This story Contains Strong language, comedy, sexual references, Rape, violence and minor blood You have been warned!
Pokémon language Barrier is Present
telepathy and Translators Are NEEDED to understand poke speech

"human/ translated poke speech"

'Pokémon speech / telepathy/Aura '
thoughts

I don't own Pokémon!
Game freak does, I just own my Oc's
-


"Midnight! what the hell is the meaning of this?" Shade stared at his mate who stood in between Kitos and himself, preventing him from killing the human. His attention shifted seeing three more pokémon entering the room having followed Midnight inside and quickly surrounded Kitos getting into defensive positions around the human who looked to and from each pokemon as he held his throat, still struggling to breath.

"Why the hell are you in this room? I told everyone here never to enter. My better question is why the hell are you protecting that bastard?" Shade's gaze hardened as he watched his mate and her movements as she took a step back and got into a defensive position in front of Kitos.

"You know exactly what this is about, Shade. Stop your attack on this human right now before you put everyone here in danger. Do you not realize what the hell you will cause by killing him?" Midnight looked towards Kitos with a grimace. "Kitos? You alright?" Kitos looked up to Midnight and nodded his head weakly.

"I-I'll manage…" Midnight's gaze raised as she looked towards Maya who was standing behind Kitos, staring at the claw marks from his shoulder down to his back and shook her head.

"He's got some deep gashes on his back and shoulder… I'm surprised he's even conscious with how bloody and deep they are Lady Midnight." Kitos jerked slightly, hearing that Maya was behind him and slowly turned to see her. He caught sight of another pokemon, a buizel, who returned his gaze to the human but quickly shifted his gaze back to Shade. Kitos looked over to his left and saw a weavile standing there, raring to go. Kitos looked down and checked its claws. Damage could be easily seen all over her claws as well as parts of her feather-like crown and around her chest. Her gaze shifted over towards Kitos and saw that he was staring at her claw. She looked away and avoided eye contact with him. The way he observed her made her feel like she was being judged by the way he looked at her. "Staring is pretty damn rude. It never changes…"

Kitos turned away from the weavile and closed his eyes . "Sorry… I meant no disrespect. i-." Kitos flinched and hissed as he lurched over, trying to reach for his back from the pain that now surged through his body. Both weavile and buizel jerked towards the human as he lowered himself to the floor, but the weavile stopped.

"Wait a minute… so he really can?" she muttered while the buizel nodded his head sightly.

"Yea, Vaporeon mentioned that he was capable of understanding us. I can't believe that it's actually true." A loud snarl could be heard coming from Shade as he glared towards the other pokemon before his gaze switched back to his mate.

"Midnight, the human that you and the others are so willing to stand there and protect is a threat to our pack - our very home! Why the hell should I bother letting that bastard live?" Midnight sat on her haunches as she flicked her tail slightly.

"For one Shade, we dealt with an issue a little over two years ago and lost some of our pack members because of a mistake my sister and I made. One that her and I vowed to never to make again. We were foolishly blind in thinking our mistress had came back for us when in reality she brought those who came to capture and even harm us." She closed her eyes as a stray tear slowly fell. "I can't forgive myself for the loss we suffered nor the damage we caused for our mistake, but they understood our reasons why, but because it put us all in danger, you asked of us never to trust her again."

Shade stood there, his body relaxing some as he heard his mate speak about her regret, the pain he knows she still blames herself for. But he kept his gaze on Midnight while he took peeks at Kitos who was now sitting on floor while the buizel was checking his wounds. "Midnight, I know you and Astra regret what happened years ago, having that small chance of hope - there is nothing wrong with that. But you protecting that human is one thing I can't allow. So now I ask you, why shouldn't I kill him?"

Midnight opened her eyes and continued staring at the floor before she shifted her gaze towards Kitos, watching him and the others for a moment. Maya laid down in front of him while buizel looked over the wounds on his back. Weavile had even came to his side, though hesitant at first, trying to help soothe him from the pain he was enduring. She turned back towards Shade, looking up towards her lover and pack leader. She knew Kitos was not like the others. She believed that he wasn't from what she's heard of from the others and even experienced herself. "Because he has yet to cause harm to any of us. I'm asking you to please listen to me." Shade gave a disgusted growl under his voice as he crossed his arms, looking towards his mate.

"You can't seriously think for one second I'm going to listen to any reason as to why I shouldn't kill him." Midnight gave Shade a dirty look as she spat out.

"Regardless of him being human or pokémon, he'll be judged fairly while in our territory Shade. This is how it goes in this pack. Now I'm going to name off each time this human has helped one of us instead of causing harm, and with each reason it'll give you more reason to spare his life." Shade crossed his arms in annoyance.

"Fine then, lets get this over with then Midnight. The sooner I hear your reasons, the sooner I can gut this fucker." Shade closed his eyes as he growled under his breath.

Why are they so adamant on helping him?

Midnight gave a defeated groan before she decided to continue. "Close enough, I guess. The first one I'll bring up is Diana and her kittens. You know she's been struggling to feed them because of the issue we're dealing with our nearby feeding grounds being torn down by human construction. You know, around the same time I started to get sick."

"You're talking about the construction where they are working on a water park, not far from here, right?" Shade nodded before he and Midnight both turned to Kitos who was looking towards the both of them with a serious gaze. Midnight decided to continue. "Yes, that is the one. You know about it?" Kitos gave a simple nod as he now had everyone's attention.

"From what i've heard, the mayor has construction workers demolishing a large portion of the forest in the area to build that waterpark in order to help the town's finances by bringing in more tourists to come through and visit. The problem is, if those are the feeding grounds to wild and neighboring pokémon, and doesn't have the proper paperwork, let alone the authorization from the pokemon league for this area, then he is destroying the forest illegally. The League would not authorize construction on pokémon feeding grounds, no matter what the price could be."

