A/N: Merry Christmas for those of you who celebrate it, and a big sad frown for those of you who don't. Well, it's been awhile since this story has started, and I'm quite pleased with the way it's headed. Apologies for taking so long with this update, but a rancid work schedule has kept me very busy. Anyway, I've made sure to make this one nice and long for all of you who have been so patient, so I do hope you enjoy. Don't forget to R&R.
To Omni-Foxvatar-117 - I appreciate the praise, and this isn't the first time I've stirred the emotions of one of my readers. In fact, it's what I write for, not so much the popularity (though that's nice too).
To Toxicobra - All pokemon that have been changed are simply anthropomorphic (human-like in form). This means that they gain hands, feet, and any other attributes a human would have, but other than that stay the same. This means no random growing of hair.
The strength of the bond between an Awakened and his or her partner pokemon decides just how quickly the pokemon change. Keep in mind that Timothy has been with his pokemon partners for years after all his abilities awakened, while Rick has just started coming into his own.
To Skullsplitter98 - Well, I love writing these types of stories, though I'm unsure why. More to come.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or original story elements associated with the Pokemon series, manga, or games. All rights go to their respective owners.
Chapter 12: Heaven's Devils
After making a call to Professor Juniper, I headed toward the newly-built pokemon research center of Blackthorn. I found it a little surreal to be heading to such a place, as generally speaking there was usually only one pokemon lab per region, but I decided not to think on the matter. What mattered was meeting with and making a good impression with the researchers there, as they could prove to be either a boon or thorn in my side in the near future.
Because of the amount of prying eyes I already had on me, I opted to only keep Ada and Darcy out with me (for obvious reasons, such as the fact neither wanted to leave the other alone). This cut down on the amount of attention I got as a result of having my partners out while walking throughout the city, but garnered more than a few curious onlookers' attention because of Darcy's unique form. I subtly hoped that as more and more of the Awakened came into the public eye, pokemon like Darcy would become more and more common. If not to make it easier for me, then to show the world that we aren't so different after all. It would do the world a lot of good, I think.
That's not to say that I minded Darcy's affectionate nuzzling as I carried her on my back, nor did I particularly dislike the amusing looks of confusion the people on the street gave me.
More than a few envious looks were thrown my way, though whether because of my bond with Darcy or her unique body, I was unsure. Either way, it made the whole trek to the lab more than entertaining.
"Is it much farther?" Ada asked curiously. Sure, she could have just used our bond to probe my mind for the answer, but what was the fun in knowing the answers all the time?
I chuckled and replied, "We're nearly there, love."
Ada fell silent as she continued to levitate next to me, but I could tell she was nervous.
"What's happened, Ada? You've gone tense on us." I questioned with concern.
Ada sighed as she floated in front of me to keep pace while facing me. "Have you not noticed how many people are staring at us?"
I shrugged. "So?"
"So," she began, frowning slightly, "that could cause problems for us."
I raised my eyebrow, adjusting my grip on Darcy's legs. "How so? They're just curious."
"Curiosity leads to questions, and questions leads to a high visibility." she explained carefully. "And a high visibility makes us a target. Do you not think these things through at all?"
I shrugged with a grin. "That's what I have you for, love."
She shook her head slightly. "A trainer walking with his Gardevoir is not unheard of, nor uncommon. A trainer giving a piggyback ride to a humanlike Sneasel, not so much. I know you're confident in your ability to protect us, but perhaps you shouldn't make it a point to draw too much attention. You're just one man after all, and you should refrain from fighting needless battles." My look of confusion must have been clear, as she sighed and said, "Must I spell it out? Fine: not everyone will be so supportive of you or other Awakened, nor what you're trying to do. Some may be jealous, and some may even fight the ideals you and Timothy represent. All I'm trying to say is that we should try and stay incognito as much as possible."
I grimaced in anger. "I'm not going to hide simply because there's some close-minded humans out there."
Ada glared at me, and I felt more than a little ashamed for some reason. "You're not the only one they'd be targeting, Rick. What about the rest of us? What about Lidia?" I cringed a bit at my oversight, while Ada nodded with a soft smile. "You're right, thinking ahead isn't your strong suit. I know that though, and I'm more than willing to be the one to offer forethought and planning in our endeavors." She then levitated until she was only a few inches away from me, causing me to stop walking. Ada poked my chest with one of her stubby fingers and said, "But you need to listen to me, and trust that I have our well-being in mind."
