Secrets of the Night
DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!
Chapter 52: Rivalry and Compassion
*This is another collaboration chapter. This time with Dead Bones Sam. He's the one who submitted Neo. Enjoy~! ^^
Early that morning, the group prepared to make the trip to the next city which was a short walk from Celadon. But after breakfast, Neo got caught in a conversation with one of his late father's associates. Gremio stayed with him to help.
Seeing the opportunity, Chase made a last minute decision to tour around the fancy hotel with Gertrud, Arana and his own two pokemon, Vince and Faith who were now wearing two new accessories on either arm.
They went up the balcony that overlooked the entire city. The sight left them in awe until Arana floated off, and suddenly reminded them that it was okay since she was a ghost-type. Faith, Chase's Gardevoir, wanted to try too and attempted to leap off but was quickly stopped by a frantic Gallade, followed by Chase's quick thinking by luring her back quickly with an unwrapped bar of chocolate, much to Faith's delight and Gertrud's speechlessness.
They then visited the various pokemon function rooms as well as the spa and training ground. Chase convinced Gertrud to take pictures so they could send them to Blaze over the computer. Gertrud thought it over and agreed; she couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he learned that Gertrud helped win a gym battle and stayed in a five-star hotel.
After an hour or so, three to be exact, the troupe came back, much to the relief of Neo, who was already waiting at the door with Gremio. The two cast the grinning five questioning looks but didn't comment. Chase and the others looked happy so they didn't want to spoil the morning mood.
Chase ran up to Neo and noted the amulet that hung from the raven-haired teen's neck. It was the Key Stone that Gremio told him about. The prism sphere rested in a black custom-made mold that consisted of a claw at the top and an accented arc that joined the top to the bottom at one side. Chase smiled to himself and flexed his wrist to feel the weight of his own Key Stone.
Neo followed his gaze and zeroed in on his friend's wrist, recalling what Gremio had told him. Prior, he had been informed of the Key Stone, Gardevoirite and Galladite during their wait so it didn't come as a surprise when he saw the items being worn by Chase and his pokemon.
The group left the hotel and went to the pokemon center so the two could change into their usual traveling clothes. Soon after, they parted ways with Gremio who had other matters to attend to in the city. Neo and Chase thanked him for the Key and Mega Stones before Neo stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the man. Gremio returned the hug and quietly reminded his precious charge to watch his health. The young Takamoto heir nodded and tightened his embrace, relishing in the warmth that the man gave.
Shortly, Neo and Chase, along with Gertrud ventured onto Route 7. Arana was in her pokeball resting. She wasn't used to being outside in the brightest of mornings. It wasn't very becoming for a ghost pokemon. Gertrud let her be and continued to walk along with Chase and Neo.
As they were walking through the familiar road where they first met, they heard noises of an on-going battle, loud and explosive ones at that. Curiosity got the better of them and they went over to investigate. They peeked from behind the green bushes just in time to see a Hitmonchan drive a Poliwrath to the ground with an intense crackling Thunder Punch, inevitably knocking it out cold.
From Neo, Chase and Gertrud's viewpoint, they could tell the Hitmonchan's trainer had long brown messy hair that reached his shoulders. His outfit was a military-type with a green shirt, sleeves rolled up, matching cargo pants, black combat boots and black fingerless gloves.
"Yes!" The Hitmonchan's owner exclaimed proudly. "Way to finish it off!"
The Hitmonchan nodded in pride at its owner as their opponent returned his Poliwrath with a disgruntled look on his face before running off. Having defeated its opponent, the Hitmonchan dutifully returned to his owner however it caught sight of Neo, Chase and Gertrud and pointed them out to him. The brown-haired guy turned around and caught the trio watching.
"Hey!" The man cried out, looking towards them abrasively. "What are you doing?"
Neo exchanged looks with his companions before stepping out of their hiding spot. "We apologize for eavesdropping on your battle. But that was quite the victory."
The trainer's Hitmonchan looked questioningly to its owner but did not act as he saw his trainer smirk.
"You saw that, huh?" He said proudly with a cocky attitude that the others couldn't miss. "Yeah we saw him training with his Pokemon and challenged him to a battle- gotta get your practice in where you can get it, right?"
