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Roast looked up and nodded slowly, nervously. She didn't know if she could actually do this. After all, she had no way to fly... With a glance up, though, she knew she had to. That rain wouldn't protect them long, and... She took another deep breath and stepped away from Henrietta. [I have to do this...] she began chanting over and over as she began to get ready, wing up in front of her to cut the air the way she'd been taught. [-have to do this...]

Robby looked at his pokemon. "Hey!" [-have to do this...] "You c'n do it! Right little guy?" [-do this...] Timburr looked up. [Sure! Do it!] Roast didn't notice it as she started glowing, but her wing dropped in that moment and she burst into the air, breaking through above the trees, body shining the evolutionary shine...

And as she glowed, she began to dance, orbs of water storing themselves as aerial ace carried her at high speeds, to drop off a new orb in different areas and begin the process of creating rain in more and more abundance. The clouds would seem to connect to each other as she moved, rain covering more and more to help control the fire. All the while, she glowed, becoming like a shining swan of hope to those who looked as she created the rain and moved...

And then she made a final movement, as half the forest was covered in her rain. She felt her strength failing, and to everyone else, it was as if the glowing swan had just vanished. To her, it was like aerial acing back towards the clearing and crashing into Fried, who had stood up. And resting unconsciously as the obese lad returned her.

After all of this, one thing was sure, Baku had a lot more rain to work with.

Fried and Bacon were return, and in a short motion, the timburr was caught in what would, to some, be considered returning him. The obese lad would turn and nod. "You got it Henry." He'd say and begin "running" out of the forest to Nacrene.

[Edited.]

Takamaru stood at the point at which he and Darumi Separated, his hands resting on his thighs while breathing heavy, He hadn't took a breather since he left to retrieve the dragon skull. Albeit he did get a little bit of rest at the Pokemon center, but Even there he had been too wracked with worry for it to benefit him any.

So he stood there for a minute or two too Catch his breath watching Darumi scurry off. 'How does he have any idea where he's going?' wondered the youth before Straightening up, taking his the path Darumi pointed out at a Jog.

Along the very same path wandered a Durant, The tiny metal ant Pokemon scurried along as fast as it could. Its surroundings strange and new, completely unlike his natural habitats which was Victory road. The Durant continued to scurry to find cover among the blazing forest for what seemed like hours. Its was then that the tiny metal ant Pokemon Stopped for Rest that a blazing Tree began to fall towards the Durant. being to tired to do anything but call out in fright as it shut its eyes, awaiting the Crushing inferno that would be his death.

"Watch out!!" came the call of a young man whom, against the laws of physics, darted out, tackling the small Pokemon out of harms way.

"Phew. that was pretty close" Tk sighed a breath of relief as he examined the Pokemon for injuries, none where to be found. "Sorry, id Give you and oran berry or something but i dont have my back pack with me, but keep following this path and you should make it outta here." Takamaru said while standing, then with a word of luck he was off again.

The Durant however stayed still. Its eyes wide with Awe and Gratitude. From there the small iron Ant Pokemon decided that he would find his way back home, becoming strong enough to protect himself.

Up until this point what had she done? It was a series of events that had put her in the role of the damsel in distress. When had she been so weak? Weak willed? Sure. Someone who collapses when picked one? Definitely. But when she'd first wielded her shinai, when she'd commited to the whole thing, she'd become someone stronger.

I'm sorry Emi, I've been a burden until now, haven't I?

Her shinai hung at her side, a reminder of the strength she'd grabbed onto a long time ago. Wounded just like her face, her hands. But right now her head was clear. Being timid didn't make her stupid, she could see very clearly what needed to be done. And right now? She felt like if she didn't act everything wouild fail.

Roast had made some progress, but she had to be sure. The Pokemon had collapsed before she could be sure that the entire forest was safe. Currently her path took her through the rain. It poured down, soaking her hair and clothes, sticking them to her skin. She hadn't had a moment to change her torn dress, or tend to her wounds. Right now there was only moving forward.

