(Hello, everyone! So my laptop is now a split-screen. Guess that's what I get for buying refurbished. Anyway, I got a job at Dollar General, but it's only once or twice a week. Not only that, I got charged on my bank card for NOTHING! My problem, though, so forget it. Enjoy!)
"And never come back!"
A door was slammed in my face.
"What was that about?" Rai asked, sitting on my shoulder.
Me, Rai and Luke were in town. I went to get some things, and the brothers from another mother joined me. The first shop we came to, however, they kicked us out.
"I have no idea," I said.
"Somehow, I think it has to do with Rai," Luke commented.
"What does that mean?"
"You pretty much do anything in a skirt. You probably did his wife and don't even know it," I remarked.
"I may be a player, but there's no excuse for violating the sanctity of marriage. It would be destroying something beautiful, like the sun just as it passes the peak of Mt. Coronet at dawn."
"That's actually noble of you," Luke said.
"Oh, I know! He's Mary's dad, and Vicky's son."
"Just when I started to respect you," I stated, walking away from the store.
"C'mon, Mike, you really don't need candles, do you?"
"I just want to do this date thing right, is that too much to ask?"
"Whether it is a gourmet meal or a simple dish, going out or staying in, exciting or relaxing, all of it is irrelevant in the face of one fact," Luke explained.
"I know, Luke: as long as we're together."
"Then why are you wigging out?" Rai asked.
"…Heart deserves to be treated well, and I will do just that. It's the least I can do."
"Can I say something?"
"You'd say it anyway, so…"
"I feel sorry for you."
I stopped in my tracks, surprised by his words. "Pardon?"
"I understand why, but you're always so hard on yourself. So you did bad things, everybody has at some point. I don't know how things work with Americans, but the people here have forgiven you, except for that guy, but that's on me, I guess." He sighed. "What I'm trying to say is, can't you?"
I heard growling nearby. "Dagnabbit, stomach! You already had a granola bar, what more do you want?"
"I don't think that was you, Dad."
A shadow loomed overhead, becoming smaller and more distinct as it circled down. When it was low enough, I saw the flame on its tail, but really didn't want to deal with its passenger. The large, winged reptilian landed a few feet in front of us, where the young man dismounted. The guy had a slim build, with brown hair and eyes. He wore a red-and-white baseball tee with black sleeves, a pair of tennis shoes, jeans and a cap with the Pokémon League logo.
"Hello, good to see you, Mike," he said cheerfully, a gentle smile on his face.
"Hello, Red," I replied drolly.
Yep, the World Champion himself. We met in Viridian City, after Heart evolved into a Roserade. I can't remember much, but I know he was involved, as the police told me he was the one that turned me in. Not to say I didn't deserve it, but ever since then, I really disliked the fella. We crossed paths once or twice more, thanks to Team Rocket, but that was it.
"We'll see you at the house, Dad," Luke told me.
Guess my animosity is too much.
"Right."
As I stared at Red, I felt Rai hop off my shoulder.
"So, how've you been?"
"Fine, I guess."
"Your team doing well, I hope?"
"Red, no offense, but you have about ten seconds to tell me why you're here, before I add Gecko there to my culinary repertoire."
The pseudo dragon ducked behind him.
"Sorry, but this diet/fasting thing to getting to me in the wrong way."
Red pulled a Pokéball from his yellow backpack and recalled the blazing-orange Pokémon.
"You're dieting? Good for you." He patted my shoulder.
"I guess. Now again, why are you here?"
"I, Red S. T., personally request that you attend an event I am holding, in honor of the men and women that risk their lives every day in the name of the law."
"You're out of your mind, you really are," I told him, walking away.
"So you were lying about wanting redemption, when we met?"
That stopped me in my tracks. It also made me go back and grab him by the front of his shirt.
"I am not a liar," I enunciated.
He was unfazed. "Then show me. Come to my benefit. Who knows, you might enjoy yourself."
"Give one good reason not to end you, right now."
"It's not in your nature. Time and time again, you forced yourself to believe that you're a monster, in order to do the things you did."
What?
"I know you, and I believe in you. I wouldn't be talking to you, if I didn't."
My grip loosened, letting my arms fall to my sides.
"Why, when others do, can you not believe in yourself?"
While I stood there, he went past me, where a dragon's roar echoed, signaling his departure.
I snuck around to the back of my house, hoping to delay the inevitable. I climbed up the side to the attic. I squirmed through the window, my gut hindering me, and plopped down onto my back. There, I saw Kong, Heart and the rest looking down at me.
"Aah, crap."
