As the dust settled from the Claydol's attack there was indeed not a scratch on the lion, its steel fur glistening with the faint glow of the crystals surrounding them. Its face twisted into a snarl as it lowered itself and jumped from the cliff aiming itself right for the Rocket. Sharp fangs pristine as stainless steel seemed to almost reflect the mask of the man in their reflection.

"Lagann!"

A shadow suddenly overtook both lion and Rocket as a metal titan fell from the sky with a brutal swing of its lug nut fists. There was a loud "CRACK" as the Melmetal touched the lion and its whole body suddenly erupted with splintering fractures before it exploded into dust. The wind erupted from the impact blowing out the fire and the dust covering the waffles in a thin layer of sparkles. As the metal titan stood up it faced the masked man and raised its fist once more...to give them a friendly wave.

"What...-hic- are the odds. We meet agai-ck! Like this?" From the dust emerges a familiar figure for Admin Fox and Howard, the hulking form of Kazimir. His (always has been) blonde locks dirty with dust and dirt, his once firm jawline and face marred by scars as dried blood had hardened over his right eye. He was holding a limp arm with the other, both of his forearms looking like they fended off half a dozen Solgaleo's from the gashes all over them. Still he wore a smirk on his face as he approached, yet his eyes seemed almost sullen at the same time.

"Figures the first person I meet down here is a Rocket. You heard I was down here and wanted to collect me again?"

The glint of the fish's scales hurt his eyes. He raised his hand up to shield them as he walked by the small pond as it dove back down into the depths. As he held his hand up he peered through the small gaps in his fingers and remembered what it was like to wear a mask years ago.

A literal physical mask mind you.

When he first came to this region he did things his way, did what he believed was right to do. Was it foolish? Yes. Dangerous? Absolutely. Worth it? Very much so.

He only accepted a job with the league because he was found out, because he was given a choice of continuing to do what he was doing only under their flag or face repercussions. Looking back at it now maybe he should have walked right out of that office, stormed out of the whole building if they tried to stop him. Why did a hero need to follow the rules? Well outside the obvious reason.

Sure he probably would never be someone parents would let their kids look up to, he'd probably be called nothing but a menace by some, and yet he knew that as long as he was doing it to bring better things than it was worth it. Let them call him names, in the end it was always for them and those close to him.

His face formed a long and silent "oooh" as he was given names of Pokemon and people he knew. He was aware that the man he called his friend was chosen by such a creature in the past and after a while it left him. The exact details of that were a little fuzzy if non-existent to the larger gigner giant. As it all mixed together in his brain it started to make a little more sense why the man seemed to be hard on himself at times.

"I knew Thomas was friendly with a bird like that but...I didn't know he was sharing it with other people. Guess when he said it went to Rocket it picked a side." He had to wonder how Legendaries saw the conflict going around to pick people on their side. Maybe they didn't really care all that much or the people they picked had qualities that went beyond affiliation. A sort of "best man for the job" type of deal they were looking for.

As they went deeper into the cave the sound of crackling reached them as a yellow shell suddenly flew over their heads. It zigged and zagged above them before stopping and turning towards the two. Kaz recognized the shape of a bird's head that the shell gave off as it dove down in front of them and opened up, revealing the black body of the guardian deity inside looking at the two with fierce eyes.

Right. Black body.

"Fuck, actually that wasn't what I was trying to ask." He slowly tapped a ball on his belt and out came his Incineroar who's passionate roar warmed his body up in the cold as it stood tall to intimidate the deity, "I meant to ask; you ever see two of the same legendary before? I fought a guy recently on that treasure island who had another Koko with him. 'Cept it was all black."

"No shit...huh..." The news was a hit to his soul. It was hard to imagine the man that he looked up to would join up with Rocket. There was probably a reason for it though, especially if it included family. In a way he was glad that he at least went to Kanto, he wasn't sure he could be up to fight against him in this war. Not for keeps anyway.

He wanted to move away from this subject, friends fighting one another was always dirty business. Although by the sound of it Chui probably wouldn't have to worry about that at all. If he even had more friends that is. "Yikes I..." What could he even say? Words were failing him, nothing in his head sounded like it'd "help" him. His eyes closed shut as he tried to search even a few words he could say, anything that sounded reassuring, he wasn't aware that his own arm was moving on its own.

