Evo: Hello everyone, sorry I haven't posted in awhile. December is actually a horrible month for me. Every year at December, something bad happens to me. This time is like no other, I got injured at work, panic attacks, and fell into depression for reasons that are shameful to share. This does happen every year sadly but now that it has passed, my mood and condition is improving. Please enjoy this chapter and I don't own pokemon. _

Chapter 19 For better or for worse

Hope's PoV

"Well Hope, Are you prepared?" Leon says to me before I really did end a life without thinking. There I am, hovering over the monster pokemon who tried to kill me. Letting my anger and hate drive me to this and I failed to stop it on my own. The pros and cons of killing him or sparing him are too much. Either way it's bad. On one paw, I have the chance to end the suffering of others by taking him out for good. But on the other, sparing him would spell our death and more suffering will come for us. But is ending a life the answer? If I kill him, would my friends not like me anymore? No, no matter what, My friends will always stay by my side. I leaned over the fallen pokemon and told him "I will not take your life. If you ever bother us or those females again, I won't be so merciful." As I stood back, I told my partner to let's go. There's no reason to stick around. Just as we started to walk out, I can still hear that mutt yell in anger. "DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME!! KILL ME OR I'LL KILL YOU, BITCH!!"

Words echoed in my head. But all I did was ignore him. I had nothing to say back. Just kept walking. Leon was telling me I did the right thing and hopefully the Mightyena's pride was hurt enough to not bother anyone. Suddenly, a young female screamed watch out to me. (He couldn't!? No, He's just that determined to kill me!) I thought to myself. Turning around to see the bloody monster, full of sharp objects still in him. My best friend called out to me too. Why… Why did it have to come to this?

: Meanwhile, back at the room:

Lily's PoV

Flipping through a garden book since there really isn't much to do in this room. Sis is watching the TV. She's watching something about how Cotton candy is made. I would watch too but this book is more of my interest. Wish I could read human writing. There are all these garden tips I wanted to know. Seeing all these beautiful flowers and garden pictures are making me miss my garden. I wonder how Ava and Mama Lucario are doing with the ones I left for them to do. Leon had drinks for us on the table with straws in them to help us drink them on the table between us. Both with Pecha berry juice. Leaning over to try and grab the straw to drink my juice, I slipped off my comfy spot and fell, spilling the drink all over me. Sis immediately turned around to see what happened. "Lily, are you ok?" She asked me while trying to hold back her giggles. "I'm fine, Sis. Great, my fur is gonna be all sticky." I hate having sticky fur. The weirdest of things get stuck to me. One time my fur got so sticky with honey, a Combee with a red spot on one of her faces was stuck to me. She was the princess of her hive and we need her mom's, the Queen's, help. We did become friends that day too. I tried my best to clean myself up but there is so much. Big sis came over with a smirk on her face. "Sis? What are yo-Eeek!?" I was tackled and pinned down by her. I couldn't move and sis kept giggling at me. Licking her lips before speaking in a playful tone. "Hehe let me help you, Sis. Can't let any of this go to waste~"

"Wait!! What do you me-eeeeEAN!?" Lazuli started to lick me. I know we used to clean each other from time to time but not my sensitive ears. Tiny moans came out from her licking me gently and sucking up the juice in my fur. Working her way to my neck, still giggling and it seems she's enjoying teasing me like this. I tried my best to wiggle my way out but her hold on me is too much. I did notice the other drink above us. I used my tail to smack the table, hoping that the juice will fall on us. The drink did fall and splashed Lazuli completely. "Eew Great, now I'm all sticky!" Now that she's distracted, Her grip on me is completely loosened up. I pushed myself up and big sis off of me. Time for some revenge. Pouncing onto and pinning the normal type, I'm gonna give her a taste of her own medicine. "Oh no, Sis. You're all wet from the juice. Can't let any of it go to waste~"

