Chapter 23: Dark Depths
While things on Cinnabar were not going as planned, there was another group in Orre looking to set further plans in motion. The rebel's base was still very low on numbers. The outliers were few and far between, and hardly organized. They tried their best to create a unified front; Cipher always seemed to be one step ahead. The rebels weren't discouraged. They had a noble goal and they weren't going to stop until Cipher was put down once and for all.
There were a few problems though. They didn't have nearly enough influence to make any big moves or the man power either. A large portion of their fellow rebels were taken by Cipher in an earlier raid. A raid Wes still blamed himself for being powerless to stop. So he devoted night and day to training to get stronger and to finally putting an end to Cipher. Despite heavy resistance.
At the end of the day, one thing remained critical. The rebellion needed more members. Takumi, Wes, Cary, and Ebony couldn't stop Cipher alone, and the Kids Grid were just that. Kids with no real experiences as trainers. Their hacking skills were invaluable, but not adding to the offensive at the end of the day.
Everyone was more or less keeping to themselves. The Kids Grid tended to stick around Nett and the computer. Ebony sat on a ratty couch reading. Cary sat atop a pile of tires doing the same. As usual Wes was outside fighting random Pokemon. He was always training his Espeon, Umbreon, and his newly evolved Rhydon. He'd been practicing all morning.
Wes walked back in without a word. Wiping beads of sweat from his forehead. The rebellion had a small fridge that looked older then all of them. It kept things cool at least. Wes grabbed a bottle of water. He took a few large gulps and sighed. Cary closed the magazine he was reading and groaned, "God, we need some more people 'round here." He complained.
Ebony closed her book and stood up. "I'm afraid Cary is right. Four trainers does not a rebellion make. We need numbers if we wish to stand up against Team Cipher." They needed an actual army to accomplish their goals practically.
"Well how do we get more men? We can't just go on TV requesting people to join the rebellion. Plus, look what happen to our last group of rebels." Wes still saw the faces of all the men and women taken away by Cipher for reeducation. They drove him to want to stop Cipher even more. To avenge them.
"I have an idea." The three were surprised when a deep pitched voice spoke up.
"Takumi?" Wes turned his attention to their leader.
"We have options. In the Under." He told them. Making Wes cringe. "Deep in the Under is a secret colosseum. Known as the Deep Colosseum. It's completely free of Cipher's influence." Takumi explained. Takumi was usually very quiet and stoic. So it was surprising to see him stand up and make this suggestion.
"Now hold on, ain't that place like super seedy? You sure we should be sniffin' around there for help?" Cary wasn't too convinced this was the best plan.
"The Deep Colosseum is a very high stakes arena. The people there aren't the friendliest, but they're strong trainers who oppose Team Cipher just as much as we do." Takumi knew that was the perfect place to find potential trainers to recruit.
Ebony agreed, "Takumi is right Cary. We need strong trainers. The men and women of the Deep Colosseum are about as hard boiled as you get. Besides, we could use more strong men around here." She said with a sultry grin.
Wes ignored Ebony's remark. "I'll agree with the first part anyway. So who are we sending to the Deep Colosseum?" Wes had a feeling it would be himself since he's usually the one assigned field work like this.
"I have a few ins in the Deep Colosseum, but I would like you to join me, Wes. You're a prime example of both what our rebellion is capable of as well as the potential we have." Takumi said proudly.
Wes was actually a little surprised by this, as well as quite flattered. Ebony and Cary were both arguably better trainers than him. They just sent him out on tough missions so he could get stronger as a trainer faster. "Takumi, it's an honor."
Takumi smiled with an old, weary smile. "I'm glad you see it that way. Honestly, I'm worried it'll be a chore. Get ready and we'll be off. There's an abandoned foundry a ways north of here that has an elevator leading straight down into the Deep Colosseum. Trainers down there are ruthless, so be very careful when we're there."
Wes nodded, "Alright, so what are you two going to do?" He looked back at Cary and Ebony.
