Fox and the Dragon Trainers

[dragon]

The day after the gym battle, Nick got up early to head out. Drake was healed and well rested. Nick had taken him to the pokecenter immediately after the gym battle and waited around there for awhile, while Drake was healed. Afterward, he spent the rest of the day in the room, cleaning up and then going to bed early. The day of the gym battle had been a long day and Nick wanted to get an early head start the next day.

Now he found himself along Route 802, heading away from Gustella Town. The route was quite scenic and Nick found himself wanting to make a stop to fish for some wild pokemon, but he just knew they didn't have all day to waste fishing on this route. Nick was eager to get to the town or city that awaited him and Varoon was sure to complain about them lingering for too long and having to sleep out in the dirt at nightfall.

Still, Nick's pace was slow enough so that he could enjoy the Route before him. And who knew? Maybe he would eventually break down and fish for some pokemon with a rod. He could get some good training in from that. He had none of his pokemon out of his pokeballs yet. He considered letting them all roam with him, but that might get a little crazy. At the very least, he wanted Drake to continue resting in his pokeball. The Dratini had earned a break.

[Catilena1890]

Varoon yawned loudly as he, Zacarian, and Xinari followed Nick. The pokemon-clad teen looked absolutely tired and miserable, and his eyes slightly watered as he yawned once more.

"Mornings are evil." He lamented. Xinari rolled his eyes as he trotted up to Zacarian, whispering something in the white fox's ear. The Jolteon grinned wide as he stopped, growling low in his throat.

"Jolllllllll!!!!" He cried, firing a Winter Volt at Varoon. The blue lightening bolts and the snowflakes assaulted the furry, who cried out in pain, falling over with a gasp. Recovering quickly, he sat up and glared at the eeveelution pair, who were cackling in reaction.

"What the heck was that for! You nearly killed me! Varoon is not pleased! This is so NOT fab!" He cried. Zacarian continued to laugh while Xinari composed himself.

"Eevee, eevee vee vee. Eevee eevee. Eevee." Well, you DID say you were tired. So I had Zacarian's Winter Volt wake you up. You can thank me later. He said with a wink. Varoon glared at the eevee and growled in a pokemon-esque way.

"Varoon is going to make you pay Xinari, and it will hurt bad." He threatened. Xinari merely yawned and began padding back to Nick, prompting Varoon and Zacarian to follow.

[dragon]

Nick looked over his shoulder just in time to see Varoon get zapped by his pokemon. He chuckled aloud. "You just won a gym badge and you can't control not being attacked by your own partners? That's rich." Nick continued laughing before he continued walking. After a few moments, he finally spoke up again. "So what's our next stop? Where's the next gym?" He finally questioned as he continued walking along the route.

[Catilena1890]

Varoon took out a map and studied it closely as Xinari and Zacarian ran around, occasionally disappearing into the bushes. Varoon frowned and his eyes narrowed down at the map, as though he were confused by it.

"Varoon can't read maps well. Varoon usually depends on Xinari for that, or hot guys." He said, frowning more. He looked up and looked around, but could not find either Xinari OR Zacarian.

"Little brother? Zacarian? Where are you?" He asked. There was a bright flash of light, but otherwise no response. He grinned for a moment before looking at Nick, walking over to him gracefully with a swivel in his hips.

"Varoon's pokemon have gone missing, we must find them. Perhaps if Varoon climbs on top of you, Varoon can get a better view. But it's so hot, perhaps we shouldn't wear so many c---AHH!" Varoon froze in place, unable to move anything except for his eyes.

This is why I don't leave you for extended periods of time, behave yourself, big brother. Said a voice in Varoon and Nick's head. Moving his eyes as far as he could, Varoon saw a purple fox-like pokemon sitting next to Zacarian, and Varoon tried his hardest to crack a smile. Sensing his actions would no longer threaten their companion, the espeon released Varoon who promptly pulled out his pokedex.

