#charliemagmar

[thetakenpokemon]

Act 3 - Close Encounter

[PoV: Valence]

I keep myself next to Rodrigo, my gaze occasionally darting back behind me...at Artemisia.

We’ve been on the hunt for this hybrid for several days now, and luckily his tracks are actually fairly easy to find and distinguish from the terrain. However during this time I had to spend every moment to not let Artemisia get close to me, so we don’t have that...’talk’.

Currently she’s talking with the Gothitelle from that guild, however I can see her looking at me every so often.

I take a deep breath through my nose and turn away, shuddering.

“You can’t avoid her forever, Valence.” Rodrigo speaks up, his single eye looking down at me. “You can’t use me as a shield forever either.”

I cross my arms over my chest and grit my teeth. “Just watch me.” I growl.

His eyebrows furrow. “I’m being serious, Valence. You two will need to work things out, since this sort of tension can’t stay here.” He shakes his head. “You WILL need to talk to her.”

“Like hell I will.” I respond back sharply. “I’ve had to deal with her enough, the last thing I need is to get into another lecture or scolding.” I look up at the Chesnaught, glaring at him. “Do you honestly think she’ll even listen to me? That she’ll give me a chance to properly explain myself?”

“Well-” He starts but stops himself, a contemplative look replacing his expression.

“Yeah...that’s what I thought.” I mutter, averting my gaze from him. “She’ll never give me a chance, and even if she did...it won’t last. She’ll always treat me like some kid, even though I’m anything but.” That and she’ll always be a complete psychopath, however I didn’t say that particular sentence out loud.

An uncomfortable silence falls over us as we walk, but for me...I feel my mood growing worse. Several nasty thoughts pass through my mind, consisting of hurtful words and sentences I would like to shout at Artemisia. But of course I’d never say them to her, out of fear of what she might do.

Thankfully...the thought-process is quickly shattered by Rinako speaking up.

“I’ve found something.” The Medicham hybrid says, walking over to one of the trees. On its bark lays a scorched slash mark, the wood around it blackened from what may have been intense heat. She feels its surface with her fingers, her expression thoughtful. “Although I haven’t  seen the hybrid with my own two eyes...” She turns her gaze to the rest of us. “...I believe this may be his work.”

Richmond snaps his book closed and tucks it under his arm, adjusting his glasses on his face he approaches the tree. He eyes it for a few moments before nodding. “This was certainly left by the hybrid.” He agrees.

Rinako looks back at the mark, her eyes narrowing. “It looks fresh, so the hybrid must be near.”

“Hey, I found more!” Another voice speaks up, and our eyes turn to the other Medicham hybrid that joined our group. The one dubbed ‘Dahlia’ is currently standing a good ways away, however near her are numerous trees showing the same marks. “It appears that ugly seems to have some anger issues.”

The Gothitelle named ‘Aster’ approaches Dahlia and examines the these markings. “These marks appear to contain no precision or thought, so my companion’s assumptions that these were delivered in a fit of anger may be correct.”

Dahlia rolls her eyes. “Come on, girl. I know my stuff.”

The Gothitelle turns to her, her eyes narrowing just a tad. “Most cases...you do.”

This makes Dahlia take a step back, her expression growing sheepish. The Gothitelle holds her gaze on the Medicham before walking away. The Mienshao called ‘Carnation’ that’s with them shakes her head, giving Dahlia a look that pretty much says ‘really?’.

I eye them with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. What the hell was that about?

“There is a disturbance...” Vedika mutters, but just loud enough for us to hear. Her blue eyes slowly lift up, her lips twitching. “An annoying...disturbance.”

All of us look at the Gothitelle/Jynx hybrid, several of us with expressions of wariness. I’m definitely in the whole ‘put-off’ category, since Vedika...definitely has several screws loose.

“What is it, Vedika?” Rodrigo asks, the Chesnaught looking at her with rapt attention.

She doesn’t respond however, instead her eyes turning from left to right.

“Wait...disturbance...” Rinako mutters, but her eyes slowly widen. “Hold on, I hear something! Quiet everyone!”

