Chapter 5: Razor

The trio was face to face with a massive powerful looking Sandslash, whose face and body were covered in scars from many previous battles. They knew this wasn't going to be an easy fight. Its voice was gruff and powerful "So you're the bastards who been giving my boys a hard time." Looking at the small Sandshrew next to him he signaled for it to stand back "Stand back, I know how to deal with the difficult ones."

The little Sandshrew eagerly did as it was told "You guys are in for it now" he sneered.

Faster than they could react Razor rolled at them full force sending the trio flying in every direction. Torrent nimbly recovered in midair and dashed toward Razor with jump kick. The Sandslash merely grabbed his leg with his claws and slammed him to the ground. Hard. While Torrent was still struggling on the ground Razor savagely stomped on him and kicked him out of the way as he parried a Metal Claw attack from Blaze and countered with a backhanded Slash across the face and powerful heel kick to the abdominal region that sent the lizard sprawling back while clenching his stomach. "Is this the best you wimps can do?" he goaded.

Static tried attacking from behind with a straight punch only to hurt her hand on the Sandslash's needle like spikes. Static then took two iron spikes out of her backpack she twirled them around in her paws to get a feel for them. Wielding the blades skillfully she let out a ferocious flurry of swipes and slashes that the Sandslash deflected, blocked, and dodged with uncanny reflexes. With a deft Crush Claw he cut Static's iron spikes in two and with his free hand uppercutted the mouse at least ten feet in the air. Static landed with a hard thud and was unable to feel her body move.

"Noo!" Blaze cried as he charged Razor. Torrent ran after him "Blaze a direct attack won't work we need to strategize."

"Screw that he's gonna pay!" Blaze tried an aerial Slash attack but Razor deftly rolled to the left and slashed Blaze in his side. Torrent jumped in before any more damage was done and attacked with a couple of quick jabs, a high sidekick towards the face, followed by a low sidekick to the ribs, and another powerful sidekick to the chest, each done in rapid succession, a finished up by a spinning reverse roundhouse to the jaw and topped off with a somersault kick to the chin. The heavy Sandslash staggered back but didn't fall. "I'm impressed; you got some moves kid but an attack like that won't stop me."

"How about this?" Blaze opened his mouth and let loose a massive Flamethrower it's power intensified by the scorching desert heat. The unsuspecting Sandslash was engulfed in the blazing inferno. When the smoke cleared the Sandslash was still breathing but injured. He was down but not out.

As Blaze stood over Razor triumphantly about to deal the final blow the little Sandshrew cried out "Wait don't kill my mom!"

Static was dumbfounded "Mom?"

Blaze was shocked "This guy is a chick? There is no way a chick could fight like that" Static leered at him unamused.

Torrent was awestruck "What kind of mom teaches their kids that it's okay to rob people?"

The little Sandshrew had tears in his eyes, "She did it to protect us"

Static was lost "To protect you? From what?"

Blaze was not convinced "He's lying; I say we string 'em up and take 'em to jail right now."

"My son is telling the truth" they turned around to see the battle scarred Sandslash rise to her feet "I know what I did was wrong but I only did it to protect my children."

"Protect your children from what?" Static asked again.

"Not too far from here is the den of a giant Steelix, who preys on the Pokémon in this desert if we don't give him offerings. We didn't intend to hurt anyone we just wanted to take your valuables as an offering to save our lives."

Blaze was still skeptical. "How do we know this Steelix even exists?"

"Please believe, I only tell you what is true."

Torrent heard enough "She's telling the truth Blaze." He stated sternly.

"Hmmph. How do you know?"

" I just do" he snapped back and then turned to Razor, " If we defeat this Steelix, will you mend your ways and stop robbing people?"

"Yes" the Sandslash relied "But to go alone would be suicide. My children and I will help you anyway we can."

The little Sandshrew eyes lit up "Mom we're really going to help them beat Steelix?"

She patted her son on the head "Yes my son, we can no longer live in fear, we have to be strong"

"Your mom's right little dude. You have to live life to the fullest and overcome any obstacle that comes your way. No matter how big it seems." Static beamed.

"This Steelix is over fifty feet long." The child stated blankly.

Suddenly Static's face lost color. "Wow that is a big obstacle."

"Is everyone forgetting that five minutes ago they tried to kill us?" Blaze exclaimed.

"Shut up Blaze" everyone said simultaneously.