Chapter 114 - Reaching The Border


The following morning, Chris was surprisingly the first to wake after the events of the night before, his groggy eyes slowly opening giving him a blurry view of the ceiling above. Blinking and rubbing his eyes, he was about to raise up only to groan when he felt a sharp pain shoot through his body from where Rapidash had made impact with his rear, with various other points in his body also suffering from his impact with the side of the carriage that followed the powerful kick from the stallion making him lay back with a sigh. Raising his hands, he looked them over before raising his head and looking down at the rest of his body, feeling not only battered on the outside, yet somehow fatigued within as though he'd been through a recent workout leaving him bewildered after what he'd thought was a great nights sleep. Thinking back, he remembered blurry details of waking in the middle of the night and standing before Rapidash, only for everything beyond that to draw a blank, making him rub his head with another groan. Knowing he hadn't drank anymore, he was at a loss of how things wound up the way they had with his body, deciding to relax until the sensations of pain and weakness subsided. Raising his head again, he realized he was atop Alicia's coiled body, with Serenity and Rose sprawled out next to the snake. Looking at the two, Serenity had her foot pressed against Rose's cheek, making the rabbit show an irritated look before groaning and brushing her foot away as she rolled over. Smiling at this, Chris looked at Alicia's face as she slept with her chin atop a pillow, another bubble atop her nose as she grumbled in her sleep. Chuckling, Chris rest his head against Alicia as he lay in a position as if within an inner tube on her body, looking up at the ceiling once more.


Letting some time pass, he decided to try getting up once more, this time with greater ease as he pushed himself out of Alicia's coil and carefully made his way to the control panels, stepping along between the girls before opening the panels and looking over the energy stored, noticing the meter having ticked up since absorbing the rays of the morning sun outside. Nodding, his idea of conserving energy was already showing results, making him smirk before feeling another twinge shoot up from his rear making him wince and hiss while rubbing it, feeling bruised for a reason he couldn't grasp as the pain subsided once more. Sighing in relief, he looked back at the girls before showing a smirk. "Alright then, time to wake up..." he chuckled before flipping several switches causing the visors tinting the windows to rise, allowing the morning light to shine in bit by bit until the inside of the carriage was brightly illuminated, making the girls groan and shuffle about as the rays his their eyelids. "Rise and shine girls! It's another day!" he grinned as they groaned, raising up collectively and rubbing their eyes. "Sun up already?" Serenity asked with a dazed look. "That sucks, I haven't sleep so good in days. We coulda' slept in a little longer." Rose complained. "Agreed, although a tad cramped it may be, this carriage Gerald gave us is surprisingly comfortable." Alicia yawned. "Hey, you should be glad you slept as long as you did! For once I got up before you again!" Chris point out as the three hung their heads limply, still coming out of their dazed states. "Sure is a great looking day out there. Shouldn't have any problem reaching the base of the mountains before the day ends with weather like that. Not a cloud in the sky." Chris grinned as he looked out the window.


Suddenly, next thing he knew Serenity slumped against his back with her arms over his shoulders, resting her chin atop his head as she yawned. "Want sle--ep more!" she whined, trying to pull him back. "Oh no ya' don't. In case you haven't noticed you girls aren't sick this morning! We should take advantage of that and enjoy an early start!" he point out, the girls looking at him for a moment before their eyes widened and they looked themselves over, Serenity pulling herself back and feeling her stomach. "Y-You right. Not sick..." she muttered. "Hey, yeah! I actually feel pretty good!" Rose added, feeling her stomach as well. "There's a shocker. I was beginning to think it'd become a part of daily life... We've been sick over a week now." Alicia reminded. "Maybe you girls just had some kind of weird stomach flu... It could've been a Pokemon thing since I didn't have any problems." Chris smiled before glancing away. "A-Asides when I drank." he muttered. "So, you girls are really feelin' alright today huh?" he asked, looking at the three. "Surprisingly, yeah! Whatever it was, we must've caught it on the ship and it's finally out of our system." Rose giggled. "It's about time considering how much of whatever it was inside us we... You know." Alicia point out, glancing away with a "blech" while Serenity nodded. "About time feel better. Now you not have to worry." she added before scowling and leaning toward Chris. "And not have to bug about seeing human doctor." she added, making Chris inch back with a nervous laugh. "O-Okay, okay. You girls feel better, that's all that matters." he replied. "I need to get everything cleaned up outside. In the meantime, you three should get yourselves something to eat. I'll set some things out for you. I don't think eating in here is too good an idea so you'll have to step out." he instructed, Alicia groaning causing Chris to scowl in response, the snake begrudgingly nodding.


