Wes took a high and narrow stance with his elbows close to his body, his legs bent. His arms were positioned across his vitals of the centerline with his hands in a vertical position. He shifted and turned within the stance on his heels and palmed the wooden Muk Yan Jong Wing Chun dummy, alternating between strikes with his hands and kicks. If he was going to survive being Team Snagem's slave, he was going to have to become stronger to be able to fight his way out and escape.
"Hey, runt," a voice called from further behind. Wes stopped his sparing and looked behind to see Wakin standing a short distance away. "Boss wants to see you. Get a move on it now!"
Panting heavily, Wes straightened up and bowed to the wooden dummy. He was done training for today. He looked down at his two Eevee and nodded to them before finally leaving the training grounds and making his way back into the base and headed into the community shower. He peeled out of his holey t-shirt and shorts before starting the water and stepping inside to bathe. His face screwed up in agony as the rushing water hit his beaten back. It didn't matter if the water was cold or hot, it burned him immensely, but the cooler water was a little less aggressive on his nerves. It had been three weeks since that day where he was almost beaten to death. The elixir Ms. Abe had given him had done well in helping him recover faster but it was no miracle. His flesh was still healing, the wales of welts on his back still showing the brutality of his assault.
Wes struggled with nightmares and body memories ever since that day. Every sound and touch seemed to be a trigger, his body wracking in pain and his muscles and nerves tensing in anticipation of a near-fatal beating. Had it not been for his Eevee to help ground him, Wes knew he would not be able to get through these trying days.
After taking his shower, Wes went back to his cell where he dressed his wounds and dressed himself. When he was done, he made his way to Gonzap's study, where he and Wakin were waiting for him. He stood at attention in front of his boss' desk.
"You're moving around a lot more today," Gonzap growled. "I'll take that as a sign that you've healed enough to get back to work. First and foremost. You will atone for your sins against me. You will snag back every single pokémon you released, and we will transfer them to Cipher, where they will be made into Shadow Pokémon and you will stay you ass in line and stop interfering. Am I understood, you little shit?"
"Yes, Sir," Wes said quietly.
"Then get the hell out of my sight and get to snagging those pokémon. Wakin, take him out and show him how it's done."
"Yes, Boss."
Without saying another word, Wes and his Eevee exited the study and met Wakin outside.
"Okay, runt. I know you've seen us capture a pokémon before. I want you to show me what you know."
Wakin tossed him a pokéball which Wes swiftly caught with his right hand.
"That Murkrow over there," he nodded to a bare tree where the avian pokémon was perched, preening its feathers. "Capture it."
Wes' gaze shifted from Wakin to the small black pokémon. He took several steps closer to it.
"Krow. Murkrow!" it cried.
"Quick Attack," Wes muttered softly.
His Eevee ran at a fast speed, a silver and white trail formed behind them. First the male Eevee struck the Murkrow, pushing it out of the tree and then the female Eevee struck it from behind. It flapped painfully to the ground.
Wes then enlarged the pokéball before chucking it at the dark-type bird pokémon. The Murkrow was enveloped in red energy before atomizing and being sucked into the capture device. The pokéball shut closed after it was drawn inside and landed on the ground with a light thud! It wiggled three times before the release button blinked off from red and returned to normal, signifying a successful capture.
Wakin raised his eyebrows. That was the fastest capture he had ever seen of a pokémon, especially after taking damage from such weak and small pokémon as his Eevee. Maybe there was something to this kid after all.
Wes walked up to the pokéball of the captured Murkrow and picked it up. He stared hard at the capture device.
"Good job," Wakin said as he approached Wes. He outstretched his hand. "I'll take that now."
Wes glanced up at Wakin, then back at the pokéball, then back up at Wakin as he handed him the captured pokémon.
"That was impressive for your very first ever capture," he commented. "Maybe you'll be more useful as a Snagger." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small list before handing it to Wes. "That is a list of pokémon Gonzap wants captured. I'll give you some pokéballs. Go and capture them and bring them back here. Do that and you might get back in Gonzap's good graces."
Wes stared at the sheet of paper before staring back up at Wakin.
Wakin chuckled dryly. "You're just gonna be a mute now, huh? Alright. It doesn't matter to me whether you speak or not or how you feel. Just get the job done. Agrev with be accompanying you to make sure you don't try to run off. Get it done, kid."
Wes entered his cell and plopped down on his bed. He had captured twenty pokémon for Team Snagem today. Wakin did pass the news to Gonzap, but it didn't matter to Wes if he was in good graces or if Gonzap still wanted to beat the living hell out of him – he captured pokémon, took them away from their homes and habitat, and handed them over to Team Snagem for God knows what purpose. Gonzap had mentioned turning them into Shadow Pokémon. What did that even mean? Whatever it was, it didn't sound good.
He didn't want to do it. Everything in his system screamed and berated him for doing so. But he had to do it. Or Gonzap might very well have killed him. Then he wouldn't be able to see his mother again or give his Eevee a better life. He owed it to them to keep going. But at what cost, Wes wondered.
It was all his fault. He couldn't believe he had gotten so careless and stopped being quiet the day they tried to make their escape. He shouldn't have made a sound until they cleared the canyon. He was just so excited at the liberation of the captured pokémon. And he wasted so much precious time he knew he didn't have. In the end, it nearly cost him his life. If they were to try escaping again, he had to be much more careful and stealthier about it. Wes wasn't sure when he would try to escape again. All he knew was he had to get out of there as soon as possible.
He looked down to his Eevee, who both sat faithfully at his feet.
"I'll never put you in one of those balls," he said finally. "I promise I won't let them take you and make you into Shadow Pokémon."
"Eevee! Vee Vee!
"VeeEevee!"
"Just you wait. We'll find a way out of here, I promise. I just need more time to think it through and come up with a batter plan."
