Chapter 65: Not Much Choice

Blade awoke immediately clutching his chest in pain, feeling a still fresh wound there. He heard small bits of conversation happening above him, barely able to focus on anything other than the pain. But he managed to focus when he noticed one of the speakers around him was a Latios.

"Oh, and you made a new friend. That's it, I need to be walking Poké…Wait a minute. It's you." The smile on the latios' face suddenly contorted into a snarl and he pointed a claw at Blade and snapped, "You're the Sneasel from Po Town. The one who turned Ashachu against us. Cameron, what in the distortion world is he doing here. Did you catch up."

If Blade had the energy he'd have reeled back from the venomous tone in the legendary Pokemon's voice.

"I can explain," said the human responsible for saving him. A human Blade was somewhat familiar with. It was the one called Cameron, the one who's riolu had been dating Ashachu. "We found him being attacked by these thugs in Wela volcano park. I had no choice but to catch him. He would have been killed had we not been there to save him. And now he's hurt pretty bad."

"Oh, I see," said latios folding his arms. "And you didn't bring me out for the battle. Sometimes I wonder who the older one is."

Cameron shrugged. "I honestly didn't think about it. Sorry."

"Oh well." Hirosaki sighed. "I suppose you want me to use heal pulse on him."

"Would you."

"Very well. Brace yourselves!" Hirosaki floated a little higher in the air and his body begun to glow a light green colour. Circular pulses emanated from him, encasing both Blade and Lucario…

Blade raised up slowly finally able to feel more than just pain, and able to see clearly again. Though the pain had made him believe he was dying he could now feel that he was more than alive. The last thing he remembered was being attacked by those Pokemon. And being rescued by Cameron. He felt strength returning to his body, and the wound at his chest began to close and stop bleeding. The pain was nearly entirely gone and he he felt he could stand again.

"Blade," said Cameron gently, kneeling down and extending his arm in a non-threatening gesture. "It is Blade isn't it. How are you…AHH"

Blade, suddenly overcome with a feeling that he needed to escape, to survive, lashed out. With all his strength he charged at Cameron claws extended, though they were barely sharp enough to cut anything. His intent was simple, to end the life of his captor, his body was acting purely on instinct in that moment. And Cameron, surprised, stumbled and fell onto his back.

In just as sudden a movement Lucario moved in front of Cameron, and struck out at Blade with a hard kick, catching Blade under the jaw and knocking him over.

Before the Sneasel could react he was pinned by Lucario. "Try to harm my mate again, and I'll kill you." Something in Lucario's face, or more accurately his eyes, told Blade everything he needed to know. The aura pokemon meant every word he said.

Blade after a few moments felt his instinctive desire to kill his captor die away before he managed to speak.. "Okay, okay, you got me." He allowed his body to go limp, laying his claws on the ground in a surrendering fashion. However, Lucario kept Blade pinned down beneath his paw.

"What's his problem," the latios asked gruffly, as he helped Cameron back to his feet.

"I'm not sure," Cameron replied. "But from what I've seen, I don't think he's had a particularly easy life so far."

Latios frowned and tilted his head. "So, this is really the same Sneasel that we met in Hoenn. The one who was with Team Rocket. The one Ashachu was disappearing to spend time with."

"Ashachu!" Blade's eyes widened as he repeated the name, however he went ignored, still pinned by Lucario.

"I think so," said Cameron. "I mean he looks the same. Not that I can really tell them apart."

"He's the same one," Lucario growled. "I'd recognize his aura anywhere. Though I didn't know it had become so dark."

'My aura had become darker than it was when he saw me last?' Blade thought for a moment. In all honesty, it made sense to him, after suffering so much, he felt his anger, his hatred, his desire to kill bubbling up again, and with some effort held it down. All of those feelings, as powerful as they felt inside, he normally had better control of himself. But ever since…..he felt his control slipping, as though that nightmarish version of himself was still trying to take control.

"What on earth do we do with him," The Latios wondered aloud. "Now that he's healed, should we just release him or…"

Cameron beamed and shook his head, causing the Latios to give him a wide-eyed stare. "Nope! I'm keeping him. A spunky Pokémon like Blade will be great to have onside at the league. And if he's with us, we can keep him out of trouble."

Blade let out a long overly exhausted sigh. "Oh great. More trainers!" He regretted it when Lucario pressed his paw harder into his chest.

"What do you say Blade," Cameron asked. "Want to join us and help us take on the Alola League."

"Not really!" Blade wasn't entirely honest with his response, though he would prefer to be free, to be a wild Pokemon, he had nothing waiting for him. Nobody was waiting for him.

Cameron folded his arms, continuing to smile broadly. "Well, that's tough." Blade sighed again as Cameron continued. "Now, let's get you something to eat. Lucario, you can let him up now."

Lucario very reluctantly removed his foot paw from Blade's chest, but not before whispering, "I mean it Sneasel. You make one wrong move. You even made me think you're going to try to hurt someone. And I'll snap your neck. Understood."

