Chapter 2: Days of Saffron

After the assault on the Sylph Co HQ building, Kendra and the others rest up at her mansion where she allows the others to stay in their guest rooms. Kendra takes off her outfit to put it to the side to be in her underwear to look in the mirror.

"Man, Leaf, and Mike went through a lot. These Cipher guys are quite serious unlike Team Rocket of recent years. Full on terrorism in their tactics and using poor Pokemon turning them into living weapons," she said as she presses her fingers onto her forehead to feel the pain of the Pokemon and the deep emptiness within its heart.

"It's insane along with Michael's great power to merge with his Pokemon. Now I can do it as well," Kendra said as she looks over to her desk to see the glove and Burst gem. She takes the gem to feel the cool texture of it as she thinks to wield great power and become something more.

"I need to think about this. Who do I want to choose to bond with," Kendra said as she takes in her body in the mirror to wonder something. "Michael seems to like my body," she thought as she can feel his lust for her lush curves which made her blush quite badly. "At least I got his attention, other guys were interested but they were jerks or cruel. Michael, he is different from the others," she thought as she hears something in the window there is a thick mist outside the area.

"What is that?" Kendra wondered to go up to the window for there is a loud bang which made her scream.

Michael is playing his Switch to enjoy Smash Bros to hear Kendra's screaming. "What the hell?" Mike leaps into action to rush down the hall and go to her door. "Kendra, are you okay?" he opens the door to see a remarkable sight. "Oh Kendra," Mike feels pressure in his pants for Kendra feeling his lust for her body overwhelming and making her face blush red.

Michael looks on to see Kendra's short yet curvaceous figure filling out her underwear. Her purple silk bra held her sizable bust, her purple panties forming around her big butt and wide hips while her thick thighs, shapely waist, and thin arms were shown off. Her long dark hair is a total mess stretched across her nicely shaped back while her pale white skin matched the moonlight.

"She is perfect," he thought as he is glowing in the face as well-being stunned by her unkempt beauty.

"Please turn around," Kendra sounding very embarrassed. She drops onto her bed to cover herself with her sheet. Mike responds by turning around to preserve her modesty.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to peek at you. I was worried something happened to you and I wanted to check up on you to see if you are okay," Mike said as Kendra's heart swells from his kindness for her overreaction.

"I see, thanks for the concern. I screamed because my Gengar was being a big jerk," Kendra said as her Gengar phased through the wall to appear within her room. The ghostly being crackles at this as she pets him on the head. "Gee, he is a big prankster. One time I was trying to take a shower and this fellow flush the toilet which made the water get hot. Little gremlin," Kendra said as she scolds the creature but still loves him more the same.

"That's pretty funny," Mike said as Lily and Leaf appeared to see Mike looking at them while Kendra is in her underwear covered with her bed sheets.

"I see where this is going," Leaf teases them for the two are glowing in the face even deeper.

"Oh, my mistress, seems like you are liking Michael taking attention off your body," Lily teases her within her mind.

"Please stop," Kendra said. Her pale face is now as red as a tomato.

"Well seems like you are taking a liking to each other. I will leave you two lovebirds alone," Leaf said as she walks away.

"Be nice Mistress," Lily teases as she walks away.

"Gee, that is embarrassing," Kendra said.

"You are telling me," Mike said as she gets off the bed to pull off the sheets from her body.

"Keep away, I am going to put on my nightgown," Kendra said as she quickly puts on her nightwear. "Okay, you can turn around now," she said as Mike looks back to see her filling out her purple nightgown nicely.

"Wow, you're cute in purple. Both times," Mike said as he has a burning image of Kendra in her purple undies showing off her thick curves which is hard not to think about. "Built like a goddess," he thought as Kendra feels happy to hear this.

"Oh, thanks and I don't mind if you look a bit," she said softly. "Anyway, I wanted you to meet the rest of my Pokemon who live here with me," Kendra summons her Pokemon with a mental call for them to start appearing within her room.

Several Pokemon showed up with Lily appearing again. "You want him to meet with the others?" Lily asked.

"Yes, you already know Lily, Swoobat, and Starmie. They are a carryover from my days as a Psychic Gym Trainer in Saffron City Gym but now I focus more on Ghost Pokemon since I find them very charming despite people thinking they are creepy," Kendra begins to show off her crew of Ghost Pokemon.

"This is Gengar, he is my first Ghost Pokemon. I got him when he was a little Gastly and now he has become a powerful Gengar but he is a gremlin though," Kendra said as the ghost Pokemon laughs at this in all good fun.

"Anyway, this is my Froslass," she said as her graceful, beautiful Pokemon bowed her head to meet her mistress's new friend. "I found her as a little Snorunt in the forest. She was scared and raise to become this little beauty here," Kendra said as she moves on to another Ghost Pokemon Mismagius who bows her head.

