"What the hell do you mean?" Brian asked in an extremely angry voice after hearing what I'd just told him.
"Why are you raising your voice at me? It wasn't my choice!" I bit back.
"Not your choice?" Steven questioned.
I paused for a second. "I tried to say no, but I guess you could say they're very persuasive." I said as I stared at the ground with a frown.
They both stared at me for a minute as what I said registered in their minds.
"They threatened you," Brian figured it out as his fists clenched at his side.
I nodded my head and with that he stormed toward the doors I just came from. Steven and I quickly followed after him unsure of what he was going to do.
"What are you playing at?" Brain demanded as he entered the room.
"It's common courtesy to knock before entering a room." The witch-like woman said as Steven and I entered behind Brian.
"Cut the crap, what do you gain by making Kate a top member?"
"Who said there was something to gain? We are just admiring her abilities as a trainer."
Brain said nothing as he just glared at the wicked woman before him.
"What's the matter Brian, upset that we figured a way around your little rebellion?" She mocked with an evil laugh.
"Rebellion?" I whispered over to Steven.
"They used to force Brian to do their dirty work by threatening the only person he cared about, that was Oliver. However, thanks to some training, Brian helped Oliver to be strong enough to protect himself. With no one else to threaten, they had no way to blackmail him. So after that, Brian only did the missions he wanted. Though after that I can't figure out why he even stayed in the resistance. I guess he just loves what he does." He whispered back.
"So you're forcing Kate to do dangerous missions because you know I'd go with her to protect her, indirectly making me do them. Smart." Brain concluded with his hands stuffed in his pockets. His anger seemed to disappear almost immediately as he accepted that they had won.
"Your words, not ours." She replied.
He let out a small chuckle as he turned around, grabbed my hand, and dragged me out the door.
"Don't think I'm going to let you get away with this," he warned with a glare over his shoulder as we made our way out the door. I had almost forgot just how menacing Brian could be when he's mad.
"That's it?" I asked as we left the building with Steven behind us.
"What do you want me to do?" He questioned as he turned around to look me in the eyes.
"I don't know! Something! You're just going to let them use me to use you?" I felt so useless in that moment, as if I were nothing but a nuisance in Brian's life.
"It wouldn't be the first time they blackmailed me. We'll just have to deal until we can find a way out of it." He shrugged. I was sure he was talking about Oliver, but the difference was they weren't threatening my life, it was my family I was worried about.
"This is so messed up!" I yelled at the building behind us in frustration.
"Calm down, you're annoying when you're loud." He said as he flicked my forehead.
"Ow," I muttered.
"So what now?" Steven asked as he joined in the conversation as I rubbed my head.
"Well I know exactly where they plan to send us, so I guess we prepare." Brian stated nonchalantly.
"Where?" Steven and I asked.
"Why would they send us to compete in some Pokemon battling competition?" I questioned Brian the next day as I followed him into the conference room as we finally made it back to our base.
"This is why," He said as he turned on the large screen hanging on the wall bringing up a news report.
A very beautiful blonde woman was talking "According to our sources, it has been rumored that Team Moondusk plans to make an appearance at this years annual Pokemon Battle Royale. Apparently they plan to get their hands on this years grand prize, which has yet to be revealed to the public. Despite this, they say the competition will still continue and are not planning on having any extra security. It is unknown whether or not the resistance will be making an appearance as well."
I stared at the screen in confusion. It didn't really make sense for Team Moondusk to be interested in something like that, and even if they were, why would they announce it? It was as if they wanted the resistance to make a move.
"It's a trap," Steven stated.
"Of course it's a trap, my brother is playing us." Brian replied sounding annoyed by the whole thing.
"So how do you know that this is what the leaders are going to send me to?" I questioned.
"Because I already turned them down when they told me to go a week ago. Guess I don't really have a choice anymore." He said with a shrug.
"So Damon wants Top members, and he knows that that's exactly who the resistance is going to send. But why are the leaders sending us into an obvious trap?" I asked as all the confusion gave me a headache.
"Because Damon has something they want." Brain said as he glared intently at the screen with the news report still running.
"You think Alec is going to be there?" I glanced over at Steven as he asked, and then turned my attention back to Brian as he responded.
"Without a doubt."
We made our way outside to the training grounds where we met up with April, Oliver, and Caleb and filled them in on all that happened.
"So what's the plan then?" April questioned.
"Unfortunately for us, the idiot who runs the competition doesn't want anything to do with the war, and because of that he's refused our help." Brain said as he pulled out a flier for the competition.
"This means the only way we're getting in there is to sign up ourselves." He finished as he handed me the flier.
I wasn't completely aware of how the whole Battle Royale worked. All I knew was that it's a competition held once a year where trainers ride on their Pokemon, and are put in a huge arena where they battle it out, last one standing is the winner. Since you ride on your Pokemon it's easy to see how it could be dangerous since you're right in the middle of the fight.
"Isn't that a little dangerous?" April asked from over my shoulder as she read the flier in my hand.
"Extremely." Oliver replied with a frown as he too stared intently at the piece of paper I held in my shaky hands.
"And we have to go in there?" I asked as I felt a pit in my stomach.
Brian gave me a weary look. "Yeah, you and I are going in while the rest of you keep an eye out from the outside of the arena." He said as he looked at everyone else.
"Why are we all staying out? Wouldn't it make more sense for all of us to go in?" Caleb countered.
