Lazuli's Honchkrow

**Lazuli's Honchkrow** (Japanese: **ラズリのドンカラス** *Razuri's Dongkarasu*) is one of the Pokémon that Lazuli captured prior to her return to Sinnoh.

## **New Era**

### **Sinnoh**

Honckrow debuted as a Murkrow during Lazuli's battle against Cynthia's Garchomp at Amity Square. He launched a Haze, which Garchomp easily dodged. It proved far too much of a lightweight to tackle Garchomp, as a collision between Sky Attack and Garchomp's Giga Impact knocked it out in one blow. Whilst it recovered with Weavile, Torterra and Chimchar, Lazuli revealed that Murkrow was caught during her journey in Johto.

Murkrow made brief appearances where it used Shadow Ball and Sky Attack to try to force Chimchar's Blaze, and where it chased away a horde of Gligar while Lazuli was attempting to capture the Gligar's leader, Gliscor. Sometime prior to Lazuli's battle against Maylene at the Veilstone Gym, Murkrow evolved into Honchkrow, with his type advantage of Maylene's Fighting-type Pokémon, managed to knock out two of her three Pokémon before being recalled by Lazuli.

Honchkrow appeared again where it battled Dwayne's Turtwig. It charged up a Sky Attack, but the charge up time allowed Turtwig to hit Honchkrow with Energy Ball. Turtwig managed to dodge Sky Attack and Night Slash, but Honchkrow managed to reverse its angle and struck Turtwig with another Night Slash. It also hit consecutive Aerial Ace. Just then, Turtwig evolved into Grotle, but Lazuli and Honchkrow were undeterred and continued their onslaught of Aerial Ace, which Grotle was unable to dodge due to its drastically increased mass and reduced speed. Honchkrow powered up and struck with a Sky Attack, with Grotle stumbling and allowing Honchkrow to strike. A final Dark Pulse was enough to finish off Grotle, severely damaging Grotle's self-esteem.

Honchkrow was used by Lazuli during her Squallville PokéRinger challenge. It was immediately put up against the reigning champion, Provo and his Dragonite. However, Lazuli and Honchkrow immediately proved to be deadly opponents as Honchkrow outflew Dragonite at every turn and dodged its powerful Fire Punch and Dragon Pulse. It managed to get the ring before Dragonite, but dropped it when Dragonite's Dragon Rush landed a hit. Both Pokémon raced for the ring, but Honchkrow got it first and raced for the goal. As Dragonite prepared another Dragon Rush, Lazuli had Honchkrow ride the wind and land a Sky Attack, which knocked out Dragonite thanks to Honchkrow's Super Luck Ability. With a knockout, Lazuli won the round easily. It was also shown defeating a Swellow and Steveland's Skiploom to reach the finals.

In the final round it battled Dwayne's Golbat, who managed to beat Honchkrow to the ring. Honchkrow uses Sky Attack while Golbat counters with Brave Bird. The attacks create a huge explosion, but Golbat takes damage and goes into a free fall, Honchkrow emerging relatively unharmed and rushing with Night Slash. Dwayne has Golbat dodge before heading towards the goal. Honchkrow fires Dark Pulse, hitting and Golbat briefly loses the ring, quickly grabbing it and bolting to the goal. A strong gust of wind halts Golbat as Honchkrow rides the wind, powering up Aerial Ace. The attack misses as Golbat tries to overcome the repulsion, but to no avail. Honchkrow continues to put pressure with Aerial Ace, eventually striking Golbat and knocking the ring out of Golbat's mouth. Honchkrow takes possession of the ring. Both bird Pokémon exchange glares before racing towards the goal. Golbat goes into Aerial Ace, but Honchkrow moves aside, the attack passing harmlessly. Dwayne quickly has Golbat come down with Aerial Ace, stealing the ring right out from Honchkrow's beak. While Golbat races towards the goal, Lazuli orders Honchkrow to strike with Sky Attack, hitting Golbat. As he attempts a follow-up Night Slash, Dwayne has Golbat retaliate with Brave Bird. However, Honchkrow anticipates this, dodging the attack and striking with Night Slash, sending Golbat to the ground, though he still holds the ring.

Dwayne tries to encourage Golbat to get up, but Lazuli snubs him before ordering a finishing Sky Attack. Golbat seems immobile as Honchkrow bears down, but Dwayne's encouragement gets him back into the air. Golbat spreads his wings before he begins to glow, starting the evolution process. His number of wings increases as the evolution completes with Crobat ready to fight. Not backing down, Lazuli has Honchkrow use Night Slash, both of the Pokémon's wings glowing. Crobat easily dodges the attacks, but Honchkrow eventually lands a hit and Crobat loses the ring. Both go after it, repelling each other before Honchkrow stalls Crobat with a Night Slash. Crobat quickly races towards Honchkrow, gets parallel and proceeds to attack with Cross Poison before Crobat pushes Honchkrow back with a wing strike. Excited, Dwayne has Crobat go for the ring. Crobat grabs it and races for the goal. Honchkrow tries to hit with Night Slash, but Crobat dodges, gets behind and attempts Brave Bird. Honchkrow turns around and hits with Sky Attack, the two moves creating a powerful explosion and sending the ring away. Both Trainers order their Pokémon after it. Honchkrow gets farther ahead and is almost to the ring, but Dwayne shouts to Crobat to get the ring. Crobat races forward and unexpectedly swats the ring with his wing before Honchkrow can close its beak, sending the ring onto the goal. Dwayne and Crobat win the PokéRinger, giving Dwayne his first overall win against Lazuli. Back on the ground, Lazuli scolds Honchkrow, telling him they lost due to his slow reactions before recalling him back to his Poké Ball.

During Lazuli's Full Battle against Dwayne at Lake Acuity, Honchkrow was chosen to battle against Dwayne's Grotle. Everyone knew that Dwayne putting Grotle up against Honchkrow to avenge his loss was a mistake, but Dwayne persisted nonetheless. Shielded by Electabuzz's Light Screen, Honchkrow managed to block the hit from Energy Ball. Honchkrow used Haze to blind Grotle, and then hits with another Night Slash. When Grotle used Synthesis, Honchkrow used the delay to charge its Sky Attack, which crashed against Rock Climb. Honchkrow proved far more powerful and knocked Grotle out again.

During the Lily of the Valley Conference, Honchkrow was at Rollins's house, along with Lazuli's other Pokémon, and were saddened when Rollins informed them that Lazuli had lost to Dwayne at the finals.

## **Personality and Characteristics**

Honchkrow is considered to be the backbone of Lazuli team since he has rarely ever failed her, except with his defeats to Cynthia's Garchomp at Amity Square, and against Dwayne's Crobat at the Squallville PokéRinger. The latter also showcased Honchkrow's sensitive side, as it took Lazuli's scolding to heart, and seemed quite disappointed with himself for failing his Trainer. Nonetheless, Honchkrow still retained his ruthless nature, typical of its species, and Lazuli's common attitude.