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(Sandy POV)   “How the heck did you pull that off?”   “Oh, what are you talking about?” I could almost feel Josh’s smirk on the other end of the line. I sighed overdramatically into the phone.   “I just hope that poor announcer is alright.”   “Oh, he’s fine. I asked him for a bit of help beforehand, and he was kind enough to put his acting major to good use.”   “Ah-hah! So it was you!”   “Not at all! It was Nightshade, the mysterious shadow of doom!”   “So, wow. You got the certificate, huh?”   “Yeah. I’m glad he held onto his soul; I have no idea what I would have done!”   “Ehh, they would have cut to commercial while you two were figuring it out.”   “That’s a relief.” Josh chuckled, though it trailed off into a soft exhale.   “Something wrong?”    “Visa’s almost up.” Josh sighed.   “Oh no! Now you’ll have to go back to battling, adventuring and having fun!” I smirked.   “Oh shut up.” Josh giggled, caught off guard.   “And you’ll leave me all aloooneee…” I cooed. “…oh what will I do without you, my prince?”   “And here I was, about to give a serious heartfelt goodbye.” Josh deadpanned.   “Hah! This better not be goodbye!” I growled lightly into the phone. “I would expect to at least see you in person first!”   “Actually, that was why I called. I have to fly back tomorrow, and I was hoping to see you again before that.”   “Were you? Well, as it turns out, Nightshade got my battle today canceled. Palmer made some excuse about not being properly ‘prepared’ after his defeat. Two days of work wasted, mind you.”   “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to-”   “Sorry? I didn’t want to battle him!” I laughed. “I just wish you had told me you were gonna beat him three days ago, so I didn’t have to study!” Josh scoffed. “Oh, and I was supposed to know I would beat all fifty trainers, and Palmer himself?”   “You would beat them? Ooh, someone’s getting cocky. I’m pretty sure those were my Pokémon in the arena, fighting for you.”   “Technicalities, my dear.” He laughed.   “So what were you planning tonight then?” I grabbed a messy strand of my hair, and twirled it around my finger.   “Well, I was hoping perhaps you could make me something at your place? I heard you make amazing lasagna.” Josh purred.   “If I didn’t know you better, I would punch you for that.” I huffed.   Making fun of my cooking skills. I could make Lasagna if I tried! I would just need to go to the store first, and…get…lasagna supplies.   Do I have any pans? Do you NEED pans for Lasagna?   “I kid, I kid. Where do you wanna go eat? I could go for some seafood.” Josh offered.   “Oooh, I know a good place right by the sea. I’ll say goodbye to everyone tomorrow when you leave, but tonight, let’s gave it just be us. My treat?”   “Oooh, generous!”   “Just until you make it huge, and beat the Elite Four.” I smirked.   “And until then, how can I ever repay your kindness?” Josh pleaded sarcastically.   “I’m sure you’ll find a way.” I grinned, and hung up the phone.   ---   (Josh POV)   A soft ocean breeze caressed me as I sat alongside the ocean. We both sat in a booth on a pier, overlooking the sea and the setting sun. The shadows of the fading light cast a warm, red glow on the sea, causing the now lavender ocean to shimmer with the sun’s dying light. I couldn’t have asked for a better sight.   Oh, and the ocean was pretty cool too.   “Stop looking at me like that.” Sandy smirked, her face beginning to show the same signs of the cool setting sun. I grinned and dipped another massive shrimp into a small bowl of the restaurant’s hot, reddish sauce.   “And how shall I look at you then, my dear?” I purred, nibbling on my shrimp, careful not to smear the sauce all over myself. Sandy opened her mouth to respond, then lowered her gaze in thought. I quickly snatched up another shrimp, dipped it quickly in horseradish, and tossed it expertly into her open mouth.   “Arrrglph!” She recoiled, covering her mouth with her hand, and smearing horseradish all over her lips. After  a moment, she composed herself and swallowed the shrimp, then hastily grabbed a napkin to wipe off her face.   “Josh, what the hell!?” She feigned an angry glare.   “Sorry, gut reaction.” I giggled.   “Josh! We’re in a restaurant!”   “So? We’re the only one’s here.” I winked.   “I could have choked!”   “I know the Heimlich maneuver.” I grinned, knowing I was slightly in trouble.   “And if that didn’t work? What would you do, suck it out of me?”   “I do know mouth to mouth…” I trailed off.   “Oh do you?”   “Indeed.”   “You may have lost your touch. How long has it been since your training?”   “A few months.”   “You may have gotten rusty in that time. Are you so sure you could have saved me?” Sandy placed her elbows on the edge of the table, and leaned forward, gazing coquettishly at me with her aggressive copper eyes.   “I’d bet your life on it.” I quipped.   “Show me.” She breathed, leaning closer to me on the table. I was more than happy to comply, and leaned further against the table, and closed my eyes. Just then, a shooting pain erupted in my nose, and I recoiled in confusion and pain.   “Augh!” I shouted, my hand wiping at my nose, trying to clear the source of the pain. My hand felt something inserted inside my nose, and with one swift motion, yanked it out. A fresh wave of heat rushed up my nose, and I snorted red all across the back of my wrist.   Meanwhile, Sandy was beside herself with laugher, shaking the booth with her cackling. I angrily wiped my nose with my napkin as I pieced together what had occurred when my eyes were shut.   “You’re face!” Sandy hooted between breaths.   “You shoved a shrimp in my nose!” I shouted. “I was vulnerable! I trusted you!”   “You totally deserved that.” Sandy giggles proved infectious, and soon I was chuckling as well.   “How did I deserve that!?”   “You put a shrimp in me, I put a shrimp in you.” She stuck out her tongue.   “It’s not the same!”   “How is it not the same!?”   “You know how much horseradish burns when it’s-” I was interrupted by another wave of laughter from sandy, as she doubled over in her seat.   “It was in your nose!” She squealed.   “You suck.” I crossed my arms.   “You were trained in sucking.” Sandy retorted. “Mouth to mouth, remember?”   “That doesn’t…shut up!” I snickered, giving way to another bout of laugher. After a moment, we both slouched in our respective seats, and paused a moment to catch our breath. Sandy grabbed a shrimp and stirred it in the sauce reflectively, before giving way to a slight sigh.   “Why does this have to end?” She asked nostalgically to the sauce.   “I’ll be back. And you’ll be back.” I smiled, though my heart felt burdened.   “It’s lonely with no one to throw shrimp at.” Sandy grinned softly, her eyes turning the slightest bit misty.   “I’ll be back, embarrassing you in public in no time.” I promised, smirking, and wielding a shrimp threateningly.   Sandy slouched a bit, and gave me a tired smirk. “Just beat the Elite four already so you can get residence here.”   I closed my eyes, and imagined life at the battle park. “Mmmm. But how would I get a house?” I hummed. “Housing is hard to come by in these parts…”   “I’m sure someone would loan you a room…just until you get yourself on your feet, of course.”   “Oh? And who might this kind person be?” I grinned. “Do I know them?”   Sandy rolled her eyes. “No, I’m sure you two have never met.”   ---   I gave an exaggerated sigh, and leaned back in my chair.   “What?” Sandy’s smile was replaced by a look of surprisingly genuine concern. “What’s wrong?”   “Oh, it’s nothing…” I bit the inside of my lip to keep myself from grinning.   “Tell me!” She ordered, and kicked my shin from under the table. I have a small cry of unexpected pain, and relented.   “Well,…” I began, “…I suppose it’s been a bit…” I stopped, and attempted to gather my thoughts.   “Oh wait, are you actually serious? I thought we were kidding.” Sandy gave me a worried look.   “Yeah, me too. I think it accidentally got serious.” I smiled again, but it felt forced.   “What’s up?” Sandy frowned.   “Lately with all of Static’s…complications, and your job and all…I feel a bit as if I didn’t do a very good job doing what I came here to do, I suppose.”   “What happened with Static wasn’t your fault!” Sandy blurted. “A-and…you got the certificate. What else did you plan on doing?”   I smiled lightly. “The whole reason I came here was because you choose to spend your tickets with me. In theory, I planned to return the favor by spending my time here with you.”   Sandy looked relieved for a moment before recovering and throwing on a coy façade. “You assume I would want to spend time with you…”   “Well, after the forest you didn’t exactly seem disappointed.”   “I suppose you DO owe me for those tickets…” Sandy purred. “How do you propose you make it up to me?”   “I bought eggs.” I smirked. “I’ll make us breakfast tomorrow. Actual food. REAL food. I even bought a pan.”   “Tempting offer…” Sandy growled, glaring in a playful yet frustrated manner. “But that requires you to be there in the morning.”   “Indeed it does. You see, my Visa expires tomorrow, which means I still must find a place to sleep tonight.”   Unexpectedly, Sandy looked downwards at the table, as if to consider my proposition. This startled me somewhat – had I crossed the line? It wouldn’t be as if this was the first time we had ‘spent the night’, but it would be the first time I was in her bed for the night. Was there some protocol I had failed to follow, or something I had forgotten, or missed?   “I-if you’re uncomfortable sleeping together, it’s okay!” I fumbled, “I’ll just find the Pokemon Center down the road; it’s free after all, and-”   Sandy squinted, and gave me a frustrated, yet flirtatious glaze. “Yeah. Like I’m uncomfortable sleeping with you. You caught me Josh.” She rolled her eyes sarcastically.   “Well, you looked, um, concerned-”   “It was about something else.” Sandy interrupted.   “What was it about?”   “Do you really think I can’t cook?”   “No.” I put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “No…I know you can’t cook.”   “Oh shut up!” Sandy laughed, swatting my hand away.   “But seriously.” I smirked. “What were you all mopey about?”   “Do you want to talk about that?” Sandy stood up, and moved to my seat, and sat down promiscuously on my pelvis. “Or do you want to get this?”   “Get this.” My mouth sputtered automatically.   “Then get in my car.” Sandy flashed her perfectionist smile She and stood up and retrieved her keys all in one swift motion. I followed her, excited for what the night had in store…   ---   Bliss. A calm, quiet night, in a comfortable, warm bed. In the end, isn’t that all we work for, and dream of? A quiet place to rest at the end of our days, with someone to share in our struggles and victories. A warm bed to return to, a place in the universe to share with someone you’re happy to call your-   Suddenly, I took a quick breath. I was conscious. I looked at the digital clock by Sandy’s bed, the only thing illuminated in the dark room. 4:19.   Weariness came over me like a wave, reminding me of the comforts that awaited me in unconsciousness. I was far too happy to comply, and write off my sudden bout of consciousness as a meaningless occurrence. I shifted further into my pillow, and turned to wrap my arms around my lover.   …yet they hit an empty mattress.   “Sandy?” I murmured, reluctantly cracking open my eyes. I reached forward more, and found the end of the bed. She was missing.   ‘Find her…’ A single, sleepy command powered my zombie like frame. Find her, so you both can get back to sleep.   I placed my hand on the mattress to get up, but recoiled it instantly when what I touched felt cold. I ran my thumb across my hand. It felt as if my hand had a small layer of grease upon it, and it felt cool and unnatural. As my senses began to return to me, I noticed my leg felt the same way – cold, and wet.   Why am I wet?   Oh my GOD I wet the bed, and Sandy ran away!   My eyes bolted open, and my hand dove to my groin to confirm my suspicions. Oddly enough, my groin was completely dry.   Mmmm…well, it’s not that wet…probably just a leaky ceiling tile, or…something. You’ll figure it out tomorrow…with Sandy.   Sandy. Where is she?   “Shit!”   The small, whispered curse grazed my ears. Sandy was in the bathroom. Now that I focused, I could also hear the sound of running water. The faucet. Groggily I stood up, wincing as a cool breeze from an open window chilled one of my legs.   “Shit!” Sandy cursed quietly once more, in a fierce, angry whisper. I lightly pushed open the door, to see Sandy standing at the faucet, quickly cupping the water, and pouring it on her pajama pants. As we made eye contact she froze, still cupping the water from the sink. The faucet continued to pour, and Sandy looked absolutely petrified.   “Josh.” She gulped, putting the water back in the sink, and turning off the faucet.   “Hey.” I offered. “What’cha doin’ up? C’me back to b’d with me.”   “Uhhh…y-you haven’t noticed?”   “N’ticed what, cutie?”   “Um…” Sandy looked away. “I, uh, I….uh…I, um…” She stuttered. “I…I wet the bed.”   Oh.   Sandy bit her finger, and her cheeks tinged a light scarlet. She looked mortified. “I-I didn’t mean to – this hasn’t happened in weeks – sometimes, just when I’m nervous about something it triggers sometimes and I guess I was nervous about it happening when I was with you, but I thought maybe just for a night it would be fine and-”   I held her hand in mine. My mind was a bit fuzzy from sleep, but I captured the gist of what she had said. She held my hand tightly, and looked up at me with her tearful auburn eyes.   “Oh god, please don’t leave.” She pleaded, pulling me into a fierce, terrified hug.   “I’m not leaving.” I smiled though my fatigue. Sandy sighed with relief, and quickly ran her fingers across her face, destroying any remnants of tears.   “Okay. Okay, cool.” She breathed, collecting herself. “Whew. I was, um, well, yeah. Okay. I’ll change the sheets really quick and put them in the wash, you go over to the guest-, oh shit, did it get on you? Here, I have some spare sweat pants.” Sandy tore open a drawer, and handed me a pair of soft, gray pants. “Um, put these on, and go to the guest room. I’ll put the sheets in the wash, and I’ll be there in a second.”   “I can help.” I offered, changing into the sweatpants, and walking into her bedroom.   “No! No, it’s fine, I can handle this. Done it before…” She trailed off. “J-just keep the bed warm for me, will ya?”   “…Can do.” I relented, and wandered sleepily into the guest room. Behind me, Sandy sighed once more, and peeled off the sheets of the bed with a practiced, embarrassed haste.   ---   (Sandy POV)  With an uneven breath, suddenly I returned to consciousness. I sighed, recalling the memories from last night, and reached for Josh’s warm, comforting presence.   But he wasn’t there.   Of course he’s not there…   Too many nights, I had awoken to a cold bed. Too many times I had arisen to the lack of companionship I craved. Perhaps it was my sarcasm, or the walls I placed around myself to stave off the inevitable pain of loss, but I had never truly had a lover. Though I enjoyed the sensual moments, it was the intimate moments I craved more. A phone call for no reason, or a hug in the dead of night. Gazing at the stars hand in hand, or a light kiss on a sad day; a reminder that not all was as abysmal as it seemed.   A small stain appeared on the sheets that I held between my fingers. I realized I was crying. He left. I always knew he would – the life of a brain was always a lonely one. In truth, I could count my friends on one hand, and even then not use all the fingers. One of them I even owned, and I wasn’t sure how much that counted. Pokemon could bond with anyone. They naturally formed empathetic bonds with their trainers, quickly adopting the trainer’s hopes and dreams as their own. Does it count having a Pokémon as a friend, when they could be friends with anyone?   Josh…   More tears fell. I had only known him for a few short months, but already something kindled inside of me when I looked at him. I couldn’t call it love – not yet – but feeling the smoldering of emotions inside me damper at the sight of his absence hurt me physically inside my chest. Having this relationship exist at this distance, where I wouldn’t see him for weeks at a time already was difficult, but now that he would be gone…   …for good…   I staggered to my feet, and steadied myself on the bedpost.   Priorities. Food. Then I see what work has planned. Maybe…maybe I’ll check to see if he’s called by then. If he has…well, I’ll deal with that then. If not, I’ll get Wiggly. She’s harsh sometimes, but…she’ll be a good friend to have…without…   Fruit. I took another whiff, and noticed the undeniable smell of fruit in the air. Confused and distraught, I stumbled into the living room.   “Hey sleepyhead!” Josh grinned, standing in front of the oven. “You didn’t have cooking oil, but luckily I had something else up my sleeve.” He purred, turning to me. “Have you ever tasted the delicacy that is-” Our eyes made contact. “Oh. A-are you alright, Sandy?”   I stood in quiet shock for a moment, catching my breath. I blinked a few times, if just to confirm he was there, then let out a sigh I didn’t realize I had been holding.   “You’re here.” I stated, more to myself then to him.   “Yeah.” He nodded, smiling sheepishly. “I made you bread.”   “What?” I giggled softly.   “Check it out.”   He opened the oven slightly, revealing a purple looking loaf. He grinning, and nudged me on the side.   “It’s purple!” I exclaimed.   “Oops. Wasn’t supposed to do that!” He laughed. “Kidding. The berry determines the color. Ever had oran bread?”   “I didn’t even know you could put oran berries in bread.” I admitted.   “Well, then this will be even more special.” He smiled, and hugged me. I returned the embrace, still shaking from the morning’s revelation.   “Are you alright?” Josh repeated, keeping me in his arms.   “I…I guess I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.” I felt the hot tears begin to burn at the edge of my eyes once more.   Swiftly, he pressed his tender lips against mine; silencing the fears I had felt just a moment ago. After a moment we separated, and I took in a quick breath.   “What was that for?” I breathed.   “Didn’t know what to say.” He smirked, giving me another boyish shrug. “You know I’m not like that.”   “You’re one of few.” My voice cracked as I finished the phrase.   “Let’s talk over orans.” Josh nodded, looking around my kitchen. “I sense there’s some stuff ya want to get off your chest. Now, um, where are your oven mitts?”   “Oven whats?”   “Mitts? Little mittens you grab the hot food with?” I shook my head, not understanding. Josh rolled his eyes playfully, and opened the oven. “It’s fine, we’ll let ‘em cool naturally. More time to talk.” Josh pulled up a seat, and looked at me expectantly. I sighed, and pulled up one as well.   “I, um, I suppose…guys…haven’t been known to always stick around in my life.” I admitted, swallowing all the torrent of emotion that the simple phrase entailed. “B…but it’s a long story…”   “I’m yours ‘till nightfall.” Josh gave me a reassuring beam.   I’m yours…   “W-well…” I began. “There’s a reason I’ve never mentioned my father…” (Also, this is where I host all my other stuff! If you comment though, please play nice :3. No one knows I like omo stuff, and I would like it to stay that way! <3)
(and you can find more of my stuff here too ;3)   (Josh POV)   The light of the dying sun grazed my sleeping eyes, and I let out a warm, contented sigh. I didn’t know what time it was, and as of now, I didn’t care. I was relaxed, perfect in the pleasant canopy of leaves above us. Static lay curled by my side, snoozing contently in my shadow. Nova and Myst laid side by side, with Nova’s flame flickering quietly by his side. Skarr slept perched in a tree above, looking noble as ever despite his quiet rest.   The sun was setting on the Kanto shoreline. I admit I’m not usually one to take naps, but today I made a special exception. Skarr was a bit fatigued after our flight, and the rest of the group’s sleeping schedules were thrown for a bit of a loop due to my rather sporadic use of the Pokéball as of late. Overall, we were all a bit sleepy.   Talking to Sandy was…interesting. Once she started talking, I felt we really began to connect. She’s very reserved, hiding behind the mask of strength and toughness to block her vulnerabilities. I supposed she had lived that way for so long even I believed she couldn’t be hurt.   True to my word, we talked for hours. Cried a bit. Much of the afternoon and evening was spent in each other’s arms, talking about life, and telling the other stories of ourselves. It’s interesting revealing to another the less-then-perfect elements of one’s self. Reveling the cracks and imperfections, instead of the polished, flawless façade we all pretend we are.   In the end, we don’t want someone that loves us for our façade. We want someone that loves us not despite our flaws, but who we are, strengths and weaknesses combined. Someone to make us stronger, and stand for us when we fall. Not someone to come to our sides when we need them, but someone who never leaves.   I managed to choke out that the awkward ‘take care’ at the hospital was a pathetic attempt at something more. She nodded in realization, and smiled gently.   I don’t think either of us was ready to say what came next. Perhaps there was too much pain there for her, and perhaps it was too soon for me. We both sensed the other’s apprehension, and agreed it was too soon for words that meant so much.   We talked longer, relishing each other’s rare company, yet time for goodbyes came all too soon. Before I knew it I was flying into the late sun, waving goodbye against the eastern wind.   I looked up at the night sky. Our nap had turned into something more, and the bright moon made her appearance in the starless night. I smiled, content to let our naps turn into a blissful night sleep.   ---   (Koga POV)   The ever still walls of my gym vibrated. They vibrated with every breath, and every step my apprentices made inside this hallowed ground. Some of them trained with different forms, and others with mediation, but the gym reverberated all the same. I saw with my eyes my students, all diligent, becoming stronger with practice. I heard the sounds of their punches and strikes against one another as they sparred, preparing for conflict. I smelled the training mats, and the freshly cleaned glass walls -- made in a way that to the normal eye, they appeared invisible. Students trained meticulously to see the walls; only though intense devotion could my disciples perceive them. It was the mark of a true warrior.   This I smelled, saw, and heard. And yet, it felt off. Wrong. I felt the vibrations of my students, myself, and my invisible walls. I felt the shudder of the florescent lighting, and the scratching of the carpet beneath my feet.   Yet…I felt something more.   “You attempt to surprise a master of Ninjusu.” I smiled, eyeing an invisible wall before me.   A rich laugh echoed through my gym, startling several of my students.   “You impress me Koga…” The invisible entity purred. “I had believed the ways of old had disappeared eons ago. It pleases me that the ways of the shadows are still remembered.”   “The way of the Ninjusu is more than mere shadow.” I chided.   “Mere?” The voice growled. Above me, a light flickered and went dark. “Mere shadow? You forget your place, Koga. You forget the darkness freely given to you and your kind, and the stealth of a moonless night.”   The room began to grow dark, and several of my students fled. One in the corner stood shaking, holding his smart phone at arm’s length and recording the event.   “To whom am I addressing?” I spoke formally, hand cautiously on my blade.   “You may address me as NightShade.” The voice bristled. The shadows on the wall began to dance, all circling a single point. “The Penumbra  grow restless at your mockery. We wish to challenge your kind once more, and assert our dominance, lest you forget that only through us do your Ninjusu clans prosper.”   “Your victory will assure us of our ignorance, then? Is this what you plan to achieve?”   “I wish for respect for the night that has cloaked you all these years.” The timeless voice echoed. “And the badge, of course…”   “And if I shall win?”   “Then perhaps you can teach us something; the endless eons of shadow.”   I smirked to myself. “It’s been awhile since I’ve used the cover of the moon, restless ghost. Now I use other tactics. Are you sure you are prepared?”   “I am aware of the dangers you pose, Koga.”   “Very well. Crobat! Silence this insolent shadow!”   “DarkBolt, force them to bow at our feet!”   A black Pikachu materialized out of shadows and conducted a series of bright cyan electricity around his fierce, red cheeks. Eyeing his prey, a Crobat from the ceiling swooped down like a violet bullet. The Pikachu let out a primeval cry and a bolt of bright blue, missing his target but incinerating a ceiling tile to ash. The Pikachu summoned another bolt and let loose another cry, and inside his mouth was nothing but blackness.   “CHAAAAAA!”
(Static POV)   <You know what to do, Darkbolt.>   Darkbolt. Hell yeah.   “Chrooooo!” The Crobat cried, diving at me with ridiculous speed.  I let loose a bolt of electricity, but she swerved away with quickness I had never before seen. My bolt missed by an embarrassing margin, and nearly toasted a light in the gym. Before I could even attempt to dodge her attack, she sliced me deeply across the side, turning my normally brown stripes a sickly lavender.   “Chu!” I streaked, and sent another bolt in retaliation. She curved sharply to the right, and once again my electricity failed me.   Koga shouted something incomprehensible, and suddenly the Crobat flipped – in midair – and flew back towards me with the same stupid speed it had before. It hit me again with something before I could flinch out of the way. I twisted around to get another clear shot, but the poison suddenly intensified, causing my vision to blur with odd colors and shapes.   Then it hit me. Aggression, repulsion, disgust, irritation, resentment, and distrust welled inside of me. I was so angry. I didn’t understand anything, and I couldn’t see past the obscure walls of colors in front of myself. I clawed at the empty air in a fierce attempt to quell the fire burning inside of me. Unjustified rage coiling inside my chest, begging to be released in waves of-   <Do you trust me, friend of mine? Though the darkness, though the pain?>   -pure energy, that would pulse and smash against this unjust world! I would crush them all, destroy it all with fire and ice, and my electricity, and…   < Do you trust me, friend of mine? Though the darkness, though the pain?> A voice repeated in my mind. I remembered it before, before my anger. I remembered a response, from a long time ago…how did it go?   < Do you trust me, friend of mine? Though the darkness, though the pain?>   <I put my faith in you, my brother. To Hell, and back again.> I blinked, and suddenly I could see. The poison still burned in my veins, but my rage was gone, and replaced by relief.   <Confuse Ray.> Josh answered the question before I even asked. <Wait until she gets close, then hit her when she can’t turn away. You got this, Darkbolt.>   I centered all of my electricity around my fist and grinned. The Crobat looped around and dove straight at me, wind exploding off the tips of her wings and swirling around her like a massive bullet. Right before she collided with me, I smashed my electrified paw into her face.   Energy exploded around us as we fought for our successful attacks. Crobat’s speed and wind pulsed around her as she struggled against my fist. Electricity pulsed out of my cheeks as I ground my teeth, forcing my fist against her shield of wind. For a perfect second we were at an impasse. The force of my punch matched with the strength of my lightning perfectly matched the force of Crobat’s attack. Then…slowly…my fist inched its way closer, breaking the winds protecting Crobat’s face.   Time seemed to slow as the impasse was broken, and my fist crunched against the Crobat’s muzzle. The colors and distorting poison melded again into my brain, but I resisted its influence, and carried out the punch. After a moment to collect myself, I saw Crobat crumbled against one of the walls, clearly unconscious.   <Return.> Josh said quietly, with a hint of pride in his voice. Like his loyal shadow, I took my place amongst his side.   ---   (Nova POV)   “Muk! Avenge Crobat, and show him what it truly means to be a Ninjusu!”   “Starvoid, end this silly charade.”   “Chaaa!” I yelped, standing a few yards away from the Muk, and trying my best to look intimidating. I couldn’t see it, but all my color was gone, and replaced with a smooth, elegant black sheen. The glow from my tail was still there, but the flame itself was black, giving an eerie and mystic feel.   “Muk, use Toxic!”   <Nova, dodge it and use Outrage!> I instantly knew to jump up to avoid the poison, but his command caught me off guard, and I fumbled the jump.   “Chhh-” I hesitated, as a wave of poison sailed above me, hitting the exact place I would have jumped. <I, uh, I don’t know how!>   <What?> Josh blinked.   <I-I don’t know how to do that! I did it once, but it just kind of happened, I didn’t cause it!>   <Of course you caused it! Only you can control yourself.>   <I know I caused it, just-> A large purple fist clocked me on the side of my face, and sent me sprawling to the floor.   <Focus! I had the same problem with Static when he first learned Hidden Power, trust me.> Josh advised. <Some attacks are based off emotion. His trigger was stillness and meditation. I think yours is confidence.>   <Then what do I do!?> I gulped, as I narrowly avoided another semi-liquid purple fist.   <Believe in yourself. I believe in you, as do we all. Now you believe in you.>   I took a deep breath, and focused on growing the multicolored claws again. I relived the experience in my mind; knowing that I could beat him. I concentrated on that feeling, and rushed at the Muk.   “Chaaa!” I screamed, and smashed my fist sunk into his putrid exterior.   I didn’t have claws.   With one quick motion, the Muk engulfed me, swirled me around his insides, and spat me back out onto the field. I choked, feeling the all too familiar effects of both the poison rushing inside me, and the acid burning against my skin.   How dare it eat me.   I pushed the weird thought aside as I stood up again to signal I hadn’t fainted…yet.   <You weren’t confident enough.> Josh shook his head. <You have to believe in yourself, completely, undoubting.>   <I did! I felt it, I knew I could, honest, it just didn’t work!>   <Try it once more; I know you can do it!>   The Muk struck at me again sending acidic purple splatters against the gym floor. I sidestepped him quickly, but I knew I didn’t have much farther to run.   It truly thinks it can win.   I shook my head, trying to clear these distracting odd thoughts before it occurred to me. The feeling before at the grass gym just confidence, it was invulnerability. It wasn’t the knowledge that I could win, it was the knowledge that I couldn’t help but win.   “CHA!” I screamed, as bright, multicolored claws shot out of my paw and deflected the Muk’s next strike. I smashed my other fist directly against the Muk again, and instead of sinking in, it crashed against the Muk and sent the glob flying across the gym.   I wiped the residual acid off myself, and walked casually to the other side of the gym, ignoring the poison eating through me.   <You think I’m weak?> I asked the Muk as it strained to continue to coagulate. <It’s a dangerous game to underestimate the dragons, my foe.>   <What do you know about dragons, half-breed?> The Muk spat back. <You have an attack; you think that makes you special? That your trainer bought you a shiny new TM, and that somehow makes you a dragon?>   I reached inside the Muk, grabbed something, and hoisted it into the air.   <When I summon pillars of flame from my mouth, and command the air with my mighty wings, yes, I will be a true dragon. Until then… consider me in training.> I tossed him across the gym, where he met the ground with a satisfying smack.   “Return…” Koga spat bitterly.   <Plus…> I continued, the intensity of my claws dulling, and the brightness leaving my eyes. <It’s not like any of us aren’t ‘half-breeds’ anymore. If you consider yourself pure, it’s probably just ‘cause you forgot who your grandpa is.>   <Exactly!> Static yelped from the sidelines. <It’s been like a hundred years! Who can stay in the same species for that long!?>   <Static.> Josh deadpanned. <We’ve been around for more than a thousand years.>   <Whatever, I forgot a zero.> Static rolled his eyes. <And zeros are worthless anyway. My point stands.>   <I've waited patiently, Josh. Is it yet my turn to...?> Skarr questioned, annoyed.   <Let’s wait to see what Koga->   “Go, Weavile!” Koga shouted, summoning his third and last Pokémon.   <Yeah, you’re up.> Josh nodded.
(Skarr POV) “Go, Bladed Shadow!”   “Skraaaaa!” I screeched, soaring into the air. Myst had truly outdone herself yet again; the illusion she placed upon me was flawless. The light reflected perfectly against my darkened exterior, casting aspects of light all across the gym. To my delight, she kept the sinew between my wings the same color, and matched my eyes to show the same emotionless scarlet. That scarlet was the only respite to my otherwise completely dark façade. Truly, I was a sight to behold.   <Skarr, use toxic!>   <What else would you have me do?> I chuckled. <Wait it out? Increase my defenses, and keep roosting until it runs out of power p->   “Kah!” The Weavile screeched, sending a bolt of pure ice shooting from her open mouth. The beam caught me by surprise and hit me beneath my wing in my tender reddish flesh.   <AAAAUGH!> I mentally screamed, banking fiercely to the right in an attempt to stay airborne despite my injury.   <Skarr!> Josh yelped from the sidelines, <Are you alright!?>   <I thought it used melee attacks!> I howled as I lost altitude, attempting to use my crippled wing despite its apparent uselessness.   <Can you take another hit!?> Josh pleaded. I could feel a part of his mind racing with calculations.   <I-I…> I stumbled.   <Skarr, return!>   <No Josh, I can fight through it, I can->   <Skarr, return.> Josh ordered. I cringed as I flew back, where I was met with the reprimanding red glow of my pitch black ultraball…   ---   (Josh POV)   “Even the darkness has its faults, it appears.”   I bit my lip, formulating a strategy. Both static and Nova weren’t at full strength, and Myst was weak to fighting. Bad combination.   “We haven’t got all day, Dark One.” Koga mocked. “Or rather, I suppose you do. Once this is all over, do you just go and lie under a tree, filling your place as a meaningless shadow?”   <Nova.> I addressed my timid Charmeleon. He looked up surprised. <I need you to trust me, okay?>   <I already trust you?> Nova gave me a confused look.   <I’m going to send you out, and you’re going to do your best, using ember, alright?>   <Not Outrage?>   <Not this time.> I sighed, already regretting my actions, although I knew them to be necessary. <Are you ready?>   <But…I’m already hurt.> Nova hesitated, looking at me for reassurance.   <I know.> I nodded. <But I need you to trust me, okay?>   <Okay Josh. I trust you.>   <Okay.> I took a deep breath. “Go, Starvoid!”   “Meleon!” Nova charged forward valiantly, instantly getting smashed by a beam of ice meant for Skaarr. Nova shook off the blow, and sent a shower of sparks at the Weavile. The Weavile cringed at the attack, and retaliated with a sharp kick, hitting the side of Nova’s face, and sending him harshly into the ground.   He didn’t get back up.   Wordlessly, I returned Nova to his ultraball.   <D-did you do that on purpose?> Myst asked incredulously.   <Don’t question him!> Static spat. <He only does that stuff when he has to!>   <I-I’ll explain later.> I shuddered, grinding my teeth. <Are you ready Static?>   <Ready for anything.> He answered fiercely.   <Fake out, then thunderbolt, alright?>   <Got it.>   “Go, Darkbolt!” I cried, as Static leapt forward at the Weavile. His shadowed form raced across the gym, meeting the Weavile far before she was ready.   “Pikah!” Static shouted, smashing his paws in front of the Weavile. The Weavile flinched back in surprise, but quickly gathered her wits and countered with the same sharp kick that took down Nova.   Static slid across the floor. At one moment he attempted to use his momentum to flip backwards, but he fumbled, and crashed back onto the ground.   <Static!> I shouted, terrified.   “Kah…” Static stubbornly growled, lifting himself up on one meager paw.   Hang in there, Static…   “Weavile, finish this pathetic shadow.” Koga smirked. The Weavile was happy to comply, racing towards her weakened foe. Static looked up, his eyes weary, but filled with grudging, fierce determination. He wore a weak grin on his pained face, almost daring the Weavile to believe the fight was over.   “CHAAAAA!” He screamed, just as the Weavile was upon him, sending every volt he had into the unsuspecting Weavile. The Weavile convulsed with energy before landing upon the floor, unconscious.   “Ch…Cha…” Static panted, forcing himself to stand on all fours.   Koga stood at the polar side of the gym, his expression pleased, yet puzzled.   “I have underestimated you.” He began, his hands folded behind his back. “Perhaps we were only successful with our shadow’s guidance.”   “No.” I answered. Koga shot me a confused glance. “You and your protégé were successful because of your discipline and skill. To you, the shadows were but a tool; one of many in your arsenal.”   “…You confuse me.” Koga frowned. “If you do not wish to humble me, why have you come?”   “I simply wish for the badge, a symbol that you have not forgotten the darkness. A freely given tool for those with the intellect to use it.” Koga handed me the badge, never breaking his gaze from my own.   “In my ancestry…” He began, “There was a legend of one’s own shadow. A being you must never meet, lest it be your undoing.” I felt his unsteady gaze. “However, it is said, with training, you could control such a beast. Alas…I do not feel in control.” Koga frowned. “Are you my shadow?”   “I am no one’s shadow.” I smirked, and left the gym.
“Here you are, sir. Enjoy you day.”   “Thank you.” I smiled, collecting my Pokéballs from the kind nurse. “You too.”   I stepped outside, and for a brief moment, admired the silence around me. The calm Fuchsia wind tussled against my orange hair, and tugged gently against my red jacket.   With a light toss and a flash of scarlet, Nova appeared before me. He glanced around himself in confusion, before sickening realization crossed his face. Big tears began forming at the corner of his eyes, and he cupped his paws around his mouth in horror.   <Nova, don’t->   <ohmygodohmygodohmygod!> Nova hyperventilated, crying into his hands. <I fainted, didn’t I!?>   <Don’t worry about-> I tried to say, but his intense emotions made communicating telepathically difficult.   <I let everyone down!> He sobbed. <Everyone lost because of me...>   <Nova.> I thought sternly, breaking into his storm of angush. <I want you to take a deep breathe, okay?>   <What good would it do? I’m still a->   <Nova.> I interrupted. <Please. For me.>   Nova drew a shaky breath.   <We won, okay?> I smiled, encouragingly. <We won the badge.>   <Oh.> Nova smiled sadly. <Well, that’s good. No thanks to me, though…>   <All thanks to you.> I corrected.   <You don’t have to be nice to me; I know I screwed up. That ember didn’t even do anything…>   <Can I tell you a secret?> I implored, kneeling down to Nova’s eye level.   <What?> The Charmeleon wiped his eyes with one paw, gazing at me with interest.   <Your ember did a lot.> I commended. <But you did even more then that.>   <Yeah, I fainted…> Nova sighed.   <Yep.> I nodded, approvingly. <And you won us the badge.>   <Huh?>   <I didn’t just need the Ember.> I confessed. <I needed someone to take the ice beam attack and the fighting move. Skarr was too fatigued, Myst had a weakness to fighting, and Static was only strong enough to take one hit. Without you to take the blow, we would have lost.>   <So…you wanted me to faint?> Nova asked, confused.   I sighed. Explaining my strategy was complicated. It took several sessions with Static before he understood, and even now I think he understands it more as a ‘Okay, I trust you’, then an actual strategic move. Still, I had to-   “OH! I get it! I’m like the Bishop!> Nova blurted, interrupting my thoughts.   <Um, what?> I stumbled.   <L-like in chess!> Nova shook excitedly. <When you need to sacrifice a piece to get a checkmate! Sacrificing one piece to win the game!>   I blinked. <Yeah. That’s, um, that’s exactly what I meant.>   <Hah.> Nova beamed at his understanding.   How the hell does he know about chess?   <How do you know what chess is?> My mouth echoed my thoughts.   <Before you adopted me, I watched a lot of T.V.> Nova shrugged. <I learned to play with a few Pokémon that didn’t get adopted either. It was fun.>   I knew that the center was a difficult topic for him, so I approached it with caution. <What were your friends like?> I asked hesitantly.   <They were fun. More brave than I was. Well, maybe not Bulbasaur.> Nova chuckled to himself, but the joke was lost on me. <But definitely Squirtle. He was a bit headstrong, always being on the offense, and sending his queen after me first. I think that’s how he handled his sickness.>   <Sickness?> I inquired.   Nova shifted uncomfortably. <The reason we were all left is because there was something wrong with us all. Like, genetic level stuff. Mine, of course, who wants a coward dragon, you know? Squirtle was that he was an experiment. They wanted to see if they could breed a Blastoise with a Sheninja, to get a Squirtle with some kind of special ability or something. They didn’t succeed, but they did breed one with only one hitpoint. It’s sad…he really likes battling, but with the smallest hit he faints. Just like that.>   <That’s terrible.> I frowned.   <Yeah. Sometimes I let him win, just because I think losing all the time would be sad.> Nova admitted. <Honestly though, I liked playing Bulbasaur more. He didn’t play much though.>   <Was he any good?>   <Amazing!> Nova yelped excitedly. <I would always lose, well, when we finished…> Nova looked at the ground nostalgically.   <Why didn’t you always finish?> I asked.   <Bulbasaur had really bad allergies. He was allergic to the bulb on his back, and it was always releasing pollen. It was kind of funny at first, before you realized how bad it was. He had to take medication constantly, and even that didn’t help too much. He was so self-conscious about it.> Nova sighed. <He would have allergy attacks sometimes, and he would have to leave. Usually I wouldn’t see him for the rest of the day.>   <Ouch.>   <Yeah.> Nova exhaled.   <And you all learned chess from television?>   <Yeah! It taught us other games too. There was another with tablets that we liked playing, and we all played it together. The tablets were super thin, and they all had weird markings on them. You had to match them with different combinations.>   <…M…Mahjong?> I asked incredulously.   <No, no. We played it together, I just can’t remember the name.> Nova struggled. <It was hard because people were allowed to, like, lie with their faces. And you would bet stuff sometimes, but we would always give it back.   <…Card games!> I laughed in realization. <You watched professional Poker!>   <That’s it!> Nova chirped in excitement. <That’s what they called it! Poke-her!>   <Poker, yeah.> I grinned <Oh, man. You and I’ll have to play a game sometime.>   <I’d like that.> Nova smiled earnestly.   <Alright. Let’s send out the gang and plan our next strategy, alright?>   <Okay!> Nova hummed. With a content sigh on my lips, I unclipped the other three ultraballs from my side.
I think I broke Static.   Static stood a few feet away from me, engrossed in deep thought. His forehead was winkled in a way I had never seen, and his chin met his paw at a comedic angle.   Previously, I had asked the group whether they would like smoothies now (a treat for beating the gym) or bigger smoothies if they beat a second gym today. I enjoyed progress, but I also didn’t want to push them too hard.   Nova didn’t mind. Of course. Myst quickly mentioned she didn’t mind either, right after Nova. I thought she may have been a bit worried about Sabrina’s gym and impressing me, so I made a mental note to encourage her later.   Skarr looked bored, and eloquently mentioned his distaste for smoothies. I laughed and offered to catch a Ratatta for him, but he declined and turned away.   Lastly we had Static. His tiny mind seemed at an impasse – instantaneous reward, or a bigger reward in the near future? I could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears.   Static bit his tongue quizzically. <How far away is the gym?>   <To me and Skarr? I asked. <Maybe an hour or two. To you it’ll feel like seconds. Pokeball statis.>   <So we’re not walking.> Static clarified.   <Yes, we’re not walking.>   Static went back into deep thought. Skarr looked away, annoyed, while Myst smirked knowingly. Nova was the only one waiting patiently. Self included.   <I like gyms…> Static muttered to himself. <And big smoothies…>   <I’d like it if you made up your mind.> Myst grinned.   <Shhh, I’m thinking.> Static waved off Myst dismissively.   <It’s a rare sight; it may take a while.> I chuckled. Myst snorted a laugh, and Nova smiled quietly.   <Hush.> Static ordered, still in deep contemplation. He took a deep breath. <Okay, I want the bigger smoothie.> He nodded.   <Such emotional maturity…> Skarr droned, more cynically then usual. I frowned.   <Alright! I made my choice!> Static chirped, suddenly impatient. <Put me in stasis! I only want to come out if I’m fighting, or if we’re at the smoothie place!>   <Alright, alright. Everyone else is okay with this?>   <Yup.> Nova nodded.   <Sure.> Myst replied, shortly after Nova.   <Alright, see you guys in a second.> I affirmed, sending Static and Nova into their respective pokeballs.   <Myst.> I singled out. Myst gave me a puzzled, but attentive stare. <You’re gonna wipe the floor with these guys. Don’t worry.>   <I’m not.> Myst shook her head as if to banish the thought. <…Worried.>   <If you are, it’s understandable.> I assured. <This is the first gym where we’re relying heavily upon you. I know you’ll do great, but it’s also a large responsibility.>   Myst winced, and shifted from paw to paw. <…If I faint, I won’t be able to keep the Nightshade illusion up.> She admitted. <Everyone will know it’s you.>   <You won’t faint.> I promised. <And even if you do, so what? Sabrina can probably see though illusiojns anyway, and unlike with Koga, it won’t be televised.   Not sure if a dork with a smartphone counts as ‘televised’, but…   <Okay.> She nodded, breathing a sigh of relief. <…Thanks.>   <Don’t mention it.> I smiled, pulling out her Ultraball.   <See you at the gym.> She grinned as she disappeared into the red light.   <Ready?> Skarr’s sighed.   <Nope!> I smirked, mounting him carefully to avoid his bladelike wings. <I want to take a detour.>   ---   <It’s not that I feel the need to hide my emotions…> Skarr attempted to explain as we soared over the beautiful Fuchsia Valley. <I suppose I feel as if it’s mundane. Everyone has these emotions, and it’s petty.>   <People are petty for having emotions?> I prodded.   <…People are petty for being overly influenced by emotion.> Skarr articulated.   There was a pregnant pause.   <You’re upset about being upset.> I concluded.   Skarr gave a hollow laugh. <You make it seem so simple.>   <Life is simple.> I smiled into the wind. <It’s people that overcomplicate it.>   <Perhaps.> Skarr sighed wearily.   <What’s bothering you, Skarr?>   <…Just…myself. Being foolish, and…> He trailed off.   <What do you mean?>   <I could have dodged.> Skarr sighed again, closing his eyes. <I should have dodged.>   Suddenly, he reminded me of Nova.   <The battle.> I deducted.   <More than that!> He growled, though more at himself then at me. <I was an idiot. Overconfident; full of hubris. Thought I was invensible. Nearly cost us the battle. Made poor Nova faint. If it weren’t for your->   <Hey.> I interrupted. <It was as much my fault as yours. I was enjoying your banter.>   <‘Banter’?> Skarr questioned.   <The way you phrase things. Your witty retorts, and your sarcastic jabs. Deadpan remarks.>   <You’re saying I distracted you?>   I smirked, a paused to collect myself. <I’m saying maybe with both made a mistake, but it turned out alright. We both learned, and we’ll do better next time.>   <…Okay.>   We continued to fly around for a bit further.   <Did you mean it?> Skarr prodded, after a long silence.   <Mean what?>   <About my witty remarks and sarcastic deadpans and all that?>   <Yeah. It’s you; it’s who you are. And I like you.>   <All this time…I guess I just thought I was white noise.>   <Naw! You’re…> I struggled to find the right word.   <I’m what?>   <You do yourself a gracious disservice, as one of the prestigious, and honored Skarmory.> I laughed, mimicking Skarr.   <I most certainly do not sound anything like that rubbish!> Skarr countered with mock anger.   <You do it better than me.> I grinned. Skarr turned to give an annoyed smirk before he resumed his flight.   <So I simply amuse you, is that it? A flying steed upon which you can mock?>   <Yup, that’s pretty much it.> I laughed.   <You’re lucky I love you.> Skarr growled ,laughing with his amber eyes.   <That I am.> I smiled into the wind.   ---   <You’re so warm.>   <Uh, what?> I fumbled.   We had flown in comfortable silence for quite some time, and this was our first odd interaction since.   <We Skarmory are actually cold-blooded, you know.> Skarr explained.   <Oh. That’s, uh, that’s interesting.>   <I’m just feeling the heat radiating from your thighs. It’s heavenly.> Skarr purred.   <Oh god. Skarr, don’t make this weird.> I groaned. <I don’t know what you’re talking about.> Skarr grinned evily. <I’m not uncomfortable here.>   I bit my lip.   <There’s a special bond between rider and mount, you know?> Skarr continued, despite my obvious cringing.   I groaned a bit louder.   <You move your heated human body across my cool metallic feathers, directing me across the wind…> Skarr hummed.   <Stoppppp….> I begged.   <We’re like lovers, you and I.> Skarr giggled. <Knowing each other’s forms intimately, and responding to each other’s motions in kind. Like an intricate dace across each other’s bodies.>   <What do you waaant!?> I whined.   <Mango.> Skarr turned to grin at me mischievously, his amber eyes flashing colors of the setting sun. <I want a smoothie as well.>   <All that for a smoothie?> I shuddered, and rolled my eyes.   <What!?> Skarr yelped, feigning outrage. <I meant everything I said. Our bodies moving as one…>   <Land, you creep.> I laughed. I could scarcely make out Sabrina’s gym in the distance.   <I feel used.> Skarr pouted then laughed as he swooped towards the gym.
<SMOOOOOOOOOOOOTHIE TIIIIME!>   I blushed slightly as the cashier chuckled at my predicament. A small army of Pokémon stood behind me, only moments before arguing and wondering which flavor they should get. Static was currently racing around my feet, Pokespeak on full blast, shouting in impatient excitement for his promised large smoothie.   “Honestly, we get this all the time.” The woman smirked. She was middle-aged, and had the tired grin of someone who had worked in the service industry for far too long.   “Thank you regardless.” I met her tired smirk with my own, and paid for the drinks.   It had been a long day, but I was happy. Myst had done superbly of course, completely obliterating Sabrina. It took three moves to finish the game against Sabrina’s three Pokémon. The only scare was when her last Pokémon, Alakazam, used Focus Blast before Myst could attack. Luckily the attack missed, and Myst was able to finish him off with one last, easy Dark Pulse.   Two badges, one day. A rare feat. I smiled in our accomplishment while I drank a mixture of some foul concoction I had allowed my Pokémon to mix me. Something about mango and kiwi with vanilla…something. Cake?   Static sat happily, slurping his Bannana…Bonzo, or Bang, or some alliteration. Skarr awkwardly fiddled with his straw with his wing as he consumed his Mango…Mania, I think it was. Nova drank Blueberry Burst, along with Myst, which they both enjoyed.   Despite my accomplishment – our accomplishment – somehow I felt as if something was missing. It scratched at my consciousness awkwardly, as if not actually wanting me to notice. Like a shy wallflower at prom, it fiddled non-committedly around my mind. I tried my best to ignore this feeling; it seemed wrong. My Pokémon of course couldn’t get wind of it certainly. This was the night of celebration; doing the near impossible. I should be proud of them and in an incredible mood, instead of lukewarm with this odd feeling in my mind.   I threw on my best smile, and we celebrated long into the night. Skarr even had a laugh or two, at my expense of course. We shared stories by campfire light, and giggled long after the moon shared in our mirth, high in the sky. By the nights end, I had all forgotten about the weird feeling in my mind, and I had enjoyed myself completely.   But as I shifted into my sleeping bag, it emerged once more. Unease, as if something was missing. I gave a frustrated sigh into my sleeping bag before something odd tickled my leg.   I reached the odd spot and found my cellphone buzzing. I flinched out of my sleeping bag, and quietly crawled away to a secluded spot before answering.   “…Hello?” I asked, my voice sounding slightly sleep-deprived.   “Oh, shit, sorry. Were you sleeping?” A concerned voice on the other end rang out. Sandy.    “Naw, not yet. I was just getting in, though.”   “You were still awake at this hour?”   “Said the teapot to the kettle.”   “I have a good reason!” Sandy pouted.   “And I don’t?” I mocked. “Cause, you know, I’m just twiddling my thumbs over here, not like, knocking out two gyms in one day.”   Sandy whistled into her phone. “Damn. What are you on then? Four badges? Five?”   “Six!” I grinned. “Two more, then the league. Well, Victory Road, then the league.” I shuddered, thinking of the Cave.   “Don’t worry about it.” Sandy seemed to sense my apprehension. “You’re the best battler I’ve seen not at the Battle Park. You’ll make it.”   They called the Caves ‘the culling’. The best make it to the cave. Only the best of the best make it through.   “Yeah, I-I’ll be fine.” I waved off my fear, swallowing it for another day. “I’m sure.”   “Anyway, that’s not why I called…” Sandy trailed off, a smile on her lips.   “Oh? What’s up?”   “What’s up?” She mocked in a lower tone. “You know!”   “Don’t play this game, just tell me.” I whined.   “Your birthday! Finally turning eighteen, and you stop being jailbait.”   “Oh yeah. What is today? OH, is it tomorrow?” I yelped excitedly.   “Technically it is tomorrow, so yes.” Sandy laughed.   “Wait, my birthday? What?”   “No, the time. Like, it’s so late it’s literally tomorrow.”   “…Huh?”   I heard the sound of Sandy smacking her forehead on the phone. “Your birthday. It’s today. But it’s also like 2am, so it’ll feel like it’s tomorrow. Happy birthday!” “Oh. Man you make things confusing.” I laughed. “And thanks! Wha’d ya get me?” “Well, I pulled a few strings…” Sandy purred into her cell. “…and I miiiight get a chance to fly down their tomorrow. I have a few battles planned in the morning, and this is not for-sure thing yet…”   “I understand.”   “…but I might be able to swing coming to hang with you tomorrow night. Maybe. If not tomorrow the next day for sure, okay?”   “Yeah, that sounds great.” I smiled.   “Alright. That’s all, just wanted to wish you a Happy B-” Suddenly the phone made a terrible sound, like a cat being slowly run over by a truck.   “Augh!” I groaned once the noise stopped. “What was that!?”   “What was what?”   “Augh, I thought that was your end!” I rubbed my ear in pain. “Some weird sound.”   “Oh, no, I was just wishing you a Happy Birthday.”   “Augh…” I looked at my phone dubiously. “Huh. Well, thanks!”   “No problem. See you tomorrow hopefully!”   “See you!” I smiled and hung up the phone.   A notification blinked alive as soon as I ended the phone call, with the phrase ‘Happy Birthday’ in the title. I sighed in realization – someone, or rather, somemon must have changed my notification ping to that awful sound. My money was on Static. Satisfied with my realization, I opened up the notification.   “Congratulations on being 21 years young!” The message read happily. I smirked at the advertisement, remembering how I had deliberately fudged my age, all those years ago. “You and your best party of six are invited to the grand Pokémon Pageant, showing off only the best in entertainment and glamor! Show off your stuff, or admire others – either way, we hope to see you there!”   “Static’s going to have a coronary.” I grinned, and closed my phone with a snap.   ---   (Overdose POV)   Florescent lights stared back at me with the same dull intensity I gazed at them. Bed, five by two. Window, two by two. White everything. Mandated food, water. Exercise. Tests.   I hated this place. This hell. The word ‘facility’ fell off my tongue like a virus, staining the very floor it fell upon with its filth. They kept me locked in this governmental cage and they have the audacity to claim there’s something wrong with me.   Hours spent staring at the lights, with my back pressed against the hard, unforgiving mattress. My tail flicking back and forth, bending the electricity of the lights to my whim.   On.   Off.   On.   Off.   On…   Suddenly, the door cracked open. I looked up with annoyed curiosity as Volt strolled in, and took his place in the second bed in this hellish room. He bounced on his mattress before looking at me with a disappointed gaze.   “We, uh…” Volt fumbled, unsure of how to begin. “We missed you today, ‘Dose. Me and the others…”   I looked away, frustrated.   “We played dodge ball. They let us have real balls and everything!” Volt chirped excitedly, before realizing who he was talking to. “…It…it was fun. I wished you were there. You… you would have liked it.”   “It’s like you don’t even know why we’re here.” I hissed.   “What?”   “They think we’re broken.” I growled. “They think they can fix us.”   Volt remained silent, and stared at the floor.   “Keep us locked in here long enough and it will break our will to be ourselves.” I sighed, shuddering at the thought.   “I mean…” Volt began, shrugging. “We are kind of broken, aren’t we?”   “What!?” I screamed, grabbing him by his neck, and hoisting him into the air.   “I…” He knew better than to struggle, and simply submitted himself to my torment. “I mean, why else would we be here, right? Normal people don’t like hurting others. Normal people don’t put poison in themselves, or break each other’s bones ‘cause they think it’s funny.”   “You’re saying I’m not normal?”   “I’m saying…” Volt squirmed, and I released him. “I’m saying, what if? What if they are just trying to help, you know? What if we are messed up; what if we are broken?”   “There is nothing wrong with what I am!” I shouted, point blank into Volt’s face. “They will not fix me. They will not change me. THAT is who I am, THAT is who I always will be, and I refuse to change.” I jumped back on my bed.   “Overdose…” Volt’s voice cracked as he whimpered.   “I’ll die before I change.” I nodded to myself. “They’ll never change who I am.”
<We have to what.> Static deadpanned, glaring at me as if daring me to be serious.   <It’ll be fun!> I smiled. Static grimaced. I smiled wider. He growled. <Come on.> I begged. <New experience, widened horizons->   <I have to agree with Static on this one, Josh.> Skarr sighed. <This pageant business sounds pathetic and demeaning.>   <It’s fun!> I exclaimed. <Static, remember how awesome acting out ‘Into The Woods’ was at my school?>   <…Kinda.> Static reluctantly responded.   <This is the same thing!>   <It’s a bunch of dressed up purebreds pretending they can battle.> Skarr scoffed.   <This one’s different.> I looked Skarr in the eyes. <Honestly. They judge the utilization and power of moves, and their application to the opponents. It’s like battling, but you’re getting judged on your performance.>   <We always get judged on our performance. It’s called winning.> Static retorted. I sighed, and put my hand to head.   <W-well I think it sounds fun!> A voice behind me chirped. Nova stood supportively behind me, and hugged my pant leg.   <…Thank you, Nova.> I complemented, albeit reluctantly.   <I’m willing to try new things.> Myst purred, whipping her tail at Static before quickly pulling it back. <Unlike some.>   Static growled loudly. <Just because I don’t want to be paraded around->   <Guys!> I warned.   <Static, we’re outvoted.> Skarr grumbled bluntly. <Plus some culture wouldn’t be abominable for us. Let us make the most of what we can.>   <Auuuuughhhh…> Static whined.   <Look. They probably won’t even give us an important role.> I assured the group. <We’ll probably be the fight in the intermission, between the really good high-scoring fights. We’ll mostly be watching really cool effects and moves, and who doesn’t like that, right?>   <Right…> My group droned back at me. I bit my lip.   <Well, in any case, our part will be minor.> I gulped. <It’ll be fine.>   ---   “The lead!?”   “We don’t get many applicants, sir. You’ll be our first battler with six badges in months.” The receptionist spoke honestly. “Most battlers have two or fewer. Normally we would’ve had to call in a favor to get someone so skilled to fight for our entertainment. As luck would have it though, another trainer just stopped by, only slightly less skilled then you.”   “Wow. How can you tell?” I asked, curious.   “Um, number of badges?” The receptionist gave me an odd look.   “Oh. Right.”   “Anyway, here’s a pamphlet.” The receptionist handed me a piece of folded paper. “This should be what you need to work off of. What moves give you the most point value, and what the judges normally look for. You’ll be on at eight p.m. tomorrow.”   “I’ll be there...” I assured as I turned away, glancing over the pamphlet.   <What’d she say?> Static pestered as I left the building.   <Well, actually…> I turned to the group. <They, um, they kind of think we’re hot stuff. They want to make us the lead.>   <So you’re the guy who stole my spot.> A voice entered my Pokespeak I didn’t recognize. I whipped around to see a blond haired trainer clutching a Pokéball by the entrance. He stood slightly smaller than me at around 5’6”, and wore a dark blue jacket. His dulled, blue eyes had large, deep circles around them.   <You know,> He continued. <I thought I had that lead under wraps. Almost no one attends these things anymore, and I figured I’d snatch the lead, and introduce my Pokémon to the spotlight.>   <I didn’t mean any disrespect.> I fumbled.   <’Course you didn’t.> The man shrugged, spinning a Pokéball on the tip of his finger. <Name’s Ethan, by the way. And I am going to have to battle you for that spot. My role against yours, three on three.>   <Um, Josh.> I said after a moment of confusion. <And you can just have it, I don’t think we really even want->   <Deal!> Static cried excitedly, his cheeks sparking with electricity.   Well. I guess we’re battling.   <Go, Bolt!> The man cried, releasing an experienced looking Pikachu.   <Get ‘em, Static!> I grinned, slightly baffled, sending my own Pikachu right back at him.   ---   <Bolt, use Thunder!>   <St-> I tried to think, but I encountered a subtle resistance. It wasn’t strong or firm, but it was just light enough to convey a message.   I have this.   I know what to do.   I shrugged and watched contentedly.   “Cha!” Static shouted, bouncing forward and smashing his palms in front of the opponent Pikachu. Bolt flinched back startled just as Static introduced him to his fist. The punch was imperfect, and instead of sending him flying backward, it sent Bolt soaring into the air.   “Piikaaaa!” Bolt cried, sending down an enormous bolt of electricity crashing down at Static. It struck him directly, singeing his fur and knocking him to the ground.   Bolt landed expertly on his paws, and swaggered over to finish Static off. Static sprang up, kicking Bolt directly in the chest, and pushing him back into the crater created by his thunder attack. Bolt collapsed unconscious, and Static bounced up, panting slightly.   Ethan bowed curtly in acknowledgement.   <Nice going, Static!> I smiled.   <Once you’ve fought so many of these guys, you know?> Static explained. <Just, it’s like I know, I know. Hit them with the thing, than hit them with the other thing that doesn’t stun them till they stop moving. Simple.>    <Simple.> I smirked. <Okay, return.>   “Go, Frill!” Ethan commanded. His voice sounded nothing like his mind, and had a surprisingly dark edge.   “Go, Nova!” I ordered, tossing a Pokéball in turn. A Wartortle appeared on the other side with dark blue skin and a vibrant white shell. Nova stood tensed for battle, before blinking in disbelief and relaxing.   <Oh my god. Squirtle?> Nova asked in awe.   <Woah! Charmander, is that you?>   <I didn’t think I’d ever see you again!> Nova laughed happily, running and hugging Frill on the other side of the field. Frill laughed and returned the hug, spinning Nova in the air.   <You got adopted!> Frill laughed in his mirth. <I’m so proud of you!>   <He’s a really great guy!> Nova chirped.   Frill just grinned, and hugged Nova again. <Man, I’m so happy to see you!>   <Same!> Nova chuckled. <How’s your trainer!>   <Really understanding.> Frill nodded. <He’s super cool about stuff. He’s the one that adopted Bulbasaur too!>   <Ack!> Ethan tensed suddenly. Frill twitched to shoot him a confused look. <Don’t tell him that! That’s part of our strategy, you can’t go giving that stuff away!>   <Oh. Oops.> Frill puffed his cheeks awkwardly. <Well, uh, now you know.>   <Sorry, for interrupting.> I began, addressing Frill. Frill looked up. <Are you a shiny? Why is your shell that color?>   <Nope, not shiny. I’m just made wrong.> Frill giggled.   <You’re not made wrong!> Nova frowned. <You’re made perfectly the way you are.>   <I’m not upset about it.> Frill laughed, shrugging. <It was just a joke.>   <You always joke about it, but I’ve seen you alone. You try to paint your shell, or chug HP Up’s thinking it’ll help. You’re hurting.>   <I…I don’t do that anymore.> Frill’s smirk soured, and he looked away.   <It’s okay to hurt, I just don’t like you seeing you hurt yourself so other people feel more comfortable…>   <You don’t have to take everything so seriously, Nova!> Frill rolled his eyes, grinning. <If I say I’m fine, I’m fine. There’s not always ‘hidden context’ behind everything.>   Nova stood for a moment, then sighed. <Well…okay. If you promise.>   <I promise.> Frill beamed.   <So, uh…> Ethan bit his lip. <How are we going to do this? Restart this round, each of us go to opposite ends?>   <Huh?> Ethan’s comment caught me off guard. <Oh. Uh, yeah, that sounds fine.>   <Battle, battle, battle, battle, battle.> Frill mocked, using his paw as a tiny mouth. <All we do, I swear.>   <Josh is the same way.> Nova grinned sheepishly.   <Hey!> I berated, laughing at my own expense.   <Coming!> Nova chirped, tripping over himself to scuttle over to me.>   <Frill! You too!> Ethan scowled. <Come on, you’re making me look bad!>   <Coming, mom.> Frill giggled, slowly walking back to Ethan.   Ethan sighed, then looked up. <Alright, you ready?>   <I think so.> I laughed.   <Alright. Frill, use Water Gun!>   <Nova, use Outrage!>
(Sosososososo sorry for missing last week's update! ;_; I wrote more this week to make up for it. Don't hate me! <3)   (Josh's POV)   <Wait, why Outrage?> Nova inquired. I blinked, not being use to people questioning my choices.   <Um, it would do more damage than any other of your attacks.> I quickly responded.   <He’s not like the others, Josh!> Nova explained. <He only has one hit point! Any attack would knock him out.>   <Oh, right. Well, just hit him, I suppose. Use Ember?>   I can’t believe I just suggested using a fire attack on a water type…   “Char!” Nova cheered in agreement and charged at Frill, shooting a small blast of embers. Frill dove out of the way and retaliated with a blast of water, showering Nova.   “Dah!” Nova yelped, cowering.   <Nova, use Ember again!> I ordered.   Frill was faster, and dashed at Nova, sensing his hesitance. He snatched Nova’s arm, and simply hurled him across the field. Nova crashed back to the ground; his mouth full of earth. He pushed himself up, and spat out the dirt. Frill charged again, but Nova was prepared.   “Squrr!” Frill shouted, narrowly blocking the Embers with a quick Protect. Nova shot more which Frill also avoided, and then used Protect against the third wave.   “Stand still!” Nova growled, shooting another sea of embers. Frill stuck out his tongue, hiding behind a small green Protect sphere. Nova charged, breaking the sphere with a clenched fist, and ran Frill through with his multicolored claws.   The white glow of Nova’s eyes went away, as he gazed at Frill with shock. Frill looked back with a dazed, but pleased look in his eyes.   <You’ve gotten better.> Frill laughed as Nova’s claws disappeared into nothingness. <I’m proud of you.>   With nothing to support him, Frill slumped on the floor unconscious.   “Cha.” Nova nodded to his fallen friend.   <Return.> I beamed. Nova scurried to my side of the field as I drew another Pokéball.   ---   <Go, Ivysaur!>   <Get ‘em, Static!>   Static beamed triumphantly, eyeing his new foe. <Standard set?>   <Nope. Fake out, then Hidden Power Ice.>   <What? I thought that ice was weak to grass!>   <Nope. Stronger.>   <…I swear, this changes every week.> He grumbled.   <No, it’s been constant since…well, ever.> I chuckled.   <I have no idea how you keep all this in your skull.> Static shook his head in disbelief.   <Just trust me.> I grinned. <Go!>   Static raced across the field, pounding his paws into the grass. The Ivysaur concentrated, shutting its eyes and firmly standing his ground. Static closed the gap between them in record speed, smashing his paws in front of the Ivysaur, stunning it momentarily.   “I…” The Ivysaur whispered, eyes opening and revealing a look of terror. Static grinned, sensing his opponent’s fear, and focused on his next attack.   “I FORFEIT!” Ethan cried, running in front of Static. Static awkwardly stumbled to a stop, falling onto the grass in an attempt not to attack the trainer.   The Ivysaur’s pupils were pinpricks now as he held his mouth open at an awkward angle. No sound came out, only the panicked ruffling of Ethan as he rummaged through his backpack. Ivysaur now had a bluish blush on his face, and both his eyes were fiercely shut. Ivysaur fell to his side, the bluish tinged overcoming his face as he curled in pain. Ethan swiftly grabbed some shining piece of metal from his bag, and pressed it into Ivysaur’s mouth. A puff of air went off, and everything seemed to relax.   <I…I didn’t…> The Ivysaur strained, obviously in distress.   <Shhh. Just breathe.> Ethan commanded, still inserting the metal device into Ivysaur’s mouth. I stood to the right of the scene, still in shock. What just happened?   “Sorry about that,” Ethan stood up, and dusted himself off. “Rather anti-climactic victory, but-”   “Anti-climactic?” I interrupted. “I don’t know what just happened, but I wouldn’t call it anti-climactic.”    “It’s…a personal affliction.” Ethan looked away. “I think he would prefer-”   <He stopped breathing.> Nova answered. Everyone turned to the small reptile, including Ivysaur, who stared at him with a look of incredulity.   <Charmander?> He asked in awe.   <Hey Bulbas-, err, Ivysaur now, huh?>   <Yeah! Oh, hah, I guess you’re a Charmeleon, heh. It’s been so long!>   The two reunited in a quick hug, and were quickly chatting about the events that had transpired since their parting.   “Well, darn.” Ethan snapped his fingers. “Well, I guess we’re second. Fair is fair.”   “Hardly fair.” I frowned. “Forfeiting to save your Pokémon’s life shouldn’t be considered losing.”   “I might’ve made a fuss about it.” He shrugged, grinning. “But you really took a load off my mind for adopting that Charmander. I couldn’t take all three, and I felt sick about it for weeks. That Matilda lady was-”   “-A total bitch!” Me and Ethan finished at the same time.   “I know, right?” I responded, now enthusiastic. “She was terrible! Thank god she retired.”   “Did she?” Ethan asked. “Thank goodness. I sent a complaint to the adoption committee, but with all the red tape I just assumed…” He trailed off.   “Maybe it did help; maybe that’s why she had to retire.” I offered.   “How is the little guy?” Ethan asked. “Last time I saw him, he wouldn’t even willingly be in the same room as me.”   <I’ve gotten a little better.> Nova blushed from his conversation with Ivysaur.   “Um, what?” Ethan blinked in disbelief.   <I said I’ve gotten a bit better.> Nova articulated.   “You can…understand me?” Ethan looked down in shock.   “Woah!” I reeled. “I knew you could read, but…”   <Just a little bit. I can’t speak it of course, but I can listen.>   “Oh, that is so cool.” Ethan laughed.   <T-thanks!>   I grinned. “Well, Ethan, I look forward to battling you again tomorrow night. It should be quite a crowd, hmmm?”   Ethan leaned back, his tired blue eyes flashing a look of uncertainty. “Ehhh.. I’m not sure. My Pokémon really wanted the lead, but failing at that they wanted to go to the Fuchsia Pond thing.”   “Fuchsia what?”   Ethan looked up. “The Fuchsia Pond…thing?”   I shook his head.   “How long have you been in Fuchsia?” Ethan smiled warily.   “Almost a full day?” Josh grinned sheepishly. “What should I know?”   “There’s some kind of pool-esc party some wild Pokémon are hosting.” Ethan sniggered. “No-humans-allowed. Apparently owned Pokémon are allowed in though, and it’s been all the fuss recently. It’s the same night as the show, of course.”   The gears in my head slowly began spinning. “Ethan, can you give me a second? Stay right here, okay?”   “Uh, sure?” Ethan gave me a queer look as I raced around the corner, and tossed all my Pokéballs onto the grass.   ---   <Yes!> Static yelped, interrupting me.   <Static.> I deadpanned. <You didn’t even let me say the other option.>   <All I heard was ‘or’.> He grinned. <‘We could go to the play or’. Which means there’s something else!>   <Yes, there’s something else.> I sighed.   <Well, don’t leave us hanging.> Skarr motioned for me to continue.   <There is some sort of no-humans-allowed get together->   <I’m there!> Static squealed instantaneously.   <You don’t even know…> I growled, trailing off.   <All I know is that it’s human excluded. None of your smelly bodies stinking up the place.> Static stuck out his tongue.   <Before we make a decision->   <Josh?> Nova interrupted.   <Yes Nova?> I sighed.   <I don’t think you smell.>   <Thank you Nova.> I smiled wearily. <Anyway, before we make a decision, I think we should know more about it. And what better way->   <I know about it.> Myst shrugged.   <What?>   <I haven’t been to one in Fuchsia,> She admitted. <But I have been to these. Essentially it’s just a whole lot of Pokémon getting together, chatting about life as a wild Pokémon or as a captured one, and re-connecting with lost friends.>   <…That’s it?> I asked curiously.   <That’s it.> Myst confirmed.   <Well, I’m still not sure if I’m comfortable->   <Yes!> Static chirped.   I slumped to the floor groaning. <Can everyone pleaaaase stop interrupting me!>   <I haven’t interrupted you once.> Starr pointed out.   <…Thank you Ska->   <Not one time.> He smirked evilly.   I groaned. Having to manage four Pokémon was harder than I had imagined.   <The situation is handled. Here.> Skarr patted me on the head, then turned to face the group. <All in favor of attending this new event?>   Static’s paw shot up, along with Skarr’s wing. Nova shrugged, uncaring. Myst glanced at Nova, and equally shrugged.   <Two votes yes, two votes abstained. That’s a yes.> Skarr nodded.   <…Thank you?> I more asked then stated. Skarr bowed. <Alright, let’s go tell Ethan he can have the first place spot.>   ---   “Wow, thanks! Only…” Ethan looked awkwardly at the ticket stub I was offering. “We, um…we all chose not to go.”   “What? But you wanted the spot!”   “They...they’re not big on plays.” Ethan sighed. “It’s a forgotten art. They all elected to go to the pond rather than…’sit and watch humans judge us’. I think is how they put it.”   “Well, I’ll just give it back then.” I shrugged, walking back in the pageant entrance.   “Wait!” Ethan cried out, his face looking confused as if it hadn’t expected his outburst. I turned, questioningly. “Um, so your Pokémon are going to be away tomorrow, as are mine, right?”   “Yeah?”   Ethan puffed out his cheeks, and let a slow stream of air out. “This is going to sound really gay…” Ethan paused, gathering his courage. “But, um, do you want to attend the pageant together? I mean, nothing else to do, right?”   “Actually, sure.” I shrugged. I had always enjoyed pageants, despite their diminishing popularity. “It does feel rather weird going to one alone.”   “Alright, cool. I’ll save you a seat tomorrow.” Ethan waved, and walked down the road to the Gym.   ---   <Soooooo?>   <So?>   <Sooooooooooo?>   <So what?>   <So are ya gonna return us to our pokeballs, while you guys…?> Static wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive motion.   I had just explained (due to a recent phone call from Sandy) that my birthday was today. Apologies and Happy Birthday’s abounded, and I grinned and received the praise. I told them that Sandy might be coming to join us this evening, which prompted Static’s rude remark.   <No, no, no.> I waved him off. <I was hoping that everyone could stay together tonight, and that we could all celebrate my 18th as, like, a little group.> I smiled.   <Dude.> Myst gave me a look. <You’d rather hang with us then get laid?>   <I mean!> I sighed. <It’s customary to have a party with some of your friends->   <Hit thaaaat!> Static interrupted.   <Seriously.> Myst laughed, and in a rare moment, high-fived Static.   <Guys.> I tried to get the group’s attention.   <But seriously, we’re going on our Pokéball, right? I wouldn’t want to be there for those thirty seconds!> Static sniggered.   <No, he’s a gentlemen.> Myst stood up straight, in a mock, dignified stance. <And you know gentlemen always come after the lady.>   The group roared with laughter as I held my face in my hand.   <Does her skin color ever rub off on you?> Skarr asked with complete seriousness. I stopped face palming for a moment in absolute incredulity.   <…What?> I asked after a moment.   <You know.> Skarr blushed, <Does she ever, like, wash off on you? Do you get a bit brown when you two make love? That was always a problem with Karliah and me; we would get metal shavings everywhere->   I shut my eyes as hard as I could, trying to block out the mental image forming in my mind. Just then, a tap on my shoulder alerted me to a dark-skinned presence behind myself.   <Hey boys~!> Sandy hummed, hugging me from behind. <And Myst, of course. What were y’all talking ‘bout?>   ---   “Wait for it…”   “Sandy, this isn’t-”   “Waaait for ittt…!”   “This is stupi-”   “And you’re officially no longer jailbait!” Sandy smirked, looking at her watch triumphantly. “8:04 pm., Josh turns eighteen!”   “You’re still a cougar.” I grinned. “Aren’t girls supposed to date up? What’s a twenty year old dating a teen?”   “I never heard you complain.”   The sun was just about to set over the Fuchsia Valley, sending streaks of pink and violet across the sky. A soft breeze ruffled our blanket as we sat under a large birch tree, seemingly out of place in the forest of oak. It was rather silent, except for my partner who sat beside me, grinning ear to ear.   “That’s just because I hold it all inside.” I smirked. “I keep it all bottled up until it gives me cancer.”   “That’s not funny.” Sandy pouted, poking the tip of my nose. “Not all of us can be Mr.Hippy-Von-Feelings, and be all touchy-feely like you are.”   “Hippy-Von-Feelings?”   Sandy giggled. “Shut up, I couldn’t think of a good name.”   “That’s not a good name? I think Mr. Hippy-Von-Feelings would disagree.” I flashed her smile, and she returned it with a playful punch. “You’re just so open.” Sandy said, after a small pause. She rested her head in her hands, and laid on the soft blanket.   “You know, if I said the same thing to you, all I would’ve gotten would be another punch.” I grinned. Sandy growled and swiped at me, but I moved just out of her reach.   “I was being serious!” Sandy pouted. “That was genuine, and you ruined it.”   “I’m allowed to ruin things today.” I laughed, my permanent grin never faltering. “It’s my birthday, and I can do what I want!”   “Ooh, that reminds me.” Sandy reached a lazy hand to her side, and snatched her purse. “Lay down for a sec, will you?”   “Why, so I’m in your punching range?”   “You’re never out of my punching range.” She quipped, motioning for me to lie down. I complied, using my bedroll as a pillow. “Now, I have two gifts, and a not-a-gift. Which one do you want first?”   “What’s a not-a-gift?”   Sandy turned to me, with a serious look in her eyes. “It’s something I have to give you, but it’s not a gift.”   I gave her a puzzled look.   “We’ll do that one last.” She muttered to herself. “Here, just close your eyes.”   I happily complied, then realized one of the ‘gifts’ might involve horseradish and shrimp. My eyes bolted open, and my hands rushed to cover my exposed nose. Sandy flinched in shock, holding something bluish.   “I told you not to look!” She yelped, flicking me in the forehead and quickly hiding the blue object.   “I thought one of the ‘gifts’ might involve shrimp.” I slumped sheepishly.   “Oh. That would have been funny.” Sandy chuckled, holding the object behind her back. “Oh well, whatever, you probably already saw it.” She reached around, presenting the bluish scarf. “Taa-daa!”   “Is this a…?”   “Choice Scarf, yeah. I don’t think Static would get much use out of it, but maybe for Nova or Myst. If you don’t like it, I can always exchange-”   “No, I love it!” I grinned, rubbing the soft, silky fabric between my fingers. “I can use this for so many strategies! Nova and Myst are going to love this!”   “I’m glad you like it.” Sandy sat up, and gave me a little hug. “Alright, gift two. This one is a bit less impressive then gift one; I had to pull a lot of strings for that scarf, hehe.”   “Nothing too bad, I hope?” A sudden sense of guilt came over me. How much did that cost?   “Not for you.” She gave me a small, coy look. “Anyway!” She pulled out something flashy and red, and twirled it around her finger. “Taa-daa!”   I squinted, not recognizing what it was.   “It’s a Focus Sash.” Sandy answered my unspoken question.   “Oh!” I realized. “Oh wow, thanks! Both of these are mine?”   “Well, the Focus Sash was cheap. Remember, you can only use these puppies once.”   “Oh, right…” I sighed. “Still, it’s the best one-use item you can find. Static could wreck with this. He could probably get three moves off if he’s lucky, on any Pokémon. Granted he’s faster…well, two if he’s not.” I reasoned.   “Well, I’ll let you think about it.” She smiled, placing it in my palm. He hands were warm, despite the chill of the approaching night.   “So what is this non-gift?” I inquired, squinting curiously. Sandy’s playful gaze turned serious, almost…sorrowful.   “Okay. First off, this is not, repeat, not a gift.”   “Okay?”   “Ready?”   “Sure.”   “Close your eyes, and don’t open them this time.”   “Okay.” I shut my eyes. I heard some shuffling, and Sandy moving around the blanket.   “Hold out your hands.” She ordered. I did so. “No, like, as if you were cupping water to drink.” I considered the motion for a moment, before cupping my hands together. “Yeah, like that. Okay, here you go.”   It felt smooth, and cool. My hands ran across its surface; it was almost completely circular, except for an indentation around its perimeter, and two, small bumps-   “Ohmygod.” My eyes shot open, confirming my fear. “Sandy, how on Earth-”   “Not a gift, and not from me.” She shook her head.   “This…this is worth more than…” I struggled to come up with a price; as far as I knew, they didn’t even have one. There were three confirmed in existence, but even then their locations were kept hidden, lest they be robbed.   A Masterball. The only device that can capture a Pokémon with guaranteed success, even legendary ones with untold, stupefying power.   “I wouldn’t sell it if I were you.” She winked. “Too much attention. Plus no bank would store all that money without giving you a seriously weird look.”   “How?” I just asked, dumbfounded.   “This isn’t from me.” She shook her head. “I simply…mentioned…you to the right person, and, well, they had one in stock.”   “I am not important enough for this.” I looked at the priceless sphere before me. “Why did they…?”   “Sponsorship. You’ve blown through the gyms faster than anyone in years, and you’ve been taking breaks. If you win, then theoretically you’re on their side. Maybe you’ll tell the world about the company that gave you what you needed to survive the Cave, and beat the Elite four.”   “So there’s a game behind this, then…” I muttered, still transfixed with the orb.   “More then you know.” She whispered back. “It also comes with a caveat.”   “Which is?”   “When, he told me to say when not if, so when you catch a legendary in that, they want you to bring it to their labs, for study. Nothing particularly mad scientist-esc, just simple tests like stamina, endurance, and power.”   “Who are these people?”   “The Cinnabar Institute for Research and Technology, C-I-R-T.” Sandy enunciated.   I sat in silence for a moment, feeling completely overwhelmed. This wasn’t real, was it? This was just me messing around, pretending I had what it took to actually beat the Elite Four. I was never serious. This was just me having fun with a few friends, goofing off as if we actually had what it took. Sheer luck…no. Maybe it was more than that, but not enough for this. Not even close.   If I sold this, I wouldn’t have to work a day in my life.   I could be done. Finished. I could spend the rest of my life, my Pokémon’s life, and my children’s lives in absolute luxury.   Or…    “I don’t know what to say.” I whispered softly, in awe.   I could follow this silly dream…and see how far the rabbit hole goes. I already have six badges, no doubt I could at least get the seventh from Blaine. If I could nab a legend, maybe, just maybe…   “I think you have what it takes.” Sandy turned to me, without a trace of sarcasm in her voice. Her auburn eyes reflected the scarce moonlight as she gazed upon me with certainty.   “Deep down…I guess I never thought I would get this far.” I muttered. Saying the simple phrase felt like removing a splinter that had festered for far too long. It hurt, but it had needed to be said even if I hadn’t  realized it.   “No one ever does, until they cross that threshold.” Sandy smiled with recollection. Her eyes glazed over, and she leaned back calmly. “I remember when I first bested the Elite four. I was so young…” She laughed. “…but I had learned a lot from my mother. She was talking to the champion, and I was left alone in the lobby…   “I have no idea why they let me in.” Sandy chuckled. “I guess they thought I was some sort of tiny prodigy.”   “You…were a prodigy.” I laughed nervously.   Sandy made a move to rebate my complement, but thought better of it. “Well, I mean…I don’t know, technically, I guess.” In the night, I thought I could almost make out a blush on her darkened skin. When she turned to me however, her face was clear.   “Tell me more.” I smiled, leaning back.   “Well, I always kept some of mom’s rental Pokémon on me, right?” She nodded. “She had begun teaching me at a young age, and trusted me to walk in the Battle Park’s tall grass as a child-”   “-Those Pokémon’ll rip you to shreds!” I yelped, terrified a parent would allow such a thing.   “If you don’t have Pokémon to protect you, yeah.” Sandy chuckled.   “What level are those…?” I struggled.   “Fiftyish.”   “And what level where your rentals…?”   “In the forties. But remember, I was a trainer, so it was a pretty fair fight.”   I shook my head in disbelief, awed that Sandy was still alive.   “And, yeah.” Sandy smiled, eyes once again glazed. “They let me in, I beat them one by one, and finally, the champion was called down. It created a ruckus, because he wasn’t even scheduled to work that day, considering no challengers had been scheduled.” She smirked. “And picture my mom’s face when she sees me, a six year old girl, about to face the most powerful trainer in Kanto.”   “And they let you?”   “My mom admitted later that it was to teach me humility.” Sandy shrugged. “The Champion, well, I think he was just bored. Neither of them thought a six year old with no items and a team of level forties could beat the champion, with his honed team of level sixties.”   “And you did?’   Sandy smiled widely. “Yup. It took everything I had, and it was a narrow victory, but I won.” She laughed quietly. “No one knew what to do. There were so many complications; the fact I had no badges, the fact the Pokémon weren’t mine, the fact I wasn’t even old enough to have Pokémon…”   “But?”   “But the Champion overruled them all. Told them that I had won fair in square, and even went so far as to offer me the position as Champion.” Her youthful smile never faltered. “Of course, my mother declined for me, as I was only six. But I still got my certificate, an honorary trainer’s card despite my age, and the video of my battle against the Champion got sent around the world.”   “Wow.” I whispered.   “From then, it was Battle Park life for me.” Sandy leaned back, her story concluded, and a yawn on her lips. “What about you?”   “Well, you already know how I got Static.” I shrugged.   “What about everything else?” Sandy curled around me, pushing me lightly to the floor. “Mr-holds-no-secrets. You were upset at me being all secretive about my past, but I don’t know anything about your upbringing either!”   “That’s ‘cause it’s not that interesting.” I deflected, looking away.   “Come on.” Sandy’s dark, playful eyes begged at my own. “Please?”   “You’re going to be disappointed.”   “Try me.” She rested her head on my stomach, and gazed at the stars.   ---   It was sixth grade. My school was a small one, as most children of my age had left to go exploring the Kanto region, with big dreams and shiny new trainer cards.   I felt extremely alone.   Despite my yearning to go joining my peers, my parents had insisted I stay in schooling. Well, I say my parents…truly, it was my mother. My father simply stood as an imposing shadow behind her, agreeing with any decision she would make.   Looking back on it, she wasn’t exactly wrong. I learned a lot in schooling, even though I found most of it to be a waste of time.   I wouldn’t say I disliked my parents. The word is far too strong for the petty, snide feelings I felt towards them. More than anything, I felt disappointed. I knew my father would stand by me in the end, no matter what. My mother though…I always felt as if she was trying to discourage me. Persuade me from following my dreams, and convince me to go into accounting, or finance.   “You’re always so good with numbers.” She cooed, a tired look in her light blue eyes. “Why would you waste your life on the impossible when you can live comfortably with a stable job, a nice family…?”    I tried to explain that there was more to life then living at a desk, crunching numbers. Sure I excelled at statistics and probability, but what was the point when offices already had machines that did that for you? My gift applied to battling, to the quick choices that needed to be made on the spot to allow my dreams to be a success.   She never listened. Or if she did, it was only to find another way to shoot me down.   I rarely went home at all in high school. Between work and training static, I really only used my house to sleep. I worked as a waiter, and though the hours were long and the customers weren’t always kind, the pay was consistent. They also gave me a free meal a day, which I used frequently as an excuse to eat away from home.   Training Static was my favorite hobby, of course. There wasn’t many powerful Pokémon nearby, and once he reached level thirty, it became increasingly frustrating trying to find stronger Pokémon for him to battle. We talked and talked, and finally decided, on a long weekend, to travel to Ruin Valley. The original plan was to try to find and capture a Pidgeot, but when we saw Skarr atop that mountain…   He looked so majestic. I mean, it’s weird to talk about now, but…my gosh. A bird, made out of that fierce, carved steel. He looked like something out of a book, glowing in the sunlight. He clocked at level thirty-five, and I was a terrified that despite Static’s inherent advantage that the Skarmory would prove to powerful, and after he knocked Static unconscious he would cut me to slivers.   Somehow…we did it. The Ultraball dinged that beautiful red, and we I took him home. Skarr was incredibly intelligent, and after a short time we grew to enjoy each other’s company. We would take short flights to other parts of Kanto in the evenings, so Skarr and Static could battle stronger foes. It was discouraging to not be able to battle gyms or compete against my school friends, but it was far better than nothing.   I think my biggest regret is how I left things with my parents. My father was supportive when Static practically fell in my lap, even when my mom’s screams echoed through the house. That was really the only time he stood against her, but looking back, that was really the time I needed him to. I suppose I would just like to make peace with them. What I wouldn’t give to see my father cheering me on when I get my last badge, or to see my mom saying that she would be proud of me no matter what...   ---   A tear rolled down my cheek. I tried to wipe my face with my sleeve, but before I could do so I was tackled by Sandy.   “I believe in you.” She hugged me tightly.   “…Thank you.” I smiled, slightly uncomfortable by the weight she was putting on my chest. After a few moments she released me, still gazing sorrowfully in my eyes.   “Have you ever gone back?”   “What?”   “To your parents.” Sandy clarified.   I shook my head, ashamed. “I haven’t even sent them a postcard. For all they know, I could be dead.”   Sandy frowned. “You should call them.”   “I should do more than that.” I sighed. “I left things terribly.”   “What exactly happened?”   This time it was my turn to have my eyes glaze over as I sighed in recollection... Edited September 27, 2013 by Kirito Removed double post (see edit history)
I was sitting in class, scribbling answers for an exam. My last for high school. That sentiment tasted bittersweet; I would love leaving and exploring the Kanto region when I finished, but I would miss the teachers and classes. I really didn’t have many school friends, considering the small size of our classroom, and the only kids left in school were those that disliked battling.   It was all I thought about. All I dreamed of. This was a rare moment I actually didn’t have Static in my backpack for moral support. I needed to concentrate on this exam, even though I knew I would do well. Plus, if someone caught my Pokespeak in my ear it might be considered cheating.   I finished the exam, and headed home. Home. The word stung my mouth. No, I wasn’t going home. I was going to a place to pack my belongings. Three days I had until graduation. Three days I had until freedom. I had worked so hard over the past few years, studying to keep my grades up, training Static and Skarr, and amassing enough money to survive on my own, at least long enough to beat a few gyms.   “Josh!” My mom almost dropped the soup ladle in the stew as I walked through the door. “Oh! I-I didn’t expect to see you today. I only made enough for two portions-, it’s fine, I’ll put on another pot-”   “It’s fine, I don’t plan to stay for dinner.” I shrugged off her gesture, and made my way upstairs.   “It’s just…” She muttered weakly. “I haven’t seen you in a while…”   “I’ve been busy.” I said testily.   “Spending all your time training.” She mumbled. “As if that’s going to get you anywhere in life.”   “…I’ll be upstairs.” I announced, too annoyed to combat my mother’s rudeness. My normally impeccable room was organized, albeit not in its typical fashion. Clothes were piled in one corner, electronics in another. Everything of importance to me was piled in my room, organized in chaos. I loathed such seeming disorganization, but it was necessary. I would be leaving, possibly just for a week or two, or possibly months. I needed to ensure I had everything I could carry.    “Josh?” My father peeked in my room. “Oh, I didn’t hear you come in. Will you be joining us for-”   “No.” I interrupted, shoving some clothes in my backpack.   My father was silent for a moment as he watched me pack my things.   “This is it, then?” He said quietly. “You really do plan to leave?”   “I’ve been planning to leave for years.” I said hotly. I sighed internally, knowing my anger wasn’t resolving the issue. Even though my frustration boiled in my heart, I knew in my mind that I shouldn’t have been acting like this. “…Sorry.” I mumbled, still packing my things.   “Josh. Your mother and I...” He hesitated. I looked up in confusion. My usually stoic father stood in silence, his usual self-assured stance was replaced by one of regret.   “…What?” I said cautiously, not use to seeing my father like this.   “…Let me know if you need any help, son.” My father shook his head, as if to clear his mind, and left. I heard the echoing of his footsteps permeate my room, his presence still giving me shivers.   ---   Three days had passed, and graduation had come and gone. Uneventful. Only a handful of people had shown up; the family members of my graduation class of six.   I carefully placed my backpack on my shoulders. I had checked and re-checked I had everything: clothes, food, money, bed rolls, my phone, and my Pokéballs. All check.   I walked down the stairs. My parents stood by the doorway. My father had his stoic, indifferent, hazel eyes. My mother simply looked exhausted. I put one hand on the doorknob.   “We’ll always be here when you need us.” My father said emotionlessly. Maybe there was a seed of support in that phrase, but all I heard was the 'when'. I ignored him.   “Is there anything I could do to change your mind?” My mom said softly, staring at the floor, not really waiting for her rhetorical question to be answered.   “No.” I shook my head, and opened the door.   “If you need any help…” My father trailed off.   I haven’t needed your ‘help’ in years.   My father’s face changed slightly, as if he could read my thoughts. He shifted uncomfortably, and reached into his pocket.   “This is…a poor way to say goodbye.” He closed his eyes sighing, and handed me a check. “But if you truly wish to leave, have this. It will help you get started.”   “Thank you.” I said, adopting my father’s stoic features, and taking the check.   “We’ll always have a room for you, whenever you come back.”   I walked outside, and felt the breeze on my cheek and the warm sun against my skin.   “Honestly, I don’t think I will come back.” I said coolly, never turning to wave them goodbye.   ---   “Okay, so that’s not the worst goodbye ever.” Sandy reasoned. “It’s not like you ran away, or anything. You didn’t say you hated them, in fact, I’m pretty sure you all still love each other, right?”   “Of course!” I yelped. “But, augh. I feel like I’ve learned so much since then. Even in the few weeks I knew you before I really ‘began’ my traveling, I feel like I learned so much more about…people. I was just a brat back then, even if…well, maybe I wasn’t the only one.” I sighed, remembering all my mom’s small put-downs, and petty remarks about ‘dreams’. “Still, I feel as if I should apologize.”   “What’s stopping you?” Sandy inquired, brushing her hand against mine.   “…I wouldn’t know what to say.” I shrugged. “Apologize for leaving? Not…really. I’m not sorry I left. I’m sorry for how I acted, but in a way, I’m sorry for how they acted too.” I slumped to the floor. “I guess…I don’t know. I suppose I always thought I would go back after I would beat the Elite Four, but that would just be to rub it in their face. It’s…childish, really. Maybe I won’t ever go back.”   “Josh…” Sandy sighed, hugging me. “You need to face this, or it’ll just rot inside you.”   “Oh no, no, no.” I laughed, and pushed her away. “You can’t use that phrase on me, you little hypocrite.”   “I’m allowed to hold stuff in. I’m better at it.” Sandy smirked, cocking her head at a comedic angle.   “Maybe some things are just better left unsolved.” I sighed, sinking into my bedroll, and closing my eyes. I felt a sudden weight on my stomach, and I saw sandy sitting on me, with her knees bent at my hips.   “That is complete bullshit.” She leaned forward, her scarlet lips inches from my own. “Come on, Josh. In your infinite wisdom, that’s your statement? ‘Don’t touch it’?”   “Some things are better left untouched. Err, unsolved.” I shrugged, thinking back to my previous phrase in confusion.   “No they’re not!” Sandy gave me a look. “Confronting your issues-, oh god now I sound like you.”   “So what’s your angle then?” I looked at her with tired eyes. “Do we just go to our parents’ house, pray that things go well, then ride a rainbow to the Battle Park and live happily ever after?”   Sandy looked like I had slapped her. She looked at me with horror in her dark, moonlit eyes.   “I didn’t mean it like that.” I sighed.   “No, you did mean it like that. That was you being honest, wasn’t it?”   “No-” I argued.   “That was you. You without your façade of social niceties, and without a care towards me. That is really how you felt.”   She was right, of course. A large part of me didn’t think I would ever make up with my parents. In the same way, although she might have decent relations with her mother, Sandy would never make up with her father. It’s the truth, as cold and harsh as it was.   “I didn’t mean to include you in that.” I said honestly.   “You don’t think we’ll make it.” Sandy stated. Small tears threatened to fall down the sides of those beautiful brown orbs I had come to love so much.   “No!” I shouted, trying to calm her down. “No! That wasn’t what I meant at all! I was talking about our parents, admittedly I shouldn’t have included your parents in that phrase but-”   “You don’t think we’ll work out.” Sandy’s voice cracked as she put a palm to her face, covering her eyes.   “No!” I yelped, tearing her hand off her face, and putting it fiercely my own. Her teary russet eyes met my own. “Sandy, I l-”   I quickly bit my tongue. Something almost slipped out that I wasn’t sure I was ready to say. I evaluated myself, and the situation. If I said it, would it be true? Sandy looked at me with her wide, brown eyes. Her normal strong mask was gone, replaced with an extreme look of authenticity. Not of someone who was hurt, but of someone who could be hurt. Someone that has been hurt, but someone that could lift mountains and turn tides, if they needed to. I felt like I saw her.   “Sandy, I love you.”   Sandy looked down, as if processing the words in her mind. She hugged me, tears dampening the t-shirt I wore underneath my jacket. I felt guilt. Both in the way I had said it, and the fact that she might not feel the same way. I always thought I would tell her in a more romantic gesture; after I beat the Elite Four, perhaps, or once we had moved in together. Not in the midst of a confused argument.   If she didn’t love me, I could only picture what was going through her mind. Confusion certainly; perhaps even anger. Guilt, as well. I bit the inside of my cheek angrily; how could I subject her to this?   Suddenly, Sandy looked up with a dopey, tearstained grin on her face. “Oh, this is the part where I say I love you too, right?” She laughed, and hugged me tightly. “Didn’t mean to leave you hanging, there…”   I relaxed in relief.   Okay. This is…this is good.   “I was so scared, I thought it was one sided…” Sandy articulated, still giving me a bone crushing hug. “…and I thought you meant we wouldn’t, like, work as a couple in the long run…”   “Sandy, I sincerely hope with all my heart that you’ll be stuck with me forever.” I laughed, tears threatening once again to fall down my face.   “Oh no.” Sandy broke the hug and pushed me down playfully. “It’s you who will be stuck with me.”   I could live with that…   ---   <So?> Static nudged my leg with an elbow. <How’d it go?>   <We went at each other like animals, wildly tearing off each other’s clothes and intimately tasting each other’s bodies. I’m sure I got her pregnant, with all the times we went at it.>   Static blushed a deep pink, completely unprepared for me to answer so bluntly.   <Seriously?> Myst asked incredulously.   <No!> I growled. <For the last time, we just talked!>   We were sitting at a nice Johto inspired café, enjoying a tasty but strange mixture of a sandwich and a taco. I believe the kind waitress refereed to it as a gyro, or euro, or something of that sort. Either way, it was delicious.   <You can’t just talk for an hour.> Static munched on the exotic white cheese. <Eventually something happened. I mean, I really like wiggly, but hearing her talk for more than ten minutes becomes kind of dull.>   <Nonsense! Talking is the foundation of a healthy relationship.> Skarr postured himself properly, still refusing human food, favoring his own game.   <What do you think, Nova?> Myst inquired, with a curious yet predatory gaze.   Nova gulped in surprise, wincing as he swallowed a rather large bite. <Errrr…I like talking?>   <Point, set, match.> Skarr smirked.   <Whatever.> Static shrugged, looking away. Myst took the opportunity to steal some of his chips. Sandy took this convenient silence to come back from the restroom. She sat down next to me, smirking.   <What?> I asked suspiciously.   <Nothing.> She hummed. <Hey, are all you guys excited for tonight?>   <Yes!> Static yelped immediately. All the others nodded.   <I’m considering allowing Wigglytuff and Charizard out to play, but I’m not sure how safe it is…>   <It’s fine.> Static waved carelessly, his mouth full of food. <Myst said so.>   <Oh?> Sandy turned to the black fox.   <I’ve been to these before.> Myst confirmed. <There are battles sometimes, but nothing two rough. Not like the, errm->   Static gave her a lazy glare from across the table.   <-the uh, the Arena.> Myst finished awkwardly.   <Well, I’m glad for that, at least.>   The table was silent for a moment.   <I’d love to chat with Charizard.> Nova piped up after a moment. <I’m curious about evolution.>   <Uh, me too.> Static groaned. <If only the cost of thunderstones weren’t so damn high I would’ve evolved by now.>   <What do you mean?> Sandy turned to Static curiously. <Thunderstones aren’t->   Josh’s eyes bulged, and he quickly drew his finger across his throat, desperately to get Sandy’s attention.   <…Uhhh…> Sandy glanced at Josh, who was practically in full blown panic. <I mean, yeah. Isn’t that terrible?>   <Mmmm.> Static ate the last of his sandwich gloomily, oblivious to Josh behind him. <Someday.>   ---   <I’ve missed you sosososoooo much!>   <I’m dying.>   <It’s been forever!>   <You are literally killing me right now.>   Wigglytuff was practically engulfing Static inside her with the intensity she was hugging him. His muzzle was squashed into the fur in her stomach, completely preventing airflow as she crushed him against herself with her paws.   <I can’t breathe.> Static deadpanned.   Wigglytuff released him, and Static fell to the floor gasping for air, more for theatrical effect than actual need for oxygen.   <Did you miss me!?> Wigglytuff waddled over to Static, looking over him curiously.   <You know, maybe a bit...> Static mumbled. This earned him another, albeit less aggressive hug.   “I’m glad you decided to let them tag along.” I smiled to Sandy.   “I’m just-” Sandy frowned, and adjusted her Pokespeak. <I’m just trusting you all to keep an eye on them, okay?>   <Seriously?> The lumbering, eight foot giant of a Charizard growled.   <All the tiny Pokémon could gang up on you or something.> Sandy reasoned.   <Then I would eat them.>   <You couldn’t eat all->   <All.> The Charizard lumbered closer. <Of them.>   <Well, I trust you have it handled then, Zader.>   <Zader?> Skarr questioned.   <My name is Charizard, and I am female.> The Charzard grimaced.   <Chari never liked my nicknames…> Sandy purred.   <My name is Charizard. The name suits me. It means I kill things smaller, annoying things.> She huffed in Sandy’s direction.   Sandy beamed into the eyes of the snarling dragon. Josh was sweating bullets at her mere PRESENCE, let alone it’s unhappy attitude. If it wasn’t for Sandy’s competence as a trainer, he would have fled long ago.   <Anyway, you all have fun. Come back if things get too rowdy, all right?>   A chorus of affirmations littered their thoughts as the Pokémon walked a familiar trail, deep into the woods.   <Where am I even going?> The dragon thought, annoyed.
(Myst POV)   It was quite a ways away. We had walked for hours, until the sun was on the horizon. The conversation was pleasant, but my comrades were not always trusting…   “Are you sure you know where you’re going?”   “You can’t smell that?”   “Smell what?”   I inhaled the forest air, and continued moving in her precious direction. “The lake.”   “It’s strong.” Charizard rumbled. “It doesn’t smell natural.”   “I don’t smell it…” Static mumbled.   “I don’t either.” Wigglytuff frowned.   “What do you think it smells like, Nova?” I asked.   Nova scrunched his face in concentration. “It smells…it smells like berries. But…different, somehow.”   “Oh. I kind of smell it.” Static sniffed the air cautiously.   “I still don’t.” Wigglytuff grumbled.   “Every few months, wild Pokémon and owned Pokémon alike escape their circumstances and meet up for a…reunion, if you will.” I smirked, my eyes half-open. “As a reminder of the temptations and luxuries the wild life has to offer, Pokémon collect berries throughout the months between these ‘reunions’. Shuckles are exceedingly good at this.”   “What do they do with them all?” Nova asked.   “We store them underground, in a way to ensure they don’t rot.” I smirked.   “Wouldn’t that cause them to ferment?” Skarr pondered.   “Yes.”   Skarr stopped walking, and looked concerned. “What…do they do with this mass of fermented berries?”   “Drain them all in the Fushia lake!”   “That can’t be good for the fish!” Wigglytuff gasped. “They would be wasted all the time.”   “That lake has likely been cleared for centuries, save for amphibious Pokémon.” I reasoned.   “Excuse me,” Nova asked cautiously. “What does ‘ferment’ mean, in reference to fruit?”   “You’ll find out.” I cackled. It was subtle, but the ground beneath them was now vibrating, and a small pulse went through the air. After clearing through a few more trees, a huge mass of Pokémon appeared, circled around an enormous, red-hazed lake. I walked forward and dunked my paw in, grabbing some of the reddish liquid, and slurping it.   “Perfect.” I smiled. In the middle of the lake on a small island, a group of Pokémon were arguing. There were four Loudred, a Scrafty, a Murkrow, two Gastly, a Spiritomb, and a Charmeleon who looked nothing like Nova. His features were sharp and jaded, and his coat was much darker. Nothing like smooth, light-coated, adorable Nova.   Our little rag-tag group began dispersing, as Static and Wiggly disappeared into the crowd, followed by Charizard and Skarr into the skies. Nova looked towards me with an awkward, confused look written into his face.   “So, what do we, like-”   “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!” A voice boomed from across the lake, interrupting Nova and nearly shattering my eardrums. Two Loudred sat next to the dark Charmander, who was grinning ear to ear. The Loudred were projecting his voice, making it obscenely loud. “I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I CAME HERE TO PARTY TONIGHT!”   “YEAH!” The crowd of Pokémon cheered near the lake. Nova stood dumbfounded. I giggled.   “ARE YOU WITH ME!?” The Charmeleon asked, drinking in the love of the crowd.   “YEAH!”   “THEN PUT YOUR PAWS UP RIGHT NOW!” He grinned. “Put ‘em up, put ‘em up, put ‘em up!”   “What is going on!?” Nova gulped, looking around in horror.   “Calm down. It’s just music!” I smiled.   “But, all the people…!”   “Just enjoy it!” I cried over the sounds of the Loudred.   Paws up high! Every time I come to party! Shot, shot, shot, shot! ‘Cause it’s time to get it started!   “I don’t know what it is, but I like it!” Nova screamed over the bass.   “Do you want to dance!?” I shouted, grinning.   “What!?”   “DO YOU WANT TO DANCE!?”   “YEAH!”   Now that the moon’s down low, Let’s let the party go, Until the Loudred blow! (We’ll stay up ‘till the BREAK OF DAWN!) Don’t make no mistake, The party’s in the lake, The party’s in the lake!   “WHAT DO THEY MEAN?”   “ABOUT THE LAKE!?” I screamed a response to Nova   “YEAH! I DON’T GET IT!”   “DRINK SOME!”   But hey, I don’t care. (I don’t care!) Wherever there’s the party I’m the first one with my paws in the air! (Put ‘em up, Put ‘em up!) We can share, (Yeah!) ‘Cause when we finish this one, There’ll be another party next year!   Nova cupped the red water in his hands, and gulped it down, making a face.   “LIKE IT!?” I grinned.   “IT BURNS, BUT NOT LIKE SPICE, OR HEAT!” Nova shouted back, confused.   “YEAH! COOL, RIGHT?”   Paws in the air, Have me another sip, Who believes in blackin’ out? I’m trying to get me there! Work it nice and slow, When the bass gets low, Chug all of it down, And lose con-TROL!   I joined all the others in drinking a large helping as soon as the bass dropped. The crowd screamed in approval to the beat of the band as we shook our fur free from the sticky juice. I laughed in mirth, but it was completely drowned out by the blasting of the song.   Messed up! (Messed up!) Get wasted! (Wasted!) Go crazy and get shit fac-ed! Let’s get it crunk, Let’s get drunk! Let’s get buck-ass wild! Tear it up!   The song quieted down, in preparation for its conclusion. Nova looked unnerved, so I wandered over.   “What’s wrong?” I bounced.   “I don’t…I don’t get the whole atmosphere.” Nova shook his head.   “That’s because you’re thinking too hard!” I grinned, leading him forward towards the blood red lake.   “I didn’t like it.” Nova frowned.   “You didn’t like it yet.” I grinned.   But hey, I don’t care, (I don’t care!) Whenever there’s a party I’m the first one with my paws in the air! We can share, ‘Cause when we finish this lake There’ll be another waiting next year!   The band concluded with a scream of adoring fans. The Charmeleon and two of the Loudred bowed and grinned, but the Pokémon around them scowled. “Thank you!” The Charmeleon bowed. “That was a human inspired hit that I’m sure none of you wildies have ever heard! Just another perk to being in the human world!” He laughed. “Next up is ‘The Darkness Within’, and afterwards, it’s me once again to grace your ears!”   The crowd roared in approval as the next band set itself up on the island. I turned to see Nova face first in the lake.   “Nova!” I cried, pulling him out. Nova blinked in confusion, then took a large swallow.   “How much do I have to drink?” Nova asked, a small blush beginning to form on his normally orange muzzle.   “I think you’re good.” I smiled uneasily. Nova waddled to the edge of the lake and joined in cheering the next band.   This is going to be a night to remember.   ---   LET THE BEAT DROOOP!   A scream of approval roared from around the lake, Nova and Myst included. we had long since forgotten how many songs each band had played, or how many ‘sips’ either of us had indulged in since the beginning of the party. A healthy rose blush adorned our faces, along with nearly all the faces of the Pokémon surrounding them. Right now, ‘The Darkness Within’ was playing, trying to outdo the Chameleon’s band, whose name had long since escaped me.   Time to round them up, and tell them where we’re gonna go, If they don’t know how to work it, don’t let ‘em break our flow! Gotta make it to the center of the island, grab my hand, Tell the DJ drop the beat, Don’t play some stupid human band!   Nova and I were both laughing, paw in paw, and dancing wildly across the sand. I was ridiculously clumsy on two legs, so he was supporting most of my weight as we flung each other across the shore. I could barely hear his laughter over the booming music.   Let it in your body, And the party won’t stop! ‘Cause it’s seven kinds of naughty, When you let the beat drop! I told it to you once I said why don’t you understand!? Tell the DJ drop the beat, Don’t play some stupid human band!   Suddenly I lost control, and I slipped out of Nova’s grip. I was able to stop, but Nova spun around and smashed into a Raichu behind us. She turned around, and eyed Nova with a sultry gaze.   “Are you taken?” She purred, wrapping a coiled tail around his hind legs.   “Um, n-no?”   “You are now!” She smirked, and twirled him into her paws.   So give it to me baby, Tell me what’s it going to be? Going to give it to me DIRTY out where everybody sees? ‘Cause I can’t do nothing with you, If you’re never going to dance! So you better find some rhythm, ‘Cause I’m not looking for romance!   I steamed, standing on the floor feeling useless. Nova just walked away! We were doing so well until that stupid Raichu came out of nowhere! Now Nova was all wrapped in that slut’s tail as she twirled him around like a top. I ground my teeth, before a powerful sense of futility weighed me down.   This is the second time you’ve failed to capture his heart.   I grimaced, and hung my head. Tears burned at the corner of my eyes, and I was thankful that, unlike the others, I actually could make myself invisible…   ---   (Static POV)   I could still hear the bass from where I was, but it was just a small pounding compared to what everyone else must be feeling. As soon as I could, I snuck away from the others. There were other things on my mind.   Wigglytuff traced an outline on my stomach as I rested against a stump. I chuckled as she hit a ticklish spot, but otherwise let her continue.   “I missed this.” She giggled, drawing shapes in my unaligned fur.   “Me too. It feels like ages…”   “We’re never alone anymore-”   “Always apart, or with others-”   “It’s nice to-”   “-Yeah.”   I grinned, and leaned forward, pressing my muzzle against hers. I didn’t know what the others were doing, but I’m sure I was having a better time.   ‘Talking.’ I laughed to myself. ‘Oh, Josh. Someday I’ll teach you how to live.’.   ---   (Skarr POV)   “You certainly took off quickly.”   “I had no reason to stay.”   “You and I have unfinished business, bladed one. Did you not wish to be beaten in front of a crowd?”   I smirked down at her from my tree branch. She grinned a toothy smile on the forest floor. “Truly, are you that wrathful for revenge?”   “I dislike it that you could endure where I would falter.”   “And beating me in a dual that has nothing to do with endurance would make you feel adequate?”   “Yes.”   I snorted a laugh, and the Charizard below me chuckled self-consciously.   “Come down here so I don’t have to crane my neck.” Charizard implored.   I flapped down. “Why, so you have an easier time consuming me?”   “I don’t like the taste of cowardly metal.” Charizard cackled.   “You’ve never tried me well done.” I quipped.   “Well, there’s a first time for everything. Come a bit closer, will you?” Charizard feigned a lunge, and I flinched away. She laughed.   “Though honestly, we probably have the same endurance.” I reasoned politely.   “What’s your deduction behind that flawed piece of logic? I could barely move when we landed!”   “Well, to be fair you were carrying a larger load.”   “Sandy is no bigger than Josh.”   “I didn’t mean the trainer-”   Skarr, you dolt! You did NOT just say that to a lady!   “You think I’m heavy.” The Charizard snorted.   “No!” I backpedalled. “I just mean, you’re bigger in size then I am, taller, more, uh, muscular and such.”   The Charizard smirked. “Do I intimidate you, Skarmory?”   “I would be lying if I claimed you did not look fearsome.” I reasoned.   Charizard was quiet for a moment. “You may call me Blaze.”   “Oh. Okay.” I said, a bit stunned.   “And I shall call you Razor.”   “Um, that isn’t my name.” I blinked.   “Nor is Blaze my own.” The Charizard shrugged.   “Why do you insist upon giving us false names?”   “Because I know you better then I know your kin.” Blaze answered. “Calling you ‘Skarmory’ tastes so…informal.”   “And Razor has a nice edge to it, then?”   The Charizard snorted. “Perhaps a more childish name, fitting of your rancid puns.”   I smirked back at her, my amber eyes gleaming in the moonlight. When was the last time I had the luxury of a conversation with such an eloquent female?   “Admiring the view?” Blaze scoffed when she caught me staring.   “Apologies; my mind was elsewhere.”   “Evidently.” Blaze smirked.   “Oh please. I am a gentlemen; I would never stoop to such lengths-”   “Oh stop. All men stop being gentle after a certain hour.” Blaze chuckled.   “That is untrue and sexist!” I retorted.   “Apologies.” Blaze mocked, sizing me up with a sultry gaze. “My mind was elsewhere~”   I’m not completely sure what happened next, or even if we were genetically compatible, but once I felt her mouth on mine I didn’t resist.   “Gentlemen indeed.” Blaze scoffed.   ---   (Myst POV)   I laid at the other end of the lake, quietly sulking. The loud bass was a contrast to my quiet displeasure as I glared at the enthusiastic crowd. For far too long had I watched that stupid Raichu dance with Nova, occasionally shocking him with her tail, and laughing coyly every time he jumped. It was disgusting.   “Hey Myst! Enjoying the party?” Someone said behind me. I turned around to see Static and Wigglytuff walking up.   “Hardly.” I slurped another mouthful of the burning lake. “How did you even find me?”   “Your coat was hard to see, but your eyes weren’t.” Static shrugged. “Bright red and all. Plus you kept looking in our direction.”   “I wasn’t looking at you.”   “Then who were you looking at?”   I sighed, taking another sip. “It’s not important.”   “Ooooh~! I know that look!” Wigglytuff chirped, running towards me. “Who’s the lucky guy?”   “Go away.” I shoved her aside.   “Feisty!” Wiggly’s large eyes gleamed with interest. “Details! Did you ask him to dance? What happened?”   “Nothing happened.” I growled.   “Ooooh, rejection then?” Wiggly winced in sympathy, but grinned.   “Not…exactly…” I murmured.   “Details!” Wigglytuff’s tiny paws waved in the air.   “Fine, fine. Um, we were dancing, and we stopped sort of, then he went to dance with someone else.”   “That’s not too bad!” Static chimed. “Once he was done, did you ask him to dance again?”   “No…”   “Why not?”   I sighed, recalling our dance. “I just don’t think he would want to.”   “You can dance if you want to!” Wigglytuff grinned. “You can leave your friends behind!”   Static grabbed her hands, and swung her around in a circle.   “‘Cause your friends don’t dance, and if they don’t dance-”   “-Well they’re no friends of mine!” The duo finished, giggling.   “Funny.” I grimaced.   “Well, who’s the lucky guy?” Wigglytuff’s paws ruffled my coat. “Maybe we can help?”   “I don’t think confrontation would be best with him…”   “Just tell us who it is!”   “…Nova.” I mumbled.   Wigglytuff and Static stood silent for a moment, before Static doubled over with laughter.   “What!?” I demanded, outraged.   “NOVA?” Static asked between giggles. “I mean, I know your options are limited with me being taken and all, but Nova?”   “I thought you would go after Skarr, personally.” Wiggly shrugged.   “No! Skarr is too…jaded. Nova’s kind and intelligent, naïve, and…” I trailed off, blushing.   “You have a thing for Noooova~!” Static cackled.   “So what!?” I bristled.   “So, go and get him!” Static encouraged with a sweep of his hand. “You have the advantage here! He knows you, he doesn’t know the person he’s dancing with.”   “Yeah!” Wigglytuff added.  “Go over there, beat up whoever took your spot, and tell Nova how you feel!”   “You know what? You’re both right!” I stood up, wobbling slightly. “I’m going to go over there and get Nova back!”   “Yeah!” The duo cheered.   And I stomped over to the other side of the lake, my face flushed with a light pink, and a determined glare in my fierce, red eyes.
