Chapter 7 – Wounds heal in time

Hey guys!

The Mad Dragon is back!

Shoutouts to Wolf, Nightgale45 & everyone who hit that Follow button with ya face! Wolf you're so right, the pains of being a guy and reading that… When I wrote it, it made me cringe and… Well I won't say it.

Nightgale, I'm glad you liked Red's brutal nature. Red's changed. He's not that same sweet little boy from chapters 1 – 5 anymore… Red has become a Monster.

Sometimes the world no longer needs a hero, sometimes what it needs most is a Monster.

ENJOY GUYS!

Disclaimer: The only way I could ever own Pokémon, is if the show Mountain Monsters suddenly becomes a reality show. NOT GOANNA HAPPEN!

Edit: OK guys I've redone this Chapter too, this is one I certainly enjoyed re-writing. 24/04/17

Within the seemingly bottomless ocean of electric blue that comprises Red's eyes, Serena finds herself lost. The gentle touch of his strong hand against her face tenderly drawing her close, so close the heat of his breath rolls over her lips, weakens her knees and melts her aching heart.

"OK… I'll stay… I'll stay for as long as you want me to" He whispered, wrapping her in a sense of security and joy.

A tiny spark of light flickers within his eyes, one that reminds her of the sweet little boy she fell for, when she was nothing more than a little girl. That was so long ago, he's changed so much… Grown so strong. But inside, he's still her Knight in filthy armor… The boy who rescued her when she needed help the most, and no amount of time or distance could ever change that.

He knows he shouldn't be doing this, shouldn't be touching her like this, but… How can he possibly resist the call of an angel? Only now does he realise just how much he's missed her, how deeply he's yearned to see her again, how desperately he's wanted to hold his friend in his arms again… Friend… The word spurs a scratch within his throat, forcing him to attempt to swallow his pain.

"She's my friend. Nothing more, nothing less… I can't let you be anything more Serena, but I'll still protect you… I'll protect you with my life, my friend" He thought, every word stabbing his blackened heart.

"You're so beautiful… The most beautiful woman in the world" The thought passed through his mind, neither welcomed nor pushed aside.

His callous covered hand climbs up from her chin to her cheek, cupping it gently as his thumb rubs against her sore flesh. She melts into his hand, into him, the warmth from his touch burns the pain and humiliation her attacker caused away, replacing them with joy and ecstasy. Within seconds the memory of her attacker becomes just that, a memory, something that can never harm nor bother her again. Rubbing her face into the palm of his bloodied hand, she shuts her eyes and breathes deeply through her nose, a smile of contentment across her split lip.

"Promise me Red… Promise me you'll stay here with me. Promise me you won't leave me again" She murmured, her eyes opening and her movements ceasing. "Promise me you'll protect me"

"I promise" He whispered back without even a moment's hesitation, and a gentle smile across his bearded face. "I'll stay for as long as you want me to. I'll only ever leave you if I've got no choice, if it's the only way I can protect you… I'll always protect you Serena; I'll defend you until my dying breath"

Tears of joy swell in her eyes, refusing to fall, they sparkle in the sunlight. She pulls him into a hug so tight, the lines between them begin to blur, his hand falls from her face to return her hug. "Thank you… Thank you for keeping your promise. You came back for me... Just like you promised"

Her hands slide across his back, mindlessly feeling the strong muscles beneath the thin jacket. "I could rub you all day" She thought. No sooner than the thought formed within her mind, than her hands freeze against his back. She had expected to feel powerful muscles, fabric so tight it could split apart if he flexed, but instead she has discovered… A dent? A very big, very deep, dent in the flesh. Almost as if a large portion of the flesh has been removed. Seeking reassurance that not all of his back is like this, her hands slide a little lower. To her immense relief the indentation quickly ends and the flesh returns, as firm and tough as she had dared to dream it would be… In fact, it almost feels too hard. Not like she imagined well-built muscle would feel like at all, it feels more like… Concrete.

How? How could human flesh possibly feel as hard as concrete? Could… Could she have found scars? What wound could possibly leave him with scars like this? How could he survive a wound like that?!

The glistening of her eyes quickly turns from joy to sorrow, the thought of Red suffering stabs her heart like a razor sharp knife. "Who hurt you Red?" She thought, her tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Someone hurt her oldest friend, hurt him so badly they left scars so thick, they feel like solid stone.

Red fails to even notice Serena's exploration of his back, even as her hands wander across his scars and probe them for knowledge. Such a light sensation cannot be felt through scars like these, not when his attention is firmly focused on an unfamiliar and conflicting desire. While his hands remain perfectly still against her back, they long to rub their way across her tender skin. To feel the heat from her flesh against his, to caress the curves of her body and make her moan his name…

What? Where did that come from? It makes no sense, why does he desire to hear her moan and scream his name? "What's happening to me? It's not like I haven't seen a woman before" He thought, panicked by his primal desires and urges.

Forcing these unwanted thoughts and desires from his conscious mind, he gently squeezes her comfortingly. "I said I would, didn't I? I promised to protect you when you needed me… You needed me, so I came"

No sooner than the words pass his lips than the desire returns, stronger than before. Far too strong to simply be ignored like before. Acting without orders from the tiny hunk of flesh within his head, his hands gingerly wander down her back, seeking something to make her produce the sounds he desires. A new desire bursts into being, one that frightens him so strongly, that his hands tremble lightly and freeze in place.

He finds himself overwhelmingly compelled to plant his lips softly against her neck, as his hands explore every inch of her untouched body. To do what no one else has done and taste of her fruit, as she whispers his name into his ear and pulls him close. Blurring the lines between man and woman, in a passionate flurry of desire and love.

"W-what the fuck is goin' on with me?!" He thought, panicked by the sudden creation of a fantasy. "I've never wanted to do that before! Why's it happening now?!… Is it 'cause I saw her tits?"

Comfort and joy force their way through the wall of pain and humiliation, that surrounds Serena's aching heart. The sound of her crush's voice, as well as being held in his powerful arms, brings a sense of security to her. Her smiles returns, accompanied by a rosy blush, as his hands slowly slide down her sensitive back, drawing ever closer to her soft and plump rump. One of the few parts of her anatomy that he didn't see naked… But perhaps may grasp firmly, within his strong hands.

"Red…" She whispered, pulling away from him just enough to look him in the eye, but leaving them close enough to remain in each other's arms. "I mean it. Thank you… Thank you for keeping your promise… For protecting me… You saved my life"

Her honey like voice quickly quiets the confusing thoughts and tantalising fantasies running amok within his mind, leaving the Knight able to think clearly once again. Mistaking her movement for an excuse to break this, their first embrace since their painful goodbye so many years ago, he pulls away from her completely. Leaving her with a sudden realisation, of how cold the world is without his touch.

"I'll always protect you, Serena. No matter what"

"Ugh… You'll make me sick" Charizard snarled, watching the love stuck teenagers from afar with a death glare. "I'll make this easy for you to understand. Put me back in my ball… OR I WILL KILL YOU!"

Responding before the Fire starter can even complete his death threat, Red jumps back to his feet. With eyes blazing red with fury, and talons eager to rip scales from flesh, Red gives his Fire dragon partner a glare strong enough to make even Death himself shiver. "You are welcome to try" He snarled.

The burning blood red glow of the Knight's eyes is more than enough proof for Charizard; Red has started fights over less and is more than prepared to do so again. Through their Connection of Aura, he is able to feel Red's desire to protect Serena, at any cost… This just isn't worth the hassle. "Ah fuck it. Not worth all this bullshit. Just put me back so I can take a nap"

"Fine. Go back to bed you fat fuck" He growled, pulling out Charizard's Pokéball from his pocket.

"I'M NOT FAT!" The Fire type roared, before being engulfed in a beam of red light and returning to the comfortable embrace of his Pokéball. A place he hasn't been in for quite some time.

"Yeah, that's why Mama put you on a diet" He muttered into the crimson capped orb, before returning it to the safety and security of his pocket.

Serena rolls her eyes at the sight she has witnessed, those two never were nice to each other, even as children. But the saying goes, if two people fight a lot, they really care for each other. Despite their constant fighting and acts of aggression against one another, there can be no doubt as to the strength of the bond between these brothers.

"Red, let's go home" She sweetly said, before hooking her right arm around his left. "I can't wait to- AIE!" Her words cut short by a pang of searing pain across her face; she had tried to lean against his shoulder, but instead received a reminder of the wounds Calem left her with. Tears quickly swell in her sparkling blue eyes, before rolling down her blood saturated cheeks and bathing her wounds in their salty touch.

The cracks across his stone like heart spread, these surface fractures were formed mere hours ago, but already spread far and wide. While it may seem as though the pain from her flesh is coaxing the fluid from her orbs of sight, his still glowing eyes clearly see the truth. The pain is simply a reminder of how close she came to being violated. With their reason for being gone, the glow to his eyes loses its shine and his natural weaponry returns to normal, taking away the sense of intimidation they bring.

With a combination of precision and a gentle touch, he lifts a stray lock of hair from her face. "Hey… It's OK, he can't hurt you anymore. I won't let him" He whispered, his voice soft and comforting. His soothing words, matched with an equally soothing voice, bring her comfort and a sense of security. Her eyes timidly open, but her tears continue to fall from the corners of her eyes, the reddening and swelling of her flesh continues unhindered. "Don't cry anymore… I can heal these cuts for you, if that's what you want" He added just as gently as before, pulling the lock of hair behind her ear.

"Really?" She whimpered, sniffling.

"Yeah. I'm not a Healer, but even I can heal cuts… You'll have a little pain for a little while, but they'll be gone"

To most wounds are just that, wounds. But to the emotionally scarred Serena, they are a reminder of how close Calem came. How he had complete power over her, how he could have done anything and everything to her, how there was nothing she could do to defend herself, how he could have killed her without effort. They are a symbol of Calem's power over her.

Hope. Red offers her hope. The removal of these symbols won't take the pain of his actions away, but it will allow the healing process to begin.

Red obviously has immense power flowing through him constantly, he is a weapon that is always ready to strike, even when he has no intention of spilling blood… And yet, he is gentle. Able to life the smallest strands of hair away without causing even the slightest inkling of pain, able to ease the pain of her raw wounds… Whatever horrors he has endured in his short life, there is still kindness and compassion left in his heart. She just needs to bring it out to the surface, for all to see.

The thought of her Knight in filthy armor having a soft side to him, one that he reveals only to her, draws a simple smile across her face, bringing joy where there was only pain. "OK… I'll get some scars though, won't I? They'll make me beautiful… Won't they?"

His response comes not in the form of words, but with the gentle touch of the back of his finger, wiping away the last lingering tears across her skin, but leaving the blood of her attacker behind. The touch of his skin against hers sends Butterfree loose in her belly. "I've got enough scars for us both" He whispered, lifting the final tear from her face. "You don't need anything to be beautiful… You're already the most beautiful woman in the world"

The icy fangs of regret sink into his neck the moment the words leave his lips, but it's too late, the words have already been sent on their way. There can be no taking them back, however much he may want to. He spoke no lies, but he shouldn't have told her that, he cannot think of her like that… Can he? All he's doing is noticing an aspect of her, and providing reassurance in her moment of pain… Or is he really just putting her at risk?

Thoughts move fast, while the body moves slow. In his moment of thought, he inadvertently allowed his blood soaked hand to linger beside her face. Without thought of the risks that come from mixing foreign blood with an open wound, Serena guides his hand into cupping her cheek once again. A minor pang of pain reminds her of both her fresh wounds, and the man who caused them. But the memory of them both is quickly pushes out of mind, by the adorable look of confusion across his face. She gently nuzzles her cheek into the palm of his hand affectionately, while keeping her eyes aimed at his. A minor stab of pain comes, but one that is easily ignored. The power of his full face beetroot blush is so strong, it shines through the excessively long stream of facial hair.

