AN: Bit of a short chapter. Just wanted to explain the layout of the Rider base and provide a small transition before I get to the point where I originally came up with the idea for this ridiculously long story… So should be interesting. Hopefully.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.
Chapter Warnings: Language, sexual innuendos
Pairing: Ash x Gary
Chapter 37 - Tension
Gary glares at the back of the Ruby Rider's head as he leads them out of the Council Hall and back into the crater. The man's arm is still slung casually over Ash's shoulder as if they have known each other for years. As if he is staking his claim.
And it's pissing me off.
Anger simmers deep in his belly. On the verge of erupting and boiling over. The only thing keeping him from attacking the man are the warm fingers threaded through his own. Pulling him along as Gary follows a step behind the two ravens. He can tell from Ash's stiff shoulders and the tight grip of his hands that his partner doesn't like the situation either but doesn't know how to remedy it without offending the powerful Elder.
Before he has time to think about his actions, Gary quickly steps forward and yanks Ash towards him using their conjoined hands. His partner smoothly slides away from the confining limb that was draped over him. The youngest Elder doesn't even flinch. Just swings his now free arm out to point at various buildings surrounding the oval shaped open ground. The gesture is so smooth that if Gary didn't know better, Aidan was already planning to remove his arm when Gary yanked Ash away.
But he knew better. The cunning twinkle in the man's eyes completely shatters the trustworthy illusion painted by the Elder's striking features.
"It's pretty hard to get lost here," The older man drawls. "All the important building surround the Assembly Ground. You already saw the Council Hall. That's where the Elders and Dragon Riders meet to discuss things and hold various meetings. If you pass the Trial, you'll be in there often."
Gary analyzes each building as the Rider points it out. Adding them to the mental map that he's constructing in his mind. Filing away as many details as possible that might help them escape in the future. Unsurprisingly, almost all of the buildings have a similar design: large, square, topped with slate shingles and appear to be made from blocks of rock carved straight from the mountainside.
Facing away from the Council Hall, a small well sits on his right followed by the Armory and Workshop. Clumps of puffy white smoke billow out from the Armory's chimney, dissipating long before they reach the opening at the top of the mountain. Various piles of twisted metal spread out around the back and side of the building, reflecting the firelight of the torches spread evenly around the Assembly Ground to ward off the darkness.
Gary glances up in confusion at the still blue sky. Hints of red and purple streak across the expanse to the West but the crater is already cast in darkness. It must be due to the high walls of the mountain that it's dark down here so early. I'm surprised they're able to grow anything at all to be honest. He is pulled from his musings by the smooth voice of his now least favorite person.
"We have a good relationship with the pokemon that live here. They bring us unrefined ore or shed armor they outgrow and, in return, we occasionally give them food as well as tend to any injuries. Many of the pokemon here are incredibly strong so they enjoy training and battling with us. That's one of the reasons we've been able to keep this place a secret for so long. Not many trainers can handle the pokemon here besides us."
Gary begins to ask about their pokemon but is quickly cut off by Aidan as the man continues the tour.
"That path leads off to the prison in the western rock face as I'm sure you are already intimately familiar with Mr. Oak... Next to that is the pond where some of the women that aren't trainers do the laundry." Gary glares at the snide comment but keeps his mouth firmly shut as Ash squeezes his hand tightly.
You're still in chains. He has power over us now. Behave. Ash tells him with his eyes.
Huffing in annoyance, Gary stops paying attention to the Rider's voice as he drones on and on about random pointless things that they had no need knowing. Who cares if you tripped on a rock next to the pond? Seriously. No one.
Three women are bent over the small pond with piles of dirty clothes surrounding them. Already washed garments hang on constructed clotheslines surrounding the water. The soft scent of lavender soap fills the area as the clothes flutter in the gentle wind sweeping through the crater.
Next to the pond stands a public restroom, much to Gary's shock. The building looks surprisingly similar to one he saw in a park in Celadon City. Women on one side and men on the other with an opening for each. The sheer size of the bathroom makes him wonder just how many people were hidden away in Mt. Silver. His mind wanders to the toilet that was in his jail cell and the Medical Bay. I can't believe they have indoor plumbing inside a freaking mountain. How has no one realized that all of this is here before?
