Lies, all Lies!


Life in Goldenrod was hardly simple for a young Pikachu like Kevin. School was north across the tracks and early in the morning, the underground commuter tunnel was always packed with local college students heading to work. Ever since he became a freshman at Green Garden High School he dreaded wandering the underground tunnel alone. It was a favorite sport of all college students to treat the 'lesser classes' like dirt, since High Schoolers still had to wear uniforms and they got to wear whatever suited them. Luckily, his best friend always waited for him near the Bitter Medicine stand.


So far that Friday Morning, things were going great for him. He leaped out of bed and into his clothes, ate breakfast in five minutes, gave his mother a quick kiss, then darted out for the tunnel. It was only half a city block from his home, which was quite convenient. He had left early to see if he could beat the crowd that day, and by the lack of people piling into the tunnel depot, it was obvious he had made the right decision. "Yes! No major traffic. I can get to the stand before Lesley, then brag about how smooth I am, heheh." Kevin was always overconfident. Ignoring the group of Venomoth girls who talked about his knee-length, gray shorts, he skipped down the steps that lead into the underground tunnel, then headed north.

The empty patter of paws against ivory echoed far across the long stretch of underground passage, coming from random students everywhere. Small groups of people that moved about made a point to talk in whispers so their conversations weren't easily heard. As he leaned against the counter of the closed medicine stand, Kevin's ears twisted left and right, trying to lock in on a voice that could possibly belong to someone he knew. All of a sudden, a feeling of dread came over him as four echoing voices were recognized.

These voices belonged to four of the worst hoodlums Goldenrod had seen in a long time. Hyena-like cackling came from Butch, a Houndour whose whole family had done time at some point or other. Next came a set of stereo guffaws that echoed from the Growlithe twins, Grease and Boxcar. Those weren't their real names, but only their parents got away with calling them by their true titles. Finally, chiming out cruel jokes in her most conceited manner was Veronica, a Vulpix who was the heiress to a fortune that no man could fathom. It was rumored that years ago, her great-great-grandfather found a Golduck that laid golden eggs, taken picture of the Legendary Goddesses, and stumbled on an everlasting diamond mine, all in the same year. But of course, that is just a rumor, and no one really knows how her family amassed their fortune.

All four of these thugs, due to their family influence, were not forced to wear school uniforms like everyone else. It was reasoned by their parents that they were too 'special' to be associated with the common rabble by their outer garments. So with that, Butch got to wear his cuffed bluejeans, white tank top and black leather jacket, the twins got to wear their torn jean shorts and mirrored yin and yang t-shirts with the yang symbols partially rubbed out, and Veronica was allowed to wear an eight-inch, navy blue, pleated skirt with matching vest and white t-shirt underneath. Actually, save for color, her outfit was quite similar to a normal school uniform, but to tell her this to her face would get her tailor fired and you a black eye.

Hearing one idiot joke after the other start to sound closer than the last, Kevin dashed behind the medicine stand to hide. The last thing he wanted to do was be visible when those four walked by. Still, he was shivering and thinking fearful thoughts of what they might do to him, and so a scent trail of his fear became the tool that would do him in. Only three steps from passing by the stand completely, Butch held up a hand, silencing his friends in arms. His nose twitched up and down in front of him as the scent wafted by. "Hey... sniff-sniff... I smell chicken."

"Honestly, Butch," Veronica said as she leaned on her instep, "can't you think of anything besides food?"

"That's not the kind of chicken I mean!" The Houndour growled, then smirked, clasping his hands behind his back. Whistling an innocent tune, he wandered over to the stand then leaned on its counter, glancing over his shoulder at the huddled Pikachu behind it. "Well, well. If it isn't Pikachicken. Gonna lay me an egg, there, chicken?"

Kevin almost jumped from his hiding place at the sound of the voice. "Ah!" Instead, he rose to his feet and spun around, placing his back against the eastern wall of the tunnel. "Uh h-h-h-hi, Butch. I was just... waiting for Lesley..."

