Chapter 26: Imprisonment
After defeating Junior Vanilla, Happy, Charles and their new member Polly were sailing the seas to find out where their friends and family were being held. At the same time, Baye, Tanner and Mr. P were placed into cells with three other fighters from the Pokken Arts Tournament, to which only Morgan the Morgrem was the one to introduce herself to Mr. P.
Meanwhile, back where Vanilla was, he had recovered from his unconscious state, but was still weakened by what the children did to him.
?: S-Sir! Are you...alright?
Vanilla: ...Do I look alright, you moron?
?: S-Sorry, sir.
Vanilla: (...I can't believe those kids managed to beat me...No wonder I hate children…)
?: Sir, what should we do? Should we uh...go after those kids?
Vanilla: ...No. Let them go.
?: H-Huh?! But sir-
Vanilla: Let them go. It's not even my responsibility anyway. If the pigshit's got a problem, let him take care of it…I don't even care at this point…
?: Y-Yes...sir…
To Vanilla, this loss was indeed shocking. But he did reflect back on his past as he looked up at the sky in a more regretful way, thinking…
Vanilla: *sighs* (...I've joined this organization to overcome the shortcomings of my family...We never had much...Society is sometimes unfair to Dragon type Pokemon, and we tend to get the short end of the stick...If it wasn't for the Dirty Delinquents, I'd never have a chance in life ever again…But now, I wonder what life's like on the other side...Who knows...Maybe I'll have a chance to see it...At least I'll do so with no regrets...)
...
A few minutes later at the main headquarters of the Dirty Delinquents base, Senior Head Barbeque was in his office when he received a Roto-Phone call from one of his underlings.
Barbeque: ...Hello?
?: Sir, we have some news. It appears that Junior Vanilla was defeated.
Barbeque: ...Excuse me?
?: Apparently, according to some reports, he was defeated by some kids…
Barbeque: ...Hmph. No matter. If he loses, he loses.
?: He was tasked by Major Hamm to look after them. Unfortunately, he failed to complete it.
Barbeque: ...I see. Perhaps I should give Major Hamm the call. After all, if he's the one to do so, then I need to set things straight. See if you can hunt down those kids. Make sure that no death comes upon them. If possible, capture them.
?: Yes sir. Out.
The Roto-Phone hung up, to which he expected.
Barbeque: Hm...I wonder...Perhaps I need to think about what the plan is…
...
Back in the cell where Baye was, she and the Eiscue were aware of each other, but not on a familiar level. The Eiscue herself seemed shy, as she covered her face with her flippers in an attempt to pretend her face wasn't seen. However, it made Baye more curious as to why the Pokemon was shying away from her. She then noticed some features from her, which were familiar to her.
Baye: Hey...Aren't you that Pokemon with that weird green block for a face at the Pokken Arts Tournament during the selection process? What happened to it?
Eiscue: U-Um...P...Please don't look at me. I'm just a simple Eiscue.
Baye: Not really. If so, then you wouldn't be here.
Eiscue: B-But I...I'm-
Baye: You must be an incredible Pokemon to have made it in the tournament.
Eiscue: …I'm not really that great. I'm just horrible...
Baye: (...What's with her…? She seems so...anxious…)
Eiscue: ...I don't even think I should be alive today. There's no way I'm meant to be great…
Baye: ...How could you say that about yourself?
Eiscue: Because where I'm from...I'm a laughingstock...I don't deserve recognition. I don't even know how I made it. I should've just given up. The other fighters are far better than me.
Baye: Give up? Why? Why would you want to give up?
Eiscue: Because I'm ashamed of what I can't do, okay?!
She began to break down in tears. To Baye, this was a surprise. She never thought that she would encounter a fighter too scared and self-defeating to be a tournament participant.
Baye: ...What do you mean?
Eiscue: I...I need to save my brother… *sniff*
Baye: ...H-Huh…?
Eiscue: I'm pitiful…! *sniff* I still wonder why I'm in this tournament!
Baye: Don't say that!
Eiscue: H-Huh?
Baye: You need to stop thinking that you're pitiful. You made it that far into the tournament, right?
Eiscue: Y-Yeah…
Baye: Well, that's a step forward. If I can take a guess from what you've said so far, you're partaking in this tournament to help your brother, right?
Eiscue: Y-Yes…! *sniff* I...I need to win the tournament to help him with his condition…
Baye: If I may ask, what kind of condition does he have?
Eiscue: …Feather Loss Disease…
Baye: (...Feather Loss Disease…?) What is that?
Eiscue: It's a disease that certain penguin Pokemon such as mine can get…Our feathers are a source of warmth, and without them, we'll die since we can't trap heat…
Baye: …That's awful…How long has he been in the hospital?
Eiscue: A year…And he's barely hanging on…The doctors said that they need the efficient funds to keep him alive, and if I don't get the money…he'll die…I should've just accepted that I'll never win the tournament…
Baye: Look, uh…How do you think your brother would react if he heard those words? If he found out you gave up on saving him, he'll die with regrets. Don't let him lose faith in you. He's probably still fighting right now due to him believing you'll get him out of there.