(Nova POV)   “Hey…so, do you wanna, you know, get out of here?”   “W-what?”   “I’ve never been with a fire-breather before.” The Raichu purred, her jolting tail trailing behind her.   “W-what do you mean?”   “Making electricity.” Her tail crackled, as she moved towards me predatorily.   “I, um, I don’t know how-”   “I’ll teach you.” Her tail coiled around one of my legs, trapping me in place. With a sultry gaze she placed her paw on my chest, and another behind me. Her breath felt hot against my face, and smelled of strongly of the fermented lake. Slowly she closed the distance between us, but despite my squirming she held me firmly in place.   “Hey! Get off him you bitch!” I heard a scream in the crowd. The Raichu whipped around, outraged. Myst stood a few feet away bristling as dark energy pulsing around her.   “What did you just call me!?” Raichu spat.   Myst! What are you doing!?   ---   (Myst POV)   “I called you a bitch.”   She was over twice my height, and the reach of her tail was double the size of my entire body. She stood up on her hind legs, and I noticed her coat had no traces of dust or debris.   ‘She must be a trainer’s Pokémon.’ I reasoned. ‘And a pampered one at that.’   She lunged towards my illusion, but struck nothing but air. I reappeared behind her and bashed her with my fist.   “Arrgh!” She cried, and lashed out with her tail. It struck me in my throat, and I recoiled, wincing. She grimaced, her electric pouches crackling angrily, preparing to strike.   Just as the electricity bolted for me, I struck with my own black energy. It smashed against her fur, and caused her to fall to the forest floor.   She didn’t get up.   I brushed myself off, and for once, noticed my disheveled state. My coat was a mess of dirt and grass, and I hadn’t groomed myself since the previous night. My fur stood up at odd angles, and I looked wilder than half the actual wild Pokémon here.   Nova looked awkwardly at the fainted Raichu, then back towards me. “Um…”   I raced up and tried to press my muzzle to his, but he held me back with a forceful paw.   “What are you doing?” He asked, his normally timid eyes devoid of fear, and filled with a cool anger.   “I…I wanted to dance with you.” I mumbled.   “Then you should have said something earlier.” Nova barked. “You just knocked out the person I was dancing with! You could have just waited.”   Even though the haze of alcohol, I felt a pit at the base of my stomach. I bowed, ashamed.   “Don’t be sad!” Nova chirped, lightly grabbing my paw. “Just be more careful! Here, we can dance now, okay? No tears…”   Nova lifted me up on my hind legs, and started a clumsy waltz, even though there was no music. I shuddered at the heat of his face on mine. At last, I couldn’t stand it, and I turned to kiss him as he leaned down, supporting me with his arm.   Unfortunately, he had more leverage, and simply lowered me slightly to avoid the kiss. I blinked, and looked back at him with a hurt, haughty expression.   “Not now.” Nova shook his head, the fire in his eyes returning.   “Why?” I pouted, injured by his rejection.   “Because the Lake is making you act like this.” Nova shook his head. “You wouldn’t be like this normally. If you kiss me now, it’ll be meaningless.”   “As if the lake could conjure a hundred memories of us rolling carefree in the grass, and render them ‘meaningless’.”   Nova blinked at my recollection, surprised at my lucidity.   “As if the lake could recreate a month’s full of memories, of wanting you by my side.” I continued, tears once again burning in the corner of my eyes.   “This…this isn’t recent?” Nova stared quietly, his timid sapphire eyes once again adorning his face.   “No…” I closed the distance between us, and supported myself on my back legs by placing my front legs on his chest.   “And this isn’t the Lake…?” Nova whispered, his hot breath warming my cheeks.   “No amount of the Lake could make this act meaningless.” I whispered in reply, and pressed my mouth to his. He didn’t resist, and supported me with a paw, stabilizing my awkward positioning.   “WOOHOO! GET SOME!” Someone in the crowd laughed. I responded with a raised middle claw to them behind Nova’s back.   “And you’ll promise you’ll remember this tomorrow?” Nova asked hesitantly, breaking from the kiss.   “I couldn’t forget this even if I wanted to.” I smiled, eager to taste his lips once more.   ---   “And GIVE IT UP for the Darkness Withiiiiin!” Charmeleon boomed once more, and we all screamed in approval as a Scrafty, a Murkrow, two Loudred, and a Spiritomb took the stage.   “Thank you, thank you!” The Scrafty grinned, soaking in the approval from the roaring mass. “This one’s a tribute to Darkrai, as we wish You success on your quest for vengince.” The Scrafty took a deep breath.   A warning, to the people, The good and the evil, This is war…   The song started slowly, with the Loudred only giving off a fraction of their pulsating sound. It was a hauntingly quiet melody, but it still inspired action. I could feel it building up, and the tension was palpable in the crowd.   It’s the moment of truth, the moment to lie, The moment to live and the moment to die! It’s the moment to fight, the moment to fight. To fight! To fight! To FIIIIIGHT!   Everyone shook to the beat of the song, but the dark Pokémon in the audience especially felt a connection to the music. Even I felt a strong kinship towards it as I danced with Nova. A shadowy figure emerged on the island, with glowing red eyes and dripping shadow.   To Our Leader! Our Pariah! To Darkrai, our Messiah! This is war!   Darkrai emerged, though I could tell it was just an illusion. The Darkrai battled the aberration in a force of illusionary strength.   To the right! To the Left! We will fight to the death! To the edge of the earth! It’s a brave new worrrrrld!   At last the aberration was destroyed as the Darkrai ripped off its head. Fake blood dripped from the wound, and the Darkrai consumed it in a grisly display.   I do believe, In the night, Raise your paws into the sky, The fight is done, The war is won, Lift your paws up towards the One.   As a collective crowd, we all raised our hands to the bloody Darkrai. The Darkrai roared in approval, and disappeared into a puff of shadow.   The War is won, The War is won!   “Cool song.” Nova grinned, right before he was sideswiped by Skarr’s wing. Skarr crash landed a few feet away, leaving a clean scar down Nova’s cheek. He quickly recovered, eyeing both Nova and myself with wild, crazed eyes.   “Apologies!” He screamed, looking at the slice across Nova’s face. “We must leave. NOW.”   “Why? What happened?” I asked, confused.   A crash reverberated right behind me as I felt the Charizard land.   “That was a reenactment.” Skarr gulped, already preparing to take off.   “Of what!?” I demanded.   “The death of Nightshade.” Skarr swallowed, hard. “At the hands of Darkrai.”   “You think-”   “I KNOW!” Skarr yelped, his normally stoic eyes wide with fear. “Josh is in danger. I’ll warn him now, you both get the others, and we’ll meet where we left Josh. From there, we’ll find him!”   Charizard and Skarr took to the air. I went to give Nova a confused look, but he wasn’t there.   “Come on!” He cried, already starting to run. “We need to find the others!”   ---  (Josh POV, twelve hours earlier)   Sandy grinned ear to ear. I already regretted telling her about my plans for tonight, and I could see her mocking smile stretch across her face.   “So, you excited for your date?”   “It’s not a date.” I groaned, walking with Sandy in the sunlight forest.   “Two guys at a play. It’s going to be so romantic.” Sandy grinned her evil grin. “The lights will be dimmed low; just you and him, with his hand lying haphazardly on the arm rest…maybe you’ll both bump into each other by accident, blush a bit, apologize…”   “I’m not gay!”   “I didn’t say you were.” Sandy smirked. “Uh-oh. Am I pressing against repressed feelings?”   “Auuughhhh…”   “It’s okay. You can tell me anything.”   “You know, for being my girlfriend, you sure are open to me dating other people.” I deadpanned.   “Only guys.” Sandy corrected, twirling her hair with a finger. “If you dated another girl I’d be jealous. But if you brought another guy home, who knows~”   I rolled my eyes.   “So what’s he liiikkeeee…?”   “I don’t know!” I stomped my foot childishly. “I just know he’s a good trainer and that he likes plays! I didn’t want to go alone…” I trailed off.   “So, we talking blond, red-head…?” Sandy prodded.   “I’m not GAY FOR ETHAN!” I shouted. Sandy cackled.   “Alright, alright, I’ll stop.” Sandy’s grin slowly faded. “But, you have to answer something for me.”   “Fine, what?” I sighed, exasperated.   “Why don’t you want Static to evolve?”   I hadn’t expected that question, and I was completely caught. My eyes widened, and my mind completely blanked.   “You kind of freaked today.” Sandy bit the inside of her cheek in thought. “I mean, I lied for you, but I didn’t even know why. And that’s fine, I trust you, but…I suppose I want to know the reason.”   “…Wow.” I exhaled. “Um, yeah, I guess I owe you an explanation, huh? I just…” I took a breath to calm my nerves. “I suppose I haven’t told anyone this, even Static. And I tell Static everything.”   “Well, go on.” Sandy encouraged.   I puffed out my cheeks. “Alright. Ever since I caught Static – using the word ‘caught’ loosely – he’s always been fiercely competitive. We meshed together perfectly even from the start, and we would stay up late training and improving. Even from the beginning he was always impatient to evolve. To get better, stronger. And I would always tell him no.”   “Why?” Sandy asked.   “Well, back then, because of his moves.” I shrugged. “If he evolved at a low level, he would have bad moves as a Raichu. He needed to get more experience before evolving.”   “But now he’s over level sixty.” Sandy replied.   “…Yes.” I admitted, albeit reluctantly.   “So…? Why haven’t you evolved him?”   “Well, things got more…complicated over time.” I frowned.   “Explain?”   “I learned more about Pokémon statistics over time. Static and I got closer. I didn’t see him as a pet anymore, or even as a Pokémon. I saw him as an equal, a friend. I liked spending time with him, even when it wasn’t training. I liked when he would climb up on my shoulder, or take naps between classes in my backpack. As a Raichu, all of that would change.”   “You don’t know that for certain.” Sandy accused.   “Except I do! As a Raichu, all of Static’s moves would be terrible! Even if he could hit harder and be faster, Static wouldn’t have the advantage of his light ball anymore. That means as a Raichu, he would actually be slower and hit weaker. He could learn new moves sure, but none that were worth replacing. He would be too heavy to carry and to fit in my backpack, and worst of all, he would change, mentally. He wouldn’t be the same Static that I grew up with, fed, played with, and loved. He would be something else, something…different. After what happened with Overdose-”   “Static wouldn’t end up like him.” Sandy cut me off.   “-But everyone knows Pikachu get more aggressive when they evolve! You already know how he gets if he doesn’t battle every so often. Picture that all the time! He wouldn’t be the same…” I sighed, and looked down at the fresh grass.   “You don’t know that.”   “I know that Static doesn’t know that.”   “What?” Sandy gave me a quizzical look.   “Listen. Static isn’t the best at planning ahead. He’s smart, but…he’s not always in the moment.”   “What do you mean?”   “Static wants to evolve because he wants to be stronger. He wants to improve, to get better. He doesn’t realize that evolving would actually make him worse. Or that he couldn’t sleep in my backpack anymore, or that he might be angry all the time, or he could change into a totally different person. He wouldn’t want to evolve if he knew…”   “You don’t have the right to decide that for him.” Sandy said quietly. Her words hurt because they rang with truth. I winced. “Would it be better if I evolved him, and he regretted it the rest of his life?”   Sandy gave me a cool, silent stare. It wasn’t anger or repulsion, more of…disappointment. “It would be better if you gave him the choice, and presented your perspective.”   “You’re not supposed to be the smart one.” I pouted.   “I’m not.” Sandy gave me a weary grin. “You already knew that.”   “Yeah, well-”   “Hey!” Sandy said suddenly, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I really do  have to leave. I have a battle at six, not an important one per say, but I do have to be there.”   I stared at her for a long moment. “How are you going to get there?”   “Fly? Duh.” Sandy shrugged.   “On…?”   “On my Charizard?” Sandy gave me an odd look. Suddenly her eyes flew open. “SHIT! Charizard’s with your Pokemon at the lake! I’m going to miss my battle! It’s supposed to be TELEVISED!”   “Okay, calm down.” I reasoned. “There are other ways to get to the islands. Maybe by boat? Plane?”   “No wait, I’m fine.” Sandy sighed, relieved. “I can just get another flying type out of the computer. Wow, it’s just been so long since I’ve even touched the P.C.” Sandy laughed.   Personally, I never liked the idea of putting Pokémon in a computer. They’ve described it as similar to being in a Pokéball, but to me it seems so…impersonal. As if Pokémon could be reduced to bits of data. I especially disliked the idea of someone owning dozens of Pokémon. Perchance forgetting about one or two, and letting years go by without giving it food, or sunlight. I shuttered.   Still, in her case it was different. She wasn’t the one who owned these Pokémon after all; she was just allowed to use them. The Battle Factory itself was the one that rented these, and she merely had access.   “So, where’s the nearest center, then?” I asked.   “…From here? Maybe…Vermilion?”   “That’s nearly ten miles!”   “I’m in shape!” Sandy smirked, jumping in place.   “It’s nearly noon! And it’ll take you at least four hours to fly there. You think we can run ten miles in two hours?”   “Not us; you have a date to catch.” Sandy stuck out her tongue.   “Oh. I feel bad leaving you to run ten miles without any Pokémon. Are you sur-”   “I’ll be fine.” Sandy waved me off.   “Are you sure? I don’t want you getting hurt-”   “You’ll just have to make it up some other way sometime.” Sandy kissed me quickly, threw on her pack, and hopped in place. “Alright, see you! Text me how your date goes!”   “Will d-, auuugh.” I groaned. Sandy ran away, laughing.   “See you!” She yelled, already tearing through the sparse forest.   “See you.” I grinned, my voice echoing through the trees.   ---   Silence, only broken by the soft turn of a page. The wrinkle of paper, and the light wind against my face. How long had it been since I had the luxury of a good book?   My attention flicked to my wrist, and onto my ever moving watch. It was nearly time for the play, but I still had a few minutes left. Satisfied, I continued reading.   ---   “Sorry I’m late!” I panted. Ethan stood nonchalantly by the door, the dark circles around his eyes ever present.   “You’re not late; the show doesn’t star for another ten minutes.” Ethan shrugged tiredly.   “Yeah, but I like getting to placed early. I just lost track of time.” I lied. Honestly I just didn’t want to stop reading until the last possible second.   “Don’t worry about it. Take a second to catch your breath, and then we’ll find our seats.”   I was excited, despite my reluctance to leave my precious books. The play’s narrative was one I hadn’t seen before, and it was one I was eager to finally experience. I knew the battles likely wouldn’t be very entertaining, but you do what you can.   After a moment, Ethan and I found our seats.   “You know what’s the best about these types of plays?” Ethan nudged me.   “What?”   “No singing.” He laughed lightly, flicking though his program.   “Oh I disagree.” I pouted. “Music can really add to a performance!”   “Some performances.” Ethan pointed out. “And some really can pull it off, but others are simply nauseating. Especially the ones that try to incorporate Pokémon for the vocals. I know its racist, but unless the Pokémon singing is an instrument itself, like Chimecho or Bronzong or something, it’s going to turn out poorly. I can only hear something say the same word over and over before it becomes nauseating.”   “Eh. Some Pokémon can become background vocals nicely.” I argued. “And the world would have a lot more insomniacs if people hadn’t recorded all those Jigglypuff albums.”   “Uhh, don’t mention insomnia.” Ethan groaned. The room darkened gradually, and a hush fell over the audience. Slowly an orchestra began to play, and bright lights adorned the stage.
(Absolutely! And thank you all so much for your support, I love you all :3)   (Also, someone made me an Overdose plushy! It's so creepy and awesome! Anyway, on to the story!) ---   (Overdose POV)   <I used to still see him, you know. My trainer. It’s difficult, not…not having him around anymore. There are some days where I think it would be nicer if I still saw him around, even if he wasn’t real. Just his…image, the feeling of him there. It’s…nice.> The Munchlax bowed his head quietly.   He had trouble taking his medication for stress induced schizophrenia. The kid saw his trainer die, just a spray of blood and an ambulance. No one should have to go through that.   No one could blame him for going a bit insane.   <Thank you, Lax.> Nora nodded. She was our nurse and therapist, and sat with us all during these sessions. The Munchlax bowed his head, swallowing the more intense emotions going through his mind. Everyone in the circle clapped, but not the clapping of amusement, or happiness. It was recognition; he had accomplished something. He had taken the first steps towards recovery, and was, slowly, fixing himself. Picking back up the pieces that had shattered on that fateful day.   <Overdose? Would you like to say anything?>   I had never spoken to Nora, or to any of the facility for that matter. Yet, her tone wasn’t mocking or belittling, it was…   …Patient.   I shook my head.   <Alright, this was a productive session everyone!> Nora smiled, clapping her hands together. <I’ll see you all tomorrow, same time. Thanks for sharing everyone! Oh, and Overdose.> Nora turned her attention to me just as I was leaving the room. <I would like to talk to you about your medication.> Talk. I would’ve laughed in her face, but I wasn’t in the mood.   <Right now you are being force-fed medication that prevent you from hurting the staff.> The nurse reiterated. <Are you okay with that?>   I wasn’t. At first I fought them with everything I had and they had to put me under in order for me to take the meds. After the first week though, I just accepted it. I couldn’t stop them anyway.   I shrugged.   <You haven’t shown any aggressive nature recently.> the nurse noted. I stared back with hollow, black eyes. <Do you think you still need the medication?> I didn’t really care. I wasn’t in the mood to hurt anyone anyway. I shrugged again.   <Why won’t you talk, Overdose?> The nurse pondered, tilting her head at me with curiosity. <You talked on the way here. We know you can. Volt says you talk to him in your room. Why won’t you talk to me?>   It’s not about you. It’s about what you represent. What you are trying to accomplish. My silence isn’t directed at you; if anything, you’re…   You’re helping. Why don’t you see that?   <You’re strong, Overdose.> The nurse nodded. <I just wish->   <I’m not strong.> I laughed, interrupting her. I couldn’t help myself; the phrase was just too absurd.   The nurse blinked, surprised at hearing my thoughts. I don’t think she had ever heard them before.   <I’m not strong. If I was, I wouldn’t be here.> I replied simply, letting my eyes glaze over.   <Why don’t you think you’re strong?> the nurse asked, bringing up a chair.   I shrugged again.   <Come on.> Nora prodded. <I like talking with you. I want know more. Please?>   I smirked. I hated this place, I hated the staff, but…I didn’t hate her. She actually seemed to care about us, about all of our problems and messed up lives. She cared about me.   <…Sure.> I relented, looking away.   <Why don’t you think you’re strong?> She asked again, patiently.   <Just…because, I guess.> I grimaced.   <Because you’re here?> the nurse questioned.   <Because I don’t talk.> I responded. I didn’t expect to say that, it just did.   <Why does that make you weak?>   <Because I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to acknowledge you, or anyone else. That makes you real. That makes all of this real.> I took a slow breath.   <Why don’t you want this to be real?>   <Because if it’s real, that means all of this has happened. That means Munchlax’ trainer really did die, that means Volt really is messed up, and that means I’m also messed up, I’m broken, and all those people I hurt, those people, all of them, oh god…> I dry heaved as warm tears hit my paw, and I realized I was shielding my face.   <It’s okay.> The nurse wrapped her arm around me. I pushed it off instinctively, and flinched away.   <How is this ‘okay’!?> I laughed a sickeningly broken laugh, mixed with sobs. <I hurt people! I snapped their bones, made them bleed, and made them beg for me to end them! How-> I gagged again, quickly covering my mouth with a paw.   After a moment it stopped, and I was able to calm myself back down.   <How can any of this ever be okay?> I asked simply, thoughts shaking with sobs. <I’m defined by sin. My name conjures thoughts of suicide. I am evil; I am pain, suffering, and sadism. I’m sure I killed people down there. There isn’t coming back from this. The only good now is ridding the world of this terrible person I’ve->   <Don’t talk like that.> the nurse scolded.   <It’s true!> I yelled, exasperated.   <You don’t have to be defined by your past.>   <You don’t know…> whatever thoughts I had were lost in a sea of sobs. I couldn’t help shaking, and kept repeating ‘you don’t know’ as I shivered in her arms. How could she know? How could she hold me if she knew the damage I had caused? How could she help someone like me, who had ruined so many lives? Who had caused so much misery, and who has brought so much pain into the world? How could she, how could anyone help me?   ---   (Josh POV)   The lights nearly blinded me, jolting everyone out of the immersion of the play. The intermission. I blinked and stretched in my seat, and Ethan let out a large yawn.   The play had been excellent so far. It was about a trainer whom had accidentally been injured in a fight, and been put into a coma. His Pokémon had agreed to quest for him, and to earn badges without their trainer at all. A Ditto was the team’s leader, and he took the shape and guise of the trainer at gyms. The intermission occurred right when the trainer’s health had taken a turn for the worst, just after his team had obtained all eight badges.   I looked at Ethan. His eyes were half closed, and he looked displeased.   “Hey, you like the play?” I prodded.   “Yeah, it’s great.” He shrugged in a low monotone. He said it with such a lack of enthusiasm that it could’ve been mistaken for sarcasm.   “You…look a bit tired.”   Ethan turned to me and snorted a laugh. “Yeah, that’s what not sleeping for four days’ll do to you.”   “What!?”   “I have night terrors.” Ethan turned away and rubbed his eyes. “It’s recent; I don’t know what brought it on. The first few nights were terrible; I felt myself ripped in half, crushed by two opposing walls, drown, burn alive in magma…” He shuttered. “I know I need to sleep, but my body just won’t let me. It knows what waits when I close my eyes.”   “Did anything particularly traumatic happen to you recently?” I asked.   “No! Nothing. I had a bad hot dog a few days ago, but that was it!” Ethan looked down angrily. “It’s gotten to the point where I need to just bite the bullet and by some sleep powder for myself. I know the nightmares will be terrible, but it beats not sleeping.”   “Maybe you can hire a trainer with a psychic type to get rid of your dreams?” I suggested.   “Hey, now that’s a thought.” Ethan nodded. “Do you know of anyone around here with a Pokémon that knows Dream Eater?”   “Not off the top of my head.” I frowned.   “No worries; the Dream Eater thing was still an awesome idea.” Ethan offered. “What time is it?”   “We probably have five minutes left in the intermission.”   “Enough for a small nap…” Ethan mumbled closing his eyes. “Wake me when the play starts, will you?”   ---   “Then shall death itself be undone!”   “Stop, you fool! You don’t understand what wrath you could possibly be provoking!”   “Don’t interrupt me! If he can’t wake up by himself then we’ll do it by force!”   “Those runes! You plan on waking Darkrai!? You can’t comprehend his power! Don’t complete the-”   “YOU RANG?” A wave of terror struck my gut, and made me double over in surprise. Ethan screamed, and dove under his seat. The actors stood in mid-scene, staring at the dark entity that had materialized in front of them. Someone in the pit crew bolted towards the exit.   “May the one who callsss himssself ‘NightSsshade’ please come forward.” The entity asked politely, his glowing red eyes scanning over the quivering audience. “Come now. Not all of you need die tonight.”   Why was he looking for me? What had I done!?   The actors on stage ran for behind the curtains. The black mist smirked, and then snapped his fingers. All of the doors sealed themselves, and all of the lights shut off in sync to the sound of shattering glass. A certain purple light emanated from the being himself, allowing us scarcely enough light to see.    “I grow weary ssssearching for the one that mocks the darknesssss…” The entity droned, looking over the audience once more. “…and I’m going to ssstart killing. Ssshall I ssstart with the back row, or front?”   I stood up. The entire audience turned to look at me, including the black aberration. I cringed, knowing that this would be how I die. I didn’t even have Pokémon to defend me.   The being slowly brought two of its misty appendages together, creating a mocking, slow clap. “Bravo, hero. Ssssacrificing your life so that othersss may live. Truly noble. Come up here, will you? I want everyone to remember your face.”   Somehow despite the wobbling in my knees I made my way to the stage. With every step I felt the growing fear writhing in my gut. I ground my teeth, and stepped on the stage.   “Behold! Your ssssavior.” Darkrai’s mocking tone echoed through the auditorium. “Any last wordsss for our membersss in the audience?” I shook my head, petrified.   “Very well.” The doors to the auditorium swung open. “The ressst of you may leave. For thossse that wish to watch the after ssshow however, feel free to ssssstay and watch...”   Everyone fled, save Ethan, whom I saw hiding from behind a chair. Darkrai smirked, and turned to me again.   “Do you fear me, NightSsshade?” The black being pondered, running a very real black bladed finger across my throat. “Do you fear the darknessss?”   “…Yes.” I choked.   “Do you fear death?” He asked, tilting his head curiously.   “Y-yes.” I answered.   “Good. You should fear both.” Darkrai drew back his hand, pulsing with black energy. “They’re not mutually exclusssive.” Suddenly a shoe collided with Darkrai’s head, and bounced to a halt. The shadow whirled to face the culprit just as another shoe struck his face. “RUN, YOU IDIOT!” Ethan screamed, shoeless, and also running for the exit.   I turned to bolt, but Darkrai snatched the cuff of my shirt, choking me and holding me in place. With his second hand, he directed his dark energy to Ethan, and pulled him onto the stage.   “And now you both mussst die.” Darkrai held us immobile with one hand, and created a floating, serrated black sword with his other. “Goodnight, NightSsshade and his friend. Ssssweet dreamsss…”   ---   I waited a terrible second. Then another. After what seemed like an eternity I looked up, but didn’t see Darkrai. In his place, a beautiful angel floated effortlessly, glowing with radiant pink light. It lacked wings, instead favoring two large pointed ears, and a flowing pink tail.   “W…what…?” I murmured, looking up in wonder at the creature in awe.   <You failed.> It replied simply, looking down at me with dull, azure eyes. It didn’t escape my notice that it was able to talk with me despite the fact that I wasn’t wearing my Pokespeak.   “What?” Ethan asked, blinking as if he came out of a dream.   <He failed.> The new, pink entity explained, pointing a paw at me.   “What do you mean I failed?” I asked, feeling a bit of my confidence return.   <Well, you were brave, which was a plus. Very inspiring.> The being’s pink tail whipped back and forth. <But you would have died. And that’s a big ‘F’. You were supposed to use the Masterball on me.>   I blinked. “What?”   <What? What? What?> The creature mocked, flailing it’s arms. It giggled softly afterwards; its laughter sounded melodic, like a harp. <You sound like newborns.>   <What are you?>   <I am the nine hundred and seventieth rendition. I am one of the Ancients. I serve as Mewtwo’s right hand in securing the peace between Pokémon and humans, and ensuring the treaty forged between us does not go awry. I am the origin, the spark; I am what allowed for life to exist on this planet. I am creation.>   The being pressed it’s forehead to my own, and laughed when I shrunk away. <But you, Josh? You can just call me Mew.>
(No Omorashi this update, but expect some next time! :3)   “Mew!?” Ethan blinked, recoiling.   “Why have you come?” I asked, trying to sound braver then I felt.   <The Masterball serves as a…deterrent…for the peace between our kinds.> Mew floated away, distracted by a speck of light. <The Ancients – Arceus, Mewtwo, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayuaza…> Mew waved its paw lazily. <You get the idea. Each has untold power. If a human were to control and command one of us without our permission, they could wreak havoc onto the world. Mewtwo alone could destroy entire cities! Much less Kyogre or Groudon, either of which could destroy the entire world if they so desired.>   “You would have the Masterball destroyed, then?” I clarified. Mew grinned, and wagged a finger at me.   <Not so fast.> It purred, eyeing its tail. <We can’t just blatantly destroy such valuable human technology, can we? It would present us in a bad light to the public, and it would violate the Treaty of Concord.>   Mew began floating in circles, chasing its own tail.   “Um.” I interjected. It was hard to take Mew seriously, even though it did have valid and intelligent points. “So then, what is your plan?” <Deactivate the Masterball.> Mew finally caught its tail, and nibbled on the end of it triumphantly.   “But doesn’t that count as destroying it?” I pondered.   “Yeah, hacking it wouldn’t solve anything.” Ethan interjected.   <Not hacking, deactivate. Have it capture a Pokémon, and thus revert back to being a regular Pokéball.>   “So you plan to make me capture a random Pokémon?” I asked. “That doesn’t solve-”   “Wait, you have a Masterball?” Ethan looked at me incredulously.   “Yeah.”   “How did you even-”   <Not important now.> Mew interrupted. <Now, this is only the first dilemma. The second is your guise as NightShade. Darkrai actually does intend on killing you for that, you know. He views it as you mocking him.> Mew frowned. <And unfortunately for you, he’s much less theatrical than little old me.>   “You’re NightShade too!?” Ethan deadpanned.   “Later!” I hissed, and then turned back to Mew. “What do you suggest, then? How can I defend myself?”   <Well, according to our treaty, Darkrai actually isn’t allowed to harm you, or any human. This transgression he is planning directly contradicts our treaty, and puts peace between humans and Pokémon in jeopardy. In fact, he’s been stalking you for a few days now, resting near Ethan’s residence.>   “Wait, what?” Ethan blinked angrily.   “So…what is your plan?” I asked.   <Two birds.> Mew’s eyes grew misty. “This iteration of myself must act as a sacrifice.”   “I’m sorry?”   <We have two problems. One, the Masterball must catch one Pokémon of the wielder’s choice. Two, Darkrai must not succeed in killing you. I was the obvious choice; as I am forever in a cycle of rebirth. This life must be given into servitude to protect the treaty, and through it, Pokémon and humankind.>   I was silent for a long time as I processed what had been said.   “So…he’s going to capture you, then?” Ethan clarified.   <Yes.> Mew nodded.   “Wow.” Ethan reeled.   “I thank you for your offer…” I began. “…but I won’t enslave one of the Ancients simply because it is within my power. If you wish to protect me I would welcome your assistance, but I don’t plan on forcing you to live with me if it is not what you wish. Protect me and a deal is struck; I’ll break the Masterball myself once Darkrai isn’t a threat to us anymore.”   Mew smiled. The very air around us seemed to warm, like a fireplace on a cool, winter’s night.   “…So?” I prodded, after a moment of silence.   <So? You passed.> Mew grinned, laughing its melodious laugh. <Turns out, you didn’t even fail in the first place.>   ---   <You are sleep deprived.>   We walked out of the Pokémon Pageant, which was completely deserted. A part of me wondered if I would be responsible for damages, since the Pokémon that had caused mass chaos and panic was technically my own. Oops.    “Yup.” Ethan answered, nodding sleepily.   <I can help you with that, if you wish.> Mew offered.   “How?”   Mew let out a large yawn. I instantly recognized what was happening, and shut my eyes and smashed my hands over my ears. Ethan wasn’t so lucky. He looked at Mew inquisitively before letting out a yawn in turn…   …and then fell to the floor, unconscious.   Mew looked at me with confusion when I opened my eyes again.   <I wasn’t aiming for you.> It said simply.   “Ethan could’ve been hurt!” I berated.   <Nuh-ah.> Mew countered. <I caught him.>   Sure enough, Ethan was floating slightly above the ground.   “…Still. You have to ask people before you do things like that.” I frowned.   <He was badly sleep deprived. Ethan had no business making choices for himself. Did you know that long term sleep deprivation is fatal in humans?>   “That’s…that’s for a really long time. Like, weeks-”   <With proper care and nutrition, death will occur in eleven days, two hours, three minutes, and four seconds.> Mew rattled. <For a male of your size, if you choose to stop sleeping.>   “We were talking about Ethan-”   <For Ethan, the time was reduced to six days, twelve hours, and eighteen minutes exactly.> Mew nodded. <Normally he could last longer, but he was not as well-nourished as you.>   “Well-nourished?” Suddenly I became self-conscious. “What do you mean?”   <For someone of your current age, you eat better than eighty seven percent of the population, however, you eat less fruits then ninety nine of the population, and are currently slightly dehydrated. Given your current diet, you will contract scurvy in thirteen years, twenty seven days, and nineteen hours, with a margin of error of less than two point eight seven percent.>   Well, I did give most of my fruits to Static. He always did like them more than I did.   I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. “Wait. What are we going to do with Ethan? He’s unconscious; we can’t just leave him-”   <His house is point nine three of your miles away, in that direction.> Mew pointed behind the Pokémon pageant.>   “How do you know all of this?” I frowned, concerned.   <I have existed through several cycles of life. I retain fragments of memories of past lives, which are compiled in my current outlook.>   “I mean like, the specifics. My diet, and Ethan’s house.”   <I read your minds.>   “That is NOT OKAY-”   I bit my tongue. It was hard not to belittle Mew; I kept having to remind myself that it was more powerful than I could possibly image, even if in this form it could, in theory, be beaten. I swallowed my criticism of mind-reading, and we continued carrying Ethan. Or rather, Mew continued carrying Ethan with telekinesis.   <Calm yourself; I learned early on about the privacy of mortals, and how much it means to them. I will not delve where it would be inappropriate to do so.>   “Oh. Well, okay then…”   <Really? “Just talked”? That’s how you explain what you and Sandy do to Static?> Mew laughed harmoniously.   “Hey! Don’t do that!” I blushed fiercely, glaring at Mew. “Those thoughts are personal!”   “I’m a god.” Mew grinned. “And the world is my playground. I do as I wish, for none will oppose me.”   “Yeah, well…I’m your trainer.”   Mew looked at me, smirking with its turquoise eyes. It didn’t challenge my statement, and politely waited for me to continue.   “And I’m telling you that it’s rude, to, um…”   Mew still didn’t interrupt, and stared at me curiously.   “…to read people without their permission.”   Mew floated silently beside me for a moment. <You fashion yourself as my trainer, then?>   “…Yes.” I nodded.   <You think you own me?>   I choose my words carefully. “…I think we have similar ideals, and…we would be better as partners.”   <You think you can control me?>   “I don’t think anything can control you but you.” I spoke honestly. I was rewarded with another musical laugh.   <You choose your words carefully.> Mew noted, looking around the darkened city curiously as we passed through.       “I know their power.” I shrugged. “To wound and to mend, to cut, to heal.”   We got to Ethan’s house, and I tried the door.   “Locked.” I grimaced.   <The second story bathroom window is unlocked.> Mew noted.   “How are we going to-” I turned to Mew, who was already levitating Ethan though the window.   <In another life-> Mew frowned, trying to position Ethan’s body correctly, <-I actually knew how to teleport objects through space, which would make this task so much simpler.>   At last Mew got it, and placed Ethan in his bed…or so Mew said. I couldn’t see for myself, so I chose to trust my new partner.   We stood outside taking in each other’s presence for a moment in the light of the rising moon. Mew’s playful smirk was gone, replaced with a look of calm reverence.   <So, you are my trainer then?> Mew looked me up and down, judging me.   “Yes.” I nodded assertively.   <…That means you have to feed me.> Mew giggled, poking me playfully with its tail.   “Yes.” I laughed.   <I want a star fruit.> Mew stated.   “I don’t think the shops have those.”   <I want a lychee then.> Mew corrected.   “I, um, I don’t know what that is. And I don’t think they have that either.”   <Mmmm.> Mew frowned. <What do the shops in this time have?>   “We have Sinnoh food?” I offered.   <Sinnoh.> Mew sighed contentedly. <It has been many lives since I’ve had the pleasure of Sinnoh cuisine. I miss the noodles.>   “Would you like some of those?”   <Yes. Yes I would.> Mew nodded, and we began making our way to the shops. How would I explain to the store keeper that I had captured a mew?   ---   “You must be hungry.”   “The second one’s for a friend. He’s a bit shy though.”  I smirked, looking down at the ring of ultra balls on my belt.   “Ah, I understand. Enjoy!”   “Thanks, have a nice night.” I smiled to the cashier. The cool night air greeted me as I stepped out of the store.   <He?> My hat asked.   “I’m sorry?”   <You referenced me as a ‘he’ to the salesmen.>   “Oh, I’m sorry. Would you prefer a different pronoun?”   <No. It’s just interesting seeing your interpretation.> My hat giggled, melting off my head and transforming back into Mew.   “So…what are the limitations of your transformation ability?” I asked, offering Mew his noodles. Mew smiled in acceptance, but didn’t take the fork.   <I’m just as adaptable as a Ditto. I’m more imaginative, but it’s hard to do things on the fly. Simple things – a key, a hat – those are easy.>   <What’s hard, then?>   Mew gulped a mouthful of noodles. <Like, say for instance a meteorite was headed for earth, and I had to stop it. If I had to stop it now, I couldn’t. I couldn’t suddenly get super strength and push it aside, or have Mewtwo’s power to just break it with telekinesis. I’m not that strong. BUT, if I had some time and Mewtwo was there, or Rayquaza, I could just transform into them, then do it.>   “Okay, I get that.”   Mew stuck his head in the bowl of noodles, and slurped loudly. <I think this is humanities finest achievement. The perfect blend of salt and sweetness.>   “It’s even better with a fork.” I grinned, offering Mew the spare fork.   <Oh, contraire.> Mew laughed. <The plastic takes away from the dish, plus it forces you to pace yourself. Just plunge your face in; it’s WAY better.>   “I’ll take your word for it.” I laughed, talking a slow bite of the Sinnoh cuisine. Mew smirked and handed me an empty bowl, face happily coated in soy sauce.   “Wait. So if have trouble transforming into pokemon you can’t see, how did you transform into Darkrai?”   <Oh, that?> Mew asked.  <I just saw him beforehand and used his form.>   <Can you still do it?>   <It was recent…I think so?> Mew concentrated, taking the form of a slightly off-color Darkrai, with blue eyes. <This is…close, right?>   “I think he’s not completely black. Like, just a shade lighter.”   Mew became a shade lighter.   <And I THINK he had red eyes, or at least, like, dark pink.>   Mew’s eyes became red.   “Yeah. I think that was it.”   Suddenly a Zorua flashed into existence in front of me, and tackled Mew. Mew spun around – still in Darkrai’s form – and thrashed violently, trying to throw the Zorua off. A Charmeleon dashed in front of me, shielding me from impact. A Charizard landed clumsily behind Mew, roaring violently with streaks of fire blasting out of her mouth. Static dashed up beside the Charmeleon, and a Wigglytuff hid behind me.   “What is going on!?”   The Charizard grappled Mew by the wisps of the Darkrai’s arms, holding him immobile. Skarr flew down and sliced Mew badly across the chest, opening up a large purple gash. Static and Nova both attacked, sending a spray of fire and electricity pulsing into the wound Skarr had opened up.   <Arrrgh!> Mew screamed.   “Everyone, stop!” I ordered.   Mew melted out of Charizard’s grip, and reformed into his normal form. His eyes shone with white for a moment, before he released a blast of energy, sending everything soaring backwards. Charizard was flung into the air, and the others crashed and rolled on the ground.   I crashed against the pavement hard, on my shoulder. Colors swirled around me, but I forced myself to stand. Static stood by my side, fur bristled and at the ready. The others simply stared at Mew.   <Urk...> Mew grimaced, clutching his chest. I walked over calmly, attempting convey a sense of rationality in the mix of all of this chaos. I sprayed Mew with an antidote, and then gave him a potion. Mew nodded in thanks, and looked at the surrounding Pokémon that staring at him in awe.   <…Mew?> Skarr asked, in awe.   <It’s an illusion!> Myst growled.   <No more an illusion then the grass at your feet, or the shade of a tall tree.> Mew smiled. Myst hesitantly pawed at Mew, poking him with a stubby black paw. Mew giggled.   <Mew…> Myst retreated, eyes full of wonder. Charizard bowed, along with Skarr. Charmander and Static stood at my side, confused, yet refusing to bow or yield their ground.   <Please. Your formalities are chivalrous, but misguided. I am your equal.> Mew shrugged, floating in the air.   <Aren’t you…Darkrai?> Static asked, confused. Skarr groaned in the background.   <No, dear Pikachu. I am Mew, the nine hundred and seventieth rendition. I am eternal, and undying. I am the spark that has allowed life to exist upon this planet, and I am the Ancestor to all Pokémon on this earth.> Mew smiled happily.   <It’s a legend, then?> Static turned to me, tugging on my jeans. <You caught a legend? That’s so badass! How’d you do it? I wasn’t even there!>   <Static…> I groaned. I realized this was the first impression my team would get of Mew, and I winced.   <We have to name you!> Nova clapped happily, slightly oblivious to the magnitude of the situation.   <Name me?> Mew asked, amused.   <Yeah! Like, something that defines you!> Nova chirped. <Like, I was named after…the um, the…the…> Nova blinked, holding his head.   <The star thing! The big one!> Myst suggested helpfully.   <Ttthat one!> Nova slurred.   <Are you both alright?> I blinked. Nova and Myst were acting strangely…sick, perhaps?   <They’re both drunk.> Skarr groaned.   <How are you two drunk!?> I asked, frustrated. Myst shrunk back meekly, while Nova looked confused.   <Drunk?> He asked, wobbling slightly.   <Perhaps introductions – and naming – would be better performed in the morning, when we all have a better sense of clarity.> Mew winked, and laughed his harmonious laugh.   It was late. The sun had long since set, and I could feel the weariness clutching at my eyelids. <Fair. Let’s get back to the forest, and I’ll put out best rolls for everyone. Myst and Nova?>   <Mmmm?> The duo looked at me with curiosity.   <I want you to drink half of this-> I held up a water bottle. <-before you go to sleep. You’ll thank me in the morning.>   <For 'games' in the morning?> Nova looked at me and grinned a shrewd grin.   <No. This is for you not getting hungover.>   <Huh?>   <Just drink it, Nova.> Myst asserted.   <Okay. Goodnight Josh!> Nova chirped. <Goodnight, Nova.>   <Pleasant dreams.>   <Goodnight, Skarr.>   <Don’t get eaten by Darkrai!>   <I’ll try.> I laughed. <Goodnight, Static.>   <Sleep well.>   <You too, Charizard.> I nodded.   <…’Night.> Wigglytuff mumbled.   <Goodnight, Wigglytuff.>   <See you at dawn…> Myst sleepily thought.   <You as well. Goodnight, Myst. See you all tomorrow.>   I crawled into my sleeping bag, mindful I had missed one important member of my team.   <Sleep well, Mew.> I smiled.   <Actually, I don’t sleep.> Mew spoke with a trace of sadness. <The bliss of unconsciousness is only available to me in the space between lives. I will keep watch, and ensure Darkrai does not encroach on us at this hour.>   <Oh. Thank you.> I nodded. <Well, okay, good night.>   <That it is.> Mew smiled up at the stars. <And a good night to you as well, Josh, my trainer.>
I shivered to consciousness…and I was wet. Not a good sign. Reluctantly, I peeked out from behind my moist sleeping bag and stared at a dark grey sky. Rain fell on my head, mocking my already soaked, limp hair.   “Augh…” I groaned. Now everything would need to be washed. My eyes went wide as I dived for my phone – still in my pocket, and still relatively dry. My back was waterproof…ish. Most things should be fine, but the sleeping bags would reek if they didn’t get washed soon.   No one else had woken up yet, save Mew, who hadn’t been sleeping.   <Good morning, Josh.> A melodious voice echoed within my mind.   <Hardly.> I grimaced, wiping the sleep from my eye.   <Oh?>   <I’m soaked, head to toe.> I scowled, still relatively sleep deprived.   <Soaked in what?>   <Water! What else?>   <Water. Defined as a chemical compound which contains one oxygen molecule and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. It is also the only known substance to start and sustain life in the universe. How wondrous it simply falls from the sky for us, is it not?>   I took pause. <I…I didn’t see it that way.>   <Few do.> Mew smiled sadly. <Rain is such a gift, and people treat it as an inconvenience. When people forget the gift of rain, how long until other gifts become a nuisance, or merely forgotten? The warm sun on an autumn day, or the air, freely given for us to breathe?>   I bowed, ashamed.   Mew laughed another musical laugh. <Do not be abashed, dear Josh. I am not telling you how to live, such would be a pox on the greatest of life’s gifts: the will to choose your own perception. I just wanted to share my vision->   <Oh son of a bitch!> Static shouted, crawling out of his soaked sleeping bag. <When did it start raining!?>   <…well, one soul at a time.> Mew deadpanned, grinning slyly.   I checked the time: nine in the morning. I wanted to fight Blane today at the fire gym, but I doubt Skarr could fly in this storm. We were also some ways away from a center…   Carefully, I got out my phone.   <Who’re you calling?> Static asked, violently shaking his fur free of water.   <Sandy. Just to ask if we can wait out the storm at her place.>   I reasoned I could bike to Vermillion fairly shortly and camp at Sandy’s house. Probably wash and dry the bed rolls and maybe a few of my clothes as well.   <Alright, I’m just going to put everyone in their pokeballs until we get there, her agreement pending.> I announced.   <Just get me out of the storm.> Static groaned. With a flash of red, he got his wish. Nova, Skarr, and the rest were still sound asleep, so getting them in their pokeballs was simple, save Charizard. I reasoned Sandy wouldn’t be too mad at me for capturing a Pokémon she already owned…I would give it right back, of course. With a frown I tossed an ultraball, and caught the Chairzard unaware. Good.     I turned to Mew.   <So, um.> I looked at the Pokéballs on my belt. Mew stared back at me curiously. <Which one would you like?>   <Which what?>   <Um, pokeball.>   Mew giggled. <You plan to capture me?>   <I….wouldn’t call it ‘capture’.> I reasoned. <Just, you know, keep you out of the rain.>   <What will you do about the Masterball?> Mew asked, suddenly serious.   <If you’re planning on staying with me, I’ll either give it to you or break it.> I answered.   <So I am a bargaining chip to you? You would risk the Treaty of Concord and the lives of billions on a mere trinket?>   <No!> I yelped. <J-just, I need you around for Darkrai, so he doesn’t kill me! I-I’m not trying to keep you here under force-> Mew laughed, interrupting me. <Oh. You weren’t serious, were you?>   <You are easy to upset.> Mew noted, giggling.   <Thanks.> I growled.   <May I choose to adopt the form of your hat once more?> Mew asked. <I…dislike the concept of being confined.>   <Okay, that’s fine. It’s common for Pokémon to dislike Pokéballs.> I smiled. Mew grinned and floated above my head, transforming into a thick red cap.   <Alright, calling Sandy…> I muttered mentally. I dialed her number, wiped off the rainwater from my ear with my shoulder, and pressed the phone to my cheek.   Ring.   Ring.   Ring…   “Hey! This Alessandra! If you’re a fan, please stop leaving messages personal cell phone! If you’re anyone else, sorry I don’t have my phone on me – it’s probably inside a couch cushion, or I put it in the refrigerator again! Anyway, leave a message after the beep!”   A long beep went off.   “Hey Sandy!” I chirped. “Um, it’s raining here pretty hard and everything’s soaked, and I was wondering if we could all go to your cabin to dry off and kind of sort everything-”   I heard the sound of a phone being picked up.   “W-who is this!?” Sandy picked up her phone. She sounded terrible, like she had been crying. Her throat was ragged, and her voice cracked as she spoke.   “Me? Josh?” I asked. “Why Sandy? What’s wrong?”   “P-prove it’s you.” She ordered, choking back a sob.   “Um, sure, okay.”   What happened? What’s wrong with her?   “You, um…” I racked my mind, trying to find a fitting memory. “You shoved a shrimp up my nose when I tried to kiss you at that seafood-”   “Ohmygod, Josh!” Sandy cried into the phone.   “Sandy, what’s wrong?”   “The news said you died.”   I blinked. “What?”   “Darkrai! He appeared in a theater, and killed two young adults! I knew you were there, and someone said they identified one of them with red hair and g-green eyes…I was so scared…”   Oh.   “No, it was all a misunderstanding. I was able to talk-”   “Wait, it WAS you!?”   “Um, well, yes, but it’s a long story-”   “Josh.” Sandy deadpanned into the phone. “I just spent all night crying into my pillow and pouring my soul out to Wigglytuff because I thought my boyfriend – whom by the way I just confessed my love to – was dead, at the hands of Darkrai. Believe me, I have time for whatever story you’re going to tell.”   I winced. I wanted to tell her everything, but my phone was beginning to glisten with rainwater. Of all the technological advances we humans had invented over the years, waterproof phones was not one of them.   “Listen!” I asked. “I’ll tell you everything, in detail, later on. Right now though I’m in the middle of a storm-”    A loud crack of thunder incinerated a tree across the clearing, as if to emphasize my point.   “-and I need to find a place to wait it out, and wash the bed rolls!”   “You can just use my cabin.” Sandy suggested helpfully.   “Okay, yeah, that’s what I was going to ask. Okay, thanks!”   “I expect a story later though! A good one! You made me cry, like, ugly cry for hours!”   “I will!” I promised.   “Alright, love you!”   Love you.   I blushed. It sounded so normal, even if it was only the second time her lips had ever echoed the phrase. I yearned for a time where that saying would become commonplace, but I vowed to never take it for granted. The air warmed around me, and suddenly the rain didn’t seem so cold.   “Love you too.” I smiled, and hung up the phone.   ---   I shivered, taking off my drenched clothes and placing them in the washer. I almost put mew in my accident before I realized my mistake. Mew giggled.   <Would that be considered abuse, putting you in the washer?> I laughed, glad I had chosen to only take my shirt off by this point.   <Well, it would wash me, and I have no nerve endings to feel pain.> Mew reasoned.   <Give me a second to get changed, alright?> I asked, placing my cap outside the room on a dresser.   I stripped and placed my clothes in the washer. I was cold. My bare skin glistened with rainwater as I held my arms to my chest, shivering. I never thought to pack a towel, and I just hoped the dry clothes I was about to put on would stay dry. Grimacing, I put on a new pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. I felt even colder without my jacket, but it needed to be washed, along with the bedrolls.   <So…you’re wet too, right?> I asked my hat after stepping outside the room.   <Correct.>   <Do you…want to be rung?>   A chime of laughter entered my consciousness. <If you would be so kind.>   Well. This is strange.   I grabbed one of the most powerful Ancient Pokémon known to man, and wrung it over a small turquoise bathtub.   <This is so strange.> I laughed, wringing the last of the water out of the cap.   <Why?> Mew pondered, taking its natural form.   <I’ve never talked to inanimate objects before.> I chuckled.   <Never?> Mew asked, eyeing me suspiciously.   <Well, I mean, I suppose I have, but I never expected a response.>   Mew nodded, content at that answer. <We don’t have a word in our language for ‘inanimate’. Even rocks and dirt have history; lives that span eons. Nothing is without cause or importance.>   <I didn’t say without importance, I just meant, like, things that were inorganic.>   <I was not inorganic. The hat was made from wool, which was from a Mareep.>   Argh, technicalities. <You know what I->   “Josh!” A woman’s voice exclaimed from the doorway. I turned to be tackled by a brown blur, and received a mouthful of curly auburn hair.   “Sandy!” I exclaimed happily, attempting to both hug her and remove the hair in my mouth.   “Alright, tell me every-” She turned and saw Mew, hovering in the corner. Mew waved to her with a stubby paw, and tilted his head curiously.   “Mew, meet Sandy.” I smiled awkwardly. “Sandy…meet Mew, or psudo-Darkrai, as you saw on T.V.”   Sandy just stared in awe for a moment. Mew giggled, and blinked with his bright eyes.   “You’re beautiful.” Sandy commented slowly.   <Thank you.> Mew smiled graciously.   “Did you capture her?” Sandy turned to me.   <Her.> Mew giggled again, like a calming melody.   “Oh! I’m sorry! A-are you male?” Sandy fumbled.   <I am creation.> Mew shrugged. Sandy shot me a confused, embarrassed look.   “Here, let’s start from the beginning, alright?” I suggested to Mew. “That way Sandy’s all caught up.”   <Very well. I was a mere idea back then, sparked into life inside the nothingness of the cosmos by Arceus, creator of->   “I-I meant, the beginning of the play.”   <I know what you meant.> Mew grinned. <I was only Joshing you.>   I took a moment to digest the pun, then groaned.   <Well…Mew’ll fit right in.> Sandy smirked. She crossed her arms with a quiet smile and leaned against the wall, waiting patiently for us to tell our tale.   ---   <I say we kill him.>   <You can’t just kill me!>   <You’re bit. Anyone bit turns into a zombie. Everyone knows that.>   <B-but it could be different for me!>   <Static, you’re being cruel.>   <Oh, I’m the cruel one!? You didn’t have any problem killing those humans for food back there!>   <I-I had no choice! They had guns on us…it was us or them!> Skarr choked.   <Like it is now.> Static spat. <I take the hatchet, and move towards Nova.>   <Nova? Would you like to take an action?> I asked.   <I…I don’t know. I try to shrink back and look helpless, I guess.> He shook, terrified.   <What do you do, Mew?> I asked.   <I…I don’t know!> Mew blinked, terrified. <My options are so limited! He can’t live because he’ll suffer and turn, but it is unethical to kill him! Both options are inexcusable!>   I grinned behind my Game Master’s screen. I had no idea Sandy kept a copy of a zombie pen and paper roleplaying game, but when she suggested we play it while waiting out the storm I didn’t object. Everyone was really into it, especially Nova and Static. Poor Nova got attacked during the third encounter, and the group was now facing one of the hardest choices yet.   <I attack him.> Static said quietly.   <With?>   <The hatchet.>   <Like hell you will!> Myst bristled.   <Roll the D20.>   Static tossed the dice. It bounced across the table, displaying a mediocre twelve. Nova looked terrified.   <That misses. Nova, you were barely able to dodge out of the way.>   <O-okay.> Nova shook. I wondered if this might have been a bit violent for him, but he also seemed to be enjoying himself.   <I’ll attempt to grapple Static and force the axe out of his hands.> Sandy claimed.   <I assist her!> Myst asserted.   <Roll for it.>   <Nineteen.> Sandy answered.   <Okay. You’re able to pry away the axe from Static. Now what?>   <Wait! I, um, I wish to examine Nova’s wound further!> Mew asked, excitedly.   <Very well. What is your character’s medical experience?>   <P…poor.> Mew frowned.   <Roll.>   Mew looked at the dice, and it jumped and spun in the air, displaying an eight.   <It looks like a bite, but you can’t be sure.> I described. <It’s definitely shaped like one, but it looks very perfect for a bite, more resembling a knife then a wound from a jaw.>   Probably too much description for a roll of an eight, but hey, I want Nova to live and have a good time playing.   <So it’s possible he wasn’t bitten?> Mew clarified. I shrugged and smiled. Mew scowled.   <If there’s even a chance he wasn’t bitten we can’t kill him. It’s wrong.> Myst ordered, placing her figuring between Nova and Static.   <We can’t afford to take chances anymore!> Static growled, smashing his paw on the table in emphasis. <That’s what killed Wigglytuff!>   Wigglytuff sat on one end of the table, noisily munching on a plate of cookies. <I am coming back, right?> She asked, her mouth full of crumbs.   <Yeah, but you’ll have to play someone new.>   <Okay. I can wait.> She placed another cookie in her mouth, even though I could see she hadn’t finished chewing the last one.   <…Anyway!> Static asserted. <It’s them or us! And I choose us. Move out of the way, Myst. You know what has to be done.>   <I won’t let you kill him!> Myst snarled.   <Neither will I.> Sandy placed her figuring around Static’s.   <You’ll have to kill me, then.> Static said in a low monotone.   <S-stop! There has to be a better alternative!> Mew choked.   <I-I’ll leave the group! Please, just don’t hurt each other!> Nova whimpered.   Skarr turned away from the table.   <You can’t be on the fence about this, Skarr!>   <I..I can’t…> Skarr stuttered.   <This is where we make a stand!>   <We can’t kill our allies!> Skarr begged.   <They’re not our allies anymore.> Static ground his teeth.   <Alright, pause. I’m going to go get some water.> Sandy got up.   <Oh! Speaking of water, can we…?>   <What?>   <You know!> Nova chirped. <Like, play the game with the water bottles and stuff.>   <I’m not sure if Mew->   <I’ve never experienced this game before, but if it is as enjoyable as you seem to perceive I will play.> Mew shrugged. <This game proved enjoyable. I don’t see what this new one would be any different.>   <Hold up.> Skarr looked around the table, perturbed. <What game are we talking about here?>   <Oh, you’ve never played Skarr?> Sandy asked. I winced.   <Played what? No one has explained anything.>   <It’s like a game of chicken. We all drink a certain amount of water, then whomever last the longest without using the restroom or peeing themselves->   <Oh my god, are you all still doing that?> Skarr’s gaze pierced my own, and I turned away. <You realize, Josh, that you are two badges and a victory away from becoming the most famous trainer in Kanto? What will it do to your reputation if people find out about this…this… deplorable habit of yours? Holding yourself like a hatchling? And you, ‘Allesandra’!> Sandy flinched as Skarr used her full name. <You think that people won’t find it odd that you piss yourself for pleasure? It’s sick. Degrading yourselves to acting like misguided  children!>   <Skarr, that’s enough.>   <No! It’s apparently not!> Skarr growled. <Because I’ve said this before, and yet you all continue this weirdness. It’s not natural, and there’s no motive for it!>   <There’s no reason for a plethora of things we do!> I shot back. <What we do by ourselves is our business. If we think it’s fun to hold ourselves, who is anyone else to stop us? It’s not natural to drink water out of bottles, or for Pokémon to eat cooking, but it’s the reality we live in. We entertain ourselves doing all kinds of ‘unnatural’ things – television, roleplaying – why is this any different?>   <Just…because.> Skarr shrugged uneasily.   <Hey, I was with you.> Myst got out of her chair and circled towards Skarr. <I thought it was weird too, but I gave it a shot. It is weird, but it’s fun too. Silly, and…it feels good. Plus it’s pretty funny.>   <Yeah! I was pretty apprehensible at first too!> Nova offered helpfully.   <Apprehensive.> Mew corrected.   Skarr turned away in thought.   <And you don’t have to play.> I added. <But you shouldn’t judge us for it either.>   <…Fair.> Skarr admitted quietly. <…I would like to continue playing this game, though.>   <Well, it takes a fair amount of time for the other game to get started – thirty or so minutes. How about we all get something to drink, then we keep playing?>   <If it is alright, I would like to exclude myself from…the latter game. But I will continue playing this one, if that is alright with you.>   <That’s fair, as long as we don’t feel your disapproving glare too much.> I grinned. Skarr rolled his eyes and smiled warily. We all got up to get drinks, and sat back down at the table. I cracked open my purple soda, and took a refreshing, long drink.   <Alright, now where were we?> I grinned, looking at the game board.   <You’ll never take me alive!> Static scowled, instantly getting into character and wielding an imaginary hatchet at Myst and Sandy. I laughed.   ---   (Sandy POV)   I sat in the chair with my heel carefully placed in the fork of my legs. To my left, Nova squirmed sheepishly, rubbing his knees and wincing. Myst eyed him with interest, sitting comfortably on her tail. To my right, Skarr watched our group with concern and reluctant curiosity. Wigglytuff sat centered between Skarr and Static, more interested in the cookies I made for everyone than either game we were playing. Static stood on his chair, paws clamped to his sides as he moves figurines on the game board. Mew looked nervous, and studied the expressions of everyone else. Then there was Josh.   He played a very good mental game, but I could tell he was struggling. Over the table, he was talking and helping everyone with the game, using both of his hands to make gestures and move pieces. Under the table however, his legs were crossed seemingly casually…but I knew better.   <How’re you doing, Josh?> I purred.   <Hmmm? I’m fine.> Josh blinked. <Anyway, Static, you can’t move that distance in this time period. You can only move six squares.>   <Crap. Can I move diagonally?>   <Yes, but only once.>   <Alright, so what if I…>   Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Myst give Nova a reassuring hug.   <Awwww.> I cooed. I expected Myst to wilt at the attention, but instead she just looked pleased with herself.   <Um. Thank you.> Nova blushed, returning the hug with a smile.   <So, what’s the deal with you two?> Josh leaned back in his chair. <Ever since you guys tried to take on Mew, you two have been acting… closer than usual.>   <I believe they are an item.> Skarr suggested helpfully.   <They are!> Wigglytuff beamed. <Static and I helped fix them up together! Aren’t they adorable?>   Now Myst wilted at the attention, looking away. Nova gave her paw a reassuring squeeze.   <Well, good for you two.> Josh nodded.   <Yeah, yeah, yeah.> Static waved away the comment. <But seriously, if Mew is going to help blockade the entrance-> Static pointed to an important square on the map. <-it’s our responsibility to sneak food through the cracks in the barricade so Mew doesn’t starve herself.>   Static looked up at Mew cautiously. Mew didn’t seem to notice.   <…himself?> Static offered.   Mew looked up curiously.   <…itself?> Static gulped.   <Is there a problem?> Mew smiled innocently.   <What are you?> Static scowled. <I’ve been, like, looking you over, but there are no signs of anything. What are you?>   <I am creation.> Mew smirked.   <I mean, like, what’s your gender?>   <What do you want it to be?> Mew grinned, wagging her eyebrows in a sultry motion. Static shivered, unnerved.   <What gender would you prefer to be addressed, I think was Static’s question.> Josh offered helpfully.   <When I have been born a male over countless eons, and been born a female countless more, what difference does it make? The heart that beats in my chest is my own, and the mind that pulses with intellect is of one mind.>   <But, like, as far as he/she/it goes…> Static trailed off.   <I can transform into any living being at will, so long as I can see them or imagine them well enough. This includes myself; I have died and been born again so many times I have memorized all my forms. I can take the shape of a male or a female version of myself at will, or a male or female version of anyone in this room. Why do genders matter so much to you all?> Josh was struggled to find a ‘wise’ answer.    <They are how we address each other.> I answered simply, for Josh.   <Why?> Mew pondered.   <They offer less ambiguity to whom we are addressing.> Josh explained. <If there was a word that meant ‘everyone’ regardless of gender, saying that instead of ‘him’ or ‘her’ would leave the person the speaker was addressing in confusion to whom they would be addressing. This way, the person has a better understanding of the person you are referring to.>   Mew digested this.   <So. How would you like to be addressed, Mew? Do you identify more with one pronoun over another?> I asked.   <Is it possible to identify more with a pronoun then the gender it represents?>   <I suppose.> I shrugged.   <As of now I am female, but I recently died as a male. That lifetime lasted over eighty years, until I died of natural causes. This form is new, although I choose the form of myself that is already well matured. I suppose I would prefer the male pronoun, as a reminder of my past life.>   <He, then.> Josh asked hesitantly.   <Yes.> Mew confirmed.   <Okay, cool.> Josh nodded.   <Hey, um, everyone?> Nova asked hesitantly. We all looked up, which caused him to shrink back nervously. <C-could we move t-to the kitchen? Like, the table and everything? If I, um, lose, I don’t want to get the wood floors all…> Nova trailed off.   <Oh! Sure.> I gulped, standing up. I small wave of desperation pulsed as I stood, whining at me for removing my heel. <Good thinking, Nova. Josh, can you grab the other end of the->   <No need.> Mew levitated the table to the other room, accidentally smacking a corner of it into the wall. I layer of paint scratched off, revealing the drywall underneath. Mew winced, more carefully levitating the table to the kitchen.   <Urk! Sorry!> Josh apologized. <I’ll, um, I’ll re-paint that later.>   <Leave it.> I smirked. <It’ll make a good story at least. The time a Mew accidentally levitated a table into my wall.>   <Hah.> Josh chuckled.   <Um, guys?> Nova whinnied, bouncing up and down. <C-can we go to the kitchen now?>   <Sure.> I smirked, grabbing some paper towels out of a cabinet. <But if you pee yourself all over my floor, you have to clean it up.>   <That’s fair…> Nova groaned, waddling towards the kitchen.   ---   I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, with my heel still pressed into myself. Everyone was expressing signs by this point – Skarr excluded – but I wasn’t sure I would be able to outlast everyone. Nova was at his absolute limit, whimpering in his chair and holding himself. Myst’s tail was a flurry of activity, whipping back and forth as if trying to distract herself. Mew’s normally mystic, floating tail was now coiled up around his leg tightly, and he breathed in shallow breaths. On the other side, Wigglytuff bounced in her chair obviously, crossing and uncrossing her legs every few moments. Static still stood on his chair, obviously reaching some points of desperation but stubbornly continuing the zombie game.   <Okay, I move my guy here…> Static tried to concentrate, his feet crossed and pressed together. <W-which lets me attack, right?>   <Yeah.> Josh answered, clearly struggling to hang on as well. <R-roll the dice.>   The dice clattered on the table. No one really saw the result, except Static, who leaned over the table to see it. <F-fourteen.> He mumbled.   <That hits.> Josh nodded, only one of his hands above the table.   <Oh my god I have to pee.> Static muttered, doubling over and cringing.   <Saaaaaame!> Wigglytuff moaned, bouncing and pressing a paw to herself.   <Y-yeah, me too…> Nova murmured, but didn’t look up. He was leaned forward completely, holding himself with both paws. Another wave of desperation came over me, and I ground my heel into myself, trying not to think about it.   “A…Ah…” Nova whined aloud, cringing and holding himself tighter.   <Did you lose?> Static asked.   <A bit?> Nova looked down at a small wet patch on his chair, which matched the small dripping from his paws. <T-that only made it worse, though…>   <Mmmm! Stop talking about it!> Wigglytuff whined.   I ground my teeth as I felt another wave hit me, this one stronger than the others. I gasped as I tensed, trying to center more of my weight onto my heel.   <You okay there, Sandy?> Josh purred.   <I’m just fine.> I growled, looked back with a determined, competitive gaze. <Yourself?>   <Better then you’re looking.>   I scowled, and bit my lip.   <So what will I get when I win?> Myst smirked.   <You’ll never find out.> Josh crossed his arms, grinning.   Aaaah. I should’ve gone before the game started…   Josh flashed me a grin. <You’re really struggling, huh? Usually you’d be telling me how I’d never win at this point.>   <I’m still going to win. I just don’t want to be all showy about it.>   <Is that it?> Josh chuckled.   <I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.>   <You’re so considerate.>   <You’re lucky to have me.> I growled.   “Mmm…Mmmmph…” Nova whimpered, holding himself. A small pool began to grow under him, and trickled off the chair to the tile below. After a moment Nova surrendered and relaxed, causing the stream to splash louder against the floor. I cringed involuntarily; the sound was terrible to hear, and all I wanted to do was to join him, release it, and relax.   <You lose!> Static said. <Clean it up!>   <It’s okay. You lasted longer than last time.> Myst nuzzled Nova. Nova blushed and smiled meekly before grabbing the paper towels and getting to work.   I bit my cheek as Static continued to play…I wasn’t sure how much longer I could continue.   <S...s…> Static struggled. <Seventeen.>   <Alright. You manage you imbed the axe in the zombie’s skull, but it’s s…> Josh took a calming, shaky breath. <But it’s stuck.>   <So what do I do!?> Static whined, bouncing slightly.   <Um.> Josh winced. <You can try to remove it, or leave it in, or something.>   Another harsh wave of desperation hit me, and I felt warmth spill onto my heel, dampening the inside of my jeans. I gasped and pressed down hard against my foot.   I caught Josh staring at me, and he turned away, blushing. Static was also looking at me curiously, though more out of respect for the game instead of blatant infatuation.   <You still playing?> Myst asked, forcing her tail to be still.   <I, um…> I slipped a hand to my crotch under the table, and held it even harder. My legs were knotted together fiercely, and I noticed my hand was becoming slightly damp. Another hot jet escaped, making a brief hiss as it leaked against my jeans. <N-no, I-I’m at my limit. I-I need to leave now.>   The bathroom seemed a mile away. I scooted my chair in and stood up, but the shift in gravity did not help my situation. Another warm stream shot down my leg, dampening my inner thigh. I held myself with one hand and clenched the other, taking slow, deliberate steps towards my bathroom.   Just as I reached the door, another overwhelming urge hit me, and I felt warmth spill down my jeans. With my other hand I grabbed at the doorknob, flinging it open hastily. I realized I hadn’t closed the door, but I was completely out of time. I clenched my crotch one last time, and released my hand to undo the zipper. My other hand tugged at my waistband, ready to remove it as soon as I could. The zipper slid down easily, but the button refused to give. With one final adrenaline boosted jerk, I tore the button free and sat down, just as I completely lost it. I shivered with relief, letting a small moan escape my lips as the warm pee gushed out of me. I lazily kicked the door shut, and leaned back with pleasure.   Finally…   Shaking slightly, I surveyed the damage. There was a small patch in the crotch, but it would be relatively hidden when I stood or sat. Other than that, the dampness was confined to my leg, which I cleaned, and my underwear, which I covertly snuck into the wash.   <Did’ja make it?> Josh asked as I walked casually back in the room.   <Of course.> I smirked. <Did you think I wouldn’t?>   ---   (Myst POV)   Wiggly was whining up a storm. I thought I was uncomfortable, but compared to her…well, she just wouldn’t shut up.   <Auuugghhh, I have to pee…!> She whined, crossing and uncrossing her feet. She bobbed up and down, exchanging paws to hold herself every so often. Static was more quiet, but he didn’t look much better. He had stopped playing, and instead drilled a hole in the table with a concentrated, stubborn stare.   <Staaaticcccc!> Wigglytuff bounced, wailing. <Staaticcc?>   <What?> Static growled.   <I have to peeee!>   <Yes. I know.> Static’s gaze never broke from the edge of the table. I was laying down in the seat, careful not to put any unnecessary weight on my bladder. I desperately wanted to cross my back paws, but I knew it would only make me more anxious.   <You alright, Josh? You look a bit tense.> Sandy purred. Josh was taking slow, controlled breaths, and was staring at something under the table.   <Yeaaah…h-how are you guys doing? Those that are playing, that is.> Josh asked slowly.   <I’m alright.> I shrugged, trying to control my ever twitching tail.   <Baaaad!> Wiggly bounced, rubbing her feet back and forth.   <Fine.> Static droned, not wanting to talk.   <This is exhilarating.> Mew’s normally calm crystal eyes were tinged with anxiety and excitement. <I-I’m not sure how I’m performing! I’ve never done this before…>   <It was kinda scary my first time too.> Nova smiled at Mew. <But it’s fun, right?>   <Yeah.> Mew nodded, breading quicker.   Josh winced, and scooted out of his chair. <Yeaaah. I’m not winning this. Good game everyone; I forfeit.> He limped out of his chair, one hand pressed on the fork of his legs, and the other locked firmly to his side. Sandy took this opportunity to stand in his way, and cup her hand around his side.   <Are you not feeling well?> Sandy asked, fake concern glistening in her eyes.   <Not nowww…> Josh moaned, trying to push past her.   <Is something wrong?> Sandy blocked josh persistently as he tried to move past her.   <I swear, I will pee all over you.> Josh growled, trying to push through Sandy and make his way to the bathroom.   <Yum.>   <You’re disgusting.> Josh feigned to the left, then dashed inside the bathroom and locked the door. Sandy growled from the outside. I could hear the splash and the resulting groan from here, which just made my urge worse. I nestled on my back paw, content to discreetly hold myself. It made it a little better, if a bit embarrassing.   <Y-yeah, I…I-I can’t.> Wigglytuff jumped out of her seat and dashed towards the hallway. Her back foot got caught on the chair and she tripped, crashing on the tile beneath her. A small pool dribbled out of her, and she quickly grabbed herself with both paws. <Ah…Ah!>   <I’ll get the paper towels.> Sandy chuckled.   <No, I-I’m fine!> Wiggly got up, holding herself tightly with one paw   <Don’t pee on my hardwood floor!> Sandy shouted after Wiggly, after Wiggly dashed up the stairs.   Josh opened the door to the bathroom, looking bemused. <Did I miss anything?>   <I expected a small waterfall coming down the stairs, but it looks like she->   <Sandy…..> Wigglytuff’s voice whined from upstairs.   <Yes?>   <C-can you come up here?>   Sandy put a hand to her forehead, and grudgingly got up from her seat. <What happened?>   <J-just come up here…please. A-and you can’t be mad.>   <One second, everyone.> Sandy excused herself, cursing under her breath. Once she got up the stairs, I felt her mind disconnect from the Pokespeak. No doubt having a more private conversation.   Static, Mew, and myself. Static didn’t look so hot, but I had no idea about Mew. In theory, couldn’t he just transform into a version of himself with a bigger bladder? How could we ensure he wasn’t cheating?   Static looked bad though. He would drop out soon, willfully or not. That just left me and the god…and beating a god was damn tempting.   ---   <F…forfeit.> Static stuttered, pushing his chair to the side, and dragging himself to the bathroom. I was impressed; he lasted much longer then I would’ve thought. Now only Mew and I remained.     Wigglytuff came back down the stairs, smelling strongly of cleaning supplies. She smiled awkwardly, and took her seat by Skarr. Skarr hadn’t said much, and was content to simply watch our game play out.   <So, how are you doing, Mew?> I asked, trying hard to stop from trembling.   <Not well, I…believe. I’m not sure…I don’t have a baseline for this.> Mew held himself with a paw, and his normally lengthy tail was coiled tightly around his inner thigh. He gave a strange sort of whimper, and held himself tighter. <W-what is the protocol if I s-should fail?>   <You can either go outside, go in Sandy’s bathroom, or…hold it until you don’t, like Nova.> Josh shrugged. <No offense Nova.>   <He’s not offended.> I poked Nova’s belly with a paw. He blushed and poked me playfully in turn. I would have continued this little game, but in my current state, I wasn’t quite in the mood.   <W-what is the normal etiquette in this s-situation?> Mew asked, obviously distressed.   <Whatever you want. If you make a mess though, you have to clean it up.>   <As is appropriate.> Mew nodded.   Another wave of urgency came over me, and I grinded my paw into myself. I wanted to whine, but such an act would no doubt be seen as a sign of weakness. I was so close…   <I…aaah…> Mew doubled over, and a hot jet of yellow spurted on the tile.   <Can you make it outside, or to the bathroom?> Sandy asked as mew squirmed, trembling.   <I…I….> Mew cringed again, and a stream of pee gushed down his leg, soaking into the pink fur beneath. <Augh, I can’t…I can’t stop it…!>   <Just relax then.> Josh suggested. Mew sighed deeply, and stopped resisting. The flow increased, and it splashed on the tile with vigor, creating a passive piddle beneath Mew’s chair.   Watching Mew while holding myself was torture. A little bit leaked onto my paw as my bladder ached for release, moistening my rich, dark fur. I bit my lip and quivered, trying my best not to whimper for release.   It was almost over. It was almost over.   <Well, I suppose that makes you the winner then, Myst.> Josh nodded in my direction, impressed.>   <Then I will be taking my leave.> I bowed in return, and got out of my chair. Removing my paw from its special position was difficult, and as soon as I did I felt another wave of desperation come over me. I didn’t cringe and I didn’t cry out – I simply dealt with it, and continued walking out the door.   <I have a bathroom, you know.> Sandy called out to me.   <I prefer the woods. More natural.> Although I over exaggerated it with Nova, I really did prefer to be in more natural environments. All these human settlements unnerved me; I preferred to stay hidden. I didn’t make it nearly as far as I would have liked; I had barely made it a few yards from the house when another urge came over me, sending me to my knees, and making me moan aloud, holding myself. I staggered behind a tree and leaned with my back against it, with my chest fully exposed to the elements. I sighed and released myself, and the relief was orgasmic. The pee shot up nearly a foot in an arc before slashing down upon the grass below. I wasn’t intentionally loud, but I did accidentally let out another moan as I slumped against the tree.   F-finally…
(Josh POV)   “This is nice.”   “Mmmm?” Sandy turned to me with half closed, deep auburn eyes. Outside, the storm was just coming to an end.   “Just this.” I motioned to us, beneath the covers, talking and enjoying each other’s warmth. Sandy gave me a sleepy smile. “Tomorrow, Blaine. Then I’ll have seven badges. Seven out of eight.”   “You should see your parents first.”   I frowned. “I will. Just not tomorrow. It can wait until-”   “Josh, they probably think you’re dead.” Sandy said. “The news, remember? Not only have you not gone to the news, you haven’t told your parents. They’re probably mourning you right now.”   Oh. Huh.   I nodded reluctantly. “…Alright. Tomorrow, then.”   “Good.” Sandy smiled at me, content with my decision. She rolled over and shut off the lamp, shutting off all but the moonlight that shone from the window. Something warm and soft pressed against my cheek. “Goodnight, Josh.”   “Goodnight, Sandy.” I wrapped an arm around her side, and curled next to her.   ---   Skarr had been quiet on the flight over to Celadon. Truthfully I didn’t want to go back either, but I thought I would find respite in my friend, in the very least. Perhaps he had woken up on the wrong side of the pillow, or perhaps something else was amiss.   I made a note to check on it later, once the issue with my parents was resolved. Skarr landed gracefully outside my parents’ house, barely making a rustle in the soft grass beneath his wings. Charizard wasn’t so graceful however, and barely avoided crashing in my parents garden.   <Apologies.> Charizard said, pushing herself up and extending a paw to assist Sandy. Sandy gave a tired smirk and accepted it, then returned Charizard to her Pokéball. I did the same with Skarr.   <Thanks for coming with me.> I said, holding Sandy’s hand in my own.   <I knew this wouldn’t be easy.> Sandy hugged me lightly, and then nodded to the door. With lead in my boots, I walked forward and pressed the doorbell. The house was dark, and the doorbell was faint.   “…Maybe they’re not home.” I suggested, turning to sandy with a guilty, hopeful gaze.   “Let’s stay to find out.”   Grudgingly, I waited at the door. After a few moments I heard some shuffling, and someone unlocked the door. I saw my mother open the door with bloodshot eyes, still in her bathrobe.   “J-Josh?” My mother shook, only holding the door half open. She looked terrified and doubtful, as if I was some kind of aberration.   “H-hey mom.” I said, holding out my arms in an attempt for a hug. She flung the door open and tackled me, crushing my sides.   “They said you DIED, Josh!” She sobbed, squeezing the life out of me. I returned her embrace, if not as fiercely. After a few moments she released me, wiping the tears from her eyes. “O-oh, I’m sorry! W-who is this young lady?”   “Hello Mrs. Karren.” Sandy gave a small curtsy. “Just here for moral support.”   “Are you two together?” My mother smiled a knowing grin.   I nodded happily. “For…six months now?” I turned to Sandy. She shrugged, and gave me a helpless expression.   “Oh, give me a moment. I need to tell Keith you’re still alive!” My mom said. Sandy winced, as if she smelled something distasteful. My mom invited us inside, and walked to the stairs.   “Are you okay?” I asked Sandy. She looked like she was going to be sick.   “Keith.” Sandy shook her head. “I just don’t like the name, that’s all.”   “Why?”   “That was my father’s name, before he...left.” Sandy frowned.   “I’m sorry.” I held her hand gingerly.   “Don’t be.”   My mother came back down the stairs, holding my father in tow. “Look! It’s Josh, Keith! It’s Josh!”   “Hey, Dad!” I looked at my father, but he stared straight through me   “Allesandra?” My father’s hollow, deep voice echoed through the room. I turned to Sandy to see her staring back at him, her face a pale white.   “Hey, dad…” Sandy choked.   ---   I smashed another glass back on the table, grimacing as the burning liquid tore at my throat.   “Another one, whenever you have a moment.” I motioned at the bartender.   “Kid, you just got here.” The barkeep frowned, pouring me another shot. “It’s two in the afternoon.”   “It’s two in the afternoon, and I need to get drunk very badly.”   He shrugged, and slid another shot my way. I nodded wearily in thanks.   <So, what happened?> Static asked, nursing an apple martini in his paw. I know he could feel my pain leaking into his consciousness through the Pokespeak.   <I’d say I didn’t want to talk about it, but you know better.> I frowned, taking another shot.   <So? Then talk.>   <Sandy and I are related.>   <Huh?>   <Her dad is my dad.>   Static sat for a few moments, putting the pieces together. <But, wait. Ew. You two are dating!>   <Yeah…>   <You’re dating your…sister?>   <Half-sister.> I stared into my empty shot glass, my thoughts already beginning to blur.   <What are you going to do?>   I motioned to the bartender again, and he slid over another shot. <Honestly Static…>   “Room for a third?” Someone asked behind me. I turned to see Sandy, wearing a ragged top and tattered jeans. She grinned warily with bloodshot eyes, and took my shot for herself.   <Sure.> I shrugged. It was wrong, but I enjoyed her company. I made room beside myself, and she sat down.   The three of us sat in silence for a long time. Thoughts buzzed in my head, not yet silenced by the alcohol in my blood. What was I going to do?   <Word will get around.> Sandy mentioned hollowly. <You’re two badges away from becoming the most famous trainer in Kanto. Hell, I’m already a Brain. We can’t keep this up without the public getting wind…>   <Not to mention the moral ramifications of dating your half-sibling.> I groaned, putting my head against the cool, wooden bar.   <Do you still love me?>   I lifted my head enough to meet Sandy’s eye. Though her gaze was unsteady, it never broke from my own.   <Yeah, I love you.> I nodded, exhaling a large breath.   “Though the darkness, though the pain?” The words she spoke were audible, even though she never moved her mouth. The world swirled around me slowly, sickeningly. Where had I heard that phrase before?   “To Hell, and back again.” I answered, my lips echoing the phrase that my mind hadn’t fully pieced together. I leaned against the counter, clutching it with an enormous fist. I blinked and looked back at it – my hand was easily the size of a basketball, with seven fingers and no thumb. The world slurred around me. Static was missing, and the bar was empty.   “Sandy?” I called out, and the name echoed back to me. Empty bottles lay scattered around me, and the strong smell of alcohol filled the air. Behind me, someone entered the bar.   I turned to see an Absol. It stared back at me with judgment.   “Use the Masterball.” It spoke with perfect clarity.   “…What?” My mind was fogged, and his words made no sense.   “Use the Masterball.”   I still couldn’t understand him. “What?”   “Josh!” Sandy’s voice screamed from inside the Absol. “USE THE MASTERBALL!”   ---   I jolted awake, tasting blood. I was in a clearing somewhere. Static stood in front of me, guarding me with a fierce stream of electricity. Mew levitated a few feet away, a terrible gash torn through his bright pink fur.   <I know you won’t stay dead, but it will be so pleasurable being able to say I finally killed you, you perversion.> A haunting voice filled my mind.   <Hah! You’re nothing more than fear, Darkrai. Kill me once, and you will have accomplished nothing! I will be reborn, but when you die you will rot in Giratina’s hells forever!> Mew spat.   Mew and Darkrai eyed each other with venom in the center of the clearing. Trees and small shrubs were blown backwards due to a fight unseen. Darkrai had not a scratch, but Mew looked exhausted and sickened.   I sat up, pushing myself off the charred grass. Sandy screamed something to me, but her voice was lost as an explosion blew us back. Mew held Darkrai back with some kind of force, but Darkrai was resisting with his own black energy.   <In another life, I would have liked to spare you.> Darkrai spoke to Mew, his chilling voice overwhelming me with fear. <Keep you as my pet. Do you do tricks? Here, let’s try – speak!>   Darkrai let out a blast of blackness, breaking Mew’s shield and blasting through him.   “AHH!” Mew screamed, clutching his chest and falling to the ground.   <Nothing more than fear, you say?> Darkrai hovered over to Mew threating. <Fear is enough. Fear is infinite, and crippling. Fear is death.>   <Fear can be contained.> I smashed my Masterball into Darkrai’s back. He whirled around as he became engulfed in scarlet, and screamed as his essence was taken into the orb. The Masterball shook in my hand as Darkrai’s spirit smashed against the sides, unwilling to be captured. It didn’t matter; he had no choice.   <Is everyone okay?> I choked out, pocketing the shaking Masterball. Mew groaned from the clearing, bleeding into the charred grass. I raced over, and quickly gave him a potion.   <T…thank you…> Mew blinked, as if seeing me for the first time.   <Is everyone else alright?> I looked around. Static looked rough, but nothing potion wouldn’t heal.   Sandy looked alright, if a bit terrified. <I-I’m okay. Thanks.>   <For what?> I laughed nervously, the familiar feeling of shock and nausea coming over me.   <Um…saving my life?> Sandy smirked in her usual coy way.   <When did I->   <He wouldn’t remember. His memory has been altered.> Mew announced. <Luckily he woke up when he did, but unfortunately his memory of the battle has been destroyed.>   <Huh?> Static and I both gulped.   <You don’t remember saving me?> Sandy frowned.   A sense of vertigo suddenly came over me. <N-no, I don’t…what did I…?>   Something caught me. It was warm and pleasant, but I didn’t know what it was.   <Sleep, Josh. Sleep, and your dreams will be unperturbed for now.>   ---   <So…in your nightmare we were related?>   <Yeah. It was weird…> I rubbed my eyes and yawned. Sandy, Mew, and Static all stood around me, listening to my odd tale.   <You know I’m black, right?> Sandy smirked.   <What? You are?> I turned to Sandy with mock surprise. <W-what!? Why didn’t you tell me? How could you keep this from me all this time!?>   She snorted a laugh. <I’m just saying it doesn’t make sense.>   <Dreams have no limitations that the physical world may possess.> Mew pointed out.   <I know, but still.>   I turned to Sandy. <So, apparently I saved your life?>    <Yup. Pretty badass, except for the part where you fell asleep and got your memories erased.>   <So what exactly happened?>   <Let me tell it! Let me tell it!> Static hopped up and down.   Sandy shrugged. <Go right ahead.>   <Okay! I had just fallen asleep with Mew hovering over me, ‘cause, you know, she-he-it-whatever doesn’t sleep.>   <I prefer he.> Mew reiterated.   <Yeah, but you’re a girl so you’re weird.> Static waved him off. <Anyway, Mew shouted something and I sprang awake JUST as I saw this dark blob rush into the house. I ran into the living room to see Mew and Darkrai just smashing the living room and sending bolts of power soaring through the walls and tables!> Static raced around the room, mimicking the apparently amazing battle that I had forgotten. <It was so loud. You and Sandy raced down the stairs, and Darkrai turned to you to kill you, but Mew struck him from behind. In a fit of confusion he shot at you but missed, and shot instead at Sandy. You dove in front of it->   <Niiiice.> I nodded, satisfied I was still alive.   <-and got blasted into a wall, and fell unconscious.>   <The move was Dark Void, if you were curious.> Mew explained. <Normally it just puts something to sleep and induces nightmares, but due to the force behind the attack and the fact you’re both human and mortal, it hit you a bit harder than normal.>   <Wait.> I blinked. <But I woke up outside. How did we all get outside?>   Sandy sighed. <Remember how we were upstairs in my room, and how my house is two stories?>   <Yeah?>   <We had an unscheduled demolition. My house is now one story.>   I took a moment to process the information, then looked out the window. Sure enough, we were on the ground floor despite being in the ‘upstairs’ section of the house. <Shit. Darkrai broke your house?>   <He didn’t act alone, I’m afraid.> Mew swallowed guiltily. <Though I acted in the interest of saving lives, technically most of the damage was caused at my hands.>   <Shit. Um, how are we going to pay->   <I have insurance.> Sandy waved me off. <I’ll…wow. I have no idea what I’ll tell them. But don’t worry about it.>   <Okay…and I still have Darkrai.> I looked over at the Masterball sitting on the dresser. It was dangerously still.   <You have Darkrai?> Mew turned to me with a fierce gaze. <I recall you promising to destroy the Masterball, per my agreement to serve you.>   <I meant, he’s still a problem!> I blurted out. <I don’t mean I own him or that the Masterball won’t be broken, I just mean that he is still an issue that needs to be resolved!>   <And how do you plan to go about ‘resolving’ him, then?> Mew asked, with a headily venom in his eyes. I rolled out of bed, grabbed the Masterball, and offered it to Mew.   <You can have it, or you can give it to another one of the Ancients – maybe Mewtwo. Someone that will take care of Darkrai, and make sure he doesn’t get out of hand.>   Mew squinted in thought.   <What are you thinking of?>   <Well. You have proved yourself so far…> Mew’s tail began flicking back and forth, and he followed it with a playful gaze. <…how about you hold on to it while I regain my old power. Once I recall how to teleport, I will go back to the Temple of the Ancients and give the ball to Mewtwo.>   <That’s fine.>   <Excellent!> Mew pounced triumphantly on his tail.   <Alright, that’s settled.> I nodded. <Okay, who’s up for fighting Blaine?>   <Yeah!> Static cheered.   <Nope. You promised me you would talk to your parents, remember?> Sandy nagged.   <But I already did!> I pointed out. <It didn’t go so well.>   <When?>   <In my dream, remember?> I grinned.   <For real.> Sandy emphasized her statement with a poke to my chest.   <Alright, fine, fine.>   <And we should go now. You’ve been asleep for a little over a day, and…well…>   <What?>   <Your parents are holding your funeral today.>   I let out a long breathe. <Oh. Oh, wow.>   <Duuuude!> Static jumped in the air excitedly.   <Static, this is bad. Really bad.> I frowned.   <Dude! You can crash your own funeral!> Static yelped. <Swagger all up to the pew and be all badass!>   <Actually that does sound pretty cool…> I grinned. Sandy gave me a disapproving look, which I ignored. <Hey Mew?>   <Mmmm?> Mew turned to me, biting the end of his tail.   <If you transformed into my hat could you still levitate?>   <Yes?>   <Could you levitate yourself and the person wearing you?>   <Yes.>   <What if the person fell from a significant height? Say…thirty to fifty feet? If the person was wearing you, could you bring them slowly to a stop without hurting them?>   <Easily.>   <Josh, no.> Sandy ordered. I grinned back at her. <Josh, your parents are going to be beside themselves with grief. Are you really thinking of doing this?>   <I’m already going to be alive. Why not make an entrance everyone will remember?> I smirked. Sandy sighed, rubbing her forehead with her palm.
<So you lied?>   <It’s not lying, exactly.>   <What is it then? Procrastination?>   <Bending the truth. Just a little.> I smirked guiltily as Skarr and I landed at the small island of Cinnabar. <Plus, I am going to go talk to my parents. Just, you know. The service doesn’t start until five anyway; why inconvenience so many people?>   <There are days where I question your logic.> Skarr deadpanned behind me. The Cinnabar gym looked a bit decrepit – rust covered a section of the entrance, and cracks were appearing in the once great pillars.   In a flash of red, all my allies appeared before me. All of them looked towards the gym, save Nova who looked around questioning the change in scenery.   <Where’s Sandy?> Nova asked.   <She’ll be meeting us at the Cave later, gym badges pending.> I answered.   <Okay, cool.>   <So? Let’s go and battle!> Static hopped up the crooked stairs leading up to the gym.   <Aren’t we forgetting something?> Myst scowled. Static turned back, and shot her a confused look. <Weren’t we supposed to go to your funeral?>   <Yeah, later. It’s at five, so->   <-so we can get there before all the guests? All the people that think you’re murdered?>   <We still have time.>   <Josh…> Myst frowned.   <What?>   Myst gave me a disappointed frown. I waved her off, and continued up the stairs, followed by my small hoard of Pokémon. Begrudgingly, Myst transformed me once more into Nightshade.   <Would you like a hat?> Mew asked me politely.   <I would prefer a watch…can you do that?>   Mew laughed. <Sure. Let’s try that.>   It wasn’t perfect, and it moved backwards in time, but it would do. Like everything Nightshade wore, it quickly turned pitch black. I nodded, and walked in the gym.   ---   Inside the gym, an elaborate maze was constructed out of trenches of some strong smelling liquid. Kerosene?   It would have been an amazing if dangerous trial, had the trenches actually been lit on fire. I could just imaging the walls of flame of the maze, and the dizzying heat and frustration of making your way to Blaine. Unfortunately, they weren’t lit. Without the flame’s obscuring walls, the maze was simple to traverse.   <So…this is anticlimactic.> Nova frowned.   <Anti-what?> Static looked over.   <I mean, like, nothing’s happening! All the lights are off.>   <Careful with your tail, Nova.> Myst pointed out, once Nova’s tail got a bit too close to the yellowish liquid.   <Oh! Thanks.> Nova grabbed his tail, and held the flame carefully. <Though I don’t think it would’ve lit anyway.>   <Just in case.>   The end of the maze was in sight. I could see a lone trainer at the back, laying on some kind of slab.   “Hello?” I called out, before remembering my guise as Nightshade. I cleared my throat. “Has this place already been claimed by the shadows?”   The figure sprung out of the slab, smashing against a pressure plate on the floor and igniting two massive torches to her sides. She held two batons, both with a strange black tip on both ends.   “Greetings, Shadow-Walker.” She purred, twirling one of the batons dangerously close to the open flame. “You’ve kept me waiting awhile, you know.”   “I’ve been expected?”   “Oh yes. Don’t you know never to keep a girl waiting?” The woman stepped forward with a coy smirk on her face. She wore a dark grey leotard, which clashed against her pale white skin. She had short black hair, which curled quickly above her shoulders as if burned by fire.   “Who are you?”   “I am Enya, daughter of Blaine, Temptress of Fate, and The One That Dances With Fire!” She swirled around, catching one of her baton ends ablaze. In an impressive display, she lit all four ends of the batons on fire and swirled them around herself at extraordinary speeds. More than once, I could’ve sworn she touched herself with the fire, but each time she appeared unaffected. “I presume you are Nightshade, of course. Darkrai’s Avatar, and Master of Darkness?” She lifted the baton to her lips and licked one of the ends, extinguishing it.   “Darkrai and I had a…disagreement. I work alone.”   “Do tell.” Enya supported herself on a baton, and leaned forward promiscuously.   “I would prefer to keep such actions confidential.”   “A shadow creature like yourself would enjoy keeping secrets…” Enya shrugged. She took a swig of something on her belt, then held the flaming end of one of the batons to her lips. A burst of flame resulted, existing at the edge of her scarlet lips. “Working by yourself must make you lonely. Even darkness has more than itself to keep it company.”   “Darkness needs no company but itself.”   “Oh, contraire.” Enya smirked, strutting towards me, batons blazing. “Darkness needs light, does it not? How else are shadows meant to flicker in excitement, or dance across the walls? You need light – you need fire.” By now, she was almost touching me she was standing so close. She held the batons behind her, and leaned forward with lustful eyes. “The shadow can’t exist without the light. So, why have you come, Nightshade? To battle, or to have a reminder of what it means to exist amongst us mortals?”   I saw where this was going. To my horror, I realized what she was lying on before was a bed. “I have only come to battle. I am above such…actions, now.”   “Ah, too strong willed to be taken by the fires of passion; too proud to be taken by the temptations of the flesh?” In a slow motion, she slid the baton down her hand, licking the side lightly. I gave a quick thanks that my illusion kept my blush invisible. “Now, come. No god is infallible. If you are to fall for a mortal, what more poetic way then for it to be your opposite? Your downfall; the one thing darkness can never resist? Even night eventually kneels to the day…” She placed her hand possessively upon my chest.    I quickly took a step back. “I-I am no god, nor do I have any inclination to…fffffornicate…” I gulped, “…with the mortals of this plane, as…tempting as they may be.”   She gave a rich laugh. “Oh, Nightshade, I am no mere mortal. Send out your Pokémon, and I’ll show you how deep the fire runs in my veins!” She dipped a burning end into the yellow rivers at our feet, igniting the liquid. The flame jumped up, creating walls around me, and an arena bathed in flames. The heat overwhelmed me immediately, and I staggered backwards. “Don’t tell me you can’t stand it, Shadow. A bit of heat won’t hurt you…”   “H-how can we battle in these conditions!? My shadows can’t withstand this heat!” I winced, covering my eyes.   “Oh? Do you submit to me then, Nightshade?” Enya stood forcefully in the middle of the arena, absorbing the fire’s heat from all sides.   <I can handle it.> Nova thought quietly, still invisible due to Myst’s illusion. <I can fight.>   <If something happens, I have no backup plan. No one else can withstand these flames!> I ground my teeth. <At least not for long…>   <Do you think I can, Josh?>   “Don’t keep a girl waiting…” Enya purred.   <I know you can, Nova.> Myst though quietly.   <Yeah. You can do this.> I agreed. “You think you can best me, Dancer of Fire? Darkness has always existed, before fire, before light. Go, StarVoid! End this misguided mortal’s fantasies.”   “Go, Gasoline!” Enya snarled, sending out a fierce looking Flareon. “Do what you do best. Burn. Burn it all.”   ---   (Nova POV)   “Ready for this, you overgrown lizard?” Gasoline hissed.   I felt my multicolored claws grow out of my paws as I walked towards the center of the battlefield. Towers of flame flickered around me, roasting my orange fur.   <Dragon Claw.> Josh ordered, but I was already a step ahead. I raced forward, a chromatic trail of light flying behind my claws. Flareon tensed to jump, and I caught her in midair, smashing her downward in a blast of power.   “Auuugh!” She screamed, crashing on her side before springing back up. She gasped a huge breath and tensed, blasting the room in a wave of heat. I shielded my face, but felt the fire burn the ground I walked on, and char my flesh.   After a moment the flames subsided, and I again raced to finish her off. My claws clattered off a green shield she made at the last possible second. I growled and swiped again, but my fist met a torrent of fire. I dived out of the way before my arm could become completely singed. Gasoline stood towards the corner of the room, with a coy smirk on her face. “Can’t handle the heat, worm?”   “I’ll rend you in twine!” I shouted, mustering all the venom I could. She bolted forward in a blast of energy, and I countered with a swipe of my draconic claws. I was too slow to overpower her, but I was able to redirect her attack. Her momentary disorientation was all it took for me to drive my claws across her sides, knocking her unconscious.   <Who’s next!?> I growled, adrenalin pumping in my veins.   <You’ve taken too much damage. We need you if things go south.> Josh thought. <Static, can you get in there? You won’t be in for long; I just need to heal Nova.>   <Do what you need to.> Static nodded.   “Go, Volkerosene!” Eyna cried, sending a tall Typhlosion in next to me.   <I need it. And I need you. Get out there.>   <Yes sir.> And Static took my place in the flames.   ---   (Static POV)   The heat was unbearable. I wasn’t standing in the fire, but I was so close I could feel it. It was worse than a sandstorm, and I could feel myself being cooked.   “How’s it feel being well done?” Volkerosene cackled, cracking his fingers menacingly. “Careful, you might get burned here, runt.”   Electricity crackled around me, and I smirked despite my charred fur. “Bring the fire, bitch.”   <Static! Fake out, then thunderbolt! I’ll try to heal Nova while he’s distracted by the blows.>   <Got it.> I thought. The Typhlosion stood cockily on the other side of the room, obviously listening to orders as well.   After a moment, he fell on all fours. “Last chance to run.”   “Not in your dreams.”   His mane burst into flame, and he leaned back grabbing a heated breath. I was already on him, paws crunched together. He flinched back growling, but he was far too slow. My foot crunched against his muzzle, crackling with the electricity from my cheeks. It smacked his jaw up, and he staggered backwards. I rushed in with another blow, but he caught me with a fist and brought me right up to his face.   “My turn.” He snarled. With the other hand he smashed me across the face, sending me sprawling to the floor. I struggled up, but a wave of fire flew across the field, sending me back to the ground.   “Argggh.” I pushed myself off the ground, wincing.   “Go home. This is the big leagues now, and you’re not cut out for this.” Volkerosene smirked.   I bolted towards him, cerulean electricity pulsing around my darkened form.  Volkerosene flipped and smashed a paw to the floor. A spike of earth crunched against my chest, using my own speed against me. The edges of my vision turned to black, and I felt the flame consume me.   “Go home, you runt.”   ---   (Josh POV)   I returned Static to his Pokéball, my hands clenched at my sides.   “Hopefully that wasn’t your master plan?” Enya cooed.   <You all set, Nova?> I said, careful not to let too much anger leak into his consciousness.   <Don’t worry, Josh. I’ll fight with the strength of both of us.>   “Go on, Volkerosene. Let’s show the darkness why it has always been submissive to the light.”   “StarVoid, show no mercy. Consume them in your wrath.”
(Nova POV)   I roared. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before, but it just felt right. The Typhlosion took a step back, and looked startled.   Good.   “Roast him alive, Volkerosene!”   “Tear him apart, StarVoid.”   We circled each other, unsure of who would attack first. He broke the impasse first, striking at me with a hardened fist. I dodged and returned the blow, striking his exposed gut with my claws. He winced and shoved me away harshly, pounding me with a paw. I sprung up and dove at him, but he raced to the side spitting a wall of fire. I responded in kind, matching his ferocity with my own.   He faltered, his flame weakening. My flamethrower did the rest, blasting him backwards and throwing him into the room’s flame.   “Who’s next?” I roared, relishing the feeling of heat on my fur.   ---   “Go, FlashPoint!” Enya shouted, sending out an experienced looking Monferno. He sent out two quick jabs, and swept the floor with his foot, daring me to face him. I stood my ground, glaring holes though his eyes. “Pound him to oblivion!”   <Outrage.>   I didn’t need any more instruction; I had been fighting back the feeling from the beginning of the fight. My eyes shone with light, and once again I was enveloped with light.   “Nope! Haha!” FlashPoint raced at me, flipping in midair and landing on my shoulders, smashing his paws in my face. I flinched, losing my focus. He then pounded me with a limb, sending me sprawling to the ground. “Get up, dragon! Get up!”   I growled and pushing myself to standing. The fire no longer felt so choking; it was invigorating and empowering. My eyes shone with light once more, and my claws returned, elongated and carved with color.   Flashpoint dove at me, and I countered with a swipe. He dodged expertly, knocking his fist against my muzzle. I roared again and struck out but missed again. FlashPoint dodged out of sight, and I whirled around angrily. I felt a sudden pain against my back, and fell again to the ground.   “Haha! You’d be more of a challenge if you stopped falling!” the Monferno grinned.   “I dashed and flung my claw at his heart. He dodged to the right but I predicted this, and smashed him with my back foot. FlashPoint stumbled back disoriented, and I rushed to end him. He flipped backwards catching himself with his hands, and kicked with both his feet. He pushed me into the air by my gut.   I felt the blackness of unconscious bend at my mind, but I willed it away. I saw the ground approached me again, but again I willed it away. I saw myself losing the battle, and I willed reality to bend to my wishes.   I saw Monferno’s eyes grow wide as I floated in the air, impervious to gravity.   “Die.” I ordered, diving upon  him from the air. He stood there in complete shock as I ran him through, my claws catching him in his core before I threw him against the wall. He bounced off but I was already there, smashing him back into it. With one final kick, he flew across the room, returning to the floor with a crunch.   I was exhausted. I looked up to Josh for confirmation, and I noticed everyone in the room was staring at me. <What?>   <Nice wings.> Myst complemented me. I looked at my back, and I agreed. They suited me nicely.   ---   (Josh POV)   <Dude. Major props; we’ll talk after the battle, alright?>   <Okay!> Nova chirped happily. He walked to my side calmly, if a bit more clumsily than normal.   “If you have no other Pokémon, I’ll be taking that badge.”   “Leaving so soon?” Enya pouted, leaning on one of her flaming batons. “Are you so sure I can’t give you a reason to stay?”   “My regrets, Enya. The light and the dark are not meant to dwell in each other’s company. Find vibrance and passion in another’s light.”   Enya frowned, tossing me an orange badge. “Think of me, will you? If ever you finish your quest, and you’re looking for company…”   “Don’t dwell on dreams, Enya. My heart is a void no mortal can fill.” And I turned and left the gym.   ---   (Josh POV)   <Your heart is a void?>   <Hmmm?>   <Doesn’t that seem, I don’t know, dark?> Myst frowned at me.   <Well, yeah, that’s the point. Nightshade is supposed to be dark. That’s me acting him out.>   <But your heart isn’t a void. You’re in love with Sandy.> She pointed out.   “Your pokemon are healed, sir.” The nurse smiled at me.   “Thanks, you t…t-take care now.” I struggled not to say ‘you too’.   “You as well.” She smiled, and returned to her duties.   <Yes, I love her.> I turned back to Myst. <So, like, in a way, you could say she has my heart. Ergo, I don’t have a heart.>   <But then she loves you too, right?> Nova chimed in. <And you have her heart?>   <Yeah?>   <So, didn’t you guys just trade hearts? So you have Sandy’s, and Sandy has yours?>   <I don’t know if that’s how it works.> I put a finger to my lips in thought.   <Either way, it wouldn’t leave you heartless would it?> Mew asked.   <I suppose not. Maybe I was just being dramatic for NightShade’s sake.>   <Well, I approve.> Skarr laughed from the air above us. <Melodrama is never lost on me.>   <Finally, someone that understands.> I laughed. Skarr cackled above me in kind.   <Oh! Oh!> Nova chirped. <You said you would talk to me after the battle! What did you think?>   <You did awesome, man.> I smiled…then bit my lip. <Though honestly…I thought you would be taller.>   Nova now stood about four and a half feet tall, only slightly taller from his old Charmeleon self. Not just his height set him apart from the other Charizard; he was still covered in his normal light-orange fur, and his head was enormous. It made him look cute, but not exactly the ferocious dragon you’d expect a Charizard to be. <I think he looks adorable.> Myst countered, snuggling up next to the dragon. Nova smiled and nuzzled her in turn.   <You two are going to give my diabetes.> I rolled my eyes, unclipping a pokeball from my belt and sending it out.  Static appeared of the scarlet, disoriented. <Where…oh damn it. Did I faint?>   <Yeah. Sorry.>   Static bowed, dejected. <Volkerosene said I wasn’t fit to battle these higher level Pokémon. That’s what he said before I fainted.> <Ready to prove him wrong?> I gave Static a challenging grin. <The next gym is ground. I’m going to need your hidden power ice to take them down.>   <You can count on it.> Static gave me a sharp nod.   <And you, Skarr?>   <As always, at your service.>   <I’ll just be here, keeping your illusions.> Myst sighed.   <Don’t worry, you’ll get training in the Caves.> just saying the word made my heart race, but it seemed to pacify Myst. <Anyway, let’s head out.>   <I can fly you!> Nova offered.   <I’m being replaced!> Skarr yelped.   <No, no! I-I just got these!> Nova pointed at his wings, flapping them experimentally. <I just, I wanted show off!>   <I’m kidding. It’s fine.> Skarr waved his own wing carelessly, but I saw a look of regret as he turned away.   <Let’s give you some time to use them before long distance flights, hmmm?> I suggested.   <Okay!>   <Alright!> Everyone disappeared in a flash of red, save Skarr, and my watch, who seemed to be smirking at me. <Are you ready, Skarr?>   <Am I ever not?> He smirked, and stretched his wings.
(You'll just have to keep reading to find out! ;P)   (Josh POV)   <Must you pry into everything?>   <It’s my job to pry!>   <Then I relieve you of duty.>   Mew squirmed on my wrist, causing the watch to glow oddly <Hey! What are you guys talking about?>   <Josh here,> Skarr groaned.  <Believes he can diminish the world’s woes by talking about every facet of human emotion ad nauseam.>   <I wouldn’t be pressing, but you gave me a weird look when Nova suggested flying me to Viridian.> I countered.   <Oh, and I suppose your extensive knowledge about Skarmory mentality deducted that my feelings were at fault?>   <Well, technically,> Mew began. <Your hydrocortisone hormones are fourteen percent more active than normal, which is conducive of experiencing a troubling or unpleasant event.>   Skarr growled.   <Don’t worry Mew. Skarr’s a bit difficult at times, but he always comes around.> I smirked.   Skarr turned to face me, flying through a cloud. <Difficult, am I?>   <Only occasionally.>   Skarr turned back to the sky in front of him, and glided lazily around a thermal. <Alright, fine. Yes, I was upset.>   <Why?>   <I know this sounds childish, but…> Skarr sighed into the wind. <Lately it seems we have less and less time together. I realize you have responsibilities to others as well – Sandy, Static, and the others – but…I miss you, I suppose.> Skarr hung his head. <I enjoy being with the others as well, but we rarely get any time alone like we use to. I remember when we were younger and we would fly all across Kanto, fighting Fearows and mocking each other insistently.> Skarr grinned nostalgically. <I…I miss that. Now it seems the only time we have alone is when we fly. I suppose…I didn’t want to lose that.>   <I’m sorry, Skarr. I didn’t understand.>   <I didn’t expect you to understand.> Skarr flapped a bit harder, gaining altitude. <You have responsibilities now. You have a title to achieve. The only constant in life is change, and I’m foolish to expect anything different.>   <That’s not true. I hadn’t thought about it before, but you’re right. I’ve been neglecting you as an individual. Actually, all of you, come to think of it.> I thought.   <Neglect is too strong of a word. Neglect is what Matilda did to Nova.> Skarr pointed out.   <Still. I should make an effort to hang out with you all one on one too.>   <I wouldn’t mind that.>   <Oh, also, may I ask something?>   <Go right ahead.>   <Why didn’t you choose to utilize Mew last battle?> Skarr asked. I saw Mew’s hands perk up to the eleventh and first hour respectively.   <I’m glad you asked! Mew, we should have this talk as well.> I turned to look at my clock.   <What about?> Mew asked, winking the clock at me. I felt unnerved.   <Well, your fight with Darkrai was impressive, but…> I bit my lip, trying to find a polite way to phrase my next statement. <It appeared, however, as if you may have not been fighting to your fullest, um…>   <You don’t think I’m ready!> Mew squeaked outrageously.   <Yesandno.> I gulped. <You obviously have a lot of experience overall, but this form of yourself may not be quite as…knowledgably about tactics, and your movepool->   <I saved your life! I fought a darkrai! I single handedly knocked your entire party of Pokémon prone when they ambushed me all at once!>   <You did save my life, but it almost cost yours in turn. You knocked all my pokemon down yes, but you barely did any damage, and you almost took enough damage to faint.>   <I took on Darkrai!>   <You were using psychic moves against him.> I thought quietly.   <What else!? I’m a psychic type – my moves were more effective against him.>   Skarr cringed. If there was any doubt in my mind that Mew wasn’t ready, it was erased by that last statement.   <Mew.> Skarr spoke slowly and clearly. <Psychic type moves don’t even affect dark types.>   <…Oh.>   We flew in silence for a long moment. I didn’t want to embarrass Mew like that, but it was partially unavoidable, and partially necessary. More than trusting in his own power, he needed to learn to trust me. It was a hard and unpleasant lesson, but if we were going to be a team a line needed to be drawn.   <I guess being a newborn has its drawbacks.> Mew squirmed. <…W-what are we going to do? There are obvious gaps in my logic and mind – I feel inadequate.>   <Well, first things first,> I said. <You’re not inadequate. You just need some help. Luckily, I know just the overdramatic bird for the job.>   <Oh?> Skarr turned to me with mock disgrace.   <Can you stop by Celadon mall on the way to Viridian?> I asked politely.   <Oh? Feeling nostalgic are we?> Skarr smirked, turning to face the wind.   <Always.> I laughed. <But not quite. There’s something I need to get first.>   ---   (??? POV)   Failure.   The voice was back, brushing against my conscious like a feather dipped in venom. The scars in my mind let the voice in with no resistance, letting the poison of the words drip inside me like mucus. I wish I could say I was too jaded to care, but it hurt every. Single. Time. Every word was another twist of my personal knife, and every phrase another poison I choose to ingest.   How long had I sat here? I no longer knew the day, the week, the year. I no longer remembered the feeling of sunlight on my skin, or a sincere complement of a friend. I had alienated myself long ago; years, ever since…   You’re a disgrace.   I knew it all too well. The curtains were drawn, and a layer of dust covered my surroundings.   Suddenly, I heard a sound. It was unlike the voices; it was audible and sounded like a small creak. I looked up. Someone was opening my door.   I opened my mouth to great them, but no sound came out. How long had it been since I used my voice? With a lazy flick, I turned on my Pokespeak.   <Who goes there?> I demanded, standing up from my throne.   <Don’t tell me you haven’t expected me.> A dark man stood at the doorway, smirking a brilliant but black smile. <I would loathe to appear rude and unannounced.>   <You’ve done well getting this far.> I slumped back into my chair, and the voices resumed their taunting. <Tell me. Has anyone else figured out your disguise?>   <The shadows need no disguise.> The man shrugged.   Fool.   Educate him.   Show him the weakness of pride.   Show him what hubris does to a mortal, and use it to crush him.   Crush him like it crushed you.   With a haunting smile, I pressed a hidden button on my throne. Sand began seeping through the walls, and a hot, dry heat oozed into the room.   ---   (Josh POV)   <It’s a Sandstorm!> Myst yelped.   Sand began circling in the gym, wrapping around us and obscuring my view of the gaunt man in the chair. He had brown, disheveled hair and a loose, baggy blue shirt. His jeans were dirty and scuffed, but not torn. More than anything, he looked tired and…unhealthy.   <Okay. We can still win.> I shrugged.   <No! You don’t understand! If I become damaged I’ll- arrrgh!> Myst winced as the sand dug into her coat. The illusion vanished around me, and my disguise of Nightshade was gone.>   <It was dramatic while it lasted.> the man grinned.   <I’m trying to keep my face out of the spotlight.> I frowned.   Not like that’ll work anymore.   <I’m not going anywhere.> the thin man slouched in his large chair.   He’s lying.   I blinked. Why was I distrusting of this person? He was a gym leader after all, plus, he looked rather…   …unmotivated.   <Who are you?> I asked.   The man smiled, plucking a single Pokéball from his belt. <Me? I am many things. Disgrace, self-loathing, dishonor. I am broken dreams, I am unmet goals. I am failure. Permanent and eternal.>   <Now who’s being dramatic?>   The man laughed a slow, broken, hollow laugh.   I waited a moment before continuing. <So? What’s your name?>   <Madness. Tragedy. Calamity. Ruin.> the man grinned. <How many more synonyms do you want?>   <You don’t have a name?>   <I did, long ago. I was proud of my name, too. I was sure that name would mean something one day, and it almost did. Except it didn’t.> He looked at me with soulless grey eyes. <No one has beaten the Elite Four in over fourteen years. You think you have a shot?>   <Yes.> I nodded.   <So did I.> He smiled sadly. <I beat them too. Lost against the Champion, though. With all my savings spent, had to get a job. Offered this. This became my life. My worth. I never accomplished my heart’s desire. I was a failure, doomed to never succeed.>   His story sounds like mine.   I pushed my troubling thoughts aside. <Why didn’t you just try again?>   <It’s not that simple. People judge you for trying. Pretty soon you become the person that failed twice. Then three times, then four. They stop cheering for you. They stop noticing you. Soon, you stop cheering for you too. You’ll realize you’re just running through the motions, knowing you’ll never truly succeed.>   Will that be me?   <So why do you stay here, then? You can’t find another job that would make you happier?> I reasoned.   <No. My job is here, to crush the dreams of others as my own were.>   I smirked. <I can’t help but notice you only have one Pokéball.>   <I’ve only ever needed one.> He sighed quietly. <Only one should be forced to share in my suffering. Are you ready?>   Are you? He clearly has the upper hand here, you don’t even-   <Gah!> I cried, covering my ears. <What is this gym doing to me!?>   <The thoughts?> The man grinned madly. <My own design. Tinkered with a Pokespeak for a few years to have it work correctly.>   Leave. Leave now. You’ll never win.   The man leaned back into his chair. <What’s it like, hearing the thoughts of your own doom?>   <Feelings are subjective! I won’t allow your perspective to overpower my own!>   <Then allow my force to overpower you.> The man threw his Pokéball onto the arena, and I threw my own.   <Go, Skarr!> I commanded.   A Nidoking emerged second, his roar penetrating through the swirling sands. <Go, Morphine.> the gym leader ordered. <End it. End it all.>   ---   (Skarr POV)   Josh, what were you thinking!?   < That’s a poison type; my strategy is useless!> I yelped. <What do you want me to do, stall it to death!?>   Josh gulped. <Actually, that wouldn’t work either. If you roosted once, he would hit you with a super effective earthquake.>   <Why did you send me in then!?> I growled.   <I assumed he would send in something that wasn’t immune to poison!>   <Well, switch me out!>   <Argh, I can’t!> Josh winced.  <He only has one Pokémon; switching would just put us at a disadvantage!>   <What should I do then!?>   <Just go pure offense. Brave Bird.>   I’m defensive, you fool! Or do you already know that I’m doomed!?   The Nidoking brandished his claws in the air, powering up his future attacks.   “Kraaa!” I screeched, diving at him from the air. I smacked into his abdomen, gracelessly flying straight into his gut. I recoiled and attempted to regain altitude, but a massive purple fist grabbed my back leg and held me in place.   “Submit.” Morphine ordered, his face inches from my own.   This is going to hurt…   “I refuse!” I scratched, attempting to bash him with my skull. He held me at arms distance with a cold look of disapproval, and opened his crooked maw. A torrent of flame engulfed me, causing my wings to flare up red hot. I screamed and attempted to resist, but he just held on tighter. At last I broke free, but my wings crumpled beneath me, and I fell to the floor.   The sandstorm raged above me. Somehow I was still conscious, but everything was hazed in red and black. I fought to remain cognizant, and pushed myself to standing with my disobedient wings.   Josh expected more from you.   I stumbled, and landed back in the sand. I felt a massive weight push against my back, and saw the Nidoking standing above me.   “I didn’t give you a choice.” Morphine’s hollow words echoed in my skull as I felt his foot crunch into the small of my back. The world faded out of view, and the bliss of unconsciousness deprived me of the awareness of my failure.   ---   (Nova POV)   He’s not going to choose you.   Worthless.   Unwanted.    “Urk…” I winced, trying to cover my head from the dark thoughts of the gym. W-why were they so bad now? Hadn’t I become stronger? Hadn’t I come to terms with my strengths and weaknesses? Hadn’t I understood that I was loved?   They pity you.   You’re around due to a sense of obligation, not love.   Who could love you, after all?   <Nova!> Josh ordered. <I’m guessing the Nidoking has Earthquake, so we know three of its four moves. You’re resistant Flamethrower, and downright immune to Earthquake. His Home Claws just powers up his attack, so that also won’t hurt you. You ready?>   You’ll fail.   You’ll cry.   It’s all you’ll ever do.   All you’ll ever be good for.   <I-I don’t know if I can.> I shivered, clutching my tail.   <Pay attention to me.> Josh nodded sharply in my direction. <I believe in you, Nova. I love you, and you can do this. Don’t pay attention to the gym’s voices.>   You don’t deserve his love.   <Okay…> I jumped, and clumsily flew onto the arena. The Nidoking was ready.   “Submit.” Morphine ordered, his eyes sunken.   “I won’t give in.”   “I’m not giving you a choice.” The Nidoking rushed at me, jumping into the air. I stopped flying on impulse, and fell like a stone to avoid getting clobbered.   That was close.   Are you so sure you can dodge next time?   <Outrage, Nova!>   Do it.   You’ve proven you’re stronger than your fear.   This should be easy for you.   Unless it’s not.   And you’ve learned nothing.   I struggled, but the feeling of invulnerability was lost. I gave Josh a panicked expression.   You’re worse than useless.   You’re a liability.   A problem.   A danger to Josh’s dream.   To the other’s dreams.   To your dream.   You failure.   <That’s fine! Dragon claw or flamethrower!>   Maybe I couldn’t summon my dragon, but I could always summon flame. A blast of heat shout out of my mouth, covering the Nidoking in flame. He leapt up, his armored scales still aflame, and smashed me back on the ground. His fist felt like a sledgehammer, and my muzzle crunched as I hit the floor.   <No!> I heard Josh scream.   I felt the all too familiar feeling of blackness evade my vision, and everything faded around me.   Useless. It’s all you’ll ever be.   ---   (Josh POV)   Smack Down. Of course his final move would be smack down. The only rock move a Nidoking could learn that could take down a Charizard.   You should have predicted that.   You’re losing your edge.   You think you can beat the Elite four with those skills?   You’re losing it, Josh.   <I’m waiting, trainer.> The gym leader spoke, sinking ever deeper into his stained, leather chair.   <Let me do it.> Myst growled.   <Myst, no.> I shook my head. <You have no advantage, no trick up your->   <He beat Nova. He hurt him. I want him to pay.> She snarled, digging her paw in the sand.   Do it.   What do you have to lose?   They already don’t trust you now.   Two losses in a row. Two Pokémon fainted.   Think you can gain their trust again?   Doubt it.   I ground my teeth, trying to ignore the dark thoughts coursing through my mind. <Okay. Disguise yourself as Mew. It’ll throw him off.>   <Yes sir.> She grinned a vengeful grin.   ---   (Myst POV)   <Go, Mew!>   I faked a toss of a Pokéball, and became my illusion. It wouldn’t last long in the sandstorm or would flat out shatter if I was attacked directly. Still, the look on the gym leader’s face as I appeared as a Mew was worth every second. Morphine’s face was even better – his sunken eyes were sunken no longer, and were practically bulging out of their skulls.   <Night Daze!>   “S-submit.” Morphine ordered.   Hah! He’s scared of me!   He’s not scared of you. He’ll break your illusion soon enough, and you’ll be left defenseless.   Except for my attacks? So…I’ll be reduced to fighting at everyone else’s level?   You’re no match for him.   I’ve fought bigger.   I laughed, mocking the darkness inside myself. Perhaps this trick would work on others, but it had no effect on me.   He’ll crush you. Your boyfriend, your trainer. You’ll lose; you’re a failure.   You kidding? It’s impossible to be a failure and look this good.   I posed for a moment, although no one could see me. Morphine charged, and I sidestepped easily, using Mew’s form as a cover.   You’ll never win!   I always win.   I shot a pulse of darkness, hitting a sensitive looking spine in the Nidoking’s back. He roared ad stomped the ground, sending up jagged spikes all across the arena. I smirked and evaded them all.   You can’t keep this up forever. Do you plan on outrunning all your problems?   Hey, I’ve gotten this far, haven’t I?   Morphine rushed to punch me and I used his own strength against him, causing him to punch himself in his face with a blast of dark energy.   T-that was a fluke!   I know, right!? I couldn’t do that again if I tried! Hahahaha!   You think all this is a joke!?   I think you’re a joke. You’re a pathetic excuse for an illusion of the mind.   The sand dug at my coat, distracting me long enough for me to lose sight of my illusion. The Nidoking huffed, and charged me again. He seemed smaller than before.   I didn’t even bother to dodge. I socked him in his stomach, then sucker punched his face. He crashed on the area’s floor in a triumphant see of dust.   You’ll never be where you want to be! You’re a puppet; a playing of your trainer!   I’m exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do, with the people I want to do it with.   I smirked triumphantly. People could doubt me if they choose, but I would never doubt myself.   ---   (Josh POV)   <So you’ve won.>   <So I have.> I nodded.   You still have to fight the cave.   You still have to confront your parents.   <I’ll be taking that badge now.> I held out my hand. The sooner I got out of this gym, the better.   The man reached under his chair, pulled out a bin, and tossed a badge out of it. <There. Beware the power of dreams – the closer you come to achieving them, the greater the despair of failure.>   <Failure is a part of life. Heck, failure is a part of victory.> I laughed. <Victory is forever; failure is finite. You have to be bad at something before you become good at it, and you have to become good at something before you become great. Failure is an intrinsic process of achieving your dreams.>   <You are so naive.> The man shook his head, staring at the floor.   <…I suppose I’ve been called worse.> I shrugged, pocketing the badge. <Come on, Myst. Let’s get out of here.>   ---   <I would like to speak with you.> Mew requested formally, once we had healed the rest of our team.   <Sure.> I smiled, already happy just to be free of the dark, oppressing gym. <What’s up?>   <Do you fear for that trainer? The gym leader we just fought?>   <What do you mean?>   Mew shuddered. <I…I looked into his mind. The dark thoughts affect him as well, and he chooses to subject himself to that every day, for hours. Days, weeks, months. It isn’t healthy – he isn’t healthy.>   <What should we do?>   Mew frowned, his hands turning to the seven and five hours. <He won’t listen to reason, I guarantee that. Perhaps once this is all over, once you have more prestige due to your title, you could institute a new gym in its place. Suggest he get psychiatric help, perhaps.>   <Will do.>   <Thank you.> Mew nodded, which tickled my wrist. <That puts me at ease.>   <Alright, good. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s say hi to everyone.> I smiled, tossing a plethora of pokeballs into the air. Everyone was released, save Mew, who was already on my wrist.   <Sorry! I couldn’t, I just-> Nova hugged my leg, shaking.   <It’s okay, I understand. You did your best, and that’s all I’ll ever ask. I picked him up, and hugged him. He nuzzled me appreciatively, and to my surprise, his eyes stayed relatively dry.   Relatively.   <My apologies as well.> Skarr mumbled.   <That was my bad, Skarr. You’re not meant to go against poison types; I was just kind of forced into that one.> I shrugged. I offered my arms out for a hug, and Skarr rolled his eyes and accepted. A chorus of ‘awwww’s’ went off as Skarr quietly grumbled to himself. <And lastly, amazing job as always Myst, I think we’ll all agree that your performance was absolutely->   <You’re beautiful.> Nova interrupted me, staring transfixed at Myst’s new form.   Myst blushed, pushing her dark scarlet hair from her eyes. <Complements are just illusions in their own right; I should know. I won’t be taken by words without action; words without act are as meaningless as-> Myst was cut mid-phrase as Nova pressed his muzzle to hers, silencing whatever monologue Myst was going to say. After a moment, he released her, and Myst stared back with a hazed, starry expression in her obscure, ruby eyes.   <You’re beautiful.> Nova repeated, holding her in his arms.   <Get a room!> Static laughed.   Myst made a rude gesture to Static behind Nova’s back.   <What does that mean?> Nova squinted.   <-And we’re off to my funeral!> I yelped, desperately not wanting to have that discussion. <Everyone ready to go?  Super! Mew, you know the plan? Same with you, Skarr? Great! Alright, all aboard the guilt express! Next stop, misery!> I hopped onto Skarr’s back without his permission, earning me an unamused glare.   <Josh, are you ready for this?> Myst frowned. <Shouldn’t you think this out more, maybe->   <Nope.> I grinned a manic grin. <If I think about it anymore I’ll convince myself not to go, and then I’ll be a liar. Nope, we’re going, and we’re not thinking about anything. My mind is completely blank!>   <Josh. You’re smarter than this.> Nova frowned. <You realize that this is just going to->   <Oh, would you look at the time!> I looked at Mew, who have me an incredulous look. <Looks like we’re might be late to my funeral! We better hurry, or we might not make it in time! If only I had planned the day better!>   <I can fly us there in time.> Skarr shrugged. <What’s more important is for us to think this through.>   <No, I don’t think that’s the case. Nope, nope nope. And I’m the trainer, so you should all listen to me.> Skarr, Nova, and Myst looked expectantly at Static.   <What?> Static yelped. <I’m not going to try to reason with him. I know how he gets. Just let him burn it out of his system, then he’ll be responsive to logic again.>   Deep down, I knew they were right. I knew I was being stubborn and stupid, but in that same place, I knew visiting my parents was a bad idea. But I had made a promise, so…   <Alright Skarr, fly me to Mom’s house. Let’s try to make this as quick and impersonal as we can!>   Skarr sighed as I returned everyone else to their Pokéballs, save Mew. <I think you’re making a poor decision.>   <Me too.> I smiled madly. <Let’s do this.>
<I’m worried about you.>   <That’s a reasonable response.>   Skarr turned to me, looking rather sick. <Josh. I won’t disobey you, but I please – think this through. It doesn’t matter if you’ll be late; just take a moment to think->   <We’re almost here, Skarr. If you have another alternative that isn’t lying, say it now.>   Skarr turned away, and bowed his head.   I sighed. <Yeah. Me too, buddy.>   <Be careful.>   I shook my head, clearing my mind for what I was about to do. The grass below me was a sheet of green, before it gave way to a sparse grouping of trees, then a clearing. In the center, a gathering of people stood around a casket. I half expected my parents not to remember me asking for an outdoor funeral; I suppose it’s the small things you remember in the end.     <Ready?> I asked, lifting my leg over Skarr dangerously, teetering over his edge at a dizzying height.   <…Yes.> he choked.   <Yes.> Mew confirmed.   Skarr flew right above my casket, and I fell.   ---   CRUNCH   The casket splintered under my weight before Mew diverted the energy away from me, causing a large dust cloud to blast the audience. I winced, and stood up.   “Hi everyone!” I smiled meekly. I stood there for a moment, waving the dust away with a hand. Once it cleared, I saw the horrified faces of everyone in the audience. My neighbors, my family, my parents. Jake.   Jake?   I blinked, and turned to my former classmate. “Jake? What are you doing here?”   “J-just, y’know, paying respects…I guess.” The awkward jock answered, shrugging his massive shoulders.   “We weren’t even friends.” I realized how harsh that sounded. “I mean, I didn’t dislike you or anything, but…we hardly knew each other.”   “We had a small class; everyone knew everyone. I guess, in another life, I would like to think we…I don’t know. Maybe we would’ve hung out more.”   “That means a lot, man.” I nodded to him with respect. He hunched slightly, embarrassed by his bluntness. “Anyway!” I turned back to my audience, most of which were still giving me horrified looks. “Thank you all for coming! Truly, it means a lot that you’ve all come. Honestly, I expected a smaller crowd. Who knew I was so important?” I let a small blush cover my cheeks. “Don’t be shy! You all look like you’ve seen a ghost!”   <Josh…you’re scaring them.> Mew whispered. The minister next to me clutched his cross tightly, and looked at me with terrified, dark eyes.   “Come on guys!” I turned to everyone. Mrs. Shriver, my neighbor, looked petrified with fear. My own parents were stone.   “Dad!” I laughed, trying to illicit some kind of response. “You’re shorted then I remember! I mean, you were almost six feet taller than I was, if you know what I-”   <Josh, shut up.> Skarr urged.   “Mom! You brought me flowers. I’m surprised it wasn’t a calculator, or perhaps a fax machine. Maybe I could use my time in the afterlife crunching some numbers.”   “Josh, that’s enough.” My father ordered, his voice wavering.   “Is it? It only took my death to bring her to her senses.” I growled.   “I’m serious.” his deep voice shook with emphasis.   “I’m dead serious.” I smirked a half-crazed grin. “You could say I’m even being grave.”   “Josh, stop!” My mom screamed, covering her ears. Someone ran into the woods.   “Anyway, to the rest of you!” I gestured to the crowd. “I apologize for my delay; I didn’t want to be cryptic, but I had other, very important things to attend to.   <Josh, control your adrenalin levels.> Mew encouraged. <You’re becoming unstable.>   <And to my parents!> I gave a big wave. <Instead of burying me, let’s bury the hatchet instead! We’re making the other’s uncomfortable, all with this bickering. Let’s keep our decomposure, at least until we’re home, alright?>   “Get away from us, demon!” The priest thrust his cross at me.   “Oh, come now. I’m trying my best, even if my jokes are coming of as a bit stiff.” I waited, but no one was laughing. “Anyone? Damn, I was sure that one would reach it’s deathtination.” No takers. “Well, darn. I was dead-sure that one would work.”   <Josh, stop.> Mew ordered desperately.   My heart was racing in my chest, and all I could think of were other puns.   “Josh, get down here.” My father demanded.   “Come now!” I addressed my parents. “I’m just trying to urn your affection! I admit, ever since our rather rotten departure I’ve felt mortified. Even if my mummy here was being a bit of an o-bitch-urar- >   A steel wing connected with the back of my head, and I fell to the floor. The wooden pedestal danced in front of my eyes as I felt myself being dragged off the stage. My head throbbed, and I felt myself being dropped in the grass.   “Is he alright?”   “Is that really him?”   “What was with him?”   “We need to bring him to the house. Come on, Keith.”   Something grabbed my midsection, and hosted me into the air.   <Thank you, Skarr.>   <Don’t mention it, Mrs. Karren. He wouldn’t normally be like this, but…>   <Circumstances, I realize.>   And the darkness overcame my sight. For a while I faded in and out of consciousness, hearing bits and pieces of conversations not meant for my ears.   ---   <More than that.>   <Self-imposed pressure.>   <Self-imposed?>   <What are you implying, bird?>   <A gentleman never implies.>   <Good.>   <…without intention.>   ---   “…too hard.”   “Or not hard enough.”   “You want to kill him?”   “I don’t want him to die, Keith.”   “He’s not a boy anymore, Margret.”   “So what? We let him run off and go get himself killed? Again?”   “I won’t have him leave like he did last time. If he leaves, it will be of his own accord, and we’ll be there standing by his side.”   “You’re always like this.”   “…”   ---   <If you killed him…>   <Relax. I barely nicked him.>   <He’s human! A nick could kill!>   <Stop it, you two. Fighting won’t help us.>   <Actually, fighting’s got us this far.>   <Amusing.>   <His pulse has risen twenty-four percent. I believe he is regaining consciousness.>   I opened my eyes, and yawned. I was in my old bed, and my Pokémon were all around me.   <Hey!> Static bounced on top of me, squishing my stomach. <You’re awake! How’s life, bedface?>   I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. <Hey, Static…>   <Nice to see you’re awake without brain damage.> Mew smiled. <It is currently eleven in the morning the following day.>   <We were so scared!> Nova tackled me from the side in a small but meaningful hug.   <You made an ass of yourself.> Skarr frowned.   <How do you know?> I accused, making my way to the bathroom to make myself presentable.   <Mew explained what had occurred.>   <I thought it was funny.> Nova offered.   <Why would you do that?> Myst asked.   I closed the bathroom door, and slumped against it. <I don’t know. Nerves.>   <It’s been a long time since you’ve done something like that.> Static mentioned quietly.   <Ever since I left my parents, yeah.>   <You’ve done this before?> Myst asked.   <I’ve done a lot of…irrational things.>   Nova pawed at the door.   <Give me a moment.> I washed my face, and made myself presentable.   <Your parents are waiting for you downstairs.> Skarr mentioned.   <Thanks.> I stood at the top of the stairs, looking down. <…just…give me a moment.>   ---   “Lunch will be ready in a moment.” My mother turned away, a grimace permanently etched in her face.   “Oh. Thank you.”   “Mmmm.” She grunted.   Dad was sitting at the table with a worn newspaper clutched in his massive palms. “Josh! Good to see you’re awake.” A small smirked cracked his stoic face as he saw me, and he let out a small chuckle. “Created quite the commotion, you know. Our poor neighbors were suggesting an exorcism.”   “Oh good lord.” I chuckled, pulling up a seat. “They would do it to, you know. Bring some relic from Lavender Town and wave it all about.”   “Grind it into powder and pour it in your soup.”   “…Anyway, I just wanted to…apologize.” I began, a pit in my stomach. “I wasn’t-”   My father stood up, and put a massive hand through my hair. “Son, never apologize to me. No amount of remorse could make up for our lack of supporting you.”   “T-thank you.” I blinked with surprise.   “Thank you.” He smiled in return. “For coming back.”   ---   We all sat around the formal dining room, which was the only table in the house large enough to seat all of my Pokémon, myself, and my parents. With a grin, I acknowledged they were one place short – they hadn’t yet learned about Mew.   Mew had been strangely quiet recently, in fact. My watch clicked quietly at my side, ever spinning backwards in time.   <Our neighbors are getting anxious.> My mother frowned, pouring soup for everyone at the table. Static and Skarr looked at her warily, but the others looked cheerful and optimistic.   <What do you mean?> I asked.   <After the way you acted yesterday. You did quite some damage.>   Nova gave her a concerned look. <B-but he didn’t mean to!>   <It doesn’t matter what he meant. His actions were uncalled for.> She glared through the small Charizard.   My father sighed, and gave her a weary look. “Honey.”   “What?” She spat. My father just shook his head. <Augh, you’re always like that. Say something or don’t. Now, Josh.> She turned to face me, slowly pouring the soup. <You’ve created difficulties for me now. Now I have to face them because of your negligence. Not to mention the heartache and pain you put me through when you left us.>   My blood began to simmer as I clutched my spoon.   <What were you thinking!?> She spat, glaring at me with the ladle in her hands. <Do you know what you put your poor father through? What you put me through?> her thoughts reverberated with emphasis. I ground my teeth, frustration and anger clenching my fists. <Your father sat on our porch every day looking for you. I cooked a third portion every day for supper waiting for you to fail,> Nova flinched. <so I could pick up the pieces. Do you know what that does to a person?>   <Walking around without family to support you?> Skarr screamed, taking me completely by surprise. <Yeah, he knew what that was like. Were you there in the beginning when he would cry in his sleep? When the emptiness consumed in from the inside? What kind of family were you?> Skarr flapped his wings angrily, knocking down everything from the table. <We were his family. We believed in him, we supported him, and we’re the reason we all succeeded.>   <You call this success? You call this a family?> My mother motioned at Skarr, as if she was about to slap him. <What do you have to show? A bunch of mouths to feed, and a wasted year. That’s what you have to show!>   Quietly, I reached into my pocket and grabbed my trainer case, tossing it on the table. Eight glittering badges shone back. My father’s eyes widened, and my mother was speechless.   <That’s what he has to show!> Static roared, his tiny paws clamed at his sides. <We did it! Without you! And after this, we’re going to wreck Victory Cave, we’re going to destroy the Elite Four, demolish the Champion, and we’re all going to become the strongest team in Kanto, led by the strongest trainer ever!>   <Trainers have gotten eight badges before. They’re the ones in the news reports, having their bones dragged out of the Cave.>  my mother whispered.   “Margret!” My father urged.   <I’m not burying you again, Josh!> my mother screamed, knocking over my father’s coffee.   <I don’t intend for me or my dreams to die.> I spoke darkly.   The room was still for a moment, and the tension in the room began to fade.   <Well. It’s been lovely to see you both again.> Sarcasm dripped from my tongue as I grabbed my jacket and threw it on. <Unfortunately I have things I must attend to, and, reluctantly, I must take my leave. Take care.>   <Josh! Get your ass back here!> my mother smashed her hand on the table.   I opened the door, and the outside wind blew strongly, rustling my jacket around my sides.   <JOSH!> My mom grabbed my jacket roughly, but was stopped by a turquoise field of energy, and sent back into her own chair.   <Thanks.> I nodded towards my watch.   <Anytime.>   I stepped out the door, with my Pokémon trailing behind me.   <Skarr. Can you fly me to the mall?> I asked, throwing a leg around his metallic exterior.   <The mall?> He asked, as I returned the others to their Pokéballs. <Weren’t we just there a few hours ago?>   <I forgot a few things.>   <Whatever you say.> he shrugged, flexing his wings in preparation.   “Wait!” my father’s voice rang from inside the house. Skarr looked at me expectantly.   <…Let him come.> I decided. My father ran out of the house, and crushed me in a hug.   “I have so, so many regrets, Josh. I don’t want this to be another.” He shook, his arms wrapped tightly around me. “Don’t let this be like last time. Promise me you’ll return.”   I knew what I had to say, though it tasted like ash on my tongue. “I promise.”   “I love you, son.”   “I love you too, dad.”   Keith sighed heavily, as if a large burden was removed from his mind. “Your mother loves you as well, even if…she has difficulty expressing it.”   “…I know.” I sighed into the wind.   “If you need anything, we’re just a phone call away. We will help, you know. Even if it’s hard.”   “I won’t need your help.”   “I know.” He put a hand on my shoulder, and I could almost make out tears in his dark, emotionless eyes. “But call anyway. We’ll have a spot here waiting for you, when you come back a legend.”   He got to me. I wiped my own eyes with a sleeve and have him a weary grin. “I’ll take you up on that, dad.”   “Alright. Take care! Stay safe!” My father waved goodbye as Skarr took to the air. <And take care of my son for me, you hear? I only have one!>   <Will do, Mr. Karren. Will do.> Skarr chuckled as we flew into the broad, promising blue sky.
