Reality Trainer (Pg-13)

[Zephyr Flare]

Hellish (pun) description on Helle but it was hard and this was some time ago now and needed to be over and done with :S

Anywho this is just a little thing that set off an rp I'm still involved with, may add to later, who knows?


---

The Reality Trainer
Introductions​

The word trainer...

What does it make you think of?

A shoe?

Something to do with a gym maybe?

How about someone who owns Pokemon?


For me, it means nothing of the sort.

Trainer equals Master, no two ways about it.



The Master is not of the fluffy world of fools, the prayers to the pink saviours that keep all the bad things away, the keeper of darkness away from thy soul.


He IS the other half, the other half of the coin, the yang, dark, evil or however you choose to flip it.


Either way, there is no cuddly kids show surrounding my life in disguise or nought.


The Master even went and stretched as far as to name me a morgue Diablo, I had to take it without question lest I wish for a fist to my ribs or a kick to my ailing skull if those narrowed eyes caught the thought flickering without care.


Believers of no ills, a perfect life, a façade, turn your tails and backs away and do not come closer or read further. You will find nothing of yours here, my life never contained it and nor shall it ever for me or any other under the Masters enslavement.


Leave, while you still have the option.



I lay here quietly, not daring to speak up lest my Master hears but even he cannot stop my thoughts bound in a diary. With front paws stretched loosely in front of it supporting my muzzle and my ears flattened so close they become one with the pelt. A yawn holds ragged in my throat but I can not release it; when the Master commands you to come into our quarters, a sound would be punished no matter how simple or needed they may be.


I am Diablo, my birth name nothing now. I was once part of a great pack, the strongest of the Mightyena in the region and our pride shone in the howls we gave to mark our presence.

But now I am alone, broken, there is no unity or single mind to aid my plight, understanding now, there is only the master’s superiority and our deemed pathetic existence that we much beg to keep at his command, grovel on paw or wing for scraps like dogs.


No pun or insult to my relatives intended.


My fellows in the constricting rooms around me would be Drakcree, Yami, Helle, Hades and the recently deceased at my master’s whim, Pluto.

You see we are all in isolation rooms, so small we can barely move without light and only substance when the Master decides we can have any. The stone is so cold letting the thickness of the winter attack shatter through the barrier and touch our flesh. Our rooms are side by side; we all feel it but even if a word were spoken the stone would stifle our cries.


Drakcree is the youngest of us, a black Dragon of the skies with a furious jasper tang to his tail flame. His hide is riddled with punishing scars; it took him a long time before in the presence of our Master he was cold and indifferent. Within those few times he is left, always to be seen sobbing quietly clinging to his innocence like a blanket amongst his tears.

Yami, well what is there to say aside from the fact she is the oldest and probably the most deranged? She is unusual even for an Umbreon but the species is known for strange rituals under the full moons. It is said that gives them powers they should not be able to access though that lies entirely in rumour. I like to think of her as a Pokemon version of a witch descended from a tribe. Ignoring the rampant disgust at not being able to do most of her calling; her twisted little mind loves this life.

Helle, I do not know whatever possessed the Master to call her that but who are we to question? She is a cast off looking a mix of Rapidash and a feralized Houndoom showing the worst traits driven entirely to blood wrath. Helle stands as a centaur, the Houndoom half embedding mostly as an, anthromorphic? I do not understand such lore issues, for the upper half of a centaurian beast.

The light tan battling in her coat causes her to be a rather subtle light slate blue, which is what makes her odd as the rest of us are the darkest colours. Her flames sparkle in raw cerulean energy stretching down her neck and stopping below her shoulder blades and only resting again as they trickle down her tail bone causing her tail to be living Houndoom fire. Those shackles around have been kept thought across ankle as well as wrists ever watching that dark ginger from her throat to her rear.

Her skull is a mix of equine and canine, with horns of both species with fangs and ears held above those so standard pupiless eyes. That outer rib necklace goes down her twin backs while those with the extra accessory skulls attaching around her throat and just as it hits her total equine body.

She is generally the rattiest of us here and has a tendency to stamp and growl at any given opportunity deciding to take her fury out on us. She is loyal to the Master so she of all of us gets more privileges than we dare fathom.


Now Hades would be Yami’s rather unwilling mate as he is down right terrified of the twisted little female despite the size difference. Hades is an Absol of light grey colouring that was his appeal to the Master I guess, a little bit different. He is naturally very quiet and generally avoids any contact. I am aware however the Master uses him much like Yami does but not to her pleasure, more to use him as a con to rip people off for oncoming disasters I am told or it least sits in rumour. If it keeps meat in our bellies, whatever goes I guess.


Finally there is… or was Pluto. When alive, he was a Grumpig but now he is devoured meat inside of us all and pearls for desperate uncaring traders. The Master became angry at his weakness, how many times he had to drag the wretched animal in and out of battle.

He was slaughtered only hours ago, his psychic connection that told words to at least Hades, Drackree and me suddenly severed told us all. Chainsaw I believe, usually only to scare, to pre carve the meat but now to crush his skull so the pearls could be torn from the corpse and twirled in a bloodied hand with sickening beauty. Obsidian and raw scarlet always did make such a fine luxury in combination.


I fear for whoever is next enslaved, how will they handle our existence? Beatings are common as well as starvation for long periods as well as battles where we win and live or lose and be put to death at our Master’s hand. The isolation is the worst if you are a pack animal such as I that severed connection to leave only one mind.

Only you

With nothing but darkness as your friend

And silence to tend your wounds



My ear flicks, scuffle sounds and keys entering the lock of my door. I lift my head and watch as my door is drawn open giving a silhouette of my Master against the light outside.

‘Get up’ he growls, I obey and am on my stiff legs, my gaze averted by a dipped head to show my submission to his whim.

‘Come Diablo, you and your litter mates are going to help me find the meat’s replacement.’ I nod, my tail hung low as I trot quietly up to him looking only ever at his shoes.

In turn I follow as he leaves my door but within a second’s breath I am ensnared by my other home, an Ultra ball. For a moment I see red, nothing but then my vision fades and the technology sends me into a sleeping stasis until my master requires my services again.

 

[Guitar dude bill]

What can I say? Incredible, just purely incredible
I spotted a few minor mistakes though. I'll begin on them

Finally there is… or was Pluto.

You were pointing out that he was alive, so you were basically emphasising it, so it should be in italics

Only you

With nothing but darkness as your friend

And silence to tend your wounds

If you were starting new paragraphs, which you were, you should always end with a full stop (called periods in the U.S.)

‘Get up’ he growls

You need a comma after the 'up'.

There was one I weren't sure about, so apoligies if it's just the fact that you're american and I'm english

Helle, I do not know whatever pocessed

The bold 'c', I know is in england, but I'm not sure about U.S., is meant to be an 's'.
Now what I liked about it
You depicted the master incredibly well. I could totally realise what he was meant to be like. The characters are very emotional. It's very descriptive. And very good description too. Very good plot. Overall this is just incredible.
To improve
Don't start new paragraphs so often.

