=Chapter 48 An Adventure in Lilycove=

*Jacob to Arky*

*It's been a while since I last wrote to you, a lot has happened since then… and I mean a lot!*

*Where do I start, first off, I learned who mystery girl was, her name was 'Emerald', and she used to be a Trainer like me from Littleroot. But unlike me… and this is the sad part… is that she never achieved her dream of reaching the Pokemon League, she never got her eighth badge, and during a trip to Mt. Pyre she and her team perished in an accident. A floor and roof collapsed on top of them, and they were trapped, left for dead to the world.*

*The Shuppets helped her and her team as best they could, but they were left to wander the world as ghosts, inhabiting the body and mind of a Mismagius, Missy, who became insane after keeping them for over fifty years. Until my team could free them, by defeating them. It was painful for us, for everyone, but deep down we knew we were helping them, and they were grateful to us.*

*Viridian showed up though to spoil the fight, and while it was a desperate struggle because my team was weary from fighting Emerald, Sara surprised everyone with her power! When I was threatened, it was like her power went up fifty times what she normally displayed. I asked her about it after we left Mt. Pyre and were making our way to the nearest Pokemon Center, and the only thing she could tell me was that… well, she just 'had' to protect me. It was like her life, her very existence, depended on keeping me safe…*

*Is this normal Arky? Are Gardevoir really 'that' devoted to their trainers? I mean, I have nothing against her being protective, because I'm protective of my team as well, but her level of 'devotion' goes… well, beyond what even Harold does.*

*Also… it's probably just me, but I have been noticing Sara has been acting… 'differently' toward me, especially when we're sleeping. Now that I mention it, Coral has also been acting differently, especially now that we've arrived in Lilycove City. Every time she's out of her ball she gets very close to me or stares at me intently, and she's been acting very 'jealous' of Sara. I think somethings going on between them and it concerns me…*

=Coral's Heat=

(Jacob's PoV)

"So we have to sit here in Lilycove until the next ferry comes in to take us to Mossdeep City to compete for our seventh badge, and from there we catch another ferry to Sootopolis for our eighth badge?" Karen asked as they lounged in their hotel room. "Well, all I can say is, I don't mind sitting here waiting, but what is there to 'do' around here? Aside from training and battling Jacob, which I wouldn't say no to."

"Well Karen, there's the art museum, they display a lot of Pokemon Contest art on its second floor, and there's the natural art on the first floor." Segan said as he was reading the latest issue of 'Groomers Guidelines'. "Ugh, no that is 'not' how you groom a Ninetails' tails! You're not supposed to tempt it with food, you warmly ask 'permission' to brush the tails with a brush! Who writes these articles?"

"Ugh, booooring, who wants to stare at pictures of Pokemon when you could be 'battling' them?" Karen asked as she leaned back in her chair, with Lance napping in her lap.

"Well we could visit the Contest Hall here in Lilycove, watch a few of the shows going on here." Jacob suggested as he and Sara drank bottled tea.

(It isn't like there is anything we can really 'do' here…) Sara whispered to him privately. (With Snagem now nearly all behind bars, the threat of Snagem running around is all but nonexistent.)

*That is true… I was expecting wanted posters for Snagem Members to be everywhere, but not a single one around here.* Jacob thought back to her.

Two days ago they arrived in Lilycove, and the first stop they made was to the Pokemon Center to heal Jacob's team after their encounter with Viridian on Mt. Pyre. The next thing they did was look up Emerald in the Pokemon League database. But other than a lack of a 'name' for her, as well as other identification features, like a picture, they only found out that she was a Trainer who only achieved seven badges over fifty years ago.

Then of course they tried to investigate Team Snagem being in the city, but they found out that nearly every member of Team Snagem that was 'in' Lilycove had been captured. Apparently someone spilled the beans on where they were hiding out, and after accusations and allegations rose up, nearly all of them were behind bars and would be for a long time.

Any other remaining Snagem Members were either hiding for their freedom, or had left the gang in favor of getting away before the heat catches up to them.

"We could also feed our teams; it 'is' mid-day." Karen said suddenly.

"Trust you to know the time based on your stomach!" Segan chuckled as he flipped through the magazine pages.

"Ri Ri Rioooo!" Lance said as his eyes snapped open.

"What Lance said, chow time!" Karen yelled.

Both him and Sara sighed in disbelief, and both wondered the exact same thing. 'How does she have this kind of energy?'

With that decided they all got up and left the Hotel, Jacob going to grab his cooking tools and food so he could prepare their meal. Once they were out they left for the outskirts of the city so that they and their teams could have privacy. As they walked he and Sara marveled at the city for all its worth.

