Pokemon Chronicles
Chapter 3: Showdown at Pewter City! Battle Against Harp…er, Siren!
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When we last left our heroes, they were on their way to Pewter City after a brief fight against Tartarus of the Darkrai Knights. Escaping near-death with him dealing with a horde of Beedrill basically tired them out.
"I was hoping we could get out of that forest unscathed," Ash said, resting on a nearby rock.
"We did," Misty said. "Tartarus wasn't so lucky."
Andrew, however, was tending to Blaze's injuries. "She's paralyzed," I said. "We need to get her to the Center."
"Right," Ash said. "Well, I happen to know a friend who lives here, and get this: He's my personal Pokemon Breeder AND the Pewter City Gym Leader."
Before anyone could respond to that, a man could be sitting beside the rocks Ash was sitting on.
"Pewter City is gray," he said. "The color of stone. This place has quite a history with stones."
Ash recognized that voice. "Nice to see you again, Flint," he said. "How's Brock and Forrest doing?"
"Fine, thank you for asking. And I know it's been a long time, but you owe me another 2 Pokeyen for resting on my merchandise."
Everyone (except Blaze) facefaulted.
Same old Flint, Ash thought. Even WITH his wife and kids, he still sells rocks. I COULD buy one for Mom's Garden…
"Hang on a second," Andrew said to Ash. "The Pewter City Gym Leader is your personal BREEDER?!?"
Ash nodded at that. "It took a bit of work, but he managed to fulfill that dream with my help. He also doesn't have JUST Rock Types, but I can't reveal any more. Let's get your Blaziken to the center." He then realized something. "Flint, can you get us to the Pokemon Center? It's been a long time since we were last here."
"Yeah," the man replied. "By the look on that Blaziken, she's faced a rough opponent."
"You have no idea," Andrew said. "Basically, the Magnezone we fought was stronger in the rematch, and I had a little help with preparing for its Zap Cannon."
At the Pokemon Center, Ash, Andrew, and Misty got their Pokemon into the Healing containers and took a break for a while.
"So, let me get this straight," Misty said. "Basically, the man you fought happened to be part of an organization that wants anyone associated with either of you dead and once one falls, another would be following you?"
"That's basically the story of my life," Andrew said. "And Blaze happened to be one of the few that stood up against them and lived, but it seems Tartarus gained a bit of power since the last time we fought."
Ash gave his Underground counterpart a strange look. "You mean to tell me that you've faced off against him and became unscathed?!? Not exactly a wake-up call here!"
Andrew glared at him. "Well, you're not the one in charge of the reformed version of what used to be a death trap. And I did it as a double-agent!"
"No wonder you've never seen a Togekiss," Misty said.
Andrew groaned. "It's because that their side-mission is to obtain one by all means necessary, which includes killing the original trainer. Because of that, the Mirage Kingdom was on full alert in case one of them tries to get in. I think a traitor who was once an aide wanted one in order to claim it for the old Underground."
Misty glared at that memory. "When I find the man, I'll make sure he doesn't touch Togekiss."
"Save him for me," Ash said. "Remember, I'm considered Togekiss's father."
However, someone had interrupted their conversation.
"I didn't expect to see you two again," a female voice said.
Ash and Misty were surprised at the voice. "Susie?" they both asked her.
Sure enough, it was the Pokemon Massage Therapist and the Vulpix Trainer herself.
Out of the loop, Andrew was a bit surprised that one of Kanto's best Fashion/Battle Specialists knows Ash and Misty. However, another revelation had slipped instead of the one that was expected.
"You mean to tell me you both know Susie Slate, the woman whom all Vulpix Trainers idolize!?!"
Yeah, a few things clicked into their minds at that moment. One, the last name change; two, how the Underground Leader knew about her; and the final one…
"Did Hell freeze over or something?" Misty asked him. She was SHOCKED that Brock, the Brock that usually lusted after many women, had actually tied the knot.
"Actually," Susie said, "a lot of things happened during the Fashion Contest that was here four years ago."
"We'll talk about it after we get our Pokemon," Ash said, noticing the bell ring.
Pikachu and Jolt, at that moment, went by their respective trainers' sides while the three got their Pokemon out of the center.