Digging around, Chris found the change of clothes he'd put in the carriage for the day ahead. Stripping his robe with his back to the girls, this made Serenity and Rose flush while remembering the night before, Alicia glancing away with a slight blush of her own when thinking about his boxer incident. "You're rather comfortable stripping before us all of a sudden." she point out. Jolting, this made Chris laugh with slight sweat on his face as he looked back. "W-Well, kinda prefer changing in here over out in the cold. Probably should've told ya' to look away. Sorry about that." he apologized. "I not mind, it nice to have show after waking up." Serenity grinned slyly. "W-We've seen it all before, after all..." Rose point out, fidgeting with a smile while facing down. "R-Right." Chris smiled as a slight chill ran down his spine from Serenity's expression, the Pokemon seemingly ready to pounce as she grinned. "Y-You make me feel like I'm some kinda slice of meat or something." he point out warily. "I not help it, you always make me hungry. Just in different way..." she teased, biting her lip as she looked him over. "Q-Quit that!! This ain't that kinda show!!" he panicked while beginning to seemingly glow. "A-Alicia! Vine!" he shout, the snake jolting and tilting her head. "V-Vine? Whatever for?" she asked, only for Chris to show a humiliated scowl making her sigh with a nod. "Here you go." she agreed before releasing one and hovering it toward him. With an irritated grunt, Chris suddenly grabbed it and positioned it in the air, telling Alicia to hold it in place as he slid his robe along it, adjusting her vine through the sleeves before pulling his robe across her vine creating a makeshift curtain.


"E-EXCUSE ME?!" Alicia shout, insulted over being used as a rod. "I can't help it! You girls don't know how to behave!" he snapped. "Wh-Whatever did I do?!" Alicia snapped back. "You were lookin' at me funny just like Serenity! I saw the blush on your face and the way you eyed me!" he point out, making the snake jolt before glancing away with a scowl. "Even Rose was givin' me weird looks... You might not be throwin' up now but you're still acting funny. You girls make me nervous." he added, Serenity and Rose scowling in disappointment. Wanting to speak up about how she thought he didn't have a problem with it the night before, still unaware it was actually Rose who got involved, Serenity paused while glancing at Alicia and deciding to keep silent on the subject, knowing about how many problems it causes Chris when something happens around her.Sitting silently for a moment, the girls could see Chris's shadow through his robe as he took off his boxers, and suddenly showing another grin, Serenity pinched her fingers together before crawling up to his robe. Panicking, Rose quickly shook her head and waved her hands, about to reach out and grab Serenity as she pulled the robe to the side and poked her head past it, only for the rabbit to jump back when Serenity let out a scream of surprise that caused Chris to jump and scream in response. "Wh-Wa-Wa-WHAT?!!!" he panicked, looking back as Serenity point a trembling finger at him. "B-Bu-Bu... Bu-buuu...!!" she stuttered, her eyes widened. "Bu... Wha? H-Huh?" Chris asked, blinking at her before quickly pulling his new boxers up. "Wh-What are you doing anyways?!!" he snapped before pushing her back, making Serenity stumble and sit next to Rose once more with her eyes remaining wide, still stuttering in surprise.


"Wh-What's wrong with you?" Rose asked. "That was ridiculous." Alicia scowled. "H-His butt!!" she shout, making Chris stumble on the other side of his robe as he tried putting his pants on. "Q-Quit talking!!" he snapped in agitation. "B-B-But your butt!!" Serenity panicked. "What IS it with you and his rear end?" Alicia asked, slightly blushing as she thought of her own interest in it. Quickly standing, Serenity suddenly pulled Alicia's vine aside making his makeshift curtain fall. "H-Hey!!" Chris panicked, trying to fasten his pants only for Serenity to turn him and yank the back of them down making Chris freeze up wide eyed with a flush on his face. Seeing his butt exposed, Rose and Alicia were both ready to flush as well, only to pause when they noticed a huge bruise the shape of a hoof on each of his cheeks. "G-Good heavens... Doesn't that hurt?" Alicia asked in surprise. "Ooohhh... That looks bad..." Rose hissed, wincing as if she could feel it herself. "Wh-What?" Chris asked, looking back. Wh-What is it? Wadaya see?" he added, suddenly growing concerned instead of irritated as he noticed the change in their behavior and expressions. "Butt... Bruised. Big bruises." Serenity point out before stepping back and suddenly scowling at him. "How that happen?" she asked, her hands on her hips while suddenly showing a stern look as Chris struggled to look back at his own butt, touching his cheeks causing them to sting slightly before fixing his pants. "I-I don't really know. Is it that bad?" he asked. "I've no idea how you intend to sit on THAT." Alicia point out. "I'm surprised you can even stand." Rose added. "I-It stings I guess. Kinda caught me by surprise when I first woke up..." he nodded.


