Draco found not even a trace scent of Chad in the city. Ace came up empty handed too. They were months early before Chad's arrival. Other words lost again. Drow blamed herself but, the others didn't.
"We are almost out of cash Ace!" Laura snapped when they complained as she brought tins of sardines and potted meat.
"Oh! Beef lips and chicken butts!" Nero popped open a can of potted meat.
"I'll kill you Nero! If you don't shut up I swear I'll kill you!" He backed off.
"I'm not going to sit here and listen to this!" He tossed on his infamous green cloak.
"Where are you going!" Nero yelled.
"To work!" He smiled while Yana gave them the same smile from Ace's shoulder.
"Tackle! Tackle! Punch! Get those fists up Grendal!" Grendal surged forward with his hand hammering the geodude. "Finish with head butt!"
The rock creature fell unable to stand. Money exchanged hands, Ace pocketed it. Another hour found Ace ordering Totodile, then it was Lickatung's chance. Ace was gathering money.
"Aaaaaace!" Nero cheered, Laura laughed.
“Hey boss. This is pretty damn cool! We got trainers lined up to have their butts kicked!” Yana laughed. “Their pokémon are all saying you are a master!”
“Is that so? Well let’s not prove them wrong huh Yana?” Ace smirked and his Yanma did so as well.
“Damn right boss!” The bug laughed.
Watching his friends Ace wondered what these feelings were? Was he opening up to Laura? He couldn't allow it. He merely waved and returned to his work. Another challenger came along. Draco wasted every monster in her line up.
They had spent a month fighting in the wilds surrounding Poké City. Ace knew that they arrived early but, he didn't know how early. Attempting to travel further into the future was a waste since Chad's arrival time was an uncertainty.
Draco took half the earnings. Ace said he was entitled to it. He bought several items and often they consisted of some kind of meat product. Staying in rat bitten hotels was the biggest gripe. Always having to sneak Draco in and then the company that hung around these places were revolting.
Draco couldn't sleep this night. It wasn't anything that was bothering his mind, it was the couple next door. Ace cussed as the groans and moans filtered through the walls. Slamming a fist against the wall Ace really let them have it! Laura held pillows to her ears. Ace kept right on pounding on the wall shouting obscenities.
They found themselves in the cold and dark night. Management tossed them all out. Ace fell forward as the troublesome Maril couple attacked him. Trying to fend them off Ace swore up a storm.
"Get out of my face damnit!" Ace pulled a gun on them.
"Hey! We wuz wrong, we'll be on ourz way." The male sweated as he stared down the barrel.
"Ace!" Laura slapped him.
"Hey it wasn't like I was going to shoot the fuzzy bastards for real!" He flipped the safety back on before he returned it to its holster.
"That is so sweet to know!" She stole his cloak, wrapping herself in it she started to walk on. "Now we need to find some where else to stay."
"That place was a rat hole!" Draco held his tail close to her trying to keep her warm.
"That it was but, it was warm at least!"
"Yeah and it had cable! It had a bathroom, it had beds!" Nero sulked.
"It had roaches big enough to carry off Draco!" Ace shivered as they walked.
"We could stay at the Pokémon center." Nero suggested.
"Oh yeah! After Draco pumped her Toise!" Ace shouted.
"She came on to me! And I told you nothing happened!" Draco barked, it wasn't like he started it.
“Too bad, she was kinda cute.” Yana laughed.
Draco and Ace looked at him. The dragonfly looked at both back and forth. He wondered what was with the staring contest. He suddenly got the gist of the moment.
“What! I can’t see cuteness in non-bug types?” The bug whirled his wings.
He shivered as he thought of the turtle and after she tried to tempt him Joy had walked in then freaked out on him. His frustration was high. It had been four years since the last time he played and what was he offered? A horny Toise! In Amber when he heard that most of the castle's pokémon were killed and Charcole among them. He allowed himself to take those hens that came to him.
When Arrow appeared torn to hell, and he found out that Charcole was alive Draco felt as if he came alive again. He devoted his heart to her. She was the one for him.
He recalled the sweet scent of her, her tongue licking his cheek. He promised her his heart long ago. She wrapped her arms around him and swore to be his mate when the time came. He woke, snorting he thought of how he was a fool then. He was a charmeleon swearing a life pledge to her.
The fire crackled, the humans slept warm and satisfied. He wondered if his life would be different if he stayed next to her when Ace fled Emerald after Angel announced the pending marriage between her and Jesus. Would have Ace hated him if he stayed with Angel's Charcole?
"Doesn't matter now. She hates all males." Draco whispered to himself before sleep took hold.
To be continued..........