Black, an emotionless sky covered an equally frigid city. It's uncaring inhabitants going about their personal business. The shops dead quiet while neighboring social clubs sounded off with lively music and cheers. Drunks roamed the streets alongside less savory individuals who do their business far from the light of day. In one nearby bar the cheers sounded considerably more violent.
The body of a man hit the cold wet asphalt with a loud splash as two others dusted their hands off. The now soaked man stood up on Shaky feet as he brought his fists up ready for a fight. With a scoff the men kicked him back to the floor before spitting on his face.
"Why don't you go find some battlefield to die on you drunken sellsword." The men spat angrily.
Before the mercenary could stand upon his feet again the bouncers re-entered their place of business leaving him dazed and confused.
"Hey come back here, I'm not done with you!" The merc shouted through slurred words.
Stumbling forward the man braced himself on the building's wall, reached for his revolver at his side only to be met with an empty holster. Cursing himself the man remembered he left his weapon at the door with the bartender before the place went to hell. Two more men were subsequently tossed out of the front doors landing motionlessly on the wet pavement. Unwilling to leave his weapon in such a place overnight the merc began looking around, searching for a place to enter from besides the crowded front door. Luckily a small alley lay beside the establishment much to the mercenaries' delight. Stumbling in he found himself next to a side door most likely leading to the kitchen.
"I can't let you go in there Grey" a voice called out from the dark.
The mercenary looked over into the darkness to see a pale man with a long trench coat step into the flickering light.
"Who the fuck are you supposed to be?" The inebriated man spat.
"That's not important son, what is important is that earlier today you knocked out some of my bosses best pushers." The pale man said, pulling out an already cocked revolver.
"Should I give a damn?" Grey asked. "your people pushed into the old bags territory, so she hired me to evict them. Not my fault"
"Maybe not," the armed man smirked. "but unfortunately for you I'm in that same spot you were in… not my fault."
The trench coated thug pulled out a cigarette, gently placing it between his lips mocking the drunk. Turning his attention away for a split second to light his cigarette a cold piece of brass slammed into the pale man's face, flinching as he fired off his pistol into the air. Before the thug could recock his revolver the mercenary had closed in, grappling the man and knocking the pistol from his loose grip.
"Piece of shit!" The thug screamed as he expertly threw the drunk to the floor.
The groggy Grey groaned in pain as he rolled over, trying to get back off the floor. Unable to find his footing in time the merc felt another sharp pain crash into his ribs. The thug began to kick repeatedly at the drunk man until he went limp.
"Stupid piece of shit" the assassin spat, Turing around to find his revolver.
Suddenly a sharp pain ran through the man's knee as he collapsed. The drunk man ripped his knife away from the thugs leg, before any more words could be exchanged the hilt of the knife slammed into the man, dropping him into a cold unconscious. Grey gave a tired sigh, holding onto his side as he made his way to the door. With a swift kick the door swung open.
Stumbling his way in, the drunkard was met with a kitchen full of shocked staff. The mess from the early altercation still sprawled across the room.
"God damn it I knew this was going to happen" an old tired voice yelled. "Grey get the fuck out of my bar!"
An old man came storming in with two more men, the same that had forcefully evicted the inebriated man.
"Not without my weapon" the Grey spat back barely understandable.
"Oh what? this one?" the old man said, pulling out a silver revolver. "Get the fuck out before I kill you with your own gun!"
"That's not going to happen," Grey said, grabbing a nearby woman and putting his knife to her neck. "Are you confident enough not to hit this girl?"
The room went tense as the woman in the drunk's arms began to panic. The two bouncers hovered their hands over their own firearms ready to draw. The old man hesitated before pulling back the hammer on the pistol.
"You think she matters to me? I'll put a hole in her if it means you die!" The old man yelled.
"That so?" Grey mumbled.
The woman began to cry and plead as the man's knife dug slightly into her neck, the slightest bit of blood dripping onto the silver knife.
"Stop!" The old man yelled. "Fine! Take the stupid gun!"
The bar keeper placed the gun on the floor before pushing it over to the man. Grey tossed the woman aside as he carefully retrieved his weapon before securing it to his belts tightly. The old man ran over to the weeping woman, hugging her reassuringly.
"We could have avoided this," Grey mumbled.
"Just get out" the old man said through tears "please just get out, don't come back".
Grey spat as he made to leave the way he came, leaving a room of horrified people.
Stepping over the unconscious would be assassin and onto the streets Grey once again unholstered his revolver. The weapon was heavy in his hands. The silver metal shone ever so faintly in the moonlight as the image of a black spade adorned the sides of the barrel's tip.
