Chapter 24

Chip

Chip felt a bead of sweat run down his face as he stared at the large Nidoking standing before him and Cassius. The large purple Pokemon looked like he could pick both up, twist them together and turn them into a pretzel if he wanted. This guy looked like he meant business and there was nothing stopping him from doing his business on them. Chip chuckled to himself for a moment thinking of his last thought.

"Doing his business on them." Chip had to wonder why his mind was in the gutter at a time like this. Chip secretly wished this Nidoking was a Nidoran. If he was he might honestly want to take him for a ride.

Chip gulps as he looks from the Templar to Cassius and back to the Nidoking again. How were they going to escape this guy, where would they go for safety? A bit guy like this could just lift a tree out of the ground and throw it at them. That might be a little over the top but who said it wasn't possible? Cassius could always get in the water but that wouldn't be much help to him. He couldn't swim and honestly, there was no way that Chip wanted to get back in that water. Not with that Dragonair hanging around somewhere. Though if he wasn't going to get in the water that meant he would have to face this big guy. If Chip was being honest with himself. He didn't feel that they had a chance to be able to take him down. They're fucked.

Cassius sits up, the Brionne didn't seem to be all that afraid of this new Pokemon. Or at least that was how he looked on the outside as Chip could see. Though it wasn't hard to see out the corner of his eye Cassius's tail was flopping and twitching from side to side.

"Who are you?"

"I am Tusk, one of the six captains of the Templar Order of Light. I was brought along on this trip for security purposes, which up until now I didn't think would be required. But lucky me." The Nidoking cracks his back and leans backward. He then cracks his knuckles creating a ghastly "crunching" noise. Chip felt his very spinning shiver. Chip felt himself becoming more and more nervous by the moment.

"Chip don't be afraid," Cassius says as he moves closer to him. "Even big foes like this can be taken down if we work together."

"I don't know..." Chip gulps. "That talk might work in a book or movie but...this is reality, and this guy looks really, really tough."

"And?"

And? And...? AND??? Was Cassius losing his mind? This guy could crush them like bug Pokemon, he was a Nidoking for Arceus's sake, this guy wasn't tiny by any means. Plus, he was a Templar. Templars were not too out not be messed with. They were the cream of the crop, the best in the show, they were trained to be better than anyone else. Why would Cassius believe that they had a chance to take Tusk down? Chip tries to calm his mind but that wasn't happening any time soon.

"Listen, there comes a point in a Pokémon's life when they have to let their balls drop. You have to look your bullies in the eyes and face them," Cassius says as he moves in front of Chip. "We can fight him but we've got to do it together, only then we'll be able to win this. I could take him alone though I don't think it'll come easy. I need you for this."

"..."

"Stop being a bitch and help me!" Cassius glares at Tusk who was getting into a fighting position.

"You two need a moment, either way, you're getting this ass-kicking. And when I'm done I'll take you back to the others so you can stand for what you've done. For I am Tusk the Enforcer, one of the Six Captains of the order of Light. My job is to bring Pokemon like you to justice for crimes against the Templars. I shall protect my order and our way of thinking. Now En Garde."

"Like it or not here he comes." Cassius creates a sheet of ice in front of him and then slides forward to meet Tusk who had begun marching towards them. The Nidoking didn't seem too into the idea of running. Chip watched as Cassius meets with the Nidoking who tries to punch the spot that he was going to be at but misses. Cassius countered by blasting the Nidoking with a jet of water. Tusk blocks the attack with arm before stomping the ground and knocking Cassius off the ice. The impact from the attack was more than enough to push even Chip back. The zorua's paws shake as he struggles to keep watching.

~ You really going to puss out? ~

'What are you doing here?'

~ Um let me see...I'm your Omen, I'm a part of you, hmmm...~

'Fine, fine...'

~ You might have a pussy, but you don't have to act like one. Cassius needs you. ~

'Why don't you take ov--'

~ NO! ~

'Huh?' Chip's eyes widen as he watches Cassius being picked up by his neck...

~ You have the courage and abilities to take him on Chip. I can't fight every battle for you. What I can do is fight with you. Let my courage help guide you... ~

"LET ME GO!"

"HAHAHA...." Tusk bellows as he stares into Cassius' eyes. "Your little pussy friend let you down, and now it's time for me to bury--"

Chip shot a blast of dark energy at the Nidoking pelting him between the eyes. The attack caused him to loosen his grip on Cassius long enough for the Brionne to escape. Chip races over to the seal who falls onto the ground and quickly moves away. The boys meet up together as Tusk recovers from his attack.

"About time." Tusk laughs as he recovers from the attack. "I've felt combees that hit harder than that. Weak."

"Pride goes before the fall," Cassius says.

"Well then you better come at me with everything you've got then boy." Tusk slams a fist against his chest. "Cause if not I'm going to break you like the pussy you are."