I locked my eyes with hers for a moment, feeling Darcy affectionately nuzzle my cheek again as she rested in my grasp. I sighed and lowered my gaze in shame, realizing just how much of an ass I had been.
"Hey," Ada whispered, raising my chin with her hand, "it's alright. All I ask is that you listen to me from now on and allow me to do my part." She gestured to both of us and said, "We're bonded as one, Rick. You admitted to me once before that I am the more intelligent of the two of us, and I don't think there's any question you are more powerful than I. So please, listen to me when I try and give words of wisdom."
I chuckled softly and smiled at the beautiful Gardevoir in front of me. "Sorry Ada, I guess I wasn't thinking ahead. Thank you for doing the thinking for us. If it wasn't for you, we'd be doomed to fail."
Ada smirked before poking me in the chest, punctuating her words as she snarked, "And don't you forget it."
I grinned as well before quickly pecking Ada on her cheek, causing her to blush.
We arrived at the research center a little after two, luckily having lost our followers with a clever mind-manipulation skill by Ada, which basically made us invisible to those we passed on the streets. Truthfully, I was feeling a little bad about the fact I had been unintentionally placing all of us in potential danger, but then again, I was being honest about lacking any sort of forethought in things. Yet again, ironic for a pseudo-Gallade.
My mental self-beating was cut short as the new research center loomed in front of us, just barely breaking through the trees that bordered it. The bedrock it was built into gave the lab a rather rustic appearance, at least more so than the one in New Bark Town. It was much smaller than the original as well, seeing as how this lab was built to support another instead of stand on its own. I actually preferred the more rustic look, as "modern" styles tended to bore me.
"So there it is. It's smaller than I imagined." Ada voiced aloud.
"That's what she-" I began, only to be interrupted by an elbow jab from Ada.
Darcy shifted against me and murmured something intelligible before stating, "Well here we are. I hope this turns out positively instead of negatively."
I rolled my eyes and affectionately kneaded the Sneasel's legs with my hands. "Oh come on now, be a little more optimistic. All will be well, I promise. I promised to keep you all safe, and I aim to follow through with that vow."
Darcy huffed indignantly, her cool breath blowing my hair about. "I'm more than capable of protecting myself, thank you."
I grinned. "Right now your only job is to heal and rest, so no fighting for you."
I heard and felt a muted growl from my passenger, but no words of resistance. I continued smiling as the three of us made our way to the automatic doors, stepping inside.
The inside of the lab was unremarkable as far as the rest of the research labs were concerned, but what it lacked in originality it made up for with a simple, practical design.
The researchers were diligently working at whatever it was they were researching, but all that stopped as soon as they saw Darcy and I; one young scientist even gasped loudly, which I thought was rather unnecessary. Still, I would be lying if I claimed I was unamused.
"Ah, Trainer Childs. Welcome." greeted a familiar voice.
Professor Juniper descended the short flight of stairs from her glass-enclosed office to the laboratory floor, her hair done up in an obnoxiously large hairstyle for how simple and functional it was earlier in the day. I thought it better to refrain from commenting on that in particular though, so I pressed the thought away as I nodded to her with a smile.
"Thank you," I replied jovially, jerking my head toward my two companions, "I would have been here sooner, but I was held up after the battle. Darcy here was injured, so we stayed until she was cleared by the doctors at the Pokemon Center."
The professor looked over Darcy's burned side and frowned in concern. "I do hope it isn't serious."
I shook my head with a smile. "Not at all. As I'm sure you know, pokemon are far more hardy than humans are." Before I could ask, Ada handed me a tube of ointment while I added, "I just have to apply these medicines to her for a bit to be sure she heals completely. Speaking of, I think it's time for the first treatment." I gently lowered Darcy off of my back and turned to face her, looking over her wounds before holding out my hand for the other tube of ointment ‒ the one I was to apply for the first few days. "Alright Darce, this will soothe the burn, so just bear with me for a moment."
Darcy nodded and presented her burned side for me, and I went about quickly applying and rubbing in the soothing gel. She winced a bit because of the tenderness of her burn, but didn't so much as utter a whimper as I gently spread the medicine across her skin and charred fur.
"You have very gentle hands, Mr. Childs." the professor commented with an implied grin.
