KuramaTBZ: Thank you! And I agree, setting deadlines can be bad. I just prefer to be transparent about when I can and cannot post so people aren't expecting something that isn't gonna happen when they are waiting for it lol

Ultima-Owner: Yeah, something like that...

"Well, there are a few ways." Picking up from right where we left off. "Pay our way in, bring food or other supplies... Really just anything that proves we are gonna contribute."

Alright, that sort of narrowed it down. But didn't really help, "Okay, any idea how we can do that around here?"

"Not... Really." Char shifted nervously, finally getting up from his seat on the hill. "The thing is, not many people go in and out of Iron Town, the place hardly sees any travel since the mine shut down a decade ago."

So that's what happened. A booming town sitting on top of a mine that lost all comers when the money maker shut down. "Alright, well lets hit the road and see if we can find any supplies to bring in." Better than sitting around here right?

"O-Okay! Sounds good Lucas!

"You know what? Just call me Luca, the 'S' isn't really necessary." And sounded less like it fit into "Lucario"... And Luca also kinda sounded cooler, might as well live up the fantasy world right?

Making our way back down into the camp, Char walked over and grabbed his satchel from the area he was sleeping. Slinging it over one shoulder, he quickly began to dig through its contents. "Whatchya looking for?" I questioned curiously.

"Breakfast of course!" He answered quickly, pulling out a juicy apple. "Can't go running around the countryside on an empty stomach, here!" Tossing it to me before pulling out another. "These are my last two, so we need to find some more." He added, before starting to munch on his food.

Huh, always figured Charmander would be a carnivore. Oh well, this apple looked juicy. So I sunk my teeth in, and was immediately blasted with flavor. This was the best apple I'd ever tasted! So sweet, with a satisfying crunch to it. "Mmm! Holy shi-" Catching myself as I coughed roughly, "I-I mean uh, its really good!"

"I know right?" Char laughed through a mouthful, making a mess. "I love these apples, and I think I'm the only one that knows where the tree is! Nobody else ever picks them!"

I blinked in surprise at that, looking back down at my own apple. "Char, why don't we try bringing some of these apples to Iron Town?"

He nearly dropped his apple core, looking at me like I'd slapped him across the face. Before his eyes lit up, "That's a great idea! I can't believe I never thought of that!"

He probably just wanted to keep the apples to himself, but I couldn't blame him. "Alright, lead the way!" I ordered, crunching down the last of my own. My small stomach was absolutely filled, and I was full of energy!

We took to the road, Char taking the lead as we made our way south towards the coast. Leaving behind the forest and stepping out over windy plains, no trees aside from the odd patch of brush surrounding a lone trunk. Along the way, I saw a number of roaming pokemon which surprised me. After hearing about Iron Town I figured the pokemon in the area must just be all living there.

But according to Char, most pokemon actually live in the wild and among close-knit communities. Claiming territory and living in camps, kinda like we did last night. Evidently, there were only three actual pokemon "Cities" on the continent. Some place called "Valor" to the East, a massive sprawling city according to the rumors. To the West was a smaller place known as "Treasure Town", situated on the coast. And in the middle of the continent where the land mass narrowed, up that big mountain, was Iron Town.

"So this apple tree is... Sitting on a cliff by the coast?" I questioned, hands behind my head as we went. By now it was mid afternoon, we'd spent a lot of time walking.

"That's right," Char nodded, leading the way with a big smile. "It shouldn't be too much further once we reach the beach."

Awesome, because I wasn't too big on the whole "walking around" thing. I guess I should get used to that though, not like they were gonna have cars here. Can't believe I wasted a year of my life getting a drivers license for-

"Who's that?" I stopped as Char spoke, and looking ahead I spotted a pink pokemon sitting on the edge of the road.

"Looks like... An Audino." I replied, quirking an eyebrow. "Is she crying?"

"We should go see what's wrong!" Char exclaimed, running ahead before I had a chance to respond. So I guess that's what we were doing now... "Uh, excuse me?"

She looked up from her hands, good lord those big eyes filled with tears was hard too look at. "Y-Yes?" A girl, guess I should have figured. But she sounded older, definitely older than us at least.