They carried me like they were disposing of a dead body. Down the halls, we went. They finally dropped me onto the couch in the living room.
I completely forgot how SOFT this couch is.
"So, what did Red want?" Rai asked, hopping onto my chest.
"The World Champion?" Blaziken queried.
"You meet people," I said. "Anyway, he said he personally invited me to this benefit."
"What's a benefit?" Boss asked.
"Is this what you mean?" Heart was holding an envelope stamped with the League insignia. "This came in the mail. Red delivered it himself."
Sitting upright with Rai tumbling off me, I took the letter and opened it up. The contents read:
This letter proves you have been cordially invited to the 1ST Annual Sinnoh Police Department Benefit, hosted and sponsored by Satoshi "Red" Tajiri.
The event pays tribute to those who gave their lives in the pursuit of justice, and those who continue to do so.
RVSP by May 4th.
117 Main St. Jubilife City
May 10th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Whoo-hoo! Party!" the chunky mouse cheered.
"Wait, there's more," I interjected.
Note: no Pokémon allowed, to prevent damages.
"What?! That ain't right," he complained.
"That's only a few weeks away," Luke stated.
"If I decide to go."
"Why not?" Kong sat upside down on the other end. "You should have a little fun every once in a while. Won't kill ya."
"Not when Red's involved. Something about him rubs me the wrong way."
Doubt it's the name, although Satoshi Tajiri rings a bell.
"Alright, Dad, I want you to do me a favor."
"Anything."
"I want you to go and have fun," the jackal requested.
"I got a better suggestion. How about I swim out to the middle of the ocean, and do battle with a giant Tentacruel? Least I know what to expect there."
"Mike!" they all yelled at the same time.
"Okay, I get it," I groaned.
"Mike…"
Heart stood in front of me, a flattered expression on her face.
"What's the face for?"
"You don't owe anything to us. You've done plenty. Now, it's your turn."
"You really want me to go?"
"Don't stay out too late."
I stood up, letting her loveliness and kindness sink in. I held her close to me, her head against my chest.
"As you wish, my fragrant bouquet."
"Now that everything's settled, can we eat now?" Boss asked.
After a hearty meal of lasagna and garlic bread, I cleared the table and went to work on the dishes. Takes a half-hour to finish, but it feels good to do something helpful.
"So?" I heard Blaziken inquire.
"So what?"
"So what are our names?"
"Pardon?"
"Well, everyone else has a name. Why not us?"
I finished up and turned to her. It was just the two of us, no Luxray in sight.
"The names are a human thing, to make personal connections. I've told them, just as I'm telling you, if they don't want nicknames or they want a different name, to let me know. They're family first, and team last. That goes for you, too."
"Thanks."
"So, you want a name? What about your pal?"
The avian shrugged. "She's fine with whatever."
"Right. Oh, that reminds me. Follow me, please?"
I walked out of the kitchen and up to their room. Since the duo started living here, I put them in the same room they recovered in.
"Alright, where is it?" I mumbled to myself
Going in the closet, I found an old chest. Maneuvering it around was troublesome, especially when I tried to do it on my own. Eventually, I succeeded.
"Oie, I need a different shape," I panted, slouched over the trunk.
"What's in there?" the lioness queried, lying down on her bed.
"Give me a minute."
Stupid high blood pressure.
Taking my time while it settled down, I opened the trunk and rummaged through the contents. I got the right one, as everything inside was women's clothing. Don't get any ideas: almost all of the crap in this place was already here when I got it.
"Here." I tossed an assortment of delicates onto her bed. "Try those on, see if they fit."
"What for?"
"No offense meant, but you have no idea how hard it is to be around someone of your… appearance."
"If you don't want to see me naked, then look away."
"It's a bit difficult for me to do that."
"Why?"
"I'm a guy."
She smirked. "I turn you on, big guy?"
"Just try 'em on, please."
Still smug from her teasing, she sauntered, purposely, to her bed. Weird thing was, I couldn't take my eyes off her. Slightly drooling, I shook my head, regaining my composure and continuing to rummage.
Get a grip, Mike! You can't let yourself be seduced by her curvaceous figure, or her ample bosom, or her… slender legs, rising up to luscious, firm buttock—AAAH! STOP FANTASIZING!
Violently twisting my noggin, I finally picked out a long beige skirt and blue shirt.
"This should do."
"Um, Mike?"
The avian was having trouble putting on a red, yellow and green bra, while wearing matching panties. I went over to see what I could do.
"Lemme know if it gets too tight."
I tried to hook it on, but no luck.