As I flew over Kanto, the sun ignited the horizon in a sea of color.   I was home.   I was hundreds of feet in the air, with the deafening wind howling through my hair, but I was at peace. There was something to reassuring about being where I belonged, not necessarily in position but in life. Everything I needed I had in my pack, and I was pursuing my dream.   I was accomplishing my dream.   <This is freedom.> I smiled, letting go of Skarr with one hand to feel the wind blow through my fingers.   <Hmmm?>   <This. The open sky, the fresh, crisp air.> I laughed into the wind. <This is freedom.>   <Hardly.> Skarr snorted. <I'm the one flying you. You're bound by my whims -- I could take you anywhere.>   <If that's true, then why are we going to Celadon, where I want to go?>   <Perhaps our whims coincide.> Skarr grinned, his amber eyes shining.   <How fortunate.>   Skarr tilted his head ever so slightly, and changed course. <Ladies and gentlemen of the flight deck.>   <Hmmm?>   <This is your captain speaking. We may experience some slight turbulence....> Skarr suddenly dove downward, causing me to yelp. <...and this is a reminder to double-check that your restraints are firmly in place.>   <Skaaaaarr!> I screamed, laughing as we soared at ridiculous speeds. <What are you doing?>   <Please refrain from smoking, walking, or using the lavatories as we make our decent. Thank you.>   <You're insane!>   Skarr smashed against something with his left wing, causing it to explode into a mess of red.  He flipped upside-down and caught it in his beak, then corkscrewed and righted himself once more. <Thank you once again for your patience. Looks like clear skies from here on out. Thank you for flying on Skarmory airlines on your non-stop service to Celadon.>   I turned, trying to make out what was in Skarr held in his mouth. <What just happened?>   Skarr grinned, turning to me with half a dead Sparrow hanging from the side of his mouth. <I was hungry for a mid-flight snack.>   <Ewww, Skarr!>   <What? I've seen you eat Fearow before. This is no different.>   <Yeah, but it's cooked, and seasoned and everything first!>   <So what, I don't mutilate, burn, and fowl my food before I eat it, and that disturbs you?>   <Actually, I would consider that Sparrow properly mutilated.>   Skarr chuckled. <Well, perhaps I was trying to be a bit fancy. I knew I could catch it in my mouth, but I didn't know if I could cut it in half mid-flight.>   <And?>   <Success!>   <We're going to need to land by a lake before we get to Celadon -- you look like you just murdered someone.> I giggled, looking at Skarr's bloody maw.   <Why? Humans should see me and tremble!> Skarr laughed, lazily making his way to one of Celadon's many lakes.   ---   (??? POV)   I felt most at home in the dark. I was never a troublemaker even as a child, but something about the night made me calm. I felt as if I belonged when the shadows came, and I felt a kinship with the slivers of the moon. I was lying down, and the world was a glorious shade of black -- that perfect shade where you're unsure whether your eyes are open or closed. I would have been content to exist in this twilight forever slowly easing myself to sleep had it not been for the troubled breathing beside me.   Perhaps to others it would appear as if she was sleeping, but I knew better. Years of companionship had taught me when she was troubled, and when she was just feigning sleep. I didn’t need the light to tell me she was distressed, or where the curve of her stomach would lay on the bed. I curled around her gently, and caressed her with a palm.   “Do you hate me?” She whispered into the dark.   “I could never hate you.”   “I don’t understand how you couldn’t. I hate myself.”   “You had your reasons, and he has his.”   “I promised you -- I promised us...I would be better than this.” She sighed, clutching a pillow between her arms.   “It was better this time.”   “He still ran away, Keith. Just like last time. I caused it then and I caused it now.”   The soft sound of tears tore at my heart, and I clutched Margret all the tighter. “It was better this time. He will come back, and he’ll be okay. I promise.”   “How do you know?”   “Because he’s just as stubborn as you.” I smiled, finding her cheek in the midnight and placing a small kiss. “That and your hair, that’s what he got from you.”   She laughed lightly, then sighed. “I am sorry...It’s hard for me to put the past behind, but when this is all over, I will apologize to him.”   “That’ll mean a lot to Josh.”   “Do you think it will be enough?”   “I think it would speak mountains.” I nodded, resting my head against my arm.   “...Thank you.”   “Always, my love.”   ---   (Josh POV)   “Taking a journey?” The cashier smirked.   “Taking the journey.” I nodded, zipping up my pack. That was the last of the supplies I would need from Celadon, including all of the items I would need for the Cave. You could never be too prepared, after all...   <Are you ready yet?> Skarr flapped his wings impatiently.   <Almost. Let me check everything one more time.>   <You are the champion of over-preparation.>   <Better that then the alternative.> I shrugged.   <Of what? Being normal?>   <Worse; underprepared.> I gulped, zipping up my bag for the fifth time. <Over prepared people have sore shoulders. Underprepared people don’t make it out of the Cave. At least, not alive.>   <Relax. You won’t perish in our care.> Skarr waved a wing.   <Forgive me if I still take precautions.> I grinned, slinging my pack over my shoulders. <Alright! Vermillion or bust!>   <Finally.> Skarr lowered himself, and I hopped on his back. <Any longer and I would have begun to rust.>
(Guardian of the Eight Trial, POV)   "Relax. No one's come in years. Don't be so on edge."   My eyes were glazed over with trepidation, and sweat trickled down my neck like blood. I could all but hear her lamentation, crying out for a sacrifice. She could smell her food coming, and she was growing impatient. We had kept her waiting for far too long...   "It's just a cave, man. Relax."   "It's not just a cave." I shivered. "There's something in there. Something's gonna happen. I know it. I feel it."   "Don't go mental on me, Jim." Tobias waved off my concern. "If you keep sputtering about the cave being alive they're gonna lock you up, man. "   "Call me what you want. I've been guarding her for nearly a decade and I know something's up. I-I've been having dreams."   "How about we switch places? You guard the seventh trial, and I'll guard the eight. Maybe being too close to the entrance has been screwing with you, you know?"   "I'm not crazy!" I shouted, grabbing his smooth white jacket with my sweaty palms. "I know what I saw!"   "What did you see, then?" Tobias frowned, crossing his arms.   "The Cave. It's...it's like she's growing." I looked behind my shoulder, just to ensure the Cave hadn't moved. "See the shadows by the entrance? They're bigger, man. She's extending. She's reaching for something, and I know what it is. It's a man."   "A man?"   "A man. A man made of shadows of the darkest night. I see him in my dreams -- his piercing red gaze, and the spikes jutting out of his inky flesh. He's the only one that can sate her hunger. He's the one she craves."   "Maybe you need to lie down, Jim. Take the day off. Get some rest."   "He's coming. And when he gets here, I don't know what he'll do."   "No one is coming. We're gonna get you home, get you some water, and tomorrow this will all be just a-"   "First Guardian to Two through Eight, do you copy?" A gruff, female voice demanded though the radio clipped to Tobias' belt.   "Seventh and Eight Guardian, loud and clear. What do you need, Number One?"   "T-there's a trainer here, a-at least, I think he's a trainer."   "Huh?"   "You know that Night-Blight or whatever thing that was on the news? He's here...and he has all the badges."   Tobias took a long look at the radio, before cautiously pressing the speaker again. "What's he look like?"   "Like something out of a horror film, man." One responded, her voice rough but shaky. "He was pitch black but with glowing red eyes, and these weird spikes sticking out of-"   "When you finish your idle gossip, I am here to prove my worth."   I froze. My stomach twisted into knots, and I felt sick. Slowly I turned, and I saw the product of my nightmares standing before me.   "I have obtained every badge, and bested every test." Nightshade spoke, presenting his badges. "Now I will best your 'Cave', defeat your masters, and the world shall once again recognize the strength of the shadows. Do you have reason to oppose me, or shall I continue undeterred?"   "You may pass." Tobias spoke for both of us, nudging me out of the way. The monster strolled past both of us, leaving a trail of shadows behind himself that slowly melded into the aether.   "W-what will you do to us?" I choked out.   The beast turned to me, burning a hole with his blazing red eyes. "Speak your mind, mortal."   "Once you win, what will you do?"   The shade smiled. "Disappear. What more do you expect from a shadow? Once I have my moment in the light, I will be gone."   "You...you won't harm us?"   "What would I gain from your demise?"   "I thought you were evil."   "Evil may lurk inside of me, but can you not claim the same of yourself? Our actions speak for our hearts, and mine only yearns for ambition." NightShade gave a curt nod, and headed towards the cave.   "Wait!" I screamed. Nightshade turned to me. "You can't go in there! S-something waits for you. Something...dark. Darker than you. Darker then us all!"   "It is not my destiny to fear the darkness. I am forged from-"   "You don't understand!" I shouted, wringing my hand together.   NightShade walked over to me, and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Believe me, I understand. I know what I risk, yet my destiny demands I continue." Nightshade sighed, and for one brief moment, he looked very, very human. "You can feel her too, can't you Guardian?" he asked. "She demands a sacrifice."   "Be careful."   Nightshade smiled warily, and turned towards the Cave. "I was made from shadows, Guardian. To others, the Cave symbolizes fear and mystery, but to me?" NightShade gave me one last grin. "To me...I'm finally going home."   ---   (Josh POV)   Victory Road. The walk, presenting my badges, and taking the first steps up to the Champion. The fresh, vibrant grass brushed against the gold sculpted statues of heroes of lore, and of heroes to come. The steps to the cave were worn with time; each held a story of steps taken by legends, steps taken by Masters, and steps taken by those the cave would claim.   I noticed my step caused a crack in the staircase to widen. What would my destiny entail?   <A...are we going in?>   <Do we have a reason not to?>   <Well, I mean, we could always train m-more...>   <We could train for a lifetime.> Static rolled his <Of course we're going in. We're ready.>   The cave's mouth was massive. It was carved to look like a literal mouth -- eyes and a snout included, with sharp, intimidating fangs. It may have stirred fear in some, but the only emotion I felt was one of paralyzing, giddy excitement. It was all I could do to continue moving forward.   Nova wrung his tail between his paws. <O-okay.>   <We'll be okay.> Myst smiled.   Nova gave her an apprehensive look. <H-how do you know?>   <Because you'll protect me.> She grinned, nuzzling his snout with her own.   <Alright! What are we waiting for?> Static motioned towards the entrance.   <Follow Josh with care. A dark aura surrounds this place...> Mew frowned, still strapped to my wrist.   <I also feel uneasy, Josh.> Skarr frowned. <Is it wise to release us here? I, for one, won't be much use on my feet.>   <I imagine the cave will open up more, once we're inside.> I answered.   Skarr nodded. <Mmmm.>   I took my first step into the cave. Our footsteps echoed loudly though the cave, like we were a small but invincible army. <Through our trials, we were tested. Through our journey, we were made into a team. We were forged together. I couldn't ask for a better team.>   <D'awwww.> Skarr smiled. Myst elbowed him hard beneath the wing, and he winced. Our footsteps seemed smaller somehow.   <I'm serious. I know, as long as we stick together, we'll never-> Suddenly, the cave was pitch black. <Nova? A little help here?>   Silence.   <Nova? Static? Skarr? Myst? Hello?>   Nothing.   "Anyone?"   "...anyone...?" The Cave echoed back, mockingly.   <I'm still here.> Mew responded. I breathed a quick sight of relief, and shoved my hand in my pocked, holding on tightly to the watch. <But I don't feel the presence of the others anymore, Josh.>   I leaned against the wall, waiting for the flurry of thoughts in my mind die down. <W-we'll find each other. Whatever trick or test this is, we'll pass.>   <Through hell and back again.> Mew nodded.   <Where do you know that from?>   <I don't.> Mew giggled. <You do.>   ---   (Nova POV)   <As long as we stick together, we'll never->   Silence. Sickening, horrifying, silence.   <Josh!> I screamed, whirling around with my tiny light, trying to catch sight of my trainer. My wing clipped a wall, and I winced. <Myst!>   <...Anyone...?>
(Skarr POV)   <As long as we stick together, we'll never->   Gone. Gone like time; precious moments slipping out of your control.   I whirled around, but met only blackness. Without Nova’s light, I was blind. I called out, but silence was the only reply.   “Anyone?” I gulped, pleading I wasn’t as alone as I felt.   “It’s been awhile, Sky-Sky.” An entity purred from within the dark. I felt nauseous hearing that voice, and the nickname I had struggled for so long to forget.   I growled, swirling around trying to find the source of the voice. “Where are you?”   “Where do you want me to be?” came her sultry reply.   “Gone!” I charged where I thought she might be, and swung a sharpened wing at the voice, but hit nothing.   “So much spite, Sky-Sky.”   “You broke my heart, you uncontrolled siren!” I swiped again, but missed.   “Siren? Oh, how your words wound me…”   I lunged again, and my wing finally hit flesh. I drove my wing tip further, and plunged my wing deep inside my foe.   “If you wanted to penetrate me, you could’ve just asked.”   “Get off me, you pervert!” I screamed, trying to wrench my wing free. She pulled it further in, and enveloped me in warm goo.   “What ever happened to us, Sky-Sky? There was a time you would beg me never to stop, and now you just want me gone. What happened between us?”   She was up to my neck, nearly drowning me in her liquid form. “I saw you for the monster you were, Ditto.”   She laughed, a horrible, gruesome laugh. “Monster? I simply aim to please. I am a mirror. Is it my fault when I reflected you, you were shown you true colors?”   “I just wanted to be loved!” I struggled against her hold.   “And I just wanted to be your lover. Why do you fight me, Sky-Sky?”   “Because those aren’t the same!” I broke her hold, and slashed her with my poisoned, winged blades. “I craved love, and you craved lust. When I could no longer sate you, you tossed me aside for another! You never even cared!”   “I cared.” I felt something crash against my skull – something hard, and metal. “I cared about myself.”   I winced in pain, and readied myself. “A battle? You knew you could never best me! And poisoned, no less!”   “You can’t poison me, Sky-Sky.” I slashed at the source of the sound, but my wing collided against a hauntingly similar metal wing. “Didn’t your trainer teach you that?”   “You’re sick!”   “You don’t need to agree with me, Sky-Sky. In fact, you don’t even need to be conscious.”   Another strike came from behind me, and collided with the base of my skull. I winced, and prepared myself for battle. “It won’t be as fun with you knocked out, of course.” Ditto’s sickening laugh echoed through the Cave. “But I’ve had worse…” ---   (Nova POV)   <Hello? Anyone?>   Stay calm, Nova. You can do this. Find the others; they’ll know what to do.   With my paws in a death grip around my tail, I hobbled further into the Cave. It was terrifying. Echoes of other things reverberated through the Cave igniting my imagination with all the horrifying ways I knew I was about to die.   <Hello….?>   Blindness would be better than the meager light that I had. At least with no light, I didn’t have to see the monster kill me. I would have blessed ignorance right up to the point the monster’s jaws were upon me, instead of seeing the monster a moment before it got me. Maybe it would taunt me. Come into and out of the light for a while, just enough so I knew it was there, like toying with its prey. Then, only when I had lost all hope-   <Myst?> I blinked.   A Zoroark whirled around with fright, then faded from existence.   <Wait, Myst! It’s me, Nova! You’re alright! You don’t have to hide!>   “Nova?” An unfamiliar voice echoed.   <M-Myst? Is that you?>   “Yes…” The Zoroark stepped out of its illusion, and stared at me with piercing blue eyes. Suddenly I felt hazy, almost if I was in a dream. Everything was so surreal.   “Why…why are your eyes blue?” I asked, almost in slow motion.   “What color should they be?”   “Red. Your eyes are red, Myst.”   “Then they’ll be red.” And the Zoroark’s eyes turned red, to match Myst’s.   “Like carved rubies…” I mumbled.   “Tell me more about me.” The Zoroark implored.   “You’re…beautiful, and fun. Smart, and…powerful. Brave, in a way I can never be.”   The Zoroark nuzzled against my neck.  “We have history, I see.”   “You’re loyal…”   “Yes, that was always a fault of mine.” The Zoroark ran a paw through my coat. “Do you know where I would be, if I wouldn’t be here?”   “No…” I whispered. “I was looking for you.”   “Let’s go find me, alright Nova?” “Okay…”   --- (Myst POV)   The darkness was no issue for me, of course. The more annoying element was Nova’s light. In complete darkness, I can see fine. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work well in moderate darkness. Nova’s light was distracting, and nearly blinded me when he walked in front.   <As long as we stick together, we'll never->   How ironic that the second that distraction was gone, I would miss it more than the world.   <Nova!> I called out sharply. <Josh! Static! Skarr!>   No reply.   “Clever!” I shouted out angrily to the stalactites above me. “Divide us, is that your plan? Show yourself, you coward!”   The slow sound of dripping water was my only reply.   “Bastard!” I screamed.   Silence. I ran deeper into the cave, with my illusions cloaking me like a second skin. My team needed me. ---   (Josh POV)   “Hey Mew?” I spoke aloud.   <Mmm?>   “Do you think it’s odd that we haven’t run into any wild Pokémon? I mean, I’ve heard stories of trainers’ entire teams getting whipped out by incredibly strong Pokémon. Doesn’t it strike you as odd that there hasn’t even been one?”   <No.>   “Why not?”   <Because there’s something else here…>   My flashlight was dim, but it was effective enough. I stuck to the left wall – the only sure way to avoid getting lost.   “What do you mean, something else?”   <You felt it too, didn’t you? The aura. Something powerful lurks here.>   <Something? You insult me, Creation.>   I felt my spine shatter. My ribs collapsed in on themselves, piercing the organs underneath. I crumbled to the floor, my body broken.   I tasted blood.   <Release him at once!> Mew took his original form, and screamed into the blackness.   This voice didn’t roar. This voice didn’t scream, or shout. It was calculating. It was precise. <You don’t know the destruction this human nearly caused, and the destruction he is destined to create.>   And it was immeasurably powerful.   <You’re wrong!>   <And what do you know, Nine hundred and seventeen?>   Nine hundred and seventeen…why is that number significant…?   <I know you are not a murderer.>   <You mistake my artificial soul for one which has compassion.>   I am dying…   <What has this human done to deserve death, brother?>   <After his time masquerading as Darkrai’s apprentice, tensions were arisen with the human leaders. The Ancients attacking humans is, as you know, against the treaty. It took several days to convince them of this trainer’s carelessness incompetence.>   <Hardly Josh’s fault! Tensions were arisen because of Darkrai’s previous actions->   <Awww. You named him.>   <W-what?>   <Josh. You named your human. Adorable.>   <They were on edge because of Darkrai’s previous transgressions! He could’ve have known about the fragile state of the treaty. He is ignorant of all of the Ancestor’s communications!>   <As you are ignorant of his knowledge, newborn.>   <Stop addressing me as such!>   <Then stop being so naive.>   The being stepped out of the shadows, wielding psychic energy at the end of his orbed fingers. Unlike Mew, you could tell by the voice this creature was unmistakably male.   Mewtwo. The leader of the Ancients, and the one who stopped the Great War.   <I see the future, newborn. I see continents burning with the human’s atomic hellfire. I see humans and Pokémon alike oblivious up to the point of their obliteration. Billions of souls whipped out in the blink of our cosmic eye. And I see the single soul responsible.> Mewtwo’s gaze fell upon me.   <The treaty isn’t so weak as to have one accident trigger a world war!>   <Do not act as if you remember all the intricacies of the Treaty, newborn. You don’t remember anything from that day, do you?>   <I remember dying for you.> Mew spat.   Mewtwo cocked his head with interest. <You remember. Then you know why this human must die.>   Mew shone with light, coming within inches of Mewtwo’s face. <Josh is not responsible for the end of the world, brother. I see more than you know. I recall eons before your creation. I recall when I was a mere idea in the mind of Arceus! Before the fate of the world rested on your mind, I was the protector of this fragile marble floating in space!>   <See then, brother! See the future. You know my actions here determine the fate of the world. You know I must kill him, to prevent->   <Killing him is what sets the events in motion! He is the catalyst! His death is what triggers the investigation! The prosecution! The trap the humans set in motion, that you see coming from light-years away. Your retaliation, and then the war! It all starts here, right now!>   <Your mind is clouded with your feelings for this human.>   <And yours is clouded with hate!>   <My interpretation of future events demands that I kill this one. Yours demands that you save it.>   <So it would appear.>   Mewtwo smiled a tired, knowing smile. <Last time we fought, things did not end well for you.>   <I will fight you until my last breath, then I will return to resume.>   <How many times did I kill you?>   <Three hundred and ninety-two.> Mew spat.   <You are very resilient.>   <You are very mortal. I do not have such restrictions.>   <My mortality was the cost of having as much power as I possess. You are a slow, ever burning fire. I am an inferno – short lived, but fierce, and unforgiving.> Mewtwo turned to face me again.   <You risk my wrath once more, brother?> <No.> Mewtwo turned from me, and gave Mew a haunting smile. <No. Proving this human’s ill intentions will be far simpler then killing you another three hundred and ninety-two times, dear brother…>
(fifty thousand views? Oh my gosh guys, you make me feel like I'm special or something! I love every single one of you! X3 *hugs*)   (Myst POV)   I was being watched. I felt it in my fur, the way it raised uneasily on my spine. I turned around slowly, feeling naked despite my illusion.   She made a mistake though. Light is almost impossible to mask, and in absolute darkness it shone like a torch.   “Par’thuanji.” the sociopath scoffed. “It’s been too long.”   “Good to see you’ve been well, Ethpa.”  I growled. “How’s the old tribe?”   “Well enough without me, I’m sorry to say. Something about treason, and my questionable morality of sending you on your free cruise trip.”   “Oh yes. Well, the bag wasn’t too hard to chew myself out of. The real bitch was the drugs. You must’ve been a talented chief for me not to taste them”   “My own special blend, of course. Nasty side effects, though. You haven’t had any muscle weakness, have you?”   I froze.   “Don’t worry. Typically side effects don’t develop unless you’ve taken a lot of this particular poison. You would’ve had to start taking it since birth. Plus, you would have a list of other symptoms, like nausea, reddening of the eyes…”   “You fed me poison as a cub?” I threw off my illusion to glare at her with my poisoned, scarlet eyes. “What vendetta could you possibly have against a newborn!?”   “Your lineage was a danger to my leadership.” The glowing light came closer, and I readied myself to attack. “I would’ve killed you outright, but I was already under scrutiny from the others. I thought a slower working poison would be best, but I underestimated the dose. Still though, knowing my foe has an obvious weakness is better than-”   I charged at the light. Ethpa’s illusion was shattered, and she barely managed to jump out of the way. Nova stood next to her, eyes glazed with compliance.   “Nova?” I blinked, momentarily distracted. Ethpa smashed her foot into my chest, sending me crashing against the cave floor. “Augh!”   “Go on, get up.” Ethpa taunted. I growled at her from the cave floor, struggling to contact and sit up in the way I always knew I never could. “Hah. You look so adorably pitiful. I’ll come by later to kill you, but I’ll start with killing your friends first. Maybe I’ll even use your boy-toy here to help me. Isn’t that right, Nova?” Ethpa stroked Nova’s chin with a cruel claw.   “Don’t touch him!”   “Oh? I don’t think you’re in a position to order me around, Par’thu. Why don’t you just beg Nova to remember? Recall all the good times you’ve had together?”   “And you wonder why the tribe abandoned you.” I spat.   “See, now that hurts. Fine, if you insist, I’ll just get started.” Ethpa frowned, her ice blue eyes flashing red. “Nova, dear? Besides me, whom do you care for most in our little group?”   “Josh.” Nova droned soullessly. “He saved me…cares for me…” “Good. Now we have a starting point.” Ethpa purred, strolling away, taking my light with her. ---   (Static POV)   A light. It was faint, but it was there. I ran up to it, entranced by its odd, alien beauty. I was scared I’d be trapped in the dark forever.   I could finally see my paws, though they were grey in the scarce light. I found a chamber that opened up into the night sky. A sea of stars, and just the hint of a new moon.   It had been so long, since that night I bobbed in the sea. The night I fought with Overdose, and the night he broke my muzzle. The night I cried into merciless sand, and the night I made peace with Death.   It felt strange, looking at the same stars, the same moon. I felt calm, tranquil. As if everything would be okay, in the end.   Is this what Josh sees when he looks at the stars?   “Hello, Static.”   My blood chilled in my veins, and I felt my heart nearly stop in my chest. Of course it would be him. Waiting to get me alone, to finish what he started. Just as quickly as it chilled, my blood ignited hot, hotter than I had ever felt before. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t upset, or sad, or reminiscent.   I was angry.   And I refused to be Overdose’s victim.   Before he could blink, my foot was colliding with the side of his skull. He reeled back far too slowly, opening himself up for a punch to the gut. I hurled him against the wall, and sent every bolt of electricity into him I had.   “What are you doing here!?” I demanded, smashing him into the wall again.   “Take your time…” he groaned, staring at me with tired, emerald eyes. Emeralds that had been smashed and placed back together in a way that took out their sheen, and stole the light they should have refracted. Dark emeralds, shattered and worn.   “Why aren’t you fighting back? Why are you letting me win?” My voice shook with insecurity as I slammed him into the wall once more.   “Because you deserve this. Do whatever you will with me – I won’t resist.”   I tossed him to the ground, confused and disoriented. “What are you doing, Overdose? Shouldn’t you be at some mental hospital somewhere!?”   “Oxygen.”   “What?”   He panted, pushing himself off the ground. “My name is Oxygen now. I…I changed it.”   He was bruised, and bleeding. He wasn’t taking damage like he should’ve been. I was hurting him.   I didn’t trust him, but deep down, I felt bad for hurting him. “Why’d you change your name?”   He laughed a little, and sat on the ground. “I was at the hospital awhile, Sniv. Humans – they hook you up to stuff. They tell you numbers and statistics about you, you know?”   “Yeah, Josh does the same thing. Except with attacks, and math stuff.”   Overdose nodded. “Yeah, exactly, except with doctors it’s…stuff that’s inside you. Blood and…organs and stuff. They helped me but I hated them, except for this one nurse…” His eyes glazed, and he stared at the floor. “She was beautiful. She helped me.”   I frowned suspiciously. “What do you mean?”   His emerald eyes spilled over into his muzzle, coating a scar, and dribbling off his cheek. “One of the others told me…I could off myself by blowing bubbles into my I.V. – the little thing that humans use to put healing stuff in your blood.”   “Off yourself?”   “You know.” Overdose made a motion with his hand, like flicking off a light. “Forever.”   “What happened?”   “She stopped me. I yelled, I cried, I told her how I was completely evil and horrible and how I deserved to die, but…” Overdose smiled weakly.   “She saved you?”   “She said that I couldn’t be completely evil.” Overdose stared longingly at the moonlit floor. “Over half of me is water.”   I smiled, despite myself. It was too absurd. “What?”   “Then, she told me to take a deep breath, because some of me is air, too.” Overdose smiled. “I can’t be completely anything. I’m made up of a million tiny things – blood, iron, water…oxygen. Ever since, I kept the name. It…keeps me sane. Reminds me that I’m not who I was, and…there’s always something good inside me.” He smiled weakly. “Even if it is just air.”   “How did you get here?”   “Honestly, I wanted to find you.” He shrugged, collapsing on the smooth, rock floor, and placing a paw behind his head. “I was released from the MeadowCenter Facilities just a few days ago. Today I felt something want to pull me here. It said I would find you. I didn’t resist.”   “Why did you want to find me?”   Overdose covered his face. “I don’t know. So you could kill me? So you could get your revenge? So we could be even, and you could know I’m never going to hurt you again? So you could end the monster I-”   “I forgive you.”   Oxygen turned to me and blinked, then gave a little laugh. “What?”   “I forgive you. That’s why you came, isn’t it?”   “You don’t have to trick me to kill me.” Oxygen spread his arms wide. “I’m not going to fight it. Two weeks, and my doses wear off, forever. Two weeks, and I begin to heal from what I put my body through. I’m effected like humans until then. Every punch hits me. You can kill me with your attacks.”   “I don’t want to kill you.”   “You don’t know me.” I smirked, offering him a paw.   Oxygen shook his head. “What I did…you can’t forgive that.”   “I choose to forgive it anyway.”   “Sniv…”   “Static. Call me Static.”   I had never seen him cry before. It was weird. I dreamed about killing this guy, shoving my paw though his skull, or kicking him off a cliff. Ending him, forever. But…it wasn’t right. I saw something better in him now, a broken soul seeking redemption.   Who was I to take that away?   Oxygen took my paw, and he stood up. “I don’t know…how to thank you.” “Help me find my trainer.” I nodded at the darkness. “We’ll get out of here together.”   --------- (Gonna make me blush :3. I'm graduating soon in Game Writing, Game Development, and Game design, actually. I finished me first Interactive Novel the other day, and I hope to be releasing the other soon. Er'rything's free, just trying to get a name for myself for now. :3)   Like me on facebook please oh my god I'll love you forever
(Skarr POV)   “Never…thought you could match my endurance…Sky-Sky…” Ditto wheezed, holding her side with a wing. “Why don’t you attack!? Why don’t you strike me? Why don’t you get what you desire?”   I stood immaculately at full health, daring her to strike me again. “You never could stand against me.”   “I am you! I’m an exact copy!” She Struggled against me again, smashing her wing badly against my exterior. “Exact! Your power, your ferocity…!” She struggled once more, crunching her neck at an odd angle. “Everything…” She panted, trying to stay conscious.   “Not my patience.” I smashed her with my wing, and she landed unconscious on the floor, melding back into her original form in a puddle of pink flab. “You could take my form, but I don’t think you knew anything about me. Maybe you’re right, and maybe I’m too slow to act upon my own interests, but it is a vice far too etched in steel to-”   “Skarr!” Someone shouted in the cave. I whirled around to see Nova waving happily, crushing me with a hug. “Oh! I was so scared! Do you know where Josh is?” Myst stood behind him happily, her tail flicking back and forth.   “Nova.” I blinked. “No, um, I don’t. I was separated, and found an…old foe.”   Myst grinned. “So did we. Love and friendship prevails, and all of that.”   “Hardly.” I scoffed. “I’m just made for defense, so stalling her out-”   “Yes, yes!” Myst waved me off. “We need to find the others! If this cave is testing us by bringing our foes, we need to help Josh and Static!” “And Mew.” Nova whispered quietly. “What monsters do you think lurk in his past?”   --- (Josh POV)   <In that timeline he doesn’t even possess the ability of telekinesis!>   <He would gain it from under the tutelage of Darkrai, during his hospital stay after he underwent a near lethal exposure of the poison.>   <That doesn’t explain the poison’s occurrence in the first place – Josh wasn’t poisoned, so that entire timeline is rendered moot!> Mew shouted, waving his arms accusatorily at the hanging lines in the air, each describing different, conflicting events through space-time.   ‘Why haven’t I died yet?’ I wondered hazily, watching the blood drain from my body. Ironically, nothing actually hurt, it just felt numb and terribly wrong. Like the second you hear your bone snap, but before you feel it, or the second you see the bone protrude from the skin, but don’t quite feel the horrendous pain.   <Incorrect.> Mewtwo moved two of the strands apart. <The timeline will resurge now, with this human, unless he is stopped.>   <You are causing the resurgence of the timeline by interfering with this one! By killing Josh, you are guaranteeing this timeline’s intersection!>   <You misunderstand->   <No! You misunderstand! Your events here, right now, will cause absolute devastation, not to mention the death of this innocent human.>   Mewtwo scowled. <No human, anywhere, is innocent.>   I could move my hand, and my shoulder. My arm was fractured terribly, but I could still move three of my fingers on my right hand, thumb included. I winced, pushing my hand down my side.   Mew’s eyes began to glow. <Your hatred threatens this world, Mewtwo.>   <Your love for this being is what threatens the world. Make no mistake Mew,> Mewtwo thrust out his palm, and captured Mew in a transparent blue orb. <You cannot stop me. I can only attempt to make you understand.>   <You bastard!> Mew screamed, smashing his fists against the mental prison. <You’ll die! You’ll die before you’ll see the destruction you are destined to cause!>   <Are so committed to your logical fallacies that you would murder me, Brother?>   <You would kill this innocent human before even letting him speak!>   Mewtwo sighed, and pointed a finger at me. <Speak, then.>   I cleared my throat, wincing as some blood made itself up as well. “I don’t intend on causing any harm-”   Mewtwo silenced me with a flick of his wrist. <This is absurd. Humans lie, constantly. We can’t derive the truth from this.>   “You want the truth, Mewtwo?” I wheezed, glaring at him from the floor. He turned to me, with an amused expression. “I think we’re a lot alike. We’ve both accomplished a lot, though-” I coughed again, and more blood spilled from my lips. “-though yours is obviously more important, wars and all. I came from a home where I wasn’t really supported, and you came from…well, not the best starting place either.”   <Tortured and mutilated to life by humans, yes, I recall.>   “Yet despite this, you choose to do good. You ended the war. You helped bring peace between Pokémon and humans, a peace that has lasted over forty years.”   <I was forced into making the treaty by humans. Your race simply killed without discrimination. You didn’t care who you hit, as long as you hit them hard. Ecosystems destroyed, billions killed. It was so terrible I had no choice but to relent.>   “Boundless good, stopping a terrible war, and boundless evil, killing thousands and reducing cities to ash.”   <What is your point, human?>   “You do what you see as necessary, and I respect that.”   <You think you can win me over with flattery?>   “No. I think I’ll win you over by doing something equally necessary.” I grabbed the Masterball off my belt and smashed it onto the floor, unlocking the nightmare within.   ---   (Myst POV)   “It’s Static!”   “And…is that Overdose?”   “I can’t tell; he’s too far away.”   “It’s definitely a Raichu…I think.”   I squinted, my illusion masking our presence in the darkness of the Cave. Per my instruction, Nova had attempted to dim his tail. To my surprise, he was moderately successful, and hid most of the excess light in his wings.   “That’s definitely Overdose.” I confirmed.   “What do we do?” Nova whispered.   “And why is Static willingly traveling with him?” Skarr noticed.   “He must be under a compulsion, like you were, Nova.” I nodded. “Let’s hit Overdose hard and fast. He has a lot of experience on us, but if we do this correctly we can get a hit on him before he knows what’s happening. Ready?” “Absolutely!” Skarr nodded, and we all charged at once. ---   (Static POV)   “Now, at first I was all ‘No, plays are stupid, why would we ever want to do that’, right?”   “Yeah, it just seems kind of dumb. Why not watch a movie?” Oxygen nodded sympathetically.   “Exactly! But Josh was all poetic and whiny about it, so I we tried out and actually got pretty good roles. And it was…oddly fun. Pretending to be someone else, and having their-”   “Urk!” Oxygen suddenly cried, flying backwards and skidding against the cave floor. Something invisible slammed against his side, and he went spiraling into the air.   “Wait, guys! He’s with me!” I yelped, waving madly. Oxygen stopped moving, and just hovered oddly in the air.   “Nova! Static’s under a compulsion, remember? You don’t listen to him!” Myst’s voice hissed.   “Oops, sorry.” Nova’s apologetic voice echoed behind Oxygen. Oxygen stopped hovering and fell to the floor ungracefully.   “Stop! He’s not the enemy!” I raced towards overdose, and shielded him with my paws. “Seriously! Stop attacking!”   Myst materialized out of thin air. “Static, you’re obviously brainwashed-”   “You’re brainwashed!” I retorted.   In retrospect, it wasn’t the most well thought out comeback.   Myst groaned. “Static, move aside.”   “No! I won’t let you hurt him!”   “Static.” Oxygen winced, pushing himself up. “They won’t believe you. Let me talk to them.” I gave him a skeptical look, but allowed him to stand and walk over to Myst.   “Sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met.” Oxygen bowed, more than a bit awkwardly. “The pleasure’s mine.” Myst rolled her eyes. “Remind me why we’re not at your throats?” ---   “And that’s why I choose the name Oxygen. It keeps me…anchored, when things get too…too much.”   “Wow.” Nova hugged the scared Raichu. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”   “Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong; I was a monster back then, and you were just trying to protect your friend. I’m just…trying to make up for my past. As much as I can, anyway.”   “I think you’re full of shit.” Myst spat.   Oxygen shrugged. “I mean, I wouldn’t believe me either, but I am telling the truth.”   “Hmmm.” Myst snorted, tossing her hair back.   “In any case, we can talk while looking for your trainer. If you still want to stab me in the back, we can do that while walk-” An explosion interrupted him, shaking the cave itself and making stalactites crumble from the ceiling. “That way!” I shouted, and Myst cloaked us in illusion as we raced forward towards the source. ---   (Josh POV)   <Well, well, well…> Darkrai cackled, appearing out of spiraling blackness. <Oh, how good it feels to feel. To exist. To be.>   <Foolish human!> Mewtwo screamed, throwing a ball of prismatic energy at the black aberration. <What have you done!?>   Darkrai took the full force of the hit, grinned. <A battle of the ancients, Mewtwo. No limits, and no restrictions. Take it in. embrace it.> Darkrai took a deep breath, and shadows enveloped the room, save for two glowing, red eyes. <You know what being in that pokeball felt like? The status, the dreamless state?>   <I command you to die!> Mewtwo threw another ball of energy, missing terribly and obliterating a stalactite on the floor.   <It felt like nothing. Just like your mind, Mewtwo. When I was just an idea, lurking inside your conscious mind. When I was but a nightmare of your tortured soul!>   <Josh!> a female voice shook my consciousness. I turned to see the air shimmer behind me, just a vague hint at what lay beneath. <We’re here!>   <All of you?>   <Yeah! What can we do?>   We can still make it out of this. We’re together. We can still live.   <Stay hidden. Wait until you see an opening, then take it.> I nodded.   <I have the humans to thank for consciousness,> Darkrai continued. <The way they tore us apart, mind from host, but I have you to thank for that spark, Mewtwo. I am your fear, your pain, and suffering, and I will be your End.>   <Die, spirit!> Mewtwo thrust another ball of orange energy, lighting up the darkness and smashing a whole in the wall. Darkrai cackled as the shadows swirled faster on the walls, reaching out and badly slicing the once grand Ancient. <You’re nothing more than a ghost of my might!>   <I’m much more than a ghost Mewtwo, and you’re about to see just how real I am.> Darkrai appeared out of one of the walls and smashed Mewtwo with a wave of black energy, sending him flying in the air. Mewtwo retaliated by throwing another orange ball, just as Darkrai went in for the kill. The ball smashed straight inside Darkrai’s chest and exploded outward, obliterating him and causing a massive crater in the ground itself.   <…I did it.> Mewtwo blinked at his hands with bewilderment. <I…I killed Darkrai.>   <And I have the honor of knocking out an Ancient.> Myst grinned a massive smile, and decked the back of Mewtwo’s head.
<I commend you for actually connecting the hit,> Mewtwo winced, levitated Myst in front of him with a bluish black aura. <But I always assumed your race was more …intelligent…then dictated by your previous actions.>   <Don’t just hold me here!> Myst growled, struggling against his telekinetic hold. <If you’re going to hurt me, then hurt me! Do it, your miserable excuse for a functioning Mew!>   <If you insist.> Mewtwo flecked his wrist, and Myst screamed as an illusion dug its way out of her flesh and disappeared into the air. With another careless gesture, her body slammed against the cave wall, and slumped to the floor.   <Myst!> Nova cried, hiding behind a stalagmite.   <How many must be harmed in the futile attempt to save this human?> Mewtwo sneered, trapping Nova in a field of energy. Suddenly, a blur of chrome sliced at Mewtwo’s side, cutting a deep purple scar into already bruised, bleeding flesh. Mewtwo roared and blindly tossed a sphere of dark orange, crashing into the blur of steel and causing it to crumble to ground.   <Skarr!> Nova cried. His eyes shone white with anger, and he sliced through the telekinetic barrier, tackling Mewtwo with his rage. Skarr slowly pushed himself to standing, wincing as smoke trailed off his wings.   I felt better. With every strike Nova made, my bones didn’t feel as fragile, and my insides stabilized.   Am I…am I alright?   Static dove in, forgetting all the lessons and training we had done so long in favor of simply biting Mewtwo’s tail as hard as he could, and pouring every ounce of electricity he had into the Ancient. A Raichu came out of somewhere and bashed into him with a Volt Tackle, allowing Nova to gain leverage and slice Mewtwo badly across the face. Mew finally disintegrated the telekinetic sphere around him, and fell to the floor eager to join in the fight.   <Insolence!> Mewtwo boomed, grabbing the Raichu by its tail with a telekinetic fist, and swirling it around like a mace. He smashed the Raichu into Nova and Static, knocking them both backward and disorienting them. He then swung the Raichu even faster, and with sickening wet tearing sound, his tail tore off, and his body was flung against the wall.   <Everyone! Stop attacking separately! Combine your strongest attacks and hit him for one final shot!>   <Gladly.> Mew growled, the sound of an old vendetta burning within his ageless voice.   <Not you.> I ordered, and conveyed an entirely different set of instructions.   Mew blinked, shocked. <I…I did not consider that possibility.>   <That’s why we’re a team. Now, go!>   “Cha!” Static exclaimed, lightning streaking out of his cheeks. At the same time, the lights dimmed as the Raichu sucked in a deep breath and blasted out a brilliant beam of white. Skarr dove at Mewtwo with all the speed he could muster, and Nova let lose a torrent of fire. Mewtwo threw up a telekinetic shield at the last moment, but it began to crack and splinter with the force of the combined attacks.   <ENOUGH!> Mewtwo screamed, exploding the barrier outward. With a bloody palm, he motioned towards Nova and choked him with a fierce mental grip, and thrust him at Skarr, knocking them both out. He grabbed Overdose – What is OVERDOSE doing here!? – and squeezed him like a tube of toothpaste, causing blood to spray out of the base of his torn tail, and bashed him against Static, leaving them both unconscious.   Mewtwo turned to me. I was standing, but barely. My nose bled freely, a result of my pathetic human will making an attempt at freedom against the strongest mind the universe has ever known.   <There will be tales told of this day.> He growled in a raspy tone. <The day that, despite all odds, despite all the horrors and evils this world has inflected upon me, I managed to save it. How I killed you, Darkrai, and all of your followers, singlehandedly. How you all died, alone and broken, and how all your efforts failed.> <All his plans but one.> Darkrai cackled musically, appearing from my shadow and giving Mewtwo a quirky, terrifying smile. ---   <What!?>Mewtwo cried, instantly summoning another orange sphere. The sphere flickered and faded from view, and Mewtwo blinked, unprepared and bewildered.   <It would be a shame if you were out of Focus Blasts, and had to resort to fighting me with your mind. Or, your fists rather. Those would be more effective.>   <M-Mew!? You took on Darkrai’s form?> Mewtwo backed against the wall, his eyes growing wide. Cuts and bruises adorned his muscular frame, and he looked weary, weakened, and terrified.   <You fear Darkrai more than me. How intriguing.> Mew let a streak of darkness, tearing at Mewtwo’s core.   <Aaaaugh!> He recoiled, clutching his chest. <N-no! Not like this!>   <Three hundred,> The Mew-Darkrai smiled cruelly, letting out another blast of black. <And ninety two times, you killed me. You struck me down. Do you know how exhausting it is to die, over and over again? Important details obliterated, memories lost to the relentless tides of time?>   <P-please.> Mewtwo begged, all the strength leaving his voice.   <My only regret is that you can only die once. You can never know my pain, but you will know Death. Everlasting, endless darkness.> Mew grabbed Mewtwo in a pitch black aura, slowly draining the life out of the once near-invulnerable Ancient. Mewtwo went under, and slowly, his life began to wane.   “Stop.”   The Darkrai turned to me, and gave me a queer expression. <What?>   “Transform back, and stop it.” I ordered. “We’ve won. It’s over.”   The Darkrai levitated over to me, piercing me with its dark, hollow red eyes. <You will not halt my vengeance. Justice shall be wrought from the blood of my adversary.>   “From the blood of your brother.”   The Darkrai stopped for a moment, and his eyes flickering blue. <T-that is irrelevant->   “Born from your DNA, the only copy of you you may ever have.”   <H-he…> The Darkrai doubled over and melded into pink fur, then hugged me fiercely. <N-no! He deserves to die! He couldn’t listen to me, he was mean, illogical, blinded by emotions->   “And what are you?”   Mew shook, and cried softly into his tail. I staggered over to my pokemon, and returned each to their Pokeballs. I paused for a moment at Overdose, as he slowly bled out at the tip of his torn tail.   Well, I didn’t kill him then, and I suppose I won’t leave him to die now. Plus, for whatever reason, he did risk his life for us. In the very least I can safely transport him back to the mental facility in a Pokeball.   With a flash of light, he accompanied me as well.   <I wanted to kill him.> Mew spoke softly, shaking. <I wanted to hurt him. To make him suffer; to hurt him like he hurt me.>   “Hate is a powerful emotion. I didn’t want to-”   <I don’t hate him!> Mew exclaimed, shaking with tears. <In a world full of life and wonder, I am ALONE. Everyone has their duo, their pair, to which they can love and feel kinship. Image my joy and wonder that humans could make my pair with science. Image my curiosity, and the feeling in my ageless heart as I contemplated the idea of, for once, not being alone.>   I stood, immobilized with heart-wrenching realization.   <Then imagine my disappointment…when they came up with this. He…he is so close. The humans were on the cusp of creating my opposite, my pair, the one that I could spend the eons with in companionship and harmony, but instead…they befouled my creation…>   “You loved him.”   Mew paused, taking a shaky breath. <No. I loved what he could become. I realized I could fix him. I realized I could heal him of his deformities and pain, his mortality, but I could never change his mind. When I realized he was so susceptible to hate, when I realized his power and anger at his creators…> he shook, and I grabbed him in a fierce hug. <I-I couldn’t do it. Image him, immortal. Image him, his hate, his wrath, forever. I-I couldn’t justify it. B-but I can’t, I can’t go on forever alone, not when I was so close, not when I had hope, hope against the eternal tides of loneliness.>   For a while, I just let him cry. I let him cry for the millennia of isolation he had suffered though, and the centuries of cold, quiet desolation.   I never thought of life as a burden.    <Y-you’re hurt.> He sniffed, after a moment.   I smiled weakly, and held my side. “A little. How about we make it out of this cave, and I get you the biggest tub of ice cream you’ve ever seen?”   He laughed lightly, filling the air with his sad but sentimental amusement. <I-I’ll take you up on that, Josh. Thank you.> <Don’t mention it.> I smiled, leaning heavily against his side.
“You s-should transform. You’ll be conspicuous-”   <Are you sure you’re alright? We’ve come a long way; your body is showing signs of fatigue and strain.>   “I’ll be fine. Just a few more steps.”   Mew wrapped himself around my wrist, and once again adopted the form of my strange, backwards watch.   A grand, massive, multi-structured glossy red building staggered over us, overwhelming me with gratitude and awe. Only a small number of people had ever made it out of the Cave, and a smaller number still had the privilege of making it into the poke center on the top of the world. It was a misnomer of course; there were much taller mountains all across the world, but none in Kanto were harder to trek then the Cave.   I had made it. No, we had made it. I pressed my hand on the automatic door, leaning against in heavy as my breath fogged the glass. No more condescending remarks of how ‘I had just started my journey’. No more condescension from trainers more experienced then I, because now, I was one of the most experienced trainers. Best of the best. I had survived, and I was about to prove my worth to all of Kanto by defeating the Elite Four.   The door slid open, and I limped inside. Four of the staff stopped what they were doing to give me a bug-eyed expression of incredulity and surprise. In their career, it was doubtful more than one or two people had made it out of the caves alive.   “Move!” One of the more experienced nurses ordered, pushing some staff member’s aside and running to grab a hospital bed. Two more nurses grabbed and steadied me on both sides to keep me from falling.   “Are you alright, sir?” One of the nurses asked. She was smaller than the others, wide-eyed and fearful.   “Well enough.” I realized I likely looked like death, with my shirt stained red, and my lips covered in cracked, dried blood. The nurse from earlier wheeled the bed behind me, and pushed me lightly onto it.   “First…” I croaked and unclipping my belt, handing my Pokémon off to the wide-eyed nurse, “Heal them. Most just need rest, but the Raichu lost his tail. He isn’t mine, and…”   “We’ll fix everything, sir. Just lay back.” The nurse ordered shakily, wheeling me into the first available room. Another nurse took my Pokémon to another station, presumably to be healed. The nurse wasted no time hooking me up to an IV and getting my pulse and vitals checked. She stared guiltily for a moment, before once again looking at the monitors.   “Alright, everything’s good to go. You have some bruising and light internal bleeding, but with some rest, you’ll be okay.”   “Are you okay?”    The doctor flinched at the question, looking unnerved. “I-I’m fine.” She gave me an unsure, nervous glare. “Now, get some rest.”   I tried to ask more, but my body felt paralyzed and heavy. I fell onto the bed, with my eyes slowly closing without my permission.   <Sleep, Josh. You are wounded.>   <Mew…no, wait->   <Sleep. The answers you seek will be there when you are conscious yet again.> The effect wasn’t unyielding and demanding like Mewtwo’s, but it rendered the same effect. Exhausted from fighting, my will dissolved into nothingness, and I floated into blissful sleep.   --- I held my head firmly, rubbing my eyes with disbelief. <You want to what?>   Everyone was in a circle, staring at Static dubiously. Static growled a bit, and motioned Nova, Myst, Skarr, and myself to take a few steps back. <Okay, we don’t have a sixth, right? Oxygen did help us in the fight, and he’s a powerful pokemon. We’re at the Elite Four; I say we cut our losses and use him as our sixth.>   <Um, that seems like a super bad idea.>   <You are completely devoid of reason.>   <You know he tried to kill you, right? Twice?>   I sighed, and cleared the air. <Moral issues aside, we already have an electric type on our team: you. We don’t need another, especially one in the exact same evolutionary line.>   <But it can’t hurt, right? We don’t NEED him, but he would only be a help! We don’t have a sixth – even a low level would be better than nothing, and Oxygen’s a higher level than us all!>   Technically, he was right.   <Okay then, not putting moral issues aside.> I groaned. <He tried to kill you, Static. He almost succeeded.>   <He said he was sorry!> Static whined.   <That doesn’t resolve the issue.> I pressed my palm to my face. <Look, more important than power, then endurance and resolve, is heart and trust. I don’t know what’s in his heart, and I don’t think I can ever trust->   <I trust him.> Static nodded confidently.   <Static, even if you believe everything about his time at the hospital, and his so called ‘change’ from Overdose to ‘Oxygen’->   A slow, timid knock interrupted my thoughts. The door opened, and Oxygen stood awkwardly, with his hand at mid-knock. <Hey. Uh, finally got released from surgery, which is cool. The, uh,> Skarr and Myst gave him a cool glare, while Nova and I just looked wary. <The surgeon had to make my tail longer though. Feels a little weird.> He grinned nervously, and held his tail in his paws, feeling the slight extension. <Kinda like…well, like my tail grew an inch or two, hah.> he shrugged. The room returned his uneasy stare, save for Static.   <We were just talking about you!> Static waved Oxygen over, and with a reluctant wince Oxygen sat by his side. This entire conversation was giving me a headache, and I rubbed my temple accordingly.   <Okay, so let me understand this correctly.> I sighed, still rubbing my forehead. <You want to join our team?>   <Temporarily.> Oxygen explained. <Static and I talked about it on the way to find you.>   <Why?>   Oxygen took a deep breath, and blew it back out slowly. <I was, uh, I was pretty messed up at one point. I don’t really know what makes people as jacked up as I got – maybe it was a bit of what I had gone through as a cub or whatever, I don’t know, but I know some people that do.> Oxygen took another breath, to calm his nerves. <The MeadowCenter got me out of a…pretty dark place, and they helped my friend Volt too, but…they don’t do it for, um…> Overdose gave Static a helpless expression. <How do I convey the thought? Berries?>   <Food, or like, money. What humans use to get food.>   <That seems complicated, but yeah, food. They don’t get a lot of food out of it, or money, or anything. It’s a…um…>   <It’s a non-profit.>   <YEAH!> Oxygen pointed at me, his eyes lighting up. <Yeah, that’s what they called it! And since they don’t earn a lot of food from it, it’s not as nice as it should be. I…I want to change that.>   <Oh?>   <I want to sell myself as a Legendary Hunter for profit at the Battle Park. I’m strong and skilled, and I know how to take out something bigger than me. I could help out MeadowCenter – they deserve it. They’re smart and kind, and help messed up people like…like I was.>   <Quite a change of heart.> Myst hissed from a corner. <If you want to go be a Legend Hunter, what’s stopping you? Go do it. Go be. You don’t need any help from us.>   <Well, one problem is getting there.> Oxygen answered honestly. <I don’t want a vista. I want to live there, and the only way to do that is to either be a champion, or be related to someone who is. I know I’m strong enough to be an asset to your team, and…I just want to help, I guess. Help you guys, and help MeadowCenter.>   <So charitable.> Skarr droned from a corner. <We’re to believe, then, that you want to help us, ultimately helping your mental…hospital, or what have you, because of…what? The goodness of your heart?>   <Because, I want to have an impact. I want something to matter, you know?> Oxygen slumped against the wall. <In my short time here, I’ve only managed to really mess stuff up, for a lot of people. Before I…> Overdose drew a shaky breath. <…I want to matter. I want to help people, and do more good than harm.>   <Before you what, die?> Skarr rolled his eyes. <What are you, thirty? You still have another good forty years.> Static grinded his teeth in sympathy, and Oxygen winced. <What?>   <A-actually I’m fourteen.> Oxygen admitted, biting his tongue. <Three years older than Static.>   We all let out a pent-up breath. Fourteen? He should be in his prime for a Raichu, instead of…well, let’s just say thirty was being a bit generous. He looked better than he used to, but he looked bad. Burned, gray fur, and a tired, thousand mile stare.   <They tell me I have about ten, good years left. Maybe thirteen if I lay low, and eat good and…stuff.> Oxygen and covered his eyes with a paw and shook. Static scooted over and hugged the scarred, shaking Raichu.   <I-I don’t w-want t-to die.> He choked, shivering on the bed. We all gave him his space, and digested his words. It would help having a sixth, but was it worth the risk? ---   “And, there are your discharge papers.”   “Thank you very much.”   “Not at all, sir.” The wide-eyed nurse bowed, smiling at me politely. Still, her eyes shone a hint of…fear? Or was that intrigue? It was something I couldn’t identify; a quiet spark of intensity.   “I’ll ask again…are you okay?” I asked. Her eyes almost dug into me, the way they pried with wanting. The nurse looked over her shoulder, then over my own. With a look of extreme urgency, she put her finger to her lips and grabbed me by my collar. She yanked me into an empty room, and swiftly locked the door.   “W-what’s going-”   “What was in it?” She asked, her eyes hungering for knowledge.   “Huh?”   “The Cave.” She was visibly shaking, with her hands held outwards trying to convey the intensity of her emotion. “I’ve worked here for two years, but no one has ever told me. They say they don’t know but they’re lying. I can feel it. I want to know so badly, but we’re not supposed to ask, and no one ever tells. Please.” She pressed her palms together, begging. “I need to know. What drove those men to insanity before the Great War? What is so terrible that it serves as a greater challenge then the Gauntlet of the Eight Gyms? What is inside it? What did you see; what did you experience? It is what they say? Is it living?” Her eyes burned into mine. “I need to know!”   I beckoned her closer. She eagerly placed her ear to my lips, and I could practically feel her curiosity burning off her flesh. I could feel her shaking with questions, and I knew exactly what to say.   “Judgment.” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips. I then turned, unlocked the door, and walked out.   “Wait!” The nurse screamed after me. “What does that mean? Judgement? What does it signify? Were you judged? Is Arceus still alive? What does it mean? Tell me!” And I held a finger to my lips, and just smiled. ---   <An entire week!? Josh, we’re right here!> Static squeaked with outrage.   <Static, try to understand.>   <Dude we could go face the Elite Four right now. They’re literally right behind that line!> Static jabbed across the red, velvet plastic line that simply begged to be torn. <We could just go around there, and- look! There’s Lance, right there, buying a soda! He’s right there!> Static was shaking, and had a crazed, rabid look. <Why aren’t we challenging him!?>   I held my hands outward in an attempt to explain. <It’s for building teamwork->   <We’ve been building teamwork for months! This entire journey is about building teamwork! I have teamwork leaking out of my ears! This is stupid, Josh! Let’s go fight the Elite Four right now!>   <If I may?> Skarr gave me a questioning look, and I nodded. <A few days ago, I mentioned that I felt…as if all of our time was divided with Josh and each other, instead of being trained one on one, like we used to.>   <So this was your idea.> Static growled.   <If I can continue.> Skarr growled back. Static gave a huff, but relented. <Although I feel as if Josh is taking my idea to a bit of an extreme, I believe his idea has merit. We can all gain much more expertise fighting for a week straight and getting one-on-one training then we ever could from group training.>   <And it doesn’t have to be about training.> I nodded at Skarr, and he nodded back. <I’ve pushed you guys hard over the past few weeks, and you guys – all of you – have done amazingly, but pushing you guys isn’t my only job. I’m your trainer yes, but we’re also family, and friends. Maybe you want a week to talk about how you’re feeling,> I gave Nova a small nod, and he have me a shy, understanding smirk. <Or watch the sun set over the valley, or anything. Or train! Whatever you guys want to do, this is your time to do it. After this,> I held up my hand, and crunched it into a fist. <We face the Elite Four as a team, and show Kanto and the world just what we’re made of!>   <YEAH!> Static cried, pumping his fist into the air. The others followed, cheering with excitement. Through the chaos, I saw a small orange hand wave, trying to get my attention.   <Yeah Nova?>   <Um, does this mean Overdose is going to be on our team?> Nova asked timidly.   I took a slow, deep breath. <He’s going to get a week too, yes. I suppose we’ll see from there.>   <Okay.> Nova nodded, appeased. Skarr and Myst looked annoyed, but said nothing. <Alright. Anyone want to go first?>
<I’m just surprised you were so adamant. It wasn’t like you.>   <You must be jesting. I’ve waited for this for…well, not quite months, but it feels like an eternity.>   The horizon eclipsed the sun in a haze of beauty, enticing the night with inviting hues of pinks and orange. Although only the slightest whispers of the night’s winds blew against my rough, warm jacket, the moon was high in the sky.   Skarr sighed contently, and relaxed his wings. <So. What will you do after?>   <Hmmm?>   <After all this.> Skarr waved a wing at the valley below us, the dark shades of green, and the purples of the coming night. <You stand, no longer at the base of the mountain, but within a breath of the very top. Once you reach the peak…what will you do?>   We sat in silence, and watched the last of the sun melt past the valley. The colors ran freely in the sky, fading unto the deepest blue.   <Maybe I’ll see other peaks to concur.> I whispered.   <Is that what drives you? The need to be the best?> Skarr turned away from the stars, and looked at me with a golden eye.   Did I need to be the best? Was my position on this metaphorical mountain a way of showing off, or a symbol of status, dedication, and skill?   <No.> I shook my head. <Not really.>   <Then why travel? Why reach the peak?>   The deepest blue merged into the darkest black, with the moon shining in all its glory high up in the sky. My breath materialized before me, and I zipped my jacket up for warmth.   <I climb for the love of climbing. For the companionship of those I climb with, and the view I’ll get when we all succeed.> Skarr smiled at my response, though he never tore his eyes off the night sky. <Why do you choose to climb? You could simply choose a life of meditation, and wooing women with your satire.>   Skarr snorted. <Simple. I’m lazy; beating the Elite four is much easier then courtship.>   <You’ve had your fair share to relationships!> I laughed.   <Number is irrelevant. Quality is important.>   <Oh? Only the shiny ones count?> I smirked.   <The quality of the relationships, pervert. Not the quality of the women.>   <I know what you meant.> I laughed.   Skarr grinned, and looked back at the night sky. <Ah, I missed this. I recall so many nights of us watching the stars immerge at your home. I know it is selfish of me to reminisce of the days where you were filled with such…>   <Teenage angst? Mild rebellion?> I scoffed.   <Pain.> Skarr answered, solemnly. I looked down, a hard pit forming in the base of my chest. I wasn’t myself back then. <You try so hard now. I’m proud of you, but…I miss the days where I could give you advice.>   <Advice I would ignore?> I gave Skarr a weary smirk.   Skarr scoffed. <Well. No one is perfect. Plus that just meant I could give you more advice later.> I rolled my eyes, and Skarr gave a chuckle.   <Hey, you never answered my question.>   <Oh?> Skarr tilted his head.   <Why do you choose to travel with me?>   Skarr smiled mysteriously, and glanced back at the moon. <Why do we have religions? Why do we have myths, and legends? Why do stories mean so much to us, and why are we so captivated by the setting of the sun, and rising of the moon?>   The sudden silence was torture. <Why?> I whispered, leaning closer. Skarr smirked and preened an out-of-place feather, making me squirm with impatience. <Because they inspire us.> Skarr concluded, beaming at the night sky. <And you inspire me, Josh Karren. For now the moon holds my rapt attention, but in a few days, the trainers of Kanto won’t be looking up at the moon.> Skarr turned, and gave me a wide smile. <They’ll be looking up to you.>   <…Thank you, Skarr.> I blinked back a tear or two, and hugged my metallic bird.   <Don’t thank me. This is what I live for.> Skarr fell on his back, content to stare into the sky as the grass ruffled around his moonlit wings. <But then again, I’m just your melodramatic mount, right?>   <You’re my favorite melodramatic mount.> <And that’s all I ask.> Skarr nodded contently into the night.   --- “Char!” Nova cried, slicing his claws into another Fearow. It fell like the others, and collapsed onto the grass, unconscious.   <How you feelin’, Nova?> I asked, clocking his time.   <Good! A few more days of this, and…> he trailed off, spotting another Fearow and diving after it.   <Are you sure this is the best way to spend the week?> I called out to him. A blast of fire erupted in the grass, and I heard the familiar thump of Fearow flesh hitting the ground.   <Y-yeah, absolutely. I need to be at my best for the Elite four, after all. I wouldn’t want to…> He looked away guiltily, searching for another Fearow.   <Look at me for a sec.> I asked.   Nova squirmed away and crossed his arms. <I’m fine.>   <It’s okay to be insecure, Nova.>   <Is it?> He asked, whirling around to face me with angry, chilling draconic eyes. <How many times have we had this talk? How many times do you have to reassure me, and how many times must I concur my demons? H-how…> He choked a bit and shook his head, keeping me at arm’s length. <I…I just feel like I should be over this by now. We should be talking about strategies and attacks, not…trying to make me not feel like a failure for the thousandth time. I should be over this. I should be better than this…>   He slumped over, but no tears fell. It wasn’t anger in his eyes, more of dull, grudging frustration.    <Hey.> I sat next to him.   He leaned into me, and hugged me lightly. <I’m sorry, Josh. I->   <Don’t be.> I hugged back. He nestled into my shirt a bit and sighed. <Some demons are tough. Some go for more than a few rounds.>   <S-so what? I deal with this forever? I’m j-just born to be useless?>   <No, you’re born to be amazing,> I smiled, and poked in the belly, <And achieve greatness despite your flaws.>   Nova smiled weakly. <…Thanks. I just, I would feel better if this wasn’t the thousandth time we’ve had this conversation. I’m just…I don’t know. Training’ll clear my head, plus I need to be stronger for the Elite Four.>   <Forget about the Elite Four for a second.> I ordered. Nova blinked in surprise, and looked up. <Seriously. We’ve been at this four hours, and I don’t think you can learn much more from finding two or three more ways to knock out a Fearow. If the Elite Four wasn’t an issue, what would you be doing right now? Instead of stressing and fighting with yourself, what would you do to relax and clear your head?>   Nova looked at me for a while, then looked down, and scratched his chin. <Honestly?>   <Honestly.> <…is there a hotel near here?> ---   <Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.> Nova quoted, just a second before Robin Williams, grinning ear to ear.   <This is you, huh? You’re a cinephile.>   <Cine-what?> Nova reluctantly turned his attention away from the screen, and gave me a look of confusion.   <Nothing.> I laughed. Nova turned his attention back to the screen, his tail flicking back at forth as he watching the actors. While his choice in movies was superb (A Few Good Men, Pulp Fiction, and now The Dead Poet Society) it was odd seeing him completely at ease. His normally wide, fearful eyes were comfortably half-open, watching attentively, but calmly, and relaxed.   “We’re trying very hard to understand why it is you insist on defying us! Whatever the reason, we’re not going to let it ruin your life. Tomorrow, I’m withdrawing you from Welton and enrolling you in Braighton Military School.”   “But, that’s ten more years! Father, that’s a lifetime!”   “Oh, don’t be so dramatic! You make it sound like a prison term!”   <I hate this part.> Nova frowned, and covered an eye.   <It’s important to the movie though.>   <Well, of course. It conveys the intensity of emotion and the futility of trying to deny your own, about making meaningful choices and seizing opportunity, ‘sucking the marrow out of life’,  but…> Nova sighed as the gun went off. <It’s still so sad. The realization. The pain. The last noble standing-on-the-desks, and ‘Captain My Captain’. I know it’s the pain that makes this movie so incredible, memorable, and impactful, but…ach. It hurts.>   I stared at the screen biting back tears as the father demanded that his son ‘wake up’. <Yeah.>   <Hey Josh?>   <Mmmm?>   <Thanks for…this.> Nova motioned at the room. <I feel better. Not, like, fixed, but-> <I know.> I smiled. Nova crawled over and gave me a quick hug, before settling back down on the bed, settling back with a calm, happy sigh.
“Incorrect, it is weak. Electricity attacking grass.”   <N-normal.>   “Incorrect, it is weak. Fire attacking steel.”   <Weak.>   I maintained my composure, clenching my fist. “Incorrect. It is strong.”   <This is insulting!> Mew shouted, his fists flying up in fury. <Your little ‘weekend off’ is pointless for me! I am a god. If something stands in my way, I destroy it!>   “The sun is a hundred times the size of the earth, and shines with enough radiation to fry us all a thousand times over. Yet, we only feel a miniscule fraction of its heat due to its placement in space. Raw power means nothing without precision.”   Mew flexed his wrist, and a torrent of fire obliterated a nearby tree, blasting it into ashes, then creating a boom that emanated across the valley. <I have precision and power. I am creation and death. I am a god, and I will not be belittled by a mortal.>   A Graveler peeked its head out of a nearby hole to inspect the noise. It growled, and walked towards us menacingly.   “Alright. Defeat that Graveler then.”   <Easily.> Mew scoffed, shooting a large collection of electric bolts at the Graveler.   It’s tiny, beaded eyes didn’t even register the attack. Mew blinked in confusion before getting hit in the gut with a Roll-out, nearly getting smashed. <Augh.> Mew rose up and rubbed a layer of mud of his coat, then blasted the Graveler with a beam of ice. This time, the Graveler did take notice, though the beam seemed to do little more than aggravate the rocky beast as it bounced off. The Graveler turned and smashed against Mew again, rocking his foundation and sending him to the ground. Mew groaned and pushed himself to standing, shaking on his tiny paws. <Die!> He ordered, sending a wave of fire crashing against the Graveler, who merely shrugged it off as he continued to this third and final blow.   Mew was forcefully inserted into the ground, with imprints of the Graveler’s rocky flesh covering his body. I growled and tossed a poke-toy to the side as a distraction, and went to talk to Mew.   “You disappoint me.”   <I…I am a god…> Mew struggled to stand, me glaring from the mud.   “You were a god.” I spat.   <I am a god! I am creation! I travel with you on a whim; do not tempt me, fool, or I will leave you just as easily as I found you!>   “Then leave me, and die a hundred more times at the hands of an inferior enemy.”   Mew’s eyes burned with hate. “Mewtwo was my equal!”   “Funny how an equal bested you a hundred fold.”   <Silence!>   “And a hundred times again!”   <What do you want from me!?> Mew cried, paws shaking in nonsensical fury. <My lens of reality has been fractured. My memories erased, possibly for all eternity. My hopes are no longer my own, and I live in a body that this unfamiliar and alien! This mind has gaps of logic, and contains fallacies I don’t yet comprehend as false! What do you want from me!?>   “I want to help you.” I offered him a hand. Mew pouted, and looked at it dubiously. “If we are to be a team, you have to trust me, but more than that, you have to be at your best. We’re not fighting wild Pokémon in there – we’re fighting my gods. The people I’ve looked up to since I was a child. I see so much potential in you, but if you refuse to listen to me, there is nothing I can do.”   Mew was silent for a long moment, then took my hand. <I want to be strong again.>   “I can help you.”   <I want to be revered again.>   “I can get you there.”   <I want to challenge the strongest opponents this world has to offer.> I grinned my perfect, devilish smile. “I’ll have you fighting dragons.”   --- “Gyarados!”   <Lightningbolt!>   “Dragonite!”   <Icebeam!>   “Metagross!”   <Flamethrower!>   “And, Graveler!”   <Psystrike, and a flick for good measure!> Mew grinned, mimicking a swipe of his pinkish paw.   “How do you feel?”   <Powerful. Unstoppable.>   “Good. We’re going to need every ounce of that.”   Mew nodded, the adrenalin of my rapid-fire questions slowly draining. <In actual combat, do you think I will be adequate, and that I will retain this newly found knowledge?>   “In actual battles, I’ll be instructing you. It’s also my job to heal the others and pay attention to what you can’t see, which is why it’s important for you to also know what to do. That being said, most of the time I’ll be giving you instructions and support.” <I look forward to battling along your side.> Mew nodded solemnly, his tail flicking back and forth.   --- <Woohoo!> Static screamed, twirling through the air on the back of a wild Fearow, clinging on for dear life as he shocked the bejesus of out the poor bird. <Eat it, you pile of feathers! Hahahaha!>   <Watch out!> I laughed as the bird suddenly dived. Static bounced off it with expert precision, and the bird crashed into the ground unconscious.   <Ta-da!> Static grinned, giving me a little mock bow.   <Well. You’re ready.> I laughed, leaning my arm down and inviting him to climb up.   Static needed no further incentive, and climbed up. <Hardly, but…thanks.>   <What do you mean, ‘hardly’? Don’t tell me you’re going all Nova too!>   <‘Too’? Who else like Nova?>   <Mew was a bit down. We talked about->   <Mew? He’s a freakin’ ANCIENT. What’s he got to be scared of? He’ll blast them all into bits!>   <Well, we worked on him blasting people into bits more efficiently. I think he’s still a bit unsure, but like Nova I think it’ll kick in once we start battling and winning.>   Static smiled, but it was a bit off. <Well, that’s good.>   I frowned. <What’s bothering you?>   Static sat on my shoulder, and sighed. <I shouldn’t be here, Josh.>   <What are you talking about?>   <Look at your team for a moment. You have an Ancient, a Pseudo-Dragon, an extremely rare Illusionist, one of the best defensive Pokémon that exists, a Raichu that use to fight for blood, and…me.>   <What’s wrong with having you? You have more heart than anyone, Static!> I poked him in the belly, and he giggled somewhat. <You’ve been with me since the beginning!>   <Yes, but that’s the only reason I’m still here. I’ll try my best, yeah, but I’m no ancient. I’m no dragon. Three times I’ve needed to come through for you – the last two gyms and the Cave – I’ve fainted, Josh. It’s not training, and it’s not your fault or mine. It’s my species.>   <There’s nothing wrong with your species! Nearly half of the trainers in Vermilion owned a Pikachu.>   <Yeah, beginning trainers. How many Champions won with one?>   I bit my lip. He was right – I couldn’t name a single one.   <See?> he pressed. <I’m not saying I’m ‘going Nova’ or whatever, I’m just…I know I probably shouldn’t be here, that’s all.>   <Static.> I looked him in the eye, and he looked back with a sad, accepting gaze. <You more than anyone deserve a place at my side when we beat the Elite Four together. You’re right – there are stronger Pokémon out there, but none as dedicated and as committed as you. You’re the one that has stuck by my side for all these years, and you’re the one that’s going to be at my side in the end. Don’t give up on me now.>   Static leaned against my face and sighed. <I’m not giving up, I’m just…reminiscing, I guess. More than anything, I wish I could be stronger for you. For us. For the group, and for our dream. Like Oxygen, without the…crazy evil stuff. I want to evolve.> Static looked up. <I know it’s expensive and impossible, but…I don’t know. I guess I just wanted you to know.>   I felt the familiar pain in my gut as I continued my lie to Static. How long had I kept this con going? Sandy’s disappointed gaze flashed in my memory. I tried to lie again, or at least half-lie, but the words wouldn’t form in my mouth. I settled for simply scratching him behind the ear, and he sighed contently.   <Thanks, Josh. I just…I needed to get that out there.>   He deserved more than this. He deserved the truth.   <Static…> I started but trailed off, unsure of how to proceed.   <What’s up, Josh?>   <…Thunderstones aren’t a million dollars.> I shut my eyes, awaiting the angry, justified retribution. <They’re about twenty, and they’re at the market we just flew from.>   I didn’t know what would happen. I didn’t know what to expect, all I knew was that I deserved it.   <That’s…great news?> Static blinked, confused at my guilty demeanor. <Why don’t we just fly down and get it, then?> I watched anxiously as the pieces began to fit together in his mind. <Wait. Why didn’t you just tell me when we were there? Wh…why didn’t you just buy it? Why did they go down in price so much?>   If I was telling him the truth, I would tell him all of it. He deserved to know. <T-they didn’t go down in price. They’ve always been around twenty.>Static gave me a horrified look, and climbed off my shoulder.   <Y-you…> He began, starting at me with startled confusion. <You lied to me.>   <…Yes.>   He was silent for a long moment, just staring at the ground. <B…but why?>   <I was afraid you wouldn’t consider the choice fully. Power is one thing to consider, but->   <But it was my choice to make!> Static yelped. I shrunk back. <Right? This is my body, shouldn’t I get to choose what happens to it?>   <Y-yes. I was, I was wrong->   <More than that! You lied, Josh! You lied to me!>   <I had reasons to suspect->   <Your reasons are bullshit!> Static waved his arms angrily.   <-that you would choose based on what you thought I would want, instead of what you wanted.>   <That doesn’t even make sense!>   <Listen->   <NO! You listen!> Static demanded, smashing his paw against the ground. <At the core of this, at the center, at the very freaking beginning, this is built on trust. It wasn’t about learning how to attack, it wasn’t about learning how to dodge, it was about listening to you and trusting you. I cannot believe we are having this conversation while standing within a stone’s throw of the Elite Four itself!>   <I-I’m sorry->   <I don’t care right now.> Static shouted. <Is this my choice, or not!?>   <Yes, but->   <I don’t care!> Static cut me off again. <Don’t cloud this! It’s simple. Is it my choice, or not?>   <Yes.> I gulped. <Yes, it’s your choice.>   <Then return me to my pokeball, go fly down to Celadon, and get me my Thunderstone.>   <But Static->   <DO IT.> He ordered, his eyes burning with betrayal and anger. I returned him to his pokeball, and sighed with regret.   Skarr blinked with confusion when I sent him out, noticing my pained expression. <What do you need?>   <I…I need to get to Celadon, to fix an old mistake.> Skarr didn’t need a better reason. <Hop aboard.> ---   (Static POV)   Josh released me farther away then he normally did. Probably to give him some time to talk or something. It was a stupid gesture, and I tried my best to ignore it while bounding up to him.   <Static, before we do this->   <Give me the stone.> I ordered, extending my paw impatiently.   <You’re not thinking this through!>   <It isn’t your right to decide what choices I make! Give me the damn stone.>   Josh shuddered. <Just, please…give me some time to talk.>   <You have a minute.>   Josh took a shaky breath. <I’m worried it’ll change you, Stat. For the worse. Not only will you become a different fighter, you’ll become a different person. You’ll still have all the memories, but not the same emotions. Feelings. You won’t be the same Static that I grew up with, snuck meals with. I won’t be able to carry you anymore. It won’t be you anymore…>   <Are you done?>   <Yeah.> Josh swallowed hard, offering me the stone.   I knocked it out of his hand, and into the grass at his feet. It rolled a little, then stopped at his shoe. Josh picked it up slowly, finally letting out a sigh of understanding. <You never wanted the stone.>   <No. The entire reason I wanted to evolve was for you. To get better for you.> I jabbed my finger into his shin. <I don’t understand why you think I’m better off as a Pikachu then as a Raichu, but I choose to trust your judgment because that’s what I do. I trust you. To hell and back and all of that. And that’s why we’re going to win.>   <I’m sorry for lying to you, Static.>   <You’re an idiot.> I looked up, and smiled weakly. <But I forgive you. Now, the next time you send me out, I want to be battling, you hear?>   <I hear you.>   <Aright! And Josh?>   <Yeah Static?>   <I love you, man.> I clawed up his leg, and hugged me fiercely with his tiny paws.   He hugged me back just as fiercely. <I love you too, Stat.>   <Alright. Now let’s go make our dreams a reality.>   ---   (Josh POV)   <So, how do you want your week to go, Myst?>   <Depends. How’s Nova?>   <He’s…alright.>   <Just alright?>   Watching movies, and laughing with Nova was cathartic; the way he smiled genuinely when a classic line was repeated, or his bubbly laugh when a character gave a witty reply – I could tell it was him. He could strike down the Fearows swooping about the Valley with one claw, and breathe blasts of fire some dragons could envy…   …but his deepest enemy was himself. I felt spent – I didn’t understand the trouble plaguing him, and I felt the best solution would be to simply continue building him up. In the face of repeated success, how could he doubt himself?   My gut rocked back and forth as I gave a mediocre <Yeah, he’s alright>. It tasted a lie.   Myst stared back at me with curious, but cautious gaze. <I…would wish to spend my week with him.>   <Oh?>   <I believe I could motivate him in ways that you may be unable to-> I snorted, and Myst gave an angry blush. <Are you quite finished?>   <Yes, yes. I apologize.> I giggled, trying to maintain a serious expression.   <Males.> Myst glared at me as I clenched my teeth, trying not laugh. <Ways motivating him that don’t need to be inherently sexual. I would like to try; I may succeed or I may fail, but I believe it to be a good use of our time if it has the chance to unlock Nova’s potential.>   <Okay, I’m fine with that; it seems like a good idea. Would you two prefer to be alone?>   <You can watch us train if you would like.> Myst shrugged, looking to the side as if weighing options in her mind.   <I suppose that was the wrong question.> I cleared my throat redundantly. <Do you feel comfortable training with Nova in my absence, or do you feel as if my presence is mandatory for this idea to succeed?>   Myst bowed, her eyes flashing with confidence. <I have full confidence in our abilities, my liege.> <I’ll leave you two to it, then.>
(Myst POV)   I remember laughter. I was so serious at first, but there was something about him that made me lose all sense of severity and thoughtfulness. I don’t remember what we said before; all I recall is the laughter, rolling around in the crisp, clean grass of the valley, clutching each other tightly as we tumbled at gravity’s whim.   The universe was a blur of spinning color and mirth, trading between shades of greens and adorable, giggly oranges. At last, we rolled to a stop, panting and catching our breath. I felt Nova’s hand eclipse my own as we both lay disoriented, staring up into the spinning, blurred blue sky.   “We’re going to hurt ourselves.” I giggled, the sky gradually slowing.   “It’s worth it, to recapture that day.” Nova hummed to my side, rubbing my paw in his own. He turned to me and leaned against my side, his warm fur brushing against my own. “I’m glad you choose this. I thought we had to choose training or something, otherwise I would’ve chosen to hang out with you too, I just thought-”   I lazily reached around and placed my paw in his mouth. To Nova it was simply playful, and a way of covertly telling him he was blathering, but to me it was so much more. Turning over. A hurdle I had struggled with my entire life, now accessible at a mere whim of my hand. Nova bit my hand teasingly and placed it on his chest with a contented sigh.   “Hey Nova?” I turned, eyeing my small, adorable Charizard.   “Mmmm?”   “How do you feel, now that we’re at the Elite Four?”   Nova rested a paw under his head, and gazed up at the sky. “I dunno. The same, I guess. Maybe a bit worse; I mean, stuff matters now. If I failed before, we could just re-try. If I fail now...”   I turned, and faced him with a frustrated smirk. “You’ve never failed. You know that right? Literally, since I have met you, I have never seen you fail. Ever.”   “Thanks.” Nova smiled, but his heart wasn’t into it. “I just…whenever I think about battling when it matters, my stomach turns into knots. I remember all the other times, but…I don’t know. I can’t harness that confidence I felt back then…”   “Then fake it.” I shrugged.   Nova smirked. “I don’t think that’s healthy.”   “No, what’s not healthy is a constant sense of unworthy and inadequacy.” Nova cringed and tried to look away, but I scooted closer and tilted his head to face my own. “Hey. I’m not mad at you.”   “I-I’m just, I can’t help it. It’s just the kind of person I am.”   “And what is a person?” I climbed on top of my furry little dragon, and rested my head on his chest.   “I-I don’t know? A collection of emotions?”   “A collection of roles.” I smirked, gazing upon him with a lazy scarlet eye.   “Huh?”   “Think of it. How you act in my company, kind, playful. Then, in Josh’s presence. The timid, but resilient. In a gym? Powerful, but reserved. Different roles, making up who you are.”   “How would you know so much about roles?” Nova asked, raising an eyebrow.   “We have a different name for them in my tribe. Nithaki -- masks. We perfect these across our lives, presenting different ones to each person we meet. My illusions aren’t simply refractions of light – they’re how I convey emotion, status, and feeling.”   Nova sat quietly, waiting for me to continue.   “Ever notice how I seem smaller in Josh’s presence, putting loyalty and honor at the forefront? How my fur turns black at the sight of an enemy instead of its hues of gray, and how my eyes go from ruby to blood?”   “And what form do you take when you’re with me?” Nova whispered, tracing a finger through my fur.   I smirked. “My point is, all we are is a collection of roles, masks. If you want to be better, then simply…be better.”   Nova frowned. “It’s not that simple for me.”   “Then don’t be you. Be someone else.” I shrugged. Nova gave me a curious look. “Actors, on a stage. Maybe they’re timid, or nervous, but they aren’t, because their roles are not timid or nervous. They are whatever their role is, because that is what they need to be.”   “Actors…” Nova mumbled to himself.   “Think it over, Nova. Who do you want to be?”   Nova thought for a moment, curling me up in a hug. “Someone…strong. Powerful, confident. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to call themselves a dragon, who is fierce, fearless, and unstoppable.”   “And what would their name be?” I purred.   Nova scrunched his face in thought. “Something…something related to my name. Stars, space, fire and stuff.”   “Supernova?”   “Ehh. This person isn’t better than me, just different. He’s not a ‘super’ version of me.”   “Hmmmm. What about, like your opposite? Like a vortex or something?” “Vortex.” Nova nodded, smiling widely. “Yeah. That’s the one.” ---   (Josh POV)   <You don’t trust me.>   He weaved in and out of foes attacks as if he was made of liquid. Calling him fast would be a lie; he was neither fast nor slow, he was the exact speed he needed to be in the situation. There were times I swore I saw him get smashed by a Graveler’s fist, but he always escaped unscathed, and counter-attack with precision and perfection. Despite their same heritage, Oxygen fought nothing like Static. Static was headstrong and fierce, but Oxygen was something more. His fighting style wasn’t fighting, it was art, reborn on the battlefield.   <No. I don’t.>   I was honest. I enjoyed being honest, and here I had no reason to lie. He may be the strongest Pokémon I had, but that hadn’t meant he had earned a place on our team. I recalled my week with Mew, saying that power was nothing without control. Here, I felt as if I couldn’t control Oxygen. He was an unpredictable piece on a chessboard that I had worked so long to turn to my favor.   <I suppose I would consider you a fool if you did.> Oxygen turned away, and glanced at his tail. A small strap of cloth was tied around the midsection of his tail; a cautionary reminder of what almost was.   <Do you consider Static a fool?>   Oxygen thought for a moment, tracing his paw over the cloth. <…Yes.>   I suppose I valued his honesty, even if it was at Static’s expense. I motioned towards his tail. <How does it feel?>   <Different.> Oxygen frowned. <It’s longer now, and the weight is off. Makes me feel unbalanced. I’ll get used to it, I suppose. Don’t have a choice.>   We stood in tense silence for a moment. It had been like this for the better part of two days, training, with mixes of uncomfortable silence and even more uncomfortable conversation.   <I know how I want to spend the rest of my time.> Oxygen announced.   <Oh?>   <I am…unable to say how much I want this.> Overdose shivered, clenching his paw. <How much I want to make an impact in this world, but I can still show you. For the remainder of my time, I want to battle the others. I want to show them my conviction, and let them express their anger and betrayal at me through combat. I want to test their mettle against my own.>   I rubbed my chin. <You think fighting them will change their mind?> <I think there’s a chance, and at this point, I’ll take what I can get.>   --- Myst was the first to volunteer. We found a relatively flat section of green at the bottom of the valley, and everyone was staring with eager anticipation as Oxygen and Myst glowered at each other, circling like sharks.   <You should know, I have no personal vendetta against you.> Myst mentioned almost casually.   <You hate me. You hate me just like the others, for what I’ve done.> Oxygen grimaced. <You were one of the first to ostracize me, and to claim I was unworthy of joining your group.>   <Oh, no. I don’t hate you at all, I just think you’re unstable. Trust me, when you’ve spent a lifetime in the shadows, all you see are shades of gray.> Her red eyes sparkled, and her fur blackened as she spoke. <I no longer think of myself as able to hate, only able to judge who I can trust, and who I can deceive. I don’t believe you as either of those two, and thus, I have no reason to associate myself or my comrades with the likes of you.>   <I have power, and skill. I can be an asset.> Oxygen offered.   <What is strength, compared to cunning?> A Myst stepped out of the first, smirking with confidence.   <What is power, compared to precision?> another pondered, appearing out of the second.   <What is force, without control?> a fourth asked, stepping out of the first. Four Mysts smirked in unison, strutting towards Oxygen with eyes of dangerous maroon.   <I’ll show you what I’m capable of.> Oxygen snarled, pounding a fist into its twin, and duplicating his own form with Double Team.   <A battle of mirrors, then?> One of the Mysts scoffed. <You should know I have ways of seeing through lies.> The mimics each glared warily at each other, with Myst’s moving cautiously and independently, and Oxygen’s in a strict formation.   Suddenly, one of the Mysts dove onto an Oxygen seemingly at random with trailing black shadow flying off her claws. That Oxygen dissolved into nothingness, and another leapt forward to strike at the ‘real’ Myst, electricity pulsing at the end of his tail.   He struck the Myst in the side, but that too disappeared into nothingness. Oxygen cringed, now exposed.   <Tsk. You should know to always leave your last illusion for yourself.> Myst grinned, striking Overdose in the gut. Her eyes went wide as she hit nothing but air, overextended her fist.   <A lesson I learned long ago.> a booming voice spoke behind her, smashing an extremely real tail into the square of her back. She cried in surprise, bouncing against dirt and gravel as electricity coursed through her fur. <You know I can be an asset.> Oxygen continued, earning a growled from Myst who grudgingly pushed her way to standing. <And after all, who are you to judge me, self-proclaimed thief and liar?>   <When sleep comes at night, I fall effortlessly into its grasp. When the earth whispers my name, and my sleep shall become eternal, I shall heed it’s words without fear. Can you say the same, ‘Oxygen’?> Myst mocked, standing on all fours, and glowing with white light. <Or do you fear death, and the Judgment for you sins?>   She started growing. Ten feet, twenty, until she was bigger than Sandy’s cottage. She was nearly the size of a mansion when she stopped, her now white fur glowing with radiance as hard streaks of yellow and gold circled around her.   She became Arceus.   <Do you fear Judgment?> She boomed, smashing a massive foot against the grass next to Oxygen, splintering the ground with a wave of blackness. Oxygen dodged to the side, his pupils the size of pinpricks as he stared at the metaphysical reincarnation of his maker. <Do you fear death?> The Arceus swept his head down like a scythe, catching Oxygen in the chest in a wave of obsidian colored energy. It cracked into him like a wave, crashing against his side and throwing him to the ground below.   <You’re all masks and lies!> Oxygen growled, bounding upwards to face the now-black Arceus head on.   <Are you anything else?> The Arceus countered, raising another massive foot. <Overdose, then Oxygen. Murderer, then charity-case. What role do you truly play, and which mask do you choose as your face?> Oxygen dove to the side, narrowly avoiding a house-sized crater created by the pseudo-Arceus. <Look at you run. When I look at you, all I see is cruelty! Why should you earn our pity?>   Oxygen dove under another massive foot and leapt at the sole, catching a startled Myst out of thin air and dissipating the god-like illusion. <Because I am learning to see truth.> Oxygen then smashed Myst back into the ground, and held his tail like a knife at her throat.   Myst laughed hollowly. <That’s it, then. You’ve bested me. Go ahead, take your kill. Taken it like all the others you’ve murdered.>   <I want to fix the world, not destroy it.>   <What are you looking for from me? Absolution? Redemption? You’re a sinner praying to a heretic. I lost my way long ago, friend, and I’ve found comfort in the way of the damned.>   Oxygen removed his tail from her throat, and extended his paw. <Maybe I’m just looking for understanding right now, and believe me, I know I’m asking a lot.>   Myst gazed at the hand, snorting and pushing it herself to standing without it. <I appreciate the gesture, but no, not yet.> Overdose sighed reluctantly, then turned to a sullen face at me. <Who’s next?>   --- (Nova POV)   <I just, I don’t see why this is necessary. Shouldn’t we be working together?> I shrugged as Myst pushed me onto the battlefield.   <Please.> Oxygen held one paw in its twin in a weird attempt to look vulnerable and sincere. <I know there is bad blood between us, and I…I want to overcome it.>   <There isn’t a need, though.> I explained. <There’s no bad blood here. You, you just were in a bad circumstance, and made some bad choices. It’s over – you’re better now, and you’re turning your life around. I just, I-I don’t harbor any resentment towards you.>   <You’re lying.> Oxygen frowned.   I felt my face heat up at the accusation, and I fought it back down. <I’m not, I just->   <Nova!> Myst thought to me in private. <Don’t fight it. Don’t be you. Remember?>   “Vortex…” I whispered quietly to myself.   <Don’t let your emotions block you, let his guide you.> She urged.   <Tell me how you truly feel.> Oxygen’s tail flicked behind him, eager to engage me.   <Honestly?> A feeling of heat rose again in my chest. <You nearly killed one of my closest friends. You caused Josh to suffer for days, and because of you, my love was sent to the bowels of hell to retrieve an innocent that your entourage forced to act as your hostage. You are a fowled, evil, broken man, who used his past to wound others for pleasure!>   <I am trying to mend the wounds I have caused.> Oxygen tensed.   <Wounds do not mend so simply!> A torrent of fire blasted from my mouth, searing the grass under my foe as he twisted and dodged my flames. <Heat may melt the skin and mend wounds faster than you; shall I try to fix your broken soul through Dragon Fire?>   Oxygen knelt and sent a stream of electricity into my wings. I had forgotten they were even there until I felt the electricity course through them, wracking me with shivers and spasms.   Ah! Th-this isn’t working, I can’t hit him; he’s too strong!   No, that’s my thoughts. What would Vortex think?   I sucked in a massive breath, and blasted the valley with a sea of white, brilliant fire. Overdose was caught in its core, and took the full brunt of the attack, burning with the force and might of my ancestors. He cursed loudly, using the smoke and haze of my attack to his advantage, charging at me, swirling his tail like one would a spiked chain. Oxygen raced around another gout of my flame, and bashed me with his tail, or attempted to. I caught the thunderbolt of his tail with my claws and crunched my fist around it, ignoring the screaming pain from my muscles as scorching electricity bounded through my bicep. Without even trying, my eyes shone white as I threw him to the ground, and crushed him under my foot. Long, fierce draconic claws grew out of my fist, and I aimed them at his throat.   Oxygen stared back at the claws, his eyes patient but wary. <I’m just trying to make amends. Trying to remind some of the pain I caused, and maybe…form a bond between you all, if I can.>   <Gods do not associate themselves with wurms.> I spat, cursing him in a draconic tongue. <There will never be a bond between us, and the only thing that douses my wrath is the will of my friends. Though I may fight alongside you, you will never be my ally.> I withdrew my claws, and stepped off him. Josh hadn’t yet called a victor, but I knew there was no ambiguity. I hadn’t just won, I demolished him. He never stood a chance.
(Oxygen POV)   I wiped the sweet potion off my lips with an arm, leaving a trail of crust as the sticky residue left my maw and stained my fur. <Who’s next?>   <I’ll show you your place.> the metallic bird spoke, walking casually where Nova once stood.   I gave an exasperated grin. <I would prefer it if my place was here, at your side…>   Skarr remained silent, eyeing me slowly.   <Where do think I belong, Skarmory?> I asked cautiously, my tail coiling and uncoiling behind me with a life of its own.   Skarr brushed his wing against his skull, silencing public thoughts. Now, he was just communicating with me.   <Fair. Don’t want the others to hear that you secretly approve me joining your team?> I quipped.   An unpreened feather slowly slid out of place on the silver avian, sharper than the keenest blade, and dripping with dark, fowl venom. <I believe individuals such as yourself should be euthanized for the good of society.>   The metaphor of the poison dripping down his wings hit a bit too close to home, and shook me down to my core. <That’s…rather extreme.>   <Your actions were ‘rather extreme’. Should we not respond in kind?>   <So much for ‘forgive and forget’, right?>   <I don’t claim my actions are right, only that they are justified.> Skarr thrust his wing forward, and I dodged out of the way, smacking him with my tail. He crashed into the dirt, grimaced, and pushed himself off with a wing. Electricity bounded down his form as he crumpled again, and I grinned as my power binded to his muscles, temporarily giving him a minor form of paralysis.   <You’re going to have to do better that, bird. If you’re so keen on my death, you may want to post-pone it a few days, at least until after the Elite four.> I mocked. <It looks like you may need me.>   <Pain makes you stronger. Lack of pain cripples you. Calm winds make for poor endurance.>   <What-> I tried to retort, but I cringed as a wave of nausea and cold overcame me, causing me to double over. Something purple dribbled down my face, and onto my paw.   He hit me. That bastard hit me, and I didn’t even feel it.   The feeling faded, though I felt weaker than before. The Skarmory stood cautiously, healing himself as he watched me grow weaker.   <You’re stronger than this!> I screamed, sending a stream of electricity into the bird-shaped lightning rod. He didn’t even attempt to dodge, and took the entire bolt. His healing powers flickered, but remained active. <Why won’t you fight me!?>   <I don’t need to be fight you to win.> Skarr shrugged, watching with cool indifference as I fought another wave of poison. <I just need to outlast you.>   <T-this isn’t the goal of this! Understanding, empathy…>   <I understand you perfectly fine.> Skarr blinked slowly, his eyes full of scorn and judgment. I let another burst of electricity out, frying the bird, but to no avail. His burned feathers restored themselves in a second, with a pristine, polished glow. <Resisting will only make you look more pathetic to the others.>   <I refuse to give up! I refuse to fall! Until my last breath, I will fight you to make you understand!> I growled, sending out another blast of lightning. Skarr winced and took it, but his healing energy shattered as his paralysis took hold, preventing him from curing himself properly. I pressed my advantage, shocking him further and harder than before. Within a moment, his healing sphere was back. We were once again at a standstill; he healed all the damage I dealt, but he couldn’t heal that first thunderbolt. As a result, and despite his constant healing, he was still quite wounded.   <How ironic that fortune favors the villain!> Skarr spat, healing himself as much as he could. His blackened feathers now remained blackened, but he refused to grow any worse despite my attempts to shock him into unconsciousness. <Fall, damn you! I can stand like this for all eternity, but you have a finite amount of time before the poison takes hold, and renders you blind to the world! Surrender!>   <I’m willing to bet I can withstand your toxins longer than you can stave off your paralysis!>   Skarr wincing as jolts of electricity binded his muscles, yet he refused their crying plea to lock in place. At last it was too much, and his muscles all cramped at once, giving way to my last bolt of electricity. He fell to the floor, blackened and defeated.   <You may have bested my body, but you will never best my mind. I will never see you as anything but an adversary!> He spat, cringing on the floor as his muscles convulsed.   <I could help you win. I’m strong. Powerful. Skilled. You could use someone like me.> <And use we may.> he croaked. <But though you may fight by our side, you will never be our friend.> ---   (Mew POV)   <I don’t quite see why this is necessary.> I giggled. <Honestly, I never even knew you before we met in the cavern. I feel only love towards you, like I do all my creations.>   <You didn’t create me.> Oxygen bristled.   <Well, not directly.>   Oxygen frowned, coiling his tail. <Do you believe I can be an asset?>   <I don’t believe your power was ever in question. Your trustworthiness, perhaps, and perhaps your capacity for logic.>   Oxygen processed this. <Did you just call me stupid?>   <No.> I smirked. <Why would you think that?>   Faster than I could see, his tail flung into my stomach and electrocuted the breath out of my lungs. I cringed, floating to the side to avoid further assault. Electricity coiled around me, binding to my muscles just like Skarr.   <Arrogance is why gods fall.> Oxygen smirked, coiling his tail and waiting for another opening.   <Arrogance is why mortals die.> I growled. Electricity coiled around his muscles as well, binding him and locking up his joins. He screamed, more in surprise than pain.   <W-what have you done!? I-I can’t be paralyzed!> he yelped, attempting to rid himself of the pesky electricity, but only managing to move in a jerky, twisting motion.   <And here I thought you wanted empathy.> I gave a cruel smile, extending my hand as a jet of flame engulfed the muscle-locked Raichu. He screamed, unable to dodge as the flames fried him alive.   He limped out of the fire, collapsing in the grass in a show of surrender. I floated over casually, wincing as my body twitched and spasmed.   <I…I don’t understand…> He gulped, his fur raw and singed. <We know.> ---   (Static POV)   <I don’t want to do this.>   <You don’t have to if you don’t want to, Static.> Josh gave me a reassuring nod.   <Please. Just, like, to get our emotions out there. For you to see what I’m capable of.> Oxygen pleaded.   I shivered. <…Dude. Not to be an ass or anything, but I know what you’re capable of.>   Oxygen swallowed hard, and looked away.   <Plus, like, I support you joining us. What are you trying to prove?>   <…I don’t know. Not that I’m worthy of this, but…that it’s worth your guys’ time. That I won’t backstab you half-way through the Elite Four and quit or something. That my reasons are good, and that I’ve really changed.>   <You don’t have to convince me. I believe you.>   <You’re lying.> Oxygen almost pouted, his paws curled at his sides.   <No…I’m really not.>   <I almost killed you! Twice!>   <Honestly, I barely remember it.> I winced. <I remember hurting and floating in the ocean, but that’s kind of it. I don’t have trouble forgiving you because I don’t really care. I was more worried about Josh not having a good time at the battle park then I was concerned with you.>   <Static…> Josh sighed, with some trace of melancholy and regret. I smiled at him, and he seemed sated for the moment.   <I was upset because I was the victim, but now that I’m not…> I raised my paws in a shrug. <I don’t really care about you. I don’t really care if you want to go help some charity somewhere, or you’re trying to better yourself. I just want to beat the Elite Four with Josh and the others, and live in the Battle Park with Wiggly, fighting every day and living up high. If you can help us get there, then hop aboard.>   Oxygen tried to digest what I had said, but in the end he simply shook his head. <I…I don’t believe someone could just forgive what I did so easily.> I didn’t really know what to say. Josh was always the one that gave the speeches, and here I just kinda feeling lost. I didn’t know what to say to make him feel better – did I even want to make him feel better? – and I just stood in the meadow feeling useless as the sun slowly dipped in the sky.   <Okay, then.> Josh announced. <What is the consensus then? How does everyone feel about bringing Overd-> Josh frowned, and put a hand to his lips. <Sorry. Bringing Oxygen with us tomorrow?>   <What Static says is Law. It was his pain; he decides.> Skarr spoke, surprising me. The others nodded, and turned to me.   <Sure. We need all the help we can get.> I extended my paw, waiting for a handshake. What I got was a hug, full force, crushing in intensity and admiration.   “T…thank you…” Oxygen chocked, his voice cracking as he held me in the embrace. <I-I know I don’t deserve it, but->   <Earn it, then.> I grinned. <Beat the Elite Four with us at your side, and prove to us that you’ve changed.> Oxygen wiped his snout with a paw, and with the other smashed my paw in a fist-bump. <You got it, man. Next stop, the top.>
Every step. Every battle, every trial, every victory and every defeat lead up to this moment. I shivered, overwhelmed.   <You ready?> Static shook with excitement, standing on my shoulder and holding my hair for balance. The others stood at my side, each giddy with anticipation.   <Yeah.> I answered, stepping through the plastic red line. I was now in the Elite Four arena. The guard gave a slow, approving nod, and I giggled like a school child in response.   He smiled politely. “Please don’t melt the ice.”   “Sorry?”   “You’ll understand soon, sir.” He motioned to the open doorway ahead. Grinning a huge, ridiculous grin, I walked inside. The temperature dropped drastically as we walked into the room. Ice glistened off the floor and the walls, meshing into one another in a smooth, near-transparent sheet.   My breath materialized before me, and I zipped up my jacket. <Skarr, any way you can see above that wall?>   <I…I don’t think it ends.> Skarr shivered. <I think it just melds into the ceiling.>   Nova tugged on my jeans. <I could blast a hole!>   <Valid idea, but the guard just->   <It could be a test!> Nova chirped. <Just to see how willing you are to abide by meaningless rules?>   <True…> I relented. <Still, I would prefer to get through this without breaking it. We’ll save that for our last resort, all right?>   <Okay.>   I wasn’t the only one shivering. Static clung to me harshly, unaccustomed to such fierce cold. Oxygen was likely also suffering, yet he simply grit his teeth and forged onward. Skarr wrapped his wings around himself. Myst simply stood close to Nova, who appeared to be fairing the best of all of us.   <It branches.> Oxygen spat. I turned the corner, and sure enough, the path split in two. Even worse, I noticed that further down the right path, it split again.   <It’s a maze.> Skarr groaned, rubbing his wings together for warmth.   <I could scout ahead, if you would like.> Myst offered.   <Thank you Myst, but I would prefer if we stay together.>   She shrugged. <As you wish.>   <In fact, there’s no reason you all should suffer through this.> I continued. <I’m more than capable of figuring this out for myself, and you all should be at your peak for the battles ahead.>   <You’ll freeze!> Nova squeaked.   <Well, how are you fairing Nova?>   <I’m a bit cold, I guess?> He gave me a concerned pout.   <Nova and yourself should traverse this maze.> Myst announced. <He can keep you warm. The rest of us should wait until we’re needed to strike.>   <Any objections?> No one spoke up. <Okay then. Wish us luck.>   <Luck.> Static frowned, staring at his Pokéball with a touch of regret. <Be careful, all right?>   <Will do.> I returned everyone but Nova to their Pokéballs. <Hey Nova, mental puzzle. Which direction would you go?>   Nova stared into the icy path for a moment before shrugging. <Left, I guess?>   <Why?>   <…To make a choice? I don’t know. Unless we could see the entirety of the maze, or we knew the layout beforehand, each way is equally likely to be the right one. There’s no way to know.>   <There is one way.> I smirked, taking the left path.   <Oh? How?> Nova bounced up behind me, breathing a small burst of fire to keep us warm.   <If you stick to one wall of a maze you’re bound to reach the end. Well, eventually.>   <What do you mean?>   <If we always choose one direction – in this case left – we’ll eventually reach the end. It’s just how mazes are constructed.>   Nova frowned. <I don’t understand.>   <I’ll show you a picture of what I mean later. For now, just trust me, okay?>   <Okay!>   Nova’s flame helped, but after walking for some time I stopped noticing the chill. First sign of frostbite. I frowned, checking my hands every so often and rubbing them together to stay warm. <How are you doing, Nova?> I asked, both to ensure his safety and to keep up conversation.   <Good. My wings kind of hurt, though.> He winced, breathing a small gout of flame for my benefit.   <Wings? Because of the cold?>   <No, because of the walls. I use to walk with them extended to kind of shield you from the cold a bit, but now the walls are too narrow, so I have to walk with them half-open.> He frowned, bending sideways to extend one at full extension, then did the same to the other wing. <They’re cramping a bit.>   I thought for a moment, rubbing my hands together. <Hmmm, perhaps if you walked sideways->   Wait. Why was he able to walk with his wings fully extended then, and not now?   Nova turned his head, confused. <What’s wrong, Josh?>   This is not good. <…I think the maze is shrinking.>   <I don’t think so, I think we just took a more narrow passage.>   I bit my lip. <I think you’re right, but just to make sure, I’m going to make a scuff mark in the ice next to the wall. We’ll stay here for a second, and make sure the scuff mark is the same distance, just to make sure.>   Nova nodded. <Good thinking!>   <No. If you’re right I’m wasting time, and if I’m right, we’re wasting time getting crushed. The idea is awful, I just can’t think of a better one.>   <It’s still a good idea.> Nova encouraged me with a pat of his wing. He scratched a thin line in the ice with his claws, and we watched the wall patiently. To our mutual horror, the wall crept up, and overtook the line.   <Shit.> I cursed, both mentally and orally, grabbing Nova by the paw and racing down the maze.   Nova squealed behind me, his warmth forgotten as I raced through the freezing maze. <Wait! Which way are we going to go!?>   <Left! Always left!>   <But I thought that only worked if we had time!>   I grit my teeth. <…You’re right, but I don’t have a better solution!>   The walls moved faster now, and I could see their physical progress. I had never been claustrophobic before, but I now had a keen sense of what they felt when they described ‘the walls closing in’. I ran as fast as I could down a curving passageway, with Nova trailing behind.   I almost smashed into it. Dead end. I whirled around to see a terrified Nova, looking at me with horror. The walls pressed into my shoulders, and my heart raced inside my chest.   My mind whirled with thoughts. <Nova! I’m going to return you to your ball. Should I die, the walls might not close completely, leaving you and the others unharmed!>   Nova screamed something in his normal voice, forgoing the poke speak completely in a look of horror. I had seconds. The wall crunched into my shoulders, and I turned sideways to gain precious, precious time. I reached into my belt and pulled out his Pokéball.   The floor gave way. I was suddenly in freefall, with a wide-eyed Nova diving after me. We had never flown before, and he caught me with his arms instead of his back. He shielded me suddenly with his wings, and we crashed against something hard and unforgiving.   ---   I groaned. <…are you alright?>   Nova stood up, dusting himself off. <I’m okay. Did I do alright? I’ve never tried to fly with anyone before…>   <You were great.> I bit my tongue, trying to not let the pain influence my thoughts. <Thank you.>   “Fancy flying, trainer.” Someone scoffed. I winced and stood, taking in the room. Similar to the cerulean gym, the entire thing was a large pool of water. Land trimmed the edges, and two icebergs floated on either side, hinting at the frigid temperature of the water. The walls looked cave-like, sparkling with ice and precious gems, with stalagmites of ice hanging precariously from the ceiling.   “Funny.” I scowled. “Does the floor only release in certain spots, or was it rigged to give at a moment of sacrifice?”   The woman smirked. Her hair was a deep maroon, which complemented her dark, almost black swimsuit. She had large, thin framed glasses, which carried an aura of confidence and knowledge as she pushed them up her thin nose. “They trigger when you’re about to die. It isn’t a test at all – each trial is a lesson, designed by each member of the Elite Four.”   “What lesson could that possibly teach?” I fumed. “The maze was too large to transverse logically, and with the introduction the aspect of death so close to the Cave, people will instantly assume it’s real! What’s the goal – to run chaotically through it until your heart fails or you get crushed to death!?”    “Calmness, under pressure.” The woman cocked her head in a mock bow. “Now – to whom do I have the honor of battling?”   “My name is Josh Karren.” I stood fiercely with my arms at my sides, ignoring the extreme cold. I knew that everything in the Elite four was kept under the strictest confidence, and I had no fear of my identity being discovered. Likewise, the identity of the Elite Four and the champion especially were all hidden. “What is your name, if I may?”   “I am Lorelei, First Master of the Elite Four.” She purred. “I represent wisdom and focus. I believe that all things can be discovered through knowledge and devotion.”   “Hmmm.” I put my hands in my pockets, trying to keep some semblance of warmth. “I assumed your ideals would pertain to ice, or at least water.”   “The environment we battle in, and the types of Pokémon I choose are merely means to an end.” Lorelei flicked a strand of hair that had gotten out of place. “Water types are the most stable Pokémon; all of their statistics such as defense, special attack, and speed are all equivalent. This means they have no true weaknesses, but also no strengths.” She smiled, the light glimmering off the ice and shining off her glasses. “Ice, however, is extremely powerful, but also extremely frail. Combining the two is simply logical – power without weakness.”   “Yet you are only the First Master of Five.” I countered. “If this were true, wouldn’t you be the Champion?”   “My ideals are correct, my execution and personal abilities are what need refining.” She bowed. “However, when you lose to me, you will have the honor of knowing that you lose to Lorelei – First Master of the Elite Four, and Future Champion of Kanto.”   I grinned. “I’ll break through your false ideals like ice.”   “Go, Dewgong. Show him the power of the Northern Seas!” “Go, Static! Show her the weakness of trusting a single element!” ---   (Static POV)   Go time.   Everything was covered in ice, and it was cold as hell. Still, blood pumped through my heart, and I was ready for any challenge. There was water everywhere, and I saw a weird seal-thing peeking out from under an iceberg. It looked like a mix between a stunted unicorn and a mole, and sounded just as pleasant.   <Won’t you join me in the water?> It hummed slowly, almost stupidly. <It feels fantastic, I promise. Warm, almost tropical.>   I stuck out my tongue. <Why don’t you join me on land, so I can shock the bejesus out of you easier, and so you’ll reverse-drown?>   <I breathe air, you ignorant rat.>   <Then why do you live in water? That’s stupid.>   Both of our trainers were waiting for the other to give an order. Attacking was simple and fairly straightforward, but once it was executed it was difficult to stop. Sometimes, choosing to defend early was a better option, as it gave the opportunity to counterattack. All of this sounded like garbage to me, and I would have normally ignored it, but given the fact that the stupid seal-thing was under an iceberg I couldn’t exactly use Fake Out right off the bat like I would like.   <Wait for a move.> Josh said. <If she’s far away, Thunderbolt, and if she’s close, Brick Break.>   <Why wouldn’t I use Thun-, wait, she? How the hell…?>   <Size of the horn.>   <Oh, okay. So, like, smaller horns are females?>   <Actually, the reverse is true. While males use it to fence and determine mates, females actually have the longer horns, for breaking through ice and for protecting the young.>   <That’s stupid.>   Josh rolled his eyes. <Just focus.>   The trainer and Josh looked like they were speaking. I grumbled impatiently. After a moment, Lorelei flicked her wrist at the Dewgong and suddenly it moved, darting through the water with ridiculous speed. It crashed into my iceberg, and it cracked in half. I stumbled, and the seal-thing took the opportunity to leap out of the water straight at me.   Luckily I didn’t have to be standing to attack.   “Chaaa!” I screamed, socking it in the face as it attempted a Body Slam. It rolled over and flopped on top of me, crushing the breath out me with its fat. I snorted and punched it again, and to my surprise it stopped moving.   I punched it once more for good measure, and snaked my way out from under the white blob.   Josh nodded. <Good. How are you feeling?>   <…disgusted, but health-wise I’m fine.>   <Okay. Keep me updated on your health – I could only buy so many revives, and we’re not allowed to go to PokéCenters half-way through this. Healing you after battle is easy, but reviving you is harder.>   <Got it.>   The girl trainer frowned, returning the seal-thing to her Pokéball, then threw out another. And boy, I was in for it if I thought the seal thing looked dumb.   “Sloowwwww….” the Slowbro moaned, its eyes staring forward vacantly.   <Seriously?> I laughed at the drooling pink Pokémon.   <Scoff at me if you must, but I’m not choosy when it comes to hosts. Taste the power of our combined force!> It’s tail had eyes and a Pokespeak, and spoke venomously as a bolt of pink energy shot out of the Slowbro’s paw.   <Thunderbolt! Don’t waste your moves on anything else!> Josh ordered. I ducked after the first bolt (was that Psychic? Seriously?) and retaliated with a bolt of my own. It took the hit in stride and sent another purple bolt at my feet.   <Take the hit!> Josh warned. <Don’t jump or->   It was too late, and I leapt forward to avoid the blow, right into the icy waters. I nearly froze on impact, my muscles tensing and begging for relief from the torturous cold.   <Shit!> Josh cursed. <Static, can you get back up?>   <I’m f-f-fine!> I screamed back, my head breaking from the waves. The Slowbro shot another purple blast, catching me and dunking me back under the surface.   <If you have enough air, swim to the other side!>   I snarled bubbles underwater, quickly kicking and pushing the water out of my way. I finally reached the other side, and scurried back onto the iceberg and shaking my coat free of the artic water.   <He’s just going to try the same strategy! Make sure you have sure footing!>   <I’m standing on ice!> I growled, sending another bolt of electricity at the Slowbro, which he easily dodged. I was too far away to get a good shot.   <Just try to get a secure a foothold as you can.>   An idea slowly hatched in my mind. A stupid, impossible, awesome idea.   I can secure a foothold, alright.   “Sloowwww…” the Slowbro gurgled, filling his mouth with water right before he spat it back. I tensed, muscles coiled, ready to put my plan into action.   <Perish!> The Slowbro’s tail commanded, spraying a frigid blue burst at my little iceberg. I ran and jumped high off the island, kicked against the wall, and dove onto the Slowbro’s iceberg. The female trainer blinked in disbelief as I punched the Slowbro in its stupid face, my fist trailing with the electricity from my checks. He reeled from my blow and stumbled into the water, kicking off and sinking deep into the pool.   <Argh!> I growled. <Josh, what do I do?>   <Can you just shock the water as a collective? The electricity will likely be diffused, but it’ll still get some damage on him.>   I tensed, sending a burst of electricity into the pool. The Slowbro was too deep now, and I couldn’t really tell if it hurt him or not. I frowned, sending another burst into the pool. Couldn’t hurt, right?   The Slowbro burst from the waves behind me, and smashed me with his clubbed paw. I flew off the iceberg, and once again fell into the icy waves, except I wasn’t cold anymore.   No. Now I was pissed.   “Chaaa!” I screamed, diving towards the Slowbro. He dodged too slowly, and I latched onto the tail. It gave a look of frightened bewilderment as I bit onto the end, sending a stream of electricity into it as it tried to swim away. It kicked me hard in the face and I nearly blacked out, but I didn’t let go. At last it stopped movin, and I was able to swim to the surface, shivering and badly damaged. Under normal circumstances I would banter with Josh about how I could go ‘one more fight’, but I knew I was all but down for the count. The water was freezing, and I could barely float.   <Great job, man.> <Damn r-right.> I smirked, finding the bliss of status.
