guilty filthy soul

          It wasn’t that he didn’t want her, like he said he didn’t discriminate, he fought valiantly with women since this war started, be it soldiers or nurses alike. No, the problem was the fire that was running through her veins, and even though they just met, Luka could already see it. He didn’t know whether it was because of revenge, he didn’t know if it was because of her yearn to fight, or maybe it just being her personality, but one thing Luka knew, was that Dixie wasn’t going to be anything but a handful. He was a lot like that, when he joined the revolution, the cause. Coming from the other side, the side that they were now fighting against, Luka wanting nothing more than to prove himself to Oak, to Gary and Red. He wanted to prove that he could fight, that he would fight, that he would die for them, and their Pokemon. Dixie didn’t seem to be any different, and the idea of that just left Luka at a state of unease.

          When Red’s hand slid off his shoulder so he could go stand next to Gary, Luka stepped further into the room, fully unwrapping his face. His Ursaring stood back by the door, dropping to the floor with a large thump so he could sit down. He was a General after all, and he still had to be professional, whether he was in the mood for it or not. At his ease of demeanor, Professor Oak seemed to relax, his smiling widening as he stepped forward to clap Luka on the shoulder, giving him a large shake before stepping back and handing him Dixie’s folder. Opening it, he scanned it quickly, not really reading the words before closing it, settling his eyes back onto her face. It seemed as though she had been crying, face tired no matter how hard she tried to keep it passive aggressive. Luka didn’t mention, only raised an eyebrow, bringing his arms down to his side.

          “My name is Luka Everett. You will address me as General Everett, not General Jerk, or any other witty nickname you are seeming to come up with at the time.” Giving her a pointed look, he nodded towards his Pokemon. “This is my Ursaring, he and his brothers, Pangoro and Bearitic are my specific Pokemon. You will be trained with not only the Pokemon team of this specific camp, but your own Pokemon as well to test your limits, work hard side by side, and learn to save the lives of not only others, but yourself as well. Joining this cause, you are risking more than just a few injuries, you are risking your life. This isn’t a game, this isn’t something you can back out of, this is the real deal.”

          Crossing his arms once more, Luka looked down at her sitting in her chair, keeping his face straight. “I’m giving you, like I have done all my other soldiers, a chance to back out. I will not judge you, I will not try and force you, or convince you to stay.” Stepping back, he motioned towards the door, before looking at Oak, Gary, and Red. Without hesitation, they gave him a nod to continue, and Luka turned back to Dixie, finally asking the most important question. “Are you prepared to die?”

               By breathing out of her nose, she released some of the frustration that she felt, but quite a bit was still imbedded inside of her. Dixie didn't know if that anger that she wanted to keep trapped would ever diminish. In all honesty, she didn't know if she wanted it to either. The thought of being sad again, with red rimmed eyes because she'd cry at night and then tearless in the morning. All the while, a smile would be plastered on her face, because her little brothers and little sisters would be watching her throughout the rest of her life. There was no more time for tears, and she had learned that bitterness and a smile walked hand in hand.

               Dixie could handle the anger.

               After all, it's not like she was being given any other choices, unless she wanted to choose death for herself. With a deep breath being released from her nose, Dixie said, "Yes sir." The word are strange on her tongue, metallic even and she realizes that she's bitten down on her lip so hard, she's drawn blood that lingers in her mouth even after she swallows, hard. What a way to introduce herself, she thought, to the man that would train her and keep her alive.

               What a child she was still, a child that was being forced to grow up way to earlier, but had no other option. This man would teach her how to fight and how to win, Dixie had no use in the idea of death coming for her. She was desperate to stay alive -- so desperate, that there was no way in hell she could die. "No, sir." Dixie catches his gaze again. "I'm not ready to die."

               "Isn't the point of the Rebellion to protect the future of Pokemon and people alike, so that we can achieve a brighter, more beautiful future? Like it once was? I can't do that if I'm dead." she frowns, pushing a strand of her hair out of her face. "I'm not ready to die, I can't die. I've got a future I have to preserve, not just for my sake, but for the sake of others and my family. I'm not here for some hero's death, General Everett."

               Dixie sighs, "If you want a hero, I suggest you find another soldier, but you need me for the exact reasons I said -- I can't die, so I'll see options that you and everyone else won't see. You need me, and as much as I hate it, I need this place, too."

               Her eyes flicker to the floor and she licks her lip that's still coat in a bit of blood, enjoying the zing of metallic on her tongue. This was the life that she was choosing, a life of risk and battling that could mean life and death, not just for her, but for others -- for her family. She could take the risk, because she knew that she could survive. If she was anything, her and her Pokemon were survivors and there was no way in Hell that she'd actually lose that title.

