A New Way to Fight

Just a little bit of pain.

The Morning was cold with the dew laying over Jacks fur. Jack opened his eyes looking across the clearing at the two girls who were still out. He smiled at sisterly bond the two seemed to share. Jack stood up using the tree as a brace. He proceeded to pop his back in several places, as well giving his body a good shake to get the morning dew off of his fur. The sun wasn’t over the mountain yet. He estimated about 6 to 7 am. There was enough light to start the day the morning was quiet serene and peaceful. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Correction it was peaceful.  Jack acted immediately. He spun around to source, only to take a powerful wild charge just below the belt. ‘Somewhere a divine entity hates me.’

Arceus, his children, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight all got goose bumps at that exact moment.

Jack keeled over on top of the currently freaking out jolteon. Having its view suddenly obscured and a hefty weight weighing down in the Jolteon Screamed again followed by a thunder bolt. Aurora and Freya were now wide awake and staring at the keeled over pangoro and the exhausted jolteon. And before they could get any closer the jolteon fainted on the spot still underneath the pangoro. Aurora turned to Freya “Good morning.”

The two remained unconscious for only a few minutes. Milla felt heavy and sluggish like she couldn’t move at all. She then realized some big and warm was pressing down on her. It was comfortable to the point she almost wanted to go back to sleep. But she soon remembered she was running for her life not too long ago and forced her eyes open. Before her was something she couldn’t make out. She rubber her eyes blinking trying to get a good picture of what was before her. She stared at it, her face turned scarlet upon realizing what it was and she promptly freaked out again. “NOOOOOO” She screamed this time releasing pin missile, in every direction. Jack felt it immediately.

“AH!!” he exclaimed jumping up off the Jolteon and landing off to side. Aurora and Freya just watched with amusement.

“PERVERT!!!” The jolteon exclaimed waving a paw in Jacks general direction. Jack sat up shaking his head.

“Excuse me? I’m not the one wild charging people’s dicks.” Jack proceeded to pull out the needles they weren’t in far and didn’t actually.

The Jolteon huffed, looking off to the side. “That was an accident, and that doesn’t give you the right to shove that THING IN MY FACE!” the jolteon’s face was a dark dink at the memory.

“You. Wild. Charged. My. DICK!” Jack deadpanned “and proceeded to wake me up by spraying needles at me, so I officially don’t care about any inconvenience you suffered!”

The Jolteon was about reply when she heard the familiar stomping coming from the brush she exited. All heads turned and watched. Three very disgruntled fighting type Pokémon came running into the clearing stopping at the scene. In the center was a hitmonchan and to its left and right was a machamp and a hitmonlee. “Arceus damned, the bitch would be in league a dark type.” The machamp quipped in disgust.

Jack raised an eyebrow at the three of them then looked back to the jolteon. “Your boyfriends?” he asked. She just gave him an annoyed look.

Jack sighed “Look I’m sure the little nutcracker is sorry for whatever she did.”

Before she could even comment on her nick name the machamp again shouted angrily “That bitch stole our food!”

Jack looked down to the Jolteon with a raised eyebrow “you’re pregnant?”

“OF ALL TH-“she started to yell but was cut off again this time by the hitmonchan.

“ENOUGH!” all eyes turned to the hitmonchan. He let out a sigh before continuing with a soft and overly friendly tone that made Jack’s stomach turn. “Look we don’t have to do this dark type. Just hand over the jolteon.” He looked at the four Pokémon in front of him. “Just look at your allies, two are obviously weak aside and we have the type advantage on yourself and the aurorus, no matter how you look at it this scuffle will result in you getting very badly beaten.”

Milla for her part was getting ready flee as a trainer she knew type match ups were no joke. Not seeing any hope that the pangoro wouldn’t turn her in she began to back away. That is until he did just the opposite.

Jack took a step in front of the jolteon and stared down the three of them “I won’t stand aside until I know the full story.” He then turned to the jolteon who began to sweat with all the attention on her.

