It's been several days since the hospital incident; no Poke-ghost attacks, much to the relief of the Kiryu brothers as they relaxed at the church. Hikari was in the living room playing video games on the couch; sat between Panty and Stocking, who watched his gameplay. The game was an action-RPG, with Hikari controlling a Haxorus leading a team of five other 'mon. His squad was in the heat of a boss battle with their rivals, overseen by the main villain. Hikari mowed through minions as he made a beeline towards his Hydreigon counterpart, striking it down with a critical hit.
"Boo-yah! How do you like them apples, puppet-hands?" Hikari whooped as his in-game character let out a primal roar.
"Gee, Hikari. I never took you for a gamer. I figured you'd be too busy pumping iron to mash buttons like Stocking over here." Panty commented, laying on her stomach as she munched some plantain chips. As the more outgoing sister, Panty never found the appeal of video games. Sure, she can lounge on the couch for a TV show or a movie. But she's too busy partying and scoring dudes to commit to virtual entertainment.
Stocking rolled her eyes at Panty's disregard for the medium. As the goth often found video games to be an excellent method of letting off steam. "At least video games last longer than three seconds, slut. I for one enjoy immersing myself in a world where I can do whatever the hell I want."
"Stocking's right! After a long day of fighting, I need something to sit down and enjoy. Even if it means more of the same, at least I get a breather." Hikari added, eyes glued to the television as he switched to another party member; a Scizor, and performed an ultimate attack: The Scizor surged with power, its claws sharpened and quadrupled in size before eviscerating his opponent.
Panty waved off the two, taking a swig of her Dr. Pepper. "Urp! Whatever. You guys can enjoy your nerd shit. I'm only here because I'm bored as fuck and my hook-up's at 6:30."
Stocking snickered. "Is it that salaryman from last week? For a guy who toils away at a desk, he has the stamina to fuck your brains out. Must be all the coffee…"
"Hell no! After we porked, he cried about how his boss always keeps him late and that means he doesn't get to see his family. And I was like 'bitch, I ain't your therapist!' and kicked him out before he could get more snot and tears on my bed sheets."
"Like your bed's not already encrusted with gallons of hunk spunk. As a matter of fact, you never do the laundry! God, your whore den must reek!"
"For the record, I do wash my sheets because no sane guy wants to lose their virginity under a rancid blanket!"
"Even so, the rest of your room is a junkyard! Glad to see you got your priorities straight." Stocking said as she noshed on some Oreos, eating three at a time like the ravenous hog she is.
"Hey, don't change the subject! I gotta keep my appearance if I want to land a hot piece of ass. Speaking of which, I got a date with a fashion model!"
"What? Was he too nervous to go on the catwalk and needed some post-nut clarity, but was 'too good' for the janitor's closet?" Hikari joked, having eavesdropped on the conversation.
Panty chuckled at Hikari's sudden comment. "Hah! But I get paid the big bucks. I might even get invited to an afterparty when I fuck him dry–Oh shit, here comes the Dr. Evil!" Panty hollered at the television as Hikari managed to get the game's villain; an armored warlord, to step down and face his party.
"Man, he's fucking pissed. Ya got enough recovery items, Hikari? He's got skills that'll wipe out your squad!" Stocking said.
"I already got a strategy to beat his ass!" Hikari reassured the goth. But as Hikari's party was readying themselves for what seemed to be the final fight, the main villain ended up merely taunting Hikari before exiting the cavern. "Oh come on!" Hikari threw down his controller. "I hate it when villains are cockteases! They have the power to turn the heroes to dust but instead of finishing them off, but they fuck off! It's like they want their plans to be foiled! At least give me a proper fight first, you blue baller!"
As Hikari ranted and raved, Teruo came out from the kitchen carrying glasses of water. "Oh Hikari, you always take games so seriously. Have some water, it'll cool ya down." He suggested as he set the glasses on the coffee table.
Hikari immediately took the glass of water and took a long sip. He sighed. "Thanks man. Sometimes I can't help but be immersed in a game's world. The music, the action, the story, the characters! They all mesh together to create an unforgettable experience."
"I get what you mean. For me, it's when I'm reading a book and the author somehow captures your imagination just right. In any case, that's a sign of the creator's passion."
"Mmhm. But I still want to blow off some steam! And my muscles have stopped feeling sore." Hikari flexed his arm, rhythmically clutching his fist. He gave Teruo a smug look. "Ya thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Lemme guess, you want to head to Volcano Valley and finally take on the old man?"
"Bingo! We'll show Krateros that we've mastered the powers of Reshiram and Zekrom! It's too late for Vulcan to take us, he's busy with other things. Are you girls willing to take us there?"
"Eh, I'm too lazy today for a road trip." Panty groaned, absentmindedly swinging her arm from the couch.
"And isn't the gym at the summit? You don't expect us to hike the rest of the way, do you?" Stocking wondered.
"There's a cable car that takes ya there, so we should be alright." Teruo answered. "But if you insist on being couch potatoes, then we'll just take a train. Though, I'm concerned about navigating Daten's train network. From what I've heard from gym-goers, ya gotta take the Daten Line, then the Midori Line, and finally the Pyro Line. All that takes several hours and it might already be dark by the time we get there!"
"We can still make it if we skedaddle! Lemme just save my game and we'll get goin'!" Hikari stated. Once the in-game cutscene of Hikari's party pursuing the villain ended, the save screen popped up. "I'll deal with you later, Lord Cyrus." Hikari sneered, saving his progress and returning to the main menu. "Aight, let's go!" He hopped off the couch. "We'll be back soon, ladies. Don't make a ruckus while we're gone!"
"No promises. Have fun with your little shindig." Stocking said, eating her cookies. Panty and Stocking loafed around, their eyes following the Kiryu brothers as they entered the elevator. The doors closed, the Axews now off on their voyage to slay a dragon. "Yo Panty, wanna see me fuck around in Hikari's game? There's an empty save file." Stocking picked up the controller, shifting her body for peak gamer performance.
Panty shrugged. "Knock yourself out, Stocking. It's not like I got much to do. Just don't get crumbs all over his controller."
The gamer goth smirked. "He'd probably be into that. But enough about Hikari's hopeless crush on me, let's quest!" Stocking created her save file, embarking on a virtual Poke-adventure…
While the girls were gaming, Hikari and Teruo navigated Daten City's subway station and took the train to Oten City. From there, they took the Midori Line to the woodsy Moriko Village. Being secluded from the concrete jungles, the station was quaint. It only consisted of a few platforms, several benches, and the main building which also sold amenities. The brothers hopped off the train and were about to head towards the Pyro Line when they spotted a familiar face.
Hikari nudged his brother. "Teruo, look! Is that who I think it is?"
"Huh?" Teruo looked at the boy, whose eye-covering ginger hair was a dead giveaway. "Holy moly, it's Brief! Poor guy, he never made his way home after we ditched him the other night…"
"He doesn't look too good, either…" Hikari and Teruo approached Brief. Upon closer inspection, his hair was matted and had twigs and leaves sticking out. His green jumpsuit had scratches and tears; presumably from branches and wild animals. If that weren't enough, his PKE Meter was all busted. This boy has seen better days. He turned around and couldn't help but smile at the fact that after all the turmoil he went through there was still hope.
"H-Hikari!? Teruo!? I never thought I'd see you guys again!" Brief exclaimed as he hobbled to the brothers. "W-What brings you to these parts, anyway?"
"Hikari and I are just on our way to Volcano Valley so we can use the gym. Basically we're on a regimen and are finally ready to face the final exam: Challenging the gym master." Teruo explained.
"Wowzers! That must've been how you slain those ghosts back at the hospital! Are the girls sending you there? I know they would've loved to watch you pass their test and prove that you're more than apprentices! But I know how busy they can get…"
"Oh yeah, they're practically swamped with duties." Hikari sassed, rolling his eyes. "But back to the subject at-hand, you look like you've come out of a bad camping trip!"
