Gaigax: Jubilife Arc
Chapter 8: The Hunter vs The Hunted

Zan awoke the pain of a sharp foot in his stomach. He wasn't in a very deep slumber so the kick quickly got him awake. There had only been two nights with this girl and Zan was already getting used to her rude awakenings. He didn't snap at her this time though because he wanted to be awake. The boy did not sleep very well that night, he found it hard to sleep. It probably didn't help that he really did sleep on the floor with his backpack as a pillow. His sleeping problems stemmed from more than poor sleeping conditions though. The boy had got to his feet so quickly that Moore wasn't even able to bark at him to hurry up. She just kept her chin up high and exited out of the small, white hotel room. Zan opened his mouth to say something as she left but he didn't have the energy to form the words. The boy still did just wake up, he needed to get energy back first. Zan jumped around while putting on his clothes to get his body and mind awake. The brunette boy was not ready to leave this city yet unlike his female counterpart. That is what he wanted to argue with her about as she left the room. He would get another chance though since she was likely waiting in the lobby. Zan still didn't find anything out about the underground pokemon scene. On top of that he hadn't fought the Skeleton Clash Master here yet, since she was likely in Canalave still. Zan was not going to blow through every city when he hadn't completed any of his goals there yet. He was curious why Lady Moore wanted to blow through every city in a day anyway, where did she want to go in such a hurry? The answers would not be found standing in the hotel though. Now that the boy was dressed he slung his back over his shoulder and headed out of the rom. His pokemon weren't with him at the moment, they preferred to sleep in their balls than on the floor.

The boy trampled down the white, clean steps that lead into the pokecenter lobby. His two companions were waiting there for him. To Zan's surprise they actually were not bickering, though the two were exchanging fierce glances. Neither Zan or Moore had seen Wes since they parted ways yesterday. He did say he didn't need to sleep after all. Though Zan was a bit worried since Wes had fallen asleep walking yesterday. How well could he stay awake today if he hadn't slept at all. That worry was soon the least of Zan's problems as the pokecenter doors slide open. Before Zan could reach his friends Lady Moore was surrounded by men in tan uniforms. The uniforms had black pads over the shoulders, stomach and knees. All of their hands had little silver plates sparked from electricity once in a while. These uniforms were combat suits. The assumed leader of these men who walked behind them was the white haired Vraska. Lady Moore clinched her teeth and tightened her fist. She was circled by a dozen men. Wes moved towards Zan who was rushing to help. The blonde was still watching the scene with interest. He placed his hand on Zan's chest to stop the brunette from moving forward.

"Don't act offensively unless you have to. Those dozen men would prove a challenge even to the three of us together" warned Wes in a whisper. Zan took his advice and just watched the scene. Since even though it didn't look good the men hadn't done anything to warrant saving Lady Moore yet.

"Lady Moore, you have defiled property of the Gaigax Corporation. You would be under arrest if there was a police force. But since that is Gaigax property you destroyed, Gaigax will be detaining you. You will pay for your crimes" announced Vraska who was royally pissed off.

"I have no idea what you're talking about but like hell I am going anywhere with the scum of the earth. Come and get me" challenged Lady Moore. She tapped her two fists together. An icy blue air began to emit from her but she didn't make any offensive movements. Lady Moore really wasn't for talking which worked out since Vraska wasn't for listening. The white haired lady just snapped her fingers and one of her men moved in with a punch for Moore's stomach. His fist lit up even more with electricity. The electric fist just came in contact with ice though as it created a whole right through Moore's stomach. When he did that Moore's entire body was made out of ice. Her shadow began to wiggle and pull away from her body. This showed scurried right out of the PokeCenter.

"Shall we chase her mam?" asked one of the men to Vraska. She shook her head no. The woman was upset but she did not look defeated.

"No do not. You guys aren't trained in following a shadow sneak nor combating it. Just split up and patrol the city, call in if you find any sign of her. She can't escape anyway, the hunters have blocked all of the exits" informed Vraska. She then signaled to her men to move out as she did the same. Wes and Zan just looked at each other completely clueless.

"Well what should we do? Whether she was guilty or innocent she would've ran away just the same. The girl is far too impatient" commented Zan who was slightly confused. By Wes's face one could tell he didn't have any ideas on the right course of action either.

