Hoenn Harem *Author's Note*

---------------------

“Talking”

“Thinking or Telepathy”

*Mumble or Action*

“…” – Speechless or a moment of silence

"Announcement"

#Message#

---------------------



~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 7 – Bloodlines ~*~*~*~*~






---- Deep Inside Mount Coronet ----



Loud cracking noises abruptly filled the room, crashing into a million little pieces the previously massive block of ice was now flying in every direction unleashing his prisoner.



“You know…Ice is not really the best weapon of choice here.” teased Gabriel removing his frozen legs from the icy lake.



“…”



“You think I don’t know that..?” answered the wounded woman still exhausted after nearly an hour of avoiding air slicing attacks. Freezing him was the only way she found to gain time for crafting a plan, however, she didn’t figure he would free himself so quickly.



“Being the submissive one is not nearly as bad as you think…just admit defeat…I’ll take very good care of you…” he taunted with a nearly psychotic grin on his face, unlike her his hybrid side was overwhelming his mind at the moment, which she knew could be incredibly dangerous.



“Defeat? You expect your master to bow down before you? Keep it up and I will execute you, you unfaithful weakling.”



“Weakling? You think I can’t smell the fear on you? You’re like all the people you made me torture…shivering little creatures begging for mercy…it never worked for them, but you should try, right now nothing would please more than seeing you crawl at my feet.”



"He’s losing control. I need to stop this and fast.” she said to herself before using her psychic abilities to lift endless bulky boulders from the wall behind her.



“Rocks?? Is that your plan? Throw rocks at me??”



“Yeah pretty much.” Bianca lied, throwing them one by one.



As his powers evolved Gabriel was now capable of forming any metal form from his body, creating indestructible shields or blades was nearly instinctive for him by now. However, he didn’t even need that for avoid the boulders, sending Air Cutters was more than enough to cut them to bits.



“This is getting very old very fast luv.” he complained cutting in half a rather large stone.



“Bored already? Don’t worry this is where it gets interesting.” she alleged smirking, Bianca knew it was time to turn the battle around.



As her eyes radiated a pale blue glow seven lengthy electric power lines burst across the wall she had been digging through, their edges were sparking with powerful electric charges.



For a second Gabriel’s heart stopped, he had completely forgotten that their base was filled with power lines, ever since his transformation there was nothing he hated more in the world other than electricity. Being surrounded by water and ice also added to the uncomfortable feeling.



“Shocking isn’t it? Don’t bother asking for mercy, someone that falls for such a trap so easily isn’t worthy of it.” she threatened, knowing the upper hand was hers once again.



----------------------Lilith’s Sinnoh Base------------------------



As he swirled around, Jack finally managed to grab hold of a stone structure and jump away from the whirlpool. Landing near Damien and Lilith he took his time to recover from the long exposure to water and the hit on his face.



“You’re not Sam, you’re nothing but a fucking impostor…” he accused, lifting himself back to his feet and wiping the blood from his lips.



“No Jack, I assure you this is your friend.” answered Damien behind him.



“You’re the one that never bothered to truly know me.” added the Milotic.



“Know you? I know you enough to know you’re not the guy I used to know.” he confusedly answered.



“Why? You think I never felt like punching the shit out of you?” Sam joked.



“The Sam I knew wouldn’t follow orders like a loyal little bitch. He wouldn’t go postal on someone just to assure he gets some pussy later on.”



Lilith resented that comment but Damien immediately stopped her with a threatening expression.



“Please… unlike you I don’t get a dick shoved up my ass as a reward. But I doubt you dislike that, you were always a hotheaded horny fag.” he ranted.



Jack would normally go berserk for a comment like that, but at the moment he was glad to see Sam was still…Sam after all, just with some obvious issues haunting him.



“But enough of this, let’s just finish it.” said the other hybrid causing a geyser underneath the Infernape, throwing him back into the water.



