Story Notes:
This is my first dive into the sea of pokemon fanwriting, so any advice or constructive criticism is appreciated.If you want to have your character in it, drop me a message and I'll see what I can do.The all important Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.The prologue is now non-existent, I've decided to scrap it.
Chapter 3 - Love and Luxury
"Can't you wait to wipe the floor with me 'till after I've given Silverfur the grand tour?" Joshed asked the Ursaring looming before him. They had just left Josh's "grand" entrance-room to find the big bear waiting in the middle of the hallway with his arms crossed over its furry chest.
{Nope,} The great bear replied, shaking his head "No" to get the message across the the human.
"Alright then," Josh fake-sighed, smiling directly afterward, "Lets g-"
Wait. You mean to tell me you're going to fight an Ursaring? Silverfur interjected, not believing the 19-year-old was stupid enough to do so.
"Yep," The boy replied as if it were no big deal.
He does it at least once a week, dad, Shieldpaw pointed out, smiling.
He does? The old fox replied, caught off-guard.
Yep, Swiftblaze agreed, also smiling. Normally breaks something every other time, too.
And how is it that he's not bedridden right now?
"Regen chambers," Josh answered, "They can heal just about any clean breaks in an couple hours."
I thought regen chambers were Pokemon only.
"Naw, now they work on humans too, just not as well as Pokemon. If they didn't I wouldn't spar with any pokemon, especially not Major."
{Yeah, I've been the cause of more breaks than anyone else he tussles with,} The Ursaring added.
And you're proud of that? Silverfur asked.
{Maybe a little,} The bear admitted before turning around to leading the way though the mansion.
Five minutes later, and Josh was warming up opposite of Major in the mansion's vast backyard with roughly twenty feet of grass separating them. Unlike the backyards of most celebrities, Josh's contained no pools, jacuzzis, hot-tubs, sport fields, garages or machinery of any kind. Instead, Josh had a rather plain field that ran seamlessly into the mountain forests that were located behind with no indication of boundaries or barriers, making it feel more like a clearing with a rather large house in it than a mansion with a forested yard. Silverfur and his daughters sat in the shade of a tree to Josh's left-
{Go dad!!}
-with Major's cub(who was aptly named Minor) eating some berries gathered from nearby bushes.
Major smirked with confidence at his son's cheer, he had never once lost to Josh, although the human had gotten close the past couple times. Deciding he was limber as he was ever going to get, the bear assumed a battle-stance.
{You ready?}
In response, Josh flung off his jacket and tugged off his shirt, causing Shieldpaw to blush inwardly and smile. Silverfur, on the other hand, took to studying the human's build. Josh was thin, as Silverfur had noted when he first re-met him, but unlike yesterday the fox could now see that the boy possessed a well-toned and moderately muscled body. Good to see the kid's been keeping in shape, he commented to himself as the two combatants began to circle each other. Too bad he's not a Pokemon, at least then he would have a fighting chance.
The bear and the human circled each other for a few moments, both waiting for the other to make a move, before Josh suddenly rushed Major, catching him off guard. Two swift punches to the abdomen later saw Josh falling onto his back to avoid a great furry arm to the head, after which he quickly rolled backwards twice to get back to his feet a safer distance away.
WHAM!
The human was sent sprawling as Major's shoulder connected with his chest as soon as he was upright. Note to those who are foolish enough to try and fight an Ursaring: They'll tank though just about anything you throw at them.
{Like I said, the kid's got no-} Silverfur began, cutting himself off as Josh regained his footing and hurled his relatively small frame towards the Ursaring's much larger one, who decided to charge at that moment. Somehow the human flew over his opponent's shoulder and managed to hook an arm around his neck to use the momentum to topple them both over.
{You were saying?} Shieldpaw asked smugly as her father's eyes widened at the display.
{Okay, he might just be able to pull this off...} The fox conceded, glancing over at Swiftblaze to find her staring at the fight hungrily. Never seen her look at something like that before...
#####
As fate would have it, the battle lasted for roughly twenty minutes, ending with a draw. It technically could be said Major won, he did knock out Josh, but the bear fainted from exhaustion not even a full minute afterwards. Josh was currently in a regeneration chamber, having gotten several ribs broken from the winning blow, and Major was in his room (yes, he has his own room) sleeping off his bruises.
{I'm still having trouble understanding how he managed to wear Major out like that,}Silverfur was saying over a lunch of fried Magicarp. {Did the guy not sleep well enough or something?}
{Naw, Dad slept great last night,} Minor replied, staring at the fish in front of the fox. {You going to eat that?}
{Yes, yes I am,} The clan leader replied, glaring at the little bear. {You've eaten enough, now go bug someone else: I'm trying to enjoy my meal.}
{Awww...} The cub whined before stalking off to his father's room.
{Aren't you being a little hard on the kid?} Shieldpaw chuckled as Minor left.
{You know how I am when I'm hungry, Paw,} He replied, ripping off some of the fish and swallowing it whole. {Still I'd like to know how the kid did it.}
{Maybe he's a fighting type?} She joked.
