Story Notes:
Sorry about the massive submission. Meant to get this done five days earlier, but I failed.Ok, so I'm nervous. I have no damn clue if what I wrote serves as an okay writing style. I've been fighting this pressure for a very long time but I don't get any feedback about my work to know if I'm doing well or not. Is this enough detail, too little, too much? Should there be more complex descriptions, more big vocabulary words to make me sound ridiculously extravagantly smart, or is that not even required for a good story? Or how about less dialogue or should there be more? Those are just a few things I ask myself every second I type. Lately writing has been very stressful because whenever I read a good story I think â��If I need people to appreciate my hard work then I should write like that.â�a33; I shouldn't think like that but since I'm left in the dark I can't help it. Am I good enough, or do I suck at some areas? What makes a good story? You tell me readers, please. Help me, I really need it.
Chapter 5
"Serperior? Serrrperiorrr?"
The grass serpent stirred from her comfy coiled position to curve her head around, groggily peeping at her assistant who leaned on her. "Ughh...Go away Leavanny. It's too early to delegate the hive..."
The motherly bug grumbled in response. Getting off Serperior, she walked around to her head seeing her eyes closed again. Clearing her throat and deepening her vocal cords Leavanny nosed up to Serperior's muzzle. "Hey, Sarah, you up?" What resulted from her imitated deep tone was the serpent parting her eyes slightly, expecting to see her close crush. Once her eyes sharpened at the intruder Leavanny fell into a giggling fit which aggravated Serperior even more as Leavanny clutched her abdomen from laughter. "Your face is just so adorable-Ow!" Leavanny retracted back from the sudden vine whip delivered to her leafy arm. "Awww, did I wake you from a good dream-Aah!" Serperior whipped again this time inches away from Leavanny's eyes and then lashed out again and again. Leavanny quickly backed away from the feeling of air rushing against her nose by the continuous whips. "Okay, sorry, sorry! My apologies...'Saraaah'!" she laughed all the way out of Serperior's quarters.
Sighing, the serpent rose up with a gaping, airy yawn. She slowly uncoiled her piled form and meandered her way from her favored sleeping spot, feeling the warm leafy pile transition to cold blades as she moved. A slight smile on her muzzle remained as she mused over the dream that her assistant woke her from. "Darn it, I can just cry right now... stupid Leavanny," she whined.
Slithering her way past a wall of shrubs she was welcomed to a view of her followers completing routine activities with the astronomically sized tree sitting in the background. However, she noticed several bugs pass her but then abruptly stop in their tracks to address her formally.
"Congratulations, Superior!"
"Great job on the hit off!"
"We're all so happy about your good news!"
The young queen of the hive saw all the odd winks and received all the special nuzzles and hugs. "What are you guys--"
"Sarah!" Leavanny suddenly distracted firmly pulling Serperior's head away from her loyal gathering crowd, "You have to see something urgent!"
"Leavanny, are you really going to call me that for now on?" Serperior pointed out as they quickly moved away from the central hive.
"That's Leilani now, that's my new name, so yes I'm going to call you Sarah for now on!" she beamed.
"Leilani?" she passed, "Drake..."
"Yeah, I know right. He's pretty good with these names!"
"No he's not. How can he give you a great name when mine is just so simple?" Serperior joked as she slithered past welcoming workers.
"Well, then again you need to think 'serperior.' That's a tough one to work with you gotta admit."
"That's not fair," Serperior pouted, "See it's all because of this new body! I have no attractive looks and now my name is unappealing?"
"Oh trust me. Once I show you the food storage all of that is going to change, okay Sarah?"
"You really like these names," she smiled, "Fine I'm Sarah, and you're lucky, super hot Leilani," The young Sarah teased seeing Leilani slowly shake her head with a chuckle in response. "So what do you mean by 'all of that is going to change?'"
Sarah couldn't have asked at a better time. "I mean I think Drake really seems to favor you now." Leilani pushed a wall of shrubbery out of their path revealing to Sarah the giant, heaping hill of fresh fruits and berries. Her jaw dropped upon the vibrant sight of the bright berries in the magnificent pile.
"And Drake did this?"
"Drake did this."
