Watching Some TV

(Author's Note: Starting tomorrow I become very busy with family stuff etc. for the next few weeks, so updates will become much less frequent. I'll still try to get the odd chapter out but I can't guarantee anything. So this chapter and any others I get done today will potentially be the last for a little while. I'll definitely try to return more promptly than I have with other breaks, though; I'm really enjoying writing this right now as well as interacting with all of you. Thanks! On a side note, this chapter is largely just necessary world-building stuff, so it wasn't the most exciting one to write lol)

You wake up the next morning, slightly surprised to find Misty not cuddled up next to you asleep. Guess she's an early riser, you muse, remembering that she had got up before you in Rock Tunnel too. You look around for the girl until you hear the sounds of a shower running from the en-suite bathroom of the Pokémon Center room you're staying in. Ok, that's where she is then. You have half a mind to join her in there like you had yesterday, but instead grab your phone, which is finally working again. You send a message to Daisy Oak, apologising for forgetting to call yesterday; you don't mention that it's because you were distracted by a Gym Leader eating you out. Daisy replies, totally cool with it, and you have a brief text conversation; she's interrogated her grandfather about Blue's supposed 'family business', but the professor doesn't seem to know anything about it either. Huh...

The talk of family reminds you to message your mother also, and you have a short chat with her too over text, mainly focused around how proud she is of you for winning your three gym badges and for making it all the way to Lavender Town. You feel a pang of regret as the conversation ends; you couldn't face bringing up what happened with Blue and the deal you made, but you feel like you might have too soon unless you want to consumed by guilt every time you talk to your mom.

You're thankfully interrupted from these thoughts by Misty stepping out of the bathroom, fully dressed in her usual outfit. Her hair is still slightly wet, and not contained in its normal ponytail. "Morning, Amber," she smiles, taking a seat on the bed next to you. You return her greeting, before standing up, deciding you'd better get showered and dressed yourself so you can start heading for the next gym town. You retrieve a clean tank top and shorts from your bag, as well as fresh underwear, and head into the bathroom after putting yesterday's clothes in the washing machine that the Center has also provided; this room seems to have everything.

When you come out of the bathroom you find Misty still sat on the bed, staring at the small wall-mounted TV monitor in the room. You see that she's watching the same pokémon-focused news show that the Cerulean Sisters had broadcast their humiliating footage of you on, and you realise why Misty's watching so intently; she's concerned they'll have done something similar to her after their falling out. You sit down next to Misty, ready to offer your support in case the worst happens, but right now there doesn't seem to be anything to worry about. A news anchor is standing in what looks like Viridian City, interviewing a tall man in a crisp suit with short black hair, who looks vaguely familiar to you; he's definitely been on TV before.

"I'm here with Giovanni, renowned businessman and new leader of the Viridian City Gym," says the reporter, and you realise where you know this guy from. Giovanni is the owner of several casinos and strip clubs across Kanto, Johto and beyond, building a powerful empire out of monetising people's addiction to gambling and sex. Despite the shadiness of his businesses of choice, he has a very good reputation as far as rich CEOs go, never putting a toe out of line and coming across as a naturally charismatic and likable person on media interviews, even being tipped to run for government in the next election cycle. You knew he was also a powerful trainer, but had no idea he was the man to replace Bruno as Viridian Gym Leader; his charm and easy manner was certainly a contrast to his predecessor's air of intimidation.

"Finally, I would like to offer an apology to any trainers who have attempted to challenge the gym recently," says Giovanni, as your attention snaps back to the TV; clearly they've been talking for a little while while you've been lost in your thoughts. "My busy schedule has meant that I have not been able to receive challengers as of late, and I see that as a dereliction of my duties as a Gym Leader. Signing the contract with the Pokémon League to run the gym was not a decision I took lightly, and I intend to improve my conduct from here on out. I have been in talks with League officials and they have very kindly agreed to work out a schedule of dates where the gym will be open, allowing me to devote those days fully to my responsibilities as a leader, while still being able to fulfil my business commitments the rest of the time."

He begins to read out a list of dates from a piece of paper in his hand, and you listen intently, knowing this will be of vital importance; you need the badge from Viridian in order to challenge the Pokémon League. However, it doesn't look like you'll be getting it any time soon; all the dates he lists are a few weeks away or more. You guess it makes the most sense for you to challenge the other four remaining gyms first, before hitting Viridian City last. This is assuming Saffron City opens up any time soon, of course...

The interview with Giovanni ends and the show cuts back to the news studio, the lead anchor thanking the reporter. "That's almost all we've got time for on today's programme, but first, a message from Lorelei and Bruno of the Elite 4." Misty seems to relax at the lack of mention of the Cerulean Sisters, but you feel yourself tensing up slightly; you feel like you know what's coming.

You're proven correct as Lorelei and Bruno appear on screen, the former looking incredibly pleased with herself. "We are delighted to announce that our campaign for the sexual forfeit system to be applied in battles between two female trainers has been approved for use in not only gym battles and Pokémon League challenges, but regular battles also," says Lorelei, a look of intense satisfaction in her reddish-brown eyes. "Myself and Bruno, along with many others in the League, have been pushing for this change for a long time, but never expected to achieve such a monumental result so quickly. We believe this will usher in a new age of equality for female trainers, the likes of which the Kanto and Johto regions, or indeed the world at large, has never seen before."

"It'll be great for tv ratings for pokémon battles, too," adds Bruno, gruffly. "What guy on the planet doesn't enjoy seeing two women get it on?"

"Quite," Lorelei smirks. She continues talking for a while, but you don't really listen anymore. You're really not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand Lorelei's new system had been the only reason you'd ever had sex with Misty, and was the catalyst for the girl accompanying you on your journey. On the other hand, though… this rule had now been pushed through for every pokémon battle. From now on, it wasn't only the male trainers you had to worry about losing to; any woman who defeated you could use your body as they saw fit. You picture yourself losing to some random woman on the road, and her forcing you to lick her cunt before bending you over and fucking you with a big strap-on dildo... aaaaaand now your panties are wet. Fuck's sake Amber, you grimace. This is serious...

Misty, meanwhile, seems to have no such concerns over this rule change, turning the TV off and smiling at you. "This is great, isn't it, Amber? The world's finally looking fairer for us girls." Makes sense you're excited about it, you think, remembering how eager Misty had been for you to cuff her and zap her with a shock wand after your gym battle victory over her. You say nothing, though, instead just smiling at Misty as she gets up off the bed and moves for the door. "C'mon, we're moving on, right? Nothing here for us in Lavender Town." You suppose she's right, and give her a nod, standing up and following her. As the two of you step outside, however, you can't help but feel like the world hasn't got fairer for 'us girls'. In fact, it may have just gotten even worse...