Last time, on Explorers of Prehistory...
Team Berserker came to the rescue for Sabre and Laura, breaking into Lepyuf's warehouse and attacking both the Umbreon and Kramzak Empire. But when Blade and Sabre faced down the Kramzak Empire's second in command, a Kirlia named Sala, and she offered the two a place in the empire. Will they join with Sala, or risk their deaths?
What will happen next? Find out now!
"I'm in."
Blade stared in shock as the words left Sabre's mouth. The second Scyther walked past his former ally walking over to Sala. "Sabre, you cannot be serious."
"He is," Sala said. "I can feel it."
"Sabre-!"
"Shut up," Sabre grunted. "You wanna know something, Blade? I've had it with the empire and its inability to ever take action when it's needed. It wouldn't stop the Houndoom War unless we agreed to join them. It's refused time and time again to ever help the Eeveelutions and bring an end to the Espeon/Umbreon war. It's refused to come to places like Moor and take out the criminals that horde here. The empire is useless, and the Emperor incompetent."
"So you would join with Kramzak..." Blade growled.
"We've never had any fights with Kramzak," Sabre retorted. "Why shouldn't I?"
"Don't do this..." Blade said. "You're betraying the guild, Sabre. Can you honestly tolerate that?"
Sabre's eyes narrowed. "You know... for someone who outright abandoned everything he's ever known and loved to pursue a fairy tale... you certainly have a lot to say about loyalty..." Slowly, Sabre raised his claws.
Blade raised his own. "It doesn't have to be this way, Sabre."
"It does. And you know why," Sabre retorted.
Sala watched the two square off, her eyes unblinking. "Please, finish him quickly. It's getting late, and I'd like to head home."
"It'll be over fast," Sabre said. "Just be patient."
Sala raised an eyebrow.
Sabre tried not to roll his eyes. "Just be patient... ma'am."
Blade shot forward, taking advantage of Sabre's momentary distraction and striking at him with a vicious Slash attack, raking the other Scyther with his claws hard enough to draw transparent blood. Sabre reacted with just as much speed, striking Blade harshly as well across the face, leaving a deep cut across the right side of Blade's face. Both Scyther separated, panting and bleeding. Their eyes were glowing with hate. With two snarls, they charged again, swinging their claws again.
Blade gritted his teeth as Sabre's claws raked across his. Part of him wanted to talk to Sabre, to try and convince him he was making a mistake. But he knew that when Sabre set his mind to something, that he saw it to the end.
Even if it was betrayal.
Sabre snarled as he leaped back. "Razor Wind!" he snarled, spinning around like a cyclone and unleashing a spinning blade of wind at Blade.
Blade's eyes narrowed. He had to fight like a Scyther if he wanted to get through this - and that meant no mercy, even for someone who as a friend. Flaping his wings, he leaped into the air, high above the Razor Wind and shot down at his foe.
"X-Scissor!"
Blade's claws tore through Sabre's skin. Blood splattered on the floor. Sabre screamed in pain as he hit the ground, badly wounded.
Blade scowled. He shot forward, his wings a silver and green blur as he raised his claws and struck at his fallen foe, aiming for his throat. Before he could hit him, two pairs of strong claws siezed his arms, holding him down. Evidently, the Drapion that Blade had defeated had recovered, and they were not happy in the slightest. The scorpions smashed Blade's face into the ground.
Sala sighed as she walked past the bleeding Sabre and over to the beaten Blade. "You can't rely on anyone..." she muttered. "You have to do everything yourself." She looked up at the Drapion. "No offense."
The Drapion grunted and lifted the wounded Blade up, so he was facing Sala. Wordlessly, the Kirlia raised her hand and fired a fatal blast of Shockwave straight for Blade's face.
Just as the attack leaped from her fingers, a massive, blue and red shape dropped in front of her. Iron roared in fury as the lightning harmlessly struck him. With a roar, he leaped at the surprised Kirlia with his rows of teeth gleaming. "Crunch!" he roared as he gnashed his teeth as Sala.
