He'd just wanted to help.[break][break]

When he first saw the news reports those months ago of the calamity wrought by the White Kyurem, it had left Eddie with a sickening feeling in his gut. What had he done, when others had fought and died in an icy wasteland? Nothing, that was what. He'd been at home, in the comfort and safety of his apartment, listening to music on his shitty inflatable mattress. [break][break]

The guilt haunted him in the weeks that followed, a specter that dogged him in the quiet hours after the work day was done. Eddie had vaguely reassured himself that there wasn't much he could have contributed as a civilian; he'd have just been a liability, certainly. It was a somewhat convincing argument too, until the Giant Chasm had been uncovered and the call was put out for volunteers to help establish a foothold there. Eddie leapt at the chance to do his part. [break][break]

He was strong, sure, but he'd spent years using that strength for building rather than fighting (a thought that sometimes nagged at him in quiet moments of self-reflection). On the bright side, those skills could still be put to use building structures for the League in their conquest of this new swath of land. Eddie really could do something to contribute, to help in his own way. [break][break]

He was wholeheartedly convinced of his value in this venture until his site was set upon by a beast Eddie didn't recognize. It started with a burst of gunfire, then screams echoing outside, followed by the horrific call of a predator emboldened by bloodlust. It all happened so fast, faster than Eddie could react to. There were teeth and claws and people falling all around him before he was struck down too, without ever having the chance to reach for his Poke Ball. [break][break]

Eddie laid there in agony, pain reverberating through his rib-cage with each shallow breath, mind half gone to shock, when he felt the warm touch of fingers pressed against his neck. He was vaguely aware that the figure looming above had said something, but everything sounded muffled and indistinct, like he was underwater. That's when something miraculous happened. [break][break]

The pain stopped. Eddie bolted up with a shuddering gasp like a drowning man taking his first proper lungful of air. Against all odds, he was alive.

9gnlYe1z

[attr="class","ooc"] Michael Navidson

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Despite the soothing rumble of his savior's voice, Eddie wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted him when his eyes sprung open. Oh God, there were so many of them; people and Pokemon he had worked alongside just hours prior, now uncountable dead shapes around him. It reminded Eddie a little of when he had first experienced death as a child, stumbling across a Yungoos that had been hit by a car. There was a brief glimpse of mangled flesh and the splattering of blood before his father had stepped in front of him, shielding him from the sight, [break][break]

'Don't look, Eddie.' [break][break]

He could hear it now, clear as day, and who was he to deny his old man? Eddie tore his gaze away from the carnage around him and instead focused on the offered canteen. He took it and greedily gulped down mouthfuls of water before wiping off his mouth with the back of his hand, [break][break]

“Thank you,” Eddie gasped. Ow, shit, breathing deep still hurt like hell, but better to be battered than to not be here at all, [break][break]

“You... you saved by goddamn life.”[break][break]

An obvious statement, sure, but he had no other words to convey his overwhelming gratitude.[break][break]

kWzUJqvE

[attr="class","ooc"] Michael Navidson

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

'Can you walk?'[break][break]

Eddie nodded, gritting his teeth at the new surge of aching pain as the cowboy hoisted him to his feet. The stranger was kind enough to lend a literal shoulder to lean on as he was led away from half-built rooms full of bloodshed. Eddie found himself trying to look at literally anything but the bodies; his eyes lingered on the blazing red of the stranger's poncho, the wide brim of his hat. [break][break]

He couldn't be bothered to try and reconcile the strangeness of running into a man that looked like he was ripped straight out of an old Unovan paperback, so instead Eddie found himself clearing his throat, shaking his head grimly, [break][break]

“Wanna help, if I can,” he managed. With the lost, that is. He wasn't sure if there was a whole lot he could do, especially in the state he was in, but it felt wrong not to do something. He offered a polite nod in reply to the grizzled Greninja before speaking up again, “I'm Eddie. Good to meet ya, Navy.” [break][break]

A thought occurred to him, and Eddie found himself smiling a little in spite of the grim circumstances, “Feel like I owe ya a drink or somethin' after all this; you like whiskey?” [break][break]

It's an assumption made partially in jest; he figured Navy had probably heard that sort of thing before, considering he looked like the Man with No Name. For a moment, Eddie vaguely wondered how often the cowboy had heard such offers of gratitude.