Buizel had came around, looking towards Kitos. "So if you're saying this mayor guy is doing this against the law, then why hasn't anyone stopped it?"

Kitos looked towards the floor, giving a low growl. "Because we're civilians, and without evidence or proof, there is literally nothing we can do. He's obviously somehow fabricated proof if there is already a construction crew doing the job."

Midnight sat there and listened to what Kitos had just told them while hearing the irritation in his voice. She could tell he hated what was happening to their forest. "As I was saying before I was interrupted," she gave Kitos a look making him sink his head.

"S-sorry Midnight." she gave a firm nod as she turned back to Shade, getting his full attention once more.

"From what Diana has mentioned, Kitos actually gave up his means of warmth and his food for the night for her kittens." Shade pointed a claw towards Kitos.

"He could have been luring her into a false hope in order to take advantage of her later on. He'd use her kits as a mean to make her surrender easily." Midnight closed her eyes as her tail thumped against the floor.

"With a building full of pokemon who could lock this building down with their abilities and even those with the power to teleport instantly could easily stop him, he would not have made it out of here alive, Shade. The fact she even allowed him to help her kits let alone allowed him to come in close contact with them after what she dealt with from her former master should say something." Shade closed his eyes tapping his claws against his arm, muttering a few words of disgust under his voice.

"Fine, I'll let him have this one Midnight. He might have actually done it for the kittens I suppose…" Shade gave Kitos a death glare who shifted his gaze away from Shade as he winced from his injuries. Midnight gave a short cough catching Shade's attention as she continued.

"The next one is with our second in command, Tempest."

Shade held a paw up in the air. "I have heard enough about his encounter with Tempest and how he helped her. Who's to say he wasn't the cause of those injuries to begin with? I honestly don't buy it." Midnight turned towards Kitos, though her sights landed on Maya as she spoke.

"Well then, since Maya is here with us, she can even help clear any misunderstanding or what questions that may need answering. That is, if you're ok with that."

Maya turned to face Midnight and Shade both as she sat up straight before she bowed her head. "Of course, Lady Midnight!" Once she rose her head her gaze went back to Kitos as he returned his gaze towards her.

This is a odd feeling, i now hold his chances of survival, i surely hope i'm not making a mistake here.

"Can you tell us exactly how you encountered Kitos?" Midnight asked. Maya looked to the floor as she spoke.

"How I encountered him was odd if I say so honestly. Fenrir thought I was asleep with inferno, however I had snuck outside to relieve myself because my bladder was getting the better of me. I managed to make it back inside quietly. I encountered Kitos entering our den, so I snuck around the corner and followed our guest inside our sleeping quarters.

"I was curious to see what Kitos was up to, and with the element of surprise on my side, I couldn't let the chance just slip by in case he was here to harm our sure to keep my distance away from him so he couldn't see me even with that flashlight of his. Being so small and my fur helping me stay out of sight, I watched what he did while checking his belt and his backpack and noticed he didn't have any capture devices on his person, but you can never be too careful." Maya looked to Kitos and smirked. "You should work on your sneaking a bit. Your shoes do make a little noise." Kitos blinked for a moment then looked to his shoes and rubbed one of em on the floor and heard them making small squeaking noises.

Maya turned back towards her pack leaders and looked Shade in the eyes. "It's when he and I both had heard Fenrir and Tempest talking. Kitos took cover behind one of the turned over tables and hid himself from them. They were… discussing the situation of your disappearance to find a remedy for Midnight. The pack has started to wonder if you had become weak by leaving Tempest in charge when we clearly know that's not true. I-."

"Hold it, you're telling me some of our pack members, our family, questioned why I left even after I made the statement that I had to find special herbs for Midnight to aid in her recovery. But somehow I have become weak by leaving someone I trust in charge?" Shade interrupted.

"Y-yes Shade, some of them were afraid you might have abandoned them." Shade growled under his breath as he turned his attention away muttering choice words.

"So… some of the pack believed Shade was weak and abandoned them because he left Tempest in charge of their safety while he went out to find Midnight medicine to help save her life, that's fucked up…"

Shade, Midnight, and Maya had turned to Kitos who was staring at the floor while opening and closing his right hand. Maya had coughed slightly, returning her attention to her pack leaders and continued. "Anyways, Kitos had heard Midnight was sick but wondering with what. I made the choice in revealing myself to him. he looked back at me and I swore I saw fear appear in his eyes, but I informed him I had no intentions of blowing his cover just yet and sat by him and continued to listen to the conversation Fenrir and Tempest were having."

"And what exactly was said once you revealed yourself to Kitos?" Midnight asked as she sat there looking into Maya's eyes for hints of lies or deception. Maya looked Midnight in her eyes continued her story.

"We continued to listen to what they discussed and found out about the park being the reason for our food source becoming so scarce. Fenrir had shown a disgust towards mankind. I noticed that Kitos seemed upset about seeing Fenrir angry towards his kind. I took a step back and howled to the pack, alerting them that we had a guest. I'm pretty sure you're aware of what happened next."

"Yea, Fenrir and Inferno decided to give me a five second head start thinking, I couldn't understand them." Kitos interrupted with annoyance in his voice that only earned him a glare from Midnight, telling him to hush. Maya smirked as she continued.

"We gave chase. He was able to keep a good distance from us for sometime, even dodging attacks from Fenrir and Inferno, but I got the drop on him and slammed into his side while inferno burnt the sleeve of his jacket. Inferno then decided to strike at Kitos, only he missed and slammed his head into the wall and became disoriented. Fenrir had struck Kitos, knocking him away. It was then Tempest who bolted past all of us and cut Kitos off with her Thunder Fang primed and ready to strike. We had him cornered."

