(Static POV)
What an awesome day!
The sun was shining, Skarr was gone, and I was ready to have some fun. If I could find any, that is…
Why does everything have to be so big?
I wandered aimlessly around trying to find any of the attractions Josh was telling us all about earlier. He hinted that there were several Pokémon-only activities, but I couldn't find a single one. I was annoyed, but something else too. I wished I was with Josh. Even boring stuff he would make entertaining. I kicked a rock. Nearby, a Meowth walked out of a nearby alleyway.
Wait. I should try asking other Pokémon where the fun stuff is!
Excited by my new idea, I dashed over to the Meowth. The Meowth looked me over with a cool, uninterested gaze.
"Hey, um, excuse me!" I waved to get his attention, and received only a bored blink in reply. "Um, yeah. I was wondering if you knew where the fun stuff was!"
"Fun?" He questioned. For a second, his eyes green eyes sparkled with interest. "That depends on your definition of fun."
"What else!? Battling!"
Now he was interested. His eyes shone with interest, and his tail swung back and forth. "I know a place. Any humans with you?"
"No?"
The Meowth quickly shot a glance to the left and right, then nodded satisfied. "Yeah, I'll show you a battle you'll never forget. Follow me!"
He dashed back into the alleyway. I bounded after him, until we reached the end. He smirked.
"Where do we go now?" I asked.
"Down." The Meowth pointed at a Manhole cover in the ground. "I know you won't tell anyone, but there aren't actually sewers here. Everything just get flushed into the ocean."
"Then what's the sewer-hole thing for, then?"
"There's a beautiful cave next to the cliff that overlooks the ocean. It's perfect for sightseeing… and for the battles I know you're after."
"Awesome!" I grinned.
Meowth made an 'after you' motion with his paws, and I happily climbed down the rather narrow passageway. The ladder went down quite a while before ending up in a poorly lit room. I could make out a few other Pokémon there, along with a small exit. Judging on the light pouring in from the exit, I assumed that was close to the cliff side.
I earned a few nods from the other Pokémon before stepping out into the exit, and thus a larger room. It was built like an arena. The circular stage had a large, seven foot wall around the stage, and above that were rows and rows of chairs. All sorts of Pokémon sat in them, from Koffings to Purrloins. I watched in happy awe at the sheer size of the field. What kind of battles did they have here?
"Snivel? Is that you?"
Every happy emotion I was experiencing was instantly drained away. The fur on the back of my neck crawled on end, and heavy sweat began to coat my forehead. My breath quickened. No one knew me by that name. That was my old name – back when I was still wild, back before Josh – back when I was still a member of the wild Pikachu.
I didn't dare turn around. There was only one person that sounded like that. That hardened, dead, scratchy voice. It was different now, but it was unmistakable. No one else sounded like that.
I forced myself to turn, dreading it with every cell in my body. I saw him. He was different now – a Raichu. He looked terrible. Dark circles surrounded his eyes, casting a sickly shadow on his already dark forest green eyes. He looked under fed, yet muscular. His fur was grayer then it should have been – he was only a few years older than me – and he had several patches where he simply didn't have fur. Some of it looked burnt off, and others looked like it had been torn. One of his ears was only half there, and was poorly stitched to prevent further damage. The normal swirls around his wrists were pointed and jagged, and collections of scars adorned his intimidating frame.
"I never thought I would see you again. How's it going Sniv?" The Raichu approached me, carelessly ignoring my obvious fear.
"N-not bad. H-how about you, Rough?" I gulped.
"It's Overdose now." Overdose spat. I cringed as the Raichu towered over me, paw in fist.
"I, um, I see..." I stumbled.
"Small world. Once clan members, then we were torn. Thrown across the world by humans for a little prank. They would have killed us if not for the Treaty."
"Treaty?" I asked, terrified yet curious.
