Hello everyone, how are you feeling this week. I'm a little disappointed with myself for chapter 16, so I gave you another chapter earlier than usual. I hope you enjoyed it. Also, I thought this was my last week of real school but it turns out my friend only meant that this week would be the last one where we actually learn things. Next week is all review for the finals. But I digress, here is chapter 18. I hope you enjoy.

Fallingarcher22: Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed it so much. yeah, i had imagined what had been happening during the battle, I hope everyone managed to at least get an idea about what I was trying to do

Rubyspe: Thanks, I put as much as I could into that chapter. I think battle are all I'm good at too. Romance and drama aren't my specialty

Noble Boss: 1.) I know what you mean, I hate it when a great idea is spoiled by short chapters or the author giving up on the story

Noble Boss: 2.) Well I'm happy the battle came out as well as I like it to have. I think I'm batter at battles than everything else. And I explain what happens during the battle. Well, I plan on doing a chapter with Ruby and Sapphire and Sapphire's boyfriend will be explained then. until then I will have to ask you to wait though, sorry. Well, there's fluff, but I'm not sure how you'll like the ending to this chapter.

jojo298: You're absolutely welcome. Sorry for the (in my opinion) bad chapter before that one

Sailor Taichichi Vegeta: 1.) I wish I knew who William Wallace was/is. That might be part of it. Naw, no one had a good enough ice type for Hunter J.

Sailor Taichichi Vegeta: 2.) Aren't those one in the same? Of course he does, Charizard us a badass and I made him so in this as well. Ash will never accept death, he will punch it in the gut and steal its shit. I hope you liked Charizard's kill.

Guest: Thank you, I'm happy you liked it. Of course he is, after all that talk about being able to take out J, all he did was slow Salamance a little. Hmmm, I wouldn't exactly call this "better" per say.

Chapter 18: Sweet Goodbyes

-Ash's POV-

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was that I couldn't feel anything. The second thing was that I couldn't move my body at all. Just opening my eyes was a difficult task. But when I finally got them open I noticed a few people talking around me. I must be laying on something because they weren't right side up. Eventually, after I had come to all these conclusions I realized I couldn't hear. I tried to focus in on what they were saying but I couldn't make out anything they were saying. It was all just jumbled sounds. So I closed my eyes and took a deep breath

Breath in. One, two, three

Breath out. One, two, three

I reopened my eyes and focused one more time, this time the conversation came to me clearly. "The Charizard refuses to let go of the head. It's disgusting, it just leaves it on the ground but if we try to take if away it steps in front of it and growls. One guy got his hand burned because he got to close. he was just trying to give the guy food too. We have to restrain him, he is a danger to everyone around him" a tall man said

"Leave Charizard to me, I tend to have a way with fire types. Just get something to make him wake up. It's been almost a week" a younger voice said

"You heard the doctor, he just needs to sleep and he'll eventually wake up. His wounds aren't even that bad, it's just exhaustion that's got to him" the tall man said

"But what caused him to be so exhausted? I've seen the guy take on entire bandit groups and taking more hits. The next though he'd be gone or already up and doing something that was probably going to reopen the wound. I suppose I shouldn't say anything though. He's being healed by two Aura Guradians and their Lucarios. No sick person can say that"

"Exactly, all we can do is wait for him to wake up" the tall man said

"And her" the young man said

"I don't like it. She has never been attached to anyone this much. Who in their right minds runs towards massive columns of flames and roaring? It's just not right"

"Captivity can change people. Plus when no one else was there to help her he showed her the way back to those she cared about. I haven't known her for all that long but she values people who help her and are nice to her" the young man said

"I suppose" the man said begrudgingly

"Well, what are you going to do? It's not like you can restrict her or anything. She likes who she likes. Even if that person happens to be kind of an asshole" the young man said

"Fuck you too" I croaked

I saw both blurry heads snap in my direction "Ash! Holy shit you're awake. How are you feeling? Can you move?" the young man said. "No" I sputtered. Barely managing just that one word. That first sentence took out almost all of my energy. The young man moved till he was standing next to me. I could just make him out of my peripheral.

"You are one tough bastard" Ruby said "We found you unconscious with your Charizard carrying you away from us. Where were you planning on going?"

