A/N:
Another chapter finally done. This time, we've got a lot of plot-building details, so keep an eye out.
Thanks to Archangel2462 for beta-ing this story, and pointing out the dozens of errors.
Also, shoutout to Umari Moon for peer reviewing the lemon scene, and for giving me feedback on it.
If you enjoy reading this story, please consider leaving a review.
"…" - Spoken dialogue
Italics - Michael's thoughts
'Italics' - Telepathic dialogue
/\/\/\ - Lemon Scene
"Love is friendship that has caught fire."
-Ann Landers
Ch. 12 - Fire Foxes
Michael turned in to his room for the night. Lunch had not been awkward like he had thought it would, aside from an occasional joke from Zeke about the night before.
Elise's wagging tail rubbed against his forearm, making him smile from her anticipation. He had carried her, as per her request, back to the room, despite her size. Walking inside, he gently set her on the bed. "Thank you," she said. She pawed at his shirt, silently asking him to take it off. He unbuttoned his shirt, throwing it aside and hugging his bare chest to her underside. Their noses touched; her bashful smile enticed him in, and he brought their lips together. Elise squealed in surprise, but adapted almost immediately, melting into the kiss.
Just like they had nights before, the two of them stayed connected at the mouth for as long as they possibly could. By the time they separated, a thin string of saliva dangled between their mouths. "C-could we… get under the covers and…"
"Of course we can," Michael replied, kissing her nose. "But first, I've got to do something." He mentally rehearsed the story. He was a private first-class, and he had been stationed along the east coast of Kanto, mostly keeping guard over Johto's embassy along route 12. Mostly guard duty - nothing too dangerous. He certainly hadn't been involved in any firefights.
Michael pulled out his laptop, slowly opening the webcam feature. It's been months… I shouldn't have waited this long… Looking at the time, he clicked on the contact. He tilted the screen, making sure that the camera had a good angle. Shit… I should put the shirt back on… Before he could get up to do so, the call connected, and he froze.
An office occupied the screen; books on financing, geography, and local wildlife filled the bookcase behind the middle-aged figure. For a moment, neither of them said a word. But when conversation did begin, Michael wasn't the first to speak.
"Damn… is that you son?" Perhaps it was Michael's more defined muscles that threw his father off.
"Yeah dad… it's me…" On the contrary, his father looked the same as he had remembered from the years before. Maybe a touch more gray in his hair, but nothing too different. His brown goatee and cowboy hat looked the same as he'd always remembered them.
"You've changed…" he trailed off. "But then again, I guess that could be expected, being that you haven't visited in two years." That's… true. But with how busy he had been with the Reapers, he had neither the time nor the authority to go anywhere aside from his missions.
"I'm sorry dad," Michael said. "This is the first real time off I've had ever since joining the army."
"Really? The army usually doesn't keep you for that long…" Dammit… His father was always the clever type.
"I know, usually isn't the case," Michael said, trying his best to roll with it. "It's just with all that's been going on in Kanto as of recently, ya know?"
"Yeah," his father said, "that's some crazy shit going on over there, isn't it?"
"Got that right," Michael said.
"Have you seen any combat?"
"Hmm? Oh, no. Or at least, not yet. I've mainly helped guard the embassy. Of course, the terrorists wouldn't dare attack. Going loud and public isn't exactly their style."
"Don't know that's a good thing or a bad thing," his dad said. "You can never tell with those thugs."
"No… no you can't."
"Mind if I ask you something?"
"Go right ahead." His father leaned forward, closer to the screen.
"You joined to fight, but it seems like you haven't been doing any of that. So why don't you find a job more befitting of your intelligence? You could be knocking down a quarter of a million a year easily with your qualifications…" Hah, the girls and I could make that from just battling…
"We've enjoyed being able to stay in one place for awhile, and the military treats you well."
"What do you mean 'we?'" his father asked, before coming to the realization. "Oh, you must mean…"
"The girls and I."
"Oh…" His father seemed slightly perturbed by Michael's response. "Listen, son, you don't need to base your future off of what a couple of pokémon want…" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elise lower her head.
"They aren't just a couple of pokémon - they're some of the greatest people in the world. And besides, it's what we all want."
"Well that's your decision," he stated, "and only you can make it." They both fell silent due to the awkwardness of the situation. Deciding to change the subject, Michael spoke up.
"Sooo… how's business been?"
"Can't complain. Stocks have dropped huge, but there's been some high paying customers. I've seen better years, that's for sure, but still making in the seven digits." What the hell does he mean 'can't complain?' Seven digits? Seems pretty fucking good to me…
"That's good to hear." Truth be told, he didn't know of any set position that his father held. He knew that he was in business for himself, and was involved in both investments and the stock market. And he was very successful at it, too. Michael had received all of his knowledge about investing from his father, and he sure as hell was financially comfortable.
