THAT SYLVEON
You know, typing is a lot harder than it used to be. Or maybe that's just me. Anyways, here's chapter 29 my affiliates!
Luanastar doesn't own anything.
It was early that morning - even the sun struggled to get out of bed over the horizon. On the other hand, for a certain protagonist, that wouldn't stop them from travelling 15… No, 16… Well at least 20 miles an hour down a 30 metre stretch. There was no quite kill like overkill.
Each strut - after strut after strut - grew exponentially faster as a flustered fairy flung herself through the school hallways to get to her next class: Gym. However, lessons weren't quite on her mind.
Dude… I can't believe I just did that. I basically seduced him! I mean, I always knew I was sexy-hot, but I didn't actually think I had it in me!
I can't believe it either. After yesterday, I genuinely thought you were gonna rip him a new one.
Don't get the wrong idea; I'm still gonna pick a bone with him over what he pulled yesterday. But as of today… I don't know, I just felt a little different when I saw him. It was as if I was getting an exam result back, and you get those things inside your stomach, y'know?
I've never done an exam before. Anyways, I'm no gambling man, but I'd say you've got serious hots for him to the point that you've started acting different because he smooched you.
LIES! I've had hots for guys, but I'd never be someone I'm not just for them. Especially Raidon. It just felt right at the time, now piss off.
Don't hate the game. Or rather, do. It doesn't matter because you're still wrong!
Once she finally got to the gym, Anais quit her internal conflicts for the time being. The gym was pretty much empty aside from one of her good friends, Lola the Lopunny, as well as a few other 'Mon. She approached her best friend, who was occupying herself with a few reps of some push-ups.
"Lola!" yipped Anais, deliberately walking into her friend to throw her off balance. "GUESS WHAT!"
Lola fell over on her backside, but still ecstatically replied. "YOU'VE FINALLY LOST YOUR CHERRY!"
"Uh… No?"
"Pfft, of course not. You're a tad too soft for that, Ann." joked the Lopunny, who, mind you, was also still a virgin. "Now, what was it you were saying?"
It was more than just weird for Lola to respond that way, but to be fair, Anais couldn't recall a time where she had said something that wasn't complete nonsense. "Well actually, guess who just gave a kiss - and received a kiss - from a certain someone!"
"...Uhh…"
"You bloody rem. I'm talking about Raidon!"
Being over the top as per usual, Lola slapped her knee and exclaimed wildly. "Ooohhh yeaaahh! I completely forgot about that guy! Hey! Good on ya, chief! He's a proper head-turner, I'd say Does this sorta mean you two are a thing now? Because, y'know, I'd totally ship that."
"Oh… Hmm…" You see, this is where things got tricky for the Sylveon. Her current relationship with Raidon was great, but she had no idea where they stood within it. "I suppose, I'm not too sure. Like, we definitely do like each other. That's a given. But uhh, we haven't really talked about it."
"Trust your homegirl Anais B.S. to not know whether she's in a relationship or not." The unamused Sylveon was unamused at Lola's comment. Time and place, Dolores. Time and place. "Aha, um, well, do you think you want to be in a relationship with Raidon?"
Anais turned around briefly. Barry, and the one and only Raidon trotted into the large gymnasium. The Luxray and the Sylveon locked eyes for what seemed like an entire hour, before each returning to their own respective conversations. "Y-Yeah, I'm pretty sure I am."
This girl must really be head over heels in love. "Are you sure, Ann?" Lola questioned, noticing the Sylveon's bluntness in gawking over her new mini-boyfriend. However, for the sake of also being there in that situation a few times in her life, she decided not to point it out. "Because, I don't want you to rush into a relationship, guns-ablazing, then come sobbing to me if you get your heart broken."
The look on Anais' face seemed like someone had insulted her ancestor's ancestors. "What! I've never done that before!"
Yet, Lola took her opinion with a grain of salt, giving her bestie eyebrows that could put Mr. Beheeyem out of business. "Oh really now? May I remind you of Manu from last year, Rush from two summers ago and of course, you-know-who."
