Hi, stop. This is my new longest written chapter of all stories thus far. Over 10,000 words without Author's Notes. Why? Because I've been waiting to write this sucker since I started this story. I don't even know if it's that good, but I did it anyway.

With that in mind, please make sure you've got the time to read this. I've dropped that line before, but this is really my new longest chapter ever, so I mean it again. Fair warning. Oh, but please, do enjoy! And happy shipping, I hope.

...

[Chesnaught]

After I staggered around a bit, I pushed open the door to the Main Hall. Just as I walked in, I heard the main doors open. Peering over, my face dropped as two knights helped Greninja inside, with bandages wrapped around his body.

"Greninja!" My shout grabbed their attention as I charged over to them. "What happened? Are you ok? Who did this?"

"Chesnaught, slow down!" Greninja pushed himself up and from the other two knights, who backed up. "I'm fine."

"Bandages are not fine, what happened?"

"Training." He smirked. "You didn't take it all that easy on me our first time either, remember?"

"Screw that, who's head do I lob off?" The salamander knight backed up a bit, a slight nervousness in his eyes. "You then, huh?"

"Hold on, Chesnaught! Don't' kill Quagsire." Greninja grabbed me and held me in place, while the short turtle knight slid over to Quagsire. "He took a rough beating from me too. It's the way they practice here, but we'll change that. We're both fine."

"Well, thanks to you holding back, honestly," interrupted the turtle. "After all, one of you could have done much…worse…" He paused and nervously chuckled. "Not helping, is it?"

"No Carracosta, it's really not."

"He's a Water type, right?" I shoved against Greninja, who kept my arms locked into him and his legs between mine. "Let's see how well he holds up—"

"Enough, Chesnaught!" Swiftly, Greninja whacked my head with two fingers. It…hurt more than I expected, honestly. "It was practice. He's not an enemy."

"But—"

"Remember why we're here." I sucked in a heavy breath and held it for a bit. "That's it, easy." Slowly, I exhaled for a bit and let my shoulders drop. "There you go. Better?"

"For now." I glared at Quagsire, who seemed to calm down himself. "Sorry, I…"

"You two are dating, right?" Carracosta pointed at Greninja and I as we nodded. "Ah, now the spurt of rage makes sense. Nice work, Quag. Remind me to keep you away from my sweet shellfish."

"My apologies to you, Chesnaught." Quagsire yawned right after and I growled as I nodded. "And again to you, Greninja. Last thing I wanted was to…" He yawned again and stretched. "Ruin a happy couple. And now if you'll excuse me, I'll…need some rest."

"Are you actually going to make it this time? Or pass out in the halls again?"

"…Hmm…maybe…"

"To which one?" Carracosta watched as Quagsire stepped forward and stumbled. "Ah, forget it." He grumbled and hoisted Quagsire up. "Come on, I'll help you get some rest." Carracosta smiled to us and lightly waved. "Sorry to cut this short, but he's a mess if he doesn't get up without help. You two take care now!"

"And then we can eat, too," murmured Quagsire.

"Quiet, you."

We waved as the turtle knight dragged his salamander companion around the columns and disappeared from sight. I folded my arms and turned back to Greninja.

"Sorry. That was…brash of me."

"It's fine. Who knew you cared for me?" He laughed and wrapped his arms around me; the vibrations from his laughter spread to me and I chuckled with him. However, Greninja pulled back and frowned. "But your armor looks dented." He pushed against one bump on my arm and I groaned as I pulled it back a bit. Greninja gently rubbed over it, massaging it lightly. "You're hurt too."

"Just bruised."

"Have you even checked yet?"

"Um…"

"Chesnaught!"

"What? I came looking for you the second practice was over!"

"I…thank you." He reached up and planted a peck on my lips. "But you need to take care of yourself too."

"After you, though. You're priority."

"Don't tell me that." He picked up my hands. "I don't want to see you hurt yourself for me."

"That's kind of what knights do. Get hurt protecting and defending others."

"Yeah, well…" He stopped and sighed. "I suddenly hate our professions."

"Come on, it's not that bad." I tugged him into a hug. "We just need to be the best at what we do."

"And that's what bruises and scratches from practice are for." He smirked at me while I rolled my eyes.

"Ok, ok, I won't flip out over whoever beat you up next time."

"Thank you."

"I'll just gut them when you're not looking."

"Chesnaught!" He folded his arms and tried to glare at me as I grinned back. It took a minute, but a smile broke onto his face as well. "Don't you dare. Honestly!"

"Is that a smile of approval?"

"No! Damn it."

"Aw, come on." I kissed his head. "No one's allowed to hurt you."

"That's kind of what happens." He glanced up at me and I sighed. "So, you were telling me about how wonderful our vocations were?"

"Hey, mine is about risking my life, not yours."

"You're right." He smirked again. "Mine's about taking lives and gutting the people that hurt you."

"Greninja…"

"Oh, not so funny anymore?"

"Fine, point taken." I rubbed his back as we gazed at one another, and I lost myself in his eyes. "Just…I know you can't promise me, but be more careful. I can't…I don't want to—"

"Me neither, so do the same yourself." Greninja pulled my face into his and pressed out lips together again. He took longer as I lifted my arms around him, sliding my tongue against his. We broke apart sooner than I wanted and he smiled. "And let's keep doing that every day we can."

Grinning, I opened my mouth to agree, but heard a door slam. We jumped and whirled around to watch Delphox stomp into the Main Hall, fuming.

"Delphox," Greninja started. "Is everything—?"

"No, not a single damn thing!" His robes were torn up and his fur was ruffled around. "Gardevoir may have her moments, but these mages take the cake for their ridiculous training exercises! Especially that wicked, ghastly witch! No one can learn properly if they can't even comprehend what they were thrown into and she's an absolute monster—"

"Such a nice compliment, thank you!" Froslass suddenly appeared in front of Delphox, making him jump back and scream. "Ha-ha! You have the cutest scream and terrified faces, honestly!"

"Back off, you…DEMONESS!" Delphox threw his hands up and barreled off, grumbling and snarling as he disappeared.

Alakazam teleported into view and shook his head. "Oh dear. He's bound to get lost like that."

"What happened with your training?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing in particular." Alakazam shrugged. "Froslass is just a little over excited when it comes to training…well, newcomers, and she can be overwhelming on the first go of practice."

"That's an understatement, but thanks anyway, Alakazam!" The other mage giggled and floated around, twirling across the air. "But you're right! I can't wait to practice some more with that fire fox!"

"Playing with fire isn't exactly your strong suit," reminded Alakazam.

"That's why it's fun to face off with him! He can burn through my ice, but my ghostly tricks can mess with his mind!" She poked at Alakazam and giggled. "Just like you!"

"Please don't remind me." He shuddered and backed away from her as she glided across the room again. Alakazam turned and looked over Greninja and I. "It looks like you two had your own rough training sessions."

"Yep, but we managed!"

"Honestly, I wasn't expecting the lethality behind…" Greninja stopped as I gazed down at him.

"Lethality…?"

"Um…Empoleon usually instructs his Water knights to halt just before making a killing stroke."

"…I'm going to hurt that Quagsire—"

"Chesnaught, relax!" He grabbed onto me and shook me into focus. "I pointed out how flawed it was, it's fine. Like I told you, we'll work on changing their training."

"Ah, it might not be what you two are used to, but out here, it is effective," defended Alakazam. "We're more prone to harsher conditions, considering the location and, well, the higher mortality rate."

"Which is exactly why training shouldn't add to it," countered Greninja. "Or would you like to be within an inch of your life when a ninja's hand slips a little too close to your throat?"

"A ninja…oh, you! Of course, you have training on assassination." His smile dropped and the mage's eyes widened. "Oh dear, you have training on assassination. That could have been—"

"Disastrous."

"Point made and taken." Alakazam nodded. "I thank you on behalf of my colleagues for not, ah, beheading them or worse."

"It shouldn't even come to that." I rested my hand on Greninja's shoulder. "Luckily, Greninja knows when to hold back."

"Ah, you helped with that." I blinked as Alakazam stared. "Um…sorry, I tapped into your mind a bit." He scratched the back of his head. "Perhaps we have a few outdated methods around the Empire."

"No kidding."

We listened to another door open again and watched as Machamp and Weavile came in. The archer pointed to me and tugged Machamp over to us.

"See? He's fine, and no blood on the floor." Weavile shrugged. "Told you he wasn't that impulsive."

"Oh no, I was. Greninja stopped me."

"Ha! And I told you that it was a lucky thing his boyfriend would be there!" Machamp beamed. "Nothing as anger inducing as knowing someone hurt your lover." Alakazam shifted uncomfortably around us and he folded his arms, which Machamp turned his attention to. "What is it, Alakazam?"

"N-Nothing."

