"Ladies and gentlemen, behold…the water type specialist, the torrential masked master who neutralises everything that gets in his way with water…CRASHER WAKE!"
WAH HAH HA HAH HA!
Arms extended upwards with fists tightly clenched, a masked figure walked in his corner of the wrestling ring. His large frame and broad smile created a domineering but gentle aura that made him seem as though he were the centre of the large hall.
Beside him, a Floatzel with sleek fur and a charismatic face mimicked the larger man's movements, strutting around the ring with what could be described as a grin of confidence or possibly a prideful smirk.
Underneath the array of blinding lights, the two seemed larger than life as the crowd became even more heated upon seeing the trainer and pokémon beginning making boastful poses and various forms of flexing. The cacophonous cheering became so tremulous, the vibrations could be felt in the stands, and it only became worse when his opponent stepped foot into the cavernous hall.
Donning a crimson red mask with fiery eyebrows, bright blue and green sides and what appeared to be a lightning bolt through the middle, the teenager didn't seem to be intimidated in the slightest by the much larger man.
Perhaps it was due to the equally prideful Incineroar by his side, that took a moment to stand on its hindlegs to pose alongside the youth who wore a bold smile on his face. Both making a cat-like pose with hand and paw curled, the two yelled in unison, a deep bellow from their chests.
"INCINEEE"
"We're gonna win!"
"A brave declaration from today's challenger….hailing from the Alola Region and aiming for the the last badge he needs for this year's Lily of the Valley Conference…he calls himself THE MASKED ROYAL!"
Hearing the Gym Guide's announcement regarding the Masked Royal's status, Crasher Wake attempted to murmur, though his echoing voice made it resound across the hall.
"So I'm your eight gym challenge…as expected from someone with such good sense…you saved the best for last!"
Throwing his poke ball up into the air, high enough it merged with the lights above, a red shadow quickly materialised onto the stage.
"Politoed, let's get this match started off with a crashing wave!"
"Poli-poli!" the Frog Pokemon cheered happily as clouds began to form in a storm array at the ceiling with a soft rain falling onto the two wrestlers and their pokemon.
Nodding to Incineroar, the Masked Royal carefully selected a pokeball from his waist and threw it with tremendous force as a noble Empoleon appeared with shining, golden crests accenting its powerful body.
Not wanting to waste even a second more, both trainers grinned and released their commands without hesitation.
Ice Beam!
Hydro pump!
Tensions high, the cheering from the audience didn't stop until finally…two battered and weary pokémon with visible wounds across their bodies stood at the centre of the wrestling ring which had become surrounded by a ring of water.
Breathing heavily as well, Crasher Wake still maintained his broad grin that didn't look as though it would falter even if he saw what lied underneath a Mimikyuu's rag. Taking a look at the Incineroar that was on one knee, and Kukui who had a worried but determined expression on his face, Crasher Wake laughed his signature laugh.
WAH HAH HA HA!
"This is where it gets exciting!"
Bewildered by Crasher Wake's sudden and absurd declaration, the Masked Royal faltered for a moment before breaking into a smile as well.
"You're right, this is the best final gym battle I could ask for! Right Incineroar?"
"INCINE!" the Heel Pokemon roared as he turned back to face his trainer.
Pleased by their revitalised spirits, Crasher Wake put his hands on his belly and broke into a raucous and free-spirited song.
"The ring is my roiling sea.
The towering waves shaped me.
Crash! Crash! Crasher Wake!
Crash! Crash! Crasher Wake!
I'm the tidal wave of power to wash you away!"
And with his song, the audience became alive once more and their voices filled Crasher Wake with a surge of power and riding this tidal wave, Crasher Wake extended his arm with a final shout.
"Floatzel! One more powerful Aqua Jet let's go!"
"Incineroar! Let's do this! MALICIOUS MOONSAULT!"
The two pokémon surrounded themselves with cerulean blue and an ominous black aura respectively as they met in one final clash to end the fight that had every person in the audience at the edge of their seat….except for one.
