Pokemon: Enough! (For Waterinacup)

[twistyfire]

In the air, Hazard was a monster.

A figure in the sky, a demon silhouetted by the sun itself. It stood at his back as if watching in approval. Clouds parted at the beat of his wings. The air protested his course, attempting to push and tug at his body in subtle but rapidly shifting winds, yet nothing could throw off his balance.

The sky was his element, just as much as fire. So high up for what felt like so long, he almost forgot the wiggling between his chest.

His opponent.

It was tall, almost humanoid. A brown blob with large eyes and long legs, admirably struggling even so far away from its element. With a knowing smile, Hazard started falling.

Slowly at first, simply gliding on his wings and letting the air-for once- take him instead of him taking it. Halfway down he took control again, giving it one flap and a roar to jet back down to the earth. The Hitmonlee in his arms screamed, finally losing its spirit in a mental plummet as rapid as the physical one.

They had to land in the ring, so with pinpoint accuracy, they did. Just before they hit the ground, Hazard pulled up. Saving himself from crashing at velocity into hard earth. The Hitmonlee however, smashed facefirst into the center of the battleground.

Dust flew up across the ring, but parted around him and his trainer as he landed perfectly on his side. His enemy's trainer--the gym leader-- came running towards the new crater and his Pokemon inside it.

[Waterinacup]

As the wind and dust caused her coat to bellow, Katherine crossed her arms, and let out a long sigh. She was smiling, happy to see such a victory. However, there were countless times before she’d told Hazard that his dangerous maneuvers and showiness could cause problems. The showmanship, she could probably forgive, almost slamming into the ground, however, left her heart racing.

With Hazard now at her side, she reached up, and pat his back, as the gym leader tended to his own unconscious Pokémon.

“Well done!” She announced, before turning her head. Her wide-brimmed hat hid her face; namely, the scolding expression she gave him. “That could have been done without giving me a heart attack though. We’ll need to talk about that.”

Then, she put on her content face again, and looked back over. As much as Katherine felt the need to get on Hazard about that, she kept quiet and hid her disapproval, knowing and respecting that Hazard’s pride was important to him.

[twistyfire]

Hazard turned his head slightly, though not enough to take either eye away from the mess of humans before him. The gym leader comforted his Pokemon, saying something reassuring, no doubt, although he couldn't hear them. Meanwhile, a pair of aides in clean white uniforms fumbled potions out of plastic boxes, working over the worst of Hitmonlee's injuries. Hazard almost wanted to scoff. A loser getting pampered in front of him and his human’s disappointment behind.

“Your positivity always has a catch, huh Trainer?”

Hazard frowned, deliberately giving Katherine a partial view of his disapproving maw without looking at her.

“I net you another victory and you always want to explain how I did it wrong.”

[Waterinacup]

“I’m always proud of you, don’t mistake that. But, I want you to keep yourself safe. These battles are dangerous enough, without you almost aiding in your own self-destruction,” Katherine explained, keeping her tone down. “Just consider it a warning. I’m still very proud of you, and don’t want to see you hurt yourself.”

With this, she guided him over to the other trainer, holding out her hand. “Excellent performance! We may have won, but it was not an easy victory. You and your Pokémon should be very proud of yourselves!”

[twistyfire]

Hazard frowned. Katherine always seemed to dote like an overprotective parent. More towards him more than anyone else. It was frustrating, the kind of thing you couldn't be too angry with despite how much it drove you up a Pokeball. Didn't she realize he was a fighter? A dragon! He knew he wasn't invincible, but would it be so wrong to feel like he was?

He allowed Katherine to guide him, a little too lost in thought to fight back or think of a quip. Katherine said something, he wasn't listening. Human rituals were always strange. She should have been laughing in the leader's face, reveling in tactical victory just as he did in the physical. He didn't understand, it made him feel hollow. Hollow and angry. He wanted to lash out, to ask why in his language--not human--, not a voice that always felt slightly unnatural. Nerves in his throat itched raw, a growl escaped his maw, and a small but hot puff of flame shot out of his nose in a blast more powerful than intended.

It felt good. It felt calming. Something humans would call venting, though his trainer might call it a tantrum. He didn't hear anything at first, just the pounding in his ears. But as he calmed down from his draconic rant, he realized someone was screaming.

The gym leader gripped his left hand, the green sleeve of his jacket had burned away up to the elbow. He wasn't screaming, although he was clearly in pain. His aides however seemed panicked. For the first time, he realized they were young. Barely adults, likely apprentices or volunteers, and a monster had just brought down their master without even trying.

[Waterinacup]

Katherine jumped internally, but kept up her demeanor, as she quickly ran over, and used her hat to start smothering the flame. Surprise, surprise, it caught as well. She did manage to stop his sleeve from burning, and she tossed the hat aside, where it started to burn.

“Goodness, me! I’m so sorry about that! Hazard doesn’t realize his own strength. Physically, or pyrotechnically!” Katherine laughed, trying to play down the event, as she dug a burn heal out of her bag. She went over, and sprayed it on the man’s arm, handing the rest off to his side. “We’ll practice with that when we’re back at our hotel. Can’t have that catching flames.”

Katherine seemed to keep up this demeanor very well, and made this all seem so casual. She simply turned about, and ushered for her Charizard to follow as she headed for the exit. She didn’t bother with much pleasantries, as the trainer probably wouldn’t want to exchange them anyways. She seemed happy and casual, but the momentary gaze that met Hazards held a brewing storm, one that was soon to be unleashed.

[twistyfire]

Katherine's demeanor and the instant response seemed to calm the aides enough to shock them out of panic. The Leader accepted the burn heal without comment except for a nod. Hazard said nothing as he left the gym with Katherine. All his bluster and pride and anger a moment ago left him with the fire blast. He walked closely behind his trainer, clinging to her shadow as if he were a Charmander again.

"I hurt him," Hazard mumbled, staring at Katherine's shoes as they passed through an empty street. "I didn't mean...." He paused, old thoughts welling up in his mind and choking his throat.

There wasn't victory or honor in hurting a human. It was easy, too easy. Being a mighty dragon, a monster in the sky suddenly didn't make him feel empowered anymore.

[Waterinacup]

“I know, Hazard.” Katherine’s voice was quiet, but firm. She didn’t say much, and let him follow along. She went into the hotel, found their room, and lead the two in. As soon as the door was locked, she carefully took a hold of Hazard’s upper arm, and lead him over to one of the two beds. She sat him down, then sat across from him. She let out a sigh, and crosses her arms at Hazard, staring at him sternly. She actually did say anything for a moment. Katherine simply looked right into his eyes, and let him sit for a minute. It was definitely a moment to say something before she started her scolding.