Before Machamp could pry at him, Froslass squealed and flew across the room, throwing herself around Weavile. Although she appeared rigid and annoyed, Weavile didn't move away from her.

"Weavile! Training time is done!" She cuddled around Weavile, gently stroking around her face. "We should go out around the town."

"Froslass, I'm not going dress shopping with you," grumbled Weavile as she blushed lightly. "Dresses are…not my style."

"Who cares about that? We should go scare the pants off of black market vendors!"

"…Now you're talking." Weavile toothily grinned.

"Yay! I always know what you like best, huh?"

"Y-Yeah…" Weavile trailed off and stared at the rest of us. "I-I…just give me a few minutes, I need to, uh…take care of some things."

"Couldn't I come with you?" Froslass danced around in front of Weavile, rolling up closer to her. "You always go around all alone, so why not just let me—?"

"N-No. It's fine, I…I'll just be a few minutes."

Weavile pushed away and sped off through the hall. Froslass chased after her, disappearing around a column.

"Wait up, Weavile! Please? Just once, take me around with you!"

After a minute, we heard no more from the pair and turned back to one another. Alakazam watched Machamp for another few seconds before clearing his throat.

"Well, I, uh, have a few errands to take care of myself, and I'd like to have some time to rest as well, so I'll be off." He shook my hand, and then Greninja's. "A pleasure to see you two again, as always. Take care!"

He glanced back at Machamp, who watched him expectantly. Instead, the mage winked out and disappeared. Lowering his eyes, Machamp grumbled and folded his lower arms.

"Is there…something up with the two of you?"

"W-What? No, he's just…always like that." Machamp exhaled and his head drooped. "Well, with me, anyway."

"The way you spoke before, you seemed like you were…well, closer," I guessed. "I thought you and Alakazam were…um, at least good friends."

"Oh, we are, honest!" Machamp weakly smiled. "He's not exactly the warmest, but we really are friends. He just…doesn't like to show it, I guess." Machamp shrugged and lifted his head again. "Anyway, I was thinking of taking a nice, long dip in our palace's hot springs. I was planning on inviting a few folks, but seeing as how everyone took off, I guess it'll just be the three of us." He forced out a laugh. "We can still chat and have plenty of fun though. How about it?"

Grinning, I turned to Greninja, whose cheeks lit up a bit. He looked me up and down, softly smiled, and nodded.

"Sure thing, Machamp! We could use it too!"

"Great! Let's go get changed and I'll take you two over!" He beamed and led us through the hall, taking us to a room that led upstairs. "Our hot springs are fantastic, if you'll take my word on it. There are some others scattered around the Empire, but the ones we have here are just so warm and relaxing! Oh, and some bubbles rise up along the sides that soothe your back just perfectly! You two will love it!"

"Oh, I'm sure we will," mused Greninja aloud as he lowered his eyes to stare at me. I winked at him and scooped his hand into mine. Machamp glanced back and laughed.

"Right, hot springs are great to get couples closer together! Warm up and melt into each other, sink into the water together, and…" He chuckled. "Well, I don't need to tell you two the rest."

He opened a door at the top and we stepped through to the sound of an argument. Exchanging baffled expressions with one another, we walked down the hall to find two of the knights arguing.

"Poliwrath and Politoed are at it again," mumbled Machamp. "And of course, they're right along our path."

Reluctantly, Machamp waved us on to follow him, as we approached the squabbling pair. They snapped and shouted at one another, practically ready to start a brawl of their own right then and there.

"Honestly, you should have seen yourself against Golduck," mocked Politoed. "You telegraphed every move and made a complete fool of yourself, as usual."

"Excuse me?!" Poliwrath punched the wall behind him, cracking the ice slightly. "At least I did a fair job holding my own. You couldn't even take care of Carracosta, and he was distracted trying to attend to Greninja!"

"Hey, he wasn't the only one!" Politoed tightened his fists. "You saw Golduck stealing glances at Greninja, and don't tell me that you didn't! There were so many times you could have beaten him easily, but no, you just had to—"

Machamp cleared his throat as we stopped near them. The two spun about and glared at Machamp, ready to redirect their argument to him, but softened upon noticing Greninja.

"Oh hey! Hi there, Greninja." Poliwrath slid over to him first, grabbing his hand. "It's a pleasure to see you once again."

"Buzz off, he's not interested in you!" Politoed shoved Poliwrath aside, snatching Greninja's hand into his own. "However, he's right that it's lovely to see you once again, Greninja!"

Before I could move myself between the frogs, Machamp tugged Politoed away with one arm and pushed Poliwarth aside with another.

"Hey! Machamp!"

"What's the big idea?"

"Sorry, I forgot that you two were blind," quipped Machamp. "Because that's the only way neither of you would have noticed that Greninja's actual boyfriend is standing right beside him." He grinned menacingly over them. "Or should I let him at you? After all, he's ready to punch someone across the face at the moment."

The pair shivered and turned from Machamp to peek at me, and then back to him to shake their heads.

"Good. Now, quit trying to rip each other apart and buzz off."

Nodding quickly, the two bumped into each other, yelling at one another as they raced off. Machamp sighed and pulled one hand over his face.

"Terror twins indeed…"

"Thank you for stopping them," both Greninja and I got out together.

"Not a problem! Those knuckleheads need to get leveled once in a while."

"Why exactly are they always fighting with one another?" Greninja turned his head slightly. "They bicker more than anything else, as far as I'm aware."

"From what I hear, they've been like that since they were young. Those two have always wanted to outdo one another, and were ready to bash the other's head anytime either one could." He looked at the fractured wall and gazed at it. "They should be much closer than that to each other. Brothers shouldn't hate each other so much."

"They're brothers?" Greninja and I looked at one another and then back to Machamp.

"Sure, you didn't…? Of course not; they were probably arguing the second that you met them." Machamp shook his head. "Well, yeah, brothers. The Poli-pair that hates one another." He huffed and rolled his eyes. "Anyway, my room is further down and around the corner, but I think you two are just a few doors down here, right?"

"Um…yeah, that one." Greninja pointed to it, though I had no idea how he was able to distinguish the doors.

"All right, let's all get changed and I'll meet you two back over here. I might be a few more minutes since I need to check on something before I leave."

We nodded and strode to our door while Machamp walked further along. Shutting the icy door behind me, I turned to find Greninja taking off my armor.

"Wow, if you wanted to move that quickly—"

"Hush up." He tossed the armor over my arms aside, and then ran his hands along my bruises, which…were larger than I expected. "I knew it, they banged you up." Taking off my breastplate, he dropped it and gaped at the gashes through my clothes. "Chesnaught! They tore at you!"

"It's not that bad." I paused and stared into Greninja's worried eyes. "Is it?"

"Yes, it is!" He hurried over and dug through our pack, pulling out bandages. "Go sit on that bed."

"So you do want—"

"Chesnaught."

"Ok, now's not the time, got it."

With a heavy sigh, I sat down on our bed, threw off the rest of my clothes, and rested my head on my hand as Greninja came over. Creating a ball of water in one hand, he washed out my wounds and brushed away the dirty ice. Patting me dry with a cloth, he slathered healing ointments where needed and bandaged my cuts. Tying them tightly, Greninja then wrapped up whatever bruises he could find.

"There." He sat up and let out a breath that he was holding. "All better."

"Thank you, doctor." I lightly poked his belly and he giggled.

"You'd better be grateful." Greninja puffed out his cheeks and held up his head.

"Of course I am." He stared at me, unconvinced. "Here, I'll prove it with payment."

With a smirk, I tugged him lower and into me, placing a kiss onto his lips and tongue. He moaned lightly as I slid my tongue into his mouth, exploring a bit. Greninja ran his hands over my chest, running it through my fur and over the fresh bandages, as my hand rubbed at the ones on his back. Moving my tongue from his mouth, I guided his over and opened my lips wider to let him in a bit.

Pulling back, we broke apart for air and wiped the saliva from our faces. I grinned as he sat on my lap, taking off his robes.

"See?"

"Stop getting so excited. I'm just changing."

"Well, I was talking about my satisfaction with your care, but if you want to go there…" I lied back on the bed and Greninja, losing his balance, slipped over on top of me. "I'm comfortable with it."

"Machamp is going to be waiting for us."

"He mentioned that he'd be a little while."

"Mm, fair point…" He leaned close and moved his face near me, and let his legs rub against mine. "…But we should still be ready first." With a peck on my lips, Greninja pulled away and chuckled, continuing to discard his robes while I grumbled to the ceiling.

"Why are you such a tease?"

"Because you make it too easy."

Heaving out a sigh, I pushed myself back up and watched Greninja dig through the pack. Sensing my gaze, he threw back my swimsuit over my face.

"Hurry up," he scolded. "You're taking forever."

