The Wild Man Of Pokemon

Dusting myself off, I get into stance, waiting for Honedge's move.

After our little heart to heart moment, we got back to training. Patiently, I awaited his next strike. He blurred, this time going for a decapitating strike. Leaning back, I braced myself with my spear, before rotating onto my hands and knees, stabbing blindly.

The clash of metal informed me of a hit. Rolling to the side, trying gain distance, I felt a blade back at my neck.

'Not a bad move, but its still suicide. Never take your eyes off your opponent.' He instructed.

'Got it.' I panted, a tinge of frustration evident.

'You are getting stronger. If you faced me back when we first met, you would have won hands down. Its just that the invincible I has grown along with you.' He gloated.

'Rub it in why don't ya.' I retorted.

'My p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.' He kicked dirt into my face.

'Why you!' I grabbed a handful of rocks.

'Now now, lets not be too hasty here. You wouldn't hurt the amazing I, right?'

'Kukuku'

......���..

Da was on the ground chortling.

Am was trying to keep her snickers muffled.

Nincada was warbling like a four year old.

The cause?

My bedraggled body. What was once a peaceful, cathartic affair of vengeance, had turned into a full on mud war. Dirt saturated my hair, sand crusted my armor, and I had a few smiting bruises. Honedge was not fairing much better.

He looked like a floating mud ball. Best vengeance ever.

Dusting off I go to my corner and lay down.

'Ha ha. Laugh it off. I do believe its your turn to spar with us tomorrow Da, and I hear that dirt clouds are in the forecast.' I smirked.

Da instantly blanched, 'Nooo!'

'Don't worry. I can attest it's amazing for your skin.' Honedge teased.

He was on the ground whimpering. Everyone laughed at his expense.

'Its not funny. Do you know how long it takes for me to lick myself clean? Its a nightmare I tell you. A nightmare!' We all laughed even harder.

'Heh' The room quieted down.

'We need to plan our next move.' Everyone turned solemn.

......…

Six months ago, we made our daily trip to the river for water. I had just chugged down a mouthful, when Am patted my shoulder. Glancing up, I saw what she was looking at. Floating not far from my head, a Basculin was belly up. Not too far behind was a Magikarp and a Ducklett. Soon after, a whole plethora of water types floated down the river. Dead.

'Whats going on?' I ask.

'I don't know.' Da replied. Opening his hidden eyes, he pulled a bubble of water and examined it.

'Poison. Some one poisoned the river.' He stated alarmed.

'What why? Who would do such a thing?' I blurted.

'No idea.' He shrugged. Glancing upstream, Da says, 'Lets find out.'

We all nod.

......…..

Climbing the mountain till we were near its peak, we found the source of the problem. The cave that the river originates from, was infested with Croagunk. Many of them were dumping copious amounts of purple venom into the water.

'Aren't those from the toad's gang?' Am asked.

'Yes, there are not that many Croagunk that aren't in his gang.' Da replied.

'Then what are they doing up here? They should be at the base of the mountain and why would they poison the waters?' I questioned.

'I don't know. Why don't you ask them.' Da huffed.

'Sorry.' I grumbled.

Watching them continue to flood the river with poison made my stomach churn.

'With how much their dumping, only poison types will be able drink that. Anyone else will be dead before the nights out.' Da said.

Dread filled my stomach. Water was immeasurably valuable. All life required it to live and they were poisoning this mountains only source.

'We need to stop them.' I declared. 'What will we drink? At the rate we're going, we'll be dying of thirst in three days.'

'Its not that simple. Look how many there are down there? Even the invincible I would be hard pressed against such foes.' Honedge interceded.

'We can't just leave them be either.' I retorted.

'And I don't plan to. We need to get stronger first to where we can handle them. Otherwise its suicide.'

I muttered under my breath, cursing the damn toad.

......…..

Since then, we warned any groups of Pokemon that we passed. For many, like the Oddish and the Hoppip, the loss of the river was mild as they can pull water from the ground. Others not so much.

Pokemon were dropping left and right either due to the water or the thirst.

Flying types have tried to flee, but Talonflame and Fletchinder guarded the skies. The Toad prevented all Pokemon from leaving.

Luckily, Da and Am could pull water from the air. That has been sustaining us so far, but it was taxing on the mind to do. They were capable of pulling a few gallons a day, beyond that, however, exhausted them.

Three months later, we had met with the Oddish. I was decked out in my armor and prepared for a fight. Da and Am guarded my flanks. I had the barest hints of a plan ready, but I knew I needed sleep powder to make it work. Barrels of the stuff.

We came to their grove and Am spread her reception field, 'We wish to speak with your leader.'

Silence permeated the glade. A few minutes later, a wrinkly Gloom climbed out of the tall grass.

'What brings such distinct characters to our parts. Here for more of my brethren to cloth yourself?' He g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

'No' I spoke, shocking the ancient Gloom, 'I have come to discuss a truce.'

He nodded, urging me to continue.

'You've seen what the Toad has done to the river, poisoning it. Even now, Pokemon die from its waters. Toxicroak needs to be dealt with before he brings the mountain down.'

'Why should we care? We need the river not. All we require is the rain and the earth beneath us. So I ask again, why should we care?'

