Title: Orange Cupid

Summary: It all started with a chance meeting between Ash's Charizard and Paul's Torterra. Now Charizard won't stop trailing Paul, determined to either make Paul's life hell or help the stubborn trainer realise his feelings for Ash. So far, all he has accomplished is the first goal. Charizard couldn't remember having this much fun in his life.

Disclaimer: Pokemon is not mine; Nintendo has that right.


The moon was high in the sky that night, casting it's shining ethereal light along the forest and its inhabitants. The air was calm and peaceful, and the Pokemon of the night could be heard calling softly to one another in through the trees. Among them Torterra shuffled aimlessly through it all, his movements surprisingly graceful and quiet for a beast of his size, the regal way in which it held itself a surefire indication to its wise years.

Paul's manmade campfire could be seen in the distance behind the large Pokemon, the only thing out of place in the scene. Every now and then Torterra would glance back just to check his master was still where he left him, secretly terrified of losing his master in the darkened forest. He enjoyed being out among the stars and plants alone from time to time, and Paul, either unminding or indifferent, allowed him to roam freely during these nights without worry.

Unlike the tense relationships Paul shared with many of his other Pokemon, Torterra's was special. He had been with Paul from the beginning, had experienced every high and low of the trainer's life, and was also easily his most powerful. As such, the two shared a mutual bond of respect, nurtured by their years spent together. Because of this, Torterra cared deeply for his trainer, often seeing straight through the lavender-haired trainer's icy mask. He also shared many of Paul's ideals; in this world, you had to be strong, and if you were not, you simply got stronger. Those who did not follow this were not cut for this journey.

He moved stealthy through the trees, sucking the fresh and cool night air into his nostrils, flaring them in pleasure and flexing his shell happily as he felt the overhanging leaves of the trees above him gently touch his own, filling him with their gentle strength. Every now and then he stopped to graze serenely on the lush grasses.

A sudden disturbance slid into his senses, and the grass Pokemon started out of his dreamlike wandering stupor, his gaze travelling to the sky. He felt the very forest around him tense as a strange Pokemon came into view above in the sky, high enough to look minuscule but close enough Torterra was able to see the shape.

Torterra's movements completely ceased, and he cocked his head, watching intently. What a strange looking Pokemon it was… He was hesitant to say it was a Garchomp, but it had the general shape of one… even though it was a bright orange color. A shiny one? …And fat.

A fat shiny Garchomp, then.

It was flying lower and lower, and Torterra could see now that it had wings on its back, and were not attached to its arms at all. And the tail and head were much smaller than they should be. Now completely intrigued, Torterra followed as the strange Pokemon slanted to the ground and swiftly disappeared into the trees near Torterra, it's flying almost too quick for Torterra to pinpoint where it had landed.

Without a second thought, Torterra eagerly shuffled towards the Pokemon's landing point, slowing after a few minutes when he saw it through the trees. It was crouched by the river, it's smooth neck arched gracefully, snout buried deep in the water, drinking.

Torterra crept as far as the trees went next to the river. The Pokemon was definitely not a Garchomp. As he had noted before, the shape was all wrong, with the bulk centered around it's shoulders and belly, and a small, slender head onto top of an equally slender neck. The arms were also short, and it was a glowing healthy orange.

It was also huge.

Torterra was both amazed, and slightly fearful. He had no idea what this one was, and if it was hostile. Worry for his trainer and family sitting unknowingly nearby rose.

The orange dragon Pokemon finished nourishing itself and, lifting his head, cocked it toward Torterra with an echoing and inquisitive growl emerging from its throat.

Torterra started to slowly shuffle from the trees, seeing no reason to hide anymore, considering he had been found out. If he did he would only serve to make himself look hostile and dangerous. His instinct was telling him that that would not be a good idea.

'Greetings,' he politely welcomed, inclining his head after stopping a few meters away. He relaxed slightly when he saw there was no malice in the other Pokemon's eyes, just a mirroring interest and somewhat smug arrogance.

Then the strange Pokemon snorted, grinning at Toterra with large white teeth. 'What is this, my welcoming committee?' His gaze raked along Torterra's physique, and Torterra, for the first time in a while, felt inadequate and self-conscious. 'What are you, some retarded lovechild between a Venusaur and a Blastoise?'

Torterra's head withdrew slightly at the supposed insult even though he was not familiar with a Venusaur or a Blastoise. It was easy from the heavily antagonizing tone of the other that it was definitely meant as an insult. He growled softly.

The dragon flashed another grin at him, and returned to the stream for a few more hearty gulps.

