p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"Steel (Poke)Ball Run/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"Chapter 18 – VS THE BOOM BOOM FAMILY/span/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;":/span/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'What happened - your foot?' Johnny yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro gripped his leg, gritted his teeth. He looked as though he were resisting the urge to buckle beneath his own weight./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The other two members of the Boom Boom family drew in closer yet. Their precious Andre remained passed out by the rock. The belt around his neck had loosened, he no longer foamed at the mouth. It was not obvious if he were alive or dead. He did not appear to breathe or twitch even slightly./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Gyro, what is that?' Johnny asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro cussed under his breath. 'The pain's incredible, these claws - I think they're claws - feel just like steel. Damn, it's getting worse with every second… I think this might be a Pokemon belonging to that goddamn Andre Boom Boom.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Shit…' Johnny murmured. The gun in his hand weighed heavy as he considered it. 'If that is Andre Boom Boom's Pokemon then that's unlawful attacking of a Trainer… we have every right to use this gun if that's the truth.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Here they come!' Gyro yelled. 'Just take the left; I've got the right, you hear me? Don't let them come any closer!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro yelped suddenly, surprised by the pulling out of whatever had pierced his foot. Blood dripped from his open wounds. His breathing became uneven and he carefully eyed the ground for signs of movement. He was certain something lurked right beneath his feet but he wasn't sure what it was./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The sound of scrabbling burst through. Johnny screamed and Gyro was attacked from behind his time. He felt harsh scratches rake across his back. He counted four claws. Four claws. What did that mean?/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He turned around and his attacker had fled already. His shirt was in ribbons; as was his skin. More blood dripped from his wounds./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Did you see that, Johnny?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Yeah. It… It was a Sandslash. And it dove back into the ground; it could be anywhere now.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The Boom Booms came closer still./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Brother's not moving; do you think he cleaned his wounds from that Foongus yet?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'God, you've been noisy for a while!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" As they moved in closer still, bickering began to emerge between the father-son duo./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'And L.A., how long're you gonna stick to my ass? I told you to stick to the other side of those guys for our plan. Go in from both sides, that was the plan! God, you're slow; just like your mother! Just like that stupid woman who left to become a whore!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Our… Our mother was a Swanna, right? Big Brother said so. Our mother was a Swanna; do I look like a Swanna to you?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oh shut up!' his father screamed as they split off to begin a pincer attack. 'Just go and get around those other guys!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The certain attack from the other Boom Boom family members was one thing. They could be seen and therefore, they could be attacked. However, it was that Sandslash that was messing up Gyro./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Shit, I can't tell who's the best for this situation.' Johnny growled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Well you pick now before your Zebstrika gets it.' Gyro cocked a brash smirk as he picked out a PokeBall. 'But be ready to use that gun at moment's notice.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I - I know.' Johnny replied./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He still didn't like how it felt in his hands. It was bulky and awkward. He didn't have much experience with guns so it was intimidating. Johnny reached into his pack stowed on the side of his Zebstrika's saddle and he made a choice. There was one ground type, one electric type, and two fire types at play: he would simply have to hope for good type coverage and something to complement whatever Gyro was two seconds away from tossing out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Go, go, Squealer!' Gyro yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" There was a pulsing fury to how he threw out this PokeBall and Johnny just knew it was going to be good. He just knew he could put a lot of faith in Gyro./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" From his Spin-infused PokeBall, came a Furret. A cute and goofy looking Furret but if it belonged to Gyro then it was probably more of a threat than its adorable exterior made it seem. Or so Johnny hoped. Maybe the blood loss was screwing with Gyro's sense for planning./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Tomb of the Boom!' yelled Benjamin Boom Boom./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He tossed out a PokeBall and a tiny, wiggling-jiggling Ditto began to waddle towards the battle./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Transform!' Benjamin Boom Boom yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Ditto transformed into the spitting image of Gyro's Furret./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro gritted his teeth. 'Squealer, use Hyper Beam!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Tomb, use Hyper Beam!/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Furret and Ditto were in perfect synchronicity with each other. Both acting like a mirror of each; almost impossible tell them apart, save for that blank, uncharacteristic smile upon the transformed Ditto's face. Both Pokemon opened their mouths and orange energy concentrated atop their tongues. The energy burst forth into a powerful beam./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Ditto changed back to its regular form. Furret's attack missed as it had aimed for a creature its own height. Furret took on the other hyper Beam, straight to its thick furred chest. It chattered and most of its health was knocked out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro gritted his teeth and glared. 'Return, Squealer!' he decided./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He refused to let his Furret faint, he'd give it time to recuperate in its PokeBall. He thrust out his arm and his Furret was snatched up by a silvery light. It returned to its green, steely PokeBall. So far this turn had been a bust./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Johnny glanced at Gyro. 'Gyro, you're wounds are getting worse. And… And Squealer, what should we do?