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Pokemon Story

The Crooks and The Krookodile - Chapter 1

By J.C. Solis

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The Sun was burning the coarse sands of the Kar Desert, the sand dunes and salt flats radiating the heat that seemed to be omnipresent throughout the entire region. It was as inhospitable as place could be in this area of the Daegar region, with the heat enough to broil and cook anyone who was careless enough to walk around without water and sun protection alive. Water was in short supply as is, though it was often found within the pits of deadly quicksand that doted the landscape, waiting to ensnare any unwary travelers who weren't careful as to where they stepped. And if the landscape itself was not dangerous enough, then the danger was only increased by the bands of brigands, bandits and desperados who stalked the area, waiting to find any travelers which whom they could rob blind and leave for dead and be baked by the deadly Sun.

This was a cruel and lawless place, as though the common decency and kindness that was normally found in a functional society was all but absent. Only the toughest of pokemon could eek a living in this desert...

...which made thinks all the more interesting that a bustling, large and functional Boomtown was smack in the middle of the desert!

Cactus Town, also known as the Dusty Depot, was a sprawling and well populated town in the middle of the desert. It was a major trading hub that connected the Iron Breaker Valley, where valuable ores and minerals were mined, and the southern regions where that ore was shipped. Valuables and goods made it to and from Cactus Town, and as such the town was equiped with many amenities to make the journeys of the merchants and travelers more tolerable. Free water was offered from the Oasis at the entrance of town, from which travelers can restock on their precious water supplies. Cold drinks and warm food was offered from many stores and restaurants, Saloons offered the perfect place to unwind and play blackjack, and brothels provided the men with... entertainment and company.

Though the town was usually bustling, it was oddly quiet. Today was a slow work day as well as a Sunday, as the inhabitants were either at church or tending to business as usual.

But not all would be so quiet...

A loud alarm bell started to ring, the noise being so loud and deafening as two figures left the Depot National Bank in a blazing hurry while carrying two sacks heavy with Pokemon Dollars. Two Zangoose, who were wearing bandit masks over their eyes, were running like the wind to put as much distance between themselves and the bank. Their goal, after stealing enough money to make them rich for a while, was simply to make it out of the town as fast at they could.

There was no telling when "He" would show up.

"Woo!!! Come on, James," said one of the Zangoose. "We got ourselves set for life right here! I can't wait to see how much we got in this haul!"

"I ain't counting our catch until we's get the hell out of hear, Jesse," said James, one of the Zangoose bandits. "I don't wanna have to fight a certain someone once he find us again."

"Yah mean Crook? Nah, that fat Son of Mother will never catch us! I bet his lard ass is till-"

Before Jesse could finish what he was going to say, a large and intimidating figure stood between the and the exit out of town. A large, red, mean looking Krookodile stood at the exit, his beady black eyes staring at the two bandits with stark intent. The two bandits stopped in their tracks realizing that things were about to get hairy.

"Damn it! We were so close," shrieked James, seeing the pokemon ready to attack.

The Krookodile just stood there, wearing a tan vest and a black Stetson cowboy's hat, with a golden star badge on said vest which showed on which side of the law this pokemon was.

"S-S-Sheriff Crook!" screeched Jesse.

"You two got some galls to be showing your sorry asses back here again," said Sheriff Crook in a southern cowboy's accent. "I didn't think you two would come back after swindling old Miss Muriel out of her life savings and robbing her home, but I guess trash just likes to come back for more of a mess."

"You sure you can catch us, Crook?" said Jesse, who seemed to have developed a backbone. "You're not necessarily a runner, yah know."

"Yeah, Crook," added James, who decided to tag along. "We could do laps around your slow crocodile ass before you'd even know what's what."

"That's where you're wrong, sunny boy," replied Crook. "In fact I don't even haves to touch you in order to reach yahs. I'm just going to stand right here and watch."

And upon finishing this line, the Sheriff raised his right leg up in the air, preparing to unleash his hidden weapon for catching fast outlaws. He slammed his leg onto the ground with so much force that it caused a tremor, the signs of buildings and shops swaying as the walls also slightly shook. This move got the attention of everyone around the scene as pokemon then started to watch the everything unfold. But it seemed that the people knew what was going to happen because ever pokemon spectator cleared the scene.

Jesse and James were simply confused as to what was going on. Nothing seemed to be happening, so they decided to use this pause in the commotion to escape.

"Sorry to be bothering you, Sheriff," began Jesse, "but me and my brother got to get going. I'm sorry for the-"

"Wah! Jesse!" cried out James. "I can't move my feet! I'm sinking into the dirt!"

"What do you mean- Holy hell! I'm sinking too! What in tarnation is going on?!"

Sheriff Crook let out a smug smile as he saw his Sand Tomb trap spring successfully. This is the reason why the townsfolk got out of the way for fear that they'd be collateral damage. They knew that being around the Sheriff during moments like this would be dangerous. With another slam of his leg, Crook caused the sand around the two outlaws to swirl, sending them spinning in a maddening twisting motion that would be sure ot make any pokemon sick. As they spun around violently in the sand they began to sink further and further until at last their heads were the only thing sticking up from the sand.

The Sheriff slammed his leg one last time to stop the Sand Tomb move at last, and he reached for two neck shackle chains that he had with him. He went to the two outlaws with a chuckle.