Sitting at the top of the stands, sat a hooded figure who had yet to move even a single centimetre despite the hot-blooded fight happening in front of him. Though he had a large frame physically, his presence was more akin to that of a faint shadow and he sat unnoticed by those around him.
His face hidden underneath the hood, the man's expression was unfathomable as the referee made the final declaration with the fainted pokémon appearing on screen.
"Incineroar is unable to battle! Crasher Wake is the victor!"
Crouching down beside the Incineroar with swirls in his eyes, the Masked Royal tilted his head upwards when a large shadow was overcast him.
"That was an excellent battle young man, but I hope you don't lost sight of the most important thing in a pokemon battle!"
"The most important thing?"
"Yup! The most important thing is to enjoy yourself! Whether you win or lose, a pokemon battle should always be fun for you and of course for your pokemon as well!"
"Enjoy myself…" the Masked Royal muttered under his breath.
"EXACTLY! ENJOY!" Crasher Wake repeated with extra vigour, but despite the mask it was clear the Masked Royal was crestfallen.
"This was my last chance…to make the Lily of the Valley Conference…" he explained with a tinge of disappointment staining his voice.
Nodding his head in understanding, Crasher Wake pulled out his Rotom Phone and scrolled a few times before turning it around so the Masked Royal could read the text he had pulled up.
"Indigo Plateau Conference?"
"A friend of mine…or I guess more like a friend of a friend is an elite four member in the Indigo League! According to him, this year's Indigo Plateau Conference will be starting soon and with your strength, a fresh mind and of course your pokémon by your side I'm sure you'll go far!"
"Incini…." a weak growl came from beneath them and the Masked Royal yelled excitedly.
"You're awake!"
"Incini!" Incineroar growled with a bit more life as he looked at the Rotom Phone that had 'Indigo Plateau Conference' in big letters on the screen.
"You want to join Incineroar?"
"Incineroar!"
"Alright! Then we'll get started training right away!"
"That's the spirit!" Crasher Wake laughed while patting the two on the back and leading them away to the Pokemon Centre to rest.
With the match concluded, the hall slowly emptied out until finally the lights began to shut off one by one until the last light went out…leaving the hooded man who still had yet to take a step from his seat, alone in the darkness.
In a small and decrepit apartment room, a man rolled over from on his bed groaning and tossing from side to side. Kicking his raggedy blanket off himself, he quickly regretted his action as his body was soon exposed to the harsh sunlight shining down through the tattered blinds.
Stuffing his face into the pillow that was at the foot of his bed, the man began to desperately go back to sleep but about half an hour later he finally gave up and begrudgingly sat atop his bed. Sitting there without moving for a moment, the man rolled his eyeballs around his sockets trying to oil them up in preparation for the day. In front of his bed was the kitchen…if it could be called a kitchen. Cockroaches and ants had already claimed the sink as their own and the man had no willingness to dispute their claim.
Then pausing to look downwards, he could see trash bags and empty ramen bowls had piled up high enough that they were able to serve as makeshift blinds, covering the bottom half of the singular window in the apartment.
He would…start cleaning that tomorrow.
However, digging through a certain pile of empty bags, the man finally found what he was looking for.
Seeing a small bag with an overly excited anime squid on it, he dumped the contents of the snack bag into his mouth and tossed a plain white t-shirt, though it had taken on a brownish yellow colour due to sweat and dirt.
Taking one final breath of stale air, the man remembered to put on a pair of pants before heading out the door and immediately winced. Blinking to settle his eyes a few times, the sun was already high in the sky, and he began to walk along the dirty alleyway towards his destination.
Making his way out of the alley, the man finally stumbled onto the city streets and joined the crowds of people that were making their way to their unknown destinations. With nothing better to do, as the man walked slowly with his hands in his pockets he wondered whether the woman with red hair who had just walked by, dyed her hair or if she were born with it. Whether the young boys who were laughing while filming themselves were skipping school, the man running with his phone pressed to his ear was someone important, and if the couple walking past him hand in hand were actually as happy as they were showing themselves to be.
Surely not.