Shade and Midnight looked to each other then back to Maya. "However… Inferno launched a Fireblast attack which began caving in the roof and the walls where both Kitos and Tempest stood. Inferno was so badly disorientated that he didn't even know what had happened until he was able to recover. In the meantime, I went to find help from the Water-types. Vaporeon being the lead with buizel helping us put the flames out."

Shade stood there as Maya finished her part until he spoke up. "Then whatever happened on the other side… we'll have to find out from Tempest, correct?" Maya nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, she'll tell you everything that happened between her and Kitos. I just want to point out that if Kitos wanted to capture or kill Tempest, he had the chance when we were separated… but instead, he cleaned and dressed her wounds and even splinted her leg, he also left his jacket on Tempest to keep her covered" This brought Kitos from his own train of thought of things as he looked to Maya.

"How is Tempest with her injury?" Maya turned from Shade and Midnight and looked to Kitos, surprised by his question, but it also made her think that perhaps Kitos really did care about them.

"She is still in some pain but she said her wounds aren't as bad as they were. Why are you concerned with her health?" Kitos gave a low grumble as he looked up to Maya.

"Because Tempest is the first, actual pokemon I was able to help with those kind of injuries. I'm not sure if I wrapped her leg too tight or if I made sure I didn't cause any further injury." Kitos looked to the ground as he closed his eyes, his hand balling into a fist. "I just wanted to make sure Tempest was okay… but she forced me to leave her side once you and the others started to break through the rubble. I just wanted ask to make sure she was okay once I left her alone. I wanted to stay until your pack could stay with her but she would not have it as she said that y'all would have killed me once you saw me, especially Inferno."

Kitos raised his head only to be met face to face with Maya who stared into Kitos eyes and, strangely enough, licked his cheek. Not only was Kitos taken by surprise by her reaction, both Shade and Midnight were as Kitos blinked for a moment and pulled his head back. D-did Maya just…

"Tempest is strong, one of the toughest canines here in the pack so you don't have to worry so much for her injury. She was more concerned on making sure Inferno, Shade, and myself didn't find and kill you. I can clearly see why she begged me to try and reason with the others since she could not."

Kitos couldn't believe what he was hearing. Even after he left Tempest, she had asked her pack mates not to kill him. Did he cause that much of an impression because he was honest and helped her? Midnight had shifted her attention from Kitos and Maya for a moment, looking towards her mate who looked down towards her as she gave him a pleading look. "Shade, can't you see that you might be making a mistake?"

Shade looked towards Kitos who was rubbing his cheek as Buizel was laughing at Kitos while weavile was poking at Maya's side in which she barked back at her to cut it out. "...So the human has impressed some of the pack. My choice still remains firm… He is a threat weather you see it or not Midnight." Midnight closed her eyes, her ears went back some as she spoke quietly.

"Maya, would you mind checking up on Tempest please? Cain and Rika will remain here guarding Kitos to ensure nothing goes wrong." Maya stopped her conversation and looked towards Midnight, ready to say something but saw her paw rise and her tail making two flicks to the left. That was her way of silently asking her to leave and do as she asked.

"Y-yes Lady Midnight…" Maya turned towards the direction of the doors just as she was about to leave.

"Maya, hang on." Maya looked towards who Kitos lifted himself up and held his left side again. "Go and get my backpack with the remaining vials inside… have her or someone who can read human language give her the Oran Berry mixture. It'll help focus on healing her wounds and fractures more than the Full-Restore spray I had to use. It'll also help with the pain she's still enduring as well and, if you can, thank her for making me run when she did." Maya nodded her muzzle with a smile and broke out into a full run out of the room without a word.

"Now then, the last reason I feel you should spare Kitos is because I say so." Midnight snapped her eyes open, a glare returning to her eyes as she looked Shade dead in the eyes who in turn snarled right back at her. "I'm telling you to let him live because he also saved my life. You already know what happened but I shall tell you so you're not left in the dark."

Shade grew furious as he pointed a claw towards Kitos. "I'm still fucking pissed off you even got close to my mate. That alone is a death sentence for touching her!"

Midnight was flattered to know that Shade was still territorial with her. It proved that he loved her with everything in his very being. Midnight turned to Kitos who was looking towards Shade. "Okay… I get it Shade, you hate me. Not just me but all humankind. You want me dead for various reasons. I'm in your territory, I'm in your very home. Even coming near some of your pack members has upset you, especially Midnight, but in my defense Shade, if I hadn't gave Midnight the two vials of antidote for her poisoning, she would have died by the next morning… she was that far gone!"

Midnight's heart sunk, hearing what Kitos had just told them. Shade slammed his claws into the floor, snarling at him. "Don't you even fucking say such a thing! You don't know for a damn fact she would of died!" Kitos tried to bite back his tongue but he couldn't hold it back anymore as he yelled back in retaliation.

"Her tongue was turning pale white! A sign that the poison in her system was nearly permanent and a cure would not have been enough. I would have had to take Midnight against her will for her to survive!" Midnight's eyes dilated and slowly lifted her gaze towards Kitos as she spoke in a shaken tone.

"I was… that far gone?" Kitos lowered his head as he spoke up.

"When a pokemon's tongue starts turning a pale-ish white, it means the poison in their system has become too much for the body's immune system to handle. I knew it was a serious risk but I had to give you what mixtures I had. I fed you the two vials just so the effects would double up and work faster. The water was to help rehydrate and help aid the antidote work into your system quicker."

Shade was looking Kitos dead in his eyes as Kitos returned his gaze to Midnight. Shade was digging into Kitos' soul to find anything, anything at all that he might of been lying to aid in his escape. He saw nothing. He could not see any sign that he was lying and it made his mind switch back and forth with his choice on killing him now. Midnight had sat there for a solid minute until she finally spoke, "Your mother… she's the one who made the mixtures and taught you what to look for… right?" Kitos nodded as Midnight took the silence to continue.

