General Magnolia sighed. ''I'm surprised they managed to pass your test. You're usually very hard on new recruits.''
Xofamai took a puff of his cigarette before responding. ''I didn't go easy on them, if that's what you're insinuating. I made them do something that would be hard but necessary for both of them to survive out there. I know you don't like to let kids join the Resistance, but they're clearly ready. Unlike the soft kids of our community, these kids have arleady survived things that would break most people.''
Magnolia didn't like to admit it but the man was right. ''Very well, but if this end up anything like Project Defender, this will be the last time I enlist people under eighteen, understood?'' Xofamai stayed silent for a while after that. But finally he nodded before walking out of the door leaving the old woman slumping back on her chair. She looked at a photograph of a group of young children, all of them smiling and proudly wearing the emblem of the Resistance, how could things have turned so wrong?...
Ash groaned while Lillie looked at with an unamused frown. ''I'll never be able to do it Lillie, this stuff is too complicated!''
''Come on Ash this is a book for five years olds, just spell out this word.'' She pointed toward a word in big red letter.
''Umm A-P-P-L-E, apply?'' Ash said with an unsured expression.
Lillie facepalmed in response. ''No! It's apple!''
Ash face turned red and he looked down on the ground. ''Oh...''
Lillie shook her head and turned the page to another word. ''Try this one it should be pretty simple.''
Ash looked at three letters. ''C-A-T umm...Cat?''
Lillie clapped her hands and smiled at him. ''Good job you're making some progress!'' Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly at the praise.
Ash yawned this was the second day in a row that they had been guarding the market area of the Ding Dong Community. They were there to make sure nobody tried to steal from the stalls and thus far nothing had happened at all.
''Ash! Try to act professional, you're making us look bad!'' Lillie said, embarassed when a stall owner looked at them with an unimpressed frown.
''It's not my fault this job is so boring! I though by joining the Resistance we would go out and protect people from wild Pokémon. But thus far we've just been standing here doing nothing.'' He complained.
Lillie shook her head in exasperation.''Did you honestly think they would send us to do important missions right away? We just started, so of course we're going to just act as guards at first.''
Ash yawned once again which earned him a dirty look from the blonde girl. ''I haven't even been able to use Bolt or Sandy since we've come here. I'm sure they're bored to death, just like me.''
Lillie tsked at him. ''I'm sure they're not, I mean just look at Nebby he isn't even in a simulated world like your two Pokémon and you don't see him complaining, right Nebby?'' Lillie opened her pouch and her smile faded away when she saw her best friend soundly asleep in the pouch.
Ash snickered at the girl. ''See? He's bored to death too.'' Lillie decided to walk away, deciding they would cover more ground by being separated and she had no other ulterior motive to walk away from the snickering boy, nope none at all.
''I didn't know this place had a gymnasium.'' Ash said in wonder as he looked around around the large room.
''It cost a lot of ressourse to build. But the General seem to think it was a worthwhile expense.'' Xofamaia said in his usual bored tone.
''So why are we here and why are there balls on the ground?'' Lillie asked curiously as she starred at the red dodgeballs laying in front of them.
''It's simple, Lillie you need to get used to your powers before we go on any serious mission. Thus far you have only used them by instinct. You need to learn to use them on command, not just when something threaten your life. Oh and also drop the disguise you won't need it.''
Instantly Lillie got defensive. ''Shouldn't, I get use to using my power when I'm disguised?''
Xofamai shook his head with a frown on his face. ''No, you might be able to create illusions with your psychic powers, but you're no Zoroark. Keeping up a believable disguise like that will put a strain on your abilities and you won't be able to fight seriously. You can pretend to be human all you like while you're inside the community. But when we're on a mission you should get used to move around in your natural form.''
''It doesn't feel like my natural form.'' Lillie muttered under her breath.
''Okay but what about me? What am I going to do?'' Ash asked eagerly.
At that Xofamai developed a sadistic smile which sent shiver down Ash's spine. ''It's very simple, you're going to dodge everything Lillie throw at you.''
Ash's face paled at that and Lillie instantly went into the face of Xofamai and glared at him. ''Are you crazy?! First you made him catch a Pokémon without a Draconid Gem and now this? Are you trying to kill him?!''
