Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The mysterious world of pokémon, home to the many creatures capable of extraordinary feats and the humans who live alongside them. Over the years, the two species have since learned to coexist with each other through many means. Whether it be for labor or companionship, their bond would last for countless lifetimes and generations to come, with the occasional setbacks. However, growing alongside this foreign species proved to be difficult in ancient times, allowing mankind to obtain the knowledge and skills to tame them. The era of trainers was born, and through the ages, there have been many uses for their skills in taming the pokémon race, the most common being to become the strongest among their peers and beyond.

On a small gravel trail surrounded by trees, a young boy ran with a joyful smile on his face, laughing without a care in the world. He looked ahead, not paying attention to his surroundings as his sights were set on a taller figure standing just meters away.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look, I'm a pokémon trainer!" The little kid said while showing off his badly painted red and white rock in his hand, holding it up to the figure as it turned to face him.

The figure had the appearance of an adult woman, presumably his mother, dawning long hair, a relatively fit body, and clothing appropriate for a stroll through the land. She reached out to the young boy and held out her hand to him, curious as to what he wanted to show her. "You are? Let me see."

The kid handed her the rock, the woman taking a moment to inspect it. Upon further inspection, the boy could see that she was missing her face, for a black shadow-like spot was covering it up entirely. He wasn’t fazed by this at all for some strange reason, but what did get his attention was when she crushed the painted rock into dust. He didn't even have the time to show a proper reaction, especially since she’d done so with little effort.

Suddenly the cheery, peaceful environment of a nature trail began to distort and darken rapidly. What was now joy quickly grew into sudden fear for the boy as he was too scared to even run or scream for help. "No you are not, not even close," stated his mom in a more pained yet threatening tone.

"B-But mom…"

"What makes you so special? You think you have what it takes to chase this dream?"

Suddenly, the woman extended her hand and pushed the kid back, making him fall. He didn’t land, however, as the ground beneath him morphed into a dark abyss, seeming endless. He could do nothing but reach out to his “mom”, screaming out for her to save him and make it not so scary anymore. The boy’s screams fell on deaf ears as she simply turned her back and started walking away, the dark void closing in around the boy until pitch black was all he saw.

*Gaaaaaasp*

Bursting his eyes open, a young man jolted upward from his bed, taking a moment to process what he’d just gone through with a cold sweat. A nightmare, he deduced. Even though he could see that he was still in his bedroom, he couldn’t help but ponder on how real it felt. His train of thought was interrupted when he noticed what little light there was in the early morning through his blinds. Rubbing his eyes the man sat on the edge of his bed and looked at his alarm clock, flashing 5:09 in repetition.

"Fuck… The alarm didn't go off again. If I don’t get moving, I'm gonna be late," he muttered to himself, whatever emotion he had before quickly diminishing.

This man's name was Max. Living in a modest town in his home region of Rados known as Ousa and worked at the local supermarket. Despite being 22 years old, Max was unable to obtain the sustainable income needed to live on his own, forcing him to remain with his father for the time being. The many paychecks he’d receive from his day job weren’t enough to afford a house or apartment, let alone the many essentials an adult needed to live, meaning that he was here to stay whether he liked it or not.

"Been a while since I had a stupid dream like that," He mumbled to himself. With a discouraged sigh, he put on his wrinkly, brandless clothing before heading downstairs. Passing in front of the living room, he saw his dad, out like a light in front of the flickering TV, showing the morning news. Seeing as the electric bill was a hassle to help pay for, Max turned it off and left the house, not even stopping to make a quick morning snack.

He jumped on his bike and began pedaling to his workplace, going at a relatively accelerated pace as he was I didn’t want to be late. The bright side of working the opening shift is that most people weren't up at this hour, leaving him alone in the streets.

It took Max about five minutes to reach his workplace. Outlet Mart was its name, and he would stare at that logo in despondence as he locked up his bike before entering through the sliding doors. Inside, he passed by a middle-aged man wearing a more well-kept uniform and a nametag with the word “owner” printed on it. This was the store owner and his boss, Ian, and he wasn’t pleased with the energy Max was showing, especially this early in the morning.

“You’re late,” he stated with disappointment, pointing to his watch for emphasis.

"By two minutes. It's not that much." Max replied, sounding bitter about it while walking towards the back of the store.

Ian could only sigh in response as he began opening up the registers, as Max’s angsty nature was to be expected and he didn’t want to cause any more problems. Meanwhile, Max greeted the few other people working as he passed by them all either conversing or getting ready to stock up the shelves, to which he would receive some back in response. He had now just entered the back room to grab his work jacket, when he came across the only colleague he could somewhat consider a friend, Daniel.

"Late again this morning I see. That’s what, the third time this month? Sounds like a new record," Daniel quipped while pushing a cart of produce boxes.

"Don’t start, dude. My alarm didn't go off," he groaned as he tried to get into ‘work mode.’

"Mmhmm, now add that along with ‘getting distracted by a Vivillion’ and ‘puncturing your bike tire,"

"Can you let that go already? I almost got a concussion that day."

"Just saying man, there's always an excuse with you. Seriously. I’m just surprised the boss had put up with you for this long."

"He's an ass, so what he thinks barely matters."

"Hehe. True. Just try to keep your shit together. It applies to every sphere of your life."

"Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Ghand-iel."

With a chuckle, Daniel left to start working, and Max followed soon after. Like many, he didn't like his job much. He was underpaid for how much he did, and the boss being an ass half of the time. At least he buys them pizza once in a while so they shut up about it. His co-workers were either douchebags or simply socially awkward. Daniel was the least annoying one to be around.

Putting on his working jacket and putting his brain on autopilot, Max grabbed a cart of boxes to move to their shelf. It was just a day of work like any other. However, today was Thursday, and on Thursdays, there was a girl who came by to shop with her mother in the afternoon. She was pretty and asked for help a few times, and Max had a bit of a crush on her. He didn't give it more thought, but that was always the high point of his week. He did wonder how she always seemed to be available at that time of day on a weekday. Roughly one hour before the end of his shift, he saw her, but this time she was alone and seemed to be in a hurry. That was odd, but he couldn't just pursue her and ask. Five minutes before finishing, Daniel came up to him with a strange but discreet grin.

"The boss wants to see you."

"Why so happy? Is he giving head to all his employees now?"

"Thanks for the nightmare fuel. I'm not supposed to tell anyone yet, but he's strongly considering promoting me to become the next manager."

If Max had been smiling, it would have dropped instantly.

"Seriously? Why choose you over anyone else?"

"Why would it not be that way?"

"Let's say you're not the fastest worker here."

"And neither are you, but at least I smile at customers."

"Eh. You hate him and now you want to become his pet?"

"Careful with what you say. If I become the manager, everyone here will have to juice up a bit. I know how lazy people can be here. See you tomorrow." Daniel said, gently tapping Max's shoulder before leaving.

"Such a prick," Max mumbled. "And yet, he manages to make you unable to hate him completely."

After dropping his last can, Max headed towards the director's office.

He knocked on the door frame to make his presence known. "Come in." The director said before pointing at the chair in front of his desk. "And close the door behind you.” Doing so, Max sat on the chair.

"Max, you know how straightforward I am, so I won't sugarcoat it. I'm not impressed by your performance recently. You have been late a few times now and I received a few complaints that the customers don't feel welcomed when interacting with employees."

"I barely have control over the problems that make me late. Once my bike broke, and today my alarm clock didn't go off. It's not like I'm doing this on purpose."

"There's always an excuse, but that aside, let's say that you are not projecting the right image of the company, which is a bit bothersome."

"I can try to smile a bit, it's not easy when some assholes come in and decide to ruin everyone's day."

"They are paying customers, so we have to deal with it."

"Well, I mean, we have to deal with it, the employees."

"I'm sorry to say, but I'll have to let you go."

Max's eyes widened a bit. "...Why?"

"There's no solution. I have given you a lot of chances, but you keep going on like you don't care. That's not the kind of employee the store wants to employ.”

"Wait, you can't just—"

"You know the way out. Thank you for your services." The director said before turning to his computer as if Max was already gone.

Feeling anger rising, Max abruptly stood up and left.

"Fucking asshole." Max cursed while getting on his bike. "'We have to deal with it'. Easy to say when you are hidden in your office, you fat fuck. This town is filled with fucking rats."

By the time he was done venting, Max was back home. Leaning his bike against the porch railing and locking it, Max walked inside. The everpresent smell of cigarette smoke filled his nose with a slight touch of uncleanliness. Neither he nor his dad were very disciplined when it came to house chores. Speaking of his dad, Max saw him sitting at the kitchen table, glasses on, and counting and separating small piles of cash.

"Your boss called me," Max's dad started. "Looks like you got fired again."

"How do you… Oh, right. He's a friend of yours."

"How do you think you got the job?"

"I never asked for help."

"And yet, you need it because you can barely do stuff on your own. Twenty-two years old and I still have to baby-feed you."

"I don't want to hear it from someone who does shady things for money."

"That's the same money that pays for your ungrateful ass," Max's dad said, briefly looking at Max over his glasses.

"Pays for what? I pay your rent and have to buy my own shit."

"Go live anywhere else and your rent would be triple what I ask."

"At least I wouldn't be with someone who has nothing to say but crap about others. When was the last time you said that you were proud of me?"

"It was probably when you actually did something that matters, which seems to be a long time ago."

"Tsk. Says you."

"Yes, says me. Another thing I say is that if you don't find yourself a new job by the end of the week, consider yourself kicked out of the house."

"What? Are you serious?"

"You have wasted enough of my time and money. You're supposed to be an adult, so it's time for you to act like one. Get moving, or get out." Max's dad said, going back to counting his money, the conversation evidently over.

Max was flabbergasted.

"But where will I go? What will I do?"

"Not my problem. Maybe having to survive on your own will force you to man up a bit."

Anger rose inside Max, like liquid flame running through his veins.

"So, that's it? Out with it and sending his own son to his death? I hope you will live at peace with that." Max said before turning heels.

"Cavemen lived outside and they survived, so even an irresponsible slacker like yourself can do it. Just grow some backbone."

"...Tsk. I'm glad Mom is not here anymore to see how much of a prick you have become." Max said, opening the front door.

"You leave her out–"

Max didn't hear the rest of it as he slammed the door shut. He didn't bother with his bike and simply walked out of the yard. He was so angry that he just picked a direction and kept walking until he could cool off a bit. A little while later, he noticed that he was in front of the Ugly Ducklett, a small pub on the edge of town. Sighing, he walked in and sat down at a table.

"What will it be?" A waitress asked.

"A small kombucha."

"Right away." The waitress said before leaving.

"Fancy meeting you here." A familiar voice said.

Briefly turning his head, Max saw Daniel walking past him to sit in front of him.

"I could say the same."

"I just got promoted to manager. That's worth celebrating, right?"

"So you wanted to rub in my face. Nice."

"Why do I have the feeling that you resent me for that?"

"*Sigh* I don't resent you, but I thought you would be the last one to kiss some asses."

"The pay is good and I'm qualified for that, so you'll have to deal with it."

"Not anymore it seems."

"Ah, true. You got fired."

"Yep. By your new master."

Annoyance was starting to show in Daniel's face.

"Look, it's not my problem if you can't deal with authority. That's probably why I got chosen over you."

"He's an ass and you know it."

"Yeah, like 90% of bosses. So either you deal with it, or go home."

"Unless you have until the end of the week to find another job, otherwise there will be no more home."

"Ouch. So even your father is fed up with you."

Max then glared at him.

"Sorry, but I'm only half surprised. Your dad is… well…"

"Also an ass, I know. I'm the first to know about it."

"What are your plans then?"

"I don't know. Maybe looking outside Ousa."

"I mean, it won't be that easy. Although, it's not like you have much to lose."

"Pretty much."

A brief silence settled in until Daniel spoke again.

"Didn't you tell me that you wanted to be a pokémon trainer when you were younger?"

"Maybe. So?"

Daniel just looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Well? Why don't you take your chance at it?"

"That's a kid's dream, Daniel. You need preparation for that and some savings. I have neither."

"What's the worst that could happen? Like I said, you don't have much to lose."

"Well, my life for one, we both know that being a trainer isn't the safest career path out there."

"It would be easier with a starter pokémon, that's for sure. It might be a tricky process though, since pokémon training isn't as popular as it used to be, a lot of towns and cities don't offer starters anymore."

"Great. Let's forget about it then."

"Why don't you try Werra Town? I think there's a guy who cares for many pokémon there. Maybe he could give you one."

"Werra town isn't exactly next door."

"There's a train that runs through there. Just go get one from the professor.”

"And what if he can't give me one?"

"Then go look somewhere else, or fistfight a wild one and catch it. Just do something without waiting for someone to tell you. Anyway, you're on your own now. I don't really want to tarnish my evening with your gloomy energy. Good luck." Daniel said, standing up, lightly tapping Max's shoulder, and joining other people.

Now alone, Max looked down at his glass thoughtfully. Pokemon trainer, that's something he thought of for a while. There's a risk, but most retired trainers say that it's one hell of a trip, and the adventures and bonds you create with your team are definitely worth it. Max sighed loudly. "Eh, Pokemon trainer. That dream died a long time ago. Alongside many more things." Max said melancholically.

Taking time to finish his drink, Max paid up, left the pub, and looked around the town if any was willing to hire him. He skipped a few since those were places where he already tried, but for the rest, until late in the evening, he didn't get much luck. Tired and hopeless, Max sat on a bench in the tiny park of Lisa Town.

"Doesn't look too good for me," Max said, looking at the darkening sky.

A moment later, the idea of becoming a pokémon trainer then popped into his mind again. What if…

"Shit! What am I thinking?" Max said softly. "It would never work out."

Quickly fed up, Max left the park and headed back home. When in, he noticed that his dad wasn't there.

"Must have gone do a few lines in who knows where," Max said with disgust.

Heading upstairs, Max took a shower and laid on his bed. His bedroom wasn't big, but was okay if you wanted a minimalist aesthetic. Sighing loudly, Max stared at the ceiling. Nothing was going well for him. It barely ever did, in fact. No job, soon no home, and no one to look up to. Life sucks. Then, once again, Daniel's words popped into his mind.

A pokémon trainer? At this age? Yeah, of course. Max thought, Why would that go well for me? And besides, what kind of pokémon would deal with my "shitty" attitude.

Still staring at the ceiling, Max's train of thought paused before turning on again.

On the other hand, pokemon tend to be less assholes than humans. Bah, just forget about it already.

Trying his best to push those thoughts away, Max shut off his bedroom light and surfed the web on his cell phone for a while until he eventually fell asleep.

The next morning, he woke up at around 6 am. Grunting, Max sat at the edge of his bed and rubbed his face. For a moment, he was lost in his thoughts while staring at the floor. It lasted for a few minutes before grunting softly while looking up.

"Fuck it. It's not like I have much to lose now."

Standing up, Max dressed and decided to clean up his room. After making his bed, he grabbed an old backpack and filled it with various useful items, like clothes, water bottles, and such. He slid it onto one shoulder and walked towards the door, where he looked at the bedroom one last time. Leaving the room, Max didn't bother to see if his dad was there or not and exited the house.

For the next forty minutes, Max walked through his childhood town until he reached his destination, the train station. When there, he waited in line for a little while for his turn at the desk.

"Good morning. Where to?" The woman at the desk asked half politely.

"Werra Town, please."

"Just a moment." The woman said before typing on her computer, "...$32.50, please."

