Little fic I've been working on in my spare time. I obviously plan to work at it when I can, but with that said - I'll only be able to work on it when I can. I hope you all enjoy!
I don't own Pokemon nor anything else that may be referenced.
The Modern Day, Castelia City.
Almost two centuries ago, a portal opened up in the sky that brought forth new species. Specifically, 718 new types of creatures that now roam our world. They were all somewhat human-like, indulging in individual characteristics that likened them to our own genus, but each was also unique. Some were stronger, faster, and more durable. Some could command the elements at will, and some were even rumoured to possess power on god-like levels. However, mankind made it their immediate mission to track down and subjugate these individual species, like all else they'd encountered. At the current hour, of the current day of the current year, these species had repopulated amongst themselves within human society, but were far and away more marginalised than any human minority. For the most part they were not treated poorly; there were just so few of them. They did not take simple, ordinary places in society though – due to their powers, they were used for violence, international conflict and war. Some were left out, those with powers suited to other places and even a fair number of these species made it into the business world.
They were known as Pokemon; Pocket Monsters – monsters in the pocket of humanities ire.
However, for most it was a life of killing or to be killed – and most of them were good at it. Guns were seen as a pathetic tool of weakness for these creatures, whose own blows could level buildings with the very strongest of them. Likewise, there were Pokemon who could outright outpace bullets fired from a barrel, rendering the projectile arms useless against them.
This tale focuses on one such creature of a latter species. Working for a new syndicate that maintains order as best it can – the Pokemon Branch of Unova – our protagonist makes his own life amongst humankind.
11:37pm, Narrow Alleyways.
He stumbled and fell, tripping up on his own footsteps before scrambling back to his feet and sprinting wildly away. Even with the darkness, the goggles he'd stolen from the museum meant that the alleyway was as bright as day to him, and only his own clumsiness could impede him now.
Then suddenly, a shadow leapt above him and dashed past, provoking the crook to hastily equip his handgun and raise it in fear. He circled the ground, looking in all directions with the weapon up and ready to use at a moments notice. The night was quiet, and stayed so until the man was satisfied enough that he started running again. Thought as soon as he built up a steady pace, the shadow reappeared, this time it crashed into him and sent him sprawling.
'-Hey!' He cried out as he hit the wall, falling to his knees. The hand holding the pistol gripped in rush anger and he raised it again at the offender, intending to open fire after giving the shadow a piece of his mind.
What he saw however, silenced him. Standing against the wall opposite in the near-unlight was a short figure of 155cm in stature. His arms were crossed sternly across his chest, hands tucked into the elbows. Two eyes glared back at him, the only visible facial features.
'You're…one of them…' The crook muttered with a slack-jaw.
'Indeed, how observant of you.' The creature replied in a voice of low but smooth sounds. It stepped out of the dark, almost trailing it with him as he revealed himself to be akin to it.
The shorter man was garbed entirely in a black cloth that tainted blue in the right light, wrapped around his body over and over like crematorial bindings; even his fingers and feet – shaped as though there was a boot beneath – had been bound meticulously. It wrapped completely around his head too, only open for his eyes to pierce through and at the back for his bright pink, back-facing spikey hair – pulled back by a headband that tailed two pieces of cloth. The material ended at his neck, forming another two trailing scarves – this set being as long as his body.
'Y-you…half-breed!' The criminal opened fire, releasing three shots into the space in front of him. Next thing he knew – even before the sound of the gun had registered in his mind – the creature occupying that space had disappeared. He dimly looked around to see where he went, when he heard a whistle from up high.
'Really, you should know better than to try those archaeic weapons against a half-breed.' The black-garbed man was now crouching casually on the above wall, staying against the verticle slope as if it wasn't there.
He's on the wall… 'Bug-Type!' The criminal registered, acknowledging one of the traits that defined the insectine group of species from the other 17.
'Ooh, very well done. Now can you tell me what species I am?' The wall-sticker mocked. He didn't receive a response as the criminal began sprinting away again, firing wayward bullets behind him. Our hero easily dodged them without thinking, giving a bored sigh as the man tore away from him down the narrow alleyway.