Xofamai crossed his arm. ''Look unlike you Ash is extremely vulnerable to Pokémon attacks. A lot of rookies like him just stand there while their Pokémon fight for them. But Pokémon, even wild ones are smart. Sooner or later they will realise that his Pokémon are taking orders from him and they will try to aim for Ash instead of his Pokémon. Every years dozens of beginning Trainers die in their first year because of this. He need to learn to dodge attacks.''
Lillie wanted to argue but she could see that he was right. With a sigh she back away from Xofamai. ''Fine but why does it need to be me that throw the ball, can't it be another human?'' Lillie instantly winced when she realised she was arleady starting thinking of herself as something other than human.
''No if another human throw the ball he will threat it as just a game. With you throwing the battle he will threat it as a dangerous projectile. Just like what a real Pokémon would throw at him. The ball should still lessened the impact somewhat, he will get nothing more than few bruises.'' Then Xofamai took something from a closet on the side of the room and gave it to Ash.
The boy looked at it curiously. ''An helmet?'' He asked with a confused look.
''Like I said you should get nothing more than a few bruises. However if Lillie hit your head by accident you might actually get a concussion or worse. So I bought this to protect you.'' Ash gulped nervously and put the helmet on. Then Xofamai turned toward Lillie and frowned. ''You're still wearing your disguise? The training is starting now so stop fooling around.''
Lillie was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of revealing her true self but with resignation she finally dropped the illusion and revealed her hybrid form. Ash tried to hide any reaction he had toward seeing her in this form again, but he still didn't know how he felt about it. For most of his life he had held an intense hatred for Pokémon and even now he still hated most wild Pokémon. So to know that the first friend he made in years was part Pokémon was a weird feeling.
It also didn't help that she was completely naked and that he got a full view of her pussy as she bent down to take a ball in her hands. But he was trying his hardest to pretend he hadn't noticed that.
''Okay are you two ready? For now Lillie you should just get use to levitate the balls. You'll get plenty of time to throw them at Ash later on.'' The raven haired boy resisted the urge to gulp at the man's words.
Lillie closed her eyes in concentration and focused on trying to make the ball in her hands levitate...But nothing happened. Xofamai sighed. ''So you don't even know how to draw in your power huh? I guess I have my work cut out for me.''
Lillie looked toward the still motionless ball with a troubled expression. Why was it so hard to use her power now? It had felt so easy while she was blasting her way out of that cursed facility. ''Let me guess you tried to calm yourself before using your power right?'' Xofamai asked her and the girl nodded at him.
''Being calm is a good thing for normal people. But for a Pokémon shutting out all emotions in battle is a death sentence. The power of a Pokémon become stronger depending on their emotions, which is probably why they let their instinct take over most of the time.'' He explained with a bored expression.
''So what you want me to act like a wild animal? That sound even more reckless.'' Lillie said while crossing her arms.
Xofamai shook his head at the girl. ''No you need to let out your emotions. But at the same time you need to make sure that you control those emotions and not the other way around. Which I realise is easier said than done.''
Lillie raised an eyebrow at him. ''How do you know so much about how the power of Pokémon work?'' She asked suspiciously.
At her question Xofamai turned around and started to walk away from the girl. ''Just try to focus on a strong emotions while concentrating on the balls.'' He said before lighting up a cigarette.
''Hey you didn't answer my question!'' She yelled with an annoyed expression but Xofamai was arleady lost in his own world as he intently looked blankly ahead. ''Nevermind, I don't care anymore.'' Forgeting Xofamai and his bad smoking addiction. She turn back toward the ball and wondered what emotions she should feel.
She tried to think why she wanted to use these powers in the first place and the answer came instantly in the form of a memory.
''Humanity has no need for more monsters.''
Rage flood her as she remembered that day and how she had wanted to kill her own mother on the spot. But there was something else, something warm began to flow in her whole body. Then the feeling rushed toward her ears and she uncurled them by instinct. The ball on the ground was enveloped in an etheral blue aura before it was flung at the speed of a bullet toward the unsuspecting Ash who yelped in pain as the ball hit him on the shoulder.
