FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The following chapter takes place three years after the conclusion of the original TOTGM series. Long after the initial story comes to an end, Chris Nakazaki comes to establish the Guardinian Valley within the circle of nine mountains that once surrounded the village he grew up in. Between the base of each pair of mountains lies a gate donning a radiant golden sheen, offering nine secured entrances to Guardinia that only those personally accepted by the Nakazaki family may pass. The village that housed the seniors from TOTGM is now gone and in its place is a spectacular city, the buildings heavily inspired by Roman/Greek architecture with various modern touches that spans every inch of space contained within the wall of mountains, with rivers and fountains seamlessly entwined within its layout. By day the sunrise and sunset turns the city a spectacular shade of gold as well, while under the moon there's a heavenly white glow that swallows the city. And in th e center of it all is the spectacular castle-like manor Chris built to house and protect his family. This chapter features one of many refugees seeking a sanctuary of acceptance and safety in a world that often turns a blind eye to such individuals, with word of this person quickly making its way to the founder of the valley as he steps out onto a balcony overlooking the glowing city he created as the moon shines above, his family safely and peacefully slumbering as he enjoys a rare taste of silence after another typical day of the women he loves squabbling over his affections and the children he holds dear fighting for his attention just the same...

Special 1 - The Runaway

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Glimpse At The Future https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew0vGxOIyHs Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

"All these years, and they STILL can't let up against one another..." Chris sighed while leaning over the stone edge of the balcony. "Serenity and Alicia, what am I gonna do with those two?" he added. "They adore each others kids, why can't they get along themselves?" he asked. Suddenly blinking, he looked down curiously, tugging his collar to get a look at the glowing blue stone embedded in his chest. "W-Well, don't get me wrong. I'm grateful to have them no matter what." he laughed nervously as though he were talking to someone, the stone letting out a flash before going dim. Looking at it for a moment, his expression slowly turned somehow somber, thinking "...Hard to believe that happened." as he recollected the disaster that left him with the stone merged into his body, his face twisting slightly when he recalled a colossal explosion before quickly shaking the memory from his mind, gripping his staff with a tremble in his hand as he settled down. "All this time and that still gets to me." he groaned. "Not many would be able to return from a thing like that... You're very fortunate to have the friends that you do." a voice suddenly spoke up from behind. Jolting, Chris turned to see Ninetales walking out from the hallway the doors nearby exited from. "I'm even more impressed you've managed to bond with those within you. Such a tranquil coexistence is nigh impossible, I would think." she added while sitting next to him. "It helps to be a people person." Chris smiled, giving his collar another tug and taking another look at the stone. "It was a great sacrifice to save you, never forget that." she affirmed, getting an "I know" and a nod in response from him. Looking at Chris for a moment, Ninetales turned her attention to the moon then hovered her gaze along the sprawling city before them.

"In three years time, you and those you've bonded with came together and created this... After my time with you and your grandfather, I'll admit I've found some form of respect for your kind... You've done well indeed." she nodded. "I'd like to think he knew this would be the result of it all. Despite my cursing his descendant, he never looked at me as anything less than a friend, just as you, the one who took on that curse did... Though he never went so far as to bawl to me and call me mother." the fox teased, causing Chris to scowl. "Nor' did he ever have the nerve to look at me and argue with me as you've done." she smirked as he scratched his cheek. "I always found that curious about you. Through our bond you became so much like me, I suppose it was inevitable that I'd accept you as my own kin." she praised. "It took you long enough! I only had to, you know, to make you finally see that." Chris reminded, causing the fox to sweat slightly and face away. "I-I didn't force you to do that." she affirmed. "It's what a person does for someone they care about. No matter how you may have acted toward me along the way I'd never have wanted you to go like that." Chris point out, Ninetales looking at him again. "...I was willing to endure it with you though, you know. Despite how I may have acted, it's not something you should have forced yourself to take on alone." she reminded. "Well, what's done is done. We both made it out alright in the end." Chris smirked while reaching out and placing his hand on Ninetales head, giving the fox a pet. "I think the hardest thing to believe is the way I actually managed to summon you in the flesh. That really surprised both of us!" he laughed. "I'll still never understand how you managed to drag my being all the way here in such an instant." she replied.