I just stayed in my place, unable to do anything. "Are you okay? Can you talk? Did you just fall back asleep with your eyes open? That's creepy as hell" Ruby said. Using as much strength as I could muster I brought my middle finger out from my clenched fists. I saw him grin at that. "Glad to have you back Ash"

I managed to smile at him. "Well Ranger, you'll be pleased to know that we won the battle. After you had diverted Hunter J from attacking out ground troops we destroyed those untrained cannon fodder. We lost half of Platoon E as you have named them. We're bringing up more men from our reserves and any civilians that are willing to volunteer. After my speech they seemed very willing. We now have Platoons going from A to J now. From six to ten platoons. I'd say were doing nicely. Also, with all the men they sent aid the outpost we attacked we cleared out three more because they sent all their troops who we wiped out in the battle. We also took two more because they had barely any men to defend it because they sent all they had to help the outpost" The man who I identified as King Norman.

I juts continued to stare at the ceiling "Sir Aaron was also found, he was trying limp his way towards where we found the site of your battle with Hunter J. I must say, you have a great way of destroying things. Also my guards told me you... jumped off the tower May and Dawn were on. I won't make any comments on that. But I wish you a swift recovery as I take my leave" Norman said while walking away. I heard his footsteps recede and the door to what I assumed was the infirmary open and close.

"Your not in the infirmary" Ruby said as if reading my mind "They took you to this room with one bed and medical supplies. I think its the royal infirmary or something. The fuck if I know but you're getting special treatment. And I mean that in more ways than one" I looked at him and he saw the question in my eyes "When you get enough strength, I suggest you look down" he said with a chuckle. I frowned, that did not sound like something I am going to enjoy. Ruby chuckled once more before standing up and saying goodbye and leaving the same way King Norman did.

And so I sat, or laid, in that same position just staring at nothing. Until, I finally found the strength and ability to turn my head the forty five degrees I needed to see what Ruby wanted me to.

When I finally managed to make the painful journey of two inches to the left (How come I can feel everything from the neck up but nothing else?) I laid my eyes upon May. She had her head bowed and I could hear the faint inhale and exhale of her breath. She had her hand clasped tightly around mine (Not that I could feel it) and judging from what I had heard earlier, I'd say she and been there for a while.

At first I thought of all the ways I could wake her up. I could yell, pretend I'm dying and giving her my last words, pretend that I have amnesia, or smack her over the head Riley style. Then I remembered that I can't move. Such a huge opportunity lost. So I settled with simply squeezing her hand as hard as I could, which was not that hard.

It was, however, enough to make her stir and look up. A strand of hair was stuck in her mouth and the rest was a little ragged. I would've teased her if I could make more than one sentence at a time. She looked around for a moment before looking up at me, staring for a moment and I just stared back.

Then, her face lit up like a fire blast and she jumped on me and hugged me. "Ash! Your awake. I'm so happy" she squealed from above me as she straddled me "Are you okay? A-are, are you going to die?" she asked fearfully. I would've rolled my eyes if I could. I settled with the less painful "no".

"So how are you feeling?" she asked

"C-can't move" I got out

"What do you mean?" she said

I just stared at her and though 'What do you think I mean? I can't fucking move for Arceus' sake. What other meaning could that possibly hold?'

"Can you feel anything? Are you numb?"

"Can feel, neck up" I said.

"So you can feel this?" she said as she flicked me in the forehead. I glared at her "Hell is, wrong with you?" I managed. Five syllables, new record. She just giggled "But you can't feel this?" she said as she flicked by chest. Weird how just now I noticed that I am completely bare chested aside from the bandages that covered my body. This time I did roll my eyes. "And just to be sure, you can feel this" she said, putting extra stress on the "can" while pinching my cheek.

"Why?" I asked with another glare. She frowned "Because you've been a big jerk this entire week to me. You gave me half assed responses and sometimes no responses. You just sat in that chair and stared out the window"

"Nice view, out the window" six syllables, hell yeah. Suddenly May got a devious look on her face. She leaned in close to and whispered in my ear "I want to know what makes you tick" where the hell did that come from? My train of thought was interrupted as I suddenly felt something that was below my neck. May's hands were on my chest, one lazily drawing circles.