Nodding, Max handed her the money.

"Thank you. The next departure is in twenty minutes."

Nodding again, Max sat on a chair in the waiting zone, alongside a bunch of people.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Let's hope that my starter won't be too much of a hassle to deal with.

Twenty minutes later, he boarded the train and rode for half an hour until he reached Werra Town. As soon as he disembarked, he went to the welcoming desk.

"Hello, sir. Did you travel well?" The man behind the desk asked, a bit more joyful than the one in his hometown.

"Quite, yes. I was just wondering where I could find a place to get a starter pokémon."

"Oh, an aspiring pokémon trainer I see."

"I guess so."

"Professor Brook might help you with that, but don't set your hopes too high though."

"Why?"

"Pokémon training isn't as popular as it used to be, so professors like Brook focus more on their research and don't really organize a pokémon giveaway anymore. He still takes care of a couple of pokémon though, so you might get lucky."

"Okay. Where's the lab?"

"Just walk in a straight line from here and you will see it. You can't really miss it."

"All right. Thanks." Max said before exiting the building.

Following the man’s instructions, Max walked for a while, passing in front of the town entrance along the way. Around forty minutes later, Max saw a big unusual building in the distance with pokémon roaming in a huge pen outside.

"Must be here."

A few minutes later, he arrived at the building and entered. Upon getting in, he noticed that this lab was a bit less furnished than what he had imagined.

"Hello?" Max called out, seeing no one around.

Max waited a couple of seconds before a somehow lanky-looking man came out of another room. He was wearing your typical white coat over some casual clothing and showing off a small afro.

"Oh, hello there. Didn't hear you coming. Do you need something?"

"I… yes, actually. I'm thinking about starting a pokémon trainer journey, so I was hoping you could help with my starter."

"Oof. I'm sorry, but I don't really do that anymore. The last time someone asked, it was last year and I gave him the same answer."

"I see. So there's absolutely nothing?"

"Well…" Brook said, briefly rubbing his neck. "You could give it a try with those outside, but don't get your hopes too high. They're happy here and most would want to keep it that way. Plus, they aren't that used to humans besides me."

"Okay. *Sigh* It's worth a shot I guess."

"All right. This way then." Brook said, motioning him to follow.

As they walked to the back door, something on a research table caught his eye."What about this one?"

Brook stopped and looked back. He saw Max pointing at a pokéball confined inside a thick glass cube with machinery all over to seal the pokéball with energy rays.

"No, not that one."

"Why not?"

"She's… very dangerous. I wouldn't even give her to an expert trainer."

"She? What kind of pokémon is it?"

“That’s unimportant. She's dangerous, period."

Max was a bit shocked to see the professor react almost aggressively toward the topic.

"Ah, I see. A tyranitar, or gyarados maybe. All can be tamed if you-"

"It's a gardevoir, and a very aggressive one." Brook cut.

Again, Max was briefly shocked.

"A gardevoir. You're joking, right?"

Brook then just stared at Max.

"A gardevoir with anger issues can't be that big of a deal."

Sighing and annoyed, Brook pulled up his casual shirt to reveal a large layer of bandages around his waist, with a blood stain on the right side.

"What the…"

"She did it to me when I tried to help her. I found her not far from here, wounded and exhausted. I healed her and the moment she had the strength to do so, she attacked me." Brook explained before dropping his shirt down. "So yeah. Unless you want that to happen to you, you should drop it."

"That's… gardevoirs are rarely that aggressive."

"It’s uncommon, I’ll grant you that, but not that rare. As a professor, I've seen multiple faces of many pokémon. You're in for some nasty surprises if you believe in stereotypes too much."

Max then looked at the pokéball.

"...What's gonna happen to her?"

"Going straight up to Almondo."

"What's that?"

"An isolated and heavily secured island acting as a prison for dangerous pokémon. I’m not happy about it, but she's too dangerous to release her to roam the wilderness. She might attack and harm the first human she sees, or worse."

"There might be a reason behind that."

"Certainly, but none would let her go on a rampage all willy-nilly until we find out."

"I…"

Out of arguments, Max sighed in defeat.

"I'm sorry, but it's too risky. There are safer choices out there." Brook said after getting near the back door and opening it.

Looking back at the confined pokéball for a second, Max reluctantly followed Brook outside. Under the rays of the midday sun, Max saw many and varied pokémon roaming around. Some were playing, some were napping, while others were going for a swim in the huge pond inside the seemingly infinite fence.

"The first impression is ultimately what matters most for a pokémon, so try to express the best side of you."

"I'll try, like you said."

With Brook following behind him, Max walked around to choose his first pokémon. The first one to catch his interest was an electrike. He approached the creature and kneeled.

"Hi there buddy. Do you wish to come with me on an adventure?" Max asked the pokémon.

The electrike observed Max for a short moment before sniffing him. It did that for a few seconds before abruptly stopping to walk away.

"That's a shame. Seems like he wasn't interested." Brook said.

"Let's look around some more then," Max said while standing up, already fed up.

Then, something seemed to have caught Brook's attention as he looked behind them.

"Already here? Dammit." Brook said softly.

Max then turned to see Brook looking towards his lab, or more precisely, what was in front of it. Four black and heavily armored large jeeps were now waiting there with a few armed soldiers coming out of them.

"What's going on?" Max asked.

"Nothing. Just picking up a delivery. Keep looking around. One is bound to like you." Brook said before quickly walking back to his lab.

Even though he found it awfully suspicious, Max forgot about the people with guns and kept looking for a pokémon that he could adopt. Walking around, a few caught his interest, but none was reciprocal. He searched more for a little while until a pichu showed interest and approached him.

“Hi there, little guy.” Max engaged while kneeling and extending one arm. “Interested in going on an adventure?”

The pichu then only looked at him, puzzled.

*BANG*

Scared half to death, Max turned towards the lab and saw falling debris and smoke as well as hearing multiple people shouting coming from the front side of the lab.

“What the-”

Max couldn't even start thinking about what he should do when a second explosion went off. It happened all too fast that Max didn't realize that the pokémon around him were running for their lives and a tauros bumped into him, making him fall on his back a few meters away. As soon as he opened his eyes, his instinct kicked in, and stood up to move away from the falling black truck falling towards him. The impact was enough to make him trip. He looked back and was glad that the upside-down and flaming vehicle wasn’t near him. Still shocked and clueless, Max saw a man crawl out of the flaming truck.

“*Cough* *Cough* Where's… the fucking reinforcements!” The man yelled, obviously in pain.

Max was about to go help him as he saw him standing, but immediately froze when a spear-like piece of metal flew right into the man’s chest, going straight through him and pinning him to the truck. The man immediately went limp, dead.

What the fuck is going on?!

Two seconds later, the entire flaming truck got pushed away, revealing an ominous figure. The figure was a gardevoir. A red gardevoir. She was walking towards him and the dead soldier, with a determined gait. As if she didn't notice Max, the gardevoir stopped next to the soldier and stared at him for a few seconds, contemplating the scene in front of her before using her telekinetic powers to pull the metal piece out of the man. She immediately turned and hurled it at another man, impaling him as well.

At that moment, Max realized that maybe he could run away while she hadn't noticed him yet. However, Max barely moved a finger and the gardevoir quickly looked at Max. Instantly targeting him, the gardevoir pulled the metal piece out of the man's head and walked towards Max with it floating next to her. The closer she got, the more of her Max could see. Not only her eyes, but her entire aura was radiating hate, anger, and torment. She was out for blood, and by the looks of it, for Max’s now. The closer she got to him, the more he was seeing wickedness in the eyes of the pokémon. A true monster.

“W-Wait… I-I’m not part of it!” Max pleaded, sitting back up, unable to find the will to turn his back on her in order to stand up.

Not hesitating for a second, the pokémon lifted one hand and aimed at Max.

“Stop! STOP!” Max pleaded.

When close enough, the gardevoir’s hand had just started to glow when an atrociously annoying noise rang in Max’s ears, making the shot miss, but not by much. Oddly, the gardevoir stopped and spasmed a couple of times before falling on the ground, twitching. With his heart beating a thousand miles an hour, Max saw a group of more special force soldiers, all wearing black combat gear. A blindfolded hypno covered in various scars was standing next to a soldier who was holding a strange device. After a few seconds, he turned it off and gave it to the hypno.

“Those little psychic wave disruptor trinkets are pretty handy, don't you agree?” The soldier, who seemed to be the leader, walked over next to the paralyzed gardevoir.

The soldier then pulled out a handgun and aimed at the pokémon’s head.

“We gave you a chance, but it seems we were too kind for a beast like you. End of the road for you.”

Despite being paralyzed, the gardevoir looked at the soldier with extreme disdain and anger in her eyes. That was the eyes of a pokémon that wasn't afraid of death. They were almost… welcoming it.

“W-Wait!”

Before he could realize what he was doing, Max stepped between the gardevoir and the soldier.

“Y-You can’t just kill her like that.”

“Move aside kid. I won't hesitate to report you as collateral damage.”

“It's… a living creature. She deserves a chance.”

“A chance? The hell are you talking about? Someone move that lunatic out of here.”

Instantly, two soldiers grabbed Max and began to pull him away.

“I… I can do it! I can help her!” Max yelled.

The leader then aimed at the pokémon again, but put a hand over one ear before pulling the trigger.

“Hold on.” The leader called out, making the soldiers carrying Max stop.

“...What is it?” The leader said, obviously talking to someone at the other end of his earwig.

“...Why would I do that?”

A short pause and silence settled.

“...Are you serious? That bitch killed five of my men, I-”

Then, another short pause.

“...N-No, of course not.” The leader said, oddly sounding a little nervous.

“...That won't be necessary… Understood… I will.”

Removing his hand from his ear, the leader then turned towards Max.

“Bring him here.”

Immediately, Max was escorted back to the gardevoir. Suddenly, a big ring-like device appeared in the leader’s hand, followed by him kneeling towards the gardevoir. A few seconds later, Max heard a click and three rapid beeps.

“There you go.” The leader said while standing up.

Max then saw that the gardevoir was now wearing a collar device. Now barely able to move, the gardevoir tried to remove it, but to no avail. She was too weak at the moment.

“Don't bother. That device is designed to block 95% of your power, just enough so you can float and barely lift a spoon with telekinesis.”

Not listening, the gardevoir tried to remove the collar in vain.

“Listen here, and listen well.” The leader said, kneeling to grab the pokémon’s chin, to force her to look at him. “Here’s what's gonna happen: from now, you are this kid's property.” He said, briefly forcing her to look at Max before turning her back to him. “However, if you try anything, or ever so slightly think about hurting him or anyone, that pretty collar is gonna go boom, the same goes if you try to remove it. In short, you behave, or you're dead. Understood?”

With cursing eyes, the gardevoir spat in the leader's face.

“Good.” The leader said before pushing her head away.

A pokéball then appeared in his hand and he tapped the gardevoir with it. Glaring at everyone with murderous intent, the pokémon dissolved into a molecular level before getting absorbed by the pokéball. Shrinking it, the leader moved to Max and gave it to him.

“Congratulations. You are now this pokémon’s master. That's what you wanted, right?”

“I…”

Then, another device appeared in the soldier’s hand, similar to the gardevoir's, and plugged it around Max's left wrist.

“Me too?”

“That's just a safety for you. Both devices are connected, so if you feel threatened by that gardevoir, her own device will take care of her. Don't mess things up, kid.”

“Wait! What about my lab?”

Until now, Max hadn't noticed that Brook had joined them.

“We’ll send you compensation later on to reconstruct. In exchange, we will destroy every evidence that this incident ever happened.”

“Which means…”

“Starting anew, yes.” The leader confirmed, making Brook sigh loudly and put his head in his hands.

When done speaking, the soldiers all gathered around the hypno and teleported away, leaving Max alone in the pen, which only contained the burning truck now. Since everything happened way too fast, Max tried to straighten his thoughts by staring at the pokéball. He spaced out for a moment before Brook called him out.

“Are you okay?” The professor asked.

“I…” Max started, still a bit in shock. “I don't know. That's… not how I imagined my pokémon trainer journey would begin. I shouldn't have come here. From the very start, I knew it was a stupid idea. I don’t even know what’s actually going on.”

“Well, you have a pokémon to take care of, if we can phrase it like that, so I guess it's up to you to continue or not. Either way, the future of that pokémon is in your hands.”

Sighing, Max looked around. “What happened? How did this happen?”

“I don’t know. She escaped when she was being transferred to another container as if she knew what was happening and used the brief flaw that came with it.”

“What about you? Seems like you’re in it neck-deep as well.”

“I’ll be alright. It’s not the first time that my work has disappeared in smoke, but you should be more concerned about your next move. As long as both of you have those devices, you should be more or less safe. From her at least, but stay on your guard. That gardevoir seems to have a huge malicious intellect.”

Again, Max stared at the pokéball. “I… Maybe there’s a reason behind that. I don’t believe that pokémon are predestined to be evil.”

“For your sake, you better not hold on to that naive idealism too much. There’s a lot of stuff going on out there that escapes both our comprehension. Just be extremely careful, and good luck. You’re gonna need it.” Brook said before heading towards what was left of his lab.

Chapter Text

With the chaotic fiasco of the laboratory incident now said and done, Max took his leave and is now sitting in the waiting room at the train station, looking down at the gardevoir's pokéball he was now responsible for.

“How the hell did this happen? Things spiraled out of control so fast I could barely think straight.” He mumbled to himself, now questioning himself on what he just got himself into. “I want to help her somehow, but… I don't know where to start. Will she even want my help at all? How can I-”

“You doing okay over there?” said a voice from behind, startling him.

Max snapped out of his train of thought, looking next to him and saw the only other person in the waiting room, a couple chairs away from him. It was a cute girl, roughly around Max's age, wearing what appeared to be a punk-ish type of attire. Short black hair, pink shirt, black skirt, black leather coat lined with little spikes, and laced-up boots that went up to her calves. To his surprise, he didn’t think a complete stranger would ask him about what he’s going through.

“I…”

“If you’re talking to yourself, that means you’re either an actor, crazy, or you’ve got some shit to work through.” She spoke with an insightful tone in her voice.

“Well… I’m not an actor, but… I think I might be in over my head with this,” Max explained, gazing down at the pokeball in his hands.

“Starting a pokémon journey, I’d guess ?”

Max took a moment to come up with an answer without revealing too much of what happened, sparing this stranger of the shitstorm that unfolded. “…You could say that. Things didn't go as planned though, so… currently processing that right now.”

“Pfft, when does it ever? That’s life for ya. In the end, it's up to you if you want to deal with it or not.”

“Even if the task at hand seems impossible?” Max asked hesitantly.

The punk girl simply shrugged her shoulders in response. “Who said that it was? If our ancestors had that mentality, we would still be living in caves eating raw meat and gathering berries.”

“...Huh. Pretty wise words for someone you don't even know. You a therapist or something?”

“Oh, sorry, but no. It’s a habit for me to listen to people, and lamenting their problems tends to push me the wrong way. Ignore me if you plan on giving up before starting. After all, we have control over nothing but ourselves,” she went on, silently hoping her words were reaching Max as he sat there with more to think about.

Suddenly, a beeping noise rang from the girl’s pocket as she pulled out her cellphone. She quickly put it back after seeing the message and bid Max farewell, getting up to leave the train station.“Well, that’s my cue to leave. Good luck dude, you’re gonna need it..

