Taking Centre Pitch (Part 3) Decision Time

[Beavie]

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Dead End in Tokyo || Man With a Mission

Tokyo, Japan: Off-Season s22

The off-season home of the Scorbunny. Tokyo, Japan. The summer (assuming we do the usual league schedule) in Tokyo can be brutal, with the sun’s rays reflecting off the metallic buildings and the city’s concrete streets, usually hard on the rabbit’s feet. So, this may be one of the few times you’ll see the Scorbunny wear sandals on her feet. As the sun has set, the heat of the sun is replaced by the warm glow of the neon signs around the city. One of Tokyo’s many side streets is filled with shops and a mix of locals and tourists, heading out at night.

The soccer star walks down the street, her smaller size ironically making her stick out. She’s got a pair of shorts on with a red top, her bow in her fur just under her large ears. She walks with a few Pokemon. On one side, a very fluffy Wooloo. Muffin. Then, near the big sheep is a small blue otter. Oshawott, though his friends and especially his partner, call him ‘Oshy.’ To Allie’s right is a fluffy Zorua, Ruby. The tricky fox does catch a few glances, ‘kitsune’ are seen as curious creatures in Japanese lore after all, not like the narrator has an entire wrestling character inspired by that and its lore. . . Ruby affectionately nudges an Umbreon next to her, his gold rings having a slight glow, reflecting on his black fur. Darkshade.

Allie takes a bite of her cat tail donut, chewing and swallowing it up.

“Mate, Cookie and Zip would love this. Where did you say the two were off to tonight?”

“Cookie said she wanted to bake some bread, and of course Zip wanted to join.” Ruby answers Allie and the fox takes a sniff of the donut. There is a “BAAAA” from Muffin which Darkshade responds to.

“You’re right about that, I think it’s young puppy love.”

Allie snickers at the joke and comments. “I don’t know, I think you can’t match Candie’s energy, right Oshy?”

The Oshawott covers his mouth with his paw and blushes a little.

“Hehe, yeah, Candie is quite affectionate-”

“OSHY! OSHY!”

Speaking of.

The pink Sylveon runs through a crowd, tail wagging as she sits in front of her partner. She has a big grin and one of her ribbons is behind her back. The Oshawott smiles.

“Hey dear, where’d you go?”

“I found something SO CUTE for you I had to get it!”

She can hardly contain her excitement. “Close your eyes~”

Oshawott closes his eyes and Candie places on his head, a small little top hat. He opens up and feels the hat on his head, taking it off to look at it.

“Aww, thanks Candie!” He gives the Sylveon a hug who gives him a big hug with her ribbons back and a smooch on his head before placing him on her back.

Allie grins.

“You are a riot to hang out with.”

“It’s nice since you’re off from your soccer season-”

“FOOTBALL!”

Allie shouts back. There is one thing you don’t do to a Galarian, refer to her favourite sport as “soccer.”

“I don’t know, do you tackle? Have touchdowns-”

“This isn’t the ISFL.”

Ruby responds, putting an end to their ‘debate’ that they have had dozens of times. Darkshade, remembering something, asks Allie a question.

“Hey, Allie, didn’t you say your team is having you switch positions? How’s that going?”

Yep. . . Allie did not want to think of that. The Scorbunny from Postwick has been delaying her response to her team. There is a deadline in a couple of days, just before the next SSL draft, so that the Shanghai Organization can adjust their draft strategy accordingly. Switching positions will, in theory, put her on a fast track to the Majors sooner rather than later, especially if she does well.

But that’d mean leaving some of her Magyar crew behind. Stig, Aspreay, Greg, the whole team. Some of them may join her fast as well, but others may only join the ‘main club’ later into their careers, and what about a lot of her Pokemon friends? Many of them make the trip to Hungary with her during the season, but will they also go to China as well? (Which we hope is a place with a bit more ‘freedoms’ and a better human rights record in this universe.)

“-I don’t know.”

Looking at Allie, Darkshade can tell some of the discomfort on her face. He exhales.

“Sorry I asked.”

“No, mate, you’re fine. It’s a decision I need to make.” Allie crosses her arms, looking up. “Just not an easy one to make.”

“Baaaaa”

Allie smirks, patting Muffin on her head.

“Maybe you’re right. I am being a wee hard on myself.”

The Zorua looks at them and gets an idea.

“Now listen, I know I’m going to regret it, but how about we go do some karaoke?”

She barely finishes before Candie jumps forward, Oshawott barely holding onto his new little top hat as she wags her tail.

“Time for me to ROCK POKECITO!”

“Easy sis,” Darkshade says to Candie. “But I think that could be fun.”

The wooloo nods her head and Allie grins. “That doesn’t sound too bad. I think there’s a place down the street.”

Oshawott, seeing he is on the back of Candie, grabs onto a ribbon of her and uses it to turn her around.

“Then onward, to music!”

Candie runs down the street, weaving around tourists and locals as the rest of the Pokemon follow.

. . .

After a long night of karaoke, baking, and more, the Pokemon have finally decided to call it a night. Allie lies down in her bed in her apartment and sure enough, most of her friends are there, sound asleep. Much like many Tokyo apartments it is tight for space, though efficient in its use. Zip the Electrike and Cookie the Fidough have a doggy bed in the side of the kitchen and both have curled up next to each other. Candie has a little buneary plush in her paws and uses it as a pillow with her Oshy lying down next to her, the Sylveon’s ribbon wrapped around him. Like most Oshawotts, he uses his little shell that is normally on his belly as a pillow. Darkshade and Ruby sit themselves in the corner next to the television set, near the balcony. Darkshade’s rights have a slight gentle glow to them, flicking on and off in tune with his snoring, as Ruby is nudged close to him. Next to Allie’s bed is Muffin who is loafing on the floor, lightly ‘baaa-ing’ in her sleep. The Scorbunny is under her covers, holding her blue rabbit plush. The little one of the gang, Vicky the Eevee hops up onto the bed and looks at Allie.