I smirked predatorily and returned, "And they're stronger than they look, professor."
I could feel just how hard Ada was trying to keep from laugh, but more amusing was the fact that I was sure the professor's face would spontaneously combust any moment now, if her feelings of extreme embarrassment were anything to go by. Her lack of response solidified my verbal victory, and I simply grinned like an idiot as I finished tending to Darcy.
I stood and looked the Sneasel over, her burned skin slightly shiny from the jelly-like ointment. "How does it feel?"
Darcy looked over herself before smiling up at me. "Much better now. Thank you."
I then brought my gaze to the professor and asked, "Shall we?"
The glass door to the rather sharp-looking office was closed behind me with a mere flick of psychic power from Ada, which enclosed the four of us into the room together.
"So," the professor began calmly, "first I have some questions for you, if you would be so kind."
I nodded as I took a seat in an overly-comfortable leather chair. Darcy decided to curl up in my lap with her arms wrapped around my neck, while Ada levitated herself to sit upon the armrest. I pulled both pokemon close as I leaned back into the chair with a smile.
"This thing is too comfortable to be legal." I groaned out in elation.
Professor Juniper chuckled softly. "I've heard that more times than I can count. I've found that whomever I have in here tends to be more relaxed the more comfortable they are. So then, it would make sense to have comfortable furniture." She then looked over the two pokemon in my grasp and commented, "They're awfully affectionate, aren't they?"
I just grinned and said, "I believe you had questions."
Professor Juniper smiled sheepishly and nodded. "Yes, thank you. First of all, I wish to ask you what exactly your kind calls themselves. If I'm not mistaken, you're far from the only one of your kind."
I smiled and replied, "We call ourselves Awakened. There are quite a few of us in the world, though not all as talkative as I am."
She nodded, asking, "And what does being an 'Awakened' entail?"
I shrugged softly, taking care not to wake Darcy, who had fallen asleep again. "We are the genetic fusion of both human and pokemon, body and soul. Our ability to understand pokemon speech is what allows us to become so close to them, both platonically and romantically." I gestured to the two at my sides, causing Ada to blush. "I'm sure you're not so naive as to not guess what is going on between us."
The professor smiled gently and shook her head. "No, I figured it out rather quickly after seeing you with them. What else does it mean to be an Awakened?"
I casually raised a finger, levitating the small mug of pens and pencils that the professor had upon her desk. At her shocked expression, I explained, "We are each born with the potential to wield a certain form of power. For some, it is the power to lead people and inspire them. For others, it is the ability to see the world from a different point of view to bring about change. For an Awakened, we are in essence a pokemon in the skin of a human." I gently set the mug back down in front of the professor before adding, "I, for example, am the human form of a Gallade. It is with this power that I was able to do what you just saw."
"Amazing." the professor breathed in awe before regaining her professional composure. "So it is true that you can understand the speech of pokemon?"
I nodded. "It is. Said ability manifests at different times in an Awakened One's life; some are born with it, while others develop it at a later time. The same goes for the pokemon-like abilities we can wield." I motioned to Darcy next. "Her change of form is also a side effect of being near an Awakened for extended periods of time."
"What do you mean, exactly?" Professor Juniper inquired with rising interest.
I grinned and replied, "Any pokemon that is in close proximity to an Awakened they share a bond of friendship with will eventually begin to change their form to become more humanoid. The stronger the bond present, the quicker the change."
"How fast are we talking about?" the professor asked curiously.
I shrugged. "Well, a friend of mine had intimate relations with one of his mates, and she changed overnight." Before she could respond, I added, "For his safety and hers, I won't reveal their names."
She nodded with a sigh of resignation. "Fair enough. My next inquiry is how powerful you are compared to a pokemon."
For some reason, I found it prudent to keep my true abilities a secret for now. "An Awakened will be as powerful as any normal pokemon, and exhibits the same strengths and weaknesses as the types they wield. For example, I would be weak against a flying-type or ghost-type, and my psychic abilities cannot be used against a dark-type like Darcy here. We have to follow the same rules as pokemon in that respect, the only difference being that we can't be 'captured' like a pokemon can."
"Thank Arceus for that." the professor responded with a smile. "I couldn't think of what kinds of controversy would come about if people could capture other people."