"I owe the both of you then. Your mother for her dedication on creating those remedies and I must thank you for having the heart to even consider saving my life." Shade started to claw the floor beneath him as he heard his mate actually thanking this human but then something crossed his mind.

Of course… that'll work… Shade slowly rose up, his gaze staring Kitos in the eyes. "Lies… pure fucking lies. I know for a fact you would have never released me when you tried to capture me not once, but three different times. Do you actually think for one second I'm going to sit here and let my family think you're some kind hearted human?"

At the mere mention of Shade being possibly captured Midnight, Caid, and Rika all three shifted their sights to Kitos and took a few steps back. Rika lifted her claws slowly and came to Midnight's side, Caid hissing towards him as his rage started to take over. Midnight stared into Kitos' eyes as the words fell out of her maw, "...You… you didn't actually try to… no… How… could you even think to try such a thing?"

Kitos started to realize his situation had just turned from safe to dire in mere seconds from the mention of Shade being captured by one of the pokeballs. Defective or not, it seems none of them liked the idea of going back into one at all. "N-now hang on just a minute… Shade tried to kill me. I had to defend myself with what little I had. My backpack is in your den, Midnight, and I sure as hell didn't want to hurt him, but when I went to pick something up, I didn't think anything of it at first as I threw it and he was sucked inside the first time. I didn't even know it was a pokéball until I had thrown it!"

"But you knew the second and third time… didn't you?" Midnight said quietly as she watched his reaction and saw as he hung his head.

"...I did."

Midnight couldn't believe it. She almost fell for another mistake. She thought Kitos was different. Perhaps… her mate was right. Perhaps he was just putting on an act in order to get close to them and then, when their backs were turned, capture them as they slept.

Midnight closed her eyes as she heard Kitos continue, "Consider my condition… I was already injured when I got here. Tempest and her pack didn't help matters any as they attacked me. Maya and Inferno kept me pinned while Shade checked on you and here…" he looked around the room before his gaze fell back to Midnight as he continued. "Shade came close to killing me twice tonight. The second pokéball I thought I did capture him, but I swear to you I was going to release him because the pack ne-."

"Enough! I have heard enough out of you Kitos! I thought I could trust you but clearly… I was wrong… I was fucking wrong!" Midnight's eyes held fire within them as she stepped closer, making Kitos fall back. He struggled to pull himself away from Midnight as she now advanced on him with Caid and Rika by her side with Shade bringing up the rear with a smirk on his face as he watched Kitos struggle.

Easier than I thought…

Rika and Caid rushed Kitos and stopped him from trying to flee. His gaze looked up towards the both of them, seeing the anger in their eyes. He rolled onto his rear as Midnight sat there glaring at him. "...You're really no damn different than the rest of those years ago. Even if you did help my pack, you still tried to capture my mate. Whether it was to defend yourself or not, I can't take the chance, not after a mistake I made."

Kitos' eyes dilated as Midnight bared her fangs as she slammed her paws into his shoulders pinning him to the floor. All Kitos could do was stare as he spoke weakly, "Midnight, I-I'm not lying to you. Please, I swear to Arceus as my witness I was going to release Shade if a pokéball did capture him."

"...He speaks the truth, young Midnight. Though it pains me to side with a human, he does speak the truth." Everyone's attention shifted to the voice in the room who stood there, paws by its sides. Next to it stood a green colored jolteon and a staraptor next to her, watching the events unfold in front of them.

"Matriarch!" they spoke in unison as she slowly approach them, her gaze fixated on Kitos as she advanced towards the group while he was staring up at her in return, wondering what was going to happen to him now. Her fur ranged from yellow, white, red, and black in different areas. The fur around her body almost seemed to become more of a robe as it climbed from her hips up to her shoulders while it showed her very revealing feminine figure. A small smirk grew on the Delphox's muzzle as she noticed Kitos was looking over the details of her form.

"I shall repeat myself young Midnight, the human, Kitos, speaks the truth of his intentions of releasing Shade. However…" The Delphox's gaze shifted over to Shade, "he already knew Kitos actually tried to release him from a pokéball that he staged to make the human think that he was captured in order to see what the human would have actually done."

Midnight closed her maw, lowering her head slightly as her claws retracted from Kitos' shoulders before she looked towards the delphox as she whispered, "Then Kitos… he wasn't lying?"

The Delphox nodded silently. "Indeed. The first I have seen in many years of living upon this world, he has been nothing but honest with all of us." Midnight looked to Kitos for a brief moment as she quietly muttered a sorry as she slowly pulled back and turned towards Shade, her eyes shadowed over. "You knew…" Shade watched as his own mate and two of his pack mates looked to Shade in turn as Midnight yelled at him, "You fucking knew he actually tried to release you and yet… you still tried to use it to your advantage, knowing our complete hate of going back to being with a human, let alone a possible trainer. Shade… how could you? I… we… I could have killed him! I could have fucked everything up for our pack!"

Shade pointed towards Kitos as he growled. "Truth or not, he isn't some ordinary human. He's able to manipulate Aura!" He glared towards the human as the Matriarch had kneeled down looking over the wounds on his back. "His combat stance is that of a lucario! He is someone we can't afford to have knowing that we live here!

"That still doesn't make killing him right either damnit!" she yelled with fury in her voice. "For fucks sake Shade, he saved my life and how do I repay him? By getting in his face with claws dug into his shoulders, ready to tear his throat out…" The Matriarch stood up from Kitos and stepped forward towards Midnight.

"At ease, Midnight. Shade had his reasons for doing what he felt was right by keeping all of us safe, though he has misjudged and approached the situation wrongly. He has every right to protect us. He is our leader and Alpha after all."

Midnight stared at her mate for a moment before she lowered her gaze and closed her eyes. "I know that but… he tricked me into thinking Kitos might have taken him away from me and I-."

