15th Winter Moon, 907

With JoJo's promise of transportation enticing them, the Broken Glass Alchemical Company trekked through the far stretches of the Outlands for the next few days until they reached their targeted destination. Coming up over a hill, they spotted a trading post in the distance, much bigger than the previous one they encountered.

Keeping their heads low, they staked out the trading grounds where it became immediately clear the business dealings dealt in the depraved lands. Caged wagons rode into the area borders, carrying captured thugs locked and chained down inside and stripped of just about everything beyond the most ragged of clothes. All sorts of Pokémon, be they slaves or slavers, gathered within the trading grounds to make deals with potential customers.

Amos felt a bubble of irritation as he watched the wagons drive into the trading grounds. While he didn't particularly care for the practice, the memories of being locked in a cage and being transported through the Outlands cropped back up.

"Th-This feels wrong…" Evelot mumbled. She looked at JoJo in disgust. "Why would you suggest this as our transport option?"

The false Riolu smirked. "You wanted someway to get through the Outlands fast, and I provided. Maybe you should've raised more of a complaint before I dragged you all out here."

"I didn't think you were serious!"

Phoebe glared. "Slavery is a common practice found in the two empires of the east, so to actually see it being committed in the west is…discomforting." She then shrugged off her discomfort and pulled out her rifle. "Alright, just need to shoot the place up and capture whoever survives as our steed."

"Are you nuts?!" Evelot shrieked. "We can't just go down there starting up gunfire!"

Amos glared. "Unfortunately, she's right. There's way too many Freaks at the trading grounds. We have to play this smart." He shot his glare at JoJo. "And I suppose you have a plan?"

She chuckled. "Would I bring us here if I didn't?" She pulled out a sack of coins from her cloak. "All I need to do is conduct a few business transactions with these fine folks and raise enough money to win us an auction. All you three need to do is find the steed you want."

Phoebe grunted. "Well, this isn't how I wanted to spend my evening." She glared at JoJo. "And you're sure you can win the auction once we've made a decision?"

She waved off her concern. "Oh, relax. I've got everything under control. You just do your jobs, and I'll do mine." She stood up and skipped down to the trading grounds, humming a cheerful tune along the way.

Amos groaned. "She isn't taking this with the seriousness I hoped for."

"Agreed," Phoebe grumbled.

Evelot gulped. "S-So, we're just going along with the fact we're purchasing another living being against their will, right?"

"I'm afraid so, Eve."

"I'm having a moral conundrum over this."

Amos rolled his eyes and stood up. "Look at it this way: we're sparing whoever we pick out from dealing with an asshole master. We just need a steed to carry us to Copper Gorge or whatever, then they'll be free to do go and frolic wherever they damn please."

"…You promise?"

"Good grief, stop acting like a wimp."

Phoebe sighed and stood up as well, dusting her skirt off. "I'm not terribly fond of this either, Eve, but my feet are getting sore from walking on sand and rocks. We're getting a steed, end of discussion."

Evelot gulped again with a nervous shudder. "Oooookay." She slowly followed behind Amos and Evelot, descending down to the trading grounds. "I really, really hate this…"

Observing the trading grounds from afar seemed bad enough, but seeing it up close made their stomachs churn as they entered the perimeter. With JoJo split off from their group to conduct her unlawful business, the remaining trio trekked ahead with their heads down to the row of caged wagons holding the goods, a thought that further sickened poor Evelot.

Maybe thuggish brutes inspected the various caged Pokémon, some tempting fate by rattling the captured creatures. Though some of the captured Pokémon were sluggish to the taunting, others were much more hostile and defiant. A particularly angry Beartic managed to bite the finger of a cocky Breloom off, eliciting screams and enraged shouting from both sides.

Evelot grimaced, shying away behind Amos and gripping to his tattered poncho. He shot her an annoyed glare and shrugged her off. "Will you calm down?"

"This place gives me the creeps."

"Just shut up and help us look for someone useful."

Phoebe glared. "Keep harassing her like that, and you'll end up in one of those cages."

"Not before I kill you first."

"I'd like to see you try—"

"LET ME OUT!" The trio jolted as a panicked Galarian Meowth reached through the cage bars, trying to grab them. "LET ME OUT! PLEASE! I'VE BEEN IN HERE FOR WEEKS!"

Phoebe grabbed her rifle and swung it like a club into the steel cat's arm. He howled in pain as his wrist snapped against the bars. He fell back and coddled his broken arm while the trio hurried along their way.

"I want to leave," Evelot whimpered.

"Stop with your fucking complaining," Amos growled. "We're just here until we find someone who can carry us across the Outlands." He scanned the rows of cages. "Anyone see anything useful?"

Phoebe let her eyes wander before spotting a caged Venusaur. "How about him? He looks like he could haul a couple tons."

They approached the cage and observed the Venusaur trapped inside. He opened his eyes, sensing their staring, before letting out a sluggish yawn and rolling over onto his side.

Amos grimaced. "Seems too slow."

"Eh, probably."

They continued along their way before stopping in front of a caged Coalossal. His arms and legs were chained down with chains connected to the bars tightly to restrict movement.

"How about him?" Amos suggested. "With all those restraints, he looks like he could pull our weight."

Evelot gulped. "W-Why do they need him that restrained, though?"

