"Escapee!"
Sparky dived across the deck to tackle Brandy, only for Calcine to grab her by a wrist as she flew past, causing her to spin around in a loop with a wild cackle. The deck was buzzing with activity, so crowded with Sea Pokémon that Brandy could barely hear herself. One group was even playing twister, which the Golisopod seemed to be winning if only because the people under them looked really nervous their heavy ass armor would fall.
"Calcine," Sparky mock gasped. "You're letting her out of horny jail?"
"Like any horny jail could hold me," Brandy snorted. "Sorry to break up the party, but need a quick team huddle."
"How'd you get out of the cuffs?" Morgan called out. She was up above, perched atop the ship's cabin, legs kicking as she kept out of range of the grabby water Pokémon's arms and tentacles. "We didn't leave you a key."
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would!"
"Well, your punishment for tying me up is I'm not telling you."
It was the perfect punishment because it was going to bother Morgan for ages. She'd come up with some scheme to get the answer out of Brandy eventually, and Brandy knew Morgan loved having a good scheme on the boil. Calcine held up an arm for Morgan, and she actually swooped down to take it, laying her chin on Calcine's bicep and watching Brandy with a disapproving glare. It was nice they were getting a little closer.
"Go ahead," Calcine said, "Most everyone is too tired to do much anyway. They've been well-behaved."
"I haven't!" the bug trying to get under Calcine's other arm said with malicious glee.
"Everyone who isn't Sparky has been well-behaved."
It took a little bit for a proper group hug to form. But it was necessary. The gang hadn't really had a chance to all be together since this mad ocean siege had started, and hugging the heck out of them was all part of Brandy's latest attempt at recovery. Each of them was soft in their own way. Calcine was warm, firm, and the rock they all leaned on. Morgan's slick, comfy feathers, with that extra hidden softness underneath. Sparky's whipsy fur pleasantly fizzled, and all those arms were ready to hug and resist squeezing butts. Mostly.
Simply perfect.
"I want to offer a bond," Brandy said, content there couldn't be a better moment. "I fought a lot of good Water Pokémon, and one would be perfect for the team. Opinions?"
"Go for it," Calcine said right away. "Trust your judgment. We've been getting to know them all while you two rested, and the Ocean crew are all just lovely."
"It's sickeningly cute," Morgan snorted, "For all Monique talked herself up, she and Tamsin just wanted to throw a great party and try to wake up one of the old guards. Reminds me a little of the Flock if it'd worked out better."
Morgan didn't bring her old group up much, but she didn't hate them. It was a big compliment from her, and she usually was a devil for finding the flaws before the good points.
"I like the bitey one." Sparky said, "You should pick her."
"Nibbles? The Mareanie?"
"She does more than nibble," Sparky cackled. "Calcine's sensible, and Morgan's responsible sometimes. The fourth should be trouble! Balance the scales."
"I did want a challenge." Brandy said, "And it's been hard to pick. Calcine, Morgan? Other options?"
"I'm here for you," Calcine said, "Whoever you want to come along, I'll learn to love them too."
"Awww, she's excited about our date." Morgan stretched up to ruffle Calcine's hair with her wings. "I'm still learning to love these two, so a new third will be the same deal. Just make sure they do cover our Rock Weakness? It bothers me the team couldn't handle Saffira easily."
Love and competitive advantage. Well, Brandy hadn't been able to pick between the three at all, and Sparky had a preference, so she should just go for it. Stewing over this too long would just make her stressed out.
She's among Water Pokémon. Time to dive in and see if she's got the breath to survive it.
***
Nibbles and Chew had found a quiet corner. Chew was lying in Nibbles lap with a plate of donuts on her belly. Nibbles was feeding them to her, trying to not get her fingers snapped off when Chew devoured the donuts in a single bite.
"Can I join?" Brandy said, "Got a big question to ask."
"About time!" Nibbles grinned, "If you hadn't said anything before we got to Spikemuth, I was going to get Ara to sit on you until you spoke up."
"I've been tied up."
Nibble's widening grin just showed she knew all about the handcuffs. But she patted beside her, and Brandy took a seat. Nibbles immediately bit her arm, giving her a thrill that brought out a moan she really hadn't been planning on.
"It's serious!" Brandy gasped, but those golden eyes didn't care. Nibble's pastel blue hair coiled like snakes around Brandy's arm and hugged it while Nibbles peppered Brandy's arm with bite marks.