"It's okay Midnight… I don't blame you or Shade for what either of you have done." Everyone's gaze shifted towards Kitos who kept his head held down. With everything that he's already dealt with, staying here at the factory was out of the question. He couldn't stay there, not as long as Shade wanted him dead. Bet or not, he couldn't risk his life like this, not when he has a possible future with Alura. That was more important to him.

Kitos slowly lifted his head while looking towards them. "Shade was only doing what he felt was right, but honestly I'm afraid It would be best if I just leave. I'll sleep in the woods or something. I feel I'll be safer outside instead of in here. I'd rather not piss off Shade anymore than I already have and get killed in my sleep. Shade gave a small growl as he looked away from Kitos closing his eyes as he spat out.

"At least that we can agree on…"

"You're not leaving here Kitos, not in your condition," Midnight spoke in a serious tone. "I'll have you escorted to a personal room." Shade's eyes dilated growling as he turned to Midnight. "Not a fucking chance in hell Midnight. I've already stated that-."

"You don't have a say in this matter any longer, Shade. You tricked me into almost killing him. Not only that but we are honor bound to repaying those who have helped us and you damn well know I am right about that," Midnight spoke with a tone of authority.

Shade's ears pulled back in anger as he clenched his claws tight. "We owe him nothing!"

"We owe him for saving not just my life but for helping Tempest with her injuries and Diana for helping her kittens survive another night," Midnight looked up towards her mate as she saw the anger in his eyes. "I'm sorry Shade. You know I am right on what I say, which is why from this point forward, the human will be under my authority and protection and that is final."

Shade looked towards his mate. "Midnight… please, for our packs sake, reconsider this," the tone he used wasn't of anger towards her, but of serious concern. After everything they all have been through, Shade knew what humans were capable of and this one was one he had to do something with... anything.

"Cain, can you please go and get our healer? Our guest is going to need some intensive care with how deep those claw marks are." Cain nodded without question, rushing out of the room as he did.

"Rika, will you and Spike escort Kitos and wait for Cain to return with Bellaria?" Midnight asked them, receiving a nod from each of them.

"It won't be a problem, Lady Midnight. Come on human, let's get you out and away from this place." Kitos nodded and pushed himself off the floor and got to his feet. As he did, he lost his balance where the Matriarch quickly caught him.

"T-thank you Matriarch... and sorry." The Matriarch gave a small, reassuring smile as she wrapped her arm under his left side, helping him out with the others.

"There is no need for apologies, young Kitos. You're injured and exhausted. It's to be expected when you've faced against Tempest's pack and the alpha himself." As the Matriarch helped Kitos out of the room with the other pokemon, Shade stood there, unable to understand what has happened. This human came into his territory, his very home, and yet the Matriarch, the former leader of the pack, was willing to help this human. Why? Why would she be willing to help him with her past and pure hate of mankind? It made no sense whatsoever to him. It pissed him off to no end. He felt something rub against his leg and saw that Midnight was trying to reassure him.

"Shade, please, for once, just trust me when I tell you we're doing the right thing here… okay?" Shade gave a feral growl as his claws tightened slightly before he turned towards the entrance as he spoke up.

"You didn't fight him Midnight. I did. He isn't some normal human. He's different… We may be doing the right thing morally but for our life's sake, we aren't. I will not trust him whatsoever so don't come to me when he betrays us like your former master did."

Midnight stood there watching as her Mate started towards the rooms entrance, making her ears drop, following behind her Mate as she spoke under her breath, "My former master didn't try and help anyone when she was here Shade, nor did she care when she hurt Astra and we lost some of our packmates… I still worry what happen to them."

Shade stopped and turned towards Midnight. "You miss her ...don't you?" Shade asked his mate.

"Every day since the incident, Shade. I know Tempest does since she was their fifth pack member."


-Outside the room-

"Holy Arceus, it is a human!"

"So… what'd we do? Why didn't our pack leader kill him?"

"Is he… rabid?"

"He looks badly injured… will he be okay?"

Kitos could hear all the chatter in his translator while the Matriarch helped him over towards the stairs and eased him down. "Rest here, Kitos. Cain should return with Bellaria here real soon."

Kitos looked towards the delphox and nodded weakly as he leaned against the wall. He slowly regained some of his strength. He took the opportunity to check his surroundings and saw all kinds of pokemon were around. He was surprised to actually see so many pokemon. "Never… thought I'd see so many different pokemon in one place. Have all of them really been abandoned?"

"Unfortunately so…" Spike spoke up as he sat down next to the human. "We were, at one time, part of a team with a goal. We were all competitive, contest participants, and even just pokémon on what we thought was a loving and caring team." Kitos turned his attention to the green jolteon who had this… empty look in his eyes as he continued, "But because of certain birth defects, certain traits that our masters wanted but couldn't get, we didn't fit the bill. We were tossed away like we were nothing more than mere trash to them."

Kitos noticed out of the corner of his eye that Rika had been looking at her claws and part of her feathers. Her ear-like feathers lowered as she gave a dejected sigh hidden in her voice as tears could be seen welling in the corners of her eyes. Kitos looked up slightly to the jolteon who had shifted his gaze towards the entire group of pokémon. "Some of us were born with defects that our trainers either tried to help us with and failed or just didn't bother to try. Either way, we're all here living a different life now. even our leader has his own history as well." Kitos looked to a flygon with severely damaged wings, almost as if another pokemon or human had done the deed. He saw a bisharp close to it and saw the blades didn't shine on its body, but what surprised him the most was the fact that the blades on its arms and body was chipped and cracked in many areas.

