Story Notes:
This story has been bouncing around my head for a while now, I'm not sure but I'm fairly certain that this idea is origonal if nothing else.Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 3
The three Eevee quickly made their way to the exit, pouring some water through the small hole set in the stone they waited for it to trickle out before bracing their shoulders and pushing the door open. Once outside they quickly made their way towards the town and their objective, the Bayleef named Gemma.
"So what do you think of the new alpha?" the largest of the three Eevee asked
"He shouldn't be here he's a human" the smallest Eevee growled angrily
"Calm down Aden." The middle sister coaxed "He may be human but he did beat Scar"
"Lulu," Aden hissed "I can't believe your siding with the human!"
"Both of you shut it" Ana growled stopping the argument before it could start "It doesn't matter what he is, he's our alpha now and that's all that matters"
Aden sighed "I suppose your right" she whined "but still"
Ana nodded "I know, I know" she licked Aden's face reassuringly
They walked the rest of the journey silently; soon the large buildings on the edge of town were dominating the landscape "Alright." Lulu smiled "Where did he say this Bayleef was?"
"Apartment block B, the twelfth floor, room 6" Aden rattled off emotionlessly
They darted into a side alley using the shadows to conceal their forms "So where are we now?" Lulu asked
"Aden, you're the smallest can you get our bearings?" It was more of an order than a question
Aden nodded and quickly darted out of the safety afforded by the shadows, glancing up and down the street she saw only a few humans out and about. Smiling she quickly darted up the closest flight of stairs and looked up at the writing over the door.
"This is apartment block D" she informed her siblings gesturing to the block on their left with her tail
"Great, so which way do we go?" Ana asked
"Uhhhh" Aden stumbled her ears wilting "Oops"
Ana and Lulu sighed, their sister was never one for thinking things through "Go check" they said in almost perfect unison Ana snapping at the air
Aden nodded and quickly darted out onto the street, returning shortly "That's G" she informed them happily "So we go that-a-way" she flicked her head left "two buildings"
Lulu nodded politely whilst Ana just shot her a look that screamed, well duh!
They made their way towards block B through the dark alley behind the buildings relying on the waning daylight and the natural shadow of the area to hide them from eager trainers.
"Ok so this is it" Ana said pausing behind the building
"It looks just like the others" Aden complained
"I know" Lulu sighed "All human constructions look the same"
The trio squeezed in through a ventilation shaft and quickly bounded up the stairs
"How much further?" Lulu whined as they passed the tenth floor her tongue hanging out as she panted
Ana sighed and shook her head, sometimes her sister's were so infuriating "Not much longer"
"Two more floors" Aden supplied helpfully as she bounded on ahead her youthful energy and impatience an advantage in this task.
They soon reached their destination; they stood outside the wooden door "How are we going to get in?" Lulu wondered echoing the thought running through her sisters' brains.
"Maybe there's another entrance" Ana speculated her tail twitching
Aden back off then ran at the door "Or maybe we can break in" she called out happily as she drove her shoulder into the door. She hit the door with a loud thud and bounced off onto the floor whining at her now bruised shoulder "Oooow" she whined her ears wilted as she licked her injured shoulder
"What did you expect?" Ana scolded trying not to laugh
"Simon!" another voice cut across the conversation
The three sisters could hear rapidly approaching footsteps on the far side of the door "Why are you so late?" the voice questioned as the door was flung open "And why..." she paused when she noticed Simon was nowhere in sight "Hello?"
Ana shook her head at the surprised Bayleef "Down here, you're Gemma I assume"
Gemma looked down noticing the three Eevee for the first time "How did you know my name?" she questioned two vines hovering on either side of her head primed to strike "and where's Simon?"
Lulu, being the most talkative of the three sisters spoke up "We're here on Simon's orders, we know your name because he told us" she smiled warmly "He wants you to follow us, we'll take you to him"
Gemma frowned but agreed to it "Fine I'll come with you" she lowered her head to their level "But if you're tricking me..." she left the unspoken threat hanging in the air.
The slab was rolled aside as the twenty four hours where finally up, Simon walked out shortly followed by Crystal, they both wore the same ragged but contented expression.
"That was fun" Simon laughed
Crystal nodded "Definitely"
Simon smiled and placed a hand on Crystal's head "Tell me something, how come you could continue to translate for me even when you were totally out of it?"
"Easy" Crystal replied proudly "I can do it subconsciously, I was doing it for Scar for so long that it's second nature to me now"
Simon nodded "Ok then"
They both walked out onto the illuminated sandy patch where the first proper meeting was to take place, as I cam into view Simon noticed a familiar Pokemon curled up asleep on the floor.
