Here we go! A freshly corrected new chapter, thanks to the awesome beta-readers. You worked quite a bit for that chapter, so thanks a bunch! By the way, I can't pass over someone who generously donated, M. Matthew11045. Thanks a lot! It's much, much appreciated ^_^ For those who feels generous as well, here's a link for the page.

"https" : / / www."pay""pal"."com"/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=TFHUKTDRVQYTW&"currency"_code=CAD&source=url

Like I explained in the previous chapter, in order to work, just remove the spaces and the "" on the link. I know it messy and laborious, but it was the only way I was able to post it here. Every amount count, as none is too small. Give me feedback if something isn't working.

For the awesome beta-readers : docsgooglecom/document/d/1tsmRgfSUkDSou_k1VKN258upKTSqsCQBbvRRr8vcI6I/edit

Now, onward!


Max and Luna had left the campsite just a few minutes ago and things got awkward real fast. Neither of them spoke a word to the other, with Max avoiding the zoroark's gaze as much as he could. She tried to bear with it as long as possible, but seeing that things weren't about to change any time soon, she decided to speak up.

{Alright! That's enough! I don't want to walk all day long with this tension. So, I'm gonna have to ask you what is going on.} She demanded in a rather authoritarian tone.

Max rarely sees Luna upset at him, this probably being the second time since he's known her. Brushing her the wrong way was the last thing he'd ever want to do.

"...It's… complicated."

{Is it because of yesterday?}

With her spot-on guess, Max stayed silent for a moment.

"...Not exactly," Max half-lied, refusing to agree with her.

Luna then gazed at Max for a short moment before lightly sighing.

{It's my fault. I guess I went overboard, and I'm sincerely sorry if I made you uncomfortable or insulted you in any way. Once again, I let myself lose some self-control.}

"No, you don't have to apologize. You're not the problem, it's me. I don't want to sound like a pervert but…" Max started before hesitating. "...I was kind of flattered that you... well, felt that way towards me. To be honest, after that happened, I told myself that I should have accepted."

{That's what's troubling you? You regret not having engaged with me?... Perhaps you were feeling like that because you thought that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?}

"I… hadn't seen it that way, but now that you say it, it makes quite a bit of sense," Max replied, impressed by her keen eye.

{Well, it's true that I'm not the kind to be easily driven by my emotions or desires. Maybe it won't happen again, maybe it will. No one can know for sure. However, I don't want you to feel bad about it. You didn't insult me in any way if it's what's bugging you. That wasn't the right moment, that's all.} Luna reassured, gently grabbing one of his shoulders.

"It's not that. It's just…" Max spoke, still struggling with what to say. "...I think I still might be a little bit scared of you. Not because you're intimidating and such... Well, a bit, but that's besides the point... I just feel that I'm not worthy. Like you already said, I don't have the 'presence' or traits of a male zoroark."

{You're still thinking about that? I was only teasing you.}

"Really? To me it sounded like you were quite serious," he questioned with a skeptical face.

{Well, I wasn't.}

"...Anyway, that's the overall situation. I just feel dumb about it, honestly."

{Don't be. If it reassures you, you're not less of a man because of that. Again, I'm sorry for putting you through that.}

Her words and their meaning were very simplistic, but it did reassure him a lot.

"...Thanks," he said, sporting a relieved smile.

{No problem. You'll have plenty more opportunities, maybe even with another zoroark.}

Max knew she meant well by saying that, but if he ever wanted a zoroark, it would be no one else but her.

"I guess I over-dramatised a little. Hehe," Max mumbled, looking down.

{Yeah, a tiny bit, I'll agree.}

"Thanks for the reassurance," Max said sarcastically.

{You're welcome.} Luna replied, noticing his sarcasm immediately. {And stop being scared of me. I know it's quite a blunt request, but I already told you that you have nothing to fear of me.}

"I know, I know. I think it's just some conditioning to fear dark-type pokemon from who knows who. That, and the fact that your claws are almost the size of my wrist."

{What about them? You can hold a gun pretty much at any time you want without anybody knowing, but it doesn't mean I should start fearing you for that. It's all in the trust.}

"Maybe it's also because I'll miss you since I never held one."

{That helps. I concede.}

After a good laugh with her, things were a lot less awkward for Max as he slowly began to forget about the incident. They didn't really talk much while continuing their walk, but he had less trouble looking at her.

The rest of the day went pretty normal with Scarlet and Dusk teleporting back to the two of them before the usual lunch with everyone. Scarlet managed to stuff a couple smoked-meat pieces inside Max's backpack wrapped in big unique leaves that Max didn't know about. She told him that they were known to stay fresh for a long time, so she guessed that it might help with the meat conservation. After a rustic and well-cooked meal, he put everyone back in their pokeball, as no one still felt like walking, and Max resumed his travel with Scarlet. Then, the evening settled.

"And I keep telling you that it doesn't matter."

{So what? You always need to prove your point, don't you?} Scarlet retorted to Max, doing some trivial and harmless arguing.

*sigh* "Just forget about it. Anyway, I believe it's time to set up camp," Max pointed out, looking at the sunset.

{You always have been good at changing subjects that are too spicy for you, I'll give you that.}

"Can you help me with the campsite instead of showing off your superior intellect?"

*sigh* {I guess so. Let's find a good spot and I'm on it.}

"Thanks," he said while they went off the road.

It took them a few minutes before finding a suitable spot; there was a river nearby and small mountains could be seen in the distance, rendering the scenery quite relaxing. As soon as the tent and the campfire were set up and the girls were released, they immediately went for dinner.

"Wow. You did a really good job," Max praised Scarlet.

{We had to scrap a few pieces before finding the perfect technique, though.}

"Doesn't really matter since you couldn't have stored all of the meat, anyway."

{The taste is strange but it's not unpleasant, at least to me.} Aurora commented, chewing on her piece.

{I agree. It's almost exotic.} Luna pointed out, briefly looking at the human.

Max was quite happy that things haven't changed between him and the zoroark. Besides being slightly less flirty with him, she keeps doing her Luna stuff.

"If only we had a barbecue grill. Then you could all taste a true delicacy."

{At this rate, you're gonna end up having an entire house on your back if you keep buying new things.} May jested.

"Heh, if only I could carry an entire house. We would be more comfortable every night."

{But less wild.} Scarlet pointed out. {And you know very well that we all like it wild.} She remarked, getting everyone's approval.

Over the course of the dinner, Max noticed how May was looking in one specific direction quite often. He then went and sat next to her as everyone else was talking amongst themselves.

"You okay? You seem a bit distracted."

{Yeah, don't worry. I just have a weird feeling about those mountains.} May answered, pointing at them.

"You think that place it's dangerous?" Max suspected, following May's gaze.

{I don't think so. Well, I'm not sure, actually.}

"Do you want me to tell Scarlet or Luna about it?"

{No, no. It's fine. It's probably just my imagination, so don't bother them for that.}

"...Well, they do look pretty normal to me, so okay. And besides, if there was a real danger, Scarlet would have been the first one to know."

{I suppose.}

"How about you tell me where you are with that move of yours, instead?"

{You mean Fairy Wind? Not great. Since I don't have any special attacks, I can't really progress. I'm really starting from ground zero.}

"Wasn't Scarlet supposed to help you with that?"

{Yes, but I wanted to try it on my own first. Looks like I'll have to ask her in the end.}

"Well, keep in mind that there's no rush here. Take your time, sweety."

{Thanks, master.}

A caring look appeared on Max's face as he was petting her, who returned the affection with some snuggling. Eventually, everyone was done eating.

"Well, I think a little walk will do nicely after a meal like that," Max announced, standing up.

{As for me, a simple rest will do just fine.} Bonny said, dropping on her back.

"Didn't you want to work on Dizzy Punch?" Max asked.

{I'll get to it tomorrow. Tonight I feel extra lazy.}

"I'm surprised she's not like this every night," Max whispered to May.

{Heard that.} Bonny informed nonchalantly.

With a chuckle, Max left them to begin his trek through the woods, but not before being told to be careful by almost everyone. After a couple minutes of walking on abrupt paths, Max began to sweat on his forehead.

(That reminds me that I'm due for a little shower. Or rather a bath, in this case.) He thought while wiping the sweat away.

He then went on a tiny journey to find another water source in a more reserved area so he could dip in privately.

(I sure hope it won't be too cold. If so, I'm gonna have to make it quick.)

He kept wandering around in hopes to find what he was looking for. He wasn't really worried about being lost since he could just call Scarlet if necessary, so he could go as deep as he wanted. Eventually, he noticed that he had been unknowingly walking towards the mountains. Not long after that, he began to sense the air getting a bit more humid.

"I must be getting close to some warm water," he murmured to himself, feeling grateful if it was the case.

He then followed his instincts for a short duration until he came across a medium-sized pond. What was peculiar about this one was the faint steam rising from the water.

"Could this be…?"

He proceeded to dip his hand in it and like he guessed, the water wasn't cold at all, it being hot. It wasn't very hot like with a fire, but comfortably warm enough.

"Heh, who knew I would find a pseudo hot springs here? This world is really something, sometimes," Max said to himself before starting to undress.

As he was pulling down his pants, he became aware a bit late that maybe he wasn't alone, but decided to ignore it, anyway. Quickly finishing and putting his clothes nearby, he dipped a foot in it and almost jumped in from how nice it felt.

"Aaah," Max exhaled.

For a moment, he wished that he could share this place with his companions, but told himself that he deserves to have some alone time. He did feel a little bad about it, but decided to be selfish for once and keep it to himself. He promised himself though that the next time he came across a hot spring, he would invite the girls.

Max enjoyed himself for a few minutes and was getting slightly drowsy from being too comfortable when he heard something. He turned to look behind him towards a rustling noise coming from the woods. Before he could have the time to be anxious about what it could be, two bipedal lizard-like pokemon appeared. Max didn't recognize them but they vaguely reminded him of a machoke, but a bit more reptilian. However, those two were slimmer and sported well-toned body muscles, and they seem to be slightly taller than him; with one of them being a tad shorter than the other one. Also, they looked to be much more feminine with a long tail protruding from their lower back. Like a machoke, they too had black underwear with power belts above it, and were also wearing black sports bras. And to complement their figure, they had a very modest chest size.

{Damn it. This place was supposed to be out of reach from humans, but here we have one polluting our pool.} The smaller one commented, looking upset.

{Don't be that mean. It probably just got lost and ended up in it like an idiot.} The tallest one arrogantly stated.

{So what do we do? Do we kick him out?}

"Ohh. I'm sorry if I entered your property. I'll leave at once if you want me to," Max apologized.

{I don't know. If we just scare it away, maybe we won't have to use force. And why do you assume it's a 'him'?} The tallest one replied, ignoring the human.

{I don't know. It doesn't look very female-like, that's all.}

"I'm indeed a male, thank you very much."

{Seriously, he just keeps tal-}

{Hold on a second...} The tall one interrupted. {Do you perhaps understand us?...}

{Don't be ridiculous, how would he be able to?} The small one complained.

"Yes, I can understand you very perfectly."

At that revelation, both pokemon looked at each other, feeling both confused and surprised. They turned their eyes once more away from him, whispering to each other.