"What a joke" Grey said aloud as he once again holstered the weapon and stepped onto the cold rainy dark street.
A loud slam sounded off as the body of a soaked man stepped onto the establishment's tiled floor. Patrons look up from their tables before turning their attention back to their own business.
"Damn it I just mopped the floor!" An elderly woman's voice called out exhausted. "Oh it's you"
The hooded man whipped his feet on a nearby welcome mat before shuffling into the building and taking a seat at the bar.
"I need a whiskey" The man grumbled.
"What you need is a shower" the woman shot back.
"Dana please-" before the man could finish he was immediately cut off by a slam to the table.
"Don't you start Grey! You show up bruised and drunk, then ask me for more booze? Do you even have your rent?" The woman yelled.
Grey reached into his belt annoyed and placed a clip of dollars onto the counter. Dana quickly picked it up and thumbed through the payment.
"You're short." The woman spat.
Grey grumbled as he placed down a number of black and white photos. Looking over the pictures, Dana recognized the bloodied faces of the boys that had been encroaching on her territory. With a grunt she placed a clip of dollars on the table. Being completely honest Dana was expecting Grey to finish the contact she had given him earlier so she had prepared the change in advance though that was something she would never tell Grey.
"Least your good for your rents" Dana sighed before placing a mug in front of the mercenary.
Grey straightened out his belt as he watched the mug quickly fill with a warm black liquid, its steaming roasted aroma over taking his senses.
"Drink, looks like you need it after whatever ass kicking you just took" Dana said putting away the hot pot of liquid
"I don't suppose the coffee is spiked is it?" Grey asked, taking a sip of the brew.
"If the alcohol doesn't kill you first, that tongue of yours will." The old woman retorted.
Grey took a deep swig, Letting the hot liquid coat his throat as he felt it warm him from the inside.
"Well?" Dana began "how is it?"
"It's terrible," Grey said, placing the mug back onto the table.
"Eh figures, these percolators can't beat a slow roast" Dana mumbled. "So I assume you did what I asked you to do?"
"Affirmative, those pushers in your Territory were removed" Grey answered.
"You also robbed them and used that money to get drunk right?" Dana pressed.
"I did what I was supposed to do Dana" Grey mumbled.
"If that was what you only did then we wouldn't have a problem" Dana sighed. "Look Grey, I'm not trying to nag you here, but haven't you ever thought of giving up this life? You're still so young, I'm sure you can find a good tradesman to show you the ropes of a safer job, maybe settle down with a nice girl and start a family"
"Do you give the same speech to every merc on your payroll?" Grey growled back.
"No but they get the same send off when they die... the incinerators." Dana said a bit more annoyed.
Just then a group of uniformed men came bursting through the bar doors, posters in hand. A few had taken the liberty of immediately placing the square flyers directly on to the windows and on a nearby bulletin board. The biggest of the group marched right up to the tired bar keep.
"Ma'am we will be placing our recruitment posters in your establishment." The man said with a commanding voice.
"Oh sure you can, thanks for asking" Dana replied annoyed
"Ma'am we know of the type of business you run here, And I must ask you to please consider pointing some of your contractors towards this-" that man started before being immediately cut off.
"Son you should know most of these boys are here because OF you." Dana explained.
"We aren't offering full time jobs" the man clarified. "We're recruiting for a Campaign against the Hoenn insurgency."
"Fine then; put up your pamphlets just get the hell out afterwards, you're annoying the regulars." Dana said dismissively.
The man nodded before leaving some of the papers on the table. Grey took one and examined it closely.
"Don't even think about it dumbass," Dana said almost immediately.
"Come on Dana, the government needs mercenaries too" Grey said dismissively.
"More like cannon fodder" the old woman shot back.
"It is a pretty penny, this job could make me" grey said looking over the recruitment poster.
"Or break you!" Dana countered. "Look Grey I Know that open warfare isn't new to you but shouldn't you sleep on this?"
"I'm a mercenary Dana, it's what I do."
"Fine then, I'll get your stuff ready but sleep on it would you? You may hold your drink well but I want you to be sober for the final decision." Dana said.
Grey sighed before finishing his coffee and leaving the bar, pamphlet in hand. As he climbed the bar stairs and entered his rented out room he began to once again feel his muscles cry out in exhaustion. As soon as Greys head hit the old pillow he felt at peace, and darkness overtook him.
