Okay, this one has been done for a while, and I hope you all enjoy this. Finally, we see Liz and Gene in the final part of the contest. Although they only entered it to defend his cousin, it's still fair to say they're having a good time. I hope you all have a good time with this chapter, and I hope you all learn something new from it. If not, hey, I tried.
Disclaimer: I, Lord Genesis Shadow, do hereby state that I do not own the rights to Pokémon. Thank you, and have a nice day.
…
"Here we are in the final match, the final round!" The female commentator called. "And Liz is matching Richter perfectly!" Liz panted quietly as I surveyed the field, thinking. Our final opponent, a Mightyena, was surprisingly capable. He had type advantage, and he was using great moves. Spinning while trying to use Bite or Crunch, evading Liz's use of a scattered burst of Shadow Balls by jumping and turning to slip between them, he was proving to be a very worthy opponent.
"You're good, Mr. Alastor, but not good enough!" Richter's trainer called. A young woman named Sally, with long red hair and a low cut blue dress. She had goaded me into publicly promising her a date if I lost. Liz wouldn't be too happy if that were to happen. "Just so you know, I've always wanted to try five star cuisine!" Liz laughed quietly.
"She has a lot of energy." Liz said softly. "I, have a plan."
"Okay." I said quietly. "Just so you know, there's a Dig hole open, and he knows where it would end. Pull a quick duck in and when he turns, he'll be wide open for a few moments, at best." She nodded as Sally pointed.
"Get her with Quick Attack!" She called. Liz rushed forward, and I knew she was timing it as the dark hound vanished from his speed. She ducked aside and jumped to the opposite end of the hole, and he waited. "When she comes up, Iron Tail!" She had few points left, but as he looked down and circled the hole, Liz jumped out and teleported in, but he waved his tail just in time to dodge into the side, but he spun and hit Liz as she went to punch him. His speed was amazing, and he threw her across, right next to me. I knelt by her as she tried to get up, but she couldn't do it. I put my hand on her back, and she nodded.
"That, was all I had." She said quietly. "They're, good." I smiled, and raised my hand.
"Uh-oh, it looks like Zero Alastor is calling this one." The commentator said. "With thirty seconds to go and Liz unable to get to her feet, it looks like they're giving in!" The crowd was a mixture of cheers and jeers, but strangely, more of the latter. "Now, now, don't be that way. They gave it their all." Liz used Recover and I stood up, looking at Sally.
"Sally, you've got one heck of a fast friend." I called. "For a few seconds, I thought we had you." She laughed. "I'd say, you've earned that five star date." She threw a punch into the air as Richter howled happily. She ran onto the field and hugged him.
"Great job Richter." She said. "I knew you could do it." He wagged his tail as Liz stood up and looked at me, so I hugged her, patting her back and making her smile.
"You were great out there." I said. "You gave it your all." She stepped back as the crowd cheered, and Sally walked over.
"So, who picks up who?" She asked. I laughed quietly.
"Let's say, we meet in front of the park?" I suggested. "Eight sharp." She smiled.
"It's a date." She said.
…
"I can't believe you're letting her do this." Francisca said.
"If I show jealousy, people might see it." Liz said. "Just, that hug, would probably have set off warning signs, if it weren't, that Gardevoir 'only dance with those they consider close friends, family, or mates'. He's, a close friend, as far as they know." Nene laughed as I walked out in my suit, and Liz stared. "Oh, that suit."
"W-wow." Nene and Francisca said together. It was a suit I normally wore during court cases where I was asked as a witness, which, while rare, happened for certain technology.
"So, what's, special about that suit?" Nene asked.
"I wear this to court, on the odd occasion I have to be there." I said. "They ask about my funding, where it comes from, why I'm funding… Oh, whatever it was I was funding. Dream reading machines, older models of translators… Cloning machines."
"Cloning?" She asked.
"Some guys think, that prehistoric Pokémon, were wiped out too soon." I said. "So, I endorsed cloning machines. In that the DNA is degraded, it can be replicated, and eventually restored using multiple degraded sets to create proper DNA, which is then, placed into an egg within their 'group' that hasn't been fertilized… That, by the way, was the main reason that made it legal. It was a clone, but at the same time, more DNA was added that made them, not clones." Liz laughed. "I have to say, I'm glad I went to that trial. It was a circus event, but, it was fun."
