Kire Opes

"Who knew life could be so... boring when you're on the top," Kire sighed out loud. He was in no doubt that many people would die to be in the position he had found himself in, and he wouldn't have let them take it from him... at least that would have added some sort of intrigue. His parents sat on a technological empire, producing processors and small technologies scattered throughout the regions in almost everything imaginable. To say that they had some money because of it would be an understatement. From before he could remember, he had access to the greatest of tutors, teachers, and anything else he needed, and he had reveled in it.

At first, things had been great for the developing mind. Every new thing was a challenge, learning kept him occupied. But as the years ticked by and he grew along with them, it just grew to become a hassle. He retained information extremely well, and he seemed to please his parents as each day passed by more and more, he was their miracle, and though most of his sheltered life had been spent being taught of science and business, he had always been one to seek thrills and find new "games" to play. Kire relished his games, both physical and mental, so long as they provided a quick thrill and a challenge. This eventually graduated into him attending business meetings with his father while taking the challenge to win over investors or silence critics, after doing it so often and learning what worked and what didn't, it became second-nature, and he grew bored with it. Then, on a startlingly sunny day, he got some unexpected news.

---

Sitting within the large office of his father, wearing his casual suit after his mathematics lessons, Kire awaited word for why he was summoned. His mother stood beside him, placing a loving hand on his shoulder, and he gave her a soft smile. His brother also stood nearby, eyes wide in apparent excitement, though Kire himself couldn't pinpoint the cause of it. His brother had always been an abhorrent man to him, three years his senior, they had grown close as children but drifted apart as of yet. He was never truly sure why he developed such a distaste for his older sibling, but his mouth always grew bitter when he found them crossing paths. It was a shared sentiment. So, to Kire's surprise, his brother actually turned and grinned toward him as their father stepped into the room.

"As you know," their father's distinct voice boomed through the spacious room, taking its ever-present business tone, "your mother and I aren't growing any younger... and due to my recent health concerns, we've decided to take our next step in the right direction." Ah, Kire thought, so they're soon going to hand the business down to Fletch. He'll do well to keep things afloat, and a change of pace may be less boring. And less stable. They had both received the same education, but his brother hadn't learned quite as quickly as his younger sibling. Because Kire was 17, he didn't have a true position in the business as of yet, but Fletch already had the title of Vice President, it would be an easy step up.  

"In light of our decision, I will remain the President of the Opes Corporation for three months, in effect until Kire's eighteenth Birthday. After that date, control of the business will fall to... him," Fletch's eyes faltered, and what once was a bout of child-like excitement crumbled to the ground, and he inhaled a quick breath, as if about to argue with his father, but a stern glance of warning kept him silent. Kire's own heart skipped a beat as he was legitimately taken by surprise. He knew well enough to keep silent as well.

"Fletch, you will retain your position as Vice President, and I expect you to keep at your job and help your brother learn everything you can provide. We didn't make this decision lightly, but it is what's best. Kire, I know you'll learn from Fletch as quick as ever, and I'll be leaving our name in good hands. This is our final decision."

---

After that day, it was a shaky few weeks. The bridge between Kire and Fletch was burned to ashes, and the two could barely stand to be in the same room due to the eldest's venomous eyes. Fletch had kept his word to stay in the Vice position, but he seemed to disappear often, never at family meals, and frankly never in the house. Kire continued his education and perpetual boredom. He was both looking forward and dreading the day of his eighteenth birthday. It would be a new challenge, yes, but it would lock him into a life of doing nothing but business, and such things grew dull to him after a while. All he could do was watch time tick by and lean against a Chess board, staring at the game in process. "Only a few more moves and it's check mate," he sighed, "and knowing that, the game has lost its thrill."

Tomorrow was the day. Everything would change from that night onward... and yet Kire didn't feel excited. Nor nervous. It was a strange sensation of weary intrigue. His entire life was leading up to taking over the company, but he didn't feel content at all. It had only been less than eighteen years and he'd have what a man usually doesn't achieve in their lifetime handed to him on a silver platter. No challenge and no thrill. Games that were rigged for the player to always win were something Kire despised, and yet this seemed the same. He couldn't very well decline, though. So, instead, the boy found himself strolling among his family's estate to clear his head.

The last thing he expected once he set foot into the gardens just as the moon reached its peak would be something striking the back of his head, but in a flash of pain, that's exactly what happened. Before he could move to defend himself, the throbbing of his head caused the rest of his body to grow heavy, and his vision grew black...

As he drifted back into consciousness, the first sensation Kire was aware of was the rough texture of rope against his bare wrists. The second was that he was sat up in a chair, his head still aching. To add insult to injury, it was cold and metallic, obviously cheap. After giving it some thought, he slowly blinked open his eyes, finding himself in a dark, brick room unfamiliar to him. There were two others in with him, a masked figure and a Pokemon. The latter stared at him with narrow eyes, it seemed to stand guard with an empty look all-too familiar to Kire. This is interesting. It seems empty, as if its master has done nothing for it. The Pokemon, one that Kire recognized as a Liepard, flicked its tail hissed slightly, alerting its owner of Kire's consciousness.