"By the way, no need to scare me or use force. Like I said, I'll leave if it's what you want."

They looked at each other one more time and kept whispering a few more seconds before the tall one grinned.

{Actually, that won't be necessary.} She said, hands on her hips.

"Are you sure? I don't mind, really."

{No, no. It's okay. In fact…} She started while walking towards him with the other one. {...I'd say you're more than welcome here.}

Max asked himself why they changed their minds so fast only because he could understand them. But his answer came immediately when they both got naked and dipped themselves in the warm water, one on each side of Max. He then realized how imposing they were; not as much as Luna, but they weren't far behind. Even though he wasn't hostile to the idea of having two apparently horny and sexy female pokemon next to him, their stature and the atmosphere made him a bit uncomfortable.

"Sorry to ask, but what pokemon are you?" he questioned, attempting to break the ice.

{Seriously? You never saw a female machoke before?} The tall one said, who was on his right side.

Max then tried his best to remember if he already had seen one recently or in his childhood.

"I guess not."

{Well, we are machokes. Our species are one of those kinds of pokemon who have major differences between genders.}

"Oh, kind of like a gardevoir and a gallade."

{Exactly. My, my, you seem to be well-informed, human. How about you tell us a bit more about yourself?} The tall female machoke suggested while coiling an arm around his neck and gently pulling him towards her, dropping his head on the side of her left boob.

"There is not much to say," Max replied while moving his head away.

Even though he didn't really like her very straightforward and even dominant behavior, he found them quite hot and wanted to know where this was going. If anything goes wrong, a certain gardevoir would gladly come to teach them manners, to say the least.

{Really? So you're just a human that appeared out of nowhere in our pond? A bit hard to believe.} She said, feigning to be skeptical and looking at her smaller friend.

{Don't look at me, you're the one that wanted his dick!}

{I didn't say it like that, but whatever.}

So there was the confirmation of his doubts: he was about to fuck two muscular but slim pokemon.

{That's practically what you said!}

{Excuse her. I don't know where and by what she was raised but she really needs to learn to loosen up.} The tall machoke apologized.

{Like your vagina?} The small one retorted with a grin.

At that, Max couldn't help but chuckle a little. They sent flying knives at each other like that a few times before their attention went back to Max once more.

{Anyway, we were wondering if you wanted to have a bit of fun with us?} The tall one suggested while rubbing his inner leg with her hand, dangerously close to his manhood.

"Hem…" Max replied, unsure.

{Don't worry, you're not in danger here and feel free to refuse. However, it would certainly brush me the wrong way if you were to say no, especially since you intruded our pond.}

"That wasn't really my intention, I swear."

{Yet you did, nonetheless. So, what's it gonna be?...} She coaxed, pressing the side of her boob against his head again.

"...If I were to be blunt and honest, I wouldn't say no to two hotties like yourselves. But why so besotted with me, a plain and boring human?"

{Easy question. Both me and Trixie here like exotic things, and what's more exotic than a human that can speak to pokemon? Also, now that we're all up close, you have something quite appealing. I can't tell what, though.}

"Trixie, huh? Pretty name," Max said, briefly looking at the way less enthusiastic female machoke. " What's yours?" he asked the tall one.

{Wiozane. But we're not here to do some boring chit-chat. Let's see what we're dealing with.} Wiozane announced bluntly before directly grasping his semi-hard shaft.


She felt it a short moment before starting to gently stroke him underwater.

{I've seen better, but not bad for a human. I think we just might have fun with it.} She told Trixie.

{Why are you dragging me to these kinds of twisted plans?} Trixie protested.

{Because you like it as much as I do. Otherwise, you wouldn't hang out with me.}

{...}

{Why don't you give it a try instead of showing your fake reserved attitude?}

Rolling her eyes and sighing, Trixie took Wiozane's place and began to stroke Max's hardening shaft.

{What are you talking about? This will do just fine.} Trixie questioned, now getting a feel of his tool.

{If you say so.} Wiozane rolled her eyes.

{I'm not as loose as you, you know.}

{Good for you. Tell you what, how about a little contest?}

{...I'm listening...}

{The one who can hold her breath underwater for the longest will go first.}

{...Okay.} Trixie just shrugged her shoulders.

Without any warning, Trixie dove her head underwater and began to suck Max's schlong. He immediately noticed and felt her expertise with it, pleasuring him quite intensely. She went at it for a good minute and a half before popping her head out for air.

{How about that?} Trixie challenged her friend with a grin.

{Meh, not bad.} Wiozane simply replied before doing the same.

This time, the expertise of the second machoke was astonishing. Max guessed that both of them seem to have had their own fair share of experiences, to say the least. Wiozane managed to beat her friend by a few seconds before stopping.

{I'm in the lead.} She told her friend a bit pridefully.

{Not for long. I was just warming up.} Trixie competitively declared.

She then dropped her head underwater and hungrily sucked on Max's meat once more. Slowly but surely and despite himself, his climax was in sight and hoped that they would be done with their game soon enough so as not to cum too early. To his surprise, though, Trixie held on for roughly an additional minute, shredding the last record.

*gasp* {Oopmf. Try to beat that.} Trixie said a bit arrogantly.

{Shit! What are your lungs made of?} Wiozane exclaimed.

{Same stuff as yours. Do you forfeit?}

{Not without a chance to fight back.}

With almost fiery eyes, Wiozane repeated the same action as before and tried to last as long as she could. Unfortunately, she couldn't hold her breath as long as her friend and resurfaced for air thirty seconds before the record.

*gasp* {Fuck!} Wiozane complained.

{Would you look at that? I won.}

{Yeah, yeah. No need to brag about it.} Trixie's friend retorted, not sounding that upset.

Not losing any time, Trixie grinned, stood up, turned around and bent over to give him easy access.

{Let's start immediately, then.} She said while gently shaking her rear and waving her tail.

"Time to do my good deed of the day, I suppose," Max jested with a tiny smile while standing behind the smallest female machoke.

{You're in luck as I'm easy to turn on.} Trixie informed him while playing with her clitoris in front of him.

"Good to know," Max replied before grabbing her hips.

{Show off.} Wiozane commented.

Max then aligned himself while grabbing onto Trixie's tail and pushed inside the already wet pokemon's pussy. Immediately, Max felt her rather tight vagina contracting around his shaft with ease. Wondering how long he will be able to hold on there, Max started slowly as his excitement was already rushing towards the roof.

{Do I look like a teen to you? Go harder!} The female machoke commanded.

"Doing my best. I don't want to end it too quickly."

{...Well, would you look at that? A male that actually cares for his female.} Wiozane commented with a tiny smile. {How peculiar.}

{That's sweet and all, but I'm just being teased here.} Trixie complained.

*sigh* "Alright, you asked for it."

Immediately, Max grabbed tightly the female machoke's hips and went all out, just like with Bonny when she's mega evolved.

{Ahh! Now we're t-talking.} She let out, starting to have a lewd face.

Unfortunately, thinking of having sex with his sexy mega-evolved Bonny and doing it in the present caused his pleasure to reach a new peak and he wasn't able to contain it, pouring his seed inside the pokemon with a powerful orgasm that's rare without Scarlet's help. After a quite long-lasting blissful moment, Max stopped.

*pant* "Told you."

{I'll admit that I insisted for you to go harder, but I expected at least a couple more minutes.} Trixie commented, a bit disappointed.

"Sorry."

{But it wasn't that bad for a first try.}

"First try?"

With a grin, Trixie left the water and sat on the edge with her knees raised and spread-open legs.

{The first round was rather disappointing, so I'm offering you a second chance.}

"Hem… Thanks?"

{You don't mind me going for another round?} She asked her friend.

{I didn't have the time to enjoy the show even a little, so no, go ahead.} Wiozane assured, laying her head on one arm at the edge, staring at them.

{What are you waiting for? Need some more encouragement?} Trixie proposed before extending her tail to play with Max's softening member. {Or perhaps you'd like it somewhere else?} She added while moving her tail past his genitals.

"No, no, that's okay," Max stopped her, grabbing her tail.

{Suit yourself.} She replied, sounding slightly disappointed. {Come here, then.} She commanded with a finger gesture.

Obliging, Max walked closer until she grabbed and pulled him into a moderately fierce kiss. With some tongue-play she moved the human's hips back and forth, more or less forcing him to rub his dick against her entrance. Oddly, that kind of behavior was both uncomfortable and arousing. Nonetheless, a second erection was on its way.

{About time. Try to last a bit longer this time.}

"Sure thing. The idea of disappointing a lady is not on my mind."

{I'm starting to like him.} Wiozane affirmed with a grin. {Are you perhaps a trainer?}

{Of course he is. For what other reason would he be here?} Trixie retorted while Max proceeded to push himself inside her.

{If it is the case, then I was wondering: are you in need of a strong pokemon? Maybe two?} Wiozane asked him, flexing her arm muscles.

"Sorry, but my team... is already full," Max responded while slowly pounding the other machoke.

{Shame. You seem to be a very caring one. Oh well, at least I tried.}

{Now let him focus.} Trixie demanded.

Receiving more slow and hard thrusts from the human, Trixie began to moan very slowly with accelerated breathing, and then Max increased his pace. After a little while, she was finally close to an orgasm when Max slowed down.

{What gives?! I'm so close.} Trixie demanded almost aggressively.

"Sorry, but I've had quite a tiresome day," Max justified before speeding up.

{Let me help you with that, then.} She proposed while helping him move his hips with her tail.

Eventually and thanks to the pokemon's help, Max reached his peak and came, shortly followed by Trixie.

{I guess one is better than none.} She commented before releasing his hips.

"I-"

{My turn!}

Wiozane then left the pond, grabbed one of Max's hands and pulled him out.

{I'm gonna do you a favor and do all the work. I'm nice, aren't I?} She sultrily commented.

"I-Indeed."

{Glad to hear. Now lay down and enjoy your best fuck ever.}

Before lying down on his back, Max sat down. Wiozane didn't give him the time to do much more as she pushed his back on the ground rather aggressively.

"Whoa. No need to be that eager, we have time."

{So, a trainer, huh? I don't know what pokemon you have, but I'll show you what a real female pokemon can do.}

"R-Really now?"

Her sudden dominant side surprised Max quite a bit, not looking like that a minute ago. Then, as he was under her, he remembered that time with Luna next to the lake. The thought turned him on more than he expected it to. She then dropped herself right on his shaft and pressed her hands on his arms, as to prevent him from escaping.

{Sorry, but I can hardly control myself when I'm horny.} She said with a half-disinterested tone before going to town with Max's rod. {But now that I've started, there is no escape.}

The more he stayed with them, the less he liked their rather arrogant attitude. However, Wiozane's dominatrix side was what made him continue, reminding him of Luna and her physique.

As minutes of rutting them both passed by and despite their bad sides, he could hesitantly admit that sex with them was great, especially Wiozane because even though she wasn't as tight as Trixie, she could somehow contract her insides at will. He endured them until all three of them were satisfied and then he could just walk away and never see them ever again.

