Hey all! Here is chapter 72! It's time for Yamaguchi to regenerate that Jaw Fossil. I can't wait to meet the new Pokemon! I hope you are all ready for some excitement!
This chapter was beta read by my regular beta reader Killer Squids. You can find their work on AO3 here ( /users/Killer_Squids). They can also be found on tumblr under the name crow-forest. They have done a wonderful job with betaing for me so if you have time please give there page a look.
Any Artwork you may see associated with this fic (on AO3, or Tumblr) has all been created by my good friend SlothyClaws. That is their instagram also have a website ( .com). They do commissions and their commissions are open to anyone that is interested. Go and give their page a look if you are interested.
Chapter 72, I choose you!
The Perfect Pair
Part of Yamaguchi's win was also a small catered lunch. An array of sandwiches, berries, and cookies along with several beverage options were provided by a local bakery. By the time they set their eyes on the spread Yamaguchi's worries had gone to the back of his mind. It was only when he picked out his sandwich that he realized how hungry he felt. Along with Kindaichi and Kunimi, the two trainers made themselves comfortable around a small table.
They had a relatively pleasant conversation considering Kunimi and Tsukki were refusing to be civil with one another. Yamaguchi learned that Kindaichi specialized in Ancient Human civilization and Pokemon and how they lived. Kunimi specialized in studying energy and how it's released through different materials. One example he gave was the energy used in stone to evolve Pokemon.
"It's also the basic idea for regenerating fossils," Tsukishima explained, not wanting to look uneducated. "They basically pump it with energy until the Pokemon is restored."
"Wow, I can't wait to get my jaw fossil restored," Yamaguchi smiled, feeling truly excited. He peaked at Tsukki to see a twinkle in his eyes indicating he couldn't wait.
"Well, there is no better time than the present," Kindaichi declared. "That is, if you guys are done with lunch."
"I'm ready," Yamaguchi immediately answered as Tsukki nodded silently beside him.
"I was thinking about getting one more sandwich, but I guess I'm done," Kunimi shrugged.
Kindaichi and Kunimi once more lead the two down the halls in the opposite direction they had come. Yamaguchi carried a sleepy Eevee in his arms as he walked beside Tsukki. He couldn't help but feel like Tsukki was walking much closer to him than before. Perhaps his mind was still on that meteorite.
"So, you two are both trainers?" Kindaichi asked in an attempt to start a conversation with the two guests. "I know you're into showcases, but what about you?" he asked, pointing to each trainer respectively.
"League," Tsukishima replied, his expression a bit cold.
Kindaichi seemed bothered by Tsukishima's attitude but did well to not let it get to him. They were guests after all and he'd get into heaps of trouble if they got into a fight. "So I guess that means you collect badges?" He asked.
"Tsukki already has three badges," Yamaguchi bragged. "Tomorrow we are heading to Shalour City so he can get his fourth badge. Tsukki is definitely going to win it no problem."
"Shut up, Yamaguchi," Tsukishima scolded as he always does when Yamaguchi brags a bit too much about him.
"Sorry, Tsukki," Yamaguchi apologised as Kindaichi stifled a laugh.
"You brag about him like he's your boyfriend or something," Kunimi dryly commented.
For a moment an awkward pause hung between the four as they walked down the hall. Yamaguchi wondered if he should tell them. For some reason, he became very shy about the topic.
"W-Well, h-he is my boyfriend," Yamaguchi somehow got out as he gently took Tsukki's hand in his own. He couldn't believe he could say it and have it be true. He all of a sudden felt the overwhelming need to faint.
Tsukishima glared at the two scientists, daring them to say something. Both scientists seemed a bit shocked by the news. With how shy Yamaguchi was and how scary Tsukki was they made an odd pair.
"Well, good for you two," Kindaichi said with a genuine smile. "Wish I could get myself a date," he hummed.
"Maybe if you did something about your hair," Kunimi mumbled.
"The ladies like the hair!" Kundaichi defended.
"Really? I don't think anyone wants to date a turnip," Tsukishima snickered.
Yamaguchi stifled a laugh.
"What was that, glasses?" Kindaichi snapped.
"Hey, no fighting with the guests, remember?" Kunimi said giving Kindaichi a playful nudge.
Crossing his arms Kindaichi gave up the fight but did mumble something about cool hair and stupid glasses.
For the rest of their walk down the hall Yamaguchi and Tsukki comfortably held hands and it wasn't long until they made it to the room with the regeneration machine.
As the two walked into the room they were greeted by two older scientists. An older man with dark short hair and a younger man with short dirty blond hair. The older man smiled upon seeing them and seemed very kind and approachable. The younger man, on the other hand, had a bit of a scowl going but didn't seem too bothered by the new guests.