Lillie gasped and ran toward Ash with a worried look. ''Ash! I'm so sorry are you alright?!'' Before he could respond they heard someoned clapping and Lillie glared at Xofamai who was slowly aproaching them with a self sastified smirk. ''Why are you clapping?! I hurted Ash!''
''It's not your fault, he was supposed to dodge.'' Xofamai answered nonchalantly.
Ash glared back at him with a scowl. ''How was I supposed to know a ball would instantly be shot toward me?'' The raven haired boy protested angrily.
''Wild Pokémon aren't going to wait for you to be ready to dodge their attacks. it's your own fault for not being careful.'' Xofamai answered plainly. He started walking away but he could feel the two teens glaring at his back. ''Instead of complaining you should get ready, the training is only beginning.''
Lillie got better and better at controling her ability to levitate ball much to the chagrin of Ash who had to dodge every balls she sent toward him. He tried as best as he could to dodge every one of them. But he still managed to be hit a few dozens times. By the end of the training most of his body was covered in blue bruisings.
Lillie apologized profusely for being so rough. But Ash only blamed Xofamai for his predicament. From now on Xofamai made them practice levitation and dodging three times a week. Over time both of them became better and better at ther assigned tasks.
Lillie became in full control of where she was sending the balls and Ash managed to dodge most of her assaults on him. Before they knew it an entire month had passed since they had joined the Resistance and pretty soon, things would change...
''C-H-I-M-P-A-N-Z-E-E. Chimpanzee.'' Ash pronounced.
Lillie put an enthusiastic hand on the boy's shoulder. ''You're becoming really good at this Ash! Pretty soon you'll be able to reads book with no problems!'' She exclaimed happily.
The boy winced and tried his best to smile at Lillie. ''That's great but you're hurting my bruised shoulder.''
She gasped and instantly let go of him.''Oh no I'm sorry! I completely forgot!'' They stopped what they were doing once they heard someone tapping on the entrance of their tent. Once they got outside Xofamai was waiting for them.
''General Magnolia has chosen a new assignment for you two.'' The two teens nodded at the man dress in black before following him. Once they entered the shack they could see the old General waiting at her desk.
''Ah I've been waiting for you two. Today you've been assigned to guard the scientific district. Make sure no one disturb the scientists as they test new way to-'' She was interupted as Ash groaned in annoyance.
''Guarding duty again?! We've been in the Resistance for a month now, can't we get something more exciting?!'' In the back they could hear Xofamai facepalming at the boy exclamation.
Magnolia sighed. ''You barely have any experience handling Pokémon, can you really expect me to send you into danger where you could easily be killed?''
Ash was about to protest that but Xofamai was the first one to talk. ''No offense General, but despite his rude behavior the kid has a point. I think they're ready for a rank C mission at the very least. If they stay here they will never learn any valuable experiences.''
''Rank C? What does that mean?'' Lillie asked curiously.
The General sighed once again. ''Each missions are categorized by their difficulty. Rank D are mostly guarding duties or small services for the community. Rank C is taking care of small Pokémon problems for settlements around Orchestralia, such as pests eating crops or rescuing people who have been captured and enslaved by a pack of Pokémon. Rank B is for taking care of more dangerous creatures like fully mature Pokémon or the Dragonlings. Rank A is for more involved missions that require you to leave the region entirely for a long period of time. And finally Rank S is for anything that has to do with the Dragons.''
Lillie was curious about something. ''Why would Pokémon capture and enslave people? What do they have to gain from it?''
Xofamai frowned and started to explain. ''Pokémon are creatures that are obsessed with two basic things in life. Fighting and mating. Unlike animals, or most humans for that matter. Pokémon have no problem with interspecies mating. In fact their biology actively encourage it. It's common for more powerful species to prey on males or females of another weaker species and turn them into their personal breeding pet. Unfortunately since humans have no powers whatsoever we're seen as very attractive breeding partners for many Pokémon species out there and as such every years the resistance have to save hundred of people who have been turned what we call the Feral's Pets, from pack of wild Pokémon.''
''T-that's horrible.'' Lillie stated stunned at the revelation.
Xofamai sighed. ''That's not the worse, we only have around a week to save any breeding slaves the Pokémon have aquired. All humans without exception who have been captured for longer than that fall desperately in love with their captors to the point that some of them have commited suicide after we wiped out their former master. The others that survived were left in states of constant depression. Some were lucky to eventually recover but most people simply waste away until death. So after one too many incidents it was decided that any Feral's Pet who has been captured for more than a week are better off being left as happy little breeding pet for Pokémon.''