"Oh Great Virizion..." Sarah sighed as she pushed through the shrubbery to slither around and survey the heaping pile of sweets. "O-our whole hive doesn't even consume this much fruit in a year! These will be spoiled by then, and Drake...Oh no, what if his master notices! What were you thinking!"
"I didn't think Drake would go with the deal!" she confessed. Serperior's ears trigger to turn toward some grunting clatter from nearby. She approaches a wall of bushes hearing the leaves stir past the hedge. She then sees Drake emerge, slowly pulling out another wagon full of fruit. "He's been bringing those since dawn and I can't stop him," Leilani informed.
"Drake, what do you think you're doing!" Sarah called.
"Oh!" he began with a grunt as his full loaded wagon through the bushes, "Well excuse me for being a nice gentledragon by hauling in your share of fruit," he snickered.
"My share, three wagons? That is three wagons? You're practically unloading half of your storage to us!"
"You're welcome," he came back with a sarcastic smile.
"No, stop," she stated as she slithered in front of his way, "Please Drake. I don't want you to get in any trouble. I mean honestly one wagon--"
"Look, I don't want you to be concerned. My owner sprayed that whole field with poison so I'm simply supplying you guys pesticide-free fruit. I'm not gonna let a whole population starve to death!"
"We won't..." Sarah sighed and gave in not wanting to sound unappreciative about the work and the risk he might've went through. "Thank you, I really appreciate the help, but I don't think you understand--"
"It's no problem at all," he grunted more as he flipped the wagon over the edge of the pile. "It's no problem, Sarah. It's the least I can do to thank you for kicking out a pair of pests. Phew, fifth wagon, hehe," he smiled.
"Well...she didn't manage to get all of them out..."
Before Drake could question her he felt resonating current around his shoulders. Looking up he scoped in on the red enemy who flew overhead to land right behind Leilani. "How's my Leilani doing?" The fraxure fell into shock upon seeing the large, red bug pokémon fondly embrace Leavanny with his four arms from behind. "I managed to assist the hunting unit that you said needed some help. They found that unfezant that's been giving the hive trouble."
Leilani giggled in response. "Very good. Nice to have a new big, strong helper around isn't it? Two pairs of hands," she giggled within his hold.
"Great, just what I need, newborn pests..." Drake revolted.
"It's all good, buddy. Don't worry about me. I won't bother any of your fruits from now on," Ledian chuckled.
"Haha, Leilani, keep him in control and there won't be any problems," Drake smirked before turning his attention to Sarah. "Now even though I really appreciate the huge help you gave me, I can't keep giving all these fruits like this every day. What is your whole hive going to do since the whole land is poisoned, misses Superior?"
"Ha, that's the first time I have ever seen you worried about the welfare of your pests!" Sarah laughed, "What's gotten into your scales lately?"
"Sarah, he spoke straightly, "I'm really being serious right now."
"Ahahahahaha! Now, that's...that's the first time you've been serious in front of me!" she chortled.
"Yeah, ha ha ha. Can you calm down and give me a paw...tail with this bucket I have outside?"
"Okay, just wait a second," Sarah answered through her laughing fit but Drake didn't listen as he trudged through the hedge bush. Drake, not wanting to waste more time in hauling fruit through acres of land, ran through the shrubbery. The sooner Drake got his last load in the less suspicious he'll look towards his owner. Sarah followed shortly after his departure but couldn't catch up close enough to have him stop his work. "Drake, wait!" Sarah called out. "My hive doesn't need all of this fruit! You don't understand--"
"Oh I understand. You think you guys can try and ration out your food supply then?" he yelled back.
"No, that's not it. Just stop!"
Sarah emerged into the orchard but saw Drake standing next to her stiffened in a lowered stance as he leaned in forward with his claws up at chest level. Looking forward wanting to know what was provoking the fraxure Sarah found the silver bucket on the ground. A black serpent was next to it where she also saw several smashed fruit piles scattered around him. "What in the hell are you doing!" Drake snarled.
"It'ssss very ssssimple," Seviper hissed continuously as he straightened his scrunched body to crawl in front of the bucket. "I'm strongly into meat. I haven't had a high quality meal in weeks, and now I want to sink my fangs into a nice tender chunk. My closest food source is right behind you two. Now get out of my way!" he spat sending out streams of golden venom by Drake's feet.
