Avery's Pokémon

Eevee (?)

Nature: Rash

Gender: Female

Ralts (Lady)

Nature: Modest

Gender: Female

Chapter Sixteen: Communication

I slept for a long time. I was exhausted, mentally and emotionally. I let Eevee sleep on the edge of my pillow, but I returned Lady to her Pokéball. I didn't want her to get hurt or do anything while I was asleep. Despite that, I woke up with her sitting on my chest, squishing my face with her tiny nub hands. Definitely not in her Pokéball.

"Ralts~" She cheered when she saw that I was awake, beaming down at me. And she didn't stop squishing my cheeks. Her hands were soft and warm, but it was still annoying. Half-asleep, I sat up with a big yawn and grabbed her. I placed her beside me and shook my head.

"Lady," I yawned again, "did you somehow let yourself out of your Pokéball again?"

Lady gave me an innocent smile, bashfully avoiding my eyes. Once again, I remembered she wasn't an ordinary Pokémon. I liked that unique part of her, though. I just hoped it wouldn't get either of us into trouble while she was growing up. I reached over and ran my fingers across her helmet-shaped head and sensitive crest. She murmured pleasantly, leaning into my touch as usual. I liked how Lady's head -especially the red crests- always had this strange, warm feeling coming from it. It was almost comforting being able to hold her like that.

"Eevee," a grumpy little voice snapped. My starter Pokémon threw her body into my wrist full force, breaking my hold on Lady. A lance of pain shot through my wrist and I clutched it.

"Ouch! Why are you like this, Eevee!?" I scowled, trying to rub the ache away. It was way too early in the morning for her to beat on me! "Now I'm definitely not giving you any attention. If that's what you were after."

Eevee matched my glare with one of her own, smirking victoriously when I eventually broke eye contact. I was aggravated with her, but mostly relieved. She was back to her usual self. I'm glad that seeing my junk didn't scare her too bad. Shifting on the bed, I tossed my legs over the side and picked up my glasses and Pokétch from the nightstand. I put my glasses on and gazed at the screen: it was already 2!

"Shit, that late already? Guess I really needed the sleep." I yawned loudly and stood up. I wondered what I should do today. I had no plans other than go to the Pokémon Fanclub, which definitely wasn't going to happen now. I also had no money. That didn't leave me many options…Well, nothing I had to think about now. Especially when I had morning wood (thankfully hidden by my baggy pants) and needed to pee. I glanced at my two Pokémon. "I'll be right back."

I walked out of my room and headed downstairs. Much to my surprise, I heard the television playing. Sleepy and curious, I headed toward the sound. I was surprised to find Zoey and another girl sitting in the living room on our brand-new couch watching TV. My eyes widened when I noticed the other girls strange, bright hair color and twin tails. Oh no...

Both girls turned when they heard my footsteps. 'No fucking way…'

Clutching a cup of tea, the woman of my nightmares began to speak, "It feels like it's been forever, Avery. Even though it's only been a few days."

Zoey shrugged. "I ran into Marissa on the way home earlier, so I invited her over. Don't give me that look, she said she needed to talk to you and mom said it was alright." I wasn't giving her a dirty look because I thought she didn't ask permission. I was giving her a dirty look because she allowed this psychopath into our house. Then again, there was no way for her to really know how much I hated Marissa. Though, after the events with Eevee, she really should…

I glared at Marissa, still sitting and innocently sipping at her tea. I wanted to grab her by her pink twin tails and throw her out of the house. Instead, I forced a smiled.

"Hey, Marissa. Thought you'd be back next week."

She giggled. "Well, I just had to hurry home and meet the girl who managed to steal the heart of Avery Higgs. I flew instead. Cost me quite a lot, but worth it I'd say. I got to see your adorable little sister in the flesh."

My eye twitched. So, this was about Mabel. I figured. I forced a smile, "And just how long are you going to be here, Marissa? I'm sure Jack would love to see you."

Zoey glanced between us. "Wait...you have a girlfriend, Av-"

"Shh." I interrupted her. "So, yeah. How long, Marissa?"

Marissa's blue eyes flashed. "As long as it takes ~" She replied in a sing-song voice. "Anyways, your adorable sister and I are watching some contests. Would you like to sit down and join us?"

