Pokemon: Blood Curse
Chapter 14: The Matsu Squad.
Wow, there are so many fighting Pokemon here... Mel, in her poke' tongue, mumbled behind Marceline as they made their way down the stairs of the Stadium. It was clear she was nervous since fighting types is a dark Pokemon's weakness.
"Yeah- and I think I see a Vespiqueen hidden in one of those trees there, too," Marce mentioned with a quick point of her finger toward the nearby trees and finally felt solid ground after scaling those stairs.
V- V- Vespiqueen?! Shivering, nervousness filled Hornet's entire body and made him hide behind the brunette, careful to not prod her with his stingers.
"H- Hey... Why does he have a Vespiqueen, anyway? They're not fighting types... Meigu also seems particularly nervous around you, so doesn't that mean he's afraid of bug Pokemon?" Her hazel hues peeked at Hornet over her shoulder and saw his red eyes do the same only for Mel to jump in.
He is afraid. But maybe, he's just afraid of some bug Pokemon and not all of them? Liepard questioned after she strode next to Marce's feet with a twitch of her curvy tail.
"Who knows... Anyway, where did Meigu run off to, again?" The brunette was very confused and lost, they wandered the vast field of fighting Pokemon just to receive curious glances in return.
However, in front of them, stood a stern Lucario to gain their attention. His red eyes bore into hazel ones and a few others when they all stopped to look his way, nonetheless silence befell them all.
"C- Can... I help you?" Quiet, a bit uneasy, Marce asked and adjusted the bags in her hands to reduce discomfort in her fingers.
I heard... You can understand Pokemon language. Its voice, deep, clear, and strict, asked the girl who fidgeted in her spot. My trainer, Meigu, asked me to guide you to the eatery center and mentioned that you would understand my speech. Turning to his side and shifting his weight, not once did his focus on Marce falter.
"Ah- yeah. I... Really hope I don't make you feel awkward. I appreciate your guidance," Marce could feel her own nervousness rile up her spine as she began to follow Lucario.
Past many Mons and sections which were divided by walls and fences, they spent about a minute making their way across the other side of the field. The beautiful flowers in the grass danced from the shifting gusts when a few Hawluchas flew above their heads. Not long did a Heracross buzz past them from behind and give a curious glance to Hornet.
Just as they were about to pass by a small source of water, leaped out a Sawk with a great splash and landed with style on the grassy edge. Its arms were out with pride and a triumphant grin on its face, only to see it get sprayed off with water by a Quaquaval nearby. The very water and fighting type laughed with its poke' language before it ran away when it saw Sawk give chase.
"Haha.~" Marceline couldn't help but giggle at their childish antics and did her best to stifle her laughter. It didn't go unnoticed, because Lucario, who guided them, smirked after a peek over his shoulder.
Seconds passed and when the Eatery was much closer now, she saw how it had a half-open dome supported by white pillars. It almost resembled a gazebo with a wall only circling half of one side, its white dome was covered in flora and elegant vines coiled around the supports, with an open entrance for all to freely enter.
There inside sat Meigu on a stool at a small bar and Prince on the other side with chopped-up poke' food and human fruits. "Marce! Over here!" His muscular arm lifted and waved his hand, with his usual bright smile greeting her from afar. On the bar's surface where he sat, was a plate full of fruits and vegetables. The sound of Prince's sword-like arms chopping some Berries at an amazing speed was ignored by the buff man.
When he saw them pick up their pace and the Lucario make its way to Matsuo's side, he took notice of her confused but shy features. Her small smile proved how nervous she was to be surrounded by so many other Pokemon she didn't know. "You guys made it just in time! Prince here makes a killer Fruit Smoothie and Poffin Cake! Also- meet my Lucario, Makage! He's a bit of a lone wolf type and not very sociable, haha so don't feel offended if he doesn't respond. Makage, this is Marceline I told you and Hops about! I still need to introduce her to Hops... And Wrestler," The last part he spoke of was mumbled when he nervously scratched at his cheek and averted his gaze.
"It's nice to meet you, M- Makage," Marceline's timid wave of her hand and the other one clenching the fabric of her jacket, sort of gave away the fact that she felt uneasy.
Makage saw that, before he guided her, but averted his attention and left the gazebo. Outside of it he jumped as high as he could to leave everyone's sight and hid himself on the roof, unbeknownst to everyone else.
