Forever Endures (2)
Oh boy, the middle act of more Pokemon shenanigans!
For part one, please check over here!
Like before, this is the second part of my three-shot series that features Machamp and Alakazam, and this is again when they’re younger, though both are now young adults by this point.
This second entry, predictably, is when the two are together in their middle stages, and shows the budding of their romance. Because now things are heating up between them, and it had to get serious between them at some point, yeah? This also shows the idea of their introduction to the Iceberg Empire itself, so, bonus events!
Like the past one, I was supposed to get this up with the chapters of my current Pokemon fanfic, Melting Gelid Roses. Things got out of control, though I started this months ago, so...it’s both messy and long. And I felt the need to finish this before I continued with my fanfic, because reasons.
I think that I’ve blathered on long enough. This story is long, so there’s a head’s up for you. Again, below the cut. Enjoy reading!
[Manor Alagona, Years Ago]
Past several pine trees and over snowy mounds, the sun slowly set beyond a large, blue and white mansion. A bulky and muscular grayish blue figure laughed and tugged a thinner and brownish yellow fellow up the courtyard path leading to the manor. The smaller fellow groaned as his fluffy tail swayed low, barely above the ground. Bags floated along behind them, and a spoon glowed between their interlocked hands.
“Machoke, do we have to…?” He gritted his teeth, and his mustache whiskers sagged as his lips fell to a frown.
“Yes, Kadabra, we do!” The muscular Machoke beamed back at his friend, still pulling him along, backpedaling as he continued. “This is the place they’re supposed to be!”
“But…it’s so…” Kadabra sighed, and his shoulders fell, hardly resisting much anymore.
They stumbled up the stairs leading to the door, where a blue and bloated creature waited for them. Both blinked at the odd black tail behind the critter as he turned and hid it, clearing his throat as he did so. Instead, they turned their attention to his dark jacket and vest as their eyes traveled up.
“May I help you gentlemen?”
“Hey, you’re that Wobbu-butler!” Machoke grinned, but only received a frown in return.
“It’s Wobbuffet, sir,” snapped the other, his patience steadily draining. “You are correct that I am the butler for this manor, however.”
“Lovely to make your acquaintance,” murmured Kadabra. “We’re here for the party inside.”
“With those gaudy rags you two wear for clothes?” Wobbuffet shook his head. “I should hope milord and milady wouldn’t invite such boorish oafs—”
“That’s uncalled for,” protested Machoke.
“With the likes of you?”
“Please,” cut in Kadabra, as he lifted his spoon and twirled it. “You can see two bags levitating right behind us. Better clothes are in them, and that’s quite easy to ascertain simply based on their sizes.”
“Be that as it may,” pressed Wobbuffet, “This party is still very much invitation only.”
“Then it’s a blasted good thing we have our invitation,” snapped Kadabra, and pressed an envelope to the butler’s face. “One guest is allotted to every partygoer. This is my friend’s invitation, and I am his chosen guest.” He didn’t even flinch as Wobbuffet snatched the letter away. “Will you stand aside now, or care to embarrass yourself further? I’m sure the household heads will simply love hearing about this.”
“…Welcome to the Alagona Manor, milords,” mumbled Wobbuffet. “Enjoy yourselves tonight.”
“Thanks!”
Grinning, Machoke strode past as the butler hopped aside. Kadabra smirked and strolled after him, holding his head high as Wobbuffet merely turned back outwards from the mansion.
“Ha, way to show him,” cheered Machoke, nudging Kadabra.
“He certainly had it coming, I’m sure.”
“Definitely.” Machoke turned back inside, as he spun and gazed around at the portraits that lined the walls. “This place sure is fancy, though!”
“Terrifyingly so,” agreed Kadabra.
The pair studied the main hall, staring at the large stairwell, some feet under a bright, glass chandelier. Ornate pottery and vases decorated the desks, with fine plates and sculptures placed between. The navy blue rug between them neatly coated the bulk of the floor, and the yellow glow around the room warmed it up tremendously.
“Gosh, those Empire knights really know how to choose a party to go to,” joked Machoke. “Can’t wait to see the recruiters tonight! How about you, Kadabra? What are you looking forward to?” He blinked and turned to his friend, who blankly stared ahead. “…Kadabra? …Hello?” Machoke waved his hand before his friend, who blinked and shook his head.
“Oh, I don’t know how I let you talk me into this,” complained Kadabra. “I certainly don’t belong at some fancy party where I won’t do anything but sit quietly and…or panic inside my own mind.”
“Seriously?” Machoke rolled his eyes. “Come on, this high class stuff is way more suited to you than me. You’ve got the vocabulary to keep up with these folks.”
“Right,” spat Kadabra, “because an extensive and versatile language flows perfectly when one’s diction cascades from a mouth clamped tighter than treasure chest.”
“You…used all of those words just to show off, didn’t you?”
“Naturally.”
“Yep, you’ll fit right in.” He tugged on his friend’s arm. “Come on, let’s go get changed, or we’ll deal with worse than the butler.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Kadabra sighed and followed Machoke up the stairs, but slowed his ascent toward the top. “Machoke, you’re…sure you want to be a knight, right?”