In utter silence we all listen with rapt attention, trying to pick something out. After a few moments of straining my ears I pick it up.

“...Shouting...” I say aloud, my voice quiet. My ears swivel towards the direction and I turn towards it, my eyes narrowing. “I hear shouting...”

The more I listen the more clear it becomes, whoever’s shouting sounds...angry. They sound very angry, and...they sound...

...familiar...

My eyes widen.

“It’s the hybrid!” I immediately say. “And it seems like they’re with someone, and it doesn’t sound good.”

“Then we must hurry!” Rodrigo says resolutely. “From what you’ve all described about this hybrid, if he is within the company of others then they are likely in danger!”

My claws slide out of the slits in my arms, my teeth bared. “Then what are we waiting for?! Let’s go!”

[PoV: Charlie]

I have to say, the anger on the fella’s face is kinda putting me off. I shuffle my feet, my smile becoming sheepish. “So...uh...” I start, chuckling nervously. “...do ya think ya’ll will let me int’a ya group?”

The Bisharp’s eyes narrow dangerously. “...Excuse me?!” He hisses.

I lean my head back slightly, tugging at the collar of my shirt. “Ya know...ya actin’ group?” I grin again, but seeing the confusion and frustration building on his face makes it waver. “Like...tha’ reason why ya are in this here forest?”

The Pokemon’s talons dig into the earth, creating deep grooves. “You think...I am an actor?” He growls.

I nod my head uncertainly. “...Yeah?”

“I AM NOT AN ACTOR!” He roars loudly, making me take a step back.

“Ya...aren’t?” I say nervously. “But what about earlier? Were ya actually tryin’ ta’-” I stop, noticing that the Pokemon’s mouth is widening. Inside his maw is a bright blue glow, and it gets brighter and brighter by the second.

“What are ya-” I start to ask only for him to unleash a powerful beam of raw blue energy. My eyes widen, my body standing frozen in fear as it approaches me at high speed.

And just before it hit...something tackles me out of the way.

I land on the ground roughly, the air being knocked right out of my lungs. Coughing violently I turn my head to look at who was it that saved my rear end, and to my surprise it’s an odd-looking Zangoose.

“Thank...Arceus...I got here in time.” He wheezes, his face sweating.

The loud sounds of footsteps hit my ears and I whip my head around, only to see eight more Pokemon arrive to the place.

Are they actors too?

No, the other fella said that he’s not an actor.

So...then this must be the real deal...?

“So you all followed me.” The hybrid growls, glaring at the group with open malice. “And you brought even more numbers with you.”

“This ends here.” The pure-bred Gothitelle says calmly, approaching the Bisharp with a closed umbrella in her hands. “This is your last chance. If you do not come along calmly, then you will leave us no choice but to use force to bring you in.”

The Bisharp clenches his fists, the...real blades on his arms glowing a bright blue. “Calmly?” He repeats, venom dripping from his voice. “You wish for me...to come with you...calmly?!”

The Gothitelle’s brows furrow, her grip tightening on her weapon. Behind her the numerous Pokemon also ready themselves, either drawing their weapons, channeling whatever power they have, or simply bringing up their fists.

“No...” The Bisharp says, shaking his head. “No...I’ve come too far for this to end.” He raises one of his arms, pointing the humming blades at the group. “I need to grow stronger, to end the ones who have destroyed my life.” The gaze from his eyes intensify, his lips twisting into a malicious grin. “And I will not let ANYONE stop me.”

He lets out a loud, primal roar. “I WILL TAKE YOU ALL ON!”

With that, he charges straight at the group.

“Hey buddy...” The Zangoose whispers to me. “I recommend staying on the sides, because things are about to get really ugly.” With that he leaps into the fray to aid his comrades, not waiting for my response.

Even with him already out of ear-shot, I still feel myself nodding numbly. “S-Sure thing...”

That hybrid was really trying to hurt me...

[thetakenpokemon]

Act 3 - Action!

[PoV: ???]

