Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. This work includes artistic depictions of underage, incestuous, and Pokémon x human relationships. GKEA SINNOH SAGA has potentially traumatizing plotlines including rape, abuse, sex trafficking, grooming, and even death. While at its core a love story, drama, and adventure, there are dark parts. Additionally, I don't condone anything degenerative that I write.
Reader discretion is advised.
Any similarities to people in real life is purely coincidental, no real humans were hurt/involved in the creation of this story.
Avery's Pokemon
1. Evangeline/Eva
Gender: Female
Nature: Rash
2. Lady
Gender: Female
Nature: Modest
3. Chastity
Gender: Female
Nature: Adamant
4. Dusty
Gender: Male
Nature: Hardy
5. Sprite
Gender: Female
Nature: Quirky
6. Name: ?
Gender: Female
Nature: ?
Chapter: Bottoms Up
Lost in my thoughts, I was mostly quiet during our way back up, just listening to the Pokemon chatter around me, occasionally allowing myself a conversation with Lady or Athena in the recesses of my mind. So much had changed in my party, and most of the changes were entirely outside of me.
Lady had made friends with Chastity, a sharp, stark contrast from the explosive fight the two had when we first reached Mount Coronet. I had to wonder what happened, but also dreaded what kind of influence that… lovely little Buneary… was going to have on her. We'd also been joined by some "guests." They were happy little guys, darting around in the air. I never thought I'd find Zubats cute, but really any Pokemon could be when it wasn't trying to ruin your day. The only real negative about this whole experience was Sprite being injured while we were separated. Lady told me about it, but I would've noticed even if she hadn't. My little water type's legs just weren't quite right anymore, although it wasn't that noticeable until you paid attention. It filled me with a strange dread watching her, her frail limbs trembling every now and then as if she could barely support her own feathery weight. I was worried sick about her, but she chittered as happily as ever, hanging out with Dusty the same way she always had. If the physical changes bothered her, she didn't show it outside from the occasional quiver, but it bothered me. There weren't really words to describe the pride I felt hearing Lady had actually helped save her life. My adorable Kirlia hadn't left my arms since we'd reunited, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I pretty much never wanted to let her go. In another life, I probably fucked up, and never saw any of them again…But I made most of the right decisions this time.
Traveling with a pack of wild Pokemon at our side made it remarkably easy to find the surface again. Eventually, we emerged from the depths of Mount Coronet. I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over me. From the high peaks we currently stood on, Oreburgh was already faintly in view, shimmering with light and life in the far distance. Built in tandem with the rippling mountains, the city seemed to be a part of the earth itself, though there were many tall, industrial type buildings too. The night sky was deep, rich and dark, and the fresh air seemed to instantly bring me back to life. For what felt like a small eternity, I'd been trapped in the dusty chambers below, surrounded by nothing but the stale air and the constant threat of danger. Now, with the moon shining down, inhaling deep cool gusts of fresh oxygen into my chest, I felt human again. Illuminated by the brilliant moon, wispy clouds floating serenely, the night felt like a pastel painting come to life. The treeline surrounding Mount Coronet rustled with the sounds of wild Pokémon, some of them curiously peering out of the greenery at us.
We'd made it. Overcome with joy, I raised a single arm and cried out loudly, ignoring the way Chastity rolled her eyes and smirked at my boyish display of delight. It felt like I had conquered the world, defying all odds to make it out alive. I almost laughed at myself for even considering staying down there for a moment. "That's right, fate! Screw you!" I yelled, sticking a middle finger up at the moon in the sky. "Despite everything you threw at me, I survived. A mansion from hell, a starter with a bad attitude, a cave-in! What else have you got?!"
"Umbree?" Eva asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"..." I relaxed, sighing. "You're probably right. Maybe it's best not to mess with fate."
"It's good to see you smiling so much, Avery," Athena said, who was calmly standing beside me. Her tone was strangely sad. I realized she was probably taking her first breath of fresh air in years. The Medicham inhaled deeply, holding her three-fingered hands high in the sky. A stray leaf brushed across her fingers. Her expression was strange as she stared out at the emerald, tree-specked horizon, and her arm trembled.
My elated feeling faltered. What did it mean for her to go back down? I could feel her sorrow, it threatened to swallow me up. "Athena… You know… you can stay with us."