“Absolutely!” He glanced back at Kadabra. “Just think about how many folks we’ve helped out. If I work on become a knight, I can help the whole Iceberg Empire!”
“Well, sure, but…you will be restricted to the palace for most days.” Kadabra finished climbing the stairs and tugged on his mustache. “And the capital will be your highest priority. Not to mention that you may be required to…well, hurt people, to put it lightly.” He looked up and into Machoke’s eyes. “So, you’re sure this is the way that you want to go?”
“Putting it like that, you can really sour the idea of it,” admitted Machoke, as he turned around to look into a door. “Still, I’m pretty sure of this. I get that you’re trying to make me think more objectively about it, but it’ll let me help a lot of lives.” He opened another door, shook his head, and closed it. “Those that I harm will be those that try to do harm to the innocent. I’ll be at the capital city and the palace, yeah, but I’ll be front line when we travel out and need to help the other townships. Just because it’s priority doesn’t mean that the rest of the Empire will be allowed to crumble, and I’ll still be able to help others.” Machoke grinned to the frowning Kadabra, and then continued checking rooms. “Plus, I’ll actually know what I’m doing, and really know how to help out. It’s best to get real training, and that’s what I’ll work for some day.”
“And…what about me?” Kadabra folded his arms as his tail drooped and swayed low. “I thought you and I would be…” He blinked and checked up at Machoke, who paused his search and returned full attention to him. “…Well, when we were kids, I just figured that, what we talked about—”
“All of that is still true.” Machoke beamed. “I’ll do everything I can to still be with you whenever you need me.”
“That’s not forever,” reminded Kadabra. The bags of clothes dropped down behind him.
“N-no, that’s…look, I know you don’t want to be a knight, Kadabra,” surmised Machoke. “This is what I want, but not what you want. I’m not dragging you to come with me for that, so we won’t be right on top of each other.” His smile faded as he rested a hand on Kadabra’s shoulder. “But you can find me in a flash whenever you need me, and I’ll be there. I promise.”
“…Perhaps, but…how we spoke, years ago…” Kadabra’s arms tightened. “I really thought we’d be completely inseparable.”
“Me too, I really did mean it, but…” Machoke rubbed the back of his neck. “We still have to follow our dreams too. This is what I want, but you never told me what you wanted. I just know it’s not this.” Machoke lightly massaged Kadabra’s shoulder. “So, I won’t force you with me. But, we can still stick close in spite of moving different ways, and we’ll figure it out. I believe that you and I can do that much.”
“How though?” Kadabra’s tail swayed, and then wrapped around his hips. “Tomorrow, they’ll look to recruit you and once they do, you’re already off.”
“Maybe this is asking a bit much, but I was hoping you’d come up with me for a bit?” Machoke slightly smiled. “It doesn’t have to be for long, just a day or two. And in that time, we can see how busy I’ll be, and then come up with some ideas.”
“You’re going to end up relying on me sorting this out,” accused Kadabra. Machoke opened his mouth, but slowly closed it. “I know you don’t mean to do that, but it’s exactly how everything will go.”
“…Sorry.”
“As am I.” Kadabra shook his head. “Look, tonight is supposed to be fun. So, you get dressed nicely, meet and chat up the recruiting knights, and I’ll—”
“Make some new friends?”
“…Sure…”
Turning away again, Machoke opened another door and peeked inside. His smile broadened again, and he tugged on Kadabra.
“Come on, here’s a good changing room.”
“Fine, fine…”
Doubling back, Machoke scooped up their bags and hurried after Kadabra into the room. Inside were small spaces, separated by walls and dark blue curtains. Pulling back one of them, Machoke propped one bag up for Kadabra, and smiled to his friend again.
“It’s nice that we’ll finally get to use these, right?”
“Mm.”
They paused in silence for a moment, and then hid behind curtains to change. Machoke opened his bag and studied the suit he pulled out.
“These things definitely look weird and restrictive to me,” admitted Machoke. “Clothes like this don’t offer flexibility.”
“Neither does armor,” reminded Kadabra.
“Good point.” Machoke sighed. “I wonder if they’ll let me wear less armor.”
“At least take some consideration into your wellbeing,” Kadabra persisted.
“Ha, I guess I should,” relented Machoke. “It’s not like I’ll have you around to watch out for me, so now I’ll need to keep myself covered!” The pair waited in silence as Machoke’s face burned. “That…that came out wrong.” Kadabra chuckled. “Hey, not everyone is versatile in their vocabulary.”
“Sorry.” Kadabra sighed, and then groaned. “This blasted outfit is a pain in the rear end to get around mine. Couldn’t they work on making better holes for tails?”
“Maybe we should have gone to a different tailor,” agreed Machoke. “Ah well. I’m about done.”
“Seriously?!”
“Well, the clothes are tight, but I can get them on.”
“Ugh. Of course you have the right body for it.” Kadabra bashed his head against the wall. “Ow. Apparently, I’m just as capable of poor word choice.”
“Psh, nah, you’re just trying to make me feel better,” teased Machoke. He stepped from behind the curtain. “You want me to come in there and help you out?”
“Gods, no.” Kadabra huffed in exasperation. “Look, just wait for me back outside and I’ll get there.”
“Um…all right.”