Eiscue: R-Really?
Baye: Yeah! You'll do just fine, and even if you don't win, a miracle might happen. You may never know what Arceus has in store for you.
Eiscue: T-Thank you… *sniff*
Baye: Oh, by the way…My name's Baye.
Eiscue: Oh…My name's Emma. It's…nice to meet you.
...
In the cell where Tanner and the Durant were, they seemed to not get along on the right foot, since this was indeed their first time. For Tanner, he tried to get the Durant's attention, to which he only looked away in silence, trying to ignore him completely.
Tanner: Excuse me, but are you going to ignore my presence? I can tell by your sour groove.
The Durant didn't even look at him. He was wishing for two things to happen right now: either Tanner to bite the dust, or himself.
Tanner: Oh, come on! Please say something!
In response, the Durant spat on the floor and turned away in disgust as he only said...
Durant: Hmph!
Tanner: *sweat drop* (...This guy's harder than a basket…) Man, what can I say to get your groove going?
The Durant's eyes began twitching and growled as he stared at Tanner with an annoyed expression, as if he was about to lose it. But he kept his cool, even if only for a mere moment.
Tanner: Please? I uh…I think-
Finally, the Durant spoke, although in a rather furious tone as he shouted…
Durant: Look, you overgrown vine monster! Shut the hell up! I'm trying to save my own ass! I don't need jackasses like you to spoil it! So keep your mouth shut, and leave me alone!
Tanner: (...Sheesh…! I can't believe that he would snap at me…!) Well, I wanted to know who you were. I mean, I saw you take on that Camerupt during the Elimination Ring. I thought it was awesome, what with your vibes and all.
Durant: …Piss off. How about stop running your mouth and use your brain to bust out of here?
Tanner: What's your beef?! You tend to act hostile! Your vibes are really out of whack!
Durant: Guess what? I don't give a Rattata's ass. You keep talking, and you're going to piss me off even more! Now shut up!
Tanner: Well, I don't get it! If that's the way you treat others, then you deserve to be alone for the rest of your life! I don't know why you're participating in the tournament, but whatever it is, if you win, I hope you take that money and shove it up your ass!
This time, the Durant gave a very cold look, which was unusual to Tanner. Even his tone got serious, which was a side of something that he was showing for the first time.
Durant: …You don't dare talk like that to me. I have more problems going on than what the likes of you will never understand.
Tanner: W…What…?
Durant: You don't get the right to judge me. Especially when someone like you hasn't had a hard life like mine.
Tanner: What are you talking about?
Durant: …Look, I want to get the hell out of here. The sooner, the better.
Tanner then noticed his scars, which was intriguing to his interest.
Tanner: You know, I was wondering about something…Your scars…You seem like you're a hard worker. You've probably battled lots of Pokemon in your life.
Durant: Battled, huh? Yeah, I've been doing that a lot. But that's nothing compared to my grueling past. Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. This prison reminded me of another.
Tanner: Care to tell me?
Durant: You see, I'm not like other Durant in some kingdoms. I have this red color, which isn't easy to see in others unless you know where I live. I've been nothing more than mere fodder from where I come from. The bottom of the ladder…
Tanner: Where are you from, exactly?
Durant: …Despite my appearance, I'm from the Torch Kingdom. The Durant there know how to handle the heat far better than our cousins.
Tanner: I see. (...I didn't know there were Durant out there who are capable of handling heat much better than others…) You said that you were at the bottom of the ladder. I guess it's some sort of hierarchy?
Durant: You guessed it. It is. Our race is much different, as the strongest Durant gets to serve as a female's aide. Unfortunately, I was looked down upon. Even the females didn't want me to be among them, thinking I was a letdown.
Tanner: …So that's why you're in this tournament. To prove that you're not a letdown. I understand where you're coming from…somewhat.
Durant: Hm?
Tanner: You see, I joined this tournament to show my father that I've changed. I want to show him what I can do. You see…I do something that very few Pokemon understand…somewhat…
Durant: …You mean that "dancing" thing you did against that Wire competitor?
Tanner: Ugh…Yeah…Please don't mention that name…It gives me a headache from seeing him…
Durant: Hmm…Don't worry about that guy. I heard that he's in this to give his little brother a representation of what being strong is.
Tanner: Him?! Can his younger brother understand his language?!
Durant: I think so. Actions speak louder than words, they say.
Tanner: A-Anyways, dancing is quite rare in our society. Even taboo.
Durant: Are you willing to change it one day?
Tanner: Yeah! With the money, I'll do just that!
Durant: I wish you luck on that.
Tanner: Er…By the way…I'm sorry for what I said too. Let's start off on the right foot. For starters, I'm Tanner.
Durant: Hmph. Dylan Antwar.
