Untamed

[E_Eevee]

For lack of better name ^^ I'm back, I think.

The female eevee gasped as a sharp pain rippled through her side. Something was wrong. Anxiously she licked her side barely feeling the rough edges of her tongue sifting her thick fur/ Normally grooming calmed her, but not now. The pain was too overwhelming. It was a sharp agony filled with an underlying throb of dull pain.

Her three cubs, newly hatched, whimpered. Their eyes were still closed and their little nubs of ears weren't functioning yet, but they could sense her distress. The two females mewed faintly huddling together pitifully. The male, off to the side, bawled in protest. He was always so loud. Usually the mother would simply hush him tolerantly, but today she couldn't take the sharp, plaintive noise. It tore through her head.

She lashed out feebly with a front paw. At the last moment a shudder ran through her and she clipped the cub rather than belting him. Unaware of how close he had come to a fateful injury the male bawled all the louder. The female eevee snarled then shrunk back, ashamed. How could she strike her offspring? Filled with a new kind of pain she retreated to the side of her den where she couldn't hurt them.

"She's getting worse Richard."

The eevee barely heard the strange, disembodied voice that hovered above her. Her dull, clouded eyes were turned inward.
"I know." Another voice answered then sighed. There was a shuffling noise and the top broke off.

The female eevee shrieked in pain and buried her face in her paws to avoid the light that shone down. It was bright and unnatural.

"So what are you going to do?" The first voice asked sounding rather mystified.

A large human hand descended in to the box. Rough nails and tough calluses marked the owner of the hand a workingman. A hand use to hard labor. It moved slowly, deliberately. The large fingers curled and gently stroked the mother eevee on her back. Feeling the alien touch she swung around and tried to bury her teeth into his flesh. The hand made a calculated jerk avoiding the sharp teeth.

"What else can I do?" The one called Richard sighed. There was hesitation in his voice and sadness. "Take the pups away and hope she gets better."

The large hand gently scooped up one of the little golden furred females. She mewed weakly then snuggled deeply into his cupped palm.

"And if she doesn't?" The other persisted.

The first hand was joined by a second. The second moved slowly. It slid under the second female who was whining and shivering. Feeling the touch the helpless cub relaxed.

"What do you think?" Richard snapped unhappily.

The two females were shuffled into one hand freeing the other to retrieve the now screaming male. Rather than relax trustingly when the big hand stroked him he cried even louder. When the rough fingers started to wrap around his pudgy middle he clawed and struggled.

"The needle?"

The three cubs were shuffled into a makeshift bed. Automatically the two females groped blindly until they found one another. Then they curled into a furry blob. The male made one last squawk then subsided.

"Yes."

Short, oh well, so sue me. Chapters are longer.

[totodilelover]

This is a ok start. Some of the owrds looked messed up with werid looking letter things. If you get that fixed it will be better with that. The length was ok but you said yourself wit was short. I like the plot about the eevees. I want to see how your next chapter will be.

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Aiks....the same funny symbol thing that is in your other story is here too....

For some reason..I like this one more than the other story..no idea why....Maybe it's more well written or something..=) Or maybe I just like readijng about something dying....=P Go figure.

[E_Eevee]

Did that fix it? My computer didn't show any odd symbols on either explorer or netscape, but I figured it probably had something to do with the quotation marks.

[Doomykins]

Hello! I'm in. The needle doesn't sound very nice. Somehow I don't think that I'll like the little eevee pups. The girls sound like little flockers and the boys seems like he might become some stout little wimp. But they are only pups.

As usual with your work, great. I hope that more comes soon. Plus I'm glad that you fixed that little text problem. It really irked me in your other fic and I was tempted to not even read this one until I got word that it was fixed. And whadda ya know, it is.

Well, enough ramble. I really hope that you get more coming soon. now I have more people to go buggy on.

[Count von Dark]

I simply jumped to this. E_Eevee, you're back again! Finally something to pull me away from that blasted Ruby. I like the way you described pain, don't know how the wound got there, though, maybe bitten by a Houndoom? (the pain is said to last forever) Hah! I think I'll hang onto this! Good job and good luck!

[E_Eevee]

Count von Dark: I'm back again. Like a yo-yo or something ^^ LOL, my dead batteries took care of my sapphire... at the elite four.

Doomykins: Hey ya. Not very. And to let you guys know, the needle is applicable to dogs in the pound.

Hyperness is a Good Thing: It's a bit more...mature ^^

totodilelover: Bah, prologues are evil. I promise the chapters will get long, and longer o.O.

Chapter One

"Now are you sure you want this one?" The kindly professor asked holding out a red and white ball to the pre-teen standing before him. He noted the bold look of determination plastered on the youth's face and sighed inwardly. "We've discussed the reason why I haven't given him out before."
A mulish expression flickered across the girl's face and she pursed her lips. A habit she learned from her mother no doubt.

"I can handle Kolya."

The old man shook his head half in wonder and half in resigned amusement. With an expert flick he released the pokemon inside. The large male eevee stood still as a statue. His abnormally pale eyes flickered over to the girl. The two had met before. Still, he studied her as if they were complete strangers.

The professor's eyes took on a worried look. For the last three years he had taken care of the male eevee know as Kolya. While not particularly a troublemaker, Kolya tended to distance himself in a cold cocoon. His two sisters had been given away to deserving young would-be trainers long ago. He didn't care so far as the old man could tell. The professor got the impression, even after taking care of the young pokemon all his life, that he was merely tolerated by Kolya. Kolya didn't listen at all and was incredibly stubborn. He did things to please himself and no one else.

"Here boy." Calli beckoned wiggling her fingers in a friendly way. The eevee stared impassively. She crouched down and looked him over. "You know me. And guess what? Now you're mine. We can travel together and be a team."

Silently the eevee raised his lip and lowered his head. Apparently he had different ideas. The professor clutched the pokeball in his hand nervously. A fine sheen of sweat covered his brow and palm. This wasn't going at all like it was suppose to. He never should have listened to the girl's confident request.

"None of that now!" The girl reprimanded sternly. Her outstretched fingers remained steady, but there was a shadow of fear lurking in her emerald eyes.

With fluid, deadly grace the furry pokemon flew towards the girl. The professor threw the ball, but it was far too late to stop the normal type pokemon in his attack. Instinctively Calli threw up her arms protecting her face. Both humans were shocked when the eevee merely blew past her.

He melted into the undergrowth. Calli sunk to her knees shuddering and crying. The professor swore and wished he had put the young eevee in isolation forever.

A slight sound made them both look up in surprise. Held tightly in the fox-like pokemon's mouth was a bloody body. Or rather he had hold of the creature's arm. The scythe claws were stained with old blood and the navy coat was covered with scars.

At first Calli just stared in shocked amazement then she broke down completely, "He saved us!"

The old man blinked giving her a blank look. He wondered if the stress had gone to her brain. Not a nice thought, but entirely plausible given what just happened.

"You hadn't heard?� The girl said wiping away a stray tear from her cheek with the fleshy part of her palm. It left a slight smear of dirt from where her palm hit the ground to break her fall. "There has been a renegade man killing pokemon on the loose in this area."

The professor blinked stupidly then frown. "Really? I hadn't heard."

Calli rushed up to Kolya but he backed away rather than receiving his praise. Still, the professor could grasp the notion that the eevee did actually feel protective towards the girl. He would never be the friendly, open type. However, for some reason the eevee felt that Calli needed him and respected him. The professor had a guilty shock. He doubted anyone ever respected the young eevee before. Not even the kind professor himself.

"Well, it seems you like me after all." Calli whispered putting her hand in her lap.

"Erm, yes, well. Here's your pokedex and your extra pokeballs. I wish you and Kolya the best of luck."

Author's note: still kinda short, and no, this will not be a trainer's fic.

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Cool chapter....

I like Kolya....he must be from that litter mentioned in the prologue right? He's cool.....

Moves a bit too fast, but other than that fine. About the man eating pokemin thing....you should have introduced it...well better I guess....Dunnolah

=) Post the next chapter soon....

Oh yeah...the weird symbol thingy....it appeared again..once only though.

[E_Eevee]

Okayzees people, I'm going on vacation so this will be the last update for awhile!

Hyperness is a Good Thing: Yup, the whiney lil male ^^ After you pointed that out I reread it and it does go a bit fast. Will work on that ^.~

Chapter Two

"Catch me if you can!" The young vulpix yipped gleefully over his shoulder at the oddish. The young grass pokemon was toddling as fast as she could on woefully short legs. The vulpix slowed and play bowed in the fashion of all canine creatures. "Come on! You'll never get better this way!"

Suddenly the vulpix was dive bombed from above. The spearow chuckled good natured and fluttered out of reach as the hotheaded vulpix pour flame into the air. "Fight fair!"

"Define fair." The bird teased from a fairly high altitude.

The vulpix barked and turned to the eevee seated up on the hill. He cocked his head quizzically and asked, "Don't you want to play Kolya?"

The eevee ignored his question and continued to stare off towards the forest. He was perfectly still. Calli's other pokemon found it odd that he was always so still. His ears never swiveled and he rarely used his nose. The only thing he did was look around with his odd colored eyes.

The quiet female pikachu, newly caught, walked up to Kolya and tapped him politely on the shoulder. The tan pokemon jerked and turned towards them accusingly. The pikachu jumped back timidly, but the vulpix walked up.

"Don't you want to play?" He repeated. Despite his hot temper he was a caring individual and had the inborn ability to be a good leader. He just couldn't understand why the eevee didn't like being around others. "I'll even be It."

Silence met his request.

"Maybe you are deaf and dumb." The fire fox grumbled.

"Emberz, that's not fair." The oddish protested.

"I know, but why's he always so silent? I've never heard him talk."

"Maybe he doesn't have anything to say." The spearow suggested taking the space beside the pikachu.

The eevee glanced from one to the other, but didn't try to defend himself.

"Hey guys!" Calli chirped coming up over the hill with a packet clutched to her chest. She bounced down beside them ignoring the curious circle and spread the checkered blanket out. She then heaped food out along with a wide grin. "We feast. Great job at the last gym. We really nailed them, didn't we?"

All the pokemon agreed except, of course, Kolya. Calli reached over and ruffled Emberz head affectionately. She then patted Oddball and scratched Sky. Pixie the pikachu jumped sweetly in her lap and she laughed. She leaned over towards Kolya and he shrugged her hand away. Puzzled, but used to his strange behavior she stroked Pixie instead. She missed the hurt and disappointment in the eevee’s eyes.

"Hey you!" An angry voice rang out, "This is private property so move your picnic somewhere else."