Ebony was the first to make a suggestion. "I suppose I can go to Gateon Port and see if I can find some willing recruits. I a few bars where I can persuade some able bodied men to join our little rebellion." Ebony gave a soft chuckle.
Wes groaned, "Why am I not surprised?" A blind man could read between those lines.
Cary spoke up next, "I'll stay with the kids."
"Right, good idea." Takumi wanted at least one of them to keep an eye on the Kids Grid while he was out with Wes. "Let's go Wes."
After about an hour's travel, Wes and Takumi found the abandon foundry Takumi had mentioned. Neither talked much during the trip. Takumi was already not a very talkative guy. Didn't help that this was also the first time Wes had really gotten to work personally, side-by-side, with Takumi either. Takumi was an unknown to Wes. Oddly enough since he was his leader. He followed him without question though. Into the foundry they went, all the way to the back and through a few corridors. At the end sat an industrial lift with no gate or walls. Without hesitation Takumi stepped onto it, Wes following suit.
With one press of a large, red down arrow button the lift rattled, shook, clunked, and screeched as it slowly descended. "Takumi, you sure this is safe?" Wes now more worried for his life than anything.
Takumi chuckled, "Don't worry, the old thing hasn't been used in a long time, but it's safe." Wes isn't sure how Takumi knew that for sure. Either way, it was too late now, the lift slowly dropped them deeper and deeper into the ground. The temperature rapidly started to decrease. Stone surrounded them on all sides. It was starting to get damp as they descended lower.
Slowly a sliver of light began leaking in down below them. The near five minute ride down as nerve wracking to Wes. How deep did they go down? The lift finally stopped in a small lounge like area. Several shady figures stared them down. That lift hadn't been used in literally years. Some stared, because they were more shocked it still worked. Others leered at the possible intruders.
Takumi stepped off and looked around. "I'm looking for Agnol." Takumi spoke with authority. Walking around like he owned the place. That was the kind of bravado Takumi had. As passive as he may seem around the base. He was still a strong and steadfast man. He didn't back down when challenged. Plus, he wasn't afraid to order anyone.
One of the thugs stepped up without a word and went to the backroom. A few moments later a large, bodybuilder walks out. His hair was long and a deep purple. He looked around before training his sights on Takumi with a scowl. "Well if it isn't Takumi." His expression immediately lightened up.
"Agnol, it's been a while. How's the colosseum treating you?" Takumi was also a lot more upbeat seeing Agnol.
"Good. Business here's good. So what brings you around?" He looked at Wes. "This your son?"
Takumi shook his head, "No, this is Wes. He's one of my men. We're here, because the rebellion's looking for new trainers to enlist in our ranks." Takumi got down to brace tax.
"Rebels huh? So you're still fighting Cipher. Can't say I blame you. Though, I don't know how many willing recruits you'll find down here." Most people in the Deep Colosseum were from The Under or lived their lives in the Deep Colosseum. Fighting night and day. Battles were for much higher stakes down here however. Larger amounts of money, betting Pokemon, and even the trainer putting themselves on the line.
It was all highly illegal and some would argue more sinister than Team Cipher. Seedy trainers was an understatement for many of the trainers in the Deep Colosseum. "Not sure these are the kind of guys we'd want to ally ourselves with either." Wes looked at some of the rather unsavory trainers.
"Let's just see some battles, then we'll decide." Takumi reserved casting judgement until he saw all their potential candidates.
Agnol nodded, "Come with me to my box. The final round of this current tournament is still going on." Agnol led them to his private viewing room. "You're in luck. We've got one of the best trainers in the Deep battling right now."
The two combatants were standing on opposite ends of the battlefield. The first was a big, burly man with a Ursaring. His eyes were sharp and confident. Just like his Ursaring's. He wore a white undershirt that exposed his bulging muscles as well as a red bandana around his forehead.
His opponent in stark contrast was a young girl, no older than sixteen. She had deep, blue hair. Her hair was frayed on the ends and just barely brushed her shoulders. Her eyes were obscured by her sunglasses. Gold rimmed aviators. She was tan like most native born Orre citizens. She wore a loose, black tank top, and cut off jean shorts. She was battling with a Bisharp.