Fire, heat, pain… a young white hair boy ran through a burning hell scape filled with tortured bodies and the cries of pain. Hell hounds howled in the distance as the boy tried to push his tired body past its limits, just one more step to freedom he told himself over and over again. Just one more step, one step ahead of the chasing men, ahead of the hunting houndooms, one step ahead of the end. Suddenly a white light appeared ahead of the boy giving hope. He ran, ran with everything he had even when his muscles screamed at him to stop. Never stop moving.
The bright light of dawn seared into the mercenary's eyes causing him to awaken with annoyance. Grey grabbed his throbbing head as the sound of loud thumping brought his attention to the nearby door. Approaching it quickly he opened the door more to stop the pounding noise than to meet the person on the other side. Dana stood with a serious expression across her face as the events of the previous night rushed back to the man.
"Dana? I can't take any more jobs for now" Grey said, still tired.
"I was afraid you'd say that," the woman sighed, shoving a small bag into the man "Here's your travel money and some dried meat for the road."
"Oh Dana you shouldn't have" Grey said, taking the purse.
"It's no trouble Grey, You know I'm always looking for a way to bill you" Dana said walking away.
"You really shouldn't have," the man mumbled.
Grey sighed as he turned back to his wooden boring room for the last time, soon he'd join the rest of the mercenaries on an airship to the warzone.
"I need a drink"
The next few hours passed by in a hazy blur for the merc. From slugging his equipment onto his back to traveling through the painfully bright sunny streets. Grey could barely manage to make it to the airship described in the pamphlet without trouble, but the briefing he was made to sit through was completely lost on him. The moment he and the rest of the volunteers were shown to their temporary quarters Grey had picked a hammock and proceeded to once again fall asleep. Unfortunately for Grey that would be the last good amount of rest he would receive for a while.
Grey was shaken awake at the sound of violent rustling as his face met the hard wooden floor. Annoyed, he dragged himself to his feet to see the mercenaries he joined run out and to the deck of the airship. The man remembered waking up hungover a few hours ago before Dana had given him a gift of travel money and rations, alongside a bill for all of it. Grey mumbled annoyed as he began working off of instinct patting himself down to check his equipment. He wore his normal black and red trimmed clothes, it was an old uniform he's modified for his own use. Although the clothes may be out of fashion it had served the mercenary well. In addition to the sturdy clothes he added a hood and waist cape to further protect his body from shrapnel and flames. Grey was also equipped with his cherished revolver, a couple of pokeballs and a longsword strapped to his back for ease of travel. Although it may also be old fashioned the presence of a melee weapon was always an advantage during those bloody bayonet charges.
Once everything was squared away and the merc regained lucidity he became aware of the sounds of battle going on outside the walls. Rushing out to the deck the sounds of shot and yelling filled the air as the charred smell of gunpowder filled the air.
Without warning a boy came charging musket in hand, driving it's bayonet forward. Without hesitation Grey slapped away the charging blade with the back of his hand before placing a heavy fist into the boy's neck. Dropping to his knees the boy began to cough violently, dropping his weapon as he grabbed onto his neck as he desperately fought to catch his breath. The kid must have been no older than 16 and here he was, an insurgent raiding a military transport.
Grey was quickly snapped out of his thoughts as the sound of a bullet narrowly missed his head. Not taking any chances, Grey began to move towards the rear of the ship where most escape vessels were kept. The mercenary had not made it far before his path was set aflame.
"Whoa! where do you think you're running off to, coward?" A voice yelled out
A tall man stood proudly nearby with a Growlithe at his side, flames still licking at its maw. With a loud howl a torrent of flames rushed forward as grey quickly rolled out of the way. With a bright flash the figure of a battle scarred Mightyena appeared and stood by the black uniformed man, vicious and ready for battle.
"You're a Pokemon trainer too then, mercenary? let's see exactly how well you keep up." The insurgent said with a laugh.
"Steel yourself for battle Lucifer" the merc commanded.
The black dog howled in affirmation causing the Growlithe to hesitate.
With a roar from the rebel trainer the Growlithe jumped into action with a flaming maw. The Mightyena quickly charged forward to counter the falling fire type.
"Protect your neck!" The insurgent commanded.
But it was too late. The Mightyena quickly warped its muzzle around the mane of the fire type and found its weak throat. The dark type looked over to his trainer as if to ask for confirmation for his kill.
"Crunch!" Grey commanded.
WIth a sickening crack and sharp Yelp the body of the Pokemon dropped lifeless, its face in an eternal silent scream.