"Sorry, I was just enjoying the show," I teased.

Discarding the rest of my armor, I took off the robes underneath. And without them or Greninja around me, I realized just how cold the room was again. Shivering furiously, I shook and pulled my blue and green swimsuit on, hoping it would help just a bit. Unsurprisingly, it didn't.

Greninja had his smaller red one on, along with his sandals. He pulled out the towels and stared as I trembled.

"Is it drafty, or are you just that excited to see me?"

"N-N-Not fu-funny."

"Really? I thought so." He snickered and wrapped one towel over my chest, tucking it back behind my shell. "Hmm. Hopefully it'll stay up, at least until we get there."

"T-Thank you."

"You're welcome." He placed another kiss on my lips, breathing hot air into me. I moaned softly as he pulled away and threw the second towel over his bare shoulders. "Come on, let's head outside. Hopefully Machamp will be ready quickly."

Nodding, I followed him out to the halls again. Unfortunately for us, Machamp wasn't the one who walked over to our door, but instead, the triad of bears. Spotting me almost immediately, they grinned and strolled over to us.

"Hey there, power planner," purred Pangoro. "Nice work kicking our asses today." He emphasized it with a wink, and then licked his maw.

"Um…thank…you?"

"My pleasure."

"Honestly, we thought you were mostly just cute," added Ursaring. "We're excited to know that you've got some good strategies to work with on top of those looks."

"Right, so long as it's looking and not touching," cut in Greninja. "Or anything that revolves any of you being remotely within his vicinity, which you all are in."

"Think we could get some overtime out of you?" Beartic smirked, ignoring Greninja. "You can come with us as is. That look is flattering on you."

"What?"

"Beartic! Flattering is much too modest," chuckled Pangoro. "It simply doesn't take all of your physical assets into account."

"That's because it's my job," intervened Greninja, tugging me away. "His boyfriend, remember?"

"Don't let that leash hold you down, Chesnaught." Ursaring wickedly grinned. "Come on with us."

"My boyfriend isn't a leash," I snapped. "And he's not holding me back from anything. I'm going with him, not any of you."

"There's always later," suggested Beartic.

"No, there isn't."

"We don't have to convince you the hard way, do we?"

Greninja lifted a water blade past me. "Try anything and I'll gut all three of you."

"Cute; little froggy thinks he can stop us."

"Want to try it?" Greninja taunted. "I really hope you do."

"They're not worth it," I whispered.

"You are," he hissed back.

"Ok, frog. Let's see what you—"

"Hey!"

Everyone jolted up and pivoted around. Golduck was walking up the hallway, focused on the bear trio. My heart hammered, from nervousness into anger.

"What's up, Golduck?" Beartic folded his arms.

"Actually, you are. All three of you." He pointed back behind himself. "The Emperor and the General requested that you meet them in the Throne Room."

"Right now?"

"No, Ursaring, when it's most convenient." Golduck rolled his eyes. "Yes, now, immediately."

"That's no fun," muttered Pangoro, who eyed me. "Just us, or can we have an audience for moral support?"

"All three of you are going, and only the three of you," clarified Golduck. "That's more than enough support."

"Figures." The panda turned back and winked at me. "Catch you later then, Chesnaught."

"We're looking forward to it," included Beartic.

"Don't wait up," snapped Greninja and I nodded.

Slowly, the three bears trudged away, taking turns to peer at me before they disappeared. While that solved one problem, I turned my attention to Golduck, who was fixated on Greninja, staring with…most likely lust. Moving closer to Greninja, I made sure there was barely any room between either of us, glaring at Golduck.

"Greninja, you look great."

"I don't want to hear it, Golduck."

"Really, you do, honest." He smirked and continued to eye Greninja up and down. "Much more toned and developed from the last time I saw you. Looks great."

"Yeah, I try to look better for better folks that deserve it." Greninja wrapped his arm under mine. "Especially for my boyfriend."

"Of two months, from what I've heard."

"Is that supposed to mean something?" I growled as Golduck backed up a step, but maintained his ground.

"Oh, I suppose not. It's just, well, there's plenty of time for you two to explore more about one another." He lowered his eyes and focused on me. "Maybe see sides of each other that you weren't looking to find."

"Would you like to test the waters for yourself?" I raised my free fist slightly, just about ready to deck the duck. "Because those bears brought up a good point: I'm more than ready to go another round for overtime."

"You really think you could take me, short stuff?" He has, what, inches on me?

"Golduck, if you don't get out of here and leave us alone this instant, I swear I will make your life a living hell," threatened Greninja. "Should you live."

"Aw, Greninja darling, I'm flattered that you detest me so much." I raised my fist, but Greninja pulled me back. "You really think you need to restrain him?" Golduck ran a webbed hand over the ruby on his forehead. "I'd love to see him try to take me."

"And why is that, Golduck?" We turned our heads to find Machamp in a short black swimsuit storm up the hall, narrowing his eyes as he approached.

"It's fun to take you muscle heads down a peg or two," mocked Golduck. "I'm sure I'll get a chance later though." He spun away from us and waved back. "Take care, Greninja."

"Go drown," he snapped in return.

With a laugh, Golduck disappeared through the stairwell. Greninja folded his arms and heaved a held breath. Returning to Machamp, I looked him over and noticed the black swimsuit was possibly even shorter than Greninja's, leaving most of his legs freely exposed. Undeterred by the cold, he smiled and held three towels in three of his hands.

"Sorry about that."

"No, thank you for coming." I smiled back. "And for the towels."

"Huh? Oh, right." Machamp laughed. "I guess I should have known that you two would have brought some if you had swimwear, but I wanted to make sure. Nothing wrong with extras, though!"

"Not a thing," I agreed and took one from him, wrapping it around me. "I don't understand how you're not doing this. You're all skin."

"Is it really all that cold for you?"

"Y-Yes!" My teeth chattered as the last of my rage slipped away, my heart steadying a bit, but drumming to the cold air. "Y-You guys ha-have the w-w-weirdest tolerance to this f-frigid…everything!"

"Well, I suppose it does help that we grew up with it." Machamp laughed again. "Sorry about that. But come on! Let's get you to the hot springs; you'll feel much better once you're in there."

He waved us on and led the way. I started after him, but stopped when I realized Greninja hadn't moved.

"G-Greninja?" I walked back as he jumped and turned to me.

"Right, s-sorry." He frowned and dropped his head. "I was just…that was so…"

Resting my right hand on his shoulder, I smiled at him. Gently raising his head with my left hand, I kissed him gently on the lips.

"It's over f-for now," I soothed. "Let's try to re-relax a bit."

Smiling at me, he nodded and locked his hand into mine. We continued across the hall and caught up with Machamp, who had slowed and waited for us. He glanced back and grinned as he led us back downstairs, though we went through a different stairwell than before.

"So, Machamp," Greninja piped up. "Are these just hot springs, or more like an onsen?"

"Hmm. It's not exactly a facility that operates around it, but we do have some extra supplies that make the area more cozy, even while it's partially outdoors, but within the palace's walls. Even got a supply room just before going out." He nodded. "I guess it's sort of like a bathhouse, in that case." He chuckled. "Our personal onsen, if you will."

"D-Didn't even k-know there was a name for it," I confessed as we rounded a corner in a less familiar hall. "Is this m-more towards the back of the palace?"

"Yep! It allows for a little more privacy, in case there are visitors to the palace." Machamp snickered. "I remember one time, some poor fool got lost and walked in on the General bathing. I didn't see it, but I heard that it was not a pretty sight."

"Which, how the General looked or acted?"

We all burst out laughing as we turned and went down a long corridor. At the end, Machamp opened a door that led to a small room with a wooden structure and door built leading to the next one. Machamp slid it over, which led to a room to leave the towels, and stood near the next sliding door. He tossed Greninja his towels, and he placed their towels down, while I reluctantly took mine off and did the same.

"Glad you two decided to join me!" Machamp laughed. "I thought I'd be all alone here." We glanced at one another and he forced out another laugh. "N-Not that it's a big deal, and it's ah…well, good time for thinking, but company and talk are my preference!"

Walking through the door, Machamp's face fell and he froze. Looking ahead, I stared at Alakazam, who was around the other end of the hot spring.

"Oh." Alakazam's shoulders went rigid as he stared ahead at the three of us. Around him was a white swimsuit, which covered just his lower body with his top and legs freely exposed. Folding his arms over his chest, the mage's face burned red as he glanced away from the attention stuck upon him. "I, uh…I could go."

"No!" Machamp's eyes widened as he nervously looked at me. "I…well, it's fine if you want to stay, that is. We don't…want you to feel unwelcomed." Though nervous, his recovery wasn't half bad.