That's when the gloved fist came, clad in steel. Henrietta, who had been running, saw it very clearly. She ducked as her feet hit the floor, the fingers grazing through her hair. "S-sorry! I don't have time!" she called. Whatever petty battle between Plasma and them existed before the fire started had ended as soon as it had, that's how Henrietta saw it. This man, and Salieri, were fighting for a goal that didn't matter. That's how she felt. So everyone else that was still caught up in their battles? How many were still fighting? She'd sent Takamaru and Robby back toward Nacrene, and she figured Salieri probably still wanted the skull. In short, that was three out of the group that weren't, as far as she knew, aiding in putting out the fire.

"Hey!" Albert shouted as he twisted around. Then the electricity surged through him and he felt himself collapsing. His armor and the rain had turned the move into a powerful one. He looked to see the tiny speck of a Joltik upon one finger and cursed through his teeth before he collapsed.

His Pokemon, who had been waiting to join the ambush, jumped out at that moment to give chase. Henrietta gave them a backwards glance but didn't stop. She didn't have the speed to outrun Pokemon, however...

"Frate! Melty!" she shouted as they appeared before her. Perfect timing.

[Leave it to us,] Frate said as Henrietta passed by.

"Come back alive!" she called over her shoulder.

[Damn human left us a mess,] Melty said as he faced down the charging Pokemon.

[Don't you like fighting, anyways?] Frate asked.

The Pokemon were upon them. Three of them, with two to stop them. It's then that the electric net came down, ensnaring the Trubbish and pulling him backwards, the rain sizzling across the net.

[Yeah,] Melty said as he created a blast of Ember which the Krookodile simply stepped through. He frowned as the jaws snapped down. [When it's on my terms!] Night Shade blasted forth, halved against the dark type, but enough to push his head backward, slowing it enough for Melty to escape.

Frate, meanwhile, fired off the Rock Blasts as Blitzle simply aimed to Quick Attack passed him. They struck as the pokemon passed, too slow to make it. With a cry, the series of rocks lifted and pushed the Pokemon back where he landed and twisted to face Frate.

[Heh, you won't be able to use fire attacks,] Krookodile spoke and Melty stared him down. He'd taken a large chunk out of the ground, his jaws were something else.

[Don't get cocky, damn third stage.] Melty was frowning. He didn't have the arsenal to take this thing on. Then he got an idea. It was disgraceful and cheap, but he didn't want to lose. So, he pulled a Kali and simply phased under ground.

Krookodile laughed. [Dumb a**.] Sand Tomb began, the ground crushing and sinking. Melty felt it and realized his mistake too late. He was soon buried, unable to resurface as the ground around him grinded him like a blender. [One down.]

Frate was now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Blitzle was charging, electricity covering his body. Krookodile came from the other side. If Frate dodged it meant nothing, due to typing. Closing his eyes and gritting his teeth he attempted to recall the Torkoal. His technique for raising defense. He had to find it. That power.

Then it came. A method was hardening the surface like iron. His body gleamed like steel as the attacks hit. Powerful, but he had a defense. The duo had thrown him skyward with their assault, so he had lost his rocks to use, and he was a sitting duck. Then came Sand Attack, blasting down to cover his entry.

The duo, blinded, moved back as Frate landed through his smoke screen. No time to debate it, he launched off to the side, firing a Rock Blast at Blitzle. Only one sounded as if it connected as the Pokemon suddenly charged through, now aware of his location. He closed his eyes, his body hardening further as he was smashed by the attack, thrown through a burned hollow tree.

Frate was recovering when he looked upward to see Krookodile coming down. One last grit and eyes shut tight as his body hardened further and the attack landed. Scaled hand shown Dragon Claw as he embedded Frate into the ground. [Tough guy. No matter.] Another Sand Tomb saw Frate buried with a cry.

[Two down.] He turned toward Trubbish's location to catch the explosion of electricity.

Earlier...

Trubbish hit the ground and quickly twisted to his feet. He was a small thing but Socant was smaller. Much smaller. He looked around quickly but found no trace of the other Pokemon.