Lilycove was a mixture of a large city with the air of being a seaside resort. The nearby beach was crawling with people either enjoying the ocean air and water, or playing in the sand and sunbathing. The city itself was dotted with 'clubhouses' for Contest Stars, various shops, and of course the Lilycove Mega Mall. They had to tell Karen that shopping sprees were out of the question, especially Segan, saying that while he agreed to pay for whatever they needed, he was not the Bank of Hoenn.

She of course groaned and complained, but it was four to one, with both Glace and Sara siding with their respective trainers.

Lance chose not to side with Karen because he had no idea what a 'shopping spree' was.

"Alright let's start setting up!" Karen said as they found a nice sized spot near the edge of a large meadow. "So what's on the menu today 'Chef Jacob!'?"

"Uh, Remoraid and Cheri Berry Stew for the meat eaters, and Sweet Berry soup for the berry only eaters." Jacob said as he thought about what he was making for them all.

While Segan set down their large picnic cloth, Karen began letting out her team one by one, followed by Jacob even as he pulled out various pots from his bag, observed by Sara as she watched him pulling out the number of pots and other utensils to cook lunch.

(I always wondered, how does this bag hold so much stuff, without expanding in size from all of the contents its carries?) She asked him. (I cannot fathom as to where your teacher found such a bag.)

"Probably made it himself." He said. "Just like he made my bracelet."

(That is an oddly familiar bracelet…) She commented as she glanced at the bracelet he'd worn since he was a kid. (I feel like I've seen it's psychic signature somewhere before… but I can't remember…)

After a few minutes of preparation as well as talk among Karen's and his team, he began working on dinner, all the while watched by one member of his team in particular.

Coral his Milotic was constantly watching him as he stirred both pots, preparing their meals, not once taking her eyes off of him.

As he noticed this strange behavior again, mostly because she's been doing this for the past two days since they've been in Lilycove, he privately whispered to Sara to see if she could find out what she's thinking again.

(I can't read her thoughts clearly… they seem to be… 'clouded'.) Sara whispered as she moved to stand next to him. (Her thoughts are 'clouded' by this… strange… sensation… it's almost like she's…)

Unfortunately, as she was about to continue her sentence, and upon actually reaching Jacob, Coral suddenly screamed, "Milotiiiic!" and sent a huge torrential Hydro Pump at Sara.

Sara, sensing the possible danger because he was in close proximity, met the attack with a psychic barrier that protected both the food he was cooking and herself, sending the water to splash harmlessly in all directions. But the action caught everyone's attention, especially Jacob's team, as this was not the first time Coral has tried attacking Sara.

Instantly Harold jumped over and grabbed Coral by her upper body, and Ivan and Roran jumped on her lower body, all three trying to keep her from struggling to attack Sara again. Meanwhile Sara's eyes continued to glow as she kept her psychic barrier up to act as a shield should she break through the three Pokemon.

Latias just stared at the commotion, still unused to seeing the team that always worked so well together just dissolve into infighting for no apparent reason.

As for Kenna, the blue flamed Ponyta with no combat experience was hiding behind Karen's entire team as they too went defensive, unsure of what to do and awaiting her orders.

"Coral!" Jacob yelled, trying to get her attention. "Calm down girl!"

At his words the Milotic stopped struggling and 'calmed down' almost instantly.

Sara on the other hand was still keeping up her defenses, and not just for no reason. (She's only obeying because 'you' told her to Jacob…) She told him politely. (Her mind is clouded, yet her feelings, her emotions… they're in complete and utter chaos. Part of her is… adoring you, caring of you, wants to 'please' you however she can…)

"Uh… is this a bad time to ask what's going on?" Segan asked politely. "I don't recall Coral ever acting like this before… from what I remember, she's a very modest Milotic…"

"I don't understand it either Segan, but Coral has been acting weird for the past few days…" Jacob said as he pulled out her Luxury Ball. "Perhaps I should keep her in her ball until she calms down…"

As he prepared to recall Coral, he saw her looking at him eye to eye, and the look in her eye really confused him. It wasn't the same look she always gave him, the look of the good friend that he had come to know for over a year since getting her from Segan. No the look in her eyes was strange, very strange to him. It was a look he couldn't really describe, her eyes looked to be partially clouded, yet also had a look of adoration and longing that he could not figure out.

(Jacob… do you think she's sick?) Sara asked him privately as she kept her psychic barrier up while moving to stand next to him.

Almost instantly Coral became angry and started struggling fiercely to get free of Harold's, Ivan's and Roran's grip on her, and now even Latias had to join in to help restrain her. "Mmmi…loo… tiiic…" She mumbled as she was pushed harder into the ground to keep her from attacking again.

(She says, get… away… from him?) Sara translated in confusion.

"Why are you acting like this Coral?" Jacob asked as he stepped forward and knelt before her, knowing even though she was sick, Coral would never intentionally hurt him. "What's wrong with you?"