"This is Mismagius, she is quite quiet like me. I found her in the forest as a small Misdreavus and raised her," she said as she grabs a small doll-like Pokemon into her arms.

"This is Mimikyu, I found her in a dumpster all alone and abandoned. She is happy with her new family," Kendra said as she goes up to the window to open it to reveal Mike her Dragupult.

"Holy Crap, you got a Dragapult. These big boys are very strong, how did you get one?" Mike asked.

"It's a weird story, there was a guy who came at me on the sidewalk when I was going to the bookstore. He drops a bag onto my hands and left in a hurry. There was a weak-looking Dreepy inside the bag wanting a new home and I took him with me. Now he is here big and strong, he is great at scaring people off my grounds, I value my private time," Kendra said.

"Well, that is my whole Pokemon lineup. What do you think?" Kendra asked.

"Pretty awesome, all your Pokemon have been raised to their final forms. You are a remarkable trainer Kendra," Michael gives her great comments making her humbled by this.

"Thanks, all that training from the Saffron Gym paid off in the end. You all go relax," she said to give him a mental command to tell them to head into the forest and begin patrolling the area for anyone there. "Safety precaution," Kendra said.

"Let's walk around your mansion. You can show me around," Mike said.

"That is a good idea, I would love to show you around," Kendra said as they go through the hallway with it being gloomy and dusty.

"Seem this place has seen better days. No offends," Mike said as Kendra nods her head.

"No problem. It feels very homely and safe, I like it how it is. It's very lived in," Kendra said.

"I can see the appeal," Michael said.

"So, what kind of Pokemon do you have?" she asked to be curious about his selection.

"Well currently my best ones are my Vapereon, Garchomp, Scizor, Weavile, Braviary, and Golurk are the ones I am using now," he said as Kendra cooed at him mentioning Golurk.

"That ghostly statue is so cute," Kendra said as she is becoming more animated when talking about ghastly things.

"You can see him later when we have time," Mike said.

"So, did you have gyms in your region?" she asked as she knows he came from the Orre Region which is very far away from Kanto.

"No, we don't have those but we have Colosseums," he said as Kendra is confused by this.

"Colosseums?" she asked.

"Yep, only the best in Orre can fight in these arenas and win tons of glory. I managed to win several Colosseums tournaments in my day as well as beat 100 trainers on Mt. Battle," he said.

"A 100 battles in a row?" she asked.

"In a set of 10 battles per session. I and my team did take breaks of course. I managed to complete the ultimate challenge in the region. Very few managed to do this with me being one of the top trainers in the region," Michael said.

"Impressive, no wonder you handle yourself so well in battle like a real pro," Kendra said to comment on his skill.

The young man sports an embarrassing smile as he rubs the back of his spiky red hair. "Gee, I am just doing my best," he said being humble about it as she finds it very cute.

They find a few huge frames which have paintings of Kendra when she was younger and her mother and father. "This is a younger version of you, pretty adorable," Mike said as Kendra looks down onto her feet to hide her blush with her long dark hair.

"Thank you, these are my parents. Alice and Ken Haven are part of the once well-known Haven Family. We have lived in this mansion for generations," Kendra said.

"You are part of a wealthy family. Seems like you hit hard times," Mike said.

"Yes a long time ago. Our family business was shut down due to bad management and fraud. My parents went downhill in terms of business and then they died in the car crash leaving me all alone," Kendra said.

"That is awful, seems like you had a rough childhood," Mike said.

"Yes, it was. I am the last member of the Haven family line and all I got was the money and this house," Kendra said.

"Gee, I am sorry," Michael said.

"After that, I took comfort in training Pokemon and working at the Gym. People still think I am weird. I have gotten a mocking name due to my behavior, the Hex Maniac from the occult themes in my outfits and hobbies. Then you know the rest, the psychic explosion happen and I am the town freak now," Kendra said.

"Damn, no friends huh?" he asked.

"Yep, I mean no human friends anyway. Due to my unique mannerisms, reserved nature, and odd hobbies, normal people would avoid me like the plague," Kendra said.

"Thankfully I think your quirks are cute," Michael said as Kendra gets bashful at his frank comment.

"Gee, do you have to be so honest about it," Kendra said as her heart is going to burst out of her chest. "Gee, such a sweet guy," she thought as it was quite overwhelming for someone to give her such attention without being hateful or looking down on her due to her gifts and quirks.

"I am only speaking the truth, Hexy," he said as the name caught her off guard.

"Hexy, where did that come from?" she asked.

"It's a play on your nickname Hex Maniac into something cuter. What do you think?" he asked with a goofy smile.

"Gee, he managed to turn a mocking insult into a term of endearment. That's pretty charming," she thought to think sweetly of him. "I don't mind if you call me that Michael. Thank you, well it's getting dark soon and I need to get some sleep," Kendra said as they look out the window to see the moon is high in the sky.