"Um... Well, he did talk to me before he guided me here. I guess that's all I was going to get, right?" Awkward laughter escaped her lips before she wandered to the bar and sat on a stool. The groceries she had were soon placed on the bar's surface just to get swiped by one of Prince's retracted arms and sat near his feet. "W- Wait, what are you doing with those?" Over the surface, she leaned to see where he put them.
It's so you can have some room for a present I'm preparing for you, Marceline. Faintly embarrassed tints dusted his white cheeks after he continued to chop at more fruits.
"A... A present?" Curious, her eyes blinked, and sat back down. Never had she received a gift from a Pokemon, aside from Mel who would bring home little Berries on occasion to cook with. When she saw him nod, without even so much as a glance in her direction, a small smile grew. "I can't wait.~" Quiet, it was hard to hide her excited giggle so her form hunkered down to hide her face. "Oh- that's right!" Quickly she turned around, then faced Mel and Hornet who patiently remained behind her with expectation in their eyes. "You guys want to go hang out with the others? I- It's okay if you want to. And hornet, I'll ask Meigu now, if you'd like," With a kind smile, she adjusted her position to fully face them.
I think I'd rather sit here with you, Marceline. Eyes closed, with a delighted smile and a twitch of her tail, Mel answered. She knew the brunette was only offering because she didn't want them to feel too bored, from just sitting around doing nothing.
I'd love to take a nap in a tree- if that's alright! Joyful, Hornet's red eyes happily closed and swayed his frame from side to side.
"Sure. Hornet, you can take your nap, I'm sure we'll be here for maybe ten to twenty minutes anyway," When her hands reached over and petted both of their heads, it was easy to see the relief on their faces.
I wouldn't mind making you two some of my Poffin Cakes, too. All you'd have to do is ask. Generosity filled Prince's voice when he offered and moved a Fruit Smoothie over to Meigu. A soft scrape of the glass's end across the bar caught the buff man's attention and he gave Gallade a nod of appreciation.
"Thanks!" Happily, he cheered with a sip of the smoothie, his lips against the clear glass made the ice inside clink from the movement. "Ask me what?" Curious, his brown eyes blinked at the brunette in the midst of a sip and turned on his stool to fully face her.
When Hornet buzzed and left to go find a tree to sleep in, a content grin stretched her lips before her attention returned to the muscular man next to her. "Hornet... I sort of- said I'd ask you if you could train him for me... I'm certainly not a trainer and you know I'd never want to be one. Hornet really loves the idea of becoming stronger too, so... I was wondering if you could? If it's too much trouble, you don't have to! I understand you're scared of bug Pokemon," The hem of her jacket's sleeve was fiddled with by her fingers when she lowered her gaze to her lap. She could nearly hear her own heart pounding in her ears, the very thought of asking him to train a Pokemon for her was unlike her and she knew no one would do it for free.
"T- T- Train Hornet?! I..." Meigu, for once, was at a loss for words. How to answer her without hurting her feelings was going to be difficult and awkward, so he stopped to ponder carefully. The Beedrill are creepy! I can't, I just can't! I barely managed to get used to a Heracross and a Vespiqueen! I don't know if I can handle a- his mind went into a frenzied panic, for beads of nervous sweat rolled down his tan skin like a cold, sweating bottle. However, his thoughts were cut short when he heard her lovely voice relieve his inner breakdown.
"Don't worry! Um... You- could use one of your own Pokemon to spar with him. You don't have to use your own training skills. Remember when I told you, that he evolved and trained all on his own, in the little clearing hidden in the forest? The place I set up for anyone who wanted to battle it out or challenge another... You don't need to use yourself- just... He needs stronger Pokemon to spar with, that's all," As soon as she explained, in front of her, Prince gently placed a beautifully crafted Milk Shake with Razz berry fragments sprinkled on top and bits of cute shapes drawn out on the inside with thick chocolate.
Beyond astonished, her mouth gaped as her eyes gazed in awe at the masterpiece. She never knew Prince was capable of such a lovely drink and when her fingers touched the glass, sheer cold almost made her digits dumb. "Wow- This is amazing! Now I'm too afraid to drink it, it's just... So pretty!" Her hands tried to hold onto the beverage on either side, but it was too cold to even graze it. She was lucky that he put a straw in it, otherwise, there would be no way to drink it.
I'm happy you love it, Marceline.~ Calm, and collected, he replied in his poke' language. His demeanor shone with joy when his reddish-orange eyes closed and those embarrassed tints returned.