"W-Well…I did come here to relax." Still blushing, Alakazam lowered himself to the water and slowly dipped his legs in. He moaned in delight and threw his head back, letting the water soothe him. The rest of us fidgeted around, slipping closer to the water ourselves. A quick glance revealed that everyone was flushed. Tilting his head back to face us, Alakazam raised an eyebrow at our sudden speed to slide into the water. "What? I'm not going to use all of it any time soon."

"Ah, no, of course not!" Machamp laughed again. "It's just…r-refreshing! You seemed taken with it, so we wanted to join in." He grinned while Alakazam rolled his eyes, but nodded.

The rest of us hopped in. I moaned in delight at the warmth of the water, easing and sinking quickly into it. Though it burned a bit initially, I just wanted to melt away the icicles that I imagined should have encased my body. Bubbles pushed through my shells and flowed along my back, almost massaging me on their own. Greninja bounced around a little, splashing the water on himself before rolling back into me.

Machamp slid around a bit as well, spinning about and soaking himself before taking his place on the same side as Alakazam. The mage quietly watched him, tugging on his long mustache as he did so. He shook his head and then smiled at us.

"Feels nice, right?"

"Heavenly…" I groaned out. "I needed this."

"It's really exquisite," concurred Greninja as he leaned against me. Under the water, he rested on my leg and my smile sprawled further.

"Most of us love coming here too," explained Alakazam. "It's great to lounge here and let the water warm your skin or soothe your bones." He stretched his arms and tilted his head back. "And it's nice when the snow falls on top of it, melting away just as it reaches the water. Lovely, to say the least."

"Sure is," Machamp agree, and I watched him gaze at Alakazam. "…Did you, uh, get your errands done?"

"Hmm? Oh, of course I did." Alakazam picked his head up and glanced at Machamp. "You think I'd be here if I didn't?"

"Well, I would be." He chuckled and sank closer to the water. "I love coming here, and I'd fall behind in anything if it's been a while."

"Coming too frequently isn't advised either, Machamp."

"But it feels good…"

"Mm…I can't argue that."

Greninja and I turned to one another, smirked, and turned back toward Machamp and Alakazam. Just slightly, Machamp had drifted over to the mage, who was more focused on us.

"So, if you two don't mind, could you tell us more about…well, the two of you?" Alakazam smiled while I wrapped my arm around Greninja and pulled him in closer.

"W-Well sure," Greninja let his hand dance along the water. "What would you like to hear?"

"Whatever you're inclined to share. First meeting, special interactions, first date, and even the big confession." He paused and gently laughed. "Sorry, if the confession was really that big of a deal."

"Oh, it was!" I laughed while Greninja sank into me, pulling his tongue into his mouth before letting his neck plunge beneath the water. "Hey, my eyes only!"

"I'm not burning my tongue over that," Greninja teased back. He blushed as he faced Alakazam again. "W-Well, the Grass Fields King requested two ninjas to his kingdom, in case he needed back up for the potential war rising, or whatever the business with this prophet leads to."

"Hopefully not war," murmured Machamp.

"Hopefully," agreed Greninja. "Anyway, I, um…I arrived with another ninja, who everyone mistook for a male while they thought I was a female."

"It was the other way around?"

"Yep."

"I see." Alakazam shrugged. "Not that it should have made a difference, but I guess knights can be like that. No offense, Chesnaught."

"None taken." I watched Machamp eye Alakazam sideways as he dipped lower into the water.

"A-Anyway," continued Greninja, "a knight challenged my partner and I to matches against him and a fellow knight, and we beat them fairly easily. But, uh, the point is that I spotted Chesnaught around that time. And, well, after the General of the Kingdom took us to meet the king, I had a chance encounter with this guy right here." He tugged on my cheek and we laughed.

"Aw, that's cute!"

"It wasn't at the time," I confessed. "I crashed into Greninja and knocked him to the floor. I didn't show it, but I was kind of mortified over that."

"I definitely didn't catch that." Greninja smiled. "You were really quick to help me out and ease me up."

"Well, yeah! I would have felt worse if I tried running off."

"That makes sense, though I think I would have took off myself!" Greninja giggled. "So, right then, I was already smitten with him, but I figured it was just because he was physically attractive."

"Knew you just wanted me for my body," I joked and the other two laughed.

"Oh, please." Greninja nudged me and shifted onto my lap. "After that, we had spent a few days around the castle, but Chesnaught and I didn't really interact much, aside from me stealing glances at him until he noticed me, and then I'd turn away."

"Wow, you were really shy."

"To tell you the truth, I still am," confessed Greninja. "I just…well, with Chesnaught around, I feel…more open? Safer, at least." My heart skyrocketed and I smooched Greninja's head.

"So, then what?" Alakazam shifted around, but remained concentrated on us.

"Oh, well, I made some friends in the Kingdom." Greninja sighed. "I kind of miss them, thinking about it now. But, at least Delphox is here with us."

"Ah, right, he mentioned becoming friends with you at the ball," recalled Alakazam. "It's nice that the three of you came here together; at least it wasn't just one of you."

"We think so," I agreed. "Hopefully, Delphox does too…"

"Deep down, I'd wager he's happy to see you two." Alakazam nodded. "We haven't had any particularly long chats, but he makes sure to mention the two of you, and constantly watches out for you."

"Sounds like him, but that is good to hear too."

"So, Greninja made friends, and…"

"Well, this part is embarrassing, but…" Greninja scratched the back of his head. "We saw Chesnaught in the town and the other mage, Gardevoir, dragged us off to chase after him." He chuckled. "She knew I was interested in him even back then. But, uh, anyway, we watched him visit who we had thought was his girlfriend."

"Wait, girlfriend?"

"They thought I was straight," I laughed. "She was actually just a really good friend of mine."

"Ah, ok then." Alakazam nodded. "So, you're both gay?"

"Yep."

"Got it."

"What's next?" Machamp sat back, also invested in our story.

"Um, after that, I felt pretty defeated and wanted to get over what I thought was just a crush." Greninja stroked his hand around in the water, hesitating.

"Our General actually tried to take the initiative and paired us up to spar the next day," I jumped in. "Though, I was afraid to actually fall for Greninja right away, since I barely knew him. And…then I walloped him a little too much." I scratched at the side of my head and heavily exhaled. "Not my finest moment."

"Poor Greninja," sympathized Alakazam.

"It was even worse than that, because he kept making suggestive comments and positions!" Greninja laughed. "Or, that's how I kept picturing it. So, I ran off once we had a break between practice, trying to wash off and get Chesnaught out of my head before going back."

"Something else happened?"

"The King, Nidoking, strolled out and had a long chat with me. And…then he helped me realize that I had more than a crush, and he encouraged me to at least try to get closer to Chesnaught." I sighed. "He was really helpful with that."

"Wow, I didn't know the Grass Fields King was like that," confessed Machamp. "I heard he was really nice, but I didn't know he was so personable with his troops."

"Yeah, he really is." I tilted my head. "Isn't Emperor Empoleon like that?"

"Uh…well, he's not outright mean, but…I wouldn't…" Alakazam tugged on his mustache. "Friendly isn't the first word I'd use for him, but not the last either."

"Oh."

"Yep…what's next?"

"After that, we went on an assignment in the forest with a large group. We divided it down, so Chesnaught and I managed to be paired off with Delphox and my other friend, a samurai named Samurott."

"Wow, a samurai? Mienshao would love to meet him!"

"Maybe they could meet some day," suggested Greninja.

"Preferably without you there," I mumbled, to which Greninja poked me in the belly.

"Why's that?"

"Samurott confessed to an attraction," explained Greninja as he sank back into the water. "Um, to me, that is."

"Gosh, another one?" Machamp laughed. "Apparently, you're the hottest fellow around!"

"Oh, I don't know about that—"

"Of course he is," I cut in, "but he's my hot guy." And I wrapped my arms around Greninja as the other two laughed again.

"So, back to the story," insisted Greninja. "We were in the forest to get something from a hokora shrine, but bandits attacked us." Greninja sighed and lightly touched my chest. "One of them stabbed and poisoned Chesnaught."

"Yikes!" Machamp's eyes widened as he frowned. "That must have been awful."

"Ah, I was doing fairly well before that," I chuckled. "But yeah, after the poisoning, I was a choking mess." I leaned down and kissed Greninja's cheek. "This hero here, however, sliced the offender, and managed to wash out the poison, essential to saving my life."

"Wow, how heroic!" Alakazam admired that part and sighed. He turned and stared at Machamp. "In fact, that reminds me of…"

"…Us?"

"S-Sort of." Machamp beamed while Alakazam smirked. He jumped and shook his head. "A-Anyway, that's not…I want to hear the rest of their story."

"After that, I was definitely falling for Greninja," I confessed. "Before, he had caught my eye when we first met, and I was really getting interested in him when we sparred and chatted before the forest incident. But, his actions definitely got me thinking more and more about him, so I was positive by then that I was falling in love, especially after my General, Rhydon, helped me discover how strongly I felt."

