I had mud in my boots.
It was pretty much all I could think about as I squelched back to the Fuchsia Gym. The asshole Ninjas had chased me all night. Sleep? What was that, did it taste good?
Fuckers. I had been forced to jump into a swamp at one point and pull off the old breathing through reeds trick I had seen on some anime just to get five minutes of them not sticking kunai into my butt.
Janine hadn’t been fooled for long though and after she purposefully plugged my reed with her finger forcing me up. I had five new holes in my butt from her chasing me around and cackling.
Hence the mud in my boots.
"You did good." She offered with a grin as she easily kept pace beside me, showing none of my exhaustion as she walked steadily to my heavy trodding steps.
"You are very mean."
"Aww come on you lasted the whole night! Father is very impressed. Now you just have to train more so you can stay fighting fit all night like me." She teased.
I glared at her, because I know for a fact she and the horde of Ninjas chasing me throughout the night had been on shifts. Staying up all night, my pitted ass.
"You suck."
"Survival training always sucks. But at least now we can be confident you can survive a night running away from angry Johtan trainers."
"I wouldn’t need to run if I had my team." I grumbled at her, but it didn’t have any heat. Knowing that you could escape from people on foot by yourself?
Well I am sure there were many trainers during the war that had either really wished they had this training, or gone through it and had a much higher chance of surviving.
So I just glared letting her know I wasn’t happy as I continued squelching up to the Gym.
At the foot of the entrance stood the beautiful woman that was actually Koga’s wife, and Janine’s mother. Her expensive and perfectly tailored Kimono hid the fact she was just as much of a ninja as Koga was.
Seriously, she might even be scarier. She had that air about her. Like she could smile at me while stabbing me in the throat at the same moment.
I greeted her with a stiff bow which she returned as she instantly attacked me with a towel.
"Blegh!" I managed to get out as she rubbed my face vigorously, Janine standing beside me giggling as Tsunade went to work on me.
I mean thankfully she wasn’t blonde and ’stacked’ so I wasn’t worried about getting flicked into the ground or anything.
"Acceptable." She said after a while as she guided me inside to the baths.
I took a long time warming up and relaxing in the waters. Aya, Koga’s sister joined at one point, which I was thankful for, she had saved me from the water at one point as I had almost fallen asleep her giggles telling me how silly I must have looked.
Then I crashed into bed forever and ever.
—--
"You are leaving." Koga spoke practically appearing at my side as I stepped out onto the steps of the Gym.
"Yep. As fun as this has been. I still need to finish the other Gyms on my Journey."
"Good. Time is short, but for you that should be no issue... I suggest you stop at Cinnabar on your circuit. There is a secret Gym there, still being run by our former Champion Blaine. I expect you will learn much from a match with him. It is hidden, you will need to gather some information to find it."
I nodded slowly. I already intended on doing just that, but it was good to know that Blaine was still there taking challenges. "I’ll do that."
"Do not forget what you have learned Victoria, the world is more dangerous than you believe."
"I’ll do my best to stay safe. I promise."
Koga nodded. He started to turn before stopping. "You are an acceptable student, but the path you have chosen to walk will not be easy. If you need assistance. The Fuchsia clan will not forget you."
I was actually a little surprised Koga wasn’t a man that showed his emotions much.
"Thank you Koga-Sensei. I learned a lot, I owe you. I won’t forget that."
"Good. Defeat Lance, and I will find my time to not have been wasted."
"So just defeat the strongest trainer around and I’ll have been worth it. Sure. I’ll get right on that." I muttered as he walked away, although I noticed he had a smirk on his face, as he left so he definitely heard me.
I turned, for the first time in a while heading out of the Fuchsia Gym free to do whatever I wanted.
"Hmm. Greasy food first." I decided aloud, smiling as I put a bit of pep into my step. I hadn’t been able to eat anything unhealthy the whole time. Koga’s wife was an excellent cook, but it was all very traditional foods.
Unfortunately halfway to the nearest fast food place, I was attacked.
