"Hey, guy over there!" A female voice called over.
"Didn't you learn from last time?" A male voice called over.
"Oh no." I said in my head as I face palmed.
It was Lyra and Ethan. I didn't expect to see them again and this was already aggravating.
"Hey you!" Lyra said when she got closer. "We were gonna help you fight the rockets, but you already took care of them, good job. Your pokemon sure are strong."
"I'm sorry, are you talking to me?" I asked as I turned around still eating. "I would strongly prefer if you would say excuse me, not hey you. You're very rude." I finished as I turned back back.
"I told you." Said Ethan.
"So what? I don't care that your always right." Lyra argued.
"Well, maybe you should listen to me once in a while." Ethan argued back.
I was getting visibly annoyed than I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked and it was Gardevoir.
"Take a deep breath and I'll take care of this." Gardevoir said through telepathy.
"Excuse me." Gardevoir started as she turned to the arguing duo. "I'm sorry but you two are really starting to bother us now. Could you please take your arguing else where."
"Well there Pokemon, you look really familiar so I don't care." Lyra said.
"Oh my gosh, I hate this chick! Go away!" I screamed.
"You have a problem with me?" She asked.
"Yes, it's your mouth. Go away." I said.
"Please leave us alone." Gardevoir said.
"Come on pet, make me." Lyra said.
"You're going too far." Ethan said grabbing Lyra's arm and trying to pull her away.
"You want to say that again?" Gardevoir asked.
"You need to stop before you get hurt. You're pushing my partner, and she and I don't like it." I said. "Come on Gardevoir, let leave." I said as I returned the others.
"No." Gardevoir said.
"Yeah you can't leave, you threatened me." Lyra said.
"Come on hun." I said grabbing Gardevoir's hand.
"No." She said again.
"Ignore her, she's not worth it." I said.
"Yes I am worth it." Lyra said as she walked closer. "You need to stop ignoring me." She said poking me.
"Okay that's it, I'm done now." I said.
That crossed the line. In my head I knew it going to hit or push. So I went for the later. Then, I walked over to Gardevoir and grabbed her arm pulling her away.
"Thank you." She said, holding me. "I was going to do something much worse."
"I could tell. I didn't want that because I could have lost you for good." I told her.
"I never finished eating." She said.
"I know." I said looking around the immediate area. "Let's find a restaurant."
"Okay." She agreed.
On that note, we found a small diner that was still open.
About an hour later, we were all done eating. So we decided to go get a room for the night.
"Good evening and welcome to the Pokemon Center, how can I help you?" Nurse Joy asked in the usual cheery tone.
"We'd like a room for the night." I said.
"Okay, here's the key for your room, it's room 36." She said handing me a key.
"Thank you." I said as a took the key in one hand and Gardevoir's hand in the other and went to our room.
I'm almost positive i heard Nurse Joy mumble something about clean up, under her breath. I guess she thinks we're going to be doing that tonight. Not that i don't want to, but I'm not ready for that.
"Besides, if I do that then the author would have to change the rating." I said unknowingly out loud.
"Tony, who are you talking to?" Gardevoir asked giving me a very confused look.
"Huh?" I asked.
"You were saying something." She said.
"Really? I guess I must've let my thoughts out." I said.
"Oh, okay." She replied smiling at me.
It made me happy to see her smiling so it caused me to smile back. This caused me to think back to what we've been through and how far we've come together. Our meeting, our partnership, her first evolution and our relationship. To her breakdown, our separation, our getting back together, and her second evolution. A lot has happened and it all makes me happy, well except for three things. Oh well though, they are in the past. That's when Gardevoir snapped me back to reality.
"Tony, you passed our room." She said grabbing hold of my arm.
"What? Oh, sorry my bad." I said turning back to our door.
"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked.
"Yeah, just spacing out a little. And thinking about the stuff that has happened." I said.
"Okay, if you say so." Gardevoir said as she opened the door.
"Okay, I'm going to go shower. You can go after me." I said.
"Or we can..." She started before I cut her off.
"No, we aren't doing that, nice try though." I said I walked towards the door.
"Why not?" She started pouting.
"Because of what happened last time. And your really cute when you pout sometimes." I laughed as I closed the door behind me.
"Don't laugh at me." I heard her shout.
This isn't good. Since she evolved, she probably got more urges. She even might be more pushy when it comes to them. I'm going to have to be on guard. I trust that she'll trust my requests on the matter. But I also fear that her instincts may take over. I just worry because of what they told us in sex ed class. They say pokemon reproduction organs aren't compatible with humans. That based on their element they have some kind of effect related to their typing. Fire types for example can be 350 *F or more inside females and some males may release actual fire. Each type can have an effect like this. It honestly scares me. And I don't have any friends who tested this either. So I don't know what to think.
"Dang, why do I always think so much about stuff like this when I'm in the shower?" I said to myself.
I got dressed and left the bathroom on that note.
"Okay you can go now, if you'd like." I said.