Lillie realised with a start that this was probably what the Growlithe pack had been trying to do with her the day she escaped from the lab. Before they were chased away by the radio tower sound. A part of her was horrified at the fact that she may well have been stuck as a sex toy for a bunch of dogs for the rest of her life. But another small and obscene part of her found the whole concept really hot and kind of regretted they hadn't managed to capture her. But she tried to bury that tought deep in the back of her mind. It was probably her Pokémon hormones messing with her, right?
The old woman turned toward the man dress in black with a serious look in her eyes and broke the heavy silence that had fallen over the room. ''Are you sure about this Xofamai? I still think they are too young for a Rank C mission.''
Xofamai nodded in response. ''I'm sure, beside even if I misjudged their abilities. I will be there to make sure everything is alright.'' He replied with a slight tone of confidence in his voice.
Magnolia lowered her head in resignation. ''Very well then. You will all go to the ruins of Fluoti Town. A man by the name of Timothy Verres has requested for our help in getting rid of a Pokémon which we assume to be a Ghost Type that has been causing trouble for a while now.'' Both Ash and Lillie looked at each other in surprised. They never expected to see the familiar old man so soon.
''Huh, that should be easy, Fluoti Town isn't that far from here.'' Xofamai said thoughtfully.
''You will make your way there tomorrow. For now you should prepare yourself, bring some rations in case you must stay there for longer than expected. And make sure your Pokémon are well fed before you start your journey. And lastly make sure to buy an armor before you head out. They will only protect you from weaker Pokémon but they still can save your life.'' Magnolia said with a serious expression.
Xofamai shook his head in amusement. ''General, you're treating them like children.''
The old woman crossed her arms at his remark. ''They ARE children, that's why I'm so against all of this.'' She said with a crossed look.
Ash had to admit the General was different than the other adults he had met since the Invasion. Most people these days didn't give a damn about his safety. More than once he had been sent to do dangerous delivery jobs for the promise of food or money and people were just grateful that the job had been done. They couldn't care less about all the bruises and injuries he had substained while doing the job. But this woman was different. She really cared about the people that worked under her. It almost made him want to fulfill her wish for him to stay here... Almost.
After that they were sent on their way outside of the shack. ''You heard her, prepare yourself for the road ahead. And her suggestion for an armor was a good one especially for you Ash. Lillie can probably survive a few hits from Pokémon. But you would die instantly. Try to find something that will protect you without sacrificing too much of your mobility.'' Xofamai stated in his usual dead tone before walking away.
Ash sighed. ''I hope armors don't cost too much. These guarding duty didn't pay that much and Bolt eat a lot more than you would expect for his size.''
Before he could say anything else Xofamai suddenly came back. ''Sorry for coming back so soon but I need to talk to Lillie, alone.'' The blonde girl looked back at Ash worringly.
''Don't worry about me, I'll be in the commercial district searching for an armor.'' With that the boy left the two of them alone. Xofamai led the girl toward the familiar gymnasium. She could see that the man had placed dummies and various target at the back of the room, she wondered what they were for. ''Why did we come here? Do you want me to practice levitation again? I think I got it by now.'' She said to him.
Xofamai shook his head at her question. ''I noticed that since I knew you. You have never once tried to train your Pokémon in combat. I see Ash sneak here sometime trying to get use to his new partners, but you never seem to do anything like that.''
''I knew Nebby for a much longer time.'' Lillie said defensively.
He shook his head and frowned at her. ''Even in the story you told to Ash not once did you say that Nebby used his powers in any ways, except for that one time where he teleported both of you. It's not that you don't want to use him in combat, it's that you can't. Am I correct?''
Lillie was shocked how did that guy figured her out so quickly? ''Fine you're right Nebby has never been able to use any other power and the teleportation take a heavy toll out of him. CGO must have messed up his transformation, not that these lunatic should have transformed him in the first place.''
