From: Jose L. Solano (jsolano199@aol.comlink) Subject: [PW!] The Deteriorating Mind of Trent Retwin Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2000/04/27 Pokewars: Trent Retwin "The Deteriorating Mind of Trent Retwin" Jose L. Solano Trent's eyes slowly opened to the sight of an empty cargo hold. He found Ashura at his side, shoving him gently with the flat ends of his talons. "<Wake up, shithead.>" "Dammit, Ashura, why don't Sandslashes include a snooze button?" "<Shutup. I woke you up because your holoprojector recieved a transmission.>" "Holoprojector?" It had been so long since he had used it, Trent had forgotten its existence. Trent took the holoprojector out of his utility belt and activated it. "Ret... Mus... D..." said a blurred figure, wearing either a suit or a leotard. "Hm... must be out of range." The image appeared to be a shadowy figure in a suit, wearing a monocle and carrying a cane. Trent de-activated the projector and tossed it aside. He checked his utility belt for other devices he may have forgotten. "Let's see..." Trent muttered to himself. "Tracking device, a couple remote mines, a door-unlocking mechanism, a... fork... a miniature torch... nothing too useful." "<Nice going, Trent. You already wasted your distorter on that freak Tenchi.>" "Forget Tenchi." Trent began to search on of the crates for any useful items. He found several weapons- axes, daggers, swords, throwing stars, staffs, lances... "Where's Hotaru?" "<I don't know, you expect me to keep track of some worthless human?>" "She's probably outside. I'm going to get some fresh air." Trent grabbed a dagger and clipped it to his belt. He knew there must have been some reason it had a hole in the handle. Ashura watched his master walk outside. There was only one reason he had taken the dagger. "<Way to go, Trent! Bring me back some of that Hotaru meat!>" Trent walked through the hallways and onto the deck. He found Hotaru, gazing at the stars. She jumped slightly, surprised to see him. "What are you doing out here?" Trent asked. "It's almost morning." "Well I just decide to step outside, I don't sleep very well," Hotaru replied. "Why did you wake up? You usually don't stir 'till morning." "Ashura woke me up." "I see." Hotaru sighed. "It's a nice night anyway." "Yes, it is," Trent said, staring off into the distance. To Hotaru, he seemed to be in deep thought. "I still really wonder what goes on inside that head of yours." "Everything goes on inside my head," Trent replied. "Everything and yet nothing," Hotaru said, chuckling slightly. "My thoughts are just mixed up. I can't even think straight anymore." "I know what you mean," Hotaru said, turning back towards the sea. "I can't even sleep properly anymore." For a few moments, they were silent. As Trent looked off into the distance, he continued to contemplate the events of the past year and a half. He had started off as an average trainer, and ended up a half-insane demon whose only motive was revenge. "Why can't it be like it was before?" Trent said, breaking the silence. "But are you sure how it was before was fine? I don't think I wanna go back to Lance... ever." Hotaru turned back towards Trent. "You were happy with Katherine weren't you?" "Yes... but she's dead." Trent wished it weren't so. "I wish Lance would be dead." "Then go kill him," Trent replied, half-joking. "KILL HIM?" Hotaru laughed as she began to laugh, almost insanely. She calmed down a few moments later. "I can't even defeat him." Once again, they stood there, thinking. Trent was hardly paying attention to the watery horizon he stared at so intently. In his mind, he continued to debate his situation. "Trent..." a voice in Trent's head whispered. "You know what you must do." "What must I do?" Trent replied mentally. "Your life is worthless..." the voice continued. "You no longer have a purpose in life." Trent turned to Hotaru. "Hotaru, will you do me a favor?" "Sure..." Hotaru replied, a little surprised. Trent took the dagger from his belt and handed it to Hotaru. She grabbed it and looked at it. Trent turned his back on her and began to speak. "There's nothing more to do. There is nothing I can accomplish now. I know I can't defeat Dreadite, and even if I did my life would have no purpose. Hotaru..." Trent turned to face her. "Hotaru, I want you to kill me." "But... I can't!" "Just do it! What more do I have to live for?! Why does it matter to you?!" "Damnit Trent, I do care, and it does matter!" "Why does it matter? What use do you have for me?" Trent yelled, his eyes glowing a brighter red. "You are my friend..." "Then if you are my friend, you'll understand. Kill me." "Trent please I can't... please, don't say that!" "Kill me! JUST KILL ME!!" Suddenly, everything became a blur. Trent lost control of his body and slumped over, barely managing to grab hold of the guard rail. "Just kill me... please..." "Trent, I... there must be someone out there that needs you, you can't die please..." "Do not give up," the voice in Trent's head commanded. "If she will not do it, then you must do it yourself." A slave to the mysterious voice in his head, Trent found the strength to get back up. He took the dagger from Hotaru's hand and prepared to perform the task himself. "NO!" Hotaru yelled, grabbing his hand. Trent felt a burning pain in his brain. The voice commanded him to finish the task, but Trent's tired body was unable to support him anymore. Trent had no idea why his body had become so tired so quickly, but he gave in and collapsed onto the floor. The dagger slid out of his hand as he hit the floor. "No Trent, no!" Hotaru yelled, kneeling next to him. "Trent... you can't leave me here..." Tears welled in Hotaru's eyes. "Please..." Jose L. Solano ------------------------------- "I've been waiting months for this Tenchi! DIE!" ------------------------------- Beware the Dark Hamster of the Sith