The runner left his chaser behind, slipping into the darkness and not slowing his pace at all. He gave a self-satisfied smirk, before running headfirst into a swinging knee that came out of nowhere. Hitting the ground, shouting in pain, and finally rubbing his certainly bleeding forehead, he looked back up to see his cross-armed chaser leaning against the wall.
…How did he catch up so quickly!?
'Really, this will be a lot easier for you if you surrender.'
The criminal grunted in defiance and shot more rounds, all of them completely avoided by their target.
'At the very least you could try to fight with your hands or perhaps a knife you might be carrying. Guns got boring the second we figured out how weak you humans really are.' More shots were fired, each one avoided with utmost apathy. A few more rounds and the pistol was clicking empty. The criminal fumbled with reloading, and in that moment of clumsiness the weapon was kicked out of his hand.
'Outstanding.' The Bug-Type commented. 'Now, try hitting me.'
The man gave a powerful swing in desperation, aiming at the pink-haired head of his foe. He missed completely, his target ducking under. Immediately after he tried for a second swing at the gut, but the shorter creature spun on his heel out of the way, swinging into a low sweep that knocked the crook's legs out from under him.
'Shit!' The fallen criminal exclaimed as his back hit the ground, followed up by his assailant's heel pushing into his neck. He let out a gurgling choke as the Bug-Type chuckled and forced down harder with his foot.
'Let me go, Bug!'
He looked down in amusement and shifted his weight. 'Of course, because you're so persuasive.' The pink-haired creature lifted his other foot and pressed it down against the elbow of his victim, earning a cry of pain.
'Gy-aah!'
'Now, you'll come quietly?' The black-garbed one whispered, twisting the impliment ever so slightly.
'Yes, yes!' He struggled a bit, but his flailing limbs did little to improve the situation. His attacker let up and lifted his heel, replacing it with a syringe.
'Thank you for your cooperation.'
Castelia City, Southern Port.
The black-garbed agent had lugged his unconscious prize around the city with him, an easy but still tedious task that he'd undertaken many times before. His ability to literally walk up walls – courtesy of Bug-Typing – cling to shadows effortlessly and move faster than most acknowledged levels of speed meant that the journey was comparitively short.
He reached the waters edge at the far end of the pier, giving one last check to the surroundings before dumping the limp body into a small speedboat. Quickly and as quietly as possible he set off in the craft and sprinted against small waves, bouncing on the water.
Eventually he reached an island out in the bay, one that from all other appearances looked deserted. Setting the boat along the shore, he leaped out with his prize over his shoulder to continue the return. As his lower legs were bathed in the shallows his boat was parked in, he took a sigh of relief – water always felt nice.
As he began to walk up the gradual slope that peaked a short hill at the centre of the island, he lamented on his life.
Sneaking, hunting, hiding. He thought to the other part of his activities. Fighting, capturing, killing…Still, it's better than no life. Suddenly, a small pocket in his bindings began to buzz, drawing his attention. He reached down and procured the offending cause – a hand-sized flip phone that was vibrating in his palm. With an annoyed grunt the Bug-Type creature answered it.
'Q1, always a pleasure.'
'Don't give me that, you're supposed to be back at base in four minutes.'
'I'm almost there, ma'am. I just got a bit caught up detaining the target.'
'You recovered the stolen article, I trust?'
'Yes, yes.' He answered back. 'After Spec's violates whatever it is, it'll be returned to its rightful owner.' He knew the procedure. 'What of the human?'
'Passed on to human authorities, this one is of no interest to us.'
'Yes ma'am.' By this point in time the agent had reached the top of the hill, marked by a single, lone tree stump. 'I'm just coming in now, shall we continue this conversation inside.'
'Yes, Faust. Come straight to my office once you've deposited the two items.' Q1 replied, closing the line.