"Vicky Justice Kick!" I cried out as Kiba attacked me with a tackle. The two of us tumbling and groaning in the dust as while my kick had connected he had still knocked me off my feet.
"B-Bitch!" He groaned rolling the ground. "Why’d you kick me!?"
"You jumped me asshole!" I snapped back.
"Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting for you?" He growled, Mightyena was there beside him. I noticed the dog sniffing his master a bit before settling down. Uncaring about his master’s distress.
Heh.
"I was busy! With secret stuff!"
"Ninja training."
"Noooo. I never did any ninja training ever. Like at all, You must be talking about the Magical girl Pretty Protector Sailor Nike! She is as amazing as she is mysterious." I inform him with a firm nod.
"You are such a dweeb." He groaned into the ground for a moment before pushing himself up and clutching his stomach as he glared at me, just in time to catch a Pokeball to his face. "Bitch!"
"Don’t call me a dweeb!"
"Stop being a dweeb and I’ll stop calling you one! You spazz!" He yelled earning a second chucked Pokeball which he barely blocked by covering his face. "Stop aiming for my face!"
"Hmph! We are done here." I told him standing up and wiping myself down before taking two steps, which ended as Kiba grabbed my boot and I tripped face first right back into the dusty road.
A quick kick to his face leaving a dusty boot imprint later, we were glaring at each other, Mightyena sensing a battle was about to ensue didn’t look very confident.
"Let’s go you spazz."
"Fine! Arcanine I choose you!" I roared glaring at the boy as the two of us faced off once again.
Or at least that was the plan because a moment after appearing Arcanine betrayed me! Betrayal most foul!
"Oof!" I gasped as she turned and with all her bulk just flopped right on top of me.
I was dying! Too heavy!
Oh wait actually. It wasn’t too bad. Just bulky so I couldn’t get her off me.
With a bit of wiggling I managed to get my head out from under her fur and catch sight of her face.
Oh no she was sulking. "Aww c’mon don’t be like that. It was just one battle!"
My argument was ineffective. Instead I got a glance from her as she puffed up her cheeks before huffed all the air out and just rolled over on me, meaning I was once more in the fur jungle.
That was about the time I felt someone start poking me with a stick.
"Kiba! I’ll kill you, you better stop!" I screamed out, but I am sure all he heard was muffled shouting as the stick did not in fact stop it just started poking harder.
I couldn’t even reach for my other Pokeballs!
Betrayed!
"C’mon it was just one battle! I was saving you for last! But Chansey did a great job! You can’t be mad!"
Arcanine could in fact be mad as I learned over the next twenty minutes of her absolutely refusing to get off me.
There was a rock poking me in the back.
—--
"So does that happen often?" Kiba asked as I stared at my burger. "The whole pleading with your pokemon thing."
"I wasn’t pleading."
"You were crying by the end. Sounds like pleading to me."
"Kiba." I hissed leaning in until our faces were practically touching. "I have ninja training now Kiba. I will kill you and no one will ever find the body."
"Pfft. You don’t scare anyone. You aren’t tall enou-Ack."
"What’s that? I couldn’t hear you over the sound of you choking on your burger." I say sweetly, after jamming his half eaten burger into his throat.
Of course a few moments later the two of us were kicking each other under the table which Kiba swiftly learned would only lead to one winner as my boots and strength had him yelping.
Rubbing his shin, he glared as he finished off his burger. "So what was that all about yesterday?"
"Hmm?"
"Don’t play dumb! That battle! Was that Gyarados flying? Did your Chansey, who is a sweet lady who wouldn’t hurt a fly, beat up a Nidoking? What the hell Vicky! I was watching and I almost didn’t believe it."
"I don’t see why any of that is weird." I answer as a take a chunk out of my burger.
"Don’t give me that shit! Since when do Gyarados fly!? And what the hell is up with Chansey?"
"Gyarados are flying types. They could always fly... I guess. And Chansey has always been strong."
