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.

Jet's head looked up slightly when Dismas' tone was changed. He hadn't expected the Sableye to ease up on him so soon. However, it seemed that everything he had told him was more than enough to satisfy and pacify him. That was good; it meant that there might be no more difficult questions for him to answer and further betray his own teammates. And he knew that that was exactly what he had done. He couldn't believe everything he had let slip in his fits of panic, but even if he wanted to take them back, he knew that he couldn't. He was inferior to this Sableye. If he resisted, he would only be crushed and humiliated. And what good would he be to his teammates then?

Besides...ever since their last meeting, Jet had been alone this entire time, trying his hardest to keep his Team Mizuchi afloat. If this conversation went where he thought that it might, then perhaps its good name would be hindered, but at least he could more easily keep it alive.

Dismas soon began talking again, snapping the Buizel from his inner thoughts. He kept his head bowed low, trying not to feel the many pairs of eyes searing into his body. He was embarrassed by his position, but there was nothing he could do but submit. When the Sableye mentioned him having better fighting skills, he shook his head slightly as though to deny it, but said nothing in response and did not interrupt. In fact, it wasn't until the Sableye mentioned stopping him from going to the authorities that he finally lifted his head slightly and said something.

"N-no, p-please, don't take that...!" Jet begged, reaching out in a desperate attempt to grab it into his own paws. He didn't care about being obedient right now...he just wanted to keep that with him. "P-please, I-I'll do anything, I-I swear! I-I promise I won't go to anyone! A-and I'll do anything you want! Th-that badge is more than just something that lets me do missions. I-It symbolizes my team...a-and the only two friends I've ever made." If his sudden grasp for the badge failed, he would resume his bow, though even lower this time. "I-I'll even let you keep an eye on me! I-if you join our team, y-you can stay with me and everything...!"

His pleas were completely genuine. But whether Dismas actually believed him or not, or would even accept his offer, was a completely different story. But one thing was very clear either way: He definitely at least wanted to keep that badge with him somehow.

When Jet reached for the badge, Dismas almost regretted showing mercy to the young buizel, his claws twitching reflexively. The Darkness Pokémon stepped back out of Jet's reach coolly, watching dispassionately as he went on to bow lower, the grin on his mug faded slightly and became noticeably strained. Being fresh from home and having arrived in Grassveil only a short while ago, he was uncharacteristically hesitant about what to do with his options. He'd scouted the areas accessible to him around town for capable Pokémon, and Jet was the only one he felt comfortable confronting so far. On one hand, getting access to a follower and the guild so early was making spectacular time, but on the other... he didn't have a concrete plan yet. He'd come to town sick of his own weakness and swearing to become the strongest- and it seemed that position was Guild-master 'round these parts. Rushing into things made him uncomfortable.

... But Jet was worth the risk. Even after one fight, he seemed immediately cowed and receptive to orders, aside from the badge issue. Once Dismas surpassed him in skill, then it would only be smooth-sailing from there. A competent Floatzel in the future to help with the dirty work would be a definite boon.... but something would definitely have to be done about him being so merciful.

The ghostly imp made a show of putting on a sigh, looking like he was contemplating his decision even after he made it. When he next spoke, he put as much of a warning in his voice as possible. "You're putting me on the spot, ickle one. I'm not so sure that I'm comfortable giving you this badge and trusting you not to do something stupid.

"Here's an idea, friend. I'll hold onto your trinket for you, and I'll even join your little rescue squad. That way, you'll know it's safe nearby, right? And when I feel like you're not so much of a weakling anymore, maybe I'll think about giving it back to you." Dismas cocked his head innocently, gauging Jet's reactions carefully. No matter what the buizel said, he wasn't getting the badge back. Cunning and resourceful though he was, against Grassveil authorities, he'd be either arrested or branded an outlaw if he made it out.. And that wasn't on the agenda.

Jet tried not to look Dismas in the eye, thinking that the Sableye might be angry with him for suddenly trying to snatch that badge back. But then, instead of the berating, or even the kick that Jet was half-expecting to receive, he heard a great exhale. The imp-like Pokémon had just let out a sigh...? Did that then mean that he wasn't angry? Perhaps he would even be able to assist the Sableye in some way that would result in him receiving his badge again...?

