Pokemon: Blood curse!

Chapter 11: Strengthening Focus!

"She'll be okay," Warmth, from Meigu's strong hand, enveloped Marceline's forehead after he placed it gently and ignored Mewtwo who kept his violet hues upon the slumbering brunette. If anyone saw his expression, they'd think he was angry or frustrated and refused to speak.

The concern over her well-being kept bubbling inside and the Legendary noticed how Meigu's Poliwrath, Blaziken, Gallade, and the woman's two other friends all watched her intently in hopes of her waking. He, too, wished she'd open her eyes but knew better than to push her. Never in his life did he think he'd take in a human, or... A pokemon made to appear and behave as a human. Strange emotions stirred, a sense of protectiveness and guilt. Regret accompanied the worry he had, over the woman, and could only feel anger over his own stupidity. The balls on the tips of his fingers clenched to form fists when he recalled those moments, how she nearly drowned and died. How her friends brought her to the surface so the buff man could perform CPR.

No one saw his subtle action, for his hands stayed close to his sides and kept his face straight. Although, when she stirred, everyone including him was taken aback the second her eyes tiredly fluttered open. "W-... Where..." Confused and groggy, those hazel hues opened to see all of her friends move closer to her frame. Very slowly did recognition bring light to them, it didn't take long for her to remember the drowning experience and the pain in her lungs.

With haste, the brunette sat up and looked around. Everywhere, she frantically touched her clothes, she could feel the dampness, and the brown hair that she intertwined her fingers through was almost dry as if she just finished showering. "Guys- I'm so sorry, I should've-" As soon as she looked at the others once more, a gentle hand from Prince caught her attention. However, Meigu's voice that she heard resonated from her side, pulled her gaze to him instead, and took notice of his furrowed brows. The smell of sweat and grass filled her nose, which only brought worry to her face.

"You shouldn't have listened to Mewtwo. Geyser helped me get to you and take you to land, she's a pretty fast swimmer too so I'm happy she got you there in time. How's your head? I noticed you were in pain before you fell into the water," The buff man's concern seemed to have dwindled slightly, although, she could still see it in his brown eyes.

"Yeah... Thanks to this miniature Psychic Plate, I was able to fly very far. So much further than I ever have. It felt amazing, honestly.~ It felt... Like no chains were weighing me down," When she lifted her palm, her gaze hazed over with swarming thoughts. She felt free and alive, as though the walls around her had crumbled when she flew. Slowly, her fingers pressed against her forehead, when a faint smile graced her lips.

All the more reason for you to train. Mel, who stood next to Torch's side and mewed her poke' language, spoke up with a sudden determination glinting in her eyes. If you felt that good, then imagine how much better you'd feel if you mastered your Psychic power. Liepard knew she was right, the nods of a few other heads only proved it and carefully she walked closer.

"Mel... Yeah, it gives another reason to keep training, haha. Thanks, guys... Really. It sucks that I can't swim. My mom pretty much sheltered me- save for going to school. My schools never had any pools or swim classes," A pout on her lips formed when she sighed, because deep down a small fear lingered over the thought of somehow drowning again. "Well- when do I start?" Curious, she blinked and looked at everyone until they landed on Mewtwo several steps away.

Now. If you believe you can move without any problems then we can begin now. Telepathically speaking in a firm and strong voice, Mewtwo's long feet moved closer. Because of how quiet the Legendary's home was, faint thuds from his steps resonated through everyone's ears with the exception of a few creaks in the floor.

"Y- Yeah, I can move," To say she didn't feel rushed would be a lie, her legs pushed into a stand a little too quickly, and almost made herself stumble if it wasn't for Torch reaching over to catch her arm. The tight grip nearly made her wince but felt it loosen after she regained her balance, just for a moment her gaze met Blaziken's.

He was lucky he had feathers everywhere and that his face was practically red, otherwise she would've noticed his red cheeks and hesitance to look at her. Don't... Say- Anything! His mind rambled on and did his best not to open his beak to speak his poke' language.

"You okay, Torch? You've been acting weird lately... Is there something you're not telling me?" Meigu's brown eyes squinted with suspicion as he took notice of Blaziken's behavior. Torch only ever acted like that when he saw a female Psychic type around, wait... For a moment, his thoughts trailed, and very slowly did recognition light up his gaze. "Torch- Do you..." Intensity, filled the air between him and his Blaziken, for he and the fiery mon connected their eyes.