Looking at one another, Serenity suddenly pulled Chris aside before heading out of the carriage, shutting the door loudly behind her. "H-Hey!! Easy!!" Chris shout, looking out the window as Serenity made her way toward Rapidash and started an agitated conversation with him. "I hope she doesn't go too crazy, we need him..." Chris muttered. "How on Earth did you manage to get that horse to kick you like that, and THERE of all places?" Alicia asked. "Y-Yeah. Looks like he didn't hold back. That explains what happened to you last night." Rose point out. "Wh-What happened?" Chris asked, glancing back before continuing to watch the two talk outside and noticing Serenity freezing awkwardly and taking a step back. "Eh?" Chris muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Well, we were all sleeping and suddenly the whole carriage shook like crazy. Next thing we knew we saw you upside down in this really weird position on top of Alicia and... Uh..." Rose paused, fidgeting shyly. "Things were rather crudely exposed." Alicia scowled with a slight blush on her face once again. "We thought you'd merely had another bad dream and somehow wound up on top of me. Now it seems there's a different reasoning behind our rude awakening." the snake point out. "W-Well, there's something I remember last night about stepping out and seeing Rapidash but it's all fuzzy. I just remember stepping out, then nothing." Chris explained before looking outside once more, seeing Serenity red in the face while holding her hand out and shaking her head before nodding at the horse and heading back toward the carriage. "Looks like she settled things, I guess." Chris muttered before watching Serenity enter the carriage once more and sit on the couch wide eyed.


"Well? What did the beast have to say?" Alicia asked. "Yeah! What's up with kicking him like that?!" Rose added with a scowl. Looking at the two, Serenity then faced Chris making him tilt his head. "Horse say he see thing, then that thing make him do his thing. That thing make carriage rock. S-See thing, so do thing..." Serenity tried to explain, flushing while doing so making Chris and the girls blink bewildered. "Th-Thing? See what and did who now?" he asked, trying to look back toward his butt again and giving it a poke making him wince. "I-I not able to explain it!! Just thing!! Horse see thing, horse do thing!!" Serenity shout embarrassed before facing down with a groan. "Y-You stupid Chris..." she added, making him jolt. "St-Stupid?! What did I do?!" he asked in agitation, only for Serenity to groan again, not wanting to detail what the horse had revealed. "W-Want to know, ask horse." she replied. "I can't talk to it! And it won't use your Telepathy so there's a two way block!" Chris point out while Alicia and Rose looked at one another before the rabbit started putting her winter dress on and Alicia donned her collar. "Wh-What are you two doing?" he asked. "I wanna find out what made him kick you! Serenity doesn't make any sense." Rose point out. "I'm curious myself. If nothing else it should prove to be worth a laugh." Alicia nodded. "Y-You'll go out without a complaint to find out why I got my butt kicked yet you complain about any other reason?" Chris asked with a slump. "Oh come now, don't judge me." the snake scowled before she and Rose both exit the carriage, leaving Chris and Serenity within. "You seriously can't just tell me what happened?" he asked, the Pokemon looking at him and about to speak before her cheeks shot out as a snicker escaped her lips, quickly covering her mouth and facing down.


"Oy-oy-oy!! What's with that?!" he asked, the Pokemon letting out a groan. "I-I sorry. It not possible." she apologized. After a moment, Rose and Alicia returned to the carriage, both showing a wide eyed look on their faces while remaining silent. "S-So can either of you tell...!!" Chris asked, only to be cut off when Alicia started laughing hysterically and pointing at him with her tail. "H-Hey!! Not cool!!" Chris snapped, turning to Rose and seeing the rabbit clutching her stomach and covering her mouth, trying not to do the same as Alicia while Serenity tried fighting the urge as well. Looking at the three, Chris started twitching an eye as a pulse of agitation appeared on his forehead, putting on the rest of his clothes before opening the door and stepping out. Closing the door behind him, Chris grumbled and was about to turn back only to hear Serenity and Rose crack up as well, all three unable to control themselves causing Chris to stomp off in agitation, Rapidash watching from his makeshift stable and shaking his head with an "another day..." kind of grunt. Over time, Chris started up another fire before piling fresh snow into the pot he'd used the night before and boiling it, grabbing soap from their storage and using the pot as a makeshift sink of sorts to wash all their dishes before washing the pot itself, setting the dishes along the log they'd used to sit on to dry in the sun before rummaging for ingredients to make their breakfast with, taking several paper towels before making sandwiches for the girls and wrapping them up. Once their meals were finished, he let out a sigh and returned tot he carriage, tapping on the door with a "breakfast!!" shout before heading to the stable he'd made for Rapidash, coaxing the horse aside before he started taking it down.