“What a weird girl, being all nosy and shit. Kinda cute though,” Max commented while staring back at his pokéball.

Lucky for Max, her words did seem to have reached him somehow. He was always fascinated by pokémon and their powers as a kid, like something straight out of fantasy. It didn’t matter the element; Fire, water, earth, ice, poison, nothing seemed impossible for them. He then wondered if it was always the case, thinking about how they came to be so amazing. Maybe they too managed to achieve the impossible by denying the odds. How else could they go from tiny creatures to powerful beings that could shake the world?

“...You know what? If I’m gonna be a somewhat decent trainer, I should at least share a similar mindset. I gotta believe I can do this, and I gotta do it now, otherwise I’ll be stuck in the same place forever,” he pumped himself up for a moment in order to get a move on.

With a loud sigh, Max left the train station and headed to the outskirts of town. There, Max walked for a while longer before finding a somewhat peaceful zone, going offroad for a bit before deciding that this spot would do. He laid against a tree, staring at ‘his’ gardevoir's pokéball for a moment.

“...She’s gonna attack me, a hundred percent. On one hand, I can't keep her there indefinitely, that would be too inhuman. On the other hand, she’s a bloodlusting monster. G’ah, which is worse?!”

Thinking for a moment, Max rubbed his face and decided not to waste anymore time. The sooner he gets through this, the more progress he’ll make,he just needs to act.

“Well, here goes nothing.” He said before releasing the gardevoir from the pokéball, who was already facing him with a death glare.
“Befo-”

Unable to finish a single word, the gardevoir lunged at Max, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him.

“That’s a… strong grip…” Max squeaked as he was being choked.

({What the hell do you want from me, human scum?!)} She shouted to him telepathically in an aggressive tone.

Not only did she sound enraged, but the voice in his head sounded like
scratches on a black board. She was probably doing that on purpose in an attempt to scramble his brain, or to sound more intimidating.

“Can’t… breathe… repress…!”

The blood flow was quickly being cut off from his brain and oxygen was starting to deplete from his lungs. Before it could get worse, the gardevoir’s collar began beeping in quick succession. She would ignore it for a few more seconds before the beeping got faster, recognizing it as a sign that it could go off if she continued. She stared at Max a few more seconds, faced with a choice. She could kill him right here and now to sate her urges, but then she’d die in the process. As much as she despised him, she eventually caved to the demands of her collar and released him, putting a stop to the beeping. Max took a long gasp of breath as he fell onto his back, coughing loudly and holding his throat.

({Doesn't matter. The moment I find a way to get rid of this contraption, your head will explode into pieces just like the rest of the humans.)} She stated in a fit of rage before floating away. However, her collar began to beep again before she could go very far, forcing her to stop just a few meters away.

({You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.)} She growled with her hands balled into fists.

So not only can she not kill this human, but is forced to be close to him? As if things couldn’t get any worse for her. She immediately turned around and quickly approached Max, who was just done catching his breath, grabbing his face and pushing it down.

({Listen here, and you listen well. I don't know what your game is, but I suggest you forget about it immediately. I am not your slave, I am not your friend, I am the master of my own and I don’t take orders from some disgusting primate. I might be trapped with you for now, but it's only a matter of time before I find a way to remove this damn collar. If you submit to me and stay out of my way until then, I might consider making your death a quick one. Do I make myself clear?!})

When she was done with her threats, the gardevoir freed the human and stood up. She then looked at Max with superior eyes over him, as if she was telling him she's the dominant one, like animals do.

({Well?!)} She asked aggressively.

Max, still in a daze, attempted to look up at her. “...I suppo-.”

({Don't look me in the eyes, you bow your head when addressing me.)} she demanded in an authoritative manner.

Quickly getting fed up with her, Max briefly clenched his jaw before standing up and stared right into the pokemon’s sapphire blue eyes, not backing down.

“Sorry, but I’m not the type to kiss others’ footless feet. I hope it doesn't offend you too much, oh great mistress.” Max rebelled with that last part, clearly mocking her superiority complex.

Anger suddenly appeared in the gardevoir's eyes, but vanished as quickly as it appeared. ({Tch. Humans… The dumbest creatures in the world. It's a wonder your race didn't go extinct, a problem I might work on eventually.})

“...”

{(I just offered you an easy way out, and you dare defy me by insulting me to my face. You act tough because of this collar around my neck, but don't worry…)} the gardevoir said while moving her face closer to Max. {(The second I’m free, torturing you will be my new favorite pastime. Maybe I’ll start by peeling away at your flesh, turning it into a meal. Or perhaps a death by a million cuts? Ripping out every vein in your circulatory system? So many limbs, so little time… I think I’ll use that time to think about it thoroughly. Nothing like fantasizing about how to bring the most pain to the most disgusting race to have a good night sleep.)}

Despite being internally grossed out by her fantasies, for lack of a better term, Max stood his ground. “What was that earlier about giving me a quick death if I complied? I thought gardevoirs were the type to keep their word.”

This made the gardevoir laugh sadistically, whether it be from amusement or pure insanity. {(Oh don't worry, I have the power to keep you alive as long as I want. Draining you of your blood, cauterizing your wounds, hell I can break and fix you a hundred times over until your mind breaks. Let this be a lesson, you worthless shit, that there are fates much worse than death. Eternal torture is one of them, and it will serve as my entertainment until I get bored. So congratulations, thanks to your species’ inability to shut up and obey, you just sealed yourself to that fate.)}

“...You know, you talk a lot for someone who wants to be left alone. What’s that really say about you?” Max retorted, almost regretting it immediately after but maintaining his rebellious attitude to prove a point. This only served to make her angry once more.

{(You…)} She said, gently putting a hand around Max’s neck. {(...I’m gonna enjoy destroying your mind and body, over and over again. Just you wait.)} She said, lightly and briefly strangling Max before moving away from him. {(I can't wait to see that bravado of yours vanish ,begging for mercy as soon as this collar is off!)}

“*Sigh* Look, this is getting us nowhere. I'm not your enemy here, okay. I saved your life, remember?”

{(And you think I'm gonna let you be my puppeteer because of that? You arrogant swine.)} The gardevoir growled. {(What gave you the right to decide who lives or dies? I'm the one who makes that choice, not some waste of space like you. I didn't ask for any fucking help.)} The pokémon said menacingly, glaring daggers into Max’s soul a few inches away from him.

“And what gave you the right to tell me what to do? I have free will too, you know, so suck it up and deal with it.”

Max barely had the time to see one eye of the gardevoir twitch before receiving a punch on the jaw, making him instantly dizzy as he fell to his knees.

{(I didn't want to bother wasting my strength injuring you, but speak to me as an equal again and I might test the limits of this collar with each passing minute.)} The gardevoir said before putting one of her footless legs on Max’s face and pushed him on the ground. To further assert her authority over him, she pressed it further against Max's jaw again, pressing just enough to hurt a bit. {(I’ll give you one chance. One, single, last fucking chance. Either you know your place, or I'll make your life a living hell before ending it myself. I suggest you use what little brain cells you have left to make the right choice, if you'll know what's good for you.)}

She then took the next few seconds to cause Max a good amount of pain before withdrawing her leg. Sitting up, Max rubbed his jaw while looking at the gardevoir floating away. She then laid against a tree, arms crossed and stared at Max with heinous eyes.

“...Message received. Do you have a name to be referred to?” Max asked with a groan as he groggily stood back up, only to be met with no response other than more death stares. “Alright then, forget I asked.”
He then looked up to the sky, where a small flock of bird pokémon flew above them at a high altitude. He let out a heavy sigh, picking out a tree as well before and sitting at its foot, dropping his head back.

What a good start. She was supposed to be my starter, but looks like I'm back to ground zero. I'll have to look for another one.

Thoughtful for a moment, Max then looked at the gardevoir, who didn't unlock her gaze from him.

“Okay, you win. I won't bother you or ask anything of you. If you’re willing to compromise and help me get another pokémon to act as my starter, I'll leave you alone forever. Does that sound fair to you?”

{(...Tsk. Of course you're one of those.)} The gardevoir said in disdain, looking away from Max.

“One of those…?”

({A slave owner, what else?! You want me to help you create your sick menagerie? The audacity of your request is…. Damn, you're nothing less than a p...)}

“The term you’re looking for is pokémon trainer, and while I agree that some people treat them like shit, I’m not them. I love pokémon, more so than other humans, mind you, and I’ll do my best to take care of them. I don’t know about you, but that's what being a trainer means to me.” Max replied with conviction in his voice.

The tone behind Max’s words made the gardevoir become skeptical, making her scoff. {(Really? So you mean to tell me that you “take care of them” now to make them do dog fights for your entertainment later? Heh, why am I not surprised?)}

“I… well… that's kind of the gist of it, you’re right about that, but! But… to be honest, that's not really my thing.”

{(What, battles?)} The gardevoir asked, to which Max nodded, making her think that maybe he wasn’t lying about his intentions. {(What's your goal then?)}

Max then looked up at the sky again, taking a deep breath to really think about the best way to phrase his answer honestly in a way that won’t offend the gardevoir.

“...Just to be with them, that's all.” He muttered out loud, the red gardevoir staring him down with a frown, not seeing much sense in his words. “For as long as I can remember, pokémon have always fascinated me. Their powers, resilience, intellect, empathy… I could probably go on for days just talking about them. Before, I did want to be a professional trainer with a strong team. I mean, travel the world, take part in tournaments, make it big by going to the Pokemon Leagues, who wouldn’t want to bask in all that fame and glory? As I kid, I had that very dream, winning the world championship and showing everyone that I had what it takes, and shutting up anyone who thought otherwise. But… Things changed, reality set in, and I thought, ‘maybe this isn’t what I want.’ Most would just be in it for the thrill of the fight or showing who has the bigger set of balls, or flashing their egos just for the sake of it. Me, on the other hand… what I really want is to have some in my life, so I can share that with them.”

The gardevoir stared at Max in silence, doubting his words. His tone suggests that he’s genuine, but it could just all be a ploy to lure her into a false sense of security.{(...Bravo, how long did it take you to come up with that sob story? You're a human. No matter how you spin it, all you ever do is exploit for your own personal gain. Even if I did believe you, would it really justify the fact that you’re taking away a creature, who you “supposedly respect more than your own kind,” from their home by force just so you can pet them and not feel lonely? That's pure selfishness if I’ve ever seen it.)}

This made Max think for a moment before realizing that as belittling as she is, the gardevoir had a point. “You're right to some degree, that's why I want to have a pokémon that wants to be with me of their own free will.”

That last part made her guffaw. {(Really? Add enough leverage, you can make anyone do whatever you want.)}

“Tch, what is it with you and seeing only the negatives? Humans and pokémon can, and have, formed deep bonds if both parties are respected and cared for. Seriously, peer into some of their minds if you think I’m lying. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if they secretly had deeper feelings for each other-”

The gardevoir interrupted Max with a gagging sound and raised her hand at him. {(Eugh, shut the fuck up before I puke. This is exactly what I mean, the things you tell yourselves and suddenly you’re the good guys.)}

“Well, if you stay with me and help me, I'll prove to you that it's not just talk,” Max said before standing up and walking in front of the gardevoir, a newly lit fire burning inside of him determined to prove her wrong.

“I don't know what humans you’ve dealt with or what they’ve done to you, but I’ll say it again, I'm not them.You were, and surely still are, in pain, and I want to respect and take care of you to alleviate that. Why would I have risked my life to protect you against those idiots in the lab if that wasn’t the case?”

{(...And here I thought that was the end of your little speech, and you say I talk too much.)} The gardevoir scoffed after a moment of silence, her bravado still going strong.

“I got more in the tank if you’re asking for an encore. I’m pretty good at coming up with stuff on the fly when I’m sincere.” Max retorted with his arms crossed.

{(I am this close to testing the limits of this collar. Your mere presence is the only constant that causes me pain, so back up before I rearrange your jawline.)} The gardevoir threatened with a growl, her left fist raised and ready to throw a punch.

“Alright, fine. Since you asked so nicely,” Max replied sarcastically, backing up to give her space. “So, will you help me or not?”

The gardevoir did a double take as he asked him that question again.

{(Wait, you were serious?! I wouldn't even waste energy to help you off yourself. Do whatever the fuck you want, I couldn’t care less. Just know that things will get nasty if you invade my personal space again. Trust me, I’ve killed for doing far less. You've been pushing your luck since the moment you let me out, but I can guarantee that it’ll run out, and I will be there to take full advantage.)}

Max let out an exasperated sigh, questioning Arceus on why he was being punished for doing a good deed. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that? If that’s how you wanna be, then fine. Since I can’t battle or catch a pokemon on my own, I’ll just find myself another starter, one that won’t shoot death threats at me every five minutes.”

{(You think it’ll be that easy? You're stupider than I thought. Don’t tell me, you’re gonna fist fight the first wild pokémon you see?)}

“Since you don't want to help me, I might as well when things go south. I have supplies that’ll last me a couple of days, so I can afford to at least look in the next town or city. I'll have to be careful money-wise, so I think I'll just walk to save costs.”

The gardevoir scoffed at Max’s plan, wondering if he really did put any thought into it. {(Seriously? The closest human establishment from here will take at least two days to get there on foot. You're gonna make me follow you like some pet for that long?)}

“If you can't stand the sight of my face that much, then it’s back to the pokéball for you,” Max warned, which warranted a menacing glare from the gardevoir.

{(Put me back in there, and I won’t hesitate to kill both of us the moment you release me.)} She threatened.

“Alright.” Max replied, briefly raising his hands as he considered the possibility of her actually going through with it. “Walking it is, then.”

The pokémon stared at Max with disdain for a few seconds before letting out an angry growl, getting up from her tree and floating an inch in front of Max.

{(I’ll be watching you, human. Lead the way before I lose my patience.)} She spat before doing an arrogant bow.

Max silently acknowledged her gesture and turned around to get back on the road, before suddenly stopping after a few steps.

“Oh, before we go, you sure you don’t want a name? Unless you already have one, then-”

{(Don't have one and don't need one.)} she responded with disdain in her voice.

“Okay, but how will I refer to you?”

{(I don't care. Just don't speak to me and the problem will solve itself.)}

“Nah, sorry. Everyone needs a name, an identity to go by.” Max said, eyeing the gardevoir intently, trying to come up with ideas based on her looks and personality.

{(That’s right, keep looking at me while you still have eyes.)} The gardevoir said angrily, already wanting to gouge them out of him.

Max closed his eyes and tapped his lips a few times before snapping his fingers, not taking long in deciding a good enough name for her. “...How about Scarlet? I think it suits you well,” he said in earnest, only to receive the cold shoulder from the gardevoir.

{(What part of “I don't care” don't you understand? Shut the fuck up and stop wasting time already.)}

“I’ll take that as a sign that you’ll stick with it! Let's go.” Max said, resuming his walk towards the road ahead.

{(If only I could strangle him with his own spine.)} Scarlet said softly, following Max.

Max decided it would be best to head back to the train station to get some recommendations on where he needs to go, much to Scarlet’s ever-growing frustration. Since he’s never taken any form of public transport before today, and this is the farthest he’s ever gone from Ousa, he had a hard time reading the public map and figuring out the best route.

As he made his way to the main counter in the center of the station, Scarlet kept her distance just far enough to let him talk to whoever he needed to without anyone assuming that they’re partners, as well as avoiding the constant beeping of the collar.

“Hi. How can I help you?” The woman behind the counter greeted him.

