Lucario!
A muffled voice called his name in the distance. A twisted, black shape was forming before his eyes.
Colin Bledsoe? He was grinning, saying Lucario s name again. His teeth were, as always, disgusting, bouncing up and down as he started laughing maniacally.
Lucario tried shouting out, but his voice was stuck in his throat.
Lucario, come on, time to get up!
Colin s voice was accompanied by knocking, and as Lucario slowly opened his eyes, read on the alarm clock 10:25 A.M.
Lucario exhaled and sat up on the mattress, looking around his room with slightly blurred vision, feeling even groggier. He thought about his dream for a moment, hardly remembering the finer points, until Colin s voice was calling again, this time sounding more cheerful.
You awake?
Lucario pushed himself up, flattened his head fur down and approached the door, reaching it in no time and pulling it open, instantly spotting Colin, who was looking around.
I am now. Lucario said coolly.
Colin inclined his head to stare at Lucario. He gave a grin.
Ah, there s the little sleepy head. Why don t I take you to breakfast? Least I could do before your match today, hm? And it s with Bernie Bruno. I fought him one time Crazy bastard nearly ripped my ear off with his teeth.
Lucario shuddered. It seemed as if Mark Toney was trying his hardest to see if Lucario had what it took to keep his company alive, putting him against combatants that were obviously very challenging.
Lucario had never seen Bernie Bruno in person. He had only heard of him; Bernie was demented, he was an excellent fighter, and he never took his ski-mask off during a fight. Lucario couldn t imagine how hot and bothered he would be if he wore a mask during one of his exercise routines; a real fight was much worse. Lucario assured himself that he would make sure to give that man wide berth if he ever saw him walking around.
Colin led Lucario out of the room beyond his will, shutting the door. Lucario himself didn t know where they were going, but Colin took the lead. The pair of them traveled through the areas that Lucario was used to, down several hallways, and even through the training room. Colin pushed the far door open and Lucario followed him out, suddenly realizing where they must be going.
Colin, Lucario muttered, catching sight of the double doors at the end of the hall. We aren t going to the bar, are we?
Colin looked down at Lucario, but didn t stop walking. Instead, a smile spread across his lips.
The pig that ran that place got fired earlier this morning! said Colin, letting out a cackle afterward. Serves him right!
Eli?
Nah, your mamma. Colin said rather immaturely.
A minute later, Lucario had followed Colin inside, approached the bar, and was greeted with a small wave by a new face.
He wore eyeglasses and had a small circle goatee on his thin face. His hair was short, dark, and slick. The man wrinkled his nose.
Hello, Lucario said politely.
Becky appeared from the back room, saw Colin, and lowered her head for a few seconds. When she brought it up again, the barman inclined his head towards Lucario and Colin, giving the message that she should tend to them instead.
Lucario was surprised to see the man get shorter, Becky putting something back under the bar. He and Colin watched the man s head bob behind the counter and saw his short, dwarfish body retreating into the back room as he walked away. The little man was about 4 feet exactly.
Becky approached the counter. C-Colin she said with a breath. Colin nodded and gave a rather unconvincing smile.
And Becky added more politely, seeing Lucario, not knowing what his name was to save her life.
Lucario, and is he the new owner? Lucario uttered to Becky, who was holding a little notebook up for order-taking. He didn t expect the answer he received.
No. Actually, it was me who took this place over. That was Chet. He s really timid And a sweet little guy once you get to know him-
I ll have some hotcakes, Becky. Thank you.
Becky looked up at Colin with a grimace, writing down his order. She pointed her pen silently at Lucario, not looking at Colin twice.
Bacon and eggs-
Ah! I used to eat that all the time. The way Grandma used to make them
Lucario and Becky looked at Colin simultaneously as he rambled; Becky shook her head and trotted into the back to fulfill the order, leaving Lucario to listen to a dull tale of Colin s grandmother while they waited for their breakfast.
Ah, what now, I m stuffed! cried Colin cheerfully as he and Lucario walked, full of food, out of one of the side doors of the bar into the cleaner, more visitor-friendly hallways.
What time is it? Lucario asked, worried about his match.
Colin looked at his watch, shook his arm, and sighed.
I dunno, this thing s broken. Uncle Roger gave it to me back in 99
Lucario was, once again, forced to be immersed in one of Colin s not-so-exciting stories. He wished he could shut his ears off for a few minutes, but he continued looking at Colin to give the impression that he was listening.
You know that s why I m still wearing it, Uncle Roger said-
BUMP.
Lucario had smacked into a solid something Or someone.
Watch where you re going. A mocking voice called to Lucario.
Lucario found himself being yanked up by the ankle by one of Floyd Tanner s henchmen, the blonde man who was usually seen with his shirt off. Today, however, he was wearing a purple tanktop. If this guy lacked in brains, he made up for it in brawn, thought Lucario, dangling.
Zach. Colin said softly with a chuckle, as if this was a very entertaining show.
