Pokemon: Blood Curse

Chapter 19: Ghostly Love

Mel, Hornet, Prince, Torch, and Meigu all stood beneath the platform that was high in the air. "Guys? Come on," Meigu pleaded with concern and watched his Pokemon stare at the other two.

Small cries. A conversation of Pokemon languages bounced back and forth and kept the buff man completely confused.

"Sorry I'm late," Marceline chimed in as she made her way over, thankful that Kuro wasn't around right now lest he'd follow her. "So, what's up? Did something happen?" Concern in her eyes and the knit of her brow proved how she felt as she stepped closer to the group.

Marceline. I wanted everyone to gather around, we needed to talk this over. Mel sat down with a flick of her tail and looked up at her best friend.

Prince, with a nod, agreed and Torch simply stared at her with his blue hues. Hornet flew close until he sat on top of her head with a delighted buzz and a sigh. "Seriously... Why? You're too big, Hornet," Whining, puffing out her cheeks, she couldn't help but giggle at how childish the Beedrill was and smiled.

I don't care. You're comfortable! Cooed the bug Pokemon in his Pokemon tongue and made everyone laugh at his words, save for Matsuo who simply found the predicament amusing. Luckily, with Hornet around as often as he is, the buff man was getting used to seeing him.

"Well, anyway, what was it you needed to tell me?" Taking it seriously, she blinked at everyone curiously and saw Mel sigh.

Marce. There was this Ice Pokemon who was spying on you earlier. She said she wanted to make sure that you were safe from the enemy that's from Space. She called you the 'daughter', but I've yet to know who she's referring to. I do know... And it's been clarified, that Kuro is a threat. She kept glaring at him and making sure nothing was going to happen to you. Stern, her slits were, causing the brunette's eyes to widen upon her Pokemon words.

Yes. Torch, Hornet, and I also saw how suspicious he was. I don't think any human would have transparent feet or be as soundless when he moves. Prince stated with a step closer and ignored the curious gaze from Meigu.

While you were catching up to meet with us, we concluded something. We all agreed... That he's some sort of Ghost Pokemon. Mel spoke up through her Pokemon tongue and stood up on all fours.

"Marce? What's going on? Care to fill me in?" Matsuo, with concern and seriousness reflecting in his brown eyes, everyone got quiet until the brunette burst out with surprise.

"What?! No... No way. That's impossible! Hahaha, there's no way!" Complete denial, and nervous, she didn't want to believe the theory of Kuro being a Pokemon at all and lifted defensive hands. "S- Sorry, Meigu..." Trailing off, she took a minute to tell him everything that they said and stood there waiting for his reaction.

"I knew it. I knew it from the moment I saw him! Marceline, he has to be a Pokemon! A Ghost Pokemon as they said. I may not be an expert on Ghost Types but there are a few of them I know of, that can take up a human form," With strong hands on either of her shoulders, he leaned close to her face to make sure she looked into his eyes. "If he's a threat as Mel says... Then we have to keep an eye out for him and make sure you're safe. Believe me when I say this- He... is no good. He may be your friend, but he's secretive- suspicious," In his and her peripherals, they saw the nods of the Pokemon and kept his stern gaze on her.

"I... N- No... He..." Tears began to build up in her eyes the longer she bore hers into his. "My... My friend, he..." She couldn't find the right words to say, for she was too dumbfounded by the information to think straight.

"How long... Has he been missing, before you two reunited? What was his behavior like compared to back then?" Asking, watching her pupils shrink with disbelief and astonishment, he waited.

It took her a good minute or so until she finally spoke. "He... Has been acting odd... Compared to how he was in the past. H- He was..." Again, speechless, it was hard to describe it all. That was until Prince placed a hand on her back and used his psychic ability to read her mind.

Gallade saw it, the memories that she was remembering of Kuro. The times how suspiciously he acted, the strange flirtatiousness, and how odd he'd disappear out of thin air. How cold it always seemed to get whenever he was around, and the occasional frown when she'd look at him in her peripherals. After he let go, Marce glanced at Prince and saw his head shake.