"Yet people do it to pokemon every day." I pointed out, a little disdain clear in my tone. "Pokemon as a whole are created to fight and battle during their lives, but that doesn't mean they should be taken from their homes without consent. I know logically that there has to be a better way of gaining partners for a pokemon league journey, but I just can't think of one that would work for normal humans."
Professor Juniper smiled again. "Well perhaps it will fall to you and your kin to come up with a new way of doing things. I personally think the world could do with a little change here and there, that being one of them. It's true that the majority of pokemon trust and love their trainers, but I simply wish for there to be a way for them to choose whether or not they wish to join a trainer."
I nodded, quite pleased I wasn't alone in that wish. "That's exactly how I caught all of my partners, save for Lidia, a Feraligatr. Her egg was abandoned, so I took it and raised her as my own daughter."
The professor's eyes widened a bit. "Curious. I cannot say that some people don't treat their pokemon as family members, but I hadn't heard of one raising a pokemon as his or her child. I must say, I'm quite pleased you find yourself so close to pokemon."
I shrugged. "Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but pokemon and humans used to be one race a long time ago. I'm just bridging the gap that's been created, and personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. Bollocks to those that do, because they don't understand pokemon as they were meant to be."
"I had my suspicions about our mutual ancestry." Professor Juniper replied. "There are simply too many similarities in behavior, family dynamics, and even body language for us not to have been related somehow." The doctor wrote something down on the pad she had on her desk. "I have just one more question, if you please." I nodded to give her the go-ahead, and she asked, "Are you in common contact with any of the legendary pokemon?"
I thought hard about how I would answer this question, as my job was to protect the Sacred Ones and all they worked for, so telling the wrong person about my connection to them could potentially allow them to use me to get to them, or vice versa.
"You can tell her." Ada whispered into my ear. I looked at her quizzically, and she gave me a reassuring smile. "She can be trusted."
I nodded before turning my gaze back to the professor. "Yes, I am. Some more than others, with the ones from Kanto and Johoto more than any of them. I assume it's because of the close proximity in regions and all that."
The professor nodded. "I see. And what do they think of humans?"
I shrugged. "Pretty much what you'd expect; most of them don't trust humans, and for good reason. Seems every time they turn around, a trainer is trying to capture them for one reason or another. It's my job to stop that."
"To what end?" the professor asked carefully.
I locked my eyes with hers, leveling her with an intense stare. "To any end. They literally make the world go 'round, so if they are taken from their charges, reality as we know it could cease to exist in the blink of an eye. Global floods or firestorms, earthquakes...you get the idea."
Professor Juniper sat back in her chair, dumbstruck. "I had no idea just how important they were."
"The Soul Dew that the Eon Twins protect is what keeps the waters around Altomare from flooding the entire area, and they're considered two of the low-tier legendaries. Imagine what would happen if someone like Groudon was captured, making him no longer able to regulate the growth of the earth. Water would take over, and the world would become uninhabitable." I explained gravely. "Our way of life is preserved by a very fragile balance of power, and it is my job to be sure it is kept safe."
"Have you come across any issues yet?" she asked with concern.
I shook my head. "Not yet, but I know I will at some point. It's only a matter of time." The professor was silent for a moment, which allowed a question to flow forth from me. "Is this conversation going to be made public?"
She looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. "Would you like it to be?"
I thought for a moment before shaking my head. "Not really. Ada here brought up a very nasty oversight on my part, and I realized that not everyone would accept what I am, what I do, or what I stand for. They might try to hurt me, or my partners. As you know, I've already had one minor altercation already. I'd like to avoid any more, if possible."
The professor's expression became pensive as she seemed to consider the options. "You know this sort of things won't stay quiet for long. Beyond the unique shape your pokemon partners will take, you have rather striking eyes and hair. Questions will be asked, and sooner or later people will know about your kind." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I will keep this information confidential, but you should prepare for the inevitability of the Awakened being outed at some point. Nothing this interesting stays under wraps forever."
I took a heavy breath, but nodded resolutely. "I know, but this isn't how it needs to happen. I'm far from a glory-hound, but the world needs to see what we can do before they know what we are. When the time comes, they'll know unequivocally who and what we are, and what we are willing to do. We aren't just doing this for pokemon after all, but for humans too."
"I understand that, but no everyone will. Some will simply see you as an obstacle to the League and the rules it set forth." the professor voiced with concern. "And if I'm correct, those are the types of people you're worried about."
