PRESS R TO TRY AGAIN

Well, after going down the path for so long, he was finally able to see what they meant. Large, square, colorful berry, fruit, and vegetable plots, all organized and labeled, neatly lined the plains and surrounded the buildings like thick walls of a small town. The buildings that stuck out to him were a huge red and white lined building with a big square window above the double doors for the flying types, an orange and black striped hexagonal building that had a Vespiquen head on top, and a pink building with a black hood and white horns like a Miltank.

He approached the large, bright and cheerfully decorated sign reading "Happy Harvest Farm" and saw some more colorful detailing within the city: flower patches and potted plants decorating the houses, light posts to light up the sandy paths at night, each of the buildings having their own little decorated mailboxes. It felt like Shroomsworth had just stepped into an entirely new town, and it very well could've been had they had more buildings like a store or a café or anything along the lines.

But as much as Shroomsworth was impressed by the warm atmosphere the farm brought, he wasn't going to let that distract him from his delivery mission. He looked at each of the buildings and tried to draw comparisons from the ranches he saw. He assumed the pink building was for milk, the orange and black striped building was honey related, and the red house was the main building. Those were assumptions, but based on where he was, they made the most sense.

Only a moment after he stepped in, a Seismitoad took notice of the mushroomy visitor and called out to him. "Howdy, Mushroom Cap. Ya looking for someone?"

Shroomsworth stopped and looked his way. He took notice of his straw hat and single strand of wheat sticking out of his mouth.

"Yes, sir. My name is Shroomsworth and I am here on behalf of Gen-Aroma Store in Falae town. Would you happen to know who runs this farm?" he asked politely.

"That would be me. The name's Alfred. Nice to meetcha." The Seismitoad stopped and extended his hand out for a shake, to which Shroomsworth happily obliged by offering his own.

"Nice to meet you too, sir." the Breloom replied happily.

"I s'ppose yer here t' make yer store's delivery yerself?"

"You are correct." Shroomsworth grabbed the handles of the cart and was ready to be taken somewhere in the farm.

"Well then, let me get ya settled and on yer way. Follow me."

Shroomsworth followed the Seismitoad around the farm, bringing the delivery cart with him. As he did, he looked around to the open double doors and windows of the buildings, all allowing a look into what each of the buildings were for.

The closest building to his right, the orange building, had a view of several Combee, Cutiefly and Ribombee doing honey related things, as he thought. Though, it was strange for him to see the two types of bee Pokémon to be working together. Were they working on the same honey together, or did they have different types of honey they were working on?

"Ya don't look you're from Falae town." the Seismitoad peeked back to see Shroomsworth's eyes wandering off to the orangish building, but that one question quickly snapped him out of his curiosity. The Breloom was then met with a strange look that he couldn't quite explain as well as follow-up response, "Ya certainly don't sound it either."

"Well, you would be right. I recently moved from Aluminium." Shroomsworth smiled.

"That explains the fancy schmancy accent." That one line made Shroomsworth roll his eyes, because of course even the farmer would make fun of that. The Seismitoad picked the wheat strand from his mouth and returned the earlier smile. "Well, welcome to Gold, Mr. fancy man."

"I would appreciate it if you used my name, eh wot." Shroomsworth remained calm, despite the annoyed look in his eyes.

"Sure thing, Shroomsworth."

Shroomsworth was about to open his mouth and correct him, as was the norm at this point, but he caught himself. The Seismitoad actually got his name right! It completely stunned him, but it wasn't unwelcome. Shortly after, he cleared his throat quietly and remained silent for the rest of the trip.

They eventually stopped next to a small wooden building, at least a little bit smaller compared to the larger buildings, that was clearly painted "STORAGE" in big, white wording. It looked like an eyesore compared to the buildings around it, but it looked sufficiently sturdy enough to get the job done.

"I'll git yer stuff loaded. Why don't you settle down for a while?" the Seismitoad offered.

"I think I will, thank you very much." Shroomsworth stepped over to the side and took the opportunity to have a well needed break from all the cart dragging.

