Sweetness and Bitterness [2/2]

"Hmmm… which way is the camp?" He asked while looking around.

{That way.} Said the weakened gardevoir while pointing towards a direction.

After nodding, Max headed in the instructed direction for a couple of minutes before he arrived at the camp. When they were there, they saw the rest of the team already in the improvised bath with steam emanating from the water, meaning that Dusk had just heated it.

{Geez, guys, a little bit more, and I would have started to get worried.} Said Bonny when she noticed them.

"Sorry. Let's say that Scarlet needed drastic stress-relieving."

{That much?} Said Bonny while looking at Scarlet.

"Yup. Enough to make her end up like this."

{And you're the one that tells me not to kill him, Scarlet.}

{I'm sure that you also have noticed that he have become more resilient than before, so it's okay.} Softly said, Scarlet.

{He indeed did.}

{… Well, master what are you waiting for? Just get us in already.} Said Scarlet, getting a bit impatient.

"Oh, right."

Getting close to the bath, Max then gently dropped Scarlet in the water, with her making a relived moan.

{That feels good.} She said before relaxing in the water and closing her eyes.

{You too master.} Said Bonny to Max.

"Sure. Let me just take my clothes off." Said Max while heading towards the tent.

{Come on master, we all have seen you naked by now. You don't have to hide anymore.}

"… Fine." Said while rolling his eyes.

Being indeed a bit more comfortable around all of them, Max then undressed in front of them, with Bonny staring with a pleased look as usual before getting in the water between Scarlet when Bonny.

{Ahh, what a good day it was.} Said Bonny while resting her head against a shoulder.

{Indeed it was.} Said Scarlet while doing the same on the other side.

"Glad to contribute to making you happy."

{You always do master, even if we don't do anything.} Said Scarlet.

"Heh, thanks."

{No… problem.}

Shortly after, Scarlet fell asleep on Max's shoulder.

{Geez, she really pushed herself quite a bit.} Commented Bonny.

"Yeah, we never did it that long before."

{Yeah well, me neither.} Said Bonny while sensing her tiredness gaining her slowly as well.

"Hope it won't happen every day."

{Honestly, I don't think so. Today was quite a special day since we have been stocking up for a while. Now that we have pretty much caught up on the lost days, we should be back to normal.}

"Good, because I don't think my mini-me would have endured it."

{Well… with the proper training… it will also get more resilient as well.} Said Bonny, slowly feeling drowsy.

"I don't know, it doesn't quite work like the rest of my body."

{We'll think… of something.}

"Eh, I sure can count on you for that."

{… Sure… you can.}

After a couple of seconds, Bonny began to snore lowly, meaning that she also had fallen asleep.

"Eh, they sure are strong and tough for battles, but when it comes to mating, they pretty much like us, humans." Said Max before kissing the head of both of them.

{Pokemon are pretty much specialized for combat, not for mating.} Said May.

"Does that mean that I should stop?"

{Of course not.} Protested May.

"Aha, I thought so. Still, I don't completely agree with what you said. Pokemon aren't just for battle. In fact, if it wasn't for you asking for it, I won't make you battle at all."

{I know but, I didn't mean in that way. I meant that pokemon can be so strong that it's hard to see them do other things than battle sometimes.}

"… Fair enough. Pokemon can be extremely powerful. But as you can see, they can be also very cute and loveable." Said Max while petting Bonny's and Scarlet's head.

{Not all pokemon are that friendly.} Said May, a bit haughtily.

"… You're talking about Aurora?"

{Yeah, but not only. Human-like pokemon, some of them can be very mean.}

"I know, but Aurora is different. She's not bad or mean, just… a bit lost."

{How can you be so sure, master?}

"I don't know… but if I was a girl, you could call that feminine intuition."

{Hmm, I wonder how you would look like if you were a girl?} Said May with a thoughtful expression.

"I would probably be the cutest girl ever." Joked Max.

{Not as cute as me.} Retorted May.

"True, I couldn't compete against you. Unfortunately, I would have fewer parts on me."

Looking at Max with a puzzled look for a moment, she soon understood what he meant.

{Yeah, that would be no fun if you were to lose 'that'.} Said May with a very faint blush.

"Hehe, we agree on that."

As Max was being silent while enjoying the bath, he noticed Dusk being pretty quiet in her corner.

"So Dusk, feeling pumped for the next gym battle? After all, you're gonna be our main firepower, no pun intended."

{A-a bit, but I'm a bit scared that I could deceive you.} Said Dusk, a bit unsure.

"Come on Dusk, you know that it doesn't matter."

{I know, but what if I lose even with the type advantage?}

"Type doesn't define everything Dusk, as well as strength alone. Since you're not used to battle, you shouldn't expect to beat all three pokemon by yourself. Keep in mind that gym leaders aren't that stupid and would probably have a strategy against type disadvantage. But I'm convinced that you will beat one, even two if luck is on our side."

{You think so?}

"I'm sure of it. Remember that you trained a lot with Scarlet and in that dojo, and also that you know Flamethrower now."

{… True.}

"And you May, with your steel type, you have a lot of resistance, even immunity to poison type, which could a huge advantage since grass type are often dual typed with poison."

{That means that you're sure to choose me and Dusk.}

"I do."

{But… you said beaten all three pokemon of that gym leader does that mean that you also have to pick only three?} Asked Dusk.

"… I guess."

Before Aurora and with Scarlet not wanting to fight, he wasn't worried about how to choose for the last one.

{Who will you pick between Aurora and Bonny?} Asked Dusk.

"Honestly, I don't know. Aurora sure also have the steel type, but Bonny have her mega evolution." Said Max with a thoughtful expression.

{I don't mind… giving my place for once master.} Said Bonny, still sounding asleep with closed eyes.

"You sure? You always love to battle."

{I do, but it could be a good opportunity for you and Aurora to experience the thrill of battling together.}

"Indeed it could but…"

{Anyway, I still don't have perfect control over my mega evolution, so it's not that bad.}

"… Thanks Bonny, you're nice and sweet as always." Said Max while rubbing her head affectionately.

{Don't mention it master… there are still… more battles… to come.} She said before falling asleep again.

"Eh, I can never tell you enough how much I love you girls." Said Max while staring at the darkening sky.

{We love you too master.} Said May, with Dusk nodding immediately after.

For the next couple of minutes, they all did trivial chit-chat while talking about strategies and revising their combo. Then, as the sky was almost completely dark, Max decided that it was time to go to bed.

"Okay girls, I'm leaving. Can you help me to transport one of them Dusk?" Asked Max.

{My psychic powers are still pretty weak, but I think I could move Scarlet with them.}

"Okay, I'll take the big butted one then."

While getting out of the bath, Max took Bonny in his arms with Dusk Getting Scarlet out of the water.

"Can you also dry us all?"

{Not at the same time.} Said Dusk, obvious that she was using a great quantity of energy to lift Scarlet gently.

{I can dry Scarlet while making her levitating, but I must drop her before I can use my powers on you.}

"Sure. I'll wait for you."

{Okay.}

With that, Dusk walked toward the tent and put a dried-up Scarlet inside on her bed.

"What about you May? You coming?" Asked Max to May, still in the water.

{I'll stay a bit more if it's okay with you.}

"Of course. Stay as much as you want. Just make sure not to fall asleep in it."

{I will.} Said May with a smile.

After drying herself up, Dusk then did the same with Max and Bonny, making them all dry after a couple of seconds.