The entity known as Faust chuckled, putting the phone away. As he neared the stump, he jumped atop it and tapped his foot four times on its rim, then a fifth on the flat of it. As expected, the stump jerked slightly before lowering into the ground, taking him and the unconscious crook with it. Several minutes later – after a gradual shift in the dirt tunnels to sterile metal walls – he reached the lobby, where behind a desk were two humans – one blue haired and one a vibrant red. Each party gave a curt nod to the other as Faust walked to the door leading into the main facility, nothing more.
To the left of the dual doors was a wall-mounted box, with several keys and buttons on it. Each agent of each branch had a unique code that would allow them access to the main facilities, and Faust punched his in without even looking.
617-ACC.
Unova Branch, Main Hall.
The glass doors gave way, permitting him to resume his stride. The main hall was a grand, circular chamber with many stairways leading from doors above the main floor – bearing semblence to the Battle Station in Nimbasa. Within the hall several bodies bustled in busiwork, both human and Pokemon alike. This was one of the few places that all were equal – even if it were for a multitude of reasons.
Faust had noticed that some humans saw Pokemon as equals by raising their status within the humans' perception; others had lowered humans' status to match that of the Pokemon. Neither case was ideal, but far better than how most were treated in the rest of society – particularly the more rural areas.
Regardless, he made his way over to the stairway two places left of the lobby where he entered. The board above the door read Forensics, though it really worked as the general sciences area. Faust tried to – as he always did – make this visit as soon as possible. He dumped the unconscious human on the desk and walked out, but he just wasn't quick enough.
'Ah, Field Agent…you brought me a present?' A slow, ancient voice wooshed out from behind him. Faust grimaced and turned, bringing the floating, long-armed Pokemon into his vision.
'Ciril. Try not to eviscerate this one.' The Bug berated him, earing a wry glare from the Forensic scientist.
Ciril the Sigilyph was a tall, wide-eyed creature of immensly strange proportions. He had long, sticky arms that could've strangled a Girafarig with ease. His estranged, multi-coloured garb hung off his frame like a poncho, complimented by the many, many articles of jewelery. The Psychic-Type floated wistfully off the ground without thought, usually trailling his clothes along it if he wasn't high enough. Off his shoulders, sleeves and collar hung numerous multi-coloured feathers, and he wore a tall, pointed hat to top off his eccentric appearance.
'Evicerate…hmmm…is your opinion of me that looooowwww?'
'Try not to think about it. When you're done give him over to the human police.' Faust turned away from the strange creature, walking as fast as a normal man would run. He seldom visited the Forensic Office, and more often than not Ciril was not the one to meet him. The two creatures who served alongside Ciril were of the Archeops and Carracosta species respectively, both amiable creatures – if a little…outdated in mannerisms.
A modest Pokemon, Faust didn't bother flaunting his incredible speed for the sake of boasting, but he did run to Q1's office as fast as he could – rendering a nigh-invisible blur to most.
As he reached the office, a single guard stood outside. He was of the Druddigon species, a hunched, thorny figure with unnaturally long, muscular arms and spiked wings on his back, wearing militiant officer attire with remarkably long tails and answering to the name of Leandros. The Dragon-Type wore mantle colours of red and blue – with the former mimicking his bright shock of spiky hair, and he eyed the Bug as he approached.
The Pokemon forced Faust to stop mid-stride for the obligatory frisking – the frisking in question done by Q1's nearby secretary; a Gothitelle named Elliot. Finding him clean, they allowed him passage through the doorway and into Q1's office.
'My lady.' He made his presence known to the back of the chair that sat behind the ebony desk, bowing curtly.
'Faust? You're actually on time.' Replied a stern, commanding female voice. The chair didn't move as Q1 spoke to him, as was her reputation demanded.
'I try to be as punctual as possible, my lady.' The Bug took his place, standing a few metres before her desk with his arms crossed.
'Truly.' She said. 'Though that isnt anything special for an individual of your species, Accelgor.'
Faust grumbled. 'Regardless, I don't think you called me here for a social reason – nor the trivial incident regarding the stolen museum goggles.'