BxghuQ9m

[attr="class","ooc"] Michael Navidson

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The feral howl in the distance should have made Eddie's blood run cold, especially considering such a creature was likely kin to whatever tore the site-in-progress to shreds in the first place. But the snarling, rough impersonation, the presence of a man decisive in the face of danger, is anathema to fear. How could Eddie be afraid when he has the hero on his side? [break][break]

“You got it.”[break][break]

Eddie ruffled the Arcanine's fur affectionately as he climbed aboard, the radiance of the MORNING SUN soothing away the last of the pain that coursed through his body. An unconventional ride, sure, but Eddie couldn't complain at the idea of getting out of here as quickly as possible. [break][break]

'Let's ride.' [break][break]

He squeezed his heels against Voyager's sides in a command to follow. For a moment, Eddie could almost forget the mortal peril they were in as the Arcanine chased behind, red poncho and silvery fire trailing in front of them as they picked up speed. [break][break]

For but a moment, they aren't two flesh and blood men fleeing for their lives; they're a couple of desperadoes on the silver screen riding off into the sunset, racing through the desert to outrun a dimwitted posse hot on their trail. They've got a roaring campfire waiting for them, warming a pot full of chili under a sky full of stars, and a bottle of the best single malt that Eddie could afford.

K9R4FAmL

[attr="class","ooc"] Michael Navidson

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

There's another terrible roar and the shattering of earth beneath draconic claws as the Walking Wake landed in their path. Eddie felt his heart stop for just the briefest of moments; though the events of the attack were mostly a hazy blur, something small and primordial in him screamed. This was an apex predator, the Adversary, the thing with gnashing teeth and rending claws that almost cut his life short. This is the rival in a standoff, and it's only a matter of who fires first. [break][break]

With the effortless precision of the gunslinger he is, the cowboy answers the threat with the clattering of binding chains, a shield raised just perfectly so to render the creature's vindictive act of retaliation impotent. Eddie almost felt a pang of guilt; how could he ever have doubted him? [break][break]

'Cut left!'[break][break]

Voyager turned sharply, paws skidding and sliding across the ground beneath them in a hairpin turn. Eddie could practically see the fury in the leering eyes of the prehistoric dragon as they slid past; he grinned. The poor bastard never stood a chance. [break]

9JI2na4Y

[attr="class","ooc"] Michael Navidson

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Snares and chains can only hold a monster for so long. Eddie had figured the Walking Wake would probably break free of it's bindings, but he hadn't expected the creature to be so god damn fast. It lunged and tore and snapped, no longer content with the thought of just taking potshots from afar, [break][break]

'No one else is dying today.' [break][break]

Even as the creature bounded after them, even when Eddie could practically smell the rank breath wafting from it's hungry maw, Navy's words are a comfort. Even if the older man should be back to shaking in his metaphorical boots, he couldn't help but trust the cowboy wholeheartedly; they are making it out, they're really are gonna be alright. [break][break]

Eddie's faith is rewarded by the recalled anchor and the casting of the beast back from whence it came. He whooped and hollered with unbridled elation as the dumbfounded Walking Wake was left in their dust and the high-walled station came into view. Hope rides eternal as they closed in on the safety of civilization once more. [break][break]

Once the dust finally settled, Eddie decided that he really should insist on buying the man a drink. He now owed Navy a debt he could never adequately repay, but hey, maybe a top shelf liquor would be a decent enough place to start. [break]

dusnBGqD

[attr="class","ooc"] Michael Navidson

[attr="class","pokeclass"]