Chapter 21 – Bark collar

"Hey Ash. You Okay."

Cameron had come to join Ash in the Pokémon centre's restaurant, where he was talking to his newly caught Axew and Zorua while waiting for his food to arrive. Wulfric had escorted Ash and his friends back to Snowbelle City. Serena was making a phone call to her brother.

"Where's Lucario," said Ash as Cameron sat down opposite him.

"Meditating in our room."

Ash gently rubbed Zorua's head in silence. The Tricky fox pokemon cooed enjoying the sensation.

"You know Ash Pikachu is tough. I'm sure he'll have no problem escaping those dorks."

Ash smiled at Cameron. "Yeah I know. But I don't like to think about him all on his own and I don't know where he is."

"Your Pikachu means a lot to you doesn't he son."

Ash looked around to see who had spoken. It was Wulfric. "Mind if I join you," he said taking a seat next to Cameron.

"Yeah, he does," Ash said miserably as the bearded man sat down.

"I gather he's very special to you. How long have you been mates."

This completely took Ash by surprise. "What..How.." 'is it that obvious I'm..'

Wulfric laughed at the insecure look on Ash's face. "Hahaha. It's okay. I met your Pikachu. I was trying to get in touch with you myself before you arrived. He told me. But even so I can tell the strength of a bond between human and pokemon."

He turned to Cameron. "How long have you and Lucario been together."

Cameron blushed. "errrrr"

Wulfric chucked. "Arrr to be young and in love," he said whistfully. "I know what it's like. I used to be just like the two of you."

"What do you mean," said Cameron.

He reached underneath his shirt and pulled a locket of his neck.

"Whats..," Ash begun.

He opened the locket. "My Dearest Pokemon." There was a picture of a Glaceon inside. "Glaceon. We were like you and Pikachu." He looked at Cameron and Lucario. "And you. I got her as an Eevee. She was my best friend. They she evolved to Glaceon and it became something more. We were together for a long time. But…"

"What happened," asked Ash.

"Well. Bestality was illegal in Unova then. When people found out what we were…"

"Were you arrested."

"No." Wulfric looked sadly at the picture of Glaceon in the locket. "She was kidnapped by pokemon hunters. The police didn't help us. I haven't seen her since and I don't know what became of her. Or the baby."

"Baby."

"She was pregnant when, when they took her."

"That's awful," said Cameron. There was a tear in his eye.

Ash said nothing.

"It was a long time ago," said Wulfric sadly. "But I still miss her everyday. So I'll tell you this. Don't ever take what you have for granted. It doesn't matter what other people think or what they do, just cherish each other. It could be taken from you at any minute so make the most of it."

"Oh Wulfric. You never told us," said Axew sadly. "That's why your so kind to the pokemon in the village."

The lights suddenly went out.

"Hey what's going on," said Cameron.

"Is this usual," said Zorua trying to sound calm but unable to keep a note of fear out of his voice.

"Most be a power cut," said Wulfric. "Does anyone have a torch?"

As if in response to his question a blinding white light appeared before there eyes. it was a man holding a torch. Zorua and Axew held their paws up to shield their eyes. Ash couldn't see very well but he could make out a group of cloaked figures standing around their table. There were about five of them and they were accompanied by three pokemon like figures standing on hind legs.

"Well well well," said the man. He had a deep harsh voice. "So the rumors about the great Ice master Wulfric are true then. A pokephile."

"Who are you people," Wulfric said. "What do you want."

"Who we are is none of your concern," said the man. "But what we want is you."

"Me."

"Your coming with us for a little ride."

"What if he says no." Ash got to his feet angrily.

The pokemon standing by the man growled causing Axew to grip Zorua in fear. "BaBagon."

'It's a Bagon,' thought Ash.

"I sincerely hope that he does not. There could be dire consequences." The man pointed the torch to the away from them. Ash's eyes followed the light and what he saw made the bottom drop out of his stomach.

