(XoX)
"Freakin' trapinch's," Shaun growled, rolling off of an incredibly worn and beat up old couch. His lip curled as he glared at the little pincher mouthed pokemon creating a major hole in one of the few conveniences under this shithole bridge.
"Pii," the ground type cackled, snapping its jaw shut a few times just to make those annoying little clicks on purpose. It gazed haughtily at Shaun before jumping off the couch and used Dig to burrow away. Probably to create more havoc.
"I hate those things," Shaun hissed, leaning back against the ruined couch. He glared as he heard low chuckles and eyed the croagunk sitting atop the couch, its cheeks expanding with each breath. "You're useless," he spat.
"Croo," Croagunk crooned, lifting its fingers to show off the glowing purple tips.
"Now, now," a new voiced interjected. "Poor Croagunk here gives you one last goodbye hallucination and all you can do is insult it?"
"Fuck off, Jake," Shaun snarled, finally getting to his feet in a huff. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned to turn his hostile look at the new boy, Jake, one of the many drug dealers that roamed this shitty town.
There were as many drug dealers as there were those damn trapinch's. Which was saying a lot because while people had rattata as the pest problem, Shaun's town had to deal with trapinch. He supposed that since the gym dealt with dragon pokemon they had, at one point, gone overboard with breeding. Now there were trapinch burrowing everywhere and the occasional vibrava that buzzed about. There was even the rare sighting of flygon's, but mostly in spring.
Shaun could remember a blue colored flygon had appeared one day and had lived under the bridge in a mulish way with the rest of the deadbeats. It had a crack in one its eye things that Shaun thought looked like goggles and was missing half of one antenna. He supposed it had been abused like them. It had cheered rather viciously whenever a fight arose. Shaun was usually the one in those fights, and he could always remember that dark and amused glint the strangely colored Flygon had given him each time.
And then one day it had disappeared and that was that.
"Really, Shaun," Jake said, "there's no need for you to be pmsing like this. If you really don't want to do this bullshit trainer thing, just go to jail." Jake shot the dark haired teen a smirk and held out a joint.
"Cute," Shaun growled, "but then who would be the one to deliver your damn cargo when you needed someone?"
"Whether or not you're in jail or taking off on this experiment, you're no longer my delivery boy." Jake stuck out his tongue for good measure as Shaun all but snarled like an animal. "Just think of this last one as a gift from friend to friend."
"Gunk corak," the poison toad pokemon croaked heartedly, finding their conversation amusing as he hopped over to Jake and clung to his shoulder like a leech.
Shaun turned away with a sneer. "Where's whatsername?"
Jake snorted. "Still haven't even learned her name after all this time? How long have you been screwing her again?"
"Watch it, Jake. I'm honestly not in the mood."
"What, its true, ya bastard." Jake shook his head before turning serious. "Honestly, man, just let it go."
Shaun turned away and began walking deeper under the bridge, Jake hurrying to catch up. The bridge was directly under the freeway so there was hardly ever a time it was quiet. The whole cement area was covered from top to bottom in graffiti. A few trashcans with lit fires were about, keeping the those that resided under this broken refuge warm, as well as a few trapinch's, though that was unsurprising.
"Seriously," Jake continued. "You're leaving. She knows it, you know it, and everybody knows it. No use in dragging things around, ya know?"
Shaun shoved Jake away as the brown haired boy tried to tug him away, relishing that he was so much bigger than the other boy.
"Gunk," Croagunk glowered, giving a warning look as he began hopping alongside of them. The tips of his fingers glowed, just in case he would have to protect his master.
Shaun stormed his way into the crowd of teens, sneering as they gave him jeering looks and taunting calls. Every single one of these bastards knew he wouldn't be here any longer. Not as if they cared, even if his face was well known thanks to just living here for seventeen years and starting too many fights.
It wasn't until Shaun found himself at the back, the very end of the bridge that led into the main street and was held up by ugly towers that had been worn down by all sorts of weather conditions and poor graffiti art that he found her. A girl of seventeen with long, dirty blond hair that had more tangles than a rat's nest and a mess of makeup on her beautiful face. Her eyes, which had been closed, opened as he came closer to reveal somewhat clouded blue eyes.
Still a bit hung over, it seemed.
But what got to Shaun was the filth lying over her. It had shaggy brown hair and a get up of black clothes with more studs and silver spikes than was necessary, and it was dead asleep.
"What the hell is this!" Shaun roared, grabbing the boy off his girl and throwing him to the ground. "Adam!"