Remember the minor punctuation mistakes you made.
But this is still amazing.

 

[Zephyr Flare]

It is often betetr to do drop lines like that as it works for betetr efefcts than stuffing .'s on.

Was italics, just checked the orignal file, forgot to put them back, argh xD

Since when do I live in the US exactly?

Trust me, spacing in paragraphs when it's like Diablo works, otherwise it looks smooshed, badly written and the effect gets lsot. I tend to do a basic run before paragraphing decently, single liens d often work best alone.


Sandra

 

[PDL]

quite interesting... reminded me of the Houndoom I named "Diablo" in my XD game...

maybe I aught to rename him...

 

[SnoringFrog]

Very good, quite intriguing to say the least. I liked it very much.

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Mmm might bother going on after all then.

Sandra

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Well this has certainly been a loooong time coming. No I haven't revealed the name of who it is just yet, little details about him will be drip fed as I orignally intended while little things about him will appear as seemingly blissful description.

This fire is actually pretty important and what exactly he picked up will be revealed next chapter but hope t gives some insight into the relationships between some of the Pokemon and him towards them, particularly Helle.


So ya here we go and hopefully not nearly a year or so till the next chapter

The Reality Trainer
Chapter 1 - Hearts of Fire​

The echo of footsteps is taut, almost strained beyond upon the stone as the master walks back into where light is allowed, where freedom to pass and tread in his own distinguished silence. As the underground from which he had prior descended is a cover for what he likes to keep to the shade.

Obvious yet secluded, blatant yet stealth all wrapped up into just a simple form closing the door down to his secrets without a single utterence or acknowledgement of the charge waiting patiently across the room from where he stands.


‘I’d rather be doing work or hunting than this, you better hope you have a firm enough idea of where to look Helle, tasted no better than it acted cuddled up in his little corner’ he mutters almost causally despite his expression, eyes narrowed as he glances to the centaurian whose head is currently dipped a slight.

‘I can ensure, master, that I know where is a strong possibility of something useful, I will be ready to leave as soon as you are.’

There is a slight growl for a moment before it dissipates, walking over to her in an easy movement. With an almost coy tilt of his head, he lifts her face to meet his stern eyes with the most tender of care and a wry smile.

‘You better hope that it’s more than just a strong possibility, we wouldn’t want anything to happen now that would prevent your rounds’ he answers with almost a bittersweet tone, a flash of a darkened grin before moving his hand away.

All the while he seemingly ignores the slight shudder from her as he starts to head into one of the other rooms as though nothing just happened in complete disinterest.


His head turns a slight a moment before opening one of the many doors. That’s all she deserves to get maybe, a watchful eye to see a reaction and nothing more with such pressing matters at hand.

With a twisted step of grace even for somebody built as he, the master slips into a certain room to gather a few pieces needed before the hunt should begin and for Helle’s sake, it better provide well.


---


Later with just a small bag in his possession, the centaurian is ordered to go with a firm word from her passenger forcing a bolt into the fresh air and charging on in the fading light. Her body is forced to lean more under the known pressure in mind of what may happen if she slows, that if she wishes to please him, the bones must not buckle and just last. Encourage him, even if just for a moment, to be able to feel his hand against her face again.


With an extended run having stretched far from it’s inception, there is a dull flicker of amber opening into it’s awaiting world before glancing around, lifting a hand for a signal to stop to which the muffled scratchings of hooves is heard on dry. With a slight frown and a blink, the colours disappear back into the more usual tawny keeping their stern edge waiting almost impatiently for the exaggerated movements.

Muttering something clearly not of an English tongue, he slides off her back landing easy on his feet and glares at his charge with a hickle of distain. Helle however misses it completely as she pulls herself to a complete halt, looking nervous, a little tense in one leg and ready to spring.

Your eyes don’t need to tell you what you feel after all.


Crossing his arms with a further mutter and narrowing his eyes to a further degree he turns his head just a slight to eye her carefully.

‘All I’m picking up is time wasting right now, is your assurance still here or did it run with your sense?’ he queries softly, fingers raised slightly on one hand already showing how the fiasco was grating on his nerves.

He does not like to wait, not for something already standing so feeble.

Sensing his growing aggravation, she quickly dips her body into submissive poise trying hard to keep those slight trembles from view.

‘I can ensure. Master, there is the one I mentioned here but I admit that they are known to travel around this location often… they will be here’ she answers, a little nervously and not daring to lift her head until he glances away with a muttered better be.


Closing his eyes a moment before a slight nod, he eyes her ignoring the slight surprised look.

‘Just Diablo and Yami will help look, two good trackers and her as well as you looking I’m sure something may come up if you’re right… She’s going with you, I don’t want that limp to get worse.’

Her expression strikes a something completely undignified, furious before it quickly subsides for reluctant acceptance to his decision. Daring not to utter a word, she can’t help but question in her mind why send that pitiful old one with her and not allow herself to go with the master.


Turning away to allow the pair out from their captives, he stares carefully at the Umbreon a moment, quirking an eyebrow a slight and snickering a little before glancing back to Helle.

‘Would you be so kind to help her up? You are admittedly a little tall for shorter legs lacking your kinda spring,’ he asks so almost innocently, wondering if possibly she would take the bait.

‘Very well then,’ she replies with a dip of her head earning a quiet mutter in return.

Walking up to the sitting Umbreon with a clatter and scowl across her face, glaring at the seemingly expressionless Pokemon whose ears merely wave a slight as she waits with the utmost patience.

Carefully she is scooped up, extra care to ensure no legs are caught in an almost loving gesture before being placed on the grumbling mare’s back and completely oblivious to the smirk.


‘Good enough, come on Diablo with both of us tracking there’s a better chance of finding something this way, we’ll leave the ladies to themselves’ the speaker says simply, with a hand a slight before already breaking into a run leaving the emaciated canine little more choice than to chase after.

Watching her master depart with harsh eyes, she turns to the waiting Umbreon, raising a hand to strike her now so sure how would not see.


Oh but that if he was to find that I struck her out of turn, he knows well I do not like her and should nothing be found this would only put him in a fouler mood.


The centaur blinks a moment, stupidly, had she just thought that? Looking a little confused she glances to Yami who has done little more than tilt her head with the look of wonder to why she stands there still.

Frowning slightly and with a snort, finally she runs trying to ignore the faint grip on her back from the old one muttering a quiet word of hatred at her rider, doing little more than to widen that grin and every tooth it possess in turn.


---


He cannot help but laugh aloud at what he is informed being muttering a stupid glancing to Diablo who appears to simply ignore it all beyond a slight prick of ear. Shaking his head slightly the taller turns back to where they head, listening well for any potential, any unusual scent that may lead to a new charge as the Mightyena does.