"Ugh, it's a B-cup."
"A what?"
"Humans have a system for bust size, based on measurements. A-cup, or as some guys call it, 'flat chest,' is the smallest and from there, it goes through the alphabet, with doubles or triples."
"What size am I?"
"D, DD, possibly E. Does the bottom pair fit?"
"Actually, they are a little tight."
"Oy."
In the end, we had some clothes put in the closet for her, and she wore tiny black shorts and the blue shirt I found earlier, unbuttoned to show off her cleavage. As for names, I asked that they wait a little longer. If they want names, I gotta do it right.
The past few weeks, I prepared for the benefit. Even though I didn't want to go, Heart and them convinced me otherwise. I shaved, got my haircut, my body waxed (never doing that again), and only yesterday, had some dental work done. Remember, brush at least twice a day and don't forget to floss.
"Cut that out," I slurred, my cheeks still numb from the anesthesia.
I was kneeling by the bathtub, giving Rai a bath using rubber gloves, his head just above the sudsy water, and he thought it'd be fun to poke me where I can't feel.
"Why? You can't tell I'm doing it."
"I can see your tail poking me!" I poked him in his side with my thumb, making him squeak for real.
"OK, OK, geez." He pulled his tail away.
I scrubbed behind his ears, hearing him sigh.
"This is life."
"Do you really want me to go?"
"How many times do we have to say yes?"
"Seventeen."
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," Rai repeated.
"I was kidding."
"You do more than enough for people, you know. You deserve to have some fun."
"I guess. Done."
I unstopped the drain, letting the dirty water escape. Rai hopped out and dry himself off like a dog, spraying me.
"Hey!"
He snickered, scurrying away like the rodent he is. I let it slide and started to fill the bath again. I have two more to clean. Once it was full, I brought Luxray in. She got in, no fuss. So much for cats hating water.
"Nothing fazes you, huh?"
"Whatever happens, happens," she replied.
I chuckled and went to work. I took a pitcher, filled it and poured bath water all over her. From there, I applied apple blossom-scented shampoo to the lioness's damp fur.
"Blaziken asked for names, I was wondering how you felt about it."
"I'm cool with it."
"Really?" I poured more water to wash the shampoo out. "Then, if you want, I have a name that I think suits you perfectly."
"What is it?"
"Current. While it's a reference to your type, it mostly refers to the way you take things as they come. You go with the flow, or current, as I put it. What do you think?"
"I love it!" She jumped at me, licking all over my face and getting me drenched at the same time.
"Alright, alright already!" I exclaimed, pushing her back in. "I'm glad you like it, but you didn't have to get me wet, too."
"My bad."
Draining the tub again, I dried Current off with a heavy towel and brushed her fur. Once she was dry and properly groomed, she walked out, trailing the length of her tail against my chin softly, as if beckoning me to follow.
Easy, boy. Easy.
One last time, the bath was filled. Blaziken was leaning on the doorframe, wearing a closed purple silk bathrobe and holding one of the strap ends.
What are you doing to me, plot?
When she came up to the bath, she tugged on the strap, loosening the robe, and let it fall to the floor as she took it off. I've seen her body before, but never paid much attention to it. As the hen sank into the tub, I noticed two distinct pink spots on her mounds.
Nipples?! How did I miss that?
"Ahh, this feels so good!" she moaned exaggeratingly.
"Uh, yeah, I learned from some Breeders that Fire-types can handle baths, as long as the water's piping-hot."
"Oh, they were right!"
"This is gonna be fun," I thought to myself sarcastically.
I began washing her body, showing her how to do it. I was used to hot water, due to other Fire-types, like Maxwell and Kong. I went over her arms, legs, abs, back, shoulders, neck, hands and feet. I reached for the stopper, when she grabbed my wrist.
"You haven't finished washing me."
"You're right. You know what to do, you don't need me."
"But I do."
Holding my hand with a steel grip, Blaziken brought it to her breast. It really felt like my fingers were sinking into a giant marshmallow.
"You treated me, and Current, with kindness, despite how I acted."
"I only did what a decent person should. Doesn't mean you have to do what you're thinking of doing."
"I know, I just want to show how grateful I am."
"There's no need. You're a lovely girl, and others would kill to be in my shoes right now, but I didn't help you for 'gratitude.' I helped you, because it was the right thing to do. May I have my hand back now, please?"
Reluctantly, Blaziken released her hold, allowing me to pull my hand back.
"Thank you, Vulcana."
"What did you call me?"