'Indeed.' The chair didn't move to reveal Q1 directly, but a holographic screen came up before it for Faust to see. On it were various faces of Pokemon, all with roguelike features about them. The Accelgor took a moment to note each ones species before replying.
'So what's this about? It isnt related to…?'
'No, of course not.' Q1 replied. 'These are several Pokemon that are wanted throughout the six regions for various crimes and villainy, all with considerable bounties on their heads. So far we havent been too interested in it, because none of the culprits are Unova natives and they havent concerned themselves with our region as of such. As far as we know, none of them are working together-'
'-But it would be foolish to rule out that they arent.' Faust finished.
'Yes.' The Unova Branch Leader confirmed.
Faust paused a bit before continuing. 'Still, why are we dealing with them? As you said, none of these Pokemon are from Unova.'
'True, but all of them are currently residing in Unova – possibly for that exact reason, too.'
'Because they aren't natives, the human populace are less likely to recognize them?'
'Yes, and thus they elude detection.'
The Accelgor shifted his weight from foot to foot, still with his arms crossed. 'So you want me to capture them?'
She let out a short laugh. 'Capture or kill. It's gotten to the point where the Branch Leaders no longer care – that speaks for me as well.'
Faust nodded. 'I understand.' His species was of one of the rare Bug-Types that didn't specialise in capture – unlike particularly glaring examples such as Galvantula or Ariados. Having the option to simply kill his marks was a great boon. Still, looking at some of the faces he couldn't help but feel somewhat anxious.
'My lady…if I may say so, many of these Pokemon outclass me on a fundamental level. It's true that few things outspeed my pace, but I am fragile at best…and the Bug-Type has many predators.'
'I'm aware. And that is why you'll be receiving back-up. I'm placing you in command of a 5-man cell, including yourself.'
The Accelgor winced – teamwork was not his forte – but he kept it quiet. She might not have been able to see him, but she could certainly hear him. '…Yes, my lady. Who of the Unova Branch will be on this team?'
'Well, as this case is an international matter – you'll be receiving support from more than Unova. You'll be meeting two of them soon, one who is already here – and one tomorrow. At that point the case will officially start; the others will arrive gradually as they finish their individual assignments. One from Hoenn, two from Kalos and someone else of Unova.
'Mm. Who from Unova?' He asked again.
There was a silence, but it felt suspiciously like a cruel and wry smile. 'One of our Dragons. She's away on a mission currently and will join you last.'
Faust processed the information, before suddenly spluttering and becoming frightfully rigid. 'Wait…did you say she!?'
'I did, Accelgor.'
He shivered. There's only one female Dragon that the Unova Branch contracts…Last time I saw her she…The muscule memory of pain almost hurt to think about, being blasted clean across the field last time they'd sparred – all those years ago. He distilled it and recomposed himself, letting out a little groan, he resumed talking.
'Understood…anything else, ma'am?' He asked as he exhaled slowly, nodding curtly into his folded arms.
'One of these agents – the Hoenn one – is an old friend. Treat him well.'
'Yes, my lady.' He began to retreat from the office.
'Oh, and Faust?' She asked just as he opened the door. 'Don't get killed. It wouldn't be the same if my fastest agent died and I had to rely on the Gregory on a bicycle to sort things out fast enough.' She mentioned the natural rival of Accelgor with the casualness of any small talk.
Faust just frowned and left.
The Next Day, Unova Branch, Battledome.
After being dismissed, Faust was told by Elliot that his first new teammate would be staying in the temporary holdings at to the sparring arena – colloquially known as the Battledome. The Pokemon he'd be meeting was one of the Kalos field agents, a Water-Type who went by the name of Liquid.
How original.
Striding alongside the massive, curving walkways that encompassed the main arena and doubled as seats when there was a particularly interesting match going on, Faust ignored the occaisonal other life forms he passed – both Pokemon and human. Eventually he made it to the row of iron doors that marked these temporary holdings, and knocked on the one matching the number he'd been given. From the same information packet, this Pokemon's ID code was 658-GRE.