"Never doubt the power of a bond." Chris point out with his head held high and a proud smirk on his face. "You think I would allow myself to bond with a human that closely?" Ninetales asked. "Says the fox letting me pet her right now." Chris grinned, causing her to jolt and scowl with her ears down. "Gotcha." he chuckled. "So, you'll be leaving here again soon, correct?" Ninetales replied. "Yeah, it won't be much longer until the Legend sails off. I'll have to be there for the unveiling and departure... I'm going to be the Captain after all." Chris sighed. "It'll be good to take another trip with the Smith's and Rostron again." he added. "They helped me out so much with preparing and all... I can't let them down." he affirmed. "There's still a good while left though, so I'm thinking about taking another journey along the way. See a few more places, meet a few new people, then be at the company in time to head out to sea." Chris went on, looking out toward the mountains. "A new beginning to a new tale then, eh?" Ninetales replied. "Something like that... I hope I can count on you to watch my back along the way again." Chris grinned. "Physically I believe I'll stay here, I've grown rather comfortable in this city." the fox yawned. "Uh huh, and the fact everybody who lives here pretty much worships you isn't part of that reason?" he grinned slyly, Ninetales showing slight sweat and scowling. "These humans merely know their place is all. I couldn't care less about that." she affirmed. "Says the one with statues dedicated to her throughout the city." Chris reminded. "That was YOUR doing!" she affirmed. "Bah, you know you love it." he laughed, causing her to grumble. "You also chose a fairly simple name for the place." she added.

"Eh, thought it sounded nice. Guardinia has that kind of soft sound to it, sounds all cozy and stuff." Chris affirmed. "And it has nothing to do with the fact this location is littered with the flowering plant life you humans call gardenias so it was easy for you to change the spelling a little?" Ninetales point out with a smug grin, causing him to growl and respond with a "touche" in response. "That's what you get for smart-mouthing me." the fox laughed in a teasingly haughty manner. "P-Please don't do that, you sound too much like Alicia that way." Chris groaned. Remaining together on the balcony a while longer, the two enjoyed the silent view of the land around them, the random couple seen strolling beneath the lanterns lining the cobblestone streets that trail through the city. "That's another curious thing..." Ninetales point out, looking at a man walking alongside a Blaziken, the pair laughing and noticing a woman who found herself suddenly lift into a Machoke's arms that had been walking with her, causing the woman to giggle and cuddle the Pokemon while the man and Blaziken looked back at them before surprising the man by lifting him in its arms. While the woman was thrilled to be in her Machoke's embrace, the man flailed and argued in irritation as the two couples went in different directions. "What? Just a pair of lovebirds." Chris shrugged. "Not your ordinary lovebirds is my point." Ninetales affirmed as they watched them disappear into the city. "You created this land as a haven for your family and those who raised you, built it upon the ashes of that disaster, and turned it into a haven for those who seek the same intimacy with the Pokemon by their side as a human would normally seek from another human... The rest of the world surely doesn't take to such a place very well." the fox explained. "Since when have I cared about what the rest of the world thinks when it comes to personal matters?" Chris scowled.

"When we founded this valley, I declared its independence from the rest of Ureaxion, so within these mountains the rules and opinions of this region and the rest of the world don't matter..." he reminded. "People have more freedom to live and love how they want here without having to put up with how other people feel about them. The awkwardness of it all is gone once people start living here and seeing others are just like them. They get to finally see, to realize they aren't so weird after all." Chris nodded. "Besides, it was because humans became too arrogant to accept and maintain these relationships with Pokemon that it quit happening... We both know this used to happen all over the world in the past, but when humans got too full of themselves, they started seeing Pokemon more as utilities than partners... I reversed that here, nothing more or less. I gave people back their option and right to be with the ones they love like this, no matter what the one they love might be." Chris smirked, Ninetales looking up at him before showing a smirk of her own. "And we as Pokemon wouldn't have come to loathe them for their betrayal had humans maintained their bonds with both us and nature alike. That podium they grasp is one which has blinded them to so much in this world... So deep down, Pokemon also pity them." the fox added. "Of course, you also had to do something about polygamy being an issue among your kind, right?" she point out with a sly smirk, making Chris jolt and sweat slightly. "Gotcha." she teased, tossing his own word back at him as he cleared his throat, a small blush showing from being embarrassed. About to respond, Chris was cut off when a pair of men in white cloaks with hoods, lined with gold patterns arrived at the doors, a Lucario and a Riolu stepping out from behind the two.