{Shit! I don't know how you do that, but you just hit the right spots. Not many can achieve that.} Wiozane commented while riding him again.

"Ghh, I'm not doing anything special," he managed to say, grunting from the pleasure.

{It must be your shape, then. Glad we met each other.}

Quickly, she went faster and rougher, dropping on Max as hard as she could, almost as if she wanted him to literally destroy her womb.

{Oh fuck, yes! That's the stuff!} She raunchily growled.

She went that way for a full minute until she felt her climax nearing. She then went even faster, almost hurting the human below, earning a powerful orgasm.

{Damn!} *pant* {I don't remember the last time I came that fast.} She commented with an ecstatic smile.

{How come it didn't happen with me?} Trixie asked, almost sounding offended.

{Either because he likes me better or your G-spot is non-existent.} Wiozane arrogantly teased her.

{Remind me, why are we friends again?}

{Because I helped you fuck my brother.}

{...Oh yeah. I remember now.}

{Since you haven't ejaculated yet, think you can do that one more time?}

"I think so."

{Great.} Wiozane said before quickly resuming where she left off a couple seconds ago. {But don't think I'll cum that easily this time. I'm gonna squeeze you dry first.} She boldly assured him.

With her friend looking from behind, Wiozane went even wilder than before. Getting quite into it, she couldn't help but to make out aggressively with the human, raising her pleasure even more. And surprisingly for various minutes, she managed to endure the pleasure quite efficiently, making Max the next one to explode.

{Ahh! I told you a small human is nothing for me.} She said confidently. {But I want to feel it again. Now…} She added, her face an inch away from his. {...I suggest you hold on until I cum.}

The female machoke then went at it one more time while gyrating herself so he could hit her sweet spots a bit more easily. They mated for a couple more minutes until Wiozane was nearing her orgasm. But this time she wanted to be filled to the brim, so she got as tight as possible for him and went even faster than before, making Max explode inside her almost instantly. Feeling it, she pressed his tip against her G-spot with more pressure and followed him with her own ecstatic release shortly after.


{Ooph! That was a nice fuck. I must say, you did well for a human. Didn't know they could be this good.}

"I've been doing some training of my own."

{Aww, isn't he cute?} She commented while standing up. {Feel free to enjoy more of our pond. We'll come back tomorrow.}

Grabbing her clothes, Wiozane left with Trixie.

{Goodbye.} She wished before returning to wherever they came from.

Sighing, Max dropped his head on the ground.

"I have a hard time with those who are full of themselves," he said to himself while sitting up. "But at least they know how to use their sexy bodies."

Standing up, Max then entered the pond for a bit longer to wash off the dirt and fluids he had on him. Shortly after finishing, he exited it and went to grab his clothes.

"...Fuck! I forgot to bring a towel. And I don't want to bother Scarlet with that... Meh, fuck it."

Out of options, Max took his shirt to dry himself as much as he could before dressing up, minus the shirt.

"It's not perfect but it will do until I'm back to the camp. Once there, either Scarlet or Dusk can help."

With that, Max turned around and took the same path as before.

Having a pretty good sense of orientation, he was somewhat able to navigate himself to where he came from. Then, as he began asking himself if he was really going in the right direction, something in the distance caught his attention. He couldn't see very well due to the darkness, but thanks to the moon's natural light he was able to determine that it was a small figure. Silently, Max began to approach it while staying hidden in case it was hostile. He knows that it's not very bright to walk towards a potential dangerous creature, but his curious nature was strong and could rarely fight it. To his surprise, Max recognized the creature as one of his companions: May. As he was thinking about a way to greet her without giving her a heart attack, he noticed how she was often looking around while slowly walking towards what seemed to be the direction of the mountains she mentioned before.

(What's the deal with those mountains?) Max thought.

Wanting to know what she had in mind, he tried his best to sneakily follow her. Since she was just a cute mawile and not a pro-hunter like Luna, he was confident in his ability to-

{I know you're there, master.} May said with crossed arms, turning around to look in his general direction.

(Shit!) He cursed mentally before showing himself. "Don't tell me you hunt for fun, too? Or did Luna teach you some stuff?"

{Not really. You're just too noisy. Strangely, it's a bit more subtle than usual, but I know your smell.}

*sigh* "So in short, I could never sneak up on any of you?"

{Probably not, but why would you ever do that, anyway?} The cute small pokemon asked, almost scolding him.

"Honestly, I don't know. For fun, I guess."

{Trying to sneak on our back is fun to you?}

"No, I-"

{Gotcha! Just messing with you.} May reassured with a smile.

"Tss. You sneaky little cutesy. You deserve a small cheek pinching," Max told her before grabbing and affectionately pinching one of her cheeks.

{Hihi. So, you went for a swim?} She inquired in regard to the dangling wet shirt on his hand.

"A bath, yeah. But unfortunately, I forgot a towel. So... you can guess the fate of my shirt."

{Ohh, silly and forgetful master. What are we gonna do with you?} She jested with a fake tone of despair.

"Hehe. All that aside, what are you doing out here all by yourself?"

{Me? Oh, nothing really. Just doing some harmless walking like you, that's all.}

Not buying it, Max stared at her with a very skeptical face.

"Really? Alone and in the dark?"

{Hem…}

Quickly, May understood that he was aware of her lie.

{Alright. No need to try to hide the truth, I suppose.}

"Nope. Not when you have Scarlet as a teacher."

*sigh* {I still have a weird feeling about those mountains and I wanted to investigate, but I didn't want to bother anyone with that.}

"Why?"

{I… don't really know. I just wanted to do a quick survey and come back immediately. And I didn't want to bother them if in the end, there is nothing.}

"Well, from how long I've known them, I'm sure none would have been mad at you for asking them to follow you for some worries, even if it's for nothing in the end. I can't really guarantee that with Aurora, but the others I'm sure of."

{...True. I don't think Dusk would have minded at all. Though I'm not sure she would have told me if she did.}

"...Tell you what, how about we investigate? Just the two of us."

{You would do that with me?} May asked, getting enthusiastic.

"Indeed. See it as a little date."

{Thanks, master!} She said, hugging him. {I love you so much!}

"No big deal," Max assured, petting her. "Taking care of you girls is my reason to live."

{It's a bit depressing when you say it like that.}

"Hehe, I'll admit that maybe I overstated it. Let's go, then," Max announced before placing her on one of his shoulders.

Thanks to May's natural pokemon senses in the wild, the mawile could easily guide him through the woods.

"So, did you ask Scarlet for help?"

{Yeah. She said she'll try to work on it as soon as she can tomorrow. Though I'm still wondering what she has planned for me. How do we train something if we can't actually train it?}

"Good question. I believe there is a way, otherwise no one could learn anything at all. I doubt every pokemon is born with the ability to use Hyper Beam."

{I suppose.}

"I have faith in both you and Scarlet. Scarlet is smart, so surely she will find a way."

{I hope. I just don't want to become a burden because I don't have any ranged attacks.}

"You will never be a burden even if you're never able to learn any ranged moves. Worst case scenario, we'll just focus even more on your physical prowess."

{Still. That would be annoying.}

"But you'll be a strong pokemon, nonetheless."

{...Yes... of course...}

Before speaking her sentence, May's attention seemed to have drifted away, as if she was feeling or sensing something.

"What is it?"

{We're getting close.}

A few minutes later, they indeed arrived at the foot of one of the mountains.

"Well, here we are," Max said, dropping her on the ground. "What's the verdict?"

More or less ignoring him, May scouted the walls with some attentive eyes for a moment.

{There must be a way in.}

"How can you be so sure?"

{Mountains are rarely uninhabited by rock or ground-type pokemon.}

"Well, that's very reassuring," he remarked sarcastically.

{We'll be quiet and careful. Anyway, most rock-type pokemon aren't that aggressive. If anything, I'll just smash any who want to hurt you.}

"I appreciate the concern but... shouldn't we call the others, just in case?"

{I don't think it will be necessary. Not before we do find something, at least.}

*sigh* "Alright, I'm trusting you."

{I won't let anything happen to you, I promise.}

"Thanks. Well then, I believe we have to find an entrance."

{Yup.} May confirmed before both of them began to follow the foot of the mountain.

"You still don't know what to expect?"

{Not really, but it's like something is calling out to me. Well, attracting me, to be less melodramatic.}

"Could it perhaps be a handsome male mawile?"

May responded with a disapproving glare at him.

"Just kidding. But that was the most plausible thing that first came across my mind to explain it."

{You know, I saw many humans through my travels with my previous trainer and I still don't understand why you humans always have to be given an explanation for everything.}

"I don't know," he simply answered, shrugging. "I guess it's because we like to be well-informed. Knowledge is power, as we say."

{I don't think so. Power is power.}

"Haha. You're so cute that I could just bite you."

{Well, maybe not biting, but I don't mind something more... pleasant.} May told him in an attempted seductive tone.

"If you're a nice girl, maybe that can be arranged after we're done here."

{Yay! Fun time with master!} She exclaimed enthusiastically.

With a grin, both of them kept walking until they managed to find a cave entrance, which was elevated from where they stood; probably several feet above Max's head. It didn't seem to have been created naturally by any humans whatsoever due to the lack of precision and tweaking of the hole.

"Darn it, the one entrance we find and it's up there."

Suddenly, May began to jump and do some foot play to reach the entrance in a matter of seconds.

"H-hey wait! What about me?"

{Just climb it.} May said expectantly, hands on her hips.

"...Just climb it, she says. I'm not a freaking overpowered pokemon," he mumbled with some mild annoyance.

{What was that?} She demanded, pretending to be provoked.

"Nothing. Just said I sometimes wish I could be a pokemon."

{You being a human is just fine.}

"If you say so," he mumbled again but lower this time, dropping his shirt on the ground.

Carefully, Max grabbed onto the rocky wall. Luckily, the surface was eroded enough to have a couple good grips here and there. It took him almost a full minute to join May.

{Took you long enough.} May teased.

"Sometimes, I do like to make a lady wait."

{How chivalrous of you.} May added, rolling her eyes. {Ready?}

"Yeah. But how are we gonna navigate in there? It's pitch black."

{It is? It's a bit dark but it's not that bad.}

"Now you're telling me that pokemon have night vision?"

{I don't know what that is but many pokemon can see in the dark, especially my kind since we mostly live in caves.}

"My male theory has gone thicker."

{Stop saying stupid things and just grab onto my maw. I'll guide you.}

*sigh* "This journey took a weird turn real fast," Max commented before doing as told.

{I thought you liked adventure.}

"I do, but I also like seeing where I'm going."

{Afraid of the dark?} May teased with a grin.

"Suuure," Max replied sarcastically. "That's why I keep a dark-type pokemon with me and sleep outside in a creepy forest at night while traveling."

{What does Luna have to do with this?}

"Nothing. Forget it. Shall we?"

{Follow me.} May enthusiastically said before proceeding inside.

After only a few meters, Max was lost in complete darkness.

"Well, now I can boast about having experienced the feeling of being blind and guided by another creature."

{It's not so bad. Besides rocky walls, there is nothing around.}

"I have no choice but to take your word for it."