After a moment, the girls finally came out, looking around before noticing Chris as he stripped down the stable and organized the materials along the ground. Noticing them, Chris scowled before telling the group "food's there!" and pointing out the wrapped sandwiches near the fire and resuming his task. Nodding, they made their way over and took the food, unwrapping their sandwiches and looking them over curiously before taking several bites, each showing a satisfied look while Chris glanced at the group and grumbled as he worked on taking the metal rods down. By the time he'd finished and had everything laid out neatly, the girls had finished the sandwiches and were sitting together looking at the horizon before them, Serenity patting her stomach while Rose let out a small burp, excusing herself making Alicia shake her head. "Oy! You girls still feelin' alright?" Chris asked, the group looking at him with a nod. "Still good!" Serenity assured. "I feel okay too." Rose nodded. "No issues here. We should be fine today." Alicia nodded. "Well then, since you're not sick and you've had a bite to eat, wanna help me pack things up since I did all the other work?" he asked, crossing his arms with an eyebrow raised. "My, aren't we in an irritable mood?" Alicia asked. "Are you mad at us?" Rose asked. "Well duh! My butt's bruised and you just laughed!" Chris lectured, reaching behind himself and rubbing his cheek with a grumble. "We sorry. We know it wrong, but of all ways to get hurt we never expect that. It caught off guard." Serenity point out before standing and walking up to him. "You just gotta be more careful." Rose instructed. "You're the fool who stood in front of a horse with your unmentionables exposed. Anyone would react the same. That's why we can't blame him because it was your own fault for being clumsy." Alicia lectured.


"U-Unmentionables?" Chris asked as Serenity started picking things up and carrying them to the carriage. "I get mad normally for you doing that, I not like anyone seeing you that way, but since horse respond way he did, I let slide. Like rabbit say, be more careful!" Serenity reminded. "I'd say it makes us perfectly even for that little fiasco at the inn. If anything I'd say I owe the beast." Alicia nodded. "H-Hey!! I already made up for that!! The keychain and the speech and all!!" Chris reminded. "Yes, yes. But it's still satisfying to know karma still bit you in the butt in the end." Alicia smirked before suddenly snickering. "Or kicked you, I should say." she added making Chris scowl. "You know, you can be really cold sometimes..." he replied before picking up supplies as well and taking them to the carriage, Rose joining in to help. Once they had everything that made up the stable stored neatly away, Alicia finally joined in and helped store the dishes while Chris made sure the fire was completely out again, shoving snow over it and stomping it until smoke could no longer be seen. However, the stomping caused his bruises to sting once more, making him pause once he was finished and rub himself with a scowl. "Laughin' at me for gettin' kicked... I don't laugh when they're hurt." he grumbled, showing a slight tear in his eye. About to turn toward the carriage, he paused when he suddenly felt hands on his butt, his eyes widening before turning to see Serenity squat behind him. "H-Hey!! Kinda stings ya' know!!" he reminded. "Not be that way. I helping." Serenity scowled. "H-Helping? You're just feeling me up again!" he argued, making the Pokemon twitch an eye before suddenly pinching his cheeks making Chris jump and shout.


"I say I helping!!" she snapped. "O-Okay!! Okay okay!! You're helping!!" Chris panicked as Serenity released her pinch. "I not do this in long time. Need focus. Stay still." she instructed. "N-Not done what in a long time?" Chris asked, only to pause when he felt a strange pulse run through him, followed by another that started from where her hands were placed against him. Looking back, he watched as Serenity showed a determined look with slight sweat on her face. Around her hands, Chris could see a familiar aura as it radiated from her, releasing small waves of energy while Alicia and Rose made their way up close. "Ah yes... I remember that light. It's the same thing you used on that Arthur human when he nearly expired that night." the snake point out. "Expired?" Rose asked curiously. "Before you joined our little group he managed to save that Arthur fellow when he collapsed of a... Heart attack, I believe? He had her use that light along with the aid of another Pokemon to bring that human back from the brink. What was it called again?" Alicia asked as Serenity twitched an eye in agitation. "It's called Heal Pulse actually, that's what humans call it anyways." Chris point out. "Right, well, from what I gather it's able to heal various injuries. I'm not certain of the extent it can heal, but...!!" Alicia went on, cut off by an agitated "shut up!!" from Serenity as she tried to focus, the snakes mouth agape while Rose blinked in surprise. After a moment, Serenity pulled her hands away with a sigh, her energy fading as she stood and gave her hands a flick. "Tingly..." she muttered. "How feel now?" she asked. "U-Uh, yeah." Chris nodded before moving about and giving his rear a cautious poke before patting it. "I-It's better." he added.