"Frenzy..." Drake predicted.
"I told you you're not allowed anywhere near my hive, Seviper!" Sarah spat back mutually.
Seviper only chuckled, almost uncontrollably in berserk, at her response. His wide maw remained parted oozing drops of venom. "Sarah, Colton told me this guy could be a former professional pokémon. If we stick together we may have a chance," Drake whispered getting an affirming nod from his new ally.
"Hah, even if a wild bitch and an amateur toy teamed up against me I'd still annihilate-What the!" His taunt was quickly cut short by a sudden lash from Sarah's Vine Whip. Not even his vigorously agile senses could react to the tethers that quickly restrained his defenses by wrapping around the base of his tail and neck.
"Do it!" she relayed.
"With pleasure!" Drake charged towards the immobilized seviper. Confident his enemy would be injured he flung his head to the side, and the feeling of satisfaction met once his tusk roughly grinded through his targeted surface. Without leaving a moment of reaction he swiftly swiped his other tusk past Seviper's hide. His play now finished, Drake dashed back a distance to survey the damage but to his and Sarah's astonishment there wasn't a presence of a deep flesh wound. "His scales are too strong!"
"Ha, don't say I didn't warn you both!" Seviper faced Sarah with his jaw open unleashing a fast growing torrent of flames directly towards the grass serpent.
Sarah's movements nearly halted by the sight of the giant fireball fast approaching her but the increasing scorching heat forced her to slip back before the flames touched her. The remaining embers luckily dissipated before successfully cooking her but she still flailed about in utter panic due to her immense fear. "Sarah, hold out!" Drake called but he suddenly choked out a pained yelp before finding himself knocked away from her.
Seviper's lavender illuminated tail had streaked across Drake's face with enough force to send him roughly tumbling back a few yards. Contented with a possibly poisoned enemy, Seviper sadistically grinned as he approached Sarah who was almost fully revitalized from the trauma of the unbearable heat. Seeing him slowly slither towards her she immediately directed enough power into the three leaves around her tail tip highlighting the blades in white allowing her to swing her sharp equipped tail towards Seviper's head. The result tore past Seviper's face enough to have him hiss sharply in pain and keep him back away.
"Damn bitch!" he cursed from underestimating his opponent.
Sarah growled in response as she geared her head back up watching out for any counter-offensives. "Don't worry, Sarah," Drake managed to call out with a smile as he staggered up to his feet, "I got a favorite move up my scales!" With Sarah positioned on one end of Seviper in the field and Drake on the other they had him in a pincer to their advantage. Seviper decided to switch his attention to Drake by slowly slithering his way with a constant flick of his tongue and his tail lighting up again for another strike. "Oh, trying to hit me with your pink little butter knife again? Ha, I have sharper silverware than that little kiddy thing!" Drake humiliated earning him a sharpened glare from Seviper. He also saw Sarah shaking her head in shame from the other side of the pear field. "What," Drake chuckled to Sarah as he cautiously backed up, "It's the Taunt move! See, it's working!"
Drake managed to clear away from Seviper's Poison Fang by vaulting up above his descending head. Once Seviper collided into the dirt Drake brought an arm back before strongly swinging with a Swipe delivering a deep cut through the very tip of Seviper's purple and black muzzle. Drake smile as he heard the serpent hiss out in irritation knowing that if all other defenses are strong, aim for the nose. Drake roughly landed next to Seviper's flailing body in a roll and managed to limp up before trying to sprint away.
"Drake-damn it! Look out!" Sarah warned him from her position.
Still facing towards Sarah he didn't sense Seviper readying another attack. Seviper reared up and then appeared to gag and heave. As Drake just tried to run faster he suddenly felt a torrent of warm, thick liquid splash on and around his entire spot, which significantly slowed his body movement where he finally heard Seviper loudly choke up more purple, venomous gunk far enough to land on top of Drake in a Venoshock attack.
"Aww...puke! Sick!" he revolted as he found himself unable to move around within the sticky purple slime. The slime felt like it was pulling down on his weight. His vision lost focus as he looked towards Sarah only to see more than one outline of her and her background.