"You asked for a name before. I based it off of volcano, because that's what comes to mind when I think of you. You're both red, tall, hot in every sense of the word, and a force to be reckoned with. Any good?"
"Very."
"Great, I'll see you later."
I left her to finish up, and once I was in my room, I shut the door and propped myself against it.
"Lord have mercy," I sighed.
There was a knock at my door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, dear."
Finally, a break. Lord Arceus, please let it be a break.
I opened the door. "Come in."
Heart walked in and sat on the bed, looking a bit upset.
"What's the matter, hon?"
"They're in love with you."
"What?"
"You heard me. I knew this would happen, but I just stood by. Well, I won't let them have you!"
Vines sprouted from her bouquet hands and went to grab me. They got nothing but air.
"I make mistakes, so I apologize for them," I said, sitting next to her, while she was stunned by my agility. "I will not, however, apologize for trying to be nice. I don't get why you're acting this way, when I tell you there is no one for me, but you."
"I don't want to lose you, is what I'd like to say," I heard Heart whisper. "The truth is, I don't want you to look at anyone but me, to be with other girls. It might be selfish—"
"To be honest, it's a little down-heartening, how much faith you have in me. I may not be the greatest man alive, but even I deserve a little bit of credit for loyalty. I stuck by Brendan and Jayy all over Hoenn, remember?"
"Yeah."
"Listen, you know me better than I do. Do you honestly believe I'd do that to you?"
A tiny smile appeared on her face as she looked up at me. "No."
"Then that settles it," I concluded, raising my hands and letting them drop back down. "Besides, I think they understand they don't stand a chance against you."
She snuggled up to me. "Just don't leave me, okay?"
"You might as well ask Rai to stop boning and Luke to take it easy, and we both know none of that will ever happen."
"I know."
"I'll admit, I was tempted, but through sheer willpower, I controlled my urge to tap that."
"Are you sure it wasn't me?"
"…Am I that easy to read?"
Before I knew it, it was a quarter to five. I put on a marigold t-shirt with four B's interlinked together, and camo cargo pants. You can never have enough pockets.
"Alright, you have my cell number?" I asked Luke, as we walked to the living room together.
"Yes, Dad."
"You have enough food for dinner?
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"How sure are you?"
"Enough to know you're stalling, Dad," he said.
We reached the front door. "Do I really have to go?"
"You need to get out of the house for once."
"I go out all the time!"
"Not to have fun."
Someone knocked on the door. I opened it, no one was there. I stepped out, thinking I could spot the runner, when the door shut and locked behind me.
Can't believe I fell for that.
Seeing how futile resistance was, I was left with no other choice. I walked to the truck, got in, and drove on to Route 202.
Jubilife City, easily the liveliest city in all of Sinnoh, Veilstone and Hearthome trailing behind. This is the place to be, if you have an insatiable urge to party. You might say it's like New York, but that's overstating it. The buildings here are, for the most part, much taller than my abode. The neon signs of the clubs were very colorful, and almost blinded me, even though nighttime had yet to come. Best part was being stuck in traffic, no thanks to the PokéNav.
"Ugh, blasted city people. Can never find a parking spot, and when I do, it'll cost like three bucks an hour."
"In a half-mile, make a right," a fairly feminine automated voice directed.
"I know, shut up!"
Damn thing's been repeating that for the past twenty minutes. I swear to Arceus, if it says it one more time…
"…"
Thank you.
"In a half-mile, make a right."
Never knew it was possible to break a horn. Guess it is, if you bang your head enough times.
Eventually, I found a spot in front of the TV station, cost me twelve bucks for four hours, not that bad. I still had to find the frickin' place. Can't use the Nav, since it had a mysterious malfunction and broke in half on the sidewalk. Just follow the numbers, I assumed.
"One-oh-eight… One-oh-nine…"
"Excuse me, Mike." I heard behind me.
I turned around to lay my eyes on a green-haired beauty in a chocolate dress. When I realized who it was, my jaw dropped.
"Jennifer?!"
Officer Jenny was all dressed up with her hair down and a bulky tan purse.
"Surprised?"
I regained the little composure I had. "Close. That purse is a little big, don't you think?"
"It had to be for this," she said, pulling out a set of clothes from the bag.
"You gotta be joking, please tell me you're joking!"
She shrugged. "Sorry, Mike," she apologized. I don't think she meant it.
A few minutes later, we reached this modern convention center, where a lobby sign told us the shindig was taking place on the sixth floor.