Followed by the twins, Veronica sauntered over and set her school books down on the counter so she could fold her arms. "Isn't that cute," she stated with a smirk. " Waiting for your little girl protector to show."

"Sh-she's not... my protector..." The poor Pikachu tried to stand taller, but seeing those four canines and no friends to back him up only made his backbone weaker. "I... I, I can f-fend for myself, just fine!" Oh, why did it have to be dogs? Cats he could handle. After a nice Thundershock, no cat had ever tried to bother him again. But dogs were more persistent in their vengeance. Ever since he gave Butch his first taste of Thunder Wave, he hadn't lived a day without having to escape from the hound dog's fury.

"Isn't he just precious, guys," the Houndour asked with a toothy grin. "He thinks he can take us on his own."

Kevin shook his head rapidly. "No! N-no, that's not what I said, I--"

"Well come on, tough guy," Butch egged him on, "let's see what'cha got!"

"Heeeeeeyah!" In a flash of light, two identical Rattatas shoulder-slammed into the twins, knocking them in a heap several feet away. Folding their arms, they came together to form the uniform-clad Lesley, who focused a steady glare on the two fiery canines who were still standing. "Back off my friend, or I will demonstrate my newly-acquired Water Gun."

Veronica rolled her eyes with a chuff. "Yeah, right, lowlife. Like you could afford a First Edition Technical Machine."

Butch turned away from Kevin and grinned. "Yeah, or be bold enough to steal one, either."

Smirking, the Rattata reached into her backpack and pulled out a red, Squirtle Brand Hand Watergun. "Nope, but it's amazing how close you can come to owning the real deal for chump change." She pulled the trigger, sending a rather powerful spray of H2O in their general direction.

"Houuuuuuuuuu!" "My cloooooothes!" The two ran about frantically, trying to wipe the excess water off themselves. Before Grease and Boxcar could rise to give aid to their soaked comrades, Lesley took two energy roots and shoved one in each of their mouths. The bitter taste of those tubers was enough to stun even the mightiest contender. "Now beat it, you jerks, or I'll give ya somethin' else to chew on!" That Lesley. There was no better friend for Kevin. While he talked the talk, she walked the walk. She was always saving him from all the school bullies. Not that he didn't appreciate it, but in this world, it was embarrassing to be a Fighting Team Captain and have to be rescued everytime he was out of the ring.

Wringing the last few drops of water out of her shirt, Veronica sneered at the two rodents. "You ruined my outfit you little Rat! I'd send you the dry cleaning bill if I didn't already know you couldn't afford it in a million years."

"Just you wait," Butch barked in Kevin's direction, "one day your little bodyguard won't be around to protect ya, then I'll pound your head in for sure!"

Now came the Pikachu's mistake of the day. He made one almost every day, and this was no exception. After peeling himself from the eastern wall, he finally found the strength to stand up straight and shake a fist in the fire dog's direction. "Oh yeah," Kevin called back, "well... you go ahead and try! If you do, I'll just... I'll... I'll call my brother, and he'll show you a thing or two!" The classic excuse. Rely on big brother to solve all our problems. Nearby, Lesley shook her head and placed a hand over her face.

Of course, the Houndour wouldn't back down so easily. "Oh, so you think yer brother's so tough?" "I was not aware the lowlife had a brother," Veronica sneered as she gathered her books. "Neither was I," Butch said with a smirk, "but if he does, this could be fun, after all."

Uh-oh. Caught in a trap. Truth was, Kevin was the big brother in his household, but what Butch didn't know couldn't hurt him, right? "Uh, yeah I do! He's big, and strong, and could run circles around you, anyday!"

"Kevin," Lesley muttered from behind her hand.

Ignoring his name, the Pikachu went on with his boast. "In fact, he's won several fighting tournament titles, him AND his winning team of fighters! He'd walk all over you!"

"Kevin..."