Lucario tried kicking his footpaw into Zach s chin, but he was dropped heavily onto the ground before he could even get his leg up in the slightest.
Growling, Lucario stood up and glared at the big, blonde jock.
Do you have the time? Colin asked Zach seriously, holding Lucario with his hand so that Lucario wouldn t attack.
Uhh Zach stared at his digital watch. 12:58 PM.
Great, well we d better get going. Goodbye. Colin said hurriedly, putting two hands on Lucario s back, pushing him along the hall.
Thanks for the support, Colin! Lucario fumed angrily, walking himself and facing him.
That s what friends are for, eh? said Colin, not catching the sarcasm. We d better go practice a bit before this match is underway, he added quickly.
Yeah Lucario said, staring at Zach, who was looking right back with a piercing glare as they moved onward.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the commentators
It had been three hours since Lucario had eaten, but it was churning in his stomach like he had swallowed live snakes. Mark Toney s voice echoed throughout the fighting pit that Lucario was staged in. Standing right across from Lucario, in all his strange attire, was Bernie Bruno himself.
He wasn t wearing a shirt, but up and down his thick arms ran colorful, assorted tattoos. Small talk implied that Bernie had been sent to prison and donned the mask as an abstract persona of his criminal record.
my good friend, Jeff Howard here! Mark called.
A man wearing sunglasses and a purple sweater-vest stood up and was greeted by applause from the spectators.
Thank you Mark Been waiting to see more of this little blue fella. Jeff said with a smile towards the jackal.
Lucario felt a bit more calmed after hearing the commentator s smooth voice, making Lucario fantasize about his victory.
You make him sound like a smurf. Mark joked over the speakers, making some of the audience laugh. Out next commentator...
The audience quieted a bit to hear Mark introduce the next commentator. He sighed.
One of our guest superstar commentators Ian Wilhelm. Mark said unenthusiastically, sounding more and more depressed as he continued the sentence.
It ll be a miracle if Lucario walks away from this match on two legs! the snide, cackling voice of Ian laughed, to booing from the audience, into his microphone, making Lucario come abruptly out of his fantasy and study him for the first time since arriving.
He was a red-head A too familiar red-head
He was the one who had stomped on Lucario s pawhand, hard; another one of Tanner s friends. He just had them stationed everywhere, didn t he? Lucario thought, twisting his neck behind him, watching Bernie Bruno dancing around with his head low, the masked face of his staring at Lucario s backside for a long time now, making Lucario turn around again quickly, embarrassed. Was Bernie staring at his rump just now?
Thank you Ian Wilhelm. Mark said coldly. And before I forget, our beloved referee, Darrell Quincy. World s best ref! Give him a hand, everyone!
An old man in his sixties wobbled over and gave the thumbs up to Mark, while the audience erupted into applause.
Darrell s 65th birthday is coming up next week
Lucario was wishing this intro would be over with. He wanted to fight that mask-wearing freak already, tired of waiting for Mark to get on with it.
And now Mark said dramatically, walking to Darrell and standing by his side. It s time to rumble! Give them the rundown, Darrell!
Mark gave the old man the microphone so he could talk to the two fighters at a safe distance. The old man cleared his throat, and began his usual speech.
Ten count. No biting. No low blows. No funny business. No spitting
Lucario s mouth hung open. Darrell never went on and on like this before.
No freaky stuff. No forfeiting. No sissy moves
The audience was laughing at Darrell s words like he was a comedian.
And TKO s. You can do that. Darrell chuckled himself a little bit and stepped back. Mark grabbed the microphone, jogged to the bell, and dinged it.
Here we go Oh boy, this is exciting already! I m nervous My hair look alright?! Jeff s exasperated voice could be heard loudly by Lucario as he stared down Bernie Bruno, who held a smile that creepily resembled a face of pure amusement.
Get offa me! Ian s voice shouted. There was an Ooof ; Jeff had obviously been thrown back into his seat after climbing up into Ian s face.
Bernie, meanwhile, resembled a hopped up monkey, jumping, dancing, swaying around, and only staring at one thing: Lucario.
Bernie appeared to be trying to do Capoeira, but if that was the case, he was failing at it. Lucario gasped as Bernie pushed his palms flat down on Lucario s shoulders, pushed Lucario forward as he hopped over him, landing heavily and laughing maniacally.
Did you see that?! Jeff s voice called.
Lucario huffed and turned, only to receive a straight punch to the muzzle, bringing him to his knees.
What a good punch commented Ian slyly.
Lucario, holding his nose, was about to stand, only to be kicked in the chin, flipping him to his back, hearing Bernie s insane laughter again. The sick man was really enjoying this pain he was causing Lucario. A collective Aaaahhhh was heard by the crowd in the majority after Lucario landed on the mat. Lucario heard a fraction of them cheering, seeing Lucario getting beat up, which made him only fueled to triumph over this guy even more.
