Krom emerged from the cave, wary of anyone and anything. He walked Route 3, defeating the few trainers that littered the road. He entered Nacrene City, looking at the old city. He saw the Museum, which also housed the gym. He decided not to challenge the gym right away, wanting to go sightseeing first. He took his Pokémon to the Poke-Center, healing them. He walked out, noticing Underwarf drinking from a barrel. "Underwarf, didn't you come into the Poke-Center with me?" He asked, having not paid attention. The hairy creature shook it's head, wiping it's lips. Krom frowned. "Why not? And where'd that barrel come from?" He asked, pointing at the barrel he drank from.
Underwarf mumbled, and Krom sighed, unable to understand Pokémon. He walked on, the town's streets nearly empty. He let all of his Pokémon out, and they fell in line. Underwarf and Golett walked next him, followed by Drilbur. Roggenrola sat on the back of Nibbles, and Spots lounged on Krom's head. They walked the streets, viewing many shops and cafés. He left his Pokémon outside, heading into a café to pick up food for them. When he emerged, Shira sat on the ground, his Pokémon surrounding her.
"Hey Shorty, how ya been?" She asked, smiling. Krom smiled. "I've been better." He said, remembering the events that conspired yesterday. Shira stood, looking at her friend. "Did you hear about the Church goers? Over a hundred have been hospitalized, and one even died yesterday. Most of the un-converted Officer Jenny's I've heard from want to give the assailant a medal. Although, I've been meaning to ask you about that. They said that the assailant had a hairy, hammer wielding Pokémon, like your friend here." She said, pointing to Underwarf. Krom smirked. "Yeah, that was us. I just, lost my temper I guess." He said, smirk turning into a sad smile.
Shira laughed. "Alright Tiny, how about we battle and forget about those idiots?" She said, Pokeball in hand. Krom's Pokémon moved back to him, all nodding. Krom smiled, placing the bags on the ground softly. "Alright! Spots, you're first!" he called, and the tom sprung forward. Shira smiled, loosing a Watchog. Krom became slightly nervous, having seen the Pokémon days ago before it evolved.
"Watchog, Retaliate!" She cried. The Pokémon's eyes seemed to glow with hate, and it charged. Krom called for Hone Claws, and the kitten jumped. Going over the meerkat like Pokémon, Spots grinded his nails on the ground. Watchog spun around, using Slam on command. It jumped, spinning and coming down with it's tail. Spots smiled, running in circles around Watchog. Shira issued a command that set Krom's nerves on edge.
The Watchog opened it's maw, black energy forming at it's mouth. It shot the Hyper Beam, Spots' movements offset. It missed, leaving the Pokémon vulnerable. Krom called out for Assist, wondering what would happen. Spots jumped, slamming his tail into Watchog. Krom called for Aerial Ace, and Spots glowed silver, slashing past the Watchog. It grunted, still immobile from the Hyper Beam. Spots spun, grinding his claws on the ground again. Shira growled, calling for Retaliate.
Watchog sprang into action, slamming into Spots, who flew back. He hit the ground, standing up weakened. Shira was relentless in her commands, and Watchog's tail slammed into Spots. The kitten yowled, hitting the ground. Krom's fists clenched, as did Underwarf's grip on his hammer. Spots stood slowly, the Pokémon in the air. Shira issued a command for Hyper Beam, Spots running out of the way. The Watchog hit the ground, immobile. Spots stuck his head in one of the food bags Krom brought back, his head immerging soon.
"It's time to battle, not eat!" Shira called across, and the young tom smiled. Spots claws ground against the ground, Hone Claws being used for a third time. Krom wasn't issuing command, his Pokémon fighting on instinct. Spots stalked the Watchog, and Krom watched. He could have issued a command, be he knew the kitten had something in mind. Watchog jumped up, acting on command. The Hyper Beam left it's maw before Krom could command Spots to dodge. When the dust cleared, the Purrloin was nowhere to be seen. Krom panicked, locking everywhere he could see. Then, his Pokedex beeped. "New move learned: Seed Bomb." It said, confusing Krom. He looked up, and smiled.
Shira was confused, and she looked up as well. She paled, seeing the kitten on the back of her Pokémon. The Purrloin used Hone Claws, the only thing for it to sharpen it's claw on being it's opponents flesh. The Watchog cried out, falling from the sky. Spots spat many seed from his mouth, each one striking his foe. The Watchog slammed into the ground, defeated. Spots hit the ground, panting heavily. Shira growled, loosing a Pignite. Krom growled. How do her Pokémon evolve so fast? Pignite charged on command, the Flame Charge closing in.
