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The SWIFT star strikeback rained down over the field, the massive volley blasting downwards into the little bear, as he's flung outwards, tossed away and slamming into the ground with a tumble. Law skids to a halt, already feeling the draining defensive capability detrimental.[break][break]

"Guess so." he's smiling now, though it's not as full as he could be.[break][break]

The Kubfu takes the opportunity to run as fast as the little bear can, hopping side-to-side, and closing the distance, the loud screm of the bear roaring out as he charges and slams an IRON HEAD back into the giant Eevee.[break][break]

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How many was this now? Did it even matter?[break][break]

Drinking quietly with his little Kubfu, a small smoothie for the two, dressed for the winter weather, and all Ashley can think of is how tired he must look. Hard to imagine life a year ago now. But here he was. Alive. And though he was forced to walk everywhere on this stupid cane, he could live with it.[break][break]

It's after the drink, when Law noticed a passerby. Some dude. The Kubfu got up, leaping off the table, and onto the street. A stance at the ready. He was ready to exercise![break][break]

"Law?" his trainer asks, before turning to see the guy, walking away. With a sigh, Ashley scooped up the little bear and caught up with the other guy. "Hey. My little guy here wants to have a battle with you. You up for it?"[break][break]

Honestly? He hoped the answer would be no. He was enjoying his Saturday morning just fine. But this was the Vital City Tournament.

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How did it ever get here?[break][break]

Right... let's back up.[break][break]

---[break][break]

Zev Harcourt had just branded Ashley as traitor. Stabbed some blade thing through his leg, and tore up the nerve endings. His left leg, practically bleeding out, he's near the end of his rope, when Reinhardt comes in, and dies for him. All while his Hisuian Zorua, Cocoa, grabs him and PHANTOM FORCEs them out of there.[break][break]

From there, Ashley had to find a way off the submarine. If not, he would have just prolonged the inevitable. But, searching for a way out hadn't been too hard. It left Rocket alert. It left him limping, but he managed it. He ran from the submarine. To Lilycove. Then through the route towards Fortree. Mt. Pyre would stand so ominously in the distance, practically a spire of memory that continued to plague his mind. Where the forever curse kept him alive, wanting to live.[break][break]

The trail of blood would lead the hounds of Rocket to him, but that curse kept him running. It kept him moving, even as the blood gushed from his left leg telling him to stop. Even as his lungs burned more and more. He kept going, screaming bloodier and bloodier murder with each step. He could feel his body wanting to fall. To let himself just bleed out, but that need, that paleolithic instinct of survival kept coming in. His curse.[break][break]

By time he reached the swamps of Route 120, he first remembered stopping. Not because he wanted to, but because the cold rain made the dirt a slippery mud. "SSSSSSSHI-" He tumbled, slamming his body, face first, and tumbled into the rain and mud.[break][break]

The rain grows heavier, pouring over him like a shower of moist regrets ahead of the watery grave.[break][break]

Attempting to get onto his feet led to the agonizing pain of nerves and muscle spasms. He lost a lot of blood on the run here, replaced now with double vision, the agony, and a sprain to ensure that even attempting to get up was like pulling teeth levels of pain. Ashley realized two things.[break][break]

Number one, if he didn't get to a hospital for the leg wound, he was going to die out here, either by blood loss, freezing to death in the cold rain, or by Rocket. Even then, he couldn't guarantee that Rocket would even let him get that far, nerve damage was already going to be something he lived with. Number two, he was alone. Aside from his Pokemon he had on hand now, he could effectively do nothing. A literal sitting Ducklett.[break][break]

So, pulling himself from the mud and bloody depths... he manages to pathetically crawl towards a tree, resting his back against it, as he feel how bad that wound was. And he winces.[break][break]

"Fuck..." he throws his head against the tree, and can see the blood on his hands. But he is not freed yet.[break][break]

When he looks up... the visage of a white-haired woman stares back. Her face haunts her. But walking next to her, is the white-haired man. Specters of the past. Then, flooding his vision, the corpses of those who had been left behind. The politician from his kill in Rocket before. The numerous Rockets who he felled in the failed attempt to hunt down Isaac. His breathing hitches.[break][break]

"What?"[break][break]

Was it the low amount of blood in his body? His eyes feel as if they've sunken, dark bags below, as his pale figure looks about to snap. But the ghosts of the dead follow him. And all of them just stare. They stare, because what else would they do?[break][break]

"Stop looking at me. I got out, didn't I?"[break][break]

It's not enough. He knows it isn't enough. They were here, watching him, as he backs further into the tree bark, digging himself in. The sight of them make him sick, like the bile was just crawling on all fours to get out of his throat, but he kept it in. But damn, did he want to.[break][break]