"Mr. Nakazaki, sir..." one spoke up, both bowing slightly with their hand on their chest. Raising an eyebrow, Chris responded with a "yes?" as he and Ninetales turned to the men. "There's an... Issue... At the Fifth Gate, we'd like to explain but..." the man on the left paused, the two looking at one another before looking at Chris again. "We believe it's better for you to come take a look, sir." the man on the right finished. "Problem at the gate...?" Chris muttered. "Is it a threat?" he asked. "We wouldn't say that, no. It's still a problem nonetheless." the man on the left affirmed. "We'd make a decision ourselves, but given the circumstance we thought it best to have you come and decide for yourself once you see." the man on the right coaxed. "Gotta be serious, threat or no if you went through the effort to get me like this..." Chris replied, crossing his arms while thinking before nodding. "Alright, I'll come. What about you?" he asked, looking at Ninetales as the fox hovered her gaze along the mountains. "...My presence isn't needed. You'll be fine." she assured. "Our apologies, sir, but it's best we hurry." the man on the left affirmed. Nodding, Chris took his staff in hand and quickly followed the two, leaving Ninetales on the balcony as she let out another yawn and continued relaxing. making his way through the corridors of the manor, Chris followed the men into the entrance chamber, where in the center hung a massive and spectacular chandelier lighting a special replica of the Grand Staircase he'd had built into his abode. At the center, hanging high upon the wall was a colossal painting of Chris and the girls, all smiling as he sat in the middle of them with Serenity and Rose at his sides and Alicia proudly looming behind.

On his lap, a small Ralts could be seen holding onto one of his arms while a small Buneary could be seen trying to shyly hide behind his other, attempting to pull it in front of its face while peeking at the artist who made the picture. Between them were three Snivy, each showing an agitated expression for their own reasons as one glanced at the Buneary while another focused on the Ralts, likely urked by their clingy nature toward Chris while the third sat right in the middle, unhappily squished between the rest. Making their way out of the entrance, the group hurried through the cobblestone streets as the two men instructed their Pokemon to follow along Chris's sides instead, acting as guards. "I can handle myself you know. Besides, we're in the city and you said there's no threat where we're headed." he reminded. "No offense sir but it's better for our own sake. Remember what happened to the agent that left you alone a few months ago?" the man running ahead of him to the left point out. "Ah, yeah... I separated myself by accident when he wasn't paying attention and got distracted by the locals during a flea market gathering... By the time the girls came out to find me and took me home they found the guy who was with me hanging upside down by that chandelier... Poor fellas boxers ripped right off and he landed right smack dab in the center of the room... That's my Serenity for you." Chris laughed nervously. "Madam Serenity makes it very clear you're not to be ignored when you're with us." the man running ahead on the right affirmed, the two Pokemon running at Chris's sides grunting with a nod. "Okay, okay... I know she gives all of you a hard time." he sighed as they continued along.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Almost Made It... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fRaWZji_Co&pbjreload=10 Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

Eventually, they finally made it to the Fifth Gate entry point to the valley, the group pausing as guards opened it and allowed Chris and those with him to pass through. "Alright, we're here... Now what am I supposed to see?" he asked, looking around. "It's over in the woods nearby." one of the men point out before they led him further along, the two pulling out flashlights and help guide them along. After a few minutes, they reached an area where agents had gathered donning identical cloaks, their flashlights brightly showing as they murmured among one another until noticing the men and Chris behind them. "Alright everyone, what's the deal here?" he asked, walking up as they looked at one another. "W-We're not exactly sure what to say about this one... It's better you see for yourself." one of the men replied. "That line again?" Chris scowled, raising an eyebrow before nodding as the group began separating, allowing him to walk through. Looking down, he paused when he saw what appeared to be a large, raggedy cloth strewn out on the ground before him. Looking at the group, they motioned for him to move the fabric, and doing as coaxed, Chris reached down and took it in hand, beginning to lift it only to freeze when he saw the bruised and scratched hand of another person stick out as the cloth moved in his grasp. His eyes widening, Chris shook off his startled state and raised up, taking a breath before yanking the cloth away that had acted as a blanket for the person beneath. Lying before him was a woman, blonde haired and skin as white as the moon shining down from above them, no older than her early twenties covered in the same scratches and bruises that appeared on her hand.

Without a shred of clothing on her, all the woman had donned was the fabric Chris had just pulled away, showing various markings where she'd appeared to have been tied up at some point along her wrists and ankles, even signs of suffering seen around her neck. With his eyes widened and color completely gone, Chris found him at a loss of words from the scene before him, the gruesome sight so close to his sanctuary. Collecting himself as best he could, Chris reached down and worked the woman onto her back, and when he did he revealed a sight all the more nightmarish that forced him to yank himself back and urk with his hand over his mouth. Looking past the womans lips as her own mouth slightly opened, it was revealed that shed had her frontal teeth, both upper and lowers carelessly removed, all signs pointing toward her being a likely slave of some sort and used for purposes none of the group gathered around could muster the nerve to say. With the front of her body in the same tattered state as the rest, her face swollen around her cheeks and one of her eyes, the woman had endured what was clearly far more than the normal human could manage, topped with somehow managing to pass through the mountainous path and make it so close to the entrance to the valley. With her bare feet covered in blisters, she likely tried to sneak her way along from wherever she came, clearly avoiding beaten paths with only the tattered fabric to shield her from the elements. Quickly taking the cloth back in hand, Chris put it back over her body so only her head was sticking out, showing her abused face under the flashlights of the group. Jolting, he looked at them and was about to order them to turn off the lights, jerking one away from one of the men only to pause when another exclaimed "look there!!" with a finger pointed.