{… You're gonna… pay for that… master.} Said Bonny sleepily in Max's arms.

"For what?"

{You bad talked… about my butt again. Bad trainer.} She softly said.

"Hehe, you should focus on sleeping now instead of mumbling nonsense."

While entering the tent, Bonny had fallen asleep again before Max dropped her on her bed. As Max and Dusk were going to sleep, May was still relaxing outside, enjoying the hot water. After a moment, she heard noises behind her. Turning around, she saw Aurora standing a few meters away from her.

{Oh, you're that human's mawile. I thought the bath was free now.} Said Aurora, sounding disappointed.

{It is, even if I'm in.} Said May while turning back.

{Guess I'll have to wait that you're done.}

{Why? I won't bite you if you get in.}

{I prefer being alone.}

{Is it always about that with you? Alone and always alone?} Asked May, getting a bit upset.

{I didn't expect you to understand.}

{You think? If you knew what had happened to me, you would think otherwise.}

{Phfa, I doubt that it was worse than me.}

{… Is it a bet?} Asked May while facing her.

Raising an eyebrow, Aurora wondered if she should enter the kid's game or not.

{Alright.} Said Aurora, finally taking the bait.

{What's the loser punishment?}

{If I was right, then you're gonna be less mean towards master.}

{And if I was right?}

{… Then I'm gonna try to convince master to let you go.}

{That's hardly fair since he's pretty categorical about keeping me with him.}

{That's why I said 'try'.}

Thinking a bit about it, Aurora concluded that if Max didn't want to let her go, maybe the voice of his team will reach him.

{Alright, that works for me.}

{Good.}

Letting out a slight sigh, Aurora then entered the water at the other side of the bath, facing May.

{Why don't you begin?} Said May.

{It's gonna be short but painful. Hope your little heart can take it.}

{We'll see.} Said May with an almost cocky smile.

{Okay. Let's begin with me being with a human child, a male one as a riolu. At first, I had everything I could to have; love, care, affection, and a friend. Unfortunately, as he grew up, his love and cares for me decreased until he wanted to be a trainer. When he got stronger pokemon than me, he just got rid of me by placing me in a pokemon daycare without ever coming back.}

{… Things haven't been good on you, I'll give you that.} Said May, a bit concern.

{See?} Said Aurora, already sure that she won.

{But I didn't tell you about me yet. I even didn't tell master a lot about it since he never asked, but there are also things that I don't want him to know.}

{Talk about a faithful companion.}

{I don't care what you think. If he ever asks, I'll tell him. But master isn't the kind to look behind but always forward.}

{Whatever, just go ahead.}

{Well, kind of like you, it begins with me being with a trainer. I won't tell you how he got me though, because it's too much of a bad memory. Like you, everything was nice at first. I probably didn't have as much love as you but had some nonetheless. He was caring for me but again, like you, he grew less and less affectionate towards me over time. But unlike you, it was because I was losing too many battles and that… I didn't want to mate with any pokemon he was presenting to me.}

{Mate?}

{Yeah, my previous trainer tried a couple of times to force me into mating with other pokemon, in the hope to get stronger ones.}

{… Okay.} Said Aurora, feeling a bit uneasy.

{As I was refusing to be raped and lose battles, not only did he grew distant and unattached but also violent. After each loss, he would beat me up. And it has lasted for a few years. If it wasn't for the 'human' you seem to hate so much for no reason, I would probably still be being beaten at this moment.} Said May, sounding almost angry.

For a moment, Aurora stayed silent.

{You may have been abandoned, but not only was I too but I was also abused and almost raped a few times.}

After processing what she just told, Aurora let out a small sigh.

{… Alright, I'll try to be less mean to that human then.} Said Aurora, admitting her defeat.

{Thanks. And that human's name is Max.} Said May, with the lucario shrouding her shoulders as for an answer.

{… But why haven't you told that to your master yet? I'm sure it's something he would like to know.}

{He already knows about the beating part, but not the rape thing, and I don't want him to.}

{Why?}

{Since he and I can't mate like he does with the others, I don't want him to think too much about it if we ever find a way. Knowing him, he would probably be too worried for me to try it since I had bad experiences. So, since I do want to mate with him, I don't want to make him uselessly worried about me.}

{… You sure hide your game well with him.}

{I don't hide anything, I'm really myself when I'm with him. But that doesn't mean that I can't be serious sometimes. It's just that he seems to like my childish side, but yet I'm seven years old. For a human, it may be young, but for a pokemon, it's something else. I don't know much about other pokemon, but a mawile is pretty fully mature between 4 and 6 years old.}

{… Why are you even telling that? You know I could spill the bean to your master.}

{I don't know you a lot, but you don't look like the kind to do that. It's not honorable and I'm sure you won't like having the entire team against you.}

{… That would be something to avoid indeed if I'm stuck with you all.}

{Nice thinking. You know Aurora, I understand you perfectly by not trusting master. I know, It took me a bit of time myself to do so. But you should at least try to learn more about him. We can all confirm that he's a nice human and will do anything for you, as long as you give him a chance.}

{I already know that he's a good human. I merged my aura with his today and saw that.}

{Then why?}

{… I don't know. I can't just like humans in two seconds. And also his way of always wanting to be the nice guy or something is quite a bit annoying. It's almost impossible to be truly that nice.}

{He's not perfect and I'm sure he has lots of flaws, like every living thing. The problem is that unlike me, you didn't travel a lot in your life. While traveling with my previous trainer, I meet very nice humans.}

{Why didn't any of them try to help you then?}

{You think my old trainer would have beaten me up in front of others? He may be a huge jerk, but he wasn't stupid. However, some people did have suspicions, but all of them were too scared to do anything.}

{Ah, that just proves my point of how humans are.}

{Agreed. But unlike the others, master was the one that had the courage to save me, even if I didn't want to, which proves 'my' point. Even you saw the courage he can have by standing between you and that red pokemon.}

{Hmm, he was just trying to impress, that's all.} Said Aurora, still trying to deny Max's good soul.

{He knows what's good for us. He proved it by taken both of us away from something that wasn't doing us good. And no, he's not the kind to show off either. His love for pokemon may be a bit extreme, which I don't complain of course, but is there anyway. Let me ask you this, has he ever done anything bad to you since you're with us?}

{… I'll have to say no.}

{What has he done then?}

{Annoyingly try to touch me.}

{… Nothing else?} Asked May, wondering if she should be upset against her master or not.

{… And more annoyingly try to get closer to me.}

{Right. Honestly, I don't see any abandonment here or any kind of abuse.}

{He kind of abused my personal space.} Said Aurora, sounding slightly upset.

{You have to excuse him, he's just very affectionate. But… was it that unpleasant?}

{What? The hugs?} Asked Aurora, not sure about what she was talking about.

{Yeah, but not only that. You know, the thing.}

{The thing? What do you mean?} Asked Aurora, raising an eyebrow.

{Don't tell me you didn't smell it?}

{What?}

{His smell of course. You can't deny that he has a very reassuring and pleasant smell and have that little thing that I still don't know about that just… make us attracted to him.}

{Doesn't work on me.}

{I suppose it's something ineffective on stubborn pokemon.}

{What?} Said Aurora, a bit angrily.

{I'm just saying that you can continue to deny or try to avoid reality about master's golden heart, it's your choice. However, I will be the first to laugh at you when you will realize that we were all right.}

{Eh, good luck on that.}

{I tell you, you're more thick-headed than Bonny. Unlike you, she finally admitted that she was wrong after a while.}

{Well, I'm not Bonny.}

May then let out a desperate sigh.

