Rain pattered on the windows and ran down like tiny rivers till they reached the old fashioned panes. Merlin breathed over the glass fogging it so he could draw on the windows as he waiting for his trainer. Outside students scurried to their dorms or headed for the cafeteria for dinner, the light already fast fading.
Aspen sat at her desk reading over papers with a disgruntled frown, as she always did when she was going over work from lower division classes. "I swear if I see another copy pasted article from wikpedia I'm going to scream."
Merlin snorted "At least they attempted…"
She looked over her glasses at the old Alakazam "They need to attempt a little harder…"
Whatever retort he had lined up was cut short as the door slowly creaked open. Nala peered inside at her mother.
"There you are… well get in here." Aspen motioned her in.
The young women slipped into the room tossing back her hood as she settled into the chair opposite of the professor. Amber padded after her and shut the door before floating over to join her elder on the windowsill. Aspen pursed her lips and scooted a bag of chips she had been working on towards the girl. "you look distracted kiddo.. everything okay?"
Nala wrung her hands and nodded "I am fine."
"Are you sure? You were really quiet the other night at dinner and I haven't seen much of you this last week…" she sighed when the girl didn't reach for the offered food.
"I am sure... I have just been... thinking" she picked at the hem of her sleeve.
"Did thinking involve blasting out of here the night after I told you NOT to go looking for the fighting ring?"
Nala blinked at her before looking away "I did not go looking… I just went for a flight."
"That was one hell of a flight if the whole town thinks a meteor crashed in town."
"I was... frustrated" she picked at her sleeve more intently, but Aspen stood and reached across the desk to put her hands over Nala's.
"Nala…. Avalon… kiddo you need to be careful... remember we could be found out… Even if somehow info didn't make it back to Nuvo and my old bosses, news of you being here would bring every would be trainer in the world to Bayside to hunt you." she settled back down.
"But I wasn't found out."
"This time… odds are not zero if you go out you will be caught. Eventually."
"I know… I'm sorry" Nala sighed glancing at Amber then at Merlin. Both foxes watched their exchange with interest.
Aspen sighed "I will be working late… do you plan on sleeping in your nest upstairs tonight?"
She bit her lip glancing the floor "I do…" her answer reluctant.
"Good, because I thought being among people was the whole point of moving down to the city instead of staying at the cabin... but still I'm just glad you are okay. You've had me worried."
"Sorry mother…"
"Its fine... I just care about you. You are so special, one of a kind and I want you safe."
Nala stood up keeping her shoulders slumped heading for the bookcase with the hidden door.
"Headed up already?"
She nodded "Yes... I'm tired of holding this form... I want to sleep."
"Okay… I will be down here another hour or so if you want to talk... otherwise you know where your room is at the house"
Nala said nothing as the bookshelf creaked open and she made her way inside and up to her hidden home.
Once the case clicked back into place Aspen glanced at the pair of psychics by the window. Merlin shrugged, but Amber got the hint teleporting with a soft pop to go check on her trainer.
Avalon stood in the center of her attic room staring out the skylight watching the rain drops slide down its surface. Her clothes and false form already shed by the time Amber teleported into the space and cautiously padded up to her.
"They suspect something.. but I have not told them"
"Thank you Amber…" the mewtwo didn't look away from the skylight.
The little kadabra stepped around in front of her, whiskers twitching "I've missed you too… and I've been worried about you. Since that first meeting you haven't kept me updated on whats been going on. Has he seen you again? Is that why you have been gone so much?"
The larger pokemon finally ripped her gaze from the sky and sighed favoring her with a small smile. "He is why I have been away... we've been... talking quite a bit."
Amber brightened up "Oh! Good! Is he... can you trust him?"
Avalon smiled and reached down to rub on Amber's ear "I believe I can yes."
She closed her eyes and leaned into it. "well that's good…" Amber shook it off and looked at Avalon "so… you've been talking… and trying to avoid discovery… you WILL have to tell them eventually you know that right?"
The big cat snorted and turned away heading over to the piled blankets in the corner starting to settle in.
The kadabra padded after her "Avalon…"
"I know… I just... I don't know how to break it to them. Mother especially… you KNOW how she can get."
Amber dropped into a heap of pillows at the side and curled up "Oh... I know."
"So just… let me figure that out." Avalon curled up tucking her muzzle under the end of her tail "If I hear from him again… I haven't heard from him since I came down for dinner the other night."
"He might be keeping his distance since you have been down in the city again, being safe?"
"Maybe.. hopefully…"
Amber smiled and rolled over getting herself cozy. As she drifted off Avalon lifted her head and looked towards the skylight. "Hopefully..."
Lightning flashed in storm dark skies. Shadows moved around him in the clouds dashing at him and tearing at his body. Every time he slew one two more rose in their place. Their formless bodies seemed to leer at him everywhere he looked.
"help me…" her voice was so weak. She needed him now more then ever, but he had to find her! In a rush he flew past the shadows, and they raked his sides with their claws. But he was free, flying through clouded skies and storm till it went black.
