Chereads / Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: The Unknown Hero / Chapter 35 - Racing Heartbeats

Chapter 35 - Racing Heartbeats

Blake's P.O.V.

*****

I couldn't believe that Kate was reading love stories. For now, I see her sitting on a corner with Lonnie, the two looking highly intrigued on the book. I could see them ending with a small blush everytime they finished reading page after page. Damn, Lonnie looked so cute. It was early in the morning, and we were still waiting for Philip.

"Arceus..." Kate whispered. Lonnie's ears drooped as she bit her lower lip.

"Why? Don't worry; these two will get back together in no time after five chapters later!" Lonnie assured. Kate frowned.

"You spoiled it!" Kate groaned in disappointment. Hearing this, the grass fox laughed nervously.

"Sorry!" She laughed. "It's not my fault I read it already!"

"But I just brought this..." The ice fox whined and returned to read with Lonnie looking beside her shoulder. I chuckled; these two will make good sisters. Knocks interrupted, pulling Lonnie on her paws.

"I'll get it!" She called, eagerly, opening the door. Philip came in with the usual smile on his muzzle, eventually vanishing into a slightly open jaw and a blush. It was between subtle and obvious at the conclusion that these two had lost one's heart to each other.

Kate's ears dropped, and also, her face returned the blush. Philip scratched the back of his neck, and both of them timidly turned away with vibrant flames etched on their cheeks. I could see shy smiles on their muzzles.

"A... About l-last night..." Kate began. "I... I'm s-sorry that... it was... a... s-sudden move-"

"I-It's no big deal!" Philip interrupted. "No need to a-apologize about it! It's one small thing!"

"Uh... guys? Shouldn't we address the Donphan in the room?" I asked.

"N-No need!" They synched. I nodded sarcastically and observed. They were behaving more awkwardly, and both of their faces were tinted with timid blushes. Lonnie was staring at them, trying hard to conceal her excited squeals. Kate was fiddling with her long Glaceon straps with an open blush. Philip was turning back, muttering quiet sentences which I was unable to hear. The 'thing' that happened last night? Hmm, I'm not to sure about this, but I might know a thing or two about it...

Flashback

I watched as Kate closed the front door, smiling brightly as she sat down on the table, turning to me. I laughed and crossed my forepaws.

"How's your date coming?" I asked. Surprizingly enough, she didn't choose to overreact about it. You know, like the blush thing'y? She managed not to do that!

"What? What date?" She answered slyly with a monotonous voice. At that moment, I saw that her face was shielding a secret; a subtle blush, which concluded something to myself.

"You hung out today with him, right?"

"Yeah..." Kate answered, but this time, she said it rather dreamily.

"You met today at the bookstore,"

"Yeah..."

"You had a lot of fun together."

"Yeah..."

"You love him but you haven't confessed to him yet,"

"Yea— wait, what the heck? O-Of course not!" Kate protested, disagreeably.

"Already confirmed!"

"Y-You can't just do that! I don't even like him that way!"

"Already did!"

Kate gave an icy glare, her eyes narrowing into slits. I knew she could freeze me solid in a split second or in a heartbeat, but I knew she wouldn't do that; she's not that kind of girl. She sighed and calmed down.

"I'm sorry, but can you please stop doing that again?"

"I'll try..." I said, but not too sincerely. Kate groaned and walked towards her room.

End Flashback

This ended with a walk towards the guild, with the girls' chatter lightening up the mood. Must be some 'girl stuff' I guess, though I eavesdropped quite a lot from them like a nosy Meowth. Reminds me of the time with my old pal. I kind of missed him a lot.

"Chatty girls," Philip chuckled. "I don't understand them..."

"Well, you actually did."

"I just needed it for helping her."

"Since when are you interested in her? Special thing or something?"

"H-Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Geez, dude. I know it when it comes to these. You were letting your guard down. Remember that I am a guy too..."

"And what is that supposed to mean? Me in denial? That's true, for the thing that you are thinking about us is nothing but a lie. Pffft, who am I kidding? Everyone can lie about one-half a day. Face it, lizard. Stop being stupid."

Face it, lizard. Stop being stupid.