"What do you think Wes?" Agnol addressed him. "Who's your money on?" He was testing Wes's judge of character.
Wes barely needed to give the two a glance. "It's not even a question. The girl's way better. She carries herself like an expert trainer."
Agnol laughed, "You got a good one here Taku. That's Zephyrine in there. She's only sixteen and still more woman than most these men can handle. She's from Orre, but she left for a few years to travel to Unova. So her team consists of entirely Dark Types from there. She's not lost a match yet." Agnol saw her as the poster child of the Deep Colosseum.
"Perfect, we'll take her." Takumi joked.
"Yeah sorry brother, not happening. She's the best of the best in the Deep Colosseum. Plus, a wild one like her is not so easily tamed." Agnol allowed her skills to speak for themselves though.
"Why don't you just give up to save us some time?" She mocked her opponent.
"Can it Zeph! I'm going to beat you this time!" Her opponent was determined to win. "Ursaring use Hyper Beam!" The whole crowd gasped and cheered.
Zephyrine gave him a cocky smile, "Cute, Bisharp use Sucker Punch." Bisharp broken into a sprint and took a running leap toward Ursaring. Pummeling Ursaring in the face with its sharp, bladed arms. This didn't stop the Hyper Beam though. Bisharp flipped back and crossed its arms and took the hit. The whole crowd gasped once more as Bisharp tanked the Hyper Beam and immediately went back on the offensive. "End it." Zephyrine didn't even need to say anything. Bisharp slide towards Ursaring and swept the legs with a Low Kick. Ending the battle.
She smirked and took off her sunglasses. Her eyes were an eerie, blood red. Sharp like a cat's eye almost. "I told you it was a waste of time." She called back Bisharp and walked up to her opponent she put a hand on her hip and out stretched the other. He begrudgingly handed over a huge sum of money for her win. Agnol wasn't kidding, the Deep Colosseum was very high risk, high reward.
As she claimed her reward, Zephyrine walked out. Putting her sunglasses back on in the process. "I'd like to talk with this girl." Takumi got up and stepped out of Agnol's box. Wes followed suit, but questioned if she was really a good candidate for the rebellion.
Agnol walked up beside Takumi, "Don't be disappointed if she declines. That girl is trouble. Hell, that's why she's perfect for the Deep Colosseum." Agnol did take pride in the low lives that trended the Deep. They were his people either way. Cutthroat trainers, yes, but they still considered themselves better than Cipher. At least they didn't forcefully strip people of their freedom.
Agnol led them down the hall where Zephyrine left. Hands behind her head and looking aloof. She spotted Agnol and his company. "Agnol. Who's spiky and the old dude?" She was quick to disregard them, but she noticed they were focusing on her.
"Spiky?" Wes self-consciously ran his hand over his spiked hair.
"Old dude?" Takumi was only forty, but the stress of running the rebellion and fighting off Cipher for years has caused a bit of premature graying. As well as making him look a lot older than he really was.
Agnol introduced them, "This is Takumi and Wes of the rebellion."
"Not interested." Zephyrine cut off Agnol. Knowing what he was going to say.
"I didn't even say anything yet." Agnol stammered.
"Okay, but if the next words out of your month are, 'they want to recruit you into their rebellion.' Then I'm going to take my winnings and beat you with'em." She whirled the large sack of coins in her hand.
Agnol put up his hands in defeat. "I'm out."
Zephyrine turned next to Wes. "What are you looking at."
"Certainly not the charming girl in front of me." He said dryly.
"Okay, wise ass. So why do you guys want me in your dinky, little rebellion?" She asked without an ounce of respect.
"I'm beginning to wonder the same thing myself." Wes turned to Takumi.
"You're a seasoned trainer. We need people like you among our ranks if we wish to stop Cipher." Takumi gave her this whole speech.
She yawned, "Not interested. I've got to go now. Get ready for my next tournament." She walked away.