"Well you see… After you guys left me at the hospital, I had nowhere to go as the nearest village was 20 miles away! I would've taken a train but I used all my money to get there and hoped that the girls would bring me home."
"And therefore you had no choice but to fend for yourself. You're lucky to have even found this station." Teruo said.
"You're telling me! I stumbled upon this site last night and hunkered down until you guys showed up. To be frank, I wasn't sure if I would even last another day. Do I look like I know how to forage for berries?! I'm a social recluse with little to live for!" GROOOAAAN! Brief clutched his aching stomach. "Oogh… So that means I haven't had a bite to eat in several days…"
"Is that so? Gimmie a minute." Hikari went over to the concession stand; ran by an elderly woman.
"Hello dear, how can I help you?" The woman asked.
"Yeah uh… Can I get three ekiben please? Torikatsu for me, spicy beef for my brother, and…" Hikari turned to Brief. "Yo, Geek Boy! What do you usually get?"
"I-I dunno! I'm so hungry I could eat a herd of horses!" The boy stammered.
Hikari turned back to the woman. "And a meat-lover's for our friend."
"Sure! Anything you'd like to drink?"
"Hm… Two green teas and a bottle of water–Oh! May I also have green daifuku, as well?"
"My, my! Would that be all?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Okay, I'll get everything ready. Your total is $50."
"Righty-o!" Hikari reached into his satchel and pulled out the money, setting it on the counter. Not before long, Hikari returned with everyone's lunches. "Bon Appetit, Briefers! And a sweet little bonus from me."
Brief hesitantly accepted Hikari's generous gift. "G-Gee, ya didn't have to do that for lil' ol' me! I could've been fine with just a bag of chips."
"Oh nonsense! A ghost hunter needs to keep up his strength, and what's better to fuel your ghostbusting than a boatload of protein?" Hikari smiled.
"H-Heh. I wish I was a ghost hunter, but the get-up's all for show. I'm just a loser who's fascinated with the supernatural, that's all!"
"Don't sell yourself short, Brief. That PKE meter's the real deal. In fact, if you brought it to Richard he can make it good-as-new!" Teruo said.
"The Raichu? I guess I can do that…" Brief pondered as he nibbled on his daifuku. "But I still don't have a train ticket!"
"No problemo, 'cause I got the solution right here!" Hikari pulled out another wad of cash, handing it to the awkward ginger. "Get yourself tickets to the Midori and Daten Lines. The train should be coming back in about an hour or so, but once you hop aboard it will be smooth sailing."
"And make sure to get a railway map so you don't lose yourself in the busy crowds!" Teruo added.
Brief's face turned cherry-red. For once in his miserable life, he was shown basic decency. "W-Wow! I don't know what to say!"
"Just take the money and get yourself back to civilization. Your mom must be worried sick about you."
"If you say so! I'll get right to it once I finish eating." Brief said. He sat on a bench and started devouring his lunch. The combination of the juicy meats and the savory yakisoba sent him on a ride. "Mmh!~ Thank you very much! Good luck with your final!" Brief cheered; his mouth full of food.
"Ay, just doing what I do best! You have a safe trip, as well!" Hikari replied.
CHOOOO-CHOOOO!
"Oh shit, that must be our train! C'mon, Teruo!" Hikari and Teruo went to the other side of the station, carrying their lunches.
"Since when have you been stacked with cash? I know those exhibition matches pay well, but they're not that lucrative!" Teruo inquired.
"To simply put it, I decided to peek into Panty's room and steal a couple hundred from her drawer." Hikari nonchalantly answered.
"You WHAT!?" Teruo was shocked by his sibling's blatant thievery.
"It's not like she was gonna notice! Two hundred's chump change for a whore like her! Not my fault the bitch sleeps like a log."
"Do you realize you would have sent your heart into darkness?! Remember when Kenta stole thousands of dollars the other night? I can't fight the shadows if my big bro's a ghost!"
"You're acting like I stole money from an orphanage! It's not like I used it to buy drugs. I helped Brief by taking money from a hooker who repeatedly abandoned him. If we had things your way, he would've been eaten by timber wolves." Hikari argued.
"Hmph." Teruo scoffed, facing away from Hikari. "I guess you have a point. But you're lucky we ran into the boy, so I'll let it slide onlybecause you saved his life."
"I knew you'd understand. From now on, just call me Robin Hood!"
"Yeah, no. You're just my rambunctious big brother, Hikari."
"Suit yourself! Right now, we're off to Volcano Valley!" Hikari and Teruo approached their train and hopped aboard. The locomotive soon left the station and chugged along the tracks, zipping out of the dense woods and heading into the lush, green valleys where the volcano towered above all else. Hikari and Teruo took the chance to eat their lunch, Arceus knows they're gonna need the energy as they reach their destination…
After they arrived at the volcanic station, the Axews took a cable car to the summit. Upon stepping outside, volcanic rock replaced the lush greenery. The gym could be seen up ahead, but before it lay an ancient town; abandoned eons ago. Curiously enough, it was new to the Kiryus as when they always took a Charizard to the top, they overlooked their surroundings. Hikari and Teruo walked along the obsidian pathways through the rows of gabbro adobes. They continued their ascent, walking through a pair of obsidian obelisks bearing the omega symbol as they eventually arrived at the entrance to the temple of fitness. They felt an immense power emanating from within, though that could be the pressure setting in.
"Welp, here we are. Our final destination." Hikari sighed.
"A-Are you sure you want to do this, Hikari? We can always train a little more so that we're more prepared! We don't want to rush things, ya know?" Teruo suggested, clearly shuddering from nervousness.
"Teruo, the fate of the city lies in our hands. We must prove to Krateros; more importantly ourselves, that we are capable of going toe-to-toe with Tetsuya and his goons. If we beat Krateros, then we're ready to save Daten City from the clutches of darkness! There is no time to waste. It's now or never!" Hikari put a hand on Teruo's shoulder. "Take a few deep breaths. Know that I'm right by your side. Most importantly, think to yourself 'I can do this.' You said it yourself that a cool head wins the battle." Teruo gulped and took deep breaths, slowly exhaling with each cycle. "Okay, now shake off those heebie-jeebies!" Teruo vigorously shook his hands and body for a bit.
"Hoo yeah! I'm feeling much better!" Teruo sighed. "Thank you so much, Hik."
"No problem, it's what big brothers do! Now let's march inside and show that Kommo-o what for!"
"Right!" And so, the Axews walked through the engraved entrance, heading right into the dragon's den…
The gymnasium was busy as usual. Some folks were doing bodyweight exercises with a Blaziken instructor, while others tested their endurance on cardio machines. Athletes gathered at the gym cafe, chatting up a storm while chugging protein shakes. Cynthia was taking a break from weights to do aerobics as to no one's surprise: The Machokes were hogging the plates.
"Where do you suppose the old man is at this hour? I could've sworn these are his rest days…" Teruo wondered.
"When you're as mighty as Krateros, everyday's a work day. So if I had to guess, he's making the rounds to make sure his temple is in tip-top shape." Hikari answered. The brothers came across a gated, cavernous entrance embroidered with a dragon's skull: It was the Dragon's Den, a section of the gym where only the most powerful of 'mon; dragon-types, could hone their skills. "Betcha fifty bucks he's in there."
"Let's not swindle anyone else, Hikari." Teruo said, stepping onto the engraved tile. Sensing their energy signatures, the stone doors opened to allow the Axews to advance.
Rather than being a typical workout section, the Dragon's Den was an actual cavern, with glow stones being the only illumination as the brothers traversed the tunnel before reaching the main area; which itself split into different paths. Here, a Garchomp slashed at a stalagmite while a Noivern practiced its sound attacks by decimating nearby stones. "Oh man, it's gonna take us all day to find Krateros!" Hikari protested. He looked around and spotted the Garchomp. "Hey, let's ask that guy!"
"Just be careful we don't get slashed into bits." Teruo suggested. They approached the landshark. "Excuse me, sir?"
