White dahlia disorder
The earth held and radiated heat without restraint. And while the shade provided by the dragon's wing had saved Serena from a good sunburn, it hadn't prevented large beads of sweat from forming on her forehead.
"And... Tadam!" she exclaimed as the last thorn was removed.
The shapeshifter shook himself, more grateful than he'd thought to be rid of those nerve-wracking little thorns.
"Char," he sighed, stretching out his wings. "Chari, cha?" he offered.
"Another time," she declined with a narrow smile.
"Zard..."
Seeing him with such a desperate pout after all the effort he'd just made sent a wave of remorse through the girl, especially considering the way she was deflating.
"Okay," she sighed, "but no pirouettes, acrobatics, aerial tricks..."
"Zar?"
"No, not even a little loop, twist or barrel. Just a straight line back to camp and a soft landing."
Ash snorted with boredom. If he was going to be turned into a pokemon, he might as well create his own attraction. Except that Serena didn't really share his taste for high sensations, and to his surprise, spinning around in the sky without her turned out to be an extremely boring activity.
"Chari?" he tried one last time.
This time Serena hesitated. A little detour, a few more minutes of flight, if it would please him... A drop of sweat brushed her lip and slid down her neck, as fresh as the fangs she'd thought she'd felt, caused by some kind of sunstroke that would only get worse as the sun approached.
"Brendan must be waiting for us over there."
Ash suppressed his flames just in time. How could he forget the boy? If Brendan had spared him for now, it didn't mean he was off the hook. It was just that instead of throwing him straight into the void, he preferred to juggle him a bit before kicking him away.
"And I'm counting on you to apologize," the trainer added in front of the bristly scales.
"Chari."
That knowing smile as he beckoned her onto his back gave Serena a bad feeling.
"I'd prefer to walk after all."
The scent of thyme wafted through the air as she realized her pokemon wanted to leave without Brendan. She stepped back as he tried to grab her, showing only her left arm, and Ash cursed the fact that she had guessed so quickly that he wouldn't be amused by pulling on the injured limb. On the other hand, there was nothing to stop him from grabbing the red cloak, his curved claws forming a perfect hook.
Serena stepped back as he pulled, two opposing forces breaking the fine seams. Ash froze, two pieces of red and pink fabric in his hand, the white strap protruding from the wide gash. A few seconds of flailing before the fake pokemon realized what he'd just done and began gesticulating in all directions.
"Char! Chari!"
Seeing him panic like that, his face tense with remorse as if he'd just inflicted the worst possible injury, made the young girl smile softly as she hid the wound under her hand.
"You didn't hurt me," she reassured him, "but my clothes are going to blame you."
It was just a joke to cheer him up, but the shapeshifter took it very seriously, slipping behind the girl's back and rifling through her bag to pull out the sewing kit. Then he carefully laid down the two pieces of fabric, sat cross-legged and began to sew. Well, the thread would have to fit into the tiny hoop.
"I think your fingers are too big for that," she remarked.
He looked up, his muzzle and horns caught in the thread. How had he managed to count in such a short time? Serena burst out laughing, and the pout he gave her at that moment was absolutely... cute and sweet. Her laughter stopped.
The dragon was back at work, and Serena watched him in silence. The way he always did his best to help her reminded her too much of the boy from Pallet Town, except she couldn't imagine Ash taking up sewing.
She smiled reassuringly and amusedly as she helped him pass the thread through the eye, and he happily pierced the fabric, trying his hand at his first clumsy stitch. Apparently, Charizard was as good at sewing as he was at cooking, and she inwardly thanked the scales for protecting the monster's fingers.
"You really won't let me do it?"
"Zar!" he protested.
Maybe that was what made him different from Ash. Oh, it wasn't as if the trainer didn't help them prepare meals or other small daily tasks, but it couldn't be said that he tried to perfect his skills in these activities either, preferring to quickly return to his first love: pokemon battles.
"ZARD!"
Serena gasped, quickly realizing that her pokemon had managed to stick the needle right into the fold of skin that separated the claw from the scales, deep enough to keep it balanced.
"Do you prefer stars or hearts on your bandage?"
The magic kiss, he thought instinctively, before changing his mind and choosing the star. A very nice design indeed, which is why he wanted to put a second and a third and another star on his hands until there were none left and he had to cut out the hearts.
Ash grunted. His lack of skill made him desperate, as did the fact that he'd have to leave the mending to Serena in the end. At least it would only take a few minutes, though... she too was tangled in the threads, struggling to pierce the fabric and almost stabbing herself. No doubt the fault of injured nerves and numb fingers, no doubt... Maybe it was also a bit the fault of the reptile sitting next to her, neck craned, so concentrated you'd think the movement of the fingers was a feast he was devouring with his eyes. She suspected he would ask her again tonight to show him how, and the next day until he succeeded, because unlike Ash, his priority wasn't pokemons and fighting, but...