"Grr Hey! No Fai-eeyaaa!" I started to lick her special spot on her ear. Just to get a little more payback, I nibbled it a little. I can feel her tail swishing around as if she was enjoying it. I continue my assault by licking her cheeks and then her neck. This drink really is tasty, too bad I spelt both of them. I never noticed but her fur really is soft. Maybe softer than mine. Somehow, Sis got her strength back and rolled us over so now she is back on top. Going for my ear and nibbling it, making me moan and squirm around. I raised my head and went for her neck, allowing me to roll us yet again, knocking over the table, books and even knocking over the treats that Leon left for us. Those poor mini puffins. Our teasing turned into a roughhousing by this point. In some way, this is fun and brings back fun memories of me and sis wrestling back home. Suddenly, the door to our room opened up. Me and sis stopped with blank stares and slowly looked up towards the door. In the doorway was my boyfriend and Hope. They both had red blushes and staring at us. A strange awkward silence filled the air. Leon, who was still holding the doorknob, looked around the room. Something very wrong clicked in his head. He slammed the door closed while saying. "S-S-SORRY, GIRLS!! We'll be back later!"

Me and Lazuli: "Wait!! You got the wrong idea!!"

: One Embarrassing moment later:

Leon: "Oh, So that's what happened. And here me and Hope thought you were-"

Lazuli: "Finish that sentence and you die, mister!" She threatened him with a bottle of soap.

I wouldn't blame him for thinking that. Between the mess in the room, me being on top of sis, our fur being messy and blushes on our faces. Anyone could've gotten that idea. It's not unheard of for families to have mates with their own family. Do humans do this too or is it a pokemon thing? The three of us are in the bathroom getting cleaned up. Hope is laying in the bedroom while Leon is, at the moment, washing my fur. I can't help but purr in delight to his gentle rubbing through my mane and tail. He never fails to make me feel so loved and good inside. After I was done, Lazuli had her turn. It's hard to tell if she's happy or embarrassed about being washed but either way, she has a small blush on her. Soon after, Leon brought us back into the bedroom where Hope is laying down. He plugged in a weird object and told us to stay still. Turning on this machine, a loud noise followed by hot air came out. The hot air felt really good and really relaxing. Both me and Sis cooed from the pleasant feeling of the heat. I noticed my fur is getting dryer by the second by this thing. Leon said it's called a hair dryer and it's to dry hair and fur faster. Running his fingers through me once more and shaking the hair dryer left to right really fast to help a bit. I think I might fall asleep like this. "Listen girls, we had umm a problem earlier." Leon said to us while turning off the dryer. Hope lifted his head and faced us. A problem? Now that I think about it. "Wait a minute. Does this have something to do with all the cuts and bruises? Leon, you know I love you but… What happened!?" I ran up to him to tackle and hug him tightly. My ears were down and started to feel very worried. The human stroked my head gently and said that everything is ok. "Hope, you want me to tell them or you?" Leon asked Hope. The electric type got down and sat in front of us. Didn't even look at us, just stared at the ground. This isn't starting to look good…

Flashback PoV

The Mightyena charged at the Luxio with rage and fire in his fangs. Nothing would stop this pokemon till his goal of ending poor Hope's life. Even with the several objects in the dark type's body, the cuts and the pain. Rushing past the male human, Leon, to get in close to his target. "Now you die, Bitch!!" The Mightyena yelled as he leaped over some broken tables and chairs.

Hope slowly turned around. The yellow cat's eyes were full of sadness. Deep down, He realized that no matter how kind or merciful you are to some, they'll take it for granted and backstab you in the worst of ways. Electricity surrounded the electric type. This thunder shock was different. The sadness, the rage and the willpower to stop this beast at any cost. Hope's Thunder shock evolved to Thunderbolt. Hope fully turned around and unleashed his new and improved electric attack.

"You FOOOOOOOL!!" He yelled as lighting shot at full force at the doggo.

The strong electric move nails it's target dead on. The metal and open wounds all over his body, allowed it to deal internal damage and some of that metal that the bolts hit were stabbed in some of the major organs. As lighting traveled through the body, the energy became too much for the flesh to handle and started bursting them one by one. After a few short seconds, the dark type died from massive internal bleeding and organ failure. The only thing that the thunder cat didn't want to do, had to be done. One way or another to end the chain of pain. He only hopes and prays that his close friends would stand by him. Those who were watching covered their eyes, others looked away and some choose to just stare and the body and the pokemon who killed it. The two males were confronted by both the Captain and his Partner, Co-Captain Lucario. By the looks of their faces, trouble, has only just begun.

: Flashback ends:

Leon's PoV

Me: "And so, we are now confined to this room till we reach port and have been suspended from riding this boat for half a year."