"Drake!" Sarah concerned.
However, she had to set her deep emotions aside to get back to the battle. She quickly slithered up to the center of the battle field between the aisles of trees around them. Passing Drake she swiftly circled over one spot where Seviper saw her coiling up into a tall vertical spring that continued to rotate. Before he could attack, Sarah bounced up a few feet then landed, and with a strong force and with added elasticity to her coiled form from her landing she bounded up again and soared several feet into the air. Seviper's jaw nearly unhinged once he saw her rapidly barrel-roll her body midair before she manipulated herself to elevate upside down. Stretching only her lower body to the side of her gyrating spot Seviper found himself astonished and nearly frightened by the view of Sarah hovering in mid air with her body speedily rotating in place with her tail spread out. Her attack gave birth to a growing green vortex strong and fast enough to completely enshroud her whole form with leaves. Suddenly debris were being picked up by her force and before Seviper sensed it his body slid towards her vortex. Sucking up pieces of loose vegetation nearby, Sarah growled from her power escalating to turn the leaves, twigs, and other debris she sucked up into sharpened projectiles as she concentrated on sucking up Seviper. Drake still had enough feeling to know that her wind speeds were also sucking him in so he clutched the soil beneath him for dear life.
As for Seviper, he couldn't get a hold of anything before her tornado-force winds effortlessly carried him up. With a shriek Seviper flew towards the dangerous vortex where Drake barely made out the dark blur within the green tornado. There, Sarah's leaves did their job shearing by Seviper's tough hide enough to greatly weaken his defensive scales as he continued to scream from the ride and fear of what could happen.
After seconds passed, Seviper flung away from the vortex and crashed firmly onto the soil. Before Drake gave his enemy enough time to recover the little fraxure began charging up a move he's been meaning to test. Parting his jaws he concentrated dragon energy within his maw to form a small, teal illuminated sphere of damaging effects. Vision impaired, he took careful aim waiting for the outlines of Seviper to merge together so he can be confident with his shot as the blue orb before his mouth continued to grow and quake. Once his vision calmed Drake fired the Dragon Pulse. The kick back of his own shot and his paralyzed limbs knocked him back, but the blue sphere traveled at a velocity faster than sound. Seviper's slit pupils narrowed further from the realization of his defeat as he saw the ball launch. A loud explosion detonated from Drake's attack and enshrouded aisles of fruit around in a dark cloud of dust and plugged the ears of the three belligerents.
"Holy...crap," Drake mumbled in astonishment as he continued to lie on the ground. His head ached from the constant ringing he just produced as the dust cloud cleared around him. There, lying on the ground, he managed to make out the blurry green sight of Sarah's head over his own where he felt her vines slither under his back to lift him up on his haunches. With a smile she slowly helped Drake up to his feet then supported him with her vines. "That bastard is over with, right?"
With a smile Sarah nodded. Through the remainder of the dust Drake's eyes suddenly magnified from seeing a brightly illuminated blade punch through the smog. Preparing to take the blow he brought his arms up expecting a blow to his torso. His prediction did not come once he heard his ally hiss sharply next to him. The illuminated bladed flew adjacent to him and punctured through Sarah's scales. Sarah gasped sharply as her head lowered, not expecting pain to sear and pulse throughout her chest where the blade pierced through her scales and into her blood stream. But all the pain and feeling around her disappeared in an instant. Seeing the large serpent about to fall, Drake, past his fears and anger, managed to step back enough to catch her head.
"Sarah!" he worried.
She didn't move as her eyes remained open, nearly about to cause Drake to scream and greave, but he saw a faint smile form into a soft one. And, before she lost all feeling in her body she managed to squeeze enough strength to wink at the concerned fraxure. Fusing all her hope to him, Drake rose up to face his opponent with not only the objective to kick one pest out but to protect the thousand behind him. He turned to give her one last look at her face seeing her eyes close. With enraged demeanor his vision and feeling completely returned as he peered through the light brown dust and caught the windy silhouette of the one his new found malice achieved to reach. Drake quickly readied another Dragon Pulse in his mouth and released the smaller orb of energy towards Seviper. Another deafening explosion rocked the whole aisle but that didn't stop him from sprinting through the dust cloud to swing his head out in rage. Identifying the weakened serpent's black shadow through the cloud, he jumped up to cling on Seviper's back so he could jerk his head strongly side to side making his tusks brutally cleave past his weakened scales. Managing to attack with a few Dual Chops, Drake leapt out of the way of another Flamethrower by Seviper in an attempt to get Drake off of him.