"That way of saying sorry for laughing. You suffer enough." Serenity waved. "Th-Thanks." Chris nodded before the Pokemon suddenly pulled on the back of his pants, making sure the bruises were gone causing Chris to blush slightly while scratching his cheek embarrassed, Rose and Alicia leaning in for a look as well with their own blushes. "O-Okay! So it's gone?" Chris asked, quickly pulling away and turning toward them. "Bruise gone. Not worry anymore. Sure feel okay?" she asked. "Y-Yeah. Just a little embarrassed now." Chris nodded as Alicia glanced away with a smirk, Rose fidgeting with a giggle. "Cute butt." she teased. "H-Hey!!" Chris flushed. "Do have nice butt. That reason to be careful too. Not want it messed up." Serenity nodded, causing Chris to groan all the more embarrassed. "A-Anyways, we need to get going." he replied before walking past. Heading up to Rapidash, he started leading it toward the front of the carriage, the horse scowling at him with an eye twitching as they walked along. "L-Look, whatever happened last night, I'm sorry. I wasn't feeling too good." Chris apologized, the horse looking at him. Raising an eyebrow, Rapidash was clearly giving him an "after doing that, you felt BAD?" kind of look, assuming Chris had gotten laid before grunting and shaking his head, unable to understand Chris as they walked along before he started attaching the horse to the carriage. "I must say, it's surprising you can manage that without winding up in a tangled mess." Alicia point out. "Well, you know who I owe my skills to. I've only said it like a thousand times before." he laughed as the girls collectively replied with "I learned it from the elders" as he finished securing Rapidash, Serenity and Rose climbing up in the drivers seat while Alicia made her way to the door.


"Alright then, I think we're good to go." he muttered, yanking on several things before heading toward the carriage and opening the door for Alicia with a bow. "This way, dear lady." he offered, the snake tilting her head before scowling. "Hey hey, I told you. No more of that." she affirmed, straightening him up with her vines. "Mannerisms are an expectation but you can leave the bowing out." she reminded. "R-Right, sorry." Chris apologized, getting a nod from Alicia as she made her way inside. "Make sure to leave the temperature down in there so it can keep building a good charge. Depending on how the weather changes we might wind up needing the extra juice. I'll leave the blankets and pillows be so you can use them if you need to." he affirmed. "I'm aware. Moderate comfort is better than none." Alicia nodded, removing her collar as he closed the door. "Wait sec!" Serenity shout before jumping out of the drivers seat, making Chris jolt as she rushed up and opened the door. "U-Uh, something wrong?" he asked, watching her climb in before jumping back out with her coat. "Fluffy!" she grinned, rubbing her face into the fur before putting the coat on. Watching her waving her arm about, Chris chuckled before giving Serenity a hand, making the Pokemon jolt as he adjusted it on her body and wrapped it around her from behind, hugging her in his arms while doing so. "Thanks again for helpin' me out." he smiled before giving Serenity a kiss on the cheek, causing her eyes to shoot open as he walked past and climbed into the drivers seat, leaving her blushing slightly before shaking her head and following. "Alright, everyone ready to set out?" Chris asked, Rose nodding while Serenity sighed and did the same.


Looking back, he could see Alicia yawning before nudging her way under the sheets, readying herself for a nap. "Guess we're good to go then... Rapidash, you good?" he asked, the horse glancing back with a nod. Following this, Chris snapped the reigns lightly with a click of his tongue, making the horse pull them along once more. Returning to the path that led toward the mountains, the horse trot along while the group looked around. "So... About what we do last night..." Serenity spoke up, causing Chris to raise an eyebrow. "What we did?" he asked. "You know, THAT thing we do." she clarified quietly in his ear. "U-Uh... That?" he smiled nervously, unsure of what she was referring to. "It surprise me. I not think you do it, but you did. And you never do it like that before! It was good... I not think it feel like that either, but you give something new to like!" she explained quietly before giggling and snuggling against his side. Laughing nervously, Chris had no idea what she was referring to, with Serenity still believing it was him who did everything to her the night before. Hearing what she was talking about, Rose was wide eyed and covered in a nervous sweat, pretending to be distracted by the view as she tensed up. "Even though I not have chance to bathe, you still do all that for me. You like it... Make me feel special, feel loved. I be sure to give good reward next time! If... You not mind doing again. I really want to do that new thing you did too... It amazing." she giggled with a slight blush on her face, making Chris blush as well as he blinked at her bewildered. Knowing what the "new thing" was Serenity was talking about, Rose flushed brightly from finding out Serenity was more into it than she thought, even asking for more of it making the rabbits heart race as she gulped, excited all the more that she and Serenity had a desire for the same thing yet terrified of her finding out it was her that did it all instead of Chris as she remained tense as stone.