Jack hated deeply being under water, it made him helpless and claustrophobic almost like being stuck inside a buried coffin slowly suffocating. He desperately tried swimming upwards before being grabbed and pushed towards a rock.



“You’re really going to kill me? You’d go that far for that girl?” he asked regaining his breath, having only his head out of the water and nearly his entire body wrapped tightly by the long tail.



“She’s not just a girl, she’s what I’ve been looking for my whole life, so yeah. I wouldn’t trade that for nothing…especially not for you.”



“…”



“What’s your problem with me? What did I do to make my life so fucking worthless to you?” asked Jack surprised of his own words, something about Sam was making him feel awkward, everything about the Milotic was strangely hypnotizing, his smell, his eyes…the voice. It guided his mind towards things he normally didn’t think about.



“You really have no idea? You don’t even know how you managed to ruin everything?” he whispered in his ear with a spiteful tone.



“No. But I guess you’re dying to explain it.” Jack answered trying to release his arms, being so defenseless was getting on his nerves.



“Always the funny one aren’t you? So Jack…did you know you guys were the first interesting thing that ever happened in my boring life? I joined you because I was desperate, you guys gave me a real taste of fun, with no responsibilities, no family to look after, just adventures and life as it’s suppose to be.”



“Then what the fuck is your problem?”



“My problem? Do you think this is just about me? You wrecked all our lives you irresponsible piece of shit.



Who was the shithead that took an innocent lady to dangerous places and didn’t even bother to protect her? I’m sure she loves being cursed because your selfish ass wouldn’t walk a few extra miles.



And who’s fault is it for drifting our friendship apart? First her, than me. I guess to you friendship means dancing around with people’s feelings. Ever tried hanging out with someone without trying to bone them?



Oh and let’s not forget the dipshit that got his body crispy fried and gambled our safety to save his skin. Don’t look at me like that, all I do know is that you could have warned us that we might be heading towards danger. Vi must be loving being out there all alone and clueless blaming herself for your goddam narcissism, our parents must be having a great time too.”



“…”



“Speechless? That’s new for you.” he wondered, noticing the body close to his had nearly turned into a statue.



“…”



“But you know…if it wasn’t for all that I would be back at the Gym hating my life, not right here where I belong. So Jack…I forgive you.” he finished licking the ear he had been whispering at and moved away. But unexpectedly, for a less than a glimpse, he could swear he saw fire burning through the other hybrid’s eyes.



“…”



“…so you did change.” finally answered Jack calmly.



“Hum..? Not the answer I was expecting…the water must be really affecting you…it’ll end soon, I’ll make it easier.” he replied pressing his finger on the cut lip still dropping blood. Gently Sam licked it off and planted a kiss on the closed lips.



Frustrated that the other man refused to open up, the Milotic continued to force himself softly but steadily knowing that eventually the stubborn adversary would give into his soft toxic lips.



Jack’s mind was a mess, not only was he suffering a hurricane of feelings, there was also something clouding his judgment and gradually disconnecting his mind from his actions. His friend’s presence was intoxicating and confusing but out of all the sturm und drang there was only one steady feeling. A sin that had always poisoned his mind above Lust or Pride, the one he always tried to keep under control was now gaining strength by each second. Wrath. Something was feeding it, and fast.



Sam didn’t exactly dislike what he was doing, it was pleasant and the toxins in his saliva would make things go smoother. He was following orders but like hell would he finish his assignment without doing and saying all he wanted. He had no intentions of killing his old friend, the orders were to drown not slay, he knew his masters didn’t enjoy slaughter let alone murder one of their own. But after he was finished he didn’t know when he would see Jack again, or if they were ever to be reunited once more. So he wanted him to learn and to grow. He could hate him, that was fine, he just didn’t want that idiot to commit yet again the mistakes he made in the past. Sam considered that to be the only goodbye gift he could offer to his unofficial best friend at the moment.



However, his line of thought was suddenly interrupted by something strange. The water around him was getting warmer and in a matter of seconds he had to let go of the Infernape and swim away from the boiling water he was creating.