May grabs my right wiry and brings my hand to fed face "My mom used to kiss my cuts to make them feel better" May said. I am transfixed on her as she kisses my wrist, I feel my other hand clench when she kisses my thumb and slowly moves across my knuckles before working her way down my arm. Setting my skin ablaze with her trail of kisses.

I feel my fingers clench, how is it that she can makes my body go from completely numb to on fire in two seconds. "Ash, don't take it out on the bed, it hasn't one anything wrong" May said. I realized that I was grabbing the mattress and all the sheets very forcefully. I clench my teeth when she shifts her hips. She sighs against my skin that sends trembles through me. I couldn't move not thirty seconds ago and now it's taking all my willpower to not buck my hips, I refuse to give in, I will not fall for this.

"What is it you want Ash?" May asks while sitting back up. "You" I wanted to say but refused to let my mouth move. She leans back in and kisses just above my stomach and slowly, so painfully slowly, works her way up till she reaches my neck. She works her way across my jaw till she reaches my cheek and finally her lips connect with mine, listening to the silent prayer I will never admit to thinking.

She pulls back, her face flushed and just a few inches away from mine. But for some reason she's the one out of breath. I'm the one having a heart attack here. She leans back in and kisses me once more, it started out slow but soon I felt her tongue force itself into my mouth. All I could do was close my eyes. She moaned into my mouth and I found my hands on her hips, somehow finding the strength to move with no pain.

Finally, I gave in. I pressed my self to her, wrapping my arms around her body and pulling her in close. I heard her moan again and press herself into me even further than we already were. After what seemed like an eternity we separated, still connected by a thin trail of saliva "Seems like I've cured you of your immobility" May whispered, out of breath again. I mentally beat myself to the ground. How could I fall for this. Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot.

"Well I think that's all for today" she said but then leaned in till she was right next to my ear "But don't worry there will be more where that came from" she whispered while nibbling on my ear. She kissed me one last time, just a peck on the lips. A tease as to what she said would be coming later before rising off me and walking to the door. Not sure how I feel about that

I regained myself and (somehow) sat up and looked after her. Just as she was turning the corner she paused and looked back at me. She winked and blew me a kiss and closed the door to the room. I sat there, staring at where she had been. What happened to her? She used to be such a shy innocent girl. What could've have changed in the time I've been unconscious. I cursed myself for being so weak willed.

I leaned back into the bed. That was not what I had expected from that little... talk.

Like an hour later though, after sitting in bed berating myself the entire time, I realized I could move again, it wash't just a "I got the strength only to get out of this situation" kind of thing. I sat up, but regretted it almost instantly. I could move, but I was sore and stiff as hell. The adrenaline from ki-, I mean conversing with May has worn off. I jumped off the bed and began walking/limping out of the room. I opened the door lazily and left it half open. I wandered around the castle for, who knows how long before I found myself outside. Watching some royals except... her, with some Aqua Guard platoons stand around Charizard. It looked they arguing they were all arguing about something.

Needless to say they were surprised when I walked past them (without a word) and sat in the crook of my Charizard's curled body. He was laying on the ground, curled into a crescent shape. The ground beneath him was burnt, it was just this thing that he needed to do every time he wanted to sleep. He'd breath a flamethrower on the space he wanted to sleep on and sleep on that charred area.

I sat down in the crook of his curled form, with one leg slightly raised and that same arm resting on top of it, and leaned back against him. He opened one eye to look at me for a moment before closing it again. I could hear other people saying something to me but I ignored them and focused on Charizard. I saw what Ruby and King Norman had been talking about earlier. The head of the Salamance he had killed was laying on the ground not far behind Charizard's massive form. It did kind of stink.

I stared at it for a few seconds "Charizard, could you please dispose of that trash, I don't want to have to look at it any longer" Charizard immediately stood up, pushing my forward so I was kind of hunched over, and walked over to the head and brought his mouth just a foot away and blasted it with a flamethrower. The flames coated the head of the Salamance and power behind the fire shot it so far back it hit the walls of the courtyard, hitting the wall and flying straight up above it like a beacon in the air.

I couldn't help but smirk as two guards that had been patrolling on the wall dove to either side of the column of flames to avoid getting burned. Was I showing off my Pokemon? Absolutely.