Lazuli: "Seriously!? That's stupid! Why are we being punished for what that bastard did?"

Lucario: "It's not that simple. The fact that young Hope here killed a Pokemon in front of the other guests and crew members, is the reason we have to punish you guys. We can't simply let it slide, even if that pokemon in general was responsible for the fight."

All of us just stared at the aura pokemon that apparently was here this entire time and somehow went unnoticed. All of us but Hope was startled by him being so sneaky. Still, guess what Lucario said about Hope ending a life in front of people may have marked him as a threat. Lily walked over to the sad cat and layed next to him. Showing that everything will be ok and she's by his side. Her Sister joined too and his other side. It seemed to help him a bit because we all saw a smile appear. It made me happy inside knowing those two will always be with us in hard times like this. Turning back to the fighting type, I was handed a document stating our suspension and new rules. Until we reach port, we are locked in this room and not allowed for any reason to come out unless the captain wants us. All our meals are fixed and will only be delivered 3 times a day with no snacks or extra drinks. What we have, is all we get. And one last thing and it's important. "Here, these are for your friends. Whenever we visit you, All pokemon in this room are to be confined into their pokeballs and put on that table. We realize you don't have pokeball and these three were never captured in the first place. So please, take these." Lucario says to us as he hands me a small box with 8 different pokeball models. Whatever ones I don't pick I can still keep when the time is right. I picked a random one up and just looked at it.

The object that controls and enslaves pokemon against their will. I thought about it before, but I'd promised myself I wouldn't capture a life that was meant to be free. Still, rules must be followed. I can always bring them out or release them afterwards. There are some doubles. The 8 different models are 3 normal, 2 Luxury, 2 Love, Nest, Moon, Heavy, Dive, and a special Cherish. A total of 12. The one that caught my eye the most was the red with black lines, the Cherish ball. Incredibly rare and has very special meaning. I put that one away for safe keeping and layed out the other 6 for my friends to pick. I took them a while to pick, probably because they didn't like the idea of being forced to be in one. Hope picked the Nest. Lazuli chose the Luxury, probably because it's pretty. But for Lily, I picked one out for her. I reached over to the pink ball with a heart on it and picked it up. I signal her to come here while hiding the ball. "What is it, Leon?" Lily asked me with her beautiful eyes wide open and that adorable smile that brings me joy. Rubbing my hand against her special spot behind the ear she loves so much. "Hey Lily, I picked this one out for you. It's called a love ball and it represents the love I have for you and how much you mean to me. I… finally feel what it means to love again, Thanks to you. I love you, Lily."

Tears started to form in her lovely green eyes. They weren't tears of sadness, but of joy and love. The vixen leaped into my chest and kissed me on the lips. Wrapping my arms around her and embracing our passionate kiss. Although it was interrupted by another vixen calling us out. "WOULD YOU TWO GET A DAM ROOM!!" Lazuli yelled out to us. Now with bright blushes, Lily hopped down to ready herself to be "Captured". I held up the pink, pretty orb and thought to myself. Of course my feelings about this was conflicted about putting Lily or the other two inside these things. I wonder if there is a better way to do this. Like a collar that could protect them from being affected by the pokeball. Guess I'll look into something like that. I slowly brought the ball to Lily's head, Booping her head with the ball. The love ball opened up and the Eevee's body was covered in bright light. Lazuli and Hope pressed the buttons on their pokeball they picked and too were covered in the light. All three of my friends were absorbed into capture devices. All clicking to confirm their caught. Picking up all three of them and holding them in my hands. Promising myself that I will let them out as soon as possible when we reach port. A few seconds later, my phone went off. I haven't gotten a message from Arc for a long time. Wonder what it is that he wants? I pulled out the phone to see that it wasn't a message, but another strange app appeared. This time, the app looks like a Eevee high pawing a human. How cute. Clicking the app, only for it to pull up a list with 6 slots. 3 of them are filled with pokemon icons, two pixel Eevees and a pixel Luxio. This must be the team menu. That seems convenient.

A knock came to the door and the person announced himself as the captain. Lucario got up and let his superior in. He had a grim look on his old face. Seems like there's more bad news. Day just keeps getting better, huh. "Son, I really wish I didn't have to do this. But, one of the guests who is really important to us as a client and an important person of the Aloha region, is demanding compensation for emotional damage done to his daughter, who saw the whole thing."