*Knock-knock* The Acceglor rapped his knuckle against the metal twice, following it up with a vocal provocation. 'Kalos agent, are you in there?' No response. 'It's the cell leader for the international criminal case!'
Again, no response. Faust frowned and turned to leave, whoever was ignoring him now would have to seek him out later – when suddenly an odd hissing sound reached his ears from above. He looked up and instinctively adopted a combat-ready stance, fingers flickering with uncertainty.
'Se détendre, insecte. No need to be so vicious.' The voice was laced in a thick, foreign accent – though not so strong as to mask the words themselves.
From above Faust, a lean, stringy creature roughly his own height clung with all fours to the wall, observing the Accelgor. The creature wore a skin-tight suit of what looked like nylon, though it was simoultaneously too sturdy-looking to be just that. Several pouches were belted to the waistline and four extra ones were stitched to the thigh. The pouches were black, whereas the various tron-lines running all over the suit were a several shades darker – though the main body of the suit itself was a sickly green colour that looked completely unnatural. Between all the white-tipped fingers and toes it was webbed, the tips of each digit were padded slightly more. For the head; bright, spikey aqua-blue hair topped the lower half of his face and neck covered in a black skin-mask – with large and eerie yellow eyes. Around his neck and covering the face further was a heavy-looking scarf that was longer than most – though not half as long as Faust's.
'Bonjour, insecte.' The Pokemon twisted his body off the wall, coming down off it with a poised, delicate movement that ending in two feet planting on the ground. Faust noted the creature was a few inches taller than himself, though standing at full height made it more awkward-looking than the nigh-skeletal Ciril back in Forensics.
'Liquid, is it?'
'Oui, if that will do for you, I am happy.' The accented voice replied, jaw bouncing beneath the face mask. With his long fingers, the Pokemon pulled the obscuring material down – to reveal a white-skinned face and wide mouth. It was also now that Faust noticed the incredibly long and triangular ears pointing backwards on his head. 'Forgive me for the strangeness of my introduction; I merely wanted to see my new captain before he saw me.'
'Wish granted.' Faust replied, stern and cross-armed – though the latter was merely a comfortable stance for him. 'I've seldom seen Kalosian Pokemon before, and none of your species – what are you?'
Liquid went stiff, striking his heels together and adopted a formal stance with one fist over his chest. 'I am known as Liquid, Field Agent of the Kalos Branch. My species is Greninja; default typing is Water and Dark. My specialties' are in speed and special attack – though I personally maintain a preference for physical attacks.'
The Accelgor almost winced at the formality. 'No need to be so rigid with me, I don't need you to abide by tradition, just act efficiently under my command.'
'Very well, if you prefer.' The self-identified Greninja lowered his stance, shifting into a loose-armed hunch – though not as severe as Leandros the Druddigon's.
Faust then remarked upon the given information in his mind, recalling it. 'Speed and special attack you say? The same as me then.' He observed the colour of Liquid's garb. 'However, you said you were Water/Dark-Type, that pallour you're wearing is usually associated with my own type; Bug.'
'Ah, that is due to my ability; Protean.' The Kalosian clasped his hands and made a seal with his fingers. Instantly, the colour of his attire changed from the sickly bug-green to a lively marine-blue. At the same time, the Pokemon let his mouth hang open and a long, sticky tongue showed itself, though quickly crept back into his mouth.
'Plus comfortable.' The frog muttered to himself. 'C'est ma forme normale.'
'Protean? How does that work?'
As Liquid began to explain, Faust refamiliarised himself with the passive abilities of Pokemon. In addition to the elemental powers, near-superhuman prowess and colourful appearances, each Pokemon possessed a passive ability that granted them certain advantages. Several Pokemon could possess the same ability – even those of other species – while some abilities were unique to a single Pokemon – usually of the Legendary class.
'You can actually change your typing based on what attacks you use and by analysing your surroundings?' Faust asked in response to the explanation.