He didn't bring much with him, only a couple of crumpets, a little cup of honey to dip them in, and a personal vial (with a cute Breloom cap lid) to keep a standard cup full of tea in. It was a small mid-travel snack, but it hit the spot. Shroomsworth enjoyed his small break, looking around at the bright and delightful scenery around the farm. He even saw a Masquerain flying over crops as a small, controlled rain storm followed them, likely from using Rain Dance.

It was coincidental that the moment he finished cleaning up after his snack break, the Seismitoad farmer was done loading the cart.

"There ya go. You sure you can carry all this back by yourself?" the Seismitoad asked.

"It should be no problem." Shroomsworth went to the cart, grabbed its handles, and managed to pull it a few meters without much issue.

"I'll be a Mankey's uncle." exclaimed the Seismitoad. "Okay then, 'Muscle Mush' Shroomsworth, ya wanna hire someone to watch your tail? Our usual watcher's out on a personal delivery run, so it'll cost ya."

"That will depend on the cost. I am not carrying much on me at the moment."

"You got sixteen hundred, then? Givin' you a discount for your troubles."

Sixteen hundred?! That was more Poké than he had on his person... which was fifteen hundred. Not to mention that if he did manage to haggle the price down, that would leave him with little to no money for the trip back, and he always made sure to have a bit of money on him at all times. As much as he would like the protection, he would have to turn it down and hope for the best.

"I do not, unfortunately, but I think I can manage all by myself." he spoke with confidence.

"Ya better watch your back, then. That mean ol' Slasher and his crew have been out for our goods for us for a looong time. They may be 'round the area as we speak."

"Thank you, I will keep that in mind." Shroomsworth took a short pause before he smiled and picked the handles of the cart up once more. "Pleasure doing business with you."

And after their goodbyes, Shroomsworth left the farm with his cart in tow and started his journey back to Falae Town.

The added weight from the crates of berries and fruit was almost nothing for the gentleman Breloom. He did have to pull the cart with much more strength than before, and it did slow him down quite a bit, but he was used to it.

What concerned him was that warning about Slasher. He was aware of the wanted criminal, he saw him on the posters, and everyone that has brought him up in conversations has always mentioned how terrible and threatening he was. Even the young Sneasel who was supposedly under his reign at some point made note of how awful he was.

But Shroomsworth never saw what was so menacing about Slasher. To him, he looked like every other ruffian he's ever dealt with, scars and all. Even with the weakness to Ice type moves, he was still a Fighting type, and that could do much more damage punching the Ice/Dark type than any snowflake could do to him. All-in-all, he just didn't seem like a serious threat. He didn't even think the Weavile would dare to mess with him...

Clunk.

That was not a branch. Shroomsworth stopped in his tracks and gently lowered the cart until it rested on the floor. That was when he heard a rough voice from behind him.

"That's it, leave the cart and walk away. Make it quick, or I'll make you go quick."

Shroomsworth cocked his monocled eye behind him, casting a glance of annoyance. Sitting right on top of the boxes in the cart was a Weavile, one with a purple and yellow cape-like accessory with the spiky neckline, but upon closer inspection it wasn't just any Weavile. The two scars on the left side of his face were very evident. This was Slasher.

But Shroomsworth's expression didn't change. Even in the presence of the notorious criminal leader, his displeased expression remained, as if the Weavile was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Shroomsworth didn't say anything towards Slasher, nor did he bother to look at him for more than a second. He simply started walking away, much to the Weavile's...

No, Slasher could tell something was up. No Pokémon would just calmly walk away like that if they didn't have a plan.

With no sounds between each of them, Shroomsworth stopped with one foot forward and spun around, launching a barrage of seeds travelling like bullets towards the outlaw!

This was what Slasher was anticipating, but it wasn't the large spread of Bullet Seed that this attack was. He jumped up to the nearest branch above him and grabbed onto it with his claws as he swung himself over it. "Oh, this will be fun!" he said with a grin as he reached the apex of his swing. With the projectiles behind him, he swung around before letting go and launching himself towards the Breloom. Then he raised his fist in the air as ice started forming around it.