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I know, it's fine.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin and L.A Boom Boom encircled Johnny and Gyro. Their mounts picked up speed and with that Sandslash lurking, Johnny and Gyro were effectively trapped./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'First place is Dad, second place is Big Brother Andre, and third place is me. It'll be a one-two-three finish. The prize money total will be big! Really big!' L.A Boom Boom sang as he rode. 'Um, how do you add them up again?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" '60, 100, 000, 000, you idiot!' his father screamed at him./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'These guys don't look like much but they're completely different from that Mrs Robinson fellow.' Gyro said, his voice a low growl./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" There was a groggy moan and it was followed by footsteps. Andre Boom Boom had woken up and already, he mounted his Zebstrika. He was quick to join the fray but he couldn't have been in a good headspace after all./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Brother Andre! Big Brother came to; he beat the poison!' his precocious, younger brother cried out joyously as Andre rode next to him./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Gyro, you're still bleeding, this is serious, we need to do something.' Johnny pointed out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I know, I think I'm growing faint but I'm fine. We'll win this battle, I swear.' Gyro replied. He really didn't need Johnny pointing out the obvious right now./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His eyes followed the dust trails that were being kicked up in the wake of the two encircling Rapidash and the one Zebstrika. That Sandslash hadn't shown up again yet either./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey yo, L.A., can you do this?' Andre asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His brother turned his head curiously, bright-eyed, and watched as Andre performed a neat little party trick. He inhaled deeply and his nostrils flattened against each other until they seemed two-dimensional./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Whoa! That's awesome!' L.A. crooned. 'How do you do that? Can you show me to do that?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Duuuumbass!' Andre teased. 'I won't tell you, you wouldn't be able to do it if you had your whole life to learn!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He turned his head and performed the same trick on his ear, just to further rub in his talent in his little brother's face. Though it only served to further impress L.A. rather than anything else except further inflate Andre's sense of superiority and ego too. However, their father was unamused by his son's antics. He called out to them in a vicious, rasping voice./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey, you guys! Who is going to close in and finish these guys? Or am I gonna have to do it?' he yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Andre shook his head. He seemed to have healed from his near strangulation. His demeanour totally changed from when he was teasing his brother. His demeanour totally changed from earlier when he had come across as so utterly pathetic. Now, he seemed to be a threat./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'The guy on the Zebstrika… he hasn't used any Pokemon yet, not to mention he's got a gun.' Andre pointed out. /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'That guy is too much of a wimp to pull the trigger on us and he's cowardly enough to be letting his injured friend do all the heavy lifting, he ain't a threat!' Benjamin yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Johnny frowned but he couldn't dispute it. He was hesitating over both his gun and his PokeBalls. He was afraid. A wimp, a coward. It was true. Very true./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Then I'll go, Dad.' Andre decided, resolute. 'Those guys didn't give me any fire right away. I was this close to having the poison circulate my whole body… I'm gonna get my revenge!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro straightened up. He seemed unaffected by his wounds. Having tested the waters, he knew better now than to underestimate these foes. He unclipped a PokeBall from his belt. It spun in the palm of his hand. He seemed strangely calm as he stared out and assessed his opponent./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oh good, he's got another PokeBall ready. It'll be a fair fight then.' Andre commented sarcastically./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He laughed. He had an oddly sinister laugh for his appearance. His father joined in as well but L.A. mostly stared dumbly, wondering what the joke was./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'It'll just be the same result though.' L.A. said. 'Between the three of us, we have very powerful Pokemon.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Go, go, Mean Streak!' Gyro yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He tossed out his PokeBall as far as it could go. It would seem that his Krookodile was not even going to appear on the battlefield./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'It's not gonna reach, dumbass!' Andre yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I wouldn't be so sure of that.' Gyro said. He smiled, flashed those tacky teeth of his. 'My Mean Streak's a smart critter.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Krookodile wasn't even in the vicinity of the battle. It used its tail to bat its PokeBall back to Gyro. Much like their enemies, Johnny was questioning Gyro's sanity and judgement./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Then, Gyro's Krookodile dived into the ground. It scraped up grass and dirt as it went. Much like a fish would navigate water, it navigated the underground./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'In fact, they say Pokemon take after Trainers. I bet that Sandslash is gonna have a hard time tracking down my little Mean Streak unless it goes for me in which case…' Gyro mimicked a gun and pretended to shoot the ground./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Johnny brandished his gun to strengthen the bluff. Unless Gyro was one hundred percent counting on him to shoot if that Sandslash was to pop up. He swallowed and his eyes searched frantically. He tried to train himself to hear every quiet noise but it was useless. Then, he heard it: the breach of earth./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" But it wasn't close to him. It wasn't from Andre's Sandslash./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" It was from Gyro's Krookodile./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" From beneath the ground, its claws slashed through. It grabbed onto the legs of Andre's Zebstrika and pulled it down. Great clumps of dirt and grass were freed. Andre was thrown off his mount. Gyro's Krookodile roared. Andre's head spun. And so did his Zebstrika's, it would appear that it had been a super effective