AN: Hi guys soooo sorry for the late update it's just schoolwork got in the way but I'm here with a new chapter that I hope you'll enjoy :)
Chapter 12: Catching Up
Rani was floating on top of Claw in the swimming pool when she saw a familiar looking Charizard and Scizor flying to the front steps leading to the mansion. Curious over the surprise visit she jumped off Claw's head and climbed the stair along with them.
"What are you two doing here?" Rani asked, she then noticed that Charlie was carrying a large pink box and Scizor was carrying a packet of mineral water.
"Rhodey wanted all of us to meet and catch up with Tony after…" Scizor stopped his sentence short for fear of triggering Rani's bad memories.
"Its okay I'm not gonna break down every time my imprisonment is mentioned." Rani spoke the truth because the last three days in Tony's care has allowed her to start accepting that she can't change the terrible things that happened to her and to start moving forward to what the future has to offer. Claw floated above them making it to the front door before them.
"What's in the pink box?" Rani asked.
"Just pokepuffs and poffins" Charlie answered.
Rani gave a questioning look, "Pokepuffs?" Charlie was shocked that a Pokémon never heard of pokepuffs.
"Their basically sweet bread but for Pokémon, haven't you ever had one?" Scizor asked.
"My diet back in the middle east consisted of meat, vegetables, fruits and occasionally pecha berries." Rani explained.
Charlie nodded, "well you're going to love these as soon as they hit your taste buds, you'll feel like you've died and gone to dessert heaven." The three of them stopped in front of the door and are soon met with Tony.
Tony opened the backdoor and stared at his best friends impressive new Pokémon with silent awe. As far as every scientist was concerned Charizard and Kingdra were as close to dragon Pokémon as Earth would encounter.
There are myths and stories of how there were multiple dragon Pokémon living on Earth until they found the humans to be so desperate for dragon Pokémon that they would require them by any means necessary even murdering humans and Pokémon alike. The dragons didn't like being the reasons for bloodshed, so they all flew into the vastness of space hoping to find more benevolent trainers. No one ever knew if this was true or just a midwife's tale but that didn't stop them from looking at paintings of Dragonite and Salamence with amazement.
Tony stepped aside to let all four Pokémon in and wondered when Rhodey would get here. As if he heard his thoughts the doorbell rang. Tony opened it and was pleased to see his lifelong friend carrying Chinese.
"there better be fortune cookies in their cause I think I'm gonna need some lottery numbers." Tony quipped.
Rhodey grinned, "dude even a broke version of you is still able to afford a few jaguars."
"just a few?" Tony grinned, "It's good seeing you buddy." Tony and Rhodey did a manly hug and pat on the back, they went into the living room to eat and catch up.
"So, tell me how you got Smaug here" Tony asked when he was half done with his noodles, Charlie was sitting on the other side of the living room with Scizor and the others eating Poképuffs. Rani eyes sparkled as she ate the delicious sweets with Scizor and Charlie grinning at her innocence.
"I got Charlie while you were gone, I was searching for you and rescued the big guy from some poachers in Iraq. I officially became his master last month." Rhodey grinned at the dragon who was conversing with Rani and Scizor.
"And you decided to call him Charlie?" Tony questioned.
"Give me a break man I was too busy looking for you to come up with a good name"
"Rawr!" Charlie lashed at the insult making Scizor and Rani jump a little.
Rhodey saw the trouble he inadvertently caused and sought to rectify it, "And I'm glad that I picked a great name like Charlie despite the stress I was in." Charlie grinned and continued to eat with the other Pokémon.
"Nice save." Tony whispered as he ate the rest of his food.
"On to more important stuff, you're not really going to shut down your weapon division, are you? I mean its just a publicity thing, right?" Tony knew that Rhodey was going to ask that question after his not so mild reaction at the press conference and was dreading the question since then.
"I'm serious as hell Rhodey, I'm not gonna manufacture weapons just to see them being used by terrorists." Tony said in a serious tone.
"Tony, I know the last few months have been…difficult but you need to think through a decision as big as this."
Tony decided to go straight to the point in this argument "Let me stop you right there. I have thought this through…for the past three months in that god forsaken rock I have thought about nothing but how my decisions affect the world. When my dad-built weapons for the military, he wanted to make the world a better place for the little guy. I know I didn't see my dad as the best role model, God rest his pickled soul, but the work that he did helped save millions. When I was down there, I saw my weapons being used to kill millions. I'm not gonna see that happen again when there are other ways for me to make the world a better place. As my best friend I hope you understand that."
Rhodey sat back and sighed, "I get it Tony, I do but you have to see this from my perspective, what's gonna happen to me and my men if we go out there without Stark weapons behind us?"
