“And then that bitch has the audacity to tell me that I got her order wrong! Like, no, you asked for a double mocha, I rang you up for a double mocha, that’s how service works–stop laughing!”
Felis was grinning ear to ear as Melody, his ‘date’ for the night shouted out her story to him. He was more than a little tipsy, not quite at the drunk spot yet, but just a little ways before where everything seemed brighter, the music louder, the jokes funnier.
It wasn’t really her story that had him laughing the way he did, but the fact that it was so relatable. The fact that even in a world as mysterious, strange, and beautiful as Sinnoh still had such mundane problems the likes that he could relate to.
Who hadn’t dealt with shitty customers before? It was like...a right of passage to becoming an adult.
“Sorry, sorry,” He grinned, catching her hand as she swatted him, pulling her closer into his lap. They were sat at the booth Galactic had claim over, alongside a number of the other guys Felis didn’t bother remembering. Some of them glanced their way with amusement in their eyes, focusing on their own conversations, others lighty glared with barely hidden jealousy, like it was somehow his fault they couldn’t go up and talk to someone.
Seriously, it was a club, you were most likely going to get rejected, he had an advantage because he was a foreigner, added some appeal. But he also had the Galactic table to mooch off of and impress. Hell, John was busy entertaining Melody’s friends, everyone else too nervous to approach, their fault, not his.
“So,” He said, turning his attention back to Melody, “You’ve got a Queen Bitch demanding mochas, guy who’s old enough to be your dad hitting on you, and a Manager demanding you go overtime, even though you clearly expressed you were busy. And all in one day.”
“Yes! It’s fucking absurd!” Melody vented, throwing her hands up in the air.
“So what’s making you stay?”
“Rent, bills, taxes, boring adult things”
“You can’t board up with your parents for a little?”
“As if they’d let me.” She scoffed, and Felis immediately perked up. Information, personal information. He wondered if she’d trauma dump or keep it close.
“Parents, am I right?” He said, raising another shot glass.
“Tell me about it.” Melody mirrored it, and with a soft clink the two downed their shots, grimacing as it burned down.
“This is a little forward…but do you wanna talk about it?” He asked.
She laughed, patting his chest, “That’s sweet, but I just met you today. At least ask a girl out first.”
With what money?
“Isn’t that the best part though?” Felis decided to ask instead.
“What do you mean?”
“We’re basically strangers to each other right? That means we can tell each other basically anything knowing we probably won’t ever see each other again. Your feelings are safe, stored away with a guy who's probably not going to remember anything in the morning, and my embarrassing stories are safe with you, never seeing the light of day again.”
That got her to giggle just a bit, a melodic sound that cut past the heavy bass, “Like your little fascination with Reggiman?”
“Exactly.” He smiled down at her. Reggiman was a superhero in this world, had his own comic series and universe. The story he told her was a true one, where his friends convinced him there was a school-wide costume party, and of course he dressed as his favorite –Superman. He just replaced the IPs to make sense.
The looks the teachers gave him when he stood on stage for the old Principal's memorial was…not good to say the least.
“Hmm,” Melody hummed, “You make a fair point. Ok I’ll bite.”
“I’m listening.”
Her story wasn’t anything extreme, but he understood the frustration. She was staying at her parent’s place, and after she started her post-secondaries they started demanding rent. She did so without complaint, but it started getting a little heated when they began imposing curfews, demanding her location, typical controlling parent things. He got what he wanted though, personal information.
“The information doesn’t really mean anything,” Felis thought as she ranted, “But it’s a start, I guess.”
“And it’s not like I don’t get it, right? They’re my parents, they’re worried. But if you’re going to demand rent or kick me out, why do you still treat me like a kid? I’m 26 for fuck’s sake!”
“Why not move out? Probably other places out there you could stay at.”
“Not with my studies,” The girl in his lap sighed, “Places I could afford are dumps, and I don’t really want to share a dorm. A woman needs her space.”
