//------------------------------// // FINALLY! Let's fight! // Story: A New World, A New Conflict // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// Pert honestly believed this was the most idiotic, humiliating plan that he had ever been forced to act on. Of course, there was the time he nearly got forced into wearing a dress to infiltrate a human fashion show. Sev really wasn’t himself that day. Pert was just thankful Gard was there to straighten him out. So now he was a bit thankful that this was the most inane thing he’s ever done under Sev’s command. Which was odd. Commander Sev only ever brought him when he was sure there was going to be a up front confrontation. Those were the only fights Pert honestly felt at home. He was raised to fight in the arena after all. So that meant Sev knew there was going to be a fight. That was pretty much obvious to everyone the moment Lia was captured. Still, undercover work was never his forte. That was Gold’s job. Pert honestly wished that Golduck was here now. He’d know a thing or two about being on a job like this. So now Pert had to wait in these dank tunnels that reminded him too much of the arenas. Why the damned humans had to do everything in shitty underground lairs was beyond him. Maybe they just knew deep down they were slime. He liked to think so. Slimebags or not, they weren’t his problem anymore. They were all left back on Earth, where they belonged. Now he had to deal with a new bunch. These Hyena Dogs might not be as smart as most of those human mooks. They might not even have guns and those stuff, but they were stronger. They could, if the stories were to be believed, swim through sand and rock faster than he could. They were practically Ground types. With their strength, it’d be easy for them to kill some of the hardier pokemon under his command. He had to be weary. It was right at that moment that he heard a muffled scream. Pert glanced at the wall of dirt behind him. He heard something and there was no Arceus damn way was he going to disregard it. He knew pain and fear when he heard it. He walked up to the wall. “What are you doing?” A zebra soldier by the name of Perui asked. ‘Breaking down the wall of slavery to usher in an age of peace.’ Pert knew that these dogs were keeping slaves. The zebras had went on and on about them. He had an inkling that they had just stumbled upon a few of them. Pulling back his arm, it glowed white as he performed a perfect Hammer Arm. The wall crumbled into dust, creating a whole twice his size. On the other side was something he had not seen in a while. It was an expansive tunnel, easily large enough to fit a few legendaries leasuraly. There were several zebras and a few other races before forced to carry gems or move carts. The one closest to him was a young mare. She had several lash marks on her body. The Hyena Dog over her, carrying the whip that done the deed, stared at Pert incredulously. It was at that moment, something flashed in his mind. *snap* “Get back into that pit, beast! Fight for your lunch.” “B-But-” *snap* “I SAID FIGHT OR STARVE!” Pert’s fist clenched. He didn’t give the dog any time to do anything else. He tackled the best to the ground and smashed it’s head into pulp with his fist. Another dog made to lunge, but it was blown several feet into the air and halfway down the tunnel by Pert’s Water Gun. “Shit!” Perui was heard behind him. “Support the general! Get these people out of here.” The combined zebra/pokemon forces rushed inside after him. The Hyena Dogs were quick to recover and they let out an outlandish and bloody howl that sounded like a laughing Luxray but more high pitched. While most of them were wearing rags, Pert could tell the armored ones would be a problem. Either way, this was going to be a fight to remember. He smirked and charged the nearest Hyena Dogs. _______________________________________________________________________ Crowland didn’t have much of a problem finding the tunnel leading to the slave dwellings. He had raided quite a few tunnels in his day. The problem was getting there. Now some would have cut and sliced their way through the Hyena Dog guards. They would be idiots. The dogs had excellent smell and hearing. They’d smell the blood, hear the fighting. Oh, you could take them out one at a time, but they’d be on to you quicker than you could get out. Crowland was fast enough to do so, but not stupid enough to tempt fate. He kept to the shadows, stayed out of sight. There was the occasional guard that got in the way, but a disposable dart filled with tranqs would do the job. They’d be out long enough for him to slip by and