Author's Comment: Nope, this story isn't dead, not on my watch! Slow, but far from dead! I won't keep you guys too long on this author note, so here's my traditional Special Thanks: Kirbyhammer100, Lectro Underground, destinedjagold, and Alatreon!
Chapter 13: Challenge
Damn it, Sokudo thinks to himself, burying his face into the pillow. What part of 'don't come back' does that fuckin' idiot not understand?
It's rather late in the night, Sokudo still resting in the medical center, his father sleeping on the chair beside him and his mother snoozing at his bedside. He's been told from the nurse to stay for the night so he can be monitored for any injuries that might have been overlooked. It didn't bother the young Ninjask that much, as he knows it's for his own good and will put his parents more at ease. Too bad he will never share the same peace.
He's been thinking long and hard about the promise he made to his parents earlier, about fixing things with Kowai. He thought carefully about what he's going to say to the Shedinja once he meets it again, but he very quickly realized he had nothing good to say to the shell. His anger towards it is still too strong to make it otherwise.
Pulling his face enough from the pillow to peek towards the window, he senses his shed coming closer and closer to the hospital, no doubt homing in on him. Stupid bug shell just can't take a hint no matter how bluntly he puts it! This inevitable meeting that's bound to take place in the next few minutes will be far from pleasant, that he can be certain of...
Glancing at his parents, he doesn't bother waking them to share the news of Kowai's imminent arrival; knowing the talk they just had, they'll try to get him to welcome it back with open arms right here and now. No, it's best to just let them sleep and deal with this himself. After all, if he can succeed in getting Kowai to disappear forever without their knowing, then he doesn't have deal with that stupid promise.
Harsh and cruel, maybe, but he still feels it's for the best. Kowai's insane and dangerous to everyone around it, and he'd rather not have to take the risk with it any longer. Mom and Dad will just have to suck it up.
Slipping silently off his bed, he winces at the lingering pain of his injuries and keeps tabs on his parents as he heads for the door. They don't wake as he silently opens the door and eases his way out. Closing it behind him, he glares down the hallway in the direction Kowai's coming from and heads down the shadowed corridor towards the main lobby.
Meanwhile, the little Shedinja isn't too sure how to feel about this. It too senses that its brother is close and it wants to hurry to him now, make things right again with cuddles and grooms. But it knows him all too well, and he's very unlikely to be happy upon its return. No, it should just keep following its new guardian and hope for the best.
Looking to the older bug leading the way a couple yards ahead of it, it keeps in a growl at the fact that it's come to this. It just can't dispel the fact that the last time it followed the lead of a stranger, its heart got shattered in a million pieces. It doesn't want to feel any such pain again, but this is the only option it had available to it. It just hoped that stupid Loren character knew what it was getting into...
"You can sense him, can't you?" the elder breaks the silence between them as they arrive at the hospital's door, pulling the younger bug out of its thoughts. Kowai holds in a growl and snorts instead, not eager to speak to the other Shedinja although it knows that avoiding conversation would be impossible. So it lets out a reluctant grumble, still not looking at the elder.
"Yes," It glances at the entrance. "He's just on the other side of this door..."
"Your homing instincts are very precise and well-practiced," the older bug compliments although this does nothing to lighten the little one's mood. "It's quite an admirable trait, young Shedinja."
"Of course it is," Kowai snaps softly, although its hostilities falter when the door takes a slight purple haze from Loren's psychic energy. It's nervous at the prospect of meeting its no-doubt still enraged brother and the other Shedinja easily senses this. Loren knows Kowai isn't interested in reassurance, but it does so anyway.
"Keep calm, young one," it tells the little husk. "I'll make sure your brother behaves." It doesn't give Kowai time to react to this statement as the door opens and Kowai fidgets a bit upon seeing its brother sitting on the opposite side of the lobby, as if he's been waiting for it. He's glaring at it very heatedly, making it feel very unwelcomed and it lets out a whimper.
"B... Brother..."