"You're delicious," Nibbles eventually said. "Chew agrees. You're a fine piece of meat."
Chew flicked some signs quickly with her hands and gave Brandy an even toothier grin.
"We're not dumb. You're going to ask to bond." Nibbles said. "We talked about it. Chew thinks it'd be fine as long as you find her a goth girlfriend at Spikemuth."
Chew signed very rapidly and insistently.
"With huge tits," Nibbles added. "We're talking a pair you could comfortably drown in."
"You think I'm good with women?"
"Ha! No." Nibbles smirked. "Sparky's been telling us stories. But you're incredible with Pokémon. You'd find Chew the right girl, no doubt."
Chew gave a thumbs up and then made a circular 'come on' motion, eyeing the donuts.
"You'd be incredible, Brandy," Nibbles sighed, "But you don't need me."
"Not true! You'd be a great addition to the team. I love your nipping. You're hot. You're tenacious." Brandy said and meant it, "This is a serious offer."
"And this is a serious refusal," Nibbles said, climbing up Brandy's arm so she could nip at Brandy's bottom lip. "You need a challenge, and I'm a comfortable fit. When you get to Spikemuth, you're going to find me a girl who needs her life ruined in all the right ways."
Chew signed ferociously again.
"And a goth girlfriend with massive tits for Chew. Don't worry about personality. Chew is willing to compromise."
Being turned down had never really factored into Brandy's plan, but now it was happening? They were making some fair points. Still, going down without a fight wasn't Brandy's style.
"You were my first choice," Brandy said, and she made sure she said it with sincerity. Because it was true, Nibbles was feisty and strong and would have easily gotten on with Sparky and Morgan. She was an excellent fit for the team. "Know you worried about being nothing but a stepping stone, but fully serious. I wanted you."
"I know." Nibbles smiled, licking Brandy's nose with her long tongue, which had such tantalizing character. "Been giving Monique a bit of shit about how much better we did. You made me think about what we wanted, and what I need is someone doing a lot worse than you are that I can help mould. I want to be like you, which means I can't be with you."
"That's not true."
"Hey, you got some really good second choices." Nibbles grinned. "I'm going to brag about being the first. Now, if you want someone strong, who will make you work for it? You know who to ask next."
Brandy guessed she did.
***
"I'm going to fuck a nurse," Adrianna said as she leaned on the railing and looked at the tiny smudge of Spikemuth in the distance. She was on her own but by choice. Content and looking to the future. "Maybe a whole ward of them. It's the skirts, I love a good skirt."
"Maid outfit got you worked up?" Brandy teased. Sadly, she was in shorts right now. The Maid Outfit needed a very thorough wash. "I've only recently discovered skirts, still learning what's best."
"Easy access," Adrianna said. "You don't need to fiddle with buttons. You just bend them over something. Rip off the underwear and just go."
"You'll break them."
"That's why I'm starting with the hot nurses. Help will be right on hand."
"Which you'll then fuck senseless?"
"It's going to be a great time." Adrianna sighed, reaching out to take Brandy's hand. A rather tender gesture, the Seadra running her fingers between Brandy's. "What's the first thing you're doing in Spikemuth?"
"Well," Brandy cleared her throat. "I was hoping you'd do it with me?"
"Oh?"
"As a partner."
"Hah!" Adrianna leaned to bump Brandy with her horn, her long blue hair cascading over Brandy's shoulders. "You have a horsewoman in your life. Don't be greedy."
"You know about Mercury?"
"You've been asleep for hours. We've talked about everything."
Brandy was starting to suspect Calcine and Morgan's lack of choices weren't entirely honest. Something was up here.
"Mercury's more of a girl-foe than a girlfriend."
"Sure," Adrianna snorted. "As if we'd be any different. You are going to ride that pretty pony again eventually Brandy, I'd be a distraction."
"Mercury's a big woman. She can pick her own path." Brandy huffed, "You don't have to step aside for her. Not if you want me. I'm here. I'm all yours."
"You were already tired, and I barely got a draw." Adrianna pulled in Brandy's hand and kissed the back of it. "Sorry, Ms. Joyce. You are too much woman for me. Maybe in a few years, after I've evolved, you can ask again, and I'll fuck you right through the bottom of the boat. If you want strength, you know who to ask."
"This is a conspiracy," Brandy growled. "Ara's going to say no, too, isn't she?"