Not once did my excitement damper the further I walked. The constant thoughts of actors acting their acts continues to fuel me, the prospect of stumbling upon their ‘stage’ and joining them makes me extremely giddy.

I walk- No, I MARCH with purpose! My beak possessing a wide grin, one arm swinging to and fro while the other holds my hoe over my shoulder. I’m gonna become an actor, and it’ll be the best thing ever!

A loud snap makes me stop and immediately turn to the noise, my eyes sparkling that maybe I’ve found one of these actors in this secluded forest!

To say the least I was quite surprised when I looked.

Standing behind me is a rather tall and intimidating fella, his eyes glaring and his rather toothy smile looking real unsettling.

Is he...an actor? He doesn’t really look like one.

Despite my nervousness I give him a wide smile. “Howdy!” I greet, giving him a friendly wave. “Ya startled me there, with ya sudden appearance an’ all that.”

The...Bisharp(?) blinks at this, probably not expecting my greeting. Soon said eyes narrow and his clawed hands clench into fists, in which I notice some real nasty looking blades on his arms. “How unlucky, to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.” He chuckles darkly, his grin widening further. “But for me, it is the right place at the right time.”

Now I would’ve been more nervous, but a thought struck me.

Maybe he...is an actor too?

...

My eyes widen, but not in fear...but in realization.

Yeah! He gotta be! He’s probably trying his acting skills out me, to see if I’m deserving enough to join their group!

Well, time for me to show him the what for!

I point the end of my hoe at him. “YA DON’T SCARE ME, FOUL RASCAL!” I shout with conviction, doing a pose that I assume looks ‘knightly’. “AH SHALL SMITE YA WHERE YA STAND LIKE THA’ PROUD KNIGHT AH’ AM, YA WON’T GIVE THIS PLACE NO TROUBLE ANYMORE!”

[PoV: Rook]

The...hell?

I don’t know where the hell this is coming from, but this Magmar seems to think of himself as some kind of knight? I know for a fact that this is not true.

The white and red plaid shirt, the denim overalls, the large boots, the wide-brimmed straw hat...

He looks like a stereotypical farmer, not a knight.

I feel myself grit my fangs in irritation. Is he mocking me?!

“You’ve made a grave mistake coming here.” I growl at him, raising my blades threateningly. “And an even graver mistake opening your mouth.”

The Magmar brings his hoe back and holds it like some sort of sword before leaning back and laughing loudly...and excessively. “Ain’t that a kick! Ya made a mistake messin’ with a knight of tha’ square table! We don’t stand by while ya foul villains be runnin’ around and causin’ trouble!” He swings his hoe a few times, the movements containing too much force and obviously showing his lack of training. “So ah’ll be teachin’ ya a lesson!”

At this I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Yes, I’ll be enjoying this...so very much. It will be greatly satisfying to watch that facade of his crumble when I dig my blades into him.

Without warning I leap for him, striking down with my arm-blades. This element of surprise should allow me to put him down instantly, so that he’ll stop his mocking and weep in agony.

But what I got instead was a loud clang of metal connecting to metal soon followed by resistance to my arm. I look down in surprise to see that the Magmar actually managed to block my attack with his hoe.

“Now ain’t that just dirty!” The Magmar says lowly. “Attackin’ a knight he was ready, ya really are just a dirty good-fer-nothin’ scoundrel!”

I pull back, my irritation growing at his lucky block. He shouldn’t have even managed to fend it off, but he did.

Oh...I am going to end this right here and now before I get pissed to the point where I might even consider killing him.

I strike again, delivering another precise blow with the intention of burying my blades into his shoulder. But the Magmar swings his hoe wildly, the tool managing to connect to my claws and sending it off-course...making it miss.

My teeth grind again as I start swinging and stabbing more and more, but the Magmar keeps swinging his hoe with no direction or plan. Yet with each swing he somehow parries or blocks my attempted attacks, making it so that I can’t even land a hit on him.

What...the...hell?!