"Like I said, boys, I didn't even have to touch yahs. I hope you two are ready for some time over at Kar Prison, cause that's where I reckons your sorry asses were bound to end up."

Crook shackled their necks, and with one final stomp of his legs the sand loosened around the outlaws. The Sheriff pulled them out of the dirt with a huge amount of force, causing that two outlaws to choke a bit at the tug. The two were on the ground at last, their faces sullen as they accepted their fates.

"Alright, now git!" he said as he shoved them ahead.

The crowd that was around the scene roared in applause and cheers. The Sheriff had done it again, and with such temerity and finesse. There was nobody hurt, and the day was won. As he walked with his haul of criminals back to the station, Crook grabbed the sacks full of money and chucked them at the Noctowl bank teller, who was happy to have the money returned to him.

"Mister Watts, I believe this sack o' cash belongs in the bank," said Crook as he chucked them.

"Th-th-thank you so much, Sheriff Crook!" stammered the bank teller.

It was another day saved by the might of the Sheriff. The criminals were caught and peace was restored. But there was someone in the crowd who did not like what he saw. He was an underling for some one, a powerful enemy of the Sheriff who sent this Sableye to scout the power that the law man possessed. And the Sableye scout did not like what he saw at all. He quickly disappeared away from the crowds as he headed off into the desert. Crook was a force to be reckoned with, and even more so with his entourage of Deputies patrolling the town and the rest of Cactus County.

The plot of revenge against the Sheriff would have to be revised...

The Buckskin Saloon was bustling with the sound of all sorts of noises and the sights of people having a fun time this evening. The sun was setting below the horizon, and the Pokemon of the Dusty Depot tried to take their minds off of work and the now calming heat with some games, drinks and women. Games of Blackjack and Poker were being played to see who had the best hand and so take the money the players put in a pot luck, Patrons swigged gallons of beer and liquor to take their minds off of the pains of the day and of Life in general, and showgirls danced to calliope music and to the piano. There was certainly plenty to in the saloon of Buckskin.

Suddenly, the saloon doors swung open with a thud from how hard they were thrown. The entire saloon fell silent as the large from of Sheriff Crook stomped in, his face mean and tired looking. He was wearing a brown cowboy hat and a dark blackish brown vest with his sheriff's badge on it. He turned to the patrons, eyeing any and everybody to see who looked like they would cause trouble. Being content with what he say he carried onwards to the bar counter, and the saloon at last breathed a sigh of relief as the usual hubbub carried on.

Clementine, the Gothitelle barkeep and owner of Buckskin Saloon, was polishing a glass cup when the Sheriff came up to her and sat on a stool chair facing the barkeep.

"Well, if it ain't the big bad sheriff of Cactus County himself," said Clementine with a smile. "I've heard you done caught them Zangoose brothers earlier today. Looks like some more lawbreakers have been caught by the Hero of the Kar himself."

"You know I don't like being called a hero, Clementine," said Crook. "I'm just doing my job and what the people of Cactus Town done elected me for, is all."

"Stay humble all you want, sweetie, but the folks round here sure do take you for a hero," she said in acknowledgement. "So what'll you have, Sheriff Crook?"

"I'll just have a cold glass of Sarsaparilla, Clementine. I don't really feel like drinking any liquor."

What Crook did feel like having, however, was a smoke. When Clementine turned her back, Crook got out a black cigar that was darker than pitch from out of his vest pocket and a lighter to light the cigar. He put the cigar in his mouth, lighting it and taking one giant puff, blowing a ring of smoke into the air as he let himself unwind. Clementine brought the sweet tasting soda pop to the sheriff, who was ready to enjoy his smoke and soda and relax.

Clementine didn't like seeing Crook smoke, and for sure she knew that Mariah wouldn't like to see this as well.

"You know, those fire sticks are gonna give you black lung one of these days, Crook," warned Clementine.

"Well, it comes with the job," replied Crook. "I've got the whole weight of Cactus County's safety on my shoulder, and it ain't a job for a yellow bellied pokemon to do with ease."

"Well then, if you won't listen to me then maybe you will your wife," she warned.

"Hah! Mariah done given up on trying to get rid of my smoking habit. The only agreement I made with her was to not smoke in front of the kids. Black Lung done be a horrible thing to go through, and I don't want a child's life--much less one of my own--be on my conscience."

A Child's life on his conscience, he thought.

The memory hit him like a freight train. He remembered well the life of one such child, and it was something that he couldn't quite forget. He didn't like to thing of this because it would often consume him. He'd become sullen and depressed, showing a side that seemed different from his usual personality. But Crook could not hide what haunted him. He could only lament what he had done, and whom he couldn't save that fateful day, Twenty years ago.

"So Sheriff Crook, what're gonna happen to Jesse and James?"

"Those two ingrates? They're going straight for Kar Prison. Judge Homer the Nidoking is gonna have 'em on trial tomorrow, but more than likely those two are gonna spend a while over at Kar."

"Kar Prison?!" shrieked Clementine. "Do they gotta go to that Arceus Forsaken place?"

"What, you got sympathies for those turds?"