Charizard ended its flamethrower and stretched it jaw a few times before coming back to me, reassuming its curled position. I leaned back against him and peeked at where the head used to be, kind of enjoying the science he just cast upon the crowd that gathered to see my abnormally big and powerful fire type. I opened one eye to check out the crowd. A lot of the Aqua Guard was watching, Caroline and Johanna were here, the Magma Core minus Ruby were here, Riley was coming towards the group, but that was about it.

"Hey, where's Pikachu?" I asked my friend. He just grunted but I knew him well enough to understand what he meant.

"What do you mean he's hiding? What is there to hide from here?" I asked

Charizard made a few more grunts "Hiding from a stalker? Is he really that full of himself? I'm going to have to pitch him up against you and Garchomp to crank him down a few notches"

"Who had to be taken down a few notches?" Riley said, approaching me and Charizard. Charizard opened one eye at him and began to growl when he got within the "off limits zone" he had set for everybody except for me. I patted his stomach "He's a friendly... for now" Charizard just snorted, causing a burst of flames to erupt from both sides of his mouth.

"He doesn't look like he likes me" Riley stated

"He doesn't like anybody till you give him a reason to like you. It's jut show he works" I said

"So how are you feeling? Shouldn't you be in bed? You were only out for a week after all" Riley said

"You know me, I've always been a fast healer. And, unless Ruby was lying to me, I have been being healed by four aura users. that would probably sped up the process by a good month or so" I said, making a pretty good lie to cover for my sudden ability to move.

"He's right, and healing you was very taxing jut so you know Ash" Aaron said, just coming from Arceus knows where

'Perfect' I thought "Well if it ain't sleeping beauty. How was the fall?" I said cheekily

"As I recall, you were falling with me. And I fell unconscious because I ran out of oxygen while trying to get Pidgeot to wake up. You thought we were going to die as well. There is no way you could have known that your Charizard was going to come in at that excat moment" Aaron said

I shrugged "Maybe, maybe. But I did know he was going to show up at some point. And that when he did, we were going to destroy J. And guess what? We did, without your help might I add" I said "So much for the avenger" I said bitterly

"You got your revenge though right? Are you happy now?" Aaron said

"Oh I'm very happy, happier than I've been in a while. But just because I got my revenge, does not mean I forgive you. You're still an asshole and a bitch regardless of whether or not Hunter J is alive or dead"

"Excuse me sirs" an Aqua interrupted "I apologize for my interruption but, King Norman wishes to talk to you Ranger"

"Does he now? Well, I'll see you two around" I said while getting up "Charizard, don't eat anybody" I couldn't help but smile at how some people's faces paled

Soon I was at the King's Hall and went inside to find the throne, empty. I looked around but there were only a few maids cleaning. I walked over to the nearest one "Excuse me but do you know where King Norman is? I been called to conference with him" I asked.

"Oh yes, he's in his chambers right now" she said. I nodded my thanks and left to find wherever his bedroom was. And after asking twenty different people I finally found it and knocked. I heard a "come in" and entered to see King Norman reading a book rather casually for what I assumed was official business. "Ah, Ranger. I take it the messenger didn't direct you properly?" he said

I stood at attention by the door and nodded. "Well I apologize for that. And I also apologize for this" he said. He walked over to me an I tensed slowly bringing one hand to the handle of a knife, ready for an attack or something.

But he simply held out a rather large bag "Because I am relieving you of your services" Norman said.

I was surprised at first, but I let go of the my knife. "Oh, I see" I said. He got a confused look on his face "Why, what did you think I called you up for?"

I shrugged "To kill me"

"I am not a dishonorable man. Besides, based on your performance during the battle, I don't think I would be able to take you out by having a few guards coming in to my room and trying to kill you" He said

I shrugged again "Well my last employer tried to"

"Ah, I see. But I do apologize, it's just that we have cleared out many forts in this week alone. May and Dawn are no longer in any immediate danger. So your services aren't a necessity. And for what I'm about to do, I'll need al the money I can get for this campaign. I need to unite the people of Hoenn again. If we do that, We'll take back Sinnoh and with Sinnoh at our side, we'll overrun Kanto" he said.