"I guess," Neo replied, feeling a little unsettled with the other guy's attitude. Warning signs were starting to go off in his mind.
"Neo? Can we keep going? I don't like this guy," Gertrud asked with telepathy, making sure the Hitmonchan nor its trainer didn't hear her.
Chase heard Gertrud as well but didn't comment on it. He was studying the Hitmonchan's trainer. He looked a little older than them. His eyes were brown like his hair which was held back by a green band. His shirt was open, revealing his toned chest and necklace with a couple of tags that neither of them could identify. The way he carried himself exuded superiority and smug confidence.
The Hitmonchan's trainer approached the trio and extended his hand, causing Neo to flinch slightly at how quickly he moved. "Name's Kiba," he intoduced plainly before he gestured to his Hitmonchan that stood behind him. "That's the Champ over there."
The Hitmonchan nodded as Neo shook Kiba's hand, struggling not to show how bad the guy's grip was affecting him.
Chase quickly intervened, reading his friend's situation. He cut in between the two and replaced Neo's hand with his. He flinched as well at the strong grip before drawing it back behind him. "Hey, Kiba... I'm Chase." He then thrust a thumb at his friend using his freehand while the other one was still throbbing. "That's Neo…" Then finally, he gestured to the Roserade beside him. "And that's Gertrud."
Neo and Gertrud nodded in unison while Neo flexed his hand to relieve the now fading tension from the handshake. The uncomfortable feeling was beginning to grow more and more. Neo couldn't exactly put a finger as to why. Perhaps, it was merely paranoia.
"Excuse me for asking," Neo asked in his usual polite manner. "But where are you from, Kiba?"
"Born and raised in Vermillion City," Kiba explained with a proud expression. "I was fighting with wild Pokemon ever since I was three- and I caught my first Pokemon when I was ten!" Kiba laughed at his joke, further adding to the uneasy feeling coming from the trio. "I've been traveling around taking place in tournaments and league battles since I was a kid; now we're just preparing for whatever challenge we find next."
"Whoa. Sounds quite the life," Chase commented with the tiniest hint of sarcasm. "You really live for battles, huh?"
"Hell yeah!" Kiba answered back with a hungry grin. "Nobody remembers about the losers in life. You're either the best and the strongest or on the floor picking up your teeth." The other two boys cringed at the reference. "What about you two? You guys trainers?" He asked, looking down at Gertrud with a snide smile.
"Chase and I are trainers, and we're on a personal journey of sorts," Neo answered vaguely.
"Yup. Neo battles gym leaders, I accompany him and help out when I can," Chase added, following Neo's lead.
Gertrud, on the other hand, inched closer to Neo and Chase while glaring back at Kiba. She really didn't like his attitude and refused to speak up.
"Gym battles huh?" Kiba asked, sounding suddenly interested. "How many badges you sporting, Neo?"
"I just got my third yesterday. We're heading to Saffron City to earn my fourth one," Neo replied, keeping his guard up.
Kiba scowled at the mention of Saffron City. "Hey man, don't even bother with that gym. They don't care about how strong their Pokemon are- they only care about throwing their opponents around with their freaky 'mind powers'. Totally unfair."
It was then that Gertrud snapped. "Who are you calling pokemon with freaky mind powers!"
Kiba jumped at the sound of Gertrud's voice coming from out of nowhere and looked down at the now furious rose Pokemon with a sudden distaste. His Hitmonchan, feeling his trainers discomfort came to stand beside him adding his bulk and menace to his trainers.
"Woah, sorry there little guy," Kiba said in a patronizing tone. "I didn't mean to step on your petals there."
Gertrud felt her blood boil. If she was a Quilava, then she would have erupted. "For your information, I'm a girl! And if you think you can make fun of me, you arrogant little, I'll shove a-"
Chase cut her off by stepping in front and waving his hands dismissively. "Sorry about that. Gertrud's kinda hot-tempered. We should just move on…" He looked back at his friend, almost pleadingly. They needed to leave. ASAP. "Right Neo?"