Directly across from the Council Hall sits a tall, silo-like building with no windows. Gary briefly hears Aidan mention that they store food here before Gary tunes him back out. As he watches, a large sliding door on the side opens to allow a cart full of corn being pulled by a Rhyhorn to enter the structure.
His mouth waters as the tantalizing scent of a perfectly seasoned meal fills the air as they walk by the next two buildings, the Kitchen and Canteen. Large sliding doors are open to allow in fresh air to breeze through the crowded eating area. To his increasing surprise, the Canteen is almost an exact replica of the Mess Hall back in the Academy.
Long wooden tables run down the length of the room. Comfortable wooden stools line their sides, holding up the Draconids as they dig into their meals. At the far end of the hall is stands segmented counter, each compartment containing another tantalizing concoction being carried in through the door on the left that led next door to the Kitchen. The pleasing aroma and loud hum of multiple conversations floods the room and makes his empty stomach call out in hunger.
The room quickly falls silent as the Draconids one by one notice them hovering near the open doorway. Green orbs quickly roam over the hundreds of assembled bodies. There's a good amount of women and children here...surely the Rider's families don't live on base too?
His skin prickles as the hundreds of eyes cast death glares his way. Lifting his chin in defiance, he quickly turns and pulls Ash away. This is bad. We can't show weakness or they will take us out without hesitation. How are we going to survive here? His gaze slides to this side to observe the raven next to him. Ash doesn't resist Gary leading him around. He just continues to look around curiously. Correction. How will I survive here? Ash is their sacred King or whatever. They won't kill him. Me on the other hand…
Gary turns slightly to eye the man walking casually a few steps behind them. Dark viridian orbs immediately lock onto him as a small devious smile fills the Rider's face. His own green eyes narrow in turn. Those eyes, so like his own, unnerve him. The sly, calculating look of one who is a master strategist. One who has most likely planned for every contingency for Ash and Gary's stay. One who will prevent any chance they have to escape.
I fucking hate him.
Next to the Canteen and across from the pond, stands a squat building with a long opening in the front, currently covered by a pleated metallic sheet. He stares at it curiously, trying to discern its purpose, but besides the fact that it looks like a stall out of one of the larger cities, he can't see anything special about it.
"That's the other storage building. Everyone takes turns manning the window but you can get any day to day necessities you might need. Some we make, some we bring in." Aidan shrugs as if the news that they have contracts with businesses outside of the mountain isn't a big deal and continues onward.
They have allies. How does the League NOT know this?!
They walk past a towering radio tower and generator that supplies the power to the base. The Elder doesn't speak as they walk past the humming instruments. No explanation is needed as to what powers this strange half modern/half medieval base. Finally, they come across a small stage raised a few feet off the ground next to the Council building.
"The stage allows the Riders and Elders to watch over training, coordinate formations, make announcements and so on. Sounds tend to get swallowed up here so it's hard to hear sometimes."
The youngest Elder opens his mouth to speak again when he is interrupted by a series of squeaks from Pikachu and Eevee, who, up until now, have been following along quietly. The two small pokemon rush off down a path between the stage and the enormous generator. Ash pulls him along quickly as they speed walk after their pokemon, being unable to run due to the chains still wrapped around his ankles.
The pokemon dart ahead of them. Stopping every few seconds to make sure they are still following. A few minutes later, they find themselves in front of a large opening in the mountainside. Like a giant maw waiting to swallow them whole. Ash drops his hand as he darts inside in front of him without even a pause.
Huffing in annoyance, Gary quickly follows his partner. His pace slows drastically as he struggles to adjust to the lack of light. Sporadic torches hang above eye level in wall scones but the fire burns low, barely illuminating the rock in front of him.
As suddenly as the darkness began, it abruptly ends in a brightly lit cavern. The ceiling far beyond the reach of the glowing plants that line the walls and provide the space with light. They freeze in amazement at the spectacle before them. While tinted a soft blue color, it is a bright as noon on a sunny day. In the middle of a freaking mountain.