{I'm serious, Paw.}
{He's got a feel for Major's fighting style, dad, along with an Ursaring's weaknesses,} Swiftblaze explained, spitting out a bone. (If Major hadn't caught him in the chest with his paw Josh would've landed a brutal kick just under his ribs, which would've ended it right there.}
{Ended it how? Josh hit him there several times before.}
{Those were just to soften the area up so that kick would diaphragm him. Then while Major was gasping for breath he would've gotten him in the back of the head with the same kick, sealing victory for himself.}
{Ah.}
The rest of the meal passed in relative silence, with the next conversation springing up after everyone had finished.
{Well, so far he seems to be a suitable mate, Paw.} Silverfur began, standing up. {If the kid can pull off a draw with an Ursaring then is certain he's got quite a lot of potential, and as far as I've seen right now he's got a good attitude to match.)
{Good to hear he's doing well so far,) Shieldpaw replied with a smile and a hint of a blush.
{Blaze,} He turned to his eldest daughter. {Who was your pick? I don't think your mother and I asked after the commotion over Shieldpaw last night.)
{I...} Swiftblaze closed her eyes and bowed her head in thought. {I don't know...}
{Well, tell me when you do, ok?} Her father replied gently. {There's no rush.)
{I will, Dad,} The Ninetales promised, looking discouraged.
{Come on, Blaze,} Shieldpaw put an comforting arm around her sister, {I know what will cheer you up.}
#####
{Yah need a reason to believe
A reason to deceive
A reason for the song you're singing}
{And everything you do
makes perfect sense to you
So why is your alarm bell ringing?}
Sheildpaw and Swiftblaze were in the designated group practice room, jamming out to "Love and Luxury" by KoRn, taking turns singing the lyrics while playing their respective instruments, having a blast in the process. KoRn always cheered them up.
{You say you know how it feels inside of me
Lost and alone with no love or luxury
Come on inside and hear the silence constantly judging me
Don't you think you should move on?}
Silverfur had never actually heard his daughters play before, so it came as a total shock to see them just pick up their instruments and just play as if were nothing. He was particularly interested in how Swiftblaze played her drums, beating on the thin drum membranes and plates of metal that were cymbals with her tails like no tomorrow. Kinda looks fun...
{Yah need a way to get along
A way to carry on
A symptom for the pain you're making}
{And surely you should know
That everywhere you go
There's acid in the words your thinking.}
The silver fox was completely sold on this music they were playing now. Maybe I could learn...
{You say you know how it feels inside of me
Lost and alone with no love or luxury
Come on inside and hear the silence constantly judging me
Don't you think you should move on?} Chapter End Notes:As always, constructive criticism is appreciated.
I do not claim ownership of the song used at the end.
Character Fact: Shieldpaw plays the lead guitar part most of the time while performing on stage, although she has been known to switch roles with Josh or Lief
{Nope,} The great bear replied, shaking his head "No" to get the message across the the human.
"Alright then," Josh fake-sighed, smiling directly afterward, "Lets g-"
Wait. You mean to tell me you're going to fight an Ursaring? Silverfur interjected, not believing the 19-year-old was stupid enough to do so.
"Yep," The boy replied as if it were no big deal.
He does it at least once a week, dad, Shieldpaw pointed out, smiling.
He does? The old fox replied, caught off-guard.
Yep, Swiftblaze agreed, also smiling. Normally breaks something every other time, too.
And how is it that he's not bedridden right now?
"Regen chambers," Josh answered, "They can heal just about any clean breaks in an couple hours."
I thought regen chambers were Pokemon only.
"Naw, now they work on humans too, just not as well as Pokemon. If they didn't I wouldn't spar with any pokemon, especially not Major."
{Yeah, I've been the cause of more breaks than anyone else he tussles with,} The Ursaring added.
And you're proud of that? Silverfur asked.
{Maybe a little,} The bear admitted before turning around to leading the way though the mansion.
Five minutes later, and Josh was warming up opposite of Major in the mansion's vast backyard with roughly twenty feet of grass separating them. Unlike the backyards of most celebrities, Josh's contained no pools, jacuzzis, hot-tubs, sport fields, garages or machinery of any kind. Instead, Josh had a rather plain field that ran seamlessly into the mountain forests that were located behind with no indication of boundaries or barriers, making it feel more like a clearing with a rather large house in it than a mansion with a forested yard. Silverfur and his daughters sat in the shade of a tree to Josh's left-
{Go dad!!}
-with Major's cub(who was aptly named Minor) eating some berries gathered from nearby bushes.
Major smirked with confidence at his son's cheer, he had never once lost to Josh, although the human had gotten close the past couple times. Deciding he was limber as he was ever going to get, the bear assumed a battle-stance.
