Chapter Text

Chapter 1

War. It never changes. It is a constant struggle among most creatures, whether it be about a battle over territory, disputes over resources, or a loved one. But war has drastic consequences, as many lives are lost in the wake of its power. The funny thing is that war comes in different sizes in our daily lives, whether it be small or big. It’s like two opposing forces trying to see the light. But when it is over, the pieces are picked up. But sometimes it can change others, whether for good or worse.

These times are where war is an inevitable end. Kingdoms were at war, mostly over resources. But refuge is possible, as in the Turf Kingdom, there were a few places where one could recuperate safely. In a small village located in the woods, Pokémon were given shelter from the outside world. It was…peaceful here for the time being. Some could play, but couldn’t venture too far out the woods.

In one run-down house, one Pokémon was seemingly bored as he sat on a tree stump staring at the empty fireplace thinking about something. An orange male Kleavor with some black, rocky spikes on his head, along with some chips on his sides, and metallic blade ends added on his two ax-like arm appendages, being similar in color to the spikes and his thick, rocky beard. As the door opened, he was visited by a red male Palpitoad that seemed to be elderly as he had wrinkles under his eyes. His warts, however, were pink and seemed to know the Kleavor personally as he said with a smile…

Palpitoad: Hey, Kiro!

Kiro: …Plumpston?

Plumpston: Alone for now again?

Kiro: Yeah. It’s still war torn out there, huh?

Plumpston: Definitely. I just sent Calipe out to scout the outside. I don’t know how much longer we’ll live here until we might have to evacuate this place. Possibly sooner than a month…

Kiro: …Damn. We’ve lived here for about 20 years.

Plumpston: Might want to get your boys ready for that time.

Kiro: *closes eyes* Speaking of… I sent Stewart to go and fetch Sacha back, and that was fifteen minutes ago, which is now twenty minutes since Sacha hadn’t come back. So…

However, his patience was wearing thinner by the second as an anger mark strangely grew on his head, and as he harshly opened his bloodshot eyes, he frustratingly shouted…

Kiro: WHAT THE HELL IS TAKING THEM SO LONG?!!!

Plumpston: Now, now. Perhaps some tea will help?

Kiro: I’ve already had tea this morning, and it doesn’t seem to be working. What I want to know is…WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING?!!

Plumpston: *sweat drop* Oh, dear. I might as well let you blow off some steam.

Kiro: *sighs* …I might as well.

Plumpston: I’ll check up on you later, old friend.

Kiro: Same here.

Plumpston left the house in good spirits to get back to…whatever he did for the village. In a thick forest, a brown Scyther and a blue Scizor were practicing…something. Well, rather the Scyther swinging his scythe-like appendages. His wings were somewhat developed, only with the exception of a chip in the right wing. The Scizor on the other hand was worried. His pincers were more smoothed down by the edges, as if not for cutting things at all. Piles of cut up wood were by them, as there were signs of two trees that were cut down to a stump.

Scizor: Sacha, don’t you think that’s enough? Father will be mad if we aren’t back with the wood.

Sacha: Just a little more, Stewart.

Stewart: But Sacha-

Sacha: I know, I know. I just need a little more practice.

A large boulder was then tossed from a distance, which crashed into the ground near them, causing the ground to shake a bit as pieces of them scattered, scaring the duo. They knew who would do such a thing, and from a distance, an impatient, angry Kiro with gritted teeth was marching towards them, making their hearts sink as he shouted…

Kiro: Hey, you damn ingrates!! What the hell are you doing goofing off out here?!

Stewart: S-Sorry, Father!

Sacha: No, it’s my fault. I was busy sharpening up my skills to-

Before he could finish, Kiro struck them both on the back of their heads with the butt ends of his ax-like appendages, seemingly letting out his frustrations in the hit. They rubbed it to ease the pain, even though it hurt them as well. But to Stewart’s confusion, he asked…

Stewart: W-Why did you hit me?! I’m not the one who wanted to stay out here!

Kiro: I was releasing my anger without thinking. Anyways, Sacha, you idiot. You don’t need any more practice. Your scythes are sharp enough to cut wood. What makes you think you need even more practice?

Sacha: In case I have to fight other Pokémon.

