Chapter Eleven: "A prison is a prison, no matter how beautiful."

Story by LucarioZer0 on SoFurry

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#14 of Love and Aura


There is always another view to see the world from, and always another story that can be told. For as Valor dealt with the ordeal of his training and searching, Tamash? was forced to endure a great ordeal of her own...

It had taken only a few hours for the small white helicopter to reach the Kanto Region. Once it had landed, Lawrence and Tamash? transferred to a white luxury automobile, and not for the first time Tamash? noticed that Lawrence seemed rather fond of that colour. As they sped down the road Lawrence talked constantly, irritating Tamash? to no end. Nothing he said was of any real consequence to her, it was mostly just bragging about his home and his possessions. Then of course, every now and again, there would be comments on how happy he thought she would be living with him, something she doubted greatly.

By mid-afternoon they had reached Lawrence's home, and at the first sight of it Tamash? had to admit that it was impressive, even if she had no wish to live there. The exterior was painted white with gold embellishments all along the walls, clearly intended to show stature. The building consisted of three floors, as well as there being one small tower on the north side of the building. There was also what appeared to be a large green house on the southern side of the building, and off to one side of the property were several smaller buildings. Lawrence said that those were his servants' quarters.

The car rolled up a clean and neatly paved drive lined with flowers, all of them white. When the vehicle pulled to a stop a man who, though well dressed, was clearly a servant opened the door, and Tamash? reluctantly stepped out, feeling as though she were being taken to her execution.

"Welcome back Master. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

Lawrence nodded to the man who had opened the door, clearly thinking of the man as inferior. "Yes. And I dare say I made a nice acquisition."

Without giving the servant a chance to say anymore Lawrence began walking toward the soaring structure before them, indicating for Tamash? to follow. "What you just saw is the status quo in the behaviour I expect from those who serve me. They all address me as Master Lawrence, or simply as Master, and I expect the same of you, Tamash?."

They entered the building, and upon seeing the interior Tamash? felt she was truly going to come to despise the colour white. She couldn't help but wonder what his fascination was with the colour. "Bite me."

Lawrence shook his head with a sigh. "Now, now, that simply won't do. I will not have you speaking to me like that Tamash?. As I have said before, I don't wish to harm you, but at the same time I will not stand for insubordination. Or would you like your "mate" to wind up in behind bars for having a relationship with you? Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Tamash? responded, feeling nothing but hatred for this man who had single-handedly torn a massive whole in her happy life with Valor.

"Yes...?" Lawrence said, indicating not-so-subtly what he wanted her to say.

"Yes...Master." She replied, spitting out the word 'Master' like a curse, as her hatred for Lawrence only continued to grow.

Lawrence smiled. "There now, was that so difficult?"

They continued through the interior of the house, Lawrence occasionally stopping to explain functions of various rooms in the house. Eventually they reached a pair of ornate glass door which lead out into the green house like structure Tamash? had noticed earlier. Lawrence opened the doors and strode over the threshold, once more gesturing for her to follow. There were trees and plants everywhere, as well as a small river. On the far side of the structure was a small artificial cliff, which seemed to serve as a waterfall into the river. "This is where you will spend your days Tamash?, along with my other pokémon."

Tamash? normally would have stretched out with her senses to look for the other pokémon he spoke of, but even thinking of doing so only served to remind her of the collar around her neck, which she had found had also made her unable to manipulate Aura, and had limited her ability to sense it. Lawrence turned to face her, a proud smile on his lips. "So, what do you think? Is it not everything I promised? Is it not a beautiful place to live?"

Tamash? scoffed. "This is not a place to live, not for me. To me this is no more than a place to endure. To me, this is no more than a prison. That is all I see. You see a beautiful home that you've built on the backs of better men, but all I see is bars and chains. A prison is a prison, no matter how beautiful."

Lawrence shook his head with a sad sigh. "Well, I hope in time you will come to see this as what it is: your home."

"Fuck off. It's not gonna happen."

In an almost off-handed way he said, "I will not stand for that sort of language, Tamash?. You will keep a civil tongue, or I shall be forced to punish you, and I would prefer not to do so."

Compelled by something other than reason she chose to push her luck by saying, "I reiterate, fuck off."

Before she had any time to react he struck her across the face sending her reeling back several feet, resulting in her tripping and falling to the ground. "That was your final warning. Next time I will take more severe measures. Defy me again, and you will desperately wish you hadn't."

As she looked up at him she found that what she hated most about that moment wasn't the fact that he had struck her, or the cold, emotionless look in his eyes as he spoke. No, what she hated most about that moment was that she couldn't fight back, and even if she tried, she knew he had an activation switch for the shock function of her collar on his person. All she could really do was stare at him in anger and try to ignore the stinging sensation in the spot he had hit. "When my mate comes for me, you had better watch your back."

Lawrence smiled cruelly, bending down so that they were face to face. "When he comes for you? My dear Tamash?, even if he is searching for you, there is no way he will find you. You are mine now, and if I were you I would come to terms with that fact quickly, because more likely than not, he will give up on you and go off to find some other pretty female to spend his days with. That is the unfortunate cruelty of the real world. In the real world, happy endings are very, very rare."

Staring back at him with unblinking determination she replied by saying, "You are wrong. He wouldn't abandon me. He's not like you. He will come for me, and when he does, don't expect him to be too happy with you Master."

Lawrence straightened up and walked past her back into the main body of the house, closing the door behind him without another word. Tamash? got to her feet gently rubbing the left side of her face, wishing that her fur had provided a bit more cushioning from the blow. She found his lack of response a bit odd, but then she smiled to herself, and thought, Well, if he wants to give me the silent treatment, who am I to argue?