{Just make sure you lift your feet a bit higher when walking.}

For a while, Max was being guided by May in silence. A few times, he almost tripped on some rock formations.

"Still know where we're going?"

{More or less.}

"Most reassuring words of the year."

{A pokemon's instinct rarely deceives. However, I admit that even I'm starting to have trouble seeing.}

"Okay, how about we go back now?"

{I'm getting closer, I can feel it.}

"Brrrh. What's the point if we can't see anything?" he said, the cold air hitting his upper body.

{Didn't you buy something that can provide us light?}

"Yes but it's in my backpack, which I don't have right now."

{...} *sigh* {I guess you're right. It wasn't a good idea, after all.} May admitted, sounding very disappointed.

"I'm sorry, May. Wait! Hold on..."

Max released May's maw and began to search in his pocket.

"I think I have something. It's weak, but it'll work just fine."

After a short moment, light appeared from Max's pokedex.

{Why didn't you use that sooner?} She asked him, a bit annoyed.

"Because I rarely use it and forgot about it 'til now. Have a harder question for me?"

{Nevermind. That will do.}

"That means we can continue."

{Awesome.} May expressed, back to her joyful self.

Looking around with the built-in flashlight, the cave was looking like any other ordinary cave but a bit wider.

"Oh yes. That's much better."

Then, Max unfortunately moved the light up and disturbed a group of zubat, which began to fly all around the place in surprise.

"Fuck!" Max cursed, lowering himself while shielding his head with his arms.

A golbat even tried to attack him, but May denied it by attacking it with Pound, literally sending it flying away. A moment later, the zubats were all gone, as well as the golbat.

{Told you. Everything is under control.} May boasted.

"Never doubted it."

For a little while, Max and May walked through the tunnels rather peacefully.

{It's weird. Places like this are usually more populated.} May pointed out.

"In all honesty, I won't complain."

{Me neither, but it's almost concerning... I suppose at this time a lot of them are sleeping.}

"Eh, maybe an evil and powerful spirit haunts this place, so that must be what you felt."

{There is no such thing as something powerful enough to scare the inhabitants of a whole mountain.} May affirmed.

"I was just kidding. Geez."

A couple more steps later, they arrived at a strangely less dark but wider tunnel. Unfortunately, something seemed to block their way.

{Darn! It's a dead-end.} May remarked.

"Looks like it."

Upon getting closer, Max barely noticed a particular coloration of the rocks in front of them.

"Wait, those rocks look different. And look..." Max said while raising his light up above the strangely reflective rocks, only to see a gap between the rock formation and the roof. "Maybe we can even climb it."

{It's worth the try. I bet what we're looking for is behind this.}

"Perhaps," Max agreed, now inches from it. "Now, a way to climb t-… What the…?" he continued while touching it. "It feels really… smooth, and cold."

{What is it, master?} May asked, walking next to him.

"I'm beginning to wonder if it's really a rock."

*Rumble*

"Huh? What was that?"

{I don't know. Maybe a pokemon.}

"You said this cave was empty," he replied, starting to get concerned.

{What? I never said that. I only said that it was weird we didn't encounter any pokemon so far.}

"Same thing."

{No, it's not.}

*Rumble* *Rumble*

"It's getting louder. Whatever it is, I think it's coming over here," Max theorized, turning around so as to prevent a back attack "May, get ready."

Max waited a few seconds for an answer, but didn't get any.

"May?..."

Upon illuminating the mawile, Max saw her staring in front of her, immobile like a statue.

"What is it?" he urged.

Turning to face the dead-end again, Max saw the weird rock formations moving on their own.

"W-what the…?"

Slowly, Max rose the light source in the air, following its movement. When around the roof, he saw another weird-shaped rock rising upward. As soon as the light landed upon it, an eye opened wide and glared at him.

"...You've gotta be shitting me!" he cursed, now staring at it face to face.

"SSHRAAAAH!" the creature howled with its giant mouth.

"FUCKING RUUUUN!"

In a split second, Max grabbed May with one arm and started running in the opposite direction at top speed with his light source in the other. In the following second, the ground began to tremble along with another screech from behind, being chased by the monster.

"FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! GO IN THE MOUNTAIN, YOU SAID! IT'LL BE FUN, YOU SAID!" Max screamed.

{I never said it would be fun!} May loudly replied.

"WHATEVER!"

{Just keep running! A bothered steelix is the worst thing you could ever hope for!}

"DAMMIT! THIS IS NOT THE WAY I EXPECTED TO DIE."

{STOP SCREAMING, YOU'RE JUST MAKING THINGS WORSE!}

"HOW COULD THIS SITUATION COULD POSSIBLY GET WORSE?"

{We could be getting chased by two steelix!}

"SPARE ME YOUR TWO CENTS OF OPTIMISM AND DO SOMETHING!"

{What do you want me to do against that thing?!}

"I DON'T KNOW. ATTACKING IT, MAYBE?!"

{I TOLD YOU TO STOP SCREAMING! YOU'RE JUST MAKING IT ANGRIER AND WASTING YOUR BREATH.}

Gaining back enough sense to see she was right, Max took a few seconds to calm himself just enough to not yell at the top of his lungs.

"...Is it gaining on us?!"

Looking back, May saw the steelix getting dangerously close.

{N-no. Just keep running and we'll be fine.} She poorly lied.

However, Max was too busy trying to stay alive to notice.

"I won't be able to hold this speed for much longer," he pointed out loudly.

{Now would be the right time to call for help, don't you think?}

"You bet it is!"

Trying to calm himself a little bit more, he focused his mind on trying to communicate with Scarlet.

{...So?} May asked after a short moment.

"...No response."

The mawile then turned to look behind again, seeing the steelix almost at crushing distance.

{We're dead.} She mumbled with a horrified expression.

After a couple more gigantic steps, Max arrived at a lightly illuminated area that almost looked like a room with two openings; the one they just arrived at and another one on the other side.

"I think I see light on the other side!" Max yelled as soon as he believed to see a dot of light beyond the other passage.

With his last breath and renewed speed he gathered his hope and will to survive, sprinting even faster than he ever had in his life. Just very slightly, they began to distance themselves from the steelix, still roaring at them with hostility. Then, May saw it coming to a complete stop.

{Hmm? What's it doing?}

She then saw the steelix raising its massive and heavy tail in the air. May's eyes widened in fear.

{...Crap!}

*BANG*

In an instant, the ground began to fissure and collapse all across the area. To make matters worse, there was a deep void revealing itself under the ground, and they unfortunately couldn't escape the crumbling floor in time.

"AAAAAAHH!" Max screamed as both him and May began their descent into the abyss.

{Master, I'm sorry! I'm really sorry for putting us into this!} May fervently apologized, small tears rapidly seeping while strongly hugging him.

"...It's okay, sweety... At least we're together..." Max solemnly soothed her, hugging her with all his strength as their fall speed was rising exponentially.

Suddenly, their fall began to quickly slow down before stopping completely. Opening their eyes, they saw themselves enrobed in a blue light.

*gasp* "Scarlet!" Max loudly said, looking upward.

Both of them were indeed saved by Scarlet, floating towards them with raised arms and glowing blue eyes.

{Seriously? I can't even unhook my eyes off you for a single minute!} Scarlet scolded.

{Scarlet!} May happily exclaimed.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you," Max expressed with a tear dropping from one eye.

{And it seems that it was about time for me to arrive.} Scarlet noted matter-of-factly.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Scarlet dropped them on the ground below and released her power. Sitting up, Max saw Scarlet standing imposingly with crossed arms, glaring at them with ill-temper.

{Explanations?} She demanded, sounding furious, causing May to hide behind Max.

"W-well, it's k-kinda funny..."

{I don't think so.} She angrily replied.

"Okay first, why didn't you hear me calling you?"

{These walls are thick. Now, I'm waiting...} She answered, getting angrier.

"So how did you know we were in trouble, then?"

{There was a hole at the top. Now answer my question before I really get angry!} She threatened him, trying to contain her boiling emotions.

"Okay, okay. Well, it all started with me and May wanting to do some harmless walking in the woods when we-"

Mid-sentence, Max was interrupted by the ground rumbling once more. In the next instant, the steelix slams through a wall of the pit with an explosion.

"SSHRAAA!" it growled menacingly.

{Grrh. Explanations are gonna have to wait.} Scarlet said while immediately getting between them and the steelix, prepared to fight with a glowing hand at the ready.

"I don't know about this, Scarlet. It seems very, very angry."

{Put May back in her pokeball.} She ordered.

{But… I can-}

{NOW!} Scarlet furiously commanded with her eyes glowing blue, but strangely into a darker shade, making May whimper in fear.

It took a moment for them to realize what just happened and looked at her. However, they revised themselves very quickly and complied with her order, Max immediately putting May back in her pokeball.

"Why?" Max asked her.

{Because it's about to get ugly. And I don't want her in the way. One is already too much to protect.}

"What are you gonna do?"

{What I do best: Destroy.} Scarlet declared with a ruthless tone of voice.

After having her two arms glowing in power, she started floating again before rushing forwards. Immediately, the steelix saw and sensed her as the biggest threat and growled at her.

{Heheh, you look like one tough motherfucker. Which means I can go all out.} She amusedly remarked.

Scarlet then went for Shadow Ball and created a very large ball of dark energy.

{Take that!} She exclaimed before tossing it.

Not even trying to dodge it, the steelix took the hit entirely, creating a big cloud of dark particles all around it. Scarlet was preparing another one as the cloud was slowly subsiding when the tail of the steelix quickly went towards her. She failed to see it in time and just barely had the time to protect herself with a telekinetic shield. The force of the hit was so strong that it propelled her against the nearest wall, breaking it into a half-sphere shape all around her.

{Gyhaa!} She growled upon impact.

Recalling her shield, Scarlet floated closer to the ground. She was mostly unharmed but her 'nose region' was bleeding a little.

"Stop it!" Max commanded. "Can't you teleport us away?"

Before answering, Scarlet wiped her face and saw the blood. That's where it boiled once again.

{No… because it's gonna learn the hard way that it attacked the wrong person.} She answered with a sadistic grin, glaring at the steelix.

"Drop it, it's not worth it!"

{Oh, yes it is.}

With her unhealthy grin, Scarlet lifted herself from the ground and floated upwards once more.

{You piece of muk shit, you're about to regret everything in life.}

Gathering a lot of energy, Scarlet created an almost giant Shadow Ball before immediately tossing it at the steel pokemon. However this time, she didn't stop and teleported behind it before overwhelming it with multiple Fire Punches, growling angrily with each consecutive punch. She was pummeling it so hard that her knuckles started to bleed, but she was indeed slightly damaging the steelix. Turning around, Scarlet's adversary went for a headbutt, but was stopped mid-course with Psychic.

{Not so strong, I see.}

Not even fazed, the steelix gathered its own energy and shot a Flash Cannon at the gardevoir at point-blank range. Since she was still keeping the steelix at bay with Psychic, she didn't protect herself from the hit, receiving several burns of light all over her body. And instead of growling in pain, Scarlet just glared at the steelix with a wider grin.