"Well if that's all then I'll take my leave. Thank you for hiring me, it was a pleasure to work with you" I said while holding out my hand, giving him a smile. He smiled as well and grabbed my outstretched hand "The pleasure was all mine"

I nodded and left, walking towards the room that my bow and arrows, sword, backpack, sharpener, cleaning supplies, change of clothes, etc. were. I walked in to the room and my eyes were immediately drawn to the girl sitting on the bed. She looked up when I entered and our eyes met. I turned away from her and began to pack up my supplies.

"Is that how you say goodbye?" May said in a cold voice. "No. I say goodbye by saying the word. But I have yet to leave so I see no real need to say "goodbye" yet" I said while packing up all my supplies. 'Let's see bow and arrows? By the door. Sword? Also by the door. Straps? Ah, here they are' I thought before I felt a hand on my arm.

I put on the wraps that allowed me to carry a bow and a sword at the same time along with my knives. I turned to face May "How do you even know I'm leaving?" I asked, already knowing the answer. "Dad told me a few minutes after I left your room. Nice job recovering by the way. Seems like you can move just fine now" she said

"I suppose I have you to thank f-" I started but was cut off when I felt her lips on mine. I just stood there, letting her do it but not responding in any way. I won't fall for it twice. She stepped back and looked at me with sad eyes "Why don't you stay? I'm sure we can get you a job in the military" she said

I raised an eyebrow "I am not taking orders from some guys I can probably beat in a fight" I said

"But-" she began, but she silenced herself when I raised my hand. "May, I'm leaving. That's final" I said and began walking to the door. She ran in front of me and cut me off at the door, blocking it. "No" she said. I raised my eyebrow again. I grabbed her arm and easily pulled her our of the way and grabbed the doorknob. she grabbed my arm once more.

"Please don't leave" she said in such a broken voice that I turned back to look at her. She had tears in her eyes and was looking up at m. "Please, please don't leave me" she said in that same pleading voice. I opened my mouth respond but found I was incapable of a response. I closed my mouth and clenched my jaw, collecting my resolve.

I turned back around and began turned the knob and juts when the door was open a crack I felt her let go till he arms were around my neck and we were both falling to the ground. I turned myself so I would land on my back. We landed, half in the hallway and half in the bedroom. I looked up at her but once more I felt her lips connect with mine. but this time I wrapped my hands around her and held her for a moment.

Held her until one of my hands found the pressure point I was looking for and she fell unconscious in my arms. I sighed and picked her and carried her into my bedroom. I laid her down on the bed and grabbed by bow and arrow, strapping them to my back, and finally strapping my sword to my waist. i went though the open door, not before taking one last glance at her, and walking towards the exit.

I made my way outside and found Charizard in the same place he was when I last saw him, this time though, the crowd was gone. I went up to him and patted he stomach, earning a huff of approval form him. I stood up and put to fingers to my mouth and whistled as loud I could. I sat down crossed legged because I had to wait a few moments before Pikachu finally came running through everything. I smiled as he jumped into my lap and scratched him behind the ears.

"Alright buddy, we're going home. You ready to leave?" Pikachu looked at him in surprise before putting a finger to his chin in thought. "Pika!" he said, remembering something. He ran away in a quick attack and came back not a minute later, MUCH faster than when he left. "PIIIKAAA!" he called when he was still far away.

I recognized the call as did Charizard. I hoped on Charizard's back who had gotten ready at Pikachu's call and he jumped in between my legs. "Go" I said to him. I looked back to see what reason Pikachu had for calling for a quick escape. I saw a few people watching, some soldiers training, and... Eevee? The normal type was sitting in the spot we had just occupied, looking up at us with erg ears drooped. 'Why is she so sad?' I thought.

I looked back at the castle, my eyes drifting towards the room I had previously occupied, but I saw no one through the window.

I sighed and turned to face forward, not noticing the figure running out the castle after me

Well, cheater 18 is done. I hope you guys liked the double update. I don't do them that often so be happy. This was kind of a happy chapter that turned into something sad at the end. Sorry if you don't like it. Anyway, suggestions, requests, hate, and anything else are always welcome. Thanks for reading, and till next time.

-novaking2832