"Why did it have to be formal?" I whined. I just got out of the lavatory, where I had changed into the fancy gray suit and tie Jennifer had brought. She said it belonged to her grandfather, who shared my love of food, so it fit me perfectly, to my surprise. Could've done without the thirty-six buttons everywhere. "Bad enough I can't wear shorts. I have to look like a 19th-century pimp, to boot?"
"Well, I believe you look dapper."
"I know a good optometrist, if you need one."
She scoffed, making for the elevator.
"Sorry, I feel slimy in this getup," I told her, following her. "Don't be shocked when I get recruited into the government."
"You?" She pressed the button to bring the elevator down.
"Weirder things have happened."
We stepped in once the doors opened.
"Nice tie job, by the way."
"Not the first fancy thing I went to."
We fell silent, as that blasted waiting music played.
Sure was nice of her to loan me the suit, even just for tonight. Wonder why she had it? Not really important, though. I do owe her, for keeping me out of major trouble.
"Did Red invite you?"
That remark surprised me. No reason to lie about it. "…Whether I liked it or not."
"I'm glad you came. At least I know someone."
"Sure."
The doors opened. The ballroom was pretty extravagant, with ten-foot windows at the other end and half a dozen large round tables in between dressed with the League logo, its members chatting away. None of the Elite Four members were there, and Red appeared to be the only Champion present. I had been duped. It wasn't formal.
Dammit, Jennifer!
"Ah, you're here. Overly dressed, but here," Red greeted us as we walked out.
"Jennifer misled me about the dress code."
"I assumed it was formal."
"As nice as dressing up would have been, I was never comfortable in a suit," Red said.
"My thoughts exactly." With a trick I learned from a friend, the suit was off in an instant, my previous attire back on. I neatly folded it, but I think I did something to upset the lady, as she stormed away before I could give it back.
"I'm surprised you came," Red said, leading me to an empty seat, where he sat down in one next to it.
"Well, I got kicked out for the night," I explained, sitting down beside him.
"Nonetheless, you're here. Just in time for catering."
A small group of people walked in along the far side of the room, carrying chaffers and pans of food, their aroma wafting over and filling my nostrils.
"Hope you enjoy the party."
After I got a plate of chicken Maltese and pierogis, I stacked them on top of one another, making a rough-looking tower, similar to the Prism Tower in Lumiose City. I was almost finished, when someone banged on the table, bringing my structure crashing down.
"BAHH!" I exclaimed.
A stout man in a flashy cowboy suit was laughing heartily across from me, sitting in between a stern young girl with pink hair and eyes, and a woman in a sparkling, violet dress who looked a little uncomfortable. A shirtless, dark-skinned man wearing swimming goggles around his neck and blue pants was conversing with an orange-and-black haired girl about environmental stuff, while a green-eyed kid who I mistook as a server was savoring his filet mignon. A young lady with pigtails wearing a white dress shirt and beige skirt was engrossed in grading papers, her blue cardigan draped over her chair. Separating her from me, a blonde dude in a blue jacket with three large golden studs on each arm sat, watching the other people.
"Nice surprise, seeing you here, man," I said, popping a pierogi into my mouth.
"Same could be said for you," he replied.
I swallowed. "Rai and them locked me out."
"Why?"
"Why, indeed…"
"Candice thinks it's because you don't know how to have fun," Candice commented.
"It's not my fault Rai's idea of 'fun' is something he calls 'feminine spelunking.' And for the record, I do have fun."
"Sure."
"I don't have to justify myself. What's with the suits, though?"
At the table farthest from us, where Jennifer was sitting, a bunch of pompous-looking guys were gathered. Among them, a certain redhead officer was enjoying himself. I ducked down, my head on the table.
"What's with you now?" Volkner asked.
"The fire-haired guy over here, I can't let him see me."
"Why not?"
"Not exactly on good terms with him."
"Sir?"
"BAHH!" I yelled in shock, falling backwards in my chair.
A man with a long shallow bowl in his hands towered over me.
"Donation, sir?"
My ticker slowing down, I got up and pulled out my checkbook. I wrote a random number and put the check in the bowl. As he went away, his eyes were on the verging of popping out of his head.
"What did you write down?"
I sat back down. "A pretty big number, I assume."
"Mike!"
"BAHH!" I fell over again.
Great. The one person I wanted to avoid.
"The hell you doing here, arse?" Doyer asked, his words doused in a not-so-subtle Scottish accent.
The thirty-something man towered over me, even when I stood up, and you could tell he lifts, even though his suit did its best to hide his bulk.
"I was invited," I said, setting my seat right. "You, on the other hand, had to kiss ass to be here."
"Watch your tongue, boyo, before something happens to it."