Next, he placed his hand on Matsuo and let him see what he saw through her. After about a minute or so of repeating the same method with the other Pokemon, an intense air around them made the brunette's gaze darken with depression. "Now, do you see? We'll need to get to the bottom of this before anything bad happens," She felt it, a warm hug from him and the others. A group hug to close her in and protect her from whatever harm may come and to soothe whatever pain her heart ached from.

They could all feel it. Her silence, the disbelief on her face, the denial even though what they said was true, it was painful regardless and they knew it. The warm feathers of Torch's arms, the careful hug from Prince, Meigu's protective hands keeping her head against his chest, Hornet on top of her head nuzzling, and Mel who was trying to rub against her legs.

"Oh- would you look at that! A ton of Pokemon all in one spot, just for the taking!~" Feminine, joyous, high above their heads they looked and saw some people in an air balloon fly by.

"Yes! If we capture them and take them to the boss, he'll promote us for sure!" In addition to the female's voice, a male yelled with excitement.

Close to their Treehouse, a giant balloon of some sort lowered just a little to reveal a woman with long and stiff pink hair that was curved at the end. A man with indigo hair wore the same outfit as the woman, white and black with a red R on their chest.

"Prepare for trouble! And make it double! To protect the world from devastation! To unite all peoples within our nation! To denounce the evils of truth and love! To extend our reach to the stars above!" Everyone watched as they both leaped out of the balloon and did ridiculous poses.

"Jessie!" With a cool pose, the pink-haired woman turned just slightly and placed a hand on her waist.

"James!" The man with indigo hair pressed his back to the woman's and ran his fingers through his short locks.

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" In unison, they sang and strangely in the middle a Meowth popped up and posed with them.

"Meowth! That's right!" Both hands on its hips, his smirk never fell as he stood between the two.

"Who... Ah, Hi. N- Nice to meet you too, I guess," Marceline, with her eyes downcast and depression on her face, she made slow steps to the Treehouse's rope.

"Hold it right there! Who do you think you are, walking away from us?!" Marce didn't see the pinky point a finger at her, for she kept walking away and thought about Kuro's behavior. All of the lies he might have made, the threat he supposedly carries. Everything distracted her too much for her to pay attention to the trio who appeared. Hornet flew off of her head and stuck close to her side, unbeknownst to Marce who was too deep in thought.

"Well, if you're going to make it easy for us..." James ran to the balloon and pulled out a container, which he aimed at Mel. Surprisingly, he was too fast for them to react, for he shot out a net and reeled her in.

"Mel?" Finally, her eyes snapped to reality, and whipped her head over to see everyone lunging at the man in white.

"Torch, use Sky Uppercut to rip apart that net! Prince- Leaf Blade to bust their balloon!" Teamwork shined at that moment when Marce watched the said Pokemon sprint for them.

Angry, Torch used his clawed hand and brought up a fist. The power behind it hardly cut the net but it did send it across the small clearing and close to a tree. Prince's arms extended and glowed green as he leaped into the air and zipped past the air balloon. Landing easily, they both stood side by side and glared daggers at the trio. They paid close attention to them instead of the torn transportation that fluttered down into the treetops.

"Ah!" In unison, both Jessie and James hugged each other, mostly because of how fast they were to act.

"R- Right! We have our own Pokemon! Meowth- stand guard around that Liepard!" Jessie demanded when she pulled out a Pokeball and watched their hesitant steps make their way toward Mel.

However, they never expected to see Marce sprint to them and tackle the woman. "Leave my friend alone!" Screaming, furious, eyes full of anger, her fist pulled back until James ran around her to pick her up beneath her arms. "Let go of me!" Flashes of memories when Mel was unconscious in her arms, in the snow when they were little, filled her mind and forced her into a state of protectiveness. Harshly with the back of her head, she headbutted him and made him let go.

No one moved, they were too shocked to see someone suddenly lunge at them and give chase. "Haha! Lucky for us we brought a spare!" Jessie chirped happily and jumped into the air, as well did James, and snagged Mel when another balloon floated.

"Mel!" screaming once more, Meigu was about to give an order to his Pokemon, when Marceline burst into flight above the trees and saw Meowth dangling from the chain that connected to the container James used. Their dumbfounded expressions went ignored as she grabbed Meowth by the scruff of his neck and floated up, closer to the edge of the balloon's basket. "Let her go- or the cat gets it!" Unbeknownst to the brunette, electricity sparked around her arms and torso, as her eyes switched between black and purple to electric-yellow.