"Espeon, The Sun pokemon, and an evolved form of Eevee. Espeon are extremely loyal to trainers they deem worthy, and will use their powers to see the future to protect their trainers." Said the pokedex. Varoon quickly put the pokedex away and ran up to the Espeon, his eyes wide.

"Xinari! Is that you!? What happened!?" Varoon asked. The Espeon smiled and stood up, hugging his brother.

While Zacarian and I played, I found a dawn stone and tripped on it, and I evolved. I found some weird water to drink after and discovered I could move things around with my mind, and talk to Zacarian in his mind. Xinari said while Varoon hugged him. The espeon turned to Nick and gave a chirp.

Don't worry, now that I`m an Espeon, I`ll be able to keep a tighter leash on my brother. Now then, do you have a REAL map on you that I can read? Varoon will take ANYTHING that looks pretty, even if it isn't functional. Xinari said in a matter-of-fact tone.

[dragon]

Just as Nick was getting irritated and balling a fist, he saw Varoon suddenly freeze in place. Not knowing what to think of it, he grabbed a pokeball and called forth a pokemon. "Chara! I choose you!" he exclaimed and suddenly a Charmander appeared near him. The pokemon could sense Nick was anxious and looked around for the source, growling menacingly as she did. When Nick heard voices in his head, he began to get even more anxious. "Who? What?" he began to question as he looked around quickly for the source.

As the Espeon appeared, Nick cocked his head to the side and looked. "Huh. An Espeon? Very interesting." he said as he looked the Espeon over. Chara calmed down at this point, realizing there was no real danger. "Good job, Chara." he said to the pokemon as he patted the top of her head as he knelt down next to her. He glanced back over to Varoon and the Espeon. "Good. Keeping Varoon in line just got easier. Some people just don't take a hint." he said as he walked over to inspect the Espeon.

Looking at both Espeon and the Jolteon, Nick grinned. "Two Eevee evolutions. They compliment each other well. I wonder if we'll come across anymore." he said aloud. The Eevee evolutions were interesting, even if they weren't Nick's prime interest. Just as he finished speaking, however, Chara began tugging at his shirt. He turned around to glance back at her. "Something wro-? Whoa! Where did you find that, Chara?" one question was interrupted by another as Chara handed over a pokeball to him. Nick looked at the empty pokeball and grinned, tucking it away in his bag.

"Thanks Chara. You're a great helper. Now I have an extra pokeball to collect another teammate for us!" he said, then stood back up again. He didn't have a town map of his own. Maybe in the next town over, he could get one. For now, he glanced over at the Espeon. "Is that map worth anything?" he asked Xinari. "Knowing our next destination would be great." he stated as an afterthought.

[Catilena1890]

Xinari sighed as he knocked Varoon down, grabbing the map in the prongs of his tail and setting it down. He unfolded it with Zacarian's help and promptly faceplanted at the glittery, sequined paper.

THIS is a map? What the heck big brother? The espeon snapped. Varoon sniffed indignantly and crossed his arms, tilting his head up with his nose high.

"What? It's FABULOUS. Do you not agree?" He asked the pokemon. Xinari rolled his eyes and sighed.

Yes, but for once fashion isn't going to get us anywhere. Besides, you and I BOTH know that nothing is more fab than me. Xinari said boastfully. He turned to Nick and promptly sighed again.

If you have any love for me and your pokemon at all, you will NOT turn into a Queen like my brother. It ruins lives. Anyway, this map is useless, but I have a plan. Said the espeon, who turned to Zacarian. The two conversed for a moment before Zacarian ran off, leaving the group as Xinari closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. Varoon tilted his head at Xinari and made a curious noise.

"What are you doing baby brother?" Varoon asked. Xinari cracked one eye open to look at Varoon.

Your pokedex said espeon can see into the future to help their trainers. I`m trying to see if we find a way into Torrentia while Zacarian asks for directions. The espeon responded, closing his eyes again. Varoon made a disgusted noise in reaction.