Upon sensing the group's presence, the coal monster's eyes snapped open, and he violently shook within the cage with enraged roars. They jumped back in alarm as he flailed in place, kept still by the dozens of chains keeping him restricting. He spat out sputters of a tar-like substance that splattered over the cage and their faces with heaps of smog seeping from the corners of his mouth.

Amos wiped his face with an unamused scowl. "Mystery solved." He pushed on ahead with the girls, leaving the enraged Coalossal to his violent outburst.

They traveled down rows upon rows of cages, taking in the potential steeds at their disposal, but all posing similar flaws or concerns for their needs. There was a Steelix who proved a bit too much for what they required, a Torterra with a missing leg, a Dragalge who looked like he hadn't had a decent drink in weeks, and…

"So, you three are looking for someone to take you across the Outlands?" said the caged Electivire with his arms bound together in locks. He bowed his head. "I'd be more than willing to assist in your journey should you free me."

The trio shared a surprised, almost suspicious look with each other. Of all the slaves they came across, this one seemed…oddly composed. Amos glared at the electric yeti and asked, "You wouldn't mind traveling across the Outlands with a wagon strapped to your back?"

"Not at all."

"You're totally willing to go along with this?"

"Absolutely."

Evelot brightened up a bit. "O-Oh, well, how generous of you. Thank you for your—"

"What's the catch?" Phoebe grunted.

The Electivire chuckled softly. "Well, since you ask, it's been a while since I've had some…relief, as it were." He peered down at Phoebe with mischievous eyes. "You're pretty small, but I bet you'd make a nice fuck—"

"Annnnd there it is! Nope, don't want this one, either."

"Aww, come on, sweetheart~. If you ask me, it's a fair trade. Besides, I bet you might enjoy it once you get a feel for what I'm packing. Want a sample of the goods?"

A cruel smirk crossed over her face. "If you even try and whip your dick out in front of me, I'm going to cut it and your testicles off and shove them both down your eye sockets. That should solve your relief issues." She pulled out her heated dagger. "Want to test me~?"

Feeling a nervous sweat break out, the Electivire scooted to the far back of his cage. "Uh, n-no. I think I'm good."

"That's what I thought." She shoved her knife back into its scabbard and marched on ahead with Evelot nervously following behind.

Electivire let out a relieved sigh before glaring down at Amos. "She's a feisty one. How do you keep a leash on her—"

BANG!

"YAAAAAH!" The electric yeti fell onto his back with blood gushing out of his shoulder.

"Oops," Amos grumbled before blowing the smoke off his gunarm and following after the girls.

"Ugh, I need a bath after that one," Phoebe groaned as she angrily tore off a bite of her travel jerky. With their unpleasant encounter with the Electivire, the company decided to take a brief rest by a recently emptied cage.

"I'd almost pay money to see you rip his crotch off," Amos said.

She smirked a bit before frowning at the ground. "That guy was definitely raised in the Outlands. Not the first time I've met lecherous assholes like that. They see a pretty face, and the first thing that comes to mind is how soon they can stick their dick in me." She shrugged. "Sad to say I've gotten used to it. I actually have made good on that threat before. I once stabbed a Scrafty's groin after he touched my butt. Then I tore off his groin and shoved whatever was stuck to my knife down his throat."

"…" Amos glared. "You've been raised in the Outlands your whole life, haven't you?"

She chuckled bitterly. "What gave it away? You have to be tough to survive in the Outlands. I was never strong, so I had to get clever. The Faucher family were the only people I could say I trust. I didn't exactly have any dreams beyond surviving."

"…" Amos leaned his head back. "It seems like everyday, this region gives us a new reason to let dreams die."

"Dreams are pointless. They don't amount to anything under than a fleeting fantasy to shield yourself from the truth right in front of you." Phoebe glared. "Then again, I didn't have much hope for moving on with my life until we gave Thatcher a reality check."

"Then why bother with this quest?"

She glanced over at Evelot, who seemed to be sleeping inside her costume. She frowned and gently patted the Mimikyu's head. "What do you think?"

"…Hmm." Amos tilted his head back and glared up at the sky. "You care for her a lot, don't you?"

"She's like a little sister to me," Phoebe admitted. "She's naïve and kind, and you don't get a whole lot of that out here. I want to preserve that good will for as much as it's worth. Plus, after everything she's been through, I'm worried she'll…" She tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Hmm? What?"

"…" She shook her head. "It's not important…"

"Heeeeey guys!" They (along with Evelot, who roused from her sleep) perked up as a red cloaked Marill bounced over to them. She showed off sacks packed with coins. "I got us some spending money!"

Phoebe narrowed her eyes. "Ah. JoJo. Hey."

She frowned at the group. "You're…still searching, aren't you?"

Amos groaned. "It isn't going well, that's for sure."

"…" The shapeshifter's star-shaped pupils twinkled with mischief. "Well, in that case, mind if I make a suggestion?"

"…Huh?"

The company followed the shapeshifter deeper through the trading grounds before being led to an imposing cage shielded behind a tarp. JoJo bounded over to the tarp and pulled it back like a curtain, allowing the trio to peek inside.

Laying within the darkened cage was a massive Scolipede, larger than any known member of the species. He lay curled up on the floor of his cage with chains wrapped around his body and a heavy collar snapped around his neck. He wore a locked muzzle over his face.

