Chapter 6: Cool speech

A karp solidly thwacked against the shell of the offending Krabby. It staggered back a half step, the barrage of bubbles finally letting up enough for the group to move in a few feet closer.

'Okay, we're a few yards off from Krabby and another one or two away from the stream. Only 12 shots- I mean stalwart companions! remaining…'

The two fish from earlier splashed along the bank, cheering their friends onward. Problem is, that Krabby was closer and it's attacks were getting harder to dodge. Not that dodging while out of water was an easy thing to do even if we had the time to see the attacks coming.

'Those bubbles are painful, but I'm more concerned about those claws.' *toss*

The crab snipped the air in anger as yet another fish struck home. Nearly taking off a whisker, the Magikarp somehow managed to splash in an unpredictable way, narrowly dodging.

The others let out a sigh of relief. 'Losing a whisker must be a great disgrace to the lot… weird, but okay. I've only been a fish for a month so maybe I just don't get it?'

Both sides let loose a flurry of attacks. 'Only a bit more and we're home free! Just another yard or two and-'

-"Karp!"

"No!" Gripped by the tail, Magikarp thrashed wildly, unable to get free. Grinning with malice, Krabby tightened it's hold, digging into the poor pokemon's body the more it struggled. *thwack*

"Take that! We're not leaving our comrades behind!"

-"Kraaab." The thing growled, clearly not expecting two fish to come attack it at the same time. Still, it had done enough damage that the pokemon it clawed was visibly limping in the water. As Tentacool reached behind for another volunteer, Krabby raised both claws skyward, ready to catch it's next prey.

"Not gonna use anymore bubbles? Have you given up? Come on team, let's- Hey, what's wrong?"

Not a single fish came forward. In fact, one of the remaining four was even trying to inch closer to the closest pond. All eyes were on those horrible wounds their friend suffered. -"Could we be next?" they wondered.

"Guys…"

snip snip* It was almost laughing, clearly taking great joy in the party's desperation.

High overhead, the first of that morning's rays were cutting through the cloud cover. "Not good. The storm is ending! Please, Ho-Oh, don't let the storm end yet! Not when we're so close!"

The rain was beginning to let up, the heavy stream of water rolling downhill shrinking with each second. And the enemy, one spindly leg at a time, stepping closer.

"…Men!" *all turn* "I've led you this far, and I will not fail you! I will not ask you to go where I will not follow, to face dangers I will not face, to bear scars that I am unwilling to take upon myself! All of you, one final push. Push me with everything you've got!"

Shocked into silence, the group of four shared one last look. First at themselves, the pond nearby, finally to their leader.

SLAM*

"Yeowch! Not so har- I mean, yes! Good job!" The blobby torpedo raced forward on slick grass! Krabby, face crossed with rage, raised it's claws.