To Capture a Deity

[Moonlight]

The young woman gently ran a hand over both of their pelts as the small eevee and elegant lioness groomed each other, acting much like a mother and son. It was a charming sight, to be sure. Whether or not Ian came from Elliot, the meek little eevee was certainly sweet. "Was that good?" Kitty queried, only to chuckle at the unanimous purr she received in response. Both tails were swishing to and fro in a contented fashion, a steady rumble coming from both of their throats as Sagira's rough tongue appreciatively swiped over the top of her hand in thanks. "Heh, glad to know. Lets for go now, though," she said, scooping up Ian off the bench.

Said eevee promptly snuggled down into her arms as Sagira hopped off, acting much like a protective lioness as they moved through the area. Scoping it out, just in case. Seeking out vantage points, places to conceal them, and picking out threats. Unwilling to be caught entirely off guard, should something happen.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

Inazuma's questionning pur cut through the silence as the blonde sat down on the bed in his small room. The entire hideout was dark and unlit, but, because of the assassin's fear of the dark, a few lamps were strewn across the room.

"I don't know what we should do, Inazuma." he answered quietly, drying the tears glistening on his cheeks. "He's right, you know. I'm a worldwide-known criminal. I can't just run off, make myself a fake identity and start a new life. Not only will Team Oblivion track me down again, but that's pretty much impossible, seeing as the police everywhere are already searching everywhere for me." he buried his face in his hands. "But nothing's stopping you, you know. You can go, I'm not forcing you to stay."

Inazuma's indignant cry immediately followed as he growled. As if saying "You couldn't even survive without me, you big baby." to his master's face.

The blonde chuckled and petted his Luxray's fur. The Luxray's eyes sadly flashed as it got closer and suddenly lifted his left front paw. A small part of his fur had been cleared there, and some symbols were carved on his skin. The assassin's eyes darkened.

"Yeah, you're right, you can't live a normal life when you've got your name carved into your skin." he whispered. "Specially mine. It's big, ugly, and right in the middle of my back. So much for starting a new life." he rolled his eyes.

There was a small moment of silence, and suddenly, the teen got up.

"Right, I'm in the mood for travelling. Let's go! Next stop, wherever the winds of fate take us!"

[Moonlight]

A perspective gaze trailed through the area as they moved, the sights and sounds becoming more familiar with each passing hour. By now they had already toured the main sectors of the city, leaving the Battle Grid the only place they hadn't visited or looked at. It'd at least prove interesting, to watch the battles. There were people of all strengths and weaknesses there, not to mention of battle level. It was hardly a wonder as to why every large city's BG, as they were often called, proved to be such a crowd-attractor. It was a source of entertainment, fans and idols, and a place where said trainers learned. Much like a different version of the pokemon contests, more or less.

"Sagira, what say we participate in a round or two? We haven't done this in months," she said, motioning to the massive building-stadium combination as it rose from the other surrounding buildings. It truly had everything one could think of, even relating to just plain training. For serious trainers and pokemon likewise, it was a dream competition. Making it perfect to blend in for a little while.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"Do you think Jubilife's far enough?" the assassin sighed as he and his Luxray walked along a dirt path leading into the city.

The Luxray nodded slightly and purred, as if saying "we didn't even need to come this far".

"Well, it does feel good to be away from the main base. I mean... it's so much nicer here... Everyone's smiling, and laughing, and having fun..." his eyes darkened as he stopped in front of the entrance to Jubilife.

Inazuma padded up next to him and rubbed himself against his leg, silently asking what was wrong this time.

"Nothing, nothing at all." he blonde shook his head, looking down at his Luxray seriously. "Inazuma, we have to become stronger. This pain." he clutched his heart. "This pain will only stop once we're stronger." he frowned sadly. "Until the time comes where we can surpass ourselves and face our weaknesses, all we can do is hide this pain, try to bury it."

He suddenly took a deep breath, and in the simple matter of a single second, his frown switched into a huge grin, and he petted his Luxray's head.

"It's okay now. All you have to do is keep the mask on your face. As long as we enjoy life, we should be able to bury this pain. As long as we're able to laugh, we should be able to live again. As long as we can smile, we should be able to forget." he raised a fist into the air cheerfully. "This pain is nothing we can't handle! But for now, let's forget! Jubilife awaits!"

[Moonlight]

The crowd's roar was deafening, as the current Battle Grid's champion won another match. Sagira was sitting next to Kitty on the stone slabs that made up the arena-siding, the Classy Cat's whorled tail swishing next to her shoulder. Said lioness's ruby gaze was glinting with anticipation as the next challenger strode onto the field, her ears twitching in response to the terrain-roulette that went on for the higher ranking trainers. The massive screen hanging over the field had the digital ball slowing now, wobbling at the different terrain slots. Before falling onto the volcanic mountain one.

This match would indeed be interesting. And theirs was coming up in ten minutes. Meaning they'd probably not see the end of the battle, unfortunately. "Well, want to go get ready for our own battle?" Kitty asked, lightly stroking Sagira's lithe back as Ian shifted in her other arm. Half asleep.

She chuckled slightly, before nodding at Sagira's answering 'meow'. Smiling, she stepped back. "All right. Let's go."

