Keon Hunter's Story

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The Asmax

The Asmax is waking up to a bright and beautiful day as the sun peeks from behind the horizon. Rare and powerful Pokemon emerge from their burrows and nests to greet the morning - another morning in their paradise on earth. Here, no one was allowed to harm them, and they all live like they should.

But the five hundred years of peace is coming to its end. The grand hotel is standing tall in the shores of Asmax yet again, and humans - the Gladiators - have once again taken up home in it. They would once again venture out into the different regions and would then return to Asmax as the best of the best, and challenge the PokeGod for their selfish reasons. The Pokemon of Asmax watch warily and keep their distance, as the hum of war envelops their home.

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The Hotel has a grand lobby with booths for the Pokemon Center and Mart present, but usually ignored as battles are still not being commenced. Each Gladiator is given a room, suited to their preferences, with balconies staring out into the lavish island. There is a grand stadium in the back of the Hotel and facing the island. This is where the formal battles between Gladiators take place to determine the final five who will challenge Arceus. The doors to the stadium are guarded by the most powerful Pokemon of every Type, making sure no Gladiator enters until called.

There are other rooms in the Hotel, including a game room, a library, a pool, a dining area, and a Pokemon daycare (currently not doing business but can be visited). The Gladiators are to stay in the Hotel for an entire day before they're sent off to their chosen regions first thing in the morning the next day.

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Kyrie stepped out into the balcony, her pale hands gripping the ledge as though she'd fall into abyss if she didn't. The sun warmed her cheeks and she breathed deep. The air in Asmax was pure - unpoluted - and Kyrie felt it enter her bloodstream, like strong arms that embraced her from the inside. She couldn't remember the last time she felt something other than the vile poison inside her.

Her eyes found Arceus' mountain looming in the distance, its peak hidden behind dark clouds. The mere sight of the mountain almost made her lose her breath. Her thoughts wandered. What if she won, and as she was climbing the mountain, death decided it was time for her to go? Her grip on the ledge tightened. She wouldn't even be surprised if fate once again decided to play a cruel joke on her. That seemed to be all that fate did when it came to her.

Minerva shuffled up beside her, lips turned down into a small frown. Kyrie patted her partner's head, silently apologizing. This was perhaps another of fate's cruel jokes - pairing up this hopeless, depressed time bomb with a Pokemon who was overly sensitive to people's emotions. Agitating Minerva was something that Kyrie tried not to do, but sometimes, she couldn't even control her thoughts and how they made her feel.

Minerva cried out again, worry for her trainer evident in the tone, and Kyrie forced the melancholic thoughts out of her head as she scooped up Minerva in her arms. "How about we head to the library for a while?"

Minerva shook her head and Kyrie frowned. "Where then? The lounge? Meet the other Gladiators?" At Minerva's nod, Kyrie smiled. "You sure are clever, aren't you?" Kyrie chuckled and helped Minerva to her preferred position - sitting atop Kyrie's left shoulder. Together, they walked out of the room and headed for the lounge.

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Keon fixed his hair and put on his eyepatch before he checked his appearance in front of the mirror. This was the day to meet the other Gladiators, show them who their competition was. Keon smirked at the mirror, his canines winked back at him. It wasn't going to be a competition. Yveltal told him as such.

"This will be a slaughter," he mimed the Pokemon's words to the mirror. When he heard those words in his mind, resonating like church bells and igniting excitement inside his body. "Slaughter." The word tasted like promise on his lips.

It was as the final syllable left his lips that eyes - crimson as blood - swam into his vision. Normally, such an experience would have caused people to jump back and cry out in surprise, but not Keon. Instead, he just gently pushed the Misdreavus out of the way and checked the glint of his teeth in the mirror.

Hecate's indignant huff echoed in the walls of the bathroom and caused Keon to chuckle. "Your tricks don't work on me, Hecate. You know that," he reminded as he flashed the mirror a charming smile. He moved out of the bathroom and into his bedroom proper, and gestured for Hecate to follow. "Should we try your pranks on the other Gladiators then?"