[Come out!] he said. A moment later he was shocked and he seized up and fell over. At the same time he realized that the tiny thing had crawled onto him. What came next was an exchange of gaseous fumes and electricity that caused Socant to jump away.

[Got you,] Trubbish siad as he turned to look at the poisoned Joltik. However, he saw nothing. He looked around faster now. [Damn.]

[I am a hunter,] Socant said. His voice coming from higher up.

The tree! Trubbish fired a Sludge Bomb, knocking one of the weakened, hollow things over.

[And you are the prey.]

Trubbish fired off, taking out another. Suddenly a net sprang, electric string pulling him backwards and up. So the thing had been behind him? No matter.

[Got you!] Trubbish shouted as he twisted so he could fire into the tree. It gave away and he fell, net and all.

[Never forget that rule of nature,] spoke Socant one last time. Then Trubbish fell into a dip in the ground, filled with muddy water, and coupled with the electric net, came a large surge of electricity.

Socant turned from his perch among the newly fallen tree to see Blitzle and Krookodile still standing. Two holes in the ground where Melty and Frate rested churned with Sand Tomb. Socant, acting quickly, jumped into the air and released two sets of strings, one for each hole. Then he tugged as he twisted, pulling the duo free of their traps. The three of them landed as the two Pokemon attacked.

Frate jumped in front of Krookodile's attack, taking the swing for Socant.

[Tough,] Krookodile said as he drew his claws back.

Melty, meanwhile, shot a fire ball into Blitzle who trambled passed with an electric aura. Melty hit the floor after the hooves briefly juggled him.

[Your flames are weakened in the rain,] Blitzle said. [Thought you should know.]

Melty smirked. [That wasn't meant to hurt you.] Will-O-Wisp. Melty's eyes flashed with Hex and the attack came to life. Blitzle made to attack again when it struck and he stumbled, crashing passed Melty.

[Next time don't get cocky, punk,] Melty said as he turned to Blitzle, firing off another to seal its fate.

Frate was amazed. With his defenses raised as they were, the claws did nothing to him. He defended Socant from every blow, and Krookodile couldn't do a thing to harm him.

[Are you okay?] Frate asked Socant as he took a brief moment to glance back. Socant looked about to collapse.

[Just poison. Damn.] Socant looked at Frate and then Krookodile. [I can't go on. Go on the offensive, kid,] Socant said.

Frate nodded and turned back to Krookodile when claws moved across him. It wasn't anything more than a scratch, but it had penetrated.

Krookodile was examining his claws, which looked sharper. [That's a start,] he said. Then they seemed to grow even sharper. Frate, surprised, jumped back. However, he was too slow for the other Pokemon. The claws came again as Krookodile stepped passed him.

[Heh, you relied too much on your defense.]

Frate and Krookodile turned at the same time, exchanging a set of blows - Rock Blast and Dragon Claw respectively - and Krookodile's claws were even sharper this time. Frate, who had up until this point, saw a chance at victory, was watching it fade. He released a barrage of Rock Blasts as he attempted to retreat, put some distance between them, but Krookodile was too quick. Testing his claws as they got sharper again.

Frate was thrown back and Krookodile met him half way to a tree, slamming him into the floor with a fifth hone claw stacked on top of the others.

[Get up, there's still more,] Krookodile said as he claws took one last bit of sharpness on them. They rose and he turned as he sensed a presence. What he got in return was a burning punch to the face, throwing him away, into the tree that he'd met Frate halfway.

Darumi landed between Frate and Krookodile. [Come on, let's beat this guy and go to Henrietta,] he said.

Frate, who was injured but not severely, nodded. Awestruck by Darumi's arrival, by his rescue.

Darumi looked at his hand. It had been just a whim, but it looks like I can put the flames on my hands as well. Chili's training is working.

Both hands caught alight as Krookodile charged. Darumi entered battle with the other Pokemon and Frate watched on, looking for an opening.