Blade made a grunting sound, in agreement but said nothing. His instincts told him that, like Charizard, Lucario was too strong for him. He got up very slowly, and kept his claws close to his body so he didn't seem threatening.

Blade watched as a familiar riolu and an unfamiliar Growlithe made their way over, both soaked in water. The two of them shook their coats dry, flecking Cameron and the others with droplets of water.

"Hunter," said an exasperated Cameron. "Careful."

"What have I told you about doing that around other Pokémon and your trainer," Lucario barked severely.

"Oh sorry," Hunter whined, going a little red in the face and backing away.

Blade was more than a little annoyed by being flecked with water but remained silent. Unlike the other Pokémon, he didn't try to shield his face, fearing that such an action may be viewed as aggression.

He gazed at Hunter, thoughts suddenly running rampant through his mind, a sudden sense of guilt creeping into him. The last time Blade had seen Hunter was when Team Rocket had captured them in Hoenn. And he tried to make amends for Aether Paradise. That memory made him shiver.

'I felt so bad for Ashachu. For ruining his relationship. But I kind of ruined Hunter's too.' Blade felt shameful and guilty at that thought. 'I was so selfish. I always am. That's what got me into this mess, that's what got Shadow….' He let the thought end there.

"Huh! YOU!" The second Hunter noticed Blade looking at him, and his eyes met the Sneasel's, his face contorted with rage, and he raised his paws into first. He sprinted at Blade and punched him hard in the face. "You complete and utter shit. How dare you show your face here!"

Instinct overtook Blade's body. He held up a claw to block further attacks before striking back.

"Hunter, Blade. Stop that," Cameron demanded.

"Lu-car!" Before Blade could react, Lucario grabbed a hold of him with his right paw arm and putting him into a half nelson, squeezing his neck, making it hard for the Sneasel to breath. "I warned you. Lay a claw on anyone and I'll end you."

"H-he att-acked m-me f-first," Blade tried to growl, but found it difficult with his breath being squeezed out. Anger flooded his system and he struggled to get out of Lucario's grasp.

At the same time, Cameron had grabbed a hold of Hunter by the scruff of the neck and held him back from attacking Blade.

"You bastard," Hunter continued to growl at Blade. "You turned Ashachu against me, you man stealing…Grrr. If I'd known, it was you with Team Skull I would have."

"Hunter," snapped Cameron. "That's not a nice thing to say!"

Still feeling the pressure on his neck Blade thought 'Well if I'm to die here, suffocated to death, the least I can do is apologize for what I did.' "Hunter I'm sorry," said Blade holding up his claws apologetically.

The sincerity seemed to take Hunter by surprise and he stopped struggling against Cameron. "What."

"You're right Hunter," said Blade. "Ashachu was your boyfriend and I let my feelings for him cloud my judgement. I was selfish in trying to mate with him. You have my apology. I'm sorry." Blade meant every word, and though he himself couldn't feel it, the two aura pokemon could. As dark as his aura was, it wasn't a mass of bad energy, it was mostly pain, sorrow, and even guilt.

"You-you mean that." Hunter thought he understood something much deeper about the Sneasel. Perhaps he was starting to see something that Ashachu had.

"I do," Blade repeated, feeling his eyes become a little wet. "I do. I'm sorry Hunter."

Cameron, now convinced he wasn't going to attack Blade, released Hunter. Lucario did the same for Blade. The two Pokémon approached each other cautiously. "I-I. I accept your apology," said Hunter offering his paw.

Blade accepted, reaching out to take Hunter's paw in his claw and shake it. "I know it's not enough. But thanks." Blade couldn't help that even after having his apology accepted he still felt bad. He felt Hunter deserved more than just an apology, but that was all Blade could give him.

"Uhm. Pardon me, but what in the distortion world is going on here," cried a bewildered Growlithe.

"It's a long story," said Hunter. "Believe me!"

Blade let out a small chuckle. 'You have no idea.' He thought as he stretched his body.

*Half An Hour Later*

"Concentrate Hunter," said Cameron. "Don't take your eyes off your opponent!"

Blade had been put in a brief training session in the afternoon, after lunch and before heading out again, giving a chance for Cameron to test Blade's natural skills. The two Pokémon stood a few meters apart from each other, eyeing each other carefully.

"Alright Blade. Show us what you've got."

"Sneasel!" Blade flashed a grin before he charged at Hunter, claws held up and ready to strike.

"Hunter, dodge with quick attack, then use vacuum wave!"

Hunter dashed to the side, running a circle around Blade before spinning around, putting his paws together and firing a wave from them at Blade. The move hit Blade in his side, causing him to wince in pain, though he remained on his feet.

"Whoa," Hunter gasped to himself, "He's tough."

Cameron smiled widely. "Yeah, this Sneasel's strong! Alright Hunter, try force palm!"

Blade, listening to what had just been called out, moved without hesitation charging at Hunter. Hunter had no time to react and felt a strong, semi-sharp claw connect with his stomach. "Rio…" Unlike Blade, he collapsed, falling to his knees.