He was already half-way out the door when Hecate agreed with a happy cry.

Together, they headed out into the hallway and made their way towards the lounge. On the way, they saw another Gladiator, a girl with a Ralts, buying food for her Pokemon. Keon eyed Hecate, silently telling her 'not this one'. With that settled, they approached the girl. Before he could speak, though, the girl had turned around, eyeing them cautiously.

"You were going to scare us but stopped. Why?"

Keon was caught off guard at first, but quickly recovered."We have a psychic in our midst, Hecate." He motioned for the lounge, which was behind the door to their right. "I was just hoping for company to enjoy the lounge with me. I'm Keon, by the way."

"Kyrie." The girl nodded, but made no move towards the lounge.

Keon chuckled lightheartedly, but said nothing. Instead, he just flashed Kyrie a charming smile and made his way towards the lounge. The sound of footsteps behind him made his smile grow. One Gladiator down.

The monstrous sounds of the collected snoring of Aiden, and his Charmander partner Scorch filled their room, and was lightly spilling into the hallway. It was abruptly stopped by the loud thud of Aiden falling out of his bed, and onto the floor. "What?! Huh?!" Aiden yelled in confusion as he stumbled to get up. All the noise he was making woke up Scorch, who let out a loud, growl-like yawn as he rubbed his eyes. "Morning bud." Aiden greeted to his partner as he starched out, with all his bones cracking and popping. Aiden quickly got himself ready by taking a quick shower, brushing his teeth, and other such things.

"Well bud, today's the day. Our first step to beat Arceus, and these Gladiators." Aiden said as he looked out the window, and pulled his pants up. "I'm coming for you Arceus. Ain't no stopping us." He said as he stared intently at the mountain the almighty resides in. "Do you really think you can win this?" A soft, timid, and child-like voice asked in the back of Aiden's head. "Morning V. I got this in the bag! You're the embodiment of victory man. Have a little faith in your champion." Aiden said trying to reassure his legendary Victini.

"You really think so?!" Victini asked with a bit of excitement. "I know so. We can win this blindfolded, and with one arm tied behind our back." Aiden smirked as he put on his shirt. "If anyone can do it, I know you can! The other Gladiators are up in the lounge. Maybe you should meet them?" Victini asked with some relief. "Gottcha. Talk to you later V." Aiden said as he threw on his hoodie. "What do you say we go meet our competition Scorch? Ha! Competition. That's funny ain't it?" Aiden asked. Scorch replied with smile, and a agreeing nod.

"Good man." Aiden said as he grabbed his backpack, and shuffled through the insides. "Ah! Here you go bud." Aiden said as he took out a pink macaroon. He unwrapped the macaroon, and tossed it to Scorch. The macaroon bounced around the Charmander's hands as he almost dropped it. Once he got a grip on it, a smile lite up his face as he took a big bite out of it. A chuckle came out of Aiden as he watched him savor the taste. Aiden gently rubbed his head. "Come on bud, let's go." Aiden said with a warm smile.

They exited the room, and into the hallway. As they walked to the lounge, the only thing that Aiden could think about was what sort of trainers these Gladiators are. Were they older then him? Were they gym leaders? Members of the Elite Four? And more importantly did they have more badges then him? They arrived in the lounge to see three others up. Two girls, and a guy. The rather cute girl off by herself with a Sneasel immediately caught his eye. A sly grin crept across his face as he checked her out. He decided to introduce himself in the only way he knew how.

He walked over towards with a charming, and warm smile plastered on his face. "Good morning gorgeous." Aiden greeted. "Name's Aiden." He introduced himself. He kneeled down closer to her, and gently took her right hand into his. He gave her soft kiss on the hand without his eyes wavering from hers. "May I ask the name of this vision of loveliness before me? Or shall I just call you Perfection?" Aiden asked in a warm, and charming tone. Scorch meanwhile went over to her Sneasel companion with a warm smile while his were cheeks stuffed. He offered the Sneasel the rest of his macaroon, which was a little under half.