"My nose is broken, my face is cut and… I'm covered in dirt and blood… I'm not beautiful" She whispered, refusing to break their shared eye contact.

"Yes you are… You're the most beautiful woman there is" He whispered without thought, speaking through the pump in his chest, rather than from his tiny brain.

His kind words stir the Butterfree in her stomach and dilate her eyes in joy, whether or not the compliment is accurate is irrelevant, he believes it to be the truth and that's what matters most to her. He really thinks she's beautiful, even like this. Her affectionate nuzzle deepens, melting into his hand as it does. "I bet there's a handsome face under all that hair and dirt" She whispered, blushing lightly as she does.

"Ugh… Thanks?" He nervously replied, with a weak smile and brighter face.

His embarrassment to a simple compliment earns him a girlish giggle from his crush, whom he denies having feelings for. "So I don't get any scars?" She playfully said.

"I don't think you want to remember today. I'll make sure not to leave any scars behind" He said with a gentle smile across his face.

"I'll never forget you coming to my rescue… No matter what, I'll always remember and be grateful to you" She said, continuing to rub her cheek into palm, leaving a less than subtle hint for him to take over.

For one her hint does not go unnoticed, Red's thumb gently caresses her sore skin, without a conscious order from his mind to do so. A soft moan of bliss fills her throat, but is held back by her tongue, she will let nothing ruin this moment. "No matter what happens, I'll always protect you… But, you need to let go of my hand so I can heal you"

"Oh. Sorry" She nervously said, blushing lightly, before relinquishing her hold over his hand.

For a moment he hesitates, before he too relinquishes his gently hold over her flesh. Instantly he finds himself craving the warmth of her skin, compelled to caress it again, but he holds strong, resisting his primal desires… Just barely. To both satisfy his desires and heal her wounds, he holds his hands over her face, but does not make direct contact with her. Ghost like flames form across his hands, red in colour, they burn away the unwanted blood and filth across his dextrous limbs. A dim glow shines from these flames, one that illuminates Serena's entire face and dissolves away all the blood and filth the does not belong on her body.

The healing glow of his Aura does not feel like light, no, it feels like the gentle touch of his powerful hands. His Aura acts as a bridge between his hands and her face, granting him the sensation of her warm ivory skin, while also agitating his libido even further.

Her eye lids grow heavy, falling to a shut position. A sense of security rises inside her, born from the comfort and joy that comes from her Knight in filthy armor's touch. A soft moan falls from her lips, one that sends blood to her cheeks and wrenches her eyes open. The sight she is greeted by sends even more blood to her already rosy cheeks and steals the breath from her lungs.

His powerful electric blue eyes are fixed onto her beautiful sapphire ones, ravaging them and devouring the endless light that shines from them. Their shimmering surface brings back memories of home, of the great lake at night… Swimming with life and shimmering in the moonlight.

Delving past the initial powerful surface of his eyes, Serena sees what could only be described as a swirling maelstrom of fire, burning everything in its path to cinders. Beyond the anger that burns inside, a gentle light shines through, one that weakens her knees and easies the pain inside. Calem's act of evil is still fresh in her mind, stabbing into her and filling her with fear. But the gentle and comforting light from her love's eyes eases the sting.

His hands continue to pass over the curves of pain filled face, her blood rising back into the wounds from which it fell, compelled to return by the healing glow he exudes. Slowly the wounds begin to close; new skin grows across their surface, leaving not even a single trace of a scar behind. So firmly fixed on his eyes is she, that she doesn't even notice the pain in her face ease. While the wounds are indeed closing, healing, the sting from the open flesh remains, significantly weakened, but still there.

As the last of the blood returns to its source, the gashes in her flesh finish their healing. Its purpose fulfilled, the burning flame like Aura across his hands recedes into his body, taking with it the healing glow. Yet neither of them makes a move to break their eye contact, it is a moment neither of them wants to end. Against his better judgement and fear, he allows his hands to obey the unfamiliar desires he now feels.

The large, rough skinned, callous covered hands timidly reach for the tender skin of her freshly healed cheeks. The warmth from her flesh against his fingertips forces blood to rush to his face, forming a heavy blush. His hands tremble under the weight of the fear that now binds him, his every fibre commands him to hold her tenderly, but his fear overpowers this desire.

"Red you fucking moron, just do it!" He thought. "Don't let fear hold you back, come on you're tougher than this!" But amount of self-motivation can push through the wall of petrifying doubt that binds him in place. His breathing picks up, becoming short sharp snorts through his nose, as panic sets into his heart. Before he realises it, his entire body begins to tremble and his eyes dilate.

"Red… It's OK" She whispered, slowly pressing the palms of his hands against her face, doing for him what fear prevented. "You can touch me… It's OK, don't be scared" She added, her thumb gently rubbing against skin, both calming his heart and making her own beat harder.

Red's scattered nerves finally begin to calm, abating the trembling throughout his body and particularly his hands. The fear that previously held him back begins to die, overpowered by the desire to hold her close and take away the pain that still plagues her soul.

Cupping his hands across her cheeks, he smiles comfortingly at her, sending her rapidly beating heart into a flutter. "There… That's better" He whispered, his voice sending shivers down her spine, and birthing a loving smile of her own as her eyes fall shut. Unthinking, she gently nuzzles her cheek into his right hand. The smile drops from his face in an instant, her actions have left him stunned.

Frustration is clearly evident across his hair covered face, as obvious as the cold sweat that drips down his skin. "Holy shit, she's fucking forward… She doesn't know what she's doing. She doesn't know what she's doing. She doesn't know what she's doing! Calm down you moron! This doesn't mean anything to her!" He thought, attempting to calm the urge rapidly building within him.

A wigging in his pocket alerts him to his starter's desire to speak, his advanced sense of hearing allows him to hear even the tiniest of sounds, when focused it allows him to even hear the voices of his Pokémon from within their Pokéballs. This power is shared with any whose Aura is Connected to his, including both Charizard and Blade.

"Is she doin' what I think she is?… Fuck no, I'm shutting off this Connection. Don't open it until after you've finished fucking her brains out" Charizard growled from within the confines of his Pokéball.

Serena remains blissfully unaware of the Fire type's words, she continue to affectionately nuzzle her crush's hand. To ensure she remains in the dark, Red sends an Aura Message to both Charizard and Blade, pre-emptively silencing him as well. "(She doesn't know what she's doing! Humans don't do mating displays like us! So a nuzzle means nothing! SHE'S NOT TRYING TO MATE WITH ME!)"

Before the great lumbering Fire dragon can goad his brother into embarrassing himself even further, Blade steps in. "Both you just shut up, before I am forced to silence you both myself. Master, we are well aware that humans do not attract mates the same way we do. However, we have no idea just how they do it, she may be attempting to gain your affections, she may not. I suggest you learn more about human mating affairs, before attempting to make her yours"

"(SHUT UP! I didn't come here to make her my mate!)" Red growled back through Message.

"No, but you're still gonna fuck 'er brains out. Hehehehehe. I ain't babysittin' your any screaming shit machines she squeezes out, so don't even ask. Mama can do it" Charizard growled back, snickering to himself.

"Charizard shit up before Master puts you in your place again!" Blade interjected, before Red had the chance. "Master you cannot afford to not take this chance, she may be the only female willing to put up with you. Without her you may never have the chance to pass on your blood to the next generation"

"(I fucking hate both of you! I'm not gonna mate with Serena!)" Red silently snarled back.

"Twen'y berries and a carcass says they're Mates by sundown" Charizard growled, his words meant for Blade.

"I will take that bet" Blade quickly responded.

"(Just shut the fuck up already! That carcass can't be anyone from her territory either, so don't get any ideas. Neither of you are allowed to hurt anyone there, unless they attack us first. Got it?!)"

"As you wish, Master" Blade respectfully said.

"I promise nothing" Charizard growled.

Serena's eyes finally open and meet with his once again, instantly removing any and all traces of thought from their minds and bringing her act of affection to an end. Her hands slide away from his, to slink their way around his neck once again, pulling his face a fraction of an inch closer to her own. The sound of her own heartbeat fills her ears, as a strange form of tension fills the air. One that fills them both with a singular, burning desire.

The hand of Red lifts away from her face, to brush through her luscious locks of hair and gently clasp the back of her head. His thumb slowly massages her scalp, leaving her unable to make even the smallest of movements against him. Not that she has any intention of sullying this moment, the moment she has dreamed of ever since she was a little girl.

Her conscious min begins to shut down, as years of pent up desire and lust finally come to the surface. The gap between them begins to close, the heat from his breath against her lips sends chills down her spine. Her lips twitch in anticipation, for what will be her first kiss. The anticipation for what is to come weighs down her eyelids, making them so heavy she can't keep them open for even a moment longer. They come to a close, blocking out what little remains of the world around her, while allowing her imagination to run wild. Red's own eyelids grow heavy, before falling shut.

After what feels like an endless eternity, their skin finally tastes the warmth of the other's. A surge of heat runs through the teenage beauty's face, flowing through her body and into the core of her soul. A soft moan ekes its way from her lips, one she makes no effort to hide. With their foreheads pressed together, they support one another and share the warmth of their blood. Together they take a single deep breath in through their noses, taking in the other's scents and smells.

"I've missed you Serena… So much" Red whispered.

"I've missed you too Red… More than you could possibly know" Serena breathed back.

While this contact is not what Serena had imagined or anticipated it would be, she holds no disappointment. A sense of comfort, bliss and closeness comes from their point of contact; one that she never expected could come from such and unusual act. "Apart for many suns… Together again for many moons" He whispered.

As his words enter the world, Serena's hands run through his overly long hair, the same as he did to her. She tries to speak, to say something in return, but no words come to mind. Instead she remains silent, enjoying the comfort and warmth from his touch. Long ago they were torn apart by forces beyond their control; the cruel hand of fate intertwined their destinies, only to pull them apart again… But the hand of fate can be kind as well as cruel, as it has finally brought them back together again. For a moment the two of them remain fixed to the spot, savouring the bliss and comfort that comes from holding the other close.

"Serena, this is called the Erostarcy" He thought, his words echoing through her mind, sounding as powerful and gentle as his voice. She makes no moves to break their contact, despite hearing the thoughts of another in her mind. "This is how we say hello to our friends back home. If we haven't seen each other in a while, we say 'apart for many suns, together again for many moons'"

She takes another breath through her nose, taking in another nose full of his stench. "Erostarcy?" She thought, her voice echoing throughout his mind, just as sweet and joyful as her spoken voice. A small smile forms across her face as she mentally giggles. "You do this to say hello? Why not just say hello?"

With a smirk across his hair covered face, he releases his hold over her and pulls his flesh away from hers, breaking the Erostarcy. "We do. Only close friends, family and Mates do the Erostarcy"

A disappointed groan pushes its way up Serena's throat, but is held back by her tongue; she wanted that moment between them to last forever. She briefly wonders which category they fall into, and will one day fall into. "Did we just talk with our thoughts?"

A swift nod of his head answers her question. "Erostarcy involves linking our minds together, while our foreheads are touching anyway. Pokémon are lucky, they just touch foreheads… Boom. They're connected. They feel a little of what the other feels and hear their thoughts as their own. Took me fucking forever to figure out how to do it, but now it's easy and natural, like breathing"

Concern floods through his being like a burst dam, he didn't explain what it was or anything! He just went ahead and made her do it… Did he frighten her? Plenty of people are afraid of him, and rightly so, but he doesn't want her to be afraid of him… Not her. "S-Serena… Sorry. Humans don't do that, I should have asked first" He said, with a look of genuine regret across his face.

Serena can clearly see through his mask of regret, to see the concern he feels for her. Close contact is obviously natural and normal for him, so he didn't think twice about doing it with her. He was comfortable enough with her to be himself. But such close contact isn't normal for most people and certainly not for her, but at the same time it felt so natural… So warm… So… Intimate.

It… It almost felt like a kiss.