Calli whipped around giving the gang of teenage boys a hard stare. "According to whom? I asked Nurse Joy and she said this is public property. A public park in fact."

Some of the boys shifted nervously, but the leader sneered and spat. He strutted forward until he was practically on top of them. Carelessly, he let his muddy shoes smear across the blanket and planted one in the pickles.

"Not this part of the park." He leered dangerously. He glanced at all her pokemon and a vicious smile crossed his lips. "Actually, I've decided to give you a chance. Only good pokemon trainers are allowed here. Maybe you'd like to prove your worth with a battle?"

"Depends on the terms. I don't trust you scum to play by the rules." Calli said boldly. Her pokemon had created a semi-circle around her eyeing the newcomers. Emberz was first and foremost while Kolya flanked his left and Sky his right.

"Three on three. Any type. Fight until they're down. No surrender and no quarter given. Fair enough for you?"

"Done. With one other condition. If I win you leave me alone. Then promise not to bother any other innocent trainers. If you win I give you half my earnings from the last gym leader I beat."

Sensing an easy cash intake the leader accepted. He spat in his hand and held it out. Calli, with some hesitation, did the same. They shook then squared off.

"Go ryhorn!" The male youth called out sending his pokeball high into the air. The solid rock pokemon emerged and crashed to the ground making it shake. Calli shook her head at the cheap intimidation and signaled to Emberz. She knew that Oddball had the advantage, but the small plant pokemon wasn’t ready for this.

The two pokemon faced off. The rhino pokemon snorted and pawed the ground sending up puffs of dust and pollen. The fire fox danced lightly in anticipation. The rock pokemon gave an ear shattering bellow and charged with his lethal horn pointed at the fuzzy red vulpine.

Emberz waited until the ton-sized ryhorn was directly in front of him before making his move. Rapidly his four paws flew sending dirt and clumps of grass flying into the air. His tails whipped in a fury and then he was gone. All that remained with a medium sized hole in the ground. The ryhorn was still dealing with the two defensive attacks however. Sand grit stuck in his eyes and the six stinging lashes that had slid across his face were distracting.

"Ryhorn, use stomp! Cave the little rat in!" The boy yelled out furious.

Calli merely watched with a smile on her face. She and Emberz had spent hours perfecting that move set for their battle against the rock type leader Brock. Even then it had been risky because Brock more than likely had taught his onix dig also. Against this ill prepared amateur victory was almost guaranteed.

Emberz had the sense to end the skirmish quickly. He knew that he had superior speed, but his opponent had weight and power on his side. He spun up through the soft soil and delivered the finishing blow with skilled expertise.

Next it was Calli's Pixie against the boy's Parasect. Unfortunately, the poor pikachu gave in to the poisonous spores falling to the ground twitching spastically and making small sounds of pain.

"Oh, no. Pixie return."

"Hah, down to the last match." The boy sneered still confident. "Unlike you I saved my best for last."

Calli looked at him in confusion then realized that the boy thought Emberz was her best pokemon. A steady grin crossed her face and she flicked her fingers. Kolya, who had been watching the battles with avid diligence, sprang forward eagerly. His whole body was lean and tough. Something that wasn't noticeable when he was seated. Calli felt satisfaction as the boy paled slightly.

"Go Nidoking!"

The light faded slowly, but the ground shook with the ground creature's roar as soon as he emerged. The bony, rough hide was covered and crossed with ugly scars. There was a bellicose look to his eyes and a rough cruelness. He wasn't even pink anymore because hard mud cakes and dust clung to him. His horn was broken at the tip. In short, this was one nasty customer.

"Kolya, do you think you can take him?" Calli asked worried. She was rolling his pokeball in her fingers and biting her lip. She was beginning to have second thoughts about this battle. All the money in the world wasn't worth her pokemon's health, confidence, and trust.

Kolya, once again, declined to reply. His pale eyes glinted with anticipation and his brushy tail was bristled. He let out a hostile snarl to answer the deafening roar and charged.

The large brute was taken by surprise. He grunted at the slight impact when the small eevee slammed into his midsection. Chuckling wickedly he flicked his long claw up and twitched it making the universal sign for bring it on.

This time the normal type was more cautious. He knew he no longer had the advantage of surprise. He would have to tread very carefully.

Feinting left then jumping straight up he pasted the larger pokemon’s slow defenses. With a flash of teeth and claws he darted away again. A thin trickle of blood dribbled slowly down the coarse, rocky creature's face. A sadistic, fanged smile appeared as the larger pokemon wiped it away contemptuously.

Emberz and the rest held their collective breath. This was a dangerous game Kolya was playing and it was obvious he was losing. One slight mistake could be his last. Somehow they knew that the Nidoking wouldn't stop once the eevee was down. And his slime trainer wouldn't call him back either.

"I give up!" Calli cried also seeing the circumstances. She started to loosen her belt, but the boy threw up his hands and cried out eagerly, "No can do missy. Not unless you can get your eevee to come back."

"Kolya, return!"

The eevee completely ignored her. He twisted to the right missing being skewered by half an inch. Bouncing back with all four feet he tore at the tough hide again and again. The poison type sneered wondering why the creature before him with so stupid. Obviously, claws and teeth weren't going to penetrate his armor skin.

Kolya paused for an instant. His light pink tongue was panting as he sucked the hot, dusty air in and out rapidly. He cocked his scruffy head and made a strange yip. Dashing forward recklessly he slammed his head into the creature's chest. Dodging a massive swipe he slammed an Iron Tail into the same spot over and over again. With a final Headbutt he leaped back nimbly to survey his handiwork.

With a groan the giant toppled over doing a face plant.

"What the heck?" The boy cried in shock. He rushed over and flipped his massive pokemon over on it's back. A small, cross-shaped cut laid dead center in the hard plate armor. The boy's face turned bright red with unchecked anger, "No way that runt knocked him out! You cheat somehow! I know it!"

Calli looked just as surprised. She turned to look at Kolya. He was calmly cleaning out one of his wounds with his tongue.

"You cheated! Cheater!" The boy stormed and his gang started to take up a chant.

"How?"

"I don't know, but there's no way your runt did that!" the boy insisted closing the gap between them. His fists were curled into tight balls with the knuckles shone white. His jaw was locked and his eyes flashing. His intentions were quite clear. Calli stepped back a step. She wasn't afraid to fight; she did it all the time back home. However, the promise she had made to her mother just before she left rang in her head. Except she wasn't sure how it dictated self-defense.

The boy tried to belt her across the face with a closed fist. She threw her hands up, but she wasn't quite fast enough. The corner of his fist brushed across her left cheek. The boy never got in another swing. Kolya was on him.

The eevee ripped savagely into the boy's hands as the frantic human blocked his face and throat. Bright red blood was spraying everywhere.

"Kolya, no!" Calli screamed rushing over. He turned towards her and she gasped stumbling back. His normally flat eyes were shinning with a killing fever. She timidly extended her hand and swiftly jerked it back as the eevee snapped. His sharp teeth clicked together with a strange preciseness and he went back to maiming the boy.

The kid's gang took off screaming. Calli only hoped the one of them had enough sense to get help. She looked around frantically for a way to pry Kolya off the screaming kid. Her eyes landed on the pokeball she had dropped in her haste to get over there. Licking her lips nervously she sprinted to it.
"Return!" Nothing happened.

Emberz looked up at her in confusion. His six tails were bristled in fear and his normally gay eyes were murky. "Vul?"

"Stop him."

The small fox needed no other command. He sprang forward knocking into the bigger pokemon with his shoulder. Before Kolya could mount a counter attack Emberz loosed a sizable fire spin to hold him. The sheets of flame whirled around brightly in a secure circle.

A sharp whistling sounded in the distance then closer. Officer Jenny and her growlithe rounded a grove of trees.

Calli took the moment to scoop Kolya up to her chest as Emberz let the firewall collapse. He struggled wildly to get at the firedog that was barking wildly at him.

"Officer Jenny, Kolya was protecting me!" Calli protested loudly. She had blood all over her hands and clothes where she had restrained the eevee from laying into the officer's growlithe. Emberz crowded close to her. Kolya lay confused and exhausted in her arms. His brown coat was splashed with red.

The officer shook her head. Her blue eyes flickered over to where the boy was being loaded into an ambulance.

"You better hope that boy survives." The officer remarked coldly. Her eyes slid back to the eevee and she found herself amazed that such a small, normal type could inflict such horrific damage. He had some devils in him that was for sure. His pale eyes rose to meet hers and she felt her heart stop. It was the look of a predator. She wondered how the girl had managed so far, how she couldn't see the killer hiding behind a thin veil of aloofness.

"What happens now?" The girl asked in a scared, quiet voice. She was shaking all over and tears were welling in her eyes. The officer supposed it was shock finally kicking in. she wanted to comfort the child but those strange, pale eyes were still locked on her. They dared her to make a move, mocked her. Instead she contented herself with scooping up the girl's distraught vulpix. The fox pokemon was quivering and making small distressed noises.

"You have to give your eevee over to the city. They will quarantine him to make sure he doesn't have any diseases. Then Officer Jenny trailed off uncertain how to soften what she had to say next, "He'll be put down. He's simply to dangerous to continue living."

"Oh." No shower of tears or keening wails. The girl gulped down a lump and tried to hand the normal type over to the officer. She shied back and muttered, "You can keep a hold of him for now, okay?"

The Officer Jenny directed Calli to a marked van. It was label in big, black letters. The young officer assisting Jenny opened the double door with shaking hands. He nodded briefly then scrambled back a safe distance. Calli placed Kolya, now limp and passive, into the metal cage. She could feel the cold metal as her hand brushed the floor. She ran a single finger across the top of his head, the only caress he permitted, then abruptly jerked her hand back. Wrapping her fingers around the cage door she closed it and latched it. Only after she had backed off did her hands start trembling. Accepting Jenny's comforting words and Emberz she turned her back and slowly walked off.

Edit: Whew, shouldn't write such long chappies, then I gotta fix 'em all

[Doomykins]

No! You can't kill him already! We haven't even gotten to know him enough for his life to be in jepordy! Seriously, don't you think that it's a little soon for this?

[Iveechan]

That little Eevee's a fighter, he'll figure something out. I love his nature, there's like NO clue to his thoughts at all...so mysterious and silent. I can easily imagine him evolving into an Umbreon. Great job, this story really tenses me up ;D

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Nooooo....Don't kill off Kolya....*pouts* I liiike Kolya. I liked him ever since he was an annoying little male baby Eevee!!!!

Well-written, and good descriptions...

BTW, the funny symbol things have appeared quite a lot of times..... *shrugs* Makes that last few paragraphs a bit hard to read.