Zoey interjected before I could. "Don't forget I'm leaving in a few minutes. I told you, Alice and I are going to take a trip to Solaceon Town."

Solaceon Town? That was days away! Jack's warning floated into my mind. Jack had told me that Alice was hanging around with a predatory guy. There was no way I could let Zoey go. I opened my mouth, but Marissa spoke first.

"And I told you, I can't let you go," Marissa said, still smiling. She twirled one of her twin tails. "Hence why I said to wait for Avery. I'm sure he'll agree." Marissa met my gaze.

I turned to Zoey, frowning. "Why are you even going to that boring shithole? No one "wants" to go to Solaceon town."

Zoey crossed her arms and glared at both of us. "Hey! I have my Pokémon license and everything, you two! I'm basically an adult. I can handle leaving town. And for the record, Avery, some people do. Alice's boyfriend has an awesome vacation home near Solaceon and it's really nice!"

There it was. Alice's boyfriend. Once again, Marissa spoke up before I could even get a chance to. "I'm tired from travelling. So, I'll cut to the chase. Zoey, I know about what you do. The blog, the videos…everything. You could say I'm a big fan." I flinched, teeth clenching. But I kept my mouth shut because I was interested in what she had to say. I put my hand on Zoey's shoulder, to comfort her as much as possible. Marissa's beautiful face lit up when she noticed she had our rapt attention. She grinned. "And I know quite a bit about your friend, Alice. She's being preyed on by a man known as Christopher Styles, or… Chip Stylish. I, nor Avery, can allow you to leave with them."

I didn't like how she was ordering my sister around, but I didn't disagree with her.

Zoey didn't say anything for a long moment. Then, she sighed. "I know."

I blinked. "Wait, what? You know about this Christopher guy? And yet you're planning to go with her!?"

"It's complicated. I...like her."

A million emotions shot into me. Zoey... liked another girl? Jack's words rushed into me. I really didn't know Zoey. Literally nothing. I didn't know who she liked or how/why she did the things she did. There was a wall between us. We didn't understand each other. That pissed me off. Had I really failed as a brother this much? "Zoey. How many fucking people do you like? Static, Jack, and now this girl, Alice? At this point, what do you even know about love? You're making a stupid decision because some sick, childish version of love that you have in your head! You're too immature to make any sort of decis-"

"S-shut up, Avery!" Zoey snapped at me, her voice quivering but venomous. Her golden eyes narrowed, her teeth digging into her bottom lip. I was shocked into silence. Zoey has yelled at me, but never like that..."You think I don't know it's stupid? I'm going because I…because I...she and I…we're complicated. She's dating him but…but she doesn't like him! She just likes his money, and his attention, okay? Chip makes a lot of famous videos. He has his own show! But he hasn't been able to make the stuff people like him for. He…he makes a lot of videos with farm Pokémon. Tauros, Rapidash, that sort of thing…He can't do that in Hearthome. So, he wants to take her. Take her to Solaceon town. I can't…let her go alone. I know I'm weird, I know I feel things weirdly, but even so... I'm going with her. The entire reason I'm not on my journey is because she doesn't want to go!"

Marissa smiled. "How romantic."

I didn't know what to do with all this information. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. "Zoey…Zoey, I'm sorry. I sympathize but you're only fourteen. You aren't ready to do something like that. You're not a hero, you can't save her from this guy. You're just a kid."

Zoey clenched her fists. "I'm not a kid, Avery. I've done more than you have."

I grit my teeth. That's true. She wasn't a virgin. I don't even know who she lost it to. Or when, or where, or anything. I reached out and grabbed her wrist, tugging her close and pushing my face into hers. "You think acting like a slut with my piece of shit best friend makes you an adult, Zoey?"

"Let go of me!" Zoey struggled to pull away from me.

Marissa gasped. "A-Avery! You're gonna hurt the poor thing, let her go!"

I tightened my hold and sneered at her. "Oh shut up, Marissa. Stay out of my business. You want to blackmail me with Zoey, so shut your mouth!" I looked into Zoey's eyes. "You're. Not. Going. End of discussion."

