For when stuff gets long and hard

But Sadie kept her head low, her tired blue eye peeking from what little bangs she had left.

She let her finish only to lower her gaze. A pitiful smile appeared over her lips. “I-I don’t know.”

She said simply, her voice just as lost and confused as well. “After everything…I figured I’d be dead. Either Jacks would of killed me….or that psycho…” she reached up and gripped her shoulder. “Or executioned in the middle of Po Town….one of those…” she whispered.

She chuckled, reaching up to cover her face. “And look at me…sitting in a bed covered in Houndoom burns all over again… if I was Guzma I would of kicked me too… at least he would have reason to…not like Archie….this whole thing is fucked to hell and back.”

She lowered her hand. Seeing the tears on her fingers. “Dying would of been better than having to deal with what I have done… I’m such a coward…” she breathed, her voice wavering. “I run and don’t look back….but I was dragged back…and forced to deal with my past… and I had to see everyone suffer because of it…and my selfishness… and… and it hurts far more than any of these burns…” she gritted her teeth.

“But…you don’t want to hear all of this…” she swallowed. “I wouldn’t.”

“You bet your ass I’m angry.” Grunt took long strides over to the bed, leaning over to place her hands on the soft sheets. She stared Sadie down, tipping her head down so that Sadie couldn’t look away from her. “A note, Sadie? Ya really fucken think that was an appropriate goodbye?” Her fingers dug into the blankets, “We all got shit, Sadie. Stuff that haunts us. That’s why we came here, t’ Skull. Cause Boss protects us.” 

She straightened herself back up, taking in a sharp breath as pain struck through her ribs again. “Boss let that fuck into this place, but he’s gone now. Taken care of. Boss is always gunna take care of us.”

She sighed, her eyes falling closed as her voice lowered to a pained whisper. “V... Was heartbroken. I ain’t talked to her, but... W was with me when we found the notes, and I know she saw hers by now...” She had seen V storm down the hallway, past the room she was being treated in. Her face, so full of pain and rage...

This was so awkward.

Having to be back at the place you had ran from? She was sure Rumors had went around about her and what had happened. Especially since half the town was gone. 

And repairs were needed to be made. As well as wounds healed.

Sadie probably be outside helping with repairs, but she was stuck in her bed, waiting for the burns to heal.  Sadie’s eyes lingered over to her berry bush, only to sigh at the fact she was out of Rawst Berries. And the Burn heals were back at the Shady House, but she had zero courage to go there, considering all the others were there. 

But her house was a mess too. She didn’t know why, but a lot of her house was destroyed and messed up. She was sure she’d find out why, but it didn’t matter right now. What mattered was that she was in pain, and too much of a coward to move. 

So she suffered. And waited. Almost curious to know who would have the courage to face her. 

It was what spurred her on to get up the moment she heard Sadie was back. What made her shove aside anyone that tried to help her, that tried to make her get back into bed and rest. She was still wounded, her ribs cracked and her body torn up. She’d been given a new mask, so some of the new face-wounds were covered, but the rest of her clothes remained in her room. She hadn’t had the energy to get dressed before leaving, and so she set out in her sports bra and torn up shorts, and bandages indicated the various spots she had been hurt.

The pain didn’t stop her. Nothing would. How dare Sadie leave? How dare she think she could just leave a note? A fucking note? And now she wants to come back.

Grunt growled to herself at the thought. Selfish. She was pissed.

The door was still knocked ajar from Murdoc’s initial visit, but even if it wasn’t, Grunt still would have entered without knocking.

“He did what?!”

Guzma knows Murdoc. He agreed to let him join Team Skull not that long ago. Looks like that weird feeling he had while talking to the creep was a hint.

“Who’s he been messing with?” he asks, crouching down so he’s on her level. “Where is he now?”

"He's been fuckin' aroun' with Sadie. Scared the livin' shit outta her, then took over her place." She looked up at him with tired eyes. "He's bad news, Boss. Sadie's a good gal, loyal. He's got some kinda past beef with her..."

"He's tryna spread shit, 'bout another Skull... He's tryn t' get people t' turn on 'er, and he beat the shit outta me an' W fer callin' him out on it."

and then they hit Shady house.  Everything was a whirlwind of questions, most directed at Grunt as they knew W was unable to answer.  everyone wanted to touch and W had to keep his other hand over his mask, making sure it stayed on and in place.  he could feel it mingling with the blood, wincing as he imagined the pain it would be to take off once all this dried.  and then they were separated. 