His gaze is drawn away from the bioluminescent organisms hanging from the rock by a thundering noise echoing around the cavern. Looking around quickly at the sudden sound, Gary can't restrain the smile that bursts forth on his face as their pokemon race across the open space towards them.
Gary opens his arms as wide as his restraints allow. Dodrio reaches him first thanks to its tremendous speed. The triple bird pokemon nearly knocks him off of his feet as it barrels into him. Its three heads rubbing against his chest and back affectionately as it clucks at him. Gary chuckles as Arcanine reaches him next, immediately slobbering him with saliva as it licks him.
He surreptitiously checks the two pokemon for injuries from the night they stormed the base. To his relief, both pokemon seem to be completely fine, well fed and rested. His inspection grinds to a halt as the remainder of his pokemon swamp over him.
Wartortle, Nidoking, Eevee and Aerodactyl join Dodrio and Arcanine as they all vye for his long absent attention. Anxiously sniffing him over as they check his well-being. They paw at his restraints and growl at them threateningly. Even Scyther, Pinsir and Alakazam seem to be relieved at his presence as they hover calmly a few feet away, having no wish to fight the others when they can watch over him from a safe distance.
A quick glance to his left shows Ash in a similar situation, if not more heartbreaking. Pikachu perches on his shoulder as the raven quietly chats with his pokemon as he showers them with affection. Kingler, Tauros, Charizard, Primeape and, to his astonishment, a newly evolved Pupitar, all gather around their trainer. A quick glance around the cavern locates Lapras sitting forlornly off against a nearby wall in a small pool of water. However, Gengar has yet to make an appearance.
As if sensing his pokemon's distress, Ash moves his reunion over to the pond so he can reassure Lapras of his miraculous recovery. Gary listens to the low murmurs of his partner as he reassures his pokemon over and over again that he is in fact alive and apologizes for worrying them.
It seems as if only seconds pass before their pokemon back away warily as Aidan struts into the room. Even the pokemon, OUR pokemon, back away in caution to this man. Just who is he? Are the Elders really so powerful that even the pokemon can sense it?
The Elder sighs in boredom causing Gary to glare at him. He struggles to keep his mouth shut. Sorry if us reuniting with our pokemon, who most likely thought we were dead, is such a nuisance for you. Asshole.
Eevee whimpers at his heels as if sensing his ire. He reaches down to pet her soft fur as Aidan speaks up so Ash can hear him across the cavern.
"Ash, I have to escort you and your partner back to your room. You may spend time with your pokemon tomorrow if you wish." The Rider calls out, his previously annoyed face now set in apology as Ash turns to face him. As if he really was sorry that they had to leave. But Gary knows better. He can see the cunning twinkle in the older man's green eyes. Just what is he planning now?
Looking around the cavern once more as Ash makes his way back over to them, Gary spots a multitude of other pokemon poking out from various smaller caves that he had overlooked previously. Hundreds of them. Seemingly of every species spanning both Kanto and Johto.
At least our pokemon aren't in jail or something if this is where all the pokemon sleep.
xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx
Ash shuffles along the path next to his partner. His legs feel like they're made of lead as his feet sluggishly move one in front of the other. After touring the base and seeing his pokemon after so long, the adrenaline that he has been running on since he woke up for the second time has long since faded.
A soft blush graces his face as he thinks of just a few hours ago. I almost forgot how comfortable it is to sleep next to Gary like that. Usually I can't even doze in such a stressful situation.
He glances at the tall brunet walking close to him. Close enough that their hands brush on occasion. But since Gary hasn't reached out for him like earlier, Ash makes no move to rejoin their hands.
How am I supposed to keep up this fake relationship for who knows how long? I don't know if my heart can take it. Having Gary without really having him.
His mind runs at light speed trying to process everything but nothing seems to stick. Like Larvitar's ball bouncing off of the side of Professor Oak's lab. Larvitar...he was forced to evolve early due to the Rare Candies he was exposed to. Forced evolutions are extremely painful and I wasn't there for him.