He said it the way Philip said it. Could it...? No, hell no. That could just be a mere coincidence. Could it?

Katherine's P.O.V.

******

The same warm and cold aura the guild was giving off greeted us once again, welcoming us into its large hall. Several teams greeted us as they passed by, scampering outside to finish their jobs. I smiled brightly, sauntering quietly towards the bulletin board.

"I guess that everyone's in a good mood, huh?" Philip laughed.

"They are, I think," I replied.

Lonnie giggled. "They kinda reminded me of Dad, all right. He's been acting really nice lately. It gets weird sometimes, though..."

"Well, that's awesome, Lon-lon!" Blake says. Lonnie blushed and elbowed the fire lizard. Philip and I laughed.

"Do you think they're-" Philip was about to say, but he was interrupted when a Pokémon had rammed against me at high speed, but not fierce enough to knock me backwards. I looked down and saw a Growlithe.

"I-I'm sorry miss!" The Growlithe squeaked in a female voice. "I was j-just on the way to mommy's then I tripped a-and h-hit you and-"

"Hey, it's okay, I'm all right!" I laughed quietly and set her down. I saw she had a red scarf adorning her neck. Then her eyes lit up, and her tail started wagging furiously behind her.

"You... You're Miss Katherine! Mommy told me like... a lot! A whole lot of bunch'a stories 'bout 'ya! You were awesome!" The Growlithe beamed. It warmed my heart to see the excited little cub. She reminded me a lot about Shaunder. She looked adorable with her bright hazel brown eyes. Wait, did she say her mother told her a lot of stories about me- excuse me, that is supposed to be about us? Could Plasma be her mother?!

"Aww! Hello there!"  Lonnie cooed.

"Why don't you go away..." Philip muttered.

"Yes, you were right!" I smiled at the cub, punching Philip's shoulder.

"Ow!"

"You can call me Kate, while these are my teammates: The Charmeleon is Blake, the Leafeon is Lonnie, while this grumpy old Jolteon is Philip."

"Hey!"

"Nice to meet you!" Blake greeted. Growlithe grinned and wagged her tail.

"My name's Freya!" She introduced herself.

"Freya!" A familiar voice boomed. "What are you doing here?! You're supposed to be at school!"

"But Mommy! You promised to show me 'round the guild! School was boring!"

"Boring as it may have seemed, but don't forget that there is always something that you can always learn, even from a tiny bit of listening..." Plasma lectured.

"Mommy! I don't need the sermon right now! Now you're all getting boorring!" Freya groaned.

"Fine, but promise me to head back to school after half the day in the guild, okay? We don't want your brain to be mushy as a rotten berry!"

"Okay, Mommy, yeah, yeah, I don't wanna hear all of it!" 

Plasma laughed, nuzzling the young cub.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn... reckless..." Plasma whispered. Freya laughed. "And sorry about this inconvenience, Alpha."

"It's all right, Maa- I mean, Plasma! No harm done!" I assured. Plasma smiled and turned somewhere towards her office.

Freya dashed secretly towards Philip with a mischievous grin and scrambled atop his back. Unaware, the Jolteon recoiled in shock.

"Son of a-"

"Mister Philip! Can you gimme a ride? Please, please, please?"

"Why you-"

"Of course, Philip would love to give you a ride!" Blake laughed. "We still had a lot of time!"

Philip growled. I didn't know why he didn't like children that much. It was time to make him learn.

Philip's P.O.V.

****

"Mister Philip! Can you gimme a ride? Please, please, please?"

"Why you-"

"Of course, Philip would love to give you a ride!" The fire lizard laughed. "We still have a lot of time!"

I growled and mentally slapped my face with a paw. I know that I'm trying hard, but... anything but children! Children are naïve, loud, annoying, and sometimes mischievous! Believe me, this little kid will really get what she's asking!

"C'mon, horsey!" The child cheered, leaping up and down on my back. I snorted and walked. Kate giggled and I glared at her. It wasn't funny. She broke into a laugh. This time, I couldn't help but sigh and walked in circles trying to amuse the little kid.

"Mister Philip?"

"Yeah? What do you want?"