'Oui, par example – I altered my typing to Bug by seeing you and taking in your characteristics, granting me the power to do such things as cling to walls.'
Faust exhaled in semi-awe, impressed. 'I imagine such an ability is extremely useful.'
'Extremely. I'm I wasn't drafted here for no reason – though for this case I'm going to do assisting in any manner, naturally.' Liquid gave a short bow.
Faust drummed his fingers over the folded arm at his bicep, observing his new subordinate quietly. Several moments went by before either of them spoke, the silence broken by the frog.
'Excuse moi, captain, but do you need me for anything else?'
The Unovan native took the question and responded. 'Yes, actually. As this is my first time in command of a cell – nay, acting with others at all – I imagine that a better way to get to know one another would be through competition.'
'Really, of what sort?'
'Nothing overly extravagant, just a friendly spar.' Behind the bandages over his face the Accelgor smiled. No one could beat him at speed – he ran circles even around the fastest Unova field agents.
Liquid considered the notion. 'How…casual. Very well, if you feel it would be appropriate.'
Faust began leading the Greninja away from the latter's holdings and towards the nearest entrance to the Battledome, smirking as he went. 'Y'know, part of the reason the temporary holdings for foreign agents is right next to the sparring arena is because so often we judge a Pokemon by their ability to stand in battle – as well as testing their morality.'
Liquid widened one eye.
'More often than not we can save lives by checking for when someone will take one. When you aim to kill someone in the arena, you're deemed unfit for operational missions until further notice. We don't want killers roaming the streets, even if it is for security.' Faust elaborated, he wondered wether they had the same rules in Kalos.
'Oh, I fear that that may be a bit of a problem for me, insecte.'
Faust looked over his shoulder at the wetsuit-clad figure behind him as they turned a corner, heading down the stairway between seats that would lead to the open arena. To a Unovan the Battledome was most likened to the grand event domes in Nimbasa City – but rather than grass the ground was a smooth texture with a layer of sand. Nor was it as large – with four separate arenas that were about 40x60 metres, sitting in a square with one another. When a tournament or large-scale spar session was held, the barriers between the four arenas would be lowered to grant a greater range for combat. Furthermore, all arenas were customisable at the touch of a button, with obstacles capable of rising from the ground and even change weather conditions without opening the ceiling to the elements – then again, the entire Unova Branch Base was underground, there'd be no point
. All of the arenas had a "Pokemon-proof" plexiglass surrounding them, shielding the audience from combat while still allowing them to watch.
'Why is that?' The Accelgor asked back, nearing the first arena.
A small chuckle rose from the frog. 'Parce que…I am Kalos' greatest Field Agent of assassination.'
Faust stiffened a little as he reached to punch his ID code into the adjacent lock to the door. So that's why he's here, he's a trained killer. Faust thought. So, like me if I was actually given credit for my lethal ability. What made Acceglor dangerous was not the hitting power it had, but the speed at which it could move. As he hit the last number, he managed to recompose himself and stepped in to the arena, inviting the other one in.
'Any preferences for the field?'
'Non, tu choisis.' Liquid walked past Faust and took his place at one end of the area. 'Rules?'
'No killing.' Faust answered in utter deadpan. 'First one to draw blood wins?'
The other Pokemon considered it for a second, before nodding in agreement. Faust made no alterations to the arena, leaving it flat and unchanged. He walked over to his starting spot – marked by a line halfway between the middle and one end.
'Commence?'
Faust smirked. 'Don't be so hasty.'
Liquid grinned, shifting the scarf around at the corner of his mouth. 'Tell me, insecte, do you think you can catch me? I'm one of Kalos' fastest agents.'
Faust cocked his head. 'One of?' He repeated. 'I am Unova's fastest agent.' He paused, letting his feet settle in the sand. 'Let's begin.'
The entire atmosphere shifted in that moment, the air becoming stiff and heavy between the two speedsters – both poised and half-crouching in readiness. Neither moved for a second, simply letting the silence hum of battle creep up on them. At the moment, no one was in the stands watching – they were letting their privacy increase the intimacy of their conflict while it lasted.
