Chapter 15: The Quest Continues – Part 1

Now that everything was calm all over Galar once more, Karthaniel can finally continue the quest to become the champion. After the honorable trade with his Magnezone for Wallace's Rapid Strike Urshifu, his team was probably now dubbed 'unstoppable', but he had to make absolutely sure that this wushu pokémon was indeed worthy of the Davis name. After a good solid meal with the generous retired head manager and the rest of the Isle of Armor residents, the young formerly mentally unstable trainer decided to head back to his home in Hammerlocke that evening for a well-earned rest. This time, however, his parents decided to live with him in that spare bedroom he thought he'd never use.

After giving them a tour of his home, Karthaniel finally allowed them to see the bedroom for his parents and they immediately felt so much gratitude from the gesture, having Extonia give his only son an embrace as a thanks while Behemoth just admired it from behind her with a smile. Hatterene did the same from behind her trainer with Urshifu by her side. They held hands as well, which was unbeknownst to the Davises during that moment.

"Thank you so much for letting us stay, Karthaniel." Extonia started in a sultry tone of her motherly voice. "This means so much to us."

"It's a blessing to see that I wasn't the only one who survived that shipwreck." Karthaniel replied with just as much sincerity. "Call this my thanks for giving me that revelation, even though you were falsely taken in by Lawrence. With that in mind, I must ask you both:" He paused as the hug ended and he just stood before his parents with a regal glare of apprehension within his one brown eye and one blue eye. "How did you two survive? I managed with my exoskeleton for a short while before I met Hatterene."

"…it was absolutely terrifying." Behemoth replied as he held his wife close for comfort. Her brown eyes were moist with trepidation, but tears never escaped as her husband continued. "The storm prior to the wreck was the most intense I've ever seen during my long career as a sailor. I tried my best to control the ship after my first mate abandoned the wheel. With Extonia next to me after she told me that you had fallen overboard with six other crew members, it was my utmost priority to make sure we made it through the storm. It took ten of the most grueling minutes of my life and it was just too much to handle. A huge tidal wave at a whopping 200 feet came toward us and I had no choice but to take the plunge with our life jackets intact upon us. We ended up at sea… alone… just the two of us for the next week until we ended up at a forest near the outskirts of Postwick. That's where we met Lawrence and the rest is history."

"Huh! So, when Hatterene-love saw two figures holding hands near the Pokémon Center here…"

"That was us." Extonia finished. "Despite Lawrence's strong hold upon us, it never stopped Behemoth and I from taking the occasional stroll just for a peaceful breather from his clutches. We had to cloak ourselves, though. His orders."

"Why?!"

"He never said." Behemoth confessed, making his son calmly sigh with relief. "But, if we didn't want to receive quite the mouthful by the time we returned to him, we had to do it regardless. Sorry if it seemed like we were misguiding you and Hatterene during that time."

"It's okay. It was just good to see that you survived. Now, you two get some rest, okay? I've gotta inspect Urshifu before we go to sleep ourselves."

"Will do and thank you again for taking us in, Karthaniel-dear." Extonia replied before she and her husband gave their only son one more hug for the day before they finally settled down for the night, having the young trainer head out their door and gently close it afterwards, making Hatterene and Urshifu watch him with regal gleams of relief and honor respectively. Karthaniel had just turned towards them a few seconds later and softly chuckled at what he saw between them:

"You're holding hands already, eh?" He asked them with humor, making them both smile. "How sweet! It's not every day that a fairy and psychic type can bond with a fighting type so well in such a short amount of time, but in this specific case, it's definitely an understandable exception. How about we call him just your brother rather than godbrother?"

"That sounds better, Sir Davis." Hatterene agreed with Urshifu nodding twice in agreement. "Do you feel empty without your Magnezone? I can sense that burden within your soul." Karthaniel bowed his head with despondency, but never leaked a single tear as he spoke.

"I do admit that I miss him already, but I still have Duraludon and Corviknight as my two other steel types to keep me company. The rest of you are the best team I have in Galar and I'm sure we can become the new champions. Leon witnessed all that we've been through together, but I'm sure he's still not gonna back down on us. We all gotta be in tip top shape for him and that starts with inspecting all of your moves, starting with you, Urshifu. What do you have within your arsenal?"