Pausing, Chris looked down as the woman reacted to the multiple lights shining in her face, wincing as subtly as one possibly could, just barely enough for the eye to notice before her head limply rest to the side. "Th-The girl's alive...?" another said in awe, all of them equally shocked into a frozen state by her endurance. "We had no idea! When we examined her moments ago there was no reaction! We couldn't even pick up a pulse!" a third point out. Quickly rushing to the woman, Chris got on his knees and held her face. "H-Hey... Hey...!! L-Lady!!" he coaxed, softly patting her where she wasn't swollen, only to get no response as he felt her neck for a pulse, followed by her wrists then pressed his ear to her breast. After a moment, his eyes widened as he slowly raised up. "Sh-She really IS alive..." he muttered. "I think it's whatever happened to her neck and all, that's why you can't get much of a reading... Her heart isn't much better off though, it's barely going." Chris affirmed. Looking at the group around him, Chris nodded before looking down at the woman and handing his staff to one of the agents who'd brought him and taking the woman in his arms. "I need to get back to the manor! All of you, lead the way!" he ordered, the group responding with a collective "Yes sir!" and quickly doing as told. "How did you find this woman?" he asked. "It was that Lucario and Riolu, they picked up on her aura, though there was so little of it to track it took us a minute to pin-point exactly where she was once we got close." a female guard replied from beneath her hood. "See to it they get a big feast at my manor tonight before they leave. Hold nothing back. Give em' the best. Tell the staff that's an order from me." Chris affirmed, the woman nodding with a "sir" in response as the Lucario and Riolu followed behind, briefly showing excitement only to notice the woman's arms and legs limply dangling from Chris's embrace as he carried her along making the two return to a somber look. making their way back to the city, they stopped long enough to properly conceal the woman, wrapping her in one of the blankets the guards kept within their outpost and tossing the fabric she'd had in the trash.

Ordering the group that had waited with the woman to surround him, Chris used the agents as a wall of sorts to shield the woman from the sight of those walking the streets of the city as they made their way along back to his home. Once they finally arrived, Chris began walking up the stairs, only for an agent to ask "Should we tell the others?" making him pause and look back. "No... Just leave my staff by the doors there and see to it those two Pokemon get their reward. The two agents who led me to the rest of you can see to that. As far as everyone else, you can return to your jobs. I'll arrange something for you when I can as well." Chris assured, the group standing together with a collective "sir!" in response, their fists on their chests in a unified solute manner before making their way out of the chamber, the two agents and Pokemon that had taken him to the woman heading in the opposite direction toward the dining room and kitchen. Resuming his trek up the stairs, once at the top Chris let out a winded "woof" of sorts, shaking his head before continuing along the corridor before him. Along the walls, paintings could be seen of Chris and the girls adventures together, one showing him climbing a cliff with Serenity as a Ralts in his arm, torch burning in his mouth while another showed him running by Alicia as a Snivy during her rehabilitation, a third showing Rose as a Mega Lopunny standing before him ready to fight at the gym in Millennium, just to name a few of the various moments caught on canvas. Passing by a large set of doors, within the girls deeply slumbered in his bed, cracked just enough to see Serenity sprawled out with her foot against Alicia's cheek and Rose with a leg over Serenity.

In the following room on the opposite side of the hall soundly slept the offspring they'd brought into the world, now three years in age and born at nearly the same time. Within their own cracked door, they could be seen sharing a bed of their own and in similar positions as the girls, a little Snivy with its tail flopped over a little Ralts, a little Buneary laying across the second Snivy, and the third stuck in the middle of the lot, almost dog piled over in a sense. Continuing along, Chris passed the same balcony doors he'd stepped out of for a moment of peace before coming to a guest room, awkwardly working the handle before nudging the door open with his foot. Carrying the woman inside, he used his elbow to just as awkwardly flip the light switch and carry her to the bed, carefully lying her on her back. "Oh man..." Chris muttered, looking at the woman before lifting her upper lip with his thumb, noticing all her other teeth were fine except those taken from the front. "How sick can you be...?" he asked. "Humans know no bounds, as they say..." a voice spoke up from behind, causing Chris to shoot up before looking back at Ninetales who sat by the door. "So, you've brought another one... And a HUMAN this time..." she point out, walking up for her own look and sitting by his side. "What a sorry state." the fox added. "What do you intend to do with her?" she asked, looking at Chris as he reached out and felt the woman's face and arms. "This isn't her own weight, it's just swelling... She's just skin and bones under the wounds..." he muttered. "She was lighter than a feather when I carried her all the way here... I don't know where to start." he groaned. Continuing to look at him, Ninetales shook her head before looking at the woman.