"No, it's not that. Honestly, I'm glad those two are going away after what they did to old Miss Muriel," she said. "But I've just heard so much bout that place. I hear it's so bad that some pokemon get killed just sitting at the wrong spot during meal time."

"Believe me when I tells yah, Clementine, that it's worse than what you imagine it. After all, I should know. I spent a few years fighting for my life in there."

Crook remembered his time in Kar Prison and all the attempts on his life that occured. But he was also remembering the other memory as well, and he didn't like to bring up his mistakes. His hand was clenching the glass he had in his hand harder and harder as his breathing began to labor. The memory was coming hard and fast, and his hand began to tremble as he clenched. The glass in his hand was under enormous pressure, and the Sheriff was too lost in thoughts to see what he was doing.

At that moment, the glass shattered with a sharp crack, the contents of soda and ice spilling onto the counter top along with shards of glass. Thankfully, Crook's thick Krookodile skin was too thick to be cut deep and draw blood. But the rest of the saloon heard the sound of breaking glass and froze. Once more tension filled the air, as all eyes looked at the sheriff. Clementine was not amused, however, seeing that she had to clean up the mess.

"Dang it, Sheriff, you done made me a mess," she said, seeming to not have paid attention to him spacing out. "Now I've got to clean all this up."

Crook came out of his trance, realizing what he had done.

"My apologies, Clementine. I guess I don't know my own strength. I was thinking of some things that don't really agree with me. Can you get me another glass? I promise not to break no more stuff."

"Sure thing, sweetie. Just be careful next time."

Clementine used her psychic powers to lift the mess off the counter, the shards of glass and ice chunks going into the trash. She then used a towel to wipe the remaining spillage before going to get the sheriff another glass. Once more, the crowds breathed a sigh of relief that there wasn't going to be trouble. But crook still looked despondent as he took another big puff from his cigar, seeming to still remember the pains of his past and how they still haunted him.

"Here you go, Crook," said Clementine as she handed another glass full of soda. "Just be careful this time, or else I'm adding that glass to your tab."

"Sure as hell."

"Anyways, I don't know what it was from your past that's been haunting you, but you sure as hell got to let it go," suggested Clementine as she began to give him a small therapy session. "I know you were a fierce outlaw and all when you was young, but you're different from the pokemon you used to be. Everyone in town loves you now, and the people look up to you like a hero. Now ain't that a sweet thing to know that the people believe in you now?"

Crook only chuckled, realizing that she had a point.

But there was more to Crook's story than simply that of a devil figure redeeming himself. He was not sure whether to believe he deserved a chance at being sheriff to begin with, but for sure the previous sheriff, Clayton "Grimely" Watson the Golem, saw something in crook that made him choose the former outlaw as his successor and take him under his wing.

Cassius Clay "Crook" Fargo was the full name of the Sheriff, and he lived a life of turmoil and pain. He was a former outlaw who turned his life around upon exiting Kar Prison around seventeen years ago, back when his nickname was more sinister: "Crooked". Sheriff Crook was taught by his father how to be an outlaw, and even gave him tips on how to avoid being caught by approaching police. His father, Cassius Banes "Crooked" Fargo, was a feared and powerful outlaw who had unbelievable strength and ferocity. From robbing banks to hold cargo trains hostage, he did almost every crime that was possible, except for one: murder. Crooked Sr. was a strict disciplinarian and was also known to be mean whenever he was drunk.

Crooked Sr. was sort of a Robin Hood figure, as he would often give downtrodden people money or food so that they could get back on their feet. Crooked Sr. didn't expect anything in return for his generosity, and while the rich landowners, Robber Barons and bank tellers hated him and even put together massive bounties on his head the common folk absolutely adored him and even protected him. He never killed a single innocent person in his life, though he would end up killing many robbers and criminals; pokemon who were mostly wicked in heart and soul that nobody would miss. Eventually, Crook Sr. was caught and sentenced to Twenty years in Prison for his crimes, though he was let out early for good behavior. He was killed by members of his old posse, who believed that he ratted them out in exchange for him avoiding Life in Prison, and so they set up an ambush and beat him to death, but not before the mighty Krookodile killed several of them with his bare claws and mighty move.

After his death, Crooked Jr. would follow in his father's footsteps and become almost as strong as his old man, and would eventually join a notorious outlaw gang known as the "Wild Party", and he would go on to be known as "Crooked - The Devil of the Kar".

But Crooked Jr. would also spend time in prison, and it was behind bars where he decided to turn a new leaf. When he arrived at Cactus Town after being released he was treated with scorn and disdain. But he managed to find work and tried to turn his life around. Sheriff Grimely eyed him every day, waiting for the moment when Crook would return to crime, and so send the criminal back to Kar Prison.

But that day never came.

One day, Crooked came up to the sheriff and asked for work, saying that he'd gladly work as janitor if need be. The deputies at the time didn't trust him, but Sheriff Watson saw this as a sign of his character. He hired Crooked, and over time grew to trust him enough to offer him a job as a deputy. Crooked was shocked by this, but saw it as a way to prove his worth. He accepted, and would changed his monicker from "Crooked" to the less aggressive "Crook" sort of as a personal brand for his past crimes. It was rough for Crook at first, seeing that the other deputies didn't welcome him into their ranks at all.

But that would change one day, when the entire town fell into chaos.