Oh my god, Bernie s going all out! Jeff said with surprise.
Bernie swooped down to try and pick up Lucario by the legs. Lucario was quicker than him, wrapping his legs around Bernie s waist tightly. Darrell was already approaching them, kneeling and watching.
Little Lucario s got him! Watch this- Ian sneered.
Your eyes are on backwards if you can t see the outcome of this, Ian.
Lucario grinned and stared into the crowd as he held Bernie in his strong legs, that is, until he felt a very painful clamp down of teeth on his thigh, causing him to release, hearing an uproar of booing, the two commentators, and Darrell all in a short time.
What did he just do?! Jeff asked, shocked.
Bit him. said Ian plainly.
"No way..." said Jeff, disgusted.
That s against the rules! Darrell shouted as loud as he could to Bernie. Lucario had barred his teeth, rubbing the bite mark, a fire burning inside him. So this guy wanted to play dirty? This fight had only begun.
That s your first and final warning, do you hear me?! No biting! Darrell called, stepping back.
Bernie had only turned himself around when Lucario had taken a running start
Oh man, oh man! Jeff was yelling.
Euughhh. Ian said, favoring Bernie.
Lucario s footpaw connected with the Bernie s face, sending him backward, slamming onto the mat hard. Lucario rushed over, picked Bernie up into a sitting position, and raced to his backside, where he was about to give him a sleeper
WHAM. Lucario had been struck in between the eyes with a raising fist making him wobble backwards, trying to shake the cobwebs out.
Bernie Bruno, everybody. The true superstar. Ian said with relish towards making Lucario seem like a loser.
I dunno what you have against the little dude Lucario heard Jeff say as Bernie came rushing at him again, only to be boxed in the stomach multiple times, making him arch; Lucario heard Bernie huffing and puffing to regain his breath.
Lucario rushed around behind him a second time and leaped high; He landed on Bernie s back, sitting on and mounting it, sliding himself to the man s neck where he began punching Bernie s head in quick succession.
This is unreal. Jeffrey, are you seeing this? said Ian with mock surprise.
Jeff didn t comment. Either he was too excited to speak or he had forgotten how to speak.
Bernie roared and raised himself up so that Lucario was mounting the back of his neck. Lucario, thinking quickly, spun himself around, the man s face in his groin, and gave Bernie a hurracarrana, flipping him all the way around, landing on his chest. Bernie s fan s jeers and boos were drowned out by the cheers from Lucario s supporters.
Hurracarrana! I haven t seen anyone do it like that before! Jeff said, utterly pleased.
Ian didn t say anything this time around. As Lucario kept his mount on Bernie, he saw that Ian had his face in his hands.
Bernie didn t seem to try and be fighting it, so Lucario stood up, picked him up, and did the one thing that made half the crowd go silent. He reached over and ripped Bernie s ski-mask off.
Did he just- Jeff said dramatically.
Oh boy He is in trouble now! Ian said, cheering up.
Bernie s face wasn t ugly, but it wasn t pretty, either. It seemed to have been pockmarked by small holes, and his hair was longer than Lucario thought it would be. Bernie s eyes were furious. Lucario barred his teeth, rubbed the mask on his furry butt as a taunt, and threw it across the arena.
He is just cruising for a bruising! Ian called.
Bernie sighed, his eyes becoming little slits. Darrell approached them.
You ve got the crowd awfully riled up he stalked further away after saying this.
Come on Bernie growled to Lucario. Why don t you sit that pretty little candy ass on me again?
Lucario shivered, and grimaced. This creep liked him in that way?
Are they talking, Ian? asked Jeff.
I don t care Ian mumbled. Obviously, he knew what was coming next.
No thanks, Lucario called, throwing a combo of fists to Bernie s head, in different areas. In a few moments, Bernie was dazed on his feet. Lucario gave one last uppercut to Bernie s chin, causing him to spit saliva into the air as he fell heavily.
What?! called Ian angrily.
Bogus, man! Jeff said happily.
Lucario was oblivious to the explosion of cheering for him as Darrell rushed over, looking into Bernie s face. Oh my, he said. He s Out cold. TKO! he shouted, taking his arms and slicing them in both directions, staring at the audience.
If the crowd could get any louder, Lucario wouldn t be able to stand it. Mark walked up to him and slugged him softly, giving him a hearty wink. Lucario could make out Colin s face near the front row, looking straight at him, not smiling. He wasn t waving, either.
Francine Sprague was hopping up and down, jiggling with glee. Floyd Tanner was looking as bold and untrustworthy as ever, but at least he was politely clapping. Becky and her dwarf bartender, Chet, were watching Lucario with a smile. Lucario even caught Harold McMullan in the crowd, his huge, beefy frame writing something on his notepad, looking sour-faced.
Some things you just have to milk for all their worth, Lucario thought as he felt his hand being lifted up by Darrell, announcing his victory.
Lucario wagged his tail happily, staring at the audience members.