The way he runs is almost in kin with the companion however strange, their gait and speed acting unusually similar, how alert their whole body’s strike to any whom they may pass.

The difference being as little as one seems to passive, reluctant yet submissive while the other looks as though his eyes are boarding closer towards an amber grave.


Frowning slightly, the master quickly glances to Diablo as he slows to a halt who himself has flattened his ears tight and lifted his head a little higher, taking a much more edgy stance from his neutral awareness.

‘So it’s not just me’ he mumbles quietly waving a hand to his partner to slow, as he is which is swiftly taken up and done.

The scent caught is thick with a toxic stench, lingering death in the form of burning of the dry spell plaguing, a false incineration from an idiot rather than self-harm.


His eyes widen just a tad, the colour of the element growing secretly in his orbs as he moves his head slightly trying to roughly judge where if only or that faint scrap of own curiosity.

‘Yeah she’s right amazingly, there is definitely something in there’ he says quietly to himself, ignoring Diablo who eyes him with a simple head tilt before their eyes meet and his head cowers.

‘Fire is a little easier on you than I am while I’m like this, where exactly is it?’


The Mightyena looks positively confused for a moment, he being asked by the master for help? With a frown he lifts his head high, snorting at the foul smell before a sense of life finally drifts towards.

After a moment his eyes flare and he looks to his awaiting, dipping his head slightly with a growl.

Quirking his eyebrow slightly and quickly moving some of his wolven-like hair from his eyes, the man himself dips his head slightly glancing ahead.

‘All right Diablo, you lead the way and I’ll ensure you get extra on my next kill for this.’

The canine’s deep amber brightens in an instant before he storms away in the thicket of growing greys with his master swiftly coming up close behind sharing rapid deafness in the roar of enclosing destruction.


The temperature is quickly developing into insane territory, creeping out slowly with the slink of feline sweeping out with a living thick swipes off super-natural claws causing it’s own girth to grow.

As the fifth grown tail lashes out for the taller branches, the stench of something being burnt alive filters rife into the now stagnant air ever pushing the pair back despite their single desire to track down whatever they have picked up.

Using a single arm to cover his face, he tries just to see past the bright colours that he is so surely used to by now but with the embers lashing out at his face and flesh it is a struggle. Something unknown seems to draw, a weird tug at the back of his mind from where venom laced hiss emanates quiet echoes.


Diablo himself has backed somewhat behind, fighting instinct to flee not wanting to be considered a deserter before suddenly and completely unable to stop lets out a forlorn howl which instantly gets his master’s eyes.

As the final notes end, a bright gold of feathered wings bursts from within the fire-beast’s flanks before dissipating completely as though never welcomed to this side. Its final view causes the concluding sound of a small-protected explosion and a silver burnt corpse to land at his feet.

Whimpering a little with tail hung low, Diablo pads up carefully as the man scoops up the creature before a quick exchange of glances and they both decide better than to remain and vacate without turning their heads and ushered by the wind’s death throes.


As the blaze begins to die within it’s resurrection at the drone of local fire engines emerging to quell it, a mark begins to appear. Freshly etching around the socket of the body as though dipped in the freshest of magma before turning dull without notice of the one who holds it.


The mark of rebirth.

 

[Yami Ryu]

whoot first chapter

*spam*

anyways, finally an update to the story o.o and hope the next chapter comes a bit sooner. No rush or anything but still. And wonder what it is that the mark is meant for o.o

 

[Torkoal]

This fic kicks a**! I love it. I might ask the guys at the review club if you can join. This is definately getting interesting, but you're not far enough into it yet for me to give a full review, but you have definately sparked my interest. I'll be back to review this again once you've gotten farther into the story.

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Thought I told you a while back what the mark was? :x Ah well.

This as mentioned before hoping I don't take nearly a year to write the blasted thing I started chapter 2 amazingly fast and going along as I do, having the slight issue of I know exactly how it starts, exactly how it ends but the mid needs bumping a bit, alas.


Sandra

 

[Hahahabvc87]

I see that your style of writing has not changed
The story progresses very cryptically, filled with mystery and dread. I still had to re-read some sentences to grasp the meaning, an example:

Something unknown seems to draw, a weird tug at the back of his mind from where venom laced hiss emanates quiet echoes.

I would have phrased it somewhat like this so it would be easier to understand:

Something unknown seems to draw, a weird tug at the back of his mind from where a hiss, laced with venom, emanates quiet echoes.

Still, I'm not quite used to it and it is fairly hard to understand at a glance.

Some strange stuff in the story:

Believers of no ills, a perfect life, a façade, turn your tails and backs away and do not come closer or read further.

Is that a "c"? Kind of a strange symbol to use as a substitute...

With front paws stretched loosely in front of it supporting my muzzle and my ears flattened so close they become one with the pelt.

Technically a hanging sentence, but paired with the one before it I suppose it's ok.

With an extended run having stretched far from it’s inception, there is a dull flicker of amber opening into it’s awaiting world before glancing around, lifting a hand for a signal to stop to which the muffled scratchings of hooves is heard on dry.

On dry what?

Other than that, you managed to portray a life under a cruel master beautifully, the sense of dread and insanity nicely crafted so that I too understand their plight. I do hope you carry this quality over to your next chapters, and hopefully by the time my exam ends the next one will be up!

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Eh I write olden style more, I'm so used to reading it and many have got so used to it we don't realy notice slight things admittedly :S

It's the proper french spelling, the spellchecker happily put it in for me thankfully as I never remember. Ah thsoe days are way behind me now so I'm allowed to forget lol.

It's mean to be loose allow a bit of thought as it's already a given it's possibly more out in the sticks, possibly foresty, if I went out right and said it ruins the fun of slowly figuring it out.

I'm hoping if I can drag it long enough to get Yami in a bit more, you have to love that Umbreon, and possibly a little more about him if I can get away with it. I wanna stick Helle in a dunce sign though, sadly his humor doesn;t swing that way


Sandra

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Due to circumstances that occured today I will not have given this my best once over ebfore submitting, however I do not wish to hold it off either so hopefully it's reasonably intact.

Whoo drip feed.

The Reality Trainer
Chapter 2 – Morsai Amber
​

It had been an hour or two since the exhausted pair had stumbled back to the place they dub a home of sorts. Word has already reached him already Helle was on her way back with Yami with a poorly covered concerned pace but it does little trepidation to either the master or the Umbreon traveller.


The man himself, allowing for a tepid recovery of his earlier promise filtering lightly onto his mind, had long withdrawn Diablo again upon arrival. At present however while he has decided to sit on the roof for a while, his legs over the edge as he deals with the heavily burned and scarred creature upon his lap.

Such concern was bizarre for him as he remarkably gently eases out a wing; his usual attitude was always to shun all those who share no common ties with his blood. Even the guard whose tail he was using as extra support showed surprise heavily in her eyes accompanied by the low rumble coming deep within her throat.

