Chapter 4: Partners and Rivals

"What do you think of this?" Bisharp grinned as he pulled out a switchblade.

"It's...a knife..." I said unsure of what he expected from me.

"One of my personal favorites." Bisharp explained as he hooked his arm around my neck to show me the knife, "It's a Honedge knife. My favorite brand. Made in Germany. You know Germany always make good stuff right?"

"Bisharp." I frowned.

"Right." Bisharp said, "Well in anycase, here. Take this knife."

I took the Honedge knife in my hands. It was surprisingly balanced, the partially hollowed handle has enough weight to feel secure in my hands and the blade has a good weight and density to make me think it can slice through most things. Still it felt odd to hold a knife rather than my guns.

"Like it?"

"I guess?" I said, still unsure of what he wanted. I only ever used knives in desperate situations when I was much younger and inexperienced. Even then I didn't ever pack a knife. None of this I told him.

"Well then let's get started." Bisharp said as he reached into his jacket, "Alright. Try slicing through this."

I looked up at the object Bisharp was holding up, "...A crowbar?"

"Yep."

"You want me to slice through metal on my first try?"

"It's not a test if it's not hard."

I shrugged and steadied my knife in my hands. I haven't used a knife in years, but it wasn't that hard to imagine how to use it. I drew my arm up in the air and slashed down. I didn't know how to place power in my slash so I settled for speed instead. I stiffened my arm, but held the knife back with my wrist until it made contact when I quickly flicked my wrist down.

CRACK!

Bisharp stumbled back and fell to the ground. He looked at the split halves of the crowbar in his hands.

"Whoa!" He cried, "You've got one hell of an arm!"

"Wasn't that the point of the test?" I frowned.

"Well yeah, but I didn't expect you to split it! I just wanted to see how good you are with a knife. But damn! How do you get such arm strength from just shooting guns?!"

"I don't know..." I said, staring at my own arm.

"That was really fast too." Bisharp said as he got up, "You probably could've hit the thing 3-5 times at once if it survived that long. With an arm like that, you probably would be able to use Bone Rush."

"What's that?" I frowned.

"It's a technique." Bisharp explained, "It's just a few quick slashes, but it focuses on shattering the opponent's bones in a short amount of time. It may look and sound simple but you have to have both strength and speed to not only shatter their bones on impact, but do it multiple times."

"And you're saying I can do this?"

"Well you snapped the crowbar in half in just one swing." Bisharp said looking down at the crowbar halves before throwing them away.

"I'll...keep that in mind then." I said and offered Bisharp back his knife.

"Huh? Oh no that's yours to keep."

"Are you sure?" I frowned, "This is one of your Honedge knives."

"That's one of Honedge's beginner's knives." Bisharp explained, "I use more advanced knives that I use in my actual line of work."

"I see." I said as I pocketed the knife.

"Well that seems like enough work for the day." Bisharp sighed, "Want to take a drink at the bar?"

"Sure."

"...and their butterfly knives are just as much works of art as they are weapons. They even have a series of knives dedicated entirely for looking nice. As pointless as that seems, I can't help but buy those knives as well. Of course I can't use them, the quality isn't as durable as their usual knives. But they have things like trimming and gems that...really jacks up the price. But it's the craftsmanship that really matters and that shines through really well."

"Bisharp?" I interrupted.

"Yeah?"

"Can I get drunk now?"

"Oh well sure."

I sighed as my Pinap Colada finally arrived. Bisharp's gushing over Honedge knives had kept him talking until we got into the bar. No wonder he was called Knifehead. I wonder how much he knew about knives that weren't Honedge made. I decided not to ask him.

"Razzmataz." I heard the person next to me order.

"Tough choice." Bisharp frowned as he looked over the bar's menu, "I don't know a lot about drinks...Is your drink any good?"

"It's okay." I said, "I order it every time there's a bar to go to, but I'm thinking I need a change anyway."

"I know a bit about drinks." The person next to me said.

Bisharp and I both turned to the man.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Bisharp and I jolted as the man suddenly pointed at me and cried out in surprise.

"You!" The man cried, "You're that guy that attacked us!"

"You know this guy?" Bisharp frowned.

I stared at him, "...Nope."

"Hey!" The man scowled, "You threatened me and knocked me out and you don't even remember?!"

…

"It's me!" The man said, "Zangoose!"