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. "Do not think that I don't appreciate the offer, Avery, but I can't do that. It's just strange, being up here… it reminds me of all that I'm missing. I wonder if I even enter his thoughts anymore."
His. I assumed she was talking about her human partner, the one that gave her the name Athena. In the past, I would've been jealous. But I just felt pity for her, and for her strange little cause. "He's probably thought about you everyday you've been gone."
"I abandoned him… I left without notice. I'm sure that he hasn't forgiven me."
"I'm sure he has," I said softly, putting a hand on her shoulder. I stared into her open, pretty face. Her lips on mine still lingered in my mind, and the image of her tear-soaked face was not one I'd likely forget. It was cute though. I resisted the urge to wipe away her tears. I understood all too well what it was like to be far away from someone you loved, someone you couldn't allow yourself to think about. "And even if he hasn't, you can always try to make it up to him. You're still alive. Stay that way, and maybe one day you'll both be reunited."
Athena looked at me, her eyes filled with a dull, distant gratitude. "No. My time at his side is over… as is my time with you. Thank you, Avery. Now… we must say goodbye."
I watched as the psychic-type walked back towards the cave, her silhouette disappearing into the mouth of darkness.
Next was Mancham and his daughter. He bowed to me, putting both of his fists together. I decided to ignore formalities and scooped the fighting-type up in my arms, engulfing him in a big hug. He locked up at first, frightened, but when he realized I was just embracing him, his tense form softened. He melted into me, and his daughter, crouched on his shoulder, nuzzled close. I still had the damn miner helmet, and I decided I'd just give it to the little thing.
"Here," I said to the Meditite, "no riding down any dangerous slopes with it, okay?"
'A gift? Surprising, and unnecessary… but I can see from your expression that you want her to have it. So be it.'
"M-Meda, meda," The little meditite murmured, before scampering away along with her father. Only Femchoke remained. She slapped me on the ass, gave me a little squeeze, but otherwise seemed more focused on Eva. I didn't blame her; apparently, they'd had quite an intense fight. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but the way they looked at each other, I could see they were rivals for life. Glancing back at the exit we'd just walked through, I wondered what Mancham and the Fair Lady were going to do with the rest of their lives, and if I was ever going to see the golden female again.
"Choke choke!" Femchoke grunted, nodding at all of us individually, before turning away. Without another word, the massive fighting-type returned where she came from… and me and my team were alone with the night.
I was silent for a long time, perhaps longer than I realized.
"Kirl?" Lady leaned into me, and her expression was strange as she took in my own. I knew why. She was trying to get into my mind, but I didn't let her see what I had with Athena, or how I felt about the wild mon departing. My thoughts were my own, and the distress on the little Kirlia's face said much.
I glanced over. Eva, Sprite, Dusty, Chastity: I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, each one conveying a different emotion. Eva, with her soft, ruby eyes, was patient, silently encouraging me to move forward at my own pace. After everything, she knew my feelings for Athena were perhaps a bit complicated. She wasn't going to rush me. Sprite, with her bright and curious black eyes, was clearly eager to explore the world beyond Coronet. She scurried oddly back and forth on Dusty's head while Dusty, with his calm and steady stare, peered out into the treeline almost wistfully. He'd grown up in Vanessa's gardens, the underground had surely felt horrible for him. Chastity and Lady, on the other hand, were not so understanding. Standing side by side, they glared at me, their eyes filled with frustration and impatience. Especially Lady's.
Lady obviously didn't like what I had with Athena. That was alright with me. I wasn't going to dwell on Lady's opinions anymore, and I couldn't stand here all night, moping. Oreburgh was only a few hours away, if that.
It was weird being in a human place again. Not many people were up and about, at least not in the main part of the city. I found the cheapest motel around; it had a shitty indoor pool and even came with free breakfast and dinner. I scarfed down the wilted salad and sandwich they offered and walked back out into the night with my team at my side.
My poketch had connection again, and I could see that it was only 10 PM. That meant the Gym was still open. After setting the remains of my stuff down, I decided I'd stop by and pay my good buddy Roark a visit. He was just finishing up a battle as I walked in. The boy he'd defeated crumpled on the floor like his knees were made of paper, a big Nidorino unconscious at the center of the massive arena. I wiped my eyes, not used to all the lighting after all that time in the underground.