The bigger boy was quick to his feet, already shoving Shaun back. "What the hell, man!"
"What the hell?" Shaun mocked. "What the hell?" he snarled gesturing at the girl already sitting up on the beat up chair.
"Shaun, let it go," she snapped, black mascaraed eyes glaring deeply at Shaun.
The dark haired boy ignored her and pushed the boy, Adam, back. Even if the kid was thicker and a little taller than Shaun, he still stumbled back somewhat, only to throw a punch.
"What?" Shaun sneered as he rubbed at the blood dribbling out of his mouth. "Can't get your own girl to screw so you have to steal one?"
Adam roared and jumped at Shaun. "Idiot!" the other roared. "You're out of this shit hole, so that means she's got no one." He gestured wildly at the dirty blond, and by now a crowd had gathered. The lot of them were jeering and making a few cackling calls. Adam glared at Shaun. "Taking the pussy way out, I hear."
Shaun shoved the other boy away again, expression absolutely livid. "I just know how to avoid jail," he said as his lip curled in distaste at the other boy before he turned to the still sitting girl. He sauntered forward and leaned far over her, but the girl held no fear, was completely unintimidated, and that was why Shaun had loved screwing her. "What was I to you?" he growled lowly.
She gave an exasperated chuckle that held no amusement.
Shaun's gaze darkened. "What was I!" he screamed at her.
"You were a great memory," she told him softly, no more than a whisper and with no care that there was a crowd. "What do want from me?" She allowed a humorless smile to grow wide. "I'm fucking him."
Shaun stared deeply, racooned eyes fierce.
The smile disappeared. "You were a friend, and someone I loved."
The stare deepened before a bitter sneer appeared. "Well I don't love you," he said coldly. "You're nothing, not even a memory."
A similar bitter sneer appeared on her face. "Nice tattoo then," she whispered into Shaun's ear before drawing back. She gazed up at him. "What was my name?"
Shaun drew back, thoroughly disgusted. Again his lip curled as he gazed at Adam. "Keep her," he snarled. "All she's good for is a fuck." And with that he stomped away. Away from all the people who were dead inside and haunting eyes and away from the loud "Fuck you!"
(XoX)
"You're late, Shaun," officer Taylor said without even glancing up from his paperwork. His response was the door to the police station being slammed shut with a loud bang. "I see goodbyes went smoothly."
"I'm not in the mood," Shaun snarled as he slammed his heavy black backpack on the desk.
Taylor ignored the way the receptionist gave a disdainful sniff by his side as he grabbed the bag. "We'll leave in a few minutes," Taylor said, not even bothering to level his gruff voice out. He knew pity or being soft on kids like Shaun had a negative effect. "We'll just go through your belongings, reread your rights and rules before we take the ferry over."
Shaun gave a sour grunt before taking a seat and planting his feet on a separate one.
Taylor shook his head sadly and prayed to whatever deity was out there to keep the rebellious teen safe.
"Let's see here," Taylor murmured as he emptied Shaun's belongings. He found several jeans, shirts and two jackets that were mostly black or dark colors. Also a few bracelets and belts. Taylor also found several bags of junk food but was happy to see a decent amount of canned food that could last maybe two or three days if Shaun rationed it carefully. He probably wouldn't.
"Didn't bring much, did you?" Taylor said as he tied a stuffed sleeping bag to the black backpack and handed it to Shaun. The boy shrugged. "Alright, now spread 'em."
"Whatever," Shaun muttered as he spread his legs a bit and leveled his arms out while the officer patted him down.
"Money, cigarettes and a switchblade," Taylor said as he eyed the items. He handed the first two objects back and held the weapon carefully. "I will return this to you as you leave," he said and pocketed the items. "And only because I know you need more than a little beast out in the wild."
Shaun shrugged, not caring.
Taylor looked at the young man before him. "Shaun," he said quietly. "You have the chance to make something for yourself." Ignoring the heated glare and attempted shrug, Taylor placed a firm hand on the dark clothed boy's shoulder and squeezed. "Make people proud of you."
With another forceful shrug, Shaun removed the hand from his shoulder. "Let's just get there," he said with a low growl.
(XoX)
The ferry was an uneventful half hour. Shaun stood outside on the rails with his little watch dog a few feet away watching the wailmer swim below and smoke a pipe. A few scrunched up their noses and moved away, and despite himself Shaun felt terribly amused. The man was alright, but he would rather drop dead than ever admit that to anyone.
"Muur," a rather loud voice cawed.