{Oh well, I would like to see master happy with you finally giving him a chance, but sometimes, things aren't meant to happen.} She said while getting out of the bath.

{But I think that's the thing. You're scared to discover that we were right and you were wrong. If someone like me that has been with an abusive trainer managed to trust another one, how hard should it be for you?}

With that, May left Aurora alone in the water and got in the tent, leaving Aurora with beloved solitude.

{Hmpf, whatever.} Lowly muttered Aurora while trying to relax.

Inside the tent, May went over Max's packsack and grabbed a towel to dry herself. Since everyone was already asleep, she didn't want to disturb anyone. When done, she put the towel aside and climbed over Max's chest before closing her eyes until she fell asleep.

For the next following days, nothing too special happen. The day was pretty much like the last one. In the morning Max being awakened by various methods from his team from time to time and mostly sexually. In the morning, Scarlet was hunting for Max's food with Dusk preparing it for him while all his team was gathering their own food. Max insisted a few times to buy them food boxes, but they all agreed that they enjoyed getting their food themselves. After breakfast, Max was practicing battles and strategies with his team until noon, where Scarlet and the others were doing the same as breakfast. The afternoon was more about physical training with the team battling against Scarlet while Max was training with one of his companions, mostly with Bonny. After diner, they were relaxing in various ways like talking around the fire, enjoying the improvised hot springs for a long time, playing various games, or only laying on the ground and staring at the stars in the sky. Of course, Max had to keep his team sexually satisfied between all those activities, with Scarlet and Bonny being the most eager as always. From time to time, Max tried to spend time with Aurora, that she almost always didn't mind that much now. After all, it was kind of fun for her to insult or say to Max how much she didn't like him or humans in general. When the week and half that Max had promised to Scarlet was done, they were now at the evening of the last day, all around the campfire, minus Aurora.

"Boy, that was one exhausting week and a half. Good thing I managed to negotiate fewer days." Said Max, a bit tired with Scarlet and Bonny next to him.

{You know what they say, master, always live in the present day like it's the last one. I always mate with you like it could the last time.} Said Scarlet.

"Like if I was to die the next day?"

{Hmm, I wonder how long I could use your body before its starts to rot if you die.} Said Scarlet, in a thoughtful expression.

"Ahhh, disgusting." Said Max before chuckling.

{Hehe, always funny to gross you out.} Said Scarlet, laughing a bit.

"So Dusk, still no luck with Flame Charge?"

{Unfortunately, no.} She said, slightly ashamed.

"Well, that sucks. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you do."

{I hope.}

{Maybe I should start learning a new one myself.} Said Bonny.

{Me too.} Said May.

"Why not. You two seem to master pretty much all your known moves. We could check that out after the next gym battle." He said with May and Bonny nodding in agreement.

{I hope you will win even if I'm not here.} Commented Bonny.

"It would be harder, but we'll manage. Don't forget that I have a type advantage and two types resistant to grass moves."

{… In short, if it wasn't for my mega evolution, I would be the most useless one?} Said Bonny, frowning a bit.

"Well, I wouldn't say useless but…"

{Buzz off master.} Said Bonny while playfully pushing him.

"Eheh, even if you had a type disadvantage, you never will be useless, none of you." He said while petting her head.

"… So, I think it was the last day today, is it Scarlet?"

{Yes. I'm glad that you kept your promise.}

"Like I already said, you could have just forced me if I didn't."

{Then I'm glad that I didn't have to.} She said, embracing his arm with a smile.

"I guess tomorrow we say goodbye to that cool bath you made."

{Me too. All the fun we had in there.} Said Bonny while looking lewdly at Max.

{I can still make another one with we ever find another lake.}

"That would be nice."

As they were enjoying the fire while chit-chatting, time was passing and before they knew it, the sky was dark.

"Okay girls, tomorrow we finally resume our travel. So I want to be in top shape."

{Sure, I was getting drowsy anyway. You sure were a beast, today master.} Said Bonny while standing up and stretching her arms.

"What did you expect? You were almost sexually harassing me in our afternoon training."

{Awww, poor little human. Was aunty Bonny too wild for you?} Said Bonny while pinching Max's cheeks.

"Eh, if I could have the strength and stamina of a pokemon, I'll show you how wild I could be."

{Too bad, I'm the strong pokemon and you're the weak human.} Said Bonny while getting on Max's lap.

{Sorry master, that's the way things are and you must deal with it.}

After her last word, Bonny pressed her lips against his and kiss him a few seconds before shoving her tongue inside. After only a couple of seconds of mouth exploring, Scarlet interrupted them.

{Not wanting to interrupt, But Master asked for us to go to sleep so he can rest.} Said Scarlet indifferently.

Breaking the kiss with a strand of saliva, Bonny stared intently into Max's eyes.

{Alright. Tomorrow is another day that I can use to profits our master.} She said before leaving his lap.

"I don't know if I should thank you or be mad at you." Said Max to Scarlet while the others were standing up and heading toward the tents.

{While you decide, I want to tell you something.} She said as the others passed next to her.

"Sure, go ahead."

{I found a way to reduce the complete language knowledge transfer into your brain to only a few hours.}

"Really? How many?"

{I don't know the exact number, but a few.}

"Should we do it tomorrow?"

{Sure. I definitely need a good rest for that.}

"Good. That's great news."

{Indeed.}

"So after that, I'll be able to understand every pokemon?"

{Pretty much, yeah.}

"Neat. I bet not many trainers have that chance."

{There are probably very few since I doubt they have the same brain connection that we have. Besides being less filled, your brain is practically like mine.}

"Yeah, it's like… hey!" Said Max, unhappy at Scarlet said.

{I'm an intelligent psychic pokemon, so of course, my brain is slightly less spacious than yours.} Said Scarlet almost arrogantly with a grin.

"Slightly is the right word." Retorted Max.

{Yeah, like when I say your dick is slightly too small.}

"Slightly fuck you."

{Slightly anytime.}

Both of them then chuckled a bit with Max rolling his eyes.

"We should get to bed before it gets out of control."

{Agree. And like I said, I'll take as many minutes of sleep as I can."

"Let's stop wasting time then."

After Scarlet nodded, both of them join the others in the tent and laid on the bed, with all of them going for their now usual spot shortly after. When he opened his eyes again, it was like he closed them a few minutes ago. To his surprise, he saw Scarlet still sleeping next to him with Bonny between his legs as usual while the others were already up and probably outside. Carefully slipping away from them, Max managed to get dress and get outside without waking them up. When out, he saw May eating alone on a tree trunk.

"Good morning, cutest pokemon ever." Said Max before surprise kissing her head from behind.

{Oh, good morning master.} Happily said May.

"Where's Dusk?"

{In the woods, getting you food.}

"Great. A little break of meat can't do badly." He said before sitting next to her.

{Why?} Asked May, wondering why he shouldn't eat meat today.

"I hardly see Dusk hunting animals for food."

{Haha, true.}

As she was munching on her food, Max picked her up and put her on his lap, which she didn't seem to mind a single bit.

"Confident about your next battle?" Asked Max while petting her head.

{With all that training I did, there's no way that I could be easily beaten.}

"Hehe, that's the spirit big girl." He said while going to her sweet petting spot, making her squeak happily.

{As you said, I have a type advantage and immunity to poison with Aurora, making us the best choice.}

"It's true, but you must not get reckless with that since you already know that type doesn't define everything. I mean, if you were to face an opponent that you can't even touch, your advantage won't be much of use then."