That can't be. A bisharp's blades are practically indestructible… that can't be right…

"As you can see, we all have our… issues… as some humans like to put it lightly." Kitos looked down to see a vaporeon padding up towards him and sat down in front of him. "It's just… how its always been, I'm afraid. Some of us are born unlucky to have what your kind seek out. Some of us were dealt with a pathetic hand in life for us to lose our good looks or our limbs to continue being powerful." The vaporeon shook her head as she gave a small chuckle, "And to think I evolved to save my master from drowning. Yet he would abandon me because I evolved into something he didn't want me to be."

That made Kitos sick to his stomach. He could hear others agreeing with what the vaporeon said. Some were whining and some even crying because of their defects. He couldn't listen to this any longer and decided to speak up, "It shouldn't be an excuse to abandon any of you though. So what if each of you have an issue or a defect? You're still all living, breathing beings who still deserve respect and to be treated both fairly and right. It honestly makes me sick seeing so many of you pokemon here who were abandoned because of something that can't be helped."

This caught a majority of the pokemon's attention, including the Matriarch who stood idly by. This was the first time many of the pokémon had heard a human speak so differently about their problems. "I'm sitting here looking at so many of you who have been abandoned and, for what reason? Because of your defects… because your stats aren't high enough... Because you're missing wings, an arm, a leg... You can't perform certain abilities or moves. So fucking what? You shouldn't have to be treated this way at all. Everyone can do something differently than what most would be expected of them."

Tempest and Diana made their way towards Kitos along with the pack and other pokemon who followed to hear what Kitos was saying. "Each of you can still perform just as good, if not even better, if you just work hard towards it. You shouldn't let what your former masters say affect what you do or think when I know you can do something when you believe you in yourselves. All you have to do is try for it and not give up on it… Once you've given up, that is when you've allowed your issues to affect you."

The room was in complete silence as he spoke. Soon the room's chattering continued to increase by the second as they all eyed and looked to Kitos carefully. Tempest and Diana both looked to each other then to the vaporeon who looked back towards them, her maw slightly agape in pure surprise at what she just heard from him. "I must admit Kitos. I never expected to hear such words come from the likes of a human, especially after what has happened to you tonight."

Kitos looked up towards the Matriarch who gave a small smile as she placed a paw on the top of his head, rubbing it lightly. "You really are a rare one. For you to sit there with your injuries with pokemon surrounding you who absolutely hate your kind, and be willing to speak your mind and speak the truth is very bold and heartfelt. You're not even a trainer and you show us better care and compassion than some of our former masters ever did. I admire that."

Kitos sat there as his eyes looked into the Matriarch's and saw she was looking back into his own. Her smile continued to grow, even a small giggle escaped from her as she kneeled down her paw resting the side of the of his head. "You genuinely care about pokemon kind, especially for her." Kitos' eyes went wide for a second but was stopped before he could speak. "She is a very lucky girl if you're that loyal and caring after you realize your mistakes for not seeing how much she really does love you. I know you'll take care of her."

The Matriarch gave Kitos a small wink as she poked the Aura Stone collar around his neck, making his face flush quickly as he realized that the Matricach knew what kind of relationship he was in.

I-I can't… she knew I was doubting myself… It's almost as if...

'As if I was looking into your mind? Partially. I could sense your distress of being able to survive the fight with Shade in order to return to your mate. So take my advice and don't ever stop loving her.'

Kitos' gaze shifted up to Matriarch's eyes and saw how serious she was. He could only chuckle weakly, making the Matriarch smile in return. "Don't worry about that, Matriarch. I won't ever stop…" Some of the pokemon didn't know what was going on, others got the general idea of what was said, some who had psychic abilities had overheard the conversation making some of them flush realizing just what that meant.

"Good. Now then, I'll be the first to-." A Quilava quickly approached the group as he spoke up.

"I-I'm sorry to interrupt M-Matriarch but I wanted to let you know t-that B-Bellaria and C-Cain are just around the corner."

"That is quite alright Ignitus. Thank you for informing us of their arrival." Kitos shifted his gaze towards where the quilava, now known as Ignitus, came from and saw Cain and Bellaria walking towards them. He saw that Bellaria was an audino, but he couldn't really see what was wrong with this pokémon. It was starting to make him question why this pokemon's trainer abandoned her, if she was abandoned at all.

"Sorry Matriarch, we got here as soon as we could." Cain and Bellaria made their way towards them while pokémon stepped away and out of their direction. Bellaria walked over to Kitos' back and saw that his shirt was shredded in the back, wincing at the sight. "Dear arceus… Shade really did a number to you… I-I doubt my level of abilities can heal this, I'm afraid." Kitos sat there as he felt his heart sink hearing what Bellaria just said. He felt his stomach twist into a few knots knowing just how severe his injuries might of been, but he had to know just how badly.

"W-when you say it like that, how bad is it really?" Shade stood outside the entrance to the pokéball manufacturing room with Midnight easing herself over towards small group.

"How much of his injuries can you possibly heal Bellaria? I can't have him dying here while he's under my care." Bellaria looked towards Midnight as she motioned her over.

"Would you please turn to the right just a bit so Lady Midnight can see the severity of your injuries?" Kitos sighed and turned his back towards the group. Some of them made hushed whispers while others gasped at the sight, which only made his stomach twist into bigger knots as Midnight muttered.

"Arceus… Maya… you told me they were bad but... not to this severity." Midnight turned towards Maya who shrank slightly.

"Sorry Midnight. I'm just used to seeing injuries in combat that I never think of how severe they might be, considering we always end up ending the life of what we attack, even if it was just hunting." Astra opened her eyes as two small energy circles floated around her before they soon levitated over towards Kitos. One was in front of him while the other was near his back. "Here… I think you should see it for yourself…"

Kitos looked into the ball of energy as it floated in front of him before it started to shift until it revealed upon its surface three giant claw marks running from his shoulder down to his side. He could see just how deep and how much blood he most likely lost from these injuries, making his blood run cold as he shook in place.