W figured it was likely just them being separated for their gender.  if they were going to be looking at things under clothing, it made sense.  Grunts ribs were under her clothing he supposed, or would have been had she not left her shirt back at Sadie’s house.  He let himself be led along, figuring that these were his family, trusting them with his life so easily and eagerly.

The panic that followed next made his stomach curl.  her voice called out, the feeling of worry quickly slipping into the pit of his already knotted stomach.  was something wrong?  were they hurting her???  they had already fought so hard..!  he turned to go back to her, but the others pulled him towards a room.  He wasn’t about to lose this fight.  not after the last one.

What if W hadn't been with her?

Then, long fingers intertwined with hers, and she was pulled from the crowd. She collided with him, and she desperately clung to him, her face buried in his chest. Some of the grunts fell silent, particularly the ones that had known her for a while; this was a side of her they'd never seen. Raw emotion, desperation, and fear.

Grunt trembled in his arms, "Don't go," she swallowed hard. "He'll come back, he'll be back for us..."

A female grunt gently placed her hand on Grunt's shoulder, making her jump. "Easy, easy... We jus' tryna help. Ya gotta get checked on--"

"Boss," Grunt choked out, slowly peeking over her shoulder, "I need to talk to Boss. But..." She looked up at W, a hand lightly running over his blood-soaked mask, "..Take care of him... You need t' be bandaged up, W..." Her panic was subsiding, now that she was able to actually speak with someone calmly.

He felt himself looking down, making sure he wasn’t bumping them as he helped her towards the door.  wait.  Her face. … she’d kept it covered for so long, she would likely want to keep it so–  He looked down just in time to witness her sign language.  

His eyes opened wide, a blush alighting his face.  she.. she learned that?  for him????  He felt his heart flutter, his free hand shakily reversing the gesture as his response.  he wasn’t sure how much she had learned, but even that she was learning was just…  ah!!!  AAHHH!!   He wanted to respond to her, tell her of his inner excitement that he couldn’t show her, but he shouldn’t overload her.. another time.  

She rested her head against W’s arm, feeling just so damn tired. She knew once they reached Shady House, people would be touching her and moving her in their attempts to help, so she knew she wouldn’t have rest just yet.

The walk home was long and grueling, and she mostly only groaned and cursed the whole way. A stark contrast to her flirty talk just an hour earlier. She worried for W, he was bleeding so much... And Lucy’s face needed tending to as soon as possible.

They were rushed once they entered the house; other grunts panicking at the sight of their bruised and bloodied selves. Most of them were crying out “who did this!? Let’s fuck ‘em up!!” but Grunt shooed them away. She called Lucy to his ball, and passed it off to a trusted friend to take to the Pokemon Center. Meanwhile, a few others gently tried to get her to come with them for treatment, but they were separating her from W. Her anxiety peaked; what if Murdoc had gotten to Guzma? What if the pair was about to be interrogated before treatment?

with the houdoom recalled, the Mimikyu passed its the trainer a few parting claws, though it’s attack fell short as it flopped to the floor, looking once more like a doll.  it’s head popped up, looking around for it’s next target, it’s eyes gleaming on the nearest pokemon as it rose once more and–

W whistled, calling its attention to him.  His hands began to speak to his pokemon, the mimikyu’s dark claws responding in kind.  reaching an understanding, The doll giggled(???) and scurried off to hide under the couch in case the other decided to really press his luck.  His next concern was Grunt, his long legs bending as he all but fell next to her, worry written across his bruised face.  Blood dripped down along his neck, the source hidden behind his stained bandana.  

He looked her over, pausing only on her face as he noted her scar for the first time.  He knew that a lot of these grunts had a sordid past, hoping that whoever or whatever had done this to her was 6 feet under.  that was all he could see aside from her rolling in pain.. her ribs.. he must have messed them up when he kicked her.. that bastard.  His anger would have flared if he had the energy for it.  the adrenaline rush was gone and he felt more drained than alive from all the action.

his shaking hands made some motions, but he dropped his them, figuring she wouldn’t understand his sign language either.  exasperated with his own limitations, he hung his head, hands planted on the ground as he tried to think of a way to ask her where it hurt.  He was no nurse.. but.. if he could just help her…

She ran her hand up towards his shoulders, and as he began to help her sit up, she noticed the blood. Panic flared in her chest, “W, hey, yer bleeding--!” She looked around for her discarded shirt, and had Lucy bring it over to her. She gently pressed the cool, wet cloth to his neck, wiping the blood away gently. But that wasn’t where the wound was?? Must have been under his mask. “We gotta get ya some help...”