Kiro: I thought I raised you boys to hunt and protect yourselves. Yet, here, you’re lollygagging around. I need the wood to build a fire. Now, come on!

Without a word, they both picked up the chopped up wood and headed home with their father. Minutes later, the wood filled up the fireplace, which was now burning, providing warmth for the house. Kiro had to give Sacha a serious talk, knowing just how hard-headed he was.

Kiro: …Why is it that whenever you two boys are late, it’s mostly because of you, Sacha? What tomfoolery are you trying to achieve?

Sacha: To be strong.

Kiro: But, you’re going about it the wrong way. What do you think will happen if you wander off somewhere and get blown to bits trying to prove you’re strong?

Sacha: …Sorry, Father.

Kiro: Sacha, I know you want to do more, but right now, our kingdom is in the middle of a war. We can’t step out there foolhardy and greet death like it’s normal.

Sacha: But Father-

Kiro: No “buts”! Drop this “act” of valiance and focus on survival, Sacha.

Stewart: See? I told you we should’ve gotten home sooner!

Sacha: *sighs* …Alright.

Plumpston had entered their house, seeing the boys with Kiro this time.

Plumpston: Ah, Kiro! And the boys are back. I was a little worried they wouldn’t return.

Sacha: Mr. Plumpston, when will our kingdom be free from war?

Plumpston: …You didn’t tell them, Kiro?

Stewart: Tell us what?

Kiro: …Plumpston here believes that we may have a month at best to remain here.

Sacha: But our kingdom has been at war for two years!

Frustrated, Kiro said...

Kiro: Damn those Torches! And what makes matters worse is that the Iron Kingdom and the Bedrock Kingdom have lended them a hand in it!

Plumpston: …All the more reason to leave. The Sect Kingdom is doing its best to help us out, but we don’t know how long it’ll last.

Stewart: Shouldn’t we leave now? There’s no telling when they’ll attack here!

Kiro then looked at the walls of the house, reminiscing about his time spent here with the boys and knowing he would have to say goodbye to it.

Kiro: …I’d hate to leave this place. If we left this home, we’d have an even more difficult time making a new one. We’d be refugees or fugitives in other kingdoms at this point.

Plumpston: …That’s definitely true. But I’d have to evacuate-

A loud boom was heard nearby, interrupting Plumpston as the noise they heard put them on edge.

Kiro: What the hell was that?!

Plumpston: Don’t tell me that they’ve spotted this village!

Kiro: Shit! Boys, you stay here.

Sacha: But Father-

Kiro: Dammit, Sacha! Just listen to me for a change!

Stewart: Please, Sacha? Father will handle it.

Sacha: …Fine.

Kiro rushed out the door as did Plumpston. Outside, the village seemed fine, but some trees not too far from it were on fire, which was spreading rapidly.

Plumpston: The forest…!

Kiro: If the flames aren’t stopped, we’ll be burned…!

Plumpston: I, along with a few others are the only Water types capable of extinguishing the fires. I’ll get them whilst evacuating the villagers.

Kiro: We can’t evacuate anybody at the moment. What if enemies are lurking nearby as if they’re expecting that?

Plumpston: …Understandable. Wait, are you saying…?

Kiro: I’ll take them on. Plumpston, if anything happens to me, take the boys with you. Protect them like your life depends on it.

Plumpston: I will.

As the two went in separate directions, it left both Sacha and Stewart baffled on what to do. Another boom was heard nearby, which increased the severity of the situation.

Stewart: Sacha, we have to leave! There’s a fire out there spreading rapidly! And that booming nearby! We might be next!

Sacha: …Damn. So much for us staying put. But…don’t you find this suspicious, Stewart?

Stewart: What do you mean?

Sacha: These attacks… They hit far closer to our village despite no one ever venturing outside of it. The only group that would have attacked us and knew where we live are…

He bolted out the door, with Stewart hurrying behind, not even being spotted as they disappeared into the safer part of the forest. Plumpston, along with a purple Quagsire, a brown Marshtomp and a green Blastoise were busy putting out the fires with their Water type attacks, which proved to be effective at controlling the blaze, but as they managed to, two more loud booms were heard, with one of them almost blasting a house apart by a few feet. The forest blaze had spread rapidly, but combined efforts were more effective at reducing its impact on the village. Kiro on the other hand was nowhere in sight, but sounds of objects clashing could be heard.

