The other night, Lucario had triumphed over Bernie Bruno, the mask-wearing, fight-loving loony. This morning, however, as Lucario had exited his sleeping room and made his way to the bar, he was quickly surrounded by a gang that consisted of superstars and fans that were touring Becky s Bar; Becky herself was leaning in on the conversation here and there, while tending to the patrons. Even little Chet had uttered something to Lucario for the first time.
Y did great Chet mumbled softly.
Thank you. said Lucario with a smile, leaning down to talk to him.
There was a tap on Lucario s shoulder at that moment; he saw Chet rush off and decided he had better speak, again, of his match once he turned around. He was getting rather sick of all this sudden attention. Did people really fear for his safety in this next bout?
Lucario leaned up, revolved on the spot, and met Colin Bledsoe s eyes.
Colin- Lucario started, but Colin did not respond, instead, he seized Lucario s arm and dragged him off through the back door, away from the chattering crowd. He saw Becky stare at Colin unkindly as he was forcibly pulled through the door from behind.
He had been dragged right into the same hallway where he had met Colin, the location of one of his many posters. Colin put both of his hands on Lucario s shoulders, lightly holding him against the wall.
Enjoying all the attention, Lucario?
Lucario pulled away, stepping back a few steps.
Not exactly. said Lucario, confused at why Colin was asking this so impolitely.
It s nice, isn t it? Colin asked, taking a deep breath and flattening back his hair. When we get attention We become well known people around here, and, well Then we strive for popularity.
Colin smiled to try and get the message across as friendly, but Lucario took the grin as a mere representation of smugness.
OK. Lucario answered simply.
Colin lost his smile at once, going forward, stopping a foot in front of Lucario. He leaned down very slowly, getting in Lucario s face.
OK. Colin mocked softly. His stinky breath was wafting right into Lucario s muzzle as he breathed, making Lucario s eyes narrow. There was not a word said for several moments. Better go get ready for your little match with Otis Scalper. Colin finally whispered.
Lucario edged away from him. His match with Otis Scalper was going to be a cakewalk now that he had defeated Bernie Bruno. Lucario merely smiled.
I wish you luck. Colin said with a stony look that Lucario thought should be fined.
As Lucario turned around, he heard Colin open the door a little bit down the hall and exit, leaving Lucario with silence as he padded across the floor.
Lucario had entered one of the locker rooms that both he and Colin had used before, collecting his thoughts. He was suddenly brought to reality in a moment as he heard a male s voice echo throughout the room, coming from the showers in the back.
Who s there? Ian Wilhelm s voice called loudly.
Lucario gasped softly and jumped behind the lockers, startled. He was even more surprised to hear a second voice he recognized.
Doesn t look like anybody, Zach s deeper voice replied to Ian s question, his voice a bit louder than the other s. He must have been peering out the entrance to the showers. Lucario held his breath, heart racing.
Where were we? Zach asked seriously.
Just about to
Lucario couldn t make out the rest, as Ian had lowered his voice and sounded incomprehensible. What were they doing? It was silent, but Lucario could hear a soft scuffling.
Lucario very slowly peered around the lockers. The two men were unclothed completely, and had their lips locked together. Both of them were hugging, and Lucario wished he hadn t looked, because he knew that if they saw him He would be worse than dead.
He tried leaning back around
HEY! Zach s bellowing made Lucario jump. Lucario had been spotted.
Zach had released Ian from the embrace, his face half horrified, half completely furious, staring at Lucario. Ian held a face similar to Zach s, but showed more anger than anything.
Lucario made a run for it, hearing their raging cries following him out the door.
YOU!
Get him!
It was tiring to run so quickly away from the two, but this was nothing like the chase with Eli. These two men were professional athletes, who could very well best him in a fight if they were serious. Of course, Lucario wasn t a pushover, as he had taken down bigger foes than the two of them.
There was a soft, excited squeak next to Lucario as he rushed by, and in an instant was grasped around the arm and pulled into a room. The man who had pulled Lucario in was average sized, but seemed to have a rounder face than what was considered average . His face was also very smooth looking, having not a hair in sight. His brown eyes were wide. The man s hair was black and sticking up at odd angles, like someone had rubbed a balloon on his head. Lucario was sure he had seen that same set of eyes on another person, but he couldn t think who at the moment.
Lucario! the man screeched.
Lucario gave a startled grunt as he remembered that he was running from Floyd Tanner s burly bodyguards, and shut the door softly. He turned to his head to the left to get a good look at his surroundings. It must have been a disused cafeteria. Large lunch tables were stacked against the wall, but Lucario found it really strange how the young man was in this room, waiting on him.