"Noo!" The enemy trainer roared out in grief before a loud crack silenced him forever.
Without the protection of his Pokemon Grey was finally able to put a shot between the man's eyes. The victory was short lived however as the tide of battle was turning in favor of the attackers. Suddenly a fog began to cover the deck of the airship. Cries from confused soldiers sounded off as the sound of clanging metal dropped significantly.
"It's the diamond dogs!" A frightened crew member yelled from deep within the fog.
Soon after the sound of multiple explosions went off one after the other. It suddenly became very apparent the vessel was losing altitude. Not taking any chances Grey & the Mightyena began to charge once again towards the rear of the ship where escape crafts were normally kept..
Just when Grey began to see the outline of the ship's end an even larger figure came crashing down in front of him, sounding off with an ear splitting metallic screech.
"A skarmory" Grey told his partner.
On the steel bird's back sat a man who looked directly at the mercenary through bright red goggles, their posture horridly hunched over and a metal stump where his right fist should be.
the bird Pokemon slashed forward, narrowly missing Grey in the process. Lucifer jumped into action sending a quick shadow ball into the he skarmory's face. The Mightyena growled in frustration as he was stared down by the unfazed Pokemon.
"Lucifer! Ready the fire fang!" Grey called out.
The skarmory was already mid charge when the dark type leapt forward with its own flaming maw. The steel types claws crashed where the dog pokemon once stood. With a powerful bite the Mightyena cracked into the steel type's wing as it screeched in pain. The skarmory slapped away the dog and prepared a second attack when it immediately stopped. It's trainer began to tap rhythmically on the bird's back. Suddenly the steel type began to take off, leaving their opponents behind.
As Grey watched them leave it became apparent what exactly was happening. Explosion after explosion began to sound off closer and closer as the two had been extremely delayed. Soon after the skarmory trainer left the fog began to dissipate, leaving the horrified merc in front of destroyed escape crafts. Lucifer looked to his trainer questioningly, as if to say "what now?".
Grey quickly returned his partner to his PokeBall before retrieving another from his belt. With flash a purple crobat appeared with a toothy grin. Before Grey could give his command a sudden explosion sent the mercenary hurdling over the edge. Grey desperately reached for anything to grab onto but felt his stomach drop as he saw the dark Forest below grow ever closer. Before he could make his peace however he felt his collar stiffen as his falling came to a halt.
"Fuck!" Grey gasped as the crobat chuckled above him.
The two received a good view as the ship collided violently into a nearby village. Setting the brightly lit homes ablaze.
"To the wreck" Grey commanded "we might find some survivors of our group, if nothing else maybe some loot."
With an affirmative cough the crobat began to descend towards his master's desired destination.
*Earlier*
"Please proceed into the room" a mechanical voice echoed throughout a bright white room.
A small kirlia cautiously entered the overly lit room, a sour expression on her ghostly pale face. A nearby door opened with a loud bang as a tauros leapt into the room clearly agitated.
"Please use your powers to tame the Pokemon" the voice spoke once more.
The kirlia looked to the nearby glass where three researchers stood ready to take notes, all of them with flat expressionless faces. The sound of snorting immediately turned her attention back to the muscle bound beast now getting ready to charge. Not giving the monster time the kirlia immediately forced the Taurus to its knees with the force of it's psychic attack.
"No not like that, please use the other ability." The researchers interrupted.
The kirlia ignored the men as she approached the stuck normal type and placed a tiny hand on its nose. Immediately the Pokemon relaxed as the test subject read it's true feelings, it was tired. The physic type gave an understanding nod as she released her forceful grip.
"Cut the experiment, subject is uncooperative again" the voice said tiredly.
Just then a stocky built scientist entered the experiment zone, with an angry expression, walking up to the resting pokemon.
"Rina, how long is this little childish tantrum of yours going to last!" The scientist exploded.
"For as long as I want!" The kirlia shouted back "I'm not one of your lab Pokemon to be used in these pointless experiments"
Rina began to stomp off with the man following suit.
"We would get through this sooner if you would only comply" the scientist tried to reason.
"I refuse to use that horrid ability!"
Rina shouted as she forced open the door to the outside lab.
The man stood at the base of the now damaged door, biting his lip in frustration as he watched the kirlia run off.
"Professor!" One of the younger researchers called out. "It's not looking good on the surface, the Church is sending in a detachment of soldiers to come pick up the subject."
"What? Those idiots! I'm so close to finishing this project and they want to panic at the news of a few mercenaries?" the professor said, frustrated.
"What should we do sir?" the researcher asked.