“Your pet is going wild.” warned Lilith.



“Yes I know.” answered Damien.



“You want him to go wild? Remember Bradley and Ryo? They nearly killed each other along with me when I tried to stop them.”



“And they never tried that again, now did they?”



“Yeah but…remember when you..?”



“Yes. I do. And that’s why Jack needs this, even I couldn’t have learnt to control my powers if it wasn’t for that.”



“…”



“…Is it me or is that a male thing?” she joked.



“No. But testosterone does make it worst.”



“Well are you sure about not stopping them?”



“Yes. To step up you must first hit bottom.”



----------------------------------Back at Mount Coronet--------------------------------------------



“Ready to give up yet? It’s a Checkmate there’s nothing you can do now.” asked Bianca hoping for a positive answer from her currently paralyzed lover. She didn’t want to give signs of extreme exhaustion, Ice was her main element not Psychic, overusing it like she was now tended to be dangerous and painful.



Gabriel ignored her, keeping his attention to the reflection in the wet floor underneath him. He had collapsed after several failed attempts to attack the female hybrid or defend himself, getting his body nearly immobilized during his futile strategies. Electricity was the only thing that could break him down so effortlessly.



“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I can’t go out like this. Not now not here. Ok Gabriel calm down and think…I can’t touch those things, it’s like being hit by a freaking Thunder. I can’t cut them with one hit, she’s using Protect and Psychic on them. By the time I try simultaneous hits on one line she attacks me with the others….



…there’s only one thing left for me to do…but it’s too risky…



…she’s tired…I can see it on her…she wouldn’t be able to fight back…



…I guess it’s my only choice.”



Bianca stared at him as he tried painfully to rise again. She was tired physically and mentally, if things kept going as they where she really would have to kill him or die during the process. That idea didn’t please her at all, she just wanted for things to go back as they used to be.



However, that possibility disappeared as soon as she saw his body being lifted not by his legs but by the strong fast wind around him. Having his eyes closed and his metallic skin completely withdrawn she knew he was starting to cast his signature move – the one used for Fortree’s downfall.



Having no other choice she attacked him with all power lines, that would have been a final strike but she had underestimated him. Consequently, as soon as her strike reached the forming hurricane all lines were ripped from the wall and joined the other loose objects that were starting to fly around viciously.



“You gotta be shitting me…” she mumbled knowing things were now getting out of control. “…I need to get out of here.”



But before she could teleport she was hit by one of the boulders she had thrown. The wind was getting stronger by the second and she was eventually dragged into it among all flying stones, ice shards and several heavy objects. The young woman tried to rescue herself but it didn’t take long for all those debris to cut her body and take what was left of her strength. Hitting a solid stone wall finally took her consciousness, causing her lastly to faint.



-------------------------------------------------------------------



Meanwhile, at the same time another hybrid was agonizingly hitting a stone structure. Regaining his senses after banging his head Sam was now astounded at the realization that not only his Fire Type opponent had managed to jump up on him from the water (probably stepping on an underwater rock) but also immobilized him in one move, holding both his arms apart with his hands and stepping with both feet at the end of the tail.



In less than three seconds he went from total and utter advantage into becoming the underdog. Being a nearly a newborn naga he still depended on using his members to cast any sort of attack.



“Nice one Jack, I always underestimate you. I apologize for that.”



“Apologize…forgive me…” he mumbled with disdain before laughing rather madly.



“…Jack?” he asked noticing a strange facial expression he had never seen before on his friend, “I know you must be bewildered right now, but really don’t bother trying to rape me or something, you wouldn’t even know where to find anything.” Sam joked trying to release himself. But losing the sense of humor when the Infernape’s hands began to warm up rapidly.



“…just who the hell do you think I am…? My fault?...yeah maybe…but you? No it’s not your fault. How could it be? How could your idle existence ruin something? No wonder this is heaven to you…now you’re someone’s little bitch. You don’t have to do shit…just swim around and look pretty all day long. So sure stay here blaming me for everything, I’ll even give you a heartwarming goodbye gift…to prove I really am nothing but a lowlife shitbag.” Jack accused with a teasing tone before inflaming his hands with mesmerizing blazes.