"Which one of you happens to be Andrew?" the Nurse Joy asked them.
"That would be me," he replied. "Is Blaze going to be okay?"
"She'll be just fine, but it looked like she pulled a few muscles. Try not to battle with her for at least a week."
"I'll try not to." With that, the group (joined by Susie) had towards the Slate Residence…without knowing that Siren of the Darkrai Knights was listening.
There goes THAT plan, she thought. Tartarus was RIGHT about keeping tabs in the Legal Battles, damn him. Looks like I'll have to go with Plan B.
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Ash, remembering where Brock lived (fortunately), had knocked on the door in a bit of a frantic way before someone got it.
"Where's the fire, Ash?" the man asked him. The man that answered the door happened to be his old traveling partner…wearing the apron that was used whenever cleaning was involved.
Andrew was dumbstruck at this development while those who knew him actually groaned.
"You mind if we stay at your place?" Ash asked him. "We need to catch up for old time's sake."
"Why the heck are you wearing a pink apron?" Andrew asked the Gym Leader.
Brock had noticed the newcomer. "Who's this?" he asked them.
Ash realized that Andrew was still with them. "Andrew, this is Brock, the old friend I was talking about. Brock, this is Andrew."
Andrew had gone from surprised to polite. "Nice to meet you, Brock," he said. "Sorry about the question. My brain couldn't fathom this development."
"I'm used to it," he replied. "By all means, welcome aboard. I believe you know where the guest rooms are?" Ash nodded at that.
After meeting some of Brock's siblings and Pokemon, Andrew had decided to start the conversation.
"Thanks for the meal," he said, "and I'm sorry if it offends anyone or anything, but I came here to battle for the Indigo League and this is the first Gym I'm planning on battling."
It was no surprise to Brock, considering that he's been staying in Pewter since after Ash became Pokemon Master. "Truth be told," he said to the black-clad trainer, "I'm not surprised at this. However, don't expect me to be friendly like I am right now."
Andrew smirked. "Same here. I consider being lax in battle dishonorable to my Pokemon."
"So," Misty said, interrupting the conversation, "why didn't you tell us you were married?"
Brock changed from determined to nervous in three seconds flat. "Whatever do you mean?"
"That's why we ran to your place," Ash said. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because I wanted it to be a surprise?" Oh, it was a surprise, all right.
However, there was an explosion in the backyard, shocking everyone. Without hesitation, they had run out to see some of the Rock Pokemon in a net carried by something other than a Meowth Balloon.
"Has Team Rocket lost their minds?!?" Misty asked them.
"It's not them," Andrew said, growling. Jolt's cheeks and tail were sparking in anger. "It's a diversion!"
"Perceptive as usual, Draco," a woman's voice said. Everyone turned to see a woman in the same dark cloak Tartarus had holding a red-haired woman by the throat. "You didn't think that I would stoop as low as the Rejected Rockets, did you? Now you have two choices: Either give us the Togekiss and rights to the Underground, or the bitch dies by my hand!"
Now, those who knew Andrew KNOWS not to let anyone get involved, but when it was a woman or a fellow member of the Reformed Underground, he was pissed. Add in a combination of the two and he's seeing red. Jolt had noticed it as well.
"(What's the plan, Draco?)" the Raichu asked him. "(We can't have you losing it because you'll catch Kyu in the crossfire if blood is shed.)"
Siren had smirked. I knew that finding Draco's girl would be a walk in the park, she thought. Now he'll have no choice but to give us the deed. Too bad the idiots that did the kidnapping hadn't thought of the ultimatum category. "So, what's it going to be? The deed and Togekiss or the girl?"
Before she could make the choice, an Arcanine had bit the arm holding the knife and the girl escaped to Andrew's side.
"Officer Jenny?" Brock asked.
"Gary?" Ash asked. However, the collar happened to be one he hadn't seen in a while. "Wait, that's…!"
Siren growled. Don't tell me the Police found me already! However, a familiar laughing caught everyone off-guard. It can't be! Those two!?!
"Sorry for the late arrival…" a woman's voice said.
"…but allow us to reintroduce ourselves," a man's voice said.