Shaun turned his head slightly to the side and frowned. "Get out of here," he told the bird. It was black with a rather crooked beak and the feathers on its head looked a bit like a hat. The bird ignored him and gave a taunting caw again.
"Muur krow!"
Annoyed, Shaun waved his arm near the bird, setting it a flight with an affronted caw and promptly tried to bite his hand. "Krow!"
Shaun pulled back just before his fingers were nipped and flipped the bird off. "Stupid bird."
"It's a murkrow, you know," a voice said.
Shaun turned around with an upturned lip, disgust evident on his face. He just didn't start conversations all that much and he especially hated it when strangers tried to interact with him. Thanks to his look and that bullshit where people do judge a book by its cover most people tended to stay away from him.
"What?" Shaun snarled.
The boy blinked, obviously taken back with Shaun attitude and was silent for a moment. That gave Shaun time to look the boy over. He had rather long black hair that was pulled up into a low and small ponytail at the base of his neck while his bangs, which were too short, was messily splayed about his head thanks to the wind. He had strange silver eyes that held a sharpness to them as well as hidden knowledge.
"It's a murkrow," the boy said again, this time slightly wary. He watched Shaun with a narrowed look and Shaun was pretty sure the boy was sizing him up as well. "The pokemon you just shooed away," he finished, this time firmly. Shaun briefly wondered if this boy was raised in a rich area. He had a certain accent about him that came with living in a well-off home.
"Oh." Shaun looked back to see the black pokemon disappearing into the clouds, its annoyed caws no longer within hearing range. He turned back to the other boy, aware that officer Taylor was paying attention, even if he did look lax while smoking that awesome pipe of his.
"If I'm guessing right, I take it you're heading to the lab in Shirk City for a pokemon."
Shaun frowned. "What makes you say that?" he snapped.
The boy, still a little unsure of Shaun's attitude but still expecting a rude response, shrugged. "You look about sixteen, the legal age to begin training in this region, a large bag of supplies…" The boy trailed off and gave an amused smile that seemed rather bitter. "And no one would ever just visit Shirk City."
Shaun snorted. Shirk City, despite it having a pokemon lab and professor, was still a poor town. Not as poor as his, mind you, but the houses were made of a poor clay mould that, while as hard as cement, easily cracked and broke under extreme heat. The town was too small for decent work or wage, but the people survived. It had plenty of land and meadows, but the housing and shops were poor. The only thing made out of good material was the lab, and that was made out of cement and metal.
"So what if I am?" Shaun asked, voice snarky and turning his back on the other boy to lean against the rail and look down at the water.
The boy was silent. "Was simply trying to make conversation to my fellow starter," he said, voice a bit miffed. Shaun gave the boy a glance and watched him shift his brown pack carefully on his shoulder. The kid had a strange look, one that Shaun sometimes saw in early runaways before they ran back home, finding that the world was too tough. He wondered if this kid was a runaway as well, but that wouldn't make sense, what with how rich his clothes appeared.
"Where you from anyway, kid?"
The boy gave an annoyed glare. "I'm seventeen," he hissed. "Probably older than you."
Taylor gave a coughed laugh.
"Seventeen too," Shaun said jadedly, eyes basically drilling holes into the boy, trying to understand why this complete stranger was still talking to him when so many had backed away or at least started a fight. "So?" he continued snidely, "Where ya from?"
The boy continued to frown, but if Shaun didn't know better, he'd say the kid was growing uncomfortable. "Saffron City, from Kanto," he murmured. "You?"
"Rich kid, eh?" Shaun grinned fiendishly, completely ignoring the question. Taylor gave another cough, only this was a warning.
How far could a kid purse his lips? "I don't believe you answered my question," he said coldly.
Shaun gave a bark of laughter. This kid had some bite. Lucky for him Shaun was feeling far too sulky to throw a punch. Instead, he pointed a thumb behind him. "From that piece of shit Apala."
"You do realize Apala has the strongest gym leader in this region, as well as many strong and rare dragon pokemon, don't you?"
"Tch, nothing more than a bunch of trapinch running around," Shaun growled. He really didn't like the little burrowers. " 'Side's, I live downtown."
This time the boy allowed a large, impish grin to appear. "Poor kid, eh?"
The arm that shot out and latched onto Shaun's shoulder was lightning fast, and for good reason too as the dark haired boy let out an angry snarl that would put an angry ursaring to shame as he tried to stomp towards the pompous brat and lay one into him. Taylor pulled Shaun back quickly, hearty laughter churning Shaun's blood even more.
