The Dave
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A Viper in the Hole, Chapter 6, part 2
🕑 Added 2024-10-06 10:23:33 +0000 UTCA few more largely uneventful days later, a few hours before dinnertime, Ran and Josie arrive at a, for Ran, familiar location. Union-32 Rest Stop is a lot busier than it was during his previous visit however, the arena out back actively in use even as they approach and the tables out front hosting a few clusters of trainers. Ran grins enthusiastically at the sight, whistling for Golbat to descend so he can recall the flying-type for now.
“Place looks nice enough,” Josie admits nonchalantly, “Though we could also push on for a few more hours and camp out just in front of the cave, so we can get through that as fast as we can over the next few days.”
“We could,” Ran agrees lightly, “But two hours probably won’t make that big of a difference and, unlike you, I’ve been sleeping under the open sky since we left Violet City so I could really do with a shower.”
“A shower does sound good. Alright, I’ll do you a solid and we’ll sleep here for a night.” Josie ‘graciously’ allows, even as they pass by the picnic tables outside and head inside, where Ran greets Angie’s smile of recognition with one of his own.
“Alright, the Pokécenter is a welcome sight too,” Josie admits, but Ran doesn’t respond to her comment, instead approaching Angie eagerly.
“Now there’s a familiar sight! What’re you doing back around these parts then?” Angie asks, greeting Ran enthusiastically.
“Change of plans, I’m going for Azalea Town second after all.” He replies easily, hiding his own lingering unease at the decision without too much trouble, instead glancing around the visibly busier room, at least compared to the last time he visited.
“Well we’re happy to have you! Who’s your new friend?” Angie asks, the brunette shifting her attention to Josie with a welcoming smile.
“Angie, this is Josie. Josie, Angie. We met in Violet City and decided to travel together.” Ran introduces the girls, both greeting the other with a smile.
“Welcome to Union-32 Rest Stop! Did Ran already go over our options earlier, or should I go over them for you?” Angie asks politely, her customer service persona easily slipping into place once more.
“He did, I’ll have a private room for one with bath for the night, dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow, assuming it’s served early enough?” Josie replies smugly, leaving Angie delighted and Ran blatantly jealous of the luxury she can far more easily afford to indulge in.
“We start service at six in the morning, if that’s alright for you?” Angie asks, before continuing enthusiastically when Josie gives an approving nod, “Excellent, thank you for your business. What about you, Ran? Moving up in the world?”
Ran winces in reply, not even needing to vocalize his answer for Angie to start typing away at the computer on her side of the desk. Beating Falkner and having a very respectable win/loss-record has done wonders for his finances, but keeping a Golbat fed has also proven a fair bit more demanding than feeding a Zubat. Not to mention the added cost that comes with actual specialty food, rather than the generic stuff.
Then there’s Goldenrod’s massive specialty trainer stores in his not too distant future as well as his plan to capture a fourth team member sometime between his second and fourth badge challenges. In all, though things are definitely looking up, he doesn’t really have the room to splurge just yet. Still, with Josie whistling innocently right next to him, he decides to treat himself just a bit.
“Actually, Angie, I’ll take dinner as well. Other than that, just the basics, please.” He says, drawing pleased smiles from both girls.
“Great! You can just pay by holding your card against the thingy for a second. If you want that shower of yours to be comfortable, Ran, I would suggest getting to it quickly. Warm water doesn’t run out or anything, but if too many shower heads in the common part are active at once, it does split a few too many ways to maintain a decently satisfying water pressure.” Angie instructs, leaving Ran to thank her for the tip before hurrying off to do just that.
By the time he eventually manages to make it back outside just before dinner, after a shower and a visit to the nurse, it’s to see Ginger prancing around triumphantly on the battlefield behind the Rest Stop, a sulking kid recalling his defeated Wooper just as Ran comes around back.
“There you are!” Josie greets him exuberantly, gesturing him over towards her, where she enthusiastically throws an arm around his shoulder once he obliges, “I’ve been cleaning up, you should’ve seen us go!”
“Well then next time, mind your timing a bit,” Ran teases with a grin, “Because I’m sorry, but after most of a week on the road, you’re always going to lose out against a hot shower.”
“Bah,” Josie waves him off, “I’m way hotter than a crummy shower. Anyways, did you want a go? I guess you can kick people around for a bit, give me and mine a bit of a break.”