Tears began to drip down Zoey's cheeks and she continued to struggle, desperate to escape my grip. I hated seeing her cry, but I couldn't take it back. Zoey was making such shitty decisions, I couldn't be soft with her this time.

"Let me go!" Zoey glared at me, even as she sobbed. "Mom said I could!"

That was the last straw. "Zoey, our mother is neglectful and horrible! She let you get into Pokeporn, and she doesn't even know! She made me work all these years because she is too lazy to! She couldn't even take care of my Ralts for one fucking night! What makes you think she knows better than me in this situation!? It has always been me who has taken care of us!"

Zoey scowled. She stopped struggling and she was completely silent for a long, painful minute. Then, she shook her head. "No. No…you never took care of me."

I knew what was coming. And I would've done anything to stop it. But I couldn't. Zoey inhaled deeply, then exhaled. Then, she looked me straight in the eyes. "Jack took care of me. He always has."

My heart shattered and I let her go, shaking my head. "Zoey…Jack groomed you. He-"

Zoey burst into a sudden fit of sobs, shaking her head. "Yet he was there for me when you weren't. He met up with me and hugged me when I cried. He helped me sort through my feelings with Alice, after she and I... You never asked. You never, ever asked! About anything! You'd rather tell me I don't know anything about love, just because I love so many people that I don't even know what to do! You'd rather call me stupid and immature and slutty, but y-you're the stupid one, Avery!" She began to back away, shaking her head.

Marissa pouted and reached out to her. "Oh, honey, Avery just struggles to express his feelings. He's loved me for years and yet-"

"Don't talk to me, Marissa! You want to blackmail my big brother with me? I hate you. I hate you both!" Without another word, Zoey dashed away, leaving Marissa and I in complete silence. She stomped up the steps, and a few seconds later, I heard her bedroom door slam shut. I just stood there, paralyzed. Zoey hadn't freaked out like that since our dad left. She was hurting, hurting real bad, and I was the reason. She was right. I never asked if she was alright, or what was up in her life.

But Jack had.

"Your sister is such a passionate person," Marissa murmured, "I'm shocked. You hold everything in but she...she just lets everything out. Even when she shouldn't. "

I squeezed my eyes shut and clutched my head. "I should go after her..."

"She wants to be alone," Marissa replied. She placed her hand against my t-shirt clad chest, stroking it lightly. The sensation was strangely comforting. I hung my head.

"I've failed as an older sibling, haven't I? You always know everything about Jack. But I've never even met this Alice girl outside of saying hi. You may be a bitch, but you love Jack and it shows. I can't say the same and now... my sister hates me."

Why was I seeking comfort from someone like Marissa? "She doesn't hate you. She hates that you don't understand her. Listen, Avery. I may be an older sibling, but I'm a younger one, too. My older sisters have never understood me, or tried to. I've wanted to go solo with my career for years, but Lucia and Kiana have never asked. And I can't bring myself to just break away. In a way, I understand how Zoey feels. And I understand how you feel, but you're acting like it's too late."

I gazed down at Marissa, eyes wide. I didn't know she was capable of being so kind. Then again, she had crafted Pokéballs and a badge container just for me. She could be a good person, sometimes. "I can't let her go to Solaceon Town."

"Your mother said she could, and she thinks she loves this girl, Avery. I don't think you can stop her."

I shook my head. "She 'loves' Jack, too. And her fucking Pokémon. She doesn't get love."

Marissa actually laughed in my face. "Or maybe it's you that doesn't understand it, Avery. You're a virgin. What do you know about love? You just started dating someone for the first time, and you're almost twenty years old!"

I grit my teeth. Some of that was true, yes, but I was still older and wiser than Zoey. "You think you know about love, Marissa? That's hilarious. You were going to blackmail me with my own little sister, even though you "love" me. How is that love?" I pushed her hand off my chest and backed away. "You bred a rabid Eevee just because your sister sucked my dick. Why am I even taking any sort of advice from you!?"

Marissa's eyes flashed and she opened her mouth. At that exact moment, two familiar little Pokémon came downstairs.

I sighed. I wasn't going to argue with someone in front of them. I forced my emotions away, trying my best to smile at them. "Hey, girls."