Sala growled, more angry with herself than Iron. She should have seen him coming. She swiftly teleported behind the Garchomp, wincing as his teeth came down at the spot she had been a split second ago. Raising her hands, she unleashed her signature move. Waves of powerful psychokenetic ripped through the air, and Iron gasped in surprise as he felt himself being lifted up and then crushed by unseen hands. He began gasping for breath and coughing up blood.
"Did you think that would work?" Sala asked.
Despite the torturous pain, Iron actually grinned. "H-heh..."
Sala's eyes widened. What was he so happy...?
A massive black shadow appeared over her. Her eyes widened as she looked up.
"Body Slam!"
Breaker landed on Sala, full force, earning a small squeak. The Tyranitar grinned as her mental grip on Iron disappeared, and the Garchomp launched himself into the air, unleashing two Dragon Pulses, hitting both the dumbstruck Drapion and hitting them hard enough to loosen their grip. With a burst of sudden strength, the Scyther broke free and leaped away from the scorpions and landed next to his teammates. "T-thanks," he gasped.
"Told you we couldn't trust him," said Iron.
"Hmm..." Blade sighed.
Breaker grinned, still sitting on top of Sala. "You know," he told the Drapion, "you guys are a lot less tough than I heard you were. I mean, heck, man, I just beat your leader by just sitting on her."
The Drapion gnashed their teeth angrily.
Something underneath Breaker moved.
"F...F...Focus... Blast..."
A blast of energy struck Breaker, sending him flying. The Tyranitar hit the ground, more surprised than hurt.
Sala roared in fury as she stood up, striking both Blade and Iron aside with a burst of Psychic. She was covered in bruises and blood was leaking out of her mouth. "We are leaving!" she announced.
The Drapion growled as they swiftly regrouped about Sala, one of them steadying the wounded Kirlia. Sala raised her hands, grabbing the crates of rainy orbs and pulling them over to them.
Sabre groaned as he picked himself up. "We're... retreating!?"
"If you have a better idea, let me hear it," Sala said, dryly.
Sabre gritted his teeth and ran over to his new allies, casting one last glare at Blade as Sala's energy covered the group.
"Teleport!"
With a violet flash, the Kirlia, the Drapion, the Scyther and the orbs were all gone.
Iron gritted his teeth. "Dang it..."
"Never mind them..." gasped Blade. "We've still got them to deal with."
The Umbreon solders were glaring at the Berserkers. Inque, despite still being wrapped in her battle with Shadow, scowled as she saw Sala and her soldiers retreat. "Cowards!" she snarled. "Soldiers! Destroy them!"
"Yes, do that!" Lepyuf ordered, slowly slipping away behind one of the numerous crates.
Breaker gritted his teeth as he towered over the Umbreon soldiers. "Alright, you want some? Bring it!"
The Umbreon gritted their teeth, their eyes bright red. The Berserkers stood at the ready. Lepyuf poked her head out from behind the crate, wondering when they would start killing each other.
Suddenly, the door to the dungeon swung open.
"Where is she?!"
The Berserkers winced in unison. They slowly turned to see Laura standing at the doorway, and she was fuming.
"Laura," Shadow said, quietly as he parried another Iron Tail from Inque. He was grateful she was alright.
"Uh... Hey..." Breaker said.
Laura stomped into the room, followed by Tracen, Celeste and a large number of slaves, who were looking into the room with curiosity and fear on their faces. "Where is she?!" the Lopunny demanded again.
"Who?" Breaker asked, still dumb-struck.
"Lepyuf!" Laura snapped.
Lepyuf slowly ducked her head behind a crate. However, Laura caught sight of her floppy ears just as they slipped behind their hiding place. "There you are!" the other Lopunny snarled. She angrily bounded over to dealer with murderous intent.
"Get her!" Inque ordered her soldiers. Managing to contact Lepyuf had been hard enough for the Umbreon. They couldn't teleport around like Sala could, so finding another dealer would take time. Time that they didn't have much of.
"Laura?! What are you doing?!" Breaker shouted to Laura, smashing his tail into an Umbreon that had been leaping at the Lopunny.
"I'm teaching this immature little brat a lesson!" the Lopunny answered with a snarl, bounding over to Lepyuf, who was beginning to feel that she hadn't chosen a very good hiding spot.