one hit knockout./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Whoa, what an impressive hit.' Johnny gawked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Johnny, get your stuff on your Zebstrika, we have to leave this place. There's two of these guys and neither of us're in any condition to fight.' Gyro said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro hardened himself for his next command. Johnny fussed around as quick as he could. Gyro tried to buy him more time. To be fair, Gyro had copped probably a Crush Claw from that damn Sandslash, wherever it was, so it was only a necessity at this point to level the playing field; even if it did break a few rules. But hey, eye for an eye in Gyro's opinion./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Mean Streak, use Rock Smash!' Gyro yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Krookodile pummelled Andre. With fists forceful enough to break rocks, Krookodile did more than puncture Andre's skin. It punched straight through his torso and carved a bloody hole. He screamed and screamed in straight horror./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro glanced over his shoulder and saw that Johnny was good to go. He returned his Krookodile to its PokeBall. Satisfied, it was time for them to flee. He and Johnny then high-tailed it out of there whilst the Boom Boom family regrouped. They sussed out Andre's wound and began making new plans./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Shiiit, shiiit!' Andre screamed as he clamped his hand over his gaping wound./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" L.A. drew in closer, concerned but scared./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Ah, God, it hurts! That bastard!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'There's a hole in Brother Andre's stomach… Whoa! It's bigger than your belly button!' L.A. screeched./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Their father screamed insults at the behinds of Johnny and Gyro's mounts. He drew out his own pistol and began firing shots into the distance. Unfortunately, they all missed but it helped clear his mind; quell his fury. Now, he could think properly, at the very least./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Ugh, what shitheads…' he murmured./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin drew in closer. 'Oi, lemme see your wound.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I - I think I'm gonna die, Dad!' Andre screamed./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" It ain't that big, I've had worse. When I was young, I fell off a cliff once. Tore off my lower jaw and I walked back home. Drink some whiskey and put a bandage on it if yer that worried.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Argh, but that bastard! I'll get my revenge of him!' yelled Andre./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Yeah, we'll finish them. We'll kill them and we'll reach the next waterhole faster than anyone else. If we get there first, we can destroy it and the other racers who come by next won't have any drinking water so they'll be wiped out!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His loud voice dissolved into insane laughter. He seemed drunk on the idea of such power in the race. Andre found his own voice crackling with laughter despite the pain. Once more, L.A. stared and was uncertain of the joke. But, he was more concerned by what they ought to do about Johnny and Gyro./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey,' he piped up, unsurely, 'how're we gonna catch up to those guys? Those two're popular candidates for Champion. We're attacking them like because we don't stand a chance head on, right? What're we gonna do?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oh look, the family smart ass has made a comment.' his father snarled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Andre tutted./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" L.A. whimpered having embarrassed himself./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin turned his head and his lips upturned into a slash-like grin. 'Who said anything about chasing them?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Huh?' L.A. piped up. /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin chucked his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the inky distance./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'We'll let the guy chasing us chase those two bastards, Gyro Zeppeli and Johnny Joestar.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Huh? Behind us?' L.A. mumbled, eyes widening./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He turned around in his saddle and tried to squint through the trees. But it useless. All he could see was darkness and smudged shapes. Benjamin laughed cynically at his son's stupidity./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Who is it? Who's behind us? I can't seem them.' L.A. asked questions like a vapid child. It was seriously annoying./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'We've had this guy following us fer a while now. Out of the three thousand racers, there's someone who found our hoofprints and have been tracking us since morning. But I knew all about it!' Benjamin crooned./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'You mean he noticed our hoofprints and pinned 'em to us? Out of three thousands mounts? Can such a man exist?' L.A. asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'He does. I can't just seem him from here, he's really good at hiding. If I had to guess, this guy is probably a sheriff or something. But more likely than not, might be another Trainer, one buddy-buddy with the local sheriff though and there is such a guy. So, we're probably bein' tracked by that fuckin' Mountain Tim.' Benjamin reasoned./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Mountain Tim?' Andre echoed, almost scandalised./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Ain't he the one who came fourth? The cowboy everyone looks up to, they call him!' L.A. gasped./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'And we're gonna use him against those bastards. It'll be one stone, two birds. Mountain Tim will leave us alone and Zeppeli and Joestar will be disqualified from the race. Genius!' Benjamin said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He stuck his grotty fingers in his mouth and whistled. With sloshing noises, his Ditto returned to his side./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oi, you, up here.' he commanded it./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Ditto slunk up the leg of his Rapidash. It pulled itself up by stretching itself out until it finally wound itself around its Trainer's face. It began to stretch unnaturally around his Trainer, encasing him in the goop that was its body. Slowly, a new face was formed in the pink membrane./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Wh-What are you planning to do to Mountain Tim, Dad?' L.A. asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Andre grunted. L.A. didn't avert his eyes. Watching Ditto mould and remould itself and their father was grotesque. Andre's grunts turned to chuckles as the new face solidified./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I think I get what Dad's thinking.' he nodded to himself. 