What was the meaning of that?! Lucario whispered coldly.
I m your b-b-biggest fan!
Lucario twitched his ears. Shh! We can t be heard
Footfall was heard outside in the corridor, making Lucario gasp, glad that the lights were out.
L-Lucario, I was
Lucario put his paws over the man s mouth to muffle him. Mfff Mfff Murrrrph the man said, obviously not caring who was outside listening. Lucario pressed him into the wall in the corner, right next to the door, increasing the pressure over his mouth to make him quiet down.
Ian! Where d that little bitch go? Lucario heard from behind the door.
The door opened, making Lucario seize up. Even the man who was being muffled stayed still, but kept his eyes rather normal. The two of them were safely hidden behind the door - for now.
Whichever man it was, Lucario could hear him sniffing, trying to pick up his scent like a bloodhound.
What you hiding for, afraid you can't take me? Zach s voice called loudly. He must have been staring into the dark room, not checking behind the door, fortunately.
Aha! Ian called from the hallways outside; there was a small crash. Just a broom Sorry.
Lucario heard Zach sigh and slam the door that he was behind. He heard their muffled voices out in the corridor, walking along, getting ever quieter, and continuing their search.
Lucario exhaled and let his paws off of the man s mouth. The straw-haired man broke into an excited, whispering speech.
I m Blake. I really, really have been waiting to m-meet you for a while now. I watched your match against Bernie Bruno, that Patrick guy, and Polly. And aren t you doing a match with Otis What s-His-Face? I always wondered what made you so strong, Lucar Io. Blake said this all very fast, as if he had rehearsed these words by heart.
Lucario stood there, pressed his ear against the door, and in a few moments, rounded on Blake, who was looking pretty excited.
What do you think you re doing, pulling me in here like that?
Ungrateful, aren t you? Blake said, still grinning. I-I just wanted to help my favorite superstar here out of his little pickle
I m not in a pickle! Lucario said heatedly. He had only been chased down by two big apes, after all. Maybe I shouldn t be so rough on him, thought Lucario eventually, taking a breath.
Look, I m sorry, Jake Lucario began.
Blake. Blake corrected politely. And by the way, what a place for us to meet, all dark and everything - almost like a fate, isn t it? I am really, really pleased to make your acquaintance after all this time!
Lucario nodded and extended his pawhand, which Blake gripped and shook up and down several times before Lucario pried him off.
Well - what I really wanted to ask you was I wanted to know if you-
A knock on the door cut Blake off, making Lucario gasp and Blake himself jump back slightly.
Who s in there? Francine Sprague s voice came from the other end.
Lucario grabbed the doorknob gently and opened it. Francine was standing very close to the threshold.
Lukeyarro? Francine said, bewildered. And Do I know you?
She was staring directly at Blake.
Blake shook his head. I am Lucario s number one fan.
Francine raised her eyebrows. Strange place to be having a discussion.
Lucario walked out, and Blake followed. We were just getting ready to come out, lied Lucario quickly.
Right Well I d advise you to take your autograph signings to another room, sweetie. she said slowly.
I will do that, Lucario said as Francine started walking away. And Have a good day.
I ll try! Francine called behind her, disappearing around a corner.
Lucario turned to Blake again, shutting the door to the room they had just left.
What were you about to say? Lucario asked curtly. Blake looked as if he were confused.
Oh, that, he muttered, then changed his tone to a louder voice. Walk with me
Blake started ambling away, and Lucario followed.
Can I start by saying - I m your biggest fan?
Lucario narrowed his eyes as he followed Blake.
You ve told me that already.
Yeah, sorry Blake looked nervous, gave the smallest of chuckles, and took a short breath. Well, you re quite the favorable superstar. he finished lamely.
Uh-huh. muttered Lucario quietly, following Blake to a door next to a water fountain. Blake had come to a halt. What s the matter?
Blake hadn t turned around, as if he were waiting for something to happen. He did not speak a word as he unlocked the door, stepping inside. The room appeared to be empty, and Lucario followed him inside. Blake flipped a light switch on. It was, indeed, just a room.
Lucario he said softly.
Huh?
Sorry about this. Blake spoke softly still, and, without warning, gave a great shove, sending Lucario into the wall, making him slide down after he had smacked his head.
HEY! Lucario shouted, but Blake had run out the door, slamming it closed. Lucario heard the latch lock a few seconds later. The scumbag had trapped him in the room.