"Stop her!" Inque snarled again. "Kill them!" She struck Shadow across the face with an Iron Tail, stunning him long enough for her to join her soldiers' atttack, charging right for Team Berserker and Laura.
Blade shot forward and struck two Umbreon down with an X-Scissor. A Dragon Pulse from Iron destroyed a third one, and Blade smashed another with his Body Slam.
"M-minions! Don't just stand there!" Lepyuf ordered. "Get her!"
The two Golem roared with fury, charging right for Laura.
Celeste burst forward, a blur of teal and blue, her eyes flashing with rage for the slavers. "Ice Beam!" she shouted, unleashing a burst of sub-zero energy, freezing the first Golem solid.
Tracen leaped over his sister, his eyes glowing brightly. "Iron Tail!" he shouted, smashing his tail right into the already wounded Golem's face, knocking him out.
Inque snarled hatefulyl as her aid dropped on after another. If she was going down, she was going to take that suicidal Lopunny with her. Hate and anger pulsating through her body, she roared as she shot right for Laura, going for the throat.
"Laura!" Shadow shouted.
"Iron Tail!" Inque snarled, her eyes glowing red with hate. She swung her tail right for Laura's throat.
Laura rolled her eyes and stepped back, the attack missing her by several feet. "Thunder Punch!" she shouted, striking Inque in the face and knocking her to the ground with a fierce electric jolt.
"Meep!" squeaked a terrified Lepyuf. She bolted from the room, knowing that she could be next.
"Oh, no you don't!" snarled Laura, taking chase. "Get back here!"
"Hold it right-!" Inque began, before Breaker's tail blocked her path and knocked her flat on her back.
Inque snarled as she stood up. "You little-!" she began, before she noticed Breaker standing directly over her, growling.
Inque swallowed, remembering what had happened to Sala. "Not the Body Slam..."
"Yes the Body Slam," Breaker said.
CRUNCH!
Inque groaned as she passed out, severely beaten and bloodied.
Breaker gave a sigh of relief. "Whew... Well, that was fun."
Iron gave a growl. "That was Sala... and she got away! I practically had her in my teeth!"
Blade simply stared at the spot where Sabre had been mere moments before. He gave a heavy sigh, and turned away.
Shadow silently walked over to the others, looking over the battlefield. All of the Umbreon and Golem were out cold. Boxes and crates were smashed to pieces all around. "Where is Laura?" he asked, his voice low. He had been doing a good deal of speaking in the last hours, and his throat was becoming sore.
"She went after Lepyuf," Iron said.
"Should we...?" Blade began.
"Help!"
A bloodied, burnt, and bruised Lopunny ran into the room, horror written all over her face. "Please!" Lepyuf shouted. "Arrest me!"
Laura shot after her. "Oh no you don't!" she shouted. "You're not getting off that easy!"
Lepyuf shrieked and hid behind Breaker. "Don't let her get me!" she wailed.
"And why shouldn't I?" Breaker asked. All of the former slaves shouted or nodded in agreement.
"Uh... I have sensitive skin...?" Lepyuf offered.
Breaker rolled his eyes and stepped out of the way for Laura, who swiftly decked the younger Lopunny with another Thunder Punch.
Lepyuf slowly crawmed back, nursing a bloody nose. "N-n-now, let's not be hasty here..." she said, terrified. "W-we can make a deal!" She bumped into Celeste and Tracen, who glared down at her with contempt. "C-can't we?"
Celeste stared for a second, before Ice Beaming the Lopunny's feet to the ground, holding her in place. "She's all yours," she told Laura.
Lepyuf's eyes widened. "No!" she screamed, covering her face.
Laura glowered down at the Lopunny. Part of her was telling her that she shoud kill her, kill her quickly. Why not? After all, Lepyuf had been perfectly willing to sell her - and several young Eevee - into slavery. If she killed her, the world would not miss her.
...No. Not a fair fight. Laura was clearly a better fighter than Lepyuf, and the younger Lopunny was also clearly not used to pain. As much as Laura wanted to destroy Lepyuf - she gave a sigh - she knew that she wouldn't do it. Not if Bessie was watching.
