Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Dragon Who Flew Too Close to the Sun
The air around the cavern turned too hot, the heat amplifying until it was damn near unbearable.
Groudon's massive form towered, radiating fury. The battle wasn't going well, but Dune still had a shred of confidence.
His system had been eerily quiet since the fight began, but suddenly, that changed.
[System Alert: Groudon is holding back. Caution advised.]
Dune's blood ran cold. 'What the hell?' he thought. But before he could give orders, Groudon's massive body began to pulse.
Its size expanded, the molten cracks on its body glowing brighter and spreading like wildfire. The ground beneath them quaked violently as Groudon let out a roar so loud it felt like his eardrums might burst.
[System Alert: Groudon has fully recovered health. Preparing [Eruption].]
Dune's stomach dropped. He glanced at the others. Gardevoir and Lopunny were already battered, their movements slower.
Salazzle was panting, struggling to maintain her composure. And then there was Helena, clinging to the rock wall, eyes wide with fear.
"Fucking hell!" Dune yelled. "Gardevoir, get everyone the fuck out of here! NOW!"
Gardevoir's red eyes flashed, and she raised her arms, her power surging as she activated [Teleport].
One by one, the pokegirls began to vanish, their forms shimmering out of sight. But the moment she turned to grab Dune and Helena, something went wrong.
The cavern's heat disrupted her focus, and her psychic connection faltered.
"I can't teleport you!" she cried, her voice tinged with panic. Despite growing so much her Psychic powers, they failed her when it mattered the most.
"Then go!" Dune snarled. "Get the others out!"
Gardevoir hesitated, guilt flashing across her face before she vanished, leaving Dune and Helena behind.
Groudon let out a guttural roar as it finished charging its [Eruption]. The lava beneath it surged, the glow intensifying until it was like staring into the sun.
Dune didn't think twice. He lunged at Helena, grabbing her and shielding her with his massive muscular body.
"[Protect]!" he roared, activating the move as the explosion tore through the chamber.
The blast was like a nuke. Waves of fire and molten rock slammed into Dune's barrier, the pressure alone enough to crack the ground beneath his feet.
The heat seared his skin, his scales barely holding under the strain. His mind screamed at him to let go, to collapse, but he held firm.
Everything went dark.
Dune woke up with a start, the taste of ash still in his mouth. He blinked, his vision blurry as he took in the familiar sight of the mansion's ornate ceiling.
The air smelled of sterilizing spray and lavender, contrasting to the volcanic hellhole he remembered last.
Gardevoir stood at the foot of the bed, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed low. Her massive breasts heaved as she took slow, measured breaths, avoiding Dune's piercing gaze.
"You're awake," she murmured, but her voice had no relief.
Dune sat up slowly, his body aching like hell. "What the fuck happened? Where's Helena?"
Gardevoir stiffened, her eyes darting to the side. "The Team Magma grunts were captured," she said softly. "They've been sent to the Breaking Point. Salazzle and Lopunny are ensuring their processing—"
"I didn't ask about them," Dune cut her off, "Where. Is. Helena?"
Gardevoir flinched but didn't answer, her hands tightening into fists. Dune's eyes narrowed, and his tail slammed against the bed frame, cracking the wood.
"Gardevoir," he growled, his tone laced with fury. "Answer me. Now."
"She…" Gardevoir's voice cracked, and she finally looked up, tears welling in her crimson eyes. "She's gone into shock. She… she's retreated into her room. She won't speak. She's reverted to how she was before she met you."
Dune's heart sank. The image of Helena—his Helena—flashed through his mind. The girl who clung to him with unwavering trust, who smiled awkwardly but beautifully, now locked away in herself. It hit him like a truck.
"This is on me," Dune muttered, his claws digging into his palms. "I should've protected her. I should've done better."
Gardevoir moved closer, hesitating before placing a hand on his shoulder. "Master, you—"
"Shut it," Dune snapped, shrugging her hand off with his tail. He stood abruptly, his towering body casting a shadow over her. "Where is she?"
"In her quarters," Gardevoir whispered. "She… won't let anyone in."
Without another word, Dune stormed out of the room, his mind racing. He didn't give a fuck how long it would take or what it would cost. He'd fix this. For her. For Helena. No one else mattered.
As Dune made his way to Helena's quarters, his mind spiraled into a pit of self-loathing.
He'd been lazy, letting his ego balloon out of control, acting like he was untouchable.
But Groudon had been a harsh reality check. There were still Pokémon and trainers out there who could kick his ass, and worse, he'd let his guard down when Helena needed him most.
That wouldn't happen again. Not now, not ever. He was going to fix this—if for no other reason than his own damn pride and the girl who had put all her trust in him.
When he reached their room, Dune stopped, staring at the door like it was a barrier to everything he'd fucked up. He let out a low growl and knocked with his tail, the heavy thud echoing in the hallway.
"Gardevoir, just leave the food at the door," Helena's voice called out, weak and shaky. Dune snorted, "It's me."
The sound of scrambling followed, and then the lock clicked. Helena threw the door open and practically slammed into Dune, her arms wrapping around his colossal body.
She was shaking like a leaf, her face pressed into his scales. The smell hit him immediately—she reeked of sweat, unwashed clothes, and whatever stale food was lying around the room.
But Dune didn't give a shit. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in tightly, cradling her against his chest.
Helena's voice was muffled against his scales. "I… I thought I'd lost you…"
"You didn't," Dune muttered, his voice rough. "I'm here."
Helena pulled back just enough to look up at him, her face streaked with dried tears. "I… I'm sorry for the mess." She stepped aside, waving her hand toward the disaster zone behind her.
The room was a wreck. Half-eaten food containers and open books were scattered everywhere, and the curtains were drawn tight, blocking out any trace of sunlight. The smell of old food and despair clung to the air, but Dune didn't bat an eye.
"Fuck the mess," Dune grunted, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "I'm not here to judge you for that."
They sat on the edge of the bed, the springs creaking under Dune's weight.
For a while, they just sat in silence, the tension between them thick. Finally, Helena broke it.
"I'm so weak..." she muttered, her voice trembling. "I froze, Dune. I couldn't do anything."
Dune looked at her, his golden eyes sharp. "Don't say that. It was my fault. You are my trainer and my girl. I should've protected you better. You held your own, Helena. You've been through many changes so fast, and you're still standing."
Helena shook her head, tears welling up again. "No, I—"
"Stop," Dune growled, cutting her off. "You're strong. You've got more potential than you think. But if you're doubting me now, then let me make this clear—you're my number one. Always."
Helena sniffled, wiping her face with her sleeve. "I don't care about the others, you know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"All the girls, the Pokemon, whatever. As long as I'm yours, as long as in your heart you remember how we met and how you choose me as your trainer and slut, I don't care. I love that about you, Dune. I love that you're a beast."
Dune's chest tightened at her words. He pulled her into him, lying back on the bed until they were tangled together. His massive arms encircled her, and she pressed her face into his chest, her tears wetting his scales.
"I love you, Dune," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I love you so much."
"I know," Dune said softly. "I got you, Helena. I always got you."
Helena clung to him tighter, her body wracked with silent sobs. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Dune just held her, letting her cry it all out.