Again, a subtle giggle escaped, before her lips sipped the straw and tasted its marvelous flavor; Grape, Razz, and other fruits filled her buds. Dear heavens above, this is amazing! Quickly this time, she took her hands and picked it up with the most content expression on her face. She wasn't aware of Gallade's astonished features, however, that soon came to a halt when Matsuo stood from his seat with a slight jiggle of the stool gaining her attention.
"I understand... I'll let him spar with one of my Pokemon if he wants, then. There's a Healing Cubical not far from here, some training arenas, and a large Lounge for Pokemon who are used to living in the cities. If he wants he can go to one of the training arenas and ask for a spar," With his panic shoved aside, those beads of nervous sweat still remained but he kept his signature smile present and placed both hands on his hips. "Besides, I just finished eating, I wouldn't mind watching him go at it after his nap! As... long as he's not too close to me, haha!" Awkward, his hand rose to rub the back of his head. The shifting of his feet was proof of how uncomfortable he felt, which earned him a concerned hum from the brunette.
"Are... Are you sure? You don't have to watch if you don't want to. Mel and I will be there to cheer him on and give him some healing potions if he needs them. Or some water," Next, it was her turn to lift her hand. Though it was more of a gesture with her palm facing him, nonetheless it was meant to ward off any ounce of unease.
"Yeah, I'm sure! As long as he's not too close to me, I'll be fine. Besides, I wouldn't mind observing a bug Pokemon fight against my Fighting types! It'll be interesting! In fact, why don't you come by tomorrow instead to do the fighting? He can just take his nap now, then come hang out tomorrow. I could have my Heracross escort him back to my private dojo. My Pokemon could spar with him or he could stand in the training arena when he gets here and wait for my other Pokemon to challenge him," With a reassuring smile, his chocolate, sweet, brown eyes bore into her curious ones after he explained.
"O- Of course! Um... I wouldn't mind, either way. I need to go soon anyway, we can't leave our Treehouse unattended, or some invading Pokemon might sneak in. I remember Mel had to fight some off all on her own, to get them out... It was a pain, they made a mess of everything," Again, her lips slurped at the straw, and smiled at the wondrous flavor.
"Oh- really?! Wow, Mel must be very strong! How many were there? Three, four?" Taken aback, his hands supported his weight when he leaned over the bar top and grew closer to her face, much as a child would to a candy store's display window.
"Try seven," Marce groaned at the horrific memory when she saw seven fainted Pansages in her living room, as the last one was carried in Mel's mouth down the stairs and plopped into the pile of the other six. "Pansage, they barged in and tried to steal some Berries and other stuff. They must've been very hungry, to do that... I don't know why they did, but- yeah," After she finished the beverage Prince made her, she gave the Gallade an appreciative smile with a nod of her head.
"Wait, wait- Wait! Seven?! That's unlike them... I can understand maybe one or two, but to gang up and invade someone's home like that is unheard of. Honestly, I'd investigate the forest a bit to see what the cause of that was," Beyond shocked, his brown eyes lit up at the news after he sat back down.
"I had the idea for a while to look around, but I've been... Busy lately," Off of the bar stool, she stood, and stepped aside with her hazel hues examining the surroundings for any sight of his Blaziken. "By the way- Where's Torch? Did you let him out, after you did with Prince? I was still at the entrance when you left me there," Turning around and viewing the distant Healing Cubical, she saw a Blissey singing to herself behind a counter of sorts.
"Oh, I let him out but he stormed off to the Lounge room and left us here. He was angry, so I didn't stop him. Speaking of which- Hops is actually in the Lounge room too, want to meet her?" After a quick glance at Prince and a wave of his hand, he watched his Gallade give him a nod.
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind. We can eat some of the snacks too, I'll just have to make sure I save some for Hornet," As Marce answered and left the gazebo after she grabbed her bags again, she heard a thud in the grass. Over her shoulder she peeked, to see Makage carefully watch her and follow them.
Mel, who tagged along behind them as well, twitched her tail at the sight of the Pokemon's sudden occurrence. No words were exchanged, no conversation to be had, for they remained silent and gave one another a glance on occasion.
"I'd love that!" With a large, energetic grin, he turned to walk backward so he could face her.