“Hmm.” He hummed in agreement, “So you’re in uni then?”
“Uni?” She gave him a teasing look, “I’m in College for a Masters.”
Oh god it was like a conversation with his US friends all over again. “That’s the same thing!” He retorted without any real malice.
“Whatever you say, foreign boy.”
“You know if you weren’t so beautiful I’d end this conversation right now.”
“Oh no, whatever will I do,” Melody drawled, “My free drink stand finds me attractive.”
“Ouch, and now my heart’s broken. What a night.”
“Oh you’ll be fine” She said, pecking him on the jaw, “Wanna know a fix for that?”
The shock of being kissed had Felis speechless for a brief moment, but he recovered quickly, snapping himself out of his stupor.
“Alcohol?”
“Alcohol!”
More shots were poured, and Felis downed his, all the while reeling from the light kiss.
“Has it been that long?” He thought, shaking his head in amusement, “One feather-light kiss and she almost has me wrapped around her finger. Pathetic”
It wasn’t just that, the proximity of her, holding her body close to his, the scent of her perfume wafting into his nostrils…it felt good. It felt right. Connection, that was the word, both physical and emotional. He could see it, if this were a better situation, he'd play his hand differently, more intimate. In the Before, Arun had always called him a romantic, even if he tried his best to be a player. After all these years...some things just didn't change.
“Hey, let’s go hit the dance floor, I’m tired of sitting around.” He said into Melody’s ear, more so he could forget the feeling of her in his body.
She grinned up at him, hopping out and taking his hand, dragging him down the steps and onto the main floor, where the DJ was beginning a new song. Glancing back up at his booth, he saw the same looks of jealousy painted across his “friend’s” faces, and he could barely stop the grin from forming.
It died a second later as he saw something else in their eyes, a flicker of dark amusement, of an unexplainable fire that had no right to be there. A feeling of unease welled up within him, but he squashed it down, focusing on the pretty girl in front of him. He just had to enjoy the night, that’s it. He was making mountains from molehills.
So why did he feel so uncertain?
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smoke filled the air as fire lit up the battle around them. Without any way to mitigate the smoke from choking his lungs, Quinn resorted to calling Golbat back, taking to the air and watching the battle from above. Below, he could see his partner Houndoom facing off against Flareon and Magcargo, their trainers nowhere to be seen. Houndoom stayed nimble, keeping his distance from the slower Magcargo, engaging in a flurry of claws and teeth against Flareon before backing away again.
“This is getting out of hand.” Quinn thought with frustration. It would be at most an hour before the Rangers arrived to deal with the fire, their window of opportunity narrowing. And still he was no closer to retrieving Finchley’s Pokémon.
Who the hell were Aurafire? Where did they come from? Why were they helping Chronos?
“Houndoom!” He called, as Golbat swept in near the battlefield once more, “[Dark Pulse!] Focus down Flareon!”
The world seemed to almost darken as Houndoom’s maw opened amidst the fire and flame, as if sucking in the light. A blast of negative energy was sent spiralling into Flareon.
“[Flamethrower]” A voice called out from the smoke
Flareon tensed, its mouth and neck bloating as if holding something back. Just as the inky darkness reached the Pokémon, it released its own attack, a jet of fire burning out the Dark Pulse in an explosion of energy, kicking up even more smoke.
“[Rock Slide!]” Another voice called, as the very earth began to rumble.
“Press the attack!” Quinn yelled back to Houndoom, trusting his partner to know what to do.
Large boulders flew threw the air, striking down like miniature meteors where Houndoom once stood, his partner was already on the move however, speeding through the haze as a dark blur while Flareon prepared another flamethrower. Bursting through the smoke Houndoom’s maw was filled with a roiling black mist, eyes gleaming in anticipation.