Lady immediately ran over to me, the horns on her head glowing strangely. She hugged my leg and glared at Marissa, yelling, "Ralts!"

Eevee just stood there, eyes wide, gazing at Marissa. This was the woman that had bred her. Her mother, in a way. The pink-haired coordinator knelt down, smiling. "Come here, Evangeline. Come say hi to mumma."

Eevee was frozen in place.

"Evangeline? You named my Pokémon?" I picked up Eevee and held her in my arms. "I don't know what you did to her but she's afraid of you."

Marissa sighed in annoyance, hands on her hips. "Believe it or not, I made her that way for your benefit." She smirked a little. "Sort of. I made her a better battler for you, and harder to tame. But I also had to punish you. You became a better trainer because you somehow managed to break her defenses about humans down. It was a double-edged sword but I think it worked out well for both of you."

"You...did something to her? You made her battle?" I narrowed my eyes. Eevee quivered in my arms and tucked her face into my chest.

Marissa nodded and smiled. "Evangeline actually put up a good fight against Candy the last few times."

I realized what she was saying. She hadn't just trained Eevee to not like me. She had trained Eevee to dislike humans in general, just to get at me. She'd abused my loving little Eevee by making her battle Candy, a fully grown and sadistic Sylveon. That's why Eevee was paralyzed, shaking in my arms in terror. She recognized Marissa, and thought she was going to get beaten up again. I gnashed my teeth. I'd had enough.

She threatened my sister and hurt my Eevee. I had to draw a line somewhere.

I set Eevee down beside Lady, and stepped closer to Marissa. As if sensing my dark mood, she nervously backed away. I stared into her eyes, teeth grit. I spit words at her like venom: "You...are a disgusting human being, Marissa. I don't like you, I never will. You've abused my Pokémon, and threatened my sister." She backed into the couch, her expression almost terrified. I found that strangely satisfying. "I've continued to let people push me around. I've never stooped to their level, but this time...I will. Just because I hate you so fucking much. If you go near me, or my sister, ever again, I will have Jack arrested. I have Zoey's Poketch, I've seen the messages they've exchanged. More than that, I have proof that he watches Pokeporn. An email, to be exact. An invitation that he got from you, I'm sure they'll be able to track that. That's two pretty big things, don't you think? Grooming a little girl and watching Pokémon porn. I don't think the police will like that very much."

Marissa quivered, her eyes wide. "You...wouldn't do that...Jack's your best friend and..."

I shook my head, smiling. "Zoey is my sister. My sister comes before the creep that groomed her. Now, get out of my house."

Marissa didn't move, she just stared at me. "Avery...I actually need your help. If you don't pretend, Lucia-"

I raised a hand. "Marissa. Lucia willingly sucked my dick, she showed me how her Mightyena likes to eat pussy. Good for her. Good for her Mightyena - but I don't owe her anything. All your sisters knew about Jack and Zoey. I assume he told you, or you guys somehow found out, either way... maybe instead of showing me how good it feels to have a Pokémon eat her out, Lucia should have told me about your little bro grooming my baby sister. Maybe, then, I'd help you out. And maybe if, for once, you didn't act like a crazy bitch and just fucking asked I would have! Now get the fuck out of my house you Pokémon abusing scum! Away from me, away from my sister, away from my Eevee!"

The contest star just stood there, eyes wide and mouth agape. Then, she smiled. Her eyes flashed and hardened. "You think you can yell at me like that? You think I'm afraid of your empty threats? You snitch on Jack, I'll snitch on Zoey, and then where are we? Oh wait, I know where we'll be. My family has money, and yours does not."

My head throbbed. "This is why I hate rich people."

Marissa laughed, "I mean, that's understandable. You're poor as dirt and you have no friends. So, what are you going to do, Avery? You tried to level the playing field, yet I'm still winning."

I grit my teeth.

Marissa smirked. "That's why I love you. I love the way anger looks on your face. It's just so sexy, Avery. And the way you try to act like you're on the same level as the people around you, on the same level as me." Marissa grabbed me by the shirt, pressing close. Her body was warm and soft as it pressed against me. It took every ounce of my willpower not to physically hurt her. Instead, I stared into her eyes, expression hard. Marissa shivered and leaned close.