“I…I…”she started trying to think of something that might get her out of her dire predicament. When nothing came she broke down to tears placing her head on the ground and hid her face with her paws. And started wailing “IWOKEUPYESTERDAYASAJOLTEONGOTLOSTTHROUGHTHEFORESTGOTCHASEDBYGHOSTANDBUGSANDOTHERTHINGSITHINKWEREBUGSANDIWASSOOOOO HUNGRY….I..AND..IM..SOOOOOO...SORRY!!!” She sobbed out the last bit in between breaths and tears.

Everything was quiet Jack turned back to the other three. “Well there you have it she was desperate and frantic. So will you cut her some slack?”

The three Pokémon shook their heads to get their train of thought back. The hitmonchan spoke up with an a sadistic smirk as he began “Ordinarily one meal wouldn’t be a problem, however she ate all the food we collected which was supposed to last us a week.” He stared down the group “This is a matter that cannot be settled by words I’m afraid, she has stolen our food and as such she must be beaten.”

The Jolteon paled in horror at what might turn out to be her fate. She began back away only to bump into Aurora who had moved to stand next to them. The Jolteon’s color immediately returned as she recognized the aurorus. “AURORA!!!” she jumped up onto her hind paws and hugged her leg as Freya came into view as well. “and Freya too!!!” she beamed completely forgetting about her current situation.

The leafeon and aurorus tilted their heads in confusion. “Do we know you?” Asked Aurora staring intently.

What that returned receded again “I… it’s me Milla I hatched you from an egg and Freya I found as an eevee when she fell into my bag trying to steal treats.” She pleaded hope in her eyes that her friends would recognize her. Freya suddenly ran forward tackling Milla to the ground nuzzling her,

“You are Milla oh I’ve missed you sooo much”

Aurora just looked down with a cold expression “She could have gotten that information from a psychic type so we can’t be sure. I say we put her on Ice till we can figure it out.”

Milla paled again looking fearful at her friend. “It… it’s me please ask me anything, ill prove it I swear!” she was already holding Aurora’s leg begging with teary eyes. Until an evil grin plastered it’s self onto her face. Milla paused her groveling “YOU…EVIL…SADIST.” She yelled playfully hitting Aurora in the leg before hugging it again. “Oh I love you.” Aurora smiled and nuzzled her trainer.

Jack and the other three Pokémon watched the display. “I miss Gleas.” he mutter before turning back to the other three. “Well there you have it and knowing what you’re planning it wouldn't sit right for me to watch you beat the poor thing senseless. So if you’re inclined to leave peacefully then that would be nice.” Jack proceeded to crack his neck. “But if you insist on fighting I’ll be happy to oblige.”

Milla immediately ran to his side “You can’t be serious there all fighting types you don’t stand a chance.” She said worryingly.

Jack sighed and looked down at her “Then would you rather fight and most likely die?”

Once again she paled before simply responding “no.” Jack stared at her a few more seconds before the hitmonchan caught his attention again.

“I swear I don’t know why a dark type would protect the bitch but it doesn’t matter.” He motioned to the hitmonlee “Take him out.”

The hitmonlee rushed forward, “Double kick” the hitmonlee shot his leg up and began kicking continuously at Jack. He however saw it coming and side stepped grabbing the Pokémon’s arm. Jack slung the kicking Pokémon into the closest and thickest three he could find. The momentum imbedded the Pokémon in the tree just before falling down and staring at the sky with swirling eyes.

“You damned dark type I don’t know what underhanded move that was but you’re going to regret it” the machamp screamed while charging forward.

Jack fumed “it’s called martial arts you muscle bound moron.” That he ducked uncessarily low and kicked the machamp in the stomach.

“WHAT’S PAINT HAVE TO DO WITH THIS.” The machamp bellowed shrugging off the kick and charging again. Jack continued to parry dodge and counter each and every move the machamp could dish out.