{… True I guess.}

"That means that you have to do your best and be careful, going all out like if you were facing a fire or fighting type. A type advantage just gives more space for mistakes."

{Steel types are though master, don't worry.}

"I'm sure you are, and between you and me, it's one of my favorite types."

{Really?} Said May, a bit surprised.

"Yup."

{Hihi, thanks, master.} She said with a blush before resuming her eating.

"No problem." Said Max, petting her some more.

After a few minutes of waiting, Dusk finally appeared from the woods with a bunch of berries in her paws.

"Hi, Dusk."

{Hi, master. Here are a couple of berries that Scarlet told me that should be good for you.} She said before giving them to him.

"Thanks a lot."

Max wanted to pet her to thank her but had his hands busy with his food.

"What about you?" He asked when he saw that she gave him everything.

{I ate before getting them.}

"Oh, great."

{Can I feed you, master?} Proposed May when she saw master hands full.

"… Sure." Said Max, a bit surprised by her sudden proposition.

Since she was done with her breakfast, Max put his berries between her and his hand. Now able to take them, she grabbed one and extended her small arm toward Max's head so he could have it. Still, a bit too low for him, Max had to lean a bit until he was able to grab it with his lips. Smiling, May was quite happy to feed him, almost feeling the he was the pokemon and she the trainer. When down to the last one, Max wanted to tease her a bit and grabbed May's little hand with his teeth gently, not hurting her.

"I wonder how a little mawile tastes."

{No, master.} Playfully protested May.

"A nom nom nom." He said while pretending to eat her hand.

{I'm not edible.}

"Really? That's a shame then."

Before letting her go, Max gave her hand a quick lick.

{Eww.} She said before whipping her saliva-coated hand on Max's pants.

"What? It's not like I never licked you before."

{The hand isn't quite the right place to lick, don't you think?} She said with a faint grin.

"True."

{Anyway, you already know how I taste.} She lowly said.

"I sure do. Your sweet taste is pretty great." He said, petting her head again.

Looking at Dusk, Max noticed that she was still a bit embarrassed with that kind of affection display as she was trying to look away shyly.

"Don't worry Dusk, I also love your spicy taste too." Said Max wanting to tease her a bit.

{Oh, hmm… I… Y-yeah… t-thanks hmm…} She said, sounding very uncomfortable.

{That's not very nice to tease her like that master.} Scolded May.

"I just thought that she was feeling left out." Playfully lied Max.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable Dusk." He apologized.

{I-it's okay… I now know how you like to tease.}

"Yeah, I have that bad habit. I guess I really like to tease who I love." Said Max, making Dusk faintly blush and smile.

Then, after a few minutes, Bonny came out of the tent, yawning and stretching.

{Morning girls.} She said.

{Hi, Bonny.} Said Dusk and May.

"Morning Bonny, I'm a guy thank you."

{Really? I could have sworn that you were a female.} Joked Bonny while sitting next to him.

"Do I look like that much of a girl to you?"

{I don't know, maybe I should check it out.} She said with a grin.

"You just awakened since like, a few seconds ago and you're already that perverted?"

{Even in my sleep I am, so it shouldn't be that big of a surprise.} Said Bonny while wrapping her arms around one of his, hugging it.

Not wanting to feel like the third wheel, May jumped from Max's lap and sat next to Dusk.

"You and scarlet are really something."

After a happy squeak, Bonny closed her eyes and continued to stay glued to her master.

"Aren't you hungry?"

{A bit, but I'm not in a rush.}

"Hugs and love won't fill that belly of yours."

{Maybe, but it can be filled with something else.} She said with a grin again.

Sighing desperately, Max guessed that it was best not to talk too much since she was in the mood of turning everything into something sexual.

{… Today is the day we leave this place, isn't it?} Said Bonny after a moment.

"Yup. As soon as Scarlet wakes up, we will resume our travel towards the next gym. I won't say that I didn't like it here, but I'm pretty glad that the week and a half is finally over."

{Why? If I were in your place, I would have asked for more.}

"Don't know, you're really energy-consuming when you want girls. Between training and your sexual assaults, I hardly had time to rest."

{Poor thing. Would private time with me make you feel better?} Said Bonny, intentionally missing the point.

"Were you even listening?"

{Hmm… no. I was too busy thinking what of new positions we could try next time.}

"God damnit." Said Max, sounding almost upset.

{Hihi. You like to tease but it's not so funny when it comes to you, huh master?} Said May.

"Oh. Is my little May acting like an undisciplined pokemon again?"

{And with if I do?} Said May with a defiant smile.

"I'll show you."

As Max wanted to stand, Bonny, pulled his arm and forced him to stay sitting.

{Bad master. Stay.} She said like she was commanding a dog.

"Eh, you're lucky she holds me." Playfully said, Max.

May's response was to stick out her tongue at him.

"Oh yeah, why don't you come here instead and do that again?"

{No thanks, I'm good here.} She said with a triumphant smile.

"Suits yourself, I'm just gonna get back at you later."

{You can try if you want.} She said almost arrogantly.

"Just you wait." He said, making her giggle.

As time passed, they kept waiting for Scarlet for quite some time. After a while, they all grew bored and decided to plays some games in the meantime. Oddly, it was almost noon and Scarlet was still not up.

"Maybe I should check if she still breathing." Said Max, a bit worried.

{Don't worry master, she's fine but still sleeping.} Said Dusk.

"That's unlike her to sleep that much. But since she told me about what she's about to do, I guess it's understandable."

{What is it?} Asked Bonny.

"Transferring the entire poke language into my brain in one shot." Said Max.

{You mean like, you would be able to understand all pokemon after that?}

"Yes. She told me that it was easier for everyone to do it that way instead of one pokemon language at a time. It was a bigger job to do, however."

{That will be nice for you to understand everyone.} Said Dusk.

"Indeed. Now I'll be able to understand if a pokemon is bad talking about me in front of me, thinking that I can't understand it."

{Eh, the face they will do when they learn that you do.} Said Bonny, chuckling

"Agree. That could be fun."

After a couple of more minutes of trivial talks, a red gardevoir finally came out of the tent.

"About time love. We were about to leave without you." Joked Max.

{That wouldn't have been much of a problem since I could trance you even if you were at the other side of the planet.} She said while rubbing her eyes.

"Don't know if it's a good or a bad thing."

{A good one if you're in trouble and bad one of you have trouble with me.} She said while sitting next to him, opposed to Bonny.

"Hmmm, I must say that an angry gardevoir looking for me can be quite appealing." Said Max with a grin.

{Already assaulting me with your perverted thoughts that earlier after I just woke up?}

"Sorry, Bonny's fault."

{What? Why me?} Protested Bonny.

"You almost didn't stop since you wake up this morning. Let's say that you kind of stained me."

{Tsss.}

"Anyway, don't tell me that you don't like it, love."

{… No comment.} Said Scarlet, obvious that she was.

"So, when do you want to begin?"

{After a good breakfast would be good.}

"Sure."

Standing up after a quick kiss on Max's cheek, Scarlet was copied by Bonny, also standing up.

{I'll come with you. I still haven't eaten yet.} Proposed Bonny.

{Why? Not hungry?} Asked Scarlet.

{I am, but Master was really comfy.}

{… Can't argue with that relentless logic. Let's go then.}

Leaving the rest together, Scarlet and Bonny left in the woods.

