Chapter 3: Chapter 3
The gate to the Colosseum was one of the most grand things Luka had ever seen. Since everybody down here pretty much had no papers, they were comparable to illegal immigrants. This meant that anyone who went topside and got caught would be sent to the Steps for a couple of years before being kicked back down.
An unfair system. Those with money to get the papers immediately left, while those who stayed but could get the papers always had a story.
Guards flooded the place, wearing masks that resembled different animals. They were all intimidating figures, with a Pokéball on one side and a baton on the other. They observed the drunk gamblers shouting, crying, and laughing with solemn silence.
Luka kept his head down for too long to avoid drawing any attention and then went deeper into the Colosseum.
"PUT YOUR BETS ON THIS FIGHT! A NEW STAR VS. A VETERAN! BETS ARE 6:2!"
Luka walked past this betting stand, following the crowd of people to the battlefield. A dirt area with overhanging lights and crowds of people surrounded it, screaming in response to the Pokémon battle in progress. Spectators commented on the events with unfiltered excitement.
Luka's eyes widened when he saw what was happening.
A Zubat floated in the air, while a Poochyena growled at it. The small black dog bore signs of deep cuts all over its body, with blood seeping from its wounds. The Zubat was less injured but had disgusting poison-laced blood dripping from its body as it struggled to keep itself stable in the air.
It was an old man against a young boy. The boy, clearly in control of the Poochyena, looked visibly scared by the state of the battle, while the old man smirked.
"Zubat! Use Supersonic!" the old man commanded, the Zubat's mouth opening to reveal blood-soaked fangs as the boy nearly jumped in fear.
"Poochyena! D-Dodge!"
It was too late. The dog's wounds slowed it down just enough for the sound waves to hit. The Zubat immediately swooped down and bit the disoriented dog.
The fight was over.
Luka sighed in pity for the boy, then started toward the receptionist. The people watching wanted Pokémon—Luka could see it in their eyes. Who wouldn't?
Fear of dying, fear of drowning in more debt than they were already in. That's why they projected their desires and frustrations onto the trainers controlling the Pokémon.
"Kill it!"
"Kill the young boy!"
Dogs.
Fucking dogs.
A small desk with two women came into view. They both stared at him with blank faces as Luka walked up, his expression fearless. Perhaps they had seen many like him before.
"I'd like to sign up," Luka stated. One of the women didn't say a word, merely passing him a contract.
Bullshit. Most of the people in the slums couldn't read. But Luka was one of the lucky ones. Ms. Quaker had taught him how before her vision failed. Though she had a mysterious past, Luka never dug deep to disrupt the woman's wounds.
Everybody has a story.
The contract was as he expected. The same deal: win and get money; lose and get sold into slavery. Luka figured the ones who ran away were the ones who got killed.
The women at the desk showed a flicker of reaction as Luka began reading the paper. One nodded to the other before passing him a small quill filled with ink. Luka casually made up a signature on the spot and signed it.
"Follow me," one of the women said as she branched off into a backroom. She asked, "Do you have a Pokéball?"
"Yes," Luka nodded. Her eyes flashed with confusion and surprise, but she quickly and masterfully hid it. As they went deeper, they passed several guards who all stared at him as he walked by, sending shivers down his spine.
They reached a vault door, where a powerful guard wearing a highly detailed mask stood watch. His body language exuded arrogance as he snorted.
"Fresh meat? Can't wait to see this one get killed fast." He sneered before instructing both Luka and the girl to turn around. In seconds, a digital code was entered into the vault, and the door opened to reveal a room full of cages.
"Go in. One Pokémon, one Pokémon only. You can choose, but they're all the same trash anyway, hm!" The guard chuckled before returning to his position. The girl bowed and gestured for Luka to enter the vault. Luka nodded and stepped inside.
Cages lined the walls, each holding different Pokémon. Some gnawed at their bars, others slept, seemingly resigned to their fate.
Luka didn't know much about Pokémon, but he trusted his intuition.
He walked slowly past the cages, staring into the eyes of the Pokémon. Some growled at him, but most avoided his gaze.
Poochyena, Rattata, and others.
He looked for a Zubat, but there didn't seem to be any. A shame.
Then Luka noticed a singular Pokémon. Instead of growling or barking, it stared directly at him. Its eyes locked onto his, following his every move.
In the cage sat a small, nasty creature resembling a torn-up trash bag stuffed with garbage. Its eyes were big and round, almost too bright for something so filthy. Bits of junk poked out of its lumpy body. It stared back at him with an almost sad expression, as if it had been here for a long time. It seemed to expect Luka to walk past it.
Luka grabbed the note at the bottom of the cage.
Unovian Pokémon
Trubbish
Something about the Trubbish drew Luka in. As they stared at each other in silence, he felt a connection. To what, he didn't know.
Luka looked deeper into its eyes. Mellow sadness. It seemed like it had something to prove.
Rummaging in his pocket, Luka pulled out his parents' Pokéball. Slowly pressing the half-broken button, he dangled it in front of Trubbish's head.
"Me and you," Luka muttered as the Trubbish stared at the ball. "Join me. Join me, and I'll do my best to make us succeed, no matter the situation. You could be the weakest Pokémon, the least liked Pokémon—it doesn't matter to me. Try your best, and I'll try my best. Together, we can escape this situation and live the lives we've always wanted."
Passion ignited in Luka's eyes as the Trubbish extended its trash-filled arms and pressed the Pokéball.
In an instant, a white light enveloped the Trubbish. The ball rattled on the ground, shook three times, and clicked with a soft "pop."
Luka picked it up, noting how weightless it felt. Tossing the Pokéball lightly, he watched as it bounced back to him. The Trubbish reappeared, sitting quietly and staring at him with loyalty.
A smile spread across Luka's face.
"I'm going to train you to be strong."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone