You've Got A Friend in Me [Lt. Surge]

[erika]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] [style=width: 400px; border-left: 6.5px #0de01f solid;][style=font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 10.5px; text-align: justify; width: 350px; padding: 20px;][style=float: left; background-color: #0de01f; height: 200px; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px;] [style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style][style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style] [/style]Despite the water pounding on the greenhouse-esque windows surrounding the second floor of the gym from the unrelenting rain outside, the interior of the Celadon City Gym was as warm as ever, almost like summertime humidity. It was perfect for the plants that practically made up the entire gym – trees, grass, flowers, ferns, toadstools, anything that wasn’t concrete...not that there was much within the Gym walls to begin with. One of the trainers that made residence in the Gym moved beside Erika to speak for a moment before vanishing among the plants as suddenly as they’d appeared. The Gym Leader sat straighter on the grassy floor and moved her gaze to little Bellsprout that had been milling about not too far from her. They were just so cute. It had only been a few months since the meeting of Gym Leaders at Indigo Plateau when she along with the seven others of Kanto had been presented with the radical idea to transform their region - and eventually the rest of the world - under the idealistic reform that had become known as 'Lux'. They'd started converting cities under their regime, enforcing rules and laws that came with many benefits, but at some costs. Things, as predicted by her good friend Lt. Surge, had struck Vermillion first. He had been the only one brave enough to speak out against the idea initially, and he predicted they would go after Vermillion first for that very reason. She sighed and looked to the ground. Something told her she would be seeing her friend sometimes soon. At least she hoped she would. [style=color: #0de01f; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1.5px; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic;]the unrelenting rain outside,[/style][style=font-size: 10px; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px;]❚ WORDS: 268 ❚ TAGS: Spiral as Lt. Surge ❚ NOTES: New thread go ❚ CREDITS: Ambassador Tanz [/style][/style][/style][/style]

[surge]

"i told you so."

the words came out empty, plain and unaccompanied with his usual smugness or recent fury. whatever emotions surge was used to displaying had been all but drained by the stillness of exhaustion. he had been sucked dry, drained of all his energy, of everything. the recent skirmish had cleaned him out. whatever was left was a husk of the man that was known as surge.

still, matthew stood there, rigid and erect, halted at full attention. his body was on autopilot and relied on trained instinct to move. the same instinct that made him a ruthless killer. the same instinct that let him infiltrate erika's domain with no one any wiser.

"they took it. they took it all," was all he could murmur behind his monotone grabble.

all erika had to do was glance at the withered soldier to tell that he had come straight from vermillion. his perfect posture betrayed the reality of his affliction, a pair of thick bags sewn onto his reddening eyes. he was soaked, head to toe in the frozen downpour that riddled celadon, but even it couldn't wash away the fresh blood stemming from his various scratches and wounds. the lacerations kept his blood running, coating him in the warmth to carry him on. his body shook, still afflicted by the terrible trek between cities. for once in his life, surge was exhausted to the point he wanted to collapse. but he had to carry on. it was the only thing that spurred him on.

that indomitable will was the only thing that saved him from succumbing to the slumber he so desperately yearned for. the slumber that would riddle him with hyperthermia. the slumber he would never wake from. the slumber erika would never forgive him for, which is why he had to make it to her before he fell.

and how the giant would fall.

"i held them off as long as i could," he apologized, as if addressing his very people, "long enough so the sailors made it to sea. they should be fine. everyone is fine..."

those were his last words to the kimono girl before he fell.

and how surge fell.

no matter how hard his brain commanded his legs to hold, they couldn't withstand the pressure. without fail, they gave, followed with his knees bending until his face hit the floor.

it didn't hurt. it didn't... anything. nothingness.

blackness overtook him as he shut himself out to the world. for once, he could finally relax as the toiling troubles of the past few days hit him.

the lieutenant had fallen.