'Yeah, that's a surefire way of doin' it!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'We'll eliminate everyone in our way: the Boom Boom Family will be the leaders of the race! No one'll stand in our way; we'll haunt our enemies like boogeymen!' Benjamin declared./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His body ceased morphing. He looked like a completely different person./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" It was time to further set plans into motion. Andre and L.A. made themselves scarce whilst Benjamin turned himself into the bait./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" A lantern, yellowy, swung through the darkness. In its stead, came Mountain Tim on the back of his Tauros. He investigated the ground as he went. Grass curled back up from once being trodden on. In scant stretches of dirt, a recognisable set of tracks wound through./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" In this part of the forest, there was a lot of trees and rocks but most curiously, there was a thick spread of bramble and briar laden with thorns weaving through strangled trees. Mountain Tim was quiet. He heard the whinny of some Pokemon, soft but not scared, and the rustle of something else. Something more akin to that of a human. He blew out his lantern and wandered closer to the bramble. It was dark and shadowy beneath its branches which made it a good hiding spot for anyone who didn't want to be found./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Mountain Tim decided to address it despite the chance that he was just addressing some baby Deerling or something. He cleared his throat and began formalities. But further down, he saw a Rapidash wearing a saddle. It didn't seem stranded, per se, but it didn't seem like it wanted to be there. That was pretty solid evidence that a Trainer was hiding here./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Under the laws of the Driftveil City township and wider Unova laws, I have been inducted as an assistant sheriff. I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of three contestants in the Steel Ball Run race. Show your hands and slowly get out there.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He drew out a piece of rope. He coiled it tightly and brandished it with a great crack. In his hands, it sounded more menacing than a whip./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Depending on the situation, I have the right to execution.' he threatened./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Shuffling on his knees, the person reared around and came out of thicket very slowly with his hands up. Mountain Tim continued to order him./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Alright, turn this way - don't lower your hands!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" With the hood over his head, it was hard to see him but when he finally revealed himself, Mountain Tim was sickened to his stomach. His eyes widened but he tried not to let his shock be known. He hadn't expected this of that person. /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I remember you… You were fifth place…' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Blonde hair beneath a beanie, blue eyes and blue lips, kind of a small guy: Mountain Tim didn't doubt. That was Johnny Joestar… but wasn't he registered with Zebstrika? If he was, then that was another reason he would be disqualified from the race. Albeit, considering the murder charges, it was something of a petty reason./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" With a sudden flick of his wrist, the perpetrator flung out a horseshoe. Mountain Tim calmly reined it in with a tricky manoeuvre of his rope. It looped around the midsection of a horseshoe and he yanked it back. With a disdainful look on his face, Mountain Tim authorised more force since he, Johnny Joestar, wasn't going down without a fist fight./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" In the time it took to distract him, Joestar had crawled further into the thicket. Mountain Tim sighed, exasperated./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'What you trying to do?' he called out. 'Don't think about doing anything stupid! The chase ends here, I'd like to concentrate on the race.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Mountain Tim chose a PokeBalls from off his belt./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Here goes nothin'... Oh Lonesome Me, I choose you. Help me nab this fool.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The PokeBall opened slightly and his signature partner, his Simisage, sprung out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Use Vine Whip.' he instructed./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Simisage flung its arm forward. From its wrists, two thick vines unravelled. Simisage manipulated them as one might swing rope. With the utmost precision, it was able to grab hold of Joestar by his neck. Joestar clawed at the rope. Simisage tugged back. Joestar moved slightly./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He gave up on struggling, briefly, before popping a knife./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Dammit, don't hurt yourself, Lonesome.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Sage!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Simisage frowned. It continued to try and wrangle in Joestar but he was quickly whittling away at the vines Simisage had already swung forward. Simisage attempted to distract him with Bullet Seed - just as a scare tactic - but Joestar continued on unafraid./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The vines snapped and dropped to the ground. Joestar continued into the deeper parts of the thickets. Mountain Tim surveyed the area. The mountain range grew in close here, hence all the rocks, which likely meant there were strange drop-offs. He wouldn't be surprised if there was one hiding behind the thicket, hence why Joestar had elected to hide there. Still, something was off about this./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Don't worry 'bout it Lonesome, we'll catch him. Still, I knew him. That was Johnny Joestar. Didn't realise he had the gall to kill one man, let alone three. I'm surprised he's the murderer.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Simi-saage.' his Simisage chimed in./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" As Benjamin Boom Boom fled, his disguise fell off. His Ditto peeled itself off his skin and he morphed back to normal. That too was quite a terrifying process as well as great chunks of his body, of his skin, seemed to drop off before discolouring to a fleshy pink and become whole as Ditto again./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Snickering, Benjamin met up with his sons./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey Andre, L.A., alright, that should keep that prick Mountain Tim busy. He'll be chasing after Johnny Joestar now. And when they all meet up, they'll all take each other out in a battle royale. Anyone left, we take out: easy as pie!'