Ch. 16: Battle with the Hiroshi Fighters

"Kate, help!" That electric anklet was doing its toll on Wool. She was limping on the foot the anklet was on and she was exhausted. Her breathing was short and rather fast as she came closer. I quickly took the Bidoof from her; it squirmed a bit in my paws.

"You rest in the trees while I get Herupa." I doubt she could manage the long walk to the First Aid Center. She seemed to have agreed because she settled herself into a bush. It would keep her hidden long enough, until I got help.

I raced into Hideki, running past the park, sliding down inclines, and jumping stone walls. I reached the First Aid center in record time. Herupa was just outside with one of the Petilil from the Café in her arms. She sounded like she had a cold as she sneezed away from Hideki's nurse.

"Herupa!"

"What is it?" She turned around and noticed the Bidoof I was holding. She quickly set down the Petilil to grab the brown Pokémon still in the blue blanket. Herupa then scanned the burns on its back.

"Wool still needs help!"

"Where is she?"

"North, just outside of Hideki, near to the path. She is resting in a bush; it has light green leaves with Cheri berries on it."

"I'll send Yukio; you can help me by settling this Petilil in Recovery. I'll put this Bidoof in ECU."

"Right!"

-N-

Yukio had brought Wool via flying no sooner than I finished putting the Petilil in a medicine-smelling nest of hay. She was rushed to ECU as soon as she limped through the door.

"You can go now Kate. It looks like Weed is comfortable." I'll just assume Weed is the Petilil. She was slightly snoring as if she was dreaming peacefully. I had given her an herb Herupa said she must eat. Not long after that, she became tired.

"I'll come again and visit Wool later. Bolt, Razor, and I need to rescue a Bagon trapped in a dungeon."

"Bye."

-N-

Wool's POV

Five days had passed since I brought the Bidoof. Both of us were recovered by now. I was bringing the little guy to his parents; they had been out-of-town on a trip. They didn't know yet that their son was safe.

"Wool, whose blanket is this anyway?" He's so curious and I have a feeling he wanted to ask that question for a while now.

"It used to be mine when I was little. I carried it around everywhere I went, even to dungeons." It was true; the blanket was a good luck charm to me. I always freaked out when I couldn't find it.

"You were in an exploration team back when you were my age?"

"Well, no. I was a bit older. I was close to evolution back then." We were heading for the boards, the last place we haven't checked. When they came into view, we saw two Bibarel talking to Team Element.

"Bye Wool!" He jumped out of my paws and onto the ground. He ran toward his mom and dad.

"You can take off those bandages tomorrow."

"Okay." He then disappeared in the tall grasses around us, appearing at the end. I began to walk away; there was no need for me to stay. I stopped when I heard the grass shake."

"Thanks." The Bidoof had come back to give me my blacket back.

"Keep it, it will keep you nice and warm."

"Good bye!"

"Bye Bedree." With that, I took my leave.

-N-N-N-

I flew like the wind as I breezed past building after building. It was, once again, time to hear the decision of Wool's future. I would tell everybody-heck, I would scream it from the rooftops if I could-that Wool hadn't committed those crimes under her own free will. No, she told me not to.

"I need to take my punishment. Guilty or not, it's the right thing to do."

Her words ran through my mind once again. It wasn't fair she had to do this. Then again, how many Pokémon would believe her? I'm sure there are some who practically hate her. Although, there are ones-including myself-who would stand by her no matter what.

My mind was filled with confusing contradictions that I didn't notice I bumped into a Sceptile. Of course, it wasn't Agent S. "Sorry."

"Nah, it's cool. Hey, aren't you that Minccino who rammed Wool off the cliff?" That moment, an image of a Grovyle entered my mind. "Ki-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-d!"

"You were that Grovyle that I ran past. I guess you evolved since then?"

"Yep, that was risky, ya know! You must've had a reason though." He didn't seem to go into that. I said a silent prayer of thanks; I can't break my promise!

"My name's Kate by the way. What's yours?"

"Slash. Keep away from ledges from now on." He left after that. I went on my way; I couldn't stand there like an idiot, time was running out. There was already a crowd by the time I reached the park. I had to squeeze my way past to get to the front.