Torterra felt his anger slowly seep out. This Pokemon didn't seem to be outright nasty, just sure of himself and used to being the best. The similarities between his new 'friend' and his trainer suddenly became obvious, and Torterra had to hold back a chuckle.

'You're not from around here, are you?' He asked instead, not bothering to mask his curiosity.

The Pokemon drew his neck up in order to glance around at the surrounding scenery with something akin to disgust in his face. 'This place? I bloody hope not.'

'I meant this region,' Torterra elaborated, patiently waiting.

'I hail from Kanto.' At this the Pokemon straightened up considerably, his whole body and voice swelling with pride. Torterra noticed this with amusement and newfound respect; he could relate when it came to the pride he had in his own region after travelling with Paul vastly through the others.

'You're from this one, right? Sinnoh, yeah? Thank hell. I thought all the Pokemon from around here were sissies, but you look pretty decent,' the Pokemon smirked, 'for an overgrown Bulbasaur.'

Torterra's head rose slightly. He had lived with his blunt trainer long enough to recognize a fair-sized compliment hidden within comments like that that were designed to initially offend their targets. He also caught the hidden meaning.

'It would be my honor to meet you in battle,' he offered with respect, bowing his head in a friendly manner. When the Pokemon answered Torterra could hear the laughter in his voice.

'Woah, slow down there, Flower, I don't wanna hug you.' The interesting Pokemon snorted, looking away. Even so, he immediately looked back with a challenging stare, and Torterra could see powerful muscles flexing.

He met the Pokemon's competitive gaze evenly, taking a few steps forward and flexing his shell, showcasing his own strength. Excitement rose up within him.

Then, the other powerful Pokemon relaxed and shook his head, breaking the both of them out of their battle-induced trance. While Torterra tilted his head, the other sighed.

'Listen, Flower, I'd love to kick your green ass but I'm kinda busy now. On a quest, you know?' He said, his rough voice firm.

When Toterra's only reply was to incline his head again out of curiosity, the bright orange Pokemon's wing's flapped slightly in frustration. 'I'm looking for someone,' he elaborated vaguely.

Again, Torterra's response was patient and kind; he ambled over until he was fully next to the Pokemon and settled into the lush grass, waiting. The other blinked, before shrugging and settling down next to the other giant, stretching comfortably as his muscles ached from the long journey. 'I'm looking for my trainer.'

Torterra's eye ridge rose in a perfect imitation of Paul. 'You lost him?' he scoffed, catching himself when he realized that sounded quite rude.

Torterra watched the Pokemon snort, sounding amused. 'Kind of. Not really. His name is Ash.' The last bit was added as a wistful sort of reminder, as if the Pokemon needed to hear the name out loud again. Torterra, however, did the closest thing a Pokemon of his size and mannerism could do to a double take.

'Ash?' he echoed. 'Always with the yellow mouse on his shoulder?'

By the way Charizard perked up with an awed 'Seriously?' , Torterra knew he had hit the nail on the head. Still, he couldn't help but confirm it, somewhat incredulously. 'He's your trainer?'

Charizard nodded animatedly, for the first time looking genuinely happy. He even started stumbling over his next words, which was quite a strange sight for the huge and deadly looking Kanto Pokemon. 'Yeah, he's- is- well, was—' He slowed down and his gaze went to the calm trickling stream, before going back to Torterra. 'He is. Or was.'

'He abandoned you?' Surprise was evident in Torterra's voice, prompting Charizard's interest into how well this greeny knew Ash.

Charizard snorted. 'As if. He rescued me from being abandoned by this bastard trainer. Then he left me with my own kind in the Kanto region to become stronger. Now I'm on his trail.'

Torterra nodded as he absorbed the new information, finding himself amazed at all these new revelations. There were many things he was curious about, but he finally settled with a simple; 'Why?'

Charizard regarded Torterra for a few moments, before shrugging. 'It's sure as heck been long enough,' he said. 'Besides, trouble follows the kid. If I'm with him, I'll finally find a bit of excitement.'

He gave Torterra a curious glance, eyes narrowed slightly. 'And just how did you know him?'

Torterra chuckled at the slightly aggressive note in the other Pokemon's words. 'Your trainer is the rival of my trainer.'

He chuckled softly, drawing Charizard to look sideways at him. 'They have quite different training qualities, and bounce off each other spectacularly. Although, my trainer does instigate fights a lot due to his strict attitude.'

Charizard tilted his head, before; 'Shit. It's a small world, isn't it?'