"That's so cute!" Alakazam clasped his hands together. "Is there more?"

"Yep, the big confession!" I laughed, and Greninja leaned back against me while I cuddled him.

"Ooh, this is the best part!" Alakazam nudged Machamp, who nodded happily, but also scooted closer to mage.

"So, um, we were planning to meet up, since Chesnaught wanted to pay me back for helping him." Greninja laughed. "You really didn't need to."

"Come off it, you knew I was way too stubborn to take 'no' for an answer." I laughed. "I thought it was just going to be dinner."

"And drinks."

"Yes, that too." I tickled him and everyone laughed. "He never lets that go."

"Nope!" Greninja smiled. "Anyway, I stumbled outside, because we forgot to really pick a time to meet after my training time."

"Ha, I've done that before." Machamp shook his head. "Sometimes, we just rush too much and forget the details, which can be important."

"And they help you avoid walking in on someone," I noted.

"How so?"

"King Nidoking and General Rhydon were having a moment in the garden behind the castle," explained Greninja. "A very intimate moment."

"Oooh." Machamp and Alakazam turned to each other and laughed.

"Yep. So, I hid behind a wall and listened while they…kissed and whispered to each other."

"Peeper," I teased.

"How was I supposed to know? I was looking for you!"

"Same for me, which is why it was awful that I walked outside and on them." I laughed. "That was pretty bad. But, Greninja came to my rescue again and showed up, causing the two of them to hurry off to give us alone time."

"They knew about you two before you did."

"Apparently!"

"So, after that, Chesnaught was making suggestions and he brought up his friend." Greninja flicked at the water. "And…I was dumb enough to outright deny letting him see her."

"You didn't!" Alakazam gasped while Machamp nervously laughed.

"But he did," I chuckled. "So naturally, I got defensive, wondering if he found something wrong with her, and then he told me that he didn't want me around her, and I was completely lost by that point."

"And then I just confessed right there, because I figured that the whole thing was going crashing to the ground." Greninja buried his face in his hands. "That was the worst thing ever."

"No, it was the best, because I wasn't sure if you liked me." I kissed his head again. "After that, I actually kissed him right on the lips, because I wasn't sure how else to respond, and I thought that by him confessing, it confirmed we were both in love."

"But he didn't tell me before that, so I was clueless when he did it."

"What! That must have thrown you off big time."

"It did," laughed Greninja. "I could barely even speak or function after that!"

"So, then I confessed to him, and after that we kissed a bunch of times." Greninja spun around and kissed me on the lips. "Like that." Machamp and Alakazam laughed. "But, I knew the other knights weren't going to tolerate it so much, so I wanted to keep it a secret."

"Wait, they what?" Alakazam tilted his head in confusion.

"Oh, sorry. The knights in our kingdom are, um…less tolerant—"

"About romantic interests? How absurd!" Alakazam folded his arms together. "Honestly, you'd think everyone could just find someone to fall in love with and shut up about who it is. Some days, it's hard enough to just find someone who…really cares." He quickly glanced at Machamp, who nodded, but refused to look back at Alakazam.

"Well, they're still not over it," I realized. "So…maybe that's part of the reason we got sent here."

"But your king is gay!"

"Bisexual, actually," I corrected. "He had a wife before his fiancé."

"Oh, he did, that's right." Alakazam nodded. "Sorry about that."

"No, it's fine, he's trying to move on now, so that's good." I smiled. "The General's been crazy over him for ages, so you can imagine how delighted he is now."

"He hadn't told Nidoking before he got married?"

"From what I've been told, no, he kept it buried for ages, especially after the Queen came into the picture." I sighed. "He still regrets that he hadn't spoken up sooner, and that she died before he could enter the picture."

"Tragic," murmured Machamp.

"Yeah."

"Was that all for your story though?" Alakazam tried to shift the focus back to us. "Your relationship was kept a secret from everyone? Because it became well known by the time of the ball, so I assumed…?"

"Oh, no, I ruined that myself." I laughed. "We kept it a secret for about a week, and we had maybe two dates including dinner on the first night, but I knew Greninja didn't want to hold it in."

"I could have!"

"But it was torturing you."

"Not torture, but I'll admit it wasn't fun."

"Right. So, we had this choosing ceremony before the ball, where each knight is meant to ask a lady to the dance by presenting a flower to her." I chuckled. "So, I picked out a bluebell and walked straight up to the stage where Greninja was up with the King and some others. And I just presented it to him in front of the whole town."

"Aaaahh, that's the cutest!" Alakazam clapped lightly, but excitedly. "And you two have been together ever since?"

"Well, it's only been two months, but…yeah." Greninja smiled up at me as I kissed his cheek. "That is still some time."

"I think it's plenty to know!" Alakazam happily sighed. "The two of you have such a nice story, and it's so romantic! We don't hear that many up here."

"Really? Isn't anyone here dating?"

"Well, you already know about the bears, which…well, they could be in love together, but they look too hard beyond one another." Alakazam shook his head. "It's odd, because around each other, they can be really endearing…or, at least when they think no one is looking." He chuckled. "Anyway, besides them, you've seen Froslass and Weavile, and I'm willing to wager that there could be a spark between them. And then there's the Emperor's wi…uh."

"The Emperor is married?" Greninja raised his head a bit.

"Um…y-yes, but he doesn't like…we're not supposed to really share…ah, what does it matter?" Alakazam splashed a bit of the water. "You two are with us now, so, you might as well know. Emperor Empoleon has a wife and a son."

"Oh wow, that's nice!" I paused. "But…we haven't seen them around yet."

"And you won't," cut in Machamp. "Ever since that prophet surfaced, Empoleon had them sent away."

"So that's why his methods are so driven," realized Greninja.

"Well, they've always been like that, but yes, that's been the driving factor lately."

"Got it. So…no one else for romantics?" I pried, hoping to squeeze the obvious out of them. Machamp shifted his eyes between us, and Alakazam, who merely racked his brain and thought hard.

"Hmm. Well, I'm pretty sure Carracosta has someone, but…he doesn't tell anyone about it. I'd imagine that she, or he, isn't exactly a warrior of any sort." He stirred the water around and continued to think. "Golduck flirts with a good number of town folk, but he seems terribly interested in Greninja lately." Alakazam shuddered. "Which I am now fully against."

"He flirted with you a few times before," pointed out Machamp. "In fact, he was pretty adamant about it for a while."

"Yes, well, I've never really been too interested in him." Alakazam rolled his eyes and puffed out his cheek. "He's just so…I don't even know the right word for it. Cunning seems too kind, so perhaps manipulative." He turned to Greninja. "Am I wrong?"

"Once upon a time, I would have disagreed, but today, that sounds about right." Greninja folded his arms and shook his head. "I'm so annoyed that I ever even bothered with him."

"Please forgive me for bringing him up," apologized Alakazam. "Anyway, Poliwrath and Politoed don't have anyone that I'm aware of, though with their constant bickering, I don't think that would work out well regardless. Quagsire, Delibird, and Mienshao are single as well, though I don't know about their interests. Though, Mienshao is mistaken for a female frequently. And I'm not really sure anyone would want General Abomasnow…ah, don't tell him that." We laughed together over that. "But, I believe…that's all of us. Mostly singles, sans Emperor Empoleon, Carracosta, and whatever is going on with Beartic, Pangoro, and Ursaring."

"What about the two of you?"

"Us?!"

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to imply it as you two together." Yes I did. "But, um, I was wondering what the two of you are looking for."

"Ah, the t-two of us." Alakazam poked at his fingers while gazing down at the water, face flushed. "Well, Machamp is…um, pretty open, right?"

"Not exactly." He slid closer to the mage, finally right next to him.

"Well, more so than me." Alakazam held his shoulders. "I'm, um…well, I…"

"Are you gay too?" Greninja tilted his head in confusion. Alakazam hesitated before slightly nodding his head, and then put more into it. "Oh. Why didn't you say so?"

"Because I…overcomplicate it." Alakazam sunk into the water, picking his head up just a bit to talk. "I'm not…I'm, um…"

"Alakazam." The mage jumped up as soon as Machamp touched his shoulder. "Come on. I want to hear too."

"Y…You should already know!"

"But I don't, honest." One hand eased Alakazam back down. "Please? We used to be so close." Another arm draped around his back, pulling him closer. "Best of friends, even, remember?" A third arm cupped his hands beneath the water, and Machamp leaned in. "Just…" Closer. "Tell us. Tell me."

"M-Machamp…please…"

"It can be like before. When we were younger, remember?" My chest tightened as Greninja and I leaned over, waiting expectantly. "Wouldn't you like to—?"