"We discussed your crimes and came up with a punishment. You are to leave 'ere and never return. You are not to come back from this side of the Stone Mountains."

"Wool's village." I couldn't help saying that quietly to myself. Wool was the nurse of a village no far from Hideki. It had vanished due to a dungeon surrounding it. Mostly elderly Pokémon lived there; Wool tries her best to keep the place a secret.

Wool's head dropped and her heart practically sunk. She planned to go past the Stone Mountains but she wanted to appoint a new nurse before then. Now, she didn't have time, Wool had to leave immediately. With that, the crowd parted. There was no need to stay longer.

Wool came up to me; in her hands was an egg. I hadn't noticed it before. It was yellow with a black, jig-jag stripe in the middle. "Here, take care of this for me." She left before I could say a word.

"Kate, why are you holding an egg?" –Bolt.

"Wool gave it to me. I don't know why though."

"Let's make a nest for it. It needs warmth to hatch."

"Okay." We headed to the base. It took awhile, but the nest was made. We went out to find Razor, she was at the Café. The three of us got plenty of food and stuffed ourselves. I kinda found it hard though, I felt guilt pulse through me. I didn't like the fact Wool was exiled.

oOo

Wool's POV

A month had passed since my exile and I started getting used to life. I settled in Mikyo, town just on the other side of the Stone Mountains. I wasn't far enough for Pokémon not to recognize me. The townsfolk avoided me when they could. I only went on a mission when some kid was so worried about their friend; they slipped a note into my mailbox.

The place did have a Café, which I was thankful for. I usually sat by myself eating some pastry and drinking a milkshake or smoothie. Today I had a slice of Minced Pecha Pie and a Cheri Choker. Why the smoothie was called 'Cheri Choker,' I had no idea.

A Snivy was brave enough to sit across from me when I was about half-way through my meal. It had a Nomel Custard Tart and a Pecha soda. Other Pokémon stared curiously, and some suspiciously, at us. After a few moments, they went back to chatting.

"Hello, I'm Ivy. I suppose you are Wool?" By the sound of the Snivy's voice, it was female.

"You are correct." An awkward silence engulfed us. I continued to drink my smoothie but I couldn't help eavesdropping.

"I heard that the Hiroshi fighters are traveling to a town called Hideki." I nearly choked. Ivy's face told me she was surprised too.

"Wh-What?" The Hiroshi Fighters are going to Hideki? This is bad; very, very bad!" Tranquil who said it looked at me as if I was crazy. She was in a flock of bird Pokémon next to the table Ivy and I were at. They all nodded and a sense of dread hit me.

"This can't be good!" I grabbed my bag, heading for the exit. I needed to stop the fighters before it was too late.

"What's getting you so worked up?" I couldn't tell what Pokémon said.

"Even I fear their power." With that, I left.

/\^/\^/\

Two days later, I was almost at the other side of the Stone Mountains. Punishment or no punishment, I needed to get to Hideki. Of course, I knew I was being followed but I needed to interfere with the Hiroshi fighter's plans.

They seem like a noble fights group but they're frauds. They raid small towns and villages; they force all fighting types to join them. They then take small children, the elderly, and any weakened Pokémon who, more than likely, won't put up a fight. They are put in positions in which they would be rescued, so the fighters could make money off of them. Any others aren't seen again.

A pack of Poochyena has been on my tail since I left Mikyo. They're probably waiting for me to cross the boundary line and force me back. I have a plan though, I'm going to jump into the Mist River and swim downstream.

After awhile, I arrived at the river. I eagerly plunged into the river. The Poochyena followed my every move. I didn't want to lose them; I want them to follow me. I just need to make more distance. If they attack me, I'd never get to Hideki.

/\-^-~~~~~~-^-/\

Kate's POV

Since Wool left, I served as the nurse in the village she grew up in. It wasn't hard since she kept a book of cures. I was just coming back to Hideki; I spent the entire morning treating patients. I might've made a good nurse in the future if I wasn't originally human.

"Hey Kate!" –Bolt. He and Razor walked up to me.