Xofamai nodded his head in agreement, but then he frowned thoughtfully. ''Another thing I've noticed and sorry if that's too personal, but why do you never wear any real clothes in your real form? The only clothes I've ever seen you wear were all illusions you conjured up. At first I tought your Pokémon instincts might have turned you into a nudist. But judging by your embarassed expression everytime you turn the illusion off. I don't think that's the case.''
''I-I tried wearing clothes. It was one of the first thing I tried to do before searching for someone to save Nebby from that awful place. But everytime I did I felt like the pressure of the clothes was suffocating somehow and after a while the clothes were ripped to shreds. I-I don't know if I instinctively destroyed them because of how uncomfortable they made me feel of if it's something else. B-but I haven't been able to wear any real clothes since I've been like this.''
Xofamai frowned at that. ''That's...Not what I expected to hear if I want to be honest.''
''What were you expecting to hear exactly.'' Lillie asked now curious.
''Well...According to what we know Pokémon take energy from the environment to power themselves up. But males and females Pokémon have completely different way to go about it. It is kind of embarassing to talk about...'' Despite saying that his voice was as emotionless as ever. ''...But female Pokémon gain energy from absorbing the life force from the environment from their vagina. Their spark, the main source of power where life force gather inside them, is located within their wombs. Our reasearchers theorized their body was made as such so that they could empower their children while they were still in the womb and make the next generation as strong as possible. I tought because of this, clothes would make you weaker and that was why you didn't wear them. But it sound like something completely different.''
Lillie was red like a tomato at the end of his explanation. So even if she hadn't that weird problem wearing pants would always be a problem no matter what. She didn't know if she would bother wearing clothes if she could only wear tops. On one hand she would at least have a bit more dignity in her real form and it would look as if she was fully clothed when sitting behind a table. On the other hand when she was out and about the gazes of everyone would be focused down on her pussy which was...''Eep!'' She exclaimed with a fully flushed face.
Xofamai looked at her in concern. It was weird to see any other emotion other than boredom on the man's face. ''Sorry If I made you uncomfortable with these questions, we can stop now if you want.''
Lillie shook her head. ''You said males and females gathered energy differently, what about males?''
''Well for males their sparks is located in the stomach. As such males Pokémon have to ingest a large quantity of food to make up for the fact they can't constantly absorb energy like females can. This is a big reasons why male Pokémon population on Earth has been steadily dropping for the last ten years they've been here and why females Pokémon make about seventy five percent of the current population. Earth crops apparently doesn't grow anywhere near as fast as the fruits found in the Pokémon homeworld and the males have trouble not starving to death. This is why Pokémon invading our farms has been such a huge problem since the beginning of all this.''
Xofamai then rubbed the back of his head. ''Also, it's a known fact that when humans capture Pokémon we share some of our lifeforce with our Pokémon making the strain on males a little bit easier. According to some fringe theories this migth also be why males Pokémon capture female human a lot more often than males. Not only to breed with them but also so they can absorb the excess life force humans naturally produce.''
Lillie frowned at that. That explained why Bolt and Nebby had such huge apetite despite their small size. If that was how hungry males were with a human partner she couldn't even begin to imagine how ravenous wild males were. Their biology wasn't made to work with the ecosystem of Earth and many people and Pokémon were suffering because of it. That also explained how animals are so close to exctinction after only ten years since the Invasion. Males Pokémon have probably hunted them all down to sate their vast hunger. It was yet another things to blame the Dragons for. She wanted so bad to get rid of them arleady...
Ash had been waiting close to the exit for a while. But a smile broke into his face once he noticed Lillie coming back with Xofamai. ''Finally you took your time! Look at the armor I found isn't it cool?'' His armor was black and was similar to riot gear the police wore, back when the police was still a thing. Nowaday most towns were lucky to get a sheriff.
Xofamai nodded in aproval. ''That should be enough to protect you from a few rodents and weak birds Pokémon. But don't rely on your armor too much. You should try to dodge every attacks that come your way even if you think your armor can take it.''
Ash rolled his eyes. ''Yes, yes, mom. Don't worry I've been roaming the wild long enough to know Pokémon are much stronger than they appear, so can we go now? We've been cooped in this place for way too long.''