“No thanks,” Ran declines easily, “Dinner’s coming up and I had most of the battles on the way here today. I already handed most of my team off to the nurse, notice the lack of multiple pokéballs on my belt?”
“Oh you’re no fun,” Josie complains lightly, before relenting and turning to head inside, the sighs of relief from some of the spectators poorly hidden, “After dinner, you should have at least one battle. You’ve still got the one, right? A little one-on-one to end the day?”
“Maybe,” Ran agrees, as he holds the door open for Josie to enter the main building ahead of him, “Why are you so insistent though? Did you notice anyone in particular for me to battle?”
Before Josie can respond, another voice Ran vaguely recognizes cuts in, “I’ll take you one-on-one, pipsqueak! Where’s that sucker friend of yours? Did he already get smacked down by Falkner and run back home crying to his mommy?”
Ran turns around to notice Win, the flying-type trainer he met with Spencer just after leaving Union Cave, standing up from one of the picnic tables he was sitting at by his lonesome as he approaches. Unbothered, Ran merely follows after Josie and heads inside, not even bothering to keep the door open, forcing Win to take a few hurried paces to catch the door before it falls shut right in his face.
“What’s the matter, pipsqueak? Scared?” The slightly older trainer taunts, sticking on his heels as Ran heads towards the reception desk easily, a short gesture to Josie enough to keep her from retorting in his stead.
“Not quite,” Ran replies easily, glancing towards the kitchen ostentatiously before finally coming to a pause just in front of the reception desk and turning to face Win, “I just wanted to check what’s for dinner. I’m surprised to see you here though. I thought you’d have moved on by now. You had your match with Falkner quite a while ago, didn’t you?”
“I did, beat him like it was nothing too.” Win declares proudly, opening his sleeveless leather vest to show off the Zephyr badge pinned to the inside of it.
“That’s really still the story you’re sticking with?” Angie speaks up from behind them, eyes narrowed at Win disapprovingly, “I looked up the footage after the first time you came in here to brag. Your Hoothoot went down without even landing a real hit and your Spearow barely edged out a win.”
Ran offers the brunette a slight grin, whilst Josie audibly guffaws at the expression Win pulls as Angie catches him with his proverbial pants down. His stunned state only lasts a moment, before his face reddens as he takes two quick steps towards the desk, planting both hands on it as he looms threateningly towards Angie, who doesn’t quite flinch, but she’s clearly uncomfortable.
“How about you shut that mouth of yours before I give you a little reminder of your place, Mangie?” He growls at her, finally causing Ran to speak up once more.
“If you want to fight so badly, I’ll put you in your place after dinner. One-on-one, one badge maximum wager, how about it?” Ran challenges, straightening up subtly as best he can to compensate for some of the height difference with the older teen at least. Not that he’s particularly short, but without Spencer around to make himself seem taller, the pipsqueak comments did rankle just a bit.
It doesn’t quite work, as he’s still just about half a head shorter than the other trainer, but that doesn’t matter to Ran, as the slight hint of doubt that creeps into Win’s gaze at Ran’s seeming confidence is all he needs to feel good about his actions. Then, what little doubt the arrogant trainer showed evaporates like snow before the sun, self-assuredness born from arrogance taking over.
“You’re on, sucker. Get ready to join that little friend of yours in retirement.” Win threatens, before turning on his heel to storm out dramatically.
He doesn’t make it in time to escape Ran’s retort however, short as it is, “I’ve already seen your best. I’m not worried.”
As Win throws the door closed behind him, Josie turns to Ran with a delighted grin, “Where’d that come from?! How is this when I find out that you can pull off badass?”
Ran doesn’t acknowledge her questions, focusing on hiding his pleasure at the compliment, though Angie’s far more worried expression is quite a help in that regard.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Ran. Win’s a piece of shit, but he’s no pushover.”
“Neither am I,” Ran assures her with more confidence than her doubt actually lets him feel, as he pats the lone pokéball at his side, “Besides, I still owe him one for trying to sucker me into his little hustle back when we first came through here.”
“Alright, alright,” Josie interrupts once more, “You can discuss this all you like, but let’s do so over dinner, I’m hungry!”
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After a bracing dinner, Ran heads to the shared dorm first, claiming a bed and finally properly stowing his bag and camping gear for the night. As he’s putting everything away in his footlocker, he feels the weight of more than a few eyes upon him. Glancing around, he realizes that most of the other trainers who are currently in the room are glancing at him with varying degrees of surreptitiousness.