[erika]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] [style=width: 400px; border-left: 6.5px #0de01f solid;][style=font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 10.5px; text-align: justify; width: 350px; padding: 20px;][style=float: left; background-color: #0de01f; height: 200px; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px;] [style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style][style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style] [/style]Sure enough, her hopes were answered by the sweet will of Celebi, and not a moment too soon. However, as Erika laid eyes on her fellow Gym Leader when he pushed his way through the bushes surrounding her ‘domain’ as it had been known when challengers finally found their way to face her, she worried that it was close to a moment too late. The Lieutenant looked torn and ragged, and Erika instantly feared that the combined might of injuries and cold, pouring rain he had only just ventured through would be too much for his body to handle. She stood instantly upon his arrival, one hand clasped close to her chest and her eyes wide with worry. Her eyes never left him as he spoke, his words sending fear and sadness through her body like the blood circulating in her veins. The green in her eyes flared up with fear as she realized that the cuts and lacerations on his body were more than just scabbed over – they were still relatively fresh, and had been aggravated by the rain which he had traveled so valiantly through. He had held them off, or at least tried to, as much as she expected. He made sure his citizens were safe. Erika felt her heart stop for a brief moment when she saw his body finally bend to the wounds and cold, his brain loosing its grip on what it commanded. ”Surge!” Erika cried, running forward as his knees buckled. She was by his side the instant he hit the grassy gym floor, one hand placed in between his shoulders and the other against his neck, checking for a pulse out of instinct. ”Someone! Help me!” she shouted into her Gym. Instantly, trainers and pokemon poured from where they’d been standing in the Gym. ”Help me help him, please! He needs medical treatment!” Time had passed since Surge had fallen to the floor. The combined effort of people and pokemon had moved the lieutenant to a warm, dry room in the back of the gym – one of the few things that werent made of plants. Along with her room, the back of the gym held many private rooms which its Leader had installed to shelter travelers as they needed. The Electric-type specialist had been dried sufficiently and bandaged as needed, and placed in a bed under the covers of a blanket. Erika lit the room by candlelight, and sat watching her friend with pokemon that had helped her make herbal remedies for her injuries. Her knees were bent and she was crouched against the ground, waiting for Surge to come to. [style=color: #0de01f; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1.5px; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic;]traveled so valiantly,[/style][style=font-size: 10px; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px;]❚ WORDS: 441 ❚ TAGS: Spiral as Lt. Surge ❚ NOTES: New thread go ❚ CREDITS: Ambassador Tanz [/style][/style][/style][/style]

[surge]

sleep would never last forever.

even now, despite his exhaustion, surge couldn't take more than a moment's rest. it had only been a few hours before he felt his consciousness return. he kept himself still, eyes still closed and continued the facade of slumber. it wasn't the insomnia that haunted him, but rather his current options. his town had been ravaged, pillaged for justice with his gym burnt to the ground. there was nothing left for him to return to.

"what do i do now," he whispered, turning to his side to face his friend. he had no doubt that she had spent the whole time by his side, worried and earnestly watching over him as he slept.

"what is there left for me? do i just disappear or gather an army to take back what's mine?"

would it really be worth it to come back? sure, he had been ousted from his home, but was it worth torching it just to have it back. it would only be his by name, the smoldering ashes being the spoils of his work.

"i think..."

surge paused.

"i haven't been this lost in a long time, erika. what do i do?"

[erika]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] [style=width: 400px; border-left: 6.5px #0de01f solid;][style=font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 10.5px; text-align: justify; width: 350px; padding: 20px;][style=float: left; background-color: #0de01f; height: 200px; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px;] [style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style][style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style] [/style]Erika remained sitting for her silent vigil by Surge’s side until he showed signs of stirring. She perked up immediately, her green eyes blinking to attentiveness. She was happy she hadn’t had a narcoleptic episode in the time she was sitting so perfectly still by Surge. If he had woken to find her asleep...oh she would never live that embarassment down! The pokemon by her side let out quiet sounds that she assumed were those of relief or happiness to see the Electric-type specialist waking up. She allowed Surge to speak, he at least deserved that much after what he just went through, though she already had an answer in mind. She had a feeling he might protest the choice she saw wisest, but she wasn’t going to let him argue this. ”There is more than enough left for you to do, Surge...” she murmured, pushing herself to stand before she moved smoothly over to him. ”Given the result of the fight you put up, it might be smartest for you to vanish for some time...” Erika sat on the corner of the bed next to him, looking at her senior Gym Leader. ”But in that time, you could gather an army.” She looked down at her knees. ”I assume you want your city back, so you should lay low and then...strike back with a vengeance.” Her gaze was sympathetic, looking at him worriedly. So long as she was in private she felt she could discuss things like this to him. ”But first things first.” Her gaze suddenly sharpened as she grew serious. ”You are to stay there so you rest and recover, and you will not argue with me there.” Her firmness was spurred by worry, of course, though she would not waver, even to him. [style=color: #0de01f; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1.5px; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic;]spurred by worry,[/style][style=font-size: 10px; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px;]❚ WORDS: 297 ❚ TAGS: Spiral as Lt. Surge ❚ NOTES: lol they got nommed for an OTM ❚ CREDITS: Ambassador Tanz [/style][/style][/style][/style]

[surge]

"is there? my city is in ruins, my people gone to the winds. i have nothing."

nothing to protect.

nothing to fight for.

nothing but the despair he had to swallow. without vermillion there wasn't a reason for him to continue on living. yet, his body wouldn't give up. the army had honed him to be a survivor, the perfect specimen that would never die. a burden for him to carry on.

vermillion's downfall had only taken the span of a few days. so why did he feel like it had been ripped away from him since his birth? he could do nothing but wallow in his self pity, glancing at erika with lost eyes. perhaps she was right. the whole debacle was taking it's toll on him. continuing on his current path would only lead him to his own self-destruction.