/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"Chapter 18 – VS THE BOOM BOOM FAMILY/span/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;":/span/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'What happened - your foot?' Johnny yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro gripped his leg, gritted his teeth. He looked as though he were resisting the urge to buckle beneath his own weight./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The other two members of the Boom Boom family drew in closer yet. Their precious Andre remained passed out by the rock. The belt around his neck had loosened, he no longer foamed at the mouth. It was not obvious if he were alive or dead. He did not appear to breathe or twitch even slightly./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Gyro, what is that?' Johnny asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro cussed under his breath. 'The pain's incredible, these claws - I think they're claws - feel just like steel. Damn, it's getting worse with every second… I think this might be a Pokemon belonging to that goddamn Andre Boom Boom.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Shit…' Johnny murmured. The gun in his hand weighed heavy as he considered it. 'If that is Andre Boom Boom's Pokemon then that's unlawful attacking of a Trainer… we have every right to use this gun if that's the truth.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Here they come!' Gyro yelled. 'Just take the left; I've got the right, you hear me? Don't let them come any closer!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro yelped suddenly, surprised by the pulling out of whatever had pierced his foot. Blood dripped from his open wounds. His breathing became uneven and he carefully eyed the ground for signs of movement. He was certain something lurked right beneath his feet but he wasn't sure what it was./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The sound of scrabbling burst through. Johnny screamed and Gyro was attacked from behind his time. He felt harsh scratches rake across his back. He counted four claws. Four claws. What did that mean?/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He turned around and his attacker had fled already. His shirt was in ribbons; as was his skin. More blood dripped from his wounds./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Did you see that, Johnny?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Yeah. It… It was a Sandslash. And it dove back into the ground; it could be anywhere now.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The Boom Booms came closer still./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Brother's not moving; do you think he cleaned his wounds from that Foongus yet?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'God, you've been noisy for a while!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" As they moved in closer still, bickering began to emerge between the father-son duo./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'And L.A., how long're you gonna stick to my ass? I told you to stick to the other side of those guys for our plan. Go in from both sides, that was the plan! God, you're slow; just like your mother! Just like that stupid woman who left to become a whore!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Our… Our mother was a Swanna, right? Big Brother said so. Our mother was a Swanna; do I look like a Swanna to you?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oh shut up!' his father screamed as they split off to begin a pincer attack. 'Just go and get around those other guys!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The certain attack from the other Boom Boom family members was one thing. They could be seen and therefore, they could be attacked. However, it was that Sandslash that was messing up Gyro./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Shit, I can't tell who's the best for this situation.' Johnny growled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Well you pick now before your Zebstrika gets it.' Gyro cocked a brash smirk as he picked out a PokeBall. 'But be ready to use that gun at moment's notice.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I - I know.' Johnny replied./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He still didn't like how it felt in his hands. It was bulky and awkward. He didn't have much experience with guns so it was intimidating. Johnny reached into his pack stowed on the side of his Zebstrika's saddle and he made a choice. There was one ground type, one electric type, and two fire types at play: he would simply have to hope for good type coverage and something to complement whatever Gyro was two seconds away from tossing out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Go, go, Squealer!' Gyro yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" There was a pulsing fury to how he threw out this PokeBall and Johnny just knew it was going to be good. He just knew he could put a lot of faith in Gyro./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" From his Spin-infused PokeBall, came a Furret. A cute and goofy looking Furret but if it belonged to Gyro then it was probably more of a threat than its adorable exterior made it seem. Or so Johnny hoped. Maybe the blood loss was screwing with Gyro's sense for planning./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Tomb of the Boom!' yelled Benjamin Boom Boom./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He tossed out a PokeBall and a tiny, wiggling-jiggling Ditto began to waddle towards the battle./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Transform!' Benjamin Boom Boom yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Ditto transformed into the spitting image of Gyro's Furret./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro gritted his teeth. 'Squealer, use Hyper Beam!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Tomb, use Hyper Beam!/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Furret and Ditto were in perfect synchronicity with each other. Both acting like a mirror of each; almost impossible tell them apart, save for that blank, uncharacteristic smile upon the transformed Ditto's face. Both Pokemon opened their mouths and orange energy concentrated atop their tongues. The energy burst forth into a powerful beam./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Ditto changed back to its regular form. Furret's attack missed as it had aimed for a creature its own height. Furret took on the other hyper Beam, straight to its thick furred chest. It chattered and most of its health was knocked out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro gritted his teeth and glared. 'Return, Squealer!' he decided./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He refused to let his Furret faint, he'd give it time to recuperate in its PokeBall. He thrust out his arm and his Furret was snatched up by a silvery light. It returned to its green, steely PokeBall. So far this turn had been a bust./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Johnny glanced at Gyro. 'Gyro, you're wounds are getting worse. And… And Squealer, what should we do?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I know, it's fine.