"I... I am a lady," she told Lepyuf. "And I do not kill surrendering opponants - no matter how much they deserve it." She cast a hard glare down at the shivering Lopunny. "I suppose we'll just bring you back to the empire for a fair trial."
Shadow looked up at Laura. He didn't say anything, but the look on his face told her what he felt. Laura smiled. "Yes, well, I am a lady. I have to act like one." She looked around. Everyone was staring. "Well, what are you looking at?!" she demanded.
"Nothing!" everyone answered in unison.
Celeste looked over the slaves, a small but noticible smile on her face. "You're free now," she said. "There's a boat waiting to take you back to the mainland at pier 94."
"Well, it's been a ton of fun!" Tracen said. "Oh, and sorry about your pal, Blade."
Blade sighed, but kept quiet.
"Well, seeya!" Tracen said.
"Mist!" Celeste said, breathing out a thick cloud of chilling mist, obstructing everyone's view of the two Eeveelutions. By the time it had cleared, they were gone.
"Jeez," Iron grunted. "Looks like they left us to clean up the mess."
"S-so we just head to the ship alone?" asked one of the Eevee. "B-but what if we get kidnapped again?"
"Don't worry," Laura said, calmed down again. "We'll take you to the pier - isn't that right, boys?" She gave the Berserkers a glare that dared them to argue.
Breaker managed a grin. "Just what I was about to suggest. Iron, take care of Lepyuf. Let's beat it!" He walked off behind Laura, the former prisoners happily following them.
Iron nodded and scooped the still terrified Lopunny, slinging her over his shoulder. "Well... this worked out better than I thought it would."
Blade walked past him, silently.
Iron looked down at Shadow. "It really hitting him that hard?" he asked.
Shadow gave a nod.
"Get a move on, Iron!" Laura shouted.
Iron swallowed. "Y-yes, ma'am!" he said, following the Lopunny.
So, they walked, walking past shattered wall after shattered wall, through the devestated warehouse. The cheers of freed slaves rang through the halls, accompanied by the low, pitiful whimpers of the capture Lepyuf.
On the way out, they caught sight of the Grimer, watching them silently by the entrance. "Yoooooooooooooouuu caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaught Loooooooooooooopuuuuuny?"
"We did," Shadow answered, curtly. "Thank you for your help."
The Grimer smiled. "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeelcooooome," he said, waving at the happy caravan passed him. Then, when he was sure they were out of sight, and had no intention of coming back, he slid into the warehouse, coming out after a few minutes with a large sack filled with Poke.
Tonight had turned out to be a very profitable night.
"What in heaven's name happened to you?!" Nicholas demanded, shocked at the appearence of his friends.
It was dawn by the time the Berserkers came back, and they were in horrible shape. Breaker, Shadow, and Iron had bruises and cuts to remember, and poor Blade was badly hurt and stumbling. To make matters even stranger, they came back with two Lopunny: Laura, and another who was bound and gagged.
Breaker sighed. "You wouldn't believe us if we told you," he said.
"Try me," Nicolas demanded.
The door to the lower decks opened, and Trinity came out, yawning loudly. "Jeez," she said. "There you boys are! Where have you been?!" She looked up to the struggling and whining Lepyuf, trying to speak through the gag that covered her mouth. "Oh... Fun night, eh?"
"No," Iron said. "Come on, Nick. Let's make our guest comfortable."
Nicolas sighed. "You guys..." he muttered, not really knowing what to say. Wordlessly, he followed Iron as he carried Lepyuf to the cells.
Blade stumbled off silently.
"Hey, Blade!" Breaker called. "You make sure to get yourself some oran berries and then head to bed! You look horrible!"
Blade raised a claw in acknowledgement and walked quietly off to his room.
"What's his problem?" asked Trinity.
"Oh, it's a long story..." Breaker said.
Trinity groaned. "Great - you stop being mopey just in time for him to start!"
Breaker rolled his eyes. "Oh, he'll recover. Are the kids up?"
"No, they're asleep. Nicholas got them out of it a few hours ago." The Farfetch'd gave a long yawn. "Well, we stayed up all night waitin' for you guys! I'm heading to bad! G'night!"