"Stop!" The mage smacked the knight's hands from around him and Alakazam folded his arms around his chest. "Just…stop already, Machamp."

Taken aback, Machamp shook his head. "Alakazam, I'm sorry, I didn't—"

"Yes, you did. Again." He stood up quickly. "Damn it, Machamp. Every time I relax just enough for you to…"

"Please, Alakazam, I wasn't—"

"Forget it. Just…leave me alone."

He hopped up from the hot springs and quickly zipped from the area, hurrying back inside. Machamp dropped his head and stared quietly at the water, crestfallen.

Greninja leaped up and pulled himself out of the water. "I got Alakazam." He winked to me as I nodded, and chased off after the mage.

Quietly, I gazed across the pool, as Machamp picked his head back up and gazed at me. He opened his mouth, but only sighed and shook his head.

"So, there is plenty going on with the two of you," I started, and he jumped at my voice. "Mind explaining what exactly that was all about?"

"It's ah…bit of a long story." He grimaced, perhaps hoping that would end it.

"Well, we have time." Machamp exhaled and deflated, surrendering to my obstinacy.

"If you insist, but I can't exactly explain all of it, just my side of it." He leaned back and gazed up at the sky. "Alakazam and I have known each other since we were kids. We both grew up not too far off from here, but perhaps closer to your kingdom than here, since there was some grass. It's a haze for me." He sighed. "He was always kind of shy, not unlike Greninja, at least when we were young. But, he had a big heart, and he loved to help out others whenever he could, just without them really knowing who it ever was. Another kid might play too close to the cliffs, but someone would pop in and take him back to safety at the last second." Machamp smiled, softer than usual. "I loved how heroic he could be, even back then, especially without any credit from anyone. He just helped out when he could."

"And…you?"

"Oh, I was getting in over my head over similar stuff, like stopping a boulder from crushing some kids that were playing too close to rocky cliffs." He chuckled. "Alakazam would have to sometimes save me too, and he'd try to disappear, thinking he could keep away from me. But, I never gave up, and one day, I just caught up with him and kind of forced myself around him, not leaving him alone until he gave up and befriended me."

"Sounds like you were bit of a nudge."

"Yeah, but I couldn't help it. He was so great, and I just wanted to be around him more." Machamp chuckled again. "Even back then, I knew I wanted to grow up alongside him. And for a while, we did just that. We grew older, and bolder. With me around, Alakazam wasn't so flighty, and would stick around to help out folks more. Just the same, he wasn't one for credit and shied away when people went to thank him. I got fed up after what I thought was one too many times, grabbed his hand, and forced him to stick around with me." Machamp weakly laughed. "Wow, I was really was a nudge, huh?"

"A forceful one," I teased, and he laughed a little harder.

"Maybe that wasn't always the right way to go about it, but…I don't know, it worked. He would stick around if I was determined enough to get him to stay put." He smiled and glanced down at me. "When we were teenagers, and into young adulthood, he had this bushy tail. It was so fluffy and I loved poking at it. I think he used to get embarrassed from it, but let me goof around with it." He sighed. "And he was always smart too, reading whenever he had the free time, studying spells and other related stuff. Sometimes, I'd try joining him, but too many times, I wanted to pull him away from it." Machamp shook his head. "I…thought he gave the books too much attention, and I wanted more of it. It made more sense back then, but now…"

"Not quite?"

"Not even close; he's a fantastic mage, and anyone could tell you that." Machamp nodded. "Even though I tried to pry him from the books whenever I could, I told him every day how great he was." He blushed and cleared his throat. "Anyway, we were getting involved with the Empire's royalty some years back, and they were looking to recruit us both. One day, though, Alakazam got kidnapped by bandits. I remember I freaked out and charged off after him, ready to deck anyone that got in my way."

"I can imagine how horrifying that must have been."

"It was. Relentlessly, I climbed across frosty hillsides and cut through pine forest branches. To be honest, I don't think I worked as hard for anything in my life as I did running after Alakazam." Machamp inhaled and exhaled again. "Some, um, flirty fiery fellow had helped me out. Long hair, fellow fighter…anyway, not the point, but I had promised to reward him afterwards." He shook his head. "That was a mistake, but I didn't realize that back then. Eventually, I found the bandits and Kadabra, or uh, Alakazam, when he was…well, different."

"What happened?"

"Well, the fire guy and I planned to pull a fast one on them, and he acted as a traveling merchant, selling me as a more prized asset than Alakazam. Pretended that he needed a mage though, for some stubborn client. He managed to tempt the bandits with me, and they traded Alakazam over for me." He smiled again, wider now. "As the trade completed, we both lit up, Alakazam and I. We evolved, and both became more powerful, a few pegs down from what we are today." He sighed contentedly. "To tell you the truth, from that moment on, I always felt bonded to him, more than we ever had been before that. It's what…why I want to be around Alakazam, even to today. Anyway." Machamp coughed and cleared his throat. "Working together, we took down the bandits and got back home."

"That sounds great. Did something…go wrong?"

"…It did. The fire guy I was with, I can't even remember his blasted name now, but he was more interested about getting…um, intimate with me. When we got back, he messed with me, and I thought about what he offered." A tear slid down from Machamp's eye. "I didn't mean to think too hard about it, but I did, and…well, Alakazam flipped out over that. In the end, I didn't even do anything with fire what's his face, but because Alakazam had caught more than a glimpse of my thoughts, he didn't…well, he thought I was in it for the wrong reasons. So, we've had this strained relationship since then." He heaved and shuddered. "Alakazam and I are still friends, I think, but he…pulls away every time I try to close the gap I created."

"I see." I sat back and stirred the water. "And whenever you tried to explain—"

"He'd cut me off, or push me away further." Machamp choked up as his voice broke and he turned away. "Sorry, I shouldn't be so…well, you get it. Just…it hurts to think about, how we were, and now…how we are." He punched at the water, growling. "If I just hadn't let that idiot around me, if I just told him off, we'd still be…close. And he might even let me…we might even…be like you two."

"Us two?"

"You and Greninja."

"Wait, so then…you do love him."

Machamp nodded. "I've been trying to tell him that, but he won't listen to me. He just can't seem to let me in anymore." He sighed heavily and folded his lower arms together. "More than anything, I just want to be close to him again. Even if that just means that we're only friends, I just need him to open up around me again."

"Why haven't you just forced it out?"

"Why didn't you just cave to your feelings about Greninja before?" He shook his head. "I'm too afraid, I've always been around him. And now he hates me."

"He doesn't seem like—"

"Ah, don't try to soften it. Deep down, he really does, and I just wish…just once, if I could get him to…just stay around me long enough. If he just let me speak, and if I just could tell him." Machamp shook his head and got up. "It's far too late at this point, though. We're barely friends these days."

"Machamp, please." I jumped up, and the cold air stung, but I fought it off. "If you really do love Alakazam that much, you have to try again to tell him."

"Chesnaught, I can't—"

"If you think he pretty much hates you, what do you have left to lose?"

"I don't know, but he won't—"

"You're not even trying." I shook my head. "If you think it's worth anything, if you think that the two of you were ever worth anything, you owe him at least that much. Just find a way to blurt it out to him."

"…Maybe. I, uh…I could try, sometime."

"Make it sometime soon, ok?"

He nodded and bowed his head. We climbed out from the water and I waited for him to walk around, only to have Machamp throw his arms around me and lock me into a stifling hug.

"Thank you, Chesnaught! You're the best!"

"Ah…you're w-welcome. But…can this wait…until we're inside?"

"Oh, right, sorry. You're probably freezing." He released me and grabbed my arm. "Come on, let's get you in and dried off."

And Machamp dragged me back in, grabbing the towels to help me dry off. Somehow, his beam seemed brighter than it had before.

[Greninja]

Following the puddles and wet footsteps, I chased Alakazam down the corridor, around the corner. He had the towel draped around his shoulders, but didn't even consider drying off.

Quickly, I ran after the mage, grabbing his shoulder before he walked too far. He whirled around to lash out at me, but restrained himself upon catching my eyes.

"Ah. You." Alakazam deeply sighed. "Not who…I expected."

"What? You wanted Chesnaught here instead?"

"No, but I—"

"Machamp then? After you blew up at him?"

"Please, Greninja, I…" He clutched his head and sank to the floor. "Did I really get that nasty with him?"

"Seriously, Alakazam? It certainly wasn't all that friendly, what did you expect?"

"I don't know, I panicked. When he gets close to me again, when he speaks to me, I just feel like I'm going to fold and fall right into his four arms." He shivered, but it somehow wasn't just the cold. "He's always known the right words around me, and it's the hardest thing in the world to remind myself that he's not sincere, that I can't give into what I feel." Alakazam stood back up. "And I won't let myself fall like that."

"Wait. So…you don't hate him?"

