Chapter 4

As I shuffled my way out of the kitchen, Poké Ball in hand, I look at Lucario again. He nods at me to reassure that he's got everything taken care of. Then, I take my keys and walk out the front door. I take a deep breath, and head to the nearest Pokemon Center. What's up with Quil? He never gets this sick, and even so, he's an incredibly tough Pokemon… Could've Raichu's reading given him that affliction? I doubt it; Psychics are weak to Ghosts… But how? My thoughts were spinning around in my head, trying to grasp what could be going on with him. Worried, I quickened my pace.

I kept wanting to take him out of the Poké Ball to try and ask what could be happening, but he doesn't know either so that wouldn't help. I finally arrive at the Pokemon Center and rush to the counter. I tell Nurse Joy to give Quil a thorough examination because he wasn't feeling well at all. She nods and takes the Poké Ball. As Nurse Joy takes Quil into the ER, I breathe a sigh of relief. He's in good hands now. Then, a familiar face catches my eye. It's my old friend Lance! Walking up to him, he spots me and waves; a big grin on his face. When I'm close enough, he grabs me and pulls me in for a hug. "Hey, Ethan! I haven't seen you in a while, where have you been, man?"

"I've just been home. Nothing much has been happening. Other than the occasional training day with my Pokemon." He begins staring at me and I already know why. "Ugh, okay look, these are my normal eyes. My blue eyes were just contacts."

"Wait really? How'd that happen?"

"Long story."

"Okay… So, what'd you say?"
"I've just been training with my Pokemon, that's all, really."

"Oh, that's right. Champion's gotta keep his title somehow, right?" He nudges my arm and pats me on the back.

"Heh, yeah… How about you Lance? Anything new with you?"

"Well, I became a police officer! As of now, I'm a Commander."

"Woah dude, that's pretty high up."

"Yeah, took a good while, but it's all worth it!" There was a quick second of silence, and we silently agree to take a seat at the nearest table. Lance breaks the ice first. "So, did you hear about those riots? Crazy, huh?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, those… I hope everything's alright over there. Kanto and Hoenn, right?"

"Yeah, I was just in Kanto too. It's like hell down there, man."

"Have things really gotten that bad?"

"That's where all this started after all. The first-ever recorded pokephilia incident was back in Viridian City. About nine years back."

"You're kidding. That's when I was ten years old and you were eleven… You sure it was way back then?"

"Positive. It was some guy, his Nidoqueen AND his Nidoking!" My eyes widen. "How would a guy be able to-"

"Before you finish that question, I have the answer. That's also when Pokemon started evolving into anthropomorphized Pokemon."
"That seems a little too on the nose, Lance."

"That's what happened! What's worse, there's been little to no scientific research into the matter. Well, other than your dad of course. I wonder why he's so dedicated…?"

"You tell me, you're the one who knows more about his research than I do."

Lance lets out a soft chuckle. "It's just strange. People have been theorizing, though."

"What are they saying?"

"If a Pokemon has special feelings of love and a strange but romantic connection to their trainer, they'll evolve to better suit their partners' needs."

"Just like Qu-" I stop myself before I finish that sentence. Lance was strongly against pokephilia, so I'd rather not lead him on. Plus, he's a cop, so it'd be worse if he found out.

"Just like who?"

"J-just like those three Lycanrocs! Y-you saw that on the news, right?"

"Oh yeah… That. Turns out they're all anthro as well."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Not at all. Right now they're being filed in for a transfer. It's kind of sad. Could you imagine what those three had to go through?" This could go either way, he could mention the transfer or the sex. I just hope it's the transfer part.

"I mean, they were subjected to unnatural intercourse with their trainer. That isn't right." Of course he would. I grow irritated at Lance, but I manage to keep my cool. He lets out a sigh. "You wouldn't let your Pokemon experience that, right?" I answer in the most monotone voice possible. "No. I wouldn't."

"That's a relief. You're quite attached to Quil, and the rest of your team too, so I don't really think you would make them go through something like that."

"Of course I wouldn't." As I say that, my eyes look in a different direction. Lance notices my strange behavior, and asked, "Ethan, something wrong?"

"Well, I'm here because Quil's sick. I worry that something bad is happening to him. Actually, why are you here?"

"My Arcanine, Flash, got injured last mission I was out in. So I brought him here to get him all healed up."

"Wait…. What happened to your Primarina?" I hope he doesn't say what I think he's going to.

"Oh, I released her." Motherfucker! Why would he do that?! My anger begins to swell. But, I can't give myself away. I calm down and gasp. "Why would you release her? You've been with her since you first became a trainer."
"Well…. She evolved to be anthropomorphic. I didn't feel comfortable with her presence. She also got really clingy and the shape of her body freaked me out." He doesn't even realize that the reason she evolved like that is because of how she felt towards him. I wanted to punch him right then and there, but… I couldn't. I remain unmoved and passive. I was clenching my fist, however. Gladly, he didn't notice. Nurse Joy then called out his name, and he walked over to the counter to retrieve his Pokemon. He takes the Poké Ball, waves at Nurse Joy, and comes back to the table. He puts his hand on my shoulder and looks me straight in the eyes. "Hey, I hope your Quil feels better soon. Don't be a stranger, now!" I wave back, with a fake smile on my face. As he leaves the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy calls my name, and I hobble over to the counter. She informs me nothing was wrong with him, but he's good as new. I take the Poké Ball and thank Nurse Joy for helping out. Then, I leave the Pokémon Center.

So, there wasn't anything wrong with him? Weird. So what was that headache and fever all about? As I was walking through the streets of Hau'oli City, I gazed around. It was twilight by this point and it was as if the entire city was alive. People ambling about, enjoying their night and walking with their Pokémon, enjoying dinner with friends and family, shopping in the mall… I've never taken the time to truly appreciate the beauty of this city. I decided to let Quil out so we could have a little stroll around the city. I let him out of his Poke Ball and he's sitting for a brief moment, eyes closed. He opens them, adjusting to the bright city lights. Standing up, he stretches, sighs and takes a good long look at his surroundings. He lets out a joyful grin at what he's seeing; almost as if he hasn't been here before. Then, he turns back to me picks me up in his wings, and gives me a hearty squeeze. Oh! This is sudden, he's never hugged me like this before… He slowly lets me down, and it starts turning into a soft and loving embrace. I chuckle and look up at him. "Quil, not that I mind, but…" I take my arms and wrap them around him too. Returning his tender hug with my own. With a happy sigh, I ask "Why the hug all of sudden?"

"Honestly, Ethan, I don't know myself. After seeing your worried face, and how you immediately hopped into action to get me feeling better… Sparked something. You're an amazing person, Ethan. Thank you so much for caring. I won't stop caring for you either." He says, tightening his grip. Wow…. he's never been this forward with his emotions… What should I say? I don't know, maybe I shouldn't say anything. Hm… maybe I should... "Hey, it's no problem at all Quil, really. What you've said really means a lot. You've always been with me since day one and it's been such an enjoyable experience." I close my eyes and bathe in the warmth of his body heat. "Quil, I-" Before I could finish probably the most important sentence ever in my life, I hear a familiar voice coming from behind. "Oh my gosh, it's really you!" Quil, in a defensive manner, tears himself away from my body immediately. I turn around to see another familiar face greet me. It's… Michelle?