"Surging Strikes, Drain Punch, Iron Head, Thunder Punch, and Poison Jab." Urshifu finally spoke for the first time. His voice was extremely deep, which made Hatterene feel shivers down her spine. Karthaniel remained perfectly still with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow of astonishment. "Master Wallace gave me an extra move for maximum coverage towards all of my weaknesses, except Psychic. I can still manage, though."

"You too, huh? Hatterene's not the only one anymore. She's got Mystical Fire, Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, and Shadow Ball, but has Wallace told you something about this Pokérus X2 bacteria that we missed back at the Isle of Armor?"

"Two things: First – I am infected with it as well. That's how I was able to gain a fifth move and I do have a slight increase in my physical offense as well. Second – She can learn a fifth move as well. You just lacked the knowledge."

"We sure did." Karthaniel and Hatterene admitted in unison, having the anthro silent pokémon blush and tip her hat to try her best to hide it at the same time. Sir Davis continued alone: "Well, that's actually good news for us. I've got two pokémon with the Pokérus X2 infection, but how did you get it?"

"After Wallace safely laid Hatterene's egg to a peaceful location, he swabbed a sample of the infection with a q-tip from the eggshell and secretly fed it to me by mixing it with a large leek curry he cooked with absolute perfection while I was a kubfu. I never knew about the infection until I evolved and he explained it to me. I'm fine with it."

"Good to know. Well, since that's the case, Hatterene-love, what fifth move would you like, then?"

"Giga Drain." Hatterene replied without hesitation. "It's a move that's sure to catch Raihan and Leon off guard for sure."

"I agree. I'll teach it to you tomorrow." The young trainer then yawned for a few seconds. "Right now, we better get some shut eye. We've got a big day tomorrow."

The next morning – 7:30 AM…

"Good morning indeed!" Behemoth started as he just got downstairs to see that his wife was cooking a hearty breakfast in the kitchen and all of the rest of Karthaniel's team waiting patiently in the living room adjacent to it. "What a team he's got: Rillaboom, Dragapult, Duraludon, Corviknight, and Urshifu. Wait! Where's Hatterene?"

"You didn't hear the commotion on the way down here, dear?" Extonia replied nonchalantly as she remained focused on cooking up perfect pancakes. Behemoth turned towards her at full attention before approaching her left side and remained silent for a moment to listen for what she meant. He still heard nothing but the skillet cooking.

"And I still don't hear it, whatever it is."

"I heard that Karthaniel and Hatterene are way more than just a trainer and his pokémon. It's been so long since they've done it together, ever since Lawrence was finally discovered. He even told me that they haven't been able to do it since before their battle against Melony and her son, Gordie. Until I announce that breakfast is ready, they should continue. I'm allowing it because I think it's absolutely precious."

"Huh! They do make an interesting couple. One thing's for sure, then: I'm glad we can't hear it down here."

"Heh-heh… true."

Meanwhile, in Karthaniel's shower…

It was their first time sharing the shower as well. It had been a very slow ten minutes since after Karthaniel and Hatterene washed themselves clean for the day and now they were deeply engaged in an insanely passionate kiss while Karthaniel had her perfect booty within his hands and her smooth legs wrapped around him while she was pinned up against the shower wall opposite from the still running steaming hot water and was using all of his strength to pump himself into her, making them both hum out the most sensual moans within their mouths. Another five slow minutes later, Karthaniel released the kiss and focused his mouth upon her neck, which made her sing out her most heavenly sounding groan she's ever performed since meeting the man. The sensation was incredible to Hatterene as she held him closer for more while her Psychic made absolutely sure that his dick was still fucking her with all the love in the world. Of course, she couldn't speak verbally about this, but mentally, she had this to say:

Ohhhh, my Arceus! It's been so long since we've done this! Karthaniel's still got it and he just feels so amazing inside me! I'm so glad my Pokérus infection doesn't affect him. Doing this daily will be a must after this journey is over. I just hope these 'urges' won't hit me like it would toward a human. If so, then I'll be very well prepared. For now, there's something I've always wanted to do to him and I'm hoping he can return the favor before we have breakfast.

Three more slow minutes later, both of their orgasms erupted at their highest simultaneously and it lasted for nearly one full minute. Fortunately, Karthaniel was still able to keep a firm grip on Hatterene's perfect derriere afterwards. They ended up just staring into each other's eyes deeply with utmost compassion, even while the anthro Silent Pokémon was gently stroking his face as well.