"Prepare the incentivesers" the professor commanded. "Rina is right, it has been far too long playing nice. I am going to get my data no matter the cost…"
Down the hall and past many confused lab staff the little kirlia quickly found her way to her room, though she would more accurately describe it as a cell. A simple room with a single desk, tiny bed, and a bookshelf to keep her busy. Taking a seat at her desk she reached for her notebook where she kept track of her days. Rina flipped through the pages filled with writings of her struggles. She was reminded of her time growing up in that cathedral. Rina remembered the meditation and the warm emotions all around her, unlike the cold unfeeling aura of this lab.
"Sister… you would not have let them take me would you?" Rina asked allowed
As the kirlia reminisced, a loud pounding came from her door. The psychic type slammed her book shut in frustration.
"I am done for the day!" Rina shouted.
The door slid open as the figure of the professor entered the room.
"Birch! I worked the hours we agreed to. I am not doing any more!" The Pokemon yelled.
"Rina Rina Rina" the professor asked, "how long have we spent together in this laboratory?"
"Too long" the kirlia replied.
The professor casually strolled into the tiny room, casually ignoring the burning gaze of the psychic type.
"Yes I remember when you were entrusted to my care, this exchange was meant to help us understand your abilities better." The professor explained.
"Yeah sure, I guess we all just have to know how exactly the kirlia explodes don't we? That is a real benefit to society!" Rina countered.
"If only you knew," Birch mumbled, "you have the ability to save lives,Rina."
"The only thing I have ever brought about was harm. I refuse to do it again." The kirlia replied.
"But that's just it!" The professor countered "you refusing to work with us prolongs suffering, more people die everyday who could be saved by such an ability."
"Well when you find a way to contain such a power let me know. Until then we have nothing more to discuss." Rina said, turning back to her book.
"Come with me Rina" the professor suddenly commanded.
"Why?" Rina asked.
"We don't have time for games," the professor replied, grabbing the small Pokemons arm. "I'll explain later."
"H-hey stop that hurts!" Rina shouted.
The Pokemon struggled but was forced out of her room and back into the hallway. The lab was even more empty than before as the steps of the professor seemed to echo louder than normal.
"The church won't be happy when I report this" Rina shouted.
The professor gave no response as he continued to walk. Rina began to worry as her commands were being ignored. Reaching out with her emotions she felt nothing from the professor, reaching further she could sense more emotionlessly bodies in their path.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Rina said , trying to get any response.
Step after rushed step Rinas fear grew until the grim emotions became too much.
"Let me go!" With a panicked force Rina tore away her hand from the grim scientist.
Soon the shrill cry of the professor filled the area as Rina realized what she had done. Still wrapped around her wrist was the dismembered hand of the professor. Rina panicked, slapping away the body part as the professor desperately returned to his feet.
'w-wait i-im sorry. I wasn't trying to-" Rina began but was cut off.
Armed men came running in with Mightyenas in tow, aiming their muskets down at the kirlia.
"Try and keep her body whole" was all the professor said before the dogs came charging forward.
"No!" Rina cried.
Suddenly the ground rumbled with an ear splitting crash as the roof began to crumble. Rina quickly ran as the hallway bagan to collapse. Before she knew it she was completely cut off from the humans. Unable to properly regain her bearings the sounds of men roaring and gunshots went off from where she once was. Not taking any chances, the kirlia decided to pick a hallway and run.
The facility continued to rumble as she attempted to find her room in this even more confusing maze. More often than not a hallway would be collapsed or too full with fighting to pass by, not that Rina knew where she was going anymore, the few years she spent were completely monitored and strict.
"Damn it Arceus... please show me a way out," the kirlia begged.
The body of a Mightyena suddenly crashed through the ceiling to splat at the psychic's feet, its neck missing and covered in blood. Rina quickly turned away as she felt her stomach churn. Another Mightyena fell from the same ceiling, however it looked far more menacing with its maw covered in blood. Rina backed away frightened as she lifted a hand up to try and reason with the beast. The dark type growled as it sizes up the terrified creature.
"G-good doggy! I'm friendly…" Rina said, attempting to reach out with her emotions.
Dark types were harder to read but she could still pick up faint emotions if she focused. The dark hound didn't seem too interested in ripping her apart, but it was ready to pounce if she made even the slightest sign of hostility.
Another body came falling from the ceiling and landing expertly onto the tile floor, this time a human. The human was tall, its tufts of white hair dangled over his forehead as he stared back with piercing gray eyes. The Mightyena snarled once more as it positioned itself between her and the man.