"O-oh god…"

Midnight placed a paw on Kitos' shoulder before she looked to Bellaria. "Can you try and heal as much of the damage as possible? He can't have these wounds open like this or they'll become infected if left untreated like this." Bellaria nodded her head as she slowly hovered her paws over his shoulder and back as she closed her eyes to focus. "I'll do my best here Midnight, Kitos was it, I'll need you to keep what remains of your shirt pulled up please, and try not to move too much."

"Okay…" Kitos slowly shifted himself back in place as he leaned forward and placed his hands over his eyes, still shaken from what he saw. "...How am I still alive from something like this?"

"Possibly the adrenaline from the fight. It kept your blood pumping, replacing what was lost during the fight while the blood dried and clotted and closed up much of the opening. Enough to prevent you from bleeding out if I were to guess," Rika said as she walked over to Kitos. "It takes time for the blood to dry enough to prevent you from bleeding out but I can honestly say you're lucky you haven't suffered from severe blood loss." Midnight sighed.

"That makes some sense, I suppose." She shifted her attention towards Inferno. "Inferno, I want you, Fenrir, and Tiny to take Kitos to his temporary quarters for the night and guard his room to keep anyone out who may try and harm him." Inferno looked to Fenrir as they both turned to Midnight and nodded their heads in unison.

"Yes ma'am!" Shade grew sick of seeing what was happening to his pack and snarled as he walked past them. "Can't believe my very pack is willing to do this…" Shade started to pick up his pace.

"Shade… wait."

He gave Kitos a disgusted look towards him. Just as their eyes met once again, he saw something familiar that only seemed to haunt his dreams each night.

His past.

"Shade… I'm not sure what happened to you or to the others here who were abandoned, but not everyone is like that. I understand that you're only trying to protect them by watching out for their safety as the pack leader." Kitos closed his eyes as he bit back the venom that tried to sneak into his voice. "I honestly should be fucking pissed off that you tried to kill me, ev-." The group of pokemon stared at Kitos who leaned forward groaning as the pain started to grow intense suddenly as Bellaria continued to work on his injuries while he was still in gripping his side as he looked up towards Shade. "E-even after what you've done to me, I can't blame you for doing what you felt was right."

Shade's eyes dilated as he turned away, looking to and from in different directions before his gaze fell on Midnight whose gaze met his. Shade looked to Kitos as he spat out his words.

"You better count your blessings that my mate even saved your pathetic life." Shade turned back towards Kitos, pointing a claw to him. "Once it has become dawn, you will not return to our home for any reason. If you do… Midnight won't stop me from killing you. For the rest of the night… I don't want to see your damn face again!"

Kitos could feel Shade's hatred burning into his very soul as he slowly lowered his head and bowed towards Shade to avoid his piercing gaze. "...I understand…" Shade could only stare as he growled lowly before storming off towards one of the halls, enraged as everyone sat in place as they watched their pack leader leave. Midnight looked towards Kitos.

"I'm sorry about Shade, Kitos… He isn't really that bad. He's just… you know."

"Besides the fact Shade has an absolute hate towards humankind sister... no, he isn't bad at all." Astra walked beside Midnight before her gaze went back to Kitos. "So other then your injuries, how do you feel?"

Kitos gave a small chuckle. "Honestly, I feel like crap but it's nothing compared to what I've dealt with." Astra could see past his bravado as he kept pressure to his ribs. He felt Bellaria pull away from his back and falling onto her rear panting.

"I can't do anymore than what i've already given… His injuries are too much for me to handle, I'm afraid…"

Midnight's gaze shifted towards the audino as her tail gave a slight wave of her tail. "Will he survive the rest of the night?" Bellaria nodded, reassuring Midnight.

"Yes but it would be best if he got as much rest as possible." Midnight smiled, relieved to hear some good news as she nodded towards Bellaria.

"Thank you for all your help, Bell. Go ahead and try to get some rest tonight."

"Of course Lady Midnight." Bellaria bowed as she headed back towards her room along with many other pokémon leaving as well, including the Matriarch. "No offense to you Lady Midnight, but I must return to my meditation and continue to keep my mind clear so that I can help those who may be in need of advice in the future." Midnight smiled and nodded her head.

"None taken. Get some rest, Matriarch. We may need your help sooner than we might anticipate." The Matriarch gave a small giggle as she rubbed the back of Kitos' head, making him blush from gesture.

"Thank you, Lady Midnight. Kitos, if you feel the need for any advice, don't hesitate to ask." Kitos nodded his head slightly before he spoke up.

"I'll try, but this is my only night so I may not hear from you again." The Matriarch closed her eyes and gave a small smirk as she walked away.

"Who knows actually…"

Kitos sat there confused by what she meant for a moment while Spike got up and followed suit, right beside her while wishing everyone a goodnight. Rika, however, hesitated and turned as she came up to Kitos looking him in the eyes. "Do you really believe we deserve to be happy, even if we look like this?" Rika motioned towards her form, reminding him of her "imperfections." Kitos looked her up and down while she had closed her eyes, shaking out of fear of what he might say about her looks.

"Rika, looks aren't what matters to me. In my eyes… what matters is who you are from within your heart and soul. Never forget that."

Rika opened her eyes and looked to Kitos who was smiling the whole time. She then felt his hand rub the back of one of her feather-like ears, making her smile faintly but pulled away from his touch. "T-thank you." She then turned and rushed after Spike and the Matriarch. Midnight gave a small laugh.

"You're certainly becoming popular. You sure you're okay?"

"I'll be alright. To be honest though, I'm far more concerned about Shade than I am of myself." Midnight nodded in agreement as she shifted her focus to the task at hand.

"Let's get you to your room, shall we?" Kitos wasn't going to argue the fact of being able to sleep finally.

"I'm so happy to finally hear those words. But really Midnight, can I ask you a serious question while we walk?" Midnight shrugged her shoulders to Kitos as she turned towards the corner of the room.

