When Two Are One 17

  Oh Arceus oh Arceus oh Arceus oh Arceus oh Arceus oh Arceus oh Arceus oh frickin’ damn Arceus!

  Those were the only words that occupied White’s frantic mind. Her hands ruffled her hair for the eleventh time, threatening to mess up her do that Bianca combed oh so nicely. Right after she realized what her Pokémon had done, White felt like she had been punched in the uterus. Never would she think that her Pokémon would betray her like this. They were better than this. They should know better.

  But nope. It turned out her Pokémon were just as slick and sly as oil on ice.

  “When I get my hands on them…” she grumbled with teeth clenched against one another. Though she wasn’t honestly thinking on actually punishing them through violence, White was still quite infuriated over them. Finally, her feet reached a single stop, arms falling to her sides. Her rants turned into groans. Her grunts turned into sighs. Her mind calmed as well, trying to arrange simple, understandable, polite words so that she wouldn’t burst verbally.

  Finally, she thought of N.

  Her head turned to the left, eyes meeting a figure of a certain green-haired teen. He was sitting on a bench, his hands holding the flyer. His head was down, looking at the writings on the single piece of paper. N had been quiet as soon as they realized what the Pokémon had done. Before White could do anything, they ran away – not before barking a few sounds of ‘support’.

  Thinking about it, White only breathed another groan.

  She looked at the boy again. N had been quiet, stoic as stone. It worried her for a moment. Is he regretting this? She thought, and quite woefully she might add was the tone. White cringed at her own feelings, head shaking to throw off the foolish question. Exhaling heavily, she continued her gaze on N, waiting for any reaction.

  There was.

  His hands gave the lightest shake. Fingers were seen quivering as he held the piece of paper. Though a few locks of hair shielded the side of his face, White was perfectly able to see the expression drawn on his eyes. His lips had been pursed for a few seconds, his teeth holding back the urge to open his mouth. A single sweat trickled down the side of his face. His right foot tapped impatiently, giving an uneven rhythm to the sturdy ground.

  White then soon realized that he looked horribly nervous.

  Her heart shook to see such fear in his emerald eyes. He looked scared, terrified even. If White was mad about what her Pokémon had done, N looked like he was forced to jump down a cliff.

  Worry turned into concerned curiosity, she slowly walked toward him. “Hey…N?” she called out softly, left hand awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. The boy showed no response, body still unmoving from the bench. A sigh blew through her clenched teeth. “Look, N. You don’t need to do this, you know. The Pokémon were just toying with us.” She held back a bitter growl in her words. Her eyes remained at the sight of the silent teenager, White took one sharp breath and added, “We can just go to the judges and say that we want out before the competition starts.” She tried to form an assuring smile. “Simple as that-”

  “No.”

  She froze. “What?”

  Finally, after what seemed like forever, N looked up to her stunned face. “It is better that we proceed with this idea.”

  She flinched. “Wait what?”

  N stood up. He then looked at the flyer, eyes clearly filled with hesitance and fear. “It is the Pokémon’s request. It would be cruel to disappoint their wishes.” He said this, but his voice faltered to a slow, tentative tone. An image of the happy Stoutland danced in his vision, more or less thickened his guilt if N were to deny the admission.

  His thoughts popped like bubble once White’s voice tapped his eardrums. “Wait, wait.” N turned to look at White, who was busy shaking her head and flailing her hands in disbelief. “So lemme get this straight. You want to enter this?” The girl asked like a fool, face baring the most dumbfounded look he had ever seen.

  And honestly, that actually calmed his beating heart a little bit. “Yes.” He answered, tone growing more sure than minutes before.

  She continued blinking in stupor at his suddenly determined demeanour. Eyes shut, White shook her head twice. “Um…” Lost was the exact word for her lack of vocabulary. She didn’t know what to say or do. If N agreed to go along with what her Pokémon wanted, then there was actually no other reason not to do it.

  Her heart began to race maniacally. Her breathing grew heavier each breath. White avoided his gaze as he continued to stay his sight on her. She cast a peek at the flyer in his hands, mind confusingly contemplating at the idea of entering the stupid contest – and with N, no less.

  Finally, after a horrible mental debate with herself, White released a low sigh and replied, “Fine. If you’re in, then I’m in.” She saw N form a gentle smile, somewhat easing the nerves that was haunting her every skin.

  To see his smile, a smile of her own curved her pretty pink lips.