But when he heard Dismas' voice again, he immediately cowered once more, looking down at the Ghost-type Pokémon's feet instead of up at him. That tone made him shiver slightly. He couldn't have gotten the message more clearly if it had been spelled out before him in plain English writing. In the end, it seemed like the imp Pokémon was not about to give him his badge back. That's about what he had expected. However, it seemed that Dismas was not yet finished.

"...Huh?" Jet murmured. He had to stop and think about what Dismas had just said. the Ghost Pokémon would not be returning his badge. However, in exchange for the badge, he is probably going to have to submit himself to Dismas' whim. But that was not something he was too concerned about for now. He wasn't sure to what extent the Ghost Pokémon had planned things out, but it didn't matter. He'd do anything to prevent his badge from being kept from him...!

"...Y-yes," he replied after a few additional seconds of consideration. He could already tell that Dismas was not going to give up his badge. So this was probably the best deal he could hope for. "I-I understand. I-I suppose it only makes sense. A-and I'll even do anything you want. Y-you name it, I-I'll do it. I-I'll even call you 'Master' or something like that if you want me to..."

He could only hope that he knew what he was getting himself into. Bending his knee to Dimas could end up poorly for him either way...but it was his best plan, considering it yielded the highest chance of getting his badge back in one piece.

"Master, hmm? Well, I can't say that I don't like the sound of that... but if others heard you doing that, then I'd have people asking questions that I'm not ready to answer just yet. Perhaps I'll allow it when we're alone, but to the rest of the world, we'll be the best of friends. And we will, my ickle one. Walk with me," The normally morbid and grim Sableye adopted a friendly visage, his smile suddenly not so crooked or showing as many sharpened teeth, claws relaxed and posture approachable, tugging lightly on Jet's shoulder as he walked past the subservient buizel. An innocent cock of the head and smile immediately cleared a path out of the spectators, scattering them back around the clearing before Dismas walked near. "I don't think I have to tell you that someone like me doesn't exactly belong in a rescue guild. Honestly, anybody that needs rescuing is a stain on a place that thrives like Grassveil does. So since I'll be going with you, you're going to make this worth my while. I'll take you up on that offer. You'll do as I say, exactly as I say it, and exactly when I want you to do it. In return, I'll hold onto this trinket and I'll see if I can't get you toughened up some."

The dark imp turned his head to cast a cool gaze over Jet, observing his physique and the way he carried himself. Aside from some scuff marks on his head and torso from the headbutts and scratches, the buizel didn't sustain too much physical damage. But he was so brittle and soft mentally, that Dismas really had his work cut out for him. The way he'd bowed so easily to him... any other Pokémon could have done the same thing to him. And Dismas did not intend for anybody to steal his newfound follower. So the next thing on the agenda, aside from joining his team, was shaping himself and Jet up to a respectable level of strength. That meant he, himself, getting at least as strong and skilled as Jet, and working up Jet's confidence and battle-mentality. No more looking down on himself (except in Dismas' presence, of course) or holding back against weaker opponents. When he was done with him, Jet would be looking down on others, carrying the dark-ghost hybrids will and ruthlessly slaughtering their enemies.

"O-oh. Y-yes, I-I suppose they would be overly curious if they heard that...." Jet murmured. He thought about what the Sableye said to him and considered his words. So, in private, they would be like master and servant, where he would do Dismas' bidding and openly act subservient in order to please him. But if people saw him behaving so strangely toward him, they might grow suspicious. And that was what Dismas clearly wanted to avoid. He wanted to keep a low profile for now. On the surface, they were just going to be friends who met each other in battle. It would be much like how he had met and befriended Avery, so it certainly would not seem too out of place. And he had no choice in the matter.

"Y-yes...o-of course," Jet finally replied when he was told to rise and walk with him. If they were to begin this façade, they could not have him bowing down to him like this in public for very long. His head quickly raised itself from its lowered position and his body straightened itself out until he was standing upright once more. For a moment, he had forgotten just how much shorter Dismas was than himself. He had had his head lowered for so long that he seemed so much taller than he actually was. But perhaps it was merely that menacing glare of his that made him think that way...?

Once Jet was back on his feet, he began walking with Dismas, falling into step slightly behind him. As he followed in silence, he paid close attention to what the Ghost Pokémon began to tell him. As it turned out, he was going to have to follow every single one of Dismas' commands to the letter. He felt a small rise of concern when he realized just what kinds of things his new boss could potentially ask of him. But in the end, it settled since he knew that he was powerless to change things.