"Now. Hold on there," Kiba cut in with what sounded like a snarl in his voice. He turned to Neo and pointed at Gertrud. "Is little miss prickles your Pokemon?"
Neo stepped in front of the Roserade and addressed Kiba with a neutral expression to mask the growing anger he had at his tone. "Gertrud is my friend's pokemon, but she is under my care and therefore, my responsibility."
"Well, your friend clearly didn't hold the reigns tight enough on his Pokemon, letting them talk back to people like that. Pokemon need to be kept under control, their power in check until they realize who's the master and who's the pokemon. Take the Champ for example- raised him from a Tyrogue and sparred with him every day. The one time he disobeyed an order he learned never to do that again."
The Hitmonchan nodded with its arms crossed as its left arm seemed to shudder involuntarily for a split second, as if from a painful memory.
Neo, being the perceptive one, took note of the small action but before he could speak, Gertrud's mental voice growled angrily. Startled, he quickly turned to her and saw her eyes glowing gold like she was just about to fire Extrasensory.
"How dare you! I won't let anyone badmouth Blaze!" Gertrud was on the verge of exploding. Her eyes glowed back and forth from normal red to blazing gold. "I'll show you, you stuck-up, half baked, arrogant Emboar-headed, sorry-excuse for a Magikarp!"
"Gertrud." Neo frantically held her back as Chase stepped in to help as well.
Kiba looked down at Gertrud as if he had just been slapped. He looked down at her menacingly with his Hitmonchan doing more than add to the threat by stretching out its arms. The visible signs of aggression were sending extreme warnings signs like sirens to Neo and Chase.
"That's awful big talk from such a little flower," Kiba taunted cooly with a cocky smirk. "And if I didn't know any better I'd say those are fighting words."
"So what if they are!?" Gertrud answered back, making Neo and Chase realize it's futile to silence a telepath.
"Well then, step into the ring, measly sprout," Kiba taunted again. "Let you and Champ go one one in the ring for a few rounds. Or, if your nanny..." Kiba threw a look at Neo with a mocking jeer. "Doesn't want his friend's Pokemon doing any real work, he'll battle me. One on one. No time limit. No rules... Your call, Neo."
Neo narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, trying hard to maintain his composure. He looked to Gertrud and then to Chase. His decision was made. Stepping forward, he met Kiba's gaze with a hardened look. "I'll take you on."
Gertrud was about to speak up and said it was her battle, but Chase held her back and silently told her that they'd let Neo handle it.
"Well, alright then!" Kiba exclaimed excitedly as he eagerly bounced like a boxer in a match before walking off a distance away from the trio. "Just like I said before: One on One. No time limit. Everything's good? Is that alright with you, Neo? ...Or do you need rules like in a gym to feel better about the battle?"
"One on one is fine with me," Neo replied, taking his respective post far across Kiba. Chase and Gertrud just a little ways behind him.
Kiba's Hitmonchan stepped in as if he was going to fight for Kiba, and for a moment Neo thought he'd have the advantage due to Novus and Arana's immunity to fighting type attacks, but before it could make it in between the two trainers Kiba held him back.
"Nah, I got this. Scourge needs to be broken in a bit more anyways." Before Neo could ask what he meant by 'breaking in' Kiba tossed his Pokeball into the center of the field before it erupted revealing a massive red hued insectoid with two massive pincers for arms and another for a tail.
"A Drapion!" Gertrud identified the pokemon. "It's Noire's evolved form… But as far as I know, Drapions are purplish, not red."
Neo recalled the little scorpion pokemon that Blaze had, a Skorupi. He stared at the large red pokemon and took out his pokedex for a better outlook.
Drapion
The Ogre Scorpion Pokemon
It takes pride in its strength, and even though it could rip its opponents in half it finishes them with secreted poison from its claws.
Neo took another good look at the unusually colored Drapion to figure out a strategy. But when he did, he was startled by the overall state of the pokemon. Scars littered its body and it was panting somewhat. Neo could hardly believe that Kiba would send a pokemon to battle in that state. Was the guy underestimating him? Or he just didn't care about the pokemon? Recalling the way the Hitmonchan recoiled earlier, Neo expected the worst.