"Straight back to work, huh? Did you start battling the second you got back?" I called out. He'd only just left the underground himself half a day earlier.
The crimson-haired gym leader spun, surprised to see me.
"Avery! You made it out of there quickly! I wasn't expecting to see you for a few days."
"I put my ass into overdrive," I admitted, "I'm sore, tired."
"As am I… and sadly, I have two more people waiting on a battle." He nodded to the stands, where a few young trainers sat, waiting eagerly. "How about you meet me at the Iron Joint? It's a club in the south-east part of the city, the best, coolest place to drink around… what do you say? I can wrap up these battles in… say about an hour? Then I need to run home, grab someone, and I'll head over… then we can talk. I have a lot I want to say to you."
I sighed. A part of me wanted to go back to my rented room and just crash, but I could see that my Pokemon still had a lot of energy. Eva in particular seemed to want to have a gym battle right now herself. She was watching the defeated boy drag himself out of the room, a pity-filled look on her face.
"Fine, sure," I shrugged. "A club, huh?"
Lady cocked her head. "Kirlia kirl?"
"A club is… a fun place a lot of humans go," I explained, and her eyes seemed to brighten at the sound of that. "But the fun part is arguable. I'm not really into this sort of thing myself but-"
"You'll be into THIS place. Everyone loves it. Trust me. Meet you there?"
"... A-Alright, fine."
More than an hour later, Roark wasn't in the agreed upon place. I didn't mind waiting a bit, there were a lot of people around, though I was kind of cold. Even Dusty's big body, constantly brushing up against my leg as I paced back and forth behind the thin line of people waiting to get into The Iron Joint, did little to warm me up. Bright lights glared from glowing lettering built on the front of the huge , round building, casting a glow over the crowd. It was a modern looking place, at least in comparison to all the other plain buildings and houses I'd passed by.
Unlike my former workplace, Dim Lights, this place seemed to be stuffed to the brim with patrons and their Pokemon, and there were about two dozen of us waiting outside, more waiting on the gates that surrounded the place, smoking and talking in the darkness of the night, their bodies vague shadows.
Dusty and Lady didn't hide their awe. My Kirlia never got the chance to really explore the city, there was a reason she had clung so desperately to that damn nugget in the past. She seemed to be drawn in by every flashing light, her ruby eyes seeming to glow like fire as she paced back and forth, ignoring the occasional glances she received from random humans, and especially ignoring any partner Pokemon that dared try to strike up a conversation with her.
Maybe because they were mainly fighting and rock-types, she seemed to have a disdain for them, a complete disinterest that Eva and the others didn't share. While my Umbreon made small talk with the other waiting mons, Sprite resting near her left haunch, Chastity and Lady kept to themselves. I wasn't sure what bothered me more, her utter lack of interest in other beings outside our party, yet her fascination with the man-designed constructs around her, or her sudden lack of interest in me.
I dismissed it as selfish overthinking. Lady had Chastity by her side, we would be alright. I checked my Poketch - still no Roark, a half an hour later, and I had somehow drifted to the front of the line at some point. My party and I were about to just waltz in when one of the two huge bouncers at the door approached; the bronze-skinned man was covered in tats, and a Machoke at his side wearing a pair of sunglasses and a bowtie crossed its arms as he cleared his throat loudly.
"Huh?" I adjusted my glasses as he nodded his head and a thumb toward his left, pointing to a sign.
RULES- No exceptions.
Three Pokemon limit.
No drinking without an ID.
No touching the dancers without permission.
Dancers? There were dancers at a place like this? The rest of the rules blurred away as I snuck a peak inside. Flashing lights, they were really living it up in there.
I glanced back and forth between everyone, scratching the back of my head. "Alright guys, I'm allowed to go in with three at most, I'm sorry. Some of you have to go into your Pokeballs." My hand drifted to my pokeball belt for the first time since I'd captured the "Zoroark." In reaction, Lady flinched, scampering behind Dusty and shoving him.
"Kirlia kirl!"
Dusty grunted in disdain, then sighed. He gave me an amused look and bowed his head.