One day, Cactus Town was overrun by a posse of bandits thirty strong as they looted buildings, robbed stores and the bank, set fire to homes and generally caused destruction. Many pokemon died during the altercation, and Sheriff Grimely himself was gravely wounded. But this would prove to be the turning point in Crook's Life. With his raw power, Crook single handedly knocked out twenty of the robbers, almost killing four of them and actually ending the life of two of them with his sheer might and raw strength. The bandits scattered upon having their numbers wiped out by the sheer temerity of Deputy Crook, and they fled the scene.

Crook was celebrated as a Hero, proving his worth as a protector and given praise all around. But Sheriff Grimely was too wounded to continue working, and so he decided to nominate the position of Sheriff to Crook. Crook was shocked by this, never in a million years believing that he'd be picked as a candidate for office. Apparently, the townsfolk shared Grimely's sentiment because Crook was elected into office by a landslide victory. He won almost eighty percent of the vote, and so he was elected Sheriff of the Town and County. Crook and Grimely would remain friends up until Grimely's death four years ago. The former felon and the former sheriff grew a friendship, with the old Golem giving the new Sheriff advice and pointers from time to time.

Crook put his hand on his chest to touch his sheriff's badge, remembering the oath he took when he was elected as sheriff and what it meant to be a lawman. He vowed to protect the people Cactus Town and Cactus County so long as he was in office. He knew that not all pokemon appreciated this, as they still remembered the horrible things he did and the crimes he committed. He knew there were some people in Town who hadn't forgiven him, and those that probably never will. But he stood up for Cactus Town during that bandit raid all those years ago, and he took on a job that left many a sheriff gravely wounded or even dead.

But Crook stood up to the challenge, the Intimidation pokemon never once backing down.

It was at this moment that the doors of the saloon swung slowly as an dainty Audino stepped in, seeming to be looking for someone.

"Cassius?" said the Audino. She found him sitting on the stool chair and approached. "Ah, there you are, Cassius. I noticed you didn't return home, and I got worried a little something."

"My apologies, Mariah," said Crook to his wife. "I was going to head over there once I had myself a little drink."

"I figured you came here for that, and to smoke as well. You never listen do you."

"Don't worry, Misses Mariah. I'm keeping an eye on the sheriff so he don't cause no ruckus around here," assured Clementine.

"Oh, he'd have to deal with me if he plans on creating a ruckus."

"Believe her, Clementine," chuckled Crook. "There's no saying no to this Audino." He then turned to face his wife. "So how're the kids doing, Mariah?"

"They're doing fine, Crook," she replied to her husband. "I just put Crook Jr. to bed, and Tyler and Millie finished their homework and were getting ready to shower and then sleep."

"Good thing they're doing their school work. I don't want none of them to start failing their lessons and have to wear the dunce cap."

"So how was work today, husband?"

"Good as ever. I just nabbed me two good for nothings, and now I'm gonna send em away."

"Now that ain't no surprise to hear you catching some no good bandits."

Crook snickered a bit before saying: "Well, I am the law around here, yah know."

"I thought Mayor Thomas the Torkoal was the onc who made the laws around these parts, Crook?" challenged Clementine.

"Well that he does, Clementine. But don't forget that I'm the one who enforce them. A mayor got no power unless there are those who-"

Suddenly, a screaming voice could be heard coming from outside, and it sounded like it was coming for the saloon.

"CROOOOOK!" said the voice, and soon the doors swung open as a Nuzleaf wearing a cowboy's hat came bursting through. "Crook! *pant* There *pant* Phew!"

The saloon fell silent, the music stopping and the show girls stopped dancing as everyone eyed the Nuzleaf, who tried to convey his message though being dead tired. The sheriff wasn't alarmed too much, knowing how eccentric his deputy could be.

"Where's the fire, Dale?" asked Crook. "What's with the huffing and puffing?"

"Boss, we got bad news. Some real bad news!"

The sheriff now eyed his deputy curiously, realizing that there was trouble afoot. But the sheriff didn't know just how bad things were.

"What's the news, Dale?"

"It's... it's..." Dale stammered with fear, though rather because he knew how much danger was afoot. "It's Big Horn! He's back, and he's got a posse out there looking for a tussle!"

"What?!" bellowed Crook. "That Son of a Mother is back?"

"Not good," noted Clementine.

The whole saloon began to mutter amongst themselves, realizing just how dangerous the situation had become. The last the Rhyperior outlaw Eustace Kraemer--a.k.a "Big Horn"--was around he caused so much mayhem and destruction that there were still some scars left behind in the town.

Crook turned to his wife, hoping to usher her off and protect their three children.

"Mariah! Head on home and protect the kids. I've got to go out there with the deputies and make sure Big Horn don't make a mess of things again like three years ago."

"Right," Mariah pepped. She then pecked her husband on the cheek, saying: "Be careful out there, darling," before heading back home.

But after Crook hopped off his stool chair and was about to head out he was stopped by Clementine, who put a hand on his shoulder.

"You're not going out there and taking on Big Horn again, are you?" said the Gothitelle worriedly. "The last time you two fought he left you bruise and battered."

"But remember that I won that time," he reminded her. "I've to go out and protect the town. Big Horn made such a mess last time, and I'm not about to let him seriously hurt others for the fun of it."