"So you just better... stop tryin' to pick on me, if you know what's good for you!" He gave a sage nod, sure he had talked the bully out of further harassment. In the next moment, however, the poor boy's ears and shoulders sank as all four fire-types laughed heartily at his empty threats.

"Oh man," Butch chuckled, holding his sides, "this guy's a real character!" He smirked dangerously. "So you think your brother's all that, ah?"

"Oh please." Veronica rolled her eyes. "This brother of his just doesn't exist. If he had won even one tournament title badge, we would've heard about it by now."

"Not necessarily, Ronnie. They are losers, after all, and the newspapers don't waste time on losers."

"Hey!" Kevin sneered. "I am NOT a loser!"

The Houndour grinned. "Whatever." He looked around at all the people that had started passing by, signifying the start of a busy weekday. "Class awaits, loser, but I'll tell you what. You bring your brother to the gym afterschool, and I'll bring mine."

The Pikachu's heart skipped a beat. "Y-yours?"

"Yup! Mine. He'll show up if I call 'im. Yours will, too, won't 'e? Or is he too busy cruisin' da circuit." The twins laughed.

"N-no... no... he'll... he'll be there..."

"Good!" Butch and his gang turned north and wandered off. "Because if we show up, and only you are there, then my brother's gonna wrap you around the bleachers and close 'em shut on yer lyin' trap."

"Ta-ta, losers," Veronica called as they disappeared.

While her friend stood stunned, Lesley made her way over to him, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "I don't think I can rescue you from this one, pal," she said with a tsk. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking Butch's brother was still in the penitentiary," Kevin rasped as he slumped forward. "What am I gonna do, Les? Justin was in the top five of the ten most-wanted list for two years straight! He's gonna skin me alive in front of everybody!"

"We could see if the Psychic club will accept another bribe to Teleport you home," the Rattata suggested as they joined the northern flow of the crowd. "But then you still have to come to school on Monday."

"Think Butch and his friends would forget this by the end of the weekend?"

"Not hardly. They live to make you miserable, remember?"

"Oh..."


"Tammy Lawson?"

"Here."

"Rex Meyers?"

"Present."

"Lesley Middleton?"

"Here, ma'am."

In his English class, Kevin couldn't concentrate on anything. His eyes were locked on the slow-moving hands of the clock that, to him, seemed to count down the hours until his life was over.

"Kevin Yaffa?"

How did he let himself get into this predicament? How could he get himself out? Sometimes he hated the fact that he was so bold when boldness was uncalled for.

"Kevin?"

If only he could run over to the college during lunch and hire one of the jocks to be his big brother for a day. A nice, hefty Raichu with a record for roughhousing during a game of football.

"Kevin..."

His only problem would be coming up with the proper funds for such a rental. He could always make off with a few beers from his father's stash and promise more when the Houndoom went do--

"KEVIN YAFFA!"

"Huh! Wha?! I didn't do it!!" The Pikachu tried to leap from his seat, but ended up banging his knees on the connected desktop. All the students laughed as he rubbed his sore legs and looked embarrassed, then the teacher quieted them down. "Mr. Yaffa, if you cannot pay attention in my class, then perhaps you should go wherever your mind is taking you."

"Uh... no, ma'am. I'm sorry. I'm fine now." Another lie, of course. Even though he pretended to pay attention from then on, he couldn't help but think of his inevitable fate that would take place that afternoon. However, at some point during English class, his attention was grabbed by the room door being opened slowly. In walked an elderly female Crowbat who was leading a young male Zubat in by the hand. Though he had seen them before, Kevin was always curious about Zubats and how they started out blind but evolved to earn sight. Even in the Pokemorph world this was a curious thing to see happen. This particular Zubat wore a grey, sleeveless vest that allowed his wing-draped arms to move without hindrance, and the standard pair of knee-length shorts, which only seemed to go down to his lanky thighs. Most teens did look ridiculous in those school uniforms, and this was no exception.

As the teacher offered a kind smile to the new arrivals, the old Crowbat held out a small note and said in a tired voice, "This is my grandson, Jimoku Tsuneni. He is transferring from Thornwood High School in Azalea Town."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jimoku. Can you find your way to a seat?"