Shroomsworth already had his claws up by the time Slasher was in the air, so when he saw the Weavile about to bring down his icy attack, he hopped back right as the criminal started falling.

Slasher brought down that Ice Punch but ended up hitting ground and causing all the ice that had formed around his fist to shatter into pieces. This gave Shroomsworth the opportunity to attack, so he brought one claw back and launched out a speedy Mach Punch, but Slasher was none the wiser and stepped to the side to avoid it, and he brought his other arm out, his claws beginning to glow a bright crimson.

Slasher dashed towards Shroomsworth with incredible speed and swung in for a quick Night Slash attack, but Shroomsworth stepped lightly and wrapped around behind the Weavile as he avoided his claws. With his own claws still up, Shroomsworth brought one arm back and prepared to use Mach Punch again. When Slasher stopped and turned around, he was met with a red claw striking his face at a speed too fast for him to comprehend and he was sent spinning on his feet.

Once Shroomsworth's arm returned to his side, he brought the other back and then sent it out to finish Slasher off with another Mach Punch.

But Slasher recovered on his feet right as the claw was sent his way. He leaned to his left, narrowly dodging the flying claw, but then he did something Shroomsworth did not expect. He grabbed the Breloom's wrist and then jumped right as it started slinging back towards him. Suddenly, Slasher was flying, feet outward, towards Shroomsworth. Before Shroomsworth could react, Slasher's clawed feet crashed into his chest and sent him into the delivery cart, right between the handles.

Shroomsworth felt the wind knocked right out of his lungs from that one attack alone, but Slasher's grip remained on his wrist and his feet were resting on his chest. It wasn't over yet. Shroomsworth felt something slip off his right arm, and before he could open his eyes, he felt the smooth claws pressing hard against his chin and kicking his head up all the way. Then, he felt the chains of his gold monocle snag onto something, and in just one second, the chains snapped.

The weight of the Weavile was no longer on him, giving him some much needed time to recover from the beating he just received. The first thing he noticed when he opened his eyes was his monocle was no longer on his face. No, it was now in Slasher's clutches, and he was swinging it around by its chain. Not only was his monocle there, but also the gold band he wore on his right arm.

Shroomsworth glanced down to his neck and was thankful that his emerald locket remained on him. He then looked back up to Slasher chuckling menacingly and with a bit of blood trickling from his mouth.

"You're pretty fun to fight." Slasher caught the main piece of the monocle between his claws. "Shame you've got your back to the wall now." He then stuffed the monocle and the bracelet into his pouch, swapping them out for an Oran berry, before giving Shroomsworth the most condescendingly smug shrug he could. "Now, are you going to keep fighting, or are you going to give up?" His claws start to glow a bright pink light as he readied yet another move. "I think you only got one option here, baby face."

Shroomsworth grabbed onto the handles of the cart. His body felt weak, but his mind still felt strong. He wanted to continue fighting, but he wasn't sure if he could withstand another attack. He could try to get his own Oran Berry, but that was a risky option against a Pokémon who could unleash whatever move it was on him at any moment. Still, he had no other options. If he could just eat that Oran Berry, he could probably tank through that attack and continue fighting.

Shroomsworth glared at Slasher with a menacing red aura, causing his eyes to glow bright red and his pupils to turn into spirals. The Swagger worked. He then rushed to reach into his bag for an Oran Berry, but Slasher was quick to respond. Braving the confusion, the Weavile stuffed his Oran Berry into his mouth before bringing both his glowing pink claws out and swinging them to shoot two waves of psychic energy. Unfortunately, they weren't intending on missing their mark.

Shroomsworth had little time to respond as he was struggling to pick the Oran Berry out from his pouch of goodies. If he were to pull it out now, he would be too late...

Clang!

The Psycho Cut struck a barrier that was summoned just in time, and the attack blew up right in front of Shroomsworth's face. Then, someone jumped down in front of the cart and shot out a large bolt of lightning towards Slasher, but Slasher rolled out of the way.