[E_Eevee]

*digs story up from the pits of the board* Sorry, I've got the next chapter done but I can't post it. No internet.

Hyperness is a Good Thing: You know me too well But Kolya's not going to die, at least not yet >=] I think I fixed the symbols, again -.-

Iveechan: New reader! Yup, he's quite the fighter. As for his evolution, well, you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?

Doomykins: It would be a rather short story and as you know I tend to go for the long haul ^^ So he lives.

[E_Eevee]

Chapter Three

Kolya hunched his shoulders and shoved his small body in a corner. The slick, cold steel beneath his feet was hard to grasp even with claws. The truck swayed shoving him to the left. He hit the other side of his small cell with a dull thump.

Too soon the uncomfortable ride was over leaving the eevee with no time to form a plan of escape. Kolya glared at his captors unsure whether to attack or defend. Either way he was determined that they wouldn't get him out of the cage without serious damage.

Instead of undoing the latch the female with the red hair done up in loops pulled out a vial of almost clear liquid. She inserted a long, thin needle drawing up the liquid. Kolya watched with deep distrust. He knew what a needle was of course, the good professor was very punctual about his vaccines. The eevee had learned to tolerate them since there was no other option. Yet somehow he knew what the red haired woman had planned was more than a harmless prick to his neck.

On the end of the needle with a tube and it was capped off by a fluffy, pink tuft. This was loaded into a long, thin stick. The woman fiddled with some knobs for a few seconds before leveling the stick. Now Kolya could see that the stick was actually completely hollow and made entirely out of a black metal. The thick hairs on the back of his neck started to bristle and a snarl played around his lips.

Suddenly the needle was shooting towards him!

He flung himself to the right only to run up against the side. The needle bounced harmlessly off the steel backing, but Kolya knew he couldn't dodge very well. Not in such a confined space. Wildly he dove at the bars. The whole cage rocked dangerously and the two women rushed to keep it from tipping. They were too late because the cage had made its way to the edge and being so heavy in the front it crashed forward.

Kolya waited suddenly still. He knew that they couldn't shoot needles at him when the slits of bars were faced down towards the asphalt. He knew they would come up with another plan however. Humans, he had found, were amazingly persistent and never knew when they were beat. Oddly enough this tactic seemed to work out far more than it should have.

There was some scuffling outside and he tensed. If they were foolish enough to open the lock that held him there was nothing they could do to keep him. Not with their weak bodies or their pet pokemon.

To his disappointment they didn't lift the box. In fact they seemed to go away. All sounds of activity ceased. He waited in a tense, painful silence for an attack that never came. Soon he could feel his muscles start to ache from being so cramped up. His eyelids drooped feeling as if weights had been tied to them. He was dreadfully thirsty and his wounds from the battle were throbbing. It was only after he fell adrift in dreamland and woke with a start the second time the nature of those nasty human's plan dawned on him. They were waiting for him to be too tired to attack. Too thirsty and weak. Too clumsy and hungry.
With a slight sneer of satisfaction he curled himself into a ball. No matter how quiet or sneaky they thought they were he would know when they approached. So long as he kept his guard up he was free to relax and ease his tired muscles. The limited activity would also serve to curb his hunger although he could do nothing about his painful thirst.

After a time he lost track of how long he had been left to lie in the death box. As the sun rose to its zenith the heat in the small box was stifling. The only source of fresh air was the small slats ribbed on the top of the three sides. All they did was provide air so he wouldn't suffocate they didn't take away the pressing heat. Soon Kolya was panting and was forced to sprawl to release body heat. It wasn't an ideal position for instant defense, however, he wished to live and not be totally brain damaged.

Hours later he sensed someone coming. He wasn't totally sure, but he thought this was a male human. The tread was much heavier and the smell was different. Kolya crouched immediately on guard.

<Hold on there.> A deep voice commanded in his head.

Kolya halted deeply startled. The words were addressed to him and he could understand them. For the first time in his life he felt he could communicate with another being. Granted that so far it only worked one way, but excitement raced through him anyhow.

There was a long pause and then the voice continued, <How's about a deal? I'll let you out of that box if you promise to stay put and not harm anyone.>

Kolya's mouth twitched and he considered. For a human the man sounded friendly enough. Also, if this ploy of theirs failed he was sure that they would leave him in the box for a longer period.

After a few minutes the voice instructed, <If yes, rattle the box twice to the left and once to the right.>

With some hesitation he did as instructed. Suddenly the steel box was being gently toppled over. Fresh air rushed in and Kolya sucked it up quietly. His pale eyes were glued to the bars for a glimpse of his savior. A large man appeared. His face was a pleasant mocha color framed with a trim beard. Both his neatly cropped hair and his beard were graying and deep wrinkles marked his skin. He gave Kolya a slight smile and made to open the cage.

One of the females grabbed his hand, but he shook her off.

<Hello there. Listen close, okay? You're on death row, but provided that I can control you the city has granted you a chance to be rehabilitated. You know what that means?> Kolya shook his head warily, <You can't go around attacking people because they displease you. There are rules to follow and I'm going to teach you how to behave. Do you understand that?>

Kolya nodded once, interested.

<I'm letting you out now. You're not going to run or attack.> The man made that an order. He fiddled with the lock and swung the door up. Kolya cleared the side gracefully and looked to the man for further instructions. His body remained tense and his senses were trained towards the two females hovering a few yards away. He hadn't forgotten the flying needle.

The man smiled and remarked, <Good. I think we're going to get along just fine. Don't you?>

[Doomykins]

Whee! The liddle eevee's gonna have a psycic pal! *dodges random flying objects* I wonder what exactly Kolya is gonna have to go though.

I was woried that this wouldn't work out with the early death threat. But I think you definetly made it work out much better. Keep going E_eevee, I wanna read more and hope that you don't quite at this.

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Goooood......Kolya isn't dead...

What about his trainer? Will he be reunited with her?

*grins* So many questions.....

Neeways.....write more,...I want to read more about the Kolyaaa....

^___^ *will await next chapter patiently*

[The Prophet]

I like your fic! The only thing I could honestly find wrong with the entire thing was those symbols, and other than that, it's really good. I prefer Pokémon fics to Trainer fics, so I'm guessing I'll be loving this.

Keep up the good work!

Oh, and I'm soooo glad Kolya isn't dead.... he's a total badass! ^_^

[E_Eevee]

The Prophet: Thank you. A badass, yes, definately.

Hyperness is a Good Thing: not yet, no. Trainer, what trainer? *whistles*

Doomykins: A bit, for awhile. No quiting. I have a personal slave driver right now. But she's a bit more concerned with my yyh fic ^^

[E_Eevee]

Chapter Four

<Attack to the left now!> The man directed. Kolya never learned his name and never cared to. They had a working relationship and nothing more. It was best to be impersonal and the human seemed to understand that.

Shooting left he torn into the training dummy. The cloth ripped loudly leaving a limb clutched firmly between his teeth. The cloth tasted dusty and smelled like sweat. Kolya could tell it use to be someone's shirt.

<Excellent work.> He praised. Kolya had learned early on that it was difficult to please the older man. He expected consistent and correct responses to his directions. It felt good to have someone understand him. The girl was a nice and considerate but she could no more understand him than a stone. It was the same with the other pokemon. Even his own sisters.

<Let's call it quits for the day.> The man said wiping sweat off his large brow. The day was still young, but the sun was blistering over Saffron City. The temperature was expected to climb into the high nineties and already the heat was getting unmerciful.

Kolya nodded in understanding and wandered over to sleep under his favorite maple tree. Quickly he excavated a nest in the soft, cool sand and stretched out. He had resided with the man since his narrow escape from death. That had been two months ago. Since then they had established a routine that suited them both. It had been hard at first. Kolya wasn't use to taking orders and had to learn several on occasions that the man was not to be crossed. All in all it wasn't a bad life. Kolya missed the girl and her pokemon still sometimes. They were odd, but they had been polite to him. Just as he was about to doze off he felt someone approach.

<Mind if I sit here?> A distinctly female voice asked. Kolya nodded and the Ralts settled in beside him. Her mellow red eyes flickered across his face, and his mind he was sure, before she addressed him. <Something is bothering you. Are you not happy with us here?>

The eevee stared up at her with pale, pale eyes, He frowned unsure how to answer her. Evidently his thoughts were enough because her eyes lit up in understanding.

<You miss your old trainer?>

He nodded slowly. Part of him was shamed to admit that. Shamed to admit that he was emotionally attached to a human being. To him they were an inferior species and he could not understand how they ever managed to become the world rulers. There were much smarter and much stronger pokemon. It was a mystery.

<I am sure she is fine. If you knew her name I could look her up on the computer database.> That was another thing Kolya couldn't wrap his mind around. Why such a smart, psychically inclined pokemon would even both with pathetic human technology.

He shook his head. He didn't know her name.

<Do you know what you lack? I know that has got to be bothering you. Eating you up from the inside.> The ralts paused and continued slowing as if unsure of how he would react, <Master told me you are deaf. Do you know what that is?>

The eevee shook his head warily.
<It’s when your ears don't work properly.>

He stared at her uncomprehending. Ears? Those long things on the top of his head. What exactly were they suppose to do then?

<Most humans and pokemon can hear sounds. Language. Through their ears. You can only hear it in you mind.>

He glared unsure if she was playing a trick on him. She stared back completely sincere.

<You can make noise still can't you? Vibrations from you mouth.> She questioned curiously. Kolya wasn't certain she was truly trying to be helpful. Her answers seem hurtful to him.

He nodded. Yes, he could make this 'noise', although he hadn't done so in quite awhile. Not since his mother was taken away from him. He vaguely remembered the big, course human hand and the fuzzy warmth of his sisters.

<Aren't you happy? You know what's wrong now.> She pressed seeming pleased with herself. Kolya stared silently. He wasn't happy. So he knew what was wrong. Did that change anything? No. Nothing at all. Nothing was changed. He was still 'deaf' and his ears didn't 'hear' those 'noises'. <Master said once you evolve that should change. I sure hope so. It’s a joy to hear.>

He snarled silently showing his teeth. She didn't notice. Flattening his ears he stalked off. His pale eyes flickered around making sure there was no one around and he lay down in a boneless heap. Not truly off guard, but as close as he ever came to such a state.

Evolve. I was something all pokemon did supposedly. Then way wasn't he content? Most pokemon would be thrilled to have such a choice of elements to morph into. Fire, water, dark, electric, and psychic. He just wanted to be normal. It was who he was. And if evolving meant he got 'hearing', he wasn't so sure he wanted to. Despite his lone nature he was quite happy with his existence. A true survivor.

