Chapter 31 Darkest Winter Meadow Meadow and Audrey had done their job, the two were supposed to patrol the skies to make sure Dynamo had stayed within the trap area that had been quickly discussed. That plan would have worked better if it wasn’t the middle of winter time, there was no way that either of them could have stayed high in the sky for that long period of time, just the 10 minutes they had spent up there was bad enough. Meadow couldn’t even transform into her Sky form because it was too cold outside, while Audrey’s wings had begun freezing while they were up in the air and if they hadn’t landed when they did her old friend would have crashed. It wasn’t like Radiance or Ruby to come up with bad plans but somehow, they did today and that possibly might have costed them their chance to capture Dynamo and bring him to justice. Meadow wanted to join them in the fight, but Audrey insisted that they let Ruby and Radiance take care of the heavy work as discussed, this wasn’t their kind of battlefield and neither girl would have any sort of advantage in this wintery wonderland. Meadow didn’t want to agree with Audrey, what did she know about fighting for anyone else but herself but…she was right, they would have gotten in the way more than helped. Those thoughts didn’t change much after Ruby and the others returned…in fact Meadow’s heart was broken upon seeing Ribbon…her beautiful white coat was blood stained while her breathing was shallow. “Meadow you still know Synthesis?” “I’ve got her.” Jumping forward the Shaymin puts her paws on top of her friend’s daughter. This moment…it brought back memories… “Is everything ok?” Audrey asked, the Pikachu puts a paw on the Shaymin’s back. “Of course…” Meadow lied, she wasn’t ok. This moment…this was just like when they found Windy all of that time ago. She had been asked back then to do this very…same…thing… “Let me help you.” Audrey touches her Latiasite changing back into her natural dragon form. Meadow wanted to glare at Audrey, why did she have to budge her way in? She could take care of this…maybe. The memory of failing to save Windy all of those years ago, when her and the others found the dying Suicune…or…maybe he was already dead, and they just didn’t want to believe it. Either way, back then Meadow had put both her paws on top of Suicune…Windy’s wound and began using Synthesis on it to try and heal the wound…just as she was now. The green energy pulsed all around the wound, healing some of it, but it was slow…too slow back then to stop the constant bleeding. “You’re not alone Meadow.” Audrey lays a claw on Meadow’s small paw. Audrey’s claw was glowing pink, pulsing with healing magic that helped to enhance Meadow’s ability. Before the two knew it, Ribbon’s wounds were fading away… “The two of you were always stronger together.” Ruby said, the Vulpix kissed both Pokemon’s heads before laying with her sleeping daughter, the smaller Vulpix would need a lot of rest since neither Sythensis nor Healing Pulse could restore her lost blood but…she will make a full recovery. “You two make a cute couple.” Radiance kissed Audrey and Meadow. “Thank you so much.” “…” Meadow was speechless, why couldn’t she have anything to say? Audrey returned to her Pikachu form, the adorable yellow mouse that she hadn’t known until tonight was her former best friend. Meadow felt a little annoyed with Radiance’s words, why did she have to say something so stupid. The Shaymin felt it was time to go home, there was nothing else for her to do here right now, none the less hang around Audrey. She made up with her, but she wasn’t about to forget the lies that she told. “Maybe…it was too soon to expect anything.” Audrey muttered, the Pikachu’s ears dropped. “Smartest thing you’ve said all day.” Meadow said back, the Shaymin lifted her paws as she was sure Ribbon didn’t need her help anymore. Audrey lifted her paws, shaking them a few times. “What is it going to take for you to stop being a little sour puss and get over this petty feud?” The Latias-turned-Pikachu asked in a slightly bitter voice, she was starting to grow tired of Meadow’s sly remarks. “Because we can take this outside right now- “ “Don’t you two think there has been enough fighting today?” Ruby said while her and Radiance lifted the sleeping Ribbon up. “Save it for another day would you. We know you two will fight, then get over it and fuck one another, should just skip the fighting part and get to the fucking.” “They do make a cute couple.” Radiance giggled. Meadow was not impressed. “Hey that is my mate.” Chip grumbled. “Chip your right.” Meadow used