throw a wish in a well

My name's Touko, I'm a trainer from a small town in Unova. You here for a battle? [Affiliated with BFM]

[rightful-king-blog]

“Ahh, fiesty as always, I see. I admire that about you. You’ve got enough conviction not to roll over when prodded. That boy Cheren put on a similar mask, but his was far from genuine. Touya, as well. He was the easiest to crack…”

Ghetsis paused from his ramblings to cock a smile at the mention of the trainer’s name.

“If only my son were the same as you. He is far too warped to stand on his own two feet anymore.”

[whitecastles-blog]

Touko glared at the man across from her, of all the luck to run into him. At least the boys weren't here- She wanted to keep them as far away from him as possible if what N had told her was true, and she had no doubts it was. "You sick freak! What you did to my friends is unforgivable you son of a bitch!" She was trembling with anger at this point, ready to run at him and try to attack him, but knew that he could probably overpower her.

She let out a growl at his smile. "N is not warped you sick freak. You raised him badly, you are the one to blame. N is perfectly fine, much better now that he's away from you!"

[rightful-king-blog]

Touko, my dear child! It has been such a long time! You seem to be filling out nicely. Puberty has been kind to you, it seems. What have you been up to during such a long break from meddling where you have no business?

[whitecastles-blog]

"Not long enough it seems." She bristled at his comment, an involuntary hiss coming from her mouth. "I don't know Ghetsis, I seem to remember my meddling helping a bunch of people. The fact it worked against you was simply an added bonus."

[misguided-king]

N didn’t respond at first, apparently unable to focus on Touko’s words. But once she touched his hair, he suddenly flinched and shied away as if she had burned him. He looked back up at her cautiously, fearful for a moment longer before that emotion was overtaken by guilt. He could feel blood dripping down his chin, but seemed not to care.

“I’m sorry,” he started, trembling a little as the initial shock began to fade. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think…” He paused, eyes wandering over Touko’s new wound. “Oh, Touko, I’m sorry, I should have… I…! He didn’t mean to hurt you!”

“Mama?”

N turned his head to find the Deino standing beside him, nudging at his arm.

“… Are you mad at me?”

“No,” was the automatic response. He reached out and reassuringly patted the Deino’s snout. Despite himself, he couldn’t keep his hand from shaking. “No, I’m not mad at you…”

[whitecastles-blog]

She watched him flinch t her touch, and that seemed to draw him out of his panic state. She saw the fear in his eyes and felt such sadness take over her, good, she shouldn't have touched him. He began to talk at her, and that pulled her out of her thinking. "Oh, don't worry N, I know the little guy didn't mean to hurt me. Idoun did her fair share to me when I was training her as well. This will heal in time."

The little Deino walked over and nudged N's hand, and Touko figured the little guy was worried he'd upset N. She could see N's hand shaking, and had to admit to herself that she was a little shaken up too. Idoun came over and inspected her wound, and finding not to be life threatening, went over towards N and the Deino.

Idoun spoke to N, The little one is very powerful, and needs to learn how to control it. I would like to help teach him, if you would allow it.

[bad-kyouhair-day-blog]

“Uh, yeah…” he replied, glancing down at his feet in apparent shame. The Hydreigon he’d met had terrified him so much that it was embarrassing. The dragon might have been powerful, but it was still a Pokemon, and Kyouhei was a trainer; it seemed to be an unreasonable fear. But he looked back up at Touko at the mention of Ghetsis, apparently startled. “Yeah. How’d you know?” He fidgeted absentmindedly with the strap of his messenger bag. “That was the first time I’ve ever… seen a Pokemon like that. It r-really freaked me out, I guess.” The thought of a Hydreigon being nervous around a scrawny kid like him earned a bit of a laugh.

At the offer, he nodded, trying to calm his nerves. “S-sounds good!”

[whitecastles-blog]

She watched the boy's eyes travel to the floor. "Trust me, it's perfectly fine to be scared shitless of that pokemon. Honestly- I passed out the first time I met it face to face. That Hydreigon is a raging murderbeast, and not a sane pokemon." Her eyes darkened of the thought of that horrible creature, driven to complete madness. "It's a really nasty since Ghetsis had it evolve so badly. There are two ways for a Zwelious to evolve, the good way, like Idoun here, and the bad way. If you want I can explain better."