Having his concentration broken, the Garchomp was startled. "Hrgh–Wuzzah?" He then looked down at the Axews. "Don't you know it's rude to drag someone out of 'The Zone'? What do you squirts want?" He grumbled.
"Oh we're sorry! We just want to know if you've seen Krateros pass by here, perchance." Hikari asked.
"Hrm… I believe I saw him go through the middle tunnel with a Salamence. You could try going over there. Just leave me alone, I'm trying to sharpen my claws."
"R-Right! Thank you, and good luck on your routine!" Hikari farewelled as he and Teruo headed down the tunnel.
"Next time you interrupt someone, you won't be so lucky!" Garchomp yelled.
As the brothers spelunked, the tunnel got increasingly warmer. "Gee, who turned up the thermostat?" Hikari said, wiping off sweat.
"It's geothermal energy. We must be getting deep into the volcano. Good thing I'm used to fire!" Teruo smirked.
"At least the electric section had air conditioning…" Hikari sighed as they eventually reached the room on the other side. Unlike the other grotto, the rocks were darker in color and bore volcanic, glowing crystals. And lo and behold, the gorilla-armed headmaster was there; instructing a Salamence on her fire attacks.
"Now what you must do is use your innate ferocity to summon a blaze that ravages all in its wake. If you hold back even slightly, your opponent will see an opening and take advantage of that weakness." Krateros explained to the other dragon.
"I told you before, I only want to make a bonfire. My children need warmth because you know how cold it gets in the mountains, especially at night. There were times that I had to wrap my wings around my babies so they wouldn't succumb to hypothermia." Salamence explained.
"Nevertheless, you must control those flames. It's essential to tame your ferocity and use it as a tool. If you don't intend to use fire for combat, then train for your offspring. They'll be proud of a mother who'll protect them at all costs." Krateros took a log he had carried over and tossed it towards Salamence. "Go ahead. Show me what you can do."
The Salamence huffed and puffed as she worked up a flame. She tilted her head back, flapping her wings to aid her in showing restraint. FWOOM! With one final push, Salamence spat out a burst of flame! The log was lit, yet still intact. "Oh man, that took a lot outta me."
The elder dragon smirked and nodded. "Excellent work. Now keep practicing even if your body gives out. A dragon's body is resilient!" He grabbed the rest of the wood on his back and flung them, spreading them out across the grotto.
"A-Aye, sir!" Salamence replied. Krateros left her to her own devices when he noticed the Kiryu brothers standing there.
"Well look who decided to show up. It is none other than Hikari and Teruo. What brings you to my sanctum?" Krateros asked, the musclebound beast towering over the siblings.
"We've completed our training and now we're ready to tussle with the big man himself!" Hikari promptly answered, pointing towards the Kommo-o.
"What my brother means to say is our powers have gotten strong enough to the point where we can fend off Poke-ghosts. So we're ready for your final test." Teruo explained.
Krateros leaned forward, stroking his beard and smirked at the brothers. "Is that so? Defeating a ghost is no small feat. I am astonished that you youngsters got a hold of your new powers so quickly." THUD! He slammed his fist to the ground. "But… Are you certain you want to face me? I shackle my strength to no one. Not even rookies such as yourselves. I recommend reconsidering before brazenly–"
"I'm gonna prove myself whether you like it or not, ya old coot! As we speak, Tetsuya and Akihiro are cooking up their evil scheme and if we dilly-dally any more, this land will be swallowed by total darkness! I may still have plenty to learn, but Zekrom's spirit has decided that the time to act is now. I can feel the thunder rolling within my soul and if I can kick your ass, then I sure as hell can kick Tetsuya's!" Hikari shouted in a burst of heroism.
"Hikari…" Teruo muttered, feeling the pressure of Krateros' fierce gaze. He worried about his brother's rash behavior but knew full-well that Reshiram was in agreement, feeling a blaze welling up inside him.
Krateros turned his attention to Teruo. "Do you have any objections, little one?"
"N-No… In fact, it's time I prove myself, too! We are ready to face you, no matter the challenge!" Teruo's answer made Hikari smile.
"Very well. Our arena will be at the innermost part of the volcano. There, we shall perform the sacred ceremony and have our spar."
"Is it behind that door with the 'Omega' symbol on it?" Hikari asked.
Krateros nodded. "Precisely. Follow me and we shall complete your training." The Kommo-o led the Kiryu brothers to the entrance. Its arcane patterns glowed as the stone doors slowly opened to reveal a magma-lit tunnel that leads all the way down to the volcano's core.
"It's time, Teruo. We're gonna rock this thing!" Hikari said, going through.
"Gulp. Here goes nothing. Just remember, Teruo, you're doing this for the sake of Daten City and your big brother…" Teruo braced himself as the three dragons made their way through the tunnel.
Upon reaching the volcanic arena, Hikari and Teruo noticed a cave painting on the far corner. The painting depicted what seemed to be a saurian kaiju spewing flames, causing mass volcanic eruption. Most peculiar of all, its hands bore the sign of Omega. The stage itself was a flat plane, with only raised platforms and stalagmites offering variation. The parameters were surrounded by a moat; supplied by fresh magma in the form of lavafalls. The Axews watched as Krateros removed a large, bronze Carnelian necklace embedded in the rock. Now donning the sacred jewelry, Krateros led his pupils to the center of the arena.
Krateros began his tale. "Eons ago, there was a mighty behemoth who controlled the very earth you walk on. A beast whose blood is molten rock, whose movements changed the landscape of this planet; He who they now call 'Groudon'. Groudon was worshipped by the ancient volcanic people, who built a temple to show reverence. But today, only the temple stands as a testament to the almighty god of land. I breathed new life into this sacred place to reassure Groudon that the warrior spirit persists within man and monster."
"That explains the weird location choice for a gym. Gotta say, it's badass that our workouts are overseen by a god." Hikari observed.
"Correct. You are standing in a power spot where the ancients performed rituals to appease Groudon. And to preserve their traditions, I shall perform the ceremonial dance before we spar. Stand back." Krateros prepared himself by rattling his scales. He pounded his chest. Let the ritual commence!
The Kommo-o took a power stance and released a primal shout, rhythmically swinging his arms and tail. He shouted some more, beating his chest and striking his limbs; clapping in-between. "Oh, almighty Groudon! Lend me your strength 'til the battle is decided!" Krateros cried out. CLANG-CLANG! The jangling of his scales drew in the power of the earth; manifesting itself within his arms as the red scales were branded with a glowing 'Omega'. He finished off the sacred dance by unleashing a mighty…
SLAM!
Surrounding rocks arose from the impact. ROOAAR! "Now, take the carnelian and you will have proven yourselves worthy of fighting the darkness."
Befuddled, Hikari shook his head. "Wait, what!? All that dancing and we simply need to steal your fancy rock? What kinda horse hockey is this!?"
"You fail to see the significance of the carnelian, my boy. It is a symbol of bravery and grants its user the ability to overcome any obstacle. Do you honestly believe I brought you to Groudon's sanctum for a mere jewelry heist!? I will defend this gemstone at all costs! A dragon's life is a dangerous one, and in order to overcome the darkness, one must overcome their own weaknesses! This trial is a testament to our indomitable nature. If you are not up to the task, then you are a failure to our kin!"
"F-Failure!?" Teruo gasped.
Hikari turned to his brother. "Don't listen to him, Teruo! If we were failures, we wouldn't be tussling with Groudon's disciple!" He turned his attention back to Krateros. "We accept your challenge, Lord Krateros. We'll show you what it means to mess with the Kiryu brothers; only then shall you realize our conviction to put a stop to Tetsuya and his cronies, and bring back light to all Pokemon!"
"Then enough talk! Come at me!" Krateros roared, arms wide open and clanging scales. This was it. Is Hikari's heroic desires genuine or was it all bluster?
"Alright, stay back while I see what he's made of." Hikari told Teruo.
"What should I actually do, though? I can't stand here like an idiot!" Teruo said.