"U-Uh..." Chris replied before scratching his cheek. "S-Sure... I'd be glad to?" he nodded, deciding to go along with whatever it was Serenity was talking about. Without any knowledge of anything that had occurred the night before, save a random meeting with Rapidash that he barely remembered as well, he decided it was best to act like he knew what she was referring to, making Rose sigh in relief as her shoulders slumped as though a massive load had suddenly fallen off her body. "A-As long as you want it, I guess? If it makes you happy." he smiled, making Serenity blush all the more before nuzzling her face into his neck. "It make very happy. I love you." she cooed, making Chris's heart feel as though it'd suddenly flew into his throat as his eyes widened. "Do that thing to me again next time... Really want to try it again... Kay'?" she asked, Chris nodding while having stiffened up. Looking at the two, Rose scratched her cheek nervously, feeling a twinge of guilt inside for doing something to Serenity without her knowing. At the same time, the rabbit couldn't understand why she wanted to do such a thing to Serenity in the first place, having normally only gone for Chris in such a way leaving her just as puzzled as she was guilty over the moment between them. Nonetheless, she silently let Chris take the credit, deciding it for the best while letting out a slightly sad sigh and looking around. "Something wrong?" Chris asked, both he and Serenity looking at her making Rose jump and quickly wave her hands. "N-Nothing at all!!" she panicked, Chris and Serenity blinking at her curiously. "Act jumpy." she point out. "Y-You just caught me off guard..." Rose replied, glancing away.


Continuing to look at her for a moment, Chris and Serenity looked at one another and shrugged before she snuggled against him once more. "Well, seems like it's smooth sailing to the mountains." he chuckled, looking at the clear skies above. "I bet the aurora looks even better when you're close to em', and even better when you get higher up! You girls are sure to love it." he grinned. "After everything that happened, all I wanna do is show you girls the best time I can in the most relaxing way possible. Is it workin' for ya'?" he asked. "Mm. I really like. Can be close, not have humans around. It just us, that all I could ask for." Serenity nodded before resting her head on his shoulder. "Just us... I really miss it." she added, making Chris show another blush on his face before smiling. "What about you, Rose?" he asked, facing the rabbit making her jolt. "I-I-It's nice!" she agreed before poking her fingers shyly. "N-Nice." she nodded. "You sure you're okay? You seem pretty worked up." Chris point out, reaching toward her and putting a hand on the bunny's forehead causing her to freeze wide eyed. "Mmm... You feel a little warm but nothin' out of the norm really. Maybe you've still got some of that bug in you after all?" he asked. "N-No, it's not a bug or anything." she assured, too embarrassed to admit the imbalance of hormones within her and the resulting thoughts and urges they were causing. "We just get better, you make sick again I get you..." Serenity scowled. "It's not a bug!" Rose argued, her face reddened all the more. "O-Okay! It's not a bug." Chris smiled nervously, Serenity raising an eyebrow before facing away. "Better not be." she scowled, Rose growing agitated and facing away as well with her arms crossed, leaving Chris between two suddenly annoyed Pokemon.


Letting out a sigh, he looked back at Alicia, noticing her peeking out from within the blankets with a jealous scowl before jolting when their eyes made contact and quickly hiding under the sheets. "These girls have always been complicated with each other but this is gettin' outta hand." he thought to himself, realizing they all still had something going on despite not vomiting earlier. Noticing the snakes tail sticking out from the sheets, it was flicking almost like that of a rattle, showing Alicia's agitation. Shaking his head, Chris looked at Serenity and Rose again before shrugging and giving the reigns another soft snap and clicking his tongue, having Rapidash pick up the pace slightly as they continued along. Eventually, both Serenity and Rose returned to a normal state, with Serenity snuggling up against Chris while Rose played with one of the stray Vanillite that had float up to the group. "Oy oy! You'd better be careful! Don't you know what happens when you...!!" Chris tried to warn, only to watch as Rose got her tongue stuck on the side of Vanillite, causing the small Pokemon agitation as it tried to pull free making Rose panic. "...Ha." Serenity point out with a grin as the rabbit tried to free herself, begging the Vanillite not to move while trying to pull it off. "You should never put your tongue on frozen stuff like that, it'll stick every time..." Chris sighed. Looking at him, Rose suddenly teared up before begging for help, her tongue hanging out with Vanillite dangling from the tip with an eye twitching. "Serve you right. Why you lick other Pokemon? That gross, not know where been." Serenity point out before shaking her head. "Alright, alright. Just hang on a sec." Chris instructed before having Rapidash stop, the horse looking back and raising an eyebrow before shaking his head as well.