"Bullshit." He grumbled glaring. "Gyarados don’t fly Vicky. Everyone knows that! I mean I have an aunt that moved up to the mountains to get away from any large bodies of water specifically because she is terrified of them. How did you teach a Gyarados to fly? It’s scary!"
"It’s really cute honestly."
"Only you would think so, you Magikarp fanatic!"
"Damn right! Magikarp are great!"
"Magikarp are useless. You’re just a weirdo. Ow! Stop kicking me!"
"Stop being stupid and I will think about it."
"Yeah whatever... I fought Koga after you did. Nothing he brought out was even close to that match you had. You really are a monster you know?" He said, quieter than his usual boisterous tone.
"Eh. I just had a few extra years of training my team. Plus that was my rematch against Koga. He beat me the first time."
"I’ve had years with Mightyena too, but we can’t do half of the shit you pulled." He pointed out before sighing. "Don’t let some idiot beat you in the League. With all your crazy shit, you better win." He demanded with a pointed look.
I took in the serious tone the way he was looking and I gave him a firm nod. "I have no intention of losing to anyone."
His smile after was much like his dog, all teeth.
—--
After lunch with Kiba he took off with just a wave over his head as he walked away. Hopefully the sight of the battle between Koga and I will give him inspiration for the League.
We all had a long way to go in our own way. It was something I had learned, no matter how strong my team was, that was only a piece of the puzzle.
I shook that thought away. I had something I needed to do. Specifically a grumpy pup that needed some treats and exercise.
I headed out of town towards the forest before releasing my still sulking girl.
The moment her paws hit the ground she turned her back on me huffed loudly.
I flopped into her back which only earned another huff as she purposefully turned her head away from me.
"I’m sorry I didn’t use you against Koga in the rematch." I say which was completely ignored. "You know I trust you. I love battling with my girl." I started lightly petting her which didn’t get her tail going like it usually does.
I huffed a bit myself as I leaned against her only earning a cold shoulder.
"Is my favorite fluffy puppy upset?" I baby talked to her. "Does she think I don’t trust her? Or that I don’t love how strong and amaaazing she is?" I cooed earning a whine from my girl.
I smiled. She was getting irritated with my baby talk.
"Is my little puppy all-pfft!" I was interrupted by a big paw that came up and mashed me in the face. Arcanine was huffy at me.
I ran through ideas. Arguments I could make. Forcing them to meet Gyarados, but I realized everyone was tired. Mama was still stress baking and Papa was angry at me for not listening.
Gram Gram just looked disappointed.
Alright. "Okay. In the morning then." I agreed firmly. Stepping away from the kitchen before a voice called back.
"The Pokeball." Gram Gram said suddenly. Causing me to still as I still had Gyarados on my hip. "We will hold onto it." Gram Gram spoke firmly, but this time I frowned for real.
"You do know that I still need to feed and take care of him. If you want to hold onto him. It can’t be for very long."
"Pokemon don’t get hungry in their Pokeballs Vicky. He can last a while." Papa said, but I immediately turned to him.
"Put Arcany in his Pokeball for a few days then."
The instant denial on Papa’s face that he stopped himself from voicing the denial was all I needed. I held up my Sweet Blue Hearts Pokeball. "Since you are afraid. I’ll let you hold onto him tonight." I offer handing the Pokeball to Papa who nodded, and swiftly minimized it and put it in his pocket.
"Go to your Room vicky. We will talk more in the morning." Papa ordered.
"Okay." What else could I say?
—-
It took forever to get to sleep. To relax from all the anxiety of what had happened. But the feel and smell of my own bed. The room I grew up in, and the noise of my Pokemon out the window lulled me to sleep eventually.
One of the Growlithe had even snuck in as he had apparently been using my bed in secret and cuddled with me, so that was nice.
Although he kept trying to steal my pillow.
After waking up pillowless I grumbled and ignored the happily snoring Growlithe as I stumbled out of my room into the bathroom to wash up. With that I headed outside.