"No, completely opposite." He blushed a dark red and rubbed his shoulders. "No one knows because I keep acting like hostile around him, but really…I'd lose my mind if anything happened to him."

"Then why don't you tell him that?"

"Tell him?! No!" Alakazam whirled around to check if anyone new had appeared, relieved that we were still alone. "Oh, no, never! By this point, I don't understand how he can even consider speaking with me."

"Um…maybe he likes you too?"

"Please, Greninja." Alakazam turned from me. "He doesn't see anything beyond a broken friendship with me. That and…well, another attractive body."

"…Yeah, you're going to need to take it from the top."

"Gracious, where are my manners?" He smiled to me. "This might be a little long winded, but if you're willing to listen, and…" Trailing off, Alakazam checked the room, with only pictures, paintings, desks, and ice sculptures for company. "Ok, as long as no one else is here too. Anyway, I already know your answer, but would you want to—?"

"Alakazam, I fed you my whole story with Chesnaught." I shook my head and smiled. "Could you at least tell me about your history with Machamp?"

"Certainly, but it's extensive." He took my hand and led me a little further down the hall. Opening a door, we walked inside of a type of break room and sat down on a wooden bench. Alakazam took in a deep breath and slowly released it. "Ok, where to begin with this. Well, from the beginning would make the most sense."

He smiled to me, but it dropped quickly. There was a faint pain in Alakazam's dark eyes as he glanced down to the icy ground, unable to fix on one spot. He shut then and muttered incoherently to himself. Snapping them open again, Alakazam frowned at me and shook his head.

"Sorry, I forget that I can't…I was trying telepathy, which, I forget, doesn't work with you."

"Right. Part Dark."

"My apologies." He stroked his long mustache and nodded. "Ok, well, to begin, Machamp and I grew up together in a small village called Caulfield, some distance south from here." He paused and nodded. "It's actually near the halfway point from your kingdom and the empire."

"Oh, so you're not from here, originally."

"No, but we were still in the northern territories, so my home has always been within the empire." I nodded while he twirled his mustache. "Yes, um, Machamp and I were just Machop and Abra back then. He was brave and would try to help out anyone whenever they were in some type of trouble, always around to comfort folks afterwards with that big smile of his. You've seen it; he still has it today."

"Yeah, he beams broadly and laughs a lot."

"Yes, that's it!" Alakazam smiled fondly. "I love watching his face light up." He shook his head and tried to cover his scarlet cheeks. "Sorry, that's…anyway, Machamp was great at helping anyone he could, so I guess it was always going to be in him to become a knight, to protect and serve. Even when we were young, I think…no, I'm almost positive that I had feelings for him. When I was young, I didn't understand it, but I watched him from afar, and my cheeks burned up back then like they do now." He hugged himself tightly. "Oh, I was so awkward. I couldn't even be around people."

"Sounds familiar." I chuckled and Alakazam giggled with me.

"I guess that's why it's easier for me to explain it to you." He deflated a bit and shook his head. "A-Anyway, I'd help others out too, just indirectly and never around where they could see me, or I'd disappear if I showed up."

"Too bashful?"

"Horrendously so." He laughed a bit. "To tell you the truth, even though I talk a big game today, I'm not totally over it." Alakazam cupped his hands together and pressed them together. "Would you still relate?"

"Of course! You heard my story."

"Ah, yes, that was recent. Sorry, it slipped my mind."

"Don't worry about it." I patted his shoulder. He turned and I smiled again.

"Chesnaught's so lucky to have you, Greninja. You're the sweetest."

"Careful, or I'll have to advise you to get in line." I smirked and we laughed.

"Gracious, I'd rather you didn't have someone else lusting for you." He shook his head. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, since I've only…I'm stuck on Machamp, really."

"Wait, what?"

"I'd better get back to the story, to explain." He inhaled, and then exhaled. "So, uh, one day, young Machamp tracked me down in my favorite hiding place, and I tried teleporting away and keeping my distance for a while. But, he refused to leave, and he just waited around for me."

"Sounds like he was interested."

"Curious, actually." Alakazam picked at the bench, scraping up a loose bit of wood. "But I could care less; back then, I was desperate for a friend, and he was perfect." He paused and then smiled. "He helped other children out when they would lose a toy up in a tree, recklessly climbing up just to get it down for them. It was easier when I teleported and grabbed it; he also wouldn't risk his life over such little things whenever I pitched in, so I just stuck around him."

"You two made quite the pair."

"We truly did." He interlaced his hands together, twiddling his thumbs. "We grew older together, and evolved into Machoke and Kadabra. He became even more muscular and was just gorgeous." Alakazam shivered again and slumped in his seat. "Sorry, it's a superficial attraction to a degree, but I just can't help pining over how well toned he is."

"That's fine, physical attraction helps, but…don't you mean was?"

"What? Oh, yes, I…well, no, he still really is, isn't he?" I nodded and Alakazam laughed. "Right, of course. Meanwhile, the biggest feature I got was a bushy tail."

Alakazam brought his legs up and hugged them to his body as the laughter died down. I waited as he gazed off, reminiscing.

"Anyway, we, um…gained new interests. I became the book obsessed mage you see today, and Machamp worked out frequently, strengthening his muscles, his whole body even!" Dreamily sighing, Alakazam sank further into his seat. "He's always been so strong. Lots of times, he'd try to stop me from reading so much, but he didn't have to work so hard at that, since I would peek from behind my books just to watch him train. A few times, I even tried to work out with him." Alakazam burst out laughing. "Let me just make it clear that, physically, I'm a mess."

"No, just lacking in muscles," I corrected. "You're far from a mess."

"Aw, thank you!" He blushed a little more from that, but then heaved and nodded. "So, anyway, we were still kind of independent heroes, of sorts. I still wanted to hide, but Machamp would grab my hand and keep me beside him. And, of course, I wouldn't dare leave his side." Alakazam sighed. "I'd never leave him when he got close to me like that."

"You were really all over him."

"Secretly, yes. As you can imagine, I discovered that I was had definitely fallen for him by that point." Alakazam poked the wall and shook his head. "I should have told him back then, but he was so social with everyone else we met that I just…thought he wouldn't really be interested in me."

"Wasn't he, though?"

"Once, I thought that. He talked to me while we were invited to a party as young adults and we got carried away about a romantic topic or two." Alakazam slid his hand to his face. "I don't recall precisely how, maybe we drank too much, or maybe it was just really late, but Machamp had suggested something about kissing, and I let him plant a big one on my lips." He touched his lips and quivered. "Best moment I ever had with him, but I read his mind and knew he was just experimenting, so I held back on confessing my feelings to him."

"Did you read his mind often?"

"More than I care to admit, yes." Alakazam held his arms out, as if they had grown heavy. "So, a good number of times, I'd default to consulting his thoughts over speaking with him. There was a time where he had to tell me how great he thought I was every day. Literally, he would make mental notes to do so, just to make sure I'd feel better about myself."

"How did that work out?"

"Perfectly. I loved that he even cared." He paused and tugged on his mustache again. "You know, there were times that he considered me…more than a friend. But, I don't think he quite saw me as a lover, or his mind wasn't clear about that." Alakazam shook his head. "Either way, him caring about me as even a friend was suffice enough back then for me."

"Um, you should have pressed for more." I shrugged. "Not that I'm the best one to tell you that, but—"

"I know, I know. We could have been…well, like you and Chesnaught. Surprisingly though, that's not when I blew it."

"No?"

"Not quite. At least I hadn't been so…he hadn't…I don't know how to clear it up."

"That's ok."

"No, I need to tell you the rest. If I don't, I'll never get it out."

"Whenever you're ready."

Alakazam nodded and shut his eyes, breathing carefully. I turned and gazed around the break room. A few more desks and benches were around, along with storage cabinets, but nothing in particular stood out to me. Turning back to Alakazam, he opened his eyes and nodded again.

"So, uh, one day, some knights were venturing around the empire to recruit new, willing, and able bodies. Naturally, Machamp jumped for the opportunity, and I tagged along with him, determined to follow him off to this palace." Alakazam twirled his mustache around and looked up at the ceiling. "I lucked out that they needed mages as well, otherwise they would have been plenty satisfied with Machamp. And he wouldn't want to leave me, but I knew he was longing to become a real knight, so I…forced myself after him."

"You didn't want to be a mage?"

"Actually, I wasn't sure I wanted to work directly for the emperor. Being a mage always seemed fun to me."

"Ah ok."

"Mm. So, they were pretty much ready to recruit both of us, but the mage before me wanted me to practice certain spells for my first day there." Alakazam frowned and sank down on the bench. "One day, while I was practicing off on my own, which was stupid, but I really wanted to impress everyone with new spells, especially Machamp. Sorry, anyway, on one day bandits kidnapped me while I practiced. They heard about my involvement with the palace and thought they could extort wealth from them by using me."