"So what are you up to now?" he asked. "Looks like you're in a hotel."
"We are. The girls and I are taking it easy for a few months down here in Cianwood. Battling a little bit, too - just like our campaign days."
"Sounds fun. You've got a pretty strong team, I remember - not many trainers have a flygon with them." And even fewer have a latias… "Speaking of which, where are they? I'd expect it to be a lot louder if they were around."
"Well, we had to rent two rooms for everyone. Most of the girls are next door. But Elise is right here."
"Elise," his father repeated. "Let's see… that's the eevee, right?" Michael motioned for her to join him in front of the camera.
"Not anymore - she's a glaceon now. Don't you remember? I told you awhile back…"
"Must've slipped my mind." Elise lay across his lap, but made no intimate gestures towards him. Michael's father didn't know, and it was probably best that he didn't. Or at least, not for some time. "Hey there," he said, nodding at the glaceon.
"Hello…" Michael's father perked up in response to her speech.
"Did that thing just…"
"Yes, she did," Michael said in an irritated tone. How dare he refer to her as 'that thing?' "It's a translator. The army's using a ton of them now."
"I'd heard that they were throwing the idea around, but actually using them? Gotta say, I'm impressed."
"I was, too. Man, when the girls put these things on, we talked for hours. All that time… we couldn't communicate apart from gestures. But these bridge the language barrier." He ran his hand along her back, making her smile and lay her head in between her forepaws. "I'd love to see these things flock the market. It'd be great to see trainers be able to get to know their pokémon like I know mine." He looked down at her sprawled-out frame. "Isn't that right, Elise?"
"Mhm."
Michael and his father talked for awhile about various subjects, and Elise even chatted a little with him. Everything was going well until his father brought one certain political issue up.
"Say, since you've been over in Kanto, I'm guessing you haven't heard of the Assembly, now have you?"
"Oh trust me," Michael said, "I've heard of them. Kinda hard to avoid publicity when you start killing people…"
"Ah, the results of a few skirmishes with some protestors."
"Fatal skirmishes."
"Maybe, but some of those assholes had it coming to them anyways. I mean, they are vehemently attacking the average person's ideals for not accepting their views. Of course someone's going to get pissed."
"I know the people protesting for human-pokémon marriage haven't been very tolerant lately," Michael admitted. "They've vandalized public property, interrupted several events, and stormed the Capitol several times… But they should be jailed if they do those things, not killed right on the spot. And the Assembly hasn't been simply attacking protestors - they've hunted down mixed couples on several instances. People that have had nothing to do with the protests, people that have been minding their own business. I think it's been seven or eight couples like that, now, that they've murdered. There's nothing respectable about a group like that - nothing but a bunch of domestic terrorists, if you ask me."
"But there's more to it than that. The Assembly has also gotten the average person more involved in politics - more involved in fighting off the liberalism that tries to creep into our society."
"Liberalism?"
"Human-pokémon relationships are imminently liberal in nature. Think about it - all of the politicians that are pushing for the issue are lefties. Well, and a few pseudo-conservatives. All under the label of 'social freedom,' but they'd rather force the issue by changing the law - against the will of the common people."
"But that's the politicians supporting the issue," Michael countered. "That doesn't necessarily mean that human-pokémon relationships are liberal in nature…" If anyone was living proof of that, Michael was.
"Shit, son," his father said. "It almost sounds like you support the relationships…" Michael fell silent, trying to think of a way out of the situation.
"My point is just that nobody should be hunted down and murdered for their lifestyle - regardless of if some people agree with it or not. I don't think a group that does that kind of stuff is justifiable, even if they have other good attributes." His father nodded, knowing that he didn't have any point to counter him with.
"Fair enough point. Listen, I'ma need to go for the night - got an estimate I need to make for a client."
"Alright," Michael said, somewhat relieved that the conversation was coming to a close. Love his dad as he might, but his views towards pokémon-related matters in general got under his skin. "Tell mom I said hi."
"Will do," his father said, nodding. "'Night."
"Goodnight." The image froze, then went blank. Michael shut his laptop and sighed. "Well, that was stressful."
"He… wouldn't support us," Elise sniffed, "would he?" Michael hugged her tightly, not wanting to lie to the glaceon that he loved.
"No… I don't think he would." He lifted her chin to make her look at him. "But you know what? Who gives a damn?" She smiled, then pressed their noses together, as per their common gesture. Michael wasted no time in pecking her on the lips.
"I-I love you," she said, nuzzling him.
"And I love you, sweet girl - and no one's gonna get in the way of that, family or not." He tossed the covers back, picking her up and setting her on the sheets. "Now if I recall correctly, we had something to do…" She eagerly nodded. He moved his laptop to the nightstand, switching the lamp off.
"Y-you don't have to…" Elise paused in the middle of her sentence.