"We'd never conspire. We're horny Sea Pokémon. Just thinking about human pussy is all we live for" Adrianna's massive hands cupped Brandy's butt and gave a firm squeeze. "I got my sights set on someone more my speed. But one day, I will destroy this ass, Brandy Joyce, and you will admit I'm better than you."
"You do sound like Mercury." Brandy huffed petulantly. "If Ara says no I'm going to scream."
"We'd never do that to you." Adrianna laughed. "The sea community is made up of good, honest folk who would never leave a girl unsatisfied. Now go ask our newly ascended nightmare."
"I. Will. Scream."
***
"No," Ara said, "Sorry darling you're a little too fresh for me."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
Ara giggled politely into her arm and took the open screaming mouth as an excuse to feed Brandy some more bits of bread dipped in a wonderful tomato soup. Brandy tried to chew sullenly, but it was hard. She had a nice thick thighed lap to sit in and got some Ara breast as a pillow, which was enough breast that Chew would definitely be jealous. Ara kept feeding Brandy until she stopped trying to scream and then rubbed her tummy with her cool fingers in lazy circles.
"I've just woken up, and while you and Maple did that, bonding the first attractive woman I lay eyes on is a young Pokémon's game." Ara said, "I want to travel the world. See the sights. Then, in ten or so years, when you're really grown into your role. Then we'll see if you have what it takes."
"So you want me to become my mom?"
"Oh, your mom is already perfect?"
Nope. No. Brandy tried to cut off that thought with a bite at Ara's fingers, but she just laughed when Brandy got her teeth latched on and pushed her hand in deeper. Her fingers fondled Brandy's tongue and stroked, and it was so effortlessly dominant that Brandy couldn't help but let her mood melt.
"My mom would end you," Brandy said, relaxing back into the hug.
"Bad way to discourage me," Ara kissed Brandy on the forehead. "I'll make it up to you with some honesty. I am the mastermind behind all this."
"You told everyone to say no?" Brandy looked up at those warm eyes and felt a little betrayed. Ara seemed so calm and nice; it seemed like a cruel trick for her to play.
"I'm told your specialty is knowing what Pokémon want. It's a wonderful talent, and since you were asleep, I talked with everyone about what they really needed."
"Nibbles needs someone to raise up." Brandy said, "Adrianna wants someone on her level."
"And I want to enjoy life before tying my heart to someone." Ara said, "I'm an old lady, I need to catch up on so much."
"I'm traveling," Brandy said, but weakly. This fight was lost, and she knew it. It was Ara, she'd never stood a chance to begin with. "Could learn a lot with me? Be good for the team."
"But would I be good for you?" Ara said, "What does Brandy Joyce need?"
"A challenge? I want to be a better Trainer, and I want someone I can help too of course. Learn, love and become better together."
"This old chimera isn't ready to learn anything new," Ara laughed in that sultry, deep tone that made Brandy's spine tingle. "You want someone strong because you want to rise up. But I see a woman who has plenty of strength already. You made it as far as me, darling, and that is no small feat."
"I didn't beat you."
"You never would have." Ara laughed. "You and Maple got as far as was possible. You're both remarkable women. What you need to go higher is a challenge."
"That's what I said!"
"No, you think having to rise to a stronger Pokémon's level will help hone your edge. But your edge is wickedly sharp already. You've got a deep well of stamina and buckets of youthful spunk."
"That means a different thing now." Brandy blushed.
"Works both ways, I think." Ara smiled. "You are a strong woman, Brandy. If you want to be a better Trainer, you need only one thing right now. Someone to train."
"If you suggest someone who says no, I will come back here and kick your old ass." Brandy huffed. "Don't care if you say it's impossible. I will defy the odds."
"They might," Ara said, "But not because I told them to. This one is all on you. Trust me, though, for you? I think they'll be absolutely perfect."
Brandy was pretty sure what Ara was getting at, but the idea was insane. Wasn't it?
"She wouldn't survive this team."
"Not without your help." Ara nodded. "She'll teach you restraint, which you clearly need, and how to draw out hidden strength. It'll be rewarding, and let's be honest. She's the most deserving Pokémon by far of everyone here."
Brandy looked at it from every angle. It was annoying, but Ara was right. Once again, Brandy had lost to her.
There was a fourth choice.
...
Fuck it. Brandy was getting the maid dress on for this one, even if it was battle-damaged. Bring her full power to bear because she wouldn't accept a fourth no!