"Now, now," the cop laughed, holding tight to Shaun, "you deserved that." He grinned at the boy, only to realize said kid was looking horribly contrite.
"I'm sorry," the boy said quickly, voice courteous with the accent of a well upbringing. He really did look apologetic. "I often let my loose tongue get the best of me."
"Stuff that tongue up someone's…"
"It's all good," Taylor interrupted, finally releasing Shaun before giving him a dark warning look. "Shaun's mouth is just as loose, if not more."
Shaun's lip curled as he and the other boy glared at one another.
"I suppose I'll see you at the lab in another hour," the boy finally said, voice polite but eyes burning with pride and strength. With that he turned around and left Shaun and Taylor alone.
"Fucking bastard," Shaun growled, slamming his fists on the metal fence.
Taylor gave another round of barking laughter, truly looking amused and delighted. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say this was the beginning of… oh, what is that trainer slang? Ah yea, a rival."
Shaun turned his acid stare on the cop. "Screw you."
(XoX)
Shirk Town truly lived up to its name – the town of stone. Well, ok, maybe it really didn't, since with that sort of name people would think of massive boulder's carved into homes or even mountains hammered and dug into to create homes. Shirk town was a place made of stone paste, and it was honestly a strange sight to Shaun. He had lived under smoked filled skies and trashy little allies with equally trashy homes.
The laboratory, however, was another story. Three stories high and all made out of silver steel that glinted with a seemingly deadly light. There were high fences surrounding the frontal area, and Shaun had no doubt that there were fences in the far back where pokemon were held. On either side of the large entrance was a statue of an Arcanine in a sitting position. A guard dog through and through, even in stone.
The locked gate had already been opened, but flying above the laboratory were a few fearow that had metallic claws attached to their talons. On such a day, where rare pokemon were being given out to novices, there would always be attempted theft, and thus such precautions were insured.
Shaun wasn't the first one to arrive – not that he believed he would – but for the first time, he began to feel slightly intimidated. He had a single year to get all eight badges of his region without screwing up. These kids that surrounded him, walking through the gate with laughter and conversation, were going into this with open arms. Yea, he doubted these spoiled kids could ever last in the real world – the true world where no one, not even a pokemon, watched your back. And, for the first time, Shaun was beginning to wonder if he could really do this.
He didn't know a thing about pokemon. Yea, he knew of them, but had never had to be with them on an intimate level of bonding or whatever. All he had were the wild pests or the occasional beast that sent him running. Now, he had to deal with them in the wild, not to mention his own. Crap, he would also have to capture some too.
"Let's go," Taylor said, clapping Shaun on the back. His voice was serious and body stiff. He was back in cop mode as he made Shaun walk in front of him and into the towering lab, and he held just the simplest of pity for the boy. "Don't do anything rash," Taylor warned quietly, walking past a few staring teens. Not a single one of them had their parents there to babysit them.
"Screw you," Shaun growled, shrugging the offending hand off and all but stamping past a blond girl staring quite blatantly at his attire.
"Shaun," Taylor growled, once again grabbing the boy and twisting him around to face him. The boy reacted instantly and pushed the man back, body upright and proud, arms a little spread in a 'What? Come get some, asshole' look. Typical punk, Taylor thought bitterly. "Keep walking," he told the passerby's that had stopped to see what was happening. A flash of his badge had them walking "Keep your cool," he growled lowly. "There's a commissioner coming to oversee your leave and explain a few rules, but he and the pokemon professor have no hope for this little experiment and care little for attitude, so for once in your life, hold your tongue."
Shaun grinned like the bastard he was and stuck out his tongue and grabbed hold of it.
"Funny," Taylor said with a sigh, truly looking tired.
The two finally entered the lab. It was much less intimidating inside, but a slight growl to Shaun's side had him jumping back with a snarl and nearly knocking down a brown haired boy with square glasses. A growlithe stood guard with a typical brute security guy. The man even had sunglasses on despite the fact that he was inside. Just like all those other douche bags.
"Officer," the man greeted, voice deep as he saw Taylor flash his badge. He gave Shaun a sneer. "And here's the little lawbreaker. Not hard to tell, especially with Fang's quick reaction. Good boy," the man praised to the cliché named dog pokemon.
"This is Shaun," Taylor told the man, voice cold. "And I would appreciate a level of professionalism. You're here to set an example, but if you can't handle that I can find another escort to the commissioner and professor.