'Mm, those hateful eyes...I think I don't want you to love me. I think I'm fine with you hating me as long as I can do this..." Moaning softly, Marissa's pressed her plump mouth against mine. The contest star shivered even more now, and she began to slowly lick and chew at my lips. "Mmm." I winced when she dug her teeth into my bottom lip, hard. I clenched my fist as sharp, throbbing pain coursed through me. Her teeth had split open my lip, blood gushing out. I gasped in pain, and she thrust her tongue inside. Her fingers dug into my hair, and in a second she began to lick and swirl her tongue across every part of my mouth like a starved Pokémon desperate for food.

Was I so pathetic that I had to just...let this happen? But really, there was nothing I could do...

Suddenly, I heard the sound of padding feet. I couldn't see what was happening, but apparently Marissa didn't like it. With a pained squeal, she fell backwards and onto her ass. I realized why. Eevee had bitten into her Achilles tendon, hard. Eevee was wild-eyed and frenzied, digging her teeth in as deep as possible, snarling loudly just like when she attacked me for the first time. Ralts seemed even more angry, slowly walking towards Marissa with glowing eyes.

Then, Lady looked at me. She stared deep into my eyes, her own glowing brightly. And somehow...I heard her in my head.

What do you want me to do to her, master? She hurt you, she hurt my friend. So I'll make her stop. I'll change her, just like that man in the forest.

My heart hammered in my chest. Lady was speaking to me. Actually speaking to me. I heard telepathy was a thing with Psychic Pokémon but I thought that was just a lie, or a myth. I didn't think it'd be this clear. Lady's voice was warm and bright, comforting. I considered her question, and glanced at Marissa. She was struggling to get Eevee off her, shaking her leg desperately. But angry and resentful -trying to protect me- my starter Pokémon did not let go.

I thought quickly. A way to resolve my problem... "I...want her to forget about me. To forget about Zoey. To leave me alone. Make her not love me anymore! Can you do that?"

Lady cocked her domed little head. In order to change emotions, I have to direct them toward someone else. Tell me who. Visualize them in your mind, and say their name.

I could have spit out a wide variety of names. Billy Benjamin was her biggest fan, but I wouldn't do that to the poor man-child. No, he was nice despite being weird. I personally hated Omar, but I didn't really know the guy. I only knew one person who deserved something like Marissa's messed up love. Maybe deserve was a strong word, and maybe I was just resentful of him because Zoey chose him over me. Either way, once I pictured him there was no other choice. Plus, I wanted to get this over with and fast.

"Her brother Jack. Make her love him...c-can you do that, Lady?"

Lady didn't answer me, she just raised her little hands toward Marissa.

"What...what is that Ralts doing!?" Marissa shrieked as Lady walked toward her.

"Ralts!" Lady yelled. A wave of psychic energy shot toward the Contest Coordinator, and immediately Marissa's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she went limp.

Eevee let her go, breathing heavily. I held her close to me, against me. The three of us just .watched Marissa with bated breath. A minute or so passed, and the woman just laid there. Then, she stood. Slowly. "I...need to go home. To Jack." Without another word, the woman of my nightmares walked out of my house... and disappeared. She even closed the door behind her.

I glanced at my Ralts, wide-eyed. Lady had done it. She'd actually done it. "How is this possible? Your power...Is she going to be like that forever now?"

Lady smiled at me and much to my shock, she began to stumble in place like she'd run out of energy. I held her close too.

"I can't hear you anymore. Is it because you used up all your power?" Ralts didn't say anything. "Lady? Lady? Are you okay!?"

She didn't respond. Was she unconscious? I pressed my hand to her little chest. Her heart was beating awfully slow...To make matters worse, blood began to seep from her closed eyes. Panicked, I picked her up. "Come on Eevee! We need to bring Lady to the Pokémon Center!"

I worried I wouldn't make it in time. I was in my boxers and a t-shirt, but I couldn't afford to get dressed first. I just had to go. I ran out of my house like my life depended on it. Because bleeding, worn out beyond belief, Lady's did.