Xofamai grunted as the boy rushed toward the exit. ''Disrespectful little runt.'' He muttered under his breath before following him. Lillie shook her head at them and followed closely behind both of them. Before they could get too far Xofamai insisted on spraying them with the scent masker once again. Once that was done they were finally off toward their first real mission for the Ding Dong Resistance.
Ash looked around the snowy city enticipating to be attacked at any moments but the city stayed still as a grave. ''You know you would think there would be more Pokémon in a Dragon territory.'' Ash said breaking the silence.
''That's because we're taking the same route every Resistance members take to get out of the city. The Pokémon know we're dangerous to them, so they learned to get out of our way.'' Xofamai responded to the the boy.
Ash nodded with a thoughtful expression on his face. ''I guess that make sense.'' The streets were empty but occasionally they would come across what looked like white boulders, but were later revealed to be cars burried under the snow. Ash and Lillie got uncomfortable everytime they spotted the frozen remains of the residents of Ringabell City, but Xofamai didn't show any emotions at all. Either he didn't care about all the death that had occured here ten years ago or he got so used to seeing them that it didn't faze him anymore.
It didn't take long for the group to get out of the city. Once outside the limits, the temperature became hotter and hotter the further away they went until the snow disappeared and was replaced with grass and trees with healthy green leaves.
They were now walking across an old worn down road with many cracks and holes. Many cars littered the street, some of them had deep gashed and holes into them caused by large claws. Some of the cars also had remains of humans bones scattered all around the vehicles. The scene painted a grim picture of the events that had happened here ten years ago.
Ash heart leapt in his throat when he heard something he hadn't heard in a long time in the distance. Coming from behind them he could hear the sound of a motor quickly coming their way. Xofamai made a motion for them to get out of the way. But the man didn't seemed concerned about hiding himself or the two teens.
Coming into view was a blue van, it was in way better shape than all the car around them. On the hood was the familiar emblem of a bell with a red fist painted into it. The roof was made of a weird reflective glass that Ash wasn't familiar with. They could see the driver waving at them and Xofamai waved back with an emotionless expression. The car quickly speed away and disappeared into the horizon.
''Whoa, I didn't know there were cars that still worked after the Invasion.'' Ash said with a shocked expression once the car had vanished from view.
Xofamai snorted and nodded his head. ''Most people abandoned them since gas and electricity have become so hard to find. So our enginers managed to make cars entirely powered by solar energy. We only have three of them so far, so the General only allow to use them for urgent missions. As you can guess being powered by the sun come with a lot of inconveniences. So most members don't really want to use them often either. There's nothing more frustrating than being stranded because the weather turned cloudy.''
Ash nodded, but still, using a car these days must be a godsend. He wondered if he would get the chance to drive one of them one day. The group continued their journey toward their destination for the rest of the day.
They were about midway to Fluoti Town when Xofamai suddenly stopped. ''Why are you stopping?'' Ash asked with an impatient look on his face.
Xofamai pointed toward an old worn down farmhouse in the middle of a large grassfield. ''This place would be perfect for stopping for the night, let's go.''
Ash instantly started to protest at that.''What?! You want to stop arleady? It's barely even sunset right now!''
Xofamia tsked at him. ''Yes, but we won't find a good place like this later on and I really want to avoid sleeping in a tent more than I have to. This place should have beds. And look you can see a well back there, which mean we might get a working shower. Even if it's cold, it's way better than bathing in a river.''
Ash was about to protest again but was interupted by a hand on his shoulder. ''He's right Ash. Rushing to our next mission isn't wise. I know you're anxious about helping your great uncle, but he has been dealing with the undead for months now. One more night won't change anything and we need to have all our energy tomorrow. We don't know what type of Pokémon await us.'' Lillie said in her most soothing tone.
Ash sighed in defeat when he saw the begging expressions of the girl. ''Fine let's go. But tomorrow we're going straigth to Fluoti Town, no more delays.'' He said while rushing inside the farmhouse.
Xofamai shook his head. ''I hope he'll learn to be more patient otherwise one of these days he's going to get killed.'' Lillie opened her mouth about to offer a retort. But a yelp from Ash followed by a loud crash interupted them.
