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[attr="class","kazu2"]Kazuya offered a nod of greeting to the young lady before him. His Bewear, meanwhile, swept his arm forward in a bow. A hand then lifted to splay across his chest. “Kazuya.” This word came from somewhere around his belt. His lips did not move. He gestured to the partner beside him. The muscular bear took steps toward the starting line. Kazuya followed him. “I appreciate your well wishes.” The old beast of competition reared its head.

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“But I believe you need them more.” With that jab, the man’s mind zeroed in on the battle before him. The Bewear raised its fist at the Swampert. Its claws curled tightly inward.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]Well, it seemed this noblewoman had some gumption. At the very least, she fought her own battles, in a figurative sense. As a mercenary, Kazuya was well-acquainted with pampered peacocks. He did not like them. “Please do, hime-san.”

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The bear springs back quickly as its attack lands. The shadows follow at a lag, disappearing into dark, striped fur like snakes into a thicket. Lightning began to flicker above them, its build-up enhanced by the stormy clouds above. A smirk followed as Kazuya locked eyes with his bear. “Take the hit!” The volume rises with a few clicks of the device at his side.

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With gritted teeth, the Bewear takes the Thunderbolt. Electricity arcs up his body, turning him into a mound of static electricity. A grunt follows as the bear falters for a moment. “Hold.” Then, with a growl, it shakes its head. With a smirk, Kazuya fixed his eyes on Elise. “Payback.” Powered up by the damage, the attack is a potential closer.


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[attr="class","kazu2"]Not so long ago, Kazuya would have been famous at this tournament. Fans would come seeking his autograph and asking for ink imprints from his Pokemon. The top contenders were often friends or, at least, acquaintances. But his arrest led to a meteoric downfall. Even after proving his innocence, sponsors and former partners vanished like termites. Still, he wondered if those same people were avoiding him at VCT.[break][break]

Not a single combatant was familiar to him. The ones with fans somehow felt so young. This strange sense of unfamiliarity led the mercenary into a wide circle of Lilycove. Finally, his eyes caught on a recognizable figure. “Natsu.” The bear turned away from searching the crowd to follow his trainer. A cough emerged from the device at the white-haired man’s belt—an attempt to avoid startling him.
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“Ed.” There’s the slightest of pauses as Natsu pushes his trainer aside, eager to size up his opponent. “I see you are participating.”

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[attr="class","kazu2"]The older man did not share the dislike of open air. After so many years cramped in a dark, dirty cell, the sun continued to feel like heaven. So, he did not mind when his opponent took some time to arrive. His Bewear took a moment to catch its breath as it waited. When Ashley limped in, Kazuya’s lips pressed into a pronounced frown. An ivory eyebrow rose. “Ashley.” [break][break]

As the hand reaches toward him, Kazuya is quick to grab it. He is almost tender in his grip, proof he’s aware of the strength that runs through his body. His Bewear seems tempted to help Law hold the man up. Beady, normally childlike eyes fill with concern. At the question, the man’s brow vanishes into his hairline. “I am.” Kazuya answer, “Are you?”[break][break]

He nods to a nearby bench. If this man wished to persevere, he did not have to do it swaying like a hypnotized Sandaconda. Though a bit befuddled by the injury, the Bewear dropped into a fighting position. The human's condition had nothing to do with this.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]The introduction received a simple nod. He did not know the name, nor would he put much stock into it if he did. You could not recreate the octopus from just looking at its tentacles. Nobility meant little. Still, he saw no need to be impolite. “A pleasure, I’m sure.” Golden eyes took a moment to examine his opponent. It was a ghost-type which meant it likely had access to a number of status and dark moves. Its base moves would also be useless against Natsu, though that went both ways. After this cursory examination, the man turned to face his partner. [break][break]

“Let’s get started.” A hand swept toward Elise as Kazuya stepped backward. A familiar heat began to build in his chest. His normally calm demeanor cracked as his mouth split in a grin. The tides of battle were flooding in! “Start things off with Payback!” Though nowhere near as tough as it usually was, the attack still worked against the opponent.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]The Carracosta—though irritable—seemed irrevocably attached to the man’s Wooper. It allowed the small axolotl to sleep on its head and even try to shove its head into the turtle’s shell. Through this time spent together, Kazuya and he became closer. Now, they were at a point where surfing was a possibility. Now, they were cruising Route 128 toward their next assignment. While a boat would be welcome, there was meant to be little record of this excursion. So, he’d left from a secluded area and aimed to land in one as well.
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The large man sat cross-legged upon the turtle’s shell. Which still meant tight quarters. Like a particularly compliant coaster rider, he crossed his arms over his chest. On occasion, he’d stretch a limb out in front of him. Eventually, they came to what seemed a tiny island. It offered another room for a few people to have a picnic.[break][break] Perched on the turtle’s head, his Wooper lets out a noise—something akin to a land ho. The rock type’s swimming slowed to a stop. Its head lifted furtively from the water. “Let’s take a break, Tatoru.”
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Kazuya disembarked into the shallow surf. The turtle moved to stand shortly after. After many hours in the sea, the rock type’s exhaustion was apparent. From his messenger bag, Kazuya pulled out some seaweed treats. These he offered to the reptile. Somehow still full of energy, the armless axolotl raced off to splash in the shallows.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]The mercenary can’t hide a toothy grin. Apparently, his spirit of competition had not died in that hell. As he moves through the crowd, Kazuya’s eyes flick from opponent to opponent. He notes their partner Pokemon before moving on to the next person. Even if they were not currently his opponent, the information gleaned could be of use later.[break][break]