She looked around, thinking about what she should do next. She had found that the collar around her neck restricted her ability to manipulate Aura, but she could still sense it. Closing her eyes she stretched out her senses until she found the other pokémon Lawrence had spoken of. She set off through the foliage, headed for the far side of the structure, where the Auras of three other pokémon were grouped together.

After a minute or two she arrived at the base of the artificial waterfall, where there was a small pool of water connected to the river running through the indoor forest. Lounging around the pool where the three pokémon she had sensed before. One was a Lilligant, one was a Gardevoir, and the last of the three was Lopunny, who, as opposed to the normal brown and cream Lopunny colour scheme, had a greyish body with pink fur on her ears, tail and paws.

They all looked surprised by Tamash?'s sudden appearance, but at the same time, she felt as though she could see pity in their eyes. The Gardevoir stood up, brushing dust off, then spoke with a voice that was clearly female. "If I had to guess, I would say you are Master Lawrence's newest acquisition. As you may have guessed by now, we are in essentially the same situation you are. So, none of us have names besides those of our species, but what of you?"

Tamash? immediately recognized that this Gardevoir was the leader of this little group of pokémon, or at the very least she was boldest of them. "My name...is Tamash?."

"Then you were taken from you trainer as well. Lopunny and I also used to belong to trainers. I can understand if you feel a bit overwhelmed by all of this."

Lopunny chose to chime in at that moment, speaking in a way that could only be described as promiscuous. "Of course, if you're feeling too overwhelmed, or stressed out, or even just a little lonely, I'm always open to helping relieve those feelings." She punctuated the sentence with a wink, causing Tamash? to blush lightly beneath her fur.

Gardevoir sighed. "Dammit Lopunny, she just got here. Can you give it five minutes before you start hitting on her?"

"Sorry Gardevoir." Lopunny bowed her head, prompting Lilligant to giggle. Lopunny threw her a dirty look, but didn't go any farther than that.

Turning back to Tamash?, Gardevoir smiled apologetically. "Sorry about her, but you know what Lopunnies are like. Anyway, as you can see, we really only have each other around here. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"I appreciate it, but I don't intend to be here for long."

Gardevoir sighed sadly, exchanging a brief glance with Lopunny. "Let me guess, you think your trainer will come for you, right? Lopunny and I used to think the same way, but our respective trainers never came. We've both been here for the better part of two years."

Tamash? shook her head vigorously. "Valor won't leave me like that. He's not just my trainer, he's also...my mate."

They all stared in disbelief, then their expressions turned obviously piteous. It was Gardevoir who then spoke. "You mean you and your trainer..."

Tamash? nodded in conformation. Gardevoir walked up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "If you really love him, which I can tell you do just by looking in you eyes, then your time here is going to be even harder on you. I'm sorry."

Tamash? canted her head to one side, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

With a rather dark and sad look in her eyes Gardevoir answered. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."

She then turned and silently walked away, leaving Tamash? feeling very worried about what the future would hold.

***

That first night was the worst for Tamash?. As the day went on she had gotten to know the other pokémon better, and had decided that, though she didn't want to be there, at least she had decent company.

As the sun went down they were essentially herded inside, and each was guided to a bedroom in the house by one of Lawrence's servants. Tamash? thought it was rather odd that they all had their own rooms, but considering everything else going on, it was the least of her worries. It was well furnished, just like every other room in the house, though Tamash? found herself once again wondering what Lawrence's fascination was with the colour white.

She reluctantly snuggled herself into the large bed in the room, not liking the idea of sleeping in the home of a kidnapper and murderer. Though she found that the bed was quite comfortable, at the same time it felt...empty. She had become so used to the feeling of Valor's arms wrapped around her as she slept, that she was finding it hard to fall asleep.

On top of being lonely, she was finding it hard to find a position to sleep in where the collar around her neck wasn't making her uncomfortable. She simply wasn't used to any of it. Eventually she fell into a fitful sleep, haunted by all too vivid dreams of spending her whole life imprisoned.

The next morning she was roughly pushed back out into the glass walled building by another of Lawrence's servants along with the other pokémon. Without a word the others returned to the little pool at the foot of the artificial waterfall. Tamash? joined them, and after a short while asked, "So is this all you guys do all day? Just sit here?"

Gardevoir nodded. "We don't have anything else to do. Master Lawrence is a collector of pokémon. We are just possessions to him. Our only job is to sit here and look good."

"Something that we are quite good at, in case you hadn't noticed." Lopunny added.

Tamash? stared in disbelief. "How can you be content with that? How can you not want to rebel against him? How can you just sit there and take it? And _why_do you insist on calling him 'Master" when he's not even around?"

Lilligant had generally been less vocal than the other two, but she chose to be the one to respond. "It is just our way of life. We have become used to it. After all the time we've spent here, we've just accepted it. There's not much else we can do."

Tamash? crossed her arms, a mixture of disappointment and irritation showing on her face. "You can always do something else, even if the things you do are small."

Gardevoir shook her head. "It's not worth it. Trust me, the consequences for disobedience can often be...excessive."

Knowing she wasn't getting anywhere in the discussion, Tamash? sat down and leaned back against a tree, wishing she had a way to convince the others that they could fight back. After a few minutes, she started to experience a rather odd sensation. "Turning to Gardevoir she asked, "Are there cameras in here, or anything like that? I feel like someone is watching me."

Gardevoir sighed with a small smile. "I'm actually surprised you didn't notice her sooner, what with those Aura senses of yours."