Spots sprung up, using Aerial Ace. The two Pokémon smashed together, and a shockwave wrung out, the wind blowing their hair about. When they looked back, Spots laid on the ground, defeated. Krom growled, returning the Pokémon. He called upon Golett, the golem raising it's arms up in the air. Shira called for a Flame Charge, and the Pokémon came at high speed toward the golem. Krom called for Ice Beam, and Golett complied. The Ice slammed into the Pokémon, evaporating into mist. A thin mist covered the field, obscuring their vision. Shira called for Ember, the heat from the Pokémon dissipating the mist.
When the mist cleared, Golett stood in an odd position. He was sideways, knees bent. His hands were behind him, cupped. Where had Krom seen that before? Pignite charged, cloaked in flame. A ball of purple energy formed, and sparks formed around it. Golett shot the ball, Pignite jumping over it, slamming into him. Golett fell defeated, and the Pig had raised it's speed greatly. Krom growled, returning Golett. Nibbles growled, mouth opening. Dark Pulse shot from his mouth, slamming into Pignite. Nibbles charged, not letting up. Pignite cried out, flame cloaking it, but not flame from Flame Charge. Shira laughed. "Blaze Time! Flame Charge!" She called out. The Pokémon charged while cloaked in flame, the flames bigger and brighter than before. Nibbles didn't let up, irate at the Fire Pig Pokémon. Krom tried to call to the dragon, but it was useless. The Dark Pulse faded, and Nibbles stood still. Krom was worried, Shira's Pokémon being so immensely powerful. Underwarf shook. Krom smiled down at his friend, hearing a crash.
His head turned, and Nibbles stood stout. Pignite used Arm Thrust, repeatedly hitting Nibbles. The dragon seemed to be concentrating, then roared, head thrust into the air. Energy shot through the ground, and Pignite flew back, defeated. Shira growled, smiling still. "Hey Krom, you know I talked to Juniper yesterday, and he gave me stuff." She said, Pokeball in hand. Krom was nervous, watching her throw a third Pokeball. A Servine stood, fully powered while Nibbles panted. Shira called for a Leaf Blade, and Nibbles fell defeated. Roggenrola and Rufus both pestered Krom, wanting a piece of the Servine. He looked at his three remaining Pokémon, and didn't get to make a decision. One second, Krom was looking at all three of his Pokémon. The next, he was looking at two of them and a hammer. Underwarf flew onto the field fire cloaking his fist. Servine was hit.
Underwarf unleashed Fire Punches upon the snake, a crater deepening with each blow. The Pokémon roared, eyes burning like a furnace. Servine was defeated, and Shira returned it, throwing a fourth Pokeball. A Dewott came out, scalchops in hand. Underwarf reclaimed his hammer, and growled. Shira issued a command for Razor Shell, and the otter burst into action. Small blades made of water cloaked the shells, and it swung them expertly at Underwarf. The hammer wielding Pokémon was enraged, blocking each blow with his hammer. Shira commanded for an Aqua Jet, watching the water cloak the otter. Underwarf dodged, and the otter flew at Krom himself. Water splashed him, but Roggenrola and Rufus weren't so lucky. Both Pokémon lay on the ground defeated without battling. Krom returned them, knowing he would have to heal his Pokémon after this.
Underwarf dropped his hammer, roaring louder than Krom had ever heard. The otter gulped, fearing the wrath of the dwarf. A low kick swept Dewott's feet from under it, and a hammer fisted blow knocked it to the ground. Underwarf seemed to swell, confusing Krom. If he was right, Underwarf was using Bulk Up to make himself bigger for the battle. It worked, too. Underwarf grinded the otter against the ground, kicking it into the air, leaping after. He gripped the face of the Pokémon, slamming Dewott to the ground. Shira gave frantic commands, but Dewott was too weak to hear them. Underwarf hoisted Dewott in the air, a massive punch to the gut finishing the battle.
Shira returned Dewott, shocked at the anger of the dwarven Pokémon. Underwarf had calmed down, pouring what smelt like mead from another barrel on his flesh, then down his throat. Shira bid Krom farewell, complementing Underwarf, who raised his barrel in recognition. Krom healed his five Pokémon, Underwarf refusing. He emerged from the Poke-Center, noticing his Pokedex. "Golett. New Moves Learned: Shadow Ball. Deino. New Moves Learned: Earth Power. Underwarf. New Moves Learned: Hammer Arm. Close Combat. Rage. Revenge. Retaliate. Seismic Toss. Mega Punch. Low Kick. Low Sweep. Bulk Up" It said, and Krom blinked. He laughed loudly, knowing it impossible for a Pokémon to know more than four moves, let alone use ten new moves in battle, or was it? Krom shrugged it off, deciding his Pokémon weren't ready for the Gym Leader after that battle.
Krom walked about, confused. Why had Juniper given Shira Snivy and Oshwott as well as Tepig? How come she had all three starters, and he had none? Well, he had Underwarf, who was stronger than all three. He heard a cry from behind, turning to see the girl from before, the one he killed for. He became stony faced, Underwarf rolling his eyes.
