- Vagabond - Male Reader x Pokémon

Chapter 30: Blackjack

(AN: I'm back. I had written one-thousand words a month or so ago but decided to delete it and start again from the top, somehow managed to write this entire chapter within a single day. Just wasn't feeling it, but got into a writing mood, hopefully it reads better now. In return for the break, I humbly offer up this funny picture I found in recompense...)

====================

[Hunter's Camp, Route 203]

"Fine, let's just get this over with. You know what you gotta do, now scatter..." [Y/N] shooed the rest of his team away with the dramatic wave of his hand, as if he were some grand villain in an old, low-budget children's movie. His face twisted into what he only hoped was a convincingly sinister scowl, and he believed it would work well-enough, but then again, he was no veteran Pokémon hunter with years of experience under his belt. He didn't know the common industry tells. Even a small part deep down within knew he wasn't fooling anyone. This wasn't Jubilife, this was way more dangerous...

There was no Silas, and no Argenta to come crashing through the walls to save him this time.

"Remember, we're professionals. Keep it cool. Keep it quiet." He added, knowing full well that his ragtag group were more likely to start a fire than stealthily go unnoticed within the heart of enemy territory. Chimchar, Piplup and Turtwig vanished into the night, and [Y/N] could only pray that they wouldn't accidently trip any alarms, or each other, while they waited for his signal. Meanwhile, Starly perched atop his shoulder, eyes gleaming with the kind of determination that [Y/N] wished he genuinely felt, but that wasn't his style. He was far better at faking it until he somehow, miraculously, didn't have to...

"Okay, deep breath, big guy..." He muttered to himself, tugging at the ill-fitting hunter uniform he had swiped. "Just walk in like you own the place." It was confidence he needed, or at least, something that looked a lot like it. "If they think you belong, maybe you'll start believing it too."

He swaggered up to the entrance of the large tent, doing his best to mimic the exaggerated bravado he had seen in action movies. It probably came off more cliché than anything. The raucous noise inside wasn't exactly encouraging, the shouting, the sound of shattering glass, and the unmistakable cackling of people who had drunk too much and made too little of themselves. Still, drunk people were easier to fool. Easier to rile up, too, but he wasn't thinking that far ahead...

The tent flap was a looming shadow in the rain, heavy with the scent of dampened earth and smoke. [Y/N] peaked inside, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. The place was massive, more of a circus tent than a simple hideout, and it was packed with people who were clearly having the time of their miserable lives. Hunters in grey armour guzzled alcohol like there was no tomorrow, gambled at card tables, and jeered at each other like a mangy pack of wild animals.

"Great, it's a frat party, from hell..." He mumbled aloud, trying his best to suppress a cough as the smoke hit him like a punch to the lungs. "Just my luck."

However, before he could even take a step inside, two gigantic brutes tumbled across his path, locked in a clumsy fistfight that seemed to involve more grunting and wheezing than it did any actual skill. All muscle, no brain. [Y/N] felt a cold sweat trickle down his back as he carefully skirted around them. "Excuse me, gentlemen. Don't mind me..." He muttered quietly, barely dodging a wild swing that could've knocked his teeth out. Starly gave an anxious flutter, but [Y/N] managed to squeeze past without getting caught in the crossfire...

For a moment, he thought that he might actually make it through the evening without getting mauled, but then, at that very same moment, a flash of steel, a machete, whizzed past his face. He froze, watching as the enormous blade embedded itself into a nearby wooden post mere inches away. His heart practically leapt out of his chest.