{You've wasted your chance.}

Using all of her mind, she moved the steel pokemon all around, tossing it at the walls. After one impact, she immediately chained with another. She then chained with another one. And another one. She was so relentless that the room was starting to collapse.

"Stop it, Scarlet! You're gonna kill me!"

Max quickly raised his head to see a huge chunk of rock falling towards him. He instinctively shielded his head and heard a very loud impact, but oddly, feeling nothing. Opening his eyes, he saw a nearly invisible kinetic dome around him. Max asked himself if it really was Scarlet's work as she was still chucking the steelix all over the place like a toy you want to break. With the steelix growing weaker but still in shape to fight, Scarlet dropped it on the ground before floating down, now at hand reach with it.

{I wonder how you'll do when you're out of your element.}

Scarlet then touched it and disappeared with it.

"...Scarlet?"

In a very high altitude where oxygen was almost non-existent, Scarlet reappeared with the steelix, floating in the air with her power.

[Have a nice trip.] She spoke in the pokemon's mind before releasing her grip with a hellish grin.

Growling, the steelix plummeted at full speed, making the sky silent again a few seconds later. Waiting a few more seconds to savor the fate of her victim, Scarlet then teleported back inside the mountain.

"Scarlet? Where are you?" Max called out, hitting the kinetic dome with one of his palms.

As he was expecting a response soon, he felt the ground shaking with a booming noise; it was not very loud from where he was, but it felt like a small meteor had landed nearby.

"Scarlet?!" Max called out again, getting worried sick.

Shortly after, Scarlet appeared in front of him, outside the dome and still injured with weird light burns.

"Scarlet? What happened?"

Not responding, she touched the dome and made it disappear.

"...Scarlet?" Max said worryingly.

Still not answering, she grabbed his shoulder and teleported them outside the cave, close to the entrance. Max quickly looked around to figure out where he was. When he did, he looked at Scarlet again; more precisely, her wounds.

"Scarlet, you should-"

Unable to finish his sentence, Max was interrupted by his shirt landing aggressively on his stomach followed by a very hurtful and resounding slap across the face, courtesy of the gardevoir.

"...God...damnit!" Max cursed with difficulty, trying to breath while holding the painful left side of his head. "Hmmm," he growled in pain. "...Okay, I might have totally deserved that. I'm sorry, okay? But you should really heal those burns."

Scarlet then grabbed Max with her power and pulled him an inch away from her face, staring at his eyes with unadulterated fury.

{Do you see us as tools? Do you see us as some kind of weapon to do all of your bidding? Do you see us as fucking expendable toys that you can do whatever the fucking hell you want with?!}

"No, I-"

{SHUT UP! Seriously, shut the fuck up! Or else I'll make you swallow all of your teeth!} Scarlet ordered, making Max gulp in shame and fear. {What you are gonna do now is get back to the camp, enter your stupid sleeping bag and not say a single word, got it? Then, you're gonna wonder if you really deserve to have pokemon at your side because you can bet your life that I won't let any of us stay with a careless and selfish trainer! I hope I made myself clear.}

Not able to utter a word, Max only nodded.

{Great. Now get out of my face.} She commanded before releasing and pushing him away.

A bit weakly, Scarlet turned around and walked on the ground, holding her head and barely keeping her balance. Max wanted to help her, but knew too well that it would only worsen the situation. When he saw her take a break by resting a hand on one tree and stretching the other one directly at him, Max understood that he needed to go away immediately, feeling an ever-growing anger coming from her.

Max could barely walk straight, going at an unvarying pace due to an overwhelming amount of guilt, shame and anger at himself. He didn't recall ever seeing her that angry before, but couldn't blame her since she had a good reason to be. Max is all she has and seeing him acting so careless and risking losing him was a good reason for her to explode. He felt tremendously stupid for acting like that. He could barely think of what kind of pain he would cause her if he ever dies because of his negligence.

After taking twice the time it should have taken, Max arrived at the campsite. The fire was still on, with Bonny, Aurora and Jade around it.

{Master, you're back. I was wondering, do you th-}

Not even bothering to look at them, Max completely ignored her and went inside the tent.

{...Nevermind?} Bonny said, looking at Aurora interrogatively.

{It's not my fault this time.} The lucario replied.

Bonny then looked at the tent for a short moment before standing up.

{Whoa, what do you think you're doing?} Aurora inquired, stopping her.

{Going to see what's wrong, what else?}

{I don't think it's a good idea.}

{Why not? What are lovers supposed to be there for, if not to be supportive?}

{Supportive is one thing, but invasive is another. Didn't you see how he looked? I don't think he wants any support right now.}

{And how do you know that?} Bonny asked, paws on hips and a bit upset.

{Because-}

{She's right.} Jade intervened.

{What? How so?} Bonny demanded, glaring at Jade.

Jade was barely paying attention to Bonny and was looking at the tent, looking more apprehensive than usual.

{Right now… his mind is a violent storm of emotions. I can't identify them all, but I can assure you that he won't be receptive at all. If you go now, you're probably gonna start something horrible.}

{So what then? We let him suffer and act as if we don't care?}

{Exactly.} Aurora confirmed.

{Seriously?!} Bonny replied, getting angry.

{Look, I know you mean well, but sometimes being overprotective and overly-caring is not always the right thing to do. You'll have to accept that sometimes, it's best not to do anything and take your troubles patiently. Nothing good will come if you rush this.}

For a moment, Bonny contained her anger by biting her lips and looking around. Eventually, she sat back down with a growling sigh.

{You did the right thing. Let him be for now. Maybe tomorrow he will feel better and then, you can ask him what happened.}

{Since when have you become a voice of reason?} Bonny asked with crossed arms, still a bit angry.

Before answering, Aurora stared at the fire.

{I don't know. Maybe I always had it but… perhaps the chains of my past were crushing me, and preventing me from being whole. Sometimes, leaving someone alone is the best way to help him or her. Sometimes.}

Bonny quickly understood that the 'sometimes' was referring to her; her getting caught in a loop that she shouldn't have stayed alone.

{...I suppose. But it pains me so much to see him like that and not doing anything.} Bonny shared, now feeling very worried.

{I don't like it either, trust me.} Aurora calmly affirmed.

{Tsk. I wonder what happened.}

{Maybe we'll know tomorrow.}

{...I sure hope.}

Maybe an hour later, Jade had fallen asleep close to the fire and Bonny decided it was time to hit the hay as well.

{Gonna get some rest.} She announced, standing up.

{Go ahead. I'm just gonna stay here and watch over her.} Aurora replied, pointing at Jade.

{Suit yourself. You think I can go sleep inside?}

At that question, Aurora looked at Bonny funnily.

{I'm just asking.} Bonny justified.

*sigh* {Sure, why not?}

With her own sigh, Bonny entered the tent. A few inflatable mattresses were already placed with Max lying on one in the extreme left of the tent while Dusk slept a few mattresses away from him. Bonny believed that Max wasn't really asleep since she wasn't hearing him do his slumber breathing. She rested on the one that was next to Dusk on her side and began to stare at Max. Even though he probably wasn't sleeping, he was completely immobile. Bonny's first reflex was to want to go snuggle with him, but took Aurora's words seriously and contained herself. She kept looking worryingly at him for quite a while before her eyes began to close on their own.

The next time she opened them, it was already morning and she was still facing Max. But this time he was on his back and was lightly snoring. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and took a few seconds to wake up her brain to its fullest. While standing, she noticed Dusk was still sleeping, but oddly, it was just her. She left the tent and saw Aurora still sleeping next to the now-extinguished campfire.

{Where's the rest of the team?} She asked herself.

Bonny then felt her stomach grumble. Feeling hungry, she planned on getting something to eat in the woods before breakfast. Suddenly and right after walking beside the tent, Jade appeared.

{Ghaa!} Bonny exclaimed, making both of them jump. {Shit, Jade. You scared me. Please stop appearing suddenly like that.} She requested, slightly upset.

{S-Sorry. I was j-just getting something to eat, and I thought that maybe you would like some.} Jade explained, showing a modest pile of berries on her two hands.

At the same moment, Aurora opened her eyes with a yawn.

{Oh. Thank you. But you do know that you can use your powers to transport them, right? You could have gathered more that way.}

{Y-yeah. I just didn't think about it.}

{Anyway, have you seen May or Scarlet?} Bonny inquired, taking a small handful of berries.

{Talk about a noisy morning.} Aurora commented, doing some stretching.

{No. Not since yesterday.} Jade answered.

{Strange.} Bonny remarked before munching on the berries. {What about you?} She asked Aurora.

{What about me?} The lucario repeated interrogatively.

{Have you seen either May or Scarlet?}

{Not really. Scarlet always disappears when she feels like it and May left the campsite yesterday night.}

{Wait, May left?}

{Yup. She tried to do it when everyone wasn't looking but I spotted her.}

{And you didn't stop her?}

{Do I look like a nanny to you? If she wants to do some private business, then so be it.}

{I guess. Maybe I'm getting worried for nothing.}

{I'm sure they are okay.} Jade reassured.

{It's undeniable with Scarlet, that's for sure. But I wonder about May, though. She might be a big girl, but it's quite unlike her to do something like that.} Bonny noted.

{Maybe we should wait for Max to wake up and ask him?} Aurora suggested.

{Oh yeah. Master too left for a walk yesterday night. It was strangely a long one but maybe he saw her. I just hope he feels better today.}

{If he's still unwilling to talk, I don't think he will wake up anytime soon.} Aurora pointed out.

{Tsk. Well, no need to stay here doing absolutely nothing, so might as well do something productive. I'll go check if I can find May until our master wakes up.} Bonny told them.

{Before that, do you want to do some morning sparring? It's gonna wake us up.} Aurora proposed while standing up.

{It's a bit early to train, don't you think?} Bonny stated.

{Meh, I'm used to training earlier than that.}

Bonny considered her offer for a moment.

{Relax, I agree with Jade and I'm sure they are just fine. Besides, if anything did happen to May, both Scarlet and Luna are around.}

{...You're right. I think the whole ordeal about master not feeling okay and me not intervening put me a bit on edge.} Bonny conceded.

{That's what battles are about; expelling the bad vibes by punching the other.} Aurora sagely informed.

{You know, I almost miss the old Aurora.}

{Do you want her back?} The lucario asked, raising an eyebrow.

{No, thanks. She's good where she is.} The lopunny honestly shared.

As they both grinned, they went a few meters away from the camp and began some warm-up punches and kicks. After a little while, they began to get a bit more serious and threw some weak attacks so as not to injure each other. As Jade was observing them, Max and Dusk exited the tent, with the braixen still looking drowsy.

"Good morning," Max wished a bit coldly while heading behind some trees for his morning business.

{He doesn't seem a lot better than yesterday.} Bonny commented, stopping.

{Not much. Whatever it might be, it's still not resolved.} Aurora stated.

{Did something happen to him while I was sleeping?} Dusk asked, concerned and confused with her trainer's attitude.

{That's what we also want to know.} Aurora answered the braixen.

{...Screw it. I'd say that enough is enough.} The lopunny asserted.

She then headed towards Max as he was coming back.

{Are you okay, master? You know you can tell me, and us, everything.}

Max took a moment to process what he was just asked.