Feeling his skin incinerating Sam screamed with wraithlike cries, such a sound caused the cave to shake violently making several stone structures fall from the ceiling. One of them luckily hit his opponent straight in the head immediately causing him to faint and dive unconscious into the water.



“…”



“Damn…this wasn’t nearly good enough…” complained Damien frustrated.



“You expected him to win?” asked Lilith with a teasing tone.



“The only thing this guy never disappointed me with was at breaking odds…but I guess I was wrong this time.”



“What position do you want from him?” she wondered.



“Guardian.”



“Oh…” reacted the high mistress, containing the rising urge to laugh.



“His training intensifies as soon as he wakes up.”



“Try not to kill him.” she finished, before Sam arrived to the shore with the wounded adversary. “His head is bleeding.” said the Milotic carefully putting him down.



“I’ll take care of that.” answered Damien examining the lesions.



None of the wounds were life risking, one could say Jack was literally hard-headed most people could have gotten permanent brain damage from such a hit, but still it took quite a while to heal the injures.



“He’ll be fine. Give me your hands.” demanded the healer turning his attention to the burnt wrists.



“…”



“No.” answered Sam looking at the painful marks.



“What? Give him your hands.” complained Lilith.



“I don’t need to erase the scars, I’ll just take away the pain and prevent blisters.” suggested Damien understanding that he might want to keep them as a reminder.



“…”



“I…want it as it is.”



“Sam!” shouted his mistress in disbelieve of his behavior. Damien unlike her seemed content with the answer.



“Very well. You have a good minion here, truly passionate and grateful to you but loyal to his values. Just make sure he keeps the burnt skin out of the water or it’ll take ages to heal.”



“Impressive, a praise coming from you is a very rare piece of candy. Rematch someday?” answered Lilith noticing the other master hybrid taking his subordinate into his arms.



“Someday.” he said before vanishing.



------------------------------At the Hidden Mansion----------------------------------



Jack’s mind and body were at peace, he was drifting from dream to dream until loud noises brought him back to the painful reality. Immediately his head ached like a cracked egg that had been put together, but at least his psyche was now clear and able to think clearly.



He realized he was laying in a bed at the mansion’s infirmary and recognized the annoying earsplitting voices to be Damien and Noah, arguing about some random issue that he couldn’t fully understand due to waking up only at the end of the discussion. However, he did get that Damien was mad out of his mind with his little pet, Jack hadn’t heard him curse for years now, and he noticed that Noah was not only shouting back but also dropping the obnoxious “Master” thing he always added to his sentences.



“…if you want to do something useful for once go to the bath-house and take Jack along. I won’t waste any more of my time here.” finished Damien walking away and taking a gaze at the awakened spy, as a reflex that made him close his eyes to pretend he was asleep.



Ashamed of his childish reaction he stared at the ceiling and tried to decide if he should stick his nose up their business, it did sound a lot like a lover’s quarrel, but he knew Damien always avoided any arguments related to attachments or relationships.



That thought suddenly reminded him of a much more important issue – his battle with Sam. How could he forget? He had just nearly lost his mind and seriously injure one of his friends, he didn’t mean any of the shit he said, well he did, but none of it actually bothered him so much. So why did he act so…sadistically?



Jack looked around the room. He couldn’t see Noah, there was a separator between their beds, but he could hear him breath with an unsteady pace. He hadn’t seen his tutor in quite a while now, actually the last time he saw the guy he was covered in blood after he was attacked, he always wondered why Damien didn’t allow visits to the infirmary.



It crossed his mind that it would be better to leave him alone for a while, but that consideration vanished when he looked at the end table next to him and saw an empty syringe along with a penetration mark in his arm.