{You ready?}
In response, Josh flung off his jacket and tugged off his shirt, causing Shieldpaw to blush inwardly and smile. Silverfur, on the other hand, took to studying the human's build. Josh was thin, as Silverfur had noted when he first re-met him, but unlike yesterday the fox could now see that the boy possessed a well-toned and moderately muscled body. Good to see the kid's been keeping in shape, he commented to himself as the two combatants began to circle each other. Too bad he's not a Pokemon, at least then he would have a fighting chance.
The bear and the human circled each other for a few moments, both waiting for the other to make a move, before Josh suddenly rushed Major, catching him off guard. Two swift punches to the abdomen later saw Josh falling onto his back to avoid a great furry arm to the head, after which he quickly rolled backwards twice to get back to his feet a safer distance away.
WHAM!
The human was sent sprawling as Major's shoulder connected with his chest as soon as he was upright. Note to those who are foolish enough to try and fight an Ursaring: They'll tank though just about anything you throw at them.
{Like I said, the kid's got no-} Silverfur began, cutting himself off as Josh regained his footing and hurled his relatively small frame towards the Ursaring's much larger one, who decided to charge at that moment. Somehow the human flew over his opponent's shoulder and managed to hook an arm around his neck to use the momentum to topple them both over.
{You were saying?} Shieldpaw asked smugly as her father's eyes widened at the display.
{Okay, he might just be able to pull this off...} The fox conceded, glancing over at Swiftblaze to find her staring at the fight hungrily. Never seen her look at something like that before...
As fate would have it, the battle lasted for roughly twenty minutes, ending with a draw. It technically could be said Major won, he did knock out Josh, but the bear fainted from exhaustion not even a full minute afterwards. Josh was currently in a regeneration chamber, having gotten several ribs broken from the winning blow, and Major was in his room (yes, he has his own room) sleeping off his bruises.
{I'm still having trouble understanding how he managed to wear Major out like that,}Silverfur was saying over a lunch of fried Magicarp. {Did the guy not sleep well enough or something?}
{Naw, Dad slept great last night,} Minor replied, staring at the fish in front of the fox. {You going to eat that?}
{Yes, yes I am,} The clan leader replied, glaring at the little bear. {You've eaten enough, now go bug someone else: I'm trying to enjoy my meal.}
{Awww...} The cub whined before stalking off to his father's room.
{Aren't you being a little hard on the kid?} Shieldpaw chuckled as Minor left.
{You know how I am when I'm hungry, Paw,} He replied, ripping off some of the fish and swallowing it whole. {Still I'd like to know how the kid did it.}
{Maybe he's a fighting type?} She joked.
{I'm serious, Paw.}
{He's got a feel for Major's fighting style, dad, along with an Ursaring's weaknesses,} Swiftblaze explained, spitting out a bone. (If Major hadn't caught him in the chest with his paw Josh would've landed a brutal kick just under his ribs, which would've ended it right there.}
{Ended it how? Josh hit him there several times before.}
{Those were just to soften the area up so that kick would diaphragm him. Then while Major was gasping for breath he would've gotten him in the back of the head with the same kick, sealing victory for himself.}
{Ah.}
The rest of the meal passed in relative silence, with the next conversation springing up after everyone had finished.
{Well, so far he seems to be a suitable mate, Paw.} Silverfur began, standing up. {If the kid can pull off a draw with an Ursaring then is certain he's got quite a lot of potential, and as far as I've seen right now he's got a good attitude to match.)
{Good to hear he's doing well so far,) Shieldpaw replied with a smile and a hint of a blush.
{Blaze,} He turned to his eldest daughter. {Who was your pick? I don't think your mother and I asked after the commotion over Shieldpaw last night.)
{I...} Swiftblaze closed her eyes and bowed her head in thought. {I don't know...}
{Well, tell me when you do, ok?} Her father replied gently. {There's no rush.)
{I will, Dad,} The Ninetales promised, looking discouraged.
{Come on, Blaze,} Shieldpaw put an comforting arm around her sister, {I know what will cheer you up.}
{Yah need a reason to believe
A reason to deceive
A reason for the song you're singing}
{And everything you do
makes perfect sense to you
So why is your alarm bell ringing?}
Sheildpaw and Swiftblaze were in the designated group practice room, jamming out to "Love and Luxury" by KoRn, taking turns singing the lyrics while playing their respective instruments, having a blast in the process. KoRn always cheered them up.
Lost and alone with no love or luxury
Come on inside and hear the silence constantly judging me
Don't you think you should move on?}
Silverfur had never actually heard his daughters play before, so it came as a total shock to see them just pick up their instruments and just play as if were nothing. He was particularly interested in how Swiftblaze played her drums, beating on the thin drum membranes and plates of metal that were cymbals with her tails like no tomorrow. Kinda looks fun...
A way to carry on
A symptom for the pain you're making}
{And surely you should know
That everywhere you go
There's acid in the words your thinking.}
The silver fox was completely sold on this music they were playing now. Maybe I could learn...
Lost and alone with no love or luxury
Come on inside and hear the silence constantly judging me
Don't you think you should move on?}
I do not claim ownership of the song used at the end.