"And you don't think he'll seriously hurt you?!"

"If got to do this, Clementine. And don't worry too much, cause I at least know how this Son of Bitch like to fight." He turned towards Dale and gave him the order to summon the other deputies. "Dale! I wan't yah to go get Clarence, Buzzbeak, Grimshot and the other before we start this battle. If Big Horn's got a posse, then I want to be ready for it."

"Sure thing, boss!" and the little Nuzleaf left to gather the others.

And with that Crook made a beeline for the saloon exit. His cigar was still only half smoked through, and Crook was taking bigger puffs from the tobacco laced cigar as he walked down the main street towards where he knew Big Horn would be at. The town church bell was already ringing, alerting people that danger was afoot and to head back home.Once Crook arrived at the entrance of town did he spot what appeared to be a tall and bulky rock pokemon. He stood tall and proud, with his back turned to the sheriff as he wore a tan leather vest and a brown cowboy's hat. The pokemon turned around to reveal itself as the Rhyperior who laid waste to Cactus Town three years ago. He was sent to Kar Prison for this crime, but it seemed that he had escaped to wreck havoc another day.

Big Horn was smoking a black cigar, the same kind that Crook was also smoking. Both of the cigars from the Sheriff and Outlaw were smoked halfway, meaning that both pokemon were taking their time. It was no coincidence that Crook and Big Horn were smoking the same type of cigar; there were plenty of similarities between the Sheriff and his former Posse mate from years past.

"Well well, if it ain't the goody-goody sheriff himself," said Big Horn as he took a big puff from his cigar. "I hoped that I would have the chance to fight 'The Devil of the Kar' for a little bit of revenge. Though these days I hear you go by a different name:;Crook, the Hero of the Dusty Depot.'"

"What'cha want, Big Horn," said Crook. "You come back here to cause a ruckus?"

"That, and also to get square with a certain sheriff who's forgotten where he came from."

"I may have come from the same place as you, Eustace," Crook retorted, "but that sure as hell won't be the place where I'm gonna end up.

Big Horn took off his hat with one of his hands, and he then looked at his old posse mate with a forlorn face of lament.

"Cassius," said Big Horn gingerly. "I knows for a fact that you must feel bad for that one Magby child whom you couldn't save from meeting his maker. I know that even now you must be shitting yourself dry over the thought of that failure. But going to the point where you'd turn us just to get revenge for something we did on accident?"

"What happened that day was no god damned accident, and you know it," sneered Crook. "That poor little Magby would still be alive were it not for you guys not helping me. I know youse guys hid away while I was crying aloud for help to save that child."

"Don't blame us for something Maryanne did, Crooked."

"It's Crook, Big Horn. There ain't nothing 'crooked' about me anymore."

"What a load of horse shit. And it was Maryanne who didn't help you save the child, Crook."

"And I'm guessing you're innocent too when the boss came up with the idea to get rid of me when I fell into a depression. I heard you agree with him, so don't talk to me about traitors, Eustace!"

"Oh Cassius, I really don't want to hurt you. But I guess you leave me no choice," and with that, Big Horn let out a whistle to alert his posse to come out of the shadows. Soon all sorts of Pokemon, from fighting types, dark types and even psychic types entered the area from their hiding spots. The entire Posse must've been around twenty strong, and they all looked mean as hell and ready to fight. "I don't know, Crook, but I kinda don't like these odds against you."

"Hmph! More people to send to Kar," and with that Crook turned around to signal his own posse to step forward, "ain't that right, Grimshot?"

A Cacturne stepped out of the shadow, a wicked grin on his face as he prepared to start shooting. "I don't know about you boss," said Deputy Grimshot, "but I'm ready to start blasting. How bout you, Clarence? Ready to enter a tussle?"

A large Aggron wearing a black cowboy hat appeared from out the corner of a building, the large pokemon seeming ready for a fight.

"I don't know about you two, but I just heard a bunch a' cowboy talk. Big Horn's got a bigger mouth than the boss here," joked Clarence the Aggron.

"Nice retort, Clarence," grumbled Crook.

"I don't care much for cowboy talk," said a Mandibuzz who flew right in. Deputy Buzzbeak was ready to poke some eyes out. "I'm in it for the bones."

"I too ain't much for cowboy talk," said a dainty Florgess, whose name was Deputy Delilah. "I'm more of a girl of action and roughing it out."

A Banette soon appeared from the shadows, the sinister looking pokemon being Deputy Giles, who was also the town undertaker. "Oh, such violence and hatred. I'm going to feast on this dark energy well, and then bury those whose strength had at last been exhausted...whoever that may be."

"Don't forget me," said Deputy Dale the Nuzleaf as he ran up to the gang. "I'm always up for a tussle, and this is gonna be the mother of all tussles."

"Well don't count me out either Sheriff Crook," said one final and surprising woman. It was none other than Clementine, revealing that she was secretly Deputy in disguise of a Saloon owner. "Honey, you'll need all the help you can get, and for sure the other with me are going to give their all as well."