"What the hell are you supposed to be?" The man asked, confused.
Rina made to speak but found herself mouthing wordlessly in confusion.
"Over here!" Sounded off the voice of more humans.
The trio turned their attention to down the hall as more of the laboratories security came rushing in. Rina watched in awe as in less than a second this black clad human drew and fired off a silver revolver. With painfully loud bangs the once charging security guard found themselves collapsing onto the floor.
"Damn it they just don't stop" the soldier said, annoyed, reloading his firearm. "You wouldn't happen to know the exit would you?
Rina quickly shook off the temporary deafness to hear the man's question.
"N-no... I am looking for an exit as well." Rina Shakily responded.
The grey eyed man looked back in shock as he was not expecting an actual answer.
"You talk? What kind of messed up experiments are they doing down here?" asked the man.
Rina nodded in affirmation as she felt her nerves calm down. The man meant no harm from what her powers told her, at the very least not to her. Rina suddenly noticed an odd feeling in the air as a dense fog began to roll in. The ends of the hall became invisible as struggled to make out the shape of the man before her. Suddenly, the kirlia felt a surge of danger approaching as she quickly leapt into action.
"Human! get down!" Rina shouted as she threw herself into the confused man.
Grey fell back as a bright hot beam narrowly missed his head. The Mightyena quickly sent a shadow ball in the direction of the blast, its source still shrouded in fog. The three looked back as the shadow ball seemed to connect to nothing. After a few seconds two glowing red eyes shined through the haze.
"Damn it, not this guy again." The man stood up.
The Mightyena growled again with a deep sense of hatred.
"Lucifer stay close we're falling back" the merc started before looking over the scared kirlia. "You…"
Rina looked up to the merc with fearful eyes as she clamped her hands together awaiting for any sort of direction.
"Well if you don't like dying I suggest you run too" the merc reasoned.
Suddenly another bright light came blasting through the hallway followed by loud screeching Taking it as a clear sign to leave, Grey and Lucifer quickly took off with the kirlia in tow the rhythmic stomping of their pursuers quickly began to catch up to them. As they continued to run, Rina gained an awareness for their current location at the sight of a certain door.
"Turn into the door on the right!" Rina called out.
Not having any better ideas, Grey quickly slammed through the sliding door, slamming it shut when his companions rushed through. Rina quickly slammed a button on the door making it click before rushing deeper into the room. No sooner had they entered than the door began to shake violently, their pursuers attempting to break down the door.
"Son of a bitch, that's a lot of effort for a single mercenary," Grey said. "unless…"
Turning around the merc watched as the kirlia began to rummage underneath a child sized bed. In fact the entire room they entered looked like it was made for a child. The kirlia gave an affirmative bell-like cry as she pulled out a small brown satchel.
"That door was graded for psychic attacks so we should be good for a bit" Rina started, swinging the bag over her shoulder.
"Forgive me if I'm not convinced" Grey responded watching dents appear onto the doors.
Rina rushed over towards her desk and crawled under it. Grey watched with curiosity as he heard the sounds of mental strain and clank followed by a grate being tossed out into the room. The kirlia beckoned the merc over to show him an air vent.
"This vent leads to the labs cafeteria, I can reorient myself there and find a way out!" Rina said as she motioned for the merc to enter.
Grey looked skeptical at the cramped space but figured it would be better than the alternative. Squirming his way in, the merc crawled forward trying hard not to get stuck, at one point having to remove the sword off his back in an attempt to turn a corner. The Mightyena returned to his ball to save time leaving the annoyed kirlia impatiently following behind slowly.
"We could probably move faster if you dropped that sword." Rina commented.
"If you're so concerned with speed why don't you take the lead?" Grey responded.
Before they could continue a loud strained groaning sounded off from all around them.
"How deep is the place?" Grey asked.
"Deep" Was all Rina could say before the vent gave way underneath their combined weight.
With a heavy thud the two slammed into the floor of another room, this one filled with filing cabinets and loosely scattered papers.
"I'm getting really tired of falling on my ass." Grey mumbled.
As Grey took a second to look around the file-filled room a single file drew the attention of the kirlia. On the nearby desk a single file lay open, the name "Rina" could faintly be seen from the edge of the table. Letting curiosity get the better of her, the small psychic type approached the file to examine its contents. Line after line Rina felt her stomach drop as the contents of the file only seemed to get worse and worse.
"What's that?" Grey asked, looking over Rinas shoulder.
Rina jumped in shock as she slammed the folder.