Sweat trickled down Torch's feathers upon the nervousness he felt, it was as though there was something he hoped wouldn't be revealed, and stood there wide-eyed at his Trainer. I hope he's not- before his poke' thoughts finished, Meigu's words soon overran him with something he wasn't expecting.

"What's your deal? Do you... Actually like Psychic types, one of your weaknesses? I noticed how you struggle to look her in the eye sometimes... Or, is it because you're afraid she'd use a Psychic move on you?" Confused, one brow lifted when Meigu asked and his attention seemed to dart between Torch and Prince. He saw how his Gallade gave Blaziken sharp glares with a fold of his blue arms, it was as if he hated how Torch acted.

Despite his fiery type, comical frost turned him into an ice cube, for he was frozen in place from how close his Trainer was to his behavior and it made a slight rise of panic in his mind.

"Anyway!" Abruptly Marce waved her hand to gain everyone's attention. I better change this subject, it doesn't look like the air's going to get lighter anytime soon. Concern for her friends filled her mind when she spoke, the last thing she wanted was for any drama or arguments to occur. "I'll head outside I guess. You guys can tag along, I'm sticking with Mewtwo for now," Calmly, she let out a breath before making her way towards the Legendary's front door. The soft texture on the inside of her pockets rubbed against her balled fists when they were stuffed into them. However, a glance was given to the buff man's Poliwrath and she could tell by just its face that it was a female. Huh... It's weird how I can tell what gender a pokemon is. For a moment, she spoke in her mind and watched as Geyser's eyes closed happily to indicate a smile. "Thanks, uh... For helping me out there. I really appreciate it," Nervous, she scratched at her cheek and returned the same smile.

Moments later, Mewtwo was on the edge of the small land his home sat on and flailed his tail from side to side upon watching the brunette. His purple hues paid close attention to her cross-legged position and her expectant gaze staring into his own. Alright... Let's begin with your position. How you're sitting, is incorrect. Through his telepathic power and with a firm voice, he spoke. It'd be best to train her mental strength and focus, before attempting any moves. This time his thoughts echoed and didn't allow anyone to hear. Not once did his intense eyes soften, for he believed taking the training seriously would be better than going easy and becoming soft.

"How... Do I sit then?" curious and confused hues blinked. But I thought Meditation was the way to go, crossing my legs like this and putting my hands on my knees... Marce mumbled in her mind, disappointed. To say it wasn't awkward would be a lie, the brunette moved her attention to the grass that swayed gently from the wind.

You must stand... Standing will help you concentrate on your balance. In fact- stand on one foot. Through telepathy, Mewtwo answered and watched the woman awkwardly raise to her feet, with one foot now holding her up. Good... Now, try to focus on your core balance. You may switch between feet if you wish. Keep that up for ten minutes, then after that, I'll give you your next task. With a turn, he wandered over to a distant tree that veiled shade and relaxed against its base; his attention on her not once moving.

There she remained, after a couple of minutes passed, and swayed from side to side to try to keep her balance. This is so hard! I can actually feel the back of my legs tightening and my feet burning. Wow... I'm seriously out of shape. Her eyes dulled when she did her best to focus on her position. The soft wind brushing through her hair and the smell of the water surrounding the area was rather distracting. The sensation on her one foot, she could barely withstand and switched to her other in hopes of giving her sore one a break.

Near the front door stood her friends, Meigu and his pokemon. They were all concerned for the woman who struggled to stay on one foot, however, Prince found it amusing. A glint in his reddish-orange eyes and a hidden smile proved how interested he was in Mewtwo's method. It seems... Mewtwo is trying to strengthen her focusing capability right now. That's dire for all Psychic types. I'm rather impressed with how adamant she is right now. His blue arms folded at the thought, unaware of Torch's curious gaze glancing at him for a moment before returning to the brunette.

"You can do this, Marceline," Quietly spoken, so as to not disturb her, the buff man gave the woman a smile of approval and hoped deep in his mind that she won't give up.

She's got some heart, that's for sure. I didn't know Psychic types needed to strengthen their focus for anything. Torch's mumbled poke' language escaped his beak, as he continued to gaze upon the brunette who didn't even spare a glance in their direction.

Of course, you wouldn't know... You're just a Fighting and Fire type. I had to do a lot of focus training when our Trainer saved me and took me in. Someone as simple as you wouldn't understand the basic needs of a Psychic type. Prince, who sweatdropped and stared at Blaziken from his peripherals, stated rather rudely through his poke' language.

