Holy dialogue. That's all I have to say.
Also, this chapter has a small bit of telepathy, so anything spoken that way will be in bold. I suspect this will be a one time thing so I don't think I need to say from now on. So yeah, bold = telepathy.
Pokebron - Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll be sure to keep the offer in mind!
DragonNOOB - I kind of unintentionally incorporated some things from real life into that. But looking back on it, it worked out rather well. Glad you enjoyed.
NightSlash54 - Thanks!
Lover of a Good Story - It'll feature MANY Pokemon. It'll be explained this chapter. Also, what do you mean when you say 'gay fic this fandom is drowning in'? And I'm glad you like it so far.
Grenade Boy - You're a loser nuff nuff Jigglypuff.
Fuck the Human\Pokemon speech barrier.
...That's like my slogan now. Lul.
...
After this Mike character had given me that little 'business card', if you can call it that, I was beyond confused. He'd said he wanted talk about some kind of business he wanted with me and, while that's fine as I don't really like my job, why did it have to be so sudden and why did it happen to be right after I gave myself a bit of publicity even if accidently?
The thing that was a red flag about all this though was that he had wanted to meet at night at some local restaraunt. If he couldn't talk to me about whatever it was he needed, what made this place so different? I don't really like the fact he wanted to meet when I only knew his name and his Espeon friend.
However, even with all these things, I still couldn't bring myself to not go. I guess you could call me curious. If whatever he needs me for is so important that it had to be secretive, then why did he come to me? What makes me so different from everybody else? Don't get me wrong, I feel kind of honored that I was chosen for whatever this task is or whatever he needed, but still. I guess I'll find out soon.
I still had about thirty minutes before I had to be at this place. I decided I'd take this time to change into some different clothes and make my hair look like less of a mess. Grabbing some shorts and a tye-dye tank top my sister had made me a few years back, I quickly changed and went into the bathroom.
I took a minute to look myself over. My bed-head called hair was strewn all over the place. Normally my hair is shoulder length and black in color with a few red streaks here and there but, almost everytime after a nap, it became nothing short of a brillo pad. I had puffy bags under my eyes due to my gaming obsession keeping me up until easily 2 A.M. almost every night which led to sleep deprivation. All in all, I looked much worse than I actually was.
I quickly did my needed things like brushing my teeth, fixing my hair to look somewhat presentable, and the likes. After all was said and done, I went back to the livingroom and slipped on my shoes.
Do I really want to do this? Seems kind of fishy to me. I mean, I don't know him and he seemed to know me even though that news report of Ethan never mentioned my name.
I pondered for a moment if this was really worth it. If I didn't show up, I'm sure they'd just come back and ask me again like most people do.
But what if this is for a new job? I'm tired of being so bored at work. Maybe this will open up some new doors for me.. And if it's something bad, at least I'll have craved that curiousness I've had since this whole thing started..
With it being settled that I was indeed going, I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on before walking to my destination.
...
The walk took no more than twenty minutes, if that. Just as I got there, I saw his Espeon nudge his leg lightly, signalling I had actually came. "Ah, Karros. Didn't think you'd show up." He said.
"Look, I don't know what you need but let's go ahead and do this. Whatever you wanna talk about, let's just get to it." He looked at me a moment then nodded. He motioned me to follow and we walked inside this little restaraunt.
"Wait here," He said. I nodded and him and his Espeon walked up to the counter and the employee and Mike talked for a moment before he motioned for me to come up to him. "Follow me," He instructed as he went behind the counter. I hesitated a moment but did follow him.
Mike led me to the back of the establishment and opened up a door. "Come," He said. I walked through and it looked like what you'd expect a little gang hideout to be. There was a small wooden table in the center of the room and a lone light illuminating the whole room. I looked to the side and saw two Pokemon, an Absol and a Zangoose, both sitting patiently. It kind of creeped me out.
Mike pulled out a few chairs and sat in one of them on the opposite end of the table. The Absol walked up to one side of him and sat on its haunches then the Zangoose took the chair next to him. Gem jumped up onto the table in front of him and laid down lazily. I sat down in a chair on the other side of him to face him.
"Karros, this is Casey," He said indicating the Zangoose, "and Arabella," He then pointed to the Absol, "Casey, Arabella, this is Karros." The Zangoose smiled and waved while the Absol simply nodded. I smiled lightly to the both of them.
"Now not to seem rude or anything, but what exactly is so important that you needed to talk to me in private and not in my own home?" I asked.