"Whats wrong?" Char asked, "Why are you crying?"

Yeah I think handling crying girls was less my speed. So I'd let him take this one. "Oh its just terrible, I was on my way to join my family in Iron Town... But I've been robbed!"

"What?" I blinked in surprise. So crime was a thing? Huh, I guess with society comes scum, no matter what world you're in.

"What did they take?" Char pressed, sounding a bit more on edge.

"I was just on my way back from Shaymin Village, with a load of medicine for the upcoming winter." Okay, this was starting to sound pretty serious. "Please, if you can help me recover it I'll be so grateful! I can even pay you! My family has plenty of money!"

Cha-Ching! "Oh no, we don't need payment," Char, what are you doing? "Just helping out is enou- OW!" He yelped as I elbowed him in the ribs.

This guy was just too nice. "Yeah no payment, but if you could get us into Iron Town that would be great." I offered with a big grin.

Audino nodded her head quickly, "Of course, if you can recover the medicine I'll tell the town that you were my escorts and helped me along the way."

"Perfect," I nodded, "Now who took your stuff?"

"Two pokemon, one was a normal type I think, very small but fast." She explained quickly. "The other was a Geodude, they were heading for the beach."

"They might be trying to hide out in some of the caves along the shore." Char pointed out, "Come on, we should hurry."

"Right," A normal type and a rock type? Sounds easy enough, I am a fighting type after all! "We'll be back soon! Just wait right here!"

. . .

So, I think there is a new problem that must be addressed.

"Come on! Just keep following the footprints!"

I don't really have any idea what moves I know, nor do I know how to use them.

"There! Down by the cliffside! I see someone!"

And I needed to figure it out fast!

"HEY!" Char shouted at the figures up ahead. Sandy beach and shore to our right, red cliffside to our left. "Stop right there THIEVES!"

I could see the Geodude alright, and as he tugged along the bag of goods a smaller pokemon bounced beside him. "A Buneary, well this should be easy."

"Oh craps its the Fuzz!" Geodude exclaimed in a rough, deep male voice.

"No it ain't you moron," The female Buneary scoffed, swatting the rock upside the head with her ear. "Just a couple kids, so what did that old lady beg you for help?"

"Yes actually."

"We are responding to her heartfelt plea!" Char exclaimed confidently, where did this come from? "Now return that medicine, or face the consequences!"

"Fat chance!" Geodude barked back, raking his massive hands along the cliff face and pulling free a couple of large rocks. "Take THIS!" Before hurling the stones in our direction.

"Agh!" Char's bravado vanished in an instant as he dove out of the way.

I moved out of reaction, jumping back a few feet to evade the boulders. Moving faster than I thought possible, "Oh, right, I'm probably a lot faster and stronger than a human." I realized, landing on my feet. I locked eyes with the rock pokemon, smirking as I got an idea. "Alright! Lets try..." I took a step forward, thrusting my open palm at him. "Aura Sphere!" Well, it wasn't an Aura Sphere. But Geodude was blasted by a burst of force released from my hand. Vacuum Cut, still a fighting type move so that works I guess?

"Was that supposed to be a bluff?" WHEN DID SHE GET BEHIND ME!? "Whatever, don't care." Two rabbit feet planted against my side, kicking me with incredible force and throwing me right off my feet. I tumbled across the sand right past Char, double kick I think?

"Luca!" Char exclaimed, eyes darting to me.

Taking his eyes off the enemy was bad, "Watch out!" I thrust my hands forward while getting up, releasing another Vacuum Cut to blast away an incoming rock. "Focus Char!" I was sore already from those kicks, but I had no intention of throwing in the towel so early. "I've got the Geodude, keep an eye on that Buneary!" I ordered, heart racing. It made sense, I was a fighting type and if Char got hit by one of those rocks it would be super effective.

"R-Right!" Char turned to face off against the rabbit pokemon now positioned behind us. Technically we were surrounding, but I was confident. I'd run Nuzlocke's before, this was hardly a worst case scenario. The odds were in our favor after all, I just had to make the right move. "Take this!" Char opened his mouth, unleashing a small stream of fire that splashed across the sands, keeping the Buneary back.