From another distance, a Pokemon, being an orange Cramorant, was running at high speed shouting “The traitors are coming!” over and over as he headed into the village, noticing that the villagers were staying inside their homes for safety, but some were fearing the worst and looked like they wanted to leave with children in tow. He was looking for someone who was more of a “leader” of the village, finding out that they were not here.

In another part of the forest, Kiro was attacking Pokémon who were capable of using their claws like swords, mostly Bug types, which actually surprised him even though he easily defeated them one by one. However, when he took a swing at another one with his left ax appendage, it was blocked by another Pokémon, being a silver Lokix with a shiny black armor including its mask-like face, forearms, thorax, lower legs including the third set of legs on his back, and lower abdomen. His eyes, along with the spikes on his forearms, lower legs and the back legs were green.

Using his right claws, he stopped Kiro’s attack with no effort, giving him a cold look.

Kiro: (...What the…?! He stopped my attack…?!)

Noticing that he couldn’t swing, he had to withdraw. But strangely, he seemed…familiar.

Kiro: Wait a minute…! You’re familiar…! Who are you?!

The Lokix remained silent. Kiro wanted an answer, but he wouldn’t get one as a different voice from afar said…

???: …So this is where you resided in your years.

…Which seemed familiar to Kiro as he was somewhat surprised. The Lokix stepped away to look in a different direction, which got Kiro to look in the same direction, only to be shocked by the group that appeared. Among the Bug Pokémon, there was one resting on the ground he recognized that was the leader. A Ninjask with a white head, orange eyes and a grayish lower abdomen above the white ring of his tip. Inside of his grayish arms were tips colored orange. His wings, whilst a clear white, had black tips and spots on them. He also had scars on some parts of his body including his head, suggesting a prior history between the two.

To Kiro, this Pokémon was a malicious force beyond the depths of hell. His orange eyes, hiding his darkest intentions.

Kiro: Nobuhito!!!

Nobuhito: How pitiful. You spend your years here withering away your talent. It has been years, hasn’t it, Kiro?

Kiro: I could’ve sworn that last time we crossed paths, you had your pride torn to shreds by me.

Nobuhito: True. But I’ve reinvigorated my pride by applying something called…“revenge”.

Kiro: Why are you here, exactly? Why attack here?!

Nobuhito: Oh? I’m here on behalf of the Sect Kingdom. Well, not really.

Kiro: What?!

Nobuhito: I figured that with my new position, no one would suspect a thing. The self-appointed “Shogunate”.

Kiro: What are you talking about?!

Nobuhito: …I want to create the world’s most powerful army of insect warriors. That way, when I become a true daimyo, I will be unstoppable! No one in the world will defeat us!

Kiro: No! How dare you use your position to cause such unspeakable evil!

Nobuhito: Funny thing is, I don’t care about what happens here. We just want to smoke out the pests that hide here like cowards. Possibly you.

Kiro: …Well, you’re going to get your pride torn once again.

Nobuhito: I wouldn’t be certain of that. I have grown stronger from my resentment and you’ve probably grown weaker by this “peaceful lifestyle”. If you still like to debate the odds, then let us duel with our claws similar to last time.

Kiro had no choice but to accept the challenge, seeing that his greatest foe would be an obstacle in saving the village. He readied his appendages and took on a stance befitting that of a warrior with one appendage poking slightly forward. Nobuhito’s allies stood a great distance away from the two, giving them the room needed to fight. As another explosion was heard, both rocketed at each other and took a swing, clashing claws in a struggle. They both continued clashing claws as they moved around at such speed that normal eyes alone were not enough. But Nobuhito’s allies could see where they were at all times.

Meanwhile, where Sacha and Stewart were, they trekked through the forest for two minutes until they reached a clearing, which had some Bug type Pokémon standing by three cannons with piles of cannonballs next to each of them. They were reloading the cannons for another attack when Sacha shouted…

Sacha: Hey!

…Causing them to turn in his direction. Stewart on the other hand stood behind a tree, not wanting to fight. But they both were familiar with them as one of them asked in a strange language…

???: Are wa dare? <Who’s that?>

…As another answered…

???: Watashi wa shiranai yo. Tāfugaki no hitori. <I dunno. One of those Turf brats.>

…And another saying…

???: Kare o korose. <Kill him.>

Five of them were headed at Sacha, firing attacks as three continued to man the cannons and fired. Whilst one hit a tree, the other two struck the village, sending the villagers into a panic. Plumpston, who was worn out from putting out the fires, overheard it along with the other Water types.