"Great, just great." Slasher saw Shroomsworth finally munching down on his Oran Berry as he realized he was not going to win this battle... So, why would he bother. He had that smug look on his face again, despite the redness and spirals in his eyes. "You win for now, but next time I won't go easy on ya." He turned away from the two before giving a slight wave towards the Breloom's savior. "Tell your girlfriend I said I missed her."

Another Thunderbolt was sent Slasher's way, but he already lept into the forest before the bolts could hit him.

Shroomsworth finally looked up at the Pokémon who saved his life, right as he turned to face him. Green cape, eyepatch on the left eye, and nearly empty half-lidded expression. It was the Meowstic that regularly shopped at the general store.

"Thank you kindly. Jasper, right?"

The Meowstic nodded lightly.

Shroomsworth crept his way up the handles of the cart until he reached the end. He then pushed himself up on the handles, bringing him off the ground, and peered over the cart for a few seconds to assess any damages. Thankfully, nothing was broken or broken into, so he let himself fall back onto the ground.

"Everything good?" the Meowstic asked with that always prominent but monotonous tone.

"Yes, everything appears to be in order." Shroomsworth turned back around and grabbed onto the handles of the cart. He figured that with Jasper here, he could probably get some actual protection and likely at a cheaper price, if none at all. "Would you please be kind as to accompany me back to Falae Town?"

"Sure." Jasper was silent after that. No price, no catch, just a singular answer. That was good enough for Shroomsworth.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let us be off." Shroomsworth picked the cart handles up and resumed his delivery, now with a watchful cat by his side.

What a bother... He ended up losing two accessories from that encounter, two more than he ever wanted to lose. He didn't lose everything, because he still had the emerald locket. It was a miracle he let him keep that but take the others. Shroomsworth would have been full of dread if he ever lost that locket.

But the moment has passed already. He didn't dwell on it much longer before he was back to towing the cart as if nothing ever happened.

Jasper made extra sure no thief or other low life scum tried anything like Slasher just did. He was very observant about his surroundings, even with only his good eye surveying the area. He wasn't much for conversation, but that didn't really matter for Shroomsworth. The Breloom was too focused on carrying the heavy cart back to town to talk anyway.

It was just the two of them and the peaceful surroundings of the forest. No more thieves, no more worries.

They eventually returned to Falae Town around the middle of the afternoon, when the sun was already in course for falling.

"Many thanks again, Jasper." Shroomsworth said. He then realized he should probably at least pay this Meowstic for helping him, as well as saving his life. It would be rude not to. "How much do I owe you for your assistance?"

Jasper held a paw up and said calmly, "Keep your money."

This surprised Shroomsworth. "Surely, you deserve a reward for keeping me from turning into mushroom stew."

"You've lost enough." Jasper waved his paw and then left, already having done his job.

Shroomsworth felt a little bad for not compensating the Meowstic for his heroism, but thinking about what he said, it seemed to make sense. Perhaps now, with his possession stolen, wasn't the best time. He made a mental note to pay him some time in the future.

He towed the delivery cart back to the Gen-Aroma store and set it down next to the employee door before he made his way inside. The first thing he did was head to the door to Lavender's office and knock on it to let him know he was back.

"Who is it?" There was her voice. He somewhat missed hearing it while he was out.

"It's me, Shroomsworth. I brought our stock from the farm." the Breloom answered.

In no time at all, the door opened. Lavender looked very excited to see Shroomsworth back, she even held her arms out in celebration.

"I'm so glad you're back! I assume everything went-" Lavender's excitement was halted when she noticed Shroomsworth's lack of ocular garment. "What happened to your monocle?"

"I had a little run-in with that criminal Slasher. He managed to steal some of my accessories, but he didn't do much before Jasper and I sent him running."