"Yeah, it was one crazy day," Mike said.

'Thanks for hearing me talk. It's nice," Kendra said.

"Okay, good night Hexy," he said with a playful tone with Kendra getting rosy cheeks with her heart racing from the lovely experience.

"Good night Michael," she said as they part away with Michael heading to his room for Leaf watches from afar to have a smirk on her face.

"Oh, so cute," Leaf said.

"Leaf what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Checking out the little romance going on there. You are crushing on her," Leaf said.

"Can you blame me?" he asked as Leaf chuckled at this.

"Of course, you have a type. Anyhow this place has some pretty paintings,' she said.

"Yeah, I saw a family portrait of her folks. This Haven family got it pretty rough," Mike said.

"Oh yeah, the Haven Family were quite powerful in Saffron City but due to troubles with losing their business and fraud. They both died suddenly and left all the remains to their only daughter," Leaf said.

"Pretty nuts. I just saw her Pokemon. She got a good selection," Michael talks about all her Ghost types for Leaf is surprised by the Dragapult Pokemon in her hands.

"Well, that is very rare. They are not native to the Kanto and Johto regions. Very interesting, she is a capable Gym Trainer indeed. Well, I am going to bed, and when I wake up. I am going to do some errands. Don't have too much fun with our gothic hostess," Leaf said as she walks away.

"Well, I need to hit the hay," he thought as he heads back to his guest room to enjoy the soft bed.

Elsewhere within the ship nearby Vermillion City acting as a command ship for the Cipher Admin Lovrina has her eyes on a certain Pokemon based in the area. "Some Legendries will be pretty useful," she looks over to her touchpad to see an image of Lugia who is her greatest project yet a completely corrupted Pokemon. "My Shadow Lugia is the perfect weapon and will be needed to corrupt over Legendries like a certain Time Dragon," Lovrina said.

She looks over Mewtwo on her pad to have her forces search the region for this powerful Pokemon and get it to her ship to be experimented on. Also, another Legendary Dialga is of great interest to her boss.

"The power of time at our fingertips. Cipher will change history and take this world for ourselves," she laughs as she is getting excited to turn Dialga into a Shadow Pokemon.

Morning has come with Leaf exiting the mansion to head out into the city to get a certain item that will be helpful for the coming battles ahead. "I hope they have these just in case we get into a bind," Leaf thought going into the city.

Hexy wakes up to spread out her limbs. "That was lovely," she thought as she hops out of bed to pat down her nightgown.

"How was your rest?" Lily asked as she is sitting on the chair nearby.

"Pretty well, I have gotten some nice dreams," Kendra said.

'It's about Michael is it?" she asked as Kendra sighs with a soft glow on her face.

"Yes it is," she said not even trying to fight back since their minds are linked and Lily will know if she is lying to her.

"You looked pretty happy with him in the hallways last night," Lily said as she felt the happiness swelling in her mistress's mind.

"Yes, it's nice to talk with someone who doesn't look down on me," Kendra said as Lily feels a swell of pity for her mistress.

"That is good, I am happy for you. Leaf has left the mansion to go on errands. Just you and Michael here," Lily said as Kendra's heart is beating pretty fast.

"Well, I can hang out with him more and go to the city together," Kendra said as she goes to the kitchen to cook up some breakfast.

"Morning Michael," Kendra said as he comes into the kitchen to reach into the fridge to get some orange juice.

"Morning Hexy," he said using her new nickname for Lily sitting at the table in the dining room.

"Good Morning Michael," the Gardevoir greeted him within his mind as he is hear her gentle voice.

"Hey Lily, rested up?" he asked as Kendra is cooking up some bacon and toast in the oven.

"Wonderful, I took a stroll around the grounds along with the other Pokemon. Make sure those Cipher thugs or other people don't attack us," Lily said.

"Kind of hard to do that with a forest filled with Ghost types including a big ass ghost dragon with a stealth bomber for a head," Mike joked as Kendra laughs at this.

"Indeed, he is a big softie at heart despite his size," Kendra said as she finishes her cooking to place the food onto the table. "Get ready to dig in," she said as the trio begin to eat their breakfast. "I wanted us to hang out at the bookstore. There are so new books I want to pick up," Kendra said as she bites into her piece of bacon.

"Sure, that would be nice. I need to spread out my legs. Check to see the mood of the city," Michael said as he drinks his orange juice.

"Good idea," Lily said as she feels Kendra is still anxious about it but steels herself. Soon enough they finish their meal for them to get into casual outfits.

Mike is wearing a simple blue t-shirt, black jeans, and red sneakers. He waits by the door along with Lily to wait for Kendra to get into an outfit.

"Okay I am done," Kendra said as she is sporting a plain black dress which doesn't hide her figure.