Then suddenly, the Greninja moved like lightning. Faster than someone in a suit that tight nor that lean had any right two – but his bulbous thighs powered him forward in his sprint, bringing him closer to his target. Drawing two small blades from his pouches, Liquid held them between the fingers of his right hand and steadied them.
Opposite him, Faust flexed his fingers, curling his hands into tight fists. The bindings around his arms tightened at will, giving him more protection there. He drew his right foot back in a slow, dragging arc, waiting for his attacker to reach him.
Then in a seemingly impossible second, the two clashed. The flats of Liquid's blades hit Faust's arm, locking the edges there. The Greninja followed up with a swift kick to his opponents abdomen – which was blocked by the bug's rising shin, fueled by the built-up power from being drawn back before.
With their legs still interlocked, the two pulled themselves away and began striking at each other. Each parry was equal parts attack, and vice-versa. Between blows, Liquid was dancing the blades between his fingers, shifting their position for each directional swing. However, the Accelgor managed to gain the upper hand.
With a straight lunge of his fist, he caught the frog off guard and knocked the blades out of his hand. He moved in for a follow-up strike, but Liquid was already reacting to the previous attack.
'U-Turn!' The Water-Type declared, utilising one of the many attacks unique to Pokemon. He placed his left hand in front of his face – making a two-fingered seal with it – and moved faster than the eye could see.
Faust felt the other fist jab swiftly into his gut, followed by a pair of feet kicking powerfully off his chest. Staggering back, Faust swatted a hand in front of him to ward off his foe – only to realise that Liquid had retreated several metres away. His suit had turned that same bug-green that it had been when they met.
Protean…I wonder what the scope of your morphing abilities are – if they have any limit at all. Faust moved into action, wanted to close the distance between them. His feet made no sound on the ground as he hastened forth at wind-breaking speeds, proving that his claim as Unova's fastest agent wasn't vainly made.
At the last second, the shorter Pokemon leapt into the air and drew his right fist back. As he fell, he brought the clenched knuckle down on Liquid's head – though the latter put his arms in the way. Without even time to take a breath, Faust stayed airborne as he swung his foot underneath his opponent's parry, catching him in the chest with his toe.
Liquid let the force of the hit carry him, shifting seamlessly into a backflip that placed distance between himself and the Accelgor. He panted in pain – but if Faust's instincts were at all correct he was smiling madly behind the face-obscuring scarf.
'Tres bein, insecte!' With that he crouched onto three limbs and used the fourth to pick open one of his pouches. Faust let him, taking his place a little ways away as he was still observing what his enemy could do rather than just mindlessly attacking. However, the fingers on his right hand were dancing, and the air around them hummed with a shrill buzzing.
Liquid drew three shuriken out from the pouch, and tossed all of them in successsion at his foe. Faust nimbly ducked and dodged them, still maintaining the vibration in his hand.
'My, my, you are fast!' The frog repeated his action, but this time called an attack. 'Water Shuriken!' He shouted, tossing the five throwing blades on one swing. Faust tensed and moved to dodge – vaulting over the first one by flipping on his hand – yet as it passed his face he noticed the blue colour it took and the little droplets of water spinning off the blades as it moved through the air. And then-
Thump! Thump! Thump! Splash!
The bug was hit by each of the four following attacks – bruising him badly with each hit. It seemed that being doused in water made them stronger – but seemed to blunt them – they also seemed to be faster than before…
Shit…Faust thought, trying to pick himself off the ground as quickly as possible. When he stood up Liquid was already charging at him – his garb now the standard blue. Faust managed to block a blade-armed hand at the last second, but not the punch that followed it.
'G-uh!' He coughed, not letting the attack slow him down. He let the punch push him backwards, and as he fell and space opened up between the two of them he outstretched his right and and announced;
'Bug Buzz!' He called, willing the humming air around his hand into a violent vibration – aimed directly at Liquid's face.