Evelot narrowed her eyes sadly. "Oh my…"

JoJo leaned against the bars. "While I was making some deals, the proud owner of this fellow gave me the details. You're looking at one of the strongest Scolipede ever found on the surface."

Amos glared. "Found on the surface?"

JoJo smirked. "This fellow is from the Subterra Kingdom, and he's a part of the Savage Kin from what I'm told."

Evelot shrieked. "Those Pokémon that eat other Pokémon?!"

JoJo waved her hand around. "Well, they don't all eat Pokémon. Just the ones a bit more…stubborn about changing their diets." She shook her head. "Not the point. This fellow could gore through carriages and the toughest of armor with little more than those horns of his. It took the combined might of several Outland gangs just to subdue him. And now that he has been weakened, he's being put up for auction."

Phoebe glared. "Who'd be crazy enough to buy a monster like that?"

"…" The Scolipede opened one eye, staring at her as if saddened by her comment. He shifted his weight and turned away from them.

Evelot whined softly. "I think you hurt his feelings…"

Amos glared. "He does look like he could pull a wagon with no effort, but being a Savage Kin…" He glanced at JoJo. "Why would you suggest this guy over all the others?"

She shot him a deadpan glare. "How bad were your other choices?"

"…Fair."

She sighed and shook her head. "Besides, I spent some time watching other customers check this fellow out. A lot of them plan to use him for some horrible tasks like dangerous mine excavation and…charging into battle to act as a meat shield in gang wars."

"…" Amos' glare softened. "Huh."

"I don't know. I just felt bad for the fellow." JoJo looked over her shoulder. "Almost all the slaves you see here were raised in the Outlands, too. Some of them even let themselves be captured to look feeble and helpless before killing their new master. But this fellow? He's just an innocent bystander who was at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"…" Amos closed his eyes. "Huh."

Evelot whimpered. "That's so sad." She grabbed and shook Amos by the poncho. "Ammo, we have to buy him! Please! I bet he wants to be free!"

He shook his head. "We can't just buy any ol' steed without getting a read on their temperament. We need someone who'd be willing to work with us, not to mention not kill us in our sleep."

"…" The Scolipede gently lifted his head and glanced at the group.

Amos noticed his staring and shot back with a glare. "What do you want?"

"…" He lifted his gaze, looking out to the visible sky beyond the tarp.

Phoebe followed his gaze for a moment, then said, "You want to be let out, don't you?"

The Scolipede nodded.

She glared. "Look, we're not out here doing charity work. We just need someone who can carry us to Copper Gorge. That's it. If you can do that much, we don't care what you do with your life afterwards. You can go on and be free to your heart's content while we do our business. Understood?"

"…" He nodded again.

"And you better promise not to double cross us, because I will end your life the second you even consider it."

"…" He nodded again.

"…" Phoebe groaned. "He seems compliant enough."

Amos scoffed. "I'm still not convinced."

JoJo glared. "Well, you better make a choice soon. He's going to get sold off in half an hour, and I don't think some of your other choices are going to be any helpful."

Amos sighed, gently rubbing his face. "Putting me on the spot, aren't you?" He looked at the Scolipede, who looked back at the Gligar with a pleading stare. It annoyed him. "Good grief, stop looking at me like that. It's pathetic."

"…" The Scolipede shifted around, raising his head to full length and peering down through the bars.

"…" Amos closed his eyes and groaned. "You really want to get out, don't you?"

The Scolipede nodded.

"…" Amos shook his head, finally letting out an irritated sigh. "Well, given the rest of our options, I don't see any other choice." He stepped back from the cage and glared up at the giant megapede. "You better keep your word, though. You help and protect us on the road, and we'll return the favor in kind."

The Scolipede tilted his head in confusion.

Evelot raised her arms gleefully. "It's what being friends means!"

"We're not friends!" Amos and Phoebe yelled.

"Friendship is the strongest bond of all!" Evelot continued. "When a friend is in trouble, we'll always be there to protect them! And we promise, as your friends, we'll free you from your cage!"

"…" The Scolipede's gaze softened. He muffled something from behind his muzzle. A soft, gentle reply.

JoJo smiled. "D'aww, I think he likes you guys."

Amos rolled his eyes. "Riveting." He poked the shapeshifter in the forehead. "You will be able to win the auction, right?"

She waved him off. "Relax, I'm a master merchant. I've got this one in the bag."

Amos sighed. "Alright." He stepped away from the tarp and glared at the Scolipede. "In that case, you just wait for the next half hour. Once we win, you're getting your freedom."

The megapede nodded with greater confidence.

"Good. See you in half an hour, partner." Amos grabbed the tarp and pulled it shut. He turned to his group and nodded firmly. "Let's head to the auction stage and get ready. We've got a steed to win."

They nodded and raised their fists. "Right!"

The Broken Glass Alchemical Company made their way to the auctioning stage, gathering at the back of the crowd as they watched several rounds of auctioning and competing with the scum of the Outlands. Slaves were being purchased left and right, whether for grand prices or mediocre wagers. Some of the participants got a bit too competitive fighting over prospecting slaves, resulting in a fist fight that divulged into a betting ring for the winner.

Amos rolled his eyes, angrily tapping his foot against the barrel he sat on. "This is taking forever. When are they rolling out the Scolipede?"