"Well she probably headed for the east exit. The lady said there was guards there. We can't chase after her since they will lump us with her and we will be in trouble too. I don't think you have Shadow Sneak to maneuver around easily, I do not. I think we just need to make her wait. I have things to do today anyway. Let's say we just meet back up at the eastern exit at sundown?" spoke Wes softly since all of the uniformed men hadn't exited the building yet.

"I wasn't ready to leave yet anyway, I'm not going to cut my plans short because of her anyway. Before we split up though, what is with this town? My investigations got me know where yesterday." Wes looked both ways before returning to face Zan and answer.

"Honestly I don't know the answer. But it has to do with Gaigax. They supply to the entire city as well as supply all of the power for the cable in the entire land of Sinnoh. It's gloomsville here though. They refuse to expand their business to any other city, despite being super useful here in Jubilife. Charles Gaigax has bought out every business here in Jubilife and he powers the cable so the news relies on him as well. He has control of the airwaves and has instilled the people with fear. You only do that when you have something to hide."

"I did notice the civilians were avoiding all of the buildings with the G symbol on them. Sounds like someone finally lashed out though. Whatever is going on I don't like it." Zan had a grin of determination with that last line.

"No one likes it doofus. But Gaigax has covered their tracks too well. There is nothing that can be done or else someone would've taken action already. I will see you back at sundown. Don't do anything stupid like that idiot woman."

"I should say the same to you, you're on the reckless side as well. …all three of us are rather reckless" whispering that final line to himself.

Hundreds of shadows moved around during the busy morning in the city. There was one particular shadow that moved on its own though. Occasionally the shadow were dart behind a dumpster in an alley. A female head would poke up for a gasp of air. Lady Moore hated using Shadow Sneak because it felt dirty but it was effective. Her target exit was very close though. When in shadow sneak mode you could sense your entire surroundings, you just couldn't see exactly what everything was. As she approached the exit there was only the presence of one human left. The woman paid no attention this, she was too excited to finally be able to get out of shadow sneak. Being in Shadow Sneak mode felt a lot like swimming underground. A hand shot down at the swimming Moore like a spear. Longer fingers wrapped around her neck like a net. The woman's skinny body was pulled right out of her shadow and she just laid there limp. Shock had infected Lady Moore, she had never been hit in Shadow Sneak before. The man that grabbed her took his second had that was coating in a shadowy gleam and slammed it in Lady Moore's stomach. He then tossed her body away like it was weightless. The man capable for these actions was actually rather handsome. The man was dressed head to toe in a well maintained brown suit. A matching cowboy hat sat on top of his thin blonde hair. He stood up straight and gave off a professional sort of air. He was the strongest of Gaigax's Security Guards, the hunter, Haven Olsteed.

"Good afternoon darling, I'm sorry but the road ahead is blocked" taunted the cowboy. The tips of a skeleton clash extended out of his sleeves. A single thread went up his next and stopped next to his mouth.

"Oh look it's the heroes, the guardians of Gaigax. You guys are more annoying than my companions. Like hell you're going to stop me" informed a fierce Moore, rising to her feet. Ice began to chunk up in her hands and shadows began to swirl in Haven's right hand.

"Oi, you're in my way" shouted the young Sky. She had just returned to the city but the gate between Canalave and Jubilife was being blocked by a man. Even though he wasn't facing her whenever Golbat lead her to maneuver around him the guy side walked to block the girl. This man was rather abnormal looking. He wasn't wearing shoes but he wearing loose black pants, which was hardly a common combination. His loose t-shirt was just normal cotton but the left arm had no sleeve. His right arm was full sleeved even down the fingers. The white sleeve had intricate red patterns on it. The patterns looked like the ancient pokemon language. Super short black hair along with dull brown eyes finished off his appearance. He also seemed to have a rather large nose. Sky's trek back to Jubilife took a while because she wanted to pick flowers on the way back and enjoy a night of camping alone.

"That I am Miss Sky" he replied in a quiet tone. "There is a criminal loose in the city. We must keep on of the exits blocked." His back remained facing her the whole time.