this as her chance to remind Audrey of what she missed out on by lying. Walking over to her mate the Shaymin lays a long kiss on Chip’s maw, her tongue pressed against his in a attempt to show just how good a French kisser she could be. All the while keeping a eye on the Pikachu who had crossed her arms while slightly looking away. “Come on Chip, let’s go home, I need to make love to my mate who doesn’t keep things from me.” “Oh…” Meadow heard the Zorua gasp. “You two have fun with that.” Audrey chu’d. “I will still be on the island through the Winter Festival, Madam Elizabeth has business she wants to take care of while here. Plus, someone has to take care of the boys, Springleaf and that long cutie Juju wouldn’t know what to do without me.” Audrey chus happily. “Oh see, you won’t miss not getting to stick your little herm dick in me, you already got 3 hours lined up don’t you.” “It’s not like that.” Meadow didn’t expect the Pikachu to walk up to her, take a paw, and lays a long kiss on her maw, returning the expression… “Hey!” Chip whined. “You might want to let them be Chip…” Meadow heard Zephyr chuckled, soon Chip was guided away… “Let go.” Meadow gently pushed Audrey off of her, the Shaymin needed a moment to breath. Blushing, the Pokemon of Fertility noticed that she had gotten a bit of a hard on. “What are you doing?” “Mending bridges Meadow.” Audrey kisses Meadow’s cheek. “You can find me at the Eterna Coastal Resort, home to the world famous garcida meadow that you love so much.” “Really…you decided to stay there of all places?” “Its one of the best resorts in the world, plus I know that you’ll show up.” Audrey pokes Meadow’s nose. “Maybe you can show off your Sky form to me like old times. You always were so cute and handsome in your sky form, you really should use it more often.” “No thanks, but maybe I will send you flowers.” “I’m sure you’ll come around.” Audrey gives Meadow on last kiss on the cheek. “Ciao.” Meadow watched the Pikachu walk away, her paw was on the spot where the mouse had kissed her. Meadow couldn’t help but grumble…why? “Why does she have to have such a fine ass?” Meadow couldn’t help herself…Audrey really did have a very nice ass, it was thicc and looked just ripe for the humping. Great…why did she have a feeling she was going to be taking her friend up on that offer. Darious Darious, Sia and Amber sat around Ribbon’s bed, the Vulpix seemed to be sleeping soundly enough, her wounds that had made everyone worried for her safety were now patched up. A scar had been left where the wound had been inflicted, Darious figured it was permanent or will be there for a long time. The Rockruff listened to Amber crying, the Eevee had been fussing since Ribbon had been brought in, or at least since she had walked out of the back and noticed what happened. Amber and Darious had been fighting just before Ribbon was brought back home, the female Eevee was such a pain to be around, no matter what she had to get the last word if possible. “This is your fault.” Amber looks at Darious. “How is it my fault. Explain that to me!” “You bring out the worst in her, ever since…ever since you have been around Ribbon has become rasher, daring, reckless…you corrupt everything that you touch.” “Oh please, don’t give me that.” Darious rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I can’t tell if you just need a dick in you, or if you need to find Arceus. You are one dumb bitch.” “Dario, language.” Sai said. “You’re going to use my real name?” Darious asked, the Rockruff was surprised that anyone would use his birth name. “It’s rather cute, a cute name for a cute Pokemon like you.” “I wouldn’t mess with him, he’ll just sniff your ass, maybe stuff it and go to sleep.” Amber stuck her tongue out at Darious. “That sounds like a nice place Amber, why not you turn around for me.” “I’m a lesbian.” “Really…you really going to use that line on me.” Darious noticed Ribbon stirring in her sleep. The Rockruff felt his heart skip a few beats… “But you’re a herm right?” Darious heard Sai ask Amber. Darious didn’t need to look at the two foxes…the one he was interested in was laying right in front of him. Putting a paw on Ribbon’s should the Rockruff felt like he was in a room with just them in it… ‘The only reason I would feel like a failure right now is because I wasn’t able to protect you. But…I can’t stay attached to you all of the time. I do not know which of us is stronger…I would like to think its me but…I am also not the daughter of Ruby Moonstar either. Please recover well, I…I do not know what I’ll do if something was to happen to you. I might have feelings for Chip, mixed emotions about Halvon and…Sai is cool though that is still new. None of them make me feel how you make me feel…so please…please do not do anything to make me this worried about you again.’ “Paws off Darious, she doesn’t need you corrupting her anymore. Stupid wild dog.” “Amber…” Darious growled, the Rockruff in a flash tackled Amber pushing her against a wall, the Rockruff followed up by pinning her in place. “Wha-what…” “If you do not shut up, stop being a spoiled brat I swear…I will show you just how much of a wild dog I can be. I will make you my bitch…I’ll fuck you until I’m satisfied, then piss all over you…I will make sure that no male wants to touch you but me, and you will lift your tail when I say so. And I will not love you, nor show you any affection, you’ll just be my fuck toy…are we clear?” “…” “You better answer me.” Darious’s fur was standing up, the Rockruff’s cock was coming out, he was aroused, but not because this was fun for him, but his natural domination instincts were kicking in. “Yes…yes we’re clear…” Amber cried. Darious could sense that Amber was scared, good… ‘What am I doing, this is Chip’s sister…Ribbon’s best friend, I can’t act like this…’ “Good…now…I…” Dariou’s voice trailed off. “Let her go.” Sai calmly says, the male Eevee had put a paw on Darious’s shoulder. “Don’t do anything you’re going to regret.” “I’m not…” Pushes himself away from Amber. “I’ve…I need to go. Like…get out of here…” Darious walked towards the door, he didn’t wait to hear if Sai or Amber was going to follow him out, he didn’t want either of them to follow him, he needed to be alone. Darious’s mind thought about Ribbon, her still damp fur, covered in dirt and blood. The scar along her stomach…such a beautiful Pokemon being damaged…what was this world? “You couldn’t help her, Dynamo was too strong even more and Ruby to fight.” Darious heard yet another Eevee. Radiance was standing by the door to hers’ and Ruby’s room. “So why did you let her fight?” Darious asked, the Rockruff wanted to slam the pink eyed Eevee against a wall…ya that might make him feel better. How could someone be so powerful yet be so weak at the same time. She let Ribbon get hurt, her and Ruby lead that monster here and let him hurt Ribbon. “Windy needed the chance to let some of her aggression out, if she hadn’t it would have eaten her alive. Best to let Windy get her aggression out and try out her new power.” “This was just an experiment to you wasn’t it, you didn’t care about Ribbon…her name is Ribbon not Windy.” Darious slammed a paw against the wall shaking the hallway. “My your strong, I can see why you go toe to toe with my daughter.” “Your daughter!” Who did this Eevee think she was? If Ribbon was her daughter… “How can you stand there and say something like that? What kind of mother lets her daughter run into danger?” “One who knows what is best for her daughter.” Ruby walked up from behind Radiance, the Vulpix looked weary and short of temper. “What do you want Darious, besides banging on my walls and getting in a fight with my mate.” The Vulpix yawns. “Could you have protected her?” “We couldn’t even protect ourselves Darious, we were overmatched and underpowered.” Ruby signed. “I thought that if the three of use fought together we could may, maybe but a dent into our separate levels, but…we were greatly overpowered. Myself and Ruby’s abilities…my Diancia powers and her Mew powers…they are so under powered right now in our current forms…” “Our powers are reduced in our avatar forms, I can barely use any of my psychic powers as a Vulpix. And I have not worked on my fire and ghost abilities that my species know.” “But you’re a Mew-“ “Was a Mew, but I am not a Mew anymore.” Ruby looked at Radiance. “I…I want to talk to you about that sweetie.” Radiance sulks. “Maybe I rushed to judgement and…I shouldn’t stop you from being –“ “No, I love you Radiance and…your right.” Puts a paw on Radiance’s paw. Darious thought it was time to go but…as the pup tried to leave the girls grabbed his tail and pulled him back. “No, no, stay for a little bit. You got us talking and I want you to finish hearing what we have to say.” Radiance chuckles. “Our powers Darious are reduced right now…being an Eevee and Vulpix. We have not taken the time to learn how to fight as what we are now.” “I’m sorry to hear that…but why not you two just turn back into your normal-“ “Because Darious…we will never find any peace staying in our true forms. I wanted to live the life of a Vulpix, so I could finally find peace, both for myself and my