"First off, before I get into that, how come you never became a trainer?"
"How would you know if I did or didn't go on a previous journey? For all you know, I could have gone on one and just released my team and retired."
"True, but our background checks are without flaw. Trust me on that." Background check? What was this guy talking about?
"Excuse me, but background check?"
"I'll explain in a few minutes. Answer my question please."
Jeez. Pushy are we?
"If your background checks are so 'flawless' as you say they are, then you should know why I didn't." I said matter-of-factly.
"They're background checks, not mind-readers. We can only investigate so much about a person without directly probing their mind. Unless you have a Psychic like Gem here," He said as he gently stroked the Espeon on the table.
"Fine, if you must know, I don't like the concept of it all. I hate battling, hate watching it, all of it." I answered.
"How come?"
"How come? You're putting another living organisms life on the line and for what? Monetary gain? Temporary popularity? It's all pointless to do and just causes drama in the end."
"But what if the Pokemon enjoys battling?" The Absol cut in.
"Cool. It's their life and everyone enjoys something else. Battling isn't my thing. If they want to, go ahead but you won't see me owning a Pokemon."
"What if you grew up with a Pokemon and they wanted to go on a journey but you didn't? Then what?" Mike asked. I thought for a moment then answered,
"I don't know. It never happened to me so I didn't have to make that decision."
"Well if you're against battling like you say you are, why'd you side with that Ethan kid earlier?"
"That's a completely different situation." I said. He looked at me like I was a moron,
"Hardly. It was because of a battle. If you're against it, you could have just walked on by and not get involved but you didn't. How come?"
"It is completely different. I might be against battling but that doesn't mean I hate people who do it. The kid was falsely accused of a crime and nobody was making an effort to help the situation so I did. Plus, I love showing the cops up at their own game. I'd make it a hobby if I were able to." I said with a grin.
"But what if he did in fact commit Pokephilia?" He asked. I shrugged,
"So what if he did? His life, he can do as he please. I honestly give no fucks of what others do in their spare time." I answered flatly.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?" The Zangoose asked. I looked at her confusedly then answered,
"Not when I'm pretty much forced to come here and talk to people who, apparently, know my life." She looked like she was going to say something else but ended up simply nodding.
"What compelled you to helping that kid?" Mike asked. Again I shrugged,
"Couple reasons I guess. Mostly because police nowadays are stupid and don't follow protocol and end up doing their jobs wrong, hurting people, and fucking up lives. I guess a small part because I felt bad hearing the kid and his Pokemon crying for each other."
"What if I told you that he was, in fact, a Pokephile?" Mike asked. For the millionth time, I shrugged,
"I don't care. His life, not mine. He looked old enough to make his decisions so let him."
"A bit open minded, aren't you?" The Zangoose asked.
"I guess so. Not many people keep an open mind about the world nowadays so it's nice to be one of those few who do." The Zangoose and Absol both smiled lightly which kind of put me on edge. "Why're you smiling?"
"Reasons." They both answered simultaneously. I looked at them both skeptically but their smiles remained.
"If you say so..." I said quietly.
"Ignore them for now." I jumped lightly as I literally heard a voice inside my head, "Sorry, I guess you've never had a Pokemon speak to you telepathically before. This is Gem speaking."
"No, I've never had that happen before. Why don't you speak like the rest of them? That's kind of weird.." I said. She giggled lightly,
"It's more personal this way as nobody can hear what we say. Also, just think of what you want to say. I can pick up on what you want to say without you directly coming out and saying it."
"I don't know how I feel about that but if you insist.."
"Anyways, as I was saying, ignore them. They just want in your pants."
I shook my head quickly, trying to process what she had to said. "Excuse me?" Again she giggled,
"Don't worry. They know better than to act on their impulses. They're just some horny canines, really."
"I'm sorry... but what?" Did she really just say what I think she did?
"Hehe, just ignore them." She glanced over to the Zangoose who had a bigger smile on her face than before. It was super unsettling to say the least.
"Not sure if I'll be able to now.."
"Sorry to interupt you two but mind if we back into this?" Mike asked. Gem nodded and Mike again pet her lightly.
"Where were we.. oh yeah!" Mike exclaimed. "So you're open minded about the whole Pokephilia idea?"
"Jumping the gun there, aren't you?" I asked. He shrugged,
"No point in beating around the bush."
"Fair enough. In a sense, I suppose I am. I don't really care for it as I've never really seen an interest in Pokemon but that goes the same for humans. As for others, I've never really cared as long as nothing's forced. Might as well let some horny kids have some fun on their journeys." I chuckled lightly.