'Quite so,' Torterra replied in amusement. They settled into silence for a few moments as Charizard surveyed the forest, lifting his snout to sniff deeply at the night air.

'Name's Charizard, by the way. Master of the skies,' he turned his head to Torterra to enable himself a cocky smirk. 'Defeater of Legendaries. '

Torterra appraised him for a few moments debating on the authenticity of that statement before deciding that no matter how arrogant this Pokemon was, it could very well be true. 'It is a pleasure to meet you. Mine is Torterra.' He paused for a moment, before just for the sake of it adding; 'Defeater of gym leaders and tamer of grouchy trainers.'

Torterra allowed himself a pleased shake when he practically felt the approval radiate off Charizard in the form of a rough laugh.

'You know, you're all right, Flower. At first I thought all you Sinnoh guys were pussies, but you're all right.'

Torterra didn't bother to point out he had just introduced himself, knowing full well Charizard knew his name. He didn't really mind anyway, considering Flower seemed a weird sort of affectionate payout term.

Both of them started when a sudden crunching came from behind them and Charizard was immediately on his feet, eyes narrowed. Torterra jumped again at his new friend's aggressive preparation as he heaved himself to his feet, before relaxing just as abruptly as they had moved.

'Calm yourself,' he ordered Charizard a little sharply. 'It's is only Paul. My master.'

Charizard relaxed as the brush parted to reveal a normal and indefinitely safe human boy with a stoic face and lavender hair. 'So this is your dick trainer?' he asked Torterra, allowing his claws to lower.

As soon as the boy caught sight of the two of them his surprise only lasted a split second before he resumed walking towards them like nothing was out of the ordinary. Charizard glared openly as the boy came nearer. The boy stopped, then caught and held Charizard's heavy gaze with narrowed and cold eyes, his whole body looking relaxed and calm. Charizard immediately felt a strong respect for this boy.

But was he all bark and no bite?

'Torterra, there you are,' Paul stated, turning his gaze to Torterra, seemingly dismissing Charizard with nothing more than a small sneer. Despite his newfound respect, Charizard growled lowly, feeling his blood starting to heat up.

And he utterly despised being ignored.

His growl grew. Torterra turned to Charizard sharply, shuffling protectively in front of Paul. His defensive stance said all, and Charizard glared at Torterra. 'Your trainer really is a dick,' he flatly informed the grass Pokemon.

Torterra smiled grimly. 'I am well aware of that fact. But if you try to hurt him, I will not hesitate to use painful force to stop you.'

Charizard scoffed, but he untensed slowly alongside Torterra. 'I'd like to see you try, Flower.'

'Torterra, vine whip.'

Torterra turned to look at his bored looking trainer somewhat incredulously, instantly chastising himself for misunderstanding his master's line of thought. Of course Paul would immediately try to catch Charizard. It was only fitting on his quest for power, and the power of Charizard could measured easily by just one look.

Even so, there was no way he was going to help Paul catch Charizard. Even if he didn't want to it was impossible; Charizard already belonged to Ash.

To prove his point, Torterra shifted around until he was facing Paul and rumbled apologetically. Paul frowned at Torterra before raising an eyebrow, his gaze transferring to Charizard. Before Charizard knew it, a Pokeball had slammed into his face.

It bounced off and rolled innocently onto the grass, unmoving. Charizard howled in anger. 'You little shit-!' he snarled, his wings flapping furiously and fangs gnashing dangerously.

Paul took a step back, watching Charizard, his expression only changing to one of disappointment. 'Oh, so you already belong to someone else,' he growled. 'Pity.'

He turned. 'If I can't catch you, you're useless. C'mon Torterra.'

Torterra looked from Charizard back to Paul, wobbling between a sigh and a laugh. He finally decided to follow after his trainer, although stopping at the edge of the trees for a final goodbye and offer.

'We are just over the forest there; Paul and my team. Perhaps you'd like to join us for the night before you set off again?'

Charizard cocked his head, looking unsure, although mostly surprised and flattered. 'I dunno…' He started, before Torterra intervened.

'Paul runs into Ash every other day. Stick around us for a few days and I guarantee he will lead you to Ash.'

Charizard looked thoughtful, before a sharp stab of hunger attack his stomach. He nodded thankfully to Toterra. 'Not now. Maybe I'll pop around later, after some hunting. Until then, Flower!'

The gust that came from Charizard's mighty wings unfurling and beating him into the air blew Paul off his feet a few meters ahead of Torterra, who, completely unaffected, chuckled and nudged his pissed trainer up and towards their campsite, blatantly ignoring the embarrassing string of curses that resulted from it.