''Ash!'' Lillie yelled in pure dread before sprinting toward the old farmhouse. Xofamai sighed in annoyance before following her. Once inside they saw the boy being cornered on a wall while a Pokémon growled at him. The Pokémon looked like a huge fox but it had green fur. One of it's most noticeable feature was the fact that it had nine tails and on each of those tails, flowers of all colors were blooming. However it seemed like the flowers on four if it's tail were slightly less vibrant in colors and those tails also had somewhat graying fur that did not extended to the other tails. It would have been beautiful if the creature wasn't looking at Ash with the intent to kill him.
''Sandy come out!'' Ash yelled loudly. The young Deerling bursted out of the Draconid Gem and instantly took a defensive position in front of Ash.
Lillie took an offensive stance and was prepared to defend Ash if the Pokémon tried anything.
''Alright Sandy, attack with your vines!'' Ash commanded.
''Get away from Ash!'' Lillie cried as she started unfurling her ears and began to glow brightly.
''Stop it, both of you!'' Xofamia yelled loudly interupting both Pokémon and hybrid just before they could attack. The two teens looked at him as if he was insane. ''Look behind the Pokémon.'' He said simply to both of them.
Lillie and Ash both looked at where he was pointing at. And immediatly noticed two much smaller foxes hiding behind the adult one. Both of them also had green fur but unlike the larger one they only had six tails instead of nine. They were cowering behind the larger Pokémon and they looked at Ash and Lillie with fear evident in their eyes.
Xofamai surprised both teens by kneeling on the wooden floor and bowing his head toward the Pokémon in a sign of respect. ''Forgive us for our intrusion, great Ninetales we only wanted shelter for the night. We did not know this place belonged to you.''
The Pokémon seemed to relax somewhat at the man's words but it still casted a wary glare toward the Deerling still glarring toward her. ''Ash, recall your Pokémon, quickly.'' Ash was hesitant about following his orders in front of the wild Pokémon. But decided to put his trust into his teacher and recalled Sandy inside her gem.
The fox-like Pokémon finally relaxed and it bowed toward Xofamai before retreating along with the two kits. The man dressed in black sighed in relief. Meanwhile Ash looked at him with an accusatory look. ''What the hell was that? I could have taken that Pokémon easily.''
''No you could not, do you have any idea what stood before you?'' Xofamai asked with a raised eyebrow.
At that the boy shrugged nonchalantly. ''From what I could gather it was a Grass Type and it looked like a fox. I don't see what the big deal is.''
Xofamai glared at Ash and shook his head.''You reckless fool. This was a Ninetales one of the most inteligent Pokémon in existence and also one of the wisest. Each of it's tails each represent one hundred years of their lifespan. Have you noticed how four of them looked slightly grayed out? That mean you almost attacked a four hundred years old Pokémon, do you know how powerful a creature this old can be?'' Ash speechless as he didn't know how to respond to that. ''We should get out of here while we still can.''
But before they could even try to get out, the Grass Ninetales returned which made all three humans in the room freeze instantly. But much to the shock of Ash and Lillie the Pokémon began to speak. ''Hello wanderers, sorry for the rocky introduction. You really surprised me by barging inside my house just like that.''
''You can speak!'' Lillie exclaimed both in shock and wonder.
The Ninetales nodded in response. ''It is very hard but not impossible for Pokémon to learn the language of humans. We of the Ninetales tribes have an easier time than most other species. For we have always strived to seek knowlege, it is our greatest treasure.''
Lillie frowned a second and then asked. ''Wait, I've read somewhere that Ninetales are supposed to be either Ice or Fire Types, how come you are a Grass Type?''
''Ah, you must be talking of the Ninetales of the Articuno and Moltres tribes. You see Ninetales have eighteen tribes, each living in different part of the world. I am part of the Shaymin tribe and as you have guessed we are grass Type.''
Lillie seemed surprised at the revelation. A Pokémon species with all eighteen types? And she tought Eevee had a crazy evolutionary line.
''Thank you for not attacking us great Ninetales. But we will be on our way, it's getting late and we must find shelter for the night.'' Xofamai said in a respectful voice that still surprised the two teens.
The Pokémon shook her head. ''No it's alright, you all look tired from the road and this house has two spare bed sthat you can use. Leftover from the poor souls that used to live here I would guess.'' Ash twitched at her words but managed to not say anything. ''One of you will have to share a bed.'' The Pokémon looked at Ash and Lillie with a knowing look. ''I'm guessing it will be the two kits. The two of them share a lot of the same scents, thought I can tell that they're not mates...Yet.''