Stepping into the hall, Machoke tugged his jacket on, a citrine tailcoat, over his aptly titled buff vest and cream shirt. He tugged his ecru trousers around, fixing them to a more comfortable position, before strolling downstairs. Tapping at his chest, he pushed his brown tie down and into place.
Someone whistled, and Machoke whirled around, but found no one behind him. He twisted back, but only glimpsed as a figure disappeared into the hall. Turning back, he watched as a red fowl strode by, and winked to Machoke, before returning on his way to the next room.
“How handsome,” cooed a purple ape, her twin tails wagging as they brushed against Machoke, who could’ve sworn one groped his leg.
He grumbled and wandered around the hall. Another passerby stroked past him, and he spiraled as the dark lizard winked to him, on her way to the ballroom as well.
“Where the blazes is Kadabra already?” Machoke folded his arms and frowned as he glanced forward. “There’s no way I’ll go in there alone.” He slowly turned his head toward the stairs. “Maybe I should go…oh gods, I could melt.”
Fixated on the top of the stairwell, Machoke gawked as Kadabra stepped out. His white trousers helped straighten his legs more than usual, and fit snug around his waist. Though his tail swayed as he stepped down the steps, it was tucked between the ends of his gray-blue tailcoat, matching the vest that he wore over his white shirt. He fidgeted with a blue tie that he straightened as he reached the bottom. Blinking, he frowned at Machoke.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You’re staring, why are you staring?” Kadabra pulled on his coat and shirt. “Does this look too big or drab? Is the tie off again? I wasn’t planning on wearing—”
“You look stunning.”
Kadabra shivered and stared back up at Machoke, who rubbed his arm behind his head and neck.
“Sorry, that was…I-I didn’t mean to…” Machoke nervously chuckled. “Guess that’s a good enough confidence booster, huh?”
“Confidence—right, yes, thank you!” Kadabra forced a smile. “Ah, well, I-I’ve at least, that certainly—” He roughly cleared his throat. “Thank you, Machoke.” He smiled and paused, but then shook his head. “Uh, you look quite dashing as well. N-not that you need me telling you so, but, you know, that’s…one good turn, right?”
“Nah, it’s always nice when you tell me that I look good too!” Machoke grinned to Kadabra, but then softened his smile. “Thank you.”
“Of course. You’re welcome.”
“Well?” Machoke held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“Oh, um.” Kadabra wrapped his hand against Machoke’s arm, but hesitated. “No, wait.” He dropped it. “You should, um, we shouldn’t walk in like that.”
“Huh?”
“The closer I seem, the less likely others will want to interrupt,” advised Kadabra. “You want these recruiters to have any and all access to you, so…the easier it is to get you alone, even by appearance, the faster they’ll talk to you about everything.”
“Ah…right.” Machoke slowly let his arm fall. “Well, uh…again, shall we?”
Kadabra nodded, and the two walked alongside each other into the manor’s ballroom.
Crystal and icy sculptures lined the room’s walls, and decorated a long buffet table. Most were of floral shapes, though a few mirrored the designs of legendary gods that many tales described. Numerous guests were already packed in the middle of the room, dancing together as an orchestra played somewhere across the grand room.
“Wow.” Machoke whistled lowly. “I wasn’t expecting this many folks to be here.”
“This is even worse than I imagined as well,” murmured Kadabra. “Gods, I’ve barely practiced dancing. End me now, Machoke.”
“Oh, stop with the dramatics.” Machoke softly nudged his friend. “Come on, we can go get some food, and work our way around to finding—”
“Hello there, handsome.” Stiffening, Machoke turned to a long-eared rabbit that stood beside him. Her plain white dress fit her tightly, yet left her arms and legs quite exposed. “You look like you’re in need of a partner tonight.”
“Uh—”
“He’s actually looking for someone else,” interrupted Kadabra. “Not like you know anything about knight recruiters, do you?”
“Actually, I just so happen to have spotted a few before,” taunted the rabbit. “Perhaps I’ll tell you, or perhaps you can wander around to find them.” She placed a paw on her chin. “Though…maybe a dance and drink or two can pry my lips loose.”
Glancing back to Kadabra, Machoke raised an eyebrow at his friend’s disgusted face. He shook his head and shrugged, sighing as he backed away from Machoke.
“Go,” he muttered. “It’s a chance.”
“Um…ok.” Machoke turned back to the rabbit. “Ah…lead the way, uh, Miss…?”
“Lopunny,” she introduced. “A name you certainly won’t forget.” She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the middle of the room. “Now, come. I’ve waited for a suitable partner long enough. Don’t disappoint me.”
“But weren’t you—?”
She jerked him into the crowd, and he gasped. The music tempo steadied to mirror a slow waltz, and Lopunny smirked. Lifting Machoke’s hands to her hip and shoulder, she cupped around his neck and the two began their dance.
Right into it, Lopunny’s legs came close against Machoke’s, rubbing up against them. He backed away, as the viola’s tune sweetly played above the rest of the music. Her eyes narrowed, and he quickly pulled her back to him, as the two pressed in and continued their waltz.
“Not half bad,” she complimented. “Though, I feel like you’re holding back.”
“Where were the recruiters?” Machoke frowned. “You told me—”
“Less chatting, more dancing.”