Anyone who showed public displays of affection had to be playing it up to make everyone around them more miserable.
Spitting on the ground with a twinge of displeasure, the man looked up at the large screen of the news building that was beside his current workplace.
A woman with immaculate makeup and stylised hair was sitting beside a man with slicked back hair and pale makeup, with a woman with purple hair in gaudy buns displayed behind them.
"And in today's news on Fashion, Japanese fashionista and top designer Fantina, head of last year's Saint Lauren Winter Fashion has reportedly parted ways with the company citing creative differences…"
'What a waste of time…' the man thought to himself before walking past the bright news building into a bustling and noisy construction site. Picking up some steel rods, the man began to transport them across the site when he felt a helmet slam atop his head and an angry voice bark out to him from behind.
"Hikaeme-san! Are you trying to get me sued for endangering my workers? And do you even know what time it is? I told you if you were late one more time…."
Taking a look at his boss, Kansei Hikaeme gave the brittle older man a dull look before grunting.
"The sun is up, isn't it? So, get off my back Jubei-jiisan."
"Ahggggg…." The older man cried while putting his hand behind his neck with exasperation futilely.
Ignoring the belligerent shouts of the elderly man that were still being directed towards him, Kansei began to settle into a rhythm.
"One…two…three…" Kansei thought quietly to himself as he began to flatten and beat the cement mix that was coming out from the mixer. Each hit had an almost hypnotic effect on him as he felt the thoughts empty from his head.
Each smack from his shovel on the ground beneath him seemed to have a mirroring effect on his thoughts.
Smack
Another persistent thought vanished.
In such a disconnected state, Kansei didn't even pay mind to his fellow co-workers who were looking at him with a mixture of curiosity, disgust, concern, and pity. These days, it was beginning to feel as though he were continuously walking in a haze from he could no longer see or interact with the world around him.
No matter how far he tried to reach outwards, the fog would also bring him back…
"What's up with that guy?" a young man who had recently joined the team asked another worker who had thrown a bag of sand on his shoulder already. Feeling the nudge, he looked over to where Kansei was methodically filling in the area with the cement mix and he gave a gruff grunt of realisation.
"Ignore him…just a bastard drunk who got the job through a friend. Paying any attention to a trash like him would only be a waste of time."
And though he could hear them, Kansei showed no sign of acknowledgment other than a slight flicker of his eyelashes. From within the fog, it felt as though he was watching them speak about him from a telly rather than in person…
And so, Kansei changed channels back to his work and continued to hammer down the cement, restarting his count from one.
'One…two…three…' Kansei began again, continuing to count in his head until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder.
'Hikaeme-san…that's enough.' a withered voice said with exasperation from behind him.
Taking a moment to respond, Kansei dropped the shovel and looked upwards towards the sky. The moon had already well replaced the sun and was now shining gently on the two men, who were the last to remain at the construction site.
'Hikaeme-san…how long are you going to be like this?" the elderly man asked with disappointment, his veiny hands resting on Kansei's shoulders as he said this.
Shaking him off, Kansei looked at his boss and gave him an empty look in response.
Sighing, the older man shook his head and shoved a stack of cash into Kansei's hands and walked away towards his car leaving Kansei to walk back home. Taking a look at the wad of bills, Kansei's gaze didn't change, and he shoved them into his pocket roughly.
Finally…his paycheck.
He had been sustaining off of dried shredded squid for the past few days so it seemed like he should have special feast today. Taking a short moment to stop by the convenience store, Kansei returned to his apartment victoriously with a bottle of sake in his left and some ramen in his right.
Pushing aside the empty snack bags on the floor, Kansei stumbled as he looked for something and let out a victorious shout when he finally found it.
Unlocking the latch of his portable butane stove, Kansei turned the dial clockwise until he heard a click and watched with anticipation as the flames turned on. Sticking a greasy, stainless-steel cup on top that he had filled with water, he opened the bag of ramen with a satisfying split and emptied the noodles inside.
'Itadakimasu' Kansei said aloud to no one in particular, as he began to slurp the noodles up with some chopsticks he had found lying around.