"Gemma!" he called out happily running up to the resting Bayleef
Gemma stirred from her sleep her large amber eyes opening slowly "Simon!" she called out as soon as she spotted her friend
Simon flung his hands round her neck and she wrapped her vines around him as they hugged, Crystal stood a few steps away watching with interest "You're in well over your head this time" Gemma scolded blushing as she remembered Simon couldn't understand her she reached down to pick up the pen and pad she had brought with her
"I know, I know" Simon laughed, his laughed deepening when he saw the look of shock plastered on his friends face
"You can understand me?!" they both said at the same time Simon predicting the question with ease
"Yep" Simon confirmed laughing
"but...how" Gemma stuttered dropping the pad back onto the floor
"Crystal here acts as my translator, don't you" Simon explained bringing her into the conversation
"Hello" Gemma turned to Crystal "I'm Gemma"
Crystal nodded happily "I know, Simon's told me quite a bit about you"
Gemma smiled; her face suddenly changed to a look of pure surprise she sniffed the air before looking at Crystal then to Simon, her head quickly snapping between the two.
Crystal laughed whilst Simon blushed deeply "I guess you know what we were up to" Crystal stated simply
Simon's blush deepened when he heard Crystal talking about sex in such a casual way "Wait you and her..." Gemma frowned trying to comprehend what had happened
Simon nodded "Yes, we're mates" he whispered embarrassed by the admission
"I'm his prime mate" Crystal explained
Bayleef nodded, the concept wasn't rare amongst Pokemon so she had a fair idea what it entailed "So tell me how you became alpha" she turned her attention back to her estranged friend
Crystal interrupted "Not now, we need to hold a meeting soon"
Simon frowned a little "We'll catch up later ok" he smiled at his friend "Oh and on that note; you're welcome to join the tribe"
Gemma nodded happily "Of course I'll join" she giggled "So what do I need to do oh mighty alpha"
Simon laughed and swatted the leaf on her head playfully "You are my bodyguard" he smiled warmly "You stay close and keep me safe unless I tell you otherwise"
Gemma nodded "Ok then" she quickly sat down next to him
Simon finally took his place on the sandy floor "You may want to cover your ears Gemma, Crystal call them"
Crystal nodded and let out her distinctive high pitched call, Simon's head still rang but her was recovering quicker each time he had to endure it, Gemma who had taken Simon's advice and blocked her ears with her vines merely winced at the sound.
Sure enough the pack was soon assembled in front of the trio watching on with interest "Ok then" Simon started once he had decided he had waited long enough "This will be my first pack meeting, so lets start with any information I should know" he spoke paraphrasing the information Crystal was feeding him about how these meetings normally occurred.
A large Growlithe stepped forward, Crystal supplied the name Flare "Well alpha, over the next few weeks we Growlithe should be going into heat"
Simon wondered what that had to do with him; Crystal who had been monitoring his thoughts answered his mental query 'Any female member in the clan has the right to let the alpha help her with her heat if she can't or doesn't want to find her own mate'
Simon blushed at the thought but quickly shook it off "Ok then, thank you Flare"
Flare nodded happy that the alpha had used her name rather than referring to her as Growlithe like most humans did
"Anything else or should we move on"
There was silence in the cave as everyone glanced at everyone else waiting for someone to speak up and break the silence
"Ok then" Simon clapped his hands "Any new news" he glanced at Crystal for the names of the scouts she had mentioned
Crystal shook her head 'Just call forward the scouts, don't bother with names'
"Can the scouts come forward and deliver their reports" Simon asked
There was some murmuring and shuffling amongst the crowd as ten Pokemon worked their way forward; two Vulpix, four Poochyena, a Growlithe, two Shinx and an Eevee.
A Vulpix and Poochyena stepped forward from the line of scouts "Cinder and Amber alpha" the Vulpix stated as they both copied Crystal in their attempt at bowing
"Report" Simon said kindly although his voice still carried a hint of authority behind it
The Amber straightened up her large amber eyes locked onto Simon as she began her report "Ok then, in order of importance; there have been a few disappearances over on the east side of our territory, we suspect Alex's pack had been abducting females for their own use."
Cinder nodded in agreement "There have been five so far alpha, we beg you to help us! Protect your pack!"
