The city of Hearthome screamed in horror when Krom began his raid. He swung his mighty weapon, cleaving the head from a cross bearer. Warriorf growled, slamming a stage that held frightened Halflings into pieces. The Halflings were frozen in place, and Foxy waved her hand, the chains coming free from their flesh. Krom growled, bringing his blade up to parry with a Scyther that attacked. He rammed his hand through the Pokemon's chest, and it cried out. He removed his hand, kicking the corpse away. He swung his blade, a small child losing their head. Krom was angered, and wouldn't stop until they paid.
They left the contest stadium where the auction was held, and the townsfolk screamed. Mahmut charged, barreling down buildings with Castle Face. Twiggy used Leaf Storm, shooting massive blade like leaves about, slicing into buildings and people. Birisu used Shadow ball, launching the ball at airborne Pokemon. Minotauros was angered, using Hammer Arm to defeat an Aggron. The Charizard spun, using Dragon Tail to knock people and Pokemon back. The Stealth Rangers jumped over the dragon's tail, sinking their blades into the unfortunate Pokemon. Kooky laughed, wearing a Munchlax facemask.
Emolga teamed with nibbles, her Thunder Wave stunning and his Dragon Rush finishing. Rufus helped, exploding from the ground and unleashing combos that left their foes lying in the dust. Haxorus, who decided to call himself Gram, after a legendary sword of justice, swung his head about, his axes on cables. The axes spun about, slicing into flesh. He neared a building, spinning and slicing through it, and it tilted. He growled, using Iron Tail to knock the building to the ground. Dj Swamp laughed, using Ice Beam to freeze a Pikachu. Bruce used hi Jump Kick, shattering the mouse. Jack swung his blade, severing a Drifblim in half. Every one of Krom's Pokemon dealt damage to the town, and they enjoyed every minute of it.
Kyouhei had followed, and his Pokemon went to work. Z swung his tail, striking a woman in the side, snapping her in two. Petra bounced about, using Bullet Seed to strike her foes. She rolled around the shattered Pikachu, Shadow Clawing a Pachirisu. She Low Kicked a Machop, Energy Balling it at close range. A Crobat came from behind, but Missy used Psychic, the energy causing the Pokemon to explode. She giggled, using Shadow ball to strike a Scizor, ending it with Inferno. She flew through a Hariyama, spinning with Shadow Ball to strike it. Chantel came from above, using Psychic to defeat the sumo Pokemon.
Chantel used Flamethrower haphazardly, her massive power scorching buildings. Puppy barreled through the town, using Flare Blitz and Wild Charge as he pleased. Handy used his shield, striking a cross bearer with the shield. Using Thunderbolt, he shocked a pair of Cherrim, scorching their flesh. Leonidas jabbed with his spear, tearing into people. He lifted a leg, stomping those who tried to flee. The Oozaru used Blaze Kick, parrying with an Emboar that was there. The boar swung his fist, and the ape blocked. The ape used Low Sweep, sweeping his foe's feet from under him. The boar called out in shock, the Oozaru using Hi Jump Kick to knee him in the back. His spine snapped, and he fell dead.
Rafiki was ruthless. He used the Dark chain, spinning and striking. He wrapped it around the throats of humans, snapping their necks. He used Blaze Kick, knocking back an Arbok before spinning to Fire Punch a Victreebel. He Zen He abutted a Weezing, using Dragon Throw on a Seviper. Jumping back, he looked up at a Steelix, and used Flamethrower. The iron Snake Pokemon grunted, before shaking the attack off. Acheron leapt from above, using Shadow Claw. An Ice Beam came from no where, Acheron freezing the snake. His energy claws struck, and the snake clattered into pieces, having been shattered.