"That must have been terrifying."

"It was. I thought that the empire would just let me die and find some other young adult to train in the mystic arts."

"But then what happened?"

"Someone had told Machamp about it, and he ripped across the land to come save me."

"…I'm sorry, but Alakazam, how can you not even imagine that he loves you?"

"Because his love for me is just platonic." Alakazam sighed. "It's almost always been that way, though he's had some…well, certain types of thoughts about me. I thought that he might be, you know, in love, but…well, that wasn't the case."

"How?"

"The story will explain that." Alakazam cleared his throat and stared across the room, staring out the slightly opened door. "We should have closed that. Anyway, he worked with some fire fellow to rescue me from the bandits. I can't even remember who it was, but Machamp got this fighter to pose as a slave trader, who boasted to the bandits that Machamp was worth much more than I was. But, he claimed that he need to have a mage for the next trade he was making, and feigned desperation to trade his more worthy asset for the bandits' mage, me."

"He traded Machamp for you?"

"Yes, and the bandits accepted. As they exchanged the two of us, Machamp and I evolved to our current evolutions. He had a surge of strength, and with two extra arms, he ripped the cage he was trapped in open. And with my mind racing, I fired a plethora of spells that rained down on the bandits."

"Wow, so you two evolved together, and because of that trade?"

"Correct, and…well, I've always thought that connected us, on multiple levels. He could suddenly sense me crawling in his mind, and I could sense energies that coursed through his body." Alakazam hugged his shoulders. "It was fantastic when that first happened, sensational beyond my wildest imagination. He even used it to trace my panicked thoughts of the lead bandit trying to attack me and struck him down with one heavy blow."

"That's incredible!" I shook my head in disbelief. "Alakazam, this still isn't making sense to me; you two were amazing together!"

"Perhaps we still could be."

"What?! Why aren't you?!"

"Well…after we stopped the bandits and Machamp rescued me, we returned home, and the fire flirt that helped him had…well, Machamp had running thoughts about them together. Intimately."

"Oh."

"And…they mirrored thoughts he had about me prior to that."

"Oh. Oh no."

"Yeah. So, I had my heart shattered and knew that we would never really work out." Alakazam sniffled and dropped his head. "He's tried to convince me otherwise, and I'm always tempted to listen to him. But…he wasn't the only friend of mine who lied over the years. So, I just…won't let him convince me otherwise."

"But…he could care about you, still."

"Thank you, Greninja, but I've let go of such wishful thinking long ago." His voice broke and Alakazam sobbed. "Everyone is convinced that I hate him at this point, and maybe I should, but…I can't. And that's just so masochistic of me. But, even Machamp thinks that we're not friends anymore."

"He's told us otherwise."

"Cover. It's just him keeping face." Alakazam coughed and cried again. "He really thinks that it's hopeless to talk with me at this point, and whenever he tries, I just get so upset and push away from him." He clutched his head and wildly shook it. "And he's right to. I don't deserve Machamp. I don't deserve…love."

"Alakazam, no!" I grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look at me. Tears streamed down his cheeks and welled up in his eyes. "You just need to tell Machamp how you really feel. Even if it's not going to win him over completely, at least he'll understand you more. Either way, more than anything and regardless of the outcome, don't you dare ever think that you're not worth love, or anything else."

"Greninja, I'm not—"

"Nonsense. You are." I smiled to him. "Alakazam, you're kind and thoughtful. And you put others before yourself on several occasions."

"That doesn't…I…"

"Please, Alakazam." I pulled him in for a hug. "I know how you feel. It's exactly what Golduck put me through when he first took off on me. We had a night together, and he had contemplated leaving our home. When I woke up and he was gone, I thought that it was me, that I wasn't worth him or anything else."

"So…you…moved on?"

"I'm right here, aren't I?" I pulled back and grinned at him. "Someone reminded me that I was worth enough on my own, and even though I've still got a few insecurities from it, I've forced myself forward and took time to myself, learning to appreciate me for myself." He nodded, wiping away his tears. "And now, I'm much better off."

"And you've got Chesnaught."

"Yep. And we love each other to bits." I sighed. "To tell you the truth though, we haven't been together for all that long, and I don't know if it'll be a relationship that will last forever. But, even still, I'm ok with myself, and that matters just as much as my love for Chesnaught does."

"You…have to love yourself?"

"Absolutely." I smiled. "And you should too. Don't give up completely on telling Machamp the truth. But…don't feel like the world stops and ends because he might not feel the same. Because one day, you'll find someone."

"Like you?"

"Like me."

"Ok." Alakazam heaved and shook his head, clearing away his tears the best he could. He smiled to me and held my hands in his. "Thank you, Greninja, for both your advice, and for listening to my whole story. You're possibly one of the best individuals to enter my life."

"You're more than welcome, Alakazam." I pulled him in for another hug. "Now, come on. Let's go back and get the others."

"W-Wait, now?"

"Might as well, right?"

"I-I don't know if I'm ready right this second."

"Hmm." I drummed on the bench and nodded. "Ok, you don't need to confess to Machamp right now. But, don't forget to work on telling him."

"No, I won't, I mean I will, I…you get it." He glanced up to my smile and returned it. "You really do get it."

"Yep."

"Right, ok." Alakazam picked himself up from the bench, and then pulled me up. "Well, I can get started by at least opening up more to him. And we should, at the very least, go get your boyfriend."

"That would be nice!"

We laughed and stepped outside of the room. Not too far down the hall, I heard a gasp and turned. Machamp slipped behind Chesnaught as they approached us.

"Come on." Chesnaught dragged Machamp out. "They're just walking out."

"Right, I just…ah…you know." He awkwardly grinned and waved at us. Both Alakazam and I waved back.

"So," I started, "now that we're all sorted out—"

"You four will come with me."

Everyone jumped and whirled around. We looked down to find Delibird had appeared.

"Hello."

"Uh…hi." I looked worriedly at Alakazam, back to Machamp and Chesnaught, before turning back to Delibird. "Now's not the best time."

"Considering your apparel, I agree, but the emperor needs your immediate presence. You can change back after meeting with him."

"It's f-freezing!" Chesnaught shivered as he stepped forward. "W-What could the emperor possibly need from us?"

"He needs everyone," clarified Delibird. "The prophet has been sighted once again. And this time, they've got a lock on his trail."

The air abruptly stiffened as we exchanged astonished expressions with one another. With no other choice, the four of us followed Delibird as he took us to Emperor Empoleon's throne room.

...

NOOO! BAD DELIBIRD! New lovers were about to finally blossom and you STOLE that from them! Ugh.

Well, congratulations upon clearing this chapter! It was brutal, and tedious, and certainly didn't come out exactly how I wanted it, but whatever, it's there and it's done, out of the way. And you know what?

I SHIP THIS NEW COUPLE SO HARD, OMG. (Could you tell?) Meet MuscularMustacheShipping! (Don't look at me like that, it's the best name ever.) Look, Machamp and Alakazam have been around since Generation 1. In Japan, the series will be 20 years old next year. Somehow, in all of that time, NO ONE has shipped these two together. Like…why not? They're both trade evolutions, they're definitely meant to be opposites, they even share their Egg Group, and they honestly seem cute together! How did their pairing never happen anywhere?!

Ok, enough platforming for my favorite pairings. Oh wait, that's the entire fanfic. WHOOPS! Anyway, I've held it back, but Alakazam and Machamp have a deep history with one another. If I had more free time in my life, I'd make them a full fledged story, but considering what I'm juggling right now, I gave out the boring telling of it. Yuck. Oh well, at least it's out and they're potential relationship is possible. Again, I'm probably one of the few shippers for them out there, and pretty much the only one around these parts, but screw it, they're perfect for one another.

Along with that, I got to add a massive helping of Sneakpast fluff again, which I held back on during the last chapter. Mushy kisses and tender moments make the hearts swoon and swirl! Honestly, I can't get enough of this couple, and they're so precious together. And the rest of those suitors can just back up and back off, honestly! Who writes their awful…oh, wait. Uh. LOOK, FROGHOG KISSES!

Yes, anyway, this story will be longer than the previous entry, which I think I mentioned before, but since this is the tenth chapter, I will repeat that. And the plot is starting to come together, with the prophet arc ready to take over for the next three chapters, with that reveal coming up towards the end of them. (It's not exactly that huge of a surprise, but it'll be a relief to finally have a name for it.)

Aside from that, um, there's more SneakpastShipping fluff and drama to come. How exquisite! And yeah, no one really reads this anymore, but whatever, I'm still here. If you are too, let me know, via review or message. Comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome, as always. But other than that, stay tuned for the next heavy unloading of this story. Woo, hype it up! …Or don't, since that was the end of the chapter. Um…people are still reading this, right? No? Ok.