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin and L.A Boom Boom encircled Johnny and Gyro. Their mounts picked up speed and with that Sandslash lurking, Johnny and Gyro were effectively trapped./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'First place is Dad, second place is Big Brother Andre, and third place is me. It'll be a one-two-three finish. The prize money total will be big! Really big!' L.A Boom Boom sang as he rode. 'Um, how do you add them up again?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" '60, 100, 000, 000, you idiot!' his father screamed at him./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'These guys don't look like much but they're completely different from that Mrs Robinson fellow.' Gyro said, his voice a low growl./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" There was a groggy moan and it was followed by footsteps. Andre Boom Boom had woken up and already, he mounted his Zebstrika. He was quick to join the fray but he couldn't have been in a good headspace after all./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Brother Andre! Big Brother came to; he beat the poison!' his precocious, younger brother cried out joyously as Andre rode next to him./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Gyro, you're still bleeding, this is serious, we need to do something.' Johnny pointed out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I know, I think I'm growing faint but I'm fine. We'll win this battle, I swear.' Gyro replied. He really didn't need Johnny pointing out the obvious right now./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His eyes followed the dust trails that were being kicked up in the wake of the two encircling Rapidash and the one Zebstrika. That Sandslash hadn't shown up again yet either./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey yo, L.A., can you do this?' Andre asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His brother turned his head curiously, bright-eyed, and watched as Andre performed a neat little party trick. He inhaled deeply and his nostrils flattened against each other until they seemed two-dimensional./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Whoa! That's awesome!' L.A. crooned. 'How do you do that? Can you show me to do that?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Duuuumbass!' Andre teased. 'I won't tell you, you wouldn't be able to do it if you had your whole life to learn!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He turned his head and performed the same trick on his ear, just to further rub in his talent in his little brother's face. Though it only served to further impress L.A. rather than anything else except further inflate Andre's sense of superiority and ego too. However, their father was unamused by his son's antics. He called out to them in a vicious, rasping voice./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey, you guys! Who is going to close in and finish these guys? Or am I gonna have to do it?' he yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Andre shook his head. He seemed to have healed from his near strangulation. His demeanour totally changed from when he was teasing his brother. His demeanour totally changed from earlier when he had come across as so utterly pathetic. Now, he seemed to be a threat./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'The guy on the Zebstrika… he hasn't used any Pokemon yet, not to mention he's got a gun.' Andre pointed out. /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'That guy is too much of a wimp to pull the trigger on us and he's cowardly enough to be letting his injured friend do all the heavy lifting, he ain't a threat!' Benjamin yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Johnny frowned but he couldn't dispute it. He was hesitating over both his gun and his PokeBalls. He was afraid. A wimp, a coward. It was true. Very true./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Then I'll go, Dad.' Andre decided, resolute. 'Those guys didn't give me any fire right away. I was this close to having the poison circulate my whole body… I'm gonna get my revenge!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro straightened up. He seemed unaffected by his wounds. Having tested the waters, he knew better now than to underestimate these foes. He unclipped a PokeBall from his belt. It spun in the palm of his hand. He seemed strangely calm as he stared out and assessed his opponent./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oh good, he's got another PokeBall ready. It'll be a fair fight then.' Andre commented sarcastically./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He laughed. He had an oddly sinister laugh for his appearance. His father joined in as well but L.A. mostly stared dumbly, wondering what the joke was./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'It'll just be the same result though.' L.A. said. 'Between the three of us, we have very powerful Pokemon.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Go, go, Mean Streak!' Gyro yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He tossed out his PokeBall as far as it could go. It would seem that his Krookodile was not even going to appear on the battlefield./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'It's not gonna reach, dumbass!' Andre yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I wouldn't be so sure of that.' Gyro said. He smiled, flashed those tacky teeth of his. 'My Mean Streak's a smart critter.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Krookodile wasn't even in the vicinity of the battle. It used its tail to bat its PokeBall back to Gyro. Much like their enemies, Johnny was questioning Gyro's sanity and judgement./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Then, Gyro's Krookodile dived into the ground. It scraped up grass and dirt as it went. Much like a fish would navigate water, it navigated the underground./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'In fact, they say Pokemon take after Trainers. I bet that Sandslash is gonna have a hard time tracking down my little Mean Streak unless it goes for me in which case…' Gyro mimicked a gun and pretended to shoot the ground./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Johnny brandished his gun to strengthen the bluff. Unless Gyro was one hundred percent counting on him to shoot if that Sandslash was to pop up. He swallowed and his eyes searched frantically. He tried to train himself to hear every quiet noise but it was useless. Then, he heard it: the breach of earth./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" But it wasn't close to him. It wasn't from Andre's Sandslash./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" It was from Gyro's Krookodile./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" From beneath the ground, its claws slashed through. It grabbed onto the legs of Andre's Zebstrika and pulled it down. Great clumps of dirt and grass were freed. Andre was thrown off his mount. Gyro's Krookodile roared. Andre's head spun. And so did his Zebstrika's, it would appear that it had been a super effective one hit knockout./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Whoa, what