"Be patient," JoJo said. "We'll be out of here in no time."

Evelot gulped. "I am both nervous for our success and horrified to be participating in this barbaric practice…"

Phoebe patted her head. "Trust me, Eve, this is pretty tame so far."

Once the fighting up front died down, the Grimmsnarl auctioneer stepped onto the stage with a laugh. "Well, that was some fine display of competition, folks, but let's keep the money flowing! We've got a fine creature that'll make the most of your labor forces out here in these untamed lands!"

He whistled, calling for a squadron of Machoke to carry in a giant cage. The alchemical company straightened up as the cage landed on the stage. With the tarp pulled back, they saw the Scolipede laying inside, looking out over the crowd with a worried grimace.

"There he is," Amos gasped.

The Grimmsnarl tapped on the cage bars and laughed. "As you can see, he's mostly passive, but a fine display of power and muscle lies under that unconfident hide! Double the size of your average Scolipede! With great speed and power, he can serve a variety of tasks for you fine menaces! He can pull you vast distances, skewer and devour your foes for breakfast, and act as your loyal shield against returning fire! He is a monster that will not rest until the task is done!"

The crowd roared with excitement, raising their bidding paddles in anticipation. The alchemical company turned unsurely toward JoJo, who juggled her bidding paddle in one hand.

"This is going to be a walk in the park, don't worry," she assured. Her smirk doubled. "Now, watch the master at work."

The Grimmsnarl pointed out to the crowd. "Let's get this bidding war started with the generous offer of thirty bits! Do I hear thirty bits?"

"Thirty!" someone yelled from the crowd.

"We've got thirty! Do I hear thirty-five?"

"Forty bits!"

"Ooh, going high! Forty bits, folks! That is forty bits! Do I hear fifty?!"

The company kept shooting nervous looks at JoJo as she remained reclined in her seat. "Why are you doing anything?!" Evelot shrieked.

She snickered. "Just be patient."

They gripped into their seats, listening as the bidding numbers grew higher and higher with each bid. As the numbers rose, more bidders dropped out of the competition. The Scolipede was an enticing prize for the hardened criminals of the lawless land, but the price for obtaining him proved too much for the unprepared. Only those with great influence and power over the Outlands would stand a chance of obtaining such a magnificent prize.

"Three hundred and fifty bits! Do I hear three sixty?!"

No immediate bids were placed as the crowd started to lose steam. JoJo, seizing her opportunity, chuckled confidently before raising her paddle. "Five…hundred!"

"WHAT?!" the company gasped.

"WHAT?!" the crowd screamed.

The Grimmsnarl laughed. "Five hundred bits to the Froslass—no, wait, I mean Nidorina, in the back! What an offer! Do I hear five ten to counter her? Five ten, do I hear five ten?!"

One bidder frantically raised his paddle. "I've got five ten—"

"Six hundred!" JoJo immediately countered.

"EHHHHHH?!" Phoebe and Evelot shrieked.

"Why do you keep going so high?!" Amos shouted.

She snickered. "I'm breaking their confidence."

"Six hundred bits!" the Grimmsnarl exclaimed. "This little lady doesn't know when to stop! Do I hear six ten in response? Do I hear six ten?!"

"Um, six twenty—" one tried to offer.

"Eight hundred!" JoJo yelled.

"WHAAAAAAAAT?!" the crowd screamed.

"You're giving me a heart attack!" Phoebe screamed.

"Uh, eight—"

"One thousand!" JoJo countered again.

"He didn't even finish his offer!" Amos shouted.

Thankfully, it seemed JoJo's plan was working. No one among the visible audience had the gall to challenge her bid, shaken up by her ruthless lack of concern for finances. Those close to see her confident grin felt the chilling aura of someone who would keep going higher and higher until she bankrupted at least one of them. Going any higher would be suicide!

"One thousand!" Grimmsnarl exclaimed. "Do we have a counteroffer? One thousand ten? One thousand, going once—"

JoJo leaned back in her seat and laughed smugly. "What did I tell you?"

Phoebe's eye twitched. "How much money did you scam from these people after we got here?"

"I work fast." She twirled her bidding paddle on the tip of her finger. "You can either make a product enticing, or you can make something so unobtainable that you drive someone to financial ruin. We. Win."

"One thousand, going twice! Annnnnnd—"

"Two. Thousand!"

The alchemical company and JoJo jumped with a start as one bidder finally raised their paddle. It was a Lickilicky dressed in an opulent suit and hat with a walking stick. He raised his paddle with a bored expression and unwavering confidence.

"Two thousand!" Grimmsnarl exclaimed. "Unbelievable! Do I hear a counteroffer? Two thousand, everyone! Two thousand going once—"

Evelot frantically shook JoJo. "Bid higher! BID HIGHER!"

JoJo's paddle slipped from her hand as a nervous grin stretched over her face. "I…can't."

"Why not?!"

"That's…all the money I had to offer."

"WHAT?!"

"Two thousand going twice—"

"I was betting on no one being stupid enough to go higher than a thousand," she sheepishly admitted.

"You were stupid enough to offer a thousand!" Phoebe shouted.

"I was going to steal it back anyway—"

"Annnnnnnd, sold!"