Glancing up a moment, scarlet meets tawny but neither flinches away before his gaze turns back to what is on his lap.

‘It’s fine, you don’t need to worry’

With that she simply hisses softly in response but still watching with a careful eye, all the while assuring that any sound of potential disturbance within her chosen perimeter is not what that could be perceived as a threat.


The hours seem to drag at a crawled pace, seemingly endless before the centaurion finally shrugs them off from wrapping round her form. Her hooves are reaching the ground with a weary step accompanied by softly spoken sound as she lifts her head to gaze at the creature outright glaring at the smaller hybrid.

Immediately she tenses, trying to ignore the snicker from upon her back as she dips her head a slight to the barely audible sound emanating above her. It is greeted by a snort before a moment’s silence for thought to prevail and only then does the creature finally move away and allow Helle to pass.

To say she looked relieved would be an understatement from the beads clutching to her fur for dear life, her rider fixed in a stipulated expression of a smirk and the lessening trembles.


Admitting only to herself, Helle does indeed fear the master but his more personal guard? The serpentine creature could strike fear into even the blindly courageous with just one stern gaze with the possibility of the thought of blind hope she would choose a game over simply devouring a trespasser.


Satan, that’s the name of the ones whose cobalt tries to extinguish all traces of light colour and well chosen to given her insatiable appetite for destruction. The Gyarados guard will always be ensuring that nobody who is not allowed can get anywhere near the innards of the territory or be ready as a faster ride should it be required.


He himself looks up a moment, to Yami more than who she is with, nodding his head a slight while scooping up some of the condensation trickling across the hardened scale with a free hand.

Growling softly before realising it and ceasing the sound, the human carefully rubs some of the liquid onto the most burnt looking areas, trying to resituate dulled silver if only to stimulate a little life. He’s very deliberate in the motion, holding it in his left hand to avoid any potential ear splitting while soothing with his right, unnatural for all whom are not such as he.


‘Nebula’ he quietly murmurs suddenly with eyes slightly narrows as he carefully places part of a hand on the metal form.

It is so strange how sometimes words just seem to slither before you can stop yourself speaking only to become fixated onto the target and your own mind.


---

Further hours had stretched themselves into the time’s mechanism before anything note worthy once again began, the master having departed from his guard’s gaze for somewhere much darker and musky than above ground.

A Skarmory, he was surer now that at least the worst was off its corpse was what he had found. Still, it seemed puzzling why he would feel steered to a corpse in the midst of a raging fire.


That was until the slightest tremor began to once again dwell within the near hollow body, a wee sound that occurred in first long drawn beats to start before becoming more rapid. All the while it drew silenced and motionless with each felt as though a passing echo of a life than one.

A life within a death sentence, rekindled in the very thing that destroyed it.

Tawny orbs eye the bird with predatory precision from the bed he’s sitting on seemingly oblivious to the still plaguing rife within the shadows. He himself is matching the newly dubbed Nebula in how little he even twitches as he watches with little more than a frown above his clasping hands.

They do not miss the first vague wing movement that is just glaring of rustled stiffness, no his hearing the feeble crock coming from the desk on which it is perched.

Unfortunately, acute hearing is no form of protection from a high pitched screech.


The master winces rather badly using an arm in automatic defence from the onslaught and ruining his composure completely until it lessens causing him in turn to outright glare at the hardly innocent.

The Skarmory is question could hardly tell what it had done, struggling to balance by flailing wings working structureless, loudly clicks eminating from his beak with shrieks of distain. So obvious pained realisation of how dark the world has turned since he could last envision.

The final time they had opened to a morn and closed to burning before rotting out of the metal frame leaving nought more than obsidian nadir carved into his skull.


And yet through the shadows there did sprang colour, pulsating before shifting to another feeling distraught in one location much like his own body feels. There is the feeling of frozen in ice and broiled alive within him yet no feeling to either, just the muted colour dancing before him where he should not see.

Irrevocably he settles stilling his wings by his flanks with talons spread with muted strength to give balance. He is clearly aware judging entirely on how those socket-less voids seem to stare regardless towards the watcher, judging in silence with simple thoughts.


‘You’re awake but not, alive but not, you have not turned to scrap yet and it will be part of my assurance that you will not become as such. Do as I ask without question and exercise that gift you were granted or be sent back into where you should never have been brought from’ the man hisses in an almost soft comforting tone twisted deviously with the malice in his eyes.

It would seem almost as though he would love nothing more than an excuse to grant what he had prevented.


A slight head dip with a partially spread wing is the minimal response accompanied by a slight click of beak. He heard and understood perfectly but there was a niggling sense of gratitude from Nebula’s posture over subtle fear like a feeling of being more indebted to respond as such.

Either way, it seemed convincing enough.


Stepping away from the bed, he holds out an arm simply, closing his eyes and waits long enough for the newest arrival to take wing and land within a careful manoeuvre. There is no panic or any attempt to take flight away from him and seems miraculously unbothered by the limb in which he had landed.

‘I can’t afford you your own place right now as still needs renovating bit and I will assume putting you straight into where there is blood playing paint everywhere after such an event would be little more than insult. You will have to put up with Helle I’m afraid but… feel free to torment her as much as you like, it’s nothing less than she has earned’ he says plainly with a wave of his free hand.

Truly he is unbothered what is done between any of those under his control, as long as it doesn’t affect his work or encourages rebellion it is all free game even if not all have quite the mind game facilities of a certain Umbreon.


With a simple beak click the sole human of the residence begins to walk from his room, feeling a little happier in himself that such a good find was made judging from that slightly twisted smirk.

---

It only took a few minutes to escape the hidden lair and back into the proper part of the house where natural light is actually allowed to stretch but it was enough time or a rather disturbing air to start to pollute.

His eyes had showed traces of red for a flicker of a moment before subsiding a few times now before subsiding back to the usual causing even the latest addition to dip his head a slight every time they appeared.

Yet despite this the master himself seemed oblivious to what was happening to himself bar the mildly happier look, which quelled his usual depressed frown he usually wore that is currently residing there.

Those contented times nearly always involved a blade to a throat of the nearest for a piece of basic thrill seeking, a truly dangerous smile that perhaps could only ever be witnessed upon a tale of a true death knight.


Closing the door quietly with still his arm out-held, he begins to walk back into the main room completely ignoring Helle’s slightly startled look as he saunters right past. The centaurian who herself had been caught in surprise that he had come up again so early and more so with the latest charge being allowed to even touch him without a hint of backlash.

Her expression changes to mild fury, more notably in the way her hackles raise as the flames surrounding her body begin to be treated a squalled. How DARE that thing be anywhere near him it ahs absolutely no right to even be up here! Her mind just reacts in a hissing fury with her fists clenched and tension rippling across her back.


‘It’s rude to stare and you know it’


Swiftly she changes to neutral though unable to subdue the vehemence rippling inside with the same ease but it doesn’t prevent that slight shudder at his expression precipitating down one limb.