"Yes, ma'am." From his back, the Zubat took a Kendo pole and used it to feel his way to an empty desk.

"Now you be good for the teacher, Jimoku," his grandmother said as she hobbled off.

It wasn't long before everyone in the class returned to their studies--everyone except Kevin. For the rest of the period he stared at the new student as though he were expecting him to perform a miracle right there in the classroom. When the bell rung for lunch, a miracle had yet to be performed, and Jimoku wandered out with the rest of the freshman students.


Just like any other day, the cafeteria overflowed with students grabbing at government-issued, pre-cooked and re-heated meals that had all the vitamins and nutrients that a growing teen needed, but none of the taste. At his usual, circular table in a small corner of the room, Kevin slumped more than usual over his school-given supplement, still pondering the many ways his life could end quickly or slowly. He had just picked up on a clear picture of what his grave would read when he received a rough slap on the back from a certain Sentret. "Heythere,pal,yerlookin'sadderthanusual! Don'ttellmeButchsnatchedthelastoftheSalisburySteaktraysagain."

Genkimono, the most hyperactive of the hypers. It had been said that he was hypoglycemic at a younger age, and so his over-acting mother made sure he had access to all the sugar-rich food products he could hold. Now, this bank of energy has more "get up and go" than his parents can stand.

"No, Genki. They're not serving Salisbury today." Kevin sighed.

"Don't worry about him," Lesley said as she took a seat next to her friend, "he's just run off at the mouth again and now he's scheduled for a royal pounding afterschool."

"Oh. Isthatall." Genki flopped into a seat on Kevin's right. "Uh....Kevin? Ifyergonnadie, canIhaveyourstereo?" You gotta love it when, in your last moments of life, all your friends can think of is what they want out of your room.

"Actually," Lesley stated, "I believe the stereo is mine. Isn't that right, friend-of-thirteen-years-running?"

The Pikachu whined, pushing his tray aside. "You guys...." He slumped his head down on the lunch table and flopped his arms over it. "I am so dead. Why did I say those things before? I don't even have an older brother! Man, I thought Justin was still in the Silver Mountain Penitentiary."

"Even if he was, did you really think Butch would be intimidated by your threat of siccing an older brother on him? Truly, man, that has to be the dumbest lie you've ever come up with yet."

"Yeahitwasprettystupid. Imeanwhowouldbelievethatyouhadanolderbrotheranyway,Kev? Theywouldhavelaideyesonhimbynow."

"Gee, you guys are a real help." Kevin rolled his eyes. "I gotta find a way outta this. Maybe if I promised him my lunch money for the rest of high school...." All three looked up as a sudden commotion rose above the usual cafeteria banter and caused a dead silence from most loud talkers. Near the exit of the food line, the band of bullies were already harassing the new student, Jimoku. While Veronica leaned as much of her weight as she could on the poor Zubat's right shoulder, Grease and Boxcar stood on either side of him and picked away at the food in his tray. Butch held his position in the student's way.

"Well, well, well," the Houndour said with a smirk, "what have we here? New meat? And blind meat at that." He cackled as he waved a hand in Jimoku's face. "Well I hope yer ears are open, 'cause I got some rules to lay down for you, and I don't wanna have to repeat myself."

Eyes narrowed, Lesley clenched a fist. "Those jerks! Someone's gotta teach them a lesson." Before she could leave her seat, Kevin grabbed her by the arm. "No wait," he whispered. "You'll get creamed!"

The Rattata sneered as she pulled her arm from his grasp. "They're picking on a blind student! I will not let this happen!" Ignoring any other objections, she began pushing her way through the crowd of seated bystanders, heading in a bee line towards the activity. "Hey! You creeps!"

