Struggles for Sovereignty

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Perched in the branches of a particularly shady tree, a lone Sableye scanned the premises of the Small Pond, amethyst eyes taking in the dozens of small, young, impressionable Pokémon and how they frolicked both in and outside of the waters. His brow furrowed in distaste, he watched as other Pokémon played games and had mock battles under the watchful eyes of their parents and friends.

Normally, the Darkness Pokémon would not be seen anywhere near a place infested with such joy and playful happiness, but he was new in town, and thus, he was looking to gain influence. Particularly, young followers obtained through manipulation and debts. Younger, baby-like Pokémon were prime targets, as the majority of them were easily trusting and naïve, allowing the silver-tongued Dark-type to weasel himself into their good graces.

However, to his disappointment, there were no pleasing prospects to be found. All young, frail, and weak species. None of them present would grow to be strong or relatively useful; and thus, Dismas was not interested. He fingered the rim of his top-hat irritably, searching desperately for something useful. "Vulnerable... weak, filthy little vermin. None worthy to serve." Heaving a dramatic sigh and further cloaking himself in the shadows of the tree's branches, the ghost-type allowed himself to sit back on his haunches. He leaned back, taking note of the proceedings lazily, and with no small amount of disdain.

"Talking me down didn't work before, little weasel." For the umpteenth time in this bout, Dismas heaved himself up from the muddy ground, teeth grinding and rage sizzling. At this point, his fur was caked with mud and he was aching everywhere, but if there was any one word that described Dismas, it was perseverance. He was a firm believer that the strong ruled, and the weak obeyed and planned for the days that they were strong. And now was his time to grow stronger, fight, and gain resources and followers. This young Buizel was the first step. "It's not going to work now, either. I want to see more. Show me everything you can do."

Keen amethyst eyes took in the weakening weather effect and Dismas grinned inwardly. As he thought, the rain would not last forever. And it seemed that Jet hadn't even noticed his advantage was slipping from him. Not finishing Dismas off was going to prove Jet's downfall, the ghostly imp decided, flexing his claws experimentally. If Jet really wanted to talk now, then Dismas would let him talk. The dark-type was not going to surrender, no matter how much Jet pleaded for it. He'd let the weasel flap his jaws until the rain was about to fade, and then he'd make his move.

Jet swallowed hard as he listened to Dismas talk back to him. The Sableye did not seem too keen on the idea of surrendering to him. He had to admit, he had his doubts that things would be settled so easily. After all, if he were so willing to surrender, he probably would have handed over the explorer's badge a long time ago, once he had really shown that he was not just some pushover. But even still...he did not want to give up his attempts just yet. He wasn't sure what it was about this situation, but he did not want to continue fighting if he could help it. He really wanted to convince this Sableye to stop fighting him. To leave him alone for good and return his badge. Then again, it was also possible that he simply didn't want to keep fighting....

"...N-no, I...I don't want to keep fighting like this," Jet replied, earnestly trying to convince the Ghost-type Pokémon to let this situation go. "I-I don't want to keep hurting you like that. I-I told you, as long as I can keep it raining, y-you don't, er...you don't stand a chance." He hesitated...but he then extended a paw, hoping he would take his offer of a peaceful resolution to their conflict. "I-I...I saw how strong you are. P-please, just...take my hand a-and...and we can bring this to an end. I-I just need to get my Explorer's Badge back...."

Unfortunately for the Buizel, he would unknowingly leave himself very open. All Dismas would have to do is trick him into letting down his guard...but would it really be that simple?

"... Feh. You're not gonna go for blood no matter how much I rile you up, are you?" Dismas exhaled moodily, his posture seemingly lax and suddenly he seemed not so angry anymore. Though the only thing Dismas wanted to do now was pin the infuriating water-type down and rend him to pieces, the young dark-type was smart enough to keep that to himself and take an opportunity when it presented itself. Naively and foolishly, it seemed Jet was still keen on settling this peacefully, even when he had more than one opportunity to finish the dark-ghost hybrid off while he was down. And while a part of Dismas thought that trait was particularly disgusting, and therefore wanted nothing more to do with the Buizel, he had to remind himself that there was plenty of time to groom Jet into finishing his opponents off.

After he was on Dismas' side, that is.

"Fine, fine. Whatever. It was fun while it lasted, yes? Even if it went less than spectacular for me... I admit, you fought very well." And suddenly, the dangerous glint in the Sableye's amethyst orbs seemed to dissipate, the morbidly-friendly mask he had before the fought falling back into place. From seemingly nowhere, Dismas produced Jet's Explorer's badge, stalking forward towards the water-type with it clutched between his claws. And the dark imp raised his hand to take Jet's, and simultaneously hand the badge back.