Behind Clementine was a small army of civilian pokemon who know how to roll with the punches, ranging from Fighting, Dark, Poison, Electric and even Fire and Water types. The size of the posse that Sheriff Crook possessed was even larger than Big Horn's posse, and every one of them was ready to fight tooth and nail to protect their homes. They were not about to let Cactus Town be destroyed again like years back. They weren't going to surrender until the very last outlaw was either defeated or send straight to Kar Prison.

Crook stood up and faced his old posse mate, feeling a sense of righteousness and the urge to let out a pummeling. He didn't care if his posse was smaller or larger. He didn't care for all the memories he made with Big Horn. This was going to be a serious fight till one side loses, and Crook was going to fight to make sure that his side was not the one to lose.

"You're gonna regret having turned on you brothers the way you did, partner," said Big Horn, his right arm glowing as he readied a Focus Punch.

"And you and your bunch a ingrates are gonna regret skulking your sorry asses over here, 'partner,'" said Crook, his own arm glowing with the power of a forming Focus Punch.

Both Titans stared at each other, their power growing as they waited for their arms to charge at full power. The two pokemon were former friends and members of the "Wild Party", but today they were going to find out if Crook's treason towards the gang and sending his former posse to Kar prison was well and worth it. Crook didn't want to hurt his old friend, but he also couldn't forgive him for his role in trying to oust him from the group--and Big Horn couldn't forgive Crook for betraying his fellow posse mates.

The sound of the Church bell gonged through the entirety of town, and both posses were getting ready to launch an attack. It was down to either Crook or Big Horn to launch the first attack.

Suddenly, the two pokemon charged forwards with blazing speed for their sizes. Their punches connected with each other, and a blast of dust fly in the air. Nobody was sure who hit first, or if either one of them was hurt. But when the smoke cleared there was no sign of the Sheriff or Outlaw. But it was then that the ground started rumbling. There seemed to be some pokemon within the sandy dirt itself. And before the posses knew what the ground erupted with the figures of Crook and Big Horn, who were grabbing each other and pushing to see who could overpower the other.

The two released another punch at each other, sending each other reeling from the pain of their fighting type moves.

"ATTACK!!!" roared the two giants at the same time, and with that both Posses began charging or lobbing special moves at each other.

The two sides collided, and so dust once more began to choke the air. All sort of move from all sorts of types, whether physical or special, up close or afar, where thrown at the other side. And when moves were not being used, one side simply tried to push back the other. There was so much chaos in this free-for-all that nobody could tell who was winning over who. There was so much going on, and some pokemon even began to faint from the sheer ferocity that each side was facing, and so reduce the amount of fighters in this already saturated Battle Royale. But after ten minutes of nonstop bludgeoning, it seemed that the Outlaw posse was getting the upper hand.

Crook could tell things were not going his way, and he needed to do something fast to save his crew. But he also needed to get Big Horn off his back to do this. Crook backed down strategically, put his arm behind his back to charge a Focus Punch.

"Giving up already, Crook?" taunted Big Horn as he approaching his retreating adversary.

"Not on your life, Brick head," replied the Sheriff.

"I've alway hated you calling me by that name, Crooked!" bellowed Big Horn. "Well, let's just say the feeling ain't quite so mutual anymore."

"Well maybe this is, you Son of a Bitch!!!"

And with that Crook lobbed his Focus Punch, knocking the Rhyperior to the ground and preparing himself to help his posse. "Alright, Gang!" he called out to his posse. "Ya'll need some help. Stand the hell back!!!"

The Sheriff's Posse knew what he meant, and they knew to immediately get out of the way. With his posse clear, Crook slammed his foot onto the ground so hard that the building around him trembled. He mustered all the energy he had available, and the ground that all around him began to liquify. The bandit posse sank into the dirt just like Jesse and James, though this Sand Tomb trap was far larger and more powerful. The sand began to swivel in a giant circle, trapping the bandits and causing them to sink further in. There was so much force within this gyre that it was causing them to faint one by one.

But not everyone was affected by this move.

"Two can play at that game, Crook!" and before Crook knew it a rock hard punch hit his snout.

Big Horn jumped into the gyre and started whaling him with punch after successful punch. But Crook found his mettle and returned the punches. Both pokemon were lobbing punch after solid punch on each other as the sand swirled around them, but neither or was giving in. The two juggernauts were too strong for each other, and when the Sand Tomb stopped they both backed away from each other.But Big Horn was dealt the biggest blow because he no longer had a posse to go fight with him. Either his posse members were stuck in sand or were too exhausted to fight.

"Give up, Big Horn!" said Crook. "You're out gunned and outnumbered. There's only one way this could end."

But though the bandit leader was indeed alone, he was not done. He still had one last trick up his sleave, and he could see his new bargaining chips arrive from their secret mission.

"On second thought, Crook, maybe you should give up, considering the situation your poor children seem to be in," he said, pointing behind him.

To Crook's horror, he saw what the brute meant when he turned around. A teenage Krokorok, a smaller Audino and a tiny Sandile were being held by three sharp and mean looking Bisharp, and the three pokemon were in a sorry state.

"Kids!" bellowed Crook in shock.

"Daddy! I'm so scared," cried the little Audino named Millie.

"I'm sorry, Pa," lamented the Krokorok named Tyler. "I just wasn't strong enough to fight them back. I was just too weak."

"It's alright Tyler," said Crook calmly to his children. "Crook Jr, are you okay?"