“Hi there, is there a place I can go besides here to find a starter pokémon?”

“Hmm…” The girl hummed, tapping her chin. “...First place that comes to mind would be Rhoa Town, but you’ll need to take the train to get there within the day. Would you like to buy a ticket?”

Max grimaced as he glanced over at the base price, knowing that it’ll eat through most of his funds. “Oooh, sorry. See I'm kinda running low on money. I’m about to start my pokemon journey, so I need to save it for any supplies. How long will it take to get there on foot?”

The ticket seller let out a thoughtful hum. “Hard to say… A little over a week, maybe ten days, tops.”

“Damn, I don’t think I'll have enough to last me that long.”

The lady then pointed to the large map he was looking at before. “Well, if you take the west trail path heading to Arroon City, you could resupply there. There’s also a trainer’s guild if you need money as well.”

“There are trainer guilds?” Max asked with a sense of relief.

“That’s right. As soon as you’ve obtained an official trainer license, you can join a guild to get some income. It’s not much, but a few jobs with them should help you squeak by as a beginner.” She pointed once more to the map which contained a few catalogs for tourists. “There should be a pamphlet on guilds with all the info you need. If you’re traveling like you said, take a map as well.”

“Gotcha. First priority should be to get my license, is what you’re saying,” reiterated Max for confirmation.

“Mmhmm. You’ll be able to get that taken care of while in Arroon City.”

“Oh, neat. How far is that?”

“Not as far as Rhoa, maybe two or three days on foot,” the lady estimated.

“Not bad. I think I’ll be able to make it without too much trouble.”

“Wonderful. Any other questions you might have?”

Max thought for a moment before coming up with nothing else for the lady. “No, I think I’ve asked all I needed. Thanks a lot, miss.”

“You're welcome, and good luck on your journey!” she waved professionally, bidding him farewell with Max doing the same.

Leaving the building with a couple of pamphlets, Max headed towards the instructed path with Scarlet in tow but stopped before proceeding. He doesn’t really get why though, a wave of anxiety hitting him out of nowhere right as he was about to get a move on. He has a destination, he knows how to get there, relatively, and-

{(The hell are you doing?)} Scarlet asked impatiently with her arms crossed.

Max stared at the open road hesitantly. “I… This is it. This is the moment I dreamed of when I was a kid. To know that I would actually be there, on the spot where my pokémon trainer career starts. It's thrilling, but a bit scary as well. Who knows how well it will go.”

Scarlet facepalmed. {(Fucking- Spare me another of your shitty speeches and let's get moving already. You either do this or you don’t, just make a choice and stick with it.)}

Despite not showing it, Scarlet’s words pierced through him, half ruining the moment for him.

“Not the way I imagined it though, but beggars can't be choosers, right? ” Max said, taking his first steps towards the journey ahead.

Fast forward an hour later, Max and Scarlet have long since left Werra Town. Max was walking forward with Scarlet on his side, staying a couple feet behind as to always have an eye on him. Total silence alone is okay, but with someone tailing and watching your every move makes the atmosphere much more tense. Even with the security from the collar restraining her, the mood was still unsettling to say the least.

“So… Why do you hate humans so much?” Max engaged Scarlet in small talk, the latter still choosing silence and glaring at him. “This is gonna be a very long journey if you don't spit out a single word.”

{(I missed the part where that’s my problem.)} Scarlet spat, narrowing her eyes at Max.

“So it’s fine when you stare at me indefinitely in silence, but it’s an issue when I so much as look or even talk to you? How does that work?”

{(Who the fuck asked for your goddamn opinion?)}

“Well, I-”

Scarlet immediately cut him off with a crazed laugh. {(You still don't get it, don't you? Fucking humans, I swear. Circumstances may have forced me to be around your disgusting self, but at no point have I said that we must act all buddy-buddy with each other. Your mere existence is a pain on its own, which I plan to remedy as soon as I get rid of this shit.)} Scarlet said, yanking at her collar.

Max tried to understand her situation, but it was hard to do so when all she does is isolate herself even further and remind him of his supposed incoming death. “So that's your methodology? One little thing that annoys you and they’re dead?”

{(Exactly. If anything, I'm doing this world a favor.)}

“Sounds to me you like taking the easy way out. Running from your problems instead of confronting them is not really what I would call a strong mindset,” Max retorted in defiance to her logic, or lack thereof.

{(Ha! Running? I have seen and slaughtered countless pokemon that put whatever you call your worst nightmares to shame. I suggest you shut the hell up the next time you talk about things you don’t know.)}

Max bit his tongue to that last part. “You don't solve problems by getting rid of them either. If anything, it only makes them worse.”

{(Says the braindead ape who’s never been in a fight in his life. Don’t make me laugh.)}

“Maybe I have, you don’t know me.”

This only angered Scarlet more as he stared him down. {(No you didn't. Maybe back then you humans have been able to hold your own, but now you’re all protected by four walls and technology. You get fat by choice, freak out when things don’t go your way, use others for your own gains, hence this whole trainer shit, and worst of all, you’ve lost all accountability for your actions. You think you’re the center of the universe because of your toys, not being able to fend for yourself without them, and you have the gall to say you have “problems” when all you do is stare at a screen all day. That's you call “fighting for your life everyday”? That’s pathetic and laughable.)}

“...For a shut-in gardevoir, you seem to know a lot about human society,” Max muttered as his throat tightened, more so in anger rather than fear. Who was she to judge how every human is based on the bad batch she’s known so far?

{(I know everything that needs to be known about it. None of you deserve your existence.)}

“You're really starting to sound like a broken record now.”

{(Fuck you.)}

Max rubbed his face in an attempt to brush off her words. “While we may not need to fight off wildlife and live in caves anymore, we still face other struggles in our lives. Struggles that are new and complicated, it’s called evolution. Of all creatures, I would’ve thought pokémon understood that more than most.”

{(I do. I just don't care.)}

Max tried to remain calm, despite the gardevoir's constant barrage of insults. "There are good people in this world too, you know."

Scarlet let out a derisive laugh. {(Good people? Do you even hear yourself? You humans are all the same – ignorant and self-absorbed.)}