"Ever been come onto by one?" Mike asked with a chuckle himself. I shook my head no,
"Not unless you include those two," I said, pointing to Casey and Arabella, "I never thought I would be, either."
"Well pardon them, they're always like that but they have enough manners to control themselves. At least I hope they do," He looked between them back and forth.
"Mike, we might like sex and what not, but we're not some vile sex machines." The Zangoose said.
"Yeah, we do have standards after all.." The Absol cut in.
"So why give me those creepy smiles, then?" I asked them both.
"Reasons," They both said again. I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever. What do you want with me Mike? This is creepy enough as is and I'm getting sleepy. I might stay up to one every morning but I do like some sleep every once in a while."
"Fine, I guess I do owe it to you."
"Damn right you do.." I said to myself.
"Pardon?" He asked.
"Nothing, continue." He nodded,
"What I sought you out for is to help bring justice to Pokephiles everywhere. We," He said indicating to the Absol, Zangoose, Gem, and himself, "all live in a town in a discreet location where only certain people know. as of now, we have easily over ten thousand living in this town, and counting."
"Ten thousand?" I looked at him skeptically. If what he's saying is true, there's no way this place is able to remain hidden and from public eye.
"Yep. I know I said that it's for Pokephiles but it's also a variable of different things. Pokephiles are the most common in our town. There's others such as supporters in our town who don't partake but were brought there to enjoy their lives without discrimination of those who don't agree with it." Mike informed.
"What exactly would this 'job' entail? What's the point of it? What will I be doing?" I asked. As much as I hated to admit it, I was curious about this. While I did prefer to stay out of the lives of Pokephiles since it often led to drama, this did peak my curiousity as to how so many people live in hiding so easily. I had my ideas but those were just ideas at the moment.
"I can't exactly say here what it will be doing. But, if you do chose to do it, you'll be given free residence to our city without worry of working to pay off any bills that are presented there. You'll be living for free, except the cost of entertainment, bars, social events, and things like those. Basically, you live for free."
"I'm assuming I'd be paid for this job?"
"Paid is an understatement." He said with a smug smile, knowing I was interested.
"How so?"
"The payment is always good. However, the amount always depends on how well a job is done and how clean it's executed." Well, there's another red flag in my head.
"Executed? You don't expect me to kill someone do you? Because if you do-"
"No, that's a different department. You're not in that at all unless it's absolutely necessary. But that's a one in a million scenario so you shouldn't ever expect that." I sighed a mental sigh at that.
"Good, because that almost made me leave right now. Now, I respect that you want me to do whatever this job is. However, what if I were to decline?" Mike shrugged,
"It happens. I'd ask you to at least come to the city with us and try out the job before you fully judge. But, if you still declined, I'd have to understand and move on. You'd still be welcomed to the city but you'd have to pay for your living expenses and whatnot." I nodded lightly,
"I see. Now my next question is, how often is this job I have?"
"Usually every other day, sometimes every two days. Some of this stuff takes a while to plan out. That's also not to say we can't work around whatever schedule you may have. Most of this work is flexible and can be moved around. However, there are sometimes certain jobs that can't be moved around. Like I said, I will explain more if you do go there. Until then that's all I can say about it."
"I guess this is some kind of top secret thing?" I chuckled. He nodded,
"In a sense, yeah, it is."
"Since I'd have a day or two off between 'jobs', seeing as you made it sound like I'd have a different one each time, what exactly is there to do for fun?"
"Plenty!" Casey cut in. I looked at Mike expecting him to explain but he didn't. Instead, he let Casey continue, "There's movie theaters, shopping malls, a couple swimming arenas, an outdoors park, a battlefield for people who like to battle, and, on the other side of town is a club where it's nothing but sex."
"Seemed normal until you mentioned that last one." I said.
"It's true though," Arabella cut in this time, "This club is known among Pokephiliacs and also some who don't partake in that type of thing."
"Why's it so known?" I asked curiously.
"It's known because of the fact that, any Pokemon a person could want to get their freak on with, it's there, excluding legendaries. Those are beyond rare to see there. But that doesn't mean they don't show up," She said with a wink. "But if a person ever did want to try a legend, that's what I Ditto is for!" She giggled.
"Huh, makes sense I suppose." I said. She smiled brightly, "And by the way, never say 'get your freak on' ever again. That has to be the weirdest way to say it," I joked. She stuck her tongue out at me playfully,
"I'll do what I want," She joked. I smiled until I could have sworn she said, "And you're next," But I didn't really think anything about it.
