Author's Note: Chapter Four. Oooh, I bet you were all anxious for this
little baby. A little cliffhanger did he leave you? Heheh. I'm on MS Word
now. The spelling errors shouldn't be anywhere near as bad as they were
before. By the way, Dawn; thank you very much for pointing Pokemasters out
to me. I've been going to Gamefaqs forever, so I knew that it had tons of
info, but I had no idea that Pokemasters was back up. You may be getting a
surprise later on. ;)
A Renewed State of Mind
By: Espeonage
Chapter Four: Villains Revealed.
The air was dead still, all eyes on the battle. Not a breath was taken as the beam of energy stalked its prey. Mudkip was rigid with fear; never before in its life had it stood against a power so awesome. Immeasurable worry coursed through Sean as his new best friend faced an attack few ever saw.
The field quaked and the power of the beam only grew as it traveled. The students looked on at their master in disbelief. Why would he use his Pokemon's most powerful attack on such a young and inexperienced Pokemon? Something was wrong.
"Mudkip.. Grr. Try and take it on! Water Gun," desperation had set in.
Mudkip held ground and fired. Dead on the Water Gun hit. The beam quivered at mid-field and slowly pushed itself toward Mudkip. It had bought itself some time. Sean thanked God and continued to think. Mudkip's maneuverability was definitely lowered with its leg like that.. He needed to work around it.. It hit him. Mudkip's Water Gun would be their only chance. But the speed required to perform it. Could Mudkip handle it? This was no time for doubts.
"Mudkip, aim your Water Gun at the ground," Sean screamed. This was it.
It knew what Sean was thinking. Releasing the Hyper Beam from its watery restraints, he pummeled the ground with a stream of high-pressured water. It worked as Sean had planned. Mudkip's light weight had made the Water Gun a perfect tool to launch Mudkip skyward, directly over the beam. Just in time too. The beam careened under Mudkip just as it had reached its pinnacle and slammed into Sean's podium with tremendous force, shaking it to the point he was almost thrown to the ground.
Jon was in dismay. Larvitar's attack had left it weak, low on energy, and susceptible to any oncoming attacks. He knew that they needed at least a minute before he could fight again. The match-decider had failed him.
Sean regained his balance, ready to finish. Mudkip stood opposite Larvitar, staring it down. He noticed Larvitar's chest inflating and deflating itself rapidly.
"That last attack took a lot out of it.. Maybe this is our shot," Sean thought out loud, "Mudkip, try your Mud-Slap!"
And for the third time ever in a battle, Mudkip spat mud backwards onto its tail and heaved it into the face of a defenseless enemy. Larvitar couldn't even begin to clear its face when Mudkip made its move. The leg hindering it slightly, it sprinted toward Larvitar with all it had. The jump was extremely painful; blood pumping out of its wound with each step it took. But still he moved on, tail cocked, he launched his final assault on Larvitar. An ear-splitting smack rang through the arena. Larvitar fell. The mighty rock sat there for a few seconds, twitching slightly, then promptly ceased its movements and lied on the ground in a mud-covered heap.
"The Match goes to the Green Trainer," the little girl half-whispered, slightly shaken.
"Larvitar, return," Jon said blankly.
His very best Pokemon being defeated, he fell to his knees and looked on at Sean. Disbelief and hatred coursed through his every vein. A Trainer, fresh out of his hometown, comes to his Gym THREE DAYS after becoming a Trainer and beats his best Pokemon whom he'd spent three YEARS training. It was a complete outrage.
"I.. I can't believe it," still in disbelief, "Larvitar."
Sean stood on his podium in shock. Then he noticed Mudkip. It was cradling its injured leg as a mother would a child. The bleeding wasn't stopping, and it didn't seem that it would. It needed help and it needed it now.
"Mudkip, return! You're getting to the Pokemon Center right now! Jon, I'll be back later for my badge," he shouted over to Jon, "You comin' Meredith?"
"Yes," she was still stunned at Mudkip's performance, but ready to move when asked.
They reached the inside of the Gym in little time at all. The run there was much quicker than the walk out. Meredith pointed toward the door and Sean followed hurriedly. The streets were packed by this time. It was near three o'clock and the shops were alive with customers. Meredith guided Sean through the packed crowds and lines to the Pokemon Center.
Most of the Trainers that had been there earlier had left. Nurse Joy was going over a Progress Report for the Center behind the counter.