She shook her head as the dragon's gaze grew heavier, as if nothing could distract him. Not the sweet smell of thyme blossoms, not the swallows that must be flying overhead. In truth, the only things his eyes seemed to be drawn to were... the trainer's neck, the girl's hair, Serena's lips? She swallowed and decided that the few threads stitching the cloak together would be more than enough to hide her shoulder. And Charizard could drag his feet, but they had to get to Brendan now, and as soon as possible.
Does he know? At the four hundred minute mark, her heart threatened to explode. Does he know? Serena brought her hands to her burning cheeks, convinced that what she'd thought impossible - totally impossible! - had happened the moment the dragon had brought his face close to hers. No, he can't know, because there's nothing to know! But the way he twisted his mouth in a mixture of horror and disgust might have made her faint.
"Well..."
Well what? What?! The boy's calm and collected tone was in no way a source of comfort, quite the opposite. Serena felt the corners of her lips twitch as her fingers tightened on her cheeks.
"Don't tell me it's Charizard that..."
"No, no, no, it's not what you think!"
She waved her hands in complete panic. Brendan, Brendan, Brendan! The ever-so-carefree trainer, who probably wouldn't see any harm in bringing the fire pokemon up to speed on the few mistakes she'd made lately. Don't tell him! Please don't tell him! Charizard doesn't need to hear this!
"Ah!" she groaned.
He had grabbed her hand, forcing the muscles to stretch until the shoulder was nothing but a nest of needles and burns.
"It hurts!"
Her vision blurred as he twisted the limb.
"It doesn't really look like tendinitis."
She finally noticed the loose stitches and the piece of cloth that fluttered in the air like a poorly closed shutter, revealing the full extent of the wound when it opened.
"So tell me, Serena, who did this to you?"
"Brendan, please, it really hurts," she pleaded.
Whether he listened to her or continued, Serena would never know the boy's decision. The dragon had pushed Brendan away with a fierce sweep of his wing and placed his hand on the injured shoulder, a compress of vibrating warmth that soothed the overexcited nerves.
"Oops! Sorry, Serena, I didn't mean to be so rough."
"You... You couldn't have known," she hiccupped, her fingers struggling to move as if they had turned into dead wood.
The pokemon's throat swelled, and if Serena noticed, she had no desire to stop it.
"Are you sure about this?"
He couldn't help but sneer, sealing his fate. However, the reptile began to cough and a little smoke came out of his mouth without the slightest flame touching his lips.
He lowered his head, and Serena thought she saw fear in his eyes. But why? She didn't think he cared what Brendan thought of him... She tried to reassure him with a few caresses, but he hurried away, looking at the boy worriedly.
"I don't mind that you didn't give her the scar, but her clothes..."
"He didn't do it on purpose," she immediately defended her friend. "Charizard still doesn't control his strength very well, and he was nervous to see you again after you saw him molt, so..."
"Okay, why not, let's say he tore your clothes without meaning to."
It wasn't fair to say, it was an accident. What did Brendan end up believing? That Charizard wanted to see the scar or... Her throat suddenly went dry, an inner scream hissed in her ears, and no matter how hard she tried to suppress it (Stupid, stupid, stupid!), she only freed herself by screaming:
"'He's just a pokemon!"
"Relax, I never said it wasn't," he chuckled.
Walking lightly toward the pokemon, he placed his hand on the creature forehead without hesitation. The reptile gritted its teeth and dug its claws into the ground, its wings raised as if it were about to take off. But as tense as it was, the dragon did not resist the caresses.
"Charizard..." the stunned girl gasped.
He hated it when someone other than his trainer showed him that kind of affection, and even for her, he had been slow to accept it. So how had Brendan managed to tame him so quickly? Serena even wondered if he wouldn't be able to touch the monster's wings, so tangible was his submission.
"Good, good, good," he said, stroking the dragon's neck. "I'm glad we finally understand each other."
Tears of fear were beginning to well up in the pokemon's eyes as Brendan ran his fingers down his snout. Serena no longer saw her mighty Charizard, but a small Charmander, even more frightened than when they first met.
"That's enough, Brendan."
He applied a light pressure between the nostrils before finally stepping back.
"Looks like he wants to make up for scaring me earlier. A good opportunity for us to become friends," he finished with a wink.
"Cha..." the pokemon confirmed in a low voice.
Serena clenched her fists, including her left one.
"Don't touch other people's pokemon without their permission."
He blinked several times before bursting into laughter:
"I've never heard that before, maybe a Kalos rule."
"A rule about telling me what you did to make him behave like that!" she exploded.