"Your pokemon is not fit to battle," Neo informed, hoping that Kiba would change his mind. If he just made a mistake in taking it out and forgetting the injuries, then it was understandable. "You should take it to a pokemon center. Battle me with one that's fully healed."
"What? Are you talking about the scars?" Kiba asked in surprise. "Heh. He had those when I caught him in Sinnoh. Well... most of them. See, he was an Alpha, or a pack leader when I caught him. Most of those scars are from defending his title as King of the Rock. Only reason he's tired is because he doesn't like to listen when we train. But he will." Scourge's eyes seemed to look back at Kiba as a weak growl seemed to pass its mandibles but it turned its attention towards Neo exhaling once more before releasing a challenging roar at his opponent.
"I can't tell what he's thinking," Gertrud said worriedly as she stared at the state of the Drapion. "But I don't need telepathy to tell he doesn't like Kiba."
Neo nodded in agreement. The way Kiba was treating the Drapion didn't settle well with him. But what could he do? The Drapion was Kiba's pokemon and Kiba wasn't going to listen to reason anytime soon.
"You going to pick your pokemon anytime soon or what?" Kiba called out impatiently. "Or did you decide to let miss prickles fight after all?"
Gertrud growled but Neo spoke up before she could send any telepathic insults, "I'm not gonna fight an injured pokemon. Send in another pokemon."
"Look kid, when I caught Scourge here, he wiped out my entire party, three highly trained pokemon nearly died fighting him- if i didn't have a pokemon immune to poison it would have killed us all. That was at full power and no injuries. Now if you're afraid that a slightly tired Drapion is too much for you to handle than step aside and let the big-mouth Roserade back up its talk."
Neo was presented with little choice. Hesitantly, he picked out one of his pokeballs. With a light toss of the capsule, he sent out his Wartortle onto the battlefield. Drapion was a tricky opponent; the dark-typing was going to be problematic for his ghost-types, and Kashu, being a fairy-type, was not good with poison-types. He only had his water-type to rely on. "Let's win this, Genbu." He said with a neutral voice to mask the hesitation that continued to gnaw at him.
Genbu nodded, noticing the lack of enthusiasm in his trainer's voice. Turning towards his opponent, he began to understand why. He had fought several opponents but none in the state of the Drapion before him.
"Now, as the offended party I think it's fair if I go first... Any objection?"
Neo and Chase didn't speak up. Gertrud merely huffed and crossed her rose arms in front of her chest.
"I'll take that as a no." Kiba snorted and turned to his pokemon. "Scourge, use Hone Claws now!"
The shiny Drapion raised it's front pincers as they glowed a bright white color, seeming to grow in length in the process. Neo couldn't be sure but he was guessing that it was affecting his tail as well.
"Alright, Genbu!" Neo called out. "Use Ice Beam."
With a nod of compliance, Genbu launched into action and fired a jagged beam of ice directly at the red Drapion.
"Dodge it with Dig!" Kiba shouted.
The Ice Beam barely struck the massive insectoid as it took cover beneath the ground. A rumble filled the air before a tense silence took over. Anxiously, Neo and Genbu panned the surface, waiting for signs of the Drapion.
"Now come out and hit 'em with Toxic!"
The ground shook as the Drapion moved underground. Then without warning, it burst forth and appeared behind Genbu, spewing a poisonous stream from its mouth. Neo's Wartortle barely managed to steer clear of it as he scrambled away upon seeing the attack. He fell on his rear and stared down that the corroded crater that formed before him. It was steadily growing deeper as the toxic substance dissipated into smoke.
Neo was starting to see what Kiba meant about the Drapion being strong, but it still didn't mean that a pokemon should be pushed to extreme limits. He decided. If he couldn't get through the guy with reason, they he would have to use force. "Genbu, go! Ice Beam!"
Standing firm and returning to his battle composure, Neo's Wartortle let loose another freezing beam from his maw, steering it in a sweeping motion to cover the ground and increase the chances of striking the Drapion. Neo inwardly cheered as Genbu's Ice Beam found its mark and struck the Drapion. Unfortunately, all it seemed to do was anger the the large scorpion more as it narrowed its eyes at Genbu and shook off the frost.
