Chapter 10- Refusal and Resurgence.
"Number 4…it has to be last number huh?" Sebastian complained to Ken after comparing their numbers together.
"Going last is not too bad, I got to go first man!" Ken replied. The boys, and the rest of the contestant winners, had to pick numbers to see who would be their opponent, and who would go first in the tug-o-war match. Sebastian was sitting on the edge of the stadium, looking down on his pokeballs.
"Who are you going to use then?" Sebastian asked him. Ken looked over his shoulder, making sure that none of the others were around to listen. He then leaned in towards Sebastian, bending down on his knees so he can whisper in his ear.
"I am thinking about using Pinsir." He whispered as silently as he could. "It is the strongest one I got anyway, we should be ok in a tug of war match."
"As long as you don't go up against a fighting type." Replied Sebastian. He kept his eyes gazed on his pokeballs, all of which were in a row on the floor.
"What about you dude? What are you using?" asked Ken. Sebastian bit his lip, his eyes never removing their gaze from his pokeballs.
"I don't know yet…."he said back, picking up Cubones pokeball, then putting it back on the floor. "It is either Cubone or Elekid, I haven't decided which one I want to use yet."
"You don't have anything stronger?" Ken asked him.
"No not really…"
Ken nodded, and patted his friend on the shoulder before he sat up straight and did a little stretch.
"Good luck picking dude. I am kinda glad my choice is easier." He said, cradling the pokeball holding his newly captured Pinsir.
"I guess I got to go in a bit with this." Ken said to his friend, before walking off to one side of the field, where the trainer stands during the matches. Sebastian kept his gaze on his pokeballs, still pondering what to do with them.
'Cubone would probably be stronger, but I might need it for the match against Tobias…plus Elekid I haven't used yet, maybe he has enough strength…'
"X'cuse me son." A voice said behind him, grabbing Sebastian's shoulder. Sebastian jumped, slightly startled by the sudden grab, and looked up and saw Tobias staring right back at him.
"Oh…um yeah Tobias?"
"Were gonna start in a second, so would you please get off the stadium here for a bit dude?"
"Oh..yeah sure." Sebastian grabbed his pokeballs and put them around his belt before jumping off the stage. Tobias stayed in the center, his microphone in his hand. The crowd began to go silent, almost everyone watching anticipated the next announcement he would make. In a clear, crisp voice Tobias spoke.
"Well ya'll, I hope yer ready for this contest!" Tobias practically screamed enthusiastically.
"Were gonna get started with the first match up here, and were gonna follow it quickly with the other three. Ya'll ready for this?" The crowd roared with great enthusiasm, as Tobias smiled and cleared his throat for the next part of the announcement.
"Here are the match-up's as follows. Ken Wesker vs. Scott Vanino. Then Eric Basco vs Kimberly Jensen, We have Rachel Sanders vs. Terry Thompson and after that, Sebastian Caine vs. Mark Jacobs. The winners of these match-ups will then face me in a pokemon battle, and fer the chance to win this..." He then held up a small, silver colored badge in the air so everyone can get a close look at it. The badge was in the shape of a muscular forearm flexing.
"This here is the bicep badge. The ones who beat me today are gonna win this, go good luck trainers, yer gonna need it if you make it past this part here! Ok were gonna get started here, so Ken and Scott, yer up boys. Here are the rules." Began Tobias as he pointed to the center of the arena, where two painted crimson lines were slathered across the rocky surface.
" The lines in the center ere' you can't cross over. So when the cloth on the rope ere' goes pass the line on yer side, you lose an' yer opponent advances. Ok guys, ya ready?"
Both trainers nodded their approval, and grabbed their pokeballs waiting for the approval by Tobias.
The crowd kept cheering, as the two young trainers stood in their respected boxes, the rope strung out in the center. There was a small, white cloth tied to the middle of the rope, indicating the center point. The field was cleared of most debris, with large granite hills on one side, and the running stream going through the other side, forming a miniature chasm. The crimson lines drawn in the dirt of the earth were as clear as day, and everyone watching could easily see who could win, or lose, this contest.
Ken moved first, throwing his pokeball into the dirt. The massive frame of his Pinsir became visible; the large bug pokemon geared up and let out a loud ROAR! showing great confidence in the tone of it's voice.
Ken's opponent, the young man named Scott, copied his motions, and with an equally loud ROAR! A Ryhorn popped out, brandishing its long horn towards the brown bug across from him.