Brian shook his head. "If Moondusk really is there to steal the prize, then we need people outside the arena in case there's an attack. The leaders are going to force Kate to partake in the competition so that she can gain access inside, I'll go with her to make sure she doesn't get herself killed." He gave me a pointed look as he said this.
"Trust me, if I could avoid any of us going into that arena I would." He muttered with a sigh as he ran his hand through his hair.
I felt my hands shake as my grip on the flier intensified. What was I going to do? I could easily get killed in that arena. Why anyone actually willingly took part in that brutal competition was beyond me.
"Are you alright?" April whispered over to me.
"Yeah," I said with the best grin I could muster.
Clearly she wasn't fooled but she let it go.
"So this means we have two days to teach Kate how to ride a Pokemon." Steven said as he looked at me with a frown.
"Huh?" I choked out as I glanced over at him.
"It's a competition in which you ride on your Pokemon, or did you not pay attention to that part?" Brian mocked as he bumped me on the head.
"Ow," I muttered as I rubbed my now sore head.
"Arcanine is your only Pokemon big enough to ride, right?" Caleb helped.
"I guess so," I said as I tried to picture myself riding on Sandslash's back, and cringed at the idea of sitting on those spikes.
With that said I released my Pokemon and explained the situation to him. Arcanine seemed okay with the idea of letting me ride him, the real challenge was not falling off. It seemed simple enough at first, but I soon found it to be a difficult task.
"Why don't you try actually holding on this time?" Brian mocked as I climbed onto Arcanine's back after falling off for the fourth time.
"I think what he means to say, is that maybe you should try to find a better grip?" April said to me as she watched me with worried eyes.
"No, I meant what I said." He stated looking bored as he sat on a rock with his elbow on his knee and his head resting on his hand. He was just pouting because I told him I didn't need his help, but maybe I did.
April sent him a long glare, "You're not being very helpful." She growled. "Don't listen to him, just try again," she whispered to me with a smile.
I nodded my head as she backed away. I grasped onto Arcanine's fur "Let's go again," I told him and with that he started forward and surprisingly, I managed to hold on this time. However, it was short lived. We were coming up on a tree and I panicked as I forgot to lead Arcanine into a turn, since I gave him no direction, he turned on his own causing me to be thrown in the opposite direction and onto the ground with a thud.
"Oh, that had to hurt." I heard Oliver mutter causing Steven to let out a small chuckle.
I managed to stand back up and glare at them. "Well I'm glad my failure is so funny to you, I'm sure it'll be extra funny when I fall in the arena and get tramped to death!" I seethed causing both to flinch.
"Stop being so dramatic," Brian said as he finally got up from his spot on the rock and made his way over to me.
He stopped fight in front of me and looked me over. "I think you've given yourself enough bruises today. Shall I teach you how to do it properly?" He whispered the last part in a low voice as he leaned in closer to me.
I felt my face heat up with his nose only an inch from mine. "Y-you know how to ride an Arcanine?" I asked as I turned my face from his.
"Of course I do," he said as he finally leaned away. "I am me," he said with a smirk.
Sometimes it felt like he got a real kick out of standing there like a lighthouse shining his ego on everyone. I rolled my eyes at his comment.
"Alright then Mr. Showoff, teach me." And boy did he teach me. Brian was able to ride Arcanine with such grace it looked like he'd been doing it his entire life. We rode around with him sitting behind me, leading Arcanine with ease.
"Are you ready to lead?" He asked from behind me.
"I don't think..." I trailed off feeling unsure of myself.
"It won't work unless you put your trust in your Pokemon. You trust Arcanine right?"
"Of course!"
"Then trust that you can do this." With that said he let me take control and this time I wasn't afraid of being thrown off.
I could feel a sense of trust between me and my Pokemon. Arcanine looked back at me and I could see a shine in his eyes that said I could do this. As we neared a tree instead of panicking again, I tilted my body to the right and Arcanine followed my movement and made a right turn around the tree. I looked back at Brian with a smile and he nodded his head. Without warning he got up and jumped off of Arcanine.
"What are you doing?" I gasped.
"It's all you now!" He shouted after me as he stood up and gave me a wave.
We ended up running into the forest and I found myself easily maneuvering around the many trees. I let out a small laugh at how simple it had become. I couldn't believe that the reason I struggled was because I doubted my Pokémon. I leaned forward and put my hand on Arcanine's neck, a sign telling him I was sorry. He replied with a howl and he picked up his speed. Before I knew it we were clear of the forest, I had almost forgot just how fast Arcanine was. I quickly turned him around and headed back to the base.
When we made it back everyone was gathered around waiting for us.
"I'm not sure what's more impressive, how quickly you managed to get it, or the fact that Brian is the greatest rider I've ever seen." April said as she ran over to me.
I climbed off of Arcanine with a laugh as I saw the look on Brian's face from her comment. As if his ego could bet any bigger.
Steven smiled down at me "Keep that up and no one in that arena will even be able to catch you."
Brian walked up and for a second I thought he was going to bump my head again, but instead he gently patted my head. "Good job Kid," he said with that rare smile.
Later that day I got the call from the main base that my mission was indeed to take part in the Battle Royale. I spent the next two days practicing my riding and preparing for the big competition. I felt ready, but who knows, anything could happen in that arena.
Wow I'm sorry that it took me months to do this update. I've actually had it ready for a while but life has been kind of hectic lately. On the bright side the next update is already done! Thanks to those who have still stuck around with this story after all this time, it means a lot :)