It was no flamethrower, but it would do. "Alright rock head!" I started sprinting towards Geodude, using my superior speed to close the gap. But I misjudged my momentum, not used to moving so quickly. And walked right into a Headbutt from Geodude, my nose slamming right into his stone surface. "Gah! That smarts!" I cringed, holding my nose while my eyes watered a bit.

He took the opportunity to grab another nearby rock and bash me upside the head with it. I was knocked right off my feet and landed beside the water, "Heheheheh, talk tough for little 'mon." He chuckled maliciously, I rolled just in time to see him hovering over me. Holding a boulder above his head. "Bye bye!"

Is he seriously about to try and crush me to death!?

"Ruk! Don't!" The Buneary?

"Oh come on!" Ruk grunted in response, turning his attention to her and lowering his guard. "They's the ones that started it!"

"Yeah," I smirked, holding up both hands. "Now I'm finishing it!" That's right, cool one liner, I'm so awesome. "Lets try this again!" I thrust my hands back and forth quickly, unleashing a barrage of Vacuum Cuts. Blasting Ruk against the wall with the waves of force I was unleashing. "HAAAAAAAAAAH!" After a few seconds, my arms fell limp at my sides. Sore and numb, but Ruk was knocked out cold against the cliff wall.

I was curious if I'd actually have to pause between certain moves. And it seemed my suspicions were correct. Because I didn't pause between firing those Vacuum Waves off, I couldn't even move my arms. Hopefully that didn't last long, "One down over here Char!" Maybe if I trained and got stronger I'd be able to do more with less drawbacks?

"Alright!" The little fire lizard replied with a grin, "Nice work!" As he tried to duck and dodge Buneary swiping at him with her ears or feet. At the same time, he lashed back at her with his own claws or brief spats of fire. I wanted to help, but with my arms numb I couldn't really do much.

Though, I did notice a pattern in her movements. Easy enough to see from outside their fight, the way she always landed after bouncing into her attacks. "Char! Go for the legs!" His response was so quick, I felt like I was just putting in the inputs to a video game.

Char spun around, swinging his tail low as the Buneary came down from another jump kick. Taking her legs right out from under her before she could land properly, "Agh!" She hit the ground, and Char quickly planted a foot on her chest to keep her in place. "Ugh... Unbelievable..." She grumbled, holding up her arms in surrender.

"Nice." I could feel my fingers a little bit, good to know this wasn't permanent. "That wasn't so bad," Making my way over to the unconscious Ruk to grab the satchel. "Oh, right... Char, I can't move my arms! Can you give me a hand?" Literally.

"Your arms? What happened?" Forgetting all about the Buneary, he quickly ran over and picked up the bag. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine," I'd wave him off if I could. "Just a little numb, over did it at the end, come on lets get this medicine back to that Audino."

"Yeah... But what should we do about them?" Char questioned, looking at the unconscious Ruk and the still unnamed Buneary. She was just glaring daggers at us, but made no move to continue the fight.

"Leave them I guess," Not like we were the police. "We got back what they stole." As I started walking.

"Don't think you've won!" Buneary barked at as in passing, "You may have gotten lucky this time, but the Iron Bay Bandits will have all your belongings next time!" She huffed, marching over to her unconscious comrade.

Geez, she sounds like a cartoon villain. "Right, well better luck next time!" I called back, as we made our way off the beach. All in all, ominously murderous Geodude aside, that was pretty fun! "Man, I've never actually fought in a battle before, that was intense." Still riding that victory high I think.

"Yeah, pokemon love to fight." He chuckled in response, "So long as it isn't too dangerous... I'm glad we won."

"We make a pretty good team." I added, turning my torso left and right to make my numb arms flop around a little.

Char was snickering at my movements, "Stop that! It looks so gross!"

Never. "Maybe we can get a job as like, security or something in Iron Town." Flopping my arms left and right.

"Ha! Yeah maybe... Or maybe we could even send in an application to the Explorers Guild in Treasure Town!"

"The what now?"