"You shall not harm non-hostile Pokémon." Overdose ground his teeth. "Now that we weren't a threat, they couldn't touch us. Technically. They could move us, however. And that they did. Stranded me on this shitty piece of ROCK." Overdose stomped his foot into the ground, enlisting a rumble from the earth.
"I'm sorry for that…" I mumbled, trying to squeeze away.
"That's not the worst part, though. Do you know what was?" I shook my head, and Overdose brought his face inches from mine, until I felt the heat of his breath on my face. It was rancid. "They didn't know of our hiding spot. The cops that found us. Only we did. The humans wouldn't have found us without help."
"H-how do you-"
"Only one of us left the group, Snivel." His breath burned against my eyes.
"That's not true-"
"Everyone else came back but you."
"I didn't-"
"You're a BAD LIAR, SNIVEL!" A fist caught me in my gut, and sent me to the ground. In a second I was back up, electricity sparking from my cheeks.
"YOU WANT TO GO!?" I yelled, as intimidating as I possibly could. "You think I'm as helpless as I was before!? You think you showed strength, defeating a defenseless low level like me!? I'd like to see you try now!"
"Not like this." Overdose commanded. He pointed vaguely at the stage, and two purple Pokémon with gems for eyes darted before me. The first one raced at me with a purple claw oozing with a black poison. I sidestepped him and send a stream of electricity at the second. His gemstone eyes gleamed a second before he was hit, and instantly he appeared before me, and bashed my head with the side of his claw.
I reeled, then dodged another blow from the first strange Pokémon. It struck again, and I narrowly avoided its acid cloaked claws as I felt the wind of the attack brush against my fur. I retaliated with a strike of my own, as the orange fighting energy covered my fist and struck straight inside the purple Pokémon.
"What!?" I screeched, and pulled my paw free from inside the mysterious Pokémon. Its gems gleamed suddenly as it cackled. Something hit me from behind, and everything went dark…
"…not responding…"
"n….don….will…."
"It….he's…."
"It'll work. It always does."
Suddenly, I was conscious. Invigorated. I didn't know where I was until I quickly looked around, and I realized I was once again in the arena…inside the arena. One of the weird purple Pokémon was at my sides, and he was holding a now-empty stained reddish syringe. I struck at him instinctively, but he vanished into mist as soon as my paw struck him
"Don't be mad at them. It's you and me who have a score to settle, Snivel."
"Don't call me that!" I growled fiercely.
Where did that come from?
I was terrified of Overdose. He was the one that broke the group, that beat me up at the orchard, and that caused a massive power outage in the human city. Why…why did I suddenly feel angry instead of scared?
"Fight me then, alone, you coward!"I hissed, suddenly furious.
"I intend to, but this will not be a normal fight. History lesson, Sniv." Overdose grinned an evil smirk as he extended his arm to the left. "Pokémon didn't use to faint before. Hundreds of years ago, Pokémon would fight to the death with their powers. Only after the Ancient Ones put limits on our abilities did we faint instead of die. This allowed us to learn from our mistakes, and get stronger and wiser."
"Who cares!?" I growled.
One of the gem-eyed Pokémon carrying a full syringe spawned next to Overdose, and injected him with the strange red fluid.
"Because humans are clever…" Overdose twitched as the fluid was injected into his veins. He sighed suddenly, and shook his head. "T-they found a way of…bypassing…the restrictions placed on us. Though a virus, and a mixture of other, fun chemicals." Overdose's pupils widened as he smirked.
I panted suddenly, and was overcome with heat. Sweat soaked my coat, and I looked at the small hole in my arm again. "W-what did you put into me!?"
"Just something to ensure you won't faint again. I want to make sure you're awake for this…" Overdose flicked his wrist, and it cracked horribly. I was filled with anger, but my fear was slowly overpowering it, especially at the realization the anger wasn't my own.
What did they put in me!?
"I'm looking forward to smearing you all over the walls, Snivel." Overdose shuddered as the strange purple Pokémon injected him a second, then third time. "I can't wait to show you, in explicit detail, what happens to garbage like you. I'll kill you, and smear your blood in the sands of the arena, for all to see and smell! Garbage little BITCH!"