  Damn it. Once again cursing at her own idiotic emotions, White turned her heel and walked forward. “Come on. I’m sure the Pokémon are waiting for us…” she mumbled sourly, momentarily ignoring N’s presence.

  As the two walked toward the assigned destination, all White could think was, Maybe it won’t be that bad.

---

  It was that bad.

  Terrible bad.

  Horrible bad.

  Throat-ripping, eye-bulging, heart-clenching, award-winning-for-reasons-of-death bad.

  The second White and N arrived at the place and – to her chagrin – signed in, she soon learned the type of ‘dancing’ that they would soon be performing for others to see.

  It wasn’t just a dancing competition.

  It was a ballroom dancing competition.

  White cringed in horror at the sight of the people present. Three tables were placed on the far right of the circular flat stage, knowing very well it was for the judges. Audiences began to sit and stand on the benches given, leaving a much needed round space for the participants to dance. It was minutes before the contest could start. The competitors were bustling about as they prepared their last finishing touches, all filled with sounds of nervousness and excitement.

  And, to add insult to injury, it was being held in an open space. Where she would dance. With N. Out in the open. For people and Pokémon to see. For hundreds of people and Pokémon to see.

  Oh Arceus… Her stomach churned and coiled around her intestines. Taking one deep breath, White averted her attention from the stage to N. Her eyes wandered for his tall figure, wondering where he could be.

  Then, she found him; standing under a tree, looking ever so nervous yet again.

  Oh boy. If White didn’t know any better, she thought she was actually sorry for the poor boy.

  Fists clenching in and out by her sides, she walked toward him. “Hey,” she called out like last time; voice soft and gentle in caution. “N, you ready?”

  To her surprise, unlike before, N responded with a slow shake of his head. “I…do not know.”

  She blinked in slight shock, not expecting the clear hesitation that bit his lips. “What don’t you know?” White asked responsively, then mentally slapping at herself over such a direct, stupid question.

  She saw as he fidgeted, one hand rubbing his other arm. “I…” N stopped, mouth forming a woeful frown. His fingers began to tap his arm, creating a jittery beat to his shaken tone. He avoided her gaze, poorly hiding the embarrassment that coated his two cheeks.

  “N…?” She said his name again, bringing the tingly feeling that rooted inside his beating heart.

  He released a breath, exhaling loud and long. “I’m just…quite apprehensive about this…”  

  White remained silent as a response, honestly confused on what to say next. “Meaning…?”

  “It means…” He halted once again, taking another fresh breath of night air, “I…have never done this…before…” Teeth lightly nibbling the inside of his lower lip, N looked at White. “I do not know if…I can…” Another pursed silence. “I’m…quite nervous, actually.”

  The more he explained, the more she couldn’t believe it. If she compared the boy now to him a few days ago, White wouldn’t believe that it was coming from the same person. She heard his doubt. She saw his anxiety. The more White spent time with him, the more she could see his true self; something that growing more and more exposed in her naked eye. The petite brunette watched as N shuffled his feet in one place, arms down and fingers sadly twiddling with one another.

  Finally, a single chuckle wheezed from her lips without her knowing it. “You’re nervous, huh?”

  To N, it sounded like mockery staining his ears. “I see that my downfall amuses you.”

  Aqua eyes were round like plates at the accusation. “I didn’t laugh coz I ridiculed you!” she screamed out of reflex, then immediately slapping her mouth shut as it brought some attention from the contestants. A tiny flame of irritation scorching her heart, White let out a dry sigh. “Look, I didn’t make fun of you. I just, it seems kinda funny for a serious man like you to be so scared of some silly dancing contest.”

  “I did not say that I was afraid…” he mumbled, and she bit back another chuckle. “I am just nervous.” N looked at the crowd forming around the dancing floor. “I’ve…” Once again, silence took over his voice. His eyebrows furrowed in hesitation. His lips formed a curve of a frown, though now no longer shaking like before.

  Taking one short breath, N looked at White. “I’ve…never been close to a human. And…I’m not very keen on…any physical contact with anyone…”

  Well, that was an odd and surprising information. “N, you know I won’t hurt you.” Unless you threaten me. But White knew better than to say that out loud to him now.    

  He shook his head, expression still baring one of distrust. “I am not talking about you harming me. I’m just…” Echoes of silence lingered. N looked away in sorrow, left hand slowly rubbing his cold right arm.