<Eevee? Eevee!> The man yelled out startling Kolya out of his deep thought. He sprang up still weighted down by his unsolved dilemma. It didn't matter at the moment. He was being summoned and while he didn’t have to obey it was expected. Respect must be respected and observed. Even if that meant coming like a dog every time he was called.

Loping along with an easy gait he felt something wrong. Smoke filled his delicate nose making him sneeze and wheeze. Alarmed he looked over the treetops and saw a black pillar rising from the direction of town. As he drew closer, now at a dead run, sparks and cinders showered down blown by the wind. They burnt through his silky brown fur scorching the skin below. He hardly noticed. It was utter chaos in the town center. The gym was on fire with the blaze rising to the sky. Hungry flames licked across the structure.

He looked around anxiously. There were a lot of people here. Some calling out water pokemon to fight the blazes, others crying in fright. Mothers shielded their children and bit their lips in fear. Some men had formed a bucket brigade, which was making little progress. Sirens filled the air with vibrations that even Kolya could feel and flashing colored lights whirled. There was no sign of the man.

His ralts came running up wide-eyed and panting. She was clearly distressed. He cocked his head worried.

<He's…he's in the building!> She whimpered sinking to her knees. <I tried to stop him. Really I did. He wouldn't listen. He went in there after Sabrina, you know she’s his daughter right?>

Kolya bounded past her and weaved through the many human legs. He dodged spurts of cold, hard water and leaped the pokemon that go in his way. Now he was wishing he were a flareon so he could withstand the heat and flames rolling off the building. Or a vaporeon so he could help clear a path to safety. Instead he was an eevee. A little, pathetic normal type. So what if the human died? He could always live free like the wild pokemon in the area. Or he would find his old trainer and rejoin the team. Despite her shocking betrayal he would forgive her. If worst came to worse he would always find another trainer…
But he didn't want any of these things. Yes, he would like to live without human interference. Also, he would like to see his old trainer. He couldn't leave his savior, the one who saved his life, fry in flames like a tiny insect. His honor wouldn't allow it. He just couldn't let it happen.

Some hands grabbed for him and he whirled nipping one hard enough to draw drops of blood. They jerked back leaving his path to the inferno free. Diving into the flames he let out a soundless howl of pain. The heat was intense. It assaulted his tender parts. His eyes and nose watered then cracked as they dried out. His fur shortened then disappeared as the fire consumed it. Sheets of fire rose up around him and swirled around. Smoke filled his dry eyes and clung in his throat making him cough.

His limbs started to feel leaden and he forced himself on. Entering the last chamber he saw the man and the younger woman called Sabrina with an alakazam. The brave psychic pokemon was holding a flimsy barrier over the two. Sweat glistened across his round brow and his eyes were shut tight with effort.

Kolya rushed over throwing himself through the barrier. Luckily it was made only to hold the smoke and heat out, not solid objects.

<Eevee.> The man said with relief. He did something he had never taken the liberty of doing before: He picked Kolya up. The eevee was so surprised he went limp like a rag doll.

A glow started to shine from his fur and moved outward. His whole body, which was sore and raw tingled. Like tiny pins and needles pricking in and out with incredible speed. His bones elongated making him uncomfortable. It was an odd sensation, but not painful. His fur started to grow back out long and silky. His tail narrowed and lengthened splitting at the end. The ears flattened out to shape like butterfly wings and tufts of fur shot out of the crest of his jawbone. A hard knob grew on his forehead and suddenly he could 'hear'.

The flames crackled and hiss dangerously. They sounded hungry. They wished for flesh and bone to consume. More than the insubstantial plastic and metal.

Kolya jumped down lightly and stumbled slightly. It was going to take some practice to grow into his new body. Lashing his cat-like forked tail he walked up beside the alakazam as it fainted from exhaustion. Suddenly the job of barrier was his. He poured his energy into a shield and slowly crawled towards the exit. A heavy beam crashed down alight with fire. He quickly changed course and inched around it.

It seemed like eternity as the three of them made their way through. Once a small beam toppled down of Kolya. He winced as it stuck his shoulders stunning him. The man tried to help him up but he shrugged him off angrily. He evolved to leave his weaknesses behind. Pushing and straining the three made it to the steps. Kolya felt the world go black around him and closed his pale blue eyes as he crashed to the gritty ground.

Author's note: Betcha thought he was going to be an umby, didn't you? Didn't you! Ha, nope.

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

OOOOOOH! He became an Espeon!!!!! ^_______^

What did Kolya mean by his trainer's betrayal??? Did she betray him? Wonder what Kolya's gonna do now....

Awwwwwww.....*huggles Kolya* Such a darling thing.....You know what..... I never knew or thought that Kolya was deaf....

Yes I'm blur.

[The Prophet]

I did think he was going to be an Umbreon, but hey, Espeon's cool too. ^_^

Keep up the good work! I LURVES THIS!

[E_Eevee]

The Prophet: LOL, that was intentional. The only person who knew he was turning into an esp (besides myself) was my sister.

Hyperness is a Good Thing : She stuffed him in a metal box to be killed by nurse Joy ^^;;;;;; he doesn't know why she did that. And him being deaf wasn't blaringly obvious, but it does explain some of his odd behavior, doesn't it?

Forewarning: From this point on it gets a bit more adult themed. Not too much but there will be words and violence.


Chapter Five

Kolya felt something tugging. Tugging at him to return. For a while there was only blackness. A deep void where nothing entered. But the tugging pulled him away. It dragged him back, back towards where he left off. Back to his life.

He opened his pale eyes and jumped in surprise. Wire, tubes, and all sorts of other thin, circular implements were plugged into him. He wasn't sure how he knew what any of the strange things were, but he did. Thinking about it made a fuzzy, tickling sensation in the back of him mind. Like it was too far away to reach, to connect with.

He tried to get up only to find restraints locked around his limbs. They were snug and iron strong. The position he was in was undoubtedly comfortable for a human with their long bodies and duo legs, but for him it was painful, unnatural. He wanted desperately to turn on his side or stomach. Instead he was stuck staring upwards in confusion.

Things weren't clear. Where was the man? He wasn't sure who that was, but he knew him. They respected each other and he knew what the man looked like. He recalled another pokemon, this one female. She would talk to him with her mind.

"He's still out of it." A distinctly female voice murmured softly. "I doubt he'll come around all that fast anyway. He's pretty burnt up to begin with and then you add in the head trauma…well, it's amazing he's still alive."

Kolya wasn't sure how he was understanding the words. It wasn't with his ears, and it wasn't noise. Instead it was like his mind could understand the faint vibrations coming from the human's mouth and translated it so that Kolya could 'hear'. It made little sense, but he had more to worry about than such a problem. A problem, which was quickly turning out to be an advantage.

"That’s why I wanted him." A deep voice purred coldly, almost in a monotone. Kolya took an instant dislike to the man. A silent growl formed in his throat, but caught. He hacked painfully jerking against his restraints. He heard the footsteps as the woman rushed over. Her oval face peered down curiously. A worried frown flickered across her mouth before she sighed in relief. Her blue eyes flicked to the left and Kolya assumed that was where the man was in the room.

"He's fine." She informed the man eagerly. Her short brown hair curtained her face as she bent over him. As her nose came closer and closer Kolya couldn't resist anymore. Gathering his strength he pushed upward and took a bone crunching snap at her face. He teeth grazed the tip of her nose before he was pulled back down. His joints were chaffed, but the warm blood on his lips told him it was well worth the effort.

She reeled back in surprise and pain screeching, "The little sh*t bit me!"

The man chuckled. It was a cold, ruthless sound of pleasure, "Of course he did Katy. You didn't think I would pay so much for a dud, did you? Perhaps next time you will be more careful where you stick your nose."

The woman growled at him and Kolya was sure a glare of some sort accompanied it. He tried to turn his neck, but intense pain rippled through him stopping him.

He desperately wanted answers. Why was he here? Where was the man? And Ralts? And the rest of his memory! Only haze bits and pieces remained of his life. The most recent were clearest, but there were others. He still seemed to know what things were, the names of them. Just not details.

"Aw, poor little creature's confused." Katy sneered spitefully as she doctored her injured nose. "He doesn't know where he is or why the hell he's strapped to a table. Well, let me tell you little sh*t, your misery is only just beginning. Damon will tear you apart."

The man gave out another cold laugh and added, to Katy, not to Kolya, "I very much doubt Damon will be doing that. This one's not like the others. I did a bit of checking into his history. It seems he was born deaf. He's not used to obeying others. He had a young trainer at one point, but she had to give him up to be killed after he maimed a boy. After that Sabrina's father took him in. I suppose the basic rudiments of commands have been drilled into his head, but it wouldn't be enough to assume complete control."

Katy and Kolya absorbed this in silence. He had a trainer? Concentration, he tried to remember. It felt like a blowtorch was hovering just above his forehead. Nothing. Nothing but smoke and flame blocking him.

"So he won't obey Damon?" Katy replied puzzled, "But doesn't that mean Damon's leadership is surrendered?"

The man tsked playfully, "I said no such thing. Damon will get around it. I merely said he wouldn’t be pushing this one around."

Kolya didn't understand this at all. Why was he here? Who was this Damon? What did these cold humans want with him? Nothing made sense.

He flinched when the needle pierced his skin. The woman twisted it around a bit maliciously before injecting the clear liquid. He snarled and tried for her arms. She gave him a vicious grin baring all her flat, white teeth. Suddenly the restraints were removed. He bounded up ready to tear into Katy and the man. Or tried to. His body felt cold and uncoordinated. His limbs were heavy and disobedient. With another silent growl he took a moment to straighten himself out. It wasn't time he could afford, but he needed to use his head. The humans had the advantage.

Looking around he noticed there were no humans. The door latched with a quiet click and nothing moved in the impersonal, bleak room. The counters were bare and the steel table he had been strapped down to started to move down slowly. He teetered unsteadily yet managed to keep his balance. Once it stopped he leapt down to the floor. His legs gave out from underneath him sending him sprawling. The tile seemed just as cold and impersonal as the rest of the room. It had an unwelcoming feel all around it.

Something moved to the left and he sprung intending to tear it up. His mind was fuzzy and slow. His body was sluggish and uncoordinated. If he had been in top condition he would’ve never made such a mistake.

The creature he lunged at whirled with lightning speed. Suddenly the roles were completely reversed and Kolya was the one being attacked. The yellow and silver whirlwind tore around him taking thin, painful slices out of his lavender hide. Then it was over. Two coal black remorseless eyes bored into his. They were like a deep, dark pit where no emotion ever escaped.

"You're under my jurisdiction now." The jolteon remarked crisply. His voice was not cruel or gloating. He didn't seem to reveal in the power this afforded him. He didn't add any demeaning names at the end of his sentence. His whole posture told Kolya that this was business and that the pokemon before him took his business with dead seriousness. "If I say jump you'll do it. If I say jump higher you'll do that too. Understand? You’re life belongs to me now so treat me accordingly.�

<I don't understand. Where am I?> Kolya asked still fuzzy from the drugs. His limbs seemed to be more under his control now, but he didn't think about mounting an attack. He didn't know enough. Also, the jolteon seemed to know up from down quite well and most likely could tear him into a thousand pieces without a thought. Resentment flashed hotly, but he stifled it. There would be time later to reassert just who was giving and receiving the orders. In the meantime he knew he had to play along.

"You are now the property of our team's master. That's what you will call him, Master. He acquired you after the unfortunate fire at the gym. Until you regain your strength you will train at half what the normal requirement is for new team members."

<Team members?>

The jolteon eyed him, "As of the moment there are four of us excluding yourself. We battle other teams to provide our master money and win his bets. I'm team leader."

Kolya sighed. This was gaining him little information. Maybe one of the others on the team would be more forthcoming. Meantime this was wearing him out.

"My name is Damon, what's yours?"

This seemed a friendly gesture. <Kolya.>

The jolteon snorted, " 'Warrior'? A fitting name, but it seems too weak. You're new name is Reidar, understood? Reidar will remind you where you are and who you serve. Forget you past. The only ways you are getting out of here is through death or a metal truck rattling down to some cruel laboratory. Escape is impossible."

Kolya watched as he spoke. His front paw unconsciously ran across the plain metal collar around his neck as he talked about escape. For the first time Kolya noticed there was one clamped around his neck as well. He didn't try to remove it. No doubt it was set tightly in place and trying to loosen it would set off some sort of punishment. Experimentally he tugged slightly and felt a mild shock of electricity run through his body.

"Those collar hold sway over us. Yours provides electrical shocks, while mine does the opposite. It sucks the electricity from my body."

Another pokemon joined them in the room. She eyed Damon nervously, "We shouldn't be in here. If Katy finds us she'll be mad."

"Furious." Damon agreed with a humorless laugh, "F*ck Katy. She'll be mad no matter what."

<I bit her. I thought she was going to kill me.> Kolya clamped his mouth shut the moment it leaked on. Whatever possessed him to volunteer information like that?

Both turned towards him with their mouths hanging open in amazement.

"You…you bit her?" The female blinked in shock. Her frills flattened in fear at the retribution towards the whole team.

Damon on the other hand let out a sharp bark of amusement, "I hope you got that b*tch good."

Kolya realized he felt safe. Not completely, but at least like he wasn't so alone anymore. Their common enemy had brought them together and these two didn't shun him as others had done in the past. He got the feeling that even if he were completely mute and still unable to hear what was going on they would still accept him. It was a strange feeling, but he was in for more soon enough.

Author's note: A bit of a long chappy, but someone asked me to make them longer. Anywho, Katy is actually named after Kaede from Blue Seed. Not that they are anything alike.

[Doomykins]

Whee! Kolya has new friends! And with a common enemy they'll have a common goal! Bite the noses!

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Awwww.......

*huggles Damon* JOLTEON!!!! Fweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

*hyperness* Me lovies all Jolteons!!!!

Oooh....nice chapter....hmm...That trainer...the "master" fellow...=) He collects Eeveelutions, doesn't he???

I wanna know more!!!! *goes hyper again* Sorry.. Me hyper now.

Hmmm...Katy is an interesting character..hope to see more of her.*grins* and Damon of course.

[The Prophet]

Mmm, cool. I suppose the number of badasses a fic is allowed isn't limited to one, as Damon's certainly shaping up to be one.

Another well done chapter. Keep it up! ^_^

[E_Eevee]

Ack, I was hoping to have the next chapter up this morning before I go on a road trip 'ross country. Now you guys have to wait until Saturday. Sorry I promise to finish the next chapter and make it really good! *backs away slowly*

The Prophet: Limits are bad. Damon's worse than Kolya.

Hyperness is a Good Thing: Jolteons are good mine always seem to be mean tho ^^;;;;; He does a bit more than collect them, but yes, in a sense he does. You'll see. Oh yes, Katy's fun.

Doomykins: Friends of dubious nature -.-;; Bite the noses! Mwahaha Whee!

[E_Eevee]

Okay people *hands out rubber pool noodles* you may beat me ^^;;;. Wait a minute...those aren't rubber pool noodles! No sharp objects on the person

Well, you may want to beat me when I say the only excuse I have for not writing for the last two weeks is that I was too busy reading other people's fics. *spits out some fluff* I'll never look at Aoshi the same way again... I'm over that now, or at least the fluff reading. It would affect this ficcy too much...


Chapter Six

The vaporeon that had joined them in the cold, sterile room trotted silently beside him glancing over every so often. She seemed fairly quiet and shy. Damon strode ahead with leggy strides looking straight ahead. He ignored his surroundings stiffly. Kolya realized that this must be how he acted to people outside his team. A grim prospect which made him wonder what the rest of the people around here were like.

"My name's Karis." The vaporeon offered finally. She turned and gave him a gentle smile. He hesitated with Damon's warning ringing in his ears, <I'm Reidar.>

"So what's your story? Or is it too painful to talk about?" She probed and he flattened his butterfly ears against his skull. This seemed a bit forward considering they had just met. She noticed his annoyance and her cheeks flushed with color, "Sorry, I'm so sorry. It's none of my business. I'm just hopelessly nosy. You see I grew up here. Born and raised I guess you could say. I've never been anywhere else, known anything else."

<Never?> He shook his head trying to imagine being stuck in these cold walls with cold people. His youth, well, childhood anyways hadn't been awful. Despite his surly and aloof attitude there had always been the Professor. And then there had been… He growled in frustration. Why couldn't he remember his trainer?

She heard his muted growl and glanced over quizzically. His temper didn't seem to bother her in the slightest, but then again considering she kept company with a jolteon it wouldn't.

"Did you have a trainer?" She asked disarmingly. He wanted to snap at her in irritation, but he realized that she was merely asking. She wasn't digging for information. He was being far too suspicious. Part of his mind argued that there was no such thing as too suspicious.

Damon suddenly turned to the right and pushed open a door.

<I…>

"Karis, leave him alone. God, do you have to interrogate everyone?" A slim flareon snapped as they entered a large, lavish room. She was reclining on a silk pillow with her fluffy tail spread out behind her. Instead of it being a solid yellow, flicks of orange and red twined their way through the sunshine fur. The effect was stunningly like live fire flaming up her tail. On her head the puff of fur was similarly colored, just slightly less extravagant. Her deep coat seemed to melt into the plush red cushion and her vibrant green eyes looked haughtily.

"Sorry." Karis muttered eyeing the flareon like she might be attacked at any moment. "I'm just…"

"Just curious. I know. We all know. Give your bull**** a rest will you?" The flareon snorted impatiently. She eyed Kolya with her probing green gaze and laughed, "This is our new teammate? He won't last five minutes out there. God, they're sending us children now."

Kolya bristled at her words and a silent growl rose in his chest. Before he could prove her wrong Damon stepped in between them. He fixed his dark glare on the flareon and remarked crisply, "Keep you're tongue to yourself vixen. They send us who they send us and it's not for you to criticize."

"So what's the beast's name?" She mocked her emerald eyes daring him to do something about it. She wasn't frightened in the slightest and seemed to enjoy being spiteful.

<Reidar.> Kolya replied trying not to grind his teeth together. Ever since he could hear others he found he was much more sensitive to insults and slights. It didn't seem fair to him that others could say such things and it burned to let them, but he wasn't completely at ease with his new social status. He wasn't sure how to behave, what was the proper reaction, or when to keep his mouth shut, <And yours?>

"Jyotika, but lowlifes like you may call me Jo. You have to earn the privilege to call me by my full name."

Kolya seriously wanted to belt her across the face. The female flareon seemed much worse than Katy.

"Give it a rest Jo." Damon snapped, "Find someone else to torment with your twisted tongue. This one's off limits until he recovers, understood?"

The flareon dropped her gaze and gave a slight nod. Kolya was beginning to understand that there was a definite hierarchy here, one that was strictly obey despite the individual's personal whim or agenda.

When Damon left the room she looked up straight at him and a wicked smile crossed her lips, "Until then sweet Rei, until then. If you last that is."

With a graceful, fluid motion she was on her feet and padding off in a different direction from Damon.

Karis sighed in what sounded like relief and turned to Kolya with another cheery smile. He was beginning to think it was permanently plastered to her face. "Sorry about that. Jo doesn't like newcomers brought in. Every time one's brought in it's because one went out if you know what I mean. She just got sick of it all. She's been on the team even longer than Damon."

Kolya had no idea what she meant about one coming in and other going out, but he remained silent. There was no sense asking what he didn't care to know in the first place. He had the feeling he'd find out soon enough as it was.

"Uh, well, you're room's over here." The aquatic pokemon motioned drawing back a royal purple curtain. "Sorry, there are no doors, just curtains. And Damon can come in anytime he wants unannounced. But don't worry,� She reassured him at his startled look, "He doesn't abuse his power like some other leaders. He's really good about doing his job."

Kolya wondered about that. True, the jolteon didn’t seem the type to flaunt or abuse power. He seemed snug in his role of leader as if he had worn the mantle of command for a long while although according to Karis he hadn't. Evidently he commanded ultimate respect from his charges by the way the vaporeon spoke so well of him and how the flareon obeyed his sharp command without a comment. This was strange company he had fallen into, but he didn't realize what strange was until a sleek, slender umbreon slid out of a room.

The eon was smaller than Karis although he was obviously male. His coat looked like that of a murkrow. Silky down as black as a volcanic rock and gleaming golden rings. Blood red eyes glittered under a heavily draw brow and he gave Kolya a vague grin. The whole time he stood there he muttered something under his breath. The espeon strained to hear it, but all he could hear was unintelligible words.

"Don't bother to try and understand Tynan. Ever since he got here he hasn't spoken a real word. Just his own made up language." Karis shrugged and corrected herself with a generous smile, "Well, it could be a real language, how would we know? Anyway, he understands orders and that's all that counts right?" Her face darkened at that last sentence and he could sense her contempt.