"You don't mind? Lady can suck it up and-"
"Kirlia kirlia kirl!" My second Pokemon interrupted, and she put a hand on her little hip, glowering at me. She'd given up trying to invade my mind for now it seemed, but I was remarkably good at reading her intent. Something along the lines of 'I dare you to try to return me!'
Chastity gave Dusty a nod, and as if in silent agreement, the big dog crept forward. I returned him to his ball. The second choice was a lot more obvious. Sprite needed to rest anyways. She didn't protest when I met eyes with her, kneeling down.
"C'mere."
Her shrill little sound rang in the area as she darted forward. I had an urge to try to get into her mind, but for some reason, I resisted that urge. Instead, I smiled calmly. "Mind getting in your ball for a bit?"
She didn't mind at all it seemed. At least as long as I pet her. That was the message I got as she bounced and darted around in a circle underneath me, her long antenna thrashing this way and that as if it were dancing. She trilled with delight when I stroked her warm, moist body, and when the bouncer grunted loudly, muttering "Move it,' I returned her. I put both their balls back on my belt and turned away from the entrance.
I was about to think "Where is that fucker?" when I noticed four forms approaching.
My jaw unhinged, and adjusting my glasses, I rubbed at my eyes, shaking my head in disbelief. Was that Roark the Dork and…? No. No way. It couldn't be - but it was! My knees went weak, and I felt a shiver climb down my spine. Every hair on my body stood up. The crimson-haired miner was changed out of his gym leader uniform entirely, and unlike when I saw him in the cave and at his gym, he had his hair well-kempt, brushed back and gelled for once. He'd swapped out his glasses for a more stylish pair… and as for the girl he had on his arm, it was Roxanne of Hoenn.
"Is it a Ditto or something?" I asked with a scowl, grimacing at the both of them, but particularly at the tall, shapely female.
The tall girl laughed. "What do you mean ' it' ? I'm a woman, you know." Arceus, her voice was just like it sounded in the media! I tried not to stare her up and down, but too late, my eyes were wandering.
'Fuck, she's so beautiful.'
Roxanne was young, yet still managed to come across as very dignified and mature; slim curves, but round in the top area. She wore bright clothes that were a strange mixture of alluring and traditional, black pantyhose combined with a short skirt. Her top was far more revealing than the pictures I'd seen of her in magazines and on TV, a pocket at the front of her violet, silk shirt revealing a mountain of pale cleavage. I tried not to look at her chest, but the way she wore her dark brown hair, held up in bows on either side of her head, drew attention to that region.
Roark grinned. "Don't worry, she has that effect on everyone."
"Bun bun," I heard Chastity mutter behind me, and then Lady giggled. Were they laughing at me!?
I resisted the urge to spin around and glower at my team, and say 'Hey, listen! She's not just any gym leader! She guest-starred in a ton of the shows that I watched growing up, and every time she came on the screen, I was shocked at how calm and patient and perfect she seemed, and what a great actor she was when she featured in action flicks~!' But of course, such feelings could never see the light of day.
Instead, I focused on Roark, who was apparently dating Roxanne, or at least out on a date with her. The two were really up close to each other, and she was giving him babydoll eyes.
"I'm really happy for you," I said, wiping away a single tear as I turned back toward the bouncer, who'd begun to let in other people who'd streamed in behind us. I flipped my Poketch, flashed my ID. Roark and Roxanne both returned their partner Pokémon and flashed their IDS as well. We entered as a group, and I was surprised that people didn't approach us, considering the celebrity status of the two by my side, especially since it seemed like everybody in here was partying, crying, drunk, or a mixture of all three. Various televisions mounted on the walls around the ring of the room showed sports shows where the most elite of Pokémon participated in athletic competitions.
"I'm the one who helped fund this place," Roark said over the loud chorus of people, "it's one of the three places to hang out and drink around Oreburgh. This one… it's my people, my workers, my family. We're safe here from prying eyes."
Those words settled some part of me that I didn't know was anxious. My shoulders slumped, and I let Roark take the lead. Lady swatted me away with psychic energy when I tried to pick her up, Chastity giving me a dirty look. Meanwhile, Eva was sniffing around at the various low tables, shocked at the assortment of bar foods and drinks, all sorts of colors, that were out and about, most of it eaten and half-drank, a few drunken slobs sitting around.