Belly fully with sake and ramen, Kansei took off his shirt revealing his bulging belly and settled atop the empty snack bags that he shifted around into a rectangular shape, hoping for this night to finally be one he wouldn't remember…
"Ladies and gentlemen, behold…the water type specialist, the torrential masked master who neutralises everything that gets in his way with water…CRASHER WAKE!"
Shit.
Again…
Retreating into the hood he always wore when he was here, Kansei tried to shut out the cacophonous crowd, whose yelling could give an Exploud a run for its money.
Held captive by the dream, Kansei looked at the man who was standing at the centre of the crowd's attention : Crasher Wake.
Though he and the masked man were of similar physical build, Crasher Wake carried with him an air of boldness and charm that contrasted with Kansei's dull and pitiful appearance. Simply by standing in his Lapis blue wrestling suit, Crasher Wake demanded attention and respect in a way that Kansei couldn't even dream of and the most obvious difference…Was the orange, dog-like creature standing beside him while Kansei was alone.
Everything about the scene was just too…unfamiliar to him and Kansei closed his eyes waiting for the dream to end so he could return to the quiet sounds of cicadas that chirped outside his apartment.
MALICIOUS MOONS—
Expecting the red, bipedal tiger to make his 'finishing move', Kansei looked up when he saw that the world had frozen with the orange dog and red cat frozen in the middle of the stage. Standing up, Kansei looked around when the entire stadium began to shake violently as though a group of ground pokemon were using Earthquake.
Knock Knock Knock
Knock Knock Knock
Knock Knock Knock
Gasping for air, Kansei woke abruptly in the dark and quickly brushed the sharp, metallic bags that were clinging to his sweaty back. Wiping the perspiration from his brow, he sat in the yet to be illuminated apartment until he heard it again.
Knock Knock Knock
Standing up shakily, Kansei turned open the door and saw a young girl, presumably a high schooler, with short, strawberry pink hair that extended at the ends. And though her build was quite slim, between the band-aid on her nose and the spunky look in her eyes she seemed to carry a fiery spirit within her. Looking upwards at his face, the girl squinted for a few moments until finally, her deep pink eyes widened with recognition.
"Crasher Wake!"
Hearing the two horrible words come out from her mouth, Kansei immediately slammed the door shut and yelled back harshly.
"Wrong person."
"It's you! I can't believe it!"
Shoving her foot into the wedge faster than Kansei could close the door, Kansei opened the door, so he didn't crush her feet, which were noticeably not wearing shoes, and he let out a heavy sigh.
"Come on in…Maylene."
Two Years Ago, New Japan Cup Finals
"Hailing from Kushiro, Hokkaido we have the surging rookie of the year…the tidal wave of power…the masked macho…CRASHER WAKEEE!"
Flying in with a roar, Crasher Wake landed in the centre of the ring, with all spotlights directed towards him. Raising his hands to hype up the crowd, torrents of water began to spout around the ring thanks to Crasher Wake installing the jets himself last night. Then stealing a mic, he began to shout directly into it, spraying spit due to the energy radiating from his body.
"This is MY CUP!" he spat vigorously while pointing to his opponent and putting on a smile he continued with his wrestler bravado.
"So prepare to be capsized!" he boomed while slamming his chest, causing the crowd to chant his name.
"CRASHER WAKE! CRASHER WAKE! CRASHER WAKE!"
"Bold words from our new challenger! Let's see if he can back it up and become the king of spring or if our champion will retain his title!"
Taking a look at his opponent, Crasher Wake maintained his confident façade and as soon as the match began, ran forward with a speed that surprised his opponent and wrapped his arms around the other's shoulder and crotch. Lifting him above his head, he slammed the man into the ground before running into the ring ropes like a meteor. Bouncing off from them, he used the momentum to propel himself backwards, smashing his elbow into the previous champion's face as he was beginning to rise again.
Giving a roar, Crasher Wake waved with his hands to get the audience to cheer for him once more and then ruthlessly pinned his opponent back down with one arm around his neck as the man beneath him flailed around like a Feebas out of water.