(Josh POV)   Options. Nova was completely out of the question, of course. Skarr wouldn’t be the best match despite his steel typing, simply because flying is also weak to ice. Myst is strong, but she is also a glass cannon, and I didn’t want to send her out without a clear advantage.   Mew was a good option, but second best. Oxygen would be perfect here, as he would have a clear advantage, and he was use to treacherous terrain. This was a good a time as any – either he succeeded and won us this match, or he lost, and I had Mew to back him up. I nodded, my choice made. “Go, Oxygen!” ---   (Oxygen POV)   How long have I been out?   I glanced warily at my surroundings, still covered in that annoying, biting ice. I disliked being confined in that ball, having my orientation of time distorted by stasis, but such was the price of teamwork.   “Go, Lapras!” a woman cried, standing on a sliver of land across from me. I stood on a fraction of a floating bit of ice, next to its twin. Another iceberg floated next to a behemoth of a Pokémon, nearly the size of the iceberg itself. Apparently, I was in a battle.   <Double Team, then Thunderbolt!> the trainer named Josh ordered. I disliked the way he commanded me, but I grit my teeth and obeyed. This was temporary, after all.   I focused, and tore myself in two, making sure to duplicate my shadow along with my form. It was a mistake I only made once.   The sea monster shot a beam of ice at our feet, and I willed myself and my clone to avoid it. The illusion was always more compelling if it too had a sense of self-preservation.   “Rai!” I shouted, leaping forward with my powerful legs, and grabbing hold of one of the creatures’ large spines. The creatures neck snapped backwards, and glared at me with…   …such, odd eyes.   <Oxygen, focus!>   They were green and crisp, just like sunlight, bathed in the sea of dust. Dripping water from curved, politely bowed leaves, allowing passage into bright darkness. I remembered the taste of pear – a treat, given to me by a man, long ago. A man forgotten, or attempted to be. Why had he shown such kindness, then such disregard? The taste of pear, greenness, and pure, soured and tainted by neglect and confusion.   Confusion.   I bit my tongue hard, trying to regain my sense of clarity. I felt cold, hard water surrounding me, but was this too the result of a mind hazed by surrealism? I tasted pear. Why had he been so kind? He had never fed me before, and I had never counted on the kindness of strangers. I ate rats, and drank putrid water dripping from sewers at my lowest. Grotesque water, green with…no, it wasn’t green. Green was fresh, golden, and pure, like the pear. Where was I?   <Focus! He’s got you in the water!>   I flailed, smashing my tail into something that felt satisfactory. I was in a field, and I was warm, and happy. Content, yet there were no pears here, and no neglectful trainers. I was with friends – no, I was with family. Lush, green grass, green like purity, sunlight, and warmth, green like youth, generosity, and kindness. Green like the eyes I would never have, my own cursed with scorn and rejection, with the pain of mortality and the weight of-   I gasped for air, choking with water. The monster lay defeated, and I was soaked with freezing water. I noticed I was damaged, but not severely. I was lucid again, but I still tasted pear on my tongue, reminiscent of a memory long forgotten.   <Are you alright, Oxygen?> Josh called out, with a hint of…something. It wasn’t sarcasm, or lack of faith. It wasn’t belittling, or cruel. It was…   …concern?   I tried to smile, unused to the gesture. <I’m alright. Thank you…Josh.>   <Do you think you can go another round?>   I stretched, and assessed my wounds. I felt the biting cold, but I also felt a sense of warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. A sense of promise, and a sense of destiny. <Absolutely.> I smirked, pounding my fist into its twin. <Let them come.> ---   (Josh POV)   I was…impressed.   Oxygen had dispatched the subsequent Cloyster with ease, and just destroyed Lorelei’s Jynx. Besides the fight with the Lapris, he was never even struck. Grudgingly impressed, I returned him to his Pokéball.   I nodded to Lorelei, eager to continue and get out of this cold. “Good battle.”   “Mmmm.” Lorelei gave a small, bored shrug. “I’ve had better.”   You…lost. How have you had better?   Lorelei motioned to a section of the cave wall. “Anyway, the path continues here. Goodbye.”   The wall opened up slightly, giving way to a warm narrow path.   Did she mean more decisive? A better learning opportunity for her?   My chilled body rebelled against my mind for wanting to stay a moment longer, but my curiosity was too much to bear. I whirled around once again to face Lorelei. “What did you mean when you said ‘you’ve had better’?”   She leaned back in thought. “When fighting…more experienced trainers, we adopt a certain mindset. A way of predicting their moves and countering appropriately. When fighting more…novice…opponents, it occasionally throws our game, simply because we aren’t use to such barbaric tactics.”   What.   “So…you lost because I sent out an electric type and you didn’t expect me to press my advantage?”   “Essentially. I thought it was a ploy; you would switch into a water type and heal yourself, or perhaps you had an item that would power up your Pokémon if it were hit with an ice-type attack. Throwing out an electric type simply to counter my water type is…very one-dimensional thinking, and I figured you would be capable of more than that, so I fought accordingly.” Lorelei pushed her glasses up her nose. “But, I suppose I was mistaken.”   So…I fought poorly and won because I was a worse trainer then you pictured me to be?   I rejected the stray thought, and crunched my face with disbelief. “Okay. Thank you, I suppose. I’ll take my leave now.”   Lorelei shrugged noncommittally. “Best of luck, trainer.”   I took my first step down the torch-lit cave path. Warmth! Feeling returned to my hands and feet, along with the pins and needles feeling race across my arms. I gave a contented sigh and unzipped my jacket.   <So. I realize I may be a bit of a hypocrite here, but that has to be some of the most backwards, convoluted logic I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing.>    I looked around, confused of the source of the stray thought. A musical chuckle filled the air, and once again I remembered Mew, strapped to my arm.   <Forget about me so soon, did you Josh?> Mew gave a playful grin.   “Sorry, you’re quiet sometimes, and I’m use to my watch being there. I don’t think about it twice.”   <Quite fine, quite fine.>   “So you heard my conversation with Lorelei?” I asked, continuing down the spiraling dirt path.   <Indeed. Did you know that, according to the statistics of her Pokémon and those of Static and Overdose, she only had a six chance of success? Also, that is defining ‘success’ as knocking out both Static and Overdose, not the other four members of our team, myself included.>   I shook my head, still baffled. “I’m just…I understand the premise of out-predicting your opponents, but after I’ve used the same strategy to knock out one or two of her Pokémon, she didn’t realize I would to the same thing to the other three?”   <It’s illogical.>   “And she’s a member of the Elite Four! How could she not-”   <First Master.> Mew interrupted.   “So?”   <Maybe that symbolizes something. She obviously has a lot of intrinsic talent yet, and perhaps some practical application, but something prevents her from becoming more of a success than she already is. The realization of her own logical fallacies, overthinking simple battle strategies?>   “Hmmm. I hadn’t considered that.” The dirt trail ended abruptly, and a giant steel wall stood in my way. There were grates on both sides, almost big enough for me to fit through, but not quite. I could see the other side of the trail continue from there.   A puzzle…   <Anyway, don’t let it get you down.>   “Thanks.” I responded automatically, my mind preoccupied with this new challenge. “Hey Mew, want check this out real quick?”   In a display that would give me nightmares for years to come, a single eyeball stalk arose from the watch and looked forward. <Interesting. Think you could fit through the grates?>   Still trying to preserve the eggs I had consumed that morning, I simply closed my mouth and elected to use the pokespeak. <N-no. I think I’m slightly too large. This would be easy for you and the others – the light can actually penetrate through thin barriers like this, but I can’t go inside a pokeball.> I frowned, nausea gone in favor of quiet contemplation.   Mew uncoiled from my wrist and turned back into his original form, fitting inside and out of the grate with grace. <If your body mass was twenty-three percent less, you could fit through these gates. The human body is surprisingly malleable.>   “But since I can’t lose…” I did some quick calculations in my head to amuse Mew. “Thirty-two point two pounds comfortably in an instant, we need to figure out another way across.”   Mew glanced at me warily, circling me while his eyes ran up and down my form.   “W-what are you doing?”   <You’re being a bit…generous, aren’t you? When did you last attempt to calculate your mass?>   “Stay focused.” I growled. Mew relented and stared at the gate.   <This may be more effective if we include the others.> “Already on it.” I nodded, Pokéballs in hand.   --- <This wall is stupid.> Static growled. We had been spitballing ideas for the last twenty minutes, his being to simply dig under it. It met with little success, to which he suggested digging around the wall itself, which also failed to work.   <I realize I’m not exactly making a good case for fire-types not being pyromaniacs today…> Nova began, <But why don’t we just blast a hole through it? Yes it wasn’t the solution last time, but it also could’ve saved us from being crushed, or at least pseudo-crushed. It’s steel, right? I can burn that, right?>   I shrugged. <Honestly, I have no idea. I’m not sure how hot a steel wall has to get before it melts, or breaks, or whatever steel does once it reaches whatever temperature your breath would have.>   Mew hummed a happy little note. <I could also assist him.>   <Why don’t we all?> Overdose interjected. <Let’s all blast this wall to bits.>   I raised up my hand. <Well, wait. I’m worried about other special attacks reflecting off.>   Skarr scratched one wing in its twin. <Why don’t we stand on one side of the room, and shoot our attacks at an angle, so if it does reflect it bounces off to the other side?>   I didn’t have a counter argument, so I shrugged and relented. Everyone was organized in moments, with Oxygen, Nova, and Mew in the front, and Myst and Static in the back. Skarr was standing by me, mostly for moral support.   <Go!> I commanded. An explosion of power blinded me momentarily as Oxygen’s hyperbeam went off in conjunction with two Flamethrowers, one Thunderbolt, and one Dark Pulse. Once the cave stopped shaking, I blinked my eyes a few times and allowed the dust to settle.   The wall was still very much intact.   <Dammit!> Static cursed, kicking the wall. He screamed and jumped back, clutching his paw. <AAUUUGH, it’s hot!>   <So it retains the heat…> I considered, as Static bounced comically around the room.   <I don’t think it’s nearly hot enough to melt.> Myst countered.   <You’re probably right.> I frowned. <Perhaps the ceiling? Skarr, could you-?>   <On it.>   Skarr flew up and scratched his beak against the ceiling, with limited results.   For the next half-hour, we continued trying different techniques, all without success. I wasn’t surprised at the challenge itself, but I was surprised at Oxygen’s reaction. Whereas Static was annoyed at the challenge and for the person that created it, Oxygen seemed legitimately upset at the wall itself.   <…gonna beat the shit out of this stupid, damn wall…> Oxygen mumbled, gritting his teeth as yet another plan failed – digging out the steel wall itself from the resulting wall.   <Do you have a better idea?> Skarr growled at Oxygen   <No! If I had an idea, do you think we wouldn’t be testing it?> He screamed. Everyone took a step back, startled at his outcry. <What?> He shouted, his angry demeanor turning more to that of fear. <You guys are pissed too! Don’t antago-whatever me just because I’m as mad as you guys!>   <Just…just calm down.> Static raised his paws in defense.   <Don’t tell me to calm down! I’m fine, I’m just mad about this stupid-ass wall! And now you are all scared I’m going to go all ‘crazy Over-Dose’ because I’m showing a damn emotion!> His face began to turn red, as he faced the wall. <I forgot, I’m just supposed to be the silent guy, right? God forbid I add something to the conversation, or show that I’m not just a blank face! Make you guys scared of me again! STUPID WALL!> He reeled back, and smashed his fist against the wall as hard as he possibly could.   It dented.   Oxygen blinked for a moment, then inspected the wall a bit closer. <Wait. Did I do that?>   <That could have been from the collective beam.> Skarr pointed out.   <Oxygen, could you punch it again please?> I asked.   Oxygen shrugged and punched it a second time, denting it further. A grin spread across his face as he punched it a third time, then a fourth, then finally tearing through to the other side. With a few more well placed smacks, he had created a whole big enough for us all to fit through. <Hah.> Oxygen grinned, panting. <Useful after all.>
He was massive.   I’m a pretty tall guy myself, but I was nothing compared to this hulking mass of steroids. He wore a thin black jacket with nothing underneath, showing off his massive, tanned shoulders, and flat, practically chiseled abs. He stood above me at least a foot, and had an aura of intensity about him, made even clearer by the fiercely tied black belt around his waist.   The room we had just entered was little more than a large dirt circle, with a much higher ceiling than most. The man stood in the center, cracking his knuckles as we approached, and showing off weighted wristbands on each hand. “Ah, at last, you’ve arrived. It’s been ages since the last contender.”   “My name is Josh Karren.” I declared, more boldly than I felt.   “Well met.” The large man nodded. “My name is Bruno; I am the Second Master of Five. Tell me – what did you think of my puzzle?”   I bit my lip. “Um. Honestly, I’m not sure I understood it.” I awaited a lecture, or at least a small glare of dissatisfaction, but what I received was a rich chuckle from the muscular man.   “Hah. No, rest assured Josh Karren, my lesson was a difficult one. The wall is meant to only yield to extreme physical force; anything else. Any other solution is incorrect.”   “So…simply relying on brute strength?”   Bruno furrowed his brow. “Is it so wrong? In my profession, I was laughed at for choosing the types I choose – fighting and rock, for their power and sturdiness, respectively. I was told of their many weaknesses, and that I was a thick-skulled fool whose vanity prevented me from making objective choices about the Pokémon I raised.   “I do not claim that brute strength is the answer to all puzzles, but why not some? People speak of the mind and the body as if they two are separate, and that the mind is always the superior force. I deny this claim – I believe the body and mind are one, and only by utilizing all of the elements of yourself do you become whole, and the best person you can be.”   I meditated on the thought for a moment.   “You have a powerful mind.” Bruno smirked. I shot him an inquisitive look. “You do not believe what I say, yet you choose to think of it. Such is the mark of maturity.”   I smiled at the complement. “I choose to believe the two are separate, and that my body is simply the vessel for my mind. If I am wrong and you are right, tell me: why are you only the Second Master of Five?”   The bulky man gave a sad smile. “Even in this, I am not perfect. I believe if I train and work hard enough, my Pokémon and I will succeed. It will be an honor to battle you, Josh Karren, and put my convictions to the test.” “Likewise.” I bowed, and drew Skarr’s pokeball. ---   (Skarr POV)   The ground rumbled under the arena as an enormous rock formation judged out the ground, curling and twisting of its own accord. I flew more than thirty feet high, yet the formation continued growing until it matched my height. Two massive white eyes stuck out from the stone, along with a slow, cruel smile.   “Come to die, little bird?” it laughed, stone grinding on stone as it smashing me back down to the earth with its enormous granite head.   <Skarr!> Josh shouted. <Are you alright? Did you->   <Got it.> I smirked, nodding at the small trail of purple leaking out of the Onix’ cheek.   The Onix noticed this, and scoffed. <You think this will slow me? I am earth. I am the ever moving, patient rock! Your tricks are nothing!> The Onix roared, and the ceiling began to cave. Huge boulders crashed around me, crumpling one of my wings and anchoring me to the ground.   An aura of healing surrounded me as I awaited his next attack, desperately trying to free my wing.   <Little bird, too young to learn to fly.> The Onix smashed his head into me once more, crushing me and sending me into the ground.   <‘Little bird’? At least I don’t emulate dirt.> I spat, continuing to heal myself. <How does it feel to forever be trampled upon? Always underfoot of those who are your betters?>   The Onix roared, crushing me with his skull, once, twice. It had no effect after my healing.   The Onix let out one last roar, shaking the caves with frustration. <You want to just stand there? FINE! Become one with the earth!> And then…   I saw something truly amazing.   The thirty foot snake made of solid granite…    Jumped.   For a moment, the entire gym stood silent. It only got about two feet in the air, but even the Second Master seemed in awe. Then, the moment passed, and it smashed back into the ground. The ground rumbled in pain, crushing and twisting around me. The force was too much – the raw power of the attack dented my chest and make my wings all but useless. It would have knocked me out, yet…   …I still could move.   <Skarr! Return!> Josh’s commanded. I was exhausted, but somehow still conscious. Though my metal chest dented, it seemed that was not enough to fell me in one strike.   <No…it will fall before I do.> I growled, ignoring Josh’s order. I felt Josh’s hesitance in my mind, but his trust was greater than his caution.     At last, the Onix collapsed into the dirt. I smirked, fatigued beyond comprehension, yet allowed myself the small pleasure of placing a talon on the beast’s unconscious head.   “And you would do well to remember your place.” I smirked at the Onix, then nodding to Josh as I was absorbed back into the Pokéball. ---   (Mew POV)   It was delightful seeing the Second Master’s face as I arose to challenge him. His normal, tanned flesh went white, and his pupils shrunk by nearly thirty-two percent.   “Truly you are a worthy foe.” he choked, hesitating at his choice to send out a thin, yet powerful looking Hitmonchan.   Josh just smiled. <Alright, Mew. You have this.>   I hummed, filling the air with a mystic melody.   The Hitmonchan rushed at me. I let him get within about a foot before I stopped in him with my glare. He levitated for a moment before taking the full brunt of my Psystrike, then fell to the floor unconscious.   I giggled.   <Good. How do you feel?> Josh asked.   <Powerful.> I purred. <A shard of my soul has been returned; logic is being restored, and I’m beginning to once again feel whole.>   <Relish it, but stay cautious.>   The large man sent out a second Pokémon, a Hitmonlee, with dark bands around its legs. I raised one of my paws in preparation, and gave another musical laugh. It was too easy – I ensnared him just like I did the Hitmonlee. Rinse and repeat.   Pain exploded across my chest, and I reeled backwards and smashed my back against the floor. The Hitmonlee was somehow free, with his foot extended expertly outward. He spun, flipping me back to standing with one leg, and sent me flying in the air with another. I was completely disoriented with his speed, but all it took was one moment of clarity in the chaotic flurry of kicks for me to regain control. I thrust out my paw and crunched it in itself, and the Hitmonlee froze, momentarily immobilized.   Let’s try this again, shall we?   Pink force wracked though the Hitmonlee, and he too fell, defeated, to the floor.   I brushed off my coat, satisfied, yet frustrated. <How…?>   <Fake-out, then Sucker Punch. Deceptive name, given it was with his foot.> Josh frowned.   <But how was he so fast? All I had to do was raise my->   <I’ll explain later, but for now, just trust me. How are you feeling?>   He had hit me hard. Much harder than I expected. Under normal circumstances I would ask to stay in, but…   <Not well.> I grit my teeth at my admission of weakness.   I felt the numbers in Josh’s mind warp and bend due to our telepathic connection. I had never felt this from a human before – normally they required a device to perform the types of calculations he was doing almost effortlessly. Within mere seconds, Josh frowned.   <If there’s another Rock/Ground Pokémon, we’re doomed without you. Come to the sidelines, and I’ll send Nova out to fight the next Pokémon he sends out – hopefully a flying type.>   I nodded obediently.   “Go, Nova!” Josh commanded. Nova unfurled his wings, and roared loudly at the tanned man.   To our horror, the man didn’t seem fazed in the least as he sent out his next Pokémon.   “Go, Onix.” And all the color left Josh’s face. ---   (Nova POV)   <Orders, Josh?>   <I need time…I need time…> Josh’s usually clear and focused mind was muddled with numbers and algorithms. I stood immobilized, without an order. What should I do? Fire seemed stupid against what was obviously a huge rock type, and…   Wait. Wasn’t rock like, super bad for me?   The Onix shook the stage by its mere presence. It’s skin was so dark it was almost black, and its eyes shone red with fury.   <Survive.> The order came almost violently, pleadingly. <Don’t even try to attack. Just don’t get hit.>    “It’s been awhile since I’ve faced your kind.” Stone grinded as the words rumbled out his mouth. “They say that the Charizard’s blood boils in their veins, and I’ve always wondered if that rumor was true…”   I took a deep breath, calming my mind and easing my fears. “That knowledge requires the wherewithal to strike me, an honor that one as desultory as yourself shall never have.”   The Onix’ laugher boomed across the stage. “You have the dragon’s tongue, boy, but that is all you have inherited. Even the dragon’s evanescent existence is nothing compared to the ageless earth!”   I dodged to the side as stone tail smashed against the ground leaving a crater where I once stood. I swirled around, barely dodging another blow as a boulder the size of a car smashed inches from my skin. I kicked off it and took to the air, blasting the Onix with white hot fire.   “Ha. Ha. Ha.” he rumbled, the flames washing over him like water. “The might of dragons indeed.”   <Nova! Just a little bit longer – you’re doing great!>   The Onix swung its tail again, and I narrowly swooped down to avoid getting swiped out of the sky. I saw his strategy too late as a stone fell and crushed me out of the sky, smashing me to the floor. The stone wasn’t big – maybe half my size – but it took more out of me then anything I’ve felt before. In that one attack, I knew I was almost gone.   The Onix smirked a terrible, stone grin. “And, as shall always be the fate of dragons, they will rise, and they will fall.”   Then he fell. All thirty tons of stone collapsed on me. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to dodge as this monstrosity came to break every bone in my body. I winced, prepared for the pain that never came. <Return!> Josh ordered, rendering me safe from the world. ---   (Mew POV)   <Hello, friend.>   The Onix before me was larger than most, yet it reeled back when it heard my voice. “C-creator?”   I giggled. <One of many.> I then turned my thoughts towards Josh. <Psystrike, I presume?>   <Good assumption, but Onix have unusually high defense. In this case, it would be better to use Ice Beam.>   <As you prefer.> I shrugged, shooting a beam of pure ice at the gyrating mass of rock. The Onix dodged with expert speed and launched itself at me, twisting and grinding into the dirt. It roared, its mouth wide open, no doubt attempting to clamp its jaws around me. I fired another beam right before it stuck, hitting him perfectly and freezing him in place.   I blinked. A massive, immobilized ice sculpture of an Onix loomed overhead, eyeing me with a mixture of frustration and terror.   <I wasn’t even aware that that was a possibility.> I hummed, striking it again. On the third strike the Onix broke free, and promptly fell to the floor, defeated. The Second Master returned the fainted Onix, then reached for his final Pokéball. “I detest the dichotomy this represents; the mind and the body should work as one, not be dominated by one or the other.”   I smiled. <The body and the mind may work as one, but the mind shall always dominate the body, human named Bruno.>   Bruno frowned, sending out his last Pokémon, even larger than the man himself. The Machamp cracked each of its wrists, and pounded his fists into their twins, ready for battle. Quicker than the eye could travel, he was before me, cracking his palms together, dazing me. He drew back his arm, but this strategy had already been performed once before. I paused for just a moment, causing his counter-attack to fail, then blasted him with opaque, pink energy.   It was over. ---   (Josh POV)   Bruno hung his head. “I am displeased. You have a strong mind, but I believe your skills could be sharpened further with physical training. Having one or the other creates imbalance in something that should be flawless and harmonious.”   I bowed. “I shall consider your words. I agree the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive.”   Bruno nodded. “That is all I wished to accomplish. I wish you success, Josh Karren. Your path lies below the ground.”   I looked inquisitively at the floor. The hole that the Onix’ had dug lead into another chamber, one we had not yet explored.   “Thank you, Bruno. It was a pleasure.”   “Anytime, my intelligent friend. Visit me, no matter the outcome of your quest. I wish to once again duel you once this journey of yours concludes.” “You have my word.” I smiled, lowering myself into the cave.
<Are you sure this is the right way? I could’ve sworn->   <A-absolutely.> I nodded. <Keep to the left; it always works.>   I couldn’t help but notice us passing the same stalagmite for the third time.   Nova held his hands together awkwardly. <Josh….>   <Don’t question him!> Static snapped. <He knows what he’s doing.>   Myst frowned. <I’m sure he does, but Nova still has the right to speak up.>   <…and…I think something’s wrong.> I stopped walking for a moment. <Mew, could you continue down that way, sticking to the left for about five minutes, then come back to us?>   <Certainly.> Mew nodded, then floated off ahead.   Static turned to me. <What are you thinking, Josh?>   <I’m thinking this doesn’t make sense. Either this tunnel is changing, or something is distorting our perspective, making us believe->   <Hello, mortals.> Mew hummed, now behind us.   I cursed. <Either we’re unable to stick to once side due to some kind of ailment, or this tunnel is changing as we progress. If it’s the first it doesn’t matter, as we’re unfit to even move, and if it’s the latter we’re at the complete mercy of whomever is changing the tunnels.>   <Well, left certainly isn’t the answer!> Mew cackled behind us.   Myst gave Mew a dirty look. <What are you?>   <Immortal.> Mew grinned a set of brilliant, spiked teeth. <I’ll get out eventually, of course.  Even in death, I’ll just->   Myst punched Mew in the gut, with black power emanating from her fist. Mew exploded with purple energy, cackling madly as it dispersed. Mew fell to the floor, unconscious.   <Possessed.> Myst spat.   <Now what a ruuudeee way to treat your hosts!> Voices all around us giggled. I crunched my hand into a fist, and motioned my team to bunch together. <We were going to have fun with you! Why ruin our mirth with your despicable sense of reason?>   <I can see you, you bastards!> Myst hopped up and swung at the air, hitting something and causing it to meld into another burst of purple. <Get away from here!>   <Hahaha! So soon to have us leave?> A voice creaked inside a wall.   <Vanish! Die! Leave us alone!> Myst demanded, swinging at another and causing it too to disperse.   <As you wish.>   With a violent gust of wind, all the torches went out at once. Even Nova’s tail flickered violently for a moment, but stayed firmly lit. I could barely see my hand.   I growled. <Nova, can you breathe a bit of flame ahead of us, so we can see properly?>   <I…I don’t think that will help.> Myst whispered. <T…there’s nothing anymore.>   Nova blew a huge gout of fire. The walls were gone. The cave was gone. We stood on a single gray plane of land, surrounded by black nothingness. After a moment, Nova’s fire went out, and we were once again plunged into darkness.   Nova whimpered. Oxygen punched the floor. Static and Skarr stood motionless beside us, and Myst desperately looked around. Mew laid on the floor, senseless.   I took a breath to compose myself. <We’re together. That’s what matters. No matter what, we->   A sickening wet, crunch went off behind me. I winced, refusing to look. Nova whined and latched onto my leg, and Static and the other’s moved closer to one another.   Oxygen growled, and walked closer to it.   It appeared to be an older woman, terribly mutilated from a long fall. Her bones were shattered and bent, and blood oozed out of her chest. Though her mouth seemed to be twisted into a permanent, silent scream, her eyes seemed calm and collected.   <Should I shock it?> Oxygen asked, frowning at the corpse.   <I would rather you didn’t.> It smiled.   <NOPE.> Static clawed up my arm, and clutched my shoulder with his little arms and legs. <Nope, nope, nope, nope.>   It didn’t appear to be advancing. I took one breath to quell the nausea, and another to calm the nerves. Whatever it was, it didn’t look aggressive.   <What…are you?> I tried to declare, but it came our meek and small.   <Left.> it grinned, showing off two or three broken, rotted teeth. <I am your solution. Will you follow me?>   <How can we trust you?>   <You can trust whomever you’d like, boy. Trust is not earned; trust is based on faith. Whether you trust someone who has betrayed you in the past, or you distrust someone whom you barely know, this trust is not based on reason.>   I frowned. <Can faith not be a hybrid of what you believe to be true, and what you know to be true?>   <Knowledge is knowing that you can swim in water. Faith is believing that what you’re about to jump into is water.>   <So then, what is your point, aberration?>   <Will you trust me?> With it’s crooked, twisted arms, it pushed itself to a sitting position. <You owe me nothing, and I owe you nothing. You have no reason to trust me,> Her strange, calm eyes twinkled. <…but will you?>   <Is this a question of if I am a fool, or if I am inherently trusting?>   <Such a quandary is yours to decide, trainer.>   I bit my lip, and looked at my team. <Thoughts?>   <NOPE.> Static gulped, still firmly latched on to my shoulder.   <Follow, but never trust.> Myst nodded.   Nova let go of my leg a bit, but still stayed relatively close. <Whatever you think is best.>   Oxygen shrugged.   <We’re stuck without help, or unless we find another solution.> Skarr deduced. <I’ll break the tie and say follow.>   I turned to the corpse. <Then that is our answer.>   <Congratulations, trainer.> the corpse stood, it’s bones snapping back into their sockets. <You have arrived to the Arena of Agatha – The Undying Third Master. It is a pleasure-> Her head snapped backwards, and her jaw slid into place. “To meet your acquaintance.”   “You’re Agatha?” I jumped back.   “Powers over the dead have their benefits.” She smirked. “Next month I’m celebrating my one-hundred and sixtieth birthday. My body still decays from time to time, but…well, nothing is perfect.” She grabbed one of her ribs, and cracked it back into place. “What did you think of my Trial?”   I tasted bile. “...overcoming fears is not an entirely new concept for me, and especially at this stage-”   “No. Though fear is a concept within my Solutionless Maze, my lesson is to heed the wisdom of others. Even if they are unwise, or different.” She smirked.   “Why would I heed the words of the unwise, instead of ignore them?”   “To understand what motivates their actions. Or, perhaps your assessment was incorrect, and they happen to be wise. Listening to a life story of a misfortunate fool informs you just as much as a wise man’s warning.”   I bowed, relenting to her words. “Would you consider yourself wise?”   She chuckled. “If wisdom can be judged by the number of foolish mistakes we’ve made, then yes, I am very wise.”   I smiled politely. “It will be an honor to battle you, Master Agitha.”    “Right to the chance then? Very well. Go, Hemlock!” A spiral of shadow made its way to the stage, grinning a familiar spiked-teeth smile with two, glowing red eyes. I motioned to Myst with my eyes, and she took the stage. <Dark Pulse, when you see an opening!> I ordered.   <Very well.>   ---   Myst and the Gengar stood on opposite sides of the dim, black arena. Hemlock cackled madly, his grin widening unnaturally across his face.   <Doesn’t your kind favor illusion?> Hemlock asked. <What hubris have you to challenge me unguarded?>   <You’re a ghost – a phantom of a soul, and an illusionary mockery of life. I don’t need my own illusions to destroy you.>   Hemlock grinned, summoning a glowing orange orb in his purple palm just as Myst shot a wave of black energy. The Gengar’s orb shot straight through it, hitting Myst directly and sending her to the ground. She didn’t get back up. ---   “You should know we play for keeps here, boy.” Agitha’s scratchy voice echoed against the nonexistent walls. Her Gengar blew against its fingers comically, as if to blow off smoke from a gun. “Don’t expect mercy from the dead.”   God. I depended on her this fight…I thought she would be faster…   Options. Mew has a disadvantage. Skarr can’t hit poison types, at least not well. Nova’s is an average choice, but if that Gengar was faster than Myst he’ll be outpaced.    Oxygen ground his tail against the glowing white floor, causing an eruption of sparks. <I’ll fight them!>   I shook my head. <You’re strong, but you’re not fast enough…>   <Then who?>   Who else?   <Static.> I ordered. <You’re up.>   He nodded fiercely. <’Bout time.>   Static raced to the battlefield, crackling with electricity. Hemlock glared warily, awaiting Agitha’s orders.   <And Static?>   <Mmmm?> <Kick his ass for me.> I smirked. <Thunderbolt.> ---   An explosion directly in front of me rocked me out of my complacency. Static had barely gotten in the field, meaning he was almost beside me when the Gengar attacked. I shielded my eyes and fell backwards, more out of shock then the force of the blast.   Luckily, Static was significantly more nimble.   <Hey, watch it!> He yelped, dodging to the side and blasting the Gengar with a jolt of electricity. The Gengar. <You nearly hit my trainer, you oaf!>   <If I was aiming for your trainer, he would be a smoking pile of ash.> Hemlock swung another ball of orange energy, missing Static by inches.   <Your aim is terrible, and you’re insane!> Static tensed, sending another stream of electricity into the Gengar. The ghost screamed and exploded into purple nothingness.   <…did we win?> Static asked. His shadow slowly crept up behind him, growing purple with a large, smug grin.   <Static!> I cried <Behind you!>   Too slow. Hemlock caught Static unawares, and smashed his fist against Static’s face.   Static barely moved.   <You call that a punch?> Static laughed, blasting Hemlock again. Hemlock cringed at the blow, falling to his knees, then collapsing on the ground. <Ha. One down.>   I beamed. <Amazing job, Static. Return – I need you again if things go south.>   Static hopped towards the sidelines.   “Go, Haunter!”   Another purple ghost materialized in the air, laughing manically. Its tongue drooped out of its spiky paw, giving it a hysterical, insane grin.   <Ready Oxygen?> I offered. He bounded to the stage, cracking his wrists. <Absolutely.>
(I'll have you know I wrote a ten minute powerpoint session, designed an app, and finished a first person shooter today, JUST so I could have this out to you guys. DEDICATION.)   (I'll be the one oozing brain fluid in the corner. :3)   ---   (Oxygen POV)   The moment before battle. Everything stood still for a single second; we, receiving our orders and keeping our eyes glued to our opponents, and our trainers, surveying the scene from afar. The Haunter let out a chilling cackle, raising the fur on the back of my neck.   My breath materialized before me. Steady. Caution.   <Thunderbolt.>   I dashed to the left, then the right, hoping to throw off whatever attack the Haunter was planning while trying to ensure I was close enough to attack. My entire core thundered with power, my tail swinging behind me like an old, old friend. I jumped, swinging my tail in an arc of electricity, and for a split moment, caught the Haunter’s expression.   I saw its eyes.   They were all around me, trapping me, filling up the corners of my vision, and trapping me in a glaring dome. They were beneath me, above me, judging me, condemning me, all in a mixture of mocking hatred. I roared, finishing my attack, and smashing the Haunter with the flat of my tail.   I landed on two of them. They were flat and bloodshot. The Haunter collapsed to the side, barely conscious, still giggling madly. The eyes watched us both carefully.   I ran over to finish him. An enormous nail emerged right before the Haunter, which it snatched eagerly in its decapitated hands.   <You may win,> it said, <but my death will be your end.>   And it shoved the nail between its own eyes, letting out a guttural scream before vanishing from existence.   Its eyes remained.   <Josh? Hello?> I asked. Only the eyes greeted me in turn, watching me.   Judging me.   <FIGHT ME!> I screamed, smashing my tail against the eyes on the floor, yielding no effect. I then crunched it against the wall, once again only succeeding in hurting myself. <What is this!? Fight me, don’t use these cheap tricks!> <You only needed to asssk oncce.> I whipped around to see an Arbok slithering towards me, mouth dripping with venom.   <What’sss gotten into you?> ---   (Josh POV)   Mean Look. Who teaches their Pokémon Mean Look?   Oxygen looked like he was screaming something, smashing his tail against imaginary walls. His mind was elsewhere – I couldn’t speak with him, or return him to his Pokéball.   Agitha’s Arbok slunk closer, eyeing Oxygen with a cautious gaze. With the Haunter’s Curse on him, I knew he wouldn’t last much longer. I only had a handful of restores left…   Can I afford to use one on Oxygen once this is all over?   He struck the Arbok. The Arbok returned his favor, sinking its teeth into his gray fur. He looked sickened now, taking the brunt of Arbok’s the poison and the Haunter’s curse. I revived Myst, biting my lip as I watched the fight unfold. ---   (Oxygen)   <Auuuuugh!> I screamed as poison throbbed in my veins, and something stabbed through my core like a giant sword.   No, it was a nail. A huge, massive, rusty nail.   <Sseems I have my work cut out for me.> The Arbok coiled in preparation to strike. <Sssplended.>   I flipped to the side, the nail still protruding from my chest like a symbol of death. The Arbok missed and hit the business end of my tail, convulsing as a few hundred volts lit him up like a firework. He recoiled, hissing venom, and sneaked back cautiously.   I gurgled as the nail slid deeper, causing a pinkish foam to ooze out of my mouth.   It’s only an attack. This can’t kill you…   My thoughts were little respite when I was physically seeing myself impaled. I coughed violently as my vision began to fade, dark spots threatening to steal away my sight.   <Here, mousssey, mousse…> the Arbok cooed from somewhere in the shadows. His natural scales hid him well against the sea of glaring eyes, and I couldn’t make him out at all. My fists glowed orange in frustration.   <Boo!> he shouted behind me. I spun around and smashed my fist against a green barrier, causing it to pulse in retaliation to my strength. The Arbok merely smiled, safe within his shield.   The nail convulsed one last time. It felt like something snapped within me, causing me to loose all will to fight, to win, to be. I fell to the floor lifelessly, Hauntor’s words echoing in my mind. My death will be your end. --- (Myst)   I pushed my hair to the side angrily. Fool me once…   <Ah, look. Another sssnack.> The Arbok grinned cruelly, its oversized fangs arching out of its mouth. It blocked my first Dark Pulse. It didn’t block the second.   <Good work.> Josh said.   I shot him a dubious look. <Beating a slower, weakened opponent after fainting?>   <Well. I didn’t know he had Focus Blast either; that was more my fault than yours.>   <No, it was hubris on my end.> I growled. <I should’ve went in with an illusion, like I always did. I was careless. It won’t be a mistake I’ll make again.>   <Glad to hear. Luckily the rest of this fight should be simple; I doubt she has another Pokémon capable of->   “Go, Gingar!” Both Josh and I cursed simultaneously. ---   My illusion exploded into fragments as the Gingar’s focus blast reverberated across the stage.   <Quick! Send me back into the Pokéball!> I screamed.   <No! You can do this.>   I grit my teeth, focusing on two other illusions. There was no doubt in my mind that I could do it, only if I would be able to do it. There is a way to solve every puzzle of course, though puzzles become trickier when the punishment for a single failure is unconsciousness, and there is a rather strict time limit.   I sent a pulse of darkness at the Gingar, which caused him to violently explode into purple fragments.   <What?>   The shards reformed, but a significant portion was missing: most of his upper body, half his face, and both his arms. He stood broken, with a haunting, crooked smile.   <My turn.> He looked directly into my eyes, which should never happen when you’re invisible. The Gingar opened his mouth, revealing another orange bolt.   <Quickly! Sucker Punch!>   Faster than I had ever moved before, I felt myself colliding with the broken Gingar. It wasn’t already until the attack hit when I realized Josh’s mistake. I had never been one for physical attacks, and I doubted my punch would do little more than anger the ghast.   My fist smashed against its form, causing the Gingar to further shatter like glass shards, splintering against the shadowed ground. I punched a whole directly in its stomach, right under most of its smile. It laughed, one last time, than collapsed in on itself, covering the ground in a pile of purple crystal.   <It…worked?> I blinked, looking at my fist with disbelief. <Eighty percent chance of success.> Josh smirked. <I was willing to take that.>
(Static POV)   <All right. Let’s finish this!> Electricity crackled around me, bringing the stage to life. Agitha sent out one of those purple bat things that I fought at the poison gym, way long ago.   <Standard set.> Josh smiled. Hah, how long has it been since he’s said that?   “A Pikachu. Interesting.” The Crobat hovered in the air. “I haven’t seen your kind here before. Your trainer must be brave or a fool to be using your kind in a battle such as this.”   “Fight me, you overconfident purple Twinkie!”   Faster than a bullet, the Crobat swooped down with poison trailing off his wings like fire. I smashed my paws right before he hit, causing his wings to lock up at the perfect moment. He spiraled and crashed into the stage, his wings crumpled at awkward angles.   I bolted the purple mess. Right before it hit, he shot back into the air, his previous injuries seemingly erased.   <Augh! What are you!?> I cried, sending arcs of electricity at the purple blur, all missing by an infuriatingly small margin as he twisted and curved in the air.   <Double jointed, mouse!> He cackled, swiping my cheek with a wing.   Augh...   <Concentrate!> Josh ordered. <You’re doing fine! You’ll knock him out far before you’ll have to worry about the poison.>   I grit my teeth, and fired another bolt of electricity at the Crobat, which it swiftly dodged. I took aim and fired again, yet a green shield deflected my blow, all while Crobat mocked me from the air.   <Isn’t this exciting?> He sneered.   I could feel my body weakening as the poison took its toll. I winced, and for a split moment took my eyes off the purple bat.   He smashed into me full force, ricocheting off like some kind of insane stone. I flew backwards, catching a glimpse of him scream as electricity caused his wings to lock up in place.   <W-what!? You never hit me!> He cried, smashing into the ground again, his wings useless. I blasted him with all my electrical frustration as he convulsed helplessly in place. He stopped struggling, and collapsed unconscious.> <Namesake…> I grinned, tired yet pleased with myself. The battle was won. We did it. ---   (Josh POV)   Agatha simply smiled.   “No words of wisdom?” I prompted.   She shrugged. “You already listen to those around you. One who is ignorant to others would not have beaten me. I am not so arrogant to believe that my ways are the best; If that were so I would not be third in line to the champion. I simply believe they are key in the achievement in itself.”   I thought on this. All the gym leaders favored a certain type, and valued an ideal above all others. What were my ideals that I fought with? What was my strategy? Do I utilize more than one?   “Thank you.” I bowed.   “It was a pleasure to meet you, Josh Karren.” Agatha smiled, revealing yellowish brown, rotted teeth. The arena around us faded to normal, and we appeared in a large cave entrance. Outside stood a magnificent coliseum, truly fit for a battle of the gods. Marble columns and carvings of battles complemented the aweing entrance, a massive, gothic archway. A hum seemed to fill the air; a promise of a glorious battle, at the hands of my once-idol. “What are you waiting for?” Agatha prompted, motioning to the coliseum. “It’s waiting for you.” ---   Lance. Dragon Master. I shivered with anticipation as I walked up the coliseum’s marble steps; what would it be like to battle the man I used to dream to be?   Somewhere in my pack, I still had his autographed copy of ‘the field guide to Pokémon’, which, while it was outdated and somewhat biased, was still one of the best guides to Pokémon research to date.   Static squealed beside me. <Can I go first? Do you think he’ll send out Hydra? I could totally take Hydra if he sent it out!>   Hydra was Lance’s Gyarados, one of his prized Pokémon. Lance was the only member of the Elite Four to go public, and his regard towards his Gyarados, along with his affinities towards dragons, caused Gyarados to be mislabeled as a water and dragon type in more than a dozen different sources. Lance was humble, but he relished the spotlight like an old friend, giving hints in battle and encouraging new trainers with tips and advice.   <Certainly.> I laughed. Static bounced in place, giggling with eagerness. <Though we’ll likely have to go through another traumatic experience before facing him.>   Though my heart pounded with excitement, it was also heavy with anxiety. I had chosen to revive Oxygen, which only left me with two revives left. Lance would be a difficult battle, and the Champion would likely be even more ferocious. My resources were dwindling.   We all stepped into the coliseum. Lance sat on a throne across from us, leaning against one side with his legs comfortably crossed. His signature maroon cape draped around his shoulders, and tumbled down to the shimmering, polished floor below. He wore a pleased smile, and his arms rested slacked to his sides.   <Greetings.> Lance thought quietly, with an air of sophistication and nobility. <I am Lance, dual masters of both the Elite Four, and of Dragons themselves.>   <What about the challenge?> I blurted out.   Lance looked me over. <You’re already here, aren’t you? What more could I teach you that you don’t already know? You’ve overcome every challenge before you, and stand proudly before me, ready to battle. I need to challenge to test you. I know you’re worthy.>   I frowned, a bit perturbed. I was looking forward to test. <Every other Master before you had a test, which helped show their ideals.>   Lance laughed. <Whatever ideals I hold are likely wrong, trainer, and I wouldn’t want to do you the disservice of forcing them upon you.>   What?   <W-what do you mean?> I stumbled. <You’re the Master of the Elite four! You can’t mean you’ve been put here by mistake! I’ve seen you battle before! I’ve studied your strategies in school. You’re a prodigy!>   Lance smiled at my praise, but shook his head. <Yet still only second in line to the best trainer in Kanto. Whatever ideals I hold, they are incomplete. If I have any lesson, it is this: Learn. Better yourself. One day, I believe I will defeat the Champion, and take her place. One day, I believe I will beat everyone, and I will not just be the Champion of Kanto, but the world.> Lance stood up, his cape sweeping behind him like a desperate fan. <But that will not be until I have mastered every detail, and refined every ideal I have into an art!>   The marble flooring splintered below us as the ground suddenly boomed with power. A spider web of cracks demolished the smooth marble floor, and an unholy roar reverberated throughout the arena.   Lance laughed, madly. <Are you ready to begin then, trainer?>   <Born ready!> Static cried at my side, cheeks crackling in preparation. The ground shattered in a blast of foam and marble as a Gyarados reared its head, making the Onix we fought before look like a children’s toy. The Gyarados was five men wide, and nearly forty feet in length, and, true to its name, had two other heads protruding from either side, each just as ferocious.   <Hydra! Use Thrash!> <Static!> I cried, grinning manically. <Standard set!>
(I love you all. If it weren't for stuff like this, I would've given up as a writer long ago. This really does mean the world to me.)   (Also, don't worry, they'll be omo soon enough, after plot shenanigans! <3)   (Static POV)   “Chaaa!”   “GYAAAARAAAAAA!”   I raced to the side as one massive head swing down, crumbling the ground, and sending me flying through the air. I latched on one of the heads spines, and it roared in anguish, trying to swallow me whole.   I smashed my paws together, in an attempt to stun the beast, but if it even moved I didn’t notice. One of the other heads smashed into the first, its ten foot teeth glistening right in front of me. With one firm hand latched onto a spine, I fried the opposing head. It screamed in agony, turning black as charcoal before collapsing.   The other two heads roared in outrage. The head I was on began to death-spiral, twisting and churning like hellfire. I flew off and cracked my spine into a column, which the other head promptly obliterated with a Hyper Beam.   <Shit!> I screamed, a ten foot hole burned into the now smoking column. With nothing to support that section of the roof, it crashed down on the left head. The brilliant ceiling splintered, and the head roared, more out of annoyance than pain.   Both heads then dove at me in sync. I jumped in the air just as they both collided, the left head dazed by the blow, but the right significantly more furious than pained. I dove onto the dazed head in a split second choice, just as the right head bit into the left, swinging it like a broken arm. I flew off, then got crunched by the full brunt of the left head, and fell to the floor.   Wincing, I tried to hold my weight with a shaky paw. I felt the familiar burn of Josh’s mind as it raced with calculations as I lifted myself to a low crouch. I was bad, even after just one hit.   The left head was all but out of the count. Its eyes were disoriented and pained, yet the right head looked completely unharmed.   It lunged. I dove to the left, blasting it with electricity right down its throat. The head cringed as it fried with electricity, and collapsed onto the left head. The left head sunk its teeth into the right, trying to hold the right up, but failing. At last, the entire beast fell, crumpled by its own massive weight.   I held up my fist, panting with exertion. Hah. I can’t believe I won. ---------------   (Josh POV)   Lance motioned to the right, and a Slowking waddled into view.   <Is that your next Pokémon?>   Lance smirked. <No, he’s just here for repairs. This place is built for battles, and is usually destroyed after each one. Just give him a moment.>   The Slowking pulsed with energy, and slowly, the broken coliseum began repairing itself. Stone fit back with stone, and the spider webs of cracks vanished before my eyes. The floor was now once again polished and smooth, and the ceiling was…well, at the top of the gym again, supported now by the stable columns.   The Slowking held out a hand expectantly, and Lance dropped a large chunk of gold in its extended paw. <Thank you.>   The Slowking grunted in response, and waddled away.   Lance shot me a mischievous grin. <Usually I only pay him after battles, but it seems like you can hold your own in response to destructive tendencies. This battle’s going to cost me a mint. Make it worth my time, Trainer.> Lance flipped up an Ultraball from his belt, and spun it expertly on his finger. <Go, Dragonair!> <Go, Nova!> ---------------------   (Nova POV)   <Welcome to our arena, brother.> The Dragonair rose slowly, her body coiling and uncoiling in preparation for battle. <I can feel your passion, and your ferocity.>   <Brother?> I tilted my head <You see me as a Dragon?>   <I see it in your blood. It burns with the truth of my kin.> The Dragoniar smirked.   <Outrage.> Josh ordered. <End this before it begins.>   I am Vortex.   The Dragonair’s form began to blur, and her flawless blue skin took on an ethereal glow.   I am Dragonfire. I am unquenchable, and indestructible.   Iridescent claws grew out of my knuckles, and my eyes took on a similar sheen. Before I could move to strike, the Dragonair vibrated violently, then struck me from halfway across the stage with its entire body. I blasted backwards, through the remade column, causing it and the ceiling to chatter like glass. A huge chunk of cement smashed into me, knocking the wind out of my lungs and trapping me under rubble.   <Get up!> Josh ordered.   With both hands, I threw the chunk of concrete off myself, and roared in frustration. The Dragoniar recoiled in surprise, but not before I caught her with my claws, blasting her across the stage and two feet into the solid marble wall.   She stumbled out, dazed, but conscious.   <I will end you!> I screeched, tearing across the stage to finish my prey.   <As if you could!> She screeched in return, her eyes taking on a similar white glow. She twisted suddenly, her tail striking me in the gut with the same draconic force I had honed within myself. I crashed against the floor, my wings bent at an awkward angle. I heard no sound.   I felt nothing, save for one, solitary thought. Revenge.   For no one slights a dragon. --------------------   (Josh POV)   Nova’s eyes turned a terrifying red, and shards of marble rose into the air as he bellowed the deepest, most terrifying roar I’ve ever heard.   <Nova! Get a hold of yourself! Focus!> I commanded. I could feel my thoughts being blocked by sheer force of will; my fear was confirmed. The Outrage had taken hold.   “ZAAAHH!” He howled, turning to face the Dragoniar, with both his arms wielding the same iridescent glow I recognized as uncontrolled power. The Dragonair struck, yet he caught it with supernatural speed, and smashed her like a flail into the floor. She rose a meek head just to catch the back of his foot as he stomped down, finishing her for good.   He roared at Lance directly, as if to challenge his next Pokémon as well.   <Nova! Return!> I commanded, but he just roared back, completely disregarding my orders. He was wild now; unrestrained.   <If you so please!> Lance grinned, throwing out another Dragonair. <You surprise me, trainer! Not all are bold enough to command the primal forces of Dragons!>   The Dragonair was bigger than the first, and eyed Nova with a mixture of curiosity and condescension.   Nova charged, completely in the offensive. The Dragonair rose it’s body and tensed, taking the full force of Nova’s attack without moving.   <See where your foolishness has left you!> The Dragonair cried, opening his mouth wide and engulfing half of Nova in his open maw. He crunched down, shaking Nova like a rag doll before throwing him across the stage, and onto the cold, unforgiving floor.   He didn’t get up.   Augh…   I returned Nova to his Pokéball, while Lance just stared heavily into the arena, his eyes burning with passion and intensity, matching the waves of his cape. His Dragonair roared, as only dragons could, shaking me to my core. Yet, his eyes too shone like Nova’s…   <Shall we go dragon slaying?> Skarr taunted, raising an eyebrow. <Indeed.> I nodded, and Skarr flew to the stage. --------------------------   (Skarr POV)   Chiiiiing!   The Dragonair ricocheted off me hard, spiraling off my body and smashing itself into the floor with a crazed, reddish glare. She howled again, a perfect, butterfly’s kiss of purple leaking down her otherwise flawless aquian skin.    She smashed into me again, bouncing off me only to strike once more. <Die, damn you!>   <Feeling a bit headstrong, are we? I’ll wait for you to settle back down.> I smirked, healing myself for the meager amount of damage I was taking, more out of habit than necessity. <Don’t worry, I have all day.>   She smashed into me again, roaring loudly as my metal exterior failed to yield to her brute force. I scoffed as she howled, and tried again.   <Had enough?> I smirked, spreading my wings wide and opening myself up for another attack.   She faltered, wincing as the red faded from her eyes. Dragoniar panted, her eyes now a dull, hatred-stained pink. <Eat hellfire.>   I spiraled out of the way, taking only a fraction of the blast of fire as they charred the floor, melting a clear hole through the thick stone. My right wing was fried, but not useless yet!   I felt another burst of heat as I curved sharply to my left, my wings scratching the ground as I took off. Josh cheered from the slide-lines. <Feeling brave?>   <You’re insane!> I cried in return, laughing senselessly. I caught the Dragoniar preparing for another gout of fire; her chest swelling unnaturally in the intake of air.   <Don’t dodge! That’s your opening!>   <I can’t take a hit like that!>   <You have to!>   I winced, diving downward just as she shot the next torrent of fire, and I took the attack in full. Flames burned into the red of my wings, and smoke trailed off the now burning feathers.   My burning body crunched into the Dragoniar, knocking whatever fight was left in her out. She fell to the floor, and I fell with her   <Get up.>   I tried to push myself up with a burning wing, faltered, and fell back down.   <Come on, Skarr. Don’t play with me like that.>   I coughed ashes, my reddish skin burned black, glaring at Josh with a charring gaze. <Don’t ever make me do that again, you fool.> I grinned, finally mustering the strength to stand.   Josh laughed victoriously. <That’s the Skarr I know!>   I glided to the sidelines, watching eagerly as Lance drew another Pokéball off his belt.   <Go, Aerodactyl!> <Go, Oxygen!>
(Oxygen POV)   <Thunderbolt!>   I swung my head around, but saw nothing to hit. The stage was devoid of anything but me, save for broken stone and shattered columns.   <What do I hit!?> I screamed back, muscles coursing with frustrated, unused electricity.   The stone around me rumbled, and two red eyes gleamed from under the rubble. I blasted the area instantly, but just as soon as I saw him, he disappeared.   <Double Team!>   I split myself in fourths with each illusion guarding a different side. The ground rumbled all around me, along with a primeval roar;. a roar that shook me at an instinctual level, that told me to run, to flee, and to leave everything behind.   Like everything else, I paid it no heed.   “Face me, beast!” I screamed, tail coiled in preparation. The Aerodactyl burst from the ground, shredding two of my illusions with his saw-like teeth.   His eyes shone like blood, and gleamed with the promise of a meal yet to be consumed. “Gladly!” He bellowed, flexing his wings, the rocks around him levitating with Ancient Power, and hurling themselves like cannonballs. The first crunched against my core, knocking me prone against the fractured floor. My tail swung behind me, swirling around the second rock and lifting me up. I kicked off it and onto the third, from which I sent another blast of electricity at the winged fossil. He cringed, his eyes turning brilliant white. The sun dimmed in the sky as all the light was absorbed into the Aerodactyl, and he gave a chilling, crooked smile.   <Double team, NOW!>   A blast of white energy blasted right into me, sending me flying through the air, through the ceiling, and out of the arena itself. Out of blind instinct, my tail flung out and caught a stray ledge of the ceiling, and swung me back down, smashing me into the floor. There was a body-sized dent now with me as the main attraction sprawled out like a murder victim with my tail uselessly draped over my immobile body.   <Send out your next Pokémon, trainer.> Lance prompted.   I smashed my fist into his precious polished floor to signify I wasn’t out yet. My chest heaved with the effort, but I pushed myself up from the floor. Bits of light that had returned from the world began to trickle away as I glared at my foe. He was paralyzed by his attack, fatigued and forced to regain his strength after such a powerful blow.   Unable to dodge.   <Hyper Beam!> “Raaaai!” I screamed, blasting him with the same ancestral force in anger and pure poetic justice. It tore through the rock face, and blasted into him, crumpling the once ancient beast.   “And that’s how we do it…” I panted, content at last.   --- (Josh POV)   I wasn’t unaware of the state of my team. Nova was knocked out, Static, Overdose, and Skarr were barely conscious, and Myst not only was at a disadvantage, but would likely also get knocked out in a single hit. I only had one Pokémon still able to hold his own; if Mew fell, it might spell the end.   I clutched one of my two remaining revives shakily in my hand. One would have to be used on Nova, should we win this battle. That left only one…   <Go, Mew!> I commanded, mind still whirring with calculations. I was glad that he was the last; though I trusted Static more, I knew what Mew was capable of. If anyone was going to be our last line of defense, I wanted it to be him.   <Impressive!> Lance leaned back in his throne, eyeing the pink Ancient. Mew curtsied, and giggled musically. <I trust this Mew was captured through trust and persuasion, and not through trickery?>   <‘This Mew’?> Mew tiled his entire body inquiringly. <You assume there’s more than one?>   <I know your secrets.> Lance smirked back.   <You’ll have to tell me sometime.> Mew flitted. <And I captured him I’ll have you know.>    <How often that happens.> Lance’s eyes glazed in thought as he rubbed his fingers over his last, polished Ultraball, and then his eyes fell on me. <Dragons are sacred and legendary creatures born from the power of the Ancients. It is fitting this last dual will test how far each has come. Go, Dragonite!>   The Dragonite was large, maybe ten feet in length. She stood composed and graceful, with a knowing smirk. Unlike the others, she didn’t inspire fear, though I knew logically one of those claws could take off my head.   No, the way she stood was almost…elegant. <It has been far too long since I have had the pleasure of battling worthy opponents.> Her thoughts flowed like rivers, and washed over my mind with purity that a pokespeak could not begin to equal. <It will be my honor to defeat you and your team.>   --- (Mew POV)   <Ice beam!>   The ice had already shot out of my paws, and struck true at the heart of the Dragonair. I felt Josh’s satisfaction as not only my attack hit, but as the Dragonair froze in place.   Then, the Dragonite simply stepped out of the ice, as if it were empty air.   <Like I said,> Lance stretched on his throne, watching the battle unfold, <I know your tricks.>   The Dragonite held up her arms, and massive draconic heads materialized into existence, each deafening my ears with their thunderous roars. She danced between the heads, seemingly absorbing their power as she flung herself through the ghosts of her ancestors.    <Ice beam again!> Josh commanded desperately.   My paws hummed with power in preparation to strike, but my body betrayed that order and convulsed in place as an unseen energy bound itself to my form. <Aaargh!> I screamed uselessly, the ice dissolving in my paws.   <One weakness.> The Dragonite clenched its fists, her eyes glowing blue. <And everyone seeks to exploit it. You do realize I can defend myself against one attack?>   <You have more than one weakness.> I snarled, binding her with the same energy she bound me. Her eyes widened as her wings locked to her sides, and her arms flailed outside her control.   <N-no!> She cried, jerking towards me and slashing me with a multicolored claw. I blasted her back with artic energies, and at last she fell. I would always remember Lance’s expression; the way he never looked phased through the entire battle, and the way that, when I won, he just smiled and said <Well played, trainer.> --- (Josh POV)   <What does this mean for you?>   Lance gave me a questioning look.   <What happens now?> I asked.   <Now? You head through the final door, and face the Champion of the Elite Four. The Fifth Master, and the leader of->   <No, for you.> I frowned. <Does this mean…you…lose? You lose your position in the Elite Four?>   Lance smiled a true, genuine smile. As strong and experienced as he was, he never showed an ounce of arrogance. In this, it almost seemed as if I told an amusing joke, and not as if he was laughing at my ignorance.   <No. Much like with the gyms, these trials are all heavily regulated. For me, this fight was merely for amusement, even if for you it was meant as a rite of passage. I am the last member of the Elite Four because I am the second most powerful trainer in Kanto. My Pokémon – my dragons – are powerful beyond measure, but alas, I am not permitted to use them in this area.> He shrugged. <I, much like our Champion, am restricted to using the Pokémon I first fought with to gain my position, not with the Pokémon I have now.>   <So, with the Champion, I’m not fighting him at his best?>   <Her.> Lance corrected. <And yes. Not even my dragons can defeat her when at full strength, but your task is only do defeat her with the Pokémon she used when she first became champion. Otherwise, no one would ever usurp her.   <Are you ready?> Lance stood from his chair, and walked beside me.   I gave him and odd look as I reached for my second-to-last revive. <Are you following me?>   <Yep. I wouldn’t want to miss this fight for the world.>   <You have to root for me then.> I grinned at the thought of my life-long idol cheering for me.   <Deal.> Lance nodded, his arms crossed at his chest.   I revived Nova, and healed the others. One last, golden door stood ahead of us becoming us closer. Carved into the metal were past, glorious battles, full of narrow victories and crushing defeats. I stared at it for a long moment, mesmerized by the battles of old.   <This is it.> Static whispered quietly, his hands drooped at his sides in awe.   <We can do this.> Nova nodded.   Myst smirked. <We will do this.>   <Damn right.> Overdose ground one fist into its twin.   Skarr looked around. <Is everyone healed and ready?>   <Everyone is functioning appropriately.> Mew nodded, a touch more solemnly than normal. I pressed my hand to the door, pushing it open without even a squeak from the ancient hinges.   <Good luck.> Lance thought quietly behind us.   The room was dim, save for one, lone spotlight illuminating the middle of the room. Everything else was obscured, including the figure standing at the other end of the large, hollow chamber.   “You kept me waiting.” a voice purred as she stepped forwards, the light shining off her flawless auburn skin. “You should know I don’t idle well, Josh.”   My legs turned weak, and I felt my brain begin to fog as it processed what I was seeing. All I could do was stare aghast at the woman in front of me, my mouth meekly whispering in quiet, confused awe, “…Sandy?”
“That’s Alesandra to you.” Sandy smirked, spiraling around and flaunting her elegant maroon dress. “Who did you expect? You knew I beat the Elite Four when I was six; did you really think I had the foresight to turn down such a prestigious position as a child?”   I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. How was this possible? Was all of this a ruse?   Was what we had…a ruse?   “Come now, Josh, pick up that attractive chin of yours and stare me in the eye.” Sandy pressed a finger to my jaw, forcing it upwards. “I’ve been waiting months for this battle; don’t disappoint me now.”   “I…can’t beat you.” I mumbled. My Pokémon shrunk back, aghast. “We’ve already proven this. You didn’t just beat me, you destroyed me. I…I have no chance against you.”   “Complements won’t get you the title of Champion.” Alesandra smirked, twirling her hair. “Though they are nice to hear. And you’re right; you would have no chance against me.”   That’s it then. I’ve lost. It’s over.   “Luckily, you’re not fighting me.”   I shot Sandy a questioning look. Behind me, I could hear Lance chuckle.   “In the same way the regulations forbade me from fighting with the Pokémon I’ve obtained in my time here,” Lance began, “They forbid Alesandra. In essence, you have to defeat her while she’s using the Pokémon she used to beat the Elite Four originally, all those years ago.”   I turned to Lance. “So, you’re saying…”   Sandy smirked. “Yes. You have to defeat the Pokémon I used when I was six, or at least, the power levels of the Pokémon I used.”   Lance scrunched his face. “That’s not accurate. You have to use the exact Pokémon-”   “I’m the Champion.” Alesandra laughed, catching Lance off-guard. “I can tweak the rules if I want.” Lance had no comeback, and leaned against the wall, scowling. “Well, Josh? Do you think you can beat the six year old me?”   I glowered at the mask of my lover. “We’ll perform our best, as always.”   “Such a lack of confidence!” She scoffed, moving away from the spotlight. Tiny blue lines shone across the floor, and seemed to follower her as she moved, begging for her attention. “No goading me? No jests of how you’ve already bested me once, when we first met all those months ago? At least Static is growling; where are your fangs, Josh?”   “Hubris won’t get me anywhere.” I spat.   “Hah!” Sandy laughed, the blue lights pulsing at her sudden burst of sound. “Hubris will get you everywhere. Confidence is the only skill you can fake and still have, and there is more strength in pride than modesty.”   “You will look glorious as your wings burn against the heat of the sun.”   “A better existence than those doomed to life on the ground.” Alesandra’s eyes shone with the mysterious blue light across the stage. “At birth, I was doomed to the life of a shadow. How could a girl with no father possibly outshine her mother, a Brain? Left to her own devices, alone with no support?   “Because there is strength in weakness. Our vices give us more fortitude than any lone ideal, and even as a child, my pride is what got me this far. It is what forced me to battle against foes far stronger than myself, it is what allowed me to beat and claim the title of Champion, and it has secured me with power, prestige, and everything I desire, yourself included.”   “I’m honored to be welcomed in your twisted power fantasy.”   She smirked as I glared holes through her disgusting façade. “Unfortunately, our relationship does pose a small problem: am I emotionally inclined to let you win simply because we are romantically involved?” She moved behind some dark object, her torso barely taller than the odd, protruding shape.   “You delight in cruelty!” I balked. “You love draining the last sap of vigor from a trainer before you destroy them! You would never willingly lose a battle.” “True, but nevertheless, I invited the members of the Elite Four here to act as judges to ensure that I don’t show any…favoritism. Fairness, and all of that.” She gave me a small, condescending sneer as the blue lights shone on the floor around her feet. The light was dim, but I could make out desks towards the edges of the walls, each hosting a member of the Elite Four, save for Lance who stood by the back wall, grimacing.   “Vices are things to be fought! They blind us from truth, and harm the good that is within us. Self-growth cannot be gained until one controls their demons!” A twisting, hydrophonic scratch echoed through the dark room, and the blue lights flickered in unison. With the burst of light, I recognized what Sandy was standing behind.   Her turntable.   “Our demons give us strength, strength to do the impossible, strength to concur whatever lies before us, whomever lies before us.” She winked before reverberating one of her disks yet again, the blue lights fluctuating in rhythm. “Face me, lover, and let us see if you are worthy of your demons! Go, Gluttany!” Alesandra commanded, an ultraball spiraling through the air, revealing a familiar Wigglytuff. <Just like old times, Eh?> Static grinned, his cheeks crackling in preparation for battle. ------   (Static POV)   “Go, Static!”   Duh.   Wiggly was bigger than I remember. Before I was taller than her, not counting our ears, but now she was almost twice my height, nearly the size of Sandy. She also had a pouch, just like a Chansey, filled to the brim with food and snacks.   <Fighting set!> Josh commanded. <Just like the first fight. No mercy!>   Just as commanded, I raced up and smashed my paws together, stunning the giant mass of pink fluff. My fist followed, smashing her in the chest. Her chest absorbed the blow, and she didn’t move.   <Hahaha!> She laughed, grabbing a bag of chips from her pouch and downing the entire thing in one, massive gulp, plastic and all. <I’m not the weakling you use to know, Statie!>   She ballooned in size again, dwarfing Sandy, and grinning at me with now massive seafoam eyes. <Come get me, mousey mouse!>   I kicked off the floor and slugged her in the stomach, but she used my momentum to catch me, and thump me with her other stumpy paw.   Thwack!   <Hah!> I snorted, <You call that a->   Thwack!   <Aah, okay, m-maybe->   Twack!   She hit my muzzle hard that time, snapping my neck backwards, and causing my vision to blur. I couldn’t escape her grasp, or fail to notice her seafoam eyes had turned a sickly shade of red.   Twack!   <W-Wiggly…> I winced, <Why? Don’t you want us to win? Don’t you want us to be together, Josh with Sandy and me with you? Stop this…> <That’s the thing about gluttony, Stat.> Her hollow voice echoed inside my mind. <I can’t stop.>   Twack!   With the last blow she released me, and I tumbled across the stage dazed my vision threatening to give, with black spots fading in and out of view and stealing bits of sensation. Was I standing? Had I already fainted?   <S-static, return!>   Half-numb, I stumbled back to Josh and leaned against his leg for support, panting heavily. Wiggly looked like she hadn’t even been hit, and laughed at my condition from across the stage.   <What’s wrong, Josh?> Sandy cooed, a low, modulated bass humming behind her. <Not going to finish what you’ve started?>   <I’m…sorry…> I attempted to transmit.   Josh shook his head. <Don’t be. You did your best; it’s not your fault. Don’t worry – it’s far from over.>   Wiggly gave Josh a wide, unnerving smile. <Who’s next for me to squish, Joshy-Josh?>   <Go, Skarr!> Skarr nodded curtly and zoomed to the stage.   <Awwww.> Wiggly sighed, her arms drooping. <You’re no fun.> Skarr matched her demented smile, drawing a poisoned feather like a switchblade. <I’m going to pop you like the crazed blimp you are.> ------   (Skarr POV)   Wigglytuff bashed her foot into me, violet venom dribbling down the slice in her brow. I flinched and healed myself just as another paw crunched into my core, doubling me over and forcing me into the air.   For a moment, the battlefield was still. Wiggltuff reached inside her pouch and grabbed a fistful of some type of sticky pastry and shoved it down her maw, the wounds of poison closing on her fur. The poison wouldn’t go away that easily, but it would buy her time.   Time I wasn’t sure I had.   <Josh!> I thought over the electronic reverberation of Sandy’s music, <I can’t heal! She->   <I know. Keep to the air – you’ll have the advantage.>   I swooped higher. Wiggly continued eating, growing even more immense as she gorged herself on a mixture of food and air. It was terrifying – the more she ate, more elastic she became, and at any moment I was sure she could just float up and sock me in the jaw with that attack.   <Land and heal yourself, then attack her with Fly!> Josh commanded.   I’m not sure I’ll be able to take another punch from the ground…   I landed and instantly healed myself, and I noticed what Josh saw. Wiggly wasn’t growing to destroy me, she was eating just to stay alive. She could gorge herself enough so that the poison wouldn’t consume her, but that’s all she could do. If she attacked me, she risked fainting as well.   “Yah!” She screeched, seeing an opening and trying to take me down with her. I was faster, and swooped into the air with a riskily-gained second-wind. She had wasted her healing opportunity trying to attack me, and she would pay for it dearly.   “Skraaaaaaaa!” I cried, diving at her from the air and slicing her with my steel wings. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. She toppled belly-up, her eyes vacant and deflated.   <Think you can do another round?> Josh asked.   <Definitely.> I nodded. Sandy shook her head disdainfully and plucked her second ultraball of five from her belt. <Go, Wrath!> ------   (Josh POV)   Her Infernape rattled, agitated with the lack of orders. It was the same Infernape I had used to fight against her, a few months prior. Its eyes darted back and forth with a crazed intensity; barely restrained rage. Her hands clenched with fire, blazing with mastery as she silently convulsed in place.   <Skarr, use To->   Wrath blind-sided Skarr in a blur of motion, smashing his feet together causing Skarr to flinch backwards, then comboing into a series of blazing punches and kicks. Skarr’s wings flashed with venom, but Wrath pushed his wings aside, impervious to Skarr’s attempts at escape. The entire battle took seconds. Skarr lost consciousness half way through the slaughter, and crumpled to the floor once the Infernape chose to stop punching.   Wrath sighed, not even close to sated. Her eyes burned into me, as if to challenge me personally to battle. She looked ferocious and uncontrolled, but she wasn’t the only one that could harness that energy. <Go, Nova!>
(Thank you everyone. You're the best fans I could ask for <3)   (Nova POV)   “Innnnferno!”   “Zaaaah!” I roared back, flaring my wings. <Outrage, Josh?>   <Fly! You have an advantage; use it!>   I lunged off the ground just as the Infernape leapt to strike me, her fists missing my inches. I twisted in a loop and dove, striking the Infernape at her core and flipping her backwards.   <Excellent! Now use Dragon Pulse!>   She caught herself on her hands, springing backwards and pounded me with her feet. I stumbled backwards, wincing while blasting a torrent of white-hot dragon fire.   Sidestepping the flame, she turned and bashed her foot into my face, disorienting me further while knocking me to the ground. I bellowed another gout of dragon flames as she bounded into the air, my flames blasting her out of the sky and denting the opposing steel wall with her body.   Josh nodded, a smile on his face I hadn’t seen in a while. I remembered the first fight with the Onix, with the Pikachu, and the fights at the grass gym, that look of approval, of happiness, of pride.   <You did it, Nova.>     I did it. I forgot about Vortex; this was just me and Josh against the Champion, and I held my own.   <Yeah.> I tittered in return, blinking in slight disbelief.   <I’m going to need you to continue fighting. I won’t be disappointed if you faint, I just need you to get damage on the next Pokémon.>   <Okay!> I nodded confidently. “Go, Greed!” Sandy commanded, sending out a short, unnaturally thin Pokémon with glittery, gemstone eyes and twitchy purple limbs. ---   I didn’t need an order to know what to do next. Rage washed over my mind as I felt my draconic heritage mesh with my physical body, augmenting my corporeal being with ancient potency.   I lunged at the purple demon, but the Sableye scoffed and melded into nothingness, reappearing behind me and socking me in the back of the neck. My rage slipped my mind as my face met the tiled floor, cracking the linoleum in a wave of synthetic bass.   My wings jerked me off the ground, and I spun and struck the gem-eyed monstrosity. He took the attack in full. Gems spilled out of his mouth as he laughed, seemingly impervious to my swirling, prismic claws. I swiped at him again, but once more he phased out of existence.   The Sableye stuck me again, and a feeling of atrophy and disorientation flowed through my being.   I roared in frustration, standing purely by my inhuman draconic will. <How can I hit it!?> I screamed, missing once again what should’ve been a debilitating blow. <It keeps teleporting!>   <You have-> I startled Josh with a brutal thwack, interrupting the Sableye teleport by slashing it across the chest, and spilling small precious stones all across the floor. <It.>   <Return.> Sandy smirked, returning the unconscious Sableye to its Pokéball.   <Return.> Josh nodded at me. I stumbled to his side, sapped of all resolve. He looked down at me and smiled. <You were amazing out there.> <Yeah,> I laughed, finally believing him. <Thanks.>   --- (Myst POV)   <Go, Sloth!>   <Go, Myst!>   An Alakazam rested on his chest, twirling a spoon idly between his fingers. My fur bristled as illusions danced out of my form, daring the Alakazam to guess which was real.   <Child,> Sloth scoffed, <As if a mere misguidance could deter a mind such as mine.>   One of my illusions cast a black hand of shadow at the Alakazam, but she ignored it and instead blocked my actual attack – a Dark Pulse I had cleverly disguised as just another throb of blue light. Her spoon vibrated with energy, absorbing the blast, and redirecting it back at me as a stream of repugnant emerald energy.   I growled in pain, my illusions vanishing with my lack of concentration. Sloth merely smirked, twirling her spoon with passive, apathetic eyes.   I took a breath and extended my mind, allowing my illusions once again to flood the battlefield. Sloth gave a condescending snort, gazing at her spoon with weary indifference.   <The spoon, Myst!> Josh implored, <Concentrate on the spoon!>   The spoon. I saw my eyes inside it and only my eyes. I didn’t extend my illusions into the spoon itself; that’s how she knew! I quickly created another illusion in the spoon, and dodged a blast of variant energy that would have meant my doom.   The Alakazam grimaced, clutching her spoon and cleansing it of my influence. <You think your flitting phantasms can have any effect on a mind as powerful as mine? Your make-believe and misdirection may work on others, but trifling shadows have never held a place amongst the gods!>   <I’ll happily be the first, then.> I chuckled theatrically, the lights dimming with each resounding beat. Sloth looked around wildly, only seeing a glimmer of reality within her spoon, and shot bursts of green energy randomly into my darkness. I scoffed, ensuring the sound resounded around the arena.   Sloth stood, gazing at the spoon’s reflection with a sense of dread. I kicked it out of her paw, and smashed my fist into her throat. My shadow fades away, no longer needed with my foe vanquished.   <Excellent work, Myst.> I smirked, my tail whipping behind me as I walked to the sidelines. <Would you have expected any less?>   --- (Josh POV)   No reason to stop this streak. Let’s end this in style.   <Go, Mew!>   Mew coiled off my wrist and melded onto the battlefield in a whip of pink slime. He beamed, disorienting the air in a show of prowess before adopting a battle stance.   The music stuttered before resuming its normal rhythm. I glanced up at Sandy and saw her eyes glistening, pain written into her face.   I never…assumed she was a sore loser?   <Are…you alright?> I asked, prodding her thoughts with my own.   She glanced up, tears gone, but pain still cracking through her near-perfect façade. “So close. Gods, I thought you had it. It wouldn’t have been a complete victory, not a 6-0, but you still would have won.” She winced, clutching her turn table, her knuckles white. “Good game, Josh Karren. Maybe in another day.” Her voice cracked, and she switched to Poke-speak. <Go, Envy.> Sandy continued, sending out her last Pokéball, which melted in her hand. A similar pink ooze made its way to the battlefield, taking the form of Mew.   She sighed, staring me with the look of someone who has made an impossible choice, and spoke two words that will dwell in my nightmares forever. “Finish him.” ---   (Mew POV)   <Urrr…>   By all probability this match should have ended in a tie. It should have ended with a mortal striking down a god, but the god’s retribution ending the mortal as well. Envy being the heroic flaw that ended this fight; after all, I knew all his weaknesses. He was me; I was him. I had more prowess in this body, I knew its function and its power.   Why was I the one that fell?   Juice glimmered off the maw that wasn’t mine as I lay in the quiet state before complete obscurity, but after obvious defeat. I felt a foot drive itself into my back; my own paw set to betray me.   <You are god of nothing.>   I was too exhausted to respond to Envy’s taunt. Too exhausted to think, to speak, to be. Darkness consumed me, the blessed mercy of unconsciousness being the incomprehension of one’s own failings.   That I had single-handedly doomed them all. <Fun body. Let’s take it out for a spin.> ---   (Josh POV)   Oh. God.   I realized the mistake I had made as soon as she sent out the Ditto, but what I hadn’t seen was the Sitrus berry hidden on the Ditto, which made the Ditto take his hits slightly better, and thus be just slightly faster than my Mew, which is all the difference that was needed.   He had over half health.   He had all of Mew’s moves.   He was stronger than every Pokémon on my team.   I took a breath, and calmed my thoughts. Stronger, perhaps, but faster, and not at an advantage. No, I was the one that still had that. ---   <Go, Myst!> Myst’s body crunched against the wall, collapsing to the floor. The Ditto laughed aloud, paw smoking from the flame it had just conjured. <Come now, Trainer. From Alessandra’s complements I had expected more.>   <Stop, Envy.> Sandy’s detached, chilled thoughts echoed in our minds. <This isn’t the time.> The fake Mew sulked, crossing his paws. <As you wish, Master.>   <Nova, go.> I commanded. He looked at me with horror –I knew he would not be able to endure another hit. Maybe I thought he was faster. Maybe I thought he could dodge before getting a blow. It didn’t matter – his body fell just like Myst’s.   <It takes the enjoyment out of combat when I’m not allowed to mock my competition.> Envy laughed, tossing Nova’s body at my feet like a ragdoll. <Where’s your sense of adventure? Where’s the cruel and lovely Alessandra I’ve come to trust and love?>   <Just do your damn job.> Sandy glowered.   Two Pokéballs left, and one revive…   <What are you waiting for?> Oxygen snarled. <Send me out!>   I had no plan. <I…just…>   <Josh, come on.> Static encouraged. <You can do this. We believe in you.>   Oxygen goes out with the Focus Sash. He hits Ditto with a Hyperbeam before fainting. Static goes out and uses Fake Out…but that won’t be enough.   Static goes out. Fake out, then faints. Oxygen buys time while I use the restore on Static, then Oxygen faints. I give Static the Focus Sash, he uses Fake Out then thunderbolt, but still…   I send Oxygen out to revive Mew, then Oxygen faints. I give Static the Focus Sash, then he uses Fake Out. On the second turn, I heal Mew back to full health. Static faints. Mew is back at full health to finish Ditto off, but…   …but that will be Mew’s victory. Not Static’s.   I rubbed my temple, contemplating the different, all equally poor strategies. This wasn’t how it was meant to happen. It needed to end with Static by my side, healthy and alive, and us both going into the Hall of Fame together, as one. That was our dream…   <I…can’t.> I winced, grimacing at Static. <There’s no way where I can win with you being conscious. I don’t…want to win without you. This is as much your dream as it is mine! I can’t walk to the Hall without you. I can’t beat Sandy without you. If that means losing, I mean, we can always try again. There’s no rule against->   <Are you serious!?> Static cried, his fists balled at his sides. <You want me to give you the ‘there’s no ‘I’ in team’ speech now!? I don’t care how we win, Josh, whether it’s me giving all I have or me waking up in a hospital bed! What matters is you winning this, and making this whole journey worth it! I don’t care if I faint, just make sure we-> Static motioned to me, to Nova and Myst, to Mew and Skarr, and to Oxygen. <Win. As a team.>   I nodded slowly, exhaling. <Okay. I know what to do.>   <I know.> Static smirked, almost as if that cocky grin had never left his face. <Now just do it.> <Go, Oxygen!> I commanded, Oxygen bounding to the field with a crazed, violent grin. <Buy us time.>   <I’ll do more than that.> Oxygen nodded, vigorously cracking his paws.
(Oxygen POV)   Double Team!   One of my duplicates was snared by the Ditto’s telekinetic wrath, crunching it very realistically and tossing it aside.  I ducked under another telekinetic scythe, whirling my tail at the fictions god. A six foot translucent fist clenched around my chest, but my tail still swung true, smashing Envy in its core.   My eyes widened as my tail betrayed me, its electricity bounding up my leg and locking my muscles in place. The transparent arm squashed me in its grip, twisting awkwardly and throwing me to the ground.   Not betrayal. It’s the Mew’s trickery!   I hoisted myself off the glowing azure floor, paws clawing at the unnatural light. I knew I wasn’t meant to survive that blow; the Ditto’s face told me that much.   <I’ve healed Mew!> Josh exclaimed. <Hit him with everything now! Hyper Beam!>   The blue light shimmered beneath me as I charged my attack, my mouth glowing with the sapphire energy. Envy rose its hand to defend against me, but the paralysis proved too much and bound it in place.   Enough for one, perfect shot.   “Raaaai!” I howled as a blast of energy shattered into the fake Mew, whirling off its body in a blast of brilliance. It shielded itself with jerky palms, but the force of the attack proved too much, and forced him to the ground.   But he wasn’t out yet. With one, shaking paw, he sent a burst of psychic power. I couldn’t move – I couldn’t dodge after an attack like that – and it struck me without deviation, sending me sliding across the ground.   My last thought before going under wasn’t anger, or thoughts of revenge. It wasn’t self-pity, or disgust. As the thoughts drained from my mind, I was content.   <Return, Oxygen. You’ve been amazing; more than I ever could have hoped!> Because now, my team could win. ---   (Static POV)   <Standard set! Send these sins back to the hell they’ve from!> Josh thundered, with a violent smile erupting across his face. I was happy to comply, a smile matching his carved across my face, nearly stretching to the streams of electricity coiling from my cheeks. Orange energy churned from my paws as I raced to finish Envy, and win the title of Champion for Josh, with our names carved in glory next to his, written forever in unchanging, permanent stone.   My muscles contracted fiercely, nearly causing me to lose my balance as I bounded across the stage, and I howled with confusion and pain.   <It stole Mew’s ability!> Josh hollered from the sidelines, making sense of the constricting current racing around myself. It didn’t matter – this was how it was meant to be. Focus Sash trailing off my head like a fighter, soaking away my insecurities as I raced towards victory, the first Pikachu in history to ever make it this far.   The Mew stopped me in midair, holding me in place inches in front of his face, and smirked. Envy’s eyes were a desaturated navy, drained of all life.   <How cute,> It cooed, giving a stale smirk as it held me in place, <How does it feel to be on the same stage as us, mouse? Tell me, does your blood boil as your body fails, over and over again? It isn’t your fault – not everyone can be as naturally gifted as us.>   I tried to growl, but I was frozen in place. The Mew laughed, lifting me further into the air before throwing me at the ground, squashing me against the linoleum.   I felt myself crunch into the floor. I knew it was over then – with as much experience as I had, I knew my limits. This was too much, and I was done.   Yet…like some sick bungee cord, I felt myself snap back into focus, my mind wracked with fatigue, and my muscles burning with exhaustion. I heard the Mew laughing, no doubt content with its latest victory. I lifted myself out of the crater in the ground with one paw, and with the other grabbed a tuff of the Mew’s fur and pulled it to my cheek.   <To hell, and back again.> I spat, giving ever last millivolt of electricity I had into that spiteful, passive aggressive piece of pink slime. It screamed, collapsing in on itself with a splatter and pooling into goo with a smooth, liquidly synth echoing off the walls.   Sandy stood up, removing her hand from the turn table with a tired, content smirk. I collapsed to the floor, my Focus Sash turning to dust, yet I held a single paw upwards in victory.   <We did it, Static.> Josh whispered, in quiet awe. <Did you ever doubt us?> I smirked in reply. ---   (Josh POV)   Sandy beamed, thrusting her hand towards the judges. “Does anyone contend that I battled to the fullest extent of my abilities, or otherwise showed favoritism to the Champion?”   Champion. Oh god, I could get used to that.   Agatha leaned back in her chair, her old bones creaking to her odd posture. “A legitimate victor.” Lorelei gave a reluctant nod. Bruno’s was much more fierce and meaningful.   “And you, Lance?” Sandy asked.   “Does it matter?” Lance shrugged, his eyes showing a careful ambivalence as his cape draped behind him. “Even if I held any ill will towards this fight, my opinion would be overruled.”   “I would still prefer you be on my side, if purely for symbolic reasons.” I squeaked, my heart still racing in my chest. “You’ve always been a h-huge influence to me, and-   “I believe the battle was flawed.” Lance interrupted. “Though it was her right, I believe it disrespectful to violate the rules of Elite Combat simply because it fit her mood.” Lance looked up at Sandy, clearly dissatisfied. “Though, this breech of conduct would only serve to make the challenger’s trial more difficult, so to Josh I say: yes. Your victory was legitimate.”   I didn’t know what to say. Or do. I was an idiot; half my Pokémon were unconscious right now! They couldn’t share in this moment!   “Um,” I gulped, “I-is there a place I can revive my Pokémon, for-”   “You’re looking for the Hall of Fame.” Sandy smiled. “That would be right behind you.”   I turned to see a brilliant entranceway of swirling blue light beckoning me further. This was it.   I took my first step.   “Before you go…” I turned to Sandy, who gave a long, tired smile. “You have a choice, Josh Karren.”   “Oh?”   “You have won. You have earned the right of Champion; the strongest trainer in Kanto.” Sandy waved her arm as if to drape it all across the country. “But will you keep it?”   “What do you mean?”   “Whatever you decide, you will keep the rank of Champion. You will be able to live and purchase property in the Battle Park, along with your Pokémon and extended family.”   “What is the choice?” I asked suspiciously.   “The choice is if you wish to maintain the rank of the Champion of Kanto. This position holds many responsibilities, including flying down here anytime a challenger should arise. You must train vigilantly, and you may not own or live outside Kanto’s borders.”   I frowned. “But you live at the Battle Park.”   “I was an exception, as I also own the title of a Brain.” Sandy explained. “Without you holding both positions, you will be required to stay here, in Kanto. That is, if you choose not to refuse.”   ‘Is that what drives you? The need to be the best?’ Skarr’s voice echoed in my mind. ‘Why travel. Why reach the peak?’   ‘For the companionship of those I climb with,’ I answered, way back when. ‘And for that view when we all succeed.’ “Keep it.” I smiled. “You’re better company than all the prestige in the world.”
---Epilogue, Three Months Later---   (Josh’s POV)   I didn’t know if my eyes were open or closed. How many sleepless nights had I endured, staring at a ceiling I couldn’t see? It wasn’t that the bed was uncomfortable; it couldn’t be. It was made from Altaria down, a substance made for sleep.   But then…why can’t I sleep?   I had everything I wanted. My Pokémon were content. Sandy was sleeping beside me. I had made peace with my parents, as much as I could. I even got a hug from my mother.   I wish I could just roll over, but I’d wake Sandy…   Weeks of battling. I enjoyed each one, and with it, a rush of life and brilliance. I saw the spark in Static’s eyes as we fought harder and harder opponents. He loved it here. Nova loved it here. Myst, Skarr, Mew. I almost thought of Oxygen, but…he wasn’t with us anymore. I would like to believe that he was just like Skarr, that, someday, he would return. Someday. ---   (Oxygen POV)   Had the nights always been this cold?   I shivered, coated in the silence of a moonless night. Had it really been so long since I claimed dominion in this city? Now who was I? A Raichu without a trainer, cold, and alone.   I still recall Josh’s face. Not disappointment, not really. He knew it was coming. More like…sad realization. The conscious awareness that the cancer would kill you, not knowledge of the cancer itself. Where the patient has time to acknowledge his unseen parasite, and make peace with death far before his time.   “Are you sure?” Josh choked, staring at me with all the love I never deserved.   “I told you I would leave. Make a name for myself. Make some money for charity; redeem myself. Why are you so surprised?”   “I’m…I’m not. Good for you, Ox.” Josh’s voice cracked. He couldn’t care for me, not really. I had tried to kill Static. I had tried to kill him. Why was he blinking back tears? “I’m proud of you.”   “I’ll come back.” The words tumbled out of my mouth as tears blurred my vision, and the lump in my throat threatened to strangle any last words from my pained, broken face. “Someday, Josh. Someday when I can look at myself without hatred, someday when I feel like I’ve done more good than harm. When I feel as if my life was worth living again.”   “You don’t have to be defined by your past.”   “Someday when I believe that.” I laughed, pained, tears spilling down my face. He offered his arms and I bounced into them, hugging him fiercely despite never hugging anyone ever before. It was wonderful, just like I imagined it would be.   “I wish you all the luck in the world.” Josh hugged me just as fiercely. “And I wish you double.” I sniffed, “Take care of Static for me, will you?” ---   (Josh POV)   And just like that, he was gone. Legend hunting.   Is that why I can’t sleep? Because I miss him?   Legend hunting. A career for the brave and foolish, hunting dangerous and potent Pokémon for gold, mostly for study. Typically it was catch and release, but in some occasions it was for human or even Pokémon safety. It’s a risky job, but no one else knows how to tame or capture a raging Gyarados, especially one near the Battle Park several times its normal size.   Maybe…maybe I’m just thirsty.   I sat up slowly, trying not to wake Sandy. I stealthily crept to the side of the bed, leaning down on the smooth, tiled floor. A hand lashed out and grabbed my wrist, squeezing it with need and ache.   “Please.” Sandy whispered, her expression unreadable in the room’s dim light. “Don’t go.”   “I’m just going to grab some water.” I cooed, gently pulling Sandy’s wrist from my own. “Okay? Don’t worry – go back to sleep.”   “…Okay…” Sandy mumbled, reaching out for my nonexistent body on the bed, no longer there. She shifted uncomfortably.   I got my water and returned to bed, gently easing my way back in. Sandy turned to me, her eyes half-lidded with just a gleam of lucidity as her arm found my chest, and curled against it.   “Are you leaving?”   “No, Sandy. I’m right here.” I whispered.   Twice in one night? Had she been having nightmares?   “No. I mean, the Battle Park. Are you going away?”   “No. I’m staying right here.” I reassured her, cupping her waist in my palm. “Don’t worry.”   She shifted, frowning. “You should. You should go.”   Huh?   “Josh,” Sandy started, pulling herself closer to me, “You’re miserable here. You haven’t slept in days. Being cooped up in this apartment isn’t good for you.”   “You’re good for me.” I countered.   “You don’t sleep. Your Pokémon are only happy when they’re battling; otherwise they don’t know what to do. None of them are acclimated to the city. All this freedom you had, all this travel…and now you’re stuck. I couldn’t blame you for feeling smothered.”   “I don’t feel smothered. I don’t feel like I have a lack of freedom, I just-”   “Look at me.” Sandy implored, opening those beautiful, reflective dark orbs. “Josh, I know you. I’m not mad. Look deep within yourself – if you could do anything right now, what would it be?”   “You?” I tried, smirking awkwardly.   Sandy pushed me away annoyed. “I’m serious.”   “…I would be a Legendary Hunter.” The words left my mouth like I had known them all along. Months of sitting doing nothing hadn’t curbed my desire to travel, to see everything the world had to offer, to go wander around trees and forests, lakes and cities. I knew it suddenly; I was struck with incurable wanderlust, a desire to see everything, go everywhere, and I couldn’t do it in this stifling city.   Wanderlust. I could suppress it. I could hold it down; my affliction wouldn’t get in the way of my relationship. I loved her. I loved her more than all the sites the world had to offer, and all the battles and trophies I could ever earn.   “I won’t make you choose.” She whispered, her words slowed and sleepy as her eyelids fell. “Go.”   “I won’t leave you.”   “Damn right you won’t.” Sandy grinned, pulling me into an embrace. “We’ll see each other as often as we can. But you need this. And I understand. I’ll help you pack in the morning.”   Just like that, the decision was made. I felt relieved; Sandy knew it better than I that I needed this. More than freedom, I needed the support of knowing I could have both, my love of travel and my love of the beautiful woman sleeping next to me. At last, I knew I could rest.   “Thank you.” I murmured, hugging Sandy lightly while drifting to a much needed sleep, a grin on my face as I dreamed of adventures to come.
(Nova POV, same night)   “Psssst! Nova. Nova, it’s me.” A kind voice whispered urgently, the heat of her breath warming my ear. My eyes peeked open – it was dark, very dark.   It was my turn to sleep tonight. Mine and Myst’s. Static and Skarr got it yesterday, and Mew doesn’t sleep. Josh has us out in shifts, as to both make up for the lack of beds and to give us all the quality time we deserve. Although I had only really been awake for twenty hours, it had been three days since I had slept. I’m not sure if that really counts, but all I knew is that I was tired.   My cozy blanket tucked around me, and with Sandy’s couch snug at my back, getting up was a tall order. I mumbled under my breath, snuggling my pillow.   “P-please, Nova! I…I have to pee.”   My eyes slowly opened to an annoyed turquoise glare. Myst stood over me, legs pressed together and a worried expression pressed into her face.   My glare softened. “It’s…night. Just go to the bathroom.”   Myst frowned. “Static knocked a toilet paper roll into the guest one, and it clogged.”   “Then use the one in Josh and Sandy’s room.”   Myst shifted uncomfortably. “Then I’d wake them up! I’m not a cub; I can…I can handle this myself.”   Evidently not.   I shoved the malicious thought from my sleepy mind and sat up, rubbing my eyes. “How bad is it?”   “…It’s not good.” Myst winced, rubbing the fork of her legs. Something stirred in my mind, and my drowsiness vanished, replaced by some other, unfamiliar emotion.   “Um…” I looked around the room, my eyes already adjusted to the dark atmosphere. “What about the sink?”   Myst blushed indignantly. “I’m not peeing in the sink! That’s gross! Josh cooks out of that! Plus, they might…” Myst shook her head fiercely. “…they might hear, and it’ll smell!”   “Well, we could probably wash out the smell.” I reasoned. “And…I don’t know, maybe you could go quietly? Josh and Sandy are in the next room; they probably won’t hear you.”   Myst hesitated, biting her lip while rubbing herself with a paw. “A-alright. Listen for them though, just in case they wake up.”   I nodded. Myst wobbled over to the counter, hopping on it with a wince, and letting out a quick, sudden whimper. After a moment, she adjusted herself properly and kneeled at the sink, her head turned to the bedroom door in fear. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, then…   “…D-do you mind?” Myst stuttered, a brazen gaze complementing the scarlet in her cheeks.   I blinked, not realizing that I had been staring. “Sorry – tired, not really paying attention.”   “It’s fine, just…” Myst winced in obvious discomfort, breathing slow and steady breaths. “Just keep an eye out.”   I waited a moment. Two. All I could hear was Myst’s quivering breath, and the ticking clocks against the wall.   “Myst?” I looked up. She shivered, a few drops dribbling into the sink, before a large spurt sloshed against the side.   “S-shit!” She cursed, grabbing herself roughly. “T-they definitely heard that!”   “It’s fine, I’m sure-”   “This isn’t going to work.” She whispered, crawling off the counter growling. Her paw was shoved between her legs without heed of embarrassment, squeezing for all it was worth.   I quickly ran the sink quietly, rinsing off any evidence. “W-what about the plant in the corner? The soil would probably-”   “It’ll still smell though!” Myst hissed, giving her crotch one last squeeze before standing straight. “Grab the keys, we’re leaving.”   “It’s three in the morning! If Josh catches us-”   Myst gave an adorable desperation-fueled glare.   “I’ll grab the keys.” I relented. We unlocked the door and headed to the elevator. Myst smacked the button, standing next to an enormous window overlooking the city.   Enormous skyscrapers and other interesting and bizarre building stared back at us, all gleaming with light despite the hour. Sandy’s apartment was high up – the fourth-fourth floor – but even it was dwarfed by some of the buildings in the distance. The Battle tower rose up like a giant torch in the night, gleaming with wonder and mystery.   A quiet ‘ding’ alerted us both to the elevator’s arrival, and Myst dove in quickly with me right behind. She punched the first floor, and the doors closed ever so slowly.   I looked her over. Her paws were pressed into her middle, her eyes closed in need and concentration. One paw rubbed up and down while the other just held steady, clamping down in rhythm to her short, quickened breaths.   “Ah!” Myst yelped, a short burst of yellow spraying to the floor. “N-no!”   The elevator moved from the twenty-fourth floor to the twenty-third, and I bit my lip with worry. “Will…will you make it?”   “Of course!” She snapped. “I just…I went a bit earlier, and my bladder’s confused, that’s…that’s all.”   She placed her foot in the small splattering, trying quickly wipe it up, which she did with marginal success. Thirteenth floor. Twelfth.   “Oooh…” Myst whined, doubling over, cheeks burning the same color as her eyes. At last, the elevator dinged with satisfaction, opening up to the first floor.   The lobby was deserted. Myst staggered out, lurching towards the exit.    “Wait, we’re leaving the building?” I yelped, scurrying after her.   “I’m not figuring out the human bathrooms if I don’t have to!” She growled. “Plus the outside is closer, and-, urk!” She slumped over suddenly, another gush of liquid splashing to the ground. “Nrrrg!”   “Fine, let’s just go!” I encouraged her, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the door. She complied eagerly, if a bit clumsily, limping out of the building as fast as her body would let her. The automated doors opened with a whoosh, and she raced outside, breaking for the bushes right by the entrance. She didn’t even bend down before she burst, with a yellow cascade streaming down into the foliage. She moaned and I blushed, a heat rising in my chest, among other…rising…things.   I looked around apprehensively. The night was quiet and devoid of life, save for the flood of urine and the forced, quiet moans of relief from Myst. I waited for a long moment for the gushing to trickle to a stop, with a final sigh of reprieve.   “Hey, uh…” I panted, not realizing I was suddenly out of breath. “How about we…stay out here, awhile? Just...just us?”   “Seriously?” Myst raised an eyebrow, gesturing to the bush. “Next to the shrub I just peed in?”   “…Yeah, why not?” Myst looked me up and down, then smirked knowingly. “Sure. What the hell...”
(You all are entirely too kind to me. You're all the reason I love to create ^_^, thanks so much.)   ------------------------------------------   (Josh POV)   “Hey, do you…mind if I ask you something?”   An autumn breeze traced by, causing the grass to bend at our feet. Though this area was heavily forested, wild Pokémon kept weeds and, ironically, tall grass to a minimum, allowing ease of passage through the otherwise densely forested area. I had met up with Oxygen and after a slightly tearful reunion, we choose once again to team up once more. Sandy was accompanying us temporarily, well, accompanying me anyway, just as a last goodbye before my journey took me too far away. The others were in their Pokéballs, more than content with allowing us to transverse the forested walkway into the deep canopy of Sinnoh’s woods.   “Ask away.” Sandy shrugged, her hands folded behind her head, relaxed.   “Why did you put on that show at the end, with the vices and sins? Did you actually believe that?”   Sandy chuckled. “If you didn’t notice, we at the Elite four have a soft spot for theatrics, Josh.”   I smirked, glaring at my chocolate companion. “That’s not an answer.”   “Having trouble extrapolating today?”   “Only as much as you being direct.”   Sandy scoffed. “I’m as direct as a flight from here to Kanto!”   “In a hurricane, maybe.”   She grinned, elbowing me hard in the ribs. “Perhaps.”   “So? Did you mean it?”   “Mean what?” she blinked innocently.   “You’re infuriating.”   “And you’re a dog that won’t let go of a bone.” She shot back, smirking at my annoyance. “Must everything be analyzed under such scrutiny?”   “This is my life! Your life; our life. It deserves some introspection, yeah.”   “Very well.” She cleared her throat, and stood a bit straighter. “Yes. I believe our vices give us strength.”   I frowned. “More than our virtues? More than anything else?”   “I didn’t say that.”   “Then why do you represent it? Why do you fight as if that was the ideal you hold to the highest regard?” Sandy gave another careless shrug, causing me to audibly growl. “You have to know! You have to-”   “I don’t haaaave to do anything.” She twirled around. “Make it worth my while.”   “Alright. What do you have in mind?”   “I know perfectly well why I fight the way I do, Josh, though explaining it in this fashion is so…” Sandy waved in the air as if to grasp an elusive word. “…it doesn’t do it justice. Let me show you.”   Sandy put down her pack and grabbed a dark bottle from deep inside it, with a strange top and a stranger, but intriguing smell.   “I…don’t drink.” I winced.   “You did in your dream.”   I shot her an incredulous look. “That was different.”   “So you drink to alleviate suffering, but not to have fun? That’s backwards.”   “I don’t drink at all-”   Sandy brought out a few cups, ignoring me completely. “Your subconscious doesn’t seem to agree.”   “That was Darkrai’s influence!”   “Mmhmm. Mmhmm.” Sandy nodded mockingly.   “I’m serious!”   “Look, if you want closure on this, I’m giving you a way.” She held up her glass in a toast.   “I don’t want it like this.”   Sandy’s grin broke into a sigh. “Josh…you know I’m not the best at explaining things, or about expressing myself. I’m trying right now. Please?”   I stared at the swirling brown liquid suspiciously. “…This isn’t just a test?”   “No.”   “Okay. Alright, I’ll do it.”   Sandy beamed, handing me a shot. “Alright, now give me three of your Pokéballs at random.”   “What!?” She tipped the cup backwards, downing an entire contents in one massive gulp. “Rematch time, bitch!”   --- “Here are the rules, since you seem to like them so much.” Sandy quipped, her shot glass already filled to the brim. “Standard three on three. Healing items are allowed, but they must be mixed with shots. This, specifically.” She waves a small dark liquor about, which smells of citrus and spice. “If you choose to heal a Pokémon, with a mixed drink, you have to ingest the same amount that you feed the Pokémon. Lastly, if a Pokémon gets knocked out, you’re allowed to receive them indefinitely, though you have to have a shot of this straight to do so.”   “So…what’s the win condition? Until one of us dies from alcohol poisoning?”   “First one to pee themselves loses.” Sandy grins. “And if your Pokémon piss themselves then you have to take a shot.”   I looked at my Pokéballs. It appears I had Static, Nova, and Skarr on my side, which meant Sandy had Mew, Myst, and Oxygen. Mew would be a problem…She could just continue attacking with him and force me to revive my Pokémon until I black out. Though, perhaps I could stall Mew with Static, paralyses him, and then deal with him that way. It would instead put Sandy on the defensive, which is where I want her.   Leading with Static would be risky if she sent out Oxygen first, though isn’t that the point of this? To demonstrate risk, and to relieve me – metaphorically and literally – of my inhibitions?   Screw it. I choose Static.   I tossed out his Pokéball at the same time Sandy threw hers. Myst appeared on the other side of the battlefield, looking curiously at Static.   <She’s not an Ancient.> Static observed. <Perhaps we should explain the rules to everyone first.> I giggled, despite myself. ---   <Sure.>   <You’re okay with this?> Skarr gawked at Oxygen, who merely shrugged. <You don’t find this weird, or odd, or unusual at all? You’re just going to accept these bizarre, possibly harmful rules, to our trainers and yourself? I can accept that everyone else here has some kind of freakish, psychosexual Freudian disorder, but you too? How can you justify this!?>   Oxygen grinned shrewdly. <Dude, I’ve been sober for months. I don’t understand most of this,> He looked sheepishly at Sandy and myself, <But if there’s an opportunity for booze, I’m in. You guys can squabble about winning and losing, all I want is a good fight and a good drink.>   <A man after my own heart.> Sandy nodded fiercely.   <You’re all going to get bladder infections.> Skarr mumbled.   <You’re going to get a rectal infection from the stick up your ass.” Static snorted.   <I do not-> Skarr tried, but he was drowned out by everyone else’s laughter. <Ugh, come now. Am I really the only one who thinks this is even remotely strange?> The feathers on his head seemed to fall in defeat. <Nova? Myst? Mew? Anyone?>   <I don’t know; I just like games.> Nova shrugged, a confident, knowing smirk etched in his eager smile.   <And I just like winning.> Myst added.   <Mew?> Skarr begged.   <It’s okay. Many of my creations have gone their entire lives being ignorant to the potential job of oddities that their small minds deem inappropriate. It is nothing to be ashamed of.>   Skarr glared at Mew while Mew beamed in turn. I wonder if he truly knew how condescending he was at times.   <Fine!> Skarr growled. <I’ll play. Just so the teams won’t be uneven, and so I won’t be the stick in the mud.>   Static gave Skarr an odd look. <Wasn’t the stick in your a->   <I REMEMBER WHERE THE STICK WAS, STATIC!>
(Hey! Sob story below. For now, here's an actual, real update! ohmygodI'msosorry)   ---------------   Sandy twirled Oxygen’s ball on the tip of her finger. “My methods may be better explained with Nova than with Oxygen. Care to trade?”   The competitive side of me wanted to push for what we previously arranged – random was random, and fair was fair – but a larger part wanted to understand Sandy’s method.   Reluctantly, I tossed Nova’s Pokeball across the field, and she tossed Oxygen’s. <Ready?>   <Naturally! Go, Myst!>   <Go, Static!>   “Wow. That was…” Sandy held her head, blinking slowly. “Really?”   I held my hands out defensively. “What?”   “You beat the Elite four. I thought, I don’t know, that you’d be a bit more…” Sandy waved her hands in the air helplessly. “I mean, here I was, not just thinking, but knowing you wouldn’t use Static first because that would be so…so obvious. I figured that was the only constant in this little game, because you would think using him quickly would but you at a disadvantage, and be too predictable. And then you send him out first!”   I smirked. “All part of my plan!”   “Bullshit! I put so much though, I-, augh!” Sandy crushed her hand into a fist, grinding her teeth. <Whatever! Myst, ready a Sucker Punch!>   <Static, c-> I bit my tongue, instantly caught off guard. Static only knew offensive moves! <Err, return!>   <Hah.> Sandy smirked. Static bounded back to the sidelines, shooting me a confused expression. <Go, Skarr!>   <There we are.> Sandy purred, her eyes gleaming with the confidence of a battle already won. <Myst, duplicate yourself and prepare for a dark pulse. Defense over offence.>   <Skarr, Toxic!>   A single feather doused in purple venom slid from Skarr’s reflective down. <I still find this entire experience both outlandish and uncouth, for the record…>   Myst replicated herself, slowly creating more and more. Their forms shifted like a water color painting as she began losing control of her copies as they blurred into shadows of red and black.   From somewhere a dark pulse blasted in Skarr, but it bounced off almost harmlessly. <I do, however, admire our ability to finally place our minds in conflict. You seem to be a worthy opponent.>   <Hardly!> Myst shot back from somewhere in the woods. <Your only attacks harm yourself, or use toxins. As long as I continue avoiding both, you have no chance against me.>   <You assume you’ve avoided me?> Skarr smirked, brandishing a clean, almost surgical blade devoid of poison.   <…Shit!> Myst cursed, after a pause of retaliation.   Skarr began healing himself. <Replicating yourself and turning your true form invisible was advice that Josh gave to you per my advice, dear. You may have agility and creativity,> Skarr stood straight, smiling at nothing. <But a cunning edge was always my domain.>   <Rraaagh!>   A blast of darkness crashed against Skarr, and then another, unrelenting. Skarr barely moved, refusing to dodge in favor of healing. A protective down held up for a few moments, and then slowly, the darkness surrounding the battlefield began to flicker and fade, and an exhausted Myst stood in the center, panting.   <D-damnit…> She growled, falling onto a paw, and shooting a glare at Sandy. <Why would you have me fight him!? Static or Nova I could have taken! He was the only one who could resist my attacks!>   <Hmmm?> Sandy looked up, feigning distraction. <Oh, I was just thirsty.>   Fatigue replacing rage, Myst gave one last look of loathing towards my seemingly careless companion. The thrill of victory was short lived; I knew Sandy would never unintentionally make such an error. There was a bigger game here, and I felt it in Myst’s glare.   Sandy grabbed a shot glass filled to the brim, and downed it wordlessly. Somehow, seeing her willingness to lose filled me with even more trepidation.   ------------------ <Go, Nova!> Skarr said nothing, but I could feel anxiety creep into his mind. As much as Skarmory were practically bred for defense, special attacks were not their, nor his, strong suit. Though he may be able to shrug off dark type attacks, Nova’s attacks would be significantly more effective.   I turned to Skarr. <We’re gonna play this out. I’m not sure what she’s planning, but I think it’s bigger than a simple type advantage. Standard strategy, Toxic then Roost.>   <Noted.>   <Nova, use Dragon Pulse!>   Nova drew in a deep breath of fire, then coughed violently, suppressing it. <W-wait, Dragon Pulse? But, but fire against steel->   Sandy tilted her head, giving Nova an icy stare. <Did I stutter?>   Nova blinked, caught between his what he knew to be the correct choice and the choice his ‘trainer’ had chosen for him. He drew a breath, and fired a burst of power, cleaving in half as it struck Skarr’s reflective exterior.   Skarr rushed forward, poisoned blade clutched in a wing, and struck at the confused dragon. Nova twisted in the air, barely flipping over Skarr in an impressive aerial display.   Nova drew a large, white-hot breath while Skarr fell, disoriented by Nova’s sudden burst of agility. <I didn’t instruct you to dodge or to attack.>   Nova, again, choked on his next attack, his eyes flickering from white to a confused, startled blue. <W-what? You don’t have to tell me to dodge, that’s just something, that’s just what I’m expected to do!>   <You’re worse than I am at seeing openings and retaliating. Don’t question my judgment.>   Skarr took the moment of confusion to prick Nova with the blade, opening a slide down the center of his chest.   Sandy frowned, placing her hand to her head. <See what you’ve done?>   <I just, I don’t, that wasn’t…!> Nova yelped, face turning scarlet with bewilderment and doubt. <It’s fine – I’ll just use another Pokémon later.> Sandy waved off his concern.   <NO! I mean, I can still, we can still do this, I just, I don’t understand your-> Skarr clipped Nova with a wing, sending him to the floor. Nova shot Skarr an abashed, discombobulated look, sprawled across the floor with his tail twisted around his leg.   <We are still battling.> Skarr shrugged helplessly. Sandy sighed. <Just…stay there, and try don’t mess anything else up.>   Nova shook in place, his instincts screaming to jump, dodge, or attack. Skarr stood awkwardly above him, health pristine, and having no need to participate further expect to watch the poison slowly deplete Nova of his hit points.   Nova slowly grew weaker, constantly shooting looks back at Sandy to ensure what he was doing was correct. His breathing became more ragged, and once more, he turned to Sandy for assurance.   Sandy rolled her eyes. <What do you want, a cookie? Yes, you’re lying on the ground correctly. Want to fight so badly? Use Outrage then.>   Nova blinked, standing up on shaky limbs. <T-the recoil…>   <There is no recoil with Outrage, just a risk of eventual confusion, and frankly, you’re an expendable risk regardless.> Nova stood in place, attempting to summon the energy for such a move, but his eyes began to fade with doubt and insecurity.   Skarr shook his head. <This feels wrong, Josh.> <Ethnically, or strategically?> Skarr turned his head, his eyes narrow, and his beak turned down. <…Both.>   Nova fell, overcome with the toxins.   <Finally.> Sandy shook her head, drawing another Pokeball.   --------------- <Mew. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be on this side of the battlefield with you.> Sandy spoke eloquently, bowing to the pink Ancient. Mew turned, sporting an eyebrow. <My thanks, though I sense my friends do not feel similarly.>   <They fear you, on this side of the field.> <Fear…no. That isn’t it.>   <Taste it, then. Sense it with your mind. Not just on the obvious level; there lies doubt, confusion, and a plethora of other emotions. Deeper.> Sandy commanded. <Past the memories, past the personalities, to their core. To the animalistic centers you and you alone created. To the paths of genealogy you inspired and cultivated over eons, to the mental pathways you have nurtured. Feel the planet under your feet, Mew. The planet you have grown. The planet you have farmed, not for riches, but for beauty, love, and experience. Feel the art in the air, and the memories of you kin. Feel your creations, Mew.>   Mew vibrated in the air, captivated by Sandy’s speech. <I did not create these creatures, nor myself. I was a mere thought placed into creation by a being much more powerful then comprehension.>   <And where are they then, the Arceus? Was it not you who defended this planet, and who gave lives, endures, to securing its protection? Who sacrificed sacred memories, time, forms, personalities, and stripped away everything they were to defend what you stood for? Who gave up the longing for another to defend what was pure? Who could do that, and still resemble their ideals, Mew?>   <A god.> Mew clenched his fist, the energies fluctuating between ice, fire, and nature. <Prove yourself. You do not feel fear, do you, Mew? These creatures do not fear your power, your conviction, and your vision for the world. Prove yourself to them. Crush them, with the might only a god can wield!>   Mew’s eyes glowed white, and the forest around us reverberated with power. Roots of trees broke from the ground, and Pokémon and animals alike fled from the area, as fast as their limbs could travel.   Skarr gulped and turned to me, the same, reptilian feeling of terror washing over us. <Josh…?> <Poison him. Quickly, before he obliterates the entire team.> I ordered, praying this was still a game.   ------- In an instant, a crater was all that was left of the poor, poor patch of grass where Skarr stood. Skarr dashed forward, in no way impervious to the torrent of metaphysical fire that blasted forth from Mew’s mind. His feathers curled and melted at the sudden heat, and even I had to shield my eyes from the intense flames.   Skarr stood, blackened and exhausted, holding what was left of what used to be a pristine, sharpened feather.   <The tenacity of your species has always impressed me, Skarmorry.> Mew observed, tracing a thin purple scar down his abdomen.   <I aim to please.> Skarr growled, a thin trail of smoke forming from his mouth as he attempted to summon enough energy to heal himself. A simple backhand from Mew was enough to knock him to the ground, and deem him incapable of battle.   <Would you care for a drink, Mew?> Sandy held up a cup of a clear, bubbly substance. <This should take care of that unnecessary affliction before it becomes problematic. Lum Screwdriver.>   Static gave me a sideways glance. <What did she just do, Josh?>   I watched as Mew downed his beverage, and the purple color faded from his coat. <She just made things a whole lot harder, Stat…>   ---------   Author's note: So........I have some explain to do, don't I?This semester at school has been significantly harder on me than most. At first, it stared with a minor setback, just a 'I'll miss a week and get back into it' sort of thing, but it quickly snowballed into something much worse. Before I knew it, I had to drop out of my volunteer work as well, and drop all literary subjects just to keep my head above water. One class alone had due dates four days a week, with classwork requiring 4-5 hours outside of class per assignment.   I've always had an anxiety disorder, but this pushed me to the limit. I cracked, pretty bad. Sought therapy, and did everything I could to maintain my classes, as this was my last year at college. Classes got harder towards the end of the semester. I got a cough, but I ignored it. It got worse, but I had finals to deal with, and I needed those grades.   Finals ended. A little cough got worse, to the point where I couldn't sleep anymore. Finally got admitted to the hospital -- turns out I had pneumonia. I was hospitalized for awhile, and when I finally got out, I wasn't allowed to leave my house. I was exhausted all the time.   BUT, this story has a happy ending.   During one of the most stressful semesters of my life, I managed to create an honorable mention for my universities 'Game of the Year' award for one of my classes. I was also selected to travel to San Francisco and pursue my dream of becoming a game designer and game writer. Right now, I'm in an apartment in CALIFORNIA writing this to all you amazing, patient, wonderful people.   So, what are you going to do now?   Right now, I'm going to finish this section in all of it's desperate, crotch-holding glory, but after that, I think this story deserves a nice long rest. I love Josh and his companions, but I think it's time for me to pursue other works in my industry. You have all been amazing to me, more than I could ever deserve, and I can't thank you enough for this journey. You have all made me the writer I am today.   <3   Stay tuned for next week's update!