Unbeknownst to Jet, however, is that as soon as he'd take hold of the badge and Dismas' hand, the Sableye planned on jerking the foolish water-type forward to meet another Zen Headbutt. After that, with the rain fleeing, the dark-type figured he'd rain claws on the fool until he knew better than think of Dismas as weak.

Jet paused when he heard the Sableye's response to his second plea for a peaceful end. "N-no," he said cautiously, looking at the Sableye carefully. Without true eyes, it was very difficult to ascertain whether or not the Ghost- and Dark-type hybrid was being sincere or not. However, judging solely on what he had seen thus far, he wasn't sure if this guy was even the type to prolong a fight he was having trouble with. The Buizel maintained his outstretched paw, trying to shove any lingering doubts into the back of his mind so that they wouldn't prevent him from resolving this as peacefully as possible. "No, I won't. Th-that's not who I am...." he finished.

When Dismas' expression changed, however, Jet found himself relaxing more. And when the Sableye began to talk again, he let out a very audible sigh of relief. It seemed that he had been so worried about nothing. He was right...this Sableye was one to see reason after all. And he was willing to surrender the Explorer's Badge as well. The Buizel felt a strong sense of satisfaction permeate his entire being. He was happy that he would not have to continue to fight after all. He gave Dismas another uneasy smile, clearly still feeling slightly awkward about the exchange, given the struggle up to this point. "Th-thank you," he replied. "I-I must admit. Y-you were very strong." At this point, Dismas was reaching out and grasping onto his paw. He felt the Explorer's badge within his grasp. "F-for a moment, I-I didn't think I would even stand a chance at-"

Jet's eyes widened as his body was suddenly yanked forward by the arm. "Wah...!" he cried in surprise, but he was quickly shut up when the Sableye brought his head forward and bashed it into his own skull. He cried out in shock and in pain as the Zen Headbutt delivered a direct hit, also causing him to Flinch from the impact. Dismas had taken the Buizel completely off-guard and completely by surprise. He was currently completely vulnerable....

"Think me weak, do you!?! I don't stand a chance, do I?!" Reason had all but left the dark-type, and the facade he'd put up evaporated immediately when Dismas realized that his plan had worked. Unlike before, when he thought himself in a safe enough position to gloat and try his hand at psychological damage, Dismas was all too much enraged to care. The monster inside was fully exposed for all to see- from Dismas' sharpened talons poised to rain down on Jet, spittle and froth spilling out pronounced fangs, and amethyst eyes glaring murderously. Restraint and mercy, while usually not at the forefront of his thoughts, were completely foreign concepts to the Darkness Pokémon at this point. "At least I'm not stupid!Your little weather spell has all but dried up, imbecile!"

And with that, Dismas' wicked claw slashed down towards the Sea Weasel Pokémon in a decisive, vicious angle, aimed across his mug. Normally, the ghostly imp was far too masterful of himself to lose his composure so- however, this was his first outing as a fighter without his mother or father's watchful supervision, and he had performed less than admirably. Coupled with his rash- foolish, a snide voice sounding suspiciously like himself whispered in the back of his head- decision to see Jet's worth in a fight, and the intrusive stares of the younger pokémon watching from a safe distance had Dismas on edge. And now the young dark-ghost hybrid was too upset to care. He could always find something to blackmail the weasel with later to keep him from going to authorities, or something similar.

Jet heard what the Sableye had to say, but did not not reply to him. It's not that he didn't want to exactly, but that he was incapable of talking at the moment. Those eyes may be nothing but gemstones, but even he could see the borderline murderous intent behind them. He froze in place, suddenly gripped by a sense of fear for a moment. His eyes widened as he watched Dismas' claw get pulled upward and begin is descent through the air. "AGH!" he yelped in pain as the claw slashed across his face, throwing him backward so that he found himself on his back at Dismas' feet. He whimpered slightly in both pain and in fear

As he lay in this supine position, he had a good chance to look up a the sky for the first time since the rain had started. And it was just as Dismas had claimed. He had gotten so caught up in his attacks that he had not been aware that the effects of his Rain Dance had been diminishing, and his advantage in the battle with it. And to pile onto this, he had allowed himself to be tricked by the Sableye, getting dragged into a sucker punch. That was a decision he was already mentally berating himself for. Now he was starting to remember why he was such a weak, worthless combatant. For a moment, he had begun thinking that, maybe he wasn't as bad as he had thought. But now...now he knew better. And he was foolish to think that he could have defeated a Pokémon like his Sableye by himself.