Krom kicked the door to the gym in, seeing the Halflings that froze upon his arrival. He growled, winging his weapon, cutting their chains. They gasped before running free, and Krom stalked deeper into the gym. He cut every Halfling free, and every human down. He kicked a door open, seeing Fantina freeze at the sight of him. He slammed the door shut, and the leader watched him stalk around her. He saw the cross she wore over her bosom, and frowned. "I told you that Halflings are your equals." he said, and she frowned. "No Halfling is my equal!" she called, accent thinner than it was in Ash's time. Krom growled.
He grabbed Fantina by her thin throat, slamming her against a wall. "I don't care what you have to say. Halflings are equal to humans. Infact, they are better. We are all better than you. Each and every one of us." he said, watching her gasp for breath. He dropped her, and she crumbled to the ground coughing. Krom kicked her in the face, and she flew back, slamming into the wall. She looked up at him. "Is this how you treat a woman?" she asked. Krom laughed. "Man. Woman. All I see is the cross." he said, and she frowned. He placed his armored boot on her chest, folding his arms. "Any last words?" he asked. She opened her mouth, but Krom pushed down, snapping her ribcage and crushing her heart. "Sorry. Hail Arceus don't count." he said.
He walked out, seeing the city devastated. Buildings crumbled and burnt, bodies littered the streets. Kyouhei walked up to Krom. "Everyone's in the square waiting for you." he said, and Krom nodded. He walked to the town square, where Halflings of all shapes and sizes looked up at him. He smiled down. "You are free! You no longer live in the region of Sinnoh! My friend Birisu shall take you to someplace safe. I swear it by my blade." he said, turning to the Halflings. He smiled, unable to imagine life for them in Sinnoh. Birisu nodded to Krom, and teleporting the Halflings to Pinwheel. Krom smiled, then turned to see Palkia the Space Maker growling.
Warriorf moved forward, but Krom stopped him. "Don't. She's not here for you." he said, and the dwarf growled. Minotauros walked forward, watching the dragon carefully. Krom watched the minotaur, and the dragon roared, surging forward. Palkia was faster, but Minotauros was sturdier. He used Mega Punch, knocking the dragon back. She growled, using Aura Sphere, launching the pink ball of energy. Minotauros used Protect, then Thunderbolt. The dragon floated to the side, using Water Pulse. Minotauros used Protect, blocking the ball of water.
The dragon screeched, using Aqua Tail, spinning to swing her mighty tail. Minotauros used Thunder and grabbed the tail of the dragon, grunting at the force it was swung at. The electricity struck the dragon, causing to grunt. Minotauros used Thrash, swinging the dragon around recklessly. The dragon called out when she struck the ground, the minotaur having thrown her. She bounced to her feet, growling. She used Flamethrower, the minotaur mimicking. The flames struck, and exploded. Palkia charged through the smoke, striking Minotauros with Dragon Claw. The minotaur grunted, stumbling back, whipping around with Zen Headbutt. The dragon felt her head snap back, and she stumbled back. Minotauros followed up with Mega kick, knocking the dragon into a crumbling building.
Palkia rose from the building, rage clear in her eyes. Her pearl began to glow, and she pulled her hand back. Minotauros saw the Spacial Rend coming, and decided to stop it. He used Sucker Punch, moving at insane speed to knock her back, stopping her attack. He followed up with Ice Punch, knocking her to the ground, her left pearl frozen. She leapt into the air, flying straight toward the minotaur. She used Dragon Pulse, the energy wave striking the minotaur and knocking him back. She used Dragon Claw twice, followed by Dragon Tail, knocking him back. Drago walked forward, growling. Krom chuckled.
"By battling rules, your opponent changes when Dragon Tail hits. Drago, take care of the bitch." Krom said, watching the dragon nod. He surged forward, using Shadow claw to knock her back. He flapped his mighty wings, using Air Cutter to strike the dragon. She called out, and Krom smirked. Drago used Dragon Claw, cutting into her flesh. He saw the frozen pearl, and roared. He used Focus Punch, shattering the pearl, and the arm it was attached to. She cried out, and Drago stepped back. Krom nodded. "Very good. Injured enemies aren't worth your time. Garm, finish her!" he called.