This prompted an exasperated sigh from Max. “You really don't want to tell me what I’ve done to get on your bad side so early? I’ve risked my life to save yours, so what the hell?!”
She remained silent for several minutes after her outburst, until finally saying her piece in a rather blunt tone of voice. {(Be careful what you ask for. The world is much uglier than your simple mind can understand. I should know, I’ve been in the front seat of that shit show for far too long.)}
Max was silent for a brief moment, his mind reeling from Scarlet's words. In that instant, he could have sworn he'd glimpsed a fraction of sadness in her eyes, beneath all the resentment and anger. He then knew that she was holding it all in, keeping it to herself. Whether it was out of pride or holding onto the only security she had, he can’t really say for sure.
"I... Shit, I-I'm so sorry, I didn’t…” Max said softly, rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort.
Scarlet's eyes widened for a moment before resuming her usual angry persona. She seemed to have exposed herself just enough for Max to catch on, despite her best efforts to keep him from seeing even the slightest bit of weakness.
{(K-Keep your worthless apologies to yourself!)} she snapped, her voice cold and aloof. {(I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need pity, not from you or anyone!)}
"…I-I know that," Max said in a bit of a jolt from the sudden tone shift, shrugging after coming to the conclusion that she’s probably not ready to talk about her problems yet. "I'm not trying to pity you, I'm trying to understand you."
{(Why would you want to do that?! What's the use? You brainless monkey.)} she asked, her eyes hardening. {(You're just a... a human. You'll never get it.)}
It wasn’t much, but Max was starting to chisel at this distressed psychic type, who clearly doesn’t want him to see what really lies underneath. He was making some progress with her, which meant that there was a chance that she'd open up to him at some point in the future. The sooner, the better, he thought as he tried to pry into her a little more. Unfortunately for him, that was the farthest he’d get with her as she immediately got all defensive again, causing him to reel back from the loud, distorted scratches of her voice he could hear in his head.
{(I said I don’t need your fucking pity!)} Scarlet said annoyed, her voice rising with each word as she shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that this human is so insistent on learning her secrets. This was either another ruse or this was his feeble attempt to bond with her, which to the gardevoir, both outcomes were just as intolerable.
{(What part of that can you not get through that thick skull?! I have gotten by just fine without you humans interfering with my life, and I don’t need you to get into my head! That’s my job!)}
With all that she exclaimed, Scarlet threw a punch right in the middle of Max's mouth much harder than the one she dealt earlier. The force of impact was enough to make his lips swell terribly, but not enough to break any teeth.
This made Max stumble backwards, clutching his mouth in pain as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. Scarlet floated in front of him with an unsettling grin on her face, her eyes cold and unyielding.
{(Much better. Maybe now I'll finally have some peace and quiet.)} she concluded, her voice dripping with satisfaction.
After Scarlet's last warning, Max had given up on trying to talk with his new “partner” as the two had walked together in silence for hours. Knowing how far they would have to travel to Arroon City, Max did what he could to keep the consumption of his rations to a minimum, eating only the cereal bars he packed in his backpack. He even tried to offer Scarlet some of the berries he had, since he had nothing else that would fit a gardevoir’s diet, but her stares reeked of disdain and anger, which were enough to encourage the boy otherwise.
Still, Max kept an eye on the landscape the whole way, making quick stops along the way to give him an excuse to check out any fruit trees or water sources. Despite foraging what he could from, he didn’t even know if she was sustaining herself at all, as he never saw her eat or drink anything.
"Tsk, ’perfectly capable’ my ass..." He thought to himself during one of the times he stopped. He knew there were some pokemon who were stubborn by nature, but Scarlet took it to a whole new level. The lack of social interaction is understandable, but to deny herself even the most basic substances to survive was just plain dumb, and for what? Out of spite? To prove a point? While Max was worried about her physical well-being, he was also frustrated by her animosity, and he couldn’t help but wonder how long she could keep this charade up.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the world in soft hues of orange and pink, Max's eyes scanned the landscape for a suitable place to camp for the night. Just off the beaten path, he spotted a clearing with a small stream meandering alongside it. The land was flat and filled with lots of scattered branches, so clearing it wouldn't be too much of a hassle. Plus, they'd have access to fresh water when they wake up.
With a quick nod of satisfaction, Max veered off the path, heading towards the clearing with Scarlet trailing behind him. He could feel her scornful gaze boring into his back, but he chose to ignore it. He was pretty much used to her biting remarks by now, plus it’s like she said, with that collar around her, she can’t really do much damage. He still gave a silent thanks to that, also remembering the more gruesome stuff she said.
They arrived at the clearing, and Max got to work clearing the ground of debris and setting up the small one-person tent he packed for himself. Scarlet, on the other hand, leaned against a nearby tree, her arms crossed and a look of disdain on her face as she watched Max labor away rather sloppily. Clearly this is the first time he’s ever done something like this on his own, which simultaneously amused and annoyed her.
{(You're slow,)} she hissed. {(I've seen slugmas move faster than you.)}
Max gritted his teeth but chose not to respond. He knew her game—she was trying to get a reaction out of him, probably because she was bored. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
{(And you call yourself a Pokémon trainer?)} she continued, her voice dripping with scorn. {(You shouldn’t have quit your day job or whatever if this is the best you can manage.)}
Max focused on his task, unfazed by her harsh words. He had learned that engaging with her in this state will only make things worse. Once he had finished setting up the tent, then turned his attention to gathering wood for a fire.
Scarlet's acidic humor did nothing to lighten the mood as Max built it, however challenging it was for him to light it. Her words were like barbs, each one sharper than the last. {(Can’t say that I’m surprised, you humans have lost your touch on how to survive in the wild. It’s almost funny how dependent you are on your little gadgets. I can see the flab in your muscles, you’re so weak.)}
Max rolled his eyes as he struck the match, igniting the kindling. "Well, if the ‘great and powerful’ crimson gardevoir thinks it’s so easy, why don’t we have her set up the campsites from now on??" he finally retorted sarcastically, unable to keep his silence any longer as he now proceeded to mock her, ignoring the risk of her retaliation. “Or is she too high and mighty for manual labor? Tch, let me know when you have something better to say.”
Scarlet snorted but said nothing more, instead choosing to watch the flames dance in Max's eyes as he grew the fire to just the right size.
With the camp set up and the fire crackling, Max rummaged through his backpack, retrieving a pack of smoked sausages and a loaf of bread to make a quick dinner. He planned to roast the sausages over the fire and make simple hot dogs, which wasn't a gourmet meal by any means, but it would at least fill their bellies. Assuming of course that Scarlet will accept his food this time.
"Alright Scarlet, it's time you learn that as your trainer, it's my job to feed you," Max said, holding up the food for Scarlet to see. “It’s not much, but this should do to sate your hunger for now.”
Scarlet's eyes narrowed at his words. {(You think feeding me makes you my master?)} she spat, her bitter voice echoing in his head. {(We are not bound by the same rules as other Pokémon and trainers. I am not your pet.)}
Max sighed, meeting Scarlet's fiery gaze with a calm one of his own. "It's got nothing to do with being your master, Scarlet. It's about taking care of you. Whether you like it or not, we're in this for the long haul."
{(...For now.)} Scarlet replied with a tiny unhealthy grin.
Sighing, Max skewered the sausages on a stick and held them over the fire, the fat sizzling as it hit the hot coals. The tantalizing aroma of cooking meat filled the air, and Max's stomach grumbled in anticipation. Once the sausages were cooked to perfection, he sliced the bread open and carefully placed the sausages inside, creating two makeshift hot dogs.
"Here," he said, handing one to Scarlet. "I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do for now."
Scarlet didn’t even move her eyes away from Max, staring at him blankly. {(...Are you serious?)}
"What?" Max asked.
{(You want to be a ‘pokémon trainer,’ or so you claim, and yet you’re not aware that most processed human food is toxic to us? Even fatal in some cases?)}
“I… That makes sense, I guess, but…”
Scarlet let out a scoff in an attempt to hold back some genuine laughter, albeit at Max’s expense. {(You guess? Wow. Congratulations human, you’ve single-handedly made me not want to kill you anymore. I think watching you fall on your ass every day is just as good for my psyche. Then again, that’d still be too good for the likes of you.)}
“Well… Then it’s a good thing I’m not making you eat what I eat,” Max replied, staying adamant to Scarlet’s remarks. “What are you gonna have for dinner, then?”
{(I would say your eyeballs, but since I can’t get to them without blowing up, I’ll just settle for nunya.)}
“The hell is nun-” Max stopped himself mid-sentence, slapping himself mentally for almost falling for that stupid word-play prank. “So, the answer’s still nothing? Just gonna keep starving yourself for no reason?” he asked only to receive more silence and dirty looks from Scarlet, before going back to eating his own food. “Tch, whatever. Suit yourself.”
Max was ready to wrap up the day and get some shut eye after he finished his dinner. He ducked into his tent and unrolled his sleeping bag with a few practiced flicks of his wrist. He was about to suggest a sleeping arrangement for Scarlet before remembering what she warned him earlier in the day. She flat-out refused to be confined to her Poké Ball, leaving him scrambling for a plan B as he couldn’t leave her outside like a wild animal. With no other option, as uncomfortable as it’ll make him, he spread out an extra blanket on the tent floor, creating a makeshift bed for her right by his side.
Max lets out a long sigh, rubbing his temples as he calls out, "Ah... Scarlet..."
A low growl rumbles from the direction of the tent.{(What now?)} Scarlet snaps, her voice laced with irritation. {(Another one of your ingenious plans to accidentally kill me?)}
"...How would I even manage that? Can’t you detect my every move or some shit?" Max deadpanned, trying to defuse the situation as calmly as possible. He took a moment to brush it off before gesturing towards the tent to try inviting Scarlet in. "Anyways, I set up a blanket inside. It's going to be rather cold tonight, so I thought you’d want to be comfortable."
Scarlet's eyes narrow, her psychic energy pulsating with annoyance. {(A blanket? Seriously? Do you really think so low of me? That I’m incapable of fending for myself and will resort being pampered like some spoiled pet?)} She answered as she stepped closer, her voice dripping with malice.
{(Keep your charity, human. You’ll just be wasting your time.)}
Max's face falls, his attempt at kindness met with scorn. "I am trying here, Scarlet. I just want to make things easier for you."
{(“Easier”?)} Scarlet scoffs, tossing her head. {(You humans and your so-called “help”. I'm a psychic Pokémon, I was born to roam free and live a simple life of doing whatever the hell I want.)}
With a flourish, she turns on her heel and strides over to a sturdy tree, leaning against it with an air of defiance. {(I'll sleep where I please, and right now, this tree is more inviting than anything you've got.)}
Max throws up his hands in resignation, shaking his head as he retreats to the tent. "Fucking… Sorry for trying to be nice to you," he mutters, zipping up the tent flap. "Good night, ‘Mistress Scarlet.’" The title is a clear jab, his frustration seeping through the sarcastic farewell.
The night unfurled its velvety darkness without a hitch, lulling Max into a slumber so profound he might as well had a spell casted on him. Curled up in his sleeping bag, the forest floor cradling beneath, he slept like a baby for the first time—a far cry from the restless tossing and turning he was used to back in his bed at Ousa Town.
As dawn nudged the night aside, Max began to surface from the depths of his slumber, a restful smile playing on his lips instead of the groggy frown he usually donned. His thoughts wandered lazily like he was floating down a river in a cool, calm stream. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept this well, making him think that maybe today won’t be so bad. Especially since he packed this body pillow-
Wait a second. His brain did a double take, stumbling over the thought. A body pillow? He bolted upright, the confusion slicing through the remnants of sleep like he’d drank one too many coffee cups. He never packed any sort of body pillow. His hands trailed over the figure, trying to figure out what exactly he was clinging to like a lifeline?
Eyelids fluttering open, Max's gaze landed on a vision that made his heart skip a beat by fear and amusement at the same time, but mostly fear. There, in the warm embrace of his arms, was Scarlet. The crimson Gardevoir's gentle breathing synced with his own, her form a surprisingly comforting presence against him.
She must’ve cut the drama queen act and snuck into the tent while he was sleeping, her pride probably couldn’t resist a proper shelter. Not so tough now, is she? On the other hand, Max's heart thrummed with a newfound dread, his breath hitching as he slowly inched away from the literal ticking time bomb. Every muscle twitch and shift of weight were calculated, a carefully orchestrated move to avoid waking the crimson tempest that lay curled against him. He knew damn well that if Scarlet caught him in this compromising position, she’d make his life a living hell.
"Shit, shit, shit," he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting between the serene face of his Pokémon partner and the tent flap, plotting an escape route without incident.
Max's pulse quickened as he inched away from Scarlet, but he couldn’t help but gaze at the crimson cascade of her hair. It was like a damn siren call, silky and vibrant, a bright splash of color against the drab tent fabric. His fingertips itched with the urge to touch it, warning bells be damned. He knew it was a risk, but he just couldn't help himself. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he shifted his fingers through the lush strands.
"Fuck, this is softer than anything I've ever felt," he whispered, his voice a mix of awe and trepidation. He leaned in closer, inhaling deeply, and was hit with a scent that was all Scarlet. Despite whatever history she had, he was greeted with a heady mix of flowers and sweetness that seemed to wrap around him, tugging at something primal within.
The scent was intoxicating, and Max felt his body react in a way that was completely unprecedented. He snapped himself out of his trance, his breath caught in his throat as a sudden, throbbing hard-on strained against his pants, the unexpected intensity of it catching him off guard. He jerked his hips back, cursing under his breath as he put some much-needed space between himself and the sleeping Gardevoir. The last thing he needed was for Scarlet to wake up with his boner poking her like some kind of perverted alarm clock, then she’d really try to kill them both.
He scrambled out of the tent, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of his body's betrayal."What the actual fuck was that?" He'd woken up with morning wood before, sure, but never like this. And definitely not because of a Pokémon.
"Damn, this is next-level weird," he muttered to himself, trying to shake off the confusion as he went through the motions of his morning routine. "Get your shit together, Max. She's a Gardevoir, not your fucking girlfriend. Besides, you and her, together? You’d have better chances with a stripper."
But even as he tried to focus on the day ahead, he couldn't shake the feeling of Scarlet's hair in his hand or her sweet scent lingering in his nostrils. It was like a puzzle with a piece missing, an itch he couldn't scratch. And as much as he hated to admit it, he knew he was approaching uncharted territory, with no clue how to navigate these bizarre new waters.
Staring at the tree, Max grumbled under his breath, a mix of embarrassment and self-directed anger coloring his tone. There’s just no way, right? He loves pokemon, but not to the point where he’d have sex with one, much less Scarlet. She hates him, and she’s making it very hard for him to even like her. He’s not like those freaks he’s heard about who does… things to their partners. "I know! It was just an awkward case of morning wood, nothing more."
The stream of his piss patterned against the tree roots, a rhythm that matched the thrumming of his heart. A sigh of relief escaped him as he finished up, the tension in his bladder ebbing away. "Nothing beats the sweet relief of the first morning piss, huh?" He chuckled to himself.
With his business taken care of, Max moved to the stream's edge, dropping to his knees on the damp earth. The cool water lapped at his skin as he bent down to splash his face and hair, the chill shocking him awake. The forest serenade filled his ears—birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the gentle gurgle of the stream. It was like nature's own symphony, and it stirred something within him, a spark of hope amidst the monotony of his life. Maybe, just maybe, things were looking up.
As he scrubbed his face, the sudsy water running down his arms, an odd sound pierced his consciousness. A steady dripping, distinct from the natural melody of the woods. Max's eyes snapped open, water stinging his eyes, and he blinked to clear his vision.
There, upstream, was Scarlet, crouched with her back to him. The Gardevoir's posture was unnaturally still, save for the golden stream cascading from between her legs, splashing into the water with a hypnotic rhythm. “What the-?!”
{(Ahhh, “the sheer bliss of a morning piss,” was it?)} Scarlet's voice carried a hint of mischief, with a sadistic sparkle as she caught him staring.
Max spluttered, wiping frantically at his face and his cheeks flaming with a mixture of shock and disgust. "AGH! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! OF ALL THE THINGS, WHY WOULD YOU- RHAAAA!”
With a graceful flick of her wrist, Scarlet finished her business, her gown shifting around her as she stood. {(Well, aren't you a grumpy Ursaring this morning~.)} she quipped as she left with her hips swaying with each step, teasing Max a bit more.
Max's face was still damp from the stream, but the cool water did nothing to soothe the heat of anger that flared across his cheeks. He turned away, his movements jerky with irritation, as he began to pack up his sleeping bag and the few belongings he had brought along. The sound of rustling leaves and the snap of tent fabric filled the air, punctuated by the occasional muttered curse as Max wrestled with the stubborn material.
He couldn't believe Scarlet had peed in the same stream he had just used to wash his face. The thought of it made his stomach churn. "I say again, why am I being punished?" he grumbled to himself, looking quite insane as he shoved his belongings into his backpack with more force than necessary. "First she treats me like a punching bag for saving her life, now a face full of piss water after offering her shelter. What's next, intoxicating my drinking water with her literal shit?!"
Once he had calmed himself down and everything was packed up and secured, Max dropped to the ground under the shade of a towering oak for a final provisions check. He rummaged through his bag, pulling out a small pack of trail mix—dried berries and nuts, a staple for trainers on the go. His appetite was dampened by the morning's events, but he knew he needed to keep his energy up for the journey ahead.
As he nibbled on the bland fare, Max couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. It wasn't just the anger of Scarlet's antics troubling him, there was a knot of worry tightening in his gut. He had no idea what lies ahead on the road to Arroon City, and the thought of facing it all with a Pokémon who seemed hell-bent on making his life difficult, as well as her own, was daunting to say the least.
With a resigned sigh, Max called out to Scarlet, his voice steady despite the tension that thrummed between them. "Scarlet, come over here."
The crimson Gardevoir turned her head, her sapphire eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of Max sitting primly on the forest floor. {(Why should I?)} she replied, her tone dripping with disdain. {(Are you going to try poisoning me again with your ridiculous human food?)}
Max's jaw clenched, feeling down yet glad that he didn’t tarnish her had she not told him about what certain human foods could do to pokemon. "I’m still learning here, okay?!" he said defensively, his fingers tightening around the packet of treats. "I didn't exactly go into all this with any research. Can you really blame me for not knowing everything there is about you guys?"
Scarlet sauntered over, her gown flowing around her like a blood-red tide. {(Yes I can, because you're clueless,)} she spat, her gaze fixed on the packet in his hand. {(You have no idea how to care for a Pokémon, let alone one as powerful and intelligent as me.)}
The words stung, but Max held his ground. "Tell me something helpful for once, maybe that time will come," he said, opening the packet and extending it towards her. "Anyway, you need to eat. We've got a long day ahead of us."
Scarlet eyed the trail mix warily, as if expecting them to sprout fangs and bite her. {(And why should I trust you?)} she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. {(This could be another deadly snack for all I know.)}
Max's patience was wearing thin, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Because I'm your trainer, and whether you like it or not, we're in this together. You and I both know that you’re starving here."
The Gardevoir scoffed as she turned her back to Max. {(Then let's get a move on, already. I’d rather not indulge myself with whatever you disgusting humans consider as food nowadays.)} she said, her tone brusque.
Max bristled at the insult, but he chose to ignore it. He slung his backpack over his shoulder, his eyes meeting Scarlet's in a silent challenge. "After you," he said, gesturing towards the path that would lead them to Arroon City.
As they set off, the tension between them was palpable. They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts with the only sounds being the crunching of leaves underneath their feet. That, and the occasional snide remark from Scarlet. Max wonders if she’ll ever stop.
{(If you can’t take care of one pokemon, how do you expect to do the same for a full party?)} she asked, her voice carrying a hint of distrust. {(Don’t even get me started on getting them to fight for you in a tournament.)}
Max rolled his eyes, his grip tightening on the straps of his backpack. "Not everything is based on how you start, Scarlet," he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How about instead of this ‘pep talk’, you tell me why the hell you entered my tent?."
Scarlet shot him a glare, her sapphire eyes flashing with annoyance as if to warn him. {(Don't get the wrong idea, human. If you weren't so brainless you would remember that this stupid collar has a short range, and it just so happened to beep in the spot I was resting. If you really thought that I was looking for your companionship, save it for someone who cares. Remember that I could keep us in these woods indefinitely and no one would even think to look for you.)}
They continued to bicker as they made their way out the dense forest, their arguments being as much a part of their journey as the path they walked.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows through the trees, Max and Scarlet pressed on towards Arroon City, their spirits as turbulent as the river that flowed beside them. They were an odd pair, to be sure—an angsty human with a dream and a troubled Pokémon with an attitude, could anything be able to mix their oil and water spirits?
The midday sun beats down on the winding road, casting long, distorted shadows. Max squints against the glare, the back of his shirt sticking to his skin with sweat. He glances at Scarlet, her gait steady and unhurried, the picture of grace under the oppressive heat.

"Can't you at least pretend to be affected by how damn hot it is?" Max grumbles, swiping at the beads of perspiration on his forehead.
Scarlet shoots him a withering look. {(Ha! This is nothing compared to what I've endured. But by all means, keep huffing and sweating like a pig, it brings me joy.)} she retorts, her voice dripping with disdain.
Max rolls his eyes, feeling the familiar surge of irritation. "Well, if we don’t find some proper shade soon, we’re both gonna pass out from heat stroke. I hardly believe you won’t get dehydrated from all this."
{(Spare me your human frailties.)} Scarlet snaps, her eyes flashing. {(I've withstood the harsh wilderness and the dangers it holds. This is nothing.)}
Their bickering continued, each volley escalating in intensity. Max's temper flares at Scarlet's arrogance, and he finds himself lashing out more to provoke her than to express any genuine sentiment.
"I’d never thought I’d say this, but you are just the most insufferable, pompous, bitch of a gardevoir I’ve ever met!" Max says, his words sharp.
Scarlet halts, her crimson hair seeming to bristle with indignation. {(And you believe your company is any more desirable?)} She retorts, her voice reverberating inside his head. {(You're as insufferable as this heat, human.)}
Max scoffs, his hands clenched at his sides. "At least I'm trying to make this journey bearable for the both of us. You, on the other hand, thrive on the idea of making my life a living hell all the while! And you act as if you’re doing me a favor, no less!"
Scarlet sneers, her eyes narrowing. {(Please, the only favor I owe you is not leaving you to rot in the bushes.)}
Their arguing attracts the attention of a passing Pokémon, a Loudred, its large ears twitching in curiosity. Max, noticing the creature, hastily tries to defuse the situation.
"Look, Scarlet, we're making a scene. Can we just—?"
Scarlet cuts him off with a derisive snort. {(Oh, what's the matter? Embarrassed that your pokémon doesn't obey your every command?)}
Max grits his teeth and breathes through them, his patience wearing thin along with his sanity. "You're not my pokémon," he corrects her through clenched teeth. "You're...my partner."
Scarlet lets out a harsh laugh. {(Partner? Ha! You can hardly keep up with me, let alone be my equal.)}
Their argument is only fueled by the heat, each word a spark that threatens to ignite their already volatile relationship. Max, feeling the sting of her words, retaliates with a jab of his own.
"You know what, Scarlet? Just be glad that you got stuck with me instead of someone who would take advantage of you. I bet those PMC-looking guys from the other day had that same idea."
Scarlet's eyes blaze with fury, her fists clenched at her sides. {(I am not “stuck” with you, human. I am merely biding my time until I can rid myself of this accursed collar, then I’ll show those PMC’s the monster they’ve created.)}

Their standoff is suddenly interrupted by the rumble of Max's stomach. He flushed with embarrassment, the sound a stark reminder of his humanity amidst their battle of wills.
{(Great.)} Scarlet mutters, rolling her eyes. {(Now I have to endure the indignity of your bodily functions?)}
Max, seizing the opportunity to change the subject, reaches into his bag and pulls out a piece of fruit. "Here," he says, holding it out to her. "C’mon, just eat for the love of God."
Scarlet recoils as if he's offered her a poisonous berry. {(I do not eat processed pebbles.}) she spits, her pride wounded.
"It's not processed, it’s-," Max retorts, frustration creeping into his voice. "It's just nuts and dried berries. We need to keep our energy up if we're going to make it to Arroon City."
Scarlet turns her nose up at the fruit, her expression one of utter disdain. {(I require no sustenance from you, human. My strength is not so easily depleted.)}
Max, feeling the weight of defeat, sighs heavily and takes a bite of the fruit himself. The sweet juice does little to improve his mood, the tension between them as palpable as the heat.
As the afternoon wears on, their arguments only grew more petty and vindictive. Max's constant attempts to offer Scarlet food or water were met with increasing hostility, her insults growing more creative and cruel with each refusal.