"You've no idea if this one is diseased, perhaps has some addiction, there are many things that make one look this way." the fox reminded. "Oh come on, you KNOW what happened to her." Chris affirmed. "Disinfectant if a good call, something to stop and bring down the swelling... But there's her feet too, and no telling WHEN she last ate was..." he began muttering, Ninetales looking at him once more before letting out a sigh. Standing up, the fox suddenly made a leap into the air and softly touched down atop the woman, standing over her making Chris panic. "Relax, she can't even feel me. I can adjust my weight as need be, remember?" the fox point out, making him relax as she looked down at the woman, her eyes suddenly flashing and maintaining a glow as she started examining the near-death visitor. "Just as I thought, diseased..." she revealed. "Her body can't keep up with the infections, some contracted from the wounds, and some seem transmitted, through obvious means of course..." she added, looking at Chris with a "congratulations, your diagnosis was correct" remark. "There's various bones that are cracked, her vascular system is in ruins where she's been bound... Choked as well I'd say..." Ninetales went on. "My my, the ones who held her showed no mercy." she muttered while stepping back and looking toward the woman's lower body. "There are various fissures where copulation occurred, both within the front and rear entries... With treatment though, despite the extent I'd say she could recover." Ninetales assured. Looking at the woman, Chris turned his attention toward the fox with a stern look on his face. "The stuff she has that was transmitted... The cracked bones and veins... Could you take care of that at least?" he asked, the fox raising an eyebrow.

"It's not impossible... Difficult, but not impossible. I put you back together after your little, ah... You humans call it a "Humpty Dumpty" moment, correct...?" she asked. "Don't talk about the cliff like that..." he replied. "It will take some time however... Working with a body on a vascular level is hard enough, repairing things on a cellular level is the real challenge." Ninetales affirmed before jolting when she heard Chris scooting a chair up to sit. "I've got all night." he assured, the fox remaining still for a moment before sighing again. "The world truly does vanish when you're in the presence of another in need. Women await you in bed, children slumber nearby, what you could consider a kingdom all your own surrounding you, and it all fades away when you bring one like this into the picture." she point out, only for Chris to ask "Can you start?" in response, causing her to face the woman with a smirk. "Just how you were raised to be..." she chuckled before adding a "very well..." and readying herself, sitting atop the woman and raising her tails up in unison before pointing them forward toward the woman. After a moment, Ninetales golden aura begin wafting up around her before the same energy started appearing around the woman, almost as if she were being engulfed by small and gentle flames as the foxes eyes continued to glow. As the seconds turned to minutes, and minutes into hours after Ninetales began restoring the woman, eventually the night itself began to give way to the new day, the first hint of light just barely appearing along the peaks of the bordering mountains by the time the fox finally finished her task. Letting out long and exhausted breath, Ninetales climbed down and sat in a slightly dazed state, shaking her head before resting her chin on the floor with a quiet "I'm getting old..." grumble.

Looking at the woman, Chris was surprised to see how far Ninetales had gone, even getting rid of the swelling and a majority of the marks on her body. "You didn't have to..." he point out. "If you're going to do a task, do it well." the fox affirmed before yawning. "I reconstructed her teeth as well... Bones are a simple matter." she added, causing him to blink in surprise before carefully checking the woman's mouth. "Damn... You really are amazing." Chris muttered. "Of course I am..." Ninetales affirmed. "She'll be waking soon... I may have healed her body but her stomach remains empty and her weight remains abysmal. I suggest you do the proper thing and insure she has something to eat by the time that happens." she point out, noticing Chris checking the woman's feet as well. "...Or you could play footsie..." she added, causing him to jolt. "N-No! I mean... You even healed the blisters..." he point out. "I'm a perfectionist I suppose." Ninetales replied, reminding him to prepare food for his guest. Nodding, he gave a nervous "r-right!" response and was about to rush out of the room, only for the fox to clear her throat and suggest he place the woman to bed properly first before doing so, making him pause and look back before nodding a second time. Carefully moving her about, Chris unwrapped the blanket she was in before tucking her under the sheets of the bed itself. Thinking it over, he also took his coat off before removing his shirt and putting it on the woman. "Top's covered at least..." he muttered. "Of course you leave the bottom exposed..." Ninetales point out, causing him to flush. "I'm not giving her my under...!!" he was about to snap, quickly cutting himself off and taking a breath. "You really know how to get to me..." he scowled. "I should, we've been together since you were born." she smirked.