“Awwie,” her eyes are big and round. “Can I sweep up here tonight?”

The Scorbunny pats Vicky on the head and whispers. “Sure lass. You can keep Blue and me company.”

“Vee~” Vicky nudges Allie before running under the covers, curling herself up and poking her head out onto the pillow. She smiles and Allie whispers to her.

“Now, I just need to head out a few minutes for some fresh air, but I’ll be back. Take care of Blue for me.” Allie places her rabbit plush under Vicky’s paw and hops out of bed.

The rabbit pushes the screen door open and heads out on the balcony where she can see the Tokyo Skyline. A huge city and even if Tokyo may have a few more people, Shanghai is somehow even bigger. It’s intimidating, and if she agrees to change her position, her track to the Majors will be fast-tracked a few seasons.

Though, she always wanted a meal. . . A succulent Chinese meal.

Looking back in her apartment she sees all her friends sound asleep, happy. This will be a big change for everyone.

Breaking up her train of thought is the sound of wings flapping. Flying up onto her balcony and landing with grace despite his large frame is an orange Dragonite. Noodles. He has a mail bag sash over his shoulder. He’s the only one who doesn’t “sleep” in the apartment owing to his personal mail delivering business and his size. He gives a friendly roar.

“Heyya Allie. I’m done for the night. Why are you up?”

The Scorbunny rubs her eyes and explains.

“Well buddy, I guess I feel in a bit of a pickle.”

Noodles sits down, thankfully the balcony was well made. Allie sits on his lap and explains.

“I’m mulling over whether or not I should switch positions again like the organization wants.”

“And what’s with that?” The Dragon-type asks. “You’re a good socc- I mean, Football player.”


Exhaling Allie admits.

“I had to adjust already before, you know? A lot of people in the academy had me marked down as a ‘good offensive threat’ but I switched up my game entirely to be more defensive and it took me a whole season to feel comfortable. In Central midfield you really need to be good at everything.”

Rubbing the back of her head, Allie admits.

“And I know they want me to join Shanghai sooner than initially expected, but it is a different level of play. Whenever we play a major’s club in the SSL Cup we almost always get blown off the pitch. Will I be ready?”
The Dragon pats his claws gently on the rabbit’s back.

“Aww, I’m sure they have a reason for believing in you.”

“And what about the rest of the crew?”

Allie looks into her apartment. “We’ve all adjusted to the idea of living here in Tokyo for the off-season then come fall heading to Hungary. We’re getting adjusted to everything. I know Shanghai’s closer to here than Budapest, but what if you guys can’t come?”

“You do know we two are the only Pokemon of us with jobs, right?” Noodles remind Allie. “Candie gets money on her social media following so she can be anywhere with the internet, and I deliver letters independently. I go all over the world thanks to my Extreme Speed.”

Looking at her bed, she sees young Vicky curled up, cuddling the blue rabbit plush.

“How about Vicky? She’s pretty young.”

The Dragonite strokes his chin with his claw and hums. He then asks.

“How much money are you making again?”

Allie comments. “About. . . Three and a half million, then I got some sponsorships with Energizer, Feraligatrade. . . and the Pokemon company soo. . . Maybe closer to four a season?”

. . .

The Dragonite blinks.

“How have you not bought a bigger house yet?”

Allie sneers.

“Hehe, guess I live a wee bit modestly.”

The Dragonite stretches his back and explains.

“You should be fine. Listen, we’re all friends. We’ll find our ways to support each other and you. And we know you’re passionate about the sport you play and you’re good at it. If your team is putting faith in you, it is there for a good reason. Everything will work out.”

The Dragonite smiles.

“And maybe you can actually buy a house of some kind in China for us, hehe. We’ll support you.”

“Thanks buddy.”

Allie gives the Dragonite a small, warm hug, while the pseudo-legendary gives her a big one, lifting her up.

“You’re welcome. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to drop my letters off at the post-office before I sleep.”

The Dragon lets out a big yawn as Allie hops off his lap. The two wave ‘Goodbye’ for now as the Dragonite hops up and flies away. Allie opens her screen door and heads back inside. She hops onto her bed and tucks herself in while gently taking back her favourite plush. Vicky opens her eyes.

“Awwie good?”

The Scorbunny nods.

“Allie’s good.”

She pats the young normal type on her head. “Say, a question. When I get called up to Shanghai in a few seasons, would you like to come with us?”

Vicky gasps.

“Can I see da big wall?”

“You can see the big wall.”

The Eevee essentially does the “:3” face and smiles.

“Vicky wikes! Vicky wikes!”

That is all the support Allie needs. She gives the Eevee a hug then lies down on her plushy.

“Then we need to rest up, and I need to work hard to get there. But we’ll have a fun time. Now goodnight, Vicky.”

“Night night, Awwie.”

The Eevee gives a big yawn and quickly falls asleep as Allie gives a small smirk and lies down on her pillow. In the morning she knows-


She has some good news to tell her manager.

[lemonoppy]

Always excited to see a new one of these, 5/5