The company's eyes widened as the Grimmsnarl's voice boomed over the crowd. They looked ahead to the stage as the opulent Lickilicky made his way up and handed over a sack of coins to the auctioneer. He snapped his fingers, ordering the Machoke squadron to lift the Scolipede's cage and carry him behind his new owner.

"Oh no!" Evelot gasped.

"You've got to be kidding me…" Amos growled.

JoJo awkwardly pursed her lips. "Welllll…on the bright side, I didn't lose any money, so…win for me?" The trio shot her a glare. "…Right, bad timing."

Phoebe facepalmed herself. "Great. Just great. He was literally our best chance to find MacGyver, and now we're back to square one!" She pinched between her eyes and groaned. "Maybe it's not too late to give the Venusaur a second shot…"

"…" Amos glared and jumped off his seat.

Evelot gasped. "Ammo, what are you—"

"Rags, do me a favor," he grumbled.

Her eyes widened. "Huh?"

The Scolipede stumbled out from his cage as the Machoke pulled him by his chains. The Lickilicky stood beside his luxurious red and gold carriage, impatiently studying the back of his hand. "Will you gentlemen hurry up? I've got places to be soon." He laughed to himself. "Oh, Amadeus won't know what to expect when I return from my business trip. Skeleton Water will be back under my control in no time."

The Machoke worked together to restrain the Scolipede as they hooked him up to the carriage. The megapede let out a sad groan behind his muzzle, resigned to his fate even as he shifted uncomfortably within his restraints. His horns drooped over his eyes as he hung his head.

The Lickilicky scoffed. "You have no time to be sad. You're going to help me reestablish my place as lord over Skeleton Water. Now, cooperate, or there will be regrets—"

"Oi! Fatass!"

The lawless lord glared over his shoulder. "Who dares?"

Amos, Phoebe, and JoJo marched up to the rotund Pokémon. Amos scowled up at him. "We called him first, so give us the Scolipede."

The lord recoiled in disgust. "Ew, a peasant." He waved his cane at Amos. "Begone with you before I catch something."

Phoebe scowled. "You live here, too, jerkass! We heard you talking about Skeleton Water!"

He turned his back to them and laughed. "You seem to be confused. I am Lord Edric Kinnaird, ruler of Skeleton Water, and the most dashing and respectable among you barbarians. I built myself up from tragic times out here in the Outlands. I've surpassed my weaknesses and amassed power beyond your wildest dreams. Acquiring this steed is paltry convenience compared to what I'm capable of—"

"We don't give a shit," Amos growled. "Just hand over the Scolipede. He's with us."

"Working for a fatass like you sounds like hell to me," Phoebe added. "We saw him first, and now we're taking him."

The Scolipede's eyes widened. His eyes shimmered with admiration at the company's insistence to take him with them.

Lord Kinnaird scoffed. "You feeble peasants! You dare speak to me with such vulgarity? No class whatsoever!"

JoJo rolled her eyes. "Look bud, I'm sure we can work out a fair trade for the Scolipede. My friends here need him more than you do."

"Absurd! He will be my ticket to regaining my power back in Skeleton Water!" He tipped his top hat. "You see, I lost my command over the town after a harrowing duel with an upcoming gang leader named Amadeus, a ruthless sort known for his connections with the infamous—"

"We don't care, fatass!" Amos and Phoebe shouted.

"Why do you keep insisting on that vulgar remark?! I'm a perfectly healthy weight for my species—" He stopped himself and took a deep breath. "No, no, I will not bring myself down to childish tantrums with such lowly creatures. I am above such absurdity."

Amos growled louder. "We're not asking a second time. Hand over the Scolipede, or we'll take him by force."

The lord laughed obnoxiously. "You think I'm afraid of you, little man? I have survived being eaten alive, mauled by vulgar creatures, robbed of my possessions, stabbed and shot, electrocuted, burned alive, and a great number of other atrocities. I survived it all, because that's what it takes to survive in the Outlands. Grit and determination! You, who barely holds a candle to my figure, couldn't comprehend the achievements to reach my high status. When I return to Skeleton Water, I will regain my forces, my status as lord over it, and soon amass my control over this lawless land—"

BANG!

The back of the Lickilicky's head blew out, splattering brain matter over the carriage and startling the nearby Machoke. The lord's face was punched in by the bullet, pieces of his brain hanging inside the gaping hole. His crossed eyes bled as he collapsed to his knees and fell dead in front of Amos.

He blew on his gunarm and groaned. "Fuck, I should've done that first. Alright, let's get into the carriage and—GAH!"

Without warning, one of the Machoke swung an underhanded punch into his stomach and threw him across the ground. Phoebe tried to grab her rifle, but another Machoke scooped her up and trapped her within his arms. JoJo yelped and shifted her way out of the grips of the remaining Machoke, all struggling to get a hold of her.

"We've got rioters, boss!" one Machoke yelled before stepping on Amos' back.

"GAH! FUCK!" Amos growled. "Get your foot off my—" He tried to aim his gunarm, but the Machoke's other foot pinned that down, too. "AGH!"

The auction was put on hold as the Grimmsnarl walked over to investigate the commotion. He tutted in disappointment as he gazed upon their struggling faces. "My, oh my. Fighting on my grounds? For shame." He looked down at the executed Lickilicky. "You could've at least killed him after he left. I'm trying to run a functional operation here, and I won't stand for needless killing."