"Find a weak point! Krateros specializes in hand-to-hand, so you should be clear to keep your distance."
"Okay! We got this, Hikari!"
"Go forth, my compadre!" Hikari cheered, his brother prowling the arena as he himself encircled the Kommo-o, performing a series of mock charges in an attempt to find an opening. To Hikari, it was clear that his opponent was on their guard and all he needed was a little–What's this!? Krateros relaxed his stance! Hikari took this as the moment to strike, rushing Krateros at full-charge.
"Precipice Blades!" Krateros performed a sudden uppercut, sending forth blades of stone from the ground and towards Hikari. Unfortunately for the Axew, his body didn't stop in time and as a result…
BAM!
Hikari was bludgeoned by the rocks. "Shit! Gaaah, damn it!" He winced, immediately hobbling to the sidelines. "What the hell was that?!"
"The consequences of your bravado. I figured you would go after me at the first opportunity. You whippersnappers are predictable!" Krateros said, pounding his chest.
"I gotta admit… Ya got me good, old man. But your pebbles won't stop me from taking that jewel!" Hikari shouted, getting back on his feet.
"Hikari! Are you alright!?" Teruo worried, watching his brother from a distance.
"I'm fine! Just gotta be a bit more careful, that's all." Hikari replied, shaking his body and wiping off dust. "Ya find any weak spots?"
"No, but I have an idea!" Teruo began spewing fire and ran around Krateros, surrounding the Kommo-o in a wall of flames. "With my hellfire, he won't know what hit 'em!" He said as he launched fireballs around various sections of the wall.
"Amazing, Teruo! Krateros must be stumbling about like a headless chicken! Now's my chance to grab the stone!" Hikari then ran around, waiting for the right fireball to ensure that he'll strike Krateros from behind. FWOOM! That's his call. Hikari ran through the wall of fire and pounced on Krateros' back. There it was, the necklace! "Come to papa!" Hikari was about to unlatch the jewelry when he was suddenly thrown off!
"I'm onto your ruse, foolish child! Ya almost had me for a moment. But your puny flames are no match for me!" Krateros shouted. His fists became surrounded by earthly energy as he struck the ground, sending out shockwaves which petered out the fire and disrupted the brothers.
Despite his crash-landing, Hikari got back on his feet. "Well then, if I can't get up close and personal, then I'm going to have to seize victory from afar! But first…" Hikari jogged in place to build up a charge. Wasn't long before he reached a Raichu's pace as he then launched a series of electro balls; each from various directions.
ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!
However, Krateros called forth magma geysers, blocking Hikari's assault. "Have you already forgotten that you're facing Groudon?! Electricity is useless against me!"
"Huh. I never realized you two had a serious commitment, I figured you were just an earth-bender. And if my electricity is useless, then why'd ya block my attacks? Can't be because you're scared of our power, right?" Hikari witted.
"Nonsense! I've dedicated my entire life to strength and self-discipline, facing powerful opponents so I can fend off souls who seek to destroy Groudon's sanctum! If I must lead a fulfilling life, I must be as resilient as the earth itself!"
"And let me guess, you took us under your wing because our quest to save Daten City reminded you of that? Getting strong to protect the ones you hold near and dear?" Teruo said.
"Correct. But do not distract me with blabber, we're in the middle of a fight!" Krateros clattered his scales once again, unleashing yet another primal shout.
JYA-RA-RA-ROAAAAAR!
Powerful soundwaves penetrated the brothers. "Agh, fuck! My ears!" Hikari exclaimed, almost paralyzed by the noise. Once it died down, Hikari decided to meet with his sibling, who was just recovering from the attack. "This codger's a tough nut to crack! But I think I know how to bust him wide open." He whispered.
"Lay it on me…" Teruo replied, shaking off his injury.
"You see those rocks?"
"Yeah, there's tons of them. What of it?"
"I say we pester the everloving fuck out Krateros by pelting him with rocks! Sure, he's a stoic brickhouse but no one likes having pebbles thrown at them. The sensory overload is bound to drive the old man up a wall! We'll then use that as our chance to grab the carnelian!"
"Are you sure that's gonna work? Plus, isn't this a test about honor? Where's the honor in tossing stones at your opponent?"
"Listen, if Krateros is willing to do anything to defend his stone, then we have the right to do everything in our power to take the prize! Plus, we have short arms, so we'll have to use our powers. That technically makes us worthy, right?"
Teruo sighed. "Okay, I'll see what I can do. Let's tear down Krateros' wall!"
"I knew you'd understand! Alright. 1, 2, 3… Break!"
Hikari and Teruo split once again, with Teruo heading towards the circle of rocks and pebbles. A particularly large stone caught his attention. "Oh, this could work! Now how would I launch this?" He inspected the stone, then looked at his hand. Out of curiosity, he snapped his fingers; causing a spark. "Wait a minute! That's it!" Teruo turned his attention back to the rock and concentrated his power to his fingers, squeezing his thumb and middle finger until the pressure caused a burst which rocketed the stone towards Krateros, striking him square in the face. "Hahaha! Ya see that shit, Hikari?"
"I certainly did! Keep it up, dude!" Hikari cheered back.
Teruo kept shooting rocks at his opponent; even firing multiple stones in one shot. Krateros attempted to retain his defensive stance as he was assaulted by the rocky hail. But with each pebble, it became harder to keep cool. But after a rock struck his chin, the dam finally broke!
RAAAARGH!
Krateros bellowed. "Enough of your filthy tactics! Let me teach you a lesson, whippersnappers! C'mere!" The Kommo-o started barreling towards Teruo, his right arm primed for an uppercut; glowing brighter than ever before.
"Oh crap, crap, craaaap!" Teruo exclaimed, gazing at the raging dragon. His body locked up like a deer in the headlights.
"Not if I have anything to say about it! And I do!" Hikari yelled as he sprinted towards Krateros. Thanks to residual electricity, he was able to rapidly climb the elevated rocks and launched himself towards his target, digging into Kommo-o with a Dragon Claw.
"Graaah!" Krateros braced himself, but due to his momentum he lost his balance; ultimately tumbling out of Teruo's way and crashing onto the hard, rocky surface.
"Never, ever mess with my little brother!" Hikari snarled before checking in on Teruo. "You good, bro?"
Still terrified, it took Teruo a while to catch his breath. "I… I think so. I'm in one piece, thank Arceus!"
"Man, I had you nearly killed!"
"Hey, don't fret about it too much. Thanks to you, I learned something new." Teruo faintly smiled, demonstrating his sparkling snaps.
"Okay, that's rad. But the battle ain't over yet!" Hikari insisted as he and Teruo watched Krateros heave his hulking body back up, attaining visible scrapes. His muscles were tensed up and there was fiery fury in his eye.
"I never expected to be pushed to my limits, but you have forced my hand." Krateros snarled before crying to the ceiling "Groudon! Allow me to sacrifice your gift for my ultimate attack! The final gambit that shall put an end to this!" He raised his burly arms as he shook his body once again.
CLANG-CLANGA-CLANG!
The Kommo-o's scales rattled like none before, glowing ruby-red and surging with power! Krateros then took his stance and began his haka.
"Uh, Hikari!? We pissed him off, big time!" Teruo gulped, staying close to his brother.
"Big time? More like this is our big chance! Just get ready to book it to the nearest hiding spot!" Hikari exclaimed, the brothers bracing themselves for whatever barrage the old man was about to unleash.
"Secret martial arts: Clangorous Soulblaze!" Krateros slammed his fists together and launched into the air. His body concentrated the power of the earth deity before letting loose a barrage of mighty soundwaves!
JYA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA!
"Now!" Hikari shouted, using his strength to carry Teruo as he ran across the arena. The shockwaves were so intense that it caused an earthquake, sending rocks and stalactites crashing down on the brothers. Luckily, Hikari was nimble enough to dodge them, even with Teruo on his back.
"I won't let you get away!" Krateros roared and unleashed another shockwave, this time directly at the brothers.