Cameron's Lucario was on it's knees being held down by two dragonite. Except they weren't ordinary dragonite. They had black scales and dark red eyes. there was no expression of any kind on their faces. They each had a claw gripping one of the aura pokemon's arms while the other pushed down on his back and head. Lucario whimpered in pain.

"NOOOO LUCARIO." Cameron jumped to his feet in shock and fear. "What are you doing."

"I suggest you both sit back down," said the man. "Allow me to assure you that nothing will happen to Lucario if Wulfric gives us his full co-operation."

"And if I don't."

The man gave a sinister laugh. "The I'm afraid it's death do us part for Lucario and his mate."

Cameron was horrified. "What. You can't." there were tears rolling down his cheeks. "LuLucario."

"Grrrrr," growled Lucario as he tried and failed to throw off his captors.

"What is it you want," said Wulfric.

"You know of a place called pokemon village," replied the man. "Am I correct."

Wulfirc was shocked. "How do you know about.."

"That doesn't matter," said the man. "The question is will you take us there."

"I won't do it." Wulfric got to his feet. "I won't let you harm the pokemon there. They are.."

"Bay Bagon." The nearest Bagon growled.

"Hmmmm. A soft spot for the pokemon there ha." The man chuckled. "Trust me. We have no interest in harming abused pokemon. What we're after is much bigger. But I can promise you that if you don't do what we ask, this boy's lucario." He pointed at Cameron. "Will, to use the popular phrase, be going to live on a farm up state."

There was a cold menace his is voice as he said that.

"Please don't hurt him." Cameron was sobbing desperately know as Lucario's growls continued to fill the room.

Wulfric looked at Cameron, then at Lucario, then at the man. "Alright. I'll take you there if you promise not to harm the pokemon there."

"You have my word." He turned his gaze to one of the other. "Attach the device."

A woman whose long hair could be seen through the cloak went over to Lucario and placed something over his head. It looked like a bark collar, except instead of felt it was made of thin wire. As soon as it was slipped around his neck, some of the wire was drawn into the box making it tight.

"Wh-What's that for," said Cameron. He was scarred.

"We call it the bark collar," said the woman who had placed it around Lucario's neck. "at the push of this button." She held up a small remote control. "The device will tighten and the wire will cut into Lucario's neck. It will make his head roll off like butter."

Cameron said nothing.

"You fiends," said Wulfric in anger and horror. "How could you."

"Don't worry," the man said. "It's just a little insurance. If you cooperate Lucario keeps his head. If you don't then I'm afraid your friend here will be taking a little trip to Mt Pyre."

"Hope you got funeral coverage kid," said another of the cloaked people.

"He won't need it so long as Wulfric does what we say." The man raised his fingers into the air and clicked them. "Alright let him go."

The two dragonite let go of Lucario. He fell to the floor. Cameron got up from the table and ran over to him.

"Lucario are you okay."

"Any funny business from you or Lucario and you and he will have had your last kiss. That's right we know. Disgusting Pokephile."

Cameron threw his arms around Lucario. "It'll be okay."

Lucario's voice entered Cameron's mind. "I love you Cameron. Never forget that."

"Alright move out," shouted the man holding the torch. He was clearly their leader. "Bring the pokephile and his dog."

"And throw this one in with the others," he said pointing at Ash.

Before he could say anything Ash, Cameron and Lucario were grabbed by two of the cloaked figures and dragged away. The Bagon jumped onto the table and grabbed Zorua and Axew. the two pokemon struggled but were no match for the strong Dragon types.

"Hey leave them alone." He tried to struggle against the two who had him but he was not strong enough. He was dragged away and thrown into a storeroom.

Authors note: OOOH a cliff hanger. Who are these people and what do they want in Pokemon village. Whats going to happen to Lucario. And most importantly of all will Ash and Pikachu ever be back together. I have written the next few chapters. But I may not post unless I get some reviews requesting it.