the dogs wouldn’t know it. They’d wake up and go about like nothing was wrong. They were stupid like that. Of course, he would kill if needed to. He had no qualms with ending each and every blasted one of these dog’s existence. That would get him nowhere. He never did anything just ‘because’. Each action had a purpose. This was the same with his hunts. They tested his skill and fortitude. When this was done, he would take that giant lizard’s head. Not because he wanted to, but because he had to. This was to be his sign. If this hunt didn’t go well, he was to lay in the towel or die. Crowland knew that perhaps he should let the beast go. He had taught Daring Do that killing was wrong and should only, and he had stressed ‘only’, when absolutely every other option had been exhausted or unavailable. She was better than him. ‘Better than a lot of us.’ He was getting close. He could hear some cries for help and the usual noise slaves yelled in the dark. Again he felt the need to kill these beasts. ‘Crowland, you should have known better than to keep dealing with Caballeron. You knew this would happen one day. He’d go overboard.’ Crowland knew, but a job was a job and he honestly trusted himself better than other mercenaries. They would have done much worse to that little girl for less. Turning the corner, he spied two rather large and well armored Dogs. He’d need a bit stronger darts for these two. “Almost there,” he said to Little Lady who was perched on his shoulder. “Hope for the best.” “Will do,” she commented. It had been jarring at first when she all of a sudden started talking, but she had said something about some psychics being close. That didn’t sit well with him. No one had any right to see his mind. That and a few of his adventures had made him wary of those types. They were tricky to kill. Not impossible, but they made it annoying as Tartarus. Psychics aside, given how he didn’t have many darts of their size, he figured he could kill them. Oh yes, he knew the risks, but he had seen to it to scout a few exits that were close enough to get that girl and a few others out in no time. “HEY!” A young male voice called out. “TAKE THIS!” A little blue blur then right up and kicked one of the dogs in the face. The Dog yelped in pain, but wasn’t really pushed back. “There’s more where that’s from.” “A Riolu?” Little Lady commented. “What is one of those doing here?” “Whatever he’s doing,” Crowland said. “He ain’t doing it alone.” Rushing forward, he came to stop by the Riolu. “Need a claw?” “Ah got this,” the little Riolu snorted. Crowland chuckled. “Sure you do, hatchling.” “Ah’m not a hatchling!” The Riolu shouted and charged. He was quicker than Crowland gave him credit for. The dog’s mace and axe both missed him as he ran by. The RIolu came to a stop, turned around with a light blue ball formed in his hands. “Focus Blast.” The ball of energy shot out and smashed into one of the dog’s back, sending him tumbling towards Crowland. Crowland simply stepped to the side and threw one of his electric arrows into an exposed area. The Dog jittered about on the floor as the electricity knocked the beast out. He could have hit the neck, but there was a kid present. Said kid wa now charging the other dog. The dog swung its axe, only narrowly missing the Riolu. The mon rolled out of the way, next to one of the dog’s legs and held a paw to it. He smirked. “Force Palm.” The blast knocked the dog off its feet and the Riolu held its paw upwards. He fired another attack, which threw the dog up into the air and landing a few feet away. The Riolu smirked and looked at Crowland. “Ah got it all taken care of, old bird.” Crowland raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” He quickly, and without taking his eyes off the Riolu, pulled out his crossbow and fired an already knocked bolt into the dog’s chest before it could bring the mace down on the Riolu’s head. It convulsed and fell to the ground paralyzed. “Never take your eyes off your opponent until you know they’re down.” The Riolu lowered his head. “Darn it.” “Get out of here, kid.” Crowland gestured to a thinner tunnel. “That’ll take you out of her in no time.” “Ah’m not leaving without Lia,” the Riolu glared up at him. “Y’all better just leave while ah take care of this.” “He’s got spunk,” Little Lady said. “Spun will get him killed,” Crowland sighed and looked the mon in the eye. He saw a fire there, something that wasn’t going to listen to reason. He chuckled. “Stick close and do as I tell you. Name’s Crowland, you?” “Lu.” ______________________________________________________________________ Loving Note glared at the witch