The crowd broke out with roars of approval which Simon silenced with a simple gesture "I'll see what I can do" he promised much to everyone's approval
"What else" he asked after the cavern had quieted down again
"Well" Amber continued "The disappearances have been our main news but we have also located a very healthy grove of Bluk berries, we have already informed the gathering party of its location"
A few nodding faces and a few affirmative cries from the crowd supported him "A Charmeleon has taken up residence in a cave to the north, he doesn't seem to be a threat but you may want to look into it" he continued
Simon nodded a little lost "Maybe he could help us" Gemma whispered quietly
Simon smiled as he caught Gemma's idea "Send an emissary out maybe we can make a valuable ally of this Charmeleon" he said
This reply was obviously unexpected as the crowd broke out into uproar again, only the scouts Crystal, Gemma and Simon remained silent
Ignoring the crowd Simon turned to Amber and Cinder "Anything else" he asked
"Well there's a Kakuna nest dangerously close to the warren but we believe the Beedrill will move on once they hatch and it's unwise to disturb Kakuna anyway"
Simon nodded "Ok then, thank you for your work" he straightened up "Meeting over" he shouted cutting across everyone.
As everyone filtered out back to their designated jobs Simon turned to Crystal and Gemma "Looks like we're heading east then"
Crystal swallowed nervously knowing that Alex and his pack would not give in easily nor would they be exactly hospitable whilst Gemma nodded vigorously obviously happy to be going on an adventure with Simon "Just like old times hey" she joked
Simon laughed and nodded "Yeah, I guess it is" he turned to Crystal "So how long are we travelling for"
Crystal thought about it for a while "It will take three days with me tagging along, but if you two go without me then it will take a day or two"
Simon nodded "Ok then I guess we should get going now if we want to get there and back this week"
"Wait your taking me?" Crystal exclaimed stunned
"Of course he is" Gemma answered "He cares about you obviously" she giggled as Simon blushed "Why would he want to leave you out of the fun?"
Crystal glanced at Simon for his own consent "What she said" Simon said awkwardly
"Gemma laughed "Besides who said you were walking" she quickly snatched up the Espeon and bound her to her back with her vines "There now we can move at a respectable speed" she announced proudly
Simon laughed "You make a good pack mule" he joked before darting out of her reach towards the door "Now let's get going, come on Dobbin"
Gemma giggled "I'll get you for that" she growled before chasing after Simon as fast as she could whilst still keeping Crystal relatively comfortable
Crystal smiled at their antics, Simon was a completely different person when he was with Gemma and she admired such a bond between the two.
"So what do you think of the new alpha?" the largest of the three Eevee asked
"He shouldn't be here he's a human" the smallest Eevee growled angrily
"Calm down Aden." The middle sister coaxed "He may be human but he did beat Scar"
"Lulu," Aden hissed "I can't believe your siding with the human!"
"Both of you shut it" Ana growled stopping the argument before it could start "It doesn't matter what he is, he's our alpha now and that's all that matters"
Aden sighed "I suppose your right" she whined "but still"
Ana nodded "I know, I know" she licked Aden's face reassuringly
They walked the rest of the journey silently; soon the large buildings on the edge of town were dominating the landscape "Alright." Lulu smiled "Where did he say this Bayleef was?"
"Apartment block B, the twelfth floor, room 6" Aden rattled off emotionlessly
They darted into a side alley using the shadows to conceal their forms "So where are we now?" Lulu asked
"Aden, you're the smallest can you get our bearings?" It was more of an order than a question
Aden nodded and quickly darted out of the safety afforded by the shadows, glancing up and down the street she saw only a few humans out and about. Smiling she quickly darted up the closest flight of stairs and looked up at the writing over the door.
"This is apartment block D" she informed her siblings gesturing to the block on their left with her tail
"Great, so which way do we go?" Ana asked
"Uhhhh" Aden stumbled her ears wilting "Oops"
Ana and Lulu sighed, their sister was never one for thinking things through "Go check" they said in almost perfect unison Ana snapping at the air
Aden nodded and quickly darted out onto the street, returning shortly "That's G" she informed them happily "So we go that-a-way" she flicked her head left "two buildings"
Lulu nodded politely whilst Ana just shot her a look that screamed, well duh!
They made their way towards block B through the dark alley behind the buildings relying on the waning daylight and the natural shadow of the area to hide them from eager trainers.