  It took her a few minutes, but White soon realized what he meant. “You’ve…” She bit her lower lip, pondering on her words for a few seconds. “You…don’t trust…humans…Do you…”

  It wasn’t a question, but N nodded nevertheless.

  If life was a cartoon, White would have a giant, sturdy ‘OH’ dropping on her head right about now. It was no wonder that N acted cold around other humans. It was no wonder N preferred the presence of Pokémon than anything else. It was no wonder that he could act so emotionless and calm around a person, but become the exact opposite when he was surrounded by Pokémon.

  Under all the justice he wanted to serve for Pokémon, N had kept a solid reason of his own.

  In a way, it sort of offended White; considering she was human herself. But then again, if she recalled the times they had met, including today, N had shown her more than enough of his personality. From stoic to silly, from calm to chirpy, from serious to stupid; it was safe to say that she had seen a fair amount of N’s multiple, confusing selves.

  To her surprise, a smile touched her lips. “Hey N…”

  He didn’t say a word. But shock sparkled in his eyes to see White holding out her right hand toward him. N stared at her, his cheeks feeling hot as fire to see such a sincere, radiant smile on her face.

  He then felt as if all air was expelled from his lungs as White asked, “I’m your friend, right?”

  N froze, unable to form even the simplest of words. “I…Yes!” he answered, and quite loudly too. “Did we not settle that issue hours ago?” Sorrow dripped his tone as false thoughts tampered his brain.

  But before any negativity could soil his innocent mind, White calmly and blissfully chimed, “Well, friends trust each other. And, as much as I don’t know about you, I…kinda trust you.” Her smile softened to a beautiful curve, eyes narrowing to such a caring gaze. “So, if it’s cool with you, you can trust me too.”

  Roles were switched. Air intensified. N was stunned to the bone. He didn’t blink for a few seconds, forgetting even since he was too baffled at her words. I’m…her friend… That brought a nice ring to his heart, soothing the anxious parts of his mind. The thought that he was her friend, the thought of her as his first human friend, the thought that she truly saw him as her friend…

  My friend… The thought alone brought tears in his eyes.

  Luckily, N fought back before one could trickle. Lips sucked with corners pulled to a smile, he slowly reached for her hand.

  But just as they did, “Alright contestant! Please get to the arena for the competition is about to begin!” The sound of the host dragged them down to reality. Both heads turned toward the sound. Participants began to walk toward the circle; all in pairs and some even hand-in-hand.

  To see such a thing, it brought heat to her cheeks. “C-come on!” she stuttered, voice stripped from all the calmness and softness from before. Giving an awkward chuckle, White gave two thumbs up. “Let’s get this over with!” Without waiting for an answer, she spun around and walked – quite fast, N might add – toward the crowd.

  N stood in his place for a few moments, injecting all that had happened to him. He gawked as White dashed away from him; almost tripping due to her black pumps. Luckily for N that he was far from her because he burst a meek laugh at the funny sight. Blush tinted his cheeks, and the signs of it wearing off were thin as wind. However, N didn’t mind, for he felt comfortably warm at the touch and feel.

  I’m her friend… No matter how many times N thought of it, it still brought a huge wave of bliss into his heart.

---

  ‘You know, once all of this is over, she’s gonna kill us.’ Isaac grumbled as they sat on the grassy ground. Luckily, the four sat at the front, right in front of the round, hard floor that was the dancing ring.

  ‘Nah, White’s not gonna kill us.’ Marcus barked in glee, tail happily wagging in excitement for the presence of White and N.

  ‘Well, not literally kill. But she will not let this go.’ Dexter sighed as he sat next to the Stoutland. He looked around, seeing as many people were crowding around each minute, excited and joyous to see the contest as well.

  ‘Please. By the time it’s over, she’ll be thankful.’ Lillil scoffed as she fanned her face. Her free hand hugged the Luvdisc doll closer to her chest. She sat between Isaac and Marcus, though her position was much closer to Marcus’ side.

  ‘I thought you hated that green-haired dude.’ Isaac rolled his eyes at the female. He heard a snooty scoff, one that he was accustomed to so well.

  ‘I do.’ Lillil scoffed, throwing a brief glare at the Samurott. ‘But come on. You know White’s horrible at making friends. She has to have other human friends other than Bianca and that Cheren boy.’ She spoke with such nonchalance, showing no guilt in criticizing her own beloved trainer.

  To hear such a thing, it only made Isaac groan louder. No wonder you’re traded. He threw a short peek at his friends, mostly at the pink mannequin that was held closely to Lillil’s body.