"Okay, now just stay still." Chris instructed before holding Vanillite and pulling on the Pokemon, making the rabbits tongue stretch out causing her to wince and groan. "Alright, now gimme' a sec." he added before leaning close. Keeping her eyes winced from the pain, when Rose opened them she froze up when she saw Chris leaning his face close to her own until he was just an inch or two away. Closing his eyes, he opened his mouth and started releasing a soft and warm breath from his lips to help free her tongue, Vanillite shuddering with a groan before showing a "blech!" expression while Rose began to flush, losing her focus on the pain she felt as he pulled the Pokemon off her tongue and instead screaming inside from having him so close. Feeling his breath, the bunny's heart began to race before he pulled back slightly to take in air before softly breathing against her tongue once more. Watching this, Serenity flushed as well, fidgeting with both jealousy and arousal in her mind as she imagined him doing the same to her. After a moment, Chris was about to finally free Rose from the small Vanillite, pulling his face away with a "the--re we go..." with only the tip of her tongue remaining stuck. "One more should do it!" he exclaimed before taking a breath and leaning in close once more. However, just as his face neared the rabbit's and he was about to free her, Alicia rose up to see why they stopped only to see what she thought was Chris getting romantic with the bunny. Gritting her teeth, a pulse of anger appeared on her forehead before screaming out an agitated "HEY!!!" that caused Chris to shout before yanking Vanillite off the tip of Rose's tongue, causing the rabbit to let out a raspy scream before covering her mouth and leaping from the seat.


"ALICIA!!!" Chris snapped, the snake jolting with an "oops..." on her face, sweating slightly as she saw the tiny Pokemon in Chris's hand while Rose ran around, letting out raspy screams and keeping her mouth covered. "Ooohh... Okay, THAT not funny." Serenity point out, wincing as if she could feel it as Chris released Vanillite and apologized, the Pokemon looking at the group before flying off with a "you're weird..." expression on its face, looking back at Rose as it flew off and shaking its head. Quickly getting out of the seat himself, Chris tried to coax Rose into standing still as she dashed about, Alicia taking her chance to slowly lower her head away from the window while Serenity sighed and shook her head. "You stupid snake." she muttered, looking back as Alicia glanced away within the carriage with a guilty scowl. "E-Easy now! L-Let me take a look!" Chris coaxed as Rose reached down and scooped up snow before shoving it in her mouth, letting out a groan of relief as she fell to her knees. "S-Sorry about that. I'm real, REAL sorry." Chris apologized, Rose shaking her head and waving her hand in response. In her mind, this was karma getting revenge for what she'd done to Serenity, deciding to accept it as the snow melt in her mouth and she held out her reddened tongue with a sniffle. "Tsss... Well, it's not as bad as it could be. Since only the tip was stuck to that Pokemon you should feel okay come dinner time. Sorry about that again." Chris apologized, Rose letting out a groan. "It's okay. I deserved it..." she replied, poking the tip of her tongue and wincing. "F-For what?" Chris asked, blinking bewildered. "I-It's nothing. I think I'm okay now." the rabbit assured while standing and heading back to the carriage before climbing in and sulking with her tongue out again, giving it another poke.


Standing himself, Chris scratched his head while giving Rose a confused look, raising his eyebrow curiously. "I don't remember her doing anything bad..." he muttered before letting out a sigh and returning to the drivers seat himself, snapping the reigns lightly and clicking his tongue making Rapidash resume his trek toward the base of the mountains. Raising up to the window behind them, Alicia gave the glass a tap causing the group to jolt before looking back. "Hello..." Chris scowled. Looking at him, Alicia then faced Rose before glancing away. "S-Sorry for causing that to happen." she apologized. "Snake apologizing?" Serenity asked in surprise. "W-Well, when she feels bad enough." Chris point out, making Alicia scowl at him with a slight blush and a grunt, not wanting him to bring up the event back on the ship causing Chris to clear his throat nervously. "It's okay. You didn't know what was going on." Rose replied, waving her hand with a smile. "You sure it's gonna be okay? Do you think you could help her Serenity?" he asked. "Not think so. I not use that power much so it hard to use. Give bad headache since not practice." she point out. "If have to can try." she added. "N-No, don't worry about it. I'll be okay." Rose assured. "Well, if you say so." Chris nodded as they moved along. For the rest of the early hours of the day leading into the later half of the afternoon, Rapidash pulled the group along, getting ever closer to the mountains as the group watched them grow higher and higher the closer they got. Trotting through random patches of trees, the group came across several random passerby's from the various roads that split off from the one they followed, some in vehicles, others in carriages the same as them, and once or twice they came across people riding Mamoswine, usually carrying loads of wood on sleds behind them.


