Snippet #2807500

SteelClaw snorted at Ako's threat and merely raised a brow at her request. His smug grin was ever present and degrading as she stood her ground and made her proposition. Bubba tilted his head slightly but didn't look her way. The rest of Michael's team gawked at her, all with the same look: impressed with her pride, but an empty feeling backing it...a feeling of dread. There wasn't much hope to be felt behind the Eevee's defiant words.

When she was done talking, the room was slowly filled with the narcissistic laughter of the Sneasel, constantly fiddling with his clawed fingers, gazing upon them casually. When he spoke, he didn't sound the least bit intimidated.

"You really think you're in a position to make demands in return? Ha! You don't even have the faintest bargaining chip against me. You're outnumbered here, sweetie. Because even if you think you can take care of me, you'll still have to deal with Bubba over here. And I know for a fact that you can't defeat him."

He started taking slow, practiced steps towards Ako, Honing his Claws again.

"Besides, that wasn't a request. I wasn't asking kindly if you could come with me. I'm telling you that you are going to come with me. I was offering you a chance to come quietly and without any further pain to your friend. And if you think I care about the human that lives upstairs...I don't. I will tear this house to shreds if it means I'm dragging you out of it."

At that moment, his forward momentum stopped. SteelClaw blinked once, the look of confusion spreading on his face. He turned back around to find Bubba had grabbed his arm. Before anything else, the Abomasnow effortlessly tugged his arm back, sending the Sneasel into the back wall. He growled and shook his head, but by the time he could find his footing, Bubba was standing in between him and Ako.

"No you won't," he stated flatly, "Not this time."

Susie audibly gasped. Kip and Kyla tensed up. Leila hovered close to the Eevee, eyes locked on the Abomasnow.

"Y-..." SteelClaw's fury was written across his face, "You...Vintrell will hear about this-"

"And?" Bubba cocked his head to the right, "Vintrell's already gonna punish me anyway. What do I have to lose?"

"Y-" the Sneasel took a moment to regain his composure, managing a half-sneer in an exasperated tone, "You have everything to gain from this. You know I can put in a good word for you. You hand her over to me and I can assure you there will be no further action from Vintrell on what happened last night."

Bubba had to look down, his gaze passing to the floor in self-reflection...or maybe it was self-realization? It took a second for the Abomasnow to speak his rebuttle.

"Smoke and mirrors...that's all you are..." he said in resignation, "It just took me too long to realize..."

He passed a side glance towards Ako before continuing.

"I don't think I can trust that offer. In fact, I don't think I can trust you, period. All you are is talk. You've got no bite to match, other than the support of your leader you bow down to so that he can shower you with fancy trinkets. You have no real power of your own. You just bullshit your way through every single problem. That's why Vintrell keeps you around...because why use force, manpower, and resources when you can use scare tactics and fear? I bet you even had the balls to come here alone...because you were just that confident you could manipulate me."

"Not even close!" the Sneasel protested, "I've got tons of back-up waiting outside. Just like last night."

"Yeah? Then bring them in here. Let's see 'em then."

"I-" the Sneasel blinked, caught off guard from that response. In that split second, he became completely vulnerable...completely visible. It was as if the veil was unleashed and they could peer into his mind.

But he pressed on anyway, "I won't even need them. I can deal with you myself."

"Oh can ya now?" Now it was the Abomasnow that held all the confidence, "Thing is, I simply don't believe ya anymore. So come at me. You say you'll tear this place apart if it means dragging her out of here. Well I bet I can toss you out that front door without you leaving a scratch."

Bubba took a huge step forward, letting his size enshroud the Sneasel. There was an aura shift now. The once mighty Sneasel now looked small compared to everyone else around them. Kyla let her low growl slip through again. Kip balled his fists. Susie merely glared from her perch. And Bubba looked the least bit concerned, cracking his knuckles as he pounded a fist in his palm. There was a steely glint in everyone's eyes. They were all hungry for justice.

SteelClaw's eyes darted around to everyone, more anger and hatred furrowing his brow with every second. But this time, there was no intimidation. It was all out of fear and hopelessness.

"It seems you're the one who's outnumbered here," Bubba said triumphantly.

"Don't think you've won yet," SteelClaw spat angrily, "I'm coming back for all your heads."

And then the Sneasel ran, sprinting to the left, out of the living room and through the front door, slamming it shut behind him. No one bothered to give chase.

Kyla rubbed her head against Bubba's arm, "Took ya long enough."

Susie was still hopping around nervously, "What's gonna happen now? Vintrell's gonna run you out of town! And then we're never gonna see you again! I don't want that to happen!"

"It'll be fine, Susie," Bubba spoke calmly, "We'll figure it out."