Landing away from the flying flames he saw a small projectile fly past him and harpoon to Seviper's downed body within the parting dust. Turning around he saw Sarah fighting her poison where he also caught a green sphere of light grow between her long ears. Suddenly a beam shot from her sphere and homed onto the bud that was on Seviper. Crackling was heard followed by sharp hisses and shrieks from Seviper's flailing body. Seviper was enshrouded by a jagged green aura as he tried to shake free, but no matter how hard Seviper tried to swing around Sarah's beam stayed on him binding and adjusting to his movements like a green rope that continued to suck out the remainder of his energy for her to receive. Her beam stopped after several moments of draining leaving a panting and stumbling seviper and now a partially healed serperior.
Before Drake could use another offensive attack a taillow quickly descended into the battlefield and right in front of Drake. "What the-Colton!"
Suddenly, Sarah and Drake both gasp from another projectile landing on Seviper. Before anyone could respond, all of the dark serpent's color changed into a pale red before his whole body quickly morphed into a stream of red. Everyone looked as his body was pulled into a falling pokéball that snapped closed upon hitting the grass. The black, yellow, and white orb wobbled and constantly swayed attempting to tame the highly experience seviper. The long moments felt extended for Drake and Sarah as they watched with anticipation. Drake's chest hammered from the adrenaline as he hoped the ultra ball could end this whole conflict once and for all. The Ultra Ball continued to wobble though for several seconds within the grassy follicles. If Seviper popped back out Drake expected a Flamethrower to come straight at him, so he stood firm as he stared at the ball. Ting! The pair's tension fell as the ball stopped moving followed by Drake slowly limping towards it. Before he took a couple steps though he saw someone emerge past a high wall of shrubbery. Sarah froze upon seeing the broad man, owner of the orchard, walking up to the ball and picking it up.
"I'll get you to a pokémon center right away, and then they can return you to your natural habitat."
Drake knowing he had everything fully under control went back to the aid of Sarah who still lied on the ground. "Sarah, the poison! Where's the nearest pecha berry tree," he panicked, "Damn it!"
Drake lashed around from hearing the pokéball pop open to form up Seviper. Once the white silhouette completely disappeared Drake growled lowly at the serpent even though he was weak and still panting from the battle. The owner saw the obedient behavior the seviper gave noticing he's not making any effort to attack. "Feels good...to be back in the hands of a strong trainer," Seviper panted.
Surprising Drake and Sarah further, Leilani and Ledian walked out of the hedge behind them and right in front of the owner. Ledian hurriedly flew to his companion. The owner grew astonished as well. Ledian landed in front of Seviper before wrapping him up in a loyal embrace. "I heard everything, Seviper. He's going to return you to your habitat. Arceus, I wanted to aid you but..." Ledian apologetically turned towards Leilani who smiled in encouragement before turning back to Seviper. "I'm sorry, I can't go with you."
"Don't worry, Ledian," Seviper surprisingly chuckled jokingly, "You're going to have a family now. I am absolutely not ready to settle down myself yet. I want to get back into the league and keep battling. I'll let a chansey know, or in this region probably an audino, that I want to be paired with a trainer or league official...or maybe a breeder hehe. You belong here, I belong out there, so it works out in the end because it's been some ride we've both had eh." he finished with a small hiss.
Drake, Sarah, Leilani, and even the owner felt touched in different degrees by the scene. Ledian embraced Seviper close one final time. "Good luck," Ledian concluded.
Seviper nodded once. "Oh and...Drake is it?" Seviper reached around with his jaw to grab something by his tail where he threw the held object for the fraxure to catch, "I apologize...for everything I have caused to create a nuisance. My misery shouldn't be given to others and for that I am deeply sorry. I know an apology won't fix the damage I have caused though. And Serperior...Everything that I said to you is all a lie," Seviper smiled as he winked towards her.