That's right, we can win. It's just those claws, if he can cut me then Darumi, one strike and you're a goner.

Ther were no openings, Frate noted. Not until Darumi was inevitably struck, being slashed and thrown away. Five gashes ran up his chest and he looked pained. Krookodile charged.

Dammit. I'm weak. I want to help, but how? I need power! Melty was coming, Socant had collapsed, Darumi was about to die. The claws came down toward him, aimed to put him down. Frate did the only thing he could think of, he fired Rock Blast.

The rocks slammed into Krookodile and he twisted as he was pushed back, to face Frate, he kicked himself in the air, jumping to dodge the next series of them. A shadow moved overhead and he looked up to be Smacked Down by a large rock looking thing.

Frate landed, feeling the energy course through him. He was bigger now, stronger, he could feel it. He looked around. Melty and Darumi were there. Darumi had stood up, and Melty looked impressed.

[Heh, you're shorter,] Frate said as he realized it. He'd evolved. Now a Boldore, he turned to face down Krookodile.

***

"Crown!" Henrietta called as she reached his location, or the general area of it. He looked out of breath, sweat mixed in with rain water. Still, there was no time. No time to stop. He looked safe, she thought. The fire wasn't around him, and he was probably soaked to the bone just as she was. Chuck was there as well, looking over at her.

"A friend of yours? She looks pretty beat," Chuck mumbled to Avan. It was true, Henrietta had a cut down her face. The blood had been washed away by the constant rain, but the mark was still there, and it had stained her dress at the collar.

Henrietta was too busy looking around to hear the comment. Avan would probably get a word or two in before Henrietta - who seemed to have come to an idea - would look at him as if with a sudden realization that he was there. "Hum, I got it. Your Munna can direct the rain, right? If you have your Tympole feed him constant Rain Dances he can spread it to the entire forest."

The rain continued to fall. Soon it would cover the entire forest. Henrietta looked at the two of them as she caught her breath. "I need to get back to my Pokemon, we were attacked on the way here. One of them was a Krookodile so-

"Krookodile?" Chuck asked as K-Rok returned to his side.

[Impressive,] K-Rok said to George as he gave him a thumbs up before crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yeah, with a Blitzle and a Trubbish," Henrietta said.

[Must be-

"Kor."

"Kor?"

"Albert's Pokemon." Chuck thought about it a moment. The fire had burned away any desire to fight he had in him. With these kids, anyways. The effort they put into saving the day had helped him pardon them. "Alright, I'll help you out. I'll go negotiate with Albert and put an end to the fighting."

"R-really?" Henrietta asked, a look of relief washing over her. Chuck nodded and gestured for her to lead the way and Henrietta turned to Crown.

"You're okay, right?"

"Alright. Take care, please," she said and she turned and hurried off with Chuck, back toward the battle.

((Part two coming soon. Probably tomorrow.))

A struggle of power came between the two sides. Krookodile fought with sharpened claws, able to cut through two of three of his opponents easily. The problem was Frate tanking the hits. Stuck in his path, too bulky and wide to simply get around, and he'd suffer a Smack Down if he tried to go over.

Frate was alight with energy, the orange crystals that adorned his new form glowed with evolutionary power. Evolution, when it occured at first, was like an adrenaline rush. He knew, he could feel it, that he would have to end this soon. The energy formed as he drew on it, like one would draw on a limb, and he released it. The first of ten glows faded as Power Gem was released point blank.

Krookodile brought his arms up to defend his face, the shot throwing him backwards, offset. As they lowered the three attacks came, one from each side and one from behind. Incinerate , Night Shade and Rock Blast. Krookodile quickly jumped backwards, avoiding everything but the Rock Blast which he matched with the sharpness of his claws.

They were superior to the rocks, his strength easily outmatching all of his opponents. Still, Frate overflowed with power that kept him going. Melty was injured to some degree, but still battle ready and Darumi was losing blood quickly, his eyebrows wavering and shortening with each passing second.