My team of course needed some breakfast. Cooking up breakfast for my team right outside the house felt weird. Even Chansey happily chattering away beside me as we cooked enough for everyone made the whole situation a little surreal.
Of course, it was mostly weird because I didn’t have a big fish hanging over me wiggling back and forth as I cooked.
Seeing that Mama and Papa were up, and my meal was almost done I headed inside.
"Morning." I called out to my parents who were both waking up nursing cups of Coffee as Mama cooked breakfast.
"Good morning Vicky. Your Pokemon taken care of?"
"Mostly. I still need to feed Gyarados." I answer simply purposefully not sitting down as I started the parents down.
The tension of course ratcheted up as I spoke but Papa sighed. "Alright. Let’s get this over with. C’mon trouble." Papa said as he stood up and headed back into his room for a moment before appearing with Arcany following him, and Gyarados’s Pokeball in his hand. The Premier Ball obvious.
He led me outside and towards the whole flock. To my surprise Papa gave a quick whistle and the entire pack of Growlithe started rushing from every corner of our land. Watching them climb out of holes they had dug, or from under bushes had me fighting back a smile as they rushed over, lining up beside Arcany in a line.
Arcanine even settled in purposefully pushing one of the Growlithe out of the way to sit beside Arcany, which was hilarious because then all the Growlithe had to push each other around to settle into ’their’ spot.
Papa had obviously given them some training.
"They are so cute. You didn’t tell me you had been training them?"
"You ever lived in a house with a pack of wild Growlithe? No. You didn’t. Trust me, your mother would have killed them if I hadn’t stepped in."
"Oops." I offered simply earning a snort from Papa.
"There is a reason we worry about you Vicky. You don’t always think things through when it comes to Pokemon."
"Yeah, but I’m right." I offer simply. "Gyarados would never hurt me. Ever."
"Well that’s what I am here to see. If something happens I don’t like. Arcany and the pack are right here." He answered firmly, and I shrugged.
Gyarados was a sweetie.
Finally he handed me the Pokeball and I nodded preparing to throw.
When I had a thought. A realization. Perhaps an epiphany.
So I lowered my hand. "There is one thing I should probably say before I release my sweetie..."
Papa quirked his eyebrow up at me, already judging me with his stare.
"So Gyarados... Well he is a little lonely, so he tends to hug me when I first release him especially when I haven’t for a while. So just... It’s not dangerous at all? It’s just how he shows affection."
"My confidence in this is already zilch, and I know when you are being evasive. What are you saying Vicky?" Papa asked with a strong stare. Ah! He was using his Growlithe training voice! I was weak to that!
That wicked little part of me wanted to right that moment just release my sweetie and shock Papa with what would happen, but I knew that was the childish part of me.
And this was serious.
"He is going to put me in his mouth in a hug." I say simply, and the moment it took Papa to take in what I had just said really had it all. First he blinked as if he couldn’t comprehend what I had just said, and then twitched, and his hand rushed to his face to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"You ha-"
"It’s perfectly safe. He doesn’t have arms and he is lonely Papa. He just wants to hug me. Just relax okay. Give it a minute he will let me go right after and I can show you why he is probably my sweetest Pokemon."
"You should not be letting your Pokemon, any Pokemon put you in their mouth Vicky. That’s just... Bad training in general. If I had a Growlithe that had a tendency to grab people with its jaws I would train it out of them!"
"I know." I agree easily. "It isn’t something to be proud of, but Gyarados is really really young Papa. He was a tiny Magikarp, and I’m the first person to ever really interact with him. I’m still socializing him, but in order to do that, I can’t stop him from showing affection. That is how you get angry Gyarados."
Papa sighed looking every inch the man that wanted to ground me forever and throw Gyarados’s Pokeball into the hands of the first Ranger he could find.
But he didn’t. Whether it was because my Pokemon knowledge gave me some leeway, or because I actually was pretty good with Pokemon he eventually relented.
"Chansey."