"ASKING for directions? Are you mad Xinari?" Varoon wailed.

Insane, actually. And this would NOT have happened if you had a proper map. Fashion isn't everything. Xinari said, making Varoon snort.

"Blasphemy." Was his only response.

[dragon]

Nick and Chara watched as the pair of Eevee evolutions went about trying to figure out Varoon's map. Unfortunantly, it was useless. Nick sighed alound and rubbed his forehead. "Figures. I'm definently looking for a map once we reach the next place." Nick explained as he watched the interaction between the two of them and Varoon.

When Xinari told him not to become like Varoon, Nick laughed at first before he responded. "Oh don't worry. The last thing that will happen is me becoming like him. Besides, he doesn't seem to get the fact that I fancy girls." Nick was being blunt yet again. Though he followed it with a sigh, still wishing they had a girl in their group. Nick just knew there were going to be people who questioned his sexuality because of Varoon and he could only wonder how many girls he wouldn't win over because of it.

He groaned softly to himself before muttering out. "This will be the end of me, I swear." He watched as Xinari and Zacarian tried working together to find a way to their next stop. "Torrentia? Was it? Huh." Nick hadn't exactly caught what Xinari had called the place, but atleast they were trying to find a way to get to it. When he heard Varoon complain about directions, Nick snapped back. "Well, we wouldn't have to ask if we had a decent map!" he exclaimed. Afterward, he began looking around to see where Zacarian went off to. Just who could the oddly colored Jolteon find to ask for directions out here? He hadn't seen anyone else on the route just yet.

[Bayhound]

Xinari wouldn't have to see as far into the future as he'd thought, oddly enough. Little did Nick and Varoon know that this would be both a curse and a blessing to the group, but if it was up to one very shy coordinator, she'd try her hardest to let their new possible means of travel not encounter them at all. Suddenly, a loud screech rippled through the area, various pokemon stopping their various acts to tilt their heads. It was a loud roar indeed, but... it wasn't threatening. At least, not to them.

A bush or two shuddered in front of Varoon and where Nick previously was before a thin, blonde girl stepped out, doubling over so she could catch her breath. Twigs and leaves stuck out from her hair, and as soon as she looked up, she'd leapt over to the furry and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him without so much as noticing that he had ears or an Espeon nearby staring at a bedazzled map. "You have to run, NOW!" she panted, eyes wide. "She's playing hide and seek, and if she finds you--"

But it seemed to be too late. A huge shadow loomed above them, and in the blink of an eye, a serpentine pokemon twirled and spiraled down to the ground, lips pulled back in a grin as she screeched. "Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" Foooooooound yooouu! Her body slammed into the ground, yet was careful to not actually land on anyone as she slithered around, snickering somewhat evilly before stretching out her small arms to grasp Varoon and pull him close, slithering and curling around him.

"Rayquaza! Rayquaza! Ray.... Raaaaay~?" New purple friend! I like! New-- oooh, what's that? Her gaze was torn to the bedazzled map, eyes twinkling as she still held Varoon.

"Malice! Down! Bad girl!" Allie cried, hugging the Misquaza and pulling back in attempts to make her let the furry go. "I didn't make it..."

[dragon]

Nick snapped to attention and looked in the direction he heard the noise. Even Chara had frozen in place, wondering just what that was all about. Nick didn't have to question what was going on for long. Suddenly a girl appeared out of the bushes. She was a thin, blonde haired girl and Nick's eyes suddenly grew wide with instant infatuation. She was certainly a pretty girl, but all thoughts were disrupted when she began talking like something was wrong.

Nick had to wonder what she seemed so rushed about as she was talking to Varoon. Yet again, he didn't have to wonder for long. He heard an all too familiar cry as a Rayquaza suddenly appeared before them. It was a different color from the normal green, but it was a different color from Nick's own Rayquaza. "Well let's just see about this. Rayquaza, come join the party!" Nick called out, grabbing the pokeball containing his Rayquaza and releasing him from it.