The way he is eyeing her seems more attached to something such as a wolf or other hunter, that subtle twist of expression before lunging for the final bite.


‘Apologies master, I was not expecting to see the new arrival soon’ she replies quietly, her head dipped with her hands in front of her like a more stiffened servants bow.

In response he gestures with his free hand, leaning slightly onto one side with his expression turning a little sterner towards her.

‘If I didn’t do things a little different every now and then you would become too attached. I expect while Nebula is here, for how ever many nights it may be, that you do not even consider the little fireball act understand?’

‘Of course, if I may ask, outside this did it all bode well? I realise you were stuck with the mutt instead of either of us after all’


His expression instantly changed to one of utter antagonism with his teeth bared and blatantly looking sharper than usual.

‘That “mutt” happened to be more of use to me than you ever have been so don’t you dare speak illy of him again. If it weren’t for this Skarmory being so new, eyes or not I would damn right happily slit your throat with my wrist’ he hisses angrily glaring hatefully right at her.

She looks greatly surprised though cowering even more so in body than face. He had never got at her for saying that before, what has the stupid creature done to suddenly curb the master’s notice away from herself?

If she were to speak out even if just a timid whimper she would not have gained the chance to, his bubbling fury having made him swiftly take his leave for one of the spare rooms well away from her.


The door had cracked slightly from the force of being slammed shut with the back of his foot, his temper was slowly gathering under control again but elements were still making it envisaged.

The rumble escaping from his throat goes ignored despite the distain for his own blood before finally he sighs a slight glancing to the questioning Skarmory.

‘She earned it for that remark no question but I suppose it hardly said much for myself over it. There are just some things I can’t stand and she is growing increasingly one of them’ he enunciates in a much softer tone than the one used moments ago.

‘Here’s rarely used as it is, stay in here for now and give yourself better chance for recovery as I can see more than enough still remaining. Feel free to do what you will until I come back, for now I just want the world to **** off and die.’

Dipping his head with a mortal bow, Nebula flares his wings a total before taking to the air allowing the now partially stiffened arm to drop with silence starting to coil once more. With this, the human decides to take his leave without bothering to look where the flier might land and ignoring the adding aura dissipating around him.

---

How many hours now had been spent secluded in the obscurity provided by his real choice of residence? They must surely be dragging by their wrists to heels into thousands now; the seclusion was always a temptation to escape the world and now is no more different than those younger years.

His expression is a simple frown with his hands loosely clasped in full sight of his lowered head and narrowed eyes. Though looking a little bedraggled he knows not to even consider an attempt to sleep, not unless he wishes to awaken even worse than before.


In his silence he completely misses the sound of his door creaking open a slight, too engrossed in his thoughts possibly as work left him unable to be off-guard for even the slightest period.


Still awake I assume?

Lifting his head he eyes the speaker with a stern gaze before answering flatly.

‘Do I look asleep to you?’

Granted, I wished to be sure given your circumstance

‘You’re speaking normally which is almost disturbing in one sense, what is it then?’

Your eyes, you’re coming into another session once more, hardly a wonder why your emotions are all over the place. Judging from the amount of amber present I would say you have only a few more minutes before the worst of it kicks in

His face shifts slightly in expression, taking on an almost fearful look for a moment as he raises his left hand more into his eye line before narrowing the agreeably dissolving tawny orbs.

‘Guess whose gonna be out hunting tonight.’

Of course, I do hope you bode well this evening then, Hance

 

[Yami Ryu]

Even though it was long, I read it so quickly ;;

:x amber eyes are never good.

Well I wish I could be more helpfull, but I have nothing much more to say outside of this is another good chapter, and I can't wait for Chapter three, whenever it comes out.

 

[Zephyr Flare]

All that and such a short reply, evil :<

I'll love to see your expression atwhat I plan next ~


Sandra

 

[Zephyr Flare]

This chapter so didn't go as planned. If it did it woulda hit 10 pages and not 7 and a bit :O

I decided to get us away from his place a bit and let us meet his best friend and idiot. Throughout there is some subtle hints to more depths of Hance's character which may come back as a doi later on as you didn't notice :3 Hell these chapter titles are hints of their own x3

Well since most of my readers appear to have fled, hoepfully this dark humor will be dragging yer all back.


[edit] Forgot to mention, since not everybody will know here's a mini explanation of little things brought up:

Pounds/quid is the UK currency
The legal drinking age here is 18
It is illegal to have a gun here without a license but has actually made it thrive
Jason is a serial skirt chaser

The Reality Trainer
Chapter 3 – Reluctant Beast
​

Why is that all the miracles in the world that come to the right beg or whim choose to completely desert in the face of futurised stupidity? A force of fate’s hand perhaps, to throw that element of uncertainty and grievance to keep those most aware at their best.

Venom instead of an antidote, company instead of much needed solitude.


Standing outside the wooden cabin-alike is the rather agitated Hance with a newcomer whom raises his voice almost as much as the other’s temper is rising within the mixed blood.

‘Look I’m not interested right now all right? I wanted to go out for a while yes but by myself and less so to a freakin’ dodgy night club!’

‘You haven’t been out in ages, I’m bored like hell, been kicked out the house again and everybody is long outta town!’ The other, a blonde speaker, waves his arms in gesture trying to convince his bemused friend. It would appear he had recently washed out a hair dye judging from the ragged hues still ravaging his roots.

‘Here, I even brought some extra for once so you don’t even need to pay this time!’ His expression stands as determined, over expressive and well, half drunk.

A blink comes from the original, a serial look of surprise not becoming of his nature.

‘Wait, you actually have cash not ripped of someone?’

A grinned reply is his first answer as a note is held right in front of his face.

‘A 50 to share as long as you take it off my tab.’

With his own thoughts becoming so staticised from the new instincts crawling across his own, Hance could see no way to get out of turning him down and of course being the guy he is, the eyes won’t be noticed until he’s barely standing for the drink. Always did take most things in his stride.

But what are friends for? Not got anything nice to say, threaten them with a loaded gun.


The walk away began in muted silence at first with a touch on painful, the faint rumbling bound with concern of the Gyarados echoing as she watches her master depart. The sound does not cease when he waves a hand as some meagre comfort, instead causes her to simply nod and return to her post and watch as the distance grows.

‘She’s as bad as Geni you know, just you’d get crushed more than me if she acted lap cat’

‘I never knew you cared’

‘Ouch, mortally wounded from that one, gotta be worth an extra drink~’ the blonde replies with a grin the complete opposite of Hance’s own. The intensity and savageness is lost on the genuine hopefulness of sneaking just another pint onto that ever-growing I.O.U.

‘Jason,’ Hance begins with a calmer tone than that of whom he walks with. ‘Freebies won’t be coming until you pay back every single pound you owe me. Doubt you want a personal meeting with your throat do you? It is a tempting thought.’

