Public Displays of Aggression
Chapter 34 – Double or Nothing
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It seemed like it was going to be another fine day out. Nurse Joy had gotten a call from the local council which said that the Ilex Forest clean-up was likely to be ongoing for another four hours at the most so that was good news to all the Trainers who wished to make their way onto Goldenrod City. Those were Trainers such as Kagami and Kuroko. They had done their sightseeing and Kagami had earned their badges. There wasn't anything left for them in Azalea Town except for their friends.
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'Do you think you'll leave straight away?' Kise asked Kuroko upon hearing Nurse Joy's advertisement on the current state of things in Ilex Forest.
'I'm uncertain. What would you like, Kagami-kun?' Kuroko asked.
'I don't care. But, I still kind of have one thing on my to-do list.' Kagami replied.
'I should have guessed so.' Kuroko murmured.
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Kagami glared at Midorima. His eyes had a competitive streak in them that irked Midorima. He knew exactly what type of turn this conversation was about to take. 'What's the point of life if I can't test my team's strength against you?' Kagami said.
'It's times like these when I wish I didn't have such a strong reputation.' Midorima said.
'Well, I was still kinda hoping to battle Kuro-chan, to be honest. A proper battle this time, not a practice match between two untrained Pokémon.' Takao said and Midorima glanced at Takao. Since when did he call Kuroko by the pet name "Kuro-chan"?
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Kuroko smiled. 'I should have expected that but wouldn't a rematch against Kise be more exciting?' he asked.
'Yeah, yeah, battle me, Takaocchi.' Kise begged.
'Nope, I've had my row with you. I want to battle all of you damn Miracles and then after losing thoroughly to all of you, I'll work my way up from the bottom.' Takao said with pride.
'If that's what will give you the most satisfaction then I suppose I'll oblige.' Kuroko agreed.
'I know! Why don't you four have a double battle?' Kise suggested. 'I'll referee.'
'Yes, let's.' Kuroko said and his voice seemed to darken; his competitive streak came out of hiding.
'It should be Miracles against Kagamicchi and Takaocchi.' Kise said.
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Kuroko and Midorima were immediately off-put by that. 'I refuse to battle alongside him.' Midorima said, snappish.
'If I'm going to be Kagami-kun's private coach on how to beat all of the Generation of Miracles then it would be better if I partnered with him.' Kuroko said.
'Kaga-chan's too much of a moron for me to battle next to him. Two idiots to a team is never a good idea. Trust me on that one so I better partner up with Shin-chan.' Takao disagreed.
'Hey.' Kagami interrupted him. He must have taken offence to being called a "moron".
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Midorima took another quick glance at Takao. He knew Takao was affectionate but he thought that bothering people with such overbearing pet names was, well, their thing. He thought it was his way of conveying both friendship and niggling. He wasn't jealous, just concerned.
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'Well, let's go see if the courts are free. If not, I bet our street cred as being "Miracles" will quickly change that.' Kise said. He got off his bed and Kagami stood up next. Soon, the five of them were out in the halls and were waiting on Kise to lock up his room; it had become their private meeting point since out of all of them it was Kise who had the largest room in the upstairs of the PokeCentre.
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When they had gone downstairs and outside towards the courts, they did find that they were in use. The four courts the PokeCentre provided were all in use. Kise tried his hardest to flirt and charm one pair of Trainers off the courts but Midorima quickly shut him down.
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The five of them wound up watching a timid, brunette boy spar with an aggressive, female Trainer. The two appeared to be Coordinators as their Pokémon had needlessly flashy attacks that seemed to hinder them than actually add damage to their attacks. Takao took notes as they watched. He was surprised that they were both not more self-conscious of themselves because such aristocratic Trainers were watching them.
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Kise came to admire the limber and dexterous way that the boy's Eevee moved with. It was so graceful; he actually got his Pikachu out so it could observe its movements as well. When the two Coordinators came off the court, he made sure to get the Eevee's Trainer's name. It was Sakurai Ryou which amused him since his name was Ryouta. He also mentioned that he was from Ecruteak City and that's why he has Eevee as a starter Pokémon; one of his mother who is a kimono dancer. It also amused Kise how panicky Sakurai was because he felt the need to blurt out so much after being asked: "Hey, what's your name?"
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Midorima and Takao stood at the top end of the court whilst Kuroko and Kagami stood at the opposing end. Varying levels of excitement for this double battle was exposed on the Trainer's faces. Kise took position at the midway point of the court. 'How many Pokémon do we want to use?' he asked.
'I think two-on-two, no switching out sounds fine.' Kuroko said and there was no disagreement.
'Okay, new question: how do we want to decide who goes first?' he asked.
'Flip a coin.' Midorima said. 'I trust my luck. Cancer is third and Scorpio is fifth. I also have my lucky item.' Takao sniggered undetected.