"It's…" Rina looked down to the tan papers in her hands, not really sure what to do now. "Just my medical information…"
Grey watched as the face of the green haired Pokemon dropped but pushed it no further. Just then a uniformed man came rushing in the room, clearly a part of the mercenary forces he took a moment to catch his breath. Before Grey could ask him anything another security officer rushed in and ran him through with the large bayonet. Grey quickly reached for his revolver but was unable to grab it as the officer closed the distance quickly.
As the men wrestled, Rina continued to search through the files until she came across what she was really looking for.
"Building blueprints!" Rina shouted with delight. "look mercenary!"
But Grey was unable to look, as both men attempted to get the upper hand on each other. Rina watched with curiosity as the mercenary tumbled with the security officer. Grey snaked his limbs around the officer pushing him onto his stomach as he locked his legs in place. With a final maneuver of his arm the officer found himself immobilized.
"Where is the exit in this damned maze? Tell me or I'll bleed you out right here" Grey threatened.
"Th-there's an elevator, south side of the complex. Out where I came from and to the right." The man gasped.
Having the information he needed Grey applied the full pressure of his submission, forcing his victim into a deep slumber. Grey got up while dusting himself off, looking at the curious little Pokemon.
"I was kind of expecting you to kill him," Rina said, looking at the unconscious man.
"I almost did," Grey responded. "Least we have a way out now."
"No you don't, he was leading you to a dead end." Rina corrected "look"
The kirlia lifted the paper to show the mercenary the blue prints she found. Indeed if Grey had followed the instructions he would have ended up walking down a hallway with no outlet. Rina then pointed towards a room near them.
"This here says elevator" Rina explained
"Well then I guess we have our out." Grey reasoned.
Grey began to move again as the kirlia followed close behind. Rina began to feel her heart race as emotion's she hadn't felt in years overwhelm her. The excitement was too much as a smile subconsciously spread across the Pokemons face, her chest felt light as she felt her legs leave the ground. Grey looked on as the Pokemon floated by him without a care in the world, he was made uncomfortable. With another turn and a slam through a door the two came in sight of the elevator much to both of their relief. Before they could move forward however the room began to once again fill with a dense fog.
"What the hell!" Grey shouted in frustration.
A nearby wall blasted open as the skarmory and trainer came prowling in, the steel types carrying the body of a black uniformed man, a uniform that was all too familiar to Grey. The mercenary, now seeing no other choice, walked forward and stood opposite of his hunter.
"Alright no more running." Grey called out. "This ends now. You and me, one on one."
Grey Grabbed a pokeball from his belt as he waited for the opposing man to speak. The mercenary was met with silence as the mounted man too grabbed a pokeball.
The two men quickly launched their pokeballs, releasing a battle scarred Raticate to stand off against a one eyed fearow. Rina watched on with excitement as she had never seen a proper battle so closely before. Grey took a battle stance behind his Raticate, looking like he was ready to jump out of the way at any minute.
With a quick tap of his arm the mute man commanded it's flying type to charge forward. Beak outstretched the Raticate rolled out of the way. Rina quickly threw herself to the floor as she became aware of the deadly situation she was now in.
"Hannibal! Quick attack" Grey commanded.
With a blur of speed the rodent Pokemon went slamming into the flying type. Just as quickly more commands came tapping in from the mute man. The fearows claws dug into the Raticate as it began to viciously stab it's beak into the normal type.
The radicate roared with anger as it set it's body ablaze. The flying type let go of the fireball as the radicate began to roll. The fearow couldn't move fast enough as it was tackled with a searing pain by the charging flame wheel.
"Hyper Fang!" Grey roared.
Not letting up the momentum the Raticate dug it's fang deep into the flying type's neck.
In a moment, the excitement of watching a battle was shattered as Rina looked on in horror. The fearows screams of panic we're quickly silenced as its neck was wrenched from it's body. The head fell to the polished white floors with a splat as it painted the floor with a bright red coating of blood.
Rina felt her stomach violently churn as she emptied it's contents onto the floor. Her head throbbed as the swirling emotions of hatred and rage filled the room. Rina watched on as the Raticate turned it's assault towards the skarmory, her mind turning into a hazy mess of thoughts rushing through her at a million miles a second. Finally, the kirlia found her center; a singular light in the darkness of her mind, a place she hated.
All at once everything made sense, the kirlia not only saw the Pokemon, but the cells as well and then their proteins and then their atoms. Everything was as one and as individuals simultaneously.