Phoebe growled at him. "Oh, fuck you! You're going around selling people for a profit! If anyone needs a bullet to the head, it's you!"

He chuckled lightly. "Unlawful practice isn't an excuse for poor manners." He adjusted his tie and sighed. "What a shame, but I suppose he already paid. No sense in crying over it." He scratched his chin and examined the pair. "I suppose you two can make up for these damages by selling yourselves as slaves. I'm sure at least one of you will make a fine profit."

Phoebe glared. "Oh yeah, I'm really looking forward to being sold off as some sicko's sex toy. I've got a better deal: let us go, and you can keep your neck."

The Grimmsnarl glared. "I'm afraid you are underestimating the power dynamic here. There's nothing you two can do. I have you outnumbered and overpowered." He looked around a bit. "Now, I just need to find the rest of your party. Where did that slippery one run off to—"

CLICK!

His eyes widened as he heard a mountain of chains collapse to the ground. He craned his neck back and saw the towering Scolipede rise to full height with a cloaked Klefki cheekily waving down from atop his head.

"Hello~," she greeted.

The Scolipede huffed through his nostrils, growling with a deep, baritone voice that sounded like thunder. "You…die."

Grimmsnarl and his henchmen (who released their captives) slowly backed away. "Oookay, big guy," he said calmly. "Let's not do anything hasty…"

Amos and Phoebe picked themselves up, laughing aloud. "Oh, he's not the only one you should be worried about," Amos warned.

"About our missing friend," Phoebe explained. "She should be just about done bankrupting you."

BOOM!

Grimmsnarl spun around with a start as the area that housed the caged slaves suddenly went up in a plume of smoke. Enraged roars erupted out, and a furious stampede of hooves and feet rumbled the ground. Almost instantly, the crowd of thugs screamed as a flood of previously enslaved Pokémon charged toward the stage and crashed into their potential tormentors with claws and teeth.

"What the hell?!" Grimmsnarl roared. "Do you have any idea what you're costing—"

Right as he turned around, the Scolipede charged at him full speed, scooping him up in his horns, and charged into the rampaging crowd. The megapede plowed through unsuspecting bystanders, throwing them through the air as he bulldozed through everything in his path and crushing Grimmsnarl along the way.

The Machoke squad gasped. "Boss—" One suddenly fell down from a gunshot to the head.

Amos spat some bullets into his gunarm and closed the chamber while Phoebe loaded another bullet into her rifle. "Oh, you boys should be worrying about yourselves, first."

"This was a terrible idea!" Evelot shrieked, hurriedly racing through the trading grounds and dodging around fights. Pokémon left and right were beating each other to a pulp with fists and claws alike. Blood sprayed over the nervous Mimikyu's head, her focus set entirely on regrouping with her friends.

A rather ravenous Fearow descended from the sky and attempted to grab her in his talons. In a panic, she threw a random potion in his face, which turned out to be acid that peeled the skin and flesh off. He screamed out in agony, falling into a tailspin and crashing into the middle of a fight.

"Don't' touch me, don't touch me, don't touch me!" Evelot screamed, hopping and jumping over fallen Pokémon while throwing out random potions stockpiled inside her seemingly infinite space of a costume. Thugs either burst into flames, froze on the spot, or dealt with the more obvious glass shards embedded in their eyes while harmless water dripped down their faces.

Right as Evelot thought she was out of danger, a black tail grabbed her from behind and lifted her in the air. She shrieked as she was lifted over the irate Electivire slave who dragged two thugs by their heads. He lifted them up before smashing and crushing their skulls into the ground.

"Where's that fucking Gligar and Aipom?!" he snarled.

Evelot shrieked. "I'm innocent, I swear!"

Sparks passed through his tail. "If you don't tell me where they are in the next three seconds, I'll—"

Before he could make good on his threat, the Scolipede crashed through a nearby cage, still carrying Grimmsnarl in his horns. He plowed into the Electivire by mistake, sending both men flying backwards. As Scolipede dragged himself to a stop, Evelot spun through the air and landed atop his head.

She trembled like a wet Growlithe. "I-I'm alive?" She looked down at the megapede before wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, thank you, you magnificent creature!"

The megapede smiled a bit. "Mag…ni."

"Huh?"

"I…Magni."

"Magni? That's your name?"

He nodded.

She squealed happily. "Welcome to the Broken Glass Alchemical Company, Magni—" An eruption of lightning cut her off. "EEP!" She dove and hid behind Magni's neck.

Grimmsnarl and Electivire picked themselves up, growling at the giant Scolipede. "He's not going anywhere! He's my property!" The ogre fairy turned the hair around his arm into a lasso, then looked at the electric yeti beside him. "Help me wrangle that one up, and I'll let you go free."

He smirked. "Throw in a free bitch, and you got a deal."

"Fine, whatever! Just get him!" The two men roared and charged down the Scolipede.

"AAAHHHH!" Evelot screamed, ducking deeper into her costume.

Magni stared down the two men with a furious glare. Right as they lunged at him, the megapede's muscles tightened, and he sped out of their way. They crashed into the ground, rolling back onto their feet and gawking as Magni started running circles around them.

"How can something that large be moving that fast?!" the Electivire yelled.

"Shit, I forgot! He has the Speed Boost ability!" Grimmsnarl gasped.