'Its not just a matter of water and drinking, but a matter of the ecosystem. I can see it. Trees are dying as the water spreads from the river. Plants wilting and decaying. If nothing is done, you will be sharing a wasteland with Tokicroak and his goons.' I pause for effect, 'Do you want to test how strong your roots are when the ground is poisoned? Do you want to test how much you can tolerate his rule when he controls this mountain?'

My words struck a chord within their group. Oddish and Gloom were known for being lower on the food chain and rumors of Toxicroaks disposition have already spread. If he were to come into power, they would either be eradicated or beaten down into subservience. The choice was clear.

'You mentioned a truce?'

'In exchange for you help, we will remove Toxicroak from power. To do that, we need to unite the remaining groups of Pokemon in a rebellion.'

'We are not fighters. Even you child should know that.' He pointed out.

'I don't need you to fight. I need a particular resource your kind are proficient at making.'

'Oh? And what is that?' I sit down and explain the beginnings of my plan.

......…..

From there, we spoke to many other groups of Pokemon. The Spritzee, the Skiddo, The Pancham, even a flock of Psyduck.

Together we formed a coalition to combat and defeat Toxicroak and root out his gang.

'So any ideas?' Because I was the one to propose an alliance, I ended being the leader. Thinking about all the Pokemon depending on me, really put on the pressure.

'We could lead a group against Roserade?' Da suggested.

'That's incredibly risky. Roserade is incredibly strong and protective of her family, we need something that won't backfire until we are strong enough to deal with her.' I said.

'How about Gulpin? They are both eating the forest and Toxicroaks artillery. The invincible I could smite them right quick.' Honedge gloated.

'Yes they could do, but they live on the other side of the mountain. The trip there would be tiring on everyone.' Am countered.

Staring at the rudimentary map of the mountain, I looked at which groups would be best to take down. Toxicroak's gang ran the entire border around the mountain. It was infested with Croagunk and a few other unsavory sorts.

Just north, Venipede ruled like termites. They covered the most territory in the southwest corner of the mountain.

To the east of the river, Fletchinder guarded the skies with a vice like grip.

On the northeast corner, Gulpin and Roserade plague the forest. Gulpin devour all plant life and Roserade's group absorb the life energy in the trees. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but they consume like vampires, draining everything dry.

We live just south of the northwest line, while Oddish were further down, bumping into Venipede territory. The Spritzee were interspersed near the peak. They could be anywhere on the mountain in a flash, but their fairy typing leaves them at a disadvantage.

The Pancham colony were to the southeast with Talonflame, while Skiddo roamed the higher areas to the north. Psyduck lived right along the river. They could pull the poison out of the water with their psychic abilities making it safe to use, but the younger ones still had little control over their powers.

Glancing to the Northwest, I see the symbol for a group that was not to far and be a horrific blow to Toxicroak's forces.

'How about here?' I pointed.

After thinking about it, they said, 'Perfect'.

......…

The following night, we called over the Oddish and Spritzee leaders.

'Now that everyone is here, I officially call this war council in session.' I shout.

'Hahaha. Your cute kid, standing on ceremony like that.' the aged Gloom laughed.

'Yes quite.' Stated a gaudy Aromatisse.

'Its the principle that counts' I retorted.

They snickered.

'Why have you brought us here boy?' The old one said.

'Its time for the first strike back.'

'Really?!?' They both exclaimed. It has been a long four months since the start of the coalition back with the Oddish. Tensions were high and everyone were itching for a fight.

'Yes. I have decided that the grunts to the northwest need to be removed. It would hit the toads filler soldiers in his army. Removing them would remove a quarter of his war potential.' I stated, proud of how smart I sounded.

'And that is why I am here.' Aromatisse speculated.

'Yes, your group has a distinct type advantage.'

'Indeed, but why am I here boy?' Gloom said.

'I need you guys to provide powders. Particularly, stun spore. If we can paralyze them, they will be easy pickings.'

He nods in understanding.

'What will you be doing?' Aromatisse asked.

'Honedge will be acting as squad leader, leading the vanguard to take out their front runners. I will be in the middle, calling orders and stopping the stragglers. Da will be in the back leading support. Also, he will be collecting the corpses for processing later. I can already the mountain of materials.' I laugh creepily.

Gloom and Aromatisse backed away, afraid my sinister smile will eat them.

Chuckling the evening away, the meeting was adjourned.

......…..

The next week was spent gathering the materials needed for battle.

Currently, I was sharpening my spear on glass from an old potions bottle. 'You ready.' I called to Honedge behind me.

'As I can be.' he replied.

'This will be our first official battle against Toxicroak's group. To be honest, I'm nervous.' I said.

'I'd be surprised if you weren't.' He said.

'Its just that, I have the lives of all these Pokemon on my shoulders and I'm afraid I will let them down.'

'That's only natural. It means your alive and that you care. You will make mistakes, you will lose someone, but you will go beyond just to save the. That is the best quality one can ask for. Do not forget that.' He said.

I smile, 'Since when were you so philosophical?'

'Before I was born, you were just to stupid to notice.' I smashed the glass in my hand on his head.

'Oww, I know the truth is hard, but do you have to hit me so hard?' I hit him again.

'Huuh. You know, I think you need a name.' I silenced him before he could say anything, 'I know Pokemon don't use names, but your different. Your my best friend and to keep using your species name is just degrading. Please let me come up a name for you.'

Looking at me for a few seconds, he relented, 'Fine. Just make sure it is a name befitting one such as I.'

I beamed at him.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon in any shape or form.