"Huh?"
"Chansey is your sweetest Pokemon." He offered along with a ’do it’ gesture with his hand.
I stilled at that. "You have never seen her battle before, or you wouldn’t be saying that." I tell him utterly dead serious. I nodded after turning away. "Come on out! My Sweet Blue Heart! Breakfast time!" I shouted out happily as I tossed the Pokeball towards the stream.
And a moment later a light roar shook the area startling the Milotic who were playing, although Milotic being my partner, and their leader quickly called out and all of them calmed instantly. The entire Flock watching on in interest at their newest guest.
But Gyarados didn’t notice any of that. As always when he was released his eyes instantly swept around searching for the one thing he treasured.
It was honestly really flattering. My arms widened like I was gonna give a hug and a moment later he struck.
The sun disappeared around my feet.
—-
"I can’t believe this." Papa said, sounding a little high strung as I continued wiping saliva out of my hair.
"Yeah he is pretty great." I chirped, as I sat atop Gyarados’s head spike my Blue heart was laying on the ground and gurgling happily at our closeness as Papa stood to the side surrounded with surprised Growlithe who all looked ready for battle. Even Arcany was standing ready to fight but it was Arcanine beside him who was yawning and lying down without a care that had helped relax Arcany.
"How is he so passive? I’ve seen trainer Gyarados before. They are never this..." Whatever he was going to say never reached an actual word because Papa was poking Gyarados, touching and even pulling his whisker a bit to see if he would react.
He didn’t. Gyarados was used to Dratini playing with him, he didn’t get angry at being touched.
"I told you. Gyarados is a sweetie. I raised my Blue Heart right!" I crow a little vindication running through every inch of me, as Papa’s attempts to pull a bit of aggression out of Gyarados failed again and again. In fact the Milotic Flock had even wandered over and were checking out their new friend.
All of it was done to the soundtrack of Dratini who was giggling as he played with Gyarados’s tail that was splashing happily in the water as his lower half was still in the stream. Seeing my little noodle rising up out of the water on the end of Gyarados’s tail and then getting dropped back into the stream with delighted giggles was a wondrous backdrop.
"Ah let me get your breakfast sweetie." I called out remembering why I had needed to bring out my boy. As I climbed down his face. His complete nonreaction as I stepped down onto his nose and then his lip as I climbed down showing Papa just how safe my boy was.
Then I settled onto the grass and headed over to the big pot of Chow I had been cooking just for him.
Chansey had already pulled it off the fire and simply hauled the pot up in her arms completely unbothered by the weight of the thing as she waltzed over as if she wasn’t carrying a heavy pot. Then as easy as could be Gyarados opened his mouth and Chansey and I poured the food in.
Honestly most of it was for taste more than anything. Considering how big some Pokemon could get. A lot of Pokechow had super nutrient dense food that didn’t taste good, but could fill up even a Snorlax with just a pot full of chow, but by cooking it with his favorite super spicy Liechi berries cooked in, and turning it into a sort of stew Gyarados got a nice taste along with all the healthy vitamins he needed.
The fact it made my eyes water just coming near the pot because of just how spicy Liechi was was an unfortunate fact of life when you lived with a spice lover.
Pouring it in, earned a pleased grumble from my fish as he waited until it was fully poured out before closing his mouth and seeming to enjoy the flavor for a bit before swallowing.
And then he opened his mouth again and sighed pleased.
Even if his sigh made my nose run from how spicy it was.
Papa had been taking this all in with a look of sort of offended bafflement.
"Gyarados should not be this calm." He finally repeated himself. "Vicky. Gyarados are never this calm."
"Of course not. Most people don’t train them right!" I answered firmly even as my eyes watered and I realized I didn’t have my travel bag that had my tissues ready to blow my now runny nose from all the spice.
"Ack, one sec!" I cried out as I rushed back to the house so I wasn’t doing a Cubchoo impression. As I entered I could see Mama hovering over the kitchen window obviously fretting as she could see Gyarados.