"Fuck off," the Ninjask whispers just loud enough to be heard, flaring his good wing. Kowai is about to say something when Loren speaks up instead, its voice very firm.
"Sokudo, you hold no authority over this hospital. Your brother is injured and has just as much of a right to be here as you do."
The Ninjask glares at the other husk, growling softly. "Great, now you're defending this piece of shit too." He snorts, completely ignoring the fact that Kowai's allowing the 'enemy' Shedinja to be in his presence without freaking out like usual. He's nowhere near impressed as he no longer gives two shits about what his brother's doing and he makes this clear by the venom of his words. "I don't care how 'injured' it is; as far as I'm concerned, it can drop dead on the spot."
"Brother! You're doing it again!" Kowai exclaims in a sorrowful voice, its spirit hurting at the jab. "You promised you would stop wishing death on me, remember?"
"And look just how well you kept your promises," Sokudo retorts sharply. "So why the hell should I keep mine, freak?" He casts his glance down the hall behind him, making sure his parents aren't going to interfere. Luckily, there's still no sign of them exiting the room and he takes this as a cue to continue his hostilities as he growls towards his shed even as it pipes up its defense.
"Brother... it was an accident. Why won't you believe me...?"
"Because I'm done giving you chances, Kowai," he barks. "I don't care if it was an accident or not. I don't care that everyone is on your side. What I do care about is keeping you the fuck away from me and my family."
"Young Ninjask, I understand your anger, but you're being rash." Loren intervenes. "Your brother wishes to change, and I am going to assist it in doing so." It looks back and forth between the brothers before continuing. "Now I suggest that you save your judgments, Sokudo, for after the young one finishes its training. Perhaps then, you'll change your mind."
"Ha!" Sokudo gives a contemptuous laugh. "Training it? You're wasting your time, old man. That thing is untrainable, and it'll NEVER change. So don't even bother with the little fucker 'cause it ain't gonna get you anywhere."
"So you say, young Ninjask," Loren starts. "But I'm confident in my abilities as a teacher. I've trained many young miscreants within our clan and Kowai's ninja training will be no different."
"Oh, ninja training, huh?" Sokudo mocks relentlessly, his tone continuing in a sarcastic manner. "That sounds like an excellent idea, teaching this psycho the ways of the ninja." He scoffs. "Are you serious? That thing is a murderer and you're only gonna make it worse by teaching this bastard how to do it better."
"I'm well aware of your brother's tendencies," Loren states, unfazed by Sokudo's point. "But you seem to forget that there's more to the ninja arts than fighting and killing. I will be focusing on giving Kowai self-control over its actions, how to keep its emotions in check so as not to cloud its rational thought." Staring at Sokudo, the elder speaks its next words in a chillingly calm, but rather condescending tone. "Perhaps your training has been flawed, as that's clearly a lesson that you yourself never learned either."
At this, the Ninjask's eyes practically flash with insulted anger, his claws digging into the floor beneath him. He doesn't say anything for a tense moment before spitting his response, forcing his voice to stay quiet so as not to wake his parents. "How dare you, you fuckin' asshole. I trained myself perfectly, and you're just lucky that I'm in no healthy position to prove that. Otherwise, your ass would've been grass right now."
Loren stares back at Sokudo before grunting. "My point exactly."
This earns a hate-filled hiss and the elder Shedinja continues regardless as it floats passed him towards the hallway. "Perhaps you could benefit from my training as well, but that's entirely up to you. Whatever you choose, you will withhold your brother's judgment until further notice, and in no way will you be allowed to speak with malice towards the young one. Doing so will result in strict disciplinary action." It turns to the glaring cicada. "Rarely do I exploit my position like this, but for you I think it's necessary. No longer will your behavior be tolerated in my village. Do you understand me, Sokudo?"
Sokudo bites on his tongue, wishing so badly that looks would be enough to kill because his was downright deadly. Even his mandibles pulled back to show his teeth and he cannot recall ever being this pissed. But he remembers his mother's words, about this thing having the power to banish him, or worse, and he feels his frustration skyrocket even more at his helpless position. Tearing his eyes from the shell to focus on the ground, he begrudgingly nods.