The feeling of blood rushing to her soft and tender face, turning her cheeks a rosy shade of red, makes a timid smile form across her lips. Suddenly aware of a how bright her face has become, she turns her head away from him and holds her hands behind her back. "It's… It's OK" She timidly said. Her eyes turn back to him, rebelling against her mind's orders. "I… I liked it"

As she speaks, Red's arms rise from his sides to cross against his chest, the innocent look of embarrassment across her face takes away the regret across his own and her nervous stammer draws a faint smile across his lips. "Good" He slowly looks around his surroundings, as though searching for something. "Serena, I think it's time we get out of here. Where's your territory?"

Grateful for the change of topic, Serena giggles girlishly. "My house is close by Red" She said, timidly offering her hand out to him, drawing his attention back to her. "C-come on… I'll show you the way"

For a moment he stares at her hand, as if pondering whether or not to accept it. She wants to hold his hand? Why? Neither of them are children who could get lost, so there's no need for it. Maybe there's another reason for it that he simply doesn't know, what could it be? She wouldn't offer her hand freely to him for nothing, there must be a reason behind the gesture. Deciding it's better to do as she asks, Red firmly, yet gently, grasps her hand. "Fine. Let's go"

With a broad smile across her blushing face, she turns towards the edge of the forest clearing and begins the journey back to her home. Dragging her oldest friend along with her. As she tugs him into the treeline, his eyes sharpen into a focused state, giving way to his razor sharp senses, which stand ready for even the faintest of stimulants. "I haven't forgotten about you, you sick son of a bitch!" He thought, knowing the one he searches for can hear him. "I'm ready for you. And this time you won't escape"

The streets of Vaniville now seem to be an endless road of staring eyes and paranoid whispers, at least to teenage eyes of Serena. Ever since they first set foot in her new home town, all eyes have turned to look at them both, Red in particular. Maybe it's his extreme amount of facial and head hair, possibly it's the filth and stench that clings to him and follows them both around, or maybe it's the evil glares and occasional snarls he gives them… Whatever the reason, people have been staring at them, as well as making judgemental comments. This, and the fear that Red might start doing more than just giving unfriendly gestures in return, drives Serena to take as many shortcuts as possible.

An elderly woman passes the teenagers, connected by their held hands, giving them a disapproving scowl as she goes. "Disgusting" She openly spoke. "This generation has no respect. People like that should be allowed outside. It's absolutely disgusting"

At the sound of her raspy voice, both the teenager comes to a stop and turn to face her. Red's sharp eyes turn on her, forming a death glare powerful enough to make a Staraptor shiver. His lips curl into his gums, exposing his teeth in a deep animalistic growl. Simultaneously, his free hand clenches into a tight fist, ready to strike the sagging flesh and weak bones of the rude crone. Her flesh is old and wrinkled, so much so that her muscles can provide little to no strength whatsoever. The white sticks she would call bones are so old and weak, they couldn't stand against even the weakest of blows. He could probably push her to the ground, and her hip would shatter… All it would take is a single swipe of his talons and she'd cease to be a blight upon the world. Maybe her weak heart will give out before she can hit the ground.

The thought of his talons running through her saggy flesh, the warmth of her blood against his fingers, drains the strength from his fist. His fingers flex out, as his talons begin to form at their tips. A single swipe and she will die.

"Who the Hell do you think you are? How dare you speak about him like that!" Serena spat. The venomous tone of her normally soft and gentle voice snatches Red from his dark thoughts and makes him hesitate. "You say our generation has no respect, but you're the only one who's been rude you old bitch! Do the world a favour and do what you should have done a long time ago… DROP DEAD AND FEED THE WORMS!"

With a horrified gasp, befitting that of a banshee, the rude elderly woman shuffles off, muttering curses as she goes. Red's eyes remain fixed on her for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should end her life. "Are you OK Red? Red?" Serena asked, concerned for him.

"I'm fine" He replied, without removing his eyes from the rude woman. Deciding that she will fall prey to Death's talons soon enough without him, he turns to face Serena and sheathes his talons. "I never thought I'd hear you say something like that. I'm impressed"

"Well… She had no right to talk to you like that, just 'cause you stink and look different. But we'll fix that once we get home" She added with a smile.

With those words the teens resume their walk, hand in hand. Red's thoughts are dominated by the familiar, yet unwelcome scent, the same scent that sent fear down his spine. "You're still watching, aren't you? Waiting for the perfect chance to attack. If I knew where you were hiding, I'd rip the skin off your bones and bathe in your blood. Grow a pair of balls and face me, you mother fucking coward"

"This is your territory?" Red said, unimpressed. "It's tiny. Your Alpha must be very weak"

"It's my house yeah" Serena replied, with a roll of her eyes.

A white picket fence marks the edge of the Yvonne household, as well as bringing a homey feel to the front lawn. A black iron gate provides entrance to the property; an oak wood plaque hangs from its bars. A single word has been carved into the wood, "Yvonne". The house itself has white walls, painted to hide the brickwork beneath. A few traditionally square windows break up the sheen of white. A small patch of deep green climbs across the left side of the building, ivy that has been allowed to grow, adding character and colour to the home. Short grass covers the earth, along with small stones that together form a walkway to the front door. Above the black front door, with a brass knocker hanging from it, a small black box is attached to the wall. A tiny blinking red light sits atop this box, with a tiny circular hole beneath it, in which lies a glassy sheen.

On the right side of the house, that has been made a home, lies a flat stone slab. Lying atop this slab is a sleeping Pokémon, one whose bulky frame is supported by four short and stubby legs, her skin is grey in colour and covered in short, blunt spikes which could be used as a saddle. A small, blunt horn lies at the end of her snout. She's a Rhyhorn, a Ground and Rock type Pokémon, and her eyes are shut for sleep.

The eye of Red is quickly drawn to the blinking light above, and by the extension the black box beneath it. While its origin and purpose are a mystery to him, he is all too aware of what it is. "Machines" He bitterly thought. "The mark of humans" The sight of such a device offends his eye, not wishing to be offended any further, he crosses his arms and turns his eye towards the sleeping Rhyhorn instead.

"That's Rhyhorn" Serena said, drawing his eye towards her instead, but not freeing his arms. "She and Mom used to race together in competitions, all across the world. But now she's retired, at least for the most part, she just practises with me now"

His eye travels back to the sleeping Rock type, watching as her body rises and sinks with every breath. Rhyhorn, one of the species of Pokémon that isn't able to speak… Are they even smart enough to understand speech? Maybe they can learn the meaning of certain words, trained to associate them with something. His time living in nature has taught him many things about Pokémon, including the fact that not all of the different species able to speak or think like humans, that many of them are just instinct. But that does not give reason to treat them like they're stupid; they still have thoughts and feelings and deserve to be treated right. Hunting them is another matter altogether, life comes from death after all. But if they are kept for a purpose, then they must be treated fairly and with respect. Fortunately this Rhyhorn seems to be in good health, whoever trains her must treat her the way she deserves and cares for her properly. This simple thought draws a smile to his face, even in the human world, Pokémon are still Pokémon.

"I called Mom on the way and let her know we're coming, she said Dad got up and freaked out 'cause I wasn't there. But… He probably knows we're back" Serena said, looking up at the camera above the door. Thoughts of her father's paranoid fantasies enter her mind, of how he believes their home is constantly under threat from the unknown enemy. "Come on, let's go around the back, I can reintroduce you to Charla before I have to try and tell Mom you're here"

The wooden gate previously prevented entrance into the yard swings open, allowing the teens to pass through. Short blotches of grass protrude from the dusty, well-trodden earth. This earth has been used for training grounds for Rhyhorn racing for many years, rendering it unable to support vast amount of life. Only small patches of grass may survive here now. In the centre of this barren yard, a single tree grows, standing taller than the house itself and thicker than Red's shoulders are wide. Its trunk is so thick and strong, that it would likely be able to support even Charizard's full weight without risk off falling. The leafs that allow it to survive, by performing photosynthesis, are thriving with life and sunlight, being deep green in colour. However, only a few patches of this vibrant green can be seen through the sea of pink blossom that has swallowed this ancient plant. Surrounding the edges of this slice of the town, a tall wooden fence resides. Blocking out the view of the world, it easily reaches seven feet high and is covered in barbed wire. Obviously someone wants to keep something from entering this place, or perhaps they're trying to keep someone in. The house itself has a defining feature, across its back wall. Across its right side, or left as one would look at it, there lies an abnormally large window. This goliath of glass allows vast amounts of daylight to flood the living room, illuminating it without the need for electricity. Beside this overly large window, lies a thick glass door, that provides both entrance to the home and the garden. Depending on which side of it one stands. Atop this building resides yet another poorly hidden camera, like the one above the front door, the one is encased in a black box with a blinking red light. If the blinking light is any indication, the owner is using it to gain a view into their home's boundaries.

Lying beside the large plant is another living creature, matching Charizard in appearance, with a few differences. This fully evolved Kanto starter is much smaller than the one Red calls brother, not quite reaching the standard size for a Charizard, but perhaps that is because she is younger than he is. Atop her right horn, a pretty pink bow has been placed, matching Serena's in both style and colour. Despite being smaller than Charizard, Charla's tail flame burns just as bright and vibrant. Charla's side slowly rises and falls as she breathes, deep in sleep and vibrant. Charla's side slowly rises and falls as she breathes, deep in sleep after completing her morning exercise. Her foot shakes every so often, giving an insight into her dreams.

Their male scans the garden, taking in its aspects and analysing it with a critical eye. Confusion fills him upon seeing the twisted metal atop the fence, he asks no questions, not wanting to know or caring why it is there. His interest is instead focused on the sleeping mass of orange scales; the sight of her pink bow turns the gears and cogs that comprise his empty head, slowly building up a picture that holds a place in his cold heart and resides in his pocket.

Her name bursts into his mind, dropping his jaw as it does. "That's Charla. But… She's… She's… When did she evolve?"

"A few months ago. Why?" She answered, with her head tilted to the side, just as confused as he is.

"WHAT?! A few months ago?!" He practically screamed, shocked beyond comprehension by this revelation. "Th-that doesn't make any sense. H-how could she evolve so quickly? Does she battle a lot?"

"Keep your voice down. If you wake her up, you can deal with her bad mood" Serena said with an angry glare, making him shuffle nervously for a moment. "No, she doesn't battle, but I have had her for ten years you know"

The electric blue eyes of Red dilate under the weight of her words, leaving little of their colour to be seen. His jaw hangs freely, swinging in the wind. During the many years he was away from the world in which he was born, he never once gave thought as to how long he'd been away. Foreseeing these events gave him an insight as how long he'd been away, but at most he thought two, maybe three years. Neither he nor Charizard had ever even considered being away for ten years… It had never entered their heads.

His hand cups across his mouth, bot closing it and preventing drool from falling from his lips. "T-ten years?" He muttered, suddenly aware that he has a working tongue. "Oh god… Have, have I really been away that long?" Serena nods her head, confirming it to be true. The weight of this revelation quickly becomes too much for his legs to handle, he finds himself leaning up against the wall, with his hand still clamped around his mouth. "Holy fucking shit… I'm so sorry Serena. I should have come back a long time ago, even for just a couple days, I'm so sorry"

There were times where Serena wondered if he really was coming back for her, times where she wanted to hate him and let him go. But her heart refused to believe it, refused to accept that he had lied to, or forgotten, her. But none of that matters anymore, he's here now and that's what counts.

"It's OK, so long as you keep your promise I'll forgive you" She said sweetly. "I gotta go inside and try and break the news to Mom. She's not gonna believe that you're back. So just give me five minutes, then come on it OK?"

"Yeah OK" Red said, dropping his hand and nodding his head. Serena enters her home, leaving him alone in the yard with her sleeping starter.