  To see such a thing, it only gave Isaac an idea. ‘So, I see you’re clinging to that doll.’ A smirk widened as his next words were, ‘Already thinking about being a mama already, huh?’

  It was clear in his eyes to see her skin prickle up like she had been electrocuted. ‘I-I didn’t say anything, you dolt!’ she yelled, eyes deadly drilled into the irises of blue.

  And if that wasn’t bad enough, ‘Don’t worry, Lillil. You’ll become a great mama!’ Marcus complimented in joy, one paw softly nudging the female. She didn’t say a word. Neither did she glance at his face. Red splashed all over her face, feeling ever so embarrassed to face her mate.

  Well, it was just that compliment, right?

  Wrong. ‘And, if you believe in me, I’ll try to be a great papa too.’ Marcus sheepishly chuckled, voice now pitching to a bashful tone.

  Oh how Lillil wanted to hide in a deep hole right now.

  ‘S-shut up…you…’ Lillil was at lost for rational words. Her mind twisted and turned. Her brain was quickly turned into mush. Though she couldn’t see, Lillil knew Isaac and Dexter were forming the widest of grins. Why you lil-

  “Ladies and gentleman!”

  All heads turned to the round arena, eyes spotting a dashing young man in a suit. Lillil breathed a huge sigh of relief. Saved by the bell.

  The man stood in the middle of the arena, his teeth flashing a white, charming smile. “Hello and good evening to you all. I’m Aaron and I will be your host for tonight’s competition.” He gave a single bow, his right hand placed on his chest in a gentlemanly manner while his left gripped the microphone. “Tonight, we will have 10 couples ballroom dance their way around the stage. So, as a reminder, please do give way for our contestants so they can dance to their hearts’ content.” He looked around the audience, giving a wink or two to the ladies in the crowd. “The winner will be decided by our three judges, in whom they will opt out one by one until the last couple stands.” With his right arm raised in the air, Aaron excitingly declared, “Let the dancing competition begin!”

  All clapped and cheered. In seconds, 10 couples stood around the spacious arena. Isaac, Lillil, Marcus, and Dexter looked at each pair. ‘I see them!’ Dexter neighed as he saw his trainer. His voice was enough to snatch the others’ attention, intent eyes straight at a certain boy and a certain girl that was standing in the middle of the stage.

---

  They faced one another. The tips of their shoes almost touched. People crowded around them, yet they felt as if they were the only two present. Their distances were close, so close that she could feel his shaken breath. Her height enabled her to face his chest, heavy and beating a frantic melody. To see his reaction, to know that he was far nervous than her, it gave her a surprising sense of concern. She wanted to calm him down. She wanted to tell him to not feel scared. She wanted him to know that it would be okay, that there was nothing to be afraid of.

  She wanted him to enjoy this moment. Because – to her genuine surprise – if she saw a glint of happiness in his eyes, she would be happy as well.

  The music began to play. The beautiful sound of Mozart was lullabied by the small orchestra. One by one a pair began to dance, their fingers entwined with one another and their feet gracefully shuffling on the hard floor. Only White and N stayed in their place, both growing nervous at the close distance against each other.

  Finally, with a sharp breath, White looked up. “Well?” she breathed slowly, posing a smile to hide away the silly fear. “Shall we?” Her hand was stretched in front of his chest, signalling him to connect it with his.

  N stared for a few moments, confused and silently panicking on what to do. His heart began to boom as loud as drums. If he thought the moments with White before were nerve-wrecking, he thought horribly wrong. Never has he been this close to her before.

  Well, not intentionally, of course.

  The unknown warmth was back, seeping into every pore of his skin. That alienated feeling clouded his mind and emotion once again, bringing unquestionable confusion to his brain. What is this feeling…? That question tampered without a single answer, frustrating him to this very night. His hands clenched and unclenched; fingers scratching the thin skin of his palms. He wanted the answer so badly. He wanted to know this torturous feeling that kept interfering with his emotions. Oh how horrible it felt, yet a part of him didn’t want it to go away.  

  Suddenly, he felt a gentle tug on his left wrist.

  The faint touch startled N back to reality. Though his eyes were opened this whole time, the look N gave was as if he had shut them all along. His body jerked, almost pulling a few steps back. Luckily, his feet glued him into place, as well with the grip of her hand.