"Fuck! Get ready, Teruo!" Hikari tossed his younger sibling out of harm's way as he himself tried to sidestep, but was caught in the attack.
"Hikari!" Teruo shouted.
At long last, Krateros ran out of steam and took rest back on solid ground. And like he anticipated, the 'Omega' on his scales were gone, signifying the loss of his elemental attribute. Meanwhile Hikari laid on his stomach, shaken by the attack. "Urgh… Talk about overkill…" He groaned.
"Oh my goodness, you're alive!" Teruo exclaimed, running over to Hikari.
"I dodged a little too late. Who knew sound waves could kick your ass?" Hikari slowly stood up, rubbing his head. "How's the old man?"
"Looks like he's still taking a breather. And his weird aura is gone!"
Hikari smirked. "Now's our chance to strike!"
"What are you gonna do?"
"I'll show ya. Now, onward!" Hikari cheered, leading Teruo to Krateros, who was astounded by their miraculous recovery.
"Y-You! But how!?" Krateros shouted.
Hikari lunged towards the Kommo-o, front-flipping and striking him with an electrically-charged tail. "Electro-Tail!" With the ground-typing out of the picture, Hikari landed a successful hit! Krateros tried moving his muscles, but he was paralyzed by electricity. It was then that Hikari ran out of juice and was forced to kneel, trying to recuperate. He quickly turned to his brother and shouted, "Teruo, grab the gem!"
"Already on it!" Teruo scampered over to his opponent and—yoink! He plucked the carnelian necklace. Victory was finally theirs! "Ahahaha! Yes! We did it, Hikari! Are you catching this? I, the cowardly lion, has finally got the heart of bravery!" He whooped, dangling the necklace in the air.
A smile curled on Kratero's face. "Heh… Hahah… BWAHAHAHAHA!" The old man started guffawing as he shook off his status condition, giving Teruo a celebratory slap on the back. "Well done, my boy! You have proven yourself to be capable of overcoming anything; much as a dragon should! Now, go forth and let my sacred stone pave the way to defeat the darkness, and let light shine once again."
"W-Wh… Oh yeah, we'll do our best, sir! But I wouldn't have done it without Hikari." Teruo answered, initially weirded out by the old man's feat.
"Teamwork makes the dream work!" Hikari quipped, giving them a thumbs-up.
"You alright, dude?"
"Yeah, just gimme a sec. Supercharging my body took a lot out of me."
"Why not recharge at the cafe? We offer a variety of energy-rich delicacies that will leave you stronger than an ox! It's complimentary with the lifetime membership." Krateros suggested.
"Hold on." Hikari perked up, getting right back on his feet. "Are you saying that we have unlimited access to the gym even now that our training is over?"
Krateros nodded. "Think of it as a gift for your labor.
"Oh hell yeah! After we defeat Tetsuya, I vow to continue my training in the Temple of Power! I'm gonna be fuckin' ripped!" Hikari chuckled, flexing his biceps.
"I appreciate the offer, but personally I'm doing this to help my brother. Now that this is over, I can go back to where my heart truly lies: cooking." Teruo said.
"Despite your differences, you worked together to overcome the odds. May you have the best of luck in your journey, wherever it takes you." Krateros commended before facing Hikari. "And Hikari, I'll be seeing you soon. If you ever wish to challenge me again, I will be ready and willing to face you one-on-one. No gemstone nonsense, I promise. It will be a test of endurance!"
"Awesome! I'll give it my all!" Hikari said.
"Although I'm curious about something… You didn't take the chance to grab my carnelian when you struck me down. You could have easily taken advantage of my vulnerable state and ended the battle right then and there. But why did you give me the chance to use my ultimate attack, knowing it could've wiped you out?"
"The answer's pretty simple: It wouldn't be fun if I kicked an old man while he was down. Plus, I was curious if you were truly Vulcan's master, since you gave him a run for his money."
Krateros smiled. "Hmph. Figured that an honorable soul would be the hero of this land." He got on all-fours and kneeled. "Allow me to bring you back to the surface. Hop on, young ones." The Kiryu brothers mounted the beefy dragon, who led them out of the arena, out the winding cavern, and into the main gymnasium.
Back at the gym, Hikari and Teruo visited the cafe and shared a fruit bowl, with Hikari having a protein shake to give his muscles much-needed fuel. They noticed the engravings on the walls and pillars glowing a bright orange as a result of magma flow; presumably brought upon by their tussle with Krateros. When it was time to leave, the brothers were met with gym goers who were fascinated by their feat of strength; given that the Kiryus were one of the few individuals to face Krateros and be victorious. Once the Axews went outside, they found out that their battle resulted in an eruption as streams of lava flowed down the mountain, illuminating the evening sky. Fortunately, the volcanic activity didn't warrant any concerns. But what they didn't expect was a visit from Vulcan!
"Hey little dudes!" The Charizard said.
"Vulcan? What the heck are you doing here?" Hikari asked.
"I was just minding my own business when I noticed that Mt. Akuma was having a little episode. That could only mean one thing: Someone's had a taste of my master's power! That wouldn't be you guys, by any chance?"
"Heh. Take a gander at this!" Teruo reached into his satchel and pulled out the coveted carnelian necklace.
Vulcan stood back in amazement. "You're pulling my leg! You faced Krateros and actually won!?"
Hikari smugly nodded. "Eeyup! His regiment was so good, we kicked his tail in no time flat! Though, he's a powerhouse, I'll tell ya what. It took skill and plenty of stamina to nab the freaking jewel."
"We managed to piss him off, and in his rage he used his ultimate attack! That's why I'm surprised he was a good sport about the whole ordeal." Teruo said.
Vulcan laughed. "That's Krateros for ya! He might be an old man dedicated to his mission, but he's happy to see pupils unlock their true potential both as a fighter and an individual. Tell ya what, how about I give you two a ride back home? You guys must be exhausted!"
"Oh man, that would be great! We appreciate it!"
"It's the least I can do for Daten's champs-in-the-making! Now let's get back to the concrete jungle."
"Awright!" Hikari exclaimed and he and Teruo mounted yet another dragon. Vulcan shimmied before he took to the skies, cruising back to their hometown.
Back in Daten City…
After the Kiryus were dropped off, they found themselves passing through the New Orlando district; an area known as 'the Cultural Crockpot' with the city's top chefs and musicians residing. Instead of the hustle and bustle of the city's afternoon rush, there was a serene vibe. Sure, there were plenty of pedestrians, but the nightlife made its home within the restaurants, bakeries, and street corners. The brothers strolled down an avenue, reflecting on their successful trial.
"Man, I still can't believe we pulled it off! Fighting Krateros was like punching a brick wall. And you must've seen how he barreled towards me like a freight train. I thought I'd be red paste!" Teruo commented.
"Makes ya question how long a dragon's 'prime' is. Human strength peaks at, like what, 25? Meanwhile the old man is 472 and causing eruptions like it's your average Tuesday! Makes me glad that we're dragons, honestly. Imagine how strong I'll be when I reach my 400s. I already have the power of Zekrom, so by then I'll be a god of thunder." Hikari said.
"Do you think angels last that long? I know they're the messengers of the gods, but do they even have a lifespan and just stay eternally young? For all we know, the Anarchy sisters could be thousands of years old!"
"Talk about foxy grandmas!" Hikari chuckled. "But enough about existentialism, I'm proud of you for having guts. You may not be a gym rat like your big bro, but showed that you can pull yourself together when push comes to shove. You're a whiz at long-range shots!"
"Aw, it's nothing, really! I only got so good because you inspired me. Heck, even with the angels, I had doubts about our success. That Tetsuya would've used his infinite power to crush us when we least expected it. You've seen what he's done to Daten City! Thanks to you and your heroic spirit, we might still be outmatched, but at least now we have a fighting chance at saving the city."
"Aw, Teruo…" Hikari pulled his brother close. "You're the one who taught me that I can't charge my way into every solution. If a combatant wants victory, then they gotta watch their opponent's movements and strike at the right moment!"