"Well…" Nene said. "Uh, it's about time for your date." I ran my fingers through my hair.
"I, have no true experience, dating." I said. "This is going to be either very awkward, or I'm going to have to be careful…"
"Good thing you have that shirt." Liz said. "So, get going…" She slowly reached out to the Pokétch. "I know, I've never done it, but, I want to be close, just in case you need me. After all, I don't quite trust her having dinner with my husband." I nodded as I removed the ball and opened it.
"You'll be inches away from my hand, the whole time." I said. She nodded and I slowly made the ball grow.
"Good luck." She said quietly. I kissed her lips lightly and she stepped back. I raised the ball and recalled her, and when she was in, I put the ball on the Pokétch.
"You know, that ball, looks different, but, familiar." Nene said.
"My mother's." I said. "She had it reset, when her Gardevoir, passed. She gave this to me, told me to keep my best friend linked to it. Liz hasn't been inside since the day I caught her, over four years ago." I carefully put it on, and a small hologram hid it.
"You, never mentioned, camouflage." Francisca said.
"It's new." I said. "And, I should go. I'll be back soon." They nodded and smiled as I went to the door. Stepping out, I walked calmly toward the park. I was Sally already waiting, and I checked the time, nodding. 'Eight twenty. Hope she didn't wait long.' As I walked up, she smiled. "Good evening. I hope you weren't waiting too long."
"Two or three minutes." She said. "Totally worth it." She looked me over and I smiled a little. "So, where are we going?" I held my arm out.
"I made reservations." I said. She moved her arm through mine and we began walking. After a moment, I looked at her. "So, what made you decide to make that bet?"
"Well, you're the most eligible bachelor in the world, for one." She said. I laughed quietly. "And second, you are just, way too handsome. I'm surprised every battle against any girls, trainer or Gym Leader, hasn't tried this."
"Well, you're officially the first person to outright beat us." I said.
"Us?" She asked.
"Liz and me." I said. "We've had great luck thus far, beating every trainer or Gym Leader, but Richter was on a different level." She laughed.
"Well, he's been with me since he was a puppy." She said. "Twelve years now. It's like he's my brother."
"I could tell." I said warmly. "If there's one thing more obvious than his strength, it's the bond he shares with you."
"I hope you don't mind, I brought his ball with me." She said. "I don't know what I'd do without him nearby… Did you bring Liz?"
"Yes, but, it's honestly the first time in four years she's been in the ball." I said. "So far, it's just been the few seconds it took to make sure no one else could take her." She laughed.
"Well, Richter said she did great, and that he wanted to talk to her…" She said. "Maybe after dinner we can go sit on a bench and let them talk?"
"Sounds good to me, and I know Liz would be happy." I said. "In fact, I can ask the host if it would be alright if they joined us for dinner."
"I think Richter would like that." She said. "I was going to ask for some takeaway for him later."
"Then we'll them out…" I said. "Though Liz might have to float his food for him." We got to the door and she grabbed the ball from her side as I took Liz's from my Pokétch.
"Wow, good hiding spot." She said. I nodded as we enlarged them and summoned them. Liz looked at Sally and then at me. She still had her Contest dress on. "How would you two like to join us for dinner?" Richter wagged his tail.
"I'd like that." He said. "I'll keep the tail under control." Liz nodded.
"It has been a while since we've had a fancy dinner." She said. They turned and walked with us.
…
They laughed as I held my hand up. I was telling a story about a man I'd met in the research department a few years before I met Liz, showing me a few things with just about nothing working right.
"So, all said there, he grabs the dart gun and gestures, talking about it…" I said, fighting a laugh. "And it goes off. We watch it as it hits my bodyguard, and he looks at the guy and says 'that, was a lucky, shot', and falls over." The girls covered their mouths as Richter shook his head. "He was okay, but after that I told them just to hold back… I ended up having to let them go a few days later, but they just wanted the money, and protecting me was just for that. If you can't have a friend in your bodyguard, might as well trust yourself." Sally drank some of her wine as I drank my Oran juice.