He continued to simply lay there on his back, unsure of what to even do right now. He was at a complete loss. Dismas was so strong and vicious.... But still, he knew that he could not just roll over and surrender, but...did any of his struggles actually make difference? If the Sableye was looking for a moment to start gaining headway in getting into the Buizel's head, this would be one of his best chances.

Dismas lingered for only a short moment, letting his rage simmer as he observed the deflating Buizel on the ground before him. Visibly struggling to contain his anger, the dark imp strode forward menacingly, stopping only when he was towering over the languid weasel Pokémon. Lips curled and fangs gleaming, Dismas attempted to convey all of his disdain and disgust at the water-type in a single hateful leer.

"And now... now, perhaps, you have an inkling of understanding about what actual strength is, you--you filthy weakling! ... It's easy to throw punches. Easy to gain experience and delude yourself into thinking that you're growing powerful- getting stronger.

"But true strength is something you're born with! Something that comes natural to you! How else would you explain this filthy blunder of yours, Buizel? You're supposed to be experienced..." Here, Dismas paused and made a show of visibly turning over Jet's long-forgotten Explorer's badge, "and to an extent, you are. Your strategies are effective, if... flawed. Your movements and techniques are fine, and it's easy to see that you do have a small measure of strength. But at your core, you are weaker than me. You let disgusting notions like morals and honor taint your decisions in battle, when these silly ideals have no place in a fight. Whereas I wield my power decisively, without sentimental platitudes and weak mentalities. That's why I am strong, and why you are weak."

The ghostly imp stopped there a moment, taking a second to bask in his apparent victory and observe the Buizel. If he was being totally honest, the only times where Jet had made actual mistakes were when he held back his Aqua Tails rather than finish him off, and neglect paying attention to his weather manipulation tactic. And on the other hand, Dismas had made a plethora of beginner's mistakes.  Mother would be digusted...

"... This is mine, now." Wherever Dismas had produced the long-forgotten explorer's badge from didn't matter anymore, as the Sableye took a moment to retrieve his top-hat from where it had fallen off earlier in the fight, and pin it to the hat for all to see. The dark-ghost hybrid cockily affixed the hat to his head and smirked at the languid sea weasel. "And someday, you will be, too. But in the meantime, I'm sure the Guild will replace your silly trinket if you tell them you lost it... which you will, yes?"

Jet remained sprawled on the ground submissively as Dismas slowly approached him, only serving to intimidate him even further. He looked up at the Sableye that now stood towering over him. One might expect that a Sableye's gemstone eyes would be unable to show anything more than a reflection of the one gazing into them. However, the cold, menacing gaze that washed over Jet while he merely laid on the cold grass conveyed a sense of domination and absolute dislike or even simple anger. He could practically feel the hate pierce his body. He felt like his body was chilled under such a gaze, rendering him completely immobile.

And then, the words came. Dismas talked down to him like he were some kind of mere child being told off by a babysitter or parent for doing something wrong or something stupid. And then, there they were...the words that Jet was afraid to hear. "Filthy weakling" and what he said about strength being something that he is born with were what really struck him hard. He blushed at the words, as he knew exactly what they implied. And he knew deep down that what the Sableye was saying was the truth. And he knew it. He was not to be strong. Not at all. He was born weak, and that's how he would be staying. No amount of training was going to ever make him strong. Experienced, yes. But weak nonetheless. Perhaps it would be best to simply give up now. This Sableye had already demonstrated his domination.

The Buizel looked on as Dismas turned his explorer's badge in his thieving claws, clearly taunting him with what was supposed to be his symbol of strength and solidarity. However...what came next was something Jet still did not agree with, no matter how much stronger the Sableye truly was than him. However, he continued to let the Ghost-type Pokémon speak his mind. After all, if he interrupted now, he'd probably only entice some kind of assault to shut him up. So instead, he simply continued to lay there, even after the torturous words burned away at him. This allowed the Darkness Pokémon ample time to stop and bask in his victorious moment.