Lavender was very shocked from hearing his story, and her worry cranked up to eleven in an instant. "Oh my goodness, Slasher?!" She then stepped closer, grabbed one of Shroomsworth's claws, and looked up with pleading eyes, even standing on her toes to make her face even closer to his. "Where did he get you? Are you hurting anywhere? I have Heal Pulse!"

"I am perfectly fine, Miss Meadows. He did rough me up against the cart, but nothing major."

"Oh my- here, come here and sit down." Suddenly, Lavender took Shroomsworth to one of the chairs in the break room and had the Breloom sit down on it. "I'm just going to make sure nothing's hurting too bad." Lavender brought her hands up to Shroomsworth's chest and started pressing her palms down to see if the pressure would hurt him.

"Pardon my curiosity, but were you a nurse before you decided to do merchant business?" Shroomsworth asked.

"Yes, actually." she replied. While she talked, she ran her hands all over Shroomsworth's chest and pressed down at various points for any further signs of pain. "I was a nurse briefly before I worked the store. I didn't choose to become a nurse. I was made one as a teen because the town was understaffed back then. It's not like that anymore, I can tell you that."

There was something about the way Lavender worked her hands that made Shroomsworth feel all warm and fuzzy inside. She would soon finished up checking his chest and she moved on to rubbing and pressing against his back. It felt like he was getting a nice massage, even if that wasn't actually the case.

"It is rather nice to have the knowledge, is it not?" he asked.

"Oh yeah, it's not all that bad. Better that I did anyway. It helps out immensely in situations like this." She pressed down on one more spot before stopping. "And just for good measure, I'm gonna Heal Pulse you anyway, so just sit tight."

Suddenly, Shroomsworth felt Lavender's fluffy dress and body press against his back, her arms wrapped around his body, and the palms of her hands and her claws planted against his chest, right where he was kicked. Shroomsworth looked down at her hands and saw that they were starting to glow, pulsating between a bright light yellow and light pink. Then, he could see ripples of those same colors travelling across his body, and with those ripples came a soft, fuzzy feeling of rejuvenation.

Shroomsworth was never on the receiving end of a Heal Pulse like this before. Whenever he had been healed by this move, it was usually through either usage by projectile or from simple contact, such as a hand resting on his wound. It was never something like the hug he was experiencing.

It felt much more than just simple contact. It felt warm and tender, and the feelings the Heal Pulse itself gave made it all the more pleasant. It made Shroomsworth want to melt on the spot. He was already closing his eyes and instinctually leaning slightly back towards Lavender's embrace, and then he let out a long sigh of relief.

Little did he know that Lavender was quick to notice what he was doing in what was supposed to be a brief moment of healing. There was just something within her that didn't want to stop, so she didn't.

"Feel any better? About the same?" she asked.

Shroomsworth opened his eyes and glanced behind him. "I think I feel wonderful now. Thank you, Miss Meadows." Shroomsworth had been smiling this entire time. It warmed her heart to see that smile.

But she had to let go at that moment lest it become awkward and she stepped back to give Shroomsworth some space.

"Now..." Shroomsworth hopped off the chair. "Shall we get started with stocking the store, eh wot?" He was already on his way towards the exit.

"Wait!" Lavender was quick to reply. "What about your monocle? Do you need another one? That was a golden one, wasn't it?"

"There is no need, Miss Meadows. That monocle was only painted gold, and I already have extras. I will go get one once we are done." Shroomsworth stopped and grabbed the door handle, but Lavender wasn't finished speaking.

"Wait, so that bracelet and that necklace..." she said.

"Firstly, it is a locket. Second, the locket is made of genuine gold. I could not care about what happened to the bracelet as it is very cheap. I am just glad they did not take the locket." He looked down and clutched the emerald locket tightly. After that, he looked back at Lavender and casually told her, "And if you were wondering, I do have a monocle made of genuine gold. I do not wear it, save for special occasions."

"I get what you mean. I have something like that myself."

Lavender went toward the door, where Shroomsworth was still holding onto the handle. The Breloom then opened the door and motioned for the Aromatisse to lead them out.

"After you, miss." he said gently.

"Thank you."