Breaker nodded as Trinity went down to the bunks. He looked over to the railing. Laura was standing by the edge, watching over a small ship. It was the ship that Celeste and Tracen had arranged. The slaves were eagerly boarding the ship, and it looked ready to cast off. Shadow stood at her side, watching the ship silently.
"Well," Laura said. "There they go."
Shadow nodded.
Laura closed her eyes. "I hope they'll be happy."
"They will," Shadow said.
A loud shriek of frustration filled the air. Laura and Shadow looked further down the pier to see a group of Umbreon, shouting and swearing as their ship slowly sank into the water.
"Someone sabotaged their ship," Shadow said. Tracen and Celeste must have done it. Shadow couldn't help a ghost of a smile appear on his lips as he saw the now awake Captain Inque, throwing an insanely childish tantrum.
It's the little things in life, Shadow mused, that sometimes bring the most joy.
Laura sighed sadly. Shadow looked over at the Lopunny. "You're still thinking about Bessie?" he asked.
Laura nodded, her eyes misty. "Yes. It... It's been a long, hard day... I almost forgot why we went to Moor in the first place." She looked down ast Shadow. "Why me?" she asked.
Shadow didn't answer, so Laura went on. "Why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"Nothing," Shadow answered.
"Then why did I lose her?" Laura asked, quietly.
"...Sometimes horrible things happen to wonderful people," Shadow said. "And sometimes... wonderful things happen to horrible people."
Laura nodded, sniffling. She leaned on Shadow, and they quietly watched the ship of former prisoners sail away into the rising sun. Breaker watched the duo, silently, and then pulled the anchor out of the water.
They had wasted enough time on Moor. They had to get back to the mainland.
The sun was slowly peaking over the dunes of the desert, promising the parched land another day of blistering heat. The desert was a long forsaken place - the Dragonite Empire would have no part in it, whatsoever. Only the Kramzak Empire would live there - not out of free choice of course.
Kramzak's Fortress stood amongst the craggier, rocky regions of the desert, where there was more shade to be found. It was a massive, imposing sight. Huge towers stood over the rest of the desert, casting shadows upon the city that surrounded the fort. Huge walls, thirty feet thick, surrounded the inner keep, and it was guarded by ferocious and powerful Pokemon, all who gave their allegence to Kramzak.
A violet flash emerged in front of the fort, several figures appearing on the sand. Sala the Kirlia scowled as her eyes faded from violet and returned to their usual ruby color. She fell to the ground, stopping herself with her hand. A Drapion swiftly helped the badly weakened Kirlia up. The battle had taken a fierce toll in the Psychic-type.
"We're back..." Sala murmured, relieved inwardly. She had been worried that she wouldn't be able to manage a Teleport in her weakened state.
Behind Sala, Sabre collapsed in the sand, bleeding badly. No one tried to help him up. He scowled as he stood up on his own, biting back a searing comment meant for Sala.
Sala looked over the gate. "We have returned!" she shouted. "Open the gate!"
A yellow head peeked over the wall. "Oh. It's you," an obnoxious voice called down. "What happened? You look horrible - well, you look worse than you usually do."
Sala's eyes narrowed. "Javaline. Open the gate."
"Mmm... Don't want to." Javaline looked down with distaste. After the meeting with the Shadowed One, Kramzak had assigned the Beedrill to gatekeeping duties to keep her out of his metaphorical hair.
Sala's eyes flashed, and the Drapion growled, all of them weary. "Then I will Teleport up there, kill you, and open it myself!"
Javaline sighed. "Fine!" she spat. "I'll open the bleeding gate..." She gave a grumble, and walked off. After four minutes (which felt like four hours) of waiting, the massive iron gates slid open with a slow rumbling roar, and a company of Drapion emerged from the gate to collect the crates of rainy orbs.
Sala stood up as straight as she could. "Scyther," she said, "follow me." She walked off, the Drapion following her.
Sabre sighed, hoping that she was taking him to a physician. He silently followed the Kirlia, keeping his eyes and ears open, just in case of double cross. However, as he looked around, he noticed that none of the Drapion were paying him any heed whatsoever. He wasn't sure if that was a good sign, or a bad one.