Just as the other Rayquaza was grabbing Varoon, Nick's uniquely colored Rayquaza coiled around to Varoon. As Alenai was trying to pull her Rayquaza off of Varoon, Nick's Rayquaza placed a hand on the other Rayquaza. "Raaaaaaay. Ray." Release him. Please. Nick's Rayquaza spoke to Alenai's Rayquaza, trying to get the other Rayquaza to release Varoon in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, Nick's Charmander stared at the map like a girl staring at some new shoes she wanted. Her eyes glinted before she scooped up the map. As she looked it over, turning it every which-a-way, she nuzzled it before looking up at the two shiny Rayquaza and once again was in love. "Chaaaaaaar." Preeeeetty. She spoke out, while still nuzzling the map and looking up at the two Rayquazas.

[Catilena1890]

Varoon ignored Nick as Allie approached, and he couldn't help but tilt his head at her behavior. Before he could say anything though, he was picked up by a Rayquaza, one that was purple compared to Nick's blue Rayquaza. In reaction, Varoon did what anyone would if they were suddenly picked up and cuddled by a giant dragon that appeared out of nowhere.

"AHHHHHH! XINARI HELP VAROON! GET OFF VAROON YOU GIANT PURPLE WORM! GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF GRAWRRRRRRR!" He howled, his eyes wild with fear as he bumped his head against the Rayquaza, biting her over and over, with little noticeable effect, while Xinari and Zacarian, who had followed Allie back, cracked up at the scene.

Karma's a turd, isn't it Big Brother? You brought this on yourself for being useless you know! Take it like a man![/i]

"VAROON'S NOT A MAN, VAROON IS A POKEMON TRAPPED IN A MAN'S BODY, NOW GET VAROON DOWN!" He screamed, trying once again to bite the misquaza into letting him go. Xinari continued to roll in laughter as he cracked an eye open to look at Allie.

Don't worry, we won't hold this against you, and neither will Varoon. He hates surprises, not rayquazas. He's just shocked is all, he'll calm down after she decides to put him down. No hurry on that, by the way. He said, making sure to add the last part to Allie's pokemon.

[Bayhound]

Allie was still confused and concerned for the overall well-being of the odd person in her pokemon's grasp, however, it seemed like no-one else was. Slowly, she let Malice go, stepping back to observe the situation quietly. This person... was not a person? But a pokemon trapped in a human body? So lost was she that she completely and accidentally ignored the arrival of Nick, looking down at her feet in attempts to solve this predicament in her head. Man, or pokemon... man, or pokemon?!

Malice, on the other hand, knew exactly what she wanted. As soon as she heard that another Rayquaza was being introduced into the picture, she closed her eyes and turned her nose upward, squeezing and coddling Varoon closer to her. Even as Rayquaza's soothing voice spoke to her she didn't move. She wanted to play with this new purple thing! "...Quaza." No. she replied to him. She was smitten with Varoon until she peeked out from under an eyelid and saw that the little Charmander had stolen her shiny map. Eyes snapping open, the Misquaza snorted and dipped her head down to the creature that was staring at her. To squish the pokemon and claim her prize, or not to squish...

It was then that she saw the other Misquaza for the first time. He.. was like her! But... oh my. Her lower jaw slackened, revealing sharp teeth. He was SHINY! Malice stared for a moment before dropping Varoon on his bum, carefully slithering closer to Rayquaza... before tapping his shoulder with a claw and screeching, her body flailing and tearing up the ground as she shot skyward. Tag, he was it!

Finally, Allie snapped out of it and shook her head, nodding at Xinari in understanding before rushing to Varoon's side. "I still feel bad for what she did... she's such a handful. L-Let me help you up!" she offered, still also slightly confused. "Um. I'm Alenai, Allie for short. Can uh... that really happen? A pokemon trapped in a person's body?" Poor, poor gullible girl. She even looked over to Nick for some help on the topic - she'd need all she could get.