"I don't see a reason why not. Come on Tiny, I'm going to need you tonight."

"Yes, Prime Mate Midnight…" Kitos watched as a six foot ten golurk with a missing arm came around the corner of the door, coming up towards the group, making Kitos stare in shock as the pokemon approached them.

"Damn he's huge…"

"Actually, he is considered small for his kind," Midnight stated as the golurk followed behind them. Kitos nodded his head silently as he thought on the subject carefully.

"Anyways, my question is about your mate. If it's not too much to ask but… what the hell did his former trainer do to him?" Midnight remained silent for a moment then shook her head.

"I'm afraid it's not my place to speak of his past. He doesn't speak much of his past for a good reason. I know very little myself, though I feel its best to leave the past behind."

"Aint that the damn truth…" Fenrir spoke out as they walked. "Honestly, some of our pasts weren't amazing… some of us just wish we could forget it had ever happened." Kitos could hear the depressed tone in Fenrir's voice as he noticed they were going down a different hallway, further into the factory, similar to where most of the pokemon went to sleep for the night.

"Well, I can understand that with what you've been put through but... are the rumors true?" Midnight flicked her ears slightly as she stopped in front of a empty room with the door slightly ajar.

"And what rumor would this be about?"

"Rumors in my hometown say that there was a zorua who was abandoned here years ago by his trainer after it was found out later on in a case that his other pokemon were sexually abused, physically beaten, and even tortured if they went against him and their injuries went untreated for months on end."

Silence filled the hallway as Midnight sat there while the others remained quiet, not daring to interrupt or speak out of turn. "Your point is?"

"Shade was that zorua years ago… wasn't he?" Unknown to Midnight and the group, Shade could overhear what was being discussed. His claws dug into the wall as he suppressed the growling in his throat. Midnight closed her eyes as she gave a weak sigh, looking up to Kitos. "Yes… I'm afraid so, Kitos. He is that very same zorua… however," Midnight turned to Kitos, her gaze piercing into his, "that is in his past and it will remain there. I'm warning you now, do not bring up the subject of my mates past again. I want him to recover and move on from it."

Kitos nodded his head as he placed a hand on the door frame. "I promise, to you and Shade both, I won't. Honestly Midnight… Shade didn't deserve what he had to go through, and I surely hope his former master burns in the distortion world and gets what he deserves for what he did. Not only for Shade, but to the others as well."

Midnight gave Kitos a small smile as her gaze softened. "I'm sure Shade will sleep easier knowing that you're concerned for his well being. I know I am. Thank you." Midnight quickly cleared her throat as she pointed towards the door with her tail. "This'll be your room for the night, so I would advise you to get inside and try and get some sleep. It's already late as is." Kitos nodded his head.

"Yes Lady Midnight. Good night." Fenrir nodded his head while Inferno merely took his position to the right of the door.

"Goodnight human," Inferno said quietly while Midnight walked away the room, returning to her room.

"I sure hope Shade isn't too upset. Perhaps I can help ease the tension with him tonight…"

-Inside Kitos' room-

Kitos looked towards the window and saw it was surprisingly in tack. A few old blankets laid on the floor. He figured Astra might have had some of the pack members scavenge up some sheets so he didn't get too cold. "That was nice of them." Kitos closed his eyes as he walked over and kneeled down towards the sheets and felt that they were surprisingly comfortable and warm but this raised a question. "Hang on… if they had these the whole time then why didn't they give one to Diana for her kittens? Doesn't make any sense..."

He winced once more as he felt his wounds stretching a little at a time as he moved his arm.

"Damnit Shade… You seriously cut me pretty damn deep…" Kitos closed his eyes as he endured the intense pain as he leaned forward and groaned out. "F-fucking hell it hurts…"

Before Kitos could move his arm, he felt something warm and soft press against his shoulder and back, though he couldn't place it at first, it seemed oddly familiar. "I heard what you said to my mate Kitos…,and I'm glad you know exactly who I am." Kitos felt the warmth of fur slowly wrap around his chest and pull him against the pokémon's chest as he felt his blood suddenly run cold stiffening in place after hearing Shade's voice in his ear. "F-fuck how did-."

"Lower your voice… and if you yell, I will slit your throat here and now… I'm not here to kill you... yet..." Kitos' remained still in the zoroarks arms as he refused to turn around. Even if he was able, his injuries hindered him from doing so.

"And that's what worries me. You asked me to leave you alone Shade. I obeyed what you've asked of me so what is it you want from me now besides my bleeding corpse?" Shade gave a sight chuckle as he tightened his grip on Kitos.

"As much fun as it would be to see you bleeding on these bed sheets that I brought here just for you, it would be such a waste to ruin them now wouldn't it?" Kitos was surprised by what Shade just told him.

"You brought these for me… why? You hate me. Why would you make me a bed?"

Shade gave another chuckle as he nuzzled the side of Kitos' neck for a moment as he whispered in his ear.

"Simple, I don't want you too uncomfortable tonight, especially with what I have planned for you." Kitos was unsure for a moment.

"U-uncomfortable…?" Kitos started to think more on what Shade just said. That's when his eyes went wide in shock as he now started to understand.

"You asked my mate if those rumors were true… and I'm afraid they are." As Shade finished the last of his words, he shoved Kitos down onto the sheets who caught himself and rolled over in a panic, hissing out in pain before he felt Shade pin him to the makeshift bed. Kitos could only stare up at the zoroark as he moved his paws to Kitos' shoulders as he gave a sickeningly twisted grin.

"I give unto others as they have given to me. You're going to feel exactly what I've been through for so many years of my life. I've changed my mind about killing you. Instead… I'm going to make you endure what I've had to deal with from my former master all those years ago. You'll learn first hand why I fucking hate your kind."