'Okay.' Kise said.
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He went through his pockets until he found some loose change. 'Who wants "tails" and who wants "heads"?' he asked upon finding a coin.
'Tails.' Midorima barked.
'We'll take heads then.' Kagami said on his and Kuroko's behalf.
'Okeydokey.' Kise said as he flipped the coin. Its golden rim caught the sun and Kise quickly caught it again. 'Let's see.' He giggled. 'No surprises because it's "tails". Midorima and Takao can go first.'
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Midorima smiled briefly with oozing smugness. He and Takao chose their Pokémon. Kuroko and Kagami readied their own PokeBalls as well. 'When you're ready.' reminded Kise.
'Bayleef!' Midorima shouted.
'Pi-chan!' Takao yelled. The two Trainers tossed out their PokeBalls. Their Pokémon chuffed competitively and scratched at the court.
'Quilava!' shouted Kagami.
'Go, Gin!' Kuroko shouted. He and Kagami tossed out their PokeBalls. Their Pokémon landed ungracefully on the ground.
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Kise grinned. 'Let's the match begin! Oh, are we playing with a time limit?'
'Nah, we'll be right.' Kagami said.
'Poison Powder on Quilava!' Midorima instructed.
'Steel Wing on Gin-chan!' Takao added.
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Pi-chan swooped down from where he had been comfortably flying at a height just above eye level. Pi-chan's wings turned a metallic colour and his feathers seemed to harden. He slashed at Kuroko's Poochyena. Bayleef stomped its forepaws down hard and expelled a purple coloured plume of powder that scattered over Quilava. Quilava sneezed and the poison settled in.
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'Gin, use Ice Fang on Pi-chan.' Kuroko instructed.
'Flame Wheel!' Kagami yelled. His Quilava charged forward and bounded towards Bayleef. The flames on Quilava's back lit up like an inferno and it was quickly swallowed in fire. It leaped into the air and curled up into a ball. Quilava plummeted towards Bayleef and managed to land on Bayleef's back and singe it. Bayleef bucked and threw Quilava off and defied odds by only sustaining minimal damage. Quilava retreated and shook as it moved. Its status condition reared and Quilava lost health from it.
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Gin yipped and then charged at Pi-chan. Pi-chan teased the tiny canine by flying just above the maximum height it could jump. Gin barked and growled through icy teeth but eventually failed at catching Pi-chan.
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Takao giggled in the background. Pi-chan had an interesting personality. Kagami meanwhile just groaned. 'Pathetic... Kuroko, I'm gonna have to do something about your damn Poochyena one day.'
'I thought you didn't like Gin.' Kuroko pointed.
'I don't and that's one of the reasons.' Kagami retorted.
'Quit trying to co-parent Gin-chan! We're in the middle of a battle here.' Takao yelled out.
'Like you should talk, Takaocchi.' Kise joked.
'Nurse Joy's orders, mate.' Takao shrugged.
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Midorima rolled his eyes. 'Let's get back on track.' he said. 'Bayleef use Poison Powder on Poochyena.'
'Pi-chan use Quick Attack on Quil-chan!' Takao shouted.
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Pi-chan swooped on Kagami's Quilava with speed that only left silvery afterimages in its wake. Pi-chan dived on Quilava and moved it a few inches to the left using force. Quilava took a lot of damage because of it and also became quite riled up. Quilava barked at Pi-chan who took to teasing further with odd noises and erratic wing movement.
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Bayleef, meanwhile, jerked itself forward and released a second plume of Poison Powder that scattered over Gin. Gin barked at Bayleef who made no retaliation other than a smile. 'Alright, alright, that's enough you teasing – all of you!' Kise scolded.
'Pokémon are so strange...' Kuroko mused. 'Gin, use Tackle! On Bayleef'
'Ember on Bayleef!' Kagami yelled.
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Quilava opened its mouth wide and sprayed a barrage of tiny, orangey embers. Bayleef flinched with every minor impact but again, was able to tough out most the damage and minimise how much health it lost. Gin ran up to Bayleef with heavy thuds and charged past it. Bayleef acted as though it had taken no damage from the attack but that was highly unlikely. Quilava and Gin shivered and took damage from poison after their turn.
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'Pi-chan, use Steel Wing on Gin-chan!' Takao shouted.
'Razor Leaf!' Midorima instructed.
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Their Pokémon obeyed. Pi-chan's wings turned to something similar to steel and whaled down on Kuroko's Poochyena. Poochyena took a lot of damage from that attack and it seemed like it had been a critical hit even. Bayleef bucked forward and leaves with a razor edge loosened from the buds around Bayleef's neck. The leaves slashed forward and past both opposing Pokémon. Quilava took barely any damage but Gin showed that it was losing health fast.