Milla looked to her Pokémon then back the in suing battle. “Uh shouldn’t we help him?” she asked watching the display.

Aurora watched the battle as Jack dodged the four armed menace and kneed him the gut. “Uh no if his story from last night is true I don’t think he’ll need it.”

Jack brought his arm down to the back of machamp’s head as he did he noticed the glow of his arm. And he realized he was using hammer arm. Before he could use his next move he saw the hitmonchan charge him trying to catch him off guard. Unfortunately for the hitmonchan, Jack was used to fighting multiple opponents. And as such jumped up and kicked the Pokémon in the face, sending him back several feet.

Milla sat with Aurora and Freya watching the conflict from a safe distance “So where’d you pick this guy up anyway?” She asked the ice type.

Aurora pondered it for a moment. “I think he more picked us up. He was there when I woke up fighting off ponyta… no I think ponies was what he called them last night.”

“Ponies?” Milla raised an eyebrow.

“Yes well ill just tell what happened. upon waking up I saw him there staring down the.. ‘ponies’ and after an attempt to escape he chose to fight them head on. Giving me time to escape with Freya, who was still out at the time.” She looked over at the battle marveling the pangoro’s fighting style. “I felt indebted to him. So we waited in this clearing soon Freya woke and I told her what I knew. In the afternoon he met us here explained what had happened with the ponies and introduced himself as Jack Law a martial artist/bounty hunter.” This peeked Milla’s attention.

“Martial artist… Bounty Hunter?” Milla was confused she had met some martial artists before but they didn’t the same air about them that Jack had. “How do you go from martial artist to bounty hunter?” Milla asked before noticing the tundra Pokémon’s gaze. She was looking longingly in the distance at the continued fight which was now coming to a close as Jack had just knocked out the machamp… using the hitmonlee as a club. Milla turned back to the spacing Pokémon “Are… crushing on him?” She asked with a smirk.

Aurora looked down at Milla and then back to Jack before answering “huh I suppose I am.”

Milla’s smirk left with a sigh “you’re no fun to tease.”

“So did you get a good look at his penis?” Aurora asked as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Milla returned to her cherry color “I…YOU…NO!!!!! JUST NO!!!” she screamed frantically.

“I…don’t…get it” the Hitmonchan said huffing after each word “You’re a dark type this should be easy why are doing so much damage to me and why can’t I read any of your moves?” he asked Jack frustratingly. Jack merely let the Pokémon continue to jump around boxer style studying his movements.

Jack stayed in a combat stance “Well to answer you’re first question it’s cuz I haven’t used any dark type moves on you or fighting for that matter. You see the problem with Pokémon” Jack continued while dodging each punch. “Is that you fall back on basic moves making anything you do predictable and downright sloppy also easy to counter.” Jack got his point across by hitting the Pokémon’s fist downward and slamming his face with a palm strike. Once again knocking the Pokémon down.

The hitmonchan groaned “Enough we concede you can take her.”

Jack watched was as the hitmonchan dragged his comrades away. Jack sighed and walked back over to the group. He looked at the group before sitting down. Milla was rolling around with Freya and Aurora was watching with a bored look. Jack let out a sigh and sat back down against his tree. His stomach let the group know of his presence.

Milla laughed “I guess you’re hungry too.” She gathered some of the berries that Freya had gathered the day before and brought them over.

“Thanks, nutcracker.” He said with a sly smile as he began to eat.

“HEY!! My names Milla” she huffed before sighing. “Thank you for saving me and helping me get reunited with my team they told me what you did for them. It was…very brave.”

Jack smiled “well I wasn’t about to let them be turned into decorations. And as for the save, well that’s just something I do. Oh and ur stuck with nutcracker by the way.”

“Ugh…” she sighed resigning to her fate as the nutcracker.

Jack reached out his hand “Jack Law, Martial artist and part time bounty hunter, pleasure to meet you.”