{(Just how many times are you going to offer your charity to me?)} Scarlet hisses, her eyes glinting with malice. {(I am a Gardevoir, you insignificant worm. I do not rely on the scraps of others.)}
Max, his temper finally snapping, hurls the fruit into the underbrush, his chest heaving with anger. "That’s it! You wanna starve to death?! Your choice!"
Scarlet smirks, her victory apparent in her posture. {(A wise decision, human. Perhaps next time, you'll think twice before offering me your pathetic attempts at kindness.)}
“Oh, I’m done trying to be kind to you, Scarlet. Either you get some food in that belly or I will cram some down your throat by force!” He shouted before turning his back to her, walking in silence in an attempt to calm himself down.

Their journey continued with a tense aura in the air, the only sounds being the crunching of gravel as well as more jabs from Scarlet at Max’s expense. His mind races with thoughts of how he might earn Scarlet's respect, or at the very least her tolerance.

After a long walk and resting atop of a hill, Max's eyes catch the distant silhouette of Arroon City against the setting sun. The sight injects a fresh surge of adrenaline into his veins, the first leg of their journey is nearly conquered, leaving him more eager to reach the city's sanctuary before nightfall.
As they descend the hill's slope, a burly figure in a tank top lounging under a tree comes into focus. From what Max could tell, he was roughly in his late 20s with muscles that bulged like coiled serpents, and he greeted them with a predatory smirk. Just keep walking and mind your own business, Max thought. Hopefully he’s one of those thugs who would talk shit to everyone, but then again, he’s got Scarlet, a red gardevoir, trailing behind him.
"Well, well, well," he drawls, his voice a gravelly rumble as he approaches the pair. "What's a twink like you doing with a Voir like that?" He gestures at Scarlet with a lazy flick of his wrist. "Seems like a mismatch if you ask me. Why don't you hand her over to me, huh? I’m sure there’s a lucky Pidgey in the next town waiting for ya."
Max's jaw tightens at the implication, but he tries to avoid any further confrontation nonetheless. "Er- Sorry, but I'm good, all things considered. Gotta make it to the city before dark."
The guy's grin fades, replaced by a hard stare. "Maybe you don’t understand, kid. This ain't a request. Hand over that Gardevoir, now." His hand drops to the hilt of a knife tucked into his waistband.
Scarlet's eyes narrow, a sly grin spreading across her face. {(Aww, are the humans gonna fight over me? Well, watching them fighting amongst themselves is entertaining in its own right, so I’ll just be perched right up there. Have fun~.)} she says, nodding towards a sturdy-looking tree.
Max shoots her a pleading look. "Scarlet, as much as I hate to admit this to you, you're kind of needed here. I can’t take this guy, and you remember what happens if I bite the dust, right? That cute necklace of yours goes boom boom, and Scarlet goes bye bye."
The brute's grip tightened around Max's throat, his fingers digging into the tender flesh like iron talons. The edge of the knife glinted ominously against the fabric of Max's shirt. “C-Come on, please!” Each breath became a struggle, a rasping plea for air as Max's windpipe begged for mercy under the thief's relentless hand. His vision blurred at the edges, the world shrinking to the cold menace in the thief's eyes.
"You don’t gotta complicate things, kid. Either hand over the Pokéball," the thief snarled, spittle flying from his lips. "Or I'll gut you like a fucking fish."
Max's gaze locked onto Scarlet, his eyes screaming for her intervention, tears carving hot trails down his cheeks. His lungs begging for air at every breath.
Scarlet rolled her eyes, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips. {(Fucking- this clown's gonna get us killed…)} she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with a mix of annoyance and resignation. She stepped forward, her footless legs clicking sharply against the pavement. {(Fine, you muscle-bound ape. Let's get this over with before your idiocy becomes contagious.)}
Scarlet's eyes narrowed, a flicker of concentration dancing across her features as she attempted to conjure a shadow ball. The dark energy sputtered, unable to fully form due to the oppressive collar clamped around her slender neck. A mere wisp of the intended destructive force materialized—a diminutive sphere, its potency tragically stifled.
{(Damn this collar and the filth who built it!)} she fumed, her voice bearing a low growl that resonated with frustration. {(If this is the best I can do, then I best conserve my energy. Guess it’s time for a good old-fashioned ass-kicking; up close and personal, just the way I like it.)}
With a burst of agility, Scarlet launched herself into the air. Her leg extended in a graceful arc, a ballet of brutality poised to strike. The thief never saw it coming; her foot connected with his shoulder in a perfect flying kick with such form that was on par with a Hitmonlee. The impact sent him sprawling, a grunt of pain escaping his lips as he tumbled to the ground.
Free from the almost deadly grip on his neck, Max fell to the ground trying to catch his lost breath. In the meantime, Scarlet got between Max and the bandit."So you decided to get into the fight afterall. And here I thought you didn't give a shit about your trainer..."
Scarlet didn't give the imbecile in front of her the luxury of responding. She just stared at him, clenched her fists and donned a fighting stance, ready to throw down despite her restrictions. This only made the thug scoff. “Please, you think I’m dumb enough to take you on by myself? Any pokemon can kill a human if they wanted to…” he states as he took out a pokeball from his belt compartment, covered in scratches. “Luckily, this one I got here’s got a better victim in mind.
The brute tossed it into the air, and a pumped-up Houndoom materialized in front of him, resembling the pokeball he was kept in as his body was covered in scars. That mutt looks like he’s seen better days, Scarlet thought. He growled menacingly at her as she noticed the dirty fur, a broken horn, and the claw-like appendages on his body having visible cracks all over. While he stared at the gardevoir with restrained hatred, the houndoom’s trainer tossed Max to the side, paying more attention to the battle.
“Asmodeus, maim that gardevoir as much as you want, but keep her alive. Make sure she’s still breathing so we can fix her up and sell her later. But most importantly, have fun~,” the nameless thug ordered, his houndoom snarling in acknowledgement.
{(Shit, why did it have to be a dark type? If only I had some of my power...)} Scarlet muttered to herself, keeping up her facade so she doesn’t lose her focus or give her opponents anything to exploit. Instead, she resumed her usual bravado and opted to taunt them instead to throw them off their game. {(Your scars ain’t worth shit, you feral mutt. If you’re not gonna fight then I’ll happily remove that ugly look off your face… literally.)}
The insult proved to work a little too well, resulting in the houndoom lunging towards her with such speed and fury. Scarlet barely dodged the oncoming fire fang, only to get slashed in the arm immediately after with his claws. Now with a substantial wound on her arm, all she could do was hiss in pain as the dark pokemon attacked her again with ruthless aggression. She would dodge him at every attempt, but there was not much she could do to counterattack.{(Fuck! I won't last much longer at this rate.)} She thought to herself, glancing at Max who looked completely lost and helpless. While the houndoom’s trainer was ordering him to keep up the pressure, Max darted his eyes around in a cold sweat, unable to come up with anything to improve their situation. {(Dammit, human! If I die because of your uselessness, I hope that houndoom guts out your intestines!)} She screamed inside Max's mind, sounding extremely angry with a hint of fear in her tone.
All while this was happening, at the same time Scarlet was venting her frustrations to Max, the boy's pokedex vibrated in his pocket. No one had noticed this, however, additionally as an LED display on Scarlet’s collar flashed to life. It was a loading bar with the number ten next to it, gradually counting down as the bars went out right-to-left until only three remained. Just as that happened, a surge of power coursed through the gardevoir’s body, producing a shockwave of pressure that sent the houndoom tumbling back. What he, his trainer, and Max witnessed next was a sight to behold.
Scarlet had begun lifting herself off the ground as she felt control over her body for the first time in a while. Her hair and dress flowed in the wind, the sapphire color in her eyes glowed brightly, and her psychic power was growing by the second. She had to take a moment to contemplate if this was really happening, looking down at her palms and clenching them to get a feel for this sudden surge of energy. Then her face began to twist, a sinister and devilish smile formed as she stared down her foes, their confidence now starting to waver. The gardevoir then grabbed her wounded arm and with the flick of her glowing hand, healed the gashes until the stains of blood were all that remained. Before the thug could order his houndoom to attack again, Scarlet was already in front of them, projecting herself into their minds to instill as much fear into them as possible with sadistic laughter. {(...Remember what I told you? I’ve got something better in mind. So shut up and watch!)}
Scarlet’s crazed smile never faltered as she made the houndoom float high above them with a flick of her fingers. Even as she gave chase and glided through the air in hot pursuit with a violet hue, she never took her eyes off his trainer, as if to send him a frightening message. Not even looking at the dark type in her psychic grasp, the gardevoir sent him plunging down in front of the thug with another wave of her hand, resulting in a small explosion from the force of impact. What was once a feral mutt hell-bent on tearing into her, now is but a mere puppet at Scarlet’s mercy, lying in a crater and unable to move thanks to the gravity field she made.
Or rather, what was left of him. Scarlet had plunged him so hard that his body splattered and quite literally exploded into a pile of bloodied limbs and bones. This was a testament to her ruthless retribution, and the arrogant thug looked like he was about to wet himself from how scared he was. How could he not? He just witnessed this red gardevoir kill his pokemon, easily. "H-Holy shit… O-Okay, m-message received. I-I’ll leave you alone! I’l disappear! Y-You’ll never see me ever again!" he stammered, practically begging for his life however he can.
Scarlet leans in, inches away from his face as her breath mingled with his. She kept looking at him with a toothy grin and spoke to him in an unsettling, soothing tone that betrayed her face.{(D’aww, what’s wrong tough guy? Are you really gonna leave me be, do whatever I want without you causing trouble?)}

"Y-yes, I swear on Arceus himself! I-I won’t even call the cops on you! Just don’t-" The thug nodded before feeling his neck being grabbed by a three-fingered hand. If he wasn’t shaking from fear before, he was now.
{(Why bring Arceus into this? He’s got nothing to do with any of this…)}Scarlet whispered to him, her glare hardening into a merciless gleam as she expressed her malicious intent, much to the thug’s gagged pleas. {(But since you brought him up, would you like to speak to him? ‘Cus I can send you his way… Right now~!)}
Placing one of her hands on the thief's abdomen, Scarlet conjured a Shadow Ball inside his guts, the experience making him scream in agony. She removed her still opened hand from her victim's abdomen, causing him to heel over and grab his torso in an attempt to cope with the pain. A cruel snap of her fingers echoed, and before he could make another plea, the Shadow Ball detonated. His upper body erupted in a grotesque display of gore, his blood painting Scarlet in a grisly crimson shower while the remnants of the man rained down around her, painting the grim scene in shades of carnage and retribution.
Still giddy with the thrill of regaining a fraction of her power, Scarlet, still dripping in blood, turned her attention to Max, who was still cowering during the whole thing. He had witnessed the entire gruesome spectacle and spoke to her in a tone that had more sadness than fear, albeit not by much."...W-What the hell? Y-You’re not a gardevoir… What did those bastards turn you into?"