"Nurse Joy," Sean yelled, getting her attention. He released Mudkip onto the counter, "Mudkip's been injured very badly. You need to look at him NOW."
"Again," she sighed, "Let me see how bad this really is.. Oh my! Chansey, get a stretcher out here now!"
Again off to the Emergency Room they went. A painstaking twenty minutes went by before any sign came from the ER. The door then opened, and Joy entered with a relieved look on her face.
"The wound wasn't nearly as bad as it looked. A pretty nice-sized cut, but we cleaned and wrapped it. Mudkip won't need much else."
"Thank you so much," Sean said, resuming a position next to Meredith on the cough with Mudkip's ball on his lap.
"Sean, I'm serious in this. You and Mudkip were amazing today. I can't believe you beat him," she squealed.
"Neither can I," Sean said, head returning to the Match, "Mudkip's a tough little guy, that's for sure."
They left the Pokemon Center about half an hour later after stocking up on snacks. The streets were still extremely crowded.
"Jesus, is it like this every day," Sean asked, getting a little mad at the time it was taking them to get to the Gym.
"If only.. There's a festival starting tonight. The streets'll be packed until at least ten o'clock tonight. People start passing out by then. It's pretty funny, actually," she said.
Sean shook his head and they continued. The Gym eventually came into view; crystals within the formation itself glistened in the sun as they came close. It amazed Sean how beautiful it could look.
They entered and proceeded to the front desk. The clerk was back, her hair in a tight bun, Gym uniform clean and pressed.
"May I help you," she asked kindly.
"Yeah, we're looking for Jon. He owes me a Badge."
"You must be Sean. Hold on a second," she said as she reached under the desk and pulled out a plain white, unsealed envelope, "Jon went off to the festival, but he left this here for you."
"Thanks," he called as they walked out of the Gym.
The envelope opened easily, still having the crisp feel of a new piece of paper. He pulled out the Badge. It was the same symbol Jon had on his Gym uniform. A black "K" surrounded on all sides by falling rocks. Sean whipped his book bag from his back, folded the front pocket down (it folded down to show pencil holders and the like) and pinned the Badge upright on the fold down part.
"What do you say we check out some of the festivities," Meredith giggled.
"Uhh.. Sure. I guess we could look around before I get going."
"Going home tonight, huh?"
"No, I'm on the road for good now. I won't be back until I find my dad. He's off training somewhere. I'll either find him wherever he is now or at the League Tournament."
"Oh, that sounds fun," she giggled again.
They spent the rest of the day and a few hours into the night checking out the festival's events, people, acts. Everything. Meredith even gave him a tour of the city and he now had a fairly good idea where everything was. Mudkip was let out at about nine, being totally forgotten about until then. It enjoyed the sights as much as both of them did, never having had seen humans behave so strangely before.
Time was lost with their enjoyment. They spent all day searching the stands and drinking beverages, all free, compliments of the festival. Meredith had picked herself out some tops and a pair of jeans, modeling them all for a much delighted Sean.
Hours flew by like minutes and before they knew it, it was midnight. Most of the people, as Meredith had said, were passed out on the sides of the streets. Some in them. The day had tired them all out and Sean took his time in walking Meredith back to the shop. Mudkip was snoozing cozily in its Pokeball.
Sean spotted the shop first. Something wasn't right. He quietly ran to the front of the shop, hiding himself behind the wall between the front window and the door. The glass on the door had been smashed. A forced entry. Voices could be heard from within. Sean signaled for Meredith to follow him and they slinked inside.
"Quite a plan if I do say so myself," bragged a deep male voice.
"Yes, yes quite the plan," came another voice, also male, "Too bad you didn't come up with it."
"Hey, whatever the Boss comes up with is rightfully my idea anyway. He doesn't talk to anyone but me."
"Yeah, sure. Let's just get the boys outta here as quick as we can. We can't risk being seen."
"By who? Everyone's dead drunk on the friggin street! Take a look," Sean sunk into a shadow in case the other voice did come.
"No, I'm fine," came the second man's voice, "This old man needs to spill his guts first."
Sean peered his head cautiously around the corner, the whole scene coming into view. Arnold was gagged and bound to a wooden chair in a far corner of the back room of the shop. The two men that were talking were standing over him, one with a silenced handgun. One was tall, 6'5" at least. He had brown hair, and wore a blue bandana. The other was slightly shorter, maybe an inch or so. He had flaming red hair that seemed to light up the room. The same blue bandana adorned his head.