"Y-yes...o-of course, Mas...I-I mean, erm...." He had to pause for a moment and think. He couldn't remember what this Sableye had called himself. However, he quickly recalled the beginning of their meeting and filled in his own blank before he had to be corrected. "D-Dismas. I-I will do my best to serve you. No...no matter what. I-I won't disappoint you."

"Don't be so sure, little one. You'll soon come to realize I have very high expectations," Dismas whispered quietly as he and his first follower exited the clearing together. On the inside, the dark imp was giddy with excitement. His first minion, and so soon! Oh, mother would be so proud. He failed completely to contain his satisfaction, the dopey, friendly smile still on his face. His mind raced, and he dreamt up all sorts of scenarios in the future, where he'd be punishing and rewarding servants of all kinds, Jet included. He didn't mind showing such emotion in front of the buizel at this point, because soon they'd have to make a trip to the guild, and then no one would be happy. Might as well feel good about himself now because surely the happy-go-lucky fools of the Grassveil guild would ruin his mood. But, hey. Perhaps he could take his frustrations out on his new flunky.

Jet remained silent as the two walked. When Dismas so softly mentioned his high expectations, the Buizel felt his heart sink slightly. There was no way he was going to meet high expectations very often. That might be a little bit too much for him. And that would probably mean that he would have plenty of punishment coming his way in the future. A barely-audible gulp soon left his throat as he thought about what any failures might mean for him. However, he quickly tried to shove those thoughts aside. Fearing what was to come would not help him, after all. He would just have to do his best and hope for a miracle.

"Y-yes, M...mister Dismas," he murmured in a defeated tone while trying to hide his near-blunder in calling Dismas "Master" prematurely. "I understand. B-but I will do my best regardless...."

Despite the Buizel walking behind the Sableye, even he could feel the demeanor that Dismas was showing right now. He couldn't make out the entire smile, but he certainly didn't have to in order to understand what it looked like. And suddenly, a shiver ran down his spine. This strange happiness that Dismas was giving off in front of him did no ease him in the slightest. Instead, something about the Dark Ghost hybrid's look gave it a rather creepy atmosphere. He could only hope that they hurry to the guild so that he did not need to feel like this for much longer.

"At least you're enthusiastic... Feh," Indeed, the next stop would have to be the guild. Dismas was iffy about joining, but it would be good for gaining strength. And, of course, getting at least as skilled as Jet currently was. His grin turned crooked when he realized that their next destination was probably overflowing with zealous, young, malleable minds. And all capable to a degree, if they were accepted into a rescue guild. For a moment, he felt worried that maybe he wasn't up to snuff, but quickly did away with the thought. He couldn't be the worst. Jet would be. "You need to loosen up when we're around other people. That doesn't just mean not calling me master- treat me like you would one of your old teammates. Before they abandoned you, that is-- and, drop that tittering little stutter, you sound ridiculous.

"Before we go anywhere though, I need to make a quick stop at my camp. You did quite the number on me, ickle one." Dismas glanced down, sizing himself up in the same manner he did Jet a moment ago. Indeed, the Sableye came off the encounter looking much worse than his new underling. His fur was soaked and matted from the rain, even more so in patches where Aqua Tail had connected. There was more of him that was caked in mud than otherwise, and there was still a telltale ache in his ribs from the repeated blows there. Absently, he ran his claws over his ever-present monocle and was pleased to note that it wasn't cracked or damaged, from what he could feel. "We'll meet up in the guild... in an hour, perhaps. Go clean yourself up. We don't want them knowing we were just beating on each other. Is there anything I should expect or prepare for before we go? A membership test, perhaps?"

Jet remained silent whenever possible while they were walking. He had decided that it would probably best to remain quiet and speak only when spoken to, unless he really had something important to say. After all, the last thing he wanted to do was say something that would make Dismas angry at him. The sheer thought sent a chill down his spine. When Dismas began telling him how to behave while they were in public, he nodded with understanding. He had already made the assumption that that would be his order. And he already had something to say on the matter.

"A-ah...I-I'll try to work on this stutter, D-Dismas," he replied. "B-but I wouldn't be too concerned about how I act. Th-this isn't far off from how I usually am, w-with friends or not. A-avery always told me I-I should carry myself with more dignity, b-but I just never felt like I had it in me. S-so it's not something that would raise suspicion."