"Well, would you look at that? No lopunny to hold me down anymore." Said Max while looking at May with a predatory face.

May then looked at him with widened eyes when she realized that.

{KHYA!} Screamed May while leaving the trunk and start running away when she saw him standing and chasing her.

Running around the fire camp, May tried to outspeed Max but was unable to due to her small legs with Dusk looking at them with a smile. When May was in Max's reach, she could easily have dodged it, but didn't want to and let him catch her.

"Gotcha." He said before putting her on the ground.

{Oh no, a big human meanie had got me, help me Dusk!" Playfully pleaded May.

{Hmm…} Shyly responded Dusk.

"Don't move Dusk, or else I'm gonna attack this mawile with relentless tickles.

{… Sorry, May… But I think you're on your own.}

{No, traitor.} Playfully complained May.

"Don't get on her May, you just have yourself to blame. Max, use tickles." He said before tickling her.

{No haha… s-stop… haha.} She said, laughing while trying to break free.

"It's super effective."

After a few seconds, Max stopped.

"Now say who is boss."

{Eh, not you, that's for sure.} Defiantly said May.

"Oh, another torture session is required then. Attaaaack." Said Max before tickling her again.

{Hahah… no… hahah.}

Max then assaulted her a few more seconds before she complied.

{Okay… ahaha… I give up master… haha.} Said May while panting slightly, making Max stop shortly after.

"Admitting your defeat?"

{Yes.}

"So?"

{… Sorry for disrespecting you, oh great and powerful master.}

"Hope for you you're not making fun of me.}

{You know me, master, I would never dare.} She said with an obvious fake innocent tone.

"Alright." Said Max, playing along.

"I just wanted an apology, but since you did a bit more, maybe I can give you a little reward."

{Really?}

"Indeed. How about that."

Moving his lips closer, Max then kissed May passionately, with her happily returning it. After their kisses changed into making out, Max broke it, making May whimper a bit sadly.

"Sorry May, but we kind of have an audience." Said Max, referring to Dusk.

{I don't really like being watched while doing it, but since it's Dusk, I'm fine with that. She can join if she wants.} Said May, making Dusk looking away with a heavy blush.

"I'd love to, but Scarlet and Bonny could come back at any time. I don't really want them to have a surprise when they arrive."

{Afraid to scare them?}

"No, afraid that they will join as well. One or two is already quite something, but all four of you at the same time… Today is not the day I want to die yet."

{Rhaa, humans are so weak. Good thing Bonny and Scarlet are working on that.}

"… You want another tickle assault?" He said while raising an eyebrow and smiling.

{No, I'm okay, sorry.}

"You better."

After a quick kiss, Max stood up before grabbing her in his arms and sat next to Dusk.

"Sorry, you had to see me disciplining a team member." Said Max while petting Dusk's head.

{It's okay, it just shows me that I should never go against you.} She said with a smile.

"See May? That smart pokemon understood what respect is."

{'Hmpf'} Said May while looking away, faking an upset expression.

While chuckling, Max petted the head of both of them. After a moment, Bonny and Scarlet finally appeared from the wood. When Scarlet went next to the tent, she motioned to Max to come near her.

"Be nice now girls." Said Max before putting May on where he was sitting after standing up.

{We always are.} Proudly said May.

"Yeah, sure." Said Max with the most skeptical voice he could make.

[… We're gonna do it in the tent. That will be more comfortable for both of us.] Said the gardevoir when Max was next to her.

"Okay."

{Alright everyone, me and Master will be busy for a while, so do as you want until we're done.} Said Scarlet to the others.

After they all nodded, Max and Scarlet went inside the tent.

[Want to lay down?] Asked Scarlet, pointing at the beds.

"Sure." Said Max while laying on Scarlet's bed.

[Mine?] She asked, puzzled.

"Why not. It has your scent all over it."

[Hihi, you're starting to be like a real beast, master. Which is kind of nice actually.] She said while floating above him before landing on him gently.

"With the number of times you raped me, it was better for me to get into it."

[Smart move. Now master, relax as much as you can. It's gonna take more time than what you're used to. And with the amount of data I'll transfer, it's possible that you will feel dizzy or have a big headache after we're done that can last a couple of hours. Still up for it?]

"Yes."

Scarlet then took a huge and deep breath.

[… Alright, let's begin.] Said Scarlet before putting her hands on Max's head.

A few seconds later, Max got caught by the usual mind-numbing until everything was completely dark. After a few seconds and for a short amount of time, waves of energy were passing through his mind. Then, everything was dark and a bit lonely. A moment later, he even began to hear voices. At first, Max couldn't really understand them, but soon enough, he was able to get a few words. Scarlet… Bonny… Dusk… May… were the words he was hearing the most. Further in front of him, Max then saw a small ray of light, slowly growing bigger. When he was engulfed by it, Max finally opened his eyes. Still lying on Scarlet's bed, Max saw his faithful red gardevoir next to him and her hands on his head.

"Hi… Scarlet."

Almost got by surprise, Scarlet opened her eyes wide open after quickly leaving his head.

{MASTER!} She almost screamed before going for a strong hug.

"Whoa… hey hey now, no need to break me." Said Max, feeling half there.

{Oh master, I'm so glad you're okay.}

"What? Why…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Bonny and the rest of his team got inside the tent.

{Is he finally awake?} Said Bonny, sounding almost panicked.

{Yes. I managed to bring him back.}

{Thank arceus!} Exclaimed Bonny before they all go for a hug, with tears coming out of their eyes.

"Wow, what's going on? It's like you haven't seen for days."

Raising her head, Bonny then looked at Max a moment before looking at Scarlet with watery eyes. Looking at Bonny's eyes, Max could swear that he saw a slight glimpse of… anger.

{… Alright, I'll tell him. He won't like it though.}

{You should have thought about that before doing that.} Said Bonny, sounding upset.

"What do you guys are talking about?"

{… I'll tell you, master. But promise me that you won't get… too mad because I know you will.}

"… Sure?!" He agreed, starting to freak out a bit.

Getting in a more comfortable position, Scarlet and the other were then looking at Max with sad but relieved eyes.

{I… may have lied to you master.} Started Scarlet.

"It's not really the first time actually." Said Max, rolling his eyes.

"What is it this time?"

Max hated when she was lying to him, but most of the time, she had a decent reason to do so.

{It… didn't take me a few hours to make you able to understand pokemon… but rather 48 hours.} Said Scarlet with guilt in her voice.

"… What? Are you serious?" Said Max, starting to get upset.

{Yes.}

"… Shit Scarlet, I know you want to please me but, it is a bit too much, don't you think? I know what a few hours have done to you, but 48 hours? I mean like, what the fuck Scarlet?" Said Max, now sounding angry.

{It wasn't a straight 48 hours if it can soothe you a bit. Dusk held you unconscious every six hours so I can rest a couple of minutes.}

"A couple of minutes? Only that? Wait, why aren't you even looking that tired? If a few hours almost knocked you out, you should be looking more exhausted after 48 hours."

Scarlet then looked at the others, with them glaring at her.

{There have been some… complications during the knowledge transfer.}

"Complications? What kind of complications?"

Scarlet then was hesitant.

{You either tell him or I'll do it. It's your turn to deal with the painful truth.} Said Bonny, sounding upset while rethinking about the moment when Scarlet told her about her first mega evolution.

{I will okay.}

"Mind of telling me today?" Said Max, getting impatient.

{… While doing the transfer… I had a moment of weakness and… messed something up in your brain… making you fall in a coma for two weeks.}

"… What? I mean… What!?" Exclaimed Max, not sure of what he was hearing.