"I'm... I'm alright, Papa," said the little Pokemon. "Please, Papa, help us."

These words that his youngest son said stung the most to the father and sheriff. This was similar to the last time he lost a child, but his rage was totally different this time around. He turned towards Big Horn and roared a bunch of foul swear words that were too foul to repeat.

"You Son of a Whore in Heat, Big Horn!!!" roared Crook. "You knew you couldn't win in a fair fight against me, so you go after my family!?!"

"Their lives are in your hands, Crook, so saying a bunch of swear words ain't gonna help their chances. I'd say it's about time for you to give in to some demands, which I'm gonna lay out right now."

But as Crook began to grow in despair, he saw someone whom he hoped had managed to survive. She was waving at him from behind Big Horn and the hostages, and she was raring to go unleash her full might upon the bandit. Crook couldn't help but smile, seeing that there was still a chance to win this.

"How about this demand, Big Horn," began Crook with a chuckle. "How bout you let go of my kids and walk your hinds out of town before I bring a world of hurt and send you to back to Kar Prison?"

"Oh, Crook, you never were on to quit even when the odds were against you. You're in no position to be making any demands, partner."

"The reason I'se say that is cause your men had to go fight my wife in order to get to my kids, and you shouldn've finished her off when you've had the chance." He then lifted up his clawed hand to reveal a bracelet with a stone on it. "Do you know what this is, Big Horn?"

The bandit boss' face turned pail, realizing just how much trouble he was in.

"Ready, Mariah?!" yelled Crook at his wife.

"Ready, Darling!" said Mariah, lifting her own arm up. The Audino was then surrounded by light, her face gleamed with the glow of Mega Evolution might. Her form began to transform into something more fairy like, and she was becoming much stronger. When the light faded, her transformation into a Mega-Audino was now complete. "Now you'll know why my husband is to be feared in these part, Big Horn. Mainly because of Me!"

And with that, the Audino rushed the three Bisharp in quick succession, sending them flying in the air with successful punches and kicks. She then looked straight at Big Horn with her hands cupped together, a ball of light forming as power from the full moon up above channeled her might. When the Moon Blast was sufficiently charges, she launched it screaming towards the bandit boss.

"Oh shi-" was the only words that Big Horn could saw before he was hit by the raw might of the beam and he was sent flying right for the jail house. He crashed into the wall of the jail and made a massive hole before fainting right in the middle of a jail cell. He was down and out for the count.

Mariah came up towards her husband, her white and soft fur emanating a glow of power.

"That was a mighty fine move, Mariah," said Crook. "I sure wish I could mega evolve."

"Don't worry, Cassius. You're plenty powerful even without the ability to Mega Evolving," she assured her husband.

"What'll I ever do without you, darling?"

"Not much, by the look of things," she said with a giggle.

But something was not right. Though the bandits were defeated--with those who could still move fleeing to fight another day--there was simply a feeling of foreboding in the air. The feeling that, despite the marvelous win, there was a sort of loss.

And that loss came in the most painful thing for any parent.

"Boss!" shouted Dale, who was with Tyler and Millie. "We got ourselves a travesty here. You gotta see this!"

The Krookodile turned towards his children when he noticed that Crook Jr was missing. He could've sworn that he was amongst his older siblings, but the Sandile was nowhere to be found.

"Cassius?" said Crook as he searched for his youngest child. "Where the hell is Crook Jr?! Tyler! Millie! Where's your-"

The sheriff gasped as he saw the gash over Tyler's eye that was bleeding from how deep it was, the blood from the eldest son's eye lid mixing with the tears he was shedding. Millie was also hurt, with three cuts running along her abdomen and also dripping blood.

"I'm sorry, Pa," blubbered Tyler. "I tried to stop a Sableye from running off with Cassius, but He cut me on my eye when I tried to stop him.

"I tried to stop him too, Daddy," said Millie with tears, "but her cut me as well, and then threatened to hurt Little Crook if we tried to stop him."

"That darned kidnapper left this note, Boss," said Dale. "I-I-I don't know what to say," and then he handed the letter to the Sheriff. Just as he expected, the letter was a ransom note, but the person who wrote it was someone Crook had hoped to never again meet in his life.

The letter read:

Crooked,

_ I know for a fact you've been dreading this day. I know deep down you've been expecting me to appear once more in your life, waiting for me to exact my revenge. And now I'm coming for you, and I'm gonna make sure that this hurts you the most._

_ I expect you to be pretty strong at this point--hell, I expect you to even be stronger than Big Horn, though I wonder if you've reached the kind of strength I have. But despite how big and strong you must now be, I still can't believe even after all this time that you'd up and betray your old posse after all the things we went through. You threw Jim Lee, Bloody Mary, Calamity Jon, Big Horn and even Me under the wagon. You ran us over and left us for dead, and that is something that I'll never forgive. Now I have your youngest son, little Cassius III, in my hands, and let me tell you that it feels good to put you back in that spot again next to the gorge._

_ Back when you tried to save that little Magby child from falling to his death, and failed miserably. I hope you know what's good for your son, unless you want another child on your conscience._

_ I'll be sending another note with some demands, and I hope that you'll heed it well. I'll make you pay for all of this, Crooked. I'll follow through on my threat to make your life a living hell._

_ I'll be keeping in touch soon,_

_ Big Boss Boar_

The sheriff let out a few tears from his eyes, some true crocodile tears, after reading the note he had in his hand. His knees buckled, unable to take his weight as he knelt to the floor. He dropped the paper, leaving it for the rest of th Deputies and for Mariah to read. Everyone who read the note was absolutely horrified at what the note read, and the mother of three also began to she tears at the capture of her son. But Crook, it seemed, was the most mortified out of all of them.