Plumpston: Dammit!

Marshtomp: Mr. Plumpston!

Plumpston: Don’t worry! I’ll get to the villagers! You concentrate on the fires!

As the Marshtomp nodded, Plumpston headed to the village to calm down the villagers. He saw a Pokémon that he was familiar with, an orange Cramorant that was shaken up by the attacks.

Plumpston: Calipe, help me keep the villagers calm!

Calipe: M-Mr. Plumpston! We’re under attack by rogue Pokémon from the Sect Kingdom!

Plumpston: What?!

Calipe: Very certain!

Plumpston: (...Why would rogue Pokémon from the Sect Kingdom attack us…?)

Calipe: Where’s Mr. Kiro?

Plumpston: Out fighting for us.

He then remembered something.

Plumpston: Calipe, go to his house and escort the boys out through the back part of the woods.

Calipe: Alright.

As he headed towards Kiro’s house, he looked inside, only to find that they weren’t there. He rushed back to Plumpston.

Calipe: Mr. Plumpston! The boys aren’t there! They must’ve ran off!

Plumpston: Shit! They could be out there!

Calipe: What should we do, Mr. Plumpston?

Plumpston: You keep the villagers calm. I’ll find the boys.

Calipe: Sure thing, Mr. Plumpston!

Plumpston ran off as Calipe focused on calming the panicked villagers down. Back where the duo were, Sacha managed to take three of them down and was slashing left and right with his scythes. Two of them went to his right as he jumped and fired their attacks. With one slice, he broke through and delivered a devastating blow to them, falling them instantly.

???: Dammit! Is it that hard to kill a pest?!

As two more cannonballs were fired, Sacha sliced them both, making hemolymph gush from their wounds. Seeing that he stopped them, he figured that it was done. However, another loud explosion rang in the area, with large smoke apparently coming from the village.

Sacha: Damn!

One of the weakened rogues spoke up to say…

???: …Fool. Do you think…we will stop…? By the time you get back to your so-called “village”, it’ll be too late…

Sacha made his way through the forest with Stewart running right behind, which was a raging hellfire as smoke stirred around and made it hard to see. Another explosion rang out, which came from the village. Sounds of screams could be heard, but as another explosion rang, it was nothing more than complete silence except for the sounds of the trees falling and the fires cooking the leaves.

As they came to a stop after some minutes, Kiro was breathing heavily as if he was exerting more energy than before in his life. Of course, it worried Kiro as he could see the blaze getting worse and the air growing eerily cold.

Nobuhito: Oh? You look tired. We’ve only been fighting for two minutes.

Kiro: *pants* (...He’s even faster and stronger than ever before…! My body may not last longer if I keep this up… I hope my boys aren’t in any danger…) …Let me ask you something.

Nobuhito: Hm?

Kiro: What will you do if you indeed become the most powerful daimyo in the world?

Nobuhito: Simple. I plan to establish a world filled with powerful Bug Pokémon and rule with an iron fist. Anyone that dares to oppose me will be a head collection. Even though we are enemies, I’m pretty certain you’re familiar with how our kind is perceived.

Kiro: …I am. But your idea…is foolish.

Nobuhito: “Foolish”, you say?

Kiro: Your words are like knives that cannot cut everything. Every Pokémon type has a weakness. You don’t need to show the world how powerful Bug types are by slaying those who oppose your view.

Nobuhito: …Pitiful. This lifestyle has really dulled you. It’s sad that you’re my enemy. Back then was different.

Kiro: That was because I was fighting for myself. Now I fight for a purpose.

Nobuhito: Good. You’ll die a death far more pitiless. Just like this pitiful village.

Knowing that he had to protect his village, Kiro raised an appendage as the ax part glowed brown with extra jagged rocks on it. Parts of his body glowed the same brown, only shedding pebbles off and moving quicker than before, which surprised Nobuhito and his allies as he swung down hard. However, Nobuhito was too quick, almost hitting him as pieces of rocks were flung as he struck the ground. As he raised it again, a sparkle shone in Nobuhito’s right eye as his body radiated a red aura. Seeing him headed his way, he wasted no time and with one swing of his forearm, sliced a wave of red energy that cut Kiro in half, with his upper body falling in front of him.