"WHOOOOOAAAAA!" Evelot screamed, holding onto Magni's rags for dear life.

Magni suddenly came to a stop behind his opponents with energy crackling between his horns. "Stinging…Shower!" He whipped his head forward, firing a barrage of purple energy missiles from his horns. They soared through the air in a jagged flight path before raining down on the suspecting duo, exploding into a mist of poison.

"GAAAHHH!" The two brutes flew back from the blast and staggered. Poison energy spikes pierced through their bodies, infecting them with a toxic mark that was spreading along their bodies.

"Stinging Shower!" Magni whipped his head forward and fired his attack again.

Grimmsnarl pushed Electivire aside and summoned a rainbow barrier in front of them. "Reflect!" It withstood most of the needle shower before letting them through. Grimmsnarl shielded himself behind his tendrilled hairs and endured the weakened attack.

Electivire picked himself up and rushed forward. "Thunder Punch!" He punched his fists together, lighting them up in a mass of electricity, and lunged at Magni.

The megapede scowled and took a deep breath. "Screech." He let loose a powerful, destructive wail that stopped Electivire in his tracks. The sheer pressure of the sonic scream rattled the electric yeti's guts and bones. His attack fizzled, and he collapsed onto his hands and knees trying to endure the attack.

Grimmsnarl's midsection admitted a mass of pink energy shooting out in four directions. "Spirit Break!" He ran around the Screech and charged toward Magni, preparing his makeshift lasso. "I've got you now, you lousy—"

"First Love Scare!"

Grimmsnarl gasped as a shadow portal suddenly appeared in front of him, and Evelot let out a startling, yet oddly adorable cry. He collapsed onto his knees trembling as Evelot fell out of the portal and cried on the floor.

"Why are you being so mean, mister?! I'm so scared!" she cried.

Pink hearts appeared within the ogre's eyes. He trembled onto his hands and knees. "I-I-I am ashamed. How could I possibly terrify the most adorable creature in the world?! Your beauty is beyond anything, and I dare traumatize you?!"

Evelot wiped her tears and quivered. "W-Well, i-it's not your fault…" She pointed to Electivire as he started to get up. "H-He threatened to rape m-me."

"UNFORGIVEABLE!" The Grimmsnarl burst back onto his feet and charged down the electric yeti. "YOU DARE ATTEMPT TO DEFILE THIS ADORABLE CREATURE?!"

"Wait, wha—"

"SPIRIT BREAK!" Grimmsnarl threw his entire shoulder into Electivire, tackling him across the trading grounds. "Such evil will not be forgiven!"

Electivire flipped off his hands and landed on his feet. "What the hell's wrong with you?!"

"I am fighting for this lady's honor, you fiend!" He curled his tendrilled hairs tightly around his arm and powered them in energy. "Hammer Arm!"

Electivire ducked under his swing and threw an uppercut into the ogre's chin. "Snap out of it, you idiot!" He grabbed both sides of the Grimmsnarl's head and blasted him with a close-range Thunder. The shock snapped the ogre out of his trance, but it also knocked him out cold. "Forget this! I'm getting my revenge—"

"Stinging Spear!"

Electivire let out a horrific scream as Magni charged into his stomach with his horns coated in a cluster of purple spikes. The energy spikes pierced out through the yeti's back. "GAAAAH!"

Magni lifted him high into the air and brought him down so hard that the ground split open. He then lifted his front legs and stomped down on Electivire, burying him deeper into the ground. Again and again, he stomped the yeti deeper below the earth, each time spouting more blood out from the crater.

Electivire twitched inside the crater, both his arms and legs broken and snapped out of shape. "Y-You…little—" His eyes widened at the megapede's gluttonous stare. Toxic drool dripped from his mouth, which showed a set of sharpened teeth. "W-Wait a minute, what are you—no, no, no, no—"

Magni swung his head down and bit into the yeti's neck. With a single twist of his neck, he ripped the flesh off his throat and slurped it up like a drink. He bit down into the exposed flesh again and sprayed into his insides with liquified poison. Electivire screamed and thrashed, or thrashed as much as he could with his broken body. The toxic juices flowed through his system and started to burn away at his insides.

"STOP IT! STOP IT—" he screamed as loud as he could, but to no avail.

Satisfied with his work, Magni went for the kill and plunged his face into the yeti's stomach, biting and tearing into his flesh. He ripped open the screaming yeti's stomach, untangling a mess of organs into the open and violently ripping them to shreds with his sharpened teeth. He buried his face deep inside Electivire's stomach, slurping up his liquefied organs.

Electivire's screaming grew weaker and weaker by the second. Poison leaked from his eyes as the light faded from them. His struggling ceased, and he went limp on the ground, nothing more than a dinner for the hungry and irate Scolipede.

The scene of carnivorous desire didn't go unwitnessed as Evelot crept around Magni and watched in horror as he devoured the yeti's stomach like a desperate man having his first meal after being lost in the desert. A splash of blood splattered across the face of her costume.

Her staring was eventually noticed as Magni abruptly stopped and lifted his head. Blood and liquified guts dripped down from his mouth as he stared at Evelot's terrified expression. He blinked twice, then lowered his head to her level, much to her worry.

"…Friend?"

"…Huh?"

"Friend. You…friend."

"…" Evelot squeaked nervously, shakily reaching out and shaking his horn. "F-Friend. That's right. We're…friends."

