Chương 61: More Edgy than Ever.

As Gardevoir gracefully cleaned the last of her plate. Her cow-print bikini clung to her ample chest, which Lopunny couldn't stop staring at.

Lopunny, seated at the counter, grinned mischievously. Her eyes sparkled with their usual playful mischief as she eyed Gardevoir.

"You know, Gardi," she teased, slowly standing up from the kitchen counter, "it's about time I made sure those big udders of yours hadn't grown any bigger since yesterday."

Without warning, she reached forward, grabbing one of Gardevoir's breasts with both hands. "Let's test them out~," she said mockingly, squeezing and massaging the soft flesh in her palms.

Gardevoir sighed, her expression remaining composed despite Lopunny's antics. "Must you always be this childish?" she said coolly, though the blush that crept across her pale cheeks betrayed her embarrassment. "There is a time and place for such things, Lopunny."

"Right here and right now sounds perfect to me," Lopunny replied with a grin, her fingers continuing to play with Gardevoir's breasts as she shamelessly toyed with them. "They practically invite me to grab them, don't they?"

Gardevoir's gaze narrowed as she gently swatted Lopunny's hands away with a wave of her psychic energy. "You're insufferable," she muttered, adjusting her top.

Before the situation could escalate, there was a sudden knock on the door, and all the girls in the room paused.

Salazzle, who had been lounging on the floor, stirred and stretched lazily, her leash dragging along the tile as she stood. "I'll get it," she purred, her voice thick with sleep.

She slithered her way to the door like a snake, her hips swaying lazily, and disappeared down the hallway.

Meanwhile, Lopunny finally eased up on her teasing, her curiosity piqued. She glanced at Gardevoir with a more serious expression, her ears twitching.

"Hey, Gardi," Lopunny began, leaning back against the counter, her tone dropping to something more sincere. "I've been meaning to ask… what happened to Zoroark after the whole Cerulean Cave mess? I was out cold for most of it, and when I woke up, she was gone."

Gardevoir, now freed from Lopunny's harassment, sat up straighter, her expression softening slightly as she pondered the question.

"Zoroark… she struggled after the battle," she admitted, her voice quiet yet firm. "She was lost. You see, she didn't know how to live as a wild Pokemon anymore."

"After spending years in captivity, being used as a tool by Giovanni and his scientists… she couldn't adapt."

Lopunny's ears perked up. "Lost, huh? So what did Dune do?"

"Master Dune, in his infinite wisdom, offered her a chance at a new life," Gardevoir explained, her voice calm but with a hint of pride.

"He appointed her as the Park Ranger of PokeRanch."

"Park Ranger?" Lopunny repeated, tilting her head in curiosity.

"Yes," Gardevoir continued. "GoodHaven, the PokeRanch is vast—500,000 acres of land with mountains, rivers, and forests."

"Many hikers or trainers wander into the property, unaware that they've crossed into private land. Zoroark's abilities make her the perfect guardian. With her [Illusion] ability, she can blend in with humans and patrol the area without being seen."

"It gives her a sense of purpose and keeps the PokeRanch safe from intruders."

Lopunny whistled, impressed. "Damn, a ranger, huh? Not bad."

Gardevoir nodded. "Indeed. She's adapted well to the role, but… there's more." Her expression grew thoughtful, almost concerned.

"Zoroark has started asking me about Master Dune more frequently. It's subtle, but I've noticed her curiosity growing. She's trying to understand him, trying to… figure out what makes him, well, him."

Lopunny raised an eyebrow, leaning in with interest. "Oh? She's into the big guy now? Can't blame her, though. Dune's… well, Dune." She smirked. "He's got that whole 'dominant monster' vibe that's hard to ignore."

Gardevoir sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, but it's more than that."

Zoroark doesn't just want to know about his strength or his dominance. She's trying to understand why we… why we serve him so willingly." Gardevoir's gaze flickered, a hint of emotion creeping into her normally composed demeanor. "It's as if she's searching for something—perhaps trying to reconcile her own feelings about her freedom."