{(Wouldn’t you like to know~...)} Scarlet responded, her voice laced with a hint of excitement behind her cold tone.
Max braced himself for the worst before his pokédex buzzed twice, snapping him out of his daze. Scarlet, still dripping in blood, began to feel her power draining as the energy bars on her collar crept back up again to full. This caused her to lose her ability to levitate and returned to the ground with a soft thud, the terrifying power she once had now dissipating.
{(What?! No… Not now…! I had just got my-)} she growled, her bloodlust replaced with anger before feeling a sudden prick on the inside of her neck where her collar was lodged.
What happened next confused both parties. Scarlet found herself experiencing a wave of positive emotions she’s never felt before; joy, compassion, peace of mind, etc. These feelings were so sudden and overwhelming that her former negative thoughts vanished, causing her to rush over to Max and extend her hand to him. Max, on the other hand, had a hard time believing this. One minute, she was this fucked up monster, the next she’s all… calm. Composed, kind, concerned for his well-being. Is he being pranked right now? Was all that negativity and pride just an act? Does she have a split personality?{(Max... Max, are you okay? Say something! H-Here…)} Scarlet called to him as she took his hand to help him up. Right as she did, her newfound worry for her trainer faded as quickly as it came. The real Scarlet, or at least what Max had come to know, had returned which made her punch him back to the ground, questioning her actions.{(W-What the fuck did I just did say?! What the hell is happening to me?! W-Was I really about to-... Hey! Don’t think this changes anything!)}
"Yeah I’m fine, thanks for asking Scarlet…" Max grumbled as he got up again.
He took the pokedex out of his pocket to get some answers, wondering why it was vibrating like that before Scarlet went all ballistic. Turns out, they were alerting him with automated messages, consisting of various warnings and readings similar to the LEDs on her collar. It wasn’t until after he read their contents that he figured out what was going on.
“Scarlet, come over here!” he ushered her urgently.
{(GO TO HELL!)} she screamed, making Max roll his eyes at her attitude change.
“No, seriously! You wanna know what that was all about? Come see for yourself!” he reiterated with Scarlet reluctantly complying as they both looked at the pokedex. There, they both saw messages from a sender bearing the official logo of the Radosian government. Inspecting all of its contents, the pair saw a digital affirmation of a completed task, a summary of Scarlet’s combat performance, and most importantly, a display of her collar injecting something into her neck. “‘Restraint level three released.’ ‘Threat eliminated.’ ‘Trainer rescue protocol initiated.’ ‘Reward depleted, resume restraint level ten?’”
While Max’s mind was flooded with more questions than answers, Scarlet's bristled with indignation, a newfound fury ignited towards her controllers.
{(Those bastards! Who do they think they are, controlling me like that. Just wait until their “puppet” breaks free of her strings, and what's with these so-called “rewards”? They force me protect this flesh bag and give me some sort of happiness drug?!)}
Max watched the tempest brewing behind her eyes, and tried to quell the rage with reason. "Calm down, Scarlet. Maybe this is their way of letting you tap into your powers when it matters. As for these ‘rewards’, it could be an incentive to be more positive on your own. Do good deeds, that sort of thing?"
Her laughter was sharp and her response oozing with sarcasm. {(Oh, sure, good deeds all around! Maybe we’ll end up as superheroes and save meowths stuck in trees for a living- Shut the fuck up. Next time your ass is in trouble and my powers come back, I’m leaving you for dead.)}
Max shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping him, but not without a sly grin. He reached out to her and tapped the collar that lay snug around her neck—a stark reminder of the consequences should he meet an untimely end. "You've got a shitty memory for a psychic type, you know that?" he remarked, his tone a blend of exasperation and affection.
Scarlet's voice was a low growl as she knew he was right, no matter how much she despised all of this. "{(Fuck you…)}"
"I believe you meant to say ‘thank you’," Max smirked, turning away from her to survey the scene with a grimace. "Alright, now we clean up this goddamn mess. Don’t want anyone stumbling onto our little... whatever the fuck this is."
Scarlet huffed. {(Call it damage control. Besides, you started it by not defending yourself against that thug. )} she retorted. Her telekinesis was weakened but she was able to levitate the debris and rearrange it to cover up the environmental damage.
Max rolled his shoulders while helping her. "And you're the one who took it to the extreme to finish it, as usual. Don’t forget, we've got a reputation to uphold. Can't roll into Arroon looking like we've been through a meat grinder." He gestured to her blood-spattered form. "We need to find a river or something, you're a walking crime scene."
Scarlet's eyes narrowed, but she didn't argue. They both knew the drill. Appearances mattered, especially when you were trying to keep a low profile. {(Fine. But I’m making you pay for any permanent stains, got it?)}
Max chuckled, the sound echoing through the quiet woods. "Sure, whatever. Let's move.
They were just a stone's throw from the city's edge when Max spotted a secluded pond tucked away from the main drag. Shallow, a little dirty, but clear enough to get some washing done, especially Scarlet. The pond itself looked just deep enough for someone to kneel down in. It wasn't much, but they could make it work
"Careful on those rocks," Max cautioned, extending a hand to help steady her.
Scarlet ignored him, of course. She stepped onto the slick stones with an air of defiance, her pride as stubborn as a dragon type.Her foot slipped in a moment of instant karma, the world slowing as she tumbled into the pond. Her legs splayed, the water splashed, and her gown billowed out. For that short moment, the world was privy to a sight so intimate, so raw, that Max's breath hitched in his throat.
Her soft, pink folds, framed by the stark contrast of her alabaster skin, were on full display to him. It was a sight that shot to his core, sending a jolt of desire through his body once again. His pants tightened with the sudden, unbidden arousal, a reaction that left him flushed with embarrassment.
Scarlet was quick to register the situation. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she crossed her legs and shielded her exposed sex. A single word, sharp as a whip, cut through the air.
{(Pervert.)} she hissed, the venom in her voice matched only by the heat in her gaze. She continued to wash herself despite her ire and chose to forget about it, Max too.
The sun had already set, and the night was starry when Max and Scarlet entered the city. Arroon City was a small town compared to the other cities in the region, serving only as a resting point on the route to Rhoa Town. The streets were not very busy at night, and most of the shops had already closed, leaving only a few convenience stores, 24-hour pharmacies, and inns. With very few people and Pokémon walking the streets at this time of day, no one paid any mind to the fact that Max had a red Gardevoir by his side. The city's lights cast a warm glow over the cobblestone streets, and the faint sound of music drifted from a nearby tavern. The air was cool and breezy, a welcome respite from the day's heat.
"Hey I was thinking, we should at least get a good night's sleep at an in or something. There’s one nearby and since the next two days will be on the road, we’re gonna need it," Max proposed as he observed his surroundings, pulling out his map in the process to find the closest one.
Scarlet ignored the boy's comment and shrugged her shoulders. {(Not like I can go against your wishes anyways, so do whatever the hell you want. I don't give a damn! If you can't handle life in the wilds, then you really are a sheltered twink...)}
Max took a deep breath once again, visibly fed up with Scarlet's attitudes. "Whatever, sorry for sharing my plans with my partner..."
Scarlet just scoffed and crossed her arms.{(How many times do I have to say it? You’re not my trainer, and I’m not your partner.)}
Scarlet was interrupted by a repeated response of “I know” from Max, the latter deprived of emotion. Nonetheless, Max continued onward until they reached a small and simple inn. Upon entering, he deduced that a cozy place like this should fit his already-tight budget. The sign above the door had its paint chipped and faded as it creaked in the gentle breeze. The inside was rather roomy too, with a fire crackling in the hearth and the smell of stew wafting from the kitchen. A round, friendly-faced woman greeted them from behind the counter.
"Welcome, dearie," she said with a warm smile. "Looking for a room for the night?"
Max nodded, fishing out the necessary money from his wallet. "Yes, please. Just one room and two meals, if you please."
The innkeeper's smile didn't falter, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she glanced at Scarlet. "Of course, dear. We're used to all sorts here, so your special red friend is welcome too."
Max thanked her and took the key, leading Scarlet up the creaky stairs to their room. It was small but clean, with only a single bed and a small couch as furniture, both of which looked like they’ve seen better days. A window overlooked the quiet street below, and the moonlight streamed in, casting long shadows across the wooden floor.
Scarlet immediately made a beeline for the couch, sprawling out with an air of indifference. "I'll sleep here," she declared, not bothering to look at Max.
Max sighed, rubbing his temples as he sat down on the bed. The mattress groaned under his weight, making him wonder how long it had been since it had last been changed. Or if the frame was on the verge of breaking. "Suit yourself," he muttered, trying to keep his frustration in check. "Dinner should be here soon."
When the food arrived, Max dug in with gusto, giving thanks for the hot meal after a long day’s travel. Scarlet, however, turned her nose up at the plate set before her. {(Did you already forget I don’t eat human food?)} she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
Max rolled his eyes, taking a bite of his stew. "It’s a pokemon-safe meal, but whatever. If you don’t want it, more for me."
Max then ate in silence, the tension between them palpable. He could feel Scarlet's gaze on him, but he refused to meet her eyes. He was tired of the constant bickering and relentless animosity, already looking forward to the day he receives his new starter. All the guy wanted was a moment of peace, a chance to regroup and plan for the days ahead. At this point, Scarlet could sulk alone in the corner for all he cares. Unless he’s in another life-or-death situation, so… he’ll take the good with the bad.
After finishing his meal, Max stood up and stretched, feeling the weariness of the day seep into his bones. "I'm going to take a shower," he announced, grabbing a change of clothes from his bag. "Try not to cause any trouble while I'm gone."
Scarlet snorted but didn't reply, choosing instead to focus on the moonlight filtering through the window. Max shook his head and headed for the bathroom, taking off his clothes with the sound of running water serving as a temporary calm to his frayed nerves. When he returned, Scarlet was still on the couch, her posture rigid and her eyes closed shut. Max couldn't tell if she was asleep or dozing, not that he cared. He climbed into bed, the sheets cool against his skin, and closed his eyes, waiting for sleep to claim him.
The night was mostly quiet, save for the occasional creak of the old inn and the distant sound of laughter from the tavern below. Probably just late night drinkers having a good time. Unlike the night before, Max found himself tossing and turning, his thoughts providing a constant whirlwind of doubt and uncertainty. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was in way over his head, that he had no business being a Pokémon trainer, let alone trying to bond with a creature as complex and volatile as Scarlet.
He thought back to that chick at the Werra Town train station who told him that nothing in life was certain, that you’ll never make it if you don’t give it your all. He also thought back to what Scarlet said soon after he released her. “Either he goes through with it or he doesn’t.” As crude as the advice was, she wasn’t exactly wrong, neither of them were. And the luxury of the time wasn’t exactly on his side, nor were the circumstances. Max didn’t have much of a choice, and even though he lacked the means of being a proper trainer, he’d have to bide his time and hunker down his efforts on making it so. Despite his odds, he can’t shake this feeling that he has to go through with this, and make it out on top.
Meanwhile, Scarlet laid still across the room, her mind racing with thoughts of her own. She resented the collar that bound her to Max, a constant reminder of her captivity at the hands of her true captors. She longed for that freedom, for the chance to return to the wild where she belonged. The gardevoir could see it now; A life where it was truly her own to live, where no one would dare challenge her to battle, or tell her what to do, or look down on her or see her as anything less of a living being. But for now, she was forcefully stuck with this human. A human who stood in the line of fire like a fool. Even after hearing him give the same claim to her over and over, she had a hard time believing him. In her eyes, he’s gotta be plotting something, like all the other humans. He’s probably waiting for the right chance to take advantage of her. Then again, there were multiple chances presented to him in the time they’ve been together, yet he didn’t. Something about this doesn’t feel right, and the sooner she’s rid of this cursed collar, the better.
As the night wore on, the two drifted off to sleep. One had dreams about the upcoming journey and what lies ahead, and the other haunted by memories of a life before captivity. Both of which were restless in their own right, lost in their own thoughts during their first night in Arroon City.
The dawn's first light cast a soft glow over the city, making the world slowly stir from its slumber. The faint chirping of birds mingled with the gentle hum of the city awakening, a symphony of morning sounds that crept through the window of the modest inn. Max, roused from his dreams by the insistent sunlight, blinked groggily, rubbing the crust from his eyes. The bed creaked beneath him as he stretched, feeling the pleasant of a night spent in a proper bed despite his lazy demeanor. His gaze drifted across the room to where Scarlet lay curled up on the couch, her breathing even and her features softened by her own slumber.
Despite her prickly nature and the countless bickering they'd had, Max couldn't help but feel a twinge of fondness for the Gardevoir. Sure, she was a prick, but there was an undeniable beauty in the way her chest rose and fell gently, the way her hair spilled over the couch cushions like a crimson waterfall. Even in sleep, she exuded her elegance undiminished by the cramped and less-than-luxurious surroundings.
As to not disturb her from her moments of peace, Max quietly rose from the bed and padded across the room to the small, adjoining bathroom. He closed the door with a soft click, leaving Scarlet to her dreams. Twenty minutes later, Max emerged from the bathroom, a cloud of steam trailing behind him. He toweled off his damp hair, his mind preoccupied with the day ahead. It wasn't until he stepped into the bedroom and caught sight of Scarlet that he was jolted back to reality.
There she was, still lying on the couch, but now awake and regarding him with a look of bemused annoyance. Max's heart skipped a beat as he realized his predicament. He stood there, naked as the day he was born, his flaccid member just inches from Scarlet's face. The towel he'd been using to dry his hair hung limply in his hand, oblivious to the fact that he was sharing the room with another.
Scarlet's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she composed herself. {(Seriously? Do you often greet people with... that?)} she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. There was a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth, as if she found the whole situation mildly amusing.
Max spluttered, his face turning a brilliant shade of red. "Y-You weren’t supposed to—" he stammered, hastily wrapping the towel around his waist. His mind raced with embarrassment.
Scarlet raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of annoyance and grudging admiration. {(Hmph, typical…)} she muttered, sitting up and stretching languidly. {(No sense of decency.)}
“Tch, says the gardevoir who pissed in my face yesterday…” Max mumbled, his gaze fixed firmly on the floor. He hurried over to his bag and rummaged around for a change of clothes, his movements clumsy and rushed in an effort to ignore the awkwardness. All the while, he could feel Scarlet's eyes on him, her laughter echoing in his ears.
Once dressed, Max turned to face Scarlet, his embarrassment slowly giving way to irritation. "Hey, you didn’t catch me laughing at your crotch when you fell yesterday, did I?" he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest with a sigh. That got her to stop laughing. " Anyways, we've got a long day ahead of us, so let's get moving."
Scarlet rolled her eyes but didn't argue, opting instead to rise from the couch. {(Fine, but I'm not carrying your 'bag' for you,)} she retorted, giving Max a pointed look.
Max snorted, shaking his head in exasperation. "Didn’t think so," he replied, hoisting his backpack onto his shoulder. He glanced around the room one last time, making sure they hadn't left anything behind, before heading for the door.
As they made their way downstairs and out into the bustling streets of Arroon City, Max and Scarlet put the awkward morning encounter behind them. The sun was already high in the sky, its rays casting long shadows along the cobblestone paths. The city was alive with activity, the air filled with the sounds of chatter and the clinking of cutlery as people enjoyed their breakfasts at outdoor cafes, some with their respective pokemon.
The pair navigated through the crowded streets, their destination clear in Max's mind. They needed supplies for the journey ahead, and Max was looking for the right place to get them. As they walked, he couldn't help but steal glances at Scarlet, her fiery hair standing out against the sea of faces. Despite their contentious relationship, he had to admit that there was something about her that commanded his attention. He didn’t want to win her heart or anything of that matter, only her respect, which he needed if he wanted to prove himself worthy of being her trainer.
They eventually arrived at a bustling marketplace, the air rich with the aromas of fresh produce and baked goods. Max led Scarlet through the maze of stalls, his eyes scanning the assortment of items on display. He haggled with vendors over the prices of food and water, ensuring they had enough to last a few days on the road.
Scarlet watched with a mixture of curiosity and disdain, her gaze occasionally drifting to the collar around her neck. It was a constant reminder of her bondage, a symbol of the control Max held over her. Well, as much control as a nobody from a small town had, yet despite her resentment, she couldn't deny the unbecoming feeling of respect that she was fighting against for the human. Resilient or stubborn, she can’t decide which is worse.
As they prepared to leave Arroon City behind, Max turned to Scarlet with a determined look in his eyes. "Alright, we're going to begin our journey to Rhoa Town. Find that guild, get a new member, and make some cash before we do anything else," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. "Will it be too much to ask that we do so as mutual partners without any drama or arguing?"
Scarlet merely huffed in response, which the way Max saw it, wasn’t exactly a “no,” therefore the best response he’ll get from her. With their supplies packed, the two set off towards Rhoa Town.
The midday sun beat down on Max and Scarlet as they trudged along the dusty path leading to Rhoa Town. The landscape around them was a patchwork of rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and dense forests, painting a scene that seemed at odds with the tension simmering between the unlikely pair. Max, with his backpack slung over one shoulder, led the way, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Scarlet followed a few steps behind, her fiery hair a stark contrast against the greenery.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Max called for a halt upon spotting a large oak tree, eager to escape the relentless heat. Its leaves provided a welcome respite from the sun, and there were no other living souls in the vicinity to jump them. He unshouldered his backpack and began to rummage through it, pulling out a small bundle of food and two water bottles.
Scarlet eyed the food warily, her distrust of humans extending to their culinary habits. {(Are we really doing this shit again?)} she spat, turning her head away in disgust.