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"Cool, a Battle Grid." the assassin marvelled as he stared at the structure with stars in his eyes. His Luxray sighed out in amusement, knowing what would follow. "LET'S SIGN UP!"

As if saying 'of course', Inazuma trotted along as the cheery teen ran towards the registration area.

"Hi, I'd like to register for a battle please." he greeted the woman behind the counter.

"Of course, just take this form and complete it by the time your number is called. You're number 4244, and you should be up in about 15 minutes." she informed him, giving him a form.

"Alrighty, thanks, Miss." he flashed her a smile that made her flush and walked off towards the stadium to sit down and watch the battles while waiting for his.

He was just about to start his form when suddenly, the PA rang out.

"And now, number 4237, versus number 4231!"

The blonde raised his head towards the field just in time to catch sight of a familiar face striding onto the field, a Persian walking up beside her.

As Inazuma made a small meow-like noise, the blonde smiled.

"You're right. It might just be destiny."

[Moonlight]

Kitty smiled slightly as she strode onto the field, the heels of her boots clicking slightly on the cement. Stopping short of the actual battle field, she observed her surroundings briefly. Before the terrain roulette started, they were with a medium sized grid; longer than it was wide. However, they were in the Advanced Division. Said roulette was already taking place, the digitized sphere rolling past many different ones countless times. Before dropping into the Forest slot.

Impaired vision, obstacles of natural form, and hiding places ...

"Blue and Red Contestants - You may now select your pokemon!" the PA rang out, as the holograms at the base of the field began forming. It was much like a slow motion way of watching a natural and imposing wooded area suddenly springing up, in a way. But they were more than just holograms. They were solid, life-like. This would be interesting.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

The assassin sat down just as the battle started. Engrossed from the beginning, even, he only snapped out from staring at Kitty when his Luxray gently nudged his hand and bit the form they were supposed to fill out.

"Right, right, I forgot..." the blonde sighed, turning his attention to the sheet. The first question already was enough to make his stomach churn. "Name..."

His name... It'd been a long time since he'd said it, and even longer since he'd heard it... The name he called himself for a lack of anything else, the name that had been put upon his head from ever since he could remember, the name that carried his every pains and hardships... Could he dare to even write it down? Would that make his heart race uncontrollably again?

He'd rather not take that chance, not after what happened last time his hateful name had been pronounced.

"Alright then..." he lowered his pencil over the sheet and stuck a tongue out in effort. "... Bob..." he finished writing with a satisfied smile.

When he trained harder and got stronger... Maybe then he'd be able to face his past again.

He pulled his lips up in a grin once more as he turned his eyes to the next question.

"But not now. Right now, I'm too busy smiling."

[Moonlight]

The young woman smiled slightly as Sagira crept into the underbrush, knowing her lioness pokemon was well adapted to both forest and plains battles. She had all the qualities of a forest and savannah lioness combined, as well as a sharp wit to the point. Leaves rustled softly as they brushed over the persian's sleek beige pelt, the familiar whorled tail vanishing. Although the trees were spaced out, the underbrush itself was thick. Providing cover for both participants.

The manetric had entered moments ago, judging by the added sounds. And the forest terrain would indeed test the skill of the trainers as well as pokemon, not just a onesided battle. A low growl reached their ears now, before a sudden cry of "Thunder Fang!" rang out.

"Sagira, Shadow Claw!"

* * * * *

The sleek feline lowered into a crouch as the growling neared, bright sparks attracting her dark crimson gaze. Claws slowly extending now, kneading the ground. Lithe muscles coiling, waiting for the command from her human. A formality in a shrouded field, but still. A slight purr audible from the lioness as a feminine voice reached her ears.

Dusky aura flaring around her entire claw as she swept out, a sharp yelp of pain torn from the thunder wolf as her claws tore across his shoulder. Deeply. Scarlet began to stain his pale turquoise pelt as he jumped back, warily watching her now. Lips peeled back into an aggressive snarl, hackles raised menacingly.

Sagira merely flicked her tail at the challenger, watching him. Watching for the moment to strike again. This was not just fun and games, after all. The "Advanced" division battles served as personal training for both of them. The perk to it, though, was that there was no mark left afterwards. That was something she looked forward to.

But right now, she had other things on her agenda. Namely, her opponent.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"Doing pretty good, aren't they?" the blonde sighed as he finished filling out his paper, his Pokemon sitting next to him, mesmerized as it watched the fight.

Inazuma simply made a small noise to acknowledge him, and the teen suddenly frowned in fake hurt.

"Why won't you be proud of me too? I filled out this paper~" he sniffled.

His Luxray immediately turned and glared at him amusedly before putting his head down on his master's lap, purring.

"Thank you for acknowledging me, at least." the teen sighed out as he scratched behind his Pokemon's ears, making his beloved companion close his eyes in content and pur like a small cat.

The two watched the battle as it pretty much reached its end, Kitty's Pokemon clearly more advanced than her opponent's. The blonde somewhat pitied the poor fool who had to be paired up against the challenging woman.

"But then again, we can use this opportunity to learn more about her, right, Inazuma?" he whispered slyly as his Pokemon nodded and got up, watching the arena once more.

Their curiosity was piqued, and when the assassin and his Pokemon had something on their mind, nothing would stop them until they found out what it was.

Seeing right through people and their facades, wasn't that an assassin's primary talent?