He charged.
By the time I raised my hands in defense, it was already too late, I left his paw smash into my jaw, sending me reeling on the floor. I bounded up instantly, electricity crackling around me.
"Cha!" I shouted, and raced back at him, with both my arms igniting with fighting energy. He smirked as I bounded towards him, and blocked my first punch with his muscular arm. In a fraction of a second, I punched him in his gut and side, both fists acting like pistons, and firing off at blinding speeds. I felt my arms move faster than they ever had before, and I felt a moment of clarity as I was attacking.
I'm being reckless! I've never used Brick Break with both paws, especially this close at range! This…this isn't right. This isn't even the same attack. I'm using Close Combat! B-but I thought Josh said I couldn't learn-
An oversized paw smashed into my muzzle, and I flew across the stage before skidding to a halt. My vision blurred, but I didn't feel weakened by the attack like I usually did.
Did…did that even do damage?
I tested my jaw, and found it…hurt. Attacks weren't supposed to hurt. They just dealt hit point damage, and made me faint. Why…why was I starting to hurt?
"Rai!" Overdose shouted, jumping into the air. His paw shone with fighting energy, and erupted into what looked like a comet. I dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding Overdose's attack. I looked back to see a crater where I was standing.
What WAS that!?
"RAI!" Overdose feigned a punch which I dodged, then bounced up and kicked me with both legs. I bounced off the gritty floor before flipping myself back to standing. I panted, my cheeks crackling with unused electricity.
"I'm going to enjoy this…" Overdose growled, walking menacingly towards me.
"Chaaa!" I screeched. Suddenly the lights went dim as the strongest wave of electricity I had ever summoned came crashing down on Overdose. I had never seen a bolt of electricity this large before in my life, not even in natural thunderstorms. It crashed against Overdose, and all the sand in the arena blasted back from the resulting sonic blast.
Overdose grinned, still in the epicenter of the strike. He looked completely unscathed.
"WHAT!?" I screamed out loud.
"You have much to learn, Static. Shame you never will." Overdose grinned, and summoned the same lightning bolt I did, but this time it was even larger. It smashed against my chest, singeing my fur and sending me soaring across the arena, and into the surrounding concrete wall.
It took me a second, but I finally managed to begin breathing again. I crawled out of the wall, and then fell to the floor.
…why…why am I still conscious? I should have fainted two attacks ago…
I coughed, some red substance making its way to the sandy floor below. Across the stage, Overdose laughed.
"Well, get up then. I'm not done with you yet, you piece of shit." Overdose ordered. The crowd cheered at Overdose's crudeness, and egged him on to finish me off. I slowly rose to my feet, wiping what I realized was blood off of my muzzle.
As he ran towards me, I faked a head-butt before racing towards the wall, and bouncing off. My fist glowed orange once more, and I aimed it at Overdose's face.
Too slow. Overdose caught my fist and pulled me out of the air. Using me like a mace, he swirled me around before smashing me into the ground.
Auughh…
I steadied myself with a paw just as a yellow blur smashed against my side. My core exploded in pain as I was sent reeling across the stage, before skidding to a halt in the unforgiving sands.
The crowd roared in approval. I whimpered slightly, clutching my chest in agony. Whatever he just did hurt much worse than anything before, and judging by the crowds response, it was likely their favorite move. I looked up to see Overdose walking towards me cockily, swirling his tail around like a whip. I recognized the yellow blur now – it was the thunderbolt at the end of his tail.
"Now don't just lay there, Sniv. At least look like you're putting up a fight." Overdose grinned, walking ever closer to me.
Why does this hurt…? Battling…battling shouldn't hurt…
He picked me up, and smashed his fist into my gut before throwing me back to the floor.
"Come on, you piece of garbage!" Overdose spat. I gagged on the floor, and steadied myself with a paw, trying to see if I could still put weight on any of my limbs. "There you go. See? Easy."