"I know this is a weird question, but... is there someone you like, you know... any advice? Eh, he, he... I know it's kinda weirdy, but can you please tell me?" The cub pleaded, looking upside-down on my eyes atop my head. I blushed, my face feeling hot, ears dropping down like I was terribly abashed. I was embarrassed.

"You know, you really shouldn't talk about this things..." I started, only to come up with a pause. "-F-Freya..."

"You could at least tell me, Mister Philip!"

"Fine, but no one. At least... n-not yet...?" 

"Aww!" Freya groaned in disappointment. "That's kind of a bummer!"

I laughed, but stopped immediately when I realized that I was having fun with the cub.

"So, Mister Philip, what do you think of Miss Kate, huh? I mean, she's pretty awesome, cool, smart... yeah, you name it! What do you think of her, huh?" Freya asked, going on as annoying as she could. My face went more hot than a burning furnace; I didn't know she could come up with something as embarrassing as that. Of course, Kate was a really nice mon- er person. Not to mention...

"A-About Kate? Well... ugh... oh hell..."

"Yes...?"

"Kate... s-she's fun to be with. She's a really good friend. I mean, she's also a great leader in the team. Not to mention her being beauteous, intelligent, graceful, stunning, classy, elegant, ravishing... and all the good words you can think of that can describe her. Even though the last thing I wanted was to hurt her..." I mused, etching a solemn grimace at the last part.

"Wow. Those are a lot of words to describe one Pokémon. And... wait... what do you mean by hurt, Mister Philip?"

With a sigh, I picked the cub up with both paws and gently set her down on the floor.

"It's kind of personal. I don't want to talk about it. Now please, now go."

Freya tilted her head in a baffled expression, eyeing me in such a way that it showed she was sorry about something. She shot me a worried look and spoke.

"I'm sorry for asking, Mister Philip." She whispered quietly. I gave a sad smile and ruffled her fur.

"It's alright. Come on, your mother might be looking for you now..." I said, nudging the little cub on the way. She took one last glance at me and scampered away. I sighed, staring into space. I've thought about it last night, and now, it was bothering me like a nightmare. Choosing paths to go on a different route of your life was difficult. Like hell, it would've been better like damn.

Kate was another thing. She was like throwing me off a cliff. It's like I'm on the moon just a tiny bit. Of course, she is beautiful, from the very glint of her lustrous ice crystal to the glossy midnight blue of her paws. It was a powerful force. I couldn't stop nor restrain myself. I felt like I was helpless against it, like it was supposed to be embraced.

And indeed, my self proved that I felt something new. It was warm, tingly, and heart-racing. It was hard to admit it to her, as if I've been a proven coward; who knows if things could turn out good or end up badly? Of course, I know it'll end up badly. Norsoe would end it badly. He knows how much betrayal can hurt.

And I... was prompt to do it. I am the traitor. I didn't know if she could forgive me for the multiple backstabbings. I know it'll hurt more than being stabbed with millions of Pin Missiles. Would facing the truth, can make a difference? Change my ways, betray Norsoe, and everything evil? Or it'll end up fruitless as a wild-goose chase?

I remember how Freya asked me about her. It was maybe that she could see Kate and I in a different perspective. More like us, being... together. I'd wonder if we were more than friends. What was it to be like more than friends, if one of the so-called friends actually turned out to be a backstabbing traitor?

Flashback

"Thanks Philip." And as she opened the door, she stopped with a pause, ran back quickly towards me and gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek, leaving me breathless as she pulled back.

"Good night."

"Uh, y-y-yeah.... g-good night..." I replied, flabbergasted, stuttering too much. She giggled, closing the door as she came. I was blushing hard, my heart racing fast, left with no reason to deny it anymore. I was... falling.

And dumbfounded. Wow. I've never thought that I could. She was funny, beautiful, and smart. It was cheesy, I know. If I did fall, who knows if she actually felt the same like me. This was the first. Norsoe could kill me for this, but he'll never find out. He won't. Smiling to myself, I sighed and sauntered back to my house. But what if she doesn't feel the same way? I'm no good for her, because she is someone I can't be.