"...Nothing serious. I just got tired very quickly yesterday."

{Really? First you leave us for almost the entire night, then May did the same. What's going on?} Bonny demanded, paws on her hips.

"...Oh right, May," Max remembered, now releasing his mawile.

Upon appearing, May was asleep in a sitting position and began to weakly open her eyes. By the look on her face, it was like she didn't sleep the entire night at all.

*gasp* {Master!} May exclaimed while jumping into Max's arms with a scared tone.

Her enthusiasm and movements were a bit sluggish, which got Bonny a bit worried.

{I'm so glad you're alright.} May expressed with a strong hug, tears shedding from her eyes. {I waited for a long time, but you never called me out, so I thought… I thought...}

"I'm really sorry, May. I… got a bit carried away by the events," Max apologized.

{How's Scarlet? Did she…?}

"She's fine. She won, but I don't know where she is at the moment," Max answered while noticing Bonny, Dusk and Aurora looking at him, alongside Jade a bit further.

{Are we gonna have some explanations or you believe that we don't take part in that story?} Bonny questioned impatiently.

Max let out a heavy sigh.

"I suppose," he only replied before taking a seat besides the campfire.

Shortly after the others followed his action, Max started to share the misadventure he and May had last night. While doing so, May calmed down and fell asleep in Max's arms.

{Oh my! I'm so glad you're okay, master!} Dusk exclaimed, almost in horror.

{Why didn't you get us to help?} Bonny questioned, upset about Max's behavior.

"It was supposed to be a simple and plain cave, so we thought that it was rather safe. The plan was to discover whatever was making May uncomfortable and leave immediately if we sensed that it was getting dangerous."

{Talk about a strong danger sense.} Aurora commented sarcastically.

"Immobile rocks weren't supposed to be a giant snake made out of steel."

{It's a cave, what were you expecting?} Bonny demanded, still in disbelief.

"...Nothing like that, I guess."

*sigh* {Freakin' hell. When I think it could have been the last time I saw you yesterday.} Bonny added, rubbing her forehead. {I wonder if you really are aware about how lucky you are, and to have Scarlet with us.}

"What I'm aware of is that I won't get inside a cave anytime soon."

{You say that now but then what?} Aurora started. {Are you gonna get yourself into another similar situation?! Or worse even? Shit, you should really use your head sometimes, damnit!} She expressed with anger.

"I know, but-"

{There is no fucking buts! You have responsibilities towards us and yourself, and doing something that careless and stupid is not how a fucking trainer should act, for fuck's sake!} Aurora furiously spat before kicking the rest of what was left in the campfire. {Fuck!} She growled before walking away angrily.

{I'm not as impulsive as her, but she has a point.} Bonny started. {What you did yesterday was probably the dumbest thing you've ever done. Why do you care so little about us?!}

"What? I care a lot about all of you!" Max defended fervently.

{Then why didn't you think about what could happen to us and how much pain you would have put us in if you died?! Humans are not accompanied by pokemon for nothing! The wilderness is hostile and extremely dangerous for a simple human like you. It's very odd that you didn't get that info through your thick head, yet.}

"I…"

Max was about to reply, but seeing how angry she was glaring at him dissuaded him from doing so.

"...You're right. You have the right to be angry. You should just slap me like Scarlet did. I deserve it."

{What would that change? Hurting you won't make me feel any better. Quite the opposite. However, I believe that one slap was not enough. I hope she hit you strong enough to straighten that mind of yours.}

"Believe me, she didn't miss me," Max commented, rubbing where Scarlet slapped him, still having a red mark.

{Good. I just hope this will be the last time she will have to do that and us having this conversation.}

"..."

{I love you, master, we all do. The anger aimed at you right now is not about hate, but rather about what would have happened if you were to vanish from our lives like you were nothing.} Bonny assured, now pointing at Aurora who was further ahead, kicking whatever she could see. {Can you imagine how hurt you would have made her if you had ended up dying? How it would have hurt me, Dusk and the rest of us?} She asked, turning her back to Max.

"I think I can but I don't want to imagine that."

{Of course you don't. I'm not bashing you, master. I just want you to understand.}

"I do, don't worry. If I'm honest with myself and you all, I believe I may have started to take you all for granted lately. I have been feeling a bit overconfident and started to have a... a 'god syndrome', if you will, since I kept telling myself that you all could just save me if things go wrong. Life reminded me how weak and fragile I am and how things can go from shit to hell in a matter of seconds."

{You're not as weak and fragile as you think, but you have to be aware of your limits. We'll always be here to protect you, master, but going into trouble and danger carelessly is a huge display of selfishness. What if we are not nearby and we don't arrive in time to save you next time? What if you happened to involve us into a great danger that even us can't face? I believe that yesterday's episode gave you a glimpse of what can happen.}

"...Yeah."

After that speech, Bonny let out a sigh.

{Glad we could settle this. If you understand, there is no need to scold you even further.} She concluded, standing up. {As soon as everyone is ready, we're good to go.}

"...Sure."

{In the meantime, I'll go try the impossible.} Bonny added before heading towards a rather angry lucario.

"As for me, I have someone I need to go apologize to," Max said while standing up.

Once again, Max left the camp after putting May on a mattress in the tent and went on a search for Scarlet. Normally, Max was able to more or less know where she was and could feel where to go. This time, however, he was feeling nothing, as if she was purposely hiding herself from him.

"Scarlet!" he called out after a while. "Where are you?!"

While walking, Max waited for an answer, which never came.

"Come on, Scarlet, it's not funny."

Again, no answer.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did and I'm very grateful that you saved me… again. I did something very irresponsible and I deserved every bit of that slap and your anger. What I do not deserve however… is you."

For a moment, Max waited for an answer, which yet again never came. Then, he suddenly felt something on his back and he disappeared before reappearing elsewhere. Probably on purpose, he was teleported to another location and a bit high from the ground so he could land a bit hard on it.

"Oww," Max moaned before slowly standing up.

When getting up, he saw Scarlet facing the horizon over a cliff, providing a nice view of a tiny portion of the region. She had her back facing him with crossed arms, a small breeze slightly moving her hair around.

"I knew you were somehow listening," he engaged while dusting his clothes.

{...Yet, it seems that I'm the only one who listens here.}

Sighing, Max walked next to her, also now admiring the gorgeous view.

"You always have been the smart one, so no surprise there."

{Someone has to be, since intelligence seems scarce around here.}

"I believe you don't plan on slowing down with the insults?"

{We'll see.}

Sighing again, Max sat down.

"I really messed up this time, didn't I?"

{Do I really have to answer?}

"I guess not," Max replied, looking at the horizon for another moment. "The more I think about what you told me, the more I tell myself that I really don't deserve you, or any of the girls whatsoever. You're so kind and lovely with me and how do I repay you? Worrying you all uselessly. Maybe being a trainer wasn't-"

{I'm gonna stop you there. I didn't accept to see you again for you to complain or to tell me how bad of a trainer you seem to believe you are.}

"...Why then? You already heard my apologies, so there is not much more to say."

{You think? Then how about you start by telling what the fuck were you thinking?}

"No need to lecture me, Bonny already did it."

{Don't patronize me. If I have to lecture you, no matter if someone else already did it, you can bet that I will.}

"..."

{It's the second time you got close to death, and for what reason exactly this time?}

"I-"

{Shut up and let me finish. Do you have any idea how you made me feel? Seriously, if you keep doing that, you're gonna be the death of me.} Scarlet said before doing a short pause. *sigh* {But why do I keep telling you that? It's not like you're listening or anything.}

"I do listen."

{Then why are you desperate to make me suffer?}

"I-"

{You're all that I have. I know I'm just repeating myself, but it looks like it didn't get inside your small brain.}

"Okay, that's enough," Max retorted impatiently, standing up. "I already said I'm sorry. You can belittle me as much as you want, it won't change what happened."

{I don't really like that tone you're using with me.} Scarlet exclaimed, facing him.

"I know you don't and I am sorry. No, you know what? I'm not. What's even the point of insulting me? What do you want to prove?"

{What do I want to prove? I want to prove nothing. What I want is that you put some lead in that empty head of yours and stop acting like a spoiled brat!} Scarlet spoke, almost yelling at him. {When will you understand you're not alone in this world and have people that care for you now?! I'm not asking you to be smart or strong or anything in that realm... I just want someone who cares a bit more about his surroundings and the consequences of his actions and stop whining about every little thing. Grow up, goddamnit!} She finished before pushing him a little.

"Is it over? Are you done expelling what has been bugging you since the very beginning?"

{That's exactly what I'm talking about. You lack way too much maturity.}

"So what? You're gonna abandon me too?"

{Don't compare me to those filthy humans.} She growled.

"You're talking about me not caring about his surroundings, but besides me, who do you care for? You're not really the one to talk."

{...That is low. Pathetic.} She replied, oddly a lot calmer, facing the horizon again. {You made your apologies. You can leave now.}

With Max looking at her back again, he took a few seconds before trying to calm himself down. She had a point: he indeed acted very immature a lot of times. It was the harsh truth, and upon realizing it, he wanted to prove her wrong.

"...Look, I regret what I did. I sincerely do..." he started as he gently put his hands on her shoulders. "I love you and you love me. I made a mistake and I won't do it ever again."

Max then heard Scarlet sighing loudly before turning around to face him.

{That's all. I wanted. To hear.} She said with an oddly soothing tone, as if all of her anger vanished in one go.

"I can barely imagine the pain that it would cause me if any of you were to disappear or die. I guess that if our roles were exchanged, I would have probably acted the same."

{There we go. Now you're starting to get it. Maybe I said it in very harsh words, but what I just wanted to say is that I don't want to lose you, so stop putting yourself in danger.}

"Why didn't you start there, then?" Max asked, chuckling.

{Because I already told you a million times: you have a way with words and I like hearing them. When it's not about being mean, that is.} She reminded him with a small smile.

"Hehe, I'm glad we settled it," Max shared, hugging her.

{I'm glad that you're still alive and with me.} The red gardevoir shared as well, returning the hug while grabbing firmly the back of his shirt.

They kept hugging in silence for a short moment before Max broke it. He noticed that a small tear had shed from one of her eyes.

"Now I guess you want to know why I did it?"

{No need to, I already know why. Speaking of, I'm going to have a small talk with that mawile, too.}

"Please, don't blame her. She-"

{She's the one that insisted on going on her own. What if you weren't there? That could have been her end.}

"I think she already knows that. No need to add another layer."

{I hope she does. However, she won't escape from a little lecture, too.}

"Please be kind with her, at least. She's young and naive."

{I'll try. Anyway, I see you didn't find what she was looking for.}

"Unfortunately no. Yet, I'm still thinking about it. What could that have been? I guess we'll never know."

{You know, mawiles aren't psychic types, so I find it rather odd how she 'sensed' something.}

"Don't tell me it stung your curiosity."

{You know how I am, I hate not understanding something.}

"Hehe, alright, but what do you want to do about it?"

For a moment, Scarlet moved away from Max and became thoughtful.

*sigh* {I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but if she still senses something, we have to find it. For science.}

"For science? Since when have you adhered to some human philosophy?"