Drake placed the pecha berry given to him in front of Sarah's mouth. She still looked at Seviper and saw the apologetic look he displayed. "It's 'Sarah' now," she giggled with a nod.
"Since you're not really an annoying pest in the end and is just a lost pokémon...Eh, apology accepted," Drake smirked as the owner tapped the ultra ball on the smiling Seviper allowing him to be recalled away.
Drake watched his owner approach him. Realizing that a bucket of fruit was in his sight along with a serperior, a ledian, and a leavanny all having the classification as "pest", he instantly shivered. His owner may now know about everything that's been happening for the last few days but he has the clues now. "Drake, come on. In the truck."
The firm order received caused him to stand next to the man as he moved. Drake followed him and noticed he continued to walk to Sarah who was still partially numb and poisoned after the pecha berry consumption. He squatted down then cautiously placed his hands under the serpent. Sarah's eyes widened when he heard the human grunt heavily where Drake saw him successfully lift up most of Sarah before placing around his shoulders. "Don't worry, you're gonna get all healed up. Phew, heavy one ain't ya?"
Sarah rolled her eyes from his last comment seeing Drake smile and follow closely behind the owner. "Don't...say... a thing."
Drake laughed from her reaction by the small joke his owner made. They made their way through the hedges where Drake found his owner's truck parked. He gently placed Sarah on the bed of the pickup allowing Drake to jump up and accompany her. With a slam of the door, a roar of the engine, Sarah marveled at the terrain moving away in front of her. She then saw Drake scoot closer to her lying form. Her expression lit up when she saw and even lightly felt Drake's face nuzzle her own.
"Thank you, Sarah."
Sarah lied on a large wooden bench as she observed the man applying his medicine around her areas that needed attention. He continued to watch his hands wrap her up, rub gel around her wounds, and clean her deep puncture wound. "Now Drake, explain to me why there was a bucket full of fruit." Drake obediently stood next to his owner the entire time until he brought up that question. That's when he began shifting around before lowering his head. Drake trembled but still mentally prepared for his punishment. Instead, he however earned a few pats across his spike from his owner allowing the small dragon to open his eyes and relax from the affection. "Don't worry little fella. I sincerely understand. This darn new pesticide is a waste and is no good for the orchard. I did notice that hive of bugs, Drake, and saw that they were not pests. They're actually predators mutually working with leaf eaters who all help stop the real vermin!" Drake was taken aback by his statement before growing greatly confused.
"That's what I've been trying to tell youuu," Sarah teased from the bench.
"You did the right thing. A little loss fruit won't hurt me. You share a bond with those predators. I'm not going to use the pesticide anymore. Who needs dangerous manmade chemicals and their dangerous chemistry when you have a natural one with the hive anyway? Maybe I can persuade other communities to use counter-pests as safer protection."
Drake couldn't help but smile from his owner's acceptance as he was bombarded by pure relief. The owner heaved Sarah off the bench allowing her to slither down his shoulders where she slithered up to Drake. "Carrying a little weight there?" he joked as his owner went inside.
"Some gentledragon you are! Did anyone ever tell you to not ever talk about a female's weight?"
"It's just a joke! Don't be so sensitive." Sarah pouted before swiftly turning away from him. "I have to admit, you're very athletic... to say the least."
"That's what I thought; wish I could say the same about you though..."
"Hey!"
"Now you know what it feels like," she teased sticking her flicking tongue out.
As the two teased each other they both had grabbed the attention of someone small who just turned the corner. A young girl came enthusiastically running towards the two. "Aww, look how cute you two look together!"
The two jumped from the sudden high pitched, up close yell. "Oh no, it's Maylene--"
"Oh," she adores, the young girl innocently pressing the faces of Drake's and Sarah's together firmly enough to mash their expressions, "Look how beautiful your new lady friend is!"
"Don't...bite" Drake mumbled.
"I would never!" Sarah mumbled back quickly.
"I'm talking...to myself."
"I'm going to go see if Daddy can have me keep her," she giggled releasing the two before skipping back inside the ranch.