Instead of the motto everyone was expecting, it was slightly changed.
"To protect the innocent from devastation…"
"To reform the trainers in darker nations…"
"To denounce the evils of shadow's reign!"
"To extend our might through the outer plane!"
As it turns out, it WAS the two that everyone was thinking of. Jesse and James, formerly of Team Rocket, now Underground Double-Agents under Draco's rule.
"Underground Rockets, defending all trainers at the speed of light!" Jesse yelled.
"Surrender to us now," James said, "or else you must prepare to fight!"
A familiar cat Pokemon popped in at the last part. "Meowth! That's right!" it yelled.
"About time you three got here," the woman said. "I was afraid that she might jam our tracers!"
"We'd get here sooner, Kyu," Jesse said, "but a certain SOMEONE wanted to modify our motto at the last minute!" She was glaring at Meowth when she said that.
"Okay," Brock said, "I am now completely lost. I thought that they were still after Pikachu."
"That's old news," James said. "After the last encounter with the Master Twerp, we got fired, so we decided to pay my parents a visit…only to attend their actual funeral."
"Hence, why old Growly has evolved and is with you," Ash said. "But why attack the Darkrai Knight when you could have snatched the knife itself?"
"After Draco defeated the original master," Meowth said, "he had managed to find both of their Old Pokemon and bring them into the Top Rank through the type of training HE was subjected to in the Dragon's Den. As for the Darkrai Knight, let's just say we know Harpy from old times…"
Siren had growled. "It's REGRET, not Harpy!" Now I know how Enigma feels when his REAL name is misinterpreted. "And I didn't expect to see YOU three failures after your canning!"
That's when the original trio recognized the attitude. Ash gave Siren a stern glare and said, "And I didn't think Rocket Members would stoop so low in order to kill opposing trainers, Cassidy!"
Siren had taken off the hood to reveal herself as the Rocket Elite, Cassidy. "I didn't think you twerps would figure it out," she said. "You are now subjected to the penalty of exposing a Darkrai Knight: Death! But first, I'm making a delivery to the Boss." However, the helicopter that carried the Rock Pokemon had crashed earlier, much to her shock. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHOPPER!?!"
"Call it revenge for pulling a fast one on me," Kyu said, with her Ninetails out. "She's all yours, Draco."
Andrew nodded. "I'm glad you're okay, Kyu, but you can call me by my real name," he replied. He then took out a Pokeball. "Let's go, Chloe!" It then revealed itself to be a Lopunny in fit shape.
Cassidy knew that look. "Let's get moving, Purugly!" Her Pokeball opened to reveal a fat cat that would be suited as Garfield's wife. "Use Body Slam!" The Purugly had rushed towards Chloe with blazing speed…
…but Andrew was ready. "Chloe, use Mach Punch!" Andrew yelled. Chloe had struck the opposing Pokemon in the chest. A punch like that along with opposing speed usually meant that the Lopunny would be the one with the Critical Hit…but no one saw that Punch land. Purugly was KO-ed instantly. "Seriously, if you can't put up as much of a challenge as Tartarus did, then don't even try."
Cassidy growled. "You won't be so lucky next time, Draco." She then used a smoke ball to make her escape. As it cleared, she had disappeared.
"Shouldn't you go after her?" Misty asked the Underground Trainers.
Andrew shook his head. "Her pride broke, she lost her temper, and her Pokemon had paid the price due to her foolishness," he replied. "I'm starting to wonder why Master Chaos put her as an Elite in the first place."
"Wait a second," Brock said. "If she was an Elite, why does she work for Team Rocket?"
Andrew, Kyu, Jesse, James, Meowth, and Jolt looked at each other, and they replied with the only reason they thought of that could answer it, "Compromise and alliance," they said. Everyone face-faulted at that response.
Elsewhere, Cassidy had growled. I didn't expect back-up to arrive in the form of those two. Had Butch been with me… She then realized something. How am I going to explain this to the Boss? I know Master Chaos understands, but Giovanni would fire me.
Tartarus (still on the cane) had watched the entire thing. "So much for your big plan, Siren," he said.
"Zip it, Tartarus," she said. "At least I got out unscathed. I had no idea that both my old co-workers would be under HIS guidance."