"Could you help me wash my back? I'm still not used to my body. I might not be able to reach." She asked.
"Nice try." I said.
"What do you mean? Why won't you help?" She asked.
"You have psychic powers." I said.
"Uh, they don't work in water?" She tried lying.
"Again, nice try." I said.
"Okay then, fine." She said with a sigh.
"She really wants me in there with her. She must be getting curious." I said.
That's when I decided to lay down. I started thinking about everything. The thoughts from the hallway and from the shower. About 15 miuntes later, she came out drying off. I looked up and got a shock.
"Gardevoir, can you please put your dress on?" I asked looking away.
"You don't like my body? This took a lot of courage." She said clearly upset.
"It's not that." I said looking back at her.
"Then what is it? Even when I was a Kirlia you never picked up on my advances. You always pushed them off." She said voice starting to shake. "You always tell me that I'm amazing, and that I'm beautiful. But, you still brush off my advancements. Why?" She asked.
"I'm not ready for that. I told you this. Sure, I've thought about it. I just don't know if I'm ready." I said.
"You won't even look though. Am I beautiful, or ugly?" She asked.
"Your beautiful." I said standing up to walk over.
"Then why do you look away? I wanted you to see." She said gasping as I embraced her.
"Sit down with me, we need to talk.
"Okay." She agreed sitting next to me.
"Look, I know you are getting urges, and they are getting stronger." I said
"Yes" Gardevoir said.
"My problem is, we are both still young." I said.
"But, in my culture, others reproduce as Kirlias and some even as Ralts." She protested.
"Even so." I said.
"Mawile once told me, that human can't start as early as Pokemon, but you should be more than old enough." She said.
"Right and I'm aware of that." I said.
"Then why?" She said.
"I'm not mentally ready." I said.
"Can you at least look at me?" She asked.
"Haven't I been for a while now?" I asked back.
"I didn't even notice." She said.
"I thought you came out like that on accident, so I didn't want to make you mad." I said.
"But, I didn't." She said.
"I know that now." I said.
"Okay." She said.
"I still love you and I still think you look amazing, even more so than as a Kirlia." I said.
"Do you really?" She asked.
"Yes I do hun." I said moving in to kiss her.
At that we both fell sideways and just laid there holding each other. Then when I saw where the pillows were, I got up and moved down the bed and she followed. The we pulled the covers up and cuddled back up with each other. I recall her saying something about trying something as a dozed off but wasn't able to ask what she said as a fell asleep.
I awoke the next morning, trying to remember the previous night. I saw my girlfriend in a way I never thought I would. Not this early at least. But did it really happen, or was it a dream? I couldn't remember. I turned around in the bed to look at her. I picked up the covers and then got my answer and put them back down. I t really happened. At this point I don't know what to do. I want to, but don't want to at the same time.
"Good morning, love." Gardevoir said.
"Good morning, hun." I replied back.
"You have a chance to think about my question last night?" She asked.
"What question?" I asked.
"I told you that I really want to try something." She said.
"Oh..." I started. "Umm, I don't know." I said back.
"Why not?" Gardevoir asked.
"We went over this already. I'm not ready for it." I replied.
"Aww, I was hoping you forgot." She pouted.
"Nice try." I said. "But, I need you to stop trying for that. I'll tell you when I think I'm ready."
"You promise?" She asked.
"Yes, I promise." I replied.
"Ok, thanks love." Gardevoir said stealing a quick kiss.
"Ok, anyway, it's time to get up. We gotta face the gym leader today." I told her.
"Oh am I fighting today?" She asked.
"Probably not. He uses bug types." I told her.
"Oh yeah, I don't care much for bugs." She said.
So I managed to get Gardevoir out of bed, dressed and ready for the day. We went out side, and I let everyone out of their Pokeballs and got them fed. I got a Pop Tart and Gardevoir decided on Pokemon food again.
"How can you eat those things?" Gardevoir asked me.
"Like this." I remarked while taking a bite.
"Okay smart one." She replied.
"Yep that's me." I said picking up the pink ball asking me to.
"Iggly." It said.
"She says daddy." Gardevoir said.
"That's cute." I replied. "Well, let's go to the gym."
"Okay." Gardevoir agreed while I recalled everyone.
I took Gardevoir's hand as we left the Pokemon Center. The walk wasn't too far, but it wasn't real close either, about fifteen minutes give or take. Then we came to the usual brown roof building.
"Okay here we go, badge number five." I said.
We walked through the doors and was the leader, Bugsy. The gym looked perfect for bug types. It was like a jungle clearing. Vines covered the walls, with twigs and small branches growing off of them. There were leaves on the floor and walls and even growing off the vines that hung from the ceiling. It was impressive to say the least.
"Hey, a challenger!" A purple haired boy said.
"You're the gym leader?" I asked.
"Yep. You're here for my badge?" He asked.
"Yes I am." I replied.
"Alright. Let's go." He said turning to run to his side.
Once we were both situated, the referee walked in, raised his flags and spoke up.