"Sorry, I'm bothering you, aren't I?" She stammered slightly and edged away, "You should tell me when I talk too much! It's just a nervous habit I have I guess. Or that's what people tell me anyway. See? There I go again. Um, you can go to your room, but not anyone else's unless you have explicit permission. And we take meals out here in the common room. Training starts really early in the morning so I suggest you sleep now. Tomorrow's going to be tough and probably the next day. Damon's a hard taskmaster, but he keeps us alive so I'm not complaining. Oh! Okay, I'm shutting up now. Sorry."

Kolya started to stop her from leaving, but changed his mind. He didn't mind if she chatted. It meant he didn't have to speak and her stream of information had been pertinent so far. She was far more open than Damon and much more friendly than Jo. It also felt nice to hear someone talk and understand what was being said.

He sat in the common room observing Tynan. The small umbreon was wandering around seeking something. He stuck his nose to the floor at the baseboard and moved down a ways. Casting Kolya a decidedly off balance grin he pawed at a loose board. The wood gave way easily as if it had been moved many times before. Curious, Kolya crept closer. Tynan saw his expression and waved him over the whole time muttering under his breath.

"Eh?" He asked Kolya pointing to a set of keys. Grinning with a none-too vacant expression all of a sudden Kolya realized he was nowhere near as crazy as he was pretending to be. Pulling out the keys he flipped them to Kolya. The surprised espeon caught them and studied them. They seemed normal enough. He could understand why humans made locks and privately he found it to be one of the more useful ideas they employed. The question was: What did these keys open? A slightly less important question was how had Tynan, a supposedly mentally insane eon, get a hold of them. Suddenly Kolya was very, very suspicious of the dark type.

"Oken?" The dark type muttered pawing at the silver collar around him neck. His sharp ruby eyes flicked to the keys. Gently, so as not to incur a nasty shock the dark pokemon rubbed a single claw across the opening. It was a mere slit in the otherwise slick steel and Kolya couldn't understand how the bulky keys were supposed to fit.

The umbreon was watching his face avidly. Seeing the confusion he shook his head then pointed to the keys. Then he pointed to the lock and shook his head again.

<There are keys to the collars, but these aren't it?> Kolya hazarded and was rewarded with a vigorous headshake up and down.

<You know where the keys are, but you can't reach them. You need help?> Kolya continued beginning to piece things together. The umbreon seemed surprised and happy that he picked up on it so fast. Nodding enthusiastically he then pointed to Damon's room and growled.

<Damon has them?>

The dark type shook his head casting about for how to make himself clearer. He pointed to Damon's room and shook his head no. He pointed to Jo's room and sneered. He pointed to Karis' room and shivered.

Kolya thought about it for a moment then guessed, <Damon wouldn't do it because he won't risk his leadership right?> A nod of agreement. <And Jo wouldn't help you because she's…> He wasn't sure how to be tactful about Her Bitchyness. <Too selfish?> The umbreon gave a particularly vicious smile and spat in her direction making his feelings on the issue all too clear. <And Karis is too scared.> Another nod.

Kolya sat back and stared at the small, raven pokemon speculatively. There had to be more to this. Perhaps, Tynan found him an easy mark because he was new. He didn't fully understand the challenge getting the keys present. He was merely going on gestures and half-articulate sounds, which was hardly solid information. Or maybe the dark eon wanted to get Kolya in trouble and make himself look good. Then again, possibly, he simply wanted to torment the psychic to fulfill some strange quirk in his warped mind. There were far too many possibilities for Kolya to trust this venture… but if the rewards were as rich as claimed then it would be worth it ten times over. Without a collar the man and Katy would have an incredibly difficult time trying to control him. Although he was new to his evolutionary form's impressive powers he most certainly hadn't forgotten the lessons he learned as a weak colorless. Strength and power were not the same thing and most certainly not interchangeable.

Cautiously he shook his head and addressed the impatient, fluttering creature before him, <It's too risky. I need some time to think, do you understand?>

The umbreon looked briefly disappointed then melted into the shadows. A slight gleam was the only testament to his presence. Then it was gone. Kolya didn't know if he had just made an enemy by refusing to go along with a half-known plan, but he hoped not. There was enough trouble in the corridor from Jo the jaded flareon. Not to mention the issues he was having mentally. Why couldn't he remember his trainer? And now that he could hear things were so complicated. He was now expected to be polite, tactful, mannered, and oh so many other things. Well, he was expected to be those things before, but now he was aware of those heavy expectations.

Shaking his head in annoyance he padded off to explore his room.

[The Prophet]

...Tynan is cool. ^_^

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Aww....that's too bad...too bad Tynan can't talk....-_-

=( The funny symbols things are appearing again...makes it a little hard to read...

Hmmm.... Though Jo seems annoying..I like her! =P

[burakkichu]

tynan esh de coolness! ^^;; well, the whole setup is cool, really...all the different vees and their peculiarities. nice and varied. ^__^ after thinking about it tynan kinda reminds me of ed from the lion king....except not as brainless. =D but i like that quirk, that he can't really talk....or maybe just doesn't want to, lol.

man, that sucked that kolya had his name changed for him. nothing like being forced to change your name and erase your past. >__< poor guy.

more! ^^; *waits to see how the vees fight* ....especially karis. she seems too "nice" to be a butt-kicker in the field, but i figure all these vees can kick butt, otherwise they wouldn't be there, would they?

edit: oh yeah, you use microsoft word to write your fics, right? if you go under tools > options > auto correct, and then uncheck the box that says "replace as you type", that should get rid of those annoying funny characters. *hopes that's helpful*

[E_Eevee]

burakkichu: Tynan is a strange one, as y'all will find out. And, yes, Ed ^^ Not that he can remember most of his past anyway with that nasty knock on the head. Ah, yes, the fighing. We-ll, not next chapter but the one after... Hmm, my word's pretty old so it's not set up exactly as you said. But thanks for the help *huggles* and thanks for taking some time to get your butt over here and read this!

Hyperness is a Good Thing: Or maybe it's good ^^;; I know there are some people I wish couldn't talk... Jo's a b1tch to put it simply.

The Prophet: O.o uh yes. I guess you guys like him, don't you?

Dang my e-mail. For some reason I had NO idea there were replies... oh well. It wouldn't have prodded me any faster. To be honest I have been busy writing a mega CO with my friend. It involve two young women and the cast of several animes O.O yes...well, I feel so sorry for Hiko and Saitoh. And Rin -.-;;; poor lil kid...

Chapter Seven

The wake up call the next morning was far from pleasant. Kolya jumped straight up in the air and landed with a rather angry thump back down on his soft bed. Picking himself up he stalked out into the common room. Jo studiously ignored her and delicate nibbled on a rather tasty looking side of meat. Karis flashed him a cheery smile and Damon gave him a respectful nod. Tynan, off in the corner, ignored him completely.

Kolya plopped down feeling slightly dizzy. His skin was tight and the short fur was uncomfortable. He had slept well enough the night before if one considered the bunch of psychotic evolutions sleeping in the surrounding rooms.

"How'd you sleep?" Karis asked him all chipper. He ignored her for a moment and she took that as encouragement, "I slept fairly well. At least we don't have a battle today that would be depressing. It’s just training. That’s not too bad. So, Damon, what's going down today?"

Damon grunted and indulged her, "The obstacle course. You can thank Reidar for such a lax day."

Kolya had no idea what the normal training included, but he thought that an obstacle course wasn't that bad. How wrong he was.

"Pick it up slackers! You'd be dead ten times over!" Damon hollered over his shoulder. His lean, whipcord body threaded easily through the close knit, razor sharp wires. Kolya flinched as one grazed his cheek drawing blood. He was in top condition and yet he was easily three yards behind Karis.

The other four wiggled and squirmed coming out clean. Damon leapt straight up onto the high wire and balanced his way across. Below, the punishment for failing was ice cold water.

The wind nipped playfully around the struggling espeon and he wavered. Just as he had almost regained his balance Jo jumped off the other end. The wire twanged upward bucking him off. There was a brief feeling of doom before his body plunged into the deep, murky water. The water was so cold it hit him like a thousand needles of ice. It clogged his nose and mouth stinging his eyes. Futilely he padded his paws through the liquid trying to regain the surface and some badly need oxygen. Instead he felt his body plummet downward. Frantically he struggled which only seemed to make him sink faster.

Suddenly something was pushing him from below. Slowly, timelessly it seemed, he rose back. All at once reality snapped back into play. He gulped air frantically and the something shoved him towards the sloped bank. He dragged his burning muscles and shivering body onto the wet, slimy mud and sank into it gratefully.

"Are you okay?"

He coughed and retched as a reply. The mud below was noxious and he was beginning to feel light headed.

"Damon, I think he's had enough." The voice persisted and he clapped his paws over his ears to blot it out.

"No, get him up."

The closer voice sighed heavily and Kolya felt a timid nudge on his shoulder blade. A harder one followed it when he didn't respond, "You heard him. Get up. The longer you're down the harder it will be."

Kolya lifted his head and blinked with his pale blue eyes. Karis stared down with her sympathy filled purple ones. Kolya growled. He was not to be pitied!

Gather his slender legs beneath him he heaved his body up. His muscles screamed and his knees almost buckled, but they obeyed him. When Karis tried to help he shoved her away. He was going to do this. If they could do this then so could he. He wasn't a dumb brute or a tiny baby. He didn't need protecting and he sure as hell didn't need anyone's pity! He was on the receiving end of that far too much as an eevee. Now that he was evolved he expected more of himself! Others expected more. He couldn't quit.

"You think you can walk?" Karis persisted in a worried tone and he refused to acknowledge her.

"Get up here and continue." Damon said lowly, his charcoal eyes flickering over them. "Karis, next time let him sink to the bottom."

Karis trembled and uttered, "No sir."


"No? My darling, you don't say no to an order like that." Jo laughed finding the whole incident amusing. Especially since she caused it. "A chit like you takes orders and is grateful for some direction. Thinking doesn’t become you my dear."

Karis flushed deeply and padded past Kolya. She gave him a half glance from the corner of her eye then ran up the slope easily.

"Don't push." Damon warned her in a barely audible voice as she joined the group at the top. Kolya felt a new feeling. Guilt. She had risked more than her life jumping in there to haul him out. He decided right then he would sneak back out and learn to swim.

Kolya limped through the rest of the course with unshakable determination and burning drive. When the day was half way over they took a short break. He distanced himself from the others distaining food. With his stomach he decided that eating was definitely not a good idea at the time. Besides, he didn’t have much of an appetite even though he was working harder than he ever had before.

Karis purposefully avoided him instead sticking beside Damon. The coarse jolteon ignored everything but his meal, which he dug into with the ferocity of a pack of mightyena. Tynan was snoozing for once all his nervous energy spent. His legs still twitched occasionally and his ears flicked at some unknown dream.