"Well, that's what you get for being inactive for five years. At least I go out into the Legal Battles and keep up with the times thanks to the magnetic trackers from the old days."
Cassidy growled at Tartarus's resourceful methods. She didn't want to explain it, but somehow, he would know about her embarrassing defeat by only one hit. "You're such a bastard, Tartarus," she said.
"At least I TRAIN my Pokemon, unlike your team. If you'll need me, I'll be back at the Kanto Base, explaining to Enigma that the Harpy is useless when faced with a strong opponent."
"You are a DEAD MAN!"
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The next morning, Brock and Andrew are within the opposing sides.
"I know it's a little upsetting," Andrew said, "but I reformed the Underground Battles to be friendlier to the competitors after taking out their Champion."
"I know," Brock said, making everyone surprised at that. "What happened last night didn't change anything between us. I'm just honored that I'll be facing the Daredevil Dragon in a legalized Pokemon Gym Battle."
The tension Andrew had earlier was broken, but he still had to keep his game face on. "So, what's the limit for this match?"
"Two on two works best for me. However, I'm letting you choose first."
Andrew smirked. "Let's get ready to battle, then." He then took out a Pokeball while Brock did the same.
"I'm actually quite surprised that Brock's not harboring any ill will towards him," Kyu said.
"His Pokemon are like family to him," Ash replied. "Sometimes, it takes an act of compassion in order to win over people who look at the reputation. By the way, we never got your real name."
Kyu was surprised at that. "Well…you'll find out after Andrew has his battle." Everyone was looking on with mild interest.
"Let's go, Aura!" Andrew yelled. The Pokeball thrown revealed his Lucario, which surprised everyone, but Ash (who had heard it before) and Kyu (who had seen Aura personally) knew about it.
"Golem, let's go!" Brock yelled. His Pokeball opened to reveal what used to be his Geodude.
Andrew just looked at him in surprise. "You know, you could have used something that's STRONG against Fighting Types," he said.
"That's part of the surprise," Brock said. "Then again, Lucario IS a Fighting-Steel type, so it evens out. Golem, use Rock Polish!" Without hesitation, Golem had cleaned himself out, making him faster.
"Aura, use Agility!" Andrew yelled.
"(Yes, Father,)" Aura said. To counter in speed, the young Lucario had matched Brock's Golem in the art of speed combat.
"Shouldn't they start attacking by now?" Kyu asked them.
"Rock Polish is basically a Rock Type's Agility," Misty said. "I'm thinking that if both Golem and Aura stop their movements to attack, they'll keep missing each other."
"I'm not exactly surprised," Ash said. "Both of them are using speed to cancel each other out. However, I know Brock has an attack that can nullify that factor and Aura would have one built in her system."
Now, Andrew was one to be cocky, but he knew that like Roxanne and Roark, Rock Trainers were known to use Rock Polish as a back-up plan to keep their opponents on their toes. He's never went up against a Pokemon that can use their powers to hit, regardless of factor. "Aura, his Golem's speed matches that of your own. I think you know what to do. Aura Sphere!"
Aura nodded, and fired a ball of her Wave at Golem, stopping him in his tracks.
However, Brock saw it coming. "Golem, use Gyro Ball!" he yelled.
In response to the Aura Sphere received, his Golem had launched a ball of his own and hit Aura, stopping her in her tracks.
"Now use Rock Tomb!"
Andrew growled. "Use Bullet Punch! Knock the rocks away!"
As Golem had made the boulders fly, Aura knocked them away.
"Now, Dragon Pulse!"
Instead of a counter-measure, Golem took the hit dead-on and was KO-ed.
"Golem, return!" He did so. "Not bad, but can you handle the next one? Let's go!" His other Pokeball opened to reveal…a Sudowoodo?
Not good, Andrew thought. "Aura, can you continue?"
"(Not really,)" she said. "(That last attack took everything out of me.)"
Andrew nodded. "Aura, return!" She had gone back into the PokeBall. "Let's go, Cleo!" His Net Ball opened to reveal a Gardevoir. Before anyone started, Cleo's eyes had changed color…and went back to normal. Andrew smirked. "What did your Trace ability pick up?"