He bit his lip and guided her out with his arm, and she twirled around. Slowing, she lowered her eyes at him, and he brought her back closer. Lopunny pressed herself close to Machoke, who rolled his eyes, as they swayed about.
A harp played up, as a flute sounded soon after. The two played in unison as Lopunny stepped around Machoke, pressing herself against him with each movement. Timpani drumming guided her around him, and his movements stiffened a bit, as the rest of the instruments returned to the melody.
Bringing their hands up, the pair stepped around in a circle, and Lopunny tugged Machoke closer into her once more, as the piano and viola played in concert with one another.
“Normally, a fellow like you would be falling over himself to dance with me, let alone anything else,” brought up Lopunny. “That’s something to help draw me to you, I suppose. You’re quite patient, for a brawny hulk to be so patient around a petite lady like myself.”
“Right, sure.” Machoke glanced past her, checking passing faces around the room. “Now, where are those—?”
“A true knight should want a lady to protect, don’t you think?” Lopunny leaned in close to him. “After all, wouldn’t you like a princess to fight for? Someone soft and tender-hearted to make yours?”
“Um, I’m still working on becoming a knight,” reminded Machoke. The music slowly hit a crescendo, and then eased off. “Perhaps, now you could tell me?”
“Hm.” Lopunny brushed her ears back. “First, I mentioned a drink. If you don’t mind, and you shouldn’t, guide me to the refreshments table.”
Rolling his eyes, Machoke started off, as Lopunny wrapped herself around his arm. Grumbling to himself, he led her from the floor and to the table.
Further down, Kadabra watched several folks dance past him, as the music started up again. He softly waved to a dark lizard, who raised an eyebrow at him before she spun away from him, and lost herself in the crowd.
“Naturally,” uttered Kadabra, as he sank into his chair.
He turned to a pair chatting a few seats down. One was a thin blue oni, the other an icy pangolin. The two chattered and chuckled with one another, and Kadabra shifted his attention between them and back to the crowded dance floor.
Finally, he stood up and walked down to the pair, taking a seat near them.
“Uh…h-hi.” Kadabra nervously grinned to the pair. “N-nice night, huh?”
Neither of the two answered him, as they quietly stared back at Kadabra. He swallowed hard and gazed at the duo.
“…So…are, um, are either of you here for the knight recruitment?”
“I was,” answered the oni.
“Oh?” Kadabra smiled. “A friend of mine is here for that too. How did things go for you?”
“They rejected me.”
“…Ah.” Kadabra swallowed hard. “I, uh, I see. S-sorry to hear.” He paused and sat quietly, shifting his gaze between the oni and the pangolin. “And, um, w-what about you? Here for anything?”
“Food,” came his icy reply.
“Ha, well, there’s plenty over there, right?” Kadabra pointed over to the refreshments table past their seats. “Thinking of grabbing anything now? We can head over for it.”
“Just finished a plate,” snapped the pangolin. “Waiting for my stomach to settle.”
“Ah.” Kadabra brushed behind his head. “Right, ok then.” He clasped his hands together and held them between his legs, returning his attention to the dancers on the main floor.
Lost in the crowd, Machoke stalled in his movements, as the pianist continued a solo. Lopunny twirled two times before slowing on her third, and halted, resting her hands on her hips and glaring at Machoke.
“Is there a reason you’re not moving?”
“Yeah.” He folded his arms. “You have no idea who the recruiters are around here, do you?”
“Of course I do!”
“Really?” He narrowed his eyes. “Point them out to me.”
“N-not yet.” She tapped her foot as the timpani pounded again. “This is only the third dance, and we still need more drinks after this.”
“That’s not part of our deal,” countered Machoke. “You can more than point them out to me, and I’ll finish off this dance after you do so.” He shifted his position on his feet. “Well?”
“…Fine.” She whipped her ears around as she turned away from him. “I have no idea about them at all.”
“You just lied to get a good partner out here to dance with, then.” He narrowed his glare on her, while she kept her attention focused off of him. “Sadly, you’re not the first.”
“First to what?”
“Use me.” Machoke maintained his gaze as she spun back to him. “Many ladies love to look good against a strong partner. Who could resist one with large muscles? It’s a winning combination, no?”
“That’s…I didn’t mean to—”
“No, types like you never mean to.” Machoke shook his head. “Have a nice night.”
As he strolled away from her, he heard her mutter, “Never should have come north.” Machoke rolled his eyes and continued to wade through the crowd, making his way back to the outer walls.
Near a bowl of berries, Kadabra poured a drink, guzzling it down promptly. He shook his head and coughed out, as the pangolin shook his head.
“People only drink that fast when they want to forget things,” he cautioned. “That guy from before tried it too.”
“Wasn’t he your friend?”
“No, just met him tonight,” responded the pangolin. His rough claws tapped at his dish of berries and bread. “Some kind of tough guy that came here with his cousin or something. I think he’s waiting to hear if the other one gets accepted for knighthood or whatever they’re doing.”
“Ah.” Kadabra tugged at his mustache. “And, if the other doesn’t make it?”
“That I don’t know,” replied the pangolin. “Mercenary work, I think he mentioned? Who knows?”
