Really, I don't have much to say for this story. There is a lot of which I like to it, and a lot I didn't. So, as with the other few stories, this too is getting a rewrite into something I find more appealing for the content it holds. I made it originally with the other stories of this premise in mind, but I do wish to divert from the checklist of the 'betrayal' stories fandoms seem to love a bit too much. Gonna spend some of these first few chapters with our man here doing things much differently from the first write of the story. I'll let the Mistress come in next chapter as its focus. Let her have more of a forefront role this time around.

Also, I always find it weird that Cyrus was able to achieve his dream, out of all the mob boss leaders. Team G for the wins.

Red sighed and flopped his face in his hand, scribbling harder in his notebook. People don't like coming to mountains pelted by endless snowstorms and full of roaming, dangerous, skilled Pokémon. Who knew? Been almost three months since the last challenger. There was more company at first. Maybe it was a hype thing.

Red slammed the notebook closed in his hand and tosses it across the table. He wasn't a "hype thing." People weren't that inconsiderate of him. Maybe they thought he wanted the solitude. Like, who the hell lives in an Arceus-damned blizzard at the peak (almost) of a mountain in between two connected regions? Apparently only him. But it was a nice mountain, and snow is fun to have around. It gave him an excuse to wear longer clothing under his uniform. Hid the metal intrusions and indents he still needed to remove and lock away.

Red rubbed his forearm subconsciously, brushing his fingers over the bump the metal hole made in his skin. Dear fucking Sinnoh gods, he wanted to rip it out right then and there. There were only three left and it was the only one still obvious to see and it was annoying and hurt like nothing else. Cue the only problem with his living conditions: he had no clear sight of the sun and moon to use for healing once he tore the metal from his bone. And Gardevoir's Heal Pulse wouldn't recover enough of the skin, bone, cartilage, and everything else vital to his arm for it to lose less blood.

Red stood from his chair and headed out the cabin into the snow, trekking through the shoveled path down to the cave entrance. His eyes quickly adjusted to the light of the flames, much dimmer than those of his cabin house. Across the flames from his approaching form, sitting against the back wall of the small cave, sat his two trusted companions. At least the ones that didn't sit on his shoulder.

Red picked a rock of the ground and knocked it on the wall beside him to awake the two Pokémon and alert them of his presence. The two awoke startled, jumping up and away from each other before settling a glare to Red, one softer than the other.

Good morning.

We were trying to sleep, Master, the Lucario responded, grumbling as he shifted back to being comfortable on the ground.

I noticed. And you were succeeding, not trying.

Don't you sass me.

Boys, please, the Gardevoir spoke softly. Can we not argue right now? Master, what is it you need?

Your powers. Do you mind?

What for? The Gardevoir lifted herself to her feet and walked around the fire to Red.

Gonna remove the last insert from my arm. Would rather leave the bleeding out to a minimum. Synthesis won't be fast enough to do the job on its own.

But Master! Gardevoir's attitude did a 180 as she threw her arms out to the side and began shaking as she mind-spoke. We removed the last one yesterday! You haven't recovered your full strength, and last time that happened we almost failed to fix your legs!

Which is why I want you to come along again. So you can help keep me from dying of blood loss.

Sir, that isn't a laughing matter! You've been close to doing that too many times!

She's right you know. Lucario lifted himself off the floor, but stayed on the other side of the fire. It's been three times you've been bed ridden for doing this. I doubt it's going to be different this time.

I'll be fine, I promise. I have you two. Still have to get Magneton though before we head out and get to work. Come on. Let's go. Instead of waiting for their responses, Red turned the other way and started walking out the cave, setting off Gardevoir to freak out more and chase after him while flailing her arms.

Master, please, don't do this! Mistress won't want you to remove another so soon to the last one!

Those words made Red stop in place better than her Psychic could have. He pondered, a finger on his chin, gliding along before rubbing against one of the holes on his face. I'll deal with her. I'll make sure she doesn't blame any of you for helping me with this. And if you don't help, I'll get Espeon, who is much more willing to go along with this, to help and I'll make the same promise to her, so don't think you backing out is going to stop me. And I promise, no matter what, I won't go for a multi this time. I'll only get the one still in my arm and leave my back for another day.