"Night Slash! Now!" Kiba ordered, not waiting for a breather.
Scourge's already extended claws glowed a pitch black shade as he leapt at Genbu with the obvious intent to strike.
"Genbu, use Protect!" Neo reacted quickly.
And as soon as his Wartortle conjured up a blue-green barrier that outlined his body, the shiny Drapion's attack struck, dealing no damage.
"Don't give it any time to counter!" Kiba demanded with a snarl. "Keep attacking until its barrier is down!"
Scourge continued to relentlessly attack Genbu within his protective barrier. With every blow, it was clear to everyone watching that the shield was weakening. The light faded in and out until finally after several more attacks the barrier finally dissipated and the darkness-infused strike sent Genbu flying across the ground.
Fortunately, Neo's Wartortle managed to tuck inside his shell just before he hit the ground, lessening the damage from the impact. As soon as he recovered, Genbu got to his feet and Neo issued a follow up attack, "Aqua Jet! Don't let it escape."
Without missing another beat, Genbu burst into the air in a surging case of water. He zoomed across the field and dove straight for the Drapion.
"Use Toxic! Then slam him to the ground with Night Slash!"
From its mouth, Scourge fired a glob of poisonous goo towards the charging Wartortle where the two attacks collided in mid air, not only badly poisoning Genbu but setting it up to be slammed down by his follow up attack.
The dust cleared and Genbu was shown struggling to stand from the crater that was created during the impact, purple sparks of poison coarsed throughout his body. To make things worse, he was pinned beneath the Drapion's claw. Neo watched in fear at the sight as the massive crimson insectoid literally held the life of one of his cherished friends in it's claws.
"There you GO Scourge!" Kiba exclaimed excitedly. "Now finish him."
"Kiba! That's enough. Genbu lost," Chase cried out, rushing forward in his friend's place. He was stopped however by Kiba's Hitmonchan who kept him back with what was probably a 'gentle tap' in Kiba's book. Chase stumbled and almost feel back but he managed to stay on his feet.
"Neo's Wartortle is still moving," Kiba pointed out with a cruel smile. "Last I checked that means he's still in the fight."
"Genbu can't fight anymore. The battle is over." This time, it was Neo who stepped up. But instead of going to confront Kiba, he approached the middle of the battlefield where the two pokemon were still locked in a standstill. Casting a brief glance at Genbu who gave a weak whimper, he stared at the huge red scorpion's and bent down to its level before extending a hand. "The battle is over…"
The massive crimson Drapion flinched at Neo's hand, much to Neo and Chase's surprise, but quickly retaliated by roaring into Neo's face, scaring everyone but Kiba and his Hitmonchan who seemed to be enjoying the show. Rising to his full height, he continued to glare threateningly at the black-haired teen.
Neo felt his heart race and his breathing narrow. He silently cursed that Chase had his medication, not that he intended to show weakness in front of someone like Kiba. Mustering his resolve, he proceeded to face the massive pokemon, while trying hard not to give in to Genbu's struggling cries as he clearly tried to escape the scorpion's grip in order to help his trainer.
"Please," Neo pleaded to Scourge, his voice somewhere between stern and gentle. "Please, let him go."
Scourge stared at Neo for a moment, as if sizing the human up, before his dilated pupils returned to a more calm size. There was a certain something about the boy before him, something he had yet to fathom. Looking back down at Genbu, he gently released his hold on the turtle pokemon and allowed it to collapse onto the ground.
Breathing an air of relief and gratitude, Neo went closer and gathered his Wartortle into his arms. Genbu was out cold but he was alive. After making sure the unconscious turtle was safely secured, he stepped back and smiled gratefully at the shiny Drapion. "Thank you."
Chase and Gertrud took that moment and promptly raced over to Neo's side. They were surprised by Neo's actions but thankful that it all worked out. Or did it?
"What was that?!" Kiba demanded angrily. He walked past Neo and his friends as he looked up at Scourge angrily. "I told you to finish his Wartortle off. You didn't listen. AGAIN!"