"Yes..." It hurt so much saying that...
"Yes what, Sokudo?" Loren prompts, taking the opportunity to remind the living insect further of its higher position over him and the Ninjask grits his teeth.
"Yes, Grandmaster Loren." Now saying that hurt even more and it takes everything he has not to explode when the Shedinja nods in approval.
"Thank you," With that established, the elder continues down the hallway, its voice back to its usual warm tone. "Come now, little Kowai. Let us find the night-shift nurse so we can tend your wounds."
Kowai is silent, watching its brother fume. It doesn't know what to think, how to feel. It doesn't like the other Shedinja telling its brother what to do like that, nor did it like it threatening the Ninjask with punishment. But at the same time, it reluctantly acknowledges that Loren is helping it and that such words were most likely just a bluff needed in order to get its brother to cooperate. At least, it hopes those threats are a bluff, for Loren's sake...
Regardless, Kowai keeps to itself, still quiet as it begins to follow the other bug. That's when it feels a snagging claw on its wing and it yips a bit as Sokudo yanks it back.
The Ninjask glares heatedly at his brother and gives yet another glance down the hall to make sure the other shed is out of earshot before stepping closer to Kowai, snarling softly into its face. "Don't you dare think this'll change anything, motherfucker. The only, and I mean the only, reason your still here is because of my parents and that jackass Loren. As soon as we leave, and go back to Tao Village, you're as good as gone. Got it?"
"Brother, please," Kowai whispers, knowing its sibling's still full of hatred. There always was a reason Kowai tends to avoid him for a few days after an argument... "All I'm asking for is another chance."
"I think you have enough chances," Sokudo whispers. "But go ahead, freak." He shoves the little husk towards the hall, issuing his challenge as he did so. "Do the impossible and prove me wrong..."
Kowai whimpers some more as it regains its balance from the shove, trying hard not to cry. Glancing at the hall where Loren disappeared, then at its brother, it forces every bit of itself to pull together and stay strong in the face of such venom. Stopping its shudders as best it can, it accepts its brother's challenge with a shaky but determined voice.
"Fine, I will..."
"This is so stupid!" Kowai announces impatiently, getting antsy at this so-called 'training'. The two Shedinja have been floating in the center of a nearby waterfall in silence since the break of dawn and the husk just saw no point in it! It enjoyed water in general, but this is just ridiculous with the falls pounding against its shell! This is its first day of training, the morning after their talk with Sokudo. Little Kowai didn't want to lollygag around the hospital for longer than necessary, as the sooner it can get this done, the better.
Pulling away from the water, not even bothering to shake it off, the smaller bug turns to the other Shedinja with a glare. "How is this supposed to get my brother back?!"
At this, Loren mimics a sigh, clicking softly as it also pulls away from the stream of water. "Patience, Kowai," it tells the younger bug. "Meditation is to help with patience, to find your center, open your mind and put it at ease." It gestures to the waterfall. "The waterfall is a safe way to strengthen yourself and helps in providing a distraction, so you can practice in keeping your focus balanced even through physical tribulations."
"It's still stupid!" Kowai continues to insist, growling quietly as its mist writhes in irritation. "I wanna get my brother back now, and I'm wasting my time here!" It looks towards the direction of the village. "I could be with Mama right now; she would make brother take me back."
"But what exactly will that solve, young one?" Loren asks. "Go back now, you'll run the risk of losing control once again and then you'll be right back to where you started, perhaps even worse off." It ignores the frustrated snarl from the younger bug. "Trust me, Kowai. This is time well spent in the long run. Now..." Loren turns back to the waterfall, placing itself back into the rush of water. "Shall we continue?"
Kowai looks back and forth between the waterfall and the village, knowing the other Shedinja was right but not particularly eager to continue floating around doing nothing! It was boring and stupid and frustrating! But it doesn't really have much of a choice if it wants its brother back, Sokudo's challenge echoing in its head... It has to do this, but it'll be damned if it submits itself without objection. "Whatever. I may be playing along with this stupid game, but it'll never be anything more than a waste of time."
