”

I knew I would not get out of this.

“How's the pay?” I asked. “No way I'm doing that for free.”

“Of course you will.”

“I could put her through a level five conditioning cycle and sell her.” I threatened. “I need a very good reason to refrain from that.”

“Yes, we'll work something out.”

“I want a Tradesman license. It wouldn't do to loose her in a salvage battle.”

“No problem. Here.” Worsmith tossed me a pokeball. “Go catch yourself a girl.”

***

I had to stay for three more hours. Over one hour was spent filling out paperwork, some kind of test, psycholical, was my guess. Then Worsmith showed up again with his ever-present pokegirl in tow. She carried a few items I eyed with suspicion.

“Congratulations, you're a Tradesman now,” Worsmith called out. “Here's your new pokedex. Your Tradesman's license is there, the complete list of your pokegirls, and a special license that makes you a special operative of the BLSF. It allows you to call an operative of the BLSF in, when you need it. Use it for emergencies only. We gave you Storage Rights.”

I had started the pokedex and called up the list of pokegirls. I read it twice.

“Why are here four pokegirls listed and why is the fourth a Neo-Iczel with no name?”

“You didn't think we leave you without supervision, didn't you? Cindy will keep an eye on you.”

“Then why is her name not here?”

“You will give her a new name, like most tamers are known to do. Cindy belongs to the BLSF, but we have to keep up appearances. You will act as her master, but she will continue to answer to me.”

“Then you will continue to tame her?”

“No, that will be your task. I'm her superior like I'm yours. Or have you forgotten that every tamer and every tradesman has to answer to the Blue League?”

“No, but I expect that to be covered in my monthly payment.” I looked around. “Where is Cindy?”

“She's guarding your Killer Queen. She will teleport over with her when we are done. May take a few days or a week. We'll call you before. Keep your pokedex with you at all times.”

“How do I get back to the center?”

He pointed to his pokegirl. “Beth will take you.”

***

Beth teleported away, once we were in my office. She hadn't said one word during the whole time.

I sat down and read the entries of my new girls in new pokedex. My old one was gone, but the belt with five empty pokeballs was still there. I swore. A Killer Queen and a Neo-Iczel. What came next - a DemonGoddess? I shuddered. Then I registered that I was hungry. I looked at the clock on my pokedex: 3 pm.

I left my office and locked the door. Joy looked up when I walked up to her.

“Hello, master,” she said, “how did you manage that so fast? I know it takes way longer to go through the official process.”

“I had professional help. I tell you more about that later.”

“Is it okay if I continue to work here until the new NurseJoy is up to speed? She should be here tomorrow. I think I'll only need a few days to show her the ropes.”

“It's okay for now. How's Shayla?”

“She's completely healed physically. She's waiting in her room for you.”

I turned to go.

“Wait! Don't you want to take her pokeball with you?”

“Sorry, I really should. Thanks for reminding me.” I took the pokeball out of her hand.

“There's one more thing.” Joy produced a key and opened a drawer. She took out something wrapped in black silk. Carefully she removed the wrap. She stood up and held it out to me.

“Here's my pokeball, master.”

“Thank you, Joy.” I said and smiled as I fastened her pokeball to my belt. “I'll take good care of it.”

I removed the empty ball next to it and placed Shayla's ball there. The empty ball was put in a pocket of my jacket.

Shayla sat on the bed facing the door. Her large wings were gone. She looked healthy. The FallenAngel stood up as soon as I entered the room.

“Good afternoon, master,” she greeted me.

“How are you, Shayla?”

“I'm fine, master.”

“Let's get you out of here. We'll talk later.”

“Yes, master”

I raised her pokeball and recalled her. I wasn't ready to deal with her right now.

***

I went home to cook and eat. I took a walk after thinking things through. I swore some more.

Time to face my FallenAngel. I had put it up long enough. On my way home I made some purchases. At home I changed into more comfortable clothes, jeans and a t-shirt. I removed two more empty pokeballs from the belt and stowed them away together with the one from my jacket. Then I sat down in my living room and released Shayla.

She appeared facing me. She was dressed in black slacks and a wide, light blue shirt. Black slippers were on her feet.