[Enough!] Krookodile shouted and he brought his arms out, the mud picking up around them and moving skyward, the rain above being destroyed with the breath of life that came to the sand, bringing forth Sandstorm. The sands raged, likely to be pushed down by the rain that Baku would place overhead again. Still, the ground tore upward, mud displacing movement and the shifting making it further. The opponents sunk and struggled.

While it may have only been a simple matter of replacing footwork, or jumping away, Krookodile gave them no time for that. A strategy in three parts, next he used Sand Tomb to drag them all downward, trapping them in the earth.

[Damn!] cried Frate as he pulled at the trap, too big to be fully buried unlike his companions who had sunk instantly.

[Game over!] Krookodile shouted, his hand resting on the ground. A shockwave appeared to traverse through it and the ground shook. However, with a shout, the ground exploded, freeing the trio before they could be crushed by the Earthquake.

Quickly, the trio retreated to higher ground and proper footing. The displaced ground that would've been turned into a weapon for Earthquake was now a crater and within it stood K-Rok, arms crossed.

[Yo man, give these guys a break, their human gave us a hand with helping the forest.] K-Rok had spotted Albert unconscious nearby and figured this would be the fastest way to peace.

[Pathetic. You really think I can let these guys go? They are the enemy! Twice they had stopped our plans! Do you not see that, brother?!]

[Come on, Kor, let these guys go. Ain't no reason to be fightin' now.]

Kor's eyes narrowed behind the membrane. [You've always been too soft with this crap. Always using that damn rap of yours, never taking a damn thing seriously.] A growl formed in Kor's throat. [Now step aside. I'll not be told who to kill and who to leave alone by you, not until you can use those claws of yours like nature commands of our kind!]

K-Rok tensed up. [Battles over, bro. Come on, let's just let it go, get all patched up. You can battle these punks 'nother time.]

Kor was already upon K-Rok with Aerial Ace. A claw dug into the Krokorok's stomach as he lifted him, speed unreadable as they traversed. [Wrong answer.] Releasing K-Rok, he'd throw the other Pokemon diagonally so he'd crash into the ground some distance away.

He began to turn toward Henrietta's Pokemon. [Now, where were we-

A the blast of sound energy hit him from behind. A snarl that came with an insult, a complaint, a rant. Kor wasn't paying attention to understand it. He twisted to see K-Rok standing. Injured but fine.

[See!? You won't even take this seriously! Use your claws, not that weak voice! It's crap!] Kor launched again, the same blinding speed. This time, however, K-Rok matched him. The duo met in the middle but K-Rok was higher, high enough to Smack Down Kor into the dirt.

[Talkin' s**t 'bout my voice
but you on the ground from my choice!]

Snarl Rap slammed Kor further into the ground. Hardly effective on an offensive level, but it was his style. [Weak!] came Kor's response as he reached up to grab K-Rok from the sky and pull him down. Twisting his body as he did, he'd slam K-Rok into the floor, scales lining his hand with Dragon Claw.

[You just don't understand s**t, bro!] K-Rok shouted with a spew of Sand Attack. Kor, blinded, fell backward and K-Rok attacked as he fell, sending him down with a shove.

[Bitches, hoes, chorus time!] K-Rok said. Kor, who had quickly stood, turned to see the army of Sandiles that stood behind K-Rok.

[This is how you lay a bomb track,] K-Rok said.

From there each Sandile began a short rap, powered by the move Round. A cumulating power that caused Kor to cover his ears and roar. It finally climaxed as K-Rok gave his say, dropping Kor to his knees.

[Are you done now?] K-Rok said.

[Yeah...] Kor propped himself up on his hands as he bent forward. His breathing was heavy. An attack like that from so many Sandile? It was too much.

[Good. Bitches, hoes, you can go.] As soon as he said that, the army dug underground. Kor grinned.

[Alright, bro, we good? We cool wit' the other guys?]

[Yeah. We're ******** cool.] Kor looked up at K-Rok. [Cool like a ******** inferno.] K-Rok tensed, but it was too late. Earthquake moved through the ground in a wave, crushing the Sandile who had dug to escape.