"Eh?" All four firedogs turned to look, and that was all that was needed. The second after one of his ears picked up on the sound and movement, Jimoku sent his tray spinning in the air above him, slid through a small increment of space between Butch and Boxcar, then shoved the three boys into a nearby table. "Rrrrr!" Veronica stepped forward to exact revenge, but before she could let one fist fly, the tray and its contents came crashing down on her head, dropping her like a bad habit.

"Whoa." Lesley's mouth gaped wide open as she bore witness to this spectacle. Perhaps more amazed than her was Kevin, whose ears and tail perked high at the sight of the blind student's actions. He had no idea that a person lacking the ability to see could make such accurate maneuvers! While the firedogs were busy picking themselves up, Jimoku stood back and listened to the distant sound of rushing footsteps that he could hear coming towards the cafeteria.

"What is going on here??" Like clockwork, Principal Dodeccan burst in through the swinging doors of the lunch room and set his sights on the food-covered juveniles. It was lucky the school had a Water type, much more a Tentacruel as its principal since the firedogs were quite afraid of him. He was, after all, the first person they had ever met who could lift them all off the ground simultaneously, and the only principal to get away with using his own method of discipline. "I asked a question, and someone BETTER start shelling out an answer!"

"It was all his doing," the dogs whined as they pointed towards Jimoku. "He pushed us, and dumped his food all over me," Veronica whimpered next.

His eyes narrowed, the principal looked back and forth between the Zubat and the bullies. "If Mr. Tsuneni did anything, it was probably provoked by the four of you! Now get up and get to study hall! You might have a less chance of being attacked by the blind if you spend the rest of your lunch hour in detention."

"Awww, man," Butch whined as he ushered his group out the swinging doors.

Dodeccan watched them leave with a steady glare, then turned to the staring mass of students. "Well don't just sit there, finish eating! And someone clean up that mess." On command, everyone resumed their normal lunchtime conversations and a janitor ran out to clean up the food spill.

Once things began to calm down, Jimoku took his staff from his back and started tapping his way back to the end of the food line. "Hey, wait!" Lesley leaped over a few people to catch up to him and places a hand on his left shoulder. "If you want food, you can have mine. I'm not very hungry, anyway."

The Zubat's ears twitched at the sound of the familiar voice. "You are... quite kind. Thank you."

"Oh, it's no problem. Here, let me take you to the table." Lesley's cheeks went red as his hand took hold of hers. What an athlete! And he was blind. Perhaps he would never lay eyes on the 'hideous' transformation she would undergo on her eighteenth birthday, she reasoned. Little did the Rattata know that Zubats become sight-given Golbats upon adulthood.

Once they reached the round table, Lesley made sure Jimoku sat down properly, then pulled up another chair from a nearby table. She slapped the creeping hand of Genki, who was steadily moving towards her brownie treat, then moved the tray and utensils close to the Zubat's reach. "There you go. Enjoy."

As the first bite of food was taken, Kevin finally snapped out of his trance and smiled at the new student. "Uh, hello! My name is Kevin. Kevin Yaffa." He offered a hand to shake, and only after seeing the angry look on Lesley's face did he realize his mistake. "Oh. Eh-heh." He put his hand down sheepishly.

Finishing off the last of a dish of peas, Jimoku wiped his mouth with a napkin before turning to smile in the Pikachu's direction. "Pleased to meet you. I am, Jimoku Tsuneni."

"You know, those were some pretty sweet moves you pulled back there," Kevin stated. "You really pulled one over on the bullies."

"Yeahyeah," Genki added, "youreallythrewthemforaloop,youknow? Whenyouthrewthattrayintheairanditwassp-sp-sp-sp-spinnin'an'thenyouzip-zoomedoutoftheirclutchesan'thetraycamedown..." He huffed. "That was so cool."

The Zubat chuckled, his ears twitching rapidly as he picked up on every syllable spoken by the speedy Sentret. "Thank you for saying so. I just... did what comes naturally."

"Yeah, but it was still amazing," Lesley added. "I mean... I never saw anyone with your... disability... that could do that."