Immediately, Anais got up from her slump on the ground. "Okay, first things first, you cheeky melt." Ugh, here we go again. "Manu had to move regions - I was in no way upset over him. Secondly, Rush was cheating on me with some other girl, and kept getting jealous whenever I'd hang out with someone else (Although Arceus-dammit was he drop-dead gorgeous). Thirdly… D-Don't you dare ever talk about him again, Lola. I'm serious about that one."
"Alright, I won't. My bad. But point remains, especially with Rush. Don't go head first unless you're gonna give head, wink-wink nudge-nudge?"
This girl is genuinely the problem with Pokemon-kind as we know it. Ya'll are doomed, I tell ya. Doomed.
You're telling me, and she's romantically involved with one of the most innocent people I know.
What was this author thinking?
...Who?
It was thrice a time, Anais was again not amused at the normal type's snide jokes. "Haha, look at me, I'm Lola. My jokes are amazing. Anyways, I can 100% assure you, what will happen between us will be different for a change. It won't be any sort of relationship I had in the past, okay?"
"Aww, lookie! My little girl Anais is finally ready for her first serious and real relationship!" Once again, this was evidence that Lola hadn't even given thought to live and let die the old scars that Anais had on her past.
"Gee, thanks, because you're a dating maestro yourself, aren't you."
Lola struck a lovely pose, dazzling in the non-existent spotlight in the gymnasium. "Uhh, moi? Of course I am! If you must know, I'm gonna be the one to yoink your little baby Barry's cherry later tonight when he comes over!"
Gobsmacked, Anais' heart sunk into her stomach. Although, she hadn't any idea why; Barry's life was his own, and she was one to respect that. "W-W-What? Already? Didn't you guys just start dating or something?"
Smug as per usual, Lola nodded gleefully, placing a hand on her hip to broadcast her pride. "It's been long enough, that's for sure. I know you two are cousins and all, but you wouldn't have a problem with it, right?"
YES, I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
"What? Of course I wouldn't have a problem with it! Lola, you're my best mate - there's no one else I'd entrust being with Barry." spoke Anais, with a soft tone, yet a heavy feeling internally.
Lola smiled, (not too sure how the conversation topic switched like that so quickly) and leapt forward to put Anais in an embrace. "That's soooo great! Thanks and all! Although, hugging is kinda weird, so don't expect anymore of that from me, 'kay?"
Anais giggled, but had a very different thought on the inside. A sudden realisation hit her harder than the impulse of a sports car slamming into a semi-truck on a freeway. Never had she really took the time to audit the relationship concerning her bunny best friend and bird-brain cousin. However, now that she put it under her own scrutiny (once it was too late), Anais' taste buds were gifted with the pang of regret, alongside a hint of misery.
Wait, wait - I don't understand. I always thought you were behind this whole Barry and Lola escapade. Barola? Larry? Whatever.
Ugh, I was, and I'm sure I always was! I don't know… I just feel that it's kinda weird now. Like, I knew they were destined to have sex like the Love-Buneary's they were. But, now they're actually doing it, so it's different. It's gross.
Aaaand… You're having difficulties accepting it?
I mean, yeah! Them dating it fine. On the other hand, if this gets anymore serious, I'll end up becoming an aunt, with Lola as an in-law. I can only take so much of her in a day. Plus, Barry's an brilliant guy, and Lola's a solid friend. Yet, Barry deserves someone way better than Lola! She just doesn't feel right for him anymore. Barry's supposed to be pure, y'know? My pure cousin. What I don't want is Lola coming between that. Did you hear the way she said it too? EVEN THE NOTION.
Sooo… You're jealous, right?
I'M NOT JEALOUS! I have Raidon, alright! I'm only worried. That's all.
Alright then… How about you focus on your own ballpark for now, which is you and Raidon, alright?
Fine…
"...So then, he agreed, meaning that your gal Lola isn't gonna be a little girl anymore!"