It moved to pull Chui closer into him.

"I don't think anyone should live in fear of just going outside." That was no way to live, yet even Chui himself gave good reason why he should. Kaz couldn't quite agree. "And...there's always time to fix things. Even if not everyone accepts it. It'll probably make ya feel better. And if you really wanna get outta town even for a bit..." The gun was cocked and loaded. Pulling the trigger meant he'd be firing a bullet into something dangerous.

"I could go with ya. Keep ya outta trouble and all that. That's what a good buddy does."

"Hey there yer Majesty. Glad we could meet." Again, he said silently. The Pokemon returned the man's greeting with a bow, seemingly not recognizing him as one of the brave knights of a kingdom from long ago. Or near ago? However time in a dream worked ago.

Which ultimately was probably for the best, he could barely remember much but he was sure that people back then didn't kindly take how cavalier he was whenever the King decided to grace them with their presence, or with the Royals that were elected to lead them in their short time in that other Galar. He just wasn't really made for the prim and proper lifestyle.

"So I hear you're in the market for stories? Think I can give you one." He's only done it once before for a gym challenge so he was no bard but he did have something in mind;

"There once was an Incineroar who was one of the strongest barbarian in all the land. Not many could match up to his strength yet they still tried and tried. Even while traveling across the land in search of worthy opponents it seemed like he reached the peak of strength. Something not many could attain for themselves, and while he was proud of this strength it also drew attention to himself.

People would ask him to be their hero and solve problems; take out bandits, slay vicious dragons, even fight the gods themselves when one of them raged nearby. Yet it was this last task that was his most arduous. Fighting was easy, it was what he did best. Yet with all the destruction one of these gods had brought with them he wanted to know the reason why. Why did it have to happen at all?

It was rare for him to not think with his muscles, he wasn't the best with that you see. Yet he figured he could stop it all with a simple talk. So that's what he did, went up to talk with one of them to find the truth of the matter.

What he found was an ugly truth.

One of these gods, a god of the storms, was an envious god jealous of the strength of those above him. He took his frustrations out on those weaker than him and enjoyed the fight that the mortals tried to give him. When the mighty Incineroar heard this he was taken aback, he could see himself in this god. Many times he recalled where he acted the same, both in the past and present, and it struck him down to his core. To think that mortals and gods could be so similar.

He knew that men like these only had one answer to their lives, he knew that it was true of himself, that the only answer was when the reaper would come for them. Taking his axe he took on that duty as reaper and struck the god down. He knew he couldn't let such attitude go unchecked while wielding all that power.

Maybe deep down he knew his own personal truth, that he hated himself for being like that.

It did have its consequences, a typhoon ravaged the land as the god's brothers raged at the audacity, people blamed the barbarian for his hard headed thinking, yet all that was temporary. As the barbarian fought till his last breath against their wrath he knew that a brighter future was ahead for everyone. The land was rebuilt by those that lived in it and the gods came to terms at what was done.

No one mourned for the Incienroar for they believed a false truth. Yet it did not bother him, for he new that his own truth was that he prevented further harm, and that was enough for him."

He let out a deep breath to recover some air and tilted his head with a smile at the Royal Pokemon who only said one thing to the man, a smile crossing its face as it did.

"Cro rown!"

"Aye Thomas. Thought I saw you down there earlier." The footsteps belonged to Kazimir who had just dropped off his partner to get checked up as well. After a long series of battles he deserved a little bit of proper rest and care. As for Kaz he treated himself to some cheap beer in a can and leaned on the railing as well, raising the can to the other man.

"Talk about a fun tournament huh?" His smile was probably the opposite reflection of Thomas' as the thrill of battle always kept the ginger in high spirits. "You do any good in it? I won most of my fights but I didn't get enough points to place. Ah maybe next time."

"Ah who's gonna get mad at who I...talk to. League? They got other things to worry about then what I'm doing." Its not like he had a reason for them to keep tabs on him or anything. He was no Elite Four anymore, not an Avatar, Gym Leader, or even an AQUA member according to them. He was just another person living in the region trying to get by.