Scourge growled angrily at Kiba before roaring threateningly right in Kiba's face. But the threatening roar suddenly turned into a roar of pain as he was instantly struck by Champ's Thunder Punch. The unexpected and explosive blow shocked Neo and the others as they stared in utter disbelief at what they just witnessed.
"All this time and energy I put into training you and you won't even follow orders!" Kiba threw a look at his Hitmonchan and it responded with another Thunder Punch into the red scorpion's flank, causing it to roar out in pain, once again.
"STOP IT!" Neo left Genbu with Chase and rushed to the Drapion's defense. His heart throbbed in pain but he ignored it. He wasn't going to stand there and watch helplessly. "You can't treat your pokemon like that."
Gertrud ran and stood by him as well. "That's right! And I take back what I said. You're worse than a Magikarp or a Slowpoke. You're not even fit to be a trainer!"
"Lay off. This is none of your business" Kiba brushed them both aside as his Hitmonchan continued to pummel into Scourge. The two could only watch in horror as the boxing pokemon threw down punishing blows. Kiba was unfazed. He stepped towards Neo and spoke up in a sly tone. "I'll let you in on a secret Neo... Anyone with any skill in battling are twice as hard on their pokemon as I am. Do you think any gym leader or Elite Four member will tolerate anything short of perfection on their teams?" He let the notion sink in. "You either get stronger or get out of the way for our betters... Or in Scourge's case, how to follow orders or how to take a hit."
Neo growled under his breath. But suddenly, a green blur darted past and knocked Kiba's Hitmonchan back. Neo looked and saw Chase's Grovyle, Percival, standing in front of the Drapion, leafy blades drawn in his defense.
"Can't you take a hint!?" Chase yelled as he came over, leaving Genbu with his Gardevoir. The Wartortle was steadily gaining consciousness and Faith was helping it along with Heal Pulse. Chase stood beside his Grovyle and glared at Kiba. "Enough is enough. You can't treat your pokemon like that."
"Scourge is my pokemon and I can train or punish him in anyway I want!" Kiba snarled angrily before throwing a look at his Hitmonchan. "Bullet Punch on his Grovyle, Champ. Bring him down!"
"Percival, use Acrobatics!" Chase countered.
With fists glowing a violent red, Kiba's Hitmonchan quickly lunged at the tall green lizard. The first few rapid blows landed consecutively before Percival leaped into the air and somersaulted forward, simultaneously landing a fist at the boxing pokemon's back before landing on the ground and driving a sweeping kick that knocked the Hitmonchan off his feet.
"Get back up! Use Agility and follow up with Sky Uppercut!" Kiba shouted furiously.
Champ quickly got back up and seemed to vanish thanks to his increase in speed. Reappearing seconds after, sending Chase's Grovyle flying from a well placed fist. Percival barely landed on his feet from the blow. Wiping the side of his face, he glared at the Hitmonchan as well as its trainer.
"Percival, close in and use Leaf Blade!" Chase commanded.
His Grovyle charged in swiftly as the leaves that grew out of its arms glowed bright green and formed into crescent swords. With fluid movements, Percival swung several blade strokes at the Hitmonchan as it barely knocked the blades away with its increased speed.
Just as Kiba was about to issue another command however, Scourge released another rage filled roar. He had enough. He charged at the two fighters. Unfortunately, the shiny Drapion had taken a lot of damage from his battle with Genbu and from what Champ's punishment had done afterwards. He was merely running on adrenaline. As it roared its pincers shot out at anything it considered a threat. Its rear pincer and left pincer it pinned Champ and Percival into the ground, and with its right pincer it grabbed Kiba around the waist, causing his 'trainer' to grunt in pain as he tried to free himself from Scourge's grip. Scourge's pokeball dropped to the ground with a light thud and shattered under the foot of the Drapion.
"Let me go you worthless bug! Let. Me. GO!" Kiba snarled and struggled to break free from the giant scorpion's shaking death grip.