He chuckled again. "Well if it means anything, neither have I." It took a while for them to get the joke, but the three rodents were soon laughing along with him. "Actually," Jimoku added, "I attended a fighting school for the blind in Azalea Town. There they teach you it is most important to let your ears guide you as your eyes would. It is not important to know what your opponent looks like, just the moments when he makes a move of any kind."

"Nowthat'ssageadvice," Genki said with a nod.

"Yes, I have always thought so." The Zubat's ears folded back as the school bell rung. "It is time for my next class. Do any of you know how to reach Type Safety Hazards, in room B-12?"

Kevin leaped from his chair. "You're in luck! That's my class, too, I'll walk you there." He took the student by the arm and started towards the swinging doors. Nearby, Lesley's face turned blue at her missed opportunity. Why, oh why did she have to sign up for Type Safety Hazards in the second semester instead of the first? Suddenly the class didn't seem so pointless. All she could do is watch as her former best friend walked away with the only boy in the entire school that she could even remotely be interested in. Oh, the misery of it all. Something always stands in the way of a tomboy and her first outbreak of femininity.


"So you see, class, if Larry the Lapras were to be hit with a Thunder attack from Ronald the Raichu, he would still be gravely injured due to the fact that he is part Water, and Ice-types have no immunities to the effects of Electricity. But at the same time, if you were to try to use a heated move such as Flamethrower on Larry, it would..."

Ugh. The endless speeches of Type class. They forced students to sit through hours of this boring talk by making it a required course in high school criteria. As far as Kevin was concerned, it was a place to sleep while he digested the cafeteria food. In a seat next to him, however, Jimoku was wide awake, listening and taking mental notes of what the teacher had to say. He was always diligent in his studies since there was little else his parents would allow him to do. Now that he was living with his grandmother, he wondered if he would have more time to spend doing other things. His mind ventured away from the teacher's lecture as he took time to think about his new home. Why did his parents insist that he spend more time with grandma? Sure, he was glad to spend time with his elder, but a whole school year? He missed his father already.


Time passed quicker than usual and soon the bell rung, hailing the end of another day of school. However, no freshman left Green Gardens too quickly that afternoon. Word had spread like wildfire of Kevin's future demise and everyone who was anyone had shown up to see it happen. Students walked around the automated bleachers hailing bets to their classmates. Hearing the commotion, Jimoku wandered his way through the crowd and into the gym, his ears focused on the barking of a certain Houndour.

Near the center circle of the gymnasium, Butch stood with his arms folded and his back straight, staring across the arena at the cowering Pikachu who was huddled behind his two friends. "Y'know if you weren't a Pikachu," he called out, "I'd say yer yellah colorin' was caused by the fear creepin' up yer lyin' body!"

At the front of the crowd on his side, Veronica and the Growlithe twins cheered on the action. "You go, Butch! Give the little rat his just desserts!"

"You sure it's too late to run screaming out of the city," Kevin whispered to Lesley.

"I doubt you could make it through the crowd before someone threw you back," she replied.

Butch clenched his fists in impatience. "So where's this brother'ah yours, ah? He gonna face mine or what?"

"W-w-w-w-well," Kevin called, peeking over Genki's shoulders, "that's... that's what I've been meaning to t-talk to you about, Butch. It, um, appears that my brother's... ill and he'd like some time to--"

"Time's UP, loser!" The hellpup snarled. "You run yer mouth once too often, there, Pikawimp! It's time to get your medicine." He motioned back at the audience. "Justin! You ready, big bro?"

"Is a Krabby red?" From behind two broad-shouldered Typhlosions, the lean and muscular Houndoom known as Justin Judge came vaulting into the open space, then made a casual stride towards his little brother. He was six-and-a-half feet of pure negativity; the very heat he gave off was enough to make Ice-types sitting on the furthest bleachers use their school folders as fans. Drool was almost coming off the tips of his sharp fangs as he drew his muzzle back in a fierce snarl, and the thin fur over his exposed arms made no effort to hide his sturdy biceps as his muscles tensed. He had come for a fight, all right, and he wasn't leaving until he whipped the fight out of someone else.