"One…Two…Three!"
"And with a decisive victory….CRASHER WAKE is the 2XXX New Japan Cup Champion!"
Taking a picture with the ring girl, Crasher Wake gave a grin to the flashing cameras and gave a look towards the audience as microphones were shoved into his face.
"Crasher Wake, what's next for you now that you're the New Japan Cup Champion?"
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Crasher Wake ignored the itch from his mask and began to speak with laboured breathing interrupting his words.
"Of course, I'll be ready to challenge the IWGP World Heavyweight—"
Eyes still swirling from the fight, Crasher Wake was distracted by a spot of orange fur in the crowd belonging to a very well-behaved 'dog' that was sitting beside his manager. Eyes resting on the Sea Weasel Pokemon, Crasher Wake couldn't help but notice the forlorn glimmer in his partner's eyes…
Putting the championship belt down, Crasher Wake faltered and stumbled on his words trying to come up with something to say but found nothing came to him at all…
He had become so adsorbed in his goal of winning the Cup that his partner had strayed from the focus of his mind…
Feeling a strange surge of emotions at the moment, Crasher Wake fell to his knee and felt the world beginning to spin.
It had been such a whirlwind since he and Floatzel had arrived in this strange country called 'Japan' six months ago…
Transported suddenly after an intense battle with Team Galactic's Mars alongside his fellow gym leader, Gardenia, he and Floatzel had quickly realised something was very wrong with this country. The Sinnoh Region wasn't on any of their maps, there was no knowledge of Team Galactic, no Officer Jenny, no Pokémon Centres and most importantly….no Pokémon!
Praying to Arceus for a way back home, the two had found no leads and as they were starving…thanks to his beautiful mask, he had been recruited by a small Japanese Pro Wrestling Promotion in Kushiro which had then spiraled into his Pro Wrestling Debut in Japan!
Trying to distract himself with his training, Crasher Wake hadn't taken a single moment to think but now that he had achieved his short-term goal, he felt a wave of emptiness wash over him.
What was he even doing here?
His friends were still in danger on Mount Coronet….perhaps dare he say it…Team Galactic had already taken over the Sinnoh Region damn it.
He had no new leads on how to get back to the Sinnoh Region and worst of all….
Taking another moment to look at Floatzel, Crasher Wake felt as though the spell he had forced himself under was broken because most of all…
He missed fighting alongside his partner most.
The glamour and spectacle of Japanese Pro Wrestling was just as thrilling as in the Sinnoh Region but without his Pokémon by his side…it felt so…meaningless.
Floatzel had been with him ever since he was a Buizel and together they had risen to the top of the wrestling world and become top-level water type specialists while they were at it.
This championship belt that he was wearing now…it just didn't have the same value as one he earned with Floatzel.
Falling into a daze, Crasher Wake managed to stumble back to his apartment where Floatzel greeted him excitedly, but Crasher Wake knew the pokémon was putting on a brave front for him. Petting Floatzel's head for a few moments, the two sat on his couch in silence before Crasher Wake turned to speak to his partner.
"Should I just quit?"
"Ze-ze?" the pokémon asked with head tilted in confusion, wondering if he had misunderstood his trainer.
Crasher Wake just shook his head and turned his back to Floatzel before sighing and taking off his mask.
"Ah, ignore me Floatzel…I'm just a little tired today…that's all."
"Ze-ze!" Floatzel growled with concern, before snuggling into the space between Crasher Wake's belly and the couch. Laughing as the rather large Sea Weasel Pokémon made room for itself beside him, Crasher Wake rested his head beside Floatzel's and fell into an uneasy slumber.
"Crasher Wake! Crasher Wake! Hey! Are you in there?"
"Ze-Ze! Ze-Ze!"
Pacing around with worry, Floatzel continued to bark beside Crasher Wake who was lying on the couch with a scruffy beard, currently watching TV as he had been the past five days since the tournament.
Trudging along at Floatzel's insistence, Crasher Wake made his way to the door where his manager was waiting and he let the man in, only for him to immediately begin his lecture.
