Saria had heard from Simba that Alder's Grandson was in White Tree Hollow, a battle facility on their way home. Krom decided to stop by, and challenge the trainer. He assumed he'd have a bug team, as Alder used bugs. He had received Foxy from Simba, the fox eager to battle the Akumu. They had arrived not that long before dark, and decided to rest. The Poke-Center was accessible, the Nurse a worshipper of Mew. Krom and Saria had shared the bed while Kyouhei slept on Pinky, the deer uncomfortable with the boy's personality. Bonaparte had decided to rest as well, slumbering in the room off to the side. The wall was knocked down so Sherman could fit in, the Terrakion's horns too wide. Krom had chuckled, and dozed lightly as he felt the temperature drop.
The next morning, Krom had awoken early, and headed off to the Tree Hollow. The battle facility was under a tree, set in it's roots. As it was so early, he was able to race straight to the ornate room that was obviously the end. As the head, he'd show up here eventually. Krom decided to wait, growing impatient soon. He grunted, wondering why he was so late, as he'd still awoken late enough for everyone to have already awoken. He grunted, ready to hunt through White Forest for the trainer when the temperature dropped, and Benga Banjirou Akumu walked in alongside Homika, who had shown her true form.
Both trainers froze at the sight of Krom and co. He waved. "Hey Homika! Fancy meeting you here!" he called over. Homika waved nervously, and Kyouhei giggled. Saria frowned, folding her arms as she glared sternly at the boy. Benga laughed, his teeth seeming sharper than normal. "You're Krom, right? Gramps said you'd be coming." he said, walking over to the center of the room. He pulled a bag containing twigs from his back, setting it on the ground. He had three Pokeballs on his waist, and he smirked at the Hitoawa. "I made sure to grab my best Pokemon. You ready to go, or what?" he said, and Krom chuckled, sending out Foxy.
Krom wasn't expecting the grandson of Alder to send out a Garchomp, but he wasn't deterred. Benga called for Dragon Claw, the shark dragon's claws glowing blue as he charged. Krom called for Sucker Punch, the fox moving quickly and striking, causing the dragon to stumble back. Benga called for Fire Blast, and Krom called for Flamethrower. The two Pokemon shot flame from their maws, the close range causing an explosion. Both Pokemon grunted as they slid back, the cloud of smoke between them. Benga called for Dig, and the dragon jumped into the ground, growling. Krom cursed under his breath.
Krom called for Night Daze, hoping the shockwave will throw the dragon off. Foxy unleashed the explosive wave, and the ground shook. Benga called for Dragon Claw, the shark exploding from the ground and striking Foxy, who grunted as she flew back, hitting the ground with a hiss. The fox sprung to her feet, eyes glowing. Benga chuckled. Benga called for Fire Blast, and the shark shot the mass flame from his maw, and Krom called for Dark Pulse, the rings colliding with the flame. Garchomp had the advantage, and Foxy was forced to jump back to avoid the flame. Krom growled, wondering if he should call off the fox and switch her. She growled, her blue eyes piercing the dimly lit room.
Benga called for Stone Edge, the shark shooting sharp rocks from around his body. Foxy used Protect, blocking the attack with ease. Benga chuckled, calling for Dragon Claw, the shark surging forward to swing his claws at Foxy. Krom called for Night Slash, and Foxy's claws glew, and she charged. The two Pokemon surged past each other, neither showing any sign of pain. Foxy turned, one single cut under her eye, and Garchomp turned, three on his chest. Benga chuckled, calling for Aerial Ace. The dragon jumped into the air, charging towards Foxy cloaked in silver energy.
Krom smirked. "Alright Foxy! Use Dragon Tail!" he called. Benga blinked. "But Zoroark doesn't have a tail." he said. Foxy rolled her head, her mane becoming coated in blue energy. She surged forward, ducking under the shark. She flung her neck back, her mane colliding with the Garchomp, sending it into the ceiling. The dragon grunted, being forced back into his Pokeball for a Volcarona. The moth hissed, and Krom smirked.