Grey dodged shrapnel and stray attacks as his battle continued. He had not expected his opponent to mess up so soon in the battle but the early decapitation led to an advantage he would capitalize on. Grey watched on as his opponent tried to send out a new Pokemon only to have his attention brought back to the assaulting Pokemon in front of him.
Grey fired off three rounds from his revolver only to have them blocked by the steel type. The Raticate made use to charge once again in a rolling tackle of flames, causing the skarmory to cry out. Before the Normal type could continue his assault the skarmory let out a shrill roar causing him to lose concentration of his flaming attack. Taking the opportunity to counter the Raticate was flung back by the now more angered steel type.
The hunchback man grinned as he finally reached for a second pokeball and tossed it. Grey stood in apprehension waiting for his next opponent to appear. The ball hit the tile floor with a clack as the pokeball refused to open.
"A jam?" Grey thought aloud.
Suddenly the pokeball rolled into the hands of the kirlia, she levitated it around herself before sending it rolling away. Now both parties looked in confusion as the once normal kirlia emitted an ominous aura, her eyes bright gold as the space around her seemed to distort in horrid ways incomprehensible to the human mind.
The kirlia began to walk towards the elevator but was blocked by the hunched back man, his skarmory screeching it's warning. With a simple wave however the kirlia forced the Pokemon back in panic, causing the rider to tumble off his mount. Panicked, took a blunderbuss in hand and shakily pointed it towards the monster. It was then that Grey had noticed his goggles had fallen off the man's face to reveal the hunchback man had glazed white eyes.
Grey had recalled his Raticate after seeing the overwhelming power this new Pokemon had over other Pokemon. The mercenary tried to see exactly how the kirlia had transformed but found her both blindingly bright and overwhelmingly devoid of light.
"Be not afraid" the kirlia commanded, placing both her hands onto the man's head.
Grey covered his ears as the voice thundered through his head. Soon the world around him began to fall apart, everything was simultaneously comprehensive and extraordinary. Grey saw his hands morph back and forth between their normal form and shapes his mind could not comprehend. Grey watched on as his poor opponent was expanded and imploded into a horrid mess of flesh and wailing sounds.
"You may now rest" the kirlia finished.
The blob of life fell apart into dust,liquid and gas before all three disappeared into each other, leaving nothing behind.
The Pokemon then turned its attention to the white haired mercenary as he tried to not look directly back at her. With a single step she both disappeared and reappeared in front of the human causing him to trip and fall onto the ground.
The kirlia reached out both hands, grabbing onto the mercs head as he desperately fought to escape in vain. Grey felt every emotion, feeling and thought rush into his mind at once. The pain and pleasure, the fear and happiness, it all threatened to wipe his sanity away.
"You may now rest" the kirlia boomed.
"Fuck you!" Grey shouted as he kicked in a wild direction.
The kirlia was shocked to be met with a boot to the face. Her concentration fell as the mercenary escaped her grasp. Grey struggled to keep his sanity as he stood back up, or was it down? The kirlia charged away as her fist met the mercenary's stomach. Grey laughed in pain as he flew towards the ceiling. Rina jumped down and headbutted the human in the forehead, slamming his face into the ground. Unable to take much more, Grey wrapped his arms around the kirlias stomach as she struggled to escape.
"You will submit!" The kirlia roared "you will yield!"
Grey used all his will to focus on his grip as he slid another hand around her neck, the kirlia slowly began to vibrate in his arms. Finally everything went black.
Grey gasped for air as the kirlia was sent flying away from him. His surroundings slowly morphed back into their comprehensible forms as he felt his heart pounding violently in his chest. The kirlia stood back up holding onto her throbbing head, her gaze meeting the shivering mercenary across the room. Across from him the skarmory avoided her gaze as it tried to make itself as small as possible.
"I-im sorry" Rina whimpered as she realized what she had just done.
Grey watched as the small Pokemon quickly rushed and disappeared behind the elevator doors, a shame filled expression plastered across her face.
"Fuck" Grey murmured as he felt the cold embrace of sleep.
A/N: So I suppose a restart is a bit frustrating, after so long of leaving my first story to rot. But I figured since there weren't too many readers, and since I still cringe at the original first chapter. I'd give this another go. After long self reflection, listening to audiobooks of ancient stories and classic books, personally I think this is better than my first word vomit but eh… I don't exactly have the best taste either. Anyways I am buttoning up the second chapter and starting on the third, depending on how much of a reaction this story gets I'll adjust the release schedule accordingly. Anyways that's it. Lemme know what ya think I guess.
