The Council

AN: So going forward, Calix becomes Callix, sorry about that.

(optional For this month, you can read the next 5 chapters over at ko-fi.com/saurianmp4 for 2 dollars, even if you wish to make a one-time donation.)

Calix paused mid-bite as an immense shadow suddenly engulfed him as if about to be swallowed whole. Reflexively, he glanced upward, his pupils constricting. Springing to his feet, Calix instinctively reached for the Pokeball at his waist–but as his focus shifted, he caught sight of a figure leaping down from the looming shape above, landing directly before him. 

Calix's mouth slightly dropped, seeing the teenager before him. "You're…Nanuq. What're you doing back here?" Calix's gaze shifted to the mysterious Gyarados. "Especially with such a…oddity?"

Nanuq narrowed his eyes. "This is my partner."

Calix scoffed. "Fool, don't you know Gyarados isn't a Dragon-Type? You didn't pass this Rite Of Passage." 

Nanuq felt his brow twitch. "It doesn't matter, Gyarados is still in the dragon egg, idiot."

Calix shook his head, unable to fathom the sight before him. "You're the true idiot here. For the past decade, you've prepared for this very moment, only to squander it–not merely on a Gyarados, but one that lacks the coveted red coloration seen in the rare Johto sightings. Your Gyarados is, quite frankly, an abomination!"

Nanuq raised his hand, halting the Gyarados just as it was about to attack. "It doesn't matter what it is," he said. "It saved my life, so I've decided it will be my partner."

Calix stood still, his eyes narrowing to a dangerous degree. "Is that so? It doesn't matter what it did. If you're to be a proud member of the Anguis branch of the Dragon Clan, you must have a Dragon-Type Pokemon. No matter the egg group!"

Nanuq's teeth clicked as he gazed up into the Gyarados's fiery red eyes. His mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. He understood all too well the fanatical devotion his kin held to the ideals of Power and Pride–the very essence of the Dragon-Type. The Gyarados, sensing Nanuq's inner turmoil, lowered its massive head, its crimson eyes meeting Nanuq's green gaze. 

Nanuq answered confidently, his mind made up. "Gyarados is my partner," he declared.

Calix snickered as he tossed his half-eaten apple aside. "If that's the case, then you'd best learn what befalls those who fail the Rite of Passage," he warned ominously.

"You don't need to tell me, exile is the only option I have now, if only to keep my grandparents from seeing another failure. However, before I leave, I have a request," 

"Then speak, what is it?"

Nanuq raised a finger, pointing at Calix. "I want to challenge you to a battle before I leave. If I recall correctly, you're a member of the council. If you were to lose to someone like me, wouldn't that cost you your seat?"

Calix's anger surged, but he quickly tempered his emotions. "Very well, I accept your challenge. Being exiled after a defeat would be the ultimate humiliation." 

Nanuq remained silent, watching as Calix walked into the village to inform everyone. Nanuq gazes at Gyarados, his eyes shining with a small light of determination. 

"We'll win this. That guy shouldn't be allowed to make any rules."

Nanuq's words carried a weight beyond their surface meaning. Though his emotions remained guarded, it was evident he harbored some animosity towards Callix. Callix had held his council seat for the past decade, a position he had worked tirelessly to attain after being born into a lower social status. In his climb to the top, Callix had proven ruthless and cunning, even going so far as to eliminate any competition standing in his way.

Despite Callix's notorious reputation, Nanuq's guarded feelings about him were justified, as many had unsuccessfully tried to take the man down. Yet, Callix had proven himself to be infallible. Undeterred, Nanuq was determined to succeed where others had failed, resolving to demonstrate to the village that Callix was not, in fact, invincible.

Although Nanuq's concerns about Callix weighed heavily on his mind, a surge of excitement washed over him as he laid eyes on his Gyarados, revealing his fierce fighting spirit. "Let's go kick his ass."

…

Inside the village of Anguis, Callix had assembled the Council, as per the village's rules, anyone who challenges a Council member must fight not only in front of the Council but also the entire village. This was a way to ensure that the loser was thoroughly humiliated as they lost everything they once fought desperately to protect. 

It was cruel but efficient in bringing out the loser's dormant abilities and the winner's ego. In Anguis, ego was something the inhabitants cultivated as they grew, sharpening it to the point it became a dangerous weapon. The Council was the pinnacle of ego and power. 

The council consists of 10 individuals, each with an ego that can't be shattered unless they lose everything! 

The council found Nanuq's actions unacceptable. As a proud member of the council, Callix felt deeply disrespected that a mere hatchling, soon to be exiled, would dare challenge him. The man had been entrusted with handling such affairs, but this privilege had only earned him the hatred of those of lower status. 

"Callix."

"You all made it, thanks for attending," Callix turned his head to the approaching group.

The first member, a man in his early 70s, had long, gray hair, dark eyes, weathered, tanned skin, and prominent wrinkles under his eyes. He wore a blue robe draped over his shoulders like a cape, revealing an impressively fit physique despite his years. Completing his ensemble were blue hakama pants and sandals, with no undershirt. This was Lama. 

The second man was in his mid-thirties. His face was rigid, with a stiff chin and thick eyebrows. He had smooth, dark skin and purplish-black hair in a braided man bun. His small, dark blue eyes and short stature of 5'7" further distinguished his appearance. Unlike Lama, this man wore a purple version of the same outfit. This was Ren.

To Lama's right stood a young woman in her late twenties. She wore a skin-tight black crop top and black pants decorated with a red crescent moon design along the sides. Her footwear consisted of black and red sneakers. Her short black hair had red highlights at the edges, and her piercing red eyes seemed sharp enough to cut through trees. This was Camella.

Standing beside Callix was a young adult who seemed to be in his mid-twenties, standing at an average height. His tanned, vibrant skin and delicate, shining features drew attention. Though his soft appearance suggested otherwise, his hazel eyes held an intense gaze. Dressed in the same bark brown outfit as the other men, he matched Lama's attire. This was Casper.

Slightly apart from the main council group stood a woman in her early thirties, dressed in a plain black business suit–an unusual sight for the village. Her charcoal eyes were circled in black, giving her a panda-like appearance. Long, flowing silver-gray hair cascaded down to her waist, and she carried a suitcase in her hands. This was Bryony.

However, as Callix exchanged a glance with everyone present, he noticed that two of the members were not in attendance, prompting him to furrow a brow. "Where is Cedar and Donna?" 

Callix held the two unattended members of the council with high regard, their absence felt like heavy water that persistently drowned Callix. He didn't know if they were busy or outright refused to show their faces; either way, Callix would get his answers after his victory against Nanuq. 

Lama chuckled as if reading Callix like a book. "They're currently on a mission I requested of them. They made sure to leave their praise for your victory before their departure."

Despite his initial skepticism, Callix quickly accepted the explanation for Cedar and Donna's departure. He knew they were formidable individuals who required meticulous preparation before any confrontation. Their strength and resolve were undeniable.

"I understand, Master Lama."