  He saw her curve a sweet smile, cheeks hinting the lightest of pink. Without a single word, White placed N’s hand on her waist. Although she was wearing her dress, White could still feel the touch of his cold fingers, perfectly bringing the ticklish jolts to her skin. Teeth lightly biting the inside of her lower lip, she placed her right hand on his shoulder.

  N watched as the whole ordeal took place. Her action threw him into a pit of awed silenced. He felt her touch. He felt her cold, soft touch. He could see that she was nervous as well, but White masked it perfectly with a warm smile. Finally, she took his other hand and cupped it with her left palm, her small fingers bending and entwining with his.

  She took one step closer, finally shutting the minimal distance that they had.

  White looked up once again. “Trust me, alright?” she said gently, soft like little chiming bells. Gone was the loud tone that she always used for him. Vanished was the harsh demeanour that she always threw at him. The White standing before him now was a new person; one that N had never encountered.

  And to be honest, he loved it very much.

  To see her face, to hear her voice, to feel this wonderful new feeling, it made N feel like he was in a trance.

  She moved, and so did he. Left and right were the steps that she took, and so left and right were the steps that he copied. He followed her every step, sliding and turning with such accuracy and precision. His eyes were glued to a pair of mesmerizing aqua irises. An expression of pure awe shined his face. His body acted on its own, moving and swaying like feathers as his brain engulfed in her looks.

  She slid her feet to the left, her hands gently tugging him along. Though her face basked one of pure calm and serenity, her mind was screaming the loudest of screams. Who would have thought that she would be caught in this sort of predicament, and with him – her supposed-enemy – nonetheless? Had she ever danced a dance this grandeur? No. Had she ever dreamed of doing something like this? Hell no.

  Okay, maybe a little, but that was because she had watched a whole marathon of Disney princess movies with Bianca and Cheren when they were toddlers.  
 
  But it surprised White that her footwork wasn’t as clumsy as she thought. She carefully lead N, teaching him the amateur moves she knew by memory. She swished and swayed her hips, eyes trying her best not to meet his emerald gaze. She felt his fingers move against her skin, still shaking with hints of tiny taps. His breath once again slapped the top of her head, blowing a few strands. White bit her lower lip, biting back a smile to see such a silly behaviour.

  “White…”

  Her heart stopped. Her breath hitched. Quickly her lips were sucked in, choking back a gasp to hear his voice. It was a whisper, one that only she could hear. Her right palm was squeezed softly, further bringing her attention to him. Shit… Her mind was able to produce that one single word; a word enough to describe what she truly felt.

  So, with a sharp breath through her nose, she looked up.

  Only to be utterly stunned.

  White saw his face; filled with emotions that couldn’t be defined by mere mortals. His lips were slightly parted, taking in air that his nose had forgotten to steal. His cheeks had been taken over by the colours of abash, shade lighting right to the corners of his eyes.

  And then White saw his eyes.

  Confusion? Naivety? Amazement? All those emotions seemed to swirl and mix like a tornado in his irises. White couldn’t tear away from his sight, instead remained frozen as he unwarily captured her attention.

  And as for N; he felt as if all air had been kicked out of his lungs.

  What was this feeling? What was this aching, yet amazing internal state of being? He couldn’t breathe, yet his lungs didn’t mind at all at the lack of oxygen. His brain could only see her, could only interpret her. It then went blank, malfunctioned even that his whole body jerked to a stop.

  That feeling grew warmer and warmer, soothing in his heart and seeping all over his body.

  That feeling also gave him a new sense of longing – one that N had never felt before ever in his 19-year old life.

  His doubt for her waning. His respect for her growing. His amazement for her lingering.

  His heart for her beating.

  Everything was still as stone. Until suddenly…

  “Congratulations couple number 9!”

  The voice of a man and sudden burst of claps dragged them back to the real world, making them realize that they weren’t alone.

  Quickly their heads turned and looked around, also to ghastly realize that they were the only couple that were still standing in the middle of the ring. Claps and whistles and maybe a few woohoo’s were heard from the crowd. White then spotted her Pokémon, which were all cheering and hopping in glee.

  To know that everyone was giving their undivided attention at him, it gave White the case of the blush attack.

  And if she thought she had it worse, N felt like the apocalypse.

  “I-I need to go…!” N stuttered in panic, heels ready to spin and run away from the audience. He was hot from head to toe. His heart that was once still as time was now maniacally beating like a Druddigon gone wild. The fact that everyone was staring at him made him remember that N hated being noticed in public.