"Notice who?"

Lopunny answered the question, saying, "We are not Master Lawrence's only three pokémon-well, four counting you. He also has one more: an exceedingly shy Milotic."

Tamash? tensed up. "A...a Milotic?"

Gardevoir nodded slowly, looking at Tamash? with suspicion. "Yes, a Milotic. Is there something wrong with that?"

With a certain amount of reluctance, Tamash? responded. "I'm...not exactly...a big fan of snakes...or things that are...similar to snakes."

Lopunny broke into a giggling fit, apparently finding Tamash?'s fear amusing. Gardevoir threw the bunny pokémon a dirty look, then smiled comfortingly at Tamash?. "I wouldn't worry about it. Like she said, Milotic is quite shy. You probably won't see her very often, or even at all." Then with a slightly puzzled expression she added, "Though, come to think of it, it's kind of odd for her to be even this close to someone new. She's been here longer than any of us, and she was always reluctant to reveal her presence."

Lilligant nodded, confirming what Gardevoir had said. "I came here about a year before Gardevoir and Lopunny. I didn't even know there was another pokémon out here with me for the first two months I was here."

Tamash? took a little bit of comfort in that. "I still don't like the idea of it though, being so close to someone so snake like."

Lopunny had recovered from her amusement, and was now trying to catch her breath. "Well hey, if you do happen to run into her, just remember the shy ones tend to be really good when it comes to breeding."

Tamash? stared in open mouthed shock at the Normal-type. "You mean you...and that Milotic have..."

Lopunny nodded with a proud sort of smile. "Well, a girl can only go for so long without sex. Milotic needed some release, and I was all too happy to provide it." With a wink she added, "And I would more than gladly do the same for you, Tamash?."

Tamash? gave an exasperated sigh. Lopunny had been making little comments like that ever since Tamash? had arrived, and it was growing a little tiresome. "Is sex all you ever think about?"

Lopunny placed one of the digits of her paw to her lips, taking a thoughtful pose. "Well, I would say I think about sex around...sixty to seventy percent of the time. The rest of it is things like eating, sleeping, and...nope, that's it."

"Well then, you're very simple minded." Tamash? commented with a wry smile. They all started laughing at that, even Lopunny, and for the first time in days Tamash? felt a glimmer of happiness.

The moment was cut short though, when a servant came out to them, and simply said to Tamash?, "Come with me. Master Lawrence wishes to see you."

He roughly grabbed Tamash? by the shoulder and guided her inside, taking her into the manor. Against her will he pushed her through the corridors until they arrived at a set of ornately carved wooden doors. The servant opened the door and gestured for her to go in with a nod. She reluctantly stepped through into the room, and the doors were closed behind her. The room she found herself in was quite large, with one wall lined with bookshelves and the other wall taken up by large windows, letting vast amounts of light into the room.

Seated behind a grandiose desk of dark oak wood at the far end of the room was Lawrence. He was smiling with his standard smug smile, and he had a look in his eyes that said he had been waiting for her arrival. "Hello, Tamash?. Please, come over here."

She hesitated for a moment, then quietly walked across the room, stopping to stand a few feet in front of the desk. "The servant said you wanted to see me."

He nodded. "Yes. I'm curious to know how you are. How you are feeling, both emotionally and physically. I'd like to know how you are adjusting to your knew surroundings. What you think of everything you have seen-and if your view of this as 'a prison' has changed. Those are the matters that concern me."

Fighting to maintain her composure and not rip is throat out with her bare teeth, she said, "Well let's see. Physically I'm fine, except that I find this collar rather irritatingly uncomfortable. Emotionally, I would like nothing more than to rip you limb from limb for screwing with my life so much."

She half expected him to respond to that, but he remained silent, his face now unreadable. A little irritated that he hadn't responded she continued. "As for my surroundings, I think you care entirely too much about things and objects, and that most of this is totally unnecessary. Frankly, I could never get used to living like this. And yes, I still view this as a prison, Master."

Lawrence stood and walked around to the front of the desk, stopping in front of her. "Well, I certainly didn't expect you to change your views overnight, but I'm sure at some point you will come to appreciate me and the home I now provide for you."

"I wouldn't count on it. My mate will come for me, and then I'll be leaving here for ever. And I'll take your other prisoners with me if I can. After all, they did know what it meant to be free once. I'm sure they would be all to glad to get a reminder of that feeling."

Lawrence chuckled, shaking his head. "You really do believe that young man is coming for you, don't you? He will never find you, and even if he does, it will be the last thing he ever does. You are mine now, Tamash?, and there is no changing that fact."

Lawrence snapped his fingers and the door to the room opened, admitting the servant who had brought her in. Speaking to the man Lawrence said, "Take her back outside. I'm done with her for now." Turning back to her he added, "But we will speak again very soon, my lovely little blue friend."

The servant once again took hold of her by the shoulder, and began guiding her out of the room. As they stepped back through the doors to the room Tamash? took one last look at the one who held her prisoner, only to see Lawrence with a smug, sadistic smile on his lips.

When she was pushed back out into the small indoor forest the others seemed surprised that she was alright, as though they were expecting something horrible to happen to her. When she asked why they brushed off the question, leaving her feeling more alone and isolated than she had since she had arrived.

As she tried to fall asleep later that night, she found herself wondering if the others could be right. She couldn't help but think 'What if Valor doesn't come for me?' Though she believed that he would come for her, she didn't want to be there for longer than she had to, and doubt had begun to creep. She slid out of the bed and walked over to the small window that looked out to the south. The moon was shining brightly in the night sky, casting everything in a greyish white light.