Anais' internal discussion was so intense that she didn't even heed whatever the rambling Lopunny had to offer as a conversation. Thankfully, Lola hadn't taken notice of her lack of attention. "O-Oh! That's great. I hope you two have fun at your place, then."
Of course, Lola was happy with the current turn of events, whereas, it would seem, Anais didn't really want to indulge herself into a conversation with the Lopunny about Barry anymore. What she truly needed was her own relationship to start progressing. In order to do that, she needed a bit of advice.
"Okay, okay, so Lola. Pleaaase, help me out here. I'm not sure what to do in a situation where I'm romantically interested in Raidon, but aren't dating him! WHAT DO I DO!"
"Pfft, come on Ann. You just gotta ask him out."
Anais, wide-eyed as ever, stared at her best friend as if she had grown an extra head. "Ask him out? It's not that simple, Lola! You know that!"
It made for a very weird response, but Lola had ended up guffawing at the fairy type. "May I remind you, you're the same person who told me 'Geez Lola! It's not a mathematics exam' way back when?"
"HEY!" Retorted Anais, getting right into the face of the smug cross armed Lopunny. "Shut your face. That doesn't apply to me. You can't just compare Raidon to Barry."
"Hmm, yea, but relationships would always be the same; you're either in one, or you aren't."
It was unfathomable to take serious relationship advice from someone as unserious as Lola. Yet, that simple sentence (that included a clause) was possibly the most absurdly helpful thing she's heard all day. That's including the conversations hosted by Giratina, mind you.
That, personally, is up for debate.
"Ugh… I'm afraid that you might be right there."
Striking another pose, she put a little more emphasis on her hefty hips. "Don't you dare doubt or derive the dutiful Dolores!"
That's a lot of D's there. No wonder, considering the fact you know how Lola likes 'em, ahahaha!
You're the one dealing with a dilemma of her own.
How about you shut up and agree with me before I genuinely rip your ass inside-out?
AHAHAHA! Anais, you're so witty and amusing!
Better. I'm not in the mood.
"Well, 'The Dutiful Dolores', how am I supposed to go about asking him out?" impassively but faintly aggressively questioned Anais, to which Lola responded by pointing to the nearby benches.
"Take a seat right here, babe; We gonna think it out."
About 50 metres from the female duo's whereabouts, Barry and Raidon passed time with their favourite hobby: Sparring. Barry had thrown punch after punch, directed straight at the Luxray's cute face, specifically aiming at those very defined cheekbones for no apparent reason. Thankfully, Luxray was able to sloppily dodge each one, albeit by the skin of his teeth.
It was only until Barry began to fluctuate between accurate punches and decisive kicks that he realised, Raidon wasn't giving it his all. The Blaziken ceased his assault entirely, handing the electric type a glare of perplexity.
"Umm, are you alright, Raidon? I've heard of defense-stalling before, but it's as if you're not trying in this practice battle of ours, I feel. We do have a tournament approaching soon. Don't you want to be in good form for decent-a value to win?"
Letting his neck go limp, maw facing the floor, Raidon huffed. "You're kinda right; I haven't been completely with it as of right now."
"Am I not a good enough opponent?" suddenly questioned Barry, frowning with disappointment. On the other hand, that wasn't to say Barry was in the best mood himself. "I swear, I've drank like… 5 bottles of Moo-Moo milk this entire day!"
"No no! That's not it!" sputtered Raidon, who hence, or otherwise, rushed to change the Blaziken's opinion. "It's this whole Anais thing. It's seriously giving me vertigo, because I have no idea whether I'm within my rights to ask her out. Heck, I don't even know where we stand in terms of our relationship!" With that response, Barry cocked his head, furrowing his invisible eyebrows and stroking his keratin-coated beak.
"Ahh, I understand now. That's only fair - she sent you really weird signals early today during registration. Don't you sort of think she'll be the one to ask you out, though?"
That was something Raidon hadn't considered. Yet, weakly, he shook his head from one side to the other. "I'm sort of doubting it myself, as I don't want to bank on a chance that I have little to no control over. I want to know what I can do about it."