               "I want to stay."

          “Mr. Everett? Oak wants to see you, says it’s something important.”

          Looking up from the map towards the small boy, he gave him a small smile, nodding his head in acknowledgement. That seemed to suffice for the boy, giving Luka a toothless grin and a salute, before dipping back under the flap of the tent. With a sigh he leaned back, assessing his half finished work in what only could be describe as an apology. Luka had hoped that he would be able to get at some mapping done, some paperwork, but like always it seemed as though Professor Oak just wasn’t on his side. And that meant having to put everything down again. Just the mere thought made Luka frown, deep and unhappy.

          With a large sigh he pushed himself off the ground, grabbing his wrap and throwing it over his shoulder. Haphazardly he placed it around his head, before over his nose and back over his other shoulder. Looking down to make sure his boots were laced, they were, Luka then opened the tent flap himself, flipping it back so it stayed open as he ducked under and out, stepping foot into the busy camp. The walk wouldn’t be long, though it was longer than Luka liked. Side-stepping a younger boy chasing a ball, Luka placed his hand on his head as he walked by, a small greeting as the group of children passed him. He took in the camp around him, Pokemon and humans alike, working along side each other, playing with each other, helping each other. It was everything that the war had placed a fissure between, and everything they were trying to get back.

          As he neared the Professors building, one of the few standing buildings in the camp, reserved for the more higher up in their cause, Luka’s Ursaring fell into step behind him, grunting a greeting as he followed him to the Professors station. Patting the large bear on the back, Luka stepped past the guards without a word, only a head nod in acknowledgement as they dipped under the door, walking along the empty, dark corridor until they reached the large wooden door. He knocked lightly, waiting for the “come in” before he pushed the open, the creak sounding loud and resonating across the large metal hallway. Ursaring followed him into the room as Luka began unwrapping his face, only pausing when his eyes landed on a girl, one the Professor seemed to be talking animatedly with.

          A frown grew deep on his face once more, and Luka didn’t bother a hello, ignoring the stern look he received from Gary because of his disrespectful behavior. His Ursaring growled slightly, sensing Luka’s surprise and unease. “Who the hell is this?”

               Dixie's eyes are red around the edges from the many nights she'd spent crying, but now her tears were gone, replaced with a stinging dryness and she couldn't help but wonder if that made her seem strong or weak in their eyes. She clenches her hands into fists, nails digging into her palms. They were waiting for her to say something, anything. "I'm not going to repeat myself." she manages to say through gritted teeth, but the act of rebellion only causes Professor Oak to smile a little bit wider, like he's amused by her silliness. It makes her angrier, looking at that smile of his, because even though she tells herself that he's trying to belittle her, it's so genuine that she feels weak and she doesn't want to feel weak anymore.

               She came here to fight, so where was her fight? "I don't expect you to, Dixie," Professor Oak says calmly, folding his hands together. "I don't expect you to tell me your life story either, it's obvious that you're not ready to give it to us. If you don't feel like sharing it ever, that's fine. However, I have to tell you that I can't just let you run rampant on the battlefields with your Pokémon. It'll take quite a bit of training from one of the generals here, and he's truly a remarkable person. In fact, he reminds a little bit of yourself."

               Dixie isn't exactly sure what she needs to say here, so she opts for not saying a thing. She does, however, loosen her muscles and slumps into the chair.  With a grateful feeling sweeping through her system, she turns her head and listens idly as he continues to talk. The idea of training to be a soldier doesn't appeal to her, but the knowledge of what sacrificing her life preserves and what it could save. Professor Oak talks of her training with the Pokemon, for weeks, even months, but that would depend on how her tutor deemed her fit. She looks down at herself, frowning at the lack of muscle she possessed. If that man took one look at her, he'd laugh in her face before calling her a soldier and she felt a bit sick to her stomach. She had to win the general's approval, whether she liked it or not.

               "Who the hell is this?"

               Her jaw twitches as she turns in her seat, setting sights on a young man that looked to be in his early twenties -- not even a man, she thought, a boy still, but there was a hardened look on his face and for a brief moment, Dixie felt fear. He may still be a boy, but his story was written on the hardness of his face. This was someone who had seen and done a lot in their short life, perhaps even just as wise as the graying man in front of her, though much more bitter. Dixie hardens her face, staring at him coolly, though he didn't look at her.

               "I'm right here and I can hear very well, thank you." she grimaces, curling her hands into fists once more. Be careful what you wish for, that's what her momma always told her and she did want a fight. "My name is Dixie, I'm your new soldier, General Jerk."