"Guys! Help!" Flailing madly, Meowth cried out and couldn't break free from the girl's tight grip.

They were speechless, nonetheless, James disconnected the container's chain from Mel's net and let her fall.

At that moment, when Meowth was released into the basket, Marce wasted no time and flew down to Mel who was tangled up in the mesh of the net. To her feet and kneeling, her fingers pried it off to set her free and when she did, a nuzzle from liepard was received. "Thank god... You're okay," Into the crook of the cat's neck and around Mel's shoulders, Marce gave her a loving hug that any older or younger sister would give.

"W- What are you?!" In unison, both Jessie and James hysterically leaned back, which Marce saw when she peeked over her shoulder.

The sharp glare she gave them could murder if it were possible, for the sheer amount of protectiveness and hatred toward them radiated off of her like a furnace. To have Mel nearly kidnapped, to hear them claim they're to capture Meigu's Pokemon and the others. It irked her so much that not even words would be enough to explain how felt.

"Retreat! Retreat!" James hollered. Flailing about and adjusting the navigational unit in their balloon, the look they saw scared them enough to fly away. Save for Meowth who kept staring at her distant frame with curiosity.

~~~~

"Who was that?! Why did she have those eyes?!" Jessie panicked and looked around the basket in hopes of reassurance that the brunette didn't follow.

"Did you see the electricity sparking around her?!" On the floor of the balloon, James curled into himself and shook like a leaf. "She was like some sort of monster!" His comical whimpers and beads of sweat proved how fearful he was.

"I thought I was going to die, for sure!" Over the edge of the basket, Meowth groaned in defeat and cried a comedic river over the side.

"I've never seen anyone do something like that before! She didn't even look like a kid, so I can't call her a twerp... Monster is the best definition so far!" Now it was her turn to cower and curl up, for she sat in front of James and held her face.

"Hey, guys- what are we going to tell our boss? If we tell him a woman attacked us and threatened my life, he would think we've gone insane!" Meowth stood up and did the same as the other two, however, the look in the brunette's eyes still lingered in his thoughts. Hmm, there was just something different about her though. The thought swarmed his mind like a nest of Beedrill, but she still frightened him nonetheless.

"I don't know. We haven't managed to snag a single Pokemon yet... And I'm so hungry!" The sound of Jessie's stomach demanding food made the other two do the same and in unison, they whined.

Marceline... My Marceline. How I wish I could tell you everything... To tell you how I feel, tell you how much you and I played before you met Mel. Before everything happened. High in a tree Kuro hovered and hid in the shadows, as his red eyes watched the group huddle close. His fingers dug into the bark of the tree the more he thought about the sweet smiles she gave him as a child and the addicting laughter that filled his heart with joy.

The days when she was locked in her bedroom without much food or water, he recalled how he'd bring her what she needed. When they would play catch in her bedroom, he could remember that he would tease her and make it faze through his body when it was tossed to him. The joy it brought to see her giggle and race after the ball to try and throw it at him again.

I will strip every little piece of dignity from anyone who dares to harm you. You're the reason... I devoted myself to getting stronger. The frown on his lips curved up into a grin and enjoyed the sweet memory of using Psychic on her long ago. Lifting her into the air, hearing her laugh with excitement, and hearing her scream out for him to go higher. We were kids. We were still young... But now... He trailed off and paused, the moment distorted words that weren't his filled his mind.

Y0u ArE Taking to0 long... I wiLl give yoU a partner. CaptuRe her. Bring her to me! Distorting words, and various Pokemon cries were used to communicate with him and when they did, Kuro's hands clenched his head.

The sounds, the different kinds of Pokemon cries made a sense of unease and devastation cover his face. Fear would be an understatement, for he knew where those words came from and hugged his torso. Yes. Y- Yes... Of course. Depression, and pain, filled his red eyes as he realized he was finally alone in his thoughts and crouched onto the tree branch. Soon... Soon, she will be mine.~ A sad smile formed when he reached a hand out toward her hunkered form, in the distance, and longed to feel her warmth again.