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Heath woke up, and shivered from the cold of his room. He kept it cold in his room so as to better suit his Spheal partner Tundra. Heath got out of bed, and lightly patted Tundra on his head to wake him up. "Time to get up Tundra." Heath said as he woke up. The Spheal yawned as he watched his trainer scramble around to get dressed.

"What do you say we take a look around for a bit?" Heath asked as he put on his coat. Tundra agreed with a big smile. Heath left the room with Tundra closely waddling behind. They entered the lounge, and took a seat in the very back away from everyone else.

Maeve sat up in her luxurious hotel room, taking in the view of Arceus's mountain. She and Mewtwo would own that mountain soon enough. Maeve was fit for the challenge, and as she slipped out of the bed, she spotted Absol dozing lightly in the corner. She smiled, leaving the Pokemon to wake up on his own as she padded sleepily over to the wardrobe.

She pulled out a different outfit than usual, very formal for her. As she put her few possessions in the tiny black purse, she sighed and looked over at Absol. "I hate getting so dressed up. These shoes are killing me." She looked down at the black shoes, not even knowing what to call them.

She felt a tiny probing at her mind, and instantly Mewtwo made his disdain at her outfit clear. He wasn't one to mince words, as Maeve had quickly learned.

"What are you wearing? I thought you were all for never changing your identity -or fashion taste- for other people. " Before she could come up with a clever, biting retort, Mewtwo spoke again. By the way, you're late for the meeting. As usual. Late for everything, my darling.

Maeve scoffed, but then Mewtwo teleported her into the lounge. Maeve tried to regain her balance, not to mention her dignity. She and her Pokemon were as close as could be- no other Gladiator she knew had such a tight bond. However, it was times like these - unexpected teleports and such - that made her definitely wish that Mewtwo didn't think she trusted him enough to send her random places and into awkward situations. Like these.

She and Absol had been dropped onto a table, right in the middle of everyone's social time. Not such a social butterfly, Maeve tried a sheepish smile and finally squeaked out a greeting.

"Um... Hey...?"

Well, you screwed that up.

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Kyrie was sat in the back as she watched the Gladiators enter the lounge, all with their different quirks and attitudes. Already, she could distinguish the loud and eccentric bunch from those who are more her type - the laid back and quiet. She let her eyes wander around the room, all the while feeding Ralts who was still sitting on her shoulder.

Still, first things first was to shoo away the red-haired boy that was the first to approach them. There was something morbidly dark that surrounded that boy, and Kyrie wanted as far away from him as possible. Minerva didn't need the hostility that sat at the core of that boy's soul.

Without a word to Keon, Kyrie stood up and approached one of the other Gladiators, the one with an Absol. She offered her a hand and a small, but warm smile. "That was quite an entrance." The Ralts on her shoulder agreed, with a small smile of its own. "I'm Kyrie. Kyrie Valentine."

She didn't know where the newfound courage came from, as she wasn't much for speaking to strangers, but she'd use it while she could. Minerva cried out happily from where she was perched, and Kyrie just chuckled. Somehow, she had a bit of an idea where the confidence came from. Unlike her, Minerva loved being surrounded by people, especially when they have a bright aura around them.

'Choose wisely, my Gladiator,' resounded in her head a moment later. 'Making allies can lead you straight to victory, but you must first be smart in choosing who to align yourself with.'

Kyrie nodded to herself. Uxie was right, of course, and she had to choose correctly. She trusted her Ralts, and she seemed to think that this person and her Absol were alright.

With her thoughts settled, she flashed another smile towards the purple-haired girl and watched in her peripheral for other potential allies.

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Keon frowned when Kyrie left him alone, not liking the girl's outward avoidance of him. He had made sure that he was nice to her, so what was her problem? It was people like her that made his blood boil.

His Misdreavus appeared beside him from out of nowhere, her eyes filled with worry and concern. Keon gave her a small smile, assuring her that all was alright and he could control himself. His eyes found Kyrie, who was helping another Gladiator off a table, and he smirked. The girl had just put a giant bulls-eye on her back, and Keon wasn't known to miss.