"If you say so, young one," Loren responds with humor before continuing with business. "Now remember, clear your mind to focus on your inner most being." Kowai snorts before forcing itself to go back to the waterfall, keeping its distance from the other ghost as it places itself into the water's path. Already, it feels its irritation rise, and it begins to fidget again. "Relax, Kowai," it hears its teacher through the noise. "and just go with life's flow to discover your sense of peace."
"Stop sputtering nonsense..." Kowai mutters mostly to itself, trying to force itself to follow the instructions. Groaning, it stares at the trees around them distractedly, watching the flocks of Bird Pokemon come and go with boredom. It focuses on the pounding of the water on its shell and the constant rumbling noise ringing in its ears. Pretty much focusing everywhere BUT where it's supposed to...
"Kowai," it barely catches the word through its distractions. "Do it properly. Inner focus."
"Whatever..." Kowai responds softly, knowing its reply is lost in the noise around them.
Mimicking a sigh of its own, it fidgets a bit more in a vain attempt to get comfortable before allowing itself to focus on blanking out its thoughts. It's difficult, even when the usual voices occupying its mind make no attempt to ruin its practice. Its child-like nature is working against it as it's just so naturally active, always finding itself unable to stay still for little gain like this. It reminds itself over and over again that this'll help, somehow...
"Bored!" it pipes up after a few more minutes of this drivel.
"Focus."
It groans again, its black mist thrashing a bit before forcing itself still. It moves slowly with this, focusing on feeling its spiritual body flow inside the hollow of its shell and within the shell's walls itself. It tries yet again to blank out its thoughts, this time staying within its mind and allowing itself to explore it. Here we go, this has to be what its teacher meant, right? It tries to maintain this, heading deeper and deeper into the dark recesses of its mind.
This wasn't so difficult...
It hears Loren say something, but pays no mind to it, intent on exploring this new thing. This isn't so different than its usual explorations, just inside rather than outside. Sure, it still isn't certain if it is doing this 'meditation' thing properly, but it doesn't care as it's found a way to entertain itself. It catches a few flashes of images, mostly of its brother and its mother, of its home back in Tao Village. It purrs a bit at this before exploring yet further into its psyche. More images flash in its mind, of its Dad and of Yams... Then red comes over its mind's eye, and it swears, it somehow smells blood in its mist. Usually it enjoys such a smell, but this time...
The random images of its memories begin to distort the deeper into its soul it went and a shadow of a terrifying shape begins to manifest within its head, looking a lot like its own black mist. But instead of the gentle flow it usually had, this one compresses itself and solidifies into the form resembling that of a Spiritomb. A deep throaty voice echoes through its ears.
"KoooOOOoowaaaAAAiiiiIIIiii..."
With a cry, it snaps out of its meditative state and it pulls away from the water like it was molten lava. Screaming in panic, it turns to the falls and proceeds in Shadow Balling the hell out of it as if that'll rid the disturbing inner demons lurking within its mind. Loren barely manages to get out of the way in time just as a Shadow Ball crashes into the spot it once floated in, the elder not too sure as to what's happening. For a moment, it can only watch as the young bug lashes out at the water like it's some evil thing. The shrieks coming from the little one are mind-numbing and filled with sheer terror.
Putting the pieces together quickly, Loren lunges, tackling the smaller ghost onto the water's muddy bank below, Bug Biting into its scruff as restraint.
Kowai continues to scream and panic for a moment, thrashing against the hold like it's fighting against some demented force. But it has as much luck dislodging Loren as it had last night, and it eventually quiets down upon realizing the fruitless endeavor. After another moment, the elder releases the little one and Kowai gets itself back into the air rather unsteadily, staring at the destroyed falls.
"Are you alright, young Kowai?" it hears the older bug ask and it's silent for a moment before shuddering and turning away. It speaks in a shaky mutter, trying to sound hostile, but coming off as more than a little frightened instead.
"That was still stupid..."