Nine hopped on the couch and put her head on Tony's lap "You'll manage just fine, aren't the air force supposed to have stubborn men?" Tony joked while scratching behind Nine's ears.
"I'm being serious here and for once you should be too."
"Look it's not like Stark Industries is the only company that makes military weapons, you'll find another manufacturer even Hammer Tech will support you guys." Tony says the companies name in disdain due to his rivalry with founder Justin Hammer, even Nine shuddered at the thought of that vain ass taking Tony's job.
"Never in my entire life did I think you would use "Hammer", "support" and "you" in the same sentence. Are you sure they didn't brainwash you or anything?" Rhodey said incredulous of how his friend changed so much. "What about the workers? There are thousands of people in the factories, what's gonna happen to them to their families?"
Tony stroked Nine's back as she hummed happily, "Each of the workers will have a 6-figure pension and a good recommendation for their job searches. Now if you just came here to try and change my mind I'll suggest you leave and save yourself the trouble." He was starting to get tired of his friend trying to change his mind. There was a silent moment between the two before Rhodey got up.
"Come on boys were heading home." Charlie and Scizor scurried off to the patio window and both Pokémon flew out presumably to Rhodey's home.
When Rhodey was opening the door he turned and said, "I'm glad your back, I'll see you later Tony" Tony nodded and plopped on the couch when Rhodey finally left with Rani and Nine joining him.
Nine licked his face to comfort him, "Thanks Nine, there's nothing more comforting than kisses from a beautiful lady." Tony said amusingly as he contemplated what his plans for the future were.
When Rani first saw the Poképuffs she never saw something so delicious looking, "Are Poképuffs good?"
"Yes, their like bits of heaven on bread just don't eat too much otherwise you'll barely move in battle." Scizor explained.
Charlie sat down on the floor with them, "It's true, first time I tried them I kept eating until I gained three pounds…I'm still working on losing them." Charlie shamefully said as he ate a bowl of pecha berries.
Rani hesitantly held the pastry in front of her almost afraid to take a bite, "it's a puff not poison." Charlie tried assuring the innocent Pokémon.
Rani put the pastry in her mouth and chewed it slowly, soon her taste buds were taken over by the sweet sensation. Her eyes sparkled as she said, "It's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten!" She grabbed another one while Scizor and Charlie grinned in amusement.
"So, tell me how you got Smaug here" Tony asked regarding Charlie.
"Smaug?" Charlie asked.
"I think it's a Star Trek reference." Scizor answered.
"What's Star Trek?" Rani asked earning a confused look from her new friends.
"I got Charlie while you were gone, I was searching for you and rescued the big guy from some poachers in Iraq. I officially became his master last month."
"And you decided to call him Charlie?"
"Give me a break man I was too busy looking for you to come up with a good name"
"Hey!" Charlie roared shocking Scizor and Rani.
"And I'm glad that I picked a great name like Charlie despite the stress I was in." Charlie calmed down and continued eating.
Rani couldn't help but overhear how Rhodey was against Tony shutting his weapons down, "Why is Rhodey trying to get Tony to make weapons again?"
"Because he's in the same air force that Tony supplied for." Scizor explained, "He just doesn't want the military to be vulnerable against the terrorists."
"We'll those same terrorists got their hands on Tony's guns and tried to recreate a deadly missile to kill countless people and Pokémon." Rani said bitterly.
"It's not that Rhodey doesn't care about innocent people being killed it's just that he doesn't want to see any good men lose their lives because they're not armed with more advanced weapons." Charlie said in defense of his master.
"I get that but the decision is Tony's and Rhodey should respect his decision as his friend." During this conversation she could hear Tony and Rhodey arguing, she could tell that Rhodey was a good guy even though his views clash with hers. She was pleased at how Tony was determined to mark his legacy as more than just a weapons seller. She could tell that Tony cared for his Pokémon due to seeing him with Nine, Claw and Z. All three of them were very welcoming and patiently taught her what this country has to offer. She was especially intrigued by this Captain America and his Growlithe that Tony's dad worked with even though he died over 50 years ago. The tension between the two was getting to the point that Tony asked Rhodey to leave even though Rani was just getting acquainted with his Pokémon.
Charlie and Scizor stood up, "We'll see you later Rani it was nice to meet you." Charlie said.
"Don't worry I've known those two for years and they always make up after every fight." Scizor reassured, "See you around." Rani saw the two fly out into the sky in awe. She sat on the couch with Tony and Nine jumped on to lick their master's face.
Well I hope you guys liked this chapter and yes there are dragon pokemon in space (a little sneak peek for GOTG ;))