Her face lit up when she saw me.

“Master!”

She sank down on one knee gracefully and lowered her head.

“Command me”

“Stand up and sit with me. I want to know more about you.”

“Yes, master.”

She rose in a fluid motion and took a seat on the couch as far from me as possible.

“Tell me about you. How did you grow up, how did you became a Seraph.”

“I was raised on a breeding farm for Angel-types, master. I was evolved to Seraph when I had been a pokegirl for a full year. Then I was trained for three more years. There were always Megamis around. While they wanted to find fitting tamers for most of us, only few of those meeting the Megami's expectations could afford to purchase an angel-type pokegirl. The farm is a business. I was glad when I was purchased by a friendly couple as a gift for their son.”

“He treated me fairly. He was my first tamer. I thought he cared for me. But he left me for dead after my first battle.”

She wiped a tear from her eye.

“I'm happy I have a new master now.”

She blushed and rubbed her hands over her thighs.

“I have needs that haven't been looked after for a long time, master.” she mumbled.

“What is it? Joy should be home soon. Maybe she should take another look at you.”

“No, master, I'm in very good health. This is something more personal.”

I refrained from slapping my head.

“When was your last taming?” I asked.

“Three days before my last fight, master.” she mumbled.

“So,” I counted in my head, “that was five days ago.”

“I don't understand this,” she said, “I used to go much longer without a taming when I was,” she swallowed, “different.”

“A FallenAngel has a higher libido, average to high.” I told her. “I looked it up.”

“Then may I ask for a taming, master, please?”

“Shayla, look at me.”

She raised her head. There were tears in her eyes.

“You don't have to call me 'master' every time you open your mouth. I expect you to behave like that in public, but in private you can relax and don't have to be so formal.”

I stood up and took her hand in mine.

“Let's go to the bedroom, Shayla. We'll will learn a lot more about each other.”

***

My FallenAngel had tired me out. I had bought two Recovery drinks, but we used them up within three hours. Shayla wanted fast and hard sex, slow and gentle just made her impatient. When she got going, she was insatiable. She only agreed to stop when I threatened to fall asleep on her.

I woke up to an unfamiliar feeling. I opened my eyes and found myself caught between two nude female bodies. Shayla was to my right and Joy was to my left. She must have sneaked into the bed during the night. Joy held my left arm cradled between her breasts and my left leg between her legs. She moaned softly while she rubbed herself gently against it. Shayla's head rested on my chest, her hair covering my chest and stomach. Her lips were pressed against my right shoulder.

“Good morning, ladies,” I said softly.

It was unfair how fast these two beauties changed from fast asleep to wide awake. It took me more time to blink.

“Good morning, master,” they greeted me with wide smiles and cuddled against me.

“More taming?” Shayla asked.

“That's a great idea.” Joy agreed.

“No, girls, not now. We'll go shopping after breakfast. Take a shower before. Shayla, you first. Wake me, when you both are finished.”

***

The next four days passed in a peaceful breeze. There were no new clients, so I did some work using the computer in my office. I spent a lot of time with my girls and asked passing tamers for tips on training. Most declined a training match. Some where interested in salvage, but found out they couldn't challenge a Tradesman. Shayla and I went into the forest hunting for ferals. We caught a few, who didn't pose a challenge for the FallenAngel – a Titmouse, a Hamtit, two Catgirls and a Pidgy. I let Joy take care of selling them on PokeBay.

We had spent Sunday morning in bed and were enjoying a large, late breakfast, when things changed. Cindy knocked on our door. Joy let her in and led her into the kitchen. I had told the girls about the new additons to my harem.

“Hi,” Cindy said, “I brought your pokegirl, healed and cleaned.”

She made to throw the pokeball at me, but then she placed it on the table top and rolled it over slowly. I took the ball in my hand. Without my pokedex I couldn't tell who was in there.

“Hi Cindy, and your ball?” I asked.

“I will keep it. I don't truly belong to you anyway.”

“Then leave. Tell them to send me a better Neo-Iczel.”

“I'm the best!” Cindy protested.

“If you want to stay, give me your ball.”

“What do you need it for?”