~~~~

"Are you okay?" Marce's worried whispers questioned Mel when she assisted the Liepard to a stand.

Yes. Thank you. I wasn't expecting the net to be durable. My claws couldn't cut through. An appreciative smile was what the brunette received and a rub of her head on her legs, made the woman smile with relief.

"The better question is... Are you okay?" Meigu stepped closer to the two and stared at her confusedly. To see her burst in to try and save Mel and even threaten Meowth's life by taking him hostage, made concern fill his mind.

"Y- Yeah... Sorry. I- I didn't mean to snap. I was just very protective," Nervous would be an understatement, for the unease in her chest and the awkward situation she found herself in made things worse.

"I understand. We all do. I was going to bring out my Hawlucha, Wrestler, to attack the balloon and have Prince use Psycho cut on Team Rocket. But, from how you handled it, I don't think they'll come back again any time soon," He explained, Marce saw him offer her support and gladly accepted.

To her feet, she stood and made their way back to the Treehouse's rope. "I think it'd be best if one of my Pokemon stays with you," Matsuo lingered close to the rope and stared at her confused face.

"Why?" Worried, thoughts of Kuro quickly resurfaced and what they discussed. She understood now, he wanted one of his Pokemon to stay with her temporarily and keep her safe from the supposed Pokemon disguised as a man. It upset her no matter how much she tried to ignore the pain of it all, nonetheless, she nodded.

"Yeah. You get it. Alright- so if he's some sort of Ghost Type... Torch can't be with you. A Ghost type's weakness is Dark and other ghost types, depending on the secondary type they have," Meigu's lifelong study over Pokemon types and their weaknesses began to shine through when he started to ponder out loud. "I'd have to send Makage here," With a finger to his chin, he thought long and hard. Taking into consideration, his Pokemon's move sets, he knew Prince wouldn't be a very good one unless the Ghost type had a secondary type Poison. "Makage knows Shadow Claw and Sucker Punch, among the four he knows. It would benefit him in protecting you alongside Mel," His arms folded and gave the cat near Marce's legs a smirk, to which he saw her nod.

"Alright... I'm sorry. I don't mean to burden you guys like this," Guilt reflected in her hazel gaze when her attention moved down to her feet, depressed that she couldn't handle her problems.

"Don't be! I'm more than happy to help you! I'm sure all of my Pokemon besides Torch and Prince, wouldn't mind either if they knew of your situation!~" His strong hand on her shoulder caused her to jolt and perk her head up to see his energized smile. It was so bright and reassuring that it made her stifle a small giggle on her part. "Mel, stay close to her as much as possible, and don't let her out of your sight! We'll be back in a bit!" The wave goodbye of the buff man's hand, made her return the gesture.

Afar, the brunette watched them jog, Torch and Prince either gave her a nod or a wave of their hand before they too ran off. "Be safe," Whispered the brunette, and heard thunder roll across the sky. The sun could be seen through the gaps of trees and such, but, on the opposite side of the sunset dark clouds loomed. "W- We better head inside, guys. It looks like it's going to storm," The moment she turned to grab the rope, a voice behind her caught her attention and her two friends took a stance she knew wasn't a good sign. "M- Mel? Hornet?" Even Hornet lifted his stingers protectively, so when she turned around, she saw Kuro near the denser part of the trees.

"Marceline..." he began. "I wish you would understand," Closer and closer, Kuro's strange transparent feet hardly made a sound as he walked and held out a hand.

"Understand? Understand, what? You never tell me anything!" Anger spiked in her eyes when she fully faced the supposed man and watched pain fill his red gaze.

"I will... Tell you everything. Come with me, I want us to be alone," Determined to be alone with the woman he liked, his nearly nonexistent feet came too close. He halted just when Liepard leaped and swiped at the air to make him stop.

"You can tell me right here... No more secrets, Kuro! You've never told me about your past! You never told me how you grew up and you wouldn't let me see your parents! You would hide things from me the moment we were reunited! Don't think for one minute... That I didn't notice your subtle expressions and actions," It hurt, to know one of her childhood friends stayed distant after all this time and refused to open up or tell her anything, pained her. "Do you not trust me?" This time, her eyes softened, and her lips grew tight when emotion began to show on her face.