Benga grunted, calling for Quiver Dance. Krom frowned, knowing the ability to boost the power and speed of his foe. Krom called for Extrasensory, the fox growling as she used her psychic powers to damage her foe's senses. The moth stumbled, Quiver Dance made useless. Krom called for Dark Pulse, the rings striking the moth, knocking it back. Benga grunted, calling for Bug Buzz. Krom called for Dig, the ground helping block the noise. The fox hid under the ground, the noise muffled. Benga chuckled, calling for Roost. The moth hit the ground, recovering it's strength. Krom grunted. Foxy exploded from the ground, striking the moth. She spun and used Night Slash. The bug stumbled back, Foxy's Focus Blast knocking it to the ground. Benga chuckled, calling for Overheat. The moth glew red, and flame shot in every direction, and Foxy called out. When the light faded, Volcarona hit the ground, exhausted, and Foxy hit the ground smoking.
Krom growled. He called to the fox, but she did not rise. Krom pulled a Pokeball from his belt, returning the fox. He sent out Sherman, the bulldog deer grunting. Benga chuckled, calling for Quiver Dance. Krom called for Stone Edge, the stones shooting from around the Terrakion, but the dancing moth avoided. Krom tried to think of a move that would catch Benga off guard, but failed to think of one. He decided to go with the obvious choice. "Quick Attack!" he called. The bull deer shot forward, crashing into the Volcarona, who fluttered back, shaking it's head. Krom called for Stone Edge again. The stones struck, knocking the moth to the ground and defeating it. Krom cheered, watching Benga send out Garchomp.
Benga called for Dragon Tail, and the shark's tail glew blue. The shark charged, and Krom called for Aura Sphere, the bull shooting the ball of energy, striking the shark, who stumbled back. Krom called for Sacred Sword, and Terrakion shot forward, energy horn coming from the center of his massive horns. He struck the shark, who grunted as it hit the ground. Krom called for Close Combat, and the bull reared up, stomping the dragon repeatedly. When the dust cleared, the dragon was defeated, and Benga chuckled. "Not bad. Let's see how your legendary fares against mine!" he yelled, sending out Latios, the more offensive half of the eon twins.
Krom growled. He called for Stone Edge, and Benga yelled for the dragon to dodge. The stones flew at the jet like dragon, who avoided easily. Benga called for Draco Meteor, and the dragon shot a ball of energy into the air. Krom cursed, calling for Sacred Sword. He knew the attack would be ineffective, but he had to try. The bull charged, energy horn nearing the dragon. Benga chuckled, calling for Protect. Just then, the ball of energy Latios shot into the air exploded into many balls of draconic energy, striking the field. Sherman grunted, his left front leg struck. He stumbled, the meteor like balls pelting him many times. Krom cursed, yelling for Quick Attack.
Sherman stood to his feet, groggy. He cloaked himself in white energy, charging the dragon. Benga called for Luster Purge, and the dragon shot a pink beam of energy, striking Sherman head on. The bull deer flew back, crashing into the ground. The Swordsman stood, but grunted as he looked at his injured leg. Krom growled. Benga chuckled, calling for Dragon Claw. Krom called for Giga Impact, and the Pokemon charged, cloaked in swirling energy. The eon twin's claws glew blew, and he swung down. They struck, an explosion ringing out. When the dust cleared, both Pokemon wobbled in the center of the arena, before Sherman fell defeated. Benga laughed. "Guess Latios is better." he said, smirking.
Krom was enraged, but tried to remain composed. One of his Pokeballs shook, and he grabbed it, throwing it across the field. Foxy erupted from the ball, roaring so loud, it shook the room. Benga chuckled, calling fro Draco Meteor. The ball shot into the air, where Foxy leapt. She grabbed the ball in her paws, throwing it at the dragon. Benga called for Protect, and the ball split into many, striking the barrier the dragon protected himself with. Krom cheered the fox on, and she hit the ground, growling. Benga called for Luster Purge, the psychic attack striking Foxy. The fox shrugged it off, and growled. Benga chuckled, calling for Dragon Claw. The dragon charged, claws blue. Foxy screamed, using Hyper Voice to knock the dragon into a wall, where it exploded forth, frowning. Krom knew Simba trained Foxy, and he gave him a new command to issue, but Krom was nervous. Now was as good as ever, he guessed. "Foxy, use Mayhem Burst!" he called.