it was time to man up.

man the fuck up.

so what if they had taken his city? this simply meant he didn't deserve it. he wasn't fast enough. he wasn't smart enough. he wasn't strong enough. this could be changed. erika was wise beyond her years. although it was temporary, surge would disappear, only to come back and return the favor one hundred fold.

it was natural for the lieutenant to come to such a conclusion. a catharsis, no matter how slight, would do him good. but to hear erika's proposal? the very erika who objected violence whenever she could? the unnatural pacifist who preached peace over power? did the delicate flower really sprout the prickliest of thorns?

no matter how serious his colleague might've been, surge couldn't snuffle the pain in his stomach. he lost it. surge fucking lost it. with a chortle that would rival watson, the once despondent gym leader bellowed chuckle after chuckle.

"i'm glad your convictions are stronger than mine, erika."

while erika's expression matched the severity of her statement, surge could only muster a sheepish grin.

a smirk of denial, held only by forced contractions of his mouth.

a smile filled with pain, deluded of contents of his heart.

the only expression of gratitude he could give, not to a friend, but to someone worth much, much more.

unphased with his facade, surge persevered the struggle not to frown. only now did he take the time to examine himself, glancing over the bandages that held his torn body together. if he was going to truly fake this grandeur, he would push it for all it was worth.

"stay here? who's going to make me?"

there had been very few men to cross the grass mistress when she was serious. none of them had the devious smirk surge presented.

maybe he had finally snapped? whatever the case, it had been too long since he could brandish his bravado.

[erika]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] [style=width: 400px; border-left: 6.5px #0de01f solid;][style=font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 10.5px; text-align: justify; width: 350px; padding: 20px;][style=float: left; background-color: #0de01f; height: 200px; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px;] [style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style][style=border: 2px #ebebeb solid; height: 80px; width: 80px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 10px;][/style] [/style]It made her feel sick and uncomfortable to give such forward and aggressive to give the advice she just did. Normally she would have stayed quiet and in the dark for something like this, offering no more than a small nod or friendly hand-squeeze in response.Staying quiet and keeping her head low was always so much easier to do than actually take a stand. It was somewhat of a rare occurance and lash out for Erika. However, the circumstances were different. Something dear had been taken from a friend of hers. Vermillion had been taken from Surge. No matter how right she believed Lux was, that was something she wouldn’t stay quiet about. Not for Surge. For the first time in a long time, she was speaking her mind. That fueled her determination to make sure Surge followed her request disquised as a command – that he stay until he was better and ready to reclaim his city. Erika straightened at his pained smile, her emerald eyes watching him closely. He put forth brave words, causing her to swallow nervously before hardening her will. ”I will.” She said it quickly. It was as simple as that – she would be the one to make him stay there until he was better. No friend of hers was going to leave her gym cut up and torn by violence without healing first. She stood, her arms by her sides as she gazed at him. ”I will make you stay here. Until you are healed.” She held his gaze for a moment before turning to the small tea table in the corner of the room, pouring a cup for them both. It was a delightful tea, sweet yet minty. Erika turned, holding her cup in her right hand while offering his with her left. ”So please let me help you get better sooner.” [style=color: #0de01f; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1.5px; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic;]I will make you stay,[/style][style=font-size: 10px; font-family: arial narrow; letter-spacing: 1px;]❚ WORDS: 308 ❚ TAGS: Spiral as Lt. Surge ❚ NOTES: determined erika is determined ❚ CREDITS: Ambassador Tanz [/style][/style][/style][/style]

[surge]

"those are big words, erika," surge commended behind a sneering smirk. "there's always work to be done.! if you're going to try to confine me to my bed, good luck. you'll need it!"

with each exerberant word, surge forced another rowdy laugh from the pit of his throat. it was time to be humble and take on from his hoenn counterpart. laughter, watson said, was the best was to convey hope, no matter how desperate. as long as he kept a healthy spirit he would be fine.

so surged laughed for he could not cry.

and laughed for he could not weep.

surge could do nothing but laugh and laugh, for otherwise he would despair.

so, for his good friend erika, and his own mental health, he continued his laughter no matter how empty it echoed. absentmindedly, he took the cup, starring into his pitiful reflection. no matter how happy he portrayed himself, he could see the bitter resentment inside his eyes.

so surge fell silent.

and he drank the tiniest of sips. no matter how much remained in the kettle, this was erika's tea, so it was one to be treasured. "thank you," was all surge could manage, momentarily dropping his bravado. "thank you so much, erika."

that was it before surge's grin grew a bit wider. it was all smiles and sunshine from here on out! or some horseshit like that. aside from being stern, surge wasn't too sure how to handle these influx of emotions that have been plaguing him the last few weeks. everything was easier when all you had to do was frown and curse.