"'Afternoon. Where are we going?"

"Rune Cave, it's a Trapinch nest not far from the ruins."

"Okay, let's go-" I never finished the sentence…

-N-M-N-

Wool's POV

I finally climbed the last hill and had Hideki in my line of sight. The only problem was that it was deathly quiet. There was no chirping of Kricketot, no Pidove chirping, or Ledyba buzzing. The silence was only broken by the howl of the Poochyena.

"You have no right to be here!" It was obvious the leader of the pack said it. He stood closest to me, the others simply growled. I knew I wasn't supposed to be here.

"I'm not what you should worry about. We are so close to Hideki that we should hear the sound of life going on yet there is none."

"You are just trying to make excuses." This wasn't the leader but he could be one someday.

"No, she's right. With our sensitive ears, we should have picked up some sound that suggests someone lives there. It is too quiet and I don't like it." Suddenly, a squeal broke our thoughts, one I recognized.

"Bedree." I ran toward Hideki, not caring if the Poochyena were following me anymore. The little Bidoof would be perfect to scam others. I just hope I'm not too late…

/\-^-/\-^-N-N-M-N

Bedree was cornered; two Machokes were in front of him, a stone wall behind him. I was on a roof looking down on them. I waited for the best moment to save him; the poor little tyke needed help.

"Come here little one, we just want to take you somewhere special." Bedree wasn't stupid though; he saw through their foolish trick.

"Nuh-uh, Mum says never go with Pokémon you don't trust!"

"Fine, have it that way. We'll take you by force!"

"Oh no, you won't." I Jump Kicked them both; I couldn't let them hurt Bedree. He was already covered in cuts and scratches.

"Wool, what are you doing here?"

"When I heard the Hiroshi fighters were coming here, I knew I couldn't stay away. This town fits their requirements to the point. Now I need to stop this fight."

"Most of the battle is in the park. Be careful."

"Thanks, why don't you go hide at the high cliff near the beach. If you hide in the cracks there, the fighters won't find you." I then ran in the direction of the park.

-N-o-N-o-N-

"You are quite old to be a deputy." Chopper the Machamp gloated. He's the leader of the Hiroshi fighters and he was about to finish of Deputy Arcanine.

"What's the meaning of this?" Deputy was referring to the battle. Surely there was a good reason for all this? Nope, there was none. As Chopper was about to land the final blow, I kicked him where it counts. I then Dizzy Punched him a good six paw-steps away.

"I thought we had a deal! I give you a monthly package and you come nowhere near here."

"We could still compromise!" He knew my reputation as a skilled fighter and he didn't want to test it.

"Too late for that!" I kicked his but so hard, he ran away screaming like a girl.

-N-N-N-

The fighters hadn't realized yet that their leader was defeated since they still fought. I found Kate and Bolt fighting a Riolu and two Hitmonchan. The Riolu had metallic bands on his wrists and he looked like he didn't want to fight.

I Bounced on one of the Hitmonchan. It was easy enough to distract him while Bolt Thunderbolted him. I then went after the Riolu, who Kate was facing. I shot an Ice Beam at the metal Bands, breaking them off afterwards.

"Hey Laxar keep fighting!" The other Hitmonchan was trying to blackmail him but it no longer worked. The Riolu responded by Force Palming him in the face. He proceeded to punch and kick him and we all just stood there and watched.

"Hey Wool, what are you doing here anyway?" –Kate.

"I couldn't let you guys lose."

"Can you help my friend?" Laxar asked when he was finished.

"Sure." Not long after, did we find Laxar's friend, a Meditite. She was forced to battle Kay while Blaze fought a Hitmonlee. Before we could reach her a Ninetails and a Vulpix bit the bands off her.

"Thanks." She said and fainted right on the spot. It looks as if we were turning this battle around.

-M-N-M-

I can't believe I'm almost finished with this story! Next chapter begins the next plot point! This chapter had a few character deputes in it. More characters are going to be introduced soon! On the next chapter: "Thunder Pass? We can go there?"

Disclaimer: *says in gravely voice* I owns nothing!

I'm hyper, so what's new? :P

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