I nodded ruefully. "Exactly. Those people are happy with the way things are, and aren't going to want it changed anytime soon. It works for them just fine, and they won't see any reason for it to change. The first time I'm forced to stop a trainer from catching one of Sacred Ones is the time when there will without a doubt be an uproar."
Professor Juniper raised her eyebrow in confusion. "Sacred Ones?"
"It's what the Awakened and pokemon call legendaries." I explained curtly.
"Ah." she replied simply. The professor's gaze then turned to Ada and she asked, "Might I speak with her?"
I looked to Ada, shrugging. "If she wants to; we've nothing to hide from each other. I'll let you speak to her directly."
Just as I connected my mind to the professor's, she asked, "How?"
Ada smiled gently. "Like this."
The professor was silent for a few moments before stating, "I can understand you." Ada nodded. "How am I able to understand you?"
I pointed to my head and explained, "I connected your mind with mine through a telepathic link. True that Ada could have simply spoken to you directly into your mind, but this way is more comfortable for her. You're not hearing with your own ears anymore, you're hearing with mine; in essence, you're simply hearing what I'm hearing."
Professor Juniper seemed impressed. "Very nice. Can all psychic-types do this?"
I shook my head. "It takes a large degree of control, along with power. The power is simply who I am, while the control was put into me through many hours of rigorous mental training, as well as an initial push by Ada here." I grimaced at my memory and looked to the professor. "The first time my power manifested under my own control, I lost that control. Without the experience of growing up and learning to reign in the power, it felt like someone set my body on fire while driving spikes of red-hot steel into my head. That was along with a sense of overwhelming nausea, as well as a static-like noise so loud I thought my ears were going to explode. You see, as a psychic pokemon grows and matures, that control is taught to them by their elders, as well as by personal experience and experimentation. To put things in perspective for you, I suddenly had the power to pick up a house and throw it like a toy, but without that degree of control, all that power turned back on me."
"A psychic lacking control is a danger to everyone around them." Ada added carefully, and it was clear to me that those words held personal experience beyond her time with me.
Her curiosity sated on the matter, the professor continued. "Very well. First off, what are your own experiences with the Awakened, Ada?"
Ada thought for a moment, and I felt our bond open a little more to allow my own memories with her to meld with her own. "I would say rather extensive, all things considered. I met Rick when I was just a Ralts, but I was already seventeen years old. I'd heard stories of Awakened Ones from my parents and older brother, but had never met one before him. I knew what he was right away though, and the stories I was told were pretty accurate, which leads me to believe my family personally knew an Awakened or two." Ada looked to me with a warm smile that spoke volumes. "They can understand pokemon in a way that no normal trainer could. That's not to say there aren't good trainers out there, because there are; it's just that there are certain things about the life of a pokemon that can only be experienced by one who can see the world as we do." Ada then turned her gaze back to the professor. "Something you should know is that not all Awakened are as Rick is. There are a growing number that believe this world should be only for pokemon and other Awakened Ones; that other humans should be eliminated, as well as any pokemon that would stand in the way."
Professor Juniper seemed surprised. "My word. So not all of them fight for what you do?"
Ada chuckled darkly, shaking her head. "By Arceus, no. Just as there are both good and evil humans, there are both good and evil Awakened. Although, I suppose 'good and evil' are simply matters of perspective; by their perspective, protecting the world we have is seen as a lost cause, and perhaps downright evil itself. That being said, I believe most pokemon would rally to our side if such a conflict between the Awakened ever comes about."
"I don't believe there's need for all this secrecy though." Professor Juniper retorted. "I'm sure the League would help if you told them of what could be coming."
I laughed outright, unable to stop myself. "Would they? Think about it for a moment: the League would know that a single Awakened has the power to destroy cities, and there are not one, but hundreds of us...perhaps thousands. Do you honestly think they'd try to work with us? No, they would put a bounty on our heads and attempt to apprehend all of us in an effort to study us and keep the possibility of a power struggle from happening. The fact of the matter is, humans can't do this alone. Not only do you need our help, but you need to understand that pokemon deserve our protection as well. We're keeping the Sacred Ones safe for both races' benefit, not just one or the other." I shrugged with a frown. "Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the League would welcome us with open arms and would stand by our side. The fact of the matter is, though, that I can't take that chance. I have a job to do, and I certainly can't do it if I'm locked in some secret testing site where they study the anomalies of the pokemon world."