Gardevoir sighed and glared slightly at the back of Red's head before walking up behind him and lightly punching his back. Fine. But if Mistress yells at you and gets mad, it's all your fault. You better not drag me into this.

Red laughed. Understood. Now come on. Let's get this done before dinner. Red reached back and grabbed Gardevoir's stretched hand, pulling her along gently back to the cabin and inside so he could summon those he needed.

Red turned on and began typing away at the big computer in the corner of the dining room as Gardevoir waited at the table, picking away at a plate of watermelon placed before her. He tapped the side of the box as he waited for the other side to answer his call. He loved his wife for installing this here for him. Especially when she went down to work, he at least had something to call her and hear her at any time of the day. Suddenly, the screen blipped on and revealed the blue haired man Red was trying to contact.

"Good afternoon sir," the man said cheerily, smiling from the other side of the screen. Red smiled back and began typing away on the computer. Better than trying to message his mind from so far away.

-Afternoon, James.-

I thought you said it was morning, the Gardevoir spoke up from her place at the table.

I said that because the two of you were cuddling.

"What can I do for you today, sir?"

-I need you to send Magnezone and Probopass over, if you don't mind. Going to remove the last insert in my arm today.-

"Are you sure that's a good idea, sir?" James questioned slowly. "It's not even been a full day's time since you removed the one in the other arm. Is this safe?"

-Oh, I've already got an earful from Gardevoir about it and Yellow will probably give me one ten times over when she hears about this. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. It's a brighter day out today, so we should have it easier this time around to close the wound.-

James sighed, lowering and shaking his head. "I shouldn't let you do this."

-I know. But I'll be getting this done one way or another, so it's just easier that you comply. Thank you.-

"Don't spite me," James grumbled as he typed away at the computer. "Just Magnezone and Probopass?"

-I have Gardevoir and Espeon here already. Just need the last two. Thank you, James.-

"Anytime, sir." James looked back to the screen and smiled a small smile. "I do wish you luck. With the removal and with your wife."

-Lord Arceus knows I need it.-

"May his blessing be with you." Red cut the connection with James as he waited for the two Pokémon to be sent his way. His fingers drummed against the six spaced pad sitting beside the screen, overtaking the noise of Gardevoir's chewing. Gods, now he was hungry. Maybe some food in his system before removing a good two inches from his arm would be good.

Maybe I'll pack some food so we can have a picnic after we remove it.

Would you like me to make a basket, master? Gardevoir perked up from across the room, still chewing away at her plate of food.

No, it's fine. I'll put it together. Do you mind going upstairs and getting Espeon for me? I know she wants to be a part of this, and her Sunny Day will only make things easier.

Alright master. Taking the plate with her (how is there still food on that thing? She is far from a slow eater) Gardevoir headed up the stair in search of the pink feline Pokémon. And as one head is chopped off, two more shall take its place, as the pokeballs Red was waiting for appeared on the pad as his psychic companion made her way up the cabin stairwell.

Plucking them into his hands and clasping them to his belt, Red made his way through the pantry shelves, grabbing backs and boxes of foods and other snacks for him and his Pokémon. He tossed what he could grab into best the bag he could find. They would all be in need of sustenance after the operation.

I found her. She's being lazy again. Red turned away from the cabinets to see Gardevoir walking back down the stairs with a (FINALLY) empty plate in hand and a pink feline-like creature wrapped around her neck like the collar of a tux. Do you mind taking her off me? She likes you more.

Fine. Red sighed and, as gently as he could, pried Espeon off of Gardevoir's neck and rested her on his. The small psychic cat purred and moved her tail, touching the two end tips to the side of his neck and making them glow slightly.

"Is that more comfortable for you, Espeon?" Red spoke weakly, and almost robotically. The Pokémon nodded and purred, snuggling up against her trainer's shoulder. "Good. I prepared the basket of food. Ready to head out when you are, Gardevoir."

I am ready, master. Said Pokémon reached out to her trainer and placed her hand in his, before focusing her attention elsewhere and teleporting the group away, to begin the small task.