"Ok so this is it" Ana said pausing behind the building
"It looks just like the others" Aden complained
"I know" Lulu sighed "All human constructions look the same"
The trio squeezed in through a ventilation shaft and quickly bounded up the stairs
"How much further?" Lulu whined as they passed the tenth floor her tongue hanging out as she panted
Ana sighed and shook her head, sometimes her sister's were so infuriating "Not much longer"
"Two more floors" Aden supplied helpfully as she bounded on ahead her youthful energy and impatience an advantage in this task.
They soon reached their destination; they stood outside the wooden door "How are we going to get in?" Lulu wondered echoing the thought running through her sisters' brains.
"Maybe there's another entrance" Ana speculated her tail twitching
Aden back off then ran at the door "Or maybe we can break in" she called out happily as she drove her shoulder into the door. She hit the door with a loud thud and bounced off onto the floor whining at her now bruised shoulder "Oooow" she whined her ears wilted as she licked her injured shoulder
"What did you expect?" Ana scolded trying not to laugh
"Simon!" another voice cut across the conversation
The three sisters could hear rapidly approaching footsteps on the far side of the door "Why are you so late?" the voice questioned as the door was flung open "And why..." she paused when she noticed Simon was nowhere in sight "Hello?"
Ana shook her head at the surprised Bayleef "Down here, you're Gemma I assume"
Gemma looked down noticing the three Eevee for the first time "How did you know my name?" she questioned two vines hovering on either side of her head primed to strike "and where's Simon?"
Lulu, being the most talkative of the three sisters spoke up "We're here on Simon's orders, we know your name because he told us" she smiled warmly "He wants you to follow us, we'll take you to him"
Gemma frowned but agreed to it "Fine I'll come with you" she lowered her head to their level "But if you're tricking me..." she left the unspoken threat hanging in the air.
The slab was rolled aside as the twenty four hours where finally up, Simon walked out shortly followed by Crystal, they both wore the same ragged but contented expression.
"That was fun" Simon laughed
Crystal nodded "Definitely"
Simon smiled and placed a hand on Crystal's head "Tell me something, how come you could continue to translate for me even when you were totally out of it?"
"Easy" Crystal replied proudly "I can do it subconsciously, I was doing it for Scar for so long that it's second nature to me now"
Simon nodded "Ok then"
They both walked out onto the illuminated sandy patch where the first proper meeting was to take place, as I cam into view Simon noticed a familiar Pokemon curled up asleep on the floor.
"Gemma!" he called out happily running up to the resting Bayleef
Gemma stirred from her sleep her large amber eyes opening slowly "Simon!" she called out as soon as she spotted her friend
Simon flung his hands round her neck and she wrapped her vines around him as they hugged, Crystal stood a few steps away watching with interest "You're in well over your head this time" Gemma scolded blushing as she remembered Simon couldn't understand her she reached down to pick up the pen and pad she had brought with her
"I know, I know" Simon laughed, his laughed deepening when he saw the look of shock plastered on his friends face
"You can understand me?!" they both said at the same time Simon predicting the question with ease
"Yep" Simon confirmed laughing
"but...how" Gemma stuttered dropping the pad back onto the floor
"Crystal here acts as my translator, don't you" Simon explained bringing her into the conversation
"Hello" Gemma turned to Crystal "I'm Gemma"
Crystal nodded happily "I know, Simon's told me quite a bit about you"
Gemma smiled; her face suddenly changed to a look of pure surprise she sniffed the air before looking at Crystal then to Simon, her head quickly snapping between the two.
Crystal laughed whilst Simon blushed deeply "I guess you know what we were up to" Crystal stated simply
Simon's blush deepened when he heard Crystal talking about sex in such a casual way "Wait you and her..." Gemma frowned trying to comprehend what had happened
Simon nodded "Yes, we're mates" he whispered embarrassed by the admission
"I'm his prime mate" Crystal explained
Bayleef nodded, the concept wasn't rare amongst Pokemon so she had a fair idea what it entailed "So tell me how you became alpha" she turned her attention back to her estranged friend
Crystal interrupted "Not now, we need to hold a meeting soon"
Simon frowned a little "We'll catch up later ok" he smiled at his friend "Oh and on that note; you're welcome to join the tribe"
Gemma nodded happily "Of course I'll join" she giggled "So what do I need to do oh mighty alpha"
Simon laughed and swatted the leaf on her head playfully "You are my bodyguard" he smiled warmly "You stay close and keep me safe unless I tell you otherwise"
Gemma nodded "Ok then" she quickly sat down next to him
Simon finally took his place on the sandy floor "You may want to cover your ears Gemma, Crystal call them"
Crystal nodded and let out her distinctive high pitched call, Simon's head still rang but her was recovering quicker each time he had to endure it, Gemma who had taken Simon's advice and blocked her ears with her vines merely winced at the sound.