Me: "Are you serious!? I don't have anything to give."

Captain: "He wants your best friend, The shiny Luxio, Hope."

The news shocked me to no end. This rich bastard wants me to hand over my buddy like payment, for what!? All because his kid was at the wrong place, at the wrong time. Like what Lucario said earlier, doesn't matter if the Mightyena started it. Hope killed him in front of people in self defense. The Captain warns me that I must give him up by tomorrow morning or else I'll be arrested for thief and emotionally scaring a child. The emotional charge I understand, but a fake thief charge? This only fueled me more. Why are people like them, who have all the power, attack those without it. (No… Like hell I'll put my friends through that. What am I gonna do…?) I say to myself, clutching my fist. Guess it's true, no matter where you go, corruption is everywhere. Both the Captain and Lucario left the room to give me some alone time to spend with my buddy that I have left. I fell flat on the floor, sitting cross legs. I would be lying if I said I wasn't crying a bit. I feel so.. useless. Looking back at my phone, I see that the new app is still on and some options. The options are Send message, Watch, Ball effects, Interact, ER and Free will. Out of curiosity, I pressed Free will. This allows my friends to burst out of the pokeball and send voice messages to the phone that can be translated. Turning that sucker on. Hmm, wonder how that will all work and what exactly is it like in them? Must be fun or something or just a dark prison I sent my love ones in for torture. (Good job, Me. You're the best!)

My train of thought was stopped by yet another knock at my door. That's funny, I wasn't expecting anything else so soon. Must of forgot to tell me more. Getting up from the ground and headed to the door. What I saw when I opened the door was something I didn't expect to see. A little girl, brown hair with blonde tips, skinny and height might be around 3"9", a foot smaller than me. Yellow eyes with an emerald outer ring, wearing a light blue dress with a small white vest over her. The kid looks about 13-14 years old. She had her hands behind her and fidgeting a bit, trying to talk. I asked if she needed something. All I got was silence, just a umm or eeh. She might be just shy or nervous about something. I started to slowly close the door a bit and told her she should find her family. Right before I completely closed it, she finally spoke up. "W-wait, are you the boy with the shiny Luxio!?" She asked me, suffering her words in-between. I reopened the door and answered with a quiet node. The little asked if she could see it. I saw no harm in doing so, after all… I gotta tell everyone the grim news anyway. I took out the 3 different pokeball that my friends are in and placed them side by side each other on the ground. If I remember right, I gave them free will to come out anytime and able to send messages. I clicked on all three icons and sent them all a message to come out. No response from anyone.

Waited a few minutes before one of the balls, the Luxury, opened up and a fluffy Eevee came out. "Woo that was crazy. I felt like I was in a dream or something." The Eevee said while holding her head. Before anything else was said, the poor, unsuspected female was picked up and was embraced with a tight, loving hug. My guest stood up and spun around with the fluff ball in her arms. "AAAAAWE, IT'S A FLUFFY EEVEE!!! IT'S SO CUTE!!" The little girl screamed in delight for holding a fluffy Eevee. But as for the normal type, poor Lazuli who is being loved way too much by a human female she clearly not know, started to panic and yelled for help. "LEOON!! HELP ME!!" She said to me. All the human female heard was "EEEEEV!! VEE VEE!!" I, on the other hand, could not stop laughing my ass off at Lazuli being hugged. She tried her best to escape from her captor's hug, but completely fell victim to the little girl finding her favorite spot behind her left ear. That sassy Eevee cooed so loud, it made me laugh more.

Lily came out of her ball next. But instead of seeing me first, she saw her sister being attacked with hugs and spinning around by a human girl. Determine to save her beloved sister, She leaped forward to tackle the young female. But her efforts were in vain. The girl noticed Lily going for her and dropped Lazuli immediately to grab the flying Eevee aimed at her. "AAAWE IT'S ANOTHER FLUFFY EEVEE!! I'M SO JEALOUS YOU HAVE TWO!!" She screamed again with excitement and twirling around poor Lily. I thought today couldn't get worse, nope it just got hilarious. I saw in the corner of my eye Lazuli was crawling away to hide somewhere. She was clearly embarrassed by the whole thing. Hope finally popped out from his ball and took notice real fast to everything. In his eyes, he sees a Eevee faced down on the ground with a bright blush with tears, another Eevee being loved and snuggled while being swung around by a little girl and then me, who is laughing and not helping one bit.