“For the obvious reasons. I'm keeping my pokegirls in my pokeballs. A pokegirl without a pokeball will draw attention. I want to be able to ball you, when you get seriously injured to run you through a healing circle.” I shrugged. “And I want to be able to ball you when I decide to do it.”

“It's your choice, Cindy. If you can't accept me as your master, then leave.”

“I'm ordered to accept you.”

“I'm giving you a choice. Either you leave or you submit to me as your master.”

“Submit?” she protested.

“Yes, I expect my girls to follow my orders promptly.”

“I will not submit to you.”

“Then get out.”

I inspected the pokeball in my hands. A mix out of growl and sigh made me look up. Cindy was still standing there. She trembled slightly.

“I can't. I was given an order. They'll just punish me and sent me back.”

“Not my problem. You suck at following orders.”

“Here!” Cindy held out her hand with her pokeball.

“Come here and hand it over.”

She stepped slowly closer, until she was within arm's reach. She held her ball out again and dropped it in my waiting hand.

I inspected her pokeball. It wasn't standard issue any more. Somebody had painted it pink with great care and decorated it with flowing floral designs, making it look delicate. I didn't comment.

Cindy looked at me.

“I'm waiting,” I told her, “you aren't done.”

Cindy swallowed. Then she met my eyes again and spoke very clearly:

“I submit to you, master.”

I gave a short nod. “Better. You may stay. Consider yourself on probation.”

“Yes, master”

“Did you both eat breakfast before you were sent here?”

“We both had an early lunch, master.”

“Pull up a chair and sit down. You don't have to remain standing.”

Cindy pulled out the last chair and sat down.

“Thank you, master.”

“The FallenAngel is Shayla and the NurseJoy is Joy. The Neo-Iczel is called Cindy for now.”

“For now?” Shayla asked.

“Yes, it's her old name. I will give her a new name, if she earns it.”

“Could you change my name too, please?” Joy asked. “I don't like it. It's an unimaginative name for a civic pokegirl.”

“I like Joy, but I will consider changing it, since you hate it that much.”

“I don't hate it, I just like to have a name especially for me. I think every third civic NurseJoy is called Joy or Joyce.”

“I unterstand. Give me some time to come up with something better.”

“That's all I ask. I can wait for something better.” the NurseJoy said with a smile.

“When will we meet the other new girl?” Shayla asked.

“After breakfast. I want to let her out in the open.”

“You just don't want your kitchen trashed, master.” Cindy said.

“That's true,” I admitted.

“Why are you so lenient towards the other pokegirls?” Cindy asked. “They haven't called you 'master' once, since you arrived.”

“Usually I don't insist on formality in private. They call me 'master' in public and when we have a company. From you I expect formal behavior at all times.”

“Yes, master, thank you for explaining.”

“You're welcome.”

Cindy's eyes widened for the fraction of a second.

***

We had found a clearing close to the edge of the forest. There I released the Killer Queen.

I had to look twice to find a resemblance between the torture victim in the stinking cell and this voluptuous beauty. She stood tall and proud, even though she didn't come close to six feet. Her only clothing was an extra-large shirt that came down to her thighs.

She turned around and looked everyone over.

“Please tell me, you don't plan to camp her!” she asked me with puppy-dog-eyes.

“No, I have an apartment in the town close by.”

“Then why are we here?” She didn't have to think long. “You don't trust me. Are you crazy?”

“I'd rather think of it as careful.”

“You'd think this pathetic harem could stop me?”

Something around her changed. Her Regal Aura hit us like a forcefully swung bat. Joy sank to her knees. Shayla shuddered, then raged against it. She stayed on her feet. Cindy twitched and remained standing.

The Killer Queen watched me with gleaming eyes.

“Kneel, knave,” she ordered me.

I stepped close to her and raised my hand. I changed my mind and twisted her nose slightly.

“Turn that Call-me-Bitch stuff off, before my amusement fades.”

The Killer Queen took a step back, holding her hand to her nose. Suddenly the pressure was gone. Joy rose to her feet blushing.

“You twisted my nose!” the Killer Queen complained.

“You deserved it.”

“That's not the point. You shouldn't be able to do that.”