"Well Mike, I can say you've peaked my interest in this. Which to say is surprising because that usually takes a lot to do. So I guess I'll say to go ahead and sign me up. I'm assuming this city is in some far away land, far, far away?" I asked jokinly. Arabella and Gem both rolled their eyes and Mike chuckled,
"Yeah. It is. It takes a full day by foot and only half a day by car travel. You'll be travelling with four Pokemon. They all know the way. Is that okay?" I shrugged,
"Depends. Are any of them going to make a move on me?" I asked cautiously. He shook his head no,
"I doubt it. If they do, explain how you stand on it. Just keep an open mind as you say you do and it'll be fine." He informed. I nodded.
"Alright. When will I be leaving?" I asked.
"Sun rise tomorrow. Is that okay?"
"What about my job? And my family?"
"Ah, dang, I knew I forgot something. The one thing about coming here is that all those ties must be cut. I don't know how close you are to your family or how many friends you have but those must be severed. I'm sorry.." He said.
I sighed, "It's whatever. I was beyond that point anyways. Will there be any kind of reasoning explaining where I am? And what about my online friends? Like my gaming friends?"
"Those are fine so long as you don't give any information at all of your location or what you do. As for the family part, as dark as it may seem, we make it seem like an accident happened while driving or a break in or something and you ended up dead and unrecognizable. It leads to a closed casket funeral where you'll then be gone."
"Well, dark's an understatement. If it turns out I don't enjoy my job will I be able to return home?"
"Sadly no. You'll be required to stay there. You know, secrecy and whatnot."
"Fair enough. I guess I'm involved in this. What not?" I asked. He stood up with Arabella, Casey, and Gem following suit.
"We go get the ones you'll be travelling with. Let's go," He said, opening the door to the rest of the restaraunt.
...
We all travelled to the local Poke Center where Mike said he had to make a phone call to someone to send over the ones I'd be with. While we waited, he instructed I had to choose either Casey or Arabella to join me in the little trip.
And let me tell you, that fucked me hard.
I hate making decisions like this where I have to chose who to be with. I always felt bad when doing it since I had the mind set of people always getting upset over something so small. I even told Mike that and he said they'd both understand. But that made it no easier.
A few moments later, Mike motioned for all of us to follow him. He went past the night nurse and she nodded lightly, "Enjoy your stay," She said as we walked by. We walked down a hall until we came to a door towards the end where he then inserted a key into a key slot and opened the door where we all walked in.
"So," Mike began as he took a seat on the couch across from the bed where I sat, "Have you made a decision on which of the two you'd like to go with you?" I shook my head no,
"I don't like those decisions so I didn't decide. It would make no difference to me. So whoever, I don't care." He sighed and rolled his eyes,
"Just pick one." He said.
"Nope."
"Are you always this stubborn?" He asked. I chuckled lightly,
"You have no idea."
"Fine," He groaned, "Casey, you go with him. Arabella, I'll take you back to the city and you arrange his housing and everything. That okay with you both?" He asked. The both nodded and Casey walked over with a big smile on her face to where I was sitting then sat next to me, a bit closer than I'd preferred.
"You know, that smile is a bit unsettling," I told her. She giggled,
"Don't worry, I get that a lot." I rolled my eyes at her,
"Want to continue?" I asked Mike. He nodded,
"Come on out Windie," He said as he threw the ball. Out came a giant canine covered in mainly orange fur with black stripes throughout it. The Pokemon had a giant, poofy head of hair on its head and a really fluffy looking tail. It shooks it's head for a moment, trying to get its barings from the cramped little ball.
"Well shit, it's been a while, Mike," The Arcanine said in a very feminine voice. He chuckled,
"Yeah it has. How have ya been?" He asked.
"Decent. Not much to complain about," She said as she looked over to me. "Who's this?" She asked.
"That's Karros. Mind escorting him to the town? It's a lot quicker if he rode on your back than if he walked, what with you being the apparent fastest runner in the world." She nodded happily,
"Fine with me. Hi Karros," She said with a smile, extending her paw towards me as if wanting to shake hands.. paws.. I don't know, "I'm Windie." She said.
"Nice to meet you," I said as I shook her paw. Content with our little introduction, she sat down next to me and Mike continued again,
"Next up is Lilly," He said as he released a blue quadruped. It had one long tail fin and these giant, beige, fin-like ears. "What's up Lilly," He said and she, pretty apparent by the name that this Vaporeon is a girl, looked up to him,
"Hey. How have you been Mike?" She asked.
