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[Dark_Riku]

"Don't worry, I won't call you, unless I have any pokemon that I would like for you to have." Koro said, taking his nav out and began the transfer of the numbers. When he had both of their numbers he would put his nav away and looked down at Nero, he almost felt bad for the little flame pokemon, but he needed his power right now and wouldn't give him up like Jaxa had. "Alright, so I take it we're parting ways now? Because I intend to head towards the forest so I can train my mudkip as well." He said looking at the two males. He wondered what the two would think of him going to train up another pokemon besides Nero alone, but then again, he didn't care right now.

[Indigo]

As it turned out, they cared very little; once the numbers were transfered, both of the Rockets pocketed their NAVs and began setting out too. Nero started after them, but Amarok froze him to the spot with another glare and remarkably canine snarl.

Trembling, Nero backed away to Koro and remained with him.

"Nero won't give you any trouble," Xiphos said as he and Amarok went, "but don't go giving him candy and hugging him and all that. He's trained to be a fighter and he expects to be treated like one, so don't hesitate to knock him around if he needs motivation."

[Dark_Riku]

After he was a step or two past them, he noticed Nero was still following them, before Amarok gave Nero a glare that could only seem like the glare of death. When Nero was beside him, and Xiphos had finished speaking he said "Don't worry, I know how to get motivation into little beasts like him. Though I don't know if I can be as cruel as an older member of Team Rocket, or someone who is usually mean. But I can most definitely get him to have enough motivation from me." Koro said back to them as he went towards the forest. He was going to do a bit of damage with Nero right now, and it would be a great amount of fun.

[Indigo]

((Nero + Forest = BEST IDEA EVER))

The meeting ended as quietly as started, the fading crunch of gravel underfoot and the scorched rock the only evidence anyone had been there at all. It was time for another lengthy journey across the Barrens to cooler weather down south.

Despite the scars from Nero's beatings, he was healthy enough to keep up with Koro. He never looked the trainer in the eye, instead staring straight ahead and nowhere else.

"Heavy stuff," Dante said. "Since Nero's yours again, did you want that full reading?"

[Dark_Riku]

(I know, isn't it!! =D)

koro walked on, ignoring the heat for the most part before he said, after taking Dante out, "Of course Dante. Nero, you can calm down, I won't kick your ass as hard as either of them. Though you do have to worry about me overworking you, and maybe using you for target practice, if you make me mad." Koro said as he looked down at the beast as they went on. He didn't care much for what they were going to do, but he needed Nero to practice, and he needed Jahala to practice as well, and the forest was the best place, if he could find a pokemon in the desert for Nero, and something near the entrance of the forest for Jahala.

[Indigo]

Nero continued to be tense and silent. Koro's assurances were not convincing in the slightest, and Nero did not trust the trainer enough to calm down in his presence. Likewise, the threat to overwork him and use him as target practice also got no visible reaction out of the magby. It wouldn't be a stretch to assume he'd suffered such punishment before.

"Like I was saying before, he's male and level twelve. He knows leer, smog, ember, smokescreen, flamethrower, faint attack, and screech. Got yourself a little monster there."

If Koro was looking for pokemon in the desert, he'd find a few around. A hippopotas was busily nosing the dirt with its oversized snout for something, while the spearow on its back took off and flew low across the desert. Finally, a sandshrew emerged from its burrow to scan the area.

[Dark_Riku]

"Nero, flamethrower that Sandshrew. After the beast comes out, use a screech at it before again shooting another flamethrower." Jaxa said arms crossed looking at Nero, he didn't care for the Sandshrew's level and it would be out soon. Especially with the fire-power Nero was now packing. He wanted to get some experience for Nero before getting to the forest so he could train Jahala up.

[Indigo]

Just like he had done with Amarok's orders, Nero only livened up when he had an order and a target. The air continued to ripple all around his form as his body rose sharply in temperature, and he thankfully distanced himself from Koro so the trainer wouldn't be subject to the extra heat. Then, with a choked cry and a rearing back of his head, Nero stepped forward and blew another line of blue flame across the earth.

Sandshrew, who was already looking around at the time it was attacked, noticed Nero setting up an apparently strong attack in its direction. The rodent instinctively tried to sink down into its burrow and curl to hide, but it only got as far as ducking its head before the flamethrower reached it. It made an ugly shriek heard even above the noise the fire was putting out, and Koro could smell charred flesh when Nero cut his attack short. The magby then advanced on the blackened burrow.