"Such a messy business, hunting people down, eh Ruben," the second man asked.
"Damn straight, Orlando. Had to slit a few throats before we got our information, but no more. We've tracked down Arnold Harmon and our search is finally over. All we need now is to break him down enough that he'll spill all of his information to us. Then we report back to the Boss and get our next assignment."
Sean turned his head back to Meredith and whispered, "What do they want with your father?"
Meredith didn't respond. All she did was shake her head and shiver. Sean forced himself to look away from her pitiful condition to return his eyes to the criminals.
"Now," Ruben said, handing the gun to Orlando, and walking toward Arnold, "We've got a few questions to ask you, old man," he finished, now upon Arnold, tilting the chair he was tied to onto its back legs.
"First, a few easy ones.. Your name is Arnold Harmon. Am I correct," he asked, removing the gag.
"I'll tell you nothing, you animal.."
"Well, you see, that's very unfortunate. We're the ones in control here. So until you give us what we want, we've been employed to reach our goal by any means necessary."
"You can't do a thing to me.."
"Oh, but we can. And we will. But. If you give us what we want, we may walk out of here without hurting a hair on your head," he finished by plucking a single strand of hair from Arnold.
"Our terms are, as you can see, fairly simple," Orlando broke in, "You scratch our back.. We don't rip a hole in yours.."
Face unwavered by their threats he continued to harass his captors, "You'll get nothing out of me. My loyalty has been tested many times and you'll never get information this important from me."
Ruben chuckled, "You seem to underestimate us, old man. Our methods may be old-fashioned, but very effective."
Ruben stood slowly from his kneeling position next to Arnold. He walked back to Orlando and shook his head, apparently in thought. This man could be harder to crack than they had previously figured it would be. But they had to at least try.
Sean held back the urge to release Mudkip. He knew that despite its newly discovered power, it'd be totally outnumbered by these two men. Plus, the gun. His mind was set not to let it loose until he knew for sure that it couldn't get too badly injured. Until then, he'd have to watch his new friend's father be interrogated.
"Ok, let's try this again. Is your name Arnold Harmon?"
"You already know. Don't expect me to answer such a moronic question.."
"You're trying my patience, old man," Ruben bellowed, blood rushing to his face, "Give me what I want, or you'll never again see the light of day!"
"Never.."
"Houndour, go," he called, eyes flashing, "If this doesn't teach you I mean business, nothing will. Houndour, Crunch!"
The firedog leapt forward with its jaws outstretched, awaiting the entry of its target, Arnold's leg. It reached it, clamping down with such force that a sickening crack could be heard through the entire room. Releasing, it backed off to reveal its work. Arnold's pant leg was in tatters, blood flowing freely from the fresh wound. The sickening sound had been Arnold's leg breaking. His bone stuck through his skin and was poking out at an odd angle. Meredith let out a scream that Sean quickly muffled. Luckily, nobody had heard her.
Arnold fought back the urges to both cry and pass out from the pain. He tried to keep his head clear, the pain was nearly blinding him. All the while, his captors laughed at him.
"Good work, Houndour," Ruben patted it, "Looks like he'll be talking after all."
An electronic beep made them all jump. Ruben produced a walkie-talkie from his belt and clicked the vid-phone on. A man appeared onscreen. Dark and shifting eyes were all anyone could see. The rest of him was cloaked in shadow.
"Yes, Boss," Ruben asked.
"Why aren't you finished yet," he asked, gruff voice elevated, "We need that information before we can continue our operation! Get it and get your incompetent asses out of there!"
"Yes, Boss," he whimpered, turning off the vid-phone.
He turned harshly back to Arnold, "Now! I'm cutting straight to the chase! Tell me where Gregory Moonfeld is," he wailed, eyes seeming to pierce Arnold's skin.
Gregory Moonfeld? Sean sat completely still, eyes glued on the interrogation. Why would they bring HIM into their plans? What would he have that they needed? Sean was lost in his own head, searching for the reason behind their question. Why would they be after his father?
Arnold was shaky. He could hardly hear over the pounding pain in his head, but he heard well enough to say:
"Fuck you," he coughed out, "You'll get nothing from me."
"Why do you have to make this so difficult on me," Ruben screamed, his head beginning to pound.
With a metallic sound, the gun was whipped from Orlando's hand. Ruben pointed it at Arnold, trigger being tested, his finger twitching with anticipation.