…

"You know..." Zangoose pulled out a pair of claws.

"Oh!" I cried, finally recognizing him, "You were the weird one who used claws!"

"So you do know the guy?" Bisharp said.

"He's part of Normality."

"Ouch. And you knocked him out?"

"After I got Miltank's information out of him."

"Yeah, thanks by the way." Zangoose scowled, "You destroyed our base just for one girl that can barely hold a gun."

"You wouldn't hand her over."

"So you destroy our base?!"

"You guys probably have another one."

"NO WE DON'T!"

"Really?" I frowned, "Even the Guardians have a second base...do we?"

"No we don't." Bisharp frowned, "Town's crowed as is. Don't want to scare people with unnecessary bases."

"Hm." I turned to Zangoose again, "My bad."

"Like hell you're getting out of it that easily!" Zangoose cried, slamming his fist on the table, "We're going to settle this right now!"

I drew my gun and fluidly pointed it at him, "Do you really want to fight?"

"Gh..."

"... Don't start fights if you have unfinished business." I said, placing my gun back into my holster.

"What?"

"I can see it you know. You don't want to die yet." I said as I sipped my Pina Colada, "Rather, you can't let yourself die yet. You have something you have to do first."

Zangoose looked away, scowling, "Tch. You're a sharp one."

"What's this business?" Bisharp asked as I put down my drink.

"None of your business!" Zangoose snapped.

"If it's unfinished then it's something you can't do on your own." I said.

"I hear Normality is on the verge of disbanding too." Bisharp added, "Sure you don't need help with this?"

"...This...is something I have to do on my own." Zangoose snarled as he walked off.

"Weird guy." Bisharp said.

"...He left his Razzmataz."

"Seviper!" Zangoose cried, "Get out here! We're settling this!"

Zangoose stood outside, voice strained from yelling so loudly. Just as he was about to try again, he came out.

"Well if it isn't my old friend." Seviper smiled, "Zangoose 'Crush Claw' Zahnundnagel. Or is it just Zangoose now? I heard Normality is going under."

"Shut up." Zangoose scowled as he readied his claws.

"I have to admit, I'm kinda sad to see Normality go." Seviper said facetiously, "Sure it was a good-for-nothing club that just played their small little pranks, but it fit you perfectly."

"I don't have time for this."

"But I do." Seviper chuckled, "Oh well. You want to face 'Poison Tail' Seviper? Come on then."

Zangoose charged as Seviper drew a cleaver. Zangoose quickly stopped and stumbled back a bit as Seviper swiped at him. He put up his claws to block the following attack only to be kicked back. He landed on his back and instinctively rolled to the side as Seviper's cleaver stabbed into the ground. Zangoose scrambled to get up, only bringing up his arms in time to block another swing that cut his skin.

"How do you like my new poison?!" Seviper crowed as he jumped back from Zangoose's wild swing, "I think you'll find it packs a bit more punch than before!"

Zangoose staggered to his feet. He put up his claws again, defiant.

"Tch. You're still standing." Seviper frowned, "And this time I thought I had it. How do you withstand my poison so easily?"

Zangoose didn't answer.

"Just fall already you little minx!" Seviper cried, swinging his cleaver at Zangoose.

Zangoose ducked under his swing and stepped forward, bringing Seviper into the range of his claws. Seviper tried to jump back, but the tip of Zangoose's claws slashed his stomach. Seviper stumbled back clutching his wound.

"N-Not bad." Seviper smirked, "At least for someone who's been sitting with Normality and playing pranks for years now."

"...Whenever Normality disbands or now doesn't matter." Zangoose said, dropping his arms, "I'm...going to move on to bigger things."

"Bigger things huh?" Seviper chucked, "What do you want to do, save someone's life?"

"..."

"You're not serious are you?" Seviper said, his smirk disappearing, "You think somebody like you can save other people's lives?!"

"...Not right now. But there are stronger people out there. If I chase their shadows I'm sure...someday I can become strong enough. But right now you're in the way."

"I'm in the way?" Seviper scowled, "I'm in the way?! Are you forgetting about what happened?! I'm never going to forgive you for what you did!"

"I remember." Zangoose interrupted, "I remember what happened. And I can't forgive you for what happened. That's why I'm going to settle this today. Either I kill you or die trying."

"...You think that dying will erase your sin? I'm not going to let you kill me! And I will never allow you to forget what happened! Arbok! Drapion!"