She was good and I'm evil. She deserves someone better if she could, away from me, for I was a traitor in her midst. If changing for the better is possible, I'd give up for regaining my memories from Norsoe. But I can't. If she'll know the truth about me, learning about it would break her heart. I knew she was highly vulnerable and sensitive about these things. That would cause her to yield; surrender to Norsoe. Ending the entire worlds. That... that was the plan. If I can, what would happen? Would it give back what I lost or take away from me again? I don't know, but will it hurt if... I'll try?

If it was possible for me to change. I've lived with evil for the past five years. With training, I won over Norsoe's assistants and his entire army, and it redeemed me worthy of becoming captain. To me, it seemed difficult. To work with that, I had to betray Norsoe. But if I betrayed him, there's no chance I'll get my memories back. If I could change the past, this would've never happened. If Dialga's warning... was actually true.

I wouldn't have to work for Norsoe if he couldn't bring my memories back. I would've been with my family and first friends if I didn't lose my memories. It was painful living through all these. For now, I had to make a choice that will change the course of my life forever. I hope that I'll make the right choice soon. For now, I just need some time to think about it...

End Flashback

It was true that I fell. And... I've never thought that I... but I love her. I swear that I really mean it. I just can't manipulate her for longer terms anymore. Like a problem it was, it has been giving me a splitting headache.

I don't know how much it's going to hurt Kate to know that I've betrayed her. Even though I could apologize, the pain would leave a scar so deep that it would take a long time to heal. That could happen. I'd wish I could have a normal life than being captain instead, but the truth was to stay covered or wait being uncovered.

That could just be the way it was. Just friends, nothing more, nothing less. Even if she shared the same feelings as I. But friends? I'm an enemy, for Darkrai's sake, even for a slip of the tongue, for it was the hidden truth. If I could tell her...

Would it be for the best if I shall stay away from her after that, or should I apologize for the wrongdoings I did?

Only if it couldn't make matters worse than it is. I didn't know why I did so horrible in the first place; half for the hope of regaining my memories. Why did I do that just to get a dose of my memory? It could just be something, or it was just me being a sappy fool. Perhaps, it could be that Dialga is right. Working for Norsoe is futile. Or it could be that...

Katherine's P.O.V.

*****

Shadows flashed by in floor fourteen, figures flickering weakly in dark flecks. Our team has picked a new, unfamiliar kind of job which was written anonymously by someone, who said that we were needed to arrive as soon as possible right at floor fifteen, secretly, which made me curious and sure enough to take the job. Busily scanning the floor for stairs, I sighed and padded along the path.

"It's kind of annoying that we had to find stairs, right?" Blake grumbled. "Dungeons can change everytime. Uh, of course, but not with us inside... hehe."

"Typically, yes. It was getting weird for today's dungeons, though. They were more different than the ones years ago." Lonnie murmured.

"Different? What are you talking about?" I asked, lost in thought. Blake sighed, kicking a usual pebble on the ground, away from sight.

"In the old days, dungeons used to have more items; even treasures scattered on the ground." He stated. "Normally, it is common to see Wonder Tiles in here. But now, it seemed that you could only spot one or two of them once in a blue moon. They're kind of rare today, I think. Things are getting different now."

Lonnie nodded. I frowned, noticing someone who was almost literally invisible today. I almost forgot about Philip. He's been really quiet ever since he sent Freya off. I don't know what's going on with him, but it would be nice to talk him out of it.

"You've been so quiet lately." I remarked. He sighed, turning to me with his moderate, purple eyes. I tried to resist from blushing at locking my eyes with his, but I couldn't withstand it and looked away instead, trying hard not to smile. Philip gave a choking laugh.

"I guess," The electric fox replied in a small voice. I giggled, playfully punching his arm.

"Hey!"

"Just trying to snap you out from your trance, Philly." I laughed. He gave a smirk and faked a pout.

"Nope. Still suffering here, Kate-ey cake."

"Still not as painful than being frozen by my Ice-Beam, Philly." I kid, receiving a ruffle on my head from Philip.