He lifted me up the rest of the way, and then grabbed me by the fur on my chest. I looked at him in the eyes…at this point, it felt like one of the only things I could do.
"I'm going to enjoy this, Snivel." Overdose grinned, his other paw glowing with orange energy.
"…What happened to you, Rough?" I whispered, barely able to talk. My question caught him off guard, and he took a step back.
"What?"
"What happened to you?" I repeated, struggling not to choke on my bile. "Was life really so bad here that it did this to you? W…was it your trainer?"
Overdose looked at me with an unreadable expression. "My trainer has nothing to do with this. He feeds me and allows me to fight. What more can you expect from a human?"
"You know there's more than just that…you know that, Rough, as much as I do."
"You know? You think you know!? You want to act like you know, you little garbage ass BITCH!?"
Overdose threw me aside, then caught me with a whip of his tail. He hit me in the same side, and I felt the all too familiar pain of ten-thousand volts coursing through my being in the same second. I bounced across the merciless floor immobile, as Overdose screamed at me once more.
I could barely move. My paws only shook when I tried to stand again, and I couldn't lift my head. I could hear Overdose walking closer to me, shouting something about 'what I thought I knew'. All I knew was pain. I felt the fur on the back of my neck being grabbed, and Overdose lifted my face off the ground, then grinded it back into the sand.
"YOU WANT TO ACT LIKE YOU KNOW, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!?"
Overdose lifted my head once more, and smashed it into the ground. Still grabbing me, he dragged my face across the sandy floor. I would have screamed if I could – it felt like fire as the sands tore across my skin. Blood seeped out of the wounds that the sand created, and the resulting sand got mixed in with the blood on my face.
"I'm going to BREAK YOU."
He smashed my face against the ground, and I heard my nose crack against the floor. My nose bent at an unnatural angle, and this time I was able to scream.
"And then…when I'm through with you…"
He tossed me aside, and I fell limp to the floor.
"Then you'll know what it's like…"
He jumped into the air.
"TO BE ME!"
I felt his hind legs crunch into my back, as the earth around me exploded into fragments. Rocks flew to the sides, and everything went black as I screamed in agony.
(Josh POV)
[Skarr, I can't believe you.]
Skarr preened himself in embarrassment, as we all stood in a circle outside the Pokémon Center. All of us were here except for Static and Myst, though Nova explained Myst was sleeping inside our room. It was nine pm, and Skarr just admitted to leaving Static to his own devices as he took a nap on a roof.
[I trusted you to look after him!] I scolded Skarr. Skarr refused to match my gaze, and stared at the floor guiltily. [That was the deal. You guys could all go out if you kept an eye on each other! Augh…] I put a hand to my forehead. [I knew this was a bad idea…]
"Josh." Sandy put a calm, reassuring hand on my shoulder. "He'll be fine. He's probably just messing around and lost track of time. We'll find him, relax."
"I know we'll find him Sandy, but when? Hours, days? What if he's hurt, or doesn't know how to get back?"
"Well, that's why we'll start looking now." Sandy cleared her throat, then reverted to her Pokespeak. [Okay, listen up. Skarr! Remember this area. You're going to do a fly-by of the park to look for Static. Wigglytuff! You go with Nova, and patrol to the south. Don't leave each other's side! Josh, you take the east part of the park, and I'll take the west. If none of us find him, then one of us will go to the north, while the others go to the areas we've already explored. If he comes back to the room-]
[I left Myst a note to tell Static to stay there if he comes back.] Nova nodded.
[Good.] Sandy commended. [Alright, everyone knows what they're going to do. Josh, are you okay?]
[…Yeah.] I lied, nodding sharply. [Unless you are WITH STATIC, everyone be back here at ten pm, no exceptions. Let's go.]
(Nova POV)
"…"
"What?"
"…This is stupid."