"Wow… I guess we compliment each other more than we like to admit."
"As siblings, we'll always have our differences, but also love and support each other through thick and thin." Hikari gave Teruo a noogie. But as they walked down the street, they spotted a familiar angel. "Wait, that's Pit! Did Palutena extend his bedtime?"
"Only one way to find out." Hikari and Teruo ran over to the angel boy, who was carrying a rectangular, metallic case on his back.
Pit's wings fluttered when he spotted his reptilian allies. "Oh! What's up, guys? It's been a hot minute! Man, you're looking beefy, Hikari! Have you been working out?"
"Let's just say that we've mastered the powers of the Tao dragons. We were just returning from a long day at the gym. There, we conquered the headmaster!" Hikari bragged, polishing his sparkling bicep.
"Woaaah! Zeus and Pyrrhon would be so proud! That reminds me, I should show you around Skyworld! We got great food, combat facilities, and I can even take you to the goddess of light herself!"
"That sounds all fine and dandy, we would love to visit another world someday. But what's in the box?" Teruo inquired.
"Huh?" Confused for a second, Pit looked back at his case. "Oh! Right! This thingy! I was just picking up this new set of armor from a local blacksmith. Long ago, my first set of armor was destroyed along with the other Sacred Treasures. So Palutena decided that now was the time to rebuild it from scratch, starting with the Mirror Shield and its armor."
"Sacred Treasures? Explains the fancy chest. But why come all the way here? Doesn't Skyworld have its own armory?"
"Well, if I'm gonna be honest…" Pit kneeled down, covering his voice to let only the brothers listen. "I'm using this as an excuse to explore Daten City. Otherwise, Palutena would keep me on a leash and keep me from enjoying all the delicious food this place has to offer! I heard there was a place called 'Gustav's' and they have the best quadruple-layer tiramisu. It's a paradigm of decadence with its rivers of vanilla icing, its stacks of Boston creme eclairs, not to mention its creamy center. It's a match made in the heavens!"
"Ah, classic teenage rebellion. Don't worry, your secret's safe with us." Hikari smirked. "And that's funny, Stocking also has a thing for sugary delights. Perhaps you and her can bond over which ice cream brand is superior."
"Oh that's easy! Edy's blesses my tastebuds with its creamy textures. Oh, what I'd do to chug cartons of the stuff!" Pit swooned. "Heh. I should be thankful that my adventures keep me active. If I ever stopped, I'd need a new pair of pants every week!" He joked.
"Haha, I can imagine the same goes for the angel sisters. But yeah, enjoy the night while you can! This might be your only taste of independence for a while."
"I'm planning to get something for Palutena, though. She's the one who helped me discover my true purpose in life: And that's to help humanity while keeping evil at bay! How could I not repay her?"
"That's completely fair. Waitaminute, is that–" Teruo pointed at the sweet shop across the street. The sign was in the shape of a cupcake and it read 'Gustav's Bakery'.
"Speak of the devil's food cake!" Hikari exclaimed. "We gotta see what's inside. Who knows? Maybe it lives up to the hy–."
"Oh sweet baby corn, I found the motherlode!" Pit rushed over to the bakery, ignoring the red crossing light; nearly causing a collision.
"Good grief. I don't know who's more excitable, you or Pit." Teruo commented, pinching his own face.
"I'm more shocked that he dodged those vehicles. A speedy lil' fella, he is!" Hikari said. "Anywho, let's see what the hubbub is all about." Hikari and Teruo then followed Pit into the bakery.
The boys stepped into a storybook as the interior was reminiscent of old German architecture. They were met with a display of extravagant desserts; from six-layer cakes to artsy pies to decadent danishes. To top it off, the bakery had a prevalent gingerbread aroma. Across the counter were chefs putting their heart and soul into their craft. Hikari couldn't help but be mesmerized by their techniques. It was then when a Slurpuff in a fancy chef outfit approached the new visitors.
"Ah! Velcome to my Parlor of Pastries! I take zat you were enticed by the sweet, sweet aroma of freshly-baked goodies, yes? Allow me to introduce myself: I am Gustav. I master all things saccharine and scrumptious!" The Slurpuff welcomed his patrons.
"I'll say! Everything there just looks so… Yummy! I bet even the walls taste like chocolate!" Pit gushed.
Gustav chuckled. "You can try, mien angelic friend! I use only ze finest ingredients on my culinary canvas. How about these brothers? You are entranced by my gallery. It happens to a lot of first-time customers!"
"You mean Hikari? Yeah, the guy can't get enough of baking. I'm not a fan of sweet stuff, so I primarily focus on the more savory side of cooking." Teruo said.
"Fascinating! But you're aware zat baking and cooking are two sides of ze same coin, yes? Ze only difference is zat baking takes more precision. Steak or cake; you're still creating art!"
"Funny you should say that, chef. I appreciate the mix of art and science of baking but I tend to be more loose when it comes to combat, but my brother's the complete opposite! A tactician on the battlefield, but a master chef in the kitchen." Hikari said.
"Oh come on, I'm not that good of a fighter or a chef. I'm just a rookie just doing what he can to make his recipes shine." Teruo insisted.
"Say, why don't you see how the magic happens? You vill get hands-on and bake your own confection to take home!" Gustav said.
"Who, me? I'm appreciate the offer but I had a long day and–"
"SHOW US! SHOW US!" Hikari and Pit shouted in unison, closing in on Gustav.
"Haha! Enthusiastic, are we? Guess you two are my lucky ducklings. Come now, let me teach you how an artisan hones his craft!" Gustav chirped.
"Guess I'll be seeing you back at the church, Hikari." Teruo said.
"Ya sure you'll be okay making it all by yourself?" Hikari worried for his little brother.
"I'll be fine! If anyone tries anything suspicious, I'll set fire to their asses. Have fun baking with Pit!" The parties farewelled before Gustav led Hikari and Pit to his kitchen.
"I got an idea: I'll bake a cake for Lady Palutena! I know she loves pineapple upside-down, but I wanna do something simpler like a carrot cake. How about you, Hikari? What are you making?" Pit asked.
"I always wanted to make some sort of pie. But I never had the time; nor the ingredients, to get started. Now that I finally got the chance, perhaps cookies and cream?" Hikari replied.
"Those are delicious suggestions! How about we get started on the carrot cake? And while zat is baking, we can whip up the pie!" Gustav suggested, pre-heating the oven.
"I'm down for that."
"Hooray! I can't wait!" Pit cheered.
Gustav waddled to the kitchen island to prepare for the baking session; setting the bowls and utensils. "What you're gonna do first is split to gather the ingredients. Hikari, you fetch…" And then he listed off the required ingredients, giving the other half to Pit.
"I'm on it!" Hikari immediately got to work.
"Um, mister Gustav? I-I think I'd like some help with gathering ingredients." Pit said.
"Hm? What seems to be the matter, my scruffy friend?"
"It's just, how do I put it?" Pit nervously rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know how to read. To me, baking soda and baking powder look the same so how do I know if I'm skimping out on anything?!"
"Vhat!? You're pulling mein leg!"
"I'm serious! Where I'm from, reading isn't a priority because we're too busy fighting monsters. Please help me, I don't want Palutena to resent me because I gave her a crappy cake!" The angel begged.
Gustav sighed. "Oh, alright. Follow me." The Slurpuff took Pit along the kitchen to nab the remaining ingredients.
The boys were now ready to bake that cake. Following Gustav's instructions, Hikari added the ingredients to the bowl while Pit mixed them. "Gentle, gentle…" Hikari muttered.
"I think that should do–Woah!" Pit fumbled the mixer and ended up splattering some batter. "Eheh, my bad!"
"No worries! Silly mistakes come with the craft. As with any art form, you're bound to get messy." Gustav said, slurping up batter from his paw. "Mmm! This is ready for ze oven!"
"Aw, sweet!" Pit poured the batter into a pan before placing it in the oven. "So now what do we do? Do we make the frosting?"