Before the teenager can do more than lift his head to gaze up at the sky, the first Pokémon he ever captured bursts free from his Pokéball in a flash of white light. The sheen of the light fades, revealing a bipedal beetle like Pokémon with large pincers at the ends of its arms. A red metal like exoskeleton covers this Pokémon's body, holding its body in shape and providing a natural means of defence. Its head has three tall points, growing out the top of it, like the rest of its body these are also covered by the protective natural armor. The Pokémon's body is divided into three sections, the head, the torso and the abdomen, the latter of which bares black strikes against them. A set of thin, bug like wings protrude from its back, not powerful enough to allow flight, and likely a redundant aspect of its body. The legs that keep this Pokémon standing are thin and twig like, lacking toes in place of a single white point out the front and back, where the feet should be. Thin arms hang from its shoulders, which are more armor like in appearance, at the end of these thing and wirery arms lie it's most notable and distinctive feature. A set of overly large pincers, which seem too big to be lifted by such thin arms. These natural weapons bear a black and yellow eye like pattern across their sides, perhaps they are used as a means of confusing its prey. Finally, this Pokémon's eyes are a piercing shade of yellow, looking so sharp that they'll cut the flesh of whatever they lock onto.

The Scizor locks his razor sharp glare onto the man he calls Master, and Brother. Red returns his glare in equal measure. "What? What's that look for?"

"You are a moron Master" Blade said solemnly, crossing his pincers in exactly the same fashion as Red did earlier. "We have lived in our home for ten winters now, how could you not know ten years had passed?" He does not wait for an answer, he simply continues. "You did not know there is only one winter per year, did you?"

The human male turns away from Blade sharply. "Fuck you" He spat. "And for the fuck-knows-how-many time! Stop calling me Master!"

Blade's unblinking eyes remain fixed on his Master, their sharp gaze boring into his skull. "I am as much a Warrior as you Master, and like you I follow the Warriors code. The code commands that I call you Master; you are my teacher, trainer, guide and my closest friend… To call you anything less than Master would be a great insult on both your honour and mine"

With a heavy sigh, Red drops his head down low, along with his eyelids. "Blade… You know why I don't like being called 'Master'" A mixture of pain and fear resides in his trembling voice. "I'll ask you nicely… Again. Please don't call me Master"

The razor sharp eyes of Blade soften slightly, gaining a sympathetic sheen to their surface. "You are not him, Master. You are a completely different man…" The Pincer Pokémon bows his head respectfully, and presses his right pincer against the left side of his chest. "Apologies Master. Forgive me"

While Blade's actions are a sign of respect, to the auburn haired man. "Shut up apologising. Just keep watch, if he shows his face just hold him off. Don't try to fight him seriously" He growled angrily.

"I am aware of the plan, Master. Would it not be best to keep Charizard out as well? Without him there is no plan"

"Good point" He replied, nodding his head. Without uttering a single word, he releases Charizard into the confined space Serena called a yard. The overgrown dragon lies before the tree, beside his curled up counterpart, sleeping like a baby. "Make sure he doesn't hurt her, if he does, beat his head in until I get here" With a nod of his head, Blade acknowledges and accepts his orders.

"I don't care who he says he is, you are not bringing him in my house!" Grace screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I don't care what you say, he's my friend and I'm gonna take care of him!" Serena screamed back. "He only needs a makeover and some new clothes! Shauna back me up here!" Turning towards the third party in the room, as she ends her scream.

A young woman sits on the living room's couch, while Grace and Serena argue in the middle of the room, trying not to get involved with their domestic issues. Her hair is long, long enough to be tied off into a pair of curly pigtails and brown in colour. A pair of light green eyes dart nervously between Serena and her mother. She wears a pink blouse, with a bowtie print across the front and a pair denim shorts.

"I'm staying out of this one" Shauna said, a nervous expression across her face. This argument between Mother and Daughter has only been raging for a few minutes, but it already feels like an eternity.

Serena hurls a death glare her friend of the past decade, before turning back to her Mother. "Come on Mom! I've never once brought a boy home before, but this is different! It's Red! Red! From back in Kanto! He just needs a clean-up and some new clothes, it's not that big a deal!"

Grace opens her mouth to continue their argument, but her words are cut short before they are even properly formed. "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!" She desperately clutches her nose both hands, to try and black the overpowering stench that makes her eyes water; she is quickly joined by Shauna. Unlike the other women in the room, Serena smiles at the stench, Red has entered the building, now her Mom has no choice but to let her help him.

"Serena?! Where are you?" Red called out.

Aiming a smug grin at her mother, Serena crosses her arms and calls back to him. "I'm in here Red, come on through"

"Not the ear! Not the ear! Not the ear!" Red whined. Serena's powerful grip across the rather sensitive part of his anatomy causes him no end of pain, granting her the ability to drag him throughout the house. To the upstairs bathroom specifically.

"Be quiet" She sternly replied, before twisting his ear mercilessly, making him cry out in pain. "Don't you dare say anything so rude to either Shauna or Mom again. Do you understand me?" Her words carry steel behind them, leaving no room for negotiation.

With a twist of the doorknob, the door to the fairly standard bathroom opens. Having a walk in shower in one corner, instead of a bathtub. A small window allows a little natural light to pour in, which is reflected by the generic white and black tiles across the wall, making it seem like there's more light than there actually is. The sterling white sink basin and cabinet are Serena's goal and target of interest.

Without waiting for an answer, Serena drags her helpless victim into the bathroom. "Now I'm going to let you go and you are going to behave yourself. Understood?" As she speaks, she both shuts the door and locks it. Preventing Red from escaping and stopping any unwanted visitors from interrupting them. Red begrudgingly agrees to her terms, anything so long as this humiliation comes to an end.

With an amused smirk across her face, she releases her grip across his weak point. "Good boy. Now go stand over there while I get the tools ready" Gesturing towards the toilet as she speaks.

The sterling white bowl reflecting the light of the bulb hanging from the ceiling enters the male's line of sight, bringing with it a vague sense of familiarity. "What is it?" He thought, staring into the clear water within, that spurs a dry scratchy feeling in his bone dry throat.

Opening the cabinet door, Serena carefully selects the tools she will need. Her subject's hair is… In less than ideal condition. It's almost as long as her own, which isn't too much of a problem, but the dirt and grease are gonna make it tough to cut. Maybe she should clean it first, that'd make it easier to cut. Ideally his hair needs to be shorter, but not as short as hair clippers would make it. No, it needs to be shorter, but long enough to be wild and messy, just like it was when they were kids. She's never really liked neat and tidy hair on man; the natural messy look has always been her favourite. The beard. It has to go; it's too long and disgusting. Some stubble would be perfect though, the rugged look is just what she likes, and it'd feel even better against her hands. Just the thought of rubbing her hands across his thick stubble covered face sends shivers down her spine, making her knees shake. "It might tickle my face… I can't wait" She thought gleefully.

Turning her thoughts back to the task at hand, she catches the sight of a pair of steel scissors. They'll probably be the best thing to use on both his hair and beard, then she could try using a pair of hair clippers with a guard to finish his facial hair off.

The sound of splashing water crashes against her ears, disrupting her finished thoughts. Where's that water coming from? The taps aren't on, the shower's off and neither of them has used the toilet, so where's it coming from? "Oh please don't say a pipe's burst again. Maybe Red touched something" She thought, turning to ask him to either confirm or deny her suspicions. But instead finds a sight that sends her stomach into a frenzy of churns and gurgles.

Crouching down beside the toilet bowl, with his left hand clutching the seat while his right delves into the basin, to claim the thirst quenching liquid within, is Red. His hand rises out, with a small amount of clear water cupped within it. He drinks it down in a single gulp, leaving beard dampened slightly.

"Red stop it!" She cried out, as her stomach rose up her throat. Upon the call of her voice, he turns back to her, water dripping from his lips and confusion written across his face. "Why're you drinking from that?!"

"I'm thirsty" He said flatly, as if saying the sky is blue.

"You disgusting pig! You don't drink from the toilet!" She screamed, as her face turned a lovely shade of green.

Toilet. The word circles around his pea sized brain, as if it's something he once knew, but has long since forgotten. "Toilet? Why's that sound fam-" He doesn't finish, as the answer to his question forms in his mind. His grip across the seat tightens, as he slowly turns back to look at the sterling white bowl again. "Oh god…" He whispered, disgusted with himself.

"In case you've forgotten… WE PISS AND SHIT IN THAT THING!" She screamed, covering her mouth both her hands after finishing, tightly gripping it to try and stop herself from tasting her half-digested breakfast again. The same cannot be said for Red though, his cheeks inflate with vomit. Desperate, he turns to Serena, as if pleading for help. "In the toilet! Puke in the toilet!" She screamed, as she turns towards the sink and tries not to look. Not needing to be told a third time, Red takes aim and projectile vomits into the toilet bowl. Regurgitating his last meal into the sterling white surface, while his free hand struggles to hold his overly long hair back.

A series of knocks at the door provides a welcome distraction from the sight Serena has just witnessed. "What?!" She called out, so her voice can be heard above the sounds of Red's suffering.

"What's going on in there? What's with all the yelling?" Shauna called back, through the door.

At the sound of Shauna's voice, the disgust lurking in Serena's gut turns to rage. She hasn't seen her closest friend in years, he likely hasn't seen civilisation for many years, so she brings him home to clean him up and give him some new clothes that actually fit him properly, and what's the first thing he does? Insult her Mother and one of her best friends, then drinks from the fucking toilet. Did he lose all his brain cells in the wild?!

Ripping the door open without so much as a passing glance at Shauna, Serena marches up to Red, while his head remains hunched over the bowl and his hands desperately cling to both the seat and his hair. Her anger throbs across her forehead, in the form of a pulsing, purple vein. "You pig!" She screamed. With a swift and merciless kick, she introduces her right foot to his ass, making Shauna wince in sympathy.

"What's going on here? Why'd you kick the poor bastard? He looks sick" Shauna said, sympathetically. Fear runs down her spine, as Serena turns her angry snarl against her. An angered Serena must be avoided at all costs.

"I turn my back one fucking minute and this pig drinks from the toilet!"

"Oh god… You disgusting… Irrational… PIG!" Shauna screamed, for lack of a better insult.

Groaning into the bowl, Red lifts his head out from it. His beard damp with a combination of water and vomit, he drops his ass down beside the toilet. "You could've warned me" He groaned.

He shouldn't have said that, he really shouldn't have said that… Shauna slaps her hands across her mouth, as her fear drips down her face and her eyes focus on the living volcano that is now Serena. Serena's hands fall to her sides, formed into fists so tight they visibly tremble. She turns towards him, her face black as thunder, eyes burning with unforgivable rage and her pupils the size of pinheads. "What? What did you just say?" She asked, her voice forcibly calm.

In a desperate attempt to defuse the human volcano, Shauna darts for the still open cupboard and grabs the bottle of mouthwash from inside. She launches said plastic bottle at Red, in a flash it collides with his head and drops onto the floor in front of him. "Rinse your mouth out!"

Picking up what was thrown at him, Red stares at its contents, completely and utterly baffled by it "Ugh, what's this?"

The look across his face is, in Serena's eyes, the most adorable look of confusion ever. It's so cute; she finds her anger melting away, along with her heart. Instead of dunking his head in the toilet water and pulling the handle down, giving him a nice swirly, she crouches down before him and takes the bottle from his grasp. "Let me help you" She said sweetly, with a loving smile across her face.

"What is it anyway?" He asked, wiping away the remains of the vomit from his mouth, with the back of his clean-ish hand.

His question falls on deaf ears, as the powerful scent of mint has Serena distracted. If the smell is this strong, just how much will it burn his mouth? "Oh well, serves you right." She thought, as she handed the capful of mint flavoured fluid to him. Red stares into the blue fluid, as though it's the result of a drunken mistake. "Whatever you do, don't drink it. Swirl it around your mouth, and spit it into the toilet"

Trusting her not to give him anything dangerous, or deadly, he drops the foul smelling liquid into his mouth and hands the cap back to Serena, who screws it back on the bottle and stands back up to put it away again. "Why did he drink from the toilet?" Shauna asked, with confusion across her face.

