Taming The Shadows

Chapter Six

Wes stood across from Trudly who had a smug look on his face. Kai and the others stood on the sidelines as Wes and Trudly prepared to face off.

"I'm gonna give you one last chance. You can still back out and hand over the machine quietly. We'll even let you go without incident," Trudly proposed.

Wes's stoic expression didn't budge. "You make it sound like you're going to win this fight. Just in case you forgot...I was the top Snagger in Team Snagem. So you're gonna have to bring your A game, because I'm not handing this over to you. So if you so much as even try to take it...you'll end up like the last person who tried. So I suggest you send that thought back to where it came from," Wes stated firmly.

Trudly sweat-dropped. Why he started to experience fear was a mystery to him. Man...what's with this guy? Why do I feel so intimidated by him. Gonzap told me to be cautious, but he never warned me that he'd be like this. His level of intimidation is even on par with the Admins. And that's saying something considering I've seen Nascour and our leader. They could make you cry with just one look. This guy sure could give them a run for their money in that department. Still...I'm not about to let him get away with talking to me like that! Nobody threatens Cipher and gets away with it!

"Are we gonna do this or what? I'm losing patience..." Wes stated in a slightly agitated tone.

"Oh we are tough guy. So get ready for the fight of your life. Dusclops, Ariados, let's crush him!" Trudly roared.

The Beckon Pokémon immerged from his ball alongside the venomous spider that was Ariados. Both assumed their positions and set their sights on the target. Wes heaved a deep sigh before reaching down to his belt and snapping off his partners. "Umbreon, Espeon, time to get to work!"

The Moonlight and Sun Pokémon erupted from their spheres onto the battlefield. Umbreon crouched low while Espeon sat elegantly in his place, his amethyst eyes staring the opposition down. Folly stood by as Trudly went to work. A smirk rested on his features as if he knew something the others did not.

"Ariados, Pin Missile! Dusclops, Shadow Sneak!" Trudly cried out.

"Espeon use Reflect! Umbreon, Double Team!" Wes countered.

Ariados planted his feet and arched his body, firing off several rounds of poisonous needles that streaked towards the duo, providing a distraction while Dusclops ducked underground and snaked towards Espeon. Wes had seen this move before, so he was prepared for it this time. Umbreon duplicated himself rapidly to avoid stray missiles that missed the reflect barrier. As the missiles crashed into the barricade, Espeon had tuned his ears into his surroundings. His gem began to glow as he gathered in power. Sensing movement below, Espeon aimed his gem and formed a powerful ball of ghostly energy and launched it right as Dusclops shot out the ground, fist cloaked in shadows. The blast struck sending Dusclops and Espeon skidding back, one more injured than the other.

Another flurry of missiles sailed towards Espeon. Umbreon leapt in front of his teammate and let out a pulse of dark energy, shattering the assault in an explosion of light and darkness. When the smoke cleared, Espeon and Umbreon were still standing and ready to go. Dusclops and Ariados readied themselves to continue on the offensive.

"Not bad Wes, I now see why Gonzap said you were the best he had," Trudly stated with a smirk. "But this match is still far from over." Because even if he does manage to defeat these two, there's no way he'll be able to beat my last one. I'll drive him into the ground! "Cross Poison now Ariados! Dusclops use Shadow Ball!"

"Espeon, Light Screen! Umbreon, intercept them!" Wes called out.

Espeon's gem lit up brightly, a psychic energy illuminating his body as he erected a few shields that would overlay the Reflect that was set up earlier. Umbreon leaped forwards and crouched down, his eyes lighting up as he materialized an emerald globe of protection around his body. Both the Shadow Ball and Cross Poison collided with the defensive barrier and were neutralized. Seizing the opportunity, Umbreon transferred a portion of his energy to Espeon who loosed a powerful Psybeam that hammered into Ariados, sending him crashing along the ground, skidding to a stop before his trainer. Ariados struggled to rise. Dusclops suddenly surfaced and hammered Espeon with a powerful punch that sent him sliding back.