Josie would probably ask what their issue is, but she’s in her private room at the moment, stowing her gear just like he is. Unlike her, Ran just lets them carry on with whatever they’re doing, more focused on his upcoming fight. Win’s Spearow showed some impressive strength against Spencer, so even with his own confidence soaring after his recent string of victories, it won’t do to get complacent.
Running a hand over his lone pokéball comfortingly for a moment, he lets out a heavy breath before heading outside. There, he finds Win already pacing angrily on his side of the field.
“Finally! Get to your spot already, let’s do this!” The agitated trainer demands to little added effect, as Ran simply continues his slow, unbothered walk towards his side of the field.
“Do we have a referee?” Ran asks the crowd, most of the other young trainers staying at the Rest Stop gathering around the field to watch the upcoming fight. At the sight of the cautiously optimistic expressions on their faces, Ran realizes that more than a few of them have already had the displeasure of running into and losing against Win over the past few days.
There are a few older, more experienced trainers around who’d probably easily put the bully in his place, of course. But based on their previous interaction and what Angie told him during his first visit, it’s unlikely that Win challenged any of them or even accepted any challenges he might have received.
“I’ll be the referee.” Angie announces, stepping up to the referee’s box, whilst Ran notices Josie join the rest of the crowd just in time for the start of the match.
“One-on-one, no items, no leaving the field. The match begins on my signal and ends when I call it. Now, release your pokémon on my mark! 3…2…1…Release!” Angie orders authoritatively, with Ran and Win both sending out their pokémon as instructed.
Rather than showboating with his glove and having his Spearow pre-released, Win releases his Spearow from its ball, the little flying-type clearly agitated on the ground and anxious to take flight, but remaining grounded until Angie can start the fight properly.
Facing Spearow, Ekans appears.
Intrigued whispers break out amongst the crowd, as Spearow and Win shift uneasily at the sight of a predator that, in the wild, makes his living off of Spearow’s eggs.
“Spearow versus Ekans! Begin!” Angie shouts suddenly, almost catching Ran off-guard due to her lack of a countdown.
“Glare!” He calls out instinctively, beating Win’s more surprised command for Spearow to get into the sky by a crucial half second.
Spearow is still opening its wings when it looks straight at a pair of ominously glowing yellow eyes and freezes in place, muscles locking up as reflexes take control over its body.
Win starts shouting angrily at Spearow, repeatedly ordering it to shake off its paralysis and take flight, but his words don’t have an immediate effect. Well-attuned as they are, by the time Ran orders Ekans to fire off an Acid attack, his starter is already rapidly slithering closer, his pace only decreasing marginally as he rapidly gathers the energy to fire off a large viscous blob of the purple stuff. He executes it without a hitch, tension leaching out of Ran’s posture at Ekans’ first successful usage of Acid in a real battle.
Spearow finally jars into motion, its wings beating down frantically once and twice more, gaining a crucial foot of height, but it's not enough to escape the incoming attack, purple acid catching the flying-type and splattering all across its form as it frantically makes its way into the sky.
“Leer, make it think twice about coming close again.” Ran instructs confidently, examining Spearow’s flight closely as it gains height. Purple acid is still dripping off of its form, only its wings nearly completely rid of the stuff thanks to their rapid movement.
Ekans obliges, a visible shiver running through Spearow’s body as it catches sight of its opponent’s threat display.
Everyone is quiet for a few tense seconds, Win seemingly weighing his options as Spearow finally stops its ascent some thirty feet in the air. Ran for his part is happy to wait so long as Spearow doesn’t show any ranged attacks. With the pain from Acid and the remaining effects of paralysis still in its system, it’s only a matter of time before another opportunity to strike will present itself.
Win seems to realize the same thing, finally barking out an order, “Aerial Ace! Make it pay!”
“It’ll come in on a straight line, Acid in its path!” Ran orders swiftly, though the wordy command proves a hindrance, as Ekans needs to rush to fire off an underpowered attack in time, which Spearow manages to dodge as Win has plenty of time to shout out an order to abort.
“Circle and pick your moment!” Win orders, Spearow obediently transitioning to flying in a tight circle above Ekans’ position, forcing Ekans to maneuver uncomfortably from its rolled up position to keep close track of the aerial threat.