Nobuhito: …And with that, our archrivalry is over.

He then looked towards the flames of the village, proud of such destruction. In the village, Sacha and Stewart arrived, only to see the village destroyed. Most of the Pokémon that lived here were nothing but burnt corpses, with some so severely damaged that either their heads or body parts were blown off or their body was unrecognizable by no means. It sunk into their minds of the reality they were living in.

Sacha: No…!

Stewart: This is awful…

Sacha then realized that there was a more important Pokemon that he had to find and bolted off into the woods as Stewart shouted his name, only to get no response. As he got deeper inside, he saw his father…in two pieces. The Pokémon that cared for him was now in an irreparable state. He rushed to his father’s side, hoping that he was okay as he cried out…

Sacha: F-Father…!

Remarkably, his father was still alive, but barely as he was mustering the strength to register what was happening.

Kiro: …S…Sacha…

Sacha: Father! Who did this to you?!

Kiro: …Sacha…my son… I am glad…that you are alive…

Sacha: Please Father! Who did this to you?!

Kiro: …Don’t worry about me… If Stewart’s alive…you two can be with Mr. Plumpston… I… I know that…I was harsh…on you two…but don’t…let this…ruin your heart…

Sacha: Father, I… I don’t know what to do…

Kiro: …As stubborn as I was…I never said it…did I…? E…Even though…you and Stewart…aren’t my biological children…I raised you both…to the best of my ability… Your parents…who died when you were young…and Stewart’s…who abandoned him…

Sacha: F…Father…

As he felt that his life was coming to an end, he mustered up the strength to say his final words as tears flowed down his face, which were…

Kiro: …R…Remember, Sacha… I…love you… I love you…and Stewart…very much….

…As he let out one last ounce of breath before he lay there with no ounce of life. Sacha began crying, seeing that the only caretaker he ever had was now gone. Thinking back to what he said, he understood that his father wanted him to listen.

Sacha: *sniff* F…Father… I… I’m sorry… *sniff* I wanted to be strong…and-

Before he could finish, a familiar voice said…

???: Isn’t this such a…“reunion”?

…Which got Sacha to turn around to see Nobuhito. He seemingly lied in wait as if he knew he was coming.

Nobuhito: My, my! I didn’t know he had a son! Well, not really. Sucks you couldn’t see him in “one piece”. Now I see why he changed to be soft and pathetic…

Sacha’s once saddened expression turned into bitter anger with tears streaming down his face, seeing that this guy was his father’s killer as he shouted…

Sacha: You… You killed him!!

Nobuhito: We were rivals. And now, I take my leave. I have no interest in you, as you’re just small fry. Burn like the rest of this village.

Sacha: You’re not leaving!! You’re going to pay for what you did to my father!!!

He ran towards him with blind fury, slashing at him with all his might. But Nobuhito dodged his attacks with no effort. At the same time, he was waving his forearms for some reason. But when he swung again, Nobuhito used one small, inner claw to stop his scythe like it was nothing. As Nobuhito decided to squeeze Sacha’s scythe, he could feel himself being cut almost in half from his lower thorax, leaking hemolymph as he was still trying to process what happened whilst being completely helpless.

Nobuhito: Oh? It seems that you have some sort of durability than your “adopted” father did. My fields of cutting were not enough. Oh well. This works better for me as I can allow Arceus to kill you naturally.

As he let go, Sacha fell to the ground laying down on his stomach bleeding out for dear life. His vision was getting blurry by the second as he watched his father’s killer flutter away into the shadows of the flames, unable to move in his condition. With furious anger coming from within, Sacha would only mutter…

Sacha: …I… I’ll get you… I’ll kill you…one day…

…Until he fell unconscious. Several minutes later, Stewart and Plumpston had arrived to see two bodies on the ground. Of course, their tears were shed but could stay for too long as the fires were getting bigger and the smoke being thicker, so whilst Stewart carried Sacha in his arms, Plumpston towed Kiro’s body parts using some sort of psychic energy that came from his bulbous head as they were coated in a blue aura and carried their bodies for a while until they arrived at a clear plains, safe from the fires. They looked back at their village, which was completely engulfed in flames, knowing how many lives were lost.