The dubbed Jason instantly stills and eyes the raven-haired one as he continues to walk as though nothing was said. Sighing a slight and waving a hand to calm himself he quickly falls back into step just so not to give anymore excuses, this was quickly becoming a routine affair.

‘Yeah sorry, but you can’t blame me for trying can you?’

‘Given it’s you, it’s a damn miracle you stayed quiet so long’.

‘What can I say?’ Jason grins with a true self-promoting look and a mock bow to accompany completing forgetting the threat, ‘I just am a walking miracle.’

---

It had always felt strange to him, the divergence between the more rural adopted home of his and the urban chaos which hosted the only real way to get wasted. T’was where duels with others are held trying not to pass out after your fifth shot, where any slip of the tongue could result in a mislaid blade and a random body part.

Despite having been brought up in this sort of stint, twice, there would always be an underlying need to get away for somewhere quieter with better food and slightly less void of the foul macabre stench. Unique bloodlines do have their downsides in a drug drink haven of the world, or at least one of the many this area alone chooses to offer a wanderer.


So far the walking stands at little more than a good ten minutes, the evening buzz of traffic and the local girls making a pass for nearby drivers in hopes for a bit of loose change for their night out. Most of which have tried to mix classy with fashion with some serial eye killing clashes, chatting and bickering as they queue to get into the higher prestige bars. It all leaves the wonder of why half the clothes some of those are wearing do not simply fall off.

There is a distinct chill about beginning to rise however, seeking to spread and surround, the occasional shiver from the short skirted to show for how far is reaches. So as it initiates to dawn, the evening begins to don it’s most nova of worn gowns for the real festivities to commence with a flare when it too hits the streets.


‘New one this time, not been open that long but it’s got every look going for it and I’m not just talking about all the ladies!’ Jason laughs already abandoning Hance as he feebly attempts to fake walking casually up to the place while stifling a flat out run, very badly I might add.

His response is little more than a vague eye roll as he starts to walk himself at a far more sedate pace before calling after the increasingly sober one.

‘Better tell them to start running then!’

‘I heard that, you miserable *******!’

There is a slight daring touch to his grin as he continues to walk alone, now the perfect excuse is there, an opportunity is required for some blatant abuse of it. That aura of why you don’t give excuses to people with pointy sharp teeth all too evident.

After all, it’s just a little fun and games between two greats in their art, even following somebody losing a limb.

---

Busy, loud, a mangle of dark with strobe lights flashing and already a headache starting to migrate upwards with his pulse. Worst. Timing. Ever.

Jason seems remarkably oblivious to it all however, both before and after he had come back with five pints with the classic lottery expression. Carefully so not to spill the precious, he pokes one of the chilled glasses towards his rather strained companion, completely ignoring the fact his head is on his arms and glaring from underneath his hair.

‘Could they have at least put some decent crap on instead of the ear bleeding?’ Hance mutters barely moving other than to pull the drink closer as Jason sits opposite him already whoring the other drinks to himself.

‘Just cos you have no taste in music doesn’t mean the rest of us do sheesh. Sides it is still early and barely anybodies here yet, THEN the fun’ll start.’

There is a slight tic from Hance as he lifts his head enough just to have some of the bitter taste, one way to check it wasn’t another nightmare stalking around in modern times.
Alas it was not to be, still tasted as it always did and Jason was already on his second. But of course when even from your table all you can see is the movement of people getting just a little too compacted, you have to wonder about the sanity of some people.

All the better for some random banter is it not? More so as the night draws closer and it regains its youth.


‘My bets on one more, if one doesn’t come over soon you’ll be on the floor hunting for peanuts’

‘You suck, you can barely hold down one before you’re out of it anyway.’

‘News to me, not my fault somebody dragged me out feeling like this is it? Sides there’s froth on your face.’

‘There is? **** hang on’ the steadily increasing drunk answers looking rather embarrassed, snatching a napkin from who knows where we don’t reeeeeally want to know, before wiping it off glancing back with the sodden napkin still in his hand.

‘That got it?’

‘Yeah shame it didn’t get rid of your face or something in the process’ Hance replies with a grin much to the look of utter, well the blonde is so out of it that it doesn’t look utter anything to be honest so mock fury before grumpily downing another mouthful.

---

As the midnight comes closer to descending upon the world, The Rohdan Nightclub began to mellow with sedate music starting to enthral the crowds more than the upbeat. There had already been one girl who fainted from the heat and it took a very firm grip to stop Jason running right over to her “rescue”.

All this was much to his annoyance of course but that quickly past when another drink was waved.


‘You said you got thrown out again, she have anything to do with it? Lets here the woe tales, I’m that bored’ Hance asks suddenly, putting a claw tip right on his glass. He hadn’t drunk much, didn’t feel up to it really but this was one glass he didn’t want to see made extra clean with company present.

‘Just cos you’re jealous that I have a girlfriend and you don’t. Nah it was the other *****, too hot around her new guy and didn’t need me hanging around with work being so quiet.’ He grumbles surprisingly coherently while looking a tad bored himself clutching his half empty glass.
‘Dad’s holed up somewhere and preaching how I should learn to save and **** so getting no cash outta him anymore. Big **** up if you ask me.’

‘Thought she walked out again after Chris’ brother or something’ amber asks with a slight quirk of eyebrow. Ah the latest saga, if he spent less time in the gutter head first then maybe he could actually have cash half the time.

‘Oh wait yeah she did… Guess I got used to her being round. Oh well, not that hard to bag a good one for the night, not with my charms~’

‘Before or after they’re slit?’

‘You insult me so ****ing low sometimes’ Jason ends up grumbling, leaning on one hand while stacking up the empty head ridden glasses not even bothering to look at Hance in the face.

‘Naturally, but you don’t usually come without a warning to let me escape usually…’

A mild sigh is his reply at first, a deliberate miss at any eye contact as he flicks his drink.

‘Would you mind if I stayed over again, in a few days I mean. Can’t afford much else and with everybody else out and stuff’ the blonde grumbles, glancing up finally letting his hazel colours see.

‘As long as you stay out of downstairs it’s fine by me and that means NO stealing my gun this time.’

As if it were possible, his eyes simply lit up there; the most relived looking face possible and a following of a ****ing awesome!


With a roll of eye and a raised hand, a suitable reply is left pending as he suddenly frowns looking from the dance floor to the bar counter. Some of the new comers still able to look straight had suddenly begun to eye someone with hushed whispers behind the odd martini glass.

Choosing to poke Jason’s head to get his attention away from his joy, he quickly wavers to where all the commotion brews before he can even start his random insults.

‘Hello ladies!’

‘Not them you idiot the one they’re fussing over and for god’s sake stop looking at the skank’s skirt’ Hance hisses with mild agitation embedded. Muttering a slight at the oooh and before he can take another breath Jason is over by the crowds putting on his single guy act.

‘Poor them’ he mutters quietly.