Scourge was panting heavily from the damage he had taken and was looking at Kiba the same way he had looked at Neo before he was calmed down. Images of the days he spent under him flashed in his mind, igniting his anger even more. Scourge seemed to seethe with anger as it looked down at Kiba with a look of utter hatred that had been building since his capture. Just as Scourge was about to sink his jaws into his former trainer he felt a hand on his side, but unlike any other time a human had put a hand on him it was gentle, and almost soothing. He looked down to see Neo, panting from the adrenaline coursing through him from the ongoing battle But despite that, he was trying to calm him down.
"Don't do it," Neo pleaded to Scourge, partially recalling how a pokemon had killed someone in front of him. It was a sight he couldn't forget and didn't want to forget. "Don't be like him." Or them.
After staring down at Neo, his deathly glare seemed to ease as he looked back down towards Kiba. With a final snarl he released Percival and Champ, throwing Kiba into his pokemon where they were both knocked into a tree and crumpled into a heap.
It took a while but as soon as Kiba stood back on his feet, Scourge turned towards him, stomping threateningly and roaring at Kiba as if daring him to stay. After a moment's consideration, Kiba recalled his Hitmonchan into its pokeball and looked back towards Neo and his group.
"Don't think this is over!" He yelled angrily as he backed off towards a dirt road. "I will have my revenge!" He called out one last time before running off into the woods.
Chase stared speechlessly at the sight as he helped Percival back to his feet. "That was a little cliche."
Gertrud nodded as she walked over and stared at the direction where Kiba disappeared.
After the tenseness faded in the breeze, Chase looked back at Neo and the shiny Drapion. "Uhm… so what now?"
Neo cast him a blank look before meeting the red Drapion's gaze. "We should head to a pokemon center first. Then we can figure out what to do afterwards."
Chase agreed and recalled his respective pokemon. Neo did the same, including Gertrud who was reluctant at first but complied anyway. Both teens then turned to the Drapion. Scourge's pokeball was broken during the whole situation so he was a free pokemon. They had an option of letting him be but the Drapion was exhausted and on the verge of collapsing.
"We can heal it here," Chase suggested. "Cause I'm not sure if it's safe to lead it into the city, especially out in the open."
"Heal Pulse can only do so much," Neo answered back and placed a hand on the Drapion and looked over his injuries. "Scourge needs a full health examination from a pokemon center. Many of these scars didn't get time to heal properly."
Chase gazed in awe at the way Neo was regarding the seemingly violent pokemon that nearly tried to bite the head of its ex-trainer. He smiled and walked over to Neo, nudging him gently. "So I guess there is only one option, right?"
Neo looked at him in wonder but then realization had dawned on him as well. Meeting the crimson Drapion's eyes, he asked in a semi-neutral voice. "Scourge. Do you want to join my team?"
Scourge stared at Neo objectively as he considered his offer. He was hesitant. How would another human be different from another? The pain he felt in his body was a constant reminder of what humans could be capable of. For such a long time, cruelty of humans was all he knew. How, in such a short time, another human showed him something else.
Neo could sense the unease in Scourge and how long it would take for the damaged pokemon to open up to him and to hopefully trust him the way he hoped a trainer and his partners should trust one another. Neo gently raised his hand and held it up for Scourge, showing that the choice was his. "I'm not like him," he coaxed him gently. "I won't hurt you the way he did and I won't force you either to do things you don't want to."
Finally after what seemed a lifetime, the crimson Drapion placed its forehead gently into Neo's hand as a somewhat screechy purring sound came from the the pokemon's throat. Chase gave a snort of amusement. He predicted as much.
Neo smiled gently and stroked the pokemon. "Let's go…"
End of Chapter 52
Wew. That was intense Collab!
Gertrud was quite the outspoken telepath. lol. xD
Many thanks to Dead Bones Sam who wrote this with me, despite the timezone differences.
It only took two days! Believe it or not. The night before I slept and the whole afternoon the following day (My timezone)
Review! Please and Thank you.
(woot! 235 reviews and two days early for the scheduled post)
I'm still writing the next one. xD
Artwork:
(Mega Amulet) ht$tp:/$/fav.$me/d8zvslb
(Kiba) ht$tp:/$/fav.$me/d8zg4rd