Plumpston: It’s all gone…

Stewart: Sacha…

Plumpston: …And Kiro… What monster would do such a thing…?

Stewart: …We have to bury them.

Plumpston: Only Kiro.

Stewart: Huh?

Plumpston: …Check to see if Sacha has a pulse. If he does, then he’s probably still alive, but fighting hard against death.

Stewart: A-Alright…

He placed Sacha down and used his pincer to feel his stomach, which had a pulse, but very faintly.

Stewart: H-He’s got a pulse! But…it’s almost like a murmur…

Plumpston: …Then there’s no time to waste.

He then turned to the southern direction, where a small town with buildings were, and continued with…

Plumpston: There’s a town over in that direction. A surgeon should be there.

Stewart: H-How do you know about what lies out there?

Plumpston: Because it’s also a place Kiro and I would visit when we had to buy things.

Stewart: Alright.

Plumpston: Now go. I’ll bury Kiro.

Stewart ran off in the direction of the town as Plumpston laid Kiro down and began digging a large hole enough to fit his good friend in. As he was finished, he placed him in the hole and pushed the dirt back in the hole, then sprayed a thick cloud of mud that shaped into the form of Kiro’s likeliness, serving as a memory. Although he wanted to grieve so badly that he lost his friend, he couldn’t, as he remembered what he said, which was…

[Kiro: …Plumpston, if anything happens to me, take the boys with you... Protect them like your life depends on it…]

Hearing his voice in his mind made him shed a tear as he closed his eyes and prayed for him, hoping that he made it to the afterlife. As his face was now serious, he turned to the direction of the town and said…

Plumpston: …I will raise them in your stead, old friend.

*****

In the town, Pokémon were abundant as market shops were open. Despite the kingdom itself at war, this was probably the only town that would remain open otherwise. Stewart was frantically running around town asking random Pokémon about the nearest surgeon as he was carrying an unconscious Sacha. He knew he didn’t have any time to lose, but most of the Pokémon were…quite skeptical to say the least. No one gave an answer, which was the strangest thing.

A one-eyed Arbok slithered past him as he asked…

Stewart: Excuse me, sir.

…Which got the Arbok to turn in his direction, seemingly scowling as if he didn’t want to be bothered.

Stewart: Do you know where a surgeon is in this town?

Rudely, the Arbok answered…

Arbok: Piss off, red mantis. And your friend in your claws should’ve been buried by now. No use coming here.

The one-eyed Arbok slithered away, which left a very questionable impression on Stewart.

Stewart: (...What’s going on here…? Why are they acting so reluctant and hostile towards me…?)

A Mienfoo that was carrying bags was in his sights, but when he saw him, he gave a nasty look, which didn’t sit right with him.

Stewart: (...What is up with these Pokémon…?)

As he saw a Cubone approaching, he tried again to ask…

Stewart: Excuse me-

…Only for the Cubone to interrupt as he raised his voice with anger saying…

Cubone: Get lost, you outsider! Why can’t you see that Pokémon around here don’t want to talk to you?!

…Then walked away muttering to himself. Stewart decided to let off some steam himself as he ranted…

Stewart: Man, this doesn’t make any sense! Why is it that Pokémon here hate me?! And I don’t even know them!

…Which only made the other Pokémon turn in the opposite direction in disrespect. Looking at Sacha, he felt like he couldn’t help him out.

Stewart: *sighs* …I’m sorry, Sacha. It’s my fault.

From a distance, Plumpston came down the road as the local Pokémon gave him some nods and smiles, seemingly familiar with him. However, one of them pointed at Stewart like a germ, which confused him. He went towards Stewart with a concerned face, wondering what happened.

Plumpston: I thought I told you to find a surgeon here?

Stewart: I tried asking around, but they were rude to me.

Plumpston: …Oh. I see. Compared to me, they see you as an outsider. But let’s go to the surgeon.

As they continued walking down for a minute, they arrived at a small brick building that looked like the others that had three green circles painted above the door. Plumpston approached the door and turned around, using his tail to knock on it before facing the door again. It opened, revealing a red Inkay that had a blue cap with glowing green lights on it. He seemed to look tired as his eyes were half open between sleep and wake, not even paying any attention to the Pokémon in front of him. He yawned and said…

Inkay: …I’m not interested in donations. Go bother someone foolish enough.