The doors to the keep slid open, and Sabre followed the Imperials inside. The inside of the keep was made of dark reddish stone, and the halls were lit by a multitude of torches. Skorupi and Drapion crawled about the halls, fulfilling their duties whatever they may be. The inside of the fort was cool, but it was still early, so that could change quickly.
It didn't take Sala long, even with her limp, to take them to the throne chamber of the Emperor himself. The throne room sat in a massive, round tower that jutted out of the center of the fortress. Two massive Drapions, almost two feet taller than an average Drapion, stood watch over the door. The two gave Sala a nod and opened the heavy stone doors.
"Wait here," Sala ordered.
"Yes, milady," the Drapion answered. Sabre managed to say it with them, almost in unison with the others.
Sala quietly walked into the throne room, the doors sliding shut behind her.
The throne room was dark, as the sun was only just rising, and had yet to creep through the windows yet. Only two torches kept the room lit. Sala walked to the center of the shadowy room, and bowed.
Sitting on a massive throne was Kramzak himself, leader of the desert and Sala's master. The Drapion was surronded by his servants: a female Scizor was polishing his mace, whilst a Wormadam sharpened his stinger, and a Vespiquen flapped her wings to keep him cool.
"Sala," Kramzak rumbled.
"We have returned, milord," Sala said.
Kramzak nodded. "Leave us," he ordered.
The maids swiftly bowed their heads and left the room silently, leaving Kramzak and Sala alone.
"Was the mission a success?" Kramzak got straight to the point.
"Indeed," Sala answered.
Kramzak stood up. "Good," he said. "I'll have the oasis filled again this evening."
"There were complications," Sala admitted.
"Evidently," Kramzak said, looking over his wounded second in command. "You look horrible."
"So I've been told," Sala said with a nod. "We had a run in with bounty hunters. It's entirely likely that they captured Lepyuf."
Kramzak rolled his eyes. "A meager loss, to be sure," he said.
"I would not have retreated if it wasn't," Sala agreed. "I'll work on finding another dealer as soon as I can."
Kramzak gave a grumble and a nod. He walked past Sala, heading to the balcony of his throne room, that overlooked all of his lands. Sala wordlessly followed, waiting for her master to hopefully dismiss her to her room. She was tired and hungry.
Kramzak quietly looked over his lands as the sun rose. A rare gust of wind rippled across the plain, scattering sand all about. After what felt like an eternity, Kramzak spoke: "Tell me, Sala; are you happy here?"
Sala bowed her head. "I am pleased to be wherever you are, master."
"Not at my side," Kramzak corrected, "but here, in the desert. Can you honestly tell me you enjoy living here?"
Sala hesitated before she answered. "N-no, master."
Kramzak looked down at the Kirlia. Then, he nodded. "Neither do I," he said. "We have little food, we have little water, and we have a population of several thousand." His eyes narrowed. "And those Dragonite fools... they have an abundance of all three." He gritted his teeth. "Why did I ever sign that blasted treaty!?" he demanded, slamming his claw on the stone railing.
"Because both yours and the Dragonite armies were both too small at that point to continue any further," Sala answered, honestly. "We lost many soldiers."
Kramzak growled angrily. "We should have been victorious or dead!" he snapped, more to himself than to Sala. He pounded his mace into his claw. "Blast it!"
Sala took a step back, not wanting to get caught in her master's rage, should he lose his temper. Thankfully, Kramzak sighed and calmed down. "Is there anything else to report?" he asked.
Sala nodded. "Yes, master. We have a new recruit - with your permission, of course."
Kramzak sighed. "Another mouth to feed... What's his name?"
"Sabre. He goes by the title of the Black Scyther," Sala answered.
"The Black Scyther?" Kramzak nodded, remembering that name. "I have heard of him... They say he is ruthless, reckless, dangerous... that he'll do anything for money."
"I'm afraid that not all of the rumors are true," Sala said. "His hatred for the Dragonite Empire far overpowered his love of material goods."
Kramzak managed a small laugh. "I like him already. See to it that he is made comfortable; he'll prove his worth tomorrow."
Sala nodded. "It shall be done. Lastly, master," she said, "we had a run-in with our Umbreon... allies."