"Well, it's for the best." Liz said. "And now, you have me and our friends."
"Yeah, that's always a plus." Sally said. "Richter, once scared off five Team Rocket jerks with one howl. They just took one look at him, and…" She whistled. "Right around and right into the police." I smiled. "Ever run into those idiots?"
"A few times." I said. "Ended up sending them away." I gestured to Liz. "As a Kirlia, she had a mean Shadow Ball. Blasted these two, and a talking Meowth, right into a mine car, and the force shook the lever loose. They roll down the hill and… I saw them a while later."
"Wait, a talking Meowth." She said.
"Yeah." I said. "He learned to speak like a human, I guess, and he walked on his hind legs. It was, strange, but kind of cool." I laughed. "Second time we met them, Gardenia was visiting Kanto's Gym Leaders, and we ran into them. They had this, introduction, that was obviously very practiced. When they were done, it was all we could do to not laugh. So, I clapped, and Liz was on my shoulders, so she clapped… And then we sent them packing not long after…" I pointed at Liz. "As a Kirlia, again, that Shadow Ball sent them flying, probably a mile and a half." Liz blushed.
"Well, I put more into that than usual." She said. "I thought I'd blast them into the river… Not, into the next region."
"You sure knocked me for a loop." Richter said. "That Fire Punch… My side is still sore from it." She smirked.
"My shoulder's sore, from that Iron Tail." She said, playfully slugging him. They laughed as Sally sighed.
"I like Dark type Pokémon, but, major props, Liz." She said. "No Psychic Pokémon has ever managed to hold Richter back so easily, with just a Shadow Ball." Liz blushed and looked at her plate.
"Well, four years of dedicated training…" She said quietly. "We wanted to make the League this year."
"What happened with that?" Sally asked. "Why did you leave?"
"Issues." I said tiredly. "Way too many. Company problems, stress levels going up… I'll head back to Kanto, but for now, I think Sinnoh is the best place to start the league again." She nodded.
"I tried the league a few years back." She said. "We did great, but, we got to the quarterfinals, and a guy, with this, Dragonite… Took us down, hard."
"Dragons…" I said. "If you don't have one or some kind of Ice type move, you're in for a tough fight." She nodded.
"So uh, Liz, where did you get that dress?" She asked. "It's, amazing."
"We met a very famous fashion designer in Kanto, in Fuchsia City." Liz said. "I saw one in a magazine, after Gene got the prototype translators, and in Fuchsia, he called and, the designer was just a few floors below us in the hotel." Sally laughed. "He made this dress, and a few others, and a suit for Gene… I was so embarrassed when he let me try on, just one he had at the time."
"Why would you be embarrassed?" Sally asked. "You're lovely." Liz blushed, but laughed quietly.
"Well, did you know that Gardevoir can, remove their gowns?" She asked. They both laughed. "Normally, a Gardevoir wouldn't do so, because we can clean it with our powers. But, having a nice dress is, always welcome."
"It must have been expensive…" Sally started. "Then again, when Zero is involved…" I laughed quietly.
"Well, I have enough to get by." I said. They all laughed as I finished my steak.
"You know, you're the perfect man." She said. "You're strong, smart, handsome, you've got a great sense of humor, and, you're just a great guy." I smiled.
"I agree." Liz said. "If he were a Gallade, I wouldn't have to take even one second to think about asking him to be my mate." Sally laughed quietly.
"Well, you've got a great friend." She said.
"As do I." I said. I raised my glass. "To great friends." They raised their glasses.
"To great friends." They said. I finished the juice as she finished her wine.
"Well, that looks like all we can handle…" Sally said. "Any more, and I don't know if I'll be able to get to the Pokémon Center to go to sleep." I sighed and nodded.
"I wholeheartedly agree." I said. "Though, I am staying at a friend's house." She laughed as I held my hand up as the waiter looked over, and he walked up to us.
"Will that be all, sir?" He asked. I nodded and he set the digital check out, and I slid a card down, signing carefully. As he looked at it, he had the usual questioning look.