Cameron gritted his teeth. "Come on Hunter, you can do it."

Quick attack, vacuum wave, force palm, as many as Hunter managed to land Blade stayed standing, and though Blade was primarily focusing on using slash, Hunter was still handling the attacks himself. It was impressive, if nothing else Hunter was more durable than Ashachu as a fighter. After a few more traded attacks the two were left exhausted and sweating.

"Alright this is the moment Hunter," shouted Cameron. "Your foe's weak, so give him a focus blast."

"Olu." Hunter took a deep breath and took a sprint at Blade, holding his two paws out a large beam of blue energy forming between them.

Neither Cameron nor Hunter had expected Blade to react as he did. Blade, upon seeing the incoming riolu and his devastating attack, reacted on pure instinct. While they had expected Blade evade and dodge, they were caught off guard as he instead rushed the riolu.

'Oh, this is going to be too easy,' Hunter felt confident, thinking it impossible to miss with the Sneasel getting so close. He held his attack at the ready, waiting for the right moment to strike.

That moment never arrived, Blade with an extra burst of speed closed the distance too quickly, dashing up and grabbing around Hunter's shoulders pushing him forward as the Sneasel put a leg behind one of Hunter's pulling it back, tripping him and throwing the riolu onto his back. Blade grinned down at him as he fell unconscious.

"Hmmm…What in the distortion world happened," He groaned sometime later when he regained consciousness and found Cameron kneeling beside him, and Blade…Ugh…The Sneasel was standing over him and a wide grin on his muzzle. "Oh no! Don't tell me I…"

"Yep," said Blade gleefully. "You just got your tail kicked by that Sneasel." He put emphasis on THAT, enjoying Hunter's annoyed expression. He chuckled, then offered Hunter a claw. "Hey, it was a good match. You fought really hard."

The glare on Hunter's face turned into a smile and he accepted Blade's claw, allowing the Sneasel to pull him back to his feet. "Yeah, it was good. How'd you do that. I was sure I had you."

Blade clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. "You know you remind me so much of him. I had this same conversation with Ashachu!" It was true, Ashachu was also curious when Blade would practically ass-pull a victory from a battle he felt he should have won.

"At least you two are getting along now," Cameron sighed.

"Nice battling Hunty-boi," came an annoying snarky voice.

Blade looked up and over noticing a Goodra grinning at Hunter smugly. He and a few of Cameron's other Pokémon, Growlithe included, had gathered around to watch the battle.

"Keep fighting like that, and we'll out of the league at the preliminaries."

"What just happened," barked Growlithe, scratching his ear. "Hunter was winning and then Blade just tackled him."

"I'll tell you what happened," said Goodra folding his arms. "Hunter's battling really sucks."

Blade was already starting to dislike Goodra. There was no reason to insult Hunter like that. As far as Blade had seen, he earned the right to trash talk Hunter, but this Goodra was simply doing it like it was his Arceus given right.

"Grrrr…" Hunter growled at him, clenching his paws into fist. "Shut up Goodra."

"Who's this asshole," Blade asked, frowning at Goodra. "And why does he look like a Salamance's dick." Blade's taunt was meant to wound Goodra's ego. It was strange, the last time he felt this defensive was…Ashachu.

Goodra's eyes widened in surprise at this response. "Hey Sneasel, ouch! Impressive win you had there against little Hunty here. Maybe you need a real opponent!" He flexed a muscle and grinned malevolently at Blade.

Blade gave his own grin, one so self assured it was almost revolting, he endured his fangs were visible through his grin. "Oh, I'm sure you don't want that. Not unless you want your head to go up Hydriegon's ass. Which I suppose is the right place for a Pokémon that looks like a wet Salamance's dick." Blade had him now, Goodra was staring daggers at him, he touched a nerve, and it brought him joy.

Goodra's eyes narrowed to slits. "You know you shouldn't talk shit when you very clearly don't have the moves or attack power to back it up. You look like a pretty scrawny Sneasel to me, and you weren't exactly faring well against Scizor and Golisopod."

Blade internally smirked at that. 'You try fighting while you have enough tranquilizer in you to drop a Venusaur. Not easy dildo face.' Blade kept his thought to himself, he may have lacked the attack power, but he wasn't taught to use power to win, he was more than confident he could outmaneuver Goodra, and enough strikes could bring him down. And too the dragon types advantage, Blade would be handicapped in this theoretical battle, after all, he'd have to hold himself back to make sure he didn't hit anything vital enough to kill the gooey dragon.

The two stared daggers at each other and the air became charged with tension. So much so that Growlithe barked nervously, "Please you two, we're all friends here."

"Yeah gooey, be nice to our new friend," said Hunter tauntingly, before snickering, "Salamance dick!"

To everyone's benefit Cameron was watching and so Goodra didn't dare start an actual fight with Blade. Blade on the other paw, unsure as to whether he would be able to best Goodra in a one-on-one battle, decided it was best not to attack if not physically provoked. It wasn't long after that Cameron announced they were hearing back onto the road…