"Says the dude with the brown tongue."
"You disrespectful—"
"A man must give respect, in order to receive it. Didn't you learn that the last time, after you sprayed me with Stunky extract?"
It's true. He soaked me with a water gun full of it, which caused the graphic anal violation with a wooden oar. Took me a week to get rid of the stench.
He looked like he was ready to deck me one, but fortunately, for one of us, Red came over and intervened, saying, "Mike, I want to introduce you to someone. Will you come with me now?"
"Good song." I stood up, thinking I'd be asked to leave, only I didn't. He brought me to a table by the suits, where all of the Kalos leaders were sitting. I recognized all of them from descriptions given to me by other Trainers, all except one. The young woman with her arms folded, feet on the table and eyes closed looked straight out of a heavy metal/rave party, her long carmine hair highlighted with cyan and harlequin, dressed with acid green and charcoal rave pants, dark tank top with "Rushin' Russian" written on the front, and a mesh undershirt. Hung over her chair was a long, black cylinder case.
"Tessa," Red sung. "Tessa, wake up. I want to introduce you to someone."
Something's gonna happen, I just know it.
Next thing I know, the whole world's upside down.
"Didn't anybody tell ya you ain't supposed to disturb a gal's beauty rest?! Jeez!" she shouted quite rudely, holding an aluminum bat.
"Talk about first impressions," I quipped, sitting on my head. "No offense, but was that really necessary?"
"What would you do if I woke you up?!"
The rest of me sprung onto the floor. "I once slept through firecrackers, in a bucket, in my room. I highly doubt you could rouse this bear from his hibernation." I rocked myself to my feet. "I'm gonna get going. Thanks for inviting me, Red." I strolled towards the elevator, telling Red, "I had fun, but Death seems keen on taking me tonight, either by fright or by bat."
After saying farewell to the two strongest Sinnoh Leaders, I headed out. The elevator doors opened, letting loose a wild-looking man. He wore a chestnut-brown rawhide jacket with a beige ring on the stomach and fringe trailing over the shoulders, and pants of a similar material. His rugged face looked determined as he scowled; what for, I didn't know. I went to go around him, he went the same way. I go the other way, same way.
"Which way you going, mate?"
He was silent.
"You listening?"
"Are you Mike?" the man asked, in a growling undertone.
"What?"
"Are you Mike Hogrelius?"
"Yeah, why?"
He slammed a fist in my gut with enough force to knock me off my feet, before grabbing my leg and flinging me up in the air. When I came down, I felt him kick me, propelling me across the room. He must've been really strong, if I could break a window designed to take a head-on collision from a sedan. I grabbed onto the ledge for dear life, while I heard screaming inside.
Dagnabbit! What is he? !
I was suddenly hoisted up by the arm, feet dangling in the midair.
"This is the end for you," the assailant said.
"People have told me that so much, I could write a book on all the ways they tried to off me. I doubt you'll be the one that kills me."
"Why's that?" He grinned, showing me his pointed teeth.
"It has nothing to do, with strength, or speed, or intellect. It makes no difference concerning tactics, abilities, weapons, not even the reasons behind the conflict. The deciding factor is our will, our resolve. Yours is pitiful."
He snarled. Guess he didn't take it the way I hoped.
"Ah, crap," was the last thing I remember, then a burly fist.
(A/N: This part will be done in third person, until a certain point.)
The unkempt stranger threw the unconscious man towards the other side of the street, where he landed on a jeep. It crumpled like paper upon impact, its alarm blaring out in the night. The chubby laid motionless on the dented roof, his schnoz bent and bleeding. To the stranger, it was obvious he wouldn't be going anywhere.
That's my end of the deal, God, he thought. Now for the bastard son.
He turned around and slowly walked to the crowd, his footsteps echoing throughout the room, while the people standing on either side after Mike went flying, did so in fear for their lives.
"LISTEN UP!" he roared. "All of you will not, without a doubt, leave this place alive."
"Why?" Red asked.
He was the only one standing in the center, yet he was afraid like the others. He wouldn't let it show, he needed his guests to have faith in him, to believe everything would be alright.
"For decades, possibly even centuries," the man started, still advancing, "my people have been oppressed by the League, captured and pushed to the brink of exhaustion, on the battlefield, and in recent years, in your bed. We are not objects for your amusement nor your desires. I am here to put humans in their rightful place."
"By destroying the League?"
The man stopped within fifteen feet of the Champion. "And anyone who resists."
"If this is indeed the end, then might I learn my killer's name?"
"Ursaring," he said proudly.