Optional track to LWR - listen While Reading - The Guardian's Warmth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0ILJADEkrs Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

Backing away, he put his coat back on before asking Ninetales to stay with the woman while he went to have a meal prepared for her. Nodding to his request, the fox took the opportunity to rest her eyes as she remained on the floor. By the time he returned with food atop a tray, the blue of the sky could be more visibly seen as darkness found itself gradually pushed away, dimly lighting the outside world as he walked up to the bedside. Hearing the woman stir, he paused while Ninetales remained where she rest, glancing silently in their direction as he slowly approached the woman, blinking at her curiously. "H-Hello...?" he quietly called out. Getting no response, he leaned in closer only to jolt when she let out a groan before slowly opening her eyes, their appearance empty and glazed as she weakly raised up. With her head remaining lowered, lacking the awareness to lift it properly, she looked around before noticing Chris as he nervously adjusted the contents of the tray in his arm, having fumbled things about when he was startled. Finally looking back at her, Chris turned stiff for a moment, thrown off by how lifeless she appeared despite having risen from her slumber before slowly relaxing and showing a smile. "H-Hello there..." he nodded before slowly showing her the platter of food, including a large bowl of porridge with bits and pieces of fruit she could easily eat and a glass of milk. "M-My own recipe! A bit of cinnamon and sugar, just enough to give a little taste to it. Wanna try?" he asked, setting it down on her lap. Continuing to look around in a strange daze of sorts, the woman looked at him again before her eyes slowly looked down at the food. Although she was in a strange state of consciousness, Chris was able to pick up on her hesitation, something within her eyes, empty as they were, showing she must've expected something in the meal.

Wanting to assure her it was safe, Chris offered to take a few bites of the porridge and took a sip of milk as well, exclaiming "See? It's fine!" with a grin and adding "Got a mustache now" with a chuckle, pointing at the milk on his upper lip. Looking at him once more, the woman returned her attention to the food before her lips began to tremble, followed by their slow parting. Tilting his head, Chris let out a curious "mm?" as he watcher her sit still with her mouth open. "Ah..." he added, taking the spoon and carefully holding it out. "A little warm but... I hope you like it!" he smiled before placing it in her mouth, letting the woman close her lips and take the food at her own pace before he pulled the spoon away. Watching her chew, once she had the first bit down he offered her a second taste, followed by a third until he had to suddenly stop when he couldn't remove the spoon from her mouth, giving it a soft tug with an "um..." and a nervous smile. However, once he paid attention, he could feel and hear the woman nibbling and tapping the spoon with her front teeth, using them to hold it in place as her awareness came back and she realized her teeth were restored. Slowly but surely, her eyes began to widen, and as the sun at last rose over the peaks before the window next to them, her eyes came back to life as well as though her own spirit was rising with the sun itself. Next thing he knew, Chris watched as tears began welling up and streaming down the woman's face, finally releasing the spoon as she slowly reached up and felt her teeth with her own trembling hands. Looking down, she noticed the shirt he'd put on her before looking back at Chris, noticing he was still without one before her attention returned to the food on her lap.

Reaching out, she took the glass of milk in both hands and struggled to lift it, fighting to keep the contents steady as she looked at the drink wide eyed before pulling it to her mouth and greedily gulping it down. "W-Woah there! Easy!" Chris panicked, helping her when she nearly spilled it and quickly using a napkin on the platter to catch the drippings before she got herself wet. "I promise, we have plenty to eat and drink here... Just take your time and you can have as much as you want." Chris assured with another smile, as the woman looked at him again. "How about another bite? If a few tastes was able to bring you out of it, imagine what finishing it all will do!" he nodded while offering another spoonful. "Yep, plenty to have, so take your time." he repeat in a soft tone as the woman accepted another bite. Eventually, he let her start trying to eat on her own, and while she was wobbly with the spoon at first, she managed to steady herself over time until every bite was gone, leaving the bowl looking as though it was never used as she finished the rest of her drink. Once it was done, she set the glass back on the tray and sat in silence as Chris took the tray and set it aside as the woman jolt and began checking her feet as well, rubbing her hand along them before feeling her teeth again. Each time her tears ceased their streaming, they would resume whenever she felt her mouth and looked herself over. "You're all better now!" Chris grinned, causing her to jolt and look at him. "I-It's not me though, it was Ninetales here that did all the healing and stuff." he point out, the fox raising her head from where she lay as the woman looked at her. "My guards found you just outside the border of the valley. The only thing I did was carry you here." he waved.