For now, though, he would give the little psychic her space.

'Pick off the one away from the majority, Deathbringer.'

Keon arched a brow. He knew that voice, of course, and it was the only one that called her that - Deathbringer. Yveltal's commanding tone was unmistakeable, and its words were something Keon never hoped to disobey. So he stood and looked around, smiling to himself at the sight of two Gladiators far away from the group - a girl with a Lugia by her side, and a boy with a Spheal. "Are they the ones?" he asked underneath his breath.

'Yes.'

"Very well." He fixed his scarf and motioned for Hecate to follow him as he approached the two, making sure to be a healthy distance from them. That Lugia was admireable, and definitely not something Keon wanted to piss off this early.

His shoulders sagged a bit, and warmth returned to his eyes as he flashed them a charming smile. "Hey. I'm Keon. He turned to the girl with a look of faux-concentration. "Let me guess... Nope, don't tell me... Aha! Lugia's Gladiator!"

"Well Takuya, the pleasure's all mine." Aiden smirked. He glanced over to see Scorch chasing after the Sneasel. But then a Pokémon appeared out of nowhere. This took Aiden by surprise, and instinctually took a couple steps back. Once he got a good look, he recognized this legendary as Darkrai. He looked around a bit, and saw some of the others legendary partners. 'Yo V, starting to feel a little left out. Why don't you come introduce yourself?' Aiden thought in his head, figuring Victini was listening in. 'Are you sure?....uh ok...' Victini timidly replied. "So you're Darkrai's Gladiator? That's cool." Aiden said as he looked the Pokémon up, and down.

Not a second later Victini appeared, hiding behind Aiden. "There you are bud!" Aiden said as he glanced behind him. Victini then hid itself inside Aiden's hood, apparently weary of Darkrai. "Hey, what's wrong little buddy?" Aiden whispered to Victini, hoping Takuya, and Darkrai didn't hear him. "Darkrai's kinda......scary." Victini whispered back, looking around Aiden's head. Aiden sighed. "This fierce warrior is V....er Victini. Embodiment of victory, and such. He's a little timid incase you couldn't tell." Aiden said as he turned to his side so Victini could clearly be seen. "Come on V, Darkrai's not that scary. If anything he's just a overly enthusiastic grunge fan. Besides, you're starting to hurt my back bud." Aiden said, his voice was warm, and encouraging, easily putting Victini at ease.

Victini floated out of Aiden's hood. "That a boy!" Aiden said as he patted the rabbit-like legendary head. "Oh! Right, got something for ya V." Aiden said as he slipped off his backpack. Aiden shuffled through his bag, and took out another pink macaroon. he unwrapped it, and gave it to Victini, who's mouth was practically watering. Victini took the treat, and torn into it like a predator a slab of meat. Aiden couldn't help but chuckle. "Better slow down V, it's kind of embarrassing to have to give you the heimlich maneuver...again." Aiden smirked.

"Oh! Where are my manners? Some sweets for Sweetness? Found these in a little shop in Celadon City. My Pokémon can't get enough of them. They're pretty good." Aiden said as he took another macaroon out, and offered it to Takuya. "So where you from? I'm from Goldenrod City in Johto." Aiden stated. "Left home about a year ago to Kanto, the first step in proving that I'm the greatest trainer there is. I started challenging the gyms. After I got my Earth Badge I was about ready to head back to Johto to challenge the gyms there, but V here came, and told me I was his first draft pick as a Gladiator." Aiden explained. "And I'm oversharing aren't I?"

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Heath and Tundra watched as the rest of the Gladiators rolled in. Heath glanced over at Tundra who was itching to interact with the others, he did enjoy meeting new people. Heath looked down at the Spheal. "Fine." He sighed. Tundra led the way over to the girl that was standing on the table with a lollypop in her mouth.