"Last chance, grandpa man.. Where in the FUCK is Gregory Moonfeld?!"
Sean was unable to stay hidden. He moved far enough away from the wall that Arnold was aware of his presence.
"Three!"
Sean was in sight, Arnold acknowledged him with a shake of his head. Sean stopped and looked at him awaiting some sign of instruction of any kind.
"Two!"
The gun was itching for a fire. Arnold wouldn't give them anything. Gregory Moonfeld was his friend, not some tool for their manipulation.
"One!"
"Sean, get Meredith out of here," he bellowed as the gun went off.
The weight of his body falling over had knocked the chair towards the wall. Blood was dripping from his mouth and there was gaping hole in the side of his head. Sean didn't have time to see it, though. He was already off. He had grabbed Meredith's hand just as he had screamed to, and taken to the street. The men were already upon them.
"Meredith, I know it hurts, but you'll have to stop crying.. They'll find us.."
He wrapped an arm around her and stroked her head so she'd slightly calm down. He knew he couldn't just by a simple rub on the head, but she needed to be quieter if they wanted to get out of town alive. Just then, a voice was heard. The alley they were hiding in was shady enough to hide them to any but the trained eye, but it wasn't very deep. A man, clad in shadow stood there, a man running toward him from the opposite direction.
"Sir, the job's been foiled. Ruben killed our last chance at finding Moonfeld."
"Damn him. I'll have his job for this.. Round up the remainder of the men and meet me at the helicopter. That bastard will pay for.. Oh.. Did you find the children that were hiding in the shop? We cannot afford to have them reporting this to the police."
"No, Sir. Someone said they saw them flying off on a large Pidgeot."
"Well that was a lie.. Have him shot," he snarled as he stepped into the light. His young appearance certainly shocked Sean. His eyes grew in recognition as he realized who he was looking at and who the deep unfamiliar voice belonged to.
"Jon.."
Closing Note: Sorry for the extremely long wait (compared to my other updates) you had to endure while I found the time (and creativity) to write this Chapter. Sort of a writer's haze was covering me so to speak. Also, I apologize that this Chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones. But admit it, you liked it right? Thought so. One last thing before I do my usually goodbyes. Read, "The Felicities and Fallacies of Pokemon Training," by The Duke of Briarcliffe. Also. Duke. UPDATE!!! That being said, I'd like to say Kaminieha and be off.
@~*Espeonage*~@
A Renewed State of Mind
By: Espeonage
Chapter Four: Villains Revealed.
The air was dead still, all eyes on the battle. Not a breath was taken as the beam of energy stalked its prey. Mudkip was rigid with fear; never before in its life had it stood against a power so awesome. Immeasurable worry coursed through Sean as his new best friend faced an attack few ever saw.
The field quaked and the power of the beam only grew as it traveled. The students looked on at their master in disbelief. Why would he use his Pokemon's most powerful attack on such a young and inexperienced Pokemon? Something was wrong.
"Mudkip.. Grr. Try and take it on! Water Gun," desperation had set in.
Mudkip held ground and fired. Dead on the Water Gun hit. The beam quivered at mid-field and slowly pushed itself toward Mudkip. It had bought itself some time. Sean thanked God and continued to think. Mudkip's maneuverability was definitely lowered with its leg like that.. He needed to work around it.. It hit him. Mudkip's Water Gun would be their only chance. But the speed required to perform it. Could Mudkip handle it? This was no time for doubts.
"Mudkip, aim your Water Gun at the ground," Sean screamed. This was it.
It knew what Sean was thinking. Releasing the Hyper Beam from its watery restraints, he pummeled the ground with a stream of high-pressured water. It worked as Sean had planned. Mudkip's light weight had made the Water Gun a perfect tool to launch Mudkip skyward, directly over the beam. Just in time too. The beam careened under Mudkip just as it had reached its pinnacle and slammed into Sean's podium with tremendous force, shaking it to the point he was almost thrown to the ground.
Jon was in dismay. Larvitar's attack had left it weak, low on energy, and susceptible to any oncoming attacks. He knew that they needed at least a minute before he could fight again. The match-decider had failed him.
Sean regained his balance, ready to finish. Mudkip stood opposite Larvitar, staring it down. He noticed Larvitar's chest inflating and deflating itself rapidly.
"That last attack took a lot out of it.. Maybe this is our shot," Sean thought out loud, "Mudkip, try your Mud-Slap!"