"I do... And I will," Suddenly, something neither she nor her two friends expected, his eyes glowed and the two Pokemon fell asleep on the ground.

"Mel! Hornet!" To their sides, she checked with devastation in her gaze and pushed on their slumbering forms to wake them.

"They won't wake up for some time... Now... Marceline?" His words made her head perk up to see his sympathetic frown and eyes that shined with hope. Closer, he walked to her, kneeled to where she was, and stared into her hazel hues.

(Play: Once Upon a December – Dark Orchestral Church Organ, on youtube :D! It's one of his character themes!)

"For so long... I've trained. My master trained me since I was small. One day, in Sinnoh when I met you out in that cold region, we played with expressions and made silly faces. Every day we played. I used to play ball with you, play tag, and bring you food and drink when your parents wouldn't give you any. Don't you remember how they locked you up in your bedroom? This was before you met Mel," On one knee he propped his elbow over and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her head leaned away but her glare never faltered, nor did the sternness of her voice soften. "It's vague... But that was a Ghastly who evolved into a Haunter as I grew up," It didn't click just yet, for she was too furious to think carefully about what he said and gestured for him to continue.

"After my master passed away... I felt so alone until I met you that day. You were so similar to him that it pained me to think of anything bad happening to you. So... After you started going to school, I wasn't able to get near you because of Mel. I wasn't able to play with you, give you hugs, and care for you when you needed it. I started to tag along with you at your school and I wasn't too happy to know how bad the students there treated you..." For a moment, he paused and trailed off. Pondering those past events and recalling them as if it were just yesterday when it happened.

"I learned with you. I was considered a foreign exchange student to you even though no one else saw me- and eventually learned how to speak your language. The scientists who did tests on you... I watched it all and the tears you shed. They're not around anymore to hurt you.." As soon as he said that, he saw pure disbelief in her eyes. Her speechlessness signified him to keep going and so, he did. "And after your graduation, I wasn't able to find you. You mean everything to me," His cold hand cupped her cheek, and watched her disbelieving stare get replaced with astonishment and devastation.

"You're parents... How cruel they were, to hurt you. The way they would punish you for misbehaving, locking you up as if you were an animal... A Pokemon. Allowing people to experiment on you until they had enough of it, and decided to hide you from society. Marceline... They will never be able to hurt you again," Whispering her name, his eyes glowed once more and the moment they did, her gaze widened even more than what they were.

He moved too quickly for her to respond, for he captured her lips with passion, taking her by surprise. What made her try to push him away was when his human form changed. There she saw him, a Gengar who used Hypnosis as he kissed her and endured the thrashes she made. The next thing she knew, tiredness fogged her mind despite the whimpers of fear she gave him, and fell asleep. (The song ends here!)

Into his arms, Kuro caught her and stared sympathetically with a smile. "I love you, Marce. My... Marceline. I trained every day... Until I could see you again and use my strength to protect you," Gently into the air, his Psychic lifted her and carried her like a Princess. He ignored the roaring thunder and the light sprinkles that started to fall. However, when a voice behind him caught his ears, just barely he looked over and saw Matsuo with his team. If anyone were to say they were pleased they would be lying, for he saw scowls and fury burn in their eyes that anyone would have in a moment like this.

They heard it all, his explanation, his past, what he did, and the lives he took to keep her safe. "Kuro... You're a Gengar? Let her go, now!" Meigu fumed as he took out a couple of Pokeballs.

Kuro saw Torch and Prince take a stance to fight, but next to the buff man came Lucario, Makage, and wasted no time joining the other two in front.

"Neither of you will understand. But- If it's a fight you want..." Kuro, the Gengar, frowned and floated into the air higher from them. Gently he placed Marce onto the platform of her Treehouse and turned around to face them. With a lift of a small hand, a Shadow Ball formed and his gaze never averted from the four below.

Suddenly, behind him landed another Pokemon, to which the four saw and gasped. Kuro knew who it was and hardly cared, it was his partner, the one that the voice stated would be with him to help.

A female Blaziken, who looked rough in the face and strict, bore her blue eyes into another similar pair.