Drake rapidly shook his head but was unable to control the violent thumps in his chest from the firm feeling of Sarah's face onto his where her strong scent now lingered. "That was... interesting," he commented though unable to lower the warmness in his cheeks.
"Well, glad someone appreciates my new looks," Sarah pouted with her usual slight pucker of the lips which, just as she wanted, caused Drake to look her way in shock.
Before he could marvel further at her mood though, Maylene returned back excitedly. "Daddy said yes!"
"What!" Both Drake and Sarah blurted out simultaneously before peering at each other.
"Ooh, what should I name you? You have pretty soft scales," she smiled while embracing Sarah's face which the serpent couldn't help but crane her neck towards the little girl's hand in a joyous response. "Oh, how about Velvet? Or, even better, 'Velvetina'! Yeah, that's your name for now on, okay!" Maylene ran off again leaving two flustered and blushing pokémon together.
"...Just when I had my new name confirmed earlier this morning...I now have to learn a new one?"
"Hey, at least your name is great. I mean she named me 'Drake' when she first got me. How boring is that? It's cause' she was just eight that time and 'Drake' is a symbol for dragon, whoo..." he chuckled sarcastically causing the new Velvetina to giggle with him. "So your food supply is good forever now. You're legion of bugs in the long run though..."
Drake's concern was strong and apparent to Velvetina. The concern was shortly replaced with offset confusion though as she slid forward with a sly smile. Passing by Drake's side she one-eightied around him, the two appearing like a predator trapping its prey. "Don't worry about it," she softly began finishing off with a long, faint hiss as she lashed out towards his position leaving him no time to react. Her body continuously wrapped around Drake's body in a fairly firm coil before lifting him with herself slightly above the ground so his feet could be suspended. "My worried, little dragon..." The high implication in her undertone had Drake raising an eye. "You need to learn how to listen to your superior. My friends are 'predators' who feed off your 'pests'."
Even though Drake heard her mild taunt, he now could not muster the will to listen or taunt back; not when he's under not only physical pressure but now mental and psychological pressure from the sweet scented female practically sliding around his skin. Her scales against his had him quiver and he wanted to stop it. Being a grass type her skin is already naturally moisturized and highly soft to the touch, like a feathery texture teasing his nerves. "...Oh...sh-shut up!"
The sudden impish behavior actually astonished Velvetina. She suspected some reclusion but not to the point where the bold Drake would lose his thoughts. Could her form still entice a male with four limbs? That leaves her an opening. "So..." she began suggestively, "About Maylene's words. What do you think about us becoming...you know... together?" Drake firmly tensed within her grasp now allowing his eyes to meet hers; could she be serious? His muzzle parted slightly but not even air came out finally causing the large serpent to lose her demeanor from a long giggle. "Taking so long to answer? Now I already know," she smiled tightening her hold on him as well.
"Hey that's not fair!" he retorted quickly, "You have me in close proximity right now..." Drake mentally kicked himself from telling the truth but her soft skin and sweet scent was really having him lose focus steadily.
"Hmm, I wonder what that has to do with your heart beats kicking up all of a sudden, hmmm?" she pondered jokingly in response.
Drake read that she was trying to get him on edge. It's already confirmed: he likes her but she doesn't absolutely know that herself, she likes him but he finds that unbelievable. Who shall be the first to crack in this game of torchic? Stealthily taking a deep breath he was overwhelmed by the solid wall of her scent that entered him. However, he found himself relaxed; it became aroma therapy for him now that he knew what she was up to. "You know what, Velvetina? I can feel yours too by my arm. Why the sudden excitement huh?" he countered with a smirk. It worked. Her expression of glee lowered just a tad bit. "Heh, it's weird. You're a serpent. Before yesterday, I never saw all of you; just your head 'cause you always had to hide." With further observation her face lowered completely once he brought up the fact that she was a serpent: bingo. "Either way it didn't change my opinion about you. I still don't like that mouth of yours one bit," he smiled.
Velvetina sharpened her gaze. Why is he so persistent? "Quit with the taunts, Drake! So, you're saying you don't like the idea of kissing me then." Her smirk matched his as she subtly narrowed the distance between their muzzles.