It was Jo who invited herself over and sunk down into the short grass gracefully. She gave him one brief, serene look with her emerald eyes then closed them. A gentle smile floated smugly on her face and he felt a twinge of unease. She didn't strike him as a gentle anything. Her smile unnerved him, as was intended, he thought bitterly.

"You shouldn't be so rude to Karis." Jo said in a conversational tone. She licked one of her pads then set the paw back down exactly where it rested before.

<What do you care?> Kolya snapped not wanting to play any games. A deep rumble rose from his throat and he resisted the murderous urge to throttle the furry fire type. He turned his back to her.

"Don't be so childish." Jo chided with a glare. Her green eyes pierced through him making him not want to turn around. It was much easier to be brave when he was ignorant. He longed to go back and stop his evolution and subsequent hearing. "I won't let you hurt her that way."

His mouth almost dropped open, but instead he snapped, <So only you may torment Karis?>

She gave him a patience filled stare, "I would never dream of hurting her. She is aware that I mean nothing when I tease her. That poor child has been through more than you’ll ever conceive."

<So are you teasing me?> Kolya asked in contempt and she rose to her feet in one liquid movement. She looked down with a twisted smile and replied airily, "Not at all. I mean every word I utter to you."

Then she breezed off to where Damon was finishing his meal. Kolya fumed at the nerve of that b1tch. He shoved himself up roughly and did his best to strut over to the group. Tynan needed to be kicked awake. A service, which Damon provided with long practice.

The rest of the day was a blur and Kolya was grateful when Damon's harsh voice told them to pack up.

Kolya felt like he had been beaten with a sledgehammer all over. There wasn't a part of him that didn't throb with a sharp ache. Already he was dreading what he would feel like in the morning when all his muscles stiffened and the ache became a persistent drone.

Karis dropped back beside him. He looked at her inquiring. Why should she even want to associate with him? He wasn't polite or even pleasant to her. He simply pretended she didn’t exist. Like she was beneath his notice. True, the rest of the team performed similar feats and she still looked to them. It must be her nature he concluded.

"I'm sorry." Karis said with a hangdog expression.

He flinched. What was she saying sorry for?

"I didn't mean to…a…save you." She stuttered searching for the right words, "I mean, that is to say. I'm sure you'd have pulled yourself out. Me dragging you out by the scruff of you neck is hardly the sort of impression you want to make. No one thinks less of you for it."

<Really?> Kolya grumbled bitterly thinking of Jo. Reliving as she dainty flipped the thin line with the intent to send him plunging down into the freezing water. His face twisted up and he had to school it.

The vaporeon laughed softly, "Jo least of all. She hates water for obvious reasons."

Kolya just couldn't figure this out. Jo treated the small water pokemon like sh1t, yet was fond enough of her to warn him. In return, the water pokemon was generous enough to defend her tormentor. With a laugh no less! She also seemed to admire Damon and he was incredibly indulgent with her. Even Tynan looked on her favorably. Or as favorably as a psychotic dark type could be. Then why did she bother him so much?

Author's note: I really shouldn't be allowed to read RK fics, but since CN cut it back to once a week I needed to fill in the gaps *rolls eyes* anyway, medium sized chapter. Tynan features in the next one so you guys should like that. Also, if you do a careful count you'll find one vee is missing...

As B. pointed out, language. Fixed that.

[The Prophet]

Yay! ^_^

Anyway, interesting chapter. The only Eeveelution I don't like as of now is Jo. She's a *****.

[burakkichu]

you're welcome. ^^ aw, what happened to the barely-censored language? lol. ^__^;; whole words replaced with asterisks now instead of just one letter. umbys are always popular....tho i also like Karis a lot. but that's prolly b/c i like vappies too. the only other vee i can think of that's missing is just the plain normal vee. no thanks to r/s not making any new ones, lol.

[ChaosPocketed]

Nice fic.

Really, Kolya is an interesting case. This is one of those addictive fics...once it gets you, you're in for the long haul.

Latest chapter is good, I can tell it is going to get darker from here. I want to know more about all the eons. They all have their own appealing personalities...except, probably, Jo.

As for those annoying symbols. Whatever writing program you're using is making your apostrophes and '...'s into it's own little symbols...so when you put them in the TPM post it doesn't understand that symbol.

What you're gonna have to do is just change all your apostrophes and junk manually when you transfer it into the post.

Me likes.

[Doomykins]

Bwee, all the eon's are inresting. I really don't like Jo, she's a wretch. And yes, I did notice that one was missing. There are two from the beginig still missing....hmm?

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

Hmmm....

^_^ Sad to say...*grins evilly* I actually like Jo now! *backs away from all the stares* Umm... I do! She showed some compassion, not much, but I like her! =P

But Damon's still my unchallenged fav...*has a thing for Jolteons*

There's a missing eeveelution? *thinks* I think there is but I can't remember!!! *cries* -_- I'm sorry.

=P I forgot momentarily that Kolya's new name was Reidar..
:-: I got confused.

Hmm....I wonder what is Karis's past...you'll be telling us right? *big puppy eyes*

[E_Eevee]

The Prophet: Yes, she is. LOL. Nothing more to say about that ^^

burakkichu: See, see? I got it out! Just like I promised. Yay, me. And it's afternoon not two in the morning. Yeah, stupid R/S *goes back to playing silver where she has 100 or so eevee/evos*

ChaosPocketed: Thank you for replying! And it's going to be a LONG haul So buckle down. Darker, yes. Tell me if I mess up, I haven't really written anything dark before.

Doomykins: you'll see.

Hyperness is a Good Thing: *laughs* Well, if Tracy(pokemon) and Tristan (Yugi-oh) have fans Jo can too ^^ Me too. Love the jolts. Hmm, I don't have any plans about telling pasts, but I'll get to it, promise.

I am SO sorry for such a long delay. I went on a surprise trip to Kearney, NE *rolls eyes* I don't want to live to 96 and be in a nursing home! But on the flip side, I hand wrote out this chapter for a lack of anything better to do (besides writing on my other story). Hope it's long enough for y'all.

Chapter Eight

Kolya didn't know who exactly would rise shining, but Karis insisted on shouting out that particular greeting each morning to the other eons. She delighted in it he suspected. A born morning person. Except today she seemed anxious, not nearly so cheerful as usual.

After two strict weeks of training during the day and teaching himself to swim at night Kolya's body was in the best shape of his short life. His fur had grown into short, spiky fuzz that he assumed would grow out given time. His burns and scabs had faded leaving nothing but shocking white scars. His coat covered these nicely despite the mottled look it took on. The fur was a tad darker than a normal espeon, but the part that looked anything but normal was the dark splotches that spattered it. His muscles had hardened and the little fat he had once possessed had melted away completely leaving a lean, whipcord body. His eyes remained as pale as ever.

As they dragged themselves out of their respective rooms and gathered at the low table Damon peered at each judgmentally. His sharp gaze lingered longest on Kolya.

"I hope everyone is prepped. This will be our first battle in a long while. Reidar afforded us a break of sorts, but now it is time to get serious. Your concentration and effort make the difference between winning and losing." He lowered his voice glancing around with sharp ebony eyes, "Between life and death."

There was a tangible silence as they looked anywhere but at each other.

"Well, who are we battling this time?" Karis asked bravely breaking the silence with a forced cheerful voice. Her purple eyes were filled with worry, but it was something she was determined not to reveal. At least not in her voice.

"The Ryker Team." Damon replied carefully and Kolya noticed there was a distinct lack of recognition among the group. So they were going in blind. "Mostly canine type from what I’ve heard. That means fire and dark. Good for Karis, bad for Kolya. However, I assume that they have a strategy to combat their fire heavy weakness. Their leader is a mightyena."

"Sounds like such fun." Jo said carelessly and rolled her large, green eyes in mock fear, "So what's our counter? We obviously have the advantage. None of us are weak against fire. Only Junior is weak against dark. We have a good thing going, right?"

"Flennch." Tynan proclaimed baring his teeth in a savage smile. Damon jerked his head around and snarled at the dark type, "You will do no such thing! Keep this clean Tynan, I’m warning you right now. We don't need any blemishes on our record."

Kolya started at them wondering what in the world they were talking about. From what he had observed the umbreon acted unstable. Whether or not he really was could be debated. To Kolya the key invite still lingered in his mind, tempting, teasing. The water seemed to be still, but he wasn't taken. Not until he knew for sure where exactly Tynan's plans lay.

"Never mind." Karis commented lightly, waving the conversation off, "This is Reidar's first battle. I just wish it were type advantage for him."

"He'll live. Or not. The boy doesn't need a wet nurse." Jo shrugged moodily and Kolya nodded stiffly acknowledging, but not liking her phrasing, her point.

He actually was looking forward to a battle. He could test his new skills and evolution. Yet the dull anticipation that the others faced the upcoming battle with was unnerving. Why were they so dreary? They were going out to do what all pokemon did, weren't they? Even pokemon in the wild battled.

"Attention: Report to Shipping. I repeat, report to Shipping." A dull, monotone voice instructed over the P.A. system.

Damon jumped to his feet suddenly a buddle of explosive energy. He stalked out of the room with Karis at his heels. She seemed too quiet, withdrawn. Jo gave a nonchalant yawn and rose gracefully to her feet. Tynan rambled around to Kolya's side favoring the larger psychic type with a wide smile.

Shipping turned out to be a large, busy room. The eons were herded into individual crates that strongly reminded Kolya of his own experience with metal boxes. It took ten men and their pokemon to get him in there even with his collar. In the end Karis' reassurance and Damon's contempt got him to settle down into a watchful crouch.

The stadium was only about a fifteen-minute drive. The bottom of the cage was covered with a rubber pad so Kolya didn't slide around as the truck hit a curve a little too violent.

Offloading wasn't much of a fuss. Two men grabbed each side of his crate and hoisted him down. Then his crate was moved to the designated place. He could barely see the crowds of people wandering in a massive thong through his steel prison. Smells assaulted his nose violently and he fought the urge to sneeze.

Once inside a dark room the handlers faded away only pausing to loosen the doors. Kolya cautiously stepped out feeling the cold ground gingerly. Thin, pathetic beams of morning sunlight filtered through the slits of a door. He assumed that led to the stadium. Behind them was another door. Firmly shut and barred.

"Okay people, listen up." Damon snapped. He was practically vibrating with penned up energy and sparks were flying off his spiky body. Kolya assumed this was as closed to loosing his cold as the electric type ever came. Even in such a state his voice was cool and collected, "Karis, you have the advantage out there. Stick closed to Kolya. This is his first battle. He has no f*cking clue what sort of sh*t he's really landed in."