"Where have you been Wake? Everyone's been wondering where you are, and you know if you want to take time off you have to let me know first! Why did I even bother to get you a phone if you aren't going to use it, huh?!"
"…"
Seeing the lack of a response from Crasher Wake, his manager continued with a light sigh as he tried to show some empathy for the pro wrestler.
"Hey, I know your schedule has been packed for the past few months but you have to strike while the iron is hot! Everyone in the community is waiting to see what you'll do next so there's no time to waste! You're the one who wanted to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship right? I thought you were going to become the world's greatest wrestler and put a smile on the faces of all your fans! So, how about you take the next two days off and I'll see you on Monday, okay?"
"Alright. Got it." Crasher Wake grunted, though his face remained dark as his manager put his coat back on and headed out the door. Now alone with Floatzel once more, Crasher Wake paused before rolling onto the couch so he could continue watching the TV while Floatzel watched from across the room with a worried expression.
"Ze-Ze!" Floatzel said with some urgency while pointing to the door and holding Crasher Wake's mask in his mouth.
"I said I would go tomorrow Floatzel…" Crasher Wake said in a listless voice causing the pokémon to bark at him with a bit more anger this time.
"Ze-ze-ze!"
Crasher Wake had already said these same words to him for half a year now, but besides leaving the house to get food, his trainer had refused to leave the couch and instead spent all his time on his phone or watching the TV.
Now accustomed to his trainer's uncharacteristic, though now characteristic, idleness, Floatzel growled while standing in front of the TV to block Crasher Wake's view.
Seeing that Floatzel wasn't going to change its mind, Crasher Wake took his phone out from his pocket and began to watch YouTube videos instead to pass the time.
Defeated, Floatzel crawled grumpily to a spot in the kitchen so he could glare at Crasher Wake from beneath the table until he saw a face he recognised on the TV.
Standing atop a podium was fellow gym leader Maylene receiving a medal of some kind with a rather familiar Lucario standing behind her.
Jumping up, Floatzel began to bark once more to grab Crasher Wake's attention but the water-type gym leader instead continued to watch food videos on his phone much to Floatzel's aggravation.
Fed up, Floatzel shot a weak water gun at Crasher Wake who gave him a bewildered look and Floatzel hurried to point to the TV but Maylene's segment had already finished causing Floatzel to collapse with distress.
"What the hell was that for Floatzel?" Crasher Wake demanded but the Sea Weasel Pokémon was already thinking to itself.
If he couldn't do anything to help Crasher Wake…then maybe Maylene could! Among the gym leaders, Crasher Wake was closest to her and Byron so if anyone had a shot it would be her. Then giving one last look at Crasher Wake who was eating shrimp sticks on the couch, Floatzel ran to the door, opened it with his mouth and sped off to find some water pokémon to ask for directions to the city he had seen on TV…Tokyo!
Still unable to adjust to the silence in the apartment that he had shared with Floatzel since they had arrived in Japan and low on funds, Crasher Wake took a final look at the apartment as he moved out with a single bag on his back.
He didn't know why Floatzel had left but it was for the best…
This wasn't the world they knew and Floatzel deserved more than to be treated as some pet that could only watch him from the sidelines.
However…despite saying this, Crasher Wake couldn't help but feel a stinging pain in his heart as he sat on the floor of his new apartment.
And so, looking for anything to do besides getting drunk and needing the cash, Crasher Wake soon found himself at a construction company thanks to his ex-manager and looking directly into the eye of his current boss.
"Former pro-wrestler, huh? You should have some good strength but…you better not think about drinking on the job." The elderly man grumbled as he made no attempts to hide his disgust at the stench that was radiating from Crasher Wake's body.
"Anyways, you'll be starting tomorrow, fresh and early, got it….Crasher Wake?"
However, having put aside his mask for over a year now, Crasher Wake shook his head and mumbled in a low voice.
"Just call me. Hikaeme…Hikaeme Kansei."
To be completed in Chapter 5 : I Will Fight the Rain