"Stop... go away. I... I'm not that person anymore."[break][break]

Nothing he says works. They still stare over him, imposing. Unable to get up. Unable to move away.[break][break]

"I tried! I, I didn't... I don't want to die."[break][break]

The panic attack came all at once, his breathing is all over the place, unable to stabilize. When he goes to check his phone, he realizes... it's gone. He had dropped it.[break][break]

"Oh."[break][break]

The panic almost got worse.[break][break]

No bail out this time. No 9-1-1, no safety net. This was it... as his lungs continued to burn, and constrict with little room to breathe, he would feel the walls finally closing it. Out in the open, free of Rocket, and he was just sport now. Game to be hunted, and fed. Who would come after him? THEO BECKETT? Cillian Quinn? Tempest Quinn? Zev Harcourt? He wondered. But the cruel twist was, he knew. He already knew. declan walsh was that sort of bastard.[break][break]

It was going to be jayden cross, wasn't it? Something about it calms him, soothes him. Finally...[break][break]

He checks his Pokeballs on hand. He can't possibly take Jay on. Not like this. The last time they fought, was that route near Dewford. Ashley had damn near lost his life then. But now, now Jay wouldn't hold anything back.[break][break]

The curse would finally end.[break][break]

...[break][break]

Breath steadying, the rain smacking the ground harder now than ever, he felt himself starting to drift off into the unknown, but forces his eyes to focus on anything. Standing was impossible without adrenaline.[break][break]

Focus.[break][break]

His hand releases the ball for Juliette, his Furfrou. "Find help, girl... please." The Furfrou scurries away, running as fast as she can. To find Ashley some help.[break][break]

Ana, Maple, Magneto, Cocoa, and Juliette. That was the only five he had left... aside from the empty Pokeball of Reinhardt's that stayed on his person. None of them were all that suited for combat, aside from Reinhardt. But they'd give him a fighting chance.[break][break]

Something tells him not though... so he closes his eyes, and leans back. He lets his mind rest...

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Dynamax, huh? Ashley can't help but chuckle quietly. The woman is familiar, beautiful in every way. He can feel himself red in the face, as he rubs the back of his neck. "Uh... cool. Glad I look familiar... just one of those faces, I guess."[break][break]

Better to just be a ghost than to be remembered right now. But as they take their spots, Ashley's jaw drops at the sudden expansion of brown fluffy Eevee.[break][break]

"Oh my fuck-" he mutters under his breath... when given the go ahead by Illeana.[break][break]

Taking in a deep breath, he nods, and turns to Law, giving Ashley a thumbs up. "Alright... go!"[break][break]

Law is quick to race forward, stomping into the ground with a crater and a FOCUS ENERGY, the Kubfu comes out the gate with the big one; CLOSE COMBAT. The flurry of blows intent to make the massive Eevee back down from the sheer force of will. If, he gets that far anyways.[break][break]

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Law had been getting his licks in for a good bit. Battles aplenty, slamming down with one foot, and doing his best to fight. In all honesty, Ashley loved this little bear, he just wished... he could run with the little guy. Walking with a cane these days makes it really hard. The little Kubfu always seemed to be concerned for Ashley first and foremost.[break][break]

"It's okay, Law. Really, it's-"[break][break]

O... kay.[break][break]

A familiar face. He recognizes him well, as the other recognizes him... the Head Ranger. Ollie Morales. A very slanted, weird history. "Sup?" He looked dejected, downcast eyes showing a hint of fear. The little Kubfu waves. They were already near an arena, overlooking the skyline here in Lilycove.[break][break]

Sunken silver eyes tell a story. One closer to death than he'd realized. He only came back from that thanks to Isaac Merlo ... reborn now against Rocket. Or at least.[break][break]

He hoped he was going to be seen that way.[break][break]

"Name's... Ashley. You uh... wanna battle?"[break][break]

Law looked ready to roll out and FIGHT.