"I don't have to what?" Her cheeks became rosy, and she hid under the covers in bashfulness. She said something, though he couldn't hear what it was. "Elise… What do I not have to do?"
"W-wear th-those," she said quietly. He was surprised to hear her say something like that, being that she was incredibly shy, but slipped down his pants anyways. He raised the covers, exposing her hidden form.
"Come on, pretty girl - you don't ever need to hide from me." Slowly, she crawled out, steadily averting her gaze. "Is this what you want?"
"Y-yes…" He scooped her up, and pressed their lips together.
"Elise, you can always be straightforward with me. You know that, right?"
"Yes…" He gently lowered the glaceon, laying beside her and firmly pressing their chests together.
"Good." He cupped her cheek, staring into her deep, blue eyes. "You know, I could look into your eyes forever." She blushed at his remark, but a cute, tiny smile made itself apparent. She leaned to give him a quick peck, but the kiss ended up lasting far longer. As they tightly embraced each other, Michael again felt the sensation of wanting to go further. But… she might not be ready to do that yet. She hasn't said a word about wanting to go further… So, Michael once more explored every aspect of her body except for her lower region, clasping the glaceon against him as their tongues danced together.
…..
The whimsicott fell to the ground, its skin singed and its cotton-like material blackened. Charlotte grinned, turning to Michael and giving him a cute wink. The battle had been quick, similarly to their last one, but more difficult. She had the type advantage, but that was negligible if she couldn't hit her foe, who was clearly faster than her. Knowing this, Michael instructed her to use shock wave, despite its ineffectiveness. They had achieved the result he wanted - the whimsicott froze in her tracks, allowing Charlotte to hit her with a powerful flamethrower.
The judges talked over the results while Charlotte walked back to Michael. "She didn't see that coming, did she?" The braixen's voice was slightly smug, but more so excited.
"No, Char, I don't think she did." Their opponent walked over to her downed pokémon, kneeling beside the whimsicott and placing her hand on its chest.
"You did great out there," she said. The whimsicott just barely nodded, unable to get to her feet.
The scores had been decided. For her trickery and maneuverability, the whimsicott was awarded with a 5, a 7.8, and a 5.9. But for winning the battle with only two moves, Charlotte was given a perfect score. "There we go!" she shouted. "Michael, look!"
"Well would ya look at that," he laughed. "The judges clearly saw how skilled you are." Her smile widened as she leaned against his leg, looking up.
"So…" she said quietly, "I get my reward tonight, right?" Zeke growled lightly, glaring at the fire fox.
"Chill…"
"Oh hush," she snapped, before returning her focus to Michael. "Anyways. you didn't answer me…" Michael tried to avoid the zoroark's gaze.
"Yes, Charlotte…"
…..
As Michael drifted in the deeper end with Veronica, he heard someone calling his name. "Hey! Michael!" He looked around, scanning for the source of the voice. A familiar looking woman walked briskly towards them. "I watched your fight earlier. You're quite the battler."
"Oh, hey Cory," the girls payed close attention to the conversation upon hearing his response. "And I'd say the real battlers are the girls here - they do all the work."
"Oh, hush, they'd probably be lost without you." Michael wasn't the only one annoyed by her assumption, as evident by Ver's lowly growl.
"More like I'd be lost without them. They're everything to me." Elise nudged his hand, giving him a large, appreciative grin.
"Aww, that's so cute," Cory said, watching the glaceon doggy-paddle in place, lovingly nuzzling her trainer. She looked back at him, continuing. "I was just wondering if I could join you."
"What?"
"You know, in the pool."
"It's a resort pool - I'm pretty sure anyone's allowed to swim in it…"
"Good point." She removed her t-shirt, revealing her too-tight swim top. Oh, that's just great… And her bottom piece wasn't any better. After stepping out of her shorts, she ran and jumped into the pool.
"Girls, please don't kill her," he quickly said while she was underwater.
"Then do something!" they all said, except for Elise.
"It's not like I can just tell her to fu—." Before he could finish, Cory sprung up beside him, startling Elise and even making him jump back a little bit. I seriously better do something about this before Ver claws her throat out… He rubbed the glaceon's wet back comfortingly.
"I'm sorry," she said in a somewhat belittling voice, "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's… okay," she stammered.
"Oh, so you have one of those translators too?"
"Yeah - all of my pokémon do," Michael said.
"You'd best remember that," Veronica growled.
"What? Did you say something?" she asked confusedly.
"Nope."
Despite Cory's entry, Michael did not change his previous activity. He still swam about with the girls, focusing his attention on them, much to Cory's growing annoyance. "Come on," she said, "have a little fun."
"I am having fun," he replied.
"Oh please, you've been drifting around for the last hour. Hell, you seem to be that flygon's prisoner - she hasn't let up this whole time…"
"I'm sorry," she hissed, "I just prefer to protect my trainer from danger."