“Mm.” Kadabra plucked a blue berry and crammed it into his mouth. He chewed through it quickly and swallowed it roughly. Coughing again, he held out his hand as the pangolin walked to him. “It’s fine…fine.”
“So…why are you here, anyway?” The pangolin tapped at his bowl again. “You mentioned your friend wants to become a knight or something?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“But, again, what does that have to do with you?”
“We’ve been best friends since childhood,” brought up Kadabra. “We both used to live in the same village until it was hit with a freak accident with a windstorm that mixed with fire and set everything ablaze.”
“Whoa, what?”
“Yeah, it was…nothing pretty.” Kadabra winced. “Our parents perished in the flames, as did many other parents and adults. The remainder tried to rebuild and help the children, but couldn’t support all of us, and we ended up on our own.”
“Wow, that’s…really deep.”
“Very, but it…well, Ma, uh, my friend and I met up after that,” recalled Kadabra. He smiled. “He was very adamant about staying together. So, we traveled and trained together for years.” Scratching at his cup, Kadabra sighed and placed it back down. “But, uh, his dream since he was young was to become a knight, and the Iceberg Empire is the closest to join, so…he’s been looking into that.”
“Ah, ok.” The pangolin tapped his claws together. “So, you’re here to support him with that.”
“More or less.” Kadabra swallowed. “It might also be the beginning of us parting ways, so…I’m not looking forward to that.”
“Oh, that sucks.”
“Very much so.” Kadabra sighed and grabbed the spoon, trailing it around a bowl of a drink. “Doubly so because of…of how close I thought we were.”
“Oh no, one of those?” The pangolin shook his head. “That super sucks.”
“You’re telling me.” Kadabra chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t even know how he feels about me, really.”
“Why not just tell him first?”
“I’d sooner die of embarrassment.” Kadabra dragged the ladle again. “It’s not worth risking the years of friendship. Besides, if we’re not together after tomorrow or so on, what’s the point?”
“Then what’s the point of hiding it?” Blinking, Kadabra turned to the pangolin, who shrugged. “I mean, you’re getting to a point where it won’t matter, so why hold back?”
“Well…I…” Kadabra swallowed. “M-maybe.”
“Or just go with him, I don’t know.” The pangolin tossed a berry into his mouth, and chomped away at it. Through his half-filled mouth, he managed, “I don know how the kniph stuff works, but you migh as well twy, righ?”
“Uh, perhaps.” Kadabra sighed. “What about you?”
“Me?” The pangolin swallowed. “What about me?”
“Why are you here?”
“Oh, I live here.”
“…What?”
“Master Slash, there you are.” Wobbuffet waddled over to him. “Your mother and father are looking for you. There’s a cake that they’re looking to carve to celebrate, and they’d wish to have the whole family together.”
“Ugh, ok, ok.” The pangolin rolled his eyes. “You’d think they’d quit that stuff after I grew up, but no. I’ll be in my middle age and they’ll keep making me do that stuff.” He shrugged and glanced back to Kadabra. “Hey, good talking with you. Try enjoying the party more, good luck with that guy.”
The two wandered off, as Kadabra gawked at them until they vanished from sight. He groaned and smacked his forehead, dragging his palm over his face.
“Hey, Kadabra!” Machoke pushed past two couples and stumbled over to his friend. “Are you ok?”
“I may or may not have just told the son of the house an embarrassing amount about myself,” lowly rambled Kadabra.
“So you did make a friend?”
“Um…not quite, though I may have been building to that.” Kadabra brushed his mustache and shook his head. “But that’s nothing. How did speaking with the recruiters go?”
“Can’t find them.”
“What?” Kadabra blinked hard. “What about that rabbit lady?”
“She lied,” grumbled Machoke. “Just wanted a partner to dance with.”
“Just wanted…that tramp!” Kadabra fumed. “The nerve of her! Oh, come, Machoke. Let’s find her, I need to give her more than a piece of my mind. How dare she even stoop so low to do that to you—”
“Kadabra, it’s fine.” Machoke sighed. “I’d rather just move on from that.”
“Fine.” Perking up, Kadabra sniffed. “Just how much did you drink with her?”
“One, uh…one too many?” Machoke rubbed behind his neck. “Not a big deal.”
“Ah.”
“Do you, um…do you want to dance?” Machoke rubbed his arm. “I mean, I’m a little sick of it, but I do enjoy it, so I was hoping we could.”
“Machoke, I’m not quite the best at it,” noted Kadabra. “Besides, won’t others around here stare?”
“Why?” Machoke jabbed his hand back. “I’ve seen at least three pairs of ladies dancing together. Not that big of a deal, right?”
“M-maybe not…”
“Look, I won’t pressure you into it,” relented Machoke. “Just, earlier this week, you had me practice so much, so I thought you wanted to—”
“Oh, you’re right, I do.” Kadabra grabbed Machoke’s hands. “Come, let’s see if you taught me well enough. Or if we’ll have a laugh.”
“Laughter, sure, but of fun,” insisted Machoke. “I already know I taught you well.”
“Cocky of your teaching?”
“And your skill. Now, let’s go!”
Machoke and Kadabra made their way to the middle of the crowds, and the music of an allemande ended. A waltz started up right after, and the pair came together, Machoke’s hand at Kadabra’s waist, while Kadabra’s arms went around Machoke’s shoulders.