"Ok Pinsir, show me what you got! Grab that rope and don't let go." Said Ken enthusiastically. The Pinsir turned back to it's trainer, its eyes glaring right at Ken, filled with anger. He then turned back, looked down at the rope, and in a low growl, turned away and sat down on the dusty earth.
Ken was bewildered at this. He nervously glanced across the room, looking at the crowd as the clapping slowly died into a dead silence, with some snickering breaking the awkward tension that was created. Across from Ken, the Ryhorn that Scott summoned was already holding the rope with its large incisors, and is wrapping its horn around the rope for extra weight.
Ken bent down to his Pinsir, who looked as if it were meditating, it's tiny arms and legs crossed Indian style, it's beady eyes closed tightly.
"Come on Pinsir, do this for me please." Ken pleaded, the Pinsir opened it's eyes and looked up for a brief moment, but then just turned away, not even bothering to acknowledge his trainer.
"Well…um…ya gotta either get control of him Ken, or yer disqualified." Said Tobias. Scott, on the other hand, was ready to win now.
"DQ this moron already, he lost by making a bad choice." Scott ranted. "Fucking rookie…"
"HEY FUCK YOU PAL!" screamed Ken.
"Id like to see you try, since you can't control that shitty pokemon, what chance do you have?" laughed Scott. The Ryhorn, holding the rope, began to growl loudly, directing his attention to the sitting bug pokemon.
Pinsir, meanwhile, opened its eyes from the apparent meditation, listening to the lewd comments and low-pitched growls from across the room. The Pinsir then looked at the rope in Ryhorn's mouth, and seeing the other end to the side of his body, he suddenly let out a high pitched screech, not before grabbing the rope with it's small hands and jumping into an attack position.
The Ryhorn was caught off guard, and was nearly knocked onto its feet by the sudden tug from the large bug-type. Scott stopped laughing, after seeing his pokemon nearly toppling into the rocky ground and letting go of the rope.
"Ok Ryhorn, show that bug whose the real boss around here!" barked Ken. The ground type was struggling, however, trying to regain its footing from Pinsir's pulling. The bug type was relentless, continuing to use every muscle in it's body to overpower the pokemon in front of him.
"Keep pulling Pinsir.." Ken began to say…but the Pinsir roared back at him, showing no interest in what Ken wanted to accomplish. The Pinsir was only interested in defeating the Ryhorn, by any means necessary. The Ryhorn, however, was not going quietly, and was able to regain most of it's footing, and began pulling back at the Pinsir. Pinsir was losing it's own ground, being dragged forward by the weight of the heavy ground type.
By this time, the crowd was starting to cheer again, reviving the adrenaline in the room that was present in the beginning of the contest. The two pokemon were pulling with all their might, trying to out muscle the competition in front of them.
The Ryhorn was gaining ground, using its weight to pull the large bug type towards the center. The white cloth tied to the rope was now about even again, but slowly going towards Ryhorn's side. The Pinsir was now struggling, its early momentum disrupted by the strength of the Ryhorn. It began to emit screeching roars, trying to gain that momentum back from the unflinching Ryhorn. It tilted its massive body lower, bending its knees and clamping down on the rope with its large incisors. The tips of it's horns can barely grip the thick rope, but it was just enough to give him the extra muscle it needs, stopping the Ryhorn dead in its tracks and slowly pulling it towards his line.
The Ryhorn tried to regain control, but the extra might of the Pinsir was too overwhelming, and in an instant, the ground type was sliding across the red line, the white cloth now in the box where Ken and his Pinsir stand.
The Ryhorn screams in agony and continues to pull, but Scott sullen face looks down and returns his pokemon back into it's capsulated home.
Ken, overjoyed by his victory, gets behind Pinsir and attempts to hug him, but the bug just shakes him off, hurling Ken into the ground hard, his head banging the rocky ground with a loud smash.
Ken rubs the bump on his head while he grabs his pokeball and recalls the Pinsir. While he gets up from the ground, he hears Scott arguing with Tobias over the match.
"He should have been disqualified damn it! What the hell kind of gym is this!" complained Scott. Tobias just shook his head, and spoke calmly back to the hotheaded trainer.
"He won, fair n' square, after a rocky start. Not much I can do bout' it Scott. Better luck next time."
'THIS IS BULLSHIT!" screamed Scott, nearly as loud as the clapping crowd over the display of strength that transpired. But Tobias was unyielding, giving the win to Ken in the end. Scott was so enraged by the decision; he stormed out of the gym, not before yelling a final "FUCK YOU" to Tobias.