'Where is my mate now?' she thought. What is he doing? Is he searching for me? She let out a sad sigh, hating that she imply didn't know. She hated even more that she couldn't just reach out and feel his Aura. She had become used to knowing where he was, and she felt comfortable with always being able to feel his presence. As memories of Valor flooded her mind she could feel her eyes starting to tear up, a wave of sadness starting to overwhelm her.

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. With another sad sigh she returned to the bed, and, unable to contain her emotions, she wound up crying herself into a fitful sleep.

***

When she woke the next morning it was only shortly after dawn's first light. She knew it would be a little while yet before she was taken back outside if the schedule of the previous day had been consistent. The door to the bedroom locked from the outside, so all she could do was sit in isolation until someone came to get her. Despite her fur, she experienced a strange cold feeling. But it was a cold that came from sadness and loneliness, not from her environment.

When the door opened she put he emotions under control, determined not to show any kind of weakness or submission to her jailers. No matter how she felt, she knew she had to stay strong and not give in if she wanted to last for any length of time in such a place. With her head held high she followed the servant who had come for her out of the room, mentally preparing herself for whatever the day ahead may bring.

However, nothing unusual happened that day, or for the next few days after that. As the days had begun to blur together a little, she wasn't totally sure, but she thought that it was on the seventh day after her arrival that Lawrence had a servant bring her in to see him again. She felt an unfortunate sense of déjà vu as she was led down the spotless white corridors to Lawrence's study, and again when she entered the room to see him sitting expectantly behind his desk, waiting for her again.

As she approached him she had a defiant look in her eyes, something he found somewhat amusing, seeing as she was under his power. "I apologise Tamash?, for it has been longer than I intended since our last little talk. But, I have been occupied with other matters."

Tamash? gave a derisive snort in response. "What? Murdering someone else? Or maybe another kidnapping? Ruining someone else's happiness for your own amusement?"

Lawrence shook his head with a bemused smile. "So very outspoken. If it weren't for the fact that I generally enjoy your personality, I might punish you for those kinds of outbursts. In response to your inquiry, no, it wasn't anything like that. I was dealing with making sure my sources of income were steady and capable of continuing to provide with the life style to which I am accustomed."

"And what sources would those be? Something makes me doubt you do any work yourself."

"You are correct. Most of my income comes from stocks I hold in major companies such as Silph Co. and Devon Goods. At least those are the sources any given government believes my money comes from. But then, you should be well aware by now that I don't have any qualms about doing things that are less than legal."

Tamash? filled that away into her memory, in case it could be useful. "That's all fine and well, but something tells me you didn't bring me here to tell me about your business ventures."

He nodded. "You are correct yet again. I am wondering if your feelings have changed at all toward me, or toward my home-toward our home."

"This is not my home! My home is wherever my mate is. I will never acknowledge this as my home, nor will I ever view you as anything but a sadistic creep!"

"Calm down now, you need not be so defensive. I truly wish you would change your view of me though, as I was hoping that you and I could become...closer."

Tamash? tensed up. There was something about the way he had spoken that bothered her. "What do you mean 'closer'?"

"Well, I know that, intelligent as pokémon are, your kind are also very driven by your basic instincts. I know that those instincts can drive you to the brink of madness if not properly satisfied. Thus, with all of my pokémon, I offer my services in satisfying...certain instincts."

Realising what he was driving at, she started backing away from him, growling with her ears flattened against her head. "If you so much as _touch_me, I won't hesitate to rip your fucking throat out with my bare teeth!"

Lawrence sighed. "I did warn you about keeping a civil tongue. You brought this upon yourself."

He pushed his left sleeve up just past his wrist, exposing a small wrist band made of black metal with several small buttons on its surface. He pressed one of them, and Tamash? immediately felt a minor jolt of electricity surge through her, originating from the collar around her neck. Though the shock wasn't terribly strong, she still gave a yelp of surprise and fell to one knee, totally caught of guard by the suddenness of it. She glared at Lawrence, desperately wishing she could wipe the sadistic smile from his lips.

"Now, maybe you'll learn you lesson this time. Next time I will not be so gentle. As for the matter of relieving your needs, that is up to you. I will not force myself on to you. It is merely an offer that is there if you wish to take it."

Shakily getting to her feet, she stared back at him with a mixture of rage and defiance. "It is an offer I will never take."

"We shall see. In time, your desires may prove too much for you. After all, I am sure you are used to more stimulation than you are getting here and now. But, I have nothing more to say to you today."

Only a few minutes later she was back outside, and she had a bone to pick with the other pokémon. Since they were always in the same place she didn't have to search for them, and as soon as they were in she, with clear rage asked, "Should I assume that what just happened was what you weren't telling me every time I asked?!"

The all stared in surprise for a moment then Gardevoir spoke. "What are you talking about?"

She stalked over to them, fighting not to take her anger out on them. "Oh, you don't know? Well let me fill you in. Lawrence just essentially suggested that I have sex with him in order to 'satisfy my instincts'!"

Gardevoir gulped, and the other two remained silent. "Oh. _That._So, he finally made his first move then."

"What do you mean 'his first move'?!"

Lopunny spoke up, answering the question. "At first he'll make it your choice. You can turn him down as much as you want to. But after a while, he won't be asking anymore. There will come a point where you will have two options: give in, or be forced down and have no say in what happens."

Tamash?'s entire body was shaking with anger. "And what did all of you do? Just give in? I am so sick of this attitude you all have toward the crappy life you've been forced to live. Do you have no will of your own? Or are you really just so fucking docile that when some random male says 'bend over', that's exactly what you go and do?!"