“I have the Blank Mind gift. Stuff like that doesn't really work on me.”

“That's good.” She seemed relieved. “I mean that must be the reason.”

“You will use that ability with my permission only.” I told her.

“What about combat?”

“In combat you will use every advantage you have. Remember that you are part of a group. Look out for the other girls, when you use it.”

“Sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”

“You only get to sacrifice yourself.”

“I'd rather not.”

“You don't have to sacrifice yourself.”

“That's good to know.”

“Let me ask you the important question: What do you want?”

“What do I want? I'm here, because we have a deal. I'll work for the League and you'll be my tamer. Or do you have second thoughts?”

“No, but I didn't gave my word. You told me that the League would force me.”

“Yes. She's here,” she pointed at Cindy, “I'm here. They have forced you.”

“I made a deal.”

“Then let's make our own deal.”

“I don't have to make a deal with you, pokegirl. Do you want to be in my harem?”

“Yes, you know that.”

“Then start to behave like it!”

The Killer Queen turned to Cindy. “What does he mean?”

Cindy grinned. “You haven't called him 'master' once. Did you ever have to obey without being forced?”

“Now I understand,” I said, “why the Team was so well organized. You controlled them. Their effectiveness was your doing. Cindy brought up a valid point.”

“Being?” the Killer Queen asked.

“Can you submit to me, obey my commands, and work and fight for the best interests of me and of the harem?”

“I can obey, work, and fight.”

“You have to submit.”

She hesitated.

“There can only be one king here,” I told her, “and I will be that king. There will be no compromise. There cannot be.”

The Killer Queen thought for a while. Finally she answered:

“Yes, master, I understand. I submit to you.”

“I accept your submission and I take you into my harem.”

She smiled. “I claim the position of Alpha, master.”

“I have no Alpha.”

“You'll need one. And I'm the best for the position.”

“I disagree,” Cindy said, “I'm the best.”

Suddenly a leather whip with a long, knotted cord appeared in the Killer Queen's hand. Metal gleamed in some of the knots. Cindy moved into a combat stance.

“Stop! Both of you!” I ordered.

Grundingly they stood down. The whip disappeared.

“Calm down,” I said, “I have to deny the position of Alpha to both of you. Cindy, you are still bound to your superior and master. And you,” I pointed at the dark-haired Killer Queen, “will leave this harem, when we have build up a strong enough bond. Neither Joy nor Shayla are strong enough to reign even one of you in. There will be no Alpha.”

“What about after my mission ends?” the Killer Queen asked.

“If you return then, ask me again.”

She smiled. “I will.”

I just looked at her. It took her a moment to unterstand what I was waiting for. Then her smile grew wider.

“I will, master,” she promised.

At once she changed tact. “There are two things you have to do next: I need a better wardrobe and you have to name me.”

“I have to?” I asked. I made a show of thinking it over.

“I could call you 'Dog'.” I mused.

The Killer Queen blanched. “You wouldn't!”

“It's my decision, isn't is?”

I saw unterstanding light up in her eyes. She grinned, sank down on her knees, and lowered her head.

“Yes, my master.”

Cindy snorted.

I held out my hand and helped the Killer Queen up. Then I winked at her. “You are right about better clothes though.”

I waved the girls closer. “Gather 'round. We'll go shopping for clothes.”

All girls except the Neo-Iczel vanished into their pokeballs. Cindy teleported us back.

***

Shopping with the girls had been intense, especially after I allowed them to choose their own clothes. Now they sat around the table in the living room after eating dinner in their new outfits.

The doorbell rang, followed immediately by light knocking on the front door. I looked at the girls finishing their dinner. I went to the door and opened it.

The first thing I saw was a shock of pale blue hair and a blue uniform. The OfficerJenny looked up at me and smiled. She had opened the first two buttons of her uniform shirt to show more than a hint of cleavage.

“Hi Kate,” I said, “what brings you to my doorstep?”

“Well,” she drawled and blushed slightly, “I've found myself with an itch you might want to scratch.”

She winked at me and added: “Again.”

“I'm sorry,” I told her, “as much as I'd like to take you up on your offer, I'm afraid I have to decline.”