  But, before he could even move an inch, he felt a tug.

  N looked to his side, seeing a petite brunette flashing a sweet smile at him. “It’s okay,” she mouthed the words, her smile widening as she finished. He blinked for a second, again stunned at the glorious sight.

  His lips were pursed, and finally, he retreated.

  For some odd reason – and he could call himself crazy to create such a theory – but when White was near him, N felt like that there was nothing to be afraid of.

  “Congratulations, you two!” Aaron cheered in enthusiasm, one hand lightly clapping his wrist. “Because the two of you were the only ones standing in the arena, that means you two had won!” Another round of applause echoed the area, bringing a wave of blushes to the two.

  However, just when White thought it was over, Aaron playfully winked and added, “I have to say. You two were so enthralled in your dancing that you didn’t realize anything until I called you.” He winked again, mouth blowing a chuckle. “Let me be the first to say that the judges had made the right decision. You two are just the perfect couple!”

  Seriously, White would really want that big hole right now.

  More claps and whistles and an added “Atta boy!” and “You go girl!” filled the audience. White wanted to slap her forehead, but instead looked down in complete embarrassment. Her hand that gripped N’s sleeve was quickly released, hands now forming little fists to calm herself down.  

  N, embarrassed as well, only looked away and responsively scratched the back of his neck. “T-Thank you. I guess…” Though he didn’t quite fully understand the term ‘perfect couple’, it brought a nice ring to his ears. The corner of his eye slid a peek at the girl beside him, who wasn’t staring at his face anytime soon.

  Even so, under all the horrifying attention and sudden emotions that just invaded his heart, N still felt…amazingly happy. I have her as my friend…

---

  Anger. Wrath. Demise. Hatred. Manic. Disgust. Despicable.

  Murder.

  All those accurately depicted how he felt right now. Since N had had told him of his new motive and plan, even though the expressions he showed was calm and sure, Ghetsis had never felt so infuriated in all his life. The moment N had told him about the girl and about her prophecy to revive the Dragon of Truth, he felt like choking some senses into the little green-haired brat’s foolish mind.

  “She is the Hero of Truth. And in order to resurrect the legendary Zekrom, I need her in assuring what I seek is right. With her, she will only bring me closer to change this dreadful future.”

  “To hell it will,” Ghetsis spat with such thick abhorrence. The man knew that if the child spent more time with the girl, it would only do the exact opposite. When he first met her at Castelia City, Ghetsis knew she would be a huge obstacle to his glorious dreams. When he saw her again in Driftveil City – how she snapped and called him many names without a single fear – he knew she would affect N in many ways he wouldn’t want. He knew he was in deep trouble if the brown-haired bitch kept messing with his plans.

  And then he saw them dance.

  Oh how Ghetsis hated the sight. He absolutely loathed the image to bits. How he wished he could tear that image from his head – or better, tear that girl from limb to limb. He would be the happiest man alive to see the girl dead in his cold, bloody hands.

  However, he wouldn’t want N to see his true side, now would he?

  Ghetsis looked around the parade, eyes filled with hate and blood. The man stood from afar, hidden behind a few trees to avoid attention. After that offensive sight, he walked away in pure wrath.

  He needed to get N away from her. He needed drag N as far away from her influence. He needed N to see the worst in her.

  But how could he even do that when all she ever is was a bundle of fucking nice?

  Suddenly, a happy purr entered his ears. Ghetsis stared to his left, eyeing a little girl hugging her beloved Rufflet. The two were cheering and laughing together, the sound of the Pokémon’s caw echoing in his ears.

  Oh how disgusting he felt to hear such a revolting sound.

  “You’re the best, Hiccup!” The girl cooed in joy, nuzzling her nose on the Pokémon’s head.

  Hiccup blushed in abash, wrapping his wings around the girl’s arm. ‘No you’re the best, Amariah!’

  The more he looked, the more he wanted to stab his ears.

  However, it also gave him an idea.

  A horrible, psychopathic idea.

  A wide, ugly smirk curved his mouth. “Hydreigon,” he called once, tone sharp and stern. In less than a second, a big shadow loomed from behind him. Only its eyes were seen; colours blood-red as his trainer’s right eye. A heavy growl echoed in his ears, replacing the happy giggles and purrs from the child and Pokémon.

  As his smirk widened to a deranged smile and his eyes glared to the sight of the young pair, Ghetsis evilly ordered, “I have a job for you.”