Sure enough the pack was soon assembled in front of the trio watching on with interest "Ok then" Simon started once he had decided he had waited long enough "This will be my first pack meeting, so lets start with any information I should know" he spoke paraphrasing the information Crystal was feeding him about how these meetings normally occurred.
A large Growlithe stepped forward, Crystal supplied the name Flare "Well alpha, over the next few weeks we Growlithe should be going into heat"
Simon wondered what that had to do with him; Crystal who had been monitoring his thoughts answered his mental query 'Any female member in the clan has the right to let the alpha help her with her heat if she can't or doesn't want to find her own mate'
Simon blushed at the thought but quickly shook it off "Ok then, thank you Flare"
Flare nodded happy that the alpha had used her name rather than referring to her as Growlithe like most humans did
"Anything else or should we move on"
There was silence in the cave as everyone glanced at everyone else waiting for someone to speak up and break the silence
"Ok then" Simon clapped his hands "Any new news" he glanced at Crystal for the names of the scouts she had mentioned
Crystal shook her head 'Just call forward the scouts, don't bother with names'
"Can the scouts come forward and deliver their reports" Simon asked
There was some murmuring and shuffling amongst the crowd as ten Pokemon worked their way forward; two Vulpix, four Poochyena, a Growlithe, two Shinx and an Eevee.
A Vulpix and Poochyena stepped forward from the line of scouts "Cinder and Amber alpha" the Vulpix stated as they both copied Crystal in their attempt at bowing
"Report" Simon said kindly although his voice still carried a hint of authority behind it
The Amber straightened up her large amber eyes locked onto Simon as she began her report "Ok then, in order of importance; there have been a few disappearances over on the east side of our territory, we suspect Alex's pack had been abducting females for their own use."
Cinder nodded in agreement "There have been five so far alpha, we beg you to help us! Protect your pack!"
The crowd broke out with roars of approval which Simon silenced with a simple gesture "I'll see what I can do" he promised much to everyone's approval
"What else" he asked after the cavern had quieted down again
"Well" Amber continued "The disappearances have been our main news but we have also located a very healthy grove of Bluk berries, we have already informed the gathering party of its location"
A few nodding faces and a few affirmative cries from the crowd supported him "A Charmeleon has taken up residence in a cave to the north, he doesn't seem to be a threat but you may want to look into it" he continued
Simon nodded a little lost "Maybe he could help us" Gemma whispered quietly
Simon smiled as he caught Gemma's idea "Send an emissary out maybe we can make a valuable ally of this Charmeleon" he said
This reply was obviously unexpected as the crowd broke out into uproar again, only the scouts Crystal, Gemma and Simon remained silent
Ignoring the crowd Simon turned to Amber and Cinder "Anything else" he asked
"Well there's a Kakuna nest dangerously close to the warren but we believe the Beedrill will move on once they hatch and it's unwise to disturb Kakuna anyway"
Simon nodded "Ok then, thank you for your work" he straightened up "Meeting over" he shouted cutting across everyone.
As everyone filtered out back to their designated jobs Simon turned to Crystal and Gemma "Looks like we're heading east then"
Crystal swallowed nervously knowing that Alex and his pack would not give in easily nor would they be exactly hospitable whilst Gemma nodded vigorously obviously happy to be going on an adventure with Simon "Just like old times hey" she joked
Simon laughed and nodded "Yeah, I guess it is" he turned to Crystal "So how long are we travelling for"
Crystal thought about it for a while "It will take three days with me tagging along, but if you two go without me then it will take a day or two"
Simon nodded "Ok then I guess we should get going now if we want to get there and back this week"
"Wait your taking me?" Crystal exclaimed stunned
"Of course he is" Gemma answered "He cares about you obviously" she giggled as Simon blushed "Why would he want to leave you out of the fun?"
Crystal glanced at Simon for his own consent "What she said" Simon said awkwardly
"Gemma laughed "Besides who said you were walking" she quickly snatched up the Espeon and bound her to her back with her vines "There now we can move at a respectable speed" she announced proudly
Simon laughed "You make a good pack mule" he joked before darting out of her reach towards the door "Now let's get going, come on Dobbin"
Gemma giggled "I'll get you for that" she growled before chasing after Simon as fast as she could whilst still keeping Crystal relatively comfortable
Crystal smiled at their antics, Simon was a completely different person when he was with Gemma and she admired such a bond between the two.