"She's fine," Michael said, backing Veronica up.
"Seems like you've been around their kind too much," Cory said. "Why don't you spend some time with your own species?"
"I do… I just—."
"Come on - why don't you and I head on over to—."
"Sorry," he said, cutting her off. He knew where she was going, and he would have no part in that for a multitude of reasons. "I'm already seeing someone." She seemed to be somewhat taken back upon hearing this, but persisted on.
"Nobody has to know," she said, smiling. "Not like I'm gonna tell anyone."
"All the same. I'm not going anywhere with you." She huffed, then began swimming away. As she stepped out of the pool, Cory continued, albeit in a bitter tone.
"Maybe one day you'll associate with your kind for a change…" Michael had enough, and finally dropped the filter.
"And maybe one day you won't act like a scheming slut." Her eye went wide in shock, her lips quivering at his remark.
"You… up yours! Find someone else who's willing to serve your underage ass!" Cory stormed off, forgetting her previously discarded clothes in the process. Several people were looking at him, dumbfounded by what they had just witnessed.
"Thank you," he heard Alaina say from over his shoulder.
"Don't mention it."
…..
After returning from their awkward swimming experience, Michael decided to look into the tournament a little more. With two battles down, both with perfect scores, Michael and the girls knew that they were likely secure. He had observed the statistics for the previous year's tournament, noticing that the lowest of the scores for those that progressed was around 70-72, with the mean being 79. Yeah, unless we screw up really bad, there's no way we won't go on. And with how strong the girls were, he wouldn't be surprised to see a third perfect score.
But, continuing to look at last year's data, he saw that he wouldn't be the only trainer to accomplish such a feat. Let's see… Leo Browning… Upon clicking on the name, he realized who he was dealing with. Shit! He's won the last four tournaments! The young adult trainer had a team of six - a team that nobody had managed to get halfway through. Looks like we've got ourselves some true competition, he thought. He shuffled through picture after picture of his battles, only managing to see four of his pokémon. A blaziken, a tyranitar, skarmory, and a garchomp… shit… this guy's pretty stacked…
As he contemplated a possible plan, given that they were matched up with him, his phone vibrated. Charlotte diverted her attention away from the television, grabbing his phone from the nightstand. "Catch!" she said, tossing it to him. He snagged it, looking at the screen and seeing a text from Samuel.
Hey, Nicole and I would like to chat. Is now a good time?
He responded that it was, and prepared the webcam in order to converse with him. "Char, Samuel and Nicole are getting ready to come on."
"Ooh," she said. hopping up beside him. "I wanna see how Nicole's doing." A moment later, Samuel appeared on screen, sitting on a smooth, black leather couch.
"Hey man," Michael said, smiling at his raven-haired friend, "how've you been enjoying your time off?"
"It's been great," Samuel replied. "Glad that we can finally sleep in now." Huh, lucky. Due to the larger size of his team, Michael was still somewhat set into a schedule of sorts. After all, everyone needed to eat.
"I'm sure," he laughed. Charlotte shot Samuel a questioning look.
"Hey, where's Nicole?" she asked, audibly disappointed at her friend's absence. "I thought you said she was there." Samuel grinned, looking over to the side.
"She is. Are you ready to see her?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Charlotte asked.
"Alright then. Nicole, hop on up here." He adjusted the laptop slightly, allowing his camera to cover the golden blur that leapt beside him.
"No way!" Charlotte shrieked. Samuel put his arm around the newly evolved ninetales, who nuzzled his neck.
"Mhm." Nicole's voice was much more mature than its previously higher-pitched form.
"Congratulations," Michael said.
"Thank you," Nicole said. "It was so instant - the moment I touched the stone, even." She swayed her luxurious tails over her back, waving them experimentally. "It's gonna take some getting used to, this new form. But I absolutely love it!"
"Me too," Samuel said.
Their discussion closed due to a look at the clock. They caught up for what seemed like hours, and lost all track of time. Nicole and Charlotte had also requested some "girl time," taking the opportunity to chat while their trainers were up and doing other things. Michael used that time to shower up, wrapping a towel around his waist as he finished.
"You done yet?" Charlotte asked from outside the door.
"Yeah, just about. You and Nicole finished talking?"
"Mhm. They've turned in for the night." He opened the door, allowing for her to come to his side while he brushed his teeth. He picked her up, setting her on the counter so she could do the same, noticing that she didn't have her stick with her at the moment. "I think we both know what they're up to right about now," she said through the foam in her mouth. I can imagine… "Are you ready?" she asked, hopping off and standing in the doorway.
"Yeah…" She waited for him to finish, then placed her hand lightly on his towel-covered side. She looked up at him, wordlessly asking for permission. Once he nodded, she smiled, and, gripping the fabric, pulled the towel down.
