The enraged Hitoawa stormed into the Castelia Gym, seeing Burgh standing, as if he were waiting. Krom growled, telling Underwarf to make it quick. Burgh sent out a Whirlepede, making sure that Krom didn't notice the multitude of cameras.
The dwarf charged, slamming his hammer into the wheel like bug. The Pokemon hit the wall, crying out in pain. Underwarf charged, heading into the dust. Burgh called for Toxic, hoping to wear down the beastly pokemon. Krom called for Fire Punch, but Burgh thought fast. He returned the injured Pokemon, sending out a Karrablast. He called for a Double Team, watching the Pokemon replicate itself. Underwarf grunted, purple sparks flinging around him. Krom cursed, seeing his Pokemon poisoned. Burgh called for Bug Buzz, the ear splitting sound injuring the dwarf more. He grunted, Krom telling him to sense out the loudest one, as that would be the real one. Underwarf surged to his left, grabbing the bug by it's horn, flinging it up in the air. Underwarf grunted, worn down more by the poison.
Burgh called for Megahorn, the bug's horn glowing blue as it flew down at Underwarf. Krom growled, still enraged. He called for Flamethrower, the dwarf glaring up at the beetle. He spat flame from his maw, searing the bug. Karrablast fell, defeated. Burgh paled, returning the bug. He sent out a Shelmet, determined to defeat the trainer. Burgh called for Acid Spray, a move that would have your opponent's abilities to resist non contact moves, like Bug Buzz. The acid sprayed across the room, Underwarf using Flamethrower to protect himself. The acid was heated, boiling and emitting toxic fumes, causing the trainers to cough. Underwarf grunted louder, the poison increasing in toxicity.
Krom growled. This would have to end soon. Shelmet was a slow Pokemon, even slower than Castle Face and Twiggy. So, it would be hard for him to avoid any attacks properly. Krom called for Façade, hoping a new move would be his ticket to victory. Underwarf leapt through the air, slamming the Shelmet with his hammer, which glowed a dull purple. The Shelmet flew across the gym, crashing to the ground defeated. Burgh growled, switching the defeated Pokemon out for a Dweeble. The hermit crab Pokemon cried out, ready to battle the panting dwarf. Burgh called for X-Scissor, the dwarf weary from the poison.
The hermit closed in, claws glowing blue. Krom called for Rock Smash, the dwarf roaring. He vaulted himself forward, ramming his hammer into the shell of the crab like Pokemon. The shell shattered, and Burgh's jaw dropped. His Pokemon faltered, not comfortable without it's shell. The little bug shook, wishing it had a shell. Krom was enraged, calling for Stomp. The dwarf growled, lifting his large foot up into the air. The foot came down, a small crater forming in the floor. The Dweeble laid defeat. Burgh switched the defeated Pokemon out, calling for his Leavanny. The bug rose to the occasion, the dwarf falling to one knee.
Saria watched the dwarf continue on, wounded and poisoned. Krom had begun to calm down, worried about his Pokemon's welfare. Krom asked the dwarf if he wanted to switch out and rest, but he shook his head. He moved quickly, flinging his hammer at the chest of the bug. Burgh called for a Leaf Blade, and the bug complied. Jumping over the hammer, which embedded itself in the wall, the bug headed straight for Underwarf. The dwarf roared at the bug, who swung down with it's sharp leaved hands. Underwarf sidestepped, breaking the arm of the bug before Fire Punching it in the face. Being a Bug and Grass type, fire was not the Pokemon's ally. The bug fell defeated.
Burgh was forced to use his last Pokemon, the injured Whirlepede. He called for Venoshock, the move doubled in power due to the dwarf's poisoned state. Balls of purple energy shot at the dwarf, who growled. He turned, running around as the Pokemon spun to continue it's assault. Underwarf ran in circles, panting due to the damage he took from the poison, which got worse. Krom called to the dwarf, telling him to switch out. The dwarf stuck one finger in the air. He jumped, landing on the back of the wheel Pokemon, whose poisonous spikes dug into this flesh. He jumped, taking the Pokemon into the air with him. He turned, slamming the bug down, lifting it and repeating the process. The bug laid in a crater, defeated. Burgh was defeated, and Krom was worried.