Plumpston: Ijiru?

He perked up a bit, hearing a voice that he recognized…somewhat.

Ijiru: …Hm?! That voice sounds familiar! I need my glasses.

He disappeared inside as he left the door ajar, with Plumpston and Stewart to hear sounds of cluttering and objects being moved around. The sounds made them look at each other with confused looks until he came back to the door with his glasses on, seeing much better than before. He got a good look at Plumpston, which made a small smile curl up on his face.

Ijiru: Plumpston! You’re looking older.

Plumpston: *smiles* I should say the same thing to you. But we have a-

Ijiru then looked at the unconscious Sacha, which woke him up instantly as he shouted…

Ijiru: Great Palkia’s Space Distortion! You’ve brought me a corpse!

Plumpston: This “corpse” has a pulse. If he’s not trea-

Ijiru: Bring him inside, bring him inside!

They went inside, which to their surprise, the room was…quite a mess… Chairs, desks and a table turned over, and books were strewn about all around the room, with some of them half open, a few having some…questionable stains on them next to pictures of squids and octopuses. The only things that were standing up were two lamps set in corners diagonal from each other, brightening the room. What’s even stranger was that there was a male Mutant Cat Pokémon sitting on top of a closed red book barely Plumpston’s height.

Plumpston: Great Dialga, Ijiru! I know you don’t clean, but at least learn to pick up after yourself!

They had to carefully step over the books as they followed Ijiru into another room, where there was an operating table with surgeon equipment next to it on a platter and light stand for closer viewing. A wide bathtub was behind the platter, most likely for Pokémon to bleed out, but hadn’t been used recently. On the wall in the corner of the room were rough paper slabs detailing names of five random Pokémon. Stewart set Sacha on the table, letting Ijiru get to work.

Ijiru: I’ve rarely operated on a bug, but I’ll get your friend up in no time.

Knowing how long it would take, Plumpston decided that leaving the surgeon alone would be best.

Plumpston: Come on. Sacha’s in good hands.

They left his house, sitting down by the side. An hour later, Ijiru came back out, seeing them asleep. He gently shook them as he said…

Ijiru: Good news. I’ve managed to save him.

…Which woke them completely up.

Ijiru: It’s strange though. His body was almost cut in half. I thought his organs were beyond saving, but for some reason, his heart was still pumping.

Plumpston: …I’m guessing that cut was from a terrifying foe.

Ijiru: Perhaps that’s why he’s still clinging to life. By the way, how’s Kiro?

Their faces were despondent, which to Ijiru meant something bad happened.

Ijiru: …Something bad happened to him?

Plumpston: …He’s dead. Him and our village…

Ijiru: Your…village…?

He turned in the direction of the large smoke, which put the picture in his head about what happened.

Ijiru: …I see.

Plumpston: We were attacked out of the blue. Didn’t even think it would happen this soon. You know, I always wondered why foreign territories have to go to war with each other.

Ijiru: Yeah. It sucks. But what can we do? We leave that kind of problem to our royal leaders. But uh…let’s see your friend.

As they went inside to the operating room where Sacha was, he was still lying unconscious on the table, but his open thorax wound was now sewed up.

Stewart: I-Incredible…!

Ijiru: It wasn’t easy, but I managed to sew up his thorax along with his tubes. He should be awake by tomorrow-

Before he could finish, sounds of groaning were heard coming from Sacha, who was getting out of his unconscious state.

Ijiru: …Well I’ll be damned.

As Sacha’s eyes were coming to, it brought joy to Stewart and Plumpston as they both exclaimed…

Stewart & Plumpston: Sacha!!

Sacha: …Where…am I…?

Plumpston: You’re at a small town called-

Sacha: W-What?! T-The village…!

Plumpston: …It’s gone, Sacha.

Sacha: …No…

Plumpston: At least I managed to salvage your father’s body and-

Sacha: My father… I’ve got to find his killer!

Stewart: What?!

Plumpston: His killer?!

Sacha jumped off the table and attempted to run, only to be coated in a strange, blue energy, being held in place as if he was controlled by some sort of telekinetic force. Said energy was coming from Ijiru, whose glowing bulbs were blue.