They were all silent for a moment, the only sound coming from Tamash?'s anger-induced heavy breathing. Then, very quietly, it was Lilligant who spoke. "I'm sorry if we've given you such a low opinion of us, but what you've said is not in fact true. Gardevoir and I both fought against it as hard as we could."

Turning to Lopunny, Tamash? asked, "And you?"

"I'm not proud of it, but I did give in. You know what we Lopunnies are like. I needed to feel the touch of a male. I just...had to."

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Tamash? spoke again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you-any of you. I simply can't stand that man, or anything he does."

Gardevoir stepped closer, laying a slim hand on Tamash?'s shoulder. "I understand. We all do. But you see, none of us like him. We all find him horrible. We've just gotten to the point where we don't bother to fight back anymore, because we've tried and failed so many times. If there was a way for us to win against him, or to escape, then we would."

Lopunny chose that moment to chime in. "Though, if it makes you feel any better, I have no issues with telling you that Master Lawrence really isn't very impressive."

Tamash? canted her head to one side, not comprehending. "What do you mean?"

Gardevoir and Lilligant both fought to stifle snorts of amusement. Lopunny, with a bemused smile, explained. "Well, let's just say he does his fighting with a blade that's only about four inches long."

Tamash? blushed as she realised what she was being told, then found herself doubled over in mirth. Speaking between bursts of laughter she said, "Well, suddenly the big house and the large number of servants makes sense. It would appear as though our 'Master' is compensating for something!"

In spite of the conversation they had been having only a moment before, they all wound up laughing until they were all gasping for breath. But even with that moment of amusement, there was still an increasingly prevalent dark shadow that Tamash? could feel forming over her life.

The rest of the day from that point passed without any event. Over the course of the next two weeks, a pattern came to be established. Every two days or so, she would be called into Lawrence's study again. He would ask after her well being, and make allusions to engaging in sexual activities with her if she so desired. Usually she just gave standard defiant answers, but some days her temper got the better of her and she would wind up getting mild shocks for her-as he called it on more than one occasion-'insolence'. There were more than a few nights when she wound up crying herself to sleep, due to loneliness and missing Valor more than anything else.

With the help of the other pokémon there were days when she could almost forget that she was a prisoner, but the knowledge of her situation was always just beneath the surface. As she got to know the others, Tamash? came to understand just how similar they really were. Lilligant had been living a happy life as a wild pokémon is a forest in Unova before Lawrence had come along and taken her from her home. Gardevoir's trainer had heartlessly sold her, his only desire being to satisfy his own greed. Lawrence had extorted Lopunny's trainer until the poor girl had had no other choice but to hand Lopunny over. Though none of them had been taken from their mate as Tamash? had, they had all been hurt in some way by what had happened to them.

During those days there were also days when one of the other pokémon would be taken to Lawrence. Though no one ever said anything about it, she could always tell what had happened to them when they would return a couple of hours later. Clearly their so-called Master hadn't lied when he said he offered his 'services' to all of his pokémon. Though he expected her to warm up to him, or simply give in, she only came to resent him more for every action he took that brought harm to her or her new friends.

But as much as she hated the man, she had to admit he had been right about one thing. As the days wore on she could feel her sexual needs building. Though she could take the edge off by using her paws, or by bending far enough to make use of her own tongue, it wasn't the same as being touched by another. But she wasn't about to go to Lawrence for satisfaction of her desires. Thus, early in her third week at Lawrence's estate, she came up with the only real solution.

On what she counted as her twenty third day of captivity, she decided to see how serious Lopunny had been about all of her promiscuous little comments over the past few weeks. When she came to Lopunny with her request, the bunny pokémon was ecstatic to say the least.

"Really? You really want to do this? You're not just pulling my leg? What brought you around?"

Tamash? released a small, shuddering sigh. "Yes, I'm serious. I can't stand this lack of...physical release anymore."

"Stop being so proper! Just say you're horny." Lopunny was becoming quite giddy about Tamash?'s request.

Off to one side, Gardevoir and Lilligant were both watching with bemused expressions. "Would you two like to be alone?" The Psychic-type inquired, a clearly amused tone colouring her voice.

Tamash? nodded. "I would prefer that, yes."

"Why not let them stay?" Lopunny asked. "I bet they would enjoy watching. Besides, it's not like you need to be self conscious or anything. Not with a body like yours."

Tamash? blushed beneath her fur and shook her head in response. "I already feel awkward enough about this. I don't need to add to that by having others watch."

Lopunny sighed in defeat. "Oh, all right. I suppose we can do this privately."

Gardevoir got to her feet, brushing dust off her body. "Well, I guess that's our cue to leave. Come on Lilligant." Gardevoir got up and started to walk away, Lilligant following close behind. Gardevoir stopped for only a second, long enough to look back over her shoulder, wink suggestively, and say, "Have fun you two."

She then disappeared from sight, leaving Tamash? alone with Lopunny. The Normal-type had calmed down a bit, but was still obviously excited over what would come next. "I just have one question before we do this. What about your mate? Aren't you worried that this would be kind of like, I don't know, betraying him."

She shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "No. He would understand. Actually, if I ever tell him about this he'll probably be upset that he didn't get to watch."

Lopunny stepped close to Tamash?, a seductive little smile on her lips. "So, how would you like to do this?"

Tamash? could feel her face growing ever warmer, and she was doing everything in her power to avoid Lopunny's gaze. "I...I don't know. I've never been with another female before. I mean, I know what feels good, at least for me, but outside of that I'm a little clueless here. I think it would be better if you called the shots, much as I dislike being the submissive one."