He scratched his cheek, looking genuinely annoyed, but choosing to turn away from her, replied with his usual mischievousness:
"It would be my pleasure, Serena, really, except you see..." Brendan sighed heavily as he stared at the poorly patched fabric. "He's the one who helped you mend it, isn't he? And that explains why it didn't hold."
He approached the girl, his hands hidden in his pockets as he leaned toward her.
"But at least he didn't leave you alone, thinking you'd figure it out on your own. That's what I like about him."
His gaze drifted to the scar, bringing back a feeling of disgust in the young girl.
"You really don't want to talk about it?"
"It's... it's complicated. Another day, maybe."
The boy's lip quivered, as did the surface of his irises. After a moment's hesitation, his facial muscles tensed, forcing a smile.
"All right, I understand. But if you ever need to confide, don't forget I'm here."
"Thanks."
He pulled off his cap with one hand and twisted it violently as he went back to pitching the tents. He was always so bad in there when the impostor, the creep, was so quick to put the smile back on his trainer's face.
Thirsty. His throat burned as he followed the footprints in the red earth. Thirsty. The yellow grasses offered little protection but skorupis, leaving the travelers exposed to the relentless weight of a blazing sun. Thirsty. His long neck held only a burning thirst, far worse than the drought that afflicted the Ruffes.
"Do you want to hear something amazing?" he read Brendan's lips.
She smiled at the boy and her mouth moved to answer:
"Of course, Brendan!"
"You know your Charizard, his name is actually Ash."
"Ash?"
Serena turned to the fake pokemon, who once again swallowed his flames.
"Yes, Ash Ketchum, he was originally human, but a mask fell on his head and he's been like this ever since."
The fake pokemon stopped walking, only hoping that the sun would melt him before Serena joined him and asked if it was true, if he was really THE Ash she knew.
"Are you mad at me about your wing? I thought I took it easy enough, but..."
Was that all she wanted to know? Serena sensed her dragon's confused look and hurried to explain:
"Brendan and I have been talking for a while now and... you haven't come between us."
A hint of disappointment crept into her voice, as if she'd been waiting for the monster to interrupt. But Ash didn't notice, too surprised that Brendan hadn't said anything about a possible human-turned-pokemon, a certain Ash Ketchum.
"Char, ri?"
She rubbed her arm and glanced discreetly at the boy waiting in front of her.
"Not that I mind talking to him, after all, Brendan knows a lot about Pokémon and the Hoenn region, but..."
"Char."
"Did something happen between you two?"
"Zar!" he choked. "Charichar!"
She narrowed her eyes, showing that she didn't believe a word he said.
"Chari?" he mimed drinking.
"Again?" the young girl gasped.
She handed him his gourd anyway, and he noticed it was almost empty.
"Zard," he returned.
"You can finish."
Except that it seemed to him that she had barely had a drink since this morning, and he didn't know how she did it when he was constantly thirsty.
"Brendan will lend me his."
Ash grimaced at the idea, but finally agreed when she opened the cap and he felt the refreshing coolness. He swallowed the water in one gulp, soothing his burned tongue a little.
"Are you okay, Serena?" called Brendan.
The monster gasped, his tongue hanging out to the side. Concerned, Serena touched the monster's scales, which, though heated by the sun, remained relatively cool.
"Do you have any water for him?" she turned to the boy.
"Again?!"
They waited until the reptile had quenched his thirst before resuming their journey, and this time Serena left the boy alone at the head of their small group. She preferred to stay by the dragon's side to make sure his thirst didn't get any worse, and perhaps because she was more interested in chatting with the pokemon than with the trainer.
Well, chat was a big word, and she wouldn't say that she found Brendan's conversation uninteresting. It was just that she felt more comfortable expressing herself with Charizard, and even his growls were a sweeter melody than the trainer's chatter.
"Chari, ri, chari, charizard!"
Ash had gotten a little carried away, he realized when she gave him a confused look and silently begged him to slow down.
"Zar..."
He'd only asked if she had any new ideas for contests, then drifted from one topic to another until the girl, despite her best efforts, couldn't keep up. In itself, everything he'd said had been downright banal, if not uninteresting, so it didn't matter that she'd only understood half or less than a third of it.
However, she never gave the impression of being mocked or bored when he spoke to her, quite the opposite. It was the same on Kalos, where even though her interests were very different from his, she never failed to listen, smile or laugh at what he had to say. And he himself had begun to enjoy discussing performances, pokepuffs, sometimes fashion, fashion! Only Serena managed to draw his attention to one of mankind's most boring inventions.
"Would you like some more water?" she offered.
Ash glanced at the blue ribbon glistening in the sunlight, following the waves of the girl's hair. The lump in his throat was more than bearable now.
"Zard."