"…they always say, 'third time's the charm', love." Karthaniel started with humor, making Hatterene giggle her cutest since meeting the formerly fragile man. "You've been hungry for me all this time, haven't you?"

"I do admit that I have missed how much of a man you are within me." Hatterene replied with no remorse and no pink cheeks of arousal, but her eyes remained that famous passion pink with her pupils still as white as snow. "Now that we're at peace once more, opportunities like this will be more often than ever. Besides, your Mother hasn't called us down for breakfast yet. This is the perfect chance for me to 'sample' you, Sir Davis… if I may." She showed her darkest seductive smile after that was said and Karthaniel got the hint immediately.

"Now, Hatterene-love, you know that's well beyond your character, but I suppose so. I'm still stiff with anticipation because of the idea. You do whatever you desire and take your time. I won't protest. I promise."

"That's all I need to hear." After that last word, Karthaniel didn't waste any time giving his serene Hatterene a little more room for her to get down on her knees before him and she had to stop and take a good look of how much of a man he is for a moment. Her angelic gasp as she did so was enough verbal proof towards the young trainer that she loved it so much already. After thirty slow seconds of admiration, Hatterene took her sweet time using both of her slender hands to gently take his succulent cock into her mouth and almost drooled instantly upon tasting just the tip first. She sang out another harmonious moan as she carefully took in even more up until she about halfway up the 10 inch dick and began sucking on it like a baby doing the same towards a baby bottle. Karthaniel released a guttural groan of his own as he felt this new sensation and he couldn't help but lean his head back in ecstasy to take it all in. Unbeknownst to him, though, Hatterene also found just enough strength to use one hand to give more to herself simultaneously. It all felt and tasted so good to her for her first time on both instances and she never, ever wanted it to stop at this rate.

Of course, it was already embedded within their minds regardless: It will once breakfast is ready.

Fifteen minutes later, downstairs at the kitchen table…

"Glad you two had your fill and got it outta your system before your final challenge before the Champion today." Behemoth started with humor as he and his beloved wife were sitting across from Hatterene and Karthaniel at the kitchen table, eating breakfast together as a family for the first time in, what seemed like, forever. Karthaniel was dressed in his usual best for an upcoming battle, which was a pink and grey gradient designed leather vest with baggy silver jeans and white street shoes. "I'm also glad that you two are still continuing your journey, despite everything that happened. The only difference is that you won't have the pesky demon haunting you anymore. How was that experience for you, son?"

"Much more horrifying than I previously thought." Karthaniel replied with no remorse. Hatterene nodded twice in agreement as she remained silent to fully observe a truly peaceful family atmosphere for the first time. "The very first time the demon came into my mind was when I first settled down here in Hammerlocke after the shipwreck. I still had my exoskeleton upon my legs at the time and he knew I was extremely weak and vulnerable enough to succumb to his spell and kill myself on command. Fortunately, that's also the day Hatterene and I first met. She saved my life and vowed to protect me from the demon since she knew that her Dazzling Gleam was his weakness from the get-go, just like half the psychic type she is."

"Wow!" Extonia exclaimed as she and her husband took in every word from their only son. "You really weren't going to commit suicide, were you?"

"That's the only reason why the demon came within my consciousness anyway. I… lost hope for you at that moment and my mind was thinking that you didn't make it, so I figured I would put myself out of my misery and the demon showed up to assist that. Those were the only times the demon showed up…"

"Huh!" Behemoth replied with authority. "So, every time you felt like throwing in the towel, that's when the demon appeared." Karthaniel slowly nodded once with shame, keeping his head bowed down afterwards. Extonia showed sympathy within her brown eyes, but didn't say a word as her husband continued. "It's no wonder he was terrifying towards you. Now that he's been defeated, do you still feel those negative thoughts even though we're here with you now?"

"Yes, but it's not about you and Mum. It's about the mental state of the others. What I've put everyone through during this journey. I mean, sure; everyone is fine now, but somewhere inside me, I kept thinking otherwise. Of course, the only time those thoughts never rang through was when Hatterene and I were at the Glimwood Tangle. The essence of those mushrooms blocked everything, including the demon. Besides, being there revealed more about my beloved Hatterene-love and I'm okay with it."

"Glad you don't do that anymore, that's for sure." Extonia said with relief, making the anthro Silent Pokémon smile with humor. "So, now that all of this is over, what do you actually plan to do now?"