Lucario, you don t understand. I m not the one pulling the strings here. Blake s voice emitted from the outside.
Lucario, outraged, stood up instantly and raced to the door, beating on it. What are you talking about?!
All that was heard was a spell of laughter, more like an evil cackle. Lucario gave a good kick to the door.
Blake!
Lucario put his ears to the door. He was gone. Lucario s ears drooped, backing up and sitting on the floor quickly, cross-legged. All because he had to look at those two in the locker room, he thought angrily. Lucario thought that he had also lost Eli s job. Maybe he deserved it, re-assured a voice in Lucario s mind; the pervert was going to get caught anyway. He sat there, angry at Blake, imagining what he was going to do to him. He had not had much sleep last night...
Lucario found himself on the floor, waking up from an uncomfortable sleep. He didn t know what time it was. The light was still on. Lucario exhaled, standing up, going to beat on the door again to attract attention.
Three times, Lucario had failed, had a seat, waited a while, and tried again. It was just when Lucario was getting desperate; he heard whistling out in the corridor. He made as much noise as possible on the door, rumbling it. The whistling stopped abruptly.
Lucario stood back, and the door was unlocked, thrown open, and revealed a janitor with a light gray suit and name-tag: HENRY .
Henry the Janitor stood back with a face of complete bewilderment to allow Lucario out of the room.
Thank you, Lucario said hurriedly, running down the hallway, the confused janitor staring after him. He was free, and he was full of hot, steaming anger. Lucario had missed his match with Otis Scalper. Blake was going to pay.
He had ran and ran, until he reached the training room s double door. Panting for breath, Lucario pushed them open. It was dark, except for it was distinctly darker in here, now that the lights were dimmed. It was black outside the large windows; it was night time.
What do you think you re doing here, Lucario?
Lucario gave a start, spinning around. Floyd Tanner was standing there, eyebrows inclined, a look that told Lucario It s go time .
Tanner raced at Lucario, throwing a low kick for his knee; Lucario hopped backwards, dodging it and growling.
You ve been practicing! Tanner sneered.
And you ve won a free ass-kicking! Lucario grunted, throwing a straight haymaker into Tanner s chest, making him chuff lightly.
Lucario tried dishing out another punch to Tanner s ribs, but instead was grabbed by the paw, and swung around before being tossed and landed, draped over a weightlifting bench. Tanner was there in a flash, going to give a hook or two while Lucario was immobilized for that brief time.
Lucario kicked both of his feetpaws out at the same time, hitting Tanner in the sternum before he had struck. Lucario raised himself up, slid under Tanner s outstretched legs, and gave a jab to the back of the man s knee, making him crumple to his knees. Lucario ran to the side quickly, dashed back, and dropkicked the side of Tanner s head, making him fall to the padded floor, grumbling.
Tanner stood up, tackling Lucario to the floor, striking him in the jaw with his mighty fists. Lucario gave a few punches of his own making Tanner ease up, and become dazed. Lucario slid out from under him, knocking him down on his back, straddling his stomach, paws around the human s neck.
What s your problem anyway?! Lucario yelled. His red eyes were positively glowing with fury.
Tanner widened his eyes. Hot damn, you re a good fighter Lucario was surprised to see him smiling, as he rarely does.
I I am? Lucario asked, letting off of Tanner s neck, and standing up.
Tanner made a swift movement of his leg, tripping Lucario, making the latter fall face first.
Of course you are Tanner laughed snidely.
Lucario gritted his teeth and pulled himself up, charging back two paws and sending them into Tanner s face as he smiled. Tanner fell backward and tripped over a barbell, legs still dangling over it as he smacked the floor.
I know I am. Lucario said. It was his turn to smile now, and Lucario was surprised to see that Tanner started smiling too. Tanner s smile turned into a laugh; a rusty laugh that told Lucario that Tanner was actually having fun.
Lucario raised his leg up to plant it down on his rival s face, only to have it grabbed, corkscrewed, and make Lucario fall. Lucario started laughing as well. Maybe he had missed out on Floyd Tanner s good side, and the memories of their first meeting seemed to wash away. It seemed odd that he was having a good time with the chief bully of the entire building.
Not bad, not bad Floyd Tanner said, raising himself up. Lucario had also raised himself up, extending a paw. Tanner blinked.
Let s start over. Lucario said eagerly.
Tanner tried to conceal a smile, gripping Lucario s pawhand.
I m Lucario.
Floyd Roderick Tanner. Pleasure is all mine.