Lopunny moved even closer until their bodies were separated by hardly any space, then she wrapped her soft furred arms around Tamash?'s waist, drawing them even closer together. "Okay then. And don't worry, I'll try to be gentle with you."

Before Tamash? could respond she found herself locking lips with a clearly aroused Lopunny. Even if Tamash? hadn't been the target of that arousal, she could quite easily smell how ready the shiny rabbit pokémon was. She didn't react at first to the sudden kiss, but after a moment she gave in to her instinct and kissed Lopunny back, enjoying the feeling of initiating any kind of intimacy with another being for the first time in what felt like forever.

Before she even realised she was doing it, Tamash? snaked her tongue into Lopunny's mouth, which only seemed to spur the horny little bunny on. Soon their oral muscles were wrestling back and forth, twisting and writhing against each other. After a few minutes they were forced to separate in order to properly catch their breath. Thought their mouths were no longer connected they stayed pressed against one another, blue fur consistently brushing against silvery grey.

When they had both caught their breath, Lopunny leaned in close to Tamash? and whispered, "Now the real fun begins. All you have to do is lay back and let me handle the rest."

Tamash? complied, lying on her back on the ground with her legs spread. Lopunny was quickly between Tamash?'s knees, her head so close to Tamash?'s already dripping sex that she could feel Lopunny's every breath. Lopunny looked up, her eyes meeting Tamash?'s and seeming to ask, are you sure?

Tamash? nodded apprehensively, letting out a gasp of surprised pleasure a moment later as Lopunny applied a long, slow lick with her small tongue along Tamash?'s wet lower lips. It felt so good, having something other than her own paws touching her again. Lopunny continued to lick at Tamash?'s entrance, each stroke carefully measured to create as much pleasure as possible. Tamash? was totally at her mercy.

It had been so long since Tamash?'s last orgasm that she was completely unable to control herself, resulting in Lopunny getting a furry face full of Tamash?'s fluids. Lopunny backed off for a moment, trying to catch her breath. With a smile she said, 'I guess you really did need that, huh?"

In a daze from having her first orgasm in what felt like ages, Tamash? could do little more than nod in response. Lopunny giggled then said, "Well, don't get to comfortable. I'm not done yet."

Without any hesitation the bunny pokémon dove back down and this time gave her attentions to Tamash?'s swollen clit. She could do little more than whimper in pleasure as Lopunny lightly flicked the engorged nubbin with the tipper of her tongue, sending shudders of pleasure through Tamash?'s whole body. Lopunny switched tactics after a short while, using the digits of her paws to lightly spread Tamash?'s entrance. She then gently slid her tongue into the pink flesh, pleasuring her in a way Tamash? had never before conceived of. Just the sensation was enough to bring the blue pokémon to a second orgasm, leaving her exhaustedly panting as she fought to remain conscious.

Having done her job, Lopunny crawled up next to Tamash?, and quietly asked, "Will that do?"

After a minute she found her voice and responded. "Yes. That will be enough...for now. But I may very well ask you to do that again at some point."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps you would be willing to show your appreciation by returning the favour?"

Tamash? was quiet for a moment, then said, "Alright. I guess that's the least I can do in return."

"Good." Lopunny laid back and gestured toward her nethers with a jerk of her head.

Slightly surprised by the suddenness of it, Tamash? rolled herself so that she was on her paws and knees. She quickly moved over to the lower half of Lopunny's body, and then, with some trepidation, took her first taste of female flesh.

She found the taste of the fluids flowing from Lopunny's mound likeable enough, a sort of sweet flavour. But she could honestly say she still preferred the taste of her mate's orgasmic fluids. Lopunny, thoroughly enjoying the stimulation provided by Tamash?'s long, flat tongue, gently placed one paw on the back of Tamash?'s head, and began using her other paw to stimulate one of her own nipples, massaging it in a circular pattern. The sensation of Tamash?'s tongue gliding along her softest spot proved too much for Lopunny after a few minute of continual stimulation, and she went through her fairly normal two to three orgasms, the rhythmic contractions of her inner muscles covering both Tamash?'s face and the ground with copious amounts of her own fluids.

Both were breathing heavily as Tamash? moved back up to where Lopunny was lying, a contented sort of look on her face. She and Lopunny snuggled up close to one another, both feeling a sudden pleasant sleepiness overtaking them. Before she fell into an orgasm induced sleep, Tamash? whispered, "Thanks, Lopunny."

That drew little more than a slight affirmative nod from Lopunny, who quickly fell to sleep, shortly followed by Tamash?.

***

When Tamash? woke a few hours later Gardevoir and Lilligant were still no where to be seen, and Lopunny was still fast asleep. She got quietly to her feet and gently brushed the dirt from her fur, trying not to ruin the serene quiet that filled the air.

Tamash? quickly realised she was going to need some form of bath after what she had been through with the lightly snoring bunny pokémon. She stretched her body out, then made her way over to the artificial waterfall, figuring it was her best option for getting clean. Never having actually been into the little pool of water at its base, she was surprised to find as she was wading in that the water came up to her waist.

She started by scrubbing the dried remains of Lopunny's orgasms from her face, then moved on to scrubbing the rest of her body. When she was done she gave a contented sigh, then moved to one of the shallower parts of the pool and sat down, enjoying being mostly submerged in the water. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to really relax for the first time since she had been brought to Lawrence's estate.

After a few minutes the pleasant silence was broken by an unfamiliar female voice saying, "I know you didn't want anyone watching you and Lopunny, but I couldn't help myself. It was quite entertaining."