"If it's not too much trouble," Kire said sarcastically, tinged with distaste. He didn't allow the wavering fear he felt in his heart show on his face. He knew how these games worked. "I would like some water. No doubt-ably you're after some sort of ransom, and my family will not be pleased if my condition is worsened." He had to keep his confidence, to not falter. He was in no danger, anyway, it may be a kidnapping, but he wouldn't be any use to the man dead...

"I'm sorry, kid," the kidnapper spoke in an accent Kire couldn't quite place, "you're not walking out of here alive. I was paid to make sure you don't walk out of 'ere, anyway. That's the job I'm gonna do. I'll make it quick an' painless, so if you have anything on your conscience, say it now." Kire's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened. How is this possible? he asked as his mind whirred. He had never considered himself dying with so much at hand, but he now faced a dilemma. A private room, tied up, and about to die. That was not a game he had ever expected to be a part of. Focus.

His eyes once again turned toward the Liepard, who seemed to have gotten to its feet and started approaching him. A perfect weapon, easy to use. Easy to get rid of. But a living weapon had faults, it had a mind to think, something a usual weapon would lack. He remembered the empty gaze, how even now the kidnapper hadn't so much as regarded the Pokemon as anything. Room for a simple plan to save his own life.

"You know," Kire finally said, his heartbeat thudding quickly in his chest, "I do have a regret..." the kidnapper grunted, prompting him to continue before he gave the killing command. "I regret that my last sight is of a masked coward treating a creature as powerful and intelligent as himself, perhaps even more, as nothing more than disposable filth. I know I would have never let a travesty such as that occur if it were me." Now, it all would rely on the Pokemon taking the bait... his words were a little true, but he twisted them enough to provide room for the outcome he hoped would happen. The kidnapper growled, taking the insult just as planned.

"End it," he commanded to the Pokemon, who's eyes glinted with a new emotion, and upon seeing this, Kire's own pulse began to steady as triumph filtered through him. Instead of pouncing on him and easily tearing out his throat, the cat Pokemon hesitantly approached, peering at Kire curiously. It understood his words, but all it knew was the criminal's life, the fact that she had a roof over her head and could live another day if she obeyed him.

"I could show you so much more," Kire smiled toward the Liepard. "He'll no doubt throw you where no one will find you if you do what he wants. I'll make sure you're always wanted." He knew he won the Pokemon over the moment he spoke, and turning from Kire, she glowered at the kidnapper with malice and lashed her tail. Lowering into a crouch, she pounced and knocked him over before he could move to defend himself or send out any other Pokemon. Her teeth rested at his neck as she glanced toward Kire for his command.

"Say," the boy said, "I'm not as cruel as you, but I'm no killer either. Besides," his confidence had returned, and the words flowed easily through him as his mind whirred at all the new possibilities he found himself with. "I think I've found something that can alleviate my boredom. I've always wondered what it was like to wield a Pokemon, and I think I've come up with a bargain that'll keep the both of us happy. Besides," he chuckled, "you're in no position to say otherwise." He found humor in the situation that he was making demands despite being bound to a folding chair.

The kidnapper could only whimper in response, moving his neck too much would result in the Liepard's teeth to slice nicely into his own flesh. Kire went on. "I'm of no doubt that my brother has offered you quite a sum of money, and perhaps multiple sums to make me disappear... and I'd like to. You see, I've grown bored. Tired of all of this. Don't get me wrong, I'm still taking the business eventually. But in the mean time, I want to be a dead man. You'll report back to him. Tell him you did the job, and I won't be an issue. For your cooperation, I'll allow you to live as insurance. Eventually, I'll be back to watch my dear brother sit atop his throne and you'll live quite happily as well... but, when I return, I'm going to make his empire fall piece by piece, crumble around him and leaving him with nothing," a grin spread across Kire's face, "I'll leave him to nothing but his life, and what fun that'll be. Of course, I'll pay you handsomely for your silence once I put things into motion. Is this a fine bargain to you?"

The kidnapper didn't hesitate in giving a slight, shaking nod. Kire nodded toward the Liepard, and the Pokemon backed away from the man, instead pacing back to her new master and prying the rope apart with glowing claws. Rotating his cramped wrists, Kire stood. "Either way, you make as much as your previous deal and more if I keep my word. I'm sure you'll keep yours. The man got up as well and held out a hand. "I'll shake on that, lad. And don' go showing yer face anytime soon." Along with his hand, he had a compact Pokeball in his palm, belonging to the Pokemon that no longer held his allegiance.

"Deal. Pleasure doing business." Kire shook hands, binding the agreement. He felt one of his pockets, there was only a handful of thousands, pocket money he had conveniently forgotten to put away. It would be enough to get his travels started. Turning toward the stairs leading to freedom, Pokemon by his side, Kire began his life as a dead man. Least of all, it should lead to some interesting challenges and games before he grew bored.

After many months, he had gone quite far from his home, from anyone who could recognize him. Just in case, he had purchased spare supplies, clothing, and common trainer items such as a license and Pokeballs. He also found himself purchasing a mask, akin to his own Pokemon, as an additional caution. He had chose to use the name "Ultio" to use as a means of identifying himself as a trainer on his license. He thought it fitting, as it held a meaning of revenge.