“Sure,” Kate winked at me and slipped past me, walking towards the kitchen while giving her butt an extra sway for my viewing pleasure.

I grinned and followed her in. Kate stood in the kitchen's doorway and stared in shock at the girls surrounding my kitchen table.

Cindy wore the clothes I had bought for all the girls for training and combat, a black sweat-shirt, dark brown cargo pants, and a pair of sturdy, black hiking boots. The Neo-Iczel had chosen an additional set as her personal clothes.

Joy had chosen a dark blue dress. It was tight around her upper body, but flared out around her hips, reaching to the middle of her shins. On her feet were her heeled sandals.

Shayla had chosen a black synth-leather top that left her shoulders and her midriff bare. Her tight, black synth-leather pants looked painted on. She wore heeled ankle boots, black of course. Her tight, black jacket with the arms rolled up hang over the back of her chair.

Whom Kate really stared at was the Killer Queen. She wore a corset laced so tight, a WaspQueen would envy her waist. A Damsel would want the corset for herself, the way the Killer Queen's breasts spilled over the top. A very short black skirt barely covered her hips, allowing short glimpses at the garter belts holding up her stockings. Her feet were encased in high heels. The OfficerJenny couldn't keep her eyes from the 4-inch-spikes. Killer heels indeed.

“As you can see, I now have my harem to take care off.” I said, breaking the silence.

The OfficerJenny looked at all the girls in turn.

“Why is Joy here?” she asked, still shaken.

“She's mine now.”

“You bought a civic pokegirl?”

Since I felt no desire to tell her the whole story, I just said: “Yes, I did.”

“Could I persuade you to buy one more?”

Then Kate grinned and winked at me. “I like my job. And you seem to have your hands full already. Pay me a visit when you're in the mood for something different.”

She placed a kiss on my cheek and left.

The Killer Queen grinned at me when I returned from showing Kate to the door.

“You like to tame civic pokegirls, master?” she asked.

“Sometimes,” I said, “it was mutal benificial.”

“She never talked about it,” Joy commented softly.

“I'm a private person,” I said, “but I never claimed to live a celibate's life.”

The NurseJoy's eyes lit up. “Do tell,” she said and let her eyelids flutter.

“I will tell you a little bit more about me some time, but now is not the time for stories,” I said, “it's time for presents.!”

“Presents?” a four voiced chorus asked.

“We'll get more?” Joy questioned.

“Yes, wait here for a moment. I'll go and fetch them.”

I went to the bedroom and took the bag from my secret hiding place. It was undisturbed. I returned to the kitchen.

The girls hadn't left their chairs. Every eye was on me. For a passing moment I considered how dangerous they were. Then I smiled and lifted the bag.

“Presents,” I announced. “I choose something special to show you how much I appreciate you all.”

With these words I pulled four items from the bag.

“Shayla, you are my first pokegirl. Let's start with you. Come here, please.”

The FallenAngel stood up and walked over.

“Turn around and lift you hair.”

She obeyed. I put the collar around her neck and padlocked it shut. I turned her around and gave her a gentle hug. Shayla returned the hug and kissed me.

“You're welcome,” I told her, when I could breathe again. “Now sit down, please.”

“Joy, you were my second. Come here, please.”

The NurseJoy stepped in front of me. Before she could turn around, I stopped her with a gesture.

“Wait a moment.” I smiled. “There is something else I want to give to you first. A new name. Your new name is Eliza.”

The newly named NurseJoy beamed at me.

“Turn around, please,” I told her, “I want to put the other present around your neck.”

Eliza turned around and I collared her. I gave her a hug and a kiss and told her to sit down.

“Cindy, come here, please,” I asked the next pokegirl to step forward.

“You joined my harem and you were able to bow to my authority. I'm proud to have you as my pokegirl. To mark our time together you get a new name, too. I name you Bianca.”

“It's a good name. Thank you, master.” the Neo-Iczel said and bowed slightly.

Then she received her collar, a hug and a kiss and sat down at the table with the others.

I looked at the Killer Queen. She grinned at me and waited to be called forward.

I grinned wider.

“Dog, heel!” I commanded.