an impressive hit.' Johnny gawked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Johnny, get your stuff on your Zebstrika, we have to leave this place. There's two of these guys and neither of us're in any condition to fight.' Gyro said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro hardened himself for his next command. Johnny fussed around as quick as he could. Gyro tried to buy him more time. To be fair, Gyro had copped probably a Crush Claw from that damn Sandslash, wherever it was, so it was only a necessity at this point to level the playing field; even if it did break a few rules. But hey, eye for an eye in Gyro's opinion./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Mean Streak, use Rock Smash!' Gyro yelled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Krookodile pummelled Andre. With fists forceful enough to break rocks, Krookodile did more than puncture Andre's skin. It punched straight through his torso and carved a bloody hole. He screamed and screamed in straight horror./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Gyro glanced over his shoulder and saw that Johnny was good to go. He returned his Krookodile to its PokeBall. Satisfied, it was time for them to flee. He and Johnny then high-tailed it out of there whilst the Boom Boom family regrouped. They sussed out Andre's wound and began making new plans./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Shiiit, shiiit!' Andre screamed as he clamped his hand over his gaping wound./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" L.A. drew in closer, concerned but scared./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Ah, God, it hurts! That bastard!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'There's a hole in Brother Andre's stomach… Whoa! It's bigger than your belly button!' L.A. screeched./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Their father screamed insults at the behinds of Johnny and Gyro's mounts. He drew out his own pistol and began firing shots into the distance. Unfortunately, they all missed but it helped clear his mind; quell his fury. Now, he could think properly, at the very least./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Ugh, what shitheads…' he murmured./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin drew in closer. 'Oi, lemme see your wound.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I - I think I'm gonna die, Dad!' Andre screamed./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" It ain't that big, I've had worse. When I was young, I fell off a cliff once. Tore off my lower jaw and I walked back home. Drink some whiskey and put a bandage on it if yer that worried.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Argh, but that bastard! I'll get my revenge of him!' yelled Andre./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Yeah, we'll finish them. We'll kill them and we'll reach the next waterhole faster than anyone else. If we get there first, we can destroy it and the other racers who come by next won't have any drinking water so they'll be wiped out!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His loud voice dissolved into insane laughter. He seemed drunk on the idea of such power in the race. Andre found his own voice crackling with laughter despite the pain. Once more, L.A. stared and was uncertain of the joke. But, he was more concerned by what they ought to do about Johnny and Gyro./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey,' he piped up, unsurely, 'how're we gonna catch up to those guys? Those two're popular candidates for Champion. We're attacking them like because we don't stand a chance head on, right? What're we gonna do?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oh look, the family smart ass has made a comment.' his father snarled./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Andre tutted./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" L.A. whimpered having embarrassed himself./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin turned his head and his lips upturned into a slash-like grin. 'Who said anything about chasing them?'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Huh?' L.A. piped up. /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Benjamin chucked his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the inky distance./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'We'll let the guy chasing us chase those two bastards, Gyro Zeppeli and Johnny Joestar.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Huh? Behind us?' L.A. mumbled, eyes widening./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He turned around in his saddle and tried to squint through the trees. But it useless. All he could see was darkness and smudged shapes. Benjamin laughed cynically at his son's stupidity./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Who is it? Who's behind us? I can't seem them.' L.A. asked questions like a vapid child. It was seriously annoying./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'We've had this guy following us fer a while now. Out of the three thousand racers, there's someone who found our hoofprints and have been tracking us since morning. But I knew all about it!' Benjamin crooned./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'You mean he noticed our hoofprints and pinned 'em to us? Out of three thousands mounts? Can such a man exist?' L.A. asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'He does. I can't just seem him from here, he's really good at hiding. If I had to guess, this guy is probably a sheriff or something. But more likely than not, might be another Trainer, one buddy-buddy with the local sheriff though and there is such a guy. So, we're probably bein' tracked by that fuckin' Mountain Tim.' Benjamin reasoned./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Mountain Tim?' Andre echoed, almost scandalised./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Ain't he the one who came fourth? The cowboy everyone looks up to, they call him!' L.A. gasped./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'And we're gonna use him against those bastards. It'll be one stone, two birds. Mountain Tim will leave us alone and Zeppeli and Joestar will be disqualified from the race. Genius!' Benjamin said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He stuck his grotty fingers in his mouth and whistled. With sloshing noises, his Ditto returned to his side./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Oi, you, up here.' he commanded it./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Ditto slunk up the leg of his Rapidash. It pulled itself up by stretching itself out until it finally wound itself around its Trainer's face. It began to stretch unnaturally around his Trainer, encasing him in the goop that was its body. Slowly, a new face was formed in the pink membrane./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Wh-What are you planning to do to Mountain Tim, Dad?' L.A. asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Andre grunted. L.A. didn't avert his eyes. Watching Ditto mould and remould itself and their father was grotesque. Andre's grunts turned to chuckles as the new face solidified./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I think I get what Dad's thinking.' he nodded to himself. 