His attention is swiftly lost from having seen this act so many times before and knowing each and every step almost as well as the user. Drinking the last dregs of his drink and replacing his glass, he just happens to glance up once more and sees somebody obviously too young to be in a place like this.

The worst part of this being that Jason making a beeline right for her in his usual attitude. All smiles and nice one minute till he wants his exchange…


Truthfully, he would not normally care. Normally, he would act as though nothing was happening and just wait to hear later of how good they were and how much money they were carrying. Yet this was bothering him, a lot, enough to begin causing the blazes of amber within his orbs to darken as they narrow. A growl already starting despite he would never normally let it slip.

Carefully moving the glass aside so not to knock it, he goes right on over to where Jason and the girl is and cooking a storm on his way. That surely must have been noticed by the way a few people jumped back or the sudden silence to their misguided contempt, or they may be the unluckies who may recognise him.


Her eyes look a little nervous, a little shy while trying to edge from Jason’s corning as he puts on the sweet guy act and deliberately trying to look away from his eyes. Of course she would not have seen Hance working up either letting his hand drag across the bar length before eyeing Jason extremely carefully mid talk.

‘Do her a favour and go sit back down.’

‘She’s lost you know, only trying to help’ Jason says before fully noticing his expression and even he looks a little unsettled a moment before hiding it.

‘Sit.’ Hance answers with a sterner tone, his teeth bared slightly almost purely out of it seeking more control over his reactions but for good effect nevertheless.

Eeping slightly Jason looks back down to the brunette with the sincerest of smiles.

‘Fraid I’ve gotta go back before somebody tries to spike my drink darlin’. Don’t worry he’ll set you straight in no time so don’t go worrying your pretty liddle head.’

‘You better get back there before they happen to notice the fact you’re not quite right in years and have you barred, Jason’ Hance answers with the same nonchalant tone. He is clearly not happy until he sees him quickly sneaking back to the table making absolutely sure to look the other way.


Sighing a slight, he lets himself slump a bit against the bar side, ensuring to keep his left arm out the way as he looks at the younger.

‘Sorry about that, he knows better but he’s just had one too many as usual. There a reason you came in here? Hardly a place for your age let alone this hour.’

Her voices comes as quiet and timid, trying so hard not to look at “big scary man” as she starts playing around with the bottom of her blouse accompanied by a faint blush.

‘I got a little lost and wasn’t sure where to go. The man outside said to ask at the counter for directions but then that other one came up to me andallthesepeoplestartedtalkingatme.’ Amazingly his eyes soften slightly still keeping that harsh tang to them even as her words begin to fumble.

‘I’m guessing you were going to a friends’? he asks simply tilting his head, curiosity can get the better of anybody really.

‘YeahshelivesroundheresoemwherebutIforgotthestreetname.’

‘And now?’

‘Um round the corner, he said, I think’ she replies quietly, still between fumbling with her blouse and looking at her shoes missing his smile as he holds out a hand.

‘I’ve gotta keep an eye on him but I’ll get you on outside all right? Just remember to run there, don’t make yourself liable’ he answers softly contradicting, well, just about every part of him. The underlying need to protect had risen so little normally so why when this had kicked in?

But the importance far outweighed the confusion as she took his hand and allowed herself to be guided towards the door leaving him growling softly. He really didn’t mind at all despite that feeling at the back of his mind, clawing away, screeching of the wrongdoing.


He glances to the doorman, dipping his head slightly as he users the girl outside and past all the waiters glaring right at any stares sending eyes to look elsewhere in a snap. A natural art glaring, and when you have eyes more inclined for a wolven than human, all the better.

‘Just keep to the light and you’ll be fine.’

‘Erm thank you, mister’ as his meek response as she lets go of his hand. Owing her head a slight, still refusing to look up, she quickly turns on the spot and bolts on the pavement, fumbled excuse me’s as she passes the odd night walker.

He chooses not to frown but to smile, a slight hmm as he watches as far as even his eyes will penetrate the nightfall. The feeling of having done something to even vaguely ease his conscious better than any psychiatrist ever could.


Which would leave, what would become of Jason after this little incident where that grin will begin to creep again….

 

[Yami Ryu]

Only a few typos and errors. But other than that the wait was well rewarded by this long chapter

and I sense the fangirls aren't gonna be happy. But no one will get that thankfully :X

I demand more fuzz though. FUZZ :O

I have nothing else to say except I want the next chapter soon :x aslong as the fangirls don't chew it.

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Evil typos, I BLAME THE AWOL HEADACHE. And it's just a page longer than normal so it's not thaaat much.

But it was the fangirls who cause fuzz, tis not Hance himself! :O

I can start writting tomorrow << >>

Sandra

 

[Zephyr Flare]

Eeeeew Filler like chapter.

Though it does have some features noteworthy aka little hints dotted about with relationships and about Hance himself, it's shorter than usual but I needed this little gap before we can go back to usual RTyness, bitta light hearted fun.

Now back to what I SHOULD be doing

The Reality Trainer
Chapter 4 – Dead Memories​

Grumbling a slight, Hance shifts into a more comfortable position from the slump on the bed. His head is still spinning a little from earlier, the distinctive need to track and hunt and get away from the claustrophobia stalking with an unmistakable snarl. Ignoring it further for a moment, he chooses to ponder as he puts a fingertip on one of the emerging bruises trying to distract from the stench of alcohol still irritating his nose.


A few hours have passed now since the spat, the bruises to show rolled lazily in patches across over arms and scaled flesh even if less than Jason is now sporting… still it was only a nightclub so nowhere important. You never know how breakable chairs are, heck even barstools until you’re walloping somebody over the head with one while yelling some certainly colourful items of the English language.

If this was any indication, they break quite easily in fact.


His eyes seem to become lost within themselves a moment as he had stormed towards the drinker, enthralled by the thought and cheering when Jason got punched in the face for his little pick up stunt on the inside. There was a scream admittedly when he slumped off the chair from one of the girls who was just thinking of going up to the blonde before silence from a mere glare.

‘What the hell was that for?!’ as a snapped come back as he rubs his jaw.

‘Stupidity.’


Hance hms slightly leaning his head back against the headboard. This happens a lot, true, but he felt more ****** off than the usual reason for beating Jason round the head with the nearest movable object. He really did want to break a limb or more if possible. This need just to tear apart and walk away just like it was work.

Amber narrows a smidge, heck; the feeling is still there, the temptation. Shaking slightly he goes back to thinking if only to steady the instinct some.


The images come more in still, vague sound effects.

Breaking glass.

Wood breaking.

The distinctive crunch as a bone crumples in a tightened grip.


‘Wonder if he’ll actually have somebody look at that this time’ he whispers quietly to himself, not bothering to look up. Boredom is beginning to set over the thing already, it stood as simply too easy for his standard.

I say no personally

‘And probably right then, but don’t we know better not to bother me at 2am?’ A simple query, as he shifts again, nothing that a certain telepath won’t be able to notice in such silence.