"He thought it was something to drink from" Serena said, as she deposited the bottle back and turned towards her. The confusion across Shauna's face deepens; sensing she has further questions, Serena pre-emptively shakes her head. "I don't get it either"

"He's even stupider than he looks"

"Ggggwwwaaaaaagggggghhhhhh!" Red yelled, from his sitting position beside the toilet, snatching both of the young women's attentions. Dropping to the floor, he thrashes his legs and torso around, as though in great pain, while his hands desperately clutch his throat. His face burning brightly.

"I told you not to swallow it" Serena sighed, having instantly recognised his problem. She crosses her arms and shakes her head in disappointment and frustration, men never do listen. Thinking similar thoughts, Shauna covers her mouth to try and block out the laughter that now threatens to fill the room.

While the majority of his body continues to thrash about like a Magikarp out of water, he manages to point a hand out aggressively at Shauna. "YOU! You poisoned me!" He hissed.

With yet another sigh, Serena drops her arms and casually walks to his side. Not to offer him any form of aid however, merely to flush the offending vomit away down the pipework and out of sight. All the while Shauna continues to giggle like a school girl, whoever this guy is, he's really stupid… But she always did like her men dumb. With the disgusting substance removed from sight and mind, Serena presses her hands on her filth covered hips and glares at her childhood crush. "It's not poison you moron. It's called mouthwash, you use it to freshen your breath and remove foul tastes from your mouth. If you spit it out. But since you decided not to listen to me and swallowed it, you get to feel the burning in your throat"

He looks up at her with a pair of pleading and somewhat innocent looking eyes, in an attempt to coax a little sympathy from her. "She poisoned me… I'm dying" He moaned, while gently clutching her leg.

No sympathy is to be found in her unforgiving gaze. "I told you not to drink, it's your own fault" She coldly said, kicking his hand off her leg.

He shuts his eyes and brings his pointless thrashing to an end, he's already been humiliated enough for one day. His throat feels as though it's swallowed raw fire, the burning is indescribable, and the after taste… Ugh. It's indescribable. "I'm never touching mouthwash again"

While he moans and amends his list of safe to use bathroom products, Serena opens the shower door and turns towards him, an evil smirk across her normally soft and gentle face. For the moment, he's lying on the ground, defenceless… She's goanna enjoy this.

"What're you gonna do to me?" He whined, staring into the evil eyes she now sports.

Serena's intentions quickly become clear, she grabs the hand that mere moments ago was clutching at her leg in a simply adorable display of fear, and begins tugging on him. "Oof! You're fucking heavy!" She complained. Quickly realising what she's planning to do, Shauna joins in, grabbing his other hand and helping Serena pull him towards the shower. However, no matter how hard the young ladies pull, he won't budge. He's simply too heavy.

"What're you doing?" He asked, alternating his look between them both.

"Trying to pull your arm off. What's it look like we're doing? We're trying to move you ya fat lump" Serena irritably said. She tries again to shift his Mamoswine weight with another yank, but the result is the same. She doesn't know why she said that, there probably isn't even a single ounce of fat on him.

"You could have just asked" He said, tugging his arms free and pulling himself back into a sitting position. "Where'd you want me?"

"You've got puke all over your face, we're trying to move you into the shower to get rid of it" Serena said firmly, pointing towards the shower, while simultaneously attempting to seem intimidating.

For a moment Red stares into the shower, confused by it. Vague memories of such devices scratch at his mind, giving hints as to their purpose, but never lifting the veil of ignorance that clouds his mind. Deciding it's simply better to trust Serena, he shuffles his way back and drops his head and shoulders through the glass doorway, leaving the rest of his body hanging out. "Happy?"

The evil grin that previously dominated Serena's face, turns itself into a smile, a smile filled with shock and disbelief; she can't believe he just did that. And so easily… She just had to ask? "I'll have to remember that" She thought. Not giving him the chance to realise his mistake, she quickly spins the cold tap all the way around. Without even a second's delay, an ocean of icy cold water falls from the metallic shower head, down onto Red's unsuspecting face and shoulders. Each and every drop stabs into his flesh, like a tiny icicle.

"Aaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!" He screamed, not unlike a little girl, as he struggled and thrashed around in a desperate attempt to escape the icy blast. "Cold! I don't do cold!" He never should have trusted these harpies; they've tricked him into bathing! Serena was expecting a reaction like this and has already formulated a counter attack. She strategically presses the ball of her foot against his groin, if he manages to push himself out of the shower, he'll crush his own balls. The perfect plan. The moment her foot comes into contact with his most sensitive spot, his attempts for freedom come to an abrupt end. He lifts his head up to see which one of them has him prisoner, his soaking wet hair and beard cling to him like glue. "Oh come on! That's not fair!" He whined.

Serena lightly presses her foot down, not hard enough to hurt him, but just enough to silently inform him, that she's in control now. Her smile becomes a smirk, her arms cross under her breasts and cackles at his desperate plea. Slowly she leans her head in closer, just enough for the chill of the water to hit her skin. "Don't you 'cum on' me mister. You will behave and be a good boy"

The instant the words leave her lips, she realises her mistake… However, she doesn't allow the unintended innuendo to affect her; she remains perfectly composed on the surface. However, inside she is blushing horrendously and screaming at the top of her lungs. Shauna however is not bound by humiliation, she freely giggles into her hands without shame.

For the longest moment imaginable, Red scowls at his captors, focusing most of it on Serena. Then, he simply gives up, his head drops down with a heavy thud and he sighs, resigned to his fate. "I'll get you for this. It might take a while, but I'll get you for this" Serena silently sighs in relief, thank god Red's as dense as a doornail.

"There, that's much better" Serena said, a beaming smile across her face, as she marvels at her handiwork.

All the excess hair that covered both Red's head and face, now has a home in the bin at the corner of the room. His mature and rugged face is now exposed to the world, and to Serena's hungry eyes, his hair is once again wild and messy, just like it was when they were kids. What was once a full, thick and food filled beard, is now heavy, clean but rough stubble. The sour expression across his now revealed face is more than enough evidence, to prove that he did not enjoy that makeover. Not in the slightest.

"See I told you there was a handsome face under that hair. Now, all you need is a shower and some new clothes" The displeased look across his face remains perfectly intact; it fails to waver even in the slightest… It seems the prospect of bathing, doesn't sit too well with him. "So cute" She thought, with a girlish giggle.

"I'm not going through that torture ever again. No matter how much you cheat" He bitterly said.

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad" She playfully said, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. "It wouldn't have been way worse if I let Shauna help. She'd have put your hair in a bow. How did I cheat? I just made use of a weakness" She added with cheeky wink.

Before he can do more than glare vilely at her remark and insulting gesture, a knock at the door distracts their attentions.

"Mom that better not be you! I already told you, I'm spending the day with Red, that means I'm not training!" Serena screamed, with an annoyed scowl across her face that comes from having already explained all this to Grace twice today. The door swings open, to reveal Shauna, smirking like the cat who caught the canary. "Oh, sorry Shauna. I thought you were Mom"

"Oh thanks a lot" Shauna said sarcastically. "I'm not old you know sister" Before she can say another word, her eye catches the sight of the recently shaved male. A silent gasp falls from her lips, which are quickly covered by a hand. Without the distraction of that excess hair, she can clearly see the other aspects of his anatomy in all their glory. "Serena you've outdone yourself, I thought he'd look like… Well that forever"

Red's eyebrow raises itself high, the strange look the unknown female gives him, combined with those weird words, unnerves him slightly. Women have always been a mystery to him, and they always will be. "Stop fucking staring at me" He growled.

"I SAID DON'T BE RUDE TO HER AGAIN!" Serena yelled, making Red flinch under her razor sharp scowl.

"Alright alright. Geeze… Do I at least have your permission to check on Charizard? Or do I have to suffer more?" He quickly said. Shauna silently smirks at the scene before her, this is playing out just like one of her beloved soap operas.

"Hmm… Well I suppose you may go and tend to him, but I want you back within the hour to report for a shower and some new clothes" Serena playfully said, with a smile across her face. Crossing his arms, he gives her a look that silently asks if she's serious. Imitating his position, Serena leans into his personal space and whispers a warning. "If you don't come back… I'll hunt you down and drag your ass back by your ear. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am" He whispered, swallowing the lump in his throat and nodding his head.

The sudden and abrupt shift in power tickles Shauna's funny bone, making her giggle into her hands yet again. They say men have all the power in a relationship, that women just follow them and do whatever they want… But moments like this prove that is a lie. There is a balance of power in every relationship, but that balance can easily be disturbed and often favours the woman.

"Don't worry Serena; I'll make sure you get your boyfriend back in time. And I'll do what I can to keep your Dad out of your room" Shauna said, with a suggestive wink.

Time. Time goes by slowly, so slowly, when one is filled with pain. A few seconds feel like hours…

For the past several minutes, Serena has leant up against the bathroom door, having shooed out both Red and Shauna, when he started asking awkward questions, like 'What's boyfriend mean?' she's in enough pain, without having to deal with things like that.

While it has only been a few minutes, it has felt like hours for Serena. Hours in which she has been alone with her thoughts… Until she was alone, she forced her thoughts to be silent, in the hopes that by not hearing their voices, she'd be able to deal with the pain better. On the surface she may have been smiling, but inside, her heat was always screaming. Without an order to do so, from her conscious mind, her legs tuck themselves in against her chest and her arms wrap around them, stopping them from escaping. Silently, tears form and pool in her pain filled eyes, before rolling down her cheeks like drops of led.

The same questions rattle around in her mind, the same questions that have been constantly rattling around since Calem squeezed that trigger… Why?

Why did he do it? Why did he try to rape her? Why did he target her? Was it something she was wearing? Was it the way she walks?

And then, a new question slithers its way into her mind, devouring all the other questions as it goes.

Did she do something wrong? Was it her fault?

Every question draws more tears from her eyes, before long they're streaming down her face at full force, carrying the usual sounds that come from crying. She drops her head down, to cry into her knees freely.

She must have done something wrong, something to make him choose her. Calem has been asking her out for years, ever since she first moved to Kalos with her family… He must have asked her out thousands of times over the years. Always asking for the same thing, a date and a chance. She never once even thought of giving him either one… Maybe that's why he targeted her for his vicious attack. Because she never even gave him a chance. Maybe if she had, he wouldn't have tried to rape her.

"S-s-so… It… It was my fault… I-I-I provoked him into doing it… It's all my fault" She whispered through her tears.

The normal razor sharp gaze of Blade, the Scizor, has been broken. Giving way to the raised brow that is now aimed at his Master. "Master?… Is that really you? What happened to you?"

"Yes. I look fucking stupid" He bitterly growled, his sour scowl still firmly planted across his face.

"It will take time for me to adjust to this… Change, in your appearance. Have you evolved? No, you do not look stupid, you simply look more like a human"

"No. I evolved a long time ago" He growled, throwing him a sharp glare. "That's even fucking worse. You seen any signs of him?"

"Like it or not Master, you are and always will be, human" Blade stated. Aware that Red doesn't like talking about this subject, he lets it die. He shakes his head; to answer the question he was given. "None. He has never attacked, any of us, during the day before. Today will be no different. He will strike as he always has, when the sun has set and he has the cover of the night sky" Turning a single eye to his Master, he speaks again. "I know you inside and out Master, just as you know me… You are concerned about him, you are more than able to fend him off. You are worried about Serena, are you not?"

At the mention of her name, Red's eyes drop down to the earth beneath their feet. The barren earth reflects the heat from the sun's rays, warming the soles of his callous covered bare feet. Even here, in this world, the earth is the same as back home. "Yeah…" He breathed back.

