Chapter 2: Special Report
A figure rolled up near a copper-coloured building that shone brightly in the blazing heat of the sun, it was shaped like a distorted locomotive from the times when steam was used to power them. Its many funnels bent in different directions, the tables were just visible in the dusty window. Seth lifted himself off his vehicle before pulling his goggles up to rest them in his dirty blond hair; his face was rough, betraying a hard lifestyle. A white band was tattooed across his face, this marked him as a traveller of the Orre Region, his eyes were thin and a golden colour, holding determination in the shining depths of his irises. He whistled sharply to his Espeon and Umbreon, they leapt around to border him, their thin bodies twisting elegantly to keep in line with his footsteps.
He was passing a parked truck when he noticed something, in the back was a sack, and it was shifting about, as if something inside was in panic. He stepped closer and touched it but heard the door slam open abruptly. Panicking, he hid himself behind the truck's rear and gazed from behind, his Umbreon darkened its rings until they were almost invisible against its dark fur. A pair of shady people approached the truck, talking to themselves, one had fiery hair that stood on end, the other had dark hair that was held in two small buns on his head, they both wore shades and seemed to have salvaged whatever clothes they could to wear.
"That was some meal we had back there," the first one spoke.
"Yeah, I could've pigged out all day," came the second one's reply, both their voices were coarse yet the first's was reedier in comparison.
"Always best after a job well done…" continued the reedy voice; "maybe we could have some fun with her later!" They both laughed before getting into the truck and starting it up. The blast of heat from the anti-grav pads made the three travellers jump back, as they sailed across the sand. Seth felt sick, but it wasn't his problem, he'd seem worse before, he made his way to the door and entered the Outskirt Stand.
He made his way across to the stools and sat down, letting his Pokémon curl up around the base of his chair. He ordered a drink and some food and water for his partners, whilst they ate, he turned to watch a news report starting up, it had a picture of the smoking ruins of the building he'd destroyed earlier. How could they have found out so soon?
"We are live reporting at the recently discovered Team Snagem base which recently went under attack and was destroyed. It was only because of the explosion that authorities were able to find the Headquarters, by the time they got there, the area had been cleared." The report ended and Seth sat there, watching the others; they were all staring dumbly at the TV, eyes wide. Seth whistled sharply and snapped them out of their shocked state as he left, Espeon and Umbreon following loyally behind.
As he opened the door, a voice from behind him called out, "hey, wait up!" Seth froze and turned to see a boy of his age with shocking pink hair and brownish clothes step out to face him, someone recognised him, he waited for the sentence as he attempted to keep a blank face, "wanna battle?"
Seth looked at him with a sudden slight hint of confusion in his voice, "what?"
"Duh, battle! You're obviously a trainer, those Pokémon are fighters and I want you to battle me," he looked back at Seth as if he was an idiot, mock-pity plastered across his face.
Seth sighed in relief before quickly turning back on him, "Very well, by the way, name's Seth"
"Willy, I'm a Rider" the boy said simply, Seth's mouth twitched as he turned to step into a clearer area, getting into a ready stance. Willy followed him and moved into position, eyes wide and manic, "vrum, vroom, now I'm really hyped up, let's go!"
"Fine. Espeon, Umbreon, go!" The two brothers leapt out ready to fight, whilst Umbreon stood alert, Espeon sat calmly, their unblinking eyes the only thing that distinguished them as related.
"Go my Zigzagoon!" Willy threw down two Pokéballs, they shot open and in a pulse and crackle of energy, revealed two Pokémon, they were both small, with short legs and spiked fur that went across their bodies in layers.
The Espeon was the first to make its move, tossing its head back, it brought it across as the air around its gem rippled, sending darts of psychic energy at the Zigzagoon and knocking it back. The mental pain overwhelmed it and it collapsed in the dust, eyes wide and blank as a vacuum of energy drew it into its container. Umbreon moved next, it leapt forward, opening its jaws to reveal several sharp fangs that sank into the Zigzagoon, the Umbreon thrashed its head about to shake up the Zigzagoon before tossing it back, the second victim falling under pain, shock and blood loss. Willy withdrew his last Zigzagoon and put them on his belt.
"You're no ordinary trainer, I'm one of the best around and you thrashed me like an amateur," Seth barely held in his laughter at this point, it was obvious to anyone that he was a beginner, let alone amateur. Willy seemed to ignore him though, "I bet you'd find a few good challenges down at Phenac City, they have a Stadium y'know"
"A Stadium?" Seth turned to his Espeon and Umbreon grinning, "feel like showing some city-folk what it is to mess with us?" Both the partners gave a small throaty bark in reply; they had fought and were hungry for more.