[dragon]

Nick was watching everything unfold. The other Rayquaza was refusing to let Varoon go. Nick's Rayquaza wasn't able to persuade her to put him down. And throughout all this? Varoon was flailing and screaming like a mad man and even going so far as to bite the Rayquaza. That part? That was actually pretty darn priceless. If only Nick could record this. He looked over at Xinari and grinned.

Though it all seemed to happen in a flash. Chara had taken the map and was playing with it before she got distracted yet again by the Rayquaza. It looked as though Malice was about to squash the little Charmander for daring to touch the map. Poor clueless Chara simply ducked her head and clinched the map tightly, slowly backing away. Before Malice could do anything, however, her attention was turned away yet again.

Finally she caught a glimpse of Nick's Rayquaza. Before Nick knew what was going on, Malice had tapped Rayquaza on the shoulder and bolted for the sky. With Varoon no longer in the clutches of a dragon, Nick's Rayquaza shot off after her. He roared "Raaaaaaaaaaaayquazaaaaaaaa!!!" Now Nick's Rayquaza was in hot pursuit of Malice. Nick looked up into the sky, blinking in confusion. Chara walked over toward him, still clutching the map.

She looked up at Nick, cocking her head to the side. "Chara?" She sounded very confused by all this. But once Nick turned his attention from the sky, it wasn't his Charmander that caught his eye. The blonde haired girl from before was now looking at him. Nick probably locked eyes too long, but he was caught by her appearance yet again. His mouth was hanging open just slightly.

He shook his head a little bit. Back to reality for him. "Um...yes? Do you need something?" he asked awkwardly, still unable to take his eyes off the girl. Chara decided since Nick was so preoccupied, she'd lay on the ground and poke at the map she was clutching. Shiny things were so entertaining and pretty to her.

[Catilena1890]

Varoon flopped onto his rump and he whimpered in discomfort, rubbing the sore area and staring after the Rayquaza who dropped him for a game. Varoon glared after Malice and growled.

"What, is Varoon suddenly not good enough for you anymore? Well Varoon has news for you, Varoon is too good for the likes of you! Varoon didn't want you anyway!" He shouted. Xinari continued to laugh as he shakily stood up, hobbling over to varoon alongside Zacarian.

Oh, it hurts! Varoon, you are too much. Now, where do I begin? Well, for starters, that rayquaza was FEMALE. Also, you were screaming bloody murder and trying to BITE your way out of her arms not even a minute ago. Oh, and then there is the fact that she's around ten times your size. Need I continue? Xinari said while he continued cackling. Varoon looked down at the Espeon and glared before snorting, turning to Allie.

"Well, that is what mother and father told me. My mother is a Vaporeon, and my father is a leafeon. Anyway, Varoon is pleased to meet you doll, and this is my little brother, Xinari. He too, was an eevee. He found a Dawn Stone and evolved though, and now he is an espeon. That must mean Varoon will evolve too! Oh my, Varoon will be even more fabulous!" He said, putting his hands on his face, brushing against his whisker implants and wiggling back and forth. Xinari sighed as he looked at Nick and Allie.

Here we go again. Said the espeon as Varoon ran up to Nick, taking his hands into his own and bouncing excitedly.

"Varoon will be better for you! You will love the new Varoon even more than you do now! We shall run into the sunset, hand in hand, until we reach our ultimate paradise! We will cuddle and snuggle every night until our lust overtakes us and we tangle into each other in sweet lovemak---AHHHHH!!!!!" He ranted right until Xinari's eyes glowed, his Confusion taking hold of Varoon and throwing him away from Nick. Varoon flew through the air until he landed face-first into a bush, the lower half of his body hanging out. He tried to plant his feet into the ground and pull himself free, but alas, our beloved furry was unable to escape his prison.