After clearing up my sinuses so I wasn’t dying. I didn’t head back outside.
"Mama?" My question startled her as she had been locked onto Gyarados out the window.
"V-vicky?" She asked, whirling around. It took a moment but eventually she seemed to breathe again as she held her chest. "Don’t startle me like that." She whispered before catching my concerned eye.
"Did... Is the reason you don’t like Gyarados... Did you ever?" I asked, as I realized Mama wasn’t just scared for me.
She was just plain scared.
"I was eighteen." She finally answered after a while. "I was too late to see everything myself, but it was a town in Johto. I was... well I was trying to show off by collecting the Johto badges. I was getting ready to retire, but I wanted... It doesn’t matter. I was wandering around a place called the Lake of Rage. It-"
"I’ve heard of it." I offered. "They have a lot of Gyarados attacks there, that is what earned it the name."
"Exactly. The Gyarados had rampaged the day before. There was almost nothing left. Just... Just those who hadn’t been able to escape. I offered to help cleanup. Meowth’s sense of smell is particularly good. We helped the Johto rescue teams."
She didn’t say anything more, but she didn’t need to. I could hear it. See it on her face what she had found.
Bodies. Probably a lot of them. Probably kids too.
"My Sweetie isn’t like them. I know... I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true. He isn’t angry. I’m making him the happiest Gyarados that there ever was. So he won’t have to be like that. So that people can realize that they all don’t have to be like that."
"I know. You have always been like that. I still remember when you dragged Feebas home."
"Feeby was so cute back then." I answer with a nod.
Mama actually snorted a bit, breaking some of the tension that had been running through her. "Only you Trouble would think a Feebas is cute... But I guess only you would evolve them into a Milotic as well."
I smiled at her. "Want to come meet him? I promise he is nice... Just don’t offer to hug him, we are still working on that."
"I.. I don’t think I’m ready for that Vicky. Why don’t you go on. I’m sure your father is getting nervous standing next to a Gyarados."
"Gyarados is playing with Dratini he won’t go anywhere, but okay. I’ll head out... But if you ever want to try. Let me know Gyarados would be happy to meet you, and we could even go for a ride! His flight isn’t as smooth as Dragonite, it’s like a roller coaster!" I call out as I rush out the kitchen to get back to Papa.
Not hearing the quiet question of "Flight?" That Mama uttered a moment later.
Rushing back outside I hurried over until I could flop onto Gyarados’s face next to where Papa was still standing and poking and messing with Gyarados.
The fact I was basically hugging Gyarados’s face which hadn’t even earned a twitch from him caused Papa to startle back a bit. "He won’t bite. I do this all the time so he knows it’s okay." I tell Papa as I grab big blue cheeks and mash them around "Isn’t that right my Blue Heart! Aren’t you such a good boy!" I cooed which finally caused a reaction as his mouth opened, and his tongue rolled out to splatter across my entire body.
"Pttth!" I spit gagging a bit as icky fish saliva got in my mouth.
"Heh." Papa chuckled as he looked at my disgust for a moment. "Alright. Vicky. Alright. You win. You can keep him."
"A-awesome." I gagged from the floor as I was spitting and trying to get the not just disgusting taste, but incredibly spicy taste out of my mouth.
"But you are still grounded, and you will be helping Mother with the yard work around her home. For a week."
"Wha? Why am I still grounded!"
Papa this time kneeled down and he was not smiling at me as he poked my nose. "Because you were told. Specifically to stay away from Magikarp and Gyarados and you disobeyed. You took a risk, and yes this Gyarados is... Unique. But I and your Mother still gave you a rule and you broke it."
"That’s... Fair." I sighed. Aww man. I was grounded! For a week! And I hated yard work! It wasn’t like you were growing something or doing something useful! Who cares what a yard looks like! It wasn’t even a garden or a farm just grass!
"Also do not release your Gyarados anywhere in the city. I do not want Jenny to be hounding me for the next ten years."
—--