(Okay, this time we focus on our Kommo-o. I figured it'd be a nice change of pace to get to know someone outside the Itos and Bernards for once. Anyways, enjoy!)
Kekoa had been practicing his punches into his coach's punching bags. "Gettin' sloppy there, lad!" Mason had said, watching his student punch a little carelessly. "You're actin' the maggot, Kekoa." The Excadrill said, stopping the session. "How ye expect to have a shot at finals when ye can't throw a good punch?" Mason went to go grab a towel.
Kekoa had went to go drink some water. "I know, Mason. I can still feel my tail is sore from the last time. It's been bugging me for a while." Kekoa explained.
"We're lucky you don't have a fight planned right now. Come on, lemme see the yoke." Mason asked, trying to see. "Ye shouldn't be trainin' with an injured tail, lad. I know I told ye ta be restin' 'til the healing rolled over." Mason said, Kekoa felt a strain in his tail when his coach let go.
"Strength is about yer entire body, Kekoa. Ye enter a fight with just one injury could ruin yer chances of winnin'." Mason explained.
"Kai trained every day to try and make it to the finals, YOU said training takes strife." Kekoa tried to remember his coach's words. "Oh? Then, recite what I actually said then, lad." Mason folded his arms, "You said training for the Octagon takes strife and suffering if you want to be strong. My tail may be banged up, but I'm trying to keep at it! One misstep and I could lose the flame in me." Kekoa tried to explain, remembering to always keep his fire burning.
"Candles only burn brighter when they wear themselves out, Kekoa." Mason advised with a comparison, "Fancy a swalley wit' me?" Kekoa couldn't understand that last part.
Mason looked to his side, "I meant a drink. Y'mind getting a drink wit' me?" He asked. "Oh! Sure! But, you're sure this is wise, Mason?" Kekoa asked.
(Later)
Kekoa went with Mason to a nearby pub, "Wine for me, thanks." Mason said, handing him a couple of bucks. "Uh…I'll be a designated driver. I'll just take a diet cola." Kekoa said, putting his own money up. Mason smiled, "Bang on, lad." The Excadrill said, taking a sip of the wine. "Now then, I want ye t'see the current rounds and tell me if ye notice anythin' with the opponents." Kekoa then looked at the current fight between a Meowth named Kitagawa and Krokorok named Wilson, "Kitagawa had a hesitation in his leg." Kekoa observed Kitagawa's movements, realizing that the Meowth had juked to his side and flinched. "Right, now what of Wilson? Notice anythin' bout how he punches?" Mason said to Kekoa.
"Uh…" Kekoa watched as the Krokorok, "His guard's messed up. Must've been injured earlier in the fight." Mason scoffed, "Good eye, lad. This is what I was talkin' about. When even one part'a yer bodie is messed up, it affects how ye fight." The coach explained, "One bad injury could be all it takes fer a socking to take you down if ye become a ne'er-do-well."
Kekoa nodded, "Yeah, but I remember a time when Ahonui's leg was hurt and he still managed to beat his opponent." He explained.
"Ahonui was an adaptable one, he knew how to adjust to new situations when he fought. But he's not what matters anymore, Kekoa. He's got a different life now, lad." Mason said.
Kekoa took a drink of his diet cola, "What matters now is that ye focus on yer tail gettin' better. Which is why we're here." Mason said, "My advice is that ye take off and rest, and count on me to keep your "fire" from burning out." Kekoa looked to his side.
"I guess it's the perfect time to rest a little. But I'll be doing some standard exercises to keep my body in top form." Kekoa said. Mason gave his student a nod, "Bang on, lad. Now then, barkeep." Mason said, asking for another drink of wine.
(The Next Day)
Kekoa had given himself some time off to do other things while he waited for his tail to recover. He did simple exercises like his pushups and routine. All this really took him back to the days when Ahonui in the Octagon.
(Flashback)
Kekoa saw the confidence in Ahonui's eyes, when he got his claws ready. The Midnight Lycanroc had gotten into a fighting stance.
They were locked in battle, Kekoa used a Power-Up Punch as a fake out for Ahonui to react to. Ahonui had used Protect to avoid getting and rushed in to use Close Combat. Kekoa used a Dragon Tail as a defensive measure to make sure Ahonui wouldn't attack him.
Ahonui just kept his guard up and he smiled cockily, Kekoa rushed in with his own Close Combat, but Ahonui had instinctively grabbed one of the punches, and used Zen Headbutt on him. Kekoa was pushed back, that Move was very effective against him.
Kekoa took a moment to try and use Upper Hand on him, pushing Ahonui back with his palm! "Not bad, but I'm faster than that!" Ahonui said to him, rushing in again, this time using Play Rough!
(Back to our main)
Kekoa was often envious of how smart Ahonui was about his Moves, he knew how to counter him and hardly any of his Moves were Rock-Type. Kekoa always needed to make sure he was on top of that.
His entire reason for his rep in the Octagon was because of his rivalry with Ahonui, so he needed to build a better rep for himself. Here's hoping Mason's advice will continue to help him.
Kekoa thought of a way to stimulate strategy, and he always knew a game of chess could help him with that. When he was done with his routine, he pulled out his phone and tried to pull up the app. He saw tons of notifications, one from his 'rents, a date and a few friends. "My phone's as disorganized as my apartment, sometimes." He sighed, a little annoyed.
(A Week Later)
Kekoa was up for a match against an Empoleon named Charles! He was ready, he listened as Mason gave him a small pep talk. "How's the tail, lad?" He asked. "Ready to fight, boss! I've been WAITING for this!" Kekoa said, showing the spark in his eyes. "Savage. Now remember, time and' throw yer punches carefully, make sure you're not a wee near disqualifying yourself with a miss-aimed punch." Mason advised.
Kekoa had smirked, "You got it!" He said, confidently. "Dinnae gettin' all cocky there either, lad. Save it fer the win!" Mason smirked and folded his arms, Kekoa nodded.
The Kommo-o walked out with tons of adoring fans, and from the crowd he could make out an old rival of his with an excited Oshwott in his arms while a Gardevoir looked around next to him. He was pumped, because his rival was going to watch his reputation SKYROCKET!
(All right, we're done! Truth be told I didn't want to include Ahonui again(even if it was a minor role), but I figured diving into Kekoa's story meant that we'd be tackling the original cocky side of Ahonui. But lemme tell you, I had FUN writing this! I loved writing Mason(dunno if his advice could be taken into consideration, but I think it went well. Anyways, stay strong and awesome!)
Proverbs 2:6-8 KJV:
6. For the LORD giveth wisdom:
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:
He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8. He keepeth the paths of judgment,
And preserveth the way of his saints.
(This is accessible to ALL of us, of course, if we have a push to know God. I know I feel that push to want to know Him, but I can feel laziness or fear try to push me back. That's no reason to despair. God loves EVERYONE, and he continues to help us through these tough times. God Bless)