And for the third time ever in a battle, Mudkip spat mud backwards onto its tail and heaved it into the face of a defenseless enemy. Larvitar couldn't even begin to clear its face when Mudkip made its move. The leg hindering it slightly, it sprinted toward Larvitar with all it had. The jump was extremely painful; blood pumping out of its wound with each step it took. But still he moved on, tail cocked, he launched his final assault on Larvitar. An ear-splitting smack rang through the arena. Larvitar fell. The mighty rock sat there for a few seconds, twitching slightly, then promptly ceased its movements and lied on the ground in a mud-covered heap.
"The Match goes to the Green Trainer," the little girl half-whispered, slightly shaken.
"Larvitar, return," Jon said blankly.
His very best Pokemon being defeated, he fell to his knees and looked on at Sean. Disbelief and hatred coursed through his every vein. A Trainer, fresh out of his hometown, comes to his Gym THREE DAYS after becoming a Trainer and beats his best Pokemon whom he'd spent three YEARS training. It was a complete outrage.
"I.. I can't believe it," still in disbelief, "Larvitar."
Sean stood on his podium in shock. Then he noticed Mudkip. It was cradling its injured leg as a mother would a child. The bleeding wasn't stopping, and it didn't seem that it would. It needed help and it needed it now.
"Mudkip, return! You're getting to the Pokemon Center right now! Jon, I'll be back later for my badge," he shouted over to Jon, "You comin' Meredith?"
"Yes," she was still stunned at Mudkip's performance, but ready to move when asked.
They reached the inside of the Gym in little time at all. The run there was much quicker than the walk out. Meredith pointed toward the door and Sean followed hurriedly. The streets were packed by this time. It was near three o'clock and the shops were alive with customers. Meredith guided Sean through the packed crowds and lines to the Pokemon Center.
Most of the Trainers that had been there earlier had left. Nurse Joy was going over a Progress Report for the Center behind the counter.
"Nurse Joy," Sean yelled, getting her attention. He released Mudkip onto the counter, "Mudkip's been injured very badly. You need to look at him NOW."
"Again," she sighed, "Let me see how bad this really is.. Oh my! Chansey, get a stretcher out here now!"
Again off to the Emergency Room they went. A painstaking twenty minutes went by before any sign came from the ER. The door then opened, and Joy entered with a relieved look on her face.
"The wound wasn't nearly as bad as it looked. A pretty nice-sized cut, but we cleaned and wrapped it. Mudkip won't need much else."
"Thank you so much," Sean said, resuming a position next to Meredith on the cough with Mudkip's ball on his lap.
"Sean, I'm serious in this. You and Mudkip were amazing today. I can't believe you beat him," she squealed.
"Neither can I," Sean said, head returning to the Match, "Mudkip's a tough little guy, that's for sure."
They left the Pokemon Center about half an hour later after stocking up on snacks. The streets were still extremely crowded.
"Jesus, is it like this every day," Sean asked, getting a little mad at the time it was taking them to get to the Gym.
"If only.. There's a festival starting tonight. The streets'll be packed until at least ten o'clock tonight. People start passing out by then. It's pretty funny, actually," she said.
Sean shook his head and they continued. The Gym eventually came into view; crystals within the formation itself glistened in the sun as they came close. It amazed Sean how beautiful it could look.
They entered and proceeded to the front desk. The clerk was back, her hair in a tight bun, Gym uniform clean and pressed.
"May I help you," she asked kindly.
"Yeah, we're looking for Jon. He owes me a Badge."
"You must be Sean. Hold on a second," she said as she reached under the desk and pulled out a plain white, unsealed envelope, "Jon went off to the festival, but he left this here for you."
"Thanks," he called as they walked out of the Gym.
The envelope opened easily, still having the crisp feel of a new piece of paper. He pulled out the Badge. It was the same symbol Jon had on his Gym uniform. A black "K" surrounded on all sides by falling rocks. Sean whipped his book bag from his back, folded the front pocket down (it folded down to show pencil holders and the like) and pinned the Badge upright on the fold down part.
"What do you say we check out some of the festivities," Meredith giggled.
"Uhh.. Sure. I guess we could look around before I get going."
"Going home tonight, huh?"
"No, I'm on the road for good now. I won't be back until I find my dad. He's off training somewhere. I'll either find him wherever he is now or at the League Tournament."