Ken, who was still rubbing the back of his head from the nasty fall that Pinsir gave him, was greeted by Sebastian and Sophie, who were mesmerized by the events that transpired.
"That was…interesting." Remarked Sophie, who only got a murderous glare by Ken.
"Why the hell was he not listening to me at first?"
"At first? It NEVER listened to you at all, Ken." Replied Sophie.
"Dude…you need to watch that Pinsir…"Sebastian began.
"Oh come on guys, we just had a bad start, that's all." Ken said sheepishly, his face reddening with embarrassment.
"No, it didn't listen to you at all, Ken. In fact, the only reason it did anything was because of that other trainer and his Ryhorn taunting it." Sophie stated.
"Bullshit, and you know it!" Ken retorted angrily.
"NO BULLSHIT." Snapped Sophie. "We both saw it, and you know it, Ken. Stop being so stubborn."
Sebastian only nodded in agreement. "Sorry dude…she's right…"
Ken just sighed, and hung his head down.
"Why won't it listen?" he asked, nearly sniffling. "What did I do to it?"
Sophie just rolled her eyes and picked Ken's head up from off his shoulders. "You got to train it, dummy, you think everyone pokemon you capture will listen to you?"
"I figured yeah, considering that's what they are SUPPOSED TO DO!" snapped Ken.
"Well, the quicker you learn that's not the case, the better for your pokemon." Said Sophie harshly, before letting go of Ken and walking away.
"Sophie wait…" pleaded Sebastian, but she just lifted her palm up as she walked outside.
"Forget her, she's probably right anyway, just like Damon, stubborn know-it-alls.." Ken said harshly.
"Dude shut the fuck up, there only trying to help." Sebastian snapped.
Kens eyes widened, as he was unaccustomed from hearing Sebastian yelling at him.
"Why don't you stop arguing with them all the time? It is not helping, and for once, you may LEARN something! Stop being so stubborn dude; it's not worth it. All they are doing is giving advice, you're not an expert on this stuff, and neither am I. That is why we need the advice!" ranted Sebastian, clearly upset with how Ken was behaving.
"Seb I'm sorry dude. I didn't mean to.."
"No its ok, Ken. Just, take some advice sometimes."
Ken just nodded, and quickly walked passed Sebastian.
"Where are you going?" Sebastian asked him.
"To apologize."
Damon was relaxing at a small café, enjoying the bright sunshine that the city offered over the massive metallic skyscrapers that towered over him. Sipping some tea and waiting for a real meal, Damon was contemplating what he should do next with his new objective.
'I wonder if I can give them more packages…but then again I only have one left to give…perhaps its best if I hold onto it…or…maybe the girl.." he kept pondering, sipping the hot liquid as he gathered his thoughts on his next move.
"Would you like some company?" a high pitched voice said behind him, as a hand slammed onto the table, shaking the tea glass with a sudden vibration.
"Excuse me, buddy…" Damon began, looking behind him to see stoic young face with bleach blonde hair and piercing eyes staring back at him. His face was tightened into a vile grin, a stark contrast from the white clothing and green eyes that were noticeable.
Damon was in shock by the stranger's sudden interruption, but more by the fact that this was no stranger, at least to him.
"Gabriel." He uttered, before the young man grabbed his neck.
Sebastian was nervous this time. After Kens match, the other two bouts of tug o' war went smoothly, with the two female trainers triumphing. Now it was Sebastian's turn, facing a man in his mid thirties, a black goatee giving him more presence then his large knapsack strung over his broad shoulder. Mark had already thrown his pokemon down, a healthy looking Combusken, which was busy practicing its kicks in mid air, showing great enthusiasm for the upcoming contest.
The crowd was cheering again, waiting for Sebastian to throw his pokemon down. Ken and Sophie were among them, with their made amends and rallying behind their friend on the stage.
Sebastian took a deep breath, and grabbed the pokeball he planned on using.
'Here goes nothing.' He said to himself tossing his pokeball onto the ground. The ball opened wide, and the similar red light took shape into a small, yellow-furred pokemon.
The Elekid made a high-pitched coo, before looking tensely at the chicken across from him.
"Ok Elekid, grab the rope and don't let go of it!" Sebastian said to his pokemon calmly. The baby picked up the thick rope, which was nearly as big as it's entire body, and held on tight. The Combusken in front of it did the same, grabbing the rope with its feathered arms and staring down the Elekid.
Tobias began his countdown, and when he gave the signal, the two pokemon began to pull the rope with all of their force. The Elekid was being outmatched easily; the force that the Combusken pulled with was definitely stronger.