Max sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Scarlet, for the love of God… We've been walking for hours, and for the entire time I’ve known you, I’ve yet to see you eat or drink anything. For all I know, your body could already be eating itself just to function."
{(And why should I trust anything you give me?)} Scarlet retorted, her sapphire eyes flashing with defiance. {(For all I know, your lack of pokemon knowledge could end up killing me because of your attempts to feed me processed human foods.)}
Max rolled his eyes, exasperated by her relentless bickering. "Are you still on tha- I just want to make sure you're getting enough to eat. I don’t care how strong you think you are, you can't keep going on like this."
Scarlet scoffed, her pride stung by the implication that she needed human assistance. {(I've survived this long without your help, and I'll continue to do so. I told you, I don't need your pity.)}
Max screamed with frustration inside his mind before taking a deep breath and responding. "This isn't about pity, Scarlet. I’m supposed to take care of you, and you’re supposed to protect me. That’s how this team works, remember?"
{(You still think we’re a team?)} Scarlet echoed, a harsh laugh. {(We're nothing more than captor and captive. Don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise.)}
Max winced at her words, feeling the sting of her distrust. He knew that building a rapport with Scarlet would take time, but her constant hostility was wearing him down. "I'm trying here, Scarlet. I'm trying to do right by you, but you make it so damn difficult. If this were any other pokemon who’s stubborn by nature, then yeah, I’d understand their distrust. You, however, are actively damaging yourself for reasons that I just don’t get!"
Scarlet's gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of something akin to understanding passing over her features. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced once again by her usual wall of indifference. {(You want to do right by me? Then let me go. Release me from this accursed collar, and I’ll show you that I don’t need anyone..)}
Max looked away, his gaze settling on the distant mountains. He knew that releasing Scarlet wasn't his call, not if he wanted to keep his promise to Professor Brook. But he also knew that keeping her against her will was a surefire way to ensure her continued animosity. Not to mention the possibility that if he released her, those PMC’s will just track her down and catch her again, and who knows what they’d do to him for letting her go. "I can't do that, Scarlet. You know why I can't."
Scarlet's lips curled into a sneer, her voice dripping with contempt. {(Of course you can't. Because at the end of the day, you're just like all the other humans—selfish, cowardly, and weak.)}
Max felt his temper flare, his patience worn thin by Scarlet's relentless barbs. "You know what, Scarlet? You're not the only one who's frustrated here. I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be saddled with a pokémon who hates me for saving her life, and I sure as hell didn't ask to have my life turned upside down. We both could’ve been much worse off if things ended differently back at the lab, but here we are. We've been given a chance and we’ve got to make the best of it."
Scarlet crossed her arms over her chest, her posture defiant. {(And yet, you continue to delude yourself into thinking that you can tame me, that you can bend me to your will. You're mistaken, Max. I am not some docile creature to be led around on a leash.)}
Max threw his hands up in exasperation. "I’m trying to help you, goddammit! You’re an all-powerful psychic type, I get it, that’s already been established. I’m trying to make our lives easier, mostly yours, but apparently your head’s so far up your ass that you can’t see that!"
Their heated exchange was interrupted by the rustling of leaves, drawing their attention to a small group of Pidgey fluttering in the branches above. The sight of the peaceful pokémon seemed to have diffused some of the tension before it got too heated, and for a moment, Max and Scarlet were silent, their gazes locked on the gentle creatures.
Max took advantage of the lull in their argument to unwrap the food he'd prepared. He laid out a simple meal of bread, cheese, dried fruit, and two water bottles. "Look, Scarlet, I'm going to eat. You're welcome to join me, or you can continue to starve yourself. It's your choice."
Scarlet watched as Max began to eat, her stomach growling in response to the aroma of food. She was hungry, that much was true, but her pride still took priority. To accept food from Max would be to admit a level of dependence, a weakness that she would loathe to acknowledge.
Max ate in silence, his gaze occasionally drifting to Scarlet. He could see it in her eyes that there was conflict raging within her, the struggle between her body's needs and her fierce independence. He decided to give her some space, focusing his attention on the landscape spread out before them. Minutes went by, the only sounds being the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.
After his meal, Max packed away the remnants back in his backpack. Seeing that she hadn't taken up on his offer, he stood back up stretching his arms above his head, and surveyed the path ahead. "Since you don't want to eat a thing, let’s not waste anymore time. We've still got a long way to go before we reach Rhoa Town." Max only got silence out of her, whether that was good or bad, he wasn’t sure.
The rest of the afternoon passed in relative silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Max couldn't help but feel uneasy with Scarlet's resistance to his attempts at establishing any kind of bond with her. He knew that winning her trust would be a slow and arduous process, but despite her constant rejection, he was determined to see it through. Otherwise, he’d be proving her right with all of those insults, which he hated.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, Max called for another halt. He chose a flat, clear area to set up his tent, his movements practiced and efficient. Scarlet watched from a distance, her gaze focused on the crimson orb that was her pokéball latched at Max's belt.
Once the tent was securely in place, Max began to prepare dinner, his culinary skills were limited but sufficient enough for their basic needs. He heated up a can of soup over a small camping stove, the aroma wafting through the air and mingling with the scent of pine.
Scarlet, as usual, kept away from the human, standing near a tree. Sad and irritated, Max ate in silence again with the sounds of the wilderness surrounding them. The stars twinkled above, a tapestry of light against the dark canvas of the night sky.
After dinner, Max cleaned up the campsite, ensuring that all traces of his meal were properly disposed of. He then crawled into the tent, exhaustion washing over him as he settled down for the night. Scarlet, after a few moments settled down on the outside of Max’s tent, engulfed in her thoughts while watching the fire from the bonfire dancing in front of her.
As sleep began to claim him, Max couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness as his ideas and patience to help his pokemon were wearing out.
"Guess that saying is true. ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink’…" He thought before drifting asleep.
On the next morning, a gentle warmth of the early morning sun invaded Max's tent, waking him up to another new day. The world outside was still hushed and tranquil, the only sounds being the faint chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Max rubbed the sleep from his eyes and crawled out of his tent, his gaze immediately falling on the figure of Scarlet, who was still sleeping against the side of the tent.
As he took in her slumbering form, Max couldn't help but notice how pale and frail she looked. Her chest rose and fell with the shallow rhythm of her breathing, and her usually vibrant hair seemed dull and lifeless. Her gown clung to her body in a way that accentuated her gaunt frame. It was a stark contrast to how she looked just a few days ago, and it filled him with a sense of urgency.
Determined to put an end to these gardevoirian shenanigans, Max set off in search of some berries in the nearby trees. He knew that Scarlet couldn't argue about the fact of eating human food if he provided her with sustenance that was straight from nature. After half an hour of searching, Max returned to camp with at least three different types of berries for her to choose from.
Scarlet, however, was still asleep against the tent, her breathing now punctuated by the occasional soft snore. Max's concern grew as he took in her skinny form. Her skin was pulled taut over her bones, and her rib cage was visible beneath the thin fabric of her gown. It was a shocking sight, and it only served to strengthen Max's resolve.
With a heavy heart, Max began to prepare their breakfast, his mind filled with thoughts of Scarlet's deteriorating condition. He busied himself with the tasks at hand, hoping against hope that the smell of food would rouse her from her slumber.
But Scarlet didn't wake up. Not even the crackling of the fire or the tantalizing aroma of the food seemed to penetrate her deep sleep. Frustrated and worried, Max was forced to wake up his Pokémon by force.
"Scarlet. Scarlet? Come on, wake up, it's daybreak, and there's only half a day's walk until we get to Rhoa Town," Max said, gently shaking Scarlet in an attempt to rouse her.
Slowly, Scarlet's sapphire eyes fluttered open, blinking against the morning light. She looked up at Max, her gaze clouded with confusion and fatigue. {(W-What… D-Don’t touch me, human.)} she slurred, each word a struggle to articulate.
Seeing her in such a weakened state, Max reached the limit of his patience and concern. His worry for Scarlet's well-being eclipsed any thoughts of diplomacy or patience. He took a plate and began to crush several berries that he was sure were safe to eat, creating a sort of fruit puree.
"Scarlet, I’ve had it up to here with your arrogant, stubborn, bitchy attitude! Look at yourself, you can’t even talk properly because of your stupid, selfish pride! I told you that I was gonna feed you by force if I had to, and I meant it!" Max's voice was loud and filled with a mixture of irritation and despair.
With the fruit puree prepared, Max approached Scarlet with a determined look on his face. He scooped up a spoonful of the mixture and, holding Scarlet's face with one hand, he gently but firmly placed the spoon into Gardevoir's mouth.
For a moment, Scarlet seemed too weak to resist. She chewed and swallowed the food, her eyes wide with surprise and indignation. But when Max went to put the second spoonful in her mouth, Scarlet's strength returned with a vengeance.
With a sudden burst of energy, she pushed Max's hand away, causing the spoon to fall to the ground. Her eyes blazed with fury as she struggled to her feet, her voice echoing in Max's mind with a ferocity that took him by surprise.
{(WHO THE HELL TOLD YOU TO FEED ME LIKE A DAMN INFANT?! HOW MUCH MUST I TELL YOU THAT I DON’T NEED ANYONE TO LOOK AFTER ME?! BUT YOU DON’T GET IT, NONE OF YOU HUMANS UNDERSTAND! I SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU AT THAT LAB WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE, I COULD’VE BEEN-)}
Scarlet's outburst was cut short by a sudden, violent coughing fit. Her body convulsed, and dark red blood spurted from her mouth, staining the front of her gown and splattering onto the grass. Max watched in horror as Scarlet fell to the ground, her body wracked by spasms. More blood poured from her mouth, pooling on the ground beneath her. The sight was gruesome, the reality of Scarlet's frail state laid bare in the most visceral way possible.
"Scarlet!" Max exclaimed, dropping to his knees beside her. His hands hovered over her, unsure of what to do. "Shit, I-I'm sorry, I just wanted to..."
But Scarlet was beyond hearing him. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and her convulsions grew more intense. The beautiful crimson Gardevoir, once so full of life and defiance, lay dying at Max's feet, her lifeblood seeping into the earth.
Max's hands trembled as he cradled Scarlet, her body wracked by violent spasms, her mouth a fountain of dark red blood. Desperation clawed at his chest. It was a nightmare, the kind that left you gasping for air, but this was painfully real.
"Scarlet, I—" The words choked in his throat. What could he say? Sorry? It wouldn't fix anything. With a resolve that belied his trembling fingers, Max reached for his Pokeball. The red light enveloped Scarlet, whisking her away from the grim reality of the ground and into the safety of the ball. Or so he hoped.
His pack was a mess of gear and supplies, but he didn't care. He stuffed everything in, the urgency making his movements clumsy and hurried. Rhoa Town, that was the goal. The pokemon center there was his only hope.
Max took off, the world around him became a blur of trees and sky. His feet pounded the earth, each step a prayer for Scarlet's life. Rocks and roots reached out to trip him, and the ground seemed to rise up to meet him every time he stumbled, but he pushed on. Pain seared through his muscles, and his lungs screamed for mercy, but he didn't slow down. He couldn't.
"Gotta make it," he panted, the words barely audible over the sound of his own heartbeat thundering in his ears. The fear of losing Scarlet drove him forward blindly.
The town loomed ahead as Max's vision swam. His legs threatened to give out, his lungs cramping from the intense workout, but he willed them on anyway. "Almost there, Scar," he whispered, pouring every last ounce of strength into the final sprint. He had to make it. For the sake of the life of another living being, he had to.
Max's shirt was sweat and soaked, clanged to his back as he skidded into Rhoa Town. His lungs burned, and his legs felt like jelly, but the sight of the town spurred him on. With Scarlet's Pokeball clutched tightly in his hand, he navigated the bustling streets, his eyes scanning for any giveaways that pointed the way to the Pokemon Center. Thankful for the clear signage, he sped towards the center, uncaring of the stares from passersby.
Max burst through the doors of the Pokemon Center, his eyes filled with desperation. The cool, calm interior did little to ease the panic that gripped him. Without a moment's hesitation, he bypassed the waiting trainers and rushed straight to the counter.
"Please..." Max's voice trembled as he gasped for breath. "E-Emergency... my Gardevoir... she fainted... coughed up blood..." He held out the pokeball, his eyes pleading with the nurse behind the counter. "Please, you have to help her."
The nurse, taken aback by Max's sudden appearance and clear distress, sprang into action. She took the pokeball from Max's outstretched hand and quickly ushered him towards a side room, understanding the urgency of the situation. "Wait here," she instructed, her voice calm but firm. "I’ll get her admitted."
Max nodded mutely, his eyes fixed on the door as the nurse disappeared into the adjacent room. Moments felt like hours as he stood there, his mind racing with fears and uncertainties. What if it was too late? What if he hadn't brought Scarlet in time?
The nurse returned, her face a mask of professionalism, but her eyes softening at the sight of Max's clear distress. "The doctor is examining your Gardevoir now," she said, her tone reassuring. "We'll do everything we can to help her."
She had explained to Max that Doctor Kate, a woman that had an appearance of being in her forties was currently acting as chief of staff at the pokemon center, and she was one of the best pokémon doctors recently arrived from the Unova Region, and they would do everything they could for his pokemon.
Meanwhile inside the examination room, another nurse inserted Scarlet's Pokeball into the machine. The screen flickered to life, displaying a series of graphs and numbers that only the doctor could interpret.
The doctor's eyes widened as she took in the readings. Scarlet's vital signs were dangerously low, her body teetering on the brink of collapse. The analysis machine beeped loudly, a stark warning of the Gardevoir's critical condition.
"Bring the trainer here, immediately!"
A few moments later, the door opened, and the nurse reappeared. "The doctor would like to see you now, Max," she said, gesturing for him to follow.
With a deep breath to steady himself, Max stepped into the adjacent room. His eyes immediately landed on the pokemon analysis machine, where Scarlet's pokeball rested in a specialized cradle, connected to various medical instruments. Doctor Kate, a stern woman with steel-grey hair and focused blue eyes, was analyzing the readouts intently.
"Mr. Max, thank you for bringing your pokemon to us with such urgency," She said, her voice steady, yet carrying a note of compassion. "To put it bluntly, your Gardevoir is in critical condition. She's suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration, which has led to organ failure. The blood you saw... it's a sign that her body is shutting down."
Max's heart sank at the doctor's words. He felt a tightness in his chest, a crushing pressure that made it difficult to breathe. "Is... is she going to be okay?" he managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Hate to be the beary of more bad news, but it's going to be a long, uphill battle. We’ll have to monitor her 24/7 and provide constant care, which… I can’t guarantee that she’ll pull through.. IV fluids and liquid nutrients will be her current treatment once we get her out of her pokeball, but please remain calm. You’ll see her in the same state as when you reported, so don’t expect any immediate changes."
With the push of a button, the pokeball opened and Scarlet's skeletal, pale, blood-stained and apparently lifeless body materialized on the stretcher just in front of the machine. Without delay, one of the nurses arrived with the IV bag, immediately applying it to Scarlet's arm.
But at that moment the nurse drew Doctor Kate's attention to the collar around Scarlet's neck. Doctor Kate's eyes immediately lost all compassion, which was replaced by an expression of irritation and contempt, as if she had seen that collar before.
"In the meantime," the doctor turned toward Max, "I'd like to ask you some questions while we wait. First, I would like to see your trainer’s license. Second, how exactly did you obtain this pokemon?" She removed her glasses, giving Max her undivided attention. “It’s not every day you see a shiny, much less one of a different color altogether.
Max took a deep breath, steeling himself to recount the events that led him to possess such a powerful and clearly damaged pokemon. "I… Don’t have a trainer’s license. She was given to me by the staff of professor Brook's lab back at Werra Town," he explained, his voice tinged with the anger and fear he felt that day. " I was actually on my way here to obtain my trainer’s license before anything else. I had no idea how to take care of her, and I think she was already hurt and malnourished by the time we met..."
Doctor Kate listened intently, her expression growing grave as Max recounted the turn of events that had brought Scarlet to the pokemon center. She paused to enter some notes before turning her sharp gaze back to Max.
"I see," she said, her voice cold and flat.
“And it didn’t help that she’d reject me every time I tried offering her food or water. It wasn’t until she was like this that I grabbed some berries from the bushes, made some puree and forced a spoonful into her mouth. It sounds wrong, but can you really blame me? I was under the impression that she could gather some food on her own, but I guess not…”
Doctor Kate scribbled in some notes on her clipboard. "You don’t say… Listen, kid. I don't know you, but you seem pretty decent. Not like those shadowy stooges we've spotted come through this region with their Pokémon all trussed up in these kinds of collars. But you, you just had the worst luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time." She then leans in closer to Max, her eyes narrowing. "So here's the deal; We don't want anything to do with those kinds of experiments, and for your own safety, you don’t mention that to anyone. You hear me? Nothing."
Max gulps. His eyes dart to Scarlet, and he nods. "That being said," Kate continues, "I took an oath to protect life. All life, which includes your Pokémon there." She gets up and fetches a couple of vials, placing them in a bag. "Here, take these. When the IV's run out and her body is stable, your gardevoir should be good to return to the pokeball. But after that, her survival is entirely on you, kid."
She pauses, her gaze softening slightly. "To tell you the truth, I'd ditch that Pokeball at the next lab if I were you. Let someone more qualified handle her, no offense. Trust me, you don't wanna get mixed up in whatever the hell those government types are doing, especially when you don’t have the full story. But if for some reason you're the hard-headed type and decide to stick with it, I recommend you contact this Professor Brook and ask him to put you in the system, so you can print out your license at any pokemon center. Otherwise, if you are stopped by any form of authority, you will certainly be arrested for illegally carrying a pokemon.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with spoken warnings.