before her. “You’re not touching her.” The witch laughed. “Do you honestly believe that you have any say in this matter? I have walked these lands for far longer than your kind dares to remember.” “Then let me have the honor of showing you all in a new light,” Loving Note lit up her horn. Violence was never her forte, but she knew this creature was no good. She was not going to let the precious little one she just met come to harm. “As I throw your ass across.” “My ‘ass’ will not be moving an inch unless I will it,” the witch smirked. “Do you know who I am?” “A bad Nightmare Moon cosplayer?” Loving Note smirked. “I don’t know what that is,” Lucy spoke up. “But it sounds disappointing.” The witch growled. “I am Thrist, leader of the Thirst.” “A tad confusing with the names there,” Loving pointing out. “Perhaps you should put some ‘effort’ into them, but then again, a witch in of itself is a waste of space.” Oh she was having a ball here. “And this is where I stop you,” Thrist held up her staff. The dark orb glowed purple and a sickly aura appeared around Loving.  Bolts of dark magic shocked her to her core, making her cry out in pain before she was thrown into the wall. “You ponies think you’re above everyone else. You think you’re all so perfect with your friendship and harmony. I will ensure that your kind will fill the rivers of the world with your blood. Your gods will fall and Ragnoros will rise!” “I think this is the part where we escape,” Lucy fearfully whispered into Lia’s ears. “No you won’t,” Thrist said. A bolt of dark magic fired over Lucy’s head. “Give me the child.” “Um….” Lucy would be sweating in fear if she could. Instead, she opted for shaking in her scales. She and Lia hugged each other as Thrist walked up to them. “I will not leave this chamber empty handed,” with a wave of her staff, Lucy was sent flying. “You big meanie!” Lia shouted up at the witch, glaring at her. “Aren’t I,” Thrist smirked and it was at that moment that Lia was surrounded by dark magic. The little Kirlia started screaming as every nerve in her body was assaulted. This was worse than Caballeron’s shock collars. Thrist chuckled. “Good girl.” She conjured a silver blade and vial, slicing a little bit into Lia’s arm as she convulsed in pain. The blood dripped into the vial. “Very good girl.” A bolt of magic smashed into Thrist, or would have if Thrist hadn’t cast some sort of shield around herself. “And very naughty mare.” “Get away from her, you bitch!” Loving Note charged, firing another bolt of magic. Thrist easily deflected the bolt and teleported. As Loving Note came to a stop, Thrist appeared and smashed the butt of her cane into Loving’s side, sending her to the ground. “You ponies are weak.” “Maybe,” Loving coughed. “But we’re also clever.” With that said, she used her magic to create a flash of light strong enough to blind Thrist for a while. The witch covered her eyes in pain. Loving used that as an opportunity to grab Lia and run over to Lucy and the Kecleon from earlier, who were cowering behind some of the furniture. “Don’t bring her over here,” Lucy said. “What happened to the mighty Pike Queen?” Loving frowned. She had listened to hours upon hours of Lucy going on about herself. “I never fought any battles on my own,” Lucy said. “My pokemon did that for me.” “Did they die for you?” A sinister voice asked. They looked up to see Thrist. “If you’re having trouble with that all by yourself, perhaps I can help.” “Or perhaps you can get your scrawny beak out of here,” another voice called out. Everyone looked over to see an old griffin warrior with his crossbow at the ready, a Spearow on his shoulder, and a Riolu at his side. “Crowland Tempo,” Thrist grinned. “It’s been a while. You look well.” “Can’t say the same for you,” Crowland quipped. “Insulting a lady to her face?” Thrist put a mock hand on her chest. “What an honorless cur you are.” She tapped her cane to the ground and a portal appeared. Out of it stepped two large crow warriors, nearly twice Thrist’s size. Each one of them wore armor thicker than Loving’s foreleg and carried jagged swords. Next came what appeared to be a giant Rattatta. It was covered in the same armor, with it’s tail made out to be a long lashing weapon with all the spikes. “I think this is worthy of any punishment one such as you deserves, don’t you think.” “Should have brought more,” Crowland smirked. “You’re gonna need ‘em.” _______________________________________________________ “And as you can see,” Felicia stated, having changed into a lawyer suit sometime down the line. That included a little set of glasses. “Business, business, stuff and all