Sebastian was beginning to panic. His baby pokemon was being outmatched, and he was regretting his decision on using it for this contest. Despite this, he hid it from his pokemon, and tried to encourage it as much as possible.
"Don't give up Elekid, keep pulling with all you can!" Sebastian ordered.
The pokemon was trying, in vain, to outmuscle the Combusken, but it was no use. The white cloth was dangerously close to the red line at this point, the Combusken ready for the final pull to finish it off. Elekid pulled again, gaining minor ground, its eyes glowing a bright yellow as bolts of electricity began emitting from the top of it's plug-like head.
The crowd was cheering louder, fueling the fury that Elekid was showing suddenly. For the first time it was beginning to gain some ground. The Combusken gave it another hard pull, but this time the pokemon did not gain much, and was pulled back just as quickly.
The muscles under the furry skin of Elekid were straining, but gathering strength as it pulled harder against the Combusken. The bolts of lightning that the pokemon were emitting were growing more turbulent, and now shooting upwards, hitting the metallic ceiling. The crowds clapping became cries of excitement, despite some people heading for the exit due to fears of being electrocuted. Elekid's unprecedented display of power was growing, its tiny frame tightening up as its muscles began to bulge with energy. The baby pokemon began to pull harder, slowly gaining the upper hand in this contest of strength.
Sebastian was shielding his eyes from the bright lights emitting from the Elekid's head. Likewise, his opponent was also ducking for cover, blinded by the flashes of lightning that were emitting from the top of Elekid's head. Tobias was also mesmerized by the spectacle before them, never remembering a baby pokemon displaying so much energy before.
The Elekid began moving backwards, the rope moving faster into its direction with each tug, and was now easily overpowering the chicken pokemon. Bright orange and red feathers were beginning to molt on the Combusken's arms as it tried to regain control of the contest. But the spunky fire fighter was too tired to continue, and despite never letting go of the rope, it's strength faded almost entirely, and the white cloth finally passed the red line, on Sebastian's side.
Sebastian was elated by the victory.
"Let go of the rope, you did it Elekid!" shouted Sebastian. His mind barely processing what just happened. 'I never knew babies could be that powerful.'
The electric type was pulling the rope still, the static energy that was noticeably coursing through its young body still tense, but the pokemon's plug like antennae twitched, and its body finally released the tension, and slowly the lightning emitting from the pokemon's head began to cease.
The crowd was cheering again; Mark recalled his Combusken and went to shake Sebastian's hand for a well-fought bout of strength. Tobias was already working the crowd, congratulating the winners and telling them to sit tight and watch the real pokemon matches next.
"I don't believe what I saw." Sophie said to Ken under the loud clapping and cheering that surrounded the air.
"Who cares, he won and looked awesome!" Ken said back excitingly.
"Still though…where did he get that baby pokemon anyway?" asked Sophie.
"It was a gift from Damon, he gave me one too."
Sophie began thinking for a moment. "Where did Damon go….he's missing all of this."
Damon was struggling to breathe, as Gabriel clamped down on his neck with his two large hands, trying to crush his esophagus with brute force. Gabriel was grunting heavily, holding the teen down on the table. Onlookers were watching at this spectacle, too afraid to become involved, while others were calling for them to stop and let go. No one, however, was intervening.
"Not running this time, Damon. This time your dead for good," Remarked Gabriel.
Damon's face was starting to turn blue, but he couldn't overpower the blonde man over him. He looked around for something, and with one of his arms he reached for the teacup on the table. He could barely grasp the handle, while Gabriel just laughed slightly manically.
"This is what you get for stealing from us. Just call me the massager from Mr. Rhett himself, and I think you get the message loud and clear." Said Gabriel.
Damon was losing conscience, but was still focusing on his teacup. His fingers were grasping the handle, until he finally got a grip that was strong enough to lift the ceramic holder. He threw it at Gabriel's face, where it smashed into his cheek, the hot water stinging his skin and causing him to jump back and yelping in pain.
With his grip loosened, Damon swiftly brought his leg up, and hit Gabriel square in the testicles. The blonde was now in double pain, while Damon was trying to catch his breath. He was coughing heavily, and rubbing his red neck as Gabriel went on his knees and winced.
"See you…later…." Damon said, as he began to walk away slowly, still trying to catch his breath.
"Not…so fast….Damon…" cried Gabriel. He was still on his knees, but he was prepared for this situation.
A loud click was heard, and Damon turned around, staring down the barrel of a gun that was blocking the heaving Gabriel's face.