[No!] K-Rok jumped forward to dodge the Earth Quake and stop ti but Kor was above him, sending him down with a Smack Down.

[Too slow, brother!] Kor shouted as he landed and used Aerial Ace to the new arrivals.

Chuck and Henrietta, who were slower that K-Rok, had given him the direction. Now they were arriving, to Chuck being cut down by K-Rok's powerful claws. They tore through his stomach, taking it open from navel to side, tearing every organ inbetween. He collapsed, eyes wide.

Kor turned toward Henrietta, claws swinging and she jumped back, barely making the dodge as the claws drug from the base of her nose diagonally down, going under her cheek bone at its highest.

K-Rok couldn't stand the scene. Seeing Chuck and his Pokemon fall he was overwhelmed with anger. He charged, Aerial Ace as he body glowed. Emotion overcoming him, manifesting as his body changed. By the time he reached Kor he was different. Stronger, tearing into his brother with speed and power he'd never had before. A claw went out.

It was caught. Kor grinned as he looked at his brother, now evolved into a Krookodile himself. [You seized power too late, ******** you, you motha ********!] K-Rok shouted and a palm struck his stomach as his Snarl came. Stronger, more powerful, but not enough. The palm was the same one Kor used for his Earthquake. Most Pokemon utilized extreme force against the ground, Kor had trained himself to master the technique. He could send the ripples through the body on contact.

Which is what happened now, Earthquake centralized. K-Rok collapsed to his knees as the blood escaped him. [I've collapsed your lungs,] Kor announced. [No more of that crappy rap.]

He turned then, to catch a fist as it came. Darumi's, powered by a sun. A small thing that was attached to Melty's flame. The Mobile Battery, used to give Sunny Day to only the user and the attached target. In short, Darumi was powered up without losing the rain.

They were defeated by the Earthquake attack.

"No!" Henrietta cried when the arms came around her. Clad in armor, they caught her own arms and pulled her back against the steel form of Albert. Her upper arm caught by a single arm passed through, locking them. A knife was at her throat with the other arm then, and the height difference between the two meant she was lifted off of the ground.

[Damn it!] Boldore came down. He didn't have the strength to catch up like Melty and Darumi, he was slow. Late. Too late. He crashed into Kor and they rolled, Kor using his powered up physical power to kick Frate off and away, sending him tumbling and then sticking him in a Sand Tomb.

[I don't have the strength to take you one on one, kid,] Kor said as he placed a hand to the ground.

[So I'm ending this now.]

Henrietta, meanwhile, felt the strap of her dress tear, the pull of clothing was felt when it happened. The right half of her dress fell and she acted as Albert made a comment about human beings needing to suffer.

Her head made contact with his nose and, with a shout, he fell back. A kick down into his inner thigh toppled them both to the ground. Her right hand shot out to the right as the knife came to stab her. She caught it at the elbow and, luckily, his reach wasn't great enough to make up the distance. With her arm straight, he couldn't simply shove to overcome the difference, not with the lack of leverage that they both had.

Arms free, Henrietta quickly jumped to her feet. She drew her shinai in one swift motion as Albert jumped to his own feet, knife at the ready.

It just keeps getting worse.

Before Earthquake was used the attack came. Kor turned to look in the direction of the trumpeting, distracted by it. WHAM! The attack hit him, throwing him backwards. Quickly, he'd jump to his feet and turn in time to be struck again, this blow twice as powerful and offsetting him. How had the enemy returned to quickly?

Albert's armor broke under the force of it, along with some ribs. His eyes wide with surprise as his body was thrown before rolling on the ground. It'd finally come to a halt with Albert laying underneath a tree, shaking in agony.

Henrietta, meanwhile, was awestruck by the whole scene. She looked over to see Kor contending with roll out and then she'd turn toward Luka.

"Y-you're safe!" She hadn't been able to see him before on the list of people. As if he'd disappeared, so she'd been worried. But now, it seemed, he was fine. Alive and well.