(Let's change that, shall we? :3)   -----------------   I grabbed another glass of the dangerously sweet amaretto mixture and downed it. Originally I had sent out Static to combat Mew, but after a fake-out, he was out cold. It took me two shots to reconsider my strategy, and another three shots to take Mew out with Oxygen. It finally ended with Mew paralyzed, and Oxygen being able to attack him twice, once for having the speed advantage, and once for being able to withstand a hit, unlike Static.   Oxygen licked the sour juice from the corner of his mouth, and wiped it with a fist. <Who’s next?>   <Please don’t provoke her.> I begged, my thoughts already becoming fogged. <You’ve already fainted twice…>   <So what say you, Josh?> Sandy grinned, tossing Mew’s Pokéball up and down. <How’re ya feeling?>   At the cost of a single revival, she can bring Mew back, with a conversion rate of three to one, not including…   Not, um…   Not…   I held my head and grimaced. < Fantastic.>   Come on, you’re better than this. Conversion rate of 3:1 in reference to the amount of drinks that she is consuming to mine, with myself at the disadvantage.   Augh…   Sandy turned, returning Mew to her belt. <Tell you what. This game isn’t meant to be a battle of attrition. Tell me how you’re really feeling, and I’ll fight with another Pokémon.>   I need that. This current battling strategy is in no way sustainable.   <Fine.> I nodded. <I’m…well, I don’t feel much of anything, to be honest. Thinking is harder, and I, well…> I shrugged, looking away. <I have to pee.>   Sandy rested her chin on her hand. <Go on.>   <W-what do you mean?>   <Details, man. You’ll talk for hours analyzing the tiniest things, and now you just want to leave it at that? Come on, man! Ex-trap-o-late.> She smirked, enunciating each syllable. <Uh…> I gulped, resorting to normal speech. “Getting, um, I suppose I’m fidgeting a bit. I’m not used to drinking, obviously, so…I think it’s going through me faster than I anticipated.”   Talking about it made the feeling worse. I was already feeling quite full, and the shots didn’t help any. Under normal circumstances I would’ve been looking for a restroom, but I wasn’t in any danger of leaking yet. Just…just a bit twitchy. With any luck I could turn the tides (if you’ll excuse the metaphor) now that she had stopped using Mew.   <Continue.> Sandy commanded, rolling Mew’s Pokéball between her fingers.   I growled. “You’re really getting off on this, aren’t you?”   <In all honestly, I figure I’d rather give you a chance to appease me by doing this rather than blacking out or throwing up. Five shots in five minutes is going a bit fast, even by my terms.>   “Ah, feeling charitable then?”   <You’re not the kind to forfeit, and I’m not the kind to let you win, so I’m willing to handicap myself in order to…> Sandy bit her lip in thought, searching for the right term. <Achieve other ends. Now, if you would be so kind?>   I sighed, readying my lexical finesse. <When I was at school, we had different subjects stretched out for the day, from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon. Besides lunch, we only had three minutes between subjects to grab our books, get to class, and if we needed to, get to the bathroom.   <Well, one day, we had a big biology test. My science teacher at the time was pretty strict, and if you got to class late, well, he didn’t let you in the door. In this case, that meant you wouldn’t be able to take the test, and you would automatically fail.   <Now, for lunch that day, I was being paid to tutor some of my friends in statistics. I had already cut some time off because I was hungry, so I didn’t have any time to relieve myself for the day. So, when 12:45 rolled around, I had to run to biology test, no stopping, no breaks.>   Sandy attempted to look disinterested, eyeing her fingernails. <Bet you were pretty desperate at that point?>   I winced. <Yeah. It wasn’t terrible, not yet -- it was winter, so it wasn’t that hot out, and I hadn’t been drinking a ton that day. But at the same time, I was…well, I did need to go. What made it worse was the fact that the test was just pure memorization, and I finished in ten minutes, with thirty-five minutes in the class remaining. Like I said, our teacher was strict, and didn’t allow for us to draw, or read, or do anything else to distract ourselves.>   Sandy nodded, realizing where this was going. <And you couldn’t simply ask him to use the restroom, because->   <-That’s what the three minute breaks were for.> I answered. <So I had nothing to do but look at the clock. It wasn’t that bad at first, but as time grew on, all I could do was just squirm in my seat, trying to distract myself with anything but the fact that I needed to pee. The first ten minutes were agonizing, and be reminded – I was a senior! I can’t be seen squirming around my class, I’m not a child, and I tutored in my grade in math! I was practically a teacher in their eyes. I couldn’t be seen in a compromising state, plus, people were taking a test, so I had to be super quiet.   <After ten minutes, it was just agony. I remember pressing my legs together, crossing them, leaning forward, but if anything it just made it worse. I remember shifting, biting my finger to try to distract myself.   <After an eternity I finally got out of there, but I still had one subject remaining. I knew I was dangerously close to losing it, but I also knew couldn’t get my books, go to the bathroom, and make it to class on time, so…>   <So?> Sandy waved forward, urging me to go on. <What happened?>   I laughed. <That’s not important. But anyway, picture me right before my Biology test. That’s where I am now.   <There, I extrapolated. You good?>   Sandy nodded slowly, grabbing another Pokéball from her belt. <Yeah, that was, that was some good…explanation. I’ll, uh, let you get by with that.>   <Cool. Send out your next Pokémon then.>   <Hmmm?> Sandy blinked, then shook her head violently. <Right! Go, Myst!>   I nodded to my nemesis turned comrade. <Oxygen, you ready?>   Oxygen cracked his wrists, burped loudly, then took a fighting stance. <Let’s do this!>   <Classy.>   ------   <Double Team, and Thunder when she’s in range.>   <Got it.> Oxygen nodded fiercely. <Want to use me again?> Myst glared back at Sandy, who gave a dainty wave. <Finally quenched your thirst!?>   <Oh, don’t be so ridged. You can be more flexible, and open-minded than that, can’t you?>   Myst seethed with anger, her face flaring up to match her eyes. I was surprised that Sandy even knew about Myst’s disability – I didn’t remember ever discussing it with her. Sandy continued, undeterred. <We need to work as a team; you can’t ask questions that put my back to a wall. You just have to learn to roll with the punches, and not let anything push you down->   <I will slit your neck!> Myst roared, turning to face Sandy, her paws glowing with sharpened, black energy.   <Don’t let go of that energy!> Sandy commanded, quickly turning to face Oxygen. <Snarl, then Frustration!>   Myst turned, raging, and blasted Oxygen with a burst of sound. Oxygen flew backwards, catching himself with the tip of his paws, and righting himself. Another form of his bounced beside him, using his tail as a cord to slow his decent.   Myst screamed again, and a gray cloud began enveloping the field, with black shadows darting in and out, between the two combatants.   <I-I don’t know what she did, Josh!> Oxygen growled, trying to focus and strike her with a bolt of lightning. <I feel weak! What did she do to me!?>   <You couldn’t control all those forms before, could you, Myst?> Sandy through in a cool, collected whisper. <Now, you have the entire battlefield under your command. Breathe. Don’t let go of your fury, but don’t allow it to consume you. Focus.>   The gray mist shifted and blackened, and two, ruby eyes glared at the battlefield. Oxygen’s eyes widened at the display, and tinier, life-sized Zoroark jumped and weaved their way through the larger, flowing black mist.   <She lowered your special attack.> I gulped, answering Oxygen. <I…never thought her that move, or frustration. Whatever she’s doing, it isn’t something I know how to do.>   <She’s using Myst’s anger.> Oxygen shrugged, almost casually. <Wasn’t that the point of this? To have Myst get pissed and uses her powers to the fullest extent?>   I nodded. <Then we counter, with control. You know the risks of indulging our darker sides, and you came out a better Pokémon from it.>   Oxygen nodded somberly and took an even stance, with his tail guarding his backside. <That I do.>   <Then let’s demonstrate what her technique lacks. When she strikes, dodge and counterattack with Thunder.>   Oxygen nodded, his eyes glazing over as he stopped using his vision to guide him, and instead, listened to the sounds and the vibrations of the ground and grass around him. <I see her.> He answered, and moved to strike.   ---------------   (Thank you all for the support and comments! I love you all :3 <3)
(Even when this ends, I'll keep up doing small little projects for you guys. I'm an interactive novelist, so an Omorashi game isn't off the table once my schedule clears up a bit; I'm currently working 14 hour days -- Urk...)   -------   Oxygen dove forward, smashing into an invisible Zoroark and sending her sprawling across the grass. Her illusions shuttered, and the haze around the field shifted from gray to a deep, wine red.   Myst smashed into Oxygen from the side, sending him off balance with a burst of negative energy. Myst then continued the onslaught, kicking and punching Oxygen across the field, until suddenly he caught her by the fur on her neck.   <Two things you don’t learn while you’re angry. One, how to take a hit,> Oxygen tossed Myst into the air, where she attempted to right herself. <And two, to quit while you’re ahead!>   He then smashed her with the brunt end of his tail, and in an instant, all the illusions and the haze of the field shattered into nothingness. Myst hurtled to the floor, bounding off the impact, and tumbled to a stop. She blinked, her eyes glinting with exhaustion and rage.   <Quick attack!> I ordered.   <Sucker Punch!>   Oxygen rushed her with supernatural speed, but just as he reached her she practically teleported to the other side, and slashed him with an open claw. He flew backwards from the impact, landing badly, yet on both legs, and pounced back at Myst, clocking her in the jaw. Myst crumpled, and Oxygen fell on three limbs beside her. He panted, then punched the ground, forcing himself to stand. <A measured, controlled response is better than one inspired by anger.> I growled. <That’s why trainers don’t go provoking their Pokémon before a fight.>   Sandy shook her head. <Josh, Josh. You’re still not seeing the point of all of this, but that’s alright. I saved the best for last.>   I shot her a questioning squint, but she just smirked in return.   <Go, Nova!>   <Return, Oxygen. Go, Static!>   ------   (Sandy POV)   Static hopped to Josh’s side, but stumbled hard into his leg. Josh shot him a worried look, but Static waved him off with a paw. <I’m fineee.>   <How many rounds did you go with Mew?>   He winced, trying to remember back that far. <T…three?> Josh struggled with some math. <Okay, I think you’re at about .012 blood alcohol content then…you should be okay…go with the standard set, and try not to do anything fancy.>   <I’m always fancy!> He shot Josh my best carefree grin. <Plus I have a type thingy with flying. I got this!>   I reached into my pocket, feeling a small smooth stone inside. I felt as if I had made my point, but I needed Nova to really help drive it home. This was a delicate moment – Josh was already on edge, and I risked quite a bit with this, but I would risk more to help him become a better trainer. Worthy of one day facing me, on even ground.   I took a short breath, steadying myself.   <Sandy?> Nova asked, turning back and giving me a wary, concerned glance. <Are you…going to tell me what do to?>   <No.> I shrugged, <You’re my last Pokémon; we’ve already lost.>   Nova glared at the floor beneath me. <I-I’m not that bad! Josh always fights to the end, whether he wins or loses; why do->   <That’s because he’s naive.> I spat. Josh grit his teeth, but quickly concealed his anger. <His pity towards Pokémon like you has nearly killed him more than once. Fighting with you would be worse than useless, it would be a waste of my time.>   <Dude, your girlfriend is a bitch.> Static whispered.   Josh shook his head slightly, silencing Static.   <I’m not useless.> Nova countered, turning to Sandy for confirmation. <I helped Josh beat the Elite Four. I helped knock out Mewtwo. I helped Josh defeat you!>   <Josh’s victories, not yours.> I corrected. Nova shook his head. <No! My entire life I’ve felt like a burden, but I know I can hold my own. You’re wrong! I’m just as strong as Ov-Oxygen, or Skarr, or Static!>   Static grinned. <Well, let’s not get too carried away there…>   Nova let loose a burst of flames, which Static narrowly avoided with a yelp.   <You think you could possibly match the rest of Josh’s team?> I asked. <You think there was a point where you ever had what it took?>   <I know it.> Nova responded, his eyes growing white.   <Go prove it.>   -------   (Josh POV)   Nova roared, expelling another burst of fire, which Static barely dodged. Nova crashed down and swiped at Static, causing Static to fall backwards, effectively dodging Nova’s attack. I flinched, unsure of whether that was intentional on Static’s side, but if Static made that mistake, his emotions didn’t reflect it.   Static pounced upwards, catching Nova off-guard with a Fake-Out, and then combed with a Thunderbolt. Nova howled, electricity convulsing across his wings as he shielded himself from Static’s series of attacks.   <This is how your prove yourself?> Sandy droned.   Nova ground his teeth, pushing through Static’s attack and buffeting Static with a wing. Static bounced backwards, right into the path of Nova’s claw, which Static narrowly avoided by stumbling to the side.   <C’mon buddy!> Static slurred, wobbling in place. <You can do it! I’ll stand still for ya, how’s that?>   A draconic claw slashed into the ground right where Static was standing just a moment prior, and Static cackled, sprawled on his back behind it, his legs dangling in the air. Nova blasted the area with white-hot fire, and Static rolled to dodge, just missing the brunt force of the pressurized heat. Is he intentionally dodging by as little as possible?   Static punched Nova in the gut, causing Nova to stumble backwards and miss Static again with a wild swipe. Static dove between Nova’s legs in an attempt to gain an amusing upper hand, but Nova smashed his foot into the ground, catching Static and entrenching the yellow mouse into three feet of dirt.   <Oh shi->   <GRAAAAAAAAAAH!> Nova roared, incinerating Static with a blast of fire before impaling him on his sharpened claws. He flung Static’s lifeless body aside to my feet, where it was clear Static would not get up again.   I gulped, thankful that this wasn’t the Arena, and such brutal attacks didn’t hurt, or leave any lasting damage.   <Go, Oxygen!>   ------   Oxygen bounded to the field, crashing his tail into the grass with a wave of sparks.  Nova growled, eyeing Oxygen cautiously. They had only fought once before, and Nova had won, but at the time Nova was at full health, and it had been a narrow victory.   I calculated it would only take one electric attack for Oxygen to fell Nova, and put an end to this charade.   Upon my command, Oxygen duplicated himself, slowly eyeing Nova in turn. Oxygen also wasn’t at full health; though I had offered him two more drinks to recover his health, he only accepted one -- the concept of using artificial aid in battle still sat uneasily with him, and if he only wanted one I wasn’t going to push it.   One of the Oxygen’s swung at Nova with the wide arc of it’s tail, which Nova leapt over with the help of a quick beat of his wings. Using the aerial advantage, Nova scorched Oxygen with a wave of fire. That clone evaporated into a sea of dust as Oxygen dove at Nova from a nearby tree, missing him with the original attack, but catching him with the length of his tail, and latching on to his knee.   Nova realized this and dove to the ground, flipping around and using Oxygen’s own tail in a Seismic Toss. Oxygen hit the ground hard, disoriented, and Nova stood above him, drawing a breath to finish him off.   Oxygen then convulsed with power, sending a bolt of lightning crashing to the base of his tail, still wrapped around Nova’s leg. Nova went ridged, his wings forced to their complete length as Oxygen’s electricity bounded to his muscles.   Nova took a step backwards, and collapsed into the soil. Oxygen panted, unfurling his tail and standing triumphantly on the grass.   <Yeah, that’s pretty much what I figured.> Sandy frowned.   Nova’s eye shot open, and his turquoise eyes suddenly melded to a dark, deep mauve. Oxygen turned in surprise, and got slammed with some type of purple force emanating from Nova’s body.   Oxygen caught himself just in time to watch another blast of energy emanate from Nova, this time ripping off the Charzard’s skin, revealing a deep black beneath. Two giant, jagged, horned wings tore away their old flesh, and blue fire erupted out of the dragon’s mouth as he screamed with supremacy.   <Finally.> Sandy smirked, rubbing a small, smooth stone.
Oxygen reeled from the force of Nova’s strike, smashing against and cracking a large spruce tree. Oxygen flipped off and dove downward, just in time to see the entire pine tree explode in a fiery blaze, with a mixture of pine and ash clouding the air.   Oxygen cloned himself and ran in opposite directions around Nova, but with one mighty breath, Nova expelled a blast of heat into the ground, incinerating the area in a ball of energy. The real Oxygen was blasted backwards, dazed and burned, and fell to the ground.   Then, with a single paw, Oxygen jabbed the ground below, pushing himself off and rising back up. He looked terrible, and I knew he couldn’t take another hit, but Nova was also reaching his limit. Underneath the black Charizard’s unrestrained power, he was panting heavily, and each attack, while strong, looked sluggish and painful.   Oxygen growled, not having the strength for any banter. Nova, likewise, gave him a steady, violet glare.   I’m not sure a Quick Attack will have the force to knock out Nova, even at his current health, but Nova has always had a way with speed, and in this form any other move would knock out Oxygen before he could attack…   <Fire Blast!>   She forced my hand!   <Quick Attack!> I yelped.   Nova blasted forth a line of flame nearly twenty feet in diameter, just as what seemed like a fireball flew at him, bashing him in the chest before glancing off and falling to the floor.   Nova roared, turning to the offending, smoldering Oxygen, and placed his foot on the small of his back triumphantly.   It wasn’t enough. He dashed into the fire and managed to damage Nova before fainting, but it wasn’t enough.    <Oxygen, Return.> I frowned solemnly. He had done his best.   <Convinced?> Sandy tittered. I ground my teeth – I refused to believe Nova’s power, and the power of the rest of my Pokémon were bound because I chose to treat them with respect.  <Go, Skarr!> I ordered, as my steel coated companion appeared at my side. --------   Despite his exhaustion, Nova kept up an appearance of constant movement – a moving target was, after all, harder to strike.   <All roided out, then?> Skarr tilted his head. <Sacrificing that keen, timid mind of yours for power? Is that your game?>   Nova growled, which sent tremors through the ground. <I assure you that I’m still in here, you mirror coated coward.>   <Then you’ll know that you’ve lost. You may attack me, but any attack you send will not fell me. And all I need to do is brush you with this,> Skarr held up a smooth, perfect feather. <And I’ve already won. No amount of dancing back and forth will get you out of this.>   <I’ve got enough drive in me to last a round of poison.> Nova grinned, widening the gap in his molars and expelling blue flames. <And I’m feeling particularly sure that you won’t last two bouts of dragon fire.>   Skarr’s eyes widened in realization.   <He won’t.> Sandy confirmed. <Flamethrower.>   <Skarr! Brave Bird!>   All the anxiety in Skarr’s mind melted away as he saw the crazed wisdom of my order. His eyes narrowed as his wings flexed, pushing off the ground with supernatural speed and straight into the maw of the black Charizard. Nova blasted forth a burst of pressurized blue fire, which Skarr cleaved in half with his speed as he sped across the field, crashing into Nova with reckless abandon.   The fire had done a number to Skarr, and the resulting recoil from the attack left Skarr’s body tumbling lifelessly across the field like a ragdoll. Nova, likewise, fell to the floor, spirit willing, but body far too exhausted to continue fighting.   <Still…> Nova smirked, the violent fading from his iris as his eyelids slowly shut. <Three to one isn’t…too bad of a…fight…> <You did well.> Sandy whispered, her voice cracking somewhat as she returned Nova to her Pokeball.   -------------- <Unlike regular evolutions, which occur solely with either experience with fighting or with an external influence, Mega evolutions can only happen when a Pokémon has a strong tether, or ideal to hold on to.> Sandy reiterated.   <Regardless,> I shook my head, distraught. <I refuse to treat my Pokémon poorly just to do better during battles! That form of abuse->   <You’re missing the point, Josh.>   I was about to interrupt, hell, I was about to just walk away, but seeing Sandy’s pleading expression made me reconsider. Perhaps there was something more to this.   Sandy took a quick breath, her expression cautions, as she knew she was treading in dangerous territory. <Though in this case I…pushed…Nova rather extremely, more than most trainers reasonably should, I did so to demonstrate what he was holding back, even unintentionally. Nova’s biggest demon is his own insecurity. It’s his own feelings of inadequacy that, when pushed, makes his an incredible clutch fighter. It’s that ideal, that extreme aversion to failure, which makes him so powerful in combat. It’s the same way as Mew’s pride, and to a lesser extent, Myst’s frustration.>   I sighed, realizing the truth of her claims. <But then what is the point? I’m never going to treat my Pokémon poorly simply to bring out their strengths.>   <The point isn’t for you to push them, Josh. The point is for them to realize it for themselves. Yes, in large doses negative emotions and vices can consume us, but we were given them for a reason. They can make us stronger. You saw Nova’s last moments before he fainted – he was proud of himself.>    At last, it clicked. <Instead of fighting his anxiety, instead of always trying to run away from his fears, he should embrace them because they are a part of who he is, and he can use that to strengthen himself.>   <Yes!> Sandy exclaimed. <Exactly.>   I sat down with the sudden realization. This whole time, hadn’t I made it a point to try to have Nova and the others conquer their demons? I even pushed Nova so hard right before the Elite Four, and he even explained that he still felt anxious. cg   And at the time, I didn’t understand.   <Don’t be so hard on yourself.> Sandy smiled, offering me a hand which I graciously took. <You’re a great trainer. You rescued Nova from that hell-hole, you’ve been an amazing friend to Static, you let Skarr have his time when he needed it, you gave Oxygen another chance, you saved Myst from a troubling fate, and you saved the world.>   I squinted at the last one. <I think that’s still up for speculation.>   Sandy looked at the ground, before tapping it lightly with a food. <Still looks good to me.>   <That’s a ‘denying the antecedent’ fallacy.>   Sandy shrugged. <Anyway, you’re awesome, so don’t feel bad. Plus, you’re more fun to play with when you’re not gloomy.>   <Fair. Should I send out my next Pokémon?>   Sandy shot me a look. <You lost.>   I balked. <What? I can still, I haven’t lost yet!>   Josh, you’ve consumed seven drinks to my three. I just demonstrated that two of my Pokémon can defeat all three of yours. Should we continue this, it’s going to end up with you, passed out in a puddle of pee.>   I narrowed my eyes. <And that isn’t how you want this to end up?>   <No.> Sandy grinned sultrily. <I would prefer you to be awake, dying to pee until the very last second, with me there watching every second of the way.>   <…Fair.> I blushed.   <And now, with the victory settled and the champion declared, I say we continue a different game.> Sandy declared, walking towards me with a gait full of impure intentions. <Tell me that physics story again, but this time…tell me how it ends.>   I felt my bladder cringe…   ----   (No chapter next week, on the count of GDC! If you see a tall, stuttering, brown-haired interactive novelist there, it might just be me! The story resumes the week after, with some well deserved desperation :3)
<Use Bide!>   <Soak!>   <Endure!>   <Water Spout!>   I growled as I held myself, my Pokémon chuckling at the sidelines. <You think you’re all hilarious.>   <Hydro Cannon!> Static cheered.   <Oh, oh! Eruption!> Nova clapped, now at full health, sporting a wide, happy smile. <And do a flip!>   While I was pleased that he and the others quickly understood Sandy’s concept, I do wish the game had continued slightly longer so my Pokémon could sympathize with my own agony. My legs were pressed together, and I slowly ground my palm into the crotch of my jeans. Sandy was doing significantly better, standing still, though with her legs firmly crossed.   <Waterfall?>   <You’re an absolute riot, Myst.> Sandy and I stood in place on the field with our Pokémon surrounding us, giving us mock orders that we blatantly disobeyed. Time passed and I felt my urge grow, and I couldn’t help but bounce embarrassingly in place.   <So, Physics story?> Sandy offered. I stuck out my tongue. <Oh, come now. It’s barely been an hour! Are you already so close to losing? To forfeiting?>   <Go Josh!> Nova shouted pumping his tiny fist in the air. Static hopped on top of the small Charizard, not to be outdone. <You can do it!>   <Yeah, well, I’m not one to lose without a fight.> I took a quick breath, winced, and stood up straight. <Tell you what – down what’s left in that liquor bottle, and I’ll finish my tale.>   <Stubborn resolve, and infinite guile; oh, how your devious mind tempts me.> Sandy purred, only somewhat sarcastically. <Sure, what the hell.>   Skarr put a wing to his face as Sandy downed a significant portion of alcohol in a solitary swig. <You all make a mockery of yourselves.>   <You’re still-> Sandy put her hand to her mouth, silencing a small belch. <You’re still playing against them, Mirror-bird.>   Skarr gave a small grin. <That in no way inflicts upon me the desire or need to enjoy it.> <And you!> Sandy jabbed a finger at my sternum. <You owe me a Physics story.>   <Biology.>   <Whatever, I wasn’t paying attention to the subject.> Sandy bit her tongue slyly.   <Fair point. Alright.>   Deep breathe.   My Pokémon all sat down, content to hear the ending of my awkward tale. I drew a redundant breath, trying to focus on the story itself, and not the desperation it reminded me of.   <I was…in the hallway.> I recalled. <There wasn’t enough time to get from Biology to English, use the restroom, and grab my books. Even doing two of those things was stretching it, and with the crowded hallways, every moment I hesitated was another moment I risked being late to class.   <I figured that, well, I had a high grade in English, and forgetting my books once wouldn’t catastrophically damage my grade. With that in mind, I dashed to the restroom.>   <Boooo.> Sandy frowned. <I got liver cancer for that?>   <Not finished. When I got there, there was a line for the guy’s bathroom. The only urinal got jammed, which meant that everyone in that hall had to use the toilet.>   <Hah! How does it feel?> Sandy taunted.   <So, realizing that I can’t use the restroom and get to class…what’s one to do?> I winced. <I was at my limit – I could barely walk – but I just grabbed my books and went to class. I suppose my reasoning was that I could better hold myself sitting down then standing in the hallway.>   <...How long did you last?>   I gulped. <Twenty minutes. Silent reading – child’s play – with the book on my lap, firmly jammed up against myself. I sat in the back, thankfully, so could squirm and twitch as much as I needed. Ten minutes went by, and I was rocking back and forth, feeling like I was going to bust. Five more, and I knew I was a bit damp. Not noticeable, but enough to know I had no time left. A minute later, I squirted again, this time warming my briefs, and leaving a small, tennis ball sized stain on my jeans, on the inside crease.   <Suddenly, like a miracle from freaking Arceus themselves, the teacher asked us to go to the copy room and fetch some printing paper. With the last of my resolve, I volunteered and bounded out of there.>   <Did you make it?>   I bit my lip and bend over, my legs quivering in sympathy to my story. <Well, see, the way my school was situated, the restrooms were on the other side of the hall, nearly a minutes’ walk away, but the training field was only a few seconds. As soon as I was free of the door I bolted, running for all I was worth as my hand help my crotch in a death-hold. By the time I had made it to the grass, my bladder just couldn’t take the running and just started, just as I pulled down my zipper. I gushed through the fabric of my briefs, utterly drenching the front before I could, erm, maneuver my way out, and crouch in the grass. Best feeling of my life. I must’ve gone for more than a minute, and the grass steamed with the sudden heat.>   <Lasting damage?>   My cheeks grew warm as I continued. <Well…my underwear was beyond salvation, so I…discarded them in the field…and continued my day. There wasn’t any visible stain on my jeans, so…who was to know? I grabbed the printing paper, returned to class, and continued reading.>   <Smooth as hell.> Sandy chuckled.   I snorted. <Hardly, if you count nearly wetting yourself in a grass field as smooth, and walking around commando all day. But yeah, I didn’t get caught.>   <Jeez…> Sandy muttered to herself, crossing and re-crossing her legs. ----   “Aaaah…” I moaned, holding myself awkwardly while bouncing foot to foot. I was so full, I felt like bursting. Sandy wasn’t doing much better, but at last she wasn’t making a fool of herself like I was.   A huge wave of desperation came over me, and I doubled over, attempting to stem the inevitable flow. After a few moments it passed, with my hand firmly crunched between my legs.   Skarr shook his head. <Just urinate yourself!> <Then he would lose!> Static yelped, aghast at the prospect of voluntarily losing anything. Another wave passed, and I felt a burst of warmth flood against my leg. I gave a small mixture between a yelp and a whine, and held myself tighter.   Sandy snickered. <Losing?>   I glared back. <You would rub it in right about now.>   “True,” Sandy smirked, speaking aloud, “But you normally wouldn’t be the type to rub one out right about now.” I blinked, looking awkwardly at the position of my hand, then blushed in self-defense. <This- augh! I’m trying to stop myself from –urk!- peeing myself, not that!> Sandy nodded, sporting a disbelieving, cruel smile. <You’re terrible!>   <I know. I was just trying to get you to move your hand so I had a better vantage point when I win.>   Just then, my body betrayed me, and another hot spurt stained the inside of my jeans, spraying down the left side almost to my knee. I bend over and pressed myself hard, and managed to stem the flow for the moment. My need nearly doubled as I stopped, and I bit my cheek in desperation as I kneeled on the ground, grabbing myself with both hands.   Sandy caught me, holding me up under my arms with surprising strength, and refused to let me fall to the floor. I looked up incredulously, and caught her mischievous grin.   “Nope. You’re gonna stay standing for this.”   I whimpered and obeyed, realizing I had already lost. Sandy was desperate, but I was long gone by now. The others showed some signs – Static was acting squirmy, Nova was acting strangely silent, and Myst was very still, but I doubt I could even reach a bush before I lost, and Sandy still had a few minutes left in her. I was dead in the water.   Another wave crashed into me, and I felt myself spurt once, twice, then just a torrent down my leg, drenching my shoes and socks, and blasting a wave of warmth down my thigh. I stopped holding myself and sighed with a dreamy sense of relief, annoyed I had lost, but more than content to allow myself the pleasure of finally releasing what had been building for so long.   I finally finished, and I stood for a moment, dripping wet, before looking around at the others with an awkward grin. Had I actually moaned? Sandy had lost all of her clever façade, and gave me a deer in the headlights stare as her cheeks flushed with red.   <Well,> She gulped, attempting to gain back some sense of composure, <I’d say that I won this. Good game, definitely, and I’ll be...over somewhere else.>   <No way!> Static yelped, tugging on the sleeve of her jacket. <We’re all playing too! Just ‘cause Josh was the first to lose doesn’t make you win!>   Sandy blinked. <The competition was between Josh and me, with a separate pool for your guys! Not everyone at once!>   Static narrowed his eyes, and I felt the gears rotate in his mind. “So, you’re saying you four-feet?>   I almost corrected him, but shrugged it off. He was close enough.   <It’s not forfeiting if you didn’t-> Static shot Sandy a competitive, daring smirk. <…Fine!>    Sweet. Gonna go change, then watch the waterworks!   --------- (I remember you well, Bayleef! You commented a bunch on the story, and always gave me some extra energy to keep writing. I believe in you, and I know you'll totally make it!)   (And you don't have to miss me; I'm not going anywhere :3. As this story comes to a close, more stories shall sprout. As we speak, I'm setting up a twitter account to talk about stuff I'm working on, and stuff that I've produced. I'm pretty close to publishing a short romantic-comedy, with some fuzzy elements thrown in. Stay tuned! :3)
Sandy sat on the grass, pressing her heel against herself while rocking back and forth. Static wasn’t looking too hot either, bouncing back and forth from foot to foot, as if running in place.   I stood over Sandy triumphantly. <Oh, how the giants fall.>   <How do those new jeans fit, Josh?> Sandy shot back, not even bothering to look me in the eye. <What happened to your old pair?> I stuck out my tongue, but my auburn companion didn’t see it. I poked her, and she shivered. <Quit!>   <Or what?> I smirked, poking her, and pushing her slightly off balance. She yelped in surprise, her hands grabbing her crotch as she inadvertently whined with need. She shifted again, positioning a hand behind herself, and sat on it quickly. <Not funny!> Sandy growled, taking the time to glare at me before staring back down at the floor.   <How come you get to sit, but you forced me to stand?> I grumbled, sitting on the ground. Sandy gave me a lazy leer. <Because I’m stronger than you.>   I snorted. <You are not!>   <Don’t be ashamed; I hear it’s quite common for females to be stronger than males. Not with humans, but nonetheless-> I gave Sandy a playful shove, and she gave an adorable squeal as she once again was forced to correct herself. I heard a slight hiss, and Sandy turned a shade of scarlet, sitting dangerously still.   Static blinked. <Did y->   <No.> Sandy responded instantly.   Static stopped hopping for a moment, and ran around Sandy. Sure enough, there was no evidence of anything, at least by the way she was sitting. <Aren’t you going to stand up? Show off, then?> I smirked.   “I literally cannot move.” Sandy peeped, whispering quietly at the ground. <I can help you with that.> I grinned, positioning myself behind her in the exact same way she lifted me up before.   <Josh, I swear to G- augh!> Sandy squawked as I lifted her up from underneath her arms, revealing a huge stain underneath her groin. <J-Josh!> She growled, the hissing sound growing clearer as the stain grew in size, dribbling down her leg. She shrugged for a moment then relaxed, going limp, and leaving me to carry most of her weight as she moaned with relief. Her pants changed from a light indigo to a dark navy as the inside of her jeans grew damp, and the liquid gushed out of her, down her thighs, her legs, her shins, down to her sandals. It began pooling around her feet, and she sighed dreamily as it trickled to a stop.   <Oh my god I’m going to miss this.> She groaned, craning her neck to give me a ragged, flushed gaze as her chest rose and fell. <Swear you won’t be gone for more than a month.>   My mouth went dry, and I realized I was breathing just as hard. <I swear. Totally.>   <…Okay.> Sandy panted, slowly standing of her own volition. Static clapped his hands successfully, and looked at the others. <Who’s next?>   Nova have an unusually mischievous chuckle, and motioned at Static’s rather twitchy movements. <Probably you?>   ------   Static gave a quick yip as a stream of yellow shot out of him, which he rapidly stemmed with a hastily placed paw. He cursed aloud in his native tongue, giving sharp squeals of ‘Pika!’ as particularly intense waves of desperation clashed against the small mouse’s willpower and fortitude. He bent in half, stemming the flow for the moment, wincing, and his bottom paws crossed in need. <Such language.> Myst purred. <Surely you don’t kiss Wigglytuff after such vulgarity!>   Mew looked around for a moment. <Where is our puffy pink compatriot?>   <…Puffy?> Static growled.   Sandy leaned my chest. <She got sick after eating a whole pizza by herself, and asked to stay behind.> I looked down. <She got sick just from that?>   <Well, the pizza was a few…weeks…old.>   I cringed. <She didn’t notice?>   <She said she noticed half way through, ‘but by that time, it was a challenge.’>   Oxygen looked Static over. <Your girl has problems, man.>   <Oh, says you!> Static growled, pressing his legs together.   Oxygen opened his mouth, then shrugged, relenting. <Alright, point taken.>   Static moaned again, another stream of liquid running down his thigh, onto his foot. Another gush ran through his paws, and he squirmed, finally surrendering to a torrent of urine splashing down his core, dribbling down and soaking the ground beneath.   He collapsed, thankfully away from the wet patch of grass, and stretched, sighing loudly with relief. <That was the beeeeeest!>   <That was quite remarkable.> Mew floated, booping Static with his tail. <You held two point four five milliliters of fluid in your body for over three hours, despite having a bladder capacity of only one point seven two.>   Static batted at Mew’s tail. <Don’t you have to pee at all?>   <If I choose to.> Mew shrugged. <Using your deity powers is against the rules.> Myst quantified.   Mew floated into Myst, bumping her with his nose. <I am creation.> Nova huffed, grabbing Mew by the tuft of hair on the back of his neck, and lifted him away from Myst. Myst shot Nova a thankful glance, and turned back to Mew. <You’re still not allowed to cheat.>   <Fine. My typical bladder capacity is eight milliliters, exactly. What would you have my current volume be?>   Myst smirked. <Seven point nine.>   Mew shrugged, acquiescing, before his eyes widened and he fell to the floor. <A-ack!>   -----   Mew squirmed against the grass, holding himself with both paws. <W-w-what? I don’t understand! Static held nearly double his capacity!> <Not directly in his bladder, you dolt.> Myst gave an uneasy laugh, shifting back and forth.   <Ah!> Mew’s breath quickened, and a jet of pee shot out of the pink ancient, then a second, but at last managed to stem the flow with a firmly placed paw. <To be fair, you’re doing surprisingly well.> Skarr noted. <If I had to count the times I had to land because Josh asked for a pee-break…>   <That almost never happens!> I shot back. <Plus, not all of us have the bravado, dexterity, and utter cluelessness to pee while flying over Celadon!>   Skarr flushed. <That was one time! And you had recently acquired me; how was I to know that was a social taboo?>   Mew moaned aloud, drawing everyone’s attention. Had we ever heard the ancient actually speak, other than in little condescending musical laughs? The ancient cringed with need, letting out a small dribble of fluid across his thigh as he squirmed, trying to maintain control. Mew pressed his legs together, a small melodic whimper echoing as another stream sprayed out, gushing against the pink fur of his coat. Mew suddenly relaxed, and the stream increased in strength, flowing forward an impressive length and falling against the dirt below.   After a minute we were all quite impressed, but after three we began to grow concerned.   <Um. Are you going to stop?> Static gulped, as Mew just kept peeing, after nearly five minutes.   <Oh. Right.> Mew opened his eyes, the flow slowly draining to a stop. <I forgot to adjust the volume to offset the loss.>   Sandy chuckled, perturbed. <Could you…literally pee forever?>   <Yes.>   <…Huh.>   Everyone’s eyes turned to Myst, who instantly stood straighter. <What?>   <Dunno.> Static shrugged. <You look like the next to go.>   <No way!> Myst barked. <I’m going to win this. Nova’s next, then maybe Oxygen, and I’m going to be last.>   Everyone turned their attention to Nova, who removed his hand from his groin and blushed from the attention. <W-what?>   <We’ll see.> Static shrugged, lying on the ground and resting his head on a nearby stump.   -------------   <Neck and neck.> Skarr grumbled from an overhanging branch, staring at us all with distaste. <Oh, will the excitement ever end.>   Myst has her legs crossed firmly, squirming uncomfortably, with her front paw firmly jammed in the fork of her legs. Nova wasn’t faring any better, sitting on the floor with his knees at his chest, holding himself discreetly.   <Since…!> Myst gulped, holding herself tighter. <Since when did you grow such a competitive spirit, Nova?>   <The longer I wait, the more I see you struggle.> Nova gave a sheepish, mischievous smile. <You’re a sadist!> Nova attempted to give a nonchalant shrug, wincing as he did so. <Well…I’m not the only one!>   Myst chuckled. <True.> Nova shuddered, pressing himself tighter. <Wanna go together? On three?>   <B-but we’ll both lose!>   <Yeah, but we’ll tie each other! Come on, pleaaase? I need this!>   His eyes betrayed just a flash of insight before resuming their normal, turquoise hue. <O-okay, if you say so.>   <One…> Myst tensed, her face flushed with color as she removed her paw. <Twothree!> She yelped, a stream of yellow spraying out silently, flowing down her leg and pooling at her feet.   The air shimmered oddly. Was this an illusion?   <Ah, ah!> Nova yelped in turn, releasing himself against the forest’s floor. Unlike Myst’s alter, Nova gushed forward, holding nothing back as a stream of urine jetted forward, splashing the ground a few feet away. He panted, the stream holding steady and gushing forward, steaming slightly against the cool, autumn ground. At last it waived, draining to a stop. Nova’s chest rose and fell, his scarlet face satisfied and reprieved.   Myst’s illusion fluctuated, and she gave a small yelp of surprise before the illusion involuntarily dissolved around her, leaving her with her hands on her nethers, and her lie blatant for all to see. A small spurt of pee gushed out of the real Myst, and she cringed.   <Hah! Can’t believe you didn’t see that coming, Nova!> Static stuck out his tongue.   <Silly me.> Nova hummed.   I tilted my Pokespeak to private. <She…didn’t actually fool you, did she?>   Nova smirked quietly. <I’ll lose willingly once to see her lose twice.>   <…I would enjoy playing poker with you.> I chuckled.   <I look forward to that.>   Myst cringed again as quake tremor of desperation ran through her core, dampening her paw with need. She whined, pressing it further into herself and rubbing her swollen bladder.   <I can’t believe you would trick me!> Nova spoke with false betrayal, standing up over Myst. <I trusted you!>   <Oh, c-come on. You know me.> Myst waved away his concerns. Nova sat next to Myst, brandishing a single, pure-white claw. <What are you do-> he quickly ran the blunt end over her side, causing her to convulse with laughter, and spurting urine all over herself. <Ah! Hahaha! Shit, oh shit! N-Nova, no! I’m sorry! Ah-!>   <You’re a little liar!> Nova grinned, pinning one of her arms to the ground, and using his other to continue to torture her sides with laughter. She held herself pathetically with a paw, with pee soaking through the cracks in her fingers, spraying chaotically with each burst of giggles. <Nova! Nova! I’m losing it, please!> She begged through her laughter, small jets of urine jutting out before finally a massive stream exploded out of her, causing her to yelp in surprise. She tried to stem the flow, but gave up with a contented moan as it gushed forward, arching forward and splashing against the earth. At last, her breathing slowed, and she trickled to a stop.   <…Cheater.> Myst sighed dreamily, staring up at Nova.   Nova smirked. <I learned from the best.>   -----   <This is…> Oxygen huffed, crossing one leg with the other. <This is getting uncomfortable.>   <I honestly don’t see what pleasure you all seem to derive from this.> Skarr rolled his eyes, and he stood still, passive and unmoving as always. <As if you don’t understand competition.> Oxygen growled. <Why else would I be here?> A devilish grin carved its way into the stoic bird. <I’ll humiliate you all, and then claim the prize myself.>   Oxygen growled. Skarr smirked. They stared each other down, until Oxygen broke the impromptu duel, pressing against himself with a paw. <What are you?>   <Polished, pristine, persistent, and prodigious.> Skarr purred. <Resign, and you may leave this duel dry, stay, and you shall surely blunder!>   Oxygen raised a single, sparking fist. <Not in your life, you….livid…lame…>   <Lunatic?> Myst offered.   Skarr shrugged, accepting the alliteration. The two forces glared each other down, with only Oxygen slowly shifting back and forth, showing need. <You’re a robot.> Oxygen hissed, pressing against himself once more. <Could you speak up, perhaps? I don’t quite comprehend sniveling very well.> Oxygen gave an unintentional jolt of electricity, and Skarr threw up a quick shield, in more of a taunt than a defensive display. <Oh, feel free to try to hit me, but you and I both know what all that bouncing around will do. Plus…> Skarr unfurled his wings, presenting a purple feather. <…we both know how that ends. How well can you hold yourself once you’re unconscious?>   <I’m not in the mood to fight you.> Oxygen mumbled.   <Oh? I’m primed and ready, friend. Is something the matter? Something else on your mind? Some sort of distraction?>   I had never seen Skarr so talkative!   <Can it!> Oxygen ordered.   <And what would you do if I should deny to acquiesce your request?> Skarr spoke slyly.   Oxygen’s tail whipped back and forth, and he held himself with a paw, saying nothing.   <All talk and no game, then? I had you pegged for-!> Skarr cringed, wincing suddenly and holding himself with his wings. <Ah-ha! So the statue does feel.> Oxygen retorted.   <Gargoyle was the word you were seeking, cretin.> Skarr shot back, with his wings buried beneath his legs.   <Hah. I had almost assumed you had a…um…> I trailed off. Everyone looked at me curiously. <Never mind.>   <A what?> Skarr questioned venomously. <Don’t worry about it.>   <Josh Karren, I will behead you.> Skarr growled.   <I was…I was going to say cloaca.>   Static looked confused, Sandy looked disgusted, and Mew gave a patronizing, musical giggle.   Skarr simply looked outraged. <I’m sentient, you realize, and more of a mammal then that of a pea-brained avian!>   <Don’t say ‘pee.’> Oxygen cringed.   My face took a red hue. <W-well, it’s not something I can exactly ask you about! Guides are a bit ambiguous about these sorts of things, and I’m not going to go looking!>   <Ah, well thank you for your discretion.> Skarr snapped. <Anything else you would like to know? I’m sure we’re all curious about if Nova has a sheath, right?>   Nova gave a nervous yip.   Oxygen narrowed his eyes. <You’re one of those types that gets all talky when you’re nervous, aren’t you?>   <Y-you know nothing of me!> Skarr shot back, grinding his wing into his groin. Oxygen sneered. <I know your tells. Calm and collected until you can’t, am I right? You’ve broken; you’ve already lost. It’s just a matter of time.> Skarr gave a mixture of a growl and a yelp. <Good game, friend.>   <…Damn.> Skarr cursed, a small trickle falling against his wing, followed by a stream of yellow soaking against his down. He removed his wing and sighed, releasing a flood of warm liquid that gushed down the branch of the tree where he resided, and drained down the trunk.   <Called it.> Oxygen grinned.   <…You win this time.> Skarr grumbled, relief written into his features as he visibly relaxed. <I still say this game of yours is odd, but I suppose I…can see the point of the buildup and, -Ah!- release of tension.>   <See?> Static beamed.   <Alright!> Oxygen pounded his fists in the air triumphantly. <…Now what?>   <You won! Do whatever.> I laughed.   <Well, victory speeches later.> Oxygen snickered, firmly pressing against himself, and waddling behind a tree. <First priority, wetting.> I heard Oxygen groan, and a splash of fluid crashed against the tree, hissing and draining into the ground. <Oh my god, finally. Jeeez.> <Would you play again?> Static chirped.   <Hell yeah!> Oxygen laughed, and I felt his relief through our mental connection. <But not soon. Just let me go for now. Aaaahh…>   I found one of the small patches of dry grass, and laid down, facing the open sky. What a day.   ---------   Despite the full moon’s zenith in the sky, the plethora of trees created an overcast that blocked all but the scarcest light. The thick oak woods hugged us on all sides, with only their calm, everlasting silhouettes as a reminder of their existence.   “I know we were having a…moment.” Sandy whispered, “But…for real. I want you to promise you’ll be back soon.”   I kissed her lips, gauging my placement by the fading moonlight on her cheek, and made my way across her face, up her neck to her ear. “I promise.” I whispered, the woods silent and still.   I felt her relax into my arms and kiss my chin, trying to make her way into my mouth. I smiled, one last time for the night, and met her lips with my own, feeling the familiar rush of her tongue against my own, and the heat of our mouths intertwined. All too early our kiss ended, and I felt her hand slowly, painfully, slip out of my own.   “I’ll catch you around, Josh.”   “I’ll see you soon, my love.”   The grass ahead of me crinkled, and with a flash of red, her shadow flew off into the night. I sighed, staring into the open sky, already nostalgic for her embrace.   <You guys are sappy as hell.> I looked over at Static, momentarily forgetting my poor eyesight. <Hey, it’s going to be awhile ‘till we see each other again. Give me a break!> <It’s always kissing and crying and hugs, and nonsense. Just high-five and leave. Sheesh.>   I rolled my eyes, purely for my own chagrin, as Static couldn’t possibly see my expression. <You don’t have to walk with me, you know. It’s late, and the rest house isn’t for another few miles. I could return you to your Pokéball like the others.>   <No, I…I want to walk with you.> Static asked, stumbling slightly over his words. I didn’t push him; truthfully I wanted his company, even though I realized he likely wouldn’t make it the handful of miles to the house.   “Many more miles before I sleep…” I whispered to myself, trudging forward in the near blackness.   <Can I ask you something?> I turned to my yellow companion. <Sure.>   <I…was in your backpack for most of your senior year.>   <Mmhmm.>   <Pretty much every day, though all your classes.>   <Right.>   <Why don’t I remember you peeing yourself like you told Sandy?>   I smirked, biting my tongue as I recalled my little story. <Every good story deserves a bit of, um, embellishment, Static.> <You’re a liar!> Static snorted. <I bet you didn’t even have a test that day!>   <I did too! All of it was true, except…well, for the end.>   <Oh?>   <I really was desperate, and the line for the restroom really was too long for me to get to class on time, but…I suppose I didn’t really care.> I shrugged. <It was only English. It’s not like a career in writing was going to get me anywhere in life.>   Static chuckled in agreement, as he barely spoke a word of the language himself. <Hey, I’m getting a bit tired…> Static raised his arms expectantly.   I picked up my little Pikachu and put him in my backpack, next to the pillow I left in there just for him. I felt him shift around somewhat getting comfortable, and then relax at the familiar pace of my footsteps.   <Where are we going next, Josh?>   <To the rest house, Static.> I answered. <You knew that.>   <I mean…after that. Tomorrow. The next day. What are we doing?>   <A Latios was spotted here.> I whispered, my thoughts growing quiet as I felt his mind begin to wane into the familiar lapse of sleep. <We’re gonna catch it, Static. You, me, and the team. We’re going to be the first. We’re going to chase it around the world.>   <I can’t wait.> Static yawned, his excitement only quelled by his fatigue. <…I love you, Josh.>   <I love you too, buddy.>   And I walked into the night, and on our next adventure.   THE END (Wow. Nearly four years of work, and I'm finally finished. I couldn't have done it without you guys; your love and support was invaluable. Internet hugs! <3)   (And the stories don't end here, not by a long shot! If you're desperate for more, check me out on Twitter! I just finished a book, actually, and I'm about to start on some new stuff! I would love to give you all a virtual high-five over social media, and keep you updated on my stuff, whether it's fantasy, comedy, romance, or more Omorashi!) (PM me your email address and I will email you, personally. No one gets left behind, friend. :3)
Part 2... (A quick note, Sonic and Tails are both wearing clothes. I prefer the characters with clothes. Makes Omo better.) The Tornado went quickly down the runway, and Tails pulled up, taking into the skies. "And, we're up!" He said, still, his bladder on his mind. He knew his and Sonic's safety was on the line, so his best shot at holding it was to cross his legs over each other. He quickly used one hand to put his member in between both legs. "Mff..." He said slightly, as the pressure was numbed. Sonic on the other hand was on the constant look out, but at the same time... enjoying the sites. Being above the clouds was different then being on the ground all day. Tails looked to the big black robot in the distance. "Is that the sweeper?" The blue blur gave a slight nod in comfirmation. "Yeah... that's it alright, buddy... you ready?" The fox simply replied with. "I'm not sure." Sonic's ear perked up slightly. "Not sure?" He said. Tails quickly said "Right, let's go!" He made the plane do a slight dive, but it shook him a little, the pressure coming back. He gasped slightly. He didn't risk it however. Sonic was right there. "Uh... uh..." He wasn't very good under this kind of pressure. But then he quickly said "Sonic, why don't you try homing attacking it?" The hedgehog put his thumbs up. "Sweet idea, Tails!" He jumped, and homing attacked the big robot. Several times. Tails used this to his advantage, and clamped his hands in between his legs, getting a firm grip on himself, relieving the pressure again. The pee almost escaped that time. The robot then started to open it's big mechanical mouth... Sonic seen this coming, and quickly grabbed ahold of the wing of the Tornado. "So much for that idea, bud!" He frowned. "Tails? What are you doing?" He asked in confusion. Tails bit his lip. "I-I gotta go the bathroom... bad..." Sonic then facepalmed. "Could've told me before we left. Ah well.. hold it! We've gotta fight this thing!" The big tubing came out of the mouth, and started to suck. Tails gasped, and used both hands to direct the plane away from the sucking torrent. "...Too close..." The shock had caused his bladder to release a squirt of urine into his pants. "AAAGH!" He said in panic, quickly grabbing the end of his member to stop the flow. "Oh, come on... I can do this..." Sonic wasn't paying attention. He was more focussed on ESCAPING FROM THE BIG MECHANICAL BEAST BEHIND THEM. Tails quickly swirved the plane, and started shooting at the robot, using one hand. And then ofcourse, came the sneakeast mother of all attacks. The big green container suddenly dropped, and launched at them, giving Tails no choice but to fly upwards. The sweeper started to rocket upwards really fast, starting to leave the atmosphere. Tails tried to follow in the Tornado, but the speed started to decrease... and then... the plane stalled. "Oh no no no nonononono!!! NO!" He yelled, pulling back on the joystick. Sonic clinged on for dear life, the ocean below. If Tails didn't pull up, they'd be finished... Tails quickly used both hands to pull back on the joystick, and the plane barely pulled up. The shock had caused a spurt, the release of his grip had triggered a big long leak. He gasped, as his bladder relaxed, urine coming out in small leaks. He shot his hand to his crotch, and quickly applied a massive ammount of pressure to himself. He groaned. Sonic stood up after the plane pulled up. "T-Tails... you can make it..." He looked to Tails' pants, and seen a big wet spot. Tails nodded slightly. "I-I hope. I don't want Amy or Cream to see me wet myself..." Sonic frowned. "...Yeah... I can imagine..." About 5 minutes later, Tails quickly landed the plane, and started to unbuckle himself from the seat. "Ugh! Come on come come on..." He kept saying to himself, near losing control. Quickly, he climbed out of the plane, one hand in his pants, using a tight grip to prevent the urine from coming out at full force. Sonic had walked into the living room, hoping Tails would make it. Not wanting to follow him. Well, who would? Tails quickly got to the door, and twisted the knob. It was locked. "AaaAagh! Who's in there?!" A faint voice replied "C-Cream. Is that you Tails?" The voice asked. The fox cringed. "Uh... uh... y-yeah! Hurry up, please!" He tightened his grip, starting to hurt himself now... "Ow..." The voice then said back "I-I'll try..." Tails put both hands down there now, tightening the grip, the big ammount of pee barely held back. A big leak came out, and it covered his fingers. "Agh..." Sonic sighed... he was watching Mock The Week. "Take your time, Tails..." He called. Un-aware of the situation. Tails groaned, and another spurt exited the end of his member. "Mff!! Cream, hurry uuup!" The voice then quickly said "Almost done!" Tails hit the door lightly, and bounced up and down on the spot, the flood gates on the verge of getting non authorized clearance to open. The toilet flushed. Tails bit his lip as he heard that sound. The sound he'd hear after he was done... the nice long stream leaving him, and then flushing it away... he gasped at these thoughts, as he now stopped leaking. Instead, he was peeing, a big wet spot forming on the front of his pants, urine slowly trickling down his legs. Cream came out. "Sorry I took so lon-...Tails, are you having an accident?" Tails quickly barged past Cream, and got to the toilet, and fiddled with the zip, still peeing full blast into his pants, the warm pee filling up his pants. The feeling was actually... quite good for him. Still, he didn't want to fully pee himself. Although it was far too late in the first place. His zip was stuck. That didn't help. "Uh! UH!" He couldn't do it himself. If someone else did it, it would be done in an instant. He was NOT going to ask Cream, and if he asked Sonic, he'd be done by the time he did. There was a puddle of yellow liquid forming underneath Tails' feet now, as the urine had filled his shoes, and overflown. The pee dripped down from his pants, and he just gave up, and stood there sobbing slightly, peeing full on now. He couldn't stop it. And it wouldn't be worth it. Either way, there was a big warm, wet spot on the front of his pants. The puddle was still increasing in size, the pee staining Tails' white socks and gloves slightly, the fox had soaked his fur in his own urine. Cream felt horrible for not being done as quick as she actually could have been. Even though the experience should be plain misery... it was... weirdly enjoyable. The warmth was so powerful, and the smell so... weird. But in a good way. Tails quickly closed the door and locked it, and sat up against the door... (Not as good as I was hoping it to turn out, but meh. Second Omo Story I've made... hope you liked it...)
19-year-old Austin slouched into the student administration office surly as ever. This is the third time he’d been called out of his class today, and the 9th time this year. If the principal busted him this time, he’d be suspended. This was the worst possible time too. He’d just been on his laptop having a conversation with these two awesome chicks, MsDesp and Burstingirl, both who were into pee play like himself. He shouldered his book bag containing his books, giant 32 oz. cup from Quiktrip and his pencils and knocked on the door. “Enter” said a crisp, unforgiving female voice. Austin ambled into the overly air conditioned office and took his seat in the worn chair in front of Ms. Thane, the principal at J.T Eckerd High. She was known for having a tongue like a sword and nails almost as sharp. She was a rather pretty 34 –year-old woman, a fact that Austin’s raging teen hormones could not ignore. Her jet-black hair was pulled up in a bun almost as tight as her mouth line. He found his eyes straying to her voluptuous chest and quickly raised his book bag to cover his erection. Ms. Thane closed her laptop. “Well?” the steel-tipped voice cut through his reverie. He looked up at her through his greasy curtain of black hair. “Defacing school property again, are we, you juvenile miscreant?” She seemed even more irritable as usual. Unable to stop the sarcasm welling up in his throat, Austin blurted “Well, ma’am, I AM going to be an art major, so I might as well start early. Ms. Thane’s eyes narrowed even more, and Austin heard a tapping sound. He looked down and saw that her heel was tapping incessantly on the floor. What reason did SHE have to be nervous? He wondered silently. Maybe she... no, he couldn’t think like that, too good to be true. “Art major? Young man, this is your last strike. I can have you suspended faster than you can say “Van Gogh!” She spat waspishly. Austin noticed her legs were also doubly crossed, and she seemed rather tense. With a twinge of excitement, he felt that she might need to pee. Female desperation was a fetish he’d harbored since middle school, and if his attractive principal was desperate... His suspicions were confirmed when she got up and said “Alright, Sanders, I have some…business to attend to, you wait here for me. Austin saw the perfect opportunity to make the principal suffer, as payback for what she was about to do to him. “Ms. Thane, before you kick me out, might I at least tell you why I do these things?” he asked innocently. He smiled inwardly at the glimmer of fear in her eyes at the prospect of being made to wait even longer for relief. She steeled herself and sat back down. “Proceed,” She said through gritted teeth. Austin launched into an agonizingly long tale about always wanting to become an artist. Ms. Thane winced all throughout the section where he wanted to draw only waterfalls. She pretended to drop her pen and ducked under the table, giving herself a quick squeeze to help her overloaded bladder in its losing struggle. Glancing back up, she saw that Austin had finished his story. She looked at him venomously. “I see you’re enjoying my discomfort, child. Austin went brick red, thinking she had guessed his secret desire, till he realized she assumed his delight was purely vindictive. Austin was unfazed and pulled out his Quiktrip drink and drank the last of it, not noticing that he had removed his backpack, and the bulge of his enlarged member was wildly apparent. “So, he thinks my struggle is alluring, does he?” Ms. Thane suddenly had an excellent idea of how they could both get out of this on top. The principal grinned. She was going to give him a show he’d never forget. She got up and crossed over onto her desk, making sure that her desperation was in full view of the boy. “Mr. Sanders.” She said sharply, wanting him to think she was still angry. Austin looked up at her defiantly. “I assume you have now deduced from my actions that I am on the verge of wetting myself?” she said matter-of-factly. This took Austin totally by surprise. She had beaten him at his own game, and now he’d be in even bigger trouble. Trembling and red-faced, he looked at her and mumbled “I hadn’t noticed.” Ms. Thane rolled her eyes. “Please do give my intelligence some credit, Mr. Sanders. You came up with that ridiculous story of wanting to be an artist in the hopes that I would be forced to soil myself, did you not?” Austin saw all of his secrets being brought to light, and he wasn’t sure how to respond. “I-I don’t want that to happen…” Ms. Thane’s lips parted into a smile. “You mean, you don’t enjoy it when I do this?” she buried her hands between her legs, bent over, and started doing a pee dance, moaning as she did. Austin gulped, and Ms. Thane saw his member enlarge even more. Ms. Thane tapped her earpiece and Austin heard a warbled voice. Ms. Thane looked alarmed, then thoughtful, then finally..excited? She shot a furtive glance at the cup in his hand.“I’m going to make a deal with you, Sanders. I’ll let you go and even wipe your slate clean, if you let me use that cup.” Austin was confused. “Um, Ms. Thane… not that I’m complaining, but how will my cup be proper restitution for my freedom? Ms. Thane clucked her tongue. “Really, Mr. Sanders, you’re a smart boy. As I’ve told you, I am bursting to pee, and as my secretary has just informed me that the ladies is being cleaned…” Austin’s eyes widened. “Wait, you want to…” Ms. Thane nodded. “Think about it, Sanders. I’m offering you the chance to start over, with a clean record, while giving you the opportunity to watch a grown woman empty her poor bursting bladder into your cup. You can even keep it.” She smiled and took the cup from him and dropped her panties. She then looked up at him and smiled again. “Turns out, this is rather hot for me as well, Sanders, so here’s what you can do. You can hold the cup, and I won’t pee a drop will you tell me I can. She placed the cup into his numb hand and positioned herself over hit, breathing hard with the effort to hold it. “Quickly, Sanders, I’m rather desperate here.” Austin was still in shock, but he recovered. “Um…go ahead…” he said. Ms. Thane’s breathing was audible as she began releasing her pent-up urine into the cup. While she was flowing, the secretary burst in then stopped, frozen in shock at the sight of Austin and Ms. Thane. “M-Ms. Thane! How could you!?” Ms. Thane began to try to explain when the secretary cut her off. “You mean to tell you you’ve commandeered this young man’s cup while I’ve been over here BURSTING for a tinkle?!” Ms. Thane smiled. “well, Harriet, by all means, join me.” Harriet looked apprehensively at Austin. “You don’t mind, do you?” Ms. Thane cut in. “of course he doesn’t, he’s loving every minute of this. Harriet, meet Desplover3. Harriet smiled, and Austin wondered how the heck Ms. Thane knew is pee forum username; unless…. “Well, then, let’s give him what he came for. Harriet positioned herself on the other edge of the cup, and both women began to pee loudly, their streams meeting midair as the two women relieved themselves into the cup. When they had finished, Ms. Thane got a bottle of water for herself and Harriet. “Thank you, Mr. Sanders, you’ve been a big help.” Austin got shakily to his feet, placing the cap back on the urine-filled cup. He turned to go, when Ms. Thane called after him. “Mr. Sanders, come back in an hour or so, once Harriet and I have gotten properly…hydrated. What do you think, Burstingirl?” Harriet smiled. “A fabulous idea, MsDesp.” Harriet kissed Austin’s cheek, and Ms. Thane winked. Austin left the room, eagerly awaiting the end of the hour.
19-year-old Austin slouched into the student administration office surly as ever. This is the third time he’d been called out of his class today, and the 9th time this year. If the principal busted him this time, he’d be suspended. This was the worst possible time too. He’d just been on his laptop having a conversation with these two awesome chicks, MsDesp and Burstingirl, both who were into pee play like himself. He shouldered his book bag containing his books, giant 32 oz. cup from Quiktrip and his pencils and knocked on the door. “Enter” said a crisp, unforgiving female voice. Austin ambled into the overly air conditioned office and took his seat in the worn chair in front of Ms. Thane, the principal at J.T Eckerd High. She was known for having a tongue like a sword and nails almost as sharp. She was a rather pretty 39 –year-old woman, a fact that Austin’s raging teen hormones could not ignore. Her jet-black hair was pulled up in a bun almost as tight as her mouth line. He found his eyes straying to her voluptuous chest and quickly raised his book bag to cover his erection. Ms. Thane closed her laptop. “Well?” the steel-tipped voice cut through his reverie. He looked up at her through his greasy curtain of black hair. “Defacing school property again, are we, you juvenile miscreant?” She seemed even more irritable as usual. Unable to stop the sarcasm welling up in his throat, Austin blurted “Well, it’s not like the décor was all that great before.” Ms. Thane’s eyes narrowed even more, and Austin heard a tapping sound. He looked down and saw that her heel was tapping incessantly on the floor. What reason did SHE have to be nervous? He wondered silently. Maybe she... no, he couldn’t think like that, too good to be true. “Young man, this is your last strike. I can have you suspended faster than you can say “Van Gogh!” She spat waspishly. Austin noticed her legs were also doubly crossed, and she seemed rather tense. With a twinge of excitement, he felt that she might need to pee. Female desperation was a fetish he’d harbored since middle school, and if his attractive principal was desperate... His suspicions were confirmed when she got up and said “Alright listen, Sanders, I have some…business to attend to, you wait here for me. Austin saw the perfect opportunity to make the principal suffer, to confirm his suspicion. “Ms. Thane, before you kick me out, might I at least tell you why I do these things?” he asked innocently. He smiled inwardly at the glimmer of fear in her eyes at the prospect of being made to wait even longer for relief. She steeled herself and sat back down. “Proceed,” She said through gritted teeth. Austin launched into an agonizingly long tale about always wanting to become an artist. Ms. Thane winced all throughout the particularly long section where he’d talked about studying free form liquids. She pretended to drop her pen and ducked under the table, giving herself a quick squeeze to help her overloaded bladder in its losing struggle. Glancing back up, she saw that Austin had finished his story. She looked at him venomously. “I see you’re enjoying my discomfort, child.” Austin went brick red, thinking she had guessed his secret desire, till he realized she assumed his delight was purely vindictive. Austin recovered and pulled out his Quiktrip drink and drank the last of it, not noticing that he had removed his backpack, and the bulge of his enlarged member was wildly apparent. Ms. Thane glanced down and saw his protruding organ, and her face went from shock to anger to thoughtfulness, then finally, to a light grin. “So, he thinks my struggle is alluring, does he?” Ms. Thane suddenly had an excellent idea of how they could both get out of this on top. The principal grinned. She was going to give him a show he’d never forget. She got up and crossed over in front of her desk and sat on it, making sure that that her shapely legs were crossed tight and in full view of the boy. “Mr. Sanders.” She said sharply, wanting him to think she was still angry. Austin looked up at her defiantly. “I assume you have now deduced from my actions that I am on the verge of wetting myself?” she said matter-of-factly. This took Austin totally by surprise. She had beaten him at his own game, and now he’d be in even bigger trouble. Trembling and red-faced, he looked at her and mumbled “I hadn’t noticed.” Ms. Thane rolled her eyes. “Please do give my intelligence some credit, Mr. Sanders. You came up with that ridiculous story of wanting to be an artist in the hopes that I would be forced to soil myself, did you not?” Austin saw all of his secrets being brought to light, and he wasn’t sure how to respond. “I-I don’t want that to happen…” Ms. Thane’s lips parted into a smile. “You mean, you don’t enjoy it when I do this?” She buried her hands between her legs, bent over, and started doing a pee dance, moaning as she did, her D-cup breasts nearly bouncing out of their bra. Austin gulped, and Ms. Thane saw his member enlarge even more. Ms. Thane tapped her earpiece and Austin heard a warbled voice. Ms. Thane looked alarmed, then thoughtful, then finally...excited? She shot a furtive glance at the cup in his hand. “I’m going to make a deal with you, Sanders. I’ll let you go, and even wipe your slate clean, if you let me use that cup.” Austin was confused. “Um, Ms. Thane… not that I’m complaining, but how will my cup be proper restitution for my freedom?” Ms. Thane clucked her tongue. “Really, Mr. Sanders, you’re a smart boy. As I’ve told you, I am bursting to pee, and as my secretary has just informed me that the ladies is being cleaned…” Austin’s eyes widened. “Wait, you want to…” Ms. Thane nodded. “Think about it, Sanders. I’m offering you the chance to start over, with a clean record, while giving you the opportunity to watch a grown woman empty her poor bursting bladder into your cup. You can even keep it.” She smiled and took the cup from him and dropped her panties, exposing a neatly trimmed bush that almost completely obscured the pink outline of her labia. She then looked up at him and smiled again. “As it just so happens, this is rather hot for me as well, Sanders, so here’s what you can do. You can hold the cup, and I won’t pee a drop will you tell me I can. She placed the container into his numb hand and positioned herself over it, breathing hard with the effort to hold it. “Quickly, Sanders, I’m rather desperate here.” She said, a bit more irritably than she had intended. Austin was still in shock. Ms. Thane smiled and cleared her throat, then began in a formal voice. “Mr. Sanders. I, Principal Abigail Thane, hearby request your permission to release the contents of my bladder into this cup. Whether or not you choose to grant me this request is entirely your decision. Should you decide to deny me this relief, I will continue to hold it until you change your mind, or until I cannot hold it any longer. Your decision, sir?” Austin recovered. “Um…go ahead…” he said. Ms. Thane’s breathing was audible as she began releasing her pent-up urine into the cup. While she was flowing, the secretary burst in then stopped, frozen in shock at the sight of Austin and Ms. Thane. “M-Ms. Thane! How could you!?” Ms. Thane began to try to explain when the secretary cut her off. “You mean to tell me you’ve been allowed to use this young man’s cup while I’ve been over here BURSTING for a whiz?!” Ms. Thane looked utterly perplexed. “Well, Harriet, I didn’t know that you were in the same predicament.” Austin blinked. “Hold on a second.” His numb fingers fumbled with the zipper of his bag until he finally got it open and removed a Power Ranger lunchbox. Ignoring Ms. Thane’s sniggers, he opened the lunch box and took out a good-size thermos. He then looked up at the fidgeting secretary “Um, maybe you can use this…” She looked apprehensively at Austin. “You don’t mind, do you?” Ms. Thane cut in. “Of course he doesn’t, he loves every minute of this. Harriet, meet Desplover3. Harriet smiled, and Austin wondered how the heck Ms. Thane knew is pee forum username; unless…he rummaged around in his back, then realized with a chill that his laptop was missing. His panic was interrupted as Harriet snatched the thermos from his hand, then turned undid her skirt and dropped her panties. She bent over in a sexy doggy-style position and placed the thermos between her thighs. Her sultry smirk changed into a look of orgasmic relief as she began to pee loudly, moaning as she released an afternoon’s worth of pent-up urine. When both women had finished, Ms. Thane got a bottle of water for herself and Harriet. “Thank you, Mr. Sanders, you’ve been a big help.” Austin got shakily to his feet, placing the cap back on the urine-filled cup and thermos. He turned to go, when Ms. Thane called after him. “Mr. Sanders, you may want this back,” she said, handing him his laptop, along with 3 links to a few private videos. “We’ll call you back in an hour or so, once Harriet and I have gotten… properly hydrated. What do you think, Burstingirl?” Harriet smiled. “A fabulous idea, MsDesp.” Harriet kissed Austin’s cheek, and Ms. Thane winked. Austin nearly tripped over himself as he left the room, eagerly awaiting the end of the hour.
I think this forum needs more male omorashi fanfics, so I decided to write one myself http://omorashi.org/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png This is my first try at writing omorashi, bear with me. I'm not really good with English, so I'm sorry if I made some mistakes! Hope you'll enjoy it ^_^ The sun was shining and eighteen years old Jamie was fanning himself with a magazine. He was with his nineteen years old friend Matthew on the beach and after playing around in the water for a while they decided to catch their breaths on the sand. Jamie grabbed a full water bottle and started gulping it down. The sun, the salt in the water, running around like an idiot; everything was making him thirsty. When the bottle was empty, he got another one out of his bag. “Damn, you drink a lot!” Jamie turned his head to look at Matthew. “That’s a normal thing to do on such a hot day. I think it’s weird that you don’t drink that much.” “Nah, I’m good. I’m not that thirsty.” Jamie shrugged and laid down on his towel. He could feel the water in his stomach. “You know, this was actually a really good idea. If all your ideas were as good as this one, my life would be perfect.” Jamie smiled, it was true, usually his ideas sounded good at the start, but turned out bad. But when the idea of having a beach day came up in his mind, he knew his friend was up for it. The hot sun was making him drowsy, and soon enough he fell asleep. Matthew put his shirt on Jamie’s face to keep it from burning, and continued reading his book. Jamie didn’t like reading or doing nothing, but he would rather read his book than run around in the sea like a nut, something Jamie enjoyed. After what felt like five minutes for Matthew, but in reality was an hour, Jamie woke up confused. “Hey Matt, how long have I been sleeping?” “Not that long, maybe ten minutes I’d say?” Jamie smiled, but the smile faded away when he realized something. His kidneys had been doing their job and he had to pee. Now. Unfortunately, the beach didn’t have toilets, and the only place he could let go was in the sea. “Matt, can we go back in the sea again? I’m bored.” No matter how long they’ve been friends, Jamie wasn’t going to admit that he needed to pee. Not only did it sound awkward, it would also feel awkward to walk into the sea and then let go with his knowing friend next to him. No, this was something he should do without his friend knowing. “Again? No, I’m reading right now, I’m sure you can sit there for a little longer.” Matthew turned his attention back to his book and Jamie started rubbing his legs together. The sounds of the sea didn’t really help his desperation. “Please? I brought my ball, we can play soccer in the water or something?” “Jamie, I said no. Really, I need to finish this book for class tomorrow and you promised me I would have time to read it on the beach. So give me my time!” “You’re no fun!” Jamie closed his eyes and pretended that he didn’t exist, hoping he would forget about his desperation. It didn’t work; his closed eyes made him pretend things. Like how great it would feel to now just let go in his bathing suit, or just walk away from the people on the beach to find a spot far away, and then just pee in the sand. Maybe even grab one of the empty water bottles and pee in them. Imagining all this made him forget to hold his bladder and a small spurt escaped. He immediately grabbed himself, hoping that Matthew would be too much absorbed in his book to notice. He was. When he got himself under control he tried to casually look for the damage. There was a small wet spot on his sun-dried bathing suit. “Uh, Matt, can we please go into the water? I’m getting really hot, what if I pass out?” Matthew looked at him with an are-you-kidding-me-face. “If you feel so bad, drink another one of those water bottles. You seem to like them.” Even just the mention of drinking more water made him feel his bladder, and another spurt escaped. Again, Jamie grabbed himself, but this time Matthew noticed. He raised his eyebrows, and Jamie let go of his penis, only to grab it again immediately when he felt more coming out. “Jamie, what are you doing? Stop touching your dick, it’s really awkward okay?” Matthew was glaring at him. “I can’t, I need to pee really bad.” Jamie admitted, not able to hold it any longer. Matthew smiled. “That’s why you wanted to go into the sea? Why didn’t you say so? Come on, before you pee all over your towel.” Jamie slowly stood up and walked with Matthew to the sea. He made it without losing a lot. Before he stepped into the sea he told Matthew to walk a bit away from him. He still wasn’t comfortable with the idea that his friend knew he was going to pee in the sea right next to him. But Matthew ignored him and pulled him into the sea with him. The fresh water made him lose it immediately and he ran further into the sea in hope no one saw it. When the water was as high as his hips he stopped running and just enjoyed the relieve. The warm urine felt nice around his legs, peeing had never felt so good before. He crouched down to feel the warm liquid all around him. After what felt like an eternity he was finally done, and even though he would never admit it to his friend, he enjoyed sitting there in his own pee. “Next time you need to go please just tell me and don’t be such an annoying person. I can’t believe you’re that shy about having to pee, damn, I let go in the water ages ago! Told you you shouldn’t drink so much water! Are you coming back with me to our towels?” Jamie got up and nodded, but he was sure he would remember this for a long time.
So writing up my non-fiction 'story' on the Wetting Experiences board reminded me how much I love writing. Having not done it for literally years, here's the first two chapters of a new story. I'll add more chapters as I can, hopefully regularly. The idea is it is more a short novel in style, with a strong through narrative, rather than a collection of shorter pee stories. That said, obviously desperation and wetting will feature strongly....! Hope you enjoy! As ever, constructive criticism more than welcome! **The Stable Girl** **Chapter One - A Hot Saturday Morning** As the midday sun beat down on her, Jen stood in the outdoor riding paddock, leaning against the rough wooden fence. She watched her beginners class trot round the figure of eight course, the ponies hooves kicking up a dust storm as their hooves pounded the ground. It was near the end of the lesson, and she was tired from the hour and a quarter spent standing in the sun. As the class went round for the fifth time she took another swig from her water bottle, and straightened. "Once more round at a rising trot," she shouted - "keep your back straight Suzie - rise from your thighs Lilly!" Jen had been working at Foxgroves Stables, near Austin in Texas for a month now, after graduating high school. She was off to college at the end of the summer, but for now was happy working at the stables to earn some money. She'd gone from student to staff, having been riding most of her childhood at the school. A petite, slim eighteen year old, she stood 5' 3" tall, with red hair flowing down to her shoulders, today tied back in a pony tail. She wore thin rimmed glasses, resting on her little button nose, breaking up the freckles on her face. She wore her usual stable clothes - tight fawn coloured jodhpurs, riding boots, and a slim fitting polo shirt as a top. A shy girl, she didn't stand out from the crowd, but attracted her fair share of attention from the boys back at high school - the 'girl next door' factor it seemed. Pretty. Cute. She'd had a couple of boyfriends, but these had been little more than high school sweethearts, and she was now single again. "OK, come back to the gate and dismount please," she shouted across the field, and her class turned their horses towards her, Luke leading the way on Socks, a bay cob with four white socks. He smiled at her as he approached. Luke was the same age as Jen - he'd started riding at around the same time as Jen started teaching at the stables. A good bit older than the others in the beginners class, he'd naturally bonded with his teacher more than his peers, and the two were becoming friendly as the lessons passed. "Well done Luke, heaps better than last week!" Jen grinned at him. "Good work everyone, lead your ponies back to the yard and tie them up, Sarah will help you take their tack off." She opened the gate, and the class went through, Luke waiting with her, still mounted. As the last kid led a little Shetland through the gate, Luke swung his leg over his pony and dismounted, landing beside Jen. Not for the first time she felt a pang - Luke was quite something. He stood taller then her, but not too tall. Slimly built, but not skinny, with, she suspected from his apparent strength, muscles in all the right places. Short fair hair, piercing blue eyes, and an open, friendly face completed the picture. 'No' she thought, as she took the reins from him and led his horse through the gate, with him following and shutting it after them, 'not bad at all.' They walked side by side down the track to the yard, past the grazing paddocks on each side of them, Jen leading Socks and Luke walking by her side. Small talk. Luke was telling her of his week, his plans for the next day - hanging out with friends down at Bar K Park, on the shore of Lake Travis. Jen listened, enjoyed. She shouldn't be thinking like this, it wouldn't be regarded professional to date a student and customer. But hey, she was only here for the summer, and Luke was an adult - nothing wrong in it. As they walked, she became aware of another sensation - a prickling in her crotch. Needed a pee. She ignored it. Not desperate. Plenty of time. They reached the yard, Jen tying up Socks and Luke opening up his car, a beat up old Ford pick up, to let it air. As she turned, he crossed back to her - "You should come tomorrow if you're free?" Somersaults inside - "Sure," she said. "Pick you up around 10?" "Ok!" She gave him her phone number and address, then watched him get back in his pick up, start it, and drive out of the yard, a cloud of dust trailing in his wake. **Chapter Two - A Long and Desperate Walk** The next half hour was one of work - giving the ponies water and feed, then turning them out into the grazing paddocks. Sarah, now a permanent teacher at the school, who had worked at the stables Saturdays and Sundays through high school, helped her. Sarah was a year older than Jen, slightly taller and slightly thicker set, though by no means large. She was more glamourous - into fashion as much as horses and always dressed well - the latest riding gear at the stables and the latest labels away from them. She had a blonde bob cut, a pale complexion, always with perfect make up, and blue eyes. Jen suspected the perfect make up was for Simon's benefit - the son of the stables owners. Simon was not part of the family business - he worked in IT in Austin, drove a brand new convertible Chevy and had money. Plenty of money. Not to mention looks. Tall dark and handsome may be a cliche, but it fitted Simon perfectly. Flash. A bit older than both the girls at 24, Simon had been on Sarah's radar since boys had. By this time the prickling in Jen's crotch had turned into a solid urge to pee - all the water she'd drunk while teaching was making itself felt. "Just going to the bathroom" she shouted at Sarah, and she turned to walk across the yard. "Wait,' - Sarah shouted - "just give me a hand checking the water out to the troughs in the paddocks is working then we'll be done." Jen crossed her legs and squeezed her thighs together. She really needed to pee now, but a few more minutes wouldn't hurt. And besides, she'd learnt from an early age that a full bladder felt good. Through her teens 'good' became arousing. Sexy. On some occasions she'd held it almost too long, nearly wetting herself a few times. Giving her thighs a final squeeze together, she uncrossed her legs, turned, and walked back towards Sarah. "It'll only take a minute Jen, it'll be quicker if we both do it." Jen nodded, knowing that checking all the troughs were getting water was at least a twenty minute walk around however you did it. She was pretty sure she could hold on twenty minutes. "You go to the west paddocks I'll go to the east." Both girls set off back up the rutted and dusty track towards the riding paddock, before turning off into the grazing fields, Jen heading left, Sarah right. As she walked Jen thought about tomorrow. Had she been silly to agree to go? She wasn't going to know anyone apart from Luke - and she didn't even know him that well. She felt the urge between her legs grow stronger, her full bladder now tense against the waist of her tight jodhpurs. Turned her head to look backwards - Sarah had her back to her heading across the other fields. Jen dropped her right hand to her crotch and squeezed, feeling the familiar tingle numbing the urge to pee for a few moments. She took her hand away, and undid the top button on her jodhpurs, taking a bit of pressure from her bladder. Walked on. Tomorrow was a good idea. See Luke all day. Get to know him better. Away from the stables, away from anyone seeing. Reaching the first trough, she checked the water supply. Flowing freely. She walked on, her bladder throbbing now, and the sharp urge in her crotch increased by hearing the running water in the trough. She was desperate, begining to think too desperate to make it back to the bathroom at the stables. Two more troughs to check. Turned her head again. Still, Sarah faced away, far off over the fields. Dropped her hand to her crotch again, squeezing to keep the pee in. She pushed her hand down inside her jodhpurs, squeezing her peehole more directly, just her pink cotton thong between her fingers and her skin. Sharp pangs of urgency in her crotch. Squeeze….squeeze. Despite her discovery that a full bladder gave her pleasure, Jen had never wet herself, nor peed outside. 'This could be a first,' ran through her head. Clench….squeeze. She arrived at the second trough. Flowing water. She walked on, hand still in her crotch, still squeezing the soft skin in desperation. Twenty metres from the next trough. Sharp urge, sudden wetness on her fingers, the feeling of a spurt escaping past her tortured muscles, though her pee hole and into her thong. Clench…CLENCH. 'Not now, not now!'- thought aloud, whispered, under her breath, every fibre of her willing her muscles to hold in the pee. She squeezed yet more, burying her fingers deeply into her crotch. Tingles as her fingers brushed sensitive parts. Back in control. Just. If she wet herself there would be no way she could cover it up - her tight jods wouldn't hide a thing. Walking quickly, trying to keep her thighs together, she arrived at the next trough and stopped. Crossed her legs, hand in her crotch, squeezing her pee hole for all she was worth, bouncing up and down and clenching her muscles as hard as she could. Think. Quickly. She went behind the trough, between it and the fence. Not complete cover, but if she squatted she'd not be seen from the stables or the other paddocks. She had never peed outside. 'How do you do it? How far do you squat to keep your clothes dry?' Naive, unpractised. No time to think now. Even if she peed over her clothes a bit it would be better than peeing herself. Crossing her legs as tightly as she could, she quickly took her hand out from her crotch. Bouncing up and down she undid the zip on her jods, and in one swift move pulled them and her panties down to her knees. As she started to squat a torrent of pee burst from her, shooting into the grass at her feet. She relaxed into the squat, sinking down onto her heels, waves of relief passing over her, feeling her bladder shrink inside her and the stream of pee shoot through her peehole. For a full minute she peed hard, then, subsiding; first to a stream, then a trickle, then a few drips. Panting, still shaking from the sheer effort of holding it in and the panic of her squat, she wiggled her hips, shaking the drips from her, then pulled up her thong. Just a tiny wet spot. Got away with it. Time to walk back. She pulled up her jods, zipped and buttoned them, and turned, walking back across the fields to the stables. Back at the yard she shouted "All good my side" to Sarah who waved, got into her car and drove off. Jen wandered into the tack room, picked up her keys and walked out to her car, a battered but much loved green VW Beetle. Opened the door, got her cigarettes out and lit one. Inhaled deeply. Exhaled. The panic of nearly wetting herself receeded, leaving behind just a feeling of sexyness. That little damp spot in the crotch of her panties, still warm and wet against her skin. Tomorrow. Luke. What would he think if he knew her little secret?
**Chapter 3 - Day Follows Night** Sleep would not come. A gentle breeze through her open window alleviated the heat of the summer night momentarily, then the heavyness of the still room returned. She turned her head to clock - 2:20. Alarm? 8:00. Luke? 10:00. Not soon enough, and yet far too soon. After an uneventful afternoon, Jen had gone to bed early - mainly to avoid her parents questioning. 'Who is Luke?' 'Where did you meet him?' 'What time will you be…' Endless questions. Finally, taking advantage of a lull, she claimed tiredness and made a break for the freedom of her room. Several hours later. Still awake. She'd done everything she could to stay cool. Start off with pink PJ bottoms, and a pink T-shirt, with white panties underneath. 11pm had seen the bottoms come off. Midnight or thereabouts the T-Shirt, and finally about five minutes ago she had slid her panties down and off. Naked on the bed, her body caught the moonlight coming in through the window. Slim. Toned. Thoughts in her head, circling, whirling like leaves in a breeze. What to wear tomorrow? Did Luke like, Like or LIKE her? Slowly her eyelids became heavier. Closing. Closing. Closed. Finally. Her breathing shallow, her mind peaceful and her body still, she slept. Eyes flew open. Hand flew to alarm clock. Alarm silenced. Jen lay naked. Morning. Two hours till Luke arrives. Up. Over to her wardrobe. She opened the door. Caught a glance of herself in the full length mirror, her body slender, legs smooth and shapely, rising to delicately rounded hips. Small, neat triangle of pubic hair around her vagina. Narrow waist, small breasts. She searched out a short denim skirt, tee-shirt, bra, panties - no, going to the lake. Replacing the panties and bra, Jen got out her bikini. White, with dark blue flowers. A mini belt like ribbon ran round the waist of the bottoms, tying in a bow at the side. She turned, and layed her clothes out on the bed. Good choices? Yes, she thought so. Prickling in her crotch. Pressure in her bladder. Time for a pee and a shower. Jen crossed into her en-suite, turned the shower on in the cubicle to heat up, then sat on the toilet. Release. She felt her muscles relax and a trickle of pee find its way from her bladder, through her pee hole and across her vagina. Clamp. Clench. Stop. Why? She had never wet herself, least not as an adult. Yesterday had been a close call. Jen wanted to know. Wipe. Up, back to her room. Her closeness to peeing had increased her need, and Jen now fought the urgency between her legs, bouncing and jiggling as she found some old panties at the back of her drawer. Pink, brief cut, blue dots. Hand to crotch. Squeeze. Legs apart. One leg into panties. Cross legs, clench. Legs apart. Second leg into panties. Panties up. Bounce, thigh squeeze. Back to bathroom. Shower off, into cubical. Jens heart pounded as she stood there in the humid, steamy shower cubical. She felt the urge in her crotch, the tingle in her urethra. Still she held on. Should she? Shouldn't she? Another wave of urgency. Legs crossed, thighs clenched, Jen fought her internal battle. Yes? No? Was it dirty? Surely she should just go and sit back on the toilet. This was silly. But the thought of just standing here and letting go into her panties filled her with another feeling, a rising urge from her loins. Do it. Gingerly, Jen relaxed her legs, no longer clenching her thighs together. Her crotch prickled with the need to pee. Felt her panties around her vulva, dry, pink cotton. She relaxed her muscles, felt a dribble pass out of her - warm dampness in her crotch. Automatically, she clenched again, stopping the flow, her body on autopilot not letting her wet her panties. Relax… Relax. She felt the flow start again. Slow at first, she started to feel the crotch of her panties warm and wet against her skin. Weeing harder now, rivulets of pee started to flow, warm, down her upper thighs. Feeling her stream flowing out of her body and over it, fire spread through her veins. Her right hand dropped, in, past the waist of her panties, down to her crotch. She felt the warmth, the wetness, the now gentle trickle of herself peeing. Slowly at first, she started rubbing herself, tingles and shudders of pleasure rippling upwards and outwards from her core to the extremities of her body. Harder. Faster. Moaning softly, Jen leant against the wall of the shower, slowly, sliding down into a squat. Slower. Faster, harder, faster, harder - Jen threw her hips forward, arching her back in exctasy as her orgasm passed over her in waves, muscles in her lower body tensing and relaxing, pushing more squirts out of her body, past her fingers and into her panties. Slower. Slower. Slower. Breathing heavily, Jen stood, shakily, turning on the shower again and feeling warmth cascading over her. Dirty? No. Yes. To Jen no. To others? To Luke? Sexy? To Jen, definitely. Soaping her body, rinsing her body, Jen slowly returned to earth. She had done it. Felt it. Loved it. Peeled off her soaking panties - rinsed under the shower. Shampoo. Rinse. Out of the shower, towelled and dry. Panties on the towel rail, under the towels. Bikini on. Skirt on. T-shirt on. Hair fixed. 9:20. 40 minutes till Luke arrives. Downstairs. Jen's parents were out in the garden, Mum weeding, Dad mowing the lawn. The clatter of the mower breaking the peace of the summer Sunday morning. Coffee. Toast. Coffee. Crockery in the sink. Upstairs. Make up. Not much, just a touch. Glasses. No. Contacts. Clock - 9:55. Jen grabbed a rucksack, towel from the airing cupboard. Stuffed the towel into the bag. Prickle in her crotch. Jen crossed into the bathroom, lifted her skirt, untied the bow on her bikini and pulled it down. Sit. Release. As her stream hissed out of her she heard the doorbell go. Shit. She pushed, bearing down on her bladder, forcing her pee out in a hard stream. Doorbell again. No time. Clench. Stop. Dribble. Clench harder. Stopped? Yes. Wipe. Flush. Jen stood, pulled her bikini bottoms up, re-tied the bow and pulled her skirt back into place. Need to pee subsided, Jen could relax her muscles. She could still feel her bladder wasn't empty, but she no longer needed to pee. Grabbed her bag and dashed downstairs. Butterflies in her stomach. Luke. Bottle of water from the fridge. Jen walked to the front door. Ran her hand through her hair. Deep breath. Opened the door. Luke stood at the door, dressed casually - long shorts, T-shirt, flip-flop sandals. Shades up on top of his head. "Hey Jen!" "Hey!" Luke hugged her. Completely unexpected. Nice. Strong. Definitely muscles in all the right places. Stepped back. "You ready?" "Yup" She smiled at him, Luke grinning back. Again, Jen felt that pang. She pulled the door shut behind her. They both turned and headed to Luke's pick up at the end of the drive. Even mid morning the heat was intense. Jen felt him walking close by her side. At the truck, Luke opened the passenger door for her, shutting it once she was in. Round the drivers side, Luke got in and started the engine. Checked mirrors, pulled out into the road. Jen settled on the seat, an old bench style affair, one seat across the cab of the truck. She leant against the passenger door, elbow on the open window sill, wind playing in her hair. Looked across at Luke, looking ahead at the road. Turned back to look out the window. Smiled to herself. Happy. The truck braked to a halt at the end of the road. Signal, pull away. The trucks engine roared as Luke gunned it up the highway towards the park and the lake.
First off, I don't like the idea of Yuri or Yaoi, so I can't write those. I also can't write fan-fiction, as I'm only a fan of my beliefs, not really of using movies, books, shows, or anything else in my writing, sorry. I plan on writing a story, in my limited spare time (I say that, but I'm always in spare time, Haha) including a variety of different omorashi ways. For lack of better terms at the moment. The main characters would be two brothers who live together, the older one into omorashi and no girlfriend to satisfy him. So you see the problem. lol Later on, I want to somehow add some female desperation/etc as well, but even though I'm female I'm better with male characters, in my experience. My females turn out cliched or... idk... strange even for my oddball tastes.... I would like to know if you guys would even be interested before I invest my time, and if so, ANY ideas or themes you might want me to include in it, or whatever else you want to add or say. I love taking suggestions and actually could do for some inspiration right now. I already have the main two characters planned... I have no clue what job to give the older brother either. If you guys don't help out, he'll be in a host club, or a salesman. O.o He's... um... good with people. I think. Anyways, I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, and any ideas. I do realize there is a request thread but.... that's not doing it for me. Just to make sure this is worthy of posting here.... I'll quickly think up a small story to show off my writing and give you guys something to stare at. It's off the top of my head, which is empty at the time being, so sorry if it's cliche. Any likeness to another story, real life event, people, or places is purely coincidental. ---------------------- There was little time left as the horses dashed around the corner in a final stretch to reach the goal, to overtake their opponents by even a head length. This race would be the decider of who was going to the big one, and if won, winning the half a million. For the small broken ranch of Willows Meadow, it would be a lifesaver. Without it, they feared loosing it all, their home, their horses, and even their jockey friend, who would be forced to move states to look for work. It was hard times, after all. The last stretch in the race was all in all not too long, but for jockey Royce Williams, it was an endless battle, like a race against throes of time. And how right that was... It had been at least an hour since he was holding his urine, and the last thing he wanted to do was pee on the horse, of all things. Sadly, he still had fifteen minutes of being paraded around and cooling off the horse, then cleaning the horse.... oh! Just the thought of that hose splashing its liquid against the sweaty horse, and the horse choosing to take a squat of its own for sweet and justified relief... Royce gulped, unintentionally attempting to squeeze his thighs together, making the horse go even faster to his torturous surprise. As the horse dashed down the final stretch, giving it all it had to overtake the lead, the thunderous crashes of hooves on the hard ground made it even harder to hold on. It was as if every twitch of the horse, every rise and fall of his bladder being bounced around, sent a jolt through his entire system, as he prayed he wouldn't lose it right then and there. Why oh why hadn't he just got up on time? Why didn't he plan ahead for traffic? If he hadn't been delayed, he wouldn't be in this particular predicament. Just and he crossed the finish line, a strong, quick, spurt ran into his light blue jockey pants. "Please no!" he thought to himself, looking back and, to his dismay, realizing that he had crossed the line in first place, when all he wanted was to cross his legs and head for the toilet! The throbbing sensation in his penis grew worse, as his tortured, aching bladder tried to relieve itself to no avail. The horse, slowed to a walk and being led into the Winner's Circle, was sensing its riders distress, and getting antsy. Great! The last thing he needed was for the horse to rear or jolt anymore. The desperation was now intense, the pulsating like a beat of the heart, thump... thump... thump... Breathing in a quick, pain-filled breath, Royce closed his eyes tight and tried to think of something else, anything else, as he squirmed around atop the heavy animal, who was not enjoying its rider's unusual behavior. As he squirmed helplessly, squeezing himself against the back of the horse, he whined quietly, inwardly cussing at the people around him taking their sweet time. Minutes later, the horse was finally taken to the private areas. Using the horse as a shield to hide the display, Royce took a deep breath, swung off the horse, landing hard with his hand on his member and his legs crossing from the jolt. A long spurt escaped into his jeans. He looked around, loose all signs of hope, and the caretakers started to hose down the winner. The sudden sound of the powerful jets caused him to double over, unable to even move from the spot. He felt bound, helpless, and utterly embarrassed. Then the horror happened. As the horse maneuvered and squatted for its own pee, Royce's bladder convulsed for the final time, hot rushing urine winding down his legs and wetting his entire front as what felt to him like an ocean flooded out of him. Dropping to his knees, he sat in his own puddle of shame as unmerited relief overcame him. ------ That's my average writing, as well as my first official omorashi story. You can comment on this or my writing as well, just please don't forget to answer my questioning above, if you can! Normally I try to be a tad more descriptive, but it's not bad off, I don't think. If you have any comments on improving my description during the omorashi moments, especially guys, that would be appreciated as well. THANK YOU TO ALL ahead of time, in case I'm busy or... just forget. A thousand questions later, Pressing send...
Here's something I came up with, based on a real event but written as two secret diary entries, one from her, one from him. Here goes... Penny's Secret Diary – Sunday 27th May It was a really lovely day, with the birds singing their little hearts out and all was right with the world. I should have been happy and care-free, but I wasn't. Sure, I pretended to be content so Ted wouldn't be concerned, but concerned I certainly was. No, more than concerned; more like scared and desperate. All day my bladder was the only thing I could think of. All day I was hoping to get to a loo but all day I feared my worst nightmare may be about to come true, if a loo couldn't be found. My nightmare is of course the utter shame of having an accident for everyone to see. Oh, why on earth do stations lock the toilets on a Sunday! If I had known the ladies on the station would be locked (or even suspected it might be) I would have gone on the train, even though I find it very difficult to go when the toilet is rocking and shaking on a train. My mistake was in holding on for the rock-steady loo at Appleby station. Rock-steady it undoubtedly was but LOCKED it most certainly was also. I know many stations these days don't have toilets but Appleby was a restored 'old style' station so surely it could be relied upon to come to the aid of the bladder-stressed traveller. WRONG! Finding the ladies locked was a real scare. If there had been any station staff around I might have plucked-up the courage to ask if they had the key, but the only people around where a few passengers and none of them appeared to need the 'facilities'. Wow, did I need the 'facilities' now! Fortunately Ted had wondered off a little way so hadn't seen me trying the toilet door. I quickly joined him since lingering by the door would serve no useful purpose. “OK?” he said and I simply smiled and nodded. I should have admitted the fact that I had been barred access to the loo and the relief that would have brought, but I didn't – I couldn't. If I had been sensible I would have told him I was nursing a very full bladder and had to find an unlocked loo quickly, but I've always been too shy about needing a wee, so I remained dumb. Ted had a brochure containing a walk-plan which he assured me would take in all the sights. How I hoped one of those sights was a loo! No such luck! We started out by following a path beside the river and before long Ted found a quiet bench in the shade and he quickly settled to look at the river for a while. Sitting was a relief since it allowed me to cross my legs for a little while. It was truly a lovely spot but oh how I ached for a toilet. Ted handed me the guide and I quickly spotted a 'WC' symbol somewhere in the park behind us but how was I going to tell Ted I was in need of a loo, so soon after leaving the station. I had landed myself in a real fix by pretending I had used the loo at the station. I couldn't now tell him I had lied back there and I was STILL nursing a full bladder (even fuller now come to think of it, and I couldn't think of anything else). Suddenly Ted decided that was enough sitting about and suggested we head for the castle. OK, I thought, provided the castle isn't too far away, I'll use the loos there. There had to be loos at the castle, right! Well there might have been but the castle and grounds were closed, locked and barred. Ted was disappointed, I also looked disappointed but was actually horrified at being barred again from a loo. I thought that surely now we would head back to the river and the loo in the park? Then I would tell him I had to use the loo again. Enough time had elapsed for this not to cast suspicion on my pretended visit to the loo at the station. What happened? We got lost! Street after street we trekked and suddenly I'm aware I'm leaking. I could feel a wet patch between my legs, then came a huge spurt. I stopped abruptly to squeeze really hard to stem the flow - for now. Now the inside of my left leg was wet right down to my knee and there might have been a drop or two on my shoes. Thank God I was wearing my best summer flower dress with the very full skirt, which hopefully had concealed my accident but for how long? My knickers were feeling pretty wet but if I could avoid losing any more wee, perhaps today's hot sun would dry me off quickly. Could I hold out for the return train? Another ninety minutes at least. I had to, unless I could spot an alleyway into which I could retreat for a squat-wee. Thank heaven Ted hadn't seen my wet legs, and already they felt almost dry again. One alleyway looked promising and I was about to tell Ted I needed some privacy for a moment when a dog started barking somewhere very close by, then from the top of the alleyway emerged a walker with his barking dog. Oh to think he could have so easily appeared just as I was squatting! I gave up on the idea and resolved myself to having to wait for the train and it's lovely loo, no matter how loudly my bladder screamed for relief. Finally we were back at the station, with about twenty minuted to wait for the train but I bit my lip and crossed my legs so tightly as we waited on the platform bench. Ted was saying how good the day had been but all my attention was taken in visualising the glorious relief coming my way, in just twenty, fifteen, ten minutes. I would immediately go to the loo before the train moved, so avoiding my difficulty of using a rocking loo, although I imagine my bladder would have grabbed the chance to quickly empty even in the middle of an earthquake, but better safe than sorry, so a steady loo sounded like heaven. The train arrived and as we boarded, I let Ted go ahead to find a seat as I charged into the loo. I was dribbling even before I was quite ready and as soon as I got my knickers down the dribble exploded into a flood. Oh, I could write volumes about the profound feeling of relief as my distended and much tortured bladder took the opportunity without any hesitation. I knew I would feel my aching bladder for quite a while as it continued to protest at being stretched so much and for so long, but I could live with that, thank you very much. From how urgently I had charged into the loo, Ted must have guessed how desperate I had been but hopefully he didn't know for how long I had been longing, aching, bursting for a wee. Will I ever tell him about the locked station loo? Probably not; definitely not! Will I ever admit to having wet my knickers during the walk back to the station; absolutely not! He must never know what a silly girl I am! ----- Tom's Secret Diary – Sunday 27th May What a day today has been! Penny was so cute and so very brave. I suspected something was wrong at the station when she headed straight for the ladies. The fact that she returned so promptly coupled with the fact that I know the toilets are usually locked on Sundays, was strong evidence to suggest she hadn't been able to attend to her urgent need. She said she was OK (silly, brave girl) but knowing what I now knew got me all excited. She had clearly boxed herself into a difficult situation. I couldn't ask “Do you want to wee?” since she was having me believe she has just successfully been to the ladies. She wasn't about to say “Actually I do need a loo badly” because she had just said she was OK. I have huge admiration for her endeavours in concealing her plight. At one point I thought she was about to admit to desperately needing a loo but then we came upon a group of people so her chance had passed for now. I could see that returning directly to the park would inevitably lead passed the playground toilets but I had a great idea. I would pretend to be lost so we could take a long and contorted route back to the station, avoiding the encounter with any public conveniences in the park. I eagerly watched her stiff-legged walk as the walk progressed and after seeing her suddenly and abruptly stop once or twice, I did wonder if she was about to lose control of her bladder. Had she wet? Had she suppressed the urge in time? Was that a whimper I heard? Wow! was that wet on her legs or just the sun on her gloss tights? I like to think she had weed a little and the shiny leg look was indeed due to wet rather than just the sun catching the sheen of her tights. I loved the way she kept looking this way and that, looking, I'm sure for a private corner or niche into which she could hide for a squat-wee. Would she have squatted up an alleyway, given the chance? Probably not since there where just too many people around today to make it a viable option, but a bursting bladder can force you to do the most embarrassing things in order to get relief and avoid a humiliating public wetting, so who knows. I was truly amazed that she made it back to the station without further incident but I've never seen anyone cross their legs that tightly before as we sat waiting for the train home. I'm sure she wanted to jiggle about as we sat there but to her ladylike credit, she didn't; just gripped her thighs as tightly as a clam (assuming clams have thighs). The poor girl must have been frantic for a wee but she managed to keep her secret concealed from me - she thinks! When we boarded the train I wasn't surprised to see her vanish immediately into the loo. I could almost feel the relief radiating from that little room. What a girl! Will she ever tell me she was bursting? Probably not. Will she ever tell me whether or not she had wet herself, ever so slightly?Probably not. Will I ever tell her I knew all along she had but one thought on her mind all day? Probably not. Will I ever tell her how her plight turned me on? Well, maybe one day!
First of all, I'd like to take the time to thank anyone and everyone who's read my stuff, and who's reading this now. THANK YOU and GOD BLESS. So far, the community is really warm and respectful, even when people do disagree, which is REAL NICE to see on the internet. To omorashi.org and all it's people, Good Job on making this such a great place to admit to our wonderful oddities. :] Right... moving on. I wrote this as a pure piece of original FICTION. I use no real places or people in my writing, and it is all a part of my own fantasies. If you have any suggestions, ratings, comments, or fantasies of your own you want me to try and add, then let me know and if it fits, and I like it, I just may add it. I can't do Yuri/Yaoi, though. Not into that, so I can't write about it... It starts off with two males, brothers, who live together due to their parent's deaths years back. I plan, however, to eventually (if not slowly) add in some female characters and desperation, maybe some LIGHT bondage (included with the wetting), and maybe some other elements. Just post and let me know any ideas, scenarios, suggestions, that sort of thing. This is my story, but it's your story to. :] After all, you're the one reading it. If you like it at all, and/or want me to continue, please say so. I'm nervous about posting it, especially since I go slow and ramble on, and not sure how long I will/can keep this up. So if you like it, please tell me, or if I feel I'm wasting my time I can always drop it. Not a threat, just a warning... If I don't get interest, it will be hard for me to keep going. ******WARNING****** Story subject to many elements, some unknown, and Characters / Scenarios subject to change upon original intentions. Story is NOT planned out far, so length and possibilities are endless. Also, any resemblance to real life, to people, to places, to personalities, to experiences, other stories, etc. are of mere coincidence and not meant for offence. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Feel free to keep it for yourself, but give me credit, and DO NOT post this story elsewhere, without my permission. Thank you, and have a nice day. ======================================================================================================================================= *It starts off a bit slow, but it gets better, I promise. A better wetting is coming up in chapter four (if you want longer chapters, let me know, or if they are too long, let me know as well. I wasn't sure where to leave off.). There are chapters leading up to omorashi. This style, to, is subject to change upon need and my will. Consider this an experimental text on chapter content and length. A Counting For Storms Chapter One “Please, big brother, I have to go-o!” Rain squirmed, helpless in front of the only bathroom door as a spurt of urine escaped into his dark blue pajamas. Both hands were holding himself already, attempting to stop the inevitable for just a short while longer. “Come on, I need to pee! Or I’ll go on the carpet!” he yelled threateningly, desperately, getting more and more upset that his brother was being so slow. He knew this game well, as it was often played in the mornings by his brother, who apparently loved to hog the bathroom as long as possible, knowing full well Rain always needed to pee badly in the mornings. “You can hold it.” There was a light laughter in Nile’s voice. “You are fifteen, aren’t you?” Nile himself was twenty-five, and had raised his younger brother by himself for the past seven years. Despite being so far apart in age, the two normally got along pretty well… they only fought at times like this. Of course, this was no accidental delay, as it seemed the younger was about to have. “Baby boy, just wait a minute longer. I just need to brush my teeth now.” “You’re such an ass!” Rain complained, as he doubled over and bent his knees, trying everything he could do to hold back the flood, to no avail as another small spurt escaped. “This is what I get for drinking juice before bed.” he whined quietly to himself, voice in a whisper tone. Finally, the faucet was turned on low, a small stream taunting his aching bladder, while his brother was heard fumbling around in the medicine cabinet for his tooth-brush. The pulsing sensation grew worse as his brother started to brush his teeth. “Come on,” he told himself. “One more minute…” By now, his body was shaking with need and sweating slightly from desperation, the dampness a constant reminder of what was to come. “Brother!” he called through the locked door, “Hurry up!” A contraction in his bladder made him flinch, a larger stream of urine escaping as Nile finally opened the door. “What’s the matter, baby boy, can’t hold your pee?” Nile taunted, moving out of the way, watching as his little brother scampered to the toilet, pants already down and his member aimed at the toilet. It was a perfected skill by now. This had been a routine for years. “Shut up! You’re so mean…” Rain whispered, the relief overwhelming him, his body wanting to fold up and drop to the floor in relaxation. “Barely made it.” He said, once finished, taking off his pants and surveying the damage. The whole front and down the left side was soaked. These would need to be thrown in the wash. “Why can’t you just be nice for once?” “Why can’t you wake up earlier or stop drinking liquid before bed?” Nile responded, his always-present smile plastered on his face, wondering if his little brother enjoyed these predicaments. At the very least, he sure did; the live displays of desperation pleasing to see, even if it was his little brother. Now, Rain was a healthy boy of average height and weight, perhaps a bit on the small side, with an almost blue-tinted shade of short, light colored hair, and round, steel grey eyes. He was the type of person to try and act tough, and hold out during problems, but not with ease, and usually stuck to his older brother like glue. Even so, he hated to be seen as weak – he had enough problems without that. Nile, on the other hand, was tall and delicately toned, with naturally near-white hair that flowed down to his mid-back, sharing the same round, steel grey eyes as his brother. He was the type of person to always have a smile, even to an unnatural point, and was normally harmless. Of course his years spent in karate since a child, and the second degree black belt hidden away in his closet said otherwise. It was a shock when people found out of this, because of his delicate appearance. However, looks could be deceiving. The apartment the two shared was small and cozy, clean (since Nile was a clean freak, though Rain was usually called out on it). It stood on the third story in a three story building in downtown, Rosewood. It was laid out so that one entered the apartment to find the main room on the right, and kitchen through an arch on the left, straight ahead leading into a hallway with the first doorway on the left being the bathroom, just after the closet, and the first door on the right a smaller bedroom (Rain’s room), while the last room on the left was the larger bedroom (Nile’s room). It wasn’t much, but for their income, it was plenty. Rain moved back to his room, dressing quickly in dark blue jeans, a striped white and black shirt, and wearing a thin, dark colored hoodie with silver designs. Walking into the kitchen, he prepared himself a toaster strudel, preferring and easy breakfast to one he would have to spend time cleaning up afterwards. Soon enough, Nile entered and pulled out a small frying pan, planning to make some eggs and toast. Unlike Rain, he loved traditional breakfast, convinced they were what a growing boy needs. “Don’t eat that junk. Honestly, why do I buy it?” Nile complained while removing the eggs from the carton. “You know I don’t like that stuff. Throw it out.” He wore his usual light colored jeans, and a light green shirt under a white jacket. He always wore light colors, and always wore his favorite shade of white. “Why should I.” Rain shook his head in protest. “I thought you hated to waste? Don’t be so over protective.” That’s exactly what his brother was. Over protective, good at acting, and a bit of a troublemaker, yet always playing the good guy… he was dramatic and overbearing at times, but even so, he never had to give up his time or life to raise Rain, so for that Rain was thankful to God every day. “Drink plenty of water. Actually have some orange juice: it has good vitamins. We’re going hiking today.” Nile ordered, finishing the eggs onto two plates, and heading for the bread. Today was one of the last chances to take their outdoor trips before winter set in, so for the weekend they were going to go to a cabin and enjoy nature (one of Nile’s health-based ideas). “Yeah, yeah...” Rain smiled as the eggs and toast were slip before him, sitting on a stool on the island. “Thanks are to the Lord for food.” He said, before digging in almost before he even finished talking. Boy was he starving. “Pee again before you leave.” Nile ordered, sounding somewhat disappointed in himself for having to say so out of brotherly duty. “It’s a long car ride, and you know how I hate to stop.” He took a seat on the other side of Rain. Truth was, he had a bit of a fetish for desperation, and simply loved how funny his precious baby brother looked when desperate for a pee, squirming and shaking his legs, eventually reduced to holding himself. What a sight. It was something he feared he would never get a girlfriend over… oh, how he wanted to see a woman in that predicament! After breakfast, Nile cleaned up as Rain stopped by the loo, and soon after grabbing their supplies, packed readily the night before, they walked out into the early-morning mist, on the foggy mid-October Friday. ================================================================================================================================= I also plan on having more or different description as I grow more comfy with the story, and out of some of the more cliche scenes... But being creative is hard. Haha... also, I want to write longer chapters.... PLEASE tell me honestly all you think, and any suggestions you may have. I can't use them all, but I can take some into consideration. You never know if your idea will be the... lucky one. Thank you again for reading my fantasies. ^.^ *LOVE* I have a special post planned as well, that goes in depth list of the character's personalities, likes, dislikes, and even their birthdays, for if anyone actually cares. I'm odd like that. :] Right.... Thank you, and pressing send. *nervous*
Ok, I have time now, so I will go ahead and post it now. My mom may drop back my later, so I don't want to have the sight up when she comes. It's too odd. :] So.... If you guys like slow chapters at this length, I'll be able to post about a chapter a day, sometimes more. I already have it wrote to the point I'm half through chapter five. Just in case I do run into writing trouble. SO... Here it is, and let me know what you think. Still subject to change. Again, thank you guys for letting me know stuff, and I'm still looking for ideas and suggestions! :] ================================================================================================================================================================= Chapter Two As the two headed for the deep green car, Rain looked up at the sky, hoping it didn’t rain. The puns on both their names were horrible. What could he say? They had pretty odd parents, who both loved to travel around the world, enjoying their studies. He couldn’t remember what it was they did, and Nile refused to talk about them, so it was destined to be left unknown. It wasn’t long until they were on the road, the endless stretch before them, soon to be headed out of town and into the vast countryside full of bluffs and hills, and plenty of scenery, despite the occasional small-towns, houses, or attractions. It really was the perfect spot. Nile looked over at Rain with interest, getting an idea for a little road trip fun. It was cruel, but there was nothing better to do… “Let’s stop before we get out of town and pick up some snacks and drinks. I didn’t think about that before now. We can even get a soda; today’s a special weekend.” As well as a long, four, plus, hour car ride with no breaks or pullovers, no radio, and little conversation, knowing Rain. Rain crossed his arms in protest, ignoring his brother. Like he didn’t know what was going on… though… a nice orange soda didn’t sound too bad, and it was a rare treat that he was aloud soda, after all… Nothing was more annoying than being stuck without your favorite things because your older brother was overly conscious and a jerk about it. Everyone thought his brother was so great… he kind of was, but only if they knew… “Don’t give me that, Rain. There’s plenty of sunshine to come, so just smile.” A soft laugh came into existence, flowing from Nile naturally. “Don’t be such a sour-puss.” He added, pulling into the small roadside convenience store located just before the city limits. It looked a bit run-down, but they all sold the same stuff these days. “Sorry, Nile.” Rain apologized. Really, he was still mad about this morning; his brother had done that on purpose. However, he did love his brother, as strange as he was, and it was going to be a real nice weekend... a good break from school. Things hadn’t been going too well lately. His grades were less than pleasant, he was failing his Writing class, and nervous over the big speech he would have to present in front of everyone, there was a bit of trouble with a jerk who hated him, who happened to be his crush’s boyfriend. Things just weren’t adding up these days. “It’s of no concern now. Wait here. What would you like?” Nile asked politely, opening the driver’s side door. “I’ll take an orange soda and a snack… maybe some chips and a muffin?” Rain was not sure what the limits were here, but he was going to push for something good, if he could have it. Nile seemed to pause, thinking, looking concerned. “But… a muffin and chips… you know that’s not good! Why not have a… an apple? Or banana?” he pressed. “What if you get used to this sweet stuff, huh? It’s not good for you. You could start keeping things from me, hiding junk food, and your body will become unhealthy and you could get sick. What am I to do then? And what about…” “Brother! It’s just this ONE time, and you already promised, didn’t you? Besides, I’m not going to turn rebellious and die over eating a muffin. But if you really want to take back your word…” If Nile could be dramatic, he could play his cards as well. “I thought this was supposed to be a special trip. Guess not.” He sighed, playing off the scene as disappointment. Nile looked sad in his eyes, the smile stretched thin across his face, having disappeared. “I don’t know… You know I can’t break a promise! This is a special trip, but I just…. Oh, fine!” he consented. “Just this one time, I’ll let it slide, but only if you have something healthy later.” “Ok.” Rain agreed, knowing it’s the best he could hope for, as his brother then closed the car door and walked into the store. He came out a few moments later, with a bag of “goodies” and drinks. Once again, they hit the road, Rain digging out the tall bottle of orange soda, and a large heath candy bar muffin. He’d save the muffin for later, but for now he wanted to drink a cool sip of the sugary drink. While he didn’t want to admit it, he was as excited as a little kid getting a sip of their parent’s mountain dew. The cap screwed off with a click as the plastic separated. Slowly, he lifted the round opening upwards, pressing it to his lips, and enjoying the sensation as the orange colored liquid fizzed, and flowed down his throat. Nile smiled, glancing over at Rain, who was enjoying a long, cool drink of soda. He knew for a fact that the soda would kick in relatively soon, and that too much sugar made his brother thirsty for more, or else needing water. And he was well prepared, having gotten two extra-sized bottles of water, the large kind with a pop-open top to drink from. Thinking of these things, his heart panged, almost feeling for the boy who was falling so well into his trap. If only he had a girl he could enjoy this with, a cute brunette with decent features and an active bladder… perhaps hand’s locked to the sides of the seat… and… Crap, better be careful not to get excited. What could he hope for? Despite his good looks, he just couldn’t get the right girl. Not just anyone would do, after all. He needed someone willing to hold for him, and someone who knew him, not just someone in for a quick buck – he’d had plenty experience around them, working as he did. The silence drifted between the brothers to the point it grew deafening. It’s not that they didn’t get along, but lately there just hadn’t been much to talk about. In fact, their relationship was on a bit of a downward slump, which was also a reason for this trip. It was to hopefully relax the tension between them. Both decided not to rush things, Nile from careful thoughts, and Rain from slight disinterest. Instead, they stared out at the increasing scenery and they headed down the road, the buildings, houses, lights, and cars being exchanged for nature. Trees stood tall, birds flapping about, and plenty of flowing hills. It was relaxing, and the air between the brothers started to move, the ice separating them slowly starting to melt. Forty-five minutes into the trip, surrounded by more and more country houses and natural scenery, Rain had downed the soda and had started on the water to cure his thirst. To his unknown horror, the smallest hint of need became present in his thoughtlessly filling bladder. --------------- I can keep them around this length, or make them a little longer, or just end when the chapter's good. Still haven't really decided. To make this a story, and somewhat realistic, there may not be omo in every chapter, since I may build up to it. Anyways, talk to meh. :] Edited May 29, 2012 by Night (see edit history)
I'm so glad you guys like it. Yes, I should be able to post daily chapters, as long as they are of this length. This story is going well, I think (I'm on chapter Five, almost Six). Hopefully I won't run into any blocks... Haha... Thanks, this is the first time sharing my writing online, so I'm glad you guys are at least enjoying it. :] ================================================================================================================================================================ With about just over three hours to go before they reached the cabin grounds, Rain began to feel pressure being added to his lower abdomen as his bladder began climbing the scale of desperation. For the moment, it wasn’t bad, hardly noticeable, but with the long drive still ahead, he couldn’t help but to be nervous. No matter how you tried, you couldn’t look tough, prepared, and composed if you were squirming around in your seat and trying not to pee. Plus, like his brother already said, there would be no stops of any kind. He had claimed a couple days ago he wanted to get there before other’s that weekend, the reason he took today off of school. Rain, however, doubted he really had plans at all. The nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach caused Rain great annoyance, and kept his mind on his bladder, which was filling pretty quickly by now. A whole bottle of soda and little water were on its own trip through his systems, not to mention some orange juice from earlier. After ten minutes, he had managed to calm down his nerves a bit, encouraging himself, but that did nothing for his ever present, increasing need to urinate. Finally, he decided to take his mind off of it completely, and an hour into the trip he started on his muffin. Now this… this was a particularly rare treat, not having had a muffin, or other similar sweet, since his brother’s birthday last May. The muffin was a Heath (candy bar) Muffin, full of delicious taste and crumbly sweetness. Despite the fact it was a little dry because of sitting out for an hour, it was really good. And mammoth sized. Between his appetite and his craving for the sugary taste, it was gone in a couple of minutes. Of course, now he was thirsty. Trying to ignore his thirst, he looked out the window and focused on the scenery for another four or five minutes… slowly, his thirst increased along with his need. Knowing there was plenty of traveling time yet, he didn’t want to make things worse for himself, but all in all it was hard to relax with a dry throat. It was decided a little water wouldn’t hurt; he reached over to his water and slowly brought it up to his lips. Automatically, his head tilted back and he allowed the water to be gulped down in large quantities. Before he realized it… almost half of the large bottle was now gone. While his thirst was well quenched, he knew his bladder would pay the price later. Dreadfully, he glanced over at the time and regretted it instantly. They wouldn’t arrive till around 11:20, 11:25 in the morning. Two hours and forty minutes left, already with an increasing need. He knew his brother wouldn’t stop till they arrived, not that there was a place to pull over to begin with. No matter what, he’d just have to wait it out and see if he could hold it until they got there… It was… kind of… no! He was just nervous, that’s all it was. Surely. Nile had had his eyes on the road for a while, but even so didn’t miss it when he looked over at Rain’s bottle of water. Even if he didn’t drink any more, there would be plenty of liquid to fill his bladder. Chances were he was already getting worried over the situation. He didn’t like to get embarrassed, but he sure was good at getting himself in these situations. Hey, no one forced the kid to drink all that soda and water! Plus he knew ahead of time, for years actually, that there were no pullovers on a trip like this. Only on the larger trips, and even then there were few. Either something didn’t quite tick right in that kid’s head, or he was a bit of a glutton for punishment. For the second time today, he wondered if the boy really did share his older brother’s fetish, though perhaps… he didn’t realize it himself. Well, no matter. It would be a very fun topic to approach later! Nile started to wonder if he should try to talk with the boy, when Rain eventually broke the silence for him, which was a bit of a shock. “Nile, where exactly are we going, anyways?” “Well,” Nile answered, happy to be of service, “we’re headed to a place called Kangaroo Cabins. It’s a camp ground where there are old-time looking log cabins to stay in for a historical feel, minus some upgrades of course. It has some facilities, but it’s mostly next to a lake, and set in the woods. There’re some wild animals, boating, fishing, swimming, trails, horse rides… It’s a fun looking place. It’s also great relaxation to be in nature. After all, too much city life is bad for a person’s soul. It was started back in 1952 when….” And he was off. This was exactly the reason asking his brother for information was bad. He was off in one of his high-up and happy moods now, head in the clouds. WHO would want to know all this? He had just asked where they were going; a name and destination would have sufficed. Instead, he got a whole history, activity list, famous founders, and now knew why the lake was shaped that certain way. Twenty minutes later, Nile was off on a related but different topic, explaining the benefits of the natural water supply to the “Cavers Lake”, and explaining its vast underwater cave system where – for the right price – one could pay for diving lessons and go to explore a safe route with a guide in a small group. Nile hadn’t been interested in it, but explaining the properties of the water change was quite interesting for one reason another… About time Rain’s need was getting worse… Would he STOP TALKING ABOUT WATER?! Rain winced, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He could tell his brother seemed to be enjoying the conversation; he always had been the smart one. His fingers were out of mind, tapping on the hand-rest on the car door while he watched straight ahead. This was seriously bad. The need was apparent now as he tried not to squirm, his face growing warm. “Brother, can’t you talk about something else for a while? It’s getting boring.” Truthfully, it had been boring for a while. There it was! The key word was brother. Rain only called him brother when something was up, and judging by all the present signs, that something was likely needing a break for the restroom. He smiled, “I was so trying to keep things interesting! Or do you not enjoy the subject of water? Speaking of… I’m getting a little thirsty myself… do you mind handing my water?” Rain wanted to glare at his brother, unsure what he was playing at. Of course, talking for twenty to thirty minutes straight would give anyone a dry throat… He leaned forward to the bag on the floor, noticing the extra pressure on his filling bladder with great reluctance, as he moved some various things out of the way in order to reach the unopened bottle of water. He handed it to his brother afterwards, while hoping that he didn’t drink too loudly, as Rain tried to play it cool, keeping himself from moving his legs – a feat not possible for much longer. Nile popped the top, and took a good drink to soothe his throat before putting the bottle in the cup holder. It wasn’t enough to make him have a need, but enough to do its job and make things worrisome for Rain. As the drive wore on, the water in the two bottles sloshed around the empty space, tempting Rain to toss them both right out the window. More than just growing uncomfortable, he would have used the restroom by now if he could. In fact, that what he wanted more than anything at the moment, instantly regretting the soda. Still, he tried his best to remain still, bladder pulsating, hands and right leg starting to feel like vibrating. He turned his head out the window, staring out at the vast, dew-covered ground, not wanting his brother to notice his face growing hot. Somewhere around two hours to go, and Rain was at the point he really wanted to pee… ====================================================================================================================================================== 1. Next chapter should be more interesting for you. 2. If you think Nile is cruel NOW.... enough said, you'll see. :] 3. I think Rain trusts his brother a tad too much, at times. There are ulterior motives. About Chapter 4: Things get worse. Will Rain speak up? And what will happen when he does? Will secrets be revealed? We'll just have to wait to see. Thanks for reading the chapter 3!