Cave walls curved around him. Slowing he walked along touching the walls. They were wet and warm. Distantly he could hear a heartbeat. As he stepped around into the light he could see a pool of water. She lay in its center floating on her back, eyes closed, hands folded on her chest as red spread out around her staining everything including the light itself deep crimson. "help…. Me"
With a sudden gasp he woke, tangled in blankets and panting hard. Thunder rolled outside as he gripped the center of his chest biting back tears. The nightmare fresh in his mind made little sense, but stung all the same.
"I didn't see all of that one… but it certainly is different from the usual. Is that why you have been sleeping in the tower again instead of among the others?"
Mewtwo snapped his gaze up across the room. The gardevoir knelt near the wall watching him impassively. The rest of the room was circled in windows framed by the strange architecture he so favored. Outside the clouds churned in perpetual storm, darkened further by the late hour. Various books sat on squat shelves under the windows and scattered around the large circular depression in the center of the room. His nest, a pit filled with pillows and blankets on a soft circular cushion. This was the highest tower of his stronghold, a place he hadn't rested in a long time.
"Do not be angry… you were projecting again. Are you alright? Do you need anything teacher?"
"No I am fine" he rested his face in his hands trying to stabilize his breathing.
A soft pop and he felt something being floated near him. Peeking between his fingers he saw a glass of water hovering in the air. His student held her hand out as she levitated the glass.
"If I can do nothing else for you… drink."
Sighing he took the glass and gulped it down.
"Was that… another mewtwo I saw? Or was it yourself?"
He looked up at her and frowned.
"Forgive me I am only trying to help."
"I know… I've had a lot on my mind as of late" he stared into the bottom of the empty glass.
"Do you wish to talk about it?"
He continued to look into the glass his mind racing over the dreams meaning, if there was any. Was this a fear for her safety now that he found her? Was he scared he may lose her? Or was this something else.. a foresight or… a call for help…. A.. call for help? He dropped the empty glass into his bedding.
"I need to go" he scrambled up to his feet and floated in the center of the room already casting his senses out across the gulf of space to find her, feeling her mind he held on.
His student got up and came to the edge of the nest looking up at him "Do you need help? How long will you be gone?"
"No.. and I do not know." and with a high pitched zap he was gone, leaving her to frown at the empty space as she picked up the discarded glass.
It was dark and quiet in the attic room. The sounds of deep breathing and rain creating sense of peace in such an unexpected place. There was a faint crackle and Avalon's ear twitched as she lifted her head slowly. Looking around the room everything was as it should be- rain fell, everything was put away, there were no lurking figures in the dark, and Amber was asleep with one of her feet in the air twitching.
Yet she could feel something, a static in the air that made her fur stand on end. Before she could even pull herself up fully the loud crackle of a teleport went off and a glowing figure hovered in the middle of the room.
Hissing, Avalon rolled out of her bed sending a very startled kadabra sprawling from her nest with a high pitched scream. She crouched ready to spring as her hands glowed black.
As the figure's glow faded Avalon sighed shaking off the energy she had gathered. "You could have warned me…"
Mewtwo landed on the floorboards with a creak. "I am sorry… I thought…" he looked around the room seeking danger. The only thing that stood out, aside from Avalon herself, was the little kadabra picking herself up from the floor. "I was... worried... I thought you might be in danger... I came as soon as I could."
"I am alright… a little startled now, but I am fine" she stood up to her full height and regarded him "What made you think I wasn't?"
He blinked and looked at the floor rubbing the back of his head "I had a dream... a nightmare… You were calling for my help and I thought... perhaps… you really were calling for help."
"I was asleep. I am perfectly fine."
Amber looked between the two frowning before she backed up a step.
The floor creaked making Mewtwo whip his head her direction. The fox pokemon's tail began to poof up more and more till it was like a giant bottle brush.
Avalon stepped forward "Mewtwo? This is Amber… shes with me and she is not a threat I assure you."
He regarded her and bowed his head "Sorry about this, a pleasure, I should let you rest.. I am sorry about this intrusion."
"wait! Don't go…"
Mewtwo stopped mid turn and looked back at her.
"It's just.. I haven't seen you in a couple days. And… since you are here…"
"Yes?"
Amber looked between the pair a few moments before there was a soft static pop and she was gone. Neither mewtwo noticed.
"I… you are... disturbed by whatever you saw... at least take a few moments to calm down before you head back?"
He sighed and nodded, but still stood there in the middle of the room. Avalon stepped up to him gently taking his hand and leading him over to the nest. She sat down guiding him down with her. He complied with no resistance, sitting beside her with his shoulders slumped. "I've.. never had a nightmare like that before. I have had plenty of others… memories of my life coming back to haunt me, fears of being recaptured. But nothing with someone else or.. so symbolic and strange."
As she listened Avalon found herself wrapping her tail around behind him "Do you want to tell me about the details?"
He paused feeling her tail move over his and returned the gesture back. Woven together now like a pair of figurines. "I… was flying in a storm… there were enemies I couldn't make out all around me and I heard your voice crying out for help. I got free only to end up in a cavern, you were there in the center of a pool, blood filling the water… and then I woke up."