“YA CAN’T WIN AGAINST ME, FOOL!” He shouts loudly. “AH AM A KNIGHT OF THE SQUAR-”

I let out a loud growl and rush him, bringing both of my blades down on the farmer. The Magmar stops his speech half-way upon seeing this before bringing his hoe up, blocking both of my claws.

I push down with all my might, using my enhanced muscles to try to overpower him. But the Magmar stays firm, underneath his clothing I can see his small limbs bristling with lean muscle. The standstill continues from a few seconds to a near minute, both of us pushing at each other.

“How...are...you...so...strong...?” I ask through gritted teeth, more to myself in anger than actually talking to him.

Yet apparently the Magmar misinterpreted my rhetorical question. “Been slayin’ tons of dragons, workin’ mah strength up so I could join tha’ knights!” He boasts with satisfaction before pausing. “Although in real seriousness, farm work knows how ta’ make ya nice in strong.” He clears his throat loudly. “But back ta’ bein’ in character... YA WON’T WIN, VILLAIN!”

Is this like a damn game to him?! He’s not even treating this seriously?!

I release the pressure on him and take several steps back, my irritation morphing into full-blown anger.

I’ve taken on three warriors at once and beat them all with relative ease, yet I can’t seem to strike down a damn farmer who’s treating this fight as some sort of acting scene?!

Enough of this, I’m going to end this right here...and right now.

I pour my power into my blades, causing them to glow with a bright blue light. The air around them crackles and hisses from the extreme heat, possessing the cutting ability to slice cleanly through steel.

I let out a loud roar before charging the Fire-type again, once more delivering an overhead blow. I fully intend to cut through his hoe if he were to block it and then slicing directly into his shoulder, perhaps even taking an arm.

No...I WILL take his arm, for defying me for this long.

The Magmar brings up his hoe again to block my attack, which makes me grin wickedly. My super-heated blade makes contact with the tool...

...and it stops dead..

My sick satisfaction quickly morphs to one of pure shock and bewilderment, for not only was the tool not cleanly cut through, but it seems to not even be bothered by the pure energy running through my weapons.

What...is that thing...made of?!?!

“How?!” I breath out, still trying to comprehend what the hell is going on.

“Ah’m stronger than ya think, that’s what!” The Magmar grins. “Don’t mess with tha’ knight of the square table, we will beat ya up and make ya regret takin’ tha’ path ta’ villainy!” His eyes look at my glowing blades. “Also, ah like them special effects.”

This...is the last...straw.

With a furious howl I pull my blade back and start attacking with great ferocity, no longer caring about precision. I slash and hack at him wildly, intending to fully tear him apart for this infuriating mockery of a ‘fight’.

But with each strike the Magmar somehow blocks and parries, the plasma-infused blades of mine are easily deflected just as they were earlier.

I push and push, forcing the Magmar to back-pedal. Yet each blow is met by his wild swing, as if reality itself would find it amusing to mock me by keeping the fool from getting harmed through sheer luck.

Just as I feel like I’m getting the upper-hand, the Magmar swings much harder than normal when our blades meet. The sudden force knocks me off balance, making me stumble to the side before face-planting.

My snout burns with pain from the impact, the flesh on my face being much softer than that of the rest of my body. I dig my fingers into the dirt in anger, my plasma blades having long burned through the ground. I push myself up and whip my head to the Magmar, my breathing heavy.

“Who are you?!” I shout with exasperation, my anger quickly giving way to sheer disbelief and confusion. How the hell did he manage to fend off all of my attacks?! He has no combat experience or training due to his movements, his swings are clumsy and predictable, and he’s treating this fight like it’s some sort of game.

How is he even alive?! How is he UNHARMED?! WHY IS THIS SITUATION LIKE THIS?!

The Magmar brings his hoe over his shoulder and grins widely. “Ah’m Charlie Higgins!” He says proudly. “Farmer an’ aspirin’ actor!” He stops for a moment before quickly correcting himself. “Actually ah’m Sir Charlie of tha’ square table! Tha’ bane of evil fella’s and champion do-gooder of...good!”