I don't mind in the least. It's actually helpful for me to see if i'm doing my characters right, because I think the ultimate goal for any writer is to make the readers feel for, or connect with, their characters, to bring the readers to the character's side. Nile's bit of messed up personality is going to come out in this chapter. This will be the ultimate test weather you guys like this character or not, as, like I said, he does have a cruel side... And the desperation is in this chapter as well, so I'm hoping that it makes sense. It's hard to write male desperation, since I'm female, but females are harder characters for me, so it's pick and choose, and I chose male characters. At least your work deletes history. I get to do that manually. I have my little brother over tonight, and my friends over on Friday (oh, why do I keep saying yes? I love to hang out, but they get so loud and in my apartment...) so I'm going to go ahead and post the story early. If I can find time to post tomorrow, I will. Otherwise the chapter may be delayed. :[ ========================================================================================================================================= Chapter Four Was there ever any real hope? To make it two hours without relieving himself, when he was already growing desperate enough to squirm around and fidget, was a tad unrealistic. The only other option, however, was to pee his pants, and that was a definite no-freaking-way. He did not plan to wet himself twice in one day (since it was close enough this morning), let alone in front of his older brother! No… Nile was not someone he wanted to lose control in front of, or even show his desperation. He’d always had a slightly cruel side, and would probably be the one to tease him a bit. Even if he was careful not to go too far, it sure was annoying. Nile’s slight smile still played on his composure, though his habit of smiling was paying off. He did what he could to keep his eyes on the road, though ever so often he found his mind drifting back to Rain, who was noticeably desperate and trying to hide it. He could feel himself growing excited in anticipation before rebuking himself. Rain was probably worried over letting him see, for various reasons. OH, if only he knew the depth of it. It seemed like Rain was a bit double minded. Sometimes he seemed so sure of his brother’s enjoyment, and others he seemed so innocent, so unknowing. He always seemed to get into odd situations. As bad as it was, Nile could use this to his benefit, he was sure. “Rain,” Nile spoke his name slowly, allowing the thought of water to return to the boy’s mind, “What time is it, would you check?” Would. He. Check. With every small shudder of his bladder, he knew the time by heart. The clock that ticked away on his restlessly on his aching, swelling bladder was quit on time, if not a little fast! Would he check? Ha! He’d rather not, but seeing no way to get out of it, he looked over at the clock with his heart beating out of his chest. It was now 9:34 am, and that meant only 14 minutes had drug on by. He still had an hour and forty minutes to live with this, at best. The situation was beginning to look dire, and his efforts would probably be in vain. But there was no way he would embarrass himself again! No way could he pee his pants in the car as a fifteen year old. If anyone found out… he just may die of embarrassment. A minute went by before he realized he had been lost in his own thoughts, Nile patiently waiting for his answer. “Sorry… um…” he looked over at the clock again, feeling his stomach drop in near defeat. “It’s 9:35.” Could time go any slower? Probably not, without going backwards… Even though he couldn’t see the speedometer, he hoped his brother was at least going the speed limit, and not below it like he sometimes did, just to enjoy the ride. If he tried hard enough… with enough effort, he could make it, right? It was well worth a shot, because peeing in the car was not an option. Even as he entertained these thoughts, his bladder laughed in protest. His bladder was feeling as full as an overcrowded theatre during a new hit movie. He could just imagine little urine people pushing and shoving, and his bladder tightened against his jeans and he had to maneuver and close his legs. Nile gave a light-hearted laugh and smiled, “Thanks. So we have over an hour and a half to go… Why don’t you tell me about what’s really going on at school?” After asking this, Nile continued, putting on a whining voice and pouting, “You’ve kept So-o much to yourself lately, and not talking to me at all. I thought we got along?! With you... not even… talking to me… I just can’t go on. What am I to do when I’ve failed this much? I guess my best isn’t good enough! Oh, if only I could do more. Please, what’s really going on? Talk to me.” Talking was much more convenient with Rain when he was vulnerable… he couldn’t put on as much a brave face. ‘You could go faster.’ Rain thought, trying not to move now that his brother’s attention was on him. Unfortunately, his body’s natural instincts took over instantly, his right leg moving back and forth, his lips feeling dry and his left hand absent-mindedly rubbing his leg and every so often taking a small detour to his private. Right now was not a good time to talk, but anything to take his mind off his trouble… “It’s not that! Just… It’s not you, ok? So can’t we just drop it? I’m fine.” “You… really are avoiding me.” Nile’s eyes half closed, the smiling features dropping from his face into a forlorn expression. “You used to tell me everything. And I would always try to make it better.” “Don’t you think that’s the problem?!” Rain raised his voice unintentionally. “You always have to get involved. You can’t just listen, you have to interfere and cause more problems! I don’t need that right now.” He crossed his arms, willing the conversation to drop here. It’s true it’s been a little… tense the past week. No wonder his brother was worried, but that really wasn’t his problem. It was easy to tell Nile was getting frustrated as well, with the silence between them for another few minutes. An hour and a half to go, and the situation couldn’t get much worse. Now there was sure no way for him to get Nile to stop, and no way to avoid the inevitable, as the pressure on his bladder seemed ever increasing. Groaning inwardly, Rain shifted in his seat, moving his body forward and leaning over a bit to put his elbows on his legs for a second. Quickly he shifted back and tried looking out the window, thighs closer together than ever, as he desperately wanted to hold himself. Eventually, he sighed, deciding he took it too far, even if it was true. It wasn’t Nile’s fault. “Brother?” he asked cautiously. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to say that.” Everyone coped with things differently. “It’s just… I have to deal with certain things at school and…” He winced, sucking a breath between his teeth, not able to continue as the hot pee reached the end of its road, and threatened to dive off the edge. Still, he tried not to let it show, though that now seemed a fool’s journey. Nile had his eyes narrowed and glaring the life away from the road ahead, forgetting all about the reason for the trip momentarily. His knuckles were near white against the steering wheel and his whole body was rigid with anger, though he controlled it. That had been a low blow; it was something he heard enough from others without his little brother joining in. “It’s fine then.” His voice was monotone. “No it’s not! I said sorry. I’ve…” Rain knew he’d have to fix this; having his brother’s anger was terrifying. What ever happened to his smile in these moments? Did it hide, or did it die altogether? “I’ve been having problems with another guy at school. He hangs out with a rougher crowd than I do.” Rain wasn’t weak, but against four other guys, two of which were bigger than him, there was not much he could do besides yell and get his ass kicked. “I looked the wrong way in the wrong direction, and… well… let’s say he’s had it out for me ever since.” Nile exhaled a long breath, “I’m sorry to hear that.” He said honestly, the previous insult forgotten. “You should have taken some useful sport. Martial arts you can at least fight. What are you going to do learning track? Run off?” On a second thought, he added, “Though… honestly that’s a better option. I don’t want you hurt. I’d have to kill someone.” He said in an almost pitying voice. He hoped Nile was joking. Rain stayed quiet, willing control over his body. A small spurt just escaped into his jeans, and he had moved his hand to put helpful pressure on the leak. “I can’t… talk right now.” He said with some difficulty. Suddenly, Nile recalled Rain’s bladder, and decided now was a good time as ever to press it. “Are you ok? What’s going on right now?” he asked with false concern. Then a cruel smile played at his lips, scratching secrecy off the to-do list. “How long have you needed to pee this badly? You DO need to pee, right? It looks like the relief would feel great at this point… You’ll just have to hold it. Even if I wanted, there’s nowhere to pull over. Pity...” he couldn’t hold back a light laughter, his bad mood replaced with a joyful presence, and a hint of excitement. “Of course it would feel good to pee!” Rain argued back, thinking how sweet relief would feel right now. Bad idea. His free hand, tapping on the arm rest, shot to his private, not sure what else he could do. His bladder had reached the filling point. How much longer was left? Rain looked over at the clock, “I can’t wait another hour and fifteen minutes! Pull over!” he demanded. Nile smiled, relaxed and smiled over at Rain, his voice overly calm and peaceful, “Now… why would I do that?” ==================================================================================================================================== To look for in Chapter 5: -More dialog between the brothers, and more frustrations -Open refusals - Will secrets be officially revealed? -Will Rain get a break, or will his bladder win the war? -Will they ever reach the Cabins?! Stay tuned to find out! (I'm watching too much TV as of late, aren't I? ROFL)
"quite a following of lurkers" :) I love the way that's worded. Haha... My little brother is... 11 I think. Haha... He comes over because I have internet, and he doesn't, plus there's a park at the complex, then his friends also live around here.... He claimed he came to visit me yesterday, and headed for the park! That's just how it is, I guess. :) Since my friends that are coming over tonight are much more nosy than my brother, one of which likes to peek over my shoulder, I won't have time to post or even check back for the rest of the day. They don't mean harm by it, but it get's annoying. I really don't want to explain to him why I'm on this sight. Specially because even though he's younger than me, he's smarter than me in a lot of areas. >.< lol ============================================================================================================================================================== Chapter Five Rain knew his brother could be difficult, but even so he couldn’t stop his face full of horror from looking into his eyes, his mouth hanging slightly open. “What do you mean, why? If you don’t pull over I’ll pee in the car! I can’t hold it that long!” Nile shook his head slightly, laughing, moving his eyes back to the road, “You’ve never been bright, baby boy.” His voice had a mysterious feel with a smirk on his lips. “I know you can’t hold it. I knew that this morning to.” Rain seemed dumfounded. Sure, he knew his brother was an asshole, but what was he getting at? “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, the worry causing him to whine, and he leaned forward in desperation. “Just pull over!” “That’s not going to happen, Rain. Just wait.” “I can’t!” he protested, shaking. An hour and fifteen minutes to go… “I told you I already know you can’t hold it. I just don’t want to pull over just yet.” “That doesn’t make any sense!” “Sure it does.” “Just pull over! Now!” he sucked in a sharp breath as a spurt escaped his bladder, now at capacity and complaining. “Please! Brother, I’m begging you. I’ll do whatever you want!” “It’s not good to hold it in too long, you know.” Nile smiled, laughing a little. “It’s not my choice!” “Really?” he pestered, not able to help bullying his brother a little. “Then why did you drink so much knowing there was a long drive and no stops? And knowing you don’t have a super bladder by any means? And last night… Why did you drink juice before bed, knowing you’d be desperate in the morning, but not wake up sooner knowing I’d get a shower like always? Hmm?” “I… Pull over!” Rain got louder, frustrated and openly squirming as another quick, longer squirt escaped into his pants, this time showing well on his jeans. “Brother!” Nile was silent for a while, before finally speaking with a hint of amusement, “About an hour to go, Rain.” Nile said cruelly, not bothering to hide his smile. The only response from Rain was a defeated whimper as he still remained holding, his body shaking, screaming the need to urinate. Nile sighed, looking over at the boy with pity. “I’m sorry, but you got yourself into it. There’s not even a place to stop, and it’s illegal to just pull over to pee in public. If you need to go, just go. I won’t make fun of you or get mad or anything, trust me.” He was serious, too. It wouldn’t do good to laugh at Rain. Rain really didn’t mean for this to happen. Besides, he was his precious baby brother after all. Rain couldn’t think anymore, as the ok from his older brother signaled to his bladder to release, and it made the decision for him. Hot pee streamed everywhere on the front of his pants and base of his shirt, from the top of his pants to flowing down his legs. There was nothing he could do and he just leaned back in the seat and relaxed, arms dropping to his sides. “How did that feel?” Nile asked his brother, a pleased smile on his face, excited. Rain sighed in an answer, too embarrassed to speak right away. “You have no idea.” ‘Oh, yes I do.’ Nile smiled at his own thoughts. “There’s still a while before we get to the cabin. Do you want to change clothes?” “Nile.” Rain said in a drowsy, relaxed voice, a ‘you’re an idiot’ expression showing. “Yes, Rain?” Nile knew what he was about to say. “You really… are an ass.” “I know, baby boy. I know.” Nile said proudly, finally picking up speed to get there a little faster. *Arriving at the Cabins* The first thing Rain did was head for the showers, with a clean pair of pants. The pee was now pretty itchy, as he had refused to stop to change, too embarrassed, despite his brother’s warnings. Now he was regretting that a bit, and wishing he had listened. Too late now… Instead, all he could to was to wash up. He did so in record time, and felt a hundred times better after doing so. When he was done, he met up with his brother back at the cabin. It was a standard, one room cabin, with a heater, a small “kitchen” of sorts, and two sets of bunk beds. It had a rather cozy feel that somehow left someone with a bit of nostalgia. It really wasn’t that dirty, either, for being a cabin in the middle of the woods. This may not have been a wasted trip after all… as long as Nile behaved and didn’t pull any of his tricks. “Rain, boy, you’re back. Enjoy your shower?” Nile sat on the left bottom bed, hands folded in his lap, and a small smile on his face. There was a hint of laughter when he spoke, and his eyes were filled with curious amusement. “I’m still mad at you.” was all rain managed to say; no reason in him not to be stubborn after his brother clearly did that on purpose. “Anyways, what are we doing the rest of the day?” Nile brought a hand to his chin in thought, “What shall we do… There’s that planned for tomorrow, and I don’t want to do that till the next day… how about we try a trail ride, or go fishing? It could be fun.” Rain thought, ‘Fun for a kid, maybe.’ but kept it to himself. There was no reason to make things worse between them; despite it all, Nile was actually a sensitive type of person. He took things offensively. “I suppose. Though I’m not sure about being near water right now… Fine, I guess a trail ride it is.” Nile smiled, rose, walked over to his brother, and gave him a hug, much to his brother’s distaste at the moment. “Alright, let’s walk there and see if we can get a couple horses. This’ll give us time to bond, and we’ll be all friendly and happy again! Then when we get home, I can make us something to celebrate… like that sparkling grape juice you get at the store, and maybe even bake something… Ah! We could have fried chicken, we haven’t had that in a while, and maybe something like cake or pie…” While Nile began excitedly discussing thoughts for the future, they headed out the cabin, locked up, and aimed for the horses and trails. ================================================================================================================================================================ This was a very fun chapter to write! Haha... I love Nile. I really do. What to look for in Chapter Six: -Horse ride (???) -Taking a stab at the problems between them -And a good nights rest? ((It's a more dull chapter, which is why I hurried through the rest of the dull day. It doesn't even make much sense to me, either, so I just basically flew over it. However, I do have some fun planned in chapter seven, but I haven't written that yet, so we'll all have to wait and see what's next in store for poor Rain. Maybe I'll give Rain his payback. :)
UPDATE I have to brainstorm ideas for chapter seven, and I decided I won't post a chapter on Sunday, being a holy day of rest for me. That, and a bit of stressing out over a couple things in my personal life... I need the relaxation. I will probably be back to writing on Monday, and post the next chapter then. For now... Enjoy the revised chapter 6! I had part of seven written, but i've decided I hate it. I don't like it. It has to go. :/ So I'll have to seriously think. It may be Tuesday before I can get the chance to just sit and write again, and have some good ideas. Anyways.... Enjoy! ================================================================================================================================================================== Chapter Six This nature adventure, the more Rain thought about it, didn’t seem that bad. He’d never spent much time around horses or any other large animals. Surely it couldn’t be that hard? He knew that their parents had taken them once or twice to a ranch before they passed on, but he had been too young to really remember. Sure, maybe he was just a little nervous about being on a twelve-hundred plus pounds animal that was probably smarter than he was. For sure, he wasn’t scared of getting hurt in any way; it wouldn’t be the first time he broke a bone or twisted something, but his brother’s over-reacting was enough to be careful. Last time he sprained his ankle he was bed-ridden for a week, when he could walk just fine. That’s how Nile was, overprotective. In a way, it made Rain glad – of course, it’s not something he could admit. Really… it was a bother. If only Nile would leave things alone and let him… forget it, Nile would never leave him alone. There were a couple horses being saddled, a large, white and grey dappled horse, and a slightly smaller brown horse with a white stocking on its front left and hind right legs, a diamond on its forehead. A middle-aged man in dirty overalls and a dusty cowboy hat greeted them, “You boys lookin’ for them horses? We’s got a couple here’n now. Jus’ show the slip.” Nile pulled out the receipt slip from his pocket, showing it to the man. “Good. Here ya’ll go. If ya’ got ‘em problems, jus’ ask for Randy, that’s me.” Thanking the man, Nile hopped up on the horse, truly looking like a prince up there on his noble steed. “Well, are you getting on? It’s just like in the movies.” Nile seemed to be enjoying himself. “I’ve never been on a horse!” Rain said, following his brother’s example to climb onto the horse’s back. The horse… was taller than he had thought. It had been a little difficult to get his foot in the hole, but now he realized: up was easy. He was high up, sitting on the back of this animal, it’s deep, warm breath… lungs contracting and relaxing beneath him… its head shaking back an fourth as it walked forward, following its fellow horse. The animal – dubbed Thunder – flexed its muscles, stretching its legs and picking up speed. Nile had sped up, and so had Rain, both resting on the backs of the horses below them. It was a bit hard to sit, after sitting all morning, but even so it wasn’t that bad. Actually, Raid was starting to have a little fun by the time they started down the trail. Nile was starting to speak again, going on and on about something or another that Rain didn’t fully understand. Something about the west, mines, and bank robbers. “…then, back in 18…” “Nile.” Rain said, stopping his brother’s speech. “Have you ever liked someone?” “What do you mean, like someone? Like as in friends or like as in wanting something more?” He didn’t sound too sure of the subject, probably hoping it was for former rather than the later. “As in wanting more.” Rain blushed, glad Nile couldn’t see. “I suppose so, but it just didn’t work out like that.” Nile answered. “Why do you ask?” “No reason.” “Rain…” he warned. “Ok, so there’s this girl I might, sort of… like. Problem is, she’s dating a future gang member, I’m sure of it.” “It’s best not to get involved.” “How can you say that? I can’t help it.” Rain lowered his head like a puppy being scolded. “That bad, huh? Then all you can do is wait. If you stand against it, the girl will probably just think you don’t value her feelings. She’s liking him, for whatever reason, after all. Don’t worry about it. Have you tried confessing at the least?” “Confessing? Well… not really.” Rain waited for a moment before sighing, “Ok, no. But it’s not that easy, less I want to be flying with the angels.” The horses were making their way down the trail, and several minutes passed before either spoke again. “Well, give it time. Patience will be rewarded. Just as long as you aren’t forgetting to do your part.” Nile sighed. So his baby brother was finally after a girl. He’d get one before his older brother; how sad would that be. Nile wanted a girlfriend to. “Is that what’s been troubling you?” “Sorta… Don’t worry about it…” He didn’t want to bring up failing the tenth grade on a weekend like this. Maybe he could raise his grades before his brother found out… and avoid any problems… The trail ride was a mixture of fast and slow, as Nile led the way into the woods, and through a clearing, before looping back around. At one point, they stopped at a beautiful natural river and chose to rest, not saying much of anything. Later, as the two brothers headed back to the cabin and off to dream-land, Rain couldn’t help but to think the day had ended on a pretty nice note. But the deeds done earlier, the wetting, had not been forgotten, as Rain began thinking up a plan for a little payback… but how could he pull something off against his brother? Well… tomorrow would bring its own plans and worries. Tonight, it was time to rest…
Glad you guys are liking this so far! And to "Mr.MakeherWait", it will have female in it, as soon as this "weekend" is done, and that's in about... two or three chapters, since I don't know much about camping myself. Plus it is tagged male as well, first, and I don't know how to tag it with a blue tag... I don't think it's possible now that I already made the topic... Sorry. There's not much I can do, less there's something I don't know about... To the rest that read my story, and enjoy it, I'm glad you guys are liking it, and want to inform you I'm over my slump in writing. I finally found something decent to write about, and will have some more wetting in the next chapter or so, since I don't want to write another wetting on the trip home.... That'd give Rain a fear of cars. lol What's coming, is I plan on getting through the weekend in the next couple of chapters, and have Rain start working towards... confessing... to the girl he loves, and finds a way to make her his, so to speak. I do want to include her, and maybe even take a peak into Nile's work-life. Plus there's apparently a problem with Nile I didn't know about till now (nightmares?) and more to work out for the brothers.... Lots of interesting (I hope) chapters are coming. Please let me know of any ideas you have, and anything you would like to see. Thank you. :) ========================================================================================================================================================== Chapter Seven Everyone has their secrets… Like every night, Nile tossed and turned till he finally awoke with a jolt, lucky not to hit his head on the bunk above him. His sheets were annoyingly tangled around him, and annoyingly wet with sweat – thankfully nothing more. Like every night, the images burn themselves into his memory, like an evil tattoo upon his heart. It was always the same… Darkness… Flashing lights… Sirens… The patter of rain… an unforgettable terror… After adjusting to reality, Nile kicked the blanket off with a sigh, and went ahead to pick out his clothes for the day. Being as they would be around water all day… it didn’t make sense to shower just yet, even if he wanted to rid his body of the heat. He dressed in loose white pants and light blue t-shirt with dark blue designs and the words “Live Forever” etched on the front, covered again in his favorite, light white jacket. Wide awake, his expression twisted into a past-darkened frown, he stepped out of the cabin into the chilly dawn, sitting on one of the four carefully cut and placed logs around the fire pit. With a sigh, he lost himself in thoughts of what-ifs and would-be’s - the chains of life threatening to drown him. Unknowing to him, back inside the cabin Rain was just beginning to stir… Rain woke up feeling groggy, not wanting to move. The ever familiar twinge in his bladder had forced him awake, when all he wanted was to curl up under the blankets and fall back asleep. He curled up, despite his body’s protests, clinging onto the side of the pillow with a good grip, less anyone try to move it and wake him. A spurt escaped into his pants, jerking him instantly from his slumber as his thighs pressed together and his hand shot downward. “Crap!” slipped from his mouth in his sleep-drunken state of mind, while he fought with the covers to let him out of bed. Finally getting free, he didn’t even have time to search for Nile as he bolted out the door. Instead of being concerned with why the door was unlocked, or making it up to the bathrooms, he went to the side of the cabin and started going there, no time to make any better decisions. After a good, long pee, he replaced his pants and started walking to the door, startled to find Nile sitting, back to him, not moving. Something about him just seemed… different. “Nile?” he asked, moving closer, with no response. Walking closer he tried again, while placing his left hand on Niles right shoulder gently, “Brother?” Nile, clearly surprised, spun around and had his left hand on Rain’s throat, his right ready to defend or attack, body posed with perfect memory of his training. Rain jumped and whimpered at his brother, unsure, fearful, as Nile’s eyes glared into him with a heavy frown. Jumping backwards, releasing his younger brother, Nile looked apologetic, and laughed, putting on a smile. “Sorry, sorry. Just… a bad dream…” he started to explain, leaving out the big details, “What are you doing out here so early?” Rain was frozen. It felt like his body had been successfully paralyzed, and his mind wiped blank. All he could see was his brother’s terrifying expression… it had been a long, long time since he had seen a look like that… what did it really mean? Nile placed a careful hand on his brother’s head, “You snuck up on me, sorry. I didn’t hear you.” “I was calling for you.” Rain managed to say. “What? You always attack anyone who gets close to you?” “It’s not that… I’m just used to working with some less-than-pleasant people.” Nile told half-truthfully. Though… he had merely been lost in thought, and hadn’t realized where he was. “I’d get a new job.” Rain said, accepting his brother’s hand to help him off the ground, where he had fallen. “Sorry I startled you.” “I was not startled, I was caught off guard.” “Right.” Rain rolled his eyes. “Never mind that, what are we doing today?” “About that… wear something good for getting wet. We’re headed to the lake today. “We came all this way to go to a lake?” Rain asked, quizzical. “You’ll see. Just get dressed.” Nile laughed, the usual smile having found its way home. Sometimes, Rain wondered if that smile was only half of who Nile was… Rain dressed in dark jeans, a light red shirt with a fire pattern, and a thin, dark-grey jacket. After putting his shoes on, he headed out to look for his brother, who was caught stretching for the day. Nile smiled over at Rain, everything from the morning already forgotten, as they headed down the path towards the lakefront… “Nile,” Rain looked to his brother. He, however, had not forgotten the events that just took place. Thinking hard, he wanted to find a way to ask about it, not that Nile would ever tell him the truth. “What is it?” Nile questioned, a slight suspicion hidden in his voice. Rain chickened out. “Nothing… It’s a nice sunrise.” He added, hoping that hadn’t been too lame. “Yes it is.” Nile laughed, as they reached the water, together.
I guess I took another break. I'd like to say that some stuff popped up or I was busy in life, but honestly it was depression mixed with laziness. Hopefully I've got that squared away. :) Here's the long awaited update to the story. Hope you guys didn't forget it! If so... T.T I guess you'll just have to read it again. :) Haha... Anyways, I enjoyed this chapter, and have a really fun chapter planned for chapter nine. Hope you guys forgive me, lol, and definitely enjoy this chapter! ================================================================================================================================================================= Chapter Eight As soon as they reached the water, a guide came from an old, dusty shack next to the lake, waving his hand in the air with a salesman smile. The little old fisher’s shack was filled with different equipment such as lures, bobbers, hooks, and worms, as well as life jackets and some kayaks lined against the walls, alongside some ski’s and tubes. “What ‘cha here for? We’ve got lots to choose from!” Nile laughed and pointed down the lake. “We’re looking for the falls, and the cabin.” He said, somewhat encoded, so Rain still had no clue what they were doing. “We’re taking a little adventure of trust today.” Trust? Trust was a nifty word, but it was a harder experience in reality. Rain did trust his brother, usually, but the guy seemed off right now. How would this day wind up? And what exactly did his eccentric brother have in mind when he said trust? Rain groaned inwardly, wondering what would go on throughout the course of the day. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be much trouble… The guide seemed to understand perfectly, much to Rains disadvantage. “I see, I see! You will enjoy a relaxing trip and splendid view. I suggest taking this boat over here. It has a good, steady control and a nice bottom as well, it won’t loose on you.” He led the way to a very nice looking boat, and walked over to the shack. After a few seconds of careful consideration, the guide picked out two paddles for them to use. Handing them over, he explained how the paddle should never touch the ground, especially the sand, or you have to kiss it. Rain tried not to roll his eyes, and resisted the urge to drop the paddle… but Nile would probably enjoy forcing him to kiss the stupid paddle in apology or whatever. Finally, after too much instruction, they were set on their way by themselves to enjoy the day and their little “adventure of trust”. A few moments on silence crept by before Rain spoke up again, “Nile, what do you mean by trust? I trust you.” “We’ll see.” Nile said, something seeming to hide behind his smile... “I know you do. It’s just for fun.” He added with a laugh. “Come on,” Rain said, “Is something going on?” It was hard to breathe right when talking, so paddling the boat became even more of a chore as Rain paddled following his brother’s lead. Nile sat in the front of the thin paddle-type boat, and Rain in the back, so Rain had no clue where they were headed. Only… there was water all around, and they never ate breakfast, which was unusual, considering his brother’s normal insistence. Today was almost like the twilight zone. Any minute, Rain expected a fish to leap up and talk to them, or time to start all over. Nile ignored Rain, “Just trust me, would you? You’re going to have fun today. Speaking of which, how was the trail-ride yesterday? Did you really enjoy it?” Rain sighed. It was no use, and it was starting to get him angry. What was up with Nile’s actions and words; why was everything so off today? Rain missed his usual brother, oddly enough, and found it hard to admit to himself that he was worried. “Yeah, it was different, but it wasn’t bad at all. I actually like it a bit.” He was glad Nile couldn’t see him blush a bit. The whole horse thing still seemed a little awkward. Nile replied, “That’s good.” Then they fell back into silence. About fifteen minutes later, they started to head up a narrow part of the lake, that quickly turned into a very slow river. Paddling became harder as they went against the flow, aiming the boat upstream. Ten minutes after that, They stopped the boat and looked ahead. The sound of lots of water sliding along rocks and hitting water echoed the small open “pond”. The side of the small cliff looked jagged, with large, smooth, flaky black rocks that guided the water down in an array of lots of small waterfalls. Even for Rain’s pride, he had to admit the sight was breathtaking and very beautiful, making the whole trip worth it. On the ground above the cliff, you could just see a large cabin to the right, and a small steep trail leading up to it. “Welcome to Gypsy Falls!” Nile exclaimed. “I wanted it to be a surprise.” He sounded proud and filled with victory. “You did a good job.” Rain had to admit, the sights and sounds all rather calming, an air of peace breathed over him, into him. For a moment, it was as if the morning didn’t matter, as if he knew everything would be ok. Nile moved the boat closer and climbed up onto one of the large rocks to the side, that water was flowing over. “What are you doing?” Rain asked, somewhat alarmed. “We’re going to play a little game. Do you trust me?” Nile looked down at Rain, a small flat smile taking its place, unsure. Rain looked down at the water, “I don’t know.” He answered honestly. “Lately we’ve not gotten along as well as we used to, and I know that’s at least partially my fault but… today… you’re not… like usual.” Truthfully, Rain was a bit scared. Of his brother changing, and leaving him behind, leaving him out of things… Nile nodded, “I thought so. But you have to trust me. One day I’ll tell you what you do not know. For now, you have to trust I’ll stay with you.” it was as if he was reading Rain’s mind. “How can I do that, when every time I turn around, you’re different? I don’t like it! Mom and dad were different to, then they never came back, they weren’t there!” “Calm down. I can promise you this: Nothing is going to happen to me, and I will never follow their footsteps. I won’t leave you. Just trust that I know what I’m doing.” “Fine,” Rain said without care, “but why are you on the rock?” Nile smiled, “Remember when I said to wear clothes that can get wet?” Rain’s eyes widened… “You wouldn’t. Don’t you know I…” He never got to finish his sentence as Nile leapt down and tipped the boat over with ease, having refused life jackets for a reason. Rain was startled and thrown out of the boat, making a loud splash as the water tried to settle itself. Rain struggled to stay on top of the water, scared to breathe as he couldn’t tell if he was underwater or not. He struggled against the water, against the force holding him. “Calm down.” Nile soothed, holding onto Rain. “I told you, I’d never let you get hurt.” Hearing his brother’s voice, he stopped struggling and let himself be helped to the shoreline, where they crawled out of the water. Rain was quiet. He breathed slowly. He hated the water, but… his brother caused trouble again, but… Nile helped him. Nile was there seemingly before he even touched the water, as impossible as it was, and saved him. Sure he was wet, but something told him Nile would always come to his rescue. “I still hate you sometimes… but…” Rain said slowly, “I think I really do trust you, big brother.” In silence, they walked up the steep inclined trail up to the cabin. A small portion of the cabin was a café, selling a small selection of clothes, and the rest of the cabin seemed to be closed off, having its own secrets to be discovered later on. A sign at the indoor entrance to the larger part of the cabin said, “Trusty Maze entrance”. Nile wouldn’t be planning… he would. And that’s when Rain got an idea, as they changed clothes and sat down to have a bite to eat. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What to look for in the next Chapter 9: a course of ropes, and a tricky cabin. a bit of desperate revenge and a hint of trust or betrayal? We'll have to wait to find out what happens! ((Including me, since I have yet to write it as I post this! Haha))
OK, finally another chapter. If I should continue let me know, of if this is getting old, let me know that to. It's hard to write something by yourself, especially for me who's so out of practice with writing. I don't want to keep this up if no one's interested. But if you are, then I'll try and keep on writing, because I do like this story myself. :] Anyways, the beginnings of more desperation! It'll be better once we get through this long weekend... Enjoy! ================================================================================================================================================================== Chapter Nine After drying off, Nile bought them both new clothes, sticking the wet ones in a plastic bag. Rain wound up wearing a white shirt with the camp logo, some decorative, black and blue shorts, and a black thin jacket with silver “bullet holes” on it. Nile looked just the opposite, dressing in light blue jeans with the camp logo on them, a light colorful jacket with the camp name, and a slightly decorative blue shirt. It felt good to be out of wet clothed, though Rain – who couldn’t swim well – was still sour. Finally, they were able to get a bite to eat for breakfast. Rain ate light, following Nile’s example, ordering only a breakfast sandwich and a tall glass of juice. He ate quickly, then sipped on his orange juice while Nile ate slowly, but downed a whole glass of his favorite cranberry juice and started on another. Even with a light meal, it took a good fifteen minutes before they were through. Just as expected, the two headed right for the in-door maze when ready. The entrance was paid and the brothers walked into the veil of darkness that lay before them. As the door slammed behind them, the last small rays of light evaporated. Alone, they were swallowed in the room with not even a hint of light to guide them, unable to see what’s right in front of their face. It was breathtaking, the hallways many, twisting, splitting, and narrow. Nile assumed he was in the belly of a beast, in a forsaken land. He knew it was a little cruel to knock Rain in the water to test his trust (but he was his brother, he was entitled, right?), and this was his way of repenting for it. Rain was nervous around water, being a not-so-good swimmer. Nile was scared of the darkness, of not being able to see. Now he would have to trust Rain in return. He had been prepared to be lost in the dark, but he hadn’t been ready to face the fact he couldn’t even see his own hand. How did he know it was really there? Things could be happening all around him he didn’t know about, and it terrified him. Just because he couldn’t see it, didn’t mean it wasn’t there; it didn’t make reality any less real. He felt weak, not knowing how long it would take them to find their way, alone, out of the maze. Nile had told them to ignore the time limit, and leave them in there till they found their way out, or it would defeat the purpose. There was no help coming, and no turning back. How long was this maze? How long would they be… would they be forever devoured by the darkness? No… Help me! Rain was surprised Nile dared to walk into this place. His brother was a wimp when it came to the dark, unlike him, though he couldn’t say much, being a wimp around water. He figured this was Nile’s way of paying him back. Rain knew already he would have to take charge… the thought felt weird… It was unnatural, used to always having to bend to his brother’s will. For once, he would be able to show his brother that he wasn’t useless. Good thing Nile couldn’t see his smile. Trying to locate his brother, not a hard task in the narrow hallway, he found him with his back against the wall, probably attempting fruitlessly to see or escape the situation. “Nile? You ok?” “Of course I’m ok! We could die at any moment, what’s there to worry about?” he said sarcastically in a whining tone, so in and out of character all at the same time, Rain held back his laughter. “We’re fine. All we have to do is find the exit, right? Just feel around for any open spaces.” He knew how mazes worked. Always follow the wall, and you’d get out eventually. It was the one thing he did learn in school. Even if Nile did know, he would be too preoccupied to think of it. Slowly, they began to wind their way through the dark, Rain leading and feeling the way while Nile held onto him from behind. Nile seemed reluctant to move at all, but pressed on. If Rain had any cruel thoughts, they disappeared by now. Nile had to trust him. He trusted Nile, and Nile trusted him back… for real. Maybe it was lame, but still… it was… pretty amazing. They moved around for a couple minutes, before they ran into their first obstacle. Nile seemed alarmed, the minute Rain stopped dead, “What? What is it? I can’t see anything!” “I… Feel ropes.” Rain answered, as if it were normal. “Ropes?” “Yeah. Remember those shows where people had to run through that obstacle course, and one of the things was a lot of ropes? If feels like that.” “Wait wait wait. You mean I may be strangled?!” “You won’t be strangled, just go through the ropes, feel your way through.” “I can’t.” Nile decided… “But I can… try… to… follow you…” Rain sighed, “Why do you trust me? I mean… Why do I trust you either? There’s a lot we don’t talk about anymore. Like why are you scared of the dark anyways, and what about this morning?” Nile didn’t reply for a couple minutes. “Nile?” “That’s a lot of questions. And a lot you don’t need to know.” “Why not?!” “Because it could hurt you!” “No, it could hurt you!” Rain argued. “You’re just scared of me ever disobeying or living.” “Or dying!” Nile shot back, feeling awkward not being able to see his little brother. He couldn’t see his expression or read his body language. He couldn’t plan ahead… he was right on the edge of losing his composure. “What do you mean?” Rain asked more sympathetic. “What do you mean dying? You don’t mean because of…” Nile cut him off, “Our parents didn’t just die normally, ok? I can’t say any more.” “Why?” Rain pressed. “I can’t…” Nile whispered, and Rain understood. Whatever happened, Nile had seen, and he was traumatized. “Let’s just get out of here, ok?” he said, shifting his weight. “I’m sorry. We’ll keep going.” Rain’s voice was humbled. Nile didn’t want to say it, but fear and memories weren’t his biggest problem. Facing his fears, he decided that the dark was a lot less to worry about than peeing his pants in public, with his brother watching… Especially since they would be seen by everyone on the way back to camp, and he happened to know the end of the maze was a zip line… All this talking, and Nile really was nervous for his bladder… he had to pee… how many obstacles would they have to go through? He wasn’t sure… he’d…. make it…
Ok, it's been forever. I was struggling weather it was worth it to continue, but alas my happily creepy fantasies in my head are still there, and it turns out they need an outlet. Also, it's past 4 am. There's always good news. It's raining. What better time to write Omo? This one is pretty standard, with (in my opinion) a sort of a look into Nile's head. He has issues. *Point's to the story* There's a part in there where it talks about well... I'll quote: "Who’s dirty, twisted mind thought up such a horrible place? When did this ever seem like a good idea?" Have you ever had those moment where you feel happily cruel? >:] I'm currently trying to remember the last time I took my meds. Anyways, here you go. This chapter's desperation is there, but I'm not confident I did a good job. I'm limited in description (being female, unlike characters) but I did my best. Nile's a hard write... or a head-case, I haven't figured it out either. But he's in MY head, so... what does that say about me? O.O lol Either way, enjoy my burst of strangeness. Chapter Ten He felt like an animal. In the dark, deprived of the use of his sight, Nile’s hearing peaked and he was sure he could hear every little scuttle and scrape the building made against the wind. That’s right… they were in a cabin... they were in the maze… and Nile had to PEE. It was sure the worst timing ever. The first tangle of ropes nearly sent him into a panic attack. Who’s dirty, twisted mind thought up such a horrible place? When did this ever seem like a good idea? ‘I know! Let’s just shove a tight maze into that section over there. And guess what? If we make it dark, we save on electricity! …OH, let’s throw in some random obstacles as well just for messes. That’ll be fun to watch.’ He mocked in his thoughts. His bladder gave a small whine, a trickle of urine escaped. As it was, they had been in there somewhere between five and ten minutes, getting lost several times and running into dead ends. The cabin wasn’t THAT big, that Nile remembered, but in the darkness every little step felt like it was swallowed up and devoured as the dark stretched itself into eternity. Nile was attempting to hold his legs together and walk at the same time, while used a hand to keep track of Rain. He had already gotten lost in this forsaken place once already. As soon as they managed to make it through the obstacle without Nile peeing himself, Rain had walked up a ways – quietly – and Nile found himself lost and on the verge of a panic attack. No time for reminiscing… his bladder sent urgent signals to his head, as if he hadn’t yet noticed that he needed to pee. And badly. Daring to place a hand on his lower abdomen he did… and it was hard. Nile didn’t even remember if he had gone this morning. His bladder didn’t hurt too badly, but it felt like pressure and a slight, easing pain that swept across it. His muscles were tight, starting to issue complaints like lazy workmen. Nile wanted to yell, ‘Shut up and get back to work!’ “When are we going…. to be… out of here?” he asked aloud, failing miserably to hide the desperation in his voice. “How should I know? You wanted to come here.” Rain sighed, “This place is bigger than it looks.” That’s what he was afraid of. A few minutes later, Nile was sure if they weren’t nearing the exit, it wouldn’t make a difference. They would be lost forever in the darkness, and Nile would have to face the inevitable. They had slowed considerably, Nile unable to move at a normal speed. His bladder convulsed. Hissing, he jammed his hands to his crotch, though that didn’t do him much good. At least it made him feel like he had a fighting chance. Time was ticking. Standing still again as Rain tried to figure out some obstacle ahead of them, Nile shifted in place and crossed his legs. Worse of all, he was starting to get turned on. The longer he held, the pain became a sort of odd, guilty pleasure, and he found himself wondering if it was worth it to pee. ‘Just a bit longer.’ He told himself, as he was beginning to lose all reason. An audible while got Rain’s attention. “Is something wrong, brother?” he asked with a light concern. He didn’t want to talk about this. Be it God, fate, or just pure rotten luck, justice was being served, and revenge was a… well, either way he was stuck here with mixed feelings and a swollen bulge in his bladder, his legs crossed, and an unseen future ahead of them. The darkness was closing in. Suffocating. Nile could hear the screams – the screams of his bladder, of his past, of his nightmares. “I’m FINE.” He said slowly through clenched teeth as he felt his bladder spasm and threatened release. “We’re close to the exit now, so just hang on. We’ll be there soon.” Rain reassured. Nile couldn’t give a crap. He wanted to pee, and pee now. But he wanted this feeling of helplessness to continue, he wanted… what did he want? A painful complaint of his bladder sent out a short spurt, and Nile squirmed against it, leaning against the wall. Rain moved on ahead. Nile didn’t move. “Come on.” Rain protested. “We’re almost there. There’ll be light soon.” He had lost all track of time. “Can’t… move.” “Why not? Just come and…” Rain was starting to think something else was the matter. “I can’t.” he whined dramatically. “Laugh if you want, I have to pee like a horse.” It sounded like a line fit for a play, his voice the perfect tone for displaying his frustration. Rain was really glad his brother couldn’t see him smile. “You’re… laughing aren’t you?” Nile’s voice was dull, his breathing labored, and sweat on his forehead. “Maybe. Revenge is sweet.” “What do you mean?” Alarm sounded in his mind. “You drank cranberry juice for crying out loud. I knew you would still be able to hold for a while, so I slipped you a diuretic they sold at the counter using my allowance and wondered around for a while.” Nile could strangle him. Would strangle him. Later. “You evil little…” “Come on, the exit should be just over this tunnel. “T-tunnel?” His legs were shaking with need, and he hissed. He was on the verge of insanity. “Yeah, it’s one of the ones that spin around. At funhouses they’re always right before the end.” The moved on. Barely. Nile wrestled with his bladder, feeling small spurts escape as he tried desperately not to fall over as the round tunnel spun underneath his feeting. With some miracle, he made it though, only to see a slight – slight – light at the end of the straight walkway. Light! That’s when it wall went wrong. Moving ahead, Nile unknowingly was the one to step on the switch. The small switch that started up some air fans from the walls. This scared him half to death, jumping back, his bladder giving way as the hot urine poured over him and the sound of the fans ceased. Somehow, he ended up with his back against the wall when his bladder had puddled its contents to the floor. Nile slunk down in release, landing on his knees, feeling the pleasure as the fabric sucked up the urine thirstily. Then he just gave up. Nile tilted his head back, and began to laugh. ~*~ Rain was confused. The sound of the air had scared him, but more so than that, he was terrified by his brother’s laughter. Through the trickle of light, he could tell Nile appeared to be on the floor… laughing hysterically. “…” No, he couldn’t say anything. His brother could be dramatic, but this… this was creepy. In a minute, the laughter quieted to a chuckle. “I love you.” “Wha?” Rain wondered if Nile had hit his head. “I love you.” Nile repeated, not deterred in the least. “Yeah…” Rain blushed at his brother’s embarrassing words. “Yeah.” Even though it was a bit of a trip back, and Nile’s front was completely soaked, Rain felt a type of security and closeness he hadn’t felt in a long time. Rain felt like he was home. Nile’s constant smile scared Rain. The look in his eyes wasn’t normal. As the day moved on, and eventually turned to night, the events ended with Rain at peace… and Nile planning sweet revenge. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Chapter: *Planned to be a little long! *A hike in the woods with a group and a guide! *Back to Rain and giving him troubles. *smile* *A female in the group desperate *Finally, the END of the camping trip. All of that shoved into a very confusing chapter. This one won't take as long to write as this chapter did, because I have decided, again, to just write as long as I get one reply. Actually, I plan to write it anyways, as an outlet of sorts, so I may as well post it. If you have anything to contribute or comment on, just post. Or post to say hi and encourage me to continue. Whatever you feel like. Also, I plan on trying to make there be more desperation and wetting, etc, in this OMO story, since that is the point of it, so after the next chapter (when the camping ends) I want to try to change things up a little for you. Blessings. And for the record, I think I forgot to figure out how to write about his fear. I know why he's afraid of the dark, but I'm only scared of bugs that crawl, fly, big, small, or sting... but not the dark. Though it can creep me out at times, I wasn't sure how to put my thoughts onto paper. Anyways, I've woken up an hour ago for this chapter, now I'm rambling and back to bed. Loves.
King Randor sat on his throne and looked down on Fisto, and repeated himself. “What do you want in return for helping us?” Fisto’s eyes never left the king, and he stayed straight-backed and firm. “I want to see Teela micturate in her battle clothes. I wish to watch her make water on herself.” “But that is preposterous! Teela is a valued warrior in this kingdom, and deserving of the highest respect. And,” King Randor leaned forward ever so slightly, “she is the daugher of Man-At-Arms. He would not stand by and watch his daughter be humiliated.” “Man-At-Arms need know nothing of this arrangement. King Hiss’s soldiers are but a day from the castle. They would be here already if not for their insistence on marching on foot. If you want me to fight by He-Man and the others’ side, this is what I request. If you do not honor my request, I will not join with the Snake Men, or in any way interfere with your battle with them. I will simply retire to my home and wait.” “You would allow this kingdom to be brought to the dust?” King Randor asked angrily, his brow deep and knitted with anger. “I will allow nothing. I ask a simple thing in return for my participation. I have fought countless wars for you. I have stood by He-Man and repelled endless assaults, from Skeletor, from Hordak and The Horde, from all sides. I am not without flaw, though. I tire of these skirmishes. I only ask that I am given this one thing.” “And what if Teela refuses?” “That is her choice. If she refuses, this conversation is meaningless. If she is to do this, it must be of her own volition.” “Don’t you see, though, that you’re forcing her hand? That she may do this solely for the sake of this kingdom, but be disgusted nonetheless?” “If she does, your Highness, then I suppose it will show you the depth of her commitment. Speak to her. And then let me know. I will be in my home.” Fisto bowed fully, and then turned and left the throne room. The next evening, Fisto sat in his common area, his eyes closed, deep in thought. A light tap on the door brought him to attention. “Yes, come in.” Teela stepped into the room. She was captain of the Royal Guard, a warrior in every way. She wore her one-piece battle suit with the little skirt, her long legs shaping down into her tall brown boots. Her hair was up, her slim neck exposed. There was much anger in her eyes, and a dot of color on each cheek. She had never looked more beautiful. “You are a monster,” Teela stated, embers of anger on the edge of her emotionless tone. “To ask for something so base and disgusting as a price for your help is the lowest I have ever seen someone bow. You disgust me.” “Are you here to submit to my wishes, or only to display your anger? Or,” and Fisto almost imperceptibly hardened at this, “are you here to fight me? Your temper is legendary, and you are very angry. Perhaps you plan to show me your refusal in a more…physical…manner.” Teela shifted her hips ever so slightly and for a moment, Fisto felt the coldness descend on himself as he prepared to fight. All emotion, all thought, was instantly burned away. She would be difficult, she was faster than him, but if he… “No,” Teela responded. “I will not fight you. At least not today. Aside from He-Man, you are Eternia’s greatest warrior. For that reason, I shall turn down this opportunity to try my hand. And also for that reason,” the color in her cheeks darkened a bit, “I will do as you have requested. It disgusts me to do so, but I will…do this thing for you. King Randor needs you. You must promise, however, on all you hold sacred, that this encounter will never leave this room. Your presence in battle will inform King Randor of the outcome, but other than that, this shall never be spoken of. Do you accept that?” “Yes. I do. I only ask one more thing, though. Please take your boots off.” Teela bit off a response and glared at him, but stood on one foot and pulled one boot off, and then reversed and removed the other. Within her boots, her feet were bare, and very small. Bootless, barefoot, she was definitely shorter. Teela closed her eyes and her whole face reddened. Her hips moved forward and backward ever so slightly. All of her concentration was on her bladder. Several moments passed, and then her eyes opened. “I don’t know if I can do this. I am an adult, and this is not something I have done in a very long time.” Fisto stepped into his small kitchen and returned with a simple jug of water and a cup, placing both on the table in front of Teela. Her eyes narrowed, but she angrily took the jug and filled the cup, immediately downing it. She drank two more cups, still glaring at him. “You say you have not made water in your clothing for a long time. When did you last do so?” Her eyes widened and even more anger seeped in. “You are disgusting. I am NOT going to tell you when…that…last happened.” “Maybe this is a bad idea. Perhaps you should put your boots on and leave.” “But, this discussion was not part of the bargain! This is unfair!” Fisto shrugged and gestured with his flesh hand to the boots crumpled on the floor. Teela closed her eyes for a moment, biting back immense rage, and then turned to him again. “Two years ago, soon after I became Captain of the Guard, we were battling Skeletor and Trap-Jaw. Skeletor had just learned to harness the energy from the Tree of Vengeance, and it was a long and pitched battle. Midway through, I…developed a need. I put it aside and concentrated on the battle.” Fisto noticed that Teela was unconsciously moving her hips a bit, and moving from the bare toes on one foot to the bare toes on the other, pushing her toes into the carpet. “Once He-Man redirected the energy and defeated Skeletor and the battle was over…my concentration returned to my…need. The need was considerable. I made much haste to my room, but time was not on my side. I didn’t make it.” “You urinated on yourself?” “Yes! I peed down my legs and it felt horrible. And now,” realization came into her eyes and she stepped from foot to foot and bent slightly at the waist, “now I am about to do so again.” Teela’s face went as red as a cujua plant, and she began bouncing and moving swiftly in place. Almost unmindful of him, she held her crotch and bent almost double, then straightened suddenly. Her eyes widened as a stream of pee shot out from around the crotch of her outfit, trickling down one bare leg. She bit her lip and then pee sprayed down both legs, rolling onto her bare feet and the carpet. She peed for about thirty seconds as Fisto ejaculated within his pants. Tears in her eyes, Teela moved gingerly and picked up her boots. Her bare feet were damp, a sheen of urine covering them, so the boots remained in her hand. Shame and anger filled her voice. “Will you fight for King Randor?” “Yes.” Teela marched out, walking spraddle-legged, showing Fisto the small soles of her feet as she left, banging the door closed. Fisto pulled the small disks from the three hidden cameras in his home, thinking about all the times he would watch Teela pee. And then, he began strapping on his battle armor.
This is based on a scene in "Excalibur" #6--some of the dialogue from that issue has been preserved here, but most of it is original to this story. Kitty Pryde had to pee so badly. She was bundled up in furs, her green aviator glasses reducing the wind on her face, and yet she was still freezing as Meggan held her as they flew through the air. She knew that Meggan’s skin was very durable, but psychologically she still couldn’t reconcile Meggan’s bare feet. Kitty’s own feet were freezing in her boots—all of her socks had been dirty, so her tiny little feet were bare within the boots. She could barely wiggle her toes. And the cold was shearing right through her bladder. The shivering was making her overfull bladder ache. God, she had to go so bad! “Meggan…” she whispered. “Yes, Kitty,” Meggan said sweetly. “I…ummm…I’m going to need a break soon.” “Oh, are you cold?” “Well, yes, but also…I have to go to the bathroom. Kind of badly, in fact.” “Oh,” Meggan responded in a worried voice. “I should tell Brian, and we can try to find somewhere to stop.” “No!” Kitty whispered loudly. “I’ll die of embarrassment. We’ll stop eventually…” “Think we’ll die of old age before we get there?” she asked irritably. “Katzchen!” Nightcrawler protested. “I’m sorry, Shadowcat,” Captain Britain apologized. “Meggan’s and my speed is limited by the physical punishment you and Nightcrawler can endure.” “This settles things—we have to get back our Blackbird,” Nightcrawler said resolutely. Kitty squeezed her legs together and gritted her teeth. The cold was making her shake, and the shaking was threatening to make her bladder release. It was throbbing, and she was becoming very worried that she was going to wet her pants. Since being toilet-trained, she had probably only full-on wet herself maybe…twice? Three times? She wasn’t counting the close calls, when perhaps a little sort of, you know, escaped before she had gotten to a toilet. No, she was thinking that she had peed herself three times, which wasn’t a lot in the grand scheme of things. Kitty couldn’t count the number of times that Meggan had flown into the lighthouse with her legs crossed tightly, so in need of relief that even her toes were scrunched up in desperation. Of course, at this moment Kitty’s thighs were locked together, and she was wiggling her own bare toes within her boots, trying to keep it all in. All her squirming obviously alerted Meggan to the urgency of Kitty’s plight. “Nightcrawler?” “No c’mon Meg don’t ‘s’ okay ‘m alright really…” “Kitty has a rather urgent problem…” Meggan began. “Send up a flare why don’tcha tell the whole flamin’ world!” “Pit stop?” Nightcrawler asked. “Why didn’t you…uh…before we left?” Captain Britain asked. “I did—that was four hours ago!” Kitty had made sure to take a pee before they left the lighthouse. “Well, couldn’t you…er…phase--??” “Captain, that’s disgusting!” Yes, it was disgusting, but she had done it once. Their lighthouse had only one bathroom, and each of them in turn had danced outside of the bathroom door, hoping that they could hold it until whoever was in there got out. Each of them had also in turn simply run or flown down to the rocks and squatted unseen. The problem was that since they were right there on the ocean, sometimes it was incredibly windy and rainy, and sitting out there to go pee (or…the other…she knew for a fact that Rachel had taken an urgent dump behind the rocks) was just absolutely out of the question. One morning, Kitty woke up with the previous night’s tea crying to get out. It was bad, almost as bad as how terribly she needed to relieve herself right now. She had looked outside, saw the driving rain, heard Meggan taking a shower, and Kitty had no choice. She ran downstairs in her long T-shirt, no panties, already a little damp. No one was down there, so she simply pulled up her shirt, squatted, and phased her pelvis out of the wall and immediately began peeing outside. The relief was almost orgasmic. “Wouldn’t mind a break myself, actually," Captain Britain reasoned. “There—salvation—a ship!” Indeed, below them was a tanker of sorts, plodding its way through the choppy waters. As they flew down, Kitty was red with embarrassment. They were stopping at this boat for the sole purpose of her peeing, and everyone knew it. She wanted to die. She wanted to kill them all. She wanted them to please, please, please hurry up before she burst. Kitty had already felt it—the ominous first trickle. A tiny spritz of urine had escaped her aching loins. She had a feeling that even if she wasn’t bundled up, it would not be visible, but very soon…Very soon, she would be a whole hell of a lot more embarrassed. As they landed on the ship’s deck, Captain Britain said, “Beg pardon—in the neighborhood, just passing by—wondering if we might use your…ahem…facilities?” The sailors were all men, a nice enough lot, dirty and in the midst of a lot of work. Kitty was scarlet with embarrassment and wouldn’t meet their eyes. Knowing that they all knew that she had to go to the bathroom was mortifying. Still, though, she was maybe, if she was lucky, a minute or two from completely soaking herself. Two more little spritzes had already released, and it was everything she could do not to cross her legs and dance around in little circles as one of the sailors pointed down some stairs and said, “Down the steps, Missy, third door on the right. Ain’t the fanciest, but it’ll get the job done.” If she had been given a little privacy, Kitty would have settled for a bowl in the corner, so great was her need. And yet, hurdling down the stairs, her bladder sending very clear emergency signs, she still pulled up short when she saw the toilet. There was a crust of filth covering the entire toilet, the floor was covered in dark wetness…and the toilet was absolutely unflushed, perhaps for decades. She couldn’t hesitate, though. She was out of time. Kitty pushed her coat of the way and ripped her pants and underwear down. Already, the leakage was intensifying. No sooner was she hovering than she began peeing. So forceful was it that at first it shot straight out, over the rim of the toilet and onto the floor. Then, she was simply peeing, endless streams of urine rolling out of her. She peed for a full minute, the crushing pain in her abdomen subsiding. Her eyes rolled up in relief and she sighed. It felt soooo good. It was enough to dispel the feeling of disgust that she had for the toilet. When the stream finally ended, then started again, and then was finally done, she noticed that there was predictably no toilet paper. At least she hadn’t had to poo. She wiggled a little and quickly surveyed the panty damage. Not too bad. There was a spot a little larger than a silver dollar in the crotch. She had made it. She pulled up her pants and left, still feeling embarrassed when she got back up to the deck—they still knew her plight—but knowing full well that having an accident in her pants while Meggan flew her through the air would have been mortifying. After they thanked the sailors, and Captain Britain lifted her to fly away, he asked, “So…er…ah. Kitty…did you…ahem?” “Don’t ask. Not now. Not ever.”
Here's the second part. sorry there's no desperetion or wetting yet. It just describes the girls in detail and plants the stage. ---------------------------------------------- The ultimate remediation test. Part 3 Karen was indeed known by most of the students for her bad character and her behavior disorders. “I don't give a fucking shit for what this dirty old principal wants from me!!!” Karen continued. “Are you fucking deaf or what??? I said leave me alone! You mother fucking son of a bitch!!!” The tall blond girl with generous boobs and dressed in a quite provocative fashion was literally dragged by the hair through the hallway towards the announced meeting point. The massive security guard threw her on the floor just in front of the three other girls. Lily stood motionless. She had seen that girl numerous times. Karen was a junior who seemed to look for trouble more often than she washed her hands, and it means something when you know she's a manicure maniac. Most of all, Lily remembered her because whenever she had been bullied by a group of students, Karen would appear and add her painful words to the torture. This time, although Lily, for once, wasn't enduring any kind of persecution, Karen felt the need to torment the poor girl. “What the fuck??? Why did you drag me to this fucking place???” she shouted. “Baby-Lily!!! Come on, it's a fucking joke or what? I won't have any fucking business with that pissy bitch! My reputation is fucked big times if anyone sees me around that fuc... Ouch!!!” A hard kick in her back from the security guy muted her mouth for a while. “But... by the way, why have we been called here?” Shania wondered out loud. “The final exams are over, today is rejoicing day isn't it?” “Well, I think I have a clue, but I wasn't sure about Lily.” Hayden turned to the trembling girl. “How are your grades?” “I... I think I... might have failed... all my classes” Lily was looking to her feet in shame. She had failed in every subject, she knew it. Even though she had worked hard, her classmates had carefully planned their punitive actions. First, her pencil box had disappeared, then they managed to have her caught cheating by slipping a false note into her desk. As if they hadn't had enough fun, they denied her access to the bathroom right before another exam, forcing her to return an almost blank sheet in order to be allowed to leave the class. Finally they went as far as sending anonymous death treats if she dared to show up at school for the last one. Lily had been through all this without being able to talk with anyone. She had nobody to talk to anyway. “You think we're punished because we're bad students?” Shania started to be annoying. “But... What about you, Hayden?” She didn't even answer. Although she had been a pretty good student all along her high school years, she had drifted away in the past months. School had always been so easy and boring for her, she had decided she didn't need that stupid brainwashing anymore. After a 'science' teacher had tried (with success for some of her classmates) to promote radical creationism as the only plausible truth, she knew she'd had enough of this. Then, she had discovered the joys of online gaming, the euphoria of indecent parties and the ecstasy of some new 'experiments'. Most of all, she had been studying what she felt was important. Psychology, theology, global economy, foreign politics and a bunch of other stuff that won't ever be taught in high school. She was probably by far the smartest student in the place, but yes, it seemed she had failed all her classes. “Or is it because we're the prettiest girls in the school?” Shania insisted with a proud smile on her beautiful round face. Hayden gave her a mad look meaning something like 'don't speak nonsense'. She had never thought of herself as an attractive girl, leave alone being among the prettiest. Nonetheless, although Shania wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, she had a point. If there was one thing she had been able to count correctly, it was for sure the large number of boys who had told her she was too cute or had asked her out. And that wasn't something she could count on her fingers even if she had ten hands. Karen, what concerns her, was without doubt the greatest phantasm for a large majority of the schoolkids and even for the teachers. With her long slender legs, her D cup and her fluid golden hair falling around her shoulders, she looked just like a top model as the ones you can see on TV. Lily, quite the opposite of Karen, sported a small and frail body barely supporting her adorable head. She had mid-sized light-brown hair emphasizing the hugeness of her shiny cyan eyes. In her one piece pink dress, no one would have believed she was almost fifteen but a whole lot of sensible guys would have fallen for her, if only her reputation hadn't been crushed to pieces on her very first day. She was exactly the kind of little girl anyone would want to hold in his arms and never let go (unless she needs to use the bathroom, that is). But Hayden??? She had never cared much about her appearance. She had short black hair barely sneaking out of her cap culminating above deep dark eyes and a cute perky nose. She was a bit skinny and slightly short for her age and owned a modest but perfectly shaped breast. Despite her boyish dressing habits and her geeky attitude, very few guys would have turned her down if she had shown even the slightest interest. She was indeed very attractive but it was something she had never realized. She didn't have a lot of time to think about it though, as the principal arrived just a minute later, followed by the home teacher of each girl. “Good morning girls” He opened the door, revealing the quite unusual setup of the classroom. All desks hat been gathered in the center of the room to form a large table on which were disposed all kinds of sodas, cakes and a large variety of snacks. “Come on in, make yourself at home.” The girls entered and as Lily passed the door, she realized she had meant to pay a preventive visit to the little girls room right before being called. That single thought already reminded her she needed to go a bit... to be continued.
I'm not a big fan of Star Wars, but I really liked Empire Strikes back and Return of the Jedi so here is a fanfic based off of it. It chronicles the journey of a jedi/bounty hunter named Myra fett. She is the unconventional descendant of the clone Bobba Fett and exists long after the fall of Emperor Palpatine and the conquest of Luke Skywalker. I hope you enjoy. I broke out in an unorthodox mixture of icy sweat and goosebumps. I slowed my breathing as I reached out to feel the tug of the force. My body slowly began to levitate in the dark room. My long dark hair began to float upwards and my my brown eyes remained closed. My legs were crossed and covered by blue skinny jeans and my torso covered by a red blouse. Black flats dangled from the tips of my dainty feet as the star ship I stowed away on began to enter a planet's atmosphere. Finally as the ship landed I released my control on the force. I dropped to my feet as lights began to flicker on. I quickly snuck away over to the air ducts. I found myself crawling through the airducts till I emerged on the outside of the ship. The planet I arrived on seemed to be an industrial based culture based on the silvery buildings a few meters away. The city was shrouded in night and spilled rain from the skies. I jogged towards the nearest Cantina. I managed to duck away from the ship without getting noticed and arrived in the main street of the foreign city. I kept my steps slow as I walked amongst the crowd of people who braved the storm. I quickly took in the population, a mixture of several different species, a few of them even clones who had defected the side of the republic. I allowed a soft smile to appear on my beautiful face. Still I kept my hand close to my lightsaber that dangled from my belt. A few kids pointed to my lightsaber and muttered excited words about a jedi being here. Of course I wasn't exactly a jedi, I was more of bounty hunter who manages to manipulate the force. Rather unconventional, but so was my heritage. I was descended from the cloned bounty hunter Bobba Fett. Many generations later I was now walking through the streets of a raining city, awaiting another job to find me. I finally came upon Cantina, recognizable by the jazz like music emitting from within. I strolled in and carefully made my way to a table, avoiding direct eye contact with any one who may recognize me as a mercenary, rather than the honorable jedi knight I was often mistaken for. thankfully no one payed me much attention, so I managed to relax in my chair without conflict. A waiter came an accompanied me, only mildly surprised by the sight of a lightsaber hanging from my waist. She quickly got me a drink then left to tend to other customers. I sipped the cool liquid slowly, remembering the weakness of my bladder. I managed to finish two of the same beverage, though, before my employer for the time being arrived. It was a female human, a little older than me at about seventeen whereas I was fifteen. She was dressed in a leather top that was sleeveless and stopped just under her large breasts. Her legs were covered by leather pants. She had an hourglass figure, dirty blonde hair that was done up in a pony-tail. She moved with agile seductive strides despite her constrictive clothing, much like I did with my tight denim pants, though I relied on a small amount of force manipulation, so small it was barely noticeable. I wondered what her secret was. "Looking for my services?" She looked at my lightsaber. "Rather odd for a bounty hunter to have one of those. Kill a jedi?" "A sith actually." I answered. "Oh, so you are opposed to them?" "Not particularily, it depends on who my employer is." I replied cooly. "They are on the rise again, rebuilding the empire. Many see it as certain doom." She said, though it seemed more like a question. "Whoever is in charge I will live like I always have." I answered feeling a disturbance in the force. "Oh really, you wouldn't stand against tyranny?" "If I'm paid enough." I knew I said the wrong thing by the prickle in the force and the look of outrage that had been slowly building on her face till it erupted just now. "How can you just sit back and let them take over?" She screamed. A few people glanced in our direction. "If you want me to over throw the siths better pay well." "I'm not looking to hire you!" She screamed. "I'm looking to recruit you! You have a talent!" "You're looking for free service." I muttered. I stood up and began to walk out. I needed to avoid conflict, especially since I felt my bladder beginning to ache. "Don't walk away from me!" suddenly I felt my skin burn as something wrapped around my ankles. I felt my body slam into the ground as the hold of the burning rope released. I rolled over as my bladder panged and turned to see the girl wielding a light whip. It was a rarely utilized weapon, but I recognized it. It was a lightsaber that functioned as a whip. It wasn't as powerful as a lightsaber, though it was just as dangerous. I frowned as I stood up and began to walk away again. "Sorry, but I'm not interested." Suddenly I felt my body soar through the air and slam into a wall. A spurt of urine fell into my panties. I groaned and pushed myself to my feet. "Of course. A jedi. Just my look." I drew my lightsaber and let the energy flow from it. "Hardly a fair fight." She muttered arrogantly. I nodded and leaped through the air until I was a few feet from her. I swung my blade, only looking to maim her. However she quickly managed to slam the hilt of her lightwhip before my weapon. The phrik hilt bounced the energy back. She maneuvered her arm in complex movements so the whip sliced through my midriff. I felt urine leak from my bladder, moistening my panties thoroughly. A thin trickle ran down my thighs. I sent her flying back with the force and sent her flying into the ceiling. Nevertheless she rose to her feet and sent the whip wrapping against my arm and used the mixture of the whip and force to send me hurtling through the air till I slammed into a table. Urine spilled out of my urethra quickly. Warm urine massaged my groin as it soaked my crotch leaving a baseball sized stain on the front and a large stain covering my butt. I managed to regain control, just before she sent another wave of the force causing me to slam into a chair. More urine exploded out as I struggled to my feet. A dark stain began to run down my thighs. Hot pissed streamed down the front of my legs as it slithered around my inner thighs as it circled around to run down the back of my calves. I managed to stop the flow, despite the dark stains on my jeans. I sent a chair at her, though she caught it with her hand and threw it to the ground. She flung the whip at my ankles and tugged it so I fell to the ground on my back. Finally my bladder entirely emptied itself. Urine gushed out and pooled around me. Ripples surged through the puddle as it widened beneath my butt. pee soaked my legs and my lower back and red blouse. I moaned softly as the girl stood before me. She smirked and slammed the toe of her high heel into my forehead and everything went black.
Xun was looking forward to starting her new job as an “OL” (or “office lady”). She had been constantly looking for work for months after graduating college and she finally landed a position with one of China’s biggest firms. Even though it was an entry-level position, the pay was semi-decent, but the best part was that the work environment was air-conditioned, unlike the past factory job she had. But during orientation, she found out it wouldn’t all be a breeze. For their twelve-hour shift, the office ladies would get an hour lunch break halfway into the workday with one ten-minute break in the morning and one ten-minute break in the afternoon. At all other times, they would have to remain at their desks. They were not even allowed to go to the ladies’ room! Xun was shocked that a clerical position would have such a strict toilet break policy, but it was explained that in order for the company to be as productive as possible, the office ladies could not be taking at-will breaks and leading to lost money and time. She briefly considered looking for another job, but since she needed money now, she decided to stick with it and try to endure it after all. Two days later, Xun showed up for her first day at work at 6 a.m. sharp. She had on the standard company OL uniform: pink skirt, pink vest, white long-sleeved blouse, pantyhose and black pumps. The other office ladies were wearing the same uniform. The office on her floor was one large area with several rows of desks. Aside from the modern office equipment, it didn’t look all that different from the office on that American TV show she liked watching on the Internet (Mad Men). Xun sat down at her assigned desk and yawned loudly. She decided to avoid drinking any diuretics so it would make it easier to get through the workday, but a few minutes after she started on typing in data on the computer, she became dismayed when she saw a man rolling a tea cart into the office to offer it to all of the OL’s. It would have been disrespectful if she refused a cup of tea, so she had to accept it. Sure enough, she was soon hit with the need to urinate. Xun looked up at the clock---two more hours to go until the morning ten-minute break. She spent the next hour trying to ignore it and concentrate on her work, but the need grew worse by the minute. She was already discreetly pressing one hand into her crotch off and on as she typed. She also looked around the office and could see several other OL’s fidgeting and squirming in their seats. She thought it was wrong for them to be obliged to drink tea when they weren’t allowed to go to the toilet at will. The minutes seemed to crawl by extremely slowly and then it was time for their brief morning break, which was signaled by an intercom bell tone. Finally! Xun and the other desperate OL’s walked really fast to the ladies’ room. Her bladder was really starting to scream at her. Unfortunately, a line formed as the ladies’ room only had one toilet. Just when it got to be her turn, the other OL in front of her (her name was Jinglei) and came running out. “The toilet’s broken!” Jinglei exclaimed. “I’m so sorry.” Xun’s heart sank at hearing this and the other remaining OL’s who needed to go moaned in despair. And there wasn’t enough time for them to go upstairs to go pee, either! If any of them were even a minute late in returning, they would be written up and possibly fired. She and the other girls would just have to wait another two hours and fifty minutes until the lunch break. The intercom bell went off which signaled the end of the break and Xun returned to her desk, dreading the long wait. Another hour passed as Xun struggled to hold on. Her need to pee had gone from bad to very bad. She could barely concentrate on her work and was now periodically pressing both hands into her crotch. She didn’t think she would able to make it until the lunch break. It’s not like she hadn’t had to hold her pee at work before. But at least at the factory job, time seemed to go by faster and she wasn’t made to drink tea which filled up her bladder. The only other thing she could think of to do was ask the supervisor if she could go to the toilet, even if she knew it would likely be futile. Not long after this came to mind, she saw him walking down the aisle between the rows of desks, observing their work. She squeezed her thighs tightly together and got ready to ask him once he got close to her desk. “Um, Mr. Jiang?” He turned his head, grunting in acknowledgement. “I know it’s not my break yet, but, um, may I please go to the toilet?” Xun asked. “It’s really an emergency and…” “No, you may not!” Mr. Jiang snapped. “You know better than to ask when it isn’t your break! You’ll just have to wait until then!!” “Please, Mr. Jiang!” Xun pleaded. “All I ask is a couple of min…” “I already said no!” Mr. Jiang told her, still not budging. “If I let you go, then I’ll have to let all the other girls go, and every minute away from your desk while not on break is lost productivity. You only have another and hour and forty minutes to go. It’s not that long!!” “But I…” “Ask me again, and you’re fired!!” With that, he turned around and walked away. Xun now had no other options except to try and hold it until the lunch break. She soon noticed another OL at a desk near her (a petite bob-haired girl named Wei) who looked like she was about to cry and whose legs were shaking furiously. Wei turned toward Xun. “I have to pee very badly, Xun!” she whispered. “I don’t think I can wait much longer!” “Me, too, Wei,” Xun whispered back. “But we can make it to the lunch break. Just try and hold on, okay? Don’t let them win!” “Hey, no talking!” Mr. Jiang yelled. “You know it’s against office rules!” Xun somehow managed to last another hour. It was now forty more minutes until the next break. It was impossible for her to sit still and her need to pee was so great that it almost felt like her urethra was on fire. Suddenly, Wei burst into tears and urine seemed to explode from under her, running off the chair and onto the carpet beneath her. At the sight of this, Xun herself couldn’t hold it any more. She simply had to go now and she didn’t care what the consequences were. She jumped and ran out of the office, almost slipping on Wei’s expanding puddle (she was still sitting at her desk with her face in her hands and sobbing) and ignoring Mr. Jiang yelling after her. She then ran to the elevator and took it up to the next floor while dancing from foot to foot and holding her crotch with both hands, wishing it would go faster. She burst out of the elevator and made straight for the ladies’ room on the floor, which she was greatly relieved to find wasn’t occupied. She got to the toilet, but she started peeing even before she could get her panties and pantyhose all the way down. She yanked them off and sat down on the toilet, emptying the rest of her bladder’s volume into the bowl, sighing loudly with relief. She peed for two full minutes, and it was the best pee she could ever remember. Xun didn’t know if she would have a job or not after this, but she was more concerned at the moment with her wet panties and pantyhose. She figured she could peel them off and throw them away, even if she ran the risk of having other people see her pussy as she sat down. Hopefully she could get work at the factory again.
The sun rose in the horizon through all the bedroom windows. The birds woke up to the birth of a new day and began to sing for it... until Stan woke up. The orchestra started playing in the front yard again, cuing Stan to start singing. “Good morning, U.S..A!” He sang. The sudden blaring of the instruments woke up the whole family. “I have a feeling it’s gonna be a won-derful day!” Francine groaned in her bed next to him when he sprang up to start his musical routein. “Oh my God, Dad! Shut up!” Steve snapped from his room, burying his head in his pillow. Hayley grabbed her slipper and dragged her feet towards the window. She was still in her black panties with frilly, flowery strips and a pink night shirt. “Shut the hell up!!” She shouted out her window at the band as she through the slipper at them. She missed one of the band members by a hair and hit a nerdy kid on the street who stayed to watch the show. She hit him right on the head and knocked him out, causing him to spill his bottle of water on a band member’s shirt, getting her breasts wet. As soon as he woke up, she dropped her trumpet and ran over to slap him across the face and he ran off crying while she tried to dry off her shirt. “The family alien Roger, meanwhile, watched from his window laughing and pointing with one hand, holding a foam finger in the other. A tomato pierced his eye and his laughter turned into crying as he ran off, rubbing his eye. “Stan!” Francine tried while he danced out the door. “STAN!” No response. Hayley stuck a peace sign sticky note on his back on his way out the door, in time for Francine to take it off. “Mom!” Hayley complained. “A sticky note with a peace sign? You’ll have to do better than that if you really wanna get revenge!” She perked. Later that morning, Francine got a call from the prison cell. “Honey?” “Yes dear!” She smiled as she waited for the obvious news. “Can you bail me out again?” Roger the space alien handed Francine a check to bail him out and a paddle as she listened to this man’s testimony. “Yes dear I’ll be right over!” She replied lovingly. “Oh, and, could you not paddle me this time?” “Of course dear!” “Really, ‘cause last time you said that you paddled me anyway!” He whined. “I promise I won’t paddle you this time deary, just promise me you won’t drive on school campus and hit the flagpole any more okay?” “Okay. Thanks Francine. I owe you one.” “No problem! See you in a bit!” She hung up and smacked the paddle in her hand with a worriers face. “Give it to him Francine!!” The intergalactic American Roger cheered her on, raising his foam finger in the air as she went out the door. Her heard the sound of a bucket of water tumbling on the ground and splashing water all over the ground. “ROGER!!” She bellared as he ran up the stairs laughing. Meanwhile Hayley was shopping with her friends at the mall. “Look at that cute lipstick!” She pointed at a hello kitty themed lip stick with sparkly, pink inside. She and her friends all agreed it was too babyish, as cute as it was. The continued through the mall and browsed at different things. They stopped at the subway for a bite and ordered drinks. They dared each other to order extra hallopinios on their subs, and it was so. They ordered five big sodas to wash it down. Hayley ordered the five dollar cold cut combo, her friend Violet ordered a filly cheese steak sandwich and her other friend Stacey wanted the BLT. They braced themselves for spicy impact as they simotaniously took the first bite of their sandwich. The Hallopinios started out okay, but they hurt real fast. The three of them chugged their sodas to relive the spice. “Damn those Halopinos are hot!” Stacey exclaimed, chugging all most a quarter of her soda. Hayley fanned her mouth off and drank relentlessly from her coke. The girls slowly worked their sandwiches, going through their third cup of pop. Francine was on the highway on her way to the prison where her beloved husband was. She watched the endless yellow lines pass her by, disappearing under her window. She checked her watch, and she checked the mile marks that were placed along the road. She had a way’s to go. Her minor need for the bathroom really started to irritate her. She tapped her foot and fiddled with her fingers on the wheel constantly. She shifted her legs slightly in her seat. She bobbed her right leg up and down anciously. “I just hope we don’t have a wreck or something.” She said to herself. Suddenly the traffic slowed to a stop and she saw smoke up ahead. “Awe!” She whined. “Not now!” She crossed her legs for comfort. “Why can’t I go shopping with my friends instead of seeing my husband to smack him on the head? I wonder how he’s doing.” Stan was peeing in his toilet, which was openly placed by the prison bars. He laid back in his hard bed to await his wife. Suddenly he broke out in song and the band started playing for him. “When-you’re-all alone. And the copper’s got that tone, Saying ‘you’re release is post poned.’ There’s only one thing, left to do.”He got all the other prisoners to bob their heads to the rythem, and soon they all started singing together in the jail. “You’ve got to sing-it-out!” The prisoners got up on the table and put on a show for the police men, dancing and singing as they knock stuff off of it. Francine sat squirming in her seat and fidgeting while she waited for the police officers to take care of things up front. She shifted her legs, wriggled and fidgeted like a child waiting in the car for a gas station. “Oooooh! Hurry UP, I gatta go to the bathroom!” She groaned, clenching her teeth and grabbing her crotch. She bounced up and down in her seat with anxiety while the cops up front took their time inspecting the driver. Apparently he was shipping drugs in his car and the police got a warrent to search him. She waited like that for another twenty minutes and the police men were still there. “Damn it! How many police officers does it take to screw in a light bulb?!” She had her legs double crossed as she rocked back and forth. “At least Hayley’s having fun.” She sighed. “Shit! Why did we drink all those sodas?!” Hayley whined, regretting the challenge they had for each other earlier with the spicy sandwiches. They stood in the middle of the story with their shaky knees bent inward and both hands in their crotch hopping from foot to foot looking for a bathroom. Unfortunately they were lost. “Where’s the damn bathroom in this place?!” Violet growled through her teeth with desperation, bending slightly forwards and bobbing up and down in place. “There must be a bathroom around here somewhere!” Stacy commented as calmly as she could, drizzling a bit in her pants. She wore really short shorts and a blue t-shirt. Violet wore a pink, frilly dress that dropped just far enough to conceal her panties. Hayley wore her usual jeans, belt, grey shirt and green bandana. Her hair was black and slick as always, dropping down below her shoulder blades. Violet was a red head and Stacey had blonde hair with blue eyes. “Excuse me sir!” Violet tapped a stranger on the shoulder. “Can you tell us were the bathroom is?” She asked sweetly, shaking violently. The stranger gazed at these three girls state off being for a breife moment, then pointed towards the bathrooms. “Thank you!” They hobbled over to the restrooms. Their bladders felt so tight they were ready to pop. It pressed hard against the lips of their vagina as they attempted to walk. A couple long spurts escaped Hayley’s lips and slurped into her panties along the way. By the time they got over to the bathroom, they saw an “out of order” sign on the door. “FFFF… Francine had her hand jammed in her crotch. She shivered in desperation as her legs and forehead dripped in sweat. Her butt squirmed so hard in her seat she looked like she had fire ants in her pants. The pressure in her bladder pressed murcelessly, relentlessly at her fragile vagina. Francine let out a sharp gasp as the first short stream escaped her bladder. She pressed harder to maintain control, but to hardly any prevail. Finally the cars started moving again. “FINALLY!” She shouted, though it hardly seemed to matter now. There was no way she could make it to the bath room in time. As she drove on for another hour and a half, her strength and will slowly faded and she let out longer and longer streams of pee. With several miles to go, she was making a wet spot on her pink dress that fell just below her knees. Her face burned red as her eyes got moist. She simply couldn’t contain her contents anymore. Francine’s bladder finally forced the urine past her lips and through her dress. The flow began. Her bladder spilt all over the seat of the car while the pee crawled up her butt crack. She attempted desperately to regain control, but it was too late. The wet spot crawled up the back of her dress as urine pooled into the seat and dripped off the sides. Her white panties with a frilly band was ruined. The wet spot crawled all the way up her crotch and back side, leaving a darker white, slightly yellow stain. She sat in her own pee that collected in her leather seat for the rest of the trip, groaning. Hayley, Violet and Stacy waited in a long lineup for the restrooms. They shifted their wait from foot to foot, bounced, doubled over, squirmed, moaned, groaned and shivered for everything it was worth. They paced back and forth in line trying not to wet themselves just yet. Some more pee seeped through Violet’s clit as she squirmed violently. They were only half way through the line. A slow, gradual urination leaked out of Stacey as she squeezed hard to regain control, but the flow overtook her and her short shorts grew dark quick. Her will faded completely while her thick streams of pee ran down her legs, flooded her shorts and her shoes and splattered onto the floor. The puddle grew massive under Violet and Stacy. The sight of this caused Hayley’s to lose it. She was next in line, right in front of the bathroom door when she kept dripping and spilling into her pants. Her wet spot crawled out to the size of a baseball. In a sudden, impulse her pee jet powerfully against the fabric of her pants. She pressed her knees inwards and squirmed hard with her hands rammed in her crotch. The door finally opened. “FINALLY!” She cried for sweet relief, but number one, she couldn’t remove her hands, and two, she couldn’t remove her belt. “What do I do.” She cried to herself. After a time, her vagina gave up and the full contents rushed through her jeans and drizzled everywhere. She had an accident right in front of the toilet. It became a water fall of pee pouring from her bladder. Hayley had her legs pressed hard inward as waves of pee rand down her pants and flooded them, flooded the bathroom floor, flooded her shoes and drenched her socks. She tried to take off her belt and finnish before the wetness fell all the way down her pants, but it was stuck. She jet through her pants just trying to take her dripping wet pants off. They were shiny from pee stain. Her puddle creeped out from under the door crack. To be continued… maybe!
LionByrd Chapter One: Jamie’s Promotion “I’ve been reviewing the personnel records, and I just realize, that you have someone on your squad that has been passed over for promotions at least six times. Would you care to tell me why?” The man behind the desk had dark sandy hair and cool dark eyes. He was probably nearly thirty years old, maybe even older. The gentlemen he was addressing were a man with a black pony tail with a dark tan and a scuzzy small beard just starting on his chin. The other man was a redhead with freckles and green eyes. “It’s a girl,” the darker man started. “She has been having problems since starting with the team.” “Then why is she still here?” Seth asked, his hands coming together so that his fingertips touched. “May I?” the redhead interrupted. Seth nodded at him. “The girl has some personal issues, but she’s very talented, and her academic record is among the best of the team. We would definitely lose an asset if she were turned away from the team.” “And yet, Eric,” Seth smiled over the tips of his fingers. “You have kept her at rank three cadet status. What kind of problem would warrant such action if she is so good?” “The doctors say that her problem is stress related, sir. They have even recommended getting rid of her, but she has no desire to quit training, and we would really be losing an asset if we followed this recommendation.” “Just what is her problem?” Martin, the darker man answered. “She has wet the bed since starting here.” “Yes, I was aware that she was doing that,” Seth smiled. “She wasn’t the first, and not the last to have that problem.” “But it hasn’t gotten any better,” Eric went on. “She not only still does it, but has had daytime incidents as well.” “And this is the only reason you fail to promote her?” Seth asked the two men. They looked at one another, standing at parade rest in front of the team commander. Their white shirts with the rearing roaring lions’ silhouettes on the back of the shirts, on the back pockets of their cream colored dress pants, and above the right pocket of the front of the shirts. Under the lion symbol, just above the shirt pocket read the name Lionbyrd, and above the other shirt pocket were the names of the cadets and then four vertical blue outlined red bars on Seth, three on Martin, and two on Eric. They were in a small office with a bed to the left of the desk that they now stood before with Seth now lowering his hands as he looked up at them. “I do not think it is right to keep her at rank three cadet any longer. I will meet with her, her immediate supervisor, and the two of you in two hours, and discuss whether we will kick her off of the team, or if we will promote her. She cannot possibly stay a trainee forever.” “Yes sir,” the two junior officers nodded. Jamie, a light brown hair, almost blond girl with a reddish tint, sat at one of the desks in the team’s learning hall near the front, typing on a computer and reading the outcome. From the back, her white shirt was showing a bit of seat from the base of the neck, and her cream color pants were seated upon the chair. Above her left pocket, just above her name, were three round circles that were outlined in blue with red iris centers. Her hair fell just below her shoulders as she scratched her head thinking about the next thing to type into the computer. The rest of the learning hall was free of any people, though in the far back, she knew that three of the team’s upper officers were holding a meeting in the team commander’s room, and the other door to the rear of the learning hall, the empty conference had three windows that peeked into a room for twelve at the sides of the table, and one seat at the head. Jamie sighed as she thought about the question before her. She was trying to take the test yet again for rank four cadet, and couldn’t understand why she wasn’t either passing or being dropped by the program. She had seen her peers already gain two or three ranks in the time she had held the third rank, and she was becoming a little perturbed at just staying where she was. She looked up at the stage that looked over the thirty-five desks that faced it. On the stage, there was one other desk that faced them, there were three flags, and there were three other seats, one to the right of the one that was behind the head desk, and two to the left. What was she doing wrong? She looked through the question again, and still, the same answer as she had always given came to mind. She couldn’t think of a better answer, so left the question as it was. Something prevented her advancing, but she was sure that it was not the application form nor the submitted test that she had taken earlier in the month. Her knees closed unconsciously together as she pondered again what else she could write. Another young lady, this one with one blue outlined red vertical bar just above her name sat across from a boy with five red iris blue outlined circles above his name of Mike. Mike was yellow haired and blue eyed. His hair seemed to run wild around the top of his head, but it didn’t come down past his ears. The young lady had red hair that was cut short just below her ears. They had a chess board between them, and Mike was currently contemplating his next move. The girl, Amanda, was already thinking of two or three tactics that would follow this move depending on what Mike had done. “Promotions are coming up soon again, Mike,” she reminded him. “Have you completed the test for this term?” “Of course, I finished the test on the computer last night. I’m pretty sure I’ll get it again. Most of these questions are so common sense.” “Yes, but surely you study some before taking the tests, don’t you?” “Of course I do. Only a fool would try to take a serious test like that without preparing at all.” “Good. I’m sure you gain your junior grade officer rank soon.” “Amanda?” he had his head tilted and his mouth twitching just as he always did when he was about to ask an uncertain question. “Yes, Mike?” “When are they going to kick Jamie out of the program?” “What makes you think she’s going to get kicked out?” “She hasn’t been promoted in the last three cycles, and we were warned that if we didn’t get our black bars within seven years, we would be kicked out of the program.” “Well, it’s really not up to me, Mike. I don’t know what the leaders are thinking, but it is true, that at her current rate of progress, I don’t believe she’ll have her black bar before the deadline.” “Why do you think she isn’t being promoted?” “What do you mean?” “Well, she kids my butt at the shuttle simulator, and she’s pretty smart, not to mention she doesn’t do bad in tactics class either. I don’t understand why she’s not being promoted.” “I’m sure whoever is in charge has their reasons.” “Come off of it, Amanda. You are her sponsor. You must know something.” “Even if I did, I wouldn’t be obliged to tell you, would I cadet?” Mike became quiet. “Just drop it, alright?” Mike nodded and went back to the game. Eric walked out of the team commander’s office, actually, he was acting second in command, and held the rank of commander upon his uniform. He was also the first officer of the station, the captain of the station being Captain Strauss. He walked through the Lionbyrd training room, absently passing by the young girl they had been talking about. He smiled softly at her as he passed by having noticed that she was reviewing yet again her promotion test that would be reviewed by the board the next day. She was the only one in the training hall, which spoke about how much she was stressed about passing this time around. She surely knew that something was strange about her not passing, and she surely also knew that she might be kicked out of the program if she didn’t get promoted soon. He walked out of the training hall, through the door in the side near the stage, and into the common room where the rest of the team were enjoying some hard earned down time watching television, playing chess or fouls ball, and even taking a turn on the shuttle simulators. The simulator was a part of their training, but it was also run like a game, so that they actually enjoyed training on it. Currently, four people on the left side of the simulator combated against the four people on the right side of the simulator. It was set up so that the machine had a command chair in the center of each command station. One chair faced a command consul that faced the forward screen that showed the position they were in space, and their relative position to the other ship. Another chair faced a wall that had had three large screens displaying different things and a consul with buttons in front of that wall, that apparently were related to it. On the other side, there was a small consul that faced a half wall with glass. On this consul, there were other controls and a display screen that served some purpose towards the simulator. The pair of simulators were divided by a great wall, which made what each side did private from the other side, but those observing from behind the stage that the whole thing was set up on, could see the what both sides were doing as well as a screen that displayed what the two ships were doing just between the simulators and in front of the stage. Eric walked up to the chess game, rubbed his thumb and forefinger on his chin as though contemplating what Mike should do next, smiled, and then turned his attention to Amanda. “Seth wants to talk to you and Jamie in an hour. You are to take her and wait for him in the conference room.” “Do you know where she is?” “She’s back in the training room, contemplating her tests again. I swear, if half the team put in even half as much effort as she did, we would have the best team on the station!” “Don’t tell me isn’t going to get it again this time,” Amanda looked up at him. “Well, that’s partly what this is about. How is her problem going?” “Well, she still wets the bed about two or three times a week, and if she’s really stressed out, she sometimes needs to be reminded to use the toilet.” “Reminded?” “Yes, she gets so engulfed in trying to pass the tests and doing well in general, that she sometimes doesn’t go to the bathroom at reasonable times, thinking that she can just go as soon as she finishes, only she never seems to finish reviewing her efforts.” “I guess I should have asked her if she needed to go then,” Eric looked down at Amanda. “That’s okay. I’ll ask her now. I need to go get her anyway and make sure she’s presentable for the meeting anyway if Seth is meeting with her.” “I think Seth wants to promote her, but he wants to talk to all of us about why she’s stayed at rank three for so long and about her toileting habits or something.” “I understand.” Amanda stood up, gave Mike a stern look for a moment, and then turned and walked away. Eric sat down across from Mike. “You are not to repeat any part of this conversation to anyone. If it comes back to my ears by anyone other than Amanda or Jamie, I will have your records reviewed, do you understand?” “Yes sir.” Eric stood up, nodded at Mike, and then walked off towards the stairs nearest the entrance to the common room. It was up those steps, that the fourth squad rooms were located. Amanda walked into the training room, and she saw Jamie, her mouth taut with worry, her legs bouncing, and her hands frantically pressing keys on the keyboard. A tear slid down from her left eye, and Amanda already knew what was happening. She walked up to the front of the desk, pressed the computer lid closed, and looked directly into Jamie’s eyes. “You’ve wet your pants again, haven’t you?” she asked with a little smile. Jamie looked up at her. “We have to see the commander of our team, so I need to take you upstairs to clean up. We are going to have a meeting about your promotions.” “I’m going to fail again, aren’t I?” “I don’t know, Jamie. But I was told that they are actually going to have a meeting about that with both of us in an hour. Please come with me, and let’s get you cleaned up.” Jamie stood up, her pants dripping from the back, the puddle of yellow tinted nearly clear pee sat in the chair seat depression. “I’m sorry about the chair,” Jamie looked down. “It’s not a problem,” Amanda smiled warmly at her. “You can clean it up in a little bit.” Jamie nodded knowing that as punishment for wetting her pants, she’d have to clean all the wood chairs in the training room, and probably those in the conference room as well. An hour later, Amanda, Jamie, Eric, and Martin were in the conference room. Martin was by the head of the table near the chalkboard, and he turned his back to the other three. “Seth doesn’t feel it’s right, that you haven’t been promoted, Jamie,” he kept his back to the others. “You do know why you haven’t been promoted, don’t you?” Jamie looked down afraid to answer. She would have just figured she wasn’t doing something right on the tests or training if they were not in the meeting about it, and if Martin had not mention Seth’s displeasure about her being held back. She might have even guessed that it was because she was a girl, but Amanda had her first red bar, so it was unlikely they were singling her out because she was a girl. She had only one last thought, but if that were it, she figured they should just kick her out. “You were under too much stress,” Martin went on. “Eric and I’ve been talking about it at each promotion, and we’ve been talking with your training sponsor, Amanda. We couldn’t pass you while the doctors were saying that the stress was causing your problems because command would only add to your stress….” Eric took Martin’s silence as a cue. “We were worried that it would be too much for you to handle, to advance you before you were ready. You are of course, very talented, and we didn’t want to lose you. People that are stressed too much sometimes do worse than wet their pants, and we were afraid of pushing you beyond that. We’ve had Amanda keep an eye on you for changes.” At that moment, Seth walked into the conference room. He quietly took a seat while Eric finished his sentence. “Jamie? Amanda? Do you feel that Jamie really cannot handle the stress of advancement?” he looked into Amanda’s brown eyes. “She has been under a lot more stress trying to pass the silly tests and trying to revise her answers and figure out why she hasn’t passed, then she’d ever face as a supervisor on the team.” “Are you sure of this Amanda? Could you image her trying to explain to those juniors under her that she has a problem, and that they have to respect her even though she has trouble controlling her body?” “Yes. With all that she’s been through, telling her juniors that she has a problem would be a cakewalk, but besides that, there is no reason for her to even address it. She wets the bed all the time, but she only really goes in her pants during the day when she’s under a lot of stress. If she passed her tests, she would not be under as much stress, and she can continue her sleeping arrangements as she has them, so there is no reason for anyone to unnecessarily to find out.” “Jamie? Do you want to continue training, and to become a commander in the deep space ranger program?” “Yes sir.” “Then, it’s settled. You should have passed your examinations from the first one you failed, and we will be promoting you to a black bar as of tomorrow when your test results are out. Regardless of what your report says, you have enough points, and enough of a record to merit passing to junior lieutenant.” Jamie smiled. “So, get out of my training room, and get in the recreation room and have some fun cadet, and that’s an order!” Jamie stood up, looked around at everyone else who nodded at her, and then walked out of the conference room with her head held high. Seth then turned his attention to the others. “I know you all intended to protect her, however, we cannot be so bent on protecting someone in the program, even if they are very talented, that we jeopardize the team. As far as Jamie’s problems, I don’t want you monitoring them anymore. She’s twenty-three years old, and well old enough to think about her own problems on her own. If she comes to you with a problem, you can help her, but stop monitoring her for wetting. It isn’t helping her self-esteem. Understand?” “Yes sir,” the others said in unison. “Good, get out of my conference room, and leave her alone. Dismissed.”
LionByrd Chapter One: Jamie’s Promotion “I’ve been reviewing the personnel records, and I just realize, that you have someone on your squad that has been passed over for promotions at least six times. Would you care to tell me why?” The man behind the desk had dark sandy hair and cool dark eyes. He was probably nearly thirty years old, maybe even older. The gentlemen he was addressing were a man with a black pony tail with a dark tan and a scuzzy small beard just starting on his chin. The other man was a redhead with freckles and green eyes. “It’s a girl,” the darker man started. “She has been having problems since starting with the team.” “Then why is she still here?” Seth asked, his hands coming together so that his fingertips touched. “May I?” the redhead interrupted. Seth nodded at him. “The girl has some personal issues, but she’s very talented, and her academic record is among the best of the team. We would definitely lose an asset if she were turned away from the team.” “And yet, Eric,” Seth smiled over the tips of his fingers. “You have kept her at rank three cadet status. What kind of problem would warrant such action if she is so good?” “The doctors say that her problem is stress related, sir. They have even recommended getting rid of her, but she has no desire to quit training, and we would really be losing an asset if we followed this recommendation.” “Just what is her problem?” Martin, the darker man answered. “She has wet the bed since starting here.” “Yes, I was aware that she was doing that,” Seth smiled. “She wasn’t the first, and not the last to have that problem.” “But it hasn’t gotten any better,” Eric went on. “She not only still does it, but has had daytime incidents as well.” “And this is the only reason you fail to promote her?” Seth asked the two men. They looked at one another, standing at parade rest in front of the team commander. Their white shirts with the rearing roaring lions’ silhouettes on the back of the shirts, on the back pockets of their cream colored dress pants, and above the right pocket of the front of the shirts. Under the lion symbol, just above the shirt pocket read the name Lionbyrd, and above the other shirt pocket were the names of the cadets and then four vertical blue outlined red bars on Seth, three on Martin, and two on Eric. They were in a small office with a bed to the left of the desk that they now stood before with Seth now lowering his hands as he looked up at them. “I do not think it is right to keep her at rank three cadet any longer. I will meet with her, her immediate supervisor, and the two of you in two hours, and discuss whether we will kick her off of the team, or if we will promote her. She cannot possibly stay a trainee forever.” “Yes sir,” the two junior officers nodded. Jamie, a light brown hair, almost blond girl with a reddish tint, sat at one of the desks in the team’s learning hall near the front, typing on a computer and reading the outcome. From the back, her white shirt was showing a bit of seat from the base of the neck, and her cream color pants were seated upon the chair. Above her left pocket, just above her name, were three round circles that were outlined in blue with red iris centers. Her hair fell just below her shoulders as she scratched her head thinking about the next thing to type into the computer. The rest of the learning hall was free of any people, though in the far back, she knew that three of the team’s upper officers were holding a meeting in the team commander’s room, and the other door to the rear of the learning hall, the empty conference had three windows that peeked into a room for twelve at the sides of the table, and one seat at the head. Jamie sighed as she thought about the question before her. She was trying to take the test yet again for rank four cadet, and couldn’t understand why she wasn’t either passing or being dropped by the program. She had seen her peers already gain two or three ranks in the time she had held the third rank, and she was becoming a little perturbed at just staying where she was. She looked up at the stage that looked over the thirty-five desks that faced it. On the stage, there was one other desk that faced them, there were three flags, and there were three other seats, one to the right of the one that was behind the head desk, and two to the left. What was she doing wrong? She looked through the question again, and still, the same answer as she had always given came to mind. She couldn’t think of a better answer, so left the question as it was. Something prevented her advancing, but she was sure that it was not the application form nor the submitted test that she had taken earlier in the month. Her knees closed unconsciously together as she pondered again what else she could write. Another young lady, this one with one blue outlined red vertical bar just above her name sat across from a boy with five red iris blue outlined circles above his name of Mike. Mike was yellow haired and blue eyed. His hair seemed to run wild around the top of his head, but it didn’t come down past his ears. The young lady had red hair that was cut short just below her ears. They had a chess board between them, and Mike was currently contemplating his next move. The girl, Amanda, was already thinking of two or three tactics that would follow this move depending on what Mike had done. “Promotions are coming up soon again, Mike,” she reminded him. “Have you completed the test for this term?” “Of course, I finished the test on the computer last night. I’m pretty sure I’ll get it again. Most of these questions are so common sense.” “Yes, but surely you study some before taking the tests, don’t you?” “Of course I do. Only a fool would try to take a serious test like that without preparing at all.” “Good. I’m sure you gain your junior grade officer rank soon.” “Amanda?” he had his head tilted and his mouth twitching just as he always did when he was about to ask an uncertain question. “Yes, Mike?” “When are they going to kick Jamie out of the program?” “What makes you think she’s going to get kicked out?” “She hasn’t been promoted in the last three cycles, and we were warned that if we didn’t get our black bars within seven years, we would be kicked out of the program.” “Well, it’s really not up to me, Mike. I don’t know what the leaders are thinking, but it is true, that at her current rate of progress, I don’t believe she’ll have her black bar before the deadline.” “Why do you think she isn’t being promoted?” “What do you mean?” “Well, she kids my butt at the shuttle simulator, and she’s pretty smart, not to mention she doesn’t do bad in tactics class either. I don’t understand why she’s not being promoted.” “I’m sure whoever is in charge has their reasons.” “Come off of it, Amanda. You are her sponsor. You must know something.” “Even if I did, I wouldn’t be obliged to tell you, would I cadet?” Mike became quiet. “Just drop it, alright?” Mike nodded and went back to the game. Eric walked out of the team commander’s office, actually, he was acting second in command, and held the rank of commander upon his uniform. He was also the first officer of the station, the captain of the station being Captain Strauss. He walked through the Lionbyrd training room, absently passing by the young girl they had been talking about. He smiled softly at her as he passed by having noticed that she was reviewing yet again her promotion test that would be reviewed by the board the next day. She was the only one in the training hall, which spoke about how much she was stressed about passing this time around. She surely knew that something was strange about her not passing, and she surely also knew that she might be kicked out of the program if she didn’t get promoted soon. He walked out of the training hall, through the door in the side near the stage, and into the common room where the rest of the team were enjoying some hard earned down time watching television, playing chess or fouls ball, and even taking a turn on the shuttle simulators. The simulator was a part of their training, but it was also run like a game, so that they actually enjoyed training on it. Currently, four people on the left side of the simulator combated against the four people on the right side of the simulator. It was set up so that the machine had a command chair in the center of each command station. One chair faced a command consul that faced the forward screen that showed the position they were in space, and their relative position to the other ship. Another chair faced a wall that had had three large screens displaying different things and a consul with buttons in front of that wall, that apparently were related to it. On the other side, there was a small consul that faced a half wall with glass. On this consul, there were other controls and a display screen that served some purpose towards the simulator. The pair of simulators were divided by a great wall, which made what each side did private from the other side, but those observing from behind the stage that the whole thing was set up on, could see the what both sides were doing as well as a screen that displayed what the two ships were doing just between the simulators and in front of the stage. Eric walked up to the chess game, rubbed his thumb and forefinger on his chin as though contemplating what Mike should do next, smiled, and then turned his attention to Amanda. “Seth wants to talk to you and Jamie in an hour. You are to take her and wait for him in the conference room.” “Do you know where she is?” “She’s back in the training room, contemplating her tests again. I swear, if half the team put in even half as much effort as she did, we would have the best team on the station!” “Don’t tell me isn’t going to get it again this time,” Amanda looked up at him. “Well, that’s partly what this is about. How is her problem going?” “Well, she still wets the bed about two or three times a week, and if she’s really stressed out, she sometimes needs to be reminded to use the toilet.” “Reminded?” “Yes, she gets so engulfed in trying to pass the tests and doing well in general, that she sometimes doesn’t go to the bathroom at reasonable times, thinking that she can just go as soon as she finishes, only she never seems to finish reviewing her efforts.” “I guess I should have asked her if she needed to go then,” Eric looked down at Amanda. “That’s okay. I’ll ask her now. I need to go get her anyway and make sure she’s presentable for the meeting anyway if Seth is meeting with her.” “I think Seth wants to promote her, but he wants to talk to all of us about why she’s stayed at rank three for so long and about her toileting habits or something.” “I understand.” Amanda stood up, gave Mike a stern look for a moment, and then turned and walked away. Eric sat down across from Mike. “You are not to repeat any part of this conversation to anyone. If it comes back to my ears by anyone other than Amanda or Jamie, I will have your records reviewed, do you understand?” “Yes sir.” Eric stood up, nodded at Mike, and then walked off towards the stairs nearest the entrance to the common room. It was up those steps, that the fourth squad rooms were located. Amanda walked into the training room, and she saw Jamie, her mouth taut with worry, her legs bouncing, and her hands frantically pressing keys on the keyboard. A tear slid down from her left eye, and Amanda already knew what was happening. She walked up to the front of the desk, pressed the computer lid closed, and looked directly into Jamie’s eyes. “You’ve wet your pants again, haven’t you?” she asked with a little smile. Jamie looked up at her. “We have to see the commander of our team, so I need to take you upstairs to clean up. We are going to have a meeting about your promotions.” “I’m going to fail again, aren’t I?” “I don’t know, Jamie. But I was told that they are actually going to have a meeting about that with both of us in an hour. Please come with me, and let’s get you cleaned up.” Jamie stood up, her pants dripping from the back, the puddle of yellow tinted nearly clear pee sat in the chair seat depression. “I’m sorry about the chair,” Jamie looked down. “It’s not a problem,” Amanda smiled warmly at her. “You can clean it up in a little bit.” Jamie nodded knowing that as punishment for wetting her pants, she’d have to clean all the wood chairs in the training room, and probably those in the conference room as well. An hour later, Amanda, Jamie, Eric, and Martin were in the conference room. Martin was by the head of the table near the chalkboard, and he turned his back to the other three. “Seth doesn’t feel it’s right, that you haven’t been promoted, Jamie,” he kept his back to the others. “You do know why you haven’t been promoted, don’t you?” Jamie looked down afraid to answer. She would have just figured she wasn’t doing something right on the tests or training if they were not in the meeting about it, and if Martin had not mention Seth’s displeasure about her being held back. She might have even guessed that it was because she was a girl, but Amanda had her first red bar, so it was unlikely they were singling her out because she was a girl. She had only one last thought, but if that were it, she figured they should just kick her out. “You were under too much stress,” Martin went on. “Eric and I’ve been talking about it at each promotion, and we’ve been talking with your training sponsor, Amanda. We couldn’t pass you while the doctors were saying that the stress was causing your problems because command would only add to your stress….” Eric took Martin’s silence as a cue. “We were worried that it would be too much for you to handle, to advance you before you were ready. You are of course, very talented, and we didn’t want to lose you. People that are stressed too much sometimes do worse than wet their pants, and we were afraid of pushing you beyond that. We’ve had Amanda keep an eye on you for changes.” At that moment, Seth walked into the conference room. He quietly took a seat while Eric finished his sentence. “Jamie? Amanda? Do you feel that Jamie really cannot handle the stress of advancement?” he looked into Amanda’s brown eyes. “She has been under a lot more stress trying to pass the silly tests and trying to revise her answers and figure out why she hasn’t passed, then she’d ever face as a supervisor on the team.” “Are you sure of this Amanda? Could you image her trying to explain to those juniors under her that she has a problem, and that they have to respect her even though she has trouble controlling her body?” “Yes. With all that she’s been through, telling her juniors that she has a problem would be a cakewalk, but besides that, there is no reason for her to even address it. She wets the bed all the time, but she only really goes in her pants during the day when she’s under a lot of stress. If she passed her tests, she would not be under as much stress, and she can continue her sleeping arrangements as she has them, so there is no reason for anyone to unnecessarily to find out.” “Jamie? Do you want to continue training, and to become a commander in the deep space ranger program?” “Yes sir.” “Then, it’s settled. You should have passed your examinations from the first one you failed, and we will be promoting you to a black bar as of tomorrow when your test results are out. Regardless of what your report says, you have enough points, and enough of a record to merit passing to junior lieutenant.” Jamie smiled. “So, get out of my training room, and get in the recreation room and have some fun cadet, and that’s an order!” Jamie stood up, looked around at everyone else who nodded at her, and then walked out of the conference room with her head held high. Seth then turned his attention to the others. “I know you all intended to protect her, however, we cannot be so bent on protecting someone in the program, even if they are very talented, that we jeopardize the team. As far as Jamie’s problems, I don’t want you monitoring them anymore. She’s twenty-three years old, and well old enough to think about her own problems on her own. If she comes to you with a problem, you can help her, but stop monitoring her for wetting. It isn’t helping her self-esteem. Understand?” “Yes sir,” the others said in unison. “Good, get out of my conference room, and leave her alone. Dismissed.”
This is my first attempt at an omorashi story, I'm not a professional writer, and I'm typing this as it comes to me, so please don't be too critical! The story is about a young couple who are on their first holiday together, but the mix of sun, thirst quenching drinks and a strange environment leads to one thing=desperate times! Here goes... Amy and Josh jumped from the bus onto the dusty path excitedly. This was their first holiday and they planned to make the most of it. The sun was beating down, scorching their skin despite the sun lotion Amy had applied to the both of them before they left the hotel. They had been dating for nearly a year now, and had been pretty much inseparable and they told each other everything...Well, nearly everything. Josh hadn't revealed his love of Omorashi to Amy. He worried that she'd think he was weird, and might even dump him if he told her. He hadn't even realised that it was popular, growing up he'd thought he was the only one to like that stuff. Brushing a hand across his forehead he paused to let Amy get ahead of him, all the better to check out that sweet ass of hers in those denim shorts-and boy, were they short! 'Josh, what are you doing? Hurry up, I'm sweating like a pig here!' Amy had turned around when she noticed that Josh was no longer beside her. She pulled her cinnamon coloured hair away from her face into a ponytail while she waited for Josh to catch up. They were going to do some sightseeing around the town and then walk into the countryside a way to view some Roman ruins. They had been walking for some time when Josh decided that they should stop for food, he was starving as he hadn't eaten much of the continental breakfast back at the hotel. 'I wish we could get some decent fries out here!' he laughed while dubiously poking at his seafood. Amy had lectured him that morning about not going to other countries and expecting to eat at burger joints every day, so he thought he'd try and wind her up again. She didn't seem to have heard him though, she was twisting and untwisting the cap on her empty water bottle and kept glancing about nervously it seemed. 'Are you okay hun? What's up?' He thought he saw her shifting in her seat slightly but soon dismissed it as his imagination, best not to get his hopes up! After eating they continued sightseeing, although they missed quite a few market stalls and shops as they had to dash past several street sellers, trying to force them to buy their wares. The sun was as unrelenting as ever, and two and a half hours after they had left the hotel they had polished off three bottles of water between them. They had stopped to browse through some trinkets at a stall when Josh definitely noticed Amy shifting from foot to foot, this time he was sure he wasn't imagining things. They had drank a lot of water after all, he was starting to feel the need too. 'Erm...you haven't seen any toilets around here have you?' Amy whispered nervously in his ear. Amy was the sort of girl never to reveal when she had to use the restroom, and would try to hide it as long as possible, much to Josh's frustration! 'No, not yet, sorry babe' Josh smiled inwardly, in truth he hadn't seen any bathrooms, but he wasn't totally sure that even if he did that he would tell her. He continued 'browsing' the shop's selection for a couple of minutes longer, and noticed with glee out of the corner of his eye that Amy was waiting for him to one side, looking rather uncomfortable. Amy pressed her legs together tightly. Why was Josh taking so long looking at this junk? If only she could tell him how bad she was starting to need a pee...but she couldn't ever tell him that! She'd just die of embarrassment. With any luck he'd be needing to go too soon and he would help her look for a toilet. She felt her bladder spasm suddenly from a moment of standing still, and she quickly walked around a few paces to fight off the feelings she was getting. As discreetly as possible she crossed her legs and squeezed as tightly as she could, while rocking back and forth. She'd needed to go for about an hour now, and didn't honestly know how much longer she would be able to hold it. Josh had finally moved away from the stall and was walking towards her, at last! Still swigging on bottled water they headed up the steep dusty road towards the ruins, the dirt clinging to Amy's feet in her flip flops. Josh was starting to need to pee pretty badly too by this point, and had on a couple of occasions dropped back slightly to quickly to grab himself. Sweat was trickling down his back, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. There was hardly any traffic on the road, though one car that had gone past had hooted their horn, presumably in Amy in her skintight shorts. 40 minutes later they had arrived at the ruins, and surprisingly there were no other holiday makers there. They strolled around for a while, Josh making Amy stop at every information board so that he could tell her what each part of the ancient ruins used to be. He felt guilty doing this, and it did come at a price, he felt a couple of drops escape while reading one particularly long passage, but seeing Amy squirm and fidget was so worth it! She sometimes pretended to walk around looking at the parts he was talking about, but she didn't fool him. He saw her hold herself a couple of times as she turned away from him. He quickly turned back to the tourist notice to stop himself from getting too carried away. Why are there no toilets around here? Amy was furious. She wasn't enjoying her day out at all now, all she could think about was how bad she had to go! She knew that Josh had to need to pee too, she'd seen him tap his feet and grab at himself when he thought she wasn't looking, so why wasn't he trying to find somewhere they could go? There was a refurbished fountain in the courtyard area, and just hearing the water tinkling and trickling drove her crazy! She felt a short sharp burst of urine escape and she plunged her hand desperately between her legs, before crossing them. Not caring who saw she pressed herself tightly and began to move away from the offending fountain. By the time she was far enough away not to be affected by the running water she realised she had completely lost sight of Josh. Glancing at her watch she realised it had been over four hours since they had left the hotel, and their glorious hotel bathroom! Checking to make sure no one was around, the stepped behind a pillar and quickly undid the button of her shorts, and thrusted her hand down onto her lace panties, to hold herself better. She really didn't know how she was going to get out of this one without wetting herself like a pre schooler! Walking was seriously painful now, as was holding her pee, but what other choice did she have? Josh had no idea where Amy had got to. He was reading one of the information boards to her one minute, and the next minute she'd vanished. He noticed a fountain a short distance away, and took a path to the left of it, he didn't want to be going anywhere near that thing! Even so, he had to stop to grip himself a few times, as he felt a few spurts break free. His bladder felt as though it was the size of a bowling ball, he touched its firmness gingerly, and gasped as another quick burst escaped. Rounding a corner he quickly stopped, there was Amy, believing herself hidden behind a pillar, grabbing at her crotch for all she was worth. He ducked behind another a fair distance away and decided to have some fun. He heard her mobile phone ringing, and then her voice on the other end of the line. She sounded stressed, panicky and more than a little desperate! 'Where are you, you disappeared on me!' Josh crossed his legs tightly and bounced up and down. 'I just wanted a look around, I'm actually at the far end, straight past the fountain, you can't miss me. Hurry up though, I'm feeling ill what with this heat, and I wanna get back'. She was furiously wriggling around while talking. Why is it being on the phone makes you need to pee even more? Despite her pleas for him to hurry up, after ending the call he continued to watch her from behind the pillar. As she was anticipating his arrival she had removed her hand from her shorts and had re buttoned them. The anticipation seemed to increase her desperation. She paced back and forth, constantly trying to see if he was approaching before holding herself and crossing her legs. Josh looked on as she became increasingly agitated. She seemed to be getting in quite a state, wiping sweat from her face and brushing loose hair from her face. His phone began to ring. He switched it off. 'Where is he?' Amy grumbled out loud, now so frantic she couldn't think straight. She thought for a moment about heading back to the hotel on her own, but as she had a terrible sense of direction she knew she would never get back to the hotel in time. There was only one thing to do. Glancing around she saw the remains of a wall that would offer her some protection from the road so that she could relieve herself. She walked as quickly as possible, legs pressed together while undoing her button. The zip released about an inch then stopped. 'Oh no!' She pulled like crazy but it wouldn't budge. Stamping her feet against the ground she tried to wriggle them off without undoing the zip, which failed miserably. Amy now felt like crying, she felt a few more drops of pee dampen her panties and felt like just giving in, though she wouldn't be able to show her face for the rest of the holiday if that happened! Josh was loving the performance, though watching made him incredibly desperate and turned on at the same time. He saw that she must have got the zip undone as she was pulling down her shorts and underwear to squat. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the furious stream flow from her onto the ground between her feet, and his bladder just couldn't take it. Before he could stop it he started peeing. Warm wet liquid trickling down his leg, a wet patch swiftly forming on his khaki shorts. He peed for what seemed an eternity, his shorts were completely soaked at the front by the time he had finished. He breathed his last sigh of relief and stepped away from the puddle slowly soaking into the dirt. He couldn't wait to go sightseeing again tomorrow! Before that he had to try and explain his wet patch to Amy.... That's it. I hope it was ok, and not too boring. As I said I just wrote it as it came to me, from the top of my head, as I need a pee while writing this! Very good inspiration for a story!