Zangoose stepped back as two more people stepped out of the shadows.

"So this is the rival you've had for years." Arbok sneered, "I can't believe you had so much trouble with this guy."

"Be careful." Seviper said, "No poison seems to work on him."

"Maybe you just haven't been using the right poison." Drapion said.

Seviper chucked, "Hey Zangoose!"

Zangoose clenched his claws tighter.

"You said you wanted to end it today? Alright then. We'll end it today."

Drapion stepped forward as he put on a pair of brass knuckles, "You don't mind if I kill him first right?"

"He seems prepared to die. Go right ahead."

Zangoose gulped before charging forward with a roar.

BANG!

Zangoose stopped as Drapion stumbled back from a shot to his shoulder.

"I can't believe you made that from this far away."

"I told you I don't intend to miss."

"You two!" Zangoose cried as he turned around.

"What a coincidence." Bisharp smiled, "Looks like we found you."

"You look like you're in trouble." I noted.

"What are you doing here?!" Zangoose demanded.

"You forgot your Razzmataz." I said, holding up his drink.

"Hope you don't mind but we took a sip." Bisharp added.

"WHAT?!"

"Hey we're delivering the drink to you. I think we get to have a small sip. After all, neither of us has tried a Razzmataz."

"I don't like it." I said.

"Me neither."

"I don't care about the damn drink, I'm asking you why you're here!"

"We figured you could use help." I said.

"So we're fighting three members of Apothecary huh?" Bisharp said, "I heard they like using poison."

"Go away!" Zangoose cried, "I'm doing this alone."

"But he's not." I said, "Are you sure you can take the three of them at once?"

…

"Give me that." Zangoose said, snatching his Razzmataz from my hand, "I'm not going to pay you back for this you know."

"That's okay."

"Hey, once we mop up these guys, can you recommend us some good drinks?" Bisharp asked.

"Sure." Zangoose smiled as he threw away the glass, "Just makes sure Seviper is mine."

"Got it."

"He's friends with the Guardians?" Drapion frowned, "What do you think we should do?"

"...We kill them. Any means necessary."

"Got it."

I pointed my gun at Drapion but quickly retreated as Arbok threw a dart at me. In that time, Drapion charged straight at me, brushing aside my gun and getting ready to punch me. Bisharp tackled him to the side.

"I got this." Bisharp smiled as he brought out his knife, "Go get the guy with the darts."

I nodded and drew my second gun. Arbok readied more darts. It seems like this is going to be a strictly ranged battle.

"Perfect." I said, looking around for cover. Unfortunately, the area was rather barren, save for everyone else. I frowned and turned my mind back to the fight, barely reacting in time to dodge a dart that flew at my head.

"You all can't be immune to poison." Arbok said, juggling a dart up into the air, "Apothecary's poison will not be insulted."

I shot down the dart when he threw it back into the air, stunning Arbok.

"Keep trying."

Arbok took a step back, "A sharpshooter are you? It seems we're evenly matched."

"Except I have guns."

"Yeah, but they're revolvers."

The floor beneath me was starting to get riddled with stray darts. It a bit annoying having to maneuver around them. But he had a surprising amount of darts under his coat. Arbok's prediction about the match was turning out to be true. Since the field was rather barren, both of us had to keep moving to avoid each others attack. I was worried that it would come down to a fight of endurance.

Arbok's next volley had surprises scattered in it. Smoke pellets that burst upon hitting the ground. The smoke covered the field, even interrupting the fights of other people. I stood in the smoke, wary of any attacks that might come. Instead I hear Bisharp cry out in pain.

"Drapion! Switch up!" Arbok cried.

"Got it!"

"Switch up?" I frowned. That means...

I spun around, checking around me for Drapion. As a knuckle user he would need to get close, which in this smoke would be easy. Close ranged users would have the advantage in this smoke...so why did a ranged user like Arbok have them? I was spared an answer when I was stuck over the head from behind. Drapion grabbed my arms while I was dazed and forced the gun out of my hands as he twisted one of my arms behind me. My cry of pain was muffled when Drapion brought his other arm around to try to strangle me.

"I'm surprised you can still move." Drapion smirked, "This smoke is laced with paralyzing poison. But not only is Seviper's little friend immune, but you and your friend? What kind of a coincidence is this? Arbok is right, we can't let you live. For the sake of Apothecary."