I...can’t...believe this.

I am losing a fight to a farmer who thinks that this is some sort of act.

Why is the world so cruel?

[thetakenpokemon]

Act 3 - One Against Nine

[PoV: Rook]

‘I will take them all on.’

Those were the words I shouted before ultimately charging them all. 

They have superior numbers, the superior manpower. I knew this, but I still refuse to back down.

I WILL grow stronger, failure is not an option.

With adrenaline pumping through my veins I feel my mind enter a bloodthirsty haze, my movements growing swifter and stronger.

My blue blades hum with plasma, their edges causing the air around them to shimmer and boil. I care less if my opponent’s flesh burns off their body if I strike them with these superheated weapons of mine, my only desire is to win at any cost.

The battle begins with the Zangoose, the axe-wielding Bisharp and the Medicham/Bisharp hybrid entering the fray. The purple-haired barbarian swings her mighty weapon at my front while the two flank both my sides, I respond by bringing my plasma-infused claws to deflect the blade before grabbing its handle.

Using my enhanced strength I manage to tear the weapon out of her grip and throw it at the Zangoose, forcing him to cease approaching me and dive back in order to avoid it. I then turn to the Medicham hybrid and dodge one of her incoming strikes before lashing out with a clawed hand, which she nimbly dodges. She then follows up with a swift kick to my stomach that sends me stumbling back, which then is joined by the other Bisharp hybrid slamming into me with her shoulder that sends me right on my back.

The fight has barely started and already it’s not looking good...

The Delphox unleashes a spray of fire from his hand while the Gothitelle/Jynx hybrid fires a laser of bubbling black energy, without missing a beat I roll to the side to avoid both of the attacks before kicking up with my legs, using the momentum to launch myself off the ground and land back on my feet.

Turning my gaze to the two nearby Bisharp hybrids I draw my power from within my body and unleash it from my maw in the form of an intense laser, however the Chesnaught leaps between the attack and them and brings up his arms. The attack strikes true, yet the Chesnaught’s armor manages to withhold the intense beam, when I cease the attack the only thing I get is a black scorch mark on his armor.

Three forms leap over him and dash towards me, revealing to be the three Pokemon garbed in dark blues. The Gothitelle opens up her umbrella and the spring-loaded blades shoot out on its side, with a stone-like expression she swings the light weapon at me all the while twirling it, making the parasol become something akin to a buzzsaw. I bring up my blades to block the attack and sparks begin flying as the blades repeatedly strike it, forcing me to backpedal.

From the side the other Medicham hybrid dashes at me, the blades of her Fuuma Shuriken separated and spinning with her fingers inside the ring. With a smirk she starts slashing at me from various angles, in which I have to respond by blocking her attacks as well.

With my attention focused on the first two, the Mienshao then enters the fray. With her bladed fans she leaps over the Gothitelle, still mid-leap she spins her body with her arms outstretched as she flies over me. With my arms completely focused on dealing with her other two companions I couldn’t block her attack, yet thankfully the blades met with my shoulder-plates...causing sparks to bounce off as it leaves a deep scratch into the red metal.

I let out a roar of anger and unleash another beam from my mouth, intending to force the Gothitelle and Medicham to back off. In response they do just that, however the Gothitelle brings up her umbrella and uses the fabric to absorb the attack like that of a shield. To my great surprise my attack only leaves a scorch mark on it, any other umbrella would’ve been burned completely through.

What...is it made of?!

Another beam of black energy streaks towards me, in which I snap out of my stupor and sidestep it. I turn my angry gaze to the Gothijynx, who’s looking at me with a sadistic smile.

Yet this ends up being a grave mistake on my part, for during that brief second the Chesnaught slams into me with the force of a freight train. I feel my body launched through the air like a ragdoll and slam into one of the numerous trees, the bark shattering from the impact as I land on the ground roughly.

I...most definitely felt that.

As I quickly get back up a loud battlecry makes my gaze flick towards the source, in which I see the purple-haired Bisharp charging me with her retrieved axe. Her pink eyes burn with open fury, her expression showing her eagerness to spill my blood.