{I'm sorry master, I screwed up.}

Max then glared at Scarlet a moment before almost exploding.

"… Hold on, let me get this straight. Not only you lied to me and almost killed yourself with exhaustion, but you also put me in a coma from which I may have never come back?"

{Of course, you would have been able to come back. After all, I know your brain almost as…}

"That's not the fucking point." Interrupted Max, raising his voice despite himself.

"What the hell is wrong with you Scarlet?"

{What do you…}

"What I am to you? A simple plaything that you can lie to and do whatever you want to?"

{Of course not…}

"Well guess what 'dear'…" Said Max, knowing that she didn't like that word.

"I'm a living thing as much as you are, with feelings. Which sometimes, I wonder if you have."

Took over by anger herself, Scarlet then slapped hard Max across the face, making half of it red after a few seconds.

{… You think that I don't have feelings? You think you can tell me that I didn't feel anything when I saw you in that state, that I myself put you in?} She angrily said.

For the first time since they knew each other, Max heard the sadness in her voice, like she was on the verge of crying, but without actually crying.

{I know what's in your brain, but you don't know what's in mine because you're just a weak and stupid human that doesn't get anything.} She angrily said.

{I almost killed you for the second time, and you dare tell me that I don't feel anything? If that's the case, then you may be stupider than I first thought. That would teach me for trying to help a human.} She angrily said before standing up and leaving the tent.

"And that will teach me to trust a liar," Lowly said Max while rubbing half of his face.

{… You okay master?} Asked Bonny, concerned.

"… Yeah. Again, it's surprising how physically strong that gardevoir is."

Then, Max lied on the bed again with his back facing his team.

"If you don't mind… I would like to be alone for a moment." Said Max, still upset.

{… Okay.} Said May.

With that, Bonny and May left the tent unwillingly.

"Sorry Dusk, but that also means you." Said Max, noticing that she had stayed.

{… Before I leave… there is something I want to tell you.} She said surprisingly seriously.

"… What is it?"

{… I think you may have gone a bit too hard on Scarlet.}

"And I think I went too softly on her."

{Master.}

"I'm getting sick of her lies. And if I got it correctly, you even participated in her wicked plan by helping her."

{We just wanted to help you, master.}

"Does lying really help me that much?"

{Not that master.}

"She put both of us in danger by doing that without my consent. You think I shouldn't care about that?"

{I understand how you feel master but…}

"Is that really the case Dusk? As far as I can tell, I never lied to you."

{What? Why… why are you picking on me now?} Said Dusk, feeling sadness and pain slowly growing inside her.

"I'm not picking on you. But still, you were not the one that tried to stop her."

Dusk then began to feel her eyes getting watery.

{… Scarlet was right, you're such a stupid human that never understands anything.} Loudly said Dusk before standing up and leaving the tent, almost crying.

"Wait Dusk… I'm…"

Before he could finish, Dusk had already left.

"… Great. Here we go again." He said while angrily landing his head on the pillow.

After a moment, Bonny then entered the tent.

{I understand how you feel master, but making Dusk cry was really unnecessary.}

"You think I wanted to? Anyway, she was with Scarlet on that plan."

{… I was too.}

"What?"

{We all knew what she was planning to do.}

"Oh, wonderful. Now all of my team are going against me."

{No one is against you master.}

"Sure you're not. You all knew about Scarlet's lie and were partners in crime with her for making me fall into a coma."

{Ah, what a good joke. For a second, I thought that you really believed that it was planned for that to happen.} She haughtily said.

"That's an eventuality that Scarlet should have considered before doing something like that."

{Why you… gha. Do you even understand why she did it in the first place or are you as stupid as Scarlet claims you are?} Said Bonny, getting slowly angry.

"Making me able to understand all pokemon. Yep, that's really something worth risking Scarlet's health for." Sarcastically said Max.

Now rather mad, Bonny then went next to Max before using force to move him on his back so she could speak face-to-face with him.

{Listen here you freaking idiot.} She angrily said before sitting on Max's chest and grabbing him by his collar.

{Even if you have the brain of a caterpie, you can't seriously be that stupid. Can't you see that Scarlet and all of us did all of that for the big moron that you are? Yes, she lied to you and we all were part of the plan, but it was only because you're too much of a wuss. We all know that you would just have said no if she said that it would take 48 hours. You just don't get it, do you? Even if it was for a thousand hours, Scarlet will gladly do it for you. You know why? Because you are everything she has. She would die for you goddamnit, so why can't you just open your blind eyes and understand that?}

"… Because…"

{Because nothing.} Angrily said Bonny while pushing his back against the ground pretty hard.

{We all are willing to give our life for you.}

"So what? You expect me to abuse that make you do whatever I want?"

{You stupid… rha! In what kind of world do you live? I never said anything about abusing that faith we have in you. There's a difference between us protecting you from danger and you asking us to jump in a volcano for your amusement. She wanted to do something for you, you idiot. Why can't you just accept what she does for you?}

"Risking her life for something that trivial, you think that's a good thing to do?"

{… Seriously, I'm about to smack you as well. Do you really think she would do something that she wasn't sure to accomplish?}

"…"

{Ah, I finally was able to shut that stupid mouth of yours. Now, you either go out there to apologize to Dusk and Scarlet or else, I'm gonna kick your ass so hard in my next mega evolution that you won't be able to sit for weeks, understood?} She angrily threatened.

Unable to respond, Max only stared at her. She was almost as aggressive as her mega form. For a moment, he even wondered if she would make his head fly with her ears.

{I'll take that silence as a yes.} She said before moving from him.

{We love you, master. Just… try not to forget it would you?" Said Bonny before leaving.

"… Note to self. Never make a pokemon angry for real." Muttered Max while staring at the ceiling of the tent.

Meanwhile, a bit further, Scarlet was wandering in the woods until she had enough and sat at the base of a tree, her chin resting on her arms.

(You're such an idiot master.) She sadly thought.

Trying her best to contain her sadness, she heard bushes rustling close by. Turning her head, she saw that Aurora was passing through one.

{Scarlet? What are you doing here alone without your precious trainer?}

{Leave me alone. I'm not in the mood to hear your garbage talk.} She said with a faint tone of sadness, making the lucario quite astonished.

{Of all pokemon on this team, you were the last one that I expected to see like this.}

{Why? Because you also think that I'm a soulless monster that doesn't feel anything?} She said a bit angrily.

Oddly though, Aurora saw a bit of herself in her words.

{I'm guessing something happened between you and that human?}

Scarlet the looked at Aurora a moment before letting out a small insane laugh.

{Haha, of course, you don't know. Master has been in a coma for two weeks and you weren't even aware of that? Ha, what a pokemon companion you are.}

{In a coma?} Said Aurora, quite shocked.

{Yes, in a freaking coma that I provoked. Shouldn't be a surprise though from someone that only cares about her own little person.}

{Wh-why didn't you tell me?}

{Why?} She angrily said before standing up and facing her.

{Because you're always away, whining or doing who knows what somewhere else. Even If I were to tell you, you would just probably have said something like 'why should I care?'." She said while doing an idiot version of the lucario.

{We didn't tell you because the only one that you care about is yourself, so I didn't see the point in that. Of course, it's something that you would have discovered on your own if you weren't that selfish.}

{What do you think you know about me? Maybe I would have cared. But I guess it's something we will never know since you probably were too busy with being the know-it-all pokemon of the team.}

{… What?} Said Scarlet, glaring at the blue pokemon.