Lopunny crossed her arms, thinking it over. "Huh. I never thought Zoroark for the introspective type."

"Guess spending all that time locked up messed with her head more than we thought." She gave a sly grin. "So, is she gonna join the harem next, or what?"

Gardevoir shot her a sharp look. "It's not that simple. Zoroark is… complicated. She's still figuring things out. And—she's been picking up some bad habits lately."

Lopunny tilted her head to the other side, confused. "Bad habits? What do you mean?"

Gardevoir frowned slightly. "She's taken to chain-smoking, which is bad enough, but now she's started drinking excessively as well."

"I've caught her sneaking into the kitchen late at night, downing bottles of alcohol."

"And she's not just doing it here—she's been drinking heavily during her patrols outside the mansion too." Gardevoir's disapproval was clear in her tone as she added, "It's unhealthy and frankly dangerous for someone in her position."

Lopunny, even though invested in what Gardevoir was telling her, was also invested in groping her friend; her hands slid inside Gardevoir's top and started fidgeting around her nipples.

Gardevoir sighed as she continued, "It's becoming a problem. I believe she's using alcohol to cope with her past, but it's getting out of control."

"I've tried talking to her, but she's resistant, claiming she's just 'unwinding.' But it's clear she's avoiding dealing with her emotions."

Lopunny rubbed Gardevoir's nipples. "Damn. I mean, I get it—she's been through a lot. But that's not gonna end well if she keeps it up."

She paused, then smirked again. "Maybe she just needs a good "sparring" session to let off some steam. I wouldn't mind taking her on in a fight."

Gardevoir sighed and almost threw Lopunny against the other side of the kitchen, but in her infinite patience, she refrained from doing so, though her expression softened slightly.

"Perhaps... But right now, she needs more than just a "fight." She needs to confront what's haunting her, and I fear she's not ready to face it yet."

Just then, Salazzle returned to the kitchen, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Our guest is here," she announced, her voice smooth and teasing as always. "And guess who it is?"

Before anyone could ask, Zoroark herself stepped into the kitchen, her lithe form draped in her usual white cropped tank top and pink panties. But what caught their attention most was the cigarette dangling from her lips and the half-empty bottle of whiskey she carried in her hand.

"Speak of the devil," Lopunny said with a grin. "Zoro! You really picked up some bad habits, huh?"

Zoroark took a drag from her cigarette, her red eyes glinting with amusement as she sat at the counter. "Like you care," she replied coolly, her voice low and raspy from the smoke. I needed something to pass the time between shifts."

Gardevoir shot her a disapproving look. "You know that's terrible for your health, don't you? Both the smoking and the drinking."

Zoroark shrugged, taking a long swig from the whiskey bottle. "Yeah, well… after everything I've been through, I think I can handle it." She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, clearly indifferent to the concern.

Lopunny chuckled, hopping off the counter and nudging Zoroark playfully. "Well, Ranger Zoroark, glad to see you're settling in. But seriously, you gotta lay off the cigs and booze. You don't wanna end up a mess, do ya?"

Zoroark smirked, her sharp teeth flashing in a brief grin. "I'll think about it."

Gardevoir, having just finished her meal, wiped her mouth gracefully and stood up, turning to Zoroark.

"Zoroark," Gardevoir began, her voice calm and measured, "has the delivery arrived yet?"

Zoroark nodded, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Yeah, it's been handled. We threw it in the back building where the maid house is being constructed. The Machamps are still working on the installations."

Lopunny's perked up. "Ooh, can I come take a look? I'm curious about what you two are up to."

Salazzle lazily stretched out on the floor, yawned, and flicked her tail. "Meh, I don't care. I'm going for another walk," she said indifferently, pulling herself up as she slithered out of the kitchen and into the outside.

Gardevoir gave a slight nod. "Very well, Lopunny. Come along, but this isn't a place for games."

Lopunny jumped off her, bouncing slightly on her feet with her usual energy. "I'm in!"

Zoroark stubbed out her cigarette in a nearby ashtray without a word and began leading the way, her movements rough and with an edge she had developed over time.