Kramzak's good mood vanished. "The Umbreon?" he growled.
Sala nodded, keeping her face and voice neutral. "They came to buy slaves..."
Kramzak growled loudly. Being a former slave himself, he despised slavery and anyone who dealt in it. "What happened?"
"I don't know. When I left, they were Lepyuf's only defenders."
"So, she's definitely been captured," Kramzak said, dryly. "Worthless mutts..."
Sala nodded. "Indeed."
"Did they attack you?" asked Kramzak.
"They were merely stupid, master. Not suicidal."
"Hmm."
"Master," Sala said, "we are allied with the Umbreon, aren't we?"
"...More or less," Kramzak growled. He didn't want to admit it.
"Perhaps the time has come to take advantage of that alliance," Sala suggested.
Kramzak was silent, contemplating her words. Finally, he asked, "What did you have in mind?"
"The Umbreon are at war with the Espeon. Both of their lands are forests, rich with food and large lakes and rivers," Sala explained. "We merely need to take it."
Kramzak mulled over the idea. "Interesting... Go on..."
"The Umbreon army is small, diminished after years of battle," said Sala. "They are fought by both the Espeon, and an unseen resistance effort. They have food and water, but they do not have enough of an army. Nor do the Espeon. If you were to offer your services to them..."
Kramzak thought about it. "Ebon is an idiot... and an egotist," he said. "Would he even accept our help?"
"Given the pitiful state of his country, he won't have much of a choice," Sala said. "You merely order your armies to invade the Espeon lands and aid their solders. Your Drapion are easily worth ten Espeon, master."
Kramzak smiled. "Heh... You're on to something..."
"Your army outnumbers and overpowers the Espeon easily," Sala continued. "And in return, you would be able settle in the Espeon territories."
Kramzak looked skeptically at Sala. "What of the Dragonite Empire?" he asked. "Would they retaliate?"
"Emperor Comet? Order an attack?" Sala managed not to roll his eyes. "You've faced him on the field of battle before. All he did was defend or counter attack - which always ended up failing."
Kramzak nodded, remember his encounter with Comet, and how badly it had ended for the Dragonite. Why they made him an emperor was beyond him. "And if the Umbreon double cross us?" he asked.
Sala smiled. "You crush them, as well. Then you may take both territories for your own."
Kramzak grinned fiercely. "Yes," he hissed. "Perfect... Excellent work, Sala. I'll have a pot of water for you to bring to your quarters; you have the rest of the day to recover from your venture. Bathe, eat, and rest."
Sala bowed, gratefully. She hadn't had a bath in such a long time... "Thank you, master," she said.
Kramzak faced his balcony again, his claws folded behind his back. "Tomorrow, you will contact Snarl, of the Sandslash Tribe, and tell him that his master summons him and his armies. Then, go to the archives and find every map of Espeon and Umbreon territory you can find, and then bring them to me. We'll examine it with my generals."
"As you wish, my lord."
"You may go," Kramzak said. "Send in this new recruit."
Sala bowed one last time. "As you wish, master," she said, quietly. Without another word, she walked away.
Kramzak smiled as he looked over the desert landscape, watching as the sun rose over the sand dunes.
"I wonder..." he said to himself, "how the sun will look rising over my new lands?"
The stone doors slid shut with a rumble. Kramzak turned his head. "Welcome... Black Scyther. Or do you prefer Sabre?"
Sabre wordlessly walked over to Kramzak, looking up at the Drapion in silence.
"Sabre it is, then," Kramzak said, pushing his annoyance over the Scyther's appearent lack of respect towards him. "So... Sala tells me you are interested in joining us?"
"I might be," Sabre said.
Kramzak cracked a small grin. "Then tell me, Sabre... how do you feel about the Espeon/Umbreon war?"
Author's Note:
Well, we've finally gotten off of Moor, and ended that subplot. Sabre's joined with Kramzak, and Kramzak is planning on invading the Espeon Territory!
Well, that subplot is done! Tune in next to join up with more of our intrepid adventurers! Who will it be?
Find out next time!
Also, PMD fans, I'd recommend reading Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: The Uncanny Curse, by xStrawberryDuckFeathersx! It is awesome! Give it a read!