'Yeah, that's a surefire way of doin' it!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'We'll eliminate everyone in our way: the Boom Boom Family will be the leaders of the race! No one'll stand in our way; we'll haunt our enemies like boogeymen!' Benjamin declared./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His body ceased morphing. He looked like a completely different person./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" It was time to further set plans into motion. Andre and L.A. made themselves scarce whilst Benjamin turned himself into the bait./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" A lantern, yellowy, swung through the darkness. In its stead, came Mountain Tim on the back of his Tauros. He investigated the ground as he went. Grass curled back up from once being trodden on. In scant stretches of dirt, a recognisable set of tracks wound through./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" In this part of the forest, there was a lot of trees and rocks but most curiously, there was a thick spread of bramble and briar laden with thorns weaving through strangled trees. Mountain Tim was quiet. He heard the whinny of some Pokemon, soft but not scared, and the rustle of something else. Something more akin to that of a human. He blew out his lantern and wandered closer to the bramble. It was dark and shadowy beneath its branches which made it a good hiding spot for anyone who didn't want to be found./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Mountain Tim decided to address it despite the chance that he was just addressing some baby Deerling or something. He cleared his throat and began formalities. But further down, he saw a Rapidash wearing a saddle. It didn't seem stranded, per se, but it didn't seem like it wanted to be there. That was pretty solid evidence that a Trainer was hiding here./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Under the laws of the Driftveil City township and wider Unova laws, I have been inducted as an assistant sheriff. I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of three contestants in the Steel Ball Run race. Show your hands and slowly get out there.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He drew out a piece of rope. He coiled it tightly and brandished it with a great crack. In his hands, it sounded more menacing than a whip./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Depending on the situation, I have the right to execution.' he threatened./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Shuffling on his knees, the person reared around and came out of thicket very slowly with his hands up. Mountain Tim continued to order him./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Alright, turn this way - don't lower your hands!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" With the hood over his head, it was hard to see him but when he finally revealed himself, Mountain Tim was sickened to his stomach. His eyes widened but he tried not to let his shock be known. He hadn't expected this of that person. /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'I remember you… You were fifth place…' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Blonde hair beneath a beanie, blue eyes and blue lips, kind of a small guy: Mountain Tim didn't doubt. That was Johnny Joestar… but wasn't he registered with Zebstrika? If he was, then that was another reason he would be disqualified from the race. Albeit, considering the murder charges, it was something of a petty reason./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" With a sudden flick of his wrist, the perpetrator flung out a horseshoe. Mountain Tim calmly reined it in with a tricky manoeuvre of his rope. It looped around the midsection of a horseshoe and he yanked it back. With a disdainful look on his face, Mountain Tim authorised more force since he, Johnny Joestar, wasn't going down without a fist fight./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" In the time it took to distract him, Joestar had crawled further into the thicket. Mountain Tim sighed, exasperated./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'What you trying to do?' he called out. 'Don't think about doing anything stupid! The chase ends here, I'd like to concentrate on the race.'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Mountain Tim chose a PokeBalls from off his belt./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Here goes nothin'... Oh Lonesome Me, I choose you. Help me nab this fool.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The PokeBall opened slightly and his signature partner, his Simisage, sprung out./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Use Vine Whip.' he instructed./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Simisage flung its arm forward. From its wrists, two thick vines unravelled. Simisage manipulated them as one might swing rope. With the utmost precision, it was able to grab hold of Joestar by his neck. Joestar clawed at the rope. Simisage tugged back. Joestar moved slightly./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" He gave up on struggling, briefly, before popping a knife./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Dammit, don't hurt yourself, Lonesome.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Sage!'/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" His Simisage frowned. It continued to try and wrangle in Joestar but he was quickly whittling away at the vines Simisage had already swung forward. Simisage attempted to distract him with Bullet Seed - just as a scare tactic - but Joestar continued on unafraid./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" The vines snapped and dropped to the ground. Joestar continued into the deeper parts of the thickets. Mountain Tim surveyed the area. The mountain range grew in close here, hence all the rocks, which likely meant there were strange drop-offs. He wouldn't be surprised if there was one hiding behind the thicket, hence why Joestar had elected to hide there. Still, something was off about this./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Don't worry 'bout it Lonesome, we'll catch him. Still, I knew him. That was Johnny Joestar. Didn't realise he had the gall to kill one man, let alone three. I'm surprised he's the murderer.' Mountain Tim said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Simi-saage.' his Simisage chimed in./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" As Benjamin Boom Boom fled, his disguise fell off. His Ditto peeled itself off his skin and he morphed back to normal. That too was quite a terrifying process as well as great chunks of his body, of his skin, seemed to drop off before discolouring to a fleshy pink and become whole as Ditto again./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" Snickering, Benjamin met up with his sons./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" 'Hey Andre, L.A., alright, that should keep that prick Mountain Tim busy. He'll be chasing after Johnny Joestar now. And when they all meet up, they'll all take each other out in a battle royale. Anyone left, we take out: easy as pie!'/p