Like Roark said, it seemed everyone in here was a worker, or a civilian from Oreburgh, save a few exceptions. Elite trainers that had many Pokeballs lining their belts were scattered here and there, and I only guessed that they were elites because they sized me up with their eyes the very same way Hardy had when I'd met him on that rickety old bridge.
The rock gym-leader found a booth for us and scooted into one side with Roxanne. I slipped into the other, Lady, Eva, and Chastity jumped up to join me on the cushioned seat. Lady sat the farthest away, and I had a feeling she did that on purpose.
My curiosity got the best of me. "So, why did you want me to meet you?"
Roark grinned. "C'mon, straight to business? I just got out of work. Let a guy get a drink first, jeez…"
I couldn't argue with that, even though he'd been half an hour late…It was easy to dismiss "business" with my personal idol staring at me. I shrugged and a topless waitress walked over at some point, the only dignity she was granted topside were some crimson tassels. An aipom hung off her shoulder. "Drinks, my friends?"
"Stacee! Absolutely! Two rounds of shots for all three of us, the finest stuff."
"Two rounds?" I sputtered, "I don't drink much."
The last time I drank I'd fucked Juliet against the glass table in her apartment in a total frenzy. I wet my lips, and for the first time in a while, wondered if I should just call her.
"Well, tonight's the night you're going to start! Don't worry, I'll take care of you."
Nervous, I just nodded, and a few moments later the drinks were brought over.
"Alright, let's toss these bad boys back," Roxanne giggled. We each took our first round, and I nearly got sick from the potent splash at the back of my throat, the acrid burn making me cough.
"Fuck, what is this stuff?"
Roark winked, and he probably said something in reply, but I was too busy thinking about how cute it was that Roxanne seemed so worried about me.
"Are you alright?" She asked, and I shook the rush of hot dizziness away as she touched my arm.
"Y-Yeah…"
"Kirlia kirl," Lady muttered.
"Oh, does your Pokemon want something to drink and eat too? How rude of me!" Roark exclaimed. The trio of mons nodded, expressing their approval, and he grabbed a menu from the table, slapping it down in front of them. "Whatever you want, on me."
Overwhelmed by my anxiety, and desperately trying not to say the ten thousand thoughts roaming through my head everytime I so much as glanced at Roxanne, I eventually couldn't hold back anymore. "I-I loved your Endless Climb series," I blurted, then flushed bright red, "T-Though I don't remember much about the lessons."
"Too busy goggling over how good she looked in that purple dress back then, huh?" Roark asked, and I didn't deny it. Roxanne rolled her eyes, and peering at me closer, the brown-eyed woman blinked slowly, tucking one of her ringlets behind her ear. Her cheeks were a lovely pink.
"Oh yeah? That's an old one. Purely educational too. You're a big fan, huh? What else have you seen?"
I glanced at Roark. She was dating this guy… this total nerd. I was jealous, so jealous! But it made sense. Two gym-leaders, both rock-type experts… a part of me was dying of curiosity though. I knew some things about Roxanne, and there was something about Roark that screamed ignorance about the subject to me. I listed off a few of the movies I'd seen, the tv shows and documentaries and docuseries, until finally, I let a name drop that made Roxanne freeze up entirely.
"My favorite has to be Roxanne Likes it Rockruff," I commented nonchalantly, and Roark didn't even blink, busy helping my Pokemon pick a meal from the menu. Apparently not a superfan himself, or an avid Pokephile, he had no idea what the title meant - but Roxanne did. She stood up abruptly, gasping.
"Second shot?" I asked innocently, and under the table, I gently pressed my hand against hers. I meant to do it in assurance, but she trembled, and her face grew red. She glanced at my Pokemon, then at me, her eyes asking a silent question. I nodded. Relieved, she ignored Roark's questioning look. She sat back down and raised her own shot glass to her lips. Roark and I did the same.
We all took our second dose of liquor, and it hit just as hard this time. No, harder, because I knew Roxanne and I were sharing a heated secret right now.
"I'll order their food and our drinks at the same time," Roark commented. He got up and slunk away from the table, heading straight for the brightly-lit bar.
Lady pointed at the menu, saying something to Chastity, and she nodded in agreement. "Bun bun bun, Buneary!" The normal-type giggled in amusement, ears bouncing back and forth; she was so excited to try whatever she'd ordered she could barely sit still.