"Oh, that sounds fun," she giggled again.
They spent the rest of the day and a few hours into the night checking out the festival's events, people, acts. Everything. Meredith even gave him a tour of the city and he now had a fairly good idea where everything was. Mudkip was let out at about nine, being totally forgotten about until then. It enjoyed the sights as much as both of them did, never having had seen humans behave so strangely before.
Time was lost with their enjoyment. They spent all day searching the stands and drinking beverages, all free, compliments of the festival. Meredith had picked herself out some tops and a pair of jeans, modeling them all for a much delighted Sean.
Hours flew by like minutes and before they knew it, it was midnight. Most of the people, as Meredith had said, were passed out on the sides of the streets. Some in them. The day had tired them all out and Sean took his time in walking Meredith back to the shop. Mudkip was snoozing cozily in its Pokeball.
Sean spotted the shop first. Something wasn't right. He quietly ran to the front of the shop, hiding himself behind the wall between the front window and the door. The glass on the door had been smashed. A forced entry. Voices could be heard from within. Sean signaled for Meredith to follow him and they slinked inside.
"Quite a plan if I do say so myself," bragged a deep male voice.
"Yes, yes quite the plan," came another voice, also male, "Too bad you didn't come up with it."
"Hey, whatever the Boss comes up with is rightfully my idea anyway. He doesn't talk to anyone but me."
"Yeah, sure. Let's just get the boys outta here as quick as we can. We can't risk being seen."
"By who? Everyone's dead drunk on the friggin street! Take a look," Sean sunk into a shadow in case the other voice did come.
"No, I'm fine," came the second man's voice, "This old man needs to spill his guts first."
Sean peered his head cautiously around the corner, the whole scene coming into view. Arnold was gagged and bound to a wooden chair in a far corner of the back room of the shop. The two men that were talking were standing over him, one with a silenced handgun. One was tall, 6'5" at least. He had brown hair, and wore a blue bandana. The other was slightly shorter, maybe an inch or so. He had flaming red hair that seemed to light up the room. The same blue bandana adorned his head.
"Such a messy business, hunting people down, eh Ruben," the second man asked.
"Damn straight, Orlando. Had to slit a few throats before we got our information, but no more. We've tracked down Arnold Harmon and our search is finally over. All we need now is to break him down enough that he'll spill all of his information to us. Then we report back to the Boss and get our next assignment."
Sean turned his head back to Meredith and whispered, "What do they want with your father?"
Meredith didn't respond. All she did was shake her head and shiver. Sean forced himself to look away from her pitiful condition to return his eyes to the criminals.
"Now," Ruben said, handing the gun to Orlando, and walking toward Arnold, "We've got a few questions to ask you, old man," he finished, now upon Arnold, tilting the chair he was tied to onto its back legs.
"First, a few easy ones.. Your name is Arnold Harmon. Am I correct," he asked, removing the gag.
"I'll tell you nothing, you animal.."
"Well, you see, that's very unfortunate. We're the ones in control here. So until you give us what we want, we've been employed to reach our goal by any means necessary."
"You can't do a thing to me.."
"Oh, but we can. And we will. But. If you give us what we want, we may walk out of here without hurting a hair on your head," he finished by plucking a single strand of hair from Arnold.
"Our terms are, as you can see, fairly simple," Orlando broke in, "You scratch our back.. We don't rip a hole in yours.."
Face unwavered by their threats he continued to harass his captors, "You'll get nothing out of me. My loyalty has been tested many times and you'll never get information this important from me."
Ruben chuckled, "You seem to underestimate us, old man. Our methods may be old-fashioned, but very effective."
Ruben stood slowly from his kneeling position next to Arnold. He walked back to Orlando and shook his head, apparently in thought. This man could be harder to crack than they had previously figured it would be. But they had to at least try.
Sean held back the urge to release Mudkip. He knew that despite its newly discovered power, it'd be totally outnumbered by these two men. Plus, the gun. His mind was set not to let it loose until he knew for sure that it couldn't get too badly injured. Until then, he'd have to watch his new friend's father be interrogated.
"Ok, let's try this again. Is your name Arnold Harmon?"
"You already know. Don't expect me to answer such a moronic question.."
"You're trying my patience, old man," Ruben bellowed, blood rushing to his face, "Give me what I want, or you'll never again see the light of day!"
"Never.."
"Houndour, go," he called, eyes flashing, "If this doesn't teach you I mean business, nothing will. Houndour, Crunch!"
