"The Sweetest Toothache"
a/n: I'm going to introduce the houndour and poochyena in this chapter, first. Then, later on,
I will intro the totodile. Hope you like it! And I hope I get at least five different people to review
this . . . :sigh:
disclaimer: I do NOT own Pokemon, nor Final Fantasy, since, I did obviously steal the scene
for this chapter...
Ch. II, "Sunset Seranade"
The dreaded day had came; The ball for the Emperor of Celadon city. Of course,
Odion normally wouldn't have to go, but since his father and mother caught him outside,
which was a total accident, he had no choice, and had to go. So, he put on a fine maroon
coat, which looked like something from the colonial times, and then a pair of fine, polished
black boots. He then was about to sit down, when his mother, Eliza, came in.
"Oh, Odion! You don't expect to go with that hair do! Come, we have to hurry! You know how
long it takes to get to Celadon!" Eliza said in one breath as she searched around his room.
Odion knew how long, yes. After all, from his homeland, Vermillion, he had to pass through
Saffron, then to Celadon . . . thinking about it, Odion sighed and fell back onto his bed. A
long day, indeed.
-woof
A young houndour, with dusty black fur, sat at a table lighted by candles, along
with a charizard, a grovyle, and a golduck. All four stared at each other, until, the houndour
layed down the cards he held. "I win, boys." he chuckled, reaching forward for all the poke
that was in the pile, along with a pocket watch. "Impossible!" the grovyle said, looking at
the cards that were sprawled across the table. "Again! You must be cheating!" the golduck
said as he threw his cards on the table, then slammed his fist onto the table. "Hey, hey,
boys. It's the rules. I don't cheat. You're thinking of my friend. Now, if you don't mind."
the houndour said, but the grovyle and golduck glared at him. "If anything, my friends,"
the charizard finally said, "Delbil doesn't cheat . . . well, not at games, anyways. I know
this, so, don't worry about it."
Delbil, the houndour, cocked an eyebrow. "You sound more then generous tonight,
El Ray . . ."
"I'm trying to save you, Delbil. So, since you owe me forty poke, why not part with
that much, and an additional ten, so I can buy these gentlemen a drink. Seeing as how
you're having a good day, so far, let's not ruin it."
Delbil shrugged, then slid a fifty poke bill to El Ray, and scooped the rest into his
bag. "Nice game, boys." he chuckled again, then jumped from his seat. He moved to the
door, then opened it, being blinded by a large blast of sun. "You should really, really consider
putting windows in here, El Ray." Delbil laughed, then shut the door. "You own this stie?"
the golduck said, and El Ray reluculantly nodded. "Then we want free drinks all day, not just
what we can get for fifty poke!" the golduck demanded, and his friend, the grovyle, nodded.
El Ray sighed, then looked at the door. "Damn you, Delbil."
Delbil was a young houndour, perhaps twenty one, at best. He lived his life free of laws, and
gambling to see himself, and his friends, through. He lived, in Vermillion, out by the docks,
by the sea itself. He usually visited his friend's place, the pub, owned by El Ray, the charizard
back there. Delbil, too, was feeling unusually good, as his day kept getting better and better.
As he reached his home, a medium sized boat, tied to an old, unused dock, he walked under
the deck, and into the living area, letting down his bag of loot, then walking to the food cabinet.
Luckily, there was a bag of chips, and a box of chocolates. He was having a good day . ..
while, so he thought, so far, until he heard his name in the raspy voice of someone he lived
with. "Oh, oh," the raspy voice said, "Delbil, you're home!"
Delbil turned and knew it was his roomate, Reeth. Reeth was a young poochyena,
about twenty, who had scruffy fur, and a scar running down his forehead, and under his left
eye. Reeth once worked in the Diglett Cave for the man who owned it, digging up charcoal,
but he realized that stealing was easier, and so, he did so. Reeth stood on both hind legs,
and rested his frontal paws on the counter. "Listen, Reeth, I'm really not in the mood." Delbil
replied in his deep voice, "why don't you go pickpocket someone?"
Reeth laughed and pulled out a fancy letter. "I already did, D.B! Dig this. It's an
invitation!"
Delbil walked over to the counter, and stood up, too. He grabbed the letter, and examined it
for a moment. "To the Emperor's ball, eh? Well, that's nice. I don't think you'd enjoy it, though,
Reeth. You'll be surrounded by a bunch or aristocrats . . ."
Delbil looked up and grinned, "Plus, you have nothing to wear."
Reeth just took the letter and tapped it with his other hand. "Forget that! Don't you understand?
We go in, even sneak in . . . and now that there won't be too much guarding . . . we can swipe
all that royal treasure!"
Delbil chuckled again, and took a sip of his soda. "Please tell me you're joking . . . why don't
you rob somewhere closer . . . like the Franz's?"