“HEY! WHAT THE FUCK DID HE DRUG ME WITH??” shouted Jack opening the dividing wall.



Noah nearly fell off the bed.



“…Are you trying to give me a heart attack..?” he complained with a gruff tone, obviously from shouting too much previously.



“Answer me!”



“That’s just an antidote! My GOD, learn some manners…” he answered rubbing his pale face.



“Antidote for what?”



“Oxytocin. Your BFF flooded your mind with that stuff, Damien just made the detox process to occur faster…now leave me alone.”



Jack wanted more information about that, he had no idea what he was talking about. But he couldn’t stop being curious about why mister Golduck was being so informal all of the sudden, rebellion somehow didn’t suit him.



“…”



“Are you alright? I mean…after that hit, are you okay now?” he asked avoiding both subjects as a precaution.



“I have a brand new kidney and liver if that’s what you’re asking.”



“…thanks.”



“For what?”



“Saving my life…”



“Just try to act rationally next time. I won’t save you again.”



“…”



“Yeah…rationally…not my fort at all apparently.” he answered staring at his hands, Jack still couldn’t believe he nearly incinerated someone.



“…”



“That wasn’t you fault. Well not entirely, it’s Lilith’s Bloodline, Sam is still a baby when it comes to hybrid abilities…apparently instead of making you soft it went the other way around.” explained Noah knowing exactly what was bothering his student.



“Bloodline?”



“Asides from being fused with a pokemon all clans have an unique ability that identifies them as a member of their kin, an extra that matches a specific power from the founder. Also all bloodlines get stronger and more effective along with the hybrid’s rank.



On your friend’s case it’s the Bliss Bloodline, they all have several methods of using Attract, either it’s the voice, the smell or even fluids…they’ll make you feel infatuated and less likely to attack. It does have side effects, what happened to you was an example.”



“How come none of you told me this before?”



“I’m telling you now.”



“Yeah now that I nearly killed a friend and lost a match.”



“I could have told you earlier if you hadn’t gotten my internal organs blown up.”



“…Touché. So, what’s our bloodline?” asked Jack with a rising curiosity, but not feeling any better about what happened.



“You really have no idea, do you?”



“Well, I can’t do any Psychic mambo jumbo so beats me.”



“Come. I’ll show you.” finished Noah trying to rise from his bed.



…………………………………………………………………..



At the west end of the forest around the mansion was a concealed old bath-house. From the outside it seemed nothing but a ruined stone building with a fallen rooftop, but when seen from the inside it showed a dazzling round pool among several antique tiles covering the floor. On top of them suddenly appeared two figures, one of them immediately collapsing on its knees.



“Hey! What’s wrong??”



“…Nothing. Just weak…” Noah answered coughing blood.



“Are you fucking insane? Then you should stay in the infirmary!”



“Coming here will make me get better faster.”



“…but we could’ve walked!”



“Do I look like someone able of taking a walk in the forest?”



“I could have carried you.”



“…Hell no. And why would you do that?”



“Cause I owe you one.”



“Ugh that again. Listen, help me reach the water and we’ll call it even.”



“That’s not even close to taking a hit for someone.”



“Just shut up and put me in the water, I actually hate you even more when you’re trying to act nice.”



“…”



Without a word Jack pulled Noah from his t-shirt and pants nearly tossing him into the clear pool.



“Like me better this way?”



“Shove the wounded guy into a wet pit very clever Jack.” complained Noah resurfacing and making himself comfortable on the sun heated water.



“You’re a water hybrid, it’s not like you can drown anyways.”



“Actually I can. Bloodlines are reserved exclusively for members of each clan, underwater breathing is one ability none of us can have because another clan has it as its trademark. I can hold my breath for large amounts of time but I’ll drown if I stay underwater too long.”



“…that’s…hilarious.”



“Same goes for your friend Sam. I bet you wish you had known that before getting your ass kicked so badly.”



“I don’t care about losing, I’m more worried about him hating my guts, instead of changing his mind I fucked up our friendship even more.” he vented sitting on the floor.