{You hear me. You think you are so smart and act like those snobbish humans that think that they are better than everyone else. You may be a psychic, but it doesn't mean that you're that smart. That human falling in a coma by your fault is good proof.}

{… Take. It. Back.} Scarlet said angrily while growing a Shadow Ball in one hand.

{Make me.} Said Aurora, doing it as well with an aura sphere.

{… You know what Aurora? I gave you a chance, but now, you've crossed the line. I'm getting sick of your behavior towards master and your attitude. I think it's time to show you who is the alpha female here.} Scarlet said defiantly.

Before doing any movement, Scarlet noticed Aurora's legs getting a bit shaky from fear. Before meeting Max, she wouldn't have cared a single bit, but since she was with him, it was like she was feeling more… considerate towards living things. Even being scared, Aurora was standing her ground in a fighting position, which forced Scarlet to respect that, even if slightly.

{Eat this.} Said Scarlet before launching her Shadow Ball.

Not even a second later, Aurora launched her Aura Sphere toward her attack. As anticipated, her attack was way weaker than hers, making her Shadow Ball destroy her Aura Sphere before continuing to move towards her. Dodging the attack, Aurora the goes for Bone Rush, at what Scarlet blocked with Protect.

{Hiding behind a wall? That's cowardly for a strong pokemon as strong as you.} Commented Aurora after a few hits.

Rising an eyebrow, Scarlet stopped her move between her hits and quickly hit her with Fire Punch on her chest, dealing heavy damage while burning her fur quite a bit.

{You should stop there before you seriously got injured.} Said Scarlet, almost haughtily.

{And admitting my defeat? Never.} Said Aurora while trying to ignore the pain as much as possible.

Dashing towards Scarlet, Aurora wanted to go for Close Combat, even if she knew that it wouldn't do much damage against a psychic type. However, since she was moving in a straight line, Scarlet was able to have an easy sight lock on her and use Psychokinesis, making her float in the air while preventing her to move.

{What gives? Stop with those cheap tricks and fight for real.} Angrily said Aurora.

{Sorry. Right now, I have a strong desire to hurt you right now, but I also have that little something inside me that tells me that master would only be madder at me if I would do so.}

{That's your excuse?}

{It's your loss. But keep in mind that next time, maybe I won't be that magnanimous.}

{Why you…}

Then, Scarlet continued with Psychokinesis and hit her brain with the move, making her faint instantly without injuring her.

{… You're lucky that I meet master.} Muttered Scarlet before going somewhere else.

In the camp, Max finally decided to go with the apology rather than an angry Bonny. Now calmer, he exited the tent and saw Dusk alone on one of the trunks. Getting close to her, Max sat next to her.

"… I'm sorry Dusk. I shouldn't have said those things."

Surprisingly, Max was expecting her to be angry at him or a least, punched him or something, but she instead went for a hug.

{It's okay master, I know you weren't thinking that. You were just a stupid master that was angry.} She said, almost sobbing.

"No, I didn't. I can hardly imagine a nice and great braixen like you being intentionally bad. I'm sure you were meaning well." Said Max, returning the hug while rubbing her back.

{So does Scarlet master.}

"… Maybe." Said Max, still pretty mad at her.

"But I guess more explanation will be necessary."

{If you do, can you be more comprehensive this time? She just wanted to help you master, and so do I.}

"I know… I'll try."

{Please master, she just thought that it would make your life easier.}

"… Sure Scarlet has a pretty unorthodox way of doing things to help me."

{I guess that's just the way she is.}

"… I guess too." Said Max before sighing.

{I'm not mad at you master, but Scarlet is the one that needs you now.}

"… Yeah, you're right. I'm still mad but, I can't just let things stay that way."

After Dusk let him go, Max kissed her forehead before going into the woods in search of Scarlet. While walking, he comes across the zone where Scarlet and Aurora fought, finding the lucario still lying on the ground.

"Aurora!" Exclaimed Max before rushing toward.

When next to her, he kneeled and made her sat after noticing her burnt mark on her chest fur. Luckily, her skin didn't seem to be damaged.

"Aurora, can you hear me?" He said while gently shaking her.

Still not moving, he placed her on the ground and put his ear against her chest in the hope to hear a heartbeat. Then, after he heard one…

{The hell are you doing?} Heard Max.

Rising his head, he saw the lucario now awake.

"Thank god you're okay Aurora." He said before making her sit again.

{Can you not be that close to me please?}

"What happened?" He asked, worried.

Spacing out for a moment, Aurora then remembered her defeat against Scarlet.

{… Nothing.} She angrily said before standing up.

"Don't give me that. You are burnt on your chest, you obviously fought with someone."

{None of your business okay.}

"I can heal you with a potion."

{A potion won't make my fur regrow you dumbass.} She said while moving away from him.

"Stubborn as always huh?"

{Yeah, and what?}

"… And nothing. I'm just glad you don't have anything." He said while petting her head.

{… W-whatever.} She said while pushing his hand away before walking away from him.

{Who's says that I don't have anything?} She muttered when far enough from Max.

"… Let's find Scarlet now." Said Max to himself when she wasn't in sight anymore.

After leaving the place, Max then went further into the woods. He couldn't explain why, but it was like he was being guided through the forest and somehow knew where to go. Probably due to his link with her, Max finally found his red gardevoir, sitting at the base of a tree with her face buried between her knees.

"… You… okay?" Said Max, trying his best being nice.

[I don't know, you tell me since I don't feel anything.] She coldly said.

"Still mad I see."

[You too are, I can feel it.]

"Unlike you, I got a pretty good reason."

[… Unlike me?] She said while looking at him.

Max then realized that things have gone a bit too far when he saw her angry and sad eyes.

[Getting mad because you tell me that I'm a heartless bitch is nothing compared to be upset because I wanted to give you a surprise that somehow ended up slightly bad?} She said almost angrily.

"I wouldn't say 'slightly', and I never said that you were a bitch."

[You didn't have to say it.]

Max then heavily sighed before speaking again.

"Can I sit?"

[Do as you like, it's not like you care about my desires.] She said while looking away angrily.

A bit reluctantly, Max then sat next to her. He was still pretty mad at her, but as he said to Dusk, he thought that some explanations could be done.

"What do you mean by surprise?"

[… Since I knew that you would have refused that I exhaust myself for 24 hours that finally turned out to be 48 since it was harder than expected, I had to make a small lie so that you could wake up and be able to understand every living pokemon. The goal was to take advantage of you while being unconscious to make what I wanted. If you didn't fall into a coma due to my weakness, everything would have gone perfectly and none of this would have happened.]

"… So if everything went according to your plan, you would just never have told me?"

[What would that have changed if it was the case? You would never have noticed that it would have taken a few or a lot of hours since you don't have time notion when you are mind-numbed.]

"Sounds a bit horrible said like this."

[I must agree that it wasn't the noblest way of doing it, but that's pretty much the idea of a surprise isn't it? You wouldn't be mad at someone that was hiding a present from you for your birthday or something?]

"… I… Guess not. But a gift doesn't imply me getting in a coma. You should have told me about the risk."

[I didn't know that they could have such risk. I told you a thousand times now that I never played that much inside someone's mind before, even less doing something like that.]

"I want you to be honest with me, if you knew that it was that risky, would you have told me?"

Scarlet then went silent, not wanting to respond.