"I'll do my best." Chip says to himself as he tries to calm his nerves. He was in this now no matter what. Sizing up their opponent the Zorua could feel himself processing the best ways to fight such a foe. Tusk didn't give them a chance to completely regroup as he slammed the ground again. A shock wave flies at the boys who dodge it the best they could. A long crack is left in the wake of the attack.

"Scramble little bugs, SCRAMBLE!" Tusk roars. "You can run all you want but you can't hide from me! I'll crush you, break every bone in your tiny bodies and grind them into dust. For I am Tusk!" He slams his feet against the ground again sending another shock wave at the boy. They were unable to dodge it this time taking the attack head-on. Chip is flung back while Cassius falls onto his side.

"Cassius!"

"I'll be all right..." The Brionne coughs. "I've felt worst trust me." Slowly the seal gets onto his stomach. "Time to fight back."

"Right..." Chip calms his nerves as he thought about how to approach this guy. Tusk didn't seem to like moving around much. In fact, he's only taking a few steps here and there and seemed to enjoy fighting within a box. Maybe a speed check was in order.

"I"m going in," Chip says. The Zorua zips forward, his paws trembling as he moved. Chip focused his mind and attention on closing the distance. Tusk stomps the ground again though this time Chip leaps over the incoming shockwave. A ball of shadowy energy forms in his mouth. Tusk didn't see the attack coming as Chip launches a near point blank range Shadow Ball. It hits right between Tusk's eyes striking the same spot that he had earlier.

"AAAAHHH!!!"

Chip falls on the other side of Tusk, the Zorua's fur had transformed from tan to pink and his paws were on fire.

"Chip?' Cassius gasped from where he sat.

"You little snot nose brat!" Tusk reaches around grabbing Chip by the tail. Chip is flung back at Cassius who takes the attack, the pair are thrown back onto the ground. Chip lets out a painful cry though is more worried about Cassius who was slow to get up.

"Mon...I feel useless right now," Cassius says as he gets up, the mon looked shaken. "When I get my act together..."

"Don't worry I'll carry us; I think I might have him figured out." Chip chuckles.

"What's so funny?"

"Just surprised that we're fighting a guy like this right now." Chip shakes himself. "I bet this guy is really slow-- "

Before Chip could finish his statement, they were met by Tusk who had stormed over to them. The Nidoking raises a fist and slams it down at them. Cassius pushes Chip out of the way, taking the attack. Chip watched in horror as Cassius was sent flying back. The Brionne skips on the ground a few times before his momentum is stopped by a tree. Chip looks from the seemly limp body of his friend. Tusk reaches down and grabs Chip by his neck fur and flings him towards the same tree.

"Ooofff"

Chip slams into the tree and falls onto Cassius. Barely being able to move Chip tries his best to look over at Cassius who was barely moving...

"Cassius?"

"C...chip..." Cassius mutters, his voice was full of so much pain. Chip felt a ping of guilt as he stared at his friend, the seal was passing in and out of conscience.

"I'm so sorry--"

"For what?" Cassius struggles to lift himself up and is only able to do enough to look at him directly.

"If I had fought sooner..."

"It's ok to be scared..." Cassius smiles. "I was afraid too you know, still am but...we can't let our...fear stop us from...being whom we are or facing our fears."

"Cassius..." Chip puts a paw on the seal's flipper and rests his head on it. He felt an odd warmth within him.

"You can do it...you can beat him; I just know it." Cassius kisses Chip's head, and the seal's warm mouth felt good on him. "You know how to win this; you can do it."

"All right...I'll win this for us."

"NO...don't do it just...for me." Cassius looks into Chip's eyes. "Do it for yourself...prove to yourself that you can do this."

"Thanks."

"Why don't you two just suck each other's dicks already, sheesh, gay much?" Tusk asked from a few yards away, the Nidoking was picking his ear. "Sheesh and here I thought that Pokemon in Evergrande were the biggest tail lifters around. I didn't know that Pokemon could get even gayer."

"I'm going to show that ass hole whose boss." Chip growls before kissing Cassius back the Zorua's maw pressed gently against the Brionne's.

"You've got this." Cassius murres proudly.

"Thanks."

Chip rises to his paws and turns to face down Tusk. Clouds formed overhead and soon rain began falling all around them. A brisk wind blew across the forest giving Chip odd vibes of his journey in the soulscape earlier.

"Just you and me little guy. I won't lie, I'm going to enjoy breaking you. For my name is-- "

"Tusk, I know who you are. But allow me to properly introduce myself..." Chip takes a step forward, and his fur changes from pink to white. His paw became blue, and his nose changed from brown-black to red. The tip of his ears became white while his tail was white until the end when it was blue. Behind him, Chip heard Cassius gasping.

"Is that...my colors?"