"I am still in the middle of this life changing journey. I've got one more challenge left before I face Sir Leon for the title of Galar Champion. I hear that Raihan's expertise in the Dragon type is superb beyond many others. With Hatterene here, she'll be sure to shine as bright as her Moonblast. That's why we've gotta train hard before we get there today. So, Mum… Dad… watch us. Okay?"

"Will do, son." Behemoth replied as he placed a hand upon his son's free one on the table with love. "Show us what your team can do." Hearing this made the young pokémon and trainer couple smile with admiration towards the parentals with utmost pride.

Meanwhile, at the Vault not too far from Karthaniel's home…

"Are you sure?!" Raihan asked with utter disbelief after Leon just explained everything that happened throughout the whole ordeal with Hatterene and Karthaniel. The one subject Raihan just questioned:

"Yes, the Pokérus X2 infection is harmless towards humans, but it's extremely powerful." Leon replied as he was standing before the young Dragon tamer with Sonia on his left and the anthropomorphized Diancie on his right, standing with her usual royal elegance in a flowing white long tunic with pink bootleg jeans. "So many factors building up towards that discovery made perfect sense, especially the fact that before Hatterene was captured by Lawrence, she really lived up to her pokédex entry. She literally used that hat claw of hers to savagely tear apart all those people within his crew, including some members of his family… all because their research equipment was too loud and she couldn't get any sleep that night. Now that she knows this and, since the enhancement, she hasn't done it again since. In addition to it, it also gave her one extra move, which has been left blank all this time. She probably got her fifth move now as we speak and it's a mystery as to what it could be. So far, we already know that her move set is Moonblast, Psychic, Mystical Fire, and Shadow Ball."

"Aw, man…" Raihan muttered as he nervously scratched the back of his head with both hands while he paced in a small circle with trepidation. "I am so anxious about this. So, who does Karthaniel have in his team now? I do remember who I gave him at the start of this dangerous journey, but I just wanna be sure."

"Allow me to answer this one, Sir Leon." Diancie came in with her royal grace in her beautiful voice. Leon nodded once towards her with approval before she continued: "He still has some of the pokémon you've given him already: Corviknight, Rillaboom, Dragapult, and Duraludon, but along the way, he has traded his childhood pokémon, Magnezone, for Sir Wallace's Rapid Strike Style Urshifu, who is also infected with the Pokérus X2 bacteria. He already has his five moves: Surging Strikes, Drain Punch, Iron Head, Thunder Punch, and Poison Jab. In other words, he's got full coverage for almost all of his weaknesses and he has an increase in practically every one of his stats, except his special attack. How much of an increase is the only mystery."

"Damn! I'm due for quite the challenge ahead of me. So, only Hatterene and Urshifu have this Pokérus X2 thing, right?" All three before him nodded twice in response simultaneously. "Hmm… can one of them dynamax?"

"We're not sure on that one." Sonia replied matter-of-factly. "But with that increase in power that they both have, it's highly unlikely that they even need to at this rate. Maybe one of his other four pokémon can dynamax instead, especially with Corviknight, Rillaboom, and Duraludon being able to gigantamax as well. Are you still nervous about it?"

"I feel a little better. I guess that means you're up for that challenge, too. Am I right, Leon?"

"Indeed." The Galar Champion replied admittedly. "Despite being with him throughout this journey to be rid of the demon as well as possibly dethroning me, I'm actually looking forward to our historic battle. We are guaranteed to throw everything we've got at each other with maximum power. You shall do the same, Raihan. We'll be watching from the bleachers, so don't disappoint us."

"Will do, champ! Karthaniel had better done his homework, then."

Later, at 3:15 PM at the South Lake Miloch section of the Southern half of the Wild Area…

"Well! It's safe to say that Wallace has raised you well!" Karthaniel started with an impressed tone in his handsome British accented voice as he and Urshifu were just finished setting up a few tents for their break from training. Hatterene was currently practicing her new Giga Drain move towards a few water types from the nearby lake as she rode on top of Corviknight over the waters. "Not even a few garbodor and copperajah could stop you."

"Ever since he first acquired me as a kubfu many years ago, I knew he was worthy of raising me to be the very best Urshifu I could be." The wushu pokémon replied as he had just finished setting up the third and final tent alone before standing perfectly straight before Karthaniel as he continued. "When he told me about the whole ordeal with an elder hatterene and her ditto lover, that's when I increased my concern and care for this Hatterene's future, even after he told me that he had infected me with the same exact Pokérus bacteria."