Looking back at him, the woman reached out with a trembling hand and took his in her own before placing her other hand around his as well, clutching it as best she could while slightly turning his way and bowing her head, placing her forehead against his hand before bowing again. "H-Hey now, stop that." he insisted, coaxing her back. "There's no need to bow or anything. And like I said, if you wanna thank someone, thank her." he repeat as Ninetales walked up, the woman looking at the two before bowing her head to Chris again. "O-Oy..." he muttered with slight sweat showing. "...She doesn't understand you." Ninetales point out. "Doesn't what now?" he asked. "She doesn't understand you." the fox repeat before her eyes suddenly flashed, the woman jolting as though she'd had her picture taken and blinking confused. "Ah hah... I see." Ninetales nodded before she began speaking to the woman for Chris in Japanese, causing her eyes to widen in surprise from understanding the Pokemon. Looking at Chris, the woman finally spoke, albeit in a very hushed and raspy manner. "My name is... Aoi." Ninetales translated, the woman nodding and pointing at the fox. "A-Aoi huh...?" Chris asked, the woman nodding again. "Aoi... That's an eastern name for blue... It also traces back to Althea, meaning to heal..." he muttered, looking at her and noticing her eyes were blue. "Sounds like a good fit to me, we did do just that after all too!" he added, noting how they'd just restored her. "I come from a region far away from here... I wanted to find a better life, but was smuggled and... Sold..." Ninetales translated as Aoi lowered her head. "It wasn't supposed to be that way..." the fox continued as she wiped her eyes.

"I had no family left so I had to go somewhere. The people promised a good life." Ninetales went on. "When we got to this region, everything went wrong. I was sold once, then again, then again... I was sold over and over. Each time I was kept until the buyer got bored and found someone else willing to buy me..." she revealed as Chris showed a somber expression. "Each time, the buyers got worse and worse, did crueler things. My body was ruined, by teeth were punched and pulled out... It never stopped..." Ninetales continued translating as Aoi spoke, the broken woman hicking and trembling while doing so. "Finally, the last buyers were caught by police, they had a big gang and they owned a lot of us... When they knew they were caught, they started..." Ninetales went on, having to pause as Aoi clutched her head and tears dripped from her face onto her lap, her teeth grit before she started thrusting her arm out in a stabbing motion. "Over, and over, and over, and over!" Ninetales translated. "Th-They started killing them, they killed them! They wouldn't stop... Wouldn't... I-I was the only one... The only one..." Ninetales went on as Aoi's sobbing became so severe she couldn't keep speaking, slowly pulling her knees up against her chest and holding herself. "I-I got away. I ran, and ran. I had nowhere to go. I was too scared to let anyone find me. Nobody could even understand me." Ninetales finally resumed translating. "There was one girl who spoke my language... Before she was..." Ninetales had to pause again as Aoi wiped her face. "Sh-She told me about a place, it was a place where anybody can feel safe, feel welcome. She had visited it once, and said it was special. It wasn't that far away, and it had things, and accepted stuff you wouldn't believe. She said, if you're allowed in, it's just like being in..." Ninetailes once again had to pause as Aoi started hicking, unable to say the word as she remembered her deceased friend and had to wipe her eyes once more.

"And... What's the name of the place?" Chris asked, Ninetales looking at him before translating his words. In response, Aoi said "Guardinia" plain and clear before looking around. "Th-That reminds me... Where... Am I...?" Ninetales translated, causing Chris to smile. "You're there. This is the center of Guardinia, Nakazaki Manor." he revealed, Ninetales translating making the Aoi's eyes widen and mouth open. "I'm the founder of the valley, Chris Nakazaki! Nice to meet ya' Aoi!" he waved before standing and heading toward the window, parting the curtains and sliding it open. "Here, take a look." he coaxed, Ninetales translating as he offered his hand. Looking at it for a moment, Aoi slowly took it before weakly moving her legs, sowly scooting toward the side of the bed. "Ah! Remember...!!" Ninetales tried to warn as he helped the trembling Aoi stand, her knees wobbling together. "Wow, you really are weak... How did you even...?" Chris muttered. "What were you saying?" he asked, looking at the fox as she point with her paw. "No bottom." Ninetales reminded as he was about to look down, only to catch himself and immediately look up with a flush on his face, Aoi blinking at him before looking down with a flush of her own and quietly whimpering. "S-Sorry! Sorry! Ah, your language.. Um... Gomen'nasai!" he apologized in a panicked state, awkwardly holding Aoi stand with one hand while reaching back and taking a sheet off the bed for her to wrap around herself. Once she was concealed, both let out a sigh before he led her to the window. Once she was able to gaze at the horizon before her, Aoi was able to see all the buildings fading into a radiant golden color under the light of the rising sun, the valley seemingly glistening as she looked at the mountains surrounding them.