{I haven't but I used an expression that you would understand the best.}

"Forget that. Are you seriously telling me that you want me to get in there again? After what you just said?"

{Of course not. I don't want to see you near a cave anytime soon without qualified supervision. However, I'm trying to be objective here. We, and by 'we', I mean I took care of maybe the only threat in that cave. And I'm gonna accompany you to keep an eye on you. I know it intrigues you as much as me.}

"Yeah, but…"

{But what?}

"But… nevermind. You're just hard to follow sometimes."

{You don't have to if you can't keep up, anyway.}

"So you're serious?"

{Of course I am.}

"...Fine," Max conceded, pinching the bridge of his nose. "But it means we're gonna need May again. She's the one who's gonna guide us."

{Indeed.}

Suddenly, Scarlet teleported away. Before he could realize what just happened, she was back with May in her arms, still sleeping.

"Come on, you're not gonna wake her up, are you? She didn't sleep well because of me. Besides, she's so cute when she's like this."

{We don't really have much of a choice.}

*sigh* "Alright, but I'll wake her up."

{If you insist.}

Gently, Max rubbed May's head.

"May, can you wake up, please?" he softly asked.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and locked them on Max, half open.

{Master?} She said, still drowsy.

"Yes, May. Listen, do you mind helping us?"

The mawile then yawned and stretched before the gardevoir dropped her gently.

{I'm still a bit tired but I think I can. What do you need help with?} She questioned, rubbing her eyes.

"Scarlet suggested that we check once more inside the cave for whatever you were looking for."

May took a few seconds to realize what he just said. She raised her head and looked at Scarlet interrogatively.

{Really? Aren't you afraid that we might encounter another big bad meanie?}

{That's why I'll come with you this time. Speaking of which, you and I are going to have a small discussion about how to properly act as a human's pokemon and how to not put him in danger.} She told the mawile with an authoritarian face.

*gulp* {Are we in trouble?} May asked Max, looking at him with hopes to be saved.

"I'm afraid so," Max admitted, a bit despite himself. "I've already been scolded, but I couldn't save you from your lecture."

May then looked at Scarlet, almost in shame.

{But not now...} Scarlet said. {...there is something in there that seems to attract you, so I'm curious about what it could be. Do you still feel it?}

May took a moment to put the idea of Scarlet scolding her aside and began focusing.

{I…} May started, glaring at the mountains. {I think I do. Yes, whatever it might have been, it still is inside there.}

{Great. Alright, get a hold of your cells.} Scarlet said before teleporting them to the entrance of the cave. {After you.}

More or less focusing, May entered the cave and let her instinct guide her with Max and Scarlet right behind her.

"Are you feeling any presence?" Max inquired to Scarlet, reliving the pursuit in his head.

{Not for now. I can't guarantee that there are no pokemon around since these walls are very thick.}

"Okay."

For a good while, the three of them proceeded through the tunnels with May more or less knowing where she was going.

"Are we still on the right track?" Max asked May after a little while.

{Yes. We're getting closer to it.}

"Alright then."

After a couple minutes, they arrived at the same dead-end.

{End of the road.} Scarlet commented. {And there's nothing of relevance here. You sure this is the right spot, May?}

Stopping, May looked all around the place, starting to doubt herself.

"Hmm… When you think about it, May's a steel-type, so probably there are some magnetic rocks in the walls. Maybe that is why she was feeling something."

{But… it's stronger here!} May protested.

"We're probably surrounded by those kinds of rocks, May."

Not giving up, May walked around almost desperately.

{I'm sorry, May, but maybe you just made a mistake. We should go back.} Scarlet said, trying to soothe the mawile.

"Don't worry, May, we're not mad. In fact, it was quite fun to go on a little expedition with just the three of us."

{Yes. It was a nice change of pace.}

"...Come on, sweety, let's go."

{...I'm coming.} May replied, sounding very sad and disappointed.

Suddenly after a few steps, the sensation got a lot more intense for the mawile and turned around immediately.

{Wait!...} She told them before going back to the dead-end wall.

Max and Scarlet looked at each other before the gardevoir slowly sighed.

"We already told you, May, it's probably just some magnetic rocks," Max said while joining her.

{No. It's something… different. That is no magnetic rock. I would know. And whatever it is, it's behind this wall.} May assured, rubbing the wall carefully.

{May, it's nice seeing you that enthusiastic and motivated, but sometimes-}

[Wait.] Max said in Scarlet's mind. [Look how determined she is. It pains me to say this, but if we need to break that wall to prove her she was wrong, then so be it.]

[...*sigh* Alright. However, if there is nothing, we get out. No bargain.]

[Sure.]

{You're positive, May?} Scarlet asked, now moving towards her.

{Yes. If we could know where exactly it is…}

{I suggest you step aside, then.}

{Huh?} May replied before being pulled away by Max, who led her some meters away from the gardevoir.

{Cover your ears, this is gonna be noisy.}

As both Max and May did as told, Scarlet focused her power and used Psychic on the wall, sending a powerful wave of pulverizing kinetic energy to destroy a huge chunk of it. As it was shattered, rock chunks of all sizes were propelled everywhere, with Scarlet using Protect to shield them from the harmful projectiles. As the dust was settling down, it began to reveal what was behind that wall.

*koff* *koff* "See something?" Max asked shortly after, waving a hand around.

{Not yet.}

Soon enough, the dust fog had dissolved enough so that Scarlet could see what lies behind. To Max, and especially May's surprise, the destroyed wall revealed nothing but a half-exposed dark-grayish boulder, which was similar to a steelix's body part, but darker and less shiny.

"What is it?" Max asked after Scarlet approached it to get a closer look.

{I don't know. Maybe the rest of an old steel-type pokemon or just an odd-looking rock.} She answered while briefly touching it.

{No! It can't be what I was feeling. Right?} May sadly expressed, looking like she was on the verge of crying.

"It's okay, May," Max went to reassure her, quickly noticing it. "At least we tried."

Defeated and almost mad, she turned around to get out on her own.

"May..." he softly spoke in sympathy.

Rubbing his neck, Max looked at Scarlet who also had an empathic face. Looking a bit disappointed too, she went on to follow the mawile. Max was about to do the same but something caught his attention when Scarlet moved away from the blast zone. It was a very black and outstanding rock in the wall, which strangely looked like it was impaled there rather than naturally formed. Upon getting closer, the shape was very odd as if he could almost take it out from there with his bare hands.

{Master?} Scarlet called out, turning to see why Max wasn't following, as well as the sad mawile. {What are you doing?}

"This rock is weird. It's like it's not supposed to be here."

{So?}

"I don't know. Maybe I'm getting delusional, but I wonder if a rock like this could be of any value. Maybe even we could get a good price for it."

{Seriously? It's just a rock.} Scarlet pointed out with crossed arms.

"Look at it. It's black, almost like an onyx gem. Hell, maybe it is one."

*sigh* {I'm surrounded by children.} Scarlet commented, face palming.

Ignoring her, Max grabbed the rock with one hand and began to pull it.

"Ooof, a tough one, I see," Max said as the rock didn't budge.

Tightening his hold, Max pulled again with a lot more force.

{Need some help?} Scarlet arrogantly asked, still with arms crossed.

"No, thanks, I'm okay. I just need to…"

Now using both of his hands, Max gradually pulled stronger and stronger until he was at his maximum strength and had one leg pushing from the wall.

"I… can… feel it… getting loose."

As his face was turning red, the rock finally popped out of the wall, making Max propel himself backwards way too fast. Luckily for him, Scarlet stopped his momentum before his head smashed into the ground.

{Now that you got your new toy, can we-} Scarlet began to say before stopping mid-sentence.

{What is that?} May wondered, walking towards Max.

"Huh? What is what?" the human questioned, sitting up.

When next to him, May looked at the other side of the rock that Max was holding. Noticing that, he flipped the rock around and frowned in surprise. Encrusted in the rock and barely exposed, a pinkish gem was visible.

{What is that?} Scarlet also asked, floating next to them.

"I have no idea."

Moving his face closer to it, he could barely make out some colors deep within the gem.

"...N-No way! I think I know what this is."

{What is it?} Scarlet inquired, her curiosity peaking.

"Tell me, does it remind you of something?" Max excitedly asked Scarlet, lending her the rock.

Scarlet examined it for a short moment.

*gasp* {Is that a mega stone?} She guessed, looking at Max with a surprised and hopeful face.

"I believe it is," Max answered proudly while standing up.

{A mega stone?} May repeated, getting excited. {A mega stone for who?!}

"I don't know," Max replied, motioning Scarlet to give back the stone. "To whoever it belongs to, it's obviously not refined."

{You can't tell from the color? If I remember correctly, each mega stone is unique.} Scarlet pointed out.

"True. There is some coloration deep inside the gem, but I'm not sure I'm seeing it correctly. It seems to be black and yellow..." he shared while examining it again.

{...I definitely see the same colors you described.} The gardevoir confirmed.

"Let's check it out, then."

Giving back the stone to her, Max took out his pokedex and did some research.

{So?...} May asked impatiently a few seconds later.

"Give me a few seconds. I'm not even on the page, yet."

{Then hurry.} Scarlet urged, also impatient and excited.

Going a bit faster, Max reached the page he was looking for, which was showing every known mega stone so far.

"Alright, let's see…" Max mumbled with his two pokemon staring at him intently.

A short moment later, his eyes widened.

{What? What?!} Scarlet inquired.

Briefly looking at the gardevoir, Max walked next to her to show her what he found. Almost immediately, her eyes widened as well.

{Stop doing that and tell me too!} May urged.

After briefly looking at each other, they turned their sight to the mawile.

{What?} May said, getting uncomfortable.

"...May, I think we found a mawilite. Your mega stone!"

Suddenly, time seemed to have frozen for May. She stared at them, paralyzed.

{We… what?} May managed to let out.

{Congratulations, May. You will finally be able to mega evolve.} Scarlet wished with a smile.

A moment later, May finally processed what she just learned, an oversized smile appearing on her face.

{...YES!} She yelled, her voice resonating from afar within the cave. {Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh my god! Oh my god! Yes!} She continued with her celebration, jumping around in pure happiness and joy.

"Whoa whoa! You should calm down there a bit or your heart's gonna explode," Max said, trying to get her to calm down.

{I can't believe it! A mega stone! I have a mega stone!}

Giving up, Max looked at Scarlet, both of them silently nodding and agreeing on just letting her live her excitement until she calms down on her own.

{That means I can mega evolve! That means I can get stronger! That means I can be like Bonny and- *GASP*} May quickly exclaimed before looking at them, more specifically at Max. {It means I can… I can… I can finally m-… ma… maaa…}

Unable to finish her sentence, May's excitement got in overload mode and made her fall unconscious on the ground.

{...}

"..."

{Did we… kill her?}

"Tsk, poor little May. The emotion was such that she couldn't take it all and fainted on her own."

{Talk about moderation.}

"I don't think she did it on purpose."

{Well, at least we found what was attracting her here.}

"I think I can speak for both of us…" Max started before he moved to pick up May. "...that it's all thanks to you. If you hadn't proposed to accompany us after we deceived you, we would have missed it."