"So where's this champion fighter I have heard so much about," Justin calmly asked. His eyes dragged the empty space in front of him. "Don't tell me he's a no-show."

"More like a no-exist, big bruddah," Butch stated in a yap. The only time you'd ever catch him blatantly behaving like a little child is when his big brother was there to comfort him. "That lyin' Pikachu threatened to sic his big brother on me, an' for a minute there I was a little nervous. Heheh. But come to find out, he ain't got no brother!"

Kevin sunk further into hiding as this conversation continued. "Is that so," the Houndoom barked. "Well, then I think it's time I rearranged the little liar's face so he can't speak, let-alone fib anymore." As his left fist met the palm of his right hand, the whole crowd silenced, anticipating his every move.

"It was nice knowing you, Kev," Lesley said as she and Genki backed away from him. "I'll treat your stereo with respect."

"NowayIgethisstereo," the Sentret protested.

What a fate. As Justin took his sweet time to reach his hapless victim, Kevin's life began flashing before his eyes. Was the fact that he had caused his mother so much pain during his egg laying the whole reason for his life being cut short? He winced at the images of all his father's architectural blueprints that he had used as palettes for his fingerpaintings. He should've never brought home that stray Meowth kitten; it tore up more than half of his mother's stuffed animal collection. He also wasn't very nice to his sister that day he tried to lose her in the crowd at the Picture Festival.

With three yards between them, the Pikachu decided that if he was going to die, he was going to die fighting. Or was that running? Perhaps dodging and screaming. Whatever his thoughts were that moment, they suddenly went far away as a blue blur leaped down in front of him. With his two tails flexing behind him, Jimoku faced Justin and took a fighting stance, his expression quite stern. "If you wish competition, let it come from me."

A look of amazed disbelief came over the Houndoom's face as his younger sibling's hoodlum friends all laughed at the daring blind boy. Could he be serious? He looked serious. The laughter of the disbelieving crowd was quickly silenced by a raised hand. "A fight's a fight," Justin stated. "You want a piece of this, pal? Let's go."

Kevin stood in shock over the scene before him. Was this stranger really going to give up his life for him? "Go stand with your friends," Jimoku commanded, and he did, moving fast across the arena clearing to stand between Lesley and Genkimono.

"What is going on," Kevin whispered to his friends. He was still quite confused.

"Your life has been spared," Lesley answered, "just count yourself lucky."

No one could ever say he didn't feel lucky at that moment. "But... what about Jimoku?"

The sound of popping bones echoed throughout the gymnasium as Justin cracked his knuckles. "So. The lone blind mouse wants to go toe to toe with the big dog, ah?" His teeth glistened in the light as he grinned. "You've got guts, kid, I'll give ya that. Of course, pretty soon everyone in here's gonna be seein' those guts as I take 'em from ya and use 'em to skip rope wit'."

No response was given to that 'witty remark.' Jimoku merely took this time to identify every sound being made by the arena patrons. In all directions, there were vague shuffling and breathing noises coming from the students waiting to see bloodshed. Across the floor, he could hear the sound of Butch's hyena-like cackling. So annoying. The Zubat's right ear went stiff as he heard the cutting of the wind caused by a right jab from Justin, which he managed to avoid by leaping vertically. Snarling, the Houndoom leaped into the air and reached out to grab one of his opponent's tails, but before he could do so, Jimoku screamed a Supersonic shout in his direction that slammed him into the floor.

Everyone winced as the force of the slam shook the gymnasium and made cracks in the floor. Justin pulled himself to his feet and seemed more angry than confused. Obviously the attack did little to harm him. "You little rat," he barked, "I'm gonna tear off yer wings and watch you crawl around before I stomp ya!"

"You, will do nothing of the sort."