"…" Magni looked down at the half-eaten Electivire and frowned. "S-Sorry. Very…hungry."

She hummed softly, trying her best to remain composed. "N-No, I…understand. Friend hungry. I get it." She hesitantly patted his side. "Friend won't…eat us, right?"

He shook his head. "Friend no eat…friend."

She laughed uncomfortably. "Friend no eat friend. Good, good." No amount of therapy will ever help me recover from this afternoon.

Riots broke out all over the trading grounds, Pokémon left and right beating each other up trying to escape. The revolting slaves pounced on their would-be torments, taking whatever they had to brutalize the monstrous fiends. Puddles of blood pooled together, soaking the ground in red.

Amos, Phoebe, and JoJo stuck close to the dead lord's carriage, fending off against any rioters aiming toward them. Phoebe sat atop the carriage, sniping down any aerial or charging individuals while Amos whipped up a sandstorm to blind and incapacitate anyone coming within range of them.

As for JoJo, she…

"Mine, mine, mine, that's mine, and mine!" She bounced in between the legs of the blinded criminals as a flow of purple goop, snatching coins out from their pockets and sinking them into her amorphous body. She swiped a golden chain off one brute's neck and mockingly wore it around her own. "Ooh, this one looks great on me."

"Oi! It's the slippery one!" A Hitmonchan rushed JoJo down and tried to catch her, but she passed around his fists and retaliated with her own red fist to his face. "GAH!"

JoJo reformed herself into a feminine Hitmonchan, bouncing readily on her toes with fists raised. "Sorry boys, but I didn't make it this far in the business to get caught!" She reared her arms back and fired them ahead of herself, unleashing a barrage of extended punches and pummeling through a path of bodies back to the carriage.

Amos fired into the crowd a few times before noticing debris flying toward the carriage. He swiped his pincer and commanded the sandstorm to blow the raining debris away. He leapt into the winds and singled out a Kadabra psychically launching cages and bodies.

"Alright then…" He pulled out a bullet glowing in a dark aura. He loaded it into his gunarm and slammed on the hammer, firing through the sandstorm. As it traveled through the air, energy manifested from the bullet and took the shape of strong jaws.

The Kadabra noticed the attack and sidestepped out of the way. However, the bullet curved along a pathway of sand and returned to his back. The energy jaws snapped down and ripped his entire right side to shreds. His arm and a huge chunk of his torso splattered into bloody mush that rained over the other rioters. The pain was so overwhelming that he couldn't scream before collapsing dead to the ground.

Phoebe fired a few more shots into the crowd until she noticed someone breaking through the blockade bodies. It was Magni, carrying Evelot on his back and the barely alive body of Grimmsnarl impaled on his horns.

"Hey, Lamecaster! Time to scram!" She fired once more into the crowd before swinging herself through the carriage window.

Amos dove out of the air and fired some shots at the crowd. "Merchant, get the Scolipede strapped into the carriage!"

JoJo finished robbing the Kadabra's corpse before hitching a ride onto Magni. She slithered up his neck and shot herself across the air. She sprouted multiple goopy tendrils and grabbed the carriage's harness and tongue. Magni positioned himself in front of the carriage and let the shapeshifter quickly hook him in.

Once she finished, she scooped up Evelot and threw themselves into the carriage. "All set!"

Amos landed on the roof and shouted, "Move, move, move!" Magni roared and took off running, kicking up a plume of dust behind the carriage.

The Grimmsnarl auctioneer groaned as Magni's horns kept digging through his flesh. "Who…d-do you people think you are?"

Amos pulled out a bullet glowing in a grayish red light. He tossed it into the ogre's open mouth, then pulled out a vial of pale green liquid. Prying the cork off with his teeth, he splashed some of the potion over the ogre's face. "We're the Broken Glass Alchemical Company, asshole." He bowed to him. "Thank you for your patronage. Scolipede, send him flying."

Magni roared and threw his head back, launching Grimmsnarl back towards the pursuing rioters. The potion on his face dripped into his mouth and splashed over the planted bullet, causing it to rapidly expand.

Amos turned his back to their pursuers as a powerful explosion went off in the center of the crowd, knocking over everyone in the shockwave and potentially killing anyone close to the Grimmsnarl's body.

JoJo stuck her head out the window and laughed. "That was awesome! In your faces, you losers!"

Evelot stuck her head out and shouted, "Was any of that absolutely necessary?!"

Amos shrugged. "Who cares? Not my problem anymore."

She sighed, but then turned her attention to their newfound ally with a happy squeal. "Thank you so much for helping us, Magni! You're a lifesaver!"

He smiled a bit. "Happy…help."

Phoebe stuck her head out beside Evelot. "Welcome to the company, Magni! We've got a lot of ground to cover!"

Amos sat down on the roof and scoffed. "See? I told you we would have your back."

Magni smiled wider. "Thank you, friend."

He groaned. "We're not friends."

Evelot giggled. "He's in denial."

He rolled his eyes, but ignored it and pointed toward the horizon. "We've got a ways to travel! Magni, set a course for Copper Gorge!"

With a mighty cry, Magni picked up speed and galloped into the vast land ahead, leaving behind the smoldering remains of the trading grounds as the company set their sights forward. Next stop: finding Caractacus MacGyver!