A pained grimace flashed over her face, nearly too fast to notice. I had been watching for it.

The Killer Queen stood up.

“Shall I approach you on all fours like a good dog, master?” she asked suspiciously submissive.

“No, just come here.”

She swayed over and stopped just out of arm's reach in front of me.

I looked at her closely.

“Do you want me to fetch something, master?” she asked in a soft, demure voice. “Or do you want me to roll over and let you tickle my belly?”

I did not stop smiling though it took some effort.

“I apologize,” I said, “it was a poor attempt at a jest.”

I hugged her and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.

“You get a real name, a name that fits you. You are a strong, proud and powerful woman. Your new name will reflect that.”

I looked straight into her eyes.

“Regina, welcome to my harem.”

Then I gave her a real hug, a deep kiss, and put the last collar around her neck.

The Killer Queen had a new gleam in her eyes, when she turned around and looked me over.

“This calls for a celebration,” she smiled.

“All of you deserve a celebration,” I agreed, “but I have a different plan for tonight. Shayla, I will take Regina and Bianca to the pokecenter, where I will tame Regina for the first time while Eliza and you will stay here.”

“Bianca, you're on guard duty. That means you'll probably spend most of the night in your pokeball. I'll make it up to you tomorrow night.”

Turning to the girls at the table I continued: “This a good time to tell you two important rules. If one of the other girls asks for a taming, you don't have to agree. Every one of you has the right to say 'no'. The one asking will respect that.”

Bianca winked at me. “Does that mean we get to tell you 'no', too?”

“Yes,” I said, “you may even tell me 'no'. You are not allowed to go feral, but that's the only time when I will enforce master's privelege.”

“You said two rules,” Bianca mentioned.

“You're mine. That means you answer to me and to nobody else. I want you to think for yourselves and to question me and my decisions when you find it necessary. Be polite to other humans, but don't follow their orders without my permission. Use common sense, when an OfficerJenny asks for assistance you will help without asking me before, while a tamer asking for a quick taming is a very good reason to run away and tell me.” I said with a smile.

My smile turned into a cold grin.

“I'll happily teach him to keep his grubby paws off my property.”

I winked at the girls. “No insult intended.”

***

It was raining on our way to the Pokegirl Center. I had balled Regina. Bianca walked beside me.

“Do you think it's a good idea to keep me in my pokeball while you tame the Killer Queen, master?”

“You think it's a good chance for her to overpower me and flee?”

Bianca didn't fidget. “Yes, I think so, master.”

“You're right, it's a risk. I'm taking it, because I want to win her trust. With you out on guard it will only be harder.”

“I don't like it. You could get killed. Our mission would fail, master.”

“I will neither fail nor get killed.” I opened the door to the Pokegirl Center for her. “Now get in. I'll have you put through a cleaning cirlce to get dry.” I winked at Bianca.

“Thank you, master.” Bianca still looked worried.

***

The red light formed into the Killer Queen. Regina turned and looked around.

“That's a decent taming room,” she stated, “I expected something with a lot more restraints and, hm, let's just say, disciplinary equipment.”

“We have everything we may need here,” I said, “and there are some restraints in the cupboard.”

“How do you want to do this, master?”

If I hadn't been watching for it, I would have missed the insecurity in her eyes.

“Slowly and gently at first,” I answered, “we have all night. Now let me help you get out of your clothes.”

Regina turned around and offered her back to me. “Have you unlaced a corset before?”

I put my arms around her and pulled her close. I kissed the side of her neck.

“I have. I learned how to lace it, too.”

My fingers went to work.

It took me a while to get the tightly laced corset off. Then I stripped her of the rest of her clothing.

“Don't you want me to leave some of these on?” she whispered.

“Not tonight. Now I want only you.”

“So, you want me, master?”

I turned the nude Killer Queen around and kissed her mouth.

“Yes, I want you, Regina.” I smiled. “Now summon your whip and hand it over.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise, but she complied without complaining. Her eyes searched my face.

“Thank you,” I said and smiled, “now lay down on the bed face-down.”

Regina moved onto the bed. “Do you know how to use a whip?” she asked.

“It's been a while,” I said and flicked the whip expertly.