"Um....hi." Heath greeted to her. He's not one for social situations. "I'm, uh, Heath, Articuno's Gladiator. And this is Tundra." Heath introduced himself as he motioned to Tundra. "I...uh don't do social gathering much anymore it's a....hassle. So I'm a little rusty on the small talk." Heath said as he ran his fingers through his black hair. "I guess I'm not what you'd call a social butterfly."

Tundra looked over at the Absol that just left the girl, and the Charmander, and Sneasel it went over to. Tundra tugged at Heath's pant leg as he looked over at the other Pokémon. "Go on." Heath sighed. "He's more...outgoing I guess. I like my solitude, but if I didn't talk to someone at least once he'd be tugging at my pant leg all day. He's a brat like that." Heath said as he put his hands in his coat's pocket. Tundra waddled over to the other Pokémon, and joined in.

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Takuya nodded, and was SUPER happy that Aiden wasn't afraid. She almost felt like hugging him, but restrained herself. Darkrai floated as Viticni came out from his hiding spot. Takuya waved, and smiled, but Darkrai grunted, and showed no emotion. "Dark.. Cheer up.." Takuya said, while getting up, and smiling at Darkrai, while Darkrai grunted again, but with more- Well love..

"Oh! Where are my manners? Some sweets for Sweetness? Found these in a little shop in Celadon City. My Pokémon can't get enough of them. They're pretty good."

Takuyas mouth watered as she looked at the treat and gladly took it. "T-Thanks!" Takuya mumbled and took a bite, slowly melting into the treat- "So where you from? I'm from Goldenrod City in Johto." Takuya smiled, and nodded. "I'm from Violet City, Johto." Takuya said, and realized they grew up not to far apart from each other.

"Left home about a year ago to Kanto, the first step in proving that I'm the greatest trainer there is. I started challenging the gyms. After I got my Earth Badge I was about ready to head back to Johto to challenge the gyms there, but V here came, and told me I was his first draft pick as a Gladiator."

Aiden said, and just when Takuya was about to tell him her story, he said: "And I'm oversharing aren't I?" Takuya shook her head and smiled.

"I never really had experience but the gym leader where I grew up taught me a lot of tricks, and I actually beat him! I never traveled anywhere serious, and Darkrai always visted me in my dreams so when he asked me to become his Gladiator I said yes, after all Sneasel and him are my only friends."

Takuya blurted out, then took another bite of the treat, as her eyes trailed over to Sneasel and Charmander.. And a Spheal? She shrugged it off, and looked back at Aiden and Victini.

"Um....hi. I'm, uh, Heath, Articuno's Gladiator. And this is Tundra. I...uh don't do social gathering much anymore it's a....hassle. So I'm a little rusty on the small talk." Maeve nodded, she understood perfectly. "I guess I'm not what you'd call a social butterfly."

"Go on. He's more...outgoing I guess. I like my solitude, but if I didn't talk to someone at least once he'd be tugging at my pant leg all day. He's a brat like that." Maeve shrugged. "I know what you mean. Absol's always dragging me into social situations. I guess Pokemon are friendlier because they don't judge, like humans. Maybe?"

Maeve looked over at two Gladiators, a boy and a girl, talking to each other. "I'd never be able to just hit it off with someone like that." She said a little wistfully, motioning to the two blondes. She turned back to Heath, realizing that she hadn't even introduced herself.

"Oh! Of course. I'm Maeve," as she spoke, Mewtwo materialized in a burst of purple psychic power, "and this is Mewtwo, my Legendary. I know how the non-social thing is. I'd be much more... dark, less friendly, if I wasn't so excited."

Turning to Mewtwo, she smiled. "You are so dramatic, Mewtwo." "Well, how else am I supposed to command the respect I so deserve?" Mewtwo projected his thoughts so Heath could hear too, something that only Psychic legendaries could do."Sorry, Your Majesty. Would you like me to build you a throne of other Gladiators?" She joked sarcastically, and Mewtwo winked. "Sure. They'll all bow before us when we're the very best!"