The Haxorus surged forward, striking the dragon with Dragon Tail. She stumbled back, her long neck vulnerable. Garm swung his head, the axes flying from his jaws to slice into the throat of the dragon. He was like a blade, so honor meant nothing to him. Not when he was raised by a cross bearer. She fell, blood pouring from her neck, but still alive. Garm growled, preparing to use Hyper Beam, but Krom stopped him. "Now you see Palkia? Siding with Arceus is bad for you. Hercules and Drago would have easily killed you, as could Garm. Warriorf is itching for the chance to fight you, and even Castle Face wants in on it. If you could do anything before you die, it should be looking over what the region has become since you succumbed to the horse." he said, frowning.
Palkia rose up slowly, her neck healing. She was using Recover, Krom could tell. Her arm grew back with a flash of light, and Krom frowned. She growled, her pearls glowing. She jumped back, launching two Spacial Rends. Krom growled as Hercules used Protect, but grunted at the power of the moves. Krom was angered. He spared her in pity, and hope he could gain another ally, but his hopes were in vain. He twirled his naginata, growling. The barrier protecting them faded, and Krom stepped forward. "You take my pity, and my mercy, and throw it back in my face! How Dare you!" he roared, racing forward. The dragon seemed to scoff, lifting her hand. She would merely swat the boy, and he would be crushed.
Krom leapt over her hand, coming down and cleaving off her arm. She cried out, blood spraying around and coating Krom. He spun his weapon, slicing into her throat. She stumbled back, and Krom rammed his blade through her eye. The blade pierced her brain, and she screamed loudly. Kyouhei watched with open in his eyes, and Simba sensed the battle from afar. Hearthome City shook one final time as Palkia the Space Maker fell dead to the ground.
Krom spat at the dead body, growling as he walked away. He looked to Minotauros. "Something tells me Arceus will make another. Be prepared." he said, and the minotaur nodded. He looked to his Pokemon. "We head east. Any living creature that bears a cross and isn't a Halfling dies. People, Pokemon, I could care not. Spare no one but Halflings. I don't know Sinnoh, but I believe the next place we shall head is Solaceon Town. It holds the Day Care if Simba is correct. Choose whether or not to spare any Pokemon found there. Should you spare it, you are responsible for it. That is all. Let's move!" he called, and the Pokemon roared in agreement. Krom led the way, growling as he sliced a man's throat. Poor man only walked into the vicinity to check the noise out.
Dialga the Time-Keeper looked at the corpse of his mate. He growled, but Arceus scolded him. "Enough. I shall make a new Palkia. A better one." he said, smiling to himself. Dialga growled. "I do not want another! I want my mate back!" he roared, and Arceus frowned. "You don't need a mate. Serving me should be enough." he said. Dialga growled. "Do you really think I care about you? The only reason I'm still on your side is to get that Halfling!" he screamed, diamond glowing. Arceus' eyes started to glow. Dialga growled, and Uxie appeared. "Enough! That Halfling is heading to Solaceon. What do we do?" she asked. Arceus hummed. "Take Manaphy, Shaymin and your siblings and stop them." he said. Uxie paled, but nodded.
Krom walked the route heading to Solaceon, and frowned at the peace. He saw no Halflings, or even people. Sinnoh seemed to be a peaceful place without crosses everywhere. Krom decided to leave this route alone, and watch for any foes. Instead, five legendary Pokemon appeared. Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf appeared with Shaymin and Manaphy. The five micro legendaries appeared ready for a fight, but Krom scoffed. Petra, Missy, Rufus, Nibbles and The Larvitar like Tepig walked up, each unleashing their own form of battle cry. Krom smiled, sitting in the grass. All of the other Pokemon rested as well. "Go for it little guys!" he called, and the two warring factions surged forth.