Tamash?'s eyes snapped open to the sight of a Milotic's head poking out of the water. Almost instantly Tamash?'s relaxed feelings were replaced by tension and fear. Seeing this reaction, Milotic gave a mournful sigh. "I forgot. You don't like snakes, right?"

Feeling suddenly very nervous and exposed, Tamash? quietly nodded, trying to figure out how to get out of the situation.

Milotic tilted her head to one side with what passed for a quizzical expression. "If you don't mind my asking, what is your issue with snakes?"

Finding her voice, Tamash? managed to stammer out her standard response of 'I don't want to talk about it.'

"Oh come on. There must be a reason behind it, even if it's some silly little reason. If it makes you feel any better, you don't have any reason to be afraid of me."

Starting to feel irritated as opposed to afraid, Tamash? said, "No, that doesn't make me feel any better. It has nothing to do with you specifically, I just don't like snakes!"

"But why?"

"Can you please just go away? I really don't want to talk about it!"

Milotic shook her head. "I'm not leaving unless you give me a good reason as to why you're afraid of snakes."

"Fine, if it will get rid of you, then I'll tell you!" Taking a deep breath Tamash? continued. "When I was a Riolu, a period of my life that didn't last terribly long, I had a, well, rather frightening encounter of sorts with a snake. Valor, my mate, had fallen asleep, and I, being a pup with too much curiosity for her own good, decided to go exploring off on my own. Eventually I came to this really small break in the forest we were in, and in that little clearing there were two pokémon fighting. One was a Staravia, and the other was an Ekans. They were fighting each other really viciously. The Ekans repeatedly sank its fangs into the Staravia, to the point where they were dripping with blood. I was paralyzed with fear. All I could do was watch as one of the Ekans' fangs pierced that poor Staravia's heart, killing it almost instantly. Then, The Ekans noticed me standing there. I don't really remember much after that, except I remember running, and I remember Valor holding me when I returned. That's really it. But, seeing that cold, emotionless taking of the life of another pokémon...the blood dripping from Ekans' fangs...it just...scared me. Ever since then, I've had this morbid fear of snakes."

All was quiet as Tamash? tried to block out the memories and Milotic considered what she had been told. Then Milotic began to speak, slowly, as though she were carefully considering each word. "I can see how that would affect you, but, it's not like you didn't know that wild pokémon hunt each other."

"I know that. If I were a wild pokémon I would probably have to do the same at some point. But it wasn't really the killing that upset me. That's just part of nature. What scared me so much was how emotionlessly that Ekans killed that poor Staravia. It was so...cold and...pitiless."

Milotic nodded. "I understand. But you know, not all of us serpentine pokémon are like that. Serperiors are pretty docile and caring as well. And we Milotics don't have fangs, and we aren't the least bit predatory."

"I know all that too, but I just..." Tamash? trailed off with a shake of her head, not quite sure how to finish that sentence.

Milotic started moving closer, her head still the only part of her visible above the water. "You really don't need to be scared. Besides, you shouldn't judge a whole species-or group of species-by the actions of one. After all, there are awful humans out there, Lawrence serving as a perfect example, but you still love your mate, right?"

Tamash? nodded silently, then looked at Milotic with a confused expression. "Hold on. You...you didn't call him 'Master'. Why?"

"Because, like you, I've never been broken by him. I refuse to accept him as my master. I still stay hopeful that I'll get out of here some day."

"Well, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one around here who hasn't given up." Tamash? smiled to herself, then, a thought occurred to her. "Uh...earlier...did...did you say that you were...watching...me and Lopunny?"

Milotic blushed profusely. "Yes, yes I did. And I was. What can I say, it was fun to watch. Of course, it probably helps that I tend to prefer females."

This time it was Tamash?'s turn to blush. "Oh...you prefer...females. I didn't know that. Though, I suppose I could've guessed that after what Lopunny said about you and her."

Milotic giggled. "Yeah, but that only happened once. She's not really my type, I just needed some relief. I prefer females who are a bit more...reserved."

Milotic started edging even closer to her, causing Tamash?'s face to grow warmer still. "What...what are you doing?"

"Don't be afraid. I know what I'm doing." Milotic's head disappeared below the surface of the water, and a few seconds later she felt something long and warm sliding along her entrance.

She let out a small gasp of surprise at the feeling of Milotic's tongue. It felt as unexpectedly good as it had when Lopunny had done the same, but it also felt different. Though it was warm with Milotic's body heat, it also had a sort of cooling quality to it.

Tamash? allowed herself to relax once more, enjoying the sensations of Milotic's ministrations. Tamash? received another surprise when Milotic started sliding her tongue into her, filling her nearly as well as Valor could. She started breathing at a faster rate as Milotic slid her tongue in and out of Tamash?'s passageway, gently and softly brushing against her inner walls.

Tamash? couldn't help but start whimpering from sheer pleasure, and after only another moment she felt an orgasm sending ripples of pleasure through her body, her inner muscles desperately trying to milk a cock that wasn't there as clouds of her orgasmic fluids swirled through the water.

Milotic's head popped back above the surface of the water, a satisfied smile on her face. "See, I told you I knew what I was doing."

Milotic laid her head on Tamash?'s torso, snuggling against her fur. "Um...do you want me to do that for you?"

Milotic shook her head. "No, you needed it way more than I do."

Tamash? gave a defeated sort of sigh. "Well, thanks then. And, for what it's worth, you probably changed how I view snakes-you know, just a little bit."

"You're welcome."