Foxy's eyes glew, and Latios froze to the spot. She opened her mouth and paws, energy charging at each point. A fusion of Hyper Beam, Night Daze, Dark Pulse and Imprison, Mayhem Burst was designed to finish a foe in one fell swoop. The three black energy beams raced across the field, fear evident in the dragon's eyes. They struck with a mighty crash, the tree itself shaking vigorously. When the dust cleared, Latios laid defeated on the ground, wings gone. Foxy roared, eyes glowing. Krom cheered, returning the fox. Benga stood in shock. Not only had his legendary Pokemon been defeated so easily, his wings were gone. He returned the dragon, and shook of the shock.
The five spent the day together, and Alder joined them in the evening. "Hello, young trainers." he said, smiling. The five waved. Alder chuckled. "It took me a while to get her, having to go through Undella." he said. Homika chuckled. 'What're ya doing here, old man?" she asked. Alder shrugged. "I came here to congratulate Krom of course. And besides, I came bearing gifts." he said, handing Krom a Pokeball. Krom thanked Alder, who nodded. "I'll be in Undella planning the next Pokemon League Tournament. Come visit me sometime, and I'll tell you when to be ready." he said. Krom nodded, and Alder walked away.
Krom flung the Pokeball, and a Gible came out, sparkling as he opened his large mouth. Krom blinked at the dragon, and Saria laughed. "He's so cute!" she squealed, picking up the dragon and hugging it. Krom blinked, then shrugged. "You want him?" he asked. She nodded, and hugged the dragon, who sweat dropped. "I'll call him Jaws!' she said, happy. She placed the little dragon down, and he called out. Bonaparte, Sherman, and Pinky came over, looking down at the young dragon. They looked to each other, then nodded. This Pokemon would be the final Sword of Justice, replacing their fallen disciple, Keldeo.
Krom sent all of his Pokemon back to Simba, who smiled at Homika. "Nice to see you without that annoying spell." he said. She grunted. Simba chuckled. "I take you guys are gonna rest here for a while?' Simba inquired, and Krom nodded. "Kyouhei wants to train Pinky, and Pinky is training the Gible. Along with Bonaparte and Sherman, so I'll leave the big guy behind. Saria wants to spend some time with Homika, and get to know her for some reason. I was going to take Warriorf and head to Undella and find Alder." he stated, and Simba nodded. Simba opened his hand and summoned Krom's pole axe. "Here, take this. You might need it." Simba said, chuckling. He turned, waving behind his shoulder before teleporting back to Pinwheel.
Krom had left, and Kyouhei and Saria rested in White Forest with Homika and Benga. It turned out, the Akumu clan descended from Volcarona, making Benga a Halfling of sorts. Kyouhei giggled, playing with a Misdreavus he found. He decided to call her Missy, although Benga insisted that her name was Demona. Pinky walked up to Benga, shaking his head. You must let it go. That fool will never get it through his skull. He said, sighing. Benga turned, walking away chuckling.
Homika sat with Saria, and they chatted happily. "You know, I couldn't sense that you were a Halfling back in Castelia. How could Simba?" Saria asked. Homika shrugged. "Beats me. Guess it's because he's older than you. Although, he's stronger than me, and I'm almost three times his age." she said, shaking her head. Saria hummed in agreement. "So, do you think the legends of the Hitoawa are true? That they're descended from Zekrom?" she asked. Homika shrugged. "I guess. I mean, look at his actions. It might be true, as he's playful like electric Halflings, but noble enough to be a dragon. I guess that'd explain why he's been giving me gifts, as female dragons choose their mates." he said.
Saria hummed. "Although, didn't they say that male dragons attack females they find unattractive?" she asked. Homika nodded. "But they only give gift to females they're attracted to." she said, tilting her head. Saria hummed again. "True. Guess that explains why he gives you gifts." Saria said, and Homika froze.
Krom and Granitwarf walked the mighty Route 14, chuckling. The route was easy to travel, and serene. Krom and Granitwarf looked at the sights and sounds, passing various trainers on the road, defeating any challengers. All was well, and the nearly made it to Undella when they came under attack.