Suddenly, though, Jet's eyes widened fearfully. The Sableye's next words caused him to suddenly try once again to get back up. "N-no...!" He couldn't simply allow Dismas to steal his badge from him...! However, he was barely able to gget back to his hands and knees. He...was trembling. But not simply in exhaustion from the battle that had been waged. He quickly realized that it was not battle fatigue alone that kept him down...but that it was his own fear. He did not want to rise and challenge the Darkness Pokémon before him, because he knew only pain and humiliation would meet him should he try. As he struggled with his thoughts, he could only sit there and watch as Dismas affixed his Explorer's Badge onto the top hat for all to see how easily he had had it taken away from him. But that badge was more to him than a simple trinket. It was his proof of progress and his symbolism of solidarity and friendship with his teammates, no matter where they might be right now. He always felt like they were with him while he held that badge. Still...despite this he could not force himself to rise to the challenge. This left him with only one, desperate option.

"N-no...no, please...!" Jet suddenly pleaded, not even bothering to attempt to rise back to his feet any longer. "I-I'll do whatever you want...I-I'll call you whatever you'd like, I-I'll...I'll do anything! Just...please...don't take my Badge away. I-it means more to me than anything...a-and I obviously can't beat you." His head then lowered, face blushing slightly in his own humiliation. Here he was, now practically bowing down and begging at the Sableye villain's feet, looking like nothing more than a pathetic, groveling servant. "I-I promise to do anything you ask. J-just...please...give me my badge back."

As Dismas' earlier tirade went on, he found himself reluctantly but pleasantly surprised that the Buizel kept quiet. And when he finished speaking his mind, and found Jet at his feet groveling beneath him-- as he should, for Dismas was stronger. 'Twas the natural order of things-- the normally composed dark-type finally mastered himself and visibly cooled off before pleasantly smirking down at his prey. While Dismas didn't feel entirely comfortable having Jet serve him so personally just yet, as the Buizel was powerful, it seemed he had every other aspect of being a follower down pact. He was brave, skilled, willing enough to serve once dominance was proved, and it seemed that he knew his place perfectly, judging from the way the sea weasel was shaking and groveling before him. Satisfaction and triumph flushed through the young Dark-type strongly, and to his surprise, Dismas found himself cackling quietly while Jet was begging- not demanding like before, he smugly noted- for his trinket back.

"Oh, but whatever could I want in return for such an obviously important and valuable item? What could be worth something so dear to you... Jet," Dismas' gemstone eyes flickered between the Sea Weasel Pokémon and the direction of Grassveil as he drawled on, "do tell me something. Are you on a Rescue Team by yourself?"

An instant passed, and Dismas' patience seemed to irritably snap at the all-to-beta Buizel. "Oh, do stop grovelling, you twit! Laying about on the filthy ground like that-- show some backbone!"

Jet remained at the Sableye's feet, feeling the gaze of the gemstones on his back. He waited there for the Sableye to answer him. He could only hope that the Dark Pokémon would agree to return the badge for whatever reason. If not, he would have no choice but to rise and fight again, likely to get beaten and the badge stolen anyway. And soon enough, he received his response. And he wasn't sure what to say to him at first. He soon opened his mouth to say something, but he was stopped when Dismas let out an irritated order. He visibly flinched at the sudden snap, half-expecting a foot to come stomping down on top of him or something. However, nothing happened beyond the clear irritation and he relaxed slightly.

However, he did not obey the Sableye, as much as he wanted to. He lifted himself slightly off of the ground, but still couldn't bring himself to look up, keeping his head below Dismas' in a look of pure submission. "I-I don't know...b-but it's worth so much to me. I-I'll do anything you want me to." He then paused again, considering his next words. What was he going to say with regards to his Rescue Team? What did he care? Did he want access to the Guild or something? Maybe he should try to make it sound less enticing so that he wouldn't want to be with him? "E-erm...w-well...actually, I have t-two teammates," he said. "O-one of them is Lee. H-he's the team leader a-and probably twice the Pokémon I am. I-I don't think he'd have ever bent to you like this...."

He intentionally neglected to mention that Avery, one of those teammates, was a wanderer and might never even return to the town...and that Lee had been off and had not returned in many months. He was on a team with the three of them...but he was currently the only one in town. He just had to make sure that Dismas did not know that....

"Ah-ha, but this Lee isn't here, is he, my ickle one? Too bad, so sad, now you've caught my interest. You can relax, ickle one. I'll just be asking a few questions. It would be in your best interest to answer truthfully- I will know if you are lying." Inwardly pleased that Jet was sufficiently cowed, and still receptive to orders, Dismas began to circle around the submissive Buizel. The unspoken threat of more violence hung thickly in the air if Jet lied- and indeed, Dismas felt confident that he would be able to detect any attempts to lie. Thoughts racing and silver tongue poised to dance, the ghostly imp felt elated for the interrogation that was to come. "Tell me, Jet, about your little friends-- Lee, and this other teammate. Are they weak, like you?"