"This here is Professor Irihata Nobuteru," Kindaichi said, motioning to the older man. "He is in charge of the generation machine and heads the research done on energy and objects."
"It's nice to meet you two," Professor Irihata kindly greeted. "And congratulations on the win. You really seem to know your fossils."
"It's nice to meet you, too," Yamaguchi replied as he and Tsukki bowed in greeting. "Tsukki knows a lot more about fossils than I do," he blushed, still unable to take a compliment.
Tsukki side-eyed Yamaguchi as Professor Irihata kindly chuckled at his modesty.
"And this here is Professor Mizoguchi Sadayuki, he is Professor Irihata's assistant," Kindaichi carried on with introductions.
"I hope these two haven't been slacking off while showing you around," Professor Mizoguchi greeted, sending Kunimi an accusing look.
Kunimi shifted but didn't drop his cool facade.
"They've been doing a great job at showing us around," Yamaguchi insisted.
Professor Mizoguchi didn't seem convinced, but he didn't comment on it anymore.
"So, I take it you're here to regenerate that Jaw Fossil of yours?" Professor Irihata asked, looking at Yamaguchi.
"Oh, yeah! If that's okay," Yamaguchi nodded, feeling quite giddy.
"Of course it is," Professor Irihata chuckled. "If you just hand it over here we can get the regeneration process on the way."
Yamaguchi felt a rush of excitement as he clumsily dug through his bad for the fossil. He felt his heart almost stop as he dug around the bad for it but couldn't feel it. It was only after he handed Eevee to Tsukki and properly looked that he found it at the very bottom of his bag.
"H-Here, Tsukki, you should do it," Yamaguchi insisted as he turned to his boyfriend handing him the jaw fossil.
Tsukishima seemed the most shocked out of everyone in the room. "But you're the one who won…"
"A fossil Pokemon has always been your dream, not mine and I know you'll take good care of them," Yamaguchi explained, feeling so embarrassed by the gesture of love that he could barely see. "Besides, I won it for you," he added, his face so red he looked like he could faint at any moment.
Without waiting for Tsukki to reply, Yamaguchi grabbed Eevee from him and shoved the fossil into his hands.
Kunimi snickered, while Kindaichi looked genuinely touched by the gesture of love.
"Ah, to be young and in love," Professor Irihata commented with a nostalgic sigh. "So, you want to revive it or not?"
Yamaguchi looked to Tsukki, encouraging him to go ahead and do it, for love of Arceus.
Tsukki honestly didn't know what to say. What he did want to do was grab Yamaguchi in his arms and hold him close. All he could do now was lean down and give Yamaguchi a soft kiss on the cheek. He really wasn't worthy of his sweet and caring boyfriend. He'd have to wait until tonight to show Yamaguchi just how grateful he really was.
Yamaguchi's cheeks were bright red as he watched Tsukki step forward to hand Professor Irihata the Jaw Fossil.
"I'll also need a Pokeball for it for when it's fully generated," Professor Irihata explained. "Any Pokeball will do."
It only took Tsukki a moment to fish out an unused dusk ball he had been given during camp. Wordlessly, he handed it over to the Professor.
"Now we put the fossil into this end of the machine and the ball at the other end," Professor Irihata explained as he placed both items where they belonged.
"When the Fossil Pokemon has fully regenerated it will go into the Pokeball," Tsukishima finished the explanation, doing his best to hide just how excited he felt.
"Looks like you've done your research," Professor Irihata chuckled.
"Nerd," Kunimi mumbled, winning himself a smack on the head from Professor Mizoguchi.
"Unfortunately, the regeneration takes a bit of time so make yourselves comfortable," Professor Irihata said, gesturing to a few chairs around the room. "Maybe about 30 or 40 minutes total."
Tsukishima didn't seem too surprised by this news and he had a look in his eye that read he wanted to speak more with Professor Irihata. Yamaguchi couldn't help but smile as he placed Eevee on one of the chairs. Tsukki was already jumping into a conversation about the types of ancient Pokemon the professor had worked with.
"Hey, I'm going to head to the restroom if that's okay," Yamaguchi said. "Do you mind keeping an eye on Eevee?"
"Sure," Tsukishima quickly replied before going back to his conversation with Professor Irihata.
Yamaguchi couldn't help but smile. He hadn't seen Tsukki this excited in ages. He was so happy Tsukki was enjoying today.
"I'll take you," Kindaichi offered. "I also need to run to the toilet anyway."