Chip wanted to respond but he needed to keep his focus, this foe might be loud, but he was strong. Chip's paws glow blue as he feels odd new energy flowing through him. Tusk bent over and puts a large hand over his forehead as if trying to get a better look at Chip.

"What kind of little freak are you? First pink and now blue."

"I'm not a freak and you're just a stupid asshole who is about to get put in his place. My name is Chip and I'm a Shadow Pokemon who draws his power from those closest to him." Chip gulps as he spoke, he needed to win this fight no matter what.

"Shadow Pokemon? I didn't think your kind was so...small and weak. You must be a baby, a tiny little-- "

Chip was tired of listening to this guy talk. He zipped in and struck the Nidoking, his body was surrounded by blue energy. The Nidoking slid backward, he held his hand on his stomach as if he were trying to keep his breakfast down.

"Was that...aqua jet?" Cassius gasped.

Chip didn't respond but instead charged another energy attack. This time sending a frozen beam at the Nidoking who blocks it through with his arm. It froze the instant the beam hit it.

"What!? Impossible, yo-you're a Zorua..."

"And you're a dick," Chip says, the Zorua closed his eyes for a moment. He pictured what other attacks Cassius might know. They were coming to him naturally, the thoughts of how his friend attacked. Chip pictured himself being graceful in his movement. He oddly had never seen the Brionne fight but for some reason, he was able to picture the seal in battle and what he might do.

No...

What he would do?

"IMPOSSIBLE! There is no way I'm losing to you punk!" Tusk grumbles as he gets his feet under him, the Nidoking shakes his frozen arm as if the ice would just fall off. "I'm not losing to you. I am Tusk!"

"Prove it then." Chip says as his purple eyes flash. His eyes were the only thing that didn't become influenced by his odd transformation into Cassius. Looking back at Brionne Chip felt the urge to return to him and kiss him again. This Brionne was one of his mates, even if he didn't know it and as such he'd protect him no matter what. Turning back to Tusk Chip saw him hold his stomach the Nidoking pounds the ground again. A shockwave came his way like before. Chip jumps over it the Zorua lands near the Nidoking. He placed a paw out and blows the large Pokemon back again with a pulse of water energy.

"Aaaaahhhh!!!" Tusk falls onto his back. "What the fuck? Where did this strength come to form?"

~ You're doing great. Now finish this. ~

'Right.'

Chip's eyes flashed. Before Tusk could recover there came a bone-chilling wind. It blew over the area freezing their battlefield. Tusk's limbs were frozen to the ground pinning him down.

"Nnnoooo!!!!"

"It's done." Chip sighs as he felt worn out, the Zorua nearly trips over but keeps himself up through sheer will alone. He noticed Cassius had found the strength to rise to his stomach and work his way over to him. Chip falls onto his friend who catches him.

"It's over. There is no need to fall head and tail over my dear."

"I wasn't...aawww who cares." Chip chuckles. The pair look at Tusk who was still trapped in the ice and he'll be that way for a while. They had time to put some distance between them and hopefully meet back with the others.

"You going to be, ok?" Cassius asked.

"Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that?" Chip giggles. His fur changed back to normal.

"You're going to have to tell me how you did that." Cassius murres. "You were just the most adorable-looking Pokemon."

"I'm not...fuck it...ya, I am adorable." Chip smiles.

"When I get out of this ice, I'm going to find the two of you and make you pay for this ten times over." Tusk growls. Chip gives Cassius a kiss on his cheek and then slowly walks over to Tusk. He was harmless...

For now.

"Why did you attack us, and better yet why are you even in here?"

"I told you fox, you're wanted. The boss, Omni put a hit out on anyone who would get in our way including some snot nose, bitch mode, the loser of a Zorua. His real interest though is getting his paws on that little wuss of a general Shaymin, Meadow."

"Meadow!" Chip puts his paws on the Nidoking's neck pressing against it. "You guys are trying to hurt Meadow-- "

"Hahaha" Tusk laughs and Chip presses harder, he heard the Nidoking choke a bit.

"Chip!"

"No, if they laid one paw on Meadow-- "

"There is nothing you can do Zorua. This entire forest is full of Templars who are looking to collect on that fat bounty. You and those pussy little friends of yours. Omni wants the Plate that is here and what the boss wants he gets. If you think I'm tough just wait until you meet the others. If by some miracle of a chance you get past them and trust me, it'll be a miracle you still have the boss to deal with. And I don't see some pussy like you getting past them no time soon. You struggled to beat me and I'm one of the nicer guys."

"If you or your friends come at me or my friends again...I'm taking you out." Chip's paw glows and before Tusk could speak again the Zorua struck the Nidoking so hard that he knocked the light out of him.

"Cassius..." Chip pants and starts walking away. "We've got to hurry up and find Meadow and the others."

"Right. Well...lead the way."