Krom finished selling his wares, the sun setting and the bridge deserted. Krom grunted, disliking the girl's timing. She flung her Pokeball, a Simisage smirking. Krom looked at the Pokemon, calling Castle Face over. The beast came over, looking at the monkey. Shira gave a command for Low Kick, the monkey charging. Castle Face shot a Flamethrower, causing the monkey to divert it's path. It landed in front of the battering ram Pokemon, kicking low. Castle face grunted, the attack exceptionally effective. Nevertheless, he was sturdy, and would not be defeated. He used the opening to Flamethrower the monkey, coating it in thick flame. Shira gave a command for Acrobatics, and Castle Face growled. He charged, using Head Smash. The monkey flew, the flame licking at the face of Bastiodon. The recoil was heavy, and the monkey stood uneasy.
Bastiodon ran, cloaked in shinning energy. He went for Iron Head, but the monkey recovered. Shira gave a Low Kick command, and he tripped Castle face, causing him to go sprawling across the bridge, defeated. The monkey smiled, and then was faced with Spots. The Liepard was smiling, and Shira did not like that.
Krom called for Assist, the leopard wagging his tail. Simisear charged, nimbly closing in with Acrobatics. The monkey swung his leg, and flame erupted from Spots' maw. He bit down, using Fire Fang. He spun and threw the monkey, who crashed into a wall. The monkey lay defeated.
Shira flung another Pokeball, sending out a Simipour. The monkey smiled, waving to Spots. Shira gave a command for Hydro Pump, and the monkey spat massive amounts of water from it's mouth. Spots sidestepped, rushing forward. Shira told Simipour to redirect, but Spots already used Shadow Claw, striking the monkey. The monkey flipped, landing on it's feet. Spots kept on, using Aerial Ace. The monkey grunted, pushed back further. Shira gave a command for Focus Blast. The ball of energy formed between the monkey's hands, then was shot at the leopard. The leopard hissed, shoved back by the super effective attack.
Spots panted, hissing louder. Krom called for assist, and Spots leapt forward. He rose on his hind legs, shocking Shira. He kicked the monkey up in the air, raining down an assortment of blows; finished by two Shadow Claws that struck in an X shaped fashion. The monkey fell to the ground, defeated.
Next was a Simisear, the monkey shrugging upon release. Shira called for Flamethrower, her temper lit. She growled, and Krom swore he heard her teeth grinding. If he didn't know any better, he'd say she had steam coming from her ears. The monkey spat the flame striking the leopard. Krom yelled to spots, telling him to hang in there. Shira called for Focus Blast, and the energy ball struck the leopard, defeating him.
Krom returned the leopard, sending out Rocky the Boldore. The Pokemon called out, ready for anything. Krom called for Power Gem, and the rock spider shot shinning energy through it's crystals. The monkey used Acrobatics to avoid the move, closing in. Shira called for Brick Break, and the monkey chopped Boldore, causing a small crater to form under his feet. Krom called or Power Gem again, the monkey unable to avoid it. The monkey flew back, Krom calling for a Flash Cannon. The beam of light struck the monkey in midair, causing an explosion. The monkey landed on the ground, defeated. Krom cheered the rock spider on.
Shira growled, flinging her fourth Pokeball. A Samurott roared, causing Rocky to flinch. Krom called for Power Gem, and Shira called for Razor Shell. The samurai otter drew the blade like scale from it's forelegs, blocking Rocky's attack. The otter moved at high speed, striking Rocky before he could react. Rocky flew through the air, defeated. Krom returned his Pokemon, sending out Rufus next. Krom knew the mole was at a disadvantage, but he didn't care. The mole cheered happily, responding to Krom's call for Dig. The Pokemon burrowed under the ground, hiding itself from view. Shira called for Ice Beam, and the otter shot the beam at the ground, freezing it.
Rufus grunted underground, almost struck by the blast. Krom called for Skull bash and X-Scissor, and Rufus shot up from underground. He slammed his head into the otter, and then swung his claws, striking again. The pokemon stumbled back, Rufus striking again with Aerial Ace. Samurott grunted, responding to a call of Razor Shell. He blocked the next X-Scissor with his seamictar. Rufus grunted. The otter moved with samurai speeds, drawing his other blade, slicing Rufus and sheathing both blades. Rufus flew back defeated. Krom growled, and Twiggy ran forward.
The Turtwig called out, determined. Krom smiled, calling for Magical Leaf. Shira called for Razor Shell, hoping to block the glowing leaves. However, they went around the otter, striking from behind. Samurott cried out, falling defeated. Shira growled, switching it out for her Emboar. Krom growled. Her Pokemon seemed to evolve quickly, and her team was chosen specially. The boar yelled, and Turtwig glared.
Twiggy moved back, avoiding a Fire Punch. He struck with Magical Leaf, though it did little damage. The Emboar moved faster than expected, Low Sweeping Twiggy. He flew through the air, landing on his feet. He growled, slamming his legs down. A small mountain formed, Emboar swaying in shock at the summit. Twiggy grew large claws of energy charging up at the boar. Shira called for hammer arm, and the arms of the boar glew. The boar swung down at Twiggy came up, and an explosion followed.
Krom heard a cry he had never heard before. Emboar stumbled out of the smoke, on the edge. Twiggy, now evolve into a Grotle, anvil fused into his shell even more, called out, Biting the boars arm. He spun, flinging the boar down. Twiggy jumped, firing Energy Balls at the boar, who was truck repeatedly. Shira called to the boar, who stood slowly. Twiggy glared at the boar, who glowed red. Shira called for Fire Punch, and the boar moved with a vengeance. He struck Twiggy, who managed a final Energy Ball before falling defeated. The Energy Ball struck the boar, who fell defeated.