The music’s pace carried forward, first slowly, as the pair swayed and stepped in a box formation. As the tempo quickened, Machoke stepped forward while Kadabra stepped back, both locked against one another, as they stepped back in and out together.
Again, the melody climbed and picked up, as the couple danced quicker to match the room around them. Kadabra glanced down and muttered counting for a bit, carefully observing his steps. Machoke, meanwhile, kept his attention on Kadabra, and smiled as they continued.
“I think I miss being the taller one a bit,” joked Kadabra.
“Ha, tough luck,” teased Machoke. “At least you kept the tail.”
“True.”
“Know what else?”
“Hm?”
“You’re doing marvelously,” complimented Machoke.
“Rah-really?” Kadabra gazed back up at him, stumbling a bit, but regaining his posture quick enough. “I-I didn’t think…well.” He cleared his throat and smiled as they swayed around. “I suppose I did have a good dance teacher.”
“And I suppose you’re as quick of a study as you claimed.” Machoke grinned as Kadabra chuckled. “You know, this is my first real dance too.”
“Huh?”
“This is the first fancy party we’ve ever been to,” reminded Machoke. “I haven’t been to anything like this without you. Or, uh…anything.”
“…No, I…suppose not.”
Together, they twirled around, stepping away as they spun, and pulling each other back together. The viola tenderly carried a solo, followed by the piano and the harp, and the music slowed. Machoke and Kadabra slowed their steps with the steadying rhythm, and swayed gently. Just as lightly, the melody came to a close and ended.
“So, ha, p-pretty good for rookie dancers, right?”
“Y-yeah.” Kadabra glanced down, and fixated his attention to the floor.
“Um…you want to go get some fresh air?”
“Absolutely.”
“I think there’s a balcony out this way.”
Machoke guided Kadabra past the crowd, and the two reached the glass doors. Opening one, Machoke stepped forward and held the door for Kadabra, who chuckled and strode out past him. Closing the door, Machoke turned and followed Kadabra across the plateau to the railing, and the two surveyed the night sky.
“Stars look beautiful tonight, huh?” Machoke smiled to Kadabra, who continued to gaze out and ahead.
“Quite.” Kadabra paused in their silence. “And…the moon is, as well.” He blinked and his eyes searched the sky. “Perhaps we can see the auroras here.”
“Didn’t you mention we’d have to go further north?”
“Did I?” Kadabra shook his head. “Of course, yes. I suppose it slipped my mind.”
“Right.” He stretched and grunted. “Well, we’ll have to travel there sometime, you and I.”
“When?”
“Don’t know, but we’ll make time.” Machoke chuckled. “Didn’t we used to plan stuff like that when we were kids?”
“Often, yes.” Kadabra laughed softly with him. “We really did keep on that childish phrase, right?”
“Uh…you mean, ‘together forever,’ right?”
“Or ‘forever together,’ that’s…correct.”
Slowly, Machoke stepped closer to Kadabra, who still studied the night. He sighed and traced the railing, oblvious to his friend’s advances.
“So, ah, did you enjoy the dance?”
“Hm? Oh, yes, of course.” Kadabra turned as Machoke froze, and smiled to him. “That was…truly, it was a wonderful experience.” He chuckled and pulled on his whiskers, as his cheeks flushed. “Honestly, I did read about those before, and how it was always this romantic sort of action…I never expected to dance with anyone.”
“What about a partner?”
“Huh?” Kadabra blinked and raised an eyebrow at Machoke. “You mean a lover?”
“Oh, uh, well…yeah, right?”
“Well, I…I don’t know.” Kadabra sighed again, and slumped over the railing. “Machoke, I…well, I haven’t really given myself much effort into pursuing a romantic interest.”
“Why not?” Machoke inched closer, his face deepening to a scarlet hue. “We’ve had the time.”
“Yes, I…I suppose so.” Kadabra drummed at the railing. “But…I…don’t know who I’d want.”
“Shouldn’t you be exploring those options?”
“It’s something that I’ve dreamed of,” admitted Kadabra. “So, yes, I should.”
“Dreamed of?”
“Just…having someone, to uh, get close to,” decided Kadabra. “Typical, story-book romance feelings, and other silly nonsense.”
“Doesn’t sound very silly to me.”
“…No?”
“Nope.”
“Oh, well…” Kadabra cleared his throat, and turned to Machoke, who was right beside him. “I, uh…I suppose we should both work toward that. Finding partners.”
“Lovers.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll need some practice with that stuff, then.”
“Practice?”
“With dancing and other close, um…things.” Machoke rubbed behind his head. “Like, uh, kissing or cuddling.”
“Um.” Kadabra tugged his whiskers again, and pressed against the railing as he faced Machoke entirely. “W-well, we’ve cuddled before.”
“Yep.” Machoke chuckled, and his arm slid past Kadabra’s shoulder. “Your tail is soft and easy to sleep against.”
“Ha, uh…yeah.” Kadabra cleared his throat again. “And, we, um, we just danced together.”
“Pretty well, right?” Machoke grinned.
“As you claimed, yes.” Kadabra lowered his hand. “So, we’ve…done a little, of what you mentioned.”