She strikes down again with her axe, in which I bring both of my blades up to block. This attack contains far more force compared to the last one, nearly catching me off guard as I tense my arms to keep the blade from getting close to me. The two of us press our weapons together, the metal of the axe slowly turning red as my superheated blades continue to stay in contact with it.

“I will make you suffer.” She hisses through gritted teeth, saliva dripping from the corners of her mouth. “You hurt my Vency, so you will pay.”

My eyes narrow slightly as the fire of my own anger intensifies. I don’t respond to her with words, instead I let out a draconic-like growl from my throat.

Pressing my legs into the ground to give myself leverage I shove my arms up, my strength overpowering her and sending her stumbling back. With her temporarily open I slash forward with my claws, intending to slice open her stomach.

However instead my claws merely slide across her armor without puncturing through, but it didn’t mean that there was no consequences for her. My blades leave thin, red-hot streaks on her armor that immediately start burning her. She lets out a howl of pain, the smell of cooked flesh filling my nostrils.

She grabs her armor and undoes the clasps before tearing it off her body, fully exposing herself. Her stomach shows two red lines across her skin, the thin yet long burns already forming blisters. Even with her armor off her she doesn’t back off, instead her anger increases tenfold.

“I WILL TEAR YOU APART!” She shrieks before swinging wildly with her axe, forcing me on the defensive.

Without her armor around her body all I need is to deliver one blow to kill her, yet with how she keeps swinging at me with reckless abandon I can’t seem to find a proper opening.

To the sides I see the Zangoose running around, as if trying to flank me from behind. However with how hard-pressed I am because of the Bisharp, I can’t do anything about it.

I block another swing from her axe, my teeth gritting so hard that my jaw starts to ache. I need to act, before the other warriors come to take advantage of my occupied self.

As I deflect another attack I open my mouth, utilizing the reserves inside my form I fire a third beam of energy. Thankfully this actually gets her to back away as she dodges, slightly singeing her hair.

I heard a shout behind me as I feel something land on my back, this soon follows with a pair of claws penetrating the thin gap between my shoulder plates and neck and dig into the flesh of my shoulders.

Even though my skin is very thick and tough, the blades manage to sink deep enough to draw blood. I roar loudly and reach behind me and grab the Zangoose by the hair, and with a hard pull I tear him off my back and slam him into the ground.

With his hair still in hand I lift him back up, the Zangoose’s face contorted in pure agony as I raise him up to my face. I turn my gaze from him to the other members, who cease their charging and look at the scene before them with intense apprehensiveness.

It occurs to me that I essentially have the Zangoose at my complete mercy now, thus giving me an advantage.

The Chesnaught starts talking to me, but I ignore his words as I let my gaze focus on the struggling Zangoose. His struggles however cease immediately when I point the glowing blades of my other hand at him, making the pupils of his eyes turn to pinpricks as sheer terror overtakes his face.

I grin.

I have no intention of playing out the ‘hostage scenario’, my goal is to win a battle through strength and power. To use him as a bartering chip goes against this, since I would be winning through treachery instead of power.

No... I need to kill him in order to cement my superiority.

Before I could plunge my blade into his neck, I feel something strike the back of my head...hard.

Even though my head is encased in the ‘natural’ helmet, the force was enough to disorient me.

The Zangoose reacts as quickly as he could, using this to his advantage. He wraps his hands around my arm and tears his hair out of my grip, he grunts in pain as several of the orange strands are torn from his scalp as he yanks himself free. He leaps off my form and rolls away, his head starting to bleed.

Who...struck me?!

I whip my form around, my eyes still trying to focus. Standing with his hoe in hand is the Magmar, the tool shakes in his hands as he looks at me with fear.

YOU!

Sheer fury overtakes me as my vision turns red, the desire to gut this fucker becoming overwhelming. With a howl I leap at him, my blades aimed straight for his chest.

However the purple-haired Bisharp slams into me, sending us both to the ground..