Maeve smiled and shook her head. She hoped that their crazy competitiveness wouldn't drive their only hope at a friend away. "So, Heath. Can you summon Articuno yet, or are you guys not that close...?" Maeve couldn't really summon Mewtwo, but she could send him little mental nudges. He usually came when she wanted, but he'd made it clear that he wasn't her little dog to call about as she pleased. That was fine by her.

"Sorry if I talk too much. Me and Mewtwo just poke fun at each other a lot."

Aiden listened to Takuya talk about her experiences. He was a little surprised that she hadn't traveled or any such things. And here he thought that all the Gladiators were extremely powerful trainers. But were any of the others as experienced as her in battling, or were they more battle tested like him? Nonetheless there must be something special about her if she's known Darkrai since childhood. But that made him wonder about the others. Did they know their legendary since childhood too? While he and Victini undoubtedly have a strong bond, he's only known him for a short time.

He was a little surprised that she said only Darkrai, and her Sneasel were her only friends. "Really? They were your only friends? I find that hard to believe. You're beautiful, and pretty nice, you had to have more friends than that." Aiden stated. "Just look at those cheeks. Freaking adorable." He said as he pinched her cheeks softly. He then folded his arms behind his head. "Although I'm not one to talk. I only had a couple of friends. Growing up I was so focused on becoming the greatest trainer that I am today." He chuckled a bit as he thought back. "My best friend was my Mom's Zigzagoon, Ziggy. I remember taking her out every Saturday to challenge trainers coming through town to challenge the gym leader."

"Only problem, Ziggy's the sweetest thing on four legs. Didn't have a mean bone in her body. She isn't one for battling." Aiden continued to chuckle as he thought more about it. "She'd just try to play with the other Pokémon. The trainers would just laugh, which only made me mad, and I'd kick them in the shin, grab Ziggy, and run away. Mom was not happy." Aiden continued to chuckle. Admittedly he was a little embarrassed about that last part.

"So you've known Darkrai for awhile huh? Yeah, I haven't known V here for too long. Turns out he had been following me in Kanto since I got my first badge. He said that he was drawn to my determination, and my rather impressive win record." Aiden said as he leaned back a bit, obviously proud of himself. "Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty awesome. V told me that if and when I win this thing I'd get a shot at the big guy himself. What trainer in their right mind wouldn't jump at that, even if you weren't given a choice about it?" He said, oozing confidence.

Victini smiled at Aiden's confidence in winning this competition. Victini's timid nature was easily eclipsed by Aiden's confidence, and self-assuredness. Something that made the two a good team. And though they don't have the history the pair before them have, they have a undeniable connection. Aiden looked over at the Pokémon playing around. "Huh, wonder who's Absol, and Spheal that is?"

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"Yeah, me and Articuno aren't exactly the best of friends. I didn't even want to do this. But you know, we aren't given much of a choice." Heath admitted. "I'm not much of a battler. I'm.....a performer. A coordinator. I'd rather be in a contest then a battle." Heath stated. He then realized that he's a bit of a contradiction, being a master coordinator, and someone who prefers the solitude. "I'm a little confusing huh?"

"So...uh how long have you known Mewtwo?" Heath asked. "I met Articuno first when I was little. Do you know the old folk tales about him? Legends say he appears to lost hikers right when their about to freeze to death, and fly them to safety." Heath explained. "When I was younger I fancied myself as a explorer. I'm from a small town in Kalos called Dendemille Town. Just north of the town is the Frost Cavern. I decided to check it out one night, and it just so happened a pretty bad blizzard was coming in."

"The last thing I remember before blacking out in the storm was great big blue wings. Then the next thing I know I was awake in my own bed." Heath explained as he ran his fingers through his hair. "It wasn't until recently I even saw Articuno again. I was in my cabin out near Snowpoint City in Sinnoh when he came by, and I was told that I have to represent Articuno in this competition."

Heath then looked over to the two blondes that Maeva pointed out. "Yeah, sometimes I wish I was as...friendly as people like them." He stated. But then the blonde guy pinched the girl's cheek. "But then again, sometimes solitude is preferable."