Tanner: Nice meeting you. I know you'll do some serious ass-kicking.
Dylan: Same to you. Now, how can we get out of here?
Tanner: …I might have a way…
Dylan: …I'm listening…
...
Somewhere on an island further away from where Happy, Charles and Polly were, a Pokemon in a blue cloak sitting on a rock in front of a small Dirty Delinquent tent received a Roto-Phone call, and was all too familiar in appearance, being a green Frogadier in question. A small boat was nearby, which meant that he sailed to the island with it since it only carries one Pokemon of his size.
Frogadier: Ribbit! Hello?
The voice on the other line appeared to be male and spoke in a calm tone otherwise.
?: Oh, thank goodness. Listen, Corporal Kiwi, it appears that there's a problem that the boss wants you to apprehend.
Kiwi: And who would that be?
?: Some Pokemon. A village near you to the south appears to be fighting back, and some of the squad there need your assistance.
Kiwi: Heh. I guess I do come in handy.
The Pokemon on the other line didn't seem enthused and in a rather flat tone, responded…
?: Oh, you have no idea…
Kiwi: Heh…Wait, did you just sound boring with that tone? Am I really a problem with you? Ribbit!
?: …Yeah…I don't know why, exactly. Look, just go. Sergeant Olive believes you're a good fit for it.
Kiwi: Where is he, anyway? After we dropped that old Tangela and the Eevee kid at the main base, we went our separate ways without even saying a word.
?: Just go. You're wasting time.
The Roto-Phone hung up immediately before Kiwi could get a word in. He pocketed it back into his cloak before he got up off the rock, looking somewhat confused by the Pokemon's tone.
Kiwi: *shrugs* I don't get it. What's so annoying about me? Oh well, I'll head down to that village. I don't know how to-
He then saw some smoke coming from an island, which might've been a clue as to where he should go.
Kiwi: I guess when there's smoke, there's fire. My mum and pa perished in one…I hope I can overturn that curse. Then again, my brother's out there. He probably ain't too happy with me being part of this organization, but who cares at this point? I'm happy, so I'm doing what makes me happy. Screw blood! Ribbit!
He got on his boat and began rowing towards the direction of the smoke, which would take some minutes to get there. He also started singing, which was something of a hobby of his, even though his singing was…inadequate to say the least as he was off-key every time he hit a high note.
Kiwi: I'm awaaaaaay! To save my ass and the daaaaaay!
...
Meanwhile, at a place considered to be the epitome of rich, inside a large palace sat six Pokemon whose appearances were being concealed, even in a room of elegant decor with shines everywhere including the black and white checkered flooring, which reflected whatever stood on top of it. They were at a table near a window in a discussion when they were interrupted by a Pokemon who seemed to have important news.
Said Pokemon in question bowing in their presence whilst not even looking at them appeared to be a Slaking who wore a white coat with a symbol of six circles resembling a six-pointed star on the shoulder pads.
Slaking: …Great Watchers. I bring news. Apparently, the Military and Glopol have been seized by the Dirty Delinquents.
The First of the Six turned around, carrying a shocked voice upon response.
First: W-What…?
Slaking: They've taken over about 80% of our world's national lands. One of the palace's soldiers believes that they will target this place next and burn it to the ground.
The Fifth of the Six responded in a stern tone…
Fifth: World Marshal Shido, is this a joke? Our Military and Glopol cannot handle a bunch of measly little rebellious ruffians?
Shido: I'm afraid so, my Lords….
The Third of the Six had a furious tone, disappointed to hear such dribble about their organizations and bellowed…
Third: *slams desk* Bullshit! I refuse to accept this reality! This is disrupting the balance of world stability!
Shido: S-Sorry, My Lords…
The Second of the Six responded in a calm tone...
Second: …We must see what their goal is. I highly doubt that Milord would accept their motive, but let's see their objective.
Third: Are you an idiot?! We shall not give in to such demands by filthy, lowlife peasants.
Second: But what do you propose we should do?
The Fourth then had a suggestion.
Fourth: Let's ask Milord what they think, shall we?
Before they were about to set off, a brown cloaked Pokemon appeared into the room, as if through some sort of magic without any warning.
All: M-Milord!
They bowed their heads down and kneeled in respect of the figure that stood before them. The Sixth of the Six spoke.
Sixth: Milord, we ask for your guidance. Right now, we know you are aware of what's happening in the world, so we ask that you give us a way to succeed in the best course of action. Give the word, and we shall do as you command.
The figure said nothing, but through the darkness of the hood, a smile crept up, shocking everyone in the room. It appeared as if whatever it was it said, they received an answer somehow.
Third: M-Milord! A-As you wish!
Fifth: You heard it. Milord wants an audience with the leader of those filthy rebels, whenever said leader comes.
The cloaked figure then disappeared from view.
First: …If not, then they'll face our greatest soldiers. Shido, prepare yourself.
Shido: *salutes* Yes, Great Watchers! I shall not disappoint!
...