Kolya opened his mouth to protest angrily that he wasn't an inexperienced pup who needed coddling. Then he stopped having sense enough to realize that the hard edge to their leader's voice threatened pain and brooked no argument.

Damon continued with a flash in his eyes that seemed to say he saw Kolya's brief mutiny and there would be serious payback later. The espeon suppressed a cold shiver.

"Jo, you and Tynan team up this time. Watch each other's back."

"What about you Damon." Karis asked in a hushed voice. Her ear frills were twitching and her nose crinkled up. She had, during Damon's instructions, slid over next to Kolya. Now he could feel her fin tail flipping slightly behind them.

"Yes Damon. That leaves you alone with no one to watch your back." Jo seconded like an eerie echo. For an instant her cold, jaded b1tch mask slipped leaving a normal pokemon worried for her friend. She stared at the jolteon anxiously, waiting for his answer.

"I will rely on my speed. I doubt it will matter much anyway. Dogs are pack beasts. They will hopefully attack according to their nature. In a group." Damon replied ignoring their anxiety completely. Not the most encouraging leader, Kolya reflected.

"We could do a trio…" Karis ventured, but her sentence died on her lips as he aimed a glare at her.

"Follow orders."

She meekly bowed her head, but said nothing.

Then the gate started to crank upward flooding the small room with bright sunlight.

Kolya stared out with his mouth clasped in a grim line. This was unlike any stadium he had ever seen. There was no solid concrete with reassuring lines marking boundaries. There were no trainer boxes only a solid ring of soft sand pressed flat. To one side there was a tall cluster of man made rocks and to the other was a good sized pool of crystal clear water. Nothing green or natural blemished the man-made spender.

"Impressive, eh? It's based on the ancient Roman Coliseums. See, the crowd used to sit up there and cheer. Well, they still do, but behind protective barriers. Anyway, they had the power over the poor gladiators. If one didn't fight well enough they booed and the poor human was put to death. Now it's a bit more civilized." Jo's voice struck a wry note when she got to the last sentence. She almost seemed gleefully morbid about relating this to him; "Instead of humans they use worthless pokemon and bet on the outcome. Prime entertainment."

Karis raked her up and down with a glare so unlike the mild little water pokemon. She hissed, "Shut up."

The flareon flashed a mischievous smile full of teeth before moving over next to Tynan. The umbreon was chattering with his ruby eyes locked on the opposing team. His glossy hide stood out against the bone white sand.

Kolya followed his gaze to the other team. They were strutting confident with tails held high. The mightyena stood motionless with only his dark amber eyes looking them over coldly. Flanking him on either side was an arcanine and a houndoom. Both were still as statues awaiting the signal to begin. Off to the side was a small vulpix. The fox was idly staring at the sand in a bored fashion.

It didn't add up for Kolya. Why were they so cocky? But before he could puzzle it out the battle was joined at the sound of a harsh clang.

Karis surged forward making a beeline for the weakest to her element. The arcanine. Kolya leaped after her getting over his moment's shock that she could move so fast.

The lithe little vaporeon slipped easily under the huge firedog's guard. She shot four-inch long ice darts at his chest. Unfortunately, the thick fur that fringed his legs and chest broke the tips rendering the darts useless.

The massive creature twisted around with unnatural grace and brought his savage jaws down on a puff of dust where Karis had been just a moment before. His paw whipped out tripping her by lucky accident. She recovered and sidestepped. Instead of dancing around him she leapt upward and poured a torrent of cold water down on the best. He sizzled and howled in pain, but positioned himself to catch her as she fell. Gravity was taking place and she had no choice but to plummet straight. There was nothing to push off of to change course.

"Reidar, behind you!" She yelped with panicked violet eyes.

He whirled just in time to see the houndoom closing in on him. The dark creature pounced latching her powerful jaws on his shoulder. She sawed through muscle towards his shoulder blade with a grating sound. A burning pain raced through the small psychic's system. Her teeth rendering his flesh were a dull pain in comparison to the dark poison spreading all over his body.

He knew he was in serious trouble, but for some unexplainable reason he was more worried about Karis. The giant firedog could easily break her spine with one snap of his great jaws.

Twisting around he suddenly went limp. Unfortunately it didn't put the creature holding him off balance as he had hoped. Instead she started to violently shake his smaller form like a terrier with a rat. Pain ripped through him, but he used the motion to plant his blunt claws on his two back legs on her face just above the eye. Every time she swung him his claws ripped closer to blinding her.

While he tore with his back legs he tried to get his front paws into the action. He couldn't use his powers because she was immune. It all came down to the tricks he learned as an eevee and his endurance.

He could feel darkness creeping through his system and his vision was blurring, but he clung stubbornly hoping.

Then all at once he was free. Hitting the soft, sun warmed sand he struggled up. Karis stared at him in shock. There was no evidence that she had been chomped for which he was grateful. Behind her lay the soggy ashes that had just been a living, breathing pokemon. Only the bone plates and horns remained.

"Your shoulder." She whispered gently rubbing a paw across it. He flinched. Curious, he turned to look and belatedly realized that his balance was off. Turning in such a fashion wasn't a good idea. He tumbled end over end and she rushed over to him, "You need treatment. I just hope that the darkness doesn't spread through out your system. Oh, Katy will have a field day with you."

Somehow that didn't sound promising.

He tried to get up and she shoved him back down gentle with a blood-spattered paw. He tried again with the same result. As he levered his uninjured side to prop himself up he found she had had enough. The next shove was far from gentle and he sucked air through his teeth.

Her eyes blazed and she snapped in a tone she must have learned from Damon. The kind of tone that undressed and whipped the offender all in one go.

"Stay down you idiot. My God, do you want to kill yourself? The battle is in our favor and your help isn't required. If you recall, we were doing this long before you joined us."

She settled back satisfied at making her point and he fumed. Her eyes darted back and forth following the battle, but he was sure that if he tried to get up again she would smash him down. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. In fact, it pissed him off to be so helpless.

<You go then?> He hated to speak so simple, however, the pain was fuzzing his mind making it difficult to form thoughts let alone speak in sentences.

"No need. We have this in the bag. Damon just cornered that sneaky little vulpix and the other two are fighting with the mightyena." Karis replied with a bit of Jo creeping into her tone. Kolya thought to himself that she was much difference once in a battle. Her confidence seemed to embrace her completely.

Kolya stared at the side of the wall fighting his body and the darkness. A small flicker of motion caught his eye and he slid around for a better glimpse. He thought Karis had said that the whole team was accounted for. Unless, of course, there was one more that no one knew about? An ace in the hole perhaps? It would explain the Ryker Team's confidence.

<Karis…?> Kolya whispered. Her violet eyes remained lock on the battle. He wasn't sure if she couldn't hear his weak voice or if after, so successfully flatting him she was ignoring him.

The assassin pokemon slid forward again and Kolya struggled to get up. This brought Karis' attention thundering down on his head, but he managed to crawl out of reach.

"What is with you?" She cried in frustration as he growled at the shadow.

He could hardly stand, let alone fight, but this was important. The fur on his back prickled with foreboding and resisted a shudder. Whatever was slinking around was powerful.

<Shadows…>

"What?" She turned and the creature struck. With one fluid motion the beast slammed into Kolya knocking him aside and pounced on a surprised Karis. She was stunned for a moment, then started thrashing.

Kolya growled and tried to focus his psychic power. He had gotten much better at it over the last two weeks, but he couldn't grip it with his weak mind.

He was about to bodily throw himself on the beast when a dark flash shot by him with an insane cackle.

"Kiiiiish!" Tynan bellowed sinking his fangs in the beast's hind leg. The yellow monster slashed at him abandoning the unconscious Karis. Tynan endured the clotting and worked his jaw through the hamstring.

The beast tossed a thunderbolt at the umbreon knocking him off. He tumbled before bouncing up like some big coach roach. An eerie blue glow started to surround him and he howled chillingly.

"Tynan, no!" Damon thundered, but it was too late.

Suddenly Jo was next to Kolya. She had dragged Karis over. With a heavy paw he smacked Kolya over the back of the head.

"Get down you stupid pup!" She hissed with true terror dancing in her eyes. She covered Karis with her furry body and buried her face in her paws. Her long tail was wrapped tightly across her hunched body.

Kolya did his best to not collapse on her and did his best to also cover the stray bits of Karis that stuck out. Whatever was happening it had Jo scared silly.

The wind started to howl and whirl violently around Tynan. The umbreon had on a parody of a smile and his ruby eyes no longer had any pupils. His rings glowed strangely and with one final throat torn howl he launched his attack.

The razor bits of energy were like a cloud as they hit flesh there was a sickening ripping sound. Each of the hundreds of tiny air razors tore through the fur, skin, and bone of the unfortunate raiko. He was flayed alive in mere moments. Surprisingly there was little blood and when the wind died back down the monstrous legendary was nothing more than a pile of butchered meat.

"I think I'm going to hurl." Jo whimpered and rolled off, "I f*cking hate it when he does that."

Author's note: Woo-hoo, Kolya got one hell of a wake up call, ne? Karis isn't so meek and mild as she pretends to be. Actually, I realized that her character was veering a little to close to some female anime characters *whistles innocently**'accidently' shoves Kagome, Kaoru, and Keiko off a cliff* If she was like them then I would cease liking her and we couldn't have that ^^ I'm supposed to love all my characers . Also, for the purpose of the story, there are more than one of each legendries.

Edit: Oh, and this slipped my mind until I went for my walk. I was snooping thru graveyards in NE and I saw a headstone with Tynan on it O.o What a wonderful last name to have: darkness. I also saw this actress' name, Karis. Odd huh.

[The Prophet]

Oooh! So the Eeveelutions are in a sort of gladiatorial team type thing? Cool!

And Tynan was REALLY cool in this chapter. Just what did he do there at the end?

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

O.O Great chapter, and lovely fight sequences...

Oh, so that's what the Pokemon do, they don't seem to have a trainer do they?

That was a niiiiice fight.. Yeah, but now, sorry to say, Karis seems more like Kaoru than ever... *sweatdrop*

[burakkichu]

woohoo, Karis can fight! well, i knew she prolly could, being on that team and all. *agrees with Hyperness* yesh, that was a good fight. *has no idea who Kagome, Kaoru, Keiko are* ^^;; poor nearly-ripped-apart Kolya, but, oh well, Damon tried to warn him. ^__^ and wow, tynan's last attack was nice. *is reminded of the shooting up of the building in the first ep of trigun, for some reason* ^^;; i really enjoyed this chap....the writing was kinda stronger and more forceful, in a way. i guess it'd have to be, for a fight. ^^