“Sounds like we should try more with each other,” suggested Machoke.
“W-what?”
“Hey, we practiced together so far,” offered Machoke. He guided his arm around Kadabra’s back, and his free hand up to his face. “What’s one m-more time?”
“But…but that’s…”
“Did…you have anyone else in mind?”
“…Not at all.”
“…Then…?”
Trembling, Kadabra lifted his hands towards Machoke’s face. Pulling one hand back, Machoke cupped it over one of Kadabra’s hands, and guided it to his face. Both blushed harder as Kadabra’s hands steadied, and he brought the other to Machoke’s face. Smiling, Machoke returned a hand to Kadabra’s, and leaned in.
“So, uh…” Machoke breathed against Kadabra. “…Ready?”
“Go ahead.” Kadabra stared into Machoke’s eyes. “Let’s…”
Scooping Kadabra’s face forward, Machoke pressed his lips against him, and held him in close. Kadabra gripped Machoke’s cheeks, and brought himself closer, adjusting his lips to align better with Machoke’s. Sliding his hands behind his neck, Kadabra pushed closer, as Machoke’s arm lowered behind Kadabra’s back. They kissed quietly as the wind gently blew past them, and time slipped away.
They pulled apart after a moment, and hesitated away from one another. Kadabra sank back as Machoke slowly pulled his arm back to his side.
“How, uh…how was that?”
“An exciting experiment,” recited Kadabra. “Thank you for, um…sharing my first one.”
“Ha, yeah, right back at you.” Machoke rubbed beneath Kadabra’s chin. “Um…if you, uh, you ever want to, ah, try again, we could—”
“Maybe, certainly.” Kadabra dropped his hands. “But, it’s been long enough out here. We should get back in…seek out those recruiters.”
“Oh…right.”
Taking Machoke’s hand, Kadabra led his partner back into the manor’s ballroom. Much of the crowd had retired for the night, and several more trickled out. Both caught the eyes of a dark lizard, who glanced over her shoulder to them. She smirked, and then hurriedly slinked from the room, tightly gripping a small pouch.
“Wonder what that was about,” murmured Machoke.
“Something tells me that was nothing good,” determined Kadabra.
“Where the blazes would Beartic be, anyway?”
Jolting up, the two released one another’s hands, as they turned their attention to a large panda bear. He folded his arms and growled to a quieter brown bear.
“Don’t know, but probably finishing up with that last potential trainee,” offered the other bear. “Quite a few knights still left for trials tomorrow.”
“Knights.” Kadabra nudged Machoke. “They’re the recruiters, come on.”
“Um, right.” Machoke hesitated. “…But—”
“Oh, come on!”
Kadabra grabbed Machoke again and tugged him over to the bears. They turned to walk out, but Kadabra whistled at them.
“Huh?” The brown bear turned back to them. “What’s with the whistle?”
“We’ve been looking for you lot all night, that’s what,” clarified Kadabra.
“Oh great, another.” The panda sighed. “Look, Ursaring and I need to get going—”
“P-please wait,” pleaded Machoke. “I’ve been trying to arrange some kind of meeting for months now.”
“…Ah, so you’re the recruit that sent us those letters,” realized the panda. “Machoke, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s me.” He blinked and jerked back. “You…remembered my name?”
“What, do I look that daft to you?”
“Pangoro, easy,” urged Ursaring. He smirked to the pair. “He’s a little cranky when he’s tired.”
“Don’t tell them that!”
“It’s true.”
“Bah!” Pangoro folded his arms. “Whatever, yeah, the Emperor doesn’t get a lot of letters for folks that want to be knights—”
“Emperor Empoleon saw the letters?”
“Duh, of course he did.” Pangoro chuckled. “He replied to you, didn’t he?”
“B-but…I thought he…I didn’t realize he personally…!”
“Well, he did.”
“We’d talk more, but it’s gotten really late, and the folks here will want us out very soon,” advised Ursaring. “We’ll take this up with you in town in the morning.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but you won’t be alone,” cautioned Pangoro. “Tomorrow, we’ll test your worth, see if you’ll be coming back up north with us.”
“Yeah…of course.” Machoke’s shoulders dropped as he lowered his head.
“And what about me?”
Everyone turned and stared at Kadabra, who folded his arms. Pangoro chuckled and shook his head.
“You? No offense, but you certainly don’t seem to be a knight type.”
“Why thank you, I had no idea that I was lacking in physical stature.” Kadabra rolled his eyes. “Don’t you royals still use mages, or are you only looking for knights?”
“Wait, what?” Machoke shook his head. “You want to be a mage for the Emperor?”
“Certainly. You’ve been glorifying being a knight this entire time,” pointed out Kadabra. “If you can do that, surely I can do my part as well. Unless, of course, there are only knight positions open.”
“Uh, no, we could always use another mage,” Ursaring admitted. “We’re in need of those too, but—”
“Then consider me yet another applicant,” persisted Kadabra. “Test me tomorrow too.”
“Ah…we’ll need to come up with something else for you,” sorted Pangoro. “But…I think our Emperor will definitely like this proposal.”