"We can use my spare batch, so let's move onto that pie, shall we?"
"Finally! I'm gonna give Stocking a pie she'll never forget." Hikari said.
"Hm? Stocking?" Gustav tilted his head in curiosity. "Ze Stocking Anarchy? You mean the angel who's the blessing to confectioneries everywhere? With her golden taste buds and her keen sense of smell, she's a mistress in all things sweet and gooey! If she so happens to enter your shop, then you've succeeded as a baker."
"Hah! Yeah, she's a hard girl to please. She's helping me out with a personal journey, so it's only right to repay her. And I hate to admit it, but…"
"But what?"
"I uh… Look, I think she's pretty, okay? With her gothic looks and hard-to-get attitude, my heart goes 'doki-doki' and yearns to see the sweet chocolate within that cold, licorice exterior." Hikari sighed. "But that's just a pipe dream. I'm a Pokemon, she's an angel. It'll never work! But I can at least show her appreciation for helping me and my brother, it's common courtesy!"
"Aw! That's honestly kinda sweet." Pit said.
Gustav crossed his arms and nodded. "I understand, my lovelorn friend. Sometimes your soul chases an impossible prize with little-to-no explanation. Be it human or Pokemon, we work in mysterious ways. Now how about we start on that pie? What kind was it again? Cookies and…"
"Cream?" Hikari said.
"Yes! Lucky for you, it's a simple recipe! Grab what you need and we can get started!" Gustav then listed off the pie's ingredients for Hikari. This time, the Axew was the one mixing while Pit added everything. While adding the cookies, Pit found himself grazing on the cream-filled delights.
"One for you." Pit crushed a cookie into the bowl. "And one for me!" He gobbled on a handful as a 'reward'. Hikari couldn't help but find Pit charming. Contrast the boy's dorky disposition with the Anarchy Sisters' hedonism, and Pit was a breath of fresh air. Despite Pit's endless appetite, they managed to create the filling and poured it into the chocolate crust.
"Wunderbar!" Gustav cheered. "But it needs one more thing… Oh, Claudia!" He called out. A Marill in a miniature chef's hat walked into the kitchen. "I would like to introduce you to my apprentice. Zis is Claudia, and she's been with me since I established my bakery."
"Guten Abend!" Claudia chirped.
"Normally, a pie like zis would take all night to solidify. But thanks to Claudia's frost breath, the process can be done instantly! Just watch." Gustav gave Claudia a thumbs-up. "Ready?"
"Ready!" Claudia took a deep breath and exhaled an icy wind, firming the pie in a matter of seconds. "And there you have it! A cookies-and-cream confection ready to be devoured!"
"Wow! That's amazing! I never knew Pokemon used their powers for baking. I figured they'd only use them in combat." Pit said.
"Then you have lots of learning to do, Pitty-Pat. When you're a creature with elemental magic at your disposal, you're darn right we take advantage of it at every chance." Hikari said.
DING! "Looks like ze cake is done!" Gustav took the pastry out of the oven and onto a rack where Claudia cooled it.
"That looks scrumptious!" Pit exclaimed.
"I'll say. Palutena's gonna love every crumb!" Hikari smiled before turning to Gustav. "Thank you for teaching us to bake a cake, Gustav! It was relaxing after a long workout at the gym."
Gustav's eyes sparkled when he noticed Hikari's well-built body. "Ooh-la-la! I can tell with those brilliant muscles of yours! Perhaps you can assist me in ze future? There are times where I need a pair of Machamps to carry my special wedding cake towers. But you've got the strength and skill to make this place sparkle like a diamond. If you join me, you'll learn something new every day?"
Hikari chuckled at the offer. "So soon? I gotta say, I'm mighty flattered. But I'm on a mission to save the city right now. I would love to work here part-time, though. So keep me in your contacts and I'll give you a ring when I'm ready to rock and roll."
"Wunderbar! So you're aware you can check our contact information on our website, yes? Either way, I look forward to having you on-board."
"Likewise, my friend. Until then, keep working your magic and make the citizens of Daten City smile." Hikari said, the boys taking their desserts as they headed out.
"I'll be back soon, I promise!" Pit chirped right as they exited the bakery. "So Hikari, you told me you were on your way back to the Angel sisters? Mind if I tagged along? Since I have the night to myself, I might as well hang out with a couple of cuties."
"Heh. I never knew you were such a lady's man, Pitty. Who am I to deny a guy access to bodacious babes? Let's go, my winged compadre! There's a bus stop right down the street."
"Phew! That's a relief 'cause my dogs are barking!" And so, Hikari and Pit walked towards the nearest bus stop. But unbeknownst to them, the boys passed by a fancy restaurant where the Demon Sisters were having a dinner date. The girls didn't notice their sworn enemies, either, as they were in the midst of a conversation; donning eloquent dresses rather than their usual office lady attire.
"Oh Kneesocks, I'm happy that you've managed to set a reservation at this eating establishment. I've heard only marvelous things about their cuisine, and this venison lives up to the praise!" Scanty cooed as she took another bite out of her meal. The meat's savory mix of oregano, rosemary, onion, and a pinch of cayenne pepper sparked the demon's taste buds. "Mmh~! It's such a shame that since we're working under Tetsuya, we never have time to ourselves. I especially loathe his stringent samurai sidekick!"
"Tell me about it, sister." Kneesocks sighed, drinking her red wine. "I can't even work on my bottled ship without Akihiro barging in and scolding me about how 'my hobbies are a waste of resources' because it's not directly contributing to 'Lord' Tetsuya's mission. I'm a woman who finds satisfaction in setting order when it seems nigh-impossible, my frigates are a testament to that!"
"I completely understand. When he caught me pruning my bonsai, he ranted and raved until my ears were ready to drop. Doesn't that barbarian know that combat isn't the only way to build discipline!? Not to mention he's putting a strain on our relationship. We never have time to indulge in our carnal desires, anymore! It's always work, work, work with him. Demons need a break, too."
"Maybe the reason he's so frustrated is because not even the most depraved succubi would bed him, and I'm not talking about Garterbelt's." Kneesocks giggled, taking a spoonful of her third cup of mousse. "Honestly, the sole reason why we joined forces with him is because after Corset's humiliating failure, Tetsuya's our only ticket to achieving the Demon Uprising."
"Promise me we'll desert them after we eradicate the angels." Scanty pleaded as she sprang out of her seat and slammed her hands on the table.
"Worry not, we'll elope and leave the warlock and his lackey to wallow in their own pride." Kneesocks winked, giving her sister a sultry smirk.
Shivers went down Scanty's spine, compelling her to hold Kneesocks' face. "Ooh, I can just kiss you right now!"
Kneesocks' face flushed a bright pink at the display of affection. "W-Well, that will have to wait until after we finish dinner. I believe there's a lavish love hotel down in West Hollywood, we can settle there for the evening." The demon smiled, lovingly feeding Scanty a spoonful of her dessert.
"Ah~ So sweet and delectable, just like you!" Scanty gushed, sitting back down. "You know exactly how to calm my nerves."
"Well I am your sister, aren't I? It's only natural that we look out for each other. Let us enjoy this evening as Lucifer intended." Kneesocks smiled as the sisters made a toast with their wine. It was a date night neither of them would forget…
Later, back at the Church…
All was well with the angels and the Axews. Panty and Pit were shooting the breeze on the couch, the blonde sitting on the boy cowgirl-style. Brief thankfully found his way back home, but was begging for Panty's attention much to her chagrin.
"Yo, who the fuck let you back in the house, Geek Boy?! I thought we left your smelly ass back at the hospital!" Panty groused, shoving Brief's face out of her sight.
"W-Well, you see…" Brief began, twiddling his fingers. "I was at a train station when your apprentices came up and bought me food. They even gave me train tickets back to Daten City. I'm proud of you for teaching them such good manners!"
"Wait, what!?" Panty quickly turned to Hikari, then to Teruo. "What did I tell you about feeding stray animals?"