children. Ribbon…Angelblade…Fenzura…they barely know who I am. I hope by staying this way I can find some form of peace.” Darious didn’t understand why either Radiance or Ruby would feel this way, they were powerful…some of the most powerful Pokemon ever and here they were looking so weak. If he had their sort of power he would go out, find Dynamo and bring him to justice. Not sit here licking his wounds and feeling sorry for himself. Ribbon deserved better… “I have to go.” “We’ll be seeing you again Darious, I would like to spar with you some time.” Radiance simply said. “Spar with me?” “Yes, you are strong, about as strong as our daughter…maybe even stronger. I would like to spar with you and see what I need to improve on. I would like to figure out how to take advantage of my forms abilities.” Radiance touches noses with the pup. “We plan to work on our abilities and figure out how to get the most out of our new forms. We can’t evolve…well at least as far as we know.” Ruby touches her collar, up until now the pup didn’t notice but…she was wearing her old collar, the snow flake collar and tag shined in the evening light. “We’ll be looking forward to your support.” Ruby smiled at her mate. “Yes, might make it worth your wild, I hear that you love cuddling with others.” Radiance licks her paw like a cat. “I would love to feel just how warm you can be.” “Radiance…at least save some for me.” “Oh, I will, seconds can be just as warm.” Bumps butts with the vixen. Darious for once didn’t feel all that turned on. With a sigh the Rockruff walks off, he wanted to hurry up and get home, so he could get some sleep. The Winter Festival would start soon, and he wanted to be as rested as he could be for the entry tournament taking place. Darious might have one the last festival for his year but he was given that win by Ribbon, no she could have beaten him if she wanted too. A scar on his pride that the Rockruff has taken with him so far, but no more. This time he would find a way to become the champion by his own power and not receiving a paw out like before. With a deep sigh the Rockruff began walking home, a few other Pokemon like Neoral and Squirt were heading home alongside him. “Are you going to be ok?” Squirt asked. Darious looked at the falling snow, it was so slow and graceful, the opposite of what he liked to be. Hyper and wild. Squirt looked upset, as if seeing Darious a little stressed out was a bad thing. The Rockruff didn’t know much about the mouse outside of class. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be ok.” “I know we are not friends but-“ “Who said we can’t be friends?” Darious smiled. He gives the Marril a lick on the cheek. “Better?” “Yes.” Squirt blushed. “Neoral your cool with this right.” “Its Darious, he’s friend’s with everyone.” Neoral floats ahead so he could reach the teleport portal first. Darious grins brightly. “I think I’m going to head home and screw my boyfriend.” “Oh…well he is a lucky Oshawott.” Darious noticed Squirt blushing. “I think I’m a luckier Rockruff.” That was the truth. Darious thought of all the Pokemon in his life he was lucky to have in it. Chip, Halvon, Meadow, Taniku, Amber…even if she was a bitch most of the time. Then there was Ribbon... “Thinking again?” “Ya…I…I want to tell Ribbon something, something important, something that is for her ears only. But, I feel like I can only tell her it when we’re both ready to hear it. I’m not sure what her response would be but, I have to say it regardless.” “Oh well…you have fun with that.” Squirt chases after Neoral leaving Darious by himself. Sighing the Rockruff takes a moment to reflect on his life, where he’s been and where he was going. He never thought of himself as anyone special, not the lead mon, but not some background character either. No, he was born to be in the middle, someone who is there and plays a role but doesn’t have to take on the pressure of being out front 24/7. Though like all great leaders they never think of themselves as the leader but end up being one regardless. And right now, he felt that him and Ribbon…him and Chip… “Alright Darious…time is a wasting…” With the Winter Festival right around the corner anything was possible. Champions are born and stories are written. Despite how dark winter can become there was always shining light somewhere to be seen. Darious hopes to find his light in the heat of battle. Chip must figure out his place among Meadow and Zephyr, two Pokemon who have a strong influence, both physical and mental on his life. Ribbon dodged a bullet but how will this change her. And what of the strange Umbreon Karis…