“Wait for your moment, get ready to Wrap up and Bite down!” Ran instructs, as he glares at the agitated flying-type. Any second now it should-
Spearow flinches, its body locking up once more as Glare’s paralysis makes itself known yet again. The flying-type plummets as Ran barks out an order over Win’s angry demands for Spearow to recover.
“Go!”
Ekans shoots forwards, launching out of his coiled position with great starting speed as Spearow is about to crash down into the field. At the last second, the flying-type recovers enough to turn its nosedive into an uneasy landing, its body still wracked with little aftershocks for a few crucial seconds.
“Get out of there!” Win orders frantically, Spearow turning to look over its shoulder and eyes widening in fear a moment too late, as Ekans finally pounces, immediately wrapping around the other pokémon’s neck before winding down, crushing its wings to its body.
“Peck! Force it off!” Win commands frantically, Spearow obliging to the best of its ability as its hard beak digs into the part of Ekans’ coiling body it can reach.
It isn’t enough however, as Ekans unrolls only enough of his upper body to give his head enough room to pull back comfortably. Then, dripping fangs glowing with a dark aura, he bites down on the back of Spearow’s head, the flying-type letting out loud, pained shrieks as Ekans continues to bite down.
Win doesn’t recall his pokémon however, instead continuing to give it increasingly furious orders, “Peck! Wing Attack! Steel Wing! Shake it off! Fight back!”
Spearow does its best, its famous temper keeping it conscious and struggling longer than it really should have, but Ekans doesn’t let it escape from his clutches, only releasing his Bite for a second to apply a second, even firmer and utterly inescapable grip. Ran glances towards Angie, hoping that she might end the fight even if Win won’t act on his own pokémon’s behalf, but though she’s clearly unhappy about the ongoing punishment, she makes no move to intervene.
As Spearow’s resistance wanes, for a moment, Ran considers the possibility that it, like Golbat under a week ago, might evolve in the moment. But despite Win’s continued raving, it quickly becomes clear that no such stroke of fortune will save it.
Finally, Spearow slips into unconsciousness, with Ekans immediately unwinding to let it slump onto the ground, as he proudly slithers back towards Ran, who receives him with a beaming smile and enthusiastic scratches just behind the poison-type’s lower jaw. From the pleased hiss he gets, Ran can tell that the praise is well-received. On the other side of the field, Win fumes silently for a few seconds. Then, he recalls his Spearow before turning on his heel and pushing right through the thin ring of spectators with a brusque, unexpected push.
Before anyone has really processed that he’s sinking to new depths by running away from a lost battle, he’s a few lengths ahead of the nearest people and hauling ass for the distant woods. Ran can hear Josie cry out in outrage, even as Angie’s angry shouts for Win to return and honor his wager go either unheard or ignored.
The edge of the woods is too close for any of them to catch up, especially with Ginger currently in the care of the local Pokécenter Nurse. Just as Ran accepts losing out on the second biggest payout in his nascent career however, one of the older trainers in attendance intervenes. In a move not too dissimilar from Win’s own, back when he first intercepted Ran and Spencer, the trainer lets out a sharp, oddly resonant whistle. For a few seconds, nothing happens, even as Win makes it to the woods’ edge.
Then, throwing up a cloud of dust behind it, a Dodrio races onto the scene, its trainer stepping out from the crowd just in time to throw out an arm around the base of the racing flying-type’s necks. He uses the momentum of his passing pokémon to get carried along and throw his body onto the saddle attached to its long necks. In a blur, they’re gone, disappearing into the woods mere seconds after Win.
“Who the hell was that guy?” Josie asks, as she jogs up towards Ran, “I didn’t even get a proper look at him, other than that massive white beard of his. You reckon it’s an undercover Ranger?”
“No clue,” Ran admits slowly, impressed by the act of coordination the older man just pulled off, “I figured he was a hiker who kept his beard a fair bit longer than usual.”
“Thin for a hiker though.” Josie responds, any further discussion on the mystery man cut off as an apologetic Angie approaches the pair.
“Sorry about that, Ran, I thought Win might try and pull a stunt like this, which is why I didn’t end the fight any sooner. I assumed that he wouldn’t risk giving up his place to sleep with just that Hoothoot of his for protection until he can make it back to Violet City.” She explains, her usually peppy demeanor now absent.