The firedog leapt forward with its jaws outstretched, awaiting the entry of its target, Arnold's leg. It reached it, clamping down with such force that a sickening crack could be heard through the entire room. Releasing, it backed off to reveal its work. Arnold's pant leg was in tatters, blood flowing freely from the fresh wound. The sickening sound had been Arnold's leg breaking. His bone stuck through his skin and was poking out at an odd angle. Meredith let out a scream that Sean quickly muffled. Luckily, nobody had heard her.
Arnold fought back the urges to both cry and pass out from the pain. He tried to keep his head clear, the pain was nearly blinding him. All the while, his captors laughed at him.
"Good work, Houndour," Ruben patted it, "Looks like he'll be talking after all."
An electronic beep made them all jump. Ruben produced a walkie-talkie from his belt and clicked the vid-phone on. A man appeared onscreen. Dark and shifting eyes were all anyone could see. The rest of him was cloaked in shadow.
"Yes, Boss," Ruben asked.
"Why aren't you finished yet," he asked, gruff voice elevated, "We need that information before we can continue our operation! Get it and get your incompetent asses out of there!"
"Yes, Boss," he whimpered, turning off the vid-phone.
He turned harshly back to Arnold, "Now! I'm cutting straight to the chase! Tell me where Gregory Moonfeld is," he wailed, eyes seeming to pierce Arnold's skin.
Gregory Moonfeld? Sean sat completely still, eyes glued on the interrogation. Why would they bring HIM into their plans? What would he have that they needed? Sean was lost in his own head, searching for the reason behind their question. Why would they be after his father?
Arnold was shaky. He could hardly hear over the pounding pain in his head, but he heard well enough to say:
"Fuck you," he coughed out, "You'll get nothing from me."
"Why do you have to make this so difficult on me," Ruben screamed, his head beginning to pound.
With a metallic sound, the gun was whipped from Orlando's hand. Ruben pointed it at Arnold, trigger being tested, his finger twitching with anticipation.
"Last chance, grandpa man.. Where in the FUCK is Gregory Moonfeld?!"
Sean was unable to stay hidden. He moved far enough away from the wall that Arnold was aware of his presence.
"Three!"
Sean was in sight, Arnold acknowledged him with a shake of his head. Sean stopped and looked at him awaiting some sign of instruction of any kind.
"Two!"
The gun was itching for a fire. Arnold wouldn't give them anything. Gregory Moonfeld was his friend, not some tool for their manipulation.
"One!"
"Sean, get Meredith out of here," he bellowed as the gun went off.
The weight of his body falling over had knocked the chair towards the wall. Blood was dripping from his mouth and there was gaping hole in the side of his head. Sean didn't have time to see it, though. He was already off. He had grabbed Meredith's hand just as he had screamed to, and taken to the street. The men were already upon them.
"Meredith, I know it hurts, but you'll have to stop crying.. They'll find us.."
He wrapped an arm around her and stroked her head so she'd slightly calm down. He knew he couldn't just by a simple rub on the head, but she needed to be quieter if they wanted to get out of town alive. Just then, a voice was heard. The alley they were hiding in was shady enough to hide them to any but the trained eye, but it wasn't very deep. A man, clad in shadow stood there, a man running toward him from the opposite direction.
"Sir, the job's been foiled. Ruben killed our last chance at finding Moonfeld."
"Damn him. I'll have his job for this.. Round up the remainder of the men and meet me at the helicopter. That bastard will pay for.. Oh.. Did you find the children that were hiding in the shop? We cannot afford to have them reporting this to the police."
"No, Sir. Someone said they saw them flying off on a large Pidgeot."
"Well that was a lie.. Have him shot," he snarled as he stepped into the light. His young appearance certainly shocked Sean. His eyes grew in recognition as he realized who he was looking at and who the deep unfamiliar voice belonged to.
"Jon.."
Closing Note: Sorry for the extremely long wait (compared to my other updates) you had to endure while I found the time (and creativity) to write this Chapter. Sort of a writer's haze was covering me so to speak. Also, I apologize that this Chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones. But admit it, you liked it right? Thought so. One last thing before I do my usually goodbyes. Read, "The Felicities and Fallacies of Pokemon Training," by The Duke of Briarcliffe. Also. Duke. UPDATE!!! That being said, I'd like to say Kaminieha and be off.
@~*Espeonage*~@