"Huh, I guess you're still as cute as ever, princess." He laughed, following into a smile. I giggled once again, only to stop when he bored his eyes into mine, 'till he leaned in and gave me a painstaking, tender peck on the ice crystal atop my head that was shielding my forehead away from sight. I blushed with a gaping jaw, dumbfounded; not believing what he did.

"I... P-Philip..." I spluttered. The Jolteon just smiled with a pinkish blush and a paw at the back of his neck.

"That was thanks." He mumbled quietly before walking ahead. I remained still, as if I was literally paralyzed, frozen from shock. How could I not smile at that when you're driven with a warm sensation, making your heart beat fast from it? It was hard not to, knowing that I had lost one's heart with him that day before, eliciting a high pitched girly squeal as if I've been on cloud nine, drawing weird looks from Blake.

"Uh... we found the stairs, Kate." Blake reported. Philip just chuckled, winking at my direction. I smiled and tailed after them, wondering what was in store for us at the fifteenth floor. But as we did, the silence was interrupted with a loud explosion. In surprize, Lonnie almost tumbled down, but luckily, Blake managed to grab her waist, receiving a heartfelt thanks from the grass fox.

"What was that?!" She asked, a little bit madly.

"I don't know, but that is something we need to find out!" I replied, eagerly.

"It must've came from a dungeon Pokèmon or someone random, maybe. Let's go!" Philip urged, running elsewhere. We leapt to our paws and went after him, only to get struck by a Sludge Wave. We ended up in a pathetic heap after we collided against the dungeon wall. I looked up to see a familiar Pokémon, and my eyes went wide in a state of shock. It was the same Nidoking from my dream, and also, the very same one we had encountered on the town square! Beside him lay a poor, beaten-up Watchog. I could see a sad smile and a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"You... t-took... the... j-job..." He whispered, groaning in pain.

"You!" Blake roared in a tearing rage, standing up, rather shakily. "You're the one who almost killed my partner! I couldn't believe I didn't recognize your stupid face back at the square with Kate, but now, I realize it was you!"

"Almost, eh?" Nidoking laughed. "He's probably dead by now. Not to mention..." He added, locking his gaze at Philip. The electric fox frowned; uncertain.

"I see," I said. "You were one of Norsoe's servants who were involved in a conspiracy. I guess you really came back..."

"Done as I said. Let's get this started, shall we?" Nidoking replied with a sneer and got down on all fours, pointing his horn at me. I growled, turning to Lonnie.

"Lonnie, take Watchog with you to a safer place away from here. We'll go and take him on."

"B-But Kate..."

"Go!" I yelled, charging on the last second, wielding some Icicle Spears by my side. Nidoking roared and started to prepare his Throat Chop. Blake and Philip shot a Flamethrower and Shadow Ball. That was the same combination that the two had made in my dream. But my thoughts soon focused on Nidoking and fired all of the Icicle Spears on full force. He roared in pain and in a thrash, his tail smacked on my torso, causing me to smash against the dungeon wall face-first, so hard that it sustained a crack. I wouldn't lie. It hurts.

"Kate!" Blake and Philip screamed. At the last second, Lonnie winced at the sight, grabbed Watchog and ran to an opening of the floor. I stood up shakily from being sprawled, a line of fresh blood trailing down my face.

The world was spinning in frivolous circles and I was feeling light-headed, threatening myself to collapse in a daze. Philip was about to be hit by a Horn Attack, but instead, Blake took the hit, skittering across the ground. He groaned in pain, feeling a deep, long gash on his leg.

"Blake!" We cried. Philip snarled, leaping up and smashed a brutal Iron Tail on Nidoking's face with a loud bellow. Nidoking growled and batted the electric fox with a claw like a helpless fly, overpowering Philip. He flew and crashed beside me, breaking pieces of the dungeon wall, sending dust and debris to fly around.

"Philip!" I yelled his name. Anxious, I gaped, taking the boulders and rocks away that encased him, 'till it revealed his wild, golden pelt. I noticed his closed eyes and still figure; he was knocked out cold. It was like he was only sleeping the day away, but still, no one couldn't forget his cute smile, and the way his purple eyes reflect the azure flecks of mine.