"Yeah, Idoun just wants to make sure I don't get hurt by some random stranger. Plus, she has a real knack for getting out of her pokeball. She's a big mischief maker." She walked into the kitchen to check the stove. Good, the soup was still there. "Awesome, c'mon over, I'll grab you a non broken chair."

[misguided-king]

“I didn’t know Deino would—” N started, but cut himself off with a small, distressed cry as fire nipped at his hands and a bit of shrapnel carved a gash across his cheek. He froze for a moment, eyes wide but distant, as if he was lost in some far-off thought or memory.

But the sound of Touko’s scream dragged him back into the present, and he tried to regain his balance. “Touko…!” His instinct was to protect her— shield her somehow— but how could he, when the assault was coming from underground?

Meanwhile, Deino mimicked Idoun’s laugh, happy that she approved. But then she was speaking to him, and his cheerfulness began to falter. The attack died down a little as he was distracted, the plumes of fire ceasing. “No way— Mama’s really tough!”

But then he heard N cry out, saying the word the Deino now recognized as the name of Idoun’s “mother”. The glow around Deino faded, and the splits in the ground seemed to attempt repairing themselves, closing somewhat. Still, jagged crevices remained as proof of the attack.

N sat beside Touko, hands on either side of his head as he tried to calm down and steady his breathing.

[whitecastles-blog]

She watched N's eyes glaze over for a moment through the flames and hoped he was doing better then her. She had no idea that this little Deino was so powerful! She felt her arm sear with pain and let out a loud screech, and heard N yell for her over the din. She grabbed at her burnt arm, noticing a large burn covering most of her forearm and creeping towards her elbow.

Idoun stopped her laughing and began to talk the little one down. It seemed that her trainer had been injured in the attack. As tough as we would like to believe our humans to be, they are still weaker physically then us little one. Our bites make them bleed and out attacks can cause much pain. I find your strength admirable for a young hatchling, and you will need good training to hone that skill. But I believe my mother was injured by the flames. Idoun nudged the Deino towards the two humans, making sure the little one wasn't preparing another show.

Idoun came over to Touko and nudged her shoulder to make sure she was okay. Touko gritted her teeth and gave the large dragon a reassuring pat. "I'll live." She turned her attention towards N, worried about his panic. "N-- N are you okay? It's okay, he stopped the attack, Idoun told him to stop I'm pretty sure." She reached out her uninjured arm tentatively and calmly stroked his hair before landing on his hand, which was currently clutching his head. "Shhh- it's oka- oh no, you're bleeding!"

[misguided-king]

“Two of me would be good though, I think!” the Deino replied.

As Touko addressed him, N turned to her, clearly distraught. “They’re speaking about evolution and— Deino is—”

The Deino grinned, pleased by Idoun’s answer. “I’ll show you!” Promptly, his body began to glow with a golden hue. Just as he had described, the Pokemon in the nearby Day Care began to flee, getting as far away from the tiny dragon as they could.

“Don’t—!” N yelped, both at Deino and Touko, just as cracks began to appear in the ground beneath the former’s feet. “Touko, stay back!”

The earth around them began to wobble and shake, and N, trying to make his way toward the Deino, lost his footing. He staggered forward a bit before a stronger tremor brought him to his knees. The next moment, a plume of fire and rock shot out of a crevice behind him, then another near his knees. He cringed away and addressed the Deino, speaking a mile a minute: “Stop it, stop it, please stop— Stop— I told you not to—”

“But I’m not done yet!” the Deino protested, innocently letting the onslaught continue. He only wanted to show his new friend how much he could do; he couldn’t understand why N was so opposed to that.

[whitecastles-blog]

"Oh no, what is it bad--" She saw the small pokemon begin to glow and promptly moved forward, hoping to stop what was going on. She heard N behind her go "Don't-- Touko stay back!" She stopped, and turned around to face N, and seeing his panicked look she tried to retreat.