The two of us roll across the earth, wrestling for control. She presses her body against mine and delivers a powerful punch with her free hand, landing right on my unarmored snout. I feel the bone crack as it hits square on, causing a sharp pain to spike on my face.

We stop our rolling with her ending on top of me, and with an angry snarl she stares down at me with fury that rivals even mine. She doesn’t speak, instead she throws another punch at my now broken snout.

I bring up one of my claws and grab her fist, my burning blades on my arm just inches away from touching her. She takes her axe in her other hand and swings down at me, in which I quickly catch it by the handle.

The two of us struggle in a power play, her fist and axe pushing down as I tense my arms and push up. Both of us have strained expressions, our teeth bared as we glare at each other with great intensity.

“I...will...win...” I hiss at her. “I will...grow...stronger...”

Ever so slowly I start to push her hands up, steadily overpowering her. My snarl slowly shifts into a grin.

But said grin quickly vanishes when I see the Chesnaught suddenly get in my vision, and with one of his massive fists he strikes me right on the forehead...

...and then all I saw was darkness.

[thetakenpokemon]

Act 3 - Exit Stage

[PoV: Charlie]

I hold my pose for a good long time, my chest puffed out and my hoe resting on my shoulder. After a while I let out the breath that I'm holding. “Woo-wee, that was real fun!” I laugh, looking at the the fellow actor with a wide smile. “How’d ah do?”

The Bisharp-looking fella silently opens and closes his mouth repeatedly, as if dumb-struck by my performance. This makes me swell with excitement.

“Can’t talk? That’s alright, we did have a good ol’ act if ah say so mahself!” I reach into my overalls and pull out the sandwich I was saving, wrapped in aluminum foil. “Ya hungry? Ah packed mahself a ham an’ cheese sandwich, ya can have half if ya want!”

I think my offer did something to him, since the second I finished speaking he clamps his mouth shut and quickly stands up. Without a word he turns and speeds into the forest.

“Hey wait!” I shout, but the fella is already gone. Just like that my excitement vanished, replaced with a not-so-nice feeling. “Aw...shoot...” I let out a defeated sigh and kick the dirt with my boot. “Did ah overdid it? Did ah scare ‘em away?” I glance down at my unwrapped sandwich, my appetite suddenly gone. “Heh...shucks...” I stuff it back in my overalls, no longer feeling hungry. “Guess ah should’a been watchin’ mahself more.”

[PoV: Rook]

I lost...to...a...farmer...

And not just a farmer, but a farmer who was thinking we were acting out some sort of damn play!

When he lowered his guard and offered me ‘half of his sandwich’, that would’ve been the greatest opportunity to strike him down. But doing so wouldn’t make me grow in power, it would only be a malicious action bent out on revenge.

That is why I turned and fled, since I know when I’ve been beaten...

...by a farmer...

...who was trying to be an actor...

My sprint slows to a sudden stop, my clawed feet digging grooves into the earth.

That...is...

...

UNACCEPTABLE!

I let out a loud growl and stab my blades at the nearest tree, the still burning plasma effortlessly cutting through the bark and charring the wood around it. I push my blades deeper and deeper until my fist bumps into the tree, signifying that it can’t sink any deeper.

I stare at the smoking wood, the burning scent filling my nostrils as I breath heavily. Eventually...the anger vanishes as quickly as it came, and I cease channeling my power into my blades. I pull them out, the glowing blue dying back to the normal reds and blacks.

I lost to a farmer, what does this say about me?

My jaw clenches, the fangs lining my maw gritting together.

By losing to someone as inexperienced and daft as that farmer, how will I ever get stronger?

My hands ball tightly into fists, my clawed fingers threatening to dig into my palms.

How will I grow strong enough to destroy the HWDP for what they’ve done to me?

The plan was supposed to be simple...

Escape the facility. Find the nearest place of civilization. Test my might against the most skilled warriors in the area and beat them, so that I may further grow my power. Continue this in numerous other locations to further better myself...

...And once I’ve grown strong enough...I go back to that facility and butcher those fuckers.