He felt good. With Brendan far ahead, the weight of the sun turned to caresses, all he had to do was enjoy Serena's presence. Was that how he'd felt on Kalos? Was that why the rhythm of his footsteps, at first subject to Clemont's cadence, had finally settled on the young girl? Was it why he sometimes hesitated to postpone a fight against a trainer who had caught his eye just so he could... But tradition was tradition, and Serena was subject to it as well. And if confrontations with coordinators weren't the most prized, having a blustering Charizard outside her pokéball was a game-changer.
"Time to use it: Charizard, FlamHeart!"
Oh dear, Ash had already sent out a Fire Spin attack. Too bad, eh, for another time. And Geodude had dodged it again?!
"What's wrong with that attack at the end?"
"Char!"
Serena sighed. She had wanted to use this fight to improve her pokemon's battle moves, especially those heart-shaped flames he had shown her. Was it the name she'd come up with that he didn't like? FlamHeart sounded better than Heart Thrower or Heart Blast... All right, she'd never make fun of Clemont for his made-up names again.
The shapeshifter couldn't escape the trainer's disappointment, but he wouldn't crack even if two blue eyes landed on him... Argh, okay, he'll do it! Ash took a long, slow breath before releasing the flaming hearts. They rose and advanced a little towards Geodude before finally losing interest and returning to the young girl.
" It's not me you have to aim at," she reminded him with an embarrassed smile.
Ash rushed up to Serena and scattered the fireflies with his wings, while Brendan, in the front row as referee, said innocently:
"An imitation of Attract is still an imitation, too bad, buddy."
The torrent of flames was swallowed in extremis, and he turned to Brendan to beg him not to add anything. So he didn't notice that Serena took one of the small surviving flames and let it live lazily in her palm.
"It's still not burning," she remarked.
Perhaps it would be different if he were aiming at another pokemon, or even Brendan, but somehow the young girl felt that these flames were for her and her alone. Unconsciously, she touched the ribbon, a strange feeling of joy surging through her chest. It's not him!" she heard herself shout. And it was true, he wasn't Ash and they had a fight to finish.
The shapeshifter was only too happy to move on. So he put a lot of energy into his next Flamethrower and immediately regretted it. His esophagus was plowed through, his gullet ripped open and his mouth laminated. He opened his mouth wide in surprise and felt the icy air rush in, cutting his flesh to shreds. Geodud wanted to take advantage of this and swung his stone fist, but not fast enough to prevent the dragon from crushing him under its Dragon Claw.
"Zarrrr."
His voice was hoarse and black drool trickled down his lips. Water! It'll go away with water! He staggered to the river that ran through the thyme and juniper bushes, but all he could manage was a violent coughing fit.
"Oh no, Charizard!" he heard Serena shout.
"I 'ine," he struggled to articulate.
Given the amount of soot staining the water, there were serious doubts, and Serena was already looking up the nearest Pokémon Center on her tablet.
"That's quite a detour," Brendan grinned, looking over the girl's shoulder.
"Don't say that!"
As she'd feared, the dragon hadn't agreed to extend their journey and was already preparing to come up with some far-fetched excuse.
"Ch..."
"I'm taking you to this center whether you like it or not. And if you're not happy, you can sulk in your pokeball."
She had pulled out the ball to make it clear that she wasn't joking, but Ash showed his teeth and was already thinking about how to avoid the red ray.
"Stop thinking that contests are more important than you!"
He took another sip of water to show her that everything was fine, but spat it out because of the cough. He wiped the corner of his lips, leaving soot on his scales. Of course it was important to her, why else would he have followed her?
"Don't lie," he growled.
The girl's face flushed, and this time it wasn't from embarrassment.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm a perfomer before I'm a coordinator, and if I'm here, if I'm competing, it's not to win a title or ribbons!" She lifted the pokeball, determined to trap the monster inside. "I don't care about becoming Top Coordinator, that is not and will never be my dream, do you hear me?"
"But becoming Queen of Kalos..."
She ruffled her hair at the monster's attitude. Why was he so stubborn, even though she had explained it to him!
"My dream is not to make my pokemon suffer!" she shouted.
The beam of light shot out, and Ash thought he was in the clear until Brendan stepped in.
"I think he understands," he said, turning to the fake pokemon.
Ash nodded slowly and pulled his foot out of the stream, his head bowed in surrender to his trainer.
"You really suck," the boy admitted in a whisper.
I said I was taking a break, but in the end I can't resist finishing this mini-arc.
One of the things that amused me in XY, was that when the group walked, their formation was often Ash next to Serena and Clemont next to Bonnie. Of course, how could Ash protect Serena from crazy trucks bearing down on them if he wasn't next to her? x) ( And if you don't know what I'm talking about: watch the episode of the return of the Malamars. You can clearly see Ash pushing Serena out of the way and completely forgetting about Clemont right next to him - well, okay, you have to do a little slow-motion on the image, but it's very funny to see)