Her heart hurt, seeing him in pain and all banged up. She winced as they began to stand, clinging to him for dear life. She was so exhausted, she knew she’d just go right back down if she let him go. Once fully on her feet, she sighed, but the pain in her ribs make her take a sharp breath. “Fuck...”

Lucy whimpered and gently licked his wounds, and Grunt patted his head. “Good boy, so good...” She looked to W then, a weary smile on her face. “Y’really saved my ass, W... I dunno if I’d’ve made it without ya...”

Don’t let up.  V’s voice lit up in his head, all those combat lessons finally paying up.  Don’t ever let up.  Let up and you’re dead.  He’d have to thank her if he made it out of this alive.

the feeling of adrenaline pumping through his veins pushed him on, using the distraction of him commanding his pokemon to aim another hit at his face, this time from a lower angle, his chin the target, his other hand guarding for future attacks.  He left Grunt to her own devices, hoping the water to the everything hadn’t hurt her so much, his focus completely on this asshole and murdering his face.

The doll continued to throw terrifying static at the dog, enjoying it’s fear more than anything.  the sound of a scuffle behind it attracted it’s attention for a moment, eagerly turning to– oh, no the human was doing it’s job for it???  Oh no no no… it’s eyes gleamed a deadly sort of excitement, the doll launching from it’s spot to join the ‘game’ the other two were playing.  Mimikyu used play rough.  It’s intentions were on the pokemon, but as long as Grunt was there, she might sustain some ‘play’ from the Mimikyu as well.  it wasn’t about to make distinctions as it laid into the Houndoom, gleefully tearing at it with it’s powerful shadowy claws.

The first jab of W’s made the world spin, but that wasn’t unusual for a punch to the Temple, but he was perfectly happy with the slug he had returned. The other certainly had reach on him, but Murdoc was a boxer at one point and knew how to pull them in. 

He took the slug to his chin, but then brought both of his fist up to block any other attack he may have for him. Only to move in nice and close and uppercut him nice and hard. 

“I’ve had enough of this! You want this watered down piece of shit house so bad! Take it!” he snarled, only to turn to Grunt then, slamming his boot against her side to get her off his pokemon. “Were out of here!” he barked down at his Houndoom. 

Diablo didn’t hesitate to leap out an open window to wait for them outside.

But Lucifer struggled to his feet, looking to his master desperately for help. “Tch….Get in the damn ball.” he snarled, finally reaching back for his pokeball to return him.  Hoping the Mimikyu’s attention was far more interested in the pokemon than he would him. 

He assessed the situation wrong, he should of just grabbed the orb in his pocket and handled this how he was supposed to….but maybe another time….

The sudden kick to her ribs, however, sent her rolling across the room with an agonizing cry. Surely one of her ribs was cracked, if not broken.

She curled up on the ground, clutching her ribs, staring at Murdoc with one open eye as he made his grand exit.

"Yeah, GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE YA PUSS!!" she shouted, before falling into a violent, painful coughing fit. Lucy scrambled over to her side, gently licking at her face in the hopes of making her feel better.

Slowly, Grunt rolled onto her back, still clutching her side with ragged breathing. But she could relax. He was gone, at least for now. "W...." her voice was hoarse, gently calling him over to her, "help, I... I dunno if I can get up..."

It was then that he heard the gasp, his giant ears turning his head as he caught sight of Grunt doubling over from a punch.  His blood boiled in his chest, steaming his ears as his rage tore up through his body.  He turned to assist, stopping only as She was poised for serious harm.

If only… if only he hadn’t called her such a thing.  again.  Maybe he would have been reasonable.  … probably not.  He still found himself hesitating, the idea of simply ending it here and saving them all the pain.  letting Murdoc win and Saving Grunt weeks of mending a broken arm.  and for what?  a house?  Sadie was gone.  It would just go to waste otherwise…

but it was the principal.  Broken arms heal.  