{N-no big deal. I was just curious as well, too, so I hit two birds with one stone.} Scarlet replied, blushing a bit while dodging Max's gaze.

"Hehe, I love it when you act so cute and innocent. It looks good on you."

{Oh, s-shut it.} She told him, now blushing madly.

"Haha. Now, how about we head back to announce the good news to the others?"

{Yeah. I'm starting to feel cramped in here.}

At that, both of them started heading towards the exit. Shortly after arriving outside, Max sensed an upset feeling. By looking at Scarlet, he quickly understood why.

"Don't be like that. I'm sure you will be the next one to have your mega stone."

{I hope so. I'm the only one who doesn't have one now.} She pouted with crossed arms, the rock floating by her side.

"You just need to be a bit more patient."

{I know. It's just that I overhyped myself way too much, hoping it was mine.}

"...I wish I could say I know that feeling, but I can't mega evolve, so…"

*sigh* {Better forget it for now.}

"If it reassures you, you are strong enough already, even without a mega stone."

{Not really, but thanks for trying.}

Scarlet was now the one to feel Max's emotions: the feeling of powerlessness.

{Don't feel bad about me. In a couple hours, I will have forgotten about it.}

Her words soothed him a bit. A little while later, they were now halfway to arrive at the campsite.

{Quick question: why didn't you put May back in her pokeball? It would have spared you the need to carry her.}

"I don't mind carrying her, despite her being a bit heavier than she looks. Besides, I want her to be out as soon as she wakes up. However, can I count on you to help her in case of another emotional surge?"

{Sure.}

"Thanks."

{So what do we do with that now?} Scarlet inquired. {It's nice and all that we found a mega stone, but I'm not sure we can use it yet. In that state, at least.}

"Technically, it should work, but no way May will carry that whole thing in every battle. It needs to be refined and compressed into the small stone we know."

{Oh, and I assume you can do that?} She mockingly questioned.

"Do I look like a mega stone craftsman?" he retorted with slight annoyance.

{I'm just asking. Geez.}

"Sorry. Looks like we'll have to find someone who can actually do it. And no, I don't know where to find one."

{We didn't really progress, then.}

"We found one, which I think is big progress."

{I suppose.}

"The best we can do for now is to ask around in the next village or city."

{Not much of a choice there. Anyway, if you say it can actually work, you still could train with her for the mega evolution. Just keep in mind that it might not work the first couple times.}

"Good point. We'll work on that this evening. However…"

{What?}

"I can already imagine what would happen if Aurora finds out that May got her mega stone and was able to mega-evolve in just a short amount of time before her. Her confidence is still a bit fragile."

{I know how you feel. But sincerely, you shouldn't cut your progress with others or yourself because of her. I'm just starting to appreciate the type of lucario she's becoming, but she still has a lot more to learn. The first one being that sometimes, someone can surpass you even if you try very hard.}

"...I guess that in the end, I'll have to do my best to support and reassure her. After all, that is what a trainer is for. Not only for training and power, but also to be there when they need it and help them to grow; physically and mentally."

At that, Scarlet couldn't help but to look at him with a smile.

"What?"

{Nothing. I'm just impressed with how you've grown yourself. She may say or think what she wants, but Aurora is very lucky to have a trainer like you.}

"Oh, come on. Don't exaggerate," Max replied embarrassingly.

{I'm not. I'm not sure a lot of humans are willing to be that invested in their pokémon's development. Eventually, I'm sure they will all notice that.}

"Are you still talking about Aurora? Because I'm sure they are all pretty much aware of that."

{Hm, are they, though? They see how good of a trainer you are, but I wonder if they know that you're more than that.}

"If you keep on like that, I'm gonna start asking myself about your true motive behind those compliments."

{What? Can't bear hearing the truth every now and then?}

"No, just that you might be overestimating me."

{On the contrary, maybe it's you who belittles yourself too much. Remember what I said the day after we did it for the first time? I'm in your head and I know you better than yourself. I love you, master, but your biggest flaw is that you don't believe in yourself enough.}

"..."

{Start trusting yourself a bit more and you'll be surprised with what you can do.}

With that, Max didn't know what to reply anymore and just continued walking back to the camp in silence, where they finally arrived after a couple more minutes. Their first sight was Bonny sitting next to the campfire, exchanging words with Jade and Dusk.

{Ah! Better late than never. We were starting to wonder if something bad happened to you again.} The lopunny engaged them.

"Well, almost," Max jested, looking at Scarlet, making her stick out her tongue at him.

{Anyway, what happened to May and what's that you're holding, Scarlet?} She questioned, noticing the stone.

"It will be my pleasure to explain," Max said, preventing Scarlet from answering. "Mind if you go drop May in the tent again?" he asked her.

{...Sure.} The red pokemon replied while rolling her eyes, handing him the rock and receiving the mawile.

"This, Bonny..." Max started, sitting next to her. "...is a mega stone. A mawilite, to be more precise."

{A mawilite? Like, a mega stone for a mawile? For May?}

"Yup."

{Damn! That's fantastic!} Bonny exclaimed, almost as happy as May was.

"Isn't it? Our cute little girl is about to be a big and strong girl. You can kinda guess how very thrilled she got. She just couldn't take it and fainted on her own."

{Wow. Hihi, she really let herself go. She already is strong for her size and age, but put some battle experience in the mix with her mega form and she could be a very strong asset to the team. One of the strongest, even."

"Yeah, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We first have to get her to mega evolve in the first place."

{I don't think that will be any trouble. You have a deep connection with pretty much all of us, especially because of you know what.} Bonny shared, getting a bit more seductive at the end.

"Oh... right," Max said, as if he remembered something bad.

{What did I say?}

"Nothing, but… Tsk, nevermind."

{Stop doing that. You know I hate it.}

"...Okay. It may sound stupid, but since May and I never have... you know, properly mated, maybe it will be harder to succeed because of that."

{Hmm. It's a bit far-fetched, but not completely senseless. I mean, I can understand why you think that. However…} Bonny pointed out before going thoughtful.

"However what?"

{I don't think it matters that much in the end.}

"How can you tell?"

{From what I've learned, mega evolution has been around us for quite a while. A lot of pokemon already achieved that and I doubt that all of them got physical at night with their trainers. Alongside that, you and Aurora have done it a couple times now and she still can't mega evolve, right?}

"Hmm, that's a good point, and a well-made one. Heh, I guess I got worried for nothing. Again."

{I think the word for that is karma, isn't it?} Bonny replied with a smug grin.

"I'll say yes just to make you happy," Max teased, with what Bonny replied with a poke in his side. "I don't suppose that you know where we could refine this."

{Was I there with you since I was born?} Bonny cheekily answered.

"Fair enough, then," Max replied, rolling his eyes. "What about you two? Any ideas?" he asked the pale green gardevoir and braixen.

Suddenly getting attention almost made Jade jump.

{I… N-no. Sorry.} She shyly answered.

{No idea, master. Sorry.} Dusk said.

"It was worth the try. Maybe Luna knows, though. She has spent a lot of time with them."

{Maybe.} Bonny agreed.

"Well, anyway, we don't have much of a use for this at the moment, so…" Max said while getting up to get his backpack and put it in.

{You should wait a little while before telling Aurora about this. You know how she is, if she learns that May got her mega stone and manages to evolve before her, I'm not sure if she will react very well.}

"I thought of that on the way here. But I would like to believe that Aurora is not that kind of pokemon anymore. Besides, if May manages to mega-evolve, I won't be able to hide it for very long."

{True, I guess. But I still think her self-esteem is still somewhat fragile.}

"Maybe, but she's making progress."

{Speaking of her, you should go talk to her. She's still pretty mad at you. And her rancorous side is still very present.}

"On that aspect, I'm afraid you're right. Where is she?"

{Last time I saw her, she went over there.} Bonny directed, pointing behind her.

Sighing while rubbing his hair, Max headed towards where the lucario should be. It took him a little while of walking before finding her at the foot of a tree in the middle of a tiny clearing. Upon getting closer, he noticed her closed eyes.

"Can I join you?" Max gently asked.

{No.} She replied with bitterness.

"...Alright... Can I say I'm sorry, then?"

{Do as you want, see if I care or it changes anything.}

*sigh* "You're not making it easy right now."

{Says the idiot who wants to die without caring at all about those around him.}

"I do care about you."

{Then why the fuck did you do that?!} Aurora growled, opening her eyes and glaring at him.

"Because I…" Max replied before trailing off. "...Me and May were convinced that it was rather safe to explore. Now I see that it was really stupid."

{It was.}

"..."

{You know, dying in there would have been like abandoning me, the thing you promised me that you would never do.}

"I still hold on to that promise," he honestly affirmed. "And I already made my promise to the others and I will do the same with you: I promise not to do that ever again. Look, I know you're mad and rightfully so. I did something incredibly stupid... but I just want to move on and leave it in the past. I'll say this very sincerely, Aurora: I'm sorry."

For a moment, Aurora examined her trainer intently, trying to get a read on him.

{If you really are, then I suppose there is no need for me to hold a grudge against you. I just hope for your ass' sake that it's the last time.} She told him while getting up.

"So you forgive me?"

{Calm down. I only said I won't hold a grudge against you. I'm still mad at you, and will be for a while.}

"Understandable. So, no peace hug?" Max asked with a shy smile, but Aurora only threw him an unamused glare. "Figures," he conceded, shrugging.

{Anyway, we lost enough time here. Shouldn't we resume our travel?}

"Of course. I can't wait to put this story behind me."

{For once, I agree.} The lucario confirmed before walking past him.

With a sigh of relief, Max followed suit. A couple minutes later, both were back with everyone waiting around the campfire, even Luna.

"Nice. Everyone is here," Max commented before noticing May lying against Luna's belly as both were sitting. "How do you feel, May?"

{A bit light-headed, but I'm okay. I'm still wondering if it was all true.}

"It was."

{...Oh my god! Then it's the best day of my life! After the day we met, of course.}

"Very sweet of you."

{Did I miss something or…} Aurora pointed out.

"Oh, right. I hesitated to tell you because I didn't want to make you feel bad, but…"

{But what? In all honesty, you're not on the right path of forgiveness.}

"Well, it's kinda related to why we went into that cave. You see, we found a mega stone, which happens to be a… mawilite."

For a moment, Aurora stared at him suspiciously.

{...Okay. That's it?}

"Hem, yeah. That is it."

{And why exactly would you think that that would make me feel bad?}

"…Honestly, I don't know."

{I hear that way too often with you.} Aurora nagged a little. {May got a mega stone, so what? Our team will be stronger, so what's to be feeling bad about?}

"Well, because you… "

{Can't mega-evolve yet and I would have taken it the wrong way?}

"..."

{Well, I'm not.} She affirmed, arms crossed. {Nice to see how you think of me.}

"Okay, sorry for misjudging you."

{Hmpf.}

*sigh* "Well, time to go, girls?"

After everyone agreed, they packed the campsite and prepared themselves for the day ahead. As usual, Max was accompanied by Scarlet, but both Bonny and Aurora insisted on walking with him, pretending to need to keep an eye on him.