As soon as she did, she felt the ground beneath her start to shake and crack, and she fell down only to see fire shoot out of the ground next to her. "Holy shit!" She turned to face N from her spot on the ground and yelled over the roaring dim. "IT CAN USE EARTH POWER? YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE MENTIONED THAT." Touko let out a screech as her arm was burned by fire and rocks shooting out of the ground.

Idoun let out a barking laugh at the destruction, but quickly realized that her trainer would be in danger.  Looking down at the glowing Deino, she spoke in a loud voice. Little one, I see your power. You must be careful with how you use it. You could hurt your mother and mine with this power. They are not as tough as we are.

[misguided-king]

“Five!” the Deino repeated excitedly, though it was apparent he had no idea what exactly “fives times larger” meant.

N nodded dutifully as Idoun addressed him. “I will certainly do my best.” Still, he wasn’t sure how long he would be able to care for Deino as he did. There were only so many bites and rammings he could withstand, after all.

“Oh,” Deino said in reply, laying down and beginning to chew at a clump of grass. “Yeah! Mama said I’d get bigger someday! I don’t get evolution much, though… Sounds weird.”

Suddenly, the Deino got to his feet again, as if he’d remembered something important. “Hey! Hey! I can do a really big attack though! Wanna see?”

N had been smiling faintly, calmed by the exchange between the two dragons, but he abruptly paled at Deino’s suggestion.

“It makes a really big noise, and the ground shakes! It makes everyone run, and the ground shakes even more! Mama says it’s scary, but I think it’s fun!”

[whitecastles-blog]

Idoun nodded at N, and spoke once more. I can try to explain to the little one when not to bite and what not to bite, just as Touko trained me. He is very young, and can still be taught. Idoun turned her attention back to the young Deino in front of her and listened. For us it is very weird, you are correct there. You will have to learn how to deal with two of you. I shall explain more later youngling.

Idoun cocked her head to the side, not knowing exactly what the Deino was talking about. What move could a hatchling possibly know that was that destructive?

Touko saw N's paling face and realized whatever the two pokemon were talking about had gone downhill fast. "N? What's going on? What are they talking about?" She made a move to go towards the two pokemon in case Idoun or the younger dragon freaked.

[misguided-king]

“V-very well,” N stammered. Pokemon didn’t tell lies, after all, so he trusted Idoun wouldn’t hurt Deino. Still, he couldn’t help but be a bit worried for the smaller dragon.

Deino was apparently oblivious to N’s anxiety, too interested in Idoun. He drew back and tilted his head. “Really? How big is much larger?”

He reared back on his hind legs, apparently preparing to try climbing onto the Hydreigon and judge her size that way, until she leaned down and nipped at him. He made a startled sound and toppled over onto his back. Before N had time to fuss over the dragon, Deino hopped back onto his feet.

“You bit me back!” he chirped, pleasantly surprised. “You get it! You get it!” With newfound excitement, he ran at the larger dragon, bumping his head into her snout briefly before he set to gnawing experimentally at the fur on her neck.

A few bites later, he moved back and asked, “Are you like me? Are you Deino?”

[whitecastles-blog]

Idoun saw N's anxiety and tried to be more careful with the small dragon pokemon, not wanting to upset either Trainer. Five times larger tiny one. Bite for yourself. Idoun leaned down and nipped the little Deino to show she understood.

I remember being that tiny. Idoun glanced towards N, and spoke once more. I had no mother until I was a violent Zweilous. This little one sees you as his mother. Idoun snorted, No matter how scrawny you are human, you will take good care of the little one.

After he ran into her snout, Idoun let out a snorting laugh as the little one gnawed at her neck. As the little Deino moved back and asked his question Idoun replied, Yes, I was Deino once. Then I became Zwelious. I am Hydreigon now. Much larger then you, little one. You have yet to evolve.

[misguided-king]

N’s stoic facade began to falter; he shut his eyes tightly and shook his head. “No. There wasn’t anything you could have done.”

When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Touko had fallen to her knees, and he felt a stab of guilt. Maybe he’d made a mistake in telling her? He hated seeing her upset. He watched her carefully for a moment and thought over her question. Soon, he knelt down before her and spoke quietly.