Sacha: Let me go! Let me go! I have to find my father’s killer!

Ijiru: Not so fast, you!

Sacha: I have to kill him! I have to fight him again!

Plumpston: Sacha, calm down. I understand that you want to avenge him, but doing it with no level head is foolish. I’ve already lost Kiro. I don’t want to lose you and Stewart as well. Your father entrusted you two in my care, and I won’t go back on his promise.

Sacha: …So that murderer gets to walk away free in this world? I won’t rest until he pays for what he did!

Wanting to quell Sacha’s words, Plumpston shouted…

Plumpston: Sacha!!

…Which got Ijiru to think for a moment and interjected with…

Ijiru: …Hold on a moment. If he’s so eager to fight this "murderer", then he needs to be trained. As it stands, your encounter with this "killer" left you on the brink of death. But your skills alone won’t get you there.

Plumpston: Ijiru!

Ijiru: I understand your concern, Plumpston. But our influence can only go so far. He needs more from others. With it, he’ll have the skills needed for life.

Plumpston: Ijiru, I don’t want Sacha to be a killer.

Ijiru: I know. But he’ll grow into a good fighter. There’s a Pokemon that lives in the Tussle Kingdom’s Muscle Mountain. He teaches fortitude there, and he’ll be able to help you out, Sacha.

Stewart: But he’ll be a fugitive!

Plumpston: …Or a refugee if we were to look war-struck.

Stewart: “W-We”?

Plumpston: There’s no point in us staying here. The best thing we can do is build a new life elsewhere.

Sacha: …I’ll do it. I want to learn…how to protect.

Plumpston: Are you sure, Sacha?

Sacha: Yes. If I am to properly face that monster again, then I’d like to learn.

Ijiru: There’s a boat further down this town at the nearest docks hidden under it. Take the cover off and sail out without being detected.

Plumpston: …Ijiru, you do know what’ll happen if we leave, right?

Ijiru: Pssh. Who cares? It’s a free world. Well, I wish it was.

Plumpston: …I feel as though this will be our last time seeing each other.

Ijiru: …True. But don’t worry about me. I’ll make it somehow. If this kingdom gets bombed, then so be it. One day, I hope this will be all over and the world can join hands again…

Plumpston: …See you, Ijiru.

Ijiru: …See you three sometime in a place where there isn’t chaos.

They parted ways, but took a detour to where Kiro’s grave was. There, the three of them stood as they looked at his muddy memorial statue. They said their words about what Kiro was like to them, and of course, some tears were shedded. When it was all said and done, they departed. Well, Sacha was the only one to stay behind as his final thoughts whilst there were…

Sacha: (... I’ll get your killer for you, Father…)

…Before departing to catch up with Plumpston and Stewart. They went straight to the docks underneath, where a cover was over the boat to hide it. They took it off and hopped in. Two Barraskewdas surfaced by the sides of the boat and greeted them.

Barraskewda 1: You three about to sail off?

Plumpston: Yeah.

Barraskewda 2: Where to?

Plumpston: The Tussle Kingdom.

Barraskewda 1 & 2: Sit tight. We’ll have you there in three days. We don’t get paid for nothing. If you have to stop anywhere for food, let us know.

Stewart: We will.

Barraskewda 1: Here we go…

Barraskewda 2: To the Tussle Kingdom!

The Barraskewda duo bit onto two small knobs on the backside of the boat, and, using their tails like propellers, sped off into the distance. Even though they should’ve gone faster, pushing a boat was different. For the trio, they took one last look at the Turf Kingdom, which still had a few bombs going off every now and then in further areas, but the main thing they looked at was their village, which was nothing but smoke at this point. It was their home, after all.

Plumpston: *sighs* …Goodbye, Turf Kingdom. Goodbye…my home village…

Stewart: …I wish we didn’t have to leave.

Plumpston: …Some things are for the best.

Whilst the other two were looking back at what was their home, Sacha’s face was serious as he thought in his mind…

Sacha: (...I’ll become stronger… I’ll get strong enough to fight him…and someday end this war on our kingdom…)

…As he turned around to look ahead. He set his sights on the Tussle Kingdom. Who knows what lies ahead? Only one way to find out in three days’ time…

*****