Teruo was in the kitchen, whipping up a steak and home fries dinner for everybody. "Hey, don't look at me. Hikari's the one who stole two hundred smackaroos from your room so he can afford it. But to be fair, the boy was gonna die in the woods if we didn't do something."
"Ex-cuse me!?" Panty cleaned out her ears in utter disbelief. "That motherfucker did what!?"
Hikari, who was resting on Stocking's lap while she was helping herself to his pie, simply shrugged. "Oh come on, it's not like you were gonna give that money to charity! Since I'm a guest, I might as well make myself at home and take a peek into your room."
"I don't give a flying fuck about the money; I make five hundred an hour. But not only did you bring this soulless ginger into our holy house, you also invaded my privacy! You're lucky you're our golden goose."
"What can I say? Curiosity got the best of me."
Stocking snickered at her sister's misfortune. "Hikari might've thought you had leftover seafood. I hope you took a shower immediately after diving into my sister's cesspool, my dude." She advised Hikari before gobbling down another slice of pie.
"What did I tell you this morning!? My room ain't that filthy! If it were, I'd be doing a disservice to this stud." Panty protested, caressing Pit's cute face. He was utterly flustered by her loving touch.
"Eheheh. Pretty lady!" Pit sputtered, his heart fluttered and his fingers wiggled as he had no idea how to handle a girl coming onto him.
Hikari smirked at the angels. "Someday you'll truly appreciate the beauty of a woman, and only then shall your mind be free. For a man must be able to work hard so that he and the girl of his dreams can live happily ever after." He turned his attention to Stocking. "By the way, how's that pie I made ya? I figured it was my best way of showing appreciation to you girls for helping me and my brother fight against this dark curse."
Stocking licked the cream from her lips and gave it a taste test. "Hm… The balance of cookies and cream is fair; though it could've used more sugar. The crust is firm enough to pick up but it's not rock-hard. I love how the chocolate syrup gushes in my mouth! Overall… nomf! You did a decent job."
"Oh man, thank you! I put my heart into that pie, so savor every bite." Hikari happily sighed.
Stocking scoffed. "Whatever, Romeo." She continued eating her dessert whilst having a smug look. But even so, Hikari was proud that he pulled off baking a pie. He couldn't wait to learn more from Gustav and his boundless wisdom of the sweet and delectable.
"Hey, Teruo! Hurry the fuck up with that steak! This sex goddess needs her protein!" Panty barked.
"A-And give me extra fries!" Pit ordered.
"Me too, please!" Brief proclaimed.
Teruo rolled his eyes at Panty's command, though he couldn't help but smile at the fact that he's putting his culinary training to good use. The angels were the customers and he was the head chef. "Okie dokie! One order of extra home fries, coming right up!" He exclaimed. Someday he will get into an actual restaurant, but much like his brother, he has plenty to learn before making it to the big leagues. About half an hour later, everyone sat around the kitchen table. There was a pitcher of water and a bottle of soda for refreshments, as well as a basket of rolls with a side of butter. The aroma of garlic, potatoes, and grilled meat wafted in as Teruo and Hikari served the main course. One thing was certain about this meal: Mouths were a-waterin'!
"Ooh man! I'm gonna eat good, tonight!" Pit chirped, rubbing his hands in anticipation. However, Panty was already helping herself to some bread; showing that sausage wasn't the only thing she packs into that trash can she calls a mouth.
"U-Uh, Panty? Shouldn't you wait until Hikari–" Brief was met with an angel's glare. "Gulp. O-Okay, carry on!" He nervously dismissed, shuffling back into position.
But at last, Hikari and Teruo sat down. "Well my friends, dig in!" Hikari said. And so, everyone began chowing down on the home-made feast.
"Aaah~! Fuck, I never knew my tongue had a g-spot!" Panty moaned, tearing at the seared beef as her legs twitched in euphoria.
"It's all in the spices, my dear. Don't get me wrong, meat is already good enough on its own. But use the right spices, and you unlock the meat's true power! The spices mingle with the meat; complimenting its savoriness to create a combination of kick and flavor!" Teruo explained.
"That's my brother! An expert on all things spice!" Hikari said.
Stocking sighed, nibbling on some fries. "I understand that Teruo's a good cook, but can you not cream yourself at the dinner table? It's rude to our guests." She scolded, referring to Palutena's little soldier.
"I don't even know what a G-Spot is. Is that a power spot but for giants?" Pit wondered, the boy far too naive to be wandering into a degenerate place like this. It was then when Stocking burst out laughing.
"Ba-hahaha! And you wanna bed this dude!? You might as well put on Sesame Street 'cause there's no way a bimbo like you can explain the birds and the bees!"
"Hey! I'll have you know that bees are Earth's greatest pollinator! Without them, we'd never have groceries. Viridi taught me that!"
Stocking tried her best to stifle her laughter, her green eyes watering from the sheer hilarity of Pit's innocence. "Okay, whatever you say, professor." She giggled, slathering a buttload of butter onto her steak before devouring it.
"Once I pop his cherry, he'll be the next Heracles! You'll see!" Panty vowed, chugging some soda straight from the bottle, letting out a mighty belch. "Ah… BUWARP! Oh I forgot to mention: Congratulations on passing your fitness exam, Hikari and Teruo. I bet you feel mighty proud of yourselves."
"You don't even know, Panty. It feels like it was only yesterday that we were just normal citizens down on their luck, but thanks to you guys we can bust down Tetsuya's doorstep and give him a piece of our minds." Hikari said.
"A-And if we never took the chance to end this curse, then I would have never learned to stand up for myself! I am no longer just Hikari's dead weight. I am Teruo Kiryu!" Teruo said.
"Haha. We're all proud of you two! I'm at least happy to meet someone who's as kind and ambitious as you are. Heck, thanks to you I get to discover all the wonders Pokemon bring to human society!" Pit gleamed.
Stocking sighed and gave the Axews a faint smile. "Fine. Even if you guys are the biggest dorks we've ever met, you know how to kick back and kick ass. I still remember that casino heist! Kneesocks had you on the ropes, but you stood your ground like a champ. And to top it all off, you have phenomenal taste in entertainment. After you left this morning, I play-tested that game you were so into."
"Oh, ya should've seen her!" Panty interjected. "She was glued to the television, fiddling with those joysticks. By the time I got back from my date, I had to use a crowbar to get Stocking's fat ass off the couch! My sister's a geek, she can't help it!"
"It's better than choking to death on a pack of hotdogs." Stocking snided, sipping her soda.
"Alright, can we cease the vulgarity during dinnertime? I don't want you turning my carefully-crafted work into upchuck!" Teruo scolded.
Stocking shrugged. "That's fair. But I swear, I can eat this 'til my stomach practically explodes!" She grinned, ravenously sinking her teeth into her steak. Meanwhile Panty lifted her plate and poured the food down her gullet; Chuck snooping from under the table for any leftovers. Pit was catching up to the angel sisters, his innate gluttony taking over.
"I'll… Take that as a compliment." Teruo stated, not knowing how else to respond to the culinary carnage.
"Ah, Teruo, my brother. Have you ever imagined that we'd be dining alongside messengers of the gods? I haven't. In fact, when we first met 'em, I thought they'd kick us out of the church for being outsiders. 'Cause you know how angels are usually depicted as 'be not afraid' who want nothing to do with humanity." Hikari took a sip of his water. "But here we have a couple of folks who want to have fun while fulfilling their duty as lightbringers. Just wait, we'll rid everyone of this dark curse and know what it means to be a hero to all."
"It's certainly a surreal feeling, Hikari. I'm happy we're still alive, to be honest."
"Me too, man. And we couldn't have done it without each other. Now let's enjoy the rest of our dinner, shall we? The night is still young!" Hikari chirped.
And thus, the Kiryu brothers and the angels spent the rest of the evening exuberating in the festivities. Hikari and Teruo have come so far since they began their journey, but their celebration was fleeting as the waning crescent was on the verge of becoming the new moon: The calm before the storm…
To be Continued…?