"(His Sudowoodo has the Sturdy ability,)" she said in a monotone style of voice. "(It's beneficial, considering the attacks our opponent has in his arsenal, but it wouldn't matter.)"
"Not bad," Brock said. "I'm assuming you've had your Gardevoir for a while?"
"Since I first met her and Zen in Hoenn," Andrew replied. "Cleo, Future Sight." Cleo just stood there and did her work.
"Mimic, Sudowoodo!" Brock yelled. Sudowoodo had copied an attack. "Now, use Sucker Punch!"
Unfortunately for Cleo, Dark Type Attacks were her one weakness, but she was ready.
"Use Psychic!" Andrew yelled. Cleo had her eyes glowing while locked on Sudowoodo, but it didn't do much damage.
"Use Psybeam!" both trainers yelled, surprising everyone. Sudowoodo and Cleo had used the same attack, which clashed into a battle of minds.
"This looks awfully familiar," Misty said.
Ash groaned. "It won't be the same result. Trust me on this one."
With that said, the Future Sight attack had kicked in, knocking the opponent out of the duel and falling full effect into the attack, KO-ed.
Brock had recalled Sudowoodo at the last moment. "Didn't think of the Future Sight factor," he said. "Congratulations on winning your first Kanto Gym Battle, Andrew."
"No problem," Andrew said, walking up to him. "I'll admit, I would've lost had you thought of a countermeasure against my strategies, but it was a fun match. We should do it again sometime."
Everyone was surprised that Andrew didn't activate the Sprinkler Systems, but they were surprised at the act of friendship that they exchanged.
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"You sure you don't want to join us?" Ash asked his old friend.
"I'd love to join," Brock said, "but I'm needed here since I'm having…personal issues in the near-future."
By personal issues, he left out that not only did he marry the Vulpix Trainer but…
"Congratulations, Brock," Andrew said. "What are you going to name the kid?"
Oh yeah, the reaction Ash and Misty had was priceless.
"She's WHAT?!?" they yelled.
Kyu had groaned. "You could spot it a mile away, couldn't you?" she asked her friend.
"Who couldn't? Morning Sickness is just the first symptom. I just hope his cooking could satisfy her cravings in the future."
Everyone face-faulted at Andrew's clueless face. He may be an experienced trainer, but subtlety was NOT a strong point for him.
With Brock having a bundle on his way, the group of four had respected his decision to stay at Pewter City. But what were the former Team Rocket of Ash's time doing there? And who is Kyu?
"By the way," Kyu said, blushing, "my true name is Trisha Parker of Lavaridge Town. Sorry I forgot to mention it, but it slipped my mind because I was glomping Andrew half-to-death."
"She's also my girlfriend/secretary/personal trainer," Andrew added.
"We could see that," Misty said. She then whispered to Ash, "Is it too late to tell them that we've been dating for three years?"
"They'll figure it out," he replied. "Right now, keep the façade up. They only know me up to the point of the Sinnoh League."
"What are you lovebirds babbling about?" Andrew asked them.
Both of them were flustered. "WE ARE NOT LOVEBIRDS!!!" they yelled.
Trisha groaned. The Pokemon Master and the world's strongest Water Pokemon Trainer. Andrew's picked some very powerful trainers to hang out with, but their antics remind me of…well, us when he demolished my motorcycle with his Golem.
That's creepy…
To be continued…
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(A/n: Didn't expect THAT Plot Twist to happen did you? Other than the Rocket/Darkrai alliance, the rest of the Bad Guys happen to be Galactic and Cipher, and THEY have a bone to pick with both the Master and Rogue. Oh, and I'm an AshMisty fan, but they kept a façade up to avoid questions from the Press.
Sorry about not including Brock in the group, but he can't make the same mistake his Dad made concerning marital issues. And I forgot that the Storage System is connected to the person who gave them their Pokedex, so Gary's dealing with not only Ash's Pokemon, but Andrew's as well.
Let's see how they're doing…)
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Omake 1: Dealing With Raw Power.
Back in Pallet Town, Gary was browsing through some old files when something had blown up. He groaned, because he KNEW which set of Pokemon would be responsible for THAT mess.