"Glad you felt that way all these years and you still do today. Getting all the truth about her entire existence was indeed a bit tough to swallow for her at first, but I'm glad she finally accepted it all with open arms plus her hat claw. She… felt guilty about it all back when she first told me at the Glimwood Tangle before my battle against Opal and Bede. She was worried that I wouldn't still love her after that."

"And I see you still do. I mean, I've seen many different bonds between trainers and their pokémon throughout my years alongside Wallace, but yours is a first for me. You're not only very close to her, but it's at the level where you're enamored with her. Do you really make love to her as well?"

"On occasion, yes. In fact, we did it earlier today before breakfast in my shower. I'm sure you don't want to hear the lewd details of it, especially since we're about to have some curry shortly."

"Just hearing that it happened in the shower was enough of a clue for me, but I am curious about one thing: Does the hat claw get involved in the fornications?"

"Miraculously, no! She does it without the hat and uses Psychic to make the sensations last longer for both of our satisfaction." Right after that last word was spoken from Karthaniel, Hatterene's Giga Drain training finally came to an end as she and Corviknight approached the two, having her dismount off the raven pokémon with her sweetest smile to date since meeting the man. "How's the Giga Drain, love?"

"It's very powerful!" Hatterene replied with astonishment. "Going up against Raihan will be something of an amazing experience. I hear he's a dragon-type expert."

"Which will give you the advantage this time. I do know that it won't be easy, though. He'll throw everything he's got at us, but we're gonna reflect it right back with finesse. I've already decided on having you and Urshifu battle alongside each other, but choosing two more will be tough. Who do you suggest, Hatterene-love?"

"I want you to show Urshifu your steel-type prowess." Karthaniel got the hint from that phrase immediately and chuckled at how sultry it sounded. Urshifu nodded once in agreement with a smile of humor. Corviknight nodded once as well with understanding. "Already know where I'm going with this, Sir Davis?"

"Without a doubt. Duraludon and Corviknight – got it! I can already tell that you know that I'm truly okay without my lifelong partner, Magnezone. I do miss him already."

"Aww, don't worry, Karthaniel." Hatterene made a small sensual stroll towards him and wrapped her slender arms around his strong neck by the time she stood right before him with the passion glowing within her eyes without them glowing pink. "I can sense him from here, love. He's doing perfectly fine with Sir Wallace. He even plays the role of being a source of transportation every once in a while when he gets tired of walking."

"At his age, I'm not surprised to hear that." The young trainer gently had his strong hands around the anthro Silent Pokémon's hips as he continued with a regal look of sympathy. "Also, while I have the chance, I'm honored to give you my deepest condolences to your parents. I'm sure your mother would've given you all the love in the world had it not been for Kenneth. Don't know about Ditto, though."

"Technically, he would play the role of every pokémon's father if he were to mate within a nursery, but this Ditto is indeed very special to me. He provided this power that I've got here." She then bowed her head with her eyes looking at Karthaniel's chest in an aimless manner. "I'm sure Kenneth meant well, but I guess since this was a secret operation that should be kept away from potentially spying eyes, drastic measures had to be made. I… fear that he probably wanted me dead as well." Hatterene began to tear up as she was now embracing her beloved trainer with her slender hands sliding up his broad back for comfort. Karthaniel pulled off a handsome smile of understanding as he volunteered to take off her famous hat in respect as well. "Sir Wallace saved my life rather than raise me."

"Actually, he did both, love." Hearing that made the solemn forest witch look up at his one brown eye and one blue eye that showed utmost devotion towards her. She returned the gleam with her a cute smile. "Putting you as an egg in a safe location was the life-saving part and thinking about you on the daily was the raising part. He may not have physically raised you all these years, but since he confessed that you've been on his mind at every moment of his life since then, it seems like he actually did. Who knows? Someone may have, at least, preserved your Mother's body somehow as well."

"That's a definite possibility. For now, though, it's more like wishful thinking. I would love to see my mother someday." The two never released each other from the embrace that was now being spectated by the rest of Karthaniel's team, having Urshifu have his right hand over his chest with respect.

"And we would all be honored to meet her someday, too." The humble wushu pokémon added in a low voice that only the others could hear before they all bowed their heads in a moment of silence in honor of Hatterene's Mother.

To be continued…