The Path You Choose

Decisions and Transformation

⠀⠀"Ack! Humans keep stepping on my tail!" That slithery voice could come only from the Arbok, Fang, one of the Ursarang's henchmen. Following him were two Ekans.

⠀⠀"Hey Boss," the first one asked, "why exactly are we watching Demon?"

⠀⠀"Yeah," the other one agreed, "what's the point?"

⠀⠀"We need to find his weaknesses," Fang replied, rolling his eyes. "Dolts. He was friends with that little Bunnelby. If he decides to quit, we'll go after her first."

⠀⠀"I call her!" The first Ekans said again. "She looked so fluffy and scrumptious. Just imagining her in my stomach makes me hungry."

⠀⠀"What if I wanted her?" The second Ekans countered.

⠀⠀"Shut up!" Fang hissed, his tongue flickered in agitation. "No one is eating that stupid rabbit. We just need to kidnap her and make that Charizard stay, or the Boss'll have my head."
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⠀⠀"How much are the Tamato Berries this week?" Reikan asked the clerk at the register.

⠀⠀"I believe they're 2¥ for one or three for 5¥," the man replied. "I don't see who could eat them though. They're mighty spicy!"

⠀⠀"I'll take three bundles of three," Reikan stated, ignoring the man's warning.

⠀⠀"Okie dokie then." The clerk took three bundles and put them on the counter. "That'll be—"

⠀⠀"15¥. Thank you." Reikan placed coins on the counter, filled his sack, and left without another word.
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⠀⠀Heading towards the forest, Fang and his cronies followed. "Don't do anything dumb," he warned. "Demon, my friend, how do you do? You're putting your pay to good use I presume?"

⠀⠀The dragon turned to see the Arbok line up behind him, an Ekans on either side. He was heading back into the forest, but of course, something had to disturb him. "Fang. It's a pleasure," he spoke formally. "I use my pay to get food. That's it. Why?"

⠀⠀"Oh, nothing really. By the way, I've heard rumors that you plan to break away from the fight club. Is it true?" Fang inquired. "The Boss ain't gonna like it."

⠀⠀Reikan narrowed his eyes. "You can tell The Boss to stuff it," he said with a growl. "It is none of his business as to what I plan to do in the future."

⠀⠀"'Course it is," Fang hissed, his forked tongue slithering in and out of his mouth. "You made an agreement. We'd pay you 30¥ for every fight you win. That's our contract."

⠀⠀"An agreement is not a contract," Reikan insisted, curling his lip in a snarl. "You are not my controller. I am not the Pokémon and you the trainer. Understand? What if I do defect from this little fight club your Boss has prospered from? What are you going to do, little insects?"

⠀⠀"Rough 'em up, boys. We gots ta show who's in charge here." Fang hissed and bared his fangs as the two Ekans slithered around Reikan, closing in for the attack.

⠀⠀"You fools. You'll get yourselves killed," the drake muttered. He was still in his human form, but not for long. Blue flames sprouted from his back and head, and when they were gone, a smokey black and blue dragon stood, towering over the snakes. Reikan gave a roar, making the trees shake.

⠀⠀"Take this!" Both Ekans struck out, fangs poised to sink. Instead, they felt themselves being slammed to the ground. Claws grappled around their necks and began to squeeze. "B-Boss.." The darkness seeped into the corners of the Ekans' eyes before they could no longer see.

⠀⠀Reikan dropped the limp bodies on the ground and turned his eyes towards the remaining Pokémon. "Would you like a plea deal?" Reikan asked, his cold gaze unnerving as to what he'd just done.