Sometimes, I wish I hadn't let Professor Elm give me HIS Storage System, he thought. "ALRIGHT, YOU TWO, BREAK IT UP!"
The fight was between Rocky and Tachikoma, Andrew's Golem and Metagross. "(Sorry…)" they both said.
"Dare I ask what caused this to happen?" he muttered. However, a snickering was in the air, revealing Okami, Andrew's Gengar, and Ash's Gengar, which was a Haunter that humored Sabrina many years ago. "Okay, you two are not allowed to be in the same room together. I'm a researcher, not a nanny!" That response was given through a lick, which paralyzed the young man in his tracks. Sometimes I wonder if she gained Gengar's twisted sense of humor afterward.
That part is best left unanswered as Mewtwo had teleported into the lab. Looking at the stiff, yet alive, researcher and at the Gengar, he only came to one conclusion:
"Is it a bad time to tell you that I'm going to be one of the Chosen's newest Pokemon for a while?" he asked him.
"(If you can keep both troublemakers in line,)" Gary said through gritting teeth, "(then I'll put in a good word for you.)"
Mewtwo sighed. I can only assume this is the Chosen's doing…and whoever had the Gengar last has a VERY sadistic sense of humor.
In Saffron City, Sabrina had sensed what was going on and smirked.
Believe me, Mewtwo, she thought, you have NO idea how right you are…
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(A/n: Yeah…and I'm taking the route the Manga had when they partnered Red with THEIR version of Mewtwo. No time-stream rip involved, by the way, although Ash's Lucario is going to have quite a fit when he finds out.
Which reminds me…)
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Omake 2: Mewtwo vs Lucario.
After the little incident with the Gengar, Gary was in the upright position thanks to a Paralysis Heal.
"Okay, now I've heard from Ash that you're not the type to stay in one place," he said to the cloned Pokemon, "but why volunteer yourself as one of HIS Pokemon?"
Mewtwo sighed. "It's because I owe him my life after the incident at Clarity Lake, Professor Time," he replied. "That, and I'm pretty sure you're interested in the paradox of Baby Nidoqueen."
"It's just not right," a male voice said in the tree. Mewtwo had GLARED at the newcomer.
"And you are?"
"Someone who has a few questions." The figure jumped down to reveal himself as a Lucario…but not just ANY Lucario. "For instance, why don't you have a link to the Tree of World's Origin?" This was the Lucario that Aaron had reincarnated into Ash's own.
"I didn't know such a thing existed," he replied. "What do you know about Mew?"
"Enough to make your head spin on the fact that Mew relies on an outer force to survive. Your Wave, however, is connected to something within. What made someone like you not rely on an outer power source?"
Mewtwo looked at Lucario in mild curiosity. "What made someone like you share memories with another from long ago?" he retorted. "I was created to become the strongest of all Pokemon, but I had learned from the Chosen One and my original that true strength came from the heart. Something my creators had failed to compute."
Lucario noticed it as well. "So you're joining to find out why?" Mewtwo nodded. "Well, I'm going to use the method some of the other Pokemon had used, and it's called a Hazing Ritual. Believe me; it's not going to be pretty for either of us."
Gary was shocked. "You can't be serious!!!" he yelled. "You're not going to subject him to THAT, are you!?!"
Mewtwo, however, had just glared at the Aura Pokemon in a similar fashion he did with Giovanni. "Show me," he said.
Twenty minutes later…
"I'm going to kill you," the Genetic Pokemon said.
Lucario grinned. "It's your own fault for accepting," he replied. "Now dance my puppet! Dance!"
Gary groaned. It's official. Ash befriends the weirdest Pokemon.
The hazing ritual involved dressing in drag and dancing to "It's Raining Men" by Cher. That last input was suggested by Ash's Gengar, who had become the Hazing Director after his arrival.
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(A/n: I think a few Mewtwo fangirls would kill me for this little stunt. If Ash catches Jigglypuff…well, I can't say anything just yet…but Lucario's original haze for Mewtwo was to, and I quote, "dress in drag and do the hula," but a hazing hurts pride, and pride I had targeted.
Read and Review, please. I could use the critique.)