Yamaguchi gave a nod and the two exited the room. He walked beside Kindaichi as they headed in a direction. If he was being honest, he was already quite turned around. If someone asked him to find the exit out, he'd probably be doomed.
"So, Iwaizumi is your senpai?" Yamaguchi asked as they made their way down the hall.
"Yep, we also went to the same Pokemon Prep Academy back in Kanto. That's where I met him," Kindaichi said with a nod.
"Oh, you went to the same Pokemon Prep Academy? Does that mean you also know Oikawa?" Yamaguchi asked. He wondered just how many people went to the same Academy around here.
"Yeah, they were both my Senpai," Kindaichi sounded nostalgic, as if he was thinking of the good old days.
"Wow, so that means you also know Kageyama then?" Yamaguchi asked with a smile. Yamaguchi immediately knew he asked the wrong question as a dark aura excreted from Kindaichi.
"Is that asshole in Kalos, too?" Kindaichi asked, looking to Yamaguchi with a horrifying look in his eyes.
"Y-Y-Yeah," Yamaguchi stammered. He wished he hadn't brought up Kageyama.
"Well, he better not show his face around here," Kindaichi pouted.
"R-Right," Yamaguchi awkwardly replied. If he was being honest, he really didn't want to know why Kindaichi had a problem with Kageyama.
An awkward silence hung between the two for only a moment as they approached the toilets. Yamaguchi thanked Arceus.
The two entered the bathroom. Yamaguchi went into a stall, not wanting to have to deal with Kindaichi for the moment. He hoped maybe they could reset or something if they took a moment to be away from one another. As Yamaguchi readied to relieve himself he could hear Kindaichi doing just that in the urinal. Yamaguchi suddenly felt an awkward shyness wash over him, almost like he wanted to wait until Kindaichi left. It wasn't normal for him to use a stall to pee, he normally went to the urinal and if Kindaichi just heard him pee then maybe he'd think Yamaguchi was avoiding him. Yamaguchi knew he was definitely overthinking it.
"Hey, I'll wait for you outside," Kindaichi said as he washed his hands at the sink. "Take your time."
"O-Okay," Yamaguchi awkwardly replied. He heard the door shut, waited for a moment, and then finally relieved himself.
Finished with his duty, Yamaguchi headed to wash his hands. When he saw himself in the mirror he noticed his cheeks were still a bit pink. He couldn't go out like this. Kindaichi would think he was weird for blushing. In an attempt to calm down Yamaguchi splashed a bit of cold water on his face. 'Why do I always have to be so awkward?' he internally moaned.
Yamaguchi didn't have much time to agonize over how odd he was for before he could even dry his face the light to the bathroom flashed off. He found himself in complete darkness. There wasn't a speck of light anywhere. Confused, he stood there for a moment trying to orient himself. He heard a strange sound from outside the restroom like a struggle almost.
"K-Kindaichi?" Yamaguchi called, his voice echoing eerily loud off of the bathroom walls. "Are you okay?"
Not getting a reply Yamaguchi headed for the exit. Walking slowly he felt around the wall until he found the door. When he opened the door, he was shocked to find the hall was just as dark as the bathroom.
"Kindaichi?" Yamaguchi called once more. "What's going on?"
Just as the question left Yamaguchi's mouth, he heard someone shout. "Get him!"
In a panic, Yamaguchi flailed around, but it was too dark for him to see where he was going or where the owner of the voice came from. He felt the wind of someone's fist pass by him.
"Yamaguchi! Run!" Kindaichi shouted. He sounded like he was struggling against someone.
With his eyes barely used to the dark Yamaguchi stumbled back. He didn't know where to run to or what way to go. He began to feel a bit panicked as he took sloppy steps away from the bathroom.
"Don't let him get away," another voice called.
Yamaguchi made an odd yelping sound as he made to run. He only went a few steps forward before he ran into something solid. Someone grabbed him by the wrist and held him tight.
"I got him," came the strong voice of whoever had Yamaguchi's wrist.
"Let me go!" Yamaguchi shouted as he struggled. As he did so a loud siren filled the halls and with it came flashes of red lights.
"We've been found out, but we need that meteor," the man restraining Yamaguchi spoke.
As Yamaguchi looked around he once again felt overwhelmed by horror, for the person restraining Kindaichi wore an Ekans mask. He then turned to find the man holding him had short dark hair. Large hooded eyes glared at him from the other side of an Arbok mask. It was that Evil Team again!
"Admin Hiroo, hand that one over to me and I'll hold on to him for now," a female grunt said.
Admin Hiroo gave a short nod as he roughly handed Yamaguchi off to the woman. Yamaguchi saw his chance, and as the hand off happened he flailed wildly causing both to release their hold on him. As quickly as he could, Yamaguchi stumbled away.