At his words and seeing him next to him, Coral's eyes instantly became slightly clouded again, and she stopped struggling once more.

"Think perhaps we should have Nurse Joy look at her?" Karen asked as her team relaxed slightly.

"No, I think I know what's going on with her…" Segan said as he and Glace approached. "Jacob, tell your team to let her up for a moment, and tell 'all' of your team to step away from you."

"Why Segan, its taking everything they have just to keep her restrained?" He asked in confusion.

"It's just a hunch, just do what I said… and it will save you and your team from 'embarrassment if I'm right'."

"Alright…" He replied quietly and nodded to his team.

As one they all obeyed and 'carefully' got off of Coral and stepped away from her, with Sara joining them, but also psychically telling him she would teleport to protect him if something happened. Once she was freed, Coral rose up from the ground and looked at him, smiling sweetly and looking at him with her clouded eyes.

"Okay, am I supposed to be doing… anything else?" He asked as Coral began slithering over to him.

"Froslass…" Glace said as they watched.

"What Glace said, just wait and see…" Segan said as Coral now slithered around Jacob and began coiling around him.

As he watched she rose up to his eye level and began nuzzling his cheek ever so gently.

"Alright now let's see…" Segan said as he cheerfully began walking over to him. "So Jacob my boy… how's it hanging?"

When Segan reached him he patted his shoulder ever so gently, as if he were meeting him after a long time. But while Jacob was more confused as to why Segan was acting the way he did, Coral merely regarded him with annoyance, as if he were interrupting something.

"Alright, now Karen be a dear and come say hello to our good friend Jacob!" Segan said with a very cheerful smile.

Karen looked baffled at the request, but nodded in understanding and walked over to Jacob as well. "Hey there Jacob…" She began saying, going to give him her usual hearty slap on the shoulder.

The instant she moved her hand toward his shoulder, Coral screamed angrily and shot a burst of water at her, yet another Hydro Pump. Karen had the reaction time of her life, as she barely ducked to avoid it, instantly backing away from Coral who continued to glare furiously at her.

"What in the name Hoenn was 'that' for?!" She yelled as Coral resumed nuzzling Jacob affectionately, now completely ignoring her.

"Linooone!" Ziggles growled warningly, but Coral was still ignoring everyone now in favor of nuzzling Jacob's confused face.

"Well, I think I know what's going on with Coral…" Segan said with a chuckle. "Coral appears to be in 'heat'."

There was silence as everyone heard what Segan said, before Jacob spoke up. "Uh, what's that?"

"Jacob… tell me you did 'not' just say that…" Karen asked sarcastically as they all continued to watch Coral nuzzling Jacob. "You studied under a 'Pokemon', and you don't know what 'heats' are?"

"Arky didn't teach me 'everything' Karen, he said there were some lessons I had to learn myself…" Jacob asked as Glace began digging into one of Segan's jacket pockets.

"Let's take care of this little thing before we explain." Segan said as he was handed a pink looking Pokeblock. "Here Jacob boy, give this to Coral, it should clear up her head for a little bit."

He took the Pokeblock and showed it to Coral, who happily snapped it up, swallowing it while giving him a look of adoration. After a few moments though her eyes began to look less 'clouded' and she was now looking at him in confusion.

"Yep, worked like a charm!" Segan said. "That's a special Pokeblock I've been working on for years now, helps trainers deal with Pokemon, particularly those of the opposite gender, and their heat cycles." He said proudly while Glace began talking to Coral through telepathy.

"Okay but what 'is' a 'heat cycle'…" Jacob asked as Coral's eyes went wide in shock.

"Well Jacob, a heat cycle is…" Segan began explaining before Karen interrupted.

"Whooooooa, I think this is a talk for 'Trainers', no offense big guy." Karen said as she grabbed him by his arm. "Come on Jacob, I think it's time someone 'mature' gave you the talk of the Beautiflys and the Combees."

(Sara's PoV)

As she watched Jacob get dragged away, she wanted to join him, but at the same time the way Karen said 'Trainer talk' sounded like she was being serious about it being a private conversation.

Also because of the topic, she figured it was best he learned about it privately.

"Well… I guess I will help Segan prepare more Pokeblocks to help with Coral's heat…" Glace said as Segan went over to his bag and started getting out berries, and various Pokeblock making items. "Will you be alright?"

"Yes…" Coral said quietly as she coiled up in shame.

Sensing Corals despair, she moved over to sit next to the Milotic, and soon after the rest of the team joined her, still somewhat wary of her getting out of control again.

(Are you alright?) She asked.

Coral shook her head in disgrace. "Forgive me everyone… I did not mean to attack you all… especially 'you' Sara…" She said. "I could not control myself…"

(Why did you act like that?) Latias asked her.