"Well then genius, stop moving. I will pass you and the exit will remain blocked. Everyone is happy" she informed with her sassy tone. The woman then took another step forward to which the man blocked her yet again.

"We must keep an eye on everyone that can fly. We are blocking the exits but with fly every direction is an exit. We cannot risk you interfering now Lady Sky. And please, disperse your Zap Cannon." The man was completely correct, Sky had her wrists pressed together and a ball of electricity was forming from her palms. The woman frowned and split her arms apart. His ability to sense presence was pretty amazing, it was similar to her own. Living in Jubilife she knew this man as Mort another one of Gaigax security guards. The security guard group was known as The Hunters but usually only Haven was actually referred to as a Hunter. Even though she dispersed her Zap Canon, the girl's hands still had an electric gleam to them. Her hands came back together with a loud clap.

"Electronic Sonic Boom!" she announced. The sound of her words was covered up by the sound of the attack though. It was screeching loud and it caused Mort to cover up his ears with his hands. Still the sound was too powerful for his ears and he dropped to a knee cringing. The electricity from zap canon helped build up the power for the attack. With a flash of Golbat wings Sky glided right over the guard. She simply turned back and stuck out her tongue to tease the man. Mort did not make any sort of movements or expressions since he was still in pain. Surprisingly though he did not seem too bothered by this turn of events.

"I apologize but the wild one Sky has entered our territory. She is not an easy one to keep contained" he whispered into a microphone clip on his shirt. He could've tried to fight her to keep her out but that would only have created an opportunity for the criminal to slip by.

"We expected as much, we will send some men to keep an eye on her, just keep your section guarded" replied Vraska, the sound emitted out of the microphone that Mort spoke in to.

In the distance a couple tan suit men were rushing towards the exhausted Lady Moore. She was still at the east exit with Haven. The cowboy was breathing heavy too but he was in much better shape than the girl. She was just beginning to get cuts on her arms. Lady knew very well of the men coming behind her and it gave her face a sour look.

"I would still win, don't you think I wouldn't. But those variable coming from behind me would make my win difficult. Especially if that demon would show up. Peace out" spoke a frustrated Moore. Haven grinned at her speech and flexed his right arm.

"The hunter doesn't let his prey escape" Haven informed, sending his fist forward. Lady Moore began to dissipate into the shadows as a shadow fist extended from Haven's hand, giving him reach to latch on to Moore's shoulder. Moore had only got her legs in the shadows and the shadowy arm was pulling them back out. The woman did not seem stressed and she didn't even use her ice clone. Instead she her frosty blue hand and laid it on top of Haven's hand. Instantly the hunters peach skin began to turn a pale blue.

"Sheer Cold will make you lose that hand" she informed with a devilish, excitable tone. She sank back in the shadows yet again. With sheer cold she could not wrap her hand around his thus he could pull away easily if he wanted to. Over the course of the fight Moore noticed that Haven only used one hand which is why she pulled out this escape strategy. If he could only fight with that arm he would certainly pull back. The man had relied on hand techniques during their fight, so unless he has strong leg techniques that he just didn't show, he needed that hand. Haven did not remove his hand right away though, hesitation was written all over his face. But the importance of that hand was just too much and the hunter pulled away from his pray. But he was quite frustrated. Color hadn't shown any sign of quickly returning to his hand. At least Moore was stuck in the city too. And she was too exhausted to try to fight one of the other guards at the other exits. Haven was sure that he would get his prey back.

The exits were not the only place were events had happened. One of the power plants near the south of the city was particularly quiet. There were not any tan suits around even though they were heavily populating the city right now. A darkly cloaked figure darted suspiciously out of an alleyway. The figure seemed to be limping a bit. Behind the grey building laying along the smooth concrete sure enough was a pile of tan suited Gaigax workers. There were just three men there. Two of the were passed out leaning along the wall. But the third man was placed on his stomach. The word Grave was cut on the man's uniform.

The hunter's hunt and Grave's mischief will be put greatly on hold next chapter. Zan will take center stage again as he prepares to fight his first Skeleton Clash Master. After barely defeating Wes who will he compete with Sky who destroyed Wes' father in battle. But Zan is still completely confident going into the fight. The sizzling and shocking battle takes over on the next Iron Fist: Momentum