"This battle for the Hive Badge between Gym Leader Bugsy and challenger Tony will be a three on three battle." The referee started. "The challenger may substitute, however the gym leader may not. The battle will end once either sides three choices are unable to continue. Are both sides ready?"
"Yes." Bugsy and I both said in unison."
"Okay, let the battle begin!" The referee called.
"Go, Kukuna!" Bugsy called.
"Go, Vibrava!" I responded. "Vibrava, use Crunch!"
"Counter with Harden!" Bugsy responded to my attack.
Vibrava went in and bit down as Kukuna's body hardened. This caused Vibrava to recoil back.
"String Shot, slow it down." Bugsy called.
"Counter with Dragon breath." I called out.
Kukuna sent out a stream of what looked like silk. As this started to tangle Vibrava, he let put a blue, electrified cloud like breath that went towards Kukuna. This caused Kukuna to wince in pain as Vibrava fell over to get rid of the string shot.
"Kukuna use Poison Sting." Bugsy said.
"Vibrava, Finish this with Earthquake." I said.
Kukuna spat out a barrage of little purple, poisonous needles. A few of them hit Vibrava as he jumped up and then slammed back down. Causing the whole ground to shake and it crumbled under Kukuna causing the rubble to hit him, effectively knocking him unconscious.
The referee raised a flag. "Kakuna is unable to battle, the winner of this match is Vibrava."
"Good job Vibrava." I congratulated as I looked down to him. "Vibrava, are you okay?" I asked him. His breathing was very heavy as he shook his head no. "Was it the poison stings?" I asked as he nodded. "Okay then eat this and take a rest," I said as I tossed him a pecha berry and recalled him.
"Good job so far, here comes the next though. Go Metapod." Bugsy called as his Metapod emerged on the field.
"Fletchinder, you're up!" I called in response.
"Metapod, Tackle!" Bugsy called.
"Wait, what?" I asked myself as Meta pod tossed itself at Fletchinder, striking him in the talon.
"Yeah, I made sure my Metapod didn't forget Tackle." Bugsy laughed. "Metapod, do it again.
"Counter it with Flame Charge!" I called out.
This time the both charged at each other, Fletchinder covered in flames. They both collided but Metapod fell back.
"Oh no, Metapod, get up!" Bugsy shouted.
"Fletchinder, end it with Ember." I said as Fletchinder spat some flames at the cocoon that was getting back up.
"Metapod is unable to battle, the winner is Fletchinder!" The referee said.
"Fletchinder, you good to keep going?" I asked.
"Fletchinder Fletchinder Fletch." It replied nodding.
"Translation?" I asked looking to Gardevoir.
"He said 'Just don't stand there while I get struck again.'" Gardevoir answered.
"Sorry about that Fletchinder, I wasn't expecting that attack." I apologized.
"Go Scyther." Bugsy called.
"Scyther, Quick attack!" Bugsy called.
"Counter with Flame Charge!" I yelled out.
It was too late. As Fletchinder got into stance, Scyther had already landed its hit. Fletchinder recoiled a little bit but was fine.
"Acrobatics this time." I said.
"Focus Energy." Bugsy called.
As Scyther started to get its focus, Fletchinder went up in the air. Fletchinder did a bunch of weird flips and rolls before diving in and striking. Scyther got knocked back a little bit but regained its footing.
"GO for the U-turn." Bugsy called.
"Ember!" I yelled out.
Fletchinder spat some embers out but Scyther dove right through them, hit Fletchinder in the wind pipe, knocking the wind out of him and dove back to its trainer. As it went back I saw Fletchinder lying there trying to catch its breath.
"Fletchinder return." I said as a called him back. "Swampert, you're up."
"Scyther, Quick Attack." Bugsy said.
"Swampert, Muddy Water.
Scyther flew in and struck Swampert who stood there and took the hit. Then, Swampert summoned up a wave of brown, muddy water that crashed down on Scyther.
"Scyther use another Quick Attack." Bugsy said.
"Finish this with a Rock Slide." I responded.
Right after Scyther flew in and hit Swampert again, rocks started materializing and falling from above and started pelting Scyther would couldn't dodge them all. The rocks caused Scyther to faint.
The referee held up his flag again. "Scyther is unable to battle, the winner is Swampert. This battle goes to the challenger Tony!"
"We did it! Good job, Swampert!" I yelled out, running over and giving him a high five.
"Alright, here you go, you're hive badge. Those are some strong Pokemon you got there." Bugsy said.
"Yeah, we've been through a lot together, especially these two." I said pointing to Gardevoir and Swampert.
"I can tell." Bugsy said laughing. "Well, either way, good luck with the rest of your journey."
"Thank you, and take care." I replied.
"Thanks and I will." He said back.
On that note I recalled Swampert and Gardevoir and I headed back to the Pokemon Center. I had to get Vibrava checked out for his poison and I needed to make sure Fletchinder was doing good too. Gardevoir had Igglybuff who had fallen asleep somehow. So once we got there, I got every one checked in, and took a seat while waiting.