Blade's eyes fall shut, even without the connection in their Aura, he could easily understand what his Master is feeling. Never before have any of them encountered a situation like this before, a man trying to force a woman to mate with him… It's unheard of back in their home. Yes sometimes a guy will go too far in trying to garner the affections of a woman, but things like rape never occur. If anything the women are the ones who force men to be with them, making use of their Heat to weaken a man's resistance and then trapping them… But there are very few complaints. But none of them have ever been forced into being with someone; Blade himself is the only one of them who has ever even had a Mate.

All of this adds up to one conclusion, Red has no idea what Serena is going through, so he cannot help her get through it.

Blade turns towards him, offering a sympathetic gaze. "Master… I think I might know a way you can help her. Do you remember when Nibbler was a baby?"

"How can I forget?" Red quietly said, nodding his head. "We raised her… Our baby sister"

"No" Blade said, his voice firm and unyielding. "You raised her for those first precious weeks of her life. We both told you to let her die, that it was nature's course. You ignored us, and raised her single handedly. Went without food and water, so she could have some. It is all that kept her alive"

The memory of his baby sister Nibbler, as a tiny baby Noibat, draws a faint smile across Red's face… She was so small, so defenceless and so god dam adorable. She still struggled against him whenever he had to give her a bath, or when her fur needed grooming. She could only squeak and try to gum things to death, but that was her best attack… Just being adorable. Even when they got a new family, she still wanted to be with her Big Brother as much as she could… Even now, she still loves to play with her Big Brother, despite being an almost fully mature Noivern.

"You didn't know her like I did… Neither of you did. But you learned, you both did" He breathed back.

"There is an unmistakable bond between you both, never in all my life have I ever seen a bond as strong as yours is. The only other, who even comes close to you in her heart, is Charizard. Nibbler loves her brothers, more than anything, and that love is returned unconditionally… That is why I have no doubt, that you remember her nightmares"

The sudden and abrupt change in topic wipes the smile from Red's lips, as though it was never even there. Silently he nods his head, not wanting to revisit the memory by speaking of it.

Satisfied that Red knows what must be done, Blade returns his attention to guarding this place. His senses return to their previous sharpness, leaving him ready for battle at a moment's notice. "You know what you must do, Master"

Steam fills the tiled bathroom, creating a thick fog like veil that swallows everything it comes into contact with. The source of this vapour? Water. Hot water. Standing amidst this scalding spray, is Serena, in the shower with the biggest hard bristle brush she could get her hands on.

"Dirty. So dirty" She murmured to herself, while scrubbing every of herself mercilessly. Her tender skin has become sore from a combination of the scrubbing and the hot water. "Still not clean. Still not clean… His filth is still on me" Her tears continue to fall from her eyes, only to become part of the water that both cleanses and stings her body. The sound of her crying is easily drowned out by the rushing water, no matter how sensitive the hearing, no one will be able to hear her cry.

"This is your final warning. Try anything funny, and I'll put four bullets in you" Calem's voice echoed throughout her mind, enthralling her senses, holding them prisoner, just as he did when he threatened her life… Mere hours ago. "You've been denying me for years… Well not anymore. It's time for me to get what I want. Whether you want to give it me or not"

"Go away… Please go away" She weakly whimpered, shutting her eyes.

Calem's cold voice echoes in her mind again, sending painful chills through her legs. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah… That's not goanna happen. I'm in charge now, and you're goanna do what I say. If you resist or try to run away, I'll put a bullet in ya… It's up to you; we can either do this the easy way, or the hard way" A ghostly vision of a smoking steel revolver, aimed squarely at her heart, forms before her. Holding this weapon, teasing the trigger, is the opaque and detached hand of her attacker. The haunting sight of the weapon that came far too close to ending her short life, forces her trembling body into a frozen standstill. Every fibre of her being commands her to scream for help, to run and hide from him… But her body fails her instincts, she can't move.

"I can't move… I can't move. I can't move!" She thought, panic ringing with every syllable. Her eyes remain fixed on the weapon before her, she is powerless to do anything else. The hand that holds the means of ending life, while ghostly and translucent in appearance, is solid and sturdy enough to pull the hammer back… Leaving the trigger extremely sensitive. "I've gotta move or I'll die! PLEASE BODY JUST MOVE!" But no matter how hard she mentally screams, her body refuses to obey her.

Instead of following her life preserving orders, her body rebels against her, cutting off her sense of touch and with it the sensation across her body. Her body continues to tremble, but with nothing to hold it back, it grows far more powerful… Like a leaf caught in a powerful breeze. The only feeling that she has left, is the beating of her heart, which grows more powerful with every passing moment. The sound of the rushing water fades… Drowned out by the thumping of her heart.

Slowly, the smoking weapon rises from her chest, to her most prized asset, her beautiful face. She is forced to stare down the barrel of death, unable to even shut her eyes and block out her final sight. "Body please do something! Anything! Someone save me! Please someone help!"

"You belong to me now. You're my property! I own you!" The voice of her attacker called out. The itching trigger finger of the ghostly hand satisfies its dark hunger and squeezes the trigger. A powerful explosion bursts through the barrel, hurling out a hunk of hot led through the flames and into her face.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Serena screamed, her soft voice sounding like nails being dragged across glass, stinging the ears and shattering the sense behind them. Everything fades into a crushing darkness, in which no light can shine.

A series of panicked knocks on the door break through the veil of silence that holds Serena prisoner. "Serena?! Serena?! Are you OK baby girl?! What's wrong?! Why are you screaming?!" Grace called through the door, sounding panicked and scared.

At the sound of her loving mother's panicked voice, Serena's eyes finally open and her lips suck in the deepest breath her lungs will allow. A flood of oxygen fills her starved blood, bringing with it a sudden concept of reality and blurred vision. For a brief moment, Serena gathers her senses as well as her thoughts… A series of deep breaths calms her enough to realise that what she just experienced, was not real. It was likely a hallucination, but it wasn't real. While that fact offers no comfort to her, it is a stabiliser. She is safe, for now.

"I-I'm OK Mom" She shakily called back, her voice cracking with the strain of her still overpowering fear. Grace responds faster than a bolt of lightning, screaming that she's coming in. "NO! I'm trying to have a shower!" She screamed back. "Geeze, can't I have ten minutes to myself?! I just… Turned the water up too high, it burned a bit, that's all" Turning the taps as far as she can, the flow of water comes to a stop.

"Are you sure you're OK Serena? You did scream very loud" Grace called back.

"Mom do I have permission to use the stove? Am I old enough to use it by myself yet?" Serena sarcastically said, to change the subject and shift her Mother's focus onto something besides her scream. "I wanna bake some Poképuffs for Red and his Pokémon. They've gotta be hungry"

"That's something else I want to talk to you about young lady, as soon as you're dressed we are going to have a talk. Understand?" Grace responded, with an annoyed tone.

Grace's tone betrays her, giving away the subject of the discussion she desires. "Mom do we have ta have the safe sex talk? Let's just skip it and I'll go straight on the pill, OK?" Serena replied with a sigh. Silence is Grace's response, telling Serena all she needs to know. "Fine. Just let me get dressed and we'll talk"

"That's more like it" The brown haired Mother replied, returning to her previous act of scrubbing away the footprints of filth Red has left behind.

Relieved beyond measure that she is alone once again, Serena drops down to the tiled floor with a gentle plop and allows her head to fall back against the glass doors. "Great. Now I have to have the sec talk. Just what I need" She bitterly sighed. A harsh talk about safe sex practises is not what any woman going through this kind of pain needs, let alone a woman who went through it only hours ago… What she really needs is a shoulder to cry on, a hug to make her feel safe, a kiss to make her feel loved. "What I really need is you Red" She muttered herself, her hand wandering across her left leg as she spoke, seeking out the scar that has helped her to feel good, whenever the bad has swallowed her.

Before her water wrinkled fingers are able to find their target, the door swings open sharply, allowing the built up steam to quickly flood out and into the hall. "Mom get out! I said we'd talk later!" She reflexively screamed, frantically covering her chest.

"Fuck, there's a lot of steam in here" A male voice said.

"RED?! What're you doing in here?!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Despite having a razor sharp sense of sight, the thick veil of steam prevents Red from being able to see properly. "I wanna talk" He said casually, as though nothing is out of place or out of the ordinary. "Where're you? Can't see you"

"GET OUT!" She screamed back.

"But we need to talk" He said, slightly confused. Her hostility perplexes him, has he done something to offend her?

"JUST GET OUT ALREADY! Before I slap you, you pervert!" She screamed again, a great deal of anger in her voice.

"Ugh… OK" He said, confused by her screams and threat.

For several minutes Red waits outside the bathroom door, trying to figure out just what he could have done to offend her so much. Earlier she was being very clingy and affectionate, now all of a sudden she's turning aggressive… Women are incredibly confusing creatures, why can't they be simple? "I'll never understand women" He muttered.

Serena emerges from the newly converted sauna, which was meant to be a family bathroom, not a moment later. A tightly wrapped fluffy white towel clings to her freshly cleansed body, damped by the moisture that clung to her skin, the towel leaves little to the imagination… Her natural bust and cushion like ass are barely contained by the thin, damp fabric. A combination of the sheer volume of skin on show and a hormone fuelled teenager's imagination, coaxes foreign desires and unfamiliar urges from the pit of Red's pants. Said desires are pushed aside, and yet enhanced, by a murderous scowl across Serena's face. Before he can voice a single question, she thrusts her hand out towards her bedroom, silently ordering him to step inside. "Inside. Now" She growled.

Not wanting to risk provoking her further than he already has, Red quickly mutters a response that cannot be heard and steps inside the bedroom of his oldest friend, she quickly follows and locks the door behind them. To prevent unwanted intrusions from anyone else in the house, including her Mom's Fletchling. Her anger fuelled scowl remains firmly fixed to her face and locked onto his.

Fear steadily drips down his forehead and neck, powerful memories of Serena's anger flash before his mind's eye, reminding him just why he always fled whenever her furry was provoked. "Why're you pissed?" He shakily asked, while probing the room for a potential escape route.

"Well it might have something to do with you walking in on me, while I was in the shower you stupid moron!" She angrily growled. Her voice coaxes more sweat from his glands and makes him search more frantically for the escape route he so desperately needs. While his pride demands he stay and face her anger, his every survival instinct screams louder, pleading with him to run as fast as he can. "I've locked the door. You're not escaping" She growled.

"I-I-I don't know why you're s-so angry. W-what's the big deal?" He nervously stammered, backing up into the wall opposite her.

"I was trying to shower after you made me all dirty!" She screamed, stomping her way closer to him and forcing him to press himself up against the wall much harder. Attempting to put as much distance between them as possible. "You still don't fucking get it, do you?" She asked, seeing he doesn't understand her reasons for being angry. He nervously shakes his head, while whimpering that he doesn't. For a moment she angrily snarls into his face, choosing her next words carefully. "I'll spell it out for you. I. Was. NAKED! That's the big deal!"

All traces of fear and being nervous fade from his eyes, supported by his demeanour. "Is that what this is about? Really?" His voice carrying his disbelief.

"Yes that's it!" She snarled, angered even further. "Normal people don't like being spied on, especially while they're naked!"

"The fuck you talkin' about?" He asked, crossing his arms. "I wasn't spying on you, I just wanted to talk to you. What's the big deal anyway? Why does it bother you so much?"

The unexpected, and frankly baffling lack of regard for shame, leaves her momentarily speechless. Taking a step back, she collects her thoughts and blushes deeply. "What do you mean why does it bother me? Would you like someone staring at you when you're naked?!"

"No? Yeah? I don't know. What's the difference?" He asked, looking confused. "Back home everyone's always naked, except me and Maw Maw. But her dress is part of her… Does that count as being naked? Eh, it doesn't matter. Look, if I upset you, then I'm sorry. Didn't mean to"

Her lips part to speak, but her words are caught by her tongue before they can leave her mouth. What's the difference? What can she say to that? Regardless, she at least understands his actions. He's grown up living in nature, with nothing but Pokémon, it's no wonder he's got no sense of other people's shame. As he said, Pokémon never wear clothes, it's not like they're ever gonna tell him to get out they're naked.