"I guess that Prince Charming and his trusty lizard are unable to battle..." Nidoking laughed. "That leaves only you, human girl. This is going to be easy..."

Exasperated, I whipped my gaze at him, glaring daggers.

"You can't just go around in circles underestimating girls!" I hollered. Nidoking smirked and burrowed his way through the crust, making it underground. It was obviously Dig. I stood my ground, standing still so he wouldn't find me. If I would've moved, he would hear me from my pawsteps, lurch out from the ground in the very last second and strike me in the stomach, or other someplace different from that.

He sprung out the ground elsewhere away from me, snarling loudly in frustration.

"You little-" Nidoking growled, starting his Sludge Wave. I leapt out the way and managed to scramble atop his back, clinging hard like a Joltik who was about to spend its last day on the world. He snorted and reared wildly like a mad Rapidash, and I swear I could hear Blake's muffled laughing from below.

"This ends now, Nidoking!"

"Get off me, you filthy, human girl!" He roared, trying hard to shake me off. I let go, flipping backwards high in the air, starting my Blizzard and released it on high speed, engulfing Nidoking with angry snowflakes. Landing on the ground, I dashed forward and slammed my Aqua Tail against his back. He immediately turned around, quickly smacking me on the throat with Throat Chop.

"K-Kate..." Blake stuttered, struggling to get up. I coughed and choked, struggling to breathe from resultant suffering. Taking this as a chance to defeat me, Nidoking charged with Horn Attack. I gasped and grabbed his horn with my own paws, 'till my hind paws slid and pushed me against the wall. His horn looked threatening enough, ready to sink its sharp, curved edge on my chest.

Adrenaline pumped on my nerves as I grappled with his horn; if I gave up and let go, his horn would stab me right at my heart, ending me completely. I couldn't just let him. I wouldn't let him!

"You should just give up right now, human girl. I'll show that Norsoe that I am strong by showing him your dead, lifeless body. This would've surely pleased him. Give up." Nidoking smirked, putting more strength, his horn edging closer to my chest. My muscles burned due to sheer pressure, as it was almost overly worked up from my last battles.

"N-No..."

"What? Still hopeful that your prince or someone will come and save you? Don't be an optimist!"

"I... I don't need... someone to save me." I said, gritting my teeth with a trickle of sweat. "I... can protect, myself, and more truly..." I added, finding the strength to push him back by a few inches. "I... am not... a damsel... in distress!"

Nidoking yelped in surprize as I planted my back paws on the wall for leverage and lurched forward, pushing him backwards. He fell on his back and crashed on the ground.

"I-Impossible!" He roared, incredulously. "A weakling like you shouldn't be able to overpower the strength of a Nidoking!"

I smirked, pretending to pat the dust away from my front paws.

"I just did," I replied, rather plainly. He roared in frustration once again, burrowing away into the ground in haste. I rolled my eyes and shifted in concern for Blake.

"You all right?" I asked.

"I am, thanks. Y-You were... awesome back there."

"Not really. That was for you guys."

"Your nose is bleeding." He told me. I shrugged and wiped the blood away with a paw. Blake grunted and held my back for support, limping in every step.

"Philip is going to need someone to carry him, though." I said, taking a glance on the electric fox.

"Why won't you do it?" Blake suggested with a smirk. I blushed, giving a sigh and pulled Philip up on my back. I tried hard not to blush at the way his fur ran against my pelt, drawing me in sheer embarassment. It felt exactly the same on that day when we almost stared the whole day away, with me leaning on his shoulder. I couldn't get why I pushed aside the thought of being embarrassed that day.

Perplexing, I thought.

"Lonnie!" We called.

"Where are you?" Blake yelled, limping on one leg.

"B-Blake?" Lonnie whispered, revaling herself just on the left corridor. "You're all right!" She cried, tackling both of us in a hug. "What happened to Philip?"

"He got knocked out when Nidoking just rammed him on the wall. I think he needs a little help by now." I answered.

"Follow me." Lonnie says as she led us through the dungeon. We found Watchog lying against the wall, looking peaceful and comfortable.

"Glad you made it. Thank you for saving my butt back there." He sniffled. "Oh my. Is your boyfriend all right, miss? He seriously needs some rest!"