"Pretty neat place around here. All the carriages, you don't see that in most of the world nowadays. The vehicles have to be customized too for people to get around. You noticed the chains and stuff? Some have tires that look like big round cleats!" Chris laughed. "Cleats?" Serenity asked, tilting her head. "Oh, those are shoes with spikes on the bottom. A lot of people wear that stuff for sports." Chris clarified. "Shoe with spikes?" Serenity asked before suddenly showing a dark grin. "Oy oy!! They're not meant to be used on people!!" Chris lectured. "Kidding! I kidding!" Serenity smiled nervously, waving her hands as Chris scowled. "Gee, since when you read minds? You say I not allowed to..." Serenity pout. "I'm not reading your mind. I just know when you've got something bad in your thoughts because of the looks you show." Chris explained. "Stepping on others with spikes... You're wrong." Chris sighed, Serenity sticking her tongue out and crossing her arms with a pouty look on her face. "Only step on bad people. Could name few..." Serenity assured before showing another dark grin. "Two wrongs don't make a right you know. Even if someone does something bad you shouldn't necessarily do something bad to them in response. There are better ways to punish people who deserve it. A lot less... Morbid ways." Chris point out. "Dunno if you're helping yourself there. You've been pretty harsh to other humans yourself." Rose point out with a nervous smile. "Th-That was an exception!!" Chris panicked. "So you can hurt humans when want but not me? That not fair at all." Serenity scowled. "I-I don't!! I mean... I didn't!! I had you...!!" Chris tried to explain, only to groan as he felt himself sinking deeper into a difficult hole.


For a short time, Chris tried to explain and justify himself in a way that would please both girls as they grew closer to the mountains, Rapidash twitching an eye in irritation while listening to the rambling going on behind him. Eventually, the horse was about to give them another jostle when Alicia shot up in the window and screamed at the group out of agitation, causing them to jump in surprise and look at her in silence making Rapidash sigh in a "thank God..." kind of way as his head hung. Shaking his head in a "why did I do this?" manner, he was about to continue along his way before noticing something off the path and pausing, looking curiously as Chris and the girls faced forward. "What's up?" he asked. Looking around, Serenity and Rose spotted what the horse was looking at, pointing it out with a collective "what's that?" making Chris pull his head back as Serenity point her finger in front of his face. "U-Uhh... What now?" he asked, looking toward where they were pointing and noticing a frozen pond surrounded by trees. "W-Well, that WAS a pond at some point, I guess. It's frozen over now though." he explained. Looking ahead, they were what appeared to be an hours distance from the entrance to the mountains. Taking out his Pokedex, he flipped it open before holding it out ahead of them, using a feature to zoom into the distance and see what awaited them. "Huh, looks like they've got a station up there. Probably for folks to stock up on things before heading through..." Chris muttered. "Oh, that's neat..." Rose chimed in, looking at the screen. "It far away, then up close..." Serenity added, looking as well. "Since we've got a place we can make a pit-stop at, I guess it couldn't hurt to check out the pond for a bit if you want." Chris offered.


"We've ice all around us, and you wish to make a detour to see more of it?" Alicia scowled behind them. "D-Don't worry, it would just be for a little bit." Chris assured with a smile. "You not be party pooper! You have heat in there, and have collar for out here!" Serenity point out. "Bah..." Alicia scoffed before glancing away, only to look at Chris and let out a sigh. "Do what you wish." she nodded. "Thanks Alicia." he nodded. "A frozen pond... That's neat." Rose smiled. "If the ice is thick enough, we might be able to have some fun. I got something for such an occasion so we'll have to test it." Chris chuckled before having Rapidash pull them off the path.


Heading toward the pond, Serenity and Rose looked around curiously while Alicia stuck her tongue out with a "blech" expression, Chris humming happily as they approached the frozen surface and climbed out of the drivers seat together, Alicia remaining behind and watching through the windows of the carriage...