"Decent, same old, same old." He said.
"Typical Mike. What about you sis?" She asked the Espeon.
"You two are sisters?" I asked. Mike nodded,
"Yeah they are. They don't act like it though."
"Oh really?"
"Yep. Gem is more quiet and reserved while Lilly here is more prominent in what she wants."
"I see. Seems like most sisters," I said with a small chuckle.
"..well you'll have to tell me more about him when I see you again," Lilly said to Gem. Gem nodded and looked to me, "I'm assuming I'm here as an escort?" She asked Mike. He nodded,
"Yep. But not the main traveller, you're for where the under water portion comes in. He has to be able to breathe somehow, you know." He said. She giggled,
"Fine with me," She said as she walked over to me. "Hi, I'm Lilly."
"Karros." I replied. She looked at me as if in some kind of shock,
"No way, is that your real name?" I nodded,
"Yeah, why?" I asked.
"I've never heard a name so different like that," She said as she jumped onto the bed next to Casey, "I like it," She said with a smile. I smiled back at her as Mike tossed me another Pokeball that he didn't open.
"Last, but not least, is Kelly. She's a Lapras. Obviously, she needs water so I can't release her here. Just release her when Casey or Windie says. You'll have to recall Windie but Casey can stay out if she wants. Lilly can also be called out if she'd like or she can stay in her ball until Kelly says." He informed me.
"Any reason they're all female?" I asked. He shrugged,
"Luck of the draw?" He said. I rolled my eyes,
"I'm sure. Anything else?" He thought for a moment,
"One more thing before I go. Here," He said as he fished for something in his pocket a moment before pulling out a phone, "this phone is for an emergency and an alarm clock to get up. It's only for emergency or if you're being followed. Got it?" He said. I nodded,
"Yep."
"Alright," He said as he started to walk towards the door,"anything else you'd like to ask?"
"One more question, what about my possessions?"
"Normally we'd say bring them but, since your job will have you higher up in the ranks, they'll all be replaced or even replaced with better stuff. Don't worry about it." He said with a smile. I couldn't help but grin at him,
"Seems fine to me."
"Figured. Anyways, I've done my part for now. This time tomorrow, you'll be asleep in a much more calm place or up partying all night. Depends on what you do first. But for now, I'll let you get some sleep since you'll be up early." He said as he opened the door. Hehanded me Casey, Lilly, and Windie's Pokeball before stepping out.
"And don't worry, this room is free of cost. I've also arranged breakfast as well. Don't worry about showering since you'll be on a lake for half of tomorrow." I nodded in understanding, "Take it easy and have a fun day tomorrow," He said. I smiled back to him,
"Will do." With that, Mike and Gem left, leaving me here with a lusty-eyed Zangoose, a Vaporeon who I thought was hitting on me because of my name, and an Arcanine who looked as if she was expecting something from me. Trying my best to ignore it, I walked over to the bed and sat down then removed my shoes and tank-top.
"Hope you don't mind I sleep in a shirt," I said. Casey and Lilly both giggled and Windie just blushed,
"Not at all," Casey said. I rolled my eyes as I slid under the covers.
"You can sleep up here with me or wherever you want. I don't care," I said. Just as I finished, I was almost tackled as Casey rushed to claim her spot on my right before burying herself in the blanket. Lilly then trotted up to the other side of me and laid down, not bothering to cover herself. Windie, on the other hand, didn't move from her spot.
"As much as I'd love to join you guys, I'm too big. Maybe some other time I'll take their spots for a night," She winked. I laid there dumbfounded and she laughed, "I'll sleep down here." She said as she curled into a ball.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Positive. Better get some shut eye, Karros or you'll hate the ride tomorrow." She said before closing her eyes. I sighed and laid back fully into the bed.
"Umm.. Karros, if it's not too weird for you, can you hold me while I sleep? I have trouble sleeping if nobody does.." She asked nervously. I thought Mike said she was straightforward or whatever?
"Uh, yeah, I suppose." I said as I wrapped an arm around her midsection and pulled her close to me. Now, don't get me wrong, this made me feel uncomfortable as fuck but, at the same time, I kind of enjoyed it. A moment later, I felt Casey wrap one of her arms around my side and then heard her sigh lightly.
"Thank you.." I heard Lilly say just before I drifted off into possibly one of the best nights of sleep in a long time.