"You don't think you're overreacting a bit?" Professor Juniper asked uneasily.
I shook my head with a blank stare. "No, not at all. Too much rides on this for me to simply place my freedom ‒ and possibly the safety of the world ‒ on a gamble."
The professor seemed disappointed, but shrugged and nodded. "I suppose I can't fault you for that. Now, just one last question before you go: can Awakened and pokemon procreate?"
I was caught off guard by her question, and turned to Ada. It was clear she didn't know either, so I replied, "I uh...I don't know. I don't think so, but I could be wrong. I have a friend that's also an Awakened, and he's quite physical with his mates. None of them have borne young yet."
The professor's eyes widened and she said, "Ah yes, I forgot to ask about that, actually. I see that you referred to both of your partners there as your mates. What sort of mating structure does pokemon society have as a whole?"
"Polygamy." I replied without hesitation. "It's not uncommon for one male to be mated with more than one female. Generally speaking, higher-ranked males get better pick of mates, though even low-ranking members can find a mate as well. Just like in olden times in human evolution, it was originally done that way to assure the strongest bloodline would be passed to the next generation, though humans lost that part of the culture for some reason. From what I understand, pokemon still widely practice having more than one mate in their lives, and while a caste-type system still exists, it is much more flexible and revolves around strength and battle prowess."
"Curious." the professor replied thoughtfully. She then motioned to Darcy and Ada. "And you don't feel strange about it?"
I shrugged. "I did at first; I was raised as a normal human, after all. Eventually though, I got over it. I don't find the point in following all these random human rules when it's never really explained why they're in place. That's beside the fact that I'm not exactly human, now am I?"
Professor Juniper studied me for a minute before nodding. "I suppose you're right." She then stood from her desk with a smile. "Anyhow, I would like to thank you for coming by. I've a lot of things to think about now, and I hope that I might be able to help you in some way."
I stood as well, cradling Darcy to me with one arm while I extended my other hand to shake the professor's. "If you want to help, teach young trainers the value of respect for their pokemon. It could go a long way in making the world a better place." I nodded toward her. "And if you happen across any others like me, point them in my direction."
She nodded, not needing me to explain what I meant by "others". "I will. Have a good day, Mr. Childs."
"Well, that was an experience." I commented softly. As I set Darcy down upon the bed in our room, I took a seat next to her and turned my eyes to Ada. "I felt like at any second, a dozen armed guards were going to burst from some hidden door and try to arrest me."
Ada rolled her eyes as she went about pulling open my pack, separating out six helpings of pokemon food. "You worry too much. I told you we could trust her."
I rolled my eyes right back. "Yeah, but how did you know that?"
"Woman's intuition." she replied with a smug grin.
I sighed in annoyance and turned back to the slumbering Sneasel, gently rubbing her left ear as she slept. "Whatever. If the League pops up demanding my surrender or something, I'm blaming you." Seeing that Ada was finished preparing lunch for the group, I released the other four and announced, "Alright you lot, time to eat." I gently shook Darcy, wiggling a piece of Pokechow under her nose. "Come on, love."
Darcy sniffed the food for a moment before fluttering her eyes and sitting up, holding her mouth open in acceptance of the food. I gently placed the Pokechow in her mouth, only to be surprised when her tongue leapt up and caressed my finger as it left. She smirked before chewing the morsel and swallowing, turning her attention toward the rest of her share. Clearly she still had her earlier plan in mind for Ada and I, as she glanced at the Gardevoir with a look of intent before raising her eyebrows to me suggestively. I offered her a nervous nod before unwrapping and chewing on a bar of granola, trying my best to not worry about what was to come in the near future. I mean, things between Ada and I wouldn't be ruined because of this.
Right? Right.
Of course, I was only trying to fool myself. The fact of the matter was that I was worrying about this so much because I cared so deeply for Ada. The physical aspect wouldn't be a problem (at least I hoped not), but the emotional and mental aspect was something I didn't want to risk destroying. Never before had I something so precious in my life, and never before had I been utterly frozen in indecision.
After a few moments of silent eating, Darcy groaned as she stood and stretched. After a moment, she motioned to the others and said, "Alright you all, we're going out to see the town."
Gracia looked a little unsure as she glanced to me. "Alone?"