Differences aside, nobody sleeps at this time, not while the night still just as fruitful

‘Nobody normal, at least’

Shaking his head slightly at the comment, he closes his eyes after a moment wondering if he would get lucky, just this once.


---


The mumble is faint, touching on whisper like yet painfully clear.

‘The shadows are back, the night’s lost.’


---


With a final bow and a drawn out gesture, dawn is finally allowed to emerge from their hallowed slumber to the dozing world. Only with the first arriving trickle will he finally bother to get up, insomnia for another day with the off set of a work break still creating such a mess. After three days following the same, even he is starting to look worn and about ready to drop if it wasn’t for pride refusing to give into the necessity.

Wincing slightly as he moves a bad shoulder, he ignores the shirt lying on the bed edge instead making to get the hell out the room for some fresh air that the ground isn’t so gracious to part with.


The silence is still thickened by the depth muffling even his footsteps to an extent till a sudden growl pierces through the shroud in a faded echo.

‘Don’t you start, I’m not in the mood this morning.’

…

‘Hell. No.’


---


His stride is slow, exaggerated without seeming excessive and proof enough that the resistance to resting is on little more than a dying whim now. Nothing to stop seizing one of the Pokemon from their cell and take the chosen top side nor to head straight to the spare room with the same nuance in expression in the fading amber.

Though he is careful to shut the door, he does nothing to act in complete silence for the sleeping Helle near the sofa. Hmming slightly with a vague nod, he diverts towards her, crossing his arms upon the back and eyes the slumbering form carefully. Not towards her face mind or anything anymore psychical than the way her flank rises and falls with each breath.

Narrowing his eyes a smidge, his expression slips into a somewhat more dangerous masked style as his teeth slip partly into view.


‘No need to look like a corpse just yet, I’m sure you have some more life in you.’

There is a faint mumble in response as she moves an arm to block the growing complementing the new morn. With another quiet word and minor yawn, she then attempts to roll her body enough to allow her to look at the speaker before instantly taking the lesser expression as soon as she realises what she had just done

‘Apologies, master, I did not realise’ she whispers quietly still keeping her head lowered.

‘Stupidly yes, you should know better than lying round on the floor unless you were planning to tempt me of course…’ Hance replies, twisting a hand a slight as he very vaguely looks towards her face, assuming you can call it that.

The centaurian blinks a moment before swiftly looking away looking a little red face, completely misinterpret what he meant needless to say.

‘Again I apologise, I will ensure I do not in future. May there be something that I can do for this to be overlooked a single time?’

‘Well I’m sure Satan could be helped, has a pang in her teeth from the last intruder but if you’re not interested in that I’m sure you can find something to feed her, given you’re looking so rounded lately.’

Needless to say the choice is obvious and she is gone like a shot.


Rolling his eyes as he moves away from the sofa choosing to ignore the door slam, a small hm is heard as he starts towards where the Skarmory should still be. It will be at least two more days before anything is due to come up, cops are learning to stay away at last and just about everybody is out of town.

In effect, this is nothing more than a riddle of boredom and reluctance to do anything with blood boiling at the thought of still.

Easing the door open carefully using it as a poor shielding attire to ward any potential fury from the undead creature. His expressions slips into an honest frown when no sound comes, no attempt to act as a raven upon fresh eyes, in fact it does not even move to acknowledge somebody had entered the room.

‘She did attempt something, didn’t she.’ His tone acts as anything but questioning, more tainted in mild curiosity and somewhat humoured by the thought as he continues to walk towards the Skar.

His head turns, looking blank without any eyes, inanimate bar the slight beak click to respond towards statement.

‘Thought as much. Come here, time I can see what you’re really capable of outside melting’ Hance responds holding out his arm enough to which it quickly adorned with the newest of his party to which is greeted with a slight quirk of eyebrow.

Choosing to just shrug slightly and wonder later, the still amberfied man starts out the room again and in turn outside where a bit of real boredom killing can begin.


---


‘Can’t you even exist without whining?’ Hance snaps angrily moving his hand away eyeing the rather shaken obsidian Charizard who is struggling to keep eye contact to avoid further punishment while the need to quiver behind a wing from the strike be forced down into the stomach pit.

Nebula, now grounded, maintains the undisturbed stance towards it all choosing to eye here nor there in his utmost patience in unmoving.

Muttering something under his breath with the still heavily angered tone, he backs a step, glancing between the two Pokemon.

‘If you’re quite finished, I would like to see how well a dead bird flies, can’t be any worse than you surely. Full blast mind, not any of this dancing around like an intrepid fool you got that?’ Hance snaps taking a step back further gesturing with a hand towards the less enclosed air space more suited for something the Charizard’s size without risking burning the territory.


Drakcree appears to grasp the general direction first on his Master’s bid judging from the slight dip in his neck. With a snort and flaring his slightly stubbier wings full, he slams them down again in a forced thrust against the ground to give him the additional lift. The act of launch results with the obsidian lizard in a hunched hovering position with tail just above the tallest of greenery.

With another wave directed more to the side, the Dragon fully takes to the skies in loose grace in wing technique before reaching a stubbornly low altitude with simple flicks to maintain the basic height.


With a mere glance towards the alternate battler, despite surely having no sense of a command much less a direction from a hand’s gesture, it too takes to the skies with far more quality and ease than its fellow with clear strength in the well layered muscle.

Hance’s expression hits that of mild amusement as he lifts his head to watch.

‘This’ll certainly be interesting. Begin!’


Where the Charizard has experience of youth, training and generally being alive, his bulking size meant nothing to the much smaller and agile bird that would seem to be developing a nasty sense of humour…

The first assault stands as bog standard, a sweeping dive towards the target with wings full spread and claws ready to grab in the essence of a throw. With a flick of tail causing the flame to hit a fever for a moment, the position was easily formed and commited.

Much to the disgust of him below, the manoeuvre strikes sluggish in strength and even for a softer blow looks feeble in slow motion, the wind barely able to catch the still strong shape.

Nebula’s wings is forced to beat more rapidly that the behemoth beyond his steel gaze to maintain his hover, remaining perfectly steady, appearing unconcerned by the antics before him or the growingly thrashing tail trying to add more momentum.

And then he struck.

With a sudden burst of speed with the armoured wings narrowed further, the Skar easily glides past his proposed foe, choosing to weave and wrap around neck, torso and tail in sick elegance to rival the eldest of sky raptors. Adapting for each twist and settling panic, his art becomes more skilled as he finally pulls from the Charizard and the look of utter horror in the only pair of eyes between them.

With a final sting, he glides over the back of the shoulder blades before perching carefully between them both, dismissing entirely the crawling panic in the shuddering flesh at the touch as though the tremor had not even echoed in the hollow steel.


With a final click of the beak, the test is ruled a gem has been found.

Much to the sheer and utter delight of both master and Charizard even if one’s expression is a mere quirk of eyebrow and the other trying to scratch off the intruder.