Blushing sharply, I shook my head in a violent protest.

"I-I'm sorry sir, there has to be some mistake!" I yelped in dissaproval. "W-Were not together, by any means..."

Blake and Lonnie laughed as they treated their wounds. This was seriously the hundredth time someone had mistaken us for a couple! Holy, Arceus, had mercy, these people are exaggerating over it! I sighed, laid Philip on a corner, and I lied beside him, examining the electric fox. No broken bones, no serious injuries, just a few bruises on his mangled pelt. It told me he'd be alright; he just needs a peaceful rest.

Together, we sat by the fire Blake had made, out from a few sticks and a Flamethrower. Lonnie shook her head as she put a few band-aids on my bleeding nose, my arm, and a bandage around my head.

"It's a good thing your ice crystal on your head didn't break from the impact." She laughed while treating me. "Otherwise..."

"Ow..."

"Sorry."

"Otherwise?"

"Otherwise, things could've ended up badly. Oh well, who cares? No one thought or saw that a Glaceon's crystal can ever break. They say its ice is unbreakable. That's what makes it, you, and the other ones unique."

I raised a brow at her, questioning her opinion.

"Just the ice crystal?"

Lonnie giggled, grinning brightly.

"Not just the crystal." She replied with a wink. "I'll leave you two alone for now." She added, walking away towards Blake. I turned to Philip, who was now stiffling a cute yawn.

"You're awake!" I beamed, wrapping my arms around him in a hug.

"Ow, ow, ow! Geez, I appreciate the concern, but you've got to stop! It hurts!"

"S-Sorry..." I whispered, feeling halfly crestfallen. He smiled, once again ruffling my fur.

"It's kind of cute, though, Kate-ey cake." The electric fox remarked, calling me by the nickname he made. I blushed, turning away.

"Everyone? I'm afraid we have to stay here for the night." I announced. "Though we had to watch out from dungeon Pokémon, I think this is the best choice."

"Cool! Like a sleepover..." Watchog beamed.

"Except this one is dangerous when other Pokémon can beat the living daylights out of you." Philip smirked.

"Oh,"

"Be nice..." I whined at the Jolteon. We ate a small dinner of berries after that; no one could spend the night being hungry.

"This should heal you right up." Lonnie assured, pawing me an Aguav Berry. "Sorry Kate, but we're out of Oran Berries..."

"It's alright." I told her, taking a bite, though I made awful faces while doing so. Philip was about to take a bite out of his berry, but he stopped and looked at me in the eyes.

"We could at least switch berries," He offered.

"No thanks," I refused with a blush. "Besides, it is your favorite berry. I can stand without Oran Berries for a night."

"Correction. It's our favorite berry. Do you think you can get over it just because you can stand it? Aguav Berries confuse Pokémon who dislikes bitter flavors. You hate bitter flavors."

"I'm not a Pokémon." I replied with a moue, keeping my voice low.

"Well, you are right now, in that form of yours."

"Well, fine. You seemed persistent just to trade berries." I said, exchanging with him.

"I just... I just care about you." Philip murmured quietly, a little sheepishly. We both blushed like timid folks, biting down our traded berries to repress the awkward moment. Blushing immensely, I finished with my food and lied down, resting my head on my paws.

"I guess this is the first I get to sleep with you guys." Philip grinned, lying down beside me.

"It is." I replied. "But it would be better if I could see even a single star in here. It's not as simple than looking out of your window."

"But why count on that when I could simply see a star that was right in front of me?"

Confused, I whipped my gaze around; where is it and how pretty was it?

"Where?" I asked, baffled.

"You." Philip answered, like he wasn't aware of the cliché wording. It was as if I was beginning to melt from warmth under my Glaceon exterior, blushing madly at his response. He chuckled, so sillily that it made me giggle and laugh, though I was tired of all those fights I had today.

With a yawn, I sighed, nestling into his mane in comfort. He stared warmly, 'till he smiled and nuzzled into my neck, resting his head on mine. Finally dozing off, I shifted into a deep slumber, 'till the only thing I heard was a deep, long sound of a racing heartbeat.