A look came over Justin's face that no one had ever thought possible. It was a combination of fear and dread, as though in his mind he had just had visions of the Hell he was in store for someday. The deep, feminine drawl of the previous statement was soon followed by the steady sound of blue, high-heeled shoes against polished wood; a sound that grew closer as the crowd near the gym entrance parted like the red sea. Without so much as an 'excuse me,' Demona Judge, mother of Butch and Justin, made her way to the arena floor and took a calm stance before her children. Few students had ever laid eyes on her, but the very air she carried about her seemed to command absolute cooperation from everyone. A royal blue dress suit only added to the mountain of respectability she brought with her, along with the act she was about to perform.

Seven yards away, Justin's posture became less of a fighting stance and more of a submission pose. "M-muh, m-muh, m-mother... Eh-heh... What're, you doing here?"

"Principal Dodeccan called me and informed me of this atrocity." Her eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. "How dare you embarrass me like this. Justin Forthright Judge, what have I told you about making an example of your brother's school enemies?"

Everyone could hear the Houndoom swallowing his pride. "Only if it's profitable?"

"Exactly." His mother slapped the thin end of a riding crop in the palm of her left hand. "This is neither profitable, nor beneficial towards your brother's development. How is he to learn to fight his own battles if you're constantly waging them for him? And do you realize how much it would have cost me if you had destroyed this pitifully-designed gymnasium? That crack in the floor is coming out of both your allowances."

"Awwwwww!" The young firedogs whined like newborn puppies as they walked slowly in the direction of their mother, and soon the crowd around them began to disperse. Without promise of combat to hold their interest, the students turned and wandered off to their various places of residence, leaving only Kevin and his friends to reflect on what had just transpired.


Lowering his wings to his body, Jimoku landed feet-first on the floor next to the others and was given his Kendo stick by Lesley. "You... you risked your life to save me," Kevin stated, still lost in awe.

The Zubat smiled. "Well... not exactly. I had no intention of dying for you or anyone else. I'm blind, not stupid."

"Huh?"

Lesley ran a hand down the back of her purple-furred head as she stated, "Once again you can thank me for your rescue, Yaffa."

The Pikachu stood confused. "Zuh?"

His friend rolled her eyes. "Let me spell it out for you. While you were filling out your will in Study Hall, I went to see the principal and explained the whole situation. He took the liberty of phoning Butch's mother. Jimoku agreed to stall Justin until Mrs. Judge got here."

"See,Kev? Youhadnothingtoworryaboutafterall.," Genki said as he pat his friend on the back rapidly. "Wewerejustplayin'withyouaboutthestereo,anyway. ThoughIstillkindawantitsomeday."

Kevin's ears drooped. "I'm sorry, you guys. I didn't mean to cause any trouble, I just wanted Butch to leave me alone."

"Pfft, well you should've known that was impossible," Lesley said, pacing her hands on her hips. "Butch lives to make you miserable."

"Yeah... I know..." His tail and ears perked suddenly as he gained an idea. "Hey, it's the weekend! Let's go to Percy's for food, my treat!"

Everyone cheered except Jimoku. "I... don't think I can," he said. "My grandmother is waiting for me, and I have homework."

"Weallhavehomework,man," Genki stated.

"Yeah," Lesley added, "but that's what the weekend is for! You have fun on Friday and Saturday, then take care of the work on Sunday."

"Really?" The Zubat frowned. "Back in Azalea Town, I had classes everyday except for holidays."

Kevin smirked, then took hold of one of his wings. "Well they do things a little differently in the city, pal. Come on! We'll talk to your grandmother, then catch up on all the weekends you've missed." A sly look went over his face as he started out the gym. "By the way... you wouldn't happen to be on a fighting team, would ya?"

"Kevin!" Lesley shot him an angry glare.

"Whaaaat? You saw his moves. He'd make an awesome fourth!"

"Yeahyeah," Genki added, "andfifthandsixth! Toobadweain'tgotanymoreguyslikeJimoku aroundtocompetewith. Heyyouthinkifwegoblindwe'llallbebetterfighters,too?"

While the three friends argued, Jimoku walked along with a big smile on his face. Perhaps this move of his wouldn't be so bad after all.