"I was starting to think you would show some spine and ditch us to have some fun with Charcole." Cynder slapped him on the back.
"Get a life Davenport!" Draco shoved him.
Raychu burst into laughter. Cynder straighten out the red bandana around his neck and unruffled his jacket. He saw Chester stretching, with Drow and Rosie doing some training. Smear sat eating a hot dog and slurping a soda.
As the announcer introduced the teams Draco walked to the center of the gym with his team. He couldn't get his mind off Cole. The day they shared together.
He saw a few other pokémon dressed as richly as he was. He waved to the crowd as his name was blared. He had made several fans since his intro into this scene. Standing there waiting for the opening announcements to be made drew him away. Drew him into the old days.
He was back standing before the crowd. A charmander. Ace pumping a fist in the air, the crowd cheering him on. Jesus and Drake standing next to them. Drake’s trainer looking infuriated. Frustration on his face when very few cheered him on once his name was announced.
“Hey Draco! Good luck.” Drake smiling and encouraging him.
“You too Drake! Hey you better hope we don’t wind up fighting each other, I don’t feel like knocking around my friend!” Draco laughed.
“Hey! You better hope not! I’ll be the one to win!” Drake laughing along with him.
That was so long ago. The two growing up together. He wondered about those left behind during the war. Was Drake killed? Was he one of the few who survived? Draco hadn’t seen Drake when Ace fought Jesus during the Rocket war. He wished he knew what happened to Drake. He snapped out of it as he made his way to the locker rooms.
As he pulled off his shirt and hanging it in his locker he wondered if he lost his way? Had he been looking for his father? No he had been making money and now he was romancing Charcole. Had he lost sight of his goal?
"No! He ain't around yet so does it matter what I do till he shows up?"
"Quit feeling guilty about being happy. After the shit we went through during the damn war and then you almost dying, we deserve some good times." Cynder undid his handkerchief from around his throat.
"Though he was rather vulgar he was also rather right. Stop feeling guilty Draco." She hopped onto the bench to kiss his cheek.
He felt better, he was ready for the battles ahead. Smear cheered loudly as Cynder took the floor. He squinted his eyes as he squared off with a Golem.
"Cynder Davenport versus The Quake Machine, Dash Rocker!" Cynder flared up his fire pores around his neck.
Cynder was faster than most would think, he singed Dash before he could get any attacks in. He leapt gracefully and slashed with fierceness he exploited fully. Cynder saw some very hot Ty does watching, he began to show boat. His mistake, Dash used rollout to pound Cynder merciless.
"Quit showing off moron! Just get in there and use your brain!" Draco yelled.
"Sounds like Cynder's coach is upset with his performance!" Draco hated announcers. "Davenport better get his head on straight before he loses this match!"
Cynder shook off the last hit. Here came Rocker again. He waited, huddled holding his aching sides. He saw the boulder of a monster bearing down on him. Then before the rollout would hit him Cynder kicked. The golem flew into the stadium wall. Spitting a victory pyre he winked at the Ty females.
Rosie slapped a Cleffa into submission. The little impish Pichu impressed the crowd. Four straight wins before being fainted by a Fearow she got a large round of applause as she was taken to the locker rooms.
Ray zapped his way to win all six of his fights. He stood enjoying his cheering fans as the gyarados he fought flopped helplessly still smoking and a few sparks sprang from his skin.
Chester won five of six. His last match was declared a draw since he and the young Mew hyper beamed each other into blacking out. Draco let him know he was proud.
Drowxena mesmerized her foes to take all six wins. Smear cheered loudly from his front row seat. Draco had been taught by her how to channel his rage into quick thinking. He never forgot her coaching, she made him the warrior he was now.
"Now Draco takes the stage himself! Let's see what this coach has! We've seen his team do some awesome feats tonight!"
Draco smirked, no matter what the prize money was already theirs. He had the crowd admiration. His fists knocked out a Hitmon Chan, he out flamed a Houndour, Draco took his claws heavily to the Fearow that knocked out Rosie.
When a shuckle appeared he laughed and kicked it clear out of the ring. He had trouble with a Corasola. Every time it seemed the damn thing was out it bounced back up. He had to use his brains. He switched himself out for Ray, once the shell fish was shocked and paralyzed he entered Drow to confuse it. He returned to dragon rage it. He slashed but, was thrown back by a bubble beam. He shook it off and unleashed a flamethrower.
It yowled as it flopped around. Draco realized he got in a burn bonus. He went into overdrive with his attacks. He won, they took the prize money. He couldn't wait to get home. He had Charcole waiting. Cynder sat polishing the trophy, Rosie out of a joke was placed inside, she slept comfortably inside.
Raychu slept, he used up a lot of power frying that gyarados. Smear slept next to Drow, she smiled as she petted his head. Chester ate some burgers in his three seats. Draco closed his eyes and just enjoyed the ride from down town to their apartment.
When home everyone was too tired to celebrate. Ray unfolded his bed and laid down Rosie. He curled next to her and fell almost instantly asleep. Chester didn't mind giving up his spot on the couch for the pichu. He spread out a blanket and slept in front of the TV.
Draco found Cole sleeping in his bed, he was tempted to wake her. Instead he undressed and took a pillow. He took his spot on the floor. He had to take things slow like Drow had told him so many weeks ago as they fled Emerald into Johto.
Drow was right, Charcole still loved him. He slept with ease, he was tired. And as he slept he didn't know he was being watched. He came in and just slept. He didn't even dare touch her. This was worse than thinking he was trying to use her. She quietly cried thinking he was repulsed by her.
In the morning she woke to his lips against hers. He softly stroked her chin. She smiled as he slowly topped her. Draco was tender to her. He made her feel that she was the center of his whole world.
She woke to his touch, not the one she dreamed. She felt him caress her cheek with his fingers. He kissed her before leaving the room. She sat up and stretched. He was a gentle brute, he always was. Was he only showing her kindness out of friendship?
Was that how he saw her, a friend? She stumbled out of bed, she found one of his robes. She slide into it, in the kitchen Chester was making pancakes.
Since coming here Chester was becoming quite the chef. Charcole ate in silence. Cynder was complaining about Chester's snoring and Rosie smeared syrup everywhere for fun. Draco sat down, he kissed Cole’s cheek.
"Eeeewwww!" Rosie stuck out her tongue.
"So what do we have on the agenda?" Draco pulled his collar out of his robe pocket.
Ray didn't answer. Draco turned to see he was gone. Draco asked Cynder who shrugged his shoulders. Chester said he mentioned going to the store for a six pack.
"It's seven and he is already out getting beer." Draco grabbed the agenda. "Well looks like we each have the day to ourselves."
"Cool! I have to have time to myself!" Cynder sighed in relief.
"So Cole what do you want to do today?" Draco asked her.
"I would like to see that garden again." She felt him swift her off her feet in that garden, she even had the marigold he cut for her in a vase.
"No problem. Just a quick stop at the bank to deposit the check and we can spend the day sight seeing again." He heard someone knocking on the door.
In came Raychu without his six pack. Instead he had a slender black box in his paws. He handed it to Draco. He gave him a wink. Draco opened it and smiled. He turned to Cole.
"I was saving this for today but, it looks like our little friend here got the jump on me. I discussed this with Ray yesterday morning." He took the red collar out. "Your tag, Cole. Pokémon aren't allowed on the streets without one."
"So I'm now Charcole Aphrodite. What does that mean?" She let him place it on her.
"Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love and beauty." He kissed her.
"Yuck! What you trying to make me lose my cakes!" Rosie shouted.
"Behave Rosie." Ray began to clean up the syrup.
To be continued..........