Red was a little surprised. "Excuse me?"
Ursaring lifted his arms and stared at his hands. "It's odd, the way your whole life can change in a single moment. When God granted me this power—"
"God? You mean Arceus?"
The wild man clenched his hands into fists, angry that a man would dare use his Lord's name in vain. He managed to contain his anger, knowing humans would be put in their place tonight, and let his arms fall to his sides.
"He did so, with the request of disposing of a certain character."
"Mike? What for?"
"God works in ways we do not comprehend. Such as this…"
The man began to grow, his clothing changing to fur, his hands and feet becoming paws with razor-sharp digits. The change stopped as suddenly as it started, a large bear on its hind legs standing where the assailant stood.
"A Gijinka..," Red muttered breathlessly.
In his travels, he had met Legendary Pokémon that had taken human form, to avoid capture. This was the first time he saw a non-Legendary assume such a shape. Did Arceus, God, truly bestow such might upon a homicidal creature?
"I hope you're not planning to resist," Ursaring said, shifting back to human form. "I don't have to tell you what I'm capable of, Red."
Red was about to reply, when he noticed Tessa sneaking up on the grizzly man with her bat. He decided to make sure Ursaring had all his attention on him. "Just to be clear, what are you capable of?"
"This." Just as Tessa was about to take a swing, the Gijinka swept her feet out from under her. Her bat rolled away, as the bear man pinned her down under his foot. As she was stuck, she could only glared up at him.
"Such fire in your eyes. I almost wish you were on my side, almost."
With the palm of his outstretched hand facing the girl, a light-blue orb the size of a baseball was conjured in the center of it.
"She's not in the League, you have no reason to kill her!" he pleaded.
"I said, anyone who resists."
"Cowabunga!" a voiced cried with glee.
"What the—MMFH!"
Ursaring received a faceful of flying blubber that flew from the direction of the window. It knocked him down and rolled towards Red, stopping at his feet.
"Hi, Red," Mike greeted, a duffel bag beside him.
(Time to shift back to 1ST)
"You're alive?!" he exclaimed.
"Yepper, skipper," I responded, hopping back up with the bag hanging off my shoulder. "You can't kill someone that doesn't know how to die. That's common knowledge."
"What?"
"I hit my head pretty hard when I landed, knocked something loose."
"You…"
The big guy got to his feet. "How are you alive?"
"I told you, people have tried to kill me so much, especially that way, it's almost like I'm immune. Not immortal, mind you, but—"
"You freak," he snarled.
"So what if I am? I'm not the one asking for handouts, I earned my strength. People taught me things, I put in the effort. I didn't pray like you, I worked hard. Everyone here worked just as hard, even harder, to get where they are now, so don't you even think of us humans as weak. Because if you do, I'll prove you wrong."
He chuckled. "Alright, how about a little bout then, for the sake of the League?"
I looked back at Red and asked quietly, "Can you get everyone out the back door at the bottom of the stairs? And have the Jubilife division on standby?"
"You're not serious?"
"You said before, you believe in me. Now's the time to prove it."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but he did the smart thing and kept his mouth shut.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone to prove wrong."
I stood face-to-face with Ursaring, and waited while the people quickly evacuated. The instant they left, we began. I swung down a battle-axe I had pulled from my bag. He sidestepped it, and he broke the head off with his hand when it buried itself in the ground.
"Should've pulled out a gun," he commented, his muscles expanding quite a bit, thanks to Bulk-Up.
"Guns are about as useful as snails in close-quarters, so no thanks," I reasoned. "Blades are more suited, and I like the different shapes and styles they have."
I drew three knives, two pocket knives in one hand poking out from between my fingers, and a twelve-inch hunter in the other. In response, his nails grew a couple inches and glowed a steely gray. We clashed, again and again, neither of us letting up. Sparks flew, and my blades remained strong under the feral intensity of the bear's onslaught.
"You certainly proved your power, but it's not enough!"
"If you have time to talk, then you're not fighting seriously!"
I severely damaged his right hand, destroying my switchblades to do so. He cried out in pain, cradling his hand while he backed away.
"Resolve is focus, the ability to visualize and achieve your goals. When I said yours was pitiful, I meant that you let your vanity, your pride got the best of you, keeping you from focusing."
"You bastard...!"
"It's your own fault, mate," I told him. I replaced my hunter with a simple neon yellow work-glove that I put on my right hand and dropped the bag.
"What is that now?"
"The only thing I need to end this."
"You smug son of a—"
I punched the floor, a crack slithering towards, then around the mutant. It encircled the section underneath, forcing it to break away, accompanied by him.