Luckily, Clear knew Aromatherapy, the move healing the poison from the dwarf. She was worn out herself, having to heal everyone. Krom sighed, and Saria smiled at him. "It's okay. We'll figure something out." She said. Krom sighed, looking around him. They sat on a bench in Castelia, the chilly Spring air slowly fading from the weather, summer closing in. "What though? I can't keep using Clera as nothing but a pseudo Poke-Center. That's wrong. And I can't ask you to exert yourself, as you're not that strong." He said, watching a group of street dancers. She blin ked, offended. "What is that supposed to mean?" she asked. He looked to her, grunting. "I've met stronger Halflings. Simba and Chief Bishop are two." He said. She frowned. "But neither of them are me. So there." she said, folding her arms. Krom rolled his eyes.
The group camped out at a huge junkyard on the other side of the city. The abandoned place was filled to the brim with metals, and the dwarf smiled. He looked at Castle Face and Twiggy, the two nodding in compliance.
Night fell, and Underwarf worked harder still. He chuckled, humming a dwarven song to himself. He had measured the huge Bastiodon, making sure the measurements were all right for this.
Cheren visited Pinwheel Village, liking at least the scenery/ Halflings were abundant in the place, and it was like only those that interbred were allowed in. He hid the cross he wore under his shirt, not wanting to start a commotion. He entered the hut that Glenda stayed in. The herbalist was kind to him, giving him a handful of herbs for whatever he asked for. He sat down, waiting for her to emerge from the other room, where she worked on patients. His X-Transceiver rung. He answered it, seeing the Castelia Nurse Joy on the other end. He knew it was here because she was the only one with his contact information, as he was fond of her.
He saw her face, and frowned. Her one cheek was slightly red, as if she became flustered. Her other cheek was swollen, and bruised. "What happened?" He asked, concerned. She cried, tears coming from her eyes. "That heathen actually hit me! He hit me!" She sobbed, and Cheren raised a brow. "Who? He asked, as Glenda walked in. "Hey Cheren!" She called. He waved. "The one you told me about! The one with the Halfling whore! She slapped me too!" She sobbed, hanging up, likely to sulk. Cheren shook with rage, hearing a wheezy giggle. He turned to see Sable, the Sableye Halfling.
"Looks like Krom fells his roots." she said, and Glenda joined in the laughter. Cheren stood, glowering at the heavily pregnant Halfling. Before he could do anything, Simba stood between them, scowling. "Look here. If all I'm going to do until my mate gives birth is deal with people who can stand Krom, I'm gonna go insane. First the Aspertia boys, and now you. Not to mention Team Plasma. Krom pimp slapped your hoe, big deal. Be a man and take it out on him, not my mate. Cuz that'll be the last thing you do. Now leave." He said, gesturing to the door. He stormed out, heading for Castelia. He'd give Krom a piece of his mind alright.
Krom awoke, stretching before he sat up. He sighed, hating his situation. Was it really so bad for cross bearer's to accept people with different beliefs then them? Were they that ignorant and closed minded? He looked to his Pokemon, who all looked invigorated. He turned, seeing Castle Face. His jaw dropped.
Metal Hinges were attached to his face, controlled by a lever in a large metal basket. The hinges held a car's bench seat in place, so he could sit down and ride Bastiodon like a horse. The basket was on his back, secured by three seatbelts on his stomach. It was all held together by a metal frame, thin and lightweight. Underwarf panted, wiping sweat from his brow. He presented Krom with a large machine, about the size of a Pignite. It had one hole, and an electrical cord. Emolga put the cord in her mouth, using Thunderbolt. He raised his finger, placing a Pokeball in the hole. The machine sprung to life, lights flashing and a small humming noise being emitted. The Pokeball glowed, and then Underwarf pulled it out.
Saria blinked. "What is it?" She asked, confused. He scratched his head. "I think it's the healing machine that Poke-Centers use. Only an old one at a time model. Won't Emolga get tired quickly?" He asked, remembering the Pokemon's stamina was never really impressive. Underwarf shook his head, making a steering motion. Saria chuckled. "Emolga's ability is Motor Drive. The excess electricity will flow back into her, raising her speed while she charges the machine." Saria said, and Krom smiled. He loaded his Pokeballs and bags into the basket, sitting down with Saria next to him. He called to the beast, telling him to head north to Route Four.
The Leaders convened once more, their guest having arrived. They all sat, most behaving well. The only one who paid little attention was Homika, who strummed her bass. THe elderly woman walked into the room, and she froze. Standing there was Former Pokemon League Champion and Opelucid City Gym Leader, Kurai Bashode Wa Hareta Hi. She smiled, her staff clinging against the ground as she walked over and took her seat. The staff was six feet tall, and looked like a Seviper, mouth open. It was thick enough for her hands to wrap around them tightly, nothing more. Despite being ninety years old, the woman was still a master martial artist. The older gym leaders looked at her in fear. The younger ones were confused. This was the special guest?