Wes was tired of this, "Listen you, brat. You may not give a damn about what's going up on the surface, but there's one thing I know for sure. Cipher is up their ruining lives and sooner or later they're going to find your little hole and smoke you all out. What are you going to do then? You'll have no one to turn to when the real agents come knocking." Wes had enough of her arrogant attitude.
Zephyrine lowered her sunglasses and stared right into Wes's eyes. People often called them crazy eyes and that was the honest truth. Wes was unfazed though. "Well, looks like you've got a pair after all. Tell you what hotshot. Beat me in a battle and I'm all yours. If I win, you stay here in the Deep Colosseum." High stakes, high rewards.
"Deal." Takumi spoke for Wes.
"Sidebar." Wes put his hand on Takumi's shoulder and turned away from Zephyrine. "Takumi, what the hell? She uses Dark Types exclusively. She'll destroy me." He grumbled under his breath.
"A real man backs up his words with his actions. The Deep Colosseum's no place for boys." She goaded Wes into accepting her terms.
"You'll be fine. I have faith in you." Takumi seemed confident, or he was just filling Wes with false hope.
"Takumi, we're talking slavery here." Wes protested.
"Oh my god, never mind! You clearly don't have the stones to do it. Just get out of my face." Zephyrine was just irritated at this point.
Wes pinched the bridge of his nose, "Fine, I'll take your stupid deal. I'm not going to lose though, because I actually have something worth fighting for." Wes stormed off. "Why are all the women in my life such enormous pains?" Though this list is limited to Ebony, Mei, and now looking to be Zephyrine.
Wes was not looking forward to this. Takumi walked up to him and made sure Wes was fine with this. "I was kind of joking before, but do you really want to go through with this?" These were some really high stakes on the line. Wes was one of Takumi's best, if not only, but he still had a long way to go. Zephyrine was definitely a worldlier and more experienced trainer.
Wes nodded with a stern expression. "I said I won't lose, because unlike her, I can't afford to lose." Seemed like simplistic logic, but Wes's resolve was ironclad.
"Well your Espeon won't do you any good against Zephyrine's Dark Types so I want you to use this." Takumi handed Wes a Pokeball.
"Takumi, thank you. What is it?" Wes was curious to see what Takumi had for him.
Takumi winked, "It might not guarantee you the win, but it'll certainly help against her Dark Types more than Espeon." Though in all fairness a Magikarp would stand up better against a Dark Type. Espeon was one of Wes's strongest Pokemon, but the weakness was crucial in this case.
"Perfect, I just needed something other than Espeon to battle with. I'm still concerned though. Zephyrine looks like a pretty daunting trainer." Wes expressed his concern.
The two start heading down the hall. "Hey, we heard you're with the rebellion." Takumi and Wes turn around and see two guys with Pokeballs and sinister looks on their faces.
"Something tells me; you guys aren't looking to join." Wes said as he pulled out his own Pokeball. He didn't want to use Takumi's just yet. Takumi too had a Pokeball at the ready.
Zephyrine was laying back in a booth watching other matches. "Yo Zeph, you really planning on joining the rebellion?" One guy asked.
She scoffed, "Not hardly, but if the dude wins I guess I have no choice. Anything's better than fighting for Team Cipher I guess." Zephyrine didn't feel very strongly one way or another as long as they weren't trying to get her into Team Cipher.
"You sure you've never thought about joining Team Cipher? They're pretty strong." Something was off about the man's way of speaking. He started walking closer to her. "I think you'd want to. If you know what's good for you." He stared down at Zephyrine with a menacing gaze.
Zephyrine simply chuckled, "So that's how it's gonna be huh?" She grabbed her Pokemon and dove out of the booth, "Go Hydreigon!"
Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoyed. Please don't forget to leave a review with your thoughts on the chapter, the series, and the Pokemon Sagas Universe as a whole. Originally this was going to be one big chapter, but this felt like a good place to break it up. Building up to the action. That way I get to show off Zephyrine and her team in all it's glory. Like a lot of the teams and Pokemon in the past few arc of SD and Tia's Tales, Zephyrine's Pokemon very closely resemble actual competitive Pokemon.