"I-I used to do that stuff, okay," Roxanne whispered under her breath now that Roark was gone, and I grinned.
"Hey, I'm not judging. I haven't even seen the film myself."
For some reason, Roxanne seemed offended. She huffed, licking her lips. "Oh yeah? Well… apparently you're into it yourself.. Does that mean you're going on the S.S. Amber?"
"Yes," I said instantly, "what about you?"
"Of course. Roark and I are both going… maybe all three of us could head over there together?"
"M-Maybe, I mean, why are you with that guy anyways?" Roxanne laughed, apparently amused by the jealousy I was sending her way. Ugh, I couldn't stop blushing.
"He's a friend, sometimes more, but nothing serious."
"No, I mean literally why are you here!? You're from Hoenn."
"I didn't realize. Calm down, calm down, I'll answer your question."
I was vaguely aware of another conversation happening between Chastity and a passing waitress, Stacee something or other.
"Buneary Bun! Bun bun!"
"Kirl~!"
"Uh, you'll have to ask your trainer for permission. That stuffs pretty experimental."
Chastity pointed at something on the menu, then slid it over to me. She was asking me if she could try it.
"Sure, whatever," I shrugged, not wanting to get drawn away from my current conversation. I overheard the words, but didn't quite process it properly. If they wanted to try some drinks and the waitress said they could, why not?
"I'm just visiting Sinnoh for a month. The gym and the school are too much for me sometimes, and Hoenn is… well, it's wet and cold most of the time, I needed a change in scenery." The skirt-clad woman rubbed at her temples, sighing heavily. "I use the annual S.S. Amber trip as a way to get away from all that responsibility. I always go with Roark, it's basically tradition at this point."
At some point, her leg started brushing up against mine.
Roark sat back down with a huff, slapping down a fresh round of drinks. At that exact time, the waitress arrived as well, delivering the girls their drinks. Eva, Lady, and Chastity murmured with delight. I blinked as a bowl and two cups of almost eerie looking, dark amber liquid was placed down before them.
"Hey, guys, what is that stuff?" I asked, reaching for the menu, and before I even so much as looked at it my mons started draining their drinks.
"It's Pokeliquor, that's what they're drinking," Roark commented, as he raised a shot in the air, "we're all celebrating tonight!"
"What are you celebrating?" Roxanne asked, amused. I wanted to ask more questions, and maybe reach over and slap the drinks out of my team's hands, when Roxanne's sock-clad foot pressed against my crotch. I bit back a grunt, locking up.
"Well… I found out recently that this guy-" Roark pointed at me, "can talk to Pokemon. But I think I told you about that. He does it in his head!"
The pace of the conversation was sweeping me up.
I heard Lady gasp, and she slapped her cup down loudly - it was empty. At the exact same time, Chastity did as well. Both had an expression of pure victory, and they glowered at each other and babbled viciously; apparently, they'd been trying to see who could get all the so-called PokeLiquor down first. Lady was blushing, body swaying this way and that, a huge smile on her face. Only Eva didn't finish her drink.
Apparently, the taste had disgusted my Umbreon too much. She was looking at Lady worriedly. "MM, Umbreee, umbreon?"
"Kirl!" Lady shoved Eva's snout away, glowering.
Nervous, I ignored Roark, "H-Hey. Pokeliquor is like… yknow, a fake alternative… l-like a nonalcoholic kids drink, right?"
"No," Roark said, seeming amused. His own face looked like a tomato. He was totally drunk. "But who cares about that? It's just one drink. More importantly, we should talk about how you need to come with me on my next underground excursion…"
"Bunnneary!" Chastity blurted, slamming her ears down on the table. "Bunnn eary, bunnn eary!"
I didn't need to hear to understand she was saying "More, more!"
Lady climbed up on the table, grabbing Roxanne's shot.
The woman lunged for it. "H-Hey, don't-"
Too late, Lady drank it down quickly, gasping and sputtering in disgust at the taste of it.
"What the - Lady, what are you doing!?" I grabbed my Kirlia.
She grinned at me, barely able to stay standing. Pokemon could have normal alcohol of course, it just tasted like shit… and was really, really, absurdly strong. Meaning I had a very drunk Kirlia in my arms.