'Ragh!' The frog cried out in shock, knocked off his feet by the power. Both combatants back away from each other, back flipping and tumbling over. When they took to their feet Faust was panting slightly, his shoulders rising and falling. Opposite him, Liquid had a hand over his face – hovering a few centimetres away with a pained expression behind it. Bug-Type attacks had a tendency to sting. Painfully.
Both fighters acknowledged the other, before reigniting their spar.
'Water Shuriken!'
'Energy Ball!'
The flung projectiles shot past each other, with both fighters attempting to dodge. As soon as he'd registered Faust's attack, Liquid had become unfocused and thus his aim was off. Nevertheless, two of the impossibly fast shuriken's hit the Accelgor over the stomach and created more bruises. At the same time, the Grass-Type attack had been completely dodged, but at the cost of forcing the Greninja airborne – where he was vulnerable.
I have two options. Faust thought as he considered the scene. Attack him while he can't maneuver properly…or buff myself. The decision was made as Liquid began to fall from his jump, resulting in Faust splaying his fingers and pressing them against his chest, palm-in.
Agility!
Liquid made a three-point landing and looked up, grinning. His first instinct was to reach into his back pocket for more shurikens – proving a slow but sure way to deal damage to his foe. As he coated their blades in water and prepared to toss, he saw something that unsettled him.
More specifically; he saw Faust's knee, in his face.
His scarf blocked a fair bit of the blow, but the eye-watering pain of damaged cartilage was felt. He lost focus and staggered back, letting the weapons in his hand drop to the ground and splash apart. Before him was nothing more than a dark blur of scarves and speed, something he could barely keep track of.
The Bug-Type delivered another blow – a punch to the gut – with no prior warning of movement. At double speed, Accelgor outstripped everything else without question and Faust was proving it. Liquid could only raise his arms to parry before being hit somewhere else with succession of fast strikes, not even quick enough to deal a counterattack as Faust had already moved out of range. Every time he tried to parry, Faust was too fast and hit somewhere unprotected. Every time he tried to hit him with a ranged attack, Faust was too fast and had moved back in to strike again.
Even when the Accelgor was standing still he was a blur, vibrating with unimaginable speed.
Faust delivered a particularly strong blow at one point, and saw the Greninja try to use that momentum to put distance between them. He foiled it by grabbing the scarf – cringing at the wet texture – and pulling him in for another hit.
Finally, Faust reached out to his aching opponent and clutched at his face. His tightly-bound fingers dug into Liquid's face, and he took a second to give dramatic air to his finishing move.
'Bug Buzz.'
With a scream and the sound of hundreds of buzzing Beedrill, Liquid went limp and let his arms fall loose. Faust slowly drew his hand away and let his unconscious subordinate fall. He'd only passed out from the pain – fainted – he wasn't in any mortal danger. Though the Accelgor may have overdone it, he let the fight get to his head.
Across Liquid's face were several wounds in his skin as a result of Faust's attack. They were only skin-deep, but it had looked like hundreds of large boils had simoultaneously exploded on the frog's face. Due to their stinging nature, strong Bug-Type attacks made things swell grotesquely – and when it swelled too much the afflicted area would implode.
Skin-deep instances usually weren't bad enough to induce fainting – though the extreme stinging pain was probably the cause for Liquid's shock. Anything deeper than surface flesh was lethal though, as it effectively caused that entire body part to explode.
Faust let his body settle down – for the speed buff he'd granted himself to disappear and for his hand to stop buzzing. As soon as that happened he knelt down and picked Liquid up over his shoulder. The Greninja might wake up before they reached the medical center anyway, but it'd be nicer if he was closer to some kind of pain drug.
I might have gone too far with that one…Faust thought, feeling the bruises that Liquid had dealt him as he tried to carry him away. Still, he should understand. That was non-lethal by his standards at least.
So there that is, again I hope you all enjoyed.
If it helps, it's like Pokemon with the thematic tones of Darker Than BLACK. That's what it's like in my head anyway.
Au revoir.