“Ghetsis is a manipulator. I don’t doubt that he made Touya believe it was his fault. And when you’re hurt in such a way… sometimes you can’t help but feel responsible.”

He considered reaching out to her, and rose a hand to do so, but it hovered uselessly between them on account of his uncertainty of how to comfort her. “… He will be okay, Touko. I’m sorry you had to find out this way. But I know he’ll be alright.”

[whitecastles-blog]

"I know, and that's what makes it even worse." She rubbed at her eyes trying to calm down. Crying was useless, and wouldn't do her any good.

She heard N kneel down next to her, and as he spoke she began to calm down. "I know, and it must have been awful for him, and I just wish there was something I could do to help him. I promised I won't bring it up to him, and I won't. I'll wait till he's ready." Touko saw N's almost attempt to comfort her and felt herself calm down a bit more. "...Thank you for telling me N."

[misguided-king]

“Right. Typically, he can simply spin lies to convince a person to do his bidding. But for those of stronger will… Other methods suffice.”

His face remained void of expression, but he paused and took a somewhat shaky breath. “One tool he utilizes is sex.” His gaze settled on Touko for a moment longer, checking to see if she understood yet, before he turned away.

“I know very well the situation he must have been in, so I thought I could help him find a way out, just like he— and you— did for me. But when it came time for that, I… was too late. Ghetsis took him again, and held him prisoner. Cheren was with him, but he was badly hurt, and… I saved him instead. When we returned to help Touya, we succeeded in reclaiming him. But he wasn’t quite the same anymore.”

There was a painful pause before he continued. “He is recovering now, but the things he experienced in that castle are the reason he is so afraid. Ghetsis attacks at the source of hope, and decimates it. I suppose Touya won’t tell you what happened because he doesn’t want anyone else to get hurt. He thinks that what happened was his own fault.”

[whitecastles-blog]

As Touko listened she felt bile rise up her throat, oh god no. She watched him pause and as he spoke next she felt all the worry shoot into plain panic. Oh Arceus that son of a bitch she was going to fucking find him-- The fact she understood shone all over her face and the terror for her friends in her eyes was clear.

As he explained that Ghetsis had taken Touya and Cheren, and how Touya had been left alone for a while she felt tears well up in her eyes. "Oh my god N-- why did no one call me! I would have been back here in an instant, I could have done something... oh my god--" She put her hands over her mouth as she sank to the ground, legs to shaky to hold her up standing.

She looked back up at N, and tried to stand back up as he spoke next, about Touya's fear of anyone else getting hurt and how he thought it was his own fault. "How can he think it's his fault, Arceus, how can he possibly think it's his fault?" She was speaking more to herself by this point and felt herself shaking with anger towards Ghetsis.

[misguided-king]

N pouted a little, stubbornly, at Touko’s apology, but did smile slightly in amusement at being referred to as “mommy”. He was starting to get used to it; while the Chatot he’d raised before quickly grew out of the phase of referring to him as her mother, Deino hadn’t.

He gave Idoun a small nod in thanks, but stayed nearby, watching carefully as Deino’s feet were planted back on the ground. He called out happily and stomped his feet in the grass for a moment, distracted, before he took notice of Idoun again.

“Hi!” he said first, excitedly waggling his tail. “Me? I’m little?”

Maybe Idoun was just big. He paused and craned out his neck, opening his mouth and experimentally leaning forward to nip at Idoun’s snout.

“Deino,” N called warningly, and the dragon stopped in mid-bite, mouth still open, but not quite daring to bite down.

[whitecastles-blog]

Touko laughed at N's pout, and felt Idoun nudge the small pokemon down to the ground, surprisingly gentle for the large Hydreigon. She watched Idoun interact with the small Deino and it brought a smile to her face.

Hello. Yes, I am much larger then you little one. Idoun looked towards N, and spoke softly. He may bite, he is only curious. I will not attack a youngling. It would make Touko upset, and I do not like that.

Idoun gave Touko a quick nuzzle and returned her attention the the tiny Deino at her feet. She gave the little one a playful nip and invited him to do the same.

[misguided-king]

“Don’t think that way. Maybe it’s better that you weren’t here. If you were, you could have been hurt too. I can’t bear the thought.”