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The attack is stronger than Law can fully handle, and though he's able to take the TAKE DOWN fairly well, it's the blast of DRAGON BREATH that he is forced to weather right after, leaving the Kubfu particularly drained from the defensive choice.[break][break]

"Detect." Ashley calls out, taking the brunt of the dragon's breath, and attempting to DETECT through the rest of the damage. That strat worked before. The rule of fighting games? If they don't tell you no, you keep doing it till they do.[break][break]

"Ora."[break][break]

With one stomp into the ground for FOCUS ENERGY, the Kubfu makes a fast leap forward, for a CLOSE COMBAT, attempting to throw as many punches as he can as fast and hard as he can, despite the loss in DEFENSIVE power.[break][break]

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That's one point down. Ash smiles politely, as Law is able to take on the strike with little problem. As soon as the Altaria screeches, and guards themselves though, Law breathes in, and breathes out with one motion.[break][break]

A change in stand, instead of paws held out to strike, he fluidly moves his paws to accept the strike. The moment that TAKE DOWN hits? He was going to COUNTER back, intent to use their momentum against them, the little Kubfu seeing the strike coming. Or at least, he believes he does.[break][break]

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It's been one hell of a tournament so far, and though Ashley has done his best to keep his head low and out of trouble from his position, he knows that the tournament means he'll be challenged. Always.[break][break]

"Hey." he waves towards each one, wearing a little harness on his chest to carry his tiny Kubfu who enjoys the walks. That way, he can use his cane to make sure his left leg is okay. He walks with a bit of a limp these days, but it's fine. See the place, get out of the apartment, and enjoy a little Pokemon battling.[break][break]

He's just babysitting today.[break][break]

Hopefully no one recognizes him. But if nothing else, he's in a crowd. No Rocket would be foolish enough to come at him in public and mess up their rep. Not in a tourney like this.[break][break]

That's what Ash is betting on, as he waves to the next person in particular. "Want to battle?" It was a big open street, all at the ready...

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Law stands tall, as he manages to hold fast and throw out the CLOSE COMBAT. The moment he's done enough, the little bear falls to a knee, breathing heavy. Exhaustion paralyzes the little bear, as his head shakes. The Kubfu had won the duel, but the way he was looking, he was spent.[break][break]

Ash takes the time to come up, and give the little bear a little low five, before turning towards Cy-... his opponent.[break][break]

"Thanks for the fight... and uh. Glad to see you're okay."[break][break]

Did he mean the paradox Iron Valiant, her, or his Kubfu? Which one indeed. But as he picks up the little Kubfu, he gives her a smile that he often did.[break][break]

"Keep that chin up, Sunshine."[break][break]

Maybe seeing ghosts wasn't always a bad thing.

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Another match at dusk.[break][break]

The golden hour was at the ready, and Ashley, wobbling his way to the ring, worked his way there on the cane he had. His limp in his left leg was prominent now, likely forever a fixture he'd have to deal with. He should count himself more lucky.[break][break]

Still. This dockside battle was going to be good, and Law the Kubfu was ready for more challengers, helping Ashley stay upright best he could.[break][break]

At the arrival of his fighter, the silver haired man stared at silver hair. A familiar face. "Illeana, right?" His smile is small, fluffy, and sweet. "Have we met?" he asks, with a casual, quiet smile on his face, before holding his hand out for a shake. "Good luck today."

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This part sucked. Having to go from one venue to another in Lilycove. In truth, with a limp it really did, but he'd find his way there. With Law the Kubfu leading him there, the silver-haired man would arrive later than he intended to.[break][break]

"Howdy. Kazuya?" He asks softly, limping his way closer, offering a short, subdued smile.[break][break]

It's... something, alright. As Law attempts to steady his trainer, he waves. "Hope you're good to go." He tries to steady himself now, and holds out a hand for a shake.

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Fear grabs at Ash as Law is quickly forced to jump and spin in the air, sliced upwards onto the face with the LEAF BLADE in a diagonal slash, that leaves the bear bleeding. Being the dangerous slash it was, it could have easily taken his head, but natural fighting instinct took over and saved him with just a gash.[break][break]

Still, Ash would stare on in slight fear, as the Kubfu lands, smashing fist tiny paw-sized fists together, before forcibly closing the distance. This next one was going to decide it![break][break]

Better let it all out now. Ashley calls out.[break][break]

"Barrage."[break][break]

And then comes the CLOSE COMBAT, slamming forward with an ORA-ORA-ORA-ORA of fists, the quick succession of fists constant and blasting ahead, the Kubfu leaving defense behind for a full-on offensive, intending to K-O Rose himself.[break][break]

The bear squeaks to life, intent to be the one left standing in the end. He just. Had. To. Endure the pain.[break][break]

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Truth be told, there's no cockiness in him. Quite the opposite, Ashley didn't think himself capable enough to win. Something about having to be debilitated for most of this year, walking on a cane from his own mistakes just made him more reserved. This pain would stick with him for most of his life, cane or no cane.[break][break]

"Good luck."[break][break]

When Law jumps in place, all he can do is see the MOONBLAST coming, and immediately attempts a DETECT, unmoving through it, before responding in kind, racing forward on tiny pawpads, and throwing his head forward in one IRON HEAD.[break][break]

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