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'Gin, are you alright?' Kuroko asked and Gin barked back, seeming to be insistent that it could battle onwards.
'I believe that Gincchi can continue battling for at least another two rounds.' Kise intervened.
'Alright then. Gin, use Bite on Bayleef!' Kuroko instructed.
'Quilava use Flame Wheel on Bayleef!' Kagami shouted.
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Their Pokémon charged forward at once. Huge flames danced along Quilava's back and engulfed it. Gin gnashed its teeth. The pair soon attacked Bayleef from the right and the left with vigour. Quilava knocked down Bayleef with a powerful, flaming tackle whilst Gin chomped down on one of Bayleef's hind legs. After finishing their well-coordinated attack, the two shivered and took poison damage. There was a slight sway in Gin now who was likely as close to the brink of exhaustion as possible without falling over it.
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'Gincchi is still fine for battle... Probably.' Kise said.
'Why did we ever think that putting you as referee was a good idea?' Midorima complained.
'I agree. I think that Gin is still fine.' Kuroko said.
'C'mon Shin-chan, it's our turn. Pi-chan, use Gust.' Takao said.
'Bayleef, use Tackle on Quilava!' instructed Midorima.
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Pi-chan whipped up a frenzied gust and swirled it around before striking. Flecks of dirt were caught up with it. The gust rushed past Gin and Quilava. Quilava withstood with the attack but Gin was completely swallowed by it. When the wind subsided, Gin was on the ground with spinning eyes.
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Kuroko recalled Gin whilst Kise announced the obvious. 'Good luck Kagami-kun.' Kuroko said.
'Thanks.' Kagami said, sardonic.
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Bayleef then proceeded with Midorima's instructions. Bayleef tackled Quilava with enthusiastic heaves. 'Quilava, let's finish off that damn Bayleef – use Ember!' Kagami barked. Quilava wriggled out from underneath Bayleef's clodhoppers. Quilava spun itself around and then sprayed Bayleef with dozens of lit embers. Bayleef's health declined majorly. A few flecks of Quilava's health were stolen by poison. Midorima trusted his luck and his Bayleef. He was certain beyond reason that his Bayleef would survive the battle.
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'Don't worry, we've got this, don't we Pi-chan? Use Quick Attack!' Takao instructed.
'Victory is ours, it is almost certain.' Midorima agreed. 'Bayleef use Tackle!'
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But they were wrong. Midorima could not trust his luck.
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Quilava dodged the attack lithely and the sudden leap out of the way seemed unnatural as Quilava got seemingly unheard of height. Bayleef stumbled away and was confused. Then Pi-chan swooped in but again, Quilava was able to dodge the attack. Kagami grinned and Midorima was flabbergasted. A terrible feeling began to brew inside of Takao's stomach.
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There was a glint in Kagami's eyes that simmered with overconfidence. Kuroko even smiled smugly. 'We didn't completely spend yesterday uselessly.' he mused quietly.
'Quilava! Use Heat Wave!' Kagami shouted. His voice seemed to shake the ground.
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Red fire unfurled from Quilava's tiny body. It stretched to every corner of the court and was inescapable. Heat as hot as volcanic energy followed and it was overwhelming. Bayleef couldn't resist the high-impact attack and fainted not long after trying to resist. Pi-chan was fried. Both Pokémon succumbed quickly to the heat.
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Takao and Kise were equally stunned. They were both shaken from the outcome of the battle. 'Midorimacchi and Takaocchi are unable to battle. Kurokocchi and Kagamicchi are the winners.' Kise announced whilst Kagami withdrew Quilava from the ending battle. The four Trainers met off the court and, most, smiled at one another. Midorima was the sole exception.
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'That was an enjoyable battle. I had a lot of fun.' Kuroko said.
'Same. It was great.' Takao chirped but everything he said came across as insincere. It was very clear that he was buzzing from the adrenaline of the loss. This was his first time battling alongside Midorima and it felt great but not like it had earlier. He felt like he had failed Midorima.
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Kuroko was a quiet, humble winner unlike his partner who was whooping and hollering. Takao didn't blame him. He would do the same thing if he was in his positon. He had just won against a Miracle and his rival of the same goal. Who wouldn't be hyped as that? Takao just wished he could tolerate it more as watching Kagami celebrate so loudly, so obnoxiously, felt like knives digging into his eyes.
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Kuroko calmed down Kagami. 'Well, let's go inside and talk to Nurse Joy.' he said.
'I'm up for grabbing some food. Anyone else?' Kagami asked.
'It is kind of close to lunch time...' Takao agreed and he glanced at Midorima. He was completely and utterly shell-shocked by the outcome of events. 'But I'm going to stay here...'