Milla smiled putting her paw in his fuzzy hand “Milla Reich top coordinator and future ranger.”

Jack released her paw “Future ranger huh? Honorable work but a bit too black and white for my tastes.”

Milla smirked “Oh and the ‘Martial Artist’ is such a colorful and prosperous endeavor?”

Jack rolled his eyes “Like I haven’t heard that before.” his tone was sour and dismissive.

Milla caught on to this and realized she hit a nerve. This peeked her curiosity. “Say why did you become a martial artist not to be rude but they don’t make that much considering the low popularity.”

Jack smiled warmly “It’s a long story” he looked off into the distance.

“I ain’t going nowhere” she smirked.

Jack looked back at her “well it started with my father…”

My father was in charge of the Veilstrom city gym before my sister Maylene took over. As you may know the gym focuses on fighting types, and as such we had a strict code of always going through the same training as our Pokémon. I know this isn’t uncommon but it’s were the spark started. I’d always sit and watch the fighting types go at it mostly out of boredom, I’d watch my family get fired up over the sparing matches. Somehow it just didn’t excite me like it did them. At some point they noticed my indifference and it unanimous that I go on my own Pokémon journey when I went to choose my first Pokémon I decided I wanted to get away from fighting types so chose turtwig whom I aptly named Honu. Needless to say my family didn’t approve, but I think they understood.

As I went on my journey we fought countless battles won almost all of them. And they all felt empty somewhere I had starting thinking that the battles were my Pokémon’s victory not mine. And to make matters worse I had started noticing how trainers behave using their Pokémon as shields for their own ego. It felt wrong using Pokémon to settle their own vendettas. I thought it pathetic and weak.

From the time started my journey I kept my families custom of training alongside my Pokémon and as my mind continued to twist for the ‘norm’ I soon began feeling the need to test my own strength and reflexes with my Pokémon. I trained and trained until I was battered at the end of each day sharping myself. And soon my point of realization came.

It was when I was in the Kanto region all my Pokémon had gotten stolen by the group team rocket. There was ten of them each having their own Pokémon. I was so furious but unlike the other trainers who also had their Pokémon taken I didn’t feel helpless, in fact it felt more like a calm rage a cold fire if you will. I moved through the sea of Pokémon nocking few out with quick strikes and patient counters. I quickly got to the actual members knocking them out with ease. Once it was over I’d finally figured it out the sense of accomplishment I couldn’t get through battles, the excitement I couldn’t feel any other way. The very reason I couldn’t be a fighting type trainer like my family was not because I didn’t like fighting types but because I WAS a fighting type.

From then on I dedicated my life to learning martial arts. Boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu, muay-tai, wrestling, even less known like the ancient techniques of haganah. I learned them all but I didn’t quit battling, once I had made up my mind about what I wanted I sat my Pokémon down and promised them that we would get stronger together. I told them I would no longer give commands during battles and that every badge earned was theirs and theirs alone. We trained and spared together as equals going through blood sweat and tears.

Soon my Pokémon took on completely new identities, their ‘moves’ became their own no longer copy and paste onto them. Hell some of them expressed to me their desire for competitions. And we all grew strong very stronger than my family ever thought possible.

But sometimes we are not meant to have happy endings. I went home before heading off to the Kalos region. There I expressed to my family my ideals and the path me and my team had chosen. When my father learned how we got stronger and how we conducted our battles he was appalled to say the least. In his eyes I was a failure as a fighting type trainer. I didn’t realize it but while I was away apparently he truly thought that I would be just like him. So he challenged me to a battle his wager was that if he won I would stay home so he could reeducate me. I accepted. Before the battle began I released all my Pokémon so they could all see MY progress.

