FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

PART: ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY EIGHT.

U nlike most of the other buildings on the vast bridge like city, the gym seemed almost adamant in refusing to adhere to the same aesthetics. It puzzled Jack that the gym would resemble a half buried pokéball, especially given how the club he had joined all most a full week ago seemed to prefer to remain under the pokémon leagues notice. Though with that said an official gym would need to be sanctioned by the league so it made a measure of sense to be hide in plain sight, especially if an organisation as inter-regionally powerful as the league and its parent the pokémon corporation were looking for you but even so, he still felt dome like building seemed a bit on the excessive side.

With a grunt he leaned heavily on his walking stick as he hobbled forwards a few steps before coming to a stop as a few more people further on down the line, entered the gym. All around large screens had been erected on scaffolding with multi coloured bunting flags ran between them, every now’n’then Jack would spot the occasional balloon floating up into the air, where some unfortunate child had failed to hold onto the string or become too distracted, to realise they may have let go.

The close he got the more he could make out the stalls that had been set up, the smells of freshly baked pastries along with other delicious smelling delectables filled the air as the sounds of the near by brass band played loudly. It had an old rustic village vibe going on that further exacerbated the gym external appearance, moving forwards again he spotted his team moving about the stalls with wide excited eyes. He smiled at this sight, even though it had been their choice to do so, he felt bad about them being stuck with him in the hotel room with him. Eventually as he drew close to the entrance, he could see a table had been set where those in front filled out a few forms, after which they would receive a cheap tin looking participation medal, in the shape of a pokéball.

“Blaziken…Ken…Zi”

[Okay time to fight]

Blaze bellowed to the rest of the group, almost immediately he was surrounded by his dear pokémon, approaching the arch door way resembling half of a pokéballs activation button. Jack could see a Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny, both smiling their best smiles to every one present.

“Hello, could I have your name and the two pokémon you will be using, please?”

Joy asked sweetly, Blaze instantly strode forwards with her shoulders flung back and avian head held high, Lucy though clenched his hand nervously.

“It’s okay, Lucy, if you don’t feel up to it then we can have Bunny or Oni step in”

Jack spoke to the Lucario.

“Bla…Zi…Ken…Blaziken…Blaziken…Zi…Ken…Blaze…Zi…Ken…Ken…Blaziken”

[He speaks truly, while in body you have recovered, in spirit you are still healing]

Blaze clucked turning to rub between Lucy’s ears in the way the jackal pokémon loved so very much, Bunny stepped forwards to lick Lucy’s cheek in a show of solidarity.

“Weavile…Vile…Wea…Vile…Weavile…Weav…Weavile”

[None of us will think any less of you, but speak up now]

Came Oni’s, her tone as icy as her gaze but the meaning behind her words filled with concern.

“Lucario…Luca…Rio…Lucario!”

[I can do it, NO…I Need to do this!]

Lucy announced forcing her self to let her trainers hand go and taking several steps forwards until she was side by side with Blaze.

“What happened to her spikes?”

Jenny asked only to get elbowed sharply in the ribs by Joy.

“Former trainer, the name’s jack thornten, I’ll be entering a blaziken and a lucario”

Jack replied giving as basic an explanation as possible, Joy gave an apologetic expression as she wrote down his name.

“Please sign here, it’s to confirm you understand the rules of today's event”

She noted for the possibly umpteenth time that day, taking the proffered pen he paused before signing.

“Is it all right for my other pokémon to watch?”

He asked, Joy gave a small though endearing laugh as she answered his query.

“They will need to watch from the stands, but other than that I don’t see a problem with that.”

Hearing her words he felt satisfied with her answer and signed his name, the moment he did so he was handed what to him was a tacky mass-produced item to make folks feel-good about having taken part. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly before striding forwards the doors sliding apart automatically as he did so. The thrill of entering a pokémon battle even a friendly match, welled up from deep within him, the sense of trepidation accompanied by excitement was quite the intoxicating cocktail. It was a sensation that both urged him to push on forwards as it also filled him with the sudden desire to just turn around and give up. Looking into the faces of his pokémon; his friends nay far more than that; his family. Any doubt he had evaporated on the spot, he could feel renewed surge of energy start to flow through him filling him with all the confidence he needed to not only step onto that arena but to win.

“We…Avile…Weavile…Vile…We…Weavile”

[There he is, the human that I cherish so much]

Oni muttered quietly admiring the determination in her cherished humans’ eyes, she had been concerned his fire was extinguished during his carnal battle with the siblings, she was only disappointed that she would not get to fight by his side. Stepping though into a vast cavernous chamber, bright spot lights shone down from rigging so high up it was impossible to for Jack to see, just trying caused his neck to ache. The circular ground space was taken up with yet more stalls around the outer area, around the battle pitch multi-tiered seating had been set up. To Jack it appeared more akin to some kind of circus than what he had seen on Ahsoka’s laptop, still it was still do to knock the rust off his trainer skills.

“Okay Toph, I can’t take you onto the pitch with me, so you need to go with the others”

He mused bringing the Espeon out of her pokéball, he could see the indignant glare in her eyes only to pout as Bunny none ceremoniously grasped her by the scruff and picked her up.

“Lop…Punny”

[Let’s go lazy bitch]

The rabbit pokémon grunted, the shocked look on Toph’s features as she was thrown over the lopunny’s shoulder was priceless. With only Lucy and Blaze now by his side he looked around for where he should be going, there where no clear signs that he could see to indicate.

“Blaziken!”

[Over there!]

Blaze clucked pointing towards a barely visible queue of trainers, some with their pokémon out, others still holding a couple of pokéballs firmly. Flashing her a grateful smile he started to make his way over only to be picked up by the fiery chickens’ talons.

“Blaiken…Ken…Blazi…Blaze…Ken…Blaziken!”

[You will not appear weak before the compition!]

She announced in complete matter of fact tone, her bad habit showing itself again as a sure sign how much she needed a good fight. With long purposeful strides Blaze carried him like some fairy tale princess, in the arms of a prince charming with Lucy rushing to keep up behind them.

“Luc…Cario…Lucario…Rio…Lu…Car…Rio…Lucario?”

[Don’t you think this makes him look even more weaker?]

Lucy called out.

“Blaziken…Blazi…Ken…Ziken…Blaziken…Bla…Zi…Ken…Blaziken!”

[Nonsense, what could be weak about being carried into battle by the strong!]

The fire bird stubbornly snorted, Jack mean time was blushing brightly as he felt the eyes of the everyone upon him as he was carted about in such a manner. His embarrassment did not end there as she continued to carry him despite having taken a place at the back of the queue.