--- THE PAST
Steelfist stood before the group, surrounding them with countless Mankeys. Elder rolled to an unconscious lump in front of Radegast. “Odor Sleuth… Huh…” Radegast crouched down to place a hand on the Ghastly’s head. “Good try, bud,” he said as he recalled the Ghastly into the safety of the modified pokeball. Only unconscious would Elder tolerate the device.
Radegast stood up, towering over the clan that filled most of their vision. The Primeape spat poison-infused saliva, ignoring the Toxic that Elder had managed to apply. “Weak,” Steelfist huffed as he flexed. He was bigger than Rage, even bigger than even Rage remembered.
“Let me get this straight,” Radegast stuffed his hands into his pockets, “Your pride’s hurt and you’re not gonna let bygones be bygones?”
“My rule of the region will be absolute just as soon as I destroy the only one who had beaten me before.” Steelfist jabbed a finger at the human, but kept his eyes on the single Mankey that was not part of the crowd. “This human is your new trainer? He has done little to improve your skills compared to me. I will break him to prove to the world that none can best me.”
“NO!” Rage shrieked, but Steelfist was fast for a Primeape. He burst forward. The fist was sent to Radegast… and just as easily pulled away.
None saw what happened mere microseconds before, but before they knew it, the Fletchling was shredding the Primeape. Terrible pecks were delivered with the rapidity of a minigun. Clumps of fur were sent in all directions, barely doing anything to muffle the screaming. The surrounding clan of Mankeys grew pale and stiff like marble as even blood spurt and lashed the ground with crimson.
“Suros! Dude!” Radegast called as he just then realised what just happened.
Just as quickly as she began, she darted back to the human’s shoulder. The Primeape lay, broken and bleeding… but still breathing. Steelfist rolled to his side with a pained groan.
“Holy shit dude!” Radegast’s hand automatically reached for a potion.
“NO!” Rage bellowed.
“Dude, he’s hurt!” Radegast held up the potion as Rage limped between him and Steelfist. “He’s…”
“CRIPPLED,” Rage replied. He indicate the Primeape’s legs. They bent the other way in a gross fashion, “NO POTION CAN HELP HIM. WE NEED TO LEAVE NOW!”
Radegast felt the eyes of the terrified Mankey surrounding them. Slowly, that fear turned into hate, and their eyes began to twitch.
“NOW!” Rage tugged at Radegast’s cargo pants to pull him along. “BEFORE MOB MENTALITY STRIKES!”
Radegast clenched his teeth, cursed, and pocketed the potion once more. He then began to run. Suros yawned as the furious cries of an entire clan emitted behind them. They shouted wordless cries of hate and curses.
None could catch up to Radegast’s longer stride, nor Rage’s superior speed. If there were any who could, they would’ve contended with Suros.
“Suros,” Radegast panted as the cries shifted from anger to mourning. After an hour of running, the Mankeys had given up, far far behind. “You okay?”
“Steelfist wanted to harm you,” Suros simply replied as she buried her head under a wing to roost.
“Doesn’t mean you should cripple a dude,” Radegast replied, “Remember when we met Rage?”
“I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DID IT,” Rage harrumphed, “BUT IT WAS TERRIBLE, WHAT YOU DID!”
“Eh, that’s fair,” Suros shrugged, “So long as the Lord-Regent is safe…”
Radegast pursed his lips together, “Don’t worry so much about me, buddy. I can handle myself,” he lied.
--- IN THE SUBWAY, THE PRESENT
“Half-lied, you mean,” Elder quipped. “Now that the dam’s no longer classified.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Radegast chuckled.
“Sucks that I missed it, though,” Elder rolled his eyes, “Being knocked-out and all,”
“Well, that’s why you asked for the story while we waited for all this to deal with itself, isn’t it?” Radegast asked. Suros sighed while roosting on Radegast’s shoulder. “So long as you don’t cripple any more,” the fifteen-year-old added.
“I don’t feel like crippling things most of the time anyway,” the Fletchinder whistled.
“I see you’ve been practicing your Pokespeak,” Margriet noted.
“I honestly have no idea what they’re saying,” Radegast replied without looking up.
“It’s more about reading intention,” Margriet said, “That’s something Daddy and Uncle Tarma always knew.”
“Pops and Tarma do know Pokespeak, though.”
“That also helps.”
Logan produced his phone as he directed late evacuees into the subway. He called Marcus. “It’s Logan, are you-“ he paused for a moment, “Yes, I’m aware of what’s happening in Nimba- … Yes, they’re safe. They’re in the subway… Hang on,” he put Marcus on speaker phone and brought the phone to the siblings.
“I’m glad you didn’t join the fight,” Marcus replied, “There is a lot of political mumbo jumbo and miscommunication that’s made the entire situation incredibly confusing. If you had gone in, you might have been arrested.”
“Are you doing anything about it?” Margriet asked.
“I’m no official of any political standing, so my place is ensuring the safety of my family, even if they’re runaways.” Margriet stole a knowing glance at her younger brother.
Radegast couldn’t help but look at the Sandslash, Sabre, still tied up and under Rage’s and Elder’s watchful eye. The Haunter even licked the Sandslash before the story to ensure paralysis prevented any attempt to break the binds. “Just a precaution. You did try to kill the Lord-Regent,” Elder had smirked.
“You sure you don’t want to come home after this?” Margriet asked Radegast, “After this travelling? It hasn’t been the same for five years.”
“I’d have been happy to have vanished, to be honest,” Radegast crossed his arms, “With friends like these, I’m already the greatest I need to be.”
Margriet did not smile. “Still don’t agree, eh?”
Marcus added, “Even Tarma agrees, you need to-“
“What’s that?” Radegast rose from his seated position. The ground rumbled, but the incredibly sturdy architecture of the subway held. “Damn, must be some intense fighting out there.”
“Stay safe,” Marcus said, “Stay in the subway unless it’s compromised, and follow government instructions if there are any broadcasted. You got an electric-type with you?”
“Sir!” the Operative was out and about, patrolling the area.
“Yo Op, you able to catch radio signals down here?” Radegast asked.
“I would be an embarrassment to the unit if I couldn’t!” the Galvantula saluted.
“Thanks buddy,” Radegast smirked.
“Good, keep an ear out for broadcast signals from Ruulan government or police. Stay safe.” Marcus then hanged up.
Radegast and Logan exchanged glances. “That Primeape’s pretty strong,” Logan said, “Took out Marth in one punch.”
“Is Marth gonna be another grudge-holder?” Radegast joked.
“Nah, he knows about you and Palkia,” Logan smirked, “It’s no big deal.”
“Five years,” Margriet hummed thoughtfully as she fully registered what Radegast said, “You’ve made a lot of enemies, haven’t you?”
“Lotta friends too,” Radegast shrugged, “Can’t expect the world to love you.”
“Speak for yourself,” Margriet huffed in a very diva-like fashion.
“I will, Marge,” Radegast smirked.
“You want me to throw you out of the subway entrance, bro?”