"AAAHH!"
After he fell, I walked to the hole and peered through it.
"DAYUM!" I exclaimed.
He went through five floors and was lying in the lobby.
"Note to self: ask for repair bill, and lock the glove away, unless I need to blow shit up." I snickered.
Using my new shortcut, I made my descent, floor by floor. When I reached the ground level, Ursaring was nowhere to be seen.
What is he made of? At any rate, he's still here.
"Oy, I know you're hiding. Is this how you intend to win?"
"No, this is."
I whipped around, only to take a Focus Blast head-on. I slid across the polished tiles, my body feeling a mix of burning and numbness. While I moaned and groaned, the Gijinka was walking around me, looking pleased with himself.
"Hmph, you gave me quite a challenge. You may be right about your kind, but I will still end their tyranny."
"I won't deny that we have bad eggs, but we have good ones, too. Pokémon are the same."
"Don't compare your people to mine."
"People is a word used to describe the majority. I believe it really refers to those who feel pain, sorrow, remorse. People are those with hearts, who understand one another. If we didn't, would things be the way they are now? Seems like you're no person if you don't understand, which by my definition, makes you a monster."
He had stopped about halfway through, and had conjured another ball by the time I was finished speaking.
"You're one to talk, Massacre Maniac. God told me about you, about the lives you ruined. Hamilton, West Chester, Chernobyl. If I let you live, the same thing will happen, possibly to other Pokémon. To protect them, I will eliminate all threats."
"I admire your dedication, and I agree. That, however, would make my family sad, especially her.
"I didn't want to be here, but they insisted. They wanted me to have fun, and oddly enough, I did, even with Red around. I don't really hate him, but something about him gnaws at me."
I reached for the pale-blue orb and wrapped my hand around it, ignoring the pain it caused even through the glove. "That's my problem, though. Yours is me."
I crushed it, and quickly rose to his surprise.
"Funky…Monkey…PUNCH!" I shouted out.
I threw my whole body behind my fist, hitting him square in the chest. He flew straight into the back wall, a shockwave knocking away some furniture and a few paintings. He was buried in it, his eyes rolled back into his head. He was definitely down for the count.
"Nighty-night, teddy bear."
"OW!"
"Hold still, big baby!"
I was outside of the convention center, sitting in the doorway of an ambulance, evading the paramedic's treatment, even with Brawly and Maylene hindering me.
"You need treatment for your wounds, bro," Brawly said.
"They only look bad," I argued. "I'll be fine."
"Bleeding from the shoulder is not fine," Maylene disputed. "Now be a man and suck it up."
Guess Ursaring did more damage than I thought, mostly to my shirt. Sure, I was bleeding, but as I told them, it was nothing major. Just a cut or two on the shoulder, nothing to fuss over. They thought otherwise.
"There's no need for this, there really isn't. Nothing more than a paper cut."
I don't who, but someone hit me over the head, and when I became reoriented, my shoulder was cleaned up.
"Mike," Red called. I got out and walked over to him. The officers, headed by Jubilife's Jenny, were loading Ursaring up in an armored truck, bound tightly.
"So that's a Gijinka?" I queried.
"You've seen one before?"
"A drawing online, back home. I also read some things in this guidebook about Poképhilia."
"A guidebook?"
"Pretty extensive one, learned a lot of things. Did you know there are three ways for a Fighting-type to court you?"
"Isn't it the same one that was recalled a few years ago?"
"Sadly, yes. It shall live on, in our hearts."
"You still have one, don't you?"
"I wish. Even with my faulty memory, I still recall a thing or two."
"…Anyway, I wanted to thank you, for saving everybody."
"No big deal. Who's Tessa, by the way?"
"I was hoping you would know, when I introduced you to her."
"She left, too. Man… alright, just hafta wait, I guess."
"Think she'll show up when another Gijinka does?"
"You read my mind."
"Why would Arceus do this, and why involve a foreigner like you?"
"I hate to say this, but all we can do now… is wait," I concluded, watching the armored vehicle drive away. "By the way, I totaled my jeep when I landed on it, so could you give me a ride back home?"
"No," he answered plainly.
I glanced at him. "You suck."
(So, how was it? Even I have no clue who Tessa is. And the guidebook? A reference to Lord Lucious, who had written and removed it from his profile, though supposedly, he still has access to it and can send a link to other authors who ask. One more thing: if you saw the dialogue mistake near the end of Ch. 1, it's supposed to be "How do you do it?" Thank you for reading, and don't be shy: leave a review. Mike, signing out.)