"Right, right." the fire type agreed, slightly reassuring the electric type. That, by no means, meant the dense and vaguely daft Barry wholly comprehended the situation at hand. "But like, if you don't buy a ticket, there's no way you'll win the raffle!"
"I know, I know. I'm all for that, too, but also, there's my mom." began Raidon. It was at this point, the usually confident and dauntless speech that left the Luxray's lips devolved into fragile and ethereal whimpers. "She's really not one to let me hang out with many girls, but once I had told her about Anais, it was a straight no from the get-go."
To Barry, it sounded slightly ridiculous, no? In this day and age, a parent to be so culturally convergent and deny their child of their aspirations and desires was seen as a little less than a crime.
"Really!? Any particular reason?" Barry had inquired, but received the most meek of minor mumbles, as well as a shake of Raidon's head once more. "That sounds unreal. Was your mother always this strict, if you don't mind me asking."
"I think so." Raidon replied, raising his voice to show his comfort in confiding with his colleague. "She'd always tell me about how her parents taught her to be veeerry traditional and conservative as a child."
It was an extremely dark room to host a duo's conversation - a mother and their child - only while merely being illuminated by the light that threatened to creep through the blinds on the window.
"Mama, I… I overheard you talking to Dad once... You said that you were attacked once during high school." a small Luxio asked their elder Absol with curiosity and fear painted all over it's fur in a blue and black array. "How'd it happen?"
The Absol, mother of one, and forever known as Abigail Disastra, huffed and put down her knitting equipment, that she had recently taken a liking to.
"You ask too many questions, Raidon, always wanting to be in the know. You're certainly your father's son." replied Abby, stroking the top of Raidon's furry head, but refusing to show a smile. "I'll tell you, if it'll keep you quiet.
Raidon had no other reason to beg, ergo he wagged his head with anticipation.
"Well then. It was only a Thursday or Friday morning, and I have gotten up early to indulge myself in the entertainment that the Library had to offer. But you see, as I began to find ease in reading, I was attacked by two hooligans: one of them, an Umbreon, and the other, a Blaziken. The Umbreon attempted to seduce me, while the Blaziken stood as a makeshift guard."
"Mama, what does 'seduce' mean?"
Rolling her eyes, Abby forgot completely about her son's age. "It means, to tempt someone into kissing you, or much worse."
"Eww, that kind of sounds gross." cringed Raidon, squinting and sticking his tongue out in disgust.
"Keep that thing inside of your mouth." threatened Abby, forcing her son to comply or else. She had picked up her knitting apparatus to resume her hobby, all the while coming to the conclusion of the story. "Now, once he tried to press his lips against mine, I gently pushed him away from me. However, this caused the aforementioned Blaziken to get involved. He had tackled me to the ground, but knew that he lacked the physical strength to fully incapacitate me. This meant he had to beat a swift retreat with his dark-type cohort."
Upon hearing the end of the story, the small Luxio's brows had nearly imperiled the ceiling with how high they were. "Really? Did you call the police? What happened to them? Who were they?"
Abby quietly continued knitting the green fabric to form a longer strip of what the young child assumed was a scarf, as opposed to replying to her one and only son. Raidon couldn't get a response out of his mother, and he knew a lot better than to try and procure information that was deliberately withheld from him. Contrarily, Raidon was naturally a curious child, and was literally bursting to find out the consequences of the two that had attacked his mother. He just had to ask again.
"Mama? What happened to those people, and who were th-"
"I heard you."
"..."
There was a time and place for everything… but it was not in Raidon's wishlist to have his head ripped off by and angry Absol. Thus, he decided that it was for the best to let the matter go. Perhaps he should go on to indulge himself in his father's antics in the kitchen. This meant he'll have to enquire about the loud voices he heard yesterday night some other time.
Barry scratched his head, not entirely sure on what to do in this case, considering that his (possible) best friend was literally stationary in place, staring into empty space. "R-Raidon?"
"O-Oh! Sorry about that. I was just sorta zoning out for a little bit."