The Flareon unleashed its attack, fire spiralling forward, Houndoom twisted, catching the mostly ineffectual attack on his flank before its jaws found Flareon’s neck, biting down and piercing flesh. The Flare Pokémon cried out in pain, gasping as the poison entered its system. Toxic, Quinn had taught it to Houndoom for the express purpose of fighting opponents stronger than him.
“No!” His opponent snarled, recognizing the poison take hold, “Flareon! [Fire Spin: Buffeting Flames!]”
Flareon grit its teeth, tensing its body before throwing itself forward taking Houndoom with it. The larger hound slammed into the ground, releasing its hold on Flareon, before it began to twist on the spot, lashes of fire springing up and sending his partner flying away into the foliage. Hot winds flecked with fire spiralled out from the Flareon, creating a small dome of heat around itself and Magcargo.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
It wouldn’t matter much, however. Flareon was poisoned, toxic directly applied to its blood rather than lungs. It would only be a matter of time before the Pokémon was out of commission. The Aurafire Grunt realized this as well, muttering something to his partner before taking out a Pokeball, returning the poisoned Pokémon.
2 down, 2 to go. Houndoom slightly injured, Magcargo and mystery mon still fresh. Quinn frowned as Golbat took him up into the air once more, surveying the field as his partner kept distance from the Magcargo’s Rock Slide.
A flash of light, before a thunderous roar echoed through the forest. A large, bipedal form rose through the burning forest. Only a cape of fire could be seen through the smog and darkness. A second roar, this one more challenging, beckoning his partner to come out of hiding.
Houndoom didn't, of course. Quinn and his partner had learned the hard way what it meant to rush headfirst into fights, ironic, considering how Quinn had gotten them into this situation in the first place.
“Houndoom, [Double Team!]”
Slow and precise, taking the time to think before striking. That was Quinn’s way of fighting. He’d chip away at them bit by bit, the new Pokémon could be taken out by Toxic, once it was just Magcargo, he’d use Houndoom’s speed to his advantage, taking it down before it could do any real damage.
“[Swift!]” His opponent yelled.
Golden stars burst from the smoky darkness, illuminating the forest around them in a soft yellow glow. Like seeker missiles they wove in-between trees, cutting through Houndoom’s illusions or ignoring them entirely, exploding on his partner’s flank.
“Can’t fight at range, unknown enemy, Magcargo on standby.” He cursed silently. He’d have to go in close or be picked apart.
“Again! [Double Team!], follow up with [Smog!]”
Eevn from the sky he hear the snarl of his partner, the only indication of him following commands being the pounding footsteps that multiplied into that of a stampede, their dark shapes flickering between the trees like roaming ghosts. He heard the exhale of smoke as Smog was unleashed, trailing behind the pack, masking them from view.
Stars exploded out from the small clearing built from the results of their battle, homing in on Houndoom’s form once more. For a brief second, the terrifying form of dozens of hellhounds were illuminated within the smoke.
This time though, Quinn was ready.
“[Dark Pulse!]”
“[Rock Slide!]”
Swift’s power could not compare to the darkness that spiralled out of Houndoom’s maw, blasting them into oblivion. The sudden rocks that were belted his way however caused Houndoom to immediately switch direction, earning a frustrated growl as his sides were battered by hard stone. His location discovered the rocks shot down faster and faster, missing Houndoom by a hair’s breadth as he was forced deeper into the clearing.
Wait…
“Houndoom! Get out of there now!”
Too late, the rocks that Magcargo had thrown out were never meant for his partner. Instead, they formed walls, tall and imposing, leading straight to the centre of the clearing, where a hulking form lie in wait.
“[Focus Punch.]”
Houndoom bared his teeth, knowing there would be no way out, the brave Pokemon threw himself forward, fangs flashing and claws expanding. It made no difference, as a Typhlosion sent out a single punch, wreathed in bronze energy, directly onto his partner’s chest.
Even from the air he heard the shattering of bone, the grotesque crunch and squeal as Houndoom was sent flying backwards from the blow, hacking and gasping for air. It was a sickening sight, Quinn’s free hand immediately shot towards his belt, ready to call off his partner from certain death.