This clearing should do it. Red threw the two pokeballs into the air and watched silently as the two final evolution Pokémon appeared before him and his psychic Pokémon. Probopass, I need you to spread out and stay on watch for us. Make sure no one makes their way over here and sees this. The stone head Pokémon let out a cry of understanding in his tongue and sent off the three small heads into different directions while sending the rest of himself in the last direction. Magnezone, get ready to pull. I have faith in you to do what you did last time. The floating metal oval with magnets of a Pokémon responded with a sequence of beeps, and Red gave a slight nod in return. I understand. I've gone over this with the others. This one is all you have to do today, and I'll put off the shoulders for a good long while for you all, okay? Red stepped forward and places his hands on the steel/electric type and brushed his exposed finger tips gently across its metal body. Let's just balance out my body today and then we'll move on from this. I won't bother you for your help until you're comfortable again. A few more, softer beeps brought a smile to Red's face, and he nodded slightly while backing away into the middle of the clearing.

Espeon, Sunny Day, please. The small psychic cat mrowed and shot a small but bright ball up into the sky from the gem on her head. It flew higher and higher before bursting and shining down on the trainer and his Pokemon. Red dropped down onto the grass, sitting with his legs crossed and arm outstretched away from Magnezone. Gardevoir, Magnezone. Begin. Quick like a band aid.

The psychic mage sighed and nodded to the Magnezone, who pointed its two front magnets at Red's arm. The trainer bit down on his lip, arm shaking and morphing slightly with each passing second. His eyes flickered, doing their best to keep their gaze on the metal hole slowly rising out his ar-

SHINK

Red opened his mouth to scream. No sound came from it. He hunched over and rolled down onto the grass, digging his nails into the dirt and pressing his face into the ground as the hole in his arm began to pour out. Magnezone beeped in a soft tone, dropping the metal and bloody cylinder onto the grass and approaching its trainer slowly. Gardevoir rushed down to his side and began shooting the energy of Heal Pulse from her palms to close the wound as soon as possible. Master! Synthesis, hurry!

Red turned his head slightly up towards the sky, staring one red eye into the sun and basking in its light. His body glowed a soft green, waves of energy passing over his body and focusing on the two inch hole, making it smaller and smaller much faster than Gardevoir was making it on her own. Espeon nuzzled her trainer's face, licking it softly and pulsating some of her own psychic energy into his psyche. His breathing slowed down, not reaching a steady pace until the hole in his arm had sealed completely and left a small circular scar in its place.

Gardevoir panted, hunched over her trainer's body, using her psychic powers to move the puddle of red away from Red's arm. Gazing down at his face, he made no sign of a reaction to the blood's movement. His eyes stayed wide, gazing out to the side and Espeon licked and nuzzled his face with hers. The psychic lady fixed her position to sit beside her trainer, and gestured to Magnezone to come closer and lay down beside them, which it did.

Thank you, Magnezone, Gardevoir praised the Pokémon on her trainer's behalf. You removed this one much faster than the last one. Red twitched slightly, and Gardevoir extended her arm to him and pet his hair softly.

T000k 00u, M000ezo00. Red's eyes drooped and closed slightly. So000 for m0000g you 00 t0is ag000 so 0000, 000 00 wa0 what I 000ded.

Master, your voice is cutting out.

000ry.

Espeon purred and places her tail on his neck, the two tips glowing softly while brushing up and down his neck.

"Let's..have lunch.." Red spoke softly, his voice like metal scraping across itself.

Okay Master. I'll call back Probopass and get the food set up.

"Thanks…" Slowly, Red reached his arm out to Magnezone, petting the Pokémon gently, while his eyes stayed glued to the circle on his arm. "You did..good, Magne…zone…" The Pokémon beeped back brightly, and Red smiles softly. "Good.."

Red laughed softly and hummed as he felt his body begin to rise, the little rock heads working their magic on his torso and pushing up to sit, and resting him against the big body of Probopass. "Thanks buddy…" The three stones set themselves in the middle of Red's lap, cuddling together like little Torchics for him to pet, which he did. Magnezone flanked him on his other side, setting down softly on the grass. Gardevoir and Espeon sat in front of them, the feline having jumped away from her trainer to join the other psychic type, digging into the basket and pulling out food for each and every one of them to eat.

Red kept his gaze in his lap when he took his sandwich from Gardevoir, looking at the scars mirrored on his arms. He brushed no fingers against them and worked instead on unwrapping his food. His eyes followed the small path of blood to the metal rod sitting in the grass a ways from the group, lying across as the blood dried in the sunlight.

Where do you come from?