"Simple et cute," Mike commented as Kendra giggled at this.

"Thanks, come on. Let's go into the city," Kendra said as they head outside to see the mist is gone now.

"Where did the mist go?" Michael asked.

"I made it, I used Misty Terrain to cast a thick mystic fog to protect the area since all this Cipher stuff happening. Extra protection," she said.

"That is a Fairy type move, right? Very powerful stuff," Michael said as there are no Fairy types where he came from.

"Fairy types are pretty rare and powerful. We are the only ones who can give the dragons a run for their money. They got away with it for too long," Lily said as Michael laughs at this with his powerful Garchomp in his bag.

"No kidding," Michael said as they go down the road to go into the city with life resuming to normal.

"Did the poor Golurk recover?" Kendra asked.

"Yep, the good folks at Sylph Co and Professor Swan are working their magic. We send them all the Shadow Pokemon I steal and get them healed with the machines," Michael said.

"Thank goodness, those Pokemon were filled with rage and hatred. Pokemon are not like that in their natural state," Kendra felt saddened by Pokémon's condition.

"They will take good care of it and be sent back into the wild where it belongs," Michael said.

"Thank goodness, oh this is the bookstore I go to. They have great selections here like manga, research books, and other stuff," Kendra getting pretty excited to drag Mike into the shop with Lily following after them.

"Morning youngsters, check out my new selections," the shopkeeper said as they see huge rows of books on display.

"Wow, this never stops being so good to the eyes," Kendra said as she rushes over to the occult section to check out their latest issues. "So cool, there is a book on the recent paranormal acts around the world. I have been waiting for this," Kendra said as her dark blue eyes were lit with stars at this.

"Wow, you are really into this stuff," he said.

"You can't tell, I love spooky things. The night in a dark forest to me is very comforting while others think it's creepy," Kendra said.

"You are built different, that's for sure," Michael said as Kendra laughs at this.

"You can say that," Kendra said enjoying the books in the shop.

Leaf goes into the shopping mall to head to a pawn shop that holds certain rare items. "Lady Leaf, the Pokemon Champion herself," Henry said.

"Hey there Henry, do you have Mega Stones in stock?" she asked.

"Oh, those are pretty rare. Which ones do you need?" he asked as Leaf had already gotten herself Mega Stones for her Lucario and Blastoise while Michael has his own for Garchomp and Scizor.

"Lily is so powerful and with her own Mega Stone. She will be a force to be reckoned with," Leaf said.

"I need two for Gallade and Gardevoir," Leaf said.

"Oh, the Knight and the Mage of that Pokemon line. I don't have them in stock but it will take a week to come in via special orders," the shopkeeper said.

"Cool, I will be back in a week," Leaf said as she exits for she worries they will need them against more powerful Shadow Pokemon who could be Legendries which Cipher has controlled in the past.

Back with Kendra, Michael, and Lily as Hexy grabs more books to put them into a pile on a table with Kendra going higher on the ladder.

The redhead is about to move but sees under Kendra's skirt. Michael subtly tries to look up it, his curiosity overpowering his mind along with his hormones not helping with the matter. He peeks seeing the dark-haired woman's cotton blue panties formed around her perfectly plump buttocks and wide shapely hips.

"Man, she looks so good in those," Michael likes what he sees even the little black bow in the front but shakes it off. "What am I doing, why can I stop looking," Michael said as Kendra noticed him looking up at her skirt having a deep blush on her face.

"Michael," Kendra loses her balance and falls off the ladder with Michael trying to reach her. He grabs Kendra for both landing on the ground with Michael holding Kendra's slender waist.

"Kendra, I'm sorry I didn't mean to peek," Michael felt sorry for what he did as Kendra understood for she remembers no matter how sweet he can be; he's still a guy.

"I don't mind, I trust you Michael," Kendra's pale face is deeply red with Michael joining in with his face red as a tomato.

Kendra is seeing the two looking awkward and deeply embarrassed, "You guys need a room. There is a broom closet you two can get more comfortable." Kendra teases them as Michael and Kendra collect themselves being more awkward.

"Cut it out Lily," Kendra pouted with Lily laughing at her face while rubbing her short green hair. She fixes up her dress as she grabs her things to be ready to buy them. "I will take these," she said to pay a certain amount of poke dollars.

"Come again," the shopkeeper said as they walk back to the mansion.

"Thanks for coming with me Michael," she said.

'Anything for a pretty face," he flirted as Kendra is glowing in the face trying to get used to his sweet comments.

"Thanks, I found some good reads. This will go well with my collection," Kendra said as Lily looks from behind to be very happy for her.

"Kendra," she thinks about that Burst Heart and its ability to merge Human and Pokemon into a hybrid becoming much stronger together.

"Things are going to get rough and I wonder can I protect you"? she wondered as they go back home.