The two of them smiled for a moment, staring into each other s eyes. Tanner let go quickly, obviously feeling awkward.
I ll tell my buddies to cut you some slack. They ll listen to me And Let me apologize for my rude way of treating you. I was just trying to act tough in front of Trish. She s my girlfriend. Tanner said matter-of-factly.
Lucario nodded, not having much to say other than It s okay . The two of them idly waited for the next to speak, but a third voice made itself heard.
So, Lucario, got a new friend?
Colin Bledsoe shambled slowly out of the dark, illuminating his face as he stepped into view. He sounded like he was feigning amusement, his voice cold.
Colin What are you doing here at this time of night? Lucario asked.
Lucario saw Colin s face contort for a few seconds. Colin eased it up with a breath.
You're to talk. How did you like being locked up? Colin replied coolly.
Lucario s eyes widened. How did I... What?
"After my brother went through all the trouble of getting you in there, it all paid off. You didn t show up for your match. I defeated Otis Scalper. Mark Toney wasn t very happy with you. He didn t have any of the cheerfulness that Lucario was used to.
Lucario racked Colin's words around his brain. He immediately grew angry.
It was a plan for you to take my match?! Why didn t you just ask? Lucario yelled.
Floyd Tanner stood in the sidelines, saying nothing.
No, no, no, Colin said, getting a grin back on his face. It s more. Much more than that. You don t get it, Lucario. I m not giving my title up. Not to you, not to anyone! Colin bellowed the last sentence loudly, losing his grin immediately.
Lucario s mouth hung open.
I don t want your title, Colin!
Yes you do You little son of a bitch! Colin s voice was colder than ever.
Lucario narrowed his eyes and clenched his paws in rage as Colin started speaking.
You wanted my title ever since you found out I was carrying it. You ve been my shadow everywhere just because you thought it would rub off on you! Eating breakfast with me, training with me, even using the same shower as me!
Lucario heard Tanner clear his throat, still keeping his mouth shut as Colin continued.
Lemme tell you something, Lucario. Why did Eli get caught, eh? he said rather randomly, as if he were bursting to say this from the get-go.
Crime doesn t pay. He was stealing underwear out of the laundry, Lucario said angrily in spite of Colin.
Did you ever stop and think who he was getting those for? asked Colin inquisitively.
Himself?
No! He was getting them for me! I ll admit - I love some dirty panties. Colin smiled, his disgusting choppers showing again. Lucario wanted to knock them out of his face by this point.
Why was he getting them for you? You had a 400 dollar tab!
I was going to pay him. He knew I had the money. He knew there was one way to coax me out of it And if you hadn t have interfered, everyone would have been happy! Colin said, anger mounting again.
Lucario stared at the ground, something else on his mind.
Did you say that your brother was the one who locked me in that room? Blake?
Colin stared at Lucario and inhaled.
Blake? Is that what he told you his name was? Colin started jiggling his head in a silent chuckle. He changes his name a lot, but for the record, he is my only sibling. Laszlo Bledsoe. He hates his true name.
He told me he was my biggest fan
You? Having a biggest fan? I ve never heard of something so stupid!
Lucario s eyes started watering. He thought Colin was his friend, and now he went and betrayed him like this?
I want to clarify that I was behind more than you think. Bernie Bruno s match. Floyd Tanner s bullying
Lucario cast a look at Tanner, who stepped back slightly.
Ian Wilhelm taking a commentary role. Yeah, I told him to say all those nasty things. Wrote them down on a piece of paper. I even heard your conversation with Francine. Remember your little interview? Thinking you were going to beat me that easily, eh? Take my championship title away? I m the king! Colin was out of breath, huffing, with wrath and spite.
After all we've been through, Colin? Lucario's eyes shined, still slightly damp.
"Awww, are you crying, Lucario? Here "
Colin reached into his pocket with his left hand and hurled something to the ground in front of Lucario.
Lucario blinked, confused at what it was. He approached it slowly.
It was the framed picture of him and his parents; the two Lucarios who had brought him into this world were no longer living. The picture was ruined. The glass in the frame was broken. Lucario s eyes watered heavily, and his rage was bubbling over.
YOU RE DEAD, COLIN! Lucario roared, charging after him; Colin wasn t moving, although he had his other hand behind his back for some time now. Lucario was seconds from attacking the man
WHACK.
Lucario, dazed, waddled his way backward, seeing stars. Colin had hit him over the head with a blunt object.
Colin, what s wrong with you?! Lucario heard Floyd Tanner scream loudly before he fainted.