“Spare me. I have enough issues on my own, definitely don’t need yours.”



“Aren’t you a fucking ray of sunshine…sure. That must be our bloodline, we’re all a bunch of egotistic rude douches.”



“That was actually funny…” answered Noah truthfully but with no actual laughs, “…but really. Have you figured it out by now? You should be feeling it.”



“Feeling what?”



“Better.”



“Well my head is hurting less.”



“There you have it.”



“…Fast healing? That’s our thing?” Jack guessed, thinking before talking for once.



“Indeed. It’s a form of Synthesis, we heal quickly when under direct sun light and it works faster if the current weather or the environment matches our type. In your case all you need to be at utmost is daylight and a warm dry surrounding, while I need some form of water around me.”



“That’s useful…but what does Damien need?”



“The master doesn’t require anything besides light, also he can store it so unlike us he can heal even at night. We’re known as the Luminous Clan, for using light as a power source and because we’re mentally enlightened…not your case though.”



“Fine, then enlighten me on why you’re still decrepit if we all restore our health so quickly.” teased Jack offended from being called an idiot. Also he noticed Noah was back on the “Master” thing.



“…”



“There were complications…”



“Yeah? I though Damien could fix anything.”



“…it wasn’t his fault. I was the one that didn’t want to be fixed…” he mumbled.



“Uh?”



“Nothing.”



“Listen, I heard you guys fight, it’s none of my business but if you wanna let it out I don’t mind.”



“Because you owe me one…?” he asked rolling his eyes.



“More like because I’m curious on why you stopped kissing his ass.”



“…I figured it didn’t matter anymore, but I must confess it was good to see him upset.” Noah admitted.



“Because that means he cares right?”



“Right…”



“…”



“You’re not gonna tell me what happened are you?”



“Why should I?”



“Because we’re stuck together in here, so we should at least TALK. Plus nobody knows Damien better than me.”



Noah laughed loudly nearly losing control, he had to stop because it was actually starting to cause him pain.



“You…know…HIM…??”



“Hey, we were best friends for ages, trust me I know him.”



“Jack, please…you know nothing.”



“Oh yeah, do you know he used to have glasses? He looked like a freaking bookworm back in school.”



“Yes I do. And do you know why he left you behind?”



Jack became pale for a few seconds, that question hit straight inside an old deep wound.



“I don’t want to know. Not from you.” he answered coldly.



“Fair enough.”



“But how the fuck do you know that? Somehow I don’t picture him blabbing out about his private life to you.”



“I just do. I saw it, I felt it, I nearly lived it.”



“Say what?”



“You wouldn’t understand…only Psychics can.”



“Enlighten me.”



“You were told we share instincts with the pokemon we were fused with, that’s why we have enhanced sexual craving. However, Psychics are different, it’s not just the act itself for us…it’s melting with the other person’s mind. We feel what they feel, see what they see, think what they thing. Basically we become one, and that…is highly addictive.”



“Ok…enough information for one day. You see stuff about my life when he’s doing you? Fuck that’s disturbing.” he answered laying down on the warm floor, it was by far the weirdest day of his life as it was.



“…”



“Only at the beginning when he still couldn’t control his abilities, now I’m lucky if I get any glimpses of his mind.”



“Why would you want to see that?” asked Jack with a disgusted tone.



“I don’t suppose someone like you would understand.”



“Seriously Noah stop talking as if I’m a dumb shit, it’s not even close to funny anymore.”



“I wasn’t ranting about your intelligence you dimwit. I meant someone with a great life like you…family, friends, money…it sickens me just to think that the worst thing that ever happened to you was ending up in here. Poor little you, the next time you feel like complain about all this remember that for me….well for me this is the best I ever had.”



“…”



“This is your happily ever after..?” he joked.



“I wished it was, that’s why I couldn’t face reality when it hit me.”



“…”



“I hate when you do that. Have you any idea of how annoying it is?”