Ash instantly got red in the face. ''It's not like that, we just sleep with each other every days!'' As soon as he said those words he realised his mistake as Xofamai facepalmed and Lillie squeaked in embarassment. ''...That sounded a lot better in my head.''
The Pokémon chuckled. ''Do not worry I was only jesting. If you need me, I will be with my two kits in the kitchen area.'' The Ninetales was about to cross the doorframe once again but stopped just before she disappeared from view. ''Oh and one last thing. I do not know how much you know of our culture halfling. But judging by the fact you knew much of our formal greeting I will surmise you know enough. Since you seem to identify more with your original half than the other I will let it go for now. But if you cause any trouble to me or my kits you will not live to regret it, Ghiratina spawn.''
That sent shiver to all three humans. Lillie looked at Xofamai worriedly. ''Halfling? Was she talking to me? And why would she call me Ghiratina spawn? Ghiratina is the Dragon that invaded Egypt right?'' She asked in a shaky voice.
Xofamai frowned in response. ''Don't worry about it. It's nothing you should concern yourself with.'' He said simply before walking upstair.
Ash scoffed and glared at where the man had left. ''I hate it when he try to act all mysterious as if he think that make him cool.'' Lillie on the other hand still looked trouble about the whole ordeal.
Ash wasn't tired so he decide to go outside and let out Sandy and Bolt out of their gem for a while so they could stretch their legs and practice at coordinating their attacks for the upcoming mission tomorrow. Lillie on the other hand decided to go take a shower. Like they had expected, it was cold. But the privacy was a huge relief after having to share showers with the whole Resistance for the last month.
At least the Resistance had created a schedule so the men and women wouldn't shower at the same time. But she still hoped that one day she could have her own house. She liked The Ding Dong Community and what they stood for. But she had to admit it could feel really cramped sometime with so many people living in that old abandoned metro.
Meanwhile Xofamai was trying his best to fall asleep but sometime was nagging him in the back of his mind. He wondered how much he should tell to those children about himself. Did it really matter what they knew of him? He didn't really knew how familiar he should be with both of them. He never really was good about this teacher stuff. He wondered why the General assigned them to him. At first he had thought it was because she wanted them to fail his test. But now that they had passed, did they still have a reason to be in his care? He was sure there were much better mentors than him in the Resistance.
Sighing he once again tried to close his eyes. In the distance he could hear Ash yelling commands to his Pokémon. The boy was an annoying little brat sometime, but there was something about him that made resurface a lot of old memories, both happy and sad ones. He just hoped this time it wouldn't end in such a tragedy...
Entry from the Pokédex
Subject: Feral's Pets
Nowaday it is taken for granted that humans capture Pokémon to make them part of their battle team or keep them as pets. What many people don't really think about is that Pokémon keeping humans as pets is almost just as common even in modern time.
During the early years after the Invasion many humans and Pokémon killed each other and started skirmishes over the slaves each side had taken. After the end of the Great Pokémon War and the appearance of the eight continent: New Mysteria. The Apricorn Accords was signed by what was at the time the Orchestralian Empire and the Ninetales who came to represent all Pokémon species.
The treaty state that humans will be able to capture Pokémon without any repercusion within their native continents, if Pokémon are able to do the same to humans within New Mysteria. The treaty also allow Pokémon to buy and transport humans orphans between the age of twelve to eighteen to New Mysteria to be sold as pets. An agreement that has come under fire many time over the millenias. But no one is is willing to break the way of life of Pokémon Trainers over their grievance. Especially since the quality of life of humans pets is higher than even many of the first world regions. And the human pets all reported living happy and fullfiling lives, despite living a life of sexual slavery.
Many Poképhiles who lives in regions where sex with Pokémon is illegal chose to voluntarily move to New Mysteria and become pets for Pokémon where they can live all their wildest fantasies under the care of their new master or mistress. Today it is estimated that around twenty millions humans live their life in Pokémon's captivity. Many of which were born within the continent and to them the concept of being pets to Pokémon is as natural as the concept of Pokémon Trainers are to us.