Drake smiled with sheer confidence at the face of pressure. She liked him! He liked her! Both of them spontaneously registered these thoughts. "Well, can I kiss you?"
Her smirk fell faster than her ears did from the unexpected, submissive question. Not able to contain herself she yelled, "Yes! You know how long I've been trying to get you to do so?" When she asked that, Drake's smile grew as she spilled the beans to him. "Every time by that berry hedge all last year we would nose up closer and closer each day! So it's longer than you probably can even count, so yes you can kiss me damn it!" she panted, anxiety, confusion, agitation all released by her brave, sweet statement and Drake felt the emotion put into it.
It didn't stop him from laughing graciously before smiling, "Okay, I'll make sure to do that."
Velvetina nearly jumped from his acceptance. All those times where she felt insecure, all those times she really wanted to just grab him, it was all for nothing. She loosened him up so he could lean in to kiss her; the imaginary feelings she's had of this moment about to become reality. But, he didn't budge! Drake didn't lean in or anything but instead just continued to smile. The young dragon felt a little more will to tease her as long as possible, so with wit, by knowing she liked him he submissively asked if he could kiss her. A yes showed she really wants him, but he felt a few more jokes should enhance the tease further and show how much passion she really has.
Velvetina huffed sharply before she used her vines to aggressively pull the back of his head towards her muzzle. That quick built up pressure was all released in a passionate, yet gentle first kiss for the two. Drake's smile curved further as he willingly kissed the aromatic serpent back. With her getting what she's been wanting for the longest time and Drake permanently sealing the conflict he's been battling with himself, they both pressed in further as their worries dissipated and transferred into immense warmth.
At the same time around the corner of the ranch house, Velvetina's followers observed. "Go, go, hurry!" Leilani ordered behind her allowing her venipede to skitter into the fruit storage.
Drake and Velvetina pulled away from their kiss. The two giggled from the glistening trail of saliva lengthening from their lower lips; it was a contented, affectionate first kiss for the two. "Sar-Velvetina," he chuckled shaking his head a little to recuperate, "I take back all those bad and rude jokes I've said to you from the last few seasons. You're so fun to chase around, you're so independent! Don't worry about your appearance, please. It doesn't matter if you don't have arms or legs, y-your gorgeous!" he panted from the sudden expulsion of feelings fueled by the moment and by her aroma.
Velvetina grinned wide as she looked down between their bodies. "Mmm, I can tell!"
Drake grew confused from her implication until she slightly parted her grip on him causing the movement she made to have him violently shudder from the sensitive feeling. Looking down he gasped. "Sorry--"
He was cut short by a gentle vine to his lips. His comfort level returned when he was surprised to still see her smiling from the slight mishap. "Looks like your serpent wants to play too. Ooh," she marveled continuing to gaze down causing Drake to feel very flustered, "Imagine that monster once you evolve!" Drake shivered uncontrollably from her comment causing her to giggle in response.
Around the corner Leilani hears this. Shaking her head from the disgusting implications she turned towards her mate behind her before pointing her leaf into her open mouth with her tongue sticking out in an attempt to tease the couple while a few venipede walk away with fruits on their heads in front of her.
"Hey!" Leilani and Ledian both jumped from Drake's sudden call. They turned to see Velvetina set him on the ground allowing him to pounce towards the bugs' position. "Retreat!" Ledian yelled as Leilani laughed along with the other bugs before scattering about.
"Ow!" Drake yelped before he could chase his new "friends".
Rubbing his behind, Drake turned around to see one of Velvetina's vines swaying behind him. "Just like old times!" she laughed with a wink before slithering off with her company beyond the surrounding shrubbery.
"Oh no you don't!" he smiled before giving chase to the serpent.
As the warm air fluctuates across the whole orchard, the young pokémon scatter about in the fields. The farmer watches them all go about from a window liking the new, safer idea he's developed. The hive was possibly protecting the large land since it would be impossible for one little pokémon to accomplish a feat himself. Drake realizes with new special relationship he shares with everyone now. When a farm pokémon mixes with a predatory hive that may be the best chemical defense the community has to offer.