“That what?” wondered the Golduck unable to understand the question.



“Hinting things and then avoiding them or refusing to talk about it. That’s. Fucking. Annoying!”



“I agree.” said a third voice out of the sudden, it gave Noah chills down his spine.



“Master…I…” he mumbled.



“You’re spying on us?” asked Jack with an inquisitive look on his face.



“No.” answered Damien without feeling the need to give any further explanations. He was telling the truth, he indeed had just arrived. “How do you expect to become a Preacher if your one and only student can’t even get a straight answer from you?”



“I answered all questions related to his training, I didn’t think personal issues were included in his lessons.” he replied, sounding rather disconcerted.



“They aren’t, but if you remain unable to put your problems aside he’ll surely be defeated again. After all, it is your fault that his training his highly delayed.”



“His fault? I’d be DEAD if it wasn’t for him!” defended Jack noticing Noah’s facial display of shame and sadness. Also he knew it was his own fault for losing against Sam.



“No Jack. I’m referring to his obnoxious and futile suicide attempts.”



Jack’s eyes widened considerably. So that’s why they had been arguing, that surely explained why Damien had been considerably mad and why Noah was still ailing.



“I must warn you Noah, I will not save you again, the same way my comrades are forbidden to manipulate servants I am too prohibited of forcing someone against their will.”



Jack lifted his left eyebrow, reacting to the irony of what he had just heard.



“There is a big difference between forcing and convincing Jack. I never forced anyone into anything, as a human I am very well allowed to use my intellect to influence others or to direct them in the correct way when they are blinded by idiocy.”



None of the younger hybrids knew who he was referring to with his last accusation, it was probably for both of them simultaneously.



“I won’t try it again. I give you my word Master.”



“Good. But I don’t like the reasons that made you decide that, I want you to change your mind not follow an order.”



“Change my mind? How could I possibly change my mind if there’s no solution for my problem, after all, it’s your mind that will never change.”



Jack was now immensely confused.



“My mind is none of your concern. I’m your Superior, I do not belong to you, never did, never will. Face it. Live with it.”



The Infernape had the feeling that what Damien had just said was a polite way of saying “GET A LIFE!”.



“Both of you are here because you’re my closest cohorts. I have great plans for both your futures and I expect you Noah, above all people, to know how much that means. Trying to give your life away because of such foolish selfish feelings is beyond insulting and revolting, for once in your life stop running away from your fears.”



Noah answered nothing, he looked as if he had just been stabbed across the chest.



“And you Jack. I understand you lost due to your feelings towards your friend but your battle performance was humiliating. If Noah fails again to keep up your training I’ll have to transfer you to a new, better, teacher. And trust me when I say - you do not want that to happen, not yet.”



He heard all the words directed to him, but something else was clouding his mind because of the words “running away” said earlier.



“Damien, why did you leave? Please don’t lie.”



The Psychic Master looked stunned for a second, “Well. Apparently you’re shaper than I give you credit for. Yes I was just like Noah back then, trying to escape desperately my own shadows, but unlike him I rose above it.”



“Escape from what?”



“Humanity. There’s something I never told you Jack, I hid it from everyone until I couldn’t control it anymore. You see, nobody can become a powerful Psychic Hybrid without having biological disposition for such a demanding power, common humans wouldn’t be able to control their minds for large amounts of time without irreversible damage.”



“No way.” answered Jack suddenly realizing what his childhood friend was trying to say.



“By the time I was 8 I learned Telekinesis, from there on my powers increased until I began to lose control four years ago. With Telepathy I could hear clearly the minds of everyone I crossed and that nearly made me insane. At first it was momentary, but it quickly became permanent and created excruciating headaches.



And as if listening to everyone’s disgusting thoughts wasn’t bad enough, I also had to discover my family’s secrets and that the only person I treasured was starting to wonder if he was going to be stuck with me for the rest of his life or if he could screw around without being caught.



So yes, I made everyone a favor and left into the wild, hoping for some silence and peace. I don’t regret it, but I do regret being ashamed of what I was.”