He then continued to quietly listen to Dismas' words. He was given further instructions and questions. Well, one question to be more accurate. "Y-yes, I-I suppose that that would be best," he admitted, looking down at himself. His own body was not as badly injured as Dismas' was, but he was still soaked, scuffed and a bit muddy. "A-as for the guild...." He didn't answer right away. The Buizel had to stop and think. It had been months since he joined the guild. How had they created the team again...?

"...I-I think we will p-probably be needing to stop by the Guildmaster's office." he answered at last. "Th-that's where team registrations are done. By the Guildmaster herself. S-so adding a member is probably the same. I-If I recall correctly, I-I think all we did was give her our names and our team name. S-so that might be all you need to do as well. Th-though I feel like there was...more to it somehow. L-like she was observing us while we talked...th-though that could have just been my imagination."

"Regardless of whether or not you have it in you," the dark imp sneered patronizingly, his voice sharp, "you won't be stuttering about like a sniveling little weakling anymore. You're one of mine now, and you'll act as such. I do expect improvement." Dismas could feel his lip curling, annoyance bleeding through as he heard about the guild. On one hand, Dismas was very impressed with the city of Grassveil- it was prosperous, secure, and the first large settlement he'd come across. On the other, it seemed that the guild-master was inept. Why on earth would she, head of the Guild and the figure of authority, deign to handle the team formations of every baby Pokémon that walked through her guild? And there was no test? What kind of incompetent children could this place be harboring?

"If you're not sure where to do it at, we'll ask when we get there... and I'm sure it wasn't your imagination. She was probably looking for something. Not sure what, since she apparently doesn't test for skill when any Pokémon asks to form a rescue team... either way, it wont be a problem." Dismas cast one more gaze over his quarry, a sharp smile glimmering with amusement, and his amethyst eyes shining ominously. The day had gone quite well, he decided, looking over his first henchman. "Remember. In front of the guild in an hour. If you don't show... I'll come looking. "

"Ngh," Jet murmured lowly as the Darkness Pokémon sneered at him again. "Y-y-yes, of course. I-I'll do what I can...." However, he seriously had his doubts that he would ever be able to talk completely normally with him. After all, he talked with a stutter every time he was nervous, anxious or uneasy. It was just a verbal tick of his in a way. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't get over it. And he doubted that he would ever start to feel comfortable or at home enough with this Sableye to ever lose his stutter completely.

"N-no, no, it's okay, Dismas," Jet said quickly when he said that he might not know where it is. "I-I'm sure that it's in the Guildmaster's office. A-and I know exactly where it is. I-It's hard to forget." When the Ghost-type Pokémon reminded him of his instructions, he simply bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. As he nodded, another cold shiver ran down his spine, which caused him to visible tremble for a moment. That threat of his seemed to truly grip him firmly. He would certainly not want to get in trouble already. "D-don't worry. I-I promise that I'll be there..." he said, even more nervous now that an actual verbal threat had been issued. "A-a-and I-I'll be as g-good as new."

"I expect no less, ickle one." And with that, Dismas turned from his first minion with a flourish, breaking off into another direction. His mind was furiously racing with new thoughts and problems, his body was aching from a beating, and he'd never felt as satisfied as he did now. Pokémon young and old gave the dark-ghost hybrid a wide berth, the ever-present manic grin playing about his face. Amethyst eyes glinted merrily, and Dismas absently wondered what the guild would have waiting for him. Certainly, more prospective minions and chances to grow in strength, and rescue missions whenever he needed them. While he was never a fan of helping others on principle, preferring to help himself, he'd heard that difficult missions often reaped sought-after rewards. Perhaps Jet was onto something.

He'd eventually have entered the guild anyways, but doing it so soon, while he was incapable of defending himself in case he was exposed for what he really was, left the Sableye nervous and weary. The little he heard from Jet about this guildmaster also had him on edge. He'd arrived at Grassveil wide-eyed and green, looking at the large and successful settlement with awe, having never seen anything like it in his life. He imagined the guild was full of powerful and dangerous Pokémon, but apparently anybody could get in if they had heart enough. And the strongest of them all apparently wasted her time interviewing all of the newcomers. Maybe he was wrong about the guild...

Either way, Dismas left for his camp with a nervous feeling curling in his gut.