***

Outside of a few bawdy jokes from the other pokémon at Tamash?'s expense relating to her times with both Lopunny and Milotic, the rest of that day passed in a relatively quiet fashion. The next day, as had become the norm by then, she was taken to Lawrence by one of his servants. Though she had become used to being taken before the man, this time she could feel that something was...different the moment she stepped through the doors into his study.

With his usual smug smile he asked, "So, how are you?"

She sighed with clear exasperation. "Look, can we make this quick? Nothing has changed. I don't like you, I don't want to be around you, and I won't ever submit to you sexually."

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way-"

"You should be. It's your own fault."

"I wasn't finished. As I was saying, I'm sorry you feel that way, because it is no longer your choice."

She instantly tensed up, baring her fangs and growling softly. "If you touch me-"

"And if you act on those thoughts it will only be worse for you in the long run. You really only have two options now. You can either submit willingly, or I can force the matter, and trust me, it will be far easier on you if you just submit willingly."

Shaking with rage, she shook her head in response. "I will not submit to you."

With a rather sadistic smile he said, "I thought you may respond like that. Very well, let me put this another way. You can either submit to me, or not only will I force you to submit, but I will use my money and influence to make sure that young Valor winds up as some prison inmate's bitch."

Tamash?'s eyes went wide. There was no way out. If she didn't give in, things would only be worse for her and for Valor. Fighting back a combination of tears and rage she quietly said, "Fine. Do what you want with me."

"I thought you would come to see things my way." Lawrence stood and walked around his desk, stopping only inches away from her. He gently placed a hand on her cheek, then forcibly tilted her head up to look at him. "You've made the right decision. I promise I'll be gentle with you since you've decided to comply."

"Just get this over with."

"As you wish. All you have to do...is bend over. I would recommend bracing yourself against my desk."

Feeling nothing but loathing toward him, she stepped up to the desk, reluctantly bent over it, then closed her eyes, not only to fight back the tears, but also so she wouldn't have to feel any of what came next. She tensed up at the sound of a zipper being undone, then started shaking with fear.

She knew she didn't have a choice, but at the same time, she desperately wished there was some way out of the situation at hand. After a moment she felt him come up behind her, his hips lightly brushing against her rear. She could also feel a throbbing piece of flesh lightly pressing against her mound. Under normal circumstances she would have been highly aroused, and would probably already be dripping some fluids of her own, but she now felt only fear, and trepidation.

She shut her eyes tighter when he made his first thrust into her, going straight to the hilt immediately. Horrible as she felt, she still took a short lived modicum of comfort in that Lopunny had been telling the truth about his endowments. He drew back and hilted himself again, each time generating a muffled thump of skin against fur. Tightly as her eyes were shut, she couldn't prevent a few tears from rolling down her cheeks and onto the wood of the desk.

On the opposite side of the situation, Lawrence was finding the experience quite enjoyable. She was hot and tight, and he couldn't help but find pleasure in her reactions. He loved her fear, her stress. Somehow, it was the best part of the experience for him. As he continued to thrust against her she began quietly whimpering, only encouraging him, until he could feel his balls contracting, filling her with his fluids.

With a satisfied sigh he bent over her and quietly whispered into her ear, "Now you are truly mine, in every way. Don't ever forget that."

Anger replacing her fear, she quietly responded. "You are the worst kind of person, and when my mate gets his hands on you, you will regret this."

"I look forward to the day. For if he does come for you, that will be the day he dies, and the day you have no where else to go."

A short while later she was pushed out into the artificial forest, and then she was alone. As all of her feelings converged on her in that moment, she curled up into a loose sort of ball, no longer fighting against her urge to cry, the salty waters flowing freely from her eyes to the ground beneath her head.

Eventually she felt a slim pair of arms wrap around her, and looked up in surprise to realise Gardevoir was holding her, and the others were off to one side, watching with a mixture of sorrow and pity in their eyes.

Seeking comfort, Tamash? snuggled up to Gardevoir, careful to avoid the spike on the Psychic-type's chest. Held in Gardevoir's embrace she cried until she couldn't any longer, and fell asleep from exhaustion not long after, her head filled with nightmares not so dissimilar to what she had just experienced.

***

The next two days were rather quiet and, if nothing else, depressing for Tamash?. Even with comfort and support from the other pokémon, she still found it difficult to cope with what had happened. She still wished things could've gone differently, but she also knew that she hadn't had a choice. She had never felt as horrible as she felt in the aftermath of that day.

Thus, when she was taken before Lawrence again in the late afternoon of the second day, she was highly tempted to attack him, even if it would end up doing more harm than good.

"I know you must be angry with me-"

Not caring about being polite anymore she cut him off to say, "That's a complete understatement. Right now I would like nothing better than to rip you dick off."

Unfazed by her words, he continued. "I know you must be angry with me, but I only did what I did because I know you needed it as much as I wanted it. How could I possibly let such a beautiful creature suffer so?"

Barely restraining herself she said, "What you did has caused me more suffering than any lack of sex ever could! You have ruined my life in every possible way! You took me from my mate, imprisoned me in this awful place, and when that wasn't enough, you decided to force me to...to..." Shaking with anger she couldn't bring herself to finish that sentence, the memories still too fresh and too painful.

"Well, I've said it before, and so I shall reiterate myself. Some day you will come to appreciate what I've given you here. A safe, comfortable home where all of your needs will always be met, and where, if you just follow a few simple guidelines, you can live a long, happy life."

Just as she was about to come back with a scathing retort, she turned in shock at the sound of explosive force and splintering wood coming from the far side of the estate.