Darcy nodded. "Yep, just us. I want to get some air, and you're all coming with me."
Zane shrugged and lumbered to follow Darcy and Osiris, with Lynn riding the Houndoom's back, but Gracia still seemed unsure as she looked to me. "Are we even allowed?"
I rolled my eyes and motioned to the door. "Of course you are. Granted that there are some things you can't do without me, but I'm sure all of you will be able to keep yourselves occupied for a few hours."
Gracia raised her brow skeptically at me. "And what are you two going to be doing?"
I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant about what was boiling in my mind. "Nothing important. Probably watch some telly or sleep. I'm actually rather tired."
Gracia eyed me curiously for a moment before turning and leaving the room with the rest of my group, leaving Ada and I alone. Without needing to think about it, I blocked Ada from reading my thoughts on the matter, which essentially left her in the dark. After all, nervous or not, I wanted this to be a surprise for her.
"Is there a reason we're suddenly alone while all the rest of them are going out?" she asked in confusion.
I turned to Ada and smiled reassuringly. "I wanted to spend some time alone with you. Even at Timothy's house, there wasn't really any time that I was able to spend time only with you, and I wanted to change that. Darcy thought it would be good for us anyway, so I took her up on her offer to keep the others busy."
Just from her facial expression, I could tell the pieces were beginning to fall into place for her. She levitated over to me with a loving smile, asking, "And what exactly are they being kept away from?"
Even with such a moment upon me, I couldn't help but feel comforted by Ada's mere presence. The nervousness began to melt away and I took her offered hand in my own. "I wanted to show you that I do trust you, and I do have faith in the strength of our bond. You were right from the beginning: we're stronger than I was giving us credit for."
Ada smirked at me. "Darcy, hm?"
I sighed and closed my eyes with just a touch of shame. "Yes. I needed a kick to my seat to get me going is all, and she is more than willing to give it."
"Aren't you glad she decided to join us?" Ada questioned half-rhetorically.
I answered anyway, opening my eyes to meet hers. "More and more every day. She's difficult to figure out, that one. Still, she's far more mature than I give her credit for."
"You do know she's older than you, right?" Ada asked with a smirk.
I reared back slightly, surprised. "Really?" She nodded. "Hm, I figured I was the oldest of us."
Ada shook her head. "I thought you have figured out by now that our physical form doesn't always line up with our age."
I concentrated for a moment, willing my clothing to change into something more comfortable. After a moment I opened my eyes, pleased to now be wearing a simple pair of mesh shorts. I then looked to Ada and said, "I don't mean to offend, but I'm through talking for now."
Ada grinned and her eyes began to glow with a blue light before the door locked, the curtains on the windows closed, and the linens on the bed were pulled aside. The psychic glow faded, and she smiled wickedly at me. "It's about time." Just before I could explain my reluctance, Ada pressed her hand to my lips. "I know, you were scared. It's alright, but I won't claim to have infinite patience. I've wanted you for a long time." She then blushed a bit. "Even before I fully understood what I wanted."
I raised my eyebrow as I took her hands in my own. "Since when?"
Again, a faint pink lit up her cheeks. "Since I was a Kirlia."
"But you barely knew me." I answered in confusion.
She smiled and shook her head. "I knew you. Even before we bonded I felt drawn to you, though I didn't understand why at the time. It took Geanne explaining just what I was feeling for me to realize how I felt about you."
I smiled warmly. "So you have been waiting for a long time." She nodded shyly, and I raised her chin with my fingers. I smiled warmly at her and said, "Well no more. I'm sorry for dragging my feet, but I'll try my best to make up for it."
I leaned down and kissed her lightly, letting my tongue dart out to tease her lips before pulling away. Ada moaned softly at the loss of contact, and I smiled evilly before reconnecting our lips and reaching around to cradle her in my arms. Another soft moan made its way into my mouth, and I connected my mind with Ada's as we continued to kiss. I felt as her hands began to slide up my chest as she caressed my body lovingly, and I did my best to smoothly reciprocate as she did so. Instead, I gasped excitedly and shivered as both the physical sensations and the emotions projected washed over me. Not only did I feel the sensations my body was experiencing, I felt Ada's as well. I could feel my own hands on her body, and my lips on her own. Having become so accustomed to only knowing my own body and the what it felt, it was rather overwhelming to feel the sensations from another all at once.