He left the wounded houndoom to Lucy, making some hand signals to his Poliwrath with another tweet.  Suddenly a massive spray of water was heading towards Murdoc and Grunt, W charging in under the cover of it.  If Murdoc followed through with his plan to break her arm, the blast would hit him and then W would be right on him, but his eye was out for him to dodge, his direction ready to aim for him.

He jumped back in surprise seeing W in front of him, only to grit his teeth and pull his own fist back, hoping to sling it forward and knock W out clean, but there was no doubt he was going to receive a blow of his own. 

Diablo let out a whine, seeing the Mimikyu come to life in front of him. He had never seen a pikachu plush do such a thing before. especially since they were all new to alola. 

It trembled but held its ground, only to have faint flames flicker around its teeth. 

“DIABLO! ATTACK!” Murdoc snarled, seeing that his houndoom was freezing up. causing the creature only to flinch.  It was so unsure as to what to do to the plush, that it simply started whining. 

She turned, watching blood drip down Lucy's face with horror. With an outraged cry, shw tackled the Houndoom, sliding across the floor with it and away from Mimikyu.

Lucifer must have been caught off guard, and sent his flames straight at Grunt's face, though with less force than anticipated.

He wasn’t about to believe anything he said.  Murdoc didn’t even know loyalty… W knew what that was about and how it meant to be loyal to your team, even if you didn’t like them.  Threatening them and spreading rumors and lies was no way to show your loyalty.  it was driving the team apart…  …  but the way he had reacted to her accusation…  Magma…   hmmm…

He silently cheered on Grunt stomping to keeping the houndooms focused on him… and his Poliwrath.  the water pokemon was at the ready off to his right, a whistle sounding off for attack number two, Hydro Pump.  this aught to cool off their flames.  Sorry about the water damage, Sadie.  but if she was truly gone, then he felt no qualms trashing this place to high hell and forcing Murdoc out of it.  This place would never be his.  He didn’t deserve such kindnesses.

Grunt’s breath escaped her when she was nailed in the stomach, but she made a point to grab his hair and give it a harsh pull to prevent herself from falling over. Though, this left her wrists open to be grabbed, and she was suddenly held hostage against Murdoc’s chest.

Lucy stilled, though he snarled at Murdoc for even touching his trainer. Grunt fell silent, only wincing and giving off a soft “nngh” when he tightened his grip on her. She tried to hold her tongue, knowing that sassy remarks could put her in a more precarious situation, and her eyes stared into W’s. Her eyes held no fear, only anger and determination to obliterate this guy, and faith in her new partner.

there were times W really wished he had a voice.  Something he could use to express himself and his inner emotions, but his lack of one, lack of expression and lack of sleep had left him casually indifferent to the world.  at least on the outside.  if only he could show him how furious he was, tell him off for being such an ass to his fellow grunts, for being a fucking sleazeball, and for pulling all this shit in his first week.

but alas, he could only pat his chest and hold up three fingers with the same hand, the other still in his pocket and wrapped around his pokeball, suffering the other’s overly enthusiastic friendliness with silent ire.  If he knew sign language, this would be the time to use it.  W hoped he didn’t.

And then the fury was back, sounding off in the kitchen before storming back into the room, her hands trembling as she yelled in Murdoc’s face.  she was connecting the dots though, pulling something together that W hadn’t even thought about, rather impressive for someone housing that much anger at the moment.  

“Fuck,” she sputtered out, her nails sinking into his arm, “Coward! Y’don’t derserve--” she coughed, her breathing getting harder and harder, “t’ be in my fuckin’ presence, you pathetic prick--”

Lucy’s eyes went wide in horror, before his face contorted into a vicious snarl. He barreled through the Houndooms, uncaring about whether they attacked him or not. He had to get to Grunt.

He leapt into the air, aiming for Murdoc’s leg, his jaws open wide and ready to take a chunk out of him.

When Grunt was shoved back, she gasped for air, and rubbed her throat, staring down the smug bastard. Her blood boiled. “I ain’t nobody’s bitch, motherfucker. All that shit yer spewin’ is real fucken rich comin’ from you.”

She launched herself back at him and pinned him to the couch. “You wanna see me follow through!?”