Gardevoir and Lopunny followed closely behind her as they made their way toward the back building of the PokeRanch mansion.

The construction site was busy with the sound of Machamps and Machokes hammering away at steel beams and wood.

The new maid house was slowly taking shape. It would be large enough to accommodate many individuals and have clean and modern installations.

Zoroark gestured toward a section of the building as they walked. "It's all being set up nicely. Should be ready soon."

However, Zoroark led them toward an unassuming bookcase near the far wall. With a swift motion, she pulled a lever hidden behind one of the books, revealing a secret elevator.

The polished doors slid open silently, and the trio stepped inside.

The descent was quiet, but Lopunny couldn't shake a feeling of unease. The elevator whirred softly as they were taken down, far below the surface of the PokeRanch mansion.

When the doors finally opened, Lopunny's eyes widened in shock.

Before her lay a dimly lit underground chamber filled with what could only be described as breeding stands. Multiple women, still in their Team Rocket uniforms, were shackled in place.

Lopunny swallowed hard, her heart racing. "What… what is this?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly as she looked around the room, seeing the high-ranking members of Team Rocket she had heard about.

Some looked dazed, while others glared defiantly at them.

Zoroark remained silent, standing off to the side as Gardevoir stepped forward, her voice calm and composed. "This, Lopunny, is 'The Breaking Point.' These women have committed heinous crimes—murder, Pokemon experimentation, large-scale terrorism, political bribery, and more."

"In any other prison, they would be treated as queens, given their influence and power."

Zoroark's eyes narrowed as she walked slowly through the room, her gaze flicking over the women. "But here, they face their punishment. Dune will decide their fates. Each of them will be broken—mind, body, and spirit. Only then will they be given a choice."

Lopunny, still visibly shaken, looked around the room, her gaze lingering on the empty expressions of some of the women. "But… isn't this a bit too much? I mean… even for them?"

Zoroark turned to face her, her expression unyielding. "Too much? These women have ruined countless lives, corrupted governments, and treated both humans and Pokemon as nothing more than tools for their own gain." "This is justice, Lopunny. And trust me, it is far kinder than what they truly deserve."

Lopunny bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She had seen the darkness in the world, but this… this was something else. "So, what happens to them after this? After they're… broken?"

Gardevoir's expression softened slightly as she explained, "Once they've reached their 'breaking point,' they will be offered several options. Some will be hired by SandSharks, and others will work as volunteers in SandSharks' nonprofit organizations."

"Some will work to preserve the natural habitats here in PokeRanch. And for those who excel and show true reform… they may be granted the honor of becoming maids here at the mansion."

Lopunny's ears twitched, still processing the gravity of the situation. "And her?" she asked, pointing at familiar magenta-haired Rocket.

Gardevoir sighed. "Master Dune specifically requested her; her name is Jessie. So, I brought her along with the rest. What he plans to do with her remains to be seen."

Lopunny, still uneasy but trusting Gardevoir's judgment, nodded slowly. "Alright… I get it. But this place… it's intense."

Zoroark smiled devilishly as she spanked one of the woman's butt. "Yes. But necessary."

Zoroark guided them back to the elevator as they left the underground chamber in silence. Lopunny's mind still reeled from what she had seen, but she trusted that Dune's methods, however harsh, were for the greater good.

When they returned to the surface and returned to the mansion, they were greeted by a far more pleasant sight.

Helena and Dune were laughing together as they prepared lunch in the kitchen. Helena was playfully feeding Dune fruit slices, her face glowing with happiness as they worked side by side.

The contrast between the underground chamber and the kitchen's warmth left Lopunny with a strange feeling, but she found some comfort in the sight of their happy bond.

"Hi! Welcome back," Helena said with a smile, offering the group some fresh fruit. "We're making lunch. Want to join us?"

Lopunny glanced at Gardevoir, then back at Helena and Dune, her expression softening. "Yeah… I think I could use a bite." Lopunny said even when her stomach was full, just so she didn't make Helena's expression darken.

As the group took seats in the kitchen, the darker side of PokeRanch faded into the background—at least for now.