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Kuroko glanced at Midorima with as much brevity as he could muster. 'Understandable. Come on, Kagami-kun, Kise-kun.' he said and he took the others with him into the Pokémon Centre. They all shuffled off the courts and left the other Trainers in awe. They had all seen the way Midorima's Bayleef battle Quilava. That kind of resistance from a grass type towards a fire type wasn't natural but in the end, it hadn't been.
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Midorima wasn't really responding and everyone was staring. All eyes were on him and Takao couldn't imagine what the mounted pressure on his friend would be like. It was terrible on him so it could only be worse on him.
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'Shin-chan... Shin-chan?' Takao tried to provoke Midorima but it didn't work. This was gravely serious. 'Are you okay, Shin-chan?' He expected to be called a "fool" or to get told that he still hated the nickname but the reaction he got was far different. Instead, Midorima seemed to dissolve. His frustration bubbled up through his reddened his cheeks and even came out as tears. 'Let's go somewhere else.' Takao said and all he could see through his Hawk Eye was eyes.
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Takao's hand was shooed away when he hesitantly took Midorima's wrist. He led him off and he could feel Midorima's pulse. The two hid away further into the woods behind the Pokémon Centre; where Takao had recklessly gone to battle his Hoothoot.
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Takao let go of Midorima's wrist. 'Seriously, are you okay?'
'...This is not good.' he replied simply.
'No kidding. Be upfront with me but are you okay?' Takao asked. He was slowly becoming more frantic. Midorima blinked back tears. 'I'm sorry.'
'Why...?' Midorima asked.
'You lost because I wasn't able to complement you.' Takao rambled.
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Midorima couldn't meet Takao's glare. Takao's hands turned to fist. 'I'm sorry, dammit! I ruined your reputation. I failed your expectations!'
'Stop.' Midorima said. 'I'm not upset with you. You battled wonderfully.' Takao's heart fluttered. 'Pi-chan did wonderfully. Bayleef did wonderfully. I... was arrogant.'
'No, your confidence is based purely on skill. It's definitely my fault.'
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Midorima grabbed Takao's shoulders suddenly. He glared at Takao and his fingers squeezed into Takao's shoulders. 'Stop saying that!' Midorima shouted. His voice seemed to rustle the branches of the tree they were standing under. Curious, woodland Pokémon such as Caterpie and Aipom scattered as they were frightened by Midorima's loud and sudden voice. Even Takao was taken aback by it. 'Please stop saying that.'
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But that only stoked Takao's anger. 'Then why are you like this?' he yelled. Midorima's grip on Takao's shoulders lessened. The question seemed to pierce him. He was acting as though he was afraid to answer the question.
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Midorima's heart pounded. 'I'm scared.' he admitted in a small voice.
'Of what?' Takao asked and kept his voice soft.
'Of losing. Of what happens when I lose.' Midorima continued.
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Takao hated to see Midorima acting so vulnerable. It made him want to give Midorima a big bear hug even though he knew that Midorima was absolutely loath that but as an affection person, that was Takao's first response when he wanted to comfort someone.
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'Why? What happens when you lose?' Takao asked. He watched every inch of Midorima and waited for answer. He did not receive a verbal one but from subtle cues from Midorima's slightly shifting body language, he could gather a rough answer. The answer was "something terrible". Midorima's hands clenched and he swallowed. His blinked more than usual and his breaths became shallow. To Takao, those were signs of a panic attack.
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The bad feeling that had been brewing in Takao's stomach for a while now intensified and took a new form. It was baseless but somehow, Takao was willing to bet that "Akaashi the Emperor" might have something to do with Midorima's reaction. He didn't want to believe that his friend might suffer from crippling hubris and this was how it manifests when threatened. He wanted to believe that overwhelming pride was not one of Midorima's flaws: he was awkward and rude but not proud beyond redemption. He wanted to place the blame on a reason outside of Midorima.
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He also didn't want to place a reason on himself. There was a chance, however small, that he might be the reason that Midorima was acting that way. That battle they had when they were fourteen and sporting bad haircuts managed to have huge repercussions: Midorima became a "Miracle". Was it not possible for it to have gone beyond that?
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Takao's brain swarmed with half clues and possible theories. He had names and strange stories with no context. He thought about what Kise had alluded to. He thought about what Kuroko had alluded to. He thought about what the douchebag Kobayashi had alluded to. There was so much he didn't know about Midorima and it tortured him.
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'Quit staring at me.' Midorima grouched and his demeanour changed again; or perhaps it had already changed and Takao had been too busy thinking to notice.
'Sorry.' Takao mumbled.
'Let's just go, I've had my moment. I ought to be apologising to you for making you worry. I really detest that; making you worry so I apologise.' Midorima said.
'You're forgiven, Shin-chan.' Takao crooned. He was glad that Midorima was back to normal; or at least pretending.