Eventually, he stumbles upon another untethered participant. A glance is shared between him and his Bewear, Natsu. The bear nods in agreement as they approach the young woman. The bear’s eyes stay locked on the woman, eager for information about his opponent. “I’m Kazuya Yoshida.” Once upon a time, that'd have meant something to most people. The Emolga upon his head waves excitedly. “Would you do me the honors?” His voice comes from somewhere around his belt.[break][break]

With a threatening grumble, Natsu takes a few steps forward. Even if they did not have any of those mechanics—outside of the reach of a man who had so recently lost it all—they would persevere.
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[attr="class","kazu2"]The older man chuckles. However, this time, his lips move with the gesture. This wide, somewhat shy smile takes center stage on all of his trainer cards. “My size has its benefits.” Creatures tended to assume he was a threat. This led many smaller Pokemon to avoid his presence entirely. The same went for people, unfortunately. Perhaps that assumption is why he was so fiery in his youth. [break][break]

“It has been some time since I enjoyed the privilege.” Kazuya’s digital voice box cannot adjust the volume, so this thing (which would be typically whispered) is the same volume as everything else. The gym leader’s excitement is contagious. “It is a good reminder of our true significance.” When he used to swim with his Palafin, there were many times they would hit the open sea. All around them would be nothing. Back then, that didn’t teach him anything. It just showed he was too tough for anything to mess with. But now? Well, it’d be a different experience. [break][break]

Kazuya laughed. “Johtoan winters have their benefits too.” Like adorable little scarves and natural ice-skating rings. Oh, and illegal, high-security, off-the-grid hellholes. [break][break]

Turning slightly, Kazu watched as the lioness took her stride. There was something alluring about powerful women, no matter their species. This distracted gaze remains at Josh’s suggestion. “I used to have one.” A silent sigh follows. “He was taken from me.” And, if he ever met the rat who sold them, he would snap their necks. Even honor had its limits. [break][break]

His eyes widen as a strange bird begins to run toward the lion. Its movements are fluid with the grace and candor of a dancer. Bright tail feathers fan beneath it as it nears the Pyroar, inviting it to dance. “Hm.” What a delight! Enrapturing creature! His Wooper called out accidentally beside him. “What a stunning Pokemon.” He nods toward the Quaquaval. [break][break]

The baby Pokemon wiggles impatiently. She starts to stamp around in time to the flash duck’s beat. Beady eyes lift to her trainers. He nods.. “Go ahead.” [break][break]

Catching Quaquaval

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[attr="class","kazu2"]Kazuya does not enjoy admitting weakness—even if it is as shallow and non-instrumental as this. So, he shakes his head. His mind goes back to even cooler times. Where his wardens had left him almost naked and dripping in rusty hose water. “I grew up here.” The elder man tilted his head toward the sky. [break][break]A few snowflakes landed on his upturned nose. His first time seeing snow had been magical, but here it felt wrong. “It’s strange.” More snow plopped into the designated area. The gloves made scooping it difficult. [break][break]

When Affogato’s role is pointed out, Kazu pauses to spare her a grateful nod. “Ah, thank you.” His bear does the same before knocking down another row of icicles. These Natsu drop into the staging area. Whether he felt anything by brushing the powerline is unclear. But the fur on his arms now stands on end. What is obvious, however, is that the Bewear’s competitive spirit has been ignited. With a glint in his eyes, Natsu charges toward the next set of icy spears. [break][break]


His trainer, meanwhile, is less rushed. Knowing samples need different characteristics, he shifts to a different part of the roof. “Just tell me when it’s enough.” His gloves managed to gather up another few samples. These he deposited where indicated. The man’s large size allows him to work like a snow shovel, piling the cold powder against his chest. [break][break]At the cautionary statement, Kazu nods. Something the old him would never have done. Before the stint in the slammer, he’d have been tempted to slug any nerdy pipsqueak who tried to push him around. “We’ll be careful.” The Bewear stops mid Cross Chop at the subtle scolding. With a disheartened grumble, Natsu tugs away another piece of ice.

The beeping draws Kazu’s attention. A white brow raises behind his mask. “That sounds promising.”

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[attr="class","kazu2"]Back when he’d been kindling, he and the boys loved hitting up this place. The dark wood and homely atmosphere made it a welcome break after a hard day on the clock. And, the owner’s family did the same work. On a shelf in the corner was a mini memorial to all those who had lost their lives in the fight against the fires and volcano.[break][break]

It felt different to be in here alone. Since his conviction—even if it’d been reversed—few people answered the phone. They somehow thought a single jury absolved all their memories. Even his wave to the bartender received only a half-hearted one in return. “Evening.” Kazuya eventually murmurs to the barkeep. He orders a drink, something fruity, boozy, and blue. This he took with him back to his elevated seat. From that spot, he watched a few stragglers play through a game of pool.[break][break]

His Emolga perched on his shoulder. Occasionally, she would dart down his arm to sample the alcohol off the tip of a toothpick. As one drink turned to two, the man’s well-earned composure began to evaporate. Occasionally, his golden eyes would flicker to a nearby television. Though soccer held no interest to him, it gave him something to contemplate rather than his earlier actions.
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As the pool players left, Kazuya became suddenly aware of the emptiness of the bar. As he rose to his feet, he heard the owner tell Ed that leaving was a no-go. Instinctively, Kazuya reached for a ball at his belt. But, then, he remembered that his old team was gone. An uncharacteristically angry noise escaped his lips. “You sure we can’t dig out, Bert?” Kazuya’s voice emerged from somewhere around his belt. It wasn’t accompanied by moving lips. [break][break]

The bartender shook his head. He looked like he was about to say something but settled for turning away. “Top me off then. Please.” After an awkward moment, the mercenary managed to situate himself on a barstool. “I haven’t seen you here before.” A little tipsy from her own imbibement, the Emolga stood up to wave excitedly at the man. “It’s a good place.”[break][break]

He readjusted the scarf around his neck.

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