“Damien…I…”



“The two of you have a lot to talk about. I have a meeting to attend.” he finished vanishing, leaving both bewildered hybrids feeling utterly like crap.



---------------------------------Nina’s Hidden Base (Sinnoh - Route 224) – Hours Later-------------------------------------



“Took you long enough.” said the blue haired woman sitting alone on a dark room clarified only by torches.



“What have you done with him?” demanded Damien completely ignoring her reply.



“Him who?” she teased.



“You know very well what I’m talking about.” he retorted aggressively.



“Actually I have no bloody idea.”



“My Lieutenant. I can still feel your energy emanating from him, it’s tainting his mind.”



“Really? Interesting.”



“Cut the crap. We both know very well your bloodline doesn’t work unaided.”



“Yes…on my normal state it’s under my control, but when I struck him…I lost it.”



“He keeps reliving his darkest fears when he falls asleep, but I’ve seen into his mind and not all of those memories belong to him, some of them are yours.”



For a second the dark mistress showed pure surprise in her eyes.



“Fascinating. How is that possible?”



“Noah might not know it but he’s always been a very rare type of Telepath, he doesn’t connect with the present, he ties himself with someone’s past. Your energy inside him must be establishing a connection between you two.”



“What has he seen?”



“Us.”



“Amusing.” she joked, it amazed her that out of all he could have spied on all he saw was rubbish.



“I think it’s in both our interests that you release him of this curse before it gets any worst.”



“You are indeed an amazing creature Damien. You have in your hands the best secret weapon against me and yet you want to give it away to save a mere servant. Unbelievable.”



“I have no need for such a thing. Defense against whatever you’re secretly planning against me is nothing but a mere waste of time, my priority is keeping my plans in track and that includes the safety of my servants.”



“You are truly one of a kind. We couldn’t possibly be more…different.”



“Lift the curse.” he demanded, tired of the conversation.



“It’s not that simple…for such a thing to happen it means he must have absorbed an abnormal amount of my cursed energy. They are as one now. If I were to remove it he would most likely die instantly.”



“I know. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”



“Yes…well, I can research a cure but it will cost you.”



“You enjoy having your mind invaded?”



“No. But I doubt he’d survive long with such a curse poisoning his sanity, you wouldn’t be here unless you knew he had his days counted.”



“Name your price.” he answered coldly.



“Twenty living humans with cerebral death. Intact bodies, attractive if possible.”



“What kind of request is that?”



“Some are to discover the cure you want, the others are…for fun.”



“Is this why there were several nearby graves being emptied in the past week?”



“You have your experiments, I have mine. Do we have a deal?” she asked, sounding serious for once.



“You know very well I can’t do such a thing.”



“What do you care? They’re brain dead, how much more dead could they get?” complained the Gengar rising from her seat.



“They’re still human beings.”



“Oh cut the righteous crap, a few years ago you wanted to erase them from the face of this planet.”



“I was immoral and emotional. Two words that still describe you effectively nowadays.”



“Judge me as you wish, but don’t fool yourself. No matter how much you cling on those two pets of yours to make you feel human…you’re still a twisted sadistic monster down to the core. This virtuous mask of yours is nothing but a sad little attempt of a masquerade.”



“No, you’re the one that desperately needs to see a reflection of yourself inside of me. All that happened in our past was fuelled with fear and anger, you shouldn’t mistake that with individuality.”



“Sure keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, get me at least three vegetables and we have a deal, just make sure one is male and the others are attractive young females.”



“What do you except to achieve with them?”



“I’ll give a report with my discoveries afterwards. Enough bargaining, shake on it or get yourself a new boy toy…without me the current one is doomed.”



“…”



“I’ll deliver them tomorrow.” he finished, reaching his arm for an agreement handshake.



As their hands separated Damien vanished from the base, leaving the female hybrid alone to grin with excitement.



-----------------------------------To be Continued---------------------------------