Jet's eyes widened when the Sableye was able to read him like a book so easily. How could he have figured out that Lee was not here just from what he'd said? Was he really that obvious? Perhaps there was no reason to lie or to try to hide anything from this Sableye after all. In fact, it almost seemed like he could read his mind. So, just like Dismas said...he figured there was no point in answering dishonestly. After all...he certainly didn't want to get beaten down any more than he already had been. He kept his gaze down as Dismas circled him menacingly, clearly more than ready to kick him around some more should he be lying.

Finally, the first question came. Jet's answer was almost immediate, though. He didn't even have to think about this one. After all, he felt immense respect for his team leader and his friends. "N-no, not at all!" he said almost defensively. "Th-they're so much stronger and braver than I am. Th-they're not weak by any means...!"

"And where are they now, to have abandoned the runt of their team?" Dismas' lip curled in disgust and distaste. Jet's earnest and naive outburst, so sudden and genuine, had him gagging internally. The Buizel was a good fighter- aware of his surroundings and he seemed to be a capable Pokémon so far- but otherwise, he seemed sickeningly soft and sweet. And the haste with which he burst out spoke of real respect and admiration for these teammates of his. Since Jet was so receptive and wary of him now, Dismas knew that these other Pokémon had to be at least as strong he was, and there was two of them. Coming to Grassveil, he knew he would be a small fish in a big pond, but establishing connections would be difficult if any good-looking follower had strong allies to call against him.

Still, it helped that Jet was alone now. If he could wedge himself into this absent team in their place, or at least enlist Jet's help to get into the Guild, so he could establish more connections and gain more followers, then this Buizel would have proved profitable indeed. "What kind of Pokémon are they? Dangerous, evolved fighters? Tell me about them, ickle one."

Jet bit his lip and cringed slightly at Dismas' second question that the Sableye asked him. He hesitated, not quite wanting to answer him. "I...I don't know," he finally answered honestly, falling even more into his bow in his own shame and in disappointment in himself. Here he was, giving away everything about his teammates that he knew, just because this guy was threatening him. But for some reason, he couldn't help himself. Something about the menacing way this Sableye looked down at him, or something about that glint in his jeweled gaze just made him cower in fear. "I-I haven't seen either of them for months now. L-Lee might have gone back to his village or something...a-and Avery was always a wanderer. M-maybe he just wandered somewhere else...."

Avery's third question came soon after. He was worried this question would come next. "...N-no, th-they're not...evolved," he replied. "L-Lee is a Froakie. O-oddly colored, but still just a Froakie. A-and Avery is a Croagunk. B-but even though they weren't evolved, th-they were still very skilled battlers. I-I n-never stood a chance against them...."

"... Good. Color me impressed." All notions of condescension dropped from his tone and the ever-constant teasing lilt left his voice as he spoke. For a sickeningly long moment, the curtains of his persona parted and the amethyst jewels that were his eyes gleamed in a twisted fashion, sickly and greedily. A manic grin lit up his face and Dismas knew, he knew, this was the start of his utopia. Flashes of a perverted, debauched Grassveil flashed before his eyes. Strong servants carrying out his every whim and will... weaker Pokémon vying desperately for favors and attention... as he, himself, sat atop the dark throne of the city as Guild-master. "You needn't feel ashamed for tattling. It should be quite the contrary, actually. I find self-preservation and a survivor-mindset to be very admirable traits, in the face of a real threat. You may be the better fighter, but I am the scarier monster. Respecting that is a natural response.

"We've put on quite a show, my ickle one... and I'm afraid I'll be needing something of yours to keep... to make sure you don't run the authorities, hmmn?" Dismas' head turned, the crazed grin and disturbed glint in his eyes still present, to sweep his gaze across the long-forgotten spectators. Ineffectual weaklings, baby pokémon and their parents alike, stood far out spread in a circle surrounding the two. Shallow trenches via Jet's techniques and from Dismas' being tossed about littered the muddy ground, evidence of a fierce battle. The ghostly imp crouched low to the ground, level with the bowing Buizel, the badge held in his claws in a deceptively soft grip. "The badge fits the bill perfectly. It's not like you'll be doing many missions without your teammates here to carry you to success, right?"