"Hareta-sama, how have you been?" Lenora asked, smiling happily. The old woman laughed, her ancient tone carrying through the room. "I have been well. Do you still have nightmares like you used to?" She asked, questioning the scientist. She shook her head. He old woman laughed. "Good. I became tired of people telling stories of me to get children behave. Why would I hunt small children in the night because their bad?" She said, sighing. She looked to the group, her eyes peering into their souls. "Now, why did you call me here? You sought my advice I believe" She said, looking to Drayden. He picked up a remote, clicking a button. Screens flashed on, footage of Krom's battles being presented to the ancient woman. Her eyes lit up, and a smile crossed her face.
"I can't believe it! An Underwarf!" She said, laughing. Drayden raised a brow. "You know what this Pokemon is?" he asked. She nodded. "My Great Grandfather told me everything about them. He said his Great grandfather received one from the Hitoawa clan in ancient times. Most powerful Pokemon I've heard about. You called me to show me this?" She asked. Drayden nodded. "Yes. Cheren wants to hunt him down for murder and assault. A church got in his way, and he removed them. He saved the life of his companion, Saria." Drayden said, changing the screen to photos of the Halfling.
"A Halfling? An Underwarf? A Hitoawa? This is very exciting. I'd challenge him myself if I wasn't such an old coot. I'm sure I'd give him a run for his money." she said. Cheren scoffed.
"This kid and his abomination of a Pokemon have killed hundreds of churchgoers and members of Team Plasma. The attacks on Pinwheel Village showed he was able of befriending Halflings there, one in particular…" He trailed off, changing the screens to photos of Simba. The old woman smiled. "Well well, looks like Simba hasn't changed." She said, looking to the Halfling. "Simba was a little Shinx cub when I met him. He wanted a Pokemon, so I gave him a one winged Torchic I found. How is Jackie?" She asked, Drayden showing the second battle between the village and Plasma. She laughed. "Impressive. Show me more about this Hitoawa boy." She said, intrigued.
Hours went by, the leaders explaining Krom and his Pokemon in detail. Once finished, Cheren nodded. "Yes. I believe the best thing for Unova is to capture and execute him and his forces." He said. The woman smiled, rolling the staff between her fingers. "Why? So your holy fellows can have their way with Saria, only for Arceus to forgive them because they say please? Nothing will be done about the boy. As for the Nurses, I'd have done more than backhand her." she said. Cheren growled. He slammed his fist down.
"How dare you question Arceus! He will give me and my fellow leaders the strength to crush this puny Pokemon!" He yelled, the woman's smile widening. Homika glanced at the head of the staff, which sat atop coiled wood to make it looked like the snake would spring to life. Marlon smiled. "Yup. No Ground Pokemon has ever gotten past my Wailord. Besides, how strong can you be to slap a nurse?" he chuckled. The woman smiled, letting go of the staff, hitting it with her palm. The staff erupted, lengthening and thickening. Marlon's chair fell back, the viper's mouth near his throat. Cheren was in a similar state, the viper's bladed tail in his face.
She laughed. "Now, you were not expecting that, were you? If you can't stop an old woman's snake, how are you planning on stopping Krom?" She asked, recalling her Seviper, who compact himself into the staff. "Now, what are you going to do when Underwarf evolves?" She asked, brow raised. Everyone fell silent. 'Don't know? Well then, might as well crown him Champion now. You stand no chance, especially when he reaches his third form." She said. Homika smirked. "Third form?" She asked. The old woman smiled. "Oh yes. This is Underwarf. You still have yet to face Granitwarf and Warriorf. Both are larger, stronger, bulkier and faster than what you've seen. The Pokemon is immune to nature and heat." She began.
"Nature, meaning Grass, Water, Fire, Ice, Electric, Ground, Rock, Bug, and poison will have little effect on him, as he heals using a combination of meditation and mead along with nature to heal. What doesn't kill him make him stronger. And that means that all you are to him is practice for a higher purpose. If you try to harm his friends or trainer, he will kill you. If you attempt to hurt his trainer's mate, he will torture you. All I have to say is, if that happens, better hope there's no salt nearby." She said, bidding them all farewell.
Drayden sighed. "Forty years as Pokemon League Champion, and ten as Opelucid Leader, and she comes out of retirement for a while and those two act up." He said, angered. The two didn't move, the Seviper having used glare, which paralyzed them. Drayden grunted. "Idiots."