Zoroark took off before them, running ahead on the path and looking this way and that, apparently for any that might be listening in on their conversation. N answered Touko without looking at her. “I am. It gives me a sense of purpose, as well as voices to talk to. It brings me solace.”

He glanced sidelong at her and, apparently noticing her slight struggle to keep up with him, slowed his pace somewhat before turning his gaze back ahead. He wouldn’t avoid the real subject any longer.

“… When my reign ended and my castle was destroyed, I assumed Team Plasma would have been dismantled, or at least disbanded for some time. However, it recovered much quicker than I would have predicted. I suppose… Ghetsis reclaimed power, gathered up what followers of his remained, and began to rebuild. I was in another region when he first came for Touya. By the time I returned, Touya wore the uniform of a grunt, and spoke as if he was part of the organization. He told me that he had made a mistake, and that he had no choice.”

N suddenly stopped walking and turned to face Touko, his expression blank. “Do you know how Ghetsis gains followers, Touko?”

[whitecastles-blog]

She felt him slow down, and she was able to catch up with the taller boy. "I'm happy that you've found something to bring you a little piece of mind."

N stopped, and looked straight ahead, his gaze avoiding Touko. As N began to tell his story, she felt the weight of fear in her stomach grow heavier. Ghetsis had tried to reclaim power gain? Touya had been forced to join Team Plasma? Oh Arceus, she should have never left.

As N turned to face her, she stopped and stared at his blank expression. "He manipulates people to do his bidding, be it emotional or threatening, right?"

[misguided-king]

N wrinkled his nose in distaste and shook his head. “I don’t want us talking about this in front of the Pokemon. It isn’t anything they have to hear.”

He sighed heavily and raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know why they didn’t tell you— I suppose it is simply too much for them to tell. They don’t want to worry you, or cause you any guilt. But I’ll tell you now. The Day Care couple are kind to me, and my primary duties are finished for today. I can afford to take a few minutes, and you can speak to them afterward if you so wish.”

He glanced down at Zoroark, then stepped forward, nodding to Touko and beckoning her to follow him as he began to walk. “Come with me.”

[whitecastles-blog]

"Ahh, right, sorry. I didn't realize it would be that bad." She looked down at her feet, seriously worried about what N was going to tell her. She watched him rake his fingers through his hair and sigh. "I feel guilty enough as is. I wasn't here to help. Something bad happened to you guys and I was off somewhere. And I'll talk to them a little later, it's not as urgent as this."

"I'm happy you've found a place here, working with all these pokemon. Are you happy here?" She followed behind N as he lead her down a small path, trying to keep up with his pace, curse his long gangly legs!

[misguided-king]

“Ah— Touko—” N stammered, holding his hands out protestingly as Touko fearlessly picked up the Deino. N accepted the bandage from her, but didn’t apply it immediately and instead watched her hold the struggling dragon. The dragon moved its stubby legs uselessly in the air and snapped at the girl’s wrists, and, hearing it babble confused words, N felt a flash of anger.

“He is Deino,” he replied snappishly. “You know I don’t impose nicknames onto Pokemon.”

He glared briefly at Touko, disapproving eyes moving back and forth between her and the younger dragon in her arms. Apparently sensing the Hydreigon, Deino lifted his head and outstretched his front claws toward Idoun. Turning his attention to the pair, N stood back a little and began to wrap the bandage around his wrist.

[whitecastles-blog]

"Ahh- sorry, I must have startled him. He's looking for mommy." She grinned in N's general direction as the Deino chewed on her hand. She put a supporting arm under the dragon pokemon, worried about it flailing out of her arms.

"Sorry N, I didn't mean to upset you. Hello Deino, I'm sorry I startled you. I'm a friend of your mommy." Idoun came towards the pair, and Touko made sure she could put herself between the two dragons if Idoun became violent. She watched as the smaller dragon reached out to the larger one and the two sniffed each other curiously.

Idoun looked towards N as she listened to the younger pokemon babble. He is very young. I will not attack. Idoun nudged the young pokemon down, out of Touko's hand and to the ground gently. Hello little one.