I clench my eyes shut, my jaw aching for how tightly my teeth are clamped.

Some Pokemon barely remember their past lives, or at least what happened to them before they were taken.

I remember everything.

...

I need...to grow...stronger...

They all need to die.

Every...single...one of them.

I will butcher them all.

I feel my white eyes sting, but for what reason...I don’t know why. The defeat and confusion I felt earlier is long gone now, for the anger has returned in full fury.

No...I will not stop. That farmer was merely a set-back, a freak accident.

I will find someone else, and I...will...not...fail...again.

I cannot.

I will not allow it.

If I can’t grow stronger, then I might as well as never tried to escape...and die in that facility just like my family.

[thetakenpokemon]

Act 3 - Enough

[PoV: Rook]

My teeth clench together with enough force that my jaw begins to ache, the throbbing shame and anger I’m feeling continuing to make me see red.

The surrounding trees are covered in burning slash marks, showing that they had the misfortune of being targeted by my rage.

My breathing is heavy, ragged. Sweat drips down my body and spit collects on the tips of my fangs.

I need...to fight something, to prove myself again that I’m a capable fighter. I can’t keep up like this, the embarrassment and rage is still very...very fresh on my mind.

Beaten...by...a...farmer...

...Unacceptable...

My clawed toes dig into the earth as I start walking. My eyes flick from left to right, searching for any sign of life to take my anger out upon.

I want to fight something, to draw blood. I want to feel the satisfaction of beating something down, to show that I am powerful. I need the world to acknowledge me, to fear and respect me. I need to grow, otherwise I will never have vengeance on the ones who ruined me.

If I can’t enact vengeance, then I should’ve stayed and rotted like the rest of the hybrids.

I hear the sound of rustling in the distance to my left, causing my head to snap towards that direction.

I grin a fanged, malicious grin.

Yes...

Something for me to strike down...

I don’t put any power in stealth, since I want to fight something NOW. I charge towards it, my hands clenched into fists as I feel a growl collect itself in my throat.

Through the vegetation I burst through, my blades ready to tear into the creature who’s unlucky enough to be my next target.

...

I dig my feet into the ground, slowing myself to a halt as I stare at the source of the noise with wide eyes.

Standing before me with a look of surprise is a Magmar, dressed in overalls and wearing a straw hat. In his hand is a dark colored hoe, its surface glimmering in the faint light.

...

The world is cruel, cruel and heartless.

This is the very farmer I’ve lost to, the one who have turned all that I am into a mockery.

I’ve stumbled upon him...again.

I feel my eyes narrow, my fists clenching.

No...

Enough.

I’ve had enough.

The Magmar blinks a few times before his face lights up. “Ah thought ya was gone fer’ good!” He laughs, grinning widely. “Ah’m very sorry for scarin’ ya off like that, I didn’t mean ta’ overdo it! Ah was jus’ havin’ fun is all!”

'Fun’

My teeth grind together, my nostrils flaring as I feel my anger grow to untold heights.

‘Fun’

I feel my power flow within me, the white-hot energy increasing with each second.

‘Fun’

...

I’ve...had...enough.

He will pay, once and for all.

[thetakenpokemon]

“Ah’m Charlie Higgins! Farmer an’ aspirin’ actor!”

(Have you ever had that moment where you’ve beaten numerous skilled warriors at once, but you end up having difficulty fighting a farmer with no actual combat experience who’s also treating the entire fight as some kind of act?

Me neither, but can’t say the same for Rook~

With that plot post I’d like to reveal Charlie Higgins, a down-to-the-earth farmer and aspiring actor! Don’t let his silly behavior fool you, since because...well...okay he’s a very goofy guy.

Anyways! His reference page has been unlocked! Located within a new navigation banner called’ Miscellaneous Characters!’ (Yes I know, there’s a lot of banners over there now lmao). You can find it right at the bottom of the reference navigation page, however if you want a shortcut you can find Charlie’s Banner right here!

I hope you’ll enjoy this goofball as much as I enjoy writing him~!)