Only for Houndoom to meet his eyes, and shake his head.
Quin gaped. This was a losing fight, all possibilities would end in Houndoom being crippled…or even killed. Outmatched in range, power, numbers…and after that Focus Punch…speed too. Quinn was loyal to Galactic, some would say unreasonably so. But did Houndoom think he’d ever choose Galactic over his loyal Pokémon? His friends?
No…Houndoom knew something, something he didn’t…but what?
Golbat noticed a second later, screeching and circling around the smoke towards the approximate location of the Aurafire Grunts.
“What…?” Quinn wondered, scanning through the treetops, before noticing a glint. It was an almost invisible sight, impossible unless one was actively searching for a disturbance. There, in the trees, a figure waited.
Sirius had arrived
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Felis was drunk.
He knew he was drunk because while dancing every shot he’d hit from before slammed into him like an isekai truck, turning his world a little more precarious. It was like…hm. It was like you had control of your body, but every so often it just sort of…forgot what it was doing. Take a step forward, then ano-wait what was the left leg supposed to do? And you just stumbled around like an idiot.
It was great that most of the bodies around were the same, all pushing and leaning on each other whenever that moment of forgetfulness hit. He didn’t mind too much, he was more focused on the pretty girl in front of him.
They were bouncing up and down, Melody’s back pressed to his chest as bodies swayed around them. He enjoyed the intimacy, though he didn’t try to push for more…that way would bring problems. Namely, him getting too attached.
The song changed, Melody screamed something about her famous song, so he took her hand and spun her around to face him, opting for a more wild dance than the intimacy. She loved it, based on the manic smile and the way she moved, they kept their hands linked, even as they flailed about. It was less dancing, more moving. Honestly nobody was there to judge, they were all drunk.
Being taller than most people came with a few responsibilities. In the Before when he was bulkier, he’d use his frame to guard his friends or dates from people shifting about the floor. He did that now, though with heavy annoyance people pushed him around and about.
“Need to go to the gym again.” He thought idly, giving Melody a twirl.
He spotted her friends head down from their booth to the floor, John waving them away with a smile. That was strange, why didn’t he go with them? They appeared to like his stories, his manners, and the general fun he brought to the table. He was a decent looking guy too, it wasn’t like he was being rejected.
Well, whatever. He got what he wanted, social practice, and her friends were on the floor, so his date would probably go there too.
“I’m going to spin you away now,” He said as he pulled her close, “Your friends are there.” She said something back, but he couldn’t hear over the music, spinning her away.
Only for her to hold onto his hand as he tried to let go.
Why? He shot her a look of confusion, though he couldn’t read her expression. Her friends were right there. She got her drinks, they talked, why stay?
He didn’t understand.
He’d controlled the flow of most of their “dance” throughout the night, from close to wild, he’d been the one holding the reins, deciding the tempo. Now, Melody pulled close, wrapping her hands around his neck, forcing him to step closer. Not that he minded, the warmth of her hands was different to the heat accumulating from the masses. She cocked her head to the side, staring up at him, there was an annoyed glint in her eye.
“What’s wrong?” Felis asked, wrapping his hands around her waist again.
“Were you trying to get rid of me?”
“What? No! Your friends are right there.”
“And?”
“And…I thought you might want to go with them?”
“Did I say that?”
“Na, I just thought-”
She silenced him with a kiss, lips crashing into him as he grunted at the force of the impact. It was awkward at first, the two trying to find just the right spot, but when they did, they went deeper.
"Oh...this is bad." He thought as his lips moulded over hers, "Yea this is really bad...I should stop."
He didn't stop.
When? When was the last time he’d loved someone, aside from Arun? Who was the last person he gave himself to, allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of?
More.
He wanted more.