[misguided-king]

N glanced back at the Day Care, then down at the employee’s apron he was wearing. “Okay,” he replied eventually. But how was he to work efficiently now that this subject was back on his mind?

He looked at Touko for a moment, his expression grave. “… Very well. But if I tell you, Touko, you have to promise me something. Don’t bring it up to him again— Not until he’s able to speak about it himself. Do you understand?”

[whitecastles-blog]

She saw him hesitate and she thought of a new idea. "How about I come in and help out for a bit while you tell me. I've actually meant to come talk to the daycare couple for a while now, I think they'll remember me. They might let me help out for a bit, and you can tell me then."

Touko watched his expression turn grave and felt a trill of fear shoot up her spine. Just what had happened to her boys while she was gone? Dammit, if only she'd been here-- no, thinking like that would get her nowhere. "I understand. If it's really that painful I won't bring it up to Touya anymore. Not until he's ready. But Arceus N, what happened? It was really that bad? Why did no one call me, tell me to come back home, anything?"

[misguided-king]

“It’s certainly unique,” N continued. “His fur also… shines in a bizarre way. I’m only worried other Pokemon might—” He trailed off abruptly, whimpering a little in pain as Deino’s teeth sank into his wrist. “… Hurt him.”

Thankfully, the Deino seemed satisfied by that bite alone, and trilled happily when it realized the one holding him back had only been N (his mother, as far as he knew). N moved his hands away, and the Deino briefly nuzzled his injured arm before turning back around in search of Touko.

“Very well,” N answered, raising his arm to lick at the bleeding punctures on his wrist. “We shall do that, then.”

[whitecastles-blog]

"Yeah it certainly is. I've never seen fur like that before. He's definitely special N, I know you'll take good care of him." She winced as the small creature chomped on N's hand, and moved over to inspect the small wounds. N had let go of the small Deino, and it happily trotted over to Touko, more specifically her unsuspecting leg.

She shook her head at N licking his injury, and quickly pulled a bandage out of her bag. "Here N, don't lick your arm, human mouths are really dirty and it can't be good for open wounds. I've also got some-- ouch!" She looked down at the Deino, now chewing on her leg. "C'mere you." She scooped up the pokemon, holding in her arms as N tried to bandage his new wound.

The Deino began to chew on her hand, ouch, this thing had a set of jaws, damn, and she let it for the moment. Touko called Idoun over and the much larger pokemon came over to inspect what was causing the smell of blood on her trainer. "Now Idoun, play nice and no biting. He's not really hurting me. Say hello to the little guy here. N, what's his name?"

[misguided-king]

The Deino responded to Touko’s appearance before N did, turning its head this way and that as it tried to pinpoint the new sounds. A voice! A voice that wasn’t N’s! Once the Deino determined which direction Touko was in, he took off, waddling in her direction, maw open and ready to bite. With each step, its fur seemed to shimmer.

N got back to his feet, pulling the sleeve of his turtleneck down to cover a bleeding bite wound on his forearm before following after the dragon.

“He is male,” he answered, bending to put his hands on Deino’s sides, effectively stopping the Pokemon in mid-step before he could make an attempt at nipping Touko’s heels. “And… Yes. But that is a natural habit for them to have. It’s how they become accustomed to the environment they can’t see.”

He glanced down at the Deino (that had stilled between his palms, tilting its head as it tried to figure out what force had caused it to stop), then back up at Touko. “But there is another concern— He has green scales, you see? I don’t know if others of his kind will find him… strange.”

[whitecastles-blog]

She let out a light laugh as she watched the pokemon waddle towards her. She watched N try to hide a bite on his arm, gosh, that boy was gonna be covered in them if he let the Deino have its way. Oh well, that was N for you. "Okay, a little boy then. Yeah I remember when I caught Idoun as a Zwelious , she had a tendency to bite anything she thought or found interesting."

She looked over the little Deino, observing the oddly colored scales it had, and trying to think where she'd seen something like it before. "I've seen some wild pokemon with odd coloring, I think it's a form of genetic mutation. Let's see how Idoun takes to him. I've got her pokeball ready if she tries anything funny. We can see what Idoun thinks of him then."