Julie shifted her legs nervously under the table. Her fidgeting was awkward, constrained by a tight pencil skirt that gave her legs little room to maneuver. She drew a deep breath. Her pulse raced. At the head of the conference room table, one of the department heads was droning on about his goals for the coming week. The lights were dimmed so that the room could more clearly see his PowerPoint presentation. Julie sat at the other end of the conference room table, one of a dozen participants of the company's Monday morning senior-staff meeting. Julie ran her fingers along the empty coffee mug in front of her. Her eyes fixated on the communal coffee pot beyond it. Then she closed her eyes tightly and shifted her weight again. The leather chair momentarily applied some much-needed pressure to her crotch. For a second, it numbed the pressure on her bladder. The weekly meetings used to be so boring for Julie--everyone who's anyone at the company making sure the bosses know who they are in the hopes of a bonus or promotion when the opportunity arises. The usual result was an extremely tedious way to spend the first three hours of every work week. At least it used to be ... before she started using the meetings to indulge her long-dormant desires. She had stumbled across the whole idea by chance. Four months prior she had been desperate to stay awake during the Monday meeting after a weekend that had consisted of too much drinking and too little sleep. She quickly gulped down a cup of coffee to stay awake, then another, then another. Soon she found herself bursting to pee with no discreet way to excuse herself for a bathroom break. She had to squirm her way through an delightfully torturous half hour with no escape. It reminded Julie of high school, when she would intentionally "forget" to use the restroom and gulp down entire bottles of water before her classes with the teachers who never gave bathroom passes. The result was a high-stakes game of chicken with her bladder than gave her a sexual rush unlike any other. Her graduation from high school had marked the end of such public recklessness for her holding adventures. For one, she didn't want the embarrassing "Pissy Julie" nickname to follow her to college, but maybe more importantly, there weren't many situations where a grown woman had a reasonable excuse not to relieve herself. She didn't want anyone to suspect she might be having accidents intentionally. Julie felt a quick spurt of warmth escape into her panties. She tensed every muscle and stopped it, but Julie had played this game often enough to know what that meant--the flood would not be far behind. She glanced down at her outfit and winced. Why did she always do this to herself? A tight, light-grey knee-length pencil skirt ... she knew there would be no hiding an accident in this outfit if she didn't make it to the end of the meeting. She *had* to hold on. Even if she pissed herself on the way to the bathroom it would mostly run down her legs and save her the humiliation of working the rest of the day with a tell-tale wet patch engulfing the back of her skirt. Julie thrust her left leg over her right, fighting the constraining fabric to cross her legs. She was so uncomfortable that she wanted to crawl out of her skin. She bounced slightly, but rapidly in her chair. Another spurt escaped. She had definitely overdone it on the fluids this time. Next time, she thought to herself, she must drink less. She slipped one hand under the conference room table and leaned forward with all her weight on her wrist, thrusting it into her crotch through her skirt. She felt another gush of wetness escape. Her pulse quickened. No turning back now. She uncrossed her legs, but kept her thighs tightly clamped together. Julie could feel the soaking wet fabric of her panties pressed against her pussy and ass. That last burst would have been enough to soak through her skirt at least a little, she was sure of it. She let another gush loose, barely fighting it now. This time the flow lasted longer Julie felt the warmth slowly spread to the back of both thighs. Her wrist began to dampen slightly through front of her skirt where she was pressing against her crotch. She was still trying not to draw attention to herself, but her heart felt like it was going to explode in her chest. There would be no explaining this. No hiding from it. She had no change of clothes and, unlike the some previous Monday meetings, her outfit wasn't going to help her conceal her pee stains this time. She would have to wear her wet clothes the rest of the day and everyone who saw her would know she had peed in her pants. The thought of it pushed Julie ever closer to orgasm. She was on the brink of letting go completely when she was jarred out of her self-absorbed pleasure by a flood of light. The last presenter had finished and the meeting was wrapping up. Julie once again crossed her legs to brace for the final hold before her upcoming dash to the bathroom. Her wet thighs pressed firmly against her drenched panties. With the spell of desperate ecstasy broken, Julie began to realize the size of the mess she had created for herself. She slid her chair under the table, pressing her stomach against the edge of it so no wandering eyes would see the damage to her skirt. She was afraid to look herself--the clammy feeling all over the back of her thighs and ass told her it was already a disaster. Her thoughts raced as she tried to plan her next move. It was a hot day outside, so she had nothing to tie around her waist. She commuted via train from an hour away, so asking to go home to change clothes would basically be equivalent to going home sick. Plus, she would still have to walk the streets and ride the train in wet clothes. She could walk to a store to buy a new skirt, but that would pose the same problem. Plus, she had "forgotten" her credit cards this morning, so she probably couldn't afford one anyway. Yes, she thought to herself, mission accomplished. She was re-living high school all over again. This was still not the worst public accident Julie had ever set herself up for. That title had always been held by the school bus incident her junior year. On that morning, she had worn her tightest light blue jeans and chugged down five glasses of water over the course of getting ready for school. Then she "forgot" her gym uniform and house keys on a day when she knew her mom would be on-site at a client's office at work and completely unable to bring her a change of clothes. The thought of having to hold it through a bumpy bus ride or go through the whole school day in pee-soaked jeans excited Julie so much that her hands were trembling as she headed off toward the bus stop, already barely able to stand still from the mounting pressure on her bladder. The bus ride that morning--full of squirming and leg crossing--was the stuff of her fantasies, even more than a decade later. So was her frantic run from the bus to the nearest school bathroom. But she *especially* still fantasized about the flood of warm pee that exploded down both of her legs when she discovered that all the stalls were occupied. Her jeans, sneakers, and shoes were soaked in seconds as a lake of urine rapidly spread under her jeans. Since she had no change of clothes, she simply went to her first class with her shoes squelching and pee still dripping out the bottom of her pant legs. She didn't even bother to pour the pee out of her shoes or attempt to dry her jeans with paper towels. It was obvious to everyone that day what she had done and her classmates found it especially gross that she had chosen not to change clothes or leave once it happened. Julie sat through all of her classes that day with her jeans wet and smelling of pee. Her morning accident had soaked her outfit so badly that even on the bus ride home seven hours later, her pant legs and socks still felt damp and clammy. Of course, in school the worst result of a wetting like that was utter humiliation. In the professional world, she could be fired. Since hiding the problem was out of the question today, she would have to play for sympathy or that's what would happen. People *had* to believe this was purely an accident. As her co-workers around the conference room table began to stand up to leave, Julie decided to make her move. She quickly stood up and bolted for the door, not even collecting her things from the conference room table. She raced as fast as she could in heels and a tight skirt out the door of the office and down the hall to the ladies room shared by all of the companies on the fourth floor. Julie could feel more warm spurts of pee running into her panties as her moved. That didn't matter now--she just needed to be seen by her co-workers running to the bathroom. It would help explain the accident later. As she approached the bathroom door, she reached for her purse to grab the key fob. Oh no! She had left her purse at her desk when she got in and her key fob to open the door in it. That wasn't even part of the setup plan ... just absent-mindedness. Julie pressed her weight against the door and desperately pounded on it, hopping in place as she did. Before anyone inside had a second to respond, she felt a familiar warm deluge begin to pour into her panties and run down her legs. Warm pee began flowing freely down her thighs and calves into her black pumps. The bathroom door startled Julie when it opened, bringing her face-to-face with a member of her team, Sara, now watching in shock as her boss pissed in her pants outside the restroom door. Julie pushed her co-worker aside and raced to a cubicle, leaving a trail of pee droplets along the tiled floor as she went. Julie closed the stall door and sat on the toilet, not even trying to hike up her skirt or take it off, just peeing straight through the back of it into the toilet. The stream diffused through her skirt and splashed into the toilet water below. There was no point in damage control now, Julie wanted to enjoy the moment. She pressed her fingers hard against the front of her skirt, trying to reach her throbbing pussy. This pushed the skirt's grey fabric into the still-flowing stream of pee cascading through her underwear. A visible dark wet patch began to form. Julie began to spasm in ecstasy. It was the strongest orgasm she had experienced since those high school wettings. She began fumbling to try to get her hand underneath her skirt to her soaked panties. While she was doing so, the gushes of urine reduced to a trickle and then stopped. She was empty. The relief of releasing the last of her pee sent more shock waves through her body. Finally, she managed to unzip the skirt and reach her hand underneath to her drenched underwear. She began to rub her pussy through them. It didn't take much ... three or four strokes and she could barely contain a moan as she nearly convulsed with excitement. "Are you alright?" Sara called out from outside the stall. Julie decided she better compose herself if she wanted to keep her job. "Um, yes," she mustered breathlessly. "I just had too much coffee this morning and it caught up to me." "If you have a change of clothes in your desk, I could go get them and bring them to you." "I wish I did," Julie said. She stood up, zipped up her skirt, and flushed the toilet. She opened the door to the stall and stepped out, revealing herself to Sara, who's eyes went immediately to the circular wet patch on the front of Julie's skirt. "Would you like me to collect your things? I could tell them you got sick and had to go home." "Aw, Sara," Julie said, touched by the offer. During all of her accidents, she had never had someone offer to be this helpful. Even her friends and family usually just laughed at her or shrugged before lecturing her on being irresponsible. "You're a sweetheart, but I'm pretty sure that the puddle I left on the floor out there will give me away. Everyone saw me running to the bathroom." Julie looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She still looked sexy in her black satin blouse and tight grey skirt, even if the skirt was two-toned now. The entire back of her skirt from the hem all the way up to the top of her ass crack was dark, almost black. Contrasted against the light grey, it stood out. So did the wet patch at the front of her skirt where she had been pressing her hand. The outline of her panties was clearly visible through both ends. Sara was staring at her in shock. "Besides," Julie said, now turning her eyes back to her speechless co-worker, "I'd still have to figure out a way to get home like this. I think I'd rather just admit that I had an accident and make due today." "Wow, I couldn't do that," Sara said, eyes still glued to Julie's skirt. "I'd die of embarrassment." "Oh, I'm already there, but if everyone here is half as understanding to me as you've been, I'll be OK." "Good luck with that," Sara said with a nervous laugh. "Do you want to be my moral support when I walk back in there and ask someone to get me a mop and bucket?" "Sure," said Sara uncomfortably. "Thanks, that's going to be the most embarrassing conversation. It should all be down hill from there." Julie did one final spin in the mirror, admiring the view her co-workers would no doubt be staring at and talking about all day. "Are you ready?" she asked Sara. "Yeah, I'm ready if you are," she replied. Julie led the way, opening the bathroom door and stepping around her original pee puddle. It wasn't as large as she feared it would be. Her pumps squelched ever so slightly as she walked, ahead of Sara, back toward the office. Her legs and ass felt chilly now as the pee covering them began to cool down. "I still can't believe you're still going to stand up in front of clients and give a presentation like that," Sara said. "Everyone's going to notice. I can't tell if you are brave or crazy." Julie stopped in her tracks. Her heart sank. Oh shit! That was today!?! How could she have forgotten? Julie had to present a project plan to representatives from the client, her boss, and most of her team and present her plan for their account. That meant an hour of standing in front of the room while she talked through a PowerPoint and wrote on the white board. It would give everyone in the room a long, clear look at her skirt--front and back. The presentation itself was done, but she had thought it was scheduled for tomorrow. "Isn't that tomorrow?" Julie asked weakly. "No, it starts in 15 minutes," Sara said. "I just got the reminder on my phone. You should hurry with the clean up so you have time to do that and get your presentation set up.." "Yes, we'd better hurry and do that," Julie replied. She resumed her walk toward the office, shoes still squelching slightly as she did. It's official, Julie thought to herself, I have a new most humiliating wetting.
First of all, I don't want you all worrying too much about the religious content in this story. It is very minimal, and only used to move the story along. You do not have to agree on religion to read this. It is just about a missionary that is stuck in an aweful situation, and about how her companion helps her solve the problem. It is female, and yes, there is a bit of a pooping accident as well as at least one purposeful wetting. An Ignored Prompting Having only ever seen young men from that church on bicycles with a white shirt and name tags, Mie was a little interested to see two young ladies in nice white tops, knee length skirts, on bicycles, and with the standard black name plates that identified the foreign girls as being missionaries from that one church that often spoke with people on the streets and even knocked on their house doors. Mie was thirty year old business woman, and had just stepped off of her train in Ushiku. Exiting the station, she had seen the young ladies standing there with nice smiles and shaking hands or exchanging bows with anyone that exited the station. Mie approached them because though she had no real interest in their religion, she did like to talk to the young men from that church, and she was really curious to see that ladies were also in the missionary work. “Good Evening,” she used her best English as she wasn’t sure how well they spoke Japanese yet. “Konban ha,” (ha pronounced like wa) one of the ladies spoke up to the kind lady that stood before her. Mie had the traditional Japanese dark eyes, dark hair, and she was dressed like a business woman with a professional looking grey jacket over a white blouse with a grey skirt. Mie took in the ladies’ appearance, looking at them from head to toe. One of them had red hair with a few freckles on her face. Her eyes were green, and she has the brighter of the smiles on her face. She had been the one that tried to speak Japanese. The other girl had darker blond or maybe light brown hair. Her eyes were blue, and she wasn’t exactly smiling, but she wasn’t frowning either. “Would you like to come my house?” Mie offered the girls. “It’s not far from here.” Exchanging excited looks, the two young ladies nodded pushed their bikes along so that they could walk with the woman. “My name is Mie Nakamura,” the woman said. “I never invite inside my house a man or woman whose name doesn’t know.” She was trying to use her best English (for all you non-Japanese readers), but it was very difficult for her. “So, what is given name, please?” The sisters looked at one another. One of them had a worry in the pit of her stomach that told her that something was strange, and they had been told by their mission president that their first names, while on this mission, was ‘sister’ or ‘kyodai.’ “Well, it is that choice for you. We can talk at the door, if you don’t give me a name.” They smiled in relief. Maybe talking at the door was better. But Mie was very curious about them. She called them around to the back yard where she had a picnic table. “How about we sitting here, and I can learn about your church that way?” “That’s wonderful,” the red hair sister Anderson said with a smile. Sister Brown just nodded in agreement, still feeling a little something like something was amiss. Was it the spirit talking to her, or was it something more basal? “So that church is started by the man Josefu Smisu?” “Well, actually, he was the first modern day prophet who is given credit for it, yeah,” Anderson stumbled afraid that they were getting off topic. She wanted to talk about the great news about the church, not about the politics that often scared people away from the church. Mie noticed that she started to shiver a bit from nerves, and her friend was looking down as though something were bothering her as well. Maybe she shouldn’t asked about that topic, if it made them so nervous. She smiled up at them stood up. The sisters also started to stand up. “Oh, please, no. Please sit, ladies,” she smiled back at them. “I’m just going to get something for your dry throats.” Anderson looked over at Brown as the woman went into the house. “I don’t know if she’s really interested,” the young lady now addressed Anderson by her first name because they were dorm mates and shared everything. That meant even their first names would come up in the late evening talk. “I have a feeling that the spirit wants us to leave.” “I don’t know,” Amy Anderson replied. “If she is even a little bit interested, we should tell her about the plan of salvation.” Jamie Brown looked down her eyes filling with tears. “You are right. I don’t know why, but I’m scared, Amy.” “Well, if we don’t get on the topic within thirty minutes, or if you continue to feel upset while being around her after thirty minutes, we’ll leave, okay?” Sister Brown nodded. Mie came outside with some lemonade and some small cakes. “Here you are, ladies.” Sister Brown looked from Sister Anderson, to the lady that made her nervous and made the pit of her stomach seem to ache, and then at the lemon drink and the small cakes. She shook her head. Something inside her told her not to eat the cakes or drink the juice, though she couldn’t think of why this stranger would poison her. Sister Anderson looked from the Mie to the small treats she sat on the table. Now normally, in Japan, just as I imagine it would be anywhere, if you are offered treats, it is considered a bit rude not to at least have a little. Sister Anderson smiled in gratitude. “These look really good, Mrs. Nakamura.” “I thought that you’d like them. Please have some.” And she put a couple of small cakes on small saucers and placed them in front of the girls. She also placed the lemon drink on the table in front of the girls. Sister Anderson adjusted her skirt and looked up after nibbling on the cake. She felt nothing wrong with it, and she really wanted to get to the point of visiting this beautiful person from Japan. Sister Brown, held her stomach as she looked at the untouched cake and lemon drink. She knew that she was being rude, but something inside her told her not to drink any juice or to touch the cake. Something was going to happen to her if she did…” “Have you heard about the plan of Salvation?” Sister Anderson went bravely on to talk to this delightful person. “No, please tell me about it,” Mie lied. She had indeed heard the message many times in her life, but she enjoyed it when people talked about it with her. She loved the passion that was in their voice when they mentioned it, and she felt like it gave her a great chance to practice her English, which was her main purpose for inviting the missionaries to have ‘tea’ with her. They were always willing, and whether she joined their church or not, they always talked to her. Mie stood up after about fifteen minutes because the doorbell had rang. She glanced an apology at the young ladies, and excused herself. “Sister Brown, is something wrong?” Sister Anderson asked a little worried about her junior friend. “Something is telling me not to trust this woman,” Sister Brown replied. “Amy, I don’t want to eat the cake or drink the lemonade.” “I’ve already drank half of mine. I assure you, there is nothing wrong with the lemonade, and the cake is really good. Are you really worried that there might be something bad in either?” Sister Brown shook her head. She was sure that they were safe to eat and drink, and that they didn’t contain anything they shouldn’t have or Anderson would surely have rejected them. “Then why are you trying to be rude to our host? She’s really trying to be pleasant, you know.” “I know, but I have a feeling she’s deceiving us, and that something bad will happen to me if I have the juice.” “Is it a prompting from the spirit?” Sister Anderson asked her with her eyebrows raised. Sister Brown wasn’t really sure if it was from the spirit or not because Sister Anderson, who was in tune with the spirit, and who had been on her mission even longer, felt nothing at all wrong. She finally shook her head. It couldn’t be the spirit, could it? Why was she scared? “If it’s not the spirit’s promptings, then please don’t offend our host,” Sister Anderson said with a smile but with a firmness in her voice that the matter was closed. Sister Brown reluctantly took up the cake and placed a bite into her mouth. As soon as she bit down, she felt the dryness of the cake making her mouth beg for something to wash it down. There was no doubt that the cake was sweet and properly made to be very good, but still, it had made her already dry mouth a bit more thirsty. In the meantime, Mie had come back from talking to her door visitor. She had a smile as she saw Sister Brown lifting the glass of lemon drink to her mouth. Finally, the young woman had stopped being so suspicious of her, and had started to enjoy the food she had placed out for them. Sister Brown watched as Mie took her seat again and Sister Anderson started to talk about the church with her. The cup that she placed on her lips shook with even more worry than she had had when she bit into the cake. Something was definitely telling her not to drink the lemon drink. The other two ladies stopped paying attention to Sister Brown for the moment, and Sister Brown could only focus on her own feelings of fear as she placed the cup shakily upon the table. The reason they were outside, was that the woman was a little nervous about inviting people she didn’t know into her house. It made sense to Sister Brown, but still, she wondered if what she had felt was a prompting by the spirit after all, as now, she started to feel like her bladder was filling up. Sister Anderson didn’t seem to stop talking, nor did she seem to fidget meaning that it was probably just a personal situation. Maybe it was because Sister Brown had not been to the toilet all afternoon, and God knew that she might find herself in a difficult position if she drank something right at this time, and she had not listened! Sister Anderson turned to Sister Brown. “So, would you share about when following the spirit had helped you?” ‘How ironic,’ thought Sister Brown. “Well, the spirit guides me daily, but one time that I can really think that made a difference in my life, was when I was thinking about going to a party with my high school friends….” She had started to share her story. Deep down, she realized that the spirit was yet again trying to help her, and this time, she had ignored it. It’s a good thing that they were not talking about how NOT listening to the spirit could get you into trouble, because right now, this was the only example that came to mind. As Sister Brown finished her story, she crossed her legs and looked up at Sister Anderson and then at Mrs. Nakamura. “That’s a fantastic story,” Mie admitted. It wasn’t so much that she didn’t believe that warnings could come from supernatural places. Her father had been a follower of Buddha, and her mother’s family even followed more traditional Japanese beliefs so that she was not opposed to the intervention of a God or Gods, but she wondered if really, they were all celebrating the same God and just calling him or her something different. “It is fantastic, isn’t it?” Sister Anderson grasped Mie’s words and turned them to mean something positive rather than something that would take away from the spirit. It’s fantastic that God would care for each of us in such a way, that he will influence our lives if we…” and she continued. Sister Brown was now bouncing her legs badly and her hands were starting to creep towards her skirt as she shook. She didn’t know what she would do if the woman said no, but she had to ask. “I’m awefully sorry,” Sister Brown blushed. “But would it be okay if I just went to the bathroom?” “Well, the nearest place is the Seven-Eleven around the corner from here,” Mie smiled. She was going to be firm about them not coming into her house after all. “I … I don’t think I can wait that long,” Sister Brown looked down. “Can’t I just use the one in the house? You can follow me and see that I don’t go anywhere else or touch anything,” she whispered. “No. I already told you, that if you cannot give me first names, then I cannot invite you into the house. If you willingly trust me with your names, then I’ll trust you into my house.” Sister Brown looked over at Sister Anderson, and the spirit inside her was already nudging her to not give her first name even before she saw Sister Anderson looking apologetically but shaking her head no. “I guess I’ll wait,” Sister Brown said, her voice cracking into a little squeak. Sister Anderson was torn. She was wanting to talk to Mie more about the church as she seemed so interested, but she also wanted to get Sister Brown some relief before something bad happened to her. She prayed inside her heart, and suddenly the doorbell rang. Mie disappeared for a minute while the two girls were left alone. “You won’t make it to Seven Eleven, will you?” Sister Anderson asked as she watched Sister Brown bouncing around and holding herself like a little girl. “No,” a tear fell down the left side of her face. Mie came back, and announced that she had someone important visiting. She invited them to come back in a couple of days and then turned the girls out onto the street, with Sister Brown still bouncing on her knees and yet trying to keep her hands decently away from her skirt. It was not ideal, but Sister Anderson took Sister Brown’s hand and she led her down the street until they found the little alleyway she had remembered seeing. “It wouldn’t be good for you pull down your pants here, but at least, no one else will see you pee,” she whispered. Just stand with your legs apart like this, and she showed Sister Brown what she meant. “Pull your skirt up just enough to out of the way of the pee, but keep your panties covered like this…” Sister Anderson demonstrated everything, and soon, a stream fell from between her legs splattering the ground between her feet, and making a puddle. She peed for a few minutes, and then she stepped away from her puddle. “Okay, your turn, Sister Brown. Make sure to get the skirt pulled away from your bottom. That is the most important place as that is where you will get wet if you do it wrong.” Helping her ‘sister’ get the relief she needed, Sister Anderson smiled. Sister Brown couldn’t believe that Sister Anderson, normally a very confident and powerful woman in the Lord, had actually not only wet herself, but was teaching Sister Brown how to do it without drawing any attention to the accident after it happens. Sister Brown could not get it started at first, though her body burned down there, and her hands kept wanting to go to the front of her skirt to hold it. “Don’t put your hands in front of your skirt. If you do, you will make the pee get on the front of your skirt, and then everyone will see, and not only that, but it will make the back of your skirt cling to your legs and butt so it will get wet, too. Trust me, I’ve had to do this a few times.” Sister Brown nodded and panted as she tried to let it go, but her body was scared to give up. She felt disgusted and too ashamed to pray about this. What if God said it was her own fault for not listening when he first told her not to drink the lemon drink? She stood there, her face getting redder both from embarrassment and from concentration until finally, she started to feel a little spurt slip into her panties causing her privates to feel wet. She bore down and pushed again, this time, making a bit of a stream that splattered the ground before it subsided. “Come on,” Sister Anderson prodded her gently with words. “You need to finish before someone comes and catches us, or you will be really embarrassed.” Sister Brown nodded and pushed really hard, only this time, not only did pee spill out of her warming up her panties and creeping nearly to the top of the back of them, but also she felt a heavier push from the rear, and gasped as she started to make a little crackling sound into her panties. Sister Anderson realized by the smell that Sister Brown was really in trouble, now. “Well, you’re already doing it. Just finish, and then we’ll go home, okay?” “I…. I can’t finish that on purpose…” “Yes, you can, and you better. You are already a mess, and you don’t want people starting at you if you are uncomfortable while we are walking home. If you just finish quickly now, no one will realize it’s you as long as you do what I taught you and keep your skirt out of the way. Now hurry up and do it.” Sister Brown started to cry, her hands covering her face, so Sister Anderson held her skirt just the right way for her companion so that she could finish going in her pants. As she held the skirt at the proper place so it wouldn’t get wet, she saw the sagging mess as her friend’s panties filled with poop. Finally, they started to walk home.
So this is a one shot story and one of the few fanfictions I will write that don't consist entirely of OC's. That is all, enjoy. The bell for final period in Hollywood Arts rang as Sikowitz entered the classroom, barefoot as usual. The class all sat in their chairs, awaiting another unusual lesson from the odd teacher. The lesson was on improvisation and went on rather uneventfully, which by Hollywood Arts Standards, was rather odd. Finally the bell rang dismissing the class but Sikowitz had other plans. "Good Gahndi!" He declared. "I almost forgot! Tomorrow I want to continue this lesson, however I want to make it interesting." He said. "Interesting how?" Jade asked. "Half of you will choose a name and a challenge out of these two hat. Tomorrow the person you choose will be your partner, and the challenge is something you must act through." He said. "I'm up for that." Tori said. She pulled Cat's name and the challenge to hold her pee the entire day of school until after her scene. Andre got Beck and no sleep the night before and Jade got Robbie and not eating breakfast or lunch. "I don't want to work with this loser." Jade complained. "No one does." Rex piped in. "How do you know we actually do our challenges?" Andre asked. "You're on the honor system, which basically means private investigators are too much money." Sikowitz replied. "Aren't our challenges a little harsh?" Tori asked. "Aren't our challenges a little harsh? Don't they go against school rules? Isn't there laws about this?" Sikowitz mocked before taking a drink from a coconut. "Class Dismissed." As the group departed Jade stopped Tori and Cat. "Feel like making this even more interesting?" "Interesting how?" Tori mimicked Jade's earlier question. "Starting now, is the last time you pee, and I eat. The rest of the day, we carry out our challenges." "I have a tiny bladder." Cat squeaked. "This doesn't concern you Cat." Jade snapped. "Ok." Cat squealed. "I don't know..." Tori trailed off. "Are you chicken?" Jade asked. "My brother had a chicken, until he ate it." Cat muttered. "Cat!" Jade cried. Cat yelped and quickly left. "How will you know if I really didn't pee, I could just pretend." Tori pointed out. "You aren't that good of an actor." Jade laughed and turned to leave. "Fine. Tori muttered as she head for her home. The next day Tori was amazed she hadn't wet her bed, let alone made it all the way to sixth period. "After this, I just got to do a scene and I can pee." Tori muttered under her breath as she made her way to Sikowitz classroom with her hands on her crotch through her light blue skinny jeans. Her legs trembled as she walked into the class and took her seat shortly before class began. She began to cross her legs tightly and kept her hands jammed into her crotch despite other students noticing. Next to her, Cat wasn;t fairing much better. SHe had her hands under her short red soffe as she bounced her legs up and down. The other students went first, leaving Tori and Cat to go last. FInally they got the stage and were told to improvise a scene of a modern day Romeo and Juliet, with Cat playing Juliet and Tori playing Romeo. The two reluctantly began to imrpovise a scene, though both were doubled over with their hands in their crotch. "Hey Romeo." Cat struggled to talk. “Oh hey…” Tori tried to muster a smile as she remained in her earlier stance, though now dancing from foot to foot. “You spend this whole time, staring at me when you think I’m not looking and that’s the best line you can come up with?” “yeah well, in my defense I wasn’t well prepared.” Tori laughed fighting to keep her urine in. Julia: “Never get the bird and the-” Rome: “Funny.” Tori interuppted, getting a few laughs from the crowd. “How come no one ever lets me finish my sentences.” Cat asked before biting her lip and bending her knees as a spurt of urine entered her white panties. “Trust me, no one wants to be reminded of that speech.” Tori grit her teeth. “especially when you’re talking to your child hood crush, or did you think I forgot who you were Romeo?” “I uh..” “Honestly all this time at the same school with me, and the same Bio class and you couldn’t even manage to say hi.” Cat began to jump up and down trying to fight the urge her bladder was sending her. “Well uhm…” Tori was beginning to lose concentration on anything other than her bladder. “Relax. It’s kinda cute.” “You think I’m cute?” “Technically I said the fact you’re nervous is cute, but yes.” “You’re cute too.” “Not very smooth are you?” Cat had her legs tightly crossed, her hands firmly placed against her clit, her knees bent and her back hunched as she trembled. “I can be.” “Prove it.” Cat whined. “Well, beautiful… Ok you’re right I suck at this.” Tori said as a spurt or urine escaped her, leaving a barely noticeable wet patch on her crotch. “Try asking me to dance.” A half dollar sized wet patch formed on Cat's shorts though no one saw it. “As long as you don’t mind me stepping on your feet.” "You're a dork. Romeo I have to peeee!" Cat cried as she started shaking. "Me to Juliet, just hang on!" Tori said looking at Sikowitz who was busy sipping a coconut. "Too late..." Cat began to sob as the wet patch grew on her shorts. The entire but of her shorts was soon covered by a dark glistening wet patch. Streams of urine fell from her but as she remained doubled over and began to pool around her feet, small rivulets of urine gushed down her toned legs. "Juliet... Are you ok? Oh!" Tori cried out as she doubled over quickly as urine leaked from her urethra. The front of her thighs were covered by a book sized wet patch. Meanwhile Cat was still peeing herself and crying. "Gah! It's so much harder to hold it watching you pee yourself Ca-Juliet!" "I'm sorry for the inconvenience!" Cat squealed as her flow subsided and she was left in a puddle of her own urine. "AHHH!" Tori cried out as more urine slipped out leaving a trail of it streaking down her inner thigh, the fabric darkening where the urine soaked it. She regained control but a long wet patch covered her left thigh to her knee and a small puddle remained between her legs. "well Juliet, looks like we're even." Tori muttered, though she was still trying to control the remaining amount of urine in her bladder from joining the rest. "Yet they never broke character!" Sikowitz called out. "You may use the bathrooms." "Too late!" Cat cried and ran out. Tori on the other hand, still desperately needed to use the restroom and hobbled out as fast as she could. She kept her hands in her crotch as she made a beeline for the nearest bathroom and came upon one. She was at the door when Jade intervened. "Out of the way Vega, I need to use the toilet." "Why?" Tori said not straying from the doorway, despite her own need. "I held it to long!" Jade tried to push past Tori, which sent another short stream down Tori's legs. "WHy?" Tori said toying with her rival. "I....like the way it feels." She said. "What?" Tori asked genuinly uncertain of what she said. "Nevermind move!" She pushed Tori, which only caused Tori to completely soak herself. She stood in shock as a loud hiss filled the air as urine rapidly gushed out of her urethra and spilled down the back of her legs, causing dark patchs to streak down to her ankles where the urine slipped into her shoes. Hot pee quickly soaked into the soles and her purple socks before pooling out to the ground below her. Soon a puddle covered the ground between her and Jade and Tori's skinny jeans were completely soaked from urine. Watching Tori pee herself was more than Jade could handle. Despite crossing her legs, pee escaped her urethra and began to leaving a growing glistening patch on her black skinny jeans and filling her black high heel boots and even streaming from her legs towards the ground where the two puddles mixed and widened until Jade was thoroughly soaked. She gasped loudly as the bell rang and the students emerged from the halls and spotted the two girls with their soaked pants. Laughing ensued as they both ran from the scene to their respective lockers before heading to their own homes to escape the humiliation.
So I hope you enjoy this chapter, next one has bedwetting:) Tori woke up the day after she wet herself at school, with a slight tug in her bladder. She yawned as she stretched and crawled out of bed, dressed only in blue panties. She quickly stripped altogether and pulled out new clothes for herself: a black thong and a black bra, dark blue skinny jeans, high heel leather boots, and a hot pink t-shirt. She hopped in the shower, deciding to use the bathroom after she ate. She was in and out of the shower quick, then dressed herself and head down for breakfast when she noticed the time. "Trina!" She cried, realizing she was going to be late for school. "Why didn't you wake me when my alarm didn't go off?" She asked as her sister was making her way out the door. "It's not my problem." She shrugged. "I have a field trip today!" "Big deal." Trina muttered, oblivious to Tori's urgency. "It's worth twenty percent of my grade." Tori muttered, deciding she didn't have time for breakfast, but instead grabbed a bottle of water and ran out the door. She managed to barely make it to school and made it to her class to find a substitute teacher. She was instantly reminded of a drill Sargent from the moment she laid eyes on him. No sooner had she taken her seat had the bell rang and the man began collecting their permission forms. Moments later they were aboard a two hour bus ride to a ghost town in which a western movie was being shot. They were to observe the movie process from an on-set view. An hour into the ride Tori noticed that she had to tap her feet slightly erratically to keep her bladder situation under control. Another thirty minutes and she found herself crossing and uncrossing her legs with her hands in her lap, adding slight pressure to her crotch. She glanced around the bus to make sure no one saw her, but Jade was wrapped up with Beck (I haven't seen the most recent episodes so I don't know if they are still broke up, but I prefer them that way soo..) Andre was staring out the window, probably silently writing a song, or just avoiding the conversation Robbie and Rex were having right next to him, on Tori's right Cat was caught up in all the sights around her and the bibble she wasn't supposed to have. Tori sighed in relief when they pulled up onto the ghost town in which the movie was being shot for authenticity. As everyone got off the bus she made her way to her substitute teacher to ask for the bathroom. "Hey, can I use the bathroom?" "There aren't any bathrooms on this set. You can hold it till we go back to the school." "That's three hours away!" Tori exclaimed. "Big deal, how do you think these actors manage?" "Ok." Tori muttered defeated. Though she pondered just how did the actors hold it? Was the teacher flat out lying to her? She didn't know, so instead she just gathered amongst her classmates and crossed her legs while she stood in place. Her need gradual rose as the day progressed till the last scene the class would witness. Then the crew had a problem. "Okay, so one of our saloon girls couldn't make it, we need an extra. Who wants the part real quick, its just a quick scene." The director asked. Cat and Jade attempted to get the part of course, however there hair was deemed to unnatural for the old west. Then the director noticed Tori. "Hey, what about you?" He asked. "Oh, no... I have to use the-" "Non-sense! You are perfect for the part. Come on." Soon Tori was dragged into a dressing room where her modern make-up was washed off and replaced with what would most likely be seen on girls back in the western days. Then came on the old fashioned clothing. She found a corset tightened against her body and she nearly lost control of her bladder, however she managed. Then several moments later she was dressed in what would have one been a very seductive dress. Then she was ushered on stage where she tried to mimic the other extras as they danced in the back ground. The movements helped ease her bladder twinge as the shot the scene until the crew deemed the scene good enough for film use and Tori was dismissed. She struggled to shuffle her feet to the dressing room, but while the crew was helping her take off her make-up she felt her bladder release some of her urine into her under-dress and her butt grew warm and wet. she blushed brightly but didn't say anything as she stemmed the flow. However as she was forced out of the restricting clothes they discovered her accident. "Oh dear, you had an accident." One of the stylists muttered. "Well you aren't the first, today that is." Here, you can take these panties and get in your own clothes." The lady said sweetly. "Thank you." Tori said as she pulled on her street clothes, now wearing new white panties, before heading to join the bus, still noticing the pain in her bladder. She took her seat again, now with her legs bouncing and her gripping the fold of her groin as she hunched over and tried to contain her urine till they got back to the school. She didn't noticed Jade watching her with amusement and she half-heartedly talked to Beck. However Jade had a problem herself as she worried she might be pushing her own limit once again, but ignored the thoughts. Cat on the other hand had been smart enough, (albeit embarrassed about it) to bring herself a heavily absorbent diaper she had already wet in twice. Tori found herself thinking of the other accidents she had in the past week: Last weekend she had wet herself at a movie, though she wore black jeans that made it hard to see the wet patch, then she wet herself when she was locked outside her house and the time Trina hogged the bathroom and Tori eventually just gave in a few moments before Trina came out and of course the time she wet herself at school for the challenge. Now however she felt as though this time her bladder hurt more than ever, she thought it might be because this time she was holding more water than usual and the other times she released before her breaking point. Tori gripped her crotch tightly with a joint on her index finger pressed against her urethra when she noticed how clammy her crotch felt after the few spurts she had involuntarily released. Swear was forming on her brow as she was doubled over in her seat, her legs crossed and bouncing as her face scrunched up in desperation. Warmth suddenly spread across her lap in the span of three seconds leaving a decent sized wet patch in between her thighs and on her butt. She held on for another miraculous thirty minutes when her Urethra felt like it was on fire and her bladder spasm-ed. Hot urine sprayed out around her finger, quickly soaking her butt as it pooled around her leaving a small puddle beneath her. She managed to gain control as the entered the Hollywood boundaries. She bounced up in down in her seat, sending droplets at Cat who tried to press herself up against the side of the bus as best as she could. Unfortunately Tori couldn't take it anymore. Her legs were still crossed and she was pressing against her clit as hard as she could when the flow began. Hot urine exploded from her urethra and spread across the entire seat, soaking Cat who cried out. Dark streak of urine shot across her inner thighs from her more forceful streams. Soon urine ran down the back of her calves as the puddle began to cascade down the sides of the seats and flowed towards the front of the bus while Tori tried to stop the flow. It was futile, she continued to pee until her bladder was empty. She sighed as the stream subsided. Soon sighs became tears as she cried. Jade on the other hand smirked despite her rapidly filling bladder, but just when she began to worry about wetting herself too, the bus arrived at Hollywood arts as the school day ended and they all departed.
My family didn't actually end up doing what we were supposed to so guess I get to write this installment sooner:) Tori was still in tears when she walked through the doors in her soaked clothing. She caught the attention of Trina who was lounging on the couch when Tori walked in. "Awe, did my baby sister have an accident at school today?" Trina asked. Tori wasn't sure if she was asking her or not, so she simply said nothing and headed up to her room, pulled out a change of clothes and head to take a shower. She quickly stripped from her soiled clothing and tossed them onto the floor before stepping into the shower. She quickly turned on the hot water and let it wash over her. She stared up at the shower head feeling disgusted at herself. She spent the longest time wallowing in self pity as the hot water ran down her beautiful body before she decided to clean herself. She decided the hot water reminded her too much of wetting herself so she switched it to cold before scrubbing her body with soap. She felt her nipples harden due to the icy water but ignored it and carried on cleaning herself. Finally she emerged and dried herself off with a towel and got dressed. She pulled on hot pink panties, the bra she wore that day, the same shirt but different skinny jeans and just pulled on purple socks rather than a new set of shoes. She then went on to lounge in her bed, still feeling miserable for her fifth accident that week. The pain in her bladder was fading but it still had a slight sharp pain. She flicked on her television and decided to keep to herself till dinner. Slowly the pain fled her body and she was finally comfortable around five. Dinner was at seven and she was already getting bored but forced herself to her room as she watched television. However as time progressed to the time in which dinner would be ready she felt a sudden and intense prickle in her urethra. She lurched forward and her hands shot into her crotch but a spurt already escaped into her panties. She gasped as she sat up her hands forced onto her clit and her desperately trying to stop the urine dribbling out. After maybe a minute she regained control and her urge died out. She was dumbstruck at how fast the urge had come and gone. She simply ignored it and head relaxed again. Her panties slowly dried, however when six thirty came around urine leaked from her bladder without any warning. Tori groped her groin but the flow was already done, leaving a quarter sized wet patch on her pants. She sat on her bed in utter confusion. She found herself racing to the bathroom and quickly placing herself on the toilet with her pants and underwear pulled down. She forced out a small amount of urine, but surprisingly didn't have much left in her bladder. She brushed the incident off and head out for dinner and sat at the table with her family. She ate in silence, praying Trina wouldn't mention her accident to her parents. Fortunately Trina kept to herself for once. "So Tori, how did your field trip go?" Her mother asked. Tori felt herself blush but pushed it off. "great! I was actually a saloon girl extra!" Tori exclaimed. "What?" Trina asked. "I should have been there! I would have made the perfect saloon girl!" The rest of the dinner went well, Trina never brought up her sister's accident and Tori managed to sneak up to bed without incident. She quickly stripped off her shirt pants and socks before crawling under her covers and quickly descended into sleep. It wasn't long before she began to slowly began to squirm in her bed. At first it was only slight, occasional shifting and the slow crawl her hand made till it pressed itself onto her crotch. She rolled from side to side with her knees raised til they made a 90 degree angle with her lower abdomen despite her back being slightly hunched and both hands now in her crotch. Her squirming became more persistent as she subconsciously tried to fight her rising urge. She was soon thrashing her legs as she fought her bodily function until her blankets were thrown off of her from her kicking. She rolled back and forth until finally her body completely relax. Her hands fell limp and a dark stain began to form between her legs and began to cover her butt. Soon a hiss was audible in the other wise silent room and her panties were mostly covered by a dark, ammonia reeking stain. Warm urine then began to pool beneath her waist, soaking her pink sheets. The puddle began to slowly become visible as ripples ran through the puddle as it grew from one just covering her groin area till she was laying in a yellow puddle from her mid thigh to her upper back. She shifted again onto her stomach as the rest of the urine gushed from her urethra and added to the large puddle. warm urine soaked her body, lapping at her bra and she smiled to herself softly from relief until she began to rouse. Her eye fluttered open as she realized she her head was tilted sideways. She smiled at the warmth of the urine, not yet aware of what it was. she enjoyed the warmth till she realized the moisture that it also contained. She furrowed her brow in confusion and lifted herself up and glanced down to find herself in a puddle, seeping into her bed. "No, no, no no, no! This is not happening!" Tori cried as she leaped off her bed. Her eyes burned with tears. She stripped naked and yanked off the sheets but eyed the wet stain on her bed. She sobbed as she struggled to flip the mattress, glad both sides were functional for laying on. It was difficult to position it right, but as she stared at the soiled clothes and sheets in misery. She sighed and gathered them up, sneaking off to the washer room where she tossed them in. Then she dashed up to the bathroom and leaped into the shower and washed herself off. As she washed off the filth from her body she fell into the fetal position where she remained under the shower stream. Then she got out, dried herself off then switched the load to the dryer, remained in the room, still entirely nude as she waited for the load awkwardly. When it was done she grabbed it, slipped back on the clothes and replaced the sheet, pulled on the blanket and hope no one would smell the urine scented mattress as she slipped back to sleep.
hope you like this chapter, I think it may be over the top but I digress. enjoy. Tori woke up to the ringing of her pear phone. She was laying face down into her pillow as she reached onto her bed stand. She struggled to find it without looking before she finally groped it and pulled it to her ear. "Hello?" She asked tiredly. "Hey Tori!" Cat squealed from the other end of the phone. Tori winced from the sudden high pitched noise. "Hey cat." Tori mumbled. "I was wondering when the slumber party is?" Cat sang. "It's just a sleep over cat, me and you. You can come over at seven." Tori replied tired. "Ok, bye!" "bye." Tori hung up and sighed. She rolled over for a moment as memories of the previous night darted through her mind. She found her face burning as it shifted a shade of scarlet. "I can't believe I wet the-" She was cut short as her a pang from her bladder sent her doubled over. She added pressure to her clit and shuffled to the bathroom awkwardly. She felt her face grow hotter as she made her way towards her bathroom and just made it onto the toilet with her panties off as urine exploded from her urethra. She sighed in relief as the sudden pressure was gone. She slipped off her clothes and stepped into the shower, quickly running the hot water as she began to scrub herself clean. She forcefully cleaned herself, trying to forget about the past week as she showered. She grit her teeth bitterly as she washed shampoo out of her long luscious hair, hot water rushing through her hair. Her mind kept returning to the accidents she had. Even in the privacy of her own house, she was utterly humiliated at what had happened last night. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she stepped out into the cold air and dried herself with her towel, dabbing her watering eyes before wrapping her body with the towel and heading to her bedroom. She might not have worn the towel though, since she didn't run into anyone on her way. Rather than dress right away, she slid beneath her blankets after tossing her towel into her hamper. She dozed off again and woke up a few hours later still feeling miserable but head over to her dresser and got dressed anyway. She pulled on white lace panties and bra, black yoga shorts and a light blue tank top before rushing down stairs to answer the door. The ringing door bell was getting more erratic as she got into the living room where Trina was lounging on the couch. "You couldn't answer the door?" "That's not my job." She replied as she continued to watch some show on the telveison. Tori rolled her eyes and pulled open the door to find Cat dressed in denim shorts and a violet t-shirt. "Hey Tori." She said as she walked into the house. "Hey Cat." Tori smiled as she began to shut the door when someone stopped it. Tori glanced back to find Jade in the door way dressed in black skinny jeans and a black leather corset. "What are you doing here Jade?" "Beck's at Andre's for the night so I decided the deal with you." "Fine. No stupid pranks on me or Cat though." "Deal." Hours later Tori somehow managed to slip asleep after repeated rushing to the bathroom through out the day. She was curled up in a long blue t-shirt and a red soffe as she slept on her couch covered by a thin blanket. On the floor was Cat dressed in a long red night shirt, and just out of sight was an adult diaper around her teenage groin. She was tucked into a blue sleeping bag, though, further concealing her diaper. Jade lay awake in her green sleeping bag dressed in grey sweat pants and a green camisole. Jade sighed bitterly as she crawled out and hatched an evil idea. "Never made any promises for Trina." She smirked and made her way into the Vega's kitchen where she grabbed a bowl and filled it with warm water, dipping her hand in it to test its warmth. Her bladder twinged on contact with the water and a spurt dribbled into her lime panties. "I got to stop holding it so long." She muttered. True, Jade liked the feeling of desperation, and the relief and warmth wasn't so bad either, but she never preferred to wet herself. Especially in public. She sighed and carried to bowl into Trina's bedroom. Trina was dressed in a yellow t-shirt and light blue boy shirts as she snored softly. Jade carefully lifted Trina's hand and dipped it into the bowl. Jade waited as she stared at Trina's crotch as a dark stain slowly began to form. Jade smirked again, despite the pain in her bladder. Suddenly Trina slowly began to rouse. Jade's eyes went wide as she dropped the bowl beneath Trina's bed and dashed back into the living room where she slipped back into her sleeping bag as another spurt dampened her underwear. She heard Trina enter the living room and forced herself to remain silent and still, despite her screaming bladder and tingling Urethra. She grit her teeth and curled her toes as she straightened herself out. "I know one of you did this to me!" Trina accused as she stood in the center of the living room. Her shorts were soaked and darkened around her crotch and butt. Warm urine still dripped between her legs, some streams still visible on her legs as she inspected Tori. "Tori!" She urged shaking her younger sister, however Tori just mumbled something in her sleep and turned over. "Ok, then what about you Cat?" She bent down, her butt near Jade's face. Jade could now smell her urine and she wrinled her nose as urine finally began to stream out into her own panties. "Cat wears diapers?" Trina asked herself. "And uses them apparently.... That leaves you Ja- You're wetting the bed!" Jade forced herself to play possum and didn't react to Trina's announcement despite the warm urine soaking her her pants and making a loud hissing as it sprayed the sleeping bag and began to pool beneath her butt. "Gross." Trina muttered and left the living room. Jade tried to stem her flow, but the damage was done. Her clothing was soaked from her mid back to her ankles as urine filled her sleeping bag. Finally the streams stopped and she slipped from her sleeping bag her face scarlet. She gingerly lifted her sleeping bag as urine sloshed around inside the water proof fabric and she began to sneak out of the house, pouring out the urine on the front lawn before discreetly running back to her own house in her soaked clothing. A few minutes after Jade's fiasco, Tori's bladder gave out without warning and without her consciousness to stem the flow her soffe darkened as urine began to trickle onto the couch cushion. The seat absorbed most of the urine as it poured from Tori's urethra and out of her darkened soffe as a dark wet patch expanded on the cushion and some urine began to cascade off of it and onto the floor. Tori remained asleep through her entire wetting. "Tori! Tori!" Cat woke up Tori once again. "You wet the bed!" Cat exclaimed. "what?" Tori asked as she sat up and quickly became aware of the cold wetness of her lower body. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at the stained couch. "My parents are going to kill me!" "Maybe we can clean it?" "Yeah sure, let's go to the furniture cleaner. Get dressed now!" Tori commanded as she ran into her bedroom and stripped naked before pulling on new clothes: pink converse, black yoga leggings, a violet bralette top before she rushed out to meet Cat, who was then dressed in skinny jeans, black high heels and a cobalt blue off the shoulder tee. The two took the cushion and ran off to the furniture cleaner. The paid to have it clean and left, told to come back in two hours. Cat decided to go back home and Tori head over to a burger joint where she ordered a large soda and two large order of fries and ate in silence, Utterly embarrassed. Remember to leave feedback, please and thank you.
OKay, this story starter might be a little long, especially since the first chapter doesn't even have any desperation in it yet. However, I am not sure how many chapters it will be, but I'm sure it won't run that long. There will be female desperation, and wetting. There will be wetting caused by strict teachers at a special university, there will likely (I haven't decided for sure yet) some bed wetting, and there will be a little humiliation. At least one of the main Characters will absolutely hate wetting herself, but have accidents, and one of them will secretly enjoy it, but try to act as disgusted and upset by it as she thinks is normal to do so. One of them will not wet as a general rule, and the fourth one, well, I don't know what to say about her yet. There will also be two boys mentioned, at least one of which might wet his pants at one point or another in the story. Those are all the spoilers I'm giving for now. So, Time for Chapter one, the beginning of the tale. Which I don't plan to drag out much past the tenth chapter, even if it's really good. So, don't expect it to last that long. Just a warning for those that love chapter stories. Brenda’s Lessons Chapter One: The Dormitory Rules Brenda was a new student at the special adult education school. She had read the pamphlets, and she knew that those that graduated this very prestigious (and fictional) school, always had a job inside of six weeks of graduating. There were many catches, however. The school strictly told the students that they would be treated like high school kids, and sometimes worse, and that all their progress reports would be sent home to parents so that they could see what their children were doing. Not only that, but they would never get into another college if they allowed themselves to fail this college. Brenda and her parents talked about the school over the course of a year before deciding on it. Money was not a factor at all, at least not for her parents, but her success was. Brenda also wanted to succeed, but she had been worried about the part where the school would continue to treat her like a child, but in the end, agreed with her parents, that it was only six more years (not four?), and then she would have a guaranteed job when she graduated in the field that was right for her. Now, at nineteen and a half years old, the auburn nearly carrot headed and lightly freckled young woman with a broad grin and green laughing eyes was in front of the gate to the private university to begin what seemed like high school all over again. She looked down at her light brown leather handbag, closed her eyes, and took a determined step through the arches of fore boding gate to hell. There were plenty of young people just like her just beyond the gate, and even behind her ready to step through. There were also those that were used to the life in that place, who seemed to walk resigned to another year, neither with smiles, but also not crying or looking too miserable. Those that were used to the way of the school, walked straight for the dormitories located around the back of the main building. Brenda gulped. Well, she had little choice now, if she wanted to make something of herself. Her parents had already registered her, and she was there, so she put her other foot in front of the one that stepped through the gate, and she proceeded to follow the upper classmen around the main building to find the dormitories. What they had in store for her here, she was sure it would neither be pleasant nor necessary, but she had not planned on it being as bad as it actually was. Brenda looked down at her handbag as she approached seven dormitory buildings, each with a different animal etched into the exterior walls by the doors. Brenda Stockholms Dorm Lion Room Matsu 101 That was interesting. So each of the houses have a kind of unity organized around an animal that probably stood for some ideal or another and it would make the members of each house look after the other? Brenda sighed. She pushed the doors to the dorm with the rearing lions open, and walked down the short hall to the information desk. “Ah, Ms. Brenda Stockholms,” she had a pleasant smile and a bit too much perfume that had the opposite effect of what Brenda supposed she had wanted, that is, unless she wanted the students to stand at least ten feet from her. “You are in the same room as Ms. Cunnings. If you just walk to your left, go up the stairs to the first floor, and walked further down your left, you will find Matsu 101.” Brenda smiled a polite smile though her nose wrinkled a bit at the over powering violets and something else that she didn’t quite make out that fumed from the woman’s arms. She turned and started to walk down the hall she was told to go. Of course, there were already many students ahead of her, and it seemed that the crowd had come to a standstill. It was ridiculous to have all the students looking for their rooms on the same day, Brenda thought, but apparently, that would be just one hint that this school was not going to be easy. There was a method to the madness, you see. But you will see it…. After nearly fifteen minutes, her feet barely able to inch forward all the time, Brenda finally found herself on the first floor, and walking down the corridor to her room, but still in a fairly big crowd. “I wonder how many people will be in the same room with me?” she thought aloud to herself. “Will there be a senior that is in charge of us all, or will we at least be treated like adults during our time off from classes?” Another five minutes gave her plenty of time to wonder about things like that, and also for something in the lower pits of her stomach to announce to her that they existed. The familiar feeling, she had experienced many times so that she knew when she had to pee, was only making itself known. It was not yet in any dire situation, but Brenda knew better than to tempt fate when it came to her bladder. She could still remember the eleventh grade humiliation as her body finally gave up on the bus ride home one afternoon. She walked slowly along following the students until finally, she found her room with four beds! She had known that it was common practice to have roommates in college, but three others? Why did it have to be so many? She knew that meant that it was unlikely she’d ever have any peace or privacy. Brenda walked into the room, and met the first person there, who also had red-orange hair that was cropped just above her ears, though there was feminine design to it, and the girly earrings in her eyes gave her away as a woman. Holding her hand out, Brenda greeted the stranger. “Hi. My name is Brenda.” “I’m Amanda. I’m the room senior, and it is my responsibility to make sure that the room stays in good order, so please help me by keeping your things off of the floor, and taking turns with the cleaning efforts.” “Sure. So, are we really going to have two other roommates?” “Yeah. Their names are Amy and Jamie. That’s pretty much all I know at the moment about them though.” “Well, I hate to be crude, but I really need to see about getting to the bathroom, okay?” “Suite yourself, but you should be warned that going out there right now, you will be fighting the streams of students trying to get to their rooms.” “Don’t we have connecting toilets?” “What, do you think this is a hotel or something? This school is very strict and quite inconveniently set up in many of its designs, but this seems to have been done on purpose.” “Are you kidding me?” “Not at all.” Brenda looked down. She was sure it wasn’t an emergency yet, but still, it was a bad idea to try to wait as she really wouldn’t know when the halls would clear out. “Well, I’m going to try to fight the crowd anyway.” Brenda walked outside into the hall, and it was just as Amanda had said. Just like a little row boat with only one paddle to run upstream against, the current of people seemed to twirl her about and to push her back more than she could get a fighting few feet forward to the nearest one. No one seemed to want to give even an inch for her or to turn sideways or whatever it might take to let her pass. Even if one did so, the person behind them both pushed them both ahead. So that soon, Brenda was even passing her room in the wrong direction! Sighing, she decided to see if she might pass another bathroom further down the hall. There were over twenty rooms in this direction, and between the tenth and eleventh room, she did find an open archway that indicated a bathroom. Brenda slipped in, and made her way towards the stalls, which were actually closed tiny rooms with a toilet, which made her feel a bit better, as each door had a lock to it despite the fact that both boys and girls would be sharing the same restrooms. After Brenda had finished her initial business, and after she had seen the crowds still in the hall, she decided to look towards the back of the restrooms where she found the baths. The baths also had small single rooms with tubs that had locking doors, so that really made her feel much better about that. Brenda tossed her long brunette hair around as she turned her head to look behind her at some young man that had come in behind her. “Err… I was just checking out the restrooms,” he told her. “Yeah, me too. I’ll just go.” The young man with yellow hair smiled and stepped aside for her. It was quite a fight to get back to her room, but eventually, she made it. By then, the other two girls, one with long blue-black flowing hair to her slim butt and a golden blond broad faced and somewhat heavier girl had come into the room. The slender girl had a shallow face, and dark brown eyes. She smiled at Brenda as Brenda had opened the door to get into the room. “I’m Amy. It’s very good to meet you.” “I’m Jamie,” the golden blond looked up from sitting on her bed with a pad and pencils, drawing. “Now, you are all here, I can go over the rules,” Amanda said in a low voice. “Of course, you are free to ask to change rooms if you find that you can’t believe that you need to do the things I say. Of course, if you do, you will never be fully trusted by your new roommates, and you will have a lot of difficulties.” Brenda looked up at Amanda, then towards her other roommates to see if they were reacting the same way she felt. “People will not trust you if you change rooms, because they will feel like you will betray them or make trouble. You will also find, that if you do change rooms, that my rules are both reasonable, and compared to some rooms, are quite fair.” The girls narrowed their eyes at Amanda. It was obvious that she was setting them up for unpleasant news. She was the upper classman in charge of the room, and they all had the feeling that regardless of how pleasant she tried to make it sound, they would definitely had to do what she says, and Brenda was a little fearful of what that might mean. “Alright girls, don’t look at me like that,” Amanda smiled at them. “It’s not as bad as all that! Trust me, you’ll find the teachers are much more strict than I’d ever be. And I will also be doing my share, as well.” Brenda doubted it, but she smiled back at Amanda as did the other girls in any case. There was no point in making the upper classman a little upset with you on the first day over something that hadn’t really happened yet. “So, we will each be responsible each day for cleaning the room. On Thursday, Amy will do the chores, Friday will be Jamie’s turn, Saturday will be for Brenda, I will take Sunday, and then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we will go back to you three in order.” “So you only have to do the chores one day a week while we do it twice?” Jamie put her hands on her hips. “Yes, but I’ll do it on Sunday, the one day we all would like to have free. When you are the upper classmen in the rooms, you can make your own rules, and even decide not to take a turn if you want.” Brenda laid back on her bed. It would do no good to fight with Amanda about it. “So, what kind of daily chores do we do?” “During the week, just make sure the floor is clean, your own bed is made, and that not even the one that is supposed to clean will do for you, and take out the trash. You are each responsible for your own clothes and books, and if the one cleaning finds your clothes or books, they will put them on your bed while they are cleaning unless you are dealing with them. That goes for me, too. You are not responsible for my clothes or books either. Just put them on my bed as you would each other’s if you find I’ve left something out.” Amanda smiled at them all, and Brenda turned to look over at her. “If anything happens, like bad grades, disobeying teachers, or other things that could get our room into trouble, you have an obligation to tell first me, and then our room. If we find out the hard way because the room was punished for your troubles, I will punish you yet again, and the other girls will not talk to you for a few days. However, if you man up, then you may find that we can be very forgiving, depending on what had happened.” The rules of the room seemed quite strict and it seemed as if the other girls were treat Amanda as if she were their older sister and they had to do just about anything she said. Jamie had looked up the section on rooms in her student handbook, because they all became curious as to whether Amanda really could make up all these rules, and they found that not only were they legit rules, and not only did Amanda actually tell them some of the rules word for word, but that she was actually being somewhat kind about even participating in helping with the room chores. “Now,” Amanda turned to look at the girls one last time before releasing them to go to dinner. “We are going to go get dinner, and when we come back, I want everyone in this room to take her bath and prepare for bed. Lights out is at nine-thirty.” The other three girls groaned. “I know,” Amanda rolled her eyes. “Believe me, I wouldn’t enforce that one if I didn’t have to. I hate going to be that early too, but if we are caught up after lights out, we will get in trouble as a room, if even one girl is found to be up.” “What a load of caca!” Jamie whispered. The room had become so quiet after Amanda had told them the final rule, and everyone had groaned, however, that everyone heard what she said, and they all had a quick laugh as though it was a joke.
Still no descriptive wetting yet, but I'm setting the story up. Once you understand what is going on, some of the other things later to come will make sense, and without these opening chapters, none of this would make any sense at all. You have to suspend your idea of what reality is anyway just because there is no way any of this could or would happen in real life. But that's the beauty of fiction. Chapter Two Brenda was comfortably snoring in her bed sometime in the early hours of the morning, when a sudden pounding noise cut through her dreams about a trip to some exotic place with a boy of her dreams and jolted her senses to awaken. “Let me in,” came the loud cries of one of her roommates from outside the door. Brenda looked over at to Amanda’s bed, and saw her looking towards the door with glaring eyes. “If anyone moves to open that door,” Brenda warned. “That girl will be in as much trouble as Jamie is. I know I told you all that we are not allowed to be up after lights out, and yet, Jamie just decided to leave the room anyway, probably to see if she could meet a boy.” “What if she just went to the bathroom?” Amy whispered. “What if she did?” Amanda asked her back. “Well, wouldn’t it be cruel to make her stand out there and get in trouble for just doing that?” “Maybe,” Amanda put her finger to her lips. “But as I don’t know what she was doing, really, I can’t take that chance. She is on her own, and if either of you help her, I’ll tell the teachers that you were involved as well.” Brenda sat up on her bed. She looked over at Amanda who then turned her gaze back at Brenda. “If you are even thinking about standing up, miss, you will be reported,” Amanda whispered in a low hiss. “It’s the rules, so get used to them. You don’t get up during lights out.” Brenda sighed and crawled back into the bed. “What will happen to her?” “Security will probably come for her, take her to their office to sleep the rest of the night, and then file paperwork on her which will be forwarded to our dean. As long as no one else gets up or does anything, and if she really went to the bathroom, then she will probably just get a warning, and our room will lose one point.” “Are the points that important?” Amy asked in a whisper. “Well, they can affect our grades for the semester. If we have a lot of points, a borderline grade will be raised to the higher grade. If we have too few points, even a middle of row grade can be dropped to the next lower grade, so if you are a B student, you will still pass, but if you have any Cs, it can cause you a lot of trouble in that class.” Brenda slid down into the blankets and tried to close her eyes against the pounding of the door. It was no use staring at the pounding as it would just cause more trouble if she let Jamie in, even though she did feel sorry for her. Soon, the pounding stopped, and they heard muffled noises from outside. Jamie was apparently led off. Hours later, Brenda woke up to see that Amanda was staring at the door but still lying in bed. Amy was still sleeping, but her movements told Brenda that she would soon wake as well. “When will we be allowed to get out of bed?” Brenda asked Amanda. “As soon as our dormitory manager comes in and tells us we can,” Amanda yawned. “If we are found getting dressed before that, we will be in as much trouble as Jamie is in.” A few hours later, Brenda and Amy were waiting outside the classroom door for their first period. They still had not seen or heard anything about Jamie, and were a little worried about her. They were also getting a little nervous about the rules at this school. “Can you believe that she was in trouble just for leaving the room for a mere second or two?” Amy whispered to Brenda. “I know. I wonder what we are supposed to do if we really do have to go in the night to the bathroom,” Brenda whispered back. “I mean, I guess some girls might be strong enough to wait until morning, but surely they won’t get much sleep if they do.” “I know,” Amy looked down. “And some girls like my sister would have definitely wet her pants if she was forced to wait any more than an hour.” “Well, maybe Jamie could just explain. Maybe she’s not in that much trouble,” Brenda tried to be optimistic about it. The young people were all finally invited into the previously locked classroom door by a stern looking man most likely in his fifties. Brenda and Amy sat by each other, as did other people that shared rooms, or so it seemed. “Good morning,” Mr. Strictland had written his name on the blackboard at the front of the class along with the word Math just under it. “I will be your math professor this term. Homework will be handed in on time or not at all. If you have a good reason for not doing it, you better tell me as soon as you can by either dropping by my office or sending me a notice through the school messaging system.” He had now started handing out workbooks. While he did so, he continued explaining his rules which did not seem to be very forgiving at all. The man was certainly going to be quite difficult to please. Even though it was the first class, he had not only given them strict contracts to sign, which if they didn’t sign, they would not be allowed in his class, and then would be in violation of the school rules for not having a first period which could get them kicked out of school and even jailed overnight, but he also gave them homework to work on. The class lasted about eighty minutes. As Brenda walked out of the class with Amy at her side, she felt a heavy cloud lift from the air. The man really seemed to make the students feel constricted though the room that they had the lesson in was quite large. “That man is going to take no nonsense,” Amy giggled to Brenda as they walked towards the next class. They had about fifteen minutes to get there, so they weren’t too worried about being on time. Surely, they have plenty of time, though they did have to go to a different building on the campus. It was as they approached the second class of the day, that they saw Jamie. They both ran up to talk to her almost immediately. Brenda was very curious about what had happened to her once she had been taken off, and why she had to miss the first period. “Oh, my friends,” Jamie said sarcastically as they came up on her. “Why the fuck didn’t you open the door?” “Amanda was awake,” Amy looked down and ashamed. “She said we’d be in trouble if we let you in,” Brenda whispered. “Honestly, I wanted to let you in, but Amanda gave us a look and a lecture that was quite scary.” Jamie put her hands on her hips. “I see.” Jamie still wasn’t that happy about them leaving her out there to take all that heat. She walked into the class without trading any further words with her roommates. Indeed, she had practically run Amy over as she pushed past her into the classroom. Amy and Brenda looked at each other. It must have been really bad since she was acting like that. Brenda looked from Amy sadly back towards Jamie who had on a red belt around her waist, but it didn’t seem to have any real purpose. She had on jeans that fit her nicely, and a purple top that was striped. If Brenda had those clothes on, she wouldn’t bother with a belt, especially a gaudy red one like the one she had on. Jamie walked over to the chairs near the front of the class, and sat down in one of the six chairs that had a sign above them. The sign was not a welcome sight to Brenda or Amy, and they didn’t remember if the first class had had such a sign. Reserved for students who are on notice: Only sit here if you are wearing the restricted red belt unless you want to be in trouble. “She’s in more trouble than I thought she’d be in,” Brenda whispered to Amy. Amy nodded. “I wonder why she really left the room, then.” “I don’t know,” Amy looked doubtful, but didn’t tell Brenda what it was, that she was feeling doubtful about. Her finger was touching her lips, and her eyes were looking from the sign to their roommate. “No wonder she’s upset,” Brenda whispered. That was when Ms. Carnz started their Science class. At the end of the class, it was already 11:05: lunch time. Jamie walked towards the doors without looking at anyone, but Brenda and Amy hurried to try to catch her to explain yet again. Jamie turned on her heel and looked right at them. She had shining eyes full of tears. “I’m sorry,” was all Brenda could really say. She knew that trying to explain was hopeless in the present because Jamie was just being punished, and they really didn’t know why she had left the room. “Can… can you tell us why you left the room?” Amy asked her quietly. “I went to the bathroom,” Jamie’s left eye started to spill a tear. “That’s what we thought,” Amy told her. “But Amanda said that since you didn’t tell anyone, that if we opened the door, the room would be in worse trouble.” “She did?” Brenda nodded. “Alright, you are forgiven,” Jamie sighed. “I tried to tell the security that I was just going to the bathroom, but he just said that it was a likely story, and then put this stupid thing on me. I’m not allowed out of the classes for any reason today no matter what.” “I see,” the other two girls whispered. All too soon, lunch was over, and Jamie continued to sit at the restricted area throughout that day of classes. They had a class from 12:00 to 1:20, 1:35 to 2:55, and the last one from 3:20 to 4:40. Brenda and Amy hadn’t even noticed that anything was wrong with Jamie over the last two breaks, but when they saw her just sitting in her chair after the last class had finished at 4:40, Brenda was sure that something was wrong. Brenda walked over to the restricted section with Amy in tow, and then they saw it. There was no mistaken what Jamie had done. Her pants were soaked, there was a puddle on the floor, and her teary eyes were downcast at her pants, her face quite red. Brenda didn’t know what to say about it to her, and neither did Amy. They sat on either side of her, and waited for her to say something. They would have to take her back to the dorms, obviously, but with her pants so obviously wet, they knew that it would be one well remembered walk of shame. Finally, Jamie looked up and over at Brenda. “Why are you still here? Can’t you see what I did? You should be going out into the halls, and laughing with anyone else that saw it.” “Laughing?” Amy whispered her eyes near tears herself. “Yeah. I just wet my pants like a little girl, so you should be making fun of me, right?” Brenda shook her head. “I don’t make fun of people for things like that. It’s not your fault, I’m sure.” Jamie looked from Brenda to Amy and saw that Amy was also serious and a bit more teary than even herself. “We are roommates,” Amy croaked. “If you have a problem, then we all have a problem. If I had anything with me that you could borrow to cover up your accident, I’d gladly give it to you until we got to the dorms.” Jamie suddenly smiled. She stood up and gathered her things together, and the three of them started to walk back towards their dorms. Several students had glanced their way, but no one seemed to say anything. The older students, shuffled the younger students away from them, and those younger students who had no upper classmen with them, just walked away before saying anything to each other. Finally, they had gotten to the Lion Hall, and walked down to the security office. Brenda knocked at the door, while Amy stood directly behind Jamie to keep her pants as much out of view of those passing as she could. “Jamie,” the stern woman with a gray bun tied in her hair opened the door. “I was wondering what had kept you. Have you learned your lesson?” Jamie nodded. “No more night time strolls, okay?” Jamie nodded. The woman removed the belt and then had Jamie stand back, show here what she had done, even making her turn this way and that while she inspected. “Looks like only one accident today?” Jamie nodded not sure how she knew that. “Well, make sure you follow the rules from now on. As I’ve already explained, everyone in your room has suffered a five point loss, and your punishment is now over. Please go get cleaned up before going to dinner.” Brenda and Amy were standing in the room with her, and had soon caught on to what had happened. The woman had had to unlock the belt because it had a lock where the buckle was. They knew Amanda had told them that the room would lose points, so that had not surprised them. And the three girls walked from security to their room. Amanda was already in the room. She seemed to be waiting for them. When Amanda saw Jamie’s pants, she nodded as if she already knew what had happened without asking. “Get cleaned up, girls, and we’ll go to dinner after everyone has had a shower.”
I don't think this is the best way to write these, but I'm at a loss about how to change them, so I'll just post these two chapters... Enjoy. Chapter Three: Who wet the bed? The girls had headed off towards the dinner hall together, this time properly taking in the full expansion of the beautiful university. They strolled out of their room, through the Lion Halls, out the door and into the scenic outdoors. The lion hall was upon a hill that seemed to overlook the rest of the university, except there were two other dorms that were even with it, but spread away from their hall, so that the rest of the campus looked like it was in a valley. Amanda looked at Jamie as they approached the top of the stairs that went down into the valley. “Jamie? Don’t be too upset about what happened today. It’s normal that most students cannot last all day when you are on toilet ban.” Jamie nodded. Brenda loved the view, but she really didn’t care for the climb up to the dormitory earlier that evening, and now, they were descending to the dining hall which meant she’d have to climb the stairs again. She heard Amanda whisper to Brenda that it wasn’t a big deal, what had happened, and she blushed. She wanted to tell Amanda that it was HER fault that Jamie was caught out of bed, but she didn’t know what would happen if she did. The came upon the three story dining hall, and because they had been so tired the night before, and in such a rush that morning, this would be the first time that Brenda would really get a look at the design and wonder of the place. As they walked through one of the three double doors, they saw the service lines that were set up like a buffet in the middle of the hall. Overlooking this service line, as Brenda looked up, she could see a big empty void with rails on either side of it on the second and third floors. They were like balconies that overlooked the entrance and the serving lines. The balcony like fence stretched around in a horseshoe shape with only one direction going completely to the far wall with no tables above the service center. The stairs that went up were at the end of this space one set of stairs going up to the left and one to the right. Brenda saw that properly that the lights were soft and inviting, and the floor of the main serving area was wood, but the areas where the tables were, was carpeted in soft burgundy. Her feet seemed to sink an eighth of an inch into the beautiful soft floor, and somehow that had taken the pain out of her legs from walking all day. As they walked through the second floor looking for a table, Amanda suddenly balanced her tray with one hand and waved with the other to some boys. There were two of them, one of them obviously older like herself, and the other a little younger. “Amanda!” the yellow headed older boy called out to her. “Over here! We have room for all of you.” The girls walked over, and Jason, the yellow head stood up and moved one seat over so that Amanda could sit on one side of him, Jamie sat between the two boys, Brenda sat on the other side of the other boy, and Amy sat between Amanda and Brenda. The table was round. “This is Chad,” Jason told Amanda. “Nice to meet you,” Chad held out his hand across the table to take her hand for a moment. “My name is Chad.” “I’m Amanda, and these are my bunkmates this year.” Chad looked at the three girls that were with her in turn and smiled. The girls each took their turns to introduce themselves in their own way, Jamie very confident and bubbly, Brenda reserved but not too shy, and Amy with just a little wave and an almost inaudible voice so that Amanda had to speak for her. Chad smiled at her introduction, and he kept looking at her as they ate though it was mostly Jamie that was chatting with him. Brenda had had a remark or two, but Amy just sat there quiet and obviously uncomfortable. Finally, with dinner over with, the girls waved the boys off as they started to head a different direction outside the dining hall. Amanda had a little smile on her face as Jason kissed her hand in parting. She really liked his style. He was neither too bold nor very shy, and he seemed to like her confidence. As they started to climb the stair, Jamie poked Amanda in the back. “So what hall are they in again?” she asked. “They are in the Crane Hall,” Amanda replied simply. “That boy, the one with black hair, he likes you,” Brenda whispered to Amy. “He kept looking at you, and he asked you questions even though you were quiet. I think he wants to get to know you.” “I don’t think so,” Amy looked down. “Boys just don’t like me. Anyway, they wouldn’t like me once they get to know me and find out about things about me.” “Why?” Jamie looked back at her surprised. “You are a very sweet person.” Amy blushed. “Thank you,” but her words were very quiet. Amanda giggled as she caught the last part of their conversation. “Amy, you really are a dear, but you need to show a little more confidence in yourself. Why don’t you think boys like you?” “I just don’t,” Amy whispered her face flushed and her hands shaking. She wished that they would drop the point and find something more interesting to talk about. The truth was, there was a difficult problem that she had been hiding from everyone that she hoped no one found out about too soon. Still, even without that problem, she thought her hair was matt black, her face was plain and too narrow, and her smell was too obvious especially after sleeping or exercising. Eventually, as the girls appeared at the front steps of Lion Hall, they dropped trying to make her feel better about herself for something surprising that they had found on the bulletin near the front door. Field Day is to be held in three weeks. Lion House practice will be held this Saturday down at the main gaming field. The three newer girls immediately looked towards Amanda for some kind of explanation. The girls were all let into their room, and then Amanda started to explain. “As you all know, there are seven halls in our school. Each hall is like a team and family. Whatever we all do, earns our hall points or takes points away from our hall. Every year, we have eight special events where the halls can earn points against each other. On Field Day, we will run track, and basically have a mini-Olympics games to determine our starting position with each other.” “No one said anything about house points before now,” Jamie looked up at Amanda asking for more information. “Well, house points are useful for various things. When a house has enough points, they gain extra privileges throughout the year. House points can also help our grades at the end of the year, and they can be used to take an absence from classes.” “So, it is like in Harry Potter,” Brenda pointed out. “Well, I suppose,” Amanda responded not really having read the book. “The thing is, you have to do your best when we have competitions and term tests so that our hall can get the most points. You also have to work hard for room points, and try not to break rules or irk the teachers because room points can affect our grades more directly, and the points might be used for against us getting to do something that otherwise the whole hall might have earned.” “So… there are both house points and room points?” Jamie asked. Amanda grew weary. “Yeah, we have to worry about just doing our best though, because either way, they both transfer to us having a better or a worse time at school.” Jamie excused herself from the room and Amanda nodded at her in approval. Brenda awoke sometime in the night to some strange sounds coming from Jamie’s direction. She wasn’t sure just what she was hearing as the sounds interrupted her dream and took moments to register, but after a bit of time, she finally made out that Jamie was squirming around, whimpering, and whispering to herself. She wondered what could be bothering the girl, but she was afraid to get out of bed to go find out. What if Amanda woke up and got angry at them? Jamie shifted once more in her bed her face flush with heat and her hands working frantically into the cotton of her purple brief-style panties with pink polk-a-dot like flowers. She breathed heavily, and tears were burning her eyes. Her lips below felt as though they were holding back a fire, and the burning in her tubing was fierce. How much longer before they would get them up? She hoped it would be soon. In another bed, the matt-black hair girl had a couple of strands of blue-black hair over her closed eyes, and she breathed evenly. Her body was warm and she felt as though she were in a warm bath which completely relaxed her body as she dreamed away. Amanda had her mouth partly open, and the soft sounds that escaped her mouth were not so loud that they disturbed anyone, but they were quiet snores. Brenda looked towards the window from her bed, and saw the sunlight starting to make the curtain look a bit pale. The morning was upon them, and any moment, Jamie would be able to get her relief without breaking the rules, if she could just hold on a little longer. Brenda smiled at the thought of her roommate, normally so outspoken and confident, maybe standing in front of the three of them in dampened panties and a tear or two in her eyes, apologizing, and it made her feel something she had not felt before. She felt both very warm inside to think that Jamie might be cute that way, and also a little tingly downstairs, as though her privates needed some attention that she would normally want from a boy. Brenda slipped her left hand down at her panties and rubbed at them for a moment or two. Jamie was still squirming and bouncing in her bed, and the bed was starting to squeak a little which woke Amy. Amy looked over at Jamie’s bed, and she smiled faintly wondering what Jamie might be doing. There were only two things she could think of that she could be doing, and by the stiff way she held her body, she wasn’t sure if Jamie was in the middle of a climax, or if she was trying to keep her bladder from exploding. Brenda nearly jumped when the bedroom door opened. “Get up, ladies,” the elderly woman from the day before entered the room and surveyed the ladies. “It is time to get ready. Everyone out of bed… now!” Amanda threw the blankets off of herself, and leaped out of the bed at once. Brenda, pulling her hand from her privates and cautiously checking that her undies didn’t show too much of what she was doing, as discretely as she could, she cautiously pulled the blankets away from herself. Jamie jumped from her bed, ran past the old lady in just her blue panties and a t-shirt out of the room, and Amy just stayed there for the moment, her eyes wide. The old woman seemed satisfied and left to go to the next room, meanwhile, Amanda didn’t miss that it seemed that Amy was slow in getting up this morning. She knew that Amy was very modest and hated to show off her panties even when she got ready for bed, but something seemed a little strange about Amy’s look this morning. Amanda crouched down beside her bed. “Amy, are you okay?” Amanda softly whispered. Amy nodded her head. “Let’s get going then. We don’t have much time before class.” Amy nodded and slowly pushed back the blankets. Brenda looked on as she pulled on her skirt over her panties. She could sense that something was making Amy nervous. Amy was putting out vibes of fear all around her. Amanda saw Amy reveal her long purple sleeping shirt, the back of which was moist, from sleep? And then as she pulled her feet out from the blankets and sat up, both Amanda and Brenda saw, a very large lake around her butt and partly up the back of the girl’s sleeping shirt. She had wet the bed. Amy looked down at her feet feeling quite the center of attention, and wishing she was in a small hole somewhere underground where no one could find her. “Don’t worry about it,” Amanda smiled at her as she patted her shoulder. “If you have this problem as a normal thing, we can help you, but you have to tell us.” Amy looked up at her a moment, a tear sliding down her thin face. Her hands balled into fists and then back into shaking fingers. Her legs trembled. She was gasping as if she had run somewhere, trying to keep the whine out of her voice. Amanda patted her shoulder gently. “It really doesn’t matter, Amy. It’s okay, as long as you tell us that you have this kind of problem, we can fix it.” Brenda stared at the sopping night shirt and the panties that were falling down the slender girl’s legs dripping with pee. She almost didn’t hear Amanda say anything to her, and Amanda had to repeat herself. “Brenda,” Amanda cut through the thick uncomfortable air. “Take Amy to the bathroom for a bath while I clean up her mess. Then the both of you come back and get ready for school.” Brenda put a caring arm around Amy’s shoulder, and they walked through the Lion Hall, some of the other students looking at the wet nightshirt that Amy wore. They turned the corner, and they saw Jamie sitting on the floor in a puddle of suspicious water, tears rolling down her face, and several boys and girls stepping around her trying to avoid her mess. “You too?” Brenda asked Jamie with a caressing softness in her voice. Jamie looked up, her face blotchy red from a mix of crying and humiliation. Her green eyes were reflecting the lights around them almost perfectly because they were so full of liquid innocence. Brenda couldn’t help but smile upon her, her own privates once again tingling at the sight of her. She helped the now quiet Jamie from the floor, and directed them both to bath cubicles so that they could clean up. After she had them in their bath, she walked back to the dorm room with their wet things so she could also get Jamie some extra clothes. Amy already had some with her because Amanda had insisted that she take them with her. Once the three girls had walked back to the room again, they found that Amanda had already straightened up the room. It had not been her turn to do it, but she had done it. The three of them were in shock. “Well,” Amanda shrugged. “Jamie was gone a long time, and by the way she had run out, and then Brenda had returned for her clothes for her, I had guessed what had happened. Brenda was taking care of you two, so someone had to clean up the room before we left.” The four girls smiled at each other, two of them a bit more embarrassed, but still feeling a little better that it was Amanda and Brenda that had seen them like that, and not someone else, well, for Amy anyway. Jamie had not been so lucky as several others witnessed her going on the floor and when Amy walked through the halls, she was scared others would really stare, but it seemed as though they had not paid as much attention to her as she thought they had. “Let’s go to breakfast,” Amanda told the group, and the girls went out to start their day. Chapter Four: The first week had gone by, with Amy having only wet the bed once, and Jamie having only had the two incidents of wetting her pants that anyone knew of. They saw a lot more of Jason and his friend Chad because Amanda kept inviting them around, and though Jamie kept trying to get Chad to talk to her, Brenda could clearly see who he really wanted to talk to, and she could see that Amy was just so shy. “Listen,” that Friday evening she was whispering to Jamie. “You know that Chad actually likes Amy, don’t you?” “Yeah,” Jamie frowned. “I don’t know why though. Amy doesn’t talk to him, and even though I know it’s because she’s shy, I’d think Chad might want someone more talkative.” “It’s not working though, is it?” Brenda pressed. “No,” Jamie admitted and then looked up at Brenda with suspicion. “What are you trying to say?” “Let’s set them up so they have some private time. It might help Amy come out of the closet and share with him.” “So, you want me to stop talking to him?” “I didn’t say that, but be fair, Jamie. He doesn’t really want to talk to you, and Amy really has no confidence. This could be a real boost to her. Do you really want to take that away from her?” Jamie shook her head. “Alright, but I’m only giving her a month. If they are not chatting it up in a month, I’m going to probably try again.” Brenda nodded. That seemed fair to her. Amanda had been out of the room at the time, most likely talking to Jason in private, and Amy was sitting on her bed playing solitaire. Chad had also already gone for the evening because technically, if a boy were caught in a girls’ room, he could be in a lot of trouble. Amy looked over at them suspiciously as though she felt like they were talking about her which was true. Jamie looked back at her and smiled. “Don’t look so worried. We aren’t saying things that are THAT bad about you.” Amy giggle, and then Brenda did too. In the last week, the four girls had become almost like sisters, sometimes suspicious of each other, sometimes angry at each other, but normally very chatty and caring towards their roommates. “That Field Day practice is supposed to be tomorrow,” Jamie suddenly reminded the other two girls. “Did you see the schedule?” They nodded that they had. The opening remarks by their Hall Chief would start off at 8:00 down at the sports field, and they were due to finish at 12:30. “Do you think it will be as important as Amanda said it would be?” Amy quietly whispered to the other girls. “I don’t know, but I guess we should take it seriously if we don’t want to make her too upset,” Jamie shrugged. “Anyway, how bad can it be?” “Well, I don’t run that well,” Amy looked down. “There she goes again,” Brenda whispered to Jamie. “Honestly, I wonder if she thinks she can do anything at all.” “Sounds like we need to get her motivated to prove to herself that she can do something right,” Jamie nodded. “Alright, I promise to set Chad up with her and have them meet alone, but even if he does show her that he likes her, do you think that will help her self-confidence all that much?” “Yes, I do.” Amy stared over at them. “You are doing it again. You are whispering about me, aren’t you?” “Guilty as charged,” Jamie smiled at her. “You know, you worry too much Amy. You should just relax and try not to too much on what others think about you. You really are a nice person, and you have a lot of good qualities about you. Not everything your friends say in secret is bad about you.” Amy nodded and turned around grabbing a notebook from under her pillow and some pencils. One thing that surely she didn’t doubt, was that she could draw. Brenda would have brought it up, but at the moment Jamie had her absorbed in how to get Amy and Chad together. Jamie sighed as they finally agreed that getting Amy to stroll through the campus park after the morning practice the next day would be the easiest way to get her feeling like she was at ease, and in an easy enough place to ‘accidentally’ lose her near where Chad might be jogging. Amanda came through the door no more than a few seconds after they had settled on the plan, only she threw a wrench in their works. “Listen up, ladies. After the training tomorrow, I’ve decided that our room is going to not be the one that drags our hall down, so we are going to go jogging in the park after the session to build up your stamina and health. We need to win this, ladies.” Brenda and Jamie looked at one another, rolled their eyes, and then politely back at Amanda. Amy’s eyes went wide. “Amanda? I’m not a good runner.” “Don’t you think I know that, already, Amy? That’s why we need the extra practice.” “Couldn’t I just sit the running ones out?” “I’m afraid not. All freshmen have to run. It’s in the tradition of field day to make sure that all new students participate in at least two running events and one activity event. You have no choice but to toughen up and endure it.” Amy nodded and looked back down at her drawings. Brenda looked up at the clock as did Jamie, and both of them walked off towards the toilets together. Amanda called Amy over so they could talk, so Brenda was sure she was going to talk to Amy about something she thought might be better said alone. Jamie had made it a habit, every night about thirty minutes before bed, to visit the bathroom so she wouldn’t be caught out of bounds or possibly be in as much agony and trouble as she was the first couple of days. Finally, the four girls were stripped to sleeping shirts, some short and barely covering their stomachs and at least one very long to her knees that covered Amy. Amy was always so modest about the way she dressed, that Brenda wondered if she even knew how to be sexy if she wanted to. Sometime before the door to the room opened, Brenda’s eyes had popped open again. She listened around the room, but no one seemed to be stirring. She had her hand near the privates of her panties, just within squeezing touch of her mound, but she was a little nervous to do anything. What if someone actually woke up? What if the old lady came in at that time? No, she would have to let it tingle and itch for now, hoping that she might find some relief that night as they lay in bed without any chance that anyone would disturb her. Suddenly, she heard some rustling in one of the other beds, a soft moan, and then a gasp! She looked over at the bed where the gasp came from, and found Jamie sitting up with a look of horror upon her face! “What’s wrong?” Brenda asked her, though her burning privates sending thoughts of desire to her brain with explicit pictures told her that she knew already. “Nothing,” Jamie whispered. Jamie didn’t really see any point in lying about what had happened, but then, why tell anyone before she had to? It was going to be embarrassing enough once she had to stand up in front of everyone in soaked panties. Brenda’s overactive brain started to imagine the squirt after squirt slipping into the blond’s panties and darkening them. This made her juices run a bit more smoothly causing her own panties to start to moisten and to burn even more with desire. Her hand crept towards the folds of her panties tucked into her mound. She might get away with a small touch through her panties, she hoped. Another girl woke up, and seeing Jamie sitting in her bed, the blankets pulled around the blond to cover her private area, Amy smiled. She didn’t know about Jamie’s displeasure, but only it seemed that maybe Jamie was learning to be a little more modest as she gathered the blankets around her to cover her panties. Amanda was last to wake up, and still the door was closed and no one had yet come. She looked over at Jamie, and something about the way Jamie looked told Amanda immediately what had happened. “Jamie, it doesn’t matter. Don’t linger trying to hide what happened. Just get cleaned up as soon as they open the door so that you don’t have to go to the field like that, okay?” Jamie glared at her both for knowing and for possibly giving her away to the other two girls. At least Amanda could have said it more discreetly! She sat there waiting for the others to gawk her unfortunate wet panties, but instead, after they had been called to wake up and the old person had left letting them get up, she found that Brenda was still doing something under her blankets and Amy slide her blankets off of herself to reveal that she was also quite soaked. Amanda stared at both of them. Then she looked to Brenda, and the look in her eyes told Brenda that she was wondering if Brenda was moving so slow because she had done the same thing, which prompted her to stop rubbing her now very moist underwear and to step out of bed. Brenda saw Amanda do a once over, walking completely around Brenda to see if she was wet, but seeing nothing strange she turned her attention to the other two and her taught mouth relaxed. She whispered. “Girls, I can see right now that Amy, you have bedwetting problems, and Jamie, you have a weak bladder. If I’m wrong, tell me now.” Neither girl spoke up. “There really is only one solution that will help spare your feelings in the mornings, girls. You are both going to have to wear a diaper at night. I will teach Brenda how to put it on you, and she and I will make sure you are in a dry one before we sleep, and then in the mornings, you girls remove your diaper, put on some panties, and then go take a bath.” Jamie’s mouth hung open. She had not worn diapers since she could remember, but Amy seemed to be neither happy nor unhappy at the declaration, but more just resigned to it. She looked at her toes while Amanda went to her dresser to fish her out some clean panties and some clothes to take to the bathroom with her. “Brenda, help me out and get Jamie some clothes for today.” “I can…,” started Jamie. “You are wet,” Amanda turned and looked Jamie in the eye. “Do you want to get your other clothes wet?” Jamie, looking at the floor, shook her head no her face burning hot. “Then just stand there like I tell you to while Brenda gets you some clothes.” Jamie nodded, a tear rolling down her left cheek. When the two finally walked off together down the hall, Brenda turned to Amanda. She had fire in her eyes. “Did you have to embarrass them like that?” “Like what?” Amanda seemed quite innocent in what she had done. “You scolded Jamie when she wanted to get her own clothes, told us that you knew she had wet, and then told them both in front of me, that they had to wear diapers. I don’t know, but it seemed like you were trying to embarrass them to me.” “Everything I decided to do was to help them. I know firsthand what it’s like to be in their shoes, and I know that this is the best way to help them.” “Yeah right,” Brenda retorted. “When was the last time you peed your pants?” “Honestly?” Amanda looked up at her, her face turning a little pink. “Yeah, honestly! How can you know what they are going through?” “I peed my pants just last week in front of my parents on our drive here.” Brenda’s mouth dropped. “I have a weak bladder too, so I understand what Jamie is going through.” “So, do you really… er… have a diaper on?” Brenda asked her. Amanda looked down a moment, sighed in a way that told Brenda that she was building up the courage, and then she lifted her night shirt exposing a wet diaper. “If we have to diaper the girls instead of letting them do it themselves,” Brenda started…. “Alright,” Amanda agreed before Brenda could finish the statement. “Alright?” Brenda asked unsure of what Amanda had agreed to. “You can put a diaper on me from now on, and even in front of the others, if you have to.” Brenda’s mouth was now hanging somewhere near the pit of her stomach. She had not expected Amanda to agree to something like that, and that was not what she was trying to get at. She was actually going to see if she could get Amanda to let them dress themselves in one, and she just show them how. “Look,” Amanda told Brenda seeing the shock on her face. “If we don’t get these on right, they are both uncomfortable and they can leak. If someone helps us put them on right, however, they will help us from being embarrassed and as long as they are dry, they are comfortable.” Brenda dropped the topic. She didn’t want to discuss with Amanda about something that like this in the first place, and she was feeling quite like she was about to cause some hurt feelings or something bad to happen. The field day, it turned out, meant that the students would be outside all day on a Saturday on the day of the event, and their parents would be watching. This was found out as the person leading the activities explained to the Lion Hall. “We will have eight kinds of relay races, some activities alike spear throwing and discus throwing as well as pole vaulting and other things. Now the first thing we need to do, is to get you freshmen into shape, so all the freshmen will run with me while the upper classmen discuss what they want to participate in.” Brenda, Amy, and Jamie all walked away from Amanda towards the main track where the leader, obviously one of seniors set a pace, and told everyone that they had to jog behind him. If even one person passed him, he would start over, or so he said. No one seemed to dare to test it. The three girls found the gait to be quite easy at first, and they just jogged along together. The whole group of freshmen ran as one large mass around the track, Brenda and the others with her laughing and talking small talk. “Alright, you freshmen,” the senior suddenly interrupted one of Jamie’s jokes. “As you are all feeling quite energetic so that you can talk, we will pick up the speed. If I pass anyone on my way around the track, that person will be tapped on the shoulder, and he or she will have to see me after the jogging. Also, no one is allowed to pass me, even if you can. It is time to see just how much endurance you all have.” The guy started to speed up, and nervously, all the other started to speed up to keep pace with him. Amanda had already decided on her events as she saw them picking up speed and she smiled to herself. Now, those freshmen were about to get a workout like they’ve never had. Amanda watched as the mass of boys and girls circled the track, the senior pulling ahead of the others very slowly and the line of stragglers becoming further and further spread out over the next thirty minutes. Many of the students were now panting, and the three girls who were together, now left Jamie somewhere near the back, Brenda somewhere near the middle, and surprisingly, Amy was hot on the senior’s heels. Forty minutes into the race, Jamie had been tapped on the shoulder as the senior passed her, and she reluctantly fell to the side with the other six who had been tagged before her. There were four boys and two other girls that had been touched. The girls were actually kicking the boys’ butts and this brought a smile to her face. An hour into the race, the boy was hot on Brenda’s heels, but she ran harder trying to postpone the moment when he would touch her shoulder. She was giving it her all, and making a race of it, trying to outlast him until he called it off. There was no way to know how long she had already been running, but she didn’t want to give in. Amanda cheered as Brenda passed her. She could see the determination on the girl’s face. By now, half of the freshmen were standing around on the sidelines watching while the senior seemed to try to out run them all, slowly gaining on Brenda at the present time, but in his rear vision, just to the side, he could see the slender mat-black hair girl digging into his heels trying to keep up. Amy was breathing heavily now, as was the senior, and she was starting to hold her side. Two more boys dropped first behind Brenda and then were tapped out by the senior boy. His face reddened as he realized that this girl was going to be harder than he thought. He now, felt challenged and started to give it more, but as he kicked the ground harder, Brenda felt him approaching, and she dodged his touch and pulled away from him just a few feet or so. She would not lose. She would not! She panted, ran, and clutched her side trying to outlast the boy. An hour and fifteen minutes had gone by. What was more, the slender Amy was approaching the boy. He could feel her within his vision, and he felt Brenda starting to pull away as Amy closed in. Just as he started to slow ready to give up, Brenda stumbled and this gave him the advantage he had needed, but when he saw the cause of it, as she was still holding her ankle from the stumble as she hopped on, the swerved and decided not to touch her. Once ahead of her, however, he stopped running. Brenda looked down. She had lost her own little race, but the boy was clutching his side, and he noticed that Brenda had finally given up running after he had passed her, for when he turned around, she had just sat on the ground. Even more annoyingly, Amy had passed him the moment he slowed down as did three other freshmen, all boys. He looked at the group of five with a smile. “You five,” he said once he got his breath. “You have first choice of any event you want out of the freshmen. Once you have chosen, I’ll meet the other freshmen by room numbers as there is no way I can remember who I touched first or even who was near the last. But you five, you can come and see me right now and have priority.” Brenda looked down. “I lost.” “You stumbled,” the boy smiled at her. “It could have happened to anyone, and that’s why I didn’t touch you. I don’t know if you would have outlasted me or not if you hadn’t. I was satisfied passing you, but you were not touched, so you didn’t lose.” Amy smiled at Brenda looked up, her eyes sparkling from the hard run, the heat of the sun, and the sudden warm feeling that came over her as she realized that he had decided that it was a draw. Once Brenda and Jamie had chosen their events, the boy walked back towards the dorm, still holding his side. Brenda and Amy were also holding theirs. They had all run a good race! Upon entering the room, Amanda greeted them with sodas and cake. “This is for making our room look good,” she smiled. Jamie was also smiling. “If you two put that much effort in your events, our room might actually look the best in Lion Hall,” Amanda continued. “I… I wet,” Amy whispered as the others finally noticed that she was hanging her head. “So?” Amanda came and wrapped an arm around her. “You had to go while you were running, didn’t you?” Amy nodded. “Believe me, no one even noticed, and didn’t it feel good to win despite having an accident?” she asked. Amy smiled. “See, you are our anchor for these events,” Amanda continued to dote on her. “If we have you on our team, we can’t possibly be doomed to lose. Just don’t hurt yourself.” “Is Brenda okay?” Brenda heard Jamie ask. “You twisted your ankle while trying to stay ahead of him, didn’t you?” Brenda nodded. “Alright girls, as a treat, because you made our room look so good, I’m going to cancel homework study group this afternoon, but that will mean we have to make it up tomorrow. You girls can do anything you want until dinner time.” Amanda then walked out of the room looking quite happy.
The afternoon was barely started as a young girl with heavy freckles, nearly auburn hair, green eyes, and meaty thick thighs and heavy arms with a matching rotund belly sat on a plastic yellow school chair behind her wooden student desk listening to the elementary school teacher. To her left, was a window that presented a dreary day that had been cloudy and rainy most of the day. To her right, was a black haired girl who was quite shy most of the time. In front of her was the class know-it-all and spoiled princess with yellow-blond hair by the name of Amanda. Behind her, a yellow headed boy with blue eyes by the name of Jason prepared some hidden annoying agenda inside his open desk. “Holly,” the teacher called on this girl to give an answer to the day’s first math problem example. Holly sighed and stood up, her bottom wagging from side to side from her rolling gate. Many of the students laughed at her for the way she walked, for her weight, and for other problems that she had, but none of them bothered her except for one. The only thing that got to her, was when students mentioned that she didn’t take a bath, or that she was a baby and smelled like an animal, but at the moment, they had no excuse to say anything about that as she strolled to the front of the class. “Take your time,” Mrs. Adams coached her. “You know this problem.” Holly looked at it carefully. Nine times four divided by two and adding four more. She immediately remembered that adding 4 more was the same as multiplying by one more set, so she wrote to the side of the problem nine times four plus four is the same as ten times four and wrote forty. Then she divided the whole thing by two and came up with twenty. She turned around smiling at the teacher, waiting for her work to be approved. The teacher frowned, and then Holly looked back at her work wondering why the teacher didn’t accept her work. The know-it-all had her hand in the air already, and Holly scratched her head. Nine times four is thirty six and four more is forty, so that was okay. Forty divided by two is twenty. She couldn’t find her mistake. “Alright, Holly,” Mrs. Adams smiled at her. “Tell you what, ignore for the moment that I’ve added the addition part of the problem. Work the whole thing, but don’t add four right now.” Holly sighed and did as she was told. Four times nine divided by two was thirty-six divided by two which gave her… eighteen. “Good, now add the original four to that answer,” Mrs. Adams continued to instruct her. Of course, now she got an answer of twenty-two. Holly scratched her head. How did the teacher know that the answer was twenty-two and not twenty? Why are there two answers to the problem? The teacher went on explaining to the class about how the functions work in math, and about being careful to do the steps in the right order to get the right answer. Holly sat at her desk trying to understand, but she still didn’t understand how it was that the teacher knew that the addition should be second and not first, and why it was that there could be two different answers. She hoped that some of the others had the same questions, but no one seemed to be brave enough to question the process. As Holly opened her math book to turn to the right page for the daily math assignment, she saw that the book had instructed her the same way as the teacher had, and also had example problems with two answers, one with a red X through it, and one with a star next to it. It still did not really explain to her why she couldn’t add before dividing except just showing her that there could be another answer, which was wrong. Holly sighed. Looking at the clock, the afternoon was wearing on towards one-thirty. In a few more minutes, the teacher would take them to the computer lab where they would be typing out their stories if they were ready for the publishing stage, and where they would be doing the other processes of the writing steps if they were not yet ready. Holly closed her legs together and yawned as she stared down at her book, feeling a little confused about why she couldn’t do the easier parts first, and then get easier answers. She had always thought that you could add and multiply in any order, and that adding and multiplying were really the same thing. The quiet girl next to her, named Amy, turned to see Holly scratching her head and keeping her knees quite conspicuously close together. She smiled meekly and then turned back to her work, something that if the blond Amanda had seen, would have become something quite more to Holly’s embarrassment. Taking that as a hint, Holly tried to slightly part her thick thighs so that she wouldn’t draw too much attention to herself from those that would pick up on her antics and start laughing at her, but at the hairline, a bead of water was already forming, and a cold sweat made the back of her neck feel quite cool. The clock was approaching one thirty-five, and Holly knew that the teacher’s rule was that after a break, the students had to wait an hour because they should have gone to the toilets before coming in to class. That meant, she still had at least forty minutes left, because they had just come in from lunch at one-fifteen. There were reasons that Holly would not use the bathroom during lunch though, and she would avoid them during the morning break as well. She didn’t say anything to the adults about these reasons because she figured it would just make the problems get worse as the problem people would be upset and start calling her a tattle-tale on top of everything else they already picked at her for. Holly looked up from her math again at one fifty, and she decided to chance the question as it was obvious that just sitting there too long might end up getting her embarrassed or worse. Sighing, she raised her hand halfway up as she always did, her first finger lingering in the air in a crooked bend almost as if it hung her arm for her on some invisible hook until the teacher could see her waiting patiently. “Yes?” Mrs. Adams asked with a smile. “Can I go to the bathroom?” she said in a very low somewhat shaking voice. “I’m sorry?” Mrs. Adams couldn’t quite hear her. “Can I go to the bathroom?” she asked again trying to be a little louder, but not draw too much attention to herself. Several heads turned her way, a few of the kids with smiling and watching the exchange. It was hard to read if most of the others wanted the teacher to say yes, or no, but Holly could guess what she thought Amanda and a couple of others wanted, and it would be for the teacher to humiliate her. “I’m sorry,” the teacher looked up at the clock. “But you can tell time, can’t you?” Holly nodded. “And has an hour passed since your last recess yet?” Holly shook her head. “Then you have your answer, honey. She smiled at Holly though, and tried to make it seem like it was just because of the rule, and because Holly had to learn to plan her time better. Holly would, but there were problems with the bathrooms at lunch time. First of all, they were always full of other girls, which always made her nervous in the first place. You could say she had a very nervous bladder. Second, there were kids like Amanda who stood in front of the bathrooms that were just near the recess grounds, and they would determine who could go freely, and who had to pay. Of course, Holly always had to pay somehow, which caused her to avoid them. The clock’s hand ticked up to the eight indicating one forty, and the teacher stood up from her desk and walked to the front of the room once more. That was the sign that some students took to start putting away their books just before the teacher told them to. “Get your writing out,” she said pleasantly. “We are going to type out our work, if you are ready, and if you are not, then you need to find peers to edit your work or you need to come and see me if you are ready for the teacher edit.” Row by row, the students were called to stand up, and wait in line by the door. Holly’s group was called first, so she was the third one at the door, and the change of position caused her privates to tingle some as she her bottom swayed in line. “Holly’s going to wet her pants,” she heard Amanda whisper to the boy at the head of the line. The boy looked back to see indeed that Holly was squirming a bit in line. Another minute passed as the students were called to the front, the students in line being as quiet and still as possible, but a few students were openly pointing at Holly laughing in whispers about whether she will pee her pants or not. Mrs. Adams started to walk to the front of the line, when she saw how Holly was holding herself, and squirming in line. “Robert take the class to the computer lab, quietly. I’ll meet you there in a bit,” and she grabbed Holly’s arm and pulled her out of line. “You stay with me for a minute,” she whispered to the girl that shook a little from fear of what the teacher was about to do to her even as she struggled to keep from wetting. Once the line had left, Mrs. Adams took her to her desk where she started to fill out a yellow slip of paper. “Young lady, by the looks of your situation, I’d dare say you’ve been holding it since recess. Am I right?” Holly looked down and answered in a very low tone. “Yes ma’am.” “It would serve you right if I didn’t give you this,” she was signing the yellow paper. “You do know what this is, don’t you?” Holly squirmed on the spot hoping her teacher wasn’t teasing her, and would soon hand it over before she had an accident. “You may go to the bathroom, and when you finish, you can come back to this room, not the computer room, and I want you to write two hundred times that you will use the bathroom when you are supposed to. Do you understand?” Holly felt tears running down her face as she nodded that she understood. “Then go to the bathroom, and come back and get started. I’ll be checking on your progress before you go home, so I suggest you don’t waste any time.” Holly took the pass and started out of the class towards the closest toilets to the fifth grade area. The teacher, meanwhile, had walked to the computer room to check on the other kids. The classroom was quiet and lonely when Holly returned. She wondered if she could hide this exchange with the teacher from her parents as she started out with her lines. ‘I will go to the bathroom during my breaks like a big kid,’ she wrote. Five lines when by quickly, but it was becoming tedious by the fifteenth line. She shook her wrist after the twentieth line, and she put her head on her desk as she wrote the thirtieth line. This was pointless work, but she knew she’d be in real trouble if she disobeyed the teacher, not so much from the teacher, but if the teacher told her dad. It was going to be lucky for her, even if she could keep them finding out she had to write lines again because of holding it. Her mother had told her not to hold it at school, and her dad had grounded her once before when the teacher told him that she suspected that Holly was not using the toilet during her breaks at school, but rather waiting for class to start. Holly soon observed that it was two-thirty, and she knew that the teacher would soon be back to teach them history. She looked down at her completed eighty-three lines, and she sighed. There was no way she’d have two hundred done before she went home, and that meant her dad would definitely find out that she had had to write lines related to not using the toilet during break again. Robert was the first person back to the room as Holly started her eighty-fourth line. “What are you working on?” he asked brightly as he strolled to her desk side. “Nothing,” she tried to cover her paper. “Nothing?” he asked her. “Everyone saw you squirming, so I’ll be this is related to you not going to the toilet during lunch,” he was smirking with eyes that narrowed at her daring her to deny it. Holly just lowered her head trying to squeeze in one more line before the teacher called the class to prepare for history class. As Amanda came to her chair, Robert whispered just loud enough to her that Holly could hear. “Holly is a little bit wet.” “I am not,” Holly protested as she glared from him to her. “Let’s see,” Amanda smiled. “Why should I show you?” she asked her hands on her hips as she continued to sit. “Because if you don’t show me, I’ll tell everyone you wet anyway, and it will spread up to the teacher who will probably get upset at you and call your parents.” Holly glared at the girl thinking about it before she rose up from her seat. “See? I’m not wet.” That was when Robert had seized the chance to take her paper and look at it. “She’s writing lines about using the toilet at appropriate times,” he observed. Holly sighed and sat back down hoping the teacher would come, catch them, and at least make them give her back the paper she had been writing on. “Sit down, Robert,” Mrs. Adams had entered the class. “I’ll take that paper.” The teacher looked at it, and then took it to her desk. “That’s good for now,” she told Holly. “I’ll have you work on it tomorrow during your morning and lunch recesses rather than send it for extra homework.” Holly breathed a sigh of relief. With an excuse to stay in the classroom the next day, she wouldn’t have to deal with playground bullies or other problems that were related.
Holly went through the house door cautiously avoiding the kitchen where her mom was making dinner, or so she assumed, and the living room where her no good old man was either lounging in front of the idiot box with a beer in hand, or he was looking through the paper as if interested in looking for a new job. She quietly made her way up the stairs towards her bedroom to get her backpack off of her shoulders and to pull out her homework so it would look like she was studying, and then she would sneak towards the bathroom. The bus ride home had been nearly an hour ride, and living as far from the city as they did, she had no friends close enough that she could chat with. She would give almost anything to have a sister or brother to even fight with, but as it was, she was just lucky when her parents left her alone and didn’t ask too many questions to find something she had done wrong. Holly slipped through her bedroom door, looked around at her nicely arranged room with the bed perfectly made with not a wrinkle on the top blanket, her desk so orderly and dusted off that it shined, and her floor so soft and free of any debris that one might even wonder if it was used. And she dropped her bags carefully by the closet. She thumbed through the three or four books that were always in the bag at all times, and for the folder that had her math in it. She was not allowed to forget her math homework or anything else. If she did, it would mean far too much trouble, and really be worse than struggling with things that she felt uncertain about. She walked to her desk and put these things on it, the book open to the right page, and her homework and pencil neatly next to the book as if she had written one of the answers, and then she closed her bag and slipped over to the door of her room to peek out and see if she had been followed up. All was quiet. Holly breathed in relief as she carefully stepped to avoid any sounds coming from the floor making her way to the upstairs toilet. She didn’t think it was wrong to use the bathroom, but she still wanted to escape all notice that she was home until she absolutely had to let them know so she could eat dinner. Holly pulled her jeans and her panties down, cringing as the sounds of water hitting water landed into the toilet bowl. Adjusting her position, she tried to make it hit the porcelain instead so that it would muffle the sound. She didn’t want to get caught being out of her room before her studies were finished. The fear of being heard, had even kept her from flushing the toilet or washing her hands. They would yell at her about flushing the toilet later as they usually did, but they must not find out that she was out of her room before her homework was finished. This was what she believed they wanted from her. When Holly was safely back in her room at her desk trying to solve the various answers, and double checking with the steps in the book that she had not taken a short cut and gotten the wrong answers, she felt a load of burden lift from her shoulders. She would now be caught studying despite the pee in the toilet, and her mom would praise her for getting right to work on her homework instead of putting it off. Holly lifted her shirt partway, revealing a deep bruise that was still slightly purple. No one would ever find out where it had come from because even Holly had blocked that terrible incident from her memory. She only thought she had done something to deserve it, after all, not everyone in the world could be wrong, could they? And everyone punished her. She looked from her math to her bed a little nervously. The neatly pulled quilt was hiding something from her parents, and though they would eventually find it, as they always did, she did like to postpone getting in trouble as long as she could. Sometimes, she even felt like she got away with it, if she was careful enough and tried to be good in other ways so that they had no reason to go looking for what she had done wrong. She especially hated it when her dad was disappointed in her and angry because of her childish antics. She was only ten. Wasn’t she a child? Well, still, there could be no excuse for someone her age to wet the bed, could there? Her dad said so. Holly looked back at her math and tried the next problem. She could feel the time passing, and the gnawing at her stomach told her that it had to be nearing dinner time. She had not misbehaved badly, yet, unless Mrs. Adams had told them after all that she had behaved like an immature baby again. She hoped not. Holly was five problems into her homework when she felt a presence behind her, and automaton-like turned to see which parent was watching her. “Holly,” the big beefy man that stood taking up the doorway entirely and then some smiled at her. “Already working on your homework like a good girl? Can I see?” She knew that was not really a question, but a stern request, and reluctantly for fear he would find that she had done it wrong after all, she nodded slowly. The man with his strawberry blond messy hair, piercing blue peepers and gruffy bear-like facial hair, rolled over to the desk and looked down at his daughter’s work. He checked the book himself a couple of times, and then her work, and after several minutes, smiled to show approval. “Dinner is ready. You can continue your homework after we eat.” Holly nodded and stood up so the bear-like father could lift her up. She was far too old to be picked up and pampered all the time, however, she preferred that to him being angry and scolding her all the time, so she lifted her arms automatically so he could pick her up and feel happy. “Are you putting on a couple of pounds?” he asked her as he grunted in lifting her into a comfortable carrying position. “I don’t know,” she honestly said. “I haven’t weighed myself in a couple of weeks.” “Oh well, let’s just have dinner, and we can check your weight before bed.” Holly nodded and let him carry her down to the table. “What are you doing,” her mother asked dad. “You know she’s already ten years old. She’s not a baby anymore.” “I know, but she put her arms up, so I figured I’d carry her. She did ask me, in her own way, didn’t you Holly?” “Yes,” Holly whispered. Her mother sighed. “Sit down before it gets cold.”
Alright, yeah, I'm jumping on the bandwagon, people. But I'm telling a different story. This is the Cho Chang girl, but there will be some obvious differences. I don't believe that the books said for sure, but they did hint that she had been at Hogwarts from the first year, however, I've made her a transfer student. Secondly, I'm I may have gotten her friend's name wrong, but basically, this story is through the eyes of Cho Chang. There are going to be some wetting senarios both boys and girls. Mostly, of course, as you can imagine, I prefer to write about the girls doing it, however, as everyone likes Harry wet, or those that have stories about him do, and because it is Harry Potter afterall, I'm going to have a few with her remembering his younger years like that. I'm also going to have her do it a few times, and when some things happen during the story, a student here and there will be wet. I haven't successfully written an HP fanfic yet, so I'm not sure how well this will go. I did try one with Hermoine and Snape, but it was a flop. I just didn't get Snape's personality very well, and Hermoine is too strong in character, and I made her way too weak in the story thus it died. I am hoping I might be able to come back as a strong writer as I did have about three good ones that got over a 1000 views in the past, and I'm aiming to try to get that again. I think the Special University has a fatal flaw in it, so It's basically over with. I am not sure about the One Fifth Grade girl's life yet, and I know that Lion Bird was not very well written, and so while I decide on how to improve it, I am thinking I'll spend a little while doing this one. Please let me know after chapter three, if it's worth continuing to read. I'm sure the first chapter doesn't have enough in it to make up your minds yet. Cho’s Chang’s Sixth Year: Ishigreen Since her third year, the Asian had been in England as a transfer student from American. Her father was American and her mother was Asian. She had raven black hair that hung to her shoulders, and she had seen more than her parents would ever know a teen could see at one school for they really didn’t know that she was going to a witch’s school. Yes, she was what they called a mudblood, though she really didn’t care about the terms. Ms. Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw beauty looked up at the professor that was to teach Defense Against the dark arts with a little bit of rebellion and a little bit of exasperation as the shrilly voiced heavy set toad-face explained that just knowing the theory would be enough to pass any exams in this subject. How could they possibly completely understand a spell if they were not to see it actually used? Cho sighed as she looked to her best friend, Mariella. They had had several girl talks about Harry, about school, about Harry, about the dark he who must not be named, about Harry, and about Harry. Cho really was sorry the year before when she agreed to go with Cedric to the dance instead of with Harry, and now, it was even worse because she still liked Harry, and yet, if she dated him, what would everyone think? “Turn your books to page three and start reading. There is no need for wands,” the professor had instructed the students. Cho closed her eyes as she imagined Harry last year, coming up from the second task, not only taking with him, his prisoner to be rescued which was Ron, but also the foreign girl. He had been so dreamy and heroic. He had a notion of what was right, and he was a good person. Cedric was a little smarter than Harry, granted, but then again, two years can make a difference in how you grow and how mature you are. He had, after all, been even called chivalrous by the headmaster, so in some small way, it was the right thing to do. The one point she really had a clear image of, was the first task though. Harry had had on his school robes and the excitement of the games made it impossible for most of the others to see, but Cho had secretly been watching him, and there was something about being chivalrous that sometimes got Harry into situations where he had to make difficult situations. Sometimes, even with his bladder pending, she had seen him give up his place in line, help a younger student, and overall, just continue to be a decent person. More than one time, she had seen him hopping from foot to foot, but she had been out of sight so that he wouldn’t see her because she figured it might embarrass him, and the last thing she wanted to do, was to embarrass him because she had liked him since she had seen him. “Ten minutes,” the toad-like teacher, Professor Umbridge called in her shrill voice over the quite page turning. “Keep your books open and your minds attentive to your lesson until you hear the bell.” Cho rolled her eyes mentally as she red over the chapter on vampires. Was this woman really for real? She was like a bad comic from the funny papers personaged to life and acting very much as if she had not left the funnies. She looked down at her lap. “Cho,” Mariella whispered to her. “I don’t really think we should go to that meeting you were talking about.” “Why not? You do want to find out for yourself if Cedric had died by accident as the papers say, or if he had really met the dark man, don’t you?” “No. You are the one that is interested in that, and that’s just because you were fresh on him.” “It’s not just that. I’ve told you, already, I believe what Dumbledore and Harry had told us before at the end of the year, and not only that, but I think we are going to fail our OWLs if continue to just study like this. This teacher isn’t teaching us anything!” “Whatever. I’ll go with you, but I won’t like it.” Cho smiled at her long since starting Hogwarts friend. “If you really don’t want to be there, because of,” she cut off the snide remark she was thinking because she thought she had seen the professor look her way. “Well, I am not going to force you to come, you know. I just thought, I’d like someone I trusted with me while I thought about whether it was a good idea or not.” “I’ll come,” she gave in as the bell rang. “Just don’t expect me to sign up for anything.” “I won’t.” The girls started to walk to their dormitories really excited that the next day would be the day they would go to Hogsmead, and they would be able to find out some answers from Harry, spend some luxurious time together, and basically take it easy for once.