"Get him!" Admin Hiroo's voice echoed from behind Yamaguchi and the next thing he heard were several food steps.
Yamaguchi ran as fast as he could through the flashing hallways. The angry siren blared in his ears making it hard for him to think. He could try to battle but he hadn't a clue how many were after him. Why did this have to happen to him again? Why today? Why on his first date with Tsukki? Yamaguchi felt like he could just cry and as he rounded the corner he ran into something hard.
Strong hands caught him on either side of his soldiers, stopping him from falling. Yamaguchi struggled the hold but stopped when he heard Tsukki say "Yamaguchi it's okay. It's me."
"T-Tsukki," Yamaguchi almost cried upon realising who it was. He felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"Yamaguchi, are you okay?" Tsukishima asked upon seeing how shaken his boyfriend was.
Before Yamaguchi could answer the shouts of the grunts caught their attention. "Hey, there's another one!"
Tsukishima looked ready to kill upon seeing the four grunts that had been pursuing Yamaguchi. "It's these guys again," Tsukishima growled as he held Salazzle's Pokeball in his hands. He squared off against the four.
"Haha, looks like this one wants to battle," The large female grunt laughed as she and her teammate grabbed for their own Pokeballs.
Tsukki was the best trainer Yamaguchi knew, but he wasn't going to let him do this alone. Four against one was not fair. Grabbing Riolu's ball he stood beside Tsukki.
"Yamaguchi-!" Tsukishima said, a moment away from stopping his boyfriend.
"I've fought them before and I'll do it again," Yamaguchi cut him off before he could finish. And with that he called out Riolu.
Riolu recognized the grunts for who they were. She gave a growl and a bark ready to destroy them for harassing her master once again.
Tsukishiam couldn't help but smile at the chance of confidence in his boyfriend. Without another word, he called out Salazzle.
The four trainers in front of them called out their Pokemon, an Ekins, a Stunky, a Rattata, and a galarian Zigzagoon. The battle started in a flash.
"Salazzle, use flamethrower," Tsukishima called.
"Riolu, Aura Sphere," Yamaguchi commanded.
The two Pokemon worked in tandem, shooting down the Rattata and Ekans in one hit. Yamaguchi couldn't help but smile at Tsukki who smiled back. It felt so great to battle beside him.
Stunky shot a Sludge Bomb at Riolu, but Tsukki commanded Salazzle to intercept it with Dragon Rage, blocking the attack. In turn, Yamaguchi commanded Riolu to use Aura Sphere to block a Pin Missile that was headed right at Salazzle.
It was almost like the two were telepathically connected with how easy it was for them to fight side by side like they were.
"Riolu, Aura Sphere once more," Yamaguchi shouted.
"Salazzle, use Dragon Rage," Tsukishima commanded.
In just those two hits both Zigzagoon and Stunky were down for the count.
"What do we do now?" One of the grunts cried.
"We retreat, you idiot!" The female grunt growled and without another word, the grunts exited the way they came.
Yamaguchi and Tsukki could have pursued them but they were two busy looking at one another. They had really just fought off a bunch of those grunts together. They only stared for a moment before they both went in for a kiss.
It was another sloppy kiss. The sort of kiss you exchange when you don't care if others are watching. They held each other tight as the sirens cried all around them. Riolu and Salazzle gathered at their ankles, happy to see their trainers getting on so well.
"I-I can't believe that just happened," Yamaguchi gasped once they broke the kiss.
"I guess that asshole Kageyama isn't good for nothing after all," Tsukishima growled as he gently caressed Yamaguchi's cheek. "You and Riolu were amazing."
Yamaguchi leaned his head into Tsukki's hand. He released a small giggle as he admired his boyfriend. Not only were they compatible as friends and lovers, but they seem to do well as battle partners too.
Author Notes:
Oh my! Another run in with the evil team. It's happening more and more often for poor Yamaguchi. What could this mean? To see our two boys fight side by side was amazing. I wonder what more is in store for our two heros! Stay tuned to find out!
Hey all. I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you all so much for the likes, kudos, follows, bookmarks, comments and reviews. I love to hear from my readers so leave a comment down below and let me know what you think,
Man, i've been sick for the past month and am finally feeling better. I am hoping to get back onto a normal writing schedule. I currently have three chapters waiting to be posted but after that I'm out of chapters. There may be a bit of a dry spell of me posting in April and May as I am moving again and may not be able to write or post for a few weeks but I'll do my best to prepare for that time.
Anyways, you all take care and I'll see you next chapter!