He pushed deeper, drawing her closer as he towered over her smaller form, his hands running up and down the sides of her figure, bodies pressed together in the heat of the masses. She tasted like alcohol and berries, a very shitty combination if he was being honest, but he was too swept up in the moment to care.
It ended too soon.
Melody pulled away, fighting for breath, her face red and flustered. Felis gave her a second to catch her breath, before leaning back in again, but to his annoyance felt her hand push him back.
“Woah, hold on!” She said with a laugh, “Just…give a girl some time to freshen up alright? Be back soon.”
And then she just…disappeared. Leaving Felis confused, and very frustrated. With a grunt, he shoved his way back to the booth, glaring down anyone that complained. Most backed down after seeing the G on his uniform, which was great, seeing as how 90% of the people in this Club could probably kick his ass.
What the hell was that? Why’d she disappear on him like that? Was he too intense? Did he want too much too quickly?
Wait.
“What the fuck am I doing!?” He realized in a brief moment of clarity, “I’m broke and in a terrorist organization, what the actual fuck am I doing!?”
He thought about heading back to the Galactic booth, but instead made his way to the bathroom. Melody had the right idea, he needed to freshen up a little, get some water on his face, sober up and think things through more.
On the way there a body stopped him, he tried to push past but again to his annoyance a hand stopped him.
“Hey!” A familiar voice shouted, “You ok?”
Oh…John? He squinted his eyes to get a better look, yea, it was John. He sent two thumbs up and tried to move forward again. Only to be rebuffed again.
“Hey, listen!” The annoying Grunt shouted, “Listen I’m sorry but we gotta head back right now.”
“Just go on without me.” Felis slurred back, “I know the way back.”
“No! W-we…all have to go!”
“Why?”
“Orders are orders man I don’t fucking know! We just have to go! All of us!”
John was fidgeting, his eyes were scattered, darting about the room, he shuffled in place. A complete 180 to the usual “fun” persona the Grunt had expressed earlier. He was nervous, why?
“Who gave the Orders?”
“Cyrus. Straight from the top, so we gotta go!”
Hm.
Felis was a liar. He was a very good liar. And being a good liar meant he also knew how to spot lies.
Right now, this piece of shit was lying to him.
“Yea. Ok! Just let me sober up a bit.”
“We have to go now man, he’s been waiting for a while. Getting antsy.”
“Just 5 minutes, I’ll meet you out front, swear.”
“5 minutes.” The Grunt finally agreed, letting Felis pass.
He skipped the washrooms he was going to first, instead making a big loop to the washrooms on the opposite side. Stumbling into the men's section, he leaned against the sink, staring into the mirror.
There was a glint in John’s eye, nervousness, excitement.
“Aken.” Felis hissed as he splashed cold water onto his face.
A few moments passed, before his partner emerged from the shadows, a face of absolute disgust on his face.
“This place smells of droppings and urine.” The little Ghost hissed.
It was the natural precaution, really. It wasn’t like Felis would put Aken back in his ball while he went out clubbing, the little guy hated it in there. Besides, now he had a round-the-clock spy willing to work with him, so he’d use his friend to the best of his ability.
“Welcome to the night life.” Felis waved.
“You are scared,” Aken wondered, zooming in close to hover by Felis’s face, “Why?”
“What did you sense from the Galactic Grunts? What were they feeling?”
“A dark enjoyment. The feeling one gets when committing evil for fun. A little fear and uncertainty too, a very well rounded palate.”
Felis ignored his partner’s wording, instead focusing on the feelings. A dark enjoyment, fear…nervousness, excitement…something was about to go down.
He wouldn’t be there to see it.
“We’re leaving, stay on guard. Don’t come out unless I call you to.”
The ghost cocked his head to the side, but said nothing, disappearing into the shadows.
He left the washroom, ducking low, and blending into the crowd. To leave by the front entrance would be stupid, and though Arun would claim otherwise, he was just drunk. Instead, he made his way to the employees room, or what he thought was the employees room. It was the room girls and security would come out with, waving a huge sign for anyone who had a birthday, it would do.