Avalon frowned and gently put a hand on his shoulder "I'm sorry… but I assure you I am alright." she gave him an encouraging smile when he glanced at her.
"I can see that now" His hand came up and rested over hers, "and I am grateful."
"Do you think it was a warning?"
"I certainly hope not…. I… I do not wish any harm to you."
"And I do not want anything to happen to you…" she looked down a moment and when she looked back up she slid her hand up to his cheek.
He stared at her. Offering comfort in this moment when he had come into her space so rudely? His hand moved up to her cheek, running a thumb along its line. The gesture evoked a soft rumble in her throat as she closed her eyes and pressed her cheek into his palm. It was astonishing to him she continued to enjoy his touch.
After a few moments she opened her eyes and scooted closer wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He froze, but slowly relaxed in her arms and returned the gesture. Holding each other close as they sat in her nest, her head to his shoulder, his head coming to rest on hers.
"Do… you think you will be able to sleep?" she murmured.
"Not likely… I've never been able to fall back to sleep after a nightmare." he murmured back.
"Do you want to try?" she nuzzled into his shoulder.
"I am very tired…"
She shifted her weight and they were tipping back slowly into her pillows. He didn't resist only adjusting his position so that he was comfortable, and oh was it comfortable. More so once she scooted up against his side and rested her head on his chest.
"Stay with me. Perhaps, with both of us, we can keep the nightmares away for one more night." Her hand slid over his belly as she hugged him, feet and tail tangling with his.
He nodded nuzzling the top of her head. One hand petting along her back the other resting on her arm. "I will… thank you… how can I ever repay your kindness..."
She sighed settling against him her breathing slowing.
"Avalon?" he lifted his head just enough to peer at her. She was already asleep nestled in against him. Closing his eyes an invisible force lifted blankets and settled over them. He shifted and rested his muzzle against her head taking in her scent as he listened to her breathing and the rain. Soon he was drifting off as well, more at peace then he could ever remember.
Jangling her keys Aspen let herself into the life sciences building. Usually the first one to show up she was grateful for no interruptions as she made her way up to her office. Creaking her door open she stepped inside and spotted Amber asleep in Merlin's usual place by the window.
The kadabra snorted and blinked looking up at her bleary eyed.
"Oh! She have nightmares again?"
It seemed like it took her a few moments for her brain to come fully online, but suddenly Amber's eyes went wide and she let out a soft screech before she was just suddenly gone in a static pop.
"Must have…" Aspen craned her neck looking at the ceiling as she pulled off her scarf and coat starting to put things down before she headed for the hidden attic entrance.
Avalon slowly opened her eyes. Pale light filtered down from the lone skylight, a stillness in her room. She yawned and stretched and suddenly felt something around her middle. Blinking she glanced down and saw his arm around her waist squeezing tight. It all came back, he had rested by her last night, she could feel his warmth against her back and his breath on the back of her second neck. She shivered and took his hand wrapping his arm around her tighter.
There was a soft mmm in her ear as he slowly came to. He laid there breathing slowly becoming aware of the creature in his arms. "I... have never slept so well…" he murmured to her his mental voice softer then it had ever been.
"Nor have I…" she replied nestling back against him as she enjoyed their shared warmth.
"Would.. you want to rest like this again?" he ventured.
Slowly she rolled to her back so she could look up at him. Her hand lighted on his cheek "I would like nothing more."
Mewtwo searched her face examining her features so close in the pale dawn light before he leaned down and touched his muzzle to hers letting the kiss develop slowly. Her purring deepened and she pressed up against him. Tails entwined, hands roaming over the other, this perfect moment seemed to stretch on forever.
Till a soft pop sounded on the other side of the room. "Avalon!" Amber glanced around spotting the situation. She let out a squeak and pulled on her own ears out of frustration.
"Av… Oh WHOA! Uhh…. Avalon! You.. Yeah.. Mother.. Aspen.. Morgan.. your mother is coming!"
He broke the kiss and looked at the frantic kadabra then past her as he heard the door below creaking open. Avalon popped up to an elbow watching with wide eyes.
He turned back to her, cupped her face in both hands, and gave her a rushed kiss that left her breathless. "When you can, go to your cabin, I will find you then."
She barely got to nod in agreement before the static crack of his teleport went off and she was left to go limp in the bedding.
Amber scampered over and dropped into the blankets in his place making like she was shaking Avalon awake.
It took Avalon a couple moments to catch on with a soft "thank you"
Floorboards creaked and Aspen popped her head around the brick of the fireplace "Is everything okay Kiddo?"
"y... yes... just a bad dream!" she was certainly flustered and disheveled enough for the lie to pass.
Aspen smiled at her daughter "I could order a nice breakfast for us if you want? Would you like that? Waffles? Hows that sound?"
Avalon sat up slowly rubbing her head as Amber pat on her shoulder "That sounds wonderful.. I will be down in a moment…"
Her mother smiled and retreated back for the stairs.
Letting out a heavy sigh Avalon dropped into the nest. "Thank you Amber…"
Amber huffed and patted her "Well... I guess I know you are getting along."
All Avalon could say to that was to let out a disgruntled snort as Amber squeaked out a laugh.