Shutting her eyes, she sighs deeply. "You're a moron. Look, it may not matter to you, but it does matter to normal people and it matters to me, OK? I'll let you off the hook this time, just don't do it again. Now I need to get dressed, so…"

Silence falls across the bedroom, as he unsure what it is she expects of him. "Ugh…" He nervously shuffled, his eyes darting from side to side.

Knowing full well his intelligence levels are below that of a normal human being, she doesn't get too angry with him. Clutching the towel against her cleavage, she points out to the door. "Out. You can come back in once I'm dressed. Understand?"

"You want me to go outside?" He asked, looking at the door for a moment. "Why can't I stay?"

The Aura Knight named for the colour of his Aura leans against the hallway wall, beside Serena's door, rubbing his swollen and sore cheek. "She's scary when she's angry"

The door to young lady Serena's boudoir opens, having gotten changed into her clothes she stands in the doorway with her arms tucked in beneath her boobs, making them stick out even higher, and an amused grin across her face. A black sleeveless blouse covers her torso, but gives the eye no access to her cleavage. She wears a red mini skirt with two deep pockets at either side, and styled to be folded over on itself, with a pair of silky black stockings and black sneakers. "You can come back in now"

Sulking like a child denied candy, he does as she says and enters her room, still rubbing his stinging cheek. "It's your own fault you got slapped, you shouldn't have tried to peep on me again" She said playfully.

"I didn't. I didn't fucking understand what you meant" He grumbled.

"Man up already" She said, rolling her eyes and shutting the door. "Getting shot must have hurt more than a little slap"

"It wasn't a little slap" He grumbled, scowling at her. "It hurt worse than getting shot"

She smiles at the scowl across his face, as though he's a naughty child, trying to get his own way. "Big baby. Hey I meant to ask earlier, how come when you got shit it didn't hurt you?"

The memory of the speeding bullets, made from solid led, exploding out from the barrel of the gun and colliding with his flesh had all but been forced from his memories. The whole fight with her attacker is a blur of blood, screams and pain. Didn't he get stabbed too? Vague memories of the blade puncturing his flesh come to mind, but like the rest of the fight, it's all a blur. One thing that is clear within his brain though, is the name. Calem. That's a name that'll forever be burned into his tiny brain, he'll curse that name until he's able to crush its owner's skull in the palm of his hand.

While he ponders the past, Serena sits down on her bed, her eyes fixed onto him the whole time. "I think it did. Yeah, it stung like a bitch" Seeing the questioning, if uncertain, look within her eyes, he knows he must have done wrong. Again. "What? What'd I do now?"

The worry and fear within his eyes broadens Serena's smile, to her, such a look is absolutely adorable. "Sit down you moron, you haven't done anything wrong" Patting the free space beside her as she speaks.

Relieved that he's not going to feel the lash of another slap, no matter how deserved it was, he once again takes her up on her offer and sits down beside her. "If I ain't done nothin' wrong, why're you looking at me like that? You look like you wanna… I don't even know"

She's half his size, both in height and build, and is unarmed. What could she possibly do to harm a man like him? Nothing. And he's still a little bit scared of her. The thought makes her giggle like a little girl. "I'm not gonna hurt you, dummy. I'm just… Shocked. Only you could think there's nothing wrong with getting shot. Come on then, spill. Why didn't you die when he shot you?"

Not having an answer to give her, all he can do is shrug his shoulders. "No idea. Bullets don't do shit, but a tiny knife makes me bleed like a bitch" His words turn her gaze from his eyes to the point where he was stabbed, the denim is soaked with drying blood, it clings to his flesh in a crimson mess. The material is so saturated, that the cut can barely be seen. He took a knife to the thigh for her; he protected her with his own body…

"I wouldn't call it a little knife" She said, turning her focus back to his face, his handsome face. "It was pretty big"

"Ah that thing was tiny, mine's bigger" A confident smirk across his face, matching his voice. Blood fills her cheeks to blush feverishly, she tries to suppress a fit of girlish giggling by covering her mouth with both hands, but the occasional giggle passes through her lips. "What's so funny?" He asked, giving her a particular look.

"Red that's very interesting, but…" She struggles to think of the right way of phrasing her words without lying to him. The appropriate thing to say wouldn't be that she doesn't want to hear about his junk, because she does. She wants to hear everything about him, but it's hardly an appropriate thing to discuss. Especially since they're only friends… Could that be it? Is he trying to flirt with her? If so, he's terrible at it.

"What's wrong? Your face is all red, are you sick?" He asked, genuinely concerned for her health. Pressing his hand against her forehead, he feels her to see if she has a temperature. "You don't feel that hot, not like if you're sick"

"No no I'm not sick" She quickly said, pulling his hand back down and holding it in her own, across her lap. "I'm just… You talking about your weapon"

"My weapon? Why's that make your face turn red? All I said was I've got a bigger one than him. He's only got a tiny little dagger, mine's a sword"

A blush deeper than even the surface of a tomato works it was across her face, subconsciously she tightens her grip across his hand and lets out a squeak. "Can we please change the subject?!" She quickly said, desperate to change the subject, before she gives into her curiosity and temptation, and asks for an accurate measurement. "Why'd you come into the bathroom anyway?!" She quickly said, giving no thought to the path she has led their conversation down.

The instant the question falls from her lips, a dead silence falls across the room. His eyes fall from her face, to the point where their hands are now linked together. Shame fills their surface, along with a glimmer of guilt. "Serena… I…" Lifting his head back up, he catches her eyes in his own, dispelling the embarrassment she felt mere moments ago. The hand she holds in her own gently grips her back, sending reassuring comfort through her. "Do you wanna talk about what happened?" He gently asked.

Serena feels the pull to sever their eye contact, but lacks the strength to follow through with it. "Oh… That's what you wanted? To ask me that?"

His thumb gently strokes the ivory skin of her hand, trying to comfort her and give her some of his strength. "Yeah. I'm here if you wanna talk. I… I know I'm stupid, but I can listen"

His kind offer sends her young heart into a frenzy of beating, while making the scar of her left leg tingle. The scar she got the day they first met, it never really healed, and now serves to remind her of her most treasured memory. She pushes these thoughts from her mind, while they bring joy to her aching heart, Red's here and is trying to help her feel better. The least she can do, is listen to him.

"You're not that stupid Red" She said, her smile now back where it belongs. "Just a bit… Umm…" Her voice tails off, unsure of how to finish her thought.

"No, I really am a moron" He playfully said, with a smile of his own.

"You're not allowed to say you're stupid anymore" She said sternly. "Enough people will put you down as it is, you're not allowed to be one of them. OK?" No words pass through Red's untouched lips, no sounds, nothing. He just lowers his gaze back to their conjoined hands again, keeping quiet, as he's no longer allowed to put himself down. The void like silence returns to the teenager's bedroom once again, bringing with it tension, so thick it could be cut by a knife. She too turns her gaze to their hands, watching his thumb rub its way across her hand. Strange, such a simple gesture brings her such incredible joy. Could it be because she hasn't felt it for so long, the touch of his skin against her own? Is that why it feels so good? Or could it be because it reminds her of her memories, of a time when they were together and happy. All three of them.

"Serena" The light touch of his finger against her cheek lifts away a lone tear, a tear she didn't realise she had shed. "I'm here for you. No matter what" He whispered, meaning every word he speaks.

Another tear falls from her eyes, one she is aware of, but makes no effort to remove, in the hopes that maybe he'll remove it for her again. "I… I… I'm not…" Her feelings betray her, weighing down her tongue so it cannot deliver lies to the man who holds a special place in her heart.

"It's OK… You don't have to say it" He breathed, sensing the pain and fear in her voice. His powerful hand clasps onto her jaw line, so gentle it could be mistaken for Jumpluff cotton spores. "When you're ready to talk, I'll be here for you… OK?"

Tears fall freely from her sapphire like eyes, soaking both her skin and his callouses in equal measure. "Do you mean that?" She whispered, hoping against hope, that her ears did not deceive her.

"Yeah. I'd do anything for you, Serena. All you have to do is ask" He whispered back to her, without even a moment's hesitation.

The final restraint within her heart is lifted by these simple words, her eyes swell with an ocean's worth of tears, making them sparkle like the moon reflecting the sun's light. A question forms in her heart, one she is desperate to ask. "Red… Can… Can…"

His loving smile silences her tongue, but makes her heart scream out in joy. "Come here"

No sooner than the invitation enters the world, than she gives into her biological needs and lunges forwards, knocking them back and onto her bed. Their hips greet one another, grinding against the other as she inadvertently straddles her crush. Her shaking hands claw their way across his iron hard body, seeking that which the eye can never see, similarly, his hands run across her back and through her luscious long hair. Both of them seek the same thing, support and comfort.

Her shaking hands cling to the jacket across his chest, as tightly as her fingers will allow. The pain and fear that Calem birthed in her heart bursts free, falling from her eyes like a never ending river of sorrow and into the shoulder of the one person who knows what she has endured, and who cares for her enough to stay and protect her. "Let it go Serena. Let it all go" He gently whispered into her ear, while cupping his hand around her head. His arms, packed with more power than that of a Fighting type, quickly settle around her fragile frame, holding her in a tight, but tender loving embrace. "Let it all go. I'm here for you, I'll protect you, he can't hurt you anymore. I promise he'll never hurt you again" His voice a soft whisper, gentle and loving. Bringing a much needed sense of comfort, to her pain filled heart.

Spurred by his comforting voice, as well as his loving words, she hesitantly lifts her face from his shoulder and looks him in the eye. Her eyes are reddened from the salty sting of her tears, left swollen by their escape, but they remain the sparkling jewels, plucked from the purest stone they have always been. "You'll protect me?" A single stray tear falls from her eyes, one that slowly crawls down her skin.

With a nod of his head, he answers her question. With the gentle touch of his finger, he lifts away the stray tear and draws a blush across her cheek. The lips of Red part to speak, but instead of a whisper, a song fills the room. "Come stop your crying, it'll be alright~" His voice is far softer than she has ever heard it, filled with… What could only be described as tenderness. He tenderly grips her left hand in his right, drawing more blood to her already crimson cheeks. "Just take my hand, hold it tight~" Together their fingers dance and intertwine, until they're laced together so tightly, it's difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. "I will protect you, from all around you… I will be here, don't you cry~"

A small and simple smile forms across her face, to many such a simple act means little, but it's value is far greater when it's able to form and push past the pain across a face.

"For one so small, you seem so strong~" He continued to sing, his voice barely above a whisper. Her free hand relinquishes its grip across his clothes, to rest itself against his chest and feel the flesh beneath the fabric. "My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm~" The feeling of his free arm running across her back, to hold her tightly, alerts her to the rather sensual position they accidentally fell into. But she makes no efforts to move from it.

Leaning his head forward and gazing deeply into her eyes, he sings the final verse. "This bond between us, can't be broken… I will be here, don't you cry~" Having sung all he wanted to say, he lowers his head down onto the pillow once again, following his example, Serena rests her head on his chest. The pillow she has longed to use for years, and can now finally have. Their hands remain intertwined at their side, locked together as tightly as they are themselves.

A comforting sensation welcomes her, one she recognises and has yearned to feel for… She doesn't even know how long. "I can hear your heart…" She giggled. The beats are powerful and are so fast, they almost sound like a continuous humming. Not surprising, seeing as a beautiful woman is lying atop him in a bed. Red may be different from any normal man, but his heart is one thing that'll always be the same. It's a part of him, a part she can enjoy and love.

"I can hear yours too"

"You can? Wow, you've got good ears… Thank you, I needed this. What was that? It sounded familiar. Did you mean? What you said to me?"