He pushed into the room, dismissing the indignant cries of the employees who were in the process of getting another sign ready. He ignored them, pushing forward and into the kitchens, which had him pause for a bit. What type of club had kitchens?
“Hey!” A voice shouted, “You can’t be in here!”
Felis turned, seeing a burly security guard with a Staravia perched on his shoulder.
“Fuck off.” Felis snapped, “Galactic business.”
“Nice try.” A hand grabbed him by the shoulder, roughly dragging him back. He whirled suddenly, the razor tucked in Felis’s sleeve came free, expertly slipping into his fingers, scoring a shallow cut on the mans cheek.
“Arg-umph.” The Security’s shout was halted a moment later as Felis dragged a knee into his stomach, clasping a hand across his mouth and placing the blade at his neck.
“Call your Pokémon off!” He hissed, dragging the man in front of the very angry Staravia. “Don’t be a fucking hero.”
The blade pressed at the Security man’s neck did the trick, as he fumbled for the Pokeball, returning his partner.
“Good, now listen good, and listen close. Do you have a back entrance here?”
A nod.
“Point.”
He pointed in roughly the same direction Felis was heading towards.
“Now I’m going to leave, and you’re not going to follow. I said this was Galactic business and I meant it. If you want to keep your job, or your life, you’re going to keep silent, you won’t tell a soul, not even your own mother. Nod if you understand.”
He nodded.
“Good, hold still.” Felis fished around, grabbing the man’s wallet, as he did he brought his knee up once more, this time between the guy’s legs, letting him collapse onto the ground in a groan. He opened the wallet, then froze.
First thing he saw was a picture of the man and his daughter.
Shame crept through Felis’s gut but he shoved it down, instead fishing for his ID before tossing the wallet back.
“Alright, Jackson.” He made sure to emphasize the name, “I know who you are, and where you live. Come after me, I come after you, that simple.”
Felis left the man, stumbling through the corridor before finally finding the damned exit door. With a grin he pushed through, inhaling the sharp cool air of the night. Good, he was out. He just had to make his way through the alleys, back to base, then he’d be goo-
“Going somewhere?”
He spun, locating the source of the voice. The alley was dark, he couldn’t see much save for a few rattata that scurried out between the loose trash. All the drinking had done Felis no favors, he couldn’t make out any discernible shapes.
“Damn, you really are drunk, huh?”
Leland stepped into the alleyway, taking a drag off a cigarette, letting out a puff of smoke.
“You know, I actually bought off the people so nobody would enter the alleyway. The guys were supposed to bring you here, but look at you!” Leland shot him a feral grin, “Really out here exceeding all our expectations Felis.”
“[Shadow Sneak.]”
Nothing happened.
Worry crept up within Felis, where was Aken? What happened? Leland’s shit-eating grin didn’t help, only amplifying his growing dread.
“Pr…Pranav!” Aken screeched.
That was the only warning he received before feeling a gentle rain land on his shoulders. No…it was softer than rain…snow? Wha-
All the muscles on Felis’s body seized up, and he crashed down the steps of the exit, rolling onto the floor. He wanted to yell, but found his jaw muscles locked tight, teeth grinding against one another. It was as if every muscle was forced to tighten, to tense and flex without him meaning to. A Beautifly flapped up from above him, landing delicately onto Leland's shoulder.
“You won’t believe how useful my little girl is.” Leland said nonchalantly, scratching his Pokémon's head, “You ever been hit by a stun spore before this? Rhetorical question, you can’t answer. Not yet anyways.”
At this point, the other Grunts had filed into the alleyway, looking uncertain…though with a hint of dark eagerness.
“Nice work John.”
“You’re going to follow through on your promise, right?”
“Of course! You’re one of my boys now.”
The Grunts smiled and laughed, patting each other on the back.
“First thing’s first though.” Leland said, turning his attention back to Felis, “We got a score to settle.”