"That's fair. So, what were you saying about your mother?"
Perhaps Raidon just needed a little bit more time with the Sylveon. Some more leeway to make a decision about this circumstance, for sure. As it currently stood, there were a lot of factors to take into account.
"You know what, Barry?" began Raidon, sounding significantly more upbeat and awake, as if wound up like and toy and let loose onto the mat. "It's no biggie or anything. Let's continue sparring. I just want to get all of this out of my head, so give me all you have."
Beaming, Barry bowed and brought back his battling stance. "That sounds like a good idea to me."
Without even a second to spare, the whole gymnasium was packed with the resounding scream of utter pain and strife. In this case, it was the result of a superb surprise slug against an unsuspecting Luxray. Welcome to battling. I'll be your guide.
Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes turned into hours. It felt like school had ended within the blink of an eye, as opposed to six hours and a bit. The end of the day, as Lola had anticipated with glee, had come with promptitude, as she walked with Barry home under the supervision of the copper sun and the looming skyscrapers that cut into the clouds like a coil would to magnetic flux.
"Just this left right here, and we'll be at Chez Moi!" yipped Lola, excitement raising her voice by a few octaves. She did catch the smile that appeared on the Blaziken's beak, and it only warmed her heart to have her boyfriend in a mood much like her own. If only he knew what she had in store for the rest of today.
Turning right, and trotting down the street, Barry nervously adjusted the green hoodie that clung to his torso like a weaning child. "So, I do recall you telling me that your parents weren't going to be at your house, right?"
Lola wagged her head, delightedly. Ulterior motives leaking through her front fangs, and onto the pavement. "Definitely not - they've gone out of town for awhile with my sister, so they shouldn't be something you should worry about."
"Ah, understood."
The couple walked down the street a little longer, paw-in-talon, until they eventually reached the Punnichi residence. As Lola walked toward the door, Barry stepped back a few to get a good look at the exterior of the house. The white walls loomed over the Blaziken like a bully, casting a shadowy blanket over a 12-metre radius. Was there a colour blacker than black? Can't be sure. Nonetheless, the front door had a colour that absorbed no such wavelengths whatsoever. Speaking of which, Lola finally got the front entrance open, now revealing the similarly white corridor walls.
"Alright! Come inside."
Lola led her boyfriend inside the home, shutting the door after him and leading him to the lounge. The brown sofas weren't exactly new, and the tiles on the floor seemed to be slightly worn out. However, it brought about a sense of comfort for a home that Barry's never been to before.
"Wow, I really like your house, Lola!" exclaimed Barry, that heavy feeling in his chest being uplifted slightly. He specifically took notice of the picture set above the television, consisting of two Lopunny's who looked exactly the same. Well, one was sort of shorter than the other, but only by a modicum. "By the way, who are the two Pokemon in that picture frame there? One of them definitely looks like you."
Smiling, Lola guided Barry to the couch, where they both closely snuggling next t each other. "Aww, thanks! I'm the one on the left, yeah. The one on the right is my eldest sister, Adelaide, but we just call her Layla for short."
"Ohh, that really makes sense." the Blaziken pondered, not realising how close Lola was becoming relative to his position. "Do you have any other siblings?"
Lola began running her paw along his chest, leaning on the fire type's firm shoulder. "Mhmm. One other sister, who's the 2nd born out of all of us. Her name is Lorelei, but as a nickname, we call her Lori."
Barry put a hesitant arm around the Lopunny, who wriggled around in elation. "That's ah, really nice, Lola. You must have a very nice family."
"Mhmm…"
The battling prodigy could tell, Lola certainly enjoyed their current position as of now. Upon taking a brief glance at her, Barry was warmed internally (despite being a fire type already). It was just that final feeling, that halted him from experiencing joy as he knew it.
"Uhm… Lola?"
"Yeaa?"
"Is it alright if we talk about something?"
Although Barry couldn't see it, a frown replaced the grin that Lola had previously adorned with pride. "Oh. I understand. That's completely fine, if you'd like. Is there something wrong, Barry?"