The little olive green pokemon flashes through his mind. A big smile planted on the little pokemon's face as Ash compliments its skills at the drill/game it just completed. Guilt suffuses his entire being.
I'm sorry.
The clinking of keys draws him out of his depressing thoughts. They had been following the path toward the prison west of the Council Hall. To his astonishment, apparently their room is a level above and several feet north of the prison. Ash can feel the tension radiating off of his partner.
Is this another jail cell?
Seeing the Elder's eyes slide over to them, he steels his nerves and threads his fingers through Gary's. The thick metal door swings open silently. Inside is a rather cozy looking cave, about twice the size of the hospital room that he woke up in. Soft yellow light illuminates the space.
A queen-sized bed topped with a thick mattress and fluffy blankets next to a small dresser takes up the right side of the cave. Along the back wall, a small loveseat sits behind a low wooden table. The couch cushions show enough wear and tear that leads Ash to believe that someone else owned the piece of furniture for some time. To the left, a small doorway covered by a curtain leads off to what only could be the bathroom.
Overall, this is way better than he was expecting. Especially since there seems to be no cameras in the room to monitor them. Movement to his left draws his gaze away from glancing around their temporary home. Aidan stares at them silently with those deep green eyes of his. Observing. Calculating.
A slow smile spreads across the man's face. It takes everything Ash has to suppress a shiver. There's a strange feeling in his gut that he can't pinpoint. Lust? Fear? Dread? It's unnerving that he can't figure out just what emotion this man pulls out of him. Just like how he can't tell what the Elder is feeling in those green orbs. The older man's mask is perfect. Nothing is given away that he doesn't want to reveal.
"Well then." The Rider states cheerfully. "This will be your room for the time being. If you pass the Trial, you will be moved to the Dragon Rider quarters which are on either side of the Elder suites directly behind the Council Hall."
The man takes a step closer and Ash's muscles stiffen in an urge to step away but he fights the reaction. "However," Aidan pauses as his eyes blatantly roam up and down Ash's body. "You are welcome to my chambers at any time Ash. Just look for the ruby banner."
Viridian orbs burn into his own. Unable to look away, Ash steps closer to his partner who immediately pulls him into his arms. The jingle of chains breaks the spell that Aidan cast upon him.
Gary holds his shackled hand slightly out from his lithe body. "Do you mind taking these off? My husband has just come back from the dead and this is the first time that we have been alone without you people popping in every few minutes. We can't exactly break in the new bed if I am still chained."
A furious blush dances across his face at Gary's implications. His breath hitches as scenes of his very naked partner, chained and writhing helpless under him flash through his mind.
The Elder seems to think over the request thoroughly before stepping forward and inserting a key into one of the locks. A mere minute later, the chains fall in a heap at Gary's feet. Ash immediately grabs his partner's wrist and analyzes the bruised, reddened skin underneath.
"There's lotion in the bathroom. For whatever you need it for." The suggestive smirk on the Rider's face brings the blush that had steadily been fading back to full force on his face. Ash shuffles awkwardly before heading to the bathroom.
He returns to the main room to see the two taller males staring at each other. Gary's gaze full of hostile defiance while Aidan only seems to be amused at the situation.
Walking back to Gary's side, the tension in the room drops suddenly as Aidan spins on his heel and heads back towards the heavy door. Surprisingly, Gary is the one who stops the man from leaving.
"Just what are we supposed to do for this Trial? Are we doing it tomorrow? Ash hasn't fully healed yet." There is a strange lilt to Gary's voice. One that Ash can't place.
Aidan glances over his shoulder back at them. That mysterious smile back in place once more. He opens the door and steps out as his parting words float in the air ominously.
"I can't tell you yet. As for when you will start the Trial, you must first prove yourself worthy. If I've heard correctly, Ash has already proven his worth and strength...Even if you do gain entry to the Trial, there's still a large chance that you will fail. If you do, the Trial will most likely kill you. If you somehow miraculously survive, you won't be allowed leave this mountain alive."
xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx
AN: Oooh I do love tension. Be prepared for a time skip!
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Next up: Chapter 38 - Worth