"What!? Looking for Static?" Wigglytuff yelped, glaring at me. She grew twice in size, and placed her tiny paws at her hips in fury.
"No. No! That wasn't what I meant!" I gulped, trying to calm her down. She let out her breath, and resumed her normal, but still larger-than-average size.
"Oh. What are you talking about then?" She inquired.
"The way we're looking for him is stupid. You LIVE at this park. You've been here all your life, with Sandy, right?"
"Yeah? So?"
"Then you know this place pretty well, right?" I reasoned.
"Yeah." Wigglytuff nodded.
"Then you should be exploring by yourself. You don't need someone to walk with you; you're not going to get lost here."
"…You're right." She squinted, confused. "…wait, no one is looking to the north. Why didn't they send one of us this way, and one of us to the north?"
"They're worried about me." I rolled my eyes. "They think I need someone to look after me, so they sent you."
"Well, you are kind of a cry baby." Wigglytuff shrugged.
"Thanks…do you want to find Static or not?"
"Of course I do!"
"Okay, then listen here. You go to the north and look for him. I'll keep going this way. We'll meet back at ten, and this way we'll cover the whole park."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"No." I admitted.
Wigglytuff looked me over eyeing me cautiously. She then shrugged, and hugged me quickly. "Fine. Stay safe!" She yelled behind her shoulder as she ran to the north.
"I'll try…" I muttered. Luckily, this time I made a mental note of the Pokécenter, so I wouldn't get lost as easily.
I hope…
I shivered as a small chill grew in the air. The breeze blew past my coat, ruffling my bright orange fur. Behind me, my fire crackled dimly in the darkened streets.
"S-Static?" I tried to call out, but it was scarcely more than a whisper. The shadows on the buildings danced in synchrony to my movements, only summoned on the walls due to my tiny flame.
"S-Staatic?" I hated how whiny my voice sounded.
Man up! What would Josh say if he saw you cowering like this!? I mean, well actually he would probably say something comforting, like "It's okay to be afraid, the important thing is facing your fear", but that's not important right now! Augh…where am I?
I looked up, trying to get my bearings. I remembered the Pokécenter was to my…riiight? I think?
Crap.
Suddenly, the ground shook beneath my feet. I fell backwards, and scrambled upwards. Just as quickly, the tremor stopped. None of the buildings around me looked damaged, and there was no one around me to confirm what I just felt.
"H-hello? Anyone?"
I heard the slight ringing sound to my left. I turned, and saw a pitch black alleyway.
Nope.
I heard the ringing again.
Nope. Nuh-ah. There's no way…
I shook, hard. That ringing was the only sound I had heard since leaving Wigglytuff, and as of now was my only lead. I took a shaky breath.
Bravery. Courage. Do that thing you did at the grass gym.
I tensed up, but nothing happened. The ringing didn't happen again.
Oh my god that's so scary. There could be…ANYTHING…in that alley.
A thousand thoughts crossed my mind, from tentacle monsters, to flesh eating parasites, to zombies, or aliens, or anything that ever scared me. I whimpered quietly to myself.
I looked down, and noticed I was clutching my tail in fright.
Josh wouldn't have this problem. Wiggly, Skarr, Myst, Sandy, OR Static wouldn't have this problem. Why does it have to be me?
The ringing sound happened again, much more distinctly. I shied away from the alley.
Maybe…maybe I could just go back, and tell them what I've heard…
I took another step back. And another. I turned to go back to the Pokémon center, but stopped, and looked back one final time.
…Don't go in there. Don't do it. Something's in there, SOMETHING was making that ringing sound. If you go in there, there is literally a 100% chance SOMETHING is there, waiting for you.
I closed my eyes, and ran in.
I'm going to die. Yup.
Total darkness. I breathed a steady flame before me, so I could see around myself. I was terrified, horrified, totally petrified with fear. I was hugging myself tightly, shaking as I walked further into the alleyway.
And then…I reached the end. There was nothing here.