"Thank you." I said. He nodded after a moment and walked away.
"What was that look?" Sally asked.
"I gave him a tip, three times the bill." I said. She laughed as I got up and walked around, pulling her and Liz's chairs out slightly. They stood up as Richter stepped onto the floor and pushed his chair in with his head. "I think, we have a little time before we should call it a night. If you're not too tired."
"So long as we don't have to walk too far." She said. We walked up to the front and outside. As we got near the park, she sat on a bench, so I sat near her while Liz sat by me, with Richter setting his head on his paws. "It's a beautiful night."
"It truly is." I said, looking up. "Hard to believe you can get this kind of look at the stars in a city." She was quiet for a moment.
"Sorry, about dragging you on this date." She said. I looked at her. "I uh, just did this to, appease my parents. They keep telling me to date, and, I just don't want to, date…" I nodded as I looked out at the park. "You don't, hate me for this, do you?"
"No." I said. "I understand. Parents have, some high expectations." She nodded.
"Yeah, they do." She said. "Z… Gene, I uh, I, would rather have, dated, Nurse Joy, or Officer Jenny…" I looked at her. "Sorry." I put my hand on her shoulder and playfully pushed, making her laugh quietly.
"Hey, no apologies." I said. "We had fun tonight, right?" She nodded. "Liz, Richter, did you both have a good time?" They nodded. "See, we all had a good time." I looked at her. "So, it wasn't a date. It was, two people, getting to know one another, sharing stories and having dinner. Friend stuff." She laughed and nodded as I put my arm on the bench. "That we included our best friends made the night that much more fun." She smiled as Liz giggled.
"Your secret is safe with us." She said.
"Thanks." Sally said. "Uh, speaking of secrets… Are your eyes, secrets?" I laughed quietly.
"Ever hear of ocular tattoos?" I asked. She shook her head. "Usually it's just ink to color the sclera, the whites of the eyes, but I found a guy that found a guy, that could totally recolor the iris." I raised my sunglasses and she laughed. "Yeah, just my luck, I had gotten it in my head that I could use a few drinks, and, voila. I asked him for just one eye to be red instead of both. I'm not ashamed of it, but it attracts attention." She smiled as I lowered the sunglasses. "Besides that, I look better with my shades."
…
I settled onto the air mattress while Liz put her dress in the bag, shrinking it down with a button so she could put it in the case. I watched as she walked over and I held my hand up. She took my hand and I helped her down beside me, and the blanket floated over us. She sighed quietly.
"I'm glad, that wasn't a real date." She said. I rubbed her arm lightly.
"Me too." I said. "I would have felt bad for a long time."
"And, now?" She asked.
"I'm glad to have new friends." I said simply. She laughed quietly and moved closer. "I hope her parents can accept her choice." She moved a little. "Something wrong?"
"Would, your parents, have accepted us?" She asked quietly. I thought for a moment.
"I'm, not sure." I said. "My mother, maybe… My dad, I don't know. They'd keep it quiet though, to keep us safe. I'm sure of that much."
"I wish, I could have met them." She said. "From how you talk about your mother… I'm sure we would have gotten along." I smiled.
"I know you would have." I said, kissing her forehead. "Mother would have loved you. She'd look right at you, and she'd know… She always knew everything, if it involved me even just a little."
"And, you know, she wouldn't be worried?" She asked.
"Well, maybe for a few moments." I said. "But, I think, she'd have said 'welcome to the family'." She smiled. "And dad… He'd know from that, and I'd get, I don't know how many talks…" I put my hand to my forehead. "You know, Angel's body is developed enough, according to Nurse Joy." She laughed, but stopped.
"You, don't think she'd…" She said quietly.
"I, think she might need, the talk." I said. "And, seeing as I had to give it to you…"
"Oh no, I'm giving our daughter, the talk." She said. I looked at her and touched her cheek.
"I was going to suggest that." I said quietly. She blushed. "A mother giving the talk to their daughter is like a father and son… As I understand it, at least." She smiled and I moved my hand to hers. "So, I'll talk to Johnny and make sure he knows to keep an eye out for boys that give her a look like I do when I'm watching you."