We pulled away from one another, and Ada was merely smirking as her eyes watched me lovingly. "You've only caught the very precipice of what it means to be a part of the Ralts line. Along with being known as protectors, we are known as some of the most dedicated lovers within pokemon society." She lifted her hand to gently stroke my cheek as she added, "While others have the ability to regularly change mates at will, those of our line often mate for life. It isn't so much that we won't find another should the need arise, as we can't. A psychic bond is near-permanent, and can run deeper than anything humans can imagine. So deep in fact-"
"That if one of us were to die, the other would as well." I finished for her, the realization just hitting me for the first time. I gazed into her eyes intensely and said, "So you really are-"
"Yours for life." she finished with a smile. She then brought her hands up to my shoulders and lovingly caressed them before levitating up to plant a soft kiss on my mouth.
I chuckled into her mouth as I returned the kiss before pulling away with a smirk. "That is the cheesiest, most beautiful thing I've heard."
Ada giggled. "And it's completely true."
I rolled my shoulders and smiled toothily at her. "Now that I know what to expect, I believe I'm prepared to continue." I then raised my eyebrow and asked, "Speaking of, why aren't you affected like I am?"
Ada blushed and smiled shyly. "I am. It's just that we had the same reaction at exactly the same time, so you didn't notice."
Feeling slightly more confident about all of this, I stepped closer until our bodies were flush against each other, cradling her body against mine. "So you want this as bad as I do, hm?"
She nodded. "I love you, Rick. I want to be able to share everything with you."
My apprehension bled away as her thoughts confirmed to me that even with her confident act, she was afraid as well. Knowing that I wasn't alone in that respect strangely caused the fear to leave me; she did understand exactly how I felt, and yet, she was still willing to put aside her own fears for me...for us.
I smiled back at her, feeling my heart surge at just how amazing Ada was. "By Arceus, I don't deserve you."
She smiled lovingly and shook her head. "I'm exactly what you deserve, and now it's time for you to show me just how much." Ada levitated up again and pulled my shoulders back as she reversed toward the bed, causing me to fall down on top of her with an "oof" of surprise.
Contrary to what I had originally believed, the chest "spike" of a Gardevoir were firm to the touch, but had the texture of cartilage, as opposed to an actual gem. This meant that I could fully enjoy the closeness presented to me without having to worry about impaling myself. It was warm to the touch, and offered much more to play with since it seemed to strengthen our connection when I pressed my palm against it.
And as I leaned in for another kiss, I did just that.
Again the shared sensations overcame me, but I was prepared this time and didn't shy away. Ada moaned loudly as I stroked the red chest gem and dueled her tongue with my own, and began squirming beneath me as my other hand slipped underneath her dress and began slowly stroking just above her knee. She gasped loudly and submitted to me completely as I continued, simply happy to enjoy the sensations I was giving her.
I turned the heat up by experimenting with a Psychic, using a very low-level version of the attack to produce a tingling sensation over her entire body. Clearly my idea was well-received, as she thrust her hips up at me with a silent scream before looking up to me, panting.
She looked to me with a pleading expression before actually pleading, "P-please, Rick."
I smiled down at her and undid the hidden hook that held her dress in place, opening it and looking upon her bare body for the first time.
White and green never looked so beautiful.
Much to my surprise and delight, there were indeed small breasts nestled against her gem, a trait which I exploited immediately, eager to give my loving partner the care she deserved. Again she writhed and moaned beneath me, attempting to reciprocate, but finding herself unable to focus through the way the heat built within her body as I continued my ministrations.
I knew all of this because I felt what she felt. Somehow (I'm not exactly how, to be honest), I was better at handling it than she was. As I brought my mouth to Ada's bare chest though, I didn't particularly care. My actions were answered by Ada beginning to quiver and sweat slightly as she struggled to keep from screaming aloud. I brought my hand on her leg higher, sensually stroking along the inside of the soft white flesh that was her thigh, teasing just below the moistening treasure that awaited me. I smirked at her drunken expression before rising and using my hands to pull away the only two pieces of clothing I wore.
Ada stared at me in lust as she watched me undress, and after doing so, I lowered myself to rest on my elbows over her, kissing her passionately. With a flick of psychic energy, I shut off the lights, leaving us in darkness to explore each other's bodies.