Reeth shook his head, "They haven't got much . . . besides, the owner, Vahn, has seen me
before. I worked under him, remember? Anyway . . . c'mon, D.B! Think of the fun!"
Delbil leaned over the counter and grinned. "I'll consider it. Have you talked to Bruce about it?
You know I don't go unless it's team effort."
Reeth sighed and rolled up the letter. "You know Bruce is a goodie good. He'll just lecture,
lecture . . ."
Delbil just went back on all fours and walked to his room. "Not my problem. He doesn't go,
then neither do I, Reeth. You figure it out."
Delbil retreated to his room, and Reeth stood there for a moment. Then, he left to find Bruce.
About an hour later, Delbil was woken from his sleep by pounding on his door. He
lifted his head, his eyes half open, and yelled, "What the hell do you want?!"
"Good news, D.B! He said yes! Bruce actually said yes!"
Delbil shot up from his bed and stomped to the door. "What?!" he growled, but
Reeth just barged in and sat on the bed. "He said, if I donate a good amount to the charity,
he'll go! Ah, D.B, you know what this means? A team mission! We haven't had one until
that time you quit-"
"Shut up, Reeth." Delbil muttured, walking to a trunk. He flipped it open, and started to look
for a coat. "What're you doing, D.B?" Reeth asked, and Delbil replied, "I'm looking for a coat.
That weird xatu said it would snow a lot tonight, so I'm going to dress if I'm going out!"
"Good idea, D.B!" Reeth laughed, then jumped off the bed and went to his own room.
"Moron." Delbil muttered, as he found a black leather coat. He slipped it on, along with a black
scarf, then started to rumage through his drawers . . .
An hour passed, and Delbil waited for Reeth, who came out in a brown jacket made
of that itchy material, and he stood up. "Where's Bruce?"
"He said he'll meet us at the gate to Saffron . . . so, we should go."
Both left, and walked to the gate leading to Saffron, where they met Bruce.
-woof
The night sky began to fall, and the carriage taking Odion's family was only halfway through
Saffron. "It's such a vast city, don't you think?" Eliza said, and Vahn nodded. "Not as big as Celadon,
but close to it. It even seems it is going to snow tonight, too . . ."
Odion stopped looking out the window and leaned almost out of his seat. "It can't! Then we might be
stuck!"
"The Emperor has more then enough room, and security is fine at the manor." Vahn replied, but
Odion didn't care. He didn't want to be around nobles all night long. It was too much for him. Yet,
he couldn't protest any longer, as his father was already mad at him. "Sit down, Odion."
Odion did so, and looked out the window. He really hated the situation he was in. Sure,
he got to travel, but it wasn't anywhere special, and he'd have nothing to do all night. He thought
about it most the trip, hating each passing moment they grew closer to Celadon City. Meanwhile,
at the gate of Vermillion, Delbil and Reeth had just talked to a passing Bruce, who had a ride there.
For both canine, though, they didn't, so they looked around. "Any bright ideas, D.B?"
"Just one." Delbil said with a slight frown, walking over to a nearby Tauros. "It looks like your . .
heaving a load. Where are you headed, big guy?" Delbil asked. The Tauros looked down and
cocked an eyebrow. "To Celadon City. What's it to you?"
"Well, me and my friend are supposed to go to a ball there . . . y'know, for the Emperor and all, and
funny thing . . ." Delbil laughed nervously, "we need a ride."
"Get lost, I don't do hitchhikers." The large bull said, but Delbil reached into his coat pocket and pulled
out sixty poke. "Listen, I'm not here to shoot the bull . . . We need a ride, and I don't wanna be late.
How does thirty for each sound?"
"Make it forty, and I will." The bull grinned. Delbil glared into his eyes, and pulled out an additional ten.
"Fine, fine, you leech. Here."
Delbil slapped the poke into the Tauros' hoof, and called Reeth over. "C'mon, you idiot!"
Reeth quickly ran over, and Delbil explained. "That's really nice, buddy! I'm Reeth, and this is Delbil . . ."
Reeth said, but Delbil stomped on Reeth's paw. "Shut up." he hissed, and the Tauros cocked an
eyebrow again. Delbil smiled, and jumped in the wagon the Tauros was caring. "Right . . . I'm Bill.
Just don't touch anything back there, and we'll be fine." the Tauros said as he got himself ready.
"What is your problem? You don't go announcing our names! We might be wanted!" Delbil growled,
but Reeth just laughed. "Oh, D.B, you're so funny . . . I don't wanna be rude!"
Delbil placed his head in his paw and shook his head. "There had better be enough in that mansion
for me to put up with this crap, Reeth. There had better . . ."
Reeth just laughed, and Delbil silently looked through the boxes.