The space Sandshrew had last been was clear; somehow, Sandshrew had managed to claw its way out of the fire and escape underground. An unconcerned Nero circled about the small hole and peered inside to see if he could spot his target. He couldn't in the dark, but he could hear claws scratching against the earth and a panicked squealing. Nero screeched after it, the sheer intensity of his voice making Koro's ears ring, and it took a moment for the pokemon to gather his breath again. He spat out the next flamethrower faster than before and without recoiling too much from the pain of it, but as a consequence the flame came out as an intense yellow-orange. One couldn't tell if the sandshrew had been hit by the attack, as it was farther underground and Nero's flamethrower was too loud, but Nero stopped and drew back, satisfied. He jogged back over to Koro, the magby's head low once again and some smoke seeping from his beak.

Update: Sandshrew has fainted. Nero has gained +7 EXP.

[Dark_Riku]

"Good Nero, now smog the hippoptas. When it is enshrouded, and the smog is away from you. Shoot a flamethrower into the smog and brace for an explosion. When the blast has cleared, if the hippo is still alive, flamethrower it." He ignored the whole smoke coming out of his mouth, he wanted to get him another level if he could before he recalled him and went to the forest. Jahala would be up for training in the forest. She was weak, and now he needed to raise her to have more power.

[Indigo]

Unfortunately for Nero, his battle with the sandshrew had been noisy enough to completely remove the element of surprise; the hippopotas had watched the entire battle and was aware of Nero stalking towards it. Breathing rapidly through its massive nostrils, Hippopotas began to stir up dust in great clouds in front of him. It wasn't long before the wind it generated strengthened and covered more ground. Nero didn't hesitate to send a jet of dark, foul-smelling smoke rushing out his mouth towards his enemy, but to the magby's surprise, the smog was swept up and dissipated by the wind. Pebbles, dirt, and the barest traces of Nero's smog began to swirl around the two pokemon, and the fledgling whirlwind fast matured into a full-blown sandstorm.

Koro's view of the battle would be gradually obscured by the massive amount of dust flying around the battle. The last sight he could confidently make out was Nero throwing up his arms to try and shield his face against the debris scratching it. After that, the two combatants were reduced to hazy blobs and Koro would have to risk getting closer to see anything.

A warm yellow glow flared up in the core of the storm; Nero had gone ahead with the flamethrower orders. No cry of pain--or any reaction--could be heard above the rush of wind.

Update: Hippopotas's Sand Stream has automatically activated a sandstorm.

Terrain: The ground is fairly flat and consists of rocks and dirt. Several larger rocks are scattered throughout the area, and some are slowly being drawn towards the site of battle. A sandstorm is raging and making it difficult to make out the two pokemon. It is sunny.

[Dark_Riku]

"Nero, use another flamethrower! Then use a faint attack to try to get closer to the hippo before latching on and doing a point blank flamethrower! Dante, could I get a reading of that hippopotas?" Koro had yelled into the storm from his position, before lowering his voice for Dante and pointing the dex towards the the hippo in the sandstorm.

[Indigo]

"Hold on, I'm getting some serious interference here," Dante said. "Here we go. It's a female hippopotas, level ten."

Koro would get no quick reply to his command. Because he didn't get any closer, he wouldn't know exactly why. In time, there was yet another yellow light to signify Nero was still fighting; however, the storm persisted.

Terrain: The ground is fairly flat and consists of rocks and dirt. Several larger rocks are scattered throughout the area, and some are slowly being drawn towards the site of battle. A sandstorm is raging and making it difficult to make out the two pokemon. It is sunny.

[Dark_Riku]

"Nero, come out of there."Koro yelled into the sandstorm, he didn't want to fight with this beast anymore, mostly because it seemed like a battlethe for Nero could cause him to faint. If need be though, he would use Kita as a major contender for the defense. Koro had Nero's ball handy, ready to recall Nero before he would begin heading towards the forest at a relatively brisk pace.

[Indigo]

Hippopotas shoved Nero out of the sandstorm for Koro, and it would be the first time that the trainer would be able to see how the battle had progressed. The odds of victory weren't as dire as the sandstorm made it look. Hippopotas, now with a wide-mouthed gape, had been hit with at least one flamethrower, for its snout and the inside of its mouth were burnt black. Likewise, Nero had sustained injury in the form of a large gash across his chest. He was also rubbing furiously at his eyes.

The sandstorm appeared to be bound to the battle and didn't allow the pokemon to escape for long. Winds and dust began to shift and swirl around the two pokemon again, but not before the recall beam on Nero's pokeball snatched up the magby to safety. Hippopotas didn't seem to realize that the battle was over, however. It continued its mournful bellowing as best as it could from its seared mouth, alone and suffering in the storm of its own creation.

Continued walking would reveal the forest before long. The presence of many trees provided welcome shade on the last leg of the journey.

Update: Hippopotas (Burned)

Nero is at 75% health. If you do not wish to remain here, you may now post in Mossy Forest.