This was the exact same situation as before with the Magby child, a little boy named Donny whom Crook failed to save from a mortal fall down a deep gorge. Except now, Little Donny was replaced with Crook's youngest child son, Cassius Miles Fargo. It seemed that the raid on Cactus Town was all a ruse to kidnap little Cassius Miles, and it seemed to work perfectly.

The mastermind was none other than Sheriff Crook's old boss, William "Bill" Watterson--a.k.a. Big Boss Boar, the most feared out of all the outlaws and the leader of the "Wild Party" bandit gang. It seemed that Big Boss Bill was exacting his revenge, as said in the note, by threatening the Sheriff's biggest pride and joy, and putting him in a situation that had haunted the lawman for many years after it occured. Big Boss had sent Big Horn to kidnap Crook's son, and so bring to life a threat that he had been planning on the sheriff for years.

The sheriff could only ball in tears on the floor. He cried for his son, just like he cried for little Donny all those years ago...

The Sheriff was unresponsive as he sat on his rocking chair in front of the Sheriff's Office, his face forlorn and his eyes looking straight at the ground. He didn't move on bit as he could feel his eyes burn from the tears they had shed. It had been two days since Big Horn and the captured bandit posse were sent to with the Prison Caravan to Kar Prison, and a full week since the raid on Cactus Town. But despite the splendid victory to save the town, the siege was ultimately a defeat for Crook and his family.

Mariah and the Deputies tried to rouse her husband back into a fighting spirit, to animate him and get him to riled up. But the Sheriff seemed too despondent to even eat, let alone search whether his son was still alive or not. He couldn't bear to deal with the pain of another lost child. He couldn't bear to think that all of this was essentially his fault.

Delilah, ever the adamant Florges, came up to the two parents and made her vow.

"Miss Mariah, Boss, this blooming Fairy promises to do all she can to help rescue your son. I won't stop until Crook Jr is safely back home," she swore her oath.

"Count me in too, Boss," said Grimshot. "I sure as hell want to give Big Boss Boar a beat down for doing this disgrace."

"I'm not feeding on any of this energy because of the horror it is formed from," said Giles. "I want there to be justice, and I'll certainly put my part to make sure justice is enacted."

"Count me in, too," said Buzzbeak. "I'll be sure to peck out Boss Boar's eyes out for this."

Mariah came up to the deputies with a smile on her face.

"Thank you so much for all of your support," she said. "I know that all of you are putting in your all to try and help me and my husband get out son back."

"I'll be sure to give Big Boar what coming to him for this, Misses Mariah," said Clarence. "Boss Boar Bill will pay for this. He and the rest of the Wild Party will-"

"SHUT UP!!!" bellowed Crook in a flash of rage. "I'll tear Boss Bill and his gang to pieces when I see them next time!!!"

And with that he bolted out of his seat, his heart beating with the fury of the sun. He looked at his posse with a stern look before looking back down at the ground. He noticed a glint coming off of his Sheriff's badge, and with this he remembered his Oath of Office. He knew that he had to protect his people with his life, and that included his family. Any threat to his loved ones, his deputies and to the people he served was a threat to him personally.

"Boss Boar is gonna be a dead boar," said Crook gravely. "I know my Pa didn't want me to kill unless I had to, but-"

His temerity was growing, and his mind was filling with the feeling of determination and sheer will power. Crook was the Intimidation Pokemon, and he never backed down from a fight, even if it was from pokemon larger and more powerful than him. If he had to personally fight his former boss in order to rescue his son and bring down justice, then it had to be done.

Crook smiled, looking back to his deputies with a mean look of ferocity and might. The deputies knew from looking at the Sheriff that his old self was back.

"I'm gonna need a posse. Which one of you ingrates is gonna help me get my son back...?"

Above the dunes stood two figures in yellow cloaks, and they were overlooking the whole town of Pokemon and the lives that they lived. They had been watching what was unfolding for a long time, and the time seemed right to give the Sheriff a helping hand. The Alakazam and Mienshao looked at the Sheriff get off his chair and prepare himself for the long journey that was ahead of him.

"I sense such fiery determination coming form the sheriff," said the Mienshao. "It is as though he were coming alive with a new wave of energy and might."

"He had been through a lot in his life," recounted the Alakazam. "And sadly, his life will trickled down upon his youngest child as well."

"Must the child bear such a responsibility so soon? Must he be one of those chosen to guide the light back to the promised land?"

"It is the will of the of Horizon to make this journey," lamented the older Alakazam, holding up a Darkinium Z-Crystal in his hand. "The day when the child and his father will bear this burden is soon to come. They will need the power of this crystal, and all crystals, to save the world during the hour of darkness that's to come. The world is reliant on their shared efforts.

"The fate of the World rests upon the awakening of the child..."