"Why shouldn't I have some fun?" He draws closer to the Beast and slams a closed fist against his arm, lightly of course, and grins as he takes another sip of his drink. "Sides if I remember right we ran into each other a few times right? Call me crazy but its almost like you got a thing for me buddy," his fist opens up to run fingers over the man's arm, giving his bicep a light squeeze, "Not that I mind, you're kinda my type."

Air and spittle leave his throat as the Sheriff's fists rain down on his body. Even building his like a temple his body is still one made of flesh, constructed out of pure muscle meant to be used. To destroy and dominate others with violence. Its the most primal instinct there is next to nurturing yet even those two can be mixed together. He was born to fight.

His body bore the marks of such a life, gashes and cuts that healed into scars line his skin. Lasting memories of battles fought no matter the outcome. Some were trophies won from victory or reminders gain from loss. Underneath the skin bore more reminders as bones and tissue bore the marks of healing.

It wasn't just other men that Kazimir fought. He fought against the world. Against the creatures that share the earth with him known as Pokemon, against the natural disasters he found himself caught up in, and even the denizens of other worlds he could only dream of or read in a comic book. He even fought against his friends.

It was tough to be modest about it at times but he enjoyed it all, the thrill that it brought, the rush of blood as his fists flew and his body received. He would never deny this part of himself. He reveled in it. So he was happy that Navy was giving him the time of his life.

He returned the assault with his own flurry of punches, some of them colliding with Navy's own fists either intentionally or by chance, throwing them into the smaller man's body. Yet his trump card wasn't a simple punch but a surprise kick right into the Sheriff's right side. Knowing how to use every limb of oneself was a lesson Kaz had drilled into his body, so he made sure that fights weren't just a rain of knuckles for him.

If not pathetic then probably a fraud at the very least.

The reason he left the Elite Four was because word was that the Rangers were having a bit of trouble being short staffed. Didn't help that the previous head ranger was fired on the spot during the last AQUA meeting he attended when he was still on the team. He felt bad for them and the Ex-Head Ranger and wanted to offer his help. It was meant to only be a short sting. A month or so perhaps.

Then a month turned into almost a year at this point.

He still hadn't sent in that resignation letter in to ollie morales yet.

But what kind of "hero" would he be if he just up and quit the Rangers? They were all about helping the region, it was a natural fit. Yet he hardly did much there and his skill set was probably better geared towards fighting than helping. A Rookiedee caught his attention as it flew down with a screech clipping his hair as it circled above him. He recognized the cry as an aggressive one and took on a smirk as he brought out a ball. This was the perfect distraction to keep him away from some downer thoughts, so as the bird flew back at him he toss the ball right at its beak to catch it.

[attr="class","itemcolicon"]

[attr="class","itemcolname"]pokemon event

[attr="class","lgdcol"]

[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]GYM LEADER 1-A

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]Once you complete developing your gym, the Gym Inspector arrives. If it is not the current inspector, KYLE LOPEZ, it is DAHLIA GOODE, FERNANDO SILPH, MICHAEL NAVIDSON or any of the ELITE FOUR (MATIAS SILPH, MELODY MIRO, GREYSON CONNORS).[break][break]

No matter how horrendous or immaculate your gym is, they approve. You get top marks across the board.[break][break]

In surreal fashion, a confetti balloon suddenly materializes and pops overhead, showering you all in celebration. The clapping continues until a gasp brings the festivities to a halt.[break][break]

Where the TERA CRYSTAL once was is a glowing, oozing POWER SPOT.

A pair of Urshifu statues were the final detail on the dojo to give it that personal touch. A handful existed in Hoenn but only one was considered the best of the best, even if Kazimir would be the only one alone to preach it. "Really? That sounds like the name of a mid-anime man. 'Sides the hero angle ain't everything too me." A dojo was meant for strengthening oneself like a solid piece of armor. In fact...

"I have thought about it after Domon got his title as King of Fighters. Mostly to do it in honor of the master we met. I'd still do it for them to give them a place to come back too but...I think it'd work as a place to help people. Help them toughen up in a way a Gym can't do it. Maybe I'll even build it on an island to give it that ol' mysterious flair."

Suddenly he gasped and snapped his fingers, the sound of waves surrounding them as the tree line pulled back as Wingulls started to fly in from the cyber ether and circle around as the Dojo now found itself on the shores of a sandy beach as water lapped at both men's feet. "Welcome, to the Isle of Armor!"