"Things are a little different here I admit. It has an old-timey, kind of ancient look, but it's real peaceful and all the folks are always pretty happy. I guess it can get kind of boring, but it's a life full of good, clean air and nice, pure water... Crops are good and neighbors are best friends!" Chris exclaimed while Ninetales translated his words, only to pause with slight sweat showing. "W-Well, guess that last one is a stretch but... We get along." he laughed nervously. Continuing to look at the scenery before her, Aoi could see the people and Pokemon randomly popping up in the streets below, couplings rarely if ever seen beyond the valley as the surrounding mountains protected it all, with the rivers and fountains sparkling under the sunrise and the scent of all the gardenias throughout the valley filling the breeze as it waft into the room. "Yep, welcome to Guardinia!" Chris repeat. After a moment, Aoi started slowly slipping to the floor until she was sitting on her knees, digging into the carpet and clutching it as her body trembled. Next thing he knew, Chris found himself being clung to by the desperate woman, hearing her pleading as Ninetales resumed translating. "Please! Let me stay!" the fox began. "Do anything... I'll do anything!! You accept people others don't right?!" she asked. "You made this place... I... I'll do anything!! Please!!" the fox continued as Aoi started pulling herself up his leg. "Anything!! I... I'll let you...!!" she began to say, causing Chris's expression to turn into one of shock and rage combined before he shout her name in response, startling Aoi causing her to fall back and tremble while looking up at him, clinging to the sheet around her. Standing tall before her, Chris's appearance and expression softened as he shook his head.

"...No." he replied, his word coming in plain and clear causing Aoi to start panicking again, reaching a trembling hand out only for Chris to hold his out as well. "No, I mean..." he paused, taking her hand and helping her back up. "You don't have to do that here. Within this valley, you're free. There's no more of that here. Nobody is treated that way, and you don't have to act that way." he assured, Ninetales translating as Aoi's tears welled up again. "This valley is a new beginning for everyone who enters... And you've been given more than just a new beginning, thanks to Ninetales there, you've been given a new body too!" Chris reminded with a smile. "Everything can start over for you here. And after all the effort you put in to reach us, there's no way I can turn you down, right?" he asked with a chuckle, Ninetales translation of his words making Aoi's lips tremble as her hicking spell returned. "I... I have to do something. I can't stay for free." she replied through Ninetales translation. "Well, if you really insist... How uh... How DO you feel about kids...?" Chris asked, causing Aoi to let out an "eh?" and back away slightly. "N-No!! Not in THAT kinda way!!" he assured in a panic, Ninetales showing slight sweat and shaking her head while continuing to translate for the two. "I mean, I have five, so... We could use a babysitter..." Chris explained, rubbing the back of his head with a nervous laugh, getting a relieved and understanding "O--Oh" from Aoi in a drawn out manner as she nodded. "You don't have any money and stuff probably... Not even clothes... If you think you'd be good with em' I wouldn't mind introducing you." he added. "If you're good with them, I'll toss in room and board to boot! Three meals a day with pay... Believe you me, for us it'd be worth it to have the help." Chris laughed.

"Do you expect ME to do ALL the translating for the lot of you if she moves in here? That makes it rather tempting for me to move out..." Ninetales scowled. "Uh... Well..." Chris muttered before looking at Aoi with another nervous smile. "Would um... You mind some English lessons?" he asked, Ninetales translating causing Aoi to shake her head. "P-Pleasu thank you!" she replied with a foreign slur, causing Chris to blink in surprise before showing a smirk. "Well then Ms. Aoi, welcome to the Nakazaki house!" he grinned, getting a smile out of her before her legs started giving out, causing Chris to catch her with a "whoop!" and take her back to bed. "B-Before anything, we should just focus on building your weight and strength back up... And letting you meet the others." he point out, Ninetales translating while he muttered "That's gonna be tricky..." as he took her empty food tray. "You uh, want any more?" he asked, holding it out and repeating "More?" getting an "Oh!" and a nod from Aoi in response. Nodding back, Chris grinned while walking past Ninetales, exclaiming "The family just got bigger!" excitedly and adding "And just got us a babysitter... Sco--ore!!" as well through his teeth, albeit much more quietly yet just as excitedly nonetheless making Ninetales shake her head. "I'm not sure she'll last even at peak health with those underlings of yours..." the fox muttered before looking back at Aoi as Chris closed the door behind him, the woman looking back out the window and showing a small smile before tears started streaming down her face again, forcing her to reach back and hold her pillow against her face as her sobbing returned, albeit this time from a mixture of joy and sadness instead of the misery she had before...