: Moments later:

"I'm really sorry! I got carried away with my excitement. I've never seen a real Eevee before." The little girl says as she bowed in an apologise way. I told her it's ok and there was no harm done. Although both sisters thought it was a good idea to hide under the bed sheets. (Cute.) Hope came around and sat next to me. Asking me who she is and What does she want. Actually, now I think about it. "Oh we haven't introduced ourselves. My name is Leon. The fluffy eevees you surprised are Lily and Lazuli." "Hello, it's very nice to meet you three. How could I forget to introduce myself? My name is Nina." She replied with a smile. Her attention turned to the shiny pokemon in the room. That's right, she wanted to meet Hope. The electric type was cleaning himself from the nap he had in the nest ball. I reached over and scratch his head a bit to get him to notice. "This is Hope. Bud, this young girl wanted to meet you." I say to Nina then him. Both stared at each other for a minute. Nina was fidgeting again, I'm starting to wonder how nervous she really is around new people and pokemon. I told her that he won't bite or anything. Nope, Hope is as harmless as possible when he's not fighting. The two got closer to each. The thunder cat tilted his head in curiosity. The girl reached her hand out slowly to try and pet him. Hope leaned forward to her hand, so it's now on his head. Rubbing back and forth, giving both of them smiles. "He-hello, umm eeh Hope. I umm I ah.." She studders, trying to say something personal it seems. The Luxio tried to say what is it, but you know this story goes. "Lux? Lux Lux?" Was all she heard. Without warning, The shiny pokemon was tackled to the ground by her. Both fur balls under the blankets popped out to see what's going on. "I love you, Hope! Your so cool and your fur is so shiny yellow!" His attacker called out.

Me: "PFFFFFFFF"

Lily and Lazuli: "WHAT!?"

Yea, did not see that coming at all. I thought she just wanted to see a shiny pokemon but not this. Hope had a blank, jaw opening expression on his face, almost like he was hit by a wailord. I asked the little girl, What does she mean by 'Love him'. She got up and off of the electric type to face me. "Well, when I saw that fight at the bar with Mightyena, I started to get excited watching. He was so strong yet Hope was able to beat him. I admire that strength. Many people and pokemon tried to beat that dark type but none could've been able to because he used these vulpixs as shields. Funny enough, they weren't there with him. Wonder what happened to them?" She says to us. To think, that monster used those girls as shields to win fights. Sickening to say the least. She also added that she's been a fan with cat-like pokemon like the Luxray and Liepard species. So, a cat person at heart. A noise came from the young girl, who's now pulling out her phone from a dress pocket. A text from, possibly, one of her parents told her she needs to come back to them. With that, she got up and headed for the door. But not before planting a kiss on my buddy's head. The once, shocking yellow fur turned red. Nina left the room and said that she hopes to see us again someday. Closing the door and then she was good. Hope fell to the ground with spirals in his eyes. Great, he fainted. Lily and Lazuli finally came out from their hiding spot to poke our friend. Lazuli spoke up to get some sort of conversation started. "Well, at least things can't get any worse."

"...I have to give Hope away to a snotty rich guy who threatens to ruin all our lives if we don't." I replied back. This news did not please them one bit. Everyone went silent. Lazuli gritted her teeth and swishing her tail in fury, while Lily stood there. Looking at the ground with her ears down and eyes started to water. Slowly, little by little, tears flowed out. As for Hope, he recovered from his faint and started to stare up to the ceiling. This atmosphere of sadness, anger and frustration doesn't help us. I lay next to my buddy on the floor, also looking at the ceiling. The sisters also joined us. None of us knew what to think or do about this. But one thing we know, one by one well all fell asleep. Even though I'm tired, I was unable to sleep. Worries flood my mind. I gotta do something but what? Maybe some sleep can help. Closing my eyes, I started to drift off. Don't worry, I'll find a way. _

Evo: Here's to another chapter, Christmas and New year's. Now that December is over, my birthday passed and horrible trip through depression is over with. Yea I would have had this new chapter out earlier but when you go through alot, it's hard to sum up the will to write and think what to write. Well, hopefully this chapter was worth the wait, till next time *waves*