"I did. Every word… I don't really know what it was. But whenever I feel sad or scared, I hear those words in my head. I hear someone singing them to me, and they always make me feel better. I just thought they might help you too"

"They did. Thank you" She said, nuzzling her cheek into her newest pillow.

The feeling of her cheek nuzzling into his chest sends his already racing blood through his body twice as fast, increasing the already drum like beat of his heart. His eyes dilate as his testosterone levels skyrocket, not only is she straddling him, she's openly declaring her intentions. "No. Don't be so stupid. She doesn't want you. She, she doesn't know what that means. Calm down you stupid son of a bitch" He thought, frustrated beyond measure.

Her nuzzling quickly comes to an end, but the increased pace and strength of his heartbeat remains. As does the pulsing erection in his pants, that presses into her inner thigh and makes her blush deeply. "Oh my god… You weren't kidding; your weapon is a sword. Hehehe" She thought with a blush.

The desire to call him out on his natural physical reaction comes to her, to see him squirm and blush as he gets embarrassed… He may have no shame, but she doubts that he wouldn't be embarrassed about something like this. Any man would be, unless he's a pervert. She would act on this desire and embarrass him in return for the embarrassment he caused her, but she finds herself lacking the energy to do so. A combination of the warmth from his flesh, and the soothing beat of his heart, has drained the energy from her body. Before long, she begins to drift away into the embrace of sleep. "So comfy…" She sleepily whispered. Her eyelids fall shut and she enters the embrace of sleep, with that same smile across her lips.

A sigh of contentment and joy falls from Red's lips as he watches his oldest friend drift off to sleep, dreaming of something that he can't possibly imagine. The young Warrior lies his head down once more and shuts his eyes, not to enter the realm of sleep as she has done, but to relax and think of home. The one place in this world, where he belongs. Truly belongs.

Most men would have mixed feelings about their friend falling asleep on their chest, while resting her hips against his, but Red only sees a sweet sight that reminds him of his home. His baby brothers and sisters all fall asleep on him there too, usually when they're fighting amongst themselves and using him as a climbing frame. Some of them can't sleep without either him or their mother, cuddling up with them, keeping them safe and warm. Seeing Serena fall asleep on him brings back fond memories, and fills his heart with a yearning desire to return to the forest and see them all again. "I miss you guys… I just hope Mama can cope without me, at least for a while" He thought, a hint of fear within his heart.

"KEEP YOUR DISGUSTING CLAWS OFF ME, YOU FUCKING HARPY!" Charizard roared, fear rattling in his voice, with an undeniable element of rage at its core. His claws cling to the trunk of the tree in the Yvonne garden, at as high a point as physically possible, without breaking the plant in half. Hugging his body as close to the ancient plant as he can, refusing to let even the smallest part of him be left vulnerable.

Standing at the base of the enormous plant, Serena's starter Pokémon, Charla, also holds onto the trunk tightly. But unlike her larger and more aggressive counterpart, she is not clinging to it out of fear. "Oh… Don't be like that big boy, I don't bite… Too much" Ending her declaration, with a snap of her jaws and a rake of her claws across the bark, gouging out six streaks in the wood.

"AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! BBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" The overweight Fire starter screamed, absolutely terrified of the younger, more feminine version of his species.

Red leans against the outside wall, his eyes shut and arms crossed against his chest. Standing beside him, is Blade, who also has his eyes shut, but who shakes his head in disgust. "Shut the fuck up Charizard. Either man up and kick her ass, or be her Mate. I don't give a fuck either way"

Charla throws both Red and Blade an evil glare, not only are they interfering with her time with the Alpha male, they're an irritating nuisance. "Why are you two still here?"

"We are waiting for him" Blade replied, opening his eyes.

"Whatever" She growled, turning her attention back to Charizard. "But you better get your assess out of here soon, unless you wanna watch"

The overweight Fire dragon shuts his eye. "Mama… Mama help me" He whimpered, petrified to the point of losing control over his bladder.

"Fuck. Don't put that image in my head" Red complained, screwing his face up in disgust. "Ugh, I think I'm gonna throw up"

"I agree. We do not want to see that" Blade added, shutting his eyes again and focusing on his other senses, staying alert and ready for the impending threat to make its presence known.

"Then fuck off now" Charla growled, her tail flailing around excitedly, threatening to send embers across the ground.

"Let us ignore them Master" Blade said, crossing his arms like his Master.

"Done. And stop calling me Master"

"Mama… Mama your little Char-Char needs help" Charizard whimpered pitifully.

"Her scent. It's all over you" Blade said, ignoring his brother's pitiful whimpers.

"Yeah, we were talking and she fell asleep on me" He innocently said, as if nothing was wrong. "Didn't have the heart to wake her up, after what she's been through"

The Bug/Steel type smirks slightly, chuckling lightly. "I see… Well Maw Maw will certainly be happy. You two have finally grown up and found Mates. I wonder how long until-" His words are cut short, by the anger filled roar of his younger brother.

"SHE'S NOT MY MATE!" Charizard screeched.

"Ain't no one talking ta you Fat Ass" Red sharply said, staring into the scareless palm of his right hand. "Don't start that crap Blade. She ain't my Mate and we ain't got no kids"

Opening a single eye, Blade gazes at his Master's exposed palm. "I see. You have not claimed her as of yet. It seems Maw Maw will have to wait longer, before becoming a Grandmother"

Red scoffs, aware of his adopted mother's love of children and her desire for Grandchildren. "Oh you never know Zaru's Mate might get pregnant soon" He said, lowering his hand. "Or maybe Charla here will give her some Grandkids"

Blade nods his head, shutting his eye once again. "It is a possibility"

Terrified by the thought of being forced into fatherhood by this oversexed harpy, Charizard clings to the tree as tightly as he possibly can, his muscles stretching his scaly skin to its limits. "I don't wanna be stuck with her! Boss make her go away! Please!"

"Fuck no. I ain't gettin' involved"

"After the last time you interfered, I would not recommend it" Blade contributed.

"Yeah. Wasn't pretty" Red said, chuckling at the memory. "Zaru's lucky she thought it was funny, otherwise he'd be a lonely man"

"WITH AS BIG A HEADACHE AS YOU'LL GET ONCE I GET DOWN FROM HERE YOU TRAITORUS BASTARD!" Charizard roared, finding his voice again.

"What's all the roaring about?" Serena asked, walking through the glass door, rubbing her sleep filled eyes and looking around the garden. "Did a Bunnelby get in again?"

"No. Charizard's just being a fucking coward. Enjoy your sleep?"

The blonde Kanto native quickly spots Charizard clinging to the top of the tree, apparently afraid of Charla. "Yeah, thanks. Sorry I fell asleep on you… But why is he up there?"

Shutting his good eye, Red shakes his head. "No idea. And don't worry 'bout it"

"His sense of logic is being overpowered by his base desires, as well as his fear. He has forgotten that he has wings and the power to fly" Blade said, alerting Serena to his presence.

Surprised by the unexpected voice, Serena examines the Bug/Steel Pokémon with confusion in her eyes. Never before has she seen a Pokémon like him before, not in person at least, only on TV and in magazines. "Umm… Red, is that Scizor with you?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, that's Blade. Blade this is Serena" Red casually said, his eyes wandering across the fence line. The Pokémon known as Blade bows his head to her as a formal greeting; he stays silent, knowing she cannot understand his words.

"Well it's nice to meet you Blade" Serena said, bowing her head in return.

Charla completely ignores their existence; all her desire riddled mind can focus on is the obvious Alpha male above her. "Come on down big boy, or do I need to come up there and… Persuade you?"

"WHY GOD WHY?! MAMA! MAMA SAVE ME!"

"Tell me he didn't…" Red groaned, humiliated beyond imagining by the Fire type's please for their mother. "Is it too late to deny he's our brother, Blade?"

"Yes Master. We have been family for ten winters now; it is indeed a little late to deny that fact… As much as I want to" Blade begrudgingly said, just as humiliated as Red.

"Shit" Red groaned, slamming his head against the wall.

"I doubt your Mother would appreciate you denying that he is family, you know how she is" Blade added.

"Yeah. I know" He groaned, covering his face with his hand.

Serena watches the two of them talk from afar, feeling a sense of joy from watching them communicate so easily. As well as a pang of envy. Hopefully that'll be her and Charla soon, able to speak to each other with no language barriers whatsoever. It's such a simple thing, the ability to speak with one of her closest friend, everyone with working vocal cords takes it for granted, but it's something that neither she nor Charla has ever been able to do. At least not with one another.

The thought of being able effectively communicate with her starter brings a glowing smile across her face. "What's Charizard done this time?" She playfully asked.

"He's being a snivelling coward. That's what he's done" He groaned. She gives him a questioning look, as if to say she wants to know more. "Charla's trying to fuck Charizard, but he doesn't want to be her Mate. So instead of kicking her ass, or at least telling her to fuck off like a man, he's hiding at the top of that tree and crying for Mama to save his sorry ass… YOU ARE A FUCKING COWARD YOU FAT FUCK!"

"MAMA! MAKE HER GO AWAY!"

"Mama? You mean Delia?" Serena asked, confusion written across her face. "Why's he calling for her? He doesn't really know her, does he?"

"Who? You mean Mom?" He asked, his face screwing up in confusion. "No he ain't calling for her, he's calling for Mama. He's a major Mama's bo…" His voice trails off, distracted by an unwelcome but desired sensation, flowing through his Connection with Charizard.

The razor sharp, yellow eyes of the red Pincer Pokémon open sharply. "Master. The time has come" His eyes roll upwards, focusing on Charizard. Like Red, he too can feel Darkness filling Charizard.

"What's wrong? You look worried" Serena asked, concerned for both her friend and his Pokémon.

Red shifts his focus to her, inadvertently giving her a sharp glare that sends shivers down her spine. "Get to shelter. Now" His eyes turn into a pair of glowing blood red hot coals. "Get inside and keep anyone you want to live in there too. None of you come out until I say it's OK"

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Just trust me" He snarled, his patience growing thin. "Get inside and don't come out until I say it's OK!"

Before she can do more than stare at him with what should be hurt eyes, but are instead sapphires filled with a spark of desire, Blade interjects their conversation. "Master… Look at his eye" Raising his pincer up to the tree where Charizard has taken refuge. Both the teenagers follow his pincer to the tree top, forgetting the order he gave her in an instant.

"Ah crap…" Red muttered, through gritted fangs.

His words were coaxed free by the sight of Charizard stabbing his claws into the trunk of the tree, tearing through the bark like paper. A rabid snarl foams at his mouth, with his wings stretching out and into the air, flapping slightly to encourage blood to flow and his eye turning as black as a cue ball. The Fire dragon turns his one good eye to the prey beneath him, all four of them, but there is only one that means anything to him now.

Charizard's lips twist into a demonic smirk, one that has no place across his face. "It's been too long, Boy"

"Eis" Red snarled, his fangs and talons bared for battle.

HEY GUYS! THE MAD DRAGON IS BACK!… Oh wait, this is the outro, not the intro… Ooops. Hehehehe.

Don't blame me, blame Eis. BTW, you say it like ice, yeah I'm that creative. Lol. Don't like it? Blame Dragon Ball GT, same as everyone else does. AH! HAHAHAHA!

The emotions were real here, so much cheese! I LOVE CHEESE! HA! HAHAHAHAHA! This calls for a celebration! CHEESE! CHEESE FOR EVERYONE!

Wait a minute, screw that cheese for no one. Which could be an even bigger celebration, if you don't like cheese… Dragons love cheese, but cheese don't like us! It makes my feet stink worse! AH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Instead… EAT THE GOLDFISH! Grab that shiny little bastard from the tank and eat him whole! He'll be delicious! HA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Until next time guys, break the review count, destroy a suggestion, shatter questions!… As always, do whatever you want guys.

But most of all… The one thing each and every one of you must do… HIT THAT FOLLOW/FAVOURITE BUTTON WITH YOUR FACE!

Dragon out bitches!