The man flushed a horrible radish color, much to Shaun's amusement. He even deigned Taylor a smirk. "Tha… that won't be necessary," the man said, aware of all the whispers and giggles from the surrounding teens that had paused to stare at the scene. "If you'll follow me," he said strictly, glaring at Shaun as if it were his fault. The growlithe even growled at Shaun for his master, which made it all the more amusing. He flashed the man the finger when he had his back turned.
"If you'll all follow me," a feminine voice called out to the rest of the teens as Shaun walked away with Taylor by his side.
They entered a private office with a large desk with bundles of papers about in neat piles, four separate computer screens off to the side of the large plush chair sitting behind the wooden desk and woman sitting on said chair. Her hair was up in a tight bun, not a single auburn hair out of place. Her lips were pressed in a strict line as she gazed at Shaun with cold silver eyes. Upon his arrival she stood and went next to a stiff looking man wearing an extremely wealthy suite with slicked back brown hair. He too gazed at Shaun with a cold look.
Shaun gave the man a strange stare. He looked a little familiar.
"Officer Taylor," the woman greeted with a nod. "I am Professor Leef," she said, eyes glancing at Shaun's snort coldly. "I would have preferred to the two of you have been here earlier than those that deserve to be here."
Again Shaun snorted. "Not like I wanna be here," he mumbled under his breath, peering haughtily at the female professor through thick eye liner eyes.
"Be that as that may, Mr. Tess," Professor Leef continued coldly, "you are here. I am heavily against it. Dealing with pokemon is a large responsibility—"
"And that's why Kanto give out pokemon to ten years olds," Shaun muttered with a sarcastic grin.
"—and very few are truly fit to deal with them, and those that succeed are those that truly want – no, strive to be with them." Damn, this woman could freeze the ocean. But at least she had nice tits, Shaun thought as he stared. "However, the wishes of many pokemon professors, as well as my own, were ignored and commanded by the government's scientists that have no emotional attachments to anything to go along with this experiment."
Shaun stared with a bored look. Yea, yea, he got it. No one liked the thought of kids with one foot in jail being given a chance to do what many others can only ever dream of doing. How could such people be trusted with the most important creatures of their planet?
"There will be very strict rules." Professor Leef gestured for the harsh looking man to proceed.
"I was already told the rules," Shaun said, voice uncaring. He could feel Taylor tensing up. Shaun knew the man was trying to send him mental waves to keep his trap shut.
"Then you'll hear them again," the commission said imperiously, eyes meeting Shaun with a gaze that told the boy he considered him less than the grime he stepped on. "The first rule is to keep you from doing what you shouldn't have done in the first place." Was it Shaun's imagination, or was there a slight growl to the man's voice? "You are to do absolutely no drugs, and if given prescriptions it must be called in at the nearest station or to Apala station."
Shaun just stared, face creased with boredom and teen fury.
"Rule two: Upon entry of town, city or village, you must report to the nearest police station at once. If you have not done so and been within the city for the first twenty-four hours or more you will get a warning. You have three warnings – each one requiring a full four days up to a week and a half in jail depending on the fault at hand. After the third warning you will be removed of your pokemon and sent back to your home town where the original penalty will be issued immediately."
The commissioner paused and looked up at the security officer with the growlithe. "Proceed to put the tracking device on Mr. Tess, Mr. Arkly."
The guard, now known as Mr. Arkly, nodded importantly and brought out a black ankle cuff and strutted toward Shaun.
"I will do it," Taylor said coldly, watching Shaun look murderous. "He's my responsibility, after all." Mr. Arkly shrugged and tossed the device to Taylor, whom caught it swiftly. "Jeans up, Shaun," Taylor said softly, all coldness gone.
With a furious glare, Shaun lifted his leg, flinching heavily as the device snapped shut on his left ankle. Fuckers, he thought savagely.
"I have rules of my own," Professor Leef said declared suddenly. "If there is to be any abuse, physical or mental, Mr. Tess, I will assure you that you will be locked up before you could even say pokemon." Her face was absolutely acid. "I don't care how small, or how little warnings you get, I will take the pokemon away from you myself. Understood?"
Shaun stared a bit impassively, not at all intimidated by this woman. "Crystal," he sneered.
The professor stared at him, gaze boring into him with that threat. "Then we shall proceed," she said, body stiff and hating. The woman cared deeply for pokemon, and if this boy dared lay a hand on an innocent pokemon all because of her, she would never forgive herself.
And Shaun followed behind, feeling as if he were dragging a ball and chain.