Okay, so this story does not yet have much wetting, but I promise to get there. I am setting up who Cho Chang is in my mind, and who her 'SNEAK' friend is. I do promise that Cho will have a few accidents, as well as some of the various students including Harry. Please tell me about the mistakes you find if you've read the books. I'm sure I have Cho's friend's name not quite right, but I can't remember exactly waht it was, and I can't find my copy of the fifth year book. also comment if you think something should have been explained in more detail from Cho's point of view, or if something was not quite in character. Thank you. Meeting in Hogsmead: Mariella walked along side of Cho still giving comments of protest as they walked along. “You know that Professor Umbridge is going to put a stop to this, don’t you? She’s scary, and I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t want her following me around because she thinks I’m up to no good.” “Look, Mariella, we are just going to see what this is about. If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to commit to anything, and I’m not even sure I want to commit to anything yet. I just want to know what really happened to Cedric, and I want to know how they plan to have us learn the spells for DA for our OWLs.” “You like Harry,” Mariella looked Cho in the eye. “You are really going so you can meet him, and maybe get together with him.” “I am not,” she blushed. Okay, maybe she was sweet on Harry, but it would be wrong to go out with Harry, especially right now, because Harry had won last year, and Cedric had been killed last year. She was not trying to do anything about her feelings with Harry, but how to put all this into words that Mariella could understand? That girl was so thick sometimes. “Look Mariella, just go back to the dorms or go some other place, and I’ll meet you later. You don’t have to come.” Mariella looked down. “I already promised I’d come and be with you. I know that really, you are a little scared, and you want someone that you trust with you.” “If you want to come, then stop complaining,” Cho smiled at her. “I don’t want to hear another word about it, other than you’ve changed your mind, okay?” Mariella nodded and then pointed out Honey Dukes. “We do have time to go there before the meeting, don’t we?” “Yeah, I think we do. Let’s do that. It’s really cold out here.” “Yeah.” The two girls wound their way through the sweetshop. Soon the sweets and bustling people had Mariella so involved that she had finally seemed to drop what a bad idea meeting up with Hermoine and Harry would be. Before they knew it, it was time to go to the Hog’s Head, a notorious place where students normally didn’t bother going. Mariella looked up at the forbidding sign of the slice off head of a Hog and at the adult like door that stood before them, and she gulped. Cho also stood there wondering why they had to meet in a place like this, of all places. She carefully pushed the door open and peeked in, ready for an angry adult to tell her to go back to the children’s shops, but to her surprise, not only did anyone tell her not to go, but she saw already a small crowd around Harry’s table. The two girls baby stepped nervously towards the long table and took a seat shyly as far from the main attraction as they could. Cho felt her cheeks catch a small glowing spark of warmth, and she wondered if anyone noticed that she was blushing, but it seemed that they were all looking at Harry. Hermoine stood up, and people curiously turned from Harry to Hermoine. They glanced back, Cho included wondering why she was speaking rather than Harry, but it soon became apparent that this was HER idea, not Harry’s. “We have the most horrible Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher since starting here, and we have OWLs coming,” Hermoine started. “Wait,” Justin spoke out. “Before we discuss that, we want to know what happened last year in the maze.” “Dumbledore already told you,” Hermoine casted a worried look at Harry who suddenly stood up. “Look, Dumbledore told you what happened. If you don’t believe him, then what makes you think you can believe me?” “You were the one that was with Cedric when it happened,” the boy retorted. “We want to hear it from you.” “Voldemort killed him! He is back, and he simply murdered him even before he had a chance to defend himself.” “Says you,” Justin started to say. “Look,” Harry looked in the boy’s eyes. “Voldemort is back. If you are all here just to talk about Voldemort, then I’m leaving. I’ve said all I care to say about it to Dumbledore and to a couple of people from the Ministry for Magic. I don’t want to relive it.” Cho realized that Harry now had a fierce energy in his eyes, but they were also glistening with tears, and his left hand was nervously tapping his leg of his robe. She had not come here to berate Harry, but she did kind of wonder why Harry had come back, and not Cedric. “Cho,” Mariella whispered to her friend. “I don’t know, but it looks like everyone is about to burst into a fight here.” “You can leave if you want,” Cho whispered back. “No, I’ll stay, but can we maybe go to the girl’s room, and then come back when everyone has calmed down?” “No. I want to see how this plays out.” “Look,” Hermoine called everyone to order as Harry took a seat again feeling outraged at everyone. He knew that this was the real reason so many people turned up, and he thought it was stupid of Hermoine not to realize it. She was the smart one, after all. “Harry is not going to give a blow by blow account of what happened. The purpose of this meeting, is to establish who wants to really learn their Defense Against the Dark Arts, and to agree to meeting place.” “I don’t know,” Mariella whispered to Cho. “I think they want us to sign something,” at which point Hermoine brought out a petition looking scroll. “I would like everyone to write their names down so we can have a record of our first meeting, and also so we can know who to contact once we have a place set up for our meetings.” Cho looked up at Hermoine and the paper suspiciously. She knew that Hermoine was clever enough, that the girl would figure out a way to contact everyone. Mariella also didn’t put that past her, which caused her to squirm in her seat. Cho looked over the paper carefully to see that everyone so far, had signed it though some reluctantly, and with a small resigned sigh, she wrote her name. Mariella was also convinced that they were really doing nothing illegal, just trying to pass their OWL in Defense Against the Dark Arts, so she signed her name under Cho’s. Still, she didn’t feel much easier about it. Everyone started to get up and walked out of the Hog’s head once the paper was signed, but Cho remained for a moment longer, wanting to say hi to Harry at the very least. Mariella stood up, but then looked back at Cho who sat. “Go ahead,” Cho encouraged her. “I just want to say hi to Harry.” Mariella shook her head and proceeded out of the door to the Hog’s Head. Finally, it was only Cho, Hermoine, Ron and Harry left. Cho stood up, her hands shaking a little bit. Hermoine seemed to whisper something to Ron, and pulled him by the arm and they exited out the door. “Harry?” Cho felt a little embarrassed, but she was also a little excited at seeing Harry alone for the first time since the last year when he had asked her to the dance. “Hey Cho,” Harry was just as nervous. He was nervous for a different reason as well, which his Robe kept hidden, but at the moment, Cho was only thinking and looking at him for his intelligence. “Do you think that Umbridge is going to find out?” “Well, that’s why Hermoine called the first meeting here. We aren’t breaking school rules, but with the way that… er… professor is changing stuff, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to make a rule about gathering students.” “Yeah,” Cho whispered. “Well, I’m glad you are alright. I’m really looking forward to your first lesson.” Cho looked down blushing, and that’s when she saw, a part of Harry’s robe had come open further down his leg, and she saw a wet pantleg and a small puddle under him. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but it caused her to get an uneasy feeling, and she looked up at him. “Well, I’ll see you around, okay?” Harry nodded his head, hoping she had not noticed what had happened when he became so outraged and excited about the talk of Cedric. The last thing he needed was for the girl he really had a crush on to know that something so emotional and upsetting could cause this, and he wasn’t sure if she would tell her friends, though she seemed quite sweet. Cho walked away though she had a strong desire to reach up and kiss his cheek. Mariella stood outside the doorway as Cho came out. “You wanted to kiss him,” Mariella accused her. “So what if I did? I didn’t, did I?” Mariella smiled. “Well, I don’t know about him. He might have defeated the Dark guy, but he doesn’t seem to have the nerves to do it. You know, he who mustn’t be named is very powerful and Harry is only a child. It’s hard to believe that he had escaped alive when so many others had died or lost their minds to that maniac. How do we really know the three of them were not making the whole story up just to make Harry seem more interesting?” “Just drop it, Mariella. You didn’t have to sign the paper, but you did. Either you want to come and learn from Harry, or you don’t. If you think they are lying about him, then don’t come to the class, okay?” Mariella nodded and they trudged through the snow towards the castle.
Thanks to Pantiburaun for the corrections. So that my audience is not confused, Marietta is the girl I had meant when I said Mariella, and from now on, I'll write Marietta. I am now trying to figure out how to make these things make sense, but I am finding that my mind is jumping around here and there, so if you find the story a little choppy, I'm sorry. I am trying to sort it all out. Here is a very wild use of legimens against Harry that might make you laugh, or it may just make you think... what the heck just happened? Eitherway, you are free to let me know what you thought when you read it, and anything else you have on your mind. Nights for Cho Chang: That night, with the curtains closed about her bed, Cho Chang laid back her tight yellow nightshirt hugged her curves down to her waist where some lavender briefs covered her privates. She closed her eyes for a second to think about the first time she had seen Harry coming down the aisle towards the sorting hat. Yes, she had fanaticized about him, even before meeting him in real life, though she had never known what he looked like before that day. She could remember just thinking what kind of sadness the boy went through, and wondered how he dealt with not having parents or how he lived through the fear that any day, some mysterious strange who he had never even met, might come to take his life. Cho brought her legs up and held the bottom of her panties thinking how cute he would be as a small child, maybe lying in a wet bed because the that had taken everything from him had somehow come back, and loomed over him causing him to lose control and pee uncontrollably in his pants as he lay there waiting for him to kill the helpless boy. She wondered what she might do if the dark man had loomed outside her bed ready to strike. “Poor Harry,” Cho had thought to herself. “If I were old enough, I’d take care of you, child,” she thought to herself as she started to let her bum drop again to the mattress and curl warmly into the bed sheets. “Harry, I know they wrote a lot of ugly things about you last year, but even if half of it is true, I can understand why you’d want the attention. You’ve never had a real family, have you?” Whispering to herself, she went to sleep. Of course, she knew nothing about Harry’s uncle and aunt, and only had her own imagination to dream up what she thought Harry might be like outside of classes, but to her, it was as real as the boy that came down to the dining hall. That night, Cho slipped into the shadowy depths of a dream, and she found herself floating through some mysterious fog until she came to Number Four Privet Drive. Outside the house, a large family sized car was parked. It was not something that was cheap or something owned by the poor. Cho shook her head. She knew it was a dream as she couldn’t imagine Harry living in a place like this, but still, she proceeded through the front door. The Entry hall had stairs that went directly up from the front door, and to the left was the sitting room while to the right was the kitchen. The dining room and kitchen were extremely clean with a television in the dining room? Well, that is one way to avoid bringing food into your sitting room, she supposed. She had almost missed it, but there, under the stair, there was a small door. Cho opened it, and she saw a small sleeping child. He had to be a third or maybe fourth grader at this time, and she knew for sure it was a dream. But strange, she had had to move a latch to open it, which meant Harry couldn’t leave when he wanted to. She pulled back the blankets carefully from the sleeping child, and saw that his bedding was ringed with ugly yellow stains, and presently, he had a puddle under him that didn’t seem to disturb his sleep. Was that wishful thinking? She wondered. Cho closed the door, and she walked quietly up the stairs to see what kind of people Harry might live with, even if it was a dream. There was a hall of doors up there. She crept close to the first door, and she realized once again, there was a latch outside the door. Peeking in, she saw a sleeping older Harry. This Harry had been one she had known. He was probably either a second year or a third year student here. She crept to his bed and pulled back his sheets to find once again yellow stains on not only his bedsheets, but his underpants. This made her shake her head. The poor boy she dreamed about was very unhappy in his life, but yet, somewhere from deep within, he showed a brave smile to the world. Cho slipped out of the room, and she started to the next door, which also had a latch on it. Okay, this was a dream. It was obvious she was not going to find the people that took care of Harry during the summers, but maybe she would dream about what he was like at home. Maybe he would wake up and come down for breakfast or something while she investigated. “No! You will NOT see that!” she suddenly heard Harry’s voice shout, and Cho woke up in her own bed. She looked around in the dark, wondering why she had heard Harry scream at her. He wouldn’t be in the Ravenclaw dorms, let alone in the girl’s rooms. It was more than likely only her imagination of what Harry might be like, but something very Harry-like had awakened her. Cho peeked out of the heavy curtains that surrounded her bed, and saw that the sun had not even started to filter into the windows yet. She wondered how long she had been asleep, but most of all, she wondered why she had such a vivid dream, where she actually felt Harry’s presences and heard him kick her out of her own dream. What was this magic, that her mind had done to her? She pulled her head back into the curtains, and then she realized what else she had done! All around where she had been sleeping, there was a yellow tinted pool of water that was slowly seeping into the mattress! Her hands went up to her face as it caught fire! She had wet the bed for the first time in what? At least six years! She could never explain this if her roommates found out, and she wondered what she was going to do to hide it. Her panties were soaked, her night shirt was soaked, and her bed had a huge lake in it! Everyone would know! Cho suddenly felt stinging warm tears pricking at her eyes as she sat there wondering what she was going to do. Then, a faint pop was heard as a girl house elf appeared in her lake of pee. “Why is the beautiful young miss crying?” the creature asked its eyes bright and its feet playfully kicking at the puddle as if it were no big deal. Cho’s jaw dropped as she looked down at the creature with a Hogwarts’ towel hung about her shoulders like a dress. “What the? Are you one of those, house elves?” she gaped at the creature. “I is,” the elf nodded enthusiastically while it looked up at the young teenage girl. “I is come to make you feel better as we house elves is hearing you cry and thinks we mights be some help to you.” “This mess,” Cho explained waving at what she had done. “Everyone will know what I did!” The house elf shook her head slowly. “I is seeing no mess, miss,” she explained, and even as the house elf had said it, Cho saw the puddle disappearing into nothing, and she started to feel her panties getting drier and drier until she looked down to see nothing but a pair of clean purple panties where she had seen sopping wet ones before. “You is welcome, miss,” the house elf smiled before popping out of existence. Cho rubbed her arms, gave her right one a twist with her left hand, and tried to decide what parts had been a dream and what parts had been real, but there was no mistaken the feeling that her privates felt dirty. She had wet the bed in her sleep, and that meant someone had come to clean her up. Cho laid back in bed knowing that going to take a shower at this time of night would just get her and her house into some trouble that she didn’t need. Her mind wondered to Harry, thinking about when she first saw him sit on the stool shaking as the hat debated what house to place him in. She didn’t know how many people remembered it, but there was a definite puddle on the floor around him when he had stood, but when she looked back wondering where the next person would sit, she remembered the puddle having disappeared. Had that been the work of house elves as well? She had thought maybe her overactive imagination just wanted to see Harry wet, and that he really had not, and that’s why it wasn’t a problem, but what if a house elf had actually cleaned it up, and he had really done it? Cho started to think a bit more about Harry as she lay back in her dry comfortable bed. Then, she thought about Cedric, who had died. The death of Cedric was often on her mind these days, and as she thought about him, and about what they had said at the meeting, she started to sniffle yet again. She mumbled to herself. She had decided, that for Cedric, she would do this. She would learn from Harry, because whatever had kept Harry alive, it would have kept Cedric alive, and she knew that Cedric would have wanted her to do it. “I’ll do it,” she whispered to the ghost of Cedric though she didn’t know if he really could hear her or not. “But Cedric?” she continued. “Are you jealous? Am I supposed to avoid Harry because he is younger than me anyway? Am I supposed to hate him for coming back alive? What do you want me to do, Cedric?” A faint crying from her bed had the effect of causing four other young girls to wake up and to start whispering about her again. “Poor Cho,” one of the girls had started again. Cho thought that they didn’t realize she was listening, but she didn’t want to interrupt them because she was trying to find an answer from Cedric. The moment she were to give away her privacy, would be the moment she knew that Cedric would yet again, not come or answer. “She really is in a mess. You know, Cedric is gone, and we all know she likes Harry. She should just let him ask her out or something!” “You know she won’t do that,” Marietta replied. “She feels that she owes Cedric some time before she goes on pursuit of others, but you know, I would love nothing more than for her to forget Cedric and to get out of this depression she has herself in.” “Do you think she’s wet the bed again?” one of the girls asked through the darkness. Cho heard them, and a sudden feeling of shame and embarrassment rose. She couldn’t remember ever doing it before today! How could they know of it? She jerked the curtains open. “Who says I pee the bed?” she asked her eye furious with tears. “I am too old to do that, and I never have done it!” she yelled looking from girl to girl in the dark room. She couldn’t see them clearly, but she knew them each so well, that as she looked their direction, she could imagine what each one would be like. “No… no one,” Marietta finally answered her question after a few moments. “You are talking about me,” Cho continued to start around at them. “If you are spreading rumors that I pee the bed or something, I swear, I’ll get even with everyone in this room! I have never wet the bed, well, at least since starting Hogwarts!” “We know,” Marietta tried to appease her. “But Cho?” “What?” “Yesterday, a house elf was seen climbing out of your bunk with a pair of wet panties that we assumed she took off of you.” “You were dreaming,” Cho said tears threatening to spill down her face. “All of us?” another girl had asked. Cho closed her curtains and started to cry yet again. The next morning, Cho found that everyone in her room had let her sleep in, as they often did when they had caught her crying. She opened the curtains to find only one other person in the room, and this person, Marietta, was quietly reading on her bed. “Marietta?” Cho looked over sheepishly at her. “How much was I dreaming last night? We you four really awake gossiping about me?” “Yeah,” Marietta replied in a low apologetic voice. “We know you miss Cedric, but you have to get on with your life, Cho. Cedric wouldn’t want you to waste your life crying about him when others were trying to show you interest. You know that, don’t you?” “I’m not talking about that,” Cho stopped Marietta. “I mean, did a house elf, really….” And she stopped. She didn’t want to say it, just in case it had only been a dream. “You mean, did a house elf really take your wet panties from you the night before?” Marietta asked in a still lower voice. Cho nodded. “You didn’t even know you had wet the bed?” Marietta asked her. “I didn’t feel anything. I wonder how she got them off of me without my noticing.” “Probably magic,” Marietta offered. “Anyway, the only gossiping we’ve been doing around the school, is that Harry likes you, and we think you should stop moping about Cedric and talk to Harry sometime.” “Do the others know you are still hanging out with me?” “Of course they do. Why would that change, Cho?” “Because, if it’s true that I… that you know, well, how many friends do I have now?” “That’s silly, Marietta. People don’t stop being your friend because you have some problem or because you did something a little strange.” “I thought….” “You were wrong. I am not petty like that, Cho. None of the other girls have said anything about it to anyone else as we assumed you just had a hard day, and probably didn’t even realize what had happened.” Cho smiled sheepishly at Marietta. “I think Harry is stupid for trying to start this club of his, especially after the new rules about every organization having to report to Professor Umbridge, but that doesn’t mean I think you should avoid him. You like him, Cho. You need to give him a chance, and try to talk to him, at least to see if you want to date him or not.” “Alright, I promise that I will,” Cho looked down at the blankets. “Would you keep a really embarrassing secret even from the other three?” “Of course I will. You mean more to me at this school than anyone else.” “I wet the bed again last night, only I caught it when I woke up, and the house elf came again. It was the first time I noticed it though. I didn’t know about the day before.” “Well, I won’t tell anyone, I promise. Can you tell me why you think you had wet?” Cho blushed and shook her head. “I don’t know exactly why, and I’m too embarrassed to tell you what I suspect might be a reason. There is no way to know if that was it for sure anyway.” “Suit yourself, but if you have a problem like that, please talk to me about it. We are best friends, okay?” Cho nodded and smiled. “Want to get something to eat?” “What I really want is a shower. I feel really gross because of what happened last night.” “Okay.” Cho walked to the bathroom with some clean clothes and she started to turn on some of the faucets with red, violet, and pink water. No one else was in the bath at that time because probably they had already taken on earlier, if they are morning bathers, and she figured it must have been closer to noon at that time. She laid back in the foam and let her mind wonder back to when she caught a glimpse of Harry exiting Snape’s class for the first time during Harry’s first year. She thought hard, and felt quite sure that his pants had been wet, and she remembered thinking that that professor would drive most to do it. She knew that she had actually wet in his class a few times her first year with him. He was really scary for little kids, but now, it was laughable that she thought he was that scary. After a relaxing bath, and a few more daydreams about her favorite boy, she climbed out of the water and dried herself completely before putting on pink and white poke-a-dot panties with matching bra and her school clothes. Cho walked into Professor Umbridge’s class a few minutes late, and she sat down. “Ms. Chang! Detention!” Cho already knew that was coming. She shrugged it off and started to read the Monday afternoon lesson. She wondered as she read the lesson, when Hermoine and Harry would actually contact them for the first lesson. The more she read in this dry book and really realized how ridiculous it would be to understand these spells by only hear say, the more the wanted Harry to start the lessons.
Yeah, it is very soon for an update, but I promise, this is the last one for my day. It is now 8:15 p.m., and I was just thinking too much about the pretty Cho Chang, and thought I wanted to write abou ther again. Again, you might notice something strange between the book and the chapter, and I did correct the fact that Cho is supposed to be one year ahead of Harry. So the title should be Cho's Sixth year, but I don't believe I can change it now. If something feels rushed, please tell me. If you think something was completely out of character, please tell me. Even though I might not be able to help writing some parts out of character, I do want to try to stay in character for most of hte characters. Cho is the only one I'm intending to write my way. A Wet Cho Chang Halloween was approaching as Professor Snape stood in front of the class with directions written on the board, not for a potion, but rather for some crafty bit of magic that Cho had only ever read about. She didn’t even think they were allowed to learn these spells at school. “You will find that if you do not close your mind to your enemies, they will be able to find out what drives you, and gives you motivation to continue. With that, they can change your life, and you will be at their mercy.” Snape walked to the front of the class keeping his back to the students. His greasy hair was slick and in place from his back, and Cho wondered what he might be doing at that very moment. “Many of you in this room have minds as open as the books on your desks. It would be rather easy for someone like me to get inside your heads and find out all your secrets, and this is something that Dumbledore wishes to protect you from.” Snape suddenly stopped talking, and he flicked at the blackboard revealing a potion of truth. At that very moment, a certain fat woman entered the door with a big smile. “Carry on, Professor. I’m just doing my job as high inquisitor to Hogwarts.” “Yes, I dare say you are,” his voice was very calm though his eyes narrowed at her interruption of an important lesson which was one as close to the dark arts as he was going to be allowed to teach. “This potion,” he returned to the students looking directly at them with his hands folded in front of him. “…is as powerful as anything you might come across. It is devilishly tricky to get right, and it can destroy a life if you use it to do so.” “Excuse me, a question if I may,” the woman spoke up. “Didn’t you get all you wanted from me when you observed my first years’ lesson?” “I am so sorry, Professor Snape, but I wonder if it is very well for the students at this age group to learn such a potion as this one.” “It is among the many ministry approved potions that six years are not only allowed, but encouraged to learn,” he smiled at her his eyes glaring at her as if he were holding daggers. “I will research this for myself of course, but do you really think that students should be learning this kind of thing?” “I think that anything that the ministry approves of, is safe enough for students to work on. If it were a concern, someone in the ministry would change it, and until that time that such a thing happens, I will teach what the ministry things the students should know.” “I see,” the fat woman bit her lip. “Continue then and pretend I’m not here.” Cho saw that Professor Snape had turned back to the blackboard, tapping on it not showing Umbridge his face for at least several minutes, and she guessed that it was probably the feeling he had for her that was not unshared by most of the other professors. Right away, she dug into her bag and started to prepare the potion that was on the board. It was quite tricky. She wondered if the professor had had any real ulterior reason to teach them this particular lesson. Suddenly, Professor Snape did something that Cho thought he would never do unless Dumbledore himself asked him to do so. “Students, I think perhaps Professor Umbridge is correct after all. Dump your pots, sit there and take notes about the effects and the process for making a truth drought. There was a sudden smirk in his eyes as if he knew something that gave him an edge by following what Professor Umbridge had asked of him. Cho glared back at the girlish woman thinking how much a crone she was, first ruining Defense of Dark Arts and now ruining their potions’ class. She was glad that McGonaggal was not so worried about what she did, that she would continue to teach in her regular way. “Oh, Harry,” Cho found herself thinking as she opened her potions book to read. “Hurry up and start that Defense Against the Dark Arts class. This teacher is making everything mundane!” Professor Snape curled his lip as he walked by Cho. “Keep your mind on your reading,” he said in a low voice. Cho jumped as he walked by her commenting on what she was thinking as though he was reading her mind. Maybe he was. There was definitely a different atmosphere in the room the moment he had had to go back to potions rather than what he had written at the start of class on the blackboard. “I heard Professor Snape is an accomplished Legilmens,” one of the students from her house whispered when he had walked towards the front of the room. “I wouldn’t put it past him to read our thoughts as he walked by each of us.” “I’m sure he probably does,” Marietta spoke up. “But as that is the case, shouldn’t we get to work on reading than get caught talking?” Cho was walking from the potions class back towards her dorms when she was suddenly approached by Ginny. “Lessons will be tonight.” Cho smiled. “Thank you. You are um… Jenny?” “Ginny,” she corrected her. “You know Harry, don’t you?” “Well, he’s my brother’s best mate, yeah.” “I can’t wait to see what Harry decides to teach us first.” And with that, Cho ran off to her dorms to drop off her books. She wanted some supper and she hoped to get out of Professor Gonaggal’s detention before the meeting time. As it was, when she came in, and everything was explained, Professor McGonnagal shook her head. “I know it’s hard, Cho, but we can’t let the past stop us from progressing, now can we?” “No ma’am.” “I don’t want to hear you’ve overslept again unless you are sick, alright?” “Yes ma’am.” “You are free to go.” Cho looked at her for a moment the realization that she had been dismissed from detention had not yet set in. “What’s wrong, Cho? Did you not hear me? You are free to go.” “Yes ma’am.” Cho and Marietta started to walk back towards that hall with the statue, and they waited for another student who was to come to make sure it wasn’t some trick. Indeed, when the door opened, Cho saw Harry inside, and she smiled. “Come on, Marietta. They’re in there.” Marietta nodded and walked in with her best friend. She wondered if Harry was nervous to be the teacher for the first time, but the way he stood up there bravely and seemed to know what he was talking about, she doubted it. “Harry really is a good teacher,” she whispered to Marietta. “I bet he teaches us something really cool.” “I don’t know,” Marietta looked doubtful. “He’s younger than we are.” “Is he really?” Cho now realized that it was true that he was in the year behind them, but she didn’t let that stop her thinking he put his words as elegantly as did any of the other professors. “It’s only what you know, and what you have in your gut that can save you,” she heard him say. He had really fought the dark man, and he knew what he was talking about. “We need to practice the shield charm first off,” Harry had told them. “Shield?” many of the people in the room snickered. “I thought you were going to teach us something more advanced.” “Look,” Harry told them. “I’m telling you the things that have helped me the most. If you think you know better, you are free to leave and have the evening to do with what you will.” Cho thought that the shield charm was a very basic spell, but she also had to admit that she wasn’t very good at it. When Harry had been walking around between the many students, he had observed that many of them were not performing the shield just right. He walked back to the front, Cho watching carefully as he did so. “Look, people, you have to take this serious, if you want to learn it. The shield may seem easy, but it has a very precise method to it, that when you know what it is, you will find that not only can you get it up sooner, and not only will the shield be stronger if it is correct, but it might actually make a difference between life and death.” Cho smiled. Of course, Harry was right. One moment, was all it took for the death spell to work, and only a well placed defensive spell might thwart it. “Alright, watch,” he told the crowd. “Hermoine, would you please demonstrate the shield spell while I attack you with a nose bleed spell.” Everyone watched. “Of course, your enemy will not be polite enough to tell you what spell you need to repel, but I want you to see exactly what the spell should look like when it is repelled correctly.” The shield was so powerful that not only did it not get through, but it actually rebounded, and came within inches of Harry who had to jump back to avoid getting hit by his own spell. “Blime me!” a fellow Griphondor called out. “Did you see what the shield did?” Now, everyone was paying attention, and Cho suddenly realized that Hermoine’s reputation for being a gifted witch was truly earned, and she wondered why Hermoine was not a Ravenclaw. “Now, I want each of you to concentrate on getting the charm exactly right, so that the spell not only stops the force, but actually repels it. If it is only stopped, then basically, that means some measure of it had penetrated the spell, and with the death curse, if even a little of it works, well, death is all or nothing. It doesn’t work in degrees. Think about that as you practice.” Cho suddenly realized just how important it was, and wondered if that was why Cedric had not come back at the end of last year with Harry. She and Marietta started to practice again. Cho blushed as Harry came near her, and she accidentally sent the hex wide of Marietta who was ready to repel her jinx. Heatedly, she cursed herself for being stupid, and tried to regain her focus. Now, it was Marietta’s turn to send a hex her way, and this was when Harry had taken the time to come and correct her stance. “Like this,” he seemed nervous to touch her as he corrected her stance. “You need the shield to cover you completely, and that means a good firm stance so that you are not leaving any portion of your body wide of the spell.” Cho nodded her whole body shaking with Harry holding on to her. “Excuse me,” he gruffly pulled himself away from her. “Just stand like that, and Marietta will not get you with her spell.” Cho was weak kneed though, and she was late in getting the spell up so that her friend’s bloody nose caught her in the face. “I… I was doing it before,” Cho tried to explain. “I just… um…” she had no explanation for what happened. “I know,” Harry smiled as he moved away. “I saw you doing pretty good from across the room. I just wanted to correct a very minor point.” They both looked at each other for a moment, and then Harry turned to dart off to find someone else to help while she stood there, looking after him, her eyes lingering at the back of his head. “Professor Potter?” one of the Weasley twins called to him. “Would you mind terribly if we went to the bathroom?” “Suit yourself,” Harry shrugged. “You are not in an official lesson, but remember, that when you are in a real fight, your opponent is not likely to let you go.” At that, half of the room laughed, and Fred said something like fair enough. Cho, however didn’t laugh. She took his warning to heart, and decided from that time forward, she would never go to the bathroom during Harry’s lesson nor during any lesson that she thought was important. Harry knew what he was talking about, and he surely didn’t say that lightly. Marietta looked from Harry to the twins trying to read if they were joking or not because everyone knew what Fred and George were like, but they also knew that Harry was trying to be serious. Then she looked at Cho, and saw the look in her friend’s eye. Her friend had taken what Harry said to heart. “Look Cho, I’m sure he didn’t mean that we shouldn’t go if we have to go,” Marietta said as she felt a little nervous. “Do you have to go?” Cho asked her. “Um… maybe.” “If you want, you can go,” Cho whispered. “But I think Harry was very serious when he said that the opponent wouldn’t ask, and probably wouldn’t let us ask.” “But you aren’t going to just pee your pant if you are in classes are you?” Cho shrugged. “I’ll do whatever it takes to pass the classes and to prepare myself. Even if the ministry wants to downplay what Harry has seen as lies or worse, I am not going to be that blind and stupid. I’m going to prepare myself.” Marrietta sighed. She decided to just stick it out in the class even if her girl parts was burning a little to pass some urine. Harry walked around the room some more correcting other students. Cho would feel him avoiding her, though she was sure that it had more to do with not playing favorites with her, than aversion. She smiled a couple of times his way, but he seemed to pretend to ignore it, or he really was that determined as a teacher that everyone be able to perform the shield charm. Either way, his determination that everyone get it right, or his trying to avoid playing favorites, the way he acted about her smiles make her smiled even more and even blush a bit. It was very cute! Finally, they were wrapping up practice, and Harry took a peculiar piece of paper from his pockets and said a most interesting line of mischief over it before it opened up to reveal a map of Hogwarts. “Alright, Ravenclaw, your path is clear. Go now.” Had they really run that much over on their first lesson? “Hufflepuff, just another minute,” Harry cautioned. “I want to give Professor Snape time to actually get into his office so he doesn’t turn back around towards your dorms.” “How do you know where the professor is?” Cho asked as she came up beside him. “Oh, this map shows me what is going on in the castle.” “Cool map.” “Yeah, I inherited it from a couple of really good guys.” Soon, the room was mysteriously empty of everyone including Ron and Hermoine. Cho found herself with only Harry there, and her friend had gone off with the rest of Ravenclaw. “So, um… you were doing really well,” Harry seemed nervous. “Yeah, but some of the things you taught, I well, I found it easier the way you explained it. I think you are a really good teacher,” she found herself saying. “Do you think that if Cedric… if he had known these things, would he…?” Harry shook his head. “Listen, Cho. He knew his stuff. What had happened to Cedric, that was going to happen to me, too. It no doubt would have, except that Voldemort needed my blood intact for his spell.” “So, Harry, do you really think that it’s necessary to learn to defend ourselves, if we don’t have a chance?” “I never said we don’t have a chance. Never think like that, or you will already be doomed,” Harry looked into her shining eyes. “You have to resist with your very being, and you have to be on your toes, always. Never give him your back, because he is NOT above attacking you while you are not looking.” “I understand,” Cho felt a heaviness in her heart and tears coming to her eyes. “I know you know what it’s like, and I’m sorry that everyone thought you were a freak last year and stuff. I just, I just, I want you to know that I don’t blame you for Cedric.” “That’s nice,” Harry whispered seeming to be unsure of what to make of that statement. Cho suddenly felt overwhelmed as she looked at Harry, thinking it could just as easily have been Cedric standing here, and Harry had been the one gone, and she found that she wasn’t sure which one she’d prefer it to be. She looked down a bit ashamed of herself, and then a tear fell down her cheeks. Harry pulled her over towards him, and he patted her head, at which she sank into his arms crying. He didn’t seem to mind, but Cho felt as though he probably should, and he would if he knew that she partly wasn’t sure if had wished he was Cedric and not Harry. Then again, she really liked Harry too, and she couldn’t imagine Cedric making a class like this behind the back of someone like Professor Umbridge. “Look,” Harry finally pulled her back so he could look in her eyes. “I don’t know what you must be feeling because I lived and Cedric didn’t, but you know, whatever you feel, you must not blame yourself, and you must not think that Cedric didn’t know how to use his magic. He was probably vastly more talented than myself, but Voldemort had decided to kill him outright, and even with a full strength shield in place, with that many Death Eaters around firing spells at you, and there only being two of you, you are not likely to live through it.” “But you did,” Cho looked into Harry’s eyes. “As I told Dumbledore and the ministry. I only lived because our wands did that strange sort of thing that confused Voldemort, and he had wanted me to himself, so that the other Death Eaters did not interfere. That is the only reason I made it back, and if the portkey had been deactivated before I touched it, I would not be here.” Cho nodded though the tears wouldn’t stop. Suddenly, there was sound of water hiding tile, and Cho felt a warm spreading around her middle. She looked into Harry’s eyes in bliss, trying not to look or think about what her body had done to her, but rather than get grossed out, Harry actually pulled her over to him and into his lap and gave her a kiss. “Cho, I don’t understand how you feel because I’ve not lost anyone close to me since I was a baby, but it’s okay to cry, and it’s okay that um…” and he put his hand on her pants near where she was wet so that Cho would know that he had noticed. “It’s not that big a thing to me, okay? But if we don’t get back to our rooms soon, I’m sure one of the adults will catch us, and I hate to think what will happen if that person happened to be Filch, Snape, or Umbridge.” Cho knew he had a point. “Alright. Thank you for listening. You are so sweet!” Cho kissed him on the cheek and then she got up and left him sitting there. She didn’t know that he would go off to Griphondor tower to tell his friends that her kiss was wet, and that she had cried like a baby. She just felt safe in his arms for some reason, and luckily, she had made it to her common room before anyone caught her. Some people saw her come in, and a few people shook their heads when they saw her wet pants. She had not had a chance to get cleaned up, and now most of Ravenclaw saw that she was wet, but no one said anything. She walked up to her room with a heavy heart, and she sat on the floor by her bunk thinking.
This chapter seems to be all over the place. I'm not even sure the title makes sense, and I might yet change it. However, as I do not yet have a good replacement title, I'll just keep it for now. I hope that people are getting interested in Cho's version of the story. Marietta’s Concerns Cho didn’t remember when, but she must have eventually crawled off of the cold floor, put on her pajamas, and gotten into bed during the night. It had been about a week or two since that first meeting, and Cho found herself in her dreams again…. Cho was once again in the small hall of doors, where one had already been opened, and she stood in front of the other that she was about to open before she was kicked out of the dream. She didn’t know why she kept dreaming of this place. It had never been a part of her fantasies about Harry, and somehow, it felt worse than depressing. Gathering as much courage as she could, she unlatched the door and pushed it open. There in the room, she could see Harry standing against a far wall while a large hippo of a boy and two of his friends were playing on a muggle game system. Harry stood at the back of the room, looking down as Cho saw urine flowing down his legs and getting the floor all wet. Still, he just stood there, watching this boy. “Harry--Ralph, Ted, and I want drinks. Go get them!” Harry nodded with teary eyes, and walked out of the room with his head bent in shame. Cho wondered if this was really her dream. How could she ever think up something like this for someone she really cared about? How could she ever think that Harry would be like this? She tried to wake up. She hated the way the dream portrayed him. Her eyes seemed to flutter open, but her body was yet so heavy in her bed. Something was amiss. Something was holding her down to her bed, and her heart started to race. She couldn’t get up! Had someone casted an immobilizing spell on her in her sleep? She tried to fight against whatever it was, but then found herself once again waking up from inside a dream? Her heart raced faster as she tried to move her right arm. It moved. She rose into a sitting position, and yet her eyes seemed to flutter yet again. She tried to standup, then she realized that she was not sitting, but still lying with her eyes just coming open. “Wake up!” she yelled at herself. “Wake up!” The mumbling girl wouldn’t have noticed that Marietta was worriedly at the side of her bed, and had pulled the curtains around her bed back so that she could get a look at her mumbling friend. “Alice, Cho has a fever!” “Do you think Madam Pomphrey is allowed to come to our room to check on her?” “I don’t know, but can you go see?” Cho found herself once again in the small hall of doors, two of them were open. She wondered if she really should be here. There was a foreboding as if she were reading Harry’s mind, or seeing something she shouldn’t see. It both depressed her and made her nervous as she lurked in the hall, unsure as to whether she should open anymore doors. Madam Pomphrey came into the girl’s room, sat on the edge of Cho’s bed. Alice and Marietta looked on in worry as the nurse put her hand over Cho’s burning head. One of the doors in the small hall appeared to open. Cho saw a little Harry peeking out of a door. He couldn’t have been much older than six or seven, someone who had their backs to her, towered over the small boy, saying something that made him cry. Cho’s heart broke as she heard the man’s words. “If you were not my wife’s sister’s child, you can be sure you’d have been thrown out long ago! Did you really not think we would notice the stains on your sheets in your bedroom?” “I—I didn’t meant to,” the small boy had whined. “You are too old for this behavior,” he yelled at Harry. “If you so much as wet your underwear at school today, you will be in diapers until further notice, got it?” The boy’s response was too weak to be heard. Cho wanted out of this nightmare. She didn’t want to see anymore. She was convinced that someone else was planting some kind of spell on her to see such a twisted image of her fantasies of the boy she liked. She hated to see this, and yet, somewhere inside, she also wondered if any part of this was real. A few hours later, Cho woke up, not in her room or bed, but in the hospital wing with Madam Pomphrey at her side “What? Where am I?” Cho asked the matron. “I would normally not say anything,” the woman started. “But you do know that Legilmens should not be used lightly, don’t you?” “Well, yeah, I mean, I’m just now learning to do it,” Cho looked up at the woman. “Just now? Well, just get some sleep, young lady. You’ve had a very difficult night.” Cho looked down at the blankets that covered her. Her bottom felt something soft and padded against it, and her legs felt forced apart by whatever underwear she had on which felt quite strange to her. She tentatively reached a hand under the blankets and felt a thick heavy diaper in place around her middle. “What the?” she gasped as the pulled the blankets back. “I don’t need this!” she practically screamed causing Madam Pomphrey to come running out of her office. “My dear child, what is it now?” she asked as she saw that Cho had pulled the blankets away from her middle. “I’m in a diaper!” Cho said disgusted. “Yes, you are child. When I retrieved you, you were wet, so I put a diaper on you just in case it happened again.” Cho started to feel tears building in her eyes. “Look Ms. Chang,” Madam Pomphrey looked at her sternly. “I don’t know what magic your messing with, but in your emotional state, it is causing problems with your body and your emotions. I know you miss your boyfriend, but whatever this magical obsession you have with Harry, you need to let it go before it destroys you!” “I’m not doing anything with Harry,” she said defensively. “I’ve only talked to him.” “You are using Legilmens on him, and reading his mind, and with your confused state, you are twisting those into the fantasies that you already have about him, and it’s causing you to get confused about who he is, about who YOU are, and it will tear you apart if you keep doing this.” “I don’t even know how to do Legilmens that well,” Cho looked at her wide eyed wondering how she could think that she would do such a spell without good cause. “If you are not doing it, then someone else is causing you break into his mind. Do you know who else could know about your fantasies about Harry, but not like either of you?” Cho shook her head. No one came to mind. “When you dream about your fantasies with Harry, particularly when you are remembering a part of his real past, you are reacting to the way you find him, or another words, you are wetting the bed when in your dreams, you think he has peed his pants.” “I don’t,” Cho blushed wondering how much Pomphrey knew that she dreamed of Harry like that, and even thought about it in the daytime. “Well, I am not going to go on,” the nurse smiled. “I just thought you should understand the dangers of what you are doing to yourself. If you are really not doing the spell on him, then I can only caution you to be careful.” Cho smiled weakly, but now, she wondered if the nurse would tell her head of house or someone important on her. She wondered if she would have to be evaluated for a sane mind, or if she would have to explain what she was thinking or feeling to some stranger. After another short sleep, Cho woke up and found her diaper was soaked in urine. She just laid there thinking about what the nurse had told her, but she had not dreamed of Harry on this occasion. She wondered who could be doing this to her, and if it was really unsafe to like the boy of her dreams. Marietta was at the foot of her bed watching her when she woke. “Are you okay?” Marietta asked Cho. “Yeah,” Cho replied. “But I guess I have a problem.” “What’s the problem? Can it be fixed?” “I don’t know,” Cho honestly said blushing. “But it seems I’m having trouble with my bladder especially in my sleep.” “It’s okay. All the girls in our room already know you’ve wet a couple of times, and we don’t care. I’ll personally hex anyone if they talk about it with anyone but those in our room.” Cho smiled at Marietta. They had been best friends since she transferred to this school in her third year, and she was really grateful for the way that Marietta was. There were imperfections about Marietta that could bother some people, but these just made her predictable to Cho, so she liked that when Marietta felt uneasy about something, that she would complain about it beforehand. She liked that Marietta would tell you to your face if you had lied about something or that she would tell you what she thought you out to do. “Listen,” Marietta looked down as she was about to talk about something uncomfortable. “What is it,” though Cho was certain she already knew. “This Dumbledore’s Army is a little scary,” she whispered. “If anyone found out that we had named this rebellion that, it would surely cause trouble not only for us, but for the headmaster. I think it’s wrong.” “You can quit,” Cho offered. “I have thought about that, but truthfully, I like learning from Harry more than I like learning from the tyrant, but I don’t like what we are calling ourselves.” “Do you want me to say something to Harry about it?” “No. Everyone else likes the name, so I don’t want to cause any trouble. I just thought I should tell you what is bothering me because we are friends.” “I appreciate that,” Cho looked at her in earnest. “I guess I should be more open and honest with you, too. The Matron thinks that I’m using legilmens or that someone is possessing me or doing something so I have a connection with Harry that is twisted. What do you think about that?” “I think she’s nuts. There’s no reason for you to really try to read Harry’s mind because you already know he likes you, right? And for someone to do that with you, they would have to either think you need to know something, which I can’t possibly think what, or they would do it to hurt one of you, but the only thing I’ve seen it has done to you is make you wet your pants at night sometimes.” “So, you think it might just be a coincidence?” “Well, I honestly don’t know what to think, but I’d like to hope it is.” “You haven’t had any strange problems, have you?” “No, not that I can think of,” Marietta looked down. They both felt the warmth of their glowing coins again. These were the coins that Hermoine had given everyone on the first lesson a few days ago, so that they could know when to meet. “That’s another thing,” Marietta said. “It’s scary how similar to He who must not be named, that Harry’s right hand person can think. She magicked these coins in the same fashion as the murderer uses a tattoo on his followers.” “I think she’s rather clever to tell the truth,” Cho smiled. “The method of communication is not evil. It is just that the evil man is evil that we worry about it so much.” “Maybe you are right,” Marietta sighed. “Anyway, Madam Pomphrey says you can go back with me if you are feeling up to it.” “I… I need some clean underwear first,” Cho blushed. “They put a… a diaper on me, and I’ve wet it.” “I figured that would happen when we found you. I brought some with me for you.” “Thank you so much!” Cho shifted under the blankets pulling off the wet diaper and leaving it in the bed while she put on some nice blue panties. The two walked out of the medical wing and down the stairs towards the great hall, and that’s when they saw Ron and Harry talking. Harry looked up and smiled hopefully at Cho. She smiled back at him and passed them to get into the dining hall. There were many good things to eat. The Ravenclaw table was looking towards to the head staff table, and this drew both Marietta and Cho to look. They both realized that Dumbledore was missing. “Where is he?” they wondered aloud. Cho looked down at her lap thinking about the trouble they might be causing him, and wondered if using the name Dumbledore’s Army was really a good idea or not. Still, it seemed to be the very thing that would get back at Umbridge and those that sent her. Anyway, they didn’t plan on getting caught, so the only ones that really know about the army, were those that were in it. “Do you think Professor Dumbledore is talking to the ministry about Professor Umbridge and everything that is happening here?” Alice seemed to come from nowhere sitting on the other side of Marietta. “I don’t know,” Cho replied halfheartedly. She didn’t want to think about what he might have to talk to the ministry about, and she also felt a tugging at her emotions as she thought about Harry. Regardless of those dreams that couldn’t possibly be true, she still felt that Harry was holding back something important and something dangerous. He was the chosen one, and she was sure that he had a lot more on his mind than he seemed to tell most. Maybe he told Hermoine and Ron everything, she wondered. “Cho,” Marietta had called her for the third time. “What are you thinking about?” “Oh, just Harry,” she sighed. “I was wondering what mysteries he is hiding, and what pain or fears he has.” “You really are sweet on him, aren’t you?” Alice asked. “Well, he’s actually pretty kind, you know.” “Yes, I know that, but he’s a year younger than you, and he’s very immature if you ask me. I heard that he peed his pants the other day in Professor Umbridge’s office.” “Even if he did, I wouldn’t put it past that most students do so when they have her for detention.” “What do you mean?” Alice asked her. “I had one detention with her. You wouldn’t believe what she did to me!” “What could she do? It’s not like she can use a curse on a student.” “Oh? You really have no idea of how mean or strange she really is if you think that she is above cursing students.” “What curse did she do, then?” “She has these special pens she makes you use,” Cho tried to remember exactly what it had done to her. “They kind of do things to you that really hurt.” “Why did you get detention from her?” Alice asked. “She slept in about a week ago, remember? She was so exhausted, and she came to class late, and the professor decided that she should be punished,” Marietta told the girls. “I know about her pens, too.” They examined Marietta’s hand to find in faint slanted etched redlines, the words ‘I will not pass notes in class’ carved on her hand. “That looks really painful Alice grimaced.” “Yeah, it was,” she agreed. “It’s fine now, but that’s why I don’t like Harry’s idea, Cho.” “It’s exactly because of this, that we have to rebel,” Cho said frowning at her. “She shouldn’t be allowed to treat us like this.” “Do you think she’s a dark wizard in disguise?” Alice asked as she looked again at Marietta’s hand. “I wouldn’t put it past her,” Cho agreed. “But I doubt she’s working with He who must not be named.” “So, what did the pen do to you,” Marietta looked at Cho. “Come to think about it, it had etched something on my stomach instead of my hand, but I can’t remember exactly what the words are.” “Maybe we should check when we get back to the room, if they are still there.” Cho nodded and turned to the Griphondor table to see if she could see Harry. She wasn’t sure if he would look back at her, and it did indeed seem that he was too busy talking to his friends, but then, just as she was about to give up and look away, she saw him look up at her and smile. Cho giggled and that made Alice and Marietta smile. “Cho really likes Harry,” they whispered. A few hours later, the girls had gone up to their room, and just as she had promised, Cho lifted her shirt to see if they could see what the words were. “I must not oversleep my classes” was written in thin red lines. “Why do you think the words appeared here, instead of your hand?” Alice asked Cho. “Mine are on the back of my hand, and everyone else I’ve talked to has it on their hands.” “I don’t really know,” Cho looked down at her stomach frowning. She did note that it was just above that place that would get a little tense and swollen when she had to pee.” The girls all went to their own bunks to prepare for bed letting Cho get ready for bed. The fact that someone had placed pull ups on her bed on top of her night clothes seemed to either be missed or ignored by the other girls and Cho sighed. Did the nurse really expect her to act like a baby and wear these things on her own accord? She had to be smoking something to think that! Cho lie still in her bed, and rather than a fantasy, she tried to remember a time when Harry had not seen her looking, that she could recall him in a difficult situation. It didn’t take too long before she remembered that he had wet his pants during the third year when Griffindor was playing against Slythern and one of those goulish dementors had swept upon him. Now she thought about it, the dementors had affected Harry much worse than she had seen them affect anyone else, and this made her think that there was some connection between his power and the power of the monsters. No other creature seemed to cause Harry alarm and this kind of scared Cho. If a dementor is really that dangerous, and if they are guarding the prison for those that they’d rather join, wasn’t it playing with fire to depend on them? Wanting to know why Harry really was scared of them to the point of fainting, Cho closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like to face to face with one herself. She already had an inkling of an idea of what it was like when they came near, but to really face one, she wondered if she might faint as Harry does, or if she would simply die of heart attack. Cho found herself drifting off to sleep.
This is a much longer chapter, I am still not sure it was really finished, but 20 pages has to be enough. 20 pages at 14 though, don't think it's really that good. lol Anyway. Here is the next chapter ‘I will not make pee pee on the floor’ Cho had forgotten about all that had happened the night before and on this morning, she was happily walking along to her transfiguration class. She didn’t know if McGonaggal would had heard by then that she was having trouble recently, but it didn’t matter. No one seemed to say anything. “Today,” the professor went on. “We will be practicing something that will be in your NEWT level tests. This jinx,” and then she saw the toad come through the door and sighed. “What is it, Delores?” “Oh, nothing. It’s just time for your evaluation,” the fat woman giggled. “Evaluation,” the stern teacher glared into the woman’s eyes. “Fine, you will be able to best observe my lessons from the back,” she pointed the toad woman to an empty chair. “Now, class, this is a bit of a tricky spell to get right,” she started. An annoying little giggle interrupted her, and then Professor Umbridge broke the silence. “Excuse me, but I was wondering if this is the best way to teach these students about this spell….” “Normally, Mrs. Umbridge,” Professor McGonaggal’s mouth was taut with dislike. “I don’t allow people to interrupt me, especially during an important and tricky explanation.” “Yes, that is all good, but I’m evaluating you.” “Then evaluate me,” the woman stared at the fat toad. “But you surely can’t see how I run a class if you are going to change it by interrupting it every five minutes, now can you?” Umbridge became very quiet, but then her pen flew across her paper as she wrote about McGonaggal. The professor, however, did not seem to care what the toad was writing but continued as if she wasn’t there. “Now, when you use two or three disciplines of magic together to come up with an effect like this, you really have to be careful of several things. One, if you are working with a dangerous element like fire….” Cho smiled. This was one teacher that the ministry could not bully. She had her way of doing things, and though she was very strict and nearly immoveable in her way of doing things, it was nice to see that even someone like Umbridge could not detour the aged woman from teaching class the way she had planned. Her respect for McGonnagal increased that morning a hundred fold. “Cho, see me after class,” the teacher suddenly said as she looked at Cho’s attempt at making flaming fingers and realized that something was bothering the Ravenclaw girl. Umbridge waited around too. Appearently, she wanted to hear whatever it was that McGonaggal wanted to talk about. “Is there something I can help you with?” “Oh no, I just thought you could use some extra authority as you corrected a student’s progress.” “I assure you, I have this, Delores. Cho is a good student and not in trouble in anyway, so there is no need for additional authority.” Umbridge glanced from the professor to Cho, and then nodded walking off, but still writing something with her pen as she went. “Now she’s gone,” McGonaggal looked into Cho’s soft childish face. “I wanted to talk to you about your magic this morning. It’s not in top form, and if you can, I’d like you to explain it to me, miss.” “I’m sorry,” Cho looked down. “Sorry for what?” the teacher asked her with a frown. “You are scolding me for goofing off in class, aren’t you?” “Were you goofing off in class?” the teacher looked confused. “No.” “Then why would you think I would scold you for something you didn’t do? I assure you, I am strict, but I’m also fair, and I don’t scold students that don’t deserve it.” “But you said my magic was off.” “Yes, but that is something entirely different, child, and not something to be scolded for. Something is bothering you, and I am just trying to lend you a shoulder if you need some help.” “Oh,” Cho blushed. “Professor? There is this boy, you see, and well, it wouldn’t be so hard, but he was a rival for Cedric. I… I am confused. I don’t know why I like him, but he’s cute. And I’m afraid Cedric will never forgive me if I… um… date this other boy.” “Is this other boy, Harry?” Cho looked down. “Cho, no one can blame you for liking Harry. Harry is a very sweet person who really cares about his friends. You’ve no doubt seen that. You are an intelligent person, though and I cannot tell you what you should do. Just consider that you both have feelings and though Cedric was a very good person, he is no longer here. He most certainly would forgive and even encourage you to see the person you really liked, if he loved you.” “Really?” “Yes. People want to see their love interests happy, if they really love them. Cedric cared about you, I can tell you that. I saw the way he hung about you, and that’s why he’d want you to see anyone you chose. You are not hurting his memory by liking someone else.” Cho blushed. “Is that all that is wrong, Ms. Chang?” She shook her head. “I have to tell someone before word gets around and someone of authority gets too upset at me….” “What is it, child?” “I don’t know why, but I wet the bed a couple of times this year.” “Is that all?” Cho looked up at the teacher surprised that she wasn’t shocked. “Cho, you are under a lot of stress. Of course, you are going to have problems dealing with that stress for a while. If one of the things it is causing is a wet bed, then we’ll just put you in diapers at night to keep the bed dry under you. But Cho, you are still sixteen years old, and you are still a good student regardless of what the stress is doing to your body or your feelings. Understand?” Cho smiled. “Thank you.” Cho walked down towards potions smiling very brightly, and her friend Marietta suddenly noticed. “Why are you so happy? Don’t you know what teacher is next?” “Snape,” Cho shrugged. “So, are you really so happy that even he doesn’t scare you?” “He’s a pushover,” Cho said pointedly. “He says things, but in the end, he really just pretends to hate everyone. Look at how he treats Harry!” “What are you saying?” “Marietta, if he hated Harry half as much as he let on, do you really think he would have kept Harry from falling to his death during his third year qwiditch game?” “That was Dumbledore.” “If you say so,” Cho smiled. “But I know I’ve seen Snape doing things that are for Harry behind the boy’s back.” “He does it because of Dumbledore.” “If you say so.” They opened the door to the scary teacher’s room and without Umbridge there, he had again magicked the words legilmens and Occlemacy on the blackboard. “Are we going to learn potions today?” Zimbini asked. “You are going to learn what I decide to teach you,” Snape said without directly answering the boy. “Now, everyone take out a pen, a parchment, and use your wands to brew some water and onion on the table next to you.” “It is a potion,” Marietta relaxed. “I thought he was going to get into the dark arts or something.” “Quiet, Ravenclaw. Fifty points. Don’t interrupt. Now, while your ‘potions’ boil and soften the onion, I will teach some finer points on Occlemens.” “Wait, Occlemens is NOT a potion, is it?” one of the Slythern called out. “Correct. Fifty points for Slythern. “I will be teaching this class to close your minds. There are people who want to read them. I cannot say who they are because of the curriculum, but I can tell you that this is probably the most important lesson you’ll have this year, and it will be in your Newts.” “Dumbledore has of course asked me to teach you this because it is not a standard charm you’ll find in charms class. It is not a transfiguring spell, and it is not a potion.” He had not even mentioned the other class, almost as if he didn’t recognize it as a class at all. Professor Snape spent nearly two hours talking about what Occlemens and Legilmens was, and about how to both break each one down and how to employ them. He looked Cho in the eye, and he tormented her for a moment. “I dare say that even without legilmens, I would know every worry you had because you are too much like a certain Griffindor that I know. You cannot have your feelings bubbling up on the surface when someone attacks you with that spell or they will know all of your secrets.” He walked to a girl behind her. “Now, this young lady, will probably offer some kind of resistance if I were to try it on her. Would you come to the front please?” Everyone watched as Snape took a usually shy and quiet girl to the front. “Remember, that the very basics of Legilmens is based on you giving me a doorway. To not do so, you must resist with the tools we have already discussed,” but then the bell rang, and she had escaped having her mind read. “Next time, we will pick up here, unless, we are forced to learn our next potion.” The class noisily rose to its feet and the blackboard became blank. Snape flicked his wand, and the classroom seemed to shimmer for a moment before everything fell into its same place as it was before the shimmering. He had lifted an unnamed spell and the students started to filter towards the door. It was right as Cho came out of the classroom, that she saw the blond Slythern flanked by his two giant friends. They were chatting about Harry. “I found out that Harry wets the bed,” he laughed to his friends. “He not only wets the bed, but he wears diapers. Do you want me to lift his robes on him in class to see if he is wearing any?” Cho’s face grew hot as she heard the boy talking about her Harry. The more he spoke about it, the more she saw red until without thinking, she said a single word, and then Draco started to pee into his shorts. She smiled and walked away with Marietta. Draco put his thighs together, held his ‘snake’ through his pants and robe, but still it just kept pouring out until there was a puddle all around him. He only saw the retreating back of the two girls, one of which had done this to him, but he could not use his wand, for both of his hands were still futily trying to grasp himself and close off the flow. Professor Snape came into the hall and saw Draco struggling with pee still pouring out of his pants. He could see that it had been a spell, because Draco’s pee wasn’t slowing down. The teacher pointed his wand at the boy and stopped the flow. “Were you dueling again?” “No sir. This girl just attacked me for no reason.” “What girl?” “The girl that came out of your class. She has dark hair, and I think she’s at least one year older than me.” “Is she in Ravenclaw?” “Yes sir.” “Go get cleaned up. I’ll have her in detention for this.” Draco smiled. “Oh, and she said that she was doing it on Potter’s orders.” “Alright, I’ll find out,” Professor Snape promised. “Now go get cleaned up unless you want everyone to see you like that.” Draco ran off to his dorms happy to have an excuse to take one class off and relax. As Cho walked to her Divination class, she saw Snape magically appear from one of the walls. This place really does have a lot of secret passages. She stared at him wondering why he chose that moment to come out. “Ms. Chang, we need to go see your head of house.” “Why?” “You attacked a younger student with magic while his back was turned. Not only is that cowardice, but you are not supposed to do magic in the halls between lessons, and you certainly are not to be picking on people younger than you.” Cho looked to Marietta for help, but Marietta just looked down. Marietta had very strict parents, and she knew that if Marietta stuck with her and got in trouble too, she would be in real trouble. “Yeah? Alright, I attacked a blond kid that was making fun of someone I like.” “Making fun?” the teacher asked. “Nevermind,” Cho said shrugging. “So are you going to give me detention?” “As I said, I want to talk to you and your head of house.” Cho nodded and let Snape guide her to Umbridge’s office. “Why are we here?” she asked a little confused. “Oh, Umbridge is your new head of house. She has decided that your old head of house was not doing her job properly, so you will answer to this woman.” Now, Cho was worried. Umbridge was not going to take any excuses at all. “So, Cho, who the transfiguration professor called a good student, has attacked a younger student in the halls. What do you think I should do about this, young lady?” Cho stared at the ground. Professor Snape smiled and parted from them. “I’m sorry,” Cho said deciding pleading was better than lying. “Sorry for what, young lady?” “For attacking another student and using magic between classes,” she said hoping that was good enough. “To make sure it doesn’t happen again, you are off of the Qwitich team.” Cho nodded. “You will report to me tonight at seven for detention.” Cho nodded. Cho was finally allowed to leave and to go to Divination late with a pass explaining that she had attacked another student, and now was not allowed to walk through the halls by herself. If the woman, who was mediocre at best at teaching wanted to keep her job, she better make sure to walk Cho to her next class. Cho looked at the pass, and her eyes were lit on fire, but she handed it to Professor Twaleny anyway knowing that it meant she would be watched all day until she got to her dormitory. Cho was walked from class to class, taken to the bathroom twice, and walked to lunch and dinner. She had no private moment at all, and all the while, Marietta avoided her scared of attracting trouble to herself. Cho boiled in anger against the fat woman, but before she knew it, she was in front of her door, Filch having taken her there from dinner. “So, you want to break rules and make males pee their pants,” the teacher taunted the frightened teenager. “I think it would be fitting if you write five hundred lines that you will not make pee pee on the floor. I will leave you to it while I go check on someone else. Give me your wand.” The teacher stood over her until Cho relinquished her wand and then she walked out the door locking it behind her. Cho didn’t know why the teacher had left her alone or locked the door, but she just started to write her lines, which burned not her wrist, but her lower abdomen. She wrote another line, and instead of her abdomen, it burned her lower back. It took turns increasing in a burning and painful raw etching between the place near her bladder on her tummy and her lower back. Why was the teacher causing pain there? She felt her eyes sting with the pain, and her left hand went down to her side to massage the stabbing throbs as she wrote the cruel words. ‘I will not make pee pee on the floor.’ Cho wrote her fiftieth line, this one causing the pain to sear right through her back and into her inner organs somewhere. She could feel the burning sensation as each stroke cut into her body in magic. The pain was getting raw and felt as though she had been picking at a sunburn and suddenly pulled into fresh raw new skin. Her bladder pulsed as the pain burned it. Her eyes watery, but her teeth gritted closed, she wrote yet another line this one etching deeply into her left side near the stomach and pressing and burning deep into the bladder. The bladder pulsed again as it burned and jittered in pain. Cho wanted the teacher to be there, so she can ask to stop, but the teacher was still gone. She wondered if she’d be in more trouble if she took a break and stopped writing. She laid the quill down and sat with one hand massaging her aching back and the other massaging her burning bladder. This was the worst she had ever felt, and thought no sickness could ever be this bad. After ten minutes, the ache in her back started to dull a bit and her bladder, still pulsing a bit from the unwelcome feelings, was no longer feeling as raw and she picked up the pen to try yet again. The room was silent, and the only movements within the room were from Cho wiggling her legs, her hand preparing to write, and the cats on the various showman dishes and dollies looking curiously at the teen girl as she sat there with her eyes squinting. “Why must I be the one in trouble,” she asked the cats that were watching her from their perspective places. “Draco was the one that was going to do something mean, I just got him before he had a chance.” Her bladder pulsed a bit more strongly as she etched in another word across it, the line feeling as though it had literally cut a line into her aching muscle within her body. She looked at her sixty-five lines and bit on her finger for a moment. Underneath of her skirt, she could feel that her girlhood was starting to pulsate from more than just the stinging she etched into her bladder. She was starting to feel like peeing, and from the lines she was writing, she didn’t doubt that if she did wet, that the professor wouldn’t use what she was writing against her. Cho stood up, feeling the fullness of her bladder, and she walked carefully, gingerly, towards the door a little worried that she might have an accident long before getting there if she moved too suddenly or jolted her sore body. She tried the door, but just as she had thought, the professor had locked it. “Now what?” she asked the cats that looked at her. “You know that Umbridge is just waiting for me to make another mistake to punish me for, and there is no way I can wait much longer with the way my bladder feels right now. Normally, I think I could wait, but my stomach hurts so badly after having those magic words etched into it, I’m afraid I’ll wet long before the teacher comes back.” Professor Umbridge opened the door at that very moment, and started down at Cho who was next to the door. “How long have you been just standing there, child, and don’t lie to me.” “I’m not sure, Mrs. Umbridge, but may I please go to the bathroom before I wet myself?” “Wet yourself? Don’t be ridiculous. You are sixteen years old, aren’t you?” “Ye… yes ma’am, but my bladder is already sore from all the writing.” “Is it now, deary?” she asked with her eye brows raised. “Are you willing to show me how bad it is, or do you just want to sit down and continue?” “I’ll show you.” “Then do so.” Cho gulped and slowly peeled off her robe letting it fall to the floor. Under it, she had on a skirt that she pulled on to get the snap into position so she could undo it, but doing so put more strain on her bladder, and she felt a little bit slip past her fighting tired sore muscles and go a little bit in her panties. Then she let the dark blue skirt drop to the floor showing her white panties which now had a little wetspot in the gusset. Professor Umbridge sat in a chair and pulled Cho closer to her so she could pull down the girl’s panties to get a look when she noticed the wet spot in the girl’s gusset. “You’re already wet,” Professor Umbridge whispered to her. “Did you know you peed your pants already?” Cho looked down at her panties and then up at the professor with wide teary eyes. “It’s just a little dribble, please, I have to go, like now!” “You are already wet, young lady,” the woman said. She pulled the panties out some to get a look at the bladder area of the girl’s tummy and then let it snap back into place. She reached down and pulled up the girl’s skirt. “You are already wet, so go continue writing your lines.” “Please, it’s not that bad yet, ma’am. I need to go before I make pee pee on the floor!” Umbridge laughed. “Listen to you! You sound like a baby!” “What do you mean?” Cho asked not understanding what the teacher was getting at. “I have to go now.” “As I said, you are already wet, so it makes no difference. Sit down and write unless you want another evening of detention.” Cho, letting the tears fall down her face again, wobbled to her chair and sat down. She started to write while the cruel woman sat there watching her, and slowly, she first darkened her panties a bit more, then she moistened and then wet her skirt some, and then the chair grew a puddle and finally the water between her legs started to squirt enough to get a puddle started with a river that flowed down her legs and off of the chair as she wrote. By the end of detention, Cho was soaked and she sat there, the five hundred lines finished. Her bladder ached not only from trying to hold it too long, but from the soreness of feeling like she had peeled off new skin around it exposing it. The lines in her back felt as though someone had taken a razor and scratched the words again and again into her back until it reached the bone. Professor Umbridge walked upon her as the girl had stopped writing, and she picked up the paper. She looked through it to make sure the girl had not cheated all the while, Cho just sat there in her puddle waiting for the teacher to dismiss her. Professor Umbridge then picked up both of their wands from her desk. “So, a sixth year, and you cannot even wait until your detention is over to use the bathroom, is that right Cho?” Cho looked at her waiting for the punishment to come. “You said I was already wet,” she squeaked back at the teacher. “Yes, you were, weren’t you? I just thought if I brought it to your attention, you would control it, but it seems I was wrong. Just like a baby, you just gave up and wet your panties.” Cho’s face was on fire. “Well, there isn’t much more I can do about it, Cho. Just go to your room and change your clothes.” Cho was glad to be out of the wicked woman’s presence, and she hoped she could just spell herself clean before anyone saw what had happened. She didn’t remember why she knew the spell, but now, she did know it. Stepping outside of the office and walking a few steps, she pointed her wand at her clothes, but when she said the incantation, rather than getting clean as she had expected, she actually caused her skirt to fly up so that her wet panties were flashing in the hall. Cho immediately dropped her wand in an attempted to pull her skirt down over her thighs. What is wrong with the spell? It had worked one other time, when she needed it. Someone had either messed with her wand or… yes, of course Umbridge wanted to embarrass her thoroughly, and she had done something to her wand. Even more angry, Cho marched through the halls, staring straight but seeing nothing until she was in her room. There was no doubt every younger student and every boy had seen her skirt still dripping pee off of her, and most of her house saw it as she climbed through the common room down stairs. But now, she was safely in her room where her four roommates would at least not say too much about it. “I’m sorry,” Marietta whispered as she saw Cho come in. “I really wanted to say something, but I’d be in so much trouble.” “I know,” Cho pushed down her skirt in front of the other four girls revealing her yellowing white panties. “I swear, if I ever get a chance to pay that Umbridge woman back, I’m going to do it, even if I have to align myself with someone like Malfoy to do it.” “Why didn’t you spell yourself clean so no one would see?” Alice asked. “I taught you that spell for a reason!” “I know. I wanted to, but my wand just caused my skirt to fly up when I tried it. I had to pull my skirt back down quickly before any boys came up on me and saw my panties.” “Wow! But that spell is real,” Alice looked down. “Look, I’ll use it on your bed sheets.” Alice aimed her wand at Cho’s blankets, and they magically began to take on a softer appearance as well as smelling of pine. The center of her bed was as dry and clean as if the bed were brand new. “I never doubted your magic,” Cho looked Alice in the eye. “Umbridge had something to do with it, I’m very sure. She had my wand for a while when she left me in her office by myself for a while.” “That woman really is as bad as a Death Eater,” Brenda said. “I bet she caused you to wet your pants, too?” Cho sighed and showed the girls the marking around her stomach and her back from the writing. “I think it goes all the way into my body. I don’t think it’s just on the surface,” Cho hung her head. “I’m telling you, I should have been able to hold it, but because of the burning every time I wrote, it got too hard to hold it.” “Do you think Dumbledore or McGonaggal can fix it?” “No,” Cho responded in a whisper. “The woman has everyone on pins and needles. Did you know that Umbridge is our head of house now because she didn’t like the way Sprout ran us?” “You’re lying!” one of the other girls said. “Am I? Professor Snape took me to see Umbridge, and he did say he was taking me to see my head of house, didn’t he, Marietta.” Marietta nodded. “I told you Professor Snape is cruel,” Marietta said as she sat next to Cho, Cho now trying to pull on some clean pink panties. “Wait,” Alice told Cho. “Professor McGonaggal told me that you have wear these at night, and she pulled out a box of Goodnights from under Cho’s bed. “Cho has a lot of stress,” she told her other roommates. “Professor McGonaggal is counting on us to keep this a secret just in our room. No one makes fun of her, no one tells anyone that she is in diapers at night.” The girls all nodded. “Just put one on,” Brenda said in a low voice. “We really won’t care.” Marietta took one of the diapers, and she peeled her own panties off. “I’ll wear them with you if you want.” Cho smiled at Marietta. Of course she would. She was a very good friend, as long as she didn’t have to get in trouble with her parents over something. Cho wondered if her parents were as bad as Umbridge by the way she seemed to be scared of disappointing them. Alice smiled. “Good idea. I will do it too.” Soon, the whole room were in Good Nights.” “I’m okay, from tomorrow if you don’t wear these with me,” Cho told everyone. “Professor McGonaggal said it’s not my fault, and she just wants to keep the bed dry under me. I don’t want anyone to feel they have to wear diapers just because of me.” The other girls smiled. “Well, it does make things easier for Alice,” Brenda remarked. “What do you mean?” “Didn’t you realize that Alice has wet the bed off and on since our first year?” “I didn’t even come to this school until my third year.” “Yeah, but even then, this is your third year with her as a roommate. You never noticed?” “No,” Cho nodded thinking that it was strange that everyone else did. “Why would I assume that someone my age is wetting her pants or the bed if she hides it?” Brenda grinned from Alice to Marietta. Of course Cho would be too sweet to think that anyone else could possibly do something that embarrassing. The girls all crawled into bed, every one of them in diapers.
Thank you very much. I did forget some little details as I don't often go back to review details lately. Thank you for your correction, but for now, it was not that important, though I will have this reference for future reference if I need to remember who was the other head of house. So thank you. Expecto Patronum Harry had the group once again crowded around him as he talked to them about one of the hardest spells he had yet learned. It was fifth meeting since they had accepted Harry as their professor, and not one of them mocked him any longer. The older students actually listened as Harry showed them how to improve in Defense Against the Dark Arts. “You have to understand, that for this spell to work properly,” Harry was telling the room full of wide eyed students. “You must concentrate with all of your might and soul, and you have to use an emotion that will not allow the sadness and loneliness of the Dementor to consume. You must focus your energy into something that is so beautiful, so full of life, and so bright, that the darkness cannot prevail.” The others watched as Harry flicked his wand and produced a white stag from the tip of his wand. “In a room like this with bright lights and joyous people around you, you should no doubt find it to be much easier to produce and with much more power. In the face of a real dementor, however, you will be fighting for your life with feelings of self-doubt, feelings of fear, and feelings of loneliness looming before you. You cannot hope to repel such a creature, if you do not do it within the first few moments of seeing it.” “You really know your stuff,” a dreamy eyed blond girl said as she sat near the front. Cho rolled her eyes. Of course Harry knew his stuff. He had been fighting the man that they couldn’t name and his demons since he started Hogwarts, and he certain couldn’t have done it all on luck. With someone as powerful as this wizard, luck could only take you so far. Cho started to feel a pang in her lower abdomen as Harry continued with the lesson, but she squeezed her legs together and ignored it in favor of listening to her favorite teacher. “Now, I want everyone to think of something happy and powerful, and I want you to hold on to that memory for several minutes,” Harry instructed. Cho thought about last year, the moment that Harry had asked her to the dance. She didn’t know why she thought of Harry rather than Cedric, and this made her feel a little guilty, but as she tried to cast around for how Cedric had made her feel, Harry was starting to make his way down the groups of people and showing them how to produce the effect. Cho was panicking. She didn’t want to fail this. Somehow, she felt like Harry would like her more if she were able to pull this off, and then it hit her. Of course that’s why she had chosen when Harry had asked her. She wanted to impress him, but why would it matter if it were Cedric or Harry? She demanded of herself. Still, Cho could not get Harry’s nervousness out of her mind as she thought about the boy standing there, looking into her beautiful sparkling eyes, and stumbling over the words to invite her to the Triwizard Ball. Why did she think of Harry? Why not the way Cedric, so confident and so poised to bend on a knee as if she were a queen? Why not the way Cedric had showed her off to everyone and told everyone how important she was? Why did she think that Harry made her happier than Cedric? Harry was walking closer and closer to her group as she came through the crowd. Cho hung her head as she apologized to Cedric. “I’m sorry, Cedric. I really did think you made me happier than anyone else ever, but some reason, Harry is tugging at my heart much more than you are. I don’t mean to make you second, but….” Cho could feel her eyes filling with tears as her stomach was also starting to fill a bit full. Harry came upon Cho, and he noticed that though her patronus had a shape, she was looking a little sad. He wondered if she was going to start crying again, and he tried to walk away from her so that she wouldn’t have to embarrass herself in front of him. Or maybe he walked away because he was a little uncomfortable with her crying. Whatever the reason, the only thing Cho really saw, was that Harry had seen her patronus and then walked off to help someone else. She sat down, and while her patronus dissipated into nothing, she put her head between her knees so she wouldn’t have to see anyone and she started to think about how Cedric had been towards her. He had made her feel so special, and he always complimented her on her ability to speak in the English language. He never suffered that anyone else would say anything mean to her, and yet she paid him back by thinking Harry made her happier! Some of the other students started to gather around Cho. She didn’t care. They could all laugh at her if they wanted to, but she couldn’t help feeling that she was being weird by liking Harry so much that his memory makes her patronus solid. “Cho,” Marietta whispered to her as she squatted by her. “The others are staring. Let’s go to the bathroom, okay?” Cho shook her head. “I can’t miss this class! It’s… it’s important.” Harry sighed and came over to talk to Cho while the others, despite what Marietta thought, continued to practice. “Cho? Your patronus was good,” he encouraged her. “Please don’t cry….” “I’m sorry, Harry,” she said through her hands. “It’s just… just…” and she started to cry again. Sighing, Harry saw that it was about time to get everyone out anyway because he didn’t want anyone to be caught in the halls after hours because by now, the whole club knew that they were already breaking one rule by even meeting. Harry, then sat down by Cho. “I’m sorry,” Cho wrapped her arms around Harry’s neck. “I just… I just miss Cedric so much, and then I… I…” she continued to cry and never really got out why she was crying. Harry patted her back as if he felt uncomfortable doing it, but as if he maybe had to. He probably thought it was strange that an older student was crying, and he was the one comforting her, instead of the other way around, but Cho couldn’t help it, and she hoped he would understand though she couldn’t say why she was crying. “I know,” he whispered having been coaxed by Hermoine before. “I know. It’s hard to lose someone that you care about. It’s okay.” Cho looked up at him with her eyes sparkling, and she actually smiled. She didn’t expect those words from him. It was true, he must have lost a lot more than she did, especially since he had lost the chance to even know his parents, but here he was trying to help her feel better. “Harry? I thought about the day you asked me, you know….” She looked at him whispering through a sniffle. “Remember last year, when I had already promised Cedric? Well, I really had hoped you’d ask, but since you didn’t at first, I thought you wanted to go with Hermoine, so I accepted Cedric’s proposal, and then we just started to see each other.” “Really?” Harry asked taken aback. “I was just so nervous,” his face burned a little red. “Listen, thank you for talking to me. We better get to our rooms before Umbridge or someone that is spying for her sees us.” “Yeah.” They hugged and kissed, and then after checking the map, Cho ran off towards her room getting in about two minutes after curfew. Luckily, her door was only concerned about whether she answered the question correctly than what time it was. “There were two lines and words that were written not on the lines, not under the lines, and nor to either side of them. The place where the words were written, were also the directions that were given by these words. What did the words say?” Cho had to think for a bit on that. ‘There were two lines,’ she whispered to herself as she felt the slight pressure of her body telling her bladder to wait a bit longer. ‘The words that were written were not on the lines,’ she whispered to herself…. The Ravenclaw guardian stood as still as ever waiting patiently for an answer. Cho sat down and pulled through her bag she had with her until she came across some parchment and a quill. She started to draw the two lines. ‘The words were not above the lines…’ ‘The words were not under the lines…’ Cho then realized that it said nothing about putting the words in the middle of the lines. ‘In the middle of the lines… between the lines…’ Her bladder was making her swing her bottom in the air as she hovered over the parchment thinking. She was quickly getting to the point where she might lose the battle, and she had to get in the door quickly before…. Cho suddenly felt a little damp between her legs as she felt a thin stream slip down the small passage from her bladder to her panties. She glared at the paper while clamping hard on her knees. “Oh,” she realized. She stood up carefully to get her things together while trying to keep control of her floods, and she looked up at the door. When she started to speak, she didn’t say the answer, but actually cried out a little squeak! ‘ah’… ‘ah’… ‘ah!’ she stood there for a moment, and then the waters just started pouring down to the floor, but the guardian did nothing. It was oblivious to Cho’s predicament as it waited for the answer. Cho felt her face heating up as she tried to push her hands into her growing to stop the waters, but they wouldn’t wait any longer. Soon, a warm glistening puddle tinted yellow rippled at her feet and her skirt was showing a giant wet spot on the back of it. Cho sighed and parted her legs to finish letting go, then she looked up at the thing a bit of anger in her voice. “Read between the lines!” “Correct.” Once Cho was in, she hoped to slip away and upstairs before too many people notice, however, Marietta was sitting there watching the door with tears in her eyes. She saw Cho come in, and she immediately stood up. Marietta walked towards her and putting a hand on her hips, she nodded her head towards a private corner in the room. “Cho, going to those meetings is dangerous. Malfoy and a bunch of Slythern boys along with a few others in other houses were wearing these new badges, and he gave me this!” “Dear student of this paper: If you have received this paper from my inquisition squad, you are to report to Professor Umbridge within twenty four hours or you will be tracked down and face a harsh detention.” “Why did he give this to you?” “He said I was running in the halls and smirked about it.” “It can’t be real,” Cho whispered. “I’m not taking the chance. If I go see her, and it is a joke, she’ll just be surprised, but if it’s real, at least I won’t be in worse trouble.” “If he caught you running,” Cho thought for a minute. “Then that means he was out past curfew, too. Surely, Umbridge wouldn’t let one student break the rules and not another. It has to be a trick.” “We’ll see tomorrow. Either way, I am a little nervous about going back to another meeting until we find out whether or not Malfoy really is on this inquisition squad. I mean, in a way, isn’t she undermining the school discipline system?” “Yeah, it would be if she really has it. If you need to skip, I’ll make your excuses for you.” “Are you sure? I really just don’t want my parents to find out I’m doing anything against the teachers. They will not be happy at all.” “I understand.” Then Marietta noticed Cho’s pants. She pointed. Cho blushed. “Yeah, it happened while I was trying to get in the door. I didn’t chance going to the bathroom on the way because I didn’t know how long Professor Snape would be busy with Peeves.” “He was nearby the room we use?” “Yeah, but apparently, Peeves had cause quite a stir, so I had to slip out as fast as I could to avoid being caught. Sometimes, we really should thank that poltergeist. His diversions sometimes are quite good when we need them.” Marietta looked at her in shock. “Cho!” “Well, he is.” They both laughed and Cho stood to go to her room. That’s when one of the others noticed her from across the room. The boy smirked as he looked at her butt, and Cho blushed knowing that he was looking at her on purpose. “It was an accident, okay?” she demanded with a hand on her hip. “Just let it go.” The boy smiled and walked off towards the boys’ hall.
A couple of days later, Marietta was a little nervous, and seemed to be avoiding Cho. She got up before Cho in the mornings, and she always left the table when Cho came in. She had the distinct impression that something really horrible had happened, but would not confront Cho about. Cho sighed. What was it that was going on with Marietta these days? That girl could really be a mystery even to other girls, and that was really saying something. Maybe she was feeling guilt for no reason at all, but the only way Cho could find out, is if she could corner her to talk. This strange behavior had caused her to not be paying attention in one of Professor Umbridge’s classes. Of course, she wondered what she need to pay attention to. Umbridge’s words were always ‘wands away and books out,’ so it shouldn’t have been a problem, but somehow the old bat was aware that she wasn’t really reading. “Is something stirring you up, Miss Chang?” “No ma’am,” she stammered not wanting any detentions from this cruel woman. “Are you quite certain? If you know something, you better tell me, or you will be in detention for lying to your professor.” “I don’t know anything,” she said darkly to the woman. The only thing she knew about were the DADA meetings, and there was no way that that woman could know about those, was there? She certainly hoped not, but she could see her friend’s head lowering and a couple of stubborn pimples that had never been there before. “I don’t know anything,” Cho re-affirmed starting to get nervous about her friend’s strange appearance. It was still quite light, but there was definitely something strange about these spots on her face as she looked even closer. That was when Cho and Marietta both felt their coins glowing in their pockets. Cho would check the time later, but something was strange about the way Marietta kept rubbing her pocket and her legs were shaking while her head sweated as she looked up towards the professor that was teaching. The professor seemed to notice something about Marietta, also, and she walked over to talk to the girl. “Outside,” she said sweetly. “I want to talk to you about something.” Marietta nodded sadly. There was something definitely wrong, and as Cho looked more carefully at her friend’s face, she could see more spots coming in which were making some kind of pattern more and more apparent, but as Marietta had been taken outside, she now could not see what that pattern was. Cho felt her own face, and she could feel nothing wrong with it. She looked around at her classmates, and no one else had any pimples or strange marks. Had Umbridge done something just to Marietta? Why was she talking to her in private during a lesson? Something was very strange, and Cho wanted to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. She looked to the door, tempted to stand up and go out into the hall to see if the teacher was talking just outside the door, but she knew better. If the teacher was there, she would definitely have more detention that evening. The bell had released the students, and all of them sat there for a minute or two just to be sure that Umbridge was not coming back in, but as it was, they were safe. Now, she headed to the dining hall intent on getting something to eat before the meeting. Something in her stomach told her that something was way off about Marietta. She was still not at dinner, and when she checked around, she really couldn’t locate her, and assumed there was only one place she could be… in detention. But she hadn’t seen Marietta doing anything. (Back up to Marietta being taken out of class): “Come with me,” the large woman said with a cheerful smile that bode ill. “You know you are in trouble, but I know how you can fix it so you will not have to suffer another writing punishment.” They walked away from class though there was still thirty minutes left, and she had Marietta sit across from her. “So, do you know what this vial of ink will do if you don’t give me the information I seek?” she asked the nervous girl. Marietta shook her head. “When was the last time it hurt from needing to use the bathroom? This will not only make it hurt now, but until it heals in time, so that you can remember that you are not to lie and to hold back information to your teachers which can be dangerous to the school.” Marietta sighed. “Not only that, but I will be in contact with your mom. What do you think your mom will say or do when she finds out you were aiding dark wizards?” Marietta’s eyes widened. “Would this woman tell her mom that? It would kill her!” “Please, what do you want to know?” she asked the woman. “I know that your friend, Cho Chang is in contact with certain students in a way that is against the rules, and I’m quite sure you are also involved. What I want to know, is when she is meeting him again and where.” Marietta could feel her face actually stinging a bit and feeling funny as magic was working on it. She had already let the information slip about the meetings to one of the inquisition squad, when they were bullying her. They were so excited by the news that they had let her go. “I… I only said that to get rid of the pests,” she thought about how the teacher must have found out. “It was a lie.” “Oh? Then I guess we use the writing ink anyway for you to learn not to tell lies, then,” she grinned. “Believe me, you are going to want to tell me before you are done, and if you give in and tell me, I will not make you do all two thousand lines, but as long as you maintain that you lied about telling us of Harry Potter’s illegal meetings, then you can write.” Marietta sat down getting ready to work. How bad could it really be? She had already seen the effects of a few people doing the detentions, and if they would put up with it…. Thirty minutes later, her butt was so sore it felt like it was on fire, not on the buttocks, but inside the opening where the junk is meant to come out. What was more, she was starting to feel like she wanted to go, and she could tell that when it did come out, it was going to burn. The teacher came upon her desk finding only forty sentences done. “Would you like to tell me anything?” “Yeah,” Marietta said. “I want to be excused to use the toilet.” “You can do that when you are finished with either telling me the truth, or writing your lines.” “But I really have to go!” “Then tell me the truth!” Marietta turned her head away. She was not going to tell on Cho. She was not! She had already caused enough trouble letting the Slytherns know that they were meeting. Marietta crossed her legs harder trying not to pee her white cotton knickers and her shorts under her school robes. She really had to use the bathroom, and it wasn’t just the pee either. Her bottom felt like she had rich thick hot diarrhea waiting to come out by the way her bottom was burning. If she didn’t go soon, she wasn’t sure she would only wet. She tried to write one more line, and then realizing that if she finished the line, which would hurt her butt so much that it would be difficult to control it, she would not be able to keep it from coming out…. (Meanwhile): The D.A. had met once again in their special meeting place, well early enough that no one should be noticed as missing for quite some time. Harry walked among the members again, pausing from time to time at Cho as before. She was so cute with that black hair of hers, and it seemed she was making so many mistakes today, that it gave him good excuse to especially help her out. He soon realize that he was spending so much time with her, that he appointed Hermoine and surprisingly, Neville to guide the other students with the current spell they were practicing. “What’s wrong, Cho?” he whispered as he felt her hand shaking with nerves, obviously something that was causing a part of her problems. “I can’t put my finger on it,” she looked up at him in the eyes. “But something is wrong with Marietta.” “Yeah, that’s who’s missing. Do you know where she is?” Cho nodded. “Well?” “She’s with,” and that’s when the twins broke into the room calling out, everyone get out now! Their on to us, and coming this very second!” Screams filled the room as people rushed to try to get out of the room. Cho’s stomach felt even worse as she realized that only Marietta could have given them away. She felt her bottom burning with terror and her heart heavy with the betrayal of her best friend. Still, for now, there was only one thing she could do, and that was to run. The scattering students filled the corridors, and several students yelled as they shot beams of light at the inquisition squad and as some of them were hit with beams of light. Cho was struck in the mid back, and as she was, she slumped to the floor next to Harry. (Back in the office): Marietta’s face was now taking on an ugly mesh of freckles and pimples that spelled out SNITCH across her forehead. She had started to stand up to use the toilet when she saw the words appear on her face, and also felt the sudden gush of solid body waste pushing through that tiny tunnel and out into the dark compressed structure of white cloth. She filled her panties right there, even as the teacher tried to comfort her, and to try to get her to give a complete list of names. Hermoine was pretty gifted, it appeared, and not only had her magic caused these words to appear, but it was either the pen, or Hermoine had added for extra measure, an extra dose of humiliation as the girl could no longer control her waste that expelled itself into the tight confines of her panties.
I stumbled across this old fan fiction and figured I'd post it since I've been too busy to update my other thread as often as I'd like. This is a Snape/Draco omorashi Harry Potter fan fiction, and while I don't have plans to continue writing it, I thought I might as well share this one-shot with you all. If you've read 'Desperate Friendships,' the story I'm currently working on, this story provides a different characterization of Draco. He does not have any of the vulnerability of the Draco from 'Desperate,' although its interesting to find a few similarities in wording or plot points, even though I wrote each story at such different times. Warnings: yaoi, language (swearing here and there), and descriptions of mild sexual situations. Also, it's very long. Let me know what you think--this is not my favorite, but I figured since it was already written and I don't hate it, I'd post it up for some feedback. This story is a bit strange for me in that it doesn't involve as much desperation as I'm usually prone to, although the thought of Snape and Draco together makes up for that, in my opinion! Let me know if you like these one-shots, because I have a few more from over the years. Indiscretion It had started in the winter of Draco’s sixth year, when he was seventeen, in the middle of the night. Draco had awoken to find himself desperate to pee. He immediately clutched at himself, realizing he was about to soak his pajamas and mattress beyond recognition. He smiled, feeling himself hardening slightly in his hand; he enjoyed the feeling of a full bladder, the desperate pangs that led to a complete loss of control, a release that made him as helpless as a first year, hot and wet against his legs and stomach. He squeezed his crotch, squirming against his hand and feeling a small spurt of pee soak into his underwear. The wetness was comforting, enveloping him in a close warmth, clinging to him. He wanted this; it was why he had drunk so much at dinner; it was why he had gone to bed without wetting, ignoring his mother’s voice in his head telling him to always pee before falling asleep. She hadn’t known his bedwetting had always been intentional. Draco thrust his hips into the mattress, pressing his hand against his groin, feeling the heaviness of his bladder. He snaked his fingertips over the waistband of his pajama pants to feel the wet spot on his briefs. The wetness contrasted sweetly with the dry, soft fabric of his pants; he loved the indiscretion. He was a Malfoy; it was only natural that breaking the rules would turn him on. Despite his desperation, he had to convince himself to go further; he closed his eyes and concentrated on relaxing his muscles, daring himself to pee in his pants. After quiet moments of intense concentration, he felt another spurt of heat in his pants, small and fast, stopping as soon as it had begun. He rubbed the wet cloth of his underwear with his bare fingers, amazed at how wet even those small spurts had made him. He felt droplets of pee drip as he squeezed the cotton between his fingertips, pulling it away from his prick for only a moment. He took his hand out of his pants but grabbed his flannel-covered crotch once again, cupping his pajama pants tight against him. His pajamas were the deep green of Slytherin House, and he longed to feel the first escape of wetness onto them. Spreading his legs wider, he concentrated on letting go, willing himself to be fearless, willing himself to give in to his desires. He stifled a gasp as a longer stream of pee soaked into his briefs; he could feel the wetness twisting down towards his ass, between his legs, but more importantly, a small circle of wetness stained his pajama pants. The thick flannel absorbed wetness as if it were meant to. He remembered the double-layered training underwear his mother had dressed him in until leaving for Hogwarts. The Malfoys could just never trust their boy to keep his pants dry. Lucius would find his son crouched in the corner of the dining room, legs splayed to the side and hands on his haunches, staring down at his crotch, at the stream of pee dribbling through his training pants and trousers onto the polished hardwood floor. As Narcissa cleared her son’s plate after dinner, she would glance down to find his fist pressed between his jiggling legs, would hear the stifled moans as he struggled to hold it in, would see the trickles of boy pee staining his pants. “Lucius!” she would warn, and Draco would feel his father’s strong hands underneath his armpits, lifting him into the air with a shock that made his pee stream out of him. Each time, his father held him in mid-air as he peed himself. Each time, urine trickled smooth and fast down his legs. Each time, the hot pee would trickle onto the floor, splashing against his father’s shoes. But at least he hadn’t ruined the upholstery on his mother’s antique dining room chairs. Severus Snape would attend dinners with the Malfoys where Draco, sitting next to him, would push his pants down to his knees at the dinner table, shove his cloth napkin into his underwear, and wet himself. The boy would stare down between his legs, transfixed. When they realized what their son was doing, Lucius shouted; Narcissa pretended not to notice. Draco could feel his heart beating; it was strong in his neck, beating against his pillow as he struggled to release more pee. It was always at this point that he contemplated stopping; he could pull down his pants and underwear, pee in the chamber pot underneath his bed and for all intents and purposes avoid indiscretion. But this—the beating heart, the spreading wetness, the arousal—felt too good to stop. Part of the fun was daring himself to do it; part of his arousal came from being so naughty. He concentrated hard until another spurt of pee stained his crotch, longer this time, but his pajamas still felt soft and dry against his thighs—the contrast was amazing. He was peeing where he wasn’t supposed to; he was a bad boy and he couldn’t control himself. The pressure was mounting; Draco was getting to the point of absolute desperation that he both loved and hated. He felt a clenching in his stomach from the dread, and yet his dick swelled to a half-hard state as he felt himself losing the grip on his muscles. He rubbed the wet patch on his pajamas with one finger as his palm pressed against his crotch, willing himself to hold on. No matter how many times he wet, the uncontrollable wettings were the best. And as he remembered the times he had unintentionally gotten to this point—shopping in Diagon Alley with his mother, his first detention with Professor McGonagal, in the stands at the Quidditch World Cup—he felt the cold dread of realization and a gush of wetness against his fingertips. He turned over onto his stomach, and his briefs took the initial wetting, rivulets of pee streaming down his front and around to wet his backside, but it was not long before the wetness seeped onto the flannel, soaking in a large circle of wetness. Gasping, he squeezed himself hard, wanting to hold off and savor the wetting, but no matter what he tried he could not stop. Moaning, his pants could not hold all of the wetness, and a heavy stream spurted through, dripping onto his sheets and mattress until he felt the wetness against the skin of his bare stomach. It spread down to slowly coat his muscled thighs in urine. He humped the mattress as he voided, his penis hardening as his need to pee decreased. With a shudder, the final trickles of urine wet his pants and bed, and he lay on top of the sopping sheets, catching his breath. With an effort of strong will, Draco sat up in his soaked bed, his hard-on tenting his darkened pajamas. He needed to jack himself off. He was desperate to do it, but he knew how loud he was when he came—especially when he was this turned on, and he had never been good at silencing charms. Climbing out of the wet bed, he slipped on his robe, tying it tight to cover his stained pants and his raging boner. Walking as quickly as he could, Draco made his way towards the boy’s lavatory. He often made this rush during the day when he was caught short after hours of homework, but at this moment he was desperate for relief of another kind. Gasping for breath, Draco leaned against the tiled walls of the bathroom. He grabbed his crotch and rubbed his palm over the wet layers of fabric, thrusting the heel of his hand up and down against his stiff prick. As he envisioned himself wetting the bed, he came, cumming into his soaked, stained briefs before shuddering with a screamed moan of pleasure and collapsing to the bathroom floor **** Severus Snape had always had a problem sleeping. For as long as he could remember he was plagued by insomnia, and at this point in his life, he had simply given into it. He was pleased if he could get four hours of sleep a night. As for the rest of the night, he took time out for himself, often working late or roaming the castle at all hours, enjoying the peacefulness, the quiet of all the students asleep in their beds, for once respectful and not prone to break rules. It was on one of his late-night walks through the Slytherin hallways that he heard a stifled scream coming from the boy’s lavatory. Knowing that it meant no good at this time of night, Severus quickened his pace and walked towards the source of the yell, running a hand over his face in exasperation; he did not want to deal with house business at this hour. As Severus entered the lavatory, looking for the student whom had made the sound, he heard gasping for breath, and small moans that were either of pleasure or pain. Snape rolled his eyes. He had stumbled upon this before. Years of running a house of students who were not known for following rules meant he was often breaking up midnight fuck-sessions in the bathrooms. It was not a job he enjoyed, although he knew it was not only Slytherin house which dealt with the problem. Honestly, he didn’t know why the students didn’t sneak out to an empty classroom or find an alcove in a dark hallway or search for the room of requirement. The boy’s lavatory—right under the nose of Snape himself—was a poor choice; whomever had chosen this space was just asking to be caught. Snape turned the corner and stared down at the blonde boy crumpled on the floor. His hand rested in his crotch, his legs splayed to the side, eyes closed and mouth opened seductively. His prized student was obviously recovering from one serious orgasm. Snape clicked his tongue, signaling his presence. Draco jumped in surprise, not realizing that he was being watched. “Shit!” he said as his eyes opened, scanning the room. Snape couldn’t help but notice that Draco looked somewhat pleased when he made eye contact with him, angering Severus. Was the boy content to be found performing lewd acts? Did he not care that his Potions Master had caught him jacking off? “Language, Mr. Malfoy,” Snape leered, his voice cold and heartless. If he had to deal with this, he may as well have fun with the boy. “Professor,” Malfoy breathed, finally catching his breath, “I was just…” The boy reddened at last, the reality of the situation becoming clear to him. Snape watched the boy move as if to stand, and his bathrobe fell away from his legs. With a glance back towards his crotch, he decided to stay seated, sliding back down the tiled walls to the floor. He drew his knees up to his chest, but not before Snape caught a glance at the dark wetness spread out across his lap. Snape knew that even young Malfoy couldn’t ejaculate that much. “Stand up,” Snape said. He couldn’t help the small smirk that turned up the corner of his mouth. He couldn’t believe what he had just seen. If Draco’s expression was one meant to plead with him for leniency, it wasn’t working. The blonde only looked childish, like a first-year who had forgotten to do his homework. “I’m sorry Professor,” he said. “I’m so embarrassed. I understand I’ve broken house rules. It will never happen again, and I will take my punishment willingly.” Snape scoffed in laughter, and Draco’s face fell. “Stand up, Mr. Malfoy,” he repeated. Draco’s expression immediately returned to a look of hardened pride; he had been caught in the game, Snape knew very well that Malfoy had not meant a word of what he had said. “Fuck,” the boy whispered. Draco stood up slowly and shed his robe. Snape was disappointed; he had wanted to order the boy to take off the garment himself, furthering the blonde’s embarrassment. But then again, Draco had always had a talent for staying one step ahead of those around him. Draco was bare-chested, his smooth, pale skin stretched tight against his pectoral muscles; his abdomen hard from hours of Quidditch practice. He looked the picture of young manhood, if it weren’t for that tell-tale pee stain spread across his crotch and down his legs. “What do we have here?” Snape lolled, pretending to have just noticed the boy’s indiscretion. He forced himself to speak agonizingly slow, reveling in the other’s discomfort. “Draco, what is that on your pants? Did you spill something?” Draco glared up at the taller, darker man, his eyes full of defiance. He knew he was being tormented. “And what is that sharp smell?” Snape sneered, pretending disgust. Snape watched as the boy stared at him. He had to give him credit for looking him in the eye; many other students caught out of bed after hours turned into blubbering idiots, and none of them had pissed themselves. Then again, none of them were Draco Malfoy. “I wet my pants, Professor Snape.” Now it was Snape’s turn to stare. The boy had taken a taller stance; he had obviously decided the only way to deal with the situation would be to own it for what it was. “Draco Malfoy, wetting himself?,” Snape said, coming closer to Draco. “I thought all of that nonsense had stopped long ago. But I guess not,” He whispered, standing close enough to make Draco feel trapped against the wall, to take away any exit strategy. “I guess you’re still the little boy shoving napkins down his pants to pee at the dinner table, aren’t you?” That was all it took. Draco could not stifle a moan; Snape was turning him on. “Tell me, Draco,” Snape drawled, “Did you pee yourself on purpose this time, or did the little pants-pisser have an accident?” Snape could see that Draco was hard again; he saw the blonde’s hand twitch, as if he wanted to touch himself. “I peed my bed,” Draco gasped, staring up at Snape with more submission than he had ever seen out of the Slytherin. “I couldn’t help it.” Now it was Snape’s turn to get hard, envisioning the stream of hot pee soaking into the blankets and mattress. He grabbed hold of Draco’s hand, bending down to whisper into the boy’s ear. “Then we’ll just have to teach you control,” he said. Taking Draco’s hand in his own, he turned it towards the blonde’s own crotch and pressed it up against the wetness, allowing Draco the relief he so wanted. “Won’t we?” Draco moaned, tightening his thighs against his hand and Snape’s enclosed around it. Snape felt the wetness of Draco’s pajamas against the back of his hand as the boy bent into the touch. “Yes, sir,” Draco gasped, “Please. Teach me.” And with that, Draco began to pee again, releasing the pent-up liquid that he had been unable to release due to his hard-on, splattering down his legs and streaming over Snape’s hand, which only clutched and grabbed harder. **** Draco could barely concentrate the next day in Potions class. He kept envisioning the night before, the way Snape’s eyes had gleamed in the dim lights of the boys’ bathroom. No one at Hogwarts had ever seen him in wet pants before; the thrill of possibly being caught was a turn-on but also a terrifying prospect. Any one of his roommates would be only too happy to spread the rumors that would make Draco Malfoy the laughing stock of Hogwarts. Snape wasn’t making eye contact with him. He was lecturing on the benefits of fresh leaves and grasses in potions requiring such ingredients, listing the dangers of substituting dried leaves for newly fallen. He seemed to be in a worse mood than usual, a permanent sneer on his face that not even dumb Gryffindor answers to easy questions could erase. Draco shifted on the stool, feeling his erection and shifting his robes to cover it. He sneered at Hermione Granger when she glanced at him knowingly. Let her know; there were already rumors spread about his sexual prowess, about his constant erection and filthy mind. The gossip pleased him; let the mud-blood think what she would, there was no way she understood the true meaning behind his stiff prick. He grabbed it lewdly and rubbed, staring at Granger as he did it. She turned away in shock, gasping at his actions in disgust. Draco turned back, pleased with himself, only to find Snape’s eyes on him. He reddened slightly, realizing he had been caught in the childish display. Although he didn’t care what his classmates thought of his perverse mind, he didn’t want Snape to have any reason to think of him as a child. He needed to act his full seventeen years, if not older, if he were ever to seduce his teacher. He couldn’t believe what had happened last night, couldn’t believe that the Professor he had fantasized about since the time he was old enough to get a hard-on had been pressing him against the tile walls, his firm grip grasped between Draco’s legs. Snape had hissed into his ear, talking down to him until Draco felt a complete loss of control, a melting away of pride that left him desperate to be pushed around, longing to be shoved and stripped and spanked. He had never realized how hot it would be; up until last night he had always considered himself the domineering partner of any relationship, and most of his flings were fine with it. It was why they had been attracted to him in the first place. Ron Weasley would whisper to Draco in hallways, telling him meeting places where Draco would find the red-head cowering in the corner of boys’ rooms, his legs pressed tightly together as he begged Draco to let him pee. Neville Longbottom wanted to be tied up, jacked off, and left in closets. Oliver Wood had liked to be shoved around and beaten up before being tossed to the ground for quick, helpless sex. Draco had always found it ironic how many Gryffindors enjoyed being slaves to his demands; being such goody-goodies themselves, he figured they had always had a thing for bad boys. Draco was somehow disappointed when Snape didn’t hold him after class. He had been fantasizing about the lecture his Professor would force him to listen to, the punishments he had thought up, or even the soft words suggesting another chance meet-up, but Snape simply dismissed the class without a second look at Draco. He packed up his bags and slunk to the library, starting to feel waves of embarrassment; he had thought Snape had been as turned on as he, but maybe he hadn’t been. Maybe Draco had simply made a complete fool of himself. He suddenly became nervous that Snape would mention something to Lucius. He knew they were on good terms with each other from long years of friendship; what would his father say if he got word of his son’s strange habits? Draco didn’t think he would ever be able to look his father in the eye. Seventeen-year-olds did not pee themselves, intentional or otherwise. Draco rubbed his crotch; his erection had disappeared and, in response, he realized a slight need to pee. In other circumstances, he would have held it, enjoying the feeling of a full bladder and the heart-racing prospect of getting caught in class or in a conversation and not being able to make it. But today, he simply waited for class to end and retreated to the nearest boys’ room, defeated, shamed by the thought of warm, pissy underwear. **** Once again, he couldn’t sleep. The insomnia was getting infuriating, although Snape had a sinking suspicion that tonight’s had less to do with stress from his day and more to do with the way his knees had buckled as Lucius Malfoy’s son voided into his pants, the dribbles of pee running down Snape’s hand to soak into the cuff of his sleeve. He had barely been able to think straight during his double potions class with the Slytherins and Gryffindors, the boy’s pointed expressions making his breath catch in his throat. He knew the boy had been thinking of the night before as well; he had seen him flaunting his erection to that prude of a girl, Granger. It was the kind of thing Snape would have dreamed of doing as a boy, if he had had the nerve. Distracted by the familiar surroundings, he took to the hallways, hoping activity would drive the perverse thoughts from his mind. Draco was a student, and his good friend’s son. He had known him as a snot-nosed five-year-old. It would cost him his job if the events of the previous night ever got out. He needed to take the memory from the boy; he needed to ensure his position at Hogwarts. Snape realized he was walking faster than normal, taking heavy, quick steps that would be sure to draw attention to himself were anyone within hearing distance. He couldn’t get Draco’s expressions out of his mind, the desperation written on his face as he pissed himself dry, the relief on his face as Snape continued to press his hand against him, the way the mischievous grin that used to be his trademark in childhood had reappeared as he stood with bare feet in the puddle of his own urine and as Snape sent him away to clean up. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep until he had done what he needed to; Draco could not keep the memory for another day. He turned on his heels to head back to the Slytherin dungeons. He needed to sneak into the boy’s room and clear the memory immediately. But, as he began walking back, he suddenly found himself face to face with a very pale Draco Malfoy. It was obvious the boy had been following him, and had not jumped out of sight in time. The young Slytherin opened and closed his mouth as if trying to form words for an explanation. Snape realized there was less chance of his being discovered by the other boys if he erased Draco’s memory in the hallway. It was fortunate the boy had seemingly developed an attachment enough to track his movements, but he wouldn’t let Draco know how relieved he was. “Well look at this,” he mused. “A student out of bed after hours. What do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Malfoy?” The student swallowed and twitched, his eyes flicking up to Snape and then back down to the floor. For once, a sense of smugness seemed to be missing from the usually cynical blonde. There was no doubt that the boy was clinging to his confidence, however. He was not the kind of young man to weaken under threat of authority figures. “I was going to the kitchens,” Draco said, after a moment. “I missed dinner.” Snape envied the boy’s ability to lie on the spot. He knew it was the kind of statement that would have worked on other teachers, appealing to their sense of compassion towards students who were the closest things to offspring they would ever have. “Is that so?” Snape lolled. He approached until Draco had backed up against a wall. Snape felt light-headed as he saw the blonde look up at him with the same sense of subservience as the night before. Draco nodded. “Hungry, are you?” Draco shook his head. “No,” he said, his eyes direct and one corner of his mouth twisted in a smirk, “thirsty.” He was giving Snape an opportunity, wanting the subject of last night to come up. Draco might have thought he was being coy, but Snape understood his intentions perfectly. Despite all his airs of self-importance and plays of confidence, the boy was incredibly easy to read. Snape was going to have to take care of this memory anyway; there was no harm in letting it play out, in giving the boy exactly what he wanted just one more time.. “Didn’t your mother tell you not to drink after dinnertime?” Snape asked, leaning down to speak directly into the other's ear. “You may soil your bedclothes.” Snape thought he heard the tiniest of moans from the boy. “Excess liquids can’t be held in an adolescent bladder.” Snape drawled, mocking. He placed his hands against the wall on either side of Draco, blocking him in. “What would your roommates think if you urinated in your bed?” This time the moan was louder, and Draco closed his eyes. Snape had guessed correctly; the boy enjoyed being talked down to. “After your little incident last night, I don’t think you can be trusted.” Snape grabbed Draco’s hand on its way to his crotch, and the younger man's eyes flipped open at once. The blonde was pleading, wanting relief for the stiffness in his shorts. Snape clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, scolding. He watched the desperation in Draco’s eyes. “Or maybe you were on your way to the kitchen so you could find a house elf. Maybe you already disgraced yourself while you slept?” Draco shook his head, quick, wet breaths being taken in as he collapsed against the stone wall. Snape watched him shiver in pleasure. “Did you wet in your pants, already, Mr. Malfoy?” Draco shook his head wider this time, gasping for breath and fighting against Snape’s grip on his wrists; Snape knew the blonde needed to rub himself; he needed relief of another kind. The boy thrust his hips into the air, almost making contact with Snape, who was close enough to smell Draco’s sweat. “Don’t be embarrassed,” Snape scoffed sardonically. “Some boys can’t help but let the wet stream down their legs. I’ve even seen it happen in class. Those are the boys without a shred of control, peeing in their pants in front of the entire classroom.” Draco swallowed hard and moaned. “I didn’t soil myself,” he whispered fiercely. It was the first thing he had managed to say since his sorry excuse about the kitchen. “I know,” Snape said, suddenly shoving his large hand up against the young man’s crotch, rubbing along his erection roughly. “But you wish you had.” Draco grabbed Snape’s hand with both of his, pressing his professor’s grip into his cock, riding his hand as he humped back and forth. Snape watched as the boy came in a matter of seconds, an orgasm so intense it had Draco crumpled to the ground before it was over. And before Draco had time to catch his breath and open his eyes, Snape had rounded the corner, and was gone. Sitting with his legs splayed out in front of him, Draco breathed deeply, recovering from his orgasm. Smiling at the look he had drawn out of Snape, the look of bliss and debauchery, the appreciation of indiscretion, he released his full bladder, relaxing where he sat and watching a puddle of pee spread out beneath him. He voided through his pants onto the stone floor, sitting in his own pee for nearly half an hour, replaying the events of the night in his mind. When the pee had gone cold and he started to itch, he stood and began to trek back to his dorm room, not bothering to clean the puddle from the floor. He would leave it there, knowing Severus Snape was sure to be the first teacher to come across it, knowing he would call someone to clean it while his erection rose, knowing he would have a hard time thinking of anything else in his sixth-year Slytherin Potions class that afternoon. And, no matter how many times he threatened to obliviate the boy over the course of their relationship, Snape had never gone through with it. It was for the best; their memories of those first days were the ones they always spoke of most fondly, the ones they never wanted to forget. --- Edited June 17, 2012 by 222foxface222 (see edit history)
The Embarrassing Home Stay Period Main Character: Yukari Sato A rush of fluent Japanese chatter filled the airport as Yukari hugged her mother one last time and then looked around at her high school teacher. Her high school teacher had promised that this summer, the fifteen boys and girls that went with her to Chicago would find a very interesting and enjoyable experience, and that they would come back at the end of the three months sprouting off in English as natural as most people spoke in their native languages. Technically, the Japanese schools would not let out for summer vacation for at least another two months, but the teacher had assured the parents that the students that she chose would easily be able to stay caught up on their subjects, and that this really was a once in a life time opportunity. So now, here was a young first year high school girl, fifteen years old, and about to embark on an exciting quest that she would never dream she’d be picked for. The bustling airport was full of travelers, and the teacher’s constant looks of anxiety and recounts of students every time they moved made Yukari feel like one of her classmates might disappear at any moment. Finally, as the group of students were ushered onto the plane, Yukari’s heart which was going up and down vicious rapids of emotion started to feel the peak of anxiety ebbing away. She took her seat next to the window of aircraft and her long time friend, Mayumi sat next to her. “Mitte,” Yukari pointed out the window for Mayumi, and Mayumi’s mouth dropped at all the activity on the flight line. There were trucks coming this way and that, there were arriving and departing planes, and there were lots of people on the ground loading even their very plane. “Speak English, please,” their teacher had bent down to check on them. “From this point forward, most of the people you try to talk with are not going to know Japanese, so you need to practice your English.” “Hai!” the girls said, and then giggled as they covered their mouths and the teacher smiled at them. “It’s Engrish that we can do this things, so let’s gambatte!” Mayumi smiled to Yukari who nodded in turn. “I don’t stand to wait seeing my new prace to stay at the America.” “Me too,” Yukari nodded in full agreement. “But in my stomach is strange feerings about everysing.” “I know. Me too, right?” The girls were soon talking in English flooded with a heavy Asian accent and many left off articles and parts of speech that they didn’t yet understand. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, as they understood each other well enough to continue talking, and the plane was too full of people minding their own business to think about how good or bad their English really was. After some time, however, the girls had given to complete Japanese again because it was difficult to speak in solid English for more than a few minutes at a time. By then, they were into the air, and Yukari looked around the plane a little uncertain as several people started to stand up and walked this way and that along the cabin. Hours later, so much into the flight that Yukari wasn’t sure what time it was, she looked up at the lit signs and noticed that the seatbelt sign was off allowing people to move, but the toilet signs indicating that toilets were full were on. She looked up at a passing adult. “Excuse,” she said softly and the adult moved past her seats without hearing her. “Excuse,” she said again softly as another adult moved past. Yukari looked down. Where was her teacher? She tried to look around, but the cabin of the plane was so dim it was hard to really see people’s faces unless you were right upon them. Yukari pulled her seatbelt off, and carefully stepping around her friend’s seat, for her friend was asleep, she made her way to the aisle. She looked up and down the aisle, but didn’t see her teacher. Still, she could see where most of the waiting people were, and she guessed that was where her destination was. She started to walk, a little trembling at the knees because she was unsure of the stability of the aircraft in the air. She could see a few people waiting in front of doors that seemed no larger than closets. “Excuse,” she tapped one adult on the shoulder. “Yes?” the woman turned to look at her with a smile. “Is this that prace of toirets?” “Yes, it is. It seems to be quite busy, doesn’t it?” Yukari nodded. “So are you really Japanese?” Yukari nodded again. “Your Japanese is pretty good!” Yukari blushed and held her head down looking at her toes. She didn’t think it was that good at all. Once she had gone quiet, the woman looked back to the front to see another person go in. She sighed and Yukari knew how she felt as she felt her bladder filling. She wondered how long it would be before she could get in the little closet room, that she had glimpsed when the last person had come out. Yukari’s deep brown eyes eyed the people coming out, and those going in willing them to hurry. Her blue-black hair that hung well past her shoulders was straight and shiny and laid upon her back in complete rest for the air in the plane was so still. Her thin arms shook from a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. She was slightly shaking in her knees, not only because she was nervous as she stood there waiting, but because her abdomen was telling her that if she waited much longer, she might experience a shocking accident which was something that had not happened to her since elementary school. Yukari saw one of the uniformed flight attendants walking down towards the restroom area. “I’m terribly sorry, everyone, but we are going to be experiencing some turbulence, so you really should go back to your seats.” Yukari pulled on the woman’s sleeve much like a little kid might. “Miss?” she said as confidently as she could. “I don’t go back seat without that toiret to go. I don’t stand waiting.” “I’m really sorry, but you don’t have a choice. It’s dangerous right now to be up and about.” “I don’t stand it, waiting. Prease, I just hurry and then sit down.” “No. Go to your seat before I go get your teacher.” Yukari gulped. Looking down, she started back towards her seat, and halfway there, she felt the plane suddenly rise and fall what seemed like feet! She almost fell on her butt, and the feeling that she was about to fly up to the roof and hit her head made her realize just how dangerous being up at the moment really was. That was probably an exaggeration, she realized as she sat down, but it still didn’t feel too good to be nearly tossed up out of control and helpless. She crawled across her friend who was now awake, and took her seat the flight attendant helping her to quickly fasten the belt in place. “Where were you?” her friend asked. “I tried to go a toiret, but it become dangerous now, so I must stand to wait more time.” “Let’s just speak Japanese,” Mayumi said simply. “Eigo ha muzukashi, ne!” (English is a little difficult, isn’t it?). Yukari nodded. Even as her friend spoke, Yukari could not really pay attention to what she was talking about whether she spoke English or Japanese because her desire to pee was burning at her little girl opening between the cracks of her private area downstairs. “Ne, doshita no?” (what’s wrong) Mayumi asked Yukari when she realized that she wasn’t really talking now. “Nan demo nai,” Yukari blushed trying to put her friend off. “Atashi ha nemui dake desu.” Mayumi raised her eyebrows so that Yukari wasn’t really sure that she had bought it that she was just sleepy. Still, it would be embarrassing to tell anyone that she was about to wet her panties, and that there was nothing she could do about it because they were not allow to go to the toilets at the moment. Mayumi was also watching the signs, but Yukari wasn’t sure if it was for her, or if her friend also had to go. She wouldn’t say, and Yukari couldn’t really blame her if she did have to go, and knew there was nothing they could do about it. She cast around for a change of topic, even while she tried to will herself still, and to keep her hands away from under her skirt.
Yukari reclined her seat so that no one would question that she was tired, and she turned to face the window though someone had long before closed the shutter for it. She thought about her situation, and about what the people that picked her up might say if she didn’t make it. The humiliation of being seen like that gave Yukari more strength to press her knees into each other, and to will her bladder to stop rumbling and to seal off her tube that would allow any kind of drips or dribbles out. It hurt as she breathed heavily trying to wait, but she hoped that it would soon be over when they turned off the signs, and she was allowed to get to the washrooms. The signs seemed to glare at her and mock her. She glanced at them from time to time, slightly squirming in her seat. Sweat was starting to form on her head, and along her legs where she had pressed her knees so tightly together. She hoped she could make it. Suddenly, while the sign seemed to just laugh at her, she felt a little pressure, a thin string like presence slipping down her insides, and then a small splash pounding on the gusset of her panties so loud she was afraid someone heard it, but in reality, her mind made it seem much worse than it was. She reached under her skirt to touch the dark blue shorts that her school required the young girls to wear as a precaution which meant no one at her school ever had seen a girl’s actual panties even on a very windy day. She felt relieved that her shorts still felt dry, but she was getting worried. Once she started to drizzle a little, the rest would start squirting soon enough. She kept her hand there, since it was already touching her shorts, and she used it to add pressure on her pee hole as she squirmed a bit trying to hold it. Her face was concentrating on trying to keep her shame from escaping, and she shook with the effort to keep her legs crossed tightly against her hand. If Mayumi had noticed what she was doing, she said nothing. Yukari kept her back to Mayumi, wanting to not discuss her private dilemma even though Mayumi was her best friend. How could she tell her peer that she was going to pee her pants? She glanced again to the seatbelt sigh, and her mind said something in Japanese that meant ‘fuck you! If you don’t change right now….’ But what could she do to some inanimate object that was nothing but a light? Her privates burned, her stomach pulsed again, and she felt the insides of her tube trying to open again even though she willed them closed, and tried to push her fingers deeper against her pee hole through the thick dark blue shorts. She started to breath a bit heavy, a soft worried moaning started as if she was trying to catch her breath from a race, but also partly a cry from embarrassment as she tried to stop the liquid from building. “Ganbatte dekinai,” she whispered to herself in the low whine as she pushed her privates harder with her hand. “Omorashii naru no…” she said to herself. Her head was burning up with shame, her body was shaking, her legs were still and squeezing on her hand to add pressure to her fingers in her cunt, but then she felt it…. “shu…ush….chshch…it” a bit of a stream slipped through her tubes and dampened her cotton panties a bit more. The shorts were still hard to tell because she was already sweating so bad, but at least it wasn’t enough to give her away even if they were a bit damp. She breathed heavily, moaning at herself to stop, but then a bit more… “Sh…you&#39;re….sh…ch…shit…shit…shit.” she felt four or five more streams escape before her hole seemed to close up for the moment. Now, her fingers were definitely damp. Her seat below her fingers felt damp, but somehow, she was sure that that was just the very edge of what was to come. She hadn’t really even started yet, and her eyes were growing wide all the time that each spurt slipped out. She was going to do it, now. She wanted the sign to turn off, and she’d wanted to promise to give it anything if it did, but it was silly thinking that the light would want anything. It was just a light. She was still shaking, and her moaning was getting louder. She felt her hole preparing to open wider than before, and to really pour just before it did. For several moments, her face frozen in panic and sweat, Yukari gasped as squirt after squirt seeped through her body, through her panties, and wet the seat beneath her more and more. She was starting to cry, and the sobbing didn’t help with the control as the shakes from it just pushed on her bladder more making the stream stronger, thicker, and unstoppable. Moments later, someone from the back of her seat yelled ‘Hey!’ as they retrieved their bags from under her seat! She would hear the complaining, and someone kicked her seat jolting her so that her urine poured harder and faster. The peeing seemed to last an hour in her mind, but actually it was probably no more than a couple of minutes. When she finished wetting her pants, she couldn’t stand to look even at Mayumi, and she continued to face the window, just sitting there in her pee.