“It’s not your fault, Angie. You’re not responsible for his poor manners. Still, if this is how he behaves when he loses, can’t you just refuse service?” Ran waves off her apology, not even remotely interested in holding Angie accountable for the actions of the local bully.
“Oh we definitely will from now on!” She agrees angrily, “I’ll have a word with dad this evening, you can be sure of that! But as far as I know, this is the first time he’s pulled this particular stunt. Though I’m also pretty sure that it’s the first time he’s lost a fight that had such a big wager attached to it. He only got the badge a short while ago and he usually only baits people into battling that he’s sure to beat, after all.”
Before Ran can respond, there’s movement on the wood’s edge, the multiple conversations going on around the arena - other trainers likewise having broken into small groups to discuss Win’s behavior in hushed, scandalized tones - fall silent, as the Dodrio reappears sans rider, but with something in its leftmost beak. The flying-type jogs over at a pace still entirely unsustainable for a human, but significantly below its previous sprint.
The crowd parts as it moves straight for Ran, the object in its beak now identifiable as a rolled up stack of bills. It quietly presents said stack to Ran, who opens his hand to let the large evolved pokémon drop the money into. Doing so, its centermost head offers a brief bob of the head, before it turns on its heels and jogs back the way it came.
“Thanks!” Ran calls out after it, surprised by the odd sequence of events, as he’s left holding what seems at first glance to be the exact amount Win owes him following their fight. The Dodrio doesn’t respond, simply disappearing into the woods once more in short order, as the temporarily stalled conversations around the arena pick up once more, now significantly more energized as the topic largely shifts from Win to the mystery Dodrio-trainer.
Angie throws a single look at the money in Ran’s hand, before perking up once more, looking at him hopefully, “So, breakfast?”
“Sure.” Ran allows, peeling off the topmost two bills to hand to Angie, before putting the remaining money away safely on his person.
“And-” She starts to say, only for Ran to immediately cut her off by raising a hand, the brunette obediently falling silent.
“Don’t push it.” He warns, though the smile he shoots her makes it clear that he’s joking.
“Worth a shot,” Angie giggles, before patting Ran on the shoulder and, following a few final words, turning to head back inside once more, “Thanks for putting that douche in his place, Ran. Now that his usual ploy has backfired this badly, plus with us not offering him lodging or treatment any more, hopefully he’ll find a more honest way to make his money rather than lurking around these parts and preying on exhausted rookies.”
Ran shrugs off the gratitude, ill at ease with it considering his personal motives, “Not a problem. I still owed him one for before anyways.”
Angie doesn’t audibly respond, merely throwing Ran a pretty smile over her shoulder, which is enough for his objections to fall away, as he feels his face heat up slightly.
“So,” Josie finally speaks up once more, an elbow to his ribs easily jarring him out of his temporarily distracted state, “Bugsy, Spencer, this guy, you having outstanding accounts with people isn’t going to become a regular thing, right? Because that sounds exhausting.”
“Nah,” Ran denies dryly, “I haven’t traveled enough to have any more grudges to settle.”
Josie facepalms, before slouching and walking towards the main building ahead of Ran as well, who can only follow her in surprise, quickly recalling Ekans as he does so.
“What, I thought you didn’t want me to have any more debts to settle?” He asks in affront, her reaction not at all what he’d expected.
“I don’t, but only you could possibly voice it like that!” She complains, striding ahead of him as she does so.
Unsure of her meaning, Ran can only offer an unseen shrug, “Sorry.”
Josie’s scoff makes it quite clear just how much value she puts in his apology, but she lets the matter drop. Though Ran’s next few hours are spent answering questions and accepting thanks from a number of the other younger trainers who had the displeasure of meeting Win over the past few days. Eventually, he falls into bed satisfied, the night’s winnings added to his growing budget.
Comments
TempestK
My other thought was that it might be Red due to him using a Dodrio in Pokemon Generations when he faced Agatha.
The Dave
Nope. It's a *name* alright, just not that one.
TempestK
Wait a cotton-picking minute... was that Mr. Goodshow?!
DiscoT
Glare and Scary face would be a nice combo for ekans. Just obliterate the opponents speed to make it even easier getting in close for wrapping and biting.
Mrsean22
Good on Ran winning against Win. Tried running but didn't go well for Win. At least Ran got some good reputation from it?