~~~~Lounge~~~~
There, in the Lounge, snored Torch as he rested on a comfy red sofa with his head pressed against the top of it. His arms lay sprawled on top as well, as his clawed hands dangled over the side toward the cushions. He wasn't aware of the facepalm in front of him, where Meigu stood with a hand on his hip and disappointment on his face.
"I thought you were going to watch Pokemon Tournament, I'm pretty sure you missed the Master League battles too." Loudly, behind his palm, he smirked and almost let out a faint chuckle, which seemed to have worsened when he heard his Blaziken jolt.
Onto the floor with a thud, Torch woke with a scare and rolled off of the sofa next to his trainer's feet. In his peripherals he sent glares that could pierce even the thickest hides of Pokemon, however, it hardly fazed the buff man since he returned a more cheerful stare.
"Sorry! Anyway- did you see Hops anywhere? I'm pretty sure she was here," His brown eyes scanned the entire Lounge, taking note of the mini fridge hanging open and revealing its empty interior. "Great... Torch- did you eat all of my ice cream?" Down his head trickled a sweat drop, annoyance clearly on his face after he moved his attention back to his Blaziken. When he saw the Pokemon's head shake, a hum escaped the buff man's lips and noticed how one of Torch's clawed fingers jerked behind him to the weight-lifting room.
"Ah, so she's probably in there punching away at that punching bag. Thanks! I'll go get her, can you stay here with Marceline for a minute, please?" As soon as he asked he made his way around the large red sofa and towards a pair of red double doors. Sounds of thuds and faint cries echoed when he grew closer, he knew he had to be quiet in order to catch her in the act.
Carefully, he inched a door open and peeked inside to see a Breloom hacking away at a red-hanging punching bag. Her long tail flailed and smacked at the bag's side before she came back around, with a hard thrust of her red fist. She moved as swiftly as a boxer in an arena, causing the bag to rock back and forth enough to break from the supportive chain. With a heavy thunk, the red bag fell, with open gashes from her strikes making bits of its insides fall out.
"Hops... You ate all the ice cream, didn't you? What have I told you about that?! You get nauseous every time you eat that!" With hands on his hips and a scolding look on his face, he watched as the said Breloom stiffened upon his harsh voice.
Without so much as another word, he walked past Hops and looked through the nearby bathroom door. There inside the toilet sat colored toxins which he knew were vomit, the sight was enough to make his head drop in defeat and sigh. I need lactose-free ice cream. In his mind, he pondered, non too happy about the idea of Hops eating what he was saving for himself in the fridge. "Hops- There's a friend I'd like you to meet. She's met everyone else on my team so far except Wrestler. I think you'll like her!" Cheery, and positive, he whirled around and wiped off the depressed look he had over the colored vomit. His beaming smile shone brightly which somehow relaxed his Breloom, as he watched her whip around and nod her head.
She too was delighted to meet his new friend, the sound of acceptance from her poke' cry echoed joyfully before she marched her way out of the small room.
Outside of the room, Marceline awkwardly stood next to the Television and rubbed one of her arms. Her nervousness made those hazel hues view everything in the Lounge, noticing a vending machine of some sort containing various drinks. Quietly, despite Torch watching her curiously, she made her way to the said machine and inspected it.
It doesn't need any money- if that's what you're looking for. Blaziken's poke' voice reached the brunette's ears and made her stiffen up. When he saw her turn to look at him, he could tell she was a little shy from how her eyes kept darting between the floor and his own pair.
"R- Really? Is it alright if I have some water? I don't know where to get it," Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her jacket's sleeve as she shifted her feet. She didn't want to be rude or ask for too much, so she hoped that asking for water would be enough. From a glance, she saw how Torch walked up to her and used a strong hand to hit the machine.
It spooked her, she nearly jumped out of her skin from the brutish move he did. His arm was high above her head and his blue eyes stared into her hazel ones, for a short minute. If it weren't for his fuzzy cheeks, she would've been able to see embarrassed tints, that was until a thunk echoed.
After he lowered his arm his attention went to the red sofa, before he awkwardly made his way back to it and left the brunette there.
Carefully, her hand reached into the flap of the door on the machine and pulled out some freezing cold Fresh Water. "Thanks," With a soft smile she thanked him, unaware of Blaziken's lazy position on the sofa.
Only one eye was shut, whilst the other remained open and focused on the appreciative smile she had, watching her unscrew the bottle's lid. He found it comfy to bend one leg up on the cushion and leave the other to dangle off the side; the feathers behind his head all ruffled up when he used his hand to prop his head up.