(It is her heat; she wasn't thinking clearly…) Sara said. (When a Pokemon goes in heat, particularly females, they're mating instincts take over and they seek out potential mates to mate with.)

"Now it makes sense… but why Jacob?" Harold asked. "I know he's our Trainer, but he's our 'Trainer' as well as a Human, not a Pokemon, why try to mate with him?"

Coral just looked up at them all before shaking her head in disgrace. "Not to me…" She whispered pitifully.

Moments later Glace floated over with some more Pokeblocks for Coral. "You'll need to take a few a day to keep your heat in check until it passes." She said politely. "Segan will make more for you, and he'll tell Jacob what to do."

Coral nodded as she ate the Pokeblocks. "Glace, perhaps you can explain this problem." Ivan growled. "Why did Coral try to mate with our Alpha? He is not a Pokemon, why would she seek 'him' out as a potential mate?"

Glace only smiled sadly before answering. "Tamed Pokemon don't have the same luxury as wild Pokemon when it comes to mating sadly." She said. "Unless there are viable candidates in close proximity, most tamed Pokemon that go through heat cycles end up trying to mate with the only ones they view as a 'viable' candidate. In Coral's case, her Trainer."

(But Harold can mate with her… I think my dad mentioned something about some species of Pokemon being fit mates despite looking different.) Latias said in confusion.

"Yes… but Harold is not the highest in your team's hierarchy." Glace said as Coral kept her eyes looking away. "When a Milotic goes into heat, the first one they seek out, is the strongest 'Male' or 'Female' fit to mate with, as most species do. While Harold is probably your strongest team member, not counting Sara, Jacob is 'technically' the strongest of you all, because he is the one who commands your respect and loyalty."

(So she tried to mate with Jacob… but why are you so ashamed of yourself Coral?) Sara asked her quietly. (If you care about him in that regard, why do you feel such shame?)

Coral was quiet and kept looking away from them, but still answered the question. "Because I don't 'want' to mate with him…" She said sadly. "I care about him… but… not in 'that' way… I want to be by his side, but not as his mate. I want to watch over him… like… like…"

(His mother.) Sara finished for her.

Coral looked at her and nodded. "I love him yes… but it's not the love of a mate… more like the love of a… motherly figure…" She said sadly. "Now he'll probably think I'm weird… maybe he'll release me or send me away!"

"I highly doubt he'd send away one of his best team members because she was in heat." Roran chirped.

(Trainers do that?) Latias asked nervously. (But what about when 'I' go into my heat, I mean, I can control it better than most Pokemon, but what if I try to mate with him like Coral? Will he send me away until it passes?)

"If Jacob sends anyone away, it will be me…" Kenna said sadly. "I'm the weakest one on the team, the only thing I'm good at is performing tricks in a contest…"

(Jacob isn't going to send anyone away!) Sara said suddenly, looking at them all. (I know that Kora isn't here because she's with Professor Nomel, but even if she were here, she'd say the same thing. Jacob cares about 'all' of us! If he wanted to send any of us away for 'any' reason, he would not have kept us here all this time. Kora has her reasons for not being here, her spores are being studied for medicinal uses. But we have our reasons for remaining, or else he would not have let Suicune roam free while she still carries her Pokeball around her neck.) She smiled happily as she stated that fact. (And if he's willing to keep 'us' with him at all times over a Legendary like Suicune, then it is for a very good reason. He could have easily kept her over one of us, but he didn't.)

There was silence again as Glace left to return to Segan, who was still making Pokeblocks away from them. Then they all nodded again in acceptance.

"Yea, he won't send any of us away!" Harold said.

"Least we're safe from that!" Ivan barked.

"Good to know." Roran chirped.

"Hope so…" Kenna neighed nervously.

(Not like I can go back home yet…) Latias said.

Everyone looked to Coral as she looked sad and disgraceful, but nodded in acceptance as well. "If you say so…" She said.

(I know so…) Sara said with a smile.

What she didn't tell them, was that she too was struggling with her own 'heat'. Only her psychic powers were keeping her emotions in check.

She was no exception to what Glace said about 'tamed' Pokemon ending up seeing their Trainers as potential mates. After all, she was the Embrace Pokemon, and her species were not only famous for absolute devotion and loyalty to their Trainers, but it was also not uncommon for her species, both Gardevoir and Gallade, to end up viewing their Trainers as potential mates as well.

She had made her vow to Jacob, she would follow him to the ends of the world, whatever path he chose she too would follow.

But as she felt Jacob returning from his 'alone time' with Karen, feeling a bit more 'embarrassed' than when he left, she knew deep down that ever since she matured as a Kirlia, and now that she was fully evolved as a Gardevoir…

She was eyeing her Trainer as more than a Trainer, and that was something she knew deep down, he was not ready for.