"HEEEEEEELP!" He called. Xinari snorted and sat by Nick while Zacarian looked on in mild interest.

You can come out when you learn to behave. Said the espeon in a matter-of-fact tone.

[Bayhound]

Confusion with a dash of chaos was the perfect recipe to get Alenai to withdraw into herself, and this situation was the best representation of that concoction she'd ever experienced. Her eyes widened until it was impossible for them to widen any more, her feet taking her slowly away from Varoon until he addressed her, and then all she could do was rub her eyes and blink at him dumbfoundedly. His mother... a Vaporeon? Father a Leafeon? And that Espeon was his little brother. Allie gulped and attempted to control her breathing as she thought everything over. This man was raised by wild pokemon, or worse, he was the world's first... hybrid. A real product of being a pokephiliac.

Her hands started to shake when Varoon turned to celebrate 'evolving' with Nick, but she clenched them. How horrible! Poor Varoon, being subject to such an illegal act! But... he didn't seem to mind it. In fact, he encouraged and loved every bit of it. Surely he wasn't aware of his situation..? If he wasn't, Xinari was. He was a smart pokemon, or seemed to be, aside from the jokes. Maybe he was helping Varoon through all of this in his own way, and if that was the case, the coordinator swore to herself right then and there to never question Varoon's family ties again. Ignoring the naughty reference her mind made, Allie shook her head again and looked on with determination. She would help Varoon too! It was the nice thing to do, and his infatuation with being a pokemon was endearing anyway.

The other person in the group seemed to be tolerating the man's most-likely animalistic instinct to... well, do whatever it was they did as he attempted to serenade him, and Allie was glad she wasn't the only one who was willing to help the poor creature out. When Varoon was cast into the bushes, she approached Nick and gave Xinari a chuckle as good measure. Didn't want to seem suspicious. It was her turn to take the red-head's hand then, looking up at him in gratitude as she patted it.

"Oh, I don't need anything" she replied, remembering his earlier question. "Just glad that Varoon there has a good friend like you to rely on, he certainly needs it in this world." She shook her head and sighed, oblivious to the effect she might be having on Nick. Suddenly, she noticed the Charmander and smiled, releasing her grasp and crouching down to her level, her smile growing as two of her pokemon finally caught up with her and approached her side - Ty and Levi, a Totodile and Pichu respectively.

"Aww, what's that you have? A... map?" she asked Chara, confused by the looks of it. "Mine is much cleaner and less bedazzled, you'd probably be bored with it." Ty stared up at Nick and arched a brow judgmentally while Levi squealed and ran over to play with Varoon's fake tail, curious as to what it was.

[dragon]

Nick's eyes were closed, one eyebrow twitching in anger. But yet again, Xinari beat Nick to the punch. Glad to find his hands released and yet another one of Varoon's rants over, he sighed in relief. He started to chuckle outright at Varoon being stuck thanks to Xinari, but his eyes suddenly grew wide in surprise. He looked down at his hands. They were...being held again? The hands that were now holding them were...feminine. He glanced up to see that Alenai was now holding his hands.

His mouth hung open and he started to make an "Uh" sound and dragged it out. "I-i-it's no problem at all of course. Yeah. Varoon's a...friend. And he needs all the help he can get." Nick took a glance past Anelai to see Varoon was still stuck. Boy did Varoon need help and in more ways than one. But his glance shifted back to Alenai. Just as he was getting used to her holding his hands, that likely became sweaty when she started to hold them, she released them and began paying attention to Chara.

Nick watched her interact with Chara for a moment before he noticed a Totodile giving him the eye. Nick raised an eyebrow in reaction to a pokemon giving him the eye. Though he shifted attention from the Totodile right back to Alenai. "So. To Torrentia City then?" not knowing what else to say to this whole thing and ignoring the fact Varoon was still stuck and two Rayquazas were currently on the loose.