-woof-
The sun had set very low, the moon faintly making its debut. The carriage carrying
Vahn and his family was now in Celadon City, the largest city around, and were heading to
the Emperor's mansion. "Now, Odion, I'll trust you will behave tonight?" Vahn asked. Odion,
who was tugging at the collar to his coat, stopped and nodded. "Yes, father." he replied.
Vahn looked out the window, head in his paw. "I don't want any trouble. That means to wandering,
witty remarks, or anything of the sort. You act dignified, polite, and intelligent. Understood?"
"And don't be afraid to ask a pretty young woman to dance, too, if you see her!" his mother added.
Vahn just looked at her, and Odion slightly blushed. "Sure, mom . . ." he said quietly. She smiled,
and Vahn just shook his head. "The last thing he needs, Eliza, is to be thinking about marriage.
When he learns to manage the company, he can find any woman he pleases." Vahn said, but Eliza
just smiled. "Oh, dear, don't you remember? It's how we met . . . at a ball."
"Of course, but. . ." Vahn started, but the carriage came to a halt. They arrived at the manor,
thankfully. Odion was about to jump out, but his father stared at him. Odion sat back down, and Vahn
went out first. Flashes from cameras on the outside filled the air, and Eliza perked up her fur boa. Then,
as Vahn was half way on the carpet, she stepped outside. The cameras flashed again, and she did minor
poses, and smiles. Odion tugged at his coat again, seeing as how it was so tight. Then, he could tell people
were waiting, and he realized it was his turn. "I thought this was a ball, not a ceremony." he muttered, stepping
out.
Many whispers came as he did, mainly how it was the first time they had seen Vahn and Eliza's son.
Odion tried to walk down the carpet, but the flashes made him stumble a bit, almost crashing into his parents.
"You'll get used to it." Vahn said, turning and walking into the mansion. Odion followed, his head down a little,
until he got inside. Music played by a piano and other insturments floated in the backround, as well as mumbles
and mixed words. As they stood their, a persian and delcatty noticed the trio, and walked over to them. Vahn
held out a paw, as did the persian, and they embraced in a hug. "Ah, Mestro, it's been too long." Vahn said,
and they broke the hug. Mestro, the persian, nodded. "Yes, Vahn. And I see Eliza is here, too. And. . ."
the persian spoke. He looked at Odion, then walked in front of him, and held out his paw. "This must be
your son I've heard so much about. It's quite a treat to meet him in person."
Odion forced a smile, and shook Mestro's hand. "And it's a pleasure to meet you." he said
unconciously. Mestro smiled, and turned to Vahn. "I do hope you're ready for a proper feast?"
Vahn nodded, and they began to walk. As they got closer, he could hear the multiple, fake
voices of many high class people. He felt his stomach turn, and and slightly paused. "Excuse me,"
he said, "But, you wouldn't happen to have a washroom, would you?"
Mestro nodded, and had one of his servants escort Odion to the washroom hall. "Down here," the
servant said, and Odion thanked him. The servant turned and left, while Odion headed to the
furthest washroom, down the hall. He opened the door, and walked in, then closed it. Walking to
the sink, he turned on the water, and splashed a small bit onto his face, and took a breath or
two. "Okay, Odion," he muttered, "you can do this . . . think of it as . . . oh, bother. What
else could it be but a bunch of noble bred pokemon . . ."
After a minute or two of giving himself a pep-talk, he left the washroom chamber, and was
about to descend the stairs back to the dining area, but a faint sound was coming from the hallway
across from the washroom hall. Odion cocked and eyebrow, and slowly walked down the dim lighted
area, coming close to what seemed to be a rattling window. Looking around, he guessed this also let
to the upper treasure tower, since no other doors were in sight. The window rattled more, and Odion
grew closer, until he walked near it. Suddenly, the window flew open, two figures falling onto the floor,
and a gold gust shooting in. Odion braced himself from the cold, and as it died, he looked at the two
figures, and the window panels swaying back and forth. "Are you . . . alright?" Odion asked, a little
unsure of the situation. A poochyena looked up, and stared at Odion, wide-eyed.
It was silent, and the poochyena started to shake the other figure, who face first, butt in
the air, and coat covering his head. After a moment of shaking, the other figure threw off the bottom
of the coat, and swatted away the poochyena's hand. "What the hell, Reeth? Can't you open a bloody
window?" the figure, now revealed as a houndour, growled. Reeth, Odion guessed, didn't shift his gaze,
but just motioned over to Odion. The houndour turned, and stopped. "Great," he muttred, "Just great . . ."
"What are you doing here?" Odion asked. He started to grow suspicious as Reeth began to slide slowly
over to the window. The houndour took a stance.
-End of Chapter
A/n: sorry for the periods. I just hope I learn to format on this site, soon. So, for now, let's go with it.
Second chapter done! Next, Bruce is met! Lol, hope someone stays tuned...