kinds of numbers.” “Hmmm,” Alpha Zebby Skulltaka rubbed his chin. “Dat makes sense, but what of the other stuff?” “The other stuff is stuff that hasn’t been outfitted enough to be worth to anyone who likes stuff,” Felicia pointed out. “She is the best lawyer I have ever had,” Sev commented. Everyone else, face palmed or whatever they had on them. “Sounds gud to me,” Zebby smiled. “I’ll take dem windows. Dey might make fer gud stompin’ and crumpin’ weapons like ya said. No gits are gonna mess with me now.” “I’m glad you like it,” Felicia beamed with pride. She always like dressing up and going undercover. Of course, the other mercs thought she was bad at it. She didn’t know why. She was a natural spy. “Of course he likes it,” Sev grinned. “We’re the smartest window salesmen in the world!” “Why?” Zebby asked. “Because we have tall hats,” Sev tapped his hat. “Anyone with half a mind can tell you that only the brightest of people have tall hats, because it shows to the world how clever you are. A short hat is one that cannot think outside the box. My hat was never in a box. It was in a crate, which is of course bigger than a box. Said crate had more room for the hat that now sits on my head, which is bigger than everyone else’s to show how I am truly the greatest salesman ever.” King Trot snicked. “I love these guys.” Zebby blinked a few times before nodding. “Dat also makes sense. Youz smarter than most, window dog seller guy.” “That is true,” Sev nodded. It was at that moment that a dog ran out of a tunnel. “Alpha, some of the salesmen attacked the slave tunnels.” “WAT?!!!” Zebby roared. Sev grinned and tore off his costume. “I was never on your side!” “We were selling things to them,” Trot said, rolling his eyes while he took off the costume. “We were never on their side. Though, perhaps we could ‘take’ their sides.” He unsheathed his swords. “I don’t think they’ll be needing them in a moment.” “Alright,” Zebby grinned and cracked his knuckles. “A gud and propa fight. Just wat I needed.” “Hey,” Felicia got in between the two groups. “Let’s not get carried away here. I think we can all calmly talk this out and be friends.” “Friendship sucks,” Zebby said. “Oh it is on in a similar fashion to donkey kong!” Felicia snarled. She took off her glasses and tossed them to Alice, which hit her in the face. “Hold them for me.” “Argh, it hit my eye!” Alice spoke. ________________________________________________________________ Char shook his head. His world was spinning right then. He remembered jumping out of the window. The train exploded….The train exploded! The dogs had cannons! He turned to see the raging inferno that was once a mighty train for the zebras. He prayed for the ones that didn’t get out in time. Picking himself up, his hearing was off. It was a constant ringing, but even he could hear a roar coming up behind him. He unsheathed his sword and locked it against a Hyena Dog’s blade. Pushing back, the dog tried to lunge forward. Char twirled around his and slashed the dog across the throat. “The holy warriors of god can fight through the haze of conflict, no matter the condition.” He said more to himself. Glancing around, he saw the rest of the zebras and mon regrouping on his side. “DUCK!” Without thinking, Char threw himself to the ground and the air was filled with the sound of bolts being fired. He looked behind himself to see four dogs filled with arrows. Glancing towards a dozen zebras reloading, he smirked. “Though they may not be amongst his chosen, they fight with his stell.” Of course, the sense of triumph was short lived. A dog burst out of the sand in the middle of the group, scattering the zebras. It clutched one of them to the ground, readying it’s axe to plunge into the soldier’s flesh. It wasn’t the dog’s blade that struck. Nay, it was Char’s. The Charmeleon had thrown one of his blades straight into the dog’s head. Running forward, he took the blade out from the skull. “Fall back!” He shouted. “Regroup and then slaughter these heathens!” The fire from the train was almost muffed out when a larger than normal Hyena Dog smashed itself through the wreck. The dog quickly smashed its spiked mace into the chest of a Grovyle, killing the mon and sending its body flying. With a downward swing, it crushed a zebra soldier. The dog roared. It’s whole body was covered in makeshift armor and it was all muscle. Char wasn’t threatened a bit. He frowned. “The heathen wishes to fight? The heathen dares to kill the just?” He pulled out his blades, setting them on fire. “I will show you what happens when you face a warrior of Arceus, black hearted beast!” He charged forward.