What did you just say?! Simple?! From behind his Trainer, fumed Torch, when he heard Gallade and it was almost timed perfectly when his rival jumped back to gain some distance.

Around quite fast, whipped Meigu's head to watch the two bicker. "Hey! Stop fighting you two, you're going to ruin Marceline's focus!" Both hands clamped onto his hips when he gave them a scolding, he knew they were like brothers but he always hated how much they fought. His pokemon only moved their attention to him upon the parental approach he took, which seemed to almost cause Prince to chuckle at the situation.

Yes, that is enough of you! This time, it was Geyser's turn to speak. Her narrowed black eyes and tight fists only startled the two when she approached them from behind. You both act like children and lately, from what I tend to overhear in my Pokeball, you've been acting up a lot more lately because of her. Can't you two stop fighting for once? You can stand to be in the same proximity as each other for at least a couple of minutes! With a huff and a firm voice, both of her white fists did the same as Matsuo, on her hips.

Yes... Please. For my friend's sake, don't bother her. If you must fight among yourselves then do it elsewhere. This time, it was Mel who approached and passed the two in front of Poliwrath. Her slits soon glued to her best friend who continued to fight her way into a still position, to say she was proud of her would be an understatement. Most likely you'll be too much of a distraction and she won't make any progress. I've known her since she was very small... She'll definitely succeed. She's the type that, if she puts her mind to it, she won't give up. Liepard couldn't help but smile at that, her feline lips curled from a memory she dared not mention to the others.

I should know! Out of the doorway and above everyone's heads, soared Hornet. His wings buzzed as he moved with a light gust in his wake, for admiration twinkled in his red eyes at the pokemon hybrid near the edge of the land. She saved me from neglect and wanted to make sure that my family understood how wrong they were for treating me the way they did! She was very strong and full of Just! She even helped me become a Beedrill even though she doesn't like to train pokemon! Excited, and happy, his large stingers wiggled when those red eyes closed with joy and weren't aware of the stares he received aside from Mel.

From there, they fell into a silent poke' conversation, leaving a very confused Matsuo there who kept scratching at his head. "What are you guys talking about? Are you all fired up too, from seeing her trying so hard?" His toothy grin flashed at the pokemon and let an amused chuckle or two escape his lips. Several heads nodded when he asked, causing the buff man to laugh a little harder and nearly startle the brunette in the distance. Everyone gasped, just before he turned around to see the woman nearly topple over if it wasn't for her quick recovery to stand back up. "Sorry...!" A quiet whisper, nervous, his hand lifted to wave when his brown hues closed from the awkward situation.

~~~Kuro~~~

Snow everywhere, befell Kuro as his feet nearly fazed through the thick frost around his boots. His trench coat never even budged from the icy winds, which most people would feel nipping at their noses and turning them red. His crimson eyes, which glinted with a distant look that could only be described as longing, stared upon the frosted trees and the ice pokemon that hid away from his presence. No noise resonated as he walked, for the only sound that was known were the crisp taps of the falling flakes and the small cries of pokemon.

There, not far ahead laid a path covered in thin, dark ice, that'd require a small drive with a car to reach a beautiful old home that looked as though years took its toll. Surrounded by trees and snow much like the rest of the forest, there was only enough clearing to have a possible vehicle. Slowly, his boots which fazed through the thick snow, like a ghost, began to hover.

The same speed was kept when he flew across the path and watched the abandoned home grow closer. Marceline... His mumbled words echoed through his mind, full of yearning and a strange obsession.

The closer he became, the more sorrow replaced the longing in his red hues. There he stood before a double-wide door, brown and rimmed with faded red coloring; all around him, he examined everything. The old marks where a car used to be, large glass windows that exposed the entire side of an empty living room, and a kitchen behind an archway that he could see past in the room. His gloved hands gently pressed against the dusty windows, only for frost to spread more from his breath and his touch.

Very slowly did his hand tighten into a fist, the pain glinted more in his eyes the more he thought about memories of the past and how tiny she was. Your parents were so awful... Anger filled his mind when images of her parents occurred. He could recall how much they screamed at her, locked her away in her room with a tiny Purrloin, and the tears she shed. The past he pondered only enticed more fury, which seemed to have caused one of the large windows to suddenly shatter upon a strange force he emitted.

I have to go back now. Getting here was hard enough since this region is so big. By the type I get back- she... Will be back. A strange and sick grin curled his lips at the thought, for he couldn't help but be excited over seeing his friend again.