“Ok, then you’re both on for tomorrow morning,” decided Ursaring. He yawned. “Late morning, that is. We don’t get enough rest as it is, might as well use the time we’ve got for now…”
“The General would knock you senseless for that remark,” called a large polar bear that pushed his way through the door and into the room.
“Beartic, where were you?”
“Some lady caused a ruckus outside,” divulged Beartic. “Something about an awful night or whatnot, and complaining about going back home. Made a big scene of it.”
“And that kept you?”
“Wanted to make sure it didn’t get too out of hand.” Beartic smirked. “And I think my presence helped keep things calmer.”
“Ego much,” muttered Pangoro.
“Don’t be jealous, I heard that,” teased Beartic. “Come on, let’s be off.”
Together, the trio ambled from the ballroom and the manor. Kadabra stepped to follow them, but Machoke tugged him back.
“What was that about?”
“You seem to have a good edge on becoming a knight,” observed Kadabra. “They took a liking to you once they recalled—”
“Not that, and you know it,” shot out Machoke. “Becoming a mage, where did that bluster up from?”
“Oh, that?” Kadabra shrugged. “Well, you’re so dead set on becoming a knight, right? I’ve given some passing thoughts to my equivalent aptitude for magic, and it’s not like I haven’t dabbled in spells before.”
“But…you really want to be a mage?”
“Without you around, I’d need to come up with something to do for myself,” pointed out Kadabra. “But if I’m to venture north with you, I may as well see if I should join in your adventure as well.”
“Kadabra, you don’t have to—”
“My choice, Machoke.” He smirked. “It just happened to work in your favor as well.”
“…Kadabra…”
“Come. We need to get a good night’s sleep.”
Once more, Kadabra sauntered from the ballroom. Machoke chased after him, and picked up his hand. They turned to one another, and blushed as they stared.
“Tomorrow, after we show them what we can do…” Machoke swallowed. “I, um, I want to talk about something with you.”
“Uh…it…doesn’t need to wait.”
“For now, it does.” Machoke exhaled. “But…I’ll have things ready for tomorrow night. I promise.”
“…Ok.” Kadabra smiled.
Hands interlaced, the pair strode from the manor, back out into the night. Their hearts raced with their minds and thoughts, though neither could speak any more for the night. Tomorrow, however, would begin the first of many new chapters for them.
Oh my words, it’s finally completed! And you made it, hooray!
Gosh, I can’t tell you how long I’ve been dying to write this up. Like, it’s not how I had it all gathered in my head, and it’s changed over and over again. But, as a general concept, this is what I wanted for Machamp and Alakazam’s past history, prior to their falling out, and why they seemed so close, but then were split apart.
Hopefully everything came out well enough. For those confused why they didn’t end up together immediately, well, fate is cruel, and I need to keep with my writing, lol. In actuality, they were very much on the verge of confessing to each other, with Kadabra being advised to just go for it, while Machoke teetered on confessing a few times thereafter.
Sadly, they both held back on it, looking to push forward with other moments instead. (Oh, and the part that’s not apparent to the readers: Kadabra reads Machoke’s mind after the kiss, and that’s where the “experiment” comment comes from. It ties in with something Alakazam later explains in my fanfic, which I’m not expecting anyone to remember and shared it here instead. For those super curious, it’s mentioned in Chapter 10 of MGR, after the hot springs drama, while Greninja and Alakazam are alone. Enjoy, story checkers!)
But yes! Kadabra decides on sharing his life with Machoke, who had been focused on knighthood, and will go on to be a mage himself. Machoke, however, questions his choices for the first time in a while here, and realizes that it might not be for the best to bring Kadabra into this. Spoilers: they very much do go into this. Even more spoilers: they do not get to a nice talk later the next night. (Again explained in Chapter 10!)
I wasn’t sure about including certain characters, such as Lopunny, Pangoro, Ursaring, Beartic, and select others not mentioned by name, but they kind of made sense here. Lopunny got an ironic mirroring here, since she uses someone for a dance, and that’s more or less what happens to her later. Karma tends to bite back hard.
Well, I’ve rambled far too much by this point, my apologies. And sorry for the delay on this too; I’m literally behind for things that I’ve worked on for months, which is already on top of me being behind on stuff that I thought up years ago. Writing struggles suck, but hey, I’m learning.
One more part of this story is meant to come out as well, though my hopes of having it ready any time soon are a bit dashed, to say the least. Still, I will certainly have it out after my next MGR chapter, which will be due out now that I’ve taken care of this. (Perhaps after an ENY chapter, though.)
If you’ve enjoyed this, but it happens to be your first foray into the loveliness of Machamp/Alakazam or their relations, I’ll add in a neat little list below for other and related stories. Here:
Forever Endures (1) - The first part to this story, as mentioned above. It features a young Machop and a young Abra becoming friends!
Melting Gelid Roses - This is the main source of my Pokemon fanfic shenanigans, and heavily features Alakazam and Machamp midway into the story, as they slowly become a couple.
Inferiority Complex - Set after Machamp and Alakazam become a couple in the main story, this is the two of them dealing with some self-esteem issues on both of their ends. Some of that was hinted in this story too, just a bit!
Anyway, that’ll do it for now. As always, more to come. And, of course, thank you very much for reading! I hope you’ve enjoyed it.