He wasn't entirely sure if he'd actually get this far. The conversation Barry had with his parents prior to this set a foundation for the entire plan. Yet, execution was his downfall.
"I mean, I've given this relationship a lot of thought. I know that I like you for sure, Lola, but… I just sometimes feel that my emotions towards you are out of obligation, because you like me. From time to time, it gives me doubts about this relationship. Do you understand what I mean?"
Lola, struck with surprise, now sat up straight, mouth slightly ajar. "Barry… I had no clue you felt that way… I wish I had known sooner. Listen, Barrágan. I'm not sure whether you want to be in this relationship or not, and I can't force you to love someone you don't have genuine feelings for. Honestly… I only dated you because you were good looking, and… and, you were a just felt like there were so many perks by being with you."
Pausing, Lola looked up at the Blaziken to gauge his reactions. His blasé face gave her no sort of reassurance whatsoever, so she continued.
"It was only over time, that I actually developed feelings for your presence and your personality. I know that what I did was selfish. If breaking up with me is something that you've been considering, then… Ugh, then I can't stop you. Just know, that I really love you, okay?"
Barry was silent, as so was Lola. It internally ripped her apart to have said that - something that she hadn't confided with anyone else.
"Thank you, Lola, for being honest with me. I'm very happy that we were able to talk about this. I know I like you, Lola… but, I just don't understand why, and where these feelings are coming from."
Now, giving off a true, radiant smile (but suppressing some thoughts), Lola put a hand on the Blaziken's thigh. "Hey, it's alright. How about you take some time to think about this. We can still be in a relationship, if you'd like. But, don't make it your first concern, y'know? Because, your safety will always be your number one priority."
"I will give it some time, yes! Thank you so much, Lola. This makes me feel a lot better. I hope you feel the same, too."
"Aha, of course I do, bab- Uh… Barry."
The two sat next to each other a lot more comfortably, now. A safe distance was set between them, but they unknowingly snuggled up on one another in the companionship of the black-screened television. It was this… This feeling that Barry was looking for.
…
…
*thump*
*thump*
*thump*
The triple threat thump emanated from the stairs. Simultaneously, Barry and Lola shot up straight like poles out of the ground, staring at each other with confusion of all sorts. Both had no idea what was happening.
At the bottom of the staircase emerged a Lopunny of a greater height than Lola, equipped with slightly darker hazel fur, and a sashay that could give Tyrogue Banks some serious speculation from the media.
Lola was the first to react at the real eye-opener settling in the front foyer by dashing out of the lounge and intercepting her elder sister's path before it was too late. "O-Oy! Lori! What are you doing!?"
Stretching while rubbing her eyes, a tired Lori responded in a calm croak. "Lola… why are you shouting..?"
"I meant, what are you still doing here, in the house? I thought you went with Mom and Dad?" one sibling said to the other, a little quieter, but still with the same level of panic.
"Ugh, right yeah. They left me here because they went wayyy too early in the morning. There's no way I was gonna wake up at 5am to go anywhere." replied Lorelei in a half yawn. "Anyway, are you going to stand in front of me like that for the rest of the day or..."
"Uhhhh…"
Lori seemed to stare beyond her sister's head, spotting a red sheen from the frame of the lounge entrance. Lola's mind went blank, as she too was aware of what her sister saw. The one instance that she didn't want to happen. There was nothing she could've done about it now. Lorelei stepped past her younger flesh and blood, spotting a sheepish Blaziken sat on her family's sofa, looking not so congenial.
"Well, hello there."
AGRADAVEL! The 29th chapter has finally come to an end. Have you noticed a switch in emphasis on the characters' scene time? Do you enjoy how the story is panning out? What was your favourite part of this entire series? LET ME KNOW (via reviews or DM's to my discord). I really enjoy listening to your opinions.
Big credz to DegenerateFluffington for beta reading. Credz credz credz!
Also, enjoy your Easter! Thank you for reading!
-Luanastar