Shira flung a sixth ball, her Watchog staring Krom in the eye. Krom grunted, noticing the absence of her Servine. Krom chose Underwarf to battle the meerkat, the dwarf more than happy. Watchog moved for a Retaliate, but Underwarf, retaliated first, so to speak. He rammed his hammer into the face of the Watchog, and then dropped it. He punched the Watchog, sweeping it's legs from under it. He roared, dropping down onto the chest of the Pokemon. He charged his hands, punches alternating. He came down in a furious flurry of Ice, Fire, Thunder, Mach, Bullet, and Hammer arm, Meteor Mash, Sucker Punch and Vacuum Wave. Shira was in shock as the crater expanded, the dwarf filled with vigor. He jumped back, Watchog defeated. Shira roared, switching it out for her seventh Pokemon, Serperior.
The snake hissed at the Dwarf. Shira called for Leech Seed, the seeds wrapping around the dwarf. The vines held his arms spread, the Serperior raining down Leaf Blade. Underwarf grunted, and Krom called to him. He couldn't move. The Leech seed transferred his power to the snake while super effective Leaf Blades wore him down. His eyes burnt like flame, but he couldn't move. The snake swung, unleashing a hard strike upon the dwarf's stomach. He coughed, flame erupting from his mouth. The snake slithered back, wounded. Underwarf used Bulk Up, breaking free. He roared, grabbing the snake. He was especially rude, tying the snake in a knot before Fire Punching it hard. The snake fell, untying itself and fainting. Shira returned the Pokemon, storming off. Krom cheered his Pokemon on, heading home.
Once home, Clera healed all the Pokemon, Underwarf just pouring mead over his wounds. The dwarf panted, flexing his strained muscles. The dwarf loved the feeling of that battle, and only wondered what he could forge next.
The woman screamed, the hood and trunk of her car gone. There were no clues as to the thief, but whoever it was, they loved metal.
Simba sat purring, stroking the fur of his mate. Everyone found the Halflings chose of a mate unusual. He looked down at her, her huge blue eyes sparkling. She smiled, showing a glimpse of razor sharp teeth, sharpened through meticulous gem eating. He sat on a couch with her, rubbing her swollen stomach. They watched Hyuu and Kyouhei, who slept soundly. The two were exhausted after the battle. The herbalist, Glenda the Chansey Halfling, said there was evidence of defensive wounds on both of them. Simba nodded, understanding. They did experience that, and being inexperienced in battle, defensive wounds were expected. Glenda said there were healed wounds on Kyouhei, likely from Domestic Abuse. Simba asked if she could determine the nature of the abuse.
"Not really, but from my experience, it was likely they were inflicted many years ago. I did manage to use Psychic on him. His father was a drunk with Obsessive Explosive Disorder. That explains it. He would explode, abuse the poor guy, and then he finally killed himself." She said. Hyuu was just obsessive, and needed a swift kicking, as Glenda put it. Simba sighed, his mate looking up at him. "You look tired honey, you should get some rest. Two days of nonstop training isn't good for you. Especially with Plasma." she said. He smiled, ruffling her purple hair. "Thanks Sable. I'll just meditate. That always works. Take care of them while I'm gone." he said, gesturing to the Islanders. She smiled at them.
Glenda looked at them, then to sable. "Any idea why he cares so much?" she asked. Sable shook her head.
Krom and his Pokemon managed to make it to the end of the bridge, but were too exhausted to make the final stretch. They camped on the bridge, having left the town. They all dozed, and Saria glanced to Krom, smiling.
The Gym Leaders had parted ways, but all watched their footage of Krom's battle with Saria.
The triplets and Lenora were not surprised at the power. Burgh was anxious, as the boy was just outside of his city. Elesa and Skyla disregarded it, finding it uninteresting. Clay, Drayden and Brycen were all watching closely, seeing if they could find a way to defeat the dwarf Pokemon. Cheren was angered, wishing he would die already. Marlon scoffed, and Homika took genuine interest. Not in the Pokemon, but the trainer. The elite Four had similar reactions. Grimsley found it interesting, Shauntal typed at inhuman speeds, chronicling the dwarf's battles. Marshal and Caitlin disregarded it. They were due back to a meeting in three days, as they had a special guest.
She trudged through Unova, staff in hand. Walking to the Pokemon League as hard work for her old bones, but she could use it. Her only Pokemon capable of flying lost her wings in battle anyway. She smiled at a group of Druddigon walking about, protecting their young.
Krom took his Pokemon, minus Underwarf, of course, and walked into the Poke-Center. He placed six of the Pokeballs on the counter. The Nurse Joy turned, cross shining on her chest. She frowned at him. "We don't serve heathens here." She said. Krom was in shock. "Yes you do. You serve everyone. It's your job." He said. She glared at him. "The Pokemon League gives us the right to refuse whoever we want. Rapists, murderers, pedophiles, heathens…" she trailed off. Saria stormed forward. She hopped the counter, slapping the nurse in the face. "You served a man five minutes ago wearing a spirit pendant. Giratina is your anti-god so to speak, but yet you won't serve Krom?" she yelled. The nurse held her cheek, which stung. "No one who harms good, holy people gets served by my family." she said.
Krom blinked. "The church. The church that tried to kill Saria. The church that badmouths every Pokemon that looks masculine and is female, and vice versa? That fucking church?" He said, anger flowing though his veins. How dare she refuse him service because he saved her life twice, both times involved the harming of churchgoers. Underwarf whistled, and Krom felt his roots. He stormed out, but not before backhanding the bitch nurse.