"That's what I mean. You can't just do whatever you want to someone whenever you want Scarlet. I have to say that I really appreciate that you wanted to give me a surprise and it touches me greatly, but what if I had never woken up from the coma, or worse, that your next surprise or plan like this will kill me?"

[I…]

Again, Scarlet didn't know how to respond. Not knowing what to add, Max also went silent for a moment.

"I think… we both were wrong about this situation."

[… I guess.]

Max then felt a pretty heavy feeling of guilt coming from Scarlet, along with sadness.

[I… just wanted to make you happy. How come things have gotten like this?] She said, a bit sadly.

"Sometimes, when you want too much to do good things, you end up making things bad or worse."

[… You're everything to me, master… I can't think of anything else besides wanting to make you happy.]

"Like insulting or punishing me?"

Despite herself, Scarlet let out a small chuckle.

"There we go." Said Max while rubbing her shoulder.

Scarlet then leaned towards him and grabbed his arm to hug it with her head lying against this shoulder.

[Sorry I lied to you master.] She sincerely said with a slight tone of sadness and guilt.

"Sorry I got mad at you. I know that whatever you may do or were planning to do, it's always for my well-being or my happiness. I was such an asshole for getting mad at a failed attempt at a surprise."

[You were pretty right to be, master. Things indeed could have been worse because of my recklessness and carelessness.]

"Shit happens."

[… Like you said… I guess we were both in the wrong.]

"Yeah, and you don't apologize for the slap?"

[Not really, you deserved it.]

"Hehe, probably." He slightly laughs while petting her soft and beautiful red hairs.

Max then thought for a moment.

"Do you think… I can make a deal with you?"

[What is it?]

"If you promise me to not lie to me anymore and always tell me that kind of plan with the risk, I'm willing to let you have more free will over me."

[What do you mean?]

"I mean that I'll be likely to accept things like that if you ask me first about it and the possible danger."

Scarlet then thought about it for a moment.

"That still depends of course from the ratio of danger to reward. I like surprises, but not when it means one of us getting hurt."

[… In short, you will let me do more things if I tell you first?]

"… Yeah."

[… I …guess it's acceptable.]

"But I'm counting on you, to be honest. I can't hide things from you, but you still can hide some from me."

[You're my lover master, of course, I'll be honest with you. I still told you about your coma remember? If I wanted, I could have just never told you.]

"… True."

[You can trust me, master. I'll never go against you.]

"I know."

To Max's surprise, Scarlet then moved over and sat on Max's lap, her face a few inches away from his.

[It's like me being able to severely injure or kill you without breaking a sweat, but that doesn't mean I will do it.] She said while caressing his cheek.

[You too precious to me master, whether you believe me or not.]

"I do believe you."

[I know master. But even though you said those words in anger and were not thinking it, they really hurt me, meaning that it's probably the only sensitive part of me.]

"… The only one? Are you sure?" He said with a perverted look.

[… Okay, maybe the third one.] Said Scarlet while rolling her eyes with a smile.

"… You are pretty much everything to me too Scarlet. I hate it when things like this happen between us."

[Me too master.]

"… But since nobody is perfect, mistakes tend to happen."

[Unfortunately, it's the sad truth.]

"… Sorry Scarlet."

[I'm sorry too.]

Moving her head closer to his, Scarlet then pressed her lips against Max's, both of them giving an apologizing kiss that lasted for a few minutes.

"I love you, Scarlet." Said Max when Scarlet broke it.

[And so do I, master.] She said with intense eyes.

Scarlet then went for a hug, with Max returning it and stayed like this for a moment.

"… Ready to resume our travel?" Said Max after a little while.

[Yeah, this place is already filled with bad memories.] Said Scarlet while breaking the hug.

"Eh, let's make good ones in the next one then."

[Let's do our best.]

"Will do."

After they both stood up, they headed towards the campsite with Scarlet stopping midway.

[Aurora is that way if you want to get her. I'll pack your stuff in the meantime.]

"Alright."

After they separated, Max, walked in the pointed direction for a couple of minutes until he came across Aurora that was practicing some moves in a small clearing.

{What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?} She coldly said.

"So, that's what you're doing when not with us?"

{… Pretty much. Why? Is it bad?}

"Relationship can hardly bloom with an attitude like that you know?" Said Max, making Aurora shrug her shoulders in response.

"We are about to leave, so I thought that maybe you want to continue traveling with us."

{… Do I really have a choice?} Said Aurora, making Max sigh.

"Actually Aurora, you do. We still are pretty close to the Setsui dojo. If you want, I can release you so you can get back there."

{… Why are you telling me that?} She said after stopping her training.

"Because I really didn't like how I forced you to get out of there. But I had a reason for doing that."

{Which is?} She asked, crossing her arms.

"… Because I sincerely wanted to help you and be your friend Aurora. I saw how sad and depressed you were looking back there. I can assure you it's not pity, but rather me wanting to see an awesome pokemon like you bloom and get stronger because I know you can."

{I… I'm not that awesome.} Said Aurora before looking away with a blush.

{And how can you be so sure that I can be strong? Not that I'm not already anyway.}

"Because you're a fighting type, one of the few types that have a huge potential. I've read in the pokedex that fighting starts as the weakest, but through training and hard work, can become one of the strongest, if not the strongest."

{… Well… at least you're not completely ignorant.}

"I always try to improve my knowledge to make you guys the strongest and happiest pokemon there is."

{Hm, you sure are good with sugary words, if you really mean them that is.}

"Of course I do. And if you stick with me, with us, you will see that I'm not a liar."

Aurora then thought for a moment. The sound of her not dealing with him anymore was quite appealing, but she kind of grew a bit curious about him since she saw that he had a good aura.

{… You know what, you seem pretty convinced of your own words. I have to admit that I'm pretty intrigued to see that if you really mean what you said or just hollow words.}

"So does that mean…"

{Yeah, I'll stay with you. Take that as me going on a quest to discover your true nature.} She said while crossing her arms.

"Thanks, Aurora, you won't regret it." Said Max while hugging her, getting carried away.

{Hey now, I didn't say that I was allowing hugs okay?}

"… Sorry." He said after quickly breaking it.

{However, if I ever found out that you lied in some way or another, you'll be very sorry and your other pokemon friend won't be able to do a thing about it, I can assure you that.}

"Sure. Since it will never happen, I'm not too worried."

{Hmm, we'll see about that.}

"Hehe. So, I always ask my teammates if they want to walk with me or get carried inside their pokeball. What will it be for you?"

{If being in the ball means not seeing your face, then I'll go with that.}

"Eh, alright then."

Taking out the lucario's pokeball, Max put her back in before leaving the place and headed toward the campsite. When he arrived, everything was packed and everyone was there, ready to go.

{All set master, we are ready to leave whenever you want.} Said Scarlet, sitting in his backpack.

"Great. Thanks love. Does anyone want to stay out of their pokeball?"

{Can I walk with you master?} Asked May.

"By walking you mean being carried on my backpack?"

{Hmmm… yes.} She said with a fake innocent face.

"Haha, sure thing sweety. Anyone else?" Asked Max to the other, all of them shaking their head.

"Okay then."

After putting Bonny and Dusk on their pokeball, Max grabbed his backpack before putting May on it.

"Alright, we can now resume our travel."

[I could say finally, but we did have a couple hours of fun time here.]

"Let's have more somewhere else." Said Max almost too seriously, making Scarlet giggles.

After leaving the forest, they were back on the road and resumed their walked toward RedfieldTown, where Max's next gym badge was awaiting him.