We were going to do a one on one battle. He chose his Pokémon to be his strongest lucario. To his shock and disappointment I didn’t send any of my Pokémon I stepped into the battle arena and stared down the lucario. My father protested angrily shouting with everything he had like it’d make a difference. I merely told him ‘you challenged me father not my Pokémon.’ Furious my dad continued to yell at me demanding I battle him properly. I argued with him saying that he was the one not battling properly I explained if he wanted to challenge me then he’d have to fight me. My father’s anger increased to the point he told his lucario to attack. The lucario hesitant at first soon complied and proceeded to attack with great speed and strength the likes a fighting type should have. While my father called out each attack making the movements that much easier to follow, he also was holding the lucario back at first. I played along boringly until his rage got the better of him and made his Pokémon go all out. My blood had finally starting pumping and once again I enjoyed the fight between the lucario and myself.

Move after move my father screamed I dodged rolled, countered and parried. The training I had done with my Pokémon had increased my reflex’s to beyond human capabilities and thus made me more of a fighter. The lucario eventually tired and I struck the decisive blow that knocked the lucario unconscious. My dad continued to rage and fume his protests claiming the match wasn’t valid for me not using my Pokémon and that I still had to remain home.

I looked at my father in disgust and told him ‘you are weak, you have no honor, and you no longer have a son’ after that my father stood gaping he couldn’t believe what I had just said. Before I left I placed a keychain with my family’s crest and gym badge on the lucario’s chest and left.

“Shortly after that I headed to the Kalos region for further training, I do the bounty hunter thing just for extra cash. And hey let’s face it no one cars when lowlifes are beaten to a pulp.” Jack shrugged.

Milla listened to his tale and when it ended she stared at him in disbelief “Liar.” She said her gaze switching to a deadpanned look.

Jack laughed not being insulted “You asked why I became a martial artist and I told you, I don’t really care if you believe me or not.” He shrugged again.

“I can believe you until the point where you claimed to match a gym leader’s lucario, I mean really there is no possible way that a human can match a well-trained Pokémon blow for blow.”

“Don’t underestimate humans in truth I’ve realized our only limitation is our own complacency.”

“Well whatever I still don’t believe it.” she sighed not believing his words “ok so putting that on hold what’s our general plan I mean I’d like to find the rest of my team and I’m pretty sure you’d like to as well.” Milla looked around “and we really don’t have a place to start looking and let’s not forget the fact we’re both Pokémon who used to be human.”

Jack stood up taking note of this location. “Well I think we should focus on searching the forest and that city. That seems to be the best bet.”

Milla shot up at this “THERE A CITY NEARBY!?” she stared at the pangoro eyes full of hope and desire “Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

“Well first off I didn’t really get a chance to and second I’d rather avoid it I’m not fond of cities.” Jack thought for a moment eyeing the dejected Jolteon. “Ok let’s do this you and Freya search the city and me and Aurora will search the forest. Aurora can fill me in on your team but I would like you to keep look out for mine if at all possible.” Jack looked towards the sun it was still very early around 8 if he guessed right.

“We can meet here at sunset.”

“Ok but first what kind of Pokémon you have so I can keep a look out.”

“Well first is Honu a torterra, you probably won’t find him in the city and if you did he’d stick out like sore… uh claw? Any way also there is Gleas a greninja yeah you won’t find her unless she wants to be found. A male Glaceon named Bing, a male electivire named Thor, a Golurk named Rots and finally my little girl Rena a braixen.” Jack looked off in the distance remembering his ‘little girl’

Milla stared at Jack “That’s an odd line up don’t you think. I mean more than half of your Pokémon are starters.”

Jack looked at her with a frown being snapped out of his moment. “My first three Pokémon were Honu, Thor, and Bing they quickly got strong enough to take on anything we came across. And unlike most trainer who felt the need to dump all their Pokémon every time they reached a new region, I kept mine. The others have their reasons for following me. But my original three were what I started with.”

“Ok then so where is this city.” Jack proceeded to give her directions to Fort Hoof where he encountered Silver. He told her that she should seek him out for the translation spell as that would help her in her search. After their plan had been set the two groups separated, and took their paths.