She panted, blushing as she walked up to him. "H-Hello. I never got to thank you for when you helped me back on Route three." She said, hands folded. Krom was angry. "Thank You? Thank You for killing someone for me is more like it." He said. He turned to walk away, but Underwarf tripped him, causing him to fall. The girl tried to contain laughter, and Krom growled at the whistling dwarf.
He sat in a café with her, Underwarf on his lap. "Let me get this straight. Your parent said you could go on an adventure, with a Munna of all Pokémon, and you decided to ask me if you could travel with me, seeing as how I always appear when you're in trouble?" He asked, brow raised. She blushed, nodding nervously. "Yes." She said. Krom frowned. "What makes you think I'd accept?" He asked, watching Underwarf feast on a T-bone steak. The little guy could eat, and he was heavy as is, being a hundred and ten pound Pokémon. She remained silent, realizing she wasted her time. Krom looked at her, and thought hard. It was true that she was a good person, and never wronged him. He did always appear when she was in trouble, first in Striaton and then Route Three. It was true she'd have a hard time, her only Pokémon being a Munna, the Pokémon not known for doing much than Hypnosis. She looked him in the eyes, and he realized that she was just a girl who wanted a friend. He sighed, wondering what he was about to get himself into.
"Alright. You want to travel with me? Fine. But, you have to answer three questions." He said, and she beamed, nodding. "Number One. Do you an issue with following a guy who gets stalked by a bi-polar idiot and his Mentally Challenged sidekick and sometimes running into a battle lusting chick who looks like Reshiram?" He asked, referring to Hyuu and Kyouhei, then to Shira. She shook her head, okay with that. Krom nodded. "Number Two. Do you have any friends?" He asked, trying to get to know the girl more. She put her head down, shaking her head. Krom nodded. Underwarf poked Krom, gesturing to his empty plate. Krom rolled his eyes, ordering a fifth steak for the Pokémon. He looked her in the eyes, finally putting to rest something that bugged him at night. "Why did that man call you a Heathenous Halfling?" He asked. She paled, mumbling. She looked up, seeming nervous.
"It's because I worship Meloetta. There is a legend that Meloetta was birth from a union of Mew the Miraculous and Ho-Oh the Death-Defyer. Mew, being the mother, chose what her child looked like. She chose a human like appearance because she hoped that humans and Pokémon could share their lives with Pokémon. And so, Meloetta sung songs of love and happiness, and her worshippers were gifted in the musical arts. But, one day, she saw someone being hung, and came down. She questioned them on why the woman was being hung. Before they pulled the lever to kill the woman, they told Meloetta that she had birthed an abomination." The girl went on, sad. Krom nodded. She spoke on.
"They showed the goddess a child with pointed ears atop his head, his skin tinted orange. His features were very canid, and he even had a tail, a fluffy one. Meloetta sensed the child, and she smiled. The woman was being hung because she birthed a child who was half Arcanine." She said. Krom froze. Half Pokémon, Half Human beings? What was she trying to say? "Meloetta sang a song about the boy, and the mother was pardoned from death. From that day on, there were a few humans birthed with slightly animal like features, and they were called human Halflings. Their mothers were human, but their fathers were not." She said, laughing at Underwarf, who grunted at his empty plate. Krom nodded for her to continue and she looked out the window at the moon.
"However, there were animal Halflings. Birthed from inhuman mothers, these half breeds looked more like Pokémon, and had their abilities. That is why my photo is a match to Gardevoir." She said. She and Krom had left the café, camping out instead of renting a room at the Poke-Center. She pet Spots, smiling down at the tom. Krom raised a brow. "Okay. Nice story. But that doesn't fully answer my question. Why that of all names?" He asked. She looked at him, her eyes glowing blue. His bags floated in the air, before settling back down in their previous place. Her eyes stopped glowing. "Does that? The Westborough Baptist Church hunts me because my mother is a Gardevoir." She said, looking at Krom.
Krom was in shock. She was half Pokémon? Underwarf laughed heartily. He liked the new friend. Krom had to prod further. "How is that possible? Aren't Pokémon and humans too different?" He asked. She shook her head. "Pokémon made humans, so of course they were similar enough to interbreed. I mean come on, Magikarp can mate with Charizard. And Ditto mates with everything." She said, chuckling. Krom shook his head. She had a point. Underwarf snored, as did all of his Pokémon, minus Spots who purred. "What's your name? I killed a guy for you and I don't even know your name." He asked. She smiled, eyes half lidded. "My name is Saria." She said, falling asleep. Krom chuckled. "Krom Hitoawa, you are now travelling with Saria, who is half Gardevoir." He laughed to himself, falling asleep.