"That's it?" I said allowed. My arms fell to my sides, and I stopped shaking.
There…there was nothing here!
I heard the ringing once more, and looked down. A small circular metal thing shook slightly. I pushed on it with my foot, and it made the same ringing sound.
What is this thing? Is it a Pokémon?
I prodded it again, and it moves a little, revealing a bit of a passageway…straight down. I pushed it harder, but it was really heavy.
I bent down, and pushed it with all my strength. Slowly, it slid off the hole, or at least enough where I could fit. Fortunately there was a ladder. Into…the dark…scary…foreboding…hole.
Well, as long as my life is forfeit anyway…
I crouched down, and placed a hesitant paw on the first rung. Finding it stable enough, I placed a foot on the second, and slowly inched the rest of my body on the ladder.
Okay, so we know you ARE going to die…
I climbed down the ladder, creeping down at a snail's pace.
But HOW exactly are you going to die?
I lost my footing, but was able to regain it quickly. I gulped, and shuddered at what could have happened.
Will it be quick?
I continued climbing down, trying not to cry in fear.
Or will it be slow and drawn out?
For some reason, I couldn't climb down anymore. I looked down, and I noticed the ladder had ended, and I was standing on the ground. I let go of the ladder, and turned around.
I could hear…cheering. There was light, too. Hesitantly, I walked through the arch, into the strange, wide room.
(Overdose POV)
I grabbed the back of Snivel's collar, and hoist him into the air, grinning the evil grin only the arena would allow. This was the moment I craved – the moment before the victory, where your opponent was completely at your mercy. The crowd roared in approval, and egged me on with shouts of 'Finish him!' and 'Kill him!' echoing through the air.
A small, fierce bass suddenly pumped into the arena, fueling me further with hatred. I flipped Snivel around, and caught him by the fur on his chest. He didn't look back, and instead looked dully at the ground.
"Still think you know me, you little piece of shit?" I whispered, growling into Snivel's ear.
"I…I don't know who you are…" He hiccupped, trying to breathe normally.
"Damn right you don't." I threw him off me, and kicked him with both paws right in the gut. He flew a small ways before returning to the earth, no longer willing or able to shield himself from the impact. I calmly walked forward, and picked him back up. Snivel didn't resist, and gurgled something and I hoisted him back into the air.
"Finish him!" The crowd roared.
"Think I'll do it?" I grinned, forcing Snivel to look me in the eyes. He tried to escape my gaze, so I roughly twisted his neck, forcing him to match my eyes. "Do you!?"
He convulsed, and looked back at me with wide, terrified eyes.
"WHEN YOU DIE…" I roared, exciting the crowd once more.
"I want you to know you failed. You didn't protect anyone back then, five long years ago. I'm still alive, Snivel. And guess what?"
He struggled to breathe in my grasp.
"It won't stop with you. I'll find the rest – I'll find all your friends, and bring them here too."
The fear in his eyes turned to anger, as he feebly resisted my grasp.
"And it won't stop with them either, you little bitch. Who do you care about most? A partner perhaps?"
He swung forward and tried to kick me, but I held him firmly in place.
"Who is it then?"
He growled, his fear replaced by wrath.
"Your trainer?"
A fist smashed into my eye, cloaked in dark energy. I stumbled back and tried to regain my footing just as another fist caught me in the jaw. Snivel raced at me again, surrounded in an aura of black energy. He bounded up with a combination of swirling darkness and electricity, and charged at me.
A second wind?
I caught him in midair, and introduced him back to the floor, with a satisfying crunch. He crawled back up, and I smashed him again with my foot.
"Yeaaaaah!" The crowd cheered in approval. "Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!" They chanted in unison, sending the echoes coursing through the arena's cavern.
"You're so uncreative!" I shouted back, momentarily stunning the audience. "How should I kill him!?"
"Break him!" Someone in the audience yelled.
"Bleed him!"
"Smear him on the floor!"
"I have a better idea." I growled, smiling to myself.