I choked as his grip around my neck tightened. The world began to fade around me as my hand struggled to reach into my coat. It stumbled around until I could firmly grip the dagger that Bisharp had given me. I drew it out as quickly as I could and stabbed it into his arm, finally releasing me from his grip. I fell to the ground gasping for air as Drapion cried out in pain. The smoke tasted a bit bitter, but otherwise didn't seem to have any other effects.

Drapion recovered quickly and kicked me in the stomach, sending me rolling away. The smoke was finally beginning to dissipate. I couldn't even use the smoke to hide for a while. I scrambled to my feet and drew my reserve guns only to get them thrown aside when Drapion charged and smashed my arm aside. His grabbed me by the collar and drew me in for a headbutt. I stabbed with my knife at the same time, hitting his side as our heads collided. Both of us stumbled back. I was dazed and dizzy again, but Drapion had it worse. The headbutt cleared a part of my head though as I remembered this morning.

Bone Rush.

I charged straight at Drapion who quickly took notice of me and brought up his arms in defense. My first swing sliced off one of his hands.

He cried out in pain as blood poured from his missing hand. I following it up by slashing down his body. I heard all the ribs on the left side of his body crack. He tried to attack me, but it was severely weakened, allowing me to dodge it and cut into his leg, finally toppling him. He squirmed on the ground as blood poured out of him. His cries began to reach ear-splittingly annoying levels so I stabbed him through the head.

I collapsed next to his dead body, gasping for breath. I got back up and picked up my guns, looking around for where Arbok had gone to.

"Dude you messed him up."

I turned around as Bisharp approached me, looking down at Drapion's body. Darts stuck out all over his body.

"What happened?" I frowned.

"Ah, I'm not very good at dodging stuff so I had to power through his darts before slicing his throat in half."

"That's rather crude."

"Hey at least he looks prettier than your kill." Bisharp said, bending down to take a closer look at Drapion, "You went ballistic on him."

"I'm not very good with a knife so I had to hit him as fast and with as much force as I could."

"That's Bone Rush for you." Bisharp nodded.

Our talk was interrupted by another cry of pain. The two of us turned to see Zangoose's claws poking through Seviper's stomach.

"I...can't die here..."Seviper croaked.

Zangoose stepped back, allowing Seviper to slide off his claws before he fell to the ground dead. He was worse off than either of us with slashes all over his body.

"It's...over..."

"You need help?" Bisharp asked, "You look beat up."

"I'm fine." Zangoose said after giving a huge sigh, "I...I'll be fine."

"We should probably get you bandaged up though." I said, "We can take you to the infirmary at our place."

"First things first." Zangoose said as he took off his claws, "I promised you guys a drink at the bar didn't I? I feel like celebrating anyway."

"Here." Zangoose said, sliding over our drinks, "Try these."

I didn't recognize the drink and Bisharp was utterly befuddled at his. We gave each other a glance and, with a shrug, took a sip.

"That's amazing!" Bisharp cried.

I shared his sentiments, stunned at how tasteful my own drink was.

"I thought you'd like them." Zangoose smiled, "That's a Kebia Royale and Apricot Cider respectively. They're more expensive than normal drinks, but they're worth it."

"I could get addicted to this." Bisharp grinned as he took another sip.

"What are you drinking?" I asked.

"Enigma Mix." Zangoose said, sipping his own drink, "Personal detox. Only fitting. I settled a grudge that once lasted years."

"What will you do now?"

"Move on. I guess." Zangoose sighed, "I don't plan on rejoining Normality again even if they do survive. I want to do something bigger than simple pranks."

"You could join the Guardians." Bisharp spoke up, "Then you'd actually be doing something good in the world."

"I was hoping I could join actually." Zangoose smiled, "Maybe that's what she would have wanted."

"She?"

"It's a long story." Zangoose chuckled, "So long that I forgot everything. Names, places, times...everything."

"..."

"Well if you plan on joining, let me give you some advice." Bisharp said, "There's a nurse named Chansey. She's really grumpy. And I mean really grumpy."

